From Trainer to Beast Tamer Pokémon Trainer! Reader x Twisted Wonderland

Lost in Briar Valley Pt 6

Y'all kept asking for it.
Lost In Briar Valley AU Pt 6

With the exception of a random encounter with a very lost, very confused Darkrai that had been pestered by poachers, dream walking was a new experience for her. The Pokémon trainer thanked Arceus for Silver's timely arrival, otherwise, she, Grim, and her Pokémon would've surely been lost to the darkness, whatever the hell it was. Of course, not having control over where they landed did complicate things as they found themselves first in Sebek's dreams of all people, and then in a dark, yet very familiar forest.
"A forest now?" (Y/N) thought before checking on everyone else. "Are you guys all right?"
"Ugh..." Grim moaned as she checked over her Pokémon, who all seemed unharmed as Swampert reverted back to his normal form. "Did we manage to escape those blobby things?"
"Seems like it." Silver sighed, being helped up by Absol. "But I don't know whose dream we're in yet."
Sebek looked at his hands, as if he had committed some grave sin. "I... I just disobeyed the Young Master... I have done something unbelievably rude!"
Crobat landed on his shoulder and slapped him with a wing, trying to get the blubbering half-fae to pull it together as Silver rolled his eyes.
"You can cry all you want later. We need to rest and figure out where we are first. This scenery, the smell of the breeze... I think I know where we are."
"Wait, guys." (Y/N) interjected, realizing now was as good a time as ever. "I need to ask you something important about Lilia."
Sebek gave her a look. "Really, human? Is now the best time?"
"It's important. Or at least I think it is. Ever since I first met him, I've had this weird déjà vu feeling, like I'm supposed to know him, Malleus too. At the party, I had this...vision where Lilia was talking to me, but it never happened here. Not only that, when Lilia protected me and Swampert from Malleus, he said that Malleus owed us for something."
"Preposterous! As if the young Master would ever be in debt to a human!"
"Hold it, Sebek." Silver interjected. "She's right, there is something weird going on between her and F-Lilia. Remember the necklace and the drawing?"
The half-fae's eyes widened as he remembered as Grim crossed his arms.
"What are ya guys talking about?"
"Before the party, we confronted Lilia about a necklace he said he got from a dear friend many years ago." Silver explained, drawing a picture in the dirt. "Recognize this, (Y/N)?"
She looked down and her eyes went wide. "That's...that's the DevonCorp symbol. How did you-?"
"The necklace Master Lilia had had this same symbol." Sebek answered, starting to realize his dormmate definitely had a point. "In addition, the Young Master confronted Master Lilia about a drawing in one of his old journals. It was the drawing of a child along with a picture of...that one."
Sebek motioned to Swampert and he and his trainer looked at each other, completely baffled. (Y/N) ran her fingers through her hair.
"I knew it. Somehow, I've met Lilia before, but where?"
Noivern suddenly screeched, firing off a Boomburst that exploded against a flash of magic.
"Take cover!" Silver yelled.
Sebek, Grim, and (Y/N) were pulled to the ground by Swampert and Absol as Noivern, Crobat, and Hydreigon began to fire back on the unseen foes.
"Sniping!?" Silver said from beneath Absol. "Where's it coming from?"
Just then, three being in green armor jumped from the bushes, masked and screeching, making (Y/N) head spin as she had vision of similar knights chasing her.
"Wh-who are these guys!?" Sebek demanded before the third foe screeched at him. "'Iron Ones'? No, we are not!"
"You can understand them, Sebek!?" Grim shouted as one attempted to nab him, only to get cut off by Absol.
Again, the enemy screeched as Sebek stood, holding up his hands. "I am not lying! We are students from-!"
The soldier charged him, only for Noivern to land in front of him and scream at the top of his lungs. Their attackers all backed off, clutching their ears at the sound. Just then, something swooped down on Noivern, a pair of Pokémon (Y/N) knew all too well.
"A-Altaria!?"
Silver stared at her. "(Y/N), are those-?"
"Pokémon. They're Pokémon!"
Just then, a wave of Pokémon came running out of the woods, putting themselves between their attackers and them. Still utterly confused, (Y/N) motioned for her Pokémon to stand down as the Altaria circled, now joined by a few Swablu. Calmly, she whistled a tune that seemed to settle them. The largest of the flock swooped down, landing in front of the girl with a suspicious look. She held up her hands as Swampert came to her side and Crobat landed on her shoulder.
"Easy, friend. We're not here to fight. See? We're from your world too."
Seeing the Pokémon gathered around her, the Altaria seemed to recognize this girl was a trainer and chirped in a more welcoming manner.
(Y/N) smiled. "I'm sorry we scared you. We didn't mean to."
"We scared them!?" Grim snapped before Absol huffed at him.
"What is all the ruckus about?" A voice called from the trees.
One of the soldiers, still hanging back with the line of wild Pokémon, seemed to answer back as Silver blinked in shock. Just then, a small form landed in front of them, cloaked in a hood and demonic mask. Funnily enough, a Swablu was nesting on his head, and a Carbink was in his arms.
"You fools. Take a closer look at the energy around them. They have been blessed by our people. They are not the enemy. Besides, that one," He pointed at the girl. "seems to know about the beasts."
"Blessed?" Silver repeated. "Who are you?"
"However, they still raise suspicion." The stranger approached, carefully placing the Carbink down and allowing the Swablu to rejoin its flock before drawing what appeared to be a massive cleaver made of jade and silver.
"A magical lithic!?" Sebek shouted as the stranger swung, blasting them with a magical force.
All but Swampert stepped back at the sheer force, the water starter ever defiant.
"Quiet, Human. You are not to speak. Who are you children? Answer me. Speak now if you do not wish to get hurt."
Swampert answered with a growl, Absol joining him in a hunting crouch as his scythe was leveled at their attacker. Just as (Y/N) was about to snark at him, when she stopped herself, Swampert also stopping. Those clothes...she knew those clothes.
"Lilia?" Noivern also looked less aggressive, more conflicted than anything, and she quickly shook her head.  "We didn't come to fight. We're students from Night Raven College. You can check our student IDs if you don't believe us."
"Night Raven College, you say?" The man repeated as Sebek nodded.
"Yes, from Sage's Island."
"I've already said I'm not interested in a school founded by humans! You wish to 'teach' me magic when all your lot can do are childish tricks? Sending in lackeys as if the letters weren't enough. How absurd. You really think you have anything you can teach me? Don't look down on me, brats."
"Wha–!?" Grim yelped. "We didn't say anything remotely close to that, yanno!?"
Silver shook his head, trying to explain. "N-no, we're-,"
"I've got my hands full dealing with those pesky Silver Owls and these Pokémon. I don't have time to play your silly games. We already have a beast tamer of our own to handle this, but I'll let you off just this once. Get out of here, humans."
"Why does our school send letters to shady monsters like them!?" Grim asked, only to get glared at by Sebek.
"Monsters!? Bite your-," (Y/N) cut off Sebek.
"Wait, you said Pokémon. You know what a Pokémon is?"
"As I said, we have our own beast tamer, though..." He titled his head at her. "You command them the same way she does. Does that mean you come from the same world as them?"
Just then, yet another masked knight, this one dawning the mask of green Krookedile, appeared.
"REPORTING! I APOLOGIZE, RIGHT GENERAL!"
The right General growled. "Quiet down, Baul. What's the matter?"
"B-BAUL!?" Sebek squeaked out, getting Grim's attention.
"What's up, Sebek? Ya know that guy?"
"N-no... It can't be..."
"Hm, who are you children?" Baul demanded. "Those round ears... Are you Children of Steel!?"
The right General held out an arm. "They're just lost kids, leave them be. You were saying?"
Baul seemed to shoot them a nasty look. "Of course!! Please excuse me. Troops stationed in the forest have reported Silver Owl activities. They've set up tents by the foot of the Enchanted Mountain, and are wreaking havoc as we speak."
"Tch... Obstinate fiends. Wait, did you leave (Y/N) alone?"
"(Y/N)!?" The students all yelled in utter confusion as the foliage behind the fae rustled.
"We're here, Lilia!"
A human child emerged from the woods, flanked by a Marshtomp and long after, a Manetric. That wasn't the shocking part. What was shocking was that this child was undeniably a younger version of (Y/N). Looking at her past self, many of the memories came rushing back to (Y/N) as she remembered finally. Though not everything returned, all of the emotions she had felt around Lilia, around Malleus, and that yearning in her heart, it all made sense now. As she grappled with her emotions, and the boys were left speechless, her younger self only got a starry look in her eyes as she ran up to Swampert.
"No way! A Swampert! This is so cool! Marshtomp! Get a good look, this is what you'll be one day!"
"You have no idea." (Y/N) mumbled to herself as Marshtomp waddled up to his evolved self, who was clearly going through the same thing as his partner if his expression was to be believed.
Little (Y/N) proceeded to run around, greeting each Pokémon with a great enthusiasm, being greeted warmly in return.
"(Y/N)..." Grim whispered. "What the heck is going on?!"
"That's...me."
Her younger self then ran up to her. "Hey, Ms? Are these your Pokémon?"
The older self gave a nervous smile. "That's right. I'm a Pokémon trainer."
"You're from our world then!" The child shouted. "Thank Arceus! I thought we were on our own out here. What region are you guys from?"
"Um, Hoenn."
"Us too! This is great! Lilia! We can trust this one! She's from my home!"
"Wait, that's Lilia!?" Grim whispered-screamed.
"(Y/N), just because you both come from the same world doesn't mean she can be trusted." The fae chastised, notably getting closer in case something happened.
Child (Y/N) simply patted Swampert's nose. "Just look at her Pokémon. They're all well fed, groomed, and they're used to contact. I'd say someone who treats their Pokémon this well could only be a good person!"
Lilia sighed, snatching her by the collar of her shirt and pulling her back, dropping her by line of wild Pokémon.
"Don't touch monsters you don't know."
She playfully stuck her tongue out at him as he gave the order to continue marching. Silver then stepped forward.
"Please wait!"
The general turned to him, the Swablu again landing on his head. "What?"
"Please take us with you!"
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion, Lilia most of all.
"Come again...?"
"Please, we can help!" (Y/N) added in, wanting to get to the bottom of this even as Grim's fur stood on end.
"Why do you wanna do that when he just let us go?!"
"We can't go back to school empty-hand." Silver made up. "We'll prove our worth as Night Raven College students. We promise not to hold you back. We have confidence in our magic and skills, as well as our companion's capability as a beast tamer."
"I believe I've made myself clear." The general half threatened. "Or did you simply not understand? Get out before it's too late, humans."
Grim shivered. "... My fur's tingling like when Tsunotarou glared at me!"
"We're not leaving no matter what you say!" Silver affirmed. "Please let us go with you!"
The general stared at him for a while before nodding. "Very well."
"Really!?" Everyone shouted as Baul looked at the general in shock.
"Are you sure, Right General!? You mean to take such suspicious beings into our land!? I can understand (Y/N), she's just a child, but they-!" The general then muttered something in his ear. "...! Y-you make a fine point..."
Lilia patted his shoulder and turned to them. "Listen well, brats. I'll let you come with us if you fulfill my requirements."
"What are they?" Silver asked.
"If you manage to land a hit on me, then you can come." The general drew his weapon. "Come at me, humans."
"Let's go!" Silver commanded, though he seemed hesitant.
(Y/N) whistled, having Noivern and Hydreigon back up the knight as Lilia began dodging faster than she could see. Sebek also joined, but he too was outmatched.
"What's this?" The general mocked. "What happened to all that gusto, huh?"
"I'll keep him busy." Silver whispered, sensing Hydreigon close by as Noivern swooped in and out of the shadows. "You and Noivern get around him while he's distracted!"
"Don't order me around!" Sebek growled, launching a spell. "TAKE THIS!"
The general easily dodged, moving in for a counter attack, only to get cut off by Hydreigon, who bit down on the blade with all three of his mouths.
"Stubborn beast!"
Just then, Crobat saw his own opening, flying in to land a Confuse Ray which momentarily dazed the General.
"Now!" Silver ordered as he and Noivern came swooping in from opposite sides, landing a light spell and a Boomburst.
Staggered, Sebek and Hydreigon rushed in. Shockingly, the General still managed to dodge, but Sebek managed to nick his mask, sending it flying to surprise of everyone. The boys heaved air into their lungs as the Pokémon stared at the General's face in shock.
"Mere humans and beasts knocked my mask off...?"
"Lilia!" Child (Y/N) shouted, worried for her friend as the current one stared with a pained expression.
How could she have forgotten?
"Father..." Silver let slip, getting caught immediately by Lilia.
"Father? I don't have children, let alone a human one."
"Ah." The boy bit his tongue. "P-please excuse me."
Lilia rolled his eyes. "The closest thing I have to children are the brats behind me that I have been force to babysit."
Child (Y/N) glared as Marshtomp stamped his foot. "Never mind. I wished they had hit you in your stupid face!"
Sebek leaned against Hydreigon for support. "I-is it really Lord Lilia from his time as the Right General...!"
"Get a grip, Sebek." Silver hissed quietly, walking over to him. "We are literally in a dream."
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT, RIGHT GENERAL–!?" Baul screamed, rounding on the others. "YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, HUMANS AND BEASTS! What are you lot waiting for!? Arrest them at once!"
The soldiers advanced, this time cut off by Absol and Swampert, who now had (Y/N) on his back.
"Try me." She warned as Lilia growled.
"Quiet! They only tore off my mask, I'm not hurt."
"But Sir-!"
"Calm down, Baul." Child (Y/N) said. "He's the one who wanted this. It's not like he was ever in trouble. Besides, the Pokémon like them."
By now, the wild Pokémon were all now cheerfully greeting the newcomers, though most of them were practically burying poor Silver, though Manetric was especially curious of Sebek.
Lilia ignored both of them, turning to Silver and motioning for the Pokémon to give them space. "You seem capable for students. Who taught you how to fight?"
"Sebek and I trained under a highly skilled fae when we were younger."
"A fae, you say... No wonder it seemed familiar." Lilia then turned to the older (Y/N). "You're from (Y/N)'s world then? You're one of those 'trainers' she keeps mentioning?"
"That's right." She answered.
Lilia gave her a suspicious look, his eyes glancing back at her younger self.
"You two bear a striking resemblance. Are you related by any chance?"
"I don't have any family, Lilia." Child (Y/N) assured as her older self nodded.
"I don't have any sisters or cousins. Sorry."
The fae general didn't seem to buy it, but considering that his ward insisted she had no relatives, he couldn't call out a lie. Still, something about this girl was...off.
"You should know who I am if you're from Night Raven College. My name is Lilia, courtesy name Vanrouge." Lilia introduced himself, then glaring at Silver. "You may be a pain in my neck, but... you do not work for me. Call me however you wish, aside from 'Father', that is."
The pale haired boy flinched. "... Of course."
"Master Lilia Vanrouge is the Right General of the Land of Briar's Royal Guards." Baul boasted. "He is vital to our kingdom's safety! Even outsiders know him by the moniker, 'Lightning Green Fortress'! If not for the circumstances, you humans do not deserve to be in his presence! SHOW HIM SOME RESPECT!"
Sebek and Silver saluted. "Roger!"
Noivern, familiarly, knocked Baul over with his tail, chattering angrily as Lilia gave the older (Y/N) a look. The younger version instinctively ran up to the dragon, speaking softly and soothingly. "Baul! I keep warning you about yelling! You're gonna keep getting smacked if you keep hurting their ears."
"She's right." The older one confirmed, walking over to her dragon. "Large ears mean attuned hearing. I would think a race so connected to nature would understand that. Though, I do half to remind a certain someone as well."
Lilia sighed as she looked over at Sebek, who was blushing, but accepted it. "Tell me your names, humans."
"Silver, sir..."
"My name's Grim, and that girl over there's-,"
"Emerald." (Y/N) cut Grim off as she ran back to him and patted Swampert's neck. "This fella's Swampert, the white canine is Absol, the two dragons are Noivern and Hydreigon, and the purple bat is Crobat."
Silver and Grim eyed her as Sebek introduced himself. "My name is Sebek Zigvolt, sir."
Baul shot up. "What? ZIGVOLT, YOU SAY!?"
"Just like you, Baul." Lilia smirked, an ache forming in (Y/N)'s chest as she remembered it. "You two look alike, now that I've gotten a good look."
"Pardon!? How could I resemble a human!? Impossible! Behold! I see no similarities at all!"
The man removed his mask, revealing a face that was basically identical to Sebek's and all but confirming this was a relative of Sebek's. The older (Y/N) smiled. She had gotten similar feelings of familiarity from Sebek, though not nearly as strong as Lilia and Malleus. It seemed her heart also wanted to remember her loud, old, friend. Actually, now that she thought about it, didn't she have a similar reaction to Silver?
"Whoa–! He looks exactly like Sebek!" Grim shouted.
Sebek began stuttering out. "G– Gra... Grand......"
"Uncle? I do not have any nephews. ENOUGH NONSENSE, HUMAN! This person shares not our noble Zigvolt Family's symbolic scales. It has to be a coincidence."
Child (Y/N) eyed him. "Baul, he looks like a younger you."
"I am not lying, sir!" The half fae insisted. "With fae blood running in my veins, I am a proud member of the Zigvolt clan! My mother sports the same scales you do."
"Then why are they not on your person?" Baul asked.
"B-because my father is not... No, please forget what I said."
"You immigrated to the Land of Briar from the Sunset Savannah, didn't you?" Lilia asked. "It's a coincidence, but not an unlikely one. This must be a sign. I'll leave you in charge of them."
Baul nearly fell over again. "What...!? Please don't, Right General...!"
Again, Lilia ignored him. "All right, let's drive those Silver Owls away before night falls. Head to the foot of the Enchanted Mountain! Get moving! (Y/N), follow me."
"Coming!"
As the other soldiers screeched in agreement, Lilia scanned for his mask, only for Marshtomp to waddle up to him and present it to him. The general face gave the subtle hint of a smile as he took it and patted the water type's head. When the human child was at his side, he led the march, keeping her closer as the elder version looked on sadly.
"Lilia..."

(Timeskip)

"So Baul's your grandpa, Sebek?" (Y/N) asked after Silver gave a little explanation to them as they marched. "Makes sense. My ears should've recognized it the first time I heard you scream."
Crobat remained perched on (Y/N)'s shoulder as Noivern lingered in the sky, close enough to Lilia, but never getting close enough to be noticed. The other's simply hovered by their trainer, eying the fae suspiciously when they felt they were too close.
The half-fae nodded vehemently. "I know this is just a dream, but I never thought I'd meet my grandfather in his prime! Wait! How could you speak so casually of him, human!?"
"Because I knew him, obviously." The girl whispered, trying to avoid the wild Pokémon's sharp ears. "I knew them both."
"(Y/N), what's going on?" Silver asked. "This dream, these memories, they're centuries old, but that is clearly your past self. How are you here?"
"Because I've been to Twisted Wonderland before." She admitted. "Twice actually. And both times I met Lilia and Baul."
"What!?" Grim hissed. "Why didn't you say you knew Lilia and that you've been here before!?"
"Because I didn't remember. Between trips, time flowed differently. Years passed, but in my world, I only got a little bit older. I remember being with Lilia and Baul, and I remember helping them."
"It's absurd!" Sebek huffed. "Why would my grandfather and Master Lilia accept a human child's help!"
"Because I knew Pokémon, even as a kid. Remember the Hero of Briar Valley? Who do you think that story was about?"
Both boys' eyes went wide.
"You were the hero." Silver whispered as Sebek silently had a breakdown.
Grim crossed his arms. "Wait, you could've done that dumb assignment by yourself!?"
"Look, I don't remember everything, it's only coming back in bits and pieces, but I remember enough to know that this dream is about to get a lot more dangerous than we might be ready for."
Before either male could question her meaning, Baul marched over to them. "What are you dawdling around for, humans!? We're not going to wait for you. Make sure you keep up! Hmph!"
"Roger!" Silver and Sebek saluted as (Y/N) smiled softly.
"Yes sir."
He narrowed his eyes at the girl. "And you, keep your Pokémon in check!"
"I'd be a bit more concerned about the Swablu and that Carbink in your arms." She said, motioning to the nesting flying type on his head and the little rock type in his arms. Baul blushed and stormed off as Silver sighed.
"I'm glad we managed to reach Father's dreams, but I don't think we can ask him about Lord Malleus at this rate, or about you for that matter, (Y/N). As I said, Father seems to be having quite an old dream."
"Lord Lilia mentioned first receiving his acceptance letter 500 years ago." Sebek noted. "And I do recall him mentioning the tale of the Hero of Briar Valley was around a similar time. If that's the case, it's highly likely that Lord Malleus wasn't even born yet...Oh, Young Master! What could you be doing now? How could I have dared to raise my sword against you! I fear the day Grandfather learns of what I did... He would surely burst with anger."
"Relax, Sebek." (Y/N) tried to calm him. "If anything, bring me along and I'll smooth things over. Besides, it'd be nice to see him again."
"To think my honor hinges on a human who shares a bond with my noble grandfather..."
His dormmate shook his head. "We don't have the liberty to feel down or to hesitate. Let's look for clues while we follow them around."
Everyone got quiet as child (Y/N) ran up to them with Marshtomp, having clearly slipped away from the general.
"Arceus, I could hear Baul's screaming from the front and I don't nearly have as good of ears as everyone else."
"Don't worry." Silver said, trying to remain calm as he spoke to a past version of his companion. "We're...quite used to it."
The young girl gave a cheeky grin. "Well, if you want, I could talk to him. Scare him a bit by saying his screaming could make Noivern or other Pokémon go crazy."
"Nya!" Grim shouted. "It's making me go nuts already."
The child then turned to her older self. "But, in exchange your Swampert has to teach my Marshtomp a thing or two."
Marshtomp nodded, looking at his older self in determination as present (Y/N) smiled.
"Really?"
"Uh huh! I can tell your Swampert is super strong! I bet he's your starter. It's kinda crazy here, so Marshtomp could use the extra training. What do you say?"
The older girl pondered it for a moment before holding up one finger. "One move, of my choosing. Deal?"
"Deal!" The child agreed, shaking hands before running off. "Oooh Baul! There's something you should know!"
"Are you sure this is wise?" Silver asked. "That is your past self."
"This isn't the actual past, just a dream." She argued. "We're already changing things while being here. Might as well make sure she's prepared for any other changes as well."

Wow that took so much longer than I thought. Sorry about that guys, I was on vacation without consistent access to Wi-Fi. But I'm back and I'm thinking maybe going forward I'll go back and forth between the main timeline (which has nothing to do with the AU) and the AU. What do you think?