Project: Titans -- A Pokemon Story (OC x Piers)

Chapter 6

I woke up, expecting the feeling of silk sheets, the fresh smell of cherry blossoms, a cushy mattress, the covers gently kissing my skin. Instead, I was laying on a table, no sheets, and my back hurt. I wasn't at home in Kanto; I was conked out on somebody's dining room table. My ankle was bound in gauze, and I was surprised at how good it was wrapped. Though I couldn't tell if the inability to wiggle my toes was good or bad.

I pushed myself off the table, and gently set my foot on the ground. I was elated to find I could stand upright, and I spent a good few minutes just tapping my heel on the ground. Meowsie was asleep in a chair in the corner of the room, and Espeon was curled up below her. I could hear mumbling and hushed voices coming from another room, so I decided to limp over to see what was going on.

Easing the door open, I was in a very cozy room with a cottage-like feel. A little fireplace in the back wall, with a fire crackling inside it. A few wooden tables heaped with almanacs and bottles of assorted things. Milo was sitting on a burgundy couch, casually chatting with a woman with dreadlock hair in varying shades of blue. She had dark skin, and beautiful blue eyes that seemed to hold the ocean inside them. She wore a dark sweater and hat, with black leggings and heeled boots. I recognised her immediately from researching Gym Leaders, even if she wasn't wearing her uniform. She was Nessa, the Water-type gym leader, and the second Gym I would be challenging.

Turning when the door shrieked, Milo smiled at me. I forced a grin back. I limped over to the couch and sank into it, thankful for a soft surface to sit on. "So, you're the mystery girl I've heard so much about," Nessa laughed, setting a mug on the coffee table in front of her. "You know, I was just about to call Milo's bluff on seeing a flying woman jump off a cliff."

"I prefer to call it 'gracefully falling'," I replied, sitting up a bit straighter. The scent of fresh food wafted through the air, and I resisted the urge to drool. However, my stomach wasn't as compliant. I flushed at the growling noise. "I'll check if the food's ready," Milo stood, walking into the room where the delightful aroma was coming from.

"So, what were you doing hanging out by the cliffs? I'm genuinely curious," she said, taking a sip of whatever was in her mug. "I was looking for the Gym Leader," I chuckled, trying to downplay the fact that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I really didn't want to admit that I had stumbled. Someone with such a high status as I doesn't trip, let alone fall down.

"Well, it appears you've found him," she smiled, setting it down. "I think you know who I am, yes?"
"You're Nessa. The Water-type gym leader and part-time model," I said, confidently dishing out my summarized definition of her. "What are you doing here? Taking a break from the seaside?"

"I could never tire of the ocean," she smiled. "I'm just here with a friend. The professor was looking into some oddly strong Galar particle readings here, and I decided to tag along. The sea is wonderful, but sometimes even I need a change of scenery. And a vacation, too."

I nodded in agreement. I could sympathize with her desire to get away. As a successful agent, I'm almost constantly called on for missions, and rarely have time to indulge in myself. "You said you were here with a friend. Is she here?" I asked after a moment of silence. "Yes, in fact she's preparing breakfast right now," she smiled, turning to the door which had creaked open.

Another young woman, perhaps a few years older than I, was standing in the doorway holding a tower of fluffy pancakes. She had orange hair and aquamarine eyes, and silver hearts accessorized her hair. She had a tight sweater on that matched her eyes, and tan leggings. Grinning, she set the piping hot griddle cakes on the table, my eyes following her every move. Meowsie and Espeon padded into the room a few moments later, Espeon resting at my feet and Meowsie perched on my shoulder.

Next, came some scrambled eggs, which Milo carried, one plate in each giant hand, and a strange Pokemon with hair that resembled dandelion fluff carried a bottle of maple syrup on its head. Then, the woman in teal came back, carrying a plate of smoky bacon. This time, I didn't excuse my stomach for growling.

"Hiya! I'm Sonia," said the girl who now had a name.

"It's nice to meet you," I mumbled, eyeing the bacon in her hands. I hadn't realized how ravenous I was until people started taking food. It was a large struggle resisting the urge to demolish my stack of pancakes. Instead, I sat up straight, took small bites, and tried not to let on how dreamy the food was. I offered some bacon to Meowsie, who took it, and Espeon, who respectfully declined.

"Wow. I don't think I've ever seen somebody demolish that much food formally," Nessa commented after I had finished my second helping of eggs. "I'm glad you like it," Sonia smiled.
"I need to get the recipe for those pancakes," I smiled. "Meowsie would go nuts for them."

"Who's Meowsie," Milo asked. Meowsie meowed in response.
"That would be her," I smiled.
"I've never seen a Meowth like that before," Nessa said, examining her closely.

"That's because it's not from Galar," Sonia answered for me. "Regional differences make some Pokemon look different, and sometimes even have different types. Zigzagoon here are different from Zigzagoon from Hoenn, which are Normal types. Meowth from here are Steel types, but I don't know what type that one is."

"She's an Alolan Meowth," I smiled, and Meowsie purred. "She's a Dark-type. Kantonian Meowth are Normal-types, and I found out the hard way that they are not the same." Everyone laughed.
"It's not that funny," I grumbled, thinking back to when we'd first met. I'd almost been clawed to ribbons by the Alolan Meowth.

"Well, if everyone's done I can take plates," Sonia offered. As she made her way back into the kitchen, I shuffled over to the room I'd originally been in. My bag was sitting by the chair Meowsie was sleeping in. Espeon picked it up, and I made my way outside. The air was nice and warm, and I smiled as the sun warmed my face. I was just about to take off when Nessa called me from the barn.

"You know, I never did ask why you were looking for Milo," she said, leaning against the doorway. "Is it really any of your business," I asked, taking a defensive tone.

"No," she admitted. She came closer and put her mouth next to my ear. "But if you're looking to join the Gym Challenge, I'd ask someone who looks forward to battling for wins." She shook my hand farewell, and when she drew it away, I was holding a slip of paper with a signature on it. I smiled after her retreating form. "Well played, Nessa," I murmured, looking at the letter of recommendation. "Well played indeed."