“So then! So then! Mama totally tried to hide the fact she was feeding the Meowth.” “Vicky.” Mama pleaded, but Gram Gram just hummed at me as she patted my hand urging me to go on. “Mama totally made friends with Alolan Meowth, and after a few events I’ll tell you about later, got permission to keep her. So that’s the adventure Mama is trying to hide from you.” Gram Gra sighed, audibly as she shook her head. “Such a disappointing Daughter in Law.” She faked and Mama huffed. “Meows is adorable Mother, you’ll love her.” “Besides, that’s nothing compared to what your son did.” Mama offered, throwing Papa under the proverbial bus instantly which had the reaction of Papa nearly jerking the wheel as he drove us all home from the airport. “Wh-what? Nonsense! I did nothing weird on this trip! I was-” “He totally had a pokemon fall in love with him, and he brought it home too… Rockruff is a good dog, isn’t he Papa?”I asked, and Papa sighed, slumping in the driver seat, as Gram Gram rose herself up. “Not another dog! Pfeh!” She complained and Papa just slumped. Which is when I started giggling. “Now, now Vicky, don’t be modest. Why don’t you tell your Grandmother about what you’ve been up to?” Mama said pointedly. Glaring at me as she turned around. “And maybe stop causing trouble for your weary parents.” “Never!” I proclaimed! “Besides Gram Gram hasn’t heard about Cabbage yet!” “Mama and I found a Leafeon Gram Gram! An Eeveelution! We even discovered where it can evolve! The Kahuna was so impressed, and Cabbage basically adopted Mama, that she was allowed to keep her!” “What?” Gram Gram asked, a little startled. “It’s true.” Mama confirmed, patting at one of the pokeballs on her waist. “We had quite an adventure.” “I only got the one Pokemon.” Papa added with a pout. “I really wanted a-” “Ninetales.” I said, and Papa flinched a bit. “No, you captured him.” “He totally went doggy mad for you… A week?” I said, and Papa sent me a confused look in the rear view mirror, wondering what I meant. “I give it a week before he’s somehow hanging around you and living at home. It took about that long with Lucario.” “He haha ha.” Papa let out a nervous laugh as Gram Gram sent him a look. “Stealing my favorite Grandchilds pokemon now?” “It’s not… Theft.” Papa offered, and I sniffled fakely. “Papa seduces my pokemon!” “Wha- Sed-VICKY!” Papa shrieked, and even Mama had made a noise and choked, starting to cough like she swallowed her own spit. I grinned as we pulled up to the house, not just because I’d been playing dumb about what seduce meant and leading Mama and Papa into circles when they didn’t want to properly explain. But more because… It was home! Snow was still covering parts of the land, but as we pulled up the sound of the car had brought out an army. Growlithe charged across the snow barking up a storm, and that caused the Milotic hanging out in the stream to perk their heads up to see what was going on, and then when they noticed me, I got a happy harmony of Milotic cries. And of course I was nearly attacked by the Growlithe as they circled around me… “You idiots! I’m not an intruder!” I yelled at them, but that only caused more trouble as they barked louder, circling me, until Papa stepped out, and whistled. Instantly the pack rushed over to him and sat at attention leaving me cold and puppyless. “Poke Thief.” I said just loud enough that everyone could hear me as I pouted and stomped away. I liked puppies too, you know? There was a rumble from the house, and soon the front door was pushed open as Arcany rushed outside, taking out anything and everything in his way as he rushed for Papa. I headed to the stream, to avoid all that, greeting the Milotic with happy hugs, and they paid me lots of attention unlike the traitor pack. By the time I was finished greeting the flock, everyone else was inside, and I hurried in, really feeling that cold. The house was warm thankfully and as I came in kicking off my boots, I found everyone in the living room. Mama had Cabbage flopped out over her lap, but I noticed she was looking around a little. Papa had Rockruff and was introducing him to the Pack, the Rock Type was squirming and wiggling in Papa’s arms as he wanted to go play with the other puppies while Arcany was just half slumped onto Papa tail flailing and tongue licking at his neck trying to get more attention. “That didn’t take long.” I said, looking at Meows, the Alolan Meowth was purring up a storm in Gram Grams lap. “Pfeh. Look at this little brat. No danger at all, just a pile of fluff.” Gram Gram said, although the whole time she hadn’t stopped scritching and petting the cat. Uh-uh. Totally believe you. Then she reached down and wrapped both hands around Meows face, scrunching her up like a hamburger, which only made meows purr all the louder. “You… Are a total lump.” Gram Gram told the cat. Yep. Gram Gram loved her. I looked around and noticed Meowth, the old mangy alleycat glaring from the curtains, his new favorite place to hide from the pack… Mama was going to find something icky in her shoes or something at this rate… Welp! Not my problem! I shook my head at how fast my parents had come inside and grabbed the waiting pokeballs. They had transported them to the pokemon center, and must have had them delivered. I guess that was the benefit of having your own home be your pokemon reserve. My room door was open, which of course it was. I entered to find it wasn’t empty. “I was wondering where you were.” I called out, as I instantly heard a tail start tapping a bit. Pillow had as usual avoided the excitement entirely and was on his back legs spread obviously enjoying the warmth in the house. I had my own pokemon to deal with, but honestly I was kinda tired? Yeah. I walked over and shimmied out of my jacket which hadn’t really done much for the cold, and slipped off everything my pokebelt hitting the bed as I flopped over beside it. Pillow squirmed a bit, wiggling himself around until he was facing me, still upside down and gave me a welcome lick. “Pfft. Hello to you too Pillow. You kept my bed warm?” I asked him, reaching up and rubbing his belly, earning a happy wiggle. I half rolled over until I was cuddled up beside him, the two of us sharing a pillow, and I just stared at the ceiling of my bedroom. Vacation was great, it was an amazing adventure, it was… Everything I wanted out of Alola and more. My Z Ring was brought up to stare at it. The Dragonium Z still front and center, but the others glittered, including the Mimikium Z. Which I still wanted to play with. Z moves. I was going to have to do a lot of showing that off to Professor Cerise soon, but… They still felt warm. No matter how far I had gone from Alola, a part of that island would carry on with me. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from NovelHub; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. “I can’t believe I was actually able to get a Z Ring.” I whispered to myself, as I thought about the vacation. Sure I had hope. The Kommonium Z had been a guiding light, but still. The Kahuna could have just refused. Instead they let this wild little Kanto Girl take part. Eventually I sat up petting Pillow in thanks for the warmth and walked across my room, I slipped my Z ring off, and settled it on a table, the same one where I left my Badge case, the two items suited each other. Signs of my adventures in two different regions now. Signs of the people putting their trust in me. Both were not just an acknowledgement but a responsibility. To be more than just a person that lives in the regions, but a protector, and helper. The more you understand about this world, the more you were responsible for helping to protect it. “Knowledge is power.” I whispered to myself, stroking my Z ring, and I had a lot of knowledge, knowledge that I should share more of. Not tonight. I reached for my Pokeballs, releasing Riolu, as Lucario would no doubt be out and about soon, and she sent me a look before leaping over and crashing onto the bed snuggling in with Pillow. I headed out of my room and ran to go flop on the couch next to Gram Gram. Grinning as she smiled at me, and soon I was telling her all the stories of Alola. Probably shouldn’t have mentioned the whole Drampa thing though. Almost got grounded. “I’m baaaaack!” I yelled out, throwing out all the pokeballs I had, and just enjoying the chaos of seeing all my friends in one place again! “Bliss Bliss!” Blissey shouted from across the field as she jogged around, her cute little sweat band wrapped around her head as she was obviously doing her morning exercises, the fact that the grass was flattening around her as she moved told the horror story of just what she was doing. I waved at her, but was soon glomped on by my friends. “KUKkuKu!” Mimikyu cried out as he snuggled into me as if I hadn’t had him with me for so long while on the Island. And others joined. Arcanine of course came running up body shaking and paws tippy tapping as she greeted me, excited for attention, while Dratini cried out from atop Milotics head, my lazy boy gave off a trilling cry to me, but I just waved with a free hand. Our eyes met, and I knew he’d missed me, and I’d missed him. We’d hang out later. For now, time to settle everyone back in. Arcanine got an order to go follow Blissey which she did instantly rushing off to exercise now that I was telling her to do it, she wanted it even more. Dragonite was hanging out by the pool with Dratini and Milotic, and I walked through them, giggling as I noticed some of the Goomy were hanging around Dragonite as well now. They all cheered as Brave returned, and soon an entire parade of giggling Goomy were carrying Brave along with them. I’d have to stop in and see how the Goomy cave was doing. I shifted and saw Jangmo-o looking a little pouty by himself, but as I watched he was actually huddling up cause it was cold. “Come here Jangmo-o.” I called out arms open and he looked confused as he scurried over. I surprised him by picking him up and fitting him in my jacket, until his head was poking out the neck and he perked right up. “Better?” I asked, scratching his chin earning a happy rumble. “Mi.. Milo!” My fishy wishy was there, his big head leaning in, and I reached out and stroked his cheeks and left a big kiss on his nose. “Mii!” He cheered, and so I settled in with the dragon family… Blue Heart suddenly pulled himself out of the water, and flopped his chin down on the earth beside me, and I had to laugh as I reached out and rubbed his chilly nose. “Hello to you too my Heart.” “Mmmm.” He rumbled pleased at the attention, and all was… Right? I was missing someone? Blissey was running with Arcanine. Milotic, Dratini, and Dragonite were here. Mimikyu Blue Heart, and Jangmo-o were with me. Riolu was home with Lucario, being lazy… “Gib.” The voice came from right next to me, and I nearly shrieked only just keeping myself from jerking too much as that might instigate her bite reflex. I looked down. I was sitting cross legged near the water so I could be close to Milotic and Blue Heart, and… Gible was poking her head out of the water. “When did you slip into the stream?” “I see.” I muttered, watching as she floated in the water, bouncing idly with the waves Blue Heart had picked up… She was swimming better, whether that was because the stream wasn’t as rough as an open ocean, or something else, but she was doing a sort of doggy paddle… “Gible Gable… Are you cold?” I asked, because Jangmo-o was cold, Dratini wasn’t but Dratini lived in water for most of their life in their natural ecosystem… “Gib.” She replied back, but I could hear the teeth chattering. Her little jaws were opening and closing slightly. “Crap!” I reached out and even if the water was freezing, yanked her out, and rushed away. “Arcanine!” I yelled, still struggling with my little ball of teeth because she wanted to get back in the water! Once I had Blissey and Arcanine check over Gible to make sure she was okay and properly warmed up, I returned her for now. She really wanted to get back in the water. I was gonna have to figure out something to do for her until it got warmer. It shouldn't be too long before we got into warmer weather, but still! With that surprise emergency taken care of, I breathed out and slumped on the porch. “Busy morning?” Grandpa Roy asked, as he walked over looking at my frazzled state. “Nothing too unusual… Gible decided she wanted to freeze to death.” I said with a sigh. “Oh that one. Yeah we had that problem when you sent her here, we had to keep her in her ball for the most part.” “Hmm. I’ll have to think of something.” I decided it was no good to keep her locked away, she was developing well with all the interaction she had gotten in Alola. “There is one other thing you haven’t seen yet.” “Oh? Oh! The Vulpix!” I said, slapping a hand into my head. “That’s right. We got the cold room set up for them.” “Already!?” I asked perking up, it had only been a few days! “Haha! When you sent over the Vulpix, it was a priority for us to set up a spot for them where they could be more than comfortable, but try to retain their form.” He sighed as he settled down on the porch beside me, giving Jangmo-o a look as he was still comfortably chilling in my coat. “Even if it’s only for one more generation before they shift, it’ll be worth it.” “Well about that.” I said, then hesitated, looking around a bit, Grandpa Roy blinked at my sneaky ways and leaned in as I waved him closer. “If I said we needed as many Everstones as we could get, before the news breaks that an Everstone held by a regional Pokemon will retain their regional form in their eggs, how many do you think we could buy up?” Grandpa Roy sat back, looking me over as if searching for something in my face, before he nodded slowly. “If I sent out a few of the family to different parts of Kanto to buy up some Everstones quietly… They aren’t cheap, but they aren’t that expensive right now. Mostly just used to keep children's pokemon like Eevee from evolving.” He explained obviously running some math through his head. “Are you sure?” “Yes.” I said without hesitation. “I don’t have any proof of it yet, but it’ll work.” “Then we’ll need to buy some Everstones before they raise in price… Is that really it?” He asked me, almost unsure, I remember when the family had a Perserker you know. He was an old cat, grumpy, but he didn’t care much that his grandchildren were all normal Meowths, but… An Everstone?” “Yeah. That’s all it takes, it keeps them from evolving, and changing regional forms, is just… Evolution in another way.” He nodded, obviously distracted with what I just said, and I let him take his time. He watched out over the back yard of his home, watching my pokemon run around, and play. Then without a thought he reached over and dropped a hand heavily onto my head and rubbed my hair. “You’re a good kid Vicky.” He decided finally, a smile stretched across his lips. “Why don’t I show you where your Vulpix and Ninetales are at, then I’ll figure out what we need to buy up some Everstones.” “Sure.” I agreed and rose up holding Jangmo-o steady as he wiggled against me. He both wanted to run around and play and wanted to stay warm. Poor buddy. I followed Grandpa Roy out across the backyard, towards one of the back sections hidden by some trees, instantly I noticed the difference, there was a concrete structure looking sort of like a squat bunker that seemed to lead down, and as he walked over, he waved me forward as he opened the large door, and I was blasted by even cooler air inside. “Jaaang!” Jangmo-o squealed and then he wiggled and fought his way free, jumping out of the bottom of my jacket, and running away. “Sorry!” I called out after him, but shrugged at Grandpa Roy. Then I walked inside, and noticed that the door actually did have a sort of doggy door built into it. “Brrr.” I shivered cause it was seriously cold in here. “Yeah, the whole place is designed to retain heat extremely well, the Ninetales went at it when we first showed it to him, and her.” “Him.” I responded back as we walked down the ramp towards another door of all things. “Ninetales is a daddy.” I confirmed, and then since I saw Grandpa Roy do it, I opened the next door, and another wave of even colder air hit me. The inside was like a winter wonderland, snow, and ice covered nearly everything, and there were a couple of circular lights in the ceiling that seemed to be sun lights. Giving the room plenty of light to see, along with some lights around the door I noticed so they could see even if it was dark. “Vuuul Vul vul vuuuuul!” The Vulpix were playing. Ninetales sat in a pile of snow, nearly completely covered with a Vulpix standing on his back and head crying out to the roof while shooting Powder Snow in the air… ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩 “Pfft.” I snickered then laughed as Ninetales looked so done. “Nine.” He huffed, still slumped in the snow. Sending me a look of a tired parent. I looked around. One Vulpix standing on his head. Another running around the edges, shooting Powdered Snow at the first one… “Where are the others?” I asked him, and he huffed, looked downwards, into the pile of snow he was covered in and blew, the snowflake storm erupted in front of him, and swiftly revealed… “The baby!” I whispered cooing. The little one was nuzzled up next to her papa’s chest, in between his front paws, curled into a cute little snow ball! She blinked her big blue eyes open and then yawned widely, noticing me half way through and then half startling before relaxing. “Vul!” She greeted me, and I smiled as she rose up and stretched, a bit, her little paws digging into the snow making little marks before padding over and looking me over. “Hi, do you like your new home?” “Vul.” She denied instantly huffing even puffing up a little. “Eh!?” I pouted, that was… Not what I wanted. She huffed like a princess displeased with the service, and then looked around as if showing me everything then looking at me unhappy. “Eh? But… What about outside? Is that okay? We have a nice stream, right?” I looked at them, looking at Ninetales who also looked a little grumpy. “They haven’t gone outside yet. Not since we made this for them.” Grandpa Roy offered, patting his sides to keep warm. “Eh!? Why not? Is there something wrong?” I asked them and Nintales stood up, shaking off his daughter who rolled into the snow with a foxy giggle as he walked over and pawed at the door… “You can… Go out.” I offered, and he looked at me, and pawed the door. “He’s a Himbo.” I whispered to myself remembering just what I was dealing with. An idiot. I walked over and pushed the flap in the door. Ninetales watched me. Then I let the flap go. He just blinked those pretty but completely empty eyes at me, as he reached over… And pawed at the door. “Arceus, he’s so stupid.” I moaned into the snow as I flopped completely over and cried into the powder.