Waking up early the next morning I found myself in the now familiar predicament. Sapphire was hugging my arm in her sleep. Opal was practically buried into my other side using my arm as a blanket. While Ruby had gotten up and crawled onto my chest and curled up into a ball.
"Good grief." I mutter while taking the opportunity to rub Opal's hair. "You three always made me late to training doing this."
[Then don't be so comfortable.] The retort rang in my head. I looked down at the Teal haired Ralts pressed into my side. She still had her eyes closed and was pretending to sleep.
I sighed, still massaging her head. The sudden rise and fall of my chest startled my little Zorua sleeping on my chest.
Ruby let out an unhappy yap for being woken up. I reached up and rubbed the side of her face. She let out a contented soft growl as she pressed her head into my hand.
"Sorry if I woke you Ruby." I apologized while scratching her Jaw. Opal poked my side feeling forgotten.
[What about me?] she complained, puffing out her cheeks.
I laugh as she pokes my side. Ruby jumped off not liking the rapid movement of my chest. "Sorry I only have two hands and the other is trapped in the grip of our other pup."
Opal got up to look at the other side of me. Sure enough Sapphire was still asleep while wrapping her arms and legs tightly around my arm. Her head pressed against my bicep.
Opal puffed up her cheeks again, miffed that her head rubs were stopped by Ruby and Sapphire. I quickly poked her cheeks deflating them.
"Stop being so jealous. You're the big sister here." I said before moving to wake the sleeping Riolu.
Opal looked at me after I poked her cheek.
[Could you not do that?] she asked, referring to her cheeks.
"Not unless you stop making them look so pokeable." I start to gently shake Sapphire's shoulder. "Time to get up sleepy head."
Sapphire tightened her grip on my arm slightly grumbling in her sleep. She rubbed her forehead into my arm.
I sighed, "If you don't get up I will tickle you." I say slowly moving my hand towards her side.
She didn't move so I grabbed her side quickly and began to tickle her in earnest. She exploded into a fit of laughter and she wiggled and squirmed under my fingers.
She tried to push my wiggling fingers away from her ticklish sides and get away, but I was too fast. Opal cried out and jumped on my shoulders and covered my eyes. I then felt Sapphire disappear from my hands. Before I could remove Opal's hands I felt small paws get under my arms causing me to start laughing.
Now I had to fend off three Pokémon as they tickled me. "Ok, ok! You girls got me." I said, they didn't stop and kept tickling me until I could hardly breathe. When they stopped they all sat on my chest waiting.
Knowing what they wanted I wrapped my arms around them. Giving them all a hug. "Love you girls." I told them. We lay like that for a moment until our stomachs growled. We laughed and I got out of the sleeping bag finally. The girls went and stretched while I dug around my pack for a MRE and the Poke-food boxes.
They were not too excited about the quick meal but the sun was up and we needed to get to Oldale by the afternoon. We quickly packed up camp. I double checked to make sure there were no embers in the fire pit and shouldered the pack once again.
Ruby led the way while Opal was doing her best to help Sapphire with her Aura telepathy. She was getting better at a rapid pace. Instead of broken or one word messages as usual she can give a broken sentence more often. When she did her first one correctly she was so happy and I praised her.
Opal wanted back into her pokeball once Sapphire started to get the hang of telepathy. So for the rest of the time it was just me and Sapphire. She would always call out to me and ask about various things. She was so happy to be able to talk with me.
After a few hours I could see the town. "Look Saph, Oldale town." I said pointing at it. She jumped onto my shoulders and looked. I could hear her ecstatic gasp.
[We hear!] She said, hugging my head. I could only laugh as she hugged me.
"Let's get the others and show them." I pulled the Pokéballs off my thigh and released Opal and Ruby. They both stretch before turning to me.
[what's up.] Opal asked as she motioned to be picked up. I obliged and set her on one shoulder while Sapphire moved to the other. "Nothing much, just thought you would want to see Oldale before we got there." I told her pointing to the town after I picked up Ruby.
I started walking again with Opal and Sapphire on my shoulders and Ruby held in my arms. Ruby got as comfortable as she could before going to sleep.
Opal and Sapphire talked to each other mentally. Trying to have Sapphire get better at her telepathy. I just kept walking while rubbing Ruby's head gently.
When we finally made it into town I headed toward the Pokémon Center as our first stop. As we walked through the town people near us would stop and stare at Opal. She noticed and placed an arm on my head. I smiled, reaching up to par her head.
She just hugged my head feeling uncomfortable from the stares. "We can relax in the Center." I told her trying to calm her at least a little.
The Pokémon Center was larger than most with a large offshoot building to the side of it. Walking inside there were a few counters. One of which had a request board. People were milling about, some talking to the nurses while a handful were looking at the Helperland requests.
I got in line and waited to talk to one of the Nurses. By now Ruby was awake and looking around. She was still in my arms, her fluffy tail wagging. I could feel Sapphire moving on my shoulder as she too looked around. Only Opal was still.
A young girl walked over to me. "Mister, is that a shiny Ralts?" She asked. She was probably only 5 or so.
I smiled and nodded. "Yeah she is. We have been together since she hatched." I told the girl. She brightened up with a big smile before running back to her mother.
[You didn't need to say that.] Opal complained, poking the side of my face.
"You're right, I didn't. Though she will most likely never see another shiny Pokémon. Let her have this moment." I then reached up to poke her belly. Opal stopped her poking to block my hand.
[No you don't.] She began fighting my wiggling fingers as I tried to tickle her. Sapphire and Ruby began to both laugh and cheer her on.
"Can I help you sir?" One of the nurses asked, pulling us out of our play.
"Sorry about that." I apologized, stepping up to the counter. "I would like to reserve a room for 2 nights." I ask setting Ruby on the counter to get my trainer license. The nurse pulled up the lodgings on the computer after taking my license.
"We have confirmed your ID. We just need to have a look at your Pokémon and I can get your room key." She said with a smile.
I was a little taken aback when they requested to see my Pokémon. "May I ask why?" I was genuinely confused.
The Nurse could see I was confused and explained. "There have been a rising number of abuse among trainers and their Pokémon."
"That is horrible. Do the rangers know?"
"Yes, they know. They have made it a point to affix a ranger to all Pokémon Centers in the region." She said with a sigh.
"Thank you for letting me know." I told her, removing the Pokéballs from the thigh holster. "I only have these three. Do you need me to put them inside?"
The woman looked at the girls. "Yes please."
Ruby and Sapphire went in their balls without hassle. Opal used her powers to keep her ball on the counter while hugging my head. [I am not leaving you!] she yelled in my head.
I grabbed the side of my head as her yell disorientated me. "Sorry but it seems she won't leave my side." I apologized to the nurse.
The woman frowned. "I understand, maybe she is just uncomfortable with other humans. Luckily we have a solution." She turned and left the counter through a door in the back. She quickly came back with a Gardevoir following her.
"Let me introduce Midnight Moon. She will be taking you Pokémon for their examination." She introduced the Gardevoir.
The Gardevoir bowed her head slightly before speaking to Opal. Opal spoke back quietly, her grip on my head loosening.
Soon she had let go and was just sitting on my shoulder dejected. Seeing this I picked her up. Holding her to my chest in a hug patting her head. "We won't be apart for long sis. Cheer up." I felt a familiar poke from her small hands. "After this let's get some ice cream. How does that sound?" I placed her on the counter to see her response.
She looked at me through her hair, her gold eyes looking like they were going to cry.
[You promise?]
I laughed holding out a hand, pinky extended. "I promise." She grabbed my pinky then nodded. I activated the return system in her ball and she disappeared in a red flash of light.
"Thank you for waiting Miss Moon. Here they are." I said placing the Pokéballs on the tray she had.
Midnight Mood looked at me for a second.
[You are a good trainer.] she said with Telepathy.
I smiled, "they are family."
With that she left the counter. I walked over to the chairs to wait. The request board had a steady stream of people grabbing jobs, most of which were trainers just starting out. The Nurse counter had a line of trainers. Some were irritated, others were holding their Pokéballs with concern. Yet others had their Pokémon out and were fussing over some scratches.
I did notice that they were all wearing similarly designed watches. I brushed it off as the new fashion and leaned back into the chair. I was starting to doze off when I heard my name being called. I got up and stretched before making my way to the counter.
There the nurse from before pushed the tray with my Pokéballs on it toward me. "Here you go sir. They are in perfect health."
"Thank you, it is always good to hear that." I tell her with a smile letting the girls back out.
Sapphire and Ruby stretched as Opal turned and floated back onto my shoulder. The nurse watched with a smile. "She seems really attached to you."
"Yeah the three of us have been together since they hatched. Opal here was the first." I told the nurse, reaching to rub Opal's face. She grabbed my hand to keep it away. "Ralts!" She said indignantly.
Me and the nurse laughed as Ruby and Sapphire snickered. Opal just kept pushing my hand away. Her cheeks were puffed up as she pouted. I pulled my hand back and quickly grabbed her sides and held her to my chest. "There we go. Thank you again, miss." I said to the nurse as I walked away after she handed me a room key. Opal was now poking my ribs wanting to be let go.
"No you don't." I said returning the pokes to her side. She tried to move away. "Why are you being like this?"
[I don't like being away from you.] she said after she stopped poking me.
"Don't you mean that you don't like being around strangers." I could feel her head press harder into my chest as I said that. I sigh and sit down. "Listen Opal, it is ok to be shy. But I will never let you go with people I don't trust." I lean her back to look at me. "You know that if anything bad happens I will fight tooth and nail to get you back."
I cup her cheek and use my thumb to brush away a tear.
After I did that Ruby and Sapphire jumped onto the couch and hugged her as well. Opal laughed as she was showered with attention. "Feel better now?"
She looked at me after wiping her eyes with a big smile. [Yeah.]
"Good, let's drop our stuff off in the room and get that ice cream." The three of them cheered at that. Opal tried to jump down but I caught her. "Nope I'm gonna carry you." She puffed her cheeks up again. "Yep you're cute."
We walked out of the Center and went to drop my Pack off in our room. The room was in the building next to the Pokémon Center. The room was simple. A bed, tv on a dresser, bedside table with lamp and a bathroom. I set the pack on the ground and grabbed my wallet from it.
We walked back outside to search for a small ice cream place. We asked someone and they pointed us in the right direction. Within the hour we were sitting at an outside table with cups of ice cream in our hands.
Opal had her favorite Oran berry with walnuts. Sapphire had a soft serve Bluk berry flavor with Steel type supplement mixed in. Ruby had Mago berry flavor with sliced Razz berry topping. I had a scoop of plain Vanilla with a light Caramel drizzle.
We were happily chatting when a man walked up to the table. "Cute Ralts, how much?"
I stopped eating and looked at the man. "Excuse me?" Letting venom fill my voice. However the man either didn't get it or ignored it.
"How much for the shiny Ralts." The man said with a smile.
I stabbed the spoon into my ice cream. "Sir I just arrived in town today-"
"I will pay cash." He slapped a few hundred dollars on the table.
Now I was irritated. "Sir, let me make this clear. Opal is not for sale. Never had never will." I go to pick up my cup but I'm stopped by the man putting more money on the table.
He looked at me smugly. I looked at the girls they had stopped eating. The people around us were just watching. "Sir, I tried to be polite. But kindly fuck off before I call the Rangers." I dropped all pretenses. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and flipped it open.
The man looked angry. "Do you know how much she is worth!" He pointed at Opal.
"I don't care. She is my family. Now go!" I pointed in a random direction with my free hand. The man scoffed and grabbed his money making sure to knock my ice cream on the ground. "Oops." He sneered.
I just picked up the cup calmly and waited for him to leave before tossing it in the nearest trash can. I walked back to the table and picked up Opal who was still stunned by the ordeal. "Everything is fine now sis. Here, enjoy your ice cream." I moved her cup toward us and moved the spoon toward her mouth. She opened her mouth and gently took a bite.
I smiled sadly while gently rubbing her head.
[Is that how they think of us?]
I knew she was feeling my emotions. I couldn't hide the truth when she can do that. "Some people, yes." Sapphire and Ruby had moved closer to us and were trying to cheer Opal up.
"The best thing we can do is say no and stay happy. Anyways," I show her my phone with a picture of the man. "Buying and selling Pokémon, especially shinies, is illegal."
I open my text messages and send the picture as well as an explanation to my parents. Almost instantly I got a text back saying that they would take care of it. My smile fell at the following text.
'You forgot to call me.'
"Ah, crap." I muttered. I waited for the girls to finish eating before cleaning up and leaving. The sun was going down so we headed for our room. Once inside I called Mom. She wasn't too happy that I forgot our little promise but she quickly forgave me. I told her about our first night and about today.
We talked a little longer, having me put her on speaker so she could say goodnight to the girls. All three cheered and I hung up.
I got the bath running and helped the girls wash up. They all relaxed in the warm water. I sat next to the tub watching them soak.
"Did you girls have fun today?"
They all nodded.
[Today, was, fun.] Sapphire said making a full sentence even if broken. I lean over and scratch her cheek. "Good job."
She squealed, pushing her face into my fingers. I pulled away and got the soap ready. "Ok who's first?"
Ruby was the first to jump up. I massaged the soap into her fur covering her in bubbles. She relaxed as my fingers and the warm water eased her body. I rinsed her off and pulled her out of the tub. She shook herself soaking me in water.
"You know I was planning on taking a shower. Just not yet." I said taking the wet shirt off. I don't like wearing wet clothes if I don't have too.
[That is good, you smell a little.] Opal said Teasingly.
[Don't mind.] Sapphire retorted.
I laughed as I used a towel to finish drying Ruby. After she was dry and out of the bathroom I repeated the process with Sapphire. Her muscles were lightly knitted from our run yesterday. I worked those out, after her rinse I got her out of the tub. She waited until I had a fresh towel around her before she shook herself.
She laughed as I rubbed her down with the towel. I got her out of the bathroom and turned toward Opal. "Alright sis you're next."
[Can you take your time with my hair?] she asked.
"Do you have another Head ache?" I was worried about that. She was getting a lot of headaches lately. The lab told us that her powers were expanding but due to being a Ralts they were putting strain on her body.
Opal nodded. She moved closer to the side of the tub as I began to massage her scalp. She sighed in relief was my practiced fingers soothed her pain.
[Do you think I will evolve soon?] she asked.
I frown as I thought about it. "No idea. Even with the research about evolution we still know so little. All I can say is maybe." I moved my fingers to the base of her head and began to rub her neck. She let out another contented sigh. Through all this I made sure to not touch her horns. Last time I made that mistake it ended up with her screaming and giving me mental feedback.
I massaged her head for a while even after rinsing the soap out of it. [Thanks big bro. You're the best.]
I smile as I finish the massage. "Anything for you sis." I prep her towel and get her out of the tub. I gently dry her off before escorting her to the bed. Ruby and Sapphire were watching the tv.
I picked Opal up and put her under the covers. "Take it easy on the volume you two." Sapphire saluted me to show she heard. I grabbed my sweat pants and underwear and went back into the bathroom to clean up.
When I came out the girls were in bed with the tv off. They were all hugging each other under the covers. I sighed, 'Now how am I supposed to get in?'
Opal opened one of her eyes and pat the spot behind her. I shook my head with a chuckle and crawled I behind her. I wished them all goodnight and turned out the lights.