Eevee Therapy for Little Magi Chapter 41: Into the Mirelands

Vulpix nosed aside a curtain of hanging vines, closely followed by three humans and their Pokemon companions. “And here’s the path. Why you all thought it was best to go overland to reach Adamant Town, I’ll never know.”

Illya frowned. “I thought this was the Diamond Clan village?” She asked, looking up the steep cliffs visible in the near distance. A collection of houses and other structures could be seen perched atop the brown stone and earth which rose from the mires.

“It used to be called that. But eventually it got too big, and people started breaking off to settle other little villages throughout the mire and the forests north of it,” Isabella said. “Course, that meant that we needed to call the old village something special, so we named it after one of the greatest of our tribe; the Speaker of Time, Adaman.” She grinned, looking up the slope. “Outsiders, though… they call it the village. Kinda an in-joke, ya know?”

“Interesting enough,” Matilda hummed, head tilted to the side as she considered the bustling civilization that had been built. “Though I am not sure what the joke is. Then again, it is an in-joke.”

“Kinda more like a joke on tourists. ‘Of course there’s only one Diamond Clan village’, like we’re some sorta backwoods hicks.” Isabella’s sarcastic imitation had a resigned edge. “Ferrus even has some of the other villages pretend to be the ‘actual’ Diamond Clan village on occasion so outsiders don’t know where Adamant Town is. I’d say it’s just paranoia, but too many of the other clan members go along with it just so they can giggle at the tourists behind their backs.”

“Ah, that kind of joke,” Ritsuka rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “The mean-spirited kind. Though I can somewhat understand the desire. Tourists do tend to be the worst.”

“Yeah, well. Not everyone agrees with it, and times are changing,” Isabella said firmly. “They always do.” She hitched up her backpack and began walking. “Come on.”

As they began to ascend the slope, Illya looked over at Vulpix. “So, what’s Ursaluna’s trial? I know in the stories she fought the Heroine due to sickness, but I don’t know how that translates to her trial.”

“Well, if she’s busy, you’re not going to be doing her trial anyway. But Ursaluna usually asks her trial goers to locate something of interest in the bogs instead of asking for a battle. Lilligant usually handles the combat trial, around here. And they’re flexible on who goes first,” Vulpix explained. “The current lady Lilligant… she’s a very active Pokemon. Dancing, battling, running– you might get challenged by her before you get the chance to even meet Ursaluna.”

“Which is why you said to onii-chan that I’d want to challenge Lilligant first,” Illya declared with a firm nod to herself. The white-haired girl then turned her attention towards the town they were about to enter, eyes drawn towards the winding stairs leading up to the gate near the top of the pass. Her eyes were drawn to the arch at the top, gray stone topped with a pentagon-shaped blue keystone. 

“Will you want to challenge her before or after we make an attempt at the gym?” Shirou asked. “I’ve heard they use dragons here, which we’re both pretty well equipped to handle.”

“It’ll depend on the Wardens, really.” Isabella interjected. “Though both Usagi and Otoshi are fairly lax about letting their Ladies take the lead on matters. You’ll have the chance to ask Otoshi when we get up to the town. Usagi is usually contactable via shortwave, even if she’s not part of the village proper.”

“Then we’ll set a date for both of them,” Ilya declared firmly, nodding her head as if it resolved that matter. Mind you, it largely did, but now the question was how. Thankfully it did not take the party of several long to make their way into the town and the existent Pokemon Center, one shockingly not manned by a Joy, but rather a local clansman.

“Thank you for visiting,” The man said, sliding a tray filled with Pokeballs back to them, even as Vulpix emerged from the healing bays. “We hope to see you all again soon.”

“I thought all Sinnoh Pokemon centers were Joy-staffed?” Shirou asked, collecting his team.

“Ah, only visited big city centers, hmm? Well, the Joy clan is sizable, but not big enough for every town. I actually apprenticed with the Joy clan, but I didn’t join myself.” He gave a swing of his arm. “It’s not as if they and the Jennys have a monopoly and being nurses and policewomen. Though the Joy family does tend to operate in every major Pokemon center due to their influence.”

“I see,” Shirou acknowledged. “Thank you. Do you know where the gym is, or where Warden Otoshi might be? We’re here for the gym challenge and the Champions’ trials.”

“A gym challenger? We’ve not had one in a few weeks, after the initial surge from the season’s start. You want right down the road, to the gym. You’ll probably be able to find Otoshi there, too.”

“Thank you!” Rejoining the party, Shirou followed them out onto the streets of Adamant Town. The traditional buildings were stained blue and marked with ubiquitous use of the pentagram of Dialga, with people in both modern garb and the dark blue clan wear of Diamond moving between buildings. “Isabella, the doctor says there isn’t much foot traffic to the gym. Is that normal?”

“Yeah. One, it’s a dragon gym, usually pretty tricky. Second, We’re out of the way, and not on the main routes. Third, even though the way here is technically open to anyone, it’s a lot of work to hike through the bogs, and most Diamond outriders turn people back rather than bring them in.” She shrugged. “Narimasa isn’t just the gym leader, he’s also one of the clan’s peacekeepers, so he’s not too concerned with low turnout.”

“... Wouldn’t it be more productive to bring in the prospective gym challengers rather than gatekeep them?” Illya drawled, baffled. Because it truly was a… choice. A politically motivated choice that she was having trouble wrapping her head around the logic of.

“Yeah, it would. But then, that’s Ferrus’ mandate.” Isabella grumbled. “You’ve heard about why he does all this. Preserving Diamond’s culture.” She waved her arm. “I think that time pushes onward, and we should change with it. Hell, he’s not stupid enough to keep out modern tech and foreign Pokemon– he just wants to keep out as many foreign people as he can.”

“...it won’t last, I don’t think,” Shirou mused, glancing over the city as he easily spotted several ‘foreign’ influences. “This city is too big to keep hidden, and if most of the people your age feel like you do…”

“Yeah, change is coming. But he’s digging in his heels, as stubborn as anyone. And most of the clan is willing to let time take care of it, so long as he doesn’t actually hurt the clan in the meantime,” she agreed. “Still, we’re here.”

Illya and Shirou looked to see a stone tower and accompanying building, adorned with the League symbol beside the Diamond Clan’s own. In front of the doors, a young man in the traditional blue robe and mud-splattered boots waited, leaning on one of the heavy wooden doors. He looked up, blue eyes peering through red locks of hair. He raised one hand, giving a wave. “Good day! Glad neither of us kept either waiting!” He called, leaning off the doors and approaching the group.

“A good day to you as well, sir,” Shirou answered politely, Illya echoing him only a moment later, “You have no obligation to not keep us waiting, so we do not mind in the slightest.” He continued, actually bothering to put the lessons in formality his sister had drilled into his head to use.

“Sir? Oh, I’m not the gym leader.” The young man turned to Illya and extended a hand. “I’m Warden Otoshi, and I’ve heard you’re the most recent walker upon the Heroine’s Journey.” He grinned. “We spotted you entering the mire a week ago. Hope you don’t mind, but my Lady wanted to make sure you got through alright.”

“We do not,” Illya answered immediately, Matilda adding her own agreement moments later, “You are a credit to the duties of your clan for bothering to be concerned for travelers.” The sneer on the white-haired girl’s face is something of legends, as if she was thinking of something particularly foul. “Unlike your Gym Leader.”

“Oh, he deals with lost trainers, too. Prioritizes the nasty ones, though; poachers, raiders, cutlists, and the like. We help,” Otoshi shrugged. “Honestly, we could use more help.” He shook his head. “Kinda the problem right now. Narimasa’s out leading a group of visitors from Kanto, here to see if they can get a breeding group of iron-strain Goomy. He’ll be back tonight, and available for matches by tomorrow afternoon.” He pointed up. “So while he’s gone, she wants a word.”

Every human looked up, to see a white head crowned with leaves and a pink flower peering back at them. With a hop, a slender but weighty figure sprang off the roof of the gym, landing with practiced ease behind them in a shallow bow. “Welcome, all of you! Ooh, I’m so excited!”

“Your humans would benefit from a lecture.” Vulpix answers dryly, because the fox apparently has opinions as well, “They are being ignorant fools again, just as they were during the age of the Heroine.”

“Some of them are, yes. But I only have one human.” Lady Lilligant danced past them in a blur, patting Otoshi on the head. “And in two decades, the ones who are the real trouble will be gone, and people like my Warden will be in charge.”

“People are being hurt, even indirectly, right now, though,” Shirou observed. “That lecture might be a good idea.”

“Yes, but I don’t think my perspective would help all that much. Honestly, letting your sister challenge me will do a lot to break open things for Elder Ferrus.” Lady Lilligant spun away from her Warden, inspecting Illya. “Speaking of which, do you dance, young lady?”

“No,” Illya shook her head. “And I have no particular desire to learn. That may eventually change, but I do not.” She smiles, looking fondly towards one of her Pokeballs. “I do have a Pokemon that may enjoy it, however. Similarly to how the stereotype of your species does.”

“Hmm. While I’d enjoy meeting another dancer, I was more checking to see if you’d be interested in my alternate trial condition. I do love a good dance, or a martial arts match. But a battle is just as good,” Lilligant said, standing back. “Is your team ready right now, or would they prefer a day of rest?”

“I would prefer a full day of rest,” Illya says firmly, her impatience tempered by her concern for her team, “In addition, I would like the rest of today to train, since we haven’t been able to truly take the day off and do so due to the Mire’s… unique conditions.”

“Oh, sure. However, the longer you take, the more hyped I’ll be. I’ve already thought about having a running parkour battle through the whole town, but Otoshi talked me out of it.” Lady Lilligant giggled. “Tomorrow, then!” She sprang up, somersaulting to the top of the gym, bowed to Mount Coronet, and then leaped off towards the mountains behind the town.

“...well, she’s excited. Hope you’re ready for a challenge; I haven’t see my Lady this upbeat about a potential challenger in a while.” Otoshi said, eyes twinkling in amusement. “Gym’s open if you want to use it for training, otherwise please don’t do anything too destructive in-town.” He waved languidly. “And hey, if you want a battle–” for a second, his relaxed face sharpened. “-I’m not opposed.”

“Not today,” Illya refuted easily, looking towards her brother with a raised eyebrow. “Shirou might be up for it, though.”

“I-”

“Please?” The fox at his side immediately cut off him off, turning big, blue eyes towards her prospective trainer, “I would like to get a feel for how you battle.”

Now, it’s often noted that men can be dull sometimes, and Shirou could occasionally be as dense as the swords he summoned. But he was getting better about that, and this little plea made his perspective on why Vulpix had been following him snap together, confirming something he’d already suspected. With a soft huff and a wry smile, he looked up at the Warden. “Well, it seems we’re facing you today. I have three teammates, and we’re safe in town, so we can go all out, yes?”

Otoshi laughed. “Alright, and yes, we can! Now, I have more than three Pokemon, but my starter is… probably out of your league. Delcatty is my Partner, and she’s someone who fights Lady Lilligant’s kids for fun. But… you’re four, maybe five badge level, yeah? I can match that.” He turned and opened the doors to the gym. “Let’s have it out in here. No reason not to.”

The inside of the gym was entirely cast of stone, many of the pillars and menhirs marked with claw marks or warped by heat. Otoshi led them into the main chamber, flipping on the lights as they approached the gym court, the standard flat terrain surrounded by rock pillars reaching partway towards the cavernous ceiling. “Narimasa often takes his fights out into the mire for high-level challenges, but this space will fit our bout just fine. League rules alright, or do you have any preferences?”

“League rules are fine.” Shirou said, crossing to one side of the court. “Isabella, ref for us?”

“Sure. Send out your first Pokemon on my mark, please.” She said, standing offsides.

Shirou nodded, palming Yagi’s ball, then launching it upon her yell. Seconds later, the little pup formed on one side of the court, a fanged grass type appearing on the other. The Carnivine grinned, teeth showing. “Oh cool, didn’t think we’d be fighting today.” He snapped out, vines lashing. “What’s up, snack?”

“Not much, weed!” Yagi shot back, a cheerful grin on his face as he shuffled in place, raring to go, “Yosh! Let’s have some fun!” His opponent cackled in response, spreading his tendrils.

Otoshi watched for a moment, then gave a fast chop with one hand. “Let’s blunt his attacks! Stockpile!” Carnivine gulped, energy gathering in his mouth before rolling to leak at the edges of his cheeks, a sheen of light spreading through his body.

Shirou narrowed his eyes, then rapped out his own orders. “If he’s going to set up, we’ll do the same. Bulk up, then dance.”

“Dance?” Otoshi muttered, then blinked as Yagi threw himself into a rapid set of pushups, then sprung up and began to do intricate, fluid movements with his arms and legs. He paused as he caught a flare of violet-blue energy around the pup’s arms and legs. “Dragon dance? How the hell-”

“Effort!” Yagi cheered, hindpaws dancing on the ground far more rapidly as his opponent responded by Stockpiling again, “Yosh, here I go!” With his ever jubilant exclamation issued, Yagi rushed towards Carnivine, arm encased in flames. Despite a calmly issued command to evade, Carnivine did not manage to get out of the way quite in time, flames licking against his flesh. Pressing his advantage, Yagi’s other fist became encased in flame as well. For an instant, it looked like the blow would land. Then, Yagi was thrown violently away, the Carnivine managing to snag the jackal with a vine whip and create some space.

Yagi burst back in with a quick attack, hammering Carnivine’s torso, but not before Carnivine took one last stockpile. Metal claw slashed through vines which whipped at him, while Carnivine’s bites were intercepted by a rough uppercut. Yagi was an infighter, but Carnivine’s flexibility kept him in the game even as the little jackal brawled in the melee.

“I am too used to fighting upright enemies! But here, in the melee, I vow to be king!” Yagi crowed, shifting back a step.

“Maybe someday, but not today,” Carnivine growled, landing a Power Whip on the briefly still pokemon– only to watch as Yagi flared red. “Oh?”

“Endure. Counter,” Yagi voiced, blurring as his paw smashed into Carnivine’s gut. The upright grass-type’s eyes went white, but he coughed up his stockpile in the same moment. The detonation of unstable energy knocked Yagi across the arena, while Carnivine slumped in place.

Shioru winced as Yagi tried and failed to rise. “Well done. Rest now,” he murmured, returning his little scrapper. He tossed out his second ball. “Let’s go, Fafnir.”

“You’re in the right place if you want some dragon-type training,” Otoshi remarked as the Gabite appeared on the field. “N I’m glad to see you’re teaching your team to fight independently,” he continued, a Monferno appearing before him as he continued to speak. “Most trainers wait far too long.”

Monferno glared at his opponent, letting flames coat his limbs. “Huh, we see a lot of dragons here. Think you can keep up?”

Fafnir watched the monkey shift. “I think I can make you pay for a win, if you win at all,” she snorted. “You’re old for a second stage. Old and treacherous.”

“And you grew up a little too fast,” Monferno crouched, then threw himself forward in a brutal spin, feet and fists connecting on Fafnir’s raised arms. The dragon roared in response, her brutal Bulldoze not connecting with the fire-type save for a glancing blow. Unbothered by what most would have perceived as a failure, Fafnir rushed forward with a Dual Chop. Though the blow landed, Monferno took the blows on his own fists and responded with a Mach Punch to her jaw.

Fafnir took the hit with a grunt, then mashed the ground, kicking up a blast of dirt in all directions, catching Monferno in the improvised Mud-Slap. She didn’t bother speaking, instead moving directly into another Bulldoze, only to miss by inches as Monferno evaded. Seeing her struggles, Shirou yelled from his side of the battlefield. “He’s been using Flame Wheel to speed up his movements! Use Dragon Dance and catch up, fast!”

“Got it,” Fafnir pulsed and moved through the motions of the dance quickly, only briefly wincing as Monferno landed another set of rapid hits. She then immediately launched into another Bulldoze, her enhanced movement just enough to slow down her opponent and hit him squarely. The fighting type didn’t stop, insead throwing himself into a swarm of fists and feet, the Close Combat pushing Fafnir to the limits.

With a roar, the Gabite spun, slamming her tail into Monferno before he could recover from his all-out attack, only barely managing to connect the blow. However, she hit with enough power to put him on the ground, laying him out, unconscious. She heaved, feeling each point where the blows had connected, and took a deep breath as Otoshi returned his second Pokemon. The third member of Otoshi’s team formed across from her, and for a moment, she thought the other man had to be mad.

Then Raichu's muscled leg crashed into her face faster than she could see, and she fell over without another word.

Shirou returned his second Pokemon, looking down at Ritsuka. “Alright, partner, your turn. Think you can beat him?” He looked over at the Raichu.

“Can I? Yes. Will I?” The fox-dragon flared her wings. “Let’s find out.” She took off, blasting Raichu with a Dragonbreath. The bulky mouse pokemon grinned, content to take the blow before blasting off from the ground in a flare of lightning, smashing his new opponent with a thunderpunch.

Otoshi frowned as Raichu fell back to earth. He gave new orders for the first time. “Agility, you need speed to keep up with her air game.”

“Ritsuka, take a moment and Dragon Dance. Don’t let them take over with a speed advantage,” Shirou ordered in response, both pokemon buffing as ordered before their skirmishing resumed, Raichu blitzing across the battlefield launching off the ground to smash with his fists while Risuka countered with Dragon Claw, Dragon Pulse, and whipping strikes of Iron Tail.

To the side, the sharp eyes of several observers tracked the battle, none more interested than the recent addition, who hummed. “... It is likely that Shirou and Ritsuka will lose this battle.” Vulpix stated softly, more to herself than anyone else. “Through no fault of their own beyond a gap in experience.”

Shirou didn’t acknowledge the words, though he heard them clearly. Above, however, Ritsuka’s eyes narrowed. Vulpix may have been right– but that didn’t mean she’d go down easily. She flared her powers blasting out various elemental attacks as Raichu dove and ducked between them, landing hits of his own with Quick Attack, Thunderpunch, and the occasional blast of lightning. Ritsuka scowled as her opponent landed another blow, knocking her out of the air.

“Are you just trying everything and seeing what works?” Raichu spoke for the first time. “Still getting used to being a dragon, then.”

“Yeah, but I’ve not forgotten I’m an Eevee.” Ritsuka’s grin turned feral, as she launched herself forward. “LAST RESORT.”

Raichu was blasted backward as the star-shaped impact smashed into him. For a brief moment, Ritsuka stood on trembling legs, before Raichu launched himself out of the crater he’d left, the spinning of a Volt Tackle smashing her into unconsciousness. He stood for a moment, grinning. “Urgh. Gave it your all? Great…” He murmured before collapsing.

“... Good effort,” Vulpix acknowledged, inclining her head towards the unconscious Wyrmeon, “ten out of ten for effort. Well, I was right to be interested, I suppose.” She turned towards Shirou, miming a bow to the best of her ability. “I meant no insult, Shirou. You have extremely talented and powerful partners. But all of them lack experience. Experience I have in spades.”

Shirou nodded as he returned his last partner. “Yeah, I know. Yagi is the most skilled of us, and he’s not powerful enough to keep up with the others.” He smiled as Isabella called Otoshi’s victory by knockout. “But I learned a lot from watching, and I think we’ll get a lot out of training here.”

“I think so, too!” Otoshi laughed, stepping in close. “None of those three are monsters, but they’ve all gotten training from Lady Lilligant herself. Speed, grace, and precision with power; we train to keep up with her movements.”

“I think I’d enjoy learning under you and gym leader Narimasa,” Shirou responded.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Everyone turned to see a bulky man in a leather overcoat, over a Diamond Clan samue. At his side, a Salamance trundled into the building, flapping to enter a small cave near the top of the gym court. The man stroked his dagger beard with a smile. “A young dragon master, hmm? I only saw the end there, but for one so young, that new kit held their own.”

“Thank you, sir,” Shirou replied after a few moments, offering a respectful bow, “Leader Narimasa, I presume?”

“Yes,” he replied simply. “Two new challengers? For… hmm.” He paused, stroking his chin. “I hope you aren’t looking to challenge me today, either of you.”

“No. We want to get in a little training first,” Illya informed the gym leader, her eyes narrowed slightly. “And my brother needs to rest and heal his team.”

Glancing at Shirou who gave an accepting nod, Narimasa smiled. “Good. Don’t rush into things. And I need to check your league records, figure out how strong of a challenge you’ll need. We get a lot of seventh, eighth, and elite challenges here, but not many youngsters. It is hard to convince a dragon to be at any less than their best.”

Shirou nodded. “Would you be amenable to training my two dragons?” He asked.

“After at least your first challenge, if I have a team suitable for you,” Narimasa replied. “You’ll leave with training, don’t worry. But I won’t be showing off my secrets before a bout. It’s just common sense.” He looked up to his Salamance’s nest, and the group turned to see a few Bagon glancing out to look down with their mother. “I do have a pair of gym trainers, if you’d like some practice battles, though their teams are more varied.”

Shirou bowed. “Thank you for the offer. I think we’d both like a few days to gather ourselves, and Illya wants to go ahead and handle Lady Lilligant’s trial. Do you have an open slot for the two of us in three days?”

“Of course,” Narimasa said. “Ah, emergencies permitting. But nothing else would keep me from challenging you.” He nodded. “Enjoy your stay here. It’s good to see strong new blood around.”

As the man left, Vulpix turned towards the siblings, eyes briefly closing as she considered something. Then, without any fanfare, they opened. “So. Training. Would you like me to participate? Or would you prefer to have me as an advisor?”

“Well, that depends on you. To be honest, after this, I think we could use your tutoring on skill,” Shioru said as they led the group from the room. As they exited, his voice faded as they walked back into Adamant Town.

Narimasa watched them go, eyebrows high. “...Pokemon speakers?” He asked after a moment.

Otoshi shrugged. “Apparently.” He grinned. “Strong, talented youngsters… think Time’s about to change?”

“Hmm. Might be. Or might just be a minute before,” Narimasa responded. “...I think it’ll be a good fight.”