A Ralts in Moonlight

The series used in this work of fiction are not owned by me. I do not own any of the series in here. They are owned by their respective creators or whatever.

Thanks to CyberSkaarj and people of Fukufics for pre-reading.

“Speech”

‘Thoughts’

/Pokemon Speech/

//Telepathy//

Chapter 3

Ranma weaved in and out of a series of psychic blasts that were directed at him by his opponents. The young Ralts then leapt over an incoming shadowy blob and fired off his own psychic attack towards his challengers. The attack hit the ground, but both of his attackers dodged out of the way. As Ranma landed, the first of his opponents -- Nori -- teleported right next to him and attempted to attack with Confusion. Reacting quickly, Ranma jumped backwards and met with his other opponent -- Maria. The female Kirlia caused the human-turned-Ralts to momentarily halt when she used her Charm attack. The distraction was a success, both Maria and Nori surrounded their opponent with Double Team before attempting to lull Ranma to sleep with Hypnosis.

Feeling the effects of the attack starting to wash over him, Ranma slapped himself in the face a few times before trying a flying kick at the nearest illusions. This allowed him to leave the circle and the effects of the hypnosis, but it also left him wide open due to landing right next to a tree. Before he could act, both of his opponents cornered him and had their hands facing outward. Nori smirked at the human-turned-Ralts. /You’ve gotten better, Ranma. However, it’s still not enough to give either of us a challenge. You should give up; otherwise we’ll have to force you to sleep./

The cornered Ralts gave a smirk that mirrored the Kirlia’s, and this caused the two higher formed Pokemon to tense slightly. /C’mon blue-boy, you should know by now that Ranma Saotome doesn’t give up. Instead of standing their flappin’ your gums, concentrate on actually fighting./

Maria giggled at the flustered look her brother was giving off. The female Kirlia had never encountered someone who could get under her brother’s skin like Ranma could. /You’re sure that you don’t want to give up, Ranma? You ARE completely cornered, and we DO have a full-powered hypnosis attack ready./

/Feh,/ Ranma replied as he continued to smirk/I’m only beaten when I’m incapable of moving, but even then I’ll kick butt. C’mon, do your worst!/

Nori’s patience finally wore thin. /Enough of this. Let’s do it, Maria./ He stated as both of the Kirlia began their attack that would mean their opponent’s loss. They both could only stop and stare in shock and awe, however, as Ranma literally RAN up the side of the tree and halted on the UNDERSIDE of the lowest branch. /What-- how-- when--/ It was all the two of them could say as they stared at the young Ralts who was standing upside down on a branch. Off to the side, Chokoto and Mia were also awed by the sight. Shia, on the other hand, was only moderately surprised.

/Cool, I managed to do it!/ Ranma shouted in triumph as he crossed his arms and smirked. /What’s the matter? Don’t tell me that you--/ What Ranma was about to say was interrupted because of his feet slipping off the branch. This, of course, led the Ralts on a painful one-way trip to the ground. /Ow…/

Shia and her children -- who turned their heads so they wouldn’t see the painful landing -- quickly moved to make sure that Ranma was fine. They then proceeded to laugh their asses off at what had happened. Ranma’s horns were stuck in the ground, and the human-turned-Ralts himself was still upside-down. All-in-all, he looked like a flipped lawn ornament, and he was wiggling his legs and arms in an attempt to get unstuck. /Damn it, just don’t stand there! Someone help me get back up!/ It was probably the single most embarrassing thing that he had to go through in his life.

After settling down from their amusement and helping Ranma get back to his feet, Chokoto beat everyone to the question that they wanted to ask. /How’d you walk up the tree and stand like that, Ranma?/ He may have been young, but even he never heard of a walking up trees ability. His family nodded their heads to show that they were also curious.

Nori decided to add a question of his own. /Yeah, WHEN did you learn how to do that as well? I’ve never seen you trying to walk up trees./

/I’ve always been able to run up vertical surfaces. It’s something I learned how to do a few years back. However, I ended up doing something different after I found out that I could change the way my psychic energy is used./

/What do you mean?/ Mia asked curiously.

/I basically change and adjust the frequency of the energy, where it comes from, and how it comes out. I figured out how to enhance the power of my punches and kicks. I still haven’t gotten the hang of how to easily use it without exhausting myself, but it’s a start./ He allowed the information to sink into everyone’s minds. /It was a couple nights ago when I was messing around with psychic energy by sending it to my feet. I misjudged a kick and hit the base of a tree. To my shock, I found my foot actually sticking to the side of it. After that, I managed to get the same ‘frequency’ on my other foot and found myself temporarily STICKING to the tree./ Ranma stated in excitement before frowning. /It’s not all that useful though. It’s easier and simpler to just move up a tree like I can normally do. Using my psychic power for it is good for if I just want to stand on the under-side of a branch or another surface. Trying to use it to move UP a vertical area also requires a lot more muscle strength and work for some reason./

//So basically,// Shia began calmly so she could translate to her children the meaning of what Ranma had just said//it could possibly take years for any one of us to build up the minimum amount of muscle strength to perform such a trick as that. You, on the other hand, already have the muscle strength due to previously being a human martial artist and having some of your physical ability transferred over to your new form.//

/I guess that’s about it./ Ranma answered as he scratched the back of his head and glanced at the Gardevoir and her family. /I guess I kind of got your hopes up for the idea of being able to walk up trees, and then I dashed it completely./

Nori decided to throw his words into the mix. /It’s not like it would be all that useful of a skill for us anyway. If we want to get to the top of a tree, we’ll use Teleport./

/Yeah, I guess that’s true./ Ranma commented before turning his attention to Maria. /What was that black blob attack that you threw at me? I’ve never seen you use it before./

/The attack is called Shadow Ball./ As an example, the female Kirlia placed her hands a few inches apart and began to concentrate. Soon, a pitch black energy ball appeared between her hands. /It’s a powerful Ghost-type move, and that means it’s stronger against Psychic and Ghost types. I’ve been trying to learn it for a while, and I was finally able to do it successfully during our training./ As soon as Maria broke her concentration, the ball of energy dissipated into the air.

As if he was a child being offered a truck-load of chocolate, Ranma leapt excitedly too his feet and hopped over to the Kirlia. /Show it to me again. I want to try and learn how to create that./

Maria was about to comply, but Shia stopped her before she could even move her hands. //I think it might be better if you first learn how to successfully teleport and communicate via telepathy.// The Gardevoir noticed the look that appeared on the young Ralts’s features. //Just think of it as an issue of priority. As a martial artist, wouldn’t you work on learning the basics before moving on to the advanced forms?//

Ranma nodded in agreement as he crossed his arms and legs. /Well, yeah, otherwise I could end up severely hurting myself if I went ahead and tried higher forms of martial arts without getting to know the basics./

Shia smiled and nodded at the answer. //As such, learning more of the basic skills and abilities is a higher priority than the higher leveled and flashy abilities. While learning Teleport and telepathy are not TRULY essential to know before learning other abilities--//

Ranma decided to interrupt the Gardevoir’s speech. /They’re fundamental basics that could prove a greater use both in and out of a battle, right?/ Shia stared at him for a moment before giving a small nod. /Alright, I’ll figure out how to do those properly first. I’d like to see Teleport one more time, though./

//Mia,// Shia began//could you please demonstrate Teleport to Ranma?//

Complying with the request, her daughter began to concentrate a spot just a few feet away from where she was currently sitting. An aura of white obstructed Mia from view just a split second before she vanished and reappeared in the spot she was aiming for. /Should I do it again?/ Mia asked softly?

The young Saotome attempted to analyze what he had just watched and felt. There wasn’t too much to go by from watching the demonstration, but the former human did catch the build-up of psychic energy being pushed outward so that it coated Mia in a millimeter or so thick blanket. As soon as the energy had gathered, Mia’s energy signature shot from where she had previously been to the spot she was currently sitting in less than a second. /Hmm…/ Ranma let out as he tilted his head. /Mia, I want to see it again. This time, can you teleport to that tree over there?/ He pointed to a tree about 10 meters away.

Mia, along with her family, wondered why Ranma only wanted to see the skill instead of trying to do it. Deciding the question could wait until later, she did the same thing as before and teleported over to the tree.

This time, Ranma noticed a small and weak build-up of psychic energy appear in the spot that the youngest daughter of Shia was teleporting to. Mia’s psychic aura and the signature that popped up around the tree were also semi-connected via a small, but weak, string of more psionic energy. After a long silence, Ranma’s lips soon turned into a smile. /Alright, I think I got it!/ He shouted as he sprung to his feet.

/What, after watching it two times without even trying?/ Nori asked incredulously as he and his family watched the young Ralts attempt to use Teleport for the first time. /It took each of us at least a few days before we could first figure it out, and our mom has even stated the same thing!/ The Kirlia’s eyes soon widened when Ranma vanished from view and reappeared several meters away. Ranma reappeared, however, three meters ABOVE the ground and made a crash landing. Still, the fact remained that the human-turned-Ralts successfully teleported. /H-- How?/

/He did it!/ Chokoto and Maria shouted as they jumped to their feet. /Ranma actually managed to teleport on his first try./ Both were completely awed over it. Maybe Ranma did mess up on where he teleported to, but he still teleported.

Mia could only stare and feel a little pride at the idea that it was her who helped the blue-eyed Ralts figure out how to do it.

Even Shia was shocked at how quickly Ranma was able to grasp the workings of the skill. The Gardevoir anticipated that it would have taken at least three days before the young Ralts could actually move a few feet. //I’m impressed, Ranma.// Shia finally said as Ranma rejoined them after recovering from his fall. //You need to work on where you reappear, but I am very impressed that you actually managed it. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you figure it out?//

/It wasn’t all that difficult./ Ranma admitted with some excitement. He may have managed to use Teleport, but he still thought he was far from having it perfected. /As I watched Mia demonstrate it the first time, I noticed and felt the thin aura of psychic power that she brought out around her. When she moved, her energy signature shot to the spot she teleported to. On the second time, I managed to notice a faint signal of psychic energy spring to life around the tree. It was as if there was a marker placed so that the ability would be successful. Not only that, but there was a very faint psychic strand that connected Mia and the tree. I had to concentrate before I could even notice it. After watching it twice, I tried to see if I could mimic the exact same thing. I think I used a little too much psychic energy trying to do the skill, though./

//To actually notice and accomplish those things after closely observing the skill twice.// The fully evolved psychic Pokemon was, once again, amazed by the young human-turned-Ralts’s unpredictability. //Ranma, give it another try. This time, try to stay on the ground.//

Giving a nod to the Gardevoir, Ranma concentrated on the spot he wanted to teleport to. He immediately vanished and reappeared a few meters away with a knee to the ground. There was a visible frown on Ranma’s lips as he stood there. He still had to do some more practicing before he could do it with complete success. As of right now, it took him a second or two to figure out the spot he wanted to teleport to. It then took a second for him to recover from the teleport before he could follow up on another move. If he were to use Teleport right now in a real fight, then he would end up a sitting duck at some point.

‘Let’s try this again.’ Ranma thought as he got to his feet. Breaking off into a small run, the human-turned-Ralts leapt up into the air before vanishing from sight. He then reappeared in the spot he was aiming for. There was a delayed reaction of about a second before he could toss a punch.

/What’s with the displeased look?/ Nori called out. /You managed to use Teleport twice successfully./

/Not really./ Ranma answered back as he took a few deep breaths. /It takes me a second to figure out the spot and do the required steps, and it also takes me about a second after I finish the teleport before I can move around. I think I’m also putting too much energy into it because it tired me out after two tries./

//Then it would probably be a good idea to rest for a little while before continuing.// Shia advised as she brought out a collection of mushrooms and wild vegetables. //After something to eat and a little relaxing, we’ll help you figure out how to speak telepathically.//

Ranma was about to respond when a loud cry caught his ears. “SSSLLLOOOWWW!!!” Ranma glanced around from left to right and back to front, but he couldn’t see anything. Finally, he glanced upwards at the edge of the small cliff and noticed something run off the edge and hover there for a moment before falling off. It took a second for Ranma to register that the thing was going to crash on top of him, and so he couldn’t get out of the way before it happened.

/Gah!/ Ranma shouted as he pushed the pink thing off of him. /What the hell is this thing, and why the hell did it run off a cliff?!/ His answer came when a group of Beedrill appeared from above the cliff. /Well that answers the question of why this thing ran off the cliff./ Ranma commented in annoyance. He really hated those temperamental mega-bees. Luckily they decided to turn around and leave instead of trying to continue their chase.

“Ssslllooowww…” The pink thing stated as it lay where Ranma had pushed it. To the young Ralts, it looked like some weird hippo-salamander with small vacant eyes and a stupid grin.

Ranma poked the creature in the head a few times. /Hey, you okay?/ There was no response except for the thing slowly turning its head towards the Ralts and stared at him with those beady little vacant eyes. /You didn’t hurt your head too bad from the fall, did you?/ The creature was really starting to unnerve Ranma.

/It’s a Slowpoke./ Maria answered as she appeared next to Ranma. The other members of her family also came over. /They’re kind of a little dimwitted, and they are extremely slow most of the time. There are moments where they’ll run, but that’s only if their brains register something as truly dangerous. They normally live around ponds, lakes, and near the seashore./

/Then what’s it doing around here?/

Nori decided to answer the human-turned-Ralts. /There’s actually a small lake upstream on the other side of the waterfall a couple or so miles away. Sometimes a Slowpoke will just drift lazily downstream, fall down the waterfall, and keep going. They most likely end up at another body of water somewhere downstream./

/Beedrill…/ The Slowpoke stated before becoming silent. Its mouth continued to hang open for what seemed like forever as it sat in complete silence. /Chased me…/ It halted for another 30 seconds before continuing on. /It was scary./

Shia noted Ranma’s reaction to the hippo-like creature. //There is no use in trying to speak to it, Ranma. Trying to converse with a Slowpoke is like trying to converse with a tree. The Slowpoke may be able to respond back, but having a discussion with one is impossible.// Shia proceeded to set a rather large stone bowl filled with the mushrooms and vegetables down. //I think it would be best if we ate first and then consider what to do with our guest.//

/My thoughts exactly!/ Ranma shouted as he grabbed a few things from the pile. Out of the corner of his vision, he watched as the pink creature stare at him while it waved its white-tipped tail around slowly. Ranma tried ignoring it, but finally lost it after three minutes. /Will you quit staring at me with your brain-dead expression?!/ The Ralts shouted as he jumped to his feet.

The Slowpoke’s head slowly tilted to the side. /…What?/

Ranma’s unseen eyes twitched as he turned his attention Shia and her family. The quintet seemed amused in the young Ralts’s plight. /All Slowpokes are like this?/ The family answered with a nod. /Then how the hell have they actually managed to survive?! With something this slow and dumb, they’re bound to be easy pickings for some large and predatory Pokemon!/

/They’re tough when they want to be./ Nori answered as he chewed on a carrot. /Since they are Water/Psychic-types, they have access to some strong attacks that they could use to defend themselves. Once they register something as a threat and can decide on what to do, though./

/Wait, Psychic-type?/ Ranma asked before glancing at Shia. /I thought you said that Psychic-types were smart. If so, then where were these things when they handed out the brains?!/

/Hey…/ The Slowpoke managed to say with a minor glare. /I resent that./ It finished after a long pause. /I may be slow, but I’m not-- um-- I’m not…/ The creature trailed off completely, and Ranma was wondering if it actually went brain dead from trying to think too much.

//There’s always exceptions to things, Ranma.// Shia answered. //A Slowpoke truly is slow and dim, and its evolution into Slowbro doesn’t help at all. However, if it finds a King’s Rock and allows a Shellder to bite it on the head, it will evolve into a Slowking. As a Slowking, the poison from a Shellder’s bite affects its brain and jump-starts it. After that, it becomes incredibly intelligent, and some even end up leading colonies of Slowpokes and Slowbros.//

/At least there’sSOME hope./ Ranma grumbled. The young Ralts then motioned towards the still thinking Slowpoke. /So, what do we do with pink and dim over there?/

Nori decided to answer as he stretched his arms. /I’d say we just stick it in the stream and let it float away like the other Slowpokes that travel this way./ Besides, there was always the chance of it meeting up with a Shellder when it hits seaside.

A frown appeared on Maria’s lips. /I don’t know. Since it’s actually right here, maybe we should try and return it. It could actually have some friends and family that it misses./

/Where exactly is the lake it came from again?/ Chokoto asked curiously. Next to him, Mia gave a small shrug.

//As Nori stated earlier, there’s a lake upstream about two miles. I believe there’s a small colony of them living in that area.// Shia glanced towards the currently yawning Slowpoke. Scratching her chin for a moment, the Gardevoir decided on the course of action. //I suppose we can take it back to where it lived. A few Teleports will allow me to transport it there. Would any of you like to accompany me?/

/I’d rather just toss it into the stream and let it float away./ Nori answered with a frown.

Mia was too scared over the thought of venturing out too far and ended up shaking her head. Her brother, Chokoto, didn’t like the idea of traveling so far either. He would rather stay behind and observe a Metapod he found earlier that morning.

/Oh, I’ll go!/ Maria shouted as she jumped to her feet. /And I’m sure Ranma would love to accompany us as well./ The Kirlia added as she grabbed the blue-eyed Ralts by the arm.

Ranma glanced at her incredulously. /And you know that HOW?/ The human-turned-Ralts would rather not be near the Slowpoke any longer than he needed, and the very idea of going somewhere with a group of them caused Ranma to frown.

/Well,/ Maria began with a thoughtful expression/it will allow you to learn a little more about this world, and you can also meet a variety of other Pokemon and broaden your knowledge of them./

After a second, Shia nodded. //She’s right, Ranma. Since you’ve gotten here, you’ve only known the area around here. It would be a good idea to visit other locations and get to know the general ecology of the area. This will also allow you to get to know other species of Pokemon that dwell around lakes.//

Ranma figured they had a point. He was feeling a little restless from only seeing the scenery of the current area, and the idea of visiting another place -- even briefly -- piqued his interest. Back in his home world, Ranma would frequently change locations because of his father, and it was something he got used to. /Yeah, alright, let’s go. I want to see some places other than this forest!/ He was almost bowled over when Maria glomped onto him. /Will you knock that off?!/

/Great,/ Nori grumbled as he glanced towards his younger siblings/I’m going to be stuck baby-sitting./

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The first thing Ranma noticed as soon as the series of Teleports had finished was a large and clear blue lake that sat calmly in the middle of a grassy field. The south end of the lake filtered into a river that disappeared into a forest. Turning his attention back to the lake itself, Ranma’s focus was caught by a blue bug-like creature skating near the bank of the water’s edge. Its long legs and bug-like appearance actually reminded the young human-turned-Ralts of some pond skater insects that he ran across several times in his home world. The only difference was that this thing was relatively larger, had a circular main body, was blue, and had a yellow cap and antennae on its head.

/A Surskit!/ Maria shouted as she hopped over to the bank and squatted down. /I’ve always wanted to see one!/ The Surskit halted in its skating to stare at the Kirlia. Maria attempted to reach out to poke the water skater, but it quickly shot away from her and towards the center of the lake. As it was heading towards the center, a rather large brown bird with red and yellow head feathers about as long as its body swooped down and plucked the bug out of the water with its talons. /Aww,/ Maria pouted/my first time seeing a Surskit and it becomes a Pidgeot’s meal./

‘The Pokemon food chain in action.’ Ranma thought to himself. It made a lot of sense considering that birds ate bugs. Just as he was about to turn away, the calm surface of the lake violently splashed outwards as a huge blue sea serpent leapt out of the water and snagged the Pidgeot with its large and sharp fangs. The bird let out a cry as the Surskit fell out of its clutches and to the safety of the water’s surface. The large blue creature then proceeded to drag its prey down into lake. Ranma could only stare in shock at the scene that just played out in front of him. /What in the hell was that thing?!/ He finally asked as he continued to stare. There was no way that big thing could be a Pokemon.

//That was what is known as a Gyarados.// Shia explained as she watched the now calming surface where the serpent creature had vanished. //It’s an easily angered and vicious Pokemon that’s known to sometimes go into a destructive frenzy. You remember the Magikarp you saw in the stream back home?// Ranma gave a slow nod. He didn’t even think twice when Shia said ‘home’. //Gyarados evolve from Magikarp.//

Ranma stared at her like she was joking. /You mean to tell me that those frail things evolve into the monstrosity that we just saw?/ At the Gardevoir’s nod, Ranma gave a low whistle. /This whole evolution business really does have an odd sense of humor./ The Ralts turned his attention to the pink passenger that they had brought along. /So where is this thing’s colony at?/

Maria returned to her position with Shia and Ranma. /I think it’s over there./ She said as she pointed towards a small inlet. On the inlet, Ranma could make out several Slowpokes lounging around lazily on some rock formations. Some were also swimming slowly through the water.

The Slowpoke they brought with them glanced towards the inlet, and then gradually turned his head to look at Ranma. /Thanks…/ It then proceeded to walk into the water and swim over to its colony.

/I thought one of them might have drifted away. I thank you for bringing it back./

Ranma nearly jumped out of his skin as he spun around to meet whatever it was that managed to sneak up on him. As he stood in a defensive stance, he noted the creature that had managed to get behind him had the appearance of a Slowpoke. However, this one was standing perfectly upright and had a red and white ruff around its neck. Unlike the Slowpoke’s fingerless hoof-like feet, this one had opposable thumbs. Its last defining feature was the large shell-like crown on top of its head. There also appeared to be several wrinkles to show the Pokemon’s age. /Who are you?/

//Ranma, this is a Slowking.// Shia answered.

/Oh./ Ranma responded as he relaxed his stance a little. He was still slightly wary considering that the creature in front of him actually managed to sneak up on him. It actually amazed him with how different the thing seemed to act from a Slowpoke.

The Elderly Slowking put a hand to his chin. /You’re a peculiar Ralts./ Walking up to the human-turned-Ralts, he leaned forward a little and pulled up some of Ranma’s ‘hair’. /VERY peculiar./

The young Ralts slapped the hand away with an annoyed glared. /You’re not exactly the most normal thing I’ve seen either, buddy. Just what do you find so interesting about me?/

/I apologize for disturbing you like I did./ The pink creature answered with a bow. /It is just that you piqued my interest when you seemed to be so quick on your feet and had fallen back into a fighting stance. Your eyes--/

/Blue eyes. Yeah, I know already. You think you’re the first to mention it?/ Ranma grumbled out in annoyance. /I don’t think I’m ever going to hear the end of it./ Behind the Ralts, a Goldeen jumped out of the water and produced a large enough splash to actually hit Ranma with. /Damn it! Why do I always have to get wet?/

Slowking completely halted in his thoughts and stared at the young Ralts. For some reason, his senses were telling him that the one in front of him had actually changed genders after getting splashed. /Excuse me, but did you just--/

/Yep,/ Maria piped up/Ranma just changed from a boy to a girl. It’s because of some weird curse./

/There could be some potential benefits./ Shia added as she placed a hand on top of Ranma’s head. /If what we are thinking is correct, then Ranma MAYbe able to actually transform between a Gallade and Gardevoir later on if ‘he’ obtained a Dawn Stone and used it while male./

/Meaning if there was a situation that called for greater psychic ability, Gardevoir form could be used. If greater physical ability is required, then Gallade could be used./ Slowking mused as he rubbed his chin. /You are indeed full of surprises./ A wide smile appeared on the pink Pokemon’s face. /How would you like it if I taught you a new move?/

Ranma perked up at the mention of a new technique, but she continued to stay in a defensive stance. The Ralts felt a little wary of some random individual that she only met for a few minutes offering to help her; especially when said individual possessed a rather disturbing glint in his eyes. /What’s the catch? Why would you be willing to offer something to someone you only just met?/

Slowking chuckled in amusement. /Just think of it as a reward for returning a wayward member of my colony back home. I also find you to be a VERY interesting Ralts. You appear different than most, and you seem almost human./

‘If only you knew.’ The visiting trio thought to themselves.

/You see,/ Slowking began as he stood with his hands behind his back and his eyes closed/it is because of those that I wish to offer you something./ The pink Pokemon’s mind was running on overdrive. He considered himself a researcher of sorts. Any kind of knowledge he could grab was of the utmost importance. He knew there was more to the young Ralts in front of him that set it apart from everything else, and he wanted to test and see just how far the Ralts could go. Opening his eyes, Slowking returned to his speech. /I think that you could very well--/

/So to successfully use Telepathy, you need to reach out with your mental power and connect it to the minds of others./ Maria stated to Ranma as the trio sat in a semi-circle. All three of them were ignoring the pink creature as they attempted to teach Ranma on the use of Telepathy.

//However, if it’s too weak, your conversation will either not be received or be broken up and jumbled. If it’s too strong, you run the risk of giving the recipient a headache. Worse-case scenario is that you could end up severely damaging their mind.// Shia added with a frown.

Ranma gave a nod in understanding. /Right, so too weak and it doesn’t go through. Too strong and I could fry a person’s brain./ Another thought occurred to her. /Hey, I was wondering about something. Is it possible to actually use our psychic powers to mind control and influence peoples’ actions like in human science fiction?/

Slowking slammed his hands to the ground in front of the trio. /Hey, it’s rude to ignore people when they’re talking about important matters!/

/You were just standing there with your head in the clouds. I wouldn’t consider that to be talking about important matters./ Ranma quipped back with a smirk.

‘That cheeky little…’ Slowking thought before shaking his head and turning around. /Perhaps you aren’t ready for the move I was going to teach you. After-all, a simple Ralts like you would be incapable of it./ A small smirk appeared as he mentioned it.

/What did you say?/ Ranma asked hotly as she jumped to her feet. /I bet I could learn whatever it was in no time at all!/

/You sure?/ Slowking asked as he turned back around? At the young Ralts’s nod, the evolution of Slowpoke smiled. /Alright then, if you are so sure of yourself, let’s see if you can learn how to do a simple Ice Punch./

Noticing Ranma’s increased interest, Shia decided to explain a little more about the skill. //Ice Punch is one of a group of different elemental punches. As the name implies, it is a strong attack that has a high chance of freezing the target it hits. As an Ice-type move, it is most effective against Flying, Grass, Ground, and Dragon types.// The Gardevoir would have decided that learning a new move could wait until after Ranma had learned Teleport and telepathic speaking, but it was obvious from earlier that attempting to keep Ranma to a ‘schedule of priorities’ would only hinder the Ralts terribly.

Now that he had the Ralts’s full attention, Slowking decided to demonstrate the move. /Now watch closely. I’m only going to demonstrate it once./ Holding his hand out, a bluish-white glow appeared around it. Slowking then moved towards tall tree and stopped in front of it. After pulling his fist back, he shot forward and punched the thick trunk. The entire tree shook for a moment before ice started spreading out from the Pokemon’s fist and gradually covered a majority of the trunk and some of the branches.

/Whoa!/ Ranma shouted with wide eyes. The technique could prove extremely useful both in and out of a fight. /Hey, how do you manage to do it?!/

/I’m not going to tell you./ Slowking stated simply as he backed up from the tree.

/Huh?/ Maria asked in confusion. /But I thought you said that you’d teach it to her-- him!/

Slowking put his hands behind his back again. /I’m not going to explain how I did it. I want him to try and figure it out on his own. You can think of it as a kind of test. If he can manage to learn it, then I’ll gladly offer him another skill to learn./

/Sounds reasonable./ Ranma admitted with a nod. Attempting to learn it on her own would allow her to break the skill down and figure out other possible ways to use it. /I’ll learn it in no time at all, old man. You better be getting another move ready, because I’ll--/ Ranma trailed off and stood still as both her horns and sixth sense began working overtime. /There’s someone here./

Ranma wasn’t alone. Both Shia and Maria were also picking up slight disturbances around the area. /It’s probably your horns, Ranma./ Maria answered as she glanced around. /Remember that, as a Ralts, you have greater extra-sensory powers due to those horns, and they work well in sensing negative emotions and intentions of things around you./

/Yeah, I remember./ Ranma admitted as her eyes narrowed. /But I don’t think it was this active before./ The most likely reason was that her powers were still trying to settle, but that was just a guess. All that Ranma knew at the moment was that something felt wrong, and that something was coming from the woods right near them.

“Keeeyyy!!” From between the trees came a white monkey-like Pokemon with a pig nose. The creature’s body had numerous scrapes and bruises that seemed to be fresh, and its body seemed to be incredibly weak. /H-- help./ That was all the Mankey was able to let out before collapsing onto the ground.

Ranma -- along with the others -- moved over to the fallen Pokemon to see if it was okay. /What the hell happened to it?/ Ranma asked as she looked over the monkey Pokemon’s injuries. Some of the cuts seemed to be pretty deep, but it was in no severe danger at all. The Ralts stiffened as her senses told her something else was coming. Raising her head, she watched as a large golden-colored fox with nine tails appeared into view. It’s eyes glowed a vivid crimson as it stared at the downed Mankey.

“Damn it, where’d you go, Flare?” A man’s voice shouted from the same direction. A second later, a tall red-haired man appeared from the wooded area. The man was rather tall and was dressed in all black clothing that included a black cap. On the front of the shirt was a big ‘R’ colored red. “Did you get the damn thing? I sure hope you didn’t roast the thing like the other two. The smell was--” The man halted once he noticed the presence of a Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, and Slowking. A rather sinister smile appeared on his lips. “Well, well, it looks like you managed to find a nice haul. The guys at the base have wanted a Ralts to run some tests on.”

/Who’s that?/ Ranma asked as her body tensed. Both the fox Pokemon and man in black were giving off enough malice to fill a swimming pool with. What the newcomer had said when he appeared finally managed to register to the human-turned-Ralts. /Wait, did he just say that they caused this? And what about running tests on me?!/ Ranma could feel Shia and Slowking stiffen. Maria, on the other hand, felt nervous.

//Ranma,// Shia began with caution//Remember how I mentioned that there are Pokemon Poachers out there who are worse than any kind of trainer?// Ranma gave her a slow nod. //Well, this is one of them. He’s a member of an evil organization called Team Rocket. It’s a secret criminal organization whose goal is to steal Pokemon from anywhere they can, and sometimes they sell them for a high price to certain clients. There are other times when they take Pokemon and run terrible experiments on them, and they generally have no remorse when it comes to the possibility of killing either Pokemon or humans who get in their way.// Throughout Shia’s explanation, there seemed to be an increasing feeling of anger and hate coming from her. Ranma could also feel the same emotions coming from the normally cheerful Maria.

‘They really do stuff like that?’ Ranma thought to herself as she glanced down at the unconscious Mankey. The human-turned-Ralts felt a strong surge of anger well up within her as she turned a glare towards the Team Rocket grunt. He was the reason why the Mankey was so viciously beat up, and he even seemed to not care when he talked about two other Mankey being roasted.

/What’s with the angry look, Runt?/ The Ninetails asked with a sneer. /Don’t tell me that you think you can stand up to me. Why don’t you go cry to your momma over there, because it might be the very last time you see her once we get done here. Team Rocket gets whatever they want, and--/

The fox was interrupted when a pair of glowing blue eyes blocked its vision. The next thing it saw was stars as a white fingerless fist slammed into its face and sent it flying into its trainer. Both the Ninetails and the Team Rocket grunt crashed to the ground. Both of them were outright shocked at what happened, and the latter remembered a certain rumor that his boss was interested in. Pushing his Pokemon off of him, the grunt stared at the sight of a small Ralts glowing with incredible anger. Behind it, the Kirlia, Gardevoir, and Slowking were also glowing as they each readied an attack.

He was about to order Flare to use an attack, but was interrupted when he saw the angered Ralts teleport and reappear in front of him before attacking with a strong psychic blast that sent the trainer and Pokemon crashing into a tree. ‘Shit,’ the Rocket grunt thought, ‘that Ralts is crazy as hell.’ Pulling out his Poke Ball, the grunt recalled his Ninetails before struggling to his feet. He saw another psychic attack coming and dodged it. Spinning around, the grunt high-tailed it through the woods to safety.

As soon as the man had left, the aura around Ranma blinked out of existence, and the human-turned-Ralts fell forward into unconsciousness. Maria was the first one to make it to her to check and see if she was alright. /That was both scary and amazing!/ The Kirlia shouted. /Ranma must have been really angry at them to lose control like that./

The elderly Slowking turned his attention to Shia. /Your child really is amazing. I’ve never met a Ralts who could actually use physical power like that./ He gave off a deep chuckle. /I better ready another move for when he finishes Ice Punch, no?/

Shia refrained from correcting Slowking about the ‘child’ matter and nodded. /It amazes even myself at how adaptable he is./ The Gardevoir’s features darkened slightly. /But now he’s gained the attention of Team Rocket as well./

/You seem to know quite a bit regarding Team Rocket./

Shia nodded and remained silent for a few moments as Maria carried Ranma over. /I think we should be leaving now. Do you think you could help that Mankey over there?/ After Slowking nodded, the trio teleported away and left a the curious pink Pokemon to ponder.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

‘It feels like I was hit by a truck.’ Ranma thought as she woke up a couple hours later to a slight headache. Pushing herself up into a sitting position, the first thing the Ralts noticed was that she was back in the forest clearing that she actually considered as a small home. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was feeling angry over that man in black and the description of his organization. /Must have put too much into those teleports and psychic attacks./

/No duh./ A voice, obviously belonging to Nori, answered before slapping the Ralts in the back of the head. /Jeez, haven’t we told several times to not overuse your energies in an attack? You’re lucky that you heal quickly./

Rubbing the back of her head, Ranma turned and glared at the blue Kirlia. /Hey, it’s not my fault! It’s because of these damn horns and whatever else that causes me to be easily overcome by intense feelings./ She was starting to understand what Shia had explained to her concerning the empathic abilities of a Ralts. When she was confronted with that Team Rocket grunt, Ranma’s empathic ability was screaming for her to flee to somewhere else. ‘Fat chance in that. I’m not going to act like a coward and run away from some idiot like that.’

//Sometimes it is better to listen to your fight-or-flight instinct.// Shia responded. //I have no doubt in my mind that you could have probably held your own, but you hold a valuable tool in your ability to sense the feelings, intentions, and dangers of those around you. As such, you could end up in a problematic situation if the dangers feel too great for you to fight normally.//

/You honestly expect me to run away from a fight?/ Ranma asked with a frown.

//You aren’t in your world anymore, Ranma.// Shia answered back. //You are now a Pokemon in a world where humans capture, train, raise, and keep Pokemon as pets. Some secret organizations also capture and sell to the highest bidder, while some run experiments to see if they could enhance or change the Pokemon in any way.//

Ranma nodded slowly. /Those do sound like strong odds, but--/

/It sounds like you also gained the attention of Team Rocket, too!/ Chokoto interrupted with his own frown. /They’re probably going to try to get you big-time now./ The rest of his family quickly became silent, and Ranma could sense a strong amount of negative feelings radiating from them.

The human-turned-Ralts’s curiosity piqued. /How do you know so much about this Team Rocket?/ It made sense that an evil organization was widely known, but Shia and her family seemed to know a lot more about them.

The Gardevoir remained silent for a long moment before responding in a low voice. /Team Rocket captured my mate and oldest child./

/Oh…/ Ranma commented in a subdued manner. /Sorry./ She added. She didn’t mean to bring up old wounds for the psychic family.

Shia shook her head and gave the Ralts a small smile. //No, it’s alright. You were just curious. My mate, Ichimaru, was a rather strong and stubborn Gallade. He tended to spend a lot of time perfecting his fighting abilities, and he would often try to get other Pokemon to settle their disputes through a fair and honorable battle.// There was an obviously high amount of affection mixed in with the Gardevoir’s words. //Our oldest child, Kuribo, managed to become a Gardevoir, and one day Team Rocket managed to capture him. They would have captured us as well, but Ichimaru fought and allowed us,/ Shia motioned to her currently silent children/to escape. He also managed to get away, but he decided to follow them to one of their hideouts to see if he could rescue Kuribo.//

Ranma could have guessed that it didn’t work out, but she was curious. /What happened then?/

//All along the way, Ichimaru kept in contact with me via telepathy, and he was obviously disgusted with the activities that Team Rocket was doing to Pokemon they captured or stole. Ichimaru was very capable at using stealth, and that’s how he managed to navigate one of their hideouts. When Ichimaru finally found Kuribo, he told me that they were performing various experiments on him. He became enraged and tried to act, but they must have captured him also, because that was the last I ever heard from him.//

/It wasn’t long before we found this spot./ Nori said as he picked up where his mother left off. /Not very many humans come through here, and if they do and we sense them before they get here, then we hide in the alcove behind the waterfall./

Ranma felt several mixed emotions after hearing the story, and the greatest of which was a burning distaste for Team Rocket. How could an organization go and do that to a bunch of creatures that have human/near-human sentience? At least, it seemed so to her after spending her time as one since arriving from her home world.

//Ranma,// Shia mental voice interrupted the Ralts’s thoughts and caused her to jump. //I think I can tell what you are thinking. Please, promise that you won’t try and get into any kind of trouble concerning Team Rocket. I wouldn’t want you to fall into their clutches.//

/Yeah, they could really hurt you!/ Maria piped up.

Ranma didn’t want to agree to that kind of promise. Something like that would only cause problems for her later. /I won’t go looking for trouble./ Ranma answered after a long silence. /But if they are causing anybody -- Pokemon or human -- problems, then I’ll do something about it. IWON’T stand by and let them do whatever the hell they want./

Shia could only shake her head as a small smile appeared. //You can be so stubborn and pigheaded.//

/Hey!/

//Still,// the Gardevoir began as she placed a hand on top of Ranma’s head//I guess that I can’t control your actions and prevent you from doing anything about it, can I? You can probably handle yourself quite nicely when it comes to survival.//

Ranma gave off her cocky grin. /Of course! I said I was going to be the best, didn’t I? That means no stupid organization is going to stop me. If I have to, I’ll kick all their asses./

Nori slapped the Ralts upside the head. /Jeez, you’re the most annoying thing I ever met./ The Kirlia crossed his arms and watched as Ranma rubbed her head. /You are a long ways from being the best. I mean, even Mia and Chokoto could beat you easily. You have your physical abilities and some psychic abilities, but they know a lot more moves./

/Having more techniques doesn’t mean anything unless you can use them to their full ability./ Ranma replied back with her own arms crossed. It was at that moment in which she remembered something. /Oh, that’s right! I need to figure out how to do Ice Punch. Shouldn’t be too difficult to learn./

/You sure?/ Nori asked

/Yeah, it’ll take three days!/

/If you say so./ Nori answered back as he left the Ralts to her attempts at mimicking the Ice-type skill. /I still say it’ll take you a lot longer than three days./

/Ah shut up./

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A few days later found Ranma standing on the outskirts of a small town. Thanks to Shia, who was slightly reluctant at the time, the Ralts learned of the whereabouts of Ayanna and her trainer. Ranma felt that he was finally ready to challenge and defeat the Umbreon, and he could tell that Shia was watching from secret in case he would need some help. Of course, the human-turned-Ralts wasn’t worried about his ability to escape if he needed to, but it was nice to have someone help.

Ranma could feel the stares of the people as he made his way through, and his empathic abilities mostly picked up confusion among the residence who wondered why a Ralts was simply walking through their town as if it were looking for something. There was also a sudden surge of something he couldn’t place right away.

He was able to figure it out once a pair of arms grabbed him from behind and pulled him into a hug. “Oh! You’re such a cute little Ralts!” A teenage girl shouted. “Anzu loves you oh so much!”

“Hey, I want to hold it!” Another girl shouted as she appeared and started scratching Ranma on the head. “Wow, I thought its helmet hair thing would be harder.”

“Can I see?” A younger girl asked holding out her arms.

“Look, it has blue eyes!” Someone else shouted. “It must be that one Ralts we’ve been hearing about!”

“They’re so adorable!” Another woman announced as she grabbed Ranma and wrapped him in another hug. The Ralts’s eye twitched a little as he was pressed against her chest. “It’ll probably become such a beautiful Kirlia and Gardevoir.”

“What about a Gallade if it’s male?” Another interrupted. “It could become strong and gallant!” There were a few in the group who argued against the thought.

//Will… y… knock it… off?!// The group stopped and glanced around to see who could have said that. //It… as… me.// Ranma mentally shouted as he waved his arms. The young Saotome had finally figured out how to use telepathic communication, but it tended to come out as jumbled and weak when trying to reach groups of people. //Put me down.//

Reluctantly, the overly-affectionate group backed up a little. There were a few whispers regarding Ranma’s ability to speak telepathically and how impressive it was. The Ralts turned his attention to one of the women. //Do you know… ere a guy… named Zashi lives?// Ranma didn’t care that he was earning various looks from the villagers. All he was interested in was finding his target.

“Uh,” an elderly man began. Of all the things he would have expected, having a Ralts appear out of nowhere and ask the whereabouts of someone using telepathy was not it. “He and his family live on the east side of town. It’s the house with a line of three trees on the west side of it, and it’s the closest to the grassy clearing.” He honestly felt like he was giving directions to a person.

//Thanks old man!// Ranma replied as he leapt onto a fence before jumping up onto the roof of a house and leaping away. That action caused the townspeople to look on in shock and chatter amongst themselves.

In the spot she was hiding, Shia slapped her forehead and groaned at the young Ralts’s actions. ‘You just made yourself even more known, Ranma.’

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ranma smiled to himself as he spotted Ayanna. The Umbreon was currently lying with her head on her trainer’s lap as the man scratched her behind the ears. It was kind of nice to know that the guy seemed to actually treat his Pokemon with care, but that wasn’t what Ranma had come to this place for. The reason he came was to prove to that uncute freak that he wasn’t weak and helpless.

Jumping from his concealed perch, Ranma landed a few feet away from the duo. “What the--” was all Zashi had let out from his shock as he gave a small hop backwards. Unfortunately, he had Ayanna on his legs, and so the teen fell back and hit his head. “Damn it! Who the hell did--” Zashi stopped himself as he got a good look at the one who startled him. “Hey, it’s you. The blue-eyed Ralts from a while back.”

Pushing herself out of her trainer’s lap, Ayanna began to growl at the newcomer. /What areYOU doing here, runt?/ by the tone of her voice, she was not happy to see the Ralts at all.

‘What, is everyone going to call me ‘runt’ now?’ Ranma thought with a frown as he remembered what that Ninetails had said a while back. Shaking his head of the memory, the human-turned-Ralts reached his mental waves outward. Since there was only two targets now, it would be easier to communicate. //I’m here to challenge Miss Uncute and Freakish.//

Zashi and Ayanna were moderately surprised at the Ralts’s voice in their heads, but Ayanna managed to recover the fastest. /DON’T CALL ME AN UNCUTE FREAK!/ She growled out. /If you want a challenge, you rude little pipsqueak, then you got it!/ The Umbreon turned her head towards her owner and yipped for him to agree.

Zashi scratched his head for a moment. This was the first time he had ever heard of a Pokemon arriving in a town and offering an official challenge to fight. “Well, alright,” he finally said. “We’ll accept your chall--”

//I didn’t say I wanted to challenge YOU.// Ranma interrupted as he pointed at the teen. //I said I wanted to challenge her. All you’d be doing is shouting out and telling her what to do. As soon as you say it, I’ll know what she’s going to do. That means it’d be boring as hell to fight her because I’d just have to listen to you. This isn’t a normal Pokemon battle here. This is a true CHALLENGE to a FIGHT.// A smirk appeared on Ranma’s lips a moment later. //Of course, I could understand if she couldn’t think for herself and needed you as the brains.//

/You little jerk!/ Ayanna shouted as she leapt for the Ralts. Ranma merely side-stepped the lunge and offered the Umbreon a smirk. /If you want to prove that you’ll lose this much, then let’s do this./ Without another word, Ayanna charged at the Ralts with her teeth bared.

Ranma sidestepped the lunge and attempted to respond with a roundhouse kick. The kick sailed over Ayanna’s head as she quickly ducked and spun around to trip the Ralts up with a Tail Whip. Ranma was knocked off his feet, but he was able to catch himself with a hand before rolling out of the way of a Tackle attack.

/You have a weird fighting style for a Psychic-type./ Ayanna admitted as she leapt back. /You actually seem to rely a lot on Fighting-type moves instead of your own type’s./ A smirk grew on the Umbreon’s muzzle. /Of course, maybe you’re playing it a LITTLE smart since no psychic attacks will affect me./

/You rely too much on that type-advantage thing./ Ranma answered back with a frown. Calling a small amount of psychic power, Ranma picked up a small rock that sat on the ground between him and the Umbreon. With a quick motion, he sent the rock flying and watched as it smacked right into the middle of Ayanna’s forehead and caused the Eevee evolution to be knocked backwards and onto the ground in a daze. /I thought you said no psychic attacks will affect you. That psychic attack there seemed to work quite well./ Ranma stated with a smirk.

/You little bastard!/ Ayanna shouted as she got back up. /That wasn’t a psychic attack. That was a rock! Of COURSE it’s going to affect me!/

/Hey, I used psychic power to lift the rock and throw it. The rock was charged by psychic power, and therefore I attacked you with a psychic attack. As far as I’m concerned, I can fight you with psychic abilities just fine. Jeez, quit acting like a baby./ Ranma answered back as he scratched the back of his head. He was starting to wonder if he was the first to try something like that.

/DIE!/ Ayanna shouted as she charged towards Ranma via a Quick Attack. Just as she was about to hit the Ralts, she leapt over his head and turned around in midair. The Umbreon proceeded to open her mouth and charge an attack that Ranma was able to identify as Shadow Ball. As soon as Ayanna closed her mouth, the ball rocketed towards her opponent and exploded as soon as it made contact. /That’ll teach you./ the Umbreon commented as she landed on the ground.

/You know, I REALLY need to learn that move./ A voice from above said. Ayanna didn’t have to look to know that Ranma was standing calmly on her head. /It seems that everybody knows that damn technique./

/How did you--/

/Teleport./ Ranma quickly answered. /It’s fun as hell to use, but it could still use some improvements./ The Ralts leapt off of the Umbreon’s head, but as he was doing so, he grabbed onto her ears and slammed her into the ground. /You know, I haven’t had this much fun in a while./ Ranma added with a wide smile.

His opponent groaned as she got back to her feet. /I’m glad you’re having fun, but that really hurt!/ Ayanna raised her head to show that she had tears falling from her eyes.

Ranma immediately felt bad for making the Umbreon cry. /Er-- uh-- I didn’t mean to make you cry./ He said sheepishly. He was about to offer an apology, but he soon found himself on the receiving end of a strong Headbutt to the stomach that sent him flying. /Hey!/ Ranma shouted as he held his stomach. /What the hell was that for?/

/Stupid./ Ayanna insulted with a smirk. /That’s what you are for falling for a Fake Tears attack./ She noticed the look Ranma was sending her. /Oh, now it’s YOU who are crying no-fair, isn’t it?/

The Ralts pushed himself to his feet. Thanks to his current form, he was really feeling that blow to his stomach. /Stupid uncute freak./

/WILL YOU SHUT UP ABOUT THAT?!/ The Umbreon screeched as her fur stood on end. With a quick motion, she tossed some kind of substance at her opponent.

Ranma’s eyes widened when he noticed the strange substance react to the ground where he had just been a moment ago. /What the hell?/ He was caught off guard and didn’t notice that Ayanna had moved in close.

/Oh, you don’t know?/ Ayanna asked in an almost purr. /When agitated, an Umbreon can spray a poisonous sweat./ Before her opponent could react, Ayanna fired a Dark Pulse from her mouth and knocked the Ralts back several feet. /You were doing so well earlier, but it seems as if you misjudged your opponent. Allow me to end this./ The Umbreon fired another Shadow Ball at the still airborne Ralts.

Ranma reacted quickly and teleported just moments before the Shadow Ball hit him. Reappearing in front of Ayanna, Ranma managed to do a successful roundhouse kick that knocked the Umbreon into a tree. The human-turned-Ralts was breathing heavily, but he was still having fun. /You’re not so bad./ He commented between breaths.

/For a Ralts and Psychic-type,/ Ayanna responded through her own heavy breathing/you’re pretty strong. You’re still a runty jerk though!/ She insulted as she charged in with a Quick Attack.

/And you’re still an uncute freak./ Ranma retorted as he concentrated power into his fist and dodged the Quick Attack. It actually took him four days to figure it out, but Ranma could finally do an Ice Punch. It still lacked power and some control, but he could temporarily freeze things. And so, as he was dodging Ayanna’s attack, Ranma brought his fist up and tagged the Umbreon’s back end. The end result was Ayanna’s back legs and end being encased in ice.

/Damn it!/ The Umbreon cursed as she slipped and fell. She tried getting up several times, but found that she would only slip and fall back to the ground. Turning her head to glare at Ranma, Ayanna paled a little when she noticed that the Ralts -- with a smirk -- was standing right next to her and positioned to deliver a finishing punch if she were to somehow break the ice. /Alright,/ the Eevee evolution groaned out/you win./

/Yeah!/ Ranma shouted happily as he leapt into the air. Coming back down, he reached over and shook one of Ayanna’s paws. /You put up a great fight, but this ‘weaker type and form’ defeated you! So… no hard feelings?/

The Umbreon stared at the Ralts for a long moment. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He was actually asking if she had any hard feelings afterLOSING to HIM. How could she not feel any embarrassment or anything after losing to one who was both a Psychic-type AND the lowest form of the creature’s evolutionary species/S-- sure./ She answered. She was completely unsure though.

/Great!/ Ranma shouted. /Maybe we can do this again sometime. You’d make a great training buddy. I mean, jeez, this was the best fight I’ve had in a long while!/ With a smile, he gave Ayanna a pat on the head.

Ayanna was completely flabbergasted as she tried to think up what to say or do. /I-- I’d like that./ She finally said after a long silence. It really wasn’t what she wanted to say, but there was nothing else she could think of. /C-- could you remove this ice?/

Giving a quick nod, Ranma punched the sun-weakened ice and freed the slightly frozen Umbreon. The Ralts then pulled her into a standing position and shook her paw one last time. /Have that Zashi guy help you train some more. It seems like he’s really good at it. I actually never thought I’d say that about a Pokemon Trainer, but he doesn’t seem all that bad after-all./

As he left a very confused Umbreon to go back to her trainer, Ranma turned around and was about to leave when he noticed the crowd that had seemed to gather. Most of them seemed to be in extreme awe over what they had witnessed, and Ranma was feeling a tad embarrassed over all the attention. //Uh, hi.//

The Ralts soon found himself in the arms of a young woman. “You poor thing!” She shouted as she hugged the young human-turned-Ralts. “You’re all hurt and tired from your tough fight. Let me take you to our Pokemon Center so you can heal.”

//I’m fine!//

“Nonsense!” Someone else shouted. “You fought such a tough battle, and you’re probably too tired to make it home.” There were a few others who shared the same sentiments.

Ranma was wondering WHY these people were acting so weird towards him. He couldn’t feel any negative intentions at all from them. All he could sense was curiosity, concern, interest, and various other similar things. //Uh, Shia,// Ranma called out mentally once he found the Gardevoir’s location. //I think I need some help.//

//You aren’t in any trouble right now, Ranma.// Shia responded. //It seems that you have somehow sparked a huge interest in you. It’s actually been known for some towns to gain a sort of soft spot for a certain Pokemon and welcome them into the town. Still, we need to watch out and see if anybody will do something stupid.//

//Great, just what have I gotten myself into.// Ranma asked in annoyance as he was carried towards whatever a Pokemon Center was. ‘Well, at least these people don’t seem so bad.’ He thought to himself. ‘Oh well, if they try something, I’ll just kick their asses.’

Becoming widely known in a town can’t be a good thing for Ranma. Now it’ll be definitely known throughout the public that a blue-eyed Ralts possessing such strange behavior and abilities really does exist. Chances are, Team Rocket would be a part of that ‘public interest’.

Although, now Ranma has a small place to visit for if he’s bored, and a certain Umbreon probably won’t accept her defeat easily.