Hard Enough - Chapter 324 - Rota farewells and no one suspects—

“It’s a smoothie,” the recording of me said, and Sabrina lost it. 

“Ahahahahaha!” she threw her head back and howled with delight only to glimpse Lance’s facial spasm at what I’d said. She leaned into me, clutching desperately so she didn’t flop on the ground. 

I chuckled along with her, very pleased with myself that I’d gotten that call recorded. Better yet, Lance had no idea. If he got too uppity I could absolutely threaten him with this, or at least a segment of it. 

First I’d have to reveal my Regirock, but I had no doubt that there were already a lot of people in the know about my recent capture spree. 

Funnily enough, I was just as excited to find out more about Glimmet and its potential. A rock Poison type wasn’t something I’d had any plans for. Suddenly Janine’s apprenticeship along with the training notes she’d provided me for Golbat became much more valuable.

It wasn’t going to be a one off process, not anymore. 

On the screen Lance growled at me and Sabrina continued to twitch against me, her greatest weakness working against her. She was almost paralyzed with how hard she was laughing now, so I took mercy on her and paused the video so that I could thread a hand through her silky smooth hair.

I gently ran my hands through it as she fought to control the giggles. Sadly for Sabrina I’d paused the video at a moment where Lance looked particularly ridiculous, his mouth stretched out as he leveled a finger at me. He almost looked like a criminal boss about to chastise his worker. 

But in short he looked ridiculous. 

Sabrina took one look and hid her face in my shoulder as she was wracked with my giggles.

I turned the screen off and let her get control of herself. She took some deep breaths and straightened when she was finally ready. “Oh, that was wonderful. Sadly, he knows we’re teasing him now, but I have to admit it was well worth it.” 

I grinned. “It’s not like we have to stop teasing him,” I pointed out, earning a smirk from Sabrina. 

When Sabrina had composed herself a little more she sighed happily. “I spent most of the morning looking over the castle. It’s beautiful Brock. I’m going to be the envy of every woman born. Poor Queen Ilene is going to be inundated by rich socialites wanting the same favour.”

I snorted. “Yeah good luck getting the Queen’s favour. The people that ask are the sort that shouldn’t get it,” I pointed out, earning a nod from Sabrina. 

She tapped my side while I continued to play with her hair. “I suspect Agatha might have mentioned something to Yvette.” at a questioning hum from me she elaborated. “Our release of Lucario along with discovering the Time Flowers would have helped a great deal but I suspect Agatha pointed them towards an appropriate reward.” 

I nodded, knowing that Sabrina had most likely picked up small snippets from talking with the Queens. I rubbed the Xtransceiver on my wrist as I considered said adventure. While I’d pointedly used the higher fidelity of Dexter at key points I had kept my Xtransceiver on record for most of the adventure as well.  

There were a few points where I’d had to stop the recording, but those mostly entailed the final area where Mew had expressly made its point of view clear. 

While I’d been blatant with Dexter, I might have been able to sneak a few extra shots in with the Xtransciever before shutting it off.

I’d toyed the line but pointedly not tested the patience of a pokemon that had just returned from handing Mewtwo his tail. 

“Well regardless, I think we’re going to have a pretty amazing party.” 

Sabrina nodded. “I’m going to have to expand my friend group,” she said and I nodded along only to frown and glance at her. 

“Why?”

“I need to fill up the space. I’m not going to have it feel empty. Also I’ve been interested in trying to expand my friend group some more.” she waved a hand at me. “You’re going to be busy for a while trying to process all the pokemon you captured.” 

I paused. “Hmmm good point,” I said, still not really sure of her plan to ‘go out and make more friends’ but then again if that is what she wanted to do, more power to her. 

“Have you told Erika about the venue? The poor girl is going to be driving herself spare compiling venues that would be suitable for us,” I asked. 

Sabrina sat up, a smirk fixed in place so hard it practically screamed, ‘aha! I’ve been waiting for you to ask!’ with a few flicks of her fingers a new video loaded itself on the television. 

On it Erika was displayed. “Oh! Sabrina! Good! I’m so glad you rang! I’ve had some thoughts about potential venues that you might look at! Oh you will just have to go to the saffron lodge because otherwise you’ll offend—”

“I have a venue,” Sabrina stated firmly, cutting through Erika’s tirade.

Erika stilled. “Oh… that’s good. Uhmmm, maybe you should look at these though. There’s going to be some hurt feelings if you don’t, after all, and it might be a good idea to play nice. Also… The tasting platters are amazing! Most people wouldn’t even be able to attend their attached restaurants due to how booked up they are!” 

Sabrina laced her fingers and assumed a commanding position. “I have a venue,” she stated once again. This time her words brooked no argument, like an Empress laying down a law to her country.

Erika’s lips thinned but she nodded. “A-alright, where are you looking at?” she asked with a slightly resigned tone.

“I have been offered, and accepted the use of the Cameran Castle,” Sabrina announced. 

I leaned forward, watching as Erika processed this. 

She blinked, then she blinked again. Then she properly processed the words. “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Oh My Goodness! Sabrina! You got the Queen to let you use part of the castle?”

“No,” Sabrina stated firmly. “I have been granted total use of the castle.”

Erika, rather than reacting, went limp, her eyes becoming dull. 

It was like watching a puppet have its strings cut. She’d slumped in place as her mind shut down.

I blinked, watching as the video continued to play, after five seconds Sabrina coughed. “Erika are you alright?” she asked, concerned for her friend.

Erika nodded dumbly. “Mhmmm,” replied Erika. 

Sabrina hummed. “We have an almost unlimited budget,” she said, causing a shudder to run through Erika. “I have several of the queen’s dress makers fighting for the rights to create my dream gown.” 

Another shudder ran through Erika.

It was starting to remind me of a stalled car whirring to life.  

“Do you think I should have my first dance with Brock as husband and wife in the east ballroom or the west ballroom?” 

Erika twitched and snorted as life returned to her. “Huh? What happened?” Then she spotted Sabrina. “Oh Sabrina! I had the most amazing dream—” 

“Erika, I’m going to have to repeat myself. I have been offered, and accepted the use of the Cameran Castle, in almost its entirety by the Queen. We’re going to be planning the event of the decade at least,” Sabrina declared. 

Erika bounced on the spot, her energy growing until she shifted left and right. It sort of reminded me of a video I’d watched about what happens when you use too many Sunny Days near an Oddish.

Erika grabbed all the paperwork she’d assembled and flicked it to the side sending huge sheaves of paper flying through the air.

Sabrina raised an eyebrow, “I thought we needed to play nice with them?”

Erika scoffed. “Please! If they can’t understand they aren’t in the same League as the Cameran Castle they should quit!” Erika declared only to have a page to float onto her face. She puffed it away and adopted a triumphant pose. Then her eyes narrowed. “Sabrina… are you recording this?”

“Yes,” Sabrina replied shamelessly. 

Erika pouted. “No! You’re not allowed to! Delete it!” she whined, flapping her arms and sending her sleeves flapping about like an angry Pidgey. 

“I will not delete it, and I’m showing this to Brock,” Sabrina announced, causing Erika to slump. 

“Why do you guys tease me?!” she whimpered. 

“We tease lots of people. Mostly the people we’re friends with,” Sabrina replied, which drew a pleased smile from Erika. 

Erika huffed. “Ohhh you’re such a frustrating friend sometimes!” 

Sabrina grinned. “You’re going to look amazing standing next to me at the Cameran Castle chapel.” 

And just like that Erika melted, turning giddy with delight at the thought.

I chuckled. “Heh, wait until you mention that Queen Ilene is looking to use our Wedding as an event to scope out the Eligible bachelors of Indigo.”

Sabrina pursed her lips. “That… might not go down as well for Erika, she’s also looking for a date after all.”

I grimaced. “Oooooh yeah, bit of competition.” I made a small fist and bowed my head.

Fight well Erika, I projected with my mind, causing Sabrina to giggle at my antics. When we were done with lunch we both walked out of the castle and into the town, which involved a ten minute walk across the frankly ridiculously long bridge. 

I had to give it props however, it was beautiful.

Sabrina walked along with me, fingers positioned into a rectangle shape, observing her surroundings as though… “You’re planning photoshoots, aren’t you?” I said, realising what she was doing as we reached the halfway mark.

She nodded. “If we time things right, we’ll have some stunning photos for our wedding album,” she said, nodding towards the lake.

I hummed. “We’re going to have to get a team of photographers to catch all of it,” I mused. They’ll also need to plan out the timings pretty well. Man I feel like we’re going to be run ragged on our wedding day.”

“I’ve read online that it's a common experience for the wedding day to fly by once the ceremony begins,” Sabrina replied. “We’ll need carriages,” she added a moment later. 

“Hmmm as props they’d be nice, it might also be a good idea to work in teleports so we can get multiple shots from different vantage points,” I said pointing towards one of the nearby towers that happened to have the Tree of Beginning as a backdrop. 

It would make for an incredible shot. 

Sabrina and I kept walking into town various considerations getting traded back and forth even as we shopped. I picked up small toys for my family. I ended up buying out an entire set of Princess, knight, and ‘dragon’ toys with various heraldry that were hand crafted. 

I felt like my family would appreciate it. 

Then I walked past a real estate agency and lingered a moment too long. Sabrina noticed and hummed. “We could have bought a sky lodge overlooking the lake… it would be rather nice,” she mused.

“Weren’t we looking for a beach house?” I asked.

“We can afford options,” she declared. 

I couldn’t argue that, so I didn’t, instead I shook my head. “Guess we’ll be coming back to Rota more often.”  

When we passed a smithy with an attached store I lingered on a decorative suit of armour. It was entirely whimsical, but part of me kind of wanted one. “Think we could have that at our lodge?” I asked, gesturing at the armour.

“Yes, we’ll need two though for aesthetics,” Sabrina replied easily as she led me in to place a down payment on two such suits of armour. 

On a whim I looked at weapons like swords, only to recall that I currently lived with several curious children. 

… while it would be educational…

 I turned my gaze towards war hammers and mauls, only to decide that it was the same issue. 

I huffed, finding that I couldn’t justify it to myself, so instead I bought a shield that I had painted up in the Pewter Gym colours of gray and brown with the Boulder Badge front and centre.

I walked out of the shop inspecting my purchase. “Why do I get the feeling that instead of potentially stabbing themselves, I’m going to be teaching my siblings how to shield bash?” I asked. 

Sabrina smirked, knowing that I was most likely correct. “It’s a valuable skill,” she teased. 

I hummed and used a strap on the shield to slide it over my shoulder. Sabrina shot me a look only to do a double take.

I tilted my head. “Something wrong?” I asked.

Sabrina shook her head slowly, “No… just… it’s rather strange how well that suits you,” she replied. “For a moment I imagined you as a knight wearing a half plate looking all heroic… it rather suited you.”

“Still thinking of wedding photos?” I teased.

“Something like that.” Sabrina looked away, a small dusting of red on her cheeks. 

“What were you—” I started to ask only for her to point at another shop. She tugged me along before I could work out what she’d meant by that comment. I mentally filed it away for later review while mentally deciding it might be worth buying an outfit. 

For research purposes. 

When we returned to the castle, the sun was low in the sky casting everything in a glorious orange glow that Sabrina and I enjoyed in silence. When we reached the castle gates a familiar form marched out. 

“Brock, Sabrina!” greeted Lucario. 

We both nodded back, our eyes flicking over the customised armour that Lucario was now wearing. “Nice look,” I complimented. 

Lucario glanced down at it, running a paw over the tabard that rested over and around his chest spike. “Hmmm I was initially dubious but modern techniques of our smiths have only grown better. It was a nice realisation that in most ways things are better,” he stated. 

I hummed, knowing better than to ask about what was worse to a pokemon that had lost its master. 

“So, with your attire I assume you’re going to be sticking around Cameran castle?” I asked.

Lucario straightened up. “Indeed! Queen Ilene is Sir Aaron’s direct descendant and therefore the person I should stand with to protect his legacy!. She is a virtuous Queen otherwise and I would be pleased to serve her!” 

Sabrina tilted her head. “What role will you be filling?” she asked.

“I will be the Captain of the guard!” he declared sternly. “There hasn’t been one for many years and that needs to be rectified!” he declared. “Her own pokemon team aren’t up to the job and I will need to train up some suitable recruits.” 

He shifted. “Acquiring other Riolu will prove to be difficult, but I am hopeful.”

I hummed. “You could also fill the ranks with Ralts initially,” I suggested. Sabrina raised an eyebrow at me, knowing what I was alluding to. 

Lucario sniffed dismissively. “I suppose they could serve as ladies in waiting for her Majesty.” 

Sabrina gave him an amused look that he ignored.

I coughed. “I wouldn’t disparage a pokemon that could drop a dragon out of the sky. Which is one of the pokemon that would be your weak spot, no?” 

Lucario shifted at that only to nod begrudgingly. 

I decided to give him some credit. “Although they would suit rather well with that role for being able to slot in as a final defensive line, so it’s not a terrible idea.” I stated. “I was more wanting to give you a heads up that Sabrina and I are investigating a specific branch of the Ralts line, that being the male line who could potentially take on a psychic-fighting type form. Start training up a few and by the time you have them as Kirlia we should have something for you to adopt,” I said. 

Lucario huffed. “Both Riolu and Ralts are… sadly popular pokemon for various… reasons,” he stated. I glanced down as he rubbed at his wrist only to chuckle.

He shot me a look only to spot where my gaze were directed. He stiffened. “That is to say they are capable pokemon!” 

“Sure they are buddy,” I replied easily, only to share a smirk with Sabrina. The fact that he knew about why those two pokemon were ‘popular’ meant he’d been doing some searches on the pokenet. 

“It isn’t that way!” he barked. “I was doing legitimate research!” 

“We understand,” I said, holding up my hands to show I wasn’t fighting him on this. 

“It was!” he growled, which caused my lips to twitch. 

I had to bite my lips when Sabrina reached out to me with her telepathy. “I think the puppy doth protest too much.”

Lucario narrowed his eyes only to huff. “Well, by the time your wedding comes around we will have a guard worthy of the name!” he stated with a clenched fist. 

I nodded. “Could also be worth looking into the Scyther line.”

This earned another thoughtful nod. Lucario coughed into his fist. “Also, I was thinking… It might be nice to have your contact information.”

I blinked. I hadn’t expected that, but it made a lot of sense. “Sure thing,” I replied, tapping a button that caused Lucario’s transceiver to ding as my contact information was synched. 

He gave a pleased grunt and I tilted my head. “You know, I think I’m going to have to see if my pokemon wants some transceiver now, seeing how you and Mew both took to them,” I mused. 

Sabrina tilted her head in thought. “Alakazam and Kirlia will both want one as well, I’m sure. Hmmm that is an oversight I hadn’t considered.” 

I clapped Lucario on the shoulder. “I’ll be sure to share your contact information with them so expect a few messages,” I said. 

It seemed that it wasn’t just pokemon that had been gained but also a greater awareness thanks to interacting with Lucario. Offering my pokemon their own transceivers really was something I should have given them much earlier. 

Lucario grimaced. “Oh, thank you,” he said. “I should go patrol the grounds,” he said stiffly.

I hummed. “He knows he’s absolutely going to get message spammed by Bertha, doesn’t he?”

“We’re about to unleash a force upon the pokenet I believe,” Sabrina mused. She patted me lightly on the arm. “Be sure to set guidelines for her.” 

I merely grunted, knowing I could probably offload such responsibilities to Titan. Well actually that wasn’t fair to him. I did a quick bit of searching around and within a few minutes I had several devices purchased.

I’d have them delivered home and then child lock them so they switched off at certain periods of the day so Bertha didn’t end up browsing the entire night away. 

When I looked over to Sabrina I found her browsing what appeared to be the stock market. “Checking out your shares?” I asked.

Sabrina nodded. “As well as putting in some orders for Silph Co. And other transceiver companies,” she replied. “They’re about to discover an entirely new market.”

I blinked, realising she was right. I flicked a message to have my accountant make the same moves, knowing that Sabrina was onto something there. Even if it only presented as greater sales… it was going to be a big increase in the market. 

All it would take is people catching onto the trend and things would spiral from there. 

With that done I shifted onto the Rota Real estate market. “So how big should our lodge be?” I asked jokingly. With this market insight we’d definitely be able to afford it. 

Sabrina shifted in close. “At least five bedrooms,” she replied with a serious tone. “It will also need an entertaining room, a parlour, and stables for when the Queens come to visit.”

“Ah,” I replied. Sabrina wasn’t joking around.

Welp, looks like I was about to have a second residence where Sabrina and I could play at being Lord and Lady. 

It was a nice thought that had us flagging a few buildings for review. When I suggested getting in contact to make an offer Sabrina smirked. “Let me handle the negotiations.”

I considered her for a moment. There was a glint of anticipation in her eyes. “I suddenly feel sorry for whoever is going to be dealing with you.”

Sabrina offered me an innocent look. “I just have a few advantages when it comes to negotiations.”

I snorted. “Few advantages she says,” I said with a roll of my eyes before heading to bed for the night. 

[hr][/hr]

We shared another breakfast with the Queens, Lucario, and Mewtwo on the balcony overlooking the Tree of Beginning. 

We announced our decision to purchase a residence in Rota which had both Queens perking up. Ilene beamed at us. “We would enjoy interacting with you more! You have been wonderful companions!” she announced. 

“Yes, both of us would welcome you back in an instant!” Yvette added. “The addition of Sir Aaron’s gloves into our archives is a valuable addition. We’re hoping to be able to study the gloves as they have been said to have a potent benefit for those capable of wielding aura!” 

My toast stopped before my mouth. 

Oh damn, was it too late to ask for those? I thought to myself before shrugging it off.

It wasn’t like I could have stolen them from Lucario at the time, and asking for them now wasn’t going to be possible so I just nodded along. 

Sabrina set her tea down. “If you do manage something by studying those gloves we’d be very interested in purchasing a set.”

“Oh of course!” Ilene gushed. “We must say that we’re looking forward to your return for the wedding.”

Sabrina smiled. “I will have to return with a few others to properly understand how the Wedding will play out. I know for one my Maid of Honor, Erika is positively dying to come up here.”

I chuckled as the ladies continued to talk about the wedding. I’d probably need to organise a few activities for the groom’s party that we could do locally. Hmm, maybe outdoor activities like axe throwing and such while we had use of a castle?

We were absolutely going to play some video games but it would be a waste if we didn’t do anything else.

I let my gaze linger on Mewtwo. 

Oooooh, I suddenly had an evil idea. What if I could trick Lance into jousting against Mewtwo? It would be hilarious when he lost and then even better when he realised he’d fought a Legendary pokemon with a stick. 

“Brock you’re doing your evil chuckle,” Sabrina said, breaking me out of my thoughts. 

I coughed. “Sorry about that.”

Yvette sniffed. “Keep the plotting to brunch. Breakfast is for building strength.” 

“That sounds quite practised,” I commented earning a nod from Yvette.

“I should know. Years of practise wrangling various nobles. Ilene has it easy these days,” Yvette said with a scoff.

Ilene merely shook her head lightly and turned to me. “What had you laughing if we might ask Brock?” 

“I was just thinking it might be amusing to have a few of my friends try their hands at jousting. Their reactions to meeting Mewtwo would be amusing.”

Mewtwo, who was sitting in front of a plate of barely touched food sniffed. “And what makes you think I would indulge you?”

I smirked. “Well for one I’d have a go at it as well. Two, you’d get to knock the current Champion of Indigo off a Rapidash, and three I guess it would be polite to invite you along as well considering that I know Sabrina’s going to invite you to our wedding.” 

Mewtwo blinked. “You… were going to?” he asked, head turning towards Sabrina.

Sabrina smiled back. “Of course. I like to think we’ve built a solid friendship and I won’t ask that you hide yourself away. Please, attend as our friend.”

“I still haven’t forgotten our first meetings,” I grumbled good naturedly but it went ignored as Mewtwo nodded to Sabrina in thanks only to turn and incline his head marginally at me. 

“I… thank you… I would appreciate that,” he declared. 

“Urgh, now it’s going to be weird on the way back. You’re going to be all stoic instead of talking to us like you normally would,” I said, teasing Mewtwo. 

Mewtwo hummed. “It might have been if I were coming back, but I shall remain here. I wish to spend more time among people.”

“Huh? Oh, that’s surprising. I thought you liked your island?” I asked. 

“I can always return there easily enough with Teleport. I am not as limited as some,” he said with a slight lift of his nose into the air. 

Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Boys and their pride,” she muttered, Ilene and Yvette nodded in agreement. 

Mewtwo and I both scoffed. 

After breakfast we bid the royal mother-daughter pair farewell alongside Lucario and Mewtwo. We walked once more across the bridge and through the town and it was only when we made it to the gates that Sabrina put her hand on my shoulder and Teleported us to the border. 

There the guard stiffened in surprise only to come awake. “Ah! On the way back through! Good show that, thank you for making the paperwork easy on us,” he declared as he stamped that we’d come through the border. 

Sabrina and I walked all of ten steps only for Sabrina to Teleport us once more. 

We reappeared directly in front of my home.

I smiled and was about to step forward only for the bushes to twitch. “Ahaha Gym Leader I’ve found you now!” shouted a young girl only for Sabrina to raise her hand and catch the girl before she could reach the ground.

“Oh no!” gasped the girl as Sabrina brought her up to eye level.

“The Gyms are closed. You cannot earn any badges. We’re not looking for employees or running any courses. Go home and train,” said Sabrina firmly. 

The girl in her grasp nodded quickly. “Sorry!” she whimpered, only for the instant her feet touched the ground had her sprinting away like a Darkrai was chasing her. 

I huffed. “Well, I wish I could say I was surprised by that, but then again young kids sometimes,” I mused. I turned back to the front door and perked up. “Oh! Nice! Silph Cos signature twelve hour delivery really is good for its word!” I pointed towards a stack of small boxes to the side of the entrance. 

I scooped them all up for later. I still needed to put certain locks in place before I gave them to my pokemon. I stashed the transceivers away before opening the door. 

“I’m home!” I announced walking in the door only to pause as Visquez of all people spun about and grinned at me. 

“Welcome back!” she declared as she stroked Tilly’s head. Tilly in turn stroked Eevee’s head in a strange parody of an evil mastermind’s reveal. 

“Huh, well I can’t say I was expecting this,” I said as I glanced around, waiting for the tide of younger siblings to swarm me. 

“No one ever expects Visquez!” Visquez declared grandly.

Sabrina stepped up next to me and gave Visquez a nod. “Visquez, Tilly, Eevee,” she greeted casually. 

She turned her head towards the gym and tilted it. “You’ve got everyone else distracted in the Gym with…” Sabrina blinked then her eyes narrowed as her lips twitched. 

“Brock, act shocked,” she projected to me before gasping. “Is that the grass-electric type Voltorb? You healed it!” she said with a dramatic flourish of her hands.

I held back a snort. Oh, I see what was happening here. I threw my arms out and gasped with my entire body. “What?!” I said as I held the pose.

Visquez, who’d just so happened to be holding her transceiver up pouted. “Alright cut!” she shouted. She shot us both unimpressed looks. “Come on, you could at least play along, Erika and I worked really hard on this.” 

Instead of looking chagrined Sabrina merely sniffed. “Tell her to up her game if she wants to play those games.”

Visquez smirked. “Challenge accepted,” she announced as she stood to her full height. “Welcome back you two love birds! Hope Rota was fun for you both and you got up to some mischief! Come see what Erika and I have been working on!” she said as she strode through my house like she owned it. 

Sabrina and I shared a look, only for  Sabrina to grab me to Teleport us in front of Visquez. 

Visquez took a minute to catch up, but rather than noticing us she was instead talking with Tilly who she hadn’t let go of. “—which is why you should evolve your Eevee into a Jolteon! They’re the best! No ifs and or buts about it! Best Eevolution!” 

“Stop trying to brainwash my sister,” I said as I snatched Tilly out of her arms and put her against my hip.

Visquez blinked only to glance behind herself and then back at us. “Huh, guess that was an option,” she said as she nodded to Sabrina while ignoring what I’d said. She led us into the Pewter Gym stadium where most of my family were crowded around a small wooden Voltorb that happily sparked up and sent out small leaves every now and then. 

I tilted my head inspecting the various faces before recalling that Forrest was going to join Ash and Misty on a trip through the Orange islands. I’d honestly forgotten about that. 

I grimaced when I recalled that he’d said he would meet up with us at Shamouti festival. Sadly I hadn’t been able to come up with a valid reason that he and his friends shouldn’t attend. 

If the ‘prophecy’ was anything to go by we needed Ash there. I had also made a point to invite Jessie, James and Meowth, just in case. 

On the field Erika was proudly standing behind the little voltorb with a pleased expression as my family gushed over the new pokemon. 

To the side Bianca, Oak, Stephen and Salvadore were all working together to document their observations. 

I leaned over the railing and Lola spun around. “Brock! Baby! You’re back!” she gushed, waving her arms frantically.

My smile reduced slightly and I coughed. Oh right, I had to deal with her still. Damn, living in Rota was looking way more attractive all of a sudden. 

“Brock!” “Big Brother!” “Over here!” cheered my siblings.

Visquez stepped up next to me, dragging Sabrina with her. “Look who your second favourite big sister found!” she declared as she presented Sabrina.

“Yeah!” “Sabrina!” “Big Sis!” 

Sabrina smirked and patted Visquez on the bicep as she floated us down to my family. “Good that you know not to attempt to steal what is mine,” she whispered, earning a chuckle from Visquez. 

I smirked. Visquez obviously thought Sabrina was joking. 

I knew better. 

Sabrina and I were quickly swarmed by my family, but surprisingly, Lola didn’t attempt to sneak in with the kids, something I was glad for. 

I also noticed that Erika shot Visquez a hopeful look only for the taller girl to shake her head sadly causing Erika to slump. 

Then suddenly Oak was in my face. “Brock, I’ve heard some very interesting things. Care to tell us how your trip to Rota went?” he asked. His eyes swept over me only to pause on the strap on my shoulder. “I say, is that a shield?” he asked. 

I chuckled, shrugged the shield off to give him a look at it. Oak’s eyes widened and he reached for it with trembling hands. 

“Sam?” I asked, concerned by his reaction to the shield. Are you alright?” I asked.

He shook his head and drew back his hands. “Nothing! It’s nothing! I just had a passing thought. You mentioned a new pokemon?” he asked, changing the subject.

I nodded slowly, deciding to just chalk this up as another weird Oak moment. 

I expanded a pokeball. “I think I can do some show and tell,” I replied as I released Regirock.

Everyone gaped at the new pokemon and I smirked. 

Sabrina raised her transceiver and took a picture. 

Oak turned slowly away from Regirock with a huge smile on his face. “I think that you and I have much to discuss, young man,” he said. 

I nodded, not surprised that the price of success was more work. 

I was rather looking forward to it. 

[hr][/hr]

Thanks got to my Patreons for your continued support! That sees the end of the Rota arc, until we return for the Wedding Bells arc!

It also goes to Twmmy for Proofreading this chapter.