“Sliii-Goooo!” She roared, and I just had to watch on. The Goomy were all cheering on their leader, and Brave was… She was amazing.

Rising her head to the sky and roaring out her evolution and her achievement.

She looked so cute!

Instantly I jolted realizing I needed-!

It took me a moment to find my bag and dig through it, and then I found it.

My Camera!

I quickly shifted and then snapped a picture, and then more and more!

Brave the Sliggoo facing the sky surrounded by her Goomy family and all of them cheering.

“Ah! I need celebration food!” I yelled out, but hesitated. I wanted to stay and hug her and-No.

I looked at Brave and she was busy with her Goomy-Family. I’d move away and give them some time.

Rushing inside, I went looking for someone to tell, there was plenty of food for the Pokemon, but this deserved something special! Evolution Party!

Oh, that’s a great idea. I should do that for all my friends! Blissey got her evolution party, but other than being super excited I didn’t actually throw parties for my team!

“Vicky?”

“Ah! I need party supplies, and food.” I told Uncle Leo as I nearly ran into him, my obvious jittering got a raised eye as he looked me over.

“What happened?”

“Brave evolved! Evolution party! The first Sliggoo in Kanto!” I yelled out, and only after realized I was in fact yelling.

“What’s going on?” Grandpa Roy called out coming out of one of his rooms down the hall, and I grinned.

“Evolution party! I need food and supplies!” I called out, and he blinked and then looked at Uncle Leo and shrugged.

“Alright. I’ll have Melissa run to the grocery store. What all do you need?”

“Cake! Pokemon safe, and lots of spicy berries, which are Braves favorite.” I explained, and he nodded.

“Well while Leo takes care of that, I want to see this evolution.” Grandpa Roy said, smirking as he walked past Leo who grumbled, but turned away to go find his wife, as Roy guided me back to the rear of the house.

“Oh, it was your Goomy, I see the resemblance. What type is it?”

“Still just Dragon! Goodra is a pure dragon type as well.” I explained as he hummed in interest.

“They look rather interesting.”

“Mhmm! She’ll have some powerful acid abilities in this form! It’ll be a big shift for her, but she’ll keep growing strong. Aaaah! I’m so excited!” I yelled arms raised, and some of the Goomy heard me and roared cutely along with me.

“Interesting! Heh, It’ll give you a nice advantage the next time you battle someone, no one has ever seen this pokemon before.” He said grinning, and I nodded.

“Well nobody in Kanto… Probably. Some travelers might have!”

“Possible, but traveling is not the easiest thing. Either way, congratulations on your pokemons evolution. Don’t forget to write down what you find out, the family Pokedex will need all the information you can provide.”

“Family Pokedex?”

“Yes, it's mostly about Meowth and Persian, but we have information on a few other cat pokemon, and a few others we’ve trained over the years.”

“I didn’t know there was a family Pokedex.”

“Ah, I suppose we did miss out on letting you read it during your journey. Usually we bring the young’ins over before they set off, and let them read the pages on Meowth, so they are prepared.”

“Hmm.” No, I shook it off, it didn’t matter. Instead I turned to focus on my pokemon. While Brave was being hoarded by the Goomy, it wasn’t like the others weren’t celebrating. Dragonite was clapping her hands together and Arcanine’s tail was wagging like crazy!

No wait, she was just thinking of battling.

Silly dog.

The boys though?

Dratini, and Jangmo-o were both happy, but… I noticed the stares they were giving her. The fact she’d just rushed ahead of them, pushed beyond what they were able to handle… Both boys had their pride poked, and I could see the way they were facing their own strength.

And finding it lacking.

I grinned though. I’d have to be careful, to keep both of them focused on themselves, and not get angry as it would be easy for them to fall into that pitfall, but if I could focus that energy this would be a great thing for both of their development.

Mhm. I’d have to get more battle training for all my kiddy team. The Dragons just needed strong opponents, I’ll have to hit some Gyms and see what battles I can put together.

Mimikyu just needed something to make him want to battle, or at least something to help push him to the next level, he’d plateaued fairly heavily even after just a bit of training. Reminded me of Milotic. Silly Fish.

Brave would need some time to adjust to her new body and power.

Which left…

I looked at Riolu, she was mostly cheering along because she’d heard that I was calling for a party and cake. Not that she wasn’t supportive of Brave, she was just a little glutton.

She was like the boys. She got a surge of motivation when she had a rival, but where the dragon boys sort of pushed each other, she never quite got that level of rivalry.

Hmm.

I felt a smirk come on as I realized what we could do. I’ll have to take a few days to get Brave adjusted, but that was a good idea especially for Jangmo-o and Riolu. Both could do with training specifically for their type, or future type.

The Milotic singing as they danced and flopped out of the water cheering on Braves evolution made me push those plans to the side.

Right now was a special girl's big day!

—--

“Goo! Sliggoo!” She cheerfully cried out as I placed a big hunk of pokemon cake in front of her.

“Yep, and it's all yours.” I said laughing and giving a faux glare at some of the beggars that hadn’t gotten theirs yet.

“There is more! Relax!” I yelled at Arcanine in particular who was padding her paws across the grass inching forward to get closer to the cake.

I turned back and continued to pass out plates. Aunt Melissa thankfully cutting the cake and putting each slice on a plate for me, as I ran around and passed it all out.

By the time I was done, Braves plate was empty but her face was a mess. Although to my delight she had already started adjusting to her new body.

Her little tiny limbs lifted up the plate and held it out for me.

“Thank you Brave! Wow, you can pick things up now! So cool!” I gushed with her, and she cried out in agreement.

I took the plate and put it on the table, but grabbed some tissues, and settled infront of her.

“Just hold still, you got some cream all over.” I told her, and she giggled, but just as I moved to rub, Arcanine bulldozed in and a moment later had licked Sliggoo right up her face.

I had only a moment to realize that Sliggoo wasn’t going to be okay with that, as she cried out and a moment later Arcanine had a mouth full of… Acid Spray?

Oof.

Her yelping made me sigh.

“Blissey! Medic!” I roared out, and rushed to follow to help out my stupid dog.

—--

“Awwooooo AwwoooooOoooOOo.”

“Ignoring you.” I told my dog who was laying on her belly crying.

It was crocodile tears. Blissey had already cleared her up, but the feeling of your tongue burning hadn’t been pleasant for her.

Either way, she should know better than to lick Sliggoo.

Still…

There was so much to learn. I know the Pokdex from the games and anime had all sorts of weird things to say about Sliggoo, and well…

I don’t know how many of them were real?

Sliggoo didn’t seem blind, just from her interactions, although it could be her relying on her echolocation which she should have. I’d have to do some tests, and training!

Also she didn’t seem to have any issue identifying different Pokemon. She wasn’t just wandering around trying to eat anyone she ran into…

Maybe whoever had written the Pokedex just had a weird Sliggoo? Personality of course could impact a lot of things with Pokemon.

I hummed as I processed that. That was an interesting point. A lot of pokedex entries were entirely written from someone's experience, even if they were processed through a professor. Rare pokemon might get their entire dex entry based on a single specimen!

I’d have to do more stringent experimenting for my own information.

Either way, there were a lot of changes with Brave. I’d have to do tests for all sorts of things!

But for now?

I wandered around back to her, and she was still surrounded by little Goomy all cheerfully talking to her, no doubt curious what their evolution was like.

Not interrupting I settled in among the little crowd, and helped a few furthest from her. Picking them up and settling them on my knees or my head so they could see.

Heh.

I might need to clean up afterwards but a little slime wasn’t going to hurt me.

“Slig!” She greeted me cheerfully, more happy than I think I’d ever seen her.

“Congratulations again Brave. You’re amazing.” I told her, and she puffed up pleased. Then I grinned. “We’ll need to let you get used to your new body, and then we can make it rain and give you a challenge, and you can find out what being Goodra is like.” I reminded her, and she stilled before nodding seriously. Hmm.

Her eyes still did things like shift to show her seriousness, or even close…

Yeah I don’t think I bought the blind thing. Maybe her vision was worse?

I pulled out a notebook from my bag as I acted as a stand for the Goomy to chatter with Brave as I wrote down more things I’d have to test out.

Then I had a thought.

While I know the Blackthorne didn’t have any Goomy, I should bring Brave around, Ald especially might have some amazing insight towards her.

“Goo, Sliggoo?” She asked me and I blinked before laughing.

“Sure,we can do that.” I assured her, and her cute little crooked smile brightened. Speaking of…

No, I shook it off, as much as I wanted to add even more into my pokedex about Sliggoo, she had just asked me for something, so I’d better do it.

I put my notebook away making sure it was slime free, before holding out my arms.

Brave woogled over with even more undulating than a Goomy, until she was practically in my lap, and I slowly started touching her. No burning so as I suspected she wasn’t just coated in acid.

I bet it was Acid Armor the move, which I think Sliggoo learned on evolution? That made more sense than the pokemon just acid’ing everyone… Then again the Slime Sliggoo was coated in, if it got filled with Acid, it might stay that way until the slime was completely washed away…

I shook it off, as I started squeezing a bit just under her jaw, and she giggled just like a goomy, as I felt her much firmer flesh squish out a little.

“I’m so happy.” I whispered to her, as I continued testing out with light squishes and getting a feel for what she liked and could tolerate now. “I would have been heartbroken if the Goomy squishes were over when you evolve.” I told her, and she giggled, her eyes narrowing in a big smile as she sort of cuddled into me.

That and this was a good test to check out her physique. I was no slug scientist, but I could feel actual… Muscles? Stronger flesh? I didn’t know what they called the weirdness slugs were made out of, either way, I was able to give her a check up as she enjoyed my affection, giggling up a storm, and causing all the Goomy around me to giggle as well, as she pressed against the both of us.

Goomy pile!

But suddenly she flinched as I gently squeezed the bump on her back.

“Slig.” She hissed a bit, a definite dislike.

“I think that’s where all your organs, and your brain is, so I’m not surprised its sensitive.” I told her, and she nodded.

Carefully going around the bulge, I finished squeezing her all over.

Other than her hump, her horns were also sensitive and she didn’t like them being squeezed, but did like them being touched.

“Sliggoo are amazing.” I told her finally and she shifted to look at me, her blank looking eyes meeting my own before she smiled and to my surprise, she shifted, pressing herself fully into my chest, her head snuggling into my neck…

I hugged her back, feeling her little stubby proto-arms trying to wrap around me.

And maybe for one of the first times I felt that Brave was completely content with her decision to come with me.

She’d always been a little distant in a lot of ways compared to the others, even if the training and the Alola trip had helped.

—--

“Arc!” I blinked as I was woken up from a nice dream at the sound of a massive dog climbing up onto my bed and then jumping.

I looked over at Arcany who was as usual too big for my room.

“If you knock something over, I’m gonna be mad.” I reminded him, even as his tail continued to wag rather closely to my desk and all the stuff on it.

It would only take one wag to knock everything over.

“Arc!”

“I’m up.” I grumbled at him as I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

“KuuUkKuk?” I looked over where Mimikyu was doing the same from my pillow. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.” I told him as I reached over and tucked up the blanket closer to him and he seemed to think about it before flopping back on my pillow and soon snoring.

Pillow the Growlithe of course didn’t even flinch despite Arcany’s bark.

I gave his tummy a rub and got up, doing the same to Arcany’s snout which he licked at my hand in response before finally climbing off my bed and then with less than careful movements knocked everything off my desk including my pokedex journal and pens, onto the floor.

He stilled for a moment, shifting to look at me, as I gave him a flat look before he rushed out the door.

“This is what I get for Papa teaching him how to open doors.” I whispered as I got up and cleaned up all the stuff.

If I left it on the floor someone would step on it. I stretched and headed for the bathroom. It was empty, although that was only because Brave had decided to stay with the Goomy last night. I’d offered to bring her home, but it was probably for the best.

I looked at the plate I’d been using as her nap spot and realized it would be much too small…

“Note to self. Kiddy pool?” I questioned. I could probably find one small enough for the bathroom, but that might still be a bit awkward.

Hmm.

Yeah I know what I was going to do today. Time to talk to other Dragon Masters for advice!

Swiftly getting dressed I headed down and ate breakfast as quickly as I could.

As usual Cabbage was laying on the windowsill in the brightest morning sunlight. I passed him as I put my plate away and scratched his belly, earning a cute little sleepy grin. And I breathed in deeply. The smell of fresh grass and clean air. He always smelled nice.

“Heading out?”

“Yep! With Brave evolving I want to talk to Old man Ald about Sliggoo… And maybe show off a bit. But mostly I want some advice on health care.” I admitted, and Mama nodded accepting my words, even as Papa hummed.

“Alright, fly safely, and be home before dark!”

“Yes Papa!” I quickly rushed out, I’d have to head back to pick everyone up, but considering how fast Dragonite and Arcanine were, it was no issue.

“Come on Arcanine! Let’s go for a run.” I called out as I threw her pokeball, and she was already bouncing around as she appeared at the secret word.

—--

“Hello Blackthorne!” I called out as Dragonite beat her wings the last few times and we landed in the courtyard of the Blackthorne compound.

It didn’t take long before the rumbles of other Dragonite sounded off, and a woman stepped out onto the porch surrounding the yard. She took one look at Dragonite and I, and nodded.

“Welcome back Victoria.” She greeted me, and I slipped off Dragonite and gave the woman a bow.

I wasn’t entirely sure if she was Claire’s or Lances’ mother… Or just an aunt that treated them both like that, but she’d been able to scold both older trainers when she interacted with them.

“Is Old Man Ald around?” I called out, as I padded over to her without climbing up onto the porch.

“He is, I’ll inform him you have visited. Please feel free to wait here.” She waved at me, and I nodded, sitting on the porch as I took off my shoes and then climbing up the rest of the way. Dragonite wandered over and looked around, and we both waited expecting a Dragon of some sort to come by and investigate and I was right.

“Oh hey Claire.” I greeted throwing her a lazy wave.

“Victoria. Welcome back. What brings you by?” She asked as she strode down the porch with her fancy swim suit like uniform and cape. Only the slippers on her feet changed her normal look.

“Hehehe!” I grinned evilly and widely as I just sent her my smuggest look.

She stalled for a moment before sighing. “What is it this time?”

“Want to see a Dragon Type you’ve never seen before?” I asked, smirking, and that caused her eyes to narrow.

“Yes.”

“Great! I’m just waiting for Old Man Ald. I wanted his advice to see if there were any health concerns and stuff. I’d appreciate your help as well. Sliggoo just evolved, and I want to make sure I’m not missing anything.”

“Sliggoo. You said that was the name of the Goomy evolution, so your Goomy evolved. Congratulations.”

“Thanks! She really earned it! The other baby dragons totally got their pride nicked by having her beat them. I’m looking forward to seeing how their training goes now.”

“Interesting! Having a Rival dragon evolve first is often the catalyst for major growth!” Claire declared almost haughtily, and I just nodded.

“You want to do some battles after?” I asked, and she blinked at my request before sighing.

“As much as I do wish for a rematch against you, I’m on the clock today. The gym is fairly busy.”

“Oh? I thought you’d have a few more months before you get your final badge rush.”

“Yes, for the final badge, that is the standard format, but not every trainer wishes to face our gym for their final badge.”

“Ah, those just coming through for lower badge battles?”

“Indeed.”

“Hmm.” I muttered, then smirked. “I am technically a Gym Trainer for Fuchsia City, and I did bring all my Baby Dragons with me. If you need someone to cover a slot, I’d be up for it.” I said, and she scoffed.

“Not a chance! Regardless of your talents, I don’t allow Gym Trainers that I can’t be sure of their-”

“I think that would be a wonderful idea.” The old man said and startled both of us. I’d actually missed him coming out of the room beside us.

“Sneaky!” I said, almost delighted! Was he a Ninja too?

“Hohoho! I know how to move around to not disturb sleeping dragons.”

“I’m not letting her fight as a Gym Trainer, and Gym Leader my word is final.” Claire said getting back to the previous topic.

“Sure, whatever. Anyways! Old Man look! Look!” I said, chirping, as I released the pokeball.

“Goo! Sliggoo.” Brave called out as she appeared on the grass of the courtyard.

“Ooooh!” Ald released a pleased cry as He shuffled over and settled on the edge of the porch to look over Sliggoo.

But as he was moving a cry broke the quiet.

“Kyaaaa!” Claire leapt off the porch and soon had Braves face cupped in her hands. “Look at her cute little face! Oh her smile is all crooked! Kyaaa!” She cried out and to my shock brought her face in and rubbed her cheek against Braves…

Heh.

Dragon obsessed!