I adjusted the skirt of my dress uncomfortably as Gloria mused teasingly, "Look at you! You're Fairy prince will most definitely find you a treat." "G-Gloria! Not so loud..." I shushed, embarrassed about seeing the handsome boy in Gloria's league card collection in person. "Remind me again," Victor began, scratching his head, "what Fairy Types are weak to?" "Poison and Steel Types! My, Vic, you truly ARE dull!" Gloria sighed, pulling me along behind her as I continued to adjust the skirt. "Lele, if you don't stop pulling on it I fear you shall rip your dress!" Hop scolded, and I replied awkwardly, "It's too short! Clothing like this would NEVER be able to pass in Alola." "You've got stockings for extra coverage. You'll be fine, Lele!" Victor replied comfortingly, only for me to mutter to myself in embarrassment as we entered the double doors of the Stadium. The place we were at was called "Ballonlea", and from what I could see, it was an adorable little village surrounded by an enchanting mushroom forest! The four of us stood in the packed lobby as a voice over the intercom called for the next Challenger, and I grew fearful that my request may have been ignored for that reason." "Gee, seems Bea wasn't kidding when she said Bede had his hands tied!" Hop breathed, astonished by the amount of challengers sitting in benches and chairs, and even more lining the walls, mingling with each other to pass the time. "H-He must be popular..." I said dryly, a little twinge forming within. "He's popular, but you're better looking." Victor complemented bashfully, and my cheeks turned pink as I looked away, smiling. "Speaking of Bede, we need to confirm wether or no he's seen Kabu's message to him. You stay here in case he comes to the lobby, Lele, and BE CAREFUL!" Hop said before rushing off with Gloria and Victor behind him. I was now alone in a sea of strangers, and I timidly weaved my way through to a vacant bench to sit when a familiar face approached, saying cheerfully, "Hey there kiddo! How's it going so far?" "H-Hello Raihan sir! I got my Fighting badge from Bea already." "I know you did, otherwise you wouldn't be here. I bet you're as happy as a Cloyster to be on your, what would it be, your fifth Gym now?" I nodded as I said, "And I'll soon have my Fairy Badge when I defeat the leader with only Alola's finest Steel and Poison Types! I am concerned though about...... well...." I gave him a hint by darting my eyes about the heavily crowded room, and his smile fell as he complained, "I know! It doesn't seem fair, especially since he's one of the NEWER Gym Leaders." "N-Newer?" I asked, confused. Raihan laughed before explaining, "The first Gym Leader of Ballonlea is actually eighty eight years of age! Her name is Opal, and when she retired from her position, Bede became her successor!" "Eighty eight years!? She must be healthy as a Rapidash! Is the new Leader her grandson?" I asked, wanting to know more about the intriguing backstory of the Gym Leader. Raihan placed a hand to his chin as he smirked, and replied teasingly, "You seem a little TOO interested in the Fairy Gym Leader. Do I see a bit of blush on your cheeks?" "A-Ah! N-N-No, it's just I'd like to know who I'm battling, is all..." I stammered, covering my embarrassed face with my hands. Raihan laughed heartily, saying, "You're adorable, kid! I'll leave the rest for HIM to tell you, yeah? Good luck out there!" He spun on his heel to take his leave, and I muttered under my breath as his frame became lost in the sea of people, "Was that supposed to be amusing? Grrr! Why can't I just say something without someone else assuming! Well, whatever, I've sat long enough." I stood up, and dusted off my dress before turning to leave myself when I bumped into someone! "OI!" a high pitched voice squawked, and I quickly threw my hands over my mouth, coming face to face with a furious looking girl dressed in a pink dress, with a black, leather coat with studs, and sharp heels. Her ebony hair was pulled back into pigtails as well, but on one side her bangs had been shaved into an odd looking kind of design. Her bright blue eyes seemed to glow as they stared at me fiercely, and I choked out, "I-I'm SO sorry! I-I didn't see you there." "Well I ain't invisible, am I!? Next time, try payin' attention to your surroundings! Would save you from gettin' into it with the wrong sort." She snapped, taking a cloth from her purse, and wiping off the drink I spilled on her by accident. "H-Here, I could go get a wet wipe if you'd like me to." I offered, when the girl scoffed, and replied snarkily, "You already spilled my drink on me, NOW you want to make it worse with a WIPE?! My dress is gonna be STAINED all day!" "What seems to be the trouble 'ere sis?" A thin, lanky man asked, trodding up to us as he looked between us. "S-Sis?" I asked, shocked. From a closer observation, I realized that he and her sort of had the same features, ESPECIALLY their eyes! His hair held a black and white pattern, and was fashioned into a spiked ponytail that went down the man's back. Overall, I felt intimidated being in his shadow as his sister cried, "Oh, Piers, look what this numpty did to me! She stained my dress an' everything." The man, Piers, looked at me with a harsh, furious gaze, making me gulp as I apologized again, "I-I didn't see her standing there! I-I'm REALLY sorry, sir." ""I'm REALLY sorry, sir."" He mocked cruelly before sticking his tongue out at me. "Spare the formalities runt! We've enough on our plate without lil' goody goodies like you goin' an' spillin' drinks on my sister for fun." "Excuse me, but I already said it was an-" I stopped when he began to tower me, and I almost tripped over the bench behind me out of fear as he snarled, "Did I ask for a comback?" "N-No, but I was just trying to-" "to what?" He asked, but I couldn't muster another word out of fear of him tearing me apart. Seeming satisfied by my silence, he nodded his head before placing a loving hand on his sister's shoulder, and the pair walked away without another word. "And I thought Fighting Type Pokémon were brutes! Honestly, they should learn a thing or two about manners, or at least a proper introduction, and maybe a touch of understanding. It was HER fault after all!" I muttered, regaining my balance, and looking around as to not cause another accident again as I weaved my way through the crowd. "If I was the Fairy Gym Leader, where would I be?" I asked myself mentally, scanning the faces in the room to see if I could recognize the one Gloria showed me, but to no avail. I sighed, and I began to rub my wrist worriedly as the announcer spoke again, "Attention remaining challengers! There will be a short recess so that the Leader's party won't be overworked. This is strictly for the health of the Pokémon, as well as the trainers involved! If you'd like further preparation time, please make your way to the right wing of the Gym, where a mock stadium has been placed for practice purposes, otherwise, the Gym Leader himself shall be in the lobby shortly. Thank you for your participation, and cooperation. Good luck Trainers!" Once the announcement ended, my blood turned to ice, and my heart rate accelerated to the swiftness of a Persian. I could feel my face burn up with anticipation of finally meeting the Leader for myself, and I felt relieved that I could have the time given to inquire about my situation! As I leaned myself against the wall in thought, I heard a girl screech excitedly, "Look! Here he comes!" "Gym Leader Bede! He's SO dreamy!" Another fawned, and doubt began to flood over as I sighed sadly, looking to the floor as my mother's words clouded my mind. I watched the doors leading to the stadium open, and out of it was enough to make my jaw drop to the ground as I beheld the sight of the boy from one of Gloria's cards in person! His smile was strong, and confident, but his shining, amethyst colored eyes were powder soft in it's gaze. The uniform he wore seemed to accentuate the broadness of his shoulders, and his skinny waist perfectly, and his poofy, curly hair made me imagine what a cloud must feel like! A gasp caught in my throat, and my mouth felt dryer than a sandy beach in Alola as I continued to watch an elderly woman approach his side, beaming proudly. "Th-That must be Opal! My, she looks like a lady of high standards. I hope I'm presentable enough to suit them! And the boy next to her..... I never thought I'd feel this attracted to a boy since Miko!" I thought, my heart almost bursting with intrigue, and pain, and I noticed that he was caught up with a small party of girls a little over his age, and a couple that seemed only a few years younger than he. They were all petite, beautiful, and normal! I tried to resist the jealousy residing within, but it was too much to bear as I thought to myself, "Who am I kidding? He'd NEVER even spare the thought OF being in love with someone who is only half human! I guess it was worth dreaming after all..." I hadn't noticed myself staring down the boy wistfully, but a certain someone beside him did as I saw the elder tap the boy on his arm to grab his attention before looking over my way. When I realized that I was now locking eyes with the two, I quickly turned my head away in embarrassment as I covered my mouth, panicking behind a burning face, "YOU IDIOT! WHY WOULD YOU STARE AT HIM LIKE A WEIRDO! Gosh I'm SO embarrassed." "P-Pardon?" I heard someone ask in a bashful tone, and I looked up to see who the voice belonged to when my heart just leapt from my chest! It was him.... It was the Gym Leader, now standing only a few inches away from me! Now that he was closer, I could tell that he stood at least a head taller than myself, and a slight red color flushed his pale cheeks as he began again, "P-Pardon me, but I couldn't help but notice you were standing away from everyone, so I thought I'd come and talk to you myself." "O-Oh, it's just..... Ummm... P-Pre battle nerves getting to me! Yeah, that's it.." "Pre battle nerves? What ARE you talking about!?" I scolded myself as I moved a stray strand of hair from out of my face, and the boy stuttered, "O-Oh! I-I get what you mean. Definitely! I-It's normal to feel that way before actually going out on the field. I'm Bede, by the way! Gym Leader of Ballonlea stadium." He held his hand out for me to shake, and hesitantly, I softly returned the gesture. From the handshake alone, I learned that, though he didn't much look like such, he had a decent amount of strength, and I felt the resistance he had, almost as if he was avoiding the possibility of breaking my hand! Once we let go of each other, he nervously fiddled around with his uniform shirt as he looked around him, prehaps trying to find another talking point, but nothing coming to mind. Swaying shyly, I said to him, "A-Are you going to ask for my name?" "O-Of course! What's your name?" "Lele." I replied, Butterfree in my stomach, "I'm named after one of the guardian deities of Alola!" "It sounds mighty pretty. Alola, you say? You're quite a ways from home then!" "Thank you, and yes... Galar is a lovely place in itself, but how I miss walking the Moonlit beaches, and ocean sprayed breeze, and how the Eggsecutor roam in packs from place to place!" I said dreamily, thinking of my beloved home hidden in the alcoves of a tropical forest. "You're name is unique, you know. Suits you well!" I added, putting a hand to my chest out of fear of him catching the sound of my beating heart. "Th-Thanks!" He said, smiling a goofy grin as he rubbed the back of his head, which disturbed a small lock of his hair; causing it to hang in his face. "Gah! Confounded cowlicks." Bede grumbled embarrassedly, reaching to place the unruly lock back with the other curls when I raised my hand to stop him. "M-May I fix it?" I asked stupidly, forgetting for a bit just who it was I was talking to. "Oh! S-Sure..." Bede replied, and he bowed his head down a bit so that I could reach. I gingerly took the lock of silky, platinum blonde hair, and placed it back with the other bits of hair so that it didn't fall back into his shining eyes. "There we go. All snug with the other curls!" "Hehe, thanks for that." He laughed, placing a hand over his own chest. We stayed quiet again, thinking of what else to talk about when I remembered my reasons of finding him to begin with. "Ah! Hey, could I ask you something?" "Sure! Anything you'd like." "Do you think," I began, lowering my voice in case and eavesdroppers were about, "I could have a private battle with you? A battle where only your spectators can attend?" "Oh, uhhh...." he began, placing a hand to his face in concern as he went on, "I'm afraid that's rather...... Out of my hands.... You see, I may be the Gym Leader, but whatever Miss Opal's word is, we must follow to the last letter. I'm terribly sorry!" My fears spiked further when he said those words, and I looked away from him as I sighed, "Th-That's alright.... I guess... It's just that I'm really-" "Shy?" He interjected innocently, and I forced myself to nod as to avoid confusion..... Judgment..... Bede placed a gentle hand on my head, and I looked back into those charming eyes as he said comfortingly, "It's going to be alright, really! Just have faith in yourself, AND your Pokémon, and you'll be so busy battling that everyone else will just dissappear, and it'll just be you and me." He took his hand from my head, and placed it back to his side as the announcer boomed, "May Gym Leader Bede please greet his next Challenger on the pitch floor?" "Ah! I-I have to go." He said, turning to leave when he spun back around to ask, "Before I forget, would you mind if I took you to lunch after the battles are over?" "N-Not at all! In fact, that sounds nice." I replied, smiling at him, and with a happy wave, he ran back towards the old woman, who nodded toward me in approval before following behind him. I sighed as I tried to process what just happened, and three of the girls that Bede was interacting with earlier came to me with large smiles on their faces. "Look at you, catching Bede's eye first try!" One girl mused, putting an arm around me. "You're SO lucky!" Another fawned, clasping her hands together. "And scoring a date no less." The third one commented, giving a small wink to me. I thought it over to myself silently.... Did I hear him right? Could I have been wrong?! I broke into a goofy smile as I said, "Y-Yeah..... Yeah I did, didn't I?" "You have every right to be shell shocked!" "What any girl would give to be in YOUR shoes!" "Bede is SO handsome!" The girls continued to give me words of praise as I just sat there, feeling as if I was just dreaming, and after the girls had waved me farewell, Gloria came out of the hordes of people, and said, "THERE you are! You had me worried sick!" "S-Sorry Gloria." I replied, my eyes still in a trance like state. "Are you alright?" She asked, bringing me over to a bench, and sitting beside us as I said, "I just got done talking with Bede." "Really? You found him?! Oh thank goodness! What did he have to say about your situation?" I frowned as I shook my head, and I admitted, "He said that he couldn't do anything about it because of Miss Opal." "Oh, great." "But," I began, smiling sheepishly again as my cheeks remained their pink hue, "Bede asked me out for lunch after he was through battling all the challengers here." Gloria's jaw hung agape, and she gasped, "You're kidding!" "No, he actually DID ask me to lunch! He was so sweet, and his eyes were so charming, and his mannerisms were just so cute." I said, my tummy tickling with Butterfree again as I doubled over." "What a stroke of luck! See? I told you he wouldn't care that your half Ditto." Gloria mused, punching me playfully in the arm. Here is where my fears came back, and my smile faded as I quietly looked away from her enthusiastic gaze. Sensing something was up, she placed a hand on my shoulder as she asked me, "You did tell him, didn't you?" I quietly turned my head back to her, and shook, making her eyes go wide with fear as she said, "Lele!" "I tried to! Honest! But he took it as I was only nervous for our battle, and...... Well...." "You thought his feelings would change if he did find out, didn't you?" I nodded shamefully, almost wanting to cry when Gloria sighed, "Well, you did your best. Besides, I don't see the harm in showing yourself to a small village of people such as Ballonlea! Everything here is so topsy-turvy that none of them would be too surprised by what you are, or care at all. Yes, I think, if anything, you'll fit RIGHT in!" She patted my back confidently, and the announcer boomed once more, "Could Challenger Lele please enter the pitch!" "Ah! The battle's finally happening!" I said, shooting up from the bench. I bid Gloria farewell as she called to me, "Good luck Lele!" and I entered through the double doors before me. As I walked down the hall, I remembered Hop showing me a device called a Pokédex, which was what Victor first used to catalogue me with in Sonia's lab, and he showed me this intriguing Pokémon called a "Mawile". "It's a Steel Fairy Type! I think it describes you perfectly: cute, but strong when easily provoked." He had said, and I agreed that I would give the form a try now that I knew what it looked like. I emerged onto a colorful floor, with a carpet like texture beneath my feet, and I timidly walked to the center as I looked around the stadium. In an empty portion of the stands to my right sat my small band, consisting of Hop, Victor, Gloria, and his elder brother, all watching nervously in silence. In a booth above the crowd sat the Gym Leaders: Nessa, Milo, Kabu, Bea, Raihan, and the same girl with the black pigtails from the lobby. "Great... Of ALL the times to mess up, I mess up by accidentally spilling a drink on a GYM LEADER!" I thought to myself, and I fidgeted with my skirt as the crowd began to cheer for something. I turned my attention to the other side of the stadium, and there was Bede, standing tall, proud, and confident as he met me at the center of the floor. "May your battle skills be sharp, and your wit sharper! Let us have a battle worthy of remembering, Lele." He said, holding out his hand. I bashfully took it into my own, and replied, "And may the best Trainer, or Leader win!" "Very good!" He praised, letting go of my hand, and we took our respective places on the pitch. There WAS no Trainer to hold his Pokémon.... No selections were made! We were to have a raw battle, leaving out nothing! I began to sweat as Bede grabbed a PokéBall from his holster, and he shouted, "Let's start this show with a twist. Come on out Hatterene, and prepare to use psychic!" Now was the moment of truth...... NOW was the moment of truth! I took a shakey breath, thinking of the numbers of ways this whole thing could end, but it was far too late to turn back now, so with what courage I could muster, I announced, "I'll send out my Pokémon, but if I do, you in the stands AND in the booth must PROMISE me that this will stay between me, and everyone here!" Confused, I could see the crowd begin to chatter with one another, even the other two Gym Leaders sat with raised brows of concern. "That means you too, Bede." I said from across the floor, catching him off gaurd as he quickly replied, "A-Alright, you have my word." He released the Ball from his hand, and a gorgeous looking Pokémon stood before me, it's magical form giving off the sense of benevolent mischief in it's wake. "Hello there, little one." It began in a smooth, silky voice as it sniffed the air around us. "Funny, you don't smell like what your form portrays! Only.... Hints.... Like a flower thats lost their Spring fresh fragrance, or an over ripened berry well passed it's picking. What, dare I ask, ARE you?" "I-I am Lele. The Poké-Born human of Alola! My father and mother smile upon me this day, Hatterene, and I intend to make the great Tapu Lele bounce with joy at my victories here today." I replied, taking the strongest stance I could. "I see.... Child of man, decended from Pokémon by divine right from Tapu Lele.... Our link, made for us to understand their kind, and likewise for them to understand us. You bear a mark of nobility amongst you, yet you don't fully know the extent of the gift bestowed to you! Very well.... I accept your request of battle, Ditto-born! I shall see too it that the gifted mark was not misplaced." Hatterene said, sounding almost detached of any emotion. I took another deep breath as it readied the move "Psychic", and I announced clearly for all to hear, "I choose the form of the dual Steel Fairy Pokémon: Mawile!" right then, in front of everyone, my body began to shrink and stretch until, like I had hoped, a perfectly formed Mawile stood where my human form once was. The crowed gasped in awe, but Hatterene stood firm as she prepared to launch her attack. Before she could, though, a panicked voice screamed out in terror, "H-Hatterene! Cancel the attack!" Confused, both myself and the Hatterene looked back to where the voice was coming from, and there Bede stood, completely drained of his color as he continued to beg, "Cancel the attack, PLEASE!" At his command, the Hatterene canceled it's attack on me, and turned back to face me as he declared, "Th-This battle is OVER!" The audience gasped, and a few murmurs were beginning to spread. "Wh-What happened!? Is everything alright?" I asked, looking between Bede and his Hatterene, who looked back at me in a wide eyed glance of bewilderment. "N-No, everything is NOT alright! This battle won't continue." "So..... you're forfeiting the challenge?" I asked, feeling a tad bit annoyed that I won without showing my true strength, but calmed by the fact that I didn't have to perform for all those people in the stands. Bede shook his head before bluntly replying, "No, I'm DISQUALIFYING you from the challenge. What were you thinking!? Challenging me with no Pokémon! Milo, Nessa, ALL should've stopped you when they had the chance instead of leading you on." "D-DISQUALIFYING me?! B-But I hardly got to show you what I was capable of!" I argued, outraged by his declaration. "You.... What even ARE you?" He asked, seemingly disgusted, as I'd had predicted, and I blurted out, "Well if you'd have LISTENED I'd have told you that my reasons for a private battle was because I'm HALF DITTO!" The crowd around us gasped, and I noticed the Gym Leader's eyes go wide, the first four with worry, and the others, as well as a third that I never saw come in, seemed utterly shocked by the revelation. I continued, "Out of respect of both yours, AND Miss Opal's wishes, I took what was given without a second thought, or so much as a complaint!" My blood boiled, and I kept a tight hold on my abilities as I remained in my small form, and Bede even seemed shocked as he searched for something more to say. "W-Well, you're not a Pokémon, you're a TRAINER! And even if you WERE, you'd STILL be disqualified by the account that you HAVE no trainer." "IF I'M PART POKÉMON THEN WHY WOULD I NEED A TRAINER!? CAN'T I MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS?!" I screamed in defense when someone in the stands yelled, "BOO! GET OFF THE PITCH!" "YEAH, LIKE HE'D WANT TO WASTE TIME WITH A DITTO BREED!" One of the girls from the lobby sneered cruelly, and the whole stadium began to laugh except for my small party, who shot enraged glances, and the Gym Leaders above, who shook their heads in pity. My face blushed in embarrassment, and my lip began to quiver as I sobbed, "I-It's not funny! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!" ""STOP LAUGHING AT ME! IT'S NOT FUNNY! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!" another of the girls mocked, and the stadium grew louder with the roars of challengers, fans, and Gym Trainers of the like, and I felt totally helpless as Bede only stood there, dumbfounded. Bede held up his Hatterene's ball, and the beautiful creature was summoned back to that awful prison as I completely broke. "YOU LET THAT BEAUTIFUL POKÉMON OUT THIS INSTANT!" I squealed, making the whole stadium go cricket quiet, and causing Bede to jump back in suprise. "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOU WERE FORCED INTO A TINY, SPHERICAL PRISON CELL!? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF THE POKÉMON PITTED YOU HUMANS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER!?" I sobbed, causing more murmurs to flood the stands, and I turned to adress the stadium seats as I cried, "Pokémon are NOT trophies you can just display to collect dust in a piece of plastic! They're beautiful, sentimental, creatures with actual feelings." I stood looking to the floor, tears falling from my face as all the eyes in the room were pinned onto me. I could see from the corner of my eye, the Fairy Gym Leader release his Hatterene again, much to her confusion and surprise. I looked back toward her, hoping that she was moved by my attempt to at least speak for the Pokémon before slowly taking my leave from the floor in shame, humiliation, and despair. Once I was out of view, I began to transform back into a human before breaking into a sprint as I cried hysterically, berating myself for being such a fool. I ran out into the lobby when I heard Gloria call out, "Lele? Lele! Where are you going?" "Back to Postwick!" "By yourself?" "YES! Hop was right. He really IS a brute! I've never felt so humiliated, and outcasted. You can tell Bede to FORGET about our lunch meeting!" I seethed, pushing my way out the door, and walking myself from Ballonlea to Postwick without so much as a break to enjoy the surrounding nature. Once I was back at Hop's house, I flew up the stairs and into Leon's room to flop onto his bed, and harshly sobbed into his pillow. I cried until my whole face felt swollen and burning, and my eyes were bloodshot in the scelera. Hours later I felt a soft hand on my back, and I turned my head to find Leon standing over me, and I sat up to make room for him to sit beside be. We were silent, not sure what to say to each other.... Finally, Leon removed his hat as he started, "What happened at that Gym wasn't fair to you, or the Leaders that passed you. If it were one of MY matches, I'd have had the whole lot thrown out!" "None of this would've happened if I had listened to You and Sonia when you both said no. Now I don't think I'll EVER be able to leave this house without someone or another knowing who I am! People talk, and now I've written my own doom. Maybe mom was right...... The world just isn't ready for someone like me......" "Lele,-" "You heard what they said in Ballonlea, Leon! "Who would want to waste their time for a Ditto!" they said!" "Lele leave what's been said and done in the past! They're only doing this because you possess something special within you. Something POWERFUL! You have a will, a spirit, a level of understanding that none of us could process even if somebody asked someone as smart as Sonia to analyze. Don't let what a few troublemakers say beat you down, because you mean the world to Hop, Gloria, Victor, those you made friends with today!" He took my chin, and gently turned my head to him as he finished, "That includes both Sonia, and myself." He pulled me in for a hug, and I sobbed into his shoulder as another entered the room, and I stood up to hug Hop as Leon waved him over to us. I didn't eat a bite that night, lying in Leon's bed as I examined the starry sky outside his window; thinking of home, and the professor there. "Why me? Why do I have to be the one chased from my home? Why is it me that's outcasted for just being on this earth? Why, of everyone, did the Tapus choose ME to be the bridge between Pokémon and human? I just wish...." I thought to myself, but I wasn't too sure what it was that I wanted that wouldn't be impossible in the end to achieve. What WAS it I wanted? Why can't I find it? The questions I feared the answer to were now pressed on me stronger than when I was all alone in Alola..... What DO I want?