Pokemon Dark Tidings.

The Indigo Plateau stood like a fortress at the edge of the world, nestled high in the mountains where the air was thin and the sky seemed close enough to touch. It was a place of legends, where the strongest trainers from all regions came to prove their worth, to battle the Elite Four, and to challenge the Champion.

The Plateau itself was a sprawling complex, built into the natural landscape with a blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities. The towering peaks provided a dramatic backdrop to the grand stadiums and sleek office buildings, giving the entire area an air of gravitas that few places in the Pokemon world could match.

Ezra arrived in the early morning, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the Plateau. The crisp, cool air was invigorating, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the ever-present hum of activity that surrounded the League headquarters. As he made his way through the main entrance, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the vista, mingled with a healthy dose of apprehension of what might lay ahead for him. This was the heart of the Pokemon League, a place where the most powerful trainers in the world gathered, and he was about to delve into its bureaucratic depths.

In a way it was ironic that he was here not as a Pokemon trainer, really. But as a landowner. He really hoped bureaucracy was streamlined in this world compared to his old one.

The Pokemon League offices were located in a massive, imposing structure at the center of the Plateau, its stone walls and grand pillars giving it the appearance of a temple dedicated to the art of battle. The building was abuzz with activity, trainers and officials moving about with purpose, their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The interior was equally grand, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings depicting legendary Pokemon, and large windows that let in streams of natural light. The atmosphere was one of beauty and importance, but also of daunting formality - a place where everything had its place, and where order was maintained with an iron grip.

It was also clearly separated by the more Pokemon battles oriented business, and the business which was not, the doorway into the offices of the licensing bureau practically hidden in a corner of the grand entrance hall. A small plaque denoting what it was.

Ezra pushed open the heavy doors of the licensing office and stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene before him. He was here for a specific reason - to secure a stable license, a legal requirement if he wanted to house and train all of his Pokémon in one location. After spending several days scouting he'd found the perfect plot of land near Pewter City - a small, secluded area that would give him the privacy he needed - he had purchased the property for half a million Pokedollars. Now, all that remained was to navigate the labyrinthine process of League bureaucracy to make it official.

The fact was that with him having caught all the Pokemon that showed up for him near the ruins in Johto, he couldn't train them properly as it was with just a six Pokemon limit. The chances of him upping that limit right now were laid at approximately zero. So the other option was to find a location to create a stable.

Stables were used by a lot of trainers to take care of their superfluous Pokemon - most trainers catching more than six at some point, and not everyone able to send them home to be taken care of. The difference here was that he was doing this so that he could release all his Pokemon at this location, allowing him to train them all, instead of just leaving them all behind somewhere, or constantly rotating out Pokemon.

The waiting area of the office was a familiar sight to anyone who had ever dealt with government paperwork - a sea of uncomfortable chairs, a row of stern-looking clerks seated behind a long counter, and a giant digital screen displaying numbers that seemed to change at a glacial pace. It was a place where time itself seemed to slow, where the very air was thick with the scent of ink and the sound of impatient sighs.

In a word. It was Hell.

Ezra glanced at the screen and then at the slip of paper in his hand. His number wasn't even close to being called. He let out a resigned sigh, resigned to the reality that this was going to be a long day.

He found an empty chair and sat down, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness as he watched the numbers on the screen inch forward. Occasionally, a clerk's monotone voice would call out a number, and someone would shuffle to the counter, clutching a stack of papers like a lifeline. Ezra had no choice but to wait, his mind wandering as the monotony of the office began to take its toll.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his number was called. He stood and approached the counter, where a middle-aged woman with a stern expression and glasses perched on the edge of her nose awaited him. Without so much as a greeting, she thrust a stack of forms toward him.

"Fill these out and take them to window five," she said curtly, already moving on to the next person in line, "Make sure to take a ticket again." She added, making Ezra slouch slightly in pure defeat.

Whoever invented this system was wrong in the head.

Ezra took the forms and made his way to a nearby desk, after getting a new ticket of course, whereupon he spent the next several minutes painstakingly filling out each section. The forms were dense with legal jargon and required an absurd amount of personal information which he mostly had to make up, but he completed them with the kind of efficiency that came from years of navigating worse bureaucratic processes - those for disability benefits. When he was done, he gathered the papers and headed to wait for window five.

An amazingly quick thirty-nine minutes later, (not that he was counting) his number was called.

The clerk at window five was a younger man, but his bored expression and lethargic movements indicated he had long since lost any enthusiasm for his job. He took the forms from Ezra, barely glancing at them before stamping each one with a heavy thud. "Take these to window nine," He muttered, handing the papers back.

If that's all you needed to do, why couldn't the other lady have a stamp!? He wanted to scream, but knew that any such action would avail him of nothing in this purgatory.

Ezra just gritted his teeth and nodded, holding back a sigh as he moved on to the next line, grabbing another ticket. This process repeated itself several more times - each window representing a new hurdle, each clerk more disinterested than the last. By the time Ezra reached an actual licensing office, where his eligibility for the license would be reviewed, his patience was wearing very thin.

The clerk in the office was a middle aged man, with graying hair and a pinched bland expression that suggested he fit right in with this drab plain office of suffering - his name tag just said John, the name suited him, bland and impersonal. He adjusted his glasses as he looked over Ezra's paperwork with a scrutinizing eye.

"Everything seems to be in order," The man said slowly, as if weighing each word. "But I have a few questions before we proceed. You're quite young to be applying for a stable license. What's your background? Where did you acquire the funds to purchase the land?" All asked in a dry monotone like he really didn't care, but felt the questions needed to be asked due to protocols.

He bet the man took a shit according to protocols too.

Ezra kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he was bristling, his patience almost entirely at an end. He had anticipated this kind of probing of course, but it didn't make it any less annoying. "I've been successful in a business venture," He replied smoothly. "It has ensured financial stability. As for my background, I've filled out that paperwork already, and I should be in the system as well."

He tried to keep his voice as bland and formal as everyone here, knowing how petty little bureaucrats could be. He didn't want to risk anything going south because of his tone, or something equally idiotic.

The man's eyes narrowed, clearly not satisfied with Ezra's vague answers, but he also moved on to the next question, showing he didn't care, and this was all ticking off boxes on an imaginary check list. "And how did you come by so many Pokemon at such a young age? It's unusual for someone your age to have the resources or the experience to manage a stable." He said drolly, not even looking at Ezra as he asked, instead sorting paperwork.

Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm resourceful," He said simply. "And I've had a lot of success in my travels. I've worked hard to build my team, and I'm fully capable of managing a stable. The paperwork is in order, isn't it? So can we move forward with this?"

Even knowing he needed to remain polite, he was beginning to seethe, hours in this place was driving him mad, and he needed to be careful he didn't ruin things at the finish line. He plastered a politely curious look on his face, wiping away the obvious annoyance.

The bureaucrat pursed his lips, clearly not accustomed to being spoken to in such a direct manner. He tapped the papers with his fingers, as if considering whether to press the issue further. "Your attitude is concerning," He said finally. "This is a serious responsibility, and I need to be sure you're taking it seriously."

Shit. He's that kind of bureaucrat..

Ezra bit back a sharp retort, forcing himself to stay calm. He was too close to let this slip through his fingers now. "I apologize if I've come across as dismissive," He said, choosing his words carefully. "But I assure you, I understand the importance of this license. I've invested a significant amount of time and money into this, and I have every intention of complying with all regulations. I'm ready to proceed, if you are."

Arceus save him from power tripping small minded bureaucrats.

The older man studied him for a long moment, as if searching for any sign of deception. Finally, he nodded slowly, albeit reluctantly. "Very well," He said. "But let me remind you, the six Pokemon limit is still in effect. You may only release all of your Pokemon within the boundaries of your stable. Outside of that, the standard rules apply."

Ezra nodded, though the reminder was unnecessary. He had done his homework and knew the rules inside and out. But he wasn't about to antagonize the man further by pointing that out. "Understood," He said. "Thank you for your time."

The man gave a curt nod and stamped the final approval on the forms before handing them back to Ezra. "Take these to licensing office B4 down the hall," He instructed. "They'll issue your official license and provide you with the documentation for your stable."

Ezra took the papers with a sense of relief, offering a polite nod before turning on his heel and leaving the office behind. The moment he stepped out of the waiting area and into the hallway, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The hard part was over. Now, all that was left was to finalize the paperwork and get out of this bureaucratic nightmare.

The actual licensing office was much quieter than the main waiting area, with only a handful of clients and clerks present. The woman behind the counter was efficient, processing his papers and issuing his license with minimal fuss. Within minutes, Ezra was holding the official documentation for his new stable, the culmination of days of planning and the oh so tedious paperwork.

He glanced at the license, a small smile of satisfaction tugging at the corners of his mouth. It had been a hassle, but it was worth it. Now he had a place to house his growing team, a place where he could train without restrictions, and a base of operations that would serve him well in the days to come.

It wouldn't do to keep all his eggs in one basket after all. Who knew if Lavender would pan out in the end? It was good to have a fallback spot. As for the expenditure, he never saw much point in the idea of having numbers in a bank account as the whole idea of being rich.

If you weren't spending it, what was the point of being rich in the first place?

Ezra didn't linger after he got his license. He had no desire to spend another minute in the oppressive atmosphere of the licensing offices. As soon as the license was safely tucked away, he made his way out of the building, the cool mountain air a welcome change from the stifling interior that had almost drained him of the will to live.

He didn't waste any time in taking to the skies. Pidgeot, who had been resting in its Pokeball during the ordeal, emerged with a powerful flap of its wings, ready to fly. Ezra mounted up and directed Pidgeot to take them back to Pewter, to the plot of land that was now officially his.

As they soared over the mountains, the Indigo Plateau receding into the distance behind them, Ezra wondered with some amusement, just how many places in Kanto and Johto he'd end up visiting before even fighting one gym…

He was definitely doing this whole thing in an unconventional way.

Agatha's office,

Agatha frowned as she stamped another useless document. How was it that changing out the Champion required her to do paperwork.

That nonsense had nothing to do with her. Although Lance struck her exactly as the type to have a dragon 'accidentally' eat his paperwork and then push the fix downwards. Shit always floated downstream - hence why she'd bothered with an apprentice - who would be the ultimate shit collector at the bottom of said stream.

Her computer pinged at her, and she peered at it with annoyance, until she saw that it was the notice a nice young man from IT had set up to ping her whenever anything mentioning Ezra Kassian popped up in the system.

She scooted closer, a finger stabbing at the computer screen as she almost lost all decorum. He's right here on the plateau! She noted his profile had several more Pokemon added, jolting in surprise at the ??? as the only identifier on some of them. Interesting…

She sunk into the shadows immediately, chair and all. I've got you now, boy! She cackled.

…

John was a simple man at heart. He didn't care for excitement, nor did he care for Pokemon, or Pokemon battles. It had made him an oddity, and ostracized him.

To young John's utter joy.

Because he hated people, so his ostracization was the best thing that ever happened to him.

When he'd found that the licensing bureau was hiring - despite the fact it was the Pokemon League, he'd been first in line. Strangely enough, despite the fact he entered the line twelve hours before they opened, his competitors never showed up for the interview, and he was hired on the spot.

It was nice boring work. And he got to make things difficult for people without having to actually interact much with them.

He frowned as he walked back to his office, a cup of coffee in hand - black, because sugar and cream was too exciting for a work day.

He didn't often have to deal with children. Or teenagers he supposed. Trainers rarely came here, and those that did, tended to be older by the time they were wanting to get a license for breeding or stabling Pokemon.

He could have kept the boy for hours with minutiae like he normally did - but he didn't like children much, and had decided it was better to just see him off.

He walked up to his office just as all light seemed to be sucked out of it, an ominous wind scattering paperwork as low eerie cackling was heard across the offices - people stopping what they were doing and staring in sudden fear.

Right in front of John, Lady Agatha of the Elite Four materialized out of the floor, Ghost Pokemon at her shoulders as the shadows themselves spat her out, no doubt finding her unpalatable, John thought, shivering at the sight of the wrinkly old monster.

"Where is Ezra Kassian!?" She said with a wicked smirk on her face, staring straight at John.

John dropped his coffee cup, letting out a meep.

He was pretty sure he was suffering from a heart attack.

That was most definitely too exciting.

Pewter city, Kanto.

Ezra soared over Pewter City, his Pidgeot gliding effortlessly through the crisp morning air. Below him, the city gave way to rolling hills and dense patches of forest, the landscape dotted with small farms and secluded homes. It wasn't long before he spotted his plot of land, a modest yet picturesque stretch of countryside nestled on the outskirts of the city, far enough from the main roads to ensure privacy but close enough to access civilization when necessary.

As Pidgeot descended, the full scope of the property came into view. The land was bordered by tall, well-kept hedges interspersed with low stone walls, not designed to keep Pokemon in, but rather to set the boundaries and stop any curious passersby from wandering onto the property.

The hedges were thick and neatly trimmed, a dark green contrast to the natural stone. Beyond the hedges, the land sloped gently downward, leading to a cluster of buildings that made up the heart of the property.

The main building was a sturdy, farmhouse-style structure with a slate roof and walls of weathered stone. It had a rustic charm, with wide windows and a large, covered porch that wrapped around the front and side. The building was more than large enough to house Ezra and provide space for indoor training sessions or Pokemon care. Adjacent to the house was a large barn, its red paint slightly faded by the sun, but the structure itself was solid. It was clearly designed for storage and the housing of larger Pokemon, with spacious stalls and an open area for supplies.

The plot had been a stable before, hence his interest in buying it up. It saved him the hassle of having to have something built on another plot - cheaper perhaps in the long run - but he'd happily pay a premium for something that worked now.

The surrounding landscape was just as ideal. Dark heavy forests stretched out behind the buildings, with the front side being open fields. A small pond gleamed in the morning light, its surface calm and inviting, perfect for if he caught himself any Ghost/Dark water hybrid Pokemon - or simply as a serene spot to relax.

The land was fertile, with plenty of room for expansion if needed, and it was clear that the previous owner had taken good care of it. Ezra could see the potential here - a place where he could train his Pokemon in peace, away from prying eyes.

As Pidgeot landed softly in the dirt path leading to the farmhouse, Ezra dismounted and took a moment to absorb his surroundings. This was his land now, a place where he could build something of his own, where he could train and develop his team without the restrictions he'd faced elsewhere. It was isolated enough to be secure, but not so remote as to be inconvenient. It wasn't perfect. But it was close enough.

The first thing that caught his eye was the delivery truck parked near the front gate. Several large crates were stacked beside it, each labeled with the names of different types of Pokemon food. He had ordered the supplies ahead of time, ensuring that his Pokemon would have the sustenance they needed as they settled into their new home.

Ezra walked over to inspect the delivery, noting the variety of food types. Each crate was clearly marked and securely packed. Waving the delivery truck off as they'd just finished unloading as he arrived.

Despite the thoroughness of the delivery, Ezra knew that the amount he had ordered was far less than what most stables would require for a team as large and diverse as his. His Pokemon, particularly the Ghost types, seemed to draw more sustenance from his aura than from physical food. It was an unusual phenomenon, one that he had yet to fully understand, but it made logistics easier in some ways.

Even his Dark Pokemon seemed to enjoy his aura, so feeding them on the road wasn't an issue. Yet he'd still ordered the food for the necessity of feeding his Pokemon when he wasn't around himself.

He popped open one of the crates, pulling out a small sample of the food and inspecting it closely. The pellets were fresh, high-quality, and exactly what he had specified. Satisfied, he closed the crate and began moving the supplies toward the barn, cheating and working out at the same time as his shadow split into tendrils, helping drag crates along. It seemed as long as he was lifting/dragging something as well - his shadow didn't struggle with it.

Once the supplies were stored away, Ezra took a final walk around the property, his eyes scanning the landscape, noting the best spots for training and where he could make improvements. There was a certain peace to the land, a quiet that allowed him to think clearly, to plan for the future. It was a blank slate, ready for him to shape into whatever he needed it to be.

He might be taking a different route to fight towards victory than most trainers - focusing less on battles, more on training and setting up an operation around them.

He would show them all in the end.

Next day, Pewter city, Kanto.

The sun was just beginning to rise over Pewter City as he approached, casting long shadows across the rocky landscape and giving the town its characteristic gray hue. Pewter was an old city, one of the first to be established in Kanto, and its architecture reflected its history. Buildings were constructed from stone and mortar, sturdy and practical, blending seamlessly with the rocky terrain that surrounded them. The city had a rugged charm, with cobblestone streets winding between the buildings and leading up to the impressive silhouette of the Pewter Gym, perched on a hill overlooking the town.

Ezra walked through the streets, his mind focused on the tasks ahead. The night before, Steven Stone had sent over the initial paperwork for their business partnership, and Ezra knew that it was essential to have a competent lawyer look it over before he signed anything. The contract was long, detailed, and filled with legal jargon that, while familiar, was not his expertise. If there was one thing Ezra had learned in his previous life, it was the importance of thoroughly understanding any document before putting his name on it - especially when dealing with a corporate titan like Stone.

Pewter City had been known for its mining industry in the past, and the people here were still known for their tenacity and practicality. That extended to their lawyers, who had a reputation for being as tough as the rocks that surrounded the city. Ezra needed someone who could match Stone's team of corporate sharks, someone who could find and eliminate any hidden clauses that might put him at a disadvantage.

If you had to hire a lawyer, it was best to hire someone who'd refuse to give up on principle - because they were just that stubborn.

As he passed by the various shops and businesses that lined the main street, Ezra kept an eye out for the law office he'd been told about. Pewter City was smaller than, for example, Saffron or Celadon, but it was still a bustling town, with a surprising number of law firms considering its size. It wasn't long before he found what he was looking for - a small, unassuming building with a plaque that read Boulder & Associates - Legal Expertise as Solid as Stone.

Ezra smirked at the tagline and pushed the door open, stepping inside. The interior was just as no-nonsense as the exterior, with plain stone walls, sturdy wooden furniture, and a few framed documents hanging on the walls that attested to the firm's various accolades and certifications. A woman sat behind the reception desk, her expression focused as she typed away on a computer. She looked up as Ezra entered, her eyes sharp and assessing.

"Good morning," She greeted, her voice brisk but not unfriendly. "How can we assist you today?"

"I'm looking for legal representation," Ezra replied, stepping up to the desk. "I need someone to review a business contract and advise me on any potential pitfalls. Preferably someone who isn't afraid to push back against a big name."

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sizing him up. After a moment, she nodded. "You'll want to speak with Mr. Marcus then. He's our senior partner and specializes in contract law. Please, have a seat, and I'll see if he's available."

He'd have to give them that. She hadn't asked if he could afford it/where his parents were, or anything like it. She looked like she'd thought it. But she hadn't asked. As far as Ezra was concerned, any place that didn't immediately dismiss him as a kid, was a good place to start with.

Although with how he kept interacting with services no one his age regularly dealt with - it was no wonder he kept running into the issue.

People his age were generally still trainers on the circuit or had joined up with the gyms/league - or they worked low end jobs having never gone on a journey. Neither needed licensing bureaus, lawyers or negotiations to buy land.

Ezra took a seat in one of the wooden chairs, waiting while his mind was already turning over the upcoming discussion. He didn't have to wait long before the woman returned, gesturing for him to follow her down a short hallway. She led him to a modest office at the end of the hall, where a man in his early forties sat behind a large oak desk, papers spread out before him. He looked up as they entered, his sharp, brown eyes immediately locking onto Ezra.

"Mister Marcus, this is the young man that is here for a contract review," The receptionist said before stepping back and closing the door behind her.

The man - Mr. Marcus - stood up and extended a hand. He was tall and lean, with a stern expression softened only slightly by the touch of gray at his temples. His handshake was firm, and his gaze never wavered from Ezra's face.

Ezra introduced himself quietly, idly noting that the lawyer seemed to already be aware of who he was. The lawyer who drew up the real estate contract on their end perhaps?

Ezra had simply rented a lawyer's time for an hour for that contract, it had been simple enough not to need one at all, but he'd wanted to make sure. No wonder the real estate agent had recommended the man if he did work for them.

"Mister Kassian, welcome. Please, have a seat," Marcus said, motioning to the chair across from his desk. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"

Ezra sat down, placing the folder containing Stone's contract on the desk between them, having printed it out beforehand. "Thank you. I've recently entered into negotiations with Steven Stone and the Devon Corporation, and I want to make sure the contract they've sent over is airtight - on my end, that is." He spent a few more minutes explaining the particulars of the deal, to give the lawyer the background needed to understand his position.

Marcus's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his features as Ezra finished. "Steven Stone, you say? That's quite a client to be dealing with. I take it this is regarding some form of business partnership?"

The fact he knew who Stone was, with how little Hoenn and Kanto interacted - made Ezra feel even better about hiring him. The man was obviously either well connected - or well learned. Either way it was good for him.

"That's right," Ezra confirmed, pushing the folder toward Marcus. "I'm looking to establish a breeding and evolution business, focusing on rare and unknown Pokemon evolutions that I have sole knowledge of - at least as far as I know. Stone is interested in a partnership, but I want to ensure that I'm not signing away anything more than I intend to."

Somewhere in the world someone likely had an evolution or two that he was going to 'discover'. But since they hadn't published the fact, it didn't matter. It wouldn't even surprise him if some researcher somewhere had most of the Eeveelutions, but was too busy researching more to actually tell anyone yet. Their loss, his gain. Once his business was up and running, he'd actually be able to sue anyone that just gave away information for free on any 'proprietary knowledge' he had.

At least in Kanto or Johto, who both had very clannish laws - his business wasn't a clan, but thanks to Silph, it was basically the same thing.

If Oak was anyone but who he was - he would have found a lot more difficulty in his profession due to pressure from the clans. Spreading information on Pokemon was fairly new after all, the Pokedex was a fairly new thing as well - spearheaded by Oak and his allies.

It was thanks to Oak that the 'basic' knowledge about most known Pokemon was widespread.

Marcus nodded, already flipping through the pages of the contract with practiced ease. "Smart move. Too many inexperienced men and women get caught up in the excitement of a deal like this and don't think to check the fine print. Devon Corp is a reputable company, but that doesn't mean they won't protect their own interests above all else."

Ezra watched as Marcus scanned the document, his eyes darting back and forth across the text. The lawyer's expression remained neutral, but Ezra could see the wheels turning in his mind as he dissected each clause.

"This is a well-crafted contract," Marcus said after a few minutes of silence. "But that's to be expected from a company like Devon. They've covered their bases, but there are a few points here that could be adjusted to better protect your interests." Marcus raised an eyebrow, lips quirking slightly, "If you're interested in retaining my services of course.

Ezra nodded his head slowly, this man would do as well as any other, and he had impressed so far in their limited interactions. "I'd like to hire you on as a retainer in that case, not just for this contract, because I'm likely to continue to need a lawyer."

He'd of course take the contract for a second opinion later before signing anything anyway. The man was a lawyer after all. Trust but verify. For all he knew the reason he knew anything at all about Steven Stone was due to being on the man's payroll to look for interesting things in Kanto.

Unlikely, but Ezra wasn't about to take chances with the business which would be his major money maker. And with him soon having a business, and already having stabling rights, having a lawyer on retainer was just common sense.

Marcus brought out a simple sheet of paper, "We can draw up a retainer contract later, this is simply to acknowledge that you've hired my services for an hour in regards to this contract."

Ezra looked it over quickly, it was as simple as he said, and he signed it immediately, glad that this world's fascination with young people traveling the world alone - meant he was legally able to sign contracts. Without that, the last week or two of business would have been a lot more difficult to pull off if the Lavender orphanage still held parental rights over him…

Ezra leaned forward slightly once he'd signed, his attention fully on the lawyer. "What kind of points were you talking about?"

Marcus tapped one of the pages with a pen. "First, the profit-sharing agreement. As it stands, they've structured it so that Devon receives a slightly higher percentage of profits once a certain revenue threshold is met. It's a common clause in these types of contracts, but it's something you might want to negotiate down as I doubt you brought that up in the first negotiation."

Marcus smiled sardonically, "It's a regular little ploy by corporations to slip something like that in. You're the one providing the expertise and the unique Pokemon. Additionally, there's a clause regarding property rights - specifically, the ownership of any new Pokemon evolutions that result from this partnership. As written, Devon would retain full ownership of any discoveries made during the course of the business, even if the initial knowledge came from you - I assume you negotiated some sort of shared profit arrangement, but with this they'd hold all the power in case there were any issues as the literal owners of the information and its products."

Ezra frowned. That was exactly the kind of thing he had been worried about. "How do we fix that?" He'd negotiated the profit share with the idea that he'd still own that percentage.

"We amend the clause to specify that any new Pokemon evolutions or techniques discovered as a result of your initial knowledge will remain split in the percentage you negotiated. Devon can retain the rights to research and production, but the ownership would remain split so they couldn't make unilateral decisions without your input. This way, if the partnership were to dissolve in the future, you'd still retain some control over your discoveries."

Ezra nodded slowly, considering the lawyer's advice. "That sounds like the right move. What else?" He was also somewhat amused that they were calling the Pokemon products - the softer trainer types would flip their lid at that if they heard.

Marcus continued to go through the contract, pointing out various clauses that could be adjusted in Ezra's favor. Some were minor, like tweaking the terms of payment as the cost of trying to slip in the extra clauses, while others were more significant, such as ensuring that Ezra would have a say in any major business decisions like any potential sale of the business in the future. By the time they were finished, Ezra felt much more confident about moving forward with the deal.

"I'll have my secretary draft up the necessary amendments," Marcus said, closing the folder and looking at Ezra with a measured gaze. "Once you've reviewed them and we've made any further changes, I'll send the revised contract to Devon Corp for their review. It's possible they'll push back on some of the points, but that's where negotiation comes in."

Ezra nodded, satisfied with the outcome. "I appreciate your thoroughness, Mr. Marcus. I'd like you to draft that contract to keep you on retainer as well, if that's something you're still open to."

Marcus smiled, the first real honest looking expression he'd shown during their meeting. "I'd be happy to represent you, Ezra. And please, call me Mark."

Mark Marcus?

Ezra stood and shook Mark's hand once more, shaking his head at the man's parents. "Thank you, Mark. I'll look forward to working with you, I intend to have a lot of business for you..."

Just as he was stepping out, he paused, looking back, "Would you be able to point me in the direction of where I could get several Porygons?"

Mark raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Possibly, it wouldn't be easy, you're talking about a newly discovered Pokemon… But for the right price, possibly."

Ezra smiled, and then explained to his lawyer, after making sure to sign the retainer contract - how he intended to use the Porygon to revolutionize the web, bringing social media to Kanto and Johto, describing a mix of twitter and YouTube as the template to the surprised man. To his credit, he immediately saw how that would catch on with all the trainers - especially the younger ones.

As soon as he got a bead on some Porygons he'd let Ezra know, and in the meanwhile he'd study up on the very limited laws that governed the web. Every trainer with a pokedex being able to potentially stream their fights would be huge - let alone the Gyms potentially getting in on it.

The lawyer got a wide shark-like grin on his face as Ezra casually brought up a question - what were the betting laws like? Especially for the online process.

He had a feeling the man would try very hard to find those Porygon.

Of course he'd have to set up a payment system as well, but… That only meant more money for him if he could pull it off. As long as the Porygon could pull off a lot of the work for it, because he definitely couldn't.

With the contract in capable hands, Ezra left the law office and made his way back through the city, his next destination clear in his mind. The Pewter Gym was an iconic landmark, its towering stone facade a testament to the strength and resilience of the trainers who called it home. Flint was still the official Gym Leader, but it wasn't Flint he was going to see.

He wasn't ready to take on the circuit yet.

Ezra had contacted the gym shortly after securing his stable license, putting out feelers to see if any of the trainers there were interested in part-time work. The prospect of working with rare and unknown Pokemon was usually enough to pique the interest of any serious trainer, but Ezra had a particular candidate in mind - Brock. If he could convince Brock to work at his stable, even temporarily, it would be a significant boon.

Someone needed to take care of his Pokemon while he was gone, and he'd prefer to hire someone he knew wasn't likely to screw him or attempt to run off with them. The instinctual fear of Ghost Pokemon some had could be easily worked through, especially once he showed how docile his particular Pokemon were.

The walk to the gym was short, and as Ezra approached, he took a moment to appreciate the building's architecture. The Pewter Gym was constructed from massive slabs of stone, each one meticulously cut and placed to create an imposing structure that seemed to rise organically from the ground. The front entrance was flanked by towering statues of Onix, their serpentine forms coiled in a show of strength and power.

Ezra pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, the cool air of the gym a welcome contrast to the warmth of the day. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with large, open spaces filled with rocky terrain designed for Rock-type battles. Trainers were scattered throughout the gym, some engaged in battles, others focused on training their Pokemon in the rugged environment. The walls were lined with banners and trophies from past victories, showcasing the gym's long history and its reputation as one of Kanto's most respected battle arenas.

Most trainers didn't immediately go for the gym leader, it was the job of the different gym trainers to test and battle newcomers - and teach them. It wasn't odd for a trainer to take a year or two off to be a gym trainer, sharpening their team while learning from the gym leader.

Most people that went far in the conference had taken this route. Some rookie trainer going all the way, or far into the conference, was rare. No matter how good you were by natural instincts or skill alone, the trainers that went up through the gyms first just had more advantages.

Ezra intended to be that one in a million rookie.

Although he definitely also looked forward to one day having gym trainers or his own, not only to share his expertise with at that point, but to continue to showcase how obviously superior Ghost and Dark Pokemon were.

Ezra made his way across the stone floor, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space, until he reached the main training area. A group of younger trainers was clustered around a large boulder, watching as a Geodude practiced its Rock Throw under the guidance of an young, dark-haired man. His broad shoulders and strong build gave him the appearance of someone who had spent his life working with powerful Rock types.

Even from behind, Ezra immediately recognized him as Brock. And wasn't surprised to find that he was helping younger trainers out. He'd always seemed the helpful sort, from what he could remember.

It didn't take long for him to notice Ezra's approach. He turned, wiping sweat from his brow, and offered a friendly smile. "You must be the one who inquired about part-time work," He said, his deep voice carrying easily over the noise of the gym. "I'm Brock. I heard you've got some rare Pokemon that need looking after." An aura of excitement overtook him at that, his smile growing more genuine, "I'm always willing to learn more about Pokemon, especially in taking care of their needs." He said enthusiastically.

Ezra would have asked how he recognized him so quickly… But… Albino, 'nuff said.

Ezra returned the smile although his was not nearly as honest, nodding in confirmation. "That's right. I'm Ezra Kassian. I recently purchased some land outside Pewter, and I'm setting up a stable for my Pokemon, who tend to be of the rarer and harder to find variety. I'm looking for someone willing to help care for them when I'm not around, and I figured a local would work best." He idly looked at the staring young faces, before craning his neck somewhat awkwardly, "Is there anywhere we can talk about it?"

Brock sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, before gesturing for him to follow, quickly making his apologies to the coterie of young trainers. As they walked, Brock gave him a curious squinting look, "Did you run into Karen by any chance?" He asked.

Ezra raised an eyebrow, "What?" Because really, that needed a bit more explanation.

Brock smiled sheepishly, "Ah, I suppose not then. She's a cute girl that hung around Pewter for a few days, she had the biggest crush on you."

Ezra's steps faltered, "What!?" He repeated, because there was some missing piece of information here that would make this all make sense, surely?

Brock frowned, "You don't know what I'm talking about do you?"

Ezra gave him an annoyed look, "What clued you in? My complete lack of comprehension of what you're talking about?"

"Yes, that." Brock said, the sarcasm flying right over his head, "The cutie was all over town and all she could talk about was you, like literally. I tried to flirt with her and she went into a ten minute rant about you." He tilted his head hesitantly, "I mean, it was pretty uncomplimentary, but girls can be like that about their crushes sometimes."

"I've never met this girl in my life." Ezra said flatly. The only one he could think would chase after him to yell at him was from the Orange islands, and was definitely not named Karen.

"She's a pretty big deal." Brock said lowly, as he opened a door into some sort of staff room, currently empty, "She's the apprentice of one of the Elite Four."

Ezra walked in, his mind turning over this new tidbit. He recognized the name Karen now, she'd ended up an Elite Four herself, hadn't she? She had Dark Pokemon, and was apprenticed to Agatha the Ghost Mistress. If she was heavily into dark and ghosts and that scene - perhaps she'd seen some of what he could do in the Orange islands and developed a crush?

He did kind of pull off that aesthetic, even without his Pokemon. And the Albino thing might be a turn on if she was some sort of goth chick.

He couldn't fathom any other reason why she'd be looking for him and chatting with strangers about him. If it was official business they would have just called him or summoned him to the indigo plateau. It wasn't like he could turn down an Elite Four calling for him.

"Huh, and she just left, you said?" He asked Brock, not sure how he felt about a girl he'd never met crushing on him. It was very… Anime.

Brock nodded, "Suddenly took off like she had a herd of zubat on her tail, didn't even say goodbye." His eyes narrowed, which for Brock was quite the feat. "Treat her well, she's a very nice girl." He hesitated a bit again, before finishing lamely, "Underneath the prickly bits." In the following silence, Brock managed to also mumble out, "And wear a cup." Very quietly, wincing in remembered pain.

"I don't even know her." Ezra said, shaking his head, not about to give Brock any promises. "Let's get back to why I'm here, I'm willing to pay very competitive wages for someone to look after my Pokemon, some of which are pretty rare, you were named as someone I could trust." Flattery usually worked on 'normal' people, and Ezra figured it wouldn't hurt.

Brock's eyes lit up with curiosity again, clearly intrigued by the offer. "Rare Pokemon, huh? That's not something you hear every day. What kinds of Pokemon are we talking about?" He said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

Ezra knew that this was the moment that could ruin Brock's interest if he didn't word things carefully. "It's mostly Ghost types and a few Dark Pokemon that I have in my stable, unlike how their reputations are, they are remarkably docile, and could give a lot of experience and information to a young trainer if Pokemon rearing or breeding holds any interest. It's a pretty diverse group, and they require a lot of attention and specialized care."

Brock's expression shifted from curiosity to some trepidation. "Ghost and Dark types, you say? That's definitely unusual, especially in this region. Most trainers around here stick to the basics - Rock, Normal, Bug, the occasional Grass type. I've always been interested in learning about different kinds of Pokemon, especially the ones you don't see every day, but..." He made a hand gesture seemingly lost for words.

Ezra got the gist however. Scary Pokemon.

Ezra tilted his head slightly, studying Brock. "I had been told you needed experience raising Pokemon, that battling wasn't your main passion? I'm willing to pay quite well, enough you could use the money afterwards to perhaps take some courses in breeding or rearing. I simply need someone who can keep an eye on them, make sure they're healthy and happy, and handle any issues that might come up while I'm away. I'm only looking for part-time help, so you wouldn't have to spend all your time there."

Whenever he intended to be gone for long stretches of time, would be the only time he would really need Brock - for short trips for a few days he could just take them all with him and rotate them in and out at a Pokecenter.

He really would rather prefer Brock, but if he was too hesitant, he'd find someone else. Docile his 'mon might be. But they were still Pokemon of their typing, and if Brock walked in terrified, they'd eat him alive.

Not literally. He hoped.

Brock crossed his arms, considering the offer carefully. "I'm… Interested." He said slowly, "Depending on how many hours, pay, and the like. Although I admit I'm not that well read on these particular types." His cheeks pinked a little, "I know a little about Dark Pokemon, studying up on them for a bit when Karen arrived."

Ezra appreciated the directness, Brock wasn't wasting his time at least. He could appreciate that Brock wasn't the type to jump into something without understanding the full picture, and that was exactly what Ezra needed in a caretaker. "I've got a lot on my plate right now," Ezra explained. "I'm working on a few different projects that will take me out of town pretty often. When I'm away for a week or two the odd times, I need someone reliable to take over. I'll pay you full gym trainer wages for only part-time work, and you'll basically work a week or two here and there when I need you, and have the rest of the time off. Paid time off." He reiterated, wanting to seal the deal with his number one pick.

Brock nodded slowly, taking it all in. "I see. Well, I won't lie - I've been looking for something a little different. My dad's the Gym Leader here, and I've got some free time on my hands. Running a stable for rare Pokemon sounds like a great opportunity, especially if it's just part-time for now."

He seemed to think it over, rubbing his chin, before looking at Ezra seriously, "I am willing to give it a shot, but it would probably be best if I meet them first and see if this can even work out."

Ezra had anticipated this. Brock wouldn't want to sign on for something he couldn't do, "Of course," Ezra said. "I wouldn't expect you to agree without seeing the setup first. How about you come by the stable this afternoon? I can introduce you to the team, show you the property, and answer any questions you might have."

Brock smiled, his interest now fully piqued. "Sounds like a plan. I've got a few things to wrap up here at the gym, but I can be over there by mid-afternoon. Just give me the address, and I'll be there."

Ezra pulled out a small notebook and scribbled down the address of his property, tearing off the page and handing it to Brock. "I'll see you then. And Brock - thanks for considering this. It means a lot that you're willing to try something outside of your expertise."

Ezra was going to vomit soon if he had to keep smiling and complimenting people. But Brock was one of those honestly good people that infested the Pokemon world. It would be like kicking a puppy if he was his usual acerbic and snarky self.

Maybe later, when the guy got used to him.

With that, the two parted ways, Brock returning to his duties at the gym while Ezra left with a sense of satisfaction at getting his way, even if he felt that he was increasingly faking things too much. Things were starting to fall into place however. He had a competent lawyer reviewing his contract with Devon Corp and looking into Porygons, and now he had the potential of hiring Brock to help manage his Pokemon when he couldn't be there.

Once he was finished up in Pewter, he'd go find a tournament in Johto again, while pursuing his interests there, and go back to being his snarky lovable self, making fun of idiot trainers. Maybe he could even have a rematch with Shae?

By the time Ezra arrived back at his property, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the land. He took a moment to appreciate the quiet solitude of the place, the way the hedges and stone walls provided a sense of seclusion without feeling closed off. It was the perfect environment for what he had planned - a place where he could focus on training his team and building his business without distractions.

At least until he was ready to ride victorious into Lavender Town and establish his gym.

Ezra spent the next few hours making sure everything was in order for Brock's visit. He checked on the Pokemon, ensuring they were all settled in and comfortable, and made a mental list of the things he wanted to discuss with Brock. It was important to be thorough, to cover all the bases and make sure there were no misunderstandings.

When mid-afternoon arrived, Ezra was waiting at the front gate, keeping an eye out for Brock's arrival. He didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, he saw the figure of Brock approaching, walking up the dirt path with an easy, confident stride. The closer Brock got, the more Ezra could see the genuine excitement in his expression, coupled with the nervousness of someone trying something new for the first time.

Ghosts and Dark Pokemon definitely had a reputation in Kanto.

"Welcome to the stable," Ezra greeted as Brock reached the gate. He opened it and motioned for Brock to follow him inside. "I've set everything up so you can get a good look at the place and meet my Pokemon."

Brock nodded, his eyes already scanning the surroundings with a keen eye. "Thanks, Ezra. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got here, the old owners were pretty isolationist, I don't think anyone ever was allowed inside while they ran the place."

As they walked through the property, Ezra pointed out the various features - the barn where the supplies were stored, the open fields and heavy forests where the Pokemon could roam, and the small pond that provided a natural water source.

He gestured to the barn, "Currently my Dark Pokemon are resting in there, while my Ghosts prefer to haunt the forest. Your main job besides feeding them, would basically be to keep them entertained and active, so they don't get into too much trouble."

Brock nodded, having a notepad and pen out, and to Ezra's bemusement, seemed to be transcribing what he was saying, word for word. "Doesn't sound too impossible." He muttered, "I can make up some games, even simple ones like tag should be interesting with Ghosts in the mix."

"Ready to meet them?" Ezra asked, hiding a smirk.

Brock nodded decisively, "Of course!"

"Say hello to Loki." Ezra drawled, as Brock felt something ghost past his shoulder.

Brock turned his head, coming face to face with the Shuppet, which blew him a raspberry.

He turned back to Ezra, some nervous sweat on his brow, only for Cheshire to be right in his face, giving him a long lick.

"They like you already." Ezra said wryly.

"This isn't too bad." Brock said nervously.

Over the next few hours Brock was run ragged by the Pokemon, but never in a mean way. The mischievousness of his 'mon not able to throw Brock overly much.

The rock type trainer taking it all with aplomb, and handling them with care even as he ensured they didn't go too far.

In the end, he was willing to give it a try, and Ezra was pleased with his capabilities vis-a-vis his 'mon.

So another deal was struck.

That evening, Ezra's stable, Kanto.

The sun was high in the sky over Ezra's secluded plot of land, casting a warm glow across the landscape that was rapidly chilling as they headed towards nighttime. The air was thick with the earthy scent of pine and soil, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. It was a perfect evening for training, and Ezra was determined to make the most of it.

He had his Pokemon divided into two groups, carefully organized based on their types and the specific training they needed. On one side were his Ghost types - lead by his team, with the Sableye, Duskull, Mimikyu, Dreepy and the rest all waiting for his orders.

I can't wait to see Lance's face one day when I take down a Dragonite with Mimikyu… He thought as he smiled at the Pokemon, now wearing a much better looking Pikachu disguise after Ezra picked up some crafts materials.

Lighting wouldn't be a problem tonight either with the Litwicks and Lampents present.

On the other side, he had his Dark types - Murkrow, Houndour and Poochyena, Skuntank, Zorua, and Deino - all of them eagerly awaiting his attention.

Ezra wasn't focused on techniques today. He had trained his team of Pokemon in their moves extensively, and they were already formidable in battle. And he'd get there with the rest of them, but first they needed to go through what his team had already been working on since he got them.

Something deeper, something that could give them an edge beyond what most trainers considered. He was going to help them hone their energy, the very essence of their being that fueled their powers and defined their abilities. It wasn't just about getting stronger; it was about refining that strength, understanding it, and learning to wield it with precision.

He'd already taught his team how to mess around with it, compressing techniques, making them denser. Making them lighter and faster in exchange for less oomph - how to manipulate the energy.

And he must have been doing something right with it, considering how quickly they picked it up - for example how quickly Cubone had both harnessed steel energy and fire energy.

Focusing on the actual power behind the techniques rather than the techniques themselves. They could start throwing Shadow Balls and the like once they knew themselves and the techniques inside and out.

"Alright," Ezra called out, his voice firm but encouraging. "Today, we're not focusing on moves or battles. We're going to dig deeper. I want each of you to connect with your energy, to feel it, understand it, and learn to control it in a way you haven't before. This is going to take patience and focus, but it's going to pay off in the long run." He gestures to Loki, who quickly created a Shadow Ball, the tiny ball a tenth of the size of a normal attack, impossibly dense. "That is what you can learn when you learn how to use every iota of your powers."

Loki sent the Shadow Ball off, and it cracked a tree in half as it hit, the speed greater as well, Loki cheering as he did a little pirouette in the air.

His new Pokemon responded with a mix of determination and curiosity, basking in his aura. He wondered if his aura was helping them understand better, if that's why his team had picked things up so quickly.

Either way, aura or him, it was only to his benefit. His Ghost Pokemon would train with their energy until they ran out of gas, at which point they would come and snack on him, before getting back to it.

Something he'd have to train with at some point, because if he could surreptitiously stretch out his aura to reinvigorate his Pokemon in battle, that would be the ultimate cheat.

For his Dark Pokemon, they'd have a different training regime. A harsher one in a way. But they were exactly the type to take it and come and ask for more. Dark types weren't the kind to lay down and give up.

They were physical where the Ghosts were not, so while also focusing on their energy and learning every bit they could on how to squeeze everything out of it - they would be physically training, some of them for speed, especially the Houndor and Poochyena. And some for strength or stamina.

Ezra sent the Dark types off, having given each of them a short training regime to try earlier in the day. While they began with that, he walked amongst his Ghosts, offering encouragement, utilizing Loki, Chesire, Nyx and Rider as assistants of sorts, to coax the new Pokemon into pulling their energy out without using a technique for it.

Ezra watched them carefully, offering quiet encouragement and adjustments as they worked. This wasn't the kind of training that showed immediate results, but it was the kind that built a strong foundation. By learning to control their energy, his Ghost types would become more efficient in battle, less likely to exhaust themselves, and more capable of precision with their abilities.

He already had an advantage in typing against most, but he didn't want to rest on those laurels. He wanted his Pokemon to be strong enough to tackle even a type disadvantage one day, and fire back something twice as hard.

After ensuring his Ghost types were on track, Ezra turned his attention to his Dark types. Dark energy was a powerful force, often tied to emotions like anger, fear, at least to the general populations ideas of it. But they were not entirely wrong. Ezra would affix it with the moniker of hunger if he had to pick one thing.

It needed to be channeled effectively to avoid becoming wild and strike back against its user. Using Dark energy took a certain mindset, hence why many Pokemon couldn't learn those types of moves.

He walked over to where they were all practicing, speaking softly as he walked amongst them, Nyx following, as his Pokemon with the most experience with Dark energy. "Your energy is all about power and dominance. It's raw and aggressive, but that doesn't mean it can't be controlled. I want you to focus on harnessing that energy, letting it flow through your body while you move. We're going to work on physical exercises to help you connect with it on a deeper level."

As with many things, he was guessing based on what felt right to him, but it seemed to be working so far, so he had no reason to stop. He certainly wasn't going to ask Oak for advice. If Dark energy was like a hunter, hungry and predatory, then he figured sitting still like in meditation like most of his Ghosts practiced theirs - wouldn't work as well.

Murkrow spread its wings wide, the dark feathers shimmering as it prepared to take flight. "Start with flight drills," Ezra instructed. "I want you to focus on maintaining your dark energy while you're in the air. Keep your movements smooth, but don't let that power drop for even a second. Hold onto it, feel it, try to use it to help your flight if you think you can."

Murkrow took to the sky, its wings beating in a steady rhythm. Ezra watched as the Dark type energy pulsed through Murkrows body, he could feel it, his own attunement easily picking it up. The Dark bird Pokemon soared above the training field, banking and diving with practiced ease, all the while struggling with keeping its energy stable. This wasn't about speed or agility - it was about maintaining a constant flow of power, for now.

Meanwhile, the Houndour and Poochyena were focused on speed and endurance. Ezra had set up a series of obstacles for the Dark-types to navigate, each one designed to test their physical limits. "Houndour all of you, Poochyena too. I want you all to push through these obstacles, but I want you to do it while focusing on your dark energy. Let it fuel you, give you the strength to overcome each challenge, let it fill every muscle, every ligament. If you have to take it at a walking pace to get it down, it's fine, we don't need to rush this, learn first, run later."

The Pokemon growled softly in acknowledgment, none of them able to run across the obstacles as it was, all of them struggling to do something that was normally instinctual. Ezra wanted them to learn it, to learn how to harness it. He could feel his own dark energy and knew it always wanted more. Like something that was always hungry. So he wanted the Pokemon to get a hold of that aspect of it, because who knew what the limit was, could their energy start craving more speed? Only one way to find out.

Dreepy and Deino, both young and still growing into their power, were given exercises that focused on coordination and control for now, the two would be in his team going forward for obvious reasons, but he didn't want to push them too hard either. "Dreepy, you're going to work on agility. I want you to float through this course, weaving between the obstacles while maintaining your energy. Don't let it scatter - keep it close, keep it steady."

Dreepy's small, ghostly form darted through the air, moving quickly between the obstacles with a fluid grace. Its energy pulsed rhythmically, and Dreepy focused on keeping that pulse steady, not letting it fluctuate as it maneuvered through the course. It was a test of both agility and energy control, and Dreepy was doing admirably for a first try as it was determined to succeed.

Deino, on the other hand, was focused on power. "Deino, same exercise for now, I want the two of you to partner up, learn together, grow together." He patted its head softly, "You'll both be fearsome dragons together on my team, learn from each other."

Deino growled softly, before setting off, pushing against the obstacle course to catch up to Dreepy's floating form Ezra watched the two of them, content with letting them practice their energies and float/run around for now. They'd grow more rapidly then the others soon enough - as he'd actually use them for battle. Dragapult and Hydreigon were going to be game changers.

He knew that in the Pokemon world, most regular trainers relied on their Pokemon's natural abilities, honing their techniques through practice and battle. But Ezra was looking for something more - an advantage that would set him apart from the others. By helping his Pokemon master their energy, how to cycle it through their bodies, their techniques at perfect output and efficiency, he was ensuring that they would be able to maintain their power throughout a battle, striking with precision and conserving their strength for when it mattered most.

The training continued for hours, the sun slowly dipping toward the horizon as Ezra's Pokemon pushed themselves to their limits. They were tired, but not exhausted, their energies refined and more focused than they had been before, his own aura helping replenish them, which was rapidly tiring him out.

It seemed he had limits as well when it came to the darkness inherent to him.

Finally, as the light began to fade and the shadows grew longer, Ezra called the session to an end. "That's enough for today," He said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "You've all done incredible work. This is just the beginning, but I can already see how much you've improved. We'll keep refining your energy, keep building on this foundation, and soon enough, you'll be unstoppable." His grin was savage as he looked across his Pokemon.

His Pokemon gathered around him, their eyes reflecting the pride and satisfaction they felt from the day's work, their grins were no less savage as they looked up at him. Ezra smiled, reaching out to pat Rider on the head, best boi having immediately sought him out for praise.

He'd dedicate tomorrow to training, then he'd fly off again, leaving Brock to try his hand at his new job for a week as he returned to Johto to explore a tournament or two.

He was looking forward to letting loose again.

A day later, Ezra's stable.

The morning sun had just begun to burn away the mist that clung to the fields surrounding the Pewter stable when Brock heard a firm knock on the front door. He had been busy organizing the supplies Ezra had ordered, the routine of the task keeping him grounded in the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.

The knock at the door felt out of place, as if it carried with it the weight of something significant. He knew no one came by here, so he wondered what it could be? Maybe Karen is back? He thought somewhat optimistically.

Brock wiped his hands on a cloth and headed for the door, curiosity gnawing at him. When he opened it, he found himself staring into the sharp, ice-blue eyes of a woman he recognized instantly - Agatha, the Ghost type master of the Elite Four. Her presence was like a sudden drop in temperature, and the air around her seemed to still, as if nature itself was wary of her.

"Good morning, young man," Agatha said, her voice carrying a chilling edge despite the pleasantry of her words. "I'm looking for Ezra Kassian. Is he here?"

Brock felt a jolt of shock at the sight of her, his mind racing to process why one of the most powerful trainers in Kanto would be standing on the doorstep of a modest stable. "M-Miss Agatha," He stammered, stepping back to let her enter. "Ezra… He left about an hour ago."

Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes, a flicker of resignation that told Brock she had somewhat expected this outcome. "I see," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. "And do you know where he went?"

Brock shook his head, trying to maintain composure in the face of her icy demeanor. "He didn't say."

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts. Agatha's gaze flicked around the interior of the stable entranceway, her eyes missing nothing as she assessed her surroundings. The old Ghost master was known for her formidable power, but it was her sharp mind and even sharper intuition that had earned her a place among legends.

"And why are you here instead of him?" She asked, turning her full attention back to Brock. There was no accusation in her tone, but the question carried an undercurrent of curiosity, as if she was trying to piece together a puzzle.

Brock hesitated, unsure of how much he should reveal. "I'm working here part-time," He admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Ezra needed someone to look after his Pokemon while he's away. I've got experience with that kind of thing - albeit with children and trainers - so it seemed like a good fit."

Agatha's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of interest lighting them. "Is that so?" She murmured, her tone now contemplative. "And these Pokemon… Anything interesting and never seen before hiding amongst them?" She pressed, "I was stuck doing paperwork for the past two days and couldn't arrive sooner, the work of an Elite Four is never done, but I'm here now…"

Brock swallowed, feeling the pressure of her gaze. "I'm not sure what you've heard, Miss Agatha, but Ezra's Pokemon are… Unique, yes." He shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "But I can't just show them to anyone. Ezra left me in charge, and he trusts me to look after them properly." His jaw set, as he straightened his back, meeting the Elite Four's eyes.

Agatha's lips thinned into a line, her patience visibly fraying. "Surely you understand that I'm not 'just anyone,' young man. My interest in Ezra's Pokemon is… Professional. I won't harm them, nor will I do anything untoward. I simply wish to see what he's been working with."

But Brock stood firm, despite the chill that seemed to seep from Agatha's very presence. He respected Ezra's wishes, and had accepted payment to work for him - there was no way he would betray that trust - not even for an Elite Four member. She could call Ezra himself. "I'm sorry, Miss Agatha," He said, trying to sound as respectful as possible. "But I really can't do that. Ezra was clear about who could interact with his Pokemon, and right now, that's just him and me."

For a moment, it looked like Agatha might press the issue. Her eyes flashed with something dark, a glimpse of the power she wielded, but then she let out a long, slow breath, the tension easing from her shoulders. She nodded, more to herself than to Brock, and the chill in the air seemed to lift slightly.

"Very well," She said, her voice chilly. "You're a loyal young man, Brock. That's a good quality, though not always a wise one. But you're right - this isn't the time or place to press the issue. I'll see those Pokemon soon enough, once I have Ezra where he belongs."

Brock didn't quite know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded, hoping the conversation was at an end. The sooner Agatha left, the sooner he could return to the relative calm of his work. He had a feeling he had the fact he was Flint's son to thank for the Elite Four member not pushing further.

Had Ezra thought of that? Is that why he was hired?

Agatha glanced around the stable entrance way once more, her expression inscrutable. "I won't bother you any longer, then. But do let Ezra know that I'm looking forward to seeing him. Sooner, rather than later."

With that, she turned and made her way out of the stable, her presence leaving a lingering chill in the air even after she had gone. Brock watched her go, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over him. He knew that dealing with someone like Agatha was far beyond what he had signed up for, and he could only hope that Ezra knew what he was doing.

As Agatha disappeared from view, Brock let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The stable felt warmer already, the oppressive weight of her presence finally lifting. He couldn't help but wonder what it was about Ezra that had drawn the attention of such a formidable figure.

He put it down to a Ghost trainer being interested in one of its kind.

Thankful that the situation was over, and that he'd receive no more scary visitors.

Dealing with the Elite Four hadn't been in the job description…