The quiet hum of Lumora City’s evening life wrapped around Isabelle as she walked home, the glow of streetlights reflecting off the pavement like muted stars. Her steps were unhurried, though her mind raced. The Glow Dome had been a whirlwind of sound, lights, and emotions, leaving her social battery thoroughly drained. She tugged her bag closer, taking in the calmer streets of Starlight Heights with a deep breath.

  Her internal monologue bubbled to the surface, as it always did when she was alone. Well, that was a hell of a day. First, Amélie drags me through the Neon District, then Milo surprises me by actually being kinda cool, and now Veyron Lux? Seriously? That guy’s like a walking enigma wrapped in a power suit. And don’t even get me started on Colby Ferris. She smirked faintly. “Kerplunk” should be illegal to say in public.

  The thought made her chuckle under her breath, but her mood sobered quickly. Why do I even care? It’s not like any of this has anything to do with me. I’m just some… Professional Flopper, remember? This whole Trainer thing—it’s so far removed from my life, it’s laughable. Yet, deep down, something stirred—a tiny spark, almost imperceptible. It wasn’t a call to action, not yet, but the seed of a question: What if?

  She glanced at the shops and cafes she passed, most of them closed for the evening. The streets of Starlight Heights were quieter than the Neon District’s dazzling chaos, their charm understated in comparison. A bakery’s warm light spilled onto the cobblestones, the faint smell of fresh bread wafting into the air. A few locals gathered outside a nearby café, their attention fixed on a small television inside the window.

  The screen flickered, displaying a news anchor seated in front of a League-themed backdrop. Isabelle caught snippets of the broadcast as she passed, her gaze lingering briefly on the glowing screen.

  “—Hayashi Corporation’s latest collaboration with Silph Co. and Devon Corp. has sparked debate across regions. The new research initiative, aimed at enhancing Mega Evolution accessibility, promises unprecedented advancements for Trainers—”

  “Yeah, for the ones who can afford it,” someone muttered from the group, earning a few nods. Another man crossed his arms, shaking his head. “And here I thought Trainer supplies couldn’t get any pricier.”

  The scene faded into the background as Isabelle kept walking, their voices blending into the ambient noise of the city. The soft rumble of a train passing in the distance, the faint chirp of a nearby Kricketune, the hum of Lumora as it settled into its evening rhythm—it all felt oddly soothing. Yet Isabelle barely noticed. She was too busy arguing with herself.

  “Talking to yourself again,” she muttered, her voice low enough to get lost in the shuffle of street sounds. “Fantastic. Normal people just think their thoughts, but no, I have to narrate mine like I’m in some weird drama.”

  A couple of passersby glanced her way, but she didn’t care. At this point, self-awareness was more of a spectator sport than a deterrent.

  Her VireBand vibrated softly against her wrist. Isabelle glanced down to see the familiar name flashing across the screen: émile Moreau. She sighed, tapping the device to accept the call.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said, her voice lighter than she felt.

  “Bonsoir, Isabelle,” émile replied, his tone warm but tinged with gentle concern. “Where are you? It’s getting late.”

  “I’m almost home,” she assured him. “Just… took the scenic route.”

  “You’ve been taking the scenic route all day, haven’t you?” he teased, the sound of clattering dishes faintly audible in the background. “Dinner’s nearly ready. Nothing fancy, just your favorite pasta.”

  Her stomach growled on cue, betraying her resolve to sound nonchalant. “Thanks. I’ll be there soon.”

  He chuckled softly. “Take your time, but not too much. Azzy’s been restless without you.”

  Isabelle smiled despite herself. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

  The call ended, and Isabelle let her arm drop to her side, her pace quickening slightly. Her father’s calm, steady presence was the grounding she needed after a day like today. But even as she focused on getting home, her thoughts strayed back to the Glow Dome, to Veyron Lux and his effortless command of the battlefield.

  Why does he bother me so much? she wondered. He’s just a guy with good Pokémon, right? There’s nothing special about him. Except for the fact that he’s cooler than anyone has any right to be. And why do I care about that?

  Her feet carried her forward as her thoughts tangled themselves into knots. By the time she reached the quiet street where her apartment building stood, she was too mentally exhausted to untangle them. All she wanted now was to slip into her room, let Azzy bounce around for a while, and pretend she didn’t feel a strange pull toward a world she wasn’t sure she belonged in.

  But that tiny spark lingered, glowing faintly in the back of her mind. What if?

  As Isabelle stepped into the apartment, the familiar scent of garlic and olive oil greeted her, wafting from the kitchen where émile was fussing over a pot on the stove. The cozy warmth of home wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, instantly taking the edge off the day’s chaos. Azzy squeaked happily from her perch on the couch, her tail bouncing like a spring as Isabelle leaned down to scoop her up.

  “Hey, Missy,” Isabelle said, pressing a kiss to Azzy’s round head. “Miss me? I bet you’ve just been causing trouble while I was out, huh?”

  Azzy chirped in response, nuzzling into Isabelle’s cheek. Isabelle carried her into the living room, dropping onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. She glanced at her father, who was stirring something vigorously in the pot, a faint look of concentration on his face. His sleeves were rolled up, and there was a streak of sauce on his cheek.

  émile caught her glance and smirked. “Late night, I see. How many adventures did you fit into one school day?”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Isabelle snorted, setting Azzy down in her lap. “More than I planned for, that’s for sure. School was... fine, I guess. No major disasters. Yet.”

  “Yet?” he asked, chuckling.

  “Well,” she began, “there was this girl, Amélie. She decided it was her personal mission to make me see every inch of Lumora City after school. So now, apparently, I’ve been inducted into the unofficial Lumora sightseeing tour.”

  émile raised an eyebrow, abandoning the pot momentarily to lean on the counter. “And you survived?”

  “Barely,” Isabelle said with a groan. “She’s a force of nature. Dragged me through the Neon District, then to the Glow Dome. You ever been there?”

  Her father’s face lit up slightly. “The Glow Dome? It’s been years. Your mom and I went to a battle there once, back when we were first living in Verdantia. How’d you like it?”

  Isabelle stopped mid-step on her way to the table, her hand tightening on the back of the chair. The word hung in the air like a Voltorb ready to explode.

  Her mother.

  The memories came unbidden—the sound of a suitcase zipper echoing through the quiet house, her mother’s too-bright smile as she smoothed down her neatly packed clothes, the lingering scent of her perfume in the doorway long after she’d gone.

  “I—” Isabelle started, her voice tight. She cleared her throat and forced her hand to release its grip on the chair. “I liked it,” she said quickly, brushing past the mention of her mother like it hadn’t clawed at her insides. “The Glow Dome, I mean. It was overwhelming, but… cool. Definitely a lot louder than anything we ever had in Verdantia.”

  émile turned to her, his expression softening as he picked up on the shift in her tone. “It’s a big place. Not everyone takes to it right away.” He hesitated, watching her carefully. “You sure you’re alright?”

  Isabelle busied herself by pulling out the chair and sitting down, keeping her eyes fixed on Azzy, who had scampered up onto her lap. “Yeah,” she said, scratching Azzy’s head for distraction. “It was fine. Amélie was a good guide. It’s just… a lot to take in.”

  émile nodded slowly, but Isabelle could feel his gaze linger, heavy with unspoken words. She bit her lip, keeping her own locked away.

  The silence stretched for a moment before émile shifted the topic, his tone lighter. “Well, sounds like you had quite the adventure. Dinner’s almost ready, by the way. You’re probably starving after a day like that.”

  Isabelle nodded, grateful for the change in subject, but the mention of her mother still lingered in the room like an unwelcome shadow. She buried her thoughts, focusing instead on Azzy’s warm, comforting weight in her lap.

  The dining table was modestly set, émile placing two steaming plates of pasta onto it with a small flourish. “Et voilà,” he said with a grin. “Nothing fancy, but it should do the job.”

  Isabelle sat down, Azzy perched on the seat beside her with her tail wagging furiously. The sight of the little Pokémon trying to balance herself on the chair brought a small smile to Isabelle’s face, momentarily easing the tension from earlier.

  As she twirled the pasta onto her fork, the familiar warmth of the meal spread through her senses. It wasn’t perfect—the sauce was a bit watery, and the noodles slightly overcooked—but it tasted like home. The thought made her chest tighten, but she pushed it down, focusing on Azzy, who was now pawing at the table in search of her own bite.

  “Azzy, no,” Isabelle said sternly, pushing her Pokémon back gently. “You’re making a mess.”

  Azzy chirped defiantly and batted at a stray noodle that had fallen onto the table. It flung across the surface and landed unceremoniously on émile’s arm.

  émile laughed, wiping it off with a napkin. “She’s got a rebellious streak, doesn’t she?”

  “She’s incorrigible,” Isabelle muttered, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. She reached for Azzy’s small dish, setting it in front of her. “Here, behave and eat this. No more noodle slinging.”

  Azzy squeaked happily and dove into her food, sending bits flying in every direction. émile chuckled again, shaking his head. “She’s got energy, I’ll give her that. Reminds me of someone else I know.”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes but didn’t reply, focusing instead on her plate.

  Midway through the meal, émile cleared his throat. “So, speaking of energy—Virelia Energy Solutions is hosting a demonstration next week. My team at VireTech has been working with them on some sustainable energy projects. It’s going to be a big event. Professor Ardene will be there, too.”

  Isabelle perked up slightly, her fork paused in midair. “Professor Ardene? Like… the Professor Ardene?”

  émile nodded. “The one and only. She’s a big supporter of young Trainers and an advocate for Pokémon integration into everyday life. I think you’d enjoy it.”

  “Yeah,” Isabelle said, surprising even herself with how quickly the word came out. She cleared her throat, attempting to sound nonchalant. “I mean, it sounds interesting.”

  émile smiled, clearly pleased but not wanting to push his luck. “Good. It’ll be a chance to see some fascinating tech—and maybe talk to the Professor about any plans you’re considering.”

  At that, Isabelle’s stomach twisted. “Plans,” she echoed flatly, as if the word itself was bitter. “You mean, like… becoming a Trainer? Joining the Circuit?” She shook her head, shoving a piece of pasta into her mouth to avoid saying more.

  émile leaned back slightly, his expression softening. “I mean any plans, Isabelle. Not everyone needs to be a Trainer or work in tech. But you’re at an age where exploring your options is important. You might surprise yourself.”

  “Yeah, well,” Isabelle said around her fork. “My options seem pretty limited. Corporate ladder climbing like you? No thanks. Becoming Milo 2.0 and nerding out over statistics? Also no thanks.” She gestured vaguely with her fork. “I don’t even know what I want.”

  émile studied her for a moment before leaning forward. “And that’s okay. But not trying? That’s a decision too, Izzy. Just… think about it. The demonstration could be a good start. Even if you don’t figure everything out right away, meeting people like Ardene might give you some ideas.”

  Isabelle didn’t reply immediately, chewing her food slowly. She glanced at Azzy, who was now licking sauce off her paws and leaving little smudges on the table. “Yeah, maybe,” she muttered finally.

  After dinner, Isabelle took the dishes to the sink, rolling up her sleeves as Azzy bounced at her heels. She ran the water, letting the soothing rhythm of the faucet calm her thoughts. Azzy joined in, blowing bubbles with her tail that floated around the kitchen like tiny, sparkling balloons.

  “Azzy, I don’t think soap bubbles are supposed to be part of the dishwashing process,” Isabelle said, though she couldn’t help but smile as one of the bubbles landed on her nose.

  Azzy chirped proudly, her tail swishing.

  “Alright, fine,” Isabelle said with a laugh. “You can help. Just… don’t make a bigger mess, okay?”

  Once the dishes were done, Isabelle dried her hands and made her way back to the living room, where émile was tidying up. She hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside him, her hands folded tightly in her lap.

  “Dad,” she started, her voice quieter now. “About earlier… about Mom.”

  émile looked up, his expression carefully neutral. “What about her?”

  “I just—” Isabelle swallowed, the words thick in her throat. “I hate her. I hate that she just… left. And I hate that you can even talk about her like she’s some fond memory. She’s not.”

  “Isabelle—”

  "C'est une salope," Isabelle spat, the French equivalent slipping out in her frustration.

  “Isabelle.” émile’s tone was sharper this time, his brows furrowing.

  Isabelle recoiled slightly, her cheeks flushing. She muttered something under her breath and stood abruptly. “I’m going to bed.”

  émile sighed but didn’t stop her, watching as she retreated to her room with Azzy trailing behind.

  Azzy: Bubble, Tail Whip, Bubblebeam, Bounce

  Click at your own discretion for info about Isabelle's relationship with her mother: