" Uh.... Mia?" Someone asked

I moaned something and turned over in my bed. " Five more minutes mommy."

" Is she okay?" Someone else asked.

" Are you sure she's champion?" A third asked.

" Believe it or not yes." A forth said.

I felt someone put their hands under my and made me stand up, gripping onto my hand.

" Mmm, coming mom." I mumbled.

The person pulled me forward with their really thin hand- wait was that even a hand?- and to a wall.

" Ow." I muttered.

" Saur...."



" I'm awake, I'm awake " I yawned as I stepped out of the bathroom.

" Saur Ivysaur."

" Though this doesn't look like my room, Bulby."

Then I turned forward, stopped in my steps, and let a blood curling scream.

" WHY ARE THERE GYM LEADERS IN MY ROOOOOOOOOOOOM?!"

" Pika pi!"

I turned to Pikachu. " What do you mean this isn't my room?!"

Brock cleared his throat. " Well, Mia, you see.... You're actually in my gym."

I blinked. " Then what are the others doing here?"

Erica laughed softly. " We're here for the meeting."

I blinked. " Uh huh. A meeting. Right."

" Char, Charmander!"

I raised a brow at my first type lizard. " Okay, so I slept walk all the way here. How was I able to-" I scrolled when I felt the jingle in my pockets

Realization dawned upon me. " Oh."

Blue crossed his arms. " Are you done or can we continue with our meeting?"

I rolled my eyes. " Yeah yeah. You try-"

I tripped over my own feet, yelping as I went stumbling back.

" Yeesh what's with me these days?* I muttered.

Misty helped me up. " Well, coincidentally, we came here to discuss your... Habitats."

" What habits?"

" The habits you acquired after becoming... Champion."

I blinked. " So?"

Lieutenant Surge cleared his throat. " Well, young miss, it so happens the other day we found out you were taking pills.".

I shrugged. " Yeah, so? Becoming champion is difficult, realize it or not."

" Squirtle!"

I looked at Squirtle. " Get down from there, you!"

" Squirtle...."

I groaned. " Okay okay stay where you are. I'm coming."

" Saur."

I turned to Bulby. " Yes?"

He pointed to my nose

" I can smell just fine, thank you."

Koga shook his head. " He means you started to scrunch your nose up too."

" I've always done that."

I walked to the rock wall and looked at Squirtle. " Don't move, okay?" I called.

" Squirtle!"

I turned to Pikachu. " Stay down here, okay?"

" Chu!"

I gripped the walls. " Okay let's do this!"

I carefully climbed... And climbed... And climbed...

When I finally reached Squirtle I held his Pokeball up. " Squirtle return now!*

When Squirtle was sucked back in I realized I had lost my footing.

And I went falling down.

" IVYSAUR GET OUT OF THE WAAAAAAY!" I screamed. " GO!"

" Saur?"

" I'LL BE FINE JUST MOVE!"

Ivysaur moves just as I hit the ground on my back. " Ow...."

Pikachu came running. " Pika Pika piiiii?!"

I sat up and pet Pikachu. " Oh I'm fine."

Then I looked at the gym leaders. " Okay end of discussion. My habits are mine to deal with. This meeting is concluded. Good day!"

" Wait, hold on a-"

I turned sharply. " I said good day. May I remind you I beat every single one of you? Thank you. Now bye."

I walked out bristly, my Pokemon following.

" Hmph. Habits. I can have habits if I want thank you."

" Saur."

I sighed. " Yeah maybe you're right..but they were being annoying. I had nothing else to do. What did you want me to do, tell them I surrendered? Make them champion? No thanks. I beat them and it took hard work for me to become of this status. I don't want to put my seat on the line, no thank you."

As I walked out of the gym with my Pokémon trailing behind me, I couldn’t shake the irritation bubbling up inside me.

"Habits," I muttered under my breath. "They're just jealous they didn't think of popping a few pills to stay on top."

Pikachu hopped onto my shoulder, nudging my cheek. "Pika pika."

I sighed, rubbing Pikachu's head. "Yeah, yeah, I know. They're just worried or whatever, but it’s not like I’m hurting anyone."

Ivysaur glanced up at me, giving me a stern look. "Saur."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, fine! Maybe falling off a rock wall wasn’t my best moment, but who asked them to butt in?"

As I stomped through the streets of Pewter City, trainers and bystanders waved and called out to me. Some even pointed, whispering, "That’s the champion!"

I ignored them, too grumpy to play the part of the role model today. My Pokémon, however, basked in the attention. Squirtle gave an exaggerated wave from his Pokéball, even though no one could see him.

"Show-off," I muttered, cracking a small smile despite myself.

Just as I was about to reach the outskirts of the city, a familiar voice called out, "Mia!"

I groaned and turned to see Brock jogging after me, Erika and Misty close behind. I crossed my arms. "What now? Are you here to tell me I chew my food too loud?"

Brock frowned, shaking his head. "No, but we are here to say you need to listen to us. We’re not trying to take your title away, Mia."

"Could’ve fooled me," I muttered.

Erika stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Mia, we’re worried. Not just about the pills, but everything. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard."

Misty chimed in, her hands on her hips. "You’re not invincible, you know! Climbing that wall today? Falling off? You could’ve really hurt yourself!"

I threw up my hands. "So what? I’m supposed to sit in my room all day and do nothing because I’m ‘champion’? That’s boring! I didn’t sign up for this so I could sit on a throne and twiddle my thumbs."

Brock sighed, rubbing his temples. "We’re not saying that, but you need balance, Mia. Even champions need rest."

Pikachu jumped off my shoulder, standing in front of me with a determined "Pika!"

I frowned. "Et tu, Pikachu?"

The gym leaders exchanged knowing looks, and for a moment, I felt like a child being lectured by my parents.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "I’ll... try to take it easy. Happy?"

Brock nodded. "That’s all we’re asking."

As they turned to leave, I muttered under my breath, "But I’m still the champion. Don’t forget it."

Misty smirked over her shoulder. "We won’t. Trust me, you remind us every chance you get."

As I watched them walk away, I looked down at Pikachu and Ivysaur. "Okay, maybe they have a point. But don’t tell them I said that."

"Pika," Pikachu replied, smirking.

"Great," I muttered. "Even my Pokémon are ganging up on me."