The dream was full of galloping Gogoats in sparkly capes and a pink Blastoise with a tiara, who was best friends with a giant talking Slurpuff named Sir Bubbles. They were just about to be knighted by a Pokémon princess riding a unicorn, or rather Galarian Rapidash when something very real and very furry pounced onto the bed.
"Lunaaa, stop!" Monika whined as the Liepard's velvet-smooth paws landed squarely on her chest, forcing the air out of her in an annoyed squeak.
Luna, her mother's Liepard and self-declared queen of the household, let out a low, amused purr and flicked her tail right in Monika's face. The mischievous Pokémon kneaded at the blanket with delight, clearly enjoying herself as Monika groaned and tried to bury herself back under the covers.
"Nooo… it's Saturday," Monika muttered, voice muffled by her pillow.
A second later, Rachel's voice rang from somewhere in the house with the full volume of a battle announcer.
"It's a special Saturday, which means getting-up business and getting ready to travel, baby!"
"But I wanna sleep!" the girl replied and dug herself deeper between the bedsheets.
"Monikaaa, get your lazy behind out of bed before I tell Luna to start licking your face!"
Too late. Liepard, seizing the cue, did exactly that.
Monika yelped and sat up at last, disheveled, blinking, and squinting at the moonlight pouring through the curtains.
"This is illegal," she grumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"It should be illegal."
She shuffled out of her room in her oversized Pyukumuku-print pajamas, dragging her feet like a Slowpoke. The hallway was a minefield of last-minute packing chaos. Rachel's duffel bag was unzipped and overflowing with folded clothes, several pair of shoes, hairbrushes, and Pokéballs.
As Monika turned the corner toward the kitchen, she promptly tripped over something soft and slightly sticky.
"Ow—!"
Slurpuff looked up from the floor with a proud little grin, its frosting-like tufts wobbling as if to say, 'You should've watched your step.'
"Seriously? Mom!" Monika called as she picked herself up, brushing crumbs off her pajama leg. "Slurpuff's blocking the hallway again!"
"You know that it's his pre-breakfast meditation spot," Rachel called back, clearly mid-rummage.
"Don't question our frosting guru!"
The kitchen was already warm with the scent of toast and strong black coffee. Frank sat at the table, already dressed in a shirt with emblem of his favorite metal band, his coffee cup half-drained and a folded map of Pragengrad spread out in front of him.
"Good morning, sleepy Slowbro," he said without looking up, smirking.
Monika did not answer, only growled something about sleep.
"I thought I heard a thud. Let me guess—Slurpuff?"
The girl flopped into her seat with the grace of a Jigglypuff melting in the sun.
"This is the worst Saturday."
Her father chuckled and passed her a buttered toast.
"Come on, you'll live. Capital city, fancy tall buildings, tons of tourists and overpriced ice cream... what's not to love?"
Monika glared at him between bites.
"We're not even the ones going straight to the castle. Why do we have to go?" she asked.
Frank leaned back, sipping from his mug.
"Because your cousin Jake, his parents and grand-parents are officially meeting the royal family. We'll be there in the crowd for support. Plus, the capital has a lot of places we can visit, like the national museum. There is a toy exhibition there. Or one wing with a fossils from all over the world."
Monika perked up, just a little.
"Toys? Can I touch stuff?"
"Only if you want a lecture from your mom and a lifetime ban from the capital," Rachel chimed in, entering with a packed bag slung over one shoulder and her ever-present sass.
"Frank, where's your ID?"
Frank checked his shirt pocket, then patted his pants.
"No idea. Did you check Dwayne's rock pile?"
"I'm not digging through Gigalith poop again. You're on your own."
Monika snorted into her toast.
As they ate, Frank set aside his coffee and opened his travel pouch, laying out six Pokéballs in a practiced line.
"Alright… Donald, Deena, Dwayne, Goofy, Girafarig, and Spikey. That should be enough."
Monika leaned closer, wide-eyed.
"You're bringing so many?"
Frank shrugged.
"Never hurts to be prepared. We don't know who we'll run into in Pragengrad. Could be fancy nobles or undercover poachers."
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"We're not storming a fortress, Frank. You're just going to the city with your wife and daughter. I'm taking Luna, Patrick, and Venom."
She tossed her Pokéballs into her travel pouch with practiced flair.
"Three's enough. We'll be surrounded by police officials, royal guards, and two Lindenberg trainers who carry more badges than common sense."
Frank raised an eyebrow and joked.
"You sure? What if someone recognizes our special Nurse Joy from Battle Ranch?"
"Then I'll let Venom handle the autograph requests," Rachel winked and Toxtricity's Pokéball shook a little.
"Now quit fussing and tell me if you've seen my necklace. The one that doesn't make me look like a Magikarp with a pearl choker."
"Maybe in the bathroom?" Frank guessed.
"Been there, but no luck... But I haven't checked the cabinet over the mirror..."
As Rachel dashed off, muttering about accessories and checking under couch cushions on the way, Monika slumped against her dad, mouth full of toast.
"Do we have to teleport there? I feel dizzy and sick from that."
Frank grinned.
"Better than flying. The options were: plane from Iglaustadt to Pragengrad, or the Teleport Hub. Guess which one was picked?"
Monika didn't even need to guess.
"The one that's faster and lets mom and aunt Eva show off their outfits."
"Bingo. And just imagine, if we flew, you would have to get up like three hours ago."
"Brrr... Sound like hell," Monika shivered at the idea of getting out of bed even earlier.
Her dad ruffled her hair, and she groaned but didn't move away.
"You know, the Lindenbergs have to be at the castle early," Frank added.
"Lots of protocol to learn. Who bows when. What to call the king. How not to sneeze on a royal Drampa."
Monika smirked.
"Jake's totally going to mess that up."
"Probably. But they'll all look good doing it."
Just then, Rachel returned with a fashion scarf draped around her neck, her travelling bag finally zipped.
"Alright, pack's ready. Clothes, papers, emergency snacks, and two backup combs in case Monika's bangs rebel."
"I hate my bangs," Monika muttered.
"They have character," Rachel replied, kissing her daughter's forehead.
"Like your mother."
Frank checked the wall clock. "Girafarig, we good to go?"
The tall Pokémon peeked in from the hallway, its tail-head flicking alertly. It gave a short whinny of confirmation, ready to teleport.
Monika stood up, finally energized. "Are the Lindenbergs already waiting?"
Frank nodded.
"We'll meet them at the grand villa. Then one big jump to Iglaustadt. From there, the special psychic handlers will take over and teleport all of us to the capital."
Monika grinned, brushing crumbs off her clothes.
"I bet Jake's still as sleepy as me."
"Good," Rachel said. "At least you won't be the only one yawning."
Liepard twitched her whiskers, purred and rubber herself against Rachel's side.
"Okay, Luna. You come here," Rachel recalled the Pokémon to its Pokéball.
"Everyone ready? House is locked? Stove is off? No water is running?"
Frank looked around at his wife and daughter. When both of them nodded, he snapped his finger and motioned for his Pokémon to come closer.
Girafarig stepped forward, its psychic energy already beginning to shimmer faintly around its hooves. The air around them pulsed as reality bent like heat waves.
The family grabbed their bags and stepped into position, with Monika holding tightly to her dad's hand and casting one last look at their cozy kitchen.
Next stop: the world of kings and dragons.
And maybe, if she was lucky, that tiara-wearing Blastoise could show up, too.
The morning air around the Lindenberg villa was still cool and crisp when the quiet shimmer of psychic energy pulsed on the gravel courtyard. With a gentle flash, the Procházka family appeared—Frank, Rachel, and Monika, flanked by Frank's Girafarig, who looked distinctly displeased about the group-size teleport.
The first thing Monika noticed wasn't the sunlight bouncing off the villa's elegant, ivy-draped façade, nor the scent of trimmed hedges and lavender in bloom—but her cousin.
Jake stood at the front steps, dressed in a navy-blue kid-sized suit, his blond hair slicked back awkwardly, his tiny black tie tugged slightly crooked. His expression was a mixture of embarrassment and sleepy resignation. Beside him were his father, David—also suited up but fidgeting with his sleeves—and his grandfather, Joe, upright and stoic in a darker, military-cut ensemble that made him look like he'd just stepped out of a historical drama. Their wives Eva and Anna stood beside them in flowing black formal gowns.
Monika snorted with laughter.
"Jake, you look like a baby banker."
Rachel let out a cackle. "Hello everyone! Wow, you all look like you're off to a funeral."
Anna arched a single eyebrow. "Well, at least once in a lifetime, I get to see my husband, son, and grandson dressed like civilized humans."
"Do you plan on keeping those penguin suits on all weekend?" Rachel teased again.
David groaned, adjusting his cufflinks. "Mew forbid. But we can't just show up at the castle in cargo pants."
"We brought bags with normal clothes," Anna added, gesturing at a sleek black suitcase by the door.
Frank sidled up to his sister and gave her a thumbs-up. "Nice dress, Professor Bug. Did your Durant pick it out for you?"
Eva rolled her eyes so hard it nearly dislodged her earrings. "Shut up, moron."
Monika mimicked the same dramatic gesture, then gave Jake a playful glare and pointed to his tie before mimicking hanging on a noose with her own hands. Jake just sighed and mumbled something about betrayal.
"Alright, alright, enough fashion critique," Joe said gruffly, checking his watch. "We've got a teleport reservation at 7:30. Time to move."
Girafarig snorted softly and gave an annoyed flick of its tail. Joe, seeing the Pokémon's hesitation at teleporting so many people again, called out a Pokéball. With a shimmer of white light, an Oranguru appeared, calm and stately, brushing its white fur as it levitated in front of the group of humans.
Between the two Pokémon, a web of psychic energy wove through the group. With practiced ease, the eight of them—Jake, Monika, Frank, Rachel, Eva, David, Joe, and Anna—vanished from the villa, replaced by a quiet rustle of leaves disturbed by displaced air.
They reappeared on polished tiles, surrounded by the low hum of human voices, rustling fabric, and distant Pokémon cries. The Teleportation Centre of Iglaustadt buzzed with life. The scent of roasted coffee mingled with the clean tang of disinfectant. Bright advertisements flickered above each teleportation "box," each marked by glowing numbers and light strips that pulsed red for standby and green for ready.
It looked like a mix between a train station and an airport terminal—but instead of rails or tarmacs, there were reinforced teleport pads and service booths where Psychic-type Pokémon and their human partners – employees of the Teleportation Guild coordinated departures.
The group gathered near Box 53, where a glowing red strip indicated their teleporter had yet to arrive. Above the booth, a digital sign ticked down the minutes.
"We've got about twenty minutes," David observed, checking the schedule.
"I'm getting something sweet before I'm forced to swim through waves of tourists," Rachel declared. She grabbed Jake and Monika's hands. "Come with me, hobitses. Let's find some sugar."
Jake grinned, brightening up for the first time that morning. Monika followed with a muttered, "As long as they have donuts..."
As the kids were whisked away, Anna and Eva sank into a nearby table at a coffee kiosk with an open parasol.
"You alright in that, Annie?" Eva asked her mother-in-law, tugging at the stiff fabric of her formal dress. "I feel like a wrapped parcel. Or a walking potato sack."
Anna smirked. "It suits you. Gives you a serious, dignified look."
Eva snorted. "Says the woman who made me try on six different gowns yesterday."
"I was helping," Anna said with mock innocence. "You should've seen the first one you picked. You looked like a Zubat with shoulder pads."
They both laughed, the tension bleeding from their shoulders.
Meanwhile, Frank joined Joe and David near a vending stand selling sandwiches and sodas.
"Everything set for the weekend?" Frank asked, reaching into his jacket and counting Pokéballs. "I brought full six team. Hopefully, I won't have to use them at all."
Joe nodded. "I left Arbok, Clodsire, and Hitmonchan with Angie. Togekiss, Braviary, and Exploud are with Jerry. And Crawdaunt is with Bran."
Frank raised an eyebrow grinning. "You trust Jerry Hunter to return them?"
David snorted and Joe laughed.
"You think we're gonna have problems this weekend?" Frank asked, the teasing gone from his voice.
Joe exchanged look with his son before replying. "I contacted the gym leader and told him that we will be away this weekend. Also both Jerry and Angie know everything they should know."
"And I think the Sleepers are after me and the family. Not the property," David added.
Frank nodded slowly. "Then let's hope no poachers or similar assholes try anything stupid."
"There are enough senior trainers on the Ranch to hold the line," Joe added. "They know what to do."
"You're right, dad..." David rubbed the back of his neck, visibly tense.
"If everything's in place... let's enjoy the capital for once."
Frank cracked a grin. "You guys are up for a morning drink?"
Joe laughed while David blinked. "You're serious? I don't think meeting the king while drunk is the best idea."
Frank motioned toward a liquor store tucked between two coffee kiosks and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not meeting anybody. I can afford a little buzz."
Joe laughed. "Maybe Frank's up to something. Some liquid courage could help."
"I don't know. I've never been received by a king. Have you?" David replied.
"No, never. But I was told, most of the talking will be done by Radim, so we shall just stand there. Then the king or some speaking person should thank us for helping prince Charles and that should be it. We leave the place and can enjoy the capital."
"Yeah, but what about me joining the royal guards? And you and the limit on the Battle Frontier battles?" David frowned.
Joe shrugged his shoulders, "I told Radim everything and he promised to deliver it accordingly."
David raised an eyebrow at the strange wording.
"His words, not mine..." Joe grinned.
Then they were interrupted by Jake who came running with hands full of donuts and offered them some. And then Eva came running and started cleaning Jake's face and hands from the chocolate so he would not get his borrowed suit dirty.
"This is going to be one interesting day," she commented after succesfully cleaned her son's cheeks from chocolate and stood back up.
Meanwhile Frank returned with a beer can already cracked open.
Anna intercepted him with a gleam in her eye. "What have you got there?"
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Want a sip?"
"Gimme a full one." Anna took an unopened can and clinked it against his before taking a swig.
David, glancing over, rolled his eyes, "Mom! Really?"
"I need this more than anyone," Anna said coolly, as if she were discussing the weather. Then she winked at her grandson Jake, who started giggling.
At 7:26, the glowing strip around Box 53 switched from red to green. A soft whoosh of energy came from the other side of the glass as a middle-aged man in a tan uniform stepped out, accompanied by a tall, calm Hypno holding its pendulum gently between two claws.
"Everyone!" Rachel called, wiping chocolate off Monika's mouth with a napkin. "Let's get our butts moving!"
The family gathered and stepped into the teleportation pad, a clean square 3x3 meters, surrounded by white trim and a low hum of psychic energy.
The man bowed slightly. "Good morning. My name is Robert. This is Hypno. He's an 8-star certified long-range teleporter. If I may check your tickets...?"
They handed over their IDs and printed reservation ticket. Robert double-checked everything against his data in his phone, then nodded.
"Excellent. We'll be arriving in the Pragengrad central teleport hub. Estimated transit time: six seconds."
"Wait, six seconds?" little Monika asked, wide-eyed.
"Exactly. Please stand still. Try to remain calm. And no chewing gum," he added with a smirk.
Hypno raised his pendulum, which began to swing back and forth in rhythmic pulses. Light shimmered in the air like heat over pavement, then brightened to an overwhelming white.
Jake reached out for Eva's hand. She took it just as the world turned silent and everything around them vanished.
The white light engulfed them completely—blinding at first, then soft and warm, like sunlight refracted through morning fog. There was a moment of stillness, weightlessness, and then a sensation like stepping down onto solid ground after a long boat ride.
One, two, three, four, five, six...
As the sixth second passed, the light faded. They were no longer in their town.
Instead, the Lindenbergs and Procházkas now stood within the Pragengrad Central Teleportation Hall—a grand atrium bustling with life.
Marble tiles gleamed beneath their feet, etched with swirling golden inlays that glinted in the overhead light. The air was laced with an unexpected mixture of scents: roasted chestnuts, lavender incense, fresh pastries, and the faint metallic tang of psychic energy. Above them, stained glass panels filtered sunlight into colorful mosaics on the floor, and high overhead, mechanical brass arms slowly rotated massive fans.
Trainers, travelers, merchants, and Pokémon of all shapes and sizes moved across the hall. Glowing numbered kiosks stretched in rows across the floor, each framed by arched vaults of polished wood and carved stone. Teleportation boxes, like the one they'd just arrived in, blinked from red to green at staggered intervals as more travelers arrived and departed.
"Welcome to Pragengrad!" Robert, their teleporter grinned, while his Hypno was breathing hard. "Please make sure to sit down if you feel dizzy. And thank you for using the services of the Bohemian Teleportation Guild!"
"Thank you," Joe nodded politely, adjusting his blazer.
Only Jake and Monika wobbled a little, blinking and holding their heads.
"Whoa..." Monika groaned, holding Rachel's arm.
Jake squinted at the stained glass above. "I think my brain just did a barrel roll..."
Rachel laughed and ruffled her nephew's hair. "First time long distance is always a thrill."
Eva crouched beside Jake and gently rubbed his back. "You okay, sweetie?"
"Think so," he muttered, though his eyes still spun a little.
Joe gave a satisfied grunt and looked around. "Alright. We're on time. Let's make sure we stay that way."
Anna, now fully in command, clapped her hands softly to draw everyone's attention.
"Okay, everyone—let's go over the plan."
She stood tall and clear-voiced, her black dress crisp despite the long journey. Though she wasn't one for titles or posturing, something about her presence was undeniably matriarchal—confident and composed.
"For the Lindenbergs, we leave the luggage here at the holding kiosk, then make our way to the High-Castle. We're expected by eight o'clock sharp. Understood?"
All four nodded: David, Eva, Jake, and Joe.
She turned to Rachel, Frank, and Monika with a quick smile.
"As for you three—do whatever you like. Just be at the castle by eleven for the official ceremony. Do you have your tickets?"
Rachel reached into her purse and waved three neatly printed envelopes in the air. "Don't worry, Annie. I've got it covered."
"Good," Anna nodded, satisfied. "You go enjoy the city—just don't miss the big event."
Monika rolled her eyes ironically. "Three hours of sightseeing. Sounds... thrilling."
Jake's eyes darted between his cousin and his parents. Then, with a hopeful tone, he looked up at Eva and asked, "Mom... can I go with them instead?"
Eva smiled gently. "Sorry, sweetheart. You're officially invited to the king's audience, too. But don't worry—we'll explore the city together after the ceremony, alright?"
Jake groaned and tugged at his stiff collar. "Then can we at least change before that? This shirt feels like it's trying to strangle me."
All four Lindenberg adults burst into laughter.
Jake frowned. "Why is that funny?"
David crouched beside him and gently adjusted his tie. "It's not, buddy. You just said out loud what we've all been thinking."
"Let's save the wardrobe complaints for later," Anna chuckled. "We're burning daylight."
Frank clapped Rachel on the shoulder. "Come on, Rach. Let's go and introduce our daughter to the mother of all cities."
"Let's take a coffee or two to that introducing," Rachel grinned before turning to the Lindenbergs. "We'll be at the castle on time. Promise."
"Enjoy yourselves," Anna added, already moving toward the storage kiosk with Joe.
"See you at eleven!" Frank waved, and the two groups parted.
Joe then summoned Oranguru, the white-furred sage-like Pokémon floating quietly behind him. With a calm gesture of its paw, the orangutan summoned a warm psychic glow that enveloped the five Lindenbergs—David, Eva, Jake, Anna, and Joe.
Jake blinked and reached out to wave at his cousin.
"See you later, Moni!"
And with a soft whoosh and ripple of gold light, the family disappeared—leaving the marble floor faintly warm where they had just stood.