#labrattata

Topaz - My starter. She is loyal to a fault and a little too excited to defend me sometimes. I've had her since I was a kid, though I generally don't advise using your family pokepet as your starter. She's great though and took to battling easily.

Ruby - Ruby was one of the earliest pokemon I met on my journey, but one of the last that I caught. It took a long time for me to gain his trust, but he's always been a great companion, even when I was just following him around.

Ametrine - Ami is a complete diva! She wants attention, but on her terms. She also thinks she's a lot bigger than she actually is and likes to pick fights with bigger pokemon. I love her though.

Agate - One of my earlier catches, she was easily the hardest to raise. I definitely have a few scars from her Deino and Zweilous days. She and Ruby are the biggest reasons I got into Pokemon Behavioral studies. She's still got a lot of energy but is a lot more in control of her aggression now. By the way, you haven't LIVED until you've flown on a big Dragon-Type's back!

Spinel and Pegmatite

Spinel and Peggy probably look a little weird to some of you. They, along with a few other pokemon, were actually discovered in an area where a Space/Time Distortion was occurring in Old Sisyphus. It's been determined that the pokemon found in these distortion areas are ancient versions of their modern counterparts, particularly from the ancient Sinnoh, or Hisuian region. I and a few other researchers were given some of these pokemon in order to study them as well as see if they can be acclimated to our modern era. So far.... it's actually going pretty well.

Spinel - I was given Spinel, who was already a Zoroark at the time, because I'd already trained up Agate and Prof. Douglas figured I would be the best fit for a little ball of hate. I say little but when she isn't disguised she's probably the biggest Zoroark I've ever seen! It took a long time working with her, but she's a lot more chill now. Very mischievous of course, but she isn't seeking revenge on anything that slights her anymore. Her favorite disguise is a shorter version of me. Given she's actually taller than I am, I know she's mocking me, but she knows I can't stay mad at her. Fwiw, I think most trainers would be best raising a Hisuian Zorua if they want to go that route. A lot easier to train from a younger evolution.

Pegmatite - Peggy is the puppiest puppy to ever pup. He loves cuddles, scritches and fetch. I think the Hisuian forme might be even more high-energy than the growlithe we're familiar with today. A very good boy.

Opal - My lab assigned partner specifically trained and meant for safely and humanely catching pokemon for study. She takes her job very seriously, but when she's not on the job she likes to paint. I have easels set up for her and Zunyite for enrichment.

Zunyite - Zunyite is my support pokemon. I have ADHD and he's really good at helping me stay on task and remember to take my meds. Grafaiai aren't common as support pokemon but my little guy is fantastic. He likes to ride around on my shoulder or paint with Opal when he's not actively on the job. Sometimes he'll make me paint with him if I'm having a dissociative episode.