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nick watches yuina explain terastallization, his brow knit as he takes in the information she provides. it's strange, he thinks, how something so rooted in natural phenomenon as tera crystals can still feel alien to him after everything else he has seen.[break][break]

but there is a degree of comfort in that normalcy, in the familiar consistency of a growing crystal deposit. nick finds that he can latch onto that, can allow himself to understand terastallization as just another piece of the world's intricate puzzle.[break][break]

yuina's demonstration helps as well. his eyes widen as heatran shifts into his new form, the dazzling display of shimmering light reflecting off of nick's glasses. there's something humbling about seeing a creature he once thought of as powerful made stronger still.[break][break]

"that's... incredible," nick breathes, unable to hide his awe as heatran unleashes a torrent of water with a force nick didn't know was possible.[break][break]

with the information—and demonstration—fresher in his mind, the concepts of terastallization feel a little more graspable. his mind spins, conjuring up different scenarios in which it would be advantageous to utilize terastalization. the fact that it can be applied to any pokemon—legendary, ultra beast, or otherwise—already has nick's mind reeling with the possibilities. he had seen it before, of course, but a smart use of his altaria's sing rendered the demonstration shorter than usual.[break][break]

"thank you for showing me, yuina," nick says sincerely, nodding towards the shimmering heatran with newfound respect. "i feel like i have a better understanding now."[break][break]

nick glances from yuina to heatran and back again, then down to the orb he still holds in his hand. his thoughts stray to his own pokemon, to solomon's proud wings and niamh's no-nonsense approach to any problem thrown their way. he wonders what they would think of this.[break][break]

"is there a way to... try it?" nick asks quietly, holding up the orb as he gazes at yuina with a mix of uncertainty and nervous excitement. he doesn't want to impose or overstep, but the scientist in him is burning with curiosity and the need to understand this on a deeper level.

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nick considers her question carefully, his gaze drifting to the distance as he thinks of his beloved team. he hasn't had much opportunity to travel underground or within caves in his time as a ranger, and he's quite certain he's never encountered such strange gems.[break][break]

but nick hesitates, his thoughts still caught on her mention of compatibility. his pokemon may be fit and fine, but they have their own distinct personalities, some more fiery and stubborn than others. he doubts niamh, his toucannon, would take well to being morphed into a new shape—or that she would be particularly gentle about the process.[break][break]

"not that i can recall," nick responds eventually, and his voice tilts into a small, self-deprecating laugh. "i guess that nips that idea in the bud, huh?"

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nick listens carefully to yuina's words, absorbing them like a dry sponge taking in water. her speech is heartfelt, the sincerity ringing through every word and striking a chord in nick's chest. he knows she's right; in a perfect world, he wouldn't have to worry about exposing his beloved birds to tera crystals or any other dangerous phenomena.[break][break]

but this world is far from perfect, and nick is all too aware of the dangers that lurk around every corner. he can't afford to coddle his pokemon, can't allow them to remain ignorant of the world and its dangers. if they are to face these threats together, they need to know how to handle them.[break][break]

it's a sobering thought, one that leaves a bitter taste in nick's mouth. he glances down to the ground, his gaze unfocused as he wrestles with his conscience.[break][break]

"i appreciate your concern," nick says quietly, his voice heavy with unspoken thoughts and feelings. "and i do trust my pokemon. we've been through a lot together, and i know they'll always have my back, no matter what."[break][break]

he takes a shaky breath, then raises his gaze to meet yuina's, his eyes glimmering with uncertainty but determination. "i don't want to force them into anything they don't feel comfortable with, but... i also don't want to risk them being blindsided by something they could have prepared for."[break][break]

nick hesitates for a moment longer, then nods, more to himself than yuina. "if there's a safe way to expose them to tera crystals, i'd like to do so."

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nick falls quiet at yuina's revelation, struck by a truth he's been tiptoeing around for a very long time. in the face of her sincere concern, he finds he cannot deny the severity of his position, nor the risks he's subjected his pokemon to without even realizing it. the admission settles heavily atop the regret nick already harbors, a weight he struggles to bear as he contemplates the dangers of the region.[break][break]

it's true—they have already been exposed to countless threats and perils, situations he can never rescind nor protect them from. nick knows his team trusts him implicitly, can see that trust shining back at him whenever he catches their watchful gazes. but yuina's words stir up fears and doubts within him, whispers of what-could-have-beens that gnaw at the edges of his consciousness.[break][break]

"you're right," nick breathes, the words feeling like a betrayal of solomon's loyalty, of claire's devotion. "i... i don't mean to take advantage of their trust, and i never will."[break][break]

nick takes a deep breath, closing his eyes as he visualizes his beloved friends in the dim recesses of his mind. he imagines solomon's fierce pride, niamh's stubborn loyalty, leonius's calm reserve, and claire's bright tenacity. each one of them carries pieces of his fractured heart, and he knows he cannot afford to break theirs—not when they give him so much without ever expecting anything in return.[break][break]

he opens his eyes, steeling his nerve as he meets yuina's steady gaze.[break][break]

"finding tera crystals is definitely a risk," nick agrees, his voice roughened by conflicting emotions. "but if it gives my team a fighting chance... i'd like to find some. i trust your judgment, and... and i don't want to take any unnecessary chances."[break][break]

he swallows nervously, his palms beginning to sweat within his gloves as he thinks of the trials ahead.[break][break]

"will you help me?"

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