《Pokemon School Days: Giratina Rising》


 Chapter 1

    Sunlight was harsh on the last day of August. Piercing through the window, it made the room feel much larger than it was, giving the wood-lined walls the look of gold. The only good it did for Sam was reveal the dust particles in the air. Something he could try and concentrate on. The boy sat on a large, old-timey leather chair, restlessly tracing lines across the handles. Leather was not a good material, he thought. It didn''t absorb sweat. His heart jumped faster and faster, making the boy''s chests feel almost as if someone''s driven a thousand little needles into it. The feeling pressed on, turning his breath short, and the ringing in his ears more unbearable by a minute. Sam was rather bad at handling anxiety, mostly because he rarely ever felt it. Dust floating through the golden air wasn''t successful at turning his mind off of things. He reached for anything else. The whole room reminded him of an antique shop. Considering what the room was, it made sense, but it didn''t offer much comfort to the boy. Large wooden bookcase stood against the wall opposite to him, it spread from the floor to the ceiling. Sam could make out numerous leather-bound books of different sizes behind the glass, but the reflection of sunlight rendered his efforts to read the titles useless, other than causing a small headache. Sculpted out of clay, numerous statues of pokemon were gracing the room. Sam was at least certain they were supposed to represent pokemon. Some made that intent very clear, like the the large Dragonite head that stood on top of the stone beam right next to the doors. Or the miriad of small Sawsbuck statues that were placed on the wooden worktable in front of him. The other ones were more abstract. One of them, the one that stood on the window, looked like it came straight from the mind of a surrealist. From the oval base, numerous clay needles shot in all directions, cutting the incoming sunlight and creating mildly disturbing shadow on the floor. Sam couldn''t deduce if it was supposed to be a pokemon. Maybe a Ferroseed going through an identity crisis? The though made the boy chuckle slightly, queting the nervous feeling a bit. Still, he made sure nobody else in the room caught him laughing.


    Time seemed to be passing slowly. He was in there for maybe five minutes, judging by the old analogue clock hanging from one of the walls. With nothing else in the room to pay attention to, Sam''s gaze landed on the man sat at the work table in front of him. Taking a look at the other boys who sat in the chairs similar to his was simply out question. He had arrived late, half-an-hour late, to this small ceremony of theirs, which had already ernead him a barrage of four dagger-sharp glares. Gripping at the handle of his chair, he forced himself to focus on the man at the table and nobody else. The metal plate sat between the two Sawsbuck statues read "Prof. Nolan". Sam was reading it just to calm himself down. He knew the name already. Shortly after the letter of acceptance, he had recieved the letter listing the name of his future mentor and history professor, as well as the names of his future teammates. That was early June.Whole summer he spent imagining what this man would be like, as well as the four boys sat next to him.


    Little to say, the title of historian perfectly suited professor Nolan. His hair was cut short and kept neat, vibrantly brown. The boy thought he could make out a few streaks of grey that had snuck their way in there as well, but that could very much be a trcik of light. His rectangle shaped glasses caught the sunlight as well, making it impossible to see the man''s eyes. Every now and again, the professor would carefully push them back up, without diverting his attention from the stack of papers he was working through even for a minute. As he kept on skimmimg over whatever he was reading, occasionally, lines would spread across his forehead. They seemed to be deeply carved into his skin, even more so thanks to the lighting. Sam would assume the professor was in his late forties. Complementing his face was the way the professor had decided to dress. Not that Sam could deduce much on that front. The man was fully draped into what seemed to be a trench coat, rendering anything the man was wearing beneath it hiddem from sight. Certainly, it was a strange fashion choice, considering the high August temperatures. Even if it did fit the season, the coat would be peculiar. It was grey, and clearly made out of some heavy material. It looked strangely old and new at the same time. Most strikingly, the colar had a bunch of strange symbols woven across it. They reminded Sam of ancient runes, which they probably were. The boy couldn''t help but wonder if their professor had found this coat while digging through some ancient ruins. Sam looked down at his own clothes, feeling self aware. White running shorts and yellow and white soccer jersey he usually found comfortable made him feel even more out of place now. On second thought, his fashion choices might''ve added a bit to his not so splendid first impression. The boy ran his hand through his hair, hoping that would make him look at least a little bit better.


    Professor Nolan let out a deep sigh, drawing Sam''s attention back to him.


    "Sorry for the wait, boys", the man spoke in an even voice. Deep and full, it radiated silent confidence, helping the boy ease up a bit. It could''ve been a simple fact that the room wasn''t completely silent anymore. Sam had never liked silence. "The board just loves to send their documentation disorganised", professor''s lips formed a small smile, "and since you are the first group I have for today, I thought it better to take some time and organise things straight away, hope you won''t hold it against me". Instead of answering, one of the boys shuffled in his chair. It could''ve been two boys as well, Sam still didn''t dare to look their way. "Not a talkative group, I see", professor says simply as he fixes his glasses, "alright then, I don''t mind doing the talking". Sam''s never before been labeled as ''not talkative'' , the words feel wrong to hear, and he almost wants to object. He doesn''t. Drawing more attention to himself is the last thing he wants to do right now. "Alright", professor lets out another sigh, "there are many things we are supposed to get to, so maybe we should start".


    Taking another short look at the group of boys, the man clears his throat before he speaking again. "First and foremost, allow me to be the first one to welcome you to the Old King''s School for Pokemon Trainers, on behalf of the school, as well as on my own accord", the professor''s voice took a formal tone. Sam proped himself forward in his chair. He debated if he should thank the professor for a second. Thankfully, that was a decision he wouldn''t have to make, as the professor was quick to continue with his monologue. "My name is professor Nolan, but I am certain you boys have figured that out yourselves by now", he states, "during your first year in this school I will be your history teacher as well as a mentor to your group". He made a gesture out of lowering his glasses, and Sam could see that his eyes were dark, black almost, carrying the tone of seriousness. The boy sat up straight instinctively. "I would leave my introductions at that for now, there will be plenty of time for them during this year, after all", he said returning his glasses back up, "I wish the five of you the best of luck, I hope you''ll get along well among yourselves, and I hope you''ll get along with me as well. Hopefully, I will play some small part in helping you grow into splendid pokemon trainers that I''m sure you boys will one day become". Sam gave a small nod, as if to let the professor know he was listening.


    Professor clapped his hands slowly, leaning back into his chair. "As I said, you''re only the first group I have to get through today, so, while I am sure you have many questions, I would have to ask you to refrain from asking them right now", the men continued, the formality dropping from his voice. "Tomorrow is a Sunday, and the school will host the welcoming ensemble for the freshmen, during which I believe the most of your questions will be answered", the man explained, "and, in case there are any questions left after that, we will have a homeroom class first thing monday morning, where I will be more than happy to answer all of your questions, as well as the questions of all of your classmates". He gives another careful look to the boys: "It''s just a matter of logistics, explaining same things to each of my groups would be rather inefficient, I hope you boys can see it as such". Sam nodded slowly again, feeling the need to agree with the professor. Strangely, their mentor''s flat tone seemed to demand quite a bit of respect. "Alright, now that we''re done with all of that", professor lowered his hands on the table, "I believe I don''t have to remind you all of how dangerous pokemon can be, and I am sure you will hear so much more about that at the ceremony tomorrow anyways". The man seemed to have stopped his train of thought in a second, suddenly leaning in over the table ever so slightly. "However, may I remind you that from this moment on you are officially pokemon trainers", he said in a firm voice, "you have earned the right to call yourselves that by passing our rigorous entrance exam, you have earned the right to carry your provisional traininer''s licenses and get a partner pokemon". He pulled back again adding: "I would like to believe you boys understand that the pokemon you acquire today are not your pets nor are they something meant for flaunting around, it is of utmost importance to handle your pokemon, as well as yourselves, cautiosly". For the third time, Sam found himself nodding along to professor Nolan''s speech. This time however, he didn''t debate whether he should say something, as he had nothing at all to say.


    Professor Nolan cleared his throat, moving the stack of papers a little bit aside. "Now that our little ouverture is over", he said as his hands disappeared behind the desk, "we can get on with the perhaps the most important part of our meeting". In one smooth movement, professor manifested a mid-sized box, presumably from one of his drawers. It was a simple creation, with the bottom half made out of white metal, and the upper half made from see-through red plastic. Far too modern looking, however, the box definitely didn''t belong to this office. Professor Nolan held it up for a second, as if he was cheking it out, before softly lowering it onto the table top. "Right, this one''s yours", the man said to himself. Giving a look of importance to his disciples, he added: "I have your future partner pokemon right here boys, I am sure you''re excited to meet them". He looked down at the box. "I sure know I am not", he sighs. He looks up. "Last few years the schoolboard has been making some interesting choices, let''s just put it like that", he tries to explain, "and I am frankly scared that they will continue the trend, anyways, it''s not your problem to solve, so forget I said anything".


    "Aren''t the partner pokemon assigned over that personality test we did", a voice came from Sam''s right. He still didn''t dare look that way, but he could tell it was the boy in the middle chair speaking up. His voice was unusually high-pitched and nasal, making it rather irritating to hear.


    "Right, well", professor Nolan scratched his head, "while that practice is not troublesome in and of itself, the actual choices have been". The professor stops, looking for the right word to say. "Concerning, to say at least", he finally decides, "and mind you, the number of known pokemon is so large, I am sure there are numerous picks that would fit each of our students, but the schoolboard seems to have taken the liking in making the most questionable of choices in that regard". Sam can hear the other boy letting out a small chuckle. "Well, anyways", professor ignored him, "last year I had a freshman who was given a Spiritomb as his starter, and that turned out to be a rather unfortunate choice, so I''m hoping they''ll learn from that experiance".


    "What happened?", Sam could tell the voice came from from the boy sat at the opposite end of the row of chairs. The voice itself was deep, somehow rough and mellow at the same time.


    "In short, it got loose, no one could find it for a month", professor sounded rather unimpressed that he had been asked to tell the story, "it ran rampant on campus, using its ghost moves freely, causing numerous students and staff to develop insomnia, which led to a high number of hospitalized people". He sighed. "Well, that did end in quite a few lawsuits, so I hope they''ll restrain from giving anyone ghost types this year, at least", he added more to himself. Fixing his posture, the professor added: "Right, before I forget, these pokemon you recive today have somewhat developed movesets, schoolboard wanted to make sure no student recieved a pokemon without a fitting move to use, so please do check that out on your pokedexes after you recieve your pokemon". Sam nodded again, feeling slightly nauseous. He had spent the entire summer trying to figure out how to work the pokedex he had recieved. So far, he only figured out how to make a call, and not even the video one. The thought of his new teammates finding out he was clueless terrified him.


    "Alright, now that all of that is finally out of the way, let us proceed", the professor brought his hand down at the table. With a single flick, he opened the box laid in front of him: "let''s find out what sort of questionable decisions await us, shall we". He picked up the first paper from his stack, looking over it. "Joe", he looked at the boy sat in the thrid chair from Sam''s, "you are the highest ranking in this group, so I hope you don''t mind going first". Sam''s stomach sunk at the mention of the rankings. Naturally, he had spent hours studying the entrance exam rankings, and had already found his teammates on that list. Joe was ranked at number 4. Sam was number 300 on the list. As if that kind of divide wasn''t enough to wreck his nerves, Sam was painfully aware that the school admitted 300 students each year. Certainly, his teammates knew that as well. And they had most likely found him on the list alredy, just as he had found them. Even if, by some miracle, none of them knew he was ranked dead last, they will were sure to discover the fact shortly.


    "Don''t mind at all", the boy said and Sam could hear him standing up from the chair. The boys''s voice sounded calm and somewhat distant. Almost too soft to be a voice of a boy, Sam thought. Finally daring to look at one of his teammates, Sam fixed his eyes on Joe. First thing that caught his attention was the tan. Joe''s skin looked almost as if it was made out of bronze. As he made a few short steps to reach the table, Sam did his best to note everything about the other boy that he could. His eyes were brown and somehow tired. Empty as well, giving a sense that the boy'' s mind was somewhere else entirely. He wore beige pants, with a baby blue blouse loosely tucked into them. Over it hung a necklace that seemed to be made out of silver, though Sam couldn''t quite make out what the small charm hanging from it was supposed to represent. The only thing that broke the soft aura the boy had around him was a black cloth sticking from his back pocket. Sam could swear there was a skull drawn on it. Regardless, Sam found it hard to believe this boy was the one who had ranked 4th in their entire year.


    "Alright, let''s see what do we have here", professor says carefully scanning Joe''s information. His eyes drop mid way through. "Your partner will be Riolu, the emanation pokemon", professor Nolan says unenthusiastically, "which is yet another great choice". He picks up one of the pokeballs and looks up at Joe. "Guess they just couldn''t pass up the opportunity to give a fighting machine that picks up on the emotinal state of its trainer to a teenager", the man sighs, "well, then again, you did rank highly, and you do seem like a calm kid, for your age at least". Professor Nolan looks him up and down noticing Joe''s blank stare: "Alarmingly calm". The two boys still sat at the chairs start chuckling, and Sam fights the urge to turn around. Joe just ignores them. Still looking up at the boy, professor Nolan hands him the pokeball. Joe turns the device around in his hand carefully, as if he''s waiting for something to happen. "What''s wrong, you can relase your partner and meet him right now", professor Nolan says, "you know how to do it?".


    "I do", Joe''s voice sounds distant, "it''s just weird, I was sure a personality test would pair me with a psychic type, getting a fighting type pokemon is a bit of a surprise, that''s all".


    "Well, if you are dissatisfied, I''d be more than happy to inquire with the board if changing your partner is possible", professor offers, "we could get you a partner more suitable for a beginner and someone of your age, Ralts, for example, yes, Ralts is a good fit for a teenager, it doesn''t pick up on hormon-driven emotions".


    "No, thank you", Joe said simply, "I''m not dissatisfied, if this is the partner that was assigned to me I''m sure it will work out".


    "Hey, hey, wait", the boy on the far end of the row of chairs shouts, "I am kind of dissatisfied with this".


    "Fortunately, it is none of your business", the professor shoots a glance at the boy.


    "It''s definitely my business", comes the boy''s rough response, "won''t I have to share a room with this guy?".


    "You''ll have to share a room with all of these guys", professor reminds him with apparent enjoymnet.


    "Well, there, what if this guy loses his shit and his pokemon picks up on that and starts trashing us?", the boy stays adamant. Professor Nolan sighs, but he doesn''t have an answer to this question, which worries Sam. The other boy, on the other hand, takes the professor''s silence on the issue as a personal victory, opting to keep talking: "or what if this little dipshit gets busy in the bathroom and his pokemon tries to have his way with us, huh?".


    "Alright, that''s enough", professor Nolan cuts the boy off, "I will not tolerate profanities".


    "Why are you even worried about that", the irritating nasal voice of the boy sat in the middle comes again.


    "How are you not worried", the other boy responds, ignoring the professor.


    "I mean, I am", the middle boy clarifies, "it''s just strange you are, no offense, but you seem like you''d be into that shit, you know".


    "Both of you stop", the professor sits up straight. Before he can say anything else, Joe presses on the button of his pokeball, in a flash of light, a dog-like pokemon with metalic-blue fur appears in front of him. For a second, the pair stares at each other and Sam can immediately tell a similarity. Joe and Riolu both have the same look in their eyes, a look of cold and distance. Without saying a word, the pair turns around to face the other boys. The glance Joe is throwing at the other two boys is slightly frightening, even though there doesn''t seem to be any anger behind it. Without a word, Joe walks back to his chair, taking a seat, right between the two boys who were commenting on him up until now. Riolu makes his way around the chairs, positioning himself right behind his new trainer. The rising tension between the three quickly gets under Sam''s skin. This is not how he had imagined his teammates would be like.


    Professor Nolan took a moment to recollect himself. Dissatisfaction with this whole affair was obvious in a way his shoulders tensed up and his chin shot up. He seemed to be on high alert. "Alright, a rough start, but we must go on", his voice carried a newfound firmness, "Ace, you are the second best ranked, would you please come up", the man said reading the name off the next one of his papers. The boy sat right next to Sam, the only one who hasn''t said anything yet, stood up in a single not so gracious movement. He hurriedly made his way over to the desk, most likely under the impression of the interaction that had just went down. Sam tried to get a good look at him. His eyes were green and wild, that was the first, and only, thing that had stuck out about him. Other than that, Ace was a rather plain looking boy. His ashy blonde hair was cut short, exaggerating the pointy shape of his face. He was definitely shorter than both Joe and Sam. He wore a simple white polo shirt paired with denim jeans. He had a single green knotted bracelet around his left arm. Allbeit, Ace had seemed like an easy person to forget about. Most Sam could conclude about the other boy was that he was nervous about this, which made him feel a bit better. At least he''s not the only one whose nerves were a wreck right now. Sam reminded himself that Ace was ranked at number 87, and the heavy feeling came back immediately. Professor Nolan looked further into Ace''s paper, letting out a defeated sigh. "Alright, guess this one isn''t that bad", he announces mostly to himslef, "I mean, it''s not great, but it doesn''t crack the top 10 board misfires I''ve seen, so I guess we''ll survive".


    "Does Joe crack the top 10 misfires list?", the rough voice comes again with a chuckle. Professor Nolan shoots him another angry look and the boy adds: "what, I think he likes being on top of the lists".


    "Careful, he might decide to get on top of you", the nasal voice responds with laughter.


    Professor Nolan hangs his head back. "Well, it''s probably good for you to know that Joe is on top of that list as of right now", the man states, "hopefully that helps convince you into being careful".


    "Wait, really, it''s worse than the Spiritomb?", the rough voice inquiers.


    "The Spiritomb is maybe number 9 on that list, or number 10 now", professor shrugs, "I mean it wasn''t yet trained, so the most it could do was cause nightmares and jump-scare people, really, the problem with it was that it avoided being caught for so long, the problem with Riolu, however, is that it''s a fighting machine that is now tied to the emotional state of fourteen year old, it could very much end up seriosly harming somebody if things ever go south".


    "Could it kill us?", the nasal voice says, dropping the humorous tone.


    "That''s not out of bounds", professor gives the boy a serious look. Turning his attention back to Ace, he hands him a pokeball. "Either way, Ace, your partner is Rockruff, a rock type puppy pokemon", the man explains, "it''s not too dangerous right now, they do like to bite a bit, however". Ace twirls the pokeball looking about ready to call on his new partner. "Now, just to give you a fair warning", professor slows him down, "Rockruffs grow highly agressive upon evolution, so please don''t be too quick to evolve it Mister, or you are definitely cracking that list as well, and you have a good chance at taking that number one spot, alright?". Ace nods slowly, seemingly eager to get over with all of this.


    The boy quickly flicks his pokeball into the air, releasing his partner in a flash of blue light. The small brown dog with sharp looking fur and big blue eyes curiosly stares at his new trainer. It doesn''t take Rockruff too long to run up to the boy and start tugging at his leg. Surprisingly, Ace smiles at this. "You seem to be in a good mood", the boy says. His voice is weird sounding, Sam thinks, not in an annoying way, but it is obvious that Ace is trying to make it sound much deeper than it actually is. The next second Ace flinches, letting out a growl. "It bit me", he says through gritted teeth. He fails to control his voice this time, allowing it to crack.


    "And we have a biter", the boy with the deep voice can''t help but comment.


    "Right, we have a guy with an emotional murder machine dog and a guy with an agressive purse dog, what''s next?", the boy with an irritating voice jokes.


    "The two of you seem to be getting along a bit too well", Joe notes flatly.


    "Oh, no, you''re not gonna get mad now Joe", the boy on the end of the row says sarcastically, "keep your emotions in check, buddy". Still, the two fall silent after that.


    Ace rolls his eyes, hurrying back to take his seat. He shuffles in the chair getting comfortable, and lets Rockruff leap into his lap. "There, stay right there and be calm", Ace says in a low voice, carefully wrapping his hand around his partner''s jaw to prevent him from biting again.


    "You should get a leash for that thing", the boy sat in the middle, next to Ace, comments under his breath, but Ace ignores him.


    "Next up is Ves", professor Nolan seems to have had enough of this charade. He quickly raises the next paper up in the air, as the boy sat in the middle stands up and makes his way over.


    "Well, what do I get prof", Ves''s voice comes of daring and more irritating than before. His black hair is cut short, and his eyes are brown, Sam notices, nothing out of the usual. He''s wearing a simple red t-shirt paired with black ripped jeans, once again nothing worth noting. What sticks out the most about Ves is, in fact, his character. Even though his face looks nothing out of the ordinary, the high-pitched voice and a charisma of suburban mother made the boy seem rather punchable. Ves was on a chubby side as well, nothing too noticable, but it was apparent he had never thought of putting words ''no'' and ''food'' in the same sentence.


    "Objection, your honour", the boy sat at the end yells.


    "This is not an episode of Judge Judy, dude", Ace groans.


    "He doesn''t even need to have a pocket monster of his own", the boy disregards Ace''s comment, "I mean just look at that ass, it''s already monstrous".


    "Stop looking at my ass, you freak", Ves turns around. Upon better inspection, Sam agrees with the comment. Ass was definitely the second most noticable thing Ves had going on.


    "Hey, you know what", the boy laughs again, "if Joe ever gets horny, and Riolu picks up on that and decides to fuck one of us, I think it should be you, Ves".


    "Why me", Ves''s voice comes out an octave higher, "I thought you were looking forward to that, you monsterfucker".


    "All I''m saying is, you''re more fuckable", the other boy fakes a serious tone, "it''s a compliment, really".


    "Hey, Riolu, take notes", Joe adds flatly.


    "Oh, you shut up", Ves points a finger at Joe.


    "Just stop already", professor says coldly, looking about ready to murder all three of them. Quickly glancing over the paper, he lets out a dissatisfied grunt. "Houndour, a dark and fire pokemon", he concludes, "another highly agressive one, capable of teraing a person limb for limb, the board really decided to go all out this year".


    "Great, so do I get a number one spot on your little list now", Ves smiles as he all but snatches the pokeball from professor''s hand.


    "Yes, you definitely do", professor says, "and don''t you dare let that thing out in my office, or you will get expelled".


    "Well that''s not fair", Ves argues, "Joe and Ace both got to release their partners".


    "Right, but Rockruff is not dangerous as of right now, and Riolu''s only dangerous if its trainer has hightened emotions", professor explains.


    "Well, that''s good then, since I''m pretty sure Joe has no emotions at all", Ves cuts him off, taking a chance to get another dig at his teammate.


    "Oh, he has one emotion", Ace''s voice cracks on, "and it''s called horny, so you should watch your ass Ves".


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere."Oh shut up and keep playing with your pet over there", Ves glares at him.


    "No, he''s right, look at those eyes", the boy with a rough voice comments, "those are the eyes of a sexual deviant".


    "Hate to ruin your fun, but I am asexual", Joe says simply.


    "Hah, hear that Ace", Ves laughs, "you better watch your ass".


    "Why me?", Ace isn''t even trying to keep his voice from cracking anymore.


    "Well, he just said he is Acesexual", Ves explains.


    "That''s... that''s not what that means... I think", Ace says.


    "Alright, trully, enough is enough", professor Nolan slams his hand on the desk. The boys have successfully drained the last bit of patience this man has had. "Ves, go back to your seat, and the four of you stay quiet from this moment on, understood?". Nobody answers the question, but the room falls silent. Sam notices Joe whip up his pokedex nonchalantly, as if he had just now rembered it existed. None of the other boys followed suit. Sam fixes his gaze at his feet, as he felt his heart race. His teammates were really not what he had hoped they would be. Joking around was alright, but this was not exactly friendly. Especially since they didn''t know each other. And they were this rough and unfiltered. Joe was 4th, Ace was 87th, and they were giving them this sort of treatmant. Ves was ranked 162nd, Sam remembered, which was much lower than the first two but still much higher than Sam. And they were fucking with him like this as well. The last boy, his name is Teo, Sam recalled, is ranked at the place 255. Still higher than Sam. He gripped the seams of his shorts, thinking of what would happen once his turns comes. They just might eat him alive.


    "Teo, you''re next up", professor picks up another paper. His eyes immediately skim over the information. As the boy approaches his table, the professor carefully takes off his glasses, letting out a final defeated sigh. When he speaks again, his voice is even again, as if he had completely given up the fight and thus came back full-circle to his calm demeanor. "Well, congratulations, you now offically take a first spot on the list, and you take it by a mile", the professor says, refusing to hand over the pokeball. "The schoolboard must think it''s so funny to give a complete beginner an Absol", the man has a wry smile plastered on his face, "yes, a great idea, let a fourteen year old have a pokemon that is literally called the disaster pokemon, that will most certainly end well".


    "I''m fifteen actually", Teo notes. When the professor gives him a dry look the boy adds: "turned fifteen this April".


    Professor Nolan rolls his eyes, almost shoving the pokeball into Teo''s hand. "Just don''t let that thing out in my office, and go back to your seat, so we can be over with this as soon as possible". Teo stands there with a mishevious smile for a bit, and Sam takes note of his appearance. First thing he noticed was how tall Teo is, definitely taller than the rest of them. He''s dressed in all black, with a Gengar printed out on his shirt, and baggy pants graced by numerous chains. He wore his black hair in a buzz-cut, which, in Sam''s opinion didn''t work too well for him. It just led to his acne being way more noticable. Teo looked like someone who did his best to appear tough. His voice on the other hand, was much harder to pin down. It was rough and deep, which matched the way he looked, but it also carried a note of maturity that was rather unusual for a teenager. Sam hated to admit it, but the boy''s voice was rather soothing as well. "Just take your seat", professor Nolan warned again, and Teo took a victorius turn on his heel before making his way back to his chair.


    "Wait", Ace says suddenly, causing professor''s face to sink. Before the man can interrupt him the boy asks: "Houndour is a dog, basically, right?".


    "Right", Joe noted, "and Absol is basically a dog as well".


    "And you two have Riolu and Rockruff, which are dogs as well", Teo points out the obvious.


    "Are you actually giving us all a dog pokemon?", Ves drives the point home, "and wait, is this actually how you grouped us together, cause if it is then it''s frankly stupid".


    "Definitely stupid", Ace agrees.


    "Don''t think the groups were formed like that", professor Nolan sighs.


    "Does that mean I get a dog as well?", Sam says, forgetting all about his nerves for a moment.


    "Oh, you finally decide to speak up", Teo chuckles.


    "Right, dude, you were like 30 minutes late", Ace scoffs, "I think you should get a cat instead, you know".


    "That would actually be hilarious", Ves chuckles.


    "Right, we had to wait for you for so long", Teo agrees, "I think you deserve a cat, just so we can fuck with you".


    "Why would we fuck with him for having a cat-like pokemon?", Joe wonders. The other three boys serve him tired looks. "What, I think cats are cool", Joe says flatly.


    "Well, let me put this in simple terms for you", Ves perks up, "dogs are way more hardcore than cats, so if he got a cat, it would make him less cool than us, understand now".


    "I understand you guys have a very strange perception of social hierarchy", Joe says under his breath.


    "Oh my God, you sound like an old person", Teo rolls his eyes, "and not a cool old person either".


    "Look, I just like cats, that''s all", Joe responds in a flat voice.


    "That''s alright", professor Nolan says, "we can always exchange your Riolu for a cat, actually, the best course of action would be to give all five of you a Meowth, if you ask me".


    "Wait, you mean like just one Meowth for the five of us?", Sam says fearfully.


    "No way I''m sharing a pokemon with all of them", Ves agrees.


    "No, idiots, he meant we each get a Meowth of our own", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "That''s what you meant?", Teo looks at the professor, fearful of his true intentions.


    "Yes, you each get your own Meowth, that can be arranged", professor nods.


    "You do realise this is a hypotetical situation", Joe remarks.


    "Right, for now it is, but I can really arrange that", professor Nolan offers.


    "No thanks, I like Riolu", Joe says simply.


    "But you said you like cats", professor counters, "maybe just think about it".


    "No thanks", Joe deadpans, "I like having an emotion-reading murder machine on my side".


    "Wow, you found the most psychotic way to put it", Ace says sounding a bit concerned.


    "Yeah, I like having a disaster pokemon as well", Teo agrees, "makes me feel safe, especially after meeting Joe".


    "The two of you make me feel very unsafe, you know", Ace says, adressing Teo and Joe.


    "Good", Teo responds.


    "Well, now I feel like I''m being discredited here", Ves shoots up straight in his chair, "I can make you feel unsafe too".


    "Can I just get my pokemon already", Sam says jolting up from his chair.


    "Hey, what''s the hurry, buddy", Ves raises an eyebrow at him.


    "Right, I thought you liked taking your sweet time", Ace adds, "and ours as well".


    "Sam, would you come up here", professor Nolan decides the best course of action would be to get this over with as fast as possible. Ignoring the other three boys, he looks over the paper. A look of relief graces his face as he hands over the pokeball to Sam. "Finally, a one that won''t murder anyone", the professor says, "your partner is Yamper, an electric type pokemon". Sam feels relieved realising he had gotten a dog pokemon as well. "Not to say that one will be easy to train, they are known to be rather energetic", professor warns, "but at least it won''t go causing too much trouble". Sam holds on to the pokeball, it feels much heavier in his hand than he had imagined, colder as well. "Go ahead, meet your partner", professor Nolan encourages him.


    "Hey, that''s not fair", Teo interrupts fidgeting Absol''s pokeball in his hand, "I think it''s only fair if I get to meet my partner as well".


    "You lower that pokeball right now, boy", professor Nolan warns him.


    "It''s alright", Sam reassures him, "I can wait a bit".


    "Nonsense", the professor waves him off, "release your partner, then we can slowly wrap up this little meeting".


    "Alright", Sam says, insecurely throwing his pokeball into the air. The device opens, letting out a beam of blue light. The next second a small brown dog with a few yellow stripes appears in front of him, starting to run circles around Sam alomst instantly. For a moment, the boy forgets all about his teammates, his unfortunate first impression. He''s just happy to finally be meeting his partner, and the pokemon seems happy to meet him as well. "Come here", Sam says extending his arms, and Yamper wastes no time in jumping towards him. The pokemon is surprisingly light. It immediately starts rubbing its cheek against Sam''s, all while restlessly wagging his tail.


    "Oh, how cute", Teo snarks, "he got a pet as well".


    "Right, let''s just hope him and his pet won''t have all of us failing this year", Ace adds, causing Sam to feel almost a stabbing pain in his stomach. "I mean, I get it, you like Snyder, but did you really have to go for the number 300 here, buddy", Ace adds.


    "Let''s not start with this right now", Joe says calmly.


    "Why not though", Teo counters him, "Ace is right, mister last place here and his little happy-go-lucky pet could very much cause all of us to fail".


    "Well, you''re not doing so great either Teo", Ace reminds him, "you''re bottom of the barrel as well, buddy, you could also have all of us failing".


    "Don''t get started with me blondie", Teo treats him to a death stare.


    "Let''s not start with this", Joe repeats, still calm, "the classes didn''t even start yet, let''s take things slow".


    "And just what are you going to do if we don''t want to not start this", Teo scoffs.


    "Okay, firstly, that sentence is just horribly constructed", Joe starts.


    "Oh, please, you''ve seen his test scores", Ace laughs, "why would you expect him to know english".


    "Okay, the two of you should really stop making our friend Joe mad", Ves chuckles, "or he''ll have his Riolu either fuck you up or just fuck you, you know".


    "Secondly", Joe ignores all of them, "the entrance exam scores were based solely on written tests, while the school itself is reliant mostly on the practical part, so all of you have equal chances of doing either well or poorly as of right now".


    "Still, as far as the school records go, it''s very rare for someone to make a huge jump in the rankings", Ace argues, "even if the school values battle portions more within its grading system, the entrance exam statistics hold up rather well".


    "Oh no, the nerds are getting into it", Ves wails.


    "Right, I''m not calling entrance exam rankings statistically unviable here", Joe retorts flatly, "and while that list stays mostly static in short term, over the period of four years, you can''t argue that the changes aren''t there, especially taking the team system into account".


    "Does anyone understand what the two of them are talking about?", Sam wonders out loud.


    "Not a single word", Ves admits, "the only thing I''m getting from this is that they are both nerds".


    "Alright, alright", professor Nolan cuts them off, "how about we finally wrap this up, then you boys will be free to discuss among yourself somewhere far away from my office". He gestures for Sam to take a seat and the boy makes his way back to his chair, still carrying Yamper in his arms. Professor Nolan draws in a deep breath. "Right, this was probably the worst team meeting I have witnessed in my entire career, and mind you, I have worked in this school for 12 years", he says weakly, "plus, I still have five more teams to get through today, I can only hope they would be... more socially adept than you boys".


    "Wait, are allowed to insult us?", Teo says.


    "It''s not by the book, frankly, but I think you boys are a worthy expection", the professor sighs. He makes a small pause to recollect himslef a bit. "Alright, I understand you are all young, you have all just met each other, and this is your first day here", he says in an even voice, "so I hope this whole debacle is a one-time thing". None of the boys say anything. "Let me remind you yet again that pokemon are not to be taken lightly", the professor continues, "and you have gotten yourselves a few rather tricky ones, especially for beginners, so please take this seriously and act responsibly".


    "Tell that to these three, please", Ace side-eyes the three boys to his right, still firmly holding down Rockruff, "my dog is under control".


    "It goes for all five of you", professor reminds him, "any pokemon can be dangerous if mishandled". Putting his glasses back on, the man adds: "there''s a reason for the existance of pokemon trainers, after all". Sam notices the other four boys shuffling with unease. He himself is not sure what he feels about statements like this one. "With all that said, I wish you boys luck, let''s hope this behaviour today was just a produce of your nerves", professor continues, "you''ll find boy''s dormitories on the eastern part of the island, I doubt you''ll have any trouble with that".


    "We''ll handle it", Joe gives a nod of agreement.


    "Right, then, I will see you tomorrow morning for the assembly", professor responds, "it starts at 10 AM, please be there at least 20 minutes early, so we don''t create unnecessary lines".


    "Well, why can''t we just come 5 minutes early? ", Ves scoffs.


    "There are 300 students in the first year, it will take some time for everyone to take their seat", professor says sharply, "let''s not forget about faculty, and perhaps some older students decide to attend as well, then there''s some time needed for the audience to quiet down and the speakers to prepare themselves, hope we''re clear on why you would need to be there earlier than just 5 minutes".


    "Oh, this assembly sounds like a big thing", Sam says wondering.


    "It is a rather formal ceremony, the school has to hold up its reputation", Nolan nods, "please do be on your best behaviour, you five".


    "Can''t make any promises", Teo says leaning back in his chair.


    "Well, in case anything does go wrong, you have a homeroom class with yours truly first thing monday morning, 8 AM sharp", the professor responds, "I''ll see you boys then".


    "That means we''re free to go now?", Ves inquiers.


    "You''re free to go now", Nolan gestures towards the doors.


    "Well, thank you very much", Teo basically jumps up from his chair, grinning from ear to ear. Ves doesn''t lag behind either, as they both reach for the doors at the same time. Ace was, however, the first one to reach the doors, Rockruff patiently standing right next to him. The three make quick way outside, with Teo and Ves basically crowding over Ace in order to exit the office. They really didn''t like being in there, Sam concludes. Joe follows them out with Riolu by his side, without taking a look back, seemingly not in a hurry to escape, but he still doesn''t take a look back upon leaving. Sam turns around giving a small nod and uttering a quiet thank you to the professor before exiting as well.


    The hallway is grand and emtpty. Sam''s teammates are fast walkers. By the time he closes the doors, which was not easy to while Yamper energetically turned in his hands, the four boys have already gained a significant distance. Sam can hear the bickering mixing with a bat of footsteps. Few feet from the doors to professor''s office, a group of five girls was standing, two leaning on the wall, other two girls standing and facing their way, while the fifth one sat crosse-legged on the marble floor. These five are one of the other groups professor Nolan is mentoring, he realises.


    "Hey, is that professor Nolan''s office?", one of the girls says upon noticing Sam, "can we go in?".


    "Right, it is", Sam says while lowering Yamper to the ground, "I don''t know if he''s ready for you yet, but you can definitely try knocking".


    "Thanks", the girl nods slowly. She''s tall, probably as tall as Teo, Sam notices. Her brown hair is curly, and she''s leisurely dressed in black jeans and pink t-shirt with a graphic print. Sam doesn''t have time to take in more than that. His eyes follow his roomates, who are gradually advancing further away. The girl must''ve realised what he''s thinking cause she notes: "your roommates just dashed out of there, they ignored us completely". Right, Sam remembers, these guys are his roomates as well.


    "Sorry, they are...", Sam scratches his head, "an interesting bunch".


    "Yeah, seems so", the girl gives him a small smile, "go ahead, go after them".


    "Right, thanks", Sam takes a run-up to leave. He stops in his track turning around. The girls are already getting ready to knock on professor Noalan''s doors. "I''m Sam, by the way", he yells after them.


    "Natasha", the tall girl replies, "but we''ll have plenty for introductions".


    "Right", Sam says, taking a few steps backwards, "I''m going then, bye".


    "Bye", Natasha replies, as Sam turns away.


    As his roomates took a sharp turn to the left, Sam picked up his pace. He did his best not to start running. Yamper struggled to follow after him, and Sam felt a sting of pity for his short-legged partner. Still, he couldn''t pick up and carry Yamper. It would make him look like a kid. As he was making rapid progress down the hallway, Sam tried picking up on his surroundings. Really, there wasn''t much to pick up on, the all-consuming emptiness gave the space a sense of importance, and made Sam feel out of place. The walls were white, spaced out by tastefully carved ceiling-high beams made out of light grey marble. Hallway had no windows, the only lights came from the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Yellowish lights bathed the walls, giving them a centurial look, even though Sam was certain they were freshly painted, as the smell of the paint still faintly lingered throughout the stale air. As he all but ran across the hallway, Sam felt as if the space was caving into him, constantly reminding him he''s a stranger. The hallway was too wast, to long, he decided.


    Making a left turn, Sam saw the other four boys have came to a standstill few feet away from him. Slowing down a bit, allowing for Yamper to catch up, he heard the mixture of yelling and laughter.


    "We''re literally in the main faculty building", Ace''s voice echoed, strong but still cracking in places. The boy seemed tense, Rockruff stood close by, hiding behind his trainer''s legs. "Do you assholes want to have us all expelled".


    "Calm down, blondie", Teo was laughing, "no one is here anyways, so stop being so uptight". He playfully fiddled the pokeball between his fingers, and Sam could immediately tell what all this fuss was about.


    "Right, and you all got to meet your partners", Ves took Teo''s side, "it''s only fair we get to do the same thing as well".


    "Could you do it outside", Ace retorted.


    "No, you all have your partners walking around with you", Ves grinned, "it''s only fair".


    "You two have dark types", Joe said calmly, "it''s probably for the best to wait until you get accustomed to them before you put them in front of any other pokemon, or humans". Still sporting his calm demenor, the boy was the only one who seemed unbothered by this whole ordeal. If he was unnerved, he was too good at hiding the fact. Sam made his way towards the group, opting to stay few steps behind Joe. Seemed like the best option in the moment.


    "What, are you scared", Ves laughed.


    "I''m just pointing out, if you let your pokemon out, they could attack any of us", Joe keeps his voice flat, "including the two of you".


    "You think we can''t control our pokemon?", Teo says, taking a few long steps away from yhe group, "let me prove you wrong". Ves is quick to do the same thing, as both boys create the distance and prepare their pokeballs.


    "You''re assholes", Ace states, taking a few steps backwards. Joe doesn''t budge, him and his Riolu both sporting an unimpressed look. Sam couldn''t decide who he fears more at that moment, the two boys who seem to find enjoyment in the idea of causing mayhem, or the one who seems as if he isn''t even slightly bothered by any of this. Perhaps Ace was the only one of his teammates with any sanity.


    "For the love of God, everything will be fine", Teo says chucking his pokeball into the air, "Absol, come out, time to play".


    "Right, you as well, Houndour", Ves follows suit.


    Two pokemon appear side by side. The smaller one looks fierce, with greyish black fur, sharp looking eyes and even sharper fangs showing. The other pokemon is significantly larger, white fur covering it from head to toe makes it look almost majestic. The only thing that differentiates Absol from a fairytale creation is a sharp looking black blade-like horn and the piercing look in his eyes. Taking in their surroundings, both pokemon quickly lower their stances, bending their knees and gritting their teeth, leaning their bodies away from each other as well. Yamper nervously tugs at Sam''s leg, and Sam notices Rockruff''s doing the same thing to Ace. The two boys both instinctively take another step back. The only ones still standing firmly in their place are Joe and Riolu, and Sam decides both of them must be either stupid, psychotic, or overconfident.


    "Well, I think it''s safe to say I''ve hit the jackpot here, boys", Teo boastingly claims. Hearing his trainer''s voice, Absol turns around, taking a few steps back and lowering his body even further. "Hey, stay calm down there, buddy", Teo''s still smiling.


    The next few things happen swiftly, Sam barely has enough time to register everything. Absol jumps. Teo steps back in surprise. Sam hears Joe''s dry voice: "Vacuum Wave". He has no time to look away from Absol though, as the pokemon gets knocked out mid-air and sent flying back further down the hallway. Teo''s up against the wall, yelling something, at Joe presumably. Ves has taken a few steps back as well, as his Houndour rushes in on the three boys in front of him. Sam hears Joe again and Houndour is sent flying as well.


    Ace yells: "recall them, you dumbasses".


    "Tell this motherfucker to stop attacking", Teo retorts, his voice filled with rage.


    Joe makes a few steps forward, Riolu stood firmly in front of him, looking as calm as ever. Absol and Houndour are both quick to recover back to their feet, both focusing on Riolu only this time. "You should stand down, both of you", the boy says, somehow managing to sound as if he hasn''t just gotten himslef into a two on one fight.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you", Ves says.


    Joe ignores him, focusing solely on the two pokemon getting ready to attack. "Riolu, aim a Vacuum Wave at Absol", the boy commands simply.


    "Stop it dude", Teo yells, as Riolu fires another attack at his partner.


    "Houndour, attack", Ves commands. Sam''s not sure where he''s supposed to look now. He sees Absol jump back, managing to avoid an attack. Houndour is quick to spring into action, throwing himself at Riolu at full speed.


    "Detect into Vacuum Wave, Riolu", Joe sounds as if he''s ordering a coffee. Sam could swear Riolu''s eyes flash, as the pokemon twists his body to avoid the flying Houndour comimg his way. As the attacker passes by him, Riolu turns again, rapidly extending his fist, sending an attack straight at Houndour. The pokemon goes flying back, behind both Sam and Ace. Flinching, the two boys turn around. Sam notices Yamper is now protectively standing in fron of him. Close to his feet and looking distressed, but the small dog''s body is pressed against the floor as it''s ready to attack.


    A bat of rushing footsteps comes behind him, as Teo yells: "Absol, stop".


    "Vacuum Wave", Joe''s voice is still calm. Seconds later, Sam hears something hit the ground. Absol, he guesses, but he doesn''t turn around. His eyes are still fixed on Houndour, waiting for the moment the black dog will stand up again. After that doesn''t happen for a few seconds, Sam concludes the pokemon has been knocked out. Gathering enough courage to turn around, he sees Absol has been taken down as well.


    Teo still stood against the wall, staring empty at his partner. Ves looked shocked as well, his fists clenched beside his body. Everybody seemed unable to move a muscle for a second. Except for Joe. Moments after assesing the situation, the boy kept walking forward as if nothing had happened, Riolu allowing him to get in front of him before following in step.


    Teo is the first of the other four to come to his senses, in the worst way possible. As Joe walks close enough, the boy reaches his hands out, grabbing him by a collar of his blouse. "What the fuck was that", Teo''s almost yelling, his deep voice filling out the hallway.


    "That was me preventing a shitshow you were about to cause", Joe''s isn''t even trying to get out of Teo''s grip, "and probably saving you a trip to the hospital or the chapel".


    "Absol didn''t attack you", Teo retorts, "why would you meddle".


    "It attacked you", Joe said simply.


    "It jumped up at me", Teo says through grittet teeth, "you don''t know if it wanted to attack me, and even if it did, I''m perfectly capable of fending for myself".


    "And Absol is perfectly capable of tearing you limb for limb", Joe looks him straight in the eye.


    Teo lets go of him, his eyes still filled with anger. "Whatever", he says, returning Absol back to his pokeball, "you should''ve stayed out of it, it was none of your business".


    "I did warn you that this could happen", Joe reminds him, "did you think I would stand by and let your pokemon attack somebody?".


    Ves makes his way over to the other two as well. "Hey, Houndour wouldn''t attack anyone if Absol and Riolu didn''t start a fight", he says firmly, "so don''t mix me up".


    "You literally ordered Houndour to attack Riolu", Joe stated.


    "Yes, well, you ordered Riolu to attack Houndour first", Ves pushed him away, "I''m not going to just let you do that".


    "It did attack Riolu first", Joe reminds him.


    "Only cause you had your little murder machine come in swinging", Ves scoffs, "you were the first one who ordered an attack".


    "I did what was necessary", Joe gave him an emtpy stare.


    "Well, I didn''t do anything", Teo steps away, "Absol didn''t attack anyone first".


    "Oh, you shut up, this is all your fault", Ves stares him down, "you couldn''t control your pokemon".


    "Huh, right, it''s my fault", Teo scoffs.


    "Well it is", Ves retorts.


    "Look, I didn''t attack anyone, Absol didn''t attack any of you", Teo''s voice turns cold, "Joe decided to meddle, and you didn''t handle things much better either Ves".


    "You could''ve gotten hurt", Joe''s still unnaturally collected.


    "Well, that''s none of your worry", Teo glares at him, "next time, don''t be a hero, I don''t need one".


    "It would''ve gone after somebody else after it was done with you, you know", Joe says, "so even if I let it attack you, I''d have to interfere later anyways, so there''s no sense for you to be acting up".


    "Oh, fuck off, you don''t know what would''ve happened", Teo retorts, "either way, next time, let me deal with my own shit, if me or my pokemon aren''t attacking you, don''t attack us".


    "Alright", Joe says simply.


    "Good", Teo says sharply.


    "And stay away from me as well", Ves adds finally remembering to recall Houndour, "both of you".


    Sam notices Ace recalling Rockruff as well and decides to follow the gesture. It''s probably safer that way. Joe doesn''t seem to consider recalling Riolu.


    "Yeah, don''t think I want either of you in my close proximity either", Ace admits, finally unfreezing.


    "That''s alright with me", Joe says walking away from the two.


    "You could''ve as well stayed quiet, Ace", Teo says turning to leave, "no one''s interested in speaking to you".


    "Honestly, you''re kind of a pussy man", Ves smiles dryly, "and that stands for Sam too".


    Ace scoffs and Sam pretends to be interested in the nearby wall. Five boys rush through the rest of the building, making sure they keep their distance from each other. Ace stays behind Sam, aimlessly looking around in an attempt to seem disinterested in everyone else. Sam''s stuck between him and Ves, still trying to make the best of the situation. He thought of letting Ace catch up to him, but the boy didn''t seem too eager to have a walking buddy. Catching up to Ves was out of question, as he had just called him a pussy. The boy didn''t look back, so Sam had no way of even guessing his mood right now. In front of Ves, Teo and Joe were walking step in step, and their mood was easy to tell. The two stepped ahead firmly, keeping the distance, but occasionally throwing glances in each other''s direction. Teo seemed about ready to attack Joe at any given second. The latter looked prepared to make any potential attack the last thing Teo would do before he meets God. Burrying his hands in his pocket, Sam opts to look at the marble floor. Under the dim lighting, his reflection in the tiles seems small and darkened. He wishes he could recognise his own eyes. Just to understand whatever was pulsing through him right now. He doesn''t. Staring into the tiles, he surrenders to this feeling growing in him. It''s a quiet voice, the one in Sam''s head, but consistent and frighteningly convincing. This was not what he had hoped for. Running on repeat, this was not what he had hoped for. What did he hope for?


    Walls start to grow more distant, and the boy notices they have walked into a entrance hall, wast and richly decorated. The only thing Sam cares about is the sunlight coming through the giant glass doors. Breathing in, he supresses everything else. It''s just a beginning, after all. Things will get better with time. The voice in his head doesn''t ask any more questions. Walking out of the building behind his new teammates, he doesn''t think about them, the whole ordeal in their mentor''s office, or the hallway fiasco. All of those things disperse from his head, faded by the sun and carried away by the soft breeze. August has made its promise, the things will fall into place. Sam recaptures the feeling of excitment, the one he had carried with himself this past summer. He''s made it to this place, one of the most prestigious academies for pokemon trainers the world has to offer, he reminds himself. Kids across the world dream about becoming trainers, and he has found himself making that dream a reality. Nothing mattered as much as that fact. It was a rough day one, but it''s nothing he couldn''t bounce back from.


    "You two should go to the pokemon center", Sam hears Joe''s voice. The boys are still walking separately, but the things seemed to have calmed down a bit. Must be the sun, Sam theorizes.


    "Don''t tell me what to do", Teo''s voice comes from the distance as well. But the boy doesn''t sound willing to start a fight. Instead, Sam sees him checking the island map on his pokedex. After another minute of walking, he makes a turn for the left, informing them he''ll be going off on his own and he''ll find his way to the dormitories later. Ves follows him without a word, and Sam is sure they have both decided to go to a pokemon center.


    The other three boys keep walking the cobblestone path for a few more minutes. Sam has to remind himself that he''s on an island. He feels a smell of the ocean, but it''s a rather faint one. He focuses on trying to hear the waves, but it doesn''t really work. Instead, he hears Ace walking behind him. The boy''s still ignoring them, even though Teo and Ves had left. Perhaps he disliked Joe and Sam as well, after all. He couldn''t hear Joe''s footsteps at all, the boy realises, even though he''s not that far away. Joe creeps him out a bit. He thinks about it. It''s not that he dislikes him, but the boy''s way too calm for it to be normal. Teo and Ves were not guys Sam sees himself hanging out with either, but again, he wouldn''t say he dislikes them. They are just a bit too rough. He really wasn''t sure what he thought of Ace.


    It doesn''t take them too long to reach the boy''s dormitories. It''s a simplistic building, rectangle shaped with beaming white walls and miriad of windows. In front, there was a designated space for hanging out, lined with benches and decorative flowers. Sam liked the space. "Hey, I''ll come up later", he says suddey, sidelining for one of the benches, "gotta do some things first".


    "Alright", Joe says simply, continuing his walk towards the building, with Ace few feet behind him. Sam''s not sure why he had felt the need to inform them.


    Taking a seat at one of the benches, he watches as the pair dissapears into the building. He finds it all too strange, that he''ll spend the next four years living here, with these people. Unless they fail. The feeling of unease returns, as Sam whips out his phone. Staring at the screen, he slides away a few messages. He''s not sure what he''ll say to people when they ask him how his day went. Taking a deep breath, he presses a call button. The phone rings next to his ear a few times before the other person picks up. "Hey, mom", Sam says softly. He listens patiently to the barrage of questions and mundane reminders. "Yeah, everything''s alright", he says in a low voice, "don''t worry about me".

 Chapter 2

    The dormitories feel lived in. They smell lived in. Ace stares at the entrance hall. The walls decorated with framed pictures of pokemon have started to peel. The floor is visibly old as well, but it seems to have been recently cleaned. A few sets of uncomfortable looking blue chairs are placed against the walls. He closes in on Joe as the boy walks towards the reception table. He hears him explain to the receptionist that they are looking for their room. Upon checking his trainer''s licence, the receptionist dissapears into the back to look for their keys. The two boys stay alone for a few seconds. They are the first ones there, Ace realises. Being left alone with Joe was not his favourite thing. The boy was hard to figure out. He seemed rather mild, but everything that had happened in the hallway has convinced Ace he was not to be taken lightly. Especially since he seemed adamnt on having Riolu following him around so far. Ace, of course, knew a thing or two about pokemon, he had wanted to become a pokemon trainer for as long as he could remember after all. It was hard not to read about Riolu and its evolution, Lucario. It''s a strong species of pokemon capable of sensing and even shaping aura, as well as connecting to the emotional state of people and pokemon around them, especially their trainers. Exactly that was what made Joe someone to be weary about. Ace had just watched this boy, supposedly a complete beginner, handle two opponents with ease, commanding a pokemon that acts out on his trainers emotions. The thing that made Joe scary was that he truly wasn''t scared. He was either that brave or that stupid.


    Less than a minute later the receptionist came back, carrying a stack of 7 keys. Joe accepted three of them, noting that they''ll make a deal on who gets to hold on to the reserve ones later. Ace takes one as well. He''s not too eager when he realises they have scored a room on the fifth floor, especially since the dormitory had no elevator. Stairs aren''t exactly his favourite thing, and considering his future roomates, he had hoped for a room closer to the ground, just so an escape could be possible if things were ever to go south. Climbing the infinite set of stairs, the boy could only be grateful that their luggage has been delivered a few days in advance, as he didn''t want to imagine dragging all of that up. His mother had packed two large-sized suitecases, and she would''ve packed more if it wasn''t for Ace protesting the amount of clothes she was sending him off with. Dormitory hallways were narrow and the smell of cleaning supplies lingered in the air. At least the space was kept clean, Ace took any win that he could get. Still, it was imposible for him to escape the fact these hallways reminded him of a hospital. Rows of white doors sunk into the yellowing walls, all placed the same distance from each other. Other than a few sorry looking houseplants, the kind old women buy just to forget about them in two months, the space was empty. To imagine living in a place like this felt strangely dystopian. Even the people he got stuck with felt like they were a part of a bad dream, characters from a terrifyingly mediocore sit-com pilot that never should''ve seen the light of day. It rattled his mind, he could already see the greyness of days ahead of him, days spent in a small room with two dudes who were a walking temper tantrum, and one who''s definitely some kind of a sociopath. And Sam, who he couldn''t exactly describe at the moment, but had loathed anyways.


    The two boys have found their room, number 55, and Joe unlocked the doors. Walking in behind him, Ace wasn''t surprised by the sight. First thing that caught Ace''s attention were the beds. Two sets of bunk beds stood opposite from each other, while one single bed was pushed into a far corner of the room, right where the entrance is. Immediately, Ace came to the conclusion there was no winning a situation like this. It was either bunking with someone, or sleeping with your head either to one of his roomates or the hallway wall. He watched the single bed, how the wall above it has detoriated, the room was not painted in years. The air was stale as well, and Joe must''ve noticed it as well, cause he had already walked up to the window and tried opening it up. It gave a few cracks, but it moved in the end, letting in some fresh air. It made the space smaller, Ace thought, as he watched the small movements of the window pane above a row of 5 small study desks. They were pressed against each other, and it would be nearly impossible for all five of them to sit and work there at the same time. On each side of the row of tables, there were two wardrobes that have definitely seen some better days. They''d have to share them as well, Ace guessed.


    "So, you wanna bunk together?", Ace asked approaching one of the bed sets. The one that didn''t have the single bed placed right next to it. He isn''t having anyone''s head or feet near his face. Since they were the first there, it was only natural he makes the decision that most benefits him. Besides, Joe might be a bit of a case, but he''s a case that seems to cause the least amount of noise.


    "Sure, but what about the others", Joe responds, pulling three suitecases towards the bunk Ace had picked out for them.


    "Well, I doubt Teo and Ves want to bunk with you, or me for that matter", Ace shrugs, "and Sam had a chance to come up with us, so he dropped his chance".


    "Sounds fair enough", Joe opens up one of the suitecases and starts digging through it, "you mind me having a lower bed, I wake up early, and I wouldn''t want to ever wake you up by making my way down to earth".


    "Works for me, I wanted the top bunk anyways", Ace says, not adding that he would hate to have anyone sleeping above his head.


    "That''s good then", Joe picks out a few things from his suitecase and starts undressing. Ace turns his head around, heading for a window. He remembered Joe calling himself an asexual, and, while Ace didn''t know what that was exactly, he knew it was some of that gay stuff. It''s not that he had anything against gays, really, it was just a bit uncomfortable that a guy like that just started to undress in front of him so casually. And Ace would have to undress in front of him eventually as well, which didn''t make him feel more at ease. He remembered he''d have to share a bathroom with these guys as well, which was by far his least favourite thing to share. Even if he forgot Joe was a part of the rainbow gang, he hated the thought of losing privacy. Truth be told, Ace was rather uncomortable around other people when it came to that stuff. All of the other people. He nervously looked around the room, avoiding looking in Joe''s direction. He let out a small sigh of relief when he located a bathroom doors. Firstly, he was scared he might have to share a communal bathroom with everyone on the floor, so he was ecstatic to learn they head their own. Secondly, their very own bathroom had doors, which was great news. Slowly walking over, he opened the doors to inspect further. Upon learning the said doors had the key as well, he felt so grateful to the higher power he almost wanted to get down on his knees. He didn''t do that though, cause getting down on his knees when there was a half-naked gay guy few feet away from him didn''t seem like the smartest thing to do.


    "I''m off to take a little walk and get Riolu some snacks", Joe informs him, and Ace finally dares to look at him. He was wearing a white linen shirt and beige bermuda shorts. "you want anything?".


    "No, I''m good, thanks", Ace clears his throat.


    "Alright then", Joe turns around to leave, "you shouldn''t go hungry though".


    "Right, I won''t", Ace says behind him. Once he''s alone in the room, the boy climbs up on his bed, opting to lay down. The ceiling is peeling as well, he discovers. Breathing in, he realises the day is too long. He wasn''t sure what to do with himself. He fiddles with Rockruffs pokeball, trying to collect his thoughts. Getting into Old King''s didn''t surprise him. He was always a good student so it was only expected. Summer went by in a haze, a mix of silent excitement and listening to unsolicited advice coming from his parents. They had been getting on his nerves. They were restlessly repeating how he should be careful, which he already knew. How he shouldn''t make a fool of himself, which he also knew. The most annoying were the times they gave him pointers on pokemon training. They weren''t trainers. No one in his family is, Ace would be the first. Then there was his cousin, that golden child of the family, who Ace wanted to strangle. Gregory was his name, though everyone insisted on calling him Greg. He was three years older than Ace, and had tried enrolling in Old King''s after he finished middle school. Did not make it. Regardless, for the entire summer, he was explaining things away to Ace as if he was some sort of authority on the topic. Even more infuriating was the fact that everyone else around him acted as if Greg''s words had any importance. Ace did, on ocassion, remind his cousin that he was the one who actually made it into the school. Greg would then launch himself into his favourite excuse - the year he applied was the hardest year to get accepted in recent history, if not ever. His aunt and uncle would be quick to take their son''s side, as well as Ace''s own parents, and their grandparents as well. Valerie, Greg''s little sister, was the only one taking Ace''s side, probably cause she was 7 and failed to understand Greg''s family jewel status. Regardless, if she wasn''t his favourite family member before, that summer she definitely took a spot. Ace would have to get her a souvenir. Were there even any souvenirs on the island? He''d have to look for a gift shop when he finds some time.


    Sam was still not there. Neither were Teo or Ves. Not that he minded being left alone. He jumped off of his bed and headed for his suitecases. Since he was alone, he might as well take an opportunity to take a shower. Better do it now, if he waits for the others to arrive, they might waste all the hot water. He locks their room. Joe has his key, and the other three boys will pick theirs up at the reception, so it''s not like they can''t enter. Ace wouldn''t want anyone else walking into their room while he''s in the bathroom. He thinks about letting Rockruff out of his pokeball for a moment, just to have the pokemon keep an eye on things. Ultimately, he decides against it, as he''s not willing to risk Rockruff making a mess in the room, and he''s definitely not letting the pokemon into the bathroom while he''s showering. Closing the window for good measure, Ace walks into the bathroom. Trying to turn the key, he quickly finds out the lock isn''t working. He pulls the key out, goes back into the room, opens the window and unceremoniously hurls it away. Only moments later he starts to regret the decision. Maybe he could''ve made it work somehow. Re-entering the bathroom, he''s quick to get under the shower. Thankufully the bathroom seems to be clean, and the boy can only hope he''ll manage to convince the other four motherfuckers to keep it as such.


    Hot water relaxes him a bit. As it trickles down his body, Ace almost feels like nothing has changed. It lasts for a moment. Opening his eyes, he''s faced with a blurry reflection of himself that exists in the white tiles. They''re cold to touch, he finds out. His bathroom back home was blue, he remembers. His bathroom back home also had a working lock. It''s not that he misses home all of a sudden. It''s just a fact that his home was always much cleaner, a much softer place, one he didn''t have to share with four other boys. That''s a price you pay for your dreams, Ace thinks to himslef, one must surrender himslef to bunk beds and shared bathrooms. He tries shampooing his teammates out of his head, but it doesn''t work. He takes a deep breath, convincing himself he''ll make it through. He''s always made it through. He was the one who made it to Old King''s after all, not his golden cousin, but Ace. And he was ranked as on of the top 100 students. He could definitely graduate in top 50, even top 40 if he really puts his mind into it. Given that he doesn''t fail because of his teammates, of course. The thought plagues his mind. At least there''s Joe, he thinks. The dude is 4th best student right now, and judging by the little altercation in the hallway, Ace was sure that one was capable. Ves was somehow not the worst if he looks at the rankings, he did not place low per say. It riddled Ace, with the boy''s appearance and behaviour, and especially his irritating voice, Ves definitely gave an impression of a stupid person. Nevertheless, he wasn''t a problem in this regard, for now at least. The real problems were Teo and Sam. Teo was ranked at 255 right now, which was good enough on its own to get them a pass, through the first year, that is. However there was also a chance the boy would flunk, dragging all of them down in turn. Especially since he seemingly couldn''t control his partner at all. There was not much to say about Sam. The boy was placed dead last. Unless he miraculously turns out to be a battle pridogy who''s simply bad at taking tests, there''s no helping that. Ace, of course, guessed the teams would mix people with varying rankings, but he had hoped he wouldn''t get stuck with anyone who was in bottom 10, let alone a person who placed last. But there he was now, stuck with two guys in bottom fifty. That''s just another thing Greg had used to bring him down to earth that summer.


    Ace dries himslef and dresses up, putting on some cotton shorts and a plain black t-shirt. Walking out of the bathroom, he immediately reaches for his backpack, digging out a sandwich that he had brought. Leaving the room just to get food seemed like a bother. He remembers Rockruff could be hungry as well. From his suitecase he excavates a package of pokemon food his mother had packed, specially for his future partner. He lets out the puppy out of the pokeball, just for him to start merrily running around the moment his paws meet the floor. Ace likes Rockruff, save for the biting part. Obviously, he knew a lots about this pokemon, he had always found its evolutions rather cool, and though he''d never admit it out loud, he thought Rockruff was a rather cute pokemon itself. He empties the bag of food on the floor, and Rockruff is quick to dig in. Ace picks up his phone, shooting a quick message to his family group chat. ''Everything'' s good, done with introductions'' he writes. Pulling back slightly, he snaps a picture of Rockruff, sending it in as well. His mother is fast to reply: ''God, Ace, why is it eating off of the floor''. Ace sighs, writing another message: ''I''ll get him a food bowl tomorrow". He throws his phone besides him, and starts eating. He'' s occupied Joe''s bed, he realises. Not that it matters, it''s not like Joe''s there to get mad at him.


    As Ace worked his way through his lunch, he heard the lock twisting. His spirit sunk a bit with a sound. Hopefully it weren''t Teo or Ves. "Oh, God, it''s so hot in here", he heard Sam''s voice, "I was sitting outside in the sun for so long, I think I''m about to die". Ace looked his way, the brown haired boy seemed to have worked up quite a bit of sweat. Jersey shirt and running shorts were sticking to his skin. His breath was heavy, so the trip up the stairs probably didn''t help much either. Sam stood looking around the room, as if he''s looking for something. "What bed''s mine?", he asks, scratching his head.


    "Joe and I took these two", Ace gestures at the bunk bed he''s sitting on, "you can take your pick, just know you''re sharing with either Teo or Ves if you pick the second bunk".


    "Right then this one''s mine, I don''t think those two really like me", he stops for a second, approaching the single bed right next to the doors. "Oh, I need to cool off a bit", the boy sighs, quickly starting to undress. Ace quickly looks away. Sam''s way too comfortable with this too, it seems, and Ace could only hope Teo and Ves had some modesty. He wouldn''t bet on it, though. He hears Sam walking around, and flinches once the boy drops down right next to him. "God, that''s better, I was literally dying", Sam lets out a breath of relief, "how are you doing, Ace right?".


    Ace looks at Sam just to be sure, and yes, the other boy had apparently deicded to sit right next to him wearing only his underwear. "I''m fine", Ace replies shortly, shuffling around in place, trying to get away from Sam. The boy sat way too close, their shoulders were touching. Other than being almost naked, Sam also didn''t carry a pleasant smell right now. This one might just be worse than Joe. And Sam could be swinging for another team as well, you never know these days.


    "What did you think of all of this today?", Sam wondered out loud, "it was a bit crazy, and those three are a bit weird honestly, but I don''t think they are really bad guys".


    "Hey, I didn''t think you were that chatty", Ace ignores his questions.


    "Right", Sam laughs, "I mean, I usually like talking to people, but I was nervous today, honestly, I mean, first I was late, and then I was nervous to meet you guys, and then you saw how those three were, and...".


    "Alright, alright", Ace sighed, "calm down". Sam seemed to be one of those people who just couldn''t shut up. And he was dead last in the rankings. So. He was both incompetent and annoying, Ace concluded.


    "Sorry", Sam scrathes his head, and Ace catches the whiff of his sweat. Right. It''s not only that he''ll have to share this tiny room with four other people, but four teenage boys. Those did not smell good. And this one in particular seemed to be stranger to the concepts of both personal space and hygiene. "Guess I''m just a bit excited, I guess", Sam admits.


    "It''s alright", Ace says, "just slow down a bit".


    "Right", Sam replies, not slowing down at all. Instead, he jumps up as he''s been struck by lightning and starts digging through his stuff. He returns back to the bed, once again sitting down way too close to Ace. He all but shoves his pokedex into Ace''s face: "could you show me how to scan Yamper''s moves with this, I can''t figure out how to do that".


    Ace takes the opportunity to stand up and get away from Sam, grabbing his own pokedex. "Sure, I didn''t do it either, actually", he says. At first he stands facing Sam, unwilling to sit back down, until he realises he''s forced to look at the other boy that way. Ace sits down, making sure to leave some space between sam and himself. "So, basically, you fire up a scanner", Ace extends his pokedex, showing him where the scanner option is. Sam follows along. "Then you just place your pokedex on top of the pokeball like this", Ace picks up Rockruffs pokeball showing the motion to Sam, "make sure this red orb on the pokedex touches the top region of the pokeball, cause that''s part''s a scanner, and the top region is where the micro-chips that carry information are built in".


    "Wow, you''re like an expert in this dude", Sam sounds amazed, "I didn''t know any of that". Both of their screens flash up. "Here, Yamper knows moves Nuzzle, Bite, Howl and Sand Attack", the boy says out loud, "and its ability is called Rattled, wait, I think that one''s a bit stupid".


    "Yeah, it kind of is", Ace thinks about it, "I mean it''s good when it works, but it only works when you''re hit with a. Bug, Ghost or a Dark type move".


    "Right, so not too useful", Sam scratches his head, and Ace really wants to force him to go and take a shower.


    "It is a hidden ability, I think", Ace says instead, "wait, let me check". He leans over and presses a few buttons. "There, it is a hidden ability", Ace states, "so when you evolve it into Boltund, it will get Competetive".


    "Oh, that one''s better", Sam says excitedly, "right?".


    "If you make it into a special attacker, then it''s great", Ace explains, "cause it raises its special attack".


    "Right cool, thanks man", Sam smiles wrapping his arm around Aces shoulder. Ace flinches, quickly pulling back, realising he was leaning over and basically being hugged by another boy, who was barely a step above being naked. And he still smelled very bad. "Hey, what moves does Rockruff have?", Sam was now leaning over him to peek at his pokedex.


    Ace raised his arm almost defensively, creating some space between the two. Clearing his throat in an attemped to seem cool he said: "Accelerock, Quick Attack, Double Team and Sand Attack, eh, not the best, but at least I get evasivness control". Looking deeper into Rockruffs profile Ace goes on. "It has Own Tempo as it''s ability, which is fine I guess".


    "Oh, I don''t know that one", Sam notes.


    "It prevents confusion, which is fine, and for Rockruff, it lets it evolve into its midday form, which I don''t really care for", Ace explains.


    "Oh, you already know what form you want to evolve your Rockruff into?", Sam asks.


    "I mean, midnight form looks the coolest", Ace admits, "and I''m hopimg for Sand Rush or Steadfast as its ability, I could use that speed increase".


    "Hey, dude, you really know so much", Sam leans back, his voice filled with amazement, "no wonder you''re ranked so highly".


    "Right", Ace says, trying to hide the fact he enjoys being praised.


    The door handle turns again, and Joe walks in, with Riolu following close by. As the boy approaches them, Ace remembers they are both sitting on his bed. He looks them over, without a word, his face as calm as ever. "Hey Sam, if you''re going to sit on my bed please do that after you take a shower", the boy says matter of factly, "you don''t exactly look or smell clean right now".


    "Sorry dude", Sam jumps up from the bed immediately, "I was just trying to cool down, and honestly, didn''t know this was your bed, I thought it was Ace''s".


    "Right", Joe cuts him off, "it''s fine if you sit on my bed, just please don''t be covered in sweat when you do so, I don''t really like that".


    "Yeah, okay, sorry again, I''ll hop in the shower right now", Sam says hurriedly. Ace can see the boy turning red, and is frankly amazed of how unfiltered Joe is. Just straight up telling someone they stink is next level. Maybe having a gay roomate won''t be that bad, most of them are metrosexuals as well. And Joe seems to be rather capable of scaring people off as well, so maybe he could scare the rest of the boys into keeping the room and themselves clean. Joe sits down next to Ace without saying anything, but Ace makes sure he finishes his sandwich quickly and escape to his own bed. Just for good measure, he recalls Rockruff once the pokemon is done eating, so he doesn''t accidentaly tick off Riolu. Ace is not sure why Joe''s still keeping Riolu out of the pokeball anyways, but he''s too unnerved to ask.


    Minutes later, Sam is peeking through the bathroom doors. "Hey, guys, um, I forgot to bring in the towel", he says sheepishly, "hope you don''t mind me coming out like this".


    "Dude cmon", Ace wails, "are you for real".


    "What, I forgot, I''m sorry", Sam responds, "just don''t look if you mind it".


    "Oh my God", Ace scoffs, "I mean dude, we''re really not close enough for you to be giving us a full frontal".


    "Just don''t look", Sam repeats.


    "Well, it''s your ass, you know, and Joe is gay, in case you forgot", Ace tries to scare him off.


    "I''m an asexual", Joe sighs standing up and starting to look through his stuff.


    "Hey, I was wondering what''s that?", Sam says, "if you don''t mind me asking".


    "I''m not sexually attracted to anyone", Joe says simply, "not girls and not boys, or really anyone else".


    "Right, so it''s cool if I walk out like this, you won''t mind it", Sam concludes.


    "I will mind it, you''re wet, and I don''t want this room turning into a swamp", Joe says calmly. He digs up a towel, and approaches the doors. "Here, you can use one of mine, I don''t really want to dig through your stuff, just dry yourself, and then you can come out however you want, I don''t mind".


    "Oh, right", Sam says slightly confused, "thanks dude".


    "Hey, maybe land him some underwear as well", Ace chimmes in, "you might be into people walking around naked, but I''m really not".


    "Right, sorry", Sam says, "could you hand me some underwear as well, I don''t want to make anyone uncomfortable, my suitecases are the two big green ones, just check both, I don''t know what''s in which one".


    "Right", Joe quickly makes his way over to the suitecases. Expertly opening one, he starts digging through. Raising what he was looking for into the air, he states with a calm of a Tibetan monk: "Luvdisc briefs? Interesting choice". Ace can''t help but laugh.


    "Hey, they are funny and comfortable", Sam defends his choices as Joe hands him off the piece of clothing.


    "Alright, buddy, this is not a conversation we''re getting into", Ace warns, "just get dressed please".


    As Sam dissapears back into the bathroom, the doors to their room open again, and Teo and Ves enter, both looking rather unimpressed. Ves takes a quick glance at the room, noticing Sam''s dirty clothes on the single bed, and Ace and Joe hanging on their own beds. "So, I guess you guys couldn''t wait for the two of us before you decided who''s getting what bed", the boy says.


    "Just don''t start", Ace rolls his eyes, and is happy the two boys can''t see the gesture.


    "Why not, it''s our room as well", Ves retorts angrily.


    "Well, it doesn''t matter, the bunks are the same anyways", Ace replies, "and I don''t think you want to bukn with either three of us anyways, the two of you are buddies, so you''d end up bunking together even if we talked about it".


    "We''re not buddies", Teo says simply, approaching the bunk, "I''m taking the top bed".


    "Hey, now you''re starting as well", Ves turns his attention to Teo, "so what, I''m the only one who doesn''t get a say in this?".


    "Hey, I called this bed, so miss me with your shit", Teo replies, "you can argue with those three all you want".


    "Well, maybe I want a single bed", Ves huffs, "not that I want to bunk with you buddy".


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "The single bed''s mine", Sam picks the worst time to walk out of the bathroom.


    Ves sizes him up, immediately bursting into a laughter. "My God, Teo, just look at this idiot", he barely manages to say.


    Teo peeks his head over the frame of his bed shortly noting: "for future refrence, I''m not interested in stuff like that Ves, though I''m sure you enjoy the view".


    "Oh, fuck off", Ves retorts, "the only one who enjoys this is Joe, probably, he''s gay".


    "I''m asexual", Joe reiterates.


    "Yeah, make up as many words you want buddy, you''re gay", Ves waves him off, "tell you what, the best option would be if Ace bunked with Teo, you give me the single bed, so these two dick lovers can bunk together".


    "I''m not bunking with Teo", Ace basically yells out.


    "I frankly do not care", Joe flats out.


    "I''m not gay", Sam says confused, "I like women, I really like women".


    "Yeah, well, the Luvdisc undies tell a whole different story buddy", Ves chuckles.


    "Oh, quit it, Ves, you didn''t think this through", Ace explains, "you really wanna sleep with your head to the hallway wall in a dormitory?"


    "Well, I''ll just turn the other way around", Ves shrugs.


    "Yeah, sure, and if I take the bottom bunk, you''ll be sleeping with my feet to your face, I can promise you that much", Ace raises his eyebrows.


    Ves seems to think about it, and Ace knows he''s got him. He''s always had a knack for dimplomacy. "Right, fine, I''ll bunk with Teo then", Ves gives in, "who cares either way".


    "Exactly", Ace says with a satisfied smile. Maybe he''ll make it through these four years after all.


    *****


    Sunday morning was a hot mess. Ace had discovered that the window in their room was facing east, by the virtue of sunlight piercing through his eyelids at 6 AM. Throwing a pillow over his head, he tried sinking back to sleep. Ves and Sam, however, rendered his attempt useless, as the two proved to be quite efficent in using snore. In his head, Ace titled the pair ''Snorlax Brothers'', silently laughing at his own joke. Nevertheless, he took a mental note on getting himself some sun-proof curtains as well as ear-plugs. He wasn''t sure how much time had passed, when he heard the doors silently open. A jolt of fear left him feeling fully awake, as he turned around to see who was intruding at this time of the day. Joe looked up at him, his eyes as blank as ever. "Went for a morning run", the boy almost whispered as he approached their bunk, "sorry if I woke you up".


    "No, you didn''t", Ace said, painfully aware of the fact his voice was cracking. It always did in the mornings. He hated it.


    "It''s 7 AM", Joe continued, "I''m going to take a shower, then I''m off to cafeteria to get some breakfast, I''d recommend you get ready for breakfast as well, we have to be off to the assembly, and it''s better we don''t go hungry".


    "Whatever, mom", Ace rubs his eyes, "just bring your clothes with you, please".


    "Right, I will", Joe replies, "I''ll try to keep it quiet as well".


    "Well, I''m already awake, so I don''t care about that", Ace snarks. Joe is quick to pick out his clothes and leave for the bathroom. Ace closes his eyes again, but he can''t fall back asleep. The sound of running water only adds to the cacophony caused by the snores of the Snorlax Brothers. Teo seems to be the only one of his roomates who''s not a bother in the morning. Being fair, Joe wasn''t the worst either in that regard. Ace truly did not hear him waking up and leaving. And if he gets a habbit of coming back to the room at this time, that''s not the worst thing, their classes do start at 8 AM. Coming to his senses a bit, Ace jolts up, quickly making hisnway off of his bed. He double-checks the other three boys, making sure they are all still asleep. Digging up the clothes for the day, Ace quickly changes. Better do it now, he thinks, he doesn''t want anyone else looking at him. He shudders, as he realises Riolu is sitting on Joe''s bed, watching him intently. He''ll have to have a talk with his teammate about keeping his pokemon out at all times. Joe walks out into the room, and Ace doesn''t bring it up. Instead, he quickly takes his turn in the bathroom, adding to Joe: "Hey, if you''re going for breakfast, wait up for me".


    "Alright", Joe says distantly. The lack of reaction to anything is slowly but surely starting to get on Ace''s nerves. The thought of hanging out with Joe definitely doesn''t bring him any joy. Eating alone, however, could possibly be social suicide, this is a high school after all, and Ace had seen enough movies to know how things work. Having someone eat with you meant you weren''t a social reject, and at this point, he didn''t exactly have a big pool of acquaintances to pick from.


    Making their way down the series of stairs, the two boys don''t talk. Ace thinks about how soulless the halls look in the morning, first lights make everything look grey, and the last remains of sleep still stuck in his eyes make the boy feel like the world is fading in and out. He focuses his eyes in front of himself. The cafeteria is wast, filled with various smells. They fight through the air, coming together to form a strange yet weirdly familiar feeling. There''s barely anyone there. It''s Sunday, no one has to wake up this early. Most of the older students probably didn''t arrive yet either, Ace concludes. Sat far apart, there are only few other people in there. Three girls sat on the far right end of the room, Ace could tell they were giggling about something. They passed two boys who were sitting together and eating in silence. Near the counter, another boy sat with a Mienfoo that Ace concluded was his partner. He shuddered at the thought of eating alone with his pokemon. That was social reject behaviour. Joe was ready to do it, though Ace thought. If he hadn''t tag along, the boy would probably end up eating breakfast with his Riolu, who was still out of his pokemon. Maybe it was some sort of fighting type trainer thing, the whole having your pokemon out at all times and being a social case.


    There was no line so they were quick to get their food. They looked surprisingly good. Ace had gotten a steak, made out of Pomeg and Aguav berries. There were, of course, numerous combinations of berry-synthesised meats, but this was one of Ace''s favourite combination. Made him feel energised. They were delicious. Sometimes though, Ace had wished eating pokemon wasn''t outlawed. He was highly curious about how certain pokemon species tasted. Getting that thought off of his mind, he put a bowl filled with food down for Rockruff. As they took their place at the table, as far from the other occupants of the cafeteria as possible, Ace let his partner out of the pokeball. Watching the small dog eat, he felt guilty over his imagined culinary conquests. Joe was, thankfully, not a talker. As Ace dug into his steak, enriching the meal with giant gulps of orange juice, he thought about that personality test. How did it work? The questions weren''t anything out of the ordinary, and he could barely remember them or his answers. He did put down watching movies as his hobby. How did that lead to him being paired with Rockruff, he had no idea. Taking glances at his partner, he tried to figure it out. A rock type. Maybe the school board thought he was tough? Or boring? Maybe stubborn?


    He remembered what Joe had said yesterday, he was expecting a psychic type. Ace thought about it. With the way Joe is, Ace would''ve given him an Ice type. Then, again, the boy was ranked in the top 5 students, maybe he was smart, so it wouldn''t be strange if he had recieved a psychic type either. Ace didn''t have any personal preferences when it came to types of pokemon, he thought every type had some cool pokemon. Objectively, though, he would''ve paired himself with a poison type. Those were more his style, realistically. Rock was way too straightforward, come to think of it. He saw himself as more of a long game type of person, fight with brains, not brawn. Maybe a psychic type would''ve fit him as well. He looked at Rockruff again, recalling all that he knew about his partner. His evolution line is one of those that are basically meant to hit hard and hit fast. Not exactly Ace''s way of doing things. Trying to make it make sense, he thought about other three boys. Sam getting a Yamper made sense straight off the bath. The boy was hyperenergetic, childish and had no idea about personal boundaries. An electric type was a perfect fit. Teo, whatever his deal was, seemed to fit the dark type profile, so that one made perfect sense. It might''ve been the way he dresses. Ves was, well, Ves. Surprisingly, that boy was hard to pin down. He definitely knew how to run his mouth, and had his temper working, so a fire typing fits. Dark, however, was a bit stranger. Ace couldn''t desribe it exactly, but there was definitely a huge difference between Ves and Teo. Ves''s bite was more of an act.


    The two were done eating quickly. Joe stood up and went for the counter again. The line was slowly starting to form. It was almost 8 AM, Ace realised. Joe came back, carrying three lunch boxes. Ace figured out what he was going for. "Really, dude", he scoffed, "are you really going to baby those three?".


    "Just making sure nobody goes hungry for the assembly", Joe states, "we don''t know how long it will last".


    "Well, they should be able to take care of themselves, you know, maybe let them go hungry", Ace retorts, "besides, I''m not climbing all those stairs again".


    "You don''t have to", Joe simply says.


    Ace rolls his eyes. Of course he''ll come along. He''s not going to hang out in the cafeteria all alone. Or anywhere else really. "Let''s just go", he sighs in defeat, "let''s herd those Wooloo".


    Ace walks the stairs again, hating every step. The three boys are still fast asleep when they return into the room. Ace climbs up onto his bed, letting Joe do the dirty work of waking them up and getting them in order. It''s not a pretty picture. Sam stumbles around, trying to get dressed. Ves is loudly complaining about the sun and being woken up against his wishes. Teo silently stares at all of them, presumably plotting how to murder them. After it comes a series of small fights. Who gets to go to the bathroom first. Who gets what breakfast. Joe straight up forbids Ves and Teo from feeding their pokemon in the room. Ves complains about it, but ultimately obliges. Teo doesn''t say a word. It takes them about half an hour, but eventually, all five of them are ready to go.


    Walking as a group feels weird. Everyone else is doing it, though. "How long will this thing last?", Sam is wondering out loud.


    "No idea", Teo answers.


    The path towards the main building isn''t long, much to Ace''s gratification. Joe walks in front, Riolu by his side. Three boys have made a priority not to walk too close to him. Sam''s the only one unaware, making his way forward every now and again, with Yamper running around his feet. "What do you think they''ll talk about?", the boy''s still adamant about striking a conversation. Likely, Sam has realised Joe''s the only one willing to humour him. The two had gotten into an altercation that morning, as Sam had picked out some cargo shorts and a shirt that desperately needed ironing to wear to the assembly. Joe made him change. Ace enjoyed watching him. Sam had seemingly thought of Joe as a de-facto leader of the group after that. Ace did not enjoy that.


    "Monologue about what it means to be a Pokemon, most likely", Joe answers flatly, "that''s how these things usually go, I''m pretty sure".


    "Right", Sam''s enthusiasm flattens after hearing Joe''s uninterested tone.


    The main building looks dissapointingly ordinary. Not that it looks bad. Series of tall white towers, connected with mermer tunnels certainly created the effect of grandour. Bathed in sun, the humongous white construction had seemed almost otherworldly. It was, however, too modern, Ace concluded, too clean. Isn''t this school called the Old King''s? The boy had no other choice but to deem the architectural choices soulless. The five made their way into the building, following the crowd that was already starting to form. Ace was dissapointed the assembly wasn''t held in the stadium, the construction that stood in the center of the main building and was used for official battles and tournaments held by the school.


    Instead, they followed the stream of people into the main amphitheatre. That''s what the plate on the wide white doors had read. The room was much more to Ace''s liking. The walls were worked in wood and had antique looking lamps placed alongside them. In the front of the room stood a high platform, made out of wood and carpeted in red, it was a place dedicated to the speakers. Opposite to it, the rows of chairs ascended, lined with connecting table tops. The amphiteatre was probably used for lectures as well, Ace realised. Looking at the chairs, it was clear that the first few rows were filled up. Walking through the scattering chatter, the group climb their way to one of the top rows. Joe took a turn into the first completely empty row, and Sam went after him. Ace felt a jolt of relief as both recalled their Pokemon. Walking after them, he took a seat next to Sam. Ves followed behind him, opting to sit down leaving a single chair between them, a rather rude gesture in Ace''s book. Teo took a row above them, leaning over the table uninterested, hovering over the single empty chair between Ace and Ves. "We have to wait for this to start now", Sam starts whining immediately, "why couldn''t we come in later?".


    "This is a one time thing", Ace retorts, "you''ll survive".


    "Just shut up you three", Teo scoffs at them.


    "I wasn''t even talking", Joe comments.


    "Yeah, and that should stay the case", Teo says under his breath.


    "Whatever, just don''t get tough with me", Joe seems uninterested.


    "Why not, I''m not like these three pussies", Teo smirks, "you don''t scare me".


    "Well, that''s your lack of judgement", Joe remains calm.


    "Hey, you two, we ain''t turning this into a ghetto Breakfast Club", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, you keep quiet", Teo chucks him over the head, "you''re a literal lap dog who runs his mouth way too much".


    "Don''t hit me, you asshole", Ace flinches a bit.


    "Why not, it''s not like you''re gonna fight back, cmon, I''ve got you all figured out Ace, I''ve got you all figured out", Teo laughs lightly.


    "Firstly, this isn''t Fight Club, so you should chill out", Ace snarks.


    "Wow, a second movie reference in a row, slow down Ace", Ves raises his eyebrow.


    "Secondly", Ace ignores him, "I''ve figured you out as well, tough guy, you act all high and mighty, but you were too scared to let your partner out of the pokeball this earlier, huh, weren''t you".


    "What do you know, asshole", Teo scoffs, pulling back.


    "Hey, cmon guys don''t fight", Sam chimes in, "we''re teammates, we''re all this together, remember?".


    "Fat chance", Ace gives him a sharp look, "this isn''t High School Musical, buddy".


    "Yeah, Get''cha head in the game Sam", Ves laughs.


    "Hey, you, don''t tie into my movie references", Ace scoffs, "we''re not that close".


    "Chill, dude", Ves raises his hands defensively, "I didn''t know you were that emotionally invested".


    "If the four of you don''t stop yapping, I''m letting Riolu deal with you", Joe informs them. The three sink into an unsettling silence.


    "Wait, you''d really let Riolu beat us up", Sam asks almost innocently.


    Joe gives him an empty stare: "not beat you up, just discipline you a bit".


    "Well that''s kinky", Ves comments quietly enough for Joe not to hear, causing Teo to chuckle.


    Ace is grateful for the quiet that follows. All this bickering isn''t exactly his favourite thing. As the room fills up even more, and the chater grows all around them, the boy recollects his feelings. These kinds of ceremonies were never his cup of tea, he had found them tacky and unnecessary. Growing pride pulsing through his limbs told a different story this time around. Somehow, this day felt important. Ace felt important. As he watched speakers take their place on the podium, he remembered the feeling he had in June. All-consuming confidence that came with the realisation he was accepted into one of the most prestigious Pokemon schools in the world. With that, the boy felt himself grow bigger in his chair.


    Woman, looking to be around sixty, dressed in pants and a white blouse, made her way to the mic, signing for the room to quiet down. As the chatter slowly died, Ace took note on people standing on the podium. There were six people up there, he recognised one of them as professor Nolan. Five more people stood right next to the stage, seemengly getting ready to climb up. They weren''t all going to give a speech, Ace hoped, otherwise this might last for a whole day.


    The old woman cleared her throat into the mic, causing the last of chater to fade. When she spoke, her voice echoed throughout the room, raspy and low: "Dear student, and respected colleagues, allow me to wish you a warm welcome on this fine day". She made a pause, allowing for an applause to take over. Sam was the only one clapping among the five, making a quick stop when he realised the other four boys were staring at him. "For those of you who do not now me yet, my name is Amelia and I am the director of our school", the woman continued, "I''ve been in position for three years now, and I would like to think of my time here as successful and productive, with that said, I hope this year will yield the same results". Ace chuckled, remembering the Spiritomb fiasco professor Nolan told them about yesterday. If that counted as a successful and productive year, the boy was not sure what to think. "To our first year students, I hope you''ll have a year of growth and learning here at Old King''s", she went on, "and to my colleagues, I hope we''ll all give our best efforts to shaping these young minds".


    The crowd applauded again, while Ace was already losing his nerves. Still, he sat in his chair upright. "Now, what is a Pokemon trainer?", director Amelia firmly launched into the second part of the speech, that Ace was sure she spent significant amount of time crafting. Pausing for tension to rise, she cut right through it: "the real question we should ask is, what is a good Pokemon Trainer". She must''ve been very proud of that one, Ace decided, as the director took a step back at her own words. "Good trainer must be fearless but not careless", her voice turned mellow yet it carried an anthemic feeling. As if she was re-telling a legend long lost. "In this world of ours, Pokemon trainers do much more than battle for entertainment of masses", she gave the room a sharp look, "and though I am sure that''s the aspect that interests you the most, keep in mind, the path you have chosen requiers so much more". She made another stop, waiting for the applause, but the room quickly filled with quiet murmur instead. "Trainers have a duty to our society", she silenced the crowd with a wave of her hand, "duty to protect people from bad pokemon, and protect pokemon from bad people, duty to be strong and clever enough, to be someone people will look up to". Ace feels the speech is definitely taking things a bit too far, but he can''t deny its dramatic qualities. The feeling growing inside of him, a feeling of major things to come, was also undeniable. "For all of this, I shall urge you all to act responsibly", she goes on, "I am sure you have already heard this sentiment from your mentors, but the Pokemon you have recieved from the school are not to be taken lightly, just like any other Pokemon out there, your new partners are capable of causing harm to you, or to people around you, if they are mishandled". Carrying on, she talks about the dangers of Pokemon and duties of trainers, occasionally stopping for the applause. Ace stops paying attention after a while. It''s nothing that he hasn''t heard before. Nothing all of them haven''t heard before.


    The boy breathes a sigh of relief when director Amelia finally introduces the school''s vice principal, Urlich, letting him take his chance at adressing the audience, and explaining the way the school functions in more detail. The man, seemingly in his 60s as well, brings with him a much more relaxed demeanor and a calmer voice. His hair is white and neatly trimmed, as he stands dressed in beige from head to toe. With another warm welcome wished, the man is quick to start explaining how the school works. Ace decides he should pay attention, even though he already did his reasearch and knew most of this stuff. "I am sure many of you are curious as to why we insist on putting our students into teams, why not just let you go through school on your own?", he knowingly glances over the audience. "While we could easily let you go about your education purely as individuals, there are numerous reasons and benefits to forming the teams", the man speaks matter-of-factly, "first reason is that our school is much older than the Pokemon Trainer profession, while our current curriculum revolves around Pokemon battles for entertainment, we had our start with something much different". Right, Ace remembers the history of this place. "Before battling Pokemon had turned into a career, this school produced students who were more of adventurers, rangers per say", the vice principal stated, "their job was to traverst the world, face wild pokemon and discover new things about them, which you would imagine, most of the time had required working together with others". He took a deep breath before continuing. "Of course, those aspects of being a pokemon Trainer still exist, and even for those of you who plan on focusing solely on Pokemon battles learning to work and function as a part of the team is highly beneficial, as many of the tournaments that trainer''s make their living off are formated like doubles or tag-team event", he states, "add to that the benefits of social life and the fact teams have been a long running in our school, we hope you can see why we would opt to stay true to this tried formula".


    Ace hates to admit it, but the speech is getting him riled up. He didn''t give much thought to why he was put into a team up until now, for him it was just a simple function of the school. Vice-principal''s speech almost made him excited that he''s a part of a team. Almost. Luckily, the guys he was teammed up with sat next to him and served as a great counter-argument for professor''s ''benefits of other people'' speech.


    "As for our grading system, if you could even call it that, I am well aware first year students find it hard to grasp, so I''ll do my best to explain it in the most simple way possible", the man continues. Clearing his throat he prepares himself, and Ace gets a feeling this will be another long-winded explanation. He did his research, so he knew how the rankings worked rather well himself. There were, however a few things he was still unclear on, so he decided it would be for the best if he followed along. "I personally like to say that we have a ranking system, not a grading system, here at Old King''s", the man starts, "we pride ourselves at being one of the best schools for Pokemon trainers, but, unlike our concurrents, we have decided to take a different approach". He gives a significant stare to the audience. "As I am sure you know already, for our first years, the bottom ranking 5 teams are eliminated", he puts the last word in air quotes, "that''s to say, the 30 students belonging to the 5 teams who finish the year on the bottom of list will fail the year". That''s the thing Ace was the most scared of. Only the students ranked above 270th place get to move on to the second year. In second year that number grows even smaller. Eventually, only 100 students will graduate from the fourth year. This was what made Old King''s special. The competition. While all of the other schools had significantly smaller acceptance rates, a few elite ones only accepting 30 students in a single year, the Old King''s School for Pokemon Trainers took much different approach. Let the larger number of students enroll, then have them fight for their spot. He wasn''t too worried about himself, he sat comfortably at the place 87, he''d just need to hold on to that spot in order to graduate. Unfortunately, it wasn''t all up to him.


    He could hear the echo coming from somebody few roads in front of them, but he couldn''t make out the words. The vice principal gave a nod of understanding. "Certainly the team dynamics add an interesting layer to this, I''m sure all of you agree on that one", there''s a note of mischief in his voice. Someone''s apparently voiced what Ace was thinking. "Here''s the deal", the man clapped his hands letting his voice loosen up a bit, "the stance of our school on the topic of making the passing requierments dependent on the team performance is pretty clear cut". He pauses and Ace is now certain he likes getting under student''s skin. "As we have said, we believe that working with others is one of the core values of a Pokemon Trainers, and the system that decides wheter or not our students pass the year must reflect that", he states, "in our doctrine, a part of what makes someone a capable Pokemon Trainer is being able to work with people and resources that surround him, and, to put it in the perspective, you''re not always going to be surrounded by the best of the best, so you must understand why the team dynamic is integral to our philosophy". Ace looked over to Sam, to find the boy sinking deeper into his chair. He must''ve realised the other four were all staring at him. Ace turned around, giving Teo a raised eyebrow, just to drive home the point.


    Someone in the crowd was speaking again, and Ace could barely understand a few words, like "not fair" or "what if", but it was quite enough for him to figure out what the question was.


    The vice principal nodds again. "Firstly, let me assure you that we do our best to make the teams balanced when rankings are in question, for the sake of everyone having equal chances", the man says, "of course, big part in forming teams are the personality tests, as well as the gender of our students, so do take into account that forming teams is decided by numerous factors". He takes in a deep breath. "While I can''t argue that every team has the same chances, I can say for certain that every team has a chance to pass, and graduate even", he says, "as for those of you who are worried your teammates will drag you down, I can assure you, if you are that great on your own, you won''t fail even if your teammates all place in bottom 30". He looked over the crowd again. "Firstly, we are aware that a situation in which a four mediocore students drag down one brilliant one can happen, although that''s a very rare occasion, we do know that it can realiatically happen", he adds, "therefore, any student placing within top 50 spots on their own will automatically pass, regardless of how their team does, we''re not about to fail somebody who''s capable". Another question comes from the audience. "In that case, the student who passes takes a spot in the team of the person who was ranked last on the single list but belongs to one of the passing teams", the vice principal explains. Another voice is heard. "To put it bluntly, the best option for all of you is try and not rank low, I hope that answers all of your questions on passing", the man says sporting a small smile. The bastard is definitely enjoying this.


    Realising he had managed to stop the questions from coming, the man went back to his speech. "Now, another thing I should explain, and I promise this is the last you''ll hear from me, is the way to actully gather the points", he clears his throat. "Not to waste your time, each semester you will have three main chances of gathering points for yourselves and your team", he states, "two battle tournaments and your written finals as well". The chatter spreads through the room again, and someone is asking another question. "Yes, sometimes the school organises additional events that can lend you points, but those are organised on short notice, I promise you will always be informed about them in time, but I''d advise focusing on these main ones for now", the vise principal gives another explanation. "Now, for you first years", he goes back to his speech, "the first of these events would be a tag team tournament, that is scheduled to start on the third monday of October", he announces. "Please save your opinions for later and your questions for tomorrow", he gestures, "I believe you all have homeroom classes scheduled for tomorrow, so your mentors will be the ones to give you more detail on all of this". He pauses for the chatter to die down. "After that, throughout a month of November, you will take part in the single battle tournament, and I''m telling you this right now, singles are the second battle tournament of every semester, and arguably the most important one", he states, "when that is done, you will be taking your finals some time during December, the schedule of the tests will be worked out closer to the date".


    The room fell silent. Ace fidgeted his fingers, doing his best to calculate. Of course he had heard of Old King''s battle tournament. He had no idea they were a part of the grading system. He thought they were a fun little side thing. He''s never had a pokemon battle. Other than the ones on the simulator. The date of the tournament was too close for comfort. He looked at the other boys. Tag team battle. That one''s suppoed to mean all of them battle an opponent from the other team, and the firt one to 3 victories wins the whole thing. Suddenly, he was grateful for Joe''s existance. He looked at the other three. Teo looked like the worst prospect to him. Even if he wasn''t scared of his Pokemon, which Ace was sure of, he still couldn''t control it, let alone use it in battle. Sam didn''t bring in much hope either. With a sigh, the boy concluded it would be up to Joe, Ves and himself to get them the points worth passing. Not an easiest of feats.


    "With all of that said, and before I give word to your mentors, let me remind you of a rule we have here", the vice principal speaks up, "first years are prohibited from taking part in unsupervised battles, I''m sure you''re all eager to start training as soon as possible, but the director Amelia already explained, Pokemon can be dangerous, so we can''t have a bunch of kids battling whenever and wherever they want, I hope that much is clear". Clearing his throat he adds: "if you want to battle, you need to ask one of your professors to oversee it, breaking this rule can and most likely will result in expulsion". He pauses for a moment. "That would be all I have to say to you, I wish you all the best of luck, now you''ll hear a bit from your mentors", the vice principals says before stepping back.


    As the mentors start giving their speeches, Ace finds himself unable to concentrate. The first two had sucked all of the will to live right out of him. He catches professor Nolan talking about dangers of Pokemon again, and reiterating the ''no battling'' rule. Mostly, he thinks about how to go about things. The only new piece of information he had learned from these speehes was the fact that the top 50 students in the individual rankings get an automatic pass. He wasn''t so sure what the difference between the team list and individual list was, and how the two were connected, the school website didn''t explain that in too much detail. He could ask about it tomorrow in homeroom, all that mattered now was that there was a way for him to pass regardless of how his teammates fared. He would need to climb up at least 37 spots, he calculated. The numbers made his hopes seem bleaker by a minute. In theory it was not an impossible task. Reality, however, was that those 37 numbers he had to jump over were people. People who''ll be fighting for their own spots as well, people who had already outscored him on the entrance exam. His chances were slim, he knew. Looking over at his teammates, he felt the headache starting up. An argument about all of this is coming as soon as they leave the amphitheatre. Maybe they could pull it off, though? What did they need? If Joe just hangs on to his place, that should earn them quite a bit of points, right? Even if he falls a bit lower, that''s still good, even a top 30 position should mean he had gathered a good amount of points. There was still a black hole in his mind, he still had no idea what classified for team points and what went into individual points. He tried to think around it, prepare for the worst case scenario. If Joe didn''t fall out of top 20 and Ace managed to cling on to his position as well, that would certainly be enough for them to pass. It had to be. Add Ves to the mixture, say that he keeps his spot as well. That should be enough to push them through the first year, right. Sam and Teo couldn''t fuck things up that much. Not right now. The real problem was the second year though. Ace tried to stop himself from thinking that far ahead. His attempts failed. Right, if he advances into top 70 or even top 60 spots this year, next year he can push for that top 50 position that gurantees safety more comfortably. Hanging back in his chair, he finally realxes a bit. He sees the way out. Breathing in deep, Ace lets himself relax.

 Chapter 3

    Teo rubs the sleep from his eyes. Lowering his head into his arms, he can only feel grateful that he had managed to snatch one of the desks in the back of the classroom. He did not care to know about much. To him, the room he was in looked like any other classroom. White board on the wall. Too many desks. Posters put up on the walls for him to half-read when he gets bored. The walls were green. Last classroom he was in had yellow walls. So much for the diferences. Mostly, he just silently mourned not getting the window seat. Looking out of the window would be much more to his liking than looking at the walls or posters. He might have to convince somone to switch places with him. Or he''ll just take the different desk for himself the first opportunity he has.


    His teammates sat way too close to him for his liking. Ves was sat at the desk to his right. Sam was in front of him. Joe sat right in front of Teo, and in front of Joe was Ace. The boy wasn''t sure why they did this. Why they insisted on banding together. Truth be told, he did respect his teammates for one thing and one thing only. They left him alone. Teo would look at all of the other teams and shudder. The way they all excitedly talked over each other, asking get-to-know you questions, Teo couldn''t do it. Braindead behavior, that''s what it was. The school ran some shitty personality test and decided who should get along. It was all so fake and faciliated. His team was different though. Other than Sam, the other boys didn''t go around pretending they want to be friends. That was the only good thing he could say about their group. In every other aspect, his teammates were irritating. He couldn''t wrap his head around why they insisted on going for meals together or sitting this close by right now. It was not necessary. Still, he humoured them, for the sole understanding that he could''ve ended up with roomates that demanded much more. Someone had to sit next to him anyways, maybe it''s for the better it''s someone who already know not to pester him.


    Professor Nolan walked in, irritatingly casual. Teo did not like his mentor. The man had seemed to him too cocky. Professor Nolan had this air of confidence around him that Teo found completely unfounded. He was just a high school professor after all. And history professor, on that note. It''s not like he was teaching something hard, like math or chemistry, or something cool like Pokemon battles or battle strategies. He had no business of acting that dignified. Then there were the switches. The man acts nice and collected, but is truly something else. Teo remembered his reaction to their partner pokemon. What kind of professor reacts like that? The school board ran through their info and assgned them partbers they thought were suitable. They wouldn''t give them anything that they can''t handle. He hated how high and mighty professor Nolan had acted, as if they are just a bunch of incompetent kids who can''t handle themselves around anything more than a house cat. Teo decided to dissociate, as the professor started the class. He wished them a welcome again, then proceeded to talk about yesterday''s assembly. Teo didn''t care. He watched Ace''s hand shoot up as soon as professor asked if there were any questions. Suck-up, Teo thought.


    "Right, professor", Ace cleared his throat, "I''m unsure of how the different ranking lists operate, or rather, how do we score points on the team list and what counts towards individual lists". Teo rolled his eyes. It was clear to him where Ace was going with this. The little blond fuck was going to focus on the individual list. That suits him. He spent half of the day yesterday scribbling around in some notebook, probably calculating his chances. Most of the people did that, Teo noticed. Ace was the only one of his teammates that thought about that. Teo himself did not care about the rankings. He saw a simple truth, the entrance exam scores didn''t matter now. For him, they were all on theneven playing field as of right now. Calculating anything would meaningless. There was a simple way to do things. Just be better than everyone else and win.


    "I''m kind of bad at explaining these things", professor Nolan scratched his head, "but basically, everything you do as an individual counts towards both your individual ranking and your team ranking, and the team scores go towards team rankings, if that makes sense".


    "It does not", a curly haired girl says.


    "Right", professor sighs, "well maybe it''s best if I explain it with some examples". Bringing his hands together he tries explaining again: "for instance, your written test scores, that''s something you do as individuals".


    "Right, what with them?", Ace urges.


    "The points you score on your written tests will obviously count towards you individual ranking", professor states, "but each of your individual test scores also get added to your team ranking list, if that makes sense".


    "Right, so written tests count for both lists?", some boy in the front row adds.


    "That''s right", professor nods.


    "And the scores don''t get split or factored or anything?", Ace questions further.


    "No, no", professor clarifies, "say, you''ve scored a 1000 points through your finals, those points go towards your individual score, but also get added to your team score, so if every team member scores a 1000 on the tests, each of them gets those 1000 points for themselves, and we consider that you have scored 5000 thousand points as a team".


    "Right, that''s clear, what about battles though?", the curly girl asks again.


    "Well, the singles are easy enough, they work pretty much the same", professor says, "each round you win earns you points, the points you earn as an individual count towards your personal ranking and get added to your team as well".


    "Right, so if I win and score 1000 points, I get those points and my team now has those 1000 points as well?", the boy in the front adds.


    "Right that''s how it works", professor Nolan confirms, "but one win in the battle definitely won''t get you 1000 points, unless it''s winning the finals".


    "Well I''ll just win the finals then", the boy in the front says cockily, and Teo can hear Ace scoffing.


    "Okay, and what about the tag team tournament?", the girl asks again.


    "That one''s a bit more more complicated", professor scratches his head again, "but basically, if your team wins, your team gets the points, if you win, you get points, if that makes sense".


    "No, it does not", the girl says.


    "Right, so if your team wins the tag team battle, you get points, let''s say you score 300 points for that", professor sighs, "but the tag team includes multiple individual battles, so if you''ve won your battle, you gain individual points, let''s say you get 100 for winning your own battle within the tag team battle".


    "Right, and if you lose your own battle?", Ace wonders.


    "If your team wins, it gets the team points, however, if you lose your individual battle you don''t get any points on the individual list, even if your team wins the battle as a whole", professor explains, "and in case you do win your own battle, you win the individual points, even if your team loses the tag-team battle".


    "And if you lose your battle and your team loses?", Sam chimmes in.


    "Then you get nothing", professor laughs him off.


    "Don''t worry buddy", Ves taps Sam on the shoulder, "you''ll get a beating if you lose". Professor Nolan shoots him a sharp look.


    "But wait", Ace says, "that sounds a bit unfair, I mean, it''s a tag team battle, not everyone gets a chance to fight, or do we just continue even in cases when it''s clear which team has won?".


    "No, the first team that scores three victories wins, then the battle is over", professor shrugs.


    "But then we don''t all have equal chances of scoring individual points", Ace points out.


    "Right, well, then I guess it would be beneficial for you to learn to communicate and problem solve", professor gives Ace a knowing look, making the boy pull back.


    "And what if the battle ends in a draw?", the boy in the front asks, "do we get any points for that?".


    "No points for a draw", professor responds.


    "And if the whole tag team battle ends in a tie?", the curly haired girls wonders.


    "Each team picks one of their winners and they fight in the tie-breaker round", professor says, "if each team has two winners you can do a double battle as well, if both parties want to go about it like that". The girl nods in understanding. "Any more questions about tournaments and scoring points?", professor Nolan looks around the room, "no? Good, any questions on other topics?".


    "Um", Sam rasies his hand, "I was wondering, why are the teams all separated by gender, I mean, every team is either all boys or all girls".


    "Well, we do make the teams room together, so it''s only logical to create same gender teams", professor says with a laugh.


    "Right, but like, it''s kind of weird", Sam word-vomits, "I mean, is there really equal number of boys and girls?".


    "Of course there is not", professor sighs, "but when combining students into team, you only need to make a single mixed team in order to eliminate that issue".


    "That sounds wrong", Sam scratches his chin.


    "Guess we know who''s failing math", Ace remarks.


    "So there''s one mixed team?", Sam presses on.


    "Yeah, most years there is one, and I believe it''s the case this year as well", professor sighs, "though I really don''t see the importance of a question like this"..


    "Oh, I was just curious, that''s all", Sam says simply.


    "Alright, then, any more questions", professor sighs, "some that are actually important, please".


    "Um, back to the tag team tournament, professor", another girl, short and with black hair asks sheepishly, "could you please tell us how many points can we earn there?".


    "Well, the offical rules for this year have not been set in stone as of yet", professor says, "but usually the first two rounds go with awarding 300 points to the winning team, and 100 individual points to those who win their own battles".


    "And the teams that get eliminated in the first round?", Ace questions.


    "They get a zero and the tournaments are pretty much over for them", professor shrugs. "Although", he raises his finger before anyone else can interfere, "since the first round cuts the number of teams down to 15, and we need 16 teams for the tournament to function properly, one of the teams that loses the round one will get a second chance".


    "Right, and I''d guess that team isn''t just ramdomly picked", the boy in the front states.


    "No, though the process of earning that spot is different each year, but no worries, it does involve battles", professor explains.


    "Oh, well what will that be like?", the curly gurl wonders.


    "It''s different each year, usually they don''t do a tag battle, they do either a king of the heel type of thing or doubles", professor explains, "maybe a free-for-all type of battle". Teo had no idea what any of those battles were. Or how they would function in the tournament format.


    "And the team that passes through that gets some points as well?", the black-haired girl questions.


    "Individual points, yes, they always count those", professor says, "but they don''t always give out team points in those cases".


    "Wait, so if you lose the first round, win the battle for the last spot, and then just lose again, then you get no points?", the tall girl questions, "I mean, your team can still end up scoring a zero?".


    "Yes that can happen", professor says, "once again, the last team for the round of 16 won''t necessarily be chosen through a tag-team battle, basically the decision wheter to award team points is dependent on the format".


    "Right", the girl nods.


    "Okay, anything else?", professor goes on.


    Boy sat in the second row raises his hand. "Just to confirm something", he says in a calm voice, "I''ve looked over the schedule, and Thursdays and Fridays are empty, I''d assume that''s meant to give us more time to train". Teo didn''t even look at the schedule. The boy struck his attention. He was wearing a red track suit. Teo couldn''t see his face. That didn''t matter. The boy''s tone and manners were painfully similar to Joe''s, and it was getting on Teo''s nerves.


    As on cue, Joe inserted himself into the conversation. "On the topic of training", the boy spoke flatly, "when can we reach out to you in order to set up battles? I''d assume Monday through Wednesday won''t work, since all of our classes are packed within those three days".


    "Exactly", the red track suit ties in seemlesly, "not only would we be too busy on those days, but I''d guess you have classes as well".


    "Thursdays and Fridays would be reserved for that then?", Joe adds calmly, "I don''t know how much you like the idea of spending your weekends like a referee?".


    Professor''s stare keeps switching between the pair. "Right, I''m glad to see you two have studied the schedule, and are already thinking about training", he sighs, "Joe and Henry, right? Both of you have fighting type partners?". Both boys just nod in confirmation. "Right, they always give those to the kids who are a bit too... strict, to put it that way", he says to himself, "well, either that or anger issues, but I guess I should be lucky I got stuck with the two...dedicated kids". Overbearing, Teo realises, overbearing was the word Nolan really wanted to use.


    "That does not answer our question, professor", Joe notes simply.


    "Yes, we would like to know how we should go about setting up the battles", Henry, apparently, reiterates.


    "Right, right", professor sighs again, "I''m glad to see you''re enthusiastic". Scratching his head, he finally answers the question: "setting up battles is pretty tricky". He stops for a split second. "As you have correctly assumed, you have been given two days free from classes to train", he said, "that''s why the first three days of the week are crowded with classes for all of us, so those certainly won''t work".


    "Right, so we just save the battles for the prolonged weekend then", the boy sat in the front desk comments, "I don''t see why these two are making this matter sound complicated".


    "Oh, shut up Lesley", Ace scoffs, earning himself a look from professor Nolan and Teo as well. Blondie knew this guy? This was a new information.


    "I just want to make sure of how things work, so I can plan better", Henry adds.


    "Oh, you don''t need to plan that much Henry", Lesley chuckles slightly, "you''re on the team with me, you''ll do good, you can relax".


    "Right, Lesley will just win the whole tournament for us", the boy sat at the back of the classroom speaks up. Teo takes note of him. Wearing a flannel button-down, he looks as if he had walked out of a low-budget 80s sit-com. Pitch black messy hair tells him the boy has never seen a hairbrush, and his voice and eyes tell him that the guy probably hasn''t slept in a few days.


    "Well, Andrei, I''m pretty sure I''ll have to", Lesley scoffs, "you''re literally dead last in the rankings buddy, I''m not exactly eager to depend on you".


    "I''m not dead last, I''m 299th", Andrei adds cynically.


    "Yeah, I''m last", Sam chimmes in, and Teo can see Ace face-palming.


    Lesley laughs at this whole ordeal. "What was that, Acey", he says, "please, tell me you''re stuck with this guy".


    "I am, Lesley", Ace says sharply, "what does that matter, he''s last, I''m not, but you already know that".


    "Yeah, I know that", Lesley is still laughing, "and I guess you already know I''m 60 spots above you".


    "It''s just the test scores, Lesley", Ace retorts, "calm down".


    "Well, it not like you could beat me in the battle", Lesley shrugs, "actually, we can test that, professor, what did you say, how do we go about setting up battles?".


    "Right, I didn''t say anything, since you decided to interupt me", professor Nolan raises his eyebrow, causing both Lesley and Ace to shift in their chairs. Clearing his throat, the man says: "I''ll put it in simple terms, the days I don''t have classes, I work on my own reaserach, so I don''t really have too much free time to be a referee".


    "Wait, so you won''t referee our battles?", the curly haired girl straightens up in her seat, "how are we supposed to practice then?".


    "I didn''t say that exactly", the professor gestures with his hands for her to calm down. "Of course, I will fullfill my duty of overseeing your battles, I''m just putting it out there that I do not have too much time on my hands to act like a ref for you kids", he explains. "Besides, to be completely honest, I''m not a trainer myself, you''ll be much better off asking other professors to referee for you, unlike me, they might be able to give you some pointers", he sighs.


    "Oh, we can ask other professors as well?", Sam wonders.


    "Yes, Sam, they said it in an assembly yesterday, even I caught that", Ves says in an uninterested voice.


    "You can ask any of your professors, which includes me as well", professor Nolan continues, "however, do keep in mind that we are all educators first and foremost, first year professors are not trainers themselves, you know". He brings his hands together: "and keep in mind, as a non-trainer, I do not find myself suitable to handle every situation involving pokemon battles, so there are battles that I will refuse to oversee on that ground as well".


    "I''d guess I fall into that category", Joe notes shortly.


    "Me as well", Ves adds.


    "I''d take I''m in there as well", Henry says calmly.


    "Right, the three of you are out of my capacity", professor admits, "nothing personal, but I don''t think I''m capable of handling a battle that includes fighting or dark types". He looks over them, landing his eyes at Teo as well. The boy throws him a snarky smile. Turning to look at Andrei he adds: "ghost types are also a no go teritory, all of them".


    "Yeah, I''m not exactly in a hurry to battle", the boy responds uninterested, "I''ll leave that to our resident battle maniacs over there".


    "Okay, but I don''t have any of those types", Lesley notes, "so I''m good to go then?".


    "You''re the one with a Spoink, right?", professor questions.


    "Right", Lesley confirms, sinking a bit deeper into his seat. Teo sees Ace trying not to laugh.


    "Right, well psychic types are not my favourite either", professor scratches his head, "but a Spoink at the beginner level, I think I can do that".


    "Okay, so you can set up a battle between me and Acey over there, then?", Lesley questions.


    "Ace, you have a Rockruff, right?", professor looks over at the blond boy, who nods in confirmation.


    "Well, then, I think that''s a battle I could handle", professor Nolan nods.


    "Good, so when can you set that battle for?", Lesley says eagerly, "I mean, if Ace is up for the challenge".


    "I am", Ace says coldly.


    "Actually, if there are no more questions, we could do it right now", professor says, "I guess it would be beneficial for all of you to see a pokemkn battle first hand, and besides, it''s a way to prove I do have some will to be a good mentor". He looks over the room patiently, but everybody just stays quiet. Even if anyone had any questions left, they sure wouldn''t be asking now. "Alright, then, if both of you are up for it, we can move to the court room, there''s one just down the hallway", professor notes. Lesley is quick to jump up.


    "Oh, wait, actually", Andrei stands up in the back, "I do have a question".


    "No Andrei, you do not", Lesley shoots him a tired look.


    "Yes I do Lesley, please stop talking", Andrei sighs dramatically, "I was wondering, how can we catch some new pokemon, since I haven''t seen any wild ones". Teo hasn''t even thought about makimg team expansions right now, Absol was already enough trouble by himself.


    "Okay, I''ll let that slide, it''s a good question", Lesley nods.


    "It''s... it''s not really up to you to decide anyways", Andrei says tiredly.


    "There are mo wild pokemon on the island, for safety reasons", professor Nolan says, "you can catch new pokemon either when making trips back home during weekends, or during organised school trips, you are requiered to register any newly caught pokemon with the school though".


    "Oh, we can go home on the weekends?", Sam says excitedly.


    "Of course we can, it''s a weekend", Ves says snarkyly.


    "Yes, you are allowed to go home on the weekends, of course you have to notify the school that you''ll be leaving", professor confirms, "though, rarely anyone leaves during the weekends, your do have a rather tight schedule here". Teo''s definitely not going home. It had nothing to do with the schedule.


    "And the school trips are?", Andrei questions.


    "School organises educational trips to different regions, Thursday through Sunday, I usually lead the trips to Sinnoh region, since that''s where I''m currently doing research", professor says, "of course you are free to sign up for a trip to any reagion you take interest in, but keep in mind, you have to sign up as a team".


    "That''s just great", Ves sighs, "so what, am I just going to be stuck with these four for everything now?".


    "Yes, pretty much", professor shrugs.


    "Alright, so we have school trips, we need to notify school about everything", Lesley eagerly cuts into the conversarion, "can we just go and battle now?".


    "Wait Lesley", professor gives him a Stern look, "are there any more questions perhaps?".


    "Professor, I think it''s for the best we go right now", Ace says after noting everyone else is quiet, "Lesley''s not exactly a patient type, he might turn full blown American Psycho on us if we don''t go now".


    "Hey Acey, you need to stop trying to work out movie referemces into every conversation", Lesley grins at him, "stuff like that is why no one likes you, you know".


    "This is how I live Lesley", Ace says in all seriousness.


    "Alright, you two should cut it out", professor Nolan says, "and since there are no more questions, I think we can all head for the court room, slowly".


    Teo watches as his classmates shuffle through the doors. He''s not in a hurry. Joe and Ves seem to be on the same page as him, waiting for everyone else to leave first. Sam''s quick to jump up, but he floats just a few feet in front of the others so they could leave together. Ace has already left. As the four walk out of the classroom and into the hallway, keeping their distance from the rest of the class, Teo takes note of the situation. So far the only three names he had caught were Lesley, Andrei and Henry. He had no idea who other two people on their team were. He was, however happy to see there were other dysfunctional teams beside his own. The three didn''t seem to be the best of friends. And they had some dead weight as well, Andrei was ranked almost last, he remembered. Carefully checking his phone, he found the other two on the list. Lesley was 17th, exactly 60 spots above Ace, as he had claimed. This battle might be interesting. Especially since the two obviosly knew each other. He had some trouble finding Henry, since the boy didn''t mention anything about his position, but something told Teo he''s definitely not in the bottom half. Sure enough, he saw Henry''s name at the 74th spot. Another highly ranked guy. Thinking about team compositions, Teo assumed the other two boys on their team are probably ranked lower, that''s how it should work, after all. Ves gives him a raised eyebrow, figuring out what Teo''s looking at. "Just checking out the competition", the boy assures him.


    "Hey, are they good?", Sam takes an opportunity to insert himself into the conversation.


    "Well, I don''t know that, these are just numbers", Teo says sharply.


    "Well we are about to see for ourselves", Joe says flatly, "and we''ll see how Ace does as well". Teo notices he''s let Riolu out of his pokeball already.


    "Hey, so, Ace knows that Lesley guy, right?", Sam wonders, "how do they know each other?".


    "They probably went to the same school", Ves says as if the answer''s obvious.


    "Doesn''t have to be the case, they might just be neighbours or even related", Teo adds.


    "Well, they are the same age, obviously", Ves retorts, "so they probably went to the same school".


    "Oh, you think they are from the same place?", Sam thinks about it.


    "They seem to have something going on between them", Joe says, "so I''d assume they are from the same town".


    "Right, they definitely didn''t meet on social media or something", Teo nods, "this seemed a bit more personal".


    "Exactly, as I said, they live in the same town, they are the same age, so they probably went to the same school", Ves presses on.


    "Dude, some towns have more than one school you know", Teo retorts, "they could just be neighbours, or even family with some bad blood".


    "Well, in that case they might not even be from the same town", Sam notes, "if they are family, that is".


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "It''s not like it matters", Joe cuts them off, "let''s just see if Ace can beat this guy". Teo hates the way Joe goes around making executive decisions. Walking into the court room he makes shure do dig his shoulder into the other boy, just to drive home the point.


    Court room is a simple space consisting of a battle court. No stands, professor Nolan informs them that the room was not designed to fit spectators, instructing them to stand on the sidelines. As he finds a place to stand, far from the crowd, Teo quickly takes note of other characteristics of the room. It''s a small space, barely big enough to fit 30 of them. They are all standing on the same side of the court, though. The ceiling is high, lined with LED lights radiating in that sterile white that Teo hated with sincerity. Lesley was a first one to take his spot on the court, eagerly awaiting for the match to begin. Taking in the boy''s appearance, the first thing Teo noticed was the boy''s smug grimace. It didn''t fit him at all. His features were too feminine. His blue eyes were too soft looking, his lips almost bay pink, blending into his light complexion. His short light brown curls looked almost as if somebody carefully placed each of them in the exact spot they should be in. Lesley was a bit taller than Ace, with slim looking body, he stood on the court confidently. Blue pants and vest complemented his hair well, and, paired with his posture, they gave the boy almost a royal look. The white blouse underneath the vest looked to be made out of satin. Trust fund baby, Teo decided, and, much to his own surprise, he found himself rooting for Ace in this match. His teammate took his position on the court, wearing simple blue jeans and a green t-shirt that looked just a size too big on him. Fixing his eyes on Lesley, Ace looked as stressed out as always.


    "Alright, before we begin", professor raises his hands in the air, "I urge all of you to be careful, spectators should take care not to enter onto the court, and our battlers should take care not to launch any attacks at the audience".


    "Alright, we know that much", Lesley pressed, already readying his pokeball.


    "Well, it is my job as your mentor to make sure everyone is safe", Nolan retorts, "you know, if somebody gets hurt, I''ll be drowning in paperwork". Lesley stays quiet, gripping on his pokeball even tighter. Ace tries to keep his cool, but Teo notices the boys death-grip on Rockruff''s pokeball. "Alright, both of you release your partners", professors announces. Lesley acts quickly, throwing his pokeball out, letting his Spoink onto the court. Ace releases his Rockruff with a press of a button, and Teo can clearly see he''s trying hard to stay focused.


    Looking at the Spoink, the piglet pokemon doesn''t seem too threatening, to put it lightly. Sam must be thinking the same thing cause he adds under his breath: "Ace is winning this for sure".


    "Well, I wouldn''t bet on it", Teo says.


    "He looks scared", Joe flatly agrees.


    "You think he''ll lose?", Sam wonders, "there''s no way, look at that thing, it''s so tiny and it looks weak".


    "Well, Ace looks weak as well", Teo notes.


    "Right, and Spoink is a psychic type", Joe adds, "the looks don''t really matter with those".


    "Oh, if he loses to this trampoline piggy, I''m going to fuck with him so much", Ves chuckles.


    "You always see the bright side of things, don''t you Ves", Teo says.


    "Right, that''s why you all love me", Ves retorts.


    "That''s why we all find you annoying", Teo clarifies.


    "Let''s just watch the battle", Joe cuts them off.


    "Alright, are both of you ready", professor Nolan looks between the two boys. They both reply with a short nod. "Well then", the professor says, "let the battle begin".


    Lesley wastes no time in ordering an attack: "Confuse Ray".


    Ace starts laughing on the other side of the court. "Really, that''s the dumbest thing you could''ve done", he says, "Rockruff, go for the Double Team". His partner is quick to respond, creating a clone of himself. Spoinks attack manages to land, but Ace doesn''t seem worried.


    "Don''t tell me", Lesley scoffs, "it has Own Tempo".


    "Right, Ace is good to go, Rockruff can''t get confused", Sam seems happy about the turn of events.


    "That gives him a shot at winning, at least", Ves notes.


    "I guess we''ll have to see", Joe adds flatly.


    "Go for Aceelerock, Rockruff", Ace yells out decisevly.


    "Use Snarl", Lesley scoffs, "now Spoink".


    Ace flinches, reacting quickly:"get out of the way, Rockruff". The brown dog quickly stops its attack, pulling backwards. The dark energy blast from Spoink hits the clone, dispersing it immediately. "Now, Double Team again", Ace''s hand cuts through the air.


    "Confusion, Spoink", Lesley goes on the offensive, hitting into the newly made clone again. Just like that, the two boys are back where they started.


    "Double Team, once more", Ace commands.


    "Fine, Spoink, use Calm Mind", Lesley decides to switch it up.


    "Rockruff, go for another Double Team", Ace orders, and his partner creates yet another clone.


    "Calm Mind again, Spoink", Lesley orders, and the pearl on top of little piglet''s head suddenly starts glowing brighter, causing the boy to smirk.


    "Hey, Ace''s got this", Sam states, "he has two clones now, there''s no way Lesley will hit him, he''s going to win".


    "He''ll lose", Joe flats out.


    "What do you mean", Sam looks at him in confusion, "he''s battling well, there''s no way Lesley can hit him now".


    "He''s too careful, he''s way too defensive", Joe sticks to his guns, "he''ll lose here".


    "Cmon, Lesley hasn''t hit him once", Sam argues, "and he wasted the first attack".


    "Right, that was a mistake", Joe agrees, "but Lesley know what he''s doing, and more importantly, he knows what Ace is doing".


    "Cmon, dude", Sam snarks, "why are you rooting against your own teammate here".


    "I''m not rooting against him, I''m just stating the obvious, he''s battling way too carefully", Joe replies calmly.


    "Well, it''s not bad being careful", Sam retorts.


    "It is in this case", Joe says simply, "for many reasons".


    "What do you mean?", Sam finds himself confused again.


    Teo starts to see what Joe is going for. "It''s Rockruff, right?", he says, "he''s not a pokemon to be used defensively, he''s supposed to attack".


    "Right", Joe confirms.


    "So what", Sam retorts, "it''s not like pokemon can be used in only one way".


    "Sam, please, don''t be a dumbass", Ves inserts himself, "sure, you can trsin your pokemon for a different battle style, but Rockruff''s not trained at all, this is their first battle, and he''s using his partner in the completely against his natural affinities".


    "Hey, since when are you an expert", Teo gives Ves a surprised look.


    "I know a thing or two, you know", Ves makes a grimace, "don''t let my pretty face fool you".


    "Lesley on the other hand, is using Spoink the way he''s supposed to", Joe ignores the two and continues the analysis, "it is a slow and bulky pokemon that can land a hit, and it''s a psychich type as well".


    "Right", Teo sees the big picture, "and Ace has let him set up twice with Calm Mind".


    "More like Lesley figured out Ace won''t attack him and he decided to outplay him", Ves latches onto the point as well, "he literally exploited how defensively Ace is fighting".


    "Not to mention that Ace didn''t need to do any of this", Joe nods, "Accelerock is a priority move, he would''ve landed that hit for sure, even if he got hit with the Snarl in the process, it wouldn''t do much damage".


    "Right, he could''ve won this fight by now", Ves agrees.


    "And now that Lesley is all set up, he need to land just a single hit to finish this", Teo states.


    "Go for Quick Attack, Rockruff", Ace''s command interupts them.


    As Rockruff and its clones launch at the Spoink, Lesley confidently orders: "Snarl".


    "Out of the way", Ace stops the attack again. The wave of dark energy hits at the two clones, dispersing them, while the real Rockruff avoids taking damage again.


    "Confusion, now", Lesley yells out, and his partner is quick to react. The pearl on his head glowing bright white. Teo watches as Rockruff''s body goes stiff. For a split second, the small dog''s body goes gray. The next moment, it falls to the ground, without making a sound.


    The only thing Ace can do is stand there, dumbfounded, barely raising his hand to recall his fainted partner. "The winner of the match is Lesley", professor Nolan announces.


    "It wasn''t much of a match", one of the students comments.


    "Well, you can blame that on Acey here", Lesley wears a giant grin on his face, "you need to land an attack in order to win, you know, buddy?".


    "Shut up, Lesley", Ace says sharply, but the craks in his voice make the humiliation apparent. Teo doesn''t feel sorry for him. It was his own judgment that had caused him to lose this.


    "Lesley''s apparently not all talk", Ves notes. That''s a sentiment Teo can agree with. Lesley was at a huge disatvantage here, he realised. Considering the match-up and the fact neither Pokemon had any training, Spoink wasn''t exactly the best match against Rockruff. Still, Lesley has managed to grab victory almost effortlessly.


    "I''d worry more about Ace allowing this to happen if I were you", Joe states distantly, "you passing the year depends on his performance".


    "You mean us passing the year", Ves reminds him.


    "No, I mean you", Joe says simply, "I''m ranked 4th, I''ll pass on my own, Ace''s incompetence does not affect me in the slightest".


    "Hey, cut him some slack, it was his first battle", Sam says defensively.


    "He fought like a pussy he is, and he lost", Teo scoffs him off, "as much as I hate agreeing with Joe, he''s right this time around, if this is how Ace fights, we''re screwed".


    "Teo, just calm down", Sam raises his hands, "it''s not the end of the world".


    "It''s not, huh?", Teo snarks, "let''s see, we have you on our team, and you''re ranked last, and now we have Ace who''s too much of a coward to actually commit to an attack, so I''d say we''re pretty much screwed".


    "And then we have you as well Teo", Joe states, "who can''t even let his partner out of the pokeball".


    "That''s none of your business", Teo shoves him, "I thought I told you not to meddle".


    "You are on the same team as me", Joe reminds him, "so it kind of is my bussines, have you even fed your Absol in these past few days?". Teo flinches a bit as Joe gives him a blank stare.


    He did. He tried to. Yesterday. Absol ignored the food and decided to jump straight at Teo. The boy was quick enough to recall him into his pokeball. But his partner did go hungry. "Once again", Teo scoffs, "none of your bussines, didn''t you just say you''ll pass on your own?".


    "Right, I will", Joe replies, "but not feeding your Pokemon is neglect and abuse you know".


    "Oh, and you''re such a sweetheart to care about that", Teo rolls his eyes, "what are you, a tree hugger or something?".


    "No, but they will revoke your provisional licence and kick you out of the school if they deduce you''ve been neglecting your pokemon", the boy responds.


    "As if you care about me", Teo retorts.


    "I do not", Joe says simply, "but if you''re out of the school, our team will be one member short, which is not good considering we have to battle in a tag team tournament soon".


    "Oh, didn''t think that would bother you", Teo says sarcastically, "won''t you just win the whole thing on your own?".


    "I would if I could, but the school board probably won''t let me do that", Joe notes, "so be nice and feed your partner".


    "You''re full of shit", Teo turns away from him. Rage rises right to his head. He hates it. He hates to admit that Joe is right. They are screwed. Ace has been proven useless. Considering Sam''s views on this battle, he''s probably even worse. And Teo could not even let his partner out of his pokeball, let alone use it in battle. Joe was a nosy fucker, but he knew what he was doing. Ves was still an unknown, but even if he proved to be capable of battling, him and Joe wouldn''t be enough to pull all five of them through the year. If he wanted any chance at passing, Teo had to get through to Absol.


    Appriaching them, Ace looks willing to commit a murder. Joe steps forward, but the blond boy raises his hand, not letting him utter a single word: "don''t start, I know already, I got nervous and I did a stupid thing, I should''ve gone for the Sand Attack, he wouldn''t be able to get rid of that like he did with the clones".


    "That''s not the thing you should be focusing on", Joe says calmly.


    "Right, buddy, you should''ve done some attacking", Ves chimmes in.


    "Oh shut up, I don''t care", Ace rolls hid eyes, "Lesley''s ranked higher than me anyways, so I don''t give a fuck".


    "What does that have to do with anything?", Teo furs his eyebrows.


    "I only need to be stronger than people ranked lower than me so they don''t take my spot", Ace looks him straight in the eye, "and then just a few people above me, so I advance, that''s all I have to do, so don''t give me any crap, losing to Lesley doesn''t matter in that regard".


    "Well, you don''t seem convinced of that yourself, buddy", Teo laughs.


    "Right, I admit, I did think I could be Lesley, I wanted to beat him, and I hate that I lost, but that''s for personal reasons only", Ace scoffs, "objectively, he''s ranked too high for me, so let''s not act as if this was some earth-shattering result here".


    "Right, spoken like a true coward", Teo frowns.


    "Besides, what are your personal reasons here", Ves interrupts, "you two seem to get along quite well".


    "Not that it''s any of your bussines, but we went to school together", Ace retorts.


    "I mean, technically, you still go to the school together", Sam adds.


    "Don''t remind me", Ace rolls his eyes. "Anyways", the boy lets out a deep breath, "I lost, that''s all there is to it, no need to make it into anything else".


    "You could''ve won", Joe points out, "easily".


    "Don''t start with me right now", Ace looks at him coldly, "I''m sure you would''ve done so much better".


    "Right, I would", Joe nods. Turning on his heels, Ace ignores him, making his way for the exit.


    The rest of the day goes as well as Teo had expected. Professor Nolan decoded to hold them hostage for five more minutes after the battle was over. Simply letting them go about their merry way was out of the question. Afterwards, he had to sit through the math class, which he passionatly hated. Biology was next, followed by English. When it was finally lunch time, he took an opportunity to dissapear from his teammates. The four boys were still bickering about Ace''s battle, throwing around accusations, assesing who''s going to drag them down the most. Teo wanted no part in it this time around. He was well aware he was a part of the problem. If things went down how they usually go for him, he''d just end up being blamed for everything in the end. Removing himself from it all was the best option. Picking out a take-out lunch, that had consisted of a surprisingly warm chicken sandwich and an orange juice, as well as some Pokemon food for Absol, he made his way out of the building. It was still summer outside. Heathed wind softly blew against his face. Unzipping his hoodie, he took it off, feeling better in an instant. Noticing a few other students sat at the benches in front of the main building, he was quick to walk away. He needed to be alone. Quickly, he ate his lunch while walking, finishing in a matter of minutes. He didn''t need any distractions.


    Making his way slightly off the cobblestone patch, he picked out a place that had seemed empty, save for a few well trimmed bushes and a singular oak tree. Breathing deep, he made sure the coast was clear. Emptying the sash with Pokemon food down on the ground, he took a few steps backwards. Absol''s pokeball weighted heavy in his hand. Burning through his skin, he could almost feel his partner''s anger. He pressed the button once. The pokeball expanded. Teo could only stare at it for a few moments. His heart was pounding. He remembered how his last attempt at feeding his partner went down. Joe was right though. If he didn''t manage to find a way to find Absol soon, he''d be left without a partner. Agressive behaviour aside, he liked his partner. To a certain extent the boy emphatised with the Pokemon. Absol had just wanted to be left alone. He just didn''t want anyone controling him. It wasn''t a crime. Teo breathed out heavily. In his head, he went through the motions. He''ll let Absol out near the food. Hopefully, the Pokemon''s hunger has grown enough by now for him to focus on eating instead of attacking Teo. What if he wants to eat Teo? The boy shuddered at the thought. Some Pokemon did eat people, he knew it. Unlike humans, the only law Pokemon followed was the food chain one. Reassuring himself, Teo held on to the pokeball. He''ll just recall Absol if it makes a jump for him. He can react in time.


    Finally gathering courage, Teo extends the pokeball as far from himself as he can, making sure to aim the release behind the small mountain of Pokemon food. He holds his breath the moment he presses the button. In a flash of blue light, Absol appears. Ghostly looking, Teo immediately notices his furr grew spikier and his eyes seemed more sunken than yesterday. Hunger. His eyes still burned with rage, focused at Teo''s feet. "Calm down", Teo spoke quietly, "just eat". Absol''s head hung few inshes away from the ground, legs bent, ready to jump. But it didn''t. Instead, the pokemon just stared intensly at his trainer. Feeling the sweat coming up, Teo decided to take a small step forward. "Just eat", he kept his voice low, barely managing to hide the quiver. "You can attack me later, just eat first", the boy repeated. Absol stood as still as a statue, still ignoring the food. His eyes caught Teo''s.


    The boy wasn''t ready. He saw the movement. His hand flew forward on instinct. The wrong hand. As Absol leaped up, Teo''s legs were earthquaking. He felt himself loosing ground. The hand he held the pokeball in was on the ground. The wrong hand was covering his face. A faint sound came behind him. A light green blur appeared in front of him. Absol was out of a sight for a split second. The next moment, Teo saw his partner down on the ground, few feet away. He could hear somebody laugh above him. A giant green manatis flew in front of him looking down on the. "That was enough Schyter", a calm voice spoke behind him, "you can stand back now". Following Schyter, his eyes met with two boys standing a few steps behind him. When did they get here, he wondered. He din''t see them. He didn''t hear them. One of them was tall and bulky, with a serious look in his eyes. The other boy was a bit shorter, blond, and laughing, presumably at Teo.


    "Great, this one can''t even control his partner", the blond boy''s voice was annoyingly deep, "I mean I thought passing the first year would be easy, but this is slowly starting to look like a joke".


    Teo slowly stood up, still eying the Absol. His partner wasn''t knocked out, but it was struggling to get up from the ground. Not eating for 3 day definitely took a tool on him. Deciding Absol wouldn''t be attacking again any time soon, Teo turned to the matter at hand. "What did you do that for", his hands reached for the taller of the boys. Teo never reached his target. In an instant, Schyter was behind him, his blade-like arms crossed over the boy''s hands.


    "You would''ve gotten killed", the boy responded calmly, "you''re lucky we were around".


    "It was none of your bussines", Teo scoffed at him, unable to move even an inch, "you and your friend should''ve just went your merry way".


    "Hey, I did tell him to leave it all to you", the blond boy raises his hands, his voice filled with cockiness, "don''t drag me into this, it was all Dominic". Teo notices an Axew sitting on the boy''s shoulder.


    "I can''t just let someone get killed right in front of me", the taller boy responds, "it''s just the matter of principle".


    "I could''ve handled it myself", Teo snarks.


    "Sure looked like that", the blond boy pokes.


    "What are the two of you even", Teo wants to spit in his face, "you''re first years as well, right, so don''t act all high and mighty".


    "Oh, Dom, he didn''t hear about us yet", the blond boy laughs again, "well, I guess you''ll learn in time". Teo wants to reply, but the other boy''s blue eyes turn sharp in an instant, and he sees the Axew standing up straight on his shoulder, mouth agape. He hears a shuffle behind him. Schyter loosens his grip, and Teo turns around just in time to see his Absol knocked out from mid-air by a blast of deep blue energy. Dragon Rage, he realises. He watches helplessly as his partner is knocked out. "What a pesky little dog", the blond haired boy notes, "and its a shame as well, you know, Absol''s pretty rare, and strong, too bad his trainer is useless".


    Teo shakes Schyter off, his fist flying towards blond boy''s face. His attempt is stopped few inches away from its mark, as Dominic blocks his path. "Just calm down", the boy says, "this doesn''t have to be personal, and I promise you don''t want this to turn into a physical altercation".


    "Why not?", Teo pulls his hand back, gritting his teeth.


    "You''re outnumbered", Dominic shrugs, "and we have two Pokemon on our side as well, while yours is knocked out over there".


    "And whose fault is that?", Teo says dryly.


    "Yours, primarily", Dominic shrugs, "I mean, you are the one not capable of controling your partner".


    Teo takes a step back. However much he hated to admit it, Dominic had a point. Even if it was one on one fistfight, dark-haired boy would be a problem. He was a bit taller, and looked much stronger than Teo. "Well, next time mind your own bussines", Teo doesn''t want to give in that easily, "who are the two of you even".


    "You already know my name", Dominic shrugs.


    "And I''m Mikey", the blond boy returns to his smuggish tone, "but I''ll let you find out everything else on your own".


    "How very nice of you", Teo says through his teeth.


    "I''d recommend paying a visit to the Pokemon center instead of wasting your time acting like a fool", Dominic says calmly, "your partner doesn''t look to be in good shape". Great, Teo, thought, another overtly calm overbearing guy. Just what he needed. He was beginning to think this school was filled with those. Still, he recalled his partner, gripping tightly to his pokeball.


    "Would be nice if you introduced yourself", Mikey winks at him, "not that I care much, but that would be a respectful thing to do, don''t you think".


    "I''m Teo", the boy responds. All he wants is another shot at ruining Mikey''s grinning face.


    "Glad to meet you", the boy says cynically, "though I doubt we''ll be friends Teo, after all no use wasting time on someone who''s clearly going to fail a year".


    "Will you just stop running your mouth", Teo scoffs.


    "Why would I?", Mikey shrugs innocently, "you don''t exactly have any leverage right now, and besides, it''s not like I''m saying something untrue".


    "Right, well, maybe slow down on fortune-telling buddy", Teo makes a grimace at the boy, "it''s only the first day of classes you know, besides passing the year is a team sport here, if I remember correctly".


    "Still, it''s easy to tell", Mikey shrugs, "your partner just tried killing you, I doubt you''ll contribute much to your team, so anless the other four are some kind of prodigies, which I doubt, I''m pretty sure you won''t be stickimg around for too long".


    "You really talk a lot", Teo rolls his eyes, "right, no prodigies on my team, but I do have a sociopath who''s ranked 4th, you know, and he''s good". Using Joe as leverage did not feel great, but if it''s going to make this guy shut the fuck up, then Teo had no problem with doing it.


    "Doubt that one''s gonna help you too much", Mikey laughs, "but good for you, I guess".


    "Is that guy any good?", Dominic''s face is coloured with interest, "did you watch him battle? Is he good? Or is he just book smart?".


    "He''s good", Teo says insecurely. It hits him in a moment. He didn''t see Joe battle. Not really. Attacking two unassuming opponents was not the same thing as being in a battle. Even though he did handle the situation frighteningly well, it was not the same thing as a battle. Teo''s not admitting that to these two. "Why would you care, you scared?", he eyes Dominic carefully.


    "Not really", the boy shrugs, "he''s also in top 5 students so I''m interested to know if he can battle or not".


    "What do you mean ''also'' in the top 5?", Teo raises his eyebrow.


    "Oh, I''m 2nd, and Mikey''s 1st", the boy explains nonchalantly, "you know, your teammate''s the only one in the top 5 we haven''t met, so I''m interested in knowing if he''s any good". Scratching his head he adds: "I mean, these first rankings are weird, you know, being all about written tests...". He makes a stop, looking for words. "To put it nicely, these rankings don''t always match with the battle abilities", he explains, "so you know, I''m just asking, since you''re on a team with him, if he''s good".


    Teo ignores the river of nonsense coming from the boy: "wait, are the two of you teammates?".


    "Yes we are", Mikey says conclusively.


    "How are the first two ranked guys on the same team", Teo gives him a mistrustful look, "doesn''t sound fair".


    "Hey, don''t blame me, blame the personality test, I guess it just likes putting winners together", Mikey laughs, "besides, the 3rd ranked student is also on our team, so, you know".


    "Oh, really, is he now?", Teo''s voice flattens. This whole ordeal sounds fishy.


    "Yeah, she is", Mikey gives him a little wink. Teo''s surprised to find out that it''s a girl, if they are telling the truth, then they are the mixed team for the year, he realises.


    "Yeah, Vinnie''s good, not as good as the two of us, I''d call our rankings pretty realistic", Dominic says mostly to himself, "the girl ranked 5th is not our team, but she''s in our class, and to be honest, she got that high of the ranking just cause she''s smart, she''s not exactly good at battling". He gives Teo a look of importance: "so you say your teammate is good?".


    "Yeah", Teo steps back, "he is".


    "That''s good then", the tall boy thinks out loud, "would be nice to actually have some competition".


    "That''s a bit overconfident buddy", Teo chuckles. Dominic doesn''t seem intimidated.


    "Well, we''ll see I guess", Dominic says simply. But Teo sees it already. He''s not blind. Dominic seems calm and confident, and he''s seen first hand how agile that Schyter of his is. The worst thing is, he''s sure Dominic isn''t overconfident. He''s just confident. Mikey being ranked first is much more surprising. The boy doesn''t seem especially strong. "Either way", Dominic says, "I think we should all go now, the lunch period is almost over, and you should really have Absol healed up soon".


    "Right", Teo steps away from them. "Just so we''re clear, I don''t give a shit about your rankings, just stay out of my bussines next time".


    "That''s a done deal buddy", Mikey grins at him, "we don''t exactly find you interesting".


    "And stay away from Joe as well", he looks at Dominic. All this talk has gotten to his head. These two were still a mystery to him, their motivation uncertain. He didn''t want them going after Joe, not because of him. It would be his fault.


    "Alright, it''s not like we''re about to hunt him down", Mikey responds, "if he''s really worth something, we''ll get to battle him in the tournament".


    "Just giving you a fair warning", Teo raises his hands.


    "You''re not in a position to give warnings", Mikey reminds him.


    "Just stay away", Teo says firmly, turning to leave. Watching over his shoulder, he sees the pair taking a different path. Good. Picking up pace, he heads back to the main building, he doesn''t want to run into them again. This interaction wasn''t the most pleasant. Checking on his phone, Teo confirms what the two boys had said was true. They were really the top two ranked students in their year right now. The third one was really a girl named Vinnie, perhaps they were telling the truth about her as well. He stares at Joe''s name, hanging just a spot under that trio. Wild running, his thoughts start crashing into each other. Joe''s not his favourite guy. He might''ve just put a target mark on his back though. That was not what he wanted. Contemplating telling him about all of this, he decided against it. Would Joe kill him if he found out? He seemed like the type. Maybe he''d just settle for being annoying, it''s not like he could afford losing a teammate when a tag team tournament was in front of them. Perhaps he''d just go after the duo himself, he did seem somewhat competetive. Eye''s starting to hurt, the boy mathed out the situation the best he could. Dominic was undeniably strong, he''s seen Schyter in action, and he''s seen how the boy carries himself. Mikey was first. Dominic called their rankings realistic. Main building appeared in his sight, standing tall and white against clear blue sky. No use calculating anymore, Teo let out a breath. He couldn''t know what those two would do. And he didn''t know if Joe stood a chance against them. The only thing Teo knew for certain was that he stood no chance against any of them. Not until he can get through to Absol.


    PE was next, and Teo was more than happy to skip it. Walking into the Pokemon center, he felt a bit weak. One thing that kept surprising him was the air. The familiar hosital smell rose throughout the room. He could never put the finger on it. It''s not like pokemon medicine was same as the human one. It made no sense. He eyed the sofa''s placed throughout the space to accomodate for waiting students. To his luck, the classes were in session so the place was completely empty. He''d have to make a few confessions, and the lack of the audience made things easier.


    "Hello", he sheepishly adresses the nurse at the reception, "could you heal my Pokemon, please". He hovers Absol''s battle over the counter.


    The red haired nurse eyes him suspiciosly: "Aren''t you supposed to be in class right now sweetie, what happened?".


    Teo sighs heavily, ready to explain everything. He needed some help. "I was trying to feed my Absol, and he doesn''t exactly like me", he decides telling the full truth would be for the best, "it attacked me, some two guys intervened and knocked him out, so could you please heal him?".


    "Alright", the nurse''s expression changed as she took Teo''s pokeball, "it attacked you, you say, are you alright?".


    "Yeah, I''m fine, I don''t even have a scratch", Teo nods slowly.


    "Giving an Absol to a first year sounds...questionable", she says as she starts her work in the back, "this will take a minute sweetie, you should get comfortable, there''s some candy in the drawers so help yourself".


    "Alright, thank you", the boy watched as the nurse placed Absol''s pokeball onto one of the Ray-Recovery Machines. He alsways wondered how those worked. "Actually, I had another favour to ask", he adds in a low voice.


    "Well, go ahead honey", the nurse starts up the machine, turning her attention back to him.


    "Could you feed Absol?", Teo almost pleads at her, "I... he wouldn''t even take a bite of the food for the past three days and I have no idea what to do".


    The nurse looks at him, wide eyed: "three days?". Her expression grows worried. "Alright, I guess I can give it a go, Happiny probably can calm it down enough to eat with her healing pulse", she firmly looks at Teo, "you should''ve come in sooner".


    "I know, I''m sorry", the boy lowers his chin, "and thank you".


    "It''s not a problem sweetie, this is my job after all", the nurse gives him a soft smile, "now, we''ll see how long this takes, you''ve already missed one class, right?".


    "Right", Teo confirms.


    "Well, sit and relax for a bit then", she nods, "and if your next class starts before Happiny is done feeding Absol, you should go, it''s not good to miss too many classes".


    "Right, right, I will", Teo clears his throat. Skipping classes was the only bright spot in his day. "Could I ask one more thing?", he adds, "before I go and start relaxing".


    "Alright", the nurse gives a little laugh, "ask away".


    "What can I do to get Absol to like me", Teo says, "or you know, just to get him to eat from now on".


    The women leans over the counter, thinking. "It''s tricky", she admits, "building a relationship between a pokemon and the trainer".


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed", Teo laughs slightly.


    "Unfortubately, there is nothing I can do to help you with that right now", she says, "the healing is all automatized nowdays, so the school doesn''t really stock up on any other supplies".


    "So, I take it, there is something I can do than?", Teo discerns.


    "Right, there are soothing berries", the nurse nods, "if you can get your hand on one of those somehow, they might be helpful".


    "What are the soothing berries?", Teo wonders.


    "Oh, Grepa berry, Hondew berry, Tomato berry", the nurse starts counting.


    "Oh, aren''t those friendship berries", Teo remembers the stuff he had to learn for the entrance exam.


    "Right", the nurse sighs, "well, that''s what the training literature calls them, though us medics and apotecaries don''t exactly agree with the terminology".


    "Why, that''s what they''re called in simulations as well, isn''t it?", Teo questions.


    "Right, it is", the nurse says, "you kids and your simulations". She takes a deep breath in. "Those kind of berries have soothing or calming effect on pokemon that eat them", she explains, "they contain certain chemicals that cause muscles to relax and brain functions to become more streamlined, to put it like that".


    "How is that?", Teo inquers.


    "Well, I''m not about to start explaining neuroscience to a fourteen year old", the nurse laughs.


    "I am fifteen", Teo stays adamnt.


    "Alright, well, firstly, these berries contain components that are a part of hormones naturally produced by an organism", she explains with a smile on her face, "so, when a Pokemon eats them, those chemicals induce the metabolic pathways through which those hormones are synthesised, it''s a very natural occurance".


    "Right, that sounds a bit complicated", Teo admits.


    "It''s really not", the nurse raises her finger sternly, "it''s wuite simple, the organism recognises the components that are specific to the make-up of certain hormonal molecules and it uses those chemicals to build those molecules, it''s like when you have lemons so you decide to make lemonade".


    "I don''t drink lemonade", Teo scratches his head, "I use my lemons for tea, usually".


    "Right", the nurse laughs, "well, either way, the berries are a natural way to soothe the pokemon''s nervous system, since that''s the effect the hormons synthesised from their components have on the organism".


    "Alright, but what if Absol doesn''t want to eat the berries?", Teo questions.


    "Well, that would be a big problem", the nurse admits, "but you should try it at least, the berries have aromatic components as well, so just their smell alone should have some calming effect".


    "Okay, I''m not going to ask how that works", Teo says.


    "To bad, I was looking forward to explaining that as well", the nurse laughs.


    "Right, and where can I find those berries?", the boy asks.


    "Well, you''re not going to find them on this island, that''s for sure", the nurse shrugs, "maybe look for some when you go home, or when you go on one of the school trips".


    Teo nods slowly. He''s not exactly looking forward to going home, and he was not sure when they will go to a school trip. "Alright, thank you", he says, losing a little bit of hope. Maybe he could ask around. Some of the older students are bound to have those berries. Or maybe someone could get them for him.


    "No problem", the nurse says, "and you should think about getting a Soothe Bell for Absol as well", the nurse says, "once you manage to get Absol to wear it, it should make things significantly easier".


    "Wait, that''s real?", Teo says in surprise, "I thought that was made up for the simulation".


    The nurse laughs. "Yeah, well, the Soothe Bell has a thin shell made out of special nickel legure, and an iron ball inside", she explains, "the sound of those two metals clashing creates a freequency that has calming effect, and it''s not too loud, basically only the Pokemon wearing it can hear it".


    "Well, do you have any of those?", Teo asks, "could you put it on Absol".


    "I''m afraid I do not", she scratches her head, "as I said, the school doesn''t really get supplies like that, you''ll have to look for it somewhere off the island".


    "Right", Teo says dissapointedly, "well, thank you very much for helping me out and explaining all of that".


    "No problem, as I said it''s my job", the nurse smiles, "besides, I love it when students are interested in stuff like this, you know, pokemon medicine is very fun, and it can help you become a better trainer, you know, not everything is like those simulations they run".


    "Right, well, the simulations are pretty straight forward", Teo scratches his head.


    "They are, and they misinterpret many things", the nurse nods, "friendship mechanics, per say, are a very big problem".


    "What do you mean?", Teo wonders.


    "Well, they exist in simulations as a stat, something that has a numerical value, something that can be influenced with berries and bells", the nurse says a bit distantly, "but that''s not how it works in real life, the bonds between people and pokemon are built on shared experiances and mutual understadning, don''t you think?"


    "Right", Teo says thinking about his teammates, "well, you shouldn''t be friends with everyone though".


    "Well, that''s true", the nurse responds, "but, you know, sometimes life just brings people into your life".


    "Right, and sometimes a school board assigns you a partner that hates your guts", Teo laughs dryly. And groups you together with four idiots, he refrains from adding.


    "Yeah, sometimes", the nurse says, "but overcoming differences is a part of it all". Giving Teo an understanding look she adds: "you know, sometimes you don''t get what you want, you get what you need".


    "Right, guess you''re right", Teo doesn''t believe a word of it. "I''m going to do that relaxing right now", he states turning to leave, "thank you again, for everything".


    "It''s no big deal", the nurse says behind him, "it will all be good".

 Chapter 4

    Ves''s suitecase is red. There''s a picture burried at the bottom of it. It sits in a wooden frame, under a pile of not-so neatly packed t-shirts. Thinking about it, Ves was twelve in that picture. He doesn''t ever pay attention to the twelve year old boy. He remembers the eighteen year old boy next to him.


    Sitting in art class isn''t Ves''s favourite activity. Drawing was not his strongest point. They had PE before it, and it only made things worse. He felt the sweat running down his side. It kept distracting him from trying to draw the Cyndaquill tea pot placed on the table in front of the room. Not that he could see it too well from the back of the room. His sweaty palms left smudges all over the paper as he absentmindedly traced the shape of the pot. Glancing over Sam''s shoulder, he found some satisfaction in the fact his teammate was doing as poorly as he was. He didn''t hate Sam. He didn''t hate any of his teammates. True, Ves had found the other boys slightly annoying, but he didn''t hate them. All he had wanted was for them to stay at the bay. Crakc some jokes, bicker for a while, talk when you have to, but getting to know them was not a part of the deal. At least they all seemed to be on the same page when it came to that. Just in case, he left that pucture sitting at the bottom of his suitcase. Answering questions counted towards fraternising. Not what he came here for.


    The day was already winding down by the time they were done with the art class. It took three periods. This is the only year they have to take art, so the board decided to really give it to them. Ves''s creation barely resembled a tea pot, it looked more like a vaguely rat-shaped blob. Sam didn''t do muh better. Joe''s drawing was a shapeless mess hidden behind a curtain of smudges. "I''m left handed", the boy excuses himself calmly upon noticing Ves eyeing his artwork.


    "Huh, so that''s it", Ves chuckled, "I thiught you were just trying to be abstract".


    "Good to know you''re bad at this", Ace joins in on the conversation. Proudly holding his paper out, Ves sees a neatly drawn tea pot.


    He turns to Teo, whose paper is covered in doodles, and not a good ones. One of them was supposed to be a motor bike, Ves was pretty sure. "Stop staring", the boy with a buzz cut said flatly, "I''m not the fan of art class, if you couldn''t tell".


    "Not a fan of PE class either", Ace chimmes in, "where were you".


    "None of your bussines", Teo responds shortly.


    "You shouldn''t be skipping classes", Sam says, "it''s just the first day".


    "What does it matter to you", Teo raises an eyebrow, "PE is not a part of the finals anyways, it''s not like it affects any of you".


    "Yeah, well we were one person short for dodge ball", Ves retorts, "so you see it affects us very much, they smoked us".


    "Wish I was there to see it", Teo laughs, "is there a video".


    "No, there is not", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "Don''t start", Joe says calmly, "PE doesn''t matter, we have bigger problems right now, you know".


    "And what would those be, if you care to inform us?", Ves says sarcastically, supposing Joe is more then eager to do the talking.


    "We basically have no means of training", Joe says matter-of-factly as he leaves his drawing on top of the pile at the professor''s table.


    "What do you mean?", Ves follows the suite.


    "I mean, we can''t battle", Joe clarifies, "we can use the training center, but we can''t battle".


    "Cmon, you''re being overdramatic", Ace groans, "did Nolan''s little talk scare you that much?".


    "No", Joe says shortly, "but I did go around asking other professor''s if they are willing to referee".


    "And what did they say?", Ves asks.


    "They''re basically all the same as Nolan", Joe shrugs, "all of them have their own research on their days off".


    "That sucks, but we can still catch them when they have some time", Ves shrugs, "it''s not like we need to battle constantly".


    "Most of the first year professors are mentors as well", Joe notes as they leave the classroom, "they want to focus on their own classes you know".


    "Well, that sounds like a problem", Sam scratches his chin, trying to wiggle his way into the conversation.


    "Oh, you and Ace are not in trouble, you know", Joe tells him, "Nolan''s willing to referee your battles, as far as I can tell".


    "Right, he only has a problem with the three of you", Ace nods, "but what about the other professors, those who are not mentors".


    "Well, turns out, those professors are not trainers, just like Nolan", Joe explains calmly, "and they are not willing to referee a battle that has Pokemon they find troublesome neither".


    "And I take it they find the three of us troublesome", Teo points out.


    "Right", Joe nods, "I mean I get it for the two of you, but Riolu''s really not that dangerous".


    Ves looked over at Joe''s partner, who was, yet again, freely roaming the hallway. "Don''t know, I don''t exactly feel safe around it", the boy points out, "why do you insist on keeping him out of the pokeball anyways".


    "He doesn''t like being inside it", Joe shrugs simply.


    "And you know that because?", Ves eyes him suspiciously.


    "It''s an aura Pokemon, I can tell", Joe shrugs it off.


    Ace stops in track. "Dude, I don''t think that''s how it works", the blond boy manages to keep his voice from cracking.


    "What do you mean?", Joe stares at him, slightly confused.


    "I mean, Riolu can sense the emotions of others", Ace points out, "so, unless you can read aura as well, it makes no sense you can tell how Riolu''s feeling".


    "I can''t read aura", Joe says simply.


    "Well, then, I think you''re tripping buddy", Ace says firmly.


    "I can just tell Riolu feels good when he''s out of the pokeball", Joe says, "it''s not that hard to get".


    "Yeah, I think maybe you feel more comfortable when you have your murder dog beside you", Teo states, "can''t say it''s the same for the rest of us".


    "Why, you feel uncomfortable when Riolu''s out of the pokeball?", Joe sounds a bit surprised.


    "Obviously", Teo states.


    "Could you just keep him in the pokeball when we sleep?", Sam adds sheepishly.


    "Um, right", Joe scratches his head, "though I don''t see the need".


    "Of course you don''t", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, hey", Ves says loudly, "back to the battle blacklist, so, you were saying the three of us are all on it?".


    "Yeah, pretty much", Joe''s voice remains emotionless, "no professor is willing to oversee us battling".


    "That sounds unfair", Ves grips his hands.


    "Yeah, it is", Joe says, "and we''re not the only ones, I''ve asked the other students as well, most of the year is on the blacklist, apparently, the school board assigned many partners this year that our professors find unacceptable".


    "Well, I''m good", Ace notes snarkily, "so that sounds like a you problem".


    "Hey, Ace, maybe you should tone it down a bit", Ves scoffs at him, "you know you aren''t exactly a battle prodigy, as far as I could tell".


    "Well, I don''t think you''re an authority on the topic, buddy", Ace retorts.


    "You lost to a motherfucking Spoink", Teo gives the blond boy a small shove, "I don''t think one needs to be an expert to see how much you suck".


    "Could you stop acting like a jerk and pushing people", Ace yells, "you know, I''m still better than you, you can''t even control your partner, and I doubt you can fistfight opponents in the tournament".


    "Maybe I can", Teo shoves him again, "I''d probably still do a better job than you".


    "Well, just informing you here, tough guy", Ace makes a grimace, "you''re the biggest burden right now, even Sam is more useful than you, so unless you have a plan to get things in order you should shut up".


    "Well, I do have a plan", Teo scoffs, "I just need some Soothing Berries, so if any of you run into any of those".


    Joe''s eyes seem to perk up for a split second. "I should''ve thought of that", the boy states.


    "What even are Soothing Berries?", Sam chimmes in.


    "Friendship Berries, they also call them Acid Berries", Joe explains.


    "Acid?", Teo seems confused.


    "Right, they grow only in the soil with acidic properties", Joe explains.


    "Why do you even know that?", Ves gives him a surprised look.


    "My family farms berries", Joe shrugs.


    "Wait really?", Ves almost yells, "I thought you were raised in some Kalosian castle or something, by the way you fucking behave".


    "Well, you were wrong", Joe says simply, "I was raised on an Alolan berry farm".


    "Wait up", Ace stops again, "Alola? Why are you in a school for Pokemon Trainers then?"


    "Hey shut up", Teo says firmly, "I have no fucks to give about Joe''s life, I just need the berries".


    "Well, I don''t have any", Joe scartches his head, "the season has just started, we only planted them a few days ago, besides even if I had any, I couldn''t bring them outside of the region, Alola has pretty strict agriculture laws, being an island nation and all".


    "Yeah, yeah", Teo waves his hand, "so basically, you''re useless, and therefore, I don''t care".


    "I did bring some pots and soil though", the tanned boy points out, "we could grow them ourselves".


    "Hey, can we not talk about farming right now", Ves interrupts, "I think we have bigger problems right now".


    "Well, the pots are no use without the berries", Teo ignores Ves, "so unless you know have a way of getting them, we can forget about it".


    "The Old King''s island is just off the shore of Lilicove city, you know", Joe shrugs, "I''m pretty sure we can find some Acid Berries there, and I was planning on making a trip soon anyways".


    "Right, and you plan on getting there how exactly?", Teo''s interest peaks.


    "Boats", Joe explains, "some older students mentioned they have boats hidden in the caves around islands, and they use them to leave the island in secret".


    "Oh, so there is a way to leave the island", Teo scratches his chin, "great, then we''re making that trip as soon as possible".


    "Thursday morning", Joe nods, "we''ll need to go early in the morning though, so no one notices us".


    "Hey, you two stop plotting", Ace''s voice comes cracking, "you''re not going anywhere".


    Teo turns towards him in surprise, bursting with laughter: "and I''m guessing you are going to stop us Ace?".


    "Right, I will", Ace crosses his hands, "leaving an island like that is prohibited, you will get us all expelled if you''re caught".


    "We won''t be caught", Joe states calmly, "as I said, we''re going early in the morning, and we''ll return late at night, no one will be around to see us".


    "You know, you can''t just do whatever the hell you want to", Ace''s voice craks, "just cause the two of you are on a power trip, doesn''t mean you can ignore the rest of us, unfortunately we are a team, so your behaviour affects the rest of us as well".


    "I don''t think it''s the smartest idea either", Sam decides to take Ace''s side.


    "Right, I''m with Ace on this one as well", Ves says firmly, "I''m not getting expelled cause the two of you want to go on a shopping date".


    "Hey, Ves, I thought you had some balls", Teo hovers over him.


    "I do, but I''m not stupid", Ves pushes him away. The two of them were getting on his nerves. Joe acting as if he was god-given and Teo with his bad boy act. He could ignore it most of the time. But he was not letting them ruin his chances at graduating.


    "And what are the three of you going to do then", Teo laughs, "go and rat us out?".


    "I don''t know", Ves admits, "but you know what, it''s about time the two of you figured some things out".


    "And what exactly are we supposed to figure out", Teo raises an eyebrow at him threateningly.


    "That you''re not as important as you think", Ves retorts, "neither of you".


    "Really?", Teo gives him a grin.


    "Really, you''re just a little aggresive maniac who puts on a tough act, Teo", Ves rolls his eyes, "and unlike Ace and Sam, I''m not a cowardly enough to let you get your way".


    "You''re not", Teo shoves him away. Stumbling a few steps back, Ves quickly regains balance, pushing back at the taller boy.


    "You two should stop", Joe cuts them off, "this is not a place to have a fight".


    "And you should stop talking sometimes, you know", Ves gives him a cold glare, "you''re no one''s boss".


    "I know that", Joe says flatly.


    "Do you, really?", Ves says dryly, "cause you''ve been a little overbearing piece of shit ever since we came here, always meddling and trying to tell everyone what to do".


    "I just try to keep things in order", Joe shrugs, "it''s not my fault the four of you lack discipline".


    "I mean, I get that you''re trying to do good", Sam tries to calm the things down, "but you''ve been kind of bossy".


    "Bossy? He''s been trying to herd us like we''re sheep ever since we came here", Ace scoffs, "and you can''t claim that you want to keep things in order when you''re the one who''s recommending breaking the rules, you know".


    "Well, what does it matter", Joe points out, "it will be useful for all of us if we make a trip, and we''re not going to get caught, even if we do, you can just act like you didn''t know about it, Teo and I will lie as well, and they won''t expell you".


    "You can''t be sure about that", Ves sighs, "just stop acting like you know everything".


    "I''m aware it''s a risk", Joe claims, "but it''s a pretty good risk as far as I''m concerned, the berries could help Teo with Absol, and we can get some other useful stuff as well that can benefit all of us, so I''m very much going to take my chances".


    "Oh, no, you''re not", Ves pushes the boy away. Riolu is quick to get in his way, preventing any further attacks. "You can''t do whatever you want, not when it puts all of us at risk, let Teo handle his own bullshit", Ves says stepping back, "besides we have other issues, you know".


    "Look Ves", Joe ignores him, recovering his ground, "I''ve already decided, and none of you can stop me, so let''s not turn this into an unnecessary fight".


    "Why do you think we can''t stop you", Ves scoffs, "you''re not as good as you think you are buddy, you think the three of us can''t stop one of you".


    Joe eyes them carefully, before making his decision. "Yeah, I think I can take the three of you on", he says calmly, "let''s do it".


    "What the actual fuck are you trying to say", Ves laughs.


    "Let''s have a battle", Joe says, "I take three of you on, if I win, then Teo and I go to Lilicove on Thursday, and you don''t give us any shit".


    "And how do you suppose we arrange the battle?", Ves questions, "I remember you saying no professor would oversee the battle that has the two of us in it".


    "We go to the beach", Joe says simply, "it''s pretty late already, no one will see us anyways".


    "Are you seriously recommending we break the rules again", Ace tries keeping his voice down, "dude that''s what has caused this whole argument in the first place".


    "Right, I think you didn''t really think this through", Ves points out.


    "I did", Joe retorts, "Ves, you do realise breaking the rules is the only way for the two of us to get any training?".


    "Alright, calm down a bit there", Ves raises his hands, "we''re not sure about that yet, we can probably get at least one professor to referee for us, let''s not jump the gun".


    "Sound like you''re scared, Ves", Teo pokes at him, but Ves is not stupid enough to fall for a provocation like that.


    "Sure Ves, maybe we could, but how long will that take", Joe argues, "and how many opportunities to battle we can squeeze out like that?".


    "And how many opportunities to get expelled will we have if we follow your little plans?", Ace interrupts.


    Joe ignores him. "Ves, we have just a little more than a month until the tag team tournament", the boy''s voice remains monotonous, "just think for a second and you''ll realise what I''m proposing is objectively the best path".


    "I don''t know", Sam raises a finger as if he''s asking questions, "this sounds too risky, and it''s not like there''s no other way".


    "Just look at our chances for the tournament", Joe retorts, "we''ll basically go into it one member short if Teo doesn''t fix his issues with Absol, we need those berries, and we need them soon, cause he needs to get some training as well, otherwise, he''ll be useless". The brown haired boy looks knowingly at Ves.


    "Well, that''s his problem", Ves counters, even though he sees where Joe is coming from, "breaking rules just to help him out, and putting all of us in jeopardy in the process, is still not the smartest decision".


    "You''d rather us go into the tournamnet like this then?", Joe questions flatly, "let''s be realistic here, as of right now, we have Teo, who''s useless".


    "Hey, we''re on the same side right now, you dipshit", Teo retorts.


    "You saw how Ace battles for yourself", Joe ignores him.


    "And just what''s that supposed to mean?", Ace raises his eyebrows questioningly.


    "It means you''re mid", Ves clarifies.


    "And then, to be fair, we don''t know how well Sam and you will do", Joe wraps up his overview, "but unless both of you turn out to be battling prodigies, we are pretty much done for in the tag team tournament, you do know that?".


    "I thought you didn''t care", Ves feels a sting in his stomach, "didn''t you say you''ll pass on your own? Isn''t that how it works anyways? So we should all go scoring points for ourselves?".


    "Right, that''s true", Joe nods, "but if we get eliminated in the first round, then I get only 100 points for winning my match, and the same goes for you, all I''m saying is we should take some measures, just to make sure we get through the first few rounds".


    "Dude, maybe you should stop complicating it so much", Ace scoffs, "there are other ways to train than just battling, we''re can''t just go around breaking the rules, we''re not freaking Harry Potter characters, you know".


    "Stop being so uptight all the time Ace", Teo rolls his eyes, "we can break a few rules you know".


    "We can get expelled", Ace''s voice crack.


    "Ace, the battle is even easier to cover up than getting off of the island", Joe shrugs, "if anyone does happen to see us, we just say we were on a bonding walk, and our pokemon started fighting amongst themselves".


    "Right, I like the way you think", Teo nods assuringly.


    "I mean, it seems that most of the professor''s hate the partners we''ve gotten", Joe shrugs, "so they won''t find it hard to believe they have gotten aggressive with each other".


    "And we can all just play dumb and say we were trying to get them to get along", Teo confirms.


    "You are a surprisingly good liar", Ace stares daggers at Joe, "I''m still not going along with your bullshit, though".


    "Ves, just think about it", Joe ignores the blond boy, "you know I''m right about this, at least agree to the battle, you know we''ll have to do it this way anyways".


    Thinking about it, Ves can''t help feeling that his teammate is right. Their position was not too bright. Breaking the rules would be fine with him in theory, if it didn''t bring the risk of getting expelled. Awareness that he could inadvertently lose his chance to become a pokemon trainer was weighing heavily in his mind. Still, Teo''s and Joe''s excuse had sounded plausable enough. "Alright", Ves sighed, "I''ll take you on".


    "Great, and what about the two of you", the brown haired boy turned his attention to Ace and Sam.


    "Hey, I''m not done speaking", Ves reminds him. Staring him straight in the eye, he adds: "just so we''re clear, if I do beat you, you''re not leaving this island, that was the deal, right?".


    "Right", Joe nods.


    "And", Ves interrupts him, "if I win, you''ll stop acting as if you''re our manager".


    "Hey, I can stop with that right now", Joe shrugs, "I just did it to be helpful".


    "Yeah, you should stop, you should really stop", Ace says almost beggingly.


    "Alright", Joe takes a step back his eyes turning a shade colder. "But if I win, then I can do whatever I want".


    "Not if it involves risking expulsion for all of us", Ace says firmly.


    Joe scoffs. Taking another step back. "Well then Ace, you''re free to try and stop me", he says firmly, "if that''s a kind of relationship you guys want to have with me, I''m alright with it".


    "I don''t want any kind of relationship with you", Ace wrinkles his eyes in disgust, "I''m not gay".


    "Me neither", Sam adds confused, "I mean, I''m chill if you like dudes and all, but I like girls".


    "You know well enough that''s not what I''m saying", Joe says, "look, if you want this group to function by the laws of the jungle, you should know that I''m the strongest one here".


    "You''re sounding overconfident", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, I''m the one who''s open to cooperation here", Joe notes.


    "Doesn''t seem like it to me, buddy", Ves interrupts, "seems like you just want to be able to do whatever the hell you want".


    "This is what''s best for all of us", Joe remains adamnt.


    "Getting us expelled doesn''t exactly sound like the greatest outcome", Ace scoffs, "besides, Sam and I don''t even have to worry about it, we can just set up the battles by the book".


    "Yeah, easy for you to act like a prick", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, you should pick a side to be on", Ace grins at him.


    "I''m not on any sides", Ves raises his arms defensively.


    "Well, you agreed to the battle, so you''re on his side, I guess", Ace says.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Look, he''s right about one thing, we need to train, it''s not that I like doing it this way either", Ves sighs.


    "But you''re going to do it, right?", Ace raises his eyebrow judgingly.


    "Look, Ace", Ves says, "think about it this way, if we don''t stop these two from going off of the island, they''ll just end up doing whatever they want in the future, right?". Ace shifts in his place uneasily. "So it''s better if we put a stop to it right now", Ves keeps going, "and we have some battle training as a bonus as well, which can''t hurt".


    "Right, but who''s to say you won''t just end up getting accustomed to breaking the rules like this all the time?", Ace question, "I don''t exactly trust you, you know".


    "I won''t", Ves responds quickly, "if I don''t have to, I won''t".


    "If you don''t have to, huh?", Ace stares at him accusingly.


    "Look, you''ve heard it, professors probably won''t referee my battles", Ves does his best to sound convincing, "and you know, Joe is right about one thing, we all need to train before the tournament".


    "What I''m hearing is, you''re up to risking expulsion as well", Ace sighs.


    "Well, I''ll try to convince professors to set up matches for me", Ves promises, "but if they won''t then I''ll do what I have to do, you know, if we don''t do well in these tournaments, we''re all going to fail". Ace thinks about it for a moment, rubbing at his temples as if he''s trying to concentrate. "Ace, just look at it this way", Ves tries to put everything into place, "we battle Joe right now to prevent the two of them from doing stupid shit in the future".


    "Right, we break a rule to stop them from breaking the rules", Ace rolls his eyes, still not convinced.


    "We break one rule, and we have an easy out if we get caught", Ves reminds him, "but if we win, then these two won''t go and cause bigger issues for us, right?".


    "You keep saying ''we'', and something tells me you''re trying to drag me into this", Ace glints at him, "just battle him on your own, if that''s what you want to do".


    "It''s not about that", Ves says firmly, "we have a better chance at beating him if we take him on three on one, that''s what he had recommended".


    Ace lets out a defeated sigh. "God, you''re all full of shit", he says, "I wish they teammed me up with four houseplants, at least they don''t talk shit and smell nice".


    "Look, I don''t care about your reasons", Joe interrupts them.


    "Well, obviously you don''t", Ves retorts, "you care exclusively about your own ass".


    "Can we stop with the insults already", Joe keeps his calm, "what I''m saying is, if you don''t want to function as a proper team, then it''s a law of the jungle".


    "Oh, oh", Ace starts yelling, "proper team, your idea of a proper team is a fucking dictatorship buddy, stop acting like you''re so innocent, you''re hovering above our head and telling us what to do all the time".


    "I do not", Joe retorts, "you''ve literally known me for three days".


    "Yeah, but those three days you''ve been control issues galore", Ace point out.


    "You''re exaggerating a bit", Joe says calmly.


    "You literally howered over us this morning until we got ready and went down to breakfast", Teo points out.


    "And you kept bugging us about the schedule while we were eating", Ace adds.


    "And you won''t let me exit the bathroom after I shower unless I dry myself and get dressed", Sam adds.


    "Alright, I think that one''s on all of us, buddy", Ace interrupts him, "no one wants to see you walking around fully naked".


    "Well then just don''t watch", Sam says innocently.


    "Alright", Joe says coldly, "as I said, I''ll stop with all of that".


    "That would be great", Ace exhales sharply.


    "Still, if we''re all going to act independently, and assert ourselves as individuals", the brown haired boy ignores him, "then I''m doing my own thing as well, I''m just warning you about it".


    "Right, that''s how it goes with dictators", Ace smiles dryly, "they lose control and the threats start rolling in, who do you think you are?".


    "I''m the strongest one here", Joe shrugs, "and if you''re all going to push your own agenda, then I''m doing it as well".


    "So, you''re saying, if we don''t do what you tell us, then you''ll just go doing whatever the hell you want", Ace retorts.


    "No, Ace, I''m saying we can either function like a team, or we can each try and do whatever the hell we want", Joe steps up, his voice growing colder with every word, "but if our interests clash, then what do you think will happen?". Ves watches as Riolu tenses up, stepping one foot forward. Ace glares back at him instead of answering. "The one who''s stronger gets his way", Joe continues, "so I am just letting you know right now, if that''s how you want things to be, than the rest of you will have a tough time stopping me from getting what I want".


    "You know, you''re such a dick", Ace''s voice turns low, "you keep acting like you want what''s best for everyone, but really, you just want all of us to listen to you".


    "This reeks of sexual tension", Ves notes.


    "This is what''s best for everyone", Joe claims, "even if you don''t see it, this is the best thing we can do right now".


    "Whatever, man", Ace looks away from him, "I''m with you on this one Ves, we''re taking this asshole down".


    "Great", Ves nods in understanding, turning around to face Sam, "and what about you?".


    "I guess, if the two of you are in", Sam scrathes his head insecurely, "then I''m in as well".


    "Great, this will be fun", Teo laughs.


    "You should really keep quiet", Ves snaps at him, "you can''t even take part in this, you know".


    "How about we just head for the beach before we murder each other", Joe murmurs.


    "Oh, well we can do that on the beach as well", Ace points out.


    Leaving the main building, the five head east, aiming for the beach. With each step, Ves can feel the smell of salt growing stronger. Sundown well on its way burned the sky orange. Chill in the air was surprising, the boy thought, the autumn has started rolling in. His teammates had finally stopped talking, and he enjoyed the silence. If anyone were to see them right now, they''d conclude the five of them were friends. Eyes flying over the other four boys, Ves couldn''t help giving in to the void in his stomach. This moment had felt so normal. And he never had any intention of making friends in this place, he didn''t want these guys to be his friends either, but he wished they could be normal more often. Like this. Against the silent tension, this felt strangely nice. Ves''s arms felt numb, his head felt ligter. After all, this was a summer night. One of those that ended up seeming to last forever. He remembered those, through some kind of a haze, even though he wasn''t that far removed from them. Ves didn''t take himself to be a very sentimental guy. Heading for the beach, he felt fourteen. So painfully fourteen. Just a few days ago, he was home, living through the remaints of his life, the one he knew. Out and about, walking in parks with his friends, staying on playgrounds just a bit to late, trying to play basketball, not that he was ever good at it. It''s been three days here, and it felt like a different life. Disorienting. The four boys walking beside him were entirely foreign, yet they were his present and future. The pain of everything else becoming just a past echoed through his bones. He wished they were normal more often.


    He could see the ocean in front of them. The dying sun was turning the water pink, but the tide was already strong, the waves leaping onto the shore, crushing into the sand as if they were trying to swallow the earth. It was a dissonance. The way the ocean looked and the way it behaved. He couldn''t help wondering if his teammates saw it the same way. Their faces seemed cold, painted in gold, they looked like statues. Far away and secretive, and bigger than him. But they all looked fourteen, Ves realised. Even Teo, whose height had made him seem older, whose behaviour made always made his face seem more rugged than it was, looked like a kid. He was just a kid. He has a small scar on his left temple, Ves noticed. Two scars. Joe also has two, one on his chin, one on his hand. He never noticed until now. What was up with those two? Ace''s green eyes were fixed on the horizon, somehow Ves got a sense that the blonde boy was somewhere else, perhaps in many other places, living many different of his own lives. Sam had a soft smile on his face as he stared at the water, he probably enjoyed this. Ves wasn''t sure why he was looking at them like this. Were they looking at him as well? Who did they see?


    "Hey, maybe let''s not battle", Sam says in a low voice, "we could just go for the swim".


    "No way", Joe cuts the idea immediately, "it''s a wild beach, and the tides are starting to come in, unless you were raised by the ocean, you''re not going in there".


    "And there he goes, telling us what we can and cannot do", Ace says, his voice sounding distant.


    "It''s not my fault you guys have the worst ideas", Joe says but Ves can see him stand back a bit, "you know, if you started thinking things through, maybe I wouldn''t have to nag you all the time".


    "Hey, so you admit you nag us all the time", Ace gives him a challenging glance.


    "Okay, go in if you want to", Joe gives in, "I said I''m going to stop telling you what to do, so you can do what you want".


    "No way I''m going in", Ace throws his arms in the air half-victorious, "I hate water".


    "Why do you hate the water?", Sam questions, "water is nice".


    "Yeah, well, I fell off the docs when I was like 7, almost drowned, so I''m not the biggest fan", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "I wouldn''t worry if I were you", Joe rolls his eyes, "the ocean wouldn''t take you anyways, it already has enough salt in it, you know".


    "Wow, calm down Moana, you''re not really good at insults", Ace snarks.


    "Wait, Ace, you live by the beach?", Sam wonders, "that''s cool".


    "No, not by the beach", Ace''s demeanor turns cynical, "by the docs, I''m from Vermilion city, it''s all industrialised, not exactly a tourist kind of place".


    "Oh, so I take it your behaviour is due to radioactivity then", Teo laughs.


    "Oh, so you''re from Kanto then, Ace", Sam scratches his head, "huh, we''ve known each other for three days and I still don''t know where you guys are from".


    "Well, not that it matters much", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Well, I''m from Twin Leaf town in sinnoh", Sam states expectantly.


    "I''m from Malie city", Joe follows up, "of the Ula''ula Alolan island"


    "Yeah, you''re an islander, we figured that out", Ace chuckles, "but why do you talk like that".


    "Like what?", Joe says confused.


    "Of the Ula''ula island, you sound archaic dude", Ace points out.


    "That''s...that''s how we talk", Joe scratches his head. Ves is surprised to hear the boy''s voice come out as anything other than completely flat.


    "Ves, Teo, where are you from?", Sam stays adamant.


    "I''m from Nimbasa", Ves says simply, "it''s in Unova".


    "Dude, you''re basically from Vegas then", Ace says surprised.


    "What is Las Vegas?", Sam scratches his head.


    "That city from the Elvis movie", Ace explains, "you know, the one with the lights and casinos, and stuff".


    "Ace, Vegas in not real", Joe points out.


    "And neither is Elvis", Teo adds.


    "Yeah, you should really stop watching movies, dude", Ves nods along.


    "Hey, well, that''s a big city then, right, Nimbasa?", Sam says excitedly.


    "Yeah, it is", Ves agrees, "I live in the outskirts though, thankfully, so I''m not surrounded by constant noise".


    "And Teo, where are you from?", Sam turns to the last boy.


    "Why does this matter?", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "Cmon dude, we''re doing a little bonding exercise", Ves says sarcastically, "just tell us".


    "Hey, who said I wanted to bond with any of you", Teo laughs.


    "Cmon, just tell us", Ace scoffs, "it''s not like it''s a big deal".


    "And what if I won''t?", Teo retorts.


    "Then you''re a little prick", Ace points out.


    "Whatever, I''m cool with that", Teo rolls his eyes, "besides, I thought this we came here to have a battle, not a bonding experiance".


    "Oh, you came to battle?", Ves asks dryly, "I thought you can''t control your partner".


    "Shut up", Teo sighs.


    "Just tell us where you come from, and then we can do what we came here for", Ves notes, "we all said it, it''s only fair you do it as well".


    "Fine, Galar", Teo says shortly.


    "Galar where?", Ves presses.


    "Oh, he was clearly raised in some mine by a bunch of wild Mankey", Ace laughs.


    "Mankey live in forests", Joe points out.


    "Hey, island boy, stop ruining my jokes", Ace says, "and you tea-drinker, just tell us what town you''re from".


    "Spikemuth", Teo says shortly, "hope that satisfies your curiousity".


    "It does", Ves nods, "now was that so hard to say".


    "Yes, yes it was", Teo looks away, "not sure why you had to know, but now that you do, can we just get over with this battle, Joe and I have a trip to plan".


    "A date you mean", Ves laughs, "the two of you are quite a pair, island boy and rock city punk, I''m sure that one will go well"


    "Yeah, well, we''ll never find out, since that date is going to get cancelled right now", Ace says, making his way down to the beach.


    "It''s not a date", Joe says following after him, "it''s a shopping trip that''s very much happening, since there''s no way the three of you can win against me".


    "Yeah, maybe you''re a bit too confident buddy", Ves goes with them, "you really think you can beat three of us".


    "Positive", Joe says simply.


    "Okay, just pointing out, this is my first battle", Sam says sheepishly as he takes his place next to Ves.


    "Well, I''m still going all out", Joe says loudly enough for them to hear. Gesturing for Riolu to come closer, he starts whispering something to his partner.


    "Hey, dude, whatever you''re telling that dog of yours is not going to save you", Ace yells over at him, "it''s three against one, you''re going down".


    "Hey, Ace, we''re kind of breaking the rules here, remember", Ves reminds him, "maybe don''t yell".


    "Right, sorry", Ace clears his tgroat, quickly realeasing his Rockruff onto the field. Ves notices Riolu has taken his spot as well, sticking rather close to Joe.


    "Hey, I think he''ll try keeping his distance", Ves says. Remembering Riolu knows Vacuum Wave he added: "he knows he''s outnumbered, he''ll stick to the long-range attacks, I think".


    "That''s probably what he instructed Riolu to do, right?", Ace says in a low voice, "he''ll most likely stay on the defensive".


    "I think he''ll attack", Sam points out, "remember what he said during Sam''s battle with Lesley?".


    "Right, he''s definitely attacking", Ves nods, "we just don''t know who he will target".


    "Probably you, Ves", Sam scratches his head.


    "You think?", Ves raises his eyebrow.


    "He probably sees you as the biggest threat", Sam notes, "but I''m not sure".


    "Hey, let''s not try and get into his head", Ace says, "there''s three of us and one of him, we can overwhelm him, let''s not comolicate it".


    "Um, just one thing", Ves says, "I''m kind of not sure if Houndour will listen to me".


    "What?", Ace says through gritted teeth, "couldn''t you have told us that before we''ve gotten into this".


    "Well, it''s not like I''m Teo, you know, Houndour is fine, he lets me feed him and stuff, doesn''t try to kill me", Ves raises his arms defensively, "but I don''t think it likes me too much either, and I never actually battled with him, so I''m not sure if it will listen to me".


    "Well, too late to think about it now", Ace groans, "just release him and we''ll see how this goes, and Sam, you release Yamper as well".


    "Alright", Sam says, and Yamper quickly appears on the battlefield, "what''s the plan?".


    "You two attack him in tandem, and I Sand Attack him just in case", Ace decides.


    "You sure that will work?", Ves raises his eyebrow, "he has Detect, if I remember".


    "It''s three against one, he can use Detect to dodge one of our attacks", Ace says steadily, "even if he dodges another one somehow, the third one will land for sure, we can wear him down, no trouble".


    "Sounds good enough", Ves says, gripping onto Houndour''s pokeball. When the black dog sets foot on the field, his eyes are looking sharply forward. Rough looking fur quickly gets filled with specks of sand, as the pokemon lowers his body downwards, fixating on Riolu. He probably wants revenge, Ves realises, which turns out to be good for him. If he''s ready to listen to Ves''s instructions, the boy will have to find out.


    "Alright, then, if you''re all ready", Teo says dramatically, "let the battle begin!".


    "Rockruff", Ace starts off strong, but Riolu''s already flying across the field, wielding its greyish claw towards the rock type, and sending him up into the air. With few quick movements, Riolu twists his body, sending a blast of energy into the airborne Rockruff, knocking it few feet backwards, behind the boys. Vacuum Wave.


    "Ember", is the only thing Ves manages to say. Houndour is quick to react, turning his head towards Riolu, he conjures a wave of cinders, sending them into the fighting type.


    "Detect, get back, Riolu", Joe reacts quickly. Eyes flashing blue, the blue-furred dog makes his way back to his trainer in few jumps, standing tall in the sand without taking any hits.


    "What was that about?", Ace curses out. Ves can see Rockruff''s been knocked out already, and Ace is quick to recall him.


    "Those were my little instructions to Riolu", Joe says simply, "I''m not in the mood to deal with evasion strategies".


    "That was a dirty move", Ace scoffs.


    "Vacuum Wave, now", comes Joe''s answer. Before anyone else can react, Yamper is sent flying backwards as well.


    "Hey, that''s not fair", Sam yells, "I was not ready".


    "Riolu", Joe says, and the fighting type attacks again.


    "Ember", Ves reacts this time around. Houndour creates a wave of cinders. Colliding in the middle of the field, the two attacks create a curtain of sand and smoke.


    "Metal Claw", Joe''s voice sounds distant, but Ves hears it. He can''t see where the attack is comimg from, he doesn''t know who it''s aimed at. He has a hunch though.


    "Dodge it", Ves commands, as Riolu breaks through the smoke, heading straight for Houndour. The black dog manages to get out of the way, but Riolu makes a quick turn on his feet, blasting him away with a Vacuum Wave. It was almost as if Riolu was fighting on his own, and Ves had no idea what to do. He thought the 3 against 1 would mean an advantage, but it just meant he didn''t know who Joe''s aimimg at. He either instructed Riolu on who to attack beforehand or the Pokemon was making the decision on his own.


    "Metal Claw at Yamper", Joe instructed again.


    "What, wait", Sam yelled, "dodge it, Yamper". Riolu was too close to miss, quickly closing the gap between himself and Yamper, using the attack to raise the electrick dog up in the air, before rapidly firing off another Vacuum Wave into him.


    "Fire Spin, Houndour", Ves took the only opportunity he had to attack. Barely standing, but with anger in his eyes, Houndour shot a focused stream of fire at Riolu.


    "Detect", Joe said simply. Ves knew well enougj what was coming. Riolu''s eyes flashed blue, avoiding Fire Spin, the fighting type twisted his body mid air, extending his arms and sending yet another blast at Houndour. The dark type went flying sideways, hitting the ground, unable to get up. "Well, I think that would be all", Joe said, slowly approaching his partner, "you did great Riolu, hey, how about I call you Rio from now on?". Riolu just looked up at him, as if to give the boy a silent approval of his new nickname.


    Swallowing air, Ves recalled his Houndour. He had lost. They had lost. This strange feeling ran through his body, a mix of anger and adrenaline. He loved it. He absolutely loved it. This was Pokemon battling. Sure, he had just suffered an overwhelming loss, but this was pokemon battling. Fast-paced. Fun. He loved it. Only if it lasted a little bit longer. He did good. He knew he did good. Not good enough. But he had managed to react, unlike his teammates.


    "Well, I think this means two things", Teo approaches them, smiling, "Joe and I get to go on our shopping trip, which is good, and we''re pretty much screwed for the tournament, which is not so good".


    "You''re the one to talk", Ves grips his fist, "you can''t even take a part in the battles, you know".


    "Well, I''m working on that", Teo reminds him, "in the meantime, I just watched Joe trash the three of you in like a minute, so perhaps we should start to worry".


    "Hey, he was playing dirty", Ace scoffs.


    "Rigjt, he just kept attacking", Sam agrees.


    "Well, sorry for not stopping to have a chat with you while we were mid-battle", Joe says, "unfortunately for you, I''m not your average action movie villain".


    "Right, well, telling Riolu to go after me before the battle even began is kind of unfair", Ace points out.


    "I wouldn''t call it unfair", Joe shrugs, "I call it communicating with your partner".


    "Right, well, I call it a snake move", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey Ace, shut up", Ves shoves him a bit, "he won fair and square, your fault for not reacting in time".


    "How could anyone react to that?", Ace pushes back.


    "Well, I did", Ves says, "and if I had better partners, I would''ve beaten him".


    "Hey, guys, it was our first battle", Sam chimes in, "we did good, let''s not fight again, we''ll do well in the tournament".


    "Oh, you, you should really stop being a fool", Ves says coldly, "you literally did nothing but take hits".


    "Dude, I didn''t know what to do", Sam raises his hands defensively, "he was too fast and it was my first battle...".


    "Oh, it was your first battle right", Ves laughs, "why are you even here dude, maybe you should go home". Glaring at Ace he adds: "and you as well, just pack up and go, both of you".


    "Why are you acting like a dipshit?", Ace growls at him.


    "Cause Teo''s right", Ves yells, "we''re screwed, we''re absolutely fucked, the two of you are actually useless".


    "I didn''t even get a chance to do anything", Ace yells back, "if he didn''t go for me immediately, we''d win, you know, he knocked me out first cause I was the biggest threat".


    "Not true", Joe states, "I knocked you out cause you''re the most annoying".


    "Ves, calm down, we lost", Sam tries again, "Joe is good, and he has a priority attack, it''s hard to counter".


    "I told you to keep quiet", Ves pushes him down to the ground, "Ace has priority moves as well, he could''ve countered him, but he was trying to get sand in his eyes, cause he''s a little coward".


    "Dude, just stop", Sam wails, trying to get up.


    "Why, why would I stop", Ves hovers over him, "God, if it was one on one I would''ve stood a better chance, you know, at least I''d know he''s attacking me, the two of you are nothing but burdens".


    "Ves, calm down", Joe stands between the two, placing the hand on the black haired boy''s chest. Ves wants to send him down to the ground as well, but Riolu''s standing close by, so the boy stands back. "Look, Teo and I are going to Lilicove on Thursday, we''ll get some training equipment as well, and we''ll start training more", he says calmly, "there''s still a month and a half until the tournament".


    "You''re... you don''t know what you''re talking about", Ves scoffs, "cmon, Joe, I thought you were realistic, we''re screwed, literally, the only thing we can hope for is that Teo can get his shit in order and he turns out to be a a great fighter, and that''s pretty much impossible".


    "Right, we''re in a tough position", Joe says as he helps Sam get up, "but they''ll improve, we''ll all improve".


    "And others will improve too", Ves says firmly, "everyone here is training, do you actually think those two can catch up in time".


    "I don''t know", Joe admits, "but look, Ves, in the tag team tournament, 14 teams, and probably 15th team as well, get 0 points".


    "Right", Teo is hit with realisation, "we only need to win the first round, score some points, and we''ll be placed at least 16th place, which means we won''t fail".


    "Right, and we can work our way up from that", Joe nods.


    "And how do you suppose we do that?", Ves questions, "we need three wins, you know, so which one of us is winning the third one exactly? Maybe Teo, oh, right he can''t even let his partner out of the pokeball". Staring daggers at Ace he adds: "and you''re joking if you think these two are winning against anyone".


    "We''ll train", Joe says simply, "if you just start listening to me...".


    "Oh, again with listening to you", Ace scoffs, "I thought the deal was you''ll stop bossing us around".


    "Shut up Ace, let''s not go back to that", Ves scoffs.


    "Oh, and you''re on his side now?", Ace yells.


    "I''m not on anyone''s side", Ves retorts, "he''s a sociopath, but he''s a sociopath who can fight, at least, which is what we actually need in this school".


    "Right, well, his battling won''t do us any good if he gets us fucking expelled", Ace grits his teeth, his face burning red, voice cracking.


    "Oh, stop being so uptight, Ace", Teo inserts himself.


    "You stay out of this", Ves hisses at him, "you''re the definition of useless, so maybe keep quiet until you start being an actual addition to this team".


    "For your information, my addition to this team is hotness, and I think that''s good enough", Teo crosses his arms.


    "Ves, stop acting all mighty just cause you''ve lasted few seconds longer than us", Ace rolls his eyes, "you lost as well, you''re not that good".


    Ves goes to push him, but Joe grabs his arm, his grip surprisingly stop. "Just calm down already", the boy says flatly, "what has gotten into you?".


    "What''s gotten into me? I''ll tell you, I''m stuck with fucking useless teammates", Ves yells in his face, "and I have no idea why you are defending them right now, they are weak, and we both now it".


    "Getting violent doesn''t solve anything", Joe explains, "if it were possible to punch some skill into them, I''d be joining you, but it''s not, so let''s not let this team erode any further".


    "I''ve wanted this for so long", Ves says weakly, eyes flying between his teammates, "I don''t want to fail".


    "You won''t", Joe assures him, "you did fine, at least you could react".


    "Thanks for the pat on the shoulder, but I don''t want it", Ves says firmly, "look, we''ve been fighting about this ever since we came here, but it''s all been just taking guesses, well, now it''s real, there''s nothing left to second guess here".


    "Let''s wait and see", Joe keeps his voice leveled still, and it''s irking Ves beyond comprehension.


    "Yeah, right, what are we going to see exactly?", the boy responds, "what happens first, do we make it until the end of the year and fail because of these three, or we luck out and get expelled cause Teo and you think you can do whatever you want".


    "Oh, and you''re the only one who''s perfect Ves", Ace snarks, "you''ve just lost as well, and didn''t land a single hit".


    "Hey, at least I did something", Ves responds, "the two of you didn''t make a single attack".


    "He targeted me first", Ace sticks to his gun.


    "Oh, cmon, you''ve lost to a Vinnie the Pooh character with a trampoline this morning Ace", Ves rolls his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he realises he''s tired of this conversation. And Joe was right, no amount of fighting will fix this. There was only one way. "I''ll pass on my own", Ves announced out loud, "I don''t care what any of you do from now on, I''ll pass on my own". He could do it. He just needed to train more.


    "Alright, then we should head to the dorm room soon, it''s already late", he says, "I have a few potions and stuff, so we can heal your Pokemon there". He''s just trying to end this whole situation quickly.


    "Hey, Joe", Ves grabs his arm as the boy turns to leave. Stopping him mid-track, Ves makes sure he gives him the coldest glare he has. "You''re strong, which will come in handy for this team when it comes to scoring points", his voice gains a serious note, "but don''t think for a moment you can do whatever you want, not without me trying to stop you".


    "Well, I think it''s pretty clear none of you can stop me", Joe replies, as calm as ever.


    "For now, maybe", Ves nods, "but just cause you''re strong doesn''t make you untouchable, you know, I''ll beat you, and that''s a promise". Letting go of his teammate''s arm, he adds: "I''m not just gunning for a passing grade, you know, I''m looking at that number 1 spot, and if I have to go through you to get there, then that''s what I''ll do".


    "Well, good luck with that", Teo chuckles.


    "No need to threaten me", Joe looks away from him, starting to leave, "I''m up for the challenge".


    "I''m just making it clear to you that I''m not scared", Ves shrugs, walking after him, "I''m not letting anyone else ruin my chance, and that goes for you as well, I''m not getting expelled because of your bullshit".


    "Well, the deal was, if I beat you, Teo and I get to go our way without any of you interfereing", Joe points out.


    "Right, I''ll honor that deal", Ves says, "but after that, don''t think I''ll just stand back and let you do whatever you please".


    "And I''ll help him out", Ace says firmly.


    "Alright, then it''s the rule of the jungle from now on I guess", Joe says simply, "I''m fine with that".


    "Yeah, me as well", Teo whistles along to their argument.


    "Like you can do anything", Ace takes a dig at him.


    "I can beat you up Acey", Teo says mockingly, "both you and your dog".


    "Guy, let''s just not", Sam says, his voice growing tired, "can we just act normal for a second".


    Ves wished they could be normal as well. But they couldn''t. Truth is, each of them, save for Sam, wanted to do things their own way. Nobody needed to say it anymore, the boy had seen it clearly. It was every man for himself. He could fight his way out of this. In his bones, he knew it. Remains of adrenaline pulsed through his hand, his hands buzzing with excitment still. Battling was so much fun. So much fun. Battling Joe was so much fun, he decided. Cause he was good, he was insanely good, and Ves knew all he wanted to do was battle him again. And again. Now that he had gotten a taste, suffered an overwhelming loss, he was itching to return the favour. He was happy Joe was on his team, luck might''ve given him four terrible teammates, but it has also given him a great opponent. He''ll crush him, Ves decided, by the end of the school year, he''ll crush Joe into the ground. It wouldn''t be easy. He''ll definitely need to get some more practice in. Much more practice. Some rules will probably have to be broken, he thought, regretting the fact he had given a speech about stopping Joe from breaking rules just a second ago, but only ever so slightly. That one could be explained away, and he wouldn''t even do it if he managed to convince professors to oversee the battle. Thinking about the picture hidden at the bottom of his suitecase, Ves knew his brother would understand him.


    They walked into the room quietly, and had managed to stay that way for the entirety of five minutes. Up until Ace, still staring daggers at Joe, requested him and Teo exchange beds. Joe didn''t mind, as he patiently helped Ves and Sam heal their partners. Ves was glad Houndour wasn''t giving them trouble while they were applying the potion. It did start barking loudly as soon as he got healed, thrasing around the floor and trying to attack Riolu. Ves was quick to recall him, but he was satisfied his partner was blood thirsty as well. Sam stayed quiet, mostly keeping close to Joe. Ves had felt a bit sorry for pushing him to the ground, but opted not to vocalise that. He''ll get over it. Apparently, the whole ordeal has resulted in Sam imprinting on Joe, as the boy had basically waited for their resident autocrat to give him directions. Ves was positive Joe was enjoying himself, finally someone who would listen to his every word. Teo went for a shower immediately, being worryingly cheerful. He must''ve enjoyed their little messy beach trip, or just looking forward to his little exursion with Joe. Ves had so many gay jokes. So many. Ace, meanwhile, was scoffing and fuming, trying to cling to the last bits of his sanity, but constantly spouting nonsense. Little to say, Ves wasn''t thrilled with his new bunkmate, but at least he knew he could deal with Ace. Unlike Teo. The blond boy stayed adamant on not needing any help with healing Rockruff. After Teo came out of the shower, their little game called ''Sam Takes a Shower'' started up again. It was slowly becoming like a little ritual of theirs, albeit a very strange one. First, Sam announces he''s going to take a shower. Quickly, he jolts for the bathroom while Ace yells after him to bring his stuff. When Ace realises Sam had forgotten his stuff, he grabs his head dramatically and starts cursing everything under the sun. That goes on until Sam''s done with showering and realises he''s forgotten his stuff, again. Then he peeks his head out, just for Ace to yell some more. Joe hands him his stuff, and tells him to dry off. This particular night, Ace had decided to add one of his references just for some adittional fun, telling Sam he''s not Shrek and this ain''t his swamp. Teo found it funny. Then, comes Ves''s personal favourite part of their night routine, called, he takes a shower and doesn''t have to look at his roomates for ten minutes.


    Hot water running down his body carries away the last bits of adrenaline. Finally calm, he starts seeing things clearly. Maybe he had gotten a little carried away, with pushing people, calling everyone useless, promising Joe he''ll get the number one spot, and all of that. He did mean that last one, though. Easing his breaths, eyes closed, Ves conjured up all of those times he spent dreaming of these days. Even when he was a little kid, what he wanted to be was the best Pokemon Trainer in the world. His brother always said that he could, didn''t he? Through the steam, in the running water, he could almost hear his voice, like knife through his heart. He''ll be the best, he promised himself again, he will. No stepping down. Numbness growing in his limbs, the emptiness swallowed him up.


    Laying in his bed, Ves still felt hollow. Staring at the bottom of Ace''s bed, he was cursing out the blond boy in his head. The little shit wouldn''t stop shifting. In the bed right next to his head, Sam was tossing and turning as well. If he had had enougj strenght to get up, he''d murder them both.


    "Hey, would you two stop that already", Teo hit hid hand at the headboard, his voice comming of tired, "some of us would like to sleep here".


    "You tell them, Teo", Ces says mid-yawn.


    "It''s not my fault", Ace''s voice is even crackier when he''s half-asleep, "this dude won''t stop turning around, and I can''t relax, so I''m just turning around as well".


    "Don''t just put it all on me", Sam says sheepishly, "I''m sorry, but I''m stressed, and I can''t fall asleep, that''s all".


    "I can come down and knock you out", Teo offers weakly.


    "No thanks", Sam says, "you know, you guys fighting is what stressed me out in the first place".


    "Oh, what, you worried that the grown-ups are fighting", Teo mocks, "it will be alright little buddy, we didn''t know you get stressed out easily".


    "Well, we did, it''s actually pretty easy to tell", Ace cracks out.


    "What, Sam, you want to snuggle up with someone?", Teo laughs, "I''m sure Joe will let you sleep with him".


    "Sure", Joe says weakly, "if it helps you fall asleep, you can come sleep with me".


    "You hear that, buddy", Teo chuckles, "go ahead and join our gay friend, you have the invite".


    "I will kill you Teo", Joe murmurs. Ves definitely likes him significantly more when he''s half asleep.


    "I''m... It''s fine", Sam says defensively.


    "Well, you either go to sleep, or you come over here", Joe says, "or I get up and kill you dead".


    "Wow, his inner sociopath really comes out when he''s tired", Ace chuckles.


    "I wake up at 5 AM", Joe groans, "I need sleep you wankers".


    "Oh and he curses as well, this is the best", Teo laughs.


    "Why is he talking like he''s from Galar though", Ace is laughing as well.


    "Fucking colonialism, that''s why", Joe wails, "now shut up before I kill you, and I won''t even need Riolu, you know, I''m pretty dangerous myself".


    "Yeah, I''m sure berry farming has made you quite good at murder", Teo says.


    "You don''t know the half of it you dimwit", Joe states, "now will you let me sleep".


    "But I really can''t fall asleep", Sam says almost desperately.


    "Well then come over here", Joe snarks.


    "I... it''s not, it''s kind of uncomfortable", Sam says, "nothong against gay people, but...".


    "For the love of God, I''m not gay", Joe wails, "I''m asexual, why can''t people just grasp that".


    "So you won''t fuck me", Sam yawns, "if I sleep with you".


    "No, asexuals are not exactly known for fucking people, not of their own will at least", Joe groans, "beside, I wouldn''t fuck the three of you even if you payed me".


    "Hey, why not, don''t you think I''m hot?", Teo laughs, "hey, Joe, who''s the most fuckable between the four of us".


    "I have no idea", Joe retorts, "and I''ll kill you if you say just one more word".


    "Okay, but who''s the gayest, now that''s the real qustion", Ves adds.


    "Teo", Joe says simply.


    "Why me?", Teo questions.


    "You literally look like closeted politician''s wet dream, so go and figure", the boy explains, "now shut up, and go to sleep".


    "Wait, I''m coming over", Sam finally decides, jumping up from his bed.


    "Great, the rainbow gang is sleeping together now", Ace says.


    "What, I think it''s sweet", Ves laughs. In reality, he does find it sweet. He remembers, when he was 6, his brother used to let him sleep with him whenever he was scared. Ves fell asleep missing him that night.

 Chapter 5

    Sounding alarm slowly tugged Joe out of the state of sleep. A hand shoved in his face sped up the process of waking up for him this morning.


    "What", the weary voice next to him rang.


    Shifting his body around, he wrapped his hand around Sam''s mouth: "don''t yell, you''ll wake everyone up". Sam whispered a weak apology, and Joe released him. Quickly rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he sat up straigh, managing pull his body over Sam. "I''m going for a run", he says, "you go back to sleep, it''s 5 AM".


    "You always go running this early?", Sam wonders still half-asleep, while Joe starts changing into his running clothes.


    "Right, well, I''m used to it, and I need training", the boy notes shortly, "and Riolu needs it as well".


    "That''s cool", Sam says, shifting around in bed, "is that why you''re so good at battles?".


    "I don''t know", Joe admits, "probably a part of the reason".


    "Hey", Sam suddenly sits up, his eyes still brimming with sleep, "is it cool if I come along as well? For the run I mean, I don''t think I can fall back asleep".


    "Well, I thought you guys didn''t want me telling you what to do all the time", Joe said tying his shoes.


    "Well, I asked you", Sam scratched his head insecurely, "so it''s not like you''re bossing me around".


    Joe thinks about it for a second: "alright, you can come along, you getting some training would be beneficial for all of us anyways".


    "Thanks", Sam insches in a bit closer. Joe had an impending feeling that the boy was trying to make a friend out of him.


    "Just get changed quickly so we can leave", he reminds Sam. Friends were not exactly his forte, but if letting Sam think they are close leads to him getting his act together and training, then Joe had no problem of tolerating that sort of behaviour. That said, Sam joining on the run with him didn''t exactly excite him. Running was his way of clearing out his mind, and having company did not help with that. Still, Sam was in desparate need of training, so he''d have to manage. The other boy was surprisingly quick to change, and they were both out of the room in the matter of mimutes.


    The edge of the plato in front of the dormitory was Joe''s imagined starting line. Leapping off of it onto the gravel path, he started picking up the pace, Riolu keeping up with his rhythm easily. He liked Riolu for his ability too keep up with him. The slight worry that came with recieving a fighting type as his partner dispersed quickly. Working with Riolu came so easy. The blue dog asked for no special treatmant, he was smart and capable, but most importantly. He had always liked running by himself, but Riolu was an amazing company for him. The pokemon didn''t slow him down, and allowed the boy to just run through his thoughts. He couldn''t say the same thing about Sam. His teammate changed his pace constantly, getting ahead of Joe and Riolu one second, then fall back behind them the very next just to let Yamper catch up with him. The small brown dog was not built to be a runner. His legs were too short. Joe almost felt bad about it. Maybe it wasn''t fully Sam''s fault he was the weakest link on their team. He was stuck with the worst partner Pokemon out of all of them, when it came to battle prowess at least.


    Slowing down a bit to accommodate Yamper''s pace, Joe stopped Sam from running further in front of him again. "Let''s just keep a steady rhythm", he said, "we''ll stop soon to do some special training, alright, I''m sure Yamper will do better with that".


    "Right, sorry for slowing things down", Sam says sheepishly, turning around to look at his partner, "Yamper''s not exactly fast".


    "No worries", Joe says out of culture.


    "What kind of special training are we talking about?", Sam questions, "is it something too hard?".


    "There are some wild trees that are pretty big near the northern shore", Joe explains, "they are pretty good at taking attacks, so that''s what we''re doing, it''s not hard, no worries".


    "We''re attacking trees?", Sam says, "isn''t that kind of bad, doesn''t it hurt them".


    "We have to train", Joe shrugs the idea off, "I''m sure the trees understand that much".


    "Right", Sam still doesn''t sound too happy about it.


    "There", Joe points to the row of tall standing oak trees, "we''re close by, I''m sure Yamper will be happy about not having to run much further".


    As they make their way to his little training spot, Joe is quick to take his usual position. Riolu stands in front of him ready to get into it. "Okay, Rio", the boy says calmly, "your Vacuum Wave''s pretty great right now, but it could be faster and stronger". Riolu gives a sharp nod, still focused on the tree. "Now, let''s focus on the time it takes you to fire them off", Joe instructs, "don''t pay any attention to the strenght of your attacks, just make them as fast as possible, alright".


    "You really like that move, huh?", Sam comments next to him.


    "Right, well, I plan on making Rio into a Special Attacker", Joe admits, "and Vacuum Wave is currently his only special attack, so we''re heavily focusing on it".


    "Wow, you''ve thought about this for sure", the other boy scratches his head, "I have no idea what to do".


    "Just pick an attack you want to improve, and have Yamper practice it", Joe shrugs, "then follow how your partner does, see if you can give any pointers, your job in training is to think of the ways to help your Pokemon improve".


    "Right, I didn''t think of it like that", Sam admits, "but I''m not sure what attack to try".


    "Well think about it", Joe recommends simply, shifting his focus back to Riolu. The blue dog has started up, slowly building the speed of his attacks.


    "Well, the thing is, I want Yamper to be a special attacker as well", Sam points out, "but the only attacking moves it has are Nuzzle and Bite, which are both physical, and it knows Sand Attack and Howl".


    "Well, then it''s easy", Joe still keeps his eyes on Riolu, "just have him use Howl a few times, then start hitting Nuzzles into that tree".


    "You sure about it?", Sam wonders.


    "Yeah, it''s an electric type", Joe explains, "so practicing an electric attack is the best option right now, it helps him get a hang of generating electricity and controling it, which will also be useful once he learns some special moves".


    "Right, but why Howl?", Sam still sounds confused.


    "Strenghtens his attack, makes him generate more electricity", Joe says simply, still trying to focus on Riolu. He really didn''t like being a personal trainer. Somebody needed to get Sam on track though.


    "Right, then, Yamper", Sam finally turns towards his partner, "use Howl, then start using Nuzzle on that tree, alright?" Joe can hear Yamper bark cheerfuly, before he lets out a Howl, surprisingly formidable for a dog of that size.


    His attention shifts fully towards Riolu. His morning training were unfortunately short, and he didn''t want any distractions. His partners attacks reached their maximum speed. It took him around 8 seconds after firining a single Vacuum Wave to start up gathering energy for the next one. And they were not the strongest either. That didn''t matter right now. Vacuum Wave wasn''t meant to be strong anyways. It was meant to be fast. His positioning could probably be improved to shave off another second or two, but Joe was really not sure how to do it. Their schedule was hellish, so he didn''t have enough time to get into researching that. He thought about a way around it for a few moments before it hit him. "Hey Rio, take a break", he says, "and come here". Looking over at Sam, he sees Yamper hitting the tree with very slow Nuzzles, while the boy stares at him absentmindedly. "Hey, Rio", he says as quietly as possible, "do you think you could fire of a Vacuum Wave with just one hand?" His partner looks at him with a slight confusion. Crouching down, Joe explains his idea: "look, maybe we can make your attacks faster by a few more seconds but that''s it". Riolu nods, following along. "Now, if you can learn to fire attacks with one hand, that opens up a few possibilities", the boy goes on, "it means you can fire off two consecutive attacks just seconds after each other, they will be very weak, but pretty much impossible to dodge". Riolu''s eyes grow wider at the idea. "And it also makes it possible for you to simultaneously fire off two separate Vacuum Waves in two different directions", Joe adds, "again, those attacks would be weak, but it does open up ways for us to control opponents movements". Riolu gives a small bark of understanding. "Great", Joe nods, "we''ll practice that when we''re alone, okay, right now, you can start focusing on strenght of your regular Vacuum Wave, since your speed is pretty much at its limit at this point". Joe didn''t really want Sam knowing about his strategies. Helping out was one thing, but fully uncovering his train of thought would be stupid. Riolu went back to hitting the tree, his attacks becoming stronger, but losing out on speed significantly. Training was fun, Joe thought. He looked over at Sam, who just stood scratching his head. A sting of guilt ran through him. His teammate did get a tricky partner to work with. Joe was thankful for Riolu. Maybe the school board realised he was capable of fully utilising the fighting type''s versatility, and that''s why they assigned him to Joe. "We have 10 more minutes", he told Sam. The other boy nodded shortly.


    Wrapping up the special training, the four started their run back to the dormitory. Yamper was even slower now, but they''ll manage to get back into their room in time to shower and get ready for breakfast.


    "This was fun", Sam seemed to have fully waken up and stepped into his usual chatty self, "you''re pretty good at this".


    "Right, I studied a lot", Joe admited. And he had some help as well, but he wasn''t getring into that conversation with Sam.


    "Hey, I wanted to ask you", Sam added, "about our battle yesterday, how did Riolu fight without you giving commands?".


    "If you mean about attacking Ace straight away, I did tell him to do that before the battle began", Joe said simply.


    "Yeah, I know that", Sam waved hid head, "I mean, when Houndour dodged his attack and it attacked again immediately without you saying anything".


    Joe let out a small sighs. He really didn''t like saying his strategies, but Sam was a desoarate case, so maybe it would be helpful. "Basically", Joe explained somewhat unwillingly, "Rio and I talked about it, and we came up with that as a little strategy".


    "Oh, what''s the strategy?", Sam wonders.


    "Metal Claw into quick Vacuum Wave combo", Joe says, "Metal Claw is a physical attacks, it requires Rio to get close to the opponent, and when its close by".


    "Right, that doesn''t really explain it", Sam scratches his head.


    "Well, Vacuum Wave is a priority move, Rio can fire it off pretty quickly", Joe continues, "so when he closes the distance to use Metal Claw, if it fires off a Vaccum Wave right after, it makes it pretty much impossible to dodge".


    "Oh, right", Sam finally gets it, "that''s smart, and if you don''t give the command, it makes it even harder to predict".


    "Exactly", Joe agrees, "plus, the combination has more benefits, if Metal Claw lands, Rio can get even more damage in, and even if the opponent dodges the first attack, Rio can get another one in".


    "Yeah", Sam says excitedly, "and even if Vacuum Wave misses, it buys time for Riolu to get back".


    "That''s right", Joe says. Sam''s actually figured out the idea.


    "That''s cool, I wonder if I could do something like that with Yamper", the boy wonders out loud.


    "Probably not the same thing", Joe admits, "but you could do something similar, I guess".


    "Right, right", Sam starts talking fast, "and I could give my partner a nickname like you did". Joe kind of flinches at this. He had a feeling Sam was slowly starting to look up to him, which was not great. "How did you come up with Rio?", the boy asks.


    "Well, both Riolu and Lucario have it in his name, so it fits", Joe explains unsurely, "and it''s fast to say, makes giving instrictions in battle faster".


    "Okay, so Yamper evolves into Boltund, well, those two names have no similarities", Sam talks to himself, "but maybe I could call Yamper Bolt, it sounds cool, and Boltund has it in his name".


    "Right, and it fitst an electric type", Joe nods.


    "Hey, Yamper what do you think?", Sam asks, "can I call you Bolt from now on?". Yamper gives a cheerful bark, confirming he likes the nickname. "Great", Sam says happily. The boy keeps trying to chat for the rest of their run.


    Sounds of Ves snoring and Ace shifting in his bed fill out their dorm room. Teo, on the other hand, is a calm sleeper, which Joe finds a bit surprising. Sam finally shuts up, realising waking up the other three boys would spell trouble. "I''m off to take a shower", Joe lets him know, "then I''m out for breakfast".


    "Wait, can I come along?", Sam says quietly, "I don''t really want to be alone with... with our teammates, you get it?".


    "You want to shower together?", Joe raises an eyebrow, "I mean, alright, I''m cool with it, if it doesn''t weird you out".


    "I meant breakfast", Sam scratches his head. Ace''s hand hits the headboard and the boy adds: "actually, showering together won''t be too bad, you really don''t mind it?".


    "I''m chill, if you''re chill", Joe shrugs, "saves water, if nothing else".


    "You think these three won''t wake up?", Sam says, "I mean, they''ll make jokes and stuff".


    "They won''t", Joe waves him off, "and if they do, I can deal with them".


    "Right, then I guess it''s cool if I come along", Sam runs his fingers through his hair insecurely, heading for the bathroom.


    "Hey", Joe places his hand on the other boy''s chest, "bring your stuff this time, please".


    "Right", Sam says grabbing a towel and some underwear, "thanks for a reminder". Heading into the bathroom after Joe, the boy adds: "You keep Rio around when you shower?".


    "Right, he''s my parnter, I see no problem with it", Joe shrigs, taking off his shirt, "besides, he''s a pokemon, they don''t exactly care about human anatomy.


    "Right, so it''s cool if Yamper joins as well?", Sam gestures for his partner as the small dog jumps in through the bathroom doors.


    "It''s cool with me", Joe says, "just close the door".


    Doing as told, Sam starts undressing as well. Joe does his best not to stare, he''s well aware how that could come off. "By the way, thanks", Sam is adamant on keeping the conversation going, "for yesterday, and you know, letting me join you on your training... and in the shower I guess, and for breakfast after this, right?".


    "Don''t mention it", Joe says stepping into the shower, "let''s just finish up here, alright?"


    "Right",Sam walks after him, pulling the curtain to hide them. It strikes Joe that this situation is a bit too intimate for his liking. Staring forward, he turns the water on. "Anyways, yeah, thanks for all of that", Sam seems to be great at ignoring the fact they were both naked in a little square that was getting steamier by the second, "and sorry about last night, I guess".


    "What?", Joe''s a bit confused by an apology.


    "I mean, for the gay thing", Sam scratches his head, "I mean, I still don''t really know what asexual means, but it''s okay, right, I don''t mind it, really, it''s just, I''m not used to it, that''s all".


    "I''m pretty sure that I''ve explained it", Joe doesn''t love the idea talking about sexuality right now, "basically, I don''t feel any sexual attraction, not for girls and not for boys, those feeling are simply not there".


    "So you just don''t have feelings fir anyone?", Sam reitrrates in the worst way possible.


    Chest stinging, Joe says: "I don''t know, I mean sexual feelings, no, anything else, I guess I''m not sure".


    Sam nods as if he understood everything. Joe doubted that was the case, since he didn''t understand his own emotions himself sometimes. "Well, honestly, you''re really nice, so it doesn''t really matter what you are", he decides, "besides, it''s cool how chill you''re about this, honestly, I don''t get why Ace makes such a fuss about this stuff, we''re all guys, after all".


    "Right, Ace can be a bit uptight", Joe agrees.


    "Do you think we''re the worst?", Sam''s mood shifts.


    "Well, it''s too early to say, honestly", Joe tries avoiding the question.


    "I''m asking for your opinion", Sam persists, "we''re friends, you can tell me honestly".


    "Well, right now, I''d say you''re realistically the weakest teammate", Joe makes sure to punctuate that last word, "but there''s still time until the tournament".


    "I''m worse than Ace and Teo?", Sam says with a semblance of hurt in his voice.


    Joe sighs. If Sam want an in-depth analysis, that''s what he''s getting. "Ace overthinks things too much, he plays too safe, his strategies mismatch his partner''s affinities, but at least he has them", Joe overviews, "that said, Rockruff is both faster and stronger than Yamper, which makes it better at battles, that''s not your fault though".


    "Right", Sam says lowly, starting the process of shampooing his hair.


    "And Teo can''t control Absol right now, which makes things tricky", Joe continues, "but considering his temper, I think he''ll be able to hold his own in battles once Absol actually starts listening to him".


    "You sure about that?", Sam wonders in a quiet voice.


    "Positive, Teo''s a maniac, most likely, he''ll be good at keeping up the pressure", Joe nods, "besides, Absol is a strong Pokemon, honestly, he has the strongest partner between the five of us right now, if we''re talking in terms of raw battle ability".


    "Right, I know", Sam says, "Absol is very rare, and like super strong".


    "Yeah, but not only that", Joe adds, "it''s a Dark type, they tend to have amazing instincts, you''ve seen how fast Teo''s Houndour was able to react yesterday".


    "Right, that was pretty cool", Sam agrees, "so you think Ves is the strongest between us?".


    "No, I''m the strongest, obviously", Joe deadpans, "but I guess Ves is good, I mean I''m not 100% on that, but so far, he has potential".


    "How come you''re not sure?", Sam wonders, turning up the water again.


    "He''s at a disatvantage against me", Joe answers, "I mean, type advantages are not everything, but I''m pretty sure he had no tools to deal with Rio".


    Sam thinks for a bit. "Right, priority moves and all, right?", he concludes.


    "Yeah, that and Detect as well", Joe confirms, "he had no way of countering my combos, but he did hold his own the best he could, honestly I''m surprised he managed to hang on for that long".


    "Ace has priority moves, though, he could''ve countered you", Sam points out, "that''s why you knocked him out first".


    "Yeah, that''s somewhat true, but for the most part I didn''t want to deal with lowered accuracy", Joe admits, "it wouldn''t be a problem if I was one on one against Ace, but with three on one, I really don''t want my attacks to miss".


    "How come you''re so good at this, really?", Sam asks, "did you battle before?".


    "No, I never battled", Joe turns off the water, "but I''ve seen my fair share of battles, so I guess that helped".


    "Yeah, right", Sam says not sounding completely convinced. Not that Joe cares, he doesn''t owe an explanation to anyone. And it''s not like he lied, that battle at the beach was technically his first battle, if you don''t count his little hallway interaction with Ves and Teo.


    Sam keeps chatting it up throughout the breakfast, and Joe is incredibly grateful he gets some peace and quiet once the classes start up. Little to say, he''s quickly getting tired of Sam''s constant company. It''s for the best, he reminds himself. Sam improving makes graduating much easier. Even though Joe positive he can do well on his own, he''s not careless enough to just give up on the other options. Besides, passing by himself meant a new team, and however dysfunctional the other four boys were, he was aware there could be much worse options out there. He could end up with in a group that just singles him out. At least his teammates were all on each other''s throats. Getting through the day of classes was easy. Just sit and listen. Passing the written tests would be easy.


    "Hey, hey", somebody''s hands slammed at his table before the beginning of the last class of the day. "You''re Joe, right?". He looked up to meet Lesley''s eyes. "You''re on the team with Ace, is that right?", the curly-haired boy interrogated enthusiastically. Joe wasn''t thrilled with Ace''s little friend being interested in him, but he had a pretty clear idea on what this was leading to. He found this could turn out to be beneficial.


    "Lesley, stop being annoying", Ace came in almost swinging, avoiding Joe''s sight at all cost. He was still salty about yesterday, Joe concluded.


    "Right, I''m Joe", the boy ignores his teammate''s interruption, gunning for his goal, "and I guess this little introduction has a point, Lesley?".


    "You''re ranked pretty high up", Lesley says with a glint in his eyes, "you''re the strongest one in Ace''s team, right".


    "Yeah, I''d put it like that", Joe says flatly, "and since that''s what you''re starting with, I''d guess you''re trying to set up a battle, am I right".


    "You catch on quickly", Lesley laughs.


    "You''re not exactly hard to read", Joe points out.


    "I''m not trying to be hard to read", Lesley raises his arms up, "I''m trying to be the best, so, what do you say, shall we battle".


    "Oh, God this is not good", Ace comments, "you two shouldn''t have ever met up".


    "Right, I''ll gladly take you on", Joe ignores Ace again.


    "Great, this was much easier than I had expected", Lesley laughs, "you know, Joe, I really like you".


    "I''ll accept your challenge under one condition", Joe adds.


    "Well, shoot, my friend", Lesley says.


    "We make this a tag team battle", Joe proposes.


    Lesley steps back for a moment, raising his eyebrow. "Well, really, I just wanted to fight you on my own", the boy seems to think about it, "but you might be right, that could be the best way".


    "I really hate that the two of you agree", Ace points out.


    "We all need to prepare for the tag team tournament", Joe shrugs, "and professor''s won''t officiate battles for me, and two other teammates of mine".


    "Right, they won''t officiate for three of my teammates either" , Lesley agrees, "so it''s a good idea for our two teams to get in some practice like this".


    "Agreed", Joe notes.


    "Um, I did not agree to this", Ace points out, "Lesley, you''re literally the last person I''d ever want to go around breaking rules with, and Joe, you''re the very close second place".


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Hey, heard something about breaking rules, and now I''m here", Teo lowers his hands down on Joe''s shoulder, "also, heard our buddy Joe''s missed out on another first place, must sting".


    "You stay out of this", Ace rolls hid eyes, "I don''t need the two of you teaming up with Lesley against me".


    "No one''s teaming up against you, Ace", Joe points out, "this is not about you".


    "Right, then I can just refuse to take part in your little battle excursion", Ace''s voice cracks, his face growing red.


    "Hey, someone mentioned a battle", Ves pressed his hands on the table, "so, I''m listening".


    "Joe here wants to go around and challenge another team to a tag battle", Ace explains, "now''s your time to go ahead and stop him from breaking rules, Ves".


    "A tag team battle", Ves says curiosly, "alright, I''m in".


    "Hey, not you as well", Ace wails grabbing at Ves''s arm, "I thought you were on my side about this".


    "We need to battle", Ves shrugs simply, "so I''m in, it''s simple as that".


    "But what if we get caught and fucking expelled", Ace growls at him, his green eyes flashing.


    "Look, even if they do catch us, it''s easy to explain it away, I thought we covered that", Ves gives him a slight shove, "besides, Ace, you could use some trsining as well".


    "Well, firstly, I can do it the proper way, thank you very much", Ace retorts, "secondly, you can''t force me into taking part in your little escapade".


    "We''ll see about that", Joe says flatly.


    "You do now I can just rat you all off and have you expelled?", Ace gives them a somewhat victorious reminder.


    "And then what? +", Joe raises his eyebrow knowingly, "you''ll be left without a team".


    "Right Ace, you think you can pass the year on your own?", Ves laughs.


    "Oh, I''ll manage", Ace waves them off, visibly pissed.


    "Whatever, Acey gets like that sometimes, we''ll deal with him later", Lesley says. Turning around he waves his hands: "hey guys, come over here".  Four boys make their way over to them, Joe recognises Henry and Andrei among them. "Right, so, Joe here and I, as representatives of our respectice teams have set-up a tag team battle between us", Lesley clears his throat, "what do you think of that".


    "You''re no one''s representative you moron", a blond haired boy grabs Lesley by his shirt, "but I am in for the battle". Clearly a walking temper tantrum, Joe deduces. His hair is done with a buzz cut, with fading parts dyed glaring blue. He was like a lighter, shorter, and surprisingly more agressive version of Teo.


    "Okay Marc, you know Lesley says wild things sometimes, calm down", Henry latches onto the blond boy''s arm, separating him from Lesley. "But he did a good job this time around, a taag team battle is a good idea", Henry points out, "I''m in as well".


    "Well, I hate Lesley''s ideas, and this one''s no different", Andrei says in a tired voice, "have fun without me though".


    "Andrei", Lesley sighs dramatically, pinching his brows, "for the love of God, you have to battle".


    "But it''s such a bother", Andrei wails, "therefore, I''m not doing it".


    "Cmon man, you know professors won''t officiate for you since you have a ghost type", Lesley says firmly, "and now you don''t want to battle these guys either, I mean really, how do you expect to pass the year like that?".


    "I do not, I expect failure, I have always expected failure", Andrei points out, "or for the four of you to carry me to the gradutaion, whatever happens I''m fine with it".


    "Well, then, you have to do this for us", Lesley points out, "we need all five of us for the tag team battle".


    "Actually", Teo interrupts them, "due to personal reasons, I will be forced to sit this one out, so the battle will be four against four".


    "Amazing, then you guys don''t need me", Andrei almost cheers up.


    "And what are those reasons?", Lesley raises his eyebrows questioningly.


    "Personal", Teo rolls his eyes, "I said it already".


    "Teo can''t take part, so the battle will be four against four", Joe steps in, "sorry, I forgot about it".


    "You forgot about counting me out as well", Ace scoffs.


    "Cmon Acey, you scared about losing again", Lesley chuckles.


    "Right, Lesley, I didn''t fall for your provocations since we were seven, why would you think I''d start now?", Ace groans.


    "Hey, if he''s not up for it, I can sit out as well", the tall boy with his chestnut brown hair in a man-bun adds.


    "Nice of you to offer, Dean, but we all need some training, so I''d very much like you to take part", Lesley shuts his eyes, "if anyone has to sit this one out because of Ace, it will be me, I had one battle already, you need training more than me".


    "Marc and I had a battle between the two of us", Henry steps out, "so I''m cool with sitting out as well".


    "I will be battling", Marc states crossing his arms.


    "Thanks Hen, but it''s alright", Lesley assures his teammate, "after all, I can always set up official battles for myself, unlike the two of you, so it''s better if you take the opportunity".


    "No one else is sitting out", Joe says, "Ace, you''ll battle".


    "As I said, you can''t make me", Ace says decisevly.


    "Well, I can try a few things actually", Joe says simply, "would you rather I resort to insults or to threats?".


    "Do your worse, you sociopath", Ace scoffs.


    "Right, hey Lesley", Joe turns towards the curly haired boy, "did you know I knocked Ace out of the battle yesterday in like 2 seconds tops?".


    Lesley''s face brightens up. "Oh well, I did not know that", the boy figures out what Joe was going for immediately, "so Ace lost twice yesterday, huh, might be why he''s scared of battling again".


    "Might be", Joe gives Ace a challenging glance, "though that probably proves he needs to battle more".


    "Desperately", Lesley agrees overdramatically.


    "God knows he needs more practice", Joe nods.


    "Oh, the first thing this one needs to practice is getting his bitchy attitude ubder control", Lesley playfully ruffles Ace''s hair, just for the blond boy to make a quick getaway.


    "Oh, right, he bitches about everything, I was actually thinking of letting Sam walk around as he pleases", Joe fakes a laugh, "do you know how pissed of he gets when Sam tries getting out of the bathroom with no clothes on?".


    "Oh, I can only imagine, you know, I''m pretty sure I know why that is", Lesley chuckles, "so, this one time when we were eleven...".


    "Cut it off, Lesley", Ace runs up to him, shoving him away.


    "Looks like we have ourselves a blackmail material", Joe winks at Lesley.


    "Indeed we do", Lesley gives him a knowing glance. Joe''s not quite sure if he loves Lesley or just the feeling of having Ace in the palm of his hand.


    "Wait, wait, now I want to hear this story", Teo inserts himself.


    "I second that", Ves laughs.


    "You''re not going to hear it", Ace gives them a death stare.


    "Oh, they will, if you don''t go along with our ideas", Joe warns him.


    "The two of you are horrible human beings", Ace scoffs.


    "We know Acey", Lesley shrugs, "we know, now as I was saying, this one time I had-".


    "Alright", Ace yells over him, "alright, just shut up, I''ll go along with your rule breaking, just shut up Lesley".


    "Great, then it''s settled", Lesley claps his hand with satisfaction.


    "Just a few things though", Ace waves his finger, "I''m doing it this time only, and I only accept if you''re the one who battles me, Lesley".


    "Well, I want to battle Joe, and it''s not like you have any leverage anyways", Lesley points out.


    "Those are my terms", Ace stays adamant, "you can either accept them or I will rat you all out, and I don''t even care if I''m left without a team, I''ll just enjoy seeing the two of you booted out of the school".


    "Right", Lesley shifts in his place uncomfortably, "well, I guess I can agree to that". Scoffing he adds: "it would be much better if I got to face off against Joe in the tournament anyways".


    "God, why are all of you fucking obsessed with Joe", Ace looks between Lesley and Ves, "it''s starting to get annoying, you know".


    "Hey, what''s happening", Sam walks up to them scratching his head, "I saw you were all talking without me and...".


    "Oh, well, you see, this curly guy here is trying to steal your boyfriend", Teo says jokingly.


    "What?", Sam steps back in confusion.


    "Nothing Sam", Joe calms him down, "we wwre just setting up a tag team battle between our two teams, you''re joining, right?".


    "Uh, I don''t know", Sam says, "well, if you''ve already gotten a professor to officiate-".


    "Of course they did not", Ace cuts him off, "they''re on with the rule breaking again".


    "Well, I''m not sure", Sam says insecurely, "I mean it''s the rules, and...".


    "Cmon, we already broke them once and survived", Teo waves his hand carelessly.


    "Right, but I think I need some more training and stuff", Sam says.


    "This is training", Ves says sharply, "and I agree, you definitely need it".


    "I meant some more special training", Sam explains, "you know, before I start battling".


    "Okay, how about we add a double battle to our deal?", Joe proposes, "Sam and I, against a pair on your team". He doesn''t love going out of his way to accommodate for Sam, but his teammates needs to battle in order to improve. And Joe has never had a double battle himself, so this could prove mutually beneficial.


    "That actually sounds like a great idea", Henry says, "I''ll be your opponent then, Marc, you want to team up with me?".


    "Hell yeah, I do", Marc pumps his fist, "we''ll kill them".


    "Sam, you up for a team up", Joe looks at him expectantly, although he already knows the answer.


    "Alright, I guess that''s cool", Sam nods slowly, but a small smile appears on his face. Joe almost feels bad for letting him go on believing they are friends.


    "Good, let''s go then", Marc still doesn''t seem to know what an ''inside voice'' is.


    "We can''t", Lesley says, "we have physics right now".


    "Cmon, I''ll teach you physics", Marc argues, "I know all about force and stuff".


    "Alright, Last Jedi", Ace chuckles, "but we have to pass the written exams well".


    "Right Marc, I hate to agree with Ace, especially after he has made another reference", Lesley sighs, "but we need to do well in classes as well, especially you".


    "And what''s that supposed to mean", Marc grabs onto Lesley''s shirt.


    "Wow, I like this guy", Teo comments.


    "Yeah, he seems like fun", Ves nods in agreement.


    "You were ranked 234th Marc, and honestly, I''d say that was pure luck that you weren''t lower", Lesley sets himself free from Marc''s grip, "you need to study".


    "I''m not a nerd", Marc hisses, "besides, worry about Andrei, he''s dumb as well, even dumber than me".


    "Not a good look to use yourself as a measure point for stupidity", Andrei points out, "besides, I''m not dumb, I just don''t like bothering myself".


    "Hell, I have no idea why you even came here then you depresssed fuck", Marc turns to his other teammate, "you don''t want to study, and don''t want to battle, what do you want to do?".


    "Die, mostly", Andrei says flatly.


    "Alright, enough anger issues and suicidal thoughts for right now", Henry stands between the two, "and Lesley, stop stirring the pot, please".


    "I did nothing wrong", Lesley rose his arms defensively.


    "Right, now, we have a deal, so let''s just all go back to our places", Henry nods, giving Joe a serious look, "and we''ll see you right after class, we''re going down to the beach, if that''s okay?".


    "That''s what I had in mind as well", Joe nods, "we''ll go right after class".


    Fourty five minutes of trying to use the right formula while ignoring air resistance, the ten boys head towards their destination. The air''s chilly, burning orange with the rays of dying day. He''s glad he brought his cardigan. Salt air fills his nostrils, it''s a smell he''s used to. Knowing he''s on an island makes him feel much more secure. Almost feels like being back home. Organised battles woth this many people feel familiar to the boy as well, especially since they are out of the book. He''ll be more than just a spectator this time. Wrapping his hand around the team skull bandana in his pocket, he felt a wave of pride wssh over him. He wished Damien could be here to see how he''ll wreck havoc. These guys are all about to lose. Joe wished he could take on all nine of them. Only upon coming to this school, he had realised how strong his itch for battle actually is. Must be the side effect of being on the sidelines for his entire life. Still, he felt a sense of relief he wouldn''t have to take on Lesley. Psychic type wasn''t exactly his prefered match-up right now. Moreover, he was glad to have Henry as his opponent. He knew the boy, he''s seen him every morning since he came here, eating with his Mienfoo. They''ve passed each other during Joe''s morning runs a few times as well, so he knew his opponent was serious about training.


    "Hey, what''s the plan?", Sam makes his way next to him, "I''m not quite sure what to do".


    "Henry has a fighting type, Mienfoo", Joe informs him, "it''s much faster than Bolt, so let me deal with him".


    "Right, so I take on Marc then?", Sam nods.


    "We''ll see", Joe says quietly, "we don''t know who his partner is, so we can''t plan around it".


    "They don''t know I''m using Yamper either", Sam notes, "so they can''t plan around that either".


    "Exactly, though, to be fair, Marc doesn''t seem like a man with the plan", Joe concludes.


    "Right, he''s a wild card", Sam agrees, "maybe he has a fighting type as well?".


    "Could be, with his temper it wouldn''t surprise me", Joe says, "or a fire type".


    "Yeah, that fits him as well", Sam says, "either way, you say I''m taking him on".


    "Well, no, it''s a double battle, let''s not bring it down to one against one match-ups if we don''t have to", Joe scratches his chin.


    "What do we do then?", Sam inquiers.


    "How about we keep the distance for starters and try to set ourselvs up for an advantage", Joe makes a plan, "you have Bolt use Sand Attack, and I''ll have Rio keep their attacks at bay with Vacuum Wave".


    "Sounds good, we just don''t let them close", Sam agrees, "that works for Mienfoo, I think, since it''s probably a physical attacker, but what about Marc?".


    "Right, if Mark resorts to long range attacks then I''ll do my best to knock him out as soon as possible", Joe decides. Sam actually giving good insight surprises him a bit. Then again, the boy did make it into one of the most prestigious school''s for trainers in the world, even if he was last on the list.


    "Right, so plan A is Sand attack then", Sam confirms.


    "Right, and if that goes well we can take it a bit further, you can have Bolt set up with Howl, if we prove to be good at stopping their attacks, that is", Joe points out.


    "Great, and if Marc proves to be tricky, then we''re on to the plan B", Sam nods, "which would be you take out Marc, and I go for Henry".


    "Well, plan B would be goimg into one on one scenario", Joe says, "we''ll see what Marc has, if it''s a slower pokemon then maybe it''s better for you to take him, in case he has a flying type, you''re definitely taking him".


    "Alright, that''s the plan then", Sam says wrapping his hand around Joe''s shoulder. Joe uncomfortably gets out of the attempted friendship gestrure.


    Once they make their way down to the beach, Joe makes sure no one else is around. He had a pretty good excuse for battling, but it would be much better if he didn''t have to resort to explaining this. Lesley''s quick to take his spot on the impromptu battlefield, insisting he take the first battle. Ace agrees, saying he''s more than happy to get this over with. Lowers his chances of getting caught mid-battle. Lesley basically death threats Andrei into being a referee, so Teo, Ves, Sam and Joe are free to just watch the battle.


    "Let''s see if Ace has learned anything from losing twice yesterday", Teo notes flatly.


    "I sincerely doubt it", Ves replies, "he''s a stubborn one, I bet he goes for Sand Attack this time, and loses again".


    "You think?", Sam asks.


    "Well, that''s what he said after losing to Lesley the first time", Ves shrugs, "so I guess he''ll stick to it".


    "Yeah, Ves''s probably right", Teo adds, scratching his chin.


    The battle goes by quickly. Ves''s read was spot on, as Ace ends up trying to go for Sand Attack, and doing nothing else. Spoink proves to be quite capable of dodging the sand, and Lesley doesn''t make the mistake of going for the Confuse Ray this time around. Two Confusions later, and Rockruff''s knocked out cold. Ace recalls his partner, scoffing and swearing he doesn''t care about losing again. He didn''t want to battle in the first place. Lesley laughs at him, but he does seem dissapointed by how underwhelming of an opponent Ace was.


    "I''m next, if you don''t mind", Ves says, immediately heading towards the space they have designated for the battle. His shoulders are tensed up, Joe notices, making the boy look like he''s already mid battle. This one will be interesting.


    "Alright, then we''re up", Dean greets his opponent as he takes his spot. The tall boy looks a bit older than them, mostly because of his heaight and build. His face looks soft, very much in contrast to his wide shoulders.


    "Let''s just start", Ves says releasing Houndour, "I''m itching to go". The black dog takes a battle-ready stance immediately upon entering the field, and Ves almost mimics it.


    "Oh, my, this will be a bit of a problem", Dean scatches his head, throwing his pokeball. As his partner, Petilil, hits the field, Joe realises what the boy is saying. Quite an unfortunate disatvantage, in both typing and pure battle capabilities.


    A jolt of dissapointment runs across Ves''s face, but as Andrei announces the beginning of the battle, the boy is quick to react. "Ember, Houndour", he yells readily, and his partner is quick in his attempt at grilling the flower child in front of him.


    "Dodge it, Petilil", Dean attempts, "then go for Stun Spore". Sandy beach proves to be an unfavorable terrain for the small grass pokemon, as it takes a full blown Ember straight on.


    "Once again, Ember, finish it", Ves wastes no time in ordering the second attack. Letting out a roar, Houndour quickly sends another wall of cinders at the opposing Petilil, effectively knocking it out. "That''s all", Ves runs his fingers through his hair begrudgingly, "who''s in for a round two?".


    "Now, Ves, step back, you''ve gotten your win", Teo chimes in, "and I''ll give it to you, you were good".


    "Cmon, this was just underwhelming, he went down too easily", Ves curses out, "I didn''t know he had a grass type, I wanted more of a challenge".


    "Sorry I wasn''t a better opponent, friend", Dean gives a small smile, "but hey, if it''s worth anything, I think you did well, didn''t give me time to breathe, now did you".


    "I want to take this jerk on", Marc comes in swinging.


    "Calm down, you and I are next", Henry patiently reminds him.


    "Hey, Ves, that was good", Joe lowers his hand on his teammate''s shoulder, "now get out of the way, it''s my turn".


    "Whatever", Ves scoffs, "this was not fair at all, I wanted a better battle".


    "Hold your Mudsdales, buddy, this might''ve been an easy win, but you still did good", Joe reminds him, "you did exactly what you had to do,and you didn''t slow down just cause you had an advantage".


    "Right", Ves spits out, "fine, have your fun, I''ll have to find myself some stronger opponents".


    Not bothering to look after him, Joe took his position. Rio was quick to follow up, taking a relaxed stance in front of him. Henry stepped forward first, hands in his pockets. His partber, Mienfoo stood equally calm. Marc, of course, came in swinging, releasing his partner, a sinister looking Sneasel. "Sam, plan B", Joe said quietly as hid teammate took his spot, "I''m taking Marc, he''s four times weak to me".


    "Right, I''m taking Henry then", Sam seemed ready to go as his Yamper hit the field.


    "Just keep him busy for a few moments, we can make this a two against one real quick", Joe said in a low voice.


    "Roger that", Sam confirmed.


    "Alright, well, if you''re all ready, that''s great", Andrei says unenthusiastically, "means this will be over soon, let the battle begin".


    "Fake Out into Yamper", Henry reacts quickl, as Mienfoo springs into action.


    "Take the attack Rio", Joe sees the opportunity. Riolu jumps in front of the Yamper, allowing Mienfoo''s attack to hit him instead, flinching in the process.


    "Low Kick, now", Henry commands quickly.


    "Detect", Joe says, hoping Rio can recover in time. Mienfoo takes a second to go into the next attack, thankfully, allowing for the blue dog to get the move off, succesfully avoiding the attack. Twisting his body, Riolu brings his palms together ready to fore off an immediate Vacuum Wave.


    "Detect, Mienfoo", Henry catches on in time, as his partner''s eyes glow blue, the weasel pokemon avoid the incoming blast.


    "Go for Ice Shard", Marc decides now''s the perfect time to join the chaos, "at Yamper".


    "Right, Mienfoo, hit Yamper with Trailblaze, now", Henry switches his target as well.


    "No, Bolt, dodge it", Sam yells out.


    Making a split second decision, Joe gives out a quick commands: "Metal Claw, into Sneasel".


    As both Ice Shard and Trailblaze hit Yamper, who''s lack of speed proves to be detrimental, Riolu rushes in, hitting the Sneasel with a Metal Claw and throwing it up in the air. Following their pre-set strategy, the blue dog is quick to twist around, firing a Vacuum Wave at his target. With that, Sneasel ends up down on the ground.


    "It seems like a double knock out out here folks", Lesley gives his best attempt to being a commentator, "both Sneasel and Yamper seem to be unable to continue".


    "Sorry, I did nothing again", Sam says sheepishly as he recalls his partner.


    "Goddamit, get him Henry", Marc yells, "get the son of a bitch".


    Neither Joe nor Henry have time to pay attention to their fallen teammates, however. One thing is clear to Joe, Henry is dangerously good. This guy was the first one to react to his surprise Vacuum Wave strategy, and he''s never seen it in action. His conclusion came purely off of following Rio''s movements. In addition, he figured out that Joe let Rio take the Fake Out, aiming for the Steadfast speed boost. That opening move was a mistake. Henry fixed that as well. Trailblaze into Yamper in that moment was an insanely good play, he forced Joe to pick between either letting him knock out Yamper and getting that speed boost, or keeping him at bay but letting Sneasel get the free hit in. The choice was obvious. One on one against Henry was what Joe really wanted.


    "Looks like it''s just the two of us now", Henry says calmly.


    "Metal Claw, Rio", Joe commands as an answer. As Riolu rushes in, Henry orders his partner to dodge. Speed of the two opposing pokemon equally matched, Mienfoo dodges the first attack without an issue. Riolu re-positions himself, shooting a quick Vacuum Wave, but Henry orders another Detect.


    "Trailblaze, now", Henry reacts quickly, but Joe is fast in ordering a Detect of his own, and a retreat. No need to keep this little Vacuum Wave-Detect-Trailblaze-Detect dance going. It''s quite obvious that that would be never-ending. He''d need a new strategy.


    Luckily, Henry has played his full hand already. He knew all of his moves already. Too bad the only move Joe had left unused was Endure, which he doubted would be helpful right now. If only Rio could fire off Vacuum Waves from both hands, he''d manage to chip Henry down, or at least disturb his rhythm. This way, things were looking pretty tied up. Mienfoo can easly dodge Metal Claw, then use detect to avoid Vacuum Wave. Even if Joe kept the distance and tried going for Vacuum Wave barrage, with Mienfoo''s speed, he could easly dodge those, especially with Detect. Riolu could easily avoid Mienfoo''s attacks as well, even more so since his opponent had to get in close for an attack. That would allow for a counter-attack. Unfortunatelly, Henry didn''t seem to be stupid enough to attack. He was waiting for Joe to come to him.


    "Hey, Rio", Joe said as quietly as possible, "I have a plan, but I''ll need your reactions to be flawless". His partner raised his ears as a sign of readiness. "Alright, this will take a few switch-up, so be prepared", the boy added. He noticed Henry raise an eyebrow curiously, but it didn''t matter. This would come down to speed and reaction either way. And Joe was just about to test how good Henry actually was. Taking a deep breath, the boy focused on the Mienfoo. This will have to be timed perfectly on his part as well, and in case Henry managed to counter, he''d have to find a way out as well.


    "Alright, now, Rio, make sure you jump up for this one, I want it to come from the air", the boy said quietly, and his partner took a battle stance. "Metal Claw, now", he yelled out. Riolu sprang into action, crossing the field in seconds and leaping into the air. Henry ordered a dodge. Joe took full attention. Mienfoo''s leg''s bent down, as the pokemon prepared to evade the attack. "Vacuum Wave, at the ground", Joe was exhilarated. Riolu managed to react in time, stopping the Metal Claw and shifting into the second attack. As the blast of energy hit the ground, creating a cloud of sand, Joe quickly ordered another Metal Claw.


    "Detect", Henry yelled out, and Joe knew he had him.


    "Go, Rio, follow it up", the boy yelled. Through the cloud, he managed to see Mienfoo dodging the Metal Claw, just for the weasel pokemon to come flying out after getting hit with a Vacuum Wave. "Vacuum Wave, again", Joe couldn''t allow his opponent to recover, "keep them coming".


    "Detect, Mienfoo", Henry says, and Mienfoo follows through, managing to avoid the second blast while still in the air. The third one, however, there''s no escape. As the weasel pokemon hits the ground, Riolu aims another attack. Detect works again, but it''s not enough. The final blast comes quickly after, landing into Mienfoo, knocking the pokemon out. Breathing a sigh of relief, Joe can only be thankful that they were on the beach. Otherwise, who knows how this one would end.


    Recalling his partner, Henry makes way towards his opponent. "That was a good battle", the boy says extending his hand, "you''ve got nice little strategies".


    "The send came im handy", Joe admit, shaking his hand, "much harder dodging the attacks when they are hard to see".


    "Cmon now", Hemry says calmly, "you''ve lured me into going for Detect too soon, no need to be humble about it".


    "Oh my God, please let him be humble", Teo says.


    "Right, this is the first time we''ve seen him be humble", Ace cracks along.


    "It''s literally a miracle", Teo decides.


    "Right, well, however you look at it, it was a good fight", Henry nods, his voice still calm, "I hope you''ll consider facing against me again in the tournament if we get that chance, even though I know Lesley has already basically called that match-up".


    "You''re definitely under consideration", Joe responds, "besides, I''m always up for a rematch".


    "Alright, I might take you up on that offer", Henry smiles.


    "Hey Henry", Marc comes in fuming, "stop flirting with the enemy". Facing Joe he adds: "let''s fight again, right now, I''ll kick your ass".


    "Your Sneasel is knocked out", Joe points out, "but I''ll be more than happy to battle you again some other time".


    Marc stops for a momen, visibly confused, his face loosening up. "Alright, I actually like you", he decides, "hey, Henry, you have my blessings to keep flirting with this one".


    "Thank you Marc", Henry says with a sigh, "though we''re not flirting, and I am not even gay".


    "What", Mark says in surprise, "Joe''s a boy?".


    "Obviously", Joe raises an eyebrow questioningly.


    "Dude, really, you sound like a girl?", Marc says in astonishment.


    "You thought he was a girl all this time?", Teo laughs.


    "Well, the gender doesn''t matter, you''re good and I like you", Marc concludes.


    "Our frined over here is surprisingly accepting", Dean laughs.


    "Hey", Joe can feel Sam whisper next to him, "I''m sorry, I was pretty useless out there".


    "It''s fine, Henry''s way too good, and he made a strong start", Joe reassured him, "then they double teamed you, so there was not too much that you could do". Thinking better, he adds: "I mean, you could''ve tried to do something anyways, but I guess it doesn''t matter now".


    "Right, sorry, I really didn''t know how to react", Sam scratches his head uncomfortably, "and thanks for defending Bolt on that attack, I... I didn''t expect that from you".


    "Um, Sam", Joe''s not sure if he should say this, but he owes him the truth, on this matter at least, "I didn''t do it to be nice, I wanted Riolu to flinch so it would get a speed boost from Steadfast".


    "Oh", Sam realises what''s going on, his face turning red, "well, either way, I''m sorry and thank you".


    "Don''t mention it", Joe turns away from him.


    "Alright, well", Lesley announces, "now that that''s done, Joe, how about you and I have a one on one battle, what do you think".


    Taking a look at Rio, his partner seems to still be in great condition. "I don''t see why not", he accepts Lesley''s idea.


    "Oh, no, no, no", Andrei yells, "no, for how long will this go on, we came here to have a tag team battle, it''s over, now you want more, absolutely not, let''s just head back to the dormitories right now".


    "Will you stop being a nusiance, Amdrei", Lesley scoffs at him, "you are literally on the cutting board, you do realise that, yet the only thing you seem to be interested in improving about yourself is your ability to complain constantly".


    "Hey, look, it''s all just so tiring, and I would only be slowing you guys down", Andrei shrugs it all off, "besides, as I said, as long as you dudes pass, I pass, wouldn''t it be a bad thing if I slowed down your training then?".


    "You do know that you can still fail, even if your team passes?", Joe reminds him.


    "What now?", Andrei seems surprised by the fact, "how come?".


    "Yeah, they said so during the assembly", Dean chimes in, "if a person on a failing team is ranked in top 50 individually, then they take the spot on the team of the lowest ranking person on the individual list".


    "Right, that would mean, you''ll fail instead of them", Joe nods.


    "Hey, I didn''t know about that", Lesley scratches his chin, is that for real.


    "Why didn''t you tell us sooner Dean", Andrei snaps.


    "You never asked", Dean shrugs, "besides, I thought you knew, I mean we were all at the assembly".


    "Well, I was too busy doozing off", Andrei throws his hands in the air.


    "I was yelling at Andrei to pay attention", Lesley excuses himself.


    "I was calming down Marc", Henry says simply, "so I''ve missed that part".


    "I... I was being calmed down, I guess", Marc sounds confused.


    "Great to know we aren''t the worst organised team", Ace chuckles.


    "Don''t say that twice", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "Well, then, Andrei, maybe you''ll re-think being lazy", Lesley says victoriusly. The black haired boy shuffles in spot, turning his gaze away. "Either way, Joe", Lesley turns his attention back to his target, "you and I, let''s go".


    "Wait", Ves cuts his outburst short, "I want to battle now". Lesley staeres at him instead of saying anything. "My battle was underwhelming, I want another one", the boy says decisively, "and Joe had a good one, so it''s only fair he sits this one out".


    "Works for me either way", Joe shrugs. He did want to match-up against Lesley, just for the sake of seeing how he fairs against a psychic type. So far he''s had an advantage in his battles, or at least came in neutral. Lesley would be a good test. However, he didn''t feel the need to rush into it. If Ves wanted this one, he could have it.


    "Well, not that I don''t respect your vigor", Lesley sighs, "but I wanted to battle Joe, Ace had already stopped me once, so please, don''t do the same".


    "Why are you dead set on battling Joe?", Ves scoffs, "why is everyone fucking obsessed with him?".


    "He''s ranked in the top 5 right now", Lesley says simply, "and you''ve seen him battle just now, of course I want to see how I measure up, can you really blame me?".


    "Right, so you definitely won''t give up on battling him then?", Ves sighs.


    "Probably not", Lesley admits, "I want a chance to crush him".


    "Alright, how about another double battle then?", Ves raises his eyebrow, "that way you get to face Joe, and I get to fight again".


    "Actually, that''s a great idea Ves", Joe makes his way to his teammate''s side, "what do you say, Lesley".


    "Well, it sounds good, but all of my teammate''s pokemon have been knocked out", Lesley reminds them.


    "Have Andrei pair up with you", Ves says, "you said it yourself, he needs to train".


    "I''m not really up for that, it''s a hustle", Andrei says sounding uninterested.


    "Well, you don''t really have a choice", Ves hisses at him, "you either fight me with your pokemon or your fists, your choice".


    "That would be called bullying, I think", Andrei points out.


    "Yes, yes it would", Ves nods slowly.


    "You''re a maniac, you know", Andrei says taking a step back upon noticing a glint in Ves''s eyes.


    "Look, Andrei, just do this", Lesley says, "it''s one battle, you''ll live, and you do need training".


    "Oh, right, but you''ll blame me if we lose", Andrei retorts.


    "Most likely", Lesley admits.


    "I really don''t want to do this", Andrei wails.


    "Alright, how about a bargain?", Lesley sighs.


    "What do you propose?", Andrei raises an eyebrow.


    "You do this battle and we''ll play LOL with you tonight", Lesley says unwillingly.


    "No way, I''m not spending time playing some motherfucking game", Marc yells out, "hey, Lesley, why are you even making deals with him, that Ves guy is right, let''s just beat the shit out of him, that oughta work".


    "Calm down Marc", Henry places a hand on his teammate''s shoulder, "it''s just one gaming session, and we can''t beat up our teammates".


    "Why not", Marc says enthusiastically, "you know, I think beating people up would fix most of our problems, after Andrei, I propose we beat the shit out of Lesley too".


    "You... you''re not going to beat me up, right?", Dean scratches his head insecurely.


    "Of course not Dean, you''re a great guy", Marc crosses his hands, "Andrei and Lesley are the only two I want to beat up".


    "Hey, thanks man", Dean smiles sheepishly.


    "Alright, alright, but before we resort to physical violence, can we try dimplomacy?", Lesley urges.


    "Cmon, Marc", Henry nudges him lightly, "some gaming might be fun".


    "God, okay", Marc groans, giving Lesley a murderous glance, "but only because Henry asked me".


    "Alright, then, thank you for your cooperation Marc", Lesley nods in understanding, "Andrei, what do you say".


    "Fine", the boy finally caves in, "but only because this conversation is becoming a bother, and I want to go back to our room as fast as possible".


    "Good, then step up", Lesley flashes a smile, as his teammate takes a spot next to him. "We''re good to go", the curly haired boy says turning towards Ves and Joe.


    "Alright, but just a fair warning", Joe says flatly, "Ves and I are the strongest on our team right now".


    "I think they figured that out already", Ves smiles.

 Chapter 6

    The sun''s almost all the way down, Ves notices. Faces of his opponents slowly start getting covered in shadows. Feeling every drop of blood chaotically rush through his body, the boy grips on his pokeball. Having Joe as his partner for the double battle is the best thing he could ask for. Of course, this situation was what he was going for from the beginning. Their opponents have a psychic and a ghost type, that much he knew. He had an advantage over both. Joe, on the other hand, was at a disatvantage in both cases. He was looking forward to seeing how his teammate handles the situation.


    Riolu stepped forward, and Ves readily followed, letting his Houndour hit the field. The black dog turned on the Riolu almost immediately, remains of their previous encounters. "Riolu''s on our side this time around", Ves says firmly, "stand down, Houndour". Unwillingly, Houndour took the note, diverting his attention from Riolu, and facing the opposing pair of boys.


    "Rio, be ready", Joe said calmly, paying no attention to the rivarly between the two pokemon.


    "Hey, Houndour, maybe I should give you a nickname as well", Ves calls out to his partner. Houndour turns around to face the boy, his sharp eyes burning with rage. "How about I call you Doom from now on", Ves says, "you like it". Houndour turns around, lowering his stance, which Ves takes as a form of an agreement.


    "Alright, hope you''re done with nicknames and stuff", Lesley says as he let''s Spoink join in on the field.


    "And I hope this will all be done soon as well", Andrei voices out sending out his partner. A small ghostly dragon comes out, looking just a little bit lost. Dreepy, Ves recognises. He finds it a bit dissapointing. Going uo against a Spoink and this small thing would be way too easy. Especially with a dark type. Still, he''s not goimg easy on them.


    "Alright, are all of you ready?", Dean, who has taken over as a referee, asks.


    "I''m ready to go back to our room", Andrei says, while the other three boys readily nod.


    With a sigh, Dean announces: "Battle, start".


    "Go for Snarl, Doom", Ves is the first one to react. He''s taking them both out before Joe gets to do anything.


    "Dodge it", Lesley yells out readily.


    "Protect", Andrei says in a tired voice.


    "Rio, Vacuum Wave at Spoink", Joe says flatly.


    The wave of dark energy rushes straight into the Protect, while Spoink manages to jump his way out of both attacks.


    "Confuse Ray, hit Houndour", Lesley and Andrei order at the same time.


    "Dodge it", Ves says through gritted teeth. They were already teaming-up against him. Houndour manages to get out of the way of the first one easily, but the second one is impossible to dodge.


    "Rio, take the attack", Joe orders. Rio is quick to position himself in front of Houndour, letting the Confuse Ray hit.


    "Snarl, now", Ves orders quickly.


    "Protect", Andrei says, and Dreepy envelops himslef in the force field immediately. Spoink does well to jump out of the way of the attack as well.


    "Hey Ves", Joe says quietly beside him, "I''m letting you take over for now".


    "How come?", Ves whispers back at him, "you scared?".


    "Not really, but you''re better equipped to handle these two", Joe shrugs, "so I''ll play support for now".


    "Snarl, go again Doom", Ves orders quickly. If Joe''s going to stand back and watch, he''s taking these two down. They''ll have to give in eventually. The attack hits into protect again, and Spoink gets out of the way once more. Ves orders another one. That jumping pig is bound to run out of steam sooner or later. All he had to do was keep the pressure on.


    "Confuse Ray, Spoink", Lesley orders, as his partner dodges another one of Ves''s attacks.


    "Dodge it", Ves orders.


    "Astonish", Andrei says in a low voice. Dreepy rushes in at Houndour.


    "Metal Claw", Joe orders, but Riolu can''t seem to figure out where to go. Dreppy slams into the black dog, his body enveloped in ghostly gas. Houndour leans back, his body growing stiff for a moment.


    "Now, Snarl Spoink", Lesley''s quick to cash in on the flinch.


    "Vacuum Wave, Rio, cut him off", Joe attempts. Riolu manages to shoot a blast of energy, hitting the ground instead of his target, but it''s enough to stop the attack.


    "Astonish", Andrei decides to go for it again.


    "Goddamn, dodge it, Doom", Ves says in panic. These two have managed to take over the flow of the battle. He was the one under pressure now.


    "Confusion at Riolu", Lesley decides to take a crack at Joe.


    "Detect, Rio", Joe commands quickly. As Riolu''s eye flash blue, and Houndour manages to avoid the incoming attack, Ves can hear Joe whisper sharply next to him: "Go for Nasty Plot now, and be ready".


    "But they''ll", Ves tries to protest.


    "Just do it Ves", Joe scoffs at him.


    "Nasty Plot, Doom", Ves makes a split second decision to go along with whatever Joe had planned.


    "Astonish", Andrei says.


    "Snarl", Lesley decides to double the attack.


    As both attacks come Houndour''s way, Ves considers just stopping the Nasty Plot and trying to dodge. "Rio, get in there and use Endure", Joe says beside him. Riolu is quick to jump in front of Houndour, and Ves realises what Joe''s plan was.


    Nasty Plot lands, and Riolu envelops himself in white glow, as both attacks land right into him. "Jump, now, then use Snarl", Ves yells out. Leaping into the air, Houndour flies over his teammate''s head, aiming a wave of dark energy at their opponents. Andrei tries going for another Protect, while Lesley orders a desperate dodge, but it''s too late. Nasty Plot boosted Snarl hits both targets, effectively knocking them out. Rush of adrenaline mixed with anger rushes through Ves''s body.


    "Well, I''m glad this is over", the boy can faintly hear Andrei''s voice, seeing him recall Dreepy from the corner of his eye.


    "That was rather unfortunate", Lesley''s voice sounds distant as well.


    Ves just wants to keep going. He won this because of Joe. That bastard just couldn''t leave him alone. "Hey", without even realising it, he grabbed at his teammate''s arm, "we''re both still standing". He saw as Sam approached them, probably on his way to congratulate them. Ves didn''t care.


    "Rio''s all beaten up though", Joe says calmly, "we can battle some other time".


    "Cmon, what are you, scared", Ves lets go of Joe, taking a few steps backwards, "let''s do it while we''re warmed up".


    "No way, Rio just took two attacks head on", Joe persisted.


    "Oh, that small machine can still fight, and we both know it", Ves scoffs, "watch, Doom, use Ember".


    Houndour, standing just few steps away from Riolu, is more than happy to attack his rival, quickly forming a wall of cinders. Ves sees Riolu''s eyes turn blue. Someone screams. Somebody''s yelling out his name. Somebody''s yelling out for Joe as well. He sees a black blur fly past him. Instinctiy taking a step back to reach for his knocked out partner, he feels the ground at his feet shake, he hears a blast. The next thing he knows he''s falling down. His hands dig into the sand. Looking up, he sees Riolu, his hands in attack position. He rolls away but the Vacuum Wave never comes.


    The first person Ves sees when he looks up again is Teo. He''s gripping to his pokeball. Ace is yelling. Sitting up in the sand, he can see Sam, holding on to a pokeball as well. His hand is shaking. Right next to him, Joe''s sitting in the sand, staring at his own hand, a blank espression on his face. "Dude, you could''ve killed him", Ace''s scolds finally come through to him.


    "What... what happened?", Ves says still not fully aware of his surroundings.


    "Your fucking attack hit into Joe, that''s what happened", Teo scoffs, grabbing Ves by the collar of his shirt. Marc and Henry are quick to run up to them, holding Teo down.


    "How dumb do you have to be to attack from that small of a distance", Ace is still yelling, "and with a fucking fire attack". Ves is not listening.


    Getting up from the ground, he makes his way over to Joe and Sam. He can hear Ace walking behind him, probably Teo as well. Walking closer, he sees Joe''s right hand has been burned, and the boy has been staring at it quietly. Exoression on his face neutral, his eyes as distant as ever. "Hey, sorry, I didn''t mean it, I didn''t want that to happen", Ves struggled to speak. Joe still just sat, staring at his own hand. "Are you alright?", Ves continues, "I''m sorry, I really didn''t mean it".


    "It''s fine", Joe''s voice somehow comes out calm, "just go away Ves".


    "Look, dude, I''m sorry", Ves tries again. He''s not a person like this. "I''m sorry, I just get carried away sometimes, I wasn''t thinking".


    "I said it''s fine", Joe says using his left hand to get up. Sam has to help him keep his balance. He hands him the pokeball he was holding on to, and Ves realises Sam was the one who recalled Riolu. Not knowing what else to say, Ves remembers his own partner pokemon, turning around and recalling him as well.


    "That was definitely out of line", Marc is fuming behind him.


    "I know", Ves does his best to keep his voice even, but he feels as if his heart will break through his chest.


    "Really fucked up", Lesley agrees with his teammate.


    "I know", Ves repeats.


    "Did you not listen to the word our professor''s have been saying ever since we came here?", Ace takes it upon himslef to berate Ves further, "all that talk about pokemon being dangerous, you know, did you catch any of that, or is your skull just too thick".


    "I said I know", Ves bursts out, his face burning red, "and I said I''m sorry, and I said I didn''t mean it, what more do you want for me".


    "Stop yelling you moron", Teo shoves him away.


    "Oh, and what are you know, his little bodyguard?", Ves regains his balance, walking up to Teo, trying to stare him down.


    "Calm down", Joe''s voice sounds a bit more shaky now, but the calm quickly returns, "it happened, everything''s fine now, so let''s just go now, it''s late already, and I have a burn to tend to".


    "Dude, Joe, I''m really sorry", Ves takes another step towards him.


    "I told you to leave me alone, Ves", Joe cuts him off, turning around and heading off of the beach with Sam. Teo walks past Ves, scoffing at him, before joining the two. Ves makes sure to keep his distance from the three as he follow them. Ace, though, is adamant on sticking right next to him and serving him judgy looks. Drained of his excitment, the boy walks towards the dormitory.


    As it happens, both Teo and Joe turn out to be good at dealing with injuries. He''s got a bunch of younger kids in his family, Joe states. Teo calls his medical abilities none of their bussines. Through the open window, a cold breeze fills up their room. Hand wrapped in gaze, Joe quickly heals up his Riolu, just to recall him back to his pokeball the very next second. He''s already running low on potions, he notes, as he gives out a few to his three teammates. Ves tries rejecting, quietly proposing he just makes a quick trip to the pokemon center instead, but Joe pays him no mind, basically shoving a potion into his hands. Ves thanks him, promising he''d take care of re-stocking the medicince in the morning, a promise Joe ignores as well.


    "Okay, so, this whole thing was a hot mess", Ace is the first one to break through the long standing uncomfortable silence. "I mean, I hate to say it, but I knew something like this would happen", he states, his voice coming out surprisingly even.


    "Oh, I think you love it", Teo rolls his eyes, but it''s obvious he''s not willing to get into it right now.


    "Yeah, maybe I do, but the point is, I was right", Ace remarks calmly, "and you know what, I think the smartest thing to do would be to keep our distance from now on".


    "Hey, Ace don''t go overboard", Sam says in a low voice, "it was an accident, and Ves already said he was sorry".


    "Yeah, I am, I am sorry", Ves looks around the room, but the only one willing to look at him seems to be Sam.


    "Well, either way, I would like all of you not to make me a part of your plans anymore", Ace says simply. Staring at Joe he adds: "which includes blackmail and digging through my personal bussines as well".


    "I''m fine with that", Joe says simply, "just don''t expect me to fix your little messes any longer".


    "You do know you create most of those", Ace points out.


    "Whatever", Joe replies, "you''re all free from me, as far as I''m concerned, we can just leave each other alone".


    "That would be for the best", Ace nods.


    "Cmon, guys", Sam urges, "you''re saying all of that because you''re stressed out".


    "No, Sam, I''m not", Ace says coldly. "Ves is a walking time bomb, Joe has control issue, both you and Joe have no clue about personal boundaries, and Teo, well, I''m not quite sure what his deal is just yet, but I don''t like it".


    "Thanks, Ace, I appreciate that", Teo says sarcastically.


    "Either way, I truly don''t want any of you entangled in my life", Ace concludes.


    "Cmon Ace", Sam tries again.


    "Well, I''m not getting into personality diagnosis", Teo says, "but I agree, I don''t want any of you in my personal bussines".


    "Teo, come on not you as well", Sam looks at him as if he could change his mind with his eyes.


    "Hey, I''m cool for cooperation if it''s necessary", Teo raises his arms, "but I''m not about to lie, I don''t want any of you as my friends, and believe me, you wouldn''t want me either".


    "You''re right about that", Ace rolls his eyes, "what''s your deal anyways?".


    "I though you''d rather not know", Teo reminds him.


    "True", Ace nods.


    "Cmon, guys, don''t be like that", Sam says, "I mean, it''s been like four days since we came here, let''s not judge each other so soon".


    "Sam, just stop with the nice guy antics already", Teo scoffs, "you''re acting like an overtly-friendly 7 year old and it''s annoying".


    "I am friendly", Sam furrows his brows, "besides, why do you hate me, I literally didn''t do anything".


    "Exactly, you don''t do anything", Ace points out, "other than going around and bothering people, you know, maybe you should focus on studying and training instead of trying so desperately to make friends".


    "Why can''t I do both", Sam''s voice raises up, "and what''s wrong with you, what''s wrong with making friends?".


    "Sam, friendships are not real, sorry to spoil it for you", Teo says flatly.


    "Cmon, why do you say that?", Sam retorts.


    "Look, friends are nothing, and that''s the truth", Teo shrugs, "they are just people you are forced to interact with because they are close by, and that''s all".


    "How can you think like that?", Sam says in diabelief.


    "Cmon, I''m not about to lie to myself, or to you", Teo says simply, "somebody looked over 300 dumb personality tests and decided to put us on the same team, that does not make us friends".


    "Agreed, it''s statistically improbable to match personalities that way, especially from such a small, and limited sample", Ace says looking around the room, "and I''d say this group is definitely a miss".


    "Wow, that''s such a nerd way of saying it", Teo notes.


    "The two of you are such machiavelists", Sam decides.


    "And what does that even mean?", Teo says.


    "It means we''re mistrustful", Joe says, "but I wouldn''t blame us for it, honestly, I don''t find any of you relieable".


    "And just what is that supposed to mean?", Ace retorts, "you think you''re too good for us?".


    "I think none of you think logically", Joe notes.


    "I think trying to stay out of trouble is pretty logical", Ace rolls his eyes, "if anyone here is not utilising logical thinking, it would be you". Thinking better of it, he adds: "well, and these other three fools as well".


    "Please, Ace, just because I take some risks doesn''t mean they are not calculated", Joe says leaning back to lay on his bad.


    "Well, your calculations led to your hand being burned just know", Ace reminds him.


    "I did not count on Ves being a maniac", Joe admits.


    "Dude, I said it was an accident", Ves says, "I wasn''t thinking, again, I''m sorry".


    "You should keep quiet, literally no one likes you", Ace serves him a freezing glare.


    "Cmon, I do one thing wrong and you all hate me now?", Ves tries to keep his voice from shaking.


    "It''s not just one thing", Ace says, "you''ve been a nuisance from the get go, you attack Sam and me constantly, and this was not the first time you had Houndour attack someone on a whim, you''re not the most pleasant person, you know".


    "Right, so you all just hate me", Ves nods weakly.


    "Hey, as I said, I don''t want none of you around me, that''s all, so just leave me alone", Ace raises his hands up in defense.


    "Right, same goes for me", Teo confirms, "don''t bother me unless it''s necessary".


    "Alright, so the two of you want to be lone wolfs or something", Ves says.


    "I''m fine with that", Joe says flatly, "and you can start avoiding me as well from now on".


    "Gladly", Ace scoffs.


    "Right, so we''re all just avoiding each other from now on, is that how you want it to be?", Ves asks in a low tone.


    "Exactly", Teo nods.


    "Hey, Joe", Sam says taking a seat next to the brown-haired boy, "you and I are still friends, right?".


    "We''re teammates", Joe says after a second of thinking.


    "Oh, well, that''s cool too", Sam says sounding a bit dissapointed.


    "Look Sam", Joe says with a sigh, "I''m not really great with people".


    "Yeah, we''ve noticed", Ace laughs, "you''re like a robot, dude".


    "I just wanted to be a good teammate, that''s all", Joe ignores him, "these three obviously don''t want that".


    "Right, I get it", Sam nods, "but you''re cool with me?".


    "I mean yeah, I''m cool with you", Joe says, "obviously, if you need my help with anything, I''m more than willing to help you, it benefits the whole team if one us tries to improve".


    "So we''re friends then?", Sam tries again.


    "We''re teammates", Joe repeats.


    "Right, for now", Sam says hopefully.


    "For now", Joe''s voice comes off distant.


    "You need help with showering, I mean can you do it alone with your hand like that?", Sam switches the course of conversation, "I can come along with you".


    "Um, I''m pretty sure I can handle myself", Joe says a bit taken back, "but you''re free to come along if you want to, as I said, I don''t really have a problem with it".


    "Right, so we can go together, then?", Sam scratches his head, "I mean, honestly, I''d just rather... not be here right now".


    "Right", Joe says sitting up, "we can go now, just don''t forget to bring your stuff".


    "The two of you taking showers together now?", Teo laughs as the two head of to the bathroom, "when did that happen?".


    "This morning", Joe answers shutting the doors behind him.


    "Okay, so, the two of them are... something", Ves says when the three boys are left alone, trying to salvage whatever he could. Silence is the last thing he wants now. Unfortunately for him, that''s the fortune Ace and Teo have sentenced him to. "Look, I said I''m sorry a hundred times already", he attempts hesitantly, but the two boys keep ignoring him. "I just do things sometimes, I don''t think", Ves keeps talking to no one in particular, "and I know I go overboard sometimes".


    "Well, you got that one right", Ace says flatly.


    "Really, we''re just not going to talk anymore at all?", Ves says, "how''s that going to work? We''re stuck together for four years, you know".


    "We''re aware, unfortunately", Teo snorts.


    "Well, do you really want it to be like this for four years?", Ves''s voice rises.


    "Prefereably", Ace says, "and why do you care, don''t tell me you wanted to be friends as well".


    "Well, no", Ves says, a stinging pain in his stomach.


    "Well, then I don''t see why this is a problem for you", Ace says, "you stay out of our way, we stay out of yours, that''s all".


    "I just want to know if you all hate me now?", Ves says, his voice weakening again.


    "Kind of", Teo admits.


    "Right, that''s all I wanted to hear", Ves says laying back in his bed. Maybe that was not what he wanted to hear. Truth be told, he had no idea what he wanted to hear. He wasn''t exactly wishing to be friends with these guys. He didn''t want them to hate him either. He wished they could all just be normal.


    *****


    Wednesday goes by slow. Way too slow. Ves wastes the dragging hours by focusing his eyes on the single spot. Most of the time. Those other times, he looks at people around him. His teammates are still ignoring him. Ace is ignoring everyone, or at least trying to. Lesley doesn''t seem keen on allowing the blond boy that pleasure. Teo''s attempt is more successful. Joe talks mostly to Sam, but Ves caught him exchanging a few words with Henry and Marc as well. As for Ves himslef, no one really approached him. Tapping his pen on the table, he realised just how much he hated silence. He''s never been the friendliest, but he''s never been isolated from other people either. Most of the kids here were talking to their owm teammates exclusively, he noticed, and no one seemed to be interested in meeting anyone outside of their group. Other than Lesley, whose willingness to irritate Ace and the fact he was somewhat enamoured with Joe pushed him into branching out. Unsurprisingly, the only other person in their class who had made any attempts at socialising outside of their team was Sam. The brown haired boy seemed to be significantly more successful with talking to girls, than his teammates. He wasn''t kidding about liking girls, Ves noticed, and they seemed to like him back. Teo joined in on Sam''s attempts, and had seemed unusually eager to talk. Ves had branded him a jackass. Not that he wouldn''t like to join them, but they''d most likely kill him if he tried. Joe ended up being roped into the conversation as well. From what Ves had managed to overhear, he didn''t seem to have much interest in conversing, but had rather expectedly steered the conversation towards battling. One of the girls they were talking to was ranked 7th. Lesley had manifested right next to them as soon as that information started being flaunted around. The small group chattered quietly.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Hey, Ace, can you come over here", Teo yelled their teammate over. Unwillingly, Ace stood up from his chair. Ves, feeling like a spy, inched his chair closer so he could listen in.


    "What do you want from me?", Ace said loudly, "I thought we had a deal?".


    "Oh Ace, cmon", Lesley waved at him to calm down, "you''ll like this".


    "Right, we wanted to see if you are up for another battle", Joe said calmly.


    "Maybe you actually win this one", Lesley added.


    "Oh, no, no battles", Ace almost yelled, turning on his heel right next to Ves''s table, "I''m never going along with your bullshit, and the two of you should really stop teamimg up against me".


    "Calm down, Ace", Teo snarked at him, "just hear us out first".


    "Right, our friends here wanted to set up an official battle, officiated by a professor, of course", Lesley knows exactly what spot to strike to get Ace''s interest.


    "Huh, these guys want to do something by the book, who''d guess", the blond boy whisperd over to Ves. The boy knows the only reason his teammate is saying anything to him is cause he doesn''t want to mention them breaking the rules in front of the whole class. "By the way, keep listening in, 007", Ace winks at him knowingly, "don''t think I didn''t notice".


    "Thanks for paying attention", Ves dryly says to Ace''s back.


    "Right, so the thing is, since we have all just met, and we have a free period soon", Lesley says dramatically, "we have thought setting up a battle would be a fun way to get to know each other better, while also doing some training".


    "Yeah, that would be cool", a tall girl with curly hair, the one that asks a lots of questions, says, "and I''m pretty sure professor Nolan has a free period the same way we do, so that works out great".


    "However, as you may now, most of us have pokemon not to professor Nolan''s liking, and therefore, we most likely won''t be able to take part", Lesley continues.


    "We will, however, give it a fucking try", Marc says, mocking his teammates pattern of speech.


    "They thought you may be willing to take part in the battle", the girl says, ready to skip to the point, "so, would you be interested".


    "Well, since you ask so nicely, I will be glad to", a smile spreads across Ace''s face. Another roomate who''s too easily influenced by women, Ves thinks. For a second, he thinks it would be much better if they were all gay. He''s quick to reconsider his wish, though, having all four of his roomates be gay would be a terrible experiance.


    "Alright, then, that makes for how many of you guys?", one of the girls asks. She''s on a shorter end, with wild black hair and even wilder black eyes. She''s wearing a red-and black flannel button down over a faded black t-shirt. A lesbian, Ves assesses.


    "Four of us", Lesley notes.


    "It''s three actually", Sam points out, "you, Ace, and me, professor Nolan probably won''t let anyone else here battle".


    "Dean will battle as well", Lesley gives a shrug before waving his teammate over. The boy quickly arrives, wearing a smile on his face, and is quick to make a deal. "There, that makes the four of us", Lesley says with a smile.


    "Alright, anyone else you had in mind?", the curly haired girl asks, "since there''s five of us, you know?".


    "Well, I think we''ve ran out of teammates", Lesley says apologetically.


    "It''s fine, I can sit this one out", a short black haired girl notes.


    "Nonsense, Tammy, let''s try and find someone", the girl says, clearing her throat. "Hey, does anyone want to battle, we need one more person", she yells out, her voice quickly shutting up everyone else around them, causing Ves to flinch as well. The rest of their classmates looked away from the group, clearly weired out by the girl''s demeanor.


    "Inside voice, Natasha", the flannel-wearer of the group coughs up.


    "God, Leah, I just wanted everyone to hear me", the curly haired girl sighs.


    "Hey, love, I find your energy adorable", Leah says defensively, "but it might be a bit too much for other people".


    "Okay, you two, stop", the short girl, Tammy says, "it''s already been done".


    "Right", Natasha clears her throat, "well, sorry T, I think we can''t find anyone else, you really okay with sitting this one out?".


    "Yeah, yeah, I''m fine, no worries", Tammy calms her down, "Budew doesn''t really like battling that much anyways".


    "That''s no good", Joe points out, "you should think about evolving it as soon as you can if that''s the case". Ves hopes giving unsolicited advice is not Joe''s way of flirting. Most likely, it''s just the boy''s lack of ability to read social cues.


    "I''m doing my best", Tammy runs her fingers through her hair nervously, "it''s not that easy".


    "Oh, well, we can help with that", Teo inserts himself, "soothing berries would help it evolve right".


    "What are soothing berries?", the girl looks at him confused.


    "Friendship berries", Teo reiterates, "they help raise friendship, at least in simulations, and Budew evolves over friendship, right?".


    "Right, you think that could help?", Tammy jumps up with excitment.


    "Well, that''s not exactly how evolution works, but yeah, they could help", Joe half-confirms.


    "Right, and we''ve planted some of those berries", Teo straight up lies, "and we are more willing to share, isn''t that right, Joe?".


    "Right", Joe glances at Teo, letting him know he doesn''t like his way of gaining affection from the opposite gender.


    "That''s great, thanks a lot", Tam says.


    "Anyways, back to the battle", Lesley reminds everyone, "so, it''s four against four then?".


    "Um, could we maybe work in a double battle", Sam scratches his head, "I wanted to try that one again". The rest of the boys look at him sharply, as if they are trying to let him know not to give any clues that they had battled before.


    "That''s cool", Natasha says, not catching on to them, "who''s going to do it? I''m down for being paired up with someone".


    "Actually, I thought you and I should have do a single battle", Lesley notes, "with both of us being ranked in top 20, I think that would be for the best".


    "Alright, I''m down for that as well", Natasha shrugs.


    "I''d like to do a single battle as well", Ace notes shortly.


    "Alright, then Sam and I can do a double", Dean offers.


    "That''s great, thanks buddy", Sam smiles.


    "No problem", Dean gives him a thumbs up.


    "Hey, Mai, you and I can pair up for a double battle", Leah says, "I think we''d be a great pair".


    "Oh my God, you''re absolutely right", a girl with a black bob-cut hair says excitedly, "that would be fun".


    "Okay, then I''m up against blondie", a short girl with brown hair plagued with streaks of purple announces. "I''m Tea", she says extending a hand.


    "Ace", Ace says shortly, shaking her hand.


    "Yeah, right, right", Tea scrathes her head, "honestly, I forgot your name immediately, and it felt stupid to ask again".


    "We said his name like ten times", Joe points out, cementing Ves''s belief he has absolutely no idea how to talk to women.


    "Alright", Natasha cuts them both off, "then we have a deal, we can go and ask professor Nolan to referee us right after this class".


    "Alright", Lesley says enthusiastically.


    Shortlly after the group disbands, their professor walks in, and Ves is forced to sit through yet another grueling class. Sociology. He only had a faint idea of what that is. Doing his best to allow his mind to get sucked into the lecture proves easier than expected. Their professor, an old and eccentric looking woman, launches herself into giving examples of pokemon who have become role model of sexual deviations throughout the society. The whole topic weirds out Ves just enough to keep his attentnion. By the time the bell rings, he''s sure his professor has had sex with a Machapm at least once in her life.


    "Hey", somebody''s flat voice snaps him from the terryfing daydream that he''s been having. Turning around he sees Joe standing above him, still refusing to look Ves''s way. "We''re going to catch Nolan, you should come along".


    "Didn''t know you guys wanted me along", Ves says surprised.


    "Well, I don''t", the boy responds, "but I don''t want anyone to be completely isolated either".


    "Right", Ves clears his throat, quickly shoving his notebook into the backpack, "how''s your hand, does it hurt".


    "Still burned", Joe replies unwillingly, "I took some pain killers though".


    "Right, again, sorry about that", Ves says sheepishly while standing up, "I was just asking, you know, because of all the note taking today, how did you do".


    "I''m left handed", Joe says shortly.


    "Wait, really", Ves says in surprise, "dude, me too".


    "Yeah, I know", Joe says, "we all are, in case you didn''t notice".


    "The whole class?", Ves says in disbelief.


    "Our team", Joe clarifies.


    "Oh, really?", Ves thinks about it for a moment, "I didn''t notice, hey, did they put us all on the same team because of that".


    "Probably not, that question was not on the personality test", Joe says, turning to leave. Ves follows right after him, as the two join the group in the hallway. Natasha has apparently studied their mentor''s schedule, she''s calling that her stalker abilities, which has Ves somewhat worried. Still, this allows for the group to catch their history professor right as he''s leaving one of his classes. Natasha and Lesley are quick to team up, not allowing the man to take a single breath. In a matter of few minutes, and against Nolan''s protests, the battle is set up, and the group heads for the court room.


    As soon as they enter, both Lesley and Natsha take spots on the battlefield, assesing they would be first to battle. "Looks like Les has found his match", Dean laughs lightly, "he'' s a battle maniac".


    "Lucky him, fucking Nolan still won''t let me battle", Marc is scoffing around.


    "Calm down, Marc, we can have a battle later", Henry says, but his gripped fists and eyes fixed on the field make it clear he''d take his turn right now if he had a chance. Joe''s not much different. Neither is Ves. He feels the itch.


    "You''ll just wash me again", Marc complains, "it''s not fair, that Mienfoo of yours has a type advantage over me, you know, I should''ve gotten a fighting type as well, I don''t know what fool gave me an ice type".


    "Probably a fool that wanted to let you know you need to chill out", Dean says simply.


    "Tell him Dean", Andrei says unenergetically, "you guys are battle maniacs".


    "And you, why are you even here?", Marc looks about ready to throw a punch.


    "Lesley threatened me", Andrei says simply.


    "I don''t know why this guy is here", Teo inserts himself, judgingly eyeing Ves.


    "I invited him", Joe says simply, causing Teo to stand back in surprise.


    "Whatever", Teo scoffs, "just don''t burn anyone alive this time". Ves looks away ignoring him.


    On the field, the battle has begun. Lesley''s Spoink is energetically jumping around, trying to find an opening to set up a Nasty Plot. Natasha''s Vulpix proves to be a tough opponent, firing of an attack after attack. Ves finds it hard to concentrate on the battle. The guys around him are too chatty. He tries not to listen in. He notices Ace is on the other side of the room, alone. The other girls are grouped together few feet away from them. Ves is not sure where to direct his attention towards. Spoink is hit with an Ember. Marc is yelling at Lesley to get his shit together. Andrei is happy about it. He can hear Sam asking Joe for advice. Spoink is hit again, and Lesley seems ready to dig his own grave. "Looks like she''s ranked 7th for a good reason", he can hear Henry''s comment. Ves himslef is not sure how the battle went. No one there wanted to talk to him.


    When Ace stepped out on the field, Ves promised he''ll pay more attention this time. Since he''s here, he might as well watch, maybe he picks up something interesting. Ace, however, sticks to his guns, Sand Attacking Tea''s Shroodle into oblivion, so Ves loses focus quickly. Teo''s still staring daggers at him. Joe''s not even looking his way, talking to Sam and Dean instead. Lesley''s there now as well, loudly comimg up with excuses. They all just hate him.


    "Hey, he actually won", Teo''s yell snaps Ves back, "can''t fucking believe it".


    "Took him long enough to actually attack", Lesley commented.


    "That was a cowardly victory", Marc complains, "evasion strats are the worst". Ves want to crak a joke at Ace''s expense as well, but he holds back.


    Sam and Dean are the next ones to walk out onto the field, and Marc immediately turns himself into a cheerleader.


    "Let''s hope Sam actually does something this time around", Teo whispers to Joe, who, in turn gives him a cold stare. "What?", Teo takes a step back.


    "Nothing", Joe says calmly, "you should perhaps not say stuff like that before we''ve gotten a chance to see how you do".


    "Hey, I promise, I actually know how to use attacks", Teo says flatly.


    "Either way", Joe replies, "let''s just watch".


    Shifting his focus to the field yet again, Ves takes note of the situation. Petilil and Yamper are position on one side of the court, a rather underwhelming pair, in Ves''s opinion, a pet and a house plant. On the opposing side, a Snubbull and Ducklett are standing. The pink dog looks ready to fight, while the duck looks a bit confused. Ves decides it''s time to analyse. Since he came to watch, and since no one wanted to talk to him, he might as well use this battle to better himself. Trying to think of what he would do, he realised he doesn''t know the attacks of any of the pokemon. The girls, he''s seeing for the first time. Sam never managed to get a single attack off with Yamper, and he had personally beaten Petilil into the ground before it got a chance to do anything. He vaguely remembered Dean calling for a Stun Spore, but he might''ve been imagining. Retracing his thoughts, he tried assesing the match-up based purely on the type. Snubbull''s fairy typing immediatly set it apart, making it a wild card. Ducklett was in a weird position, working well against the Petilil, but being a terrible match for Yamper. It was a flying type though, giving it the rule over aerial space, he thought. And it was definitely the most agile pokemon on the field right now. Leah and Mai had an edge, Ves decided. A strong and bulky Snubbull worked well with Ducklett''s speed, and flying typing. First thing Ves would want to do is get the paralysis off on the duck, then try to get it off the field as soon as possible.


    As soon as professor Nolan announces the start of the battle, Leah and Mai are quick to call for attacks. Leah orders a Wing Attack, while Mai, surprisingly, calls for a Fire Fang, both attacks aimed at the Petilil. Even more surprising is the fact that Sam manages to react, calling for a Nuzzle into the Ducklett. Even though Yamper is slow, Petilil is standing close enough for him to make the distance, successfully crushing into the incoming duck projectile, while enveloped in small sparks. Dean reacts as well, calling for the Stun Spore, allowing Snubbull''s attack to land, but paralysing it in return. Petilil does look too close to being knocked out thanks to that, though. However, the boys have managed to inflict paralysis on both of their opponents.


    "Absorb", Dean calls, and his Petilil sends a small whip of green energy right into Snubbull, draining some of her health.


    "Nuzzle", Sam orders in turn, and Yamper makes a run for it. Leah orders a quick Protect, blocking the attack, just to call for another Wing Attack as soon as the coast is clear.


    "Snubbull, Fire Fang", Mai gives her order as well, and the pair tries tag-teaming Petilil once again.


    "No, get them with Nuzzle, Bolt", Sam orders, but the dog pokemon is not fast enough to close the distance this time. Dean orders a desperate dodge, and Petilil somehow manages to wiggle out of the Fire Fang''s path, but Ducklett''s glowing wings come in to quickly seal its fate. "Sorry, dude", Dean says as he recalls his partner.


    "No worries", Sam tries to reassure him, but he doesn''t seem comfortable himself either. "Sand Attack, go Bolt", the boy quickly decides. "Into Snubbull", he adds hesitantly. That was a good call, Ves thinks, it''s two against one, and Snubbul''s attacks are more powerfull. As the Sand Attack lands, the girls are quick to launch another tag-team attack.


    "Just go for it, Sam", Ves can hear Joe yell next to him. He''s pretty sure this is the first time he''s heard him yell.


    "Yeah, kill them both", Marc screams along. This is not the first time anyone has heard Marc yell.


    "Nuzzle", Sam orders, flying his hand through the air. As his opponents make their way towards him, Yamper envelops himself in a spark coat, jumping at the Ducklett. Snubbull can''t make it in time to land an attack. Instead, Ducklett and Yamper end up meeting, a few inches above the ground, their attacks clashing into each other. It lasts for a second. In the aftermath, both pokemon end up being blown back to the ground. Quickly, it becomes clear that the Duckett has been knocked out.


    Mai is quick to react though, her Snubbull still close to the place of collision, she yells out: "Fire Fang".


    "Dodge it", Sam tries, but Yamper doesn''t have enough time to get back up. The pink dog ends up digging its flaming teeth into him, causing the pokemon to howl out in pain, right before losing consciousness.


    "Yamper cannot continue", professor Nolan announces, "Leah and Mai are the winners of this match".


    "Lost again", Sam''s head hung low as he approached the group.


    "Hey, we did our best", Dean smiles, wrapping his arm around the boy in encouragement.


    "Hey, just can''t believe Sam actually knocked someone out", Teo says with a laugh, "and Ace as well".


    "You''re gossiping about me?", Ace appears behind Teo''s back, causing the boy to jump up. "Just to let you know", the blond boy gives him a sharp look, "Rocky and I are much better".


    "Rocky? You giving out nicknames too?", Teo says.


    "Ace, don''t tell me that''s another movie reference", Lesley face palms.


    "Yes, well, I can nickname my pokemon", Ace shrugs, "and what if I named him after my favourite movie, you know, Rocky is a rock type, and literally has a word rock in his name, so it works out".


    "I have to name Absol then", Teo crosses his arms, "what do I name it?".


    "Maybe try getting him to listen to you first", Ace notes.


    "Hey, hey", Teo says, "let''s go back to that no talking thing, wasn''t that a deal".


    "Right", Ace says as if he''s only now remembering, "well, I just wanted to say I won, so you can all stop talking shit".


    "You won against a Shroodle", Lesley reminds him, "not exactly the most threatening opponent".


    "And you just lost to a girl", Ace points out disgruntled.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?", Lesley''s voice jumps an octave, "I''ll have you know, women can do anything, so maybe stop being a chauvinist".


    "I am not a chauvinist", Ace retorts, "I just... I am not a chauvinist".


    "You kind of are", Joe notes, "and a homophobe as well".


    "I''m not a homophobe", Ace yells out, "I''m just... not exactly comfortable with it".


    "Right, that''s homophobia buddy", Lesley rolls his eyes.


    "Yo, guys, what''s going on", Natasha''s loud voice cuts them off.


    "Not much", Teo responds immediately, "Ace is just hating on women and gays".


    "You hate women and gays?", Natasha raises a judging eyebrow at the blond boy.


    "God, you''re going to love me then", Leah laughs.


    "Oh, don''t tell me you are...", Ace drowns out.


    "A lesbian", Ves yells immediately, "I knew it". The rest of the boys look at him sharply, letting him know he should shut up.


    "Good to know you have a working gaydar", Leah doesn''t catch on to the group''s animosity towards Ves, "you and I should go looking for some bitches then".


    "Leah", Tammy softly slaps her shoulder, "behave".


    "Oh, you, the homophobe, you''ll love Tammy here", Leah laughs, "she''s also homophobic".


    "I am not", Tammy says, grabbing her chest as if she was just gravely insulted.


    "Neither am I", Ace wails.


    "Well, I don''t care either way", Leah shrugs, "I''m just looking for a wingman, honestly".


    "Well, Ves probably shouldn''t be your first option", Teo points out, "he might try burning your future to a crisp".


    "What''s that about", Leah scratches her head.


    "Nevermind", Joe cuts them off. "Those were some good battles", he adds clearing his throat, and Ves can only be thankful the boy''s trying to keep the conversation away from what happened last night. Though he wasn''t quite certain why.


    "Right" Lesley joins in, "we should probably head for the pokemon center".


    "You probably should", Natasha laughs, "I got you good".


    "Right, well, as I said, we should go", Lesley uncomfortably looks at Dean.


    "I''m definitely coming as well", Sam raises his hand.


    "Hey, I was joking", Natasha smiles, "we''re all going".


    "We''re going to do some training", Marc excuses himself clutching onto Henry''s and Joe''s arms, "this got me fired up".


    "We did not agree to this", Henry points out.


    "We''re going, it''s just some light training", Marc says scurrying them towards the exit, "don''t tell me these battles didn''t fire you up".


    "Well, no, not really", Ves can hear Joe''s voice, "I mean they weren''t that exciting".


    "Yeah, then let me show you exciting", Marc says, basically pushing the two out of the doors.


    As professor Nolan excuses them, looking exceedingly thankful that the battle was over, the rest of the group leaves as well. "I''m gonna go... somewhere", Ves says to no one in particular, quickly separating from the rest. They don''t mention it. Sam''s talking to Dean, he notices, both seem a bit uncomfortable. Lesley and Ace are at each other''s necks yet again, while the girls are mostly talking amongst themselves. Teo''s managed to dissappear somehow.


    Walking out into the late afternoon, Ves is not sure where to go or what to do. Walking towards the beach, he just keeps indefinitely checking his phone. He scrolled past the few texts he had with his dad. He still didn''t have the numbers of his roomates registered, he realised. And he didn''t have them on any socials either. It would be stupid to ask now. Sky turned soft pink, and he could see the ocean now. The salt air felt heavy in his bones. Ves didn''t want to get down on the beach, so he decided to just walk along the coast line. He needed his mind cleared, from all of it. Were they all really going to hate him for the rest of times, for that one stupid thing? Half-willingly, he took his pokeball, releasing Houndour. "We''re going for a walk", he spoke, with half a heart, to the black dog. His partner, for once, seemed to let go of his usual agression. Maybe he liked the idea of taking a walk, he was a dog after all, Ves thought. Either way, Houndour looked contempt to be on the outside.


    "You feeling like this as well?", Ves couldn''t help but ask. Houndour had no answer. Ves didn''t expect him to, but still found himself dissapointed. Deep inside, he might''ve hoped the pokemon could bestow some wisdom upon him. Houndour is a dark type, Ves knows what people generally think about them. Why was he given a dark type? Fire he could understand, he knew himslef that much. Snapping in a second, having an outburst, it was nothing new, he knows well enough his tendencies to do things on impulse. Even against that, he saw himself as good. He tried to be good, he hoped he was. Maybe the personality test didn''t agree with his personal feelings.


    "Maybe you shouldn''t listen to me", he says to Houndour as they keep on walking, "not all the time". The black dog''s still very much not interested in having a conversation. It doesn''t matter to Ves. The night is falling quickly, and the cold is stirring something inside of him. He thinks of his life back home, and there''s not much that comes to his mind. None of his friends messaged him since he had left, he realises, feeling a sting of hate towards them. On the other hand, he didn''t think to message them either, they have only now crossed his mind. "Maybe I''m not a good person, you know", he says to Houndour, who responds to giving him a short look. "Damn, even you don''t want to talk to me", the boy attempts a desparate laugh.


    Skipping thoughts, his mind is a mess. He reads the texts with his father again. They''re just a series of good mornings, short questions followed by even shorter answers. Ves doesn''t remember his father ever talking much. Letting out a deep breath, he decides he needs to talk. "Did I really do something that bad?", he quietly questions Houndour, "I mean it was an accident, and I did apologise". Houndour picks up the pace, as if he''s trying to escape. Ves doesn''t mind, he wouldn''t like to listen to himself right now eaither. "I mean, I don''t know what came over me", he admits, "I just wanted a battle, not to hurt anyone".


    The waves start sounding like his own thought, retracting back just so they could crush into him once again. "Well, I guess I wasn''t that fair to the others either", he scratches his head, "so maybe it''s not just that one thing". Wiping the sweat off of his hands, he can feel his pulse picking up. "But I just want to pass this year, that''s all, it''s not that hard to understand, right?", he''s asks his Houndour, "I don''t... I don''t hate them, I just want to pass the year".


    "Seems like something''s troubling you, Ves", he hears a sharply sweet voice. If he didn''t know better, he''d think Houndoru finally answered him. But he did know better, he knew that voice, and he could hear it coming from behind him. Turning around, he faced the last person he had wanted to see. "Honestly, you look just a bit pathetic right now", the girl behind him says, "not to be mean or anything".


    "No, I''m sure that''s not your goal at all, Vinnie", he hides the stirring unrest behind the flat voice.


    "Hey, well, can you blame me?", she raises her hands defensively, "I mean, you''re out here trying to use your pokemon as a therapist".


    "At least I''m trying some form of therapy", Ves rolls his eyes, "maybe you should give it an attempt as well".


    "Cmon, Ves", Vinnie says, and the boy can see her green eyes glint through the darkness, "that''s not a kind of thing you say to your sister".


    "Half-sister", Ves reminds her poisonously.


    "Right", Vinnie laughs, "either way".


    "What do you want?", Ves says sharply.


    "Nothing", he can see her shrug, "I was out and about and saw you having an existentional crisis, and it''s only right I try talking with my baby brother".


    "Huh, why are you out and about?", Ves ignores her remark, "it''s not like you''re more mentally stable than me, you know?".


    "Hey, a girl needs time to herself", she scoffs, "I share a room with four boys, you know, you can''t blame me".


    "So you''re saying you''re having trouble with your roomates?", Ves says somewhat victoriously.


    "Well, I would like them much more if they were girls", Vinnie admits, "but at least I know my team will pass the year, now I wouldn''t say the same thing about you".


    "Why would you think I won''t pass?", Ves''s voice rises.


    "Oh, come on, you were just complaining to your little Houndour about passing a year, I heard you, you know", she waves at him, signing that he shouldn''t try and lie to her.


    "Right, well, how is that about my teammates?", he flicnhes, "and either way it''s none of your bussines".


    "Oh, I have a hunch?", Vinnie says with a laugh.


    "Is it a hunch or are you just good at eavesdropping?", Ves retorts with a dry smile, even though he''s certain she can''t see it.


    "Why can''t it be both?", Vinnie says, "besides, you were the one who decided to have a Hamletesque moment by the beach, quite tacky in my opinion, and you weren''t exactly silent about it".


    "Right, well, it''s none of your bussines either way", Ves repeats.


    "Cmon, I''m just trying to help, you know", Vinnie says coming in a bit closer. He can make out her features now, as faded as. They ever were. Under a dim moonlight he can notice her black hair has green streaks dyied in. That would be a novelty. "You know, if you think your team will drag you down, we can work something out, I''m sure", her voice drops in volume, "I''m sure Conan would agree to you being on my team".


    "Yeah, cause your father is infamous for being a fan of me", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, he did want to work that out for you, if you have forgotten", she says sharply, "the only reason he didn''t is that you didn''t want to do it".


    "Right, well, I didn''t need him pulling any strings for me then, and I don''t need it now", Ves hisses at her, "I have nothing to do with that man, remember?".


    "And he''s still ready to help you out", she shrugs Ves''s outburst right off, "maybe be a bit more appreciative".


    "Right, I believe that completely", Ves rolls his eyes, "besides, isn''t it a bit too late for that right now".


    "Not really, we can just have you switch places with Otto", she says simply, "the only reason he''s gotten in with us is that you refused anyways, it''s not like any of us want him there".


    "Right, and I''m sure the rest of your teammates want me", Ves laughs, "especially Mikey".


    "Hey, Mikey doesn''t hate you", Vinnie points out, "as long as you prove to be good in battles, he''s chill with you being on our team". Thinking for a second she adds: "of course, you''ll have to improve your test scores as well, but that''s a lesser issue".


    "Do you even hear yourself right now", Ves yells at her, "you''re stooping so low".


    "Alright, I don''t want to hear a moral lessons, not from you", Vinnie softly shoves him away, but he can see her eyes filling up with rage. "And stop yelling", she adds, "you know mom hates it when we fight".


    "As if I care how that gold digger wants me to be", Ves''s legs turn numb, getting drained of blood.


    "Don''t call her that", Vinnie says quietly, "she still loves you, you know, even though I have no idea why".


    "Right, she loves me", the boy fights his urge to scream, "that''s why she left".


    "She fell in love, Ves", Vinnie says those words so simply, Ves can''t help but hate it.


    "In love with the money", the boy scoffs in reply.


    "With Conan", Vinnie retorts.


    "Yeah, for sure", Ves says.


    "You know your father", Vinnie replies calmly.


    "Don''t say that", Ves shoves her away, "you don''t know how he was before she left".


    "You don''t either", Vinnie reminds him. Ves can feel a knife twist in his chests.


    "She''s not my mother, she''s not a mother at all", Ves says with venom in his voice, "she didn''t even come to Vincent''s funeral".


    "She couldn''t", Vinnie flinches, "she has her reasons, you know".


    "He was her son as well", Ves reminds her, "and he was your brother too".


    "Half-brother", Vinnie''s the one creating the distance, "it''s not like I ever knew him that well, you know".


    "Right, you didn''t", Ves scoffs.


    "Look, let''s not turn this into a family drama", Vinnie attempts.


    "We''re not a family, so it can''t be a family drama", Ves stays adamant.


    "We are, unfortunately", Vinnie sighs.


    "As far as I''m concerned, I have only one brother", Ves crosses his arms.


    "Had", Vinnie''s reminder feels like yet another stab.


    "I don''t want anything to do with you, your father, your mother, or that brother of yours", Ves states flatly.


    "I''m just trying to help you out here", Vinnie says, her voice turning sharp, "and you should stop acting as if Conan and Mikey are the worst people alive, but alright, if you want to go ahead and fail because of your teammates, then do so".


    "I''m not going to fail because of my teammates", Ves doesn''t even believe it himself, "get it out of your head".


    "If that''s what you say", Vinnie says, clearly not convinced.


    "That is what I''m saying", Ves clears his throat, "even if they fuck up, I''ll just pass on my own".


    "Well, I did what I could do", Vinnie gives it up, "the offer still stands, in case you change your mind".


    "I won''t", Ves assures her.


    "Alright, then I''ll just leave", Vinnie says it as a warning.


    "Leave, then", Ves responds.


    "Funny how you say it", she says turning away, "as if I''m not the only person alive who can actually stand you".


    "Just stop with the act already", Ves hisses.


    "It''s not an act Ves", she says as she leaves, "you and Mikey are both my brothers, as far as I know".


    "Half-brothers", Ves says after her, but she can''t hear him, leaving those words to linger in the air. Looking away, he notices Houndour staring at him curiosly. "Oh, so now you''re listening", Ves scoffs, "I''ll return to your pokeball, you family-drama lover". Houndour simply walks in closer, resting his head against the boy''s leg. The touch, as well as the gesture itself, feel surprisingly soft. "Thanks, Doom", Ves''s voice is almost a whisper. Clearing his throat, an excuse comes up: "we should go and re-stock on healing items, alright". Houndour gives his blessing ny letting the boy lead the way.


    In the well lit plato in front of the main building, Ves sees Vinnie again. Being too busy chatting with some guy, she doesn''t notice him. Against his will, Ves takes note of the boy, he seems to be the same age as them, he''s probably her teammate. Not that he knew any of her teammates other than Mikey. The way this boy, dressed in a casual button down, his wild brown hair in a messy mullet, had his arms wrapped around Vinnie, gave Ves a sense that the two were definitely more than just friends. Still, he was quick to avert his gaze, he wanted nothing to do with Vinnie. In the market, he was quick to get a few things he thought necessary, a handfull of potions, and a couple of paralyze heals. Thinking better, he picked up a few burn heals right before paying. The purchase drained his funds quite a bit, he noticed, but that was not the main thing on his mind. Surprisingly, his half-sister wasn''t on his mind either. It was his teammates. Who were probably going to start ignoring him as soon as he enters their room.


    He can hear the scuffle from outside of the doors. He stood there for a moment, too scared to enter, thinking about their "no talking to each other" deal. Apparently, the only person his teammates could uphold that for was him. He heard Teo yelling how he still can''t believe both Sam and Ace had managed to actually knock someone out. Ace yelled back at him, saying he can''t believe they managed to go a full day without breaking a rule. Joe, surprisingly loudly, noted that there is still time to change that, which lead to Ace cursing him out a few times and Teo laughing. Ves couldn''t help but chuckle as well, his hand flying towards the handle. He could hear Sam begging them to stop fighting as he opened the doors.


    "Hey", he said, immediately turning the chatter into a gravely silnce. "I...I brought some medicine", he coughed out, drowning in his roomate''s cold gazes.

 Chapter 7

    Sam was floating, his head light, a distant sound echoing around him. Wrapped in warmth, he was barely aware of anything other than himself. Then he felt something tug at his hands, a pressure being removed from his chest, one he didn''t know was there. Something brushed against his leg, and a shuffling sound caused him to open his eyes. He saw a boy jumping over him. Slowly, he recognised Joe, as the boy made his way onto the furthest edge of the bed. Noticing Sam had woken up, the tanned boy whispered: "sorry, woke you up again". His voice sounded even more distant this early, Sam thought.


    "It''s fine", the boy slowly sat up, using his elbows for support.


    "I did my best not to", Joe promised, "but I woke up to you hugging me, so...".


    "Oh, yeah", Sam''s blood rushed to his cheeks, realising what the pressure from before was, "sorry, I''ll try not to do it".


    "Yeah, I''d appreciate that", Joe says quietly, "and I''ll try not to wake you up from now on".


    "It''s fine if you wake me up", Sam says rubbing his eyes, "hey, we''re going for a run, right?".


    "I can''t today", Joe says, "I have to wake Teo up, we have to leave soon".


    "Right, right", Sam yawns out, "Lilicove".


    "Yeah, you wanna come along?", Joe offers.


    "No, I... I really don''t like breaking the rules", Sam stutters out while, rotating his body to sit on the edge of the bed, "I''ll just go and train, it''s okay if I do that without you?".


    "Well, you do need training, and you do not need me, so I think that would be a good idea", Joe notes, "need anything from the shops?".


    "Um, not really", Sam says scratching his head, "I mean, you''re already getting the training equipment, right?".


    "Right, I am, training bands and soothimg berries, that''s the main target", Joe nods, "but I''ll look for some TMs for Rio as well, so maybe Bolt could use some, if I can find them".


    "Huh, well, that sounds nice", Sam starts undressing, "though I''m not sure why were you thinking about it right now, I mean our partners know enough moves already".


    "Right, but I don''t really like Endure and Metal Claw on Rio", Joe shrugs, "I''d like to change that".


    "Well, those two seemed to come in handy the last time you fought", Sam remembers.


    "Yeah, only cause I had no other options", Joe says, "I would''ve loved not relying on Ves to pick up the kills for me".


    "Yeah, right", Sam pulls on his running shorts, "and you think Bolt needs new moves as well?".


    "I mean, you did say you want it to be a special attacker, and it has no special moves right now", his teammate points out, "besides, a long range attack would somewhat compensate from your partner''s lack of speed".


    "Yeah, you''re probably right", Sam pulls his t-shirt over his head, "would you really look for that for me?".


    "I mean, I''m looking for TMs anyways", Joe shrugs, standing up. He softly shakes Teo awake, letting him know they should be on their way.


    "Right, thanks", Sam says, but Joe seems to mostly ignore it, being too busy with getting Teo down to earth. The boy''s gravity centers seem to suffer some sort of morning sickness. Shuffling in spot, Sam uncomfortably waits for Teo to get ready, so they can all leave together. He''s not even sure if he''s supposed to wait. Teo doesn''t exactly like him. Teo doesn''t exactly like anyone. Except Joe, maybe. Joe on the other hand has been the nicest one to Sam thus far, but had felt, and Sam hated to say it, a little bit soulless. It was as if the boy was just going through the motions at all times, sticking to common courtesy, but lacked real empathy. Joe doesn''t really like anyone either, Sam conluded. He noticed Riolu wasn''t by his side, the boy had kept the fighting type inside the pokeball even since that scuffle on the beach, but Sam still found it strange. With nothing better to do, he let Yamper out of the pokeball, quickly picking his partner up and pressing him against his chest. The small brown dog gave a happy yawn, strectching his body. He''d carry it down, Sam decided, those short legs weren''t built for descending down staircases. Besides, he liked carrying Yamper around.


    When the three stepped out onto the dormitory plato, Sam could barely make out the other two boys in the darkness. The sun hasn''t risen yet, the boy realised, and his teammates seemed even more distant in the early morning. Yamper was shivering in his arms, and the boy quickly put it down on the ground, letting the small dog run a few circles to get warmed up. He really wished he had put on a hoodie as well, as the air of early September''s morning proved itself rather unkind. They didn''t talk. As if on cue, Joe let Riolu out.


    Joe took a lead, with the other two following him. He knew where the boats supposedly were. It lasted for a bit, just the three of them walking in silnece. As the first ray of sun broke through the horizon, Sam watched the shadows spread across their faces. They were all still very much wrapped in darkness. The boy carefully traced his finger acorss his cheek, as if he knew those same shadows were on him, and he was trying to wipe them off. The other two seemed far away and foreign to him. They always did. Two silhouettes walking through the darkness, just a few steps in front of him, but they seemed so far. And it wasn''t strange, they all felt so far ever since they have met. He recounted these past few days, not finding much good to hang on to. Trying again to wipe off those shadows, his eyes couldn''t stray from the two boys in front of them. Thinking things through, the two were probably the nicest one to him, which was surprising in Teo''s case. Still, unlike Ves and Ace, these two really didn''t take that many digs at him. Joe even let him sleep and train with him. Why did they seem so distant then? Why was he always the one being pushed to the sidelines? Watching the two, he couldn''t help seeing a gap, one that felt unbridgable. These two, Sam realised, were much different than him. Right now, they were on their way to escape the island. Further than this, he rembered everything. Both of them always seem ready to start a fight. Both of them seem ready to break the rules. Both of them seemed cold. He hated to admit that about Joe, but it was the truth. In his eyes, the shadows turned the two boys into something inexplicable, something familiar in the worst sense. He remembered people like them well enough.


    Soon, the three went their separate ways. Teo and Joe gave him a quick goodbye, and made their way towards the caves. Sam started running. It felt good to get his body moving, it woke him up. The chill air sticking to his skin stopped bothering him as much. He tried getting his teammates out of his mind. For the first time in his life, Sam felt grateful to be left alone. Yamper was still struggling to keep up, so Sam lowered his pace. Swirling in his mind, faces and names seemed to resurface along with the sun. Not only were his attempts to not think about his teammates futile, but he started thinking about everyone else. His parents had no idea of everything that went down in these few days, not how it had affected the boy. He had told them he was doing well and that his teammates were good. He had only gotten around to sending a few texts to Peter. Neither of them had much time to talk, but Peter did mention his new high school was fine and he was getting by. Liam never texted him, and Sam didn''t bother either. For a moment he questioned if the two of them were ever close at all. And Fred. Fred was barely responded to his texts. Not that Sam had sent many of those. Sense of undersatanding would dig into his chest each time he thought about Fred, a peculiar knowledge he didn''t dare put into words that entire summer. Then there was everyone else, in Old King''s and everyone else back home in Twinleaf. Stuck in the inbetween, the boy made his way towards the training trees.


    "Alright, Bolt", Sam said absentmindedly, "set-up with Howl, then start using Nuzzle on the tree, is that fine?. Yamper readily barked in response, before letting out a loud Howl. Sam could see the small dog''s muscles stiffen through its thic fur. Taking a run-up, sparks started flying, first from Yampers legs, then quickly trickling up his entire body. As his partner slammed into the tree, Sam sat down on the ground. Numbing feeling started growing in his stomach. First time he trained with Joe, two days ago, Yamper was hitting this very same tree. Yesterday morning as well. Same tree, same training. He just did what Joe told him to do, he remembered, and the thoughts were running rampant yet again. Everybody else seemed like they knew what they were doing all the damn time. Except for him. He was just there, following instructions. Even yesterday, when they battled those girls, he just went along with the plan Dean had set-up. And he couldn''t do that well enough either. Old King''s was full of kids who wanted to be pokemon trainers for their whole lives, it was only natural they all had an idea of what they were doing. Even that Andrei guy, who was ranked just a single spot above him, seems like he just knows what he''s doing. Then there was Sam, who just couldn''t find his footing within the battle, not unless he had someone giving him instructions. He needed Joe to tell him what to do, even yesterday, he just went along with what Dean and Joe had told him to do. And it was not as if he was doing it well.


    Cutting these thoughts off, he focused on Yamper. He wanted to find a way to improve, that''s how this training thing worked, right? His partner was still slow, but the boy could see that he was trying his best. It wasn''t his fault his body wasn''t the one of the runner. It took him a while to get into position for the run-up, and then it took a while until he reached the tree. Sam was sure the strikes made the giant oak tree shake slightly. The impact was good, he thought, but Yamper didn''t gather enough electricity. Nuzzle was a weak move, after all, mostly focused on causing paralysis, not dealing actual damage. Breathing in, he calculated things. He has made it into this school, the last thing he was was stupid. From what he knew, Yamper generated electricity while running, so the strenght of the attack was reliant on speed. Which was not a great prospect for a slow pokemon like Yamper. Raising speed seemed like an impossible task. The only other option, Sam thought, was having his partner increase the distance he''s attacking from, which would give him more time to gather electricity. That worked in training though, it was not as if he could pick and choose things like that in an actual battle. A though crosses his mind. LightBall could work to fix his issue. He takes out his phone ready to text Joe, then remembers he doesn''t have the boy''s number. He doesn''t have Teo''s either. Sighing, he tells hid partner to move back and attack from further back. Not much else that he could do.


    Getting out of the shower, a pulsing numbness is still widespread across his body. It''s just a bit past 7 AM, as he enters the room wrapped in a towel. Ace is most likely still asleep, so he can''t yell at him. Joe is gone as well. Walking towards his suitecase, he starts the process of digging up clothes, cursing the fact he still hasn''t unpacked. He feels a touch on his shoulder. "Hey, Sam", Ves whispers behind him, and the boy turns around to face him. In the dim morning light, Ves looks painfully fourteen. Sam quickly diverts his gaze from his teammate''s weary eyes. Ves''s skin is pale, and Sam can see pimples grouped on his chin. That must be painful. "Hey", Ves is still speaking quietly, his voice ghostly, "is everything fine, why are you awake at this time, we don''t have classes today?".


    Pulling back from the boy''s reaching hand, Sam''s not quite sure how to react to this. It''s not like he didn''t understand why Ves was acting all nice, but Sam found it hard to buy. "I was training", the boy finds his voice coming out flat, "why are you awake?".


    "Heard you come in", Ves shrugged before starting to run his hand through his hair, "training, huh?".


    "Yeah", Sam says simply, slowly continuing to dig through his suitecase.


    Silence hung on for a few seconds, but Sam knew Ves was still behind him, and he could hear the boy shuffle uncomfortably. Finally finding some clothes, he turned around and headed towards the bathroom. Ves was still there, his hand finidng Sam''s shoulder again. The boy''s touch was surprisingly soft. "Hey", Ves said, his voice growing for just a second, "I just wanted to say I''m sorry". Clearing his throat a bit he adds: "sorry about pushing you that time".


    "Pushed me more than once", Sam is hesitant to remove the boy''s hand. He doesn''t want to be like that.


    "Right", Ves comes in just a step closer, "sorry about that as well". Sam''s not sure how to respond. "Did you...", Ves breaks the silnece again, "did you get hurt too, when Joe got burned, you were there too, right?".


    "You mean when you burned him?", Sam raises his eyebrow judgingly, regretting it as soon as Ves steps back, flinching. "I''m fine", Sam adds, doing his best to soften his voice.


    "Right, glad to hear that", Ves says, looking away.


    "Alright", Sam passes by him, heading for the bathroom again.


    "Hey, we can go and grab breakfast", Ves offers, "I mean if you''re cool with it".


    "I kind of wanted to be alone", Sam avoids the offer, "I have a call to make".


    "Oh, alright", Ves says in disappointment, "hey, you could give me your number, so we could call each other as well".


    "Um, I...", Sam''s not sure what to say, "maybe later".


    "Cmon, Sam", Ves''s voice grows louder, "why are all of you ignoring me". Sam just looks at him, seeing his eyes sharpen, shoulders rise.


    "Well, isn''t that kind of a deal", Sam says looking away.


    "It''s a stupid deal", Ves says.


    "Right, well, it wasn''t my idea, so don''t blame me", Sam replies.


    "Dude, just hear me out", the balck haired boy pleads.


    "Why would I?", Sam rolls his eyes, "cmon, the only reason you''re apologising to me right now is that no one will talk to you, I''m not stupid, you know".


    "That''s not true", Ves says firmly.


    "And you''re yelling at me now", Sam points out, "for whatever reason".


    "Because you''re refusing to hear me out", Ves persists.


    "I did hear you out", Sam says, and he can feel blood rush to his face, "I just don''t exactly trust you, not when you yell apologies to me".


    "Right, right", Ves lowers his voice again, "I''m sorry dude, I... I just get carried away".


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "Sorry, but can we just talk", Ves says, "I''ll be normal".


    "Why do you even want to talk to me, I thought you don''t like me?", Sam raises an eyebrow at him. Ves has no answer, so Sam adds: "what, you think I''m that desperate or naive, is that right?".


    "No", Ves says immediately, but he doesn''t seem convinced either.


    "Right, right", Sam scoffs.


    "I don''t think you''re stupid", Sam reassures me.


    "Really?", Sam says, "judging by all the times you called me out for being dead last, I would say you very much think that".


    "Look, I''m sorry about that, I really am", Ves says lowering his arms next to his body, "it wasn''t fair, but it''s just...this school, you don''t know how much it means to me, and...".


    "It''s imoortant to me as well and I didn''t go around attacking anyone", Sam cuts him off.


    "Well, it''s not exactly the same", Ves says insecurely.


    "How is it not?", Sam crosses his arms in challenge.


    "I mean", Ves scartches his head, "to be fair, the system is the way it is and, you know...".


    "I don''t", Sam says.


    "Cmon dude, don''t make me be a jerk", Ves sighs.


    "What, now it''s my fault you''re a jerk?", Sam''s voice fills with anger.


    "Fine, alright, you wanna hear me say it", Ves yells, "if we fail, I won''t be the reason, and that''s a fact you know".


    "And I will be the reason, is that right?", Sam takes a step back.


    "Oh, cmon, now I''m a bad guy again", Ves throws his head back, "your test scores are the lowest in the entire year, and you''re not exactly good at battling either, so yes, that''s how is, alright".


    "You''re really bad at aplogising", Sam says quietly.


    "Look, dude, I am sorry, trust me, I''m sorry for being a jerk those few times", Ves is yelling again, "but don''t expect me to lie to you in order to make you feel good".


    "You''re being a jerk right now", Sam yells back.


    "Shut up", Ace''s voice comes in, teraing at the seams, "both of you shut up, I''m trying to sleep".


    "Well, I''m trying to apologise here, so you shut up", Ves yells at him. Moving his body a bit, he dodges the flying pillow that Ace had sent his way.


    "The two of you sound like roles cut out off The Outsiders, and for a reason", Ace snorts. Sitting up in his bed, he takes a sharp look at the two boys, his gaze stopping on Sam: "you, are you naked under there".


    "Yeah, so what?", Sam wraps his arms around his body, suddenly becoming more aware of the fact he''s barely wearing anything.


    "So, go and get dressed", Ace throws another pillow at him, "this isn''t a nudist camp, you know".


    "Whatever", Sam says taking a step back to avoid the flying projectile.


    "Well, Ace now that you''re out of the pillows, you can stop acting tough", Ves points out begrudgingly.


    "The two of you are really...", Ace sighs, "you two do realise you live with four other people, right?".


    "Hey, Joe and Teo aren''t here, so", Ves retorts.


    "Don''t get me started on those two", Ace rolls his eyes, "my fucking point is, you can''t just act as if no one else lives here".


    "Dude, you''re basically a houseplant", Ves protests, "a very loud and unbearable houseplant, do you even leave this fucking room?".


    "Hey, I''m not yelling around when others are trying to sleep", Ace points out.


    "Oh just stop already", Sam lets out a groan, "you guys are...".


    "What? What are we?", Ace looks at him firmly.


    "Yelling''s the only thing you know", Sam snaps at him, "seriously, you guys just can''t seem to talk like normal people, yelling at each other, threats and fights are your only means of communication".


    "Hey it''s not my fault you''re all asocial", Ace says, standing up.


    "Well, you do fit right in", Ves rolls his eyes, "so what does that say about you then?".


    "You''re one to talk", Ace basically runs up to him.


    "Yeah, why not", Ves is quick to step forward, showing the blond boy away.


    "Right, that''s just your style", Ace scoffs regaining his balance, "you can''t even talk, dude, you''re a maniac".


    "Hey, you''re the one picking the fight", Ves inches in closer.


    "No, I''m not, I''m trying to talk normally here", Ace steps back up to him, "but you just like acting all tough and shit". Looking straight into Ves''s eyes, Ace adds: "what, not gonna push me now".


    "Shut up", Ves says taking the smallest step back.


    "You two should stop acting like you''re in a toxic relationship", Sam scoffs.


    "Oh, what''s this about", Ace laughs, "since when do you have balls to talk like this buddy?".


    "Just stop it already", Sam says turning away.


    "Oh, come on now, don''t get upset", Ace says mockingly, "what''s wrong, Joe''s not here, so you''re in distress, huh, is that why you''re acting out".


    "What''s that supposed to mean", Sam looks at him sharply.


    "I''m just saying, you''ve been running after Joe like a puppy, for heaven''s sake he''s going to start keeping you in a pokeball soon, you know", Ace laughs.


    "That''s not true", Sam says, feeling a sting in his stomach.


    "Dude, he doesn''t even like you, you know", Ace steps away from Ves and comes in closer to Sam.


    "Well, he''s nice", Sam says insecurely, "unlike the rest of you".


    "Oh, he''s definitely something", Ace rolls his eyes, "he''s got you all obsessed for whatever reason".


    "Yeah, Sam, you are kind of obsessed with him", Ves points out.


    "You as well, Ves", Ace throws him a glare, "that whole ''I''ll beat you, Joe'' speach was homoerotic as fuck".


    "Shut the fuck up", Ves says flatly.


    "Why, you know, I think the two of you are in love with him", Ace laughs, "wait, is that why you''re acting like such fools right now? You''re just mad Teo''s on a date with your little boyfriend right now?".


    "Shut up Ace", Sam scoffs.


    "Yeah, dude, you talk too much for someone who said he doesn''t want to talk to us", Ves points out.


    "Well, I don''t want to be woken up on our day off, either, so there you have it", Ace says.


    "I wasn''t the one yelling", Sam points out, giving Ves a dry look.


    "Right, great, am I supposed to apologise for that as well?", Ves throws his hands in the air, "I''m sorry I raise my voice, like, ever".


    "It''s not about that and you know it, stop acting like a douchebag", Ace snaps at him.


    "Well, what is it about, then?", Ves retorts.


    "It''s about you being an asshole", Ace is quick to bring the other boy to a full stop. "You''re contantly commenting on everyone", he says, "putting us down, you''re either shoving people away or trying to burn them alive, and that doesn''t exactly work in making you likeable, you know".


    "Right, well, that''s what I''m trying to apologise for here", Ves says desperately, "but you''re not listening to me".


    "Yelling is not a way to apologise", Sam says crossing his arms.


    "And will you go and get some fucking clothes on already?", Ace turns his attention to him.


    "Shut up, Ace", Sam keeps his eyes on Ves. "You can''t just expect us to accept an apology, not after being a jerk to us".


    "Well, what else is there to do, I already said I''m sorry a thousand times", Ves wails, "besides, it''s not like I''ve ever said anything untrue, Teo and Joe think the two of you are dragging us down as well, you know"


    "Don''t drag them into this", Sam says slowly.


    "Why not?", Ves says, "they think you guys suck too, so why am I the only one who can''t say it?".


    "Wow, you really suck at apologising", Ace comments.


    "The two of them didn''t try to kill anyone", Sam points out.


    "Yet", Ace adds, "those two are trying to get us expelled, and I am already not talking to them either".


    "Well, y''all seem awfully chatty to me", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "Why are you so butthurt", Ace scoffs, "what, you want to be our friend all of a sudden, huh?".


    "I don''t", Ves yells, "and I don''t even know why I''m trying to apologise either, you guys are assholes".


    "Well, you can stop trying then", Ace scoffs.


    "Right, I will", Ves yells again, stomping towards the doors, "screw the two of you, I''m going to get some breakfast".


    "I''m going to get dressed", Sam says, firmly grabbing the handle to the bathroom doors.


    "Thank God", Ace exclaims, "and I will go back to sleep".


    "Good", Ves yells slamming the doors behind him.


    Sam, not quite sure what to do with the rage, slams the doors as well. He gets dressed quickly, noticing Yamper looking at him intently, his small body shivering. He''s forgotten Yamper was out of the pokeball this whole time. "Sorry you had to listen to all that", the boy coughs out an apology, recalling his partner. He''s not even sure the pokemon was in the room with them during the fight. He''ll need to pay better attention from now on.


    Alone, Sam makes quick way to the cafeteria. Ves is already there, sat and eating, so Sam makes sure he doesn''t look his way. He spots Henry and Marc in there as well, for a second he thinks about joining them, or saying hi, at least. He decides against it, they weren''t exactly close. He wished Dean was there with them. Dean was nice. Grabbing a packed lunch to eat on the go, the boy does his best not to storm right out of there. He is in a hurry, though. Once outside, a sense of relief hits him. The air grew a bit warmer, and he had brought a hoodie this time around. The plato in front of the dormitory was barren, and he quickly found an empty bench he could sit on.  Taking out his phone, his fingers quickly found Fred''s contact. Finger hovering over the video call button, he listened to the nauseous feeling in his stomach. Changing his mind, the boy scrolled down, finding a different contact.


    Few rings later, his phone flashed back, and within moments, a boy appeared, his image just a little bit blurred. Sam could make out the bags under his friend''s eyes. Warm pain spread across his body, numbing his hands, at the sight of a familiar face. "Hey, Pete", Sam said.


    "Hey buddy", the boy replied with a yawn, "what''s going on".


    Sam could not reply for a second. Just looking at Peter''s messy black hair, looking as greasy as ever, his dishelved plaid shirt, had him swearing it was only yesterday that they had seen each other last. "Not much, is it okay that I''m calling?", Sam says trying to hide weariness in his voice. Taking a better look at his friend''s surroundings he adds: "are you in school? I can call later?".


    "Yeah, but I came in early, classes start in 30 minutes, I have time", Peter says slowly, "is everything okay?".


    "Yeah, dude", Sam lies, "why you ask?".


    "Nothing", Peter rubs his eyes, and Sam gets hung up on small frame freezes that follow his movement, "it''s just weird you''re calling me, that''s all".


    "Why is that weird", Sam laughs a little, knowing the answer well enough.


    Peter stares at him, carefully adding: "I just thought you''d call Fred before me, did the two of you talk since you left?".


    "Yeah, yeah", Sam lies, "we did... and I''m calling you now, cause you know, I wanna talk to you as well, sorry for not calling earlier".


    "Eh, it''s fine", Peter says, eyeing him suspiciously, "I get it, you''ve been busy".


    "More than you know", Sam says with a sigh.


    "Is something going on?", Peter raises a suspicious eyebrow at him.


    "No, I mean yes", Sam says scratching his head, "well, you know how it is, new place, new people...".


    "Right, so everything''s fine?", Peter asks again.


    "Yes", Sam readily lies, "no need to worry about me, how are you doing?".


    "Well, I did stay in Twinleaf, so I''m mostly surrounded by the same people", Peter shrugs, "you know, not much to say, I''m pretty sure you''ve had much more interesting beginning to the year than me".


    "I just don''t want to end up talking about myself to much", Sam says almost apologetically.


    "Look", Peter sighs, "I... I''m going to be honest if you will, Sam".


    "Right, I''ve been honest though", Sam says, "is everything okay with you?".


    "Sam", Peter stares at him through the screen, "we''ve known each other for so long, I can tell when something''s not okay, you know?".


    "Yeah, well I can tell that too", Sam lowers his head.


    "Sam, you already know what''s going on here", Peter lets out a deep breath, "I mean, at least you should have an idea".


    "Right", Sam clears his throat. Wearily, he asks: "How''s Fred doing".


    "I wouldn''t know", Peter shrugs, "he''s kind of avoiding me right now, you know".


    "Really?", Sam says in surprise.


    "Really", Peter looks away, "these few days in school he''s been keeping his distance, mostly".


    "So what, the two of you are just not friends now?", Sam asks.


    "We talked a few times, in passing", Peter explains, "he basically says everything is fine between us every time, but he''s in a hurry and can''t talk".


    "Yeah, that''s how he replies to my texts as well", Sam sighs.


    "So you haven''t talked to him either", Peter nods knowingly.


    "I didn''t", Sam admits, "I''m... I really don''t know what''s up with him".


    "We do know, Sam", Peter scoffs.


    "Right", Sam coughs.


    "We do know why he doesn''t want to talk to you", Peter adds, "I have no idea why he''s avoiding me or Liam".


    "Hey, he''s avoiding Liam as well?", Sam says in surprise.


    "It seems so", Peter says lowly, "wouldn''t know much about it though, it''s not like Liam and I talk much either way".


    "Right, so Liam is...just gone", Sam says heavily.


    "Well, he''s basically too busy with basketball, it''s not that hard to understand", Peter shrugs, "when we didn''t get into Old King''s he just decided to chase another dream".


    "Yeah, he did always love basketball", Sam says scratching his head, "I mean I get it, it''s just strange, you know, it feels as if he''s been slowly dissappearing the whole summer".


    "Well, he kind of was", Peter says in a low voice.


    "I... it''s a bad thing to say, but I''m not sure if Liam and I were ever actually friends", Sam shoots out, "you know, I don''t remember ever talking to him that much".


    "I didn''t either", Peter points out, "and Sam, it''s not like you and I ever talked that much either".


    "Didn''t we?", Sam says.


    "We didn''t", Peter says slowly, "we were all mostly there for Fred".


    "Right", Sam says knowing this was the truth, "it''s still okay that I called?".


    "Yeah", Peter says shortly, "it''s okay".


    "You hate me too?", Sam says insecurely.


    "Not really", Peter shrugs, "I don''t have a reason to".


    "But it''s my fault", Sam says, "Fred''s acting like that because I''ve been accepted into the Old King''s instead of him".


    "I don''t think younwere accepted instead of him", Peter tries.


    "I was a single spot above him", Sam points out, "2 points ahead, I''m pretty sure he hates me now".


    "It''s not your fault", Peter says, "we all did our best, and you managed to pass, that''s all".


    "I know, but...", Sam starts.


    "No buts", Peter cuts him off, "Fred has only himself to blame, we all took the same test, you passed, we didn''t".


    "I wish you did", Sam admits.


    "I know", Peter says in understanding.


    "I mean, we always talked about this, and it feels weird that you guys are not here", Sam starts word vomiting, "and now I''m the only one here, and it feels strange, and people here are so different".


    "Calm down Sam", Peter laughs a little.


    "I just wish you guys were here", Sam says, "and we could be teammates, and pokemon trainers together".


    "Hey, we can always just pass the trainer bar and get a licence like that", Peter reassures him, "so it''s not like we''re doomed to never be pokemon trainers just cause we didn''t make it".Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Right, but you''ll have to wait four more years", Sam points out.


    "Right, and by that time you''ll already be in Master''s division, I''m sure", Peter laughs.


    "Are you actually fucking with me right now?", Sam smiles.


    "I am", Peter admits, "I mean, there''s no need to be dramatic about this, we didn''t make it this time around, but it''s not like going to school is the only path one can walk".


    "You''ve been watching those tarot reading online again", Sam laughs.


    "Indeed I did", Peter jumps up slightly.


    "So, in four years, we''ll be hitting up tournaments together", Sam says confidently.


    "We''ll see, maybe", Peter says, his voice turning flat.


    "Well, why a maybe?", Sam questions.


    "I''ve been thinking a lot, with Liam surrendering his life to basketball", Peter says, "that was always kind of his thing right?".


    "Right, he always loved it", Sam nods.


    "And pokemon battles were always Fred''s thing, and yours", Peter points out.


    "And yours as well", Sam reminds him.


    "I don''t know Sam", Peter admits, "I mean, I do like spectating, but I think I''ve always just went along with Fred and you".


    "What do you mean?", Sam says confused.


    "Well, the two of you were always into it, so I thought I was as well", Peter shrugs, "and I''ve been thinking a lot lately, now that I''m basically alone".


    "You''re not alone", Sam cuts him off.


    "Um, Fred and Liam are both ignoring me", Peter says in low voice, "I am very much alone".


    "I''m not ignoring you", Sam says.


    "You''re not here though", Peter points out.


    "Right", Sam nods, "I''m not".


    "Well, I''ve been thinking a lot", Peter says, "you know, seeing how happy you were when you got accepted, and how mad Fred was when he failed, I just kind of realised I didn''t care nearly as much".


    "Right, right", Sam nods along.


    "And now that you guys are not around me all the time, I''ve realised I don''t actually think about pokemon training all that much", Peter admits.


    "So you don''t want to be a pokemon trainer anymore?", Sam says feeling a stinge in his stomach.


    "I don''t know what I want, Sam", Peter says, "honestly, it''s just weird, you know, on one hand, I basically have no friends right now, on the other hand, I''ve realised how much I''ve just went along with the group, you know, I just followed you guys around".


    "Well, sorry you feel like that", Sam says.


    "Don''t be, it was a nice little dream", Peter laughs, "but as it turns out, I needed to lose you to find me".


    "Did you seriously just reference Selena Gomez on me?", Sam laughs.


    "I did", Peter says, "is that a crime".


    "Oh, no, no", Sam says, "I was just thinking, you''d love Ace".


    "And Ace would be one of your new friends?", Peter inquiries.


    "A teammate, he''s referencing movies all the time", Sam explains, "pretty sure we''re not friends, though".


    "What, so you''re in the same boat as me then", Peter raises his eyebrow, "cmon, Sam, you''re much better at making friends than I am, don''t tell me you don''t get along with your teammate".


    "Well, these people are... different", Sam admits, "I don''t think I have any friends here".


    "Really?", Peter''s voice gets filled with worry.


    "I mean, there''s a guy on my team that''s nice to me, but he''s a... he''s a bit strange, the other three are not exactly frinedly", Sam explains, "I mean, there''s also Dean, he''s cool, but we''re not on the same team, so I don''t think we''re friends".


    "Fraternising with the enemy, huh", Peter says, "maybe that''s why your teammates don''t like you, buddy".


    "Hey, I''m not", Sam says, "besides, I only met Dean becaucause some guy on his team, Lesley, is a a friend of Ace, or not really a friend, I mean, they are definitely something, but anyways, Lesley challenged Joe, cause Lesley likes battling, and Joe is also kind of a battle maniac, so he accepted, and we had a tag team battle".


    "Alright, stop now please, I don''t know any of those people", Peter waves his hand around, "what I gather from this, you''ve gotten into a battle with some battle maniacs, right, how''d that go".


    "Well, Lesley battled Ace, and won", Sam explains, "and Joe and I battled Henry and Marc, and we won, I mean, I got knocked out, but Joe took out Marc and then it was one on one between him and Henry, and the two of them are literal monsters, I think".


    "Alright, alright, no need to reconstruct the entire battle for me", Peter laughs, "so the point is, there are strong guys there".


    "There are stromg girls as well", Sam''s really gotten into it, "some girl, Natasha, washed Lesley yesterday, and he''s actually pretty good too, him and some Andrei guy had a battle against Joe and Ves, and they were giving them some real trouble".


    "Okay, wait up, I still don''t know any of those people, and I''m starting to get a little bit lost", Peter says.


    "Well, Joe and Ves are my teammates, they are both pretty strong", Sam explains, "and they did beat them in the end, it was very cool".


    "So you like at least two of your teammates then, that''s good", Peter sighs, clearly not able to make too much of Sam''s rambling.


    "Well, no, I mean, after that, Ves attacked Joe, so now no one''s talking to him", Sam doesn''t catch onto his friends attempt to shorten the story, "and Joe, I mean, Joe is nice, but he''s... he''s a bit cold, and I don''t think he likes anyone, really".


    "Okay, Sam, okay", Peter says, "you''ve known these people for like 4 days, maybe they need more time".


    "Well, I don''t know, Ace has already stated he doesn''t want to talk to anyone, Ves could''ve killed Joe, and Joe is kind of a... he''s nice but he''s not a good person", Sam admits.


    "What do you mean?", Peter asks.


    "He just wants to do whatever he pleases, he''s breaking rules all of the time, he did beat Ves, Ace and me in a three against one battle on day two, and he''s escaped from the island with Teo this morning, cause the two of them wanted to go shopping", Sam spits out, "and Teo, well, Teo''s just Teo, but he''s... I don''t know".


    "Sam, you''re complicating things", Peter sighs.


    "You remember those guys we''d see around parks at night?", Sam breathes out, "those guys you want to stay away from?".


    "I do", Peter nods, "those would be called punks".


    "Well, Teo and Joe just seem like those kind of guys sometimes", Sam admits.


    "Right, well, lucky you", Peter says scratching his head, "so... you''re not getting along with your teammates, that''s basically the gist of it".


    "Yeah, we have a deal not to talk to each other right now, techinacally, though they keep breaking in order to argue", Sam explains, "and besides, I talk to Joe, and Teo as well, I think?".


    "You talk to the two punks?", Peter reiterates, "that''s... a bold choice, buddy".


    "Not exactly a choice", Sam shrugs, "I mean the other two... are just complicated honestly, they are all so complicated".


    "So, you''re not doing well?", Peter asks.


    "I don''t know", Sam sighs, "I have no idea, I just... this was not what I was expecting, you know".


    "Right, I get it, I could say the same", Peter looks around the hallway.


    "Yeah, it would be cool if we all stayed together", Sam says, "the four of us, then whoever was fifth wouldn''t really matter".


    "That''s nice to think about, but it''s not how it is", Peter reminds him. Catching Sam''s spirit sinking even lower he adds: "look, Sam, just keep pushing through, eventually, they''ll see who you are, and you''ll do well, alright?".


    "I don''t know Pete, I don''t think I can see who I am any longer", Sam says in defeat, "I... I haven''t been myself lately, I can barely manage to utter a word to these guys, I feel nervous all the time, and I''ve been getting carried away in their arguments as well".


    "Sam, it''s just the beginning, it will be alright", Peter tries to calm him down, "it''s all new to you, that''s why you''re nervous, and it''s new for them too, that''s why they are like that, you''ll get through to them with time, I know you".


    "How do you know me?", Sam asks.


    "We''re friends", Peter says.


    "Are we?", Sam questions, "you know I only called you because I knew Fred wouldn''t pick up".


    "I do", Peter says, "honestly, I was surprised you called me, it''s not like we talk that much".


    "We''ve all just been revolving around Fred since we were kids, didn''t we?", Sam smiles weakly.


    "Mostly, yeah", Peter says.


    "You know, maybe he''s right to be mad at me", Sam says, "he probably should''ve gotten in instead of me, he''d do much better than me".


    "Don''t say that", Peter rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, I haven''t won a single battle since I''ve gotten here", Sam says, "not on my own, at least, everyone just keeps knocking me out all the time, and I can''t seem to make a move".


    "Really?", Peter laughs, "you actually suck that much?".


    "Well, I did manage to do a few things in the last battle I had", Sam traces a finger down his cheek, "I even knocked out my opponent".


    "See, so it''s not all so bleak", Peter shrugs.


    "Guess you''re right, but everyone else just seems to be so much better at this than I am", Sam says.


    "I don''t know what to say buddy, get good", Peter says playfully.


    "Hey, I never knew you could be such a jerk", Sam laughs.


    "Yeah, well, you don''t know a lot about me", Peter smiles at him.


    "Yeah, that''s true", Sam says, "it''s okay if we talk like that sometimes, right?".


    "Well, I''m not exactly mister popular as of right now, so having someone to talk to would be nice", Peter says.


    "Right, same thing here", Sam says softly.


    "Hey, one more thing, then I have to go", Peter says enthusiastically, "you should introduce me to your partner pokemon, you did get one, right?".


    "Um, right, I did", Sam says taken aback, "but didn''t I semd you a picture already". Rembering better, he shifts in his place: "no, right, I sent it to Fred".


    "Clearly, you have a favourite", Peter rolls his eyes playfully, "cmon, just show me, I wanna know what you''ve got".


    "Alright, alright", Sam says with a smile, taking Yamper''s pokeball out of his pocket and releasing his partner. The small dog yelps happily, as Sam invites him to clim on his lap. "This is Bolt", Sam says proudly, as Yamper takes a curiois peek at the screen.


    "Oh, an electric type", Peter says as he watches Yamper swing his legs energetically, "yeah, that adds up".


    "Right, he''s great", Sam says, noticing his partner''s tongue reach for his friend''s face. "Hey, stop that, don''t lick-", Sam says grabbing Yamper''s jaw, just to quickly jerk his hand away in pain. "Dide, he shocked me", the boy cries out.


    "And I suppose he licked me as well", Peter bursts out laughing.


    "Um, yes, yes he did", Sam says with a grin, "I''ll have to wipe my screan real good".


    "Hey, I love your partner already", Peter points out, "at least you have him".


    "Yeah", Sam nods, "at least I have him".


    "Right", Peter''s voice turns insecure, "guess I''ll be the one hanging up then, since your phone is covered in spit".


    "That would be good", Sam admits, "I''ll call you, you can call too, whenever you want".


    "Alright buddy", Peter says, waving at him with a small smile, "have a nice day, and I''ll see you later".


    "Right, see you later", Sam takes a second too long to respond, his words linger against the hang-up screen.


    "Well, that was something for sure", he hears a voice above him. Jolting around, he finds himslef face to face with a culprit. A lean boy, looking a bit older than Sam, gives him a warm smile. Running his fingers through his mullet, he says: "sorry if I scared you".


    "You were eavesdropping?", Sam shifts in his seat uncomfortably.


    "Not exactly", the boy laughs, "I mean, I was just sitting there, and you were not exactly quiet".


    "Still, not cool", Sam scoffs.


    "Oh, cmon, I''m sorry for sticking my nose in your bussines", the boy says lightly, deciding to land himslef right next to Sam, giving Yamper a quick pinch on the cheek. Small dog quickly retracts, digging his head into Sam''s hoodie. "Name''s Stanley by the way", the boy winks at Sam.


    "Sam", the boy gives a short reply.


    "So, Sam, I hear you''re having some trouble", Stanley smiles at him.


    "It''s none of your bussines", Sam says sharply. Stanley''s leisurely demeanor is highly off-putting, as far as the strangers go, nosy ones weren''t exactly Sam''s favourite, especially not in this school.


    "Oh, come on", Stanley scratches his head, "I''m just trying to be nice here, you know".


    "Why would you do that?", Sam responds with a dry smile.


    "Just for the hell of it", the boy shrugs.


    "Right", Sam says suspiciously.


    "Hey, now, we''re all in the same boat here you know, we''re all new here, you know", Stanley says, leaning in closer, "maybe I have my problems too, you know".


    "You''re a first year?", Sam asks, mostly because he''s not sure how else he''d respond. And Stanley does seem a bit older.


    "Yeah, and isn''t it fun", Stanley shifts his face into a dry grimace, "first year of high school, huh, definitely not like the movies".


    "I don''t know", Sam shrugs, "feels like a beginning of a horror drama for me personally". He chuckles lightly at his own joke.


    "Oh, yeah, mine feels like very boring documentary", Stanley laughs.


    "Right, well, what''s up with you?", Sam raises his eyebrow.


    "Well, I''m the weakest guy on my team you know", Stanley''s shoulders go tense, but he''s still smiling, "so that''s fun, and it doesn''t help that the rest of my teammates are like, experts, don''t know if you get me".


    "Oh, now you''re just lying", Sam says, "you''ve heard me talk about that as well, right".


    Stanley gives him a look of genuine surprise, bringing his right hand to his chest: "honest to God, no, I mean I did hear you, but I tried not to pay attention, you know".


    "So you did hear it", Sam raises an eyebrow.


    "Not sure", Stanley laughs, "even if I did, it didn''t register, honestly".


    "Right", Sam clears his throat, deciding he doesn''t want the conversation going back to him, "so, you''re having trouble with your teammates".


    "Nah, wouldn''t call it trouble", Stanley admits, "I mean, it''s not like they give a shit, you know, they''re all pretty confident our team will pass regardless of how I do, so they don''t really care".


    "Well, then, what are you complaining about?", Sam scoffs, "my teammates complain constantly".


    "That must suck, having to listen to them", Stanley admits, "but even if I don''t have to hear it, I still know I''m the weakest link, you know".


    "Yeah, guess that sucks too", Sam scratches his head apologetically. A sting of guillt raises through his body. Maybe he had judged Stanley too soon.


    A loud beep coming from Stanley''s phone props the boy to take it out. He looks over the screen. "Oh, speaking of my teammates", he says abesntmindedly as he starts typing away, "here they are, informing me of my schedule for the day".


    "You guys have a schedule?", Sam says.


    "Well, it''s not exactly a schedule, more like, them deciding they want to train and informing me I have to come along", Stanley admits, "apparently, I have to be in the training center in an hour".


    "So, you guys all train together?", Sam questions, thinking back to his own teammates. One of them is currently fast asleep, one of them is having a very bitter breakfast, and the other two are in the middle of the ocean. "That must be nice", Sam says lowly.


    "Trust me, it''s not", Stanley laughs, "basically, I just end up watching them and feeling incompetent".


    "Yeah, I get it", Sam admits, "it sucks".


    "It does", Stanley confirms, "and how are things on your end".


    "Well, I''m literally the last one in the rankings", Sam decides to admit. It''s not like Stanley couldn''t have found that out himself. "So you can imagine how that goes", he adds, rolling his eyes.


    "Oh, that''s rough", Stalney keeps laughing, "so I take it you get a lot of shit".


    "Yeah", Sam nods, "I guess it''s not all without reason though, I''m not really good at battling".


    "Oh, come on, don''t say that", Stanley wraps his arm around him, "we haven''t even been pokemon trainers for a full week, you know".


    "Well, my teammates are much better than me", Sam admits, "some of them".


    "Mine are better than me as well, so what", Stanley shrugs, "doesn''t mean I''m bad, or that I will never get better".


    "Guess you''re right", Sam forces a smile.


    "Of course I am", Stanley says firmly, typing away on his phone again. He stops, giving Sam a conspiring look: "hey, how about you and I have a battle?".


    "A battle?", Sam says in surprise, "like right now?".


    "Yeah, I mean, I have almost an hour free", Stanley shrugs, "and you don''t really seem like you have any plans".


    "Well, I don''t", Sam scratches his head.


    "Good, then we can have a battle", Stanley raises his finger, "it will be good way for both of us to gain experiance".


    "Um, but do we have time?", Sam points out, "I mean, we have to find a professor and all of that, and we don''t have classes today, so I don''t know where we would find them".


    "Oh", Stanley says in surprise, "right, about that, most of the professors won''t referee my battles, they don''t exactly like my partner, you know".


    "Oh, right, right", Sam nods along, "I know, so they are all really like that".


    "Unfortunately", Stanley scratches his head, "so um, I hoped you''d be okay with bending the rules a bit".


    "I don''t know", Sam drops his voice lower. He could almost hear Ace yelling at him.


    "I mean, cmon, everybody''s doing it", Stanley sighs, "you know, this system is kind of unfair, and we all have to work around it".


    "Yeah, it kind of is rigged", Sam ackowledges, "well, I guess, since we''re all kind of in the similar boat...". It wouldn''t be his first time breaking rules, Sam thought, and Stanley seemed trustworthy. Besides, he was itching for a chance to battle again. After facing off Mai and Leah yesterday, he felt as if he grew just a little bit." I guess I''m cool with it", the boy decided.


    "Great", Stanley shoot up from the bench, "let''s go then". Typing away on his phone, he made sure Sam was following: "cmon, I know a place".


    Quick walk later, Stanley led Sam into a small garden, just a mile away from boy''s dormitory. The two made their way inside through one of many widenings in the iron fences, walking through the walls of bushes into an opening. The space was under rule of weeds, but the bushes kept it hidden from the outside. The spot was, once upon a time, planned to be used as a sort of nursery, Stanley explained. The school board thought the students needed to gain some experiance in nurturing pokemon, and it would allow for an on-island source of wild pokemon. They had thought grass and bug types would be suitable subject for such an attempt, but were ultimately proven wrong after a series of poisoning and almost deathly alergic reactions. The project was abondoned shortly after, but they never bothered to get rid of this place. Stanley seemed exceedingly proud of knowing all of this, Sam thought.


    "Anyways, we have to be quick", Stanley whisper-yells, taking his position, "people usually don''t come here, especially not this early in the morning, but it can still happen".


    "Alright, I''m ready", Sam says with a smile, standing opposite of him. As Yamper happily takes his battle stance, Sam realises this is the first time he feels excited to get into a battle. He knew what to do.


    "Alright, here I come then", Stanley says, readily throwing out his pokeball, "let''s go, Axew". A small dragon type appeared on the feel, a look in his eyes almost sinister. Sam couldn''t help noticing its fangs.


    "Hey, an Axew, that''s super rare", Sam says almost too loudly.


    "Right", Stanley says with a smirk, "and I''m warning you, we''re not weak either".


    "Alright, then, we''ll start", Sam is ready to go, "Bolt, use Howl".


    "Okay, then, use Hone Claws, Axew", Stanley commands. "Two can play that game, buddy", he winks at Sam.


    Deciding to take a page from Joe''s book, Sam doesn''t waste time answering. "Nuzzle, now", he demands instead. Yamper is quick to react, starting his run-up. As he watches sparks gather around his partner''s legs, Sam feels his confidence grow. Axew line is rare and strong for sure, but this unenvolved form is not the fiercest opponent. Yamper wouldn''t have a problem with matching its speed.


    "Well, that''s not going to fly", Stanley says firmly, "dodge it, then use Thief". Axew, with a nimble movement, get out of Yamper''s way, quickly digging its black-flashing-claw into the small dog''s side. "Now, Hone Claws, again", Stanley yells, Yamper howls out in pain.


    "Get away, Bolt", Sam commands, realising the trouble he''s in. Yamper needed to gain some distance for Nuzzle to work, getting in close from the start was a mistake.


    "No running, you''re mine now", Stanley exclaims, "Scratch, now".


    "Dodge it", Sam says desperatly, but it''s no use. There''s no missing from that distance, especially not after setting up Hone Claws twice. He can only watch as Axew''s claws rip across Yamper''s fur.


    "Now, finish him, Scratch, again", Stanley orders up.


    "Use Bite, counter him", Sam tries, thinking there might be a way to intercept. Yamper tosses around wildly, clenching his jaw, but Axew proves to be too agile, easily avoiding the attack before landing the finishing blow. As Yamper''s limp body hit the ground, Sam immediately run up to his partner.


    "Hey, it was a good battle", Stanley says, still standing in his place.


    "Yeah, yeah, it was", Sam tries to keep his spirit high, as he softly pets Yamper, before recalling him. He needs to hit up the pokemon center.


    A flash of blue he sees in the corner of his eyes means Stanley has recalled Axew as well. "Hey, really, it was good", the boy''s voice comes from above him now, "you were just a bit hasty there, that''s all".


    "Yeah, right", Sam clears his throat, standing up to face his opponent, "guess there''s a reason I''m last on the list, huh".


    "Well, maybe", Stanley laughs, "but I wouldn''t threat it too much, you know, we''ve been here for less than a week, may I remind you".


    "Guess you''re right", Sam scratches his head. Excitement and dissapointment mix inside him in the weirdest way possible. He lost, yet again. But he actually managed to do something this time, on his own. Though, he''d be much happier if one of his attacks actually landed.


    "Well, I have to go now", Stanley says checking his phone, "my teammates love to come a bit early, don''t mind me. You do know your way back, right?".


    "Right, I do", Sam confirms, as he watches Stanley hurriedly approach the bushes. "Hey", he says behind him, "thanks dude, I hope we can battle again".


    "Oh, yeah", Stanley says, giving him a quick look, "sure dude no trouble, this was fun".


    "Yeah, it was", Sam says with a smile, quickly making his way to the bushes as well, following Stanley out into the open.


    "Well, gotta jolt now", Stanley gives him a quick smile, "in a hurry, sorry".


    "Yeah, no worries, I get it", Sam waves him off, "I better hit up the pokemon center as well". Stanley gives him a short wave in return, before turning around and basically sprinting towards the main building. Sam stands there for a second, dumbfounded and waiting for him to dissapear from his sight. He''s supposed to go in the same direction, and it feels stupid just following after the guy. Moments later, he starts walking as well.


    Inside the pokemon center, he comes up with a quick lie about his Yamper being too tired from the training in order to get him healed. He notices the nurse''s glance, but doesn''t pay it much mind. They all probably already knew the students were having battles that were against the rules. They knew how this school worked. Besides, Yamper''s injuries weren''t that specific, he took a few Scratch attacks, that''s all, even if they took him out of the pokeball for inspection, his injuries could easly be written off.


    Waiting for the healing to be over, he mostly thought about people. Fred and Peter, and even Liam kept crossing his mind. For the most times, he just kept thinking about his teammates. It couldn''t be helped. As he watched the rest of the students walk together in groups of five, waves of hurt started washing over him. This was what he wanted. He watched as one group of boys sat at the pokemon center couch, happily chatting away. They were visibly older than him, and seemed very close. Aware that he was in there all alone, he wiped the sweat off of his palms. Imagining his friends and himself on that couch, just talking away, didn''t help. It could''ve been like that. Fred, Peter, Liam and him, they could''ve been like that, he saw it so clearly, a what-if vision stabbimg into his chest restlessly. His mind kept craving those phantom of a perfect world, and the boy slowly sunk deeper into it. If it was up to him, the four of them would be there, and number five would be Dean. And that would be perfect. But it wasn''t, and he knew it wasn''t. He''s watched things fall apart for the whole summer, thinking he could ignore him. But now his friends weren''t there, Fred was ignoring him, and he was stuck with four other guys that had seemed so foreign. Maybe he was the one who was foreign, and that was the worst part. Somewhere deep inside, he couldn''t fight it. Peter tried convincing him, and even Stanley did, that there was time. But what if there wasn''t? He lost again. He hasn''t won a single battle since he came here. Sure, not everyone was on the same level, but he felt as if he''s always a few steps behind everyone else. What if it just stays that way forever?


    Walking out of the pokemon center, his thoughts were in shambles. Day had just begun, the way it''s supposed to. Few aimless steps in front of the main building, he heard somebody yelling after him. "Hey, Sam, Sam!", he recognised Marc''s voice immediately.


    Turning around he saw the blond boy running up to him, with Henry following close by, his Mienfoo in step. Dean was not with them, unfortunately. "Hey, dudes", Sam summoned up some enthusiasm.


    "Yo, you wanna come train with us?", Marc shoves an energetic high five his way, "Hen and I were just about to go into the training center, then we''ll go and have a battle".


    "Maybe don''t yell out that last part", Henry reminds him.


    "Right, I forgot", Marc says with a scoff.


    Thinking about the invite, Sam feels a bit nervous. Stanley was in the training center right now, he knew. "Um, no, really not up for that, thanks for invite", he says deciding that going in after his new friend might make him look desparate, "I think I''ll just train outside".


    "Right, that''s cool as well", Marc scratches his head, looking sincerely dissapointed.


    "The important thing is you train", Hemry nods in understanding, his Mienfoo mimicing the gesture.


    "Right, I will", Sam says, "where''s Dean, by the way, and Lesley? And Andrei as well?".


    "Oh, those three have their own very delicate dynamic that Marc and I stay out of", Henry says with a hint of a smile.


    "Right, Lesley is constantly bugging Andrei, Andrei is telling him to fuck off", Marc raises his finger, "and Dean makes sure the two of them don''t kill each other".


    "Right, well, seems like your team functions at least", Sam laughs.


    "Yeah, it''s tricky, but we make do", Henry admits.


    "Yeah, well, the two of us are actually the powerhouses of the team", Marc points out, "we just let Lesley believe he''s the lead, you know, the two of us are actually smarter and stronger, and much better looking".


    "Techinaclly, Lesley is the smartest, his test scores are the highest", Henry points out, "and Marc, he did beat you in battle twice".


    "Well, I won twice as well against him", Marc says defensively, "so we''re at a tie".


    "Since you have a dark type and he has a psychic type, I''d say his wins over you hold much more weight", Henry says.


    "Oh, cmon, Lesley''s not the best on our team", Marc complains.


    "That''s not what I said", Henry shrugs, "I am the best, Lesley is second".


    "Right, so what, I''m the third place then?", Marc scoffs.


    "Exactly", Henry nods, "I mean he did manage to squeeze one win against me, which none of you ever did".


    "Okay, but he has an advantage over you", Marc points out.


    "Wouldn''t say that that matters", Henry says simply, "a win is a win".


    "Oh, so now a win is a win", Marc yells, "but when I tie him, then the types matter?".


    "Marc, you do understand that Lesley is playing with a handicap right now?", Henry gives him a calculated look, "Spoink isn''t exactly the best pick for a pokemon battles you know, he might be a bit annoying, but Lesley''s doing exceptionally well with what he has been given".


    "Right", Marc''s energy drops.


    "I mean, look at Dean and Andrei", Henry goes on, "their partners aren''t exactly suited for battles either, and they are struggling, Lesley, on the other hand, is the one who can overcome his adversity".


    "Alright, I get it, Lesley''s good", Marc wails in defeat, "I knew he was good, you know, he''s just a bit annoying, that''s all".


    "Well, your team is interesting", Sam joins in on their little scuffle, "with us there''s not too much thinking, Joe''s the best, then Ves, and Ace would be third I guess".


    "Oh, yeah, Joe is an absolute monster", Marc says, "he''s definitely on par with Henry, he beat me like three times in a row yesterday".


    "Oh, right, you guys went your own yesterday", Sam remembers. A sting in his stomach he adds: "are you guys like, friends now, or?".


    "I... I''m not sure", Marc scratches his head, "I mean, Joe''s a cool guy, but he''s hard to read, him and Hen are the same when it comes to that, you just don''t know if they like you or not". Sam feels a bit better knowing he''s not the only one getting this kind of treatmant from Joe.


    "Hey, since we''re talking about Joe", Henry says, "tell him there''s a tournament tomorrow, it starts at noon, I''m pretty sure he''s going to want to come and watch".


    "Right, Lesley told us about it last night", Marc adds, "and we didn''t get to tell him, you know".


    "What kind of tournament?", Saam tilts his head in confusion, his nerves jolting at the sheer mention of the word.


    "Oh, the 16 best ranked students in the fourth year decided to set up an exhibition tournament", Henry says, "and apparently, they got professors to agree to make it a half-official thing".


    "Right, it will be held in the school''s stadium", Marc points out, "and spectators are allowed, I''m sure Joe would like to come watch, especially since the little four is taking part, you know".


    "What''s the little four?", Sam''s even more confused now.


    "Oh, you don''t know?", Marc says, "well, they are just a bunch of very strong guys".


    "They are the four best ranked students in the fourth year", Henry stops Marc''s explanation, "they say they were prodigies ever since they came to Old King''s, they reminded people of the elite four, so they started calling them the little four".


    "Oh, so they are like super strong", Sam says deep in thought, "wait, is Joe like the part of little four in our year then?".


    "No, you don''t get it", Henry shakes his head, "these guys are something else".


    "Right, the current fourth year is something else, that''s what Lesley says", Marc nods, "they call them the golden generation".


    "The entire year is full of the strongest trainers Old King''s ever seen", Henry confirms, "and these four have been at the top ever since their first year, that''s what the school mythos says, at least".


    "Right, last year, when they were third years, they set up a tournament with fourth years", Marc explains.


    "And how did it go?", Sam''s gotten sucked into the urban legend.


    "The golden generation beat them into the ground", Henry says, "it wasn''t even close".


    "Wait, really?", Sam says in surprise, "that has to be a lie".


    "No", Marc says, "there are official recording of the battles in the school library".


    "Yeah, they are pretty hard to get though", Henry confirms, "Lesley managed to take out one of them on our first day, so we''ve watched one of the battles".


    "Unfortunately, it wasn''t anyone from the little four", Marc says in a dissapointed tone, "those are like, super hard to get".


    "Lesley did manage to dig up one of their tournaments from the first year though", Henry says, "and yeah, any member of the little four at our age could probably take on both Marc and I, and Joe along with us, and it wouldn''t even be close".


    "Well, okay, now", Marc crosses his arms, "now you''re taking it a bit too far, the three of us would put up a good fight".


    "We would lose, and you would fall first", Henry says simply.


    "Right", Marc scoffs, "the point is, they are super strong, and you guys should come watch".


    "Yeah, just tell Joe when he comes back from Lilicove", Henry says, "I don''t know if we''ll have time to catch him in the morning".


    "Um, what", Sam says turning red, "Joe''s in our room, sleeping".


    "Yeah, right", Marc laughs, "calm down dude, he told us about his little trip".


    "Yeah, no need to worry", Henry nods, "it''s not like we''d rat you off".


    "Yeah, you guys are currently the only ones we can trust to go and have an illegal battle with", Marc states.


    "Right, it would be stupid to get rid of you guys now", Henry shrugs.


    "Though Andrei did suggest we do that", Marc scratches his head.


    "But no one''s listening to Andrei, no worries", Henry is quick to give reassurance.


    "Right, right", Sam says taking a step back, "I... I''ll make sure I tell the other guys". At this point, Sam not even sure if his teammates ever listen to a thing he says, but he makes a promise regardless. All this talk about getting rid of them starts wrecking his nerves. He did just have a battle with a guy he had barely met. Stanley did seem nice, though, Sam calmed himself down. "I gotta go now", the boy gave a quick excuse, "gonna do some training as well".


    "We''ll be off as well, then", Henry says rotating in place, ready to go.


    "Yeah, see you around Sam", Marc gives him a small wave, before practically dragging Henry into the main building. Those two are definitely into it, Sam thinks.


    Releasing Yamper on the spot, the boy can see his partner is all healed up. There''s a nauseous itch in him to do some training, all this thoughts and talks of other strong trainers doesn''t bore well on his psyche. Yamper seems to be out of it though, and the boy remembers he hasn''t fed his pokemon yet. Feeling guilty, he recalls Yamper again, making a quick way to the market street. It''s his first time visiting, the place is basically just a street crowded with mostly food-related shops. Walking around he checks windows of different shops. A few botiques, a barber shop, even a cinema was available to the students on the island. A laser-tag and the arcade reminded of his friends yet again. The ice cream shop dug that dagger even deeper. Ice cream was, unfortunately, not an acceptable breakfast. Now that he had a pokemon, he''d have to act responsibly. He picked out a small shop that had a sign offering a special deal on the combo meal - meat salad for the trainers and a mix bowl of pokeblocks and pokepuffs for their partner. It was financially acceptable offer too, not that he had too much money on him. He did come to regret not picking up any pokemon food in the cafeteria as soon as his wallet became a few pokedollars lighter. Yamper seemed to be ecstatic about getting a special treat, so maybe it was worth it. His salad tasted great as well, the boy hadn''t realised how hungry he was.


    Walking out of the shop, he decided to get an ice cream as well. He deserved it. After all, he''s survived this social hell hole of a high school for four days straight. Sparing no expenses, he took three scoops, two chocolate ones, with a pecha berry one placed in the middle. It was absolute heaven. Yamper didn''t seem to like it though. The pokemon did like the sitrus berry flavour one that Sam had gotten him either. The boy ended up eating that one as well. It was goddamn good, and he couldn''t put his finger down on why his partner didn''t like it. Maybe Yamper just doesn''t like ice cream in general, the boy came to a rather painful conclusion.


    The rest of his day went by slowly. He went for another run, opting to run on the beach this time. Sand might be a better surface for Yamper, it''s softer,


    and harder to run on. That should help his partner increase his speed a bit faster. It was not the most pleasant experiance, as the sand kept getting into his shoes and eyes constantly. Yamper didn''t seem to like it either. On his run, he found a few trees that looked about ready to be Nuzzled. He was quick to give up on that idea. It''s not like that kind of training bore much results for him. Nuzzle isn''t going to get much stronger, not when his partner can''t gain speed. He sticks to running, for most of the day really. He doesn''t really wish to go back to the dorm. Not when Ace and Ves are there alone, both breathing fire, probably. Making a few breaks for rest and eating, he just keeps running the entire day. Sam had never thought he''d catch himself wishing the classes were on.


    Sitting down on the sand, he watched as the sky turned pink. Doing his best to even out his breathing, he recalled Yamper, who seemed to be on the verge of fainting. They ended up spending the whole day outside, training. Sam didn''t take it to hard, he was used to being active, and he had some unresolved issues fueling him. His partner, on the other hand, evidently wasn''t a trained runner, and the boy was scared that he might''ve pushed him too far. With a wish of buying another treat, he checked his wallet, only to discover that he''ll probably stick to cafeteria food for the following few days. Maybe Teo and Joe pick up some treats during their little escapade.


    In the sky, he sees a black blob. A pokemon, he concludes, and not a small one either. As the black shadow starts growing bigger and bigger, Sam clutches onto his pokeball. The island is supposed to be rid of wild pokemon, he knew that. It dawned on him that that was not a guarantee, it''s not like they had a way of keeping the flying pokemon out. Fear growing in him, he was praying a rocket would come shooting from the school building, taking out the black blob. Theere were no rockets, and the shadow just kept growing bigger and bigger. Picking himslef up from the ground, and dusting off sand, Sam was ready to run from it. Not sure if he could outrun a flying type, and this one seemed to be rather fast. Growing bigger, he could recognise the pokemon. Mandibuzz. Not good, he thought, turning on his heel, ready to jolt, but he stopped mid-step. On Mandibuzz''s back, he saw a shape of a person. A sense of relief washed over him. It was a trained pokemon. He faced it with curiosity now that he knew.


    The vulture approached the shore at rapid pace, coming to a full stop just a few feet away from Sam. Using his arm as a sand shield, Sam peeked out to see who was riding the flying and dark type. To his surprise, it was professor Nolan. The man was standing tall next to his pokemon, fixing his yellowish trench coat, a carry-on bag hanging from one of his shoulder.


    "Um, hello", Sam''s not sure what''s the right way to react, "hello professor".


    "Hello", Professor says not looking up at him, "Sam, right?".


    "Yeah, that''s right", Sam scratches his head, "um, I''m sorry". The boy''s not sure what he''s apologising for.


    "Everything''s alright", professor says, giving him a discerning look. "No worries", the man says, "you didn''t see anything you weren''t supposed to, I''m a professor, I can leave the island whenever I want to, you know".


    "Right, right", Sam wasn''t quite sure that was the sole reason for his confusion.


    "What, you didn''t expect something like this from me", professor Nolan laughs lightly, fixing his glasses in the process.


    "Um, I... don''t know", Sam confesses, "I... thought you weren''t a trainer, so".


    "Oh, no, no, I most definitely not", professor reassures him, "I am a historian though, so I have a pokemon holder license".


    "Right", Sam says still confused, "I didn''t know that was a thing".


    Professor sighs. "I am an official member of the research unit of world''s historian''s society", his explanation seems practiced, "we get assigned pokemon partners to help with the field work".


    "Okay, I didn''t mean to insult you, I''m sorry", Sam''s cheeks turn red, "I just...didn''t think historians need pokemon".


    "Well, they tend to come in handy when you''re visiting archeological sites and similar spots", professor says with a laugh, "and can be quite a handy mode of transportation, which you''ve seen already". The man recalls his Mandibuzz.


    "Right, yes, you''re right", Sam coughs, "I just didn''t expect it, that''s all, especially since you have a dark type, and I thought you didn''t really like those".


    "I do not, in fact", professor nods, "however, Mandibuzz is a very capable flyer, they do reside in rather hars environments, you know, that''s why the association often assignes them to their members".


    "Right, that... that makes sense", Sam says in embarrassment.


    "In fact it does", professor''s mouth twists into a confident smile, "what makes no sense is why would a kid be hanging out at a beach all alone". Giving him a knowing glance over his glasses: "I take it you didn''t come out here with an idea of being a welcoming committee for your mentor".


    "I was just doing some training", Sam explains, "that''s all".


    "Right, most kids tend to train with their team", professor clears his throat, "guess I''m not surprised you''re out here alone, though".


    "Why?", Sam asks, utterly confused.


    "Your teammates are... a rather curious bunch", the man points out.


    "Oh, you mean what happened in our introductory meeting?", Sam scratches his head, "yeah, that was definitely a bit uncomfortable, but they are... it''s not like they are bad". Sam''s not sure why he''s defending the other four boys, especially he doesn''t believe these defences himself.


    "It''s a complicated topic, I get it", professor sighs, "you are all kids after all, it wouldn''t be fair to come to the conclusion on your characters so soon, but still...". Stopping for a bit to look into the sand, professor thinks his next words through. "I am a historian, reading people is a part of the job sometimes, Sam", he decides, "I''ve mentored a few generations as well, you know, it''s not like I can''t see some things".


    "What things do you see?", Sam asks.


    "Sometimes, Sam, things aren''t perfect", professor claims distantly, "the personality test is a good idea in theory, but it is flawed in practice".


    "What do you mean, flawed?", Sam inches in closer, as if the man''s words are drawing him in.


    "It''s simple math, it''s impossible to create 30 teams that work well together", professor continues, "the board does the best they can, I believe, but sometimes there are teams that just...that are put together because they had to be".


    "Like destiny?", Sam wonders.


    "Like scraps", professor says simply, "sometimes, there are certain kids who just can''t be put into a team that makes sense".


    "So they are just put into a random team cause they don''t really belong anywhere else?", the thought crosses Sam''s mind for the first time, causing a stiring ache in his stomach, "like leftovers".


    "Perhaps you can say it like that", professor nods shortly.


    "You...you think we''re that team, professor?", Sam asks already knowing the answer.


    "I did see your files, and I did meet you boys", professor notes, "I also do know what type of partners they tend to assign to what kind of kid".


    "So you''re saying my team is just... just a...", Sam''s not sure what word to use. A fucking mess, thrown together for the hell of it? He can''t say that to a professor.


    "I think it''s unfortunate", professor says, "that''s what experiance leads me to believe, at least, though it might still be too early to say".


    "Yeah, it''s still too early to say", Sam confirms, trying to regain hope.


    "Well, the point of this conversation Sam", professor looks away at the horizon, "believe it or not, is not to make you feel bad".


    "Yeah, I know", Sam says trying to keep his voice convincing.


    "You seem like a good kid, and it''s not that I''m saying your teammates are bad people", professor continues, "but I could tell from the first day that you''d find fitting in with them... troublesome".


    "Really? You did?", Sam swallows his own bitter feelings.


    "I did, it''s wasn''t hard to tell from the way you reacted to their behaviour", professor nods, "and, again, I had your files, and I know a thing or two about how partner pokemon are assigned as well".


    "Well, what made you think it?", Sam questions, "what made you think I don''t belong in this team?".


    "The test results are confidential, so I can''t speak on that", professor says, "as for the partner pokemon, well, you''ve seen my reaction".


    "Right, you don''t like dark types", Sam nods along, "or fighting types".


    "Well, it''s not necessarily about the typing", professor explains, "it''s about the pokemon species as well, and those do tell you a lot about a kid, you know".


    "Yeah, right, you did say that", Sam clesrs his throat, "that their pokemon are dangerous". In his mind, a picture of Houndour shooting Ember at Joe appears clear as day. He remembers Riolu as well, blasting the black dog away then attacking Ves.


    "Yes, it is a part of their nature", professor nods, "those three speacies of pokemon tend to fight viciously, they don''t spare their opponents, they don''t show mercy".


    "Right", Sam says, knowing this to be true. He''s read up about these pokemon, even when he was a kid, but especially after meeting his teammates. He did already know this, but professor''s word made him believe it''s all true. "And what about Ace?", he grabbed at the last string of hope, even though he could already tell it would snap, "Rockruff''s not dangerous".


    "Rockruff is not, but Lycanrock is", professor says, "and rock types are...they are usually given to the kids who are stuck in their ways". These were the words Sam had expected to hear.


    "So you think they are all...", yet again, Sam can''t find the right word.


    "Branding 14 year olds wouldn''t be a right thing to do Sam, and it''s not my place", professor says firmly, "all I want to say with this is that I am aware of the kids I am mentoring, all of you".


    "Right", Sam says, his cheeks turning red, "I can tell".


    "That to say, I am supposed to be your mentor", professor continues, "I might not be able to help much when it comes to pokemon battles, but I can certainly offer guidance".


    "Right, thank you", Sam nods.


    "No need to thank me", professor chuckles slowly, "it is a part of my job to be there for my students whenever possible".


    "Yeah", Sam feels a need to resond somehow.


    "Well, don''t let this bother you too much", professor''s voice turns nonchalant, "I just wanted to let you know I do percive the situation among my students, and that I am ready to help with any problems of that kind".


    "Right, thank you very much", Sam says repeatedly.


    "Well, this might be a weird situation to have a conversation like this", the man runs his fingers through his hair absemtmindedly, "but the point is, my doors are always open if you have any problems, I just wanted to make sure you know that". Sam just nods, again not sure what to think of all of this. "Well, not that I can be sure if you have any problems, it is just a hunch, after all", professor says, "though, judging from your reactions right now, I''d deduce I''m not far off the mark".


    "I mean... it''s not... exactly easy, talking to them", Sam somewhat confesses.


    Professor nods in understanding. "Then it''s good I''ve stumbled upon you like this", he says, "it wouldn''t be alright if I said some of these things in the classroom, and I''m not sure you would''ve come to me on your own".


    "I probably wouldn''t", Sam scratches his head.


    "Yeah, I''d guess that much", professor''s laugh feels heavy, "now that you know I have understanding of your situation, I hope that changes".


    "Yes, I get it, thank you, professor", Sam says, "really, thank you very much".


    "Do come around my office if you ever feel the need to talk", professor offers a small wave, "I think it would be for the best I don''t say anything else right now, this could already count as crossing boundaries".


    "Yeah, right, I''ll be sure to come along if anything ever comes up", Sam nods with a smile. A sense of gratefulness growing inside of him, for a mentor who seems to actually seems ready to talk and help out. Not that Sam had any plans of going and complaining about his teammates to their mentor, that would be too childish, it was just nice knowing the possibility exists.


    "Glad to hear that", professor Nolan said taking a slow step away, "now I must leave you to your own devices".


    "Right, see you in class, professor", Sam says out of common courtesy. Watching the man leave, the nerves start pressing on his chest again. Professor''s words keep ringing through him, what the man had said, that their team was basically just scrapped together. The exact thought hadn''t crossed the boy''s mind before, but the feeling of unease was always there. From the firsr time he saw his teammates it was there. A part of him refused to believe it, clinging on to the few similarities between them. The four other boys seemed to be pretty similar in a sense. Neither of them were very friendly. But Sam didn''t fit into that. Joe and Ves seemed to like battling. Teo and Ves seemed to be a bit agressive. Ace and Joe were clean freaks. Teo and Ace hated when others ask personal questions. Ace and Ves seemed to like the drama. Teo and Joe liked breaking rules. Maybe those were not the healthiest things to share, but they all had something shared. Sam was nowhere to be seen. Joe and him both liked running? That Maybe he liked battling as well? He did like movies. Not as much as Ace did. He was disconnected. The numbing feeling in his gut told him one thing. Sam might be the only leftover-person on their team.

 Chapter 8

    "You''re like a slave owner, you know", Teo says looking at Joe from the side of his eye, "you really have Riolu rowing the boat instead of you".


    "Not my fault my hand is burned", the brown haired boy says in disinterested, his eyes fixed somewhere behind Teo, "my grip isn''t exactly functional right now".


    The chill in the morning air sticks to his forehead, as Teo does his best not to stare at his teammate. In the middle of the ocean, there''s not much else to look at. The Old King''s island dissapeared from his sights around ten minutes ago. All that was left was the boat, the sky and the ocean around it. The water underneath them was moved quitely, a grey colour seemed to have seep to its unimaginable deapth. Occasionally, a few drops would splash onto Teo''s hands, as cold as the winter day. The sky above their heads had a similar colour pallete, background of monotonous light grey lined with a few darker clouds, far and few in between. The sun was still hanging low, just barely crossing the horizon, leaving Teo to wish for a faster sunrise. Otherwise, he felt he might drown in all of this grey. Joe''s sweater was grey as well, and the boy seemed to fade into the landscape, which Teo had absolutely hated. He had nothing to talk about with this guy. The rowing made his arms feel sore, which certainly didn''t help the feeling of friendship grow.


    "How much longer", Teo inquiered, still refusing to look at his teammate.


    "Shouldn''t take more than an hour", Joe replied in his usual flat tone, that drove Teo insane.


    "Sounds terrible", Teo sighs.


    "It''s truly not", Joe says simply, "we should arrive exactly in time when the market opens, if we were to arrive earlier, we''d have to wait around, you know".


    "Easy for you to think like that", Teo scoffs, "you''re not the one rowing right now".


    "Mind you, if I could row I would, it''s not a problem for me", Joe replies, "I was raised by the ocean, remember?".


    "Right, just don''t start singing sea chanties, alright, island boy?", Teo chuckles at his own joke, which Joe promptly ignores.


    Falling into silence yet again, Teo''s not sure what to do or say. He''s not exactly a type to have a deep conversation. Joe''s not a type to have any sort of conversation short of a debate. Something about being stuck in the middle of the ocean urges him to talk.


    "If Ace was here, he would be so annoying right now", Teo attempts. He''s not sure what else him and Joe could talk about.


    "He probably would", Joe responds shortly.


    "Yeah, I can basically hear him calling this a date", the feeling of unease spreads in Teo''s throat. His teammate wasn''t exactly giving him a lot to work with.


    "He''d make a Titanic refrence", Joe says matter-of-factly.


    "Yes, yes he would", Teo attempts a laugh, "just so we''re clear, I''m Leo DiCaprio, and you can be Kate Winslet".


    "Just to be clear, this is not the Titanic", Joe responds, "but if it were, I''m perfectly fine with you being the one who drowns".


    "That''s not a kind of thing you say to someone while you''re on the boat", Teo points out.


    "It''s just the context of the movie, Teo", Joe says, "I don''t plan on drowning you".


    "Doesn''t sound too convincing", Teo says, "besides, I never said anything about you planning it, I just thought it isn''t cool you''re cool with your teammate drowning".


    "I''m not", Joe says, "I prefer you alive, but if it was a choice between you and me, I am letting you die".


    "Right, got that", Teo says, realising Joe''s definitely not his favourite guy. Then again, he isn''t exactly fond of his other teammates either, and Joe might just be the easiest of them to stomach. It''s not that he''s ever paid special attention to any of the other boys. As the skies were still rather uninteresting, he had no choice but to take a better look at the boy sat across from him. Teo had found him equally uniteresting. Under the morning lighting, the boy''s tanned skin was shaded in a similar grey, making him look tired. His brown eyes looked as distant as ever, fading into his expressionless face. His right eye was smaller, Teo noticed. Teeth a bit yellow. Averting his gaze, Teo focused back on the water, this guy wasn''t going to catch him staring. Still, he did not get Joe''s whole deal. The guy looked insignificant, and he dressed like your average Galarian suburban grandmother. He had no bussines behaving the way he did.


    "The islands are starting to roll in, we should hit the mainland soon", Joe says after what seems as the eternity of rowing in silence. Checking his phone, Teo can see that it''s already been an hour since they left the island.


    "So, like 5 more minutes, I would hope", the boy turns his head, but he can''t spot the coast, and immediately knows it would take longer.


    "Around 20, I''d say", Joe''s looking behind him, "the water still seems deep, these islands are probaly all volcanic".


    "What does that have to do with anything?", Teo sighs.


    "Island, and landmass in general are just points where the ground raises above sea level", Joe says simply.


    "That''s the most ''child of the isles'' way to explain it", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "The altitude of landmass is determined by movements of tectonic plates, for the most part, which means the placement of land is mostly uniform", Joe ignores him, "closer to mainland, there will be more islands that are made by the movements of tectonic plates".


    "Alright, I get it, you know geography, big thing, will you shut up now", Teo wails.


    "No I will not", Joe states, "further from the mainland, the islands that appear in the middle of the ocean are usually the product of volcanic activity".


    "Well, Einstein, I don''t see any volcanoes nearby", Teo says, turning around to look at the few islands that lay ahead of them.


    "Underwater volcanoes, genius", Joe sighs.


    "Okay, but then, by your logic, if volcanic islands are far from the mainland, and these are volcanic islands, then that means we''re not close to the mainland either", Teo points out.


    "Well, volcanoes can be close to the mainland too", Joe shrugs.


    "And how can you tell these volcanoes are close to the mainland", Teo rolls his eyes again.


    "The map says so", Joe responds simply, and Teo wishes murder was legal.


    "Right, well, how about we stop on one of these islands for a break", Teo treats his teammate to a dry smile, "and maybe I can leave you there".


    "Can''t do, look better, there are no shores, we can''t dock the boat", Joe replies, "besides, the waters aren''t exactly friendly".


    Giving a better look to the islands still in the distance, Teo sees the high reaching dark grey rocks surrounding the landmass, the waves wildly crushing into them with continuity. They would most certainly die of they got caught by the currents surround the islands. Dissatisfied, he scoffs under his breath: "waters aren''t friendly, who the fuck are you, Moana?".


    "And who are you? Ace?", Joe raises an eyebrow at him.


    "Well, now no need to insult me, I am much smarter and also much more handsome than blondie", Teo says overdramatically, "besides, my comment is on point, you know?".


    "Yeah, right", Joe says.


    "Hey, you''re an islander who talks about sea and has a tan", Teo points out, "we just need to get you a mentally unstable chicken to keep as a pet, a skirt and a cocnut bra or something".


    "And a hunky demigod who''s a narcissist", Joe points out.


    "Well, I am hunky, and somewhat of a demigod", Teo laughs.


    "No you''re not, but you are definitely a narcissist", Joe replies.


    "Hey don''t diagnose me, you ass", Teo says, "and you never know, I never met my father, he might as well be a God of some kind". Teo bites back his words immediately, realising his slip-up.


    "Definitely not Poseidon", Joe notes, "you''d be better at rowing if it was him".


    "Definitely not", Teo hangs back defiantly, set on not saying anything else about the matter. Looking around the series of islands they were now amongst, he feels relief as soon as he find an opportunity to change the topic. "What''s that", he nods towards one of the island".


    "That''s an island", Joe says, "a pretty big one, volcanic and old, from the looks of it".


    "Alright, stop being a know-it-all for a moment, I wasn''t talking about the island itself", Teo scoffs, "look what''s on it". Above the rocks lining the coast, nested few miles from the edge of the cliff, stood a single half-ruined building. Built from pearly white stones, Teo could tell it was once huge from a single fact its reamaints were visible even from this distance. Not much more he could conclude. There were no doors, and other than the outside walls the only thing he could see was a crest that stood high on the roof. It was weirdly shaped as far as he could tell, a crescent moon with spikes coming up from its base.


    "A temple or a shrine of some sort, probably", Joe says seemingly deep in thought.


    "You sure about that?", Teo''s happy to talk about anything other than his own life.


    "Well, it''s on an island, and it really doesn''t look like a house", Joe says, "not much else it could realistically be, I mean the stone looks like it would be used for some kind of a shrine, and that thing on the roof is a solid pointer as well".


    "Good on analysing, but don''t the shrines usually have a way of entering?", Teo asks.


    "Right, well, we''re looking at it from the northern side, and the entrances into shrines are usually on the western side of the building, so when you enter you''re walking towards east", Joe says.


    "Well, I think you''re wrong buddy", Teo says. As their boat flows on, Teo can finally spot the doors. "There they are", he points towards them. "And the sun is right there", Teo points behind himself, "so the doors are on the eastern side".


    "Well, then it''s probably a satanic temple or something", Joe shrugs.


    "Yeah, right, satanists were climbing rocky coast on some random volcanic island near Hoenn who knows how long", Teo rolls his eyes, "can you just admit you were wrong".


    "They probably didn''t rockclimb to reach it", Joe said matter-of-factly, "they probably flew in".


    "Alright, I''ve had enough of your bullshit", Teo laughs, "you''re wrong, I''m right, now shut up".


    "Just because you saw some doors first doesn''t make you smarter than me", Joe''s voice raises up, "besides, you never know, people worship different stuff, it could easily be a satanic temple".


    "You either admit deafeat, or I stop rowing and we both stay stranded in the middle of the ocean", Teo offers, thrilled that he had finally managed to squeeze something resbling a human reaction out of his teammate. Feeling a surge of power, he found it hard to conceal his smile.


    "Riolu can still row", Joe quickly recovers his composure.


    "You''ll end up just turning in circles", Teo points out confidently.


    "He''ll row from the middle", Joe shrugs.


    "Fine, then, I let Absol out, he destroys this boat, and we all just drown", Teo raises his eyebrow. Joe stares off into the sky, refusing to say a word. "That would be a checkmate", the black haired boy says victoriously.


    "Whatever, just keep rowing", Joe says flatly, "it''s just some island".


    "It''s an island of great importance", Teo digs his claws deeper, "it''s an island that proves I''m not only handsome but also smart".


    "Right", Joe says absentimindedly, "just keep rowing".


    "Just say it", Teo says playfully, "that I''m super handsome and smart".


    "I''m not saying it", Joe retorts, his voice turning cold.


    "Cmon", Teo urges.


    "Man, you''re being super annoying right now", Joe says, "since when do you like talking so much".


    "Hey, hey, I do like talking, just not about my personal life", Teo throws his head back in laughter, he''s actually starting to enjoy himself. "Getting praise is a different thing", he says, certain he''s successful at pushing Joe''s buttons.


    "That''s a kink or what?", Joe responds, "cause I don''t plan on turning you on, you know".


    "Oh, you don''t?", Teo says, "aren''t you gay or something like that?".


    "Asexual", Joe responds, visibly bored of this conversation.


    "Yeah, same thing, gay", Teo presses on, "it''s alright, you can just admit it, if I were gay as well, you would definitely go for me".


    "I wouldn''t", Joe says dryly.


    "Cmon, I know that''s a lie", Teo laughs, "you''d want me for sure".


    "What makes you think I''d want you", Joe says calmly, "your own father didn''t want you, why would I?".


    "What did you say?", the rage quickly rose through Teo''s body. Without even realising it, he flew forward, latching onto the brown haired boy and pinning him down, his head hanging above the water over the boat''s helm. "Say that again, you asshole", Teo hissed. Joe did his best to keep his reaction low, but Teo could see his face twitch with pain. He had pressed his right hand under his body, and that burn must''ve pained him greatly.


    "Calm down", Joe said through gritted teeth.


    "What, not so cocky now, huh buddy", Teo laughed in his face. From the side of his eyes he could see Riolu stop rowing, the pokemon''s body tensing up. He didn''t care.


    "Just get off of me", Joe coughed up, "I hate fighting".


    "Well, I love it", Teo scoffs, "and I especially love beating up assholes like you".


    "God, you''re even worse than Ves", Joe says, his healthy hand crossing over Teo''s chest and grabbing his shoulder. A leg pushes against his stomach, rising him upwards just a bit. With a quick movement, Joe shoves him away. The boy''s ability to retaliate surprises Teo, and he takes a moment to recollect. He can feel the boat rocking under him, and for a moment is scared they''ll both end up in the falling into the water and drowning. Joe wouldn''t drown though, he thinks, fools usually float.


    His back pressing against rough wood, Teo lets out a groan. Joe''s hanging over him now, his bodyweight centered on Teo''s abdomen, his healthy hand still pressing down on the boy''s left shoulder, his grip surprisingly firm. Smart guy, Teo thinks to himself, immobilising his dominant side. "What kind of a maniac are you?", Teo''s laugh sounds almost frantic.


    "Surprised I can fend for myself?", Joe says firmly, "didn''t I warn you, you don''t know anything about me".


    "I know everything I need to know, trust me", Teo hisses at him, raising his abdomen in quick turn to throw the other boy off balance, before quickly rotating his body to set himself free. Just because this guy knew how to fight in theory made no difference, he was still smaller than Teo, and had much less experiance. The few seconds Joe takes in order to find his ground are more than enough for Teo to grab onto his collar, pressing him into the boat floor yet again. This time though, he''s not underestimating his teammate, he has his heathy hand fixated by the joint, and his legs pressed firmly down. No getting out now. "Now say that again", Teo says, glaring him down. He hates the way Joe''s face remains expressionless.


    "You have anger management issues", Joe says, before rapidly bringing his head forward, colliding his forehead with Teo''s. The boy stumbles backward for a second from the impact, losing balance, but he can feel Joe''s legs set free and rise up again, both pressing against his stomach. The push has enough strenght to send him stumbling back to his side of the boat.


    Landing back on his hands, still fueled with rage, Teo is quick to get back up and go after Joe again. The other boy can''t get up that quickly and he knows it. "You''re dead meat", Teo hisses. One step forward, and a small hand brings him to a full stop. Looking down, he can see Riolu holding one of his arms out, while the other one is hanging back, flashing grey. Metal Claw. He scoffs: "what, you''re just have your little dog do your fighting? Are you a man or not?".


    "Just stop with this already", Joe''s voice comes out flat but Teo can tell his breath is heavy.


    "Tell your dog to stand by", Teo says coldly, "so we can finish this, you know, very cowardly of you to have him interfere now that you''re losing".


    "Just quit it, Teo", Joe snaps at him, and the boy takes the slightest of steps backwards. "Do any of you use your brains, it''s not my fault", the boy continues yelling, "didn''t you figure it out".


    "Figure what out?", Teo challenges, "that you''re a pussy".


    "That Rio''s just reacting to my emotions, you moron", Joe''s voice comes out hastier then ever, "I''m not telling him to interfere or attack anyone".


    "Well, if he''s reacting to your emotions that still counts as you telling him to attack me", Teo retorts.


    "What do you expect me to feel in a moment like this", Joe says, and Teo can see Riolu''s hand flashing brighter, the pokemon''s stance lowering ever so slightly. Joe reacts quickly enough, getting his pokeball and recalling his partner.


    "That was a stupid move on your behalf", Teo raises an eyebrow at him, "you''re a sitting Ducklett right now, buddy".


    "Not your buddy", Joe responds with poison in his voice, now fully sitting up on his side of the boat, "I don''t want you dead, that''s all?".


    "Don''t you?", Teo says, "your emotion reading dog wants me dead, I''d say that gives your intentions away". Sitting back down, he adds: "and Ves as well, isn''t that right".


    "Just don''t speak", Joe recollects his voice, retrieving the ores Riolu has dropped itno the ocean.


    "Why, I have no doubt about it, now that you pointed it out", Teo smirks, picking up his own ores floating on the water. "I get it now, Joe", he says smugly.


    "What do you get?", Joe says flatly.


    "You act all confident, but you''re scared", Teo says simply, "now that you''ve put it into perspective, I remember each time your Riolu took initiative on behalf of your emotions, that''s why you keep him out of his pokeball at all times, you''re scared?".


    "It''s not", Joe replies, "and I''m not scared".


    "You are", Teo stays adamant.


    "Fear''s not the only emotion", Joe''s voice turns low.


    "Whatever", Teo scoffs, "fear or something else, you''re not as cool and collected as you would like us to think".


    "You think", Joe treates him to a glare, "if I were not collected, Rio would''ve actually attack you".


    "Threatening again", Teo scoffs, "read the room".


    "You read the room", Joe retorts, "you''re lucky I can control myself, unlike you, no one esle was there to recall Rio this time, you do realise that".


    "Whatever, I could''ve taken your dog myslef ", Teo says noticing the painful twitch jolting across the other boy''s face when he starts rowing.


    "Let''s just get to the land", Joe decides, "before this boat turns into a crime scene". In silent agreement, Teo starts rowing as well.


    By the time they make it onto the shore, the sun had already risen, gifiting some light blue upon the ocean and the skies. Teo sees his hands have been plagued with numerous red spots, product of all the rowing. He watches as Joe sits down on the sand and starts the process of re-wrapping his burned hand. The wound looks painful, the boy''s skin turned purple and sporting a few blisters. Nothing too permanent though, as far as Teo can tell. For a second still, he feels sorry he had gotten his teammate into a position where he had to row himself. Turning away, he starts the process of dragging the boat out onto the land. "Smarter to hide this somewhere", he says distantly, "if someone steals it, we''ll be in trouble". Joe gives him a short look before nodding towards some bushes at the far end of the beach. "Alright", Teo keeps his voice flat, not quite happy with the hiding spot his teammate had picked out. It was too far away. Slowly dragging to boat across the sand, his arms go almost completely numb. He might have to hit up a gym. Finally reaching the bushes, he can see that they are lush enough to provide a good cover. Shoving the boat between them, he manages to make their transportation invisible to the naked eye.


    Gazing back at Joe, he can see the boy had finished the process of wrapping his hand, and started the process of unwrapping what seemed to be his breakfast. Riolu''s out of his pokeball as well, and already chowing down his own food. Pain spreads through Teo''s stomach at the sight, followed with a growl. Joe, with what seems to be a sigh, gestures for him to come closer. Teo''s not too fond of the idea, especially since the murder dog is out and about again, but the hunger prompts him to approach. Much to his satisfaction, Joe points to a wrapped bag laid out on his backpack. "I did count on you being unprepared", the boy states not paying him much attention.


    "That''s the worst way to be nice, you know", Teo rolls his eyes, picking up the bag with food.


    "Well, I was right in my calculations", Joe points out, "just sit down and eat quickly, we should get to the market as soon as possible".


    "Right, we''re in a hurry cause the berries might run away", Teo says mockingly.


    "Thing can sell out", Joe shrugs.


    "Well, we can eat on the go", Teo points out.


    "No way", Joe replies, "I hate eating and walking at the same time".


    "Right, and I hate having a beach picnic with you and your Riolu", Teo scoffs, unwrapping the sandwich from the bag and taking an urgent bite.


    "Alright, I''m almost done anyways", Joe says, "we can go as soon as I finish up here".


    "Right, well, speed yourslef up buddy", Teo''s already on his second bite when he notices a Cherry berry juicebox in his bag.


    "Don''t speak with your mouth full", Joe says before ceremoniously taking the last bite of his breakfast.


    "Don''t push your manners upon me", Teo says, taking a gulp of the juice.


    "Alright, we can go, as far as I''m concerned", Joe says picking up his backpack and dusting the sand off of himself. Riolu stands up slowly, keeping close to his trainers. The pokemon seems as uniterested as ever, Teo notes, so Joe must''ve calmed down.


    "Then let''s go", Teo says, dissatisfied that their little fight didn''t seem to leave residual effects on his teammate.


    The farmer''s market Joe had in mind turned out to be close by, just a mile away from the beach, on the outskirts of Lilicove. Consisting of numerous stands, all various shapes and sizes, and placed without any order, the place was already bustling with people little past 7 AM. Joe recalled Riolu as soon as they had gotten close, seeing two kids walking around with a pokemon was a sure way to raise suspicion, he explained. Teo was just happy the blue dog was not around, not caring much for the reason. Unfortunately, Joe was also insisten on the two not going their separate ways. Watching Joe was strange, it was as if some kind of switch had suddenly flipped inside the boy. Swiftly making his way from stand to stand, he got himself into short-lived conversations, and his usual distant composure had dissapated within seconds. Old people seemed to like the boy rather well, especially grandmothers. In his head, Teo titled him the grandma whisperer. It was certainly a weird sight. Teo himself had no interest in getting a conversations started with starngers behind stands, so he jut ended up following Joe around, and looking over the offered produce. Some berries he recognised. Others were foreign to him. It quickly became obvious that soothing berries were hard to come by. Even with Joe''s restless efforts, it took them nearly 50 minutes to find a stand that carried what they were looking for. Even that one didn''t offer much choice.


    Teo did his best to urge him into making a decision, but Joe was adamant on taking his sweet time. He only had 6 pots, he explained, and he needed berries other than soothing ones as well. Teo attempted to tell him to just pick any soothing berries, since they all had similar effects anyways, but that only got Joe into further explaining that, although they have similar effects, they do not taste the same, and they all require different kind of soil and care to grow. The boy then proceeded to explain, in depth, the specific components of Alolan soil he had apparently smuggled in his suitecase. Teo didn''t even know soil needed to be smuggled in, but he refrained from asking any further questions, since he concluded it would only lead into further explanations. After much theoritisation Joe had finally landed on picking up a Grepa, Hondew, and Tamato berries, getting three of each kind. Teo breathed a sigh of relief, partly because his teammate had finally made a decision, partly becuase the boy had already intended on paying for those himself. It''s not that Teo had much money, and he''d rather not spend it on berries. Other than needing them for Absol, he had no interest in becoming a berry farmer himself. With the soothing berries wrapped up, Joe started the process of picking out suitable medicinal berries, which lasted even longer, since there were significantly more choices. Finally, after who knows how long, the boy decides that the smartest move is picking Sitrus, Lum and Chople berries. Getting three of each, the two walk away, with Joe loudly complaining on how he needs to get more pots, and Teo silently wishing the other boy would shut up.


    Teo''s troubles do not end then and there, as the boy quickly learns why joining Joe on a shopping trip was a mistake. As his teammate drags him into the section with training equipment, Teo regrets not staying in bed that morning. This part of Joe''s shopaholic endeavour ends up lasting even longer. There''s a wide array of training tools offered, and the boy doesn''t know exactly what he''s looking for. Accounting for the difference in prices on different stands, this has potential to last for hours. This time though, Teo doesn''t mind it. He knows much more abot training equipment than he does about berries. And, on the plus side, Joe doesn''t seem too eager to spend too much on this either. He ends up getting four Macho Braces, and Teo manages to help out by convincing the salesman to give them a 3+1 deal. Other than that, the boy ends up getting four sets of weighted power bands as well, noting that two of them are for Henry and Marc, which surprises Teo. He had no idea the three were already that friendly. Apparently, the two boys gave him money to get some stuff for them as well, and the two of the four Macho Braces were for them as well.


    They wondered the training patt of the market for a bit longer, not finding much, before Joe spotted a shady looking stand, immediately going in. Teo followed after him, only partially wondering what had gotten the boy''s attetnion. Heal Capsules. Joe quickly got into the heated conversation with the salesman about a pack of Heal Capsules, almost obsessively explaining how rare of a find they were. Teo failed to see the appeal of the gadget, but the salesman, a 50-something dishelved-looking guy, had found Joe to be a suitable customer. Meaning, one that can easily be milked out of the money. As the man started rapidly confirming and selling his product, Teo had no interest in landing his teammate a helping hand. He scanned the rest of the stuff the stand had to offer. All highly questionable things, different models of Experiance Shares, Choice Scarves, different Orbs. Those things did not work, Teo knew. A scam was all they were, ornamnets crafted to represent different items that worked only in those un-official mods simualtions that existed solely for the comp nerds who couldn''t battle to flex their strategic abilities. It''s not like any scarf could really affect a speed of pokemon, or ''lock'' them into a single move. Expiriance, as well, was a fictional measurment, used only in simulation. Still, while Joe and the salesman argued over each other, a pair of sunglasses caught Teo''s attention. Choice Specs, with gold-coloured frame, and vibrant red lenses, the item supposedly raised the special attack of a pokemon that would wear it. That part was, of course, not true in practice. Still, noticing the stand owner''s too busy scammimg Joe, Teo quickly swiped a pair into one of his pockets. They might not work, but they looked very cool, and Teo had no problem with owning a new pair of sunglasses. Stealing from scammers wasn''t even unethical. If his teammte''s gonna over-pay for a box of plastic orbs, he might as well strike back.


    Shoving a box of newly purchased Heal Capsules into his backpack, Joe happily walks away. Teo follows after him, immediately jumping in to mock him: "you do know those don''t work, right?".


    "They do", Joe replies simply.


    "No, they don''t, this guy sells bootleg stuff", Teo points out, "you just got scammed out of 3000pd".


    "No, I just scammed the guy out to sell me something usually worth 15.000pd for 3000pd", Joe shrugs.


    "Yeah, you can lie to yourself all you want", Teo laughs.


    Joe quickly takes out the boy out of his backpack, shoving it into Teo''s hands: "look better".


    "There''s nothing to look at", Teo says, surprised by the weight of the  pack of thin plastic capsules.


    "Yes, there is", Joe says, "the official crest of Silph co. is right here, and the stamp of approval is in the back". Teo looks at the box, noticing both marking. "And it''s double-sealed as well", Joe adds.


    "So, these are actually real", Teo says in surprise. The mark could be easily copied, but the stamp of approval confirmed it. The double seal probably meant the first one didn''t go well enough, and some factory worker tried to cover their mistake by sealing the pack a second time. It was a dumb mistake, but one that got the pack rejected from going onto the official market. "How did a guy like that end up with this?", Teo wonders.


    "Probably on accident", Joe says simply, "all of the other packs he had were definitely bootlegs, and I don''t think he realised this one was real".


    "I''ll give it to you, that was well played", Teo says, "can we finally end this shopping trip?".


    "I just need to look through TMs, that''s the only thing left on my list", Joe says, "besides, you didn''t get anything, why did you even come along".


    "Well, to keep you company, which was a huge mistake on my part", Teo points out, "since you are kind of a shopaholic dick who had me rowing for more then an hour".


    "Save it", Joe waves him off.


    "Besides, I did get something", Teo says, pulling out the Choice Specks from his pocket.


    "Alright", Joe comes to a full stop, "first thing, when did you buy those? Second, you do know that those don''t actually work?".


    "First, I never said I bought them, I just said I got them", Teo points out, "second, yes they do work, they''ll raise my coolness factor".


    "You stole those?", Joe says flatly.


    "Indeed I did", Teo says proudly, "that guy was a scammer anyways, serves him well, so don''t start moralising".


    "Hey, did you happen to steal any berries as well?", Joe gives him a raised eyebrow.


    "Honest to God I did not", Teo raises his arms defensively.


    "Why not?", Joe asks, "I had to pay for all of those, if I knew you were good at that we could''ve gotten more".


    "Wait", Teo says in surprise, "you want me to steal stuff?".


    "Of course I do, these things are all overpriced anyways, and I don''t exactly have limitless funds, you know", Joe says, a hint of poison in his voice, "I mean, 300pd for 3 berries? You know, farmers sells those in bulks, we earn like 5pd per berry when you math it out, and that''s on a good year".


    "I did not sign up for berry farm talks", Teo laughs.


    "And I did not sign up for punk sarcasm either", Joe retorts, "now let''s go get some TMs, I''ll divert their attention, and you swipe whatever you can".


    "You''re actually pushing me into life of crime?", Teo says, "you''re a horrible influence, you know that?".


    "Yes, well, TMs are useful, what can you do", Joe says heading towards the other side of the market.


    "You can steal them yourself if you want to", Teo says, following after him.


    "I''m actually not experianced in theft", Joe points out, "I''d get caught, you do it".


    "Oh yeah, it would be fine with you if I got caught, sorry, I almost forgot you suck", Teo replies.


    "Look, if you see the oportunity, seize it", Joe says, "really just pick up any TM you can, you never know what can be useful".


    "Alright, alright", Teo says putting in the Choice Specks, his vision turning red immediately, "but you''re going down with me if I get into trouble".


    "You won''t", Joe responds fastening his pace.


    The part of the green market with stands that carry TMs is significantly smaller then the rest of the sections, yet much more crowded. Taking notes of people around him, it quickly becomes obvious to him that they are the youngest there. Nervous feeling took hold of his body as he walked past these people. Some of them, he could tell, were 18, probably people who had just recently passed the trainer''s bar, earned their licence and a starter pokemon. Logical step, for those born in Lilicove the town of merchants, was stocking up on things that can be useful for training. It was basically a sea of Mudkips in there, the water type starter that was given to licence carriers was by far the most popular choice in this sea-surrounded town. He''d see an occasional Treecko and Torchic as well, always wondering if those people came from some neighbouring town just for shopping. Other trainers were clearly older, probably in their twenties, and Teo would do his best to asses how far in their journey they were. Number of pokeballs on their belts was a first sign, six pokeballs would be a strong indicator of someone who''s far ahead. Not that it was impossible for someone to carry six weak pokemon around, but most trainers didn''t do it. Training six pokemon at the same time took too much time, combine that with food cost and the time and effort it took to actually take care of 6 pokemon, the concept was self-explanatory. Teo knew it all too well. He had one pokemon on him, and taking care of Absol was already a tight-rope act. He was forced into  frequenting the pokemon center just so he could feed his partner. With envy in his eyes, he watched the kinds of beasts these older trainers were walking around with. Blazikens, Mightyenas, Zangooses, they all seemed sinister and tough to tame. He even saw a single girl walking around with an Absol, jealousy jolting through his body at a sight.


    Bigger problem though, was that Teo and Joe were obviously out of place here. Though Teo prided himself on looking and being more mature than his peers, he wasn''t stupid enough to think he could pass for 18. Joe was definitely not there either, even with his calm demeanor and grandma clothes, he was still very much a kid. This was a place for trainers, and there were only two ways of getting that title: passing the bar once you turn 18, or getting provisional licence by becoming a student of a trainer''s school. They clearly weren''t of age, and Teo''s nerves were working overtime, imagining all the ways this could go wrong. He could already feel strange glances coming their way.


    Instinctively, he started walking closer to Joe, hoping the other boy had some sort of a plan. The brown-haired boy walked up to one of the stands, seemingly not bothered by people around them. His teammate indeed had a plan, Teo quickly came to find. The boy stood eagerly at the stand, and started excitedly talking to the saleswoman who greeted him with discerning look, his voice turning childish, carrying more energy then Teo''s ever heard in Joe''s voice. Liar. This guy was a liar. Teo stood back stunned for a moment as Joe started loudly explaining that the two of them were friends, looking to get a gift for his brother. His imaginary sibling would be turning 18 soon and definitely passing the bar, acquiring a pokemon for himself, and the two boys wanted to get him something he could use on his journey. Quickly recovering his composure, Teo joined in on the line, loudly explaining how Trevor, Joe''s non-existent brother who he took the liberty of naming, was a great guy and they wanted to get him something good. He made sure that everyone in 5-foot radius could hear this story. The saleswoman gaze quickly softened as she had gotten into a conversation with two, explaining the TMs to them, giving reassurance that they were the best possible gift for a beginner trainer. Teo stepped back from the conversation, listening with half-attention, and started eyeing the TMs. The woman turned out to be rather sweet though, quickly offering a discount to the two of them, so the boy quickly gave up on hunting the oportunity to steal from her. Joe ended up buying a TM, Bullet Punch one, for 2500pds, a half-price deal. Explaining that Trevor loves steel types, and he''ll definitely like this move, just to cover for the fact none of the starters could actually learn the said move. Teo knew the truth though. This one was meant for Riolu, the bastard was probably aiming for a priority steel type move from the beginning.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Thanking the woman, the two boys walked away and started the process of checking out other stands. Each one, Joe would approach acting like an eager kid, and with Teo''s assistance, the two would quickly convince everyone of their innocence. Other salesman wouldn''t offer them a discount though, so for the most part, their visits would end with Joe just browsing the TMs for a bit while Teo tried to find the opportunity to steal something. Given the amount of people, the chances of stealing something were few and far inbetween. Even though Joe did a good job at sucking the stand owners into conversation, the trainers around them still had eyes. He did manage to pick up a few discs though, by the virtue of shileding his actions with the positioning of his body. This, however, disallowed him to pick his target, so ended up carrying three TMs in his pocket, not sure what moves they had on them. Still better than nothing. Joe ended up buying a Thunderbolt TM as well. Teo obviously found it weird that he''d throw away 4000pd at the move his partner can''t even learn. Joe explained silently that it was for Sam. Teo called him stupid. Joe argued that giving Sam a little power-up would be beneficial for all of them. Teo called him stupid again. After almost 40 minutes of TM hunting, they were finally done with shopping, making their way out of the market through the crowds of people.


    "Alright, now that we''re in the clear", Joe said quickly wiping out his pokedex and inserting the Bullet Punch TM.


    "You really can''t wait a bit to do that, huh?", Teo scoffs taking note of his teammate punching in instructions before pressing his dex-sensor against the top of Riolu''s pokeball.


    "Why wait when I can do it now", the boy says pressing even more buttons.


    "You really like those priority moves, you sneaky snake", Teo says flatly.


    "Yes, yes I do", Joe states, "I find them useful, unlike Endure, so that''s what we''ll be forgetting". With another press of the button, the rims of the pokeball flash in white, signifying the move has been learned. "You know, I never knew how TMs actually work", Joe says flatly, "how does a pokemon just learn a move like that".


    "Oh, the TMs carry information that activates the energetic pathways, allowing the pokemon to use the move", Teo explains, earning himself a surprised look from Joe. "What, I read up on it, I''m not stupid, you know", Teo shrugs. "The real mystery is why can pokemon learn only four moves", the boy adds, "that makes no sense".


    "Well, I''m not sure about that either", Joe admits, "maybe we should ask the game developers".


    "The who?", Teo twists his head in confusion.


    "It''s a fourth wall thing", Joe waves him off, "I''ll explain later".


    "Alright", Teo replies, certain his teammate had lost his mind.


    At Teo''s insistence, the pair makes their way back to the beach. Leaving the island early in the morning, the boy couldn''t bring Absol to the pokemon center in order to feed his partner, so the disaster dog went without breakfast, and it was already past 10AM. Making sure no one was around, and their boat was still in place, the boys started making strategising on the safest way to feed Absol. Joe gave Teo two of each kinds of Soothing Berries, the other ones would be planted. The idea was to lay down norlam pokemon food, then put the Soothing Berry on top, then hope it would be enough to convincr Absol to eat a full meal before he tried to murder them. Joe was adamant that the pokemon would definitely try attacking, so he insisted on keeping their distance, and Riolu hiding somewhere so he could intertwine if things went south. Teo tried opposing the idea of anyone attacking his partner, but gave in. Truth be told, he felt unsafe himself. Placing the food into the bowl that Joe had brought along, the two boys distanced themselves.


    The weight of Absol''s pokeball in his hand seemed to bring forth jolts of fear. His body tensed up, Teo was silently praying things will go right. Gulping down the tension, he made sure to aim the release right next to the food bowl.


    Cuttinig thourgh the air, a loud screech jerked at his attention. Turning his head towards the ocean, he could see the low-flying stream of water heading towards the beach. A projectile of some sort, he conluded, fast moving. He stepped back, even though the water wasn''t coming at them. Within seconds, the jet landed down on the beach, right next to Absol''s food bowl. Teo watched in daze as a blue-finned pokemon cheerfully picked up the Grepa Berry, threw it into the air and made it dissapear in a single bite. "Hey, hey", Teo steoped forward, assesing that this pokemon isn''t too dangerous, "stop that". He turned towards Joe: "dude, have Riolu interwine, this fucking Totodile just ate our berry".


    "Well, can you blame him?", Joe said eyeing the pokemon curiously, "it''s a Soothing Berry, they attract pokemon".


    "My God, do something other than theorising , it''s eating our food", Teo almost yells.


    "Well, it proves these berries work, sonce he could smell them, you know", Joe shrugs simply, "so this is actually good".


    "Alright, we proved that, can we stop this thing now?", Teo scoffs, "I have a disaster dog I have to feed, you know?".


    "What do you know about Totodile?", Joe gives him a wondering look.


    "They are rare, one of the starter pokemon given out to newbie trainers in Johto, and they grow to be very strong", Teo sighs.


    "Yes, but take a better look at him", Joe cuts him off.


    The boy, taking a few steps forward, assess the situation better. The Totodile is now gleefully eating the food he had set for Absol. This sort of behaviour was normal, Totodile, before evolving, was a very friendly pokemon, which was a part of the reason he was made into the starter. Other than the pokemon''s behaviour, Teo started taking notes of other things. The row of red spikes lining its back would classify as big, compared to the pokemon''s size, and they look rather sharp as well. Sunlight reflected on the pokemon''s blue finns, and Teo noticed their shade was rather dark for a Totodile. And that move the pokemon had used to reach the food was Aqua Jet, it dawned on Teo, an egg move. This small fella had won a genetic lottery. "Alright, I get what you''re going for", Teo says calmly, "this thing has potential".


    "Right, glad you''ve figured that out", Joe walks up to him.


    "Still, it really doesn''t matter", Teo says. It''s not like they can catch it, every new pokemon has to be registered with the school, if they registered this Totodile, the board would know they left the island. He took a look at Joe, fully grasping what the boy had planned. The solution was rather easy, they catch this thing, smuggle it in, then sign-up for a school trip as soon as possible, then they just pretend they had caught Totodile on the said trip. "Alright", Teo re-tracks his train of thought, "we''re catching this thing".


    "Exactly", Joe notes.


    "Any idea on how to do it, it''s not like we have any pokeballs", Teo notes, "and I don''t know if this thing will follow us for the rest of the day".


    "I came prepared", Joe conjures up a pokeball from his pocket, showing it into Teo''s hand.


    It surprises Teo, the fact that his teammate had brought the device, and even more that he gave it away to Teo. "You''re just going to let me catch this?", the boy says in confusion, "I thought I''d have to fistfight you again for this Totodile".


    "I mean, I would love to catch it for myself", Joe says with a sigh, "but it''s better if you do it".


    "It''s more beneficial, right?", Teo says with a smirk, finally realising Joe''s thought process on these kind of things.


    "Yes, even if we managed to feed your Absol today, it doesn''t mean you''ll be able to train it and use it in battle immediately", Joe nods, "so it is most beneficial for all of us if you caught this pokemon".


    "Right, right, how nice of you to let me have this catch", Teo says readying his stance and eyeing the Totodile that was still working its way through Absol''s food.


    "Don''t get it twisted, I''d catch it myself if you weren''t in a desparate situation", Joe points out, "but hey, the tournament is in a month, and this ensures we actually have 5 members who can battle".


    "Yeah, I figured, haven''t you ever heard of sarcasm", Teo sighs. Eyes still fixed on Totodile he adds: "you think just throwing the pokeball should work here? I''d say this one''s young".


    "Should be enough", Joe confirms, "it''s definitely young and untrained, but I can have Rio hit it a few times if you want".


    "Nah, I want this one fresh", Teo smirks, "you do know I''m taking you down as soon as I catch this little guy".


    "Good luck with that", Joe replies, "besides, I''d give you the Heal Capsule anyways, so the Totodile would heal gradually".


    "How very nice of you to share", Teo says, making the pokeball grow in hid hand, "but there won''t be need for that, this little guy is coming with me".


    Totodile turns around, curiously staring at the two boys, next to him, the empty food bowl. With a glint in its eyes, pokemon jumped up, quickly creating the veil of water around itself. Aqua Jet projectile headed for the two boys, and the only thing they could manage to do in an instant was step back. Before Teo''s eyes, his life started flashing. This would be how he goes, he was sure, Aqua Jetted to death by a Totodile. Unfortunate. Losing balance, the boy''s arms flew backwards, digging into to sand to stop the fall. In front of his face, the Aqua Jet dispersed, droplets hitting against his face, and the wild Totodile thumps down onto the boy''s chest. The small blue croc seemed to be filled with glee, but Teo still needed a few seconds to be sure his life wasn''t in danger.


    He noticed Joe standing few steps away from him. The bastard had tried to leave. "Really man", Teo says, "you know, after that thing on the boat, the least you could do is try and help me here".


    "Sorry, it was coming for you, not my fault", Joe shurged, "but hey, at least now we know that thing has some incredible control". The way Totodile stopped its attack mid-air was definitely impressive, but why it had decided to do that was a mystery.


    A mystery that ended up being solved the very next moment, as Totodile''s small hands reached for the Choice Specks resting on Teo''s forehead. The pokemon made the quick way back into the sand, curiously inspecting the pair of sunglasses. "Hey, you can''t have those, I stole them fair and square", Teo says in a flat voice. The Totodile doesn''t seem to care. Noticing the Totdile has two spikes on the edge of its tail, one larger one smaller, the boy turns towards his teammate: "this one''s a boy".


    "Really, how do you tell?", Joe takes a good look at Totodile.


    "Females have only one spike on the tail", Teo points out, "the big one, and then males have the small one next to it, I thought you''d know something like that, being a nerd and all".


    "Gender differences are trivial", Joe retorts, "all I care about how good of a battler the pokemon can become".


    "God, and you were surprised by getting a fighting type", Teo sits up in the sand, digging out the pokeball and dusting the sand off of it. Totodile, meanwhile, had figured out how to put the Choice Specks on. The water type happily looking around with a pair of sunglasses covering his face made Teo chuckle. "Alright, here''s a deal", Teo offers, "I''ll let you keep those if you agree to get into this pokeball". The boy places the device in front of himself, patiently waiting for Totodile make his move.


    "You do realise he can''t understand what you''re saying?", Joe notes.


    "What do you know", Teo waves him off, still looking at Totodile, "cmon, if you come along with me I''ll feed you and I''ve already came up with a nickname for you, Tots". The Totodile tilts his head in confusion, making the sunglasses slide down his nose, earning another laugh from Teo.


    "That''s a really stupid nickname", Joe says, but Teo ignores him.


    The Totodile had finally noticed the pokeball and decided to approach it playfully. It dawned on Teo that the small pokemon probably had no idea what it was. "Just press that button, right there", Teo offers, as Totodile starts carefully nudging the catching device.


    "This is ridiculous", Joe says pinching his forehead.


    "You just stop commenting already", Teo hisses at him. His eyes are still following Totodile''s movements. It keeps poking at the pokeball, looking at his own reflection on the surface. Finally, the small croc makes a mistake of pushing the white button in the middle of the device. Without a sound, the device opens up its jaws, and the flash of blue light reaches out, pulling the Totodile in. Never leaving the ground, the pokeball starts shaking. One. Two. Three. The rim flashes blue, confirming the catch. Eagerly grabbing the pokeball, Teo feels a rush of excitment. Finally. He has a partner that will listen to him. He''ll be able to battle. No one will be able to doubt him. Plans for the future start forming rapidly in his head. He''ll trash Joe and his Riolu right now amd right here. Ves would be next. Then those three guys on the other team, Lesley, Marc and Henry, they all seemed strong. That Natasha girl as well, she was good from what he can tell. After her, he''s hunting down those two assholes, Mikey and Dominics. When he''s done with them, he''ll work his way through the weaklings, just for the kicks. Soon enough, he''ll be ready for the tournament. In a rush of adrenaline, he pulls out his dex, scanning Totodile'' s pokeball in an isntant. Ignoring the biology tab, he quickly scorlls down to see the moves of his newest team member. In addition to Aqua Jet, Totodile already knows Water Gun, as well as Leer and Scratch. Definitely a young one, Teo concludes. The egg move was definitely a big help there. He scrolled down to the ability, quickly confirm that this little guy''s genetic game was crazy. Sheer Power. He lucked out with a hidden ability, might be useless with Totodile''s current moveset, but still a good one.


    "That''s actually amazing", Joe says peeking over his shoulder.


    "Hey", Teo quickly hid the pokedex, "no spying".


    "Cmon, I''ve already seen his best move in action", Joe sighs, "besides, I gave you a pokeball".


    "Bet you''re regretting that now", Teo winks at him, "since I''ll use this little guy to wipe the floor with you".


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself", Joe says, "that Totodile has potential, but it has no training or battle experience yet, besides, the pokemon school board assigns us are all on that level of potential anyways, it''s not like you''ve gained an advantage over anyone, you''ve barely leveled the playing field".


    "You think, huh?", Teo says, still bursting with energy.


    "Well, when it comes to potential", Joe seems to think about this, "but it is a water type, and not am agressive one, so...".


    "So the professors will actually agree to referee my matches", it dawns on Teo. Regardless of the fact he had gone these past few days without having a chance to battle, this does give him an opportunity to catch up.


    "Well, after you register your catch, that is", Joe reminds him.


    "Right", Teo nods, "but, since we''re not even close to the school right now, I can battle you right now, no need to register anything".


    "No", Joe states.


    "What, you''re not scared?", Teo pokes at him.


    "Not at all", Joe says flatly, "it''s just smarter to feed Absol first, after that, I''ll be glad to annihilate you".


    "Big words", Teo smirks, "but alright, I''m in a good mood, so we''ll do it your way, just don''t chicken out on me when the time comes".


    "You know I won''t", Joe says pulling out another portion of pokemon food from his backpack.


    "Alright, Imma hold you on that", Teo says digging out the second Grepa Berry from his backpack. Together, the two re-fill Absol''s bowl, stepping back yet again.


    Riolu raises up his partner''s pokeball, aiming the release again. This time, his legs are firm, his posture confident. He just made his first catch. This is where his path actually begins. He can do anything, and he''s sure Absol will recognise this as well. Without hesitation, he presses the button.


    In a flash, Absol appears few feet away from them, right next to the food bowl. The pokemon''s white fur''s lost its shine, Teo notices, a product of malnutrition for sure. Even though he took Absol to the pokemon center to get fed, it was still not enough to keep the creature properly nutritioned. Body low to the ground, in attack stance, Absol eyes the two boys. Teo could feel Joe tense up next to him, the boy''s eyes trailing off behind the rocks where his Riolu was hiding. Teo himslef felt relaxed, even to his own surprise. Even the last time he tried feeding Absol on his own the pokemon seemed hesitant to attack, he realised. This time, he had the Soothing Berry to offer, and he could notice Absol''s eyes occasionally darting towards it. He definitely felt the smell, but he was fighting it. Riolu was hiding in an ambush, ready to jump in at any given moment. Little to say, the boy liked his chances.


    "It''s fine, you can just eat", Teo made a small step forward, raising his arms into the air, a show of innocence. He had a back-up in Riolu so he could risk not keeping Absol''s pokeball ready. The boy gestured for Joe to follow after him, and his teammate obliged, raising his arms up as well. Absol eyed the two of them suspicioly, his black eyes carrying a wild shine. Still in attacking position, he slowly lowered his head, taking a single bite of the berry. Pokemon''s eyes stayed on the boys, but Teo could already feel a sense of victory washing over him. It was eating. Carefully, Absol took bites of the berry, mixing them with pellets. He didn''t drop his guard for a second, but he was eating. This must''ve been his lucky day, Teo thought. The food quickly dissapered from the food bowl, with Absol taking a careful step back, just to get back into jumping position. Teo wasted no time in grabbing his pokeball and recalling his partner. He already got his win. If Absol were to attack now, Riolu would get in. Allowing his partner to get defeated right now wouldn''t work in his favour, not right after he had made the slightest of steps forward with him. He proudly returned Absol''s pokeball to his pocket. Soon enough, Teo would have him fully on his side, he was sure of it. All he needed was a bit of time.


    "Well, that went well", Joe said, releasing the tension from his shoulders. "What do we do now? We do have quite some time to waste", the boy questions.


    "Now it''s battle time buddy", Teo reminds him, "I''m about to trash you".


    "Cmon", Joe sighs, "you''ll just end up ruining a good moment for yourself". Riolu appears next to him, finally leaving his cover of rocks.


    "Hey, we said no chickening out", Teo says picking up the emtpy food bowl and tossing it aside.


    "Alright, if that''s what you really want", Joe shrugs, "I mean, I''d like to see if you''re any good anyways, you know, so I would finally know what our chances are in the tournament".


    "Whatever, you better be ready", Teo says taking a spot on the beach.


    "You know, I think we could use a change of scenery", Joe comments looking arount absentmindedly, "all of my battles are on the beach".


    "That doesn''t matter", Teo scoffs, readying Totodile''s pokeball, "let''s just get into it".


    "You sure about it?", Joe scratches his head, "I mean, you''ve barely just caught that Totodile, you don''t know if he''ll listen to your instriction, or even understand them".


    "I do not care, you''re going down", everything else dissolves from Teo''s mind. It''s a strange rush, the boy hadn''t realised just how much watching everyone else battle made him itch to join in.


    "Alright, it''s your funeral", Joe says simply, gesturing for Riolu to step forward.


    "Great, here we go, Tots, let''s kill ''em", Teo hurls his pokeball upwards, releasing Totodile. The croc pokemon''s still wearing the Choice Specks, and looks rather confused at the fact he''s reappered in the outside world.


    "Horrible phrase, and an even worse nickname", Joe notes flatly.


    "Aqua Jet", Teo commands instead of answering. He''s not letting Joe get the first attack. Totodile, to the boy''s gratification, is quick to realise he had found himself in the middle of a battle. Surrounding his body with a veil of water, it quickly shoots towards his opponent.


    "Detect", Joe says simply. Riolu''s eyes flash blue, as the pokemon''s body instinctively moves out of the trajectory of the attack. As soon as Totodile lands on the sand, the boy commands: "Vacuum Wave, Rio".


    Teo''s watched him battle enough times to exoect this. "Dodge it, Tots", the boy yells. Totodile, jumping up, creates the water veil again and proceeds to Aqua Jet himself out of the harm''s way.


    "Go for Metal Claw, now", Joe wastes no time in attacking again.


    "Alright, let''s keep him at bay with Water Gun", Teo commands, not willing to let Riolu get close. Totodile catches on fast. Realising there''s another attack coming his way, the croc jumps up, yet again creating the water veil around himself, utilising another Aqua Jet and heading straight for Riolu.


    "Rio, cut it, use Detect", Joe reacts, realising the Aqua Jet would hit before Riolu could counter with Metal Claw. Eyes flashing again, Riolu evades another attack.


    When Totodile lands again, he seems to have gotten into the rhythm. Immediately, he jumps up into another Aqua Jet.


    "Dodge it and come back, Rio", Joe says with a sigh. Riolu''s gotten into the tempo of the battle as well, evading the Aqua Jet with ease, inching closer to his trainer. "I think we could cut this battle short", Joe yells across the impromptu battlefield.


    "No way, you''re just scared you''ll lose", Teo yells back.


    "Totodile''s not even listening to you, it''s just Aqua Jetting around cause he likes it", Joe retorts, "there''s no way I''d lose to you right now, better quit now".


    "Tots, use Aqua Jet", Teo responds with a grin, and Totodile''s on it in a second.


    "Vacuum Wave, Rio, and keep them up", Joe says simply. Riolu, feet firmly in the sand, shoots a blast of fighting energy into the incoming projectile. The water around Totodile disperses, and the croc pokemon ends up falling from mid-air.


    Teo sees Riolu preparing for the next attack. "Use Aqua Jet to get away again", the boy urges. Still airborne, Totodile manages to turn around, conjuring water again, and heading for the Riolu. He meets the second Vacuum Wave head on, his attack stopped once again in the same way.


    "Finish him now, Rio", Joe''s hand cuts through the air.


    "Dodge it", Teo instructs quickly. Totodile can''t get up in time to move, as a vacuum blast sends him flying back. It doesn''t take Teo long to realise his new partner been knocked out. With a sigh, he recalled the croc pokemon, lowering his gaze at the ground. He really wanted to be the one to beat Joe. And he wanted to do it on the first try. He had watched his teammate battle these past few day, he knew his style, his tricks, he was sure he could get him. Only if Totodile had actually listened to his instructions.


    "That was solid", Joe said approaching him, "Totodile has some moves".


    "Yeah, apparently he only wants to use one move", Teo scoffs, "just Aqua Jetting around".


    "Hey, it is a priority move you know", Joe smiles, "it''s a smart pokemon".


    "Right, I forgot you love those", Teo says, "maybe you should take over training him then".


    "No, I''m busy with Rio, and besides, Totodile is cute, but I''m not exactly a fan of Faraligator", the boy shrugs.


    "Roger that", Teo says, thinking how cool Faraligator would someday be.


    "And anyways, Aqua Jet wasn''t even what I meant by good moves", Joe points out, "I meant, that Totodile can move, he''s very agile".


    "Right", Teo thinks, the image of mid-air Aqua Jet coming to his mind. The speed at which Totodile reacted to attacks as well, he was perfectly capable of matching Riolu''s pace.


    "Honestly, between Ves, you and I, I think we might actually stand some chance at making it past the few round in the tournament", Joe says, "if you can get Totodile to start using some other moves, that is".


    "Right, yeah, the three of us", Teo feels a rush of pride, "you think we could do it?".


    "Well, I certainly can, and Ves and you both have good instincts", Joe shrugs, "so I say we could pull it off".


    "Am I better than Ves though?", Teo raises his eyebrows.


    "Not sure", Joe admits, "given the type advantage and the priority move you might be".


    "I''d definitely beat Ves", Teo decides.


    "Honestly, I think you would, I think Ace or Sam would be worse match-ups for you", Joe says wondering.


    "You think those two would beat me?", Teo laughs.


    "I mean, Ace has a strategy", Joe shrugs, "it''s not a good one for his partner, but it would definitely work against you".


    "You sure about that?", Teo crosses his arms, "I''m pretty sure I''d wash Ace, I have advantage".


    "Type advantage yes, but Totodile right now wouldn''t be able to deal with accuracy strategies", Joe says simply, "if Ace set up a Double Team, and he would, you''d most likely lose".


    "Okay, agree to disagree", Teo scoffs, "and why do you think Sam could beat me?".


    "Nuzzle", Joe says simply, "he has a type advantage, he meets one Aqua Jet head on, takes damage, paralyses you, and that''s it".


    "Well not everything comes down to type advantage", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "No, but paralysis matters here", Joe points out, "it would slow you down, and consider that I''ve just bought the Thunderbolt TM for Sam, so he could hit you from the distance as well, at least in theory".


    "Right, in theory the two of them could beat me", Teo declares, "in practice, I''d was all three of them, and I''d wash you as well if Totodile actually listened to me".


    "Yeah, dream on", Joe says.


    "Well, what matters now", Teo ignores his teammates remark, "is that I''m good and none of you can give me shit anymore".


    "Yeah, it''s pretty good to know we can count on you to battle as well from now on", Joe admits.


    "Yes you can", Teo says confidently, "and we''re winning that tournament".


    "Okay, that one might be a bit of a reach", Joe points out.


    "Nope", Teo waves his suspicions off, "we''re winning and I''m taking all of the points, and by the end of the year, I''ll take the number one spot".


    "Yeah, you need test scores for that too", Joe reminds him, "and I''ve seen you in math class, so I wouldn''t say that''s possible".


    "I meant number one in battling", Teo clarifies.


    "That list doesn''t really exist", Joe says, "and if it did, I''d be taking the number 1 spot, you know".


    "Dream on", Teo pokes.


    "I did beat you just now", Joe points out.


    "In a practice match, against my newly acquired pokemon", Teo says, "it does not count".


    "Well I''m counting it", Joe smiles dryly at him.


    Though Joe''s comments usually served to fill him up with hate, this time around they made Teo grow even more confident. The cocky attitude and basking in victory aside, if Joe said they had a chance in the tournament, and Teo was to thank for that, well, he had to be right. "Count it however you want to", Teo scoffs, but he can''t help the growing sense of familiarity. He almost forgets what happened on the boat. Almost.


    *****


    As the day drags on, the two boys find themselves with little to do. They make their way into town, looking for lunch, but that endavor doesn''t take long. Mostly, they wonder around aimlessly, waiting for the sundown so they can make their way back to the island. Joe spends some thirty minutes fanboying over Heal Capsules, explaining how the piece of technology is supposed to work like a slow healing machine. The see-through plastic capsule is placed over the pokeball, and it slowly heals the pokemon inside of it. Neither of them understand exactly how that happens, or how pokeballs work in general. It''s one of those great mysteries of the world, followed with numerous theories. Teo himslef believes that the pokeball just shrinks the pokemon down, warping it into its enterier. Joe is adamant it converts pokemon into data, which Teo finds higly nonsensical. Regardless, Joe offers two of the Heal Capsules to Teo, explaining that the packs contain 12 capsules, and he''s not going to need that many anytime soon. He also gets into explaining how he''ll give them out to the rest of their teammates as well, once again swearing it''s the most beneficial thing to do. Teo only half-listens to his ramblings, leaving the boy to talk mostly to himself. He takes the Heal Capsules with a pinch of shame. Joe''s hard to pin down, and the boy''s been acting like some sort of the benefactor to Teo the whole day. Buying berries, landing him a pokeball, and now the capsules as well. Teo, not liking the feeling of owing anything to anyone, especially not to Joe, swears he''ll give him one of his own pokeballs once they are back on the island. For now, he decides to get them ice cream.


    In the afternoon, they attempt to feed Absol again. Much to Teo''s satisfaction, the process yields the same results again. At first the pokemon refuses to acknowledge the food set before him, but caves in to the smell of Soothing Berry. Only three usable berries left now, Teo counts, feeling a clutch in his stomach. They seem to be working, and he feels sorry for not swiping any when he had the chance. He makes a mistake of asking Joe how long it will take for new berries to grow, and the boy launches into another theoretical explanation. By his estimates, it should take only a week for the berry to grow a bush capable of producing new fruit, which Teo is thankful for. The catch is, the bushes are capable of producing only a small number of berries, 2 in a span of 4 days at the very best, which definitely won''t be enough to feed Absol 3 times a day. Joe reassures him that, with proper care, a fully grown berry tree can be formed in a month, and those can yield the sufficent number of berries. They take a chance to feed Riolu and Totodile as well, offering them some berries as a side dish as well. Riolu gets a Chople berry, which supposedly strenghtens fighting types. They give a Sitrus berry to Totodile, and the Choice Specks wearing croc seems to enjoy the treat.


    Watching Totodile eat, Teo can''t help his mind wondering off. It still feels unreal that he''s gotten a new pokemon. It was just now hitting him, all of it, what this meant. He''s a pokemon trainer. Those nights he spent staring at the ceiling of his bedroom, promising himself he''ll someday have his own pokemon and leave Spikemuth behind finally took form. These past few days were a haze, to him they seemed like a false start. Maybe it was due to the fact that Absol didn''t offer that feeling to him. Even though he found his partner to be extremely cool, he still didn''t feel as if the white dog was his own pokemon. He had a mind and the heart of his own. Which Teo respected. And in a way, Absol felt like a wound that was still bleeding. The boy knew bits and pieces, and he had done some reading ever since recieving Absol as well. It''s a pokemon that can sense disasters, terrible things and worse people. For Teo, Absol not liking him felt like a given, just another reminder of his own shortcomings. It was a feeling he would never dare speak out loud. Totodile, on the other hand, felt much easier. The croc pokemon was either unaware of the fact that it was caught and what that had meant, or had accepted the these new circumstances fully within a span of the afternoon. The pokemon had warmed-up to Teo within minutes, insisting on constantly gripping onto the boy''s t-shirt with his little claws. Teo couldn''t help but find it all just a bit adorable.


    "You should recall Totodile now, you know", Joe said taking a seat on the swing. "Someone could pass by", he added.


    Looking around himself, the park on the outskirts of town they had found was barren. "No one''s passing through here", Teo reassures him taking a seat on the other swing, "so Tots is staying with me, you''re not the only one who can have his pokemon out all the time".


    "Rio''s not out right now, in case you didn''t notice", Joe retorts, "cause I have enough foresight to hide my pokemon in public spaces".


    "Whatever, Tots is small, no one''s gonna notice him", Teo sighs, picking up Totodile who was merrily dashing around.


    Joe says nothing, but gives him a cold glare instead. The remark about his father the boy had made on their way here reimerges in Teo''s mind. Seeing his teammate switch his behaviour had messed with his perception. Every market talk was a part of an act. Every seemingly nice thing was a mean to an end. Joe just does whatever he deems necessary or beneficial. Gripping Totodile closer in to himself, Teo told himself they were not friends. Just teammates. There to collaborate and make use of each other. He''s not stupid, like Sam, to think Joe''s anything more than an opportunist.


    "Alright, but if you get caught I''ll pretend that I don''t know who you are", Joe gives in.


    "Oh, well you can''t do that", Teo says sarcastically, "I mean, what would Trevor say when he finds out his little brother is that kind of person".


    "I''m sure Trevor will come around", Joe shrugs indifferently.


    In the silence that envelops the two, all Teo can think about is how uncomfortable he feels. These past few days he did his best to ignore all of his teammates, Joe included. But today, the boy was hitting him with realisation after realisation, and they were all somehow contradicting. On the boat he was something diatant, but had turned himself into an object of hate for Teo in the matter of a few words. Down on the market he was an actor, and somehow, on the beach, he was a good teammate. On the swings, right now, he faded back into nothing.


    Not able to recognise the boy next to him, Teo''s mind shifted back to his other three teammates. He didn''t pay much attention to them either. All of their personalities seemed made up to the boy, endlessly merging upon each other, seeping into each other like parts of the sky. They were all foreign and hard to understand, in the same way Joe was. Faraway hearts.


    "Huh, what do we have here", a rough voice coming from behind him jerks Teo out of his own head. Turning his head, Teo''s faced with three boys, roughly their age. He shifts out of the swing seat, facing the three tall-standing boys. He recognised their type instantly, dressed in black, chains around necks, jerkish smirks. One of the guys was eyeing Totodile, who was energetically jumping inside the sandbox few feet away. This was trouble.


    "I don''t know this guy", Joe said still carelessly sat on his swing. Teo gave him a sharp look, which the boy proceeded to shrug off.


    "We don''t give a shit about that", the dark haired boy who seemed to be a leader of the trio said in a sharp tone, "all we know is, we haven''t seen you around town before, and this is kind of our teritory you know...".


    "This is public property", Joe states, earning himslef a push from the swing. Regaining his balance he seems unshaken. But Teo''s spent the whole day with the guy so he knows better than to fall for that. Following Joe''s gaze, he notices the pokeballs hanging from the belts of their new friends. Immediately, he starts putting the pieces together. These guys are a year older than them at best. They can''t be trainers. Most likely they weren''t students either. Vigilanties, Teo concluded. It was not a rare occurance. Those who failed to enroll into a high school for pokemon trainers, often resorted to just illegally acquiring pokemon of their own. They wanted a leg up on other people who had to wait until they were 18 to get their license. More times they not, they also ended up being troublemakers as well. This was not Teo''s first run in with people like this. Those run ins have never ended well, in his experiance.


    "So, we reckon that Totodile isn''t yours", the gang leader raised an eyebrow, "since we would very much like to take it with us". From the way they were looking at him, Teo was sure they already knew the truth. They were probably there to see him holding Totodile as well.


    "Oh, you''re trainers?", Joe speaks before Teo can come up with anything. For a moment he wants to tell him to shut up, but recognises the change in his teammate''s voice. Acting again.


    "Right we are", one of the boys crosses his arms in a show of pride.


    "Really? That''s cool", Joe manages to sound impressed, "for how long have you been trainers? You guys seem young, are you students in any school for trainers?". Teo realises what they Joe was going for.


    "Huh, for a year", one of the boy readily admits. That was it. They were not taking on three guys who had a year of experiance in 3 against 2 battle. They had to run. As the three boys came up with some blatant lie about how they were students of a non-existent school, Teo redied Totodile''s pokeball. After he recalls his partner, they were darting out of there. Perhaps they could out run these three.


    "Oh that sounds great", Joe kept the three busy, feeding into their ego, "you guys must be good".


    Teo''s instincts were working overtime, noticing every little movement. The leader leaned back, he seemed to have relaxed. The other two stood with their arms in their pockets. Not expecting to have to chase after anyone anytime soon. He sees Joe pull back his leg ever so slightly, shifting his body away from the small gang. Without thinking further, Teo darts away, pulling out Totodile''s pokeball and recalling the small croc mid-run. Angry yells chasing after him, he can hear Joe''s footsteps hitting the ground right behind him.


    Quickly he realises that the Lilicove gang had decided to pursue them. He had hoped just jolting away would be enough to have them giving up. Now this was turning into a chase.


    Running into the emtpy suburbs, the streets of Lilicove started shifting before Teo''s eyes. Somehow, this oceanside town started looking a lot like Spikemuth. Joe seemed to have some steam in him, Teo did as well. Unfortunately, the same went for their pursuers. The three boy had stayed on their tail, not letting up for a moment.


    Experiance took over, the first chance he got, Teo grabbed Joe''s arm, pulling him into one of the side streets. They''ll shake them off in the allies. If they could make it onto the roof of some sort, that would be even better.


    "What are you doing, you moron", he could hear Joe''s voice sharpenning as the boy shook from his grip. He didn''t pay it much mind. At first. "They can let out their pokemon now", Joe said and Teo realised his mistake. Nervously he turned around, seeing that the three didn''t have their pokemon with them. But they were laughing. It was clear to Teo what all of that meant.


    Feet hitting against cobblestone, he just kept running on, making sharp turns every now and again, attempting to shake the three boys off. It was no use, he was on their home turf after all. The three had know this town just like Teo had known Spikemuth. There was no exit from the side streets, he knew, not one they could easily find at least. He had gotten them into a mouse trap. Joe must''ve known it as well.


    One more sharp turn left, and the two find themselves in the middle of three buildings towering over them. Two on the sides, one in the front. Dead end street. That''s what their pursuers were waiting for. Teo gazes a few trash disposers. Not tall enough to help them climb on the roof. By the time he turns around, Riolu''s already out. As the blue dog shoots a Vacuum Wave at the three punks, stopping them in their tracks, Teo quickly relases Totodile to help as well.


    "Hey, did this punk just attack us", the gang leader says with a grin, slowly holding up his pokeball.


    "Rio, Vacuum Wave, knock it out", Joe says inaudibly. His partner shoots another quick Vacuum Wave, knocking out the pokeball from the boy''s hand.


    "You''re a sociopath", the boy says, hid eyes widening. But Teo realises what Joe has on his mind. Though he hates to admit it, the two of them share a similar way of thinking.


    "Aqua Jet, Tots", Teo orders, "get them". It was a dirty way of fighting, but then again, these guys weren''t exactly innocent. If they were able to let their pokemon out, they''d do the same. As Totodile envelops himslef in water and shoots off into the group, Joe orders another attack as well. They prove sucessfull in knocking out the pokeballs from other two boys as well.


    Their pursuers seem shaken by the turn of events, but they don''t seem to be ready to let up just yet. "Water Gun", Teo orders, wanting to try and scare them off. Actually injuring these morons could out them in even more trouble. Totodile jumps up, water veiling him again, and projectiles himself into the group. Joe orders a Vacuum Wave at the ground.


    Now that the surprise factor''s gone, the boys easily avoid getting hit by the Aqua Jet. Vacuum Wave doesn''t scare them off either, they must know Joe doesn''t want to aim for them directly. Teo sees them grabbing their pokeballs from the ground. Without much thinking, he grabs Absol''s pokeball from his pocket. Saying a quick prayer, he tosses it into the air. Hopefully this is worth the risk.


    Their henchemen take a step back as soon as the white-furred pokemon appears in the alleyway. Frozen in fear, they stare at him, waiting to see what happens. They probably think Teo wouldn''t attack them directly if he had a choice. Teo really wished they could know how genuenly surprised he was at the fact Absol hasn''t tried to kill anyone as soon as it stepped his foot out. It just stood, attacking stance, staring at the three boys. Teo could imagine the look in the eyes of his partner, he''s met them enough times. Still, the Lilicove wouldn''t let up, opting to stand as firm as they can, tightly gripping to their pokeballs. Teo could see Joe on the side, who had seemed tense as well, just waiting to see what happens.


    Bringing his body even closer to the ground, Absol let out a low growl. The three punks reacted, releasing their pokemon just in time to have a shield against the rage-fueled Absol. Before Teo could even realise it, his partner had bodied one of the pokemon in a flashing attack. Mightyena. Quick Attack. Teo''s eyes picked up bits and pieces with a delay. His body felt paralysed yet free at the same time, fear made him fully there, but out of control. He didn''t even realise when his hand flew forward, ready to recall Absol at any given moment. When he tries killing someone. Maybe those three. Maybe himslef. Unconsciously, he was waiting for things to grow into a disaster.


    Those punks were panicing, but Teo could barely hear them due to the buzzing in his ears. One of them recalled the Mightyena. It had fainted already. One attack. The other two pokemon, a Linoone and a Zangoose, were flying around Absol. Those guys didn''t give them any orders, Teo realised. All three pokemon were moving on their own. Joe as well seemed to be frozen. Totodile was cluthing to his leg. He didn''t even realise when the small pokemon had made it back to him. Going through motions, he recalled him. This was no place for him.


    Absol was trashing around wildly, fighting off two opponents at the same time. Dodging. Trying to attack. Quick Attack. And a Knock Off, Teo recognised. Linoone and Zangoose were too agile. Taking a step back, Teo realised they were doomed. The only reason Absol could hold his own here was that he wasx technically, fully evolved. Even with that, he won''t hold much longer against two opponents.


    Joe finally manages to move, Teo hears him order a Vacuum Wave. The blast hits at Linoone, barely doing any damage. It''s a weak move. Even with type advantage, the difference in developmental stages makes the damage insignificant. Joe keeps the attacks up. Support. It comes to his mind Joe''s just playing support. It''s not for damage, it''s to lighten Absol''s load.


    As if on auto-pilot, Teo hurls Totodile''s pokeball up into the air, as high above the three pokemon as he can. "Aqua Jet", he yells as soon as the croc pokemon appears in the air. His partner''s ready to oblige, immediately creating the wail of water and descending down on the Linoone. Aqua Jet hits. Vacuum Wave hits. They do barely anything, but it''s enough to make a diversion. Absol hits Zangoose with another Quick Attack, hurling it backwards. He recalls Totodile back again immediately. He''s not leaving him in the midst of that mess.


    "Shit get out", he can hear a faint yell of one of the boys. Zangoos is quickly recalled, Linoone as well, and Teo sees their opponents hurriedly stepping back. Absol''s back in his attacking position. They keep their eyes on him, only turning around when they make it to the corner. A second passes or maybe two, and Teo feels the weight of the limbo. He half-expects Absol to start chasing after them. Hid mind is running all the possible scenarios. His body does nothing.


    Next moment, Absol''s burning black eyes meet his. There''s a white blur flying towards him. A flash of light. The blur is gone.


    The only thing that exist for a bit is the air. Heavy, it drops down on the boys body, making his limbs feel as if they were made of lead, turning his skin frigid. He hears blood rushing through every part of his body. His left hand''s outstreched. His fingers recognise the shape of a pokeball. The orb felt warm and sweaty in his hand. He was gripping on it too tightly. Automatic behaviour. He had recalled Absol on instinct, not even realising what he had done.


    Wishing to breathe out this heavy feeling he turns towards his teammate. Joe''s standing there, as pale as a ghost, his eyes hazy as per usual, but Teo can see the traces of fear everywhere. Riolu was not there. He was holding on to a pokeball as well. Must''ve recalled him. When their eyes met, they carried no emotion, but Teo felt his legs earthquake. This could''ve been bad. This could''ve been very bad. Remembering the way Riolu had attacked Ves back on the island, how he was ready to attack Teo earlier in the morning, it downed on him just why the boy was quick to recall him. Following his emotions Riolu could''ve killed someone in this alleyway. Following his own rage, Absol could''ve killed somebody too.


    "Sorry", Teo broke the silence with a whisper.


    "You could''ve gotten us killed", Joe''s voice comes out as calm as always.


    "I wasn''t thinking", Teo says lowly.


    "I know, you never do", Joe''s voice snaps in an instant, "no one on this fucking team ever thinks about anything".


    "Well sorry", Teo feels the need to defend, "I was trying to help you, you know". He led them into a dead end street. Had they stayed on the main road, they could''ve ran into some kind of a shop or something. Teo felt terrible about it. He saw Joe''s right hand twitching in pain, still bandaged up. He realises he grabbed him there when he led them astray.


    "Don''t try to help me", Joe yells out, "none of you try to help me ever again, just stay away from me, both you and Ves".


    "Just, just calm down", Teo tries to stop his hands from shaking. Still scared himself, he didn''t know how to make this better. "It all turned out good".


    "Good?", Joe''s voice freezes abruptly. "You call this good?", the boy says firmly, "you led us into a dead end street, you released a pokemon that you can''t control and that could''ve very much killed someone". Without taking a breath he continued. "It could''ve killed us, it could''ve killed them as well, then we''d be arrested, and you call that good", the statement is devoid of any emotion, "not to mention that those three only picked on us cause you insisted on keeping Totodile out of his pokeball".


    "Right, right", Teo nods along, hands reaching for his teammate''s shoulder, "I''m sorry".


    "Are you, really?", Joe shoves his hand away.


    "I am", Teo''s words are almost a promise. "I should''ve warned you, I''m bad luck", the boy feels his body giving him out, "nothing good ever happens around me".


    To his amazement Joe starts laughing. "Stop, God Teo, stop tripping already", Teo can''t believe the words he hears, "what, you''re some kind of bad omen? Stop joking".


    "It''s not my fault", Teo says, "trouble just likes me".


    "My God, Teo, it is your fault", Joe keeps laughing, "it is absolutely your fault, you''ve made a stupid decision, and you can''t blame that on a bad luck, or on your father leaving, or anything else".


    Ringing in Teo''s ears returns in an instant, his vision blurring. He feels hands shoving at him. Next thing he knows he''s hovering over Joe, yelling. "Stop being an ass", he says, "it''s not my fault, I apologised, why are you like that".


    "Like what?", comes Joe''s response.


    "Why... why are you intent on using that againts me, it slipped out, why are you using it against me still?", Teo''s voice is shaking, "what did I ever do to you?".


    "You''ve almost gotten me killed just a few moments ago", Joe reminds him.


    "And I said I''m sorry, it was bad judgemnt, I''m sorry", Teo says, "but don''t act like I''m the worst, you''re not much better, back on the boat, why did you say it back then, you had no reasons".


    "You were the one pushing me", Joe retorts, averting his gaze.


    "I was joking with you", Toe yells, "it was a joke, why did you have to respond like that".


    He feels a tug against his chest, loosing his ground the next second. Joe has him down on the ground, his healthy hand covering Teo''s mouth. They''re down between a pile of the trash bags, and before Teo can react, he hears Joe whisper in his ear: "stay quiet". The boy tries wiggling out of his teammate''s grip, but quickly realises why he had thrown him onto the ground. In the alleyway, just a few feet away from them, a tall figure appeared. Teo recognised the man draped in the beige trench coat as professor Nolan. Frozen again, he watched as the man summoned a Mandibuzz from a pokeball, quickly climbing onto the vulture''s back. Moments later, he could feel the air current created by the giant bird''s takeoff hit against his skin.


    "What is Nolan doing here?", Teo said in a low voice once the coast was clear. The anger in him subdued, he stood up, fixing his clothes.


    "Book shopping", Joe nodded towards the wooden sign that read ''Bookstore'' in dwindling black letters. Wooden doors beneath it faded into the wall, still, Teo wondered how he didn''t notice them up until now. Not wasting any time, Joe latched onto the handle.


    "What do you think you''re doing?", Teo grabbed his shoulder.


    "Going into the bookstore", Joe shook his hand off.


    "Why?", Teo said, "Nolan was nust in there".


    "Yeah, and he flew away, so he''s no longer in there", Joe points out, "I wanna know what kind of book had our mentor sneaking into side alleyways of Lilicove on his day off".


    "Well how would you possibly find that out?", Teo scoffs.


    "I''ll just ask what book he had bought", Joe shrugged.


    "That sounds like a stupid mistake, you know", Teo glares at him, "you''ll get us in trouble".


    "You''re one to talk", Joe says flatly, "I''ll just say this man I''ve just met recommended me the book he had just bought, and ask them to give me a copy so I can look through it, it''s not like they''ll call the police on me for getting a book recommendation".


    "Fine, but you''re on your own", Teo says crossing his arms.


    "Perfect", Joe opens the doors, "that''s exactly what I want to be".

 Chapter 9

    Thursday was great. Save for being woken up by Ves and Sam in the early morning, and spiraling into yet another fight immediately, it was the best day Ace had had since stepping foot onto the Old King''s island. Partly due to the fact that after their fight, the other two had dissapeared and didn''t come back to their dorm room until the evening. The blond boy had gotten his fair share of peace and quiet, and had used them to the best of his abilities. He actually managed to get a good rest, a feat that was slowly starting to seem impossible in this dorm room. Upon waking up, he took things slow. He fed Rockruff, and even got the small dog to let him brush his fur. The pokemon bit him quite a few times in the process, not out of rage, but out of excitment. The boy did know Rockruffs tend to show their affection in that manner, yet, he couldn''t help thinking where that sort of behaviour would lead. Rockruff, even before evolving, would only grow rougher and rougher in his demeanor as he develops. Other than tending to his partner, Ace managed to vacuum their room, wash the window, and even squeeze in some study time. He was amazed at how much he could accomplish when he didn''t have four other boys hanging around.


    A video call from his mother set his mood back for a bit. Greg had, apparently, passed his license testing that he had took a day before. On the day of his 18th birtday. Ace had sincerly forgotten his cousin was supposed to turn 18 this year, not to mention that he had completely forgotten his birthday. His mother scolded rapidly scolded him about it, and demanded he congratulates his brother immediately. To keep the war at bey, Ace unwillingly shoot a few messages to Greg. Birthday wishes didn''t come easy to him. Congratulating him on acquiring the trainer''s license and starting his journey was easier in comparasion, but the boy had done it with much spite in his fingers. In reply, Greg sent a quick thanks, before drowning their barren chat with a barrage of pictures of his starter, a Squirtle he had chosen that morning. Sighing, Ace tried to end the conversation, knowing that insulting Greg right here and now would just lead to his mother unleashing hell upon him. And Greg was so easy to insult. The boy went along about challenging the gym in their hometown, Vermillion. Most people born in the port city of Kanto did that. For those born in the city with a gym, anywhere in the world, earning a badge of the said gym was a right of passage, a feat that would mark the beginning of their journey. For that reason, most people born in Vermillion would chose Bulbasaur as their starter. Others, and Ace had deemed these the smart ones, would pick Charmander. A potential of getting a flying, fire-breathing beast was too great too pass on, in his opinion. The only people who picked Squirtle were the ones who didn''t plan to take on the Vermillion gym as the first step in their journey. Then, there were rare fools, like his cousin, the ones who thought they could beat an electric type gym with a water type. Some folks are irreversably stupid.


    Regardless to his cousin''s questionable choices, Thursday just kept getting better. In the early evening, Sam was the first to return. The boy kept quiet, other than to inform Ace of a spectacle tournament that would take place Friday afternoon. It was Ace''s first time hearing about the ''little four'' and ''golden generation''. He felt a stab in his stomach, realising those guys were Greg''s age. In his mind, all of those times his cousin had complained about not making it into school due to harsh competition came back to him. He swore he''d never tell anyone in his family about golden generation, he wouldn''t want to give them another weapon. But the prospect of watching these matches excited him. There was a hint of doubt in him, the whole ''golden generation'' thing seemed a bit exaggerated, yet, just the fact these were the fourth years, and the best ranked amongst them, served his vigor. He wanted to know what Old King''s school can make out of people, what it took for a person to reach that final year, and what it took to stand on top of your class.


    Ves rolled in late, and didn''t say a word, much to Ace''s contempt. By the time Joe and Teo arrived, it was already 11 at night. Both boys seemed drained, and tension between the two was palpable. It worked out in Ace''s favour, those two fighting. Last thing he needed was two guys most likely to have them expelled being friends. He liked the prospect of those two not talking to each other.


    The pair woke them up with their arrival. Ace listened in sleepy daze to the retelling of their shopping trip. It was obvious the two boys had left out the chunk of what had happened to them. Joe ran through what they had bought, berries, training equipment, some TMs. He was quick to give a Thunderbolt TM to Sam, which the other boy put away, still half-asleep. Other TMs they had gotten were the ones for Trick Room, Energy Ball, and Wing Attack. They themselves seemed to be taken back by their choices, and Ace really didn''t want to know how or why they had gotten those specific TMs. Trick Room would be useless for them, as all of their pokemon were fast, and it was a niche strategy even beyond that. Not to mention that none of their pokemon had wings, so Wing Attack was completely out of place. The Energy Ball TM ended up going to Ves, Houndour being the only one who could learn and make use of the move. The black haired boy seemed surprised that they were even talking to him, let alone bringing him gifts. The most Ace had gotten out of this was a Heal Capsule.


    On more concerning matters, the two morons have captured a Totodile and decided to smuggle it onto the island. Teo ceremoniously released his newest partner, proudly standing above the small blue crocodile that was wearing red Lennons for whatever reason. Joe quickly informed them that they''d need to schedule a trip for the weekend, so Teo could register his new pokemon. Surprisingly, nobody complained. Ace, though he hated letting Joe make decisions, actually agreed with this one. Not that he cared much about Teo, but the trip would be a good opportunity for him to make a new catch as well. Other than having a run in with Totodile, the two also had a run in with their mentor, in some alleyway no less. Joe had managed to get some two fairytale books out of that encounter somehow. How they had gotten there, Ace did not want to know. Just the fact they might''ve been seen in Lilicove by their mentor was enough for Ace to want to murder them. But that was Friday''s problem. Friday was, unfortunately, just around the corner.


    "Less then a week", Ace yelled at Teo and Joe, hovering his phone in front of their faces, "we''ve been here for less than one week, and this is what happens".


    Joe stared at him empty eyed. He had also recieved an e-mail summoning them to professor Noaln''s office at 9 AM. "No need to yell at us Ace, that''s not on us", the brown haired boy said in a flat voice.


    "No? Well what could this be about then, please, tell me?", Ace couldn''t keep his voice from cracking, it would happen each time he talked with anger. "The two of you just had to go off the island, even though we''ve told you it''s stupid", the boy insisted, "and surprise, Nolan saw you sneaking around, and now we''re all getting expelled". All the blood in him was reaching the boiling point, and the boy felt ready to dig his fists into them at a moment''s notice.


    "He didn''t see us", came Joe''s simple reply.


    "Yeah, we were amongst the trash", Teo added, not even looking at Joe.


    "Huh, you should''ve stayed there", Ace keeps yelling. He couldn''t phantom it. After studying so hardn in order to get accepted, after listening to his extended family put him down for the entire summer, he''ll just end up being expelled week one, thanks to these two. "What do you think this could possibly be about other than you two?".


    "Maybe he just wants to talk to us", Sam offers, "you know, see how we''re doing, he''s our mentor after all".


    "You stay out of this", Ace snaps at him.


    "Calm down Ace", Joe says, looking up at the ceiling, "he didn''t see us, I realised it was him before he turned around".


    "Right, we can handle ourselves", Teo scoffs, earning himself a tired look from Joe.


    "My God, the two of you aren''t as smart as you believe you are", Ace says, "he did see you, and now we''re all fucked".


    "You don''t know that", Joe crosses his arms, "what did all of you do yesterday?". All eyes turn to Ves instantly.


    "No. You can''t pin this on me", the balck haired boy raises his hands defensively, "I was at the training center the whole day, didn''t leave the place for a moment".


    "I was in the room, cleaning, cause someone actually has to do that as well, you know", Ace throws the pair a sharp look.


    "I was training as well", Sam scratches his chin.


    "Right, so that settles it", Ace says decisively, "it''s the two of you".


    "Um, I did see professor Nolan yesterday as well", Sam chimmes in.


    "What?", Ace snaps at him, "you can''t be for fucking real".


    "Hey, chill out, dude", Sam puts his guard up, "I was resting on the beach after my run when he landed on his Mandibuzz".


    "You''re an idiot as well", Ace feels a headache forming.


    "Well, I didn''t do anything wrong", Sam says, "even professor Nolan said so".


    "Right, right, I believe you completely", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "My God, Ace", Sam''s voice rises, "do you think we''ll get expelled because I went for a run".


    "I don''t know", Ace admits, "you''re all idiots".


    "Can you stop catastrophising for a second", Sam sighs.


    "No, I can''t", Ace snaps back at him, "catastrophising is a survival skill, you know".


    "Look, I talked to Nolan yesterday", Sam says insecurely, "he''s actually okay, and we don''t even know what this is about, it might as well be just a regular talk".


    "Fraternising with professors, huh, buddy", Teo gives Sam a raised eyebrow.


    "Y''all are just yelling for no reason", Sam says taking a step back.


    "It''s not for no reason", Ace points out, "these two will get us expelled".


    "Will you just stop with that already", Teo scoffs, "it''s not us".


    It''s as if Ace''s entire body is trembling in rage, his vision blurring. So many things. He could tell them so many things. Crossing the ocean to go shopping, bringing in an illegal pokemon, and whatever else those two have done yesterday, he wanted to shove it all in their faces.


    "Actually", Joe says as if he''s just now rembering something, "it could be those guys went to the police, so this might be on us". Ace watches as Teo''s face flinches, and his own stomach sinks.


    "They didn''t", Teo says unconvincingly.


    "You did let Absol loose on them", Joe points out as if that information was nothing.


    "Well no one got hurt", Teo rolls his eyes, "besides, thugs don''t usually go to the police, you know, it''s not like they were innocent either".


    "I''m just saying, almost getting killed by a raging Absol might''ve proped them to do that", Joe says calmly.


    "No one got killed", Teo started explaining.


    "Just what did you two fuckers do yesterday?", Ace cuts him off his cracking voice piercing through the room. Joe looks about ready to explain, but Ace stops him with a wave of a hand: "no, stop, I don''t want to know".


    "Alright", Joe nods carelessly.


    "I''m just glad I''m not the bad guy anymore", Ves says with a laugh.


    "You''re getting expelled here as well", Ace serves him a sharp look.


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself Ace, you''re acting as if we''re already expelled", Teo sighs, "maybe Nolan just wants to have tea with us".


    "You know what, let''s just go, please",Ace says defeatedly, "I can''t stand this anymore, I can''t believe you''re all so calm about this".


    "No use crying before the Crabrawler has actually punched you", Joe says distantly.


    "Is that some sort of islander''s wisdom?", Teo chuckles.


    "Yeah well, I''ll punch both of you, so you won''t even have to worry about any Crabrawler", Ace scoffs, "now let''s go".


    For the first time since coming here, Ace is thankful for the stairs. They make up the distance that separates him from the doom. His head felt clouded, all he could hear were the echoes of footsteps they made. They sounded like 5 clocks, all ticking in their own rhythm, creating utter dissonance, yet they were all counting down to the same thing.


    Walk to the offices felt heavy, the morning sun not offering any warmth, company of his teammates not offering any comfort. Ace wished he was alone. In his head he could already hear Greg''s voice smugly telling him it''s alright he had failed at his chance. He was sure his cousin would feel great about it, basking at Ace''s failure. His own parents as well, they probably expected him to fail anyways. The worst of all was, he didn''t fail. This had nothing to do with him. He did everything right. He did all he could.


    The wait in front of Nolan''s office was short, the five boys took seat as soon as they entered. Ace made the point of sitting at the chair furthest from the doors, the most isolated one. Ves placed himself right next to him, while Teo took the middle seat. Joe sa at the opposite and, apparently not wanting to be right next to Teo. Sam ended up creating the wall between the two.


    Professor Nolan greeted them shortly, his harsh tone confirming Ace''s suspicions. They were not invited there for the morning tea. The boy tried keeping his gaze fixed on the Sawsbuck figurines for a bit, but they provided no shelter. He noticed a book laid flat on the table. He couldn''t read the title, but he already knew it, ''Review of Renegade Legend: World Between Space and Time". It was the same book Joe had brought back from Lilicove. One of those fairytale topics that disguised themselves as pseudo-sciences. Fitting for a history professor, Ace thought, to waste time and money on something as stupid as mythology. Right next to the book stood a small statue made of black marble, showing a creature that resemled a worm with legs and wings and legs that looked like burned curtains. Curtains, Ace thought, those two morons didn''t think about getting curtains on their little shopping trip. Something that would actually be useful. He felt the need to start yelling at them about it, but rembered that it probably didn''t matter anymore. The only reason they''ll go back to that room was so that they can pack their bags.


    Nolan wastes no time talking to them, informing them instead that he has a busy day today, and he wants to get over this quickly. Amazing, Ace thinks, he probably wants to go flying around and collecting fairytale books and action figures, so he won''t even take proper time to expell them.


    Turning a rusty-looking laptop towrds the boys, the man presses play. Ace has to lean in to see what''s going. A very short video shows a battle between Yamper and an Axew. A realisation dawns upon Ace immediately. Seeing Sam run up to his Yamper once the pokemon is knocked out only confirms what the boy already knows. The video cuts off there, and Ace immediately turns to look at Sam. The boy is leaned back in his chair, his mouth gaping open. Thousand curses gather in Ace''s throat, begging to cross his lips. He''s sure other three boys feel the same way.


    Nolan stops them before any of them manage to find an appropriate reaction. "I believe you all realise what you have seen", his eyes scan the five boys, landing on Sam, "little to say, I find myself rather dissapointed by this turn of events".


    "Oh, for goddess sake, just expel us", Ves scoffs in his chair taking Nolan''s glance head on, "no need to teach us a lesson, we''ll deal with this fucker later".


    "No cursing", Nolan reminds him, his voice rising.


    "As if I give a fuck right now", Ves''s body tenses up, "we''re out of this school anyways, I can curse if I want to".


    "Well, you will definitely get yourself expelled like that, boy", Nolan says dryly, "would you have some manners and hear me out first?".


    "Right", Ves leans back in his chair fixating his eyes on the ceiling, "whatever". Ace shares the sentiment. If they are going home, he''d rather not have to sit through lesson on ethics.


    "As I believe you already know, first year students are forbidden from battling without supervision", the man clears his throat, "any infrigment on this rule leads to expulsion".


    "Yeah, yeah, we know", Teo says sarcastically.


    "However, believe it or not, I am not a type of professor that wants to see his students expelled", Nolan''s words give some hope to Ace. "I have managed to convince the school board to hold back on expulsion, but sanction you in different manner instead", the man states, "considering it''s your first week in this school, and techinacally only one of you has broken the rule". Ace almost laughs at the idea that Sam''s the only one breaking rules on their team.


    "Oh how considerate of you", Teo is one to speak, but all five of them have their ears on. "What do we get?", the boy inquiers, "community service? Detention?".


    "The school board has decided you''ll get 500 team points deducted from your team score", Nolan gives them a look of significance.


    "What score?", Ace almost jumps up from his chair, "we''re literally at zero points, they have nothing to take away".


    "Well, now you boys are 500 hundred points in the negatives", the professor shrugs, a small smile lingering across his lips.


    "You find this amusing?", Ves joins in.


    Clearing his throat, Nolan returns his expression back to the professional: "slightly, you boys are the first ones in school history to have a negative score, you know".


    "Always the blueprint", Teo says dryly, and Ace can imagine the eye-roll that accompanies the statement.


    "We''ll fail", Ves is almost yelling at their mentor, "why do this, God, if you''ll deduct that many points from us, better just expell us instead". Ace digs his elbow into the boy, wanting him to shut up.


    "This is the best I could do", Nolan raises his hands in the air, "be thankful you still have a chance".


    "Well, did that other guy''s team get the deduction as well", Ves insists.


    "No", Nolan says simply.


    "Why not, he broke the rules as well", Teo joins in.


    "Yes, but we couldn''t tell who it was from the video", Nolan shrugs, "besides, none of the students in my class have an Axew, so it''s not my bussines".


    "But you have information on every student, so you must know who it was", Teo remains adamant.


    "The board looked into it, but the only student that has an Axew in your year was on record in training center whole day yesterday", Nolan informs them, "him and his Axew both were on-camera".


    "Well, how can that be?", Ves protests, "something''s fishy here".


    "I would recommend you boys not think about that", professor says, "you have bigger problems on your hands right now, and wheter anyone else gets sanctioned or not doesn''t change that".


    "Well, it''s still not fair", Ves says firmly, "Sam, who did you battle? You have to know his name".


    Ace sees Sam shift uncomfortably in his chair. "Stanley", the boy says in a low voice, "his name was Stanley".


    With a sigh professor turns his laptop around, and starts pressing buttons. In the meantime, the three boys keep staring daggers at Sam. Joe''s just carelessly looking at the doors.


    "No Stanley", professor informs them after a few moments.


    "What do you mean no Stanley?", Ves yells out.


    "Keep your voice down", Nolan reminds him, "there''s not a single first year student named Stanley in our base, meaning such a person does not exist".


    "Meaning that this idiot here was given a fake name", Teo says smacking Sam over the head.


    "No violence", Nolan says firmly, as Sam flinches from the hit.


    "Rules say no pokemon battles", Teo states, "I can still fistfight this moron".


    "There are very much rules against both physical and verbal violence as well", Nolan reminds him, "you want to be expelled?". With that, Teo settles back in his chair, but Ace is certain the boy''s reaction was only put on hold.


    As hope and fear cascade inside of his throat, Ace stops listening to whatever people around him are saying. They are 500 points behind everybody, he realises, which means they are up on the chopping board already. Yet, they are still here. A faint idea of survival lingers in his mind. There is one chance.


    "Wait", Ves''s voice cuts through the tension. "We get deductions on the team score, not on the personal ones, right?", Ves asks exactly what Ace has had in his mind.


    "That would be right", Nolan nods, "the board wouldn''t want to damage a singular student, they still want to know if any of you can prove yourself".


    "Well that''s a little bit stupid", Joe says flatly.


    "That gives us a chance to pass on our own", Ves retorts, "I thought you''d catch that".


    "I''m just saying, if that''s the agenda being pushed, why put us on the teams in the first place?", Joe locks eyes with their mentor, "why not just let us be on our own from the start?".


    "Yeah, I was wondering the same thing", Teo says sharply.


    "The school board does what they think will yield the best results", the man shrugs, "as you know, I don''t always agree with their decisions either".


    "Yeah, we''re aware", Teo rolls his eyes, "very well aware".


    "Right, it''s kind of unfair how the students here don''t get the same opportunities", Ves adds, crossing his arms.


    "Unless that serves some purpose as well", Joe says distantly.


    With a sigh, the professor says: "boys, I am not a trainer myself, you know this". Following the man''s gaze, Ace can see he''s looking at Joe. "I wouldn''t want to risk anyone getting injured on my watch", the man states, and Ace can see his teammate moving his bandaged hand away from sight. A sense of knowing envelops Ace, but he can''t confirm it. He doesn''t want to.


    "Alright, if that''s all to be said on this matter", Joe clears his throat.


    "It is", Nolan cuts him off, "you''ve heard your punishment, don''t do something stupid like this again".


    "Right, we won''t", Joe says flatly.


    "We definitely won''t", Teo chimmes in.


    "And we''ll make sure Sam doesn''t either", Ves shoots a sharp glance at the boy.


    "Okay, if that''s settled, we''d like to sign up for a school trip", Joe notes, sounding as if they haven''t just suffered a 500 points loss.


    "Right now?", Nolan asks in surprise.


    "I don''t think now''s the time to do this, buddy", Ves says.


    "Why not?", Joe shrugs, "we''ve heard executive orders, and your warnings, no need to stay on that topic any longer".


    "Still, not a great time to set up a trip", Ves sighs, "we''ve just earned ourselves the last place".


    "I''m just thinking about the future here", Joe replies.


    "Alright, alright", Nolan stops any further conversation, "it''s definitely a weird timing, but alright". Pressing a few buttons on his laptop he informs them: "all the spots for this weekend''s trips are filled up, so you''ll have to wait for the next week".


    "Unfortunate", Teo says.


    "There are free spots for every trip next week, so just say what works for you", Nolan ignores him.


    "I''m going home for the weekend, so either Thursday or Friday", Joe says. Ace is not sure when the boy had made that decision.


    "Alright then you can either visit Galar region with professor Gale on Thursday, or Sinnoh region with me on Friday", Noaln informs them.


    "We''re not going to Galar", Teo says decisevly.


    "Where in Sinnoh are we going?", Sam asks, earning himself a series of glaring looks.


    "Canalave city", Nolan informs them, "I''ve arranged a small lecture with the leader of the local gym, and there''s a newly open exhibit in their museum that I had hoped students would want to visit".


    "Sounds kind of boring", Ves says, "classes and museums?".


    "Well, it was supposed to be a surprise", Noaln says indifferently, "but a member of Sinnoh''s elite four will also take part in the short lecture". The five boys look at the man with growing interest.


    "Why would you spoil a surprise for us?", Teo says with a chuckle.


    "I was hoping you would decide to come along", the man says, his eyes landing on Sam.


    "Oh, what, so you secretly like us?", Teo adds sarcastically.


    "You''ve almost gotten expelled in a span of 5 days", Nolan says, "I want to keep my eyes on you, it''s not exactly a secret".


    "Right, Sinnoh it is then", Joe decides, "sign us up".


    "Hey, Joe, stop being the manager", Ves scoffs, "you can''t decide for all of us".


    "Right, let''s vote then", Joe says simply, raising his arm. Teo and Sam raise their arms as well. Ace too, in the end, a chance to meet a member of the elite four doesn''t come around often.


    "Right", Ves says crossing his arms.


    "Alright", Nolan says indifferently, punching in something on his laptop, "you''re going to Sinnoh next Friday then".


    "Lucky us", Ves says.


    "And right now, you''re going back to your dorm room", Nolan scans over them, "in a peaceful manner".


    "We''re going to watch the little four tournament, actually", Teo points out.


    "Do whatever you want, but do it peacefully", Nolan sighs, "no breaking rules".


    "How about bones?", Teo inquiers.


    "No", Nolan meets his eyes dead on.


    "Cut it off, Teo", Joe says.


    "Is there anything else you would like us to know, professor, or are we free to go?", Ace decides to finally say something. This conversation''s already gone on for too long.


    "No, that would be all", Nolan nods, "you''re free to go".


    Ace shoots up from his chair immediately, heading for the doors. "I would like itnfor you boys to keep the rules in mind from now on", Nolan says behind them. He did, he did keep the rules in mind, Ace thinks, as he ventures into the hallway.


    His teammates shuffle out of their mentor''s office as well, not saying a word, but Ace can sense the different feeling mixing in the air. Mostly anger coming from Ves and Teo. Fear from Sam. Joe was on his usual bullshit. Ace himself had turned off any feelings. He had walked into that office expecting the worst. This situation, though dire, was still a step-up from what he had been preparing for. His mind was racing, putting pieces of information together, trying to find the way out of this new maze the boy had been thrown into. There was only one exit in sight - pass on your own.


    Calculating his chances of landing into top 50 proved tough, especially at this moment. Waiting for his teammates to snap, his judgment felt clouded. He could only come up with rough drafts of his plan. Outscoring people in front of him in written exams was a must, he knew that much. The gaps in theory were not that big, he knew, there was a difference of about 100 points between him and the person ranked at 50th place, if he remembered correctly. The problem with that was that the other students would start studying harder as well, it would take much effort to outdo them. Best case scenario, he concluded, he can reach top 50 with test scores. Most realistic case, he gains 10 to 15 spots. That would be his aim for this semester, he decides.


    The battles were a different beast all together. Dwindling confidence in that regard, Ace found it almost impossible to assess his chances. He knew well enough Rockruff was the middle of the pack pick when it came to battling. There were certainly much worse partners to have, like Yamper, Petilil, or Spoink, but there were better ones as well. Evolution would be the only solution, but that was not an easy feat to accomplish. He''d have to catch a new pokemon during their trip to Sinnoh, that much he had already decided. He needed more options if he wanted to accomplish anything. Then it''s just a matter of training.


    Again, other students were a problem as well, as Ace was sure mostly everyone would be putting in effort. With written tests, the entrance exams results offered some insight on where he''s standing comapred to the rest of the students in their year. With battles, there were many more moving parts. He knew his place in relation to Lesley''s team, and to some degree he could add those girls from their class as well. Little to say, he didn''t rank too highly. The truth on that matter was clear to him, and he had no intentions on holding on to pride, it would only drag him down.


    Another factor that had made things hard to predict was the randomness of it all. This first tournament was tag team battle, so how many chances to score points he''d have depended on his teammates as well. Joe did say that Teo''s decent in battles, and they had a chance to pass the few rounds. That was, however not the only problem. If the three of them, Joe, Teo and Ves, decided to hog all of the battles for themselves, even if they got them through the couple of rounds, it wouldn''t mean Ace would score any individual points.


    The group made a turn to the left, and, as he had expected, Ace was stopped from making any further plans for the time being.


    "Alright, you dumbass, you''re dead meat now", Teo reaches for Sam as soon as they are away from the offices.


    "Calm down", Sam gets away from him, defensively raising his arms, but Ves is quick to appear behind him, locking him into a grip and rendering the boy unable to move. "Dude, I didn''t do it on purp-", Sam attmepts, but Teo plants a sweeping punch right into his face. Ves lets go of him, and the brown haired boy ends up falling to the ground.


    To Ace''s surprise, he doesn''t stay there for too long. "Stop it", Sam yelles, throwing himself at Teo, grabbing at his sides, and throwing both of them down. Ves reaches for him, getting him into the lock yet again, but Sam thrust his elbow backwards, digging into the boy''s abdomen. With a quick turn, Sam gets away from them, placing his back against the wall.


    "Wait, stop for a second", Joe interrupts them, walking in closer Sam.


    "What do you want", Teo scoffs, but neither Teo nor Ves reach for him.


    "I just want to know one thing, then I''ll let you settle this hovewer you want", Joe says flatly.


    "Dude, I didn''t do it on purpose", Sam pleads, and Ace can almost see the tears welling up in his eyes. His hand is rubbing the place where Teo''s fist had landed, and Ace discerns it must hurt.


    "You did it because you''re stupid", Joe says simply, causing Sam to flinch, "but it doesn''t matter now, it''s done, I just want to know who you were battling".


    "As if that matters", Ves says.


    "It does, this was obviously a set-up, the guy even gave him a fake name", Joe points out, "if there is someone out to get us, that matters".


    "Someone probably just saw this guy is a fool and decided to use it to their advanatage", Ves shrugged, "they just wanted to get rid of one team".


    "Yeah, I don''t know why Mikey would go after Sam specifically", Teo notes, "he''s like ranked first, and I doubt he knows Sam''s on the team with me or Joe".


    "Wait", Ves says in an upset, "how do you know Mikey?".


    "Who is Mikey?", Joe raises an eyebrow, "and why would he care if Sam was on the team with you, or me at that matter?".


    "All you need to know is", Teo says with a heavy sigh, "is that Mikey is the guy in our year with an Axew, so he must be involved in this".If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "I would very much like to know how I connect to him", Joe retorts.


    Ignoring him, Teo turns towards Sam, asking in a sharp voice: "did that guy have dumb blond hair, and was he a prick?".


    "No, no", Sam says, "he was...he was kind of tall, dark hair in a mullet...".


    "A mullet?", Ves cuts him off seemingly deep in thought. "Mikey has an Axew and this guy had a mullet", the boy says to himself.


    "I don''t think there''s a connection there, Ves", Teo says.


    "No, no, what was that move that Axew had used in battle?", Ves says in exhilaration, "that one where his claw flashes in black?".


    "It was Thief", Sam says confused.


    Ace pulls out his pokedex immediately, searching up Axew. He quickly confirms what he had already knew. "Axew can''t learn Thief", he says to the group.


    "No shit Sherlock", Ves snaps at him, "that was not an Axew, that was Zorua".


    "Could be, but we can''t be sure", Ace nods.


    "Yes we can", Ves says, "Illusion only works when Zorua had seen a pokemon it turns into before the battle, and it fades when it takes a hit".


    "So you think that guy''s on a team with that Axew guy?", Ace inquiers.


    "I''m sure he is", Ves says, "that''s Vinnie''s little boyfriend, they are all on the same team".


    "Who is Vinnie?", Joe says, growing more confused by a second.


    "Oh, she''s that girl who''s ranked third?", Teo chimmes in, "and that Dominic guy is on the team with them as well then".


    "How the fuck do you even know them?", Ves asks.


    "Had an unfortune of meeting them", Teo admits, "Mikey and Dominic, that is, I''ve never seen Vinnie, or anyone with a Zorua... or a mullet". Raising an eyebrow, Teo adds: "and how do you know them?".


    "Long story", Ves trails off.


    "Well, make it short, you moron", Teo hisses out.


    "Vinnie''s my half-sister", Ves says cautiously, "and Mikey is, technically my step-brother".


    "What the fuck", Teo yells out, "you''re related to that blond moron?".


    "No, I''m not, we''re step-brothers", Ves says defensively, "there''s no blood relation there".


    "How...how does that even work", Ace scratches his head, "all three of you are the same age?".


    "Don''t ask", Ves sighs.


    "Don''t care about anyone''s family drama", Joe interrupts, "I just wanna know why they would go after Sam, and what in the world do I have to do with Ves''s step-brother".


    "God, they were giving me shit while I was trying to feed absol, and I might''ve named dropped you", Teo snaps at him, "mentioned you were 4th, they seemed interested, that''s all".


    "Why would they care about it?", Joe retorts.


    "I don'' t know, the three of them are top 3 ranked students in our year, maybe they see you as competition", Teo says, "anyways, they don''t know what you look like, or that Sam is on our team, so that''s probably not it".


    "They could''ve seen us all together sometimes", Ace points out.


    "Right, so Teo''s put a target on our backs, mostly mine, how surprising", Joe says, "so Mikey''s blond, a guy with a mullet has a Zorua, and then there are some two named Dominic and Vinnie, roger that".


    "Okay, no", Ace gets mixed in with his teammates, grabbing Joe''s shoulder, "whatever you have planned, don''t even think about it".


    "Right, as if you can stop me", Joe waves him off, "besides, I''ll just give them a warning shot".


    "A warning shot?", Ace hisses at him, "Calm down Cruise, this is not ''The Outsiders''".


    "Actually, I was thinking more in the lines of ''Chicago'', you know, the musical", Joe says calmly.


    "You two morons stop with your bullshit right now", Ves clams, "let''s be serious here".


    "Dude, we''ve avoided being expelled like 2 minutes ago, and the first thing this wanker wants to do is cause even more trouble", Ace says under his breath.


    "Look, Ace, sorry to inform you, but he''s right", Ves replies, "and I''ll go with him, Vinnie has some explaining to do".


    "Don''t need any help", Joe says simply, "especially not from you".


    "I know what these people actually look like", Ves points out, "pretty sure you need me, besides, what, you think you can go 1v5 against them?".


    "I could", Joe says trailing of.


    "Yeah, sure", Ves rolls his eyes, "I despise Mikey, but let me make one thing clear, his father was a champion in Master''s division back in the day, both Mikey and Vinnie have much more experiance than any of us, you know".


    "How are they even on the same team?", Ace wonders, "you say they are top 3?".


    "Money does wonders", Ves says shortly.


    "Look, whatever, I can take them both", Joe says flatly, "and their little teammates as well".


    "You don''t get it, don''t you?", Ves goes to shove Joe away, but stops immediately. "Look, the two of them have been training since we were kids, and Dominic as well, his mother is in Master''s division as well", Ves says heavily, "I don''t know about the other two, they are probably Mikey''s friends, but I doubt they are any different than those three".


    "That sounds... incredibly unfair", Ace admits. It does not surprise him though, the idea that some people had a chance to start training before ever acquiring their license.


    "You can''t beat them", Ves states, "and even if you could somehow manage to do that, they could easily pay to have you expelled, you don''t understand how these people are".


    "I can still try to beat them", Joe shrugs, "if they want competition, I''ll give it to them".


    "No, no, you still don''t understand", Ves sighs, "look, they aimed at Sam for whatever reason, but you have to realise one thing, if they wanted us out of this school, we would''ve been expelled, and there would be no need for them to go around and set-up this imbecile".


    "So you think they don''t want us out of the school?", Ace questions. Too many things are passing through his head, new names, their motives, the boy can''t wrap his thoughts around them.


    "I think it''s Vinnie", Ves says, swallowing air, "she... she want me to switch teams, be with them, that might be why she sent her boyfriend to do this, I wouldn''t be surprised if they had Nolan and the school board involved too".


    "You think professor Nolan would do something like that?", Sam dares to speak.


    "You think they''d pay off Nolan and the board just to get you on their team", Teo laughs, "that''s a joke".


    "You don''t know anything, so shut up", Ves braces at Teo. "And yeah, Nolan, I mean, isn''t it a bit strange that we scraped by this easily? You think he really likes us enough to argue with the board on our behalf?".


    "I don''t think he likes us at all", Ace says, starting to believe Ves''s words, "so, what''s your theory here?".


    "They payed off the board for sure, and perhaps Nolan as well, so we''d end up getting points deducted", Ves explains. "I mean, it makes sense, since our individual scores weren''t affected", the boy adds, "Vinnie probably thought that would be enough for me switch sides".


    "Will you?", Teo fixed his gaze on the black haired boy.


    Unsure of himself, Ves answered: "no".


    "Really?", Teo challenged.


    "Look, I know you guys don''t like me, and you think I suck", Ves''s voice grows tired. "But know one thing, I hate that family more than anyone, I''m not switching teams", he says, "I can pass the year on my own".


    "Right, suite yourself", Joe says calmly, "all I need you to do is show me these people".


    "I will, and I''m coming along as well", Ves nods.


    "I''m coming too", Teo states, "I want my chance at Mikey".


    "The three of you...", Ace starts.


    "You stay quiet", Joe cuts him off, his expression blank. "Just stop talking, you can try to stop me if you want, but do so quitely", he says. Turning to Sam, his voice remains cold. "Our chances of passing as a team are basically dead in the ground", Joe says, his voice flat, "and I''m done acting like a babysitter, that goes for all of you".


    "Thank God", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Say what you will", Joe glances at him, "I know I can pass on my own, I''m not a hopeless cause, and I''m not wasting my time helping any of you from now on". Scanning over the other four, his eyes land on Teo: "so stay away from me, all four of you".


    "I was just about to say the same thing", Teo scoffs.


    "Good", Joe notes turning around, "I''m off to watch the tournament then".


    "Unfortunately for you, we''re all going", Ace says dryly, following after him. It''s not that he minds Joe''s little solo act in theory. What was irking him was that he thought himself untouchable. No one is untouchable. Behind him, Ace hears Teo and Ves hiss their final warnings at Sam, before the three follow along.


    *****


    The central stadium is nothing short of majestic. As the stands start filling up, Ace can''t help but watch around in awe. Just the sheer size of it was breath taking, he had read in the brochure that the stadium could fit around 50k spectators. Mostly, it was used to hold inter-school tournaments, that were quite common between different high schools for trainers. During the summer breaks, the Old King''s offered the place up for different league tournametns as well as friendly matches between famous trainers. In short, this place was the money-making machine for the school. Neat rows of blue chairs seemed to be circling upwards, almost all the way to the ceiling. The ceiling, though, was not there right now. It had been nesting within the walls, so Ace was offered the view of the September sky. In the center of it all stood the vast battlefield. The ground was set to neutral terrain right now, clay, Ace noted. He knew the Old King''s gem had the capability of switching between different terrains. And even the clay, which was nothing out of the norm on surface level, proved just how much effort was put into building this place up. It was evened out, and smooth, without any cracks visible. Living in Vermilion as a kid who dreamed of one day becoming a pokemon trainer, Ace had witnessed many gym matches. He even visited gyms in the surrounding towns in order to spectate a few times. He was well aware what it took to keep the battlefield in a condition like that. Even the gym battlefields bore the traces of battles they''ve seen, and those ones were significantly smaller than the one he was looking at right now.


    Without much talk, but with growing tension between them, the five boys found their seats. They have deliberately decided to sit down next to Lesley and his team. Ace, though not the fan of this choice, joined them simply for the fact he had no other option. Save for sitting alone, which was out of the question. Joe had immediately gotten into the conversation with Henry and Marc. Those three have seemed to hit it off quite a bit, as Joe had even done some shopping for them. Lesley had tried to rope Ace into the conversation, but the boy managed to escape it by the virtue of ignoring him. Ace didn''t like Lesley. Ace has never liked Lesley. They were in the same class throughout their life, starting from kindergarten, and stretching throughout the middle school. Now, they were high school classmates as well, the fact that the blond boy hated passionately. He was sure his teammates found Lesley likeable, but Ace had known better. Not only was the curly haired boy extremely on the nose and over the top all the time, but he was not the kindest person. Ace had been on the recieving end of Lesley''s poking for the majority of his life. It did not help that Ace''s father worked in the aero-nautical center back at Vermilion, and that Lesley''s father was one of the CEO''s of the said place. In short, Ace had loathed the boy, and was unsure why Lesley was adamant that the two were friends. They were far from it.


    To his right, Ace could catch Dean trying to start a conversation with Sam, who had seemed to be only partly there. The boy had a dishelved look in his eyes. His face was pale other than the area near his right eye, which was slowly getting the shade of ripe purple, a handiwork of Teo. Ace felt almost sorry for the guy. While he was mad that he had managed to get them points deducted, he had deemed punching the guy unnecessary. And he could see that the boy was shaken by everything that had happened. A bit unwillingly, he brushed his hand on Sam''s shoulder, whispering: "Calm down, it''s fine, they''ll calm down eventually".


    "You sure about that?", Sam whispered back.


    "You know how they are", Ace said, "as soon as something else comes up, it will grab their attention". Truth be told, Ace had no idea if he believed his own words. While his teammates had a tendency to make a fuss out of things just to disregard them the very next moment, this one felt different. Sure, by now, they had promised they wouldn''t talk to each other about 20 times at least. The same number of ''leave me alone'' statements has been given. After all, all they were 5 teenage boys who lived each other, getting into small fights and swearing they''d never talk to each other was a given. Most of the things they forgot about. Most of the things were insignificant.


    Then there were things that couldn''t be brushed off. Things their youthful minds couldn''t phantom forgivness for. Ves attacking Joe. Having an outburst and making mistakes made you a teenager. Almost setting another boy on fire made you something much worse. That was the first crack. Then there were Teo and Joe, whatever went down between the two in Lilicove drove a rift between them. Now, there was Sam. Another push in the wrong direction. Ace felt as if they were hanging by a thread. And it wasn''t just about passing the year. Whatever little understanding had existed between the five of them was dangerously close to being extinguished.


    Some sort of collaboration still existed, Ace knew. It was clear by the way Joe and Ves were scanning through the crowd without uttering a word. It was a weird relationship between the five of them, one very much reliant on mutual benefit. Or in this case, shared enemy.


    "What", Lesley''s voice pierces Ace''s ear, "you''ve been deducted 500 points?". Ace throws a cold glance at Joe, the most likely person to have told Lesley about this. The two seemed to get along, and Ace hated the fact. "What will you do now?", Lesley inquiers.


    "None of your business", Ace shakes him off.


    "Not an enviable position to be in", came Henry''s calm voice.


    "Well, at least we know this one''s gonna make it through", Marc yells along, wrapping his hand around Joe, "he''s been beating me left and right since we''ve met". Ace notices a slight blush run to Joe''s face as his teammate leansn in closer to Marc.


    "Yeah, I''m not too worried", Joe states with a barely audiable shake in his voice.


    "I''m not worried either", Ace states, turning around to stare at the empty battlefield. Truth be told, the boy is little bit worried, but he had figured out how it works. The written tests are basically a base, he knew from the entrance exams that the differences in points on that part weren''t too big. And those were unlikely to change too much as well. Battles were what ultimately made the differnece, and separated students in different ranks. That was Ace''s very own theory, born out of the scoring methods. First of those ranks would be people who lose immediately and score a zero. Ultimately, those would end up being the people who would fail the year. Maybe not the first year, but they definitely wouldn''t live to graduate. No amount of perfect test scores could save them either. Even the difference betweem him and Sam, a difference of more than 200 spots, was about 200 points. Which had seemed like much, but in reality, would be easy to compensate through tournament results. Not to mention that those lower ranking students didn''t even necessarily have to aim to surpass Ace right now. The second rank would be those who win one battle, either by some low amount of skill or just pure luck. Regardless, those were still on the chopping board. The third rank were the people who could win some more battles, and had a chance of graduating. The fourth rank were the people who would definitely graduate, the top cut.


    Out of curiosity, he took out his phone and started scrolling through the entrance list, finding his name and counting all the people he knew off that were in front of him.


    1. Mikey - 997 pts.


    2. Dominic - 995 pts.


    3. Vinnie - 995 pts.


    4. Joe - 994 pts.


    5. Zoe - 994 pts.


    6. Patrisha - 992 pts.


    7. Natasha - 990 pts.


    8. Parker - 990 pts.


    9. Quincy - 990 pts.


    10. Bo - 989 pts.


    He studied the top 10 list ferociously. Maximum number of points to be scored on the entrance exam was 1000. These 10 were very close to that number. It wasn''t a rare sight to see people having a same score, in those cases the spots are determined by the alphabetical order. Still, the list was tight, Joe was technically 3 points away from the first place in the emtrance exam, and that girl Natasha wasn''t far off either. Really anyone in the top 10 could take the first spot easily. The gaps would become a bit wider down the list, he knew.


    17. Lesley - 979 pts.


    18. Nick - 979 pts.


    19. Otto - 979 pts.


    A whole trio with the same score, Ace noted, with Lesley pulling ahead in name only.


    50. Nina - 913 pts.


    There was a cutt-off line. It was high, nothing unexpected in a school like this. He quickly found the rest of people he knew.


    60. Mai - 900 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    74. Henry - 882 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    87. Ace - 833 pts.


    He was only 80 points away from getting the 50th spot. He''d need to get just one win. He''d also need that Nina girl to lose. And most people in front of him too. He kept scrolling down the list.


    146. Dean - 777 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    168. Tammy - 769 pts.


    169. Ves - 767 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    211. Leah - 710 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    249. Tea - 676 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    255. Teo - 660 pts.


    .


    257. Marc - 649 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    299. Andrei - 620 pts.


    300. Sam - 618 pts.


    The difference between him and Sam was 215 points. That was far from unattainable. All of these calculations had led Ace to one conclusion. He had a chance. Not only to get up to top 50, but to surpass that place as well. Only around 150 points aeparated him from landing comfortably in the top 20. A plan quickly formed in his mind. A way to assess how he fared battle-wise. But that would have to wait, he needed to get to training first. Next week would be perfect for him to get into form. Then he''ll use a comparasion method to test himself. The trip was there too, he remembered. It turned up just in right time, originally he only agreed to go for the fact he''d get to meet an elite four member and Teo would get to register his Totodile. But an opportunity to catch a new pokemon was just what he needed. It would allow him to go into the tournament with more options. And he''ll go home as well on the weekend, he realised, now that Greg had his starter, he wanted to prove some things once and for all. It all started to seem exciting, pokemon, battles, he realised why Ves and Joe were so intent on battling all the damn time. Of course, Ace wouldn''t go breaking any rules, he didn''t need to.


    The announcer''s voice cutting through the arena brought the boy out of his scheming state of mind. And just when his thoughts started to entertain him. The sound of applause carried through the vast space. Ace noticed only a few stands were filled. Made sense, the school didn''t have anywhere near 50k students. They didn''t even have a thousand, with the way they were failing a number of students each year. The fourth year counted 150 students, half of the number of the first years. Ace shuddered at the thought that by the fourth year, only half of first years would be here. He wondered what half he''ll end up belonging with. And out of those 150, only 100 were bound to graduate. Though these 16 trainers that would take stage today were pretty much certainly getting their diplomas and the ticket into the U3 division.


    Ace recalled the rules of the league. There were four main divisions total - B, G, U and M, meaning Beginner, Great, Ultra and Master. Each of those had 3 sub-divisions, assigned numbers from 1 to 3, with 1 being the highest level of the said sub-division and 3 being the lowest ones. There were two ways of earning yourself a spot in one of these divisions. One was graduating any high school for pokemon trainers, which would immediately qualify you for a certain level of competition. The level depended on the average showing of the graduates from your school. Old King''s alumni''s results in the league led to the school landing their graduates straight into the Ultra division, sub-division 3. Only two schools could land you into a higher level, both in U2, and those were highly exclusive private schools that addmited around 20 or 30 students per year. Every other school, and they weren''t numerous would land you into the Great or Begginer divison.


    The other way to enter the league was by acquiring all 8 gym badges of a region, then placing within the top 32 in the domestic league. This would allow you to enter the world''s league at the Beginner division, at sub-division 3. This was obviously a much harder path to take. Regardless, Ace was a student of Old King''s, and graduating would mean the opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels. And these people he''s about to watch battle would make their debut, probably as early as next summer.


    The announcer relvels in the crowd''s excitment, even though the said crowd is by no means numerous. Ace hears sighs of dissapointment when the first two people walk onto the battlefield. Not the top 4 ranking students, Lesley is the first to complain. Henry reminds him that they are all still some of the best in their generation, and Dean adds that it was still early in the year, ranking for the year technically exist yet. Ace had no idea what spots these people held last year, nor who had the top 4 spots. The rankings weren''t exactly available to the public. Lesley must''ve dedicated a lots of time to asking around in order to know this much.


    Two girls stepped forward, as the announcer wished them good luck and instructed them to get ready. First round would be fought with one pokemon each. Quarter and semi finals will see the students using 2 pokemon, and the final match would be 3v3.


    One of the trainers, a short girl with braided hair sent out a Rillaboom, instantly catching Ace''s attention. Not only becuse the buff monkey didn''t fit with the emergy the girl was giving off, but because it was a highly unusual pick. While Grookey, the unevolved form of the monkey, was a starter in Galar, Rillaboom itself wasn''t often used, not due to the fact it was weak, but it had a very specific battle style. It wasn''t a tough pokemon to train, but a tough one to use in a battle. Ace had expected this battle would take a while. The other girl sent out her Tinkaton, much more common pick amongst the trainers. It was too on a slower and bulkier side, and considering the neutral type match-up, this match was definitely about to last for a moment.


    The Tinkaton girl was ranked 16th, and Rillaboom girl was 8th, he heard Lesley say. Not that he cared.


    As the battle started up, Ace got caught in a haze. There was no time wasted as the first command was given and Rillaboom slid towards its opponent with a Grassy Glide. Tinkaton proved to be agile enough to dodge the attack, twisting its body immediately, and using the force of the movement to power her Gigaton Hammer. With a Protect from Rilaboom, the attack was easily stopped, and the grass gorilla quickly moved out, stomping its feet against to the ground in a powerful rhythm. Even before Ace could recognise the behaviour as an attack, the Stomping Tantrum shot into the opposing Tinkaton. The hammer-wileding creature recovered quickly, as its trainer ordered another attack. Play rough landed into another Protect from Rillaboom, but the girl was quick to take the opportunity and order a Thunder Wave, paralysing the grass type. Just like that the tide of the battle was switched.


    Now that Rillaboom''s movements were slowed down, the battle was somewhat easier to follow. There seemed to be no way break the tie, with Rillaboom slowed down, Tinkaton could easily avoid its attacks, the the grass monkey as well had no problems stopping the attacks thanks to Protect. Ace did his best to follow along, looking for mistakes, but there was nothing. Every single move these two girls made was perhaps the best one possible.


    Tinkaton tried exploiting the paralysis further, attacking from the sides, back, and even from the air, but nothing seemed work. Even with paralysis inflicted, it could still avoid Tinkaton''s attack, which weren''t fast to begin with.


    The breakthrough came when the Tinkaton trainer decided to let the Grassy Glide make contact in order to counter with a Gigaton Hammer of her own. That was one way to go around protect, Ace noted, certainly not his favourite one. The risky tactic like that was definitely more of a Joe and Ves kind of play. Damage taken, the Rillaboom trainer quickly realises that her opponent had switched tactics, and going on the defensive would be the best otpion. Ace decides that he''s rooting for the Rilaboom girl.


    Tinkaton trainer wastes no time going into the offensive, ordering a Play Rough from the air, which Rilaboom''s Protect quickly stops. Ace already know the moves of the Tinkaton. Two attacks, Gigaton Hammer and Play Rough, Thunder Wave. Those three are pretty standard for anyone training a Tinkaton, and the fourth one was most likely Stealth Rock, which is pretty much useless in one on one battles. Ace can''t help wondering why the girl had used Tinkaton in a 1v1. Perhaps she wanted to keep her other pokemon rested for further rounds. Rillaboom''s fourth move could be anything, as far as he knew, while the three moves he had already seen were common choices, the fourth one could be anything. Either another attacking move or a utility move of some kind.


    With Tinkaton pulling back and readying for the next attack, the Rillaboom trainer ordered a Boomburst. The grass pokemon started besting against its wooden drums with force, creating a sonic waves that echoed throughout the arena, and Ace could feel them in his bones. Tinkaton felt them as well, slowing down in a daze, just for a few seconds. Those few moments were more than enough for Rillaboom to swoop in and land another Grassy Glide. Tinkaton trainer rected in time, retaliating with Gigaton Hammer. The grass type seemed to be ready to take another hit, as it quickly recovered its balance after the blowback. The Rillaboom girl ordered a Stomping Tantrum, and her partner was quick to launch the attack. Tinkaton, still recovering from the impact of its own attack had no time to get out of the way of the earth-shattering force that was sent her way. The hammer pokemon was thrown to the ground, as Rillaboom stood tall on the field. It took the referee a few moments to confirm the knockout, and the announcment was followed with a round of applause. Ace felt satisfied with the result, almost as if he had won the match himself.


    "That was to be expected", Lesley scoffed, "the 16th ranking girl has no chance against anyone from top 10".


    "She held her own quite well, though, so maybe don''t be such an elitis", Henry says.


    "Righ, Les, and aren''t you 17th yourself you dipshit", Marc points out.


    "That does not count", Lesley retorts, "those are just entrance exams".


    "Oh, but they count when you''re giving me shit", Andrei chimes in.


    "Let''s not start with this", Dean gestures for his teammates to keep quiet.


    Leaning closer in to Ace, Sam whispers: "Hey, this was a good battle, right?". The boy seems to have gotten some colour back in his face, other than the growing purple.


    "Yeah, it was good", Ace confirms shortly.


    "That Rillaboom seems so strong", Sam goes off the margin, "I wish I had one of those as well".


    "You have Yamper", Ace notes.


    "Yeah, but Yamper is not jacked", Sam points out.


    Ace hated the conversation. Now that Joe has, most likely, decided to distance himself from Sam, the boy needed somebody else to imprint on. And Ace was apparently the most suitable target. The blond boy cursed himself for ever comforting this idiot.


    "Well, then, catch yourself a Grookey", Ace says through gritted teeth, wishing to end conversation.


    "But we''re going to Sinnoh", Sam points out.


    "There are Grookey''s in Sinnoh", Ace retorts.


    "I know, I know, but it would be better if we went to Galar, it would be easier to find a Grookey", Sam thinks out loud.


    "Well, Teo didn''t want to go to Galar", Ace sighs.


    "Why though?", Sam wonders.


    "I don''t know, ask him yourself", Ace says.


    "Hey, hey, shut up you two", Lesley snaps, the boy''s hand leading their sight to the battlefield. The next two contestants have taken stage. "It''s starting", Lesley says in a whisper, "and this on the left is 2nd ranked student, and he might even rank first this year".


    Ace takes note of the two boys. The guy on the left is tall, as far as he can tell, and dressed in green the whole way through. His opponent, and Lesley lets them know he is number 10, is on shorter end, dressed in blue has already sent out his pokemon. A meanecing Tyrantrum stands on the field, redy to attack. His opponent, the nuber 2, hurls his pokeball through the air, and a vicious-looking Houndoom appears on the battlefield. Ace''s eyes fly over to Ves immediately. The black-haired boy seems to have taken a short lived interest in the evolved form of his starter, but he quickly diverts his eyes elsewhere. He''s looking at the stands further to their left, occasionally whispering something to Joe. It isn''t too hard to guess what they are talking about. Ace decides to leave them to their devices for now, turning his attention back to the battlefield.


    The referee announces the start, and unlike the first one, this battle passes quickly. Houndoom proves to be as dangerours as it looks, immediately starting to run in circles around much less agile Tyrantrum. Thanks to it''s bulk, the dinosaurs pokemon can''t even turn around in time to follow its opponent''s movements. Houndoom has an easy time showering the dinosaur with backhanded Dark Pulses. Though Tyrnatrum tries retaliating with Ancient Power a few times, his efforts end up failing short, as Houndoom emerges as a swift victor. All Ace can think about is inevitability of this battle. Houndoom ended up entraping the Tyrantrum so easily, just by moving in circles. Simple yet effective startegy. Almost as if the black dog was a hunter, toying with its prey.


    As the two boys leave the battlefield, and Lesley gives a boastful commentary, Ace''s eyes turn back to Ves. He wants to know if his teammate caught the same feeling as he did. But Ves is not at his spot. Neither is Joe. Ace sees the two aiming for the exit. Without much thinking, he jolts up from his seat, heading for them. He knows what those two are doing, and he''s not letting it happen.


    "Hey, where are you going", Sam''s voice sounds after him. The boy stood up to follow, which only confirmed Ace''s suspicion that he''s been selected as his new best friend.


    "He''s going after those two", Teo explains joining them as well, "and I''m going to watch".


    "Maybe stay here and watch some actual battles", Ace says without turning his head.


    "No way, this is much more fun", Teo notes.


    "Wait, why are we following them?", Sam''s still confused.


    "Cause they are about to do something stupid", Ace states.


    "Right, they saw those guys that set you up in the stands", Teo says, "and I guess they left, so those two are going after them".


    "Oh, you think they want to fight them?", Sam scracthes his head.


    "No, they want to have a civil conversation", Ace rolls his eyes, "of course they want to fight them".


    "You think they can beat them?", Sam inquiries.


    "I think they can get us expelled", Ace hisses.


    "And Ace thinks he can actually stop those two", Teo chuckles.


    "Shut up", Ace says flatly.


    "Hey, wait up, we''re coming along as well", Marc''s voice sounds after them.


    "Yeah", Henry joins in, "Joe explained what happened, we''ll help".


    "Oh, great, with the two of you we might actually be able to stop them", Ace nods.


    "No, no, we''re helping them, not you", Marc notes.


    "Dude, you''ll just get your team in trouble too", Ace says, "what will Lesley say".


    "Fuck Lesley", Marc says, "he''s not a boss of me".


    "Yeah, and Joe and Ves went after three people", Henry says, "so we''re just there to tie things up, number wise".


    "Well, if that''s the case then you don''t have to come", Teo says, "after all, I''m here".


    "Really, dude?", Ace says as they exit the stadium, "are you all idiots?".


    "Hey Ace, be careful what you say", Teo reminds him.


    "Teo, shut up", Ace scoffs, "you''re not fighting anyone, you can''t control your pokemon, you''ll judt cause more problems".


    "I can''t control Absol", Teo notes, "Tots is listening to me".


    "No", Ace says, "you''re aboslutely not using Totodile before he''s registered, you''ll get us in so much more trouble".


    "Calm down, nothing''s gonna happen", Teo waves him off.


    "Nothing, huh, and what if someone records you with a pokemon that you smuggled onto the island?", Ace says, "you''d have to explain how you got it".


    "Chill dude, I''ll just say Totodile stumbled onto the island and I found him", Teo says.


    "You can''t say that, there are nets all around the island stopping water pokemon from coming in", Henry says, "and besides, the currents around the island are too strong for a Totodile to approach, it''s too small".


    "Hey, Tots is smart enough to find a way", Teo shrugs.


    "It''s still smarter if you let us handle this", Henry notes.


    "No, it would be smarter if you came to your senses and helped me stop those two from doing stupid shit", Ace sighs.


    "Hey, hey, Joe explained what happened", Marc says with vigor, "it''s only fair to get revenge, and we want to battle some high ranked guys as well".


    "What''s up with the three of you anywys", Teo scoffs, "you''re like battle maniac friends or something?".


    "You jealous?", Ace pokes at him.


    "We are, indeed", Marc says shortly, "Henry and Joe are great, they keep beating me every time we fight".


    "You know, for once I''d like to see someone beat Joe", Ace states, "that guy need to be knocked down a peg, Henry, did you ever get that rematch".


    "Not yet, but I''m getting ready", Henry says calmly, "I''ll get him one of these days".


    "Well, you know, now would be a great time", Ace points out, "if you challenge him, I''m sure he''ll drop his revenge quest, and I can deal with Ves".


    "Yeah, you can deal with Ves", Teo chuckles. Ace ignores him.


    "I''ll challenge when I''m ready", Henry says flatly, "right now, I''m here to help out with those three".


    "God help us all", Ace sighs.


    As they exit the main building, Ace can see Joe and Ves few feet away from them. They notice them as well, but decide to ignore them, opting instead to keep following a group of three people further down the cobblestone path. Ace can''t tell for sure from the distance, but he thinks one of those people is a girl, and another one a boy with a mullet. At least his temmates have their target recognition in tact. Sucks that they are both tactless. Ace stays back, no reason to get in close to them right now. They were still near the main building, nothing''s going to happen here. Maybe, further down the road, those two decide to give up on this bullshit. Tough chances, Ace knew, but he could hope. Surprisingly, Teo, Henry and Marc decided to stick with him as well, instead of joining Joe and Ves.


    As the chilly air crawls across his skin, Ace follows along. It''s not exactly a spy mission, he thins. Everyone involved knows they are being followed. As the weird row strays further away from the main campus Ace can see his two teammates pick up the pace. Beach. Those three that they are following are headed for the beach. It''s always the beach, isn''t it? Regardless, he picks up his pace as well, intent on cutting the revenge quest short. He already knows where this leads. It doesn''t take long to calculate his chances. They are virtually nonexistent. He''s not beating Ves or Joe in a 2v1. There''s one way to stop this thoug, and a few things would have to go his way. Teo can''t meddle, and Henry and Marc have to stay on the sidelines as well. He notices Riolu isn''t following Joe, which giges him a bit of hope. Maybe he doesn''t want the pokemon out when Ves is around. It did attack him the last time, and Joe might as well still be holding a grudge that his emotion-reading dog could catch on to. Maybe it wouldn''t be 2v1. Regardless, he knew he''d have to fight them both eventually. He''s not winning it. Only thing he could accomplish here is injure their partners to the point the two of them give up on this chase in order to go and heal them. He hated to admit it, but he was getting excited at his own ideas. This was his forte, using his brain to get things to go his way. With a sense of growing confidence, he stepped forward. All he needed was for everyone else to stay away and let him focus on those two. He could do it.


    "Alright, you two stop right now", Ace yells behind them, calculating they are far enough from the campus. The few trees around them provide a bit of a cover. Regardless, most of the staff is probably watching the tournament. The plan is easy, hope that Joe and Ves won''t both jump to battle him 2v1. Get Ves riled up, Ace thinks, he has an advantage over him, so beating him would be easier. Then just land a few hits on Joe, enough to keep him from going forward.


    "What do you want, Ace", Ves grunts.


    "I''m stopping you two from getting us into even more trouble", Ace says stepping forward.


    "Alright", Joe says, turning around and releasing Riolu in a sweeping movement, "stop us then". Ace stops in his tracks, he was hoping Joe would be the second opponent.


    "Don''t give him a time of day", Ves notes, "we''ll lose those three if we stay here to play with blondie".


    "No worries", Joe says calmly, "this will be over quickly".


    "We''ll follow them", Marc says making a jolt forward, "let''s go, Hen".


    "Right, we''ll keep track of them", Henry promises, following after Marc.


    "Well, I''m staying to watch the show", Teo says.


    "Right, I''m joining in then", Ves says readying his pokeball.


    "No, just let me deal with him", Joe stops him, "it will be faster".


    "You''re hogging all the fun", Ves protests.


    "Cmon, Ace, don''t make me wait", Joe ignores the black haired boy. Unfortunately for him, killing time was exactly what Ace had in mind.


    Looking around to confirm no one was there, he opposes his teammate. "Can you just think about this for a second", the boy does his best to keep his voice even, "you''ll get us in even more trouble".


    "I won''t", Joe raises his eyebrow, "I know what I''m doing".


    "God, stop acting so tough all the damn time", Ace scoffs.


    "Stop meddling", Joe retorts, "I thought we were clear about some things".


    "What things?", Ace spits out.


    "That we''re all doing our own thing from now on", Joe says.


    "And I was clear that I wouldn''t let you do whatever you want", Ace points out.


    "Think you can stop me?", Joe says.


    "You''ve got your head in the clouds if you think you''re unbeatable", Ace reminds him.


    "Statistically, I am", Joe states.


    "Statistically, you''re full of shit", Ace retorts.


    "Great, a nerd-off", Teo comments.


    "Just give it up Ace", Joe sighs, "there''s a reason you can''t win against me, multiple reasons, but you can''t understand it".


    "Oh, trust me, I get it", Ace rolls his eyes, "I know you''re a special little snowflake".


    "You do, huh", Joe says flatly.


    "Cmon, I''m not stupid", Ace looks away from him. "You''re impossible to read, a silent type, a guy who just keeps winning effortlessly", Ace says distantly, "an overpowered guy who shows no emotion, and everyone''s obessed with you". Ace looks him straight in the eye: "I know what you are".


    "Why the fuck are they reenacting Twilight?", Ves says, but the two boys ignore him.


    "Say it. Out loud", Joe''s gaze meets Ace''s, "say it".


    "A self-insert", Ace says coldly, "you''re a Merry Sue".


    Joe looks at him with a cold glance. "We''re all self-inserts, Ace".


    "Wait we are?", Teo jumps in.


    "Well, you''re the biggest one", Ace notes.


    "Even if you''re right, Ace, it doesn''t really matter", Joe notes, "besides, I''m a guy, so I''d be a Garry Stue".


    "Same difference", Ace scoffs.


    "And just so we''re clear, breaking the fourth wall is my thing", Joe rolls his eyes, "you get movie references, I get the fourth wall breaks".


    "No way, you don''t make the rules around here", Ace retorts.


    "Well, I broke the fourth wall in the last chapter, so I did it first", Joe crosses his arms, "besides I do it much better".


    "Hey, hey, what kind wall are you two nerds going on about?", Ves chimes in irritated.


    "Yeah, and who are Marry and Garry?", Sam scratches his head in confusion.


    "The fourth wall", Teo notes.


    "Oh, Teo''s figured it out as well?", Ace says in surprise.


    "Nah, I explained it to him yesterday", Joe notes.


    "Explained what", Ves presses.


    "The fourth wall, I''ll explain later", Joe waves him off.


    "Huh, right, those two are the main characters as well", Ace nods, "guess we should tell them".


    "Roger that", Joe says, "now put the 4th wall back up and fight me".


    "I think these two are doing drugs", Ves nods towards Sam who raises his hands up in a show of utter confusion.


    "Alright", Ace says gripping for his pokeball. With no more time to buy, he releases his partner. Rockruff readily stands on the grass keeping his eyes fixed on Riolu.


    "Accelerock", Ace orders immdeiatly. Joe orders a Vacuum Wave at the same time, just as Ace had expected. The blast of fighting energy clashes with projectiling rocks in mid-air, both attacks cancelled out. Good thing he has priority as well, Ace thinks. Come to think of it, Joe relies on his fastest move, it lets him get hits in and is hard to avoid. For the most part, that''s why everybody has trouble beating him. Ace, however has a priority move on his own, which gives him a chance to counter those plays. He''s one of the worst opponents for Joe, he realises, silent confidence building within him. He could actually beat him. Though he hates the fact that he can''t use his usual strategy here, Joe wouldn''t let him get either Sand Attack or Double Team off, he can still win.


    "Metal Claw, Rio", Joe orders and Riolu rushes in. Maybe its just Ace''s imagination, but the fighting type seems to have gotten even faster since the last time they fought.


    "Accelerock, Rocky", Ace commands, intent on stopping this attack. He''s figured out that combo Joe uses, Metal Claw followed by Vacuum Wave, the best way around it was to cut the first attack short.


    "Rio, Detect", Joe orders up. Riolu''s eyes flash blue, and the pokemon avoids the rocks flying his way.


    If there was ever time to get an advantage it was right now, Ace thinks. "Sand Attack", he orders.


    "Bullet Punch", Joe says, as Ace takes a surprise step back. His Rockruff conjures up some sand, aiming it at Riolu, but the blue dog takes the attacks head on, slamming his flashing fist into Rockruff. He probably learned that attack in Lilicove, and Ace wasn''t informed about it.


    "Accelerock, Rocky, now", Ace hastily orders, knowing well enough what''s coming.


    "Detect", Joe hits him with yet another surprise, as Riolu dodges another attack. Ace can see Riolu''s body twisting, his arms flying into postition for a follow up.


    "Accelerock, again", he orders up, knowing that''s the best play. From that distance, Vacuum Wave was sure to hit, even with the Sand Attack off. He sees the rocks around Rockruff''s neck pointing up, almost ready to be fired, when the blast of energy hits his partner, sending him flying back. Riolu''s definitely gotten faster, he realises.


    Rockruff manages to stand back up, and Ace is pretty sure that shouldn''t be the case. The boy connects the dots - that Vacuum Wave was weak. Joe had traded power for speed. Still, it is a fighting type move, and the second attack Rockruff has taken, so the brown-furred dog is on the edge of his endurance.


    Ace knows he''s not winning this now. His only option was matching Joe''s speed. That''s not happening anymore. He''s gotten himself yet another priority move. And he''s been training, Ace thinks, everything else aside, Joe''s been training ever since they came here. He was battling non-stop as well.  Going for a Sand Attack there was a mistake, Ace realises, a Double Team would''ve been better. At least he has that advantage of Riolu''s accuracy being lowered.


    "Accelerock, Rocky", Ace orders, realising the best he could do now is prolong this battle. Keep Riolu at bay with his attacks. And dodging should be easier now.


    "Detect, Rio, get back", Joe orders, and his partner is quick to oblige, making his way further from Rockruff.


    "Accelerock, keep them coming", Ace presses. He can just tire him out.


    "Vacuum Wave", Joe orders.


    As the two attacks clash in mid-air again, Ace gets ready to follow up with another attack immediately. A flash of blue light catches his attention.


    "Ember, Doom", Ves''s voice echoes. Taken back, Ace can''t react in time, instead, he just watches as the wall of cinders envelops Rockruff, knocking his partner out.


    He looks up at the black-haired boy, rage filling him up: "hey, that was unfair!".


    "Well, go cry about it", Ves scoffs.


    "Stop being a jerk", Ace''s voice cracks, "that was a dirty move and you know it".


    "Hey, this is not an official battle", Ves raises his hands up, "I got tired of waiting for you to settle this so I interwined, that''s all".


    "Huh, right", Ace retorts, "maybe you were just jealous cause I was actually holding my own against this bastard".


    "Yeah, getting hit with two attacks while not landing any, you were really holding your own against him", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "I could''ve won", Ace states, not fully believing it himself.


    "Sure buddy, but you lost", Ves shrugs, "so get lost".


    "I lost cause you jumped in and made it a 2v1", Ace points out.


    "Ace, calm down", Joe says recalling his Riolu, "you lost, and to be fair, the only reason you held on for this long is that Rio''s Bullet Punch isn''t quite there yet".


    "Right, whatever that means", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "It means I didn''t have too much time to work on that move yet", Joe says, "I only had this morning, its still not powerful enough, if I had some more time, you would''ve gotten knocked out after two attacks".


    "Right, that''s what you think", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, you weren''t bad, you''re just not good enough yet either", Joe says simply, "I mean that Sand Attack was a waste of time, to be fair I have no idea why you keep relying on accuracy and evasion tactics, haven''t you figured out that they don''t really work for you".


    "Oh, get off your high horse, you didn''t even beat me", Ace yells, knowing full well Joe''s right.


    "I would''ve beaten you", Joe shrugs.


    "Right, so", Ace crosses his arms, "you''re going on with your bullshit then?".


    "Of course", Joe notes simply, "you should go back to the dorms, and take Sam, no need for the two of you to be here anyways".


    "Right", Ace says, "we could go back and watch a tournament, that would be better". He knows full well he''s not going back into the stadium.


    "Whatever, just go", Joe steps away from them, "and Teo, you should go too".


    "Hey, I wanna watch, you know", Teo says playfully.


    "You have no business here", Ves reminds him, "and you can''t even fight, so just go".


    "I do have business with these guys, remember?", Teo retorts.


    "No, you do not, Mikey and Dominic are not with them", Ves says, "and even if they were, you should stay away from them".


    "Like I''m going to listen -", Teo starts.


    "Teo, let''s just go", Ace cuts him off, "let these two idiots dig their own graves".


    "We''ll handle this", Ves says recalling his Houndour.


    "Yeah, I''m sure you will", Ace says leaving. There''s just one thing clear in his mind. He needs to start training.

 Chapter 10

    No matter the amount of nonsense Ace keeps spouting, Joe knows that what he''s doing is the right thing. And he knows he can do it right.


    The other three had left, which Joe is thankful for. He couldn''t handle Ace bitching on, or Sam being completely disoriented right now. As for Teo, he would turn this into a disaster without a doubt. Ves coming along with him wasn''t the best option, but he could work with it. He did need him in order to settle this, since Ves knew that Vinnie girl.


    Nevertheless, he would like it much more if it were up to Henry, Marc and him.


    As they moved forward to the beach, Joe can hear the waves. This whole thing reeks of a scheme. The three top ranked students being put on the same team. That one wasn''t too surprising, money is a powerful tool, family lines as well. Kids who came from trainer families always had an advantage. How Ves was involved with them was still unclear, he never mentioned having a half-sister, and he never mentioned his father was a trainer. Joe suspected Ves''s parents weren''t trainers, he was good when it came to battling, but not that good. Regardless, Ves wasn''t the most important thing here. Neither was Teo, who had somehow managed to wrap both Joe and himself up with the two top ranked students.


    Sam was the main issue, one thing Joe couldn''t put in place. Sam wasn''t involved with anyone on that team.


    There were two obvious explanations behind this. First one, they just wanted to get rid of one team, in order to up their chances of passing the year. They stumbled upon Sam. That one made sense only on paper, why would a team consisting of top 3 ranked students resort to something like that? And the speed at which it had happened made no sense. How could Nolan deal with the school board in that short amount of time? Especially since Joe and Teo saw him in Lilycove yesterday afternoon.


    The second obvious explanation would be Vinnie trying to get Ves to switch teams. He did say she offered it. Paying people off wasn''t out of the question. Still, Joe had doubts about that as well. If she had asked him already, and Ves had refused, doing this made little sense. She did try pressuring him into joining their team even before the school year had started, Ves told him that much while they watched the tournament. He wouldn''t get into any details, and Joe didn''t exactly care to know. Still, if that girl hadn''t done anything but talk up until now, he found it hard to believe this was all just a plot to get Ves to switch teams.


    His mind kept wondering off to their mentor. He couldn''t help but think that their meeting had gone by too easily, and the man didn''t seem too displeased by the fact that they broke the rule. Of course, Joe saw through the aversion on Nolan''s side, he was sure all of them did. It was surprising, how he disliked them for no apparent reason. Even during their introductory meeting, their mentor gave passive signs of disdain. Disliking how the school board handles certain things Joe could understand. Pokemon are dangerous, some species more than the others, he understood that perfectly fine, more so after almost getting his hand burned off by Houndour. Still, disliking your students for something they had no control over didn''t sit right with him. As well as making trips to secret bookstores in Lilycove.


    As he followed Ves down the road, Joe''s hand itched around Riolu''s pokeball. Not having his partner outside was strange, he wanted him there, but a growing tension stopped him from doing that. The boy remembered well how losing his control had felt. That day on the beach, his mind went black with rage. Or fear. Whatever it was, Joe knew, Riolu picked up on it quick and reacted, and he loathed the fact he had something like that within him. Wasn''t he better than that? Even yesterday, in Lilycove, it took his best effort not to lose it. If he did, Riolu would''ve attacked Teo. Just like he attacked Ves.


    That was one thing he couldn''t afford right now. With how his teammates are, he couldn''t keep Riolu outside, for the chance of the fighting type picking up on his emotions. Joe hated how those four could set him off, how they could make his head a mess in a matter of seconds. Not that he was not used to other people being around him, his family was large, and as the oldest child he was a de facto babysitter to all of his younger cousins. However, his younger cousins would actually listen to him instead of being a bunch of little pricks.


    He couldn''t decide which one of his teammates bore the worst effects on his psyche. Up until yesterday the race was tight between Ace with his constant yapping and Ves with his impulsive personality switches. Teo did join them quite easily, with his ability to make really dumb decisions. At this, Joe was rather displeased. Not that he would ever admit it, but Teo was starting to grow on him, for a second there he thought they might be able to be friends. Truly, even though that thing on the boat had gotten a bit out of control, they managed to get past it for a moment. And Teo opening up for a bit even if it was a slip up, was a sure sign that the boy felt comfortable with Joe enough to stop holding up his guard for a second. Using that against him was a mistake, Joe knew, but Teo wasn''t a saint either. Jokes about his sexuallity are not something Joe takes too well, especially since most people fail to understand how it feels. Joe didn''t understand his own emotions on that front, so how could anyone else?


    Then there was Sam, and Joe was not sure what to feel about him. On one hand, he reminded him of his younger cousins a lot, with the happy-go-lucky attitude and the willingness to be friend''s with everyone. It''s not that Joe didn''t appreciate it, he was just not like that. Fact of the matter is, even though he had loved his cousins, there was always a gap between them, a gap in age and a gap in mentality. The only reason they could be innocent was that no one had expected them to be anything else. With Sam as well, the only reason he could be so carefree and confused all the time is that he was never had to be anything else. Joe didn''t hate him per say, but he knew, he never had the luxury of letting somebody else take care of things for him.


    He never did explain to Ace, that one thing the boy had ask him. How he came here from Alola. Frankly, he''s surprised Ace is the only one who caught onto that.


    Laws around the world forbid people from keeping pokemon unless they had a licence of sorts. There are many licenses, for medicine, exploration, even the firefighters and the police had special licenses that allowed them to hold pokemon. Trainer licenses are the ones that gave you the most freedom, and they were the hardest to acquire. That was the case for the rest of the world. Alola had no such laws.


    Alolan customs have put the connection between man and nature front and center. When it came to pokemon, people and pokemon living together in harmony was the Alolan way. Pokemon training was not prohibited by any laws, you didn''t need a licence to be a trainer. There were, however, no pokemon trainers in Alola. Even though the laws had allowed it, the customs were such that making your pokemon engage in fights was frowned upon. Pokeballs were virtually impossible to get for that reason. For the most part, people on the islands would befriend a pokemon, and the creature would decide to stick around on its own accord. To Alolan people pokemon were friends, not weapons. Joe couldn''t help but imagine what his family would think of Riolu and him, and he was sure they would call such a function soulless.


    Not that he cared, he had seen the shortcomings of Alolan mentality a long time ago. One thing folks back home were awfully good at disregarding was that pokemon were, in fact, not friends. Sure, his mother had a Bounsweet that would come around and help out on the berry fields every now and then, his grandfather used to have a Comfey that was rather friendly as well. But there were also pokemon that were far removed from that story, maybe nobody notified them that they were supposed to be friends with humans. Wild pokemon attacks were numerous throughout the islands, sometimes they''d ruin the fields, other times they''d injure people. Fixing situations like those was one thing strong pokemon trainers were necessary for. But the islanders were stuck in their own ways, refusing to see that order and strenght were what was needed sometimes. They seemed to think they could love and light their way out of every situation, but the world rarely worked like that. In real life, there were ugly decisions, and they had to be made sometimes.


    *****


    "There", Ves points out the group of the people down on the beach, "there they are". It was a needless thing to do, as Joe has already spotted them and more.


    He saw Henry and Marc standing opposite to the other group of three kids. Mienfoo was next to Henry, which was not unusual. Marc, however, didn''t call on his Sneasel yet, which was a good sign. They were still just talking. Fastening their pace, the two boys made their way onto the sand.


    "Nice of you to follow me, baby brother", the girl with green streaks in her hair snickers at Ves as soon as they come close, "this isn''t an episode of ''Private Eyes'', you know".


    "I''m not anyone''s baby brother", Ves scoffs in return, looking about ready to start being his reckless self.


    "Vinnie, I suppose", Joe steps ahead, ready to take action before Ves''s poor impulse control.


    "Yes, that would be my name", Vinnie laughs, "and you are awfully civil for a guy who decided to track us down".


    "I''m Joe", the boy says calmly, ignoring her comments. Sizing up the two boys next to her, his eyes land on a tall guy whose brown hair is done with a mullet. "And you", Joe says, "well, we know your name''s not Stanley".


    "No", the boy smirks, "it''s not".


    "As if it''s any of your business", the other boy chimmes in. His face prolonged pale face is plagued by freckles, and the buzz light brown hair isn''t helping to make him any less awkward.


    "Hey, Otto, maybe let me handle this", Vinnie raises her arm, as if she''s stopping him from stepping forward. Not that Otto looks particularly thretening. Judging by the fact he''s the only member of their team he hasn''t heard about yet, Joe would conclude the skinny guy was the weakest link.


    "It''s none of their business, and we don''t owe them any explanation", Otto protests, "besides, they followed us around, that''s creepy".


    "God, Otto, calm down", the mullet boy laughs him off, "it''s not like they can do anything to us".


    "Oh, you''ll see what I can do to you", Marc decides he should step forward, but both Joe and Henry stop him.


    Fixing the mullet guy with his eyes, Joe says: "you could at least introduce yourself, it is the common curtesy".


    "God", Vinnie laughs, "Ves, where did you find this guy? Why does he talk like that, please tell me he''s your teammate, that would be hilarious".


    "He is my teammate", Ves looks away.


    "Oh, God, that''s a blast", the girl keeps laughing, "I bet the two of you get along super well".


    "Yeah, we do", Ves rolls his eyes, "you have a problem with that?".


    "I don''t", Vinnie admits, "but he talks a bit like Mikey, if Mikey had a stick up his ass, so I find it entertaining that you got stuck with him".


    "Joe''s not like Mikey", Ves looks at the ground wearily.


    "Enough with Mikey", Joe says flatly, "I just want the mullet guy to introduce himself, so we can talk".


    "Wow, hey, I''m not a mullet guy", the boy raises his arms sarcastically, "I am much more than that".


    "A sneaky little rat", Joe notes, "would you rather be called that".


    "Oh, yeah, this one''s not like Mikey", Vinnie makes a grimace, "he''s a bit better at insults".


    "Just introduce yourself, buddy", Joe ignores her. He''s done with all the Mikey talk. Not sure why everyone seems so obsessed with that guy anyways.


    "And what if I don''t", the mullet guy smiles in his face.


    "Look, buddy", Marc steps up again, "we can do this the easy way, or the Marc way". Henry and Joe stop him again.


    "Don''t tell me these two are your other teammates", Vinnie laughs.


    "Right, between the four of you and that Sam guy, you seem like a rather colorful team", the mullet guy joins her.


    "They are not", Ves says coldly.


    "Can we stop side tracking", Joe sighs, "alright, so you won''t tell us your name, tell us why did you set up our business".


    "That''s none of your business", Otto chimmes in again, "he agreed to battle on his own, and he got caught, not our fault he''s a dumbass".


    "You keep quiet, sidekick", Joe waves him off.


    "Hey, hey, don''t talk to my teammate like that", the mullet guy laughs, "and I agree with him, you know, I don''t owe you an explanation".


    Looking over at Ves, Joe sees that the boy is having a stare-off with Vinnie. Both him and Marc seem ready to get shit started. Henry''s the only one capable of keeping his cool. Joe himslef knew this confrotation would result in a fight of sorts. He was hoping it would be a pokemon battle, his hand was still not in the best shape, so getting physical wasn''t in his best interest. Besides, pokemon battle meant more training, and he needed it desperately. Riolu''s managed to learn how to control the Bullet Punch that morning, after using a TM to open up the energetic pathways, it wasn''t hard for a pokemon to actually start using the move. Using it well was a whole different ball game. Riolu''s Bullet Punch was way too slow, especially for a priority move, and definitely way too weak. A well developed Bullet Punch should''ve brought Rockruff near the knock-out point.


    Joe was not sure about getting into the battle with these three, when he had one move that was underdeveloped. Especially since Vinnie was ranked above him, and he had no idea what pokemon she had. Still, Ves, Henry and Marc were all there, so it would be a 4v3 scenario, and they should fare well with that. The mullet guy had a Zorua, which was also a good sign, type advantage Joe and Henry held over him would make this battle 4v2 very quick. Otto was a big unknown, but he didn''t look like the strongest of opponents.


    Looking around himself to make sure no one else is there and calculating that they are in a favorable position, Joe raises Riolu''s pokeball. "Alright, we''re doing this my way then", he decides to issue the challenge directly to Vinnie. She seems like the boss here. Besides, she is ranked higher than him, and frankly, she is the one he wants to take on more than anyone.


    "Sorry to inform you, but battling''s against the rules", the mullet guy grins at him.


    Joe''s not stupid. There''s a clearing around the beach, no space for anyone to hide and record them. "And that matters to you, huh?", Joe looks at the boy.


    "Sometimes it does", the boy raises his hands defensively.


    "Well, I''ll just make it not matter then", Joe makes a split second decision, throwing Riolu''s pokeball into the air, "Rio, Vacuum Wave". In a flash of blue light, Riolu appears, immediately firing off a Vacuum Wave at the mullet guy''s feet, causing the cloud of sand to rise up.


    "You''re insane", the mullet guy yells out, stepping back and shielding his eyes from the sand.


    "Rio, again", Joe says simply, and his partner makes another shot at the ground.


    "Stop it already", the mullet guy yells.


    "You''re a psychopath", Otto joins in. Joe doesn''t really care. They are either going to tell him what he wants to know, or he''ll beat them. One thing he wants is for these people to know they should stay away from him in the future.


    As another sand cloud raises, Joe is quick to order another Vacuum Wave.


    "Oh, screw it", Vinnie yells out throwing her pokeball, "Mimikyu, use Protect". In another flash, a straw dool pokemon appears, standing in the way of Riolu''s attack, creating a defensive force field.


    He''s gotten her wrapped into the battle, which is good, Joe thinks. She has a Mimikyu, which is very bad. Ghost types might be Joe''s enemy number one.


    Making a quick calculation, the boy looks over at Ves, giving him a quick nod, a sign he should join in. Ves is quick to react, sending in Houndour.


    "That''s a bit unfair, don''t you think, baby brother", Vinnie says, but she''s quick to react, "Dazzling Gleam, Mimikyu".


    "Detect, Rio", Joe orders, not wanting to be hit with a fairy type move.


    "Doom, use Ember to counter", Ves orders.


    As Riolu dodges the attack coming his way, Houndour''s Ember clashes with Dazzling Gleam, witht the two attacks cancelling each other out. Barely. That Mimikyu''s strong, Joe thinks.


    "My God, did you really name your pokemon Doom", Vinnie says, "that''s so childish".


    "Bullet Punch, Rio", Joe doesn''t plan on letting them have a chat during a battle. Bullet Punch''s weak, but it will serve one purpose, the boy thinks, breaking the Disguise.


    "Protect", Vinnie reacts again, as Riolu''s attack hit into the force field.


    "Ember, again", Ves yells out, ready to take Vinnie on as soon as her defences fall.


    "Oh, no, no", Otto says, hastily throwing his pokeball into the air, "Keckleon, Fake Out". The chameleon pokemon appears on the sand, making way for Houndour.


    "Mach Punch", Joe hears Henry says next to him, "get the lizard, Mienfoo".


    "Oh, dammit, switch to Astonish, please, Keckleon", Otto yells out. Keckleon manages to make a switch in time, hitting into the Houndour with Astonish, doing little damage but stopping the Ember from coming. Mienfoo''s Mach Punch comes for the chameleon soon enough, but it ends up just sliding off of its skin. Protean, Joe realises, Keckleon''s changed into a ghost type. Otto might prove to be a problem as well.


    "Swords Dance, Mimikyu", Vinnie takes a chance to order.


    "Bullet Punch, Rio", Joe orders, intent on stopping the girl from setting up.


    As Riolu rushes towards the target, the mullet guy reacts as well, quickly letting his Zorua in. "Protect", he quickly orders, "stop him".


    "Ice Shard", Marc hurls his pokeball in as well, "get that straw doll".


    Bullet Punch hits into the Protect again. Mimikyu gathers power in its body with a Sword''s dance, but Ice Shard ends up slamming into the pokemon, breaking the Disguise. That''s the step one. With all the players on the field, there''s a way to win this. One thing he didn''t count on was Keckleon. Switching types was a problem, especially when one of the said types was ghost. Joe needed Marc to deal with him, Ves would keep Vinnie busy and him and Henry would get Zorua off the field, making this a 4v2 quickly.


    "Dazzling Gleam", Vinnie orders up ass soon as her disguise is broken.


    Taken aback, Joe orders a Detect. Zorua was in the way, he didn''t think she would order an attack now. Both Marc and the mullet guy order the dodge, but it''s too late. The Dazzling Gleam ends up hitting both pokemon, throwing them backwards. Sneasel, just coming off of an attack and standing just a few inches away from Mimikyu takes the full force of the fairy type attack, getting instantly knocked out. Zorua, standing a bit further back, and being slightly bulkier as well, manages to hang on.


    "Vacuum Wave, Rio quick, get the Zorua", Joe quickly decides he needs that fox off the filed.


    "Oh, no, Fake Out", Otto orders up. He might not be super bright after all. Fake Out only works as a surprise attack, when a pokemon first appears on the field, it can stay in periferial vision of its opponent, and perform a sort of a sneak attack. After you''ve been on the field for a bit, you can''t go for that trick anymore.


    "Snarl, now, Doom", Ves takes a chance to deal with the Cameleon.


    Riolu manages to blast Zorua with a Vacuum Wave, easily avoiding Keckleon''s attack, and knocking the fox out. Snarl ends up hitting both Keckleon and Riolu, but Joe doesn''t care. Riolu won''t take too much damage, and lowering his special attack didn''t really matter, since, with two ghost types on the field, he won''t be able to rely on the Vacuum Wave anymore.


    "Shadow Sneak", Vinnie isn''t stopped by one of her teammates getting knocked out, "get Houndour". Smart decision, Joe thinks, getting the only dark type left on the filed gives her an advantage.


    "Dodge it", Ves orders.


    "Trailblaze, now Minefoo", Henry takes his opportunity.


    Shadow Sneak, with priority, proves to be too fast for Houndour to dodge, hitting with full force, making the black dog''s body flinch. Trailblaze slams into the Mimikyu, but Vinnie doesn''t seem to care too muh about that. "Dazzling Gleam, now", she orders, ready to knock Houndour out.


    "Detect", Henry yells quickly.


    "Dodge it", Ves attempts.


    "Bullet Punch", Joe decides to take care of Keckleon before it can try going for an attack.


    "Protect", Otto yells out.


    Mimikyu fires of another Dazzling Gleam, quickly enveloping Houndour and sending it back flying. Mienfoo manages to dodge it.


    Bullet Punch hits into yet another protect, but Joe has no time to think about it too much. It''s 2v2 now, and Vinnie is dangerous. He needs to get that chameleon off the field. "Metal Claw, now, Rio", he orders. Riolu''s hand flashes in grey, digging into Keckleon as soon as the Protect goes down. No time to let up. "Get into the Bullet Punch", Joe orders, and Riolu starts up the second attack. It''s still much slower than Joe would like it to be, but it comes in time to land a hit.


    "Trailblaze, get the lizard", Henry figures out what Joe''s going for.


    "Protect", Otto attempts. But with the speed boost, Mienfoo proves to be way too fast, especially since Keckleon had just taken two attack in the row.


    "Dazzling Gleam, Mimikyu", Vinnie orders.


    For a split second, Joe thinks about going for a Detect. But he switches up. "Bullet Punch, quickly", he says hoping Riolu comes in in time.


    Mienfoo slams Keckleon out of the battle, as Riolu rushes towards Mimikyu that''s starting its attack. Vinnie doesn''t stop the attack to go for Protect. She''s probably realised Riolu''s bullet punch isn''t too threatening. Doesn''t matter. Joe isn''t counting on knocking her out. He isn''t even counting on landing a hit. He just wants to come in in time to take the Dazzling Gleam. Mienfoo, with its boosted speed, has a much better chance at dealing with Mimikyu.


    To his surprise, Bullet Punch manages to hit, doing barely any damage. The attack is still super weak, even with the type advantage. But he accomplished what he wanted. With Riolu that close in, the Dazzling Gleam doesn''t get the chance to spread across the field. Instead, it sends Riolu flying back, easily knocking the fighting type out.


    Joe hates to surrender the battle like this, to leave it in someone else''s hands. But he knows that''s the smart thing to do. Henry has better chances here. His own Bullet Punch was weak, and Vacuum Wave he usually relies on wouldn''t work. Metal Claw would easily be stopped by Protect. Henry would have to win this for them. Recalling Riolu, Joe grips his hands in anticipation.


    "Trailblaze, now", Henry is quick to react, realising this might be the easiest opening he gets.


    "Protect", Vinnie says decisively. Mimikyu, just coming off of an attack, doesn''t get to put up the force field in time, as the Trailblaze slams into it.


    "Bullshit", Vinnie scoffs, "Shadow Sneak".


    "Detect", Henry orders. Mienfoo''s eyes flash, and he manages to dodge the incomimg attack. "Trailblaze, now", Henry reacts quickly.


    "Protect", Vinnie is ready for him, and Mimikyu manages do defend itself this time around.


    The situation looks as even as it can get, Joe thinks. With both having a tool to stop or avoid opponent''s attacks, that puts them at the same level. Mimikyu has a priority Shadow Sneak, but Mienfoo''s boosted his speed three times already. The only thing Vinnie has going for her was that she has two attacks that can actually hit her opponent. Her Mimikyu has taken a few attacks already, which puts her in danger of getting knocked out. Henry needed to get just one more Trailblaze in.


    "Let''s go for another attack, Mienfoo, jump up", Henry says firmly.


    "Protect", Vinnie orders ready to keep their little exchange going.


    "Mach Punch", Henry says.


    "What?", Vinnie yells out.


    Joe can''t help the small laugh, as Mach Punch slams into the protect. "Now, Trailblaze", Henry orders. As the protect falls, Mienfoo conjures grassy energy, going for Mimikyu.


    "Shadow Sneak", Vinnie tries to counter. But Minefoo''s too close, and with her pokemon just coming off of Protect, even the priority doesn''t save her.


    Another surge of grass energy hits into the ghost type, sending it flying back and knocking it out.


    "And that would be all", Henry says calmly, "Mienfoo, you can stand back now".


    "Good job", Joe stares at him, a sense of discomfort raising in his stomach. He hadn''t seen Henry battle since their fight. Whenever he was training with him an Marc, Henry would stand back, allowing the other two to go at it. But the boy had already advanced, even learning from that bait-strategy Joe had used against him. And Mach Punch was new, Mienfoo didn''t know it few days ago. Joe picked up on that. The attack already looked good, much unlike his own Bullet Punch.


    Winning right now was a good thing, but the boy still disliked the fact he had to get knocked out in order for them to win. He couldn''t help thinking that he could''ve done more, could''ve found the way to win on his own. Other than Henry being a worrying opponent, this Vinnie girl was no push-over either. She had, basically single-handedly, knocked out three of them. Really, the only reason they could win this was that there was 4 of them and they made the surprise attack.


    "Now, would you introduce yourself", Joe re-collects himself, staring at the mullet guy. At least he knocked him out, he thinks.


    "Huh, still don''t owe you anything", the boy scoffs.


    "We won", Joe states simply.


    "Yeah, and?", the boy laughs, "what you gonna do now, attack us? You''ll just get expelled".


    "Oh, cmon", Ves groans, "Vinnie, tell your little boyfriend to tell us his name".


    "What?", Vinnie reacts, her face turning red.


    "Bo''s not her boyfriend", Otto shoots out.


    "Otto, you moron", the mullet guy snarks at him, "shut the fuck up".


    "Oh, oooh", Ves smiles, "I see what''s going on here".


    "You shut up, don''t stick your nose into my business", Vinnie crosses her arms.


    "Yeah, you''re the one to talk", Ves rolls his eyes, "weren''t you the one who went and payed the school off so you could set this whole thing up, and for what, to get me to join your team?".


    "What kind of bullshit are you spouting, Ves?", Vinnie scoffs, "this has nothing to do with you, or with me, at that matter".


    "Well, then, why did your little teammate go around and set up Sam?", Ves says.


    Vinnie grows silent, averting her gaze.


    "What, you don''t have the answer, huh?", Ves raises his eyebrow.Stolen novel; please report.


    "It has nothing to do with me", Vinnie repeats, "I asked you to join us, that was all, you refused, that''s all".


    "Yeah, that''s why you had 500 points deducted from us, huh?", Ves yells.


    "I didn''t do anything, it wasn''t my call, and it wasn''t because of you", she yells back, "but you know, if you listened to me, you wouldn''t have those points deducted".


    "Wait, you really wanted this guy to join us?", Otto says beside her.


    "Oh, no, she wanted me to join them", Ves gives him a dry smile, "you were the one she wanted to get rid of, so don''t get your hopes too high buddy".


    "What, really?", Otto looks at her expectantly.


    "Look, it doesn''t matter, Otto", Vinnie keeps her eyes fixed on Ves.


    "What I want to know", Joe decides to stop the teenage drama, "is why did you set Sam up, and whose idea was it if it wasn''t yours?".


    "As if I would tell you", Bo laughs.


    Looking over at Henry whose hands are already gritted and ready to go, Joe waves his head.


    "Listen up, you piece of shit", Marc cathes onto the silent exchange, but the two stop him yet again.


    "Will you calm down", Otto says dryly, "you acting out won''t change the fact that you''ll fail the year".


    "Right, it will only get you out of here sooner", Bo laughs.


    "You two stop acting as if I didn''t knock you both out", Joe reminds them.


    "Techinacally, he knocked me out", Otto points to Henry.


    "And Vinnie was the one who landed the first hit on me", Bo looks over at his teammate, "thanks a lot for that".


    "You were in the way", Vinnie crosses her arms.


    "Yeah, cause I was protecting you, remember", Bo rolls his eyes.


    "No use being salty about that now", Vinnie sighs, "it was 4v3, and they were crowding me, I did what I had to do".


    "Right, see how that went for us", Bo says.


    "Whose side are you on?", Vinnie hisses at him.


    "God, we won, just tell us whose orders were you following", Ves scoffs.


    "Well, when you say it like that, it sounds as if we are some assasins or something", Bo laughs.


    "We don''t owe you anything, Ves", Vinnie glances over her brother, "not to you, not to any of your teammates".


    "Right, but what would mom say if I told her you set me up?", Ves rasies his voice almost victoriusly.


    "I didn''t", Vinnie rolls her eyes.


    "Yeah, Vinnie had nothing to do with it", Bo shrugs, "it was me who was asked for a favour, and I''m the only one who knows who asked me".


    "And the four of you should step back now", Vinnie affrims before anyone else gets a chance to speak, "take this any further, I''m coming at you with Mikey and Dominic".


    Locking her eyes with Ves, the black-haired boy takes a step back with a scoff. Joe takes note, deciding to follow along. Not much more they could get here without causing too much trouble. Henry is quick to turn away as well, and Marc reluctantly does the same.


    Few things sticks with Joe. Someone asked Bo a favour. His teammates don''t know who it was. It could''ve been one of the other students, but who had anything to hold against Sam? Or their team in general?


    "Right, then we''ll head off", Joe says calmly, "and if you ever decide to come after someone on this team again, then come after me, I don''t care who you bring along".


    "Yeah, same here", Ves''s voice turns gravely.


    "Yeah, me as well", Marc yells along.


    "Hey, buddy, appreaciate the sentiment, but you''re not really a part of this team", Es places a hand on the boy''s shoulder.


    "Right, Marc", Joe agrees, "it''s better if you stay away from this from now on, both of you".


    "Yeah, you should really listen to that psychopath friend of yours on that one", Bo nods along. Joe would really love caving his face in.


    "Either way, adios amigos", Vinnie flicks her hair playfully, "this has been a fun battle, next time though, I will crush all of you".


    "Big words coming from someone who just lost", Ves rolls his eyes, "and please, stop watching spanish soap, for the love of God".


    "Hey, baby brother, I knocked you out, easily", Vinnie retorts, "mind you, you battled the worst out of 4 of you, you do realise that".


    Joe notices Ves flinch. There was no argument against what Vinnie had said. Ves, while he had drive and reaction time, had no plan. Besides, Houndour was a straightforward battler, at this point the lack of strong attacks was detrimental.


    "Wait", Marc makes a sudden realisation, "how are the two of you sibling, and how is that Mikey dude also your sibling, how the hell are the three of you the same age?".


    "Yeah, now that I think about it, how does that even work?", Otto gives Vinnie a questioning look.


    "Don''t ask", Vinnie almost hisses at him.


    "Honestly, don''t", Ves is finally on the same page as her on something, "can you guys just leave now?".


    "Um, we came here first, you leave", Bo reminds him.


    "We did win though", Henry informs him, "besides, she just said she''s leaving".


    "No, I thought you should all leave", Vinnie clarifies.


    "Well, that makes no sense", Marc urges.


    "Whatever", Joe decides he has had enough, "let''s just go". Not that he didn''t have smarter things to do. Reality was, on his own, his chances against Vinnie were slim. Ghost types were a problem. Ghost types that knew protect even more so.


    Turning on his heel, he started walking away. Ves followed him immediately. Marc decided he should greet their new friends to some more threats, but he came after them soon enough as well.


    *****


    That weekend, things seemed to have came to the full stop. By the time they returned to the dorm room on Frisay night, no one really wanted to talk. Joe himself was still plagued by the fact he had to rely on someone else to finish the battle for him. Ves seemed angry at the whole ordeal as well. Ace sat on his bed, almost religiously typing away on his pokedex. At least, he was trying to get stronger, not that it mattered much now. Even if he someohow managed to squeeze into the next year, it was not Joe''s problem anymore. None of the boys were.


    Sam sat on his bed silently, his head hung low, and Yamper nested on his lap. It was a sorry image. Teo was the only one who seemed willing to talk. He tried asking about their encounter with Vinnie, but Joe and Ves were quick to shoot him down with the shortest answer they could give.


    First thing Joe did on Saturday morning was go and train, as he always does. He took a different route, as to not run into Henry and Marc. Not that he didn''t enjoy their company, but he wanted to be alone.


    Riolu was as calm as always. Joe''s mind was waging his options. In few days, they would be going to Sinnoh, where he would have a chance to catch himself another pokemon. With the way Riolu''s training was going, he was seriously considering the option. Even though the fighting type gave his best effort, there was only so much that could be accomplished in a short amount of time. Bullet Punch was still far off, and even his idea of double Vacuum Wave was coming along slowly. Joe knew well enough, neither of those two moves were meant to be super strong. Though he had sense of using their speed to his advantage, hid lack of fire power would soon catch up to him and he knew it. Besides, he had the idea of making Riolu a special attacker from the beginning, and, at this point he had only one special attack.


    Ultimately though, as he watched Riolu barrage the tree with attacks, he decided against making any new additions to the team. Every pokemon had its own shortcomings, and Riolu was no different. Adding another team member would just slow his training down. He would be fully focused on training Riolu. Hopefully, he wouldn''t come across any more attempts at sabotage that would slow the process down.


    Certainly, now that any effort to push his teammates forward would be a wasted effort, Joe found a new sense of freedom. It was now fair for him to focus only on his own improvement.


    His session lasted longer than it usually does. Turns out, both Riolu and him had some steam that needed to be released. Running back to the dorm room, he decided it was already too late to go and get breakfast in the cafeteria. After everything, Riolu deserved a treat, so he would take him to the school''s sqaure and get them something to eat.


    Not too far from the dorm, he saw Sam running towards him, with Yamper trailing behind. He caught the moment the other boy hid his gaze from him. They passed each other without a word. At least he''s trying, Joe thinks. Not that it matters much now. October would come along swiftly, and Sam, being dead last, had no chances of catching up on his own. The only way for him to pass the year would be catching up as a team, and with 500 negative points, that was highly unrealistic. They''d have to win at least 3 rounds in October just to get back to the starting line of 0. Even that was an optimistic evaluation, as the school board still didn''t put out the scoring system for the tournament yet. Worst case scenario, they''d need to win 5 rounds make up for the lost points. That was unlikely as well, Joe thought.


    After getting some food for Riolu and himself, Joe advanced to the second part of his plan. He went for the library. If he wanted to pass this year solo, keeping his test scores high throughout both semester was crucial. The way he calculated it, letting himself fall bellow top 40 in test scores would be fatal. With tag-team battles being scored, anything lower than that put him at high risk of being overtaken and pushed out of the top 50. Even the singles touenament might be the issue, he thought. Sure, he felt he could hold his own. Under the right circumstances. He also knew he could easily be paired up with someone strong right of the bat, like Henry or Vinnie, and lose the very first battle. There was no room for mistakes.


    On his way to the library he saw Ace, who had, to his surprise finally started training. He knew about Sam, obviously, and he knew Ves was doing some work too, but this was the first time he saw Ace putting in effort. When he passed him, the blond boy was running up the stairs with his Rockruff. He had his earphones in, and Joe instantly knew he was playing the ''Eye of the Tiger''. Regardless of his eagerness to turn himself into a movie character, Ace training was a good thing. Unlike Sam, Ace had a chance of squeezing thorough. Especially with Rockruff''s inate speed and possible attack patterns, the boy had space to improve rapidly. If only he would give up on the evasion strategies. He could only make guesses at how it would all play out. And he could only try and guess what Teo was up to right now.


    He got his teammates off his mind as soon as he sat down at the library desk. Though he hated to admit it, sometimes, the other 4 would occupy his head space. But there was no time for that right now. There was no time for anyone else right now. He opened the book and started working away.


    *****


    Sunday was surprisingly calm, which worked well for Joe. He could go out and do his thing. Even when he had to be in their room, things weren''t that bad. No one bothered him, no one tried to talk. Sam even learned to bring his stuff with him when he goes to take a shower. Ace wasn''t snapping around at everyone. The two of them washed the windows once, but that was the only interaction they had. Other than Ace, Teo asked about the berries they were growing. They have only just sprouted, and it would be another 2 weeks until they reached their full size, plus one more weak for them to start bearing fruit.


    On Monday the 4 of them didn''t sit close to each other. Joe decided to sit closer to Marc and Henry. They were more up his alley anyways. Sam had alligned himslef with Dean, and Marc had titled the two ''Winchester brothers'', finally catching onto the author''s unfortunate naming scheme. Teo and Ves still sat at the back, not talking to anyone else, including each other.


    Ace, on the other hand, made straight way towards the girls they have met and started a conversation. Out of curiosity Joe tuned in a bit, not that he had a habbit of eavesdropping, but Ace never strcuk him as a flirt. Listening in, he caught bits and pieces. While they were busy settling score with their newest set of friends, the girls took a little school trip to Kanto region. All 5 of them caught Eevees, as a sign of friendship, which Joe had found an emtpy sentiment. Eevee was a good pokemon in the long run though, he noted. Other students had started preparing for the tournament as well. Though he was certsin none of the girls would pose much trouble for him if he was to face them right now, it was the potential he couldn''t afford to ignore.


    Ace managed to surprise him. Without wasting too much time, he suggested they should set up a battle. A legal one, of course. What was surprising was that he was adamnt on taking the girls on in a gauntlet-style fight. Joe did the math, 5 girls each with 2 pokemon, Ace wanted to take on 10 pokemon with only his Rockruff. Of course, that''s an imspossible battle to win, at best he could get through 2 challengers, but it was a good way to train. Natasha immediately agreed to the battle, while Tam decided to drop out yet again. Budew was still not good at batting, and her Eevee is young as well. Ace didn''t seem to mind. He definitely knew he couldn''t win against 5 opponents.


    Unsurprisingly, Lesley tried sneaking his way into the battle as well, but Ace shot him down quickly. Joe thought about the prospect of doing something similar for his own training, but it would be tough to find the opponents. Ves and Marc are the only ones who would agree, and with two dark types it wouldn''t be much of a problem. Lesley would probably be up for it as well, but he would be the only troublesome opponent. Henry was still adamnt about not facing off against Joe yet.


    Ace managed to get his challenge quickly, and they were off to solving the only problem they had. Getting Nolan to officiate. After the class, Joe goes after them on a whim. Marc and Henry both join him, as well as Lesley, who keeps bugging Ace along the way. Ace doesn''t see to care for once. It strucks Joe as strange, that the boy isn''t even bothered by it. Now he''s definitely more curious to see how this battle turns out. Besides, it''s good to keep the track of their competition. Since the girls all got new pokemon, it was evident they were at least trying to improve.


    A quick chat woth Leah leads him to believe otherwise. Catching Eevee was a part of a breeding ranch tour. Since there weren''t too many students on their trip, the owners of the newly opened ranch decided to let each student ''catch'' one of the pokemon they breeded, free of charge. The girls chose Eevees because they found the tiny fox-like pokemon cute. Leah also wanted to get herself an Umbreon, who she insisted was a bisexual goth icon. Bisexuals loved their Umbreons. Even though it was an easy and not thought-through catch, Joe thought, it was still a good one. Eevee was a fine pokemon for beginners, and what really set it apart was its capacity to evolve into multiple different pokemon. Furthermore, they caught specifically bred Eevees, which pretty much guaranteed them to be strong. One thing that went to Ace''s favour was that their Eevees were all recently hatched and had no battle experiance, save for Natasha who had already managed to throw her new partner into a battle. Not that Joe expected Ace to make it to Natasha anyways.


    Professor Nolan had seemed to be in surprisingly high spirit, and agreed to officiate the battle almost immediately. He even spared them his usual ''pokemon are dangerous'' speech. Though Joe caught the man giving a careful glance to Ace. He really disliked their mentor. Ace probably did as well. The group made a quick way over to the court room, and Ace wasted no time in taking his position. Leah leisurely made her way onto her side of the field. Ace had basically made a request that he takes them on in order of their current ranking, the idea Natasha hated, since it meant she''d be the last one to battle.


    Leah had a Ducklett, and now an Eevee, Joe calculated. Should be easy enough for Ace to overcome. Though, knowing him, Ducklett could easily end him, if he doesn''t make the quick work of the flying type.


    "What do you think, who''ll win?", Tammy asks, eyes fixed on the field.


    "I think Acey takes this", Lesley smirks confidently.


    "Didn''t know you''re rooting for him", Joe pokes at him.


    "Am not", Lesley responds, "I''m just stating the obvious".


    "Right, Lesley, just keep rooting for your friend", Marc grins at him.


    "They are starting, so you guys should stop with this", Henry reminds them.


    Joe watches as Ace releases his Rockruff out of his pokeball. The small brown dog seems eager to battle as it always does. Such a shame a pokemon like that got stuck with someone like Ace. Leah follows after him, letting Eevee out of the pokeball. The fox-like pokemon has a rich and shiny fur, a sign of being bred right. It''s body proportions look good as well, and the muscles of its legs look well developed for its age. Even though the ranch that bred and raised this pokemon was new, the breeders certainly did a good job. Although, Eevee is definitely still young and would not be too big of a problem for Ace.


    "Alright, Double Team, Rocky", Ace starts with his usual strategy. Joe would usually disapprove of such a thing, but in this case it was a good precaution measure. Double Team won''t fade unless it''s disturbed by an attack, so Ace could, in theory, get an advantage against future opponents like this.


    "Tail Whip", Leah orders. Her Eevee, with a wag of its tail, sends a wave of disturbing energy towards Rockruff. Not too bad, Joe thinks, it''s a move that can''t be avoided, and it also creates advantage for the girls in the long run, since Rockruff has no way of restoring his defense. Even though she''s ranked the lowest on her team and doesn''t seem to be too eager to battle, Leah''s still reading the situation right.


    "Accelerock", Ace is quick to order, surprising Joe a bit. At least he''s aware that he needs to get rid of his opponents quickly. As the row of sharp rocks quickly flies towards the Eevee, it stands no chance of dodging. After all, this is Eevee''s very first battle. Leah tries half-heartedly ordering her partner to get out of the way, but she knows this too. Eevee manages to the whitsand the force of the first attack, but Ace is quick to order the second round, making quick work of his opponent.


    "Oh, poor Eevee", Tammy says sheepishly, "God, I can''t imagine letting my own pokemon get hurt".


    "Yo, you do realise this is a school for pokemon trainers?", Marc comments in confusion.


    "You do realise it''s a baby, you jerk?", Tammy tries snapping at him.


    "Well, that doesn''t excuse its incompetence", Henry joins on Marc''s side.


    "Wow, you guys are heartless", Tam sighs.


    "Let''s just keep watching", Joe interrupts them. He didn''t expect Eevee to put up a fight anyways. Ducklett, on the other hand, he was looking forward to seeing.


    "Alright, then", Leah says as she chucks her pokeball into the air, "let''s go, Tailwind, Ducklett". Joe immediately ups his levels of attention, waiting to see if Ace will use this to his advantage or will he be stupid again.


    "Accelerock", Ace orders up, and Joe is happy to see his teammate did the smart thing for once. It was a pleasant surprise, that Ace didn''t try to set up another Double Team.


    Ducklett comes out, immediately creating a strong air current around itself, but before it can gain too much mobility, it gets slammed by a barrage of flying rocks. Without wasting a second, Ace orders the second attack. Joe''s not sure what had gotten into the blond boy to make him battle this aggressively, but he liked to see it.


    "Protect", Leah managed to react in time, stopping the second attack.


    "Again, Rocky", Ace doesn''t let up.


    "Dodge", Leah orders, and with the Tailwind up, Ducklett has no problem of dodging. Joe takes a mental note that he needs to be weary of Flying types as well.


    "Alright, then, once again", Ace doesn''t let go.


    "Water gun", Leah tries intercepting, and succeds in quickly canceling Rockruff''s attack.


    "Let''s go again, Rocky", Ace orders. He''s trying to wait the Tailwind out, Joe relises. Without it, Ducklett won''t be able to keep dodging.


    "Dodge it and use Wing Attack", Leah says without too much vigour.


    "Rocky, dodge it", Ace orders up. As Ducklett flies around the rocks, it ends up missing Rockruff, dispersing the clone created by the Double Team instead. Just like that, Ace loses his advantage.


    "Damn, Accelerock, again", Ace yells out.


    "Protect", Leah says, and the attacks ends up hitting the force field instead of the target again. "Water Gun, now", Leah is quick to follow up.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace reacts in time, as his Rockruff speeds away from the incoming attack. Handy little trick, Joe thinks. And the air current around Ducklett seems to be getting weaker. "Accelerock", Ace orders hastily.


    "Protect", Leah says, realising her speed advantage is gone as well.


    "Don''t stop, go again Rocky", Ace doesn''t let up still. Rockruff manages to connect the second attack, finally sending the Ducklett down to the ground.


    "Well, that was not half-bad", Marc remarks.


    Truly, that Ace had actually decided to attack for once has surprised Joe. In a good way. Yet, he''s not too stupid. His teammate wasn''t in favourable position right now. His defense was lowered, and his Double Team was now gone. For starters, he only got to set up the Double Team because Leah had decided to lead with Eevee. Ducklett, altough not landing a single attack, managed to wear out Rockruff as well. That last Accelerock was already much slower than the first one. And Ace still had 3 opponents to face.


    Tea suddenly yells out: "wait, wasn''t I supposed to battle first?".


    "Oh, yeah, you were, actually", Tammy scratches her cheek.


    "Well, don''t sweat it, it doesn''t really matter", Natasha says, "I could go next if you guys want".


    "Leah and Tea are a bit lost in space and time, don''t mind them", Mai whispers over to the boys, "they are pretty cool though".


    "Yeah, we''ve noticed", Marc says.


    "The lost in space and time thing", Lesley clarifies.


    "Will the two of you be respectful for once", Henry nudges them.


    "It''s fine, I''ll just go and battle now", Tea seems as unbothered as possible, "it will be over quickly, trust me". With that she makes her way onto the field, taking Leah''s place. Ace doesn''t seem to care that much about the order either. If it were up to Joe, he''d have taken Natasha on first. Ace seemed to have something else in mind entirely.


    "Alright, Rocky, you ready to go?", the blond haired boy says firmly.


    "Uh, wait", Tea seems to be thinking up something, "you have only one pokemon, right?".


    "Right, not that it should matter much to you", Ace notes.


    "It does though", Tea retorts, "if I beat you with only one, then I win, right?".


    "Right", Ace nods slowly.


    "Well, then", Tea readies her pokeball, "Shroodle, let''s use Metronome".


    "Oh, she''s wild", Leah chuckles.


    "What, why Metronome, that''s a horrible strategy", Lesley protests.


    "Yeah, but you see, her Shroodle has one strange gift", Mai explains as. Shroodle appears on the battlefield. The pokemon''s big irises start moving from left to right in rhytmical pattern.


    "And that would be?", Henry questions.


    "Every time she uses Metronome it turns into...", Tammy comes in to explain, but before she can finish, Shroodle''s body starts glowing bright white. The very next second, a giant exlosion emits from its body, sending a blast wave across the entire field.


    "Self-Destruct", Lesley watches in horror as Rockruff flies backwards, carried by the impact.


    "Yeah, well, once it turned into Bubble, but every other time it turned into Self-Destruct", Tammy explains.


    It soon becomes evident that both pokemon have fainted. "Well, I would''ve Detected my way out of that one", Joe notes shortly.


    "Yeah, same", Henry agrees.


    "That was actually cool, I like this chick''s style", Marc comments.


    "Frankly, I am terrified", Lesley looks as if he''s had all the colour sucked out of his body.


    "So I think that means I win", Tea says, not sounding too excited but definitely self-satisfied.


    "Well, damn", Ace scoffs as he recalls his Rockruff, "did not see that one coming".


    "Well, I killed your streak, so that''s that", Tea lets out a small chuckle.


    "Not that it was much of a streak anyways", Lesley points out.


    Joe doesn''t really care much about commenting on Ace. He did expect his teammate to beat Tea, but the Self-Destruct was an unforseen circumstance. "Could I take his place per chance", Joe adresses professor Nolan expectadly.


    "Um, you, what?", the man seems a bit taken back by the request.


    "Can we keep going, I would like to replace Ace on the battlefield", Joe states. Since they were already there, this was as good as any opportunity to try and get a few battles in. Besides, he wanted to battle Natasha.


    "Um, well, you do have a fighting type, which is not exactly safe", Nolan goes back to his usual argument, which Joe had expected.


    "Yeah, but I could go instead of Ace", Lesley readily intercepts.


    Clearing his throat, Joe adds: "while I understand your concern, please do understand, I didn''t have a chance to battle yet, and I would like a chance to gain some experience, considering the tournament isn''t that far away and my team is 500 points behind everyone else". He notices the other three boys are looking at him dead-eyes, well aware of his blatant lies.


    "Fighting types could possibly cause injury to someone", Nolan persists.


    "As I said I do understand your point of view on different pokemon and their nature", Joe retorts, "but, you are letting Natasha battle, and she has a fire type, those are potentially dangerous as well".


    "Well, yes, Vulpix is a different story though", Nolan notes, "it is generally mild natured, in addition, Natasha''s pokemon is still not fully trained, so it isn''t such a big threat".


    "Well, Rio is not fully trained either", Joe readily notes, "and besides, the only fighting move it knows is Vacuum Wave, which is rather weak, you would agree".


    "Well, right, but still, Riolu is easily influenced by its trainers emotions so...", Nolan counters.


    "I believe I''m capable of keeping those in check", Joe is quick to retort.


    "I believe you do not have any", Ace appears behind him.


    "Well, either way", Joe remains calm, "if you were to let me battle, I would be highly cautious".


    "Yeah, let him battle me, I want to beat his ass", Natasha chimmes in, "besides, I didn''t get to battle yet".


    "You do understand, if he loses his composure, it could put everyone here at risk of injury", Noaln notes.


    "Yeah, I can handle that", Natasha waves the man''s concerns off.


    "You do realise I am one of the highest ranked students, right?", Joe decides to go down a different route, "and I have been deducted points for something I didn''t even do, so what would the school board say if they knew you, as my mentor, were outright refusing to officiate my battles". Not that he thought the school board would mind it, but still, officially at least, they would have to say something about it.


    "I do believe they would understand it", professor Nolan responds.


    "Oh, great, then they must understand why Sam was forced to battle someone in an unofficial battle", Joe says, "I mean, if I went along and pointed out to them that you were outright refusing to officiate battles out of your own judgement, then they''d have to change their punishment for us". Joe''s not entirely sure trying to blackmail a professor is a smart idea, especially one that already dislikes him, but there is something he wants to check.


    "I highly doubt it", Nolan says, "the decision''s already been made".


    "Alright, but then, since no professor''s want to officiate my battles, then I could go to see if any of the school board members would be willing to do so", Joe says.


    "I doubt they''d have the time for that", professor says.


    "I know, however, considering that I''m the 4th highest ranked student in our year, they might make an exception", Joe raises his eyebrow, "this school does value capability above all else, right?".


    "You are one nasty kid", Nolan mutters under his breath. "Alright, I''ll officiate this battle, and we''ll see how it goes, but if anything happens, I am cutting it short, understood?".


    "Nothing will happen", Joe notes shortly, happy to have gotten this win. The only thing that bothers him is if he''s not sure if Nolan''s scared of him approaching the school board, or if he has just gotten tired of his mouth.


    "Fine, then, go ahead", Nolan gestures towards the battlefield.


    "Oh, professor", Lesley chimmes in, "when he loses, can I take his place?".


    "I won''t lose", Joe says simply, walking over to the empty side of the field. He''s quick to let Riolu out of his pokeball.


    "Alright, so this is still going on then?", Tea says, "am I still supposed to battle?".


    "If you want to", Joe nods.


    "Alright then, well, I have one pokemon left, so why not", she says, releasing Eevee onto the field, "this girl needs some training anyways".


    Joe''s not much concerned about Eevees. Inexperienced and untrained Normal types were no issue. But this was a good opportunity to take on Natasha''s Vulpix, as well as Mai and her Snubull. It would be even better if Leah was still standing, he''d love a chance to fight a Flying type.


    "Alright, battle begin", Nolan says unenthusiastically.


    "Quick Attack, Eevee", Tea reacts swiftly.


    "Detect into Vacuum Wave", Joe says. He''s not going to waste to much time on this. Riolu moves out of the way, rapidly shooting an energy blast at his opponent. Eevee flies back, instantly knocked out. He notes Nolan''s eyebrows are raised, as the man can certainly tell Riolu is far from inexperienced. Doesn''t matter though, he had no proof Joe had broken any rules.


    "Well, that was not cool", Tea says as she recalls her partner.


    "Can I go now?", Natasha asks almost pleadingly.


    "Sure, I would like you to be my next opponent", Joe says. Even more so, Joe would like to take her and Mai in a 2v1 battle, but he doubts Nolan would allow that. Besides, that might be a bit too much for him to swallow.


    Natasha is quick to run up to her spot, throwing her pokemon in exhiliration. Talk about a battle maniac. "Eevee, Quick Attack", she gives the order before her pokemon hits the field.


    Eevee, yet again, Joe thinks. Not what he signed up for. "Get rid of it, Rio", he says shortly. Riolu wastes no time getting the attack ready, firing a Vacuum Wave off at the Eevee as soon as the pokemon hits the field. The poor thing doesn''t even get the chance, being instantly blown back. "Stand ready, Rio", Joe says, cautious of a counter. It becomes apparent quickly that Eevee''s been knocked out.


    "Okay, that''s not what I wanted to happen", Natasha says, recalling her fainted partner.


    As the girl readies her second pokeball, Joe''s body tenses. He saw Vulpix in action already, and he watched the damn thing make easy work of Lesley. He''s not letting up. "Rio, be prepared", he says, but Riolu''s already a step ahead, his hands ready to shoot out another blast as soon as Vulpix hits the field. Is this kind of battle strategy honourable? Perhaps not, but it was certainly efficent.


    "Vulpix, go", Natasha says, as she lets her pokemon out.


    As the beam of blue energy stabilises, making Vulpix appear on the field, Joe gives out a command: "now".


    "Protect", Natasha yells out readily.


    Vacuum Wave hits into the defensive field, but Joe''s already expected that much. "Bullet Punch, go Rio", he instructs.


    "Quick Attack, get away Vulpix", Natasha is quick to pick up the trick she''s seen minutes before.


    Bullet Punch seems faster then it was before his weekend training, Joe thinks, but it''s still not nearly fast enough to catch up with another priority move.


    "Go for Ember, now", Natasha orders.


    "Detect", Joe says, "get away". It''s smarter to let her attack. Besides, Nolan is watching, he can''t try any questionable strategies right now.


    "Quick Attack", Natasha is intent on not letting him take a breath.


    "Vacuum Wave, deter it", Joe says.


    "Move out of the way", Natasha orders in response.


    "Again, make them faster, Rio", Joe intercepts, ready to sacrifice power for getting a few hits in.


    "Protect", Natasha says, and her partner is fast to oblige.


    "Again", Joe''s aware he can use this to set up the tempo. That Vulpix has to give in sooner or later. And unlike Rockruff, his Riolu has trained since they came here, he can keep this tempo up much longer then they''d expect.


    "Dodge with Quick Attack", Natasha is not ready to let him control the battlefield. Her Vulpix rushes past the attack, heading for Riolu.


    Not a problem. "Vacuum Wave", Joe instructs.


    "Cut it and use Snarl", Natasha reacts readily. Vulpix jumps back mid-attack, letting the blast of energy hit the ground in front of it, and starts up the next attack.


    "Detect, get back Rio", Joe says. Natasha''s not half-bad. She''s quick to react and adapt, and though Snarl wouldn''t do much damage, it would lower Riolu''s special attack. As his partner manages to avoid the incoming attack and inches closer to him, Joe takes the chance to give direction. "Next time, fake interception with Metal Claw, when she switches we''ll go for Vacuum wave", he says as quietly as he can. "Keep it up", he adds much louder, "Vacuum Wave".


    "Protect", Natasha orders, and Joe''s happy she''s following the same old pattern.


    "Again, Rio", he orders.


    "Quick Attack to dodge", Natasha counters readily.


    As Vulpix runs again, Joe''s much faster to order a counter this time: "Metal Claw".


    "Cut into Snarl", Natasha orders readily, "then Quick Attack again".


    Joe''s having none of that. "Vacuum Wave, Rio", he orders as soon as he notices Vulpix has started to jump back. Tying two attacks is not a bad idea, but Snarl is not catching up with their Vacuum Wave.


    As Vulpix is hit with the attack, Joe readily order''s the next one: "Bullet Punch". He''s sure Natasha would come up with a way to counter this, but whatever her solution would be he has no intention of seeing it today. The second attack hits before Vulpix can get up on her legs. "Vacuum Wave, end it", Joe says. With another determined hit, the fire fox is knocked out, leaving Joe to breathe out a sigh of relief.


    "Dude", Natasha says flatly as she recalls her partner, "that was vicious, don''t you think".


    Joe turns around, taking note of Nolan, who seems to be in the state of mild shock. If he didn''t guess Joe was battling up until now, he definitely knew it now. The rest of the girls looked a bit terrified as well. Henry, Marc and Lesley looked satisfied with what they had seen, and Ace was certainly far from surprised. It dawned on Joe then that perhaps not everyone would be ready to accept his methods. Not that it mattered in a wider scheme of thing, his methods yielded results, and that was all that mattered. Still, it might''ve been smarter to drop the ball in front of Nolan.


    "Alright, so, who''s the next one then?", Joe turns to look at Mai expectedly. It was too late now to worry about the effects his style would have on other people.


    "I''m not battling you", Mai unfreezes, "I don''t want my pokemon going through that, that was traumatic".


    "What, I thought it was fine", Marc is quick to jump to Joe''s defense, "beside, this was nothing, you should see...". Henry picnches his sides, and Marc quiets down a bit: "usually his attacks are stronger, when we''re training in the gym, I mean, on the punching bags, y''know". Joe''s never stepped foot inside of the school'' s gym.


    "Professor", Henry clears his throat, "since Mai''s not up for battling Joe, I would like a chance to take his place, I haven''t had a chance to battle yet either, so I would highly appreciate it". He turns to look at Mai: "of course, if you are up to it, I promise I will be milder than my friend".


    "I find that hard to believe, somehow", Mai repsonds.


    "Hey, you can always let me battle", Lesley weasels his way into the conversation.


    "No, no, I should be allowed to go on", Joe makes his case, "just because I have a different battle style...".


    "A battle style?", Tammy yells out, "that was borderline abuse".


    "I second that", Mai says.


    Looking over at Ace, Joe is sure his teammate would''ve battled the same way if it was needed and if the opportunity presented itself.


    "Yeah, you''re definitely off the field", Nolan makes the call.


    "Then, can I go on?", Henry asks patiently.


    "Ugh, sure, but no fighting like a wild man", the professor says.


    "Roger that", Henry says, making his way towards the field. Joe knows instantly, there won''t be much to look forward to in this match. After all he had just beaten Natasha without too much trouble, Henry would surely be able to beat Mai. From what Joe had gathered, the girls haven''t done that much training yet, save for Natasha forcing them to battle every now and again.


    The battle goes by quickly, and Henry manages to keep things friendly, which Joe wholeheartedly despises. Eevee comes out first, and Henry uses the Quick Attack as an opportunity to counter with the Trailblaze, before quickly finishing off his opponent with a Mach Punch. Snubull comes in next, and despite the type match up, Henry works things out quickly. Snubull is generally not that agile, and with speed boosted Mienfoo, landing a physical attack is nearly impossible for the fairy type. As expected, nothing could''ve been learned from this battle.


    "What''s with the face?", Joe asks, noticing that Ace looks dissapointed as well.


    "Nothing", the boy responds shortly.


    Although Joe likes the newfound silence that exists in his team, not knowing what''s going on was not his favourite thing. "For real, you sad that you lost on your second battle?", he persists.


    "Not really, I mean that''s what I expected", Ace is quick to break, "I mean, I didn''t expect a self-destruct, but...".


    "You battled well against Leah, though", Joe notes, "against me as well, on Friday, I mean".


    "Right, I still lost", Ace scoffs.


    "Well, what''s up now then?", Joe exhales deeply.


    "I don''t know, I mean, these girls are not that strong, that''s all", Ace admits.


    "I mean, Natasha was good, she adapts quickly, I just didn''t let her do that", Joe says, wanting to note the way everyone gave him shit for that.


    "Right, but both you and Henry won without any trouble, against the two opponents who are ranked higher than I am", Ace admits, "and I lost against a girl who''s ranked lower than me".


    "It was a surprise tactic though", Joe points out, "and anyways, you wanted a gauntlet battle...".


    "I just wanted to assess myslef, that''s all", Ace says simply, "to see for myself how realistic the current rankings are".


    "And what did you find?", Joe asks.


    "They are not", Ace admits, "at least for me, realistically, I will end up ranking lower than I currently stand once the battles start counting".


    "Well, I don''t think that''s necessarily true", Joe says, "I mean, you gave me trouble when we battled, to be fair, if you didn''t insist on a gauntlet, I think you''d stand a chance against both Mai and Natasha".


    "You think I''d win?", Ace asks coldly.


    "Against Natasha, probably no", Joe admits, "she has a way to counter priority moves, that''s why I had to resort to trickery".


    "Well, that settles it then", Ace says, "I mean, even if I won against Mai, she''s still ranked at 60th place, that still doesn''t get me through the year".


    "That''s a tough math, you know, this is still a very small sample", Joe notes, "besides, there is still one way you can help yourself".


    "And that would be?", Ace raises his eyebrow.


    "Study", Joe shrugs simply, "you can still gain an advantage through tests".


    "Right, you''re right", Ace says, "I did count that in already though".


    "Well anyways", Joe says calmly, "if you need help training or if you want to battle...".


    "No thanks", Ace cuts him off, "appreciate it, but I can handle myself".


    "Suit yourself", Joe nods shortly, aiming his eyes at the exit doors, "anyways, I''m glad to see you''ve finally given up on evasion startegies".


    "Not entirely", Ace says behind him.


    "Either way, good luck", Joe waves him off, "it''s a long year, after all".


    "Yeah, it is", he hears Ace say behind him.

 Chapter 11

    Sam spends the flight in an uncomfortable half-sleep. If he didn''t know better, he''d swear the sky was closing around them. The initial excitement he had had to go on the school trip quickly dispersed, getting exchamged with dreadful silence. Old King''s had a few air-ships meant to transport students during the trip, but even that wasn''t enough to get the boy excited. During the boarding he managed to keep close to Dean, deciding to sit with him. Apparently, Joe asserted that they''d be going on this trip, and the other group decided they wanted to join. Sam didn''t mind it. Andrei ended up sitting down with him and and Dean. Behind them were Lesley, who bugged them constantly, and Ace, who refused to utter a word. Joe sat further down the back, surprisingly with Ves and Teo, while Marc and Henry sat right behind them. Sam was pretty sure the boy found it mandatory to sit with his own teammates, even though he was definitely gravitating towards the other two boys. The three didn''t talk amongst themselves, opting to communicate through Marc and Henry instead.


    To make matters worse, Stanley was on the trip as well. Not Stanley, Bo, that''s what the guy was called, they informed him. Sam did his best not to look his way, but he couldn''t help but notice him and his teammates glancing over at them. They only told him what had happened in short notes, but he knew enough.


    With nothing much to do he spent the rest of the flight overthinking things. Much to his own surprise, he didn''t think about his teammates to much. No, that matter was settled for sure, they didn''t like him and he did not belong. During their flight to Sinnoh, he dreaded going home. He had already decided, and his stuff was already packed, since he''s already visiting his home region, after the trip is over he''ll be taking a trip back to Twinleaf instead of going back to Old King''s. The other four boys would apparently be going back to their own homes for the weekend as well.


    With the things as they are right now, Sam had spent most of his free time talking to Peter. Mostly about Fred, who still hadn''t thought to message or call. About Liam as well, who did remember to shoot Sam a quick message at least. It was a strange momentum of his life, as he had found himslef coming short of the things to say ever so often. Even with Peter, who did talk to him regularly, he struggled to talk. It felt as if this boy he had known for his entire life was turning into stranger before his eyes. As if any following word could prove itself empty enough for them both to realise there was nothing left between them.


    "Hey, what''s going on", Dean asked leaning over his shoulder. Instinctively, Sam hid his phone screen, that had stayed open on his chat woth Peter. Not that there was much to hide other than small talk. "You seem out of it", Dean persists. The boy, with his hair in thrown up in a messy bun and an oversized hoodie looks like a breath of fresh air. Dean was certainly the most approachable person Sam had met in this school. Most importantly, he was certain Dean wouldn''t try to get them expelled.


    "I''m fine", Sam says, putting his phone away.


    "Still stressed about that thing with the points", Dean lowers his voice so Ace wouldn''t hear him, "how are things now?".


    "Well, as you can see, no one''s talking to me", Sam says with a bitter laugh, "well, except for you, that is".


    "They''ll forget about it soon enough, no worries", Dean tries offering some comfort.


    "Not so sure about it, you know, I''m pretty sure they can keep this going for the entire year", Sam says. He wants to note how hellish it would be if things stayed like this for the whole 4 years, but he remembered he''s probably not going to stick around for that long.


    "They''ll relax eventually, I''m sure about it", Dean says, "I mean, as soon as the tournament starts, the things will start moving".


    "Yeah, right", Sam avoids saying that the tournament might end up making things even worse.


    He did spend a lots of time thinking. Despite everyone trying to pass on their own, he knew that they could still advance as a team. Theoretically. It was just that Ace and Joe didn''t have too much faith in the rest of them. Neither did Ves. Teo was still hard to read, but Sam was sure he would be trying to pass on his own as well. That was Sam''s goal as well, but only half-heartedly so. Being ranked at the 300th place, getting into top 50 would be a nearly impossible task. He already knew he was not the best academically, and his battling prowess wouldn''t push him far enough either.


    "Honestly, I think it would be for the best if I just dropped out now", Sam admits quickly. He did think about it, there was not really too much hope to hang on to.


    "That''s nonsense", Dean says softly, "you didn''t fail yet".


    "But I''m as good as gone", Sam persists. With things as they are, he didn''t have motivation to train. Sure, he went for the runs and tried working on Yamper''s Thunderbolt, but his efforts weren''t much. Especially since the only sort of conversation he had had with anyone for the past week was that one time Joe scolded him for making Yamper forget Nuzzle in order to learn Thunderbolt.


    "Look, the year has barely began", Dean starts.


    "And I''m already failing", Sam points out.


    "And there are 4 tournaments in front of us, not to mention 2 rounds of exams", Dean quiets him with a wave of a hand, "there''s more than enough time to catch up, I don''t know why all of you are stuck on this one tournament".


    "I mean, yeah, but you don''t get it", Sam attempts, "everyone else will be getting points as well, so you know...".


    "Right, well, you just need to do well in the tournaments, still", Dean shrugs, "I mean, you''ll need to advance a few rounds further than it''s expected, but it''s not an impossible task".


    "Well, it depends on how the points will be distributed as well", Sam points out, "and then there are the match-ups as well".


    "You''re thinking too much about it", Dean sighs, "right, even if you fail, so what".


    "Well, then I won''t be a pokemon trainer", Sam says taken back by Dean''s statement.


    "I mean, you can still do the gym challenge when you''re 18", Dean shrugs, "it''s a wait, sure, but it''s not like all the hope is lost".


    "Yeah, I guess you''re right", Sam scratches his head uncomfortably.


    "I mean, it''s not the end of the world, my mom was a trainer you know", Dean says, "it took her a while, but she almost got into the Ultra league".


    "Really?", Sam says in surprise, "but she couldn''t make it?".


    "I don''t know", Dean shrugs, "I mean, she met my dad, they had me, and she kind of just gave up on it, I guess".


    "Oh, really", Sam says, "does she regret it?".


    "I think I regret it more than she does", Dean laughs.


    "For real?", Sam rasies his eyebrow.


    "Yeah, I mean, it was her decision to give up that path for the sake of starting a family, and she''s happy with her decision", Dean states.


    "But you regret it?", Sam asks.


    "Well, sometimes I wonder, if she never had me, where she would be right now, what her life would look like", Dean''s voice turns a bit distant, "I don''t know, it''s strange, sometimes I wonder if it''s even fair for me to chase this dream, when she gave it up for me".


    "Yeah, I get it", Sam nods.


    "I mean, I wonder sometimes", Dean goes on, "now that I''m here, does she think me selfish, does she regret it now, or what if I actually make it and she starts regretting it... you know".


    "Yeah, I get it", Sam nods, "but you know, she made her choice, and you get to make your own".


    "Right, I know that", Dean sighs, "well, sorry about that, what''s with your parents, are they into pokemon as well?".


    "Not at all", Sam says, "Mom works at a bakery and dad''s a mechanic".


    "Oh, so you''re the first generation then", Dean nods, "they support you?".


    "Well, yeah, they always did", Sam says, "don''t see why they wouldn''t".


    "I mean, not all parents are supportive", Dean says, "it''s not exactly a steady or a safe job".


    "Yeah, I forget this is technically a job", Sam says.


    "Me too", Dean admits, "but, at the end of the day, it is".


    "Right, well, this might not be a job for me after all", Sam laugh weakly.


    "I mean, you got in", Dean shrugs, "just make the best of it, you''ll still learn something during this year, I guess".


    "Right, maybe you''re right", Sam nods.


    "We''re supposed to be in Canalave in 30 minutes", Dean notes, "we''ll get to meet an elite 4 member, you know, not too many people get a chance like that".


    "So maybe I absorb some of that elite 4 skill", Sam laughs.


    "A guy can dream", Dean chucles, "but maybe just settle for taking advice".


    *****


    Canalave city gym is nothing like on TV. To be perfectly fair, Sam had only ever seen the inside of the gym on TV, the battlefield, to be specific. The outside felt underwhelming, it was a square building done in mismatched steely plates. It might''ve represented the pokemon type the gym specialised in well, but it lacked any architectural merit besides that.


    Professor Nolan gave his best attmept at making them all walk into the building in a neat row, but ended up failing miserably, as the small crowd of students chaotically shuffled inside. Confused on the topic on who he''s supposed to be with, Sam stumbled around. Dean went along with Andrei and Lesley, so the boy didn''t exactly want to insert himself. Joe, Teo and Ves strutted forward together with Hemry and Marc. Sam had no idea what kind of a set-up that was, but he knew he would be staying away from Teo and Ves at all costs. Instead, he hesitantly walked up to Ace, who was going in alone.


    As they passed through to the main battlefield, Sam noted the rest of the building wasn''t particularly interesting to look at. The grey walls were clean and had a blue-ish hue to them, making the space feel much wider than it actually was. The battlefield was nothing out of the ordinary, yet it was the most poignant part of the gym. High-hanging ceiling carried rows of fluorescent panels that gave the world beneath it a sanitary look. The field itself was well taken care off, clean and wothout any signs of battle. Sam could only guess at how hard it was keeping a pokemon battlefield in a pitch perfect shape. Stands on the other hand looked worned out, with every row missing at least 2 of the blue chairs. Against one of the entrances to the field, a high platform was set up. A few people were up there already, casually chatting amongst themselves, with a few tuening around to greet the students. As they lined in front of the platform, Sam was reluctant to stand next to his teammates. He did so anyways. Refusing to look at them, his eyes followed professor Nolan as the man walked up on the platform, greeting the people up there.


    One of them was Rex, who Sam knew as a Canalave gym leader. Contrary to his rough sounding name, the man was very tame looking. Dressed in jeans and a casual button-down, it was hard to believe Rex was a pokemon trainer at all. Other than his fully unremarkable fashion style, he was tall and scrawny looking, with his upper body leaning slightly forward. He looked a lot like Teo, Sam thought, if Teo was a whimp. He couldn''t even guess what professor Nolan and the gym leader were talking about, but he had hoped the former would suggest a trip to Home Depot to get some decorations. Who the rest of the people up on the platform, Sam had no clue. He heard Joe and Henry guessing around, and the two conluded they must be gym trainers. Perhaps even part of the management. The two that caught Sam''s attention were a boy and a girl, seemingly only a few years older than them. They came up to professor Nolan, greeted him quickly and proceeded to patiently stand by his side as he convered with the gym leader. He wore a plaid shirt, and her hair was pitch black a lushious, Sam noticed. Neither of them seemed like gym trainers, and they were probably too young to be a part of management. Frankly, Sam was not sure why they caught his attetnion. Maybe he was uncomfortable to be near his teammates, and he desperately needed a distraction.


    A few moments later, another man showed up on the platform, one that Sam recognised instantly. He stood in sharp contrast to everyone else in the room, for a multitude of reasons. The dude is jacked, was Sam''s first thought. So much glitter, was the second thing he noticed. Hercule, the bug type elite 4 member was a peculiar sight. The man was clearly well over 45, yet he looked as if his favourite hobby was bench-pressing Snorlaxes. His muscles tightened against his skinny jeans, which Sam was not sure how he had gotten into. Even his face was contradictory, square features and a small mustache gave it a very masculine look, but the pink glitter splattered across told a different tale. Most remarkable was his jacket, a true fashionista phenomenon the man was known for. It was made from soft pink leather. The word of the tabloids was that it was made from the Wigglytuff skin. The thing was covered in tons of glitter as well and sported a giant picture of pink Heracross on the backside. It was Hercule''s worldwide famous Ace, Hera. Lo and behold, it was a shiny pokemon, an easy way to garner strange looks. Shinies were a true rarity, and the opinion on them were truly divisive. There were those who absolutely loved them, spending their time or resources to find them. And there were others, who didn''t particularly care about shiny pokemon, but hated the people who were obsessed with burning vigour. As for Sam, he found shiny pokemon to be neat.


    "Oh my", was Teo''s automatic reaction upon noticing the man, "too much".


    "You...you think he''s...you know?", Ves says, reluctantly limping his hand.


    "Maybe he just watches TLC?", Joe offers flatly.


    "Ah, there''s the eternal paradox", Ace sighs.


    "Look what we''re seeing", Teo motions sharply towards the platform, as if he''s trying to make prove his point.


    "What are we seeing?", Joe raises a judgmental eyebrow at him.


    "Is he gay?", Ves whisper yells, having had enough of this charade.


    "Or European?", Ace adds with a chuckle, earning himself a sharp look from both Joe and Teo. "What, the joke set itself up", the boy shrugs.


    "Um, what''s an European?", Sam manages to utter.


    The boys look at each other in complete confusion. "Well, I have no idea", Ace admits, "probably just something they made up for Legally Blonde: The Musical".


    "Could be", Ves nods along with Ace''s explanation.


    "Oh, we could ask professor Nolan", Sam announces.


    "Slow down there buddy", Teo raises his hands, "we''re not talking to you, remember, or to Nolan".


    "But we are talking right now", Sam blurts out.


    "Yeah that was just so we could do a very bad comedic bit", Ace rolls his eyes, "it''s a one time thing".


    "Oh, like breaking the fourth wall?", Sam says, remembering what his teammates had explained to him last week.


    "No, not like breaking the fourth wall", Joe sighs, "that''s not how that works".


    "Hwy, what walls are we breaking", Mark says from behind them.


    "Oh, so there''s this thing called the fourth wall and...", Sam starts.


    "Hey, shut up", Ves quickly smacks him over the head.


    "Yeah, you can''t explain the fourth wall thing to the side characters", Ace hisses.


    "Oh, oh right", Sam nods, "so... that''s kind of our thing then, the fourth wall, I mean?".


    "We don''t have a thing", Teo sighs, "just stop talking".


    "Yeah Sam", Joe says, "don''t mention that to anyone, and please do not ever break the fourth wall on your own".


    "Why not, I thought I could do that?", Sam scratches his head.


    "I mean, you can, but it doesn''t mean you should", Joe sighs.


    "Yeah, you might fuck something up, so just don''t do it", Ace nods, "ever".


    "Yeah, leave it to the professionals", Teo says confidently.


    "You ain''t a professional", Joe says, "you''ve never even broken the fourth wall on your own".


    "Yeah, well, that''s just because I didn''t get my chapter yet", Teo rolls his eyes, "but my time will come, I assure you".


    "Hey, so", Leasley leans in towards them, "could you guys save your wall breaking and relationship drama for later, the lecture starting".


    "Wait, Lesley, I still don''t know what wall they are talking about, or what''s an European", Marc chimmes in, "also, I''m kind of into the relationship drama".


    "Marc", Henry says calmly, "please".


    "Dude, I wanna know what''s going on", Marc says innocently, "you know Joe never wants to talk about it, all he ever wants to do is train and battle".


    "You mind that?", Sam notices Joe flinch a bit.


    "I mean, no, but like, we could talk about other stuff sometimes too", Marc says swinging his arms backwards, "I mean, you and Henry are both strong and cool, but you never talk about anything besides school".


    It was a strange idea to Sam, that Marc thought that way about Joe. Weren''t they friends? When he looked at his teammates again, they seemed much paler than usual, felt much more real. Were the four of them just always like that? Cold. He let the word cross his mind freely for the first times. Although he had a rather conflicting feelings about his teammates, and had used many words to try and describe them, ranging from cool to assholes, he never let himself fully immerse himself into the idea that they were completely, truly, cold-hearted. It had seemed like too big of a judgement.


    "Quiet", Lesley scolds them all, and this time they listen.


    At first, Sam tries focusing on the speech, but it ends up boring him rather quickly. Rex has that kind of low and raspy voice that makes you want to fall asleep, and he lets it float and echo around the room in perfect monotony. He talks about school, how it''s important, a good way to get ahead. Then he proceeds to talk about how the gym works. Turn out most of those people on the platform are, in fact, gym trainers. He lets them have a word as well, but they all say mostly the same thing. Even before they get to talking about steel type pokemon, Sam''s ears start turning off. He can almost sense his teammates. Without even looking he knows where they are, as if he''s perfectly feeling the brimming distance between them. And he knows they are not looking at him, the fact drives into him, sharper than ever. Maybe they are just themselves, ever so unfortunately.


    Truth is, Sam had grown up in Twinleaf town. Back home, people were different. Twinleaf had its own problems, yes, but people were different. Everyone knew each other. At least. Standing there, his hometown started seeming like the warmest place. The smallest place in the world, but a place that felt kind, a place that knew him, that wanted to know him. He tried imagining, what would it look like if his teammates grew up in Twinleaf as well. Would they be nicer, kinder people? Maybe, if they all knew each other when they were 6, they would be friends. Maybe Teo would like setting up traps for the wild Starley''s with Fred and him. Peter and Joe would probably get along, as well as Ace. Liam and Ves might''ve been friends as well, Ves seemed like a sporty type. It drilled into his head, the idea of it all. As if his past was twisting and turning in front of his eyes he started seeing new shapes. Darkening, they showed different kind of images. Maybe Fred would think Teo was much cooler than Sam. Maybe Peter would like Ace and Joe much more than Sam. Liam and Ves might''ve gotten along too well. At the end of the day, Sam might''ve just ended up on the sidelines. In fairness, Fred didn''t talk to him ever since the summer ended. Liam barealy talked to him. Peter was trying, at least


    He only faintly noticed when Hercule started talking, mostly because his deep voice drwaned out his thoughts for a second. He tried to bring himself back to reality, take Dean''s advice and listen. Thinking about Dean proved to be a mistake. All of a sudden, he was scared to turn around and see if he was there. He wiped away the sweat from his hands. His mouth felt as dry as a desert. He didn''t bring water with him. Joe and Ace probably had some on them, but he felt stupid to ask. Dean probably had some as well, he seemed like a responsible type. He couldn''t bring himself to turn around and just ask. Dean had his own teammates, and, unlike them, they actually seemed to be getting along. Maybe he was just talking to Sam to be nice. Maybe he just felt sorry for him. Did it even matter? Next year, Sam wouldn''t be there, so why would Dean want to waste time on striking a friendship with him. Being nice wasn''t the same thing as being open to friendship.


    The time seemed to drag along, and Sam felt every passing second as if it was draining energy from his body. It was probably just thirst, but he could swear the seconds were intent on torturing him. His heart pulsed in his chest, spreading uncomfortable feeling further and further, and it grew louder and louder. He felt something cold touching his hand. Turning his head, he saw Henry handing him a water bottle.


    "You don''t seem well", the boy explains quietly.


    "Thanks", Sam whispers back to him, before taking a giant gulp. He has to restrain himself from downing the whole bottle. Maybe Henry would hate him for it. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Having a drink does make him feel better, but it doesn''t help quiet down his mind. Unsure of what kind of a fucked up mental hallway he had found himslef in, he kept listening to his own hearbeat. It was pulsing lower this time around, in his stomach. When Hercule was done speaking a wave of relief hit, only ever so slightly. He didn''t catch too much, from bits and pieces he had gathered, Sam concluded it was the same formulaic speech everyone always gave, just presented with much more vigour than usual. Dean had told him he should listen an learn. Perhaps there was nothing to learn, he thought. Come to think of it, everyone always spouted the same type of bullshit: "never give up" and "understand your pokemon" always topped off with "keep working hard". But what was it for? No one ever gave any practical advice, a real way to improve. So maybe there was nothing to lear, maybe people are born with something in them, innate knowledge or skill that made them good at something. A quick glance at Joe only confirmed Sam''s suspicion - he was born with it, and that was that. They were all just born with it. Sam, on the other hand, just lucked out.


    "Well, I will be off then", Teo is the first one to practically run away from the group.


    "Try not to get arrested", Joe says unenthusiastically behind him, but the boy''s already out of the earshot.


    "I''ll be going as well", Ace says inexplicably, before hastily stumbling out of the room. Before Sam can even notice it, the 5 boys from the other team are gone as well. It''s just Ves, Joe and Sam now.


    "Guess I''ll just go sightseeing", Joe shrugs, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Sam notices his hand is still reddish, but at least he''s taken off the bandage.


    Sam''s not sure what he wants to do with himself. Ves is not his favourite. And he''s not Ves''s favourite. Both boys let their gaze wonder aimlessly across the room, both spotting Dean at the same moment. He''s standing near the platform, along with a smaller group of students. They''re seemingly talking with Rex and Hercule. Ves steps out first.


    "I''ll be over there", he gives a short notice, before blasting off towards Sam''s only way out.


    Remaining all alone, the boy continues to look around himself, but the world seems to be coming to him only in segments, small and disconnected. The stands are there, the walls, they all start to seem like misplaced puzzle pieces, there without any rhyme or reason. Other people as well, seem unreal, as if they are not really there.


    A hand brushing against his shoulder brings him back. He turns around to see Stanley, grinning at him. No, not Stanley, Bo, he reminds himslef. He''s with another scrawny looking boy. Otto, he supposes. "Hey, buddy, just came over to say hi", Bo says with forced sweetness.


    "You really shouldn''t have", Sam rolls his eyes. Rarely does he feel the need to strike at anyone, but Bo definitely brings out that side of him.


    "Well, we''re buddies, it''s only polite", Bo shrugs innocently.


    "We''re no buddies", Sam says, almost feverishly looking for a way out that does not include getting physical, "just go away, Bo".


    "Nervous much, huh", Bo laughs, "calm down, no need sweating the small stuff".


    "You almost got me kicked out", Sam blurts out.


    "Look, bud, it was nothing personal", Bo raises his hands up in the air, "besides, you could say I was saving you from wasting your time".


    "You could definitely not say that", Sam scoffs at him.


    "Well, you could", Bo says simply, "I mean, you''re not graduating, even if you somehow made it past the first year, you wouldn''t make it all the way through".


    "And what do you know?", Sam sighs, still looking for the way out.


    "Well, I know a few things", Bo says, "mostly, I know how Illusion works".


    "Makes Zorua appear as another pokemon", Sam rolls his eyes, "I know that as well".


    "Yeah, and mind you, it gets broken as soon as Zorua takes one hit", Bo points out, "and you couldn''t even do that, you know".


    Flinching, Sam takes a step back. "Well, I couldn''t have known it was Zorua", he tries.


    "You know that''s not what I''m saying", Bo chuckles, "you couldn''t land a single hit on me, that''s the point, you really should just drop out and pick a different carrier".


    "Well, Joe best you", Sam points out desperately, "both of you, right? So you should go home as well".


    "Technically, that other guy beat me", Otto chimmes in.


    "Yeah, and Vinnie did the most of the work on me", Bo scoffs, "that''s what chivalry get you".


    "Well, then, you should go home as well", Sam crosses his arms.


    "Hey, we''ll go if it comes to that", Bo shrugs, "but, for your information, that''s not happening any time soon".


    "You sure about that?", Sam trues giving him a sharp look.


    "Only a few people managed to beat me", Bo shrugs, "and those few are my three teammates, who are ranked at the first three spots, mind you, and your little friends, who I''m not even counting, since they ambushed us in a 4v3 battle".


    "And you still lost", Sam points out.


    "Yeah, but then again, did you ever win against any of them?", Bo says. Sam swallows the insult down, knowing full well he had never won against anyone, save for knocking Leah out that one time.


    "Just go away, Bo", the boy sighs.


    "Right, I''ll leave you alone", the boy shrugs, "maybe you could go and hang out with your teammates?".


    Looking over Bo''s shoulder, Sam spots professor Nolan, walking down from the platform, together with those two trainers he noticed earlier. "Whatever, I''ll just go if you wanna keep being a nuisance", Sam says, making a quick way past Bo and Otto. He hears them comment something behind him, but doesn''t care enough to register what they''re saying.


    Hurriedly walking towards professor Nolan he takes a better look at the two people standing with him. Truly, both of them look young, they could even be seniors at Old King''s. The boy''s messy brown hair and rectangular glasses made him look studious, which was only comolemented by a formal looking button down tucked into a pair of perfectly ironed beige pants. The girl looked nothing short of picture perfect, pitch black hair lined her face perfectly. With sharp features, a spark in her eyes, she looked as if she could be a model. Sam couldn''t help noticing the way her hips curved, a soft oval shape, only punctuated by the thight jeans she was wearing. Her blouse was more flowy, but it didn''t conceal much facts. Trying not to stare at her, Sam kept his focus on professor Nolan.


    "Hi", the boy coughs up, "I mean, good afternoon professor".


    "Oh, good afternoon, Sam", the professor gives him a small nod of acknowledgement, "may I help you with something?".


    Sam''s not sure why he even approached them. Mostly to get away from Bo. But truly, he had no idea what he was supposed to do now that the lecture was over. He question his reason for being here at all, since he ended up not even listening to the lecture. "Um, actually", an idea quickly formed itself in his head, "I was wondering, since I''ll be going home straight from here, is it okay if I leave early?". It was a perfect solution. He''d get to leave here, spend more time in Twinleaf.


    "Why, has the Canalave not peaked your interest", professor chukles lightly, and Sam has to restrain himself from pointing out how dull and industrial the place looked.


    "No, I''m just, I want to have some more time at home, that''s all", he says slowly.


    "You don''t even want to go and try catching a pokemon?", Nolan raises a questioning eyebrow, "think about it, I mean, you can always go on another trip, but most students don''t really do that once the tests and tournaments start rolling in".


    "Um, I might do that some other time", Sam tries sounding confident. Truth be told, he wanted to catch a new pokemon, but he was unsure if he could handle training two pokemon at the same time.


    "Well, it''s a shame to cut a trip early, but if that is what you want", the man''s exoression changes, his eyes are basically piercing through Sam, making the boy shudder. "Just don''t tell me this is about your teammates", the man says knowingly.


    "Um, no, no, really, it''s not", Sam says hastily.


    "Really?", professor Nolan raises an eyebrow at him.


    "Well, maybe a little", Sam admits, "but it''s not like anything happened, they... all just went doing things".


    The girl suddenly laughs, making Sam instantly blush. Did he say something wrong?


    "Oh, Brian, please, do you remember this", she places her hand on the boy''s shoulder, "remember our first year? You were just like this".


    "We met in second year, Vanessa", came the boy''s cold reply.


    "Oh, now, it doesn''t matter", she responds playfully, "most of people were a little bit lost, so I''m just assuming, you know".


    "Assume factually next time", Brian''s lips split into a small smile.


    "Oh, don''t act all professionals now", she says, "just cause we graduated doesn''t mean we have to pretend we were all so great when we were first years".


    "Whatever", Brian replies, but Sam''s already making the connections.


    "Sam, these are Vanessa and Brian, as I assume you caught on", professor Nolan cuts them off, "they both graduated last year".


    "So, you are pokemon trainers?", Sam says excitedly.


    "Not really", Brian says, "I mean, we came in with a dream...".


    "But we fell in love with history along the way", Vanessa cuts him off, taking a step towards Sam, who freezes on spot.


    "And now we help professor Nolan with his research", Brian sounds a bit bitter about getting interrupted.


    "Yeah, we''re sort of assistants, disciples", Vanessa asserts.


    "Oh, so you gave up on being trainers? Even though you graduated?", Sam found it hard to understand. Graduating from Old King''s basically granted you a career as a trainer.


    "Well, gave up is a harsh word", Vanessa explains, "it just sort of happened, that we found a different path and decided to take it".


    "But it''s a long story", Brian nudges her, "don''t bore the kid to death".


    "Oh come on, Bri, look at him", Vamessa''s hand reaches out, pinching Sam''s cheek, "look how cute he is, cmon, I remember when you were this cute, you know?".


    "Oh, you thought I was cute?", Brian scoffs.


    "Well, you were", Vanessa''s voice rises.


    Sam can only keep blushing, as she leans forward, inching her face closer to him. The scent of lillies envelops her, only further fogging Sam''s mind. "Besides", she lowers her voice, "I''m not boring him, right, Sam?".


    "Um, no, no", Sam stutters, "I...this is interesting stuff".


    "Not only is he cute, he''s also polite", she says, pulling back as suddenly as she came forward. Sam''s left with echoes of her smell, quickly averting his gaze towards the professor, as to not stare at her.


    "He''s also a minor, Vanessa", Brian comments, and Sam wishes he would shut up.


    "God, Brian, you take things so seriously", Vanessa rolls her eyes, "I''m just trying to help him ease up a bit".


    "I''m pretty sure you''re not getting the desired effect", Brian rasies his eyebrow at Sam. The boy pretends he doesn''t feel his blood rushing towards all the wrong places.


    "Well, Sam", Nolan decides to cut off the charade, "you are free to go home if that''s what you want to do".


    "I would like that", the boy clears his throat, grateful for the distraction.


    "However, the three of us will be going on to the local museum, and you are free to join us as well, if you''d like", the man gestures towards his two assistants, "as you can see, I''m grateful to taking in any students that show interst in my subject".


    "Oh, right", Sam doesn''t really know how to react to that. "Yeah, that sounds good, I will come along", he says, quickly deciding that rejecting the offer wouldn''t be the best option. Especially since Nolan already stood up for them with the school board, this would be a good way to repay the debt. And Vanessa was there as well.


    "It''s a small exhibition, we won''t be long, so you''ll still get to leave for Twinleaf early", professor peeks over his shoulder, "and since our hosts seem to have their hands full with your classmates, we could get on our way".


    Sam, knowing Ves is there, doesn''t want to turn around, opting instead to trail behind professor Nolan and his assistants. He does his best not to look at Vanessa, but ends up failing every now and again. Keeping quiet, he listens in to their little chat. The exhibition is called "Into the Distortion World", Sam found out, and it''s supposed to be an "elegantly presented mixture of mythos and physics", as pofessor Nolan worded it.


    The trip to the museum was short lived, as the structure was only 3 streets down from the gym. Sam was thankful he didn''t have to feast his eyes on even more Canalave architecture. The museum, unlike most of the buildings in this town, looked decent. Either that, or everything else seemed so devoid of life that the museum stood like a breath of fresh air. The white walls were clean, giving the triangular shaped building a look of importance. The style reminscent of baroque was clearly made milder to fit with the cityscape, yet it still brought forward a small sense of greatness.


    Inside was awfully quiet, as museums often were. Not that Sam had frequented them. The boy kept quiet, feeling as if any senseless word would only break the sacred feeling of the place. They made their way through the entrance hall quickly, Sam makimg sure his steps are as quiet as possible. Inside the wide oval-shaped room, not too many people resided. The walls were lined with pictures, painting and schemes, it was all to hard for Sam to connect. Alongside them, the marble beams stood, reminding him of professor Nolan''s office, each carrying a statue, or some weird looking thing.


    "This is not a well researched topic", Brian must''ve noticed the look of confusion on the boy''s face, "it''s somewhere between research and fiction, frankly, so some things you''re seeing are just props and theories".


    "But others are real?", Sam stares at a giant statue of what he assumes is a pokemon, the same one he saw on professor Nolan''s desk.


    "Yes, others are real", Brian confirms.


    Sam tries making some sense of the creature made out of marble that stands before him. It''s body is round, spiking at each end. The creatures wings look as if they could be made out of smoke, their curvature, the way they look shapeless makes no sense. Sam wonders, how did someone do that with a marble. Six strong looking legs carry the body, but the most poignant thing about the creature is its head. Over it is an unusual formation, that reminds Sam of a crescent moon-shaped crown. At the very least, Sam can say the creature looks important.


    "That''s Giratina", Vanessa whispers into his ears, sending shivers down his spine.


    "Now, I believe this is a story you are yet to hear", professor Nolan says.


    "Oh, no, professor, you''re getting into the lecture mode", Vanessa says, "I will disappear now".


    "Oh, well, if you find my lectures too boring", professor looks after her as she leaves. "I suppose I can skip them", he looks at Sam expectantly.


    "Um, no, I''d like to hear about it", Sam says, partly out of respect, partly true to honest curiosity.


    "Splendid", professor claps his hands, "I am always happy to introduce young minds to the story of creation".


    "The story of creation?", Sam questions.


    "You see, in the beginning, there was an egg", professor''s voice drawns in importance. "From that egg, Arceus came to be", he said, making sure Sam is following along.


    "What''s an Arceus?", Sam tilts his head.


    "Arceus is also a part of the legend, believed to be the first pokemon", the man explain, "though I''m much more interested in the one that came after him, one that Arceus himself created".


    "Giratina", Sam nodded.


    "Exactly", professor Nolan nods, "after appearing, Arceus first created three pokemon".


    "Three?", Sam asks in utter confusion. Wasn''t it supposed to be just about Giratina?


    "Yes, three", professor says, "Dialga, the being of time, Palkia, the being of space, and Giratina, the being of anti-matter".


    "The...being of anti-matter?", Sam still finds it hard to assign any importance to any of that.


    "Yes, anti-matter, not that I can tell you much about the concept itself, that''s the domain of physics", Nolan laughs at his own remark, "however, I can recount the legend, if you''ll allow me to do so".


    "Oh, I''m sorry", Sam says.


    "Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina were tasked upon creating the world as we know it, giving it shape, meaning, and order", Nolan says, "upon finishing their task, Arceus created a dimension for each of them, one they reside to this day".


    "Oh, so there are other dimensions?", Sam says excitedly, "and there are, like, Gods, in those other dimensions?".


    "Perhaps, that''s the legend at least", Nolan nods, "of course, we can''t say for sure how much of it is real"..


    "Well, is it?", Sam asks.


    Nolan lets his hand fly across the room, as if he was showing Sam a piece of art. "For ages, different people have worshipped these Gods", he says, "there are things in this room connected to those creatures, and there are many more, still burried into this earth, forgotten by time".


    "Right, so these things are relics then?", Sam says, suddenly feeling stupid.


    "Some of them, yes", Nolan nods, "some are just replicas, made by pictures and descriptions from books".


    "Right, right", Sam remembers Brian already told him that.


    "This for example", professor Nolan points to metalic sculpture that looked like a crescent moon. It was similar to the one draped over the creature''s, Giratina''s head, but somewhat more stylised, as it bore three more spikes, blooming upwards. "This is believed to be a symbol of ''Fallen Sun'' cult, a group that is believed to have worshiped Giratina".


    "A cult?", Sam looks at the professor worriedly.


    "No need to sweat it, it''s not a dangerous word", professor Nolan laughs, "it''s just used when a religion isn''t formal or widely accepted, most of the religions from ages ago are called cults nowdays".


    "Oh, alright", Sam calms down. How stupid of him to be scared of a word. "So they worshipped Giratina", he says, "but why?".


    "They believed that the things needed to be balanced", professor Nolan explains, "you see, Dialga and Palkia ruled over space and time, but anti-matter is, in simplest terms the thing that keeps the fabric of the universe tightly woven together".


    "That''s... nice", Sam says, not knowing how else to react.


    "Anti-matter is the thing that ties everything together, like a thread, used to sew the fabric of our world", professor catches onto the boy''s confusion, "the physicist don''t even know much about it, so don''t expect a better explanation from me".


    "Yeah, no, I think I get it", Sam nods, still not getting it. "But, how did that keep things balanced, I mean, what was in disbalance in the first place?".


    "Life, Sam", professor Nolan says, "life was disbalanced, perhaps it still is sometimes".


    "What do you mean, life is disbalanced", Sam scratches his head. The legend itself is fun, an interesting thing to think about, but the boy was unsure what professor Nolan saw behind that whole story. He''s seen the way professor''s eyes glisten, the way his face becomes plagued by shadows when he talks about it, yet he couldn''t understand the importance.


    "Arceus later created the the trio of pokemon known as ''lake guardinas'', from whom every other pokemon became", professor said, not answering Sam''s question at all. His eyes pierce through the boynyet again, as if they are digging themselves into his skin: "but how did humans come to be, Sam?".


    "Um, evolution?", the boy stutters, unsure what does that have to do with anything.


    "Well, most people believe that, so perhaps that''s the truth", Nolan nods in understanding, "either way, Arceus did not create humans, only pokemon".


    "Yeah, right, obviously Arceus didn''t create us", Sam would laugh at the idea, if professor Nolan didn''t have a gravely seriou look on his face.


    "My question, Sam, is", the man spoke again, his voice low and raspy, "if Arceus created pokemon but not humans, were we ever meants to exist alongside each other?".


    Sam''s head felt light all of a sudden, dizziness spreading across his body. Even his hands have gone stiff with uncomfort. How does he answer this question? He never really thought about it, pokemon were just a fact of life. Other people as well. "I mean, we exist, so I guess... maybe?", he stumbles over his word. Multiple thought were taking shape in his mind, but he never got to see them to their full extent.


    "Yes, we do", professor thinks about it, "however, many things exist in this world, perhaps not all of them were meant to".


    "You think humans shouldn''t exist?", Sam blurts out.


    Professor''s laugh fills out the wide space for a second: "no, God, no".


    "Um, but you just said Arceus created the world, and the humans just...became, I guess", Sam says. All of this was too much for him to wrap his head around.


    "Well, that''s what the legend says", professor''s still smiling, "not everything is necessarily true".


    "Well, what do you mean then?", Sam''s had enough of not understanding.


    The man scratches his beard carefully. "Perhaps, Arceus creted the world for pokemon, and humans came to be in that world", he speaks in a formal tone. After a pause he adds: "however, since humans came to be on their own, one could argue that they would appear even if pokemon never were created".


    "So, what you''re saying is either humans were a mistake, or pokemon were?", Sam hates such a rhetoric.


    "I am not calling anything a mistake", professor''s mouth twists into a smile, "though, you could view it as such, we evolved from the organisms Arecus did not create".


    "You think that shouldn''t have happened then?", Saam persists.


    "See, Sam, either those organisms we came from were never meant to exist, or that egg Arceus came from never meant to exist", professor says, "in this world that is, what I mean is, perhaps pokemon and humans were never meant to coexist".


    "Why would we not be meant to coexist?", Sam scratches his head, "I mean, the world is alright, I guess".


    "Is it?", Nolan raises a questioning eyebrow, "how do pokemon treat humans?".


    "I mean, they are our friends", Sam notes.


    "Some of them, perhaps", Nolan nods, "the wild ones cause trouble though, that''s why pokemon trainers exist in the first place".


    "So you think pokemon shouldn''t exist?", Sam concludes.


    "It''s much more complicated than that, boy", professor laughs again, "how do humans treat pokemon?".


    "They are our friends", Sam offers.


    "I would argue friends are not to be kept in pokeballs and used for battle", Nolan notes, "would you agree?".


    "Well", Sam finds himself at loss for words, "I guess that''s not cool". He latches onto Yamper''s pokeball, suddenly wanting to release his partner.


    "Just look at your little friend, Joe", professor continues, "would you say he treats pokemon like friends?".


    "Um, I don''t know", Sam remembers how Riolu''s always at Joe''s side, "I guess, I mean, he always gets him snacks".


    Professor Nolan laughs at the idea yet again. "Snacks are fine, but wild pokemon can find food for themselves as well", the man notes. "I refereed the battle for him few days ago, you weren''t there to watch", the man continues, "but from what I''ve seen, he doesn''t treat his own pokemon as a friend, let alone anyone else''s".


    It comes to Sam''s mind the way Joe is ruthless in battle. Even to his own pokemon. Didn''t he let Riolu take two attacks once, just so he could win? Hell, wasn''t Ves the same way too? Didn''t he attack Dean''s Petilil without hesitation, even though the small grass type clearly stood no chance? Ace too, didn''t really understand his partner, didn''t even try to. And Teo, Teo couldn''t even function with his partner. The thought flashes through his mind, that Absol''s can sense negative enrgy. The thougth''s quickly removed to the back of his head, replaced by a sting of shame. Wasn''t he the same way, to some extent? Wasn''t he just a little bit dissapointed in Yamper due to his shortcomings.


    "So you think we shouldn''t coexist?", Sam says quietly.


    "The followers of the Fallen Sun believed we weren''t meant to coexist", Nolan nods, "we weren''t made from the same material, we were never created to be equal or balanced".


    "So... one of us shouldn''t exist?", Sam swallows the uncomfortable feeling.


    "The ancient people believed Giratina could solve the problem", professor Nolan ignores his question, "a pokemon that''s meant to control distorsions, they thought it was supposed to fix the issue".


    "Why didn''t it fix it in the first place?", Sam inquiers.


    "Giratina went off to the distorsion world much before humans came to be", professor explains, "it was never there to fix it".


    "Oh, I understand, so they were praying to Giratina because of that", Sam thinks he finally understands.


    "They were not only praying, they were trying to summon it", professor Nolan starts walking away, and Sam has no other choice but to follow along. The man stops before a beam that carries a round object made of copper. For a brief moment, he stands there, admiring it im silence. "This is a Talisman of Creation", his voice comes out distant, "the ancient people considered it to be the key to the distorsion world".


    "Key to dostorsion world?", Sam repeats.


    "Legend has it, it was made in the ancient times", he makes his way closer to the artifact. Sam notices the metalic surface is split in two parts by a carved wavy line, both sides carrying a stone, one milky white, the other clear as glass. "It is said to hold pieces of Dialga and Palkia", professor continues, "supposedly, it opens the doors to the world of Giratina, and has the ability to summon the creture, that''s what they believed, at least".


    Sam finds himself gravitating towards the artifact, as if he''s being sucked in. He has the urge to touch it, but restrains himself. "So, this can summon a God?", he finally asks.


    Professor Nolan laughs. "Of course not", he says, "this is just a replica". From the pocket of his trench coat, he pulls out a necklace. Sam quickly deduces that it''s another talisman, the same one that''s being displayed. The man notices the look of awe. "Talisman of Creation is one of the rare things that''s well documented in books", he explains, "many replicas exist, I''ve bought this one a few years ago, wanted to see how similar they looked".


    "They look pretty similar", Sam notices, "the one you have is smaller though, and it has more carvings, it also looks much older".


    "Yeah, well, I think they aged up this one so they can pretend it was dug up from the ground", professor says curiously, "got it from some merchants near the archeological site here in Sinnoh, they were certsinly scammers".


    "But you fell for it, professor" Sam wants to laughs.


    "Not really, I drowe their price down", he says, "truth be told, I would''ve bought it anyways, for me these things are worth it, even if they are but replicas".


    "Really? You care about this that much?", Sam wonders.


    The professor''s expression shift a bit, his voice coming off as an echo: "I believe the world needs to be more balanced, that''s all".


    "Right, so you believe in Giratina then", Sam concludes.


    "Perhaps I do", the man responds, "much more important, I believe we all have the duty to try and change the world".


    "And the Talisman of Creation reminds you of that", Sam nods, "it''s like a... like a reminder".


    "Exactly", the man says, "besides, it is also said that it balances the energy of its wearer, the real one does anyways?".


    "It does that?", Sam says, slightly amazed.


    "Guess you need to be well put together if you want to summon a God", professor Nolan shrugs. Turning the necklace around in his hand, he offers it to Sam: "I think I would like it if you held on to this one for me".


    Reluctantly, Sam takes the souvenir, immediately noticing that it''s much colder than he had expected, much heavier as well. "You''re giving it away just like that?", Sam finds himself confused yet again.


    "Don''t sweat it, I have at least 10 more replicas back in my office", Nolan waves him off, "besides, I believe you could use something to help balance those energies around you".


    "I don''t believe jewlery can solve that", Sam smiles, "but thank you amyways".


    "You never know", professor nods, "at least it might cause a placebo effect".


    "Yeah, that''s true", Sam says. "Professor?", an idea comes to his mind all of a sudden.


    "Yes?", the man looks at him curiously.


    "How come you are so nice to me?", Sam asks, "I mean, I broke the rules just a few days ago, so why are you helping me out now?".


    "Well, firstly, believe it or not, I remember what it feels like to be a teenager", professor says. "Secondly, it''s not like you''re the only one I blame", he says, "although, you do take the most of the blame".


    "Who else do you blame then?", Sam says, "oh, by the way, I know the name of the guy who I battled now, it''s Bo".


    "It doesn''t matter now", professor waves him off, "I doubt the school board would take any action on it now, especially if the only proof they have is your word".


    "But, I know who I battled, um whom I battled", Sam say, "why would I lie, and why would they do nothing?".


    "The only proof there is is the video, and in the said video, you are the only student that can be seen", professor Nolan shrugs, "I mean, I can inquire with the board, but I firmly believe that matter''s already settled".


    "Alright, but please, check anyways", Sam says.


    "Uh, well, besides, the other guy is not the only one I''m blaming either", Nolan says, "your teammates are to blame as well, if you ask me".


    "Why, they didn''t do anything?", Sam says, realising he can''t even remember everything that they did.


    "Exactly because they didn''t do anything", professor gives him a stern look, "part of the reason we put you kids in teams is so you can take care of each other, which I can see your team has much trouble with".


    "Well, they are... trying... sometimes", Sam says carefully.


    "Sam, I was a student once as well, and I''ve been working with kids for a long time now, no need to reassure me", professor Nolan smiles. "Either way, hold on to that talisman for me, if nothing else, let it be a reminder that you can, in fact, turn to me, or any of your professors if you need help", he says, "regardless of what other students, and especially those teammates will have you believing, we usually want what''s best for our students".


    Slowly putting the talisman on, Sam feels its weight around his neck. "Thanks, professor, for today", he tries to make his voice formal, "I really had no idea where to go or what to do, so I really appreciate this".


    "Well, you''re welcome to stay with us a bit longer", professor Nolan nods.


    Looking around the room, Sam notices Vanessa on the other side, looking at some picture up on the wall. "Thank you", he says, "but I think I''ll be on my way home now".

 Chapter 12

    Mikey''s hair is as annoyingly platinum blond as ever. Ves has to fight the urge not to roll his eyes at the sight of his step-brother. Of course he was there, trying to make his way up the ass of an elite 4 member. He watched as the other boyed tried discussing pokemon battles all-too-importantly. Vinnie was by his side, ever-eager to add some of her all-consuming wisdom to the conversation. Although, she''s trying ti charm the shit out of Rex, instead Hercule. Steel types are her biggest problem right now, and she wants to find ways to deal with them. It didn''t seem to Ves that she had any problems, considering she was gearing up to solo 4 of them last times. The worst thing is, she would''ve succeeded if it weren''t for Joe and Henry. As if hating the fact she beat him wasn''t enough, he had to watch, and even worse, listen to both her and Mikey. He had hated their little family gatherings ever since he was 9. It was no different now. And Domimic, one person that was bearable in their little circle, was nowhere to be seen.


    Ves didn''t care much about what either Rex or Hercule had to say, truth be told, he was only here escape Sam. He had, in fact, forgiven his teammate for getting tricked. In his opinion, the matter was settled already, so it was no use creating any further conflict over it. His urge to cave Sam''s face in was a different story, it was nothing he could control. Actually, he wanted to punch all of his teammates, at all time. He did not understand this need himself, it was just there. So it was probably for the best if he stayed away, he concluded, until he managed to calm down. He still wanted to fix things with them. In his mind, there was still a chance that they would all make it through, as a team. Technically, since there are two tournaments that are classicall 1v1 battles durimg the year, all they needed was one of them to win one of those, and they had good chances of passing as a team. He hated that he was the only one that saw that as an option. Then, there was the double battle tournament in second semester as well, another thing that could help them. But it was all much easier said than done, he knew. Joe and Ace had a chance of passing alone as well, he thought, if he did as well, then they would be on the same team still. If all three of them happened to land in top 50, that might even be enough to get them all to pass. Especially if Teo could pick up some slack as well. Even if none of that happened, they still had to spend this year with each other. And he''d want to have at least somewhat better relationship. It''s not that he wanted them all to be best friends. Just that, not even talking to each other felt terrible. Even arguing was better.


    Unlike him, his classmates were much more excited to meet a gym leader and an elite 4 member. Back on the plane, he counted 35 of them. 7 teams overall. Surprisingly, all first years. Out of those, around 15 approached the host duo, looking to get some advice, or rather, just trying to get noticed. Most of them ended up leaving after just a few minutes. Out of those who stuck around were Dean, Mikey, Vinnie and himself, along with two other guys who were giving Mikey dirty looks at every opportunity. Ves had no idea why, he guessed they were familiar with the boy, but nevertheless, he had decided he liked the two. One looked dishelved to say at least, dressed in pants that were too wide for him, polo shirt and a ravaged grey hoodie. He had a amber Sharpedo tooth necklace, so Ves had concluded he was going for the look of either a tortured artist or the worst kind of surfer. A hipster, either way. Luka was his name, and one thing Ves quickly learned about him was that he does not shut up. The other boy balanced that out, as Ves was not sure if he had heard him utter a word. He had a dark, serious looking face, complemented with rectangular glasses and a pair of bushy brows. Dark red jumpsuit he was wearing was cool, Ves thought, making him look like a misplaced car mechanic.


    "So, I had an idea", Mikey''s eyes glistened in silent excitment as he talked to Hercule, "could we have a battle?".


    "It wouldn''t be much of a battle if I took you on", Hercule laughs, his hands planted firmly against his hips, "I appreciate the enthusiasm".


    "I''d still learn something", Mikey offers.


    "Tell you what", Hercule is quick to indulge him, "how about you have a battle with one of your classmates instead? Rex and I will watch, and we can give you kids some advice afterwards".


    "Done deal", Mikey is quick to agree, and Ves is already one step away from challenging him. "They will be easy to beat though", Mikey adds, scratching his head.


    "I''m sure it will serve its purpose", Hercule gives him a stern look, one that just doesn''t work due to the amount of glitter he''s wearing.


    "Right, right", Mikey is quick to catch on, "what I mean is, I alredy battled 3 of them, so I wouldn''t be learning much, and neither will they".


    "Well, there are two guys you didn''t battle", Luka chimmes in with a smile, "so, we could do a free-for-all with all 6 of us, I''m sure you''ll find that challenging enough". Ves has to admit, he likes this guy''s way of thinking, and more importantly, he likes the fact he obviously dislikes Mikey.


    "That sounds fabulous", Hercule claps his hands at the idea, "a free-for-all is such a fun way of doing things".


    "Um, actually, I''d like to abstain", Dean says, "my pokemon''s not really suited for something like that, it will just get needlessly hurt".


    Hercule goes to say somethinh, but Rex cuts him off: "what kind of partner do you have?".


    "Um, Petilil", Dean says, a bit surprised at gym leader''s interference. Rushedly, he takes out his pokeball, realeasing the small plant pokemon. As it hits the field, Petilil happily spins around, before launching itself into Dean''s arms. Ves is impressed at the pokemon''s jumping ability, and he''s sure any NBA fan would be as well. "We trained a bit, but Petilil''s still not much of a battler", Dean admits, "a 6 person free-for-all would just be too much for us right now".


    "Right, that''s a mature discernment on your part", Rex nods slowly, eyeing Petilil, "it''s smart knowing your own limits".


    "Thank you", Dean blushes a bit, "I try my best to think about things like that".


    "Hope you''re not avoiding battles altogether though", Rex gives him a raised eyebrow.


    "No, no, um, not realy", Dean shuffles uncomfortably, "well, I guess I''m not, I just don''t like rushing into them".


    "So, you do take part in pokemon battles?", Rex asks him.


    "When it''s convenient", Dean admits, "usually, I don''t really assert myself in that regard, I mean, Petilil and I are not exactly good training partners, so it''s better for our opponents to find someone stronger".


    "That''s as sweet as it is naive", Rex laughs, "I appreciate your worry for others, but you have to work towards your own improvement as well".


    "Yeah, yeah, I guess", Dean says quietly, "though, I''m just worried about Petilil as well, I don''t want him hurtimg himself, especially if no one gets any experiance out of the battle".


    Rex seems to think about it. "Tell you what boy", the gym leader says inconclusively, "would you like to battle me?".


    "Um, battle you?", Dean says in surprise.


    "I''d like to battle you", Mikey chimmes in.


    "Count me in", Vinnie adds.


    "I will literally send you to another dimension, if you let me battle you, I promise you out-of-body experiance", Luka says vigorously.


    Rex stares down all three of them, making them fall quiet. Turning to Dean again he explains: "I would go easy on you, of course, and I have a pokemon that has hatched recently and needs training, I believe you and Petilil will be able to hold your own against me in that situation".


    "Oh, a recently hatched pokemon", Dean says, "well, I guess that''s managable".


    "Think about it, you get to battle a gym leader", Ves nudges him, "I think you should do it".


    "It just feels kind of... stupid", Dean scratches his head, "I mean, you already said you''d go easy on me, I don''t... I don''t really want you to let me win, I mean, I appreciate it, but that just feels wrong".


    "And who told you I had any intentions of letting you win?", a sly smile appears on Rex''s face. "I''m a gym leader, you know", he says, "it''s normal for us to match the level of our challengers".


    "Right, right, I get it", Dean nods.


    "Besides, as I said, my pokemon needs training as well, so this comes in handy for me as it does for you", Rex says knowingly, "I''d say your Petilil and my Aaron would be a good match for each other right now".


    "Alright then", Hercule makes the final decision, "then Rex will battle the small samurai boy".


    "Name''s Dean", the boy blushes at the elite 4''s description of him.


    "Right, Rex will fight Dean", Hercule corrects himself, "and then the 5 of you can do a free for all".


    "Alright", Mikey says as if he''s not completely satisfied with the conclusion. He probably wanted to fight everyone in the room.


    "Alright", Dean says, building up confidence.


    "Okay, you guys clear the field then, and I''ll go get my Aaron", Rex says before quickly dissapearing through some kind of doors.


    Cleaning the fields basically means going over to the sidelines. They can''t exactly remove the platform that''s blocking out a chunk of the battlefield, so they''ll have to make do with what they have. Ves stands by, watching as Dean takes his place on the battlefield.


    "That a buddy of yours?", Mikey''s voice comes off playfull right next to him.


    "Huh, I don''t know this one", Vinnie scoffs, "is he another one of your little teammates".


    "No, he''s not", Ves says shortly.


    "Too bad, I like this one much more than that other guy", Vinnie says with a sighs, "I mean, he seems sweet, oh, no, don''t tell me he''s with those other two?".


    "It''s none of your business, Vinnie", Ves rolls his eyes, "what if he is?".


    "Oh, no, the poor thing", the girl''s voice sounds as if she''s truly sorry about it, "he''s kinda cute, he doesn''t deserve to be stuck with those two".


    "Hey, stay away from Dean", Ves says suddenly scared for the other boy''s safety, "don''t you already have a boyfriend anyways?".


    "I do not", Vinnie says firmly, "besides, that is not what I''m saying, I just want to say, you should take him in, actually, you I think you should trade away Joe for this one, he''s much more likeable".


    "Vinnie, you just like desparate art boys with strange haircuts, don''t you?", Mikey sighs.


    "I do not!", Vinnie sounds insulted.


    "You absolutely do, you have a type", Mikey crosses his arms.


    "I do not, I''m just thinking about what''s best for my baby brother", Vinnie persists, "you have''t met his teammates, so you wouldn''t know".


    "And you have?", Mikey challenges.


    "Well, I did meet the psychotic one", Vinnie counters, "and we know for a fact he has a dumb one as well".


    "Oh, he has one that should learn to shut up as well", Mikey adds, and Ves is not sure wheter he''s talking about Ace or Teo. Then he remembers Teo mentioning he had a run in with Mikey and Dominic.


    "And what''s the last one?", Vinnie inquers, looking at Ves.


    The one that watches way too many movies. The horrible references guy. The neat freak. The guy with a stick up his ass. "Ace", Ves says instead of all of that, "he''s cool, I guess".


    "Is he, though?", Vinnie raises her eyebrow at him.


    "Look, we are not a TLC show, so stop analysing us like we are", Ves says.


    "Who said you were a TLC show?", Vinnie laughs, "I mean, they were definitely right".


    "Will you stop acting like a goth Regina George for a moment?", Ves sighs.


    "Isn''t that other chick in the movie goth, wouldn''t I be her in that case?", Vinnie asks, "beaides, I''m not even goth, I just have a style".


    "She does her best to look like count Dracula", Mikey chimmes in, laughing at his own joke.


    "Oh, that was actually a good one", Luka chimmes in.


    "Hey, you, don''t interrupt, this is kind of a family reunion", Vinnie scoffs at him, "and you two, you are my brothers, so stop insulting me".


    "Wait, y''all are related?", Luka looks at Ves in surprise.


    "Good luck dude", the bushy-browed boy says.


    "Luka, Mario, the two of you shouldn''t interfere", Mikey says, "this is family businesses".


    "We''re not a family, and we don''t have a business", Ves points out.


    "I understand nothing", Luka says.


    "It''s better that way", Ves promises him.


    "Ves, why do you have to be such a bitch all the damn time", Mikey rolls his eyes. He goes to say something else, but Vinnie quickly nudges him, pointing out that Rex had returned.


    "Good thing this is over", Ves mumbles under his breath, as the gym leader strolls out to his side of the field.


    "Oh, it''s not, I''ll explain a few thing to you later", Mikey whispers at him.


    "Sorry for the wait", Rex yells over at Dean, cutting them off, "I misplaced Aaron''s pokeball, barely found it". Ves hears Dean mumble something in the lines of: "it''s alright".


    "Okay, then, I will be a referee", Hercule''s voice fills out the room, "if you are both ready, you can send out your pokemon". This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Petilil jumps out of Dean''s arms, and Ves can''t help feeling just a little bit nauseous. The small grass type seems fragile. Ves can barely remember ever seeing him battle. They stood no chance against him and Houndour. Even against Mai and Leah, it got knocked out before getting a chance to do anything. Rex swipes his hand, sending out Aaron. The metal coated pokemon looks atound itself curiously. It''s definitely on the slower side, Ves thinks, looking at the pokemon''s tiny legs. That''s good for Dean. The bad thing, with its metal body and weight, Aaron''s supposed to be tanky and hard to knock out. This will be tough.


    "Alright, if you''re both ready", Hercule looks at the two trainers. Rex gives him a nod of confirmation. "Let the battle begin", the man''s voice spreads across the battlefield.


    "Stun Spore", Dean says immediately, he''s definitely thought this through beforehand. Though Ves is not sure what use it was paralyzing an already slow pokemon.


    "Tackle", Rex counters calmly, deciding to run into the Stun Spore headfirst. Aaron breaks through, getting paralyzed, but landing quite a powerful Tackle.


    "Quick, use Growth Petilil", Dean says decisevly, and Ves now certain the boy has some kind of a plan. He just has no idea what that plan was.


    "Tackle, once again", Rex says. Ves half-expects Dean to cut the Growth short, but the boy lets Petilil take another attack. Much to his surprise, the grass types manages to withold another attack, though it looks just moments away from fainting.


    "Absorb, now", Dean flies his hand through the air, and Ves realises what he was aiming at.


    "Dodge it", Rex remains calm, even though Aaron''s not nearly agile enough to escape the attack now. The glow of grass energy envelops the pokemon''s metalic body, draining its energy. Petilil looks slightly better off then it did just moments before.


    "Alright, not a bad idea", Rex says with a smile, "let''s go a little bit higher then, Metal Claw, Aaron".


    "Dodge it", Dean orders readily. Even though Aaron''s still close by, Petilil has no trouble predicting and dodging its movements. The paralysis did come in handy, Ves realises. Both Stun Spore and Growth were just there to make sure Dean can easily dodge Rex''s attacks, and lend his own, with increased power. He was aiming at healing back with absorb, what Dean wanted was a surprise turn of the table. And he had it.


    "Absorb, again", Dean orders confidently.


    "Aaron, just get away", Rex manages to stay calm, even though his pokemon ends up taking another attack. "Just stay out of reach right now", the gym leader says.


    "Alright then, use Growth again", Dean says.


    "Get up on the stairs", Rex says, confusing everyone for a brief moment. The stairs of the platform, Ves realises.


    "Go for another Growth", Dean says hesitantly. He doesn''t get why the gym leader is giving him a chance to set up like this. At this point, another Absorb attack is almost guaranteed to knock off Aaron.


    "Alright, we''re ready for you", Rex says, and Ves notices Aaron has made it all the way up to the wooden platform. "Come at us whenever you''re ready". It dawns on Ves that Petilil would have to come in closer if it wanted to attack, and aiming at a target from the ground would be much harder. Rex was probably planning on defensive strategy. He probably wanted to try dealing with Petilil as it came up the stairs.


    "Okay, then, Growth again", Dean says carefully. Rex doesn''t react. Really? Ves can hardly believe this guy is a gym leader. Aaron was a hatchling he knew that, and he did say he was going to go easy on Dean, but this was way too much.


    Dean waits a bit to see what happens, but Rex remains firm and silent on his spot. "Alright", Dean finally decides, "Petilil, get in there, jump and use Absorb".


    Leaping forwards, the grass type closes the distance to the platform. Using it''s jumping power he brings himself up in the air, almost at the level of the stage. Ves thinks Dean should name his Petilil LeBron.


    As Petilil''s body starts glowing, getting ready for an attack, Rex gives a simple command: "Head Smash".


    Still paralysed Aaron manages to leap off of the platform, its head glowing white as it aims for Petilil. For a split second, Ves thinks Petilil might outspeed due to paralysis, but that doesn''t matter when gravity takes over. Aaron smashes into the grass type, sending it flying backwards, knocking it out in mid-air.


    With a sigh, Dean recalls his partner. "Well, it went better than I expected", the boy says.


    "You did exceptionally well if you ask me", Rex approaches him slowly, recalling Aaron along the way, "the set-up was a nice little idea, honestly, I thought about letting you win for a second there".


    "But you decided to crush me instead", Dean lets out a deep breath.


    "I decided to teach you a few things, but I''ll let you make your own discerments", Rex waves his finger, "also, I just don''t really like losing to beginners".


    "So, you wanted me to know that I should use my surroundings?", Dean nods towards the platform.


    "Amongst other things", Rex says. "Either way kid, I liked your little plan there", the gym leader places his hand on Dean''s shoulder, "so I have a little proposition"


    "What proposition?", Dean raises his head.


    "You take both Aaron and Petilil to get healed, one of my gym trainer''s will lead you to the nursery", he says offering up the pokeball to the boy, "and then you hold on to this Aaron and train him well, what do you say?".


    "Wait, you want to give me your Aaron?", Dean looks at the pokeball in surprise.


    "Well, I believe you would do it justice, you''d have to work on fee things first though", Rex winks.


    "But didn''t you just hatch it?", Dean inquers, hesitantly putting his hand on Aaron''s pokeball.


    "Right, well, I did want to retire my Aggron, since she has been putting in work for like, 12 years now", Rex scratches his head, "but I guess she can hold the job just a little bit longer".


    "You send your pokemon into retirement?", Dean tilts his head.


    "Well, of course I do, they deserve it", Rex explains, "I mean, Aggron would be only the second pokemon I will retire, I am not that old, you know. Ah, guess I''ll have to go through another breeding process with her though...".


    "Wait", Dean says in surprise, "is this Aaron her child?".


    "Yeah, that''s her son", Rex confirms, "I mean, I want to keep my pokemon around in some way, so it''s only natural". Noticing an uncomfortable look in Dean''s eyes, the gym leader adds: "No worries, Aggrons don''t really tie themselves to their offspring, and even if they did, sometimes leaving hope is for the best".


    "Alright, but is it really okay if I take him?", Dean finally takes the pokeball from Rex.


    "Only if you promise me you''ll help the little guy grow strong", Rex smirks, "I''ll need you to promise me a rematch as well".


    "Alright, I promise", Dean nods, "I''ll do my best".


    "Oh, how sweet of you to do such a thing", Hercule comes in swinging at Rex''s back, "I had no idea you had such kindness in you, my friend".


    "Hey, I think a kid has potential, that''s all", Rex has to regain balance after Hercule''s congratulatory slap, "besides, I think steel types would fit him, you never know, in 4 years I might have myself a new gym trainer".


    "Oh, so that''s what you''re aiming for", Hercule says.


    "Not aiming at anything, I''m just supporting the youth", Rex sighs, "though I''m never opposed to getting some new apprentices".


    "Well, if you''ve done with luring kids to come to your gym, may we go on to the next battle?", Hercule crosses his arms, eyeing the other five kids in expectation.


    "Alright, I''m ready", Mikey all but jumps onto the battlefield.


    "I''m winning today", Vinnie leisurely strolls onto the field as well.


    "And just how did you meet these two?", Ves turns towards Luka and Mario, trying to asses the situation.


    "We''re in the same class, unfortunately?", Luka says.


    "You really related to them?", Mario asks curiously.


    "Unfortunately", Ves responds. He doesn''t really want to get into it with these two, but he wants to know what they think of Mikey and Vinnie. Just for the sake of knowing how the battle will go. His biggest worry is that he was the only one there without a friend. It was a free-for-all, but Ves assumed alliances would be set in place, at least for the time being. Vinnie and Mikey would certainly fight together in the beginning. These two boys seemed as if they were friends, so they''d most likely team up. What worried Ves was that the four of them would decide to crowd him first and make this a 2v2 battle.


    "Well, anyways, let''s go", Luka steps out as well, followed closly by Mario.


    Ves slowly steps out. Good news is, he and Houndour have worked on the Energy Ball, so it was now usable. It wasn''t exactly the most powerful, but it would come in handy in case any of those two have a water or a ground type. He eyed the wooden platform suspiciously. Seeing how Rex had used it just moments ago, Ves concluded he needed to be weary of it. Someone here is bound to try and use a similar trick, if for nothing else, then to prove themselves in front of the gym leader and the elite 4 member. He makes sure he takes a spot opposite the platform, just too keep his eyes on it. A thought of just burning it down with Ember at the start of the battle crosses his mind, but he shakes it off quickly. That would probably get him expelled. Or even arrested. But definitely expelled. Maybe he uses it as the sort of last ditch effort, but only if he''s 1v1 with Mikey, and Axew is up there. Then it''s understandable he does that, right?


    "Alright, everyone in their places?", Hercule asks, "you can send out your pokemon".


    Ves doesn''t waste time sending Houndour out. Vinnie lets out her Mimikyu, and Mikey calls on his Axew. As for the other two boys, it turns out Luka has a Ralts, and Mario has a Varoom. At least he didn''t have to worry about type disatvantages, which was encouraging. He had two field-wide attacks at his disposal, Ember and Snarl. Still not knowing how this will play out, he decides Snarl was his best bet. He doesn''t have to aim at a singular person, making an enemy, plus, Axew doesn''t resist it.


    "Okay, ready, set", Hercule yells out, "start the battle".


    "Dissarming Voice", Luka yells immediately. Field move, Ves thinks.


    "Protect", Mikey and Vinnie both say.


    "Ember, now, Doom", Ves decides this is a better option to cancel the fairy type move.


    "Get up on the platform", Mario commands, as the Dissarming Voice crushes into Protects and Ember. Great, already using that nasty strategy, Ves thinks. Who''s he going to jump at. "Use Poison Gas", Marc commands as soon as its pokemon makes its way to the platform.


    As the poisonous mist fills the air, Ves sees the opportunity for himself. He''s the furthest from the platform. "Get back, Doom, use Nasty Plot", he yells out. As the poision hits everyone else on the field, Houndour manages to escape. Now everyone is on the clock, except for him and Mario. And Ves can surely take Mario.


    "Oh, no, you won''t", Vinnie yells out, "Shadow Sneak, get Houndour".


    She wants to stop the set-up, Ves knows. "Don''t stop", he urged Houndour".


    "Metal Claw", Mikey yells out. To Ves''s surprise he adds: "get Mimikyu".


    Ves manages to react instantly, taking a chance right after Mimikyu slams into Houndour with Shadow Sneak. "Ember, now", he yells out. Being close by, Mimikyu can''t escape, even Axew doesn''t make it in time. Thankfully, Houndour doesn''t flinch, getting Ember off and breaking the Disguise. Now Mikey can take care of Vinnie.


    "Tackle", Mario yells, "aim at Axew".


    "Confusion, Ralts, on Varoom", Luka reacts as well. Ves is surprised at the amount of backstabbing that is going on here. Varoom ends up losing colour and dropping out of mid-air, not managing to interfere with Axew, who slams his metalic-glowing claw into Mimikyu.


    "Snarl, now", Ves is quick to yell, he has Mikey right where he wants him, in front of his boosted Houndour.


    "Protect", Mikey reacts, and Axew listens immediately, and Ves can''t help but wonder how much training he did for his pokemon to react that fast. Ember doesn''t get to spread across the field.


    "Dazzling Gleam, now", Vinnie yells out.


    Ves realises he''s in trouble. "Dodge", he orders hastily, but Mimikyu ends up blasting both Houndour and Axew with fairy-type energy.


    "Now, Shadow Sneak, get Axew", Vinnie commands, surprising Ves with her choice of the target. The attack never manages to go off, as Mimikyu ends up collapsing due to the poison.


    Right. Poison, Ves remembers. Axew''s poisoned as well.


    "Confusion, again" Luka reacts before Ves gets a chance to. Varoom is the biggest threat right now.


    "Snarl, now", Ves reacts, intent on dealing with Luka as well, who still hasn''t taken any damage.


    "Dragon Rage", Mikey says. Before Houndour gets to fire off his attack, a ball of energy slams into him knockimg him out. Ves watches as Varoom falls to confusion as well. Just like that, it''s down to Luka and Mikey. And Mikey is much more damaged.


    "Metal Claw, now", the blond boy says almost instantly.


    "Protect", Luka reacts in time. He''s waiting for Axew to fall to poison, Ves relises. It''s looking dangerously close.


    "Jump", Mikey says simply, and Axew leaps into the air. Ralts sets up Protect, but it falls down before Axew comes down to the ground. Mikey waited out the protect.


    "Dissarming Voice", Luka desperately tries to get the final hit in, but the flying Axew comes down before Ralts can fire off the attack. In one fell swoop, Axew sends his opponent flying, knocing it out as well. Only seconds later, the small dragon type stumbles on his feet, falling down to the effects of poison as well. But Mikey has won.


    Ves catches Luka''s painful groan, as they all recall their pokemon.


    "What was that for?", Vinnie slaps Mikey over the head.


    "Had to get you off the field", Mikey shrugs simply, "don''t take it personally, I just didn''t want to deal with fairy type moves".


    "You could''ve gone for Luka first then", Vinnie whines, "now I look weak for fainting first".


    "Ah, I would''ve gone for him if Ves didn''t go for a set-up", Mikey says, "I wanted him out as well, and the two of you happened to be close to each other".


    "Can''t believe you did this", Vinnie sighs, "we''re your family, why did you go for us first".


    "I told you, you were bigger threats, that''s all", Mikey says.


    "Oh, should I take that as an isnult?", Luka rolls his eyes.


    "Yes, absutely, please do that", Mikey scoffs, "that was underwhelming, you barely did anything, that''s why I saved you for last".


    "Oh, you saved me for last, huh", Luka laughs a bit too aggressively.


    "Yes, I did", Mikey says flatly.


    "Get over yourself", Luka rolls his eyes.


    "Get under me buddy", Mikey winks at him.


    "You''re not as good as you migjt think", Luka responds.


    "And you''re not good at all", Mikey retorts.


    Ves doesn''t really want to say anything. For once, as much as he would like to say Mikey lucked out, he knew that was not true. Mikey read the situation well, he knew who to focus on. Ves should''ve known better than to aim at Luka with that last attack. If he had read the situation better, he would''ve gotten Mikey off the field. Even if he made a right call, he wasn''t sure if he would''ve made it. Axew''s attack, speed and reaction were all top notch. That Protect was immediate. Even if he aimed at Axew, Mikey would''ve gone for Dragon Rage, and would''ve made it in time. Most likely, both Axew and Houndour would end up knocked out in that case. Ves realises, from the moment Mikey set his eyes on him, he had no chance of winning. But he could''ve stopped Mikey from winning. As for the other two, he wouldn''t discredit them either. Mario made a smart opening move. Luka probably just waited to see who survives the battle on the other side, and decided to deal with Mario along the way. It''s a shame for him, that Mikey was the one who came out on top.


    "Alright, calm down", Rex gestures for them to stop arguing, it was a good battle.


    "Right, it was", Mikey says confidently, "and I won".


    "Right, you won, that was certainly exceptional", Rex nods, "I have no comments to give".


    "Well, I do", Hercule inserts himself, "get to attacking sooner, boy, it wouldn''t be that close of a match if you went for it sooner".


    "Yeah, but then my classmates wouldn''t have a chance to do anything", Mikey grins.


    "Oh there he goes again", Luka groans.


    "What can I say, sorry for being considerate", Mikey shrugs innocently.


    "You as well, boy", Hercule cuts them off, talking to Luka, "you need to be more proactive, don''t just wait around to see what happens".


    "I was waiting for them to tire out", Luka says.


    "Well, that works sometimes", Rex says before Hercule gets a chance to talk again, "but it''s usually not a great choice for a strategy in free-for-all battles".


    "Roger that", Luka finally calms down.


    "You as well", Rex turns to Mario, "that was a really smart opening move, but you didn''t follow up well".


    "Alright", Mario lowers his head.


    "You picked the wrong timing and the wrong target", Hercule chimmes in, "Ralts was closer to you, it counters you well, and you decide to go for a battle on the other end of the field instead?".


    "Yeah, I know", Mario says quietly.


    "It''s alright, you still had a solid idea", Rex reassures him, "you wanted Mimikyu to take out Houndour, right?".


    "Well, yes, since it''s a counter to me, it wasn''t poisoned, and it set up a Nasty Plot", Marc explains, "I wanted to weaken Axew as well".


    "That''s not a bad way of thinking at all, you just picked the wrong timing", Rex nods. He turns towards Vinnie: "as for you little Miss., you also need to pick your targets more carefully".


    "Right", Vinnie''s spirits fall down.


    "And, unlike these three, you have to slow your pace down a bit", Rex continues, "in free-for-all especially, you don''t have enough time to follow the situation around you if you go in at that pace".


    "I understand", Vinnie nods.


    "Even in 1v1 battles, that kind of pace will just have your Mimikyu running out of steam quickly", Rex says.


    "Okay, I get it, I''ll slow down", Vinnie confirms.


    "As for you", Rex turns to Ves, "your strategy and pace were good".


    "Yeah, I was just unlucky", Ves nods, happy to have gotten a compliment.


    "Not exactly", Rex says calmly, "your Houndour''s attacks are slow".


    "Um, I mean, I guess", Ves says, unsure of how to react. He knew Houndour wasn''t as fast as Mikey''s Axew, nor did he have priority moves like Mimikyu. "I mean, we worked on our speed, but guess we''ll work more", Ves tries to explain himself.


    "Oh, no, Houndour is fast on his legs, that part is fine", Rex says, "it''s just that he''s slow to fire off attacks, I believe you noticed that right now".


    "Yeah, I did", Ves nods. He saw the difference between him and Miley clearly.


    "So, do you realise what that means?", Rex raises a questioning eyebrow.


    "That I should train more in that direction", Ves nods in confirmation, wanting to note that he''s already been doing that.


    "No", Rex cuts his defense short.


    "Well, what then?", Ves says in confusion.


    "Your Houndour is a physical attacker", Rex says simply, "guess it''s alright if I tell you outright, since something like that is not easy for a beginner to reslise".


    "Oh, so, it''s a physical attacker, really?", Ves asks curiously.


    "Well, it''s rare that a pokemon has a natural inclination towards one way of battling, usually a trainer develops that through training, but it can happen from time to time", Rex explains.


    "You sure about that?", Ves asks.


    "Positive, but you can teach it one physical move, then see how it works out", the gym leader nods.


    Taking a look at Houndour''s pokeball, Ves feels just a little bit stupid. A physical attacker? His mind flashed back to each time he called on Houndour. It always bent its legs down in battle. Houndour was always trying to use his body in fights, but Ves didn''t see it. He. Should''ve made a guess. "Thank you", he looks up at the gym leader.


    "Don''t sweat it, you came here today so you could learn something", Rex nods, "besides, beginners usually don''t think about stuff like that anyways, with your reactions and way of thinking, you would''ve done decently against most opponents on your level anyways".


    "Except for me", Mikey chimmes in.


    "Right, but still, it''s good I learned it early", Ves ignores his step-brother, "otherwise, I''d be pushing Houndour into the wrong direction".


    "Right, it''s better that you''ve learned it sooner rather than later", Rex agrees.


    "So, the next thing for me is getting a physical move, I guess", Ves thinks about it. "And after I do", he turns towards Mikey and Vinnie, "I''m taking both of you down". He came close enough today, Ves thinks.


    "Give it a go", Mikey says with an unpleasant smile.

 Chapter 13

    Teo had managed to do what he came to Canalave for in a matter of an hour. As soon as that lecture was over, he put the road under his soles. Canalave didn''t interest him all that much, and he was quick to find a place for himslef. The docks were dark-grey place of concrete, encasing the wilding river underneath. He promptly sat on the edge, swinging his legs some 20 meters above water, wandered what it would feel like to fall into the water. It was probably cold this time of the year. He would''ve sat on the bench instead, but they weren''t any. Really, there was nothing but concrete and a few metal beams.


    With nothing else to do, he played around on his pokedex. Immediately, he scanned Totodile''s pokeball again. Just for fun he re-checks his moves. They are all still good. At the bottom of ''general info'' tab, he finds the registration button that would allow him to link Totodile to his student profile. Just like that, after a few more buttons pressed, Totodile''s officially registered as his pokemon. Strangely enough, the action gives him a rush of adrenaline. Although he had Totodile this past week as well, he couldn''t exactly let it out of his pokeball. He managed to do it a few times, trying to train, but he''d retract the water type as soon as he had a scare that someone would pass by. Meaning, he didn''t get to do any training, for the second week straight. Other than trying to get Totodile to use any move other than Aqua Jet, which didn''t work, he made no progress. Now that Totodile was officially registered though that would be changing. He has about a month to catch up to everyone else. More importantly, he didn''t get to take part in any battles while he was at school. The thought of it excited him more. After losing to Joe that time in Lilicove, he decided he''d be taking a slower route first. He already knew who he''d be challenging first, as soon as Monday comes.


    He''ll have to train over the weekend, but that would not be a problem. He''s going home. Training would be the only thing for him to do anyways. It wasn''t exactly his sincere wish of seeing his hometown again that had made him decide to go home. Rather, it was a necessity. There was something he had to do. Better said, something he had to get his hands on, and the only place he knew he could find it was Spikemuth. He could only hope Joe would do well on his threat to bring more pots to school.


    Partly, he decided to go home because the rest of his teammate''s would go as well. Joe was first to decide that, and Sam was quick to follow. It didn''t surprise Teo, Sam seemed like a type to be nostalgic. Ace informed them yesterday he''d be going as well. It surprised no one, since the blond boy spent the week sleep talking, saying how he''ll go back to Kanto and crush some guy named Gregory. Teo had no idea what Gregory did to spite Ace, nor did he care, he just pitied anyone who would alowed himself to be crushed by Ace. Ves ended up saying he''ll be going as well, so Teo was the last to make the decision. He really didn''t want to spend the weekend rotting alone in their room. Not that he had particularly liked his teammates being there either, but he has gotten kind of used to their presence, and it would be weird to spend a night in the dormitories without them. Besides, he''s been thinking about getting that certain thing for a bit now, and this was a good opportunity.


    Thinking about it yet again, he took out Absol''s pokeball as well, nervously flipping it in his hands. He hoped his idea would help, at least a little bit. He''d ran out of the soothing berries on Wednesday. Luckily, they were working so far, he managed to feed Absol thanks to them. However, the progress was painstakingly slow. Absol, upon finishing his meal, would just hiss and roar at the boy, threatening to attack. At least it never came down to that again. With each passing day, he felt worse about it. Almost two weeks have passed by since he got assigned Absol as his partner, yet he still couldn''t release him from the pokeball without fearnig for his owm life. He wondered if it was supposed to be like that. Was it a cruel twist of fate, that he recieves a pokemon that hates his guts? He couldn''t battle with his partner, he couldn''t feed it, couldn''t train, hell, he couldn''t even think of a good nickname. With a sigh, he returned Absol''s pokeball into his pocket, thinking how he''ll have to find a pokemon center in Canalave later in order to feed him. He could check if any markets held soothing berries as well. When he came to Spikemuth, that problem would be solved, hopefully.


    Teo didn''t really want to leave the docks right then. The city was bustling with his classmates, including his teammates, and he had no wishes of running into anyone. Especially since those two, Mikey and Dominic were there as well. After everything that went down with Sam he hated them even more. The thought came back to him, how they were 500 points behind everyone else. His eyes wandered off into the distance. He saw a small ship rolling in from the distance. He tried focusing on it, in order to remove all the other thoughts from his head.


    It didn''t work. They were 500 points behind. Teo, although he would never admit it out loud, knew one thing. He was going to fail the year. Of course he would. That''s how his life usually goes, every tide turns against him. For starters, he was not a test-taker. He could improve his academic scores a bit, but he''s definitely not landing into top 50 that way. Far from it. Absol wouldn''t even come out of his pokeball, and Totodile only ever used one move, so he doubted battles would get him much further. Given good match-up, perhaps he could rack up a few points, but again, nothing that would drive him into top 50. Even if both of his pokemon miraculously started listening to his every word this instant, he was still 2 weeks behind everyone else when it came to training. He was not passing on his own. As a team, theoretically, they could still manage to pass. However, it would require Ace, Ves and Joe to do all of the heavy lifting. And Teo had no fate in neither Ace or Ves. Joe, on the other hand, could probably pass on his own. It was, however, unlikely that he could get the whole team to pass. Unless he went crazy and won both singles tournaments they are supposed to have that year, it would be impossible.


    The ship only ever inched closer. It was going to dock there, Teo thought. Come to think about it, it was strange that there were no other ships there. The docks were batren entirely. He looked around, trying to reason, when he saw a yellow sign in the distance. He couldn''t read what it said exactly, but the shape and black stripes told him the place was probably out of order. Further away was a series of concrete boxes he had passed by on his way there. Now he was pretty sure those were storages. This whole area was a cargo zone, he realised. It made sense, a bit further upstream from where he sat there was a widening in the river''s body. The water was slow and deep enough there for the ships to dock. But the place was most definitley out of business, he was certain about it now. He watched as the ship came in with curiosity. He should leave. Or call the police. Or just stay and see what''s going on for himself.


    Boredom does its thing, and Teo decides to jump up, going closer to the place where he expected the ship to dock. Hiding himself behind one of the metal beams, he watches on, as the ship comes in closer to the concrete walls. When it finally places itself parallel to the ground, an anchor flies down, hitting the water. Three ropes fly from the side, hitting onto a few shorter metal beams. Teo still can''t see who or what is on the ship. For a little while, nothing happens. Then, from the ship, somebody lowers a metalic plate, connecting the boat to the ground.


    A young looking man, presumably in his late 20s, carefully makes his way over it. As soon as he gets off, he starts looking around, as if he''s searching for something. Teo already doesn''t like this, but it''s too late to leave now. If he were to move, the guy would see him. Making sure no one was around, he waves his hand towards the boat, as if gesturing for someone to come. A Machoke is the first one that appears on the plate, bearing two metal cages in his arms. Following him, two more guys walk out, carrying a third cage.


    It doesn''t take long for Teo to connect the dots. Poachers, he realises. Peeking at the cages a bit better he quickly recognises the pokemon inside. Machoke carried cages with Litleo and Dedenne, while the two guys carried a cage with an Inkay. Although most pokemon were widespread throughout different regions, some were still forbidden to be brought in, for anyone but registered pokemon trainers, for various reasons. Dedenne, for example, was a pest native to Kalos region that reproduced like crazy, landing it on the red list. Inkay was considered generally dangerous for being psychic and dark type, so introducing the species to any other region was forbidden as well. Litleo, on the other hand, was often used for its skin. While there wasn''t an outright ban on catching one, pretty much only the trainers were allowed to do that. You could potentially acquire it as a pet, but you''d have to pay a significant amount of money to gain a permit since it was a fire type, and you''d have to prove you weren''t getting it in order to skin it alive. Nevertheless, Teo concluded these guys were poachers coming back from a trip to Kalos, and it would be for the best if he could get lost. These guys weren''t some random backstreet punks who somehow got their hands on some pokemon. And one of them had a Machoke, something Teo had no real means of dealing with. He could basically imagine Totodile getting slammed to the ground mid Aqua Jet.


    He carefully watched the men, looking for a chance to run away. He''d start running right then and there, but he had no idea what other pokemon they had on their hands. The group stood around, as if they were waiting for something to happen. It was surprising, that they kept these pokemon out in the open, caged up like that. Weren''t pokeballs much more efficent? And they would be impossible to spot. Teo concluded these guys just didn''t have any means of getting them. Probably, they were blacklisted, and couldn''t enter any regular store for fear of being recognised. And pokeballs were one of the rarest items on the black market, which was a surprise at first, but it made perfect sense at second glance. Well, Teo had it explained by some guy a year ago, when he was trying to acquire one from him. The point was, he had told him, the pokeballs couldn''t be sold for a high amount of money, the most people would go for was 700pd, and that only went for really desparate customers.


    Roar of an engine had him turning his head. The white van came to a full stop few meters away from the boy. Paralysed, Teo watched the doors open and another guy jump out of the drivers seat, yelling. "Hey, morons, what the fuck is he doing here". In retrospect, he should''ve seen this coming.


    Thinking in a rush, he moved away from the metal beam. Running away would be risky. He walks out, his hands raised in the air. Time to lie his way out of this one.


    The guy from the van was the first to reach him, quickly taking hold of his arm, bending it backwards. Teo does his best not to flinch, but his face twists into a grimace. The Machop guy comes towards them as well.


    "Are you fucking blind?", the van guy yells out, "did you not see a whole ass kid out here?".


    "Well he was hiding", the other guy says halplessly, "anyways, we''ve got him now".


    "I wasn''t hiding", Teo tries making his voice as high pitched as possible, "I mean I was, but I didn''t want to". Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "What the hell are you even doing here kid", the van guy scoffs.


    "Um, I came to a school trip, and everyone kind of blew me off, so I didn''t know where else to go", Teo decides to hide the fact he''s a trainer, "I should get going anyways, they''ll be looking for me". That''s the best he could do right now, if they know he''s here as a part of a group, they will be more likely to leave him the hell alone.


    "Alright", the van guy sighs, producing a pokeball from his belt. "Bind him, Carnivine". The giant fly-trap pokemon comes out, immediately wrapping its vines around Teo. He shows off his uncomfort freely, he wants them to know he''s not a threat.


    "What now?", the Machoke trainer asks.


    "We''ll bring him onto the ship and those two will watch him until we finish the delivery", the second man responds.


    "Then we let him go?", the first guy says.


    "We''ll see, I mean, he''s already seen us", the van guy says simply, "maybe we just throw him into the river if things go wrong".


    "But they''ll be looking for him", the Machoke guy points out.


    "We''ll make it seem like an accident, they''ll think he fell in on his own", the van guy shrugs, "I mean, he doesn''t exactly look innocent".


    "Roger that", the first guy nods, moving away to let Carnivine float Teo towards the train.


    The men are quick to bring him onto the ship, where he sees a few more cages. Most are empty, except two that are housing a Noibat and an Espurr. Teo was not sure why anyone would have to aquire a Noibat illegally, but Espurr was surely meant to become either a pet or a pair of gloves. As soon as Carnivine lets go of him the men take over, tying him to the central metal beam. He makes sure his left hand has some levay, keeping it just a bit lower. As they let go of him, he quickly brushes over his pocket to see if he can reach it. Making sure he has enough freedom to do that, he feels slight relief. Both of his pokeballs are there. Since they are thinking about chucking him into the river, its good he has acces to them. And it''s good they don''t know he''s a trainer. There were 4 of them still, so he wouldn''t be doing anything right now. As soon as two of them leave, he''ll be aiming for a chance to do escape.


    Unless he can escape by other means, that is. "Um, hey, could you just let me go, please", the boy makes sure his voice is shivering, "I won''t tell anyone about this". And he meant it. It was none of his business, he truly didn''t want to get involved.


    "Quiet down kid, we''re no fools", the van guy doesn''t even pay any attention to him as he recalls his Carnivine and steps away. "Lenny, let''s  go, we need to be quick", he gestures for the Machoke guy to follow him. "The two of you guard the sheep, and keep an eye on the kid", he gives instructions, "if he gives you any trouble, tie him and throw him into the river, but don''t let him go before we return".


    "Alright", one of the guys says firmly. Well, no way for him to get out of here without fighting. Teo hates to admit it, but he is terrified. Even worse, for a brief second, he wishes Joe was there with him. Not that he was particularly fond of the idea of being tied to a ship''s beam with his teammate, but the boy had proven quite useful in these kinds of situations back in Lilicove. Besides, he had that Riolu of his. Then he remembered Ves had a Houndour, who could simply burn his captors alive. All Teo had were a Totodile who liked to Aqua Jet and an Absol that didn''t like anything or anyone. How did he even plan on getting out of there? Totodile probably couldn''t Scratch the ropes the men used to tie him, if it even agreed to try using Scratch. He''d definitely have to let Absol loose and see what happens.


    His eyes fly to the two pokemon that were caged up on the ship. They were in a similar postition to him, so maybe they''d be up to offer a helping hand. Becoming a saviour wasn''t a part of his plan, but getting some more fire power would be beneficial. At worst, they could cause some chaos. Espurr was supposed to be on the blacklist because of its psychic powers. It often caused problems for people in the city, oftentimes causing permenant brain damage. It wasn''t a naturally violent pokemon, but it didn''t have a handle on its powers, so those attacks were accidents. Many people thought it was cute though and wanted to keep it as a pet, so it was often a target of poachers. Others liked its fur, and that was the second reason that made it sought after. From what Teo could tell from that distance, this Espurr was a good specimen. Truthfully, the only thing Teo knew about the species was that their ears served as sort of a controler to their psychic powers, and this little one had pretty big ears. Teo shivered for a moment, looking at pokemon''s eyes. They were huge, soft shade of purple, but they looked devoid of a soul. For a second, the small creature reminded him of Joe.


    As the van guy and Lenny leave, Teo''s left alone with the two guys. He decides to gove diplomacy another try. "Hey, really, you could just let me go, I promise not to tell anyone about this, I won''t even mention it".


    "No use kid, the boss said what he said", one of them waves him off.


    "For real, I promise I won''t go to the police", Teo attempts, "and my classmates don''t exactly like me, so I won''t be telling them anyways".


    "Good, then they won''t miss you if you end up at the bottom of the river", the second guy says.


    Teo sighs, reaching into his pocket, picking just one of them. He really hopes he took Absol''s. Totodile''s really not that threatening in a situation like that. He grips to the ball for a moment, holding his breath. Now''s as good of a time to do this as it would ever be. He could wait for the two of them to wonder away to somewhere, but if they don''t, then he''d just be bying time for the other to to return.


    Gritting his teeth, he presses the button. Following a flash of blue light that catches his captors''s attention, Absol appears. A mixture of fear and relief rushes through Teo as the white-furred dog lets out a roar at the two men. He has no time to focus on it.


    "The fuck is that", one of the man yells out quickly readying his pokeball. Teo switly pulls out Totodile''s pokeball and, making sure he aims the release above his kidnappers, he presses the button.


    "Aqua Jet, now Tots", he says, as another flash of blue reaches up. Absol''s still growling at the men as Totodile appears above them. The croc pokemon envelops itself with water, descending upon one of the guys. Absol rushes in towards the other one as well, much to Teo''s surprise. Quick Attack, he realises.


    The first guy manages to dodge the Aqua Jet in time, but stumbles back, dropping his pokeball in the process. Exactly what Teo was hopimg for. The second one, however, is much faster to release his pokemon. "Sucker Punch", he yells out, as a round-shaped sinister pokemon appears before him.


    Gengar reacts quickly, cutting Absol''s attack short, throwing the disaster dog to the side. "Aqua Jet, Tots", Teo reacts quickly, and Totodile launches itself into the ghost type. "Double Team, Absol, please", the boy says hopefully. Totodile can''t take on Gengar alone, and he knows it. He needs Absol.


    Teo''s not sure why, but the disaster pokemon decides to listen, creating a clone of himself. "Knock Off, now", the boy takes a chance, seeing as Gengar dodges the Aqua Jet from Totodile.


    "Gengar, Sucker Punch", the guy yells out. Delightfully, the ghost type misses, getting thrown back by Absol''s attack in the process.


    "Again, Absol, keep it going", Teo says excitedly. He can''t believe his partner''s actually listening to him. Absol, instead of attacking, creates another clone. Right, Teo thinks. Absol has a mind of his own. He''s not listening, the first two actions just happened to match Teo''s wishes.


    He turns his attention to the Totodile instead, as he tries desperately to shake himslef free from the ropes. He sees the second guy reaching for the pokeball that has rolled away, but Totodile''s already there, with his choice specks on, he picks up the device with his leg and starts kicking it up. Teo almost laughs at the image. As the other guy approaches his pokemon though, the boy yells out: "Tots, kick it into the water". Totodile takes one glance at him and does as he''s told. Teo makes a mental note to get a soccer ball for the small croc. "Now, get away, help Absol out", Teo urges, as he sees his partner is still fighting Gengar. They seem to be on equal footing, but Abosl''s already lost one of the clones, so it''s only a matter of time before that changes.


    Totodile envelops himslef in water again and swiftly Aqua Jets towards Teo. The boy straigtens in surprise, as the crock pokemon passes by him, shredding the ropes that were tying him. He must''ve used the spikes on his back, Teo thinks. If he survives this he swears he''ll get a big treat for the small croc.


    "Great, now help Absol", Teo yells as he gets up on his feet. Totodile obliges quickly, but Teo has no time to look that way. Instead, he runs towards the cages. He notices the bunch of keys laid down, swiftly picking them up. Running up to Espurr''s cage, he starts shuffling through them. He tries a few, but most of them won''t even get into the lock. Hastily, he turns around to see Absol and Totodile are both fighting Gengar now, while its trainer is giving instructions. There''s no need for Teo to focus on that, neither Absol nor Totodile will listen anyways. The second guy though is running towards where Teo is. The boy tries speeding up the process.


    One of the keys finally goes in. The boy unlocks the cage, opening the doors, and the Espurr clumsily jumps out. The man reaches him, grabbing at his shoulders, pulling him backwards. Teo reacts quickly, elbowing him, then turning around to land a croche. It''s not like they were friends, he''s not pulling any punches. The man stumbles back in surprise, recovering quickly, but before he can reach for the boy again, Espurr jumps up, landing a Scratch at its kidnapper. Guess the small pokemon''s a vengeful type, because it attacks the second time immediately.


    Teo''s thankfull for it, as it gives him the opening to let Noibat out as well. He starts the game of looking for the right key again, as the tiny bat pokemon is excitedly flying around in its cage. It takes him a bit, but he finally finds the right key, releasing Noibat as well. Much to his dismay, the small bat pokemon ends up taking the opportunity to simply fly away. Ungrateful bastard, Teo thinks. He should''ve left it in the cage. He remembers suddenly why Noibats were sought after. People used them to make soup. He wishes such a fate on the cowardly bat.


    Espurr''s still scratching away at the poacher, and Teo has much more respect for the psychotic ball of fur. The only thing he''s not sure about is why it isn''t using any psychic attacks.


    Turning his attention back to his own pokemon, he''s just in time to see a Shadow Ball hitting his Totodile in the midst of yet another Aqua Jet. Teo reacts, taking a pokeball and recalling the croc before he hits the ground. He was free now, there was no sense in staying on this ship for longer than he had to. Especially since Absol hasn''t eaten the whole day, and was quickly running out of the steam.


    He reaches towards the metal plate, ready to leave, but a stinge of guilt makes him turn around. If he leaves Espurr here, it will just end up in the cage again. With a newfound courage, he plants a kick on the guy who''s still getting attacked by the psychic type. Putting all of his force into it, he manages to knock him to the ground. Quickly grabbing Espurr, who was in the middle of yet another scratch, he produces an empty pokeball from his pocket, making it bigger and bumping it against pokemon''s head. He can''t exactly carry a wild Espurr around Canalave, and he''s not leaving it with these guys.


    As he runs towards the edge of the ship, he feels the ball trying to jiggle in his hand. It calms down suddenly, and Teo''s sure the catch was his. Showing it into his pocket, he draws Absol''s pokeball. As soon as he gets to the metal plate, he turns around. He sees the guy he''s kicked is running towards him again. That doesn''t matter now. Recalling his partner, Teo runs for his life.


    As he hits the ground, a Shadow Ball hits right in front of him. He doesn''t turn around. That would only slow him down, instead he holds on firmly to Absol''s pokeball. Best case scenario, they won''t leave the ship. Worst case scenario, he''ll have to rely on Absol to beat Gengar somehow. Remembering the Heal Capsules Joe gave him, he realises Totodile might be able to Aqua Jet once more. He doesn''t want this to come down to that, thiugh, so he just keeps running.


    His heart pounding, the boy can barely feel his legs. Running in the open, he opts to switching his direction a few times. He counts three Shadow Ball explosions behind him. Then there aren''t any for a bit. He hopes that means he managed to escape, but he still doesn''t turn around.


    Although, at first he really didn''t want to do that, he decided he''d be going to the police. These guys deserved it. Besides, he had to explain how he had managed to find an Espurr in Sinnoh somehow. Not that he planned to keep it for himself. No, he knew exactly who the Espurr is going to.


    With all of that in mind, Teo kept running towards the city, not stopping even after he had passed the storage rooms.

 Chapter 14

    The schooltrip to Canalave city turned out to be highly educational for Ace. Truly, the boy was learning one lesson after the next as he scavanged the grey landscape. Catching pokemon was one of the most challenging aspects of being a trainer, he always knew that. Only now had he came to understand the gravity of that statement to its full extent.


    Finding a suitable capture was the first step, and perhaps that was the hardest part himself. Especially in the middle of a city, it was a challenge. Although Canalave was bustling with wild pokemon, virtually none of the species that inhabited the streets were battle-alligned. Bidoofs were numerous, but useless. Glameows were a similar story. Rattatas would cross his path often, but had failed to excite him.


    Even the pokemon that showed some sort of a promise, like numerous Starlies, that could someday become Starraptors, weren''t as good of an opportunity as they seemed at first glanced. Ace watched as the birds clumsily slammed themselves into windows of buildings. Those things wouldn''t make it on a battlefield, he concluded. Really the problem was that all of the pokemon in the cities were always some kind of domesticated. They were used to having people feed them, or they ate the scraps from the dumpsters. There wasn''t any necessity for a food chain to exist here, no predators, no prey.


    The other issue was Ace''s particular taste in pokemon. The boy was sure other trainers had a similar problem. Even when he would run across a pokemon that showed some promise, it wasn''t necessarily something he wanted to catch. On his quest he ran into a Falinx, which, as a fighting type, was naturally inclined towards battling. However, it wasn''t a pokemon that fit Ace''s style. Definitely too head on. In addition, the small solider-centipede didn''t look cool at all, in fact, it creeped Ace out. He had seen this pokemon in a bunch of Tarantino''s movies, and he had a misfortune of knowing exactly why it was included.


    Other finds Ace had made included a Sawk, which was, again, too head on for the boy. He had no idea why that thing was on the streets of Canalave anyways, and had no intentions of finding out. Munchlax, a pokemon that could become a Snorlax, but that was too defensive for Ace''s liking. Besides, Snorlax wasn''t cool looking either. He saw a group of Spoink as well, ironically, hanging around a fast-food restaurant. They reminded him of Lesley, so it was another pass.


    Walking past a row of small workshops, he noticed a Scorupi, skilfully opening one of the trash cans to look for the food. The pokemon''s tail looked strong, its claws sharp, and Ace concluded it would be a good catch. Trying his best not to get noticed, he readied his pokeball. Besides showing signs of strengt, the pokemon looked rather young, so maybe there was no need to battle. He chucked the ball at it, aiming to the best of his abilities. Scorupi turned its head slightly, and in a single motion, hit the ball back to Ace with its tail. The pokemon proceeded to dig through the trash carelessly.


    Catching the pokeball, Ace quikcly hurled it at the small scorpion again, thinking he could surprise him. Scorupi repeated the process of deflecting the device and went back to searching for lunch.


    "Cmon, just let me catch you", Ace whispered in desperation, as he threw the ball yet again. The Scorupi apparently didn''t care to hear him out, as it simply deflected the ball again.


    "Alright, that''s it", Ace firmly planted his foot on the sidewalk. "I''ll get you", the boy latches onto his partner''s pokeball, "Rocky, Accelerock".


    As the dog pokemon comes out in a rush, Scorupi reacts by jumping down to the ground and setting up a Protect, that Accelerock promptly hits into. The scorpion looks annoyed more than anything else, as it points its stinger at Ace, showering the boy with poison darts.


    Ace falls back to the ground, as he feels the attack tearing into his skin. Rockruff wails in pain as he''s hit with an attack as well. Catching wild pokemon is life threatening, Ace realises, his head feeling light all of a sudden. It''s just fear, he knows, but he also knows the poison will start working for real soon enough. His heart pounding, he picks himslef up. His legs are tremblimg, he realises, as he recalls Rockruff with shaky hands. Dammit, he''s been hit with poison. As he carefully steps away from the Scorupi, who''s still pointing its stinger at him he tries to remember how pokemon poison affects humans. Not good, he''s certain. How fast does it spread?


    Fear gets better of him, hastily turning, he runs. Making a quick turn around the corner, he dissaperas from the pokemon''s sight. Ace is certain the goddamn scorpion has gone back to dumpster diving already. But his vision starts whitening already, and this time, he''s not sure if it''s just his fear or has the poison started working. He''s been hit in the head though, he can only imagine the concequences. The sweat blooms on his forehead as he does his best to remember where the pokemon center is. He''s sure he passed it at least three times. Calming down would be beneficial, Ace knows, but the thing is, he can''t do that. The boy wishes to curse the author for even including a storyline like this, as it most definitely has no point. Wasn''t this supposed to be a chapter where he catches a pokemon and take some time for himself, away from those other morons?


    Ace turns around another corner and spots the pokemon center. It wasn''t far, thankfully. He had no idea how much running he could do in that state. Bursting through the doors like a madman, he heads for the counter immediately. A young nurse behind it looks at him with a mixture of fear and disproval.


    "I''ve been hit", he says with a heavy breath, watching as worry takes over the woman''s expression.


    "What, where?", she steps away from the counter and starts to make her way to him.


    "Two streets down from here", Ace explains.


    "That''s not what I meant", the woman shakes her head, "who hit you and where did the hit land".


    "Oh, a Scorupi, into my face", Ace blushes. "With a Toxic Spike", he adds.


    "When?", the woman asks.


    "I''m not sure, 3 minutes ago?", Ace says, "5 at best".


    "Alright, then calm down", the nurse says, "it takes much longer for Scorupi''s poison to start working, you came in with time to spare, that''s good".


    "But I''ve been hit in the face", Ace complains.


    "Does it hurt? Feels irritating?", the woman inquiers.


    "Yeah, yes", Ace says shrotly, realising just how itchy his face feels. He probably shouldn''t scratch it.


    "That''s due to the stings themselves, it''s not posion, it''s just your skin reacting to the needling", the woman reassures him, "it''s not from poison".


    "You sure?", Ace feels the slightest of relief.


    "Positive, Scorupi''s poison isn''t the strongest", the nurse nods, "you did the right thing by coming here immediately".


    "Oh", Ace remembers, "my Rockruff''s been hit as well". He takes the pokeball from his pocket, handing it over to the woman. "Could you take care of him as well please?".


    "It''s alright, I will", she takes the pokeball, "you sit down, and I''ll bring an antidote, everything will be alright".


    She dissapears again, and Ace goes and takes a seat on one of the sofa''s. He notices a few trainers hanging around. Right, Canalave has a gym, there are many trainers there looking for a challenge. They are probably surprised to see a kid like him with a pokemon. Maybe they think he stole it? At least, that''s how they are looking at him.


    The nurse comes back around, carrying a small dose of antidote. "Um, I''m a student at Old King''s", Ace explains to her, makimg sure he talks as loud as he can, "that''s why I have a pokemon, just so you know, I can even show you my student permit if its needed".


    "It''s alright, I believe you", the woman says calmly, handing him the cure, "now, just drink this, it should work quickly".


    He takes the small bottle, downing it immediately. It tastes sour. Ace tries not to make a grimace. At least the other trainers there are not looking at him suspiciously any longer. He wonders if any of them are beginners. What was the most popular starter in Canalave, he wonders, in an attempt to get his mind off of the poisoning.


    "We''ve had problems with Scorupis for a bit", the woman starts talking as she wraps a pulse-checker around his arm, "everything''s concrete and metal here, so they can get a lots of sun, thiugh, they get a bit nasty during fall and winter".


    "Oh, right, this one was nasty for sure", Ace says, remembering that he could''ve caught himself a Scorupi if he were just a bit smarter.


    "Well, either way, you shouldn''t worry about the posion, we''ve basically made an art of crafting antidotes to Scorupi''s poison", the woman says, "however, a young kid like you shouldn''t be walking around the city alone, especially since you''re a tourist, where are your friends?".


    Ace is not sure if he should say that he doesn''t have any, or that they are all bastards. "They went their own way, I guess", the boy says simply.


    "You kids should stick together, it''s much safer like that", the woman says as she operates the machine. Ace is pretty sure she wouldn''t be saying that if she knew his teammates. They were walking safety hazards, each in their own right. He thought about what they could possibly be doing right now. Ves is probably out fistfighting someone. Sam is out there somewhere, probably getting tricked into some dumb shit. Teo, he had no idea what he was doing, but he was sure it wasn''t safe. Same thing went for Joe. Hopefully, the two of them weren''t together.


    "You''re fine", the nurse says decisively, removing the device from his arm. "Now sit there and relax until I take care of your Rockruff".


    "Alright, thank you", Ace nods. This might not turn out so bad he thinks, he could maybe ask the trainers here for tips and pointers on catching pokemon. He could even set up a battle if there were any beginners amongst them. All the training he did with Rockruff should be tested out sooner than later. Besides, he would be heading home for the weekend, and he wanted to battle it out with Greg as soon as he could. Last that he heard, his cousin had caught himself a Pidgey and tried challenging the city''s gym. He, unsurprisingly, lost. That''s what happens when you go into the electric gym with a water and a flying type.


    Ace''s best plans get wrecked immediately, as the sliding doors open and two people walk in. The boy does his best not to look at them, but it''s no use. Lesley heads for him immediately, and Andrei leisurely walks over to the counter.


    "Hey, Acey, what''s going on, you look like hell", Lesley says cheerfully.


    "Thanks, I just got back", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Huh, I just knew you couldn''t help the reference", Lesley says victoriously, "but anyways, for real, why are you here, you look paler then usual".


    "None of your business Lesley", Ace scoffs, "but I got into a scuffle with a wild Scorupi, if you really have to know".


    "Oh, we ran into one of those as well, I wanted to catch it, you know", Lesley takes the liberty of sitting down besides Ace, "well, I decided against it though, I mean, Drapion is great, but I can''t really go with two pokemon that need to evolve".


    "Right, I bet it", Ace says, uninterested.


    "And Andrei didn''t want it either, you know, I''m trying to give him a little push to catch something new since that Dreepy of his is not exactly a battler of right now, but he''s just so unmotivated", Lesley sounds like an aunt.


    "Not surprised", Ace says, "that you''re being pushy, that is".


    "I mean, he wanted to catch a Cottonee, we thought it would be easy, but the thing Razor Leafed us like crazy", Lesley points out, "that'' s why we''re here".


    "Huh, that''s neat", Ace really doesn''t care to know how they got here.


    "Well, anyways, at least Andrei seemed excited to try and catch that thing, I think he has a very weird taste when it comes to pokemon, but hey", Lesley just keeps talking.


    "Well, good for him, what can I say", Ace says. Out of curiosity he adds: "did you find anything?".


    "Nada", Lesley wails, "just a bunch of Starlys, but nothing that can compensate for Spoink''s current lack of power or agility".


    "Yeah, that Scorupi''s pretty much the only thing I tried catching anyways", Ace agrees. He surprises himself. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he''d say one casual thing to Lesley.


    "Hey there", Andrei cuts them off, promtly sitting himself next to Lesley. "The nurse said Dreepy would take a few minutes, then we''re good to go". The boy looks as dishelved as always.


    "Good, then we can be out of here", Lesley nods, "we need to catch something, otherwise, this trip was a waste".


    "Don''t spout nonsense Lesley", Andrei rolls his eyes, "I mean, we had a lecture and immersed ourselves in a different culture".


    "He bought some rock-camdy from a street vendor", Lesley notes.


    "And they were delicious", Andrei points out, "and Dreepy liked them as well".


    "Indeed they were", Lesley nods defeatedly, "but we should still making a catch, it''s not like we''re going to spend all of our free time leading up to a tournament on school trips, we need to train".


    "Oh, no, not again", Andrei says semi-dramatically. Turning to Ace he adds: "he''s been making me train like he''s a maniac, I have no idea why, we already have both him and Henry, we''ll pass".


    "Yes, we will, but we are a team and I want all of us to do well on our own", Lesley states. Ace kind of wants to throw up from that kind of rhetoric. "Oh, wait up", Lesley says, checking his phone that went off. "Um, Dean says he''s just recieved an Aaron from the gym leader", the boy''s voice is a mix of surprise and excitement, "damn, if I knew they were giving away free pokemon I would''ve stayed".


    "Well, good for him", Andrei leans backwards.


    "No, it''s good for us", Lesley points out, "you know he doesn''t really want pushing Petilil too far".


    "I mean, he''s been training him on defenses as far as I know, and he''s been pretty into it", Andrei thinks about it, "but it''s true, he really doesn''t like letting it battle".


    "Great, so as soon as we get back to the island, we''re helping Dean train Aaron up", Lesley decides, "and you and I have to catch new pokemon as well".


    "Why don''t you ever bother Henry and Marc like this?", Andrei pretends to roll away from his teammate.


    "They train on their own, with that Jow guy", Lesley looks at Ace, "by the way, your teammate owes me a rematch".


    "Yeah, he owes the whole school a rematch", Ace rolls his eyes, "myself included".


    "You battled?", Lesley raises his eyebrow, "how did it go?".


    "Ves interrupted us", Ace says, "so I lost". The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Naturally", Lesley offers.


    "Shut up", Ace snarks, "I did some training, I''m almost ready to go up against him again, besides, I held my own".


    "Oh, for real?", Lesley questions.


    "Yeah, I mean, I lasted pretty long", Ace admits.


    "Um, did you battle him or fuck him?", Andrei inquiers.


    "Dude", Ace sighs.


    "Dude", Andrei responds, "chose your words".


    "Not my fault everyone in this school is dirty-minded", Ace states.


    "Screw that", Lesley interrupts, "has he grown stronger?".


    "Definitely faster", Ace thinks about it.


    "Uh, right, Spoink and I really can''t deal with speed", Lesley sighs.


    "Well, not that it matters", Ace shrugs it all away, "he''s not the only person to beat".


    "Right, he''s not", Lesley agrees, "Henry''s pretty good as well, you know".


    "Marc''s a no pushover either", Andrei scratches his head, "guess it''s just the three of us lagging behind then".


    "Hey, don''t lump me in with you", Lesley says loudly, "I''ve been doing the best that I can, and you know, not too many people beat me".


    "Henry beat you", Andrei points out, "Marc a few times as well, Joe beat you that Natasha girl as well".


    "Alright, but no one else", Lesley crosses his arms, "besides, I''ve beaten Henry a few times".


    "Three times", Andrei says simply, "barely".


    "That''s it, I''ve had enough", Lesley jumps up unceremoniously, "do you have any idea how hard battling with Spoink is? I''m going out there and catching myself a new pokemon, then you''ll all see what I''m made from".


    "You can''t blame it all on Spoink", Andrei reminds him.


    "I am not", Lesley says firmly, "all I''m saying, Spoink is not exactly a battling prodigy, not before evolution anyways, so you don''t even know how good I actually am".


    "Great, now he''s fired up", Andrei sighs, "well, guess we can go anyways, the nurse is calling for me, I think".


    Ace looks over at the counter. The nurse gives him a small nod, gesturing with her hand for him to come. "Guess I''m good to go as well", he says, standing up. His head still feels a bit light, but much clearer since the Scorupi incident.


    Andrei and him proceed to walk over to the counter, with Lesley trailing behind him. The nurse hands Andrei''s pokeball over, promising that Dreepy''s doing well now.


    "Oh, so you''ve found your friends", she says as she hands Rockruff''s pokeball to Ace, "please, don''t wander off alone again".


    "Well, they are not exactly my friends", Ace says a bit nervously.


    "Oh, what are you saying, of course we are friends", Lesley chimmes in, "and you''ll be coming with us". Before Ace can object, Lesley turns to the nurse: "We''ll watch over him, I mean, we would leave him to his teammates, but they are a bit... you know...".


    "Socially challenged", Andrei offers.


    "Right, thank you very much boys", the nurse laughs, visibly confused by all of this.


    "No, thank you madam, for being such a caring person", Lesley gives her a small bow before he turns to leave. Andrei whispers a weak thank you before he follows after Lesley. Ace just nods, deciding he should go with the two after all. Hanging out with Lesley didn''t excite him, but he needed help with catching a pokemon. The two of them could use some help as well. That''s why, Ace followed the pair out of the pokemon center.


    As soon as they walked out, Ace decided to let Rockruff out of his pokeball. His partner deserved to get some fresh air. Besides, this was, he wouldn''t have to waste any time releasing him if they ran into a pokemon he wanted to catch.


    "So, where do we go now?", Andrei asks uninterested.


    "I think there''s a park near", Lesley points out, "I could use some colour, all of this grey is starting to drive me insane".


    Ace doesn''t complain. A park could house some interesting pokemon, if they were lucky. As they walked down the street, Andrei decided to let Dreepy out as well. The small dragon immediately nested itslef on the boy''s shoulder. Leasley went along and released Spoink as well. The pokemon proceeded to merrily jump in front of them. Rockruff found it amusing, and started running in circles around him. "How cute, they get along", Andrei comments dryly. Like that, they make their way to the park. It''s surprisingly barren, only a few trees, and not many more people. However, encased in the concrete jungle, it''s an oasis of green. Starlys fly around, landimg on reddening branches, causing leaves to fall down. Ace sees a pair of Bidoof''s happily throwing themselves in piles of leaves. A trio of Kricketots catches his attention, as they dance around a berry tree, rooting for the 4th Kricketot that has climbed it and is actively trying to pick a Sitrus Berry.


    "Hey, Rocky", Ace crouches down by his partner, showing him the tree, "can you use Accelerock on that berry,  get it to fall to the ground, and don''t squish it, so I need you to aim well". He stands back and watch Rockruff get ready. As the small dog focuses on the attack, Ace is curious to see if his training has paid off. Accuracy and control are pretty important. Rockruff shoots a single rock at the tree, managing to hit right at the branch, making the berry fall to the ground. Ace feels a sense of satisfaction, and Kricketunes start excitedly running around their snack.


    "Oh, how cool you are Ace, and how kind", Lesley stands besides him. "Hey, Spoink", the boy points towards the same tree, showing a branch above the one Rockruff''s just hit, that carries 3 more berries, "use Confusion to get those down to the ground". Spoink wastes no time in jumping up. Within seconds, the piglet pokemon has floated all three berries down to the ground, causing Kricetots to become even merrier. "What''ya think of that", Lesley says confidently, to no one in particular.


    "I think I''m not into this dick-measuring contest", Andrei says simply, "and I think I see a cotton candy stand over there, so I will go and get some". Before anyone can say anything, the boy darts off.


    "Whatever", Ace scoffs. It''s easy doing something like that with a psychic move. What Rockruff did was much harder, it required precision and concentration.


    Looking around, a blur catches Ace''s attention. "Is that...", Ace thinks he recognises the pokemon that has just jumped from behind the tree.


    "A Pancham", Lesley says immediately.


    Ace watches for a moment, as the small bear-like pokemon uses trunks of trees as jumping platforms.


    "But what is it doing?", Ace says, as he notices the pokemon gaining speed.


    "I think it''s training", Lesley says.


    "I''m catching it", both boys say at the same time. "No", they look at each other, "I am". Ace makes a grimace. "I saw it first", they say at the same time again, and Ace absolutely hates it.


    "Wait", Lesley raises his hand, "I''ll make you a deal".


    "No deal", Ace scoffs, "I saw it first".


    "It was my idea to come to the park", Lesley argues.


    "Fine, I''ll hear you out", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "We catch it, then we battle for it", Lesley offers, "that''s only fair".


    "Alright, that''s a deal", Ace nods, tuening around, "but this thing is fast, so let''s be quick".


    "Roger that", Lesley says, "Spoink, let''s go".


    Ace watches as the Pancham throws itself off of another tree. "Rocky, get ready to cut it off with an Accelerock, hit it with full power". Rockruff barks in agreement, preparing another attack.


    "Spoink, you hit it with Confusion as soon as it stops", Lesley says shortly. Rockruff fires off the attack, but Pancham has gained too much speed and dodges it easily. Confusion can''t land eaither, and Ace watches as the Pancham projectiles itself into them. Great, they made it angry.


    "Protect, Spoink", Lesley reacts in time, and an attack that looks like an Arm Thrust slams into the protective field at an incredible speed.


    "Now, Accelerock, fast", Ace takes the opportunity, and Rockruff manages to hit this time.


    "Confuse Ray, now, don''t let it rest", Lesley yells out. Ace notices a few people in the park give them curious looks, but he focuses on the battle in front of him.


    "Accelerock again", the boy decides that''s the best chance he has.


    "Confusion", Lesley declares. Both attacks slam into the Pancham in succession, instantly knocking it out. Fighting wild pokemon was apparently much easier in tandem, Ace realised. Another lesson learned. Lesley is faster to produce an empty pokeball and chuck it at Pancham. Three shakes later, the rim lights up, and Ace lets out a breath of relief. Swiftly, that feeling is exchanged for a stare-off with Lesley.


    "You two really couldn''t stand still for a moment", Andrei''s flat voice catches their attention. Ace turns to see the boy chowing down on cotton candy, holding one up for Dreepy as well. "Everybody''s watching us, you know".


    "Well, let them watch", Lesley shrugs with a smile, finally picking up the pokeball.


    "Lesley''s always liked attention", Ace points out.


    "Yes I did", the boy says shamelessly, "now, Acey, is there any chance you''ll just give me this Pancham?".


    "No way in hell", Ace replies, "we''re battling for it, that''s the deal".


    "But I''d hate to send you back to the pokemon center immediately", Lesley says annoyingly, "besides, a fighting type would fit me much better than it would fit you". Lesley wips out his pokedex, quickly scanning the pokeball.


    "Do not dare to register that as your catch", Ace takes a hold of Pancham''s pokeball.


    "G, I was not about to do that", Lesley sighs, "just wanted to check what we have caught".


    "And?", Ace peeks over at the screen.


    "It has Iron Fist as its ability, oh, his ability", Lesley says with curiosity, "and his moves aren''t half bad either".


    "Good, then give it to Andrei until we settle this", Ace decides.


    "Hey, but for real, you know, a fighting type fits my battlestyle much better", Lesley tries again, "besides, I need a dark type counter, since those are trouble for me, so how about you do a nice thing?".


    "No way", Ace scoffs at him, "we''re battling".


    "Alright", Lesley sighs, handing over Pancham''s pokeball to Andrei. "I''ll get this over with quickly".


    "Oh, it will be over quickly", Ace says, stepping away, gesturing for Rockruff to come along. As he takes his position, he notices a few kids curiously looking their way. Holdong on to their parents legs, they''ve created a small audience for them. Great, he''ll have to be careful not to hit anyone on accident.


    Perhaps moving this battle to a place without people would be smarter, but Ace really just wants to get this over with. Then he can get the Pancham and leave. Lesley plants firmly across from him, and Spoink readily jumps in place.


    "I guess I''m a referee", Andrei says, still chowing down the cotton candy.


    Ace already has a plan, he knows well enough where he went wrong last time he battled Lesley. With Snarl, Spoink could blast an attack across the most of the field, which was very effective in getting rid of Double Team clones. So he''s going the other route this time.


    "Alright, if you''re both ready", Andrei sighs as Rockruff gets ready to burst into action, "battle, start".


    "Sand Attack", Ace decides immediately. Just one should be enough.


    "Nasty Plot", Lesley counters readily. The piglet pokemon gathers power as the sand hits into him.


    "Alright, Accelerock, now Rocky", Ace wastes no time.


    "Protect", Lesley says flatly, and the projectiling rocks end up crushing into the protective force field.


    "Now, Bite", Ace says readily. No way for Lesley to Protect now.


    "Dodge it, then use Confusion", Lesley says decisively. With a jump, Spoink gets out of the way of Rockruff''s jaws, and gets off an attack. Rockruff''s body goes grey and limp for a moment, before the small pokemon collapses to the ground.


    Seeing it has managed to barely hang on, Ace directs: "Accelerock". That''s the only way now.


    "Confusion, again", Lesley says. Spoink lets the rocks slam into him this time, tanking the attack, before getting of the second Confusion, effectively knocking Rockruff out.


    Ace stands there, mixture of rage and discomfort rising. He sees one of the kids pointing his way. He hates it. How did he lose to Lesley again? And this fast.


    "You know", Lesley says, recalling Spoink, "for Confusion to hit, Spoink needs to have a solid sense of his target''s position, once he does missing is very hard".


    "Fine, stop boasting", Ace scoffs, recalling Rockruff.


    "I''m not, I''m just talking to you", Lesley sighs, "you know, Sand Attack doesn''t give you much advantage when I have an attack like that, it''s much better if you had Rockruff moving around, the way Pancham did, that way Spoink can''t concentrate on him as easily".


    "Just quit it Lesley, I don''t need a lesson from you", Ace sighs.


    "Well, you got one regardless", the curly haired boy says firmly, "and I guess this means I get Pancham in the end".


    "Right", Ace''s spirit sinks. Not that he cares that much about that. He hates how he lost to Lesley, it was as if the other boy didn''t even have to think about it. Was his strategy that easy to read and counter? Besides, shouldn''t Rockruff be much better at battling than Spoink? And now Lesley was spouting the very same bullshit he always gets from Joe.


    "Right, then if this is done", Andrei hands Pancham''s pokeball to Lesley, "can we take some time off".


    "No way", Lesley says, happy to take the ball, "both you and Ace still need to catch something, and Ace needs to go to the pokemon center again".


    "I can go on my own, no need for you to waste your time, you got what you wanted from me", Ace scoffs.


    "I didn''t want anything from you", Lesley says, whipping out his phone, "now wait a moment, I need to send this to the group chat".


    "The group chat is where Lesley and Marc talk, and the rest of us basically just read through their conversations", Andrei informs Ace, "it''s called ''Apple Pie Gang'' and I hate it sincerely".


    "The name''s there cause Dean baked us an apple pie on the first day, and it was delicious", Lesley clarifies as he takes a photo of Pancham''s pokeball.


    "And Lesley and Marc have been forcing him to bake for them ever since", Andrei notes.


    "Bake for all of us", Lesley corrects him, "now Andrei, go in and like my photo, hype me up".


    "No way, let''s go", Andrei rolls his eyes.


    "Alright, you can do that later", Lesley returns his phone to his pocket, "now, where are we going next? Well, the pokemon center, but after that...".


    "I''m going on my own", Ace says flatl, stepping away.


    "Oh, cmon, Acey, don''t be bitter about this", Lesley grabs his arm, "we''ll help you catch something as well".


    "I don''t need your help, Lesley", Ace shakes free from his grasp, "I can do this alone, so you can stop acting".


    "Who''s acting?", Lesley says behind him, "you''re the only one who''s putting up an act here".


    "Oh, stop it already", Ace turns around, showing the boy away. "You''ve been acting like we are some sort of friends ever since we came to this school".


    "Hey, calm down, Ace" Lesley''s face twists, but he doesn''t try to get closer again, "we are friends, I mean, we knew each other since we were kids".


    "Oh, right, and you were ever so famously great to me while we were in elementary school", Ace can''t help yelling at him.


    "You''re causing a scene", Andrei says quietly.


    "I don''t give a fuck", Ace says loudly, "say, Lesley, do you even remember how you were to me while we were kids".


    "Cmon, Ace, don''t be like that, we''re not in middle school anymore", Lesley sighs, "I know I wasn''t always perfect, but I was a kid".


    "Well, so was I", Ace insches in closer, grabbing the other boy by the collar of his shirt.


    "Screw that", Lesley shoves him away.


    "No, screw you", Ace shouts.


    "Hey, it''s not my fault you were always like that", Lesley retorts.


    "Like what?", Ace pushes him away again, "you were at my neck all the time, and you had other kids at my neck as well".


    "Dammit, Ace, I was trying to get through to you", Lesley pushes back on him, "and I was the only one who tried, you know, you weren''t exactly likeable".


    "Oh, so you took pity on me and that''s why you went along making me a butt of the joke all the time?", Ace scoffs.


    "I''ve tried to include you somehow", Lesley retorts, "but you were always just so... touchy".


    "Well, maybe you should''ve left me alone, I would''ve appreciated it", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Yeah, I guess you would", Lesley says quietly, "you have it pretty good now then, with your teammates, they just love to leave you alone".


    "At least they''re not like you", Ace says.


    "God dude", Lesley wails, "I mean, I''m sorry I didn''t know how to quell your fucking attitude back when we were 11, are you going to hate me about it for the rest of our lives?".


    "Yes", Ace can''t help his voice cracking. "You made my life a living hell".


    "Really?", Lesley says coldly, "cause, as far as I can remember, I was the only person who actually ever talked to you, Ace".


    "Well, I never asked you to", Ace says, "just leave me alone".


    "Fine", Lealey crosses his arms, "if that''s what you want".


    "That''s what I want", Ace nods, turning around and leaving.


    *****


    Leaving the pokemon center, Ace runs into Teo. The dark haired boy seems to be in a rush to get in, and Ace really doesn''t want to know anything about it. He has his own problems to worry about. He had managed to get Lesley out of his head, but the anger was still in his system. He was lagging behind. His strategies didn''t work, and he couldn''t even catch a pokemon. He had just 2 more hours in Canalave. Something needed to change.


    Going out into the street, he barely even noticed the grey. Or rather, the grey had started to feel natural.


    Starlys were flying above him still, making circles, as if they had nothing better to do with their lives. He passed by Bidoofs, barely even noticing them. Ace quickly made his way back to that trash can where he found Scorupi. This time, he''d be catching it for sure. He wasn''t that pathetic that an unevolved pokemon could escape him twice. Unfortunately for him, Scorupi was no longer there.


    Not wanting to waste time, he continued walking, staring at trash cans and dumpsters. He was bound to find another Scorupi sooner or later. The nurse had said they were in town anyways.


    The glimpses of his battle with Lesley would come back to him each time he found nothing. It wasn''t much of a battle, he knew, yet, he still lost. It was pathetic. He landed one hit, only because Lesley let him. He couldn''t be that far bellow him. Bellow everyone else. Another trash can, still no Scorupi in sight. Maybe he was just meant to swim against the current?


    Finally, in some darkened allyway, Ace sees a pair of legs dangling over the edge of the dumpster. It''s not a Scorupi, Ace knows immediately, but it isn''t a Bidoof either. So he sticks around for the moment, just hoping it''s something good. When the small pokemon gets out of the dumpster, happily holding a half-eaten sandwich Ace''s heart almost stops. Charcadet, he recognises. How has one of those made its way to Sinnoh, he doesn''t know and doesn''t care. All he knows is, this one is coming with him, and no one will stop him.


    "Accelerock, Rocky", Ace orders immediately. As the rocks fly its way the small fire type notices them, quickly jumping upwards and avoiding them, dropping its lunch in the process. "Go on, Rocky, keep it up".


    Another round of the rocks is avoided, as Ace readies an empty pokeball. The Charcadet was bound to make a mistake sooner or later. "Again", Ace orders up. This time, after dodging, the wild pokemon retaliates with Ember. Ace can feel the heat of the attack against his face, but he doesn''t care. He''s already been poisoned, and even worse, he lost to Lesley. Nothing worse could happen to him today. He was not missing out on this catch for any reason.


    Before the boy can order the next attack, the Charcadet turns on its heel and starts running. Even that doesn''t surprise Ace, as the boy immediately starts chasing it. Running out into the main street, Rockruff right behind him, he has no intentions of losing Charcadet from his sight.


    "Attack, Rocky", his voice manages to come out strong mid run. Charcadet jumps against the wall, dodging it again, and the rocks slam themselves into the pavement. There are people in the street, Ace realises, and this is probably not the safest, but that doesn''t matter. Absolutely nothing is stopping him. Another attack by Rockruff ends up being dodged again, and Ace realises this Charcadet is incredibly agile, which only makes him want it more.


    At the very least, all the running he has been doing last week was coming to fruition, Ace thought, as he had to make another sharp turn to keep up with the fire type. His legs hurt though, and he absolutely hated it. People were looking at him as if he was a madman still. This was like Mad Max, Fast & Furious, Ace thought, immediately thinking of nicknames for Charcadet.


    "Rocky, go, hit an Accelerock in front of it", the boy decides, "let''s slow him down". Springing ahead the small dog blasts rocks, hitting the ground in front of the fire type. It slows down just enough, and Ace immediately jumps, wrestling the small pokemon to the ground. Yeah, pokemon training isn''t always as glamorous as it seems.


    As Charcadet trashes around beneath him, trying to get an Ember off, Ace readies a pokeball and bumps it over pokemon''s head. With people watching, the boy holds the pokeball tightly, pressing it with his hands as if that could help the catch. It''s like a real life equivalent of holding down the B button, Ace thinks. Is it helping? He''s not sure, but it certainly isn''t making things worse.


    When the rims of the pokeball turn blue, Ace had already decided. He''ll nickname the Charcadet Private. Only becuase it would be strange to call it Ryan.

 Chapter 15

    The math was simple. Jow wasn''t about to catch a pokemon today. It would only divert his attention from training with Riolu. He didn''t need that, especially now that Bullet Punch was finally ready, and could be utilised in battle to its full extent. They managed to develop Vacuum Wave further as well, with Riolu finally being able to fire off one-handed attacks. Joe just couldn''t wait to try it all out. Furthermore, the little battle they had with Vinnie proved one thing - the boy was capable of holding his ground. Unlike that time Riolu attacked Ves because it caught on to Joe''s fear in the moment, that last battle, the boy had managed to remain in full control. Therefore, he had no need of capturing another pokemon.


    He was in Canalave though, and he wasn''t an idiot. If he ran into a strong pokemon, of course he would catch it. Especially if it was a dark type. Although he was confident in Riolu, he wasn''t about to pass up on an opportunity to get something that would help him deal with ghost and psychic types. Especially since they seemed to be so unfortunately popular. He already knew of two people with ghost types, and one with a psychic type.


    Joe had expected a few things as well. City pokemon were not prefered. Growing up in Alola, he knew well enough that pokemon that had lived in relation to humans were rather tame. No, if he were to have anything good happen to him on this trip, he wouldn''t be staying in Canalave.


    As soon as the lecture was over, he darted outside, checking the city map on his pokedex. The ocean encased the city to the east. That''s why he ventured to the west, aiming to reach the outskirts. There should be the exit leading to Route 218 there. As far as he could tell, the space housed mostly water type pokemon, as the river was close by, so the likelihood of finding a good dark type was low. That did not bother him much, as catching a pokemon wasn''t his primary objective. What he really wanted to do was train against some wild pokemon. He didn''t have many chances to do that on the island, and that sort of training had its benefits. It was definitely riskier, since there was no telling what wild pokemon would do, and no way to limit their number, but that''s exactly what had made it a good training.


    The boy paid no attention to the greyness around him, and Riolu didn''t seem to care too much about it either. The only thing he noticed was that there were too many Bidoof out in the city. For a second he considered getting rid of them, but decided against it. Regardless, he was quick to reach the exit of the town.


    As he faced the iron bridge, standing tall over the river''s rift, there was only one problem. The thing was under construction, and using it was prohibited. The map didn''t show that. The next nearest bridge would require another 30 minutes of walking, and Joe hated to waste time.


    The space around the bridge seemed to be deserted anyways, Joe thought. The yellow tape of warning was there, but workers were not. Or anyone else. And the bridge seemed stable enough. Quickly raising the tape up, he stepped onto the construction space. It''s not like one person walking over the bridge would cause it to collapse. The consreuction was probably done for cargo trucks anyways, Joe figured. And he wasn''t a cargo truck, therefore, he could pass. Riolu followed after him without hesitation.


    Still, anyone seeing him was a concern, so the boy made another quick scan of his surrounding, and made a run for the bridge. Just as he had assumed, the construction was sturdy, and people could safely walk over to the other side. The giant iron strings split the horizon in multiple small parts as Joe strolled forwards. It wasn''t his first time veturing into the wild. Team Skull used to do it all the time back home, and Joe had often accompanied them. This was, however, the first time he''s doing it all alone and with a pokemon of his own.  Admittedly, he felt the slightest of fear, clinging to the Skull bandana he had in his pocket. Riolu was there at least, he remembered. He looked at hid partner, realising the fighting type looks as unbothered as always. He appreciated it, the fact Riolu was always ready to follow along. Perhaps the pokemon believed in his vision. Was Riolu ever scared? On a whim, Joe decided to take out the bandana out of his pocket.


    Gesturing for his partner to come closer, the boy crouched in front of him. "Here, Rio, I want you to have this", he says as he carefully ties the fabric around pokemon''s neck. It feels like the right thing in the moment. The Team Skull guys would probably live Riolu, Joe thinks, so they wouldn''t mind him. And he can always get a new bandana for himself, he''ll be back home tomorrow anyways. Riolu just looks at him with barren eyes, and Joe''s not sure if the pokemon understands the way this is weighing on him. Then he remembers, Riolu can read emotions. He probably does understand. There is no sign of that. Maybe his teammates were right, it crosses Joe''s mind. Maybe Riolu''s not picking up on anything, because there''s nothing to be picked up on. Maybe he''s just convinced himself he has emotions when, in fact, he has none. He''s not even sure what the emotions really are. So what if he''s just acting?


    "Dressing up your pokemon?", Marc''s voice snaps him back to reality. Raising his head, Joe sees both Marc and Henry standing above him. When did they even get there? Not that he minds it, he knows they won''t rat him out. "And doing that on the bridge, why are you even here?", Marc continues, his eyebrows raised.


    Joe feels some blood rush to his cheeks. "Hey, I just thought I''d do some training with wild pokemon", he keeps his voice even.


    "You could''ve done that in the city", Marc points out, taking a small step back.


    "It''s not the same", Joe says, still firmly planted in his place.


    "Well, you could''ve asked Hen and I to come along then", Marc continues.


    "Didn''t want to bother you", Joe says simply.


    "It''s not a bother", Marc notes, "we''re friends, right?".


    "Right", Joe nods, avoiding a flinch.


    "Really?", Marc steps towaeds him, "cause I''m not sure about it sometimes, you know".


    "I mean, I think we are", Joe steps back.


    "Marc", Henry places his hand on the boy''s shoulder, "let it be".


    "Right", Marc clears his throat, "sorry, I don''t want to argue here, I just want to know".


    "What do you want to know?", Joe avoids meeting his eyes.


    "I mean, if we are friends, really?", Marc shoots out, "we''re together pretty much all the time, but you never really talk to us about anything other than school and stuff".


    "Guess it just didn''t come up", Joe shrugs, his throat going sore. All he knows is, he doesn''t like this. His body feels strange, as if its not his. Every movement feels unnatural. Riolu shuffles uncomfortably, moving closer to his trainer.


    "Well, I get it, you''re not great with stuff like that", Marc scratches his head, "but you know, you could''ve told me and Henry you wanted to go and train, we would''ve went along".


    "Right, I just don''t really do that", Joe admits. Besides, he really didn''t want Henry to know about the new Vacuum Wave variant he wanted to test out. But he didn''t want Marc to take all of this personally. Truth be told, Marc felt comfortable to him. He was easy-going, accent on the ''going''. There wasn''t too many people in the school who were always ready to jump into stuff. Joe appreciated it, really. Maybe he could word it? But he wouldn''t say it in front of the Henry, how much Marc reminded him of his friends back home.


    "Right, you don''t", Marc steps back again. "I just wanted to know, I guess, sometimes I feel like you don''t even like us".


    "I mean, I do, I guess, the two of you are the best guys I met in this school", Joe''s not sure how to approach this. He doesn''t want to say the wrong thing. Apparently, he''s great at saying the wrong thing. "It''s not like I''m trying to avoid you, or anything, really", he adds.


    "We know", Henry cuts them off, "Marc''s just a little bit agitated by your behaviour, that''s all". Truly, Joe appreciated Henry as well, for always saying it like it is.


    "Yeah, well, Henry and you are the best guys I''ve met here as well", Marc admits, his face turning red, "I mean, you two are the only ones who want to battle with me constantly, and push me further, I guess, but to be fair, sometimes I wonder if I''m just a bother to you".


    "You''re not", Joe reaches for him, but thinks better and stops himself.


    "Really? I mean, I hate to do the whole insecure thing, cause I''m not, but", Marc throws his head back, "I guess the two of you are the strongest guys that I''ve met here, so you know, maybe I''m just slowing you down, and I know you don''t really like talking about yourselves too much, and that''s just the way you are, but sometimes, I just think you would prefer if I weren''t there".


    "Nonsense, Marc", Henry reassures him, "we prefer it when you are there, and it''s not like you are a weakling either".


    "Compared to you two, I am", Marc states.


    "That''s cause you have a quadruple weeknes against both of us", Joe tries.


    "You know that''s not the whole reason", Marc sighs.


    "Look, the point is, you''ll get stronger", Henry says, "all three of us will".


    "Yeah, and no one is slowing anyone down", Joe''s happy that Henry has put this into words for him.


    "Well, technically, we are slowimg you down right now", Marc laughs a little, "sorry".


    "I mean, you can come along if you want to", Joe adds quickly, "really, I just didn''t know you''d be interested".


    "Actually", Henry steps in before Marc can agree, "I had a different kind of training in mind, if you would agree".


    "What sort of training?", Joe asks in surprise.


    "I am ready to face you now", Henry clears his throat, "so I would like to have my rematch right now, if you are up for it".


    Joe thinks about it for a second. He was looking forward to battling Henry again, but the boy had stayed adamant about not doing that up until now. On the other hand, now was a weird time to do that. "I mean, I really wanted to do some wild pokemon training right now", Joe looks over at Marc. "Can''t that wait just a little bit longer?".


    "It can", Henry nods, "however, think about it, you''re going back home for the weekend, right?".


    "I am", Joe confirms.


    "Well, you''ll be able to train with wild pokemon during the weekend then", Henry points out, "on the other hand, you won''t be able to battle me at least until Monday".


    "I guess you have a point there", Joe nods.


    "If we battle now, we both gain new insights that we can put to use immediately", Henry continues, "so I think it''s better to do this now".


    Joe nods along. Henry''s probably right. If they battle now, then he can incorporate anything he learns during their battle into his weekend training. Besides, he''s confident in his new moves, and testing them out in a real battle has its benefits. There''s just one thing wrong.


    "Marc, is it alright if Henry and I battle now?", Joe looks over at the blond boy.


    "Um", Marc stutters, "yeah, yeah, it''s cool, I mean, honestly, I''ve been waiting to see it, so it''s alright".


    "Really?", Henry raises his eyebrow, "you won''t end up feeling left out?".


    "No, no, really, it''s fine", Marc nods along, "I mean, both of you battle me all the time, I guess it''s cool if I sit back and watch for once".


    "Alright then, Henry", Joe nods, "I''ll take you on, where do you want to do this?".


    "Right here", Henry says simply.


    "Wait, the bridge is under construction", Marc points out.


    "It''s safe enough", Joe says calmly, taking a few steps back to create some space, "a battle won''t collapse it".


    "Right, it won''t", Henry complies, stepping back as well.


    "Alright, if you say so", Marc sighs, "then I''ll referee".


    "That would be highly appreciated", Henry says, sending out his Mienfoo.


    "Just so you know", Marc says looking between them, "I''m actually excited to see how this goes". The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Thanks buddy, we''ll do our best", Henry says with a small smile.


    "Yeah, we will", Joe nods. His eyes keep darting between them. He''s not sure if Marc has fully gotten over this whole ordeal, or is he just hiding it well for Henry''s and his sake. And Henry being Henry isn''t helping him feel much better. He remembers their first battle. It was a double battle, and it went in his favour. There was no sand to use as a cover this time around though. And he saw Henry battle against Vinnie as well, so Joe was sure his friend has grown stronger. He had some new tricks as well, however.


    "Alright then, if both of you are ready", Marc clears his throat, "battle, begin".


    "Trailblaze", Henry says immdiately, and Minefoo rushes in quickly.


    "Dodge it, Rio", Joe can guess what comes after, he''s aware of the Mach Punch, he''s not letting Henry bait out a Detect right at the start.


    As Mienfoo''s arm envelops with grassy energy, Riolu easily avoids the attack.


    "Mach Pucnh", Henry orders readily, and the weasel pokemon shoots a fast puch towards Riolu.


    "Detect", Joe counters, allowing his pokemon to easily dodge the second consecutive attack.


    "Trailblaze, now", Henry orders.


    "Dodge", Joe says, Mienfoo''s already tied two attacks together. One of his arms is on the side, and he had used the second one to shoot out a Mach Punch just now. He couldn''t reposition fast enough for another Trailblaze to hit. Riolu would have more than enough time to avoid it.


    Turning in its place, swinging both of its arms backwards, Mienfoo hits a swift Trailblaze with his leg, sending Riolu flying back.


    "And that''s a trick we came up with specifically for you", Henry would sound triumphant if his voice wasn''t flat.


    Joe quickly recovers from the surprise. Henry''s definitley improved. "Bullet Punch", he goes for a quick counter.


    "Detect", Henry commands, realising Riolu''s fast to get back on his feet and launch an attack. "Get away". Flashing his eyes, Mienfoo avoids the incoming Bullet Punch, starting to jump backwards.


    "Vacuum Wave", Joe has no intention of giving Henry any room to breathe. Not now that he had gotten the speed boost. The boy feels his heart pounding in his chest as the Vacuum Wave doesn''t reach its target in time. "Bullet Punch, Rio", Joe decides he needs to get into it.


    "Detect", Henry says confidently, as his Mienfoo gets out of the way yet again.


    "Vacuum Wave, double it", Joe is ready to try his new trick.


    "Get out of the way", Henry orders up. Riolu quickly shoots his arm forward, sending a balst Mienfoo''s way, which the weasel promptly avoids. The small dog swiftly does the same with his second arm, managing to land a hit this time. It''s weak, but more than enough to throw his opponent off balance.


    "Bullet Punch, now", Joe says immediately, and Riolu rushes in again. He won''t let Henry regain his rhythm, he''s not losing this one. However much the other boy has improved, it didn''t matter, Joe has improved as well.


    "Detect", Henry doesn''t seem bothered, and get Mienfoo to avoide another attack.


    "Vacuum Wave", Joe says readily, and rhis time, there''s no escape, Riolu manages to hit, blasting the weasel pokemon backwards.


    "Bullet Punch", Joe doesn''t let up. He sees well enough, he can''t let Henry get an attack off.


    "Detect", Henry says again, and as Mienfoo avoid the incoming attack he adds, "Mach Punch".


    "Detect into Vacuum Wave", Joe reacts quickly, managing to avoid the immediate hit. But he realises it, Henry manages to throw him off his rhythm with this.


    "Detect the Vacuum Wave", Henry orders readily, and Joe knows he has to find a way out of this. If Henry keeps Detecting his long range attacks, he''ll be forced to get in close, but he''d be in danger of a counter. There was one way out of this, but it''s risky.


    "Mach Punch", Henry goes onto the offensive.


    "Detect", Joe reacts, "get back Rio". He has to create some space, he realises. Riolu easily moves away from the incoming attack, and starts to move backwards.


    "Trailblaze, keep the pressure up", Henry orders, adamant on not letting Riolu escape.


    "Dodge it", Joe says confidently. Now that Riolu''s managed to move back just a little bit, it should be easy to stay out of the reach, even if Mienfoo used his legs for the attack.


    "Mach Punch", Henry presses on.


    "Detect", Joe says, figuring out he won''t be getting a chance to catch his breath. As Riolu avoids the punch, Henry orders another Trailblaze, which Riolu promptly avoids.


    Thinking swiftly, Joe realises Bullet Punch would be avoided easily now, sonce Riolu''s moving backwards. It wouldn''t suceed in bringing back the advantage to him. Not on its own, at least. But it could be a decoy.


    "Bullet Punch", Joe orders, ready to take over the fight again.


    "Dodge it", Henry says. Exactly what Joe had expected, his opponent is saving Detect for the Vacuum Wave. It takes Riolu a moment to switch the direction of his movements, and Mienfoo has just enough time to dodge the attack.


    Knowing the Detect is coming, Joe orders: Vaccum Wave, double it, Rio". The first one will be avoided, the second one will sway the tempo back in Joe''s favour.


    "Aerial Ace", Henry says instead.


    "Rio, get back", Joe watches as Mienfoo lets the firs blast hit him, just to swiftly fly his arm upwards, cutting through the air and sending Riolu backwards in the process.


    Flinching, Joe finds his head''s gone blank for a second. His plan has failed, and all he knows is his heart is pounding even faster now.


    "Mach Punch", Henry is first to realise Riolu is still standing, barely hanging on.


    "Detect", Joe says hastily. He has to counter this. Riolu''s eyes flash in blue, as the pokemon escapes the attack. Bullet Punch or Vacuum Wave, Joe tries to think what would be better now. Before he can decide, Riolu''s up in the air, his eyes still blue, his hands flashing in gray. The pokemon shoots a fast Bullet Punch at Mienfoo, making it stop for a second.


    Joe''s not sure what''s going on, but he orders a Vacuum Wave instictively. Riolu''s hands flash in grey again, as the pokemon darts across the field aiming at Henry with a Metal Claw. "Rio, no", Joe yells out, as he desperately tries to fish out his pokeball.


    "Mienfoo, Mach Punch", Henry is much faster to react, and his partner catches up just in time to hit Riolu at his back, sendimg him to the ground.


    Joe''s sure his partner''s fainted already, but, as he finally takes hold of the pokeball, he is fast to recall him. Just in case. His heart is still beating, he feels it everywhere. It feels as if any movement could make his head burst open. Did battling always feel like this? No, it didn''t. He remembers to breathe. He can only look at Henry, who''s staring back at him. Is he mad?


    Looking over at Marc, he sees the boy staring at him, wide eyed. "Um", the boy stutters, "Henry wins, I guess".


    "Sorry", Joe says. His voice is shaking, he realises. "I don''t know why Rio did that".


    Henry walks over to him with firm steps, placing his hand on Joe''s shoulder. "Calm down", the boy says, "everything''s fine".


    "Yeah, cause you reacted in time", Joe pants, "Rio could''ve hurt you".


    "He didn''t", Henry says simply.


    "It would be my fault", Joe says shakily, "I lost control, but I didn''t mean to, I mean, I don''t even know how it happened, it''s not like I wanted to hurt you, I promise".


    "Riolu catches onto your emotions, not your thoughts", Henry says simply.


    "I", Joe starts, realising he''s at loss for words, "I really didn''t meant to do that, I''m sorry".


    "It''s fine", Henry nods, "though, I''ll keep in mind that you really don''t like losing".


    Right. He lost, Joe realises. That was the first battle he lost since becoming a trainer. From the moment that Aerial Ace hit, he knew he''d lose. Was that enough to get his emotions off balance. And what were those emotions anyways?


    "Dude, are you alright?", Marc walks up to them, "both of you?".


    "I''m good", Henry nods slowly, "I reacted in time, nothing happened, Joe seems a bit shaken up though".


    "I''m fine", Joe reassures them. It was the truth as far as he knew, his head was clear, and he knew both Henry and Marc didn''t blame him. The guilt still remained, along with that pounding heart. He felt in his head still, his throat, and legs, everywhere.


    "Well, that was a close call", a voice comes above them, proping all three boys to look up in urgency. "This was not a smart idea at all", the tall dark haired boy said, his voice low and raspy.


    Flinching, Joe realised he had no idea when the boy had appeared, how could he sneak up on them like that? To make matters worse, he knew exactly who the boy was. He had recognised Dominic instantly, even though he never formally met him. It was enough seeing him on the plane, sat together with Vinnie and that otger blond guy he assumes was Mikey.


    "It was a good battle though, both of you are strong", Dominic goes on, not waiting for anyone else to speak. He saw the battle, Joe thought. Could he get them into trouble? No, battles were allowed during the school trip. Technically. They could battle wild pokemon. He could lie his way out of that one. "Too bad it ended like that, Riolu went berserker, what''s up with that?", Dominic is still talking. They are on the bridge, Joe rememberes, the one that''s out of order. This guy could have them all expelled, it dawned on Joe. Ace will murder him.


    "Relax, I won''t rat you out", Dominic must''ve notice the way the three were looking at him, "I gain nothing from it, besides, I''m not a snitch".


    "Not sure if I trust you, buddy", Marc says through gritted teeth. Henry quickly stops him.


    "Why are you even here?", Henry questions.


    "I saw you walk up here, and I decided to follow you", Dominic say bluntly, "you''re really easy to sneak up on, actually".


    "Thanks, I guess", Marc scoffs.


    "Anyways, I won''t mention this, honest to God", the boy raises his hands in the air, "well, under one condition".


    "Oh, great", Joe sighs. This guy is about to blackmail them.


    "I want to battle the two of you", Dominic says simply. "Well, not right now, obviously", he adds quickly, "but when we get back to school, I want a match".


    "Dominic, right?", Joe questions, still trying to calm himself down.


    "Yeah, and you''re Joe I suppose, the guy with a Riolu", Dominic nods. "Henry?", he turns towards the other boy giving him a questioning look. Henry just nods in conformation. "And you would be?", Dominic points at Marc, waiting for an answer.


    "I''m Marc", the blond boy says, crossing his arms.


    "Right, Vinnie didn''t remember your name", Dominic notes shortly, "well, either way, glad to meet you all, so, about that battle...".


    "Maybe recollect yourself a bit", Joe manages to recover a bit, "we don''t even know you, and we don''t even like you or your teammates".


    "Well, if you don''t know me, how can you say you don''t like me?", Dominic questions.


    "By the virtue of your teammate setting up one of mine", Joe keeps his voice flat. All he wants to do is dart off of that bridge.


    "Well, I''m not Bo, you know", Dominic says, "so that kind of thinking is kind of unfair".


    "Why would we trust you anyways", Henry cuts him off, "maybe you just want to set us up as well".


    "No, I do not want to do that", Dominic responds.


    "And we should trust you because...", Marc raises his eyebrow.


    "Look, the only two people I have fun battling with in this school are Mikey and Vinne, and that gets kind of boring", Dominic sighs, "you two seem strong, I just want to battle someone new, that''s all". He looks over at Marc adding: "you can join as well, we''ll make it a 3v1, that should be fun".


    "Wow, you remind me of someone", Marc laughs, looking between Joe and Henry.


    "Sneaking up on us just to ask for a battle?", Joe says flatly, "that doesn''t sit right with me". Truly, he just wants to go away, heal Riolu, and try to figure out why the hell his partner acted out this time around.


    "Hey, it was a good battle, I got excited", Dominic admits, "and honestly, given the history between our teams, I doubt you''d look kindly at my offer even if I asked you under different circumstances".


    "Dude, I think the three of are like long lost brothers or something", Marc laughs. At least he is feeling a bit better, Joe thinks.


    "Once again, I won''t rat you out, that''s not my style", Dominic reaffirms, "so you three think about my offer on our way to the pokemon center".


    "Sorry to inform you, we''re not going to the pokemon center with you", Joe says.


    "Well, Riolu''s fainted, and Mienfoo is in need of healing as well, so I suppose that''s where you guys will be going", Dominic shrugs, "and I''ll be accompanying you".


    "Alright", Marc decides for them, "let''s go". Henry tries shooting him a stern glance, but the blond boy waves him off. "I like this guy, Hen, he seems cool, and my gut is never wrong", the boy says, "and I think you should accept his challenge as well".


    Joe''s only slightly surprised at Marc'' s behaviour. He''s like that with people. This time, however, he decides to go along, at least for a little bit. Riolu really needs to get to the pokemon center. And he needs to figure this out. Until he does, he''s not battling Henry again.


    *****


    Teo jumped up from the sofa as soon as he saw him, flinching a bit when he noticed Dominic. Without a word, he stood behind him as Joe left Riolu to the nurse.


    "Hey, I''ve been looking for you", the boy whispers almost conspiratively to him, "what''s that guy doing with you?". He looks over his shoulder to see Dominic giving him a wave. "Don''t tell me you''re friends with him now?".


    "I''m not", Joe says simply, "what do you want?". He really doesn''t want Teo bugging him right now.


    "Oh, I have something for you", the boy says, quikcly dragging him away to the corner. Joe lets him do it without complaining. Whatever it is, he just wants to get this over with. Teo produces the pokeball from his pocket, shoving it into Joe''s hand. "Here, now we''re even", he says.


    "What''s with this Teo?", Joe says flatly.


    "You gave up catching Totodile so I could have a partner that can battle", Teo points out, "so, I wanted to return the favour, and I know how much you wanted a psychic type, plus, this one reminds me of you, so it all works out".


    "Teo, I didn''t want to catch a pokemon", Joe sighs, "so don''t drop this on me".


    "Look", Teo says, "I saved this guy from the poachers and I thought you''d like it, so just keep it, alright?".


    "Teo, you can''t just spring a pokemon onto me", Joe says, the pounding in his chest returning.


    "It''s an Espurr", Teo notes, "and I thought you''d like a psychic type".


    "Really?", Joe says in surprise, "you thought I''d like to have a pokemon weak to ghost types, when I already have one that can''t hit them?".


    "Cmon, I just wanted to do a nice thing here", Teo sighs, "I couldn''t leave this pokemon with those guys".


    "Well, you train it then", Joe says simply, "or realease it, don''t go springing it onto me".


    "Oh my God, why can''t you just accept a gift for once", Teo wails, "don''t you like psychic types?".


    "I do, but I don''t need one right now", Joe retorts.


    "But just keep it, no one''s forcing you to actually use it", Teo yells a bit, turning everyone''s attention to them.


    "Calm down", Joe whispers.


    "No, no", Teo keeps talking, "I don''t get this, dude, I get kidnapped, almost thrown into the river, and I try to do something nice for you, and you can''t just simply".


    "Dude, I don''t need a new pokemon", Joe responds, trying and failing to keep his voice low, "especially not an Espurr".


    "Well, right, so what, now I''m an asshole who''s forcing you into this?", Teo yells, as Marc and Henry manifest next to them. "I just want to return the favour, why can''t you just let me do that?".


    "It''s not about you, Teo. I can''t have an Espurr right now. Those things are as unstable as they get, you should know that". Joe realises he''s yelling. His body is tense.


    "Well, what''s that to you", Teo yells back, "you''re pretty good with things like that, I mean you already have Riolu".


    "Yeah, and Riolu has already attacked both you and Ves, let me remind you", Joe feels the rush of blood on his head, "and it''s attacked Henry as well, so do you really want me to have an Espurr?".


    "When the hell did it attack Henry?", Teo snaps back, "and why the hell are you crying?".


    Joe didn''t realise a few tears have rolled off from his eyes. He wipes them, lowering his voice: "just now, we battled, Rio lost control".


    "Oh, I had no idea", Teo steps back, as Marc wraps his arm around Joe. "Look, that doesn''t matter, I mean, everyone is fine", Teo states carefully.


    "Right, because Henry managed to react in time", Joe clears his throat. He hates the way his stomach feels as if it was caving in, and he hates the way Teo is talking to him.


    "So, um, you lost to Henry?", Teo asks curiously, "that''s why you''re like that right now?".


    "No, no", Joe says. "I mean, I did, I did lose, but that''s not why, I have no idea why I''m like this".


    "Well, what else has happened?", Teo questions.


    "Nothing", Joe says. "Just stop asking questions, alright", he adds quikcly. Nothing else has happened. And he had no idea why Riolu acted on his own this time. He couldn''t explain it to himself, and definitely not to Teo.


    "Alright I won''t", Teo raises his hands. "However", the boy offers up Espurr''s pokeball again, "please, do take this pokemon".


    "Teo", Joe starts.


    "Wait, no, I don''t want to force this onto you really", Teo cuts him off, "but I did catch it for you, so please, just take it".


    "Teo, really", Joe says, his throat feeling filled with needles.


    "Look, release it if you want to, or give it to someone else", Teo says, "just please, take it".


    "Alright, if you will leave me alone", Joe says, taking the pokeball from his teammate.


    "I will", Teo says promisingly.

 Partners Chronicles - Yamper On A Plane

    The plane on the air smells strangely sterile. It reminds Yamper of those rooms he was at before he met Sam. They were called a ''nursery'', the small pokemon thinks. They always had treats there and everybody called him a good boy, so he liked those rooms very much.


    Turning around to look at his trainer who''s fast asleep, Yamper concludes Sam isn''t giving him nearly enough treats. The boy isn''t meeting the ''good boy'' quota either. Still, Yamper likes Sam, he runs a lots with him, which is fun. And he helps with the electricity as well. Right, Sam helps him use his electric attacks, which Yamper really enjoys. The Nuzzle always felt like a tickle, which soothed the small dog. Although, he had forgotten to do that now, and has learned Thunderbolt instead. Yamper''s not sure why he had to forget Nuzzle. Sam said something about game mechanics and physical limitations of Gameboy. Yamper had no idea what a Gameboy is, but he had hoped it was a treat. Perhaps it tasted nice. Thunderbolt felt good as well, like a surge of air and electricity through his body. Releasing all of that made the small dog feel very powerful. Though, Sam wasn''t too happy with his power, which made Yamper kind of said.


    He couldn''t blame the boy. The small dog could sense his partenr wasn''t feeling happy. Even now, while he was asleep on the plane, Sam looked kind of worried. Yamper licked his face softly, trying to chase away boy''s worries. It was not very effective.


    Yamper knew, Sam was unhappy because of the other four boys. The small dog didn''t really know them. There was that one that had Riolu, he went for a run with him and Sam once, and gave Yamper treats a few times, so the electric dog liked him. He was not sure why Sam didn''t. Maybe it was Riolu. Yamper talked to Riolu a few times, and the ffighting type was okay, but a little bit strange. There was that other boy as well, the one with blond hair, he was Yamper''s favourite. He gave Yamper treats and pets, but only when nobody else was there. He also had a Rockruff. Yamper really liked Rockruff, he was friendly and fun, but the rocks around his neck were kind of sharp. They played a few times, but only when no one else was there. Yamper wasn''t sure why the blond boy didn''t let Rockruff play more. The other two boys were both dark and Yamper didn''t know them too much. One of them had a Houndour, a pokemon Yamper was scared of. The other one had Absol, whom Yamper had seen only once, the day he met Sam. And Absol was not that talkative that day. Either way, Yamper was sure the other four boys were the reason his partner was unhappy.


    After burrying his face into Sam''s shoulder a few times, and realising the boy''s not waking up anytime soon, Yamper decides he wants to do something else. Sam is stiing between two other people. One of them is an old man, and the other is a girl with long brown hair. She''s sat next to a window, which Yamper really wants to look through, so he turns around to ask her for permission to sit in her lap.


    "Hey, little one", the girl''s voice is sweet and soft, "what''s up, your trainer''s asleep?".


    Yamper barks in confirmation, wrestling his way out of Sam''s arms and reaching for the girl.


    "Oh, you want to come over here?", she asks with a smile, happy to let the small dog sit in her lap.


    Yamper immediatly burries his head against the window, just to find the outside is all blue and white. The blue parts look faded, while the white ones look fluffy like cotton candy. Yamper wants to eat it. "Those are clouds", the girl explains. Yamper watches as these ''clouds'' pass by them, as if they are trying to escape them. Maybe Sam would like these ''clouds'', Yamper thinks, maybe he''d feel better if he saw them. Or maybe they''d be a good metaphor for his internal conflicts, confusions and clouded judgement. Even if the clouds were something bad, Yamper still likes them. Clouds were also a part of life, which made them worth loving, Yamper decided.


    Turning around he licked Sam''s face again, csusing the boy to shuffle in his place.


    "He''s probably tired", the girl says to Yamper, "are you bored because your trainer is asleep?".


    Yamper gives a small bark in order to say: "yes, yes I absolutely am, wake him up and tell him to look at these ''clouds'' with me, and also, to give me a treat".


    The girl doesn''t really pick up on everything Yamper wants but she shows him two pokeballs instead. "Here, I can get you some friends", she says with a smile as she presses two button.


    From the blue light a small blue penguin appears, from the other one the little blue bird with fluffy white wings. "These are Piplup and Swablu", the girl says softly, "the three of you can go and play, but be careful, and don''t bother anyone, alright?".


    The small penguin waddles around, and the bird lets out a chirp, as they make their way away from the seat.


    Yamper jumps out from the girl''s lap, enthusiastically barking at the two new pokemon. What he''s trying to say is: "Hi, I''m Bolt, the Yamper".


    Swablu spreads its wings, making a small circle around the airplane, before promptly landing on top of Yamper''s head. The small dog barks happily, glad to have made the new friend. The bird chirps in exhilaration as to say: "let''s go for a walk".


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Piplup let''s out a small growl, firmly flapping its small arms, as to remind them that the girl had told them not to cause any trouble.


    "Us?", Swablu chirps, "trouble?".


    "Never", Yamper barks.


    Piplup places its flaps to the sides with a weak growl that translates to: "for some reason, I find it hard to believe the two of you".


    Swablu keeps on chirping, ignoring the Piplup: "so what are we going to do?".


    Yamper barks back at her: "I saw a women bringing treats from there". He nudges his hadns towards the doors. "Sam was asleep so I didn''t get any", Yamper keeps barking, "we should go and get some".


    Piplup starts growling frantically: "no, no, that''s theft you guys".


    "What''s theft?", Swablu chirps in confusion.


    "I don''t know but maybe it tastes good, so let''s go", Yamper barks away before happily jolting forwards with Swablu still on his head.


    "Wait, no", Piplup growls as it tries waddling behind them.


    Yamper''s done a lots of running with Sam, so making it to the big grey doors is a piece of cake. He, however, didn''t have a lots of practice opening doors. He saw Sam do it all the time, but Yamper had no idea how to do it. He was confident Sam used his arms for that. He looked around just to note neither him nor his new friends had any arms. This is a serious roadblock on their quest, he realises.


    "Piplup, can you open the doors with your wings?", Yamper turns around to bark his new friend.


    "No, no I can''t", Piplup growl sternly, "even if I could, I wouldn''t help you steal something".


    "Cmon, Pip, let your moral compass loose", Swablu chirps merrily, "live a little".


    "You are morally questionable", Piplup growls back, "I am not stepping over to the dark side just so the two of you could satisfy your gluttony".


    "What if we ask nicely?", Yamper barks an offer.


    "No", Piplup growls.


    "Wait, let me try", Swablu chirps, flying upwards, and ladning on the handle. It doesn''t budge. "See, this is exactly why I need to eat more", the bird chirps at the Piplup with a note of bitternes.


    "Maybe I can Thunderbolt it open?", Yamper barks.


    "No, you are aboslutely not doing that", Piplup face palms.


    "Why not?", Yamper twists his head in confusion.


    "Because I said so", Piplup growls firmly.


    Yamper lets out a defeated bark, realising he would have to give up on his quest for food. Why couldn''t Sam capture a friend with arms for him? Desperately, he looks around himself, and his eyes land on a pokemon sat on one of the chairs. It''s a Mr. Mime, very serious looking, but more importantly, it has arms.


    Seeing an opportunity, Yamper runs up to the pokemon, noticing its trainer is sleeping in the seat next to him. "Ahem, ahem, Sir", Yamper tries to make his barks polite and formal, "Sir, could you please open the doors for us".


    Mr. Mime tilts its head to the side, without giving an answer. It doesn''t want to help them, Yamper thinks. The pokemon raises its arm upwards, making it glow. Yamper hears something click behind him.


    Swablu lands on his head and starts chirping frantically: "Bolt, Bolt, the doors opened, let''s go".


    Yamper realises the Mr. Mime is a psychic type. "Thank you, Sir", the small dog gives a quick bow before jolting off towards the door.


    The three friends make their way into a small room, just to instantly realise it''s filled with food.


    "We are rich", Swablu chirps, leaping into the air, and quickly grabbing a few biscuits, dropping them down to Yamper and Piplup.


    "We are criminals", Piplup wails, but bites into the biscuit regardless.


    Yamper quikcly swallows one of the biscuit, then proceeds to do the same with a second one. Before he can get to the third one he hears a voice coming from the doors: "hey, who left this open".


    Turning around he sees a woman, staring into three of them.


    "No, I can''t go back to prison", Piplup frantically runs between the woman''s legs, but not before it picks up another biscuit from the ground.


    "Adios amigos", Swablu chirps as it flies around the woman and exits the room as well.


    Prison? No one mentioned prison, Yamper thinks. He doesn''t know what it is, but he doesn''t want to go there. Jolting, he runs between woman''s legs as well, making his way to freedom.


    "Stop it, you three", the woman yells behind them, but Yamper isn''t turning around.


    Thanks to his training, he''s quick to make his way back to Sam, instantly jumping into boy''s lap, and burrying himself inside of his hoodie.


    "Um, what, what''s going on", the boy yawns, only then waking up. "Hey, Bolt, what''s up buddy", he asks grogily, noticing the small dog is trying to hide away in his clothes.


    "They are coming for me", Yamper barks frantically.


    "Oh, you wanna play", Sam''s lips twirl into a smile.


    "I''m a wanted criminal, you fool", Yamper keeps barking at him, "hide me".


    "We''re on a plane buddy", Sam says, "I can''t let you run around like that".


    "Hey, hey", the familiar voice rings behind Yamper and he knows his freedom is about to meet its end. "Is that Yamper yours kid?", the woman asks Sam firmly.


    "Um, yeah", Sam says, still sleepy.


    "And those two are yours?", she adresses the girl, gesturing towards Piplup and Swablu.


    "Yes, they are", the girl says.


    "Well, those three broke into the storage room and stole the treats", the woman informs them.


    "What?", the girl says in surprise. Turning to her pokemon she said: "I said no causing trouble you two".


    Piplup starts waving its wings around and complaining: "it''s not my fault, I''ve tried to stop them, but the two of them are corrupted, it''s beyond the point of return, I say, just let them drown in the life of crime".


    "Oh, well, they were probably just hungry", Sam scratches his head, "did they break anything?".


    "No, they just stole a few biscuits", the woman informs them.


    "Well, is it alright if I just pay for those?", Sam shrugs, "how much are they?".


    "One''s 50pd", the woman says, "they ate like 5, I think".


    "Oh, well, they are not that expensive", Sam says, "I can pay for that, can you bring a few more as well, I think Bolt''s just hungry".


    "Yeah, could you bring a few more for these two as well", the girl asks apologetically, "I kept them in their pokeballs when you passed, I didn''t know they were hungry".


    "Wow", Piplup growls, taken aback, "these two are big on permissive parenting, huh".


    "Sure thing", the woman eases up a bit, "but please, don''t let them roam the plane freely, someone could''ve gotten hurt".


    "We won''t, no worries", Sam says, petting Yamper''s head.


    The woman dissapears for a second, and Yamper realises, all things included, he''s happy to have a partner like Sam.

 Chapter 16

    Mornings in Nimbasa city are barren. At night, the colorful lights seem as they could consume everything, but the mornings were always enveloped in grey, especially in the midst of September. Walking down one of the streets, Ves realises just how different his life seems now. The path is strangely familiar. In this place, his entire life up until now used to reside. He''d taken this same morning stroll often, it was his usual path to school. He knew it by heart, yet it felt strange. He''s been gone for just 2 weeks, yet the sidewalk, the air, they all felt foreign. Or he had found himself to be a foreigner.


    Unlike all of those years of going to school, when he would wake up at 7 AM, this time he wasn''t forced to wake up that early. Yet, he woke up, like he always did, leaving his house at 7:20 precisely, after grabbing the fastest of breakfasts. Just like he always did. His vision still somewhat blurry, he half-expected to see the main building of Old King''s rise in front of him. But it never did. He had to remind himself, he''s back home.


    Even just waking up in his own room was strange. He was alone, no multiple beds, or that creecking window, no wait on using the bathroom, no Ace complaining about anything, or Joe bursting in after one of his runs. Two weeks was all it took Ves to get used to a life completely different than his own. It was complete silence, and the boy was not sure how he felt about it. He''d call it familiar, it surrounded him for the most of his life. Now, however, it felt unnatural to him, it came with unease and a clutched fists.


    The streets of Nimbasa had one more strange effect on Ves, they acted like a catalyst for automatic behaviour. He almsot missed the park he was trying to go to, his head just naturally assumed he''s on his way to school once more.


    During his flight last night, he did some research, deciding he''ll attempt to teach Houndour how to use Bite. He should be able to do that without too much trouble, he concluded, especially if Rex was right about his partner being naturally inclined towards physical attacks. Though he wasn''t sure if Houndour was yet developed to the point where he could learn it, he shouldn''t be too far off. It was a comolicated topic, learning new moves. In the simulations it was much easier, a pokemon would learn how to use a move when it reached the right ''level''. In real life, however, things weren''t that cut and dry. Actually, his Houndour had already done something that would never be possible in one of those simulations by learning the Energy Ball through the TM. Under those conditions, Houndour shouldn''t be able to learn it. It made little sense, since the fire type could utilise grass type moves, therefore, even the simulations agreed that he could gather and use the grass energy. And it could learn Shadow Ball as well, so it clearly had capacities of shaping energy into a ball.


    Bite, however, should be able to be developed naturally. Even without ''levels'' it wasn''t supposed to be that hard to achieve. It came down to Houndour practicing his jaw and developing his natural biting ability to the point in which it could be considered a move. The only question was if Houndour''s jaw was strong enough to pull it off. The only other thing that was necessary, Ves has already taken care of. He had Houndour forget how to use Snarl last night in order to make room for the new move. It was a tough decision, and he spent a while thinking between Snarl and Nasty Plot, but ultimately decided to keep the set-up move just for a little bit longer. Though he was still unsure why exactly his partner could only know four moves. Joe said something about catridges when he asked him, while Ace kept spouting about how more than four moves would rid the game of any strategic value. Ves had no clue what those two were on. Though, being able to pour every move into a movepool of a single pokemon would make things just a little bit meaningless, he thought.


    When he arrived to the park, Ves was happy to find it empty, save for a pair of stranded Pidoves that were searching the ground for food. With slight hesitation, he released Houndour. The black dog stretched out his body, letting out a prolonged howl, before staring Ves down. The boy was unsure what his pokemon thought of him, but had a sneaking suspicion Houndour hated early mornings. He did seem to like training, though, which was encouraging. Bringing his hands to the side of his body, the boy tried to think all of it through. He had so many things left to do. Not only did he want to start on learning Bite, but Energy Ball needed more work as well. Then there was Ember, the only move he had left to rely on now that he was without Snarl. It could use some training as well. The constructions in the park he meant to use for training were made out of metal, and not the kind that was meant to take pokemon attacks. Ember would cause too much damage. He could use a tree to practice Energy Ball, he was confident he had seen Sam do that during last week. He''s definitley not Embering a tree.


    Bite was, however, a priority right now. Until they reach it, Houndour will be one move short. He cautiously pulls out a few tennis balls from his backpack. He brought them along with a single idea in mind - Houndour was a dog.


    "Doom, let''s play fetch", Ves says slowly bouncing one of the balls of the ground. Houndour tilted his head, looking at the boy as if he had lost his mind.


    "It''s training", Ves clarifies, "I told you I want you to learn Bite, so here''s what we''ll do, I''ll throw the ball, you chase it, do your best to catch it with your teeth and snap it in half".


    Houndour doesn''t look impressed with the plan. "Well, I could just give them to you", Ves explains, "but if you chase them, then you''re practicing your movement, reaction and speed as well". Houndour still looks a bit uncertain, so the boy brings the tennis ball to his mouth. "Here, like this, you have to bite it when you catch it", Ves says, squeezing the ball between his teeth, only to discover its much firmer than it looks.


    "Alright, you ready then, Doom?", the boy asks, playing around with the ball. He had brought ten of them, that''s how many he managed to fish up last night when he got home. Best caae scenario, he will return home without any tennis balls.


    "Here we go", Ves says, hurling the ball away, "go and get it". To his satisfaction, Houndour springs into action immediately, quickly gaining the ground, before he leaps into the air and catches the ball mid-flight. The black dog runs back to his trainer, dropping the ball beneath the boy''s legs. Ves is dissapointed to see the ball is still whole, though with a few bite marks. However, he had seen to full extent just how fast and strong Houndour was. It was only his jaw that was lacking.


    Forgetting about Energy Ball, Ves decides they''ll be focusimg solely on lerning Bite during these two days. They could make it. "Alright, let''s go again", the boy says enthusiastically as he hurls the ball away once more. Houndour is swift to fetch it again, but doesn''t manage to halve it. "Doom, put more pressure into the actual bite thid time, alright?", Ves says readily, before firing off the ball again. And again. And again. Houndour keeps catching it, but never breaking it in half.


    With a sigh, the boy drops himself onto the bench, letting Houndour rest for a bit. He takes out some pokemon food from his backpack, letting Houndour have a breakfast. While the black dog chomps down on the food, Ves starts thinking about it. He didn''t expect Houndour to learn Bite right away. However, just splitting a tennis ball in half was not equal to a fully-realised attack. Houndour should be able to do it regardless, just on the basis of his teeth being sharp. He looks at his pokemon again. Yeah, his teeth were definitely sharp. Why did they only leave bite marks, without splitting the ball? What was it that he was missing? Although Houndour didn''t practice his jaw up until now, he should be physically gifted, that''s what Rex had said. And the rest of his body definitely matched those expectations. Ves did throw the balls quite far, and the black dog had no problems catching up with them. Speed wise, physical speed, he was almost on par with Joe''s Riolu, Ves thought, and that goddamn thing was fast.


    Why then could Houndour not split the ball? Ves tried thinking back to what Rex has told him, as well as to Joe and his way of fighting. Speed of an attack, or the speed at which a pokemon is capable of performing an attack. That was not the same as the speed of pokemon''s movement on the field, Ves thought. That''s the basis of what Rex had said to him. That speed was what he was lacking. But Joe seemed to have no problems with that, and that was a problem.


    No. Ves thought better about it. Joe''s moves changed speed. The faster they were, they would grow weaker. That was a logical conclusion, the less time pokemon takes to release an attack the more power it builds. And running makes it harder to prepare for an attack.


    It was his bad judgement, he expected to much from Houndour in the beginning, he realised. He wanted to work on speed and reaction as well, but what he had to do right now was focus solely on power. He had been throwing the balls too far.


    "Doom", he looks at his partner, realising Houndour is done eating, "you ready to go again?".


    Houndour nods calmly. He''s not showing much, but Ves is confident his dog is enjoying their little game of fetch.


    "Alright, then", he says kneeling besides his pokemon, "this time, I''ll throw the ball very close to you, I want you to focus only on biting into it, just try and split it in half, okay?".


    Houndour nods in understanding. "Okay", Ves stands up, turning the ball in his hand, "here we go". He chucks the ball slightly baove Houndour,and the black dog jumps up, catching it with ease. Once more, the ball doesn''t split. But the bite seems strong. "Okay, let''s go again", Ves says, throwing the ball again. Houndour catches it, without splitting it.


    Taking the ball again, Ves notices the bite mark is deeper this time, and there are two holes where Houndours fangs landed. He swiftly realises one more thing. "Doom, don''t try tearing it apart", the boy says, "just snap your teeth at it, then release it". Ves makes a few snaps with his teeth: "like this, see, you need to cut it in half, so don''t dig into it".


    Houndour tilts his head again, as if he''s just now realised his mistake. "Okay, let''s try again", Ves says.


    He throws the ball into the air again, just a few meters in front of Houndour. The black dog leaps up, snapping his jaw, cleanly cutting the ball in two.


    "Great, you did it, Doom", Ves jumps up excitedly, immediately grabbing the second ball. "Now do it again!", the boy says, chucking it upwards. Houndour switly catches it, again, cutting it in half. "Great, you got it", the boy says crouching down by his partner. That''s a great step one, he thinks. Bite couldn''t be that far away. They could even finish it by the time they''re back on the island. Truly, Rex was right, Houndour is a physical attacker. Ves was going to use all the time left leading up to the tournament to put Houndour''s natural talents to good use.


    "Okay, okay", he pets his pokemon excitedly, "let''s try again, but I''ll throw the ball a bit further this time, alright". No sense not testing how much run-up Houndour can work with right now.


    He hurls the ball away, putting just a bit of strenght into the throw: "Bite, Doom".


    Houndour''s legs hit firmly against the ground, as the dog runs across the grass, jumping up at the flying target. His jaws enveloping the ball, Houndour once more manages ti split it.


    7 more balls, Ves thinks. He''ll definitely need more. Or he''ll get some jaw breakers. He had watched videos of pokemon breaking those with different biting attacks. Even a good chewing toy should help Houndour''s jaw develop faster.


    Ves''s mind was racing, caught in the whirlwind of all the possibilities. He throws another ball, making it go even further. Houndour snaps it again. The next one is even faster, going further. Houndour manages to chase it down, but misses out on catching it with his fangs. Ves''s spirit falters only so slightly. That distance is impossible for Houndour to cross right now while preparing for an attack at the same time. At least he had that information now.


    "Okay, let''s go again, just snap the rest of these balls", Ves says encouragingly as Houndour brings him back the ball.


    He throws it at the furthest distance he thinks Houndour can reach. The black dog seems to have some trouble, but manages to catch and slice the ball. There. That''s the limit right now, Ves thinks as he hurls the ball number


    6. Houndour deals with it as well.


    He''ll definitely need to buy more balls. With the 4 he has left, he''ll just do the same thing, Ves thinks as he throws the next ball. When he gets more, he''ll try throwing then further, to increase Houndour''s range. Another ball ends up split in half.


    And when he goes back to school, there are supposed to be specialised bags made for practicing biting moves. They could even measure power, Ves thinks as the second to last ball ends up destroyed.


    Once he''s done with balls and bags, he''ll switch onto actual opponents. The attack needed some real practice before the tournament, Ves thinks as he throws the last ball into the air. He watches as Houndour catches it, without splitting it up. Right. It was still not a full-fledged move. He would have to work harder for that.


    *****


    Nimbasa city feels like too much. Just a little bit past 8 AM, the streets start becoming more lively. He sees kids hurriedly carrying around their backpacks, cause they''re alredy late for school. Some walk unwillingly, reminding him of himslef. Middle school wasn''t his favorite place to be. High school wasn''t either.


    Just for fun, he decides to retrace his past a little bit. He goes into the gym to watch some matches. When he was in middle school he used to cut classes to go and watch gym battles all the time.


    As he sat in the stands, he noticed tgere were still kids who were doing that, and why wouldn''t there be? Some if them will probably try making it into trainer schools, most of them will have to wait until they are 18 to give pokemon training a chance.


    A few matches be watched were not particularly exciting. Beginners, mostly. Two newbie trainers, both definitely 18 faced the gym leader in succesion, and both lost to the gym leader''s Emolga. The girl had a Snivy, a starter most Nimbasa-born trainers took on, explicitly for the fact it was usually the best counter against an electric type gym. Unless the gym leader decided to be a troll and use a half-flying type. The boy, on the other hand, had a Tepig, that he had apparently nicknamed Bacon, and that had lost miserably. But Ves was sure that guy was going places.


    The next two battles were only a bit more interesting. A guy that had 3 gym badges sent in his Timburr. The fighting type managed to put up a fight, but ultimately went down to the gym leader''s Stunfisk. After the second badge, gym battles would have both participants using 2 pokemon. The boy sent in a Whirlepede, but the ag type stood no chance. To be fair, it did manage to start up a Roll Out, but Stunfisk cut it short with Static paralysis into a Magnitude.


    The last battle he watched was a girl who had three badges as well, and decided she''d face an electric type gym leader with a Dewott. Definitely confident, Ves thought, as he proceeded to watch the water type absolutely outrun gym leader''s Blitzle.  Seriously, the way Dewott moved was otherworldly, it spun away from the incoming attacks only to immediately launch into a counter. Even Joe would be jealous of agility like that. Dewott''s attacks were not all that powerful though, so it took him a while to tire out Blitzle. That first match-up ended in a draw, as the elctric zebra managed to get in two thundershocks as well. Danna, the gym leader, wasn''t a push-over either. She was an old woman, who sat as the head of the jury of every beauty pagant in Nimbasa, and further. Little to say, a pretty cut-dry personality, she definitely didn''t go easy on anyone. Nimbasa city gym was actually conaidered one of the hardest to face, particularly because Danna refused to cut slack to any challenger.


    For the round 2, the gym leader sent in one of her aces, Elektross. It was rare to see her use one of her strongest pokemon, she saved those for challengers that had earned her recognition. Danna considered it a thing of honour, beating someone into the ground with her full power. The girl sent in an Audino, a very strange choice for a pokemon trainer. Audino''s tended to hate pokemon battles, they were more of a healers. This particular Audino, however, apparently had a rage of a minor God, sending in an endless streams of Moonblasts into an Elektross. Ultimately, Audino was bested, by Elektross''s well-timed counters. As the gym leader came up to offer sympathies and advice to the challenger, Ves decided it was time to leave. He''s relieved enough of his past.


    Truth be told, it was always like this. He saw Danna lose only a couple of times, and usually to the trainers who had 5 or more badges. It came to him, the gym challenge was tough. Either that, or the trainers with provisional licenses weren''t that good.


    Anyways, only one thing left to do.


    As the day came to be, Ves walked out of the gym, immediately heading for the outskirts. His heart was always pounding when he took this path, his steps becoming shorter and faster, louder somehow. It was as every sound of his own life was there to haunt him. He stopped noticing the city around him, his mind turning the buildings into a blur.


    It took around 20 minutes, but he had reached the beige-stone walls of the graveyard. Without much hesitation, he entered through the gate, and expertly made his way around the tombstones. It was sad, that he was 14 and knew his way around this place. It was even sadder that all the tombstones looked the same, cold and made out of white marble. The names and the years were the only thing that distinguished them. But is that really what life turns into? You''re done one day, and no matter what your life was, you find yourself under the ground, with a white stone hanging over you. And maybe your ashes end up in some river, ocean, in a forest or on a mountain, they might be displayed on a fireplace over holidays, but that''s all that remains.


    It doesn''t take Ves too long to find his brother''s grave, and when he does, he promptly sits on a bench in front of it. It might sound stupid, but he likes imagining Vincent sitting next to him. Well, Vincent as he knew him, anyways. His brother had passed in a car crash when he was 18, 5 years ago. So that''s what Ves got to remember. What Vincent looked like when he was 18. And frankly, he didn''t really remember much. Mostly, he needed pictures to remind him what his brother looked like. And they only showed this one version, a person who would remain forever 18.


    "Hey", Ves said slowly to the tombstone, "I came to visit". It was stupid and childish, and tragically human, but talking to the piece of stone was the only way Ves could feel still connected to his brother.


    Letting out a deep breath, Ves prepared for another monologue. Not that white marlbe could ever answer him.


    "So, um, I''ve been good, mostly", he says cautiosly, "I mean I''m stressed a bit, but otherwise, it''s all good".


    Starting these conversations was always tough, and this time especially. He was at Old King''s now, on his way to becoming a pokemon trainer, and he wanted his brother to know.


    "Um, yeah, right, there''s someone you should meet", Ves says hurriedly taking out Houndour''s pokeball and releasing his partner. "This is Houndour, I call him Doom", the boy tries an introduction, "well, everybody else thinks it''s a stupid nickname, but I like it".


    Houndour watches the tombstone carefuly, taking a look at Ves from time to time, like the black dog is trying to put these two images together.


    "So, the school", Ves sighs, "um, it''s cool I guess, the island, I mean, and the buildings, though, the curriculum is pretty tough". Saying that, Ves remembered he''s behind on pretty much every subject, and he should probably add studying to his schedule.


    But now was no time for that. "My teammates hate me, I think, or at least they strongly dislike me", he says scratching his hair, "though, Houndour is pretty good at being my partner, we''re working on developing Bite right now, it''s going good so far".


    There''s to much he wants to say. "Um, we are kind of 500 points behind, because Sam got caught battling, so that''s pretty nasty", Ves states distantly. "Oh, Sam is one of my teammates, he''s... fine, I guess, a bit too talkative". The rest of them he doesn''t even want to describe.


    "So, yeah, I guess things aren''t really going that well", Ves admits, "I''m pretty much failing the year even though it has barely begun, my teammates don''t exactly like me, and I''m not sure if I like them either".


    What would his brother say to all of it? To be fair, Vincent was never great at school stuff, but he knew his way around people much better than Ves.


    "I don''t know, I mean, they are not bad, they can be good sometimes", Ves sighs, "Teo can be very chill, Sam is funny, Joe and Ace both push us forward, and, I mean, they are not the worst people, but sometimes it''s just too much".


    "You know, sometimes I think it''s just me", his hands slam on his legs, "maybe I''m the one who just can''t work with them and who causes all the friction, I mean, I don''t even know what I''m doing, you know, I trash Ace all the time, but at least he cleans our room, and what exactly do I do?".


    Ves feels a pressure against his leg, realising Houndour has decided to plant his head against him. Releasing his grip, he realises his nails had stuck into his palms. Feeling a tear rolling down his cheek, the boy can''t believe he''s crying about this. But he can''t stop himself.


    "No, really, what do I even do?", he feels his throat closing up, "I just fight, and cause trouble, and I''m not aiming at anything". The ball just keeps rolling. "Joe has his plan, whatever it is, and Teo does as well, Ace too, they all know what they want to do, and hell, even fucking Sam knows that he wants to make friends at this school", Ves explains to the tombstone, "me, what do I want, what am I even doing?".


    Here''s the problem with the dead. They do not answer questions. That is the worst thing, knowing someone would know what to say, but they are simply not there to say it. And you don''t remember them enough to know what they would say.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Shit", Ves says louder, slamming on his legs again, "I''m the worst, I can''t control myself, it all just swells up inside me, then I burst out, and I regret it, but I can''t explain it or apologise, and even when I do people don''t want to hear it".


    He''s stopped counting the tears rolling down his face. Houndour nests at his feet, patiently looking up at the boy.


    "What am I even doing?", Ves is not sure if he''s talking to his brother or his pokemon right now. "Why am I even like this?".


    Ever since he could remember he wanted to become a pokemon trainer. There wasn''t much reason behind it. Every kid wanted to be a trainer, it was a cool thing to dream about. Now he was here, and miserable, for whatever reason.


    "You know, Vin", Ves says looking at the tombstone again, "I just... I think you would be much better at this than I am, the whole team thing, and pokemon trainer thing".


    "Oh, Mikey beat me yesterday", he adds with a scoff, "yeah, him and Vinnie are both there as well, but I guess you don''t want to hear about it, and I don''t really want to talk about them either".


    "But yeah, you know, I wanted this for so long, and I don''t even know why", Ves admits, finally letting his shoulders down, "and it feels like I''m flying blind and alone".


    "Dad, you know how he is", the boy looks away, "and you''re not here, and my teammates hate me, and I have no one to point me in the right direction".


    "It''s just, I''m sure if you were in my place, you''d do so much better, people would love you, and you''d know what you were doing", Ves admits.


    "You know, maybe this whole thing was a mistake", Ves laughs, almost manically, "I mean, maybe I''d be better off just staying home and going to a regular high school".


    "I hate to say it, but you know how in the movies people have motives for doing what they are doing, they ahave something driving them", Ves says, "I don''t have that, I don''t know why I ever wanted this, so you know, maybe I''m just a kid following a crowd and nothing more, maybe I just pushed for this cause everybody else told me it''s cool".


    "Sorry, dude", he says, looking down at Houndour, "guess you got stuck with a trainer who sucks".


    Houndour keeps his eyes fixed on him, refusing to budge. "Well, you know, you could tell me what is it that I want to do?", Ves proposes, "maybe you''re smarter than me in that regard".


    Houndour decided to stand up. His body tensed as he let out a growl. Nasty Plot, Ves recognised, instantly moving away. That''s it, Houndour decided to get rid of him when he heard his self-pity manifesto. Reaching for his pokeball, Ves couldn''t make it in time. Houndour quickly rose his head, firing an Ember into the air. Ves felt relief only after he realised the cinders wouldn''t reach the grass and set the whole graveyard on fire.


    "Be careful, Doom", he said, feeling his heart pound in his chest. But he was sure, this was Houndour''s way of sending him a message. He couldn''t fully conclude what it was, but he knew one thing for sure, his partner wasn''t giving up.


    "Alright, alright, we''ll keep going", the boy raised his hand, almost defensively, "I promise".


    Houndour let out another low growl, staring Ves down. Dark types, Ves remembered, were pretty much agressive. They liked to battle. That''s what Houndour wanted to do. Thinking of it, his partner probably gave no shits about the 500 points they have lost, nor was he concerned with a notion of them failing the year. He understood none of that. Houndour was a pokemon, and it wanted to battle.


    "Right", Ves nods at the tombstone, "this guy here''s pretty mighty". He tries to explain it the best that he can. "You know, I actually do decently well in battles, but it''s mostly thanks to Houndour", the boy admits, "I mean, he manages to win even when I use the wrong type of attacks".


    "Sorry about that", Ves nods towards his partner, who, in turn, gives him a scolding howl.


    "Well, anyways, I have to find some opponents for this guy, cause I think he wants to battle", Ves says apologetically to the tombstone, "anyways, I''ll come by tomorrow before I leave back for school, is that cool?".


    Saying goodbye to the dead is another tricky thing. They can''t really ever let you go. But Ves turns around and walks away, promising himself he''ll come back tomorrow. He lets Houndour follow him out of the graveyard.


    He''s still not sure what he wants to do, but he knows what Houndour wants. And that might be a good starting point.


    *****


    One good thing about Nimbasa city was the battle center. Ves can''t believe how he managed to forget about it. Whereas trainers would usually look for opponenets in pokemon center, Nimbasa was one of the few cities that had a facility designed specifically for that. Of course, Ves had passed the building numerous times when he was a kid, even entered to watch the battles, but this time around, he simply forgot it was there. Happpens sometimes, that we get used to things to the point we forget about them. Well, now that Houndour wanted to push further forward, he had remembered it.


    It was a vast building with trainers crawling all around. Modern looking, the main hall had numerous hallways that led to battling rooms. The main hall itslef was white, with high ceiling, and an array of tables and chairs that trainers could sit down in and talk. Ves though, wasn''t up for talking.


    He was quick to shuffle into the crowd, getting into the short lived conversations with people here and there. There was a girl with a Crobat who was pretty nice, but definitely too strong for him. A guy with a Watchog, who refused to battle a 14-year-old. Two girls had a Plusle and Minum, but they were apparently ''tired of battling'' already.


    So, one problem with battle center was finding an actual opponent. Most people here were 18, earning their licenses through government test, and were either too strong for Ves, or would refuse to battle him for whatever reason.


    Finally, after what seems like an hour of searching in vain, Ves spots a Tepig. That''s a clear sign, someone is a beginner here. Motioning forward, he notices Tepig is standing with a guy who looks just a little bit lost. Definitely a beginner.


    "Hey, hi", Ves wastes no time in striking up a conversation, "I''m Ves".


    "Oh, hey", the boy says, visibly surprised that Ves had adressed him, "I''m Daniel. Do you... you need something?".


    "Um, no, not really", Ves scratches his head, realising this guy is 4 years older than him and probably is surprised that a kid is talking to him here. Maybe he thinks Ves is lost. "Well, actually, I''m looking for someone to battle me", Ves decides to just go forward with it. Nothing to lose, and if Daniel decides to be an ass about it, he''ll just let Houndour tear him limb for limb.


    "Oh, battle you?", Daniel says, definitely surprised by the prospect, "um, sorry to ask, but do you even have a pokemon... and how?".


    "I''m a student at Old King''s", Ves decides to quickly clarify it, "I''m home for the weekend, and I''m looking for someone to train with, that''s all".


    "Oh, Old King''s, right", Daniel says with raised eyebrows, but he''s definitely ready to accept it. At least, he doesn''t think Ves had stole a pokemon, or acquired it in any other illegal way.


    "Right, well, I''m only a first year", Ves still decides to reassure him further, "so, you know, a beginner, kind of hard finding opponents here, most of the people already have a few badges, and I don''t know, I''ve noticed you have a Tepig, so I figured you''re a beginner as well".


    "Oh, right, I am, I recieved Tepig like 10 days ago", Daniel laughs, "and yeah, not too many beginners walking around".


    "Oh, that''s perfect, I think I have had my Houndour for like 15 days", Ves says hopefuly, realising that those 15 days have felt like a lifetime.


    "Hey, then we should be on a similar level", Daniel says, "I mean, I''ll be honest here, Tepig and I haven''t had too much training, so I guess it works out".


    "Oh, yeah, Doom and I had some training, but nothing too much", Ves nods along, remembering just how many battles he was in so far. Definitely way too many. "I mean, I''ve only battled my classmates", Ves offers, as a way to convince Daniel he''s not that far ahead. He immediately feels stupid about it, as he realises Daniel probably thinks he''ll be the one who''s ahead, based on age.


    "Oh, that''s nothing to worry about", Daniel says, "I''ve only battled the two of my friends, you know, they are supposed to be around here somewhere".


    "Oh, are they strong?", Ves says in interest, "they have any badges, more pokemon than you?".


    "Um, no, well, we recieved our starters at the same time", Daniel admits, "we''re pretty equal, well, Karl always beats me, but only cause he picked Oshawott, and Ginny pretty much always loses to me, but she has a Snivy, so...".


    "So basically, a rock-paper-scizor approach", Ves nods in understanding.


    "Yeah, we''re the rock-paper-scizor gang", Daniel laughs. "But anyways, could you wait until they come back, then we can make a deal on that battle", Daniel proposes, "probably best of you battled Ginny anyways, since you have an advantage there, so you know, you could do something".


    Ves finds himself highly offended at the notion that he couldn''t do anything against Daniel or the Oshawott guy. Houndour knew Energy Ball, Oshawott would be no trouble. Actually, now that he had gotten rid of Snarl, the only problem would be Tepig. He looked at the small fire type that was merrily looking around. Truly it didn''t seem like much of a battler. Well, regional starter pokemon were usually like that, in their first form they were pretty friendly, easy to train, but not that strong. The Tepig seemed too slow, and Ves already had a sort of the plan for dealing with it. Although, that plan assumed Daniel would make a mistake, which was not perfect, but Ves was sure it would happen. Daniel was already kind of looking down on him.


    He kept chatting with Daniel, when the boy finally noticed the two of his friends. He waved them over, and Ves was quickly introduced to them. Karl and Ginny both seemed very nice, though, in a same vein as Daniel. All three were definitley surprised Ves wanted to battle them, and were expecting an easy win over a kid 4 years younger than them.


    "Alright, well, I mean, having 4 participants is good", Karl is quick to come to the conclusion, "we can split up, do some sparring".


    "Actually", Ves cuts him short, "I thought we should do a King Of The Hill type of thing".


    "You mean, a winner stays on?", Ginny asks in surprise, "that seems a bit tiring, though, you sure about that?".


    "Well, it''s a fun thing to try", Ves offers, "besides, we all have 1 pokemon each, so it won''t last that long".


    "Yeah, that actually sounds fun to me, good idea", Karl is fast to agree.


    "Yeah, I''m in as well", Daniel says, "we''ve never tried that".


    "Okay, if you are all on the same page, then I guess I agree as well", Ginny says slowly, still a bit uncertain. "I suppose I''ll be the first one to battle, against Ves, right?".


    "Well, that would be the best option, I think", Karl nods firmly.


    "Right, but then I have to battle the two of you afterwards", Ginny scratches the back of her neck.


    "Hey, you talking like you know you will win", Daniel laughs.


    "And even if you have to battle the two of us next, that will just help you get stronger, right?", Karl adds.


    "Guess you have the point", Ginny says with a sigh, "fine, let''s go and get a field".


    Apparently, Karl is the leader of their little group, as he is the one who approaches the computer and registeres one of the battling rooms as occupied. He leads them into one of the hallways, and after a short trip, they get to the room that was assigned to them.


    Ves enters last, only to note the battlefield doesn''t look beyond the ordinary. The field itself is in good condition, but the size is definitely smaller than the official match regulations would dictate. Well, the training center wasn''t meant to host official mathes anyways.


    "Alright, Ginny, Ves, you.can take your positions, if you are still up for going first", Karl informs them.


    "I''m fine, I wanted to go first anyways", Ves says leaving to stand at the opposite side of the field. Facing 3 18 year olds makes him only slightly uncomfortable. Even though he''s certain they are on the similar level, he''s sure they are looking down on him. And not out of malice. Simoly because they were older. If it wasn''t uncomfortable, it would be funny, as Ves was pretty certain he''ll have no problem taking these three down.


    Regardless of the result, or his opponets, this was an opportunity for Ves to train. And he knew what he wanted to do. Houndour was trying to use his body and movement in battles all this time, and Ves wanted to let him do that exactly this time. Even though he still didn''t develop Bite, he wanted to try relying on Houndour''s physicality in this battle. Not that he had a clear idea how to do that, but he''d figure it out. Well, he did have one idea, that would be pretty good against Ginny''s Snivy if it had worked. Then he had plans for Oshawott and Tepig as well.


    "Okay, then, I''m in as well", Ginny says confidently, as she lets Snivy out of its pokeball. The regal-looking grass type immediately stares Ves down. It has short legs, Ves notes to himself, so this should be no problem.


    "Let''s go, Doom", the boy says, letting Houndour hit the field. The black dog takes the attacking stance immediately, staring back at the Snivy. Now, a few things needed to happen at the start, but Ves was pretty sure things would go his ways. If the three of them had recieved their starters 10 days ago, this Snivy most likely knows only Tackle and Vine Whip as its attacking moves.


    "Alright, battle begin", Karl gives a signal.


    "Nasty Plot", Ves commands immdeiately, thinking he should set himself up to deal with Tepig later on.


    "Vine Whip", Ginny is quick to act as well. Her Snivy is surprisingly swift in its reaction, immediately jumping in and threatening the attack. Ves doesn''t mind though. Taking one Vine Whip is won''t be enough to get him off the field, and, in fact, takimg the attack is a part of strategy.


    Houndour manages to set up the Nasty Plot, exactly before the Vine Whip hits. Smaller field is a problem, Ves realieses, especially since Houndour is slow to release his special attacks. It wouldn''t matter now though, as everything is exactly where Ves wants it. Using Vine Whip, Snivy had moved forward onto the field, and was now occupying the center.


    "Doom, now, run", Ves says swiftly. He notices Karl and Daniel chuckle on the sideline. They probably think he''s panicking. "Run in a circle around Snivy,", Ves says readily.


    "Snivy, Vine Whip", Ginny tries attacking.


    "Dodge it while you move", Ves orders up. Houndour expertly jumps up, avoiding the vines, only too keep running around Snivy at steady pace.


    Now, Ves wants this to be over quickly. Regardless of Houndour''s physicality, he still has 2 battles in front of him, and he doesn''t want his partner tiring out. While his opponents think he''s a kid who doesn''t know how to get out of the situation he had found himslef in, that was very far from reality. Panicking? No. He was about to trap the goddamn grass snake in a tornado of cinders.


    "Ember, now, Doom, don''t stop running", Ves says readily. It takes Houndour a bit longer to release the attack while he''s mid-run, but the wall of cinders starts appearing all around the trapped grass type.


    Swirling around and rising upwards, the fire creates an impermeable circle around Snivy, inching closer and closer.


    "Snivy, get out", Ginny yells, but the reality is, Snivy can''t escape now. Not without taking a full-blown Ember that''s been powered up by the Nasty Plot. As the fires closes in, Snivy goes down.


    "Doom, stop", Ves orders up, allowing for his opponent to recall her partner. Cinder tornado spreading too much would be a problem as well, that''s why he had to wait for Snivy to comme to the middle of the field, so the fire wouldn''t catch Ginny.


    "That''s enough Snivy, come back", Ginny says, returning the grass type into its pokeball.


    "Alright, next!", Ves says grinning at Karl and Daniel. Hopefully, they understand now, age has nothing to do with this.


    "Okay, I''ll go next then", Daniel says readily.


    As he steps out of the field, Ves assesses the situation. Two fire types, but Houndour has more experiance in battle and is currently powered up by a Nasty Plot. Moreover, Tepig most likely only knows Tackle and Ember. Houndour, on the other hand, has a little thing called Flash Fire.


    When Tepig hits the field and Karl announces the battle, Ves immediately orders up: "Nasty Plot". Thing is, Houndour only has Ember and Energy Ball on him right now, bot not very effective on Tepig. If Daniel makes a mistake here, it not only lets Ves set up again, but actually helps him.


    "Ember, Tepig", Daniel yells out, much to Ves''s satisfaction. That''s to be expected, beginners usually didn''t think too much about the abilities.


    As the black dog lets out a growl, stiffening its muscles and raising its power, cinders envelop him, sticking to his fur, only further raising the temperature of his body. This is supposed to be Houndour''s full power, Ves realises. The first time this has happened.


    Not wasting any time, the boy''s out to test it: "Doom, jump up and use Ember from above". Houndour takes a few steps, hitting at the ground, before he leaps upwards. Ember comes out faster than usual this time around, and the swirling cinders aim at the Tepig. Coming down, they envelop the pig pokemon, making it barely visible. Once the fire subsidies, it becomes apparent Tepig couldn''t handle the heat. Regardless of it being a fire type, fully powered up Ember prowed to be too much. Tgere was no need to worry about Daniel after all.


    Ves''s opponent recalls his pokemon without the word, stepping away from the battlefield. Now, all that''s left is to surprise Karl with an energy ball, the boy thinks, as he realises his head is pounding with adrenaline. He has stepped out into a battle stance without even realising it, his hands firm, and his heart pounding. It all feels good. Right, winning feels good. Houndour looks ready to go on as well he notices, the black dog''s hovering his head just above the ground, looking ready to launch into an attack at any moment. Running around to create a fire tornado was not necessary, or jumping to attack Tepig from above. Just sending a simple Ember from the spot would''ve yielded the same results, Ves knew. But Houndour enjoyed this more.


    "Alright, then, you''re going down now", Karl says, stepping onto the field and releasing Oshawott.


    Ves is happy he didn''t let them know Houndour knows Energy Ball. With Houndour having set up 2 Nasty Plots, it should be enough to knock Oshawott out immediately. It was unfirtunate that Flash Fire only powered up fire type moves. Still he had no intentions of letting Karl hang around the field any longer than the other two did.


    "Okay, battle start", Ginny announces.


    "Energy Ball", Ves says immediately, "run, Doom".


    Karl seems taken back by Ves''s choice of attack, but manages to irder up: "dodge it, Oshawott".


    Houndour runs in, closing the distance, before suddenly cutting to the right and jumping backwards in order to launch the Energy Ball. Ves finds it just a little bit dramatic on his partner''s side, that sort of movement, but it doesn''t matter. What counts is the ball of grass energy that swiftly flies towards the Oshawott, hitting into the water type and sending it flying. Just like Ves thought, it''s more than enough to knock him out cold.


    "Hell, I had no idea that thing knew Energy Ball", Karl sciffs loudly as he recalls his pokemon, "can Houndour even learn that move?".


    "Yeah, obviosly", Ves says, finally standing up straight. But his heart was still racing. Beating 3 people who were older than him in a row, and with just 1 attack each, felt extremely good. He needs to find more beginners so he can beat them into the ground.


    "Well, you win fair and square, then", Karl laughs a bit, "just can''t believe I lost to a 14 year old".


    "I''m almost 15, if it makes you feel any better", Ves offers, coming in closer to shake hands with his opponent.


    "It really doesn''t", Karl laughs for real this time, "but hey, you''re good, no wonder you made it into that school".


    "Hey, thanks, and thanks for battling with me", Ves says with a smile.


    "No problem", Karl says, "you know, I would like to have a rematch one of these days".


    "Goes for me as well", Ginny approaches them.


    "Me too", Daniel says readily, "can''t believe I fell with just one attack".


    "To be fair, you did help me out, by triggering Flash Fire", Ves shrugs.


    "I triggered Flashed Fire", Daniel says in genuine surprise, "fuck, I forgot that exists".


    "Well, I didn''t", Ves informs him.


    "Uh, so about that rematch?", Karl says, "you know, we were supposed to challenge the Nimbasa gym tomorrow, but after losing to you right now...maybe another battle?".


    "Um, I''m leaving for school tomorrow afternoon, so only if you can wake up early", Ves says.


    "Outrageous, absolutely not", Ginny protests.


    "Yeah, I doubt things would look much different tomorrow", Daniel admits.


    "Well, to be fair, your pokemon aren''t exactly battle ready", Ves says cautiosly, "not to be mean or anything".


    "Oh, for real, well, what do we need in order for them to be battle ready?", Daniel inquires.


    "Well, a few things", Ves explains, "how many moves do your pokemon know?".


    "Tepig knows 3", Daniel says.


    "Same with Snivy", Ginny adds.


    "Oshawott as well", Karl says, "so, you''re saying we need more moves".


    "Well, a 4th move would be useful", Ves points out, "and you could use a few more pokemon as well, especially if you''re taking on the gym challenge".


    "Right, so catching pokemon and learning new moves", Karl nods along, "any more pointers".


    "Well, not really, I mean, I didn''t exactly see how you battle", Ves says. "You should think about the abilities", he says to Daniel. "And you shouldn''t rush in immediately, especially when you''re at disadvantage", he turns to Ginny.


    "Roger that", Daniel nods.


    "Hey, Ves, right?", Karl says.


    "Yeah?", Ves says.


    "How about we exchange contacts, so we can keep up with each other", Karl offers, "and you know, next time we''re in the same place, we can have that rematch?".


    "Sounds good to me", Ves says, takimg out his phone.


    "See, there''s always a solution", Karl winks at him, "next time you''re coming home hit us up".


    "Deal", Ves says, "and when you earn your gym badge, you better let me know".


    "Done, buddy", Karl says, bringing his phone close to Ves''s. His contact info flashes on Ves''s screen. Daniel and Ginny do the same.


    "Oh, just one more piece of advice", Ves says, "maybe leave Nimbasa gym for later, Donna''s kind of a monster".


    "We''ll think about that", Daniel laughs.


    "And a piece of advice for you", Karl offers, "make sure you study well, high school''s pretty damn important".


    "Right, I will", Ves says, thinking how behind he is with his schoolwork already.


    "Well, we''ll be off then, see you around", Ginny gives him a small wave as he registers her info as well.


    "Right, see you around", Ves says.


    *****


    The sport''s shop owner looks at him like he''s crazy when he buys 50 tennis balls. They are cheaper when bought in bulk like that. He had done his best to waste the day away outside, but now it was time to take a dreadful walk back home.


    Ves''s house was at the start of the outskirts, just far enough from the city center to escape all the noise. Not far enough to stop the lights though. As the night started to fall, Nimbasa came alive behind him. Piercing yellow lights from movie theters and battle facilities mixed with neon blue from the clubs and vivid red from Kantonian quarts to colour the sky into a dissarayed mosaic. Ves kind of missed the sky back at Old King''s island. At lest you could see the stars there. Not that he had ever payed them too much attention, but maybe he should start.


    The simple white walls of his home felt all too familiar, yet again grounding him in the old days. This is how he always felt. How many times he''d come from school at this time, just to stare at the darkened windows, the wooden doors he knew so well. The feeling if unease was there, just like all those times before.


    Not that he disliked his home. It was, after all, what he knew. And it was exactly the fact that he knew this place that had brought fort the mixture of comfort and gut-wretching nervousness. The walls bothered him, not the clean whites of the building itself, but those that were around the man who inhibited the place ever since Ves could remember.


    Carefully opening the doors, he dragged the bag with tennis balls as softly as he could. Thankfully, he already did another training session with Houndour, so only around 70 balls were left. He was very much planning on running through those in the morning. Stashing the unorthodox training equipment into his room, he thought for a second he should just stay there, waste some more time, then go to sleep. And maybe his father would come along to have a chat. But what if he didn''t? For security reasons, he left Houndour''s pokeball at his night stand, leaving for the living room.


    It was a simple space, holding a plain set of furniture, done in black lether. Over the galss table placed in the middle, the figure of a man was bent over, seemingly fully immersed in the pile of papers in front of him. Ves doubted his father could see anything that was written there. The only lights in the room came from the muted TV, a shifting show of ghostly white, and the old post lamp that made its best effort to fill out the room with dim yellow.


    Feeling every footstep, Ves walked over to the couch, placing himself down. "Hey, dad", he said quietly, trying his best not to divert man''s attention all at once.


    "Hey, Ves", the man responded absentmindedly, slowly shuffling through the papers without any apparent reason.


    Talking was the hardest thing. Ves mever knew what he ought to say to his father. For the most part, he wanted to start yelling. He was not sure what words he would yell, though.


    "Um, came in last night", Ves still talked quietly, against the rage that was building inside his gut, "don''t know if you noticed".


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed your shoes are there", his father responds shortly, shoving away a smaller pile of papers.


    "Right, right", Ves says focusing his attentnion on the TV. The new anchor was dressed in indigo blue suit, opening his mouth without a sound coming out. "Left early this morning, did some training, hope I didn''t disturb you", the boy says still focusing at the news anchor, who started waving his hands around, as if he was desparate to get Ves''s attention, explain something.


    "No worries, I didn''t even notice you were gone", the man says, still heavily immersed in his papers. Ves brings himself to take a peek at them. Sale reports for pokeballs throughout different marketplaces.


    "Right, you didn''t", Ves says, suddenly feeling his head pulse, "that''s good".


    The TV switched to the weather report, this time a blond woman in a gray suit was flying her hand over a projected map of Unova, half-heartedly trying to predict the rain. Similar to the man sat next to Ves, she made no sound.


    "Well, I was planning on doing some training tomorrow morning as well", Ves continues only because he thinks he should say something. He came home, he walked into this living room, so he should say something. "Then I''ll come get my things, my plane leaves at 2PM".


    "Sounds like you have a plan kiddo", his father says almost on autopilot.


    "Yeah, I do", Ves can barely stop himslef from yelling now. He''s been gone for 2 weeks. Once he leaves again, he probably won''t be home for a while, and this was the best his father could give. "School''s fine, by the way thanks for asking", he says almost venomously, all the rage in his body taking shape, turning into daggers that he was itching to throw.


    Of course, he was old enough to understand, and he has seen enough movies to know some people burry themselves in work after something breaks them. His father, however, has been this empty shell of a man ever since he could remember, ever since his wife had left him. After Vincent died, it only became worse.


    "That''s good to hear", his father responded, still searching through his papers. Ves had hoped wholeheartedly that someday this man would find Jesus in one of those papers.


    "Well, then", the boy stands up sharply, "I''ll be off to get ready for bed, glad we had a chat, dad".


    "Goodnight, kiddo", his father says absentmindedly as Ves steps away from him. On his way out he hits the lights on, just because. The man, still hunched over the table, doesn''t notice.

 Chapter 17

    Accelerock knocks out the row of empty soda cans Ace had carefully placed on the bench in his backyard. The boy finds himself satisfied with the result, out of 10 cans Rockruff didn''t miss a single one, and his attack seemed to be getting faster. This way of training has been paying off. There was, however, one problem - he had lost to Lesley, again. Even after almost a week of training, even though Rockruff has improved, he still lost. Ace had spent his flight, and a good part of last night, trying to figure out what the problem in his strategy was. What everyone had told him, that he''s battling too passively might''ve had some merit, but Ace decided it wasn''t the main issue.


    What was actually dragging him down, Ace concluded, was the lack of tools in his arsenal. Virtually, Rockruff only knew 2 moves. Accelerock and Double Team. Yes, Rockruff knew 4 moves, but only these 2 brought something into the battle. Sand Attack was somewhat similar to Double Team, both moves helping Rockruff not to take hits. Double Team, however, served Ace much better, so Sand Attack was just a dead weight. Rockruff also knew Quick Attack, which pretty much never came up in a battle, Ace realised. It was just the worst version of Accelerock anyways, one that was weaker and that required his partner to approach the target, whereas Accelerock was a mid-range attack.


    He had thought about this throughly, analysing the tools others had. Lesley, for instance, had Protect, a foolproof way to block any attack, but one that could be easily predicted. He saw first hand that pretty much everyone in Old King''s already started learning how to bait out the protect. Then there was Confuse Ray, an useful utility move, Confusion that was Lesley''s main attack, and Snarl that was there to cover the field and weaken his opponents. So, compared to him, Lesley had more tools to work with and he could come up with more strategies. Wait no. That was not fully right. Spoink didn''t use Confuse Ray in that battle in Canalave. And he didn''t know Protect when they battled at the beach. Or Nasty Plot. Ace realises, Lesley had changed Spoink''s moveset, exchanging Confuse Ray and Calm Mind for the 2 new moves.


    Then there was Ves, who had Nasty Plot as well, a move that powers up his partner. A bit risky, but still a tool that allows him to strategise. Then, of course, there was Joe, who had Detect as his main way of coping with any issues, and two priority moves in Vacuum Wave and Bullet Punch. Stepping away from the joke that ''Joe loves his priority", Ace had realised one thing - those two moves allowed the guy to pretty much control the pace of a battle most of the times. And unfrotunately, Joe currently had the most similar tools to Ace, so the boy would have to take a few pages from his playbook. That said, what he needed to find was a move that would allow him to control the pace of the battle. Finding a solution was actually quite easy, Ace already knew what 2 new moves he wanted Rockruff to learn, but finding his way to those moves would be very hard. What he wanted was Sucker Punch and Taunt. The latter would be good at ridding people of their utility moves, he wouldn''t have to look for the ways to bait out Protect and no one would set-up in front of him. A great way to rid others of their tools. Sucker Punch would help with setting the pace, especially when dealing with opponents faster than him. The big problem was that his partner could learn Taunt only by using the TM, and Taunt was not exactly a popular strategy, so the TM was impossible to find. Even online, he could find only a few copies, which were overpriced as hell. Sucker Punch was even worse. Not only could Rockruff not learn it on his own, but the TMs were of no use. No, in order to open up pathways necessary for utilising that move, his partner would need a specialised hypnotic therapy known as "Move Tutoring". It was an old way of teaching pokemon new moves, born much before the TMs came along, so not too many people knew how to do it, and Ace was certain those who did asked a good buck for their services. So, that was the case with Rockruff, but Ace''s problems didn''t stop there.


    Private, the Charcadet was the whole other ball game. The small fire type was lively and nimble, which was a good thing, Ace knew his agility will make him a good battler. However, the second part of the ''good battler'' was the problem here. Charcadet seemed to simply not care about battles. Mostly, he wanted to eat and play, Ace learned. Well, the newest addition to his team was definitely young, only knowing 3 moves was a great indicator of that. Out of those 3 moves, Leer was very much useless, and Emebr and Astonish were weak and slow. Ace had no idea where he would even start with Charcadet''s training. Strengtening his existing moves or teaching him new ones wouldn''t do much good when the pokemon didn''t take the battles seriously. One thing he knew for certain was that he wanted to evolve Charcadet into a Ceruledge, because it looked cool as hell, and that would be a hard task. Evolving Charcadet required two things - Charcadet developing his strenght, which was still far out of reach, Ace knew, but it was doable, and finding an item known as Malicious Armor, which the boy concluded was a nearly impossible task. He searched all over the internet, only to realise the thing couldn''t be purchased anywhere, and there are not too many sources explaining where it can be found.


    Calculating all of this, Ace came to a simple conclusion - he was doomed.


    A month was separating him from the tournament. Currently he had a Rockruff with an incomplete moveset, and a Charcadet who prefered playing around over battling. And everyone else around him was improving and growing. If he wanted any chance of passing the year, he needed to outgrow them within the next month. What he needed was a game plan. Unfortunately, outside of knowing what he wants to accomplish to some extent, he had no idea how to accomplish it.


    "Okay Rocky, can you switch to Double Team practice now?", Ace says heavily, "I need you to create the clones faster". Double Team was simpler than an attack in a way, a pokemon released the energy from its body in order to create a clone in a certain spot. Though it sounded complicated, it wasn''t that hard, basically just shedding excess energy that accumulates on pokemon''s skin. A simple illusion basically, that was still classified as a normal type move, even though scientists have found strong evidence of it being a psychic type move. Regardless, in theory it was much simpler to practice than an attacking move. The only problem, Ace couldn''t really come up with a fun way to do the training, so Rockruff would get bored quickly and start goofing around. At least, Rocky would put some work in, unlike a certain other pokemon.


    "Private, please, just try using Ember", Ace says pleadingly. Charcadet is, however, preocupied with the magnolias Ace''s mother grows in their backyard. "Okay, no, don''t use Ember, not around the flowers", Ace thinks better of it, "mom would kill me". The fire child pokemon swiftly picks one of the flowers, stumbling towards Ace, and offering it as a present. It holds it up expectantly, and the boy figures out the pokemon is most likely trying to exchange it for food. He lived on a street for a while, so he must''ve seen people buying food, and thought he was supposed to pay up for a meal.


    "Alright bud", Ace takes the flower defeatedly, "just don''t pick any more flowers, please, or we''ll both be killed". His mother did love her flowers.


    He strolled into the house, filling up 2 food bowls as fast as he could. The clock showed 8:30AM. It was Saturday, so his parents should wake up soon. That would be all for his trsining anyways. Besides, he did have another important thing happening today. Gregory would be coming along with his family around noon. They were supposed to have lunch together, then go to the gym to watch his cousin''s second attempt at getting a badge.


    He walks outside, placing the food bowls onto the ground. Private immediately picks which one is his, and starts throwing the blocks in the air, just to catch them in his mouth. Rocky stops his training immediately as well, running to the other bowl and digging his face into it. He downs it in no time, leapimg at Ace the very next second.


    "Alright, alright buddy", Ace creates the space with his arms as Rockruff energetically licks his face and rubs against him. When his partner finally calms down, Ace feels the itch on his cheek. Rubbing his hand against it, he realises his cheek is bloddied. Wipping out his phone and starting the cameraxhe can clearly see a fresh cut. "Hey, Rocky, maybe restrain from attacking my face in the future", Ace says, trying to wipe away the blood. Rockruff looks at him apologetically, stepping just a bit away. "Oh, it''s fine, I''m fine, I''m not mad", Ace says with a smile. He truly wasn''t, in reality, he was ecstatic that this had happened. It meant one thing - Rockruff is growing. The small dog''s body was covered in rock particles that got firmer and sharper as the pokemon developed. His partner was improving, and it was great, with only a week of dedicated training. So maybe, if he kept it up for a month, he would have a chance. Only if Charcadet was willing to train as well.


    He took another look at the fire kid, who was still leisurely throwing the pokeblocks into the air. The pokemon must''ve found it fun. A stupid idea forms in Ace''s head. "Hey, Private", he stoops over closer to his new partner, "you know, those pokeblocks are much tastier when they are grilled".


    Charcadet stops his little game in order to look at his trainer in confusion.


    "Yeah, yeah, they are so much better when you grill them", Ace blatantly lies. He has no idea how pokemon food tastes. "You should use Ember on them before you catch them with your mouth", the boy points out.


    Charcadet tilts his head, still confused. He picks up the next pokeblock carefully, throws it into the air. The smallest Ember the world has ever seen hits the flying pokeblock, and Charcadet cathes it expertly in his mouth. It worked once, Ace thinks. Charcadet chews on the food for a moment, before swallowing it. His expression doesn''t change as he pick up the next pokeblock, throwing it into the air. Ember comes again. He grills next one as well, causing Ace to breathe a sigh of relief. There was a way to train Charcadet after all. A very stupid way that relied on blatant lies and bribery, but a way nonetheless.


    "Hey, Private, is it easier if I throw it for you", Ace inches in closer getting another idea. Why not train Charcadet''s mobility at the same time. The pokemon looks at him strangely again, but doesn''t seem to complain, so Ace picks one of the pokeblocks. "Fine, so I''ll throw this, you hit it with Ember then catch it and eat it", the boy says. Charcadet stares blankly at him, so Ace adds: "it will be fun, like a little game, trust me".


    Charcadet gives him a small nod, and Ace carefully throws the pokeblock away, making sure it doesn''t go too far. Charcadet hits it with Ember, jumps forward and catches it. "Okay, here comes the next one", Ace says readily, throwing the next one a bit to his right. He wants Charcadet moving. His new partner hits Ember again, catching the pokeblock again. Their little game goes on for another half an hour, until the bowl is completely empty. Ace learns valuable information from this. First and foremost, food is a great way to motivate Charcadet, possibly the only way. Second, Charcadet can catch everything, the pokemon didn''t miss out the single pokeblock, with his mouth, at least. Ember, however, would miss as soon as the pokeblock would be thrown at a higher speed or altitude. And even when it hit, Ace decided the attack wasn''t nearly powerful enough. It would barely leave black marks on the pokeblocks, as far as Ace could tell. There was work to be done for sure, but at least he had a way to do it.


    *****


    "Cmooon, Ace, please, let me play with your pokemon", Valerie whined at the table, "pretty please, Greg never lets me play with his pokemon".


    "Val, pokemon are dangerous, you can''t play with them", Greg calmly says to his sister, "I don''t let you play with my pokemon because of that".


    "You can play with Charcadet", Ace says simply, not paying Gregory any attention. He likes to defy his cousin. And besides, Valerie is kind of his favourite.


    "Really?", the seven year asks excitedly, "for real, Ace?".


    "Yes, for real", Ace nods, "but eat your veggies first".


    "Alright, you''re the best", the girl says digging into her sweet potato salad, spilling most of it on her pink overalls.


    "Val, sweetie, I don''t think that''s the best idea", aunt Celia says carefully, giving Ace a stern look, that he promptly ignores.


    "Ace, you can''t be irresponsible", his mother joins the conversation, on the side of her sister.


    "It''s fine", Ace waves them both away, "Private is young, basically a baby, he couldn''t harm her even if he wanted to, besides, I''ll have Rocky watch over them as they play".


    "Private, Rocky?", Valerie says excitedly, "you gave nicknames to your pokemon, Gregy never does that". She sits down firmly in his chair, giving her brother a stern look: "why don''t you nickname your pokemon, mister?".


    "I... I don''t know, guess I just don''t do it", Greg finds himself at loss for words.


    "It''s cause you can''t think of good names", Valerie rejects his explanation, "let me do it then, Squirtle will be named Leonardo, like a ninja turtle, and Pidgey, we''ll call pidgey Sparrow, like captain Jack Sparrow from that movie".


    "Wow, can''t believe we have two of these in our family", uncle Tom shakes his head, looking at both Ace and Valerie.


    "Ace, did you play her Pirates of the Carribean?", his mother sighs, "that''s not a kid movie"


    "Why not, it''s by Disney", Ace shrugs.


    "When I grow up, I will be a pokemon trainer and a pirate", Valerie says vigorously.


    "Right, sweetie, you''ll be a good pirate, helping people", aunt Celia laughs uncomfortably.


    "No, pirates are not good", Valerie states, "I''ll go around stealing other people''s gold and sending sea monsters to destroy cities".


    "This is what we''re raising", uncle Tom sighs, sounding just a tiny bit proud of his daughter.


    "Ace, you need to stop teaching her these things", Ace''s mother scoffs.


    "Hey, I''m not teaching her", Ace shrugs, "she asks questions and I answer them honestly".


    "Ace, please", his father says sternly.


    "Hey, Val, finish up eating so you can go and play", Ace says with a smile. He''s going to teach his little cousin how to throw pokeblocks for Charcadet. Might as well use her playfulness to help his own case. It''s not a sly move, she will have fun doing it, probably.


    Valerie quickly downs her food, and starts expectantly jumping up and down. Ace stands up, motioning for Rockruff and Charcadet to follow them into the backyard. There, he quickly explains to Valerie how to throw the pokeblocks to Charcadet, making sure to warn her to throw them far away from herself. Instructing Rockruff to watch and intercept any attacks coming Valerie''s way, he leaves them to it. Valerie definitely seems to have fun doing his little training regime, so it''s a win-win.


    "Ace, are you sure this is safe", his mother interrogates as soon as he sits down, "that thing shoots fire from its arms".


    "Oh, calm down, it''s completely safe", Ace sighs, "besides, Private is not a thing, he''s a pokemon, and he doesn''t shoot fire he shoots cinders, and not very strong ones".


    "Ace, she''ll hurt herself", his mother insists.


    He looks over his shoulder to see Valerie hurling pokeblocks left and right while Charcadet tries to fry them before catching them. "Nah, she''s doing good, besides, this helps Private grow stronger as well".


    "Ace", his mother''s voice turns judgy, "are you using your sister in order to train your pokemon?".


    "The important thing here is, she''s having fun", Ace points out.


    "Ace!", his mother scolds him.


    "I''ll go watch over her", uncle Tom shoots up from his chair, "she''ll be fine, no worries". He shuffles outside, definitely happy about the idea of getting playtime with his daughter.


    "Oh my God, as always, Tom enables this kind of behaviour", aunt Celia says cinically, but Ace can spot a small smile across her face. He can say many things about this woman, but one thing he knew for certain is that she married well.


    "They''ll be fine", Ace reassures her, "really, Private is basically a baby, and I have Rocky watching out for any stray attacks".


    "Next time, Ace, get a pokemon that can''t set things on fire", his father sighs, "besides, why don''t you let her play with Rockruff, he seems much safer?".


    "Yeah, well, Rocky is not that safe, see, he cut me", Ace displays his scar proudly.


    "What? He attacked you?", his mother almost screams.


    "Well, no, he tried playing with me", Ace sighs, proceeding to give an explantion on the Rockruff line and how they develop.


    The adults don''t really get it, and his mother definitely doesn''t seem satisfied with an explanation at first. Until Greg joins in.


    "Oh, so Rockruff is leveling up?", his cousin nods an understanding, and suddenly every adult in the room breathes a sigh of relief.


    "Well, no, I mean you can put it like that", Ace sighs, "leveling up is really a simulation thing, things are not that cut and dry in reality".


    "Right, right", Greg clears his throat, "but hey, what would you say what level would Rockruff be at, if levels were a thing?". This is one thing Ace really hated about Greg, his willingness to stick to stupid concepts like this. "I think Squirtle must be around level 10 right now", his cousin points out proudly, "Pidgey might be around level 7 or 8".


    Levels are a stupid concept, Ace thinks as he unwillingly whips out his phone and draws the simulation specifics on the internet. "Judging by the moves, Rocky was at least at level 10 when I recieved him", Ace says, "by know he should''ve gained some levels, maybe he''s at 15".


    "15?", Greg says, sounding only a little bit bitter, "and you recieved him at level 10".


    Ace wants to scream that levels don''t exist. "Private is definitely a baby, judging by the moveset, he''d be level 5 at best".


    "You still haven''t trained him up?", Greg says.


    "I literally caught him yesterday", Ace retorts.


    "Well, you''ll need to level him up a bit", Greg nods along.


    "Dude, levels are stupid, they do not exist, things are not as linear in the real world the way they are in the simulations".


    "Hey, Ace, but the simulation is a good way to put things into perspective", Greg points out, "for instance, I know my Squirtle is only a few levels from evolving".


    "I sincerely doubt it", Ace tries not to hiss at him.


    "He''s definitely at level 10, at least", Greg says decisevly, "and he evolves at level 16, so that''s not far away".


    Ace is not even about to start discussing the process of pokemon evolution with his cousin. It requiers so much more than just ''levels''. Dammit, people are constantly argue if ''evolution'' is even a right term in this case. Pokemon changing their form and growing more powerful in that way is a process that hasn''t been fully explained yet. It was so complicated, especially since so many pokemon could evolve into multiple things under differing circumstances.


    But of course, Greg would not think nor know much about it. The thing with people who earned their training licesnses through government tests is - they are not the brightest. Well, that might be an overstatement. But the governemts tests consisted of a few things. Written test that requiers knowledge of basic things - type chart, safety measures, some taming techinques and similar, literal basics. The other part was first aid test, and the last part was passing the series simulation tests, or rather, doing battles within the simulation. So yeah, not the toughest test in the world.


    "Well, that''s great, can''t wait for your Squirtle to evolve", Ace says deciding to give it up, "I''m sure I''ll hear about it".


    "Oh, and I''ll evolve Pidgey as well", Greg points out confidently, "I''m hoping to have them both at second stage before I go for my second badge".


    "Maybe get your first badge first", Ace points out.


    "Well, that''s what I''m doing today", Greg says confidently.


    "Getting an electric type gym badge? With a Squirtle and the Pidgey?", Ace says, not hiding his doubts.


    "Type match-ups are not end all be all", Greg states.


    "They are when you''re a beginner", Ace points out, "I mean, at least they are a big part of it all".


    Greg laughs at the idea: "well, it''s fine Ace, you''re still a kid, not that you would understand it to that level, but there are ways to work around type distvantage, like coverage moves".


    Ace kind of wants to strangle him. "Oh, and your Pidgey and Squirtle have coverage moves for electric types at this point?", Ace dryly questions.


    "Oh, no, but that was just an example", Greg says defensively, "there are other things as well".


    "Yeah, like strategy, or knowing what the fuck you''re doing", Ace''s voice cracks, "I doubt you have either of those".


    "Ace!", his mother''s voice raises.


    "What, I mean, if this twat knew shit, he would''ve made it into Old King''s", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Watch your language", his mother says sharply.


    "Right, sorry", Ace clears his throat. He realises, he''s gotten a habbit of throwing insults like these around, which was an unexpected good thing about his teammtes back at Old King''s - freedom of speech.


    "You know Ace, my year was just tough to get in, that''s all", Greg sighs, "besides, just because you got in doesn''t make you an expert".


    "Yeah, right, the golden generation", Ace rolls his eyes, he''s had this argument enough times already.


    "The what?", Greg raises his eyebrow.


    "The golden generation", Ace says, realising he had made a terrible mistake. "That''s what they call your generation, they are pretty strong", Ace admits.


    "See, that''s what I''m talking about", Greg points out, "my generation was just super tough".


    "Yeah, I sincerely doubt you''d make it in with my generation, though", Ace rolls his eyes, realising he has some really monstrous classmates as well.


    From what he has seen, Ace was pretty sure Lesley, Joe and Natasha would all beat Greg into the pulp. He was certain he could crush his cousin in battle easily as well.


    His mother and aunt took over the conversation, trying to make Greg feel better about himself. Ace played a little game in his head, called ''where would Gregory rank''. It consisted of trying to figure out what spot his cousin would take if he was one of his classmates. With confidence that the afore mentioned three would beat him, he knew Greg wouldn''t be in the top 20. From what he had seen, Mai was pretty good too, so both her and Ace could beat Greg as well. Henry was ranked similarly to the two of them, and Ace had been told how the fight with Vinnie and the gang went, so that was another case where Greg would lose. Therefore, his cousin would miss out on the top 100. Following that, Ves would crush Greg too, so that placed Greg under Ves, ranking wise. So, under the 170th place. He couldn''t really remember everyone''s ranking, and taking out his phone to check would be rude. 4 people he knew were under Ves for certain were Teo, Leah, Sam and Andrei. And he knew full well that Sam and Andrei were dead last. The problem was, Ace had no idea how Greg would fare against the 4 of them. He had seen Leah battle, only twice, but he was confident she could beat Greg. The trouble was, he didn''t know her exact spot, and if she was above Teo in rankings or not. More importantly, was she in the bottom 50?


    The big problem was - he never saw Teo battle. Joe did tell them Teo was good, that he had potential, but Ace had no idea how far that potential went. He wanted to place Greg as low as possible. Putting him in the bottom 50 would be great, but confidently saying Greg wouldn''t even make it into his generation would be the best. He couldn''t resist it, taking out hid phone he checked for Leah and Teo''s rankings. Leah was, unfortunately, ranked 211th. So she wasn''t enough to put his cousin into the bottom 50.


    Teo was 255th, and Tea was 249th. The problem with the lower ranked people was that Ace had no idea what to think of them, they were all too unstable. Tea did beat him, but she did so with a very fucked up strategy. Teo, again, had Joe''s endorsment, but was that enough to say he could beat Greg? As far as Ace knew, Absol still wouldn''t listen to him, and Totdile only ever used Aqua Jet. In the end, Ace decided to say Teo would most likely beat Greg. Joe saying he''s good was enough, and besides, Ace really wanted to be true.


    Another thing, Andrei was there. Altough the guy was ranked super low, and he refused to battle, he was pretty damn good that one time he fought Joe and Ves in a double battle with Lesley. Ace tried to recall it all, and thinking about it, he concluded Andrei was not that bad after all. Perhaps he could beat Greg.


    In the end, there was Sam, whose record was unfortunate. Ace tried to remember it. There was their first battle where Ves, Sam and himself went against Joe. Sam did nothing in that one. Then, there was the next battle, where Sam and Joe took on Henry and Marc in a double battle. Joe actually knocked Sam out in both of those. Then, Sam battled Leah and Mai in a double with Dean. Where he lost again. But he did knock out Leah in that one. Oh, and there was his little ''falling into the trap'' battle with that Bo guy, where he also lost. Ace thought about it. The first two, Joe knocked him out. Joe was ranked 4th. Bo knocked him out as well, and Bo was 10th. Come to think of it, Mai was 60th, and she was the one who knocked him out. Sam had pretty nasty opponents. Really, if he battled Tea, Marc or Andrei, maybe things would play out differently. He did beat Leah, and in a 2v1 scenario, for the most part. So, maybe, Sam could hold his owm against people who were similar in strenght to him. Perhaps he could beat Greg as well. That''s what Ace wanted to believe anyways. Greg wouldn''t make it into his year.


    "The point is", Ace''s mother''s voice tugs him out of his analysis, "Ace should realise how lucky he is to have been accepted, and not use it to bring others down".


    "Lucky?", Ace''s voice turns sharp, almost a yell, "I''m in the top 100, you know?". Luck had nothing to do with it, he had studied his ass off to pass the entrance exam, and he had spent 2 whole weeks surviving the hellscape that is Old King''s.


    "Ace, calm down", his mother says sharply.


    "Why?", Ace''s voice cracks, "I mean, if mister golden child has an ego problem, that''s on him".


    "Ace", his mother says in warning.


    "What? You know, even if he did make it into the Old King''s with his scores, he wouldn''t make it through the year", Ace tries not to yell.


    "And what is that supposed to mean?", Greg raises his eyebrow.


    "It means that you''re so used to everyone shielding you from the truth, and telling you how great you are, your ego is so fragile, you wouldn''t last a day", Ace scoffs, "do you even know what my classmates are like, everyone at Old King''s is a competetive as living hell, you''d be the first to go".


    "Calm down Ace", his mother tries, while aunt Celia looks offended.


    "No, no, he has no idea how weak he is", Ace says firmly, "pretty much everyone in my year would trash him on the spot".


    "Well, now, I''m sure I could take a few 14 year olds", Greg laughs.


    "You sure", Ace stands up, "battle me then".


    "Ace don''t embarrass yourself", Greg raises his eyebrow.


    "We''re both trainers now, so let''s battle", Ace feels his own blood boilng, "I''ll fucking crush you, you twat". Unfortunately throwing insults and threats around feels rejuvenating.


    "Gregory can''t battle, he has a gym battle scheduled in less than two hours", aunt Celia says firmly, "both of you should stop acting childish, you''re brothers, no fighting".


    "Oh, it will take me like 5 minutes to beat him, it leaves more than enough time to visit a pokemon center", Ace locks his eyes with Greg, offering the challenge. He''s seen enough in the past 2 weeks, how relentless his classmates are in battle. Against Greg, at least, Ace was sure he could battle like that. The same way Joe and Ves do.


    "Alright", Greg says simply. Aunt Celia protests again, but the boy is quick to quell her: "it will be like a warm up, practice battle".


    "Yeah, it''s good for both of them to get some training in", Ace''s father offers, "since they are both trainers, no sense in not letting them train together". Ace''s father is not famous for liking conflict and confrontation, but he does like watching mathes every now and again.


    "Fine", Celia gives in, "if it''s to train, then okay, but no more fighting".


    "Alright, let''s go right now then", Ace heads for the backyard immediately, where Valerie and uncle Tom are still playing with Charcadet.


    "Oh my, just don''t ruin my flowers", Ace''s mother wails behind him, "Ace, do you hear me?!".


    "No worries, your flowers will be fine", Ace waves her off as he makes his way outside.


    Greg follows right behind him, informing uncle Tom what''s about to happen.


    "Oh, a battle, great", Valerie jumps up immediately, "I''m sure Private will do good". Uncle Tom has to catch her mid-jump to calm her down.


    "I think Private will sit this one out", Ace winks at her, "Rocky can take this".


    "So, each of us uses 1 pokemon then?", Greg says decisively.


    "No, we both use 2", Ace informs him, "I''m just pretty sure I only need Rocky to beat you".


    "Sounds awfully overconfident", Greg sighs.


    "It''s not overconfident if I''m right", Ace offers.


    "What do you do when I knock your Rockruff out?", Greg questions, taking his spot in the backyard.


    "If you do, I''ll use Private", Ace ignores his cousin''s remark.


    "Alright then, but you know both your pokemon are weak to water types, and I have a Squirtle", Greg smiles, "I mean, you were on and on about type matchups just a moment ago".


    "Yeah, well, that''s only trouble if your attacks can hit", Ace shrugs it off.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?", Greg laughs.


    Ace wants to tell him that he''s about to Double Team the shit out of him, but settles for a simple: "you''ll see". Truthfully, Greg starting the battle with Squirtle would make things harder, but Ace was pretty sure he wouldn''t.


    "Rocky", Ace calls for his partner as he takes his spot on their impromptu battlefield. "You ready to battle?", the boy crouches down next to his partner who barks in confirmation. "Alright, great, just make sure you don''t send the Accelerock into my mom''s flowers, or anyone who''s watching the battle, alright?". Yet again, Rockruff barks in understanding. Ace looks around, realising the backyard is kind of small, and their spectators were standing way to close for comfort. He gestures for them to move further back. It should be fine, he thinks, they''ve practiced Accelerock''s accuracy, so Rockruff should be able to avoid hurting anyone. Besides, this was one battle where he wanted to throw caution out of the window. Beating Greg was not enough, he wanted his cousin to know that he would never, ever, in a million years, make it into Old King''s. Ace wanted them all to see who the better one was. For that, he had to battle in a different way.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Surprisingly, he was calm. His heart was racing, but his head was clear. Maybe that''s how it was, when you knew there was a skill gap between you and your opponent, and you knew you had an upper hand. Ace knew Greg for his whole life, he could read him, and he knew what he should expect.


    Firstly, he knew his cousin would never start with a Squirtle, not after he tried convincing Ace he could win without type advntage in front of their family.


    "Alright, let''s go then", Greg says, realeasing his Pidgey out of the pokeball. As expected.


    The flying type hung low in the air, and Ace realised there was one problem. Winning would be easy, but if Rockruff missed with Accelerock even once, the windows would be gone instead of his mother''s flowers. Well, he only had to bet on his partner not missing.


    "Oh, oh, can I announce the battle", Valerie says excitedly, still holding on to Charcadet.


    "Sure honey", uncle Tom gives her permission.


    "Alright, are you both ready to go?", Valerie yells.


    "Ready", Greg says with a smile.


    "Yeah", Ace says, not taking his eyes off of the Pidgey.


    "Battle, start", Valerie almost screams.


    "Double Team, now", Ace says readily.


    "Starting already", Greg laughs, "okay then, no wasting time, Tackle, Pidgey".


    His cousin is apparently the type that likes giving his own commentary during the battle. Put that under ''dumb ways to die''.


    "Again, Rocky, Double Team", Ace promptly ignores the incoming attack. Does he need two double teams to deal with Pidgey? No. It''s called ''Squirtle safety measures''.


    Tackle misses as Rockruff creates the second energy clone. The bird cirlcles back in the air, staying higher this time around. Ace really doesn''t want to attack now, even though he promised to himslef he''d fight more agressively. Hitting a flying target that moves was hard, and a miss would guarantee him a yelling match with his mother. He decides he doesn''t have to risk it, after all. Accelerock is a priority move, he just needs to wait a bit.


    "Well, creating clones is not really a winning strategy", Greg scratches his head, "you''ve watched too much of of that orange dude again?".


    "You mean Naruto?", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Yeah, that guy has the magic to create clones, right?", Greg keeps on chatting.


    "It''s a ninja technique", Ace scoffs, "and it''s called Shadow Clone Jutsu, you''ve watched the show, you should know this".


    "Well, I know that you should attack if you want to win in a pokemon battle", Greg offers, "why are you just standing there?".


    "Just being a good cousin, giving you some time to think things through", Ace shrugs, but internally he''s screaming for Greg to attack already. He hates everyone constantly telling him he needs to attack, as if he doesn''t know that. He just needs to put himself in a position to do that, one that doesn''t risk breaking any windows.


    "Well, you know, you''re not really good at this, then", Greg scratches his head.


    Ace absolutely hates it. If Ves or Joe were in his place, they''d attack, neither of them would let Greg stand there and have a chat session mid-battle. Joe would gladly break any window to win a battle, and Ves would have no problem setting the garden on fire. Maybe that was the difference between the two of them and Ace.


    "You know, in the simulation...", Greg goes goes to explain something.


    "Accelerock", Ace cuts him off. He''s not sure why he switched up, but his head feels heavy. Ace sees Greg step back in surprise as the flying rocks hit into Pidgey, and he hears himself saying: "Again". Right, Accelerock had priority, but it was a bit weak.


    "Ace, stop it", he hears his mother yell, but it''s a bit too late. Pidgey''s alredy knocked out.


    "Hey, cous, this was not fair", Greg protests loudly, "we were talking".


    "We were battling", Ace says sharply. His hands are trembling, but it feels good.


    "Dude, that was cheap", Greg scoffs, returning his Pidgey.


    "Well, if you want to talk during a battle, try being a commentator, not a trainer", Ace infroms him.


    "So that''s how you wanna do it, huh? Alright.", Greg says chucking his second pokeball out into the air, and releasing Squirtle. "Let me show you then", Greg sounds determined.


    "Accelerok, Rocky", Ace orders immdiately. No use wasting time on Greg''s little ego boosting show.


    "Really, again?", Greg says as the rocks dig into Squirtle.


    "Again", Ace orders, not noticing his hand flies through the air.


    "Ace, slow down", his mother says firmly, but Ace ignores her. Why would he slow down? It''s a battle. The Accelerock hits again. Ace needs 1 more hit, and this will be over.


    "Counter with Water Gun", Greg says hastily, finally realising Ace has no intentions of letting up.


    "Accelerock, end it, Rocky", Ace says carelessly. It''s over already, Greg has no way of recovering. As one of the clones gets in the way of Water Gun, dispersing after taking a hit, Rockruff shoots the final round of rocks.


    Hitting into Squirtle, the projectiles send the water type flying back, knocking it out.


    "And, Ace is the winner!", Valerie exclaims vigourously.


    "Dude, that was not fair at all", Greg yells out, "you should stop attacking".


    "Didn''t you say I needed to attack to win?", Ace scoffs.


    "That was not fair, I mean, you shouldn''t attack when I''m talking", Greg protests.


    "You shouldn''t talk when I''m attacking", Ace grins at him, rage pulsing in his hands.


    "Oh, come on, you know that was a bitch move", Greg rolls his eyes.


    "It''s a battle, you moron", Ace yells.


    "Ace, stop it this instant, apologise", his mother decides to join the scuffle.


    "What for?", Ace retorts, "for beating him? It''s not my fault he doesn''t know what a battle is".


    "Ace", his mother warns.


    "And you know what a battle is, huh?", Greg hisses.


    "Well, I just beat you 2v1 without taking a hit, so I''d say that puts me a few leagues above you", Ace crosses his arms.


    "Ace, that was too much", his mother says firmly, "aplogise".


    To his surprise, Ace finds himself wishing his teammates were there right now. They would understand.


    "No, I''m not apologising to anyone", Ace scoffs, "it was a battle, and I won fair and square, there are no rules that say I''m obliged to have a chat with him mid-battle".


    "Fine", Greg gestures for everyone to calm down, "if you''re satisfied with a win like this".


    "Yeah, I am, it was a clean kill", Ace says, "and I think it proves one thing".


    "Oh, and that is?", Greg raises his eyebrow.


    "I''m better than you", Ace says calmly.


    "Oh, just cause you won one battle and made it into some school doesn''t instantly make you better", Greg rolls his eyes.


    "You do realise everyone at Old King''s fights like this?", Ace informs him, "no one there would stand around and chat with you during a battle, you wouldn''t last 2 days".


    "Okay, okay, hold your horses", aunt Celia decides to intervene, "you battled, it''s over now, you were both good".


    "Right, no more fighting", Ace''s mother joins her sister''s efforts, "we should get ready and go to the pokemon center".


    "Right, Greg, you should calm down and get ready for your gym battle", aunt Celia says calmly.


    "Alright", Greg says, recalling Squirtle.


    "Okay, let''s all go inside now", Ace''s mother claps her hands, hurrying imside in order to avoid any more fighting.


    "Let''s go, Rocky", Ace says, picking up his partner. His skin feels firm and sharp in Ace''s hands, but he''s goddamn going to carry Rockruff around just to rub more salt into Greg''s wounded ego.


    The rest of them get ready quietly, all avoiding to look at Ace, except for Valerie, who''s now trying to carry Charcadet around. If they knew how things were at Old King''s, would they act the same, Ace wonders. Damn, if they saw Houndour attacking Joe, and Riolu attacking Ves, they''d probably be grateful Rockruff didn''t cause any damage to anyone.


    He sees them all whispering away to Greg, and he aboslutely hates it. His cousin lost beacuse he was weak. That was all. So why are they all acting as if Ace has done something he shouldn''t? It''s like they''ve never seen a pokemon battle in their lives. No one stands around and talk. And Ace could bet Greg would lose his gym battle as well. He had no strategy, and no tools to build one, on top of the fact that both of his pokemon were weak to electric types. But everyone''s acting as if Greg lost due to Ace doing something wrong, and not his own shortcomings.


    In the end, Ace decides he wants none of that. Convincing Valerie to let go of Charcadet, he recalls him into the pokeball. With that, he informs the rest of the family he''ll go ahead of them to the gym. He doesn''t need an uncomfortable drive to the pokemon center. And besides, Joe gave him the healing capsule for Rockruff''s pokeball, so his partner would recover strenght anyways. Just for fun, Ace thinks, he''ll challenge the gym just for fun. Look, this is not him trying to prove anything to his family. He''s already beat Greg, and if that wasn''t enough for them to realise some things, then nothing else will convince them. No, he wanted to challenge the gym for his own sake. Regardless of his family''s reaction, he was riding the adrenaline thrill from his victory, and he wanted another one.


    Not to many people knew, but carrying the provisional license allowed you to challenge the gym leader. You couldn''t win a badge though, or rather, the gym leader could give you one, but it would serve no purpose. Nevertheless, Ace could challenge the gym leader, and he was about to.


    Hurrying over to the gym, he tried to make sure to arrive there before his family. He needed to see the gym leader, Bryan, in action. Bryan was new, only starting in this position at the start of this circuit, which was 2 weeks ago. Therefore, even though Ace had frequented the gym during his middle school days, he had never seen the new gym leader battle. He did, however, check the official result boards for all the gyms, seeing that during his 2 weeks of active duty, Bryan had given out only 27 badges. Considering how many challengers usually are during the circuit, and the fact that gym leader would usually take at least 7 challengers per day, that was a a pretty good number. Still, within the current ranking of Kantonian gyms, Bryan was the weakest, perhaps because he was the newest. So, if Ace was to take on any gym leader, it would have to be Brian.


    He makes his way into the gym, expertly finding the route to the stadium. Not to mention, he''s walked these hallways countless times. He takes a seat in the stands, near the fence, noting that there''s a bunch of kids spectating as well.


    On the battlefield, the battoe is in progress. Spotting Bryan out is easy, because the guy has spiky blond hair and is wearing a t-shirt with lightning strikes. That''s called dedication to the type. His Pikachu is swiftly moving across the field, fighting a Vulpix some girl had brought around. It reminded Ace of Natasha, but only for a moment. This girl was far inferior, and barely able to call any shots. It was dissapointing, since the battle didn''t let him see any of Bryan''s tricks. The only thing Ace could conclude was that gym leader liked taking it easy and playing around when he knew he could take the opponent.


    Anyways, the girl goes down after her Vulpix fails to hit a single attack for 5 minutes straight. Very slow, Ace thinks, he''s not going to allow Bryan the luxury of playing around like this. Pikachu seemed to have enjoyed the dodging exercise, though.


    Once the battle is over, Bryan merrily strolls over to the challenger, offering advice. Ace doesn''t waste too much time, jumping the fence and heading towards the pair.


    "Oh, hey buddy", the gym leader notices him, "don''t do that, please, I can sign autographs later, alright".


    "I did not come for the autograph", Ace notes shortly, "I''m here to issue a challenge".


    "Oh, issuing a challenge?", Brayan exchanges confused looks with the girl he had just beaten.


    "I''m a student at Old King''s, so I have my provisional license", Ace explains, producing his e-permit, "I''m allowed to issue an official challenge to a gym leader".


    "Oh, right, right", Bryan scratches his head, "high school, huh, no offense, you jus look a bit too young, that''s all".


    "Well, I''m not lying", Ace crosses his arms.


    "Not saying that you are, just saying, you didn''t have to jump onto the battlefield", Bryan smiles as he waves his hands around, "I''m always up for a battle, and my next challenger shouldn''t be around for the next 30 minutes, so we could go at it right now".


    "Oh, sorry, I was just excited", Ace admits.


    "Oh, that''s what I like to hear", Bryan laughs.


    "Well, is it okay if I go after your next challenger?", Ace questions.


    "Nervous?", Bryan winks at him.


    "Not at the slightest", Ace admits, "your next challenger is my cousin, I want him to watch me beat you, that''s all".


    "Oh, you''re that confident, huh, alright...", Bryan says giving him a weird squint.


    "Um, Ace, name''s Ace", the boy says.


    "Okay, Ace, then, let me catch my breath, then I''ll be there to beat both you and your cousin", Bryan smiles. "Oh, just one question", the gym adds.


    "I''m listening", Ace nods.


    "You made it into Old King''s, so you''re supposed to be good, right?", Bryan says.


    "Well, yeah, I''m good", Ace tries to sound confident.


    "Good, you don''t mind me testing out my pridogy?", Bryan notes. Quickly adding: "no worries, I take it you''re a first year, I won''t go full out on you, it''s just that my Elekid rarely gets to battle, since everyone challenging me is either a begginer or someone who''s already pretty far ahead in the gym challenge".


    "Oh, use whatever pokemon you want", Ace says simply, "just don''t go easy on me".


    "Wasn''t planning to", Bryan nods, "we''ll make this a regular gym battle, I''ll adjust my level to yours, but no hand-outs buddy".


    "That''s perfect", Ace agrees.


    "Good, then, I''ll go get ready", Bryan says excitedly, "Elekid''s gonna be happy when he hears I found an opponent for him".


    "Right, well, thanks for accepting my challenge", Ace laughs. He definitely likes Bryan. At least the gym leader is not underestimating him.


    He decides to hang back at the benches to pass the time before his family arrives. Taking out his pokedex, Ace quickly searches around for Elekid. He figured out a few immediate problems as soon as Bryan had told him about his choice of pokemon. Unlike Pikachu that he had seen battle earlier, Elekid was a slow and bulky pokemon, that could pack a punch. By Ace''s calculations, he''d have to get at least 5 hits in to knock it out. And he couldn''t allow Rockruff to take more than 2. Well, those were his estimates, of course it depended on how strong Elekid was. One hit from that thing could very well be enough to knock Rockruff out. Good thing is, Bryan didn''t know what pokemon Ace would use.


    Well, it would ultimately come down to getting in as many hits as he could, while not taking any in return. That meant one thing. With his usual Double Team strategy, Ace had an advantage. He just needed to ensure he isn''t hit in the beginning. But he had plan for that. Watching that girl with Vulpix gave him an idea. Well, it didn''t, but it did remind him of Natasha''s battle against Joe. Looks like Ace will be taking a page out of her playbook as well.


    By the time his family arrives, he already has a hefty little plan in his head, with a few variations.


    "Ace, I hope you''ve calmed down a bit", his mother whispers firmly at him.


    "Not at all", Ace says loudly, "actually, I''ve challenged Bryan as well".


    "You challenged the gym leader?", Greg falls for the bait.


    "Yeah, I''ll battle him as soon as you lose to him", Ace laughs.


    "I just think you''re in over your head here", Greg ignores him.


    "Oh, we''ll see about that, I guess", Ace says.


    "Ace, calm down", his mother warns again.


    "I am calm, very calm", Ace rasies his eyebrow, "I''m not sure what you have against your own kid being confident".


    "My God, I can''t with you", his mother weils, "so this is my fault now".


    "Not what I said", Ace says sharply, "but you seem to have something against me believing in myslef".


    "We just don''t want you to end up dissapointed", his father chimmes in.


    "Well, I won''t", Ace says, "I''ve lost quite a few times at Old King''s, and my ego''s still in-tact, you see".


    "Look Ace, it''s just that pokemon training is not for everyone", his mother sighs, "and we''re scared that you''ll hit the ground".


    "So you keep me down on it, huh?", Ace raises his eyebrows.


    "You don''t get it Ace", his father says quietly, "things don''t always go the way we hope they will".


    "No, no, you don''t get it", Ace''s vocie cracks. "So let''s make this clear, I worked my ass off, and I made it into Old King''s, it wasn''t luck, it was me", Ace says, "and mind you, none of you know how that school really is, I''ve been losing left and right for 2 weeks, but I''ve grown and became stronger, so you know, hitting the fucking groumd over and over again might be better than staying on it forever".


    Looking over at Greg: "and you, you wouldn''t last a day at Old King''s, not in golden generation, not in my generation. And it''s not because you''re a bad trainer, everyone can grow and become stronger, but you''re too stubborn in the wrong direction, you''re so used to everyone telling you how great you are that you can''t even phantom the reality, and the reality is that you are bellow mediocrity at this point".


    "Ace, that''s enough", his mother hisses.


    "No, no it''s not, he''s a beginner, but he goes into the battle behaving like he''s in Master''s division going against a beginner, cause he thinks so highly of himself", Ace keeps his gaze on his cousin, "newsflash, type matchups are overcome through training, skills, developing strategies and learning coverage moves, and you have none of that, your pokemon are not only weak to this gym''s type, but they are not properly trained, their strenghts are underdeveloped and their moves are lackluster, but that''s your fault, Gregory, it''s your job as a trainer to help prepare your pokemon for battles and everything they entail".


    "Ace, calm down", his father places his hand on the boy''s shoulder. Ace didn''t even notice how much he had gotten into this monologue, but it felt good. His heart was racing in the best way possible.


    "Anyways, after you lose this match, give some thought to what I have said", Ace manages to keep his voice flat.


    "Huh", Greg says, trying to remain calm, but visibly shaken, "you say you''ve been losing left and right, but you''re here, giving out advice".


    "Well, I''ve picked up a few things from my losses", Ace rolls his eyes, "first being that a battle isn''t a time to have a chat".


    "So, that''s what they teach you at Old King''s", Greg looks away, "glad I didn''t make it then".


    Ace wants to tell him that''s a part of a special class called ''watching a sociopath with a Riolu kick everyone''s ass, repeatedly''. Instead, he settles for a simple: "good you didn''t, then".


    Thankfully, Bryan walks into the stadium the very next moment, looking increasingly cheerful, blissfully umaware of the ideological clash that had just taken place in his gym. He strolls towards them gleefuly, immediately sidelining for Ace.


    "Hey, kiddo, Elekid''s roaring to go, so you better be ready", he says, finger-gunning Ace.


    "Oh, I''m ready", Ace says, shakimg off the remaining tension from his little outburst. He wanted his head to be clear for the battle ahead.


    "You''re taking me on first, though", Greg says, stepping out.


    "Of course, that was the deal", Bryan takes a curious look at Greg. "You look determined, we can start immediately", he notes, probably noticing Greg''s on the edge.


    "Good, then we can go", Greg says, taking firm steps towards his side of the field.


    "Alright, I''m right behind you", Bryan says, giving a quick nod to Ace and the family before he goes to take his spot.


    Ace notices the way everyone''s eyes are flying from Greg, to him, then back to Greg again. He''s definitely managed to shake everyone up. Good, let them all face their own bullshit. And when he wins against Bryan, everything he had said will cement itself. He did his training, and his strategy was good. Admittedly, his moveset wasn''t what he wanted it to be at the moment, but it was good enough in this occasion. Even more importantly, this battle would prove to Ace once and for all that the work he''s put in so far was worth it. That''s what the gym battles were, after all, the culmination of one''s own efforts put into training.


    But first he needed watch Greg''s battle. Frankly, he didn''t care how it went, Greg could win for all he cared, although he was certain his cousin wouldn''t be able to do it.


    "Alright, both participants, send out your pokemon", the ref says, and both Greg and Bryan throw their pokeballs respectively.


    Greg sends out Squirtle, which was to be expected. On Bryan''s side of the field, a Voltorb appears, which is a bit of a strange choice. Besides being pretty fast, Voltorb lacked attacking capacities, and was easy to knock out. Mixed with its non-existent charms, it was not a pokemon many trainers gravitated towards. This was probably Bryan adjusting his battling level to match Greg better, since the gym leader knew this was Greg''s second battle.


    "Alright, battle beging", the announcer notes as sure as he''s certain both participants are ready to go.


    "Water Gun, now", Greg wastes no time in calling out an attack.


    "Dodge it", Bryan commands with a smile.


    If his family was sitting down, they''d be on the edge of their seats, as they watch Squirtle''s Water Gun miss its marks. The attack is weak and slow, Ace notices, Bryan could''ve countered right then and there if he wanted to. Well, if he was battling at full power.


    "Go on Squirtle, again, Water Gun", Ace can hear the determination in Greg''s voice. But pure determination doesn''t win any battles.


    The attack misses again, and Ace can hear aunt Celia gasp audiably. He''s not sure why, Voltorb already dodged the water gun once, if nothing changes about the attack, it''s only logical the same scenario will repeat.


    "Again, Squirtle", Greg orders up, and Ace barely holds in a sigh. His cousin has no plan, he''s attacking blindly.


    "Yes, hold on Gregy", aunt Celia cheers next to him, not realising her son''s efforts will end up being futile. She growls in dissatisfaction as the Water Gun misses yet again.


    "Water Gun, now, keep it up", Greg yells out.


    "Alright, Voltorb, dodge into Thunder Wave", Bryan says with a smile. Spinning out of the way of the pressured water, the orb-like pokemon sends an electrifying wave into the Squirtle. Electricity curling around the water type''s body makes him paralysed.


    "Oh, no, hang in there, sweetie", aunt Celia squeals from the sidelines.


    "Oh, it''s only one attack, and it doesn''t do damage", uncle Tom reassures her, before yelling out, "go ahead son, give him hell".


    "You''re right, Gregy''s been holding out well so far", aunt Celia nods, "the gym leader only landed one attack, and it took him this long".


    "You do realise Bryan was waiting to see if he''ll change his attack, he could''ve done this immediately, he''s just testing to see his abilities", Ace notes in disinterest. He knew well enough that Voltorb had an electric move on it, and Bryan could''ve won by now if he wanted to.


    Ace hears his mother mutter something, but he doesn''t pay attention. Instead, he focuses on the battle in front of him. Bryan does go easy on the beginners, way too easy. Ace wonders if he''ll keep the same level when he battles him. Or if he''ll up his game in case Ace corners him. Since he did call Elekid his pridogy, Ace was pretty sure the gym leader wouldn''t play around this much during their battle, especially if Ace proves to be a good opponent.


    Meanwhile, the gym leader seems to find enjoyment in toying with Greg. He lets him get off a few more Water Guns, just so Voltorb can dodge them. With paralysis taking its tool, Squirtle''s attacks are even slower. When he figures out Greg will just keep going for the same atttack, Bryan orders tackle. Probably wants to see if Greg can come up with a way to counter a simple attack. The boy orders his partner to dodge, but with paralysis, that doesn''t fly, and Squirlte ends up being knocked back. Ace is on the verge of starting to pray for this battle to end.


    "Tackle, Squirtle, get them", Greg orders, visibly irritated that none of his attacks are hitting the mark.


    Voltorb proceeds to casually roll away from the incoming attack. Next Tackle on Greg''s side meets the same face.


    "It''s fine, you''ll get him, just keep going", aunt Celia offers some terrible advice.


    The thing is, Greg was losing this one from the beginning, and Ace was the only one who knew that. Greg simply had no tools to hit Voltorb. Bryan couldn''t know that. He''s a gym leader, his job is to test each challenger during the battle. That assumed going into the battle thinking that the challenger had come up with the way to deal with the said challenge. And Greg had no way to do that.


    Aunt Celia and the rest of his family simply couldn''t wrap their heads around the concept.


    Bryan, on the other hand, realised it after Tackle number 5.


    "Okay, ShockWave, Voltorb", the gym leader says decisevly, and, within a moment, the electric energy hits Squirtle cleanly knocking the water type out of his misery.


    "Battle''s over", the ref quickly says, "the win goes to Bryan, the gym leader".


    "Oh, no, sweetie", aunt Celia swiftly goes to comfort her son. Greg shoves her away, looking livid at the loss.


    Ace would love to revel in this, but has an even better idea. He quickly makes it onto the battlefield, trying his best to ignore Greg. He notices though, everyone patting his shoulder when he stands back at the sidelines.


    Bryan is stood on his side of the field, looking slightly uncomfortable.


    "Hey", Ace gets his attention, "I''m ready to go, if that''s alright with you".


    "Oh, right now?", Bryan snaps back to reality.


    "Yeah, if it''s okay with you, you can bring Elekid in", Ace nods.


    He sees Bryan looking at the sidelines, but doesn''t follow his gaze. He wants to fully focus on the battle in front of him. "I can stay in with Voltorb, if you want", Bryan says carefully.


    "No, I''m excited to take on Elekid", Ace reassures him.


    "Alright, then", the gym leader quickly recalls Voltorb, letting Elekid hit the field. Seeing his pridogy on the battlefield quickly gets the gym leader back into the groove.


    "Let''s go, Rocky", Ace says, letting Rockruff hit the field as well. "Ready when you are", Ace says in determination.


    "Ready", Bryan nods over to the ref.


    "Alright, then", the ref waves flag down, "battle, begin".


    "Double Team, now", Ace says immediately.


    "Thunder Punch", Bryan counters.


    Rockruff creates the clone, only for it to quickly disperse from Elekid''s attack. If Bryan was going full out, he''d take this opportunity to connect another attack, but he doesn''t.


    That only leaves space for Ace to set the pace.


    "Sand Attack, now", Ace orders up immediately.


    The attack connects, but Bryan is quick to counter: "Thunder Punch". No missing from that distance.


    But Ace is not aiming at the miss right now. "Dodge with Quick Attack", the boy orders as Rockruff quickly gets out of the way, and Elekid''s attack hits  into the ground. If Bryan''s not going to connect attacks, Ace definitely will: "Now, Accelerock, fast".


    "Get back, Elekid", Bryan orders, but Ace had worked on the speed of his attack, and Rockruff hit his mark without the issue. Sure, it was a weak attack, but it landed.


    "Again, Rocky", Ace says, wanting to get another attack in now that he has an opening.


    "Protect", Bryan orders.


    That''s a switch up, Ace thinks. He''s upping the level. As the Protect stops the attack, the boy takes the opportunity: "Double Team".


    "Thunder Punch", Bryan orders.


    This time however, Elekid has less time to attack since he''s coming off of Protect, so Double Team goes through. And Ace has time to order a Quick Attack dodge.


    As his partner drops back, dodging the attack, Ace''s not sure what the right move is. Setting another Double Team. But Elekid''s on the attack, it would be a waste.


    "Accelerock", the boy decides he needs to take over the pace again.


    "Protect", Bryan orders readily, and Ace can tell he''s fired up. Not good.


    "Double Team", Ace takes a chance to get an advantage. Thunder Punch can''t hurt if it doesn''t hit.


    "Elekid, jump up, use Electroweb", Bryan orders with a smirk.


    "No, dodge it", Ace says hastily. He didn''t realise. Elekid knew that move, or that Bryan would switch up again this fast.


    Electroweb is a field-wide attack, and coming from the air, the chances it would miss were low. Just like that, both clones Rockruff had created dispersed. Electroweb wasn''t particularly strong, thankfully, but it would slow Ace''s partner down.


    However, if he could get Elekid to use that attack from the air again, it would create an opening.


    "Rocky, Quick Attack", Ace said swiftly.


    "Protect", Bryan orders, as Ace had expected.


    "Now, move away, and get ready for Accelerock", Ace says readily. He needed to divert attention, and he wants Bryan thinking he didn''t have a way to deal with aerial Electroweb.


    "Take the attack, hit back with Trailblaze", Bryan orders up.


    "Use Quick Attack to get away", Ace says as Elekid breaks throught the Accelerock, trying to hit the Trailblaze.


    He got another hit in, which is good. And he baited out Elekid''s 4th attack, also good. Bad news, it was Trailblaze. So Bryan had multiple tools ways of speed control. And speed was the main thing Ace had going for him here. If he allowed that Elekid to become faster, this would be over quickly. Even worse, Trailblaze would probably knock out Rockruff with only 2 attacks.


    "Go into the attack again, Trailblaze", Bryan doesn''t give him much time to think.


    "Quick Attack, dodge it", Ace says, trying to figure out the way of this. He needs to regain control.


    "Don''t let up, Trailblaze again", Bryan persists. This was his way of testing if Ace can counter him. The gym leader not giving him time to breathe made him feel proud and terrified at the same time.


    "Just dodge it, Rocky", Ace says, realising he had gotten a Sand Attack off. He had a way to get out of this. "Go for Sand Attack", he said. Lowering Elekid''s accuracy was good, but it wasn''t the main goal.


    "Hit the Trailblaze, Elekid", Bryan says. He''s definitely decided he wants to get a hit in on Ace, even if it meant taking another Sand Attack.


    However, sticking a Sand Attack in his pattern was there just so Ace could switch up the pace.


    "Quick Attack, get away, then Accelerock", Ace instructs swiftly, and Rockruff obliges, getting out of the Elekid''s way, before sending rock projectiles into the elctric type.


    "Protect, now", Bryan orders.


    "Good, Double Team", Ace says readily.


    With two Sand Attacks off and a Double Team up, there''s just one thing for Bryan to do.


    "Jump up, Electroweb", the gym leader orders, ready to cover the whole field.


    It''s all about the timing, Ace realises, so he waits for Protect to go down. As soon as Elekid leaps up, Ace orders: "Accelerock, hit his legs".


    Rockruff quickly obliges, sending the array of rocks into flying Elekid, ruining his balance.


    Ace doesn''t wait for Bryan to recover. "Again, Rocky, Accelerock", he says quickly, and his partner sends another round of rocks at the electric type. That''s 4 hits in. "Again", Ace says, realising he''s going to need at least 2 more hits to win this, and this was his ideal oportunity.


    "Protect, get up Elekid", Bryan says swiftly, and Elekid manages to comply, stopping the next attack.


    "Double Team", Ace wastes no time. That Elekid might''ve been able to stand back up, but he''s not leaving the ground anytime soon.


    "Electroweb, from the ground", Bryan says readily.


    "Accelerock, now", Ace says, deducing he can trade taking a hit for getting one in.


    Electroweb disperses the clone, hitting Rockruff as well, but Accelerock hits in return. Elekid looks as if he''s barely hanging on, and Ace knows he needs just one more hit to finish this. Meanwhile, with two Sand Attacks off, it would be too risky for Bryan to try Thunder Punch or Trailblaze again.


    "Again, Rocky, Accelerock", Ace wants to keep the pressure coming, even though he knows where this leads to.


    "Dodge it, Trailblaze", Bryan surprises him. He expected Protect there.


    Seeing Elekid move away from his Aattack Ace quickly orders: "Quick Attack, get away, then Accelerock".


    "Catch up to him, Trailblaze", Bryan persists, with an almost manic smile on his face. He''s pretty much throwing caution through the window and going full out.


    "Rocky", Ace yells out as Elekid surges in, grass energy enveloping his arm. Rockruff fires the Accelerock, hitting into Elekid''s incoming attack, but the electric type manages to pull through somehow.


    Then, to Ace''s surprise, Elekid misses.


    "Accelerock", Ace seizes the opportunity, "end it, Rocky".


    With switness, his partner fires of the final round of rocks, hitting into the Elekid, and knocking out the electric type for good.


    "Oh, God", Ace breathes the sigh of relief. It was over. He won, he realises. He won. And Bryan wasn''t going easy on him. "Rocky, get over here", the boy extends his arms, letting his partner jump up and lick his face. He''s pretty sure he had earned a few scratches thanks to that but it doesn''t matter. What matters is that he won this. "You''re a champ", he says to his partner, "that was amazing, I''m getting you some treats after this, maybe even a few chewing toys". Rockruff barks happily at the idea.


    "Hey, Ace", the boy doesn''t even notice when Bryan appears next to him. "That was great, kid", the gym leader places his hand on Ace''s shoulder, "kinda went a bit berserker at the end there, sorry for that".


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed", Ace laughs, "you really know how to put on a pressure".


    "Well, sorry, I mean, I shouldn''t really battle against beginners like that", Bryan admits.


    "Oh, no worries", Ace waves it off, "honestly, I''m glad you took me seriously at the end there, I mean, I prefer it over that thing you did at the beginning of the match, you gave me quite a bit of breathing space".


    "Eh, well, that''s what I''m supposed to do", Bryan scratches his head, "well, anyways, that was real fun, and for the record, I would''ve won if I didn''t let you get those two Sand Attacks off".


    "We''ll never know", Ace laughs, knowing full well that if that last Trailblaze hit, he would''ve been toast.


    "Huh, anyways, looks like Elekid needs a bit more training as well", Bryan notes, "thanks for battling with us".


    "Hey, thanks for letting me battle", Ace nods.


    "Well, since you won", Bryan says digging through his pocket, "I think you deserve this". He digs out the gym badge, offering it to Ace.


    "Um, thanks, but it''s really no use to me", Ace says only slightly confused, "I''m not taking on the gym challenge, remember?".


    "I know, but you won fair and square, so I want you to have it", Bryan says enthusiastically, "I mean, I hope this battle helped you grow in some way, you know, that''s the point of the gym challenge, and badges are reminders of your accomplishments".


    "Right", Ace says, taking the badge, "I''ll hold on to this then".


    "Amazing, oh, and if you ever want to battle again, feel free to challenge me, alright?", Bryan offers, "or you know, if you need training, if you ever get yourself an electric type, oh, or if you ever want to get yourself an electric type, you know what, I have quite a few Magnemites, I could give one to you so can raise it".


    Ace finds the gym leaders offer-vomiting endearing. "Thanks for the offer, but I have my hands full with training Rocky already, and Private as well", Ace ultimately decides. "Though, I''ll definitely come around for another battle when I''m back home", he quickly adds.


    "Glad to hear that", Bryan nods, sounding only slightly dissapointed.


    "Hey, Ace, Ace", Valerie runs up to him, quickly taking hold of his leg, "that was great".


    "Thanks, Val", Ace says, softly separating her from his leg. The rest of his family approaches them, and he''s not too interested in what they have to say just yet.


    "And who''s this little one", Bryan kneels down next to the little girl, "are you going to be a trainer as well, battle me someday, huh?".


    "Yes", Valerie says sweetly, "and I''ll be so good, I''ll crush you twat".


    Bryan looks a bit taken back, as Ace''s father mutters to him: "she learned this from you".


    "Well, anyways", Bryan tries to recover from the toddler''s insult, "Ace, that was good, just keep on training, and, just a warning, next time you come around, I''m raising the level even more, so be prepared".


    "Roger that", Ace says, satisfied that his family has gotten to hear that.


    "And what about Greg, he was good as well", aunt Celia insists.


    "Um, yeah, he was fine", Bryan says a bit uncomfortably. "Well, here''s a thing buddy", the gym leader adresses Greg, "you need to read the situation better".


    "What do you mean by that?", aunt Celia sounds insulted on his behalf.


    "Mom, stop", Greg places his hand on here shoulder. "Okay, how do I do that?", he says, locking eyes with the gym leader.


    "Well, for instance, you kept using Water Gun at the beginning there", Bryan points out, "but you kept using it from the same distance, even though Voltorb managed to avoide it, you should''ve noticed that and tried coming closer in for an attack, or switching the attack alltogether".


    "Right", Greg nods, not sounding satisfied.


    "Then I paralysed your Squirtle to see what you''ll come up with, but you held on to your water guns", Bryan notes, "only then did you go for Tackle, an attack that would''ve been better before your pokemon was struck with paralysis".


    "Right, so what was I supposed to do then?", Greg questions.


    "Well, you saw how Ace used Quick Attack to get away from me, you should''ve tried using Tackle to get closer in, so your Water Gun would actually hit", Bryan offers, "and besides, you''re just starting your journey, so you should think of not using a water type against me, do you have any other pokemon on you?".


    "Yeah, a Pidgey", Greg admits.


    "Well", Bryan says, "that''s rough".


    "Pidgey would''ve been a better choice here, though", Ace quickly notes.


    "Ace", his mother says.


    "Yeah, probably", Bryan thinks about it, "I mean, again, not the best pick for an electric type gym, but at least it can fly, so it''s more mobile than Squirtle and harder to predict".


    "Right, of course", Greg looks away.


    "Well, this is just one loss", Bryan shrugs, "you''ll do better next time".


    "This is my second loss to you", Greg reminds him.


    "Yeah, I know", Bryan says, "but it''s fine, you know, beginnings can be rough".


    "Right", Greg nods slowly.


    "I''m sure you''ll do better next time, champ", uncle Tom places his arm around his son. "By the way, Ace, that was fun to watch", he adds, winking at his nephew.


    "Thanks", Ace says with satisfaction. Victory does taste sweet, especially after he that monologue he had gave to Greg. It definitely struck a cord, and Ace for once couldn''t wait to see the aftermath.


    "Well, until next time, I guess", Bryan nods, "to both of you".


    "Yeah, until next time", Ace says happily. One thing he knows for certain, he''s leaving for Old King''s tomorrow, and he''s more ready for it than ever.


    *****


    The fallout of everything falls short of Ace''s expectations. Very short.


    His parents keep quiet on their way to the pokemon center, and aunt Celia and Greg ignore him all together. His father congratulates him, and his mother keeps the conversation on what they should have for dinner. Uncle Tom and Valerie refuse to let the gym battles go, though. They were thrilled to spectate, and they enjoyed both battles equally somehow, even though Ace is pretty sure his battle was superior.


    Even when they get back home, the tension is palpable. Ace does enjoy it. None of them can say anything anymore. Bryan had proved one thing - Ace didn''t do anything wrong in his battle against Greg, it was, instead the latter who could not match Ace''s pace.


    Although he''d much prefer to have everyone admit that he was by far better than his cousin, the silence of defeat was more than sufficant. He proudly filled Rockruff and Charcadet''s food bowls with the chocolate-peacha flavoured pokeblocks, making sure to loudly congratulate both of them for their efforts, and to Rockruff for battling so damn well and winning a gym battle.


    He even made an entire show of getting Valerie to take a picture of him and Rockruff, where he was showcasing his newly earned badge, so he could send it to Lesley. Because, why not showboast to him as well, while getting on Greg''s nerves even more in the process. Hell, Ace even decided to take it a step further, making sure to tell everyone how great of a battler Lesley was, and proposing Greg should battle him when the boy comes back to Vermilion.


    "Doubt that will happen anytime soon", Greg coughes up.


    "Oh, I''m sure Lesley will come sooner or later", Ace notes.


    "I''m setting off on Monday", Greg blurts out.


    "What?", aunt Celia reacts in immediate shock, "but, honey, why?".


    "I need to go", Greg doesn''t move his gaze from the wall, "I''m not sticking around here for another week just to lose in this gym again".


    "Greg, it''s fine, I''m sure you''ll earn your badge eventually", Ace''s mother says calmly, "failure is a part of life, you''ll do it eventually".


    "Oh, too bad that same sentiment doesn''t apply to your own son", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Of course it does, Ace", his mother says firmly.


    "We just don''t want to see you fail", his father adds. "You know, we don''t want you to feel like this", he nods over to Greg, "of course failure is normal, we just hate to see our children go through it".


    "So, you''d rather knock me down yourself, huh", Ace scoffs.


    "No, we just don''t want you getting your hopes too high, Ace", his mother says, "so you wouldn''t crash and burn".


    "Oh, but that only goes for me, huh", Ace says.


    "Oh, son", his father sighs, "it''s not about that, you know, Tom and Celia have their own way of doing things, we don''t meddle in that".


    "Right, what does that have to do with anything?", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Well, you see, I wanted to be a pilot, and I''ve chased that dream, and now I work at the harbour", his father offers, "so I know a thing or two about failure, and I don''t want you to ever go through that".


    "Right, and besides, you and Greg aren''t the same person, honey", his mother adds, "you were always much... softer, and, I don''t know, you used to bruise much more easily when you were a kid, so you know, we just want to protect you from failure".


    "Well, you''re doing it wrong", Ace says sharply.


    "Ace", his father locks his eyes with him, and Ace is ready for another nonsensical hurtful thing. "That was a good battle", the man says simply. Ace eases up a bit. "However, things can always turn around, so don''t fly too high". Ace wants to say something in return, but he remembers he''s 500 points behind, effectively failing the year. He''s definitley not admitting to that, not right now.


    "Anyways, I''m setting off on Monday, I''m going to earn the badges that I can", Greg says, his eyes finding Ace. "Next time I see you, I want a rematch", he says flatly, "and I will beat you".


    "Oh, we''ve got a rivarly within the family, great", uncle Tom''s the only one who seems happy about it.


    "Alright, so if the dust is settled then", Ace says dryly, "do tell me, what do you all think who the better trainer is here?". The silence falls over the room, having everyone shuffle in their seats uncomfortably, save for Valerie who immediately points to him.


    "That''s what I thought", Ace scoffs, looking at his parents. After this entire ordeal, they can''t even proudly say their son was better.

 Chapter 18

    "No, Yue, stop bothering Kafka, he''ll blast you away", Joe says fervidly, doing his best to surgically remove his 2 year old cousin from the goddamn Espurr without triggering a temper tantrum. "Bad baby, stop it, Yue", Joe says to her calmly. Not that he could ever truly be mad at her, since Yue was his favourite cousin, for the simple fact she was the only one to ever listen to the word he says. She was 2 though, and he doubted she understood the word he said. Besides, he was responsible for Yue''s name, as he had bothered his aunt and uncle until they finally agreed to name their child after the moon girl from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Everyone came to like the name eventually, and Joe was pretty sure Ace would congratulate him on his taste.


    Unfortunately, Yue seemed to have taken quite the interst in Espurr, that Joe had promptly named Kafka, full name Franz Kafka, obvoiusly. His baby cousin had no idea this furrball could potentially blast them all away with his psychic powers. As he kept his cousin away from Kafka, Joe cursed Teo once more. He really hated him for springing this thing at him. He did decide to keep it though, it was a psychic type, and it was cute, besides he had quickly grown fond of it. The problems were numerous though.


    Yesterday in Canalave, he lost to Henry. That was not the big issue, if he expected anyone to beat him, it would be Henry anyways. The fact that Riolu went and attacked on his own was, however, concerning. He knew exactly what that was - his fault. He got carried away, letting whatever emotions run rampant, and Riolu picked up on them and enacted them. If anything had happened it would be his fault.


    Pokemon that can''t control its psychic power isn''t the ideal gift for someone who had just witnessed his emotions reading pokemon try and kill his classmate.


    Nevertheless, it''s the gift he had recived. Espurr, at least, seemed to have his powers under control.


    Still, he didn''t want the thing anywhere near his favourite cousin.


    "Joe, just let her cuddle it", his mother appears at the doorframe, speaking ever so softly. "Pokemon are friends, don''t separate her from them", she spouts the usual Alolan rhetoric at him.


    "This friend could easily blast us all into the afterlife", Joe informs her flatly.


    "Why are you so morbid", his mother sighs.


    "I call it being realistic and cautious", Joe says bluntly.


    "You know, you used to be such a sweet kid", his mother says, as if melancholic, "not sure what happened to you, but I''d like to have my kid back please".


    "Sorry, can''t do", Joe says, "that kid got lost in the lush forest and died, you''re stuck with me now".


    "If you say so", she says, "I have to go and re-do the sale reports, your father mixed up some things, can you watch the rest of the kids? They are playing in the front porch".


    "Can only watch them for an hour", Joe says, picking up Yue, "have to go see my friends again".


    "When you say friends, I suppose you mean Damian", his mother raises her eyebrow.


    "And the others", Joe nods.


    "The gang members", his mother nods, "you know, I wish you would stay away from kids like that, you''re not really a gang type, Joe".


    "Mom, team skull is not a gang", Joe says, already tired of this conversation, "besides, they are the only people who want to hang out with me, and frankly, the only people I want to hang out with".


    "Your cousins like hanging out with you", his mother points out softly.


    "As much as I love Yue, she''s not exactly the best at talking, you know", Joe says calmly, "and the rest of the kids are all younger than me, rember".


    "Oh, yeah, yeah, I remember, what did you name that again?", the woman says playfully, "the curse of the odlest child".


    "The eldest child", Joe corrects her, "or the curse of the de-facto older brother".


    "Right, well, then, de-facto older brother, you should in fact-o go and watch over your siblings", she smiles at her own joke before leaving.


    Joe makes his way out of the house, only to be greeted with 8 other kids. This was his life in a nutshell, kids all around. It''s not to bad, he likes having a huge family, but all of his cousins were much younger than him, and more importantly, they barely ever listened to him. Espurr follows behind him, causing half of them to run up to them immediately and try and pet it.


    "Hey, hey, stay away, you small mischiefs", Joe tries waving them away, "Kafka''s not a toy".


    "But he''s a friend", Rory, who''s the oldest cousin he has at 9 years old says.


    "Nope, Kafka''s not a friend, nor a toy, nor a pet", Joe reiterates, "he can be very dangerous".


    "Do you battle with him?", one of the girls asks.


    "And why did you name him Kafka, it''s a very stupid name", her sister adds.


    "No, I still haven''t battled with Kafka", Joe says simply, "and I named him that after a writer".


    "Oh, of course you did", Rory laughs.


    "But how do you know he''s dangerous if you never battled with him?", Joe''s not even sure where the questions are coming from anymore. For all he knew, Yue could''ve miraculously learned how to talk.


    "Mom says using pokemon for battles is gross", another childlike voice says.


    "Yeah, grandpa Lyle says it''s preposterous", somebody adds.


    "Alright, first, never listen to a word grandpa Lyle says, he''s full of it", Joe says flatly.


    "Full of what?", Rory tilts his head in act of innocence, but Joe knows he''s the only one there who knows what word he had left put.


    "Why do you force your pokemon to battle?", one of the kids asks.


    "I do not force them, they like to battle", Joe notes quickly.


    "How do you know?", comes the next question.


    "Well, you see...", Joe thinks about it, coming up short for an answer.


    Thankfully, he''s deling with a bunch of little kids, so the next thing comes right up.


    "Can we go Mudbray riding?", someone asks.


    "Oh, when I grow up, I''ll have a Mudbray ranch, like, 1000 Mudbrays", one of the other kids adds.


    "Hey, you''re stealing my idea", someone protests.


    "Well, I will own a malasada shop", Rory says decisevly, "and I won''t give you any if you don''t let me ride your Mudbrays".


    "That''s not fair Rory", another kid protests.


    "Yeah, stop black e-mailing us", another voice is heard.


    "Blackmailing", Joe says flatly.


    "Joe, tell Rory he has to give us malasada when he opens up his shop", someone else urges.


    "Rory, you have to give us all malasada when you open up your shop", Joe deadpans. He actually enjoys stuff like this, small stupid fights without concequences.


    "You''re not the boss of me", Rory scoffs, "you want to be a pokemon trainer, what good are you?".


    "I''m pretty damn good", Joe warns him, trying to act as if this has not getting to him. Grandpa Lyle and his mother could say whatever they wanted about trainers, but he hated how they tried to pass on the same sentiment to the kids.


    "Well, it''s not nice forcing pokemon to battle, they''ll get hurt", one of the smaller kids says.


    "Look, things are not as simple as that", Joe sighs, "some pokemon are nice, some are not. Some pokemon attack people, and that''s why some people become pokemon trainers".


    "Well, why are some pokemon not nice?", another question comes his way.


    "Maybe some people were not nice to pokemon first, that''s why they are not nice to them", the unwanted explanation comes as well.


    "Yeah, sometimes", Joe admits, "but sometimes wild pokemon attack people for different reasons, or they come into our crops looking for food". He can''t even count how many times he had to ask Damian and the team skull guys to deal with the damn Rattata infesting their berry fields.


    "Well, than just give them food", Rory proposes.


    "That would require Alola actually working on the pokemon population managment", Joe says, "which they refuse to do, because it goes against their customs"


    "What''s a population management?", one of the kids asks.


    "Nothing", Joe sighs, "just go and play".


    "Alright", the kids say, quickly losing the interest in talking to him and running off to chase after the ball.


    Yue''s thankfully much calmer than the rest of his cousins. If he were ever to indoctrinate any of them into becoming a trainer, it would surely have to be her. He could teach her everything, even make her a member of team skull eventually. With his guidance, she could very well lead their island''s wing. Although, his family would never appreciate a feat like that.


    Things were downright complicated in Alola. There was this need in people to stick to the status quo, the customs, that both humans and pokemon were part of nature, and should live in harmony. But their picture of harmony lacked depth, it was idealised. Sometimes, conflict was necessary. Team skull memebers were the only people who realised that. Sure, being kind and not training pokemon for combat seemed noble on paper. But what happens when a wild pokemon goes rampant and attacks someone? When a bunch of fire types wander into the forest on accident and set it on fire? Who do you call then? Even the police, even though they had some pokemon who willingly helped out with their work, couldn''t help in those cases since their helpers weren''t trained. It was team skull who did what needed to be done. And sure, catching pokemon wasn''t illegal, nor was training them, but Joe had always hated how everyone saw team skull as low lives for doing what had to be done.


    Thinking of it would always get him riled up. It was one of the few things that could hit him hard. He tried not to go there, instead, he thought about training.


    He went for the run that morning, but he skipped training with Riolu. His partner deserved the break, and besides, after that incident in Canalave, he didn''t want to call any attacks. He wasn''t sure why he snapped like that, but he had a hunch. Henry caught him by surprise with that Aerial Ace, he got scared for a second and Riolu had picked up on it. Regardless, now that he knew about it, he wouldn''t repeat the same mistake. He only had to be weary of other surprises. But Riolu was fine in his book, although, he definitely isn''t letting him out if the pokeball near the kids.


    Espurr was a different story. He checked his movepool on the pokedex, and the pokemon seemed to know Confusion, Scratch, Fake Out and Disarming Voice. Funnily enough, Espurr''s ability was Own Tempo, which wasn''t anything special on its own. It would, however, turn into Prankster once Espurr evolves. Espurr was not a pokemon trainers usually went for, it had the attacking power, but it lacked speed and bulk, not too many bothered to overcome that, and it definitely didn''t suit Joe''s rapid battle style. However, with Prankster in mind, Joe came up with a pretty interesting idea almost immediately. One word - Teleport.


    Now, Prankster was a strange ability to explain. How it worked in simulations was allowing for a pokemon''s status moves to move first. However, in real battles, it had a slightly different way of working. It didn''t guarantee any move going first, instead, it lowered the time it took for non-damaging moves to come along. Even without Prankster, Espurr can use Teleport to move around the field faster than it would on foot, particularly, it was a better option than Protect, because it would allow not only avoiding your opponent''s attack, but positioning yourself for the counter. Taking Prankster into account, it would only make Teleport a bit faster, which was still a big plus. So, in order for Espurr to become good, Joe had to get his hands on Teleport TM. That was his way of overcoming the disadvantages. And if he got a Shadow Ball on him, Espurr would deal with any ghost type that dares stand in his way.


    One question kept pounding in his head. Would that be enough? Henry had beaten him. They were already 500 hundred points behind. Even though Joe was confident in his abilities, he couldn''t ignore the reality. If his teammates don''t pull their weight in the tournament, he won''t score points, even if he does win his match. Then, the tournament afterwards is in singles format, but even then, he could get matched up with Henry in round one and lose it without scoring any points. He shook that out of his head. There was no way in hell he''d fail the year. Getting weird looks for being a trainer was one thing, the last thing he needed was to be a failure as well.


    Watching the kids play around, doubts started rising in his throat. He knew what today had entailed for him. Damien was surely going to put him through it. Joe knew the day would come sooner or later - the day he becomes a full-fledged team skull member.


    The functioning properties of team skull were simple - it gathered ''trainers'' in Alola. Rare few people who actually went along and caught pokemon in pokeballs. To be a full-fledged member, you had to go against Alolan customs and own a pokemon.


    Although Damian had taken Joe under his wing, Joe was merely an associate of team skull, never an official member, since he didn''t have a pokemon of his own. In order to become a member, you''d have to pass what the members called ''team skull battlemania trial", which was nothing more but battlimg 4 team skull members back to back. It was an idea build upon the kahuna''s of the 4 isladns. Back in the day, up until 70 years ago, they served like protectors of the islands and were the only trainers in Alola.


    Usually, the trialer would battle 4 of the weaker members of the team, beginner level, basically, but Joe was sure Damian would not allow for that in his case. He became the leader of their wing a year ago, so he called the shots, and the boy was sure he wouldn''t give him an easy time. Besides, the two of them have known each other since Joe was 7, so one thing was for certain. Damian will battle him as well. They''ve always talked about it, and today was the day that happens. Their match.


    Little to say, Joe had learned almost everything he knew watching Damian battle with his Oricorio. They were definitely a nasty pair.


    It all swelled within him, the excitment, the fear. He''s been watching Damian from the sidelines for so long, and today he was sure he''d finally take him on. The images of Riolu attacking Ves and Henry flashed in his head, but he shook them off. It wasn''t going to happen again. Damian wasn''t going to attack him, and he couldn''t surprise him. Joe knew his battlestyle inside and out. Hell, Joe''s battlestyle was born from watching Damian battle. Nothing bad was going to happen, he calmed himself down. Even if it did, Damian was more than capable of dealing with things. Joe let out a deep breath, trying to let go of the tension. He''s not letting emotions run wild.


    Looking over at the kids, Joe took hold of Riolu''s pokeball, releasing his partner. His emotions were under control, there was nothing to fear. Riolu still wore the team skull bandana wrapped around his neck, it suited him well. "Hey, buddy, we have something pretty important coming up", Joe said quietly. Riolu''s eyes were as calm as they always were. Yue started shuffling in his hands, reaching to pet Riolu. Joe let her do it. Nothing bad will happen, he reassured himself again. "Now, go have some fun with my cousins", Joe says to his partner.


    Riolu darts off, getting immediate attention from the kids. Watching attentively, the way kids gather around his pokemon, Joe decides to let Espurr out again. There might be one thing Alola does right - pokemon should be a part of the world, not kept in pokeballs at all times.


    The kids decide to play dodge ball. Joe watches as Riolu uses Detect over and over again in order to avoid taking hits. The kids don''t figure out the pokemon is cheating, and Joe finds it amusing. It does serve as a form of training, the boy thinks in satisfaction. Even without knowing, even with their surroundings beimg against it, the kids are taking small part in training his partner, through simply existing together with him. Hopefully, dodge ball proves as a good warm up for what awaits him later.


    *****


    "No, let Rio play with us", Clara, one of his cousins, protests when Joe announces he has to go.


    "You don''t need him", anither kid joins up, "Rio likes playing with us more".


    "I do need Rio", Joe says simply.


    "Why? You''re going to meet with Damian right?", another kid asks, "why do you need Rio for that?".


    "Fools, he''s going to make Rio battle", Rory throws out a very precise accusation.


    "No, you can''t", one of the smaller kids looks as if he''s about to cry, "he''ll get hurt".


    "Nothing bad will happen", Joe says calmly, opting to quickly recall Riolu back to his pokeball. Otherwise, he might end up in a hostage situation.


    "No, don''t go", somebody wails.


    "Aunt Maya, order him not to go", one of the kids decides to call for authorities.


    "He can go wherever he wants to, I''m not stopping him", his mother shrugs it off, "if he''s not wise enough to avoid getting hurt, that''s on him".


    "But what if Rio gets hurt instead?", another question.


    "Yeah, he''s going to make him battle, that''s bad", Rory says decisevly, "you should stop him".


    "Hey, kiddos, he goes to school for this", the woman calms them down, "not that I agree with his choices, but I''m not going to stop him from making them". She gives Joe a look that''s between fear and dissapointment.


    "I''m just gonna go now", Joe says, recalling Espurr in the process.


    With grunts of dissatisfaction behind him, he walks away down the street. It doesn''t take him too long to reach the outskirts of Mali city, it''s a road he knows by heart. Making it through one of the numerous holes in the fence that separates the city from wilderness, he finds himself in rocky moors. Few more minutes of walking have him facing an abandoned holiday house that served as a base for team skull, and he can already see a few people hanging out in the front.


    He passes them by quickly, not wanting to waste a second more. He has waited to face off against Damian pretty much his whole life, he couldn''t take it any longer. The folks in front of the doors greet him. They know him, of course, but only as Damien''s younger friend. It doesn''t bother Joe, he only knows them as some team skull members as well.


    He catches his heart getting louder and faster with each step he takes inside that house. The walls are barren, save for a few pictures in broken frames. Strangley, even though he''s in a hurry, he wishes the hallway was much longer than it was. But it''s not, and only a few short steps have him standing in front of the doors that lead into the foyer. Grabbing the doorknob, he breaths out again. Nothing bad will happen, he reminds himself.


    When he enters, the smell of paint envelops him immediately. They''ve been renovating, he thinks. The room is big and mildly populated. Around 20 people are there, chatting away, but he spots Damian almost immediately. The 17 year old is standing in one of the corners, casually explaining something to a few girls. Leisurely dressed in cotton shorts and palm-tree themed button down, one would assume he was a tourist and not a local gang member.


    Damian spots him as well, throwing a smile and quickly abandoning his conversation to come over. Joe takes a few steps forward, meeting him half way.


    "Hey, buddy, I hope you''re ready for today", Damian smirks at him, ruffling Joe''s hair in the process.


    "I am", Joe clears his throat, "I take it I''ll be facing you".


    "Clearly, I''ve been waiting to battle you for way too long", Damian laughs, "but don''t worry, I have a few other things prepared for you as well".


    "Fine, let''s go then", Joe''s determined to face any challenge Damian throws at him.


    "Well, slow down, we waited this long, we can save a few minutes", Damian wraps his arm around Joe, leading him to the staircase, "you need to tell me how''s high school".


    "I mean, you''re in high school as well, you should know", Joe reminds him as they sit down on the stairs.


    "Oh, well, you know I try to avoid that place whenever I can", Damian says playfully. "Besides, your high school has pokemon and it''s on an island", Damian adds.


    "Your high school''s on the island as well", Joe points out with a sigh.


    "Nothing escapes your discernment, huh", Damian laughs. "But really", Damian''s voice falls a bit, gaining a serious note, "how are you doing? I know it''s only been 2 weeks, but... you get why I''m asking right?".


    "Um, I guess things are fine", Joe says simply, "mostly focusing on training, I don''t really notice the other stuff".


    "Yeah, sounds like you", Damian laughs weakly, "you miss being home? Miss your cousins?".


    "Um, kind of, sometimes", Joe admits, "I mean, it feels strange, I think, that''s all".


    "Just strange?", Damian raises his eyebrow.


    "Well, I wish I was there with my cousins, you know", Joe says calmly, "I mean, I just... they''ll grow up, and I won''t be there, and you know, they''ll become like every Alolan ever, if my family has anything to do with it".


    "Right, I get it", Damian nods. "They won''t grow up to hate you, you know", Damian says. He has the unfortunate ability of hitting the right spots. Besides, he''s known Joe for way too long.


    "Yeah, no, they won''t", Joe tries to reassure himself.


    "And how are things with your classmates, you made any friends?", Damian decides to dig even more.


    "They are fine", Joe thinks about it. "I mean, there''s so many people, and everyone is different, but you know, everyone want to be a trainer there, so it''s kind of... I can talk to people about it, you know".


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Sounds good, so, you''ve made some friends", Damian says, clearly satisfied with Joe''s answer.


    "Yeah, a few", Joe admits.


    "Your teammates, I suppose", Damian smiles.


    "No, no", Joe says, "my teammates are... way too complicated".


    "Alright", Damian gives him a suspecting look, but lets it go, "as long as you have a few friends, that''s good in my book".


    "Hey, Damian", Joe says suddenly, "am I hard to be friends with?".


    "Um, I don''t know", Damian says simply, "not to me, I think".


    "Yeah, it''s just... I don''t know, am I really that bad at showing people that I like them?", Joe looks at him expectantly.


    "Depends on the people", Damian laughs weakly. "You can be hard to read and get through sometimes", Damian admits, "but you weren''t like that when we were kids, so I guess it''s different for me".


    "Right, so you think I''m hard to understand", Joe notes.


    "I think you grew up, so now there''s a lot in you that has to be understood", Damian winks at him, "happens to the best of us, you shouldn''t worry about it".


    "Right", Joe nods along. It does make him feel better, hearing Damian say it.


    "But you know, sometimes, you should try talking to other people like you talk to me", Damian offers, "I mean, if it''s someone you like, there''s nothing bad in it".


    "I just think my actions should be enough", Joe admits, "I mean, I do my best, I should hope that it is enough for people to realise what I think of them".


    "Well, some people need be shown, some need to be told", Damian says distantly, "you know, there''s nothing wrong with doing both sometimes".


    "Yeah, I guess you''re right", Joe nods.


    "Well, how long are you staying?", Damian questions further.


    "I think I''ll be heading back to Old King''s tonight", Joe decides, "it''s a long flight, and I have something I have to do".


    "Need talk to someone?", Damian wraps his hand around his shoulder again.


    "Yeah, that", Joe smiles, "and I have a challenge I need to take as well".


    "Oh, you have a challenge?", Damian says in surprise.


    "Yeah, well, apparently, I''m much better at making enemies than friends", Joe says flatly.


    "Sounds nasty", Damian laughs, "well, if you''re going back tonight, then we should hurry up with your trial".


    "Let''s go", Joe stands up decisevly. He breathes in, trying to regulate his racing heart. He''s not sure what Damian has in mind for his trial, but he''ll face it head on.


    The doors to the foyer fly open, and two team skull members walk in, carrying someone between them.


    "Hey, Damian, we found this brat snooping around", one of them says, as the kid tries to kick himself free without success.


    "Rory, what are you doing here?", Joe says sternly, instantly recognising his cousin.


    "I came to stop you", the kid tries yelling, but his voice gives out. Damian laughs, gesturing for the team members to let Rory free.


    "So you decide to follow me into the wilderness", Joe sighs, "you know, if our parents find out, they''ll kill both of us".


    "Well, someone has to stop you", Rory says with innocent determination, "you can''t force your pokemon to battle, that''s bad".


    "This is not a place where you should say something like that", Joe reminds him.


    "Why not? Pokemon trainers are mean people who force pokemon to fight and hurt themselves", Rory crosses his arms. Damian laughs at this semtiment.


    "Alright buddy, calm down now", the 17 years old walks over to Joe''s cousin, picking the kid up and throwing him over his shoulder.


    "Hey, let me go", Rory protest, kicking arouns as Damian carries him away.


    "Look, bud, we''ll hear you out a bit later", Damian reassures him.


    "As if", Rory keeps flaunting his legs around.


    "Look, I''ll make you a deal", Damian offers, lowering the kid down on the ground, "have you ever seen a pokemon battle?". Rory shakes his head sharply. "Well, how about this then, you watch your cousin battle, and after that, you can tell us what you think, is that okay?".


    "I''ll still hate it", Rory crosses his arms decisevly.


    "Well, you can tell us that after you see the battle", Damian raises his finger.


    "Alright", Rory seems dissatisfied to give up.


    "Good, see how fast I settle problems", Damian turns towards the middle of the room, "this is why I''m the leader here, you know".


    Turning to Joe, he says: "Okay, now to finally begin, Joe, go stand in the middle of the room and let your partner join you, everyone else, take your place".


    As Joe walks over to take his spot, he notices everyone has moved to stand by the wall, except for 4 people who created a wide circle around him. It didn''t take him long to figure out what this was.


    "The name of the game is ultimate battlemania trial", Damian says enthusiastically, "beat these 4, and you''ll earn your match against yours truly".


    "Beat them at the same time, I suppose", Joe says flatly, letting Riolu out of his pokeball.


    "Naturally", Damian notes, "I can do it, if you can''t then there''s no point in battling me".


    "Alright", Joe says simply, "ready when you are".


    "Team skull, send out your pokemon", Damian orders, and the 4 members throw their pokeballs. Joe quickly takes note of the situation. Rattata and Meowth, both dark types, Alolan fenotype, they shouldn''t be a problem for Riolu. Ribombee''s there as well, which could pose a problem, but he had steel type moves to deal with that. The last opponent had Bounsweet, not a problem on its own, but if it had status moves, it could be trouble. He needed to get rid of that one first, and do it fast. The biggest problems, he was surrounded, attacking one opponent meant turning his back to the other three.


    But he could do it. "Rio", he says quietly, "you focus on Bounsweet, and I''ll watch the other three, warn you if they come in for an attack". Riolu nods in understanding.


    "Alright, then battle begin", Damian announces loudly.


    "Bullet Punch, Rio", Joe wastes no time, as Riolu crosses the room to reach the Bounsweet, hitting the grass type with steely fists.


    "Quick Attack", two of the team skull members yell at that same time, as both Rattata and Meowth rush in on Riolu for a counter attack.


    "Detect away from it", Joe says sharply, "double Vacuum Wave, send them forward". Riolu follows Joe''s quick instructions flawlessly, flashing his eyes blue and moving bacwards to avoid incoming Quick Attack, then shooting a double-handed Vacuum Wave into both targets. Weak, Joe thinks, but it''s easier having all his opponents in front of him instead of surrounding him.!


    Taking a moment, Joe checks his hearbeat. It''s racing still, but he feels good, he''s in control. Nothing bad is about to happen.


    "Great, go on Rio", Joe goes to say.


    "Fairy Wind", the team skull memeber gives an order before Joe can continue.


    He sees the Ribombee flying forwards, firing off an attack, and instinctiveinstinctively orders a Detect, even though he knows there it leads to.


    Riolu''s eyes flash blue again. Detect works in a curious ways, a pokemon shuts down all energetic pathways in its body, in order to clear its mind. It allows for the user to instinctively avoid any attack at great speed. The problem with instincts is that they lead you into a bad position sometimes.


    With nowhere else to go in order to avoid a field-wide Fairy Wind, Riolu ends up instinctively jumping upwards, twisting his body away from his opponents.


    Being suspended in mid-air leaves one vulnerable for taking attacks.


    "Razor Leaf, go", his opponent yells, seeing the opportunity. Bounsweet jump forward, firing a baragge of sharp leaves at Riolu.


    No Detecting his way out of this one. But he can''t lose, not when he has to face Damian.


    "Vacuum Wave, into the Rattata", Joe says through gritted teeth, deciding this is his best option.


    Twisting in mid-air, Riolu fires of an attack, knocing Rattata out. Razor Leaf slams into the fighting type the very next moment, sending it down on the ground. He couldn''t have avoided that attack, Joe thinks, downing one opponent and taking the hit was the best he could hope for in a situation like that.


    It was down to 3v1 now, but he only managed to eliminate the weakest link. With Ribombee being there, as a fairy type that could freely move around through flight, Joe had no idea what to do next. His mind felt clouded, but he couldn''t let himself lose.


    What would it mean if he does lose? To these people? To Damian?


    "Quick Attack, Meowth", the team skull members don''t let him catch a breath.


    "Detect", Joe says instantly. He hates to waste it like that, but Riolu was still on the ground, and this was the only way to avoid taking a hit. "Vacuum Wave", Joe orders as Riolu swiftly stands back up, avoiding the attack. He shoots a blast of fighting energy, sending Meowth flying back, but the cat is still standing.


    "Now, Struggle Bug", the other guy orders.


    "Stun Spore", the Bounsweet trainer joins in.


    "Metal Claw, Rio, take the Struggle Bug", Joe says decisevly. He''s not losing this.


    Riolu flies in, taking damage but slashing at the Ribombee with a metalic claw, sending it upwards. Stun Spore hits, but Joe doesn''t care about the paralysis.


    "Keep it up, Rio, Vaccum Wave, send it back, then finish it with Bullet Punch", Joe doesn''t let up. Riolu switly connects the two attacks, sending the fairy type flying back, only to chase after it, slaming it into the ground with a Metal Claw.


    Joe steps backwards in shock. But this is no time to stop. No, nothing bad will happen. He notices Riolu''s eyes have gone blank when he turns around.


    "Quick Attack, get him", the team skull member yells out.


    Joe only watches intentively. He needs to calm down before anything bad happens here.


    Riolu''s eyes flash blue, and the fighting type leaps into the air, jumping over the attacking Meowth, only to hit it with a Vacuum Wave mid-flight.


    Riolu''s fighting on his own, Joe thinks. His expression is still blank. He needs to calm down. Calm down. Joe takes a deep breath as Riolu aimlessly gazes around the room for a second, his eyes still blank. Calm Down.


    "Razor Leaf, now", the final trainer says switfly, and Bounsweet launches into another attack.


    "Rio, Detect", Joe says, keeping his voice as flat as he can, hoping his partner will listen.


    Riolu''s eyes flash blue, avoiding the attack. Unsure if his partner listened to him, or he had just done what he wanted to do, Joe attentively waits for Riolu''s next move. But there''s a glimpse of hope that he had regained control. When he sees Riolu''s eyes return to normal, a sense of relief washes over him.


    "Again with Razor Leaf", the team skull member says, not realising what could''ve happened just now.


    "Detect, then Bullet Punch", Joe says, determined to end this before the paralysis becomes stronger. Now that it was down to 1v1 and Riolu was back to normal, Joe had nothing to fear.


    His partner strays to the side, avoiding the oncoming Razor Leaf, then leaps towards the Bounsweet, his fists flashing in gray.


    Hitting with Bullet Punch, Joe quickly decides to connect: "Metal Claw, end it, Rio". Still close to the Boumsweet, Riolu''s claw flashes, and the fighting type sends his opponent flying bacwards, knocing it out.


    Joe can almost feel the mountains falling off of his shoulders. He won. It''s all good. He couldn''t look himself in the eye if he lost here.


    He looked over at Damian, seeing the blond-haired boy leisurely walk towards him. It hit him then, Damian was the reason he couldn''t lose.


    He learned everything he knows about battles by watching Damian, so what would it mean if he couldn''t pass his test? That he wasn''t worthy. That he should give up on being a trainer, leave Old King''s.


    If he couldn''t pass Damian''s test and beat Damian himself, then he wasn''t supposed to be at Old King''s at all. It wouldn''t be fair, for him to be the first person from their islands to go to the pokemon school.


    Although training pokemon was never illegal in Alola, people frowned upon it. A few people evetually went off to become trainers, but only after passing the tests in different regions, only after turning 18. Joe was the first one who got to take the school route, and succeeded in making it in. For most people, their parents didn''t let them enter a high school that focused on pokemon training. Joe knew he was lucky, that his parents, even though they hated the idea, let him go to Old King''s. Most kids in Alola didn''t have that chance. And he had known full well, most people in this very room would kill to have had the same opportunity, Damian first and foremost.


    If he had lost to them, it would be a sort of betreyal to these people. To himself. To Damian. Out of all of them, he had gotten a chance to go to Old King''s, so he couldn''t lose to them. He can''t have them thinking he''s a wasted opportunity.


    He looked at Damian again, remembering all those times he watched him battle. If he had the same opportunity, if he was at Old King''s, there wouldn''t be a Mikey or a Henry that could beat him. And Joe knew first hand that Damian wanted to go there, but he couldn''t.


    Do you hate me? He wanted to ask his friend. Would you hate me more if I lost to you now?


    "Hey, that was wild", Damian plants a hand on hid shoulder, and Joe shrinks instinctively, "especially that middle part, Riolu went berserker".


    "Yeah", Joe says calmly, wanting to note that that wasn''t a good thing at all.


    "Alright, you pass, Portia, come heal my friend up", Damian looks around the room.


    A green-haired girl steps out, seemingly not too happy. "Why am I the designated healer on this team?", "she complains, sending out a Comfey.


    "You''re the only one that has a pokemon with a healing move", Damian points out.


    "Comfey, Aromatherapy, Floral Healing", the girl says in disinterest. Thinking better of it she adds: "use Floral Healing twice".


    "Hey, um", Joe takes a moment to talk to Damian, "maybe we shouldn''t do this".


    "Right, you shouldn''t", Rory appears next to them. The kid plants his hands on his hips, going for the sternest voice: "five pokemon had gotten hurt, and you still thinks battles are fun".


    "Hey, kiddo, but was it not fun?", Damian winks at him.


    "Not at all", Rory scoffs.


    "Huh, a pacifist", Damian laughs.


    "Look, Rio''s probably tired from this already", Joe takes the opportunity, "and I should take Rory home anyways".


    "Come on, Joe, you know I''ll finish you up quickly", Damian bumps his shoulder playfully. Noticing a worried look on his friend''s he adds: "what''s wrong?".


    "Look, it''s just", Joe talks quietly so Rory doesn''t hear him, "Riolu goes berserker sometimes, as you say it, and it happened again, well, this time it turned out well".


    "What do you mean by again and this time it turned out well", Damian raises an eyebrow.


    "Last two times this happened, Rio attacked people", Joe admits, "I don''t want that happening again".


    "I see", Damian nods, "you know why it happens?".


    "Rio picks up on my emotions", Joe explains, "I think he tries to... protect me, I guess".


    "Protect you from what?", Damian says.


    "Well, the first time it happened, a teammate attacked me, and Iost control, Rio picked up on it and attacked him", Joe explains. When he battled Henry, he realises, he was not in danger. He doesn''t say that to Damian.


    "You weren''t in danger right now", Damian picks up on the inconsistency on his own.


    "Yeah, I know", Joe admits, "I don''t know, I just think it''s better if we don''t battle".


    "Joe", Damian says calmly, "I won''t hurt you, and even if something happens, I''m capable of protecting myself, you know that".


    "Yeah, I know", Joe says flatly, but his heart is trying to jump out of his chest. They have both waited for this for so long.


    "It will be fine", Damain nods, "you''ll be fine, okay, let''s just do this, you know, now that you''re in that school, I don''t know when we''ll get a chance to do this".


    "I probably won''t come around until holiday again", Joe admits. That''s a long time, he knows. "You''re right, let''s do this", the boy says. He did manage to keep the situation under control, so maybe he was getting a hang of it.


    "That''s what I like to hear", Damian nods, smiling at him. "Alright folks, remove yourselves from my battlefield", he yells out, "I''m about to give my friend a battle of the lifetime".


    "Hope you''re ready for us", Damian says joyfully, throwing his pokeball into the air, "let''s go Oreo, give him hell".


    Yellow-feathered birds starts flapping his wings as soon as he hits the floor. Tgankfully for Joe, Damian kept his partner almost exclusively in pom-pom form, making it an electric and flying type. That alone was problematic enough, and Joe couldn''t phanotm what he would do if Damian went with sensu form. Otherwise, nicknaming your pokemon after a snack was strange, but Damian gave that nickname to Oricorio when he was 13 and had first caught him. If anything, Joe had found it endearing.


    Usually, he liked Oricorio, he was a fun and lively fellow, and pretty damn strong. This time however, he was facing it, and just the look at the bird made his thoughts start racing. He knew very well what this thing can do, and what Damian could do.


    Joe looked over at Riolu. His partner looked good, Floral Healing did a good job at bringing back his strenght, and Aromatherapy had gotten rid of paralysis. More importantly, Riolu''s eyes looked normal, and the fighting type seemed calm. He managed to take control when Riolu went off during that last battle, Joe thought, which was good. He could keep his cool. Nothing bad will happen. It was a 1v1 so it will be easier. Besides, Damian could very well end this before Riolu even came close to going berserker.


    "You ready?", Damian questions with a grin, a determined look forever stuck in his eyes.


    "Ready", Joe summons up his confidence. He can do this. He has to do this now, he was the one person here who had gotten the chance, and he was going to prove he was worth it.


    "Alright, then, I''ll be the referee", Portia says firmly, stepping a bit closer in. "You can start now", she says without an ounce of enthusiasm.


    "Vacuum Wave, Rio, fast", Joe says quickly, not planning to give Damian time to try anything funny.


    "Oreo, go for Aerial Ace, dodge that", Damian says with a smile. His partner jumps forwards, as if dancing easily getting out of the way of the Vacuum Wave, only to send a threatening air current at Riolu.


    "Detect, then Bullet Punch", Joe gives a quick order. Damian''s been training with Oricorio for 4 years, and the bird was incredibly agile and swift.


    "Dodge with Revelation Dance", Damian orders with a smile.


    "Rio, get back", Joe says as soon as he sees Oricorio dancing away from the Bullet Punch, "Detect".


    Riolu wasn''t lacking in the speed department either, flashing his eyes blue and moving bacwards. The only problem was - Oricorio was a true born dancer. Not only was it his ability, but the bird had that sort of the movement. Even when Damian first caught him, Oricorio was great at dodging attacks at close range. After 4 years of training, the boy had only made that ability more prominent.


    Joe had no idea what to do. Even the fastest Vacuum Wave could be avoided, all while Oricorio went for a counter attack. A priority move, that none of his classmates could deal with, was nothing to Oricorio, just a simple obstacle that could be carelessly stepped away from. This is the difference that time makes.


    "Go, Oreo, Aerial Ace, again", Damian doesn''t waste much time.


    "Metal Claw, stop it head on, Rio", Joe decides to try a different tactic. Just avoiding Damian''s attacks isn''t going to get him anywhere.


    Riolu''s hands flash in grey, as the fighting type clashes head-on with his opponent. He manages to cancel out the attack, but Joe sees the blowback. Riolu barely managed to stop it this time.


    "Revelation Dance", Damian says.


    "Detect", Joe says readily. This was expected from Damian.


    "Good, now get them with another Aerial Ace", Damian orders with a grin.


    "Rio, fast, Vacuum Wave, just slow it down, get back", Joe says realising he had fallen into a trap. He can fix it.


    Oricorio starts the next attack quickly, forcing Riolu even further backwards, but the fighting type manages to throw his opponent off with Vacuum Wave just enough to avoid the attack.


    "Again, go Orio", Damian presses on.


    "Detect", Joe orders, having no other way out of this.


    It''s not even funny, how one sided this battle is. It wasn''t fair. Life wasn''t fair. Damian should''ve been the one to have gotten the chance to go to Old King''s. He was by far a better trainer, and a more likeable person.


    "Go, Acrobatics, now, Oreo", Damian yells out, and Oricorio instantly jumps up, using the nearby wall to bounce himself off, and dances through the air towards Riolu.


    Detect was baited, Joe thinks, and he couldn''t dodge this. "Bullet Punch", the boy says desparately. He can''t lose. Not like this, not without even touching Damian''s pokemon.


    His heart starts racing as Oricorio dodges the attack mid-air, landing a full-blown acrobatics straight at Riolu.


    That was it, Joe thinks, that one attack is more than enough to knock Riolu out. The difference in strenght was too wide, and he couldn''t do it. It pulses through his head, that he has failed everyone here. He couldn''t even stand close to Damian.


    He doesn''t even notice when Riolu stands back up.


    "Oh, he''s a fighter", he hears Damian''s voice, but it sounds so distant, drowned out by the rush of blood.


    Then he sees it, Riolu flies to the middle of the room, ignoring Oriocorio completely. Before anyone can react, Riolu rapidly shoots his hands forward, firing a clean Vacuum Wave straight into Damian.


    The very next second, a Moonblast slams into Riolu. Portia reacted. But Joe doesn''t care about that. All but running across the room, he finds himself standing above Damian, whose face had been twisted in pain as he held on to his shoulder with a shaky hand.


    "I''m sorry", Joe mutters, "are you okay, I''m sorry".


    "You couldn''t beat me, so you decided I don''t deserve having a shoulder, huh, buddy", Damian laughs through the pain.


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t want this to happen", Joe says, helplessly crouching down and helping Damian to get up.


    "Hey, hey, calm down", Damian wraps his arm around him, leaning onto him, "I''m alive, just get Rio back to his pokeball so this doesn''t happen again".


    "Alright", Joe says, obliging immediately.


    "See, I told you", Rory comes in close to them, with an angry look in his eyes, "this is why you shouldn''t do pokemon battles".


    "Not now, Rory", Joe says absentmindedly, as he makes sure Damian can stand on his own.


    "You know, kiddo, most pokemon battles don''t go like this", Damian smiles weakly at Rory.


    "Whatever, it''s still no good", the kid scoffs.


    "Hey, we''ll take Damian to the hospital", Portia lands her hand on Joe''s shoulder, "you take the kid home, go and calm down alright".


    "I can come along", Joe offers quickly.


    "Hey, no need for that, I''m fine", Damian says through gritted teeth, "it''s just a shoulder".


    "I''m sorry, Damian", Joe says again.


    "It''s all okay, go home, and get this out of your head, alrigt?", Damian nods along, "I''ll come around to see you before you leave tonight, okay".


    "Right, okay", Joe nods reluctantly. It feels stupid, making a mess then leaving, letting others deal with it. But it''s what Damian wants. "Rory, let''s go", Joe says, grabbing his cousin''s hand. The kid quickly shakes himself free, and Joe doesn''t insist any further.


    This is not how he wanted things to go.


    *****


    It was as if his room was closing in on him, the walls trying to swallow him. Maybe it was trying to keep him there, in Alola, where he was supposed to be.


    Getting his mind off of this was harder than ever. Packing wasn''t a good enough distraction. He only brought a single backpack anyways, so there wasn''t much to pack.


    But he needed to get his mind off of it. Espurr sat quietly on his bed, blankly staring at him, and Joe could only hope Espurrs didn''t have a hidden ability to pick up on people''s emotions. Riolu was in his pokeball, and Joe had hoped the heal capsule would bring him back to health.


    He looked through the window, the sunset coloured the sky in burning orange. Sunsets in Alola lasted long. Through the white curtains draped over his window, the colours were muted. Curtains, he thought. It crossed his mind that Ace was on and on about how he wanted curtains for their room. Joe walks over the the window, taking the fabric down, almost manically. He also needed more pots for growing berries, he rembered. And soil. He pulled over a small carry on bag, showing the curtain into it.


    This would have to be enough to get his mind off of things.


    He ran down the stairs into the storage room. Shuffling through stuff, he quickly dug up a few flower pots, he could carry 5 of them in the bag, at most, he decided. One pack of soil should be enough, he picked that up as well.


    "Hey, sweetie, what are you doing?", his mother''s voice surprises him from behind, sounding as sweet as ever.


    "Just taking some stuff to bring back to school", Joe says without turning around.


    After a few moments of heavy silence, his mother speaks up: "you shouldn''t have taken Rory with you to that place with you".


    "I didn''t take him", Joe says flatly, "he followed me".


    "Joe, the kid had gotten scared after what you did", his mother says. It was rare to hear sharpness in her voice, and Joe never has an answer to it. "Is that what you want out of your life? For your cousin to be afraid of you?".


    "I didn''t do it on purpose", Joe says quietly, "it just happened".


    "When you chase after bad things, you catch them", his mother responds, and Joe knows what she means.


    "Mom, it''s not like that", he tries keeping his voice calm, "it''s necessary for pokemon trainers to exist".


    "It''s not, it''s just what you want to do, sweetie", his mother retorts, "Alola is a living proof of that".


    "Remember that one time a wild Muk wandered into our berry field and was poisoning the soil, and I had to call Damian to fight him off?", Joe reminds her.


    "I''m sure that could''ve been solved in a different way as well", his mother sighs, "your way isn''t the only way".


    "Yeah, I''m sure you could friend it off", Joe puts it blantly, "sometimes, the hard path is the right path, it''s an ugly truth, mom".


    "The truth, sweetie, is that we never wanted you to stop you from doing anything, so we let you do what you want", his mother stands next to him, "we thought you''d find your way back to us, but you''re only straying further away".


    Joe doesn''t have an answer to that. In their heads, pokemon battling is a vile thing. And Joe was vile as well for doing it.


    "Don''t you see where that harder path is leading you? Even your cousins are starting to be scared of you. Is that what you want? Do you even see what you''re losing by going deeper down this route?", the barrage of questions feels too light for the occasion.


    "Are they scared of me because of me, or because you are brainwashing them?", Joe retorts.


    "Come on Joe, they are kids, you were a kid once as well, put yourself in their shoes", his mother sighs, "of course it scares them seeing you bring harm to another living thing".


    "Well, I''m not a kid anymore", Joe steps away, holding on to his flower pots and the Alolan soil.


    "I know", his mother says distantly, "I wish you were, you were such a sweet kid, but you''re growing up".


    "And you don''t like what I''m growing up into", Joe looks her in the eye.


    "I don''t know the person you''re growing up into", his mother returns his gaze, "and it scares me as well".


    "Do you even want to know the person I''m becoming?", Joe turns around. His mother doesn''t say anything behind him.


    Back in his rooms, he shoves the pots and the soil into the bag. That''s all the packing he has to do. Another hour separates him from boarding the plane. He could very well be on his way. But Damian said he''d be coming over.


    Maybe he was still in the hospital, Joe thinks. Or the promise was just a way to get Joe to leave. He could only waste 15 more minutes, then he has to go.


    Those 15 minutes pass in the haze of trying not to think about his battle with Damian. Ultimately, the clock decides his fate. Throwing the backpack over his shoulder and picking up the bag, Joe runs down the stairs. He says a quick goodbye to his parents, aunts and uncles, who are sat in the living room. For the most part, the animosity is gone. He says goodbye to his cousins, with Rory refusing to say a word to him. Yue makes up for that by tightly wrapping her hands around Joe.


    He steps out of his house as quickly and possible, and to a grateful surprise, he spots Damian walking up to his house. Guilt stings Joe when he sees the boy''s left shoulder wrapped in bandages. Still, he feels good seeing him. He did come along.


    "Leaving already", Damian waves at him with his healthy arm.


    "Yeah, the plane takes off soon, I need to go", Joe runs up to him, accepting a high five.


    "Alright, then I''ll see you off", Damian decides.


    "No need, you should go rest", Joe says.


    "No way, I know how you are", Damian laughs, "if I go now, you''ll overthink this for the next 3 months".


    "Right, sorry", Joe scratches his head while they walk further down the street, "are you alright?".


    "I''m fine, the blowback from the attack dislocated my shoulder, but that''s all", Damian says simply.


    "Oh, sorry", Joe clears his throat uncomfortably.


    "It''s fine, you know, you did warn me Rio goes off sometimes, and I pressured you into battling", Damian shoves him playfully, "so, this is my fault as well, in my defense, I couldn''t wait for us to face off".


    "Wasn''t much of a face off", Joe laughs weakly.


    "Oh, yeah, I had you in the palm of my hand", Damian says proudly, "but you know, people usually go down much faster, so you were not bad, alltogether".


    "I couldn''t even land a hit on you", Joe says matter of factly.


    "Well, first off, no one can land a hit on me boy, so write that down", Damian says, "second off, you''ve had Rio for like, 2 weeks, and Oreo and I have 4 years of training behind us, so I don''t know what you were expecting to happen".


    "I was expecting to hit you at least once", Joe offers.


    "Okay, next time I''ll let you land one hit, if that will keep you quiet", Damian laughs.


    "I don''t know", Joe says, the idea of Damian going easy on him not sitting right with him.


    "Oh, come on, what''s up now?", Damian rolls his eyes playfully.


    "Do you hate me?", Joe shoots.


    "Come on, I''ve told you this is nothing, of course I don''t hate you", Damian sighs.


    "No, not for this", Joe says, "for being at Old King''s".


    "Why would I hate you for that?", Damian says, utterly confused.


    "I mean, I know your parents were against it, so you didn''t even get to try, and I know that you wanted to", Joe explains what has been weighing on him, "do you hate that it''s me?".


    "Joe, I don''t really look back at things like that", Damian says calmly, "I am where I am, I''m not bitter about it".


    "Yeah, but you''d be much better at this than I am", Joe admits, "I mean, I couldn''t even touch you today".


    "Calm down, you''ll catch up to my greatness in time", Damian winks at him. "Of course I don''t hate you, dude, I''m happy that you have gotten a chance", he says in a more serious tone, "why are you even thinking about that?".


    "Just, I know how hard it is for kids in Alola to even say they want to be a trainer, let alone to give it a try", Joe confesses, "and here I am, with a chance to get into the big leagues in a few years, I was thinking, you know, if I do it, things could become easier, more kids would want to be trainers, more kids could try. I know I could help change things for them, and for everyone in team skull, but what if I''m not good enough?".


    "Hey, Joe", Damian laughs, "you know, that''s noble, but why the hell are you putting all that pressure on yourself right now?".


    "I just think about it", Joe says, "can''t help it".


    "Well, buddy, I hope you make it, I''m sure that you will", Damian says, "but stop getting into your head about it, big leagues are still 4 years away from you".


    "If I even make it there", Joe notes.


    "You will", Damian says decisevly, "and no worries, team skull will do just fine over here while you do it".


    "Right, I know you will", Joe nods along.


    "And when we''re on the topic of team skull", Damian says, digging through his pocket. He pulls out a skull bandana, unceremoniosly throwing it at Joe: "this is yours now, you''re officially a full-fledged skull".


    "But I lost", Joe twsists the bandana in his hand.


    "You passed the trial", Damian points out, "and Portia interrupted our battle, so techinacally, you didn''t lose to me".


    "We both know I would''ve lost", Joe rolls his eyes.


    "Well, to be fair, no one in team skull can beat me anyways, so you know, losing to me is a must-have if you want to join", Damian laughs, and Joe can see the airport in the distance.


    "Thanks", the boy clears his throat.


    "Don''t mention it", Damian smiles, "now go, give ''em hell, kid".

 Chapter 19

    "Oh, screw this", Teo muttered under his breath, "Tots, Aqua Jet". His partner shot up into the air, creating a water current around himself, and shot off into the direction of the Impidimp that one of his opponents has used. Totodile hit the mark, finally knocking out the damn thing. It took him 4 hits.


    At this point, Teo could only suppose he was doomed by the narrative to constantly be chased around by some thugs. The writer must''ve thought it''s funny to make that a reocurring thing, and Totodile didn''t seem to mind it all that much.


    At least he didn''t have to bother with training, Teo thought, since the constant trouble was bound to forge him into a capable battler. Totodile was already growing stronger.


    "Go, Headbutt, Wooloo", the other thug says. Yeah, Teo can''t believe it either, that he had to run away from a guy that used a Wooloo. In his defense, the third guy had a pretty thretening Thievul, but thankfully, he was adamant about letting his 2 lackeys do the dirty work, and decided to hang back.


    "Will you stop this", Teo sighs, "Aqua Jet away, then attack Tots". Totodile gets out of the way, and the sheep proceeds to rush at Teo. The boy had fully expected that. Thankfully, Wooloo is not the strongest of opponents, so he simply moves out of the way.


    Thinking better of it, Teo summons all his might, kicking at the opponent''s pokemon, only to find out it''s heavier than it seems. The big idea was he kicks it in Totodile''s way, so his partner can finish it off.


    "Dude, that''s not cool", the guy yells over at him.


    "Oh, save me", Teo waves him off, "you''re chasing me down, don''t preach the rules to me".


    Totodile turns around in mid-air, only to start yet another Aqua Jet, swiftly hitting into the Wooloo, knocking it out as well.


    Two down, one more to go, Teo thinks, gripping onto Absol''s pokeball. Totodile''s already taken down two opponents, there was no way he could take on the fully evolved fox pokemon.


    Once more, Teo would have to risk it. Surprising even himself, he feels a rush of excitment when he recalls Totodile. After Canalave, he couldn''t wait to let Absol battle again. Alright, maybe his partner had tried to attack him a few times, but when a bad guys were in front of them, Absol never let him down.


    The white dog of disaster appears in the alley, letting out a low growl. Blood rushes to Teo''s hand as he sees the two guys take a fearful step back.


    Their leader doesn''t seem bothered, stepping forwards and letting Thievul take the center stage.


    Welcome to Spikemuth, Teo thinks.


    "Thief, get him", the thug boss says without hesitation.


    "Knock Off, Absol, stop him head on", Teo says, hopeful his partner will listen to him.


    The white dog jolts forwards, crossing the cobblestones with swiftness, slamming a Quick Attack into the Thievul. His opponent is pushed back, without Absol needing to take hit.


    "Never mind, that was a better idea", Teo mutters to himself, "what''s with everyone and these priority moves...".


    "Night Slash", the thug growls, as his Thievul quickly recovers its balance and slashes towards Absol.


    No use to say anything, Teo thinks, as Absol won''t listen. His partner decides to take the hit for whatever reason, whitstamding the blowback and grabbing the fox with his mout. The next moment, his horn gets enveloped in darkness, and the disaster pokemon quickly retaliates with Knock Off.


    "Keep it up, Absol", Teo gives out a suggestion. To his satisfaction, they seem to be on the same page, as Absol immeadiately goes after their attacker, getting in another Quick Attack.


    "That''s it, Thievul, use Lash Out", the guy yells out, and his injured partner starts trashing around wildly, enveloping itself in darkness.


    Absol moves back quickly, but the fox follows after him, hitting at him with its claws repeatedly. This would be a great time to know Protect, Teo thinks. Unfortunately, he does not have that.


    However, he does have a very crazy sunglasses wearing Totodile that likes to Aqua Jet around.


    Readying his pokeball, Teo prepares for his favourite little trick.


    "Go, Tots, do your thing", he says, aiming the release above the Thievul.


    "Keep it up, deal with that Absol", the thug says readily, not giving much thought to Teo''s actions.


    As Thievul keeps digging its claws in Absol, Totodile appears above them, creating a swirling torrent immediately, and hitting into the fox.


    Finally free from the attack, Absol''s retaliation is swift, as he uses his horn to Knock Off Thievul onto the ground, finally fainting the fox.


    By the time the boss thug manages to recall his pokemon, his 2 lackeys have already dissapeared from the alley.


    Now that the battle was over, Teo watches Absol attentively, hoping his partner won''t turn on him immediately. The thug recalls his Thievul, cursing under his breath and making a careful way backwards. When he thinks he''s out of the reach, he turns around and sprints. It always ends the same way, Teo thinks, as he quickly recalls Absol. He figured out his partner would prioritse attacking their opponents, but once there were none, Teo didn''t know who Absol would turn on. And he didn''t want it to be him.


    "That was a good job, thanks, buddy", he says slowly to the pokeball. He''s not sure if Absol can hear him, but he did just save him, so a thanks was in order. "Tots, you did great as well", Teo turned to his second pokemon. Totodile merrily stumbled towards him, and started jumping up.


    "I''ll get you a toy after this, that''s a promise", Teo crouched down to pet his crocodile. He figured out Totodile loved stuff. The pokemon would play with anything he could get his hands on. Not to mention, he aboslutely refused to take off the choice specks.


    "Get in your pokeball for now", Teo recalled him. Both of his partners had sustained damage, and he was hoping those heal capsules Joe had given him would be enough to save him a trip to the pokemon center. When he came in last night, he had to take Absol in order for him to get fed. He had to do the same that morning. Little to say, the nurses in Spikemuth weren''t nearly as nice as those at Old King''s.


    He had hoped the berries him and Joe were growing would start bearing fruit soon, as going to a pokemon center each time he had to feed his Absol was becoming increasingly time consuming.


    Not that he ever wanted to fully relly on Joe and his farmer skills. The sole reason he came to Spikemuth was so he could get his hands on a certain herb. One that was...not widely available, so to speak.


    He could technically find it anywhere if he wanted to, but it would require too much work. In Spikemuth, he already knew where to get it. He could only hope no more thugs would appear to sidetrack him from his search.


    Walking out of the alley he was, yet again, chased into, he took a careful look around. No one was there. He slowly walked out onto the main street, through the convaluted maze of walls plagued with graffiti.


    Not much could be said about Spikemuth, except that it was dark. Walls and pavements were grey that wished to be black, and any colorful writings on walls were quick to lose their vibrancy. The skies were similar as well, most of the year. Even the pokemon that made their way across the city streets suffered the similar fate. Black and white Zigzagoons that dug through the trash were more black and almost-black. He passed a few Toxels whose usually purple skin was starting to gain ashen grey look.


    Coming into the widening of the main street, he felt himself breathe just a little bit easier. Everything was still wrapped in dark grey, but the street was a bit more lively. A few people urgently conversed in front of some coffee shop. On the staircases that led up into the buildings, kids were sit around. Some were younger than him, some older, some sat in groups, most of them alone. He passed by them, trying his best not to look, and not to be looked at.


    His walk through the street was short-lived, as he sidelined into another hallway. This one however wasn''t as narrow. It didn''t take him long to navigate hid ways into another widening. This one, however, wasn''t a main street, but a square space, encased with towering building. Amongst the sides, a few stands were set up. Black Market. The first place he needed to visit.


    Teo approached one of the stands cautiosly. There weren''t a lots of people there, thankfully. The stand carried some bootleg training equipment, but more importantly, a very small selection of TMs.


    The dark-eyed man that stands behind the counter gives him a look of interest. As soon as he spots Teo eyeing the TM''s, he grins widely. "Looking for something, kid?", his voice is muted and raspy.


    "Kind of", Teo says cautiosly, returning. The salesman though Teo was one of the illegals, boy knew that much. Black market was a place where people who acquired their pokemon illegally could get the TMs, training equipment, and similar things. They couldn''t just waltz into normal stores and request those stuff without a licence.


    "Buying?", the salesman asks.


    "Selling", Teo says producing the Energy Ball TM from a pocket in his jacket.


    Had he wanted to buy something, he could''ve gone to a normal store. He had a licence, and those stores were much cheaper and safer than the black market. However, you couldn''t sell TMs back to them.


    "And how does a kid like you get his hands on a TM?", the salesman chuckles.


    Teo''s not telling him he''s a student at Old King''s, nor that he has a licence. The less this guy knows, the better. Besides. "How do you get your hands on all this stuff", Teo flies his eyes over the goods laid out.


    "Industry secret", the guy shrugs it off.


    "And an open one", Teo raises an eyebrow at him. Everybody knew all this stuff was stolen. Not that Teo thought much about moral failings of that, he stole the Energy Ball TM himself, anyways. And he did request it back from Ves, once the boy had used them. Selling their resources felt a bit bad, but ultimately, Teo was the one who stole them in the first place. Besides, he needed money in order to get what he was looking for, and this was the only way to acquire it fast enough.


    "This thing real?", the salesman takes the TM for inspection.


    "As real as they get, it''s Energy Ball", Teo says, "how much are you going to give me for that?".


    "Huh, 1500pd", the salesman scoffs, deciding the TM is real.


    "Sounds a bit too low for a TM", Teo leans forward in protest.


    "Save it, I need to sell this to make back that money", the man says firmly.


    "And we both know you''ll set the price at 5000pd, at least", Teo stays adamant.


    "Look, kid, this is a grass type move, not a lot of grass types in Spikemuth, who do you think my customers are, huh?", the man says irritatedly, "1500pd''s the highest I can go, take it or leave it".


    "2000pd", Teo bargains.


    "Huh, no way, I need to make a profit here kid, if you''re going to argue with me, better just leave", the man retorts.


    "Fine", Teo digs through another pocket. He produces the Trick room TM, shoving it onto the tabletop. "How much for this one, it''s Trick Room".


    "Huh, you raiding the markets in your spare time or something", the man scoffs at him, "500pd for both, at best".


    "Come on, give me something more here", Teo sighs, "your collection needs a refill, you know".


    "Hey, if you had anything for dark types, I could give you more, but these TMs are not exactly what locals look for, you know", the man rolls his eyes, "so 2000pd for both".


    "2300pd for both", Teo offers, "you can spare me 150pd more for each, now can''t you".


    "2200pd for both, but only cause I want to get rid of you", the salesman gives in.


    "Deal", Teo says.


    "Good doing business with you, kid", the man sighs, placing the two TMs into the case. From a was of cash he produces from his pocket, he picks out three slips, handing them off to Teo. "Now, scram", the man announces.


    Teo checks the amount, making sure he got 2200pd he settled for. "Gladly", he says turning around, finally free to rolls his eyes. He absolutely despises salesmans, especially black market ones. Not that he expected a better deal when he came here. 2200pd should be enough though. Now, it was time to get to the far trickier part of his little quest.


    Making his way back to the main street quickly, his arms have started to sweat. He had done some questionable shit, like theft and visiting black market for rare pokemon cards before, but he has never before tried getting his hands on the Mental Herb.


    The plant was, of course, highly illegal to acquire. Funnily enough, it had somehow managed to make its way into those damned simulations, and as a way to cure users pokemon of infatuation, nonetheless. Teo found it almost laughable. In reality, Mental Herb had strong calming effect when consumed, on both people and pokemon. Unfortunately, the calmness was a result of its psychodelic components, which often caused hallucinations in pair with the calm, so the plant was illegal. In other words, it was lowkey a drug.


    Getting it in Spikemuth was necessary, because his hometown was the only place Teo knew where to find it. Even within Spikemuth, there was only one place Teo knew for certain he could get it without the risk of having to ask around too much. The Spikemuth gym.


    It was an open secret in the city, that Logan, the gym leader enjoyed a bit of a trip every now and again, as did his gym trainers. It was pretty well known the gym trainers sold the stuff as well. As a gym leader, Logan could request the Mental Herb as means of raising pokemon, and some gym trainers would put some aside to sell. More importantly, the gym was the only place in the city where you could get Mental Herb without a chance of the police being there.


    Wiping the sweat off of his cargo shorts, Teo faced the entrance to the gym. Even knowing he wouldn''t get into trouble with police because of this, it still felt wrong. He went over his alibi in his head, just in case someone does ask questions when he exits the gym. He''s a trainer. He wanted some tips. If they ask more, he''ll tell them he''s having trouble with his Absol, so he tried asking the gym trainers what to do. It wasn''t even a lie. Since he''s going into the gym, he might as well get some help.


    Walking into the building, Teo couldn''t help but question his own choices. If he wanted to achieve anything, he needed this resource, though, so there was no backing away.


    The entrance room is empty, barren, and enveloped in the smell of spraypaint, for whatever reason. Teo tries approaching the information counter as nonchalantly as he can. He asks the young woman behind the glass to tells him where the gym trainers are, quickly explaining he wants some tips on training his dark type pokemon. The girl carelessly tells him he should just take the left hallway, go all the way down and enter the room that has the "Longue" sign on the doors.


    Teo obliges without much complaint. The matalic hallway walls seem to have been painted over countless of times. Some parts were covered in cool-looking pictires, some in designed works Teo couldn''t quite read, while some were simply covered in blotches of a single colour.


    The doors at the end of the hallway were covered in black leather, differing from all the generic ones the boy had walked past. Opening them allowed a view into the room behind, or so, you would think. In reality, Teo could barely make anything out from the smoke. He saw the nearby walls were done in woodwork, and he recognised the shape of sofa beds in the middle of the room. A few silhouettes hid within smoke as well. 4 of them, Teo counted.


    He stepped inside, closing the doors behind him. With his heart racing, he made his way towards the middle of the room. "Are you guys gym trsiners?", he tried to sound as cool as he could, but the smoke seemed to stick in his throat.


    "Well, you found them", someone replied.


    Only upon getting closer could Teo make up the actual people in front of him. He was right, there was 4 of them. Two guys and two girls were all dressed simply, in black jeans and different coloured t-shirts. To his surprise they didn''t seem much older than him. But they had to be, Teo knew. Most likely, they were 19 but youthful looking. Teo also notices a suspicious lack of mohawks. He kind of expected these guys would all have crazy hairstyles, but only one guy had sky blue hair, while the other 3 failed to look anything beyond ordinary.


    "What do you want", the guy with blue hair says, "seem awfully young to be a trainer?".


    "Actually I am", Teo clears his throat.


    "For real, huh", one of the girl gives him a suspicious gaze, "how come?".


    "I''m a student at Old King''s", Teo explains, stepping just a little bit back. The last he needs is these people thinking he has an illegally acquired pokemon. They might be alright with selling drugs, but owning a pokemon illegally was a hard no.


    "Really?", the second guy gives him a quick scan, "cause you seem more like a juvie type, buddy".


    "I''m not lying", Teo offers, clumsily taking out his phone and loading his trainer''s permit as fast as he can. "Here, look", he shoves his phone under their noses. The four take an interested look, and Teo sees an array of shifting faces.


    "Oh, this is real", the second girl sounds genuinely surprised, "huh, we have a scholar on our hands, who would''ve thought".


    The blue haired guy scrolls a bit down on Teo''s phone: "and he has an Absol, so he''s technically a colleague of ours then".


    "Yeah, kind of", Teo clears his throat. It is mandatory that these four take a liking to him.


    "Well then, sit down", the second guy all but pulls Teo down onto the sofa, "tell us how''s it going, what''s that school like, I''ve heard it''s a hellscape full of priviledged pricks".


    "Basically", Teo laughs, "well, they are kind of pricks, but I guess not everyone''s priviledged".


    "Well, there you have it", one of the girls rolls her eyes, "just like we thought".


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "How''s life there man, do you get to stay in some luxury rooms?", the blue hair guy questions.


    "Oh, who cares about that, how are the girls?", the other guy says, playfully punching Teo''s shoulder.


    "I get to share a room with 4 other guys, and I wouldn''t call that luxurious", Teo laughs, "and the girls, they''re alright, I guess, hadn''t made any moves yet though".


    "Oh, still playing the field, I see", the guy number two seems to have decided Teo''s a womanizer.


    "Still playing the field", Teo confirms, not willing to tell him he hasn''t been paying too much attention on the girls alltogether. Again, he needs these people to like him.


    "5 boys in the same room, God, that must smell", one of the girls looks sincerely grossed out by the fact.


    "Yeah, yeah, it does", Teo says, suddenly feeling the smell of their room in the morning. Teo and Ace do a good enough job at venting the room throughout the day, but their mornings tend to smell truly terrible.


    "Well, enough about that", the second girl says firmly, "what are you looking for here? I''m guessing you didn''t just decide you want to meet new people and thought the gym is an ideal place to do that?".


    "You looking for a battle?", the blue haired guy asked expectantly.


    "No, no, not a battle", Teo explains hurriedly, as his nerves start working again. How''s one supposed to ask for drugs again?. "But I do need something", Teo adds quickly.


    "Well, what do you need?", one of the girls asks.


    "Well, I mean, I need a little something, I''ve heard you have on the side", Teo attempts, causing utter confusion.


    "What?", the blue haired guy raises his eyebrow.


    "Dude, he obviosly wants Mental Herb", the other guy laughs, "look at how uncomfortable he is".


    "You came into a pokemon gym to ask for drugs", one of the girls attempts.


    "Well, I''ve heard you sell them", Teo offers.


    "Fair enough", the second guy laughs.


    "Look, kid, we don''t just sell them to anyone, besides, you''re like 12, we''re definitely not selling it to you", the girl scoffs.


    "I''m 15, actually", Teo attempts.


    "Don''t care, you''re under age, we''re not selling to fucking minors", the girl replies.


    "Look, wait, here''s the thing", Teo sighs. "My Absol won''t listen to me, I need the Mental Herb to try and calm him down", Teo gives the shortest explanation possible.


    "It won''t listen?", the girl raises her eyebrow, "in what way".


    "In a way that he tries attacking me almost every time I let him out of his pokeball", Teo explains, "so, please, would you just sell it to me?".


    "Look, kiddo, it sucks your pokemon tries to come after you, but we''re not selling you drugs", blue haired guy notes, "there are other ways to deal with that, you know".


    "I''ve tried", Teo says, "I''ve tried talking to him, I''ve tried feeding him soothing berries, but nothing helped in the long run".


    "Shit, kid, tough spot, still no time to tey turning to drugs, for fuck''s sake", one of the girls speaks up, "you know, this is a dark type gym, we might be able to help in another way, but you come here asking for drugs?".


    "Well, what can you help in any other way?", Teo asks expectantly.


    "Huh, now, I''ve never trianed an Absol myself", the blue haired guy says, "but Logan has one, he could probably tell you much more than we can".


    "Yeah, asking a dark type specialist should''ve been your first instinct anyways, not drugs", the second girl adds.


    "Right, let''s just take the kid to Logan", the guy with normal, brown hair jumps up.


    "Dude, wait a bit, you know Logan''s at the ring", one of the girls, the one with pitch-black hair scolds him.


    "Dude", the brown haired guy says mockingly, "the kid just asked us for drugs, we can take him to the ring".


    Teo had no idea what ''the ring'' was.


    He quickly found out. As 5 of them left the smoke-filled room, the gym trainers led him down the short set of stairs behind one of the doors. For some reason, the place smelled strange, like walking into a furniture store. When they exited into what seemed to be a hidden basement, Teo realised what it was. The space was covered in soft-looking black plates. Sound isolation, Teo realised, as he noted giant speakers have been seet in every corner of the room. The floor was entirely covered in sitting pillows. It was a smell of a very strange secret music studio, Teo realised. Most poignantly, at the center of the room, stood a square-shaped metalic cage. The inside of it rose from the floor, as some sort of a stage. Cage-wrestling, Teo figured it out. This place was meant for cage matches. But who was fighting.


    He didn''t even notice Logan, who stood in one of the corners, trying to set up one of the speakers. The gym leader turned around, seemingly not surprised by their sudden appearance.


    "What''s this with you guys bringing a kid down here", the man''s voice seemed more uniterested than mad. As Teo took it, Logan mustv''ve been around 29, his hair was completely black, and his body looked jacked, but his face showed the first signs of aging.


    "Um, I had a question, actually", Teo cleared his throat, finding himself only slightly intimidated by the presence of the gym leader.


    "Then ask it", the gym leader says simply.


    "He has an Absol that won''t obey", the brown haired guy says on Teo''s behalf, "we thought you might be able to help out".


    "This child has an Absol?", the gym leader''s question would assume he''s surprised, but his voice fails to show it.


    "He''s a student at Old King''s", the blonde girl explains, "we didn''t believe it at first".


    "Old King''s huh, and you have an Absol", the gym leader raises a curious eyebrow at Teo, "are you a first year?".


    "Yes, sir", the boy feels an urge for formalities.


    "Well, you have my Absol, then, boy", the gym leader says.


    Teo doesn''t grasp it completely: "Sorry, your Absol?".


    "An Absol that I raised, to an extent the school needs its starter pokemon raised", Logan explains, "it is your starter, I suppose, I doubt a first year could catch a pokemon like that".


    "It is my starter", Teo confirms.


    "Then, it''s a pokemon I have raised, here, in this gym", Logan shrugs, "Old King''s sent out a request for a pokemon, and I did my job, nothing out of the usual, I just didn''t know it would go to a boy from Spikemuth".


    "You raise pokemon for the school?", Teo inquers, still stuck on that part.


    "Yes, part of a job, I do what the league needs me to do, and that sometimes include rasining pokemon for school children", Logan seems to not have any particular emotions about it.


    "Well, you could''ve raised it better", Teo mutters.


    "I did my part well", Logan says flatly, "if you''re having trouble that''s on you".


    "It usually attacks me as soon as I let it out of the pokeball, so I would say you could''ve done a better job", Teo retorts. He didn''t expect to meet the person who raised his partner, but now that he has, the rage was staring to build up.


    "Dark types tend to be agressive, especially towards weaklings", by the way Logan says it, you wouldn''t think it was an insult.


    "What do you-", Teo starts.


    "Absol especially", Logan ignores him completely, "it''s a pokemon said to predict disasters, but as a dark type, it has a hunch for cowards, so you see, his abilities go far beyond myths".


    "What are you trying to get to?", Teo says.


    "In my opinion, Absol can smell lies", Logan says matter of factly, as if that one sentence explains everything.


    "So, you''re calling me a liar, then?", Teo says irritatedly.


    "Are you not?", Logan locks eyes with him, and Teo feels the chills run down his spine.


    "I''m not, I''ve got nothing to hide, hell, I came in here trying to buy drugs with the money I''ve gotten by selling stolen TMs on the black market", Teo spits out. "Any other truth neccesary", Teo says, almost as a challenge to the man.


    "Dude, your truth sounds more like a criminal record", the brown haired guy laughs.


    "How simple minded, serves a kid", Logan ignores his gym trainer, "I''m not saying you''re lying to someone else".


    "Well, who am I lying to then, myself?", Teo can feel his nails tear into the skin of his palms.


    "There is something you''re hiding from yourself kid, and Absol can sense it", Logan says simply, "and if it comes to attack you, then you must be hiding something big".


    "I''m not hiding anything from myself", Teo spouts.


    "Hey, I''m not the one who needs to be convinced in that", Logan raises his hands into the air, "tell that to your parnter".


    "I would tell him, if he didn''t try attacking me as soon as I let him out", Teo growls.


    "He attacks you always?", Logan questions, "does he attack other people as well?".


    "Well", Teo thinks about it. "No, I''ve gotten chased down a few times, and kidnapped once, he attacked the bad guys those few times, but he usually turns on me as soon as that''s done", the boy says.


    "Kid, what even is that school", the black haired girls seems shocked.


    "Well, then, Absol does sense danger as well, tends to deal with that first, then he goes after everything else", Logan explains, "did he attack anyone who didn''t try to harm him or you?".


    "No, I don''t think so", Teo admits, "maybe Joe on the first day, but never again".


    "Sounds like Absol thinks you have a problem with yourself, then", Logan concludes.


    "So what, it will just keep attacking me? Until when? Until I solve this imaginary problem he senses?", Teo barrages the question. Whatever Absol''s problem was with him, he had got it wrong. There was nothing Teo had to hide. Everyone knew it, he caused problems, he was rough sometimes, he wasn''t the best person around and he knew it. It wasn''t anything he hid from the world nor from himslef.


    "Absol doesn''t like being trained by someone who hasn''t faced themselves", Logan shrugs, "sorry to tell you this, kid, but you''ll have to start looking at the mirror if you want this to go well".


    "I do look into the mirrors, on regular basis", Teo objects.


    "Figuratively", Logan adds.


    "Wow, thanks so much for the advice, you''re such a great gym leader, I''m sure this will solve all of my problems", Teo says dryly, "Mental Herb would''ve been more helpful than this".


    "Yeah, then, go get the kid some goods", Logan motions for the brown haired guy to go.


    "Wait, are you for real?", Teo jumps up in surprise.


    "Yeah, Logan, you''re joking right, we can''t sell pot to a minor", the brown haired girl objects.


    "We''re not selling it to him, it''s a gift", Logan says matter of factly, "Ulrich, make sure you get the stem as well".


    "You do know how to grow a plant as well, do you?", Logan turns to Teo as the brown haired guy starts his run upstairs.


    "I know a guy", Teo says, still shocked that the gym leader made a decision like this. "So, I was right, the Mental Herb will help Absol calm down?".


    "No, it won''t help Absol calm down, because Absol isn''t enraged in that sense", Logan says, "but it will help you clear your mind and figure out whatever you''re hiding from yourself".


    "Wait, you''re telling me to smoke it?", Teo almost yells out.


    "In moderation, of course", Logan says simply, "and only until it''s necessary, after you''ve found what you''re hiding from yourself, dispose of the plant".


    "Wow, this is not what I imagined the gym leader would be like", Teo admits.


    "Look, kid, things aren''t inherently good or bad for you, it''s how you use them that determines it", Logan''s voice is deep and filled with importance, "it goes for everything, as they say, life is what you make of it".


    "Cool, did you read that on Pinterest?", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "Read it on Pinterest, lived it here in Spikemuth", Logan says simply, making Teo wince at the sentiment.


    Logan gives him another strange look, stepping in closer. "You are from Spikemuth, right?", the gym leader''s voice turns grim.


    "Yes", Teo says reluctantly, not knowing why Logan''s asking that now.


    "Born and raised?", the gym leader raises his eyebrow, as if he''s threatening.


    "Born and raised", Teo says in a low voice.


    "Good", The gym leader says, and Teo breathes with relief.


    Ulrich enters the room again, much to Teo''s satisfaction. "Here", the brown haired trainer gives Teo a small plastic bag that contains a few light-blue, almost see-through leaves, along with a few parts of the stem.


    "Thanks", Teo says, accepting the goods. He goes to put it into the inside pocket of his jacket, but Logan quickly stops him.


    "Wait, give it to your pokemon", the gym leader orders, "less likely you''ll be found out that way".


    "You worried, huh?", Teo says.


    "Hey, the police tends to leave us alone cause we help around the city, but if they catch a minor with this, they''ll be on my throat in an instant", Logan responds.


    "Okay", Teo says, picking Totodile''s pokeball and releasing his partner. The small croc energetically jumps up and down, unable to phantom a fact he''s about to become a mule.


    "So you do have more pokemon, then", Logan says taing a curious look at Totodile, who''s jumping around energetically, "why is it wearing sunglasses, though?".


    "Because he likes them", Teo suggests, as he crouches down next to Totodile and giving him the small plastic bag. "Will you keep this for now, Tots? Just don''t lose it", Teo has no idea if things can get lost inside of a pokeball.


    "He listens to you?", Logan asks.


    "Not really, he only ever uses Aqua Jet", Teo confesses.


    "You didn''t train him well, then", Logan says dryly.


    "Well, he''s a young one, and I think he has fun Aqua Jetting around, so that''s what he does", Teo explains, "to be fair, I''m just glad he isn''t trying to kill me, so I can actually use him in battles".


    "So, you didn''t even try training him?", Logan asks.


    "I caught him when I went to Lilicove with Joe, and we are not allowed to leave the island", Teo explains, "so, no, I couldn''t train hin last week, I only got to register him as one of my pokemon yesterday".


    "Oh, but did you have a battle with him already?", Logan inquiers, his interest now peaked.


    "Well, I did use him to fight those guys that chased us in Lilicove, then those poachers in Canalave, oh, and we did fight off some thugs earlier today", Teo remembers, "the only kind of official battle, I had with Joe, back in Lilicove, he beat us, but honestly, I didn''t know Tots wouldn''t do anything but Aqua Jet, so I''m not counting it".


    "Again, kid, what even is that school?", the black haired girl says.


    "Huh, so that''s it, and that Joe guy is?", Logan asks curiously.


    "A teammate?", Teo responds in confusion, "why?".


    "Well, you''ve been mentioning him a lot, you two friends?", Logan raises his eyebrow.


    "More like, occasional partners", Teo offers.


    "In crime?", the blue haired guy adds.


    "He''s a bit too much, the other 3 as well, we''re not friends", Teo ignores him.


    "Alright, alright", Logan puts his hands up, "I was just asking".


    "Well, better don''t ask", Teo rolls his eyes, "the team thing is not exactly working out, I don''t even know why the school does that".


    "Oh, it''s a game", Logan says simply, "well, Old King''s has its schemes".


    "What game?", Teo asks.


    "See, when they create the teams, they make sure to mix it up, skill wise", Logan explains, "you have a mix of high performing students, and low performing ones, right?".


    "Yeah", Teo says, not noting that he''s technically low performing as well.


    "So, when you put kids together like that, and tell them that they either pass or fail together, one of two things happens", Logan continues, "either the bad ones feel bad about it and start improving, or the good ones feel bad and become even better".


    "So, they do that on purpose", Teo nods.


    "Obviously", Logan rolls his eyes, "I mean, they aim to create professional trainers, they want to create a rigid environment".


    "Wow, any more secret working of Old King''s?", Teo asks in surprise.


    "Huh, I could name a few", Logan says flatly, "but you''ll have to beat it out of me". The gym leader motions towards the metal cage.


    "Wait, you want to wrestle me?", Teo looks at him, utterly shocked.


    "No", Logan rolls his eyes, "I want to see Absol that I have raised in action, you brat".


    "Absol? You want me to go into the cage with a pokemon that''s been trying to kill me for 2 weeks straight?", Teo laughs.


    "Exactly", Logan nods, "then, you''ll lose to me, and go home".


    "You think I''ll lose?", Teo smirks.


    "Of course you will, in an instant", Logan says calmly, "this isn''t a gym battle, I don''t have to hold back, you''ll be done in one hit".


    "Huh, we''ll see", Teo snarks at him. Did he expect to beat a gym leader? No. But no one was getting him in one hit.


    "Then, enter the cage", Logan says, nodding at Ulrich. The gym trainer quickly runs up to the control panel. Few button presses later, the metal doors slide open with shrieking noise. "Get up there, kid", Logan says, as he walks up the small set of stairs and enters the creation himself.


    Teo reluctantly follows suit, finding himself encased amongst the metal nets once Ulrich does his magic again. He always kind of expected to find himself behind the bars, but this was not what he had in mind.


    As Logan stare at him in expectation, Teo picked up Absol''s pokeball. He felt the sweat trail he left on the surface on warm metal. In a cage, about to let the disaster pokemon out. This is what wanting to do drugs gets him.


    Gritting his teeth he does what he must, letting Absol hit the white floor. The white dog takes the battle stance immediately, turning around to face Teo. The boy almost starts to believe that the pokemon could smell fear, as well as the lies. Taking an instinctive step back, he readies the pokeball, just in case he needs to recall Absol at moment''s notice. All the excitment he had felt earlier today disapated. There wasn''t anyone else for Absol to go after now.


    The disaster pokemon seemed hesitant to attack though, as he slowly turned around to look at Logan. The gym leader stood there, as collected as ever. Teo wasn''t sure if he feared Absol or this man more.


    But Absol wasn''t attacking him, and that was the only thing that mattered.


    "Let''s see what you''ve got, Spike", Logan spoke to his Absol, as he took hold of his own pokeball.


    In a show of blue light, a second Absol appeared on the floor. Teo wasn''t surprised, he figured the gym leader would pull something like this. Absol vs Absol match. Seemed about right.


    He noticed this new Absol was significantly larger, in contrast to his own partner. His fangs and the razor on his head seemed sharper as well. Definitely a pokemon much further developed. Meanwhile, his own Absol wouldn''t even have a proper meal.


    "You can start", the blonde haired girl almost yells at them.


    Teo snaps from his thoughts. Now that he sees Logan, Absol might listen to him. This could help him.


    "Quick Attack", Teo says instantly. Maybe Absol listens this time.


    "Play Rough", Logan counters calmly.


    Teo''s Absol stands in place, lowering his stance even further, letting his razor flash wildly. Swords Dance, Teo thinks, he went for Swords Dance. So much for listening.


    Logan''s Absol quickly jumps back, using the metal wall to leap above his opponent, summoning the fairy type energy into its front paws. Just like that, without Teo''s partner even moving, his opponents lashes at him with switness, landing a devistating blow.


    "That was pathetic", Logan says what Teo''s thinking.


    Fuck that, not only was he gone in a single hit, but Teo didn''t land a single attack. No, he didn''t even get to move. He watched as Absol struggled to stand, just waiting to see him falling into the ground.


    But it didn''t.


    "Quick Attack, now", Teo yells out as soon as he realises Absol is still standing. He has no idea how that''s even possible, but it''s not even worth thinking about.


    His partner moves forward, his legs picking up speed. He finally listened, Teo thinks, ready to see his attack come to fruition.


    "Sucker Punch", Logan commands flatly, and his own Absol, enveloped in darkness, rushes straight into the incoming Quick Attack, hitting Teo''s pokemon on the side and sending him onto the ground.


    Teo feels the earth spin beneath him. Logan did say he wasn''t going to hold back, but this was something else. He couldn''t say that he had lost because Logan went full steam ahead. No. The worst thing was, Logan barely did anything. Two attacks. Teo din''t even know how he had even gotten that second chance, but it was taken away from him in an instant.


    And who was to blame? Absol or him. He wasn''t sure himself.


    Logan recalled his Absol, and Teo followed suit. He heard the doors creek open through the rush of rage in his head. Who the rage was directed at, Teo had no idea. Absol, himself, or maybe Logan. What was even the point of this match anyways?


    "You mad?", Logan asks.


    "Yeah", Teo brushes him off.


    "Really?", Logan says flatly.


    "Really", Teo responds dryly.


    "Good", Logan smiles in self satisfaction.


    "How is that any good", Teo yells out.


    "We only run from things we think are bad", Logan says matter of factly.


    "Oh my God, stop throwing stupid citations at me, just say what you mean", Teo hisses.


    "You''re running from your own weakness", Logan says simply, "well, that''s at least one of the things you run from, I think".


    "What weakness, I lost to you because you''re a gym leader and my Absol won''t even listen to me", Teo shouts.


    "I figured it out quickly, as soon as I knew you were at Old King''s", Logan waves him off, "many kids there are scared of failing, that they are not enough, Absol senses that".


    "And how do you know that''s what I think", Teo says.


    "You said you were angry", Logan shrugs.


    "Right, I am angry, that doesn''t mean I think I''ll fail", Teo retorts.


    "But you''re angry because you lost", Logan notes.


    "Well, obviously", Teo sighs.


    "Anger is a secondary emotion, it has to stem from something else", Logan looks him dead in the eye, "and in your case, I''d say it comes from the fear of not being good enough".


    "What are you, a psycholigist", Teo laughs.


    "Sort of", Logan rolls his eyes, "well, anyway, that''s all I have to say to you".


    "Thank God", Teo scoffs.


    "You should go home now", Logan says, "next time you decide to come around, better be prepared to battle me, and do it well this time".


    "As if", Teo scoffs, turnimg around to leave.


    "Oh, and by the way kid", Logan says behind him, "that Absol of yours was born and raised here, in Spikemuth, his name is Spike".


    Teo shuts the doors behind him, thinking how dumb it is to name your pokemon after a city as rotten as this one.


    He stomps out of the building, into a weary evening. His head is still buzzing with everything that had just went on. He knew from the start that this trip back home was a terrible idea. At least, he got what he needed, and he had some cash to spare. He''ll get totodile a handball so he can play, and he''ll pocket the rest.


    His bad luck didn''t stop there, though, as two man in trench coats appeared in front of him as soon as he stepped away from the gym. Unfortunately, he quickly found out they were a police.


    *****


    It wasn''t the worst thing being held in a police station. They only saw him exiting the alleway that led to the black market, so the whole ordeal didn''t last long. Not that they''d find anything on him anyways. Even if they did, he was 15, so they couldn''t exaclty jail him for anything short of an assault.


    The bad thing about being led into a police station at 15 was that the police, by law, had to escort you. And Teo didn''t look forward to having the policeman lead him in front of his mother.


    When they stood in front of the wilting white doors of his apartment, it was already darl outside. The poorly lit hallway smelled of freshly cooked beans.


    His mother would always breathe out in the same way when she saw he was in trouble. He watched it again, as the policeman explained why they had brought him in, how her stomach flattened, her shoulders shrunk, her face started looking even more sunken. Teo always wondered if his eyes will be like hers when he grow older, empty and trapped in circles of da darkened skin. As if life had leaked out of them, painting the surrounding area, and now there was nothing left within them.


    When the police left back, his mother stayed silent and went back to hunch over the sturdy kitchen table, as she always would. She shifted trough bills, but Teo could tell her mind was everywhere.


    Was she wishing for a better child, one that doesn''t come back home for a few days just to make trouble. And she didn''t even know, about the black market, or Mental Herb. Police had only told her they found him suspicious. Had she known about it, what would she think? And if she knew about those thugs as well? And everything that happened in the past 2 weeks? It was not Teo''s fault, really, he was simply born as trouble''s favourite. Even those thugs today went after him for no particular reason, he was going his own way when they started talking to him. He talked back, obviously, so they started acting all tough and chased him. But it wasn''t his fault.


    Was she wishing Teo''s father was still there?


    Not that the boy ever knew him, he died a few months before Teo was born. Worked on a cruise ship, his mother told him, and there was a storm once. He only knew pictures, of this wide-shouldered, stern-looking man with shoulder-lenght pitch black hair. Teo was nothing like him, other than the height and the hair coulour.


    Ever since, him and his mother had lived in this crappy apartmant, that had a single living room, a bathroom, and an old storage that has been turned into Teo''s room. Even at Old King''s, where he had to share a room with those 4 idiots, he had more space for himself.


    Without a word, he went on to take a shower. Not that he enjoyed it particularly. He rushed to wash the bad luck off of himself. When he finally re-entered the room, he informed his mother he''d go to sleep. For once, he couldn''t wait to go back to Old King''s. It wasn''t the best, but it wasn''t this hellhole of a city. He got what he needed, and he wasn''t planning on coming back here any time soon.


    "I feel like you want to hurt me sometimes", his mother doesn''t raise her head from the bills, "that''s why you''re like this".


    "I don''t", Teo says simply.


    "Sorry I can''t be a better parent", his mother says, "but I am doing my best, you know".


    "I know", Teo''s voice always goes low when he''s trying not to cry.


    "Then why do you do this?", the woman says, as if she''s looking for some grand revelation, "you''ve made it out of here, you have a chance to make a batter life for yourself, but you still do things like that".


    "I do what I have to do", Teo says, "sorry".


    "You''re hurting yourself like this as well, you know", she says.


    "I know", Teo says. How does he explain it. It''s not his fault. Life is just unfair, and he isn''t about to back down because of it.


    "I don''t want to make it harder on you, I promise", is the only thing he can muster up as an answer to her silence.

 Authors Note

    Hey, first of all, thank you to anyone who has been reading (and to anyone who will be reading in the future, hi from the past, I guess, lol). I really hope you''ve been enjoying this story in some ways at least. I''m having fun writing it, and I hope it translates well to you guys reading this. So, again, thank you for reading.


    Now, a few things I wanted to say. Sam''s chapter is coming along shortly to conclude this little "back home arc". I never really meant to have arcs in this story, and I don''t think I truly have them, but since I cycle through all of the characters POVs, I see those cycles as kind of "arcs".


    Anyways, what I wanted to say is, after the next chapter (that is coming soon), I will take a short break from actively writing this stroy. I have 2 reasons for this.


    1. I want to sit back, let this rest for a bit so I can better decide what''s the best route to go down after these chapters.


    2. I hope to go back, re-read everything I''ve written so far, and do some small revisions.


    Now, to explain myself, I''m somewhere between being a Pantser and a Plotter. I have the larger plot points all set-up, obviously, but I''ve been letting my characters kind of grow, change and shift on their own.


    So, even though I have this story planned ahead, I need some time to sit back and decide how is it that I want my MCs to do things in a future (in a way that makes sense).


    I didn''t want to rush into things, overexplaining their characters up until now. This "back home arc" was supposed to show what kind of environment they came from, and why they are the way they are. I don''t regard it as full-on character development, more as an ongoing thing. This was an attempt to showcase the past that has made them, and further explain why they behave the way they do. Now that I have that down, I want to come up with some different things, give them an opportunity to interact differently. But, enough about that.


    Obviously, I have future plans, so this break won''t last too long ;)


    Fun fact, I''ve actually started writing this story 4 times before this. I''d always start over again and do things "little bit to the left", lol. So, in order to actually stick to a form of this story, I decided to start publishing this. You could probably already guess, but what you are reading right now is the 1st draft.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    (Another fun fact, Ves didn''t exist in the first few variations of this, instead, Teo had a Houndour, and there were 4 people on each team)


    That''s why I want to do revisions, they are definitely needed. Obviously, I''m not going to change anything important, I''m satisfied with my plot points/character development (as I have said, I do have those things mapped out already). What I mean to do is fix the typos (that are abudant, I think), start fixing up transitions between scenes and add some desriptions. Since my chapters are super long, I tend to write them really fast, so switching between scenes kind of falls flat, and I don''t really take my time with describing things too much.


    Also, I want to start picking up things I want to fix in future revision. I will definitely have to do that as well in the future, hopefully before I start writing the book two. Most likely I''ll end up doing revisions while I write book 2, since my plan is for the second installation to pick up almost right where I left off. Or, where I plan leaving this story off.


    All that said, nothing of importance will change in my revisions, so it''s not like you have to go back and read everything over again.


    Once again, assuring you, this break won''t be too long, I''ll need a month at best to go through, read it all, fix some small stuff, and think of the best way to put the plot I have planned into words.


    In the mean time, I will do my best to put out a few bonus chapters, just to keep things interesting. I do have a lots of things I want to do with those, but I am yet to set up a few of those things within the story. But yeah, except to see more of small bits like Yamper on the Plane where pokemon are the focal points, as well as some things that follow side characters and their daily lives (and the main character will get their own bcs, of course).


    Also, I think this is a good time for me to release the ranking list (even though there already is one in chapter 9). But, since the tournament is finally nearing, I think this is the right time to actually put that out, along with the list of all the current characters, their pokemon and (current) movepools (God, I probably won''t be able to update that regularly, since the movepools will change up...). Anyways, I already have those lists, I just have to put it all in one place. I think it will be easier for all of us to follow everyone like that.


    Though, I do the limited 3rd person naration, so obviously, my characters won''t know when the side characters change their movepools. With some characters they still don''t know full movepools. Anyways, I''ll put up all the moves that we know so far, and the moves that pokemon knew when trainers recived them (even if the mcs don''t know about them, if that makes sense). Then I''ll update along the way, when enough changes have been made.


    There are only a few more characters that haven''t been introduced just yet, but I do have a few fun ones planned, so I''ll put them on as well.


    Anyways, that''s all coming after Sam''s "back home" chapter.


    Once again, reassuring you that the break won''t be too long (it''s not even a real break...), and once again, thank you for for reading this story <3

 Chapter 20

    "Alright, I''ll need Bolt, I have to go", Sam leans onto the couch. His parents are watching some comedy movie, with Yamper nested in between them.


    "No, can''t do, chief", his father laughs, "Bolts likes it with us".


    He had arrived in the early evening yesterday, and things have been as normal. Life was just the same as he had left it 2 weeks ago. The only difference in his house now seemed to be the existance of Yamper. His parents became fond of the small dog almost instantly, and Yamper had been enjoying the buffet of belly rubs last night and this morning.


    "Really, I need to go see Peter", Sam smiles, "I want Bolt to meet him as well, you know".


    "Oh, sweetie, come on", his mother replies, "it''s not a must, just let Bolt hang out with us today".


    "It is a must", Sam says jokingly, reaching over and grabbing Yamper into his hands. "You two can''t hold my partner hostage, you know, you''ll turn him into a couch potato", the boy protests.


    "There''s nothing wrong with using weekends to be a couch potato, you know", his father raises his finger in explanation.


    "Yeah, I know, I know", Sam says, "but I''m only here for a bit, so I''ll be using the weekend to see my friends". Well, he''ll only be meeting Peter. Liam said he might come as well, but that was uncertain, and he couldn''t get a hold of Fred at all.


    "Besides, Bolt needs to train as well", Sam notes, as an afterthought. Not that he has been doing much of that, other than running and having his partner practice Thunderbolt by using it repeadetly, Sam wasn''t really sure what he was doing. Training an electric type was tough. He knew Joe''s methods, but they were much better suited to a fighting type. He also saw Ace hitting soda cans with Rockruff a few times, but that worked for him. Not that he could have Yamper do that. He tried, but the can ended up getting burnt to the crisp. Aluminium was apparently not the best electricity conductor.


    "Really, you''re going to torture him on your days off?", his mother says.


    "I have to, mom", Sam sighs, "I''m already last on the rankings, I''m falling behind". He doesn''t tell them they are 500 points behind. That was a done deal, and there was no need for his parents to get worried about it.


    "Well, just don''t over do it, son", his father said behind him.


    "And say hi to Fred and the company on our behalf", his mother added.


    "I will", Sam responded, a sting of guilt hitting his chest.


    He didn''t have the heart or willingness to tell his parents he hasn'',t spoken with Fred in a good while. His friend rarely responded to his texts, and when he did it was in the shortest way possible. Not that he didn''t trust his parents, but they would find it strange. The 4 of them were friends since forever, and Sam''s parents knew it well enough. Telling them about this would lead into a conversation he didn''t want to have, force him to answer questions he just couldn''t give an answer to.


    "Alright, so, how about we do a light run to the diner", he suggests to Yamper, lowering the small dog to the ground. The place where he was supposed to meet up with Peter wasn''t far away, a mile at best. He could take the opportunity to train. Yamper barked in agreement, and the two of them set off, Sam having to slow down his pace as always, just to let Yamper catch up.


    Things with Peter were good, at least. He was looking forward to seeing him in person, after 2 weeks of texting and calls. It felt just a little bit strange. That it was Peter who ended up sticking with him. The two of them never felt particularly close. It was more of a Sam and Fred show, with Liam as a guest star. Peter was always just kind of there. Sam felt a wave of guilt wash over him, for simply seeing things that way. For all this time, he hasn''t really been paying attention to Peter. Not that a short visit back home could make up for it.


    The day was surprisingly warm for late September, and the only thing that succeeded in getting Sam''s mind off off things was the red of trees that popped up across the neigbourhood. He couldn''t decide if the leaves were bleeding onto the pavement, or were they being shedded away. Somehow, it might''ve been both things at the same time.


    Yamper still struggled to follow along while they ran, but a good thing was that Sam was starting to see more and more electricity gather around his pokemon''s fur. Ever since he taught him Thunderbolt, Sam has had Yamper gather power like that. Yamper proved to be somewhat of a natural when it came to special attacks, having managed to get of a Thunderbolt on his very first try. Alright, well, he had failed the following 5 Thunderbolts. That first success, however, did make Sam realise running helps gather electricity, which helps Thunderbolt release without an issue. Should''ve been obvious from the get go. After that, Sam had Yamper run laps in between 3 trees to gather energy before hitting the 4th one with Thunderbolt. It worked like a charm, taking Yamper 3 days to master the move, with Sam being pretty sure it could be used in battle. Moreover, he knew for a fact it had taken both Joe and Ves more time to get their TM moves in order, and he was silently proud to have beaten them in that. He did mention it in passing to Ace, who had informed him Yamper learned an electric move that matched his typing, so Sam has had an easier job there. Well, Sam was still proud to have won. Forgetting Nuzzle was definitely a bad idea, and he saw that now. He had Bite that he never used, as well as Sand Attack. He could''ve gotten rid of one of those. In his defense, he though, since he was teaching Thunderbolt, there was no need to keep the weaker electric move around. He ended up missing his ability to paralyse, so, lesson learned.


    The diner was a cozy place, they used to spend a lots of time there. Walking in through the doors, he was greeted by the familiar smell of coffee and fresh fries. Even though it''s only been weeks since he left, the whole place felt somewhat foreign. The white tiles squeeked as he walked, and the benches dressed in red leather seemed uninviting. He got this feeling of alienation off of his mind, as he spotted Peter sitting at one of the boots.


    "Hey, Pete", he gave a small wave as he clumsily sat down across from him. Hanging out alone with Peter was a novelty as well. Was this a first time they were hanging out like this, just the two of them, Sam wondered. He realised he couldn''t remember.


    "Hey Sam", Peter''s voice came out soft and uncertain. Maybe life has turned upside down for both of them, Sam thought. Maybe they were both just learning to walk again, in these new shoes.


    "What''s up", Sam says cautiosly, not sure how to start up a conversation. They talked a good bit over the phone for the past 2 weeks, but this was different. Seeing Peter in the flesh made Sam realise he wasn''t always the best friend.


    "Nothing much", Peter replies simply, shuffling in his spot. "Well, actually", he shifts around, producing a carboard bag from beside him, "I''ve got you something?".


    "You got me a gift?", Sam says in surprise, a sense of guilt appearing again, "dude, thanks, sorry, I... didn''t get you anything". And was in Canalave just yesterday, he could''ve gotten him something. For a split second he thought about giving away that necklace professor Nolan has gifted him, but it felt too personal.


    "Yeah, just... I thought you''d like this", Peter says sheepishly.


    From the bag, Sam pulled the soft looking fabric, spreading it in front of himself to get a better look. "A leatherman jacket", Sam smiled, realising. It was bright yellow, interrupted by white, and Sam almost wanted to laugh at the idea. Is this how Peter imagined him? Like a guy who''d leatherman jackets? "I love it, dude", Sam says, smiling still.


    "Glad to hear that", Peter seemed to relax, "I got it from the school shop, thought you''d like it".


    "It''s great, for real, thanks", Sam says, sliding off his zip-up hoodie and quickly putting on the leatherman jacket. "And it fits", the boy noted.


    "Yeah, glad to have gotten the size right", Peter scratches his head.


    "Yeah, sorry I haven''t gotten you something as well, I really should''ve", Sam says, noting that he''d have to make a trip to the gift shop back at Old King''s. What did they even have in their school''s gift shop? With how Old King''s was, they probably had anti-depressants, hopfully some stress balls.


    "Hey, don''t sweat it", Peter waves him off with a smile, "I know you''ve had a lot on your mind, besides, I wanted you to have this, you know, just to remind you you still have folks back home".


    "Um, thanks", Sam smiled again, some sort of saddnes making his shoulders rise. Peter had seemed a bit differetn than he had remembered him. His hair was still a mess, the bags under his eyes seemed more prominent, but the boy himself seemed to be glowing.


    "So, what''s up", Peter says cautiously.


    "Same old", Sam replies. He had already burried Peter in his problems, and he didn''t want to do it again. There was no need after all, nothing new has happened.


    "How''d that school trip to Canalave go?", Peter inquiers.


    "As well as I expected", Sam says shortly, "I''ve ended up going to a museum with our mentor".


    "You? A museum?", Peter almost laughs.


    "Hey, what''s funny about that?", Sam finally relaxes.


    "Nothing, you just don''t seem like the type, that''s all", Peter responds.


    "Hey, I met this really hot girl there, and...", Sam starts.


    "Oh, so you went into the museum after a girl, yeah, that makes more sense", Peter laughs.


    "Hey, what do you think I am", Sam rolls his eyes playfully. "Besides, I ended up getting this", Sam says showing off his talisman, "so you know, it was fun".


    "Looks cool", Peter says, taking a better look at the necklace, "got that from the girl?".


    "No, from my mentor", Sam notes.


    "Cool, the only thing out professor''s give us is stress", Peter laughs, "and homework".


    "Would you guys like to order?", the waitress appears next to them, cutting off the conversation.


    "Um, I''ll have Sitrus Burger, Pecha-Rawst smoothie, and fries", Sam recites his usual order.


    "We don''t have Sitrus burgers on the menu anymore", the waitress notes shortly.


    "Oh", Sam says, realising he has no idea what to get now.


    "Oh, try my order", Peter offers, "I''ll do Oran-meat tortilla and squeezed Chesto juice".


    "Yeah, I''ll have the same tortilla then", Sam says absentmindedly, as the waitress jots down the order. "Um, by the way, do you have pokemon food?", Sam asks. "Is the diner pokemon friendly?", the boy adds.


    "Uh, yes", the waitress says cautiously, "you have a pokemon?".


    "I''m a trainer", Sam notes, quickly loading his permit.


    "Alright then, what meal do you want?", the waitress asks expectantly.


    "Um, you have pellets, or?", Sam wonders.


    "Only sweet and sour, and yellow and green pokeblocks", the woman says. "Not too many trainers come around", she explains.


    "Fine, we''ll do yellow pokeblocks then", Sam nods.


    "Alright, it''ll be a minute", the waitress notes dully before leaving.


    "Oh, right", Sam says, turning to Peter as he produces Yamper''s pokeball, "you''ve met over the phone, but I want you to meet Bolt in person as well".


    He lets his partner out on the seat beside him. Picking him up, the dog starts waving his legs merrily in an instant. Peter laughs. "What''s funny?", Sam asks, thinking Peter finds Yamper cute.


    "Your hair, Sam", Peter''s basically dying from laughter now, and Sam notices other people in the diner looking at him and shuckling as well.


    He starts the camera on his phone, and quickly figures it out. His hair has gone wild, aimimg for the ceiling. "Dude, it''s not funny", Sam laughs along, "we just ran here, Yamper still has a good bit of electricity in him".


    "I...can''t", Peter utters through the fit of laughter, "you... look like... a throwaway character... from some... teenage romcom".


    Wow, an Ace-type of insult, Sam thinks. He can''t escape those even at home.


    "Cmon Pete", Sam smiles again, picking up Yamper.


    "And you''re wearing a leatherman jacket", Peter notes, finally calming down a bit.


    "Yeah, the one you got me", Sam snarks playfully, offering his partner over the table to be held.


    "Oh, wait", Peter says, taking the dog. Yamper starts licking his face immediately.


    "Huh, is my hair alright", Peter laughs away.


    "Yeah, looks good", Sam notes, "and by the way, Bolt likes belly rubs".


    "Dude, I think he''s trying to eat me", Peter protests, as Yamper contimues attacking his face.


    "Oh, no, he just wants to play", Sam says.


    "Yeah, that''s what they always say", Peter retaliates. He finally manages to place Yamper down, and starts petting him immediately. "Well, he''s cute, I guess", he notes to Sam.


    "Wait until he evolves", Sam says proudly.


    "No, he''s so cute and chubby like this", Peter protests in a sweet voice, as Yamper rolls around on the bench to have his belly rubbed.


    "Well, I will have to evolve him sooner or later?", Sam notes.


    "And how do you do that?", Peter asks.


    "No idea", Sam admits, "well, I''ve read up about it, but evolution is pretty hard to trigger".


    "As far as I know, it''s the energy thing, right?", Peter says somewhat absentmindedly.


    "Right, when a pokemon reaches certain energy level, evolution happens", Sam nods, "though, that''s very hard to measure".


    "Right, and it needs a trigger as well", Peter says about it.


    "Well, yeah, it''s basically a huge energy release, as far as I know", Sam says, "pokemon builds up a huge amount of energy in his body, and it''s expressed through evolution".


    "Right, it''s like an attack, but it isn''t an attack", Peter nods away, still scratching Yamper''s belly, "I''ve read somewhere different things can trigger it, but it mostly comes down to feelings of a pokemon, well, in a way, or at least that goes for pokemon that evolve without items like stones, for those the item is what triggers the energy release, and starts the evolution".


    "Huh, you sure know a lot about it", Sam smiles at his friend. Another round of sadness rings through his mind. "Um, Pete", Sam says, "you are going to aim for passing the government test when we''re 18, right?". Sam thinks about it. Even if he fails the year at Old King''s he can still be a pokemon trainer, and together with his actual friends. It might not be the worst thing if he failed.


    "Um, well, I''m not sure", Peter shifts in his seat.


    "We did always want to be trainers together", Sam reminds him, forcing himself not to add ''the four of us''.


    "I... I know", Peter says slowly, "I mean, Fred and you always wanted that, and... I went along with it".


    "Peter", Sam reaches forward.


    "Don''t get me wrong", Peter says defensively, "I mean, I did want it, really, it seemed like fun, but I think... I think it was my way of feeling like the part of the group, you know, that''s what I actually liked about it".


    "Oh", Sam says in surprise. Did Peter always just tag-along? "Sorry", Sam says, just cause he feels the need to.


    "It''s fine, I don''t really know what is it that I want", Peter admits.


    "Yeah, I get it", Sam nods. Peter was going through a similar thing as he was, Sam realises. Liam and Fred were no longer there, and Sam was gone as well. In a sense, Peter was left alone.


    "It''s not you guys", Peter says as if he''s reading Sam''s mind, "well, I don''t know, it feels like I''ve been going along with the three of you all this time, and now I''m left to look for myself".


    "I''m sorry", Sam repeats himself.


    "Don''t be", Peter says firmly, "I''m not".


    "Oh, that''s good", Sam says, still feeling bad. He never meant to make Peter feel as if he was just following them around.


    "Look, you guys were a big part of my life, and I don''t regret that one bit", Peter clears his throat. He seems bigger to Sam than he ever was. "But things change, and that''s not a bad thing", the boy states, "it''s not easy, I... I know some things won''t ever come back to me, and it''s not an easy pill to swallow".


    "Not at all", Sam says wearily.


    "But it''s also a good thing, you know", Peter says, "I get to fine me, I get to become something entirely new".


    "That''s...", Sam''s not quite sure how to react, "I''m happy for you Pete, really, you''re... so smart, I''m really sorry we never talked like this before this".


    "Well, nothing''s stopping us now", Peter laughs lightly.


    "No", Sam smiles at him.


    "It''s funny, huh", Peter looks away, "it took us separation to come together like this".


    "Yeah, that''s... sweet, I''m glad, this is one good thing that came out of it all", Sam admits.


    "Well, whatever my life turns out like, I hope you''ll stay a part of it", Peter says in determination.


    "I will", Sam nods, "promise".


    "Thanks", Peter nods, "you know, I do like talking to you more, school''s been tough". He raises his eyebrows adding: "well, I did not have anyone leading me into a trap, but there''s too much homework, and people are not much better around here then they are over there, you know".


    "Oh, you having problems?", Sam asks, "are you making friends?".


    "I am, I mean, I did meet a few new people who are cool", Peter admits, "but most of them are not really up my alley".


    "Well, at least you made some friends", Sam offers.


    "Yeah, they''re cool, I''m not complaining", Peter says.


    "So, you thinking about what you want to do?", Sam asks, "now that you don''t want to be a trainer".


    "Actually", Peter scratches his head, "I signed up for basic medic course at the pokemon center".


    "Oh, you did?", Sam says in surprise, "that''s, that''s amazing, dude".


    "Yeah, I mean, I do like pokemon, I just think I''m not really a type of guy that''s meant for battles, you know".


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "Yeah, you were always the calm and nice one", Sam smiles.


    "Well, one of my professors told me there''s the course", Peter smiles, "and you know, I signed up".


    "Great, when it starting?", Sam inquers.


    "Next weekend", Peter informs him. "It''s only basic training, you know, meant to operate healing machines, learn about the first aid on the field, that kind of stuff".


    "That sounds fun", Sam says.


    "Yeah, I mean, it''s going to take extra work, since I have school as well", Peter admits, "but get this, if I pass the basic training, I can take the intermediate courses".


    "Even more work, huh, you''re on fire, Pete", Sam laughs.


    "Yeah, but look", Peter perks up, "if I pass the intermediate course, the branch of Ranger''s Society in Jubilife has courses I can sign up for as well, the field work course as well, so, you know, basically, I could earn a permit for medic field work as early as this summer".


    "Wait, does that mean...", Sam raises his eyebrow.


    "Yeah, I could get a pokemon of my own like that", Peter confirms, "Ranger''s society would assign me one, and I could help out wild pokemon that get injured, as well as trainers that find themselves in trouble".


    "That''s great Pete, you''ll do great", Sam says. At least someone knows what they''re doing with their life.


    "Well, they''ll probably assign me a Cleffa or something", Peter laughs, "but it''s fine, I''ve always liked those milder pokemon amyways".


    "Yeah, I figured", Sam laughs.


    Their food finally arrives, cutting off the conversation yet again. Together with food, Liam arrives as well. Sam stares at him in surprise, as the brown haired boy slaps his hand on his shoulder in a greeting, and orders cola and Pecha-meat burger. Sam greets him quickly, noting his friend has gone through a growth spur, and is now towering over both him and Peter.


    "Well, I made it into the school''s basketball team, so I''m treating", Liam says, as soon as he slides next to Peter. He notices Yamper immediately, reaching over and picking it up. "This is your partner Sam, huh?", the boy talks swiftly, "he''s cute, but he doesn''t really seem like much of a battler, you know, if you wanted an electric dog, you should''ve gotten an Electrike".


    "I didn''t have a choice", Sam reminds him.


    "Nevermind, this little guy''s cool", Liam turns Yamper around, scratching away. Sam''s sure Yamper likes him instantly. "So, am I interrupting here", Liam looks away rapidly, noting Sam''s and Peter''s reactions, "you did invite me, remember".


    "Well, we''re a bit surprised you showed up, is all", Peter admits.


    "I said I''d try to come", Liam shoots off, "and so I did try". Liam hangs back in the boot: "so, catch me up, if it''s not a problem".


    "Peter wants to be a field medic, and I''m back home for the weekend", Sam notes quickly.


    "Cool, that''s cool Pete", Liam says, "Fred didn''t show up, huh, you did invite him right?". Without waiting for an answer, Liam adds: "he''s been acting like a little bitch, if you ask me". Noticing his friends looking increasingly uncomfortable, the boy adds: "what, am I not supposed to say that?".


    "I did imvite him, I don''t think he''s seen the message though", Sam admits.


    "Yeah, sounds about right", Liam rolls his eyes. Looking between Peter and Sam he adds: "what, are the two of you uncomfortable with me mentioning him, huh?".


    "I mean, it''s complicated", Sam says slowly.


    "Oh, my God, Sam, it''s not complicated at all, Fred''s been acting like a bitch, and I can say it", Liam goes into a fiery fight with himself, "what, are you two uncomfortable with saying his name, I mean, he''s not fucking Voldemort, well, he''s not fucking anyone, although I think he''s been trying, but that'' s beside the points I can say his name, see, Fred, Fred, Fred". Liam stops short to catch his breath.


    "Liam, that''s... fine", Sam says.


    "Yeah, it''s not fine", Liam rolls his eyes, "he''s been butt-hurt this whole summer since you made it into that school, and he''s been only getting worse".


    "Cmon, Liam", Peter reaches his hand towards him, but Liam doesn''t even sound mad.


    "Cmon Liam what, I mean, I''m saying what we all know already", Liam states, "did that little asshole talk to either of you since the school year started?".


    "A bit", Sam admits.


    "So I suppose that means no", Liam sticks his tongue out, "dude, he changes after he''s seen those results, just admit it". No one responds to that, so Liam keeps talking to himself: "sure, I was bummed when I found I didn''t make it either, but like, who cares, that''s just a sign pokemon training isn''t for me", the boy blurts out, "dude needs to learn how to let go, for fucks sake".


    "In his defense, he did barely fail", Sam points out, he was only one spot beneath him. He understood why Fred would take that hard. Maybe Fred would''ve done better than him amyways, maybe he was the one who should''ve made it.


    "Well, first off, he shouldn''t be ignoring any of us because of it", Liam rolls his eyes, "we all had equal chances, you made it, the three of us didn''t end of the story". Liam pauses to take a breath again. He has always had this habbit of talking himself out of air. "Second thing, he shouldn''t be going to this fucking extreme, I mean, I get being sad about it, but like, mate, why get a fucking pokemon illegally, just wait ''till you''re 18 and get the licence then, like everyone else".


    "Wait, what?", Peter reacts before Sam gets a chance to, "wait, he got a pokemon illegally".


    "Yeah, dude, you didn''t know? He payed some guy to catch a Shinx for him, a week ago, he'' d been saving up for that for most of the summer", Liam says it like it''s no big deal, "he''s been training it at the football field ever since then, the fool''s not even trying to hide it, literally everybody knows it".


    Looking between Sam''s and Peter''s shocked faces, Liam adds: "I mean, I get Sam not knowing, but Pete, this is not some sort of secret, literally everyone in the school knows about this".


    "Not in my circle", Peter says.


    "Dude, how?", Liam laughs, "there''s literally a whole-ass club for people who got pokemon illegally, there''s like 40 of them, ranging from freshmen to seniors, I mean, it''s literally an open secret".


    "Hey, I''m too busy with schoolwork, not exactly too much time for gossip", Peter protests.


    "Well, now you know", Liam says, "God, I''m busy for 2 weeks, and you''re alredy falling behind socially, Pete".


    "I am doing very well socially, thank you very much", Peter crosses his hands.


    "Yet, you still need me to fill you in on the gossip", Liam laughs.


    "Well, you are mister social butterfly", Peter rolls his eyes playfully.


    "So, um, Fred", Sam imterrupts them, feeling his heart racing. The talisman starts feeling warm against his skin, so he nervously adjusts it under his shirt. "He''s got a pokemon, a Shinx", he says finally, not really sure how to react to these news.


    "Yeah, dude, you can see for yourself, I take it he''ll be on the football field in a few hours, he never skips training, I don''t know, he''s trying to prove something to himself", Liam spits out in a single breath.


    "Huh, well, I''m not sure if that''s smart, I don''t know what he''ll think about it", Sam says, still feeling alienated. What was his life turning into?


    "I mean, I say you probably should pay him a visit, all of us should", Liam says decisively, "he''s been acting like an asshole, ignoring all three of us, and I think it''s a prime time we close this chapter, one way or another".


    "Liam, stop being dramatic", Peter says calmly.


    "I''m not, come on, he''s been a bitter little bitch to all of us, and we did nothing to him", Liam sighs, "I just want to know where we stand, either he wants us there or he doesn''t, let''s fuck around and find out".


    "And what if he doesn''t want us around anymore", Sam says realising he hates the idea of settling things. Like that guy that put a Meowth in an exlpoding Box, the boy thought, as long as he didn''t go and talk to Fred they could still be friends.


    "If he doesn''t want us, then that''s that, you crush him in a pokemon battle, I give him a few well-chosen words...", Liam shrugs.


    "No", Peter protests, "you''re not giving him any chosen words".


    "Have to, I''ve been choosing them for a bit, they want to come out", Liam says. His voice turning serious he adds: "look, this whole thing lasted for the whole summer, and it''s still going on, I for once want to know if he''s still our friend, or not".


    "I guess...", Peter says, looking at Sam cautiously, "since you''re here for the weekend".


    "Let''s just pull the plug on this, now that we''re all together again", Liam says firmly, "it''s been a slow death for far too long".


    "Right", Sam says reluctantly.


    *****


    Sam remembers the day they were all 8 and decided they want to be pokemon trainers. They were in a kids park, one not too far from Fred''s house when a group of wild Shinx came around.


    The pokemon seemed to be scared of them.


    As they make their way towards Twinleaf High School, Sam tries to remember that day.


    Funny things about memories is the way they fade away. He could remember the slides felt cold on that day, Fred had a bright yellow jacket on, Peter had a dumb hat with bear ears. The air smelt like dead leaves but it didn''t bother him. Those things he could rember.


    He couldn''t remember what went on after that. They somehow managed to get the wild pokemon to play with them. Fred and Sam tried chasing them first. Liam tried talking to them. Liam was the one who got them to come in closer. Then Peter managed to grab one and start petting them.


    Sam knows he grabbed one and made it go on the slide. Poor thing hit the ground and got scared. He basically used Seismic Toss on the thing. It avoided him the rest of the time. He took the one that Peter was playing with and decided to go on the swings with it. That was fun to him, for some reason.


    After a bit, he remembers, Fred started throwing a temper tantrum because Liam and Peter refused to have a pokemon battle. Peter thought it was scary, Liam ignored them all cause he was showing his Shinx how to pass the monkey bars.


    Sam thought it would be fun, so he said yes. It was pretty much always like that. Fred would think of something, Sam would agree to go, and they''d drag the other two into it somehow.


    They had to convince Peter to be a referee, because Liam wanted to be an announcer.


    As soon as they started a battle, Fred yelled out for a Wild Charge.


    They wanted to make the battle look like the ones they''ve seen on TV.


    Sam ordered his Shinx to use a Flamethrower.


    Fred called him stupid, because Shinx could not use Flamethrower, so Sam called for a Wild Charge of his own.


    Naturally, nothing happened, maybe the two Shinx gave them confused looks. Fred concluded the Shinx are either broken or stupid.


    He told his Shinx to attack. Sam did the same thing.


    It was a stupid memory, Sam knows. He doesn''t remember that day in detail. He doesn''t even know who won that battle. The battle might''ve never actually ended at all. Maybe the Shinx got bored, or either him or Fred got mad and quit.


    Only a few things he remembers well.


    The four of them had fun that day. So much fun that, when they got back to Fred''s place, they announced they''d become pokemon trainers.


    Other thing he was certain about was that the pokemon in question were Shinx, he remembered that well. Mostly for the fact that they''ve had the deal they''ll all catch a Shinx for themselves when they became trainers.


    As he walked towards the football field, Sam quickly became certain about one more thing about that day. The battle never ended.


    *****


    He spotted Fred almsot immediately, pulling both Peter and Liam behind the bleachers. Liam was right, their friend didn''t bother hiding the fact he now owned a pokemon. Instead, he let Shinx run across the field, attacking air with different attacks. Sam couldn''t recognise exactly what they were from the distance, but they seemed like Spark and Bite. Shinx would switch between those two attacks, while Fred waved his hands through the air, possibly in an attemp to do some training. He was attacking air, and Sam was not sure what a training regime like that does.


    "Let me have a little chat with him", Liam hissed, trying to leave their hiding spot, but both Sam and Peter held him back.


    "Will you calm down for a moment", Peter whispered, "we can''t just jump him like that".


    "Why not?", Liam protests, "you do realise he has a pokemon? We could call the cops on him".


    "We''re not doing that", Sam says reluctnantly. It had seemed like too much. Whatever happened, Fred was still their friend. It was, however, surprising that no one has called the cops so far.


    "As I said, there''s a whole school club", Liam says, as if he''s reading his mind, "principal''s son and mayor''s daughter are both in it as well, no one''s going to call the police on any of them".


    "Some company did Fred get", Peter sighs.


    "We could call the cops, however, what do we have to lose", Liam stays adamant, "I mean, just because no one wants to, doesn''t mean it can''t be done".


    "Cmon Liam, why would we want to get him in trouble?", Sam retorts.


    "I want to get him out of the trouble, Sam", Liam says sharply, "look at him, he has a superpowered lion-dog thing that shoots lightning, and he''s letting it run rampant, he''ll get himself killed".


    "It''s a Shinx, it''s not that dangerous", Sam tries calming him down.


    "It is if you don''t know what you''re doing", Liam notes.


    "Well, he should probably have something to direct his attacks at", Sam admits.


    "See, I told you", Liam says, "so here''s the plan, I try talking to him, if that doesn''t work, Sam, you and Yamper beat him in battle, then, I try dimplomacy once again, if that doesn''t work, we''re calling cops on him".


    "Okay, wait", Sam slows him down, seeing too many flaws in his plan.


    "You''re probably not our best diplomat", Peter chimmes in.


    "And we''re not calling the police", Sam adds.


    "And how is it safe having him battle Sam?", Peter finishes.


    "Oh, God, you''re overthinking this, let''s just go with my plan", Liam waves them off, heading away from their hiding spot yet again. Both boys reach for him, but he darts forward, managing to escape them.


    As soon as he steps his foot from behind the bleachers, Liam starts yelling: "Hey, Fred, care for a little chat?". His voice carries over the field, getting drowned out by the open space between them. As Liam walks forward, Sam and Peter have no choice but to follow.


    Fred turns around, his legs glued to the one place he was standing at, as he waits for three of them to come closer. Through racing thoughts, Sam sees him. He hadn''t changed much in these two weeks, Sam was not sure what he expected. In front of him, i front of them, stood a boy they had known their entire lives.


    "Hey, buddy, you weren''t responding to my texts, so I thought I should find you", Liam says with sharp sweetness as he plants himslef in front of Fred. "Thought I might find you out here", the boy says, pretending to look around the field.


    "What do you want?", Fred raises his eyebrow, not flinching for even a second.


    "Just wanted to see how you are, you know, catching up culture", Liam says mockingly, "Sam''s here, by the way".


    "I know", Fred replies shortly. His Shinx inches in closer, nudging at his leg, but Fred pays it no attention.


    "Well, good to know you''re informed", Liam clears his throat, "I take it, you couldn''t meet your friends because you had to attend to more pressing matters?".


    Sam felt uncomfort buzz in his body, making his legs feel separated from his body. Becoming more awarexhe nervously shifted in place, fixing the necklace that started weighing him down. At least Liam hasn''t call Fred a bitch, so things could''ve been worse off.


    "Yes, thank you for being so understanding", Fred nods, giving Liam a dry smirk.


    "Well, now you''re just being a cunt", Liam laughs.


    There he goes.


    "Running your mouth, as always", Fred rolls his eyes, "just leave me alone".


    "No, no", Liam waves him away, stepping in closer, "I came here for one thing, and one thing only".


    "Do tell", Fred retorts, running his hand through his black hair, trying his best to act unbothered.


    "No, you don''t get it", Liam says, his voice turning grave-serious, "I''m not here to say anything to you, I''m here so you can say what you have to say to me".


    "I have nothing to say to you", Fred shrugs.


    "Listen here, you little asshole", Fred swiftly reaches grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, "I want you to stop acting like a fucking butt-hurt child, grow some balls and tell us you don''t want to be our friend anymore to our faces".


    Fred''s face shift, from cold expression into something much sharper. "Okay, if you really need to hear that", his voice comes out flat, "I don''t want to be friends with any of you". Liam drops him in a second of silence, and the boy quickly fixes his shirt.


    One would think those words would echo through Sam''s mind. They don''t. Instead of them, he feels silence waterfalling in every part of his body.


    This is how life happens. All of a sudden, on some random Saturday afternoon.


    But they chased it, didn''t they? They came here looking to hear Fred say those words. Sam was sure now, he knew this was the end even before it happened. All he did up until now was running. The Meowth dies when the box explodes, and wheter you chose to look at it or not, the truth still stands.


    "Good, that''s all I wanted to know", Liam''s voice comes of firm, "next time you leave someone, at least be a man about it". The taller boy turns around to leave, and Sam can tell his eyes were sparking, bearing some sort of anger. He must''ve known as well.


    "Like I''m the one who left", Fred says behind him.


    "Well, you did", Peter''s voice turns into daggers as well.


    "Funny, as far as I can tell, I''m still here, you know", Fred grins, his lips twisting almost beyond the reach of nature, "unlike Sam, who packed up and left, you do realise that".


    "What sort of bullshit are you even spouting", Liam draws out, "Sam at least knows how to respond to a text".


    "Yeah, but he left first", Fred crosses his arms adamantly.


    "Yeah, he got accepted into that school, we''re aware, Fred", Liam rolls his eyes, "you butt-hurt about it?".


    "That''s besides the point", Fred stands back, his Shinx now cautiosly taking place in front of him.


    "Well, what''s your point then?", Liam turns around to face their friend.


    "I''m just saying, if it was me who passed instead of him...", Fred starts.


    "Yeah, figured you''d start about that", Liam cuts him off.


    "If it was me, I wouldn''t have gone", Fred''s voice raises, "I would''ve stayed here, we could''ve all just waited to turn 18 and gone on to our journey together".


    "As far as I can see how good you are at waiting", Peter nods towards the Shinx.


    "Don''t give me shit, Pete", Fred scoffs.


    "So, what, you mad that Sam didn''t drop the opportunity and stayed here with us?", Liam scoffs, "we didn''t ask that from him, and we would never ask that from you".


    "It''s not just him", Fred steps in closer, "it''s all of you, as soon as that went through you and Peter just decided to go do your own shit you know, as if we never wanted this".


    "Well what do you want us to do ablut it, huh, be bitter little bitches about it for the next 4 years?", Liam yells out, his voice breaking.


    "No, I just want you to say it, you never actually wanted this, none of you did", Fred yells back readily.


    "Fine, fuck you, you cunt, I love basketball, I don''t care about pokemon training all that much", Liam laughs almost manicaly, "you happy now? I mean, I thought it would be cool, trying that with my friends, but no, I wasn''t super sad when I failed, because, guess what? Life fucking goes on".


    "Great", Fred throws his head back, "that''s all I wanted to hear". Scanning through the three boys, his eyes lamd on Sam. "Now, you say it as well", Fred says firmly.


    Making a step forward, Sam wipes the sweat off of his hands. "What do you want me to say?", the boy manages to keep his voice steady. However much all of this dug into his chest, he hated it even more. "I did something you couldn''t do", Sam slurs, "doesn''t mean it okay for you to ditch all of us, Liam''s right, life goes on".


    "Cmon Sam", Liam smiles weakly, "wasn''t it me who convinced all of you to try this, did you ever really want this?".


    "I did", Sam coughes up, not even sure where the confidence is coming from.


    "Come on Sam, it was pure luck that put you above me, and we both know it", Liam scoffs, "guess that''s why you decided to go, huh, you knew this was the best chance you''d get".


    Thousand things come to Sam''s mind. He could scream right now, tell Fred that people at that island are monsters in more ways than one, tell him how unfair he has been, he could even take Liam''s example and call him a cunt.


    Instead of all of that, his hand find''s Yamper''s pokeball. "Let me give you a taste of Old King''s", it surprises Sam how even his voice is. He holds his pokeball up for Fred to see. "This is how we settle things", Sam blurts out, "you have to beat me before you start spouting shit".


    The constant bickering of the past two weeks had prepared him for this very moment. He could stand his ground, even if his heart was pumping. And he battled guys much better than Fred anyways. He didn''t really want to battle Fred when Liam suggested it, but now, he was burning up from everything. Battling seemed much easier than talking.


    "Huh, do you even here yourself?", Fred laughs, "that''s how you do it over there? What are you now, some top secret club member, huh?".


    "Battle me first, then you can say whatever you want", Sam ignores him, keeping his voice calm.


    "Well, if you wanna make a fool of yourself", Fred shrugs, taking a few steps back and nodding for Shinx to stand in front of him.


    "Yo, Sam, good gooing, that was neat bud", Liam grabs at Sam''s shoulders and leans in to whisper, "now hand his ass back to him".


    "Right", Sam slaps back at him, focusing at Fred.


    The boy stands across from him, his feet still firmly planted on the ground. Sam realises in a moment, it doesn''t really matter. He''s home for the weekend. Tomorrow night he''ll fly back to the island, and Fred will be far away once again. So will Peter and Liam. It''s all different now. He''s not sure how he feels about it, but he knows it doesn''t matter. Who cares if Fred doesn''t want to be their friend anymore? Life goes on.


    "Bolt, let''s go", he says, letting Yamper hit the grassy field.


    "Really, you named your pokemon Bolt?", Fred facepalms, "God, you think you''ll win like this?".


    "Liam, be a referee", Sam ignores him, as Yamer merrily hits his feet against the grass.


    "Alright", Liam stands in between them, flying his eyes across them. After the silence settles, he storms: "Battle, begin!".


    "Thunderbolt, Bolt", Sam says immediately. He didn''t practice this move for nothing. Besides, he''s not losing to Fred, he was going to show him those two points weren''t pure luck.


    "Dodge it, Shinx", Fred reacts just in time, his partner quickly jumping out of the way.


    He must''ve gotten some battles in with other kids who had acquired pokemon illegally. Sam was, however, pretty sure Fred wasn''t used to a faster pace.


    "Run to the right, hit him again, Thunderbolt", Sam says readily. He practiced this already, running helped Yamper generate electricity, making the Thunderbolt both faster and stronger. Plus moving around made Yamper harder to hit.


    "Dodge it", Fred growls, as his partner tries to get out of the way again. Yamper shoots his second attack, faster, making Shinx''s attempt at avoiding it bad.


    Too little damage, Sam notes. Shinx barely felt that. Electric types took on electric types well. And Yamper still lacked a little bit of power. At this rate, it would take him way too long to finish this battle.


    "Charge", Fred yells put.


    Sam lets it go. It doesn''t matter, physical electric attacks won''t hurt Yamper, and Charge wouldn''t help.


    For a second, Sam contemplated going for Bite. But he didn''t want Yamper getting close in, with his lack of agility, it would make it easy for Shinx to retaliate with a Bite of his own.


    It crossed his mind, Shinx had Bite. Right? That was the attack he saw from behind the bleachers. It was worth a try.


    "Bite, Bolt", Sam yells out, and Yamper rushes across the field.


    "Spark, Shinx, hit him head on", Fred responds, and his partner makes his way towards Yamper as well.


    "Yamper, cut the attack, dodge to the side", Sam says decisevly.


    "Catch up to him, use Bite", Fred says, realising Shinx can''t start the second Spark in time.


    "Stay put Bolt, just take the attack", Sam says. He watches as Shinx tears its teeth into his partner. "Now, Thunderbolt", Sam orders. Yamper gather power as far as he can, hitting back at Shinx.


    "You''re not too bright, that won''t do much to Shinx", Fred taunts him.


    Sam doesn''t care much what Fred things. He did the same thing as well, trying to attack Yamper with Spark. Besides. No talking during a battle.


    "Bite, go again, Bolt", Sam uses the opportunity to connect the second attack.


    "Dodge, hit back with Bite", Fred growls.


    Shinx manages to get out of the way again, snapping his jaw at Yamper. The dog pokemon squels as the lynx digs its teeth into him again.


    "That''s enough Bolt", Sam hates seeing his partner take attacks, but this was necassary. "That should be enough, get back, start running", Sam yells readily, "get ready for Thunderbolt".


    "Huh, what", Liam laughs noticing that Yamper''s started running in circles after escaping from Shinx. "You just gonna run around now?", the boy protests, "and why do you say what attack you''re about to call".


    It doesn''t matter if Fred knows what attack will come. Yamper was running around the field faster and faster, more energy gathering around him. Two hits. That''s how much it would take to knock Shinx out now. It would''ve taken him at least 8 at the start of the battle. He almost wants to thank Fred for activating Rattled and raising Yamper''s speed. The faster his partner is, the more power he gathers.


    "Stop him", Fred orders, "Bite, Shinx".


    "Thunderbolt, now", Sam says, noticing electricity''s started to trickle down Yamper''s body.


    As the lynx pokemon rushes in, Yamper surrounds himself in electric energy, shooting a Thunderbolt straight at his opponent.


    "Get through it, attack", Fred yells in retaliation, but Thunderbolt stops


    Shinx dead in its tracks this time, throwing the small pokemon flying back.


    "Good, keep running Bolt", Sam says, feelimg himself brim with excitment, "we need one more Thunderbolt".


    "What was that", Fred yells through gritted teeth, "why did that hit so hard?".


    "You rattled us", Sam can''t help answering. "Bolt, hit it, Thunderbolt".


    "Shinx, dodge and retaliate", Fred orders quickly, but it doesn''t help. With increased speed, and still very much in element, Yamper shoots the next attack quickly, electryfying his opponent, who ends up falling to the ground, fainted.


    Fred wastes no time in recalling his Shinx. Still keeping his eyes on Sam he walks up to him, stopping a few steps away. "Whatever, I have no idea what you just did", he scoffs, "but fine, I don''t care, you had a head start and a pokemon that was professionally bred".


    "Whatever, I won", Sam has had enough of anyone telling him where he was or wasn''t supposed to be.


    "If you''re happy that you won with a cheap trick", Fred rolls his eyes.


    "It''s called an ability, Fred", Sam pays him no attention, looking at Peter and Liam instead. The two approach them, keeping at Sam''s side.


    "Fine, then we all got what we wanted", Fred looks over them, "you heard what you wanted to hear, I''ve heard what I wanted to hear, so I''ll be going".


    "You in a rush buddy?", Liam smirks.


    "I was here just for training", Fred says, "no sense in sticking around for that now that my pokemon''s been fainted".


    "Not even to talk to your friends", Liam says mockingly.


    "We''re not friends", Fred says dryly, "thought we settled that". He walks forwards, in an attempt to leave them behind. "And Sam", he adds, "don''t bother notifying me next time you come to visit".


    Right, Sam thinks. He''s only visiting here now.


    Silence falls upon the three of them for a moment.


    "I can''t believe him", Liam''s voice finally falls down, "he could''ve said it, at least, he could''ve just been fair about it".


    "Let it go, Liam", Peter says calmly, but Sam can tell this is hurting him as well.


    As for him, he felt nothing at all. He simply didn''t care any longer. What was there to care about?


    Even if Fred had gotten over it, it wouldn''t matter. Sam would pack up and leave tommorow anyways.


    Having Liam and Peter was nice, he couldn''t deny that, but they were not a part of his life the same way they used to be. And he wasn''t a part of theirs either. It was only two weeks. Who knows how larger the space between them will grow in the future.


    The battle was over.


    "Hey, guys", Sam says, his voice emtpy, "I think I''ll go home now, I''ll see you tomorrow".

 Rankings and Teams

    Current rankings:


    1. Mikey - 997 pts.


    2. Dominic - 995 pts.


    3. Vinnie - 995 pts.


    4. Joe - 994 pts.


    5. Zoe - 994 pts.


    6. Patrisha - 992 pts.


    7. Natasha - 990 pts.


    8. Parker - 990 pts.


    9. Quincy - 990 pts.


    10. Bo - 989 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    17. Lesley - 979 pts.


    18. Nick - 979 pts.


    19. Otto - 979 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    50. Nina - 913 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    60. Mai - 900 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    73. Elijah - 881 pts.


    74. Henry - 882 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    87. Ace - 833 pts.


    88. Luka - 833 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    146. Dean - 777 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    168. Tammy - 769 pts.


    169. Ves - 767 pts.


    .


    182. Mario - 752pts.


    .


    .


    211. Leah - 710 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    249. Tea - 676 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    255. Teo - 660 pts.


    .


    257. Marc - 649 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    273. Corey - 636 pts.


    .


    299. Andrei - 620 pts.


    300. Sam - 618 pts.


    _______


    Pokemon and movepools:


    Joe:


    Riolu:


    1. Vacuum Wave


    2. Metal Claw


    3. Endure


    4. Detect


    Ability: Steadfast (raises speed after flinching)


    Espurr:


    1. Fake Out


    2. Scratch


    3. Confusion


    4. Disarming Voice


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    *****


    Teo:


    Absol:


    1. Swords Dance


    2. Knock Off


    3. Double Team


    4. Quick Attack


    Ability: Super Luck (raises critical hit chance)


    Totodile:


    1. Water Gun


    2. Aqua Jet


    3. Scratch


    4. Leer


    Ability: Sheer Force (Increases the power of moves with beneficial secondary effects by 30%)


    *****


    Sam:


    Yamper:


    1. Thunderbolt


    2. Bite


    3. Howl


    4. Sand Attack


    Ability: Rattled (raises speed after being hit with Bug, Ghost, or a Dark type move)


    *****


    Ves:


    Houndour:


    1. Ember


    3. Snarl


    3. Nasty Plot


    4. Energy Ball


    Ability: Flash Fire (strenghtens fire moves after being hit with a fire move)


    *****


    Ace:


    Rockruff:


    1. Accelerock


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Double Team


    4. Sand Attack


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    Charcadet:


    1. Astonish


    2. Ember


    3. Leer


    Ability: Flame Body (might burn a target upon contact)


    *****


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Lesley:


    Spoink:


    1. Confusion


    2. Nasty Plot


    3. Protect


    4. Snarl


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    Pancham:


    1. Storm Throw


    2. Leer


    3. Tackle


    4. Arm Thrust


    Ability: Iron Fist (makes punching moves 30% stronger)


    *****


    Henry:


    Mienfoo:


    1. Fake Out


    2. Detect


    3. Mach Punch


    4. Trailblaze


    Ability: Regenerator (recovers HP upon switching out)


    *****


    Marc:


    Sneasel:


    1. Ice Shard


    2. Assurance


    3. Taunt


    4. Protect


    Ability: Pickpocket (steals item when hit by another pokemon)


    *****


    Andrei:


    Dreepy:


    1. Astonish


    2. Bite


    3. Protect


    4. Confuse Ray


    Ability: Cursed Body (may disable a move used on this pokemon)


    *****


    Dean:


    Petilil:


    1. Absorb


    2. Growth


    3. Stun Spore


    4. Pollen Puff


    Ability: Chlorophyle (doubles speed in sun)


    Aron:


    1. Tackle


    2. Harden


    3. Head Smash


    4. Metal Claw


    Ability: Rock Head (prevents recoil damage)


    *****


    Natasha:


    Vulpix:


    1. Ember


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Protect


    4. Snarl


    Ability: Flash Fire


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability (Makes same-type moves stronger)


    *****


    Marnie:


    Snubbull:


    1. Tackle


    2. Bite


    3. Fire Fang


    4. Protect


    Ability: Intimidate (lowers opposin pokemon''s attack upon entering the field)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Leah:


    Ducklett:


    1. Water Gun


    2. Wing Attack


    3. Protect


    4. Tailwind


    Ability: Hydration (heals status conditions in rain)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Tina:


    Shroodle:


    1. Bite


    2. Acid Spray


    3. Protect


    4. Metronome


    Ability: Prankster (non-attacking moves get priority)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Tam:


    Budew:


    1. Absorb


    2. Growth


    3. Stun Spore


    4. Extrasensory


    Ability: Poison Point (poisons opponent on contant)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Dominic:


    Scyther:


    1. Furry Cutter


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Aerial Ace


    4. Agility


    Ability: Techincian (increases the power of 60 or lower base power moves by 50%)


    *****


    Mikey:


    Axew:


    1. Dragon Rage


    2. Iron Tail


    3. Night Slash


    4. Protect


    Ability: Mold Breaker (stops the opponents abilities that nulify the additional effects of moves)


    *****


    Vinnie:


    Mimikyu:


    1. Shadow Sneak


    2. Dazzling Gleam


    3. Protect


    4. Swords Dance


    Ability: Disguise (Shield pokemon from taking damage from the first hit)


    *****


    Otto:


    Kecleon:


    1. Shadow Sneak


    2. Thief


    3. Protect


    4. Fake Out


    Ability: Protean (changes typing to match the move it''s using)


    *****


    Bo:


    Zorua:


    1. Hone Claws


    2. Thief


    3. Protect


    4. Scratch


    Ability: Illusion


    *****


    Luka:


    Ralts:


    1. Confusion


    2. Dissarming Voice


    3. Double Team


    4. Hypnosis


    Ability: Trace (Traces opponents ability)


    *****


    Mario:


    Varoom:


    1. Tackle


    2. Poison Gas


    3. Assurance


    4. Lick


    Ability: Slow Start (halves pokemon''s attack and speed for a bit)


    *****


    Quincy:


    Charmander:


    1. Scratch


    2. Ember


    3. Metal Claw


    4. Dragon Breath


    Ability: Blaze (powers up attack and special attack in a pinch)


    *****


    Elijah:


    Skitty:


    1. Charm


    2. Draining Kiss


    3. Furry Swipes


    4. Protect


    Ability: Normalize (makes all attacks normal type)


    *****


    Corey:


    Oddish:


    1. Mega Drain


    2. Acid


    3. Synthesis


    4. Stun Spore


    Ability: Chlorophyl


    Capsikid:


    1. Absorb


    2. Ember


    3. Protect


    4. Growth


    Ability: Klutz (lowers accuracy)


    ________________


    Origins:


    Towns/Regions:


    Teo - Spikemuth, Galar


    Sam - Twinleaf, Sinnoh


    Ace - Vermilion, Kanto


    Ves - Nimbasa, Unova


    Joe - Mali, Alola


    Lesley - Vermilion, Kanto


    Henry - Dewford, Hoenn


    Marc - Goldenrod, Johto


    Dean - Cascarrafa, Paldea


    Andrei - Ballonlea, Galar


    Mikey - Castelia, Unova


    Vinnie - Castelia, Unova


    Dominic - Castelia, Unova


    Bo - Nacrene, Unova


    Otto - Nacrene, Unova


    Natasha - Motostoke, Galar


    Leah - Shalour, Kalos


    Tea - Mauville, Hoenn


    Tammy - Hearthome, Sinnoh


    Mai - Ecruateak, Johto


    Luka - Anistar, Kalos


    Mario - Olivine, Johto


    Corey - Mauville, Hoenn


    Quincy - Pallet, Kanto


    Elijah - Luminose, Kalos


    Region count:


    Kanto: 3


    Johto: 3


    Hoenn: 3


    Sinnoh: 2


    Unova: 6


    Kalos: 3


    Alola: 1


    Galar: 3


    Paldea: 1


    *Fun fact: Paldea has the Naranja and Uva academies, so most kids born there decide to go there, making Dean one of the only students at Old King''s from that region. With Uva academy being based more on research, and Naranja academy having courses for pokemon trainers.

 Behind The Scenes - Notes 1

    Here to spread some fun facts. Fine, not all of these are fun, and not all are facts, but hey.


    I actually got carried away and wrote like 100+ of this, but I think that might be too much, so we''ll settle for 20.


    Some of these aren''t even fun, nor facts, just me overexplaining stuff. Either way, here we go...


    1. The simulation characters refer to constantly are pokemon games. In this universe they are used mostly so people can learn basic things like type match ups. I figured most people already got that, but I wanted to confirm it.


    2. Most of the characters are based on people I know. Some are completely fictional.


    3. Partner picks and pokemon the characters catch are supposed to either mirror or oppose their personalities, flaws and similar things.


    4. Even though Joe is technically a self-insert, he''s not even my favourite character. That would probably be Ace.


    5. The reason all the main characters all have 3 letter nicknames is because I came up with Teo and Joe first. Those were basically nicknames for me and one of my friends I created Teo after (translated, of course, since english isn''t my first language). They had 3 letters, and I decided to keep that consistent for other MCs.


    6. Teo''s the oldest of the five, born in April, so he''s an Aries. Ves is the second oldest, born in October, and he''s a Libra. Joe is in the middle, born in beginning of December. Sam is actually only a few days younger than him, born in mid-December, so they are the Sags of the group. Ace is the youngest, born in February, making him an Aquarius (he started school with a generation in front of him).


    7. If you are better versed in astrology, you can tell that the main team consists solely of fire and air signs, and yeah, that should explain a lot.


    8. The reason Teo got a Totodile is that it''s my aboslutely favourite pokemon. I wish I could''ve given it to Joe, but it simply wouldn''t work with his character.


    9. The reason Totodile wears Choice Specs, is that I played a nuzlocke run of Heart Gold once, and I got Bold Totodile. I was dissapointed at first, but since I action replayed all the items and candy, I decided to make a best of it, gave Choice Specs to the little guy and taught him Ice Beam. He cleared first 4 gyms by himself, and I found it hilarious, ever since then, he''s been my favourite pokemon.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    10. Teo got Totodile because I think it works for him. Plus, I always nickname my Totodiles after the friend I based Teo on, because Totodile''s teeth remind me of him, for whatever reason.


    11. My biggest pet peeve in pokemon universe in general is characters who don''t know what they are doing, but they want to be trainers. I just think that growing up in pokemon universe and wishing to be a trainer someday kind of leads into you reading up about stuff and actually knowing a lot. Especially since I''m doing an elite school here, I think my characters should know stuff.


    12. I actually started this story a few times, and had to start releasing it just to keep consistent. I ended up getting pretty far into the story just to start again, because I wanted to change a few major things.


    13. Ves is a new character that didn''t exist before this iteration of the story. I added him because I needed a very specific role in the team in the future. Teo had Houndour instead of him, so Absol is a new addition as well. Electrike used to be Sam''s partner in the first version, and the reason I dropped that one was because I realised I wanted him to get a Yamper instead.


    14. The girl team is based on my friends, and they picked their starters on their own. Actually, they all ended up wanting Eevees, but I forced them to pick something else. They then proceeded to bully me into giving them all Eevees. I think it worked out well, since I like Eeveelutions, but I didn''t want to give them to the MCs.


    15. None of my friends I put into this story are allowed to ever read it. For safety reasons. I only send them short bits that I think they''ll find funny. I already got yelled at a few times.


    16. I''ll definitely proceed to ship these characters. I find it a bit strange, since they are based on real people, but I remind myself that they are only fictional characters and not actually my frineds.


    17. That said, the characters are only inspired by my friends, none of us are actually like that (we are worse).


    18. The person I made Sam after had a nickname that basically translates to "fast", and that''s why I really wanted him to have an electric type. Well, that, and the fact he''s one electrifying dude whom I love dearly.


    19. Teo getting constantly chased by thugs there before this itteration. I actually had him chased by wild Zigzagoons. It was a recurring joke, and he had this sort of sixth sense for wild Zigzagoons. It was fun, and I''m sorry I got rid of it, but the thug thing works better, and kind of helps him experiance battles in a way that''s different from the regular ones.


    20. Breaking the fourth wall is my favourite bit, and Ace and Joe are my main way of doing that. The two of them are into movies and similar stuff, so it made sense for them to be the forst ones to realise they are in a story.


    These turned out to be mostly about Teo, huh. Anyways, as I said, I do have many more of these, and I''ll probably end up posting round 2 of fun facts during this "break". But that''s it for this instalation.


    Thank you all for reading <3

 Chapter 21

    Joe checked the pokedex again. It clearly read Confusion and Dissarming Voice. He stared curiously at Espurr, who in turn stood and blankly followed Riolu with his eyes as he trained.


    For once, Joe absolutely had no idea what was happening. Pokedex scan couldn''t have come out wrong. Espurr, however, was not able to use those moves. Fake Out and Scratch not only worked well, but Espurr was quite proficent at using them. More importantly, he had listened to Joe''s commands, so the boy knew Espurr wasn''t disobedient. All things considered, there was only one option - Espurr never truly learned those moves, or rather, he had learned them but never developed them at all.


    With a sigh, Joe turned around, pinching the bridge of his nose. The tournament was a month away and all of a sudden he was drowning in troubled waters.


    Riolu slammed the nearest tree with Bullet Punch. "Good, just keep on going Rio", Joe noted absentmindedly. Riolu''s attacks were fast, but very weak, and the boy was dead set on working through that latter part. Training Riolu, however, was one thing. That was no problem. After what happened in Canalave and back in Mali, Joe had made an executive decision of not using Riolu in battles. Not before he could get his own emotions in chek.


    He wasn''t stupid, he knew well enough Riolu''s behaviour was his fault, and the pokemon simply acted on the boy''s feelings. But he had attacked Henry and Damian. Joe could only imagine what would happen if he fought people he disliked. Especially in the tournament, when stress levels are high.


    So now, he had Riolu, whom he couldn''t use in battles because it risked harming someone, and an Espurr who, for whatever reason, wouldn''t use any attack more powerful than Scratch. His chances started to look grim just like that. For a split second, he wondered if he''s becoming Teo.


    With a sigh, he kneeled down next to Espurr. He would have to do things one step at the time. Summoning everything he knew about the two moves, he quickly realised this would be a problem.


    Confusion required target practice. The psychic move worked by targeting energetical pathways inside the body of the target, hitting at them with pent-up psychic energy. It simply would not work on a tree. And he couldn''t have Espurr practice it on Riolu. One hit might be fine, but two would surely end up knocking out the fighting type, and he couldn''t have that.


    Dissarming Voice it is, Joe decided. He wasn''t sure how that would work either, since the move was sound based, requiring the pokemon to use its voice, and he had never heard Espurr make a sound. Nevertheless, he had to make it work. He was not going to pass this year with a berserker Riolu and a Espurr that only used Scratch.


    "Alright, Kafka", Joe said as softly as he could, "Dissarming Voice should start in your throat". He softly poked at the pokemon''s short neck, or what he supposed his neck was. Espurr''s anatomy was slightly confusing. "It should be simple enough", Joe tries explaining it, "like putting in energy into whatever you''re saying".


    Espurr tilts his head to the side, pokemon''s big blank eyes hiding any possible thought process.


    "What I want you to do is go and yell at that tree", Joe pointed to the giant trunk to his right, only then realising how dumb that sounds. That was the only training method he could come up with, though. "So, start out by just yelling, then slowly try to work energy into it", Joe says decisevly. Espurr''s excess energy was mostly stored in the organs covered by their ears, however, just like with any other pokemon, they had energetical pathways running through their whole bodies.


    "If you''re struggling to do that, try imagining the energy from your body flowing into your throat", Joe suggests, "then imagine it spreading in front of you as you yell". He wasn''t going to tell Espurr to summon the energy from the storing organs. Espurrs had trouble controling that excess energy. He could very much have two pokemon capable of going berserker on his hands. Suddenly, he started to realise why Nolan didn''t like the idea of overseeing his battles. Perhaps he should''ve taken him on that offer to switch to a Meowth? He would''ve passed with a Meowth, and he doubted the cat had the ability to kill anyone. Yeah, Meowth sounded great right about now.


    "Alright, Espurr, now go and try it out", Joe shook the thought out of his mind.


    Espurr eyed him inconspicuously, not moving an inch, not making a sound. Quite disturbingly, the pokemon didn''t even blink.


    "Okay", Joe said, picking his new partner up and carrying him towards the tree. When he placed him down, Espurr simply stood there and continued staring at him. With a sigh, Joe turned him around, making him face the trunk. "Now, yell at it", he said encouragingly.


    Espurr watched the tree like one would watch a hallucination. Whatever was going through Espurr''s mind, Joe didn''t want to know.


    "Alright, then, let''s take it slow", Joe sighed, "Kafka, just open your mouth". In slow-motion, the small furr-ball opened its mouth, as if it was going to make an ''oh'' sound. However, it stayed silent yet again.


    Joe fought the urge to sink to his knees. Teaching moves was one thing. Teaching a pokemon how to talk was something completely different. "Okay", the boy says, bringing his hands to his hips in defeated desperation, "well, now, just do that 10 times in a row, than make a break, then go again". He watched as Espurr closed his mouth, only to open them slowly once again. If it wasn''t his own pokemon he would find it funny.


    That was as much as he could do though, for now at least. Giving up, he turned towards Riolu, who was still rapidly hitting at the tree. He might''ve overestimated psychic types after all, he thought. Maybe the schoolboard was spot on in giving him a fighting type, they were nice, straightforward, training them was easy. Punch this, kick that, blast that over there was much easier than ''visualise your inner power''. Too bad he had gotten one fighting type that could be emotionally screwed by its trainer. Meowth would be easy to train, he thought, Scratch that, push that off the table. It sounded easy enough.


    "Alright Rio, let''s switch to Vacuum Wave, make your attacks as strong as possible", Joe thought, looking up the time on his phone. "We''ve only got a bit more time".


    *****


    The nerves started working as Joe stood in front of the white doors, similar to the ones of his own dorm room. He could take on many things, but knocing at someone''s doors at 8 AM on a Sunday was a different story. Especially after what had happened back in Canalave. At the very least, he knew Henry was awake.


    He knocked three times, trying to make the rhythm sound pleasant. Moments later, the doors opened up, with Henry appearing behind them, fully awake and ready to go.


    "Hey, Joe", the brown haired boy looks surprised as he stared at his visitor. "I thought you went back home", he says flatly.


    "Flew in late last night", Joe explained, "some stuff happened, I was in a rush and forgot to text, sorry if I woke you up".


    "It''s fine, I was awake already", Henry nods, "I was letting Marc sleep in, since it''s Sunday, but I was just about to wake him for our training". He gives Joe an expectant look: "you needed something, or you just came by to say hi?".


    "I wanted to take up Dominic on his little offer", Joe puts it down straight. His team was in no shape to battle, he knew, but he was interested in Dominic. With the guy being ranked second, Joe wanted to find out how good he was as soon as he possibly could. And the opportunity had presented itself.


    "Now?", Henry said, but his voice was as even as ever. He seemed to think about it for a second. "I mean, it could be useful", the boy decides, "besides, I''ve been battling the same people over and over again, switching the opponent should be good". Henry opens the doors further, inviting Joe in. "You''ll just need to wait a bit, I need to take a quick shower", the boy says as Joe steps into their room, "I''ll wake Marc up so he can keep you company".


    "Huh, wait, Hen, I needed talk to you about something", Joe stops him before he wakes anyone else up, thinking he needs to talk to Marc as well.


    "Sure, shoot buddy", Herny says expectantly.


    "Sorry about that thing in Canalave, again", Joe says simply, "I hope there''s no bad blood".


    "Not at all", Henry nods in understanding, "I know it wasn''t on purpose, those things happen sometimes".


    "Right, there''s another thing", Joe continues, "it happened again yesterday".


    "Rio went crazy again?", Henry''s question sounds all-knowing.


    "I think I was the one who went crazy", Joe admits.


    "Right", Henry nods.


    "Anyways, I won''t be using Rio in battles for the foreseeable future", Joe notes simply, "not until I get myself under control, I can''t risk it again".


    "Yeah, I understand", Henry says. "So, you''re planning on fistfighting Dominic today then?", the boy rasies his eyebrow.


    "I''ll use Kafka", Joe notes shortly, "that''s the Espurr Teo caught for me".


    "Oh, so you kept that one", Henry nods, "and named it Kafka".


    "Seemed like a tortured soul", Joe admits.


    "Figures", Henry chuckles slightly.


    "Anyways, just giving you a heads up, Espurr can only use Fake Out and Scratch right now, so I''ll play support when we fight Dominic", Joe notes.


    "Sounds good to me, I just want to check out the competition", Henry nods, instantly accepting the facts of life. "So, I guess you go for the Fake Out at the start to bait out to flinch him, and I wait in the back?".


    "Or to bait out Protect if he has it", Joe nods along, "yeah, that''s the plan".


    "Good, then I''m the second wave", Henry says.


    "I''ll cut off his attacks with Scratch, or bait his movements", Joe adds.


    "Right, I attack, you modify the situation", Henry decides, "sounds like a plan". Joe''s really sad Henry isn''t on his team. It was so easy for them to make plans.


    Looking around at the ceiling, Henry adds: "you know, when I think about it, you''re in a pretty dire situation, huh".


    "Right", Joe notes shortly. They were 500 points behind, and Teo and him were barely usable in battles as of right now. Sam wouldn''t be too helpful either. Not that it mattered. Most importantly, Joe could barely fight on his own with what he had on his hands.


    "Great, Dominc said his room is on the floor 7, right?", Henry questions.


    "Right, number 73", Joe nods.


    "Good, than let me get ready, I''d hate to go meet the guy with my morning odour", Henry says, quickly picking out his stuff.


    "Yeah, your room smells even worse than ours", Joe notes, "you guys keep your windows closed in the morning".


    "Lesley has problems with his sinuses, so we kind of have to", Henry shrugs, "otherwise, his nose closes up, and his voice becomes awfully nasal, it''s hard to listen to, and you can guess how much he likes to talk".


    "I''m well aware", Joe says simply.


    "Anyways, I won''t be long, you wake Marc up", Henry says, "just keep quiet, Andrei and Lesley both get nasty if you wake them up".


    "They sound like a lovely couple", Joe notes.


    "They are", Henry laughs lightly, leaving for the bathroom.


    For a moment, Joe looks around himself, noting that the four boys live in an even bigger mess than the five of them do. He would never guess Henry allowed them to live like this. The mess, snoring and sweat that filled up the room made him thankful he had Ace on his team. He would definitely throw a temper tantrum if their space looked like this, with clotges covering most of the floor and pieces of uneaten food plaguing the tables.


    Of course Marc took one of the top bunks, Joe thought, as he climbed up. Thankfully it was the one above Henry''s bed. Andrei and Dean bunked together, and Lesley took the one single bed.


    He gently shook Marc awake, failing to wake him up. After two more gentle tries, Joe figured that would simply not work. He started shakimg him with more might, whisper-hissing for the boy to wake up.


    "Uh-huh, what", Marc said grogily, squinting his eyes.


    "Wake up", Joe says quietly, "we have places to be".


    "Uh, hey, Joe, hi", Marc''s voice sounds raspy in the morning, lacking his usual vigor.


    "Good morning", Joe says, turning his legs around to sit on the bed.


    "Morning", Marc replies, rubbing his eyes.


    "Henry''s taking a shower, we''re gonna go and fight that Dominic guy later", Joe quickly fills him in.


    "Sound, uh, lovely", Marc says with a yawn, "do you and Henry ever sleep".


    "Barely", Joe admits.


    "Give me a sec", Marc says rolling around and jumping from the bed, "need to go take a piss and wash my teeth".


    "And wash your hands, I would hope", Joe says shortly.


    "Right, of course", Marc says, strolling towards the bathroom.


    Joe notes he''s one of those type that sleeps in his underwear, which doesn''t surprise him. What does hit him as weird is how pale and fragile his body looks, he''d never guess it, given the other boy''s general temperament.


    Marc reapears only few minutes later, sleep still stuck in the corners of his eyes. Jumping up, he latches onto the edge of the bed, pulling himself upwards to sit next to Joe.


    "Hey, dude, you should get dressed, Henry said he''ll be done fast", Joe says flatly.


    "Nah, Henry''s a lying son of a bastard, you know, he takes like an hour long showers", Marc yawns again. "He''s almost as bad as Lesley, but hey, nothing beats goldilocks taking care of his curls".


    "My teammates are good in that sense, at least", Joe says.


    "Lucky you", Marc sighs, "Hen''s cool, he doesn''t mind me walking in, and Dean doesn''t take long, but Lesley stays in front of the mirror for hours, and he doesn let anyone else in, and Andrei sometimes gets stuck in there for hours as well, scrolling on his phone".


    "Sounds rough", Joe admits, "we mostly have a problem with Ace yelling at Sam for walking around in his underwear".


    "Oh, Andrei does that to me", Marc laughs lightly, "for a gay guy, I thought he''d be happy to see me half-naked, but nope".


    "That''s not exactly how it works", Joe notes.


    "Why, am I not hot like this", Marc grins, streching his arms.


    "I mean, objectively, you''re not everyone''s type", Joe says.


    "I aboslutely am everyone''s type", Marc retorts.


    "If you say so", Joe laughs a bit.


    "Well, I''ve been complaining, but you know, I do like this school", Marc sighs.


    "Really, you like it? Battle obsessed classmates and all?", Joe raises his eyebrow.


    "I mean, that is my favourite part", Marc laughs. "Honestly, everyone here knows so much about pokemon", the boy adds in a lower tone, "there weren''t this many people who knew this stuff back in Goldenrod". Looking away he adds: "I mean, there were people who liked pokemon, but they weren''t this serious about it".


    "I get it, it''s a similar thing back in Mali, in Alola in general", Joe looks at him, noting the boy''s skin seems almost translucent under the dim morning sunlight.


    "Oh, right, I always wanted to ask, how do things work in Alola?", Marc turns to him again, "are there any pokemon trainers there? I''ve heard you guys are not really into that, so you know, I was surprised when I found out you''re from Alola".


    "There''s a few people who are into it, but you know, people usually don''t like us better for it", Joe deadpans, "and you know, not really too many people who actually know stuff, since training pokemon is basically non-existent in the real sense, I mean, we have no gyms and we have no circuit".


    "Right, sorry for nosing around, I just found it a bit strange", Marc nods in understanding.


    "Do you find it strange that I actually have some colour as well?", Joe attempts a joke.


    "Actually, yes, you guys really have a lots of sun days, huh", Marc laughs.


    "Yeah we''re earth''s tourist trap richest with vitamin D", Joe nods.


    "Right, well, sorry for asking", Marc laughs, "I just wanted to know".


    "Hey, uh", Joe sits through the feeling of uncomfort, "that thing in Canalave, I''m sorry about that, you know".


    "Hey, Henry and I both know it wasn''t your fault, we all know Riolu''s a bit specific", Marc waves it off.


    "I wasn''t talking about that, though I''m sorry for that too", Joe notes, "the whole friends thing, I guess".


    "Oh, right, that", Marc scratches his head, "sorry, sometimes I just get carried away, it''s kind of strange, you know, guess I''m still getting used to the fact we''re all still new to each other".


    "I get it", Joe reassures him, "I just meant to say, we are friends". Looking away at the ceiling, Joe adds: "I guess I was always kind of bad, at saying stuff like that".


    "Right, I''m glad to know", Marc''s voice finally sounds like him, the morning raspiness gone. Joe kind of misses it.


    "Honestly, I''m kind of used to people not really liking me at first", Joe admits, "or you know, just people being kind of reserved around me, I think I require some getting used to". If he were talking to Ace about this, he could''ve reenacted the Jughead ''Riverdale'' scene, just for kicks, Joe thinks. "I might be a little too much at times", the boy adds.


    "I got used to you pretty fast though", Marc nudges him playfully, "though both you and Hen can be a bit to rigid, but I like you guys".


    "In my defense, I''m used to being surrounded by kids, I think I kind of take up that role around people, of being the responsible one, maybe my peers don''t really like it all the time", Joe tries explaining it.


    "Huh, surrounded by kids?", Marc laughs, "you Alolans do things pretty fast, huh?".


    "Not really, we just tend to have really branched out famy trees", Joe notes, "and I ended up being the first of the new branches".


    "Ah, tree metaphors", Marc sighs, "don''t get to hear a lots of those".


    "Right, tree metaphors, the Alolan special", Joe smiles. "Anyways, I just wanted you to know, that''s just how I am", he adds clearing his throat, "I really appreciate you and Henry, I''m just not used to having a lots of people like you two in my life".


    "Yeah, I get it, I mean, I never really used to hang out with people like you and Henry too much", Marc says, "I guess the two of you can be really intense and cut and dry, but it makes sense, with your family thing, and Henry''s gym thing".


    "Henry''s gym thing?", Joe wonders out loud.


    "Yeah, his father is the Dewford gym leader", Marc nods, "Henry''s supposed to take over one day".


    "Oh, I had no idea about that", Joe says in surprise.


    "Yeah, well, that''s how he winded up with a Mienfoo, his father raised his pokemon, you know", Marc says, staring at the bathroom doors, "I don''t know, I think Henry''s not really... into the idea of taking over the gym, but it''s what''s expected of him".


    "Don''t the gyms usually have testings to assign gym leaders? I didn''t know people could inherit the position?", Joe questions, "sorry, I just don''t know a lot about gyms, Alola doesn''t really have any".


    "Well, yeah, every 4 years there''s an evaluation of the candidates, and the best one is picked to be a gym leader", Marc explains, "but with Henry, his family''s been on the job for a while, his great grandfather was the first gym leader, his grandfather took over after him, then his father, and apparently, he has no plans of stepping down before Henry comes around to take over, so, Dewford gym''s virtually a family business".


    "I''m really bad at this kind of thing, huh", Joe laugh uncomfortably.


    "What kind of thing?", Marc inquiers.


    "This. Talking to people, really, knowing them", Joe lowers his head.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Well, you''re doing good right now", Marc shrugs it off.


    "Only because you''re so good at it", Joe admits, "you''re so... open".


    "Yeah, I mean... I just like knowing people around me", Marc says.


    "Right, which makes you a better friend to have than me", Joe offers.


    "I don''t know, I guess sometimes I come on too strong, I''m too much for people", the boy says wistfully, "with you and Hen, sometimes, I''m not sure why you keep me around".


    "Why wouldn''t we?", Joe asks, confused.


    "The two of you are so serious, and you always know what you''re doing", Marc admits, "I guess sometimes I feel like I''m just tagging along, trying too keep up with you, so I end up snapping, like I did in Canalave".


    "Maybe we all have our own problems, then", Joe says thoughtfully.


    "Maybe", Marc agrees.


    "Look, I''m really bad at saying this", Joe says carefully, "but I don''t...I don''t think you''re keeping up with us, I think we need you, and you need us".


    "You need me?", Marc questions.


    "Yeah, I mean, without you, Henry and I would never talk", Joe admits, "I mean, we''re together all the time, and I didn''t even know Henry has that gym thing going on".


    "To be fair, he had no idea you''re from Alola until I told him", Marc laughs, "the two of you are pretty similar".


    "Exactly, and that''s why we need you", Joe states, "otherwise, we''d end up battling ourselves to death".


    "Right, well, you two could use some social skills", Marc admits.


    "Sorry", Joe feels the need to say.


    "Hey, it''s fine", Marc waves it off, "the two of you really just need to put your mind to it, that''s all".


    "I don''t really know how to do that", Joe admits.


    "Well, you just talk, like you''re doing right now", Marc says simply. "Hey", he adds suddenly, "would you want to go to the karaoke with me?".


    "Karaoke?", Joe stares at him emptily.


    "Yeah, they have those in the entertainment district", Marc scratches his head, "honestly, I''ve been fishing for someone to come with me, but no one really wants to do it".


    "I mean, I''m not really a singer", Joe says.


    "Me neither", Marc says, "but I thought it would be fun, so what do you think?".


    "I guess trying it wouldn''t hurt", Joe decides.


    "Cool, how about Thursday", Marc notes, "I''ll probably take a trip home for the weekend, but I''ll be here on Thursday".


    "Works for me", Joe agrees, thinking he doesn''t really have better things to do anyways. Now that his pokemon were out of order, he couldn''t spend his free time battling around. Forced into socialising, he thinks.


    "Great", Marc clears his throat. "I better get dressed now, Henry''s already been in there for 20 minutes, I think he''ll be done soon".


    *****


    "What do you want", Vinnie hisses at them. Her pajamas are black and white, and her bed hair gives an impression of someone who''s ready to cut their throats. Not that Joe had expected a warm welcome, but the look in her eyes was a tad bit too hostile.


    "We came to see Dominic", Henry says simply, with Marc next to him, trying to sneak a peek into the room.


    "God, what do you need him for", Vinnie scoffs, "and at 9 in the morning on a Sunday".


    "Oh, we''re on for a date", Marc deadpans.


    "Fuck off, you''re not even his type", Vinnie growls. "You know, I just think this one''s unfortunately obsessed with us, keeps following us around", she sighs, nodding her head towards Joe, "did my brother send you, or what".


    "Ves is not here", Joe informs her shortly, "besides, Dominic told us to find him".


    "Well, I doubt he meant you should come along at 9 AM", the girl says. "I am literally the only person here who knows how to fucking wake up", she turns around to yell to her sleeping roomates. "God, it sucks so much living with boys, they are swines who like to sleep in", she says in desparation, "and this room smells so bad, you wouldn''t even know".


    "We know", the three boys reply in unision.


    "Ugh, I have to bully the school board into giving me my own room", Vinnie sighs. "I''m the only one who keeps things clean around here, it sucks", she says mostly to herself.


    Creating a team of Ace, Marc, Vinnie and himself might be beneficial, Joe thinks. Their room would be the cleanest place on campus. And they could definitely find one more clean freak amongst 300 students.


    "Could you just wake Dominic up?", Henry cuts off her rambling.


    "I''ll see if I can", she sighs, "but he sleeps like a dead man". With that, the girl slams the door into their faces. For around 10 minutes, the three boys stand there, listening in to the yelling. Vinnie openly threatens death multiple times. They can hear her loudly lecturing about inviting idiots to their room, and she adds the ''keep the room clean'' talk for good measure.


    They don''t hear anyone else talk, but after some time the doors open up again, and Dominic shuffles outside.


    "Hey, sorry for the wait", he says with a smile plastered across his face. He''s wearing jeans and a black wind jacket, towering over everyone else. He definitely doesn''t seem like someone who had just woken up. "And sorry for the Vinnie welcome", the boy scratches his head.


    The doors open again, Vinnie peeking out. "First off, I''ve heard that, second off, don''t aplogise to them, third, don''t ever evr get undressed in front of me again".


    "Sorry, Vin, I was in a hurry", Dominic says innocently. "Now, let''s go", the boy starts dragging them away from the doors.


    "You better bring me cake as an apology", Vinnie yells after them.


    "She''s a bit psychotic", Marc notes as they get out of Vinnie''s earshot.


    "Only in the morning", Dominic says in response. Knowing three of his teammates, Joe''s surprised at how not-awful Dominic is.


    "So, you changed your minds pretty quickly, huh", the boys says in a deep voice, somehow coloured with excitment, "I''m roaring to have a battle".


    "Why are you sure we came to battle?", Henry says flatly.


    "And how are you already excited about it, you just woke up?", Marc adds.


    "Considering you came knocking on our doors, and my teammates don''t exactly like you, I suppose you came to answer my challenge back in Canalave", Dominic says simply, "and the second one is a trick queston, I''m always roaring to battle".


    "You''re an awfully polite battle maniac, reminds me of someone", Marc sighs, eyeing Joe and Henry.


    "Hey, no use in creating enemies, I always say that to my teammates, but do they listen, no, not really", Dominic raises his hands in a sign of honesty, "anyways, where are we going to do this?".


    "At the beach", Joe notes flatly.


    "Amazing, the weathers great, we''re gonna take a walk, have a little battle, we could grab snacks later on", Dominic rambles cheerfully, "have to get that cake for Vinnie".


    "Actually, I can''t help wondering how you handle the rest of your teammates?", Henry questions in response to Dominic''s Demeanor.


    "Oh,they are actually nice when you get to know them, and I''ve known them since we were kids", Dominic waves it off, "they just have their defenses up for new people, and I guess you guys are technically competition, so there''s that".


    "You''re a chatty dude", Marc notes.


    "Thanks, I like talking, and I think I''m pretty good at it", Dominic laughs.


    "I actually think I like this one", Marc loudly exclaims. Joe doesn''t really want to admit it, but he likes Dominic as well, he seems like a genuinely nice guy.


    But he''s also a guy ranked above him, a guy he was about to battle. When he came back to Old King''s, decisive on his decision to accept Dominic''s challenge, he had no idea things with Espurr would take a sharp turn to the left. He expected he''d do much more, but now, he''d have to leave the matter in Henry''s hands again.


    They make their way out of the dorms quickly, and their walk to the beach turns out to be similarly short. All four of them are fast walkers, as it turns out. The more Dominic talks, the more Joe likes him. Not an oumce if negativity in his entire body, and he''s pretty smart as well. It dawns on him, if this was the team that was assigned to him, he would gladly take it. Maybe he''d have Dean or Ace filling the 5th spot, he can''t really decide.


    The matter of the fact is, this does feel good. Like Marc said, there are people here who are just into pokemon as he is, who can talk about it on the same level. Even though it takes them only 10 minutes to reach the shore, they manage to get tangled up in specifics of certain strategies, and it feels good talking about it. With these people, it feels good. It''s nothing like Alola. Save for Damian, most team skull members don''t know too much about pokemon, not that Joe would ever blame them, Alola doesn''t really offer much resources. And it''s nothing like his team, with constant in-fighting, threats and insults. Maybe if he tried talking to his teammates like this, something would change, maybe it would feel good. But things didn''t work like that. The five of them simply didn''t click and that was that. Not that Joe had an issue with it until now. It was perhaps not something that could be changed.


    As they reached the beach, Joe let the salt air fill his lungs, freeing him from all the thoughts he had so far. Battle time was in front of him, and he had a single objective. Support Marc and Henry so the three of them could figure out how good Dominic really was. The sole fact Dominic so easily accepted a 3v1 situation didn''t make him feel more at ease. For a split second, he considered using Riolu after all, but decided against it. He couldn''t risk it. Not at school, not when he was battling against the rules yet again. If Riolu hurt someone now and they had to go into the nursery, they''d end up getting in too much trouble. Besides, he wanted to see how Espurr does in battle as well.


    "Good, this feels like a perfect spot", Dominic runs around in the sand, reminding Joe of a ground type that''s desperatly trying to use Sandstream.


    "Are we just going to get on with it then?", Henry plants himself firmly on one side.


    "If you guys don''t mind it", Dominic says, casually sending out his Scyther. The giant green mantis flies above the sand, and Joe notices how sharp adn shiny its blades look. Definitely a top notch bred pokemon.


    "I''m fine with starting right away", Henry responds by sending out Mienfoo. The weasel looks ready to go.


    "I''m in as well", Marc lets Sneasel hit the sand as well.


    "Good to go", Joe says, releasing Espurr. The small psychic type starts slowly twisting his legs as soon as they touch the sand. He proceeds to reluctantly dust off the sand that gets stuck in his furzall while keeping his wide purple eyes completely expressionless. Joe''s pretty sure his new partner isn''t a fan of beach battles. It looks like an emotionally overwhelmed child that doesn''t really want to be there.


    "Okay, then, if we are all redy", Dominic states.


    "Let the battle begin", Marc finishes. His sentence.


    "Yeah", Dominic states.


    "Fake Out", Joe says instantly.


    "Go, Trailblaze, Mienfoo", Henry orders readily.


    "Ice Shard, now Sneasel", Marc follow up as well.


    "Fly up, Scyther", Dominic orders nonchalantly.


    As the praying matnis flies out of the reach of the attacks, Joe realises that flying types are goddamn problematic.


    Not only is it easy for them to fly away from the attacks, but the three of them had exactly one way of attacking him right now. Ice Shard. They had no other long range move between them. Joe knew Dominic had a Scyther as well. He should''ve known better. They''d have to let Dominc attack first and try to counter it, that was the only way.


    "Agility, now", Dominic says readily, and his partner gathers the energy necessary to enhance its movements.


    "Fuck, Ice Shard", Marc tries having Sneasel knock the bug out of the air with an attack, but Scyther easily dodges it again.


    If Espurr could use Confusion or Dissarming Voice, it would be a different story, but this way, Joe was completely useless. Espurr was slow, too slow, he couldn''t keep up with Scyther''s movements even on hid base speed. This would be a big problem.


    "Agility, again", Dominic order, and Joe is suddenly super thankfull Riolu is in his pokeball.


    He had no ways of helping out here.


    "Taunt", Marc finally says, "stop it".


    Joe wonders if that would be enough, Scyther already raised its speed twoce, there was no telling if Marc and Henry could keep up with Dominic now.


    An idea crosses his mind. He doesn''t like it, but it''s the only chance they have.


    "Henry", he sharply turns to his friend, "Trailblaze me".


    Henry picks up on it instantly. "Mienfoo, go", he says, as the dark energy wraps around Scyther, making it impossible for the bug to use energy to increase its abilities.


    The weasel flies across the sand, hitting Espurr with grassy energy, increasing his speed.


    "Quick Attack", Dominic orders swiftly having his partner drop down from the heights in order to stop Mienfoo from increasing his speed.


    "Protect, Sneasel, stop them", Marc yells out realising what Henry and Joe are doing.


    "Mienfoo, one more", Henry says decisively.


    "You''re in my way", Dominic says, "Furry Cutter, Scyther". The bug slashes at Sneasel sending it flying back.


    Mienfoo connects the second Trsilblaze as well, knocking out Espurr and rasing his speed.


    Joe quickly recalls his partner from the battlefield. "Sorry, Kafka, this was the only thing we could contribute", he hates that things have come down to something like this again. But at least Henry was in the position to keep up with Scyther now.


    "Go, Furry Cutter again, keep it up", Dominic doesn''t pay attention to Henry, as Scyther continues slashing at the Sneasel. With Protect already used, and Scyther''s increased speed, the ice type has no chance of avoiding the blades. Two more slashes are enough to knock it out cold. Joe can hear Marc curse as he recalls his partner as well.


    "Aeiral Ace", Henry wastes no time ordering the next attack.


    While Scyther''s still coming off of on attack, Mienfoo comes rushing forward, threatening a hit.


    "Get back with Quick Attack", Dominic says, "Fly up again".


    "Mach Punch", Henry orders as soon as Scyther succesfully escapes the Aerial Ace. Mienfoo goes into the second attack instantly, managing to connect it just before Scyther escapes back into the air. Henry squints his eyes in desparation, and Joe already knows the battle is over.


    "Sorry for the delay, we''ll get right back to you as soon as Taunt wears off", Dominic promises casually.


    "Yeah, we figured", Marc sighs.


    "Hey, can''t blame the guy for using the advantage, you know, you guys really weren''t prepared for this fight", Dominic notes, "but that was a good effort to make up for things, too bad I''m not hotheaded".


    "Yeah, too bad for us", Joe notes.


    "We can stop now if you want", Dominic offers.


    "I''ll go ahead with the battle", Henry says firmly, "I haven''t lost yet".


    "I''m just noting, I will increase Scyther''s speed as soon as Taunt wears off, and Furry Cutter is already loaded", Dominic informs him, "but I appreciate your willingness to go on".


    Joe grips his hands as he watches the dark bound around Scyther slowly fade away. Dominic''s right, they were fully unorepared for a flying type that can raise its speed. What was even worse, Riolu would''ve stood a chance here. Joe figured it out quickly, Dominic had no long range attacks either. He had to come in close for an attack. Even with his speed emhanced, the bug would have a tough time with Detect into Bullet Punch combo. Henry could use the similar kind of strategy, Detect into Mach Punch, but a fighting move wouldn''t do enough damage here. The best bet Henry had now was to use Aerial Ace.


    "Okay, all better now", Dominic says, as the dark energy disperses from Scyther, "Agility, now". Henry waits patiently as Dominic sets up two more times. Joe finds it just a little bit scary that Henry''s planning to take this battle head on.


    "Okay now, go in Scyther, Quick Attack", Dominic orders with excitment. He seems to be enjoying this. Joe can''t blame him. If he could bring Riolu''s speed to its limit and let him loose on the battlefield, he''d have a great time as well.


    Scyther jolts down, rushing across the sand, creating the veil around himself.


    "Detect", Henry orders swiftly, "follow up with Mach Punch".


    Piercing into its opponent, Scyther goes for a slam, but Mienfoo manages to twist away from it, landing a Mach Punch the very next second.


    "Aerila Ace, now", Dominic says in exhilaration.


    "Detect", Henry counters instantly, "hit back, Mach Punch".


    Once again, Mienfoo manages to closely avoid getting hit, and fire back with a Mach Punch.


    "Quick Attack", Dominic pushes through.


    "Detect", Henry orders again, but Scyther hits into the weasel before the boy gets to call for a counter. Agility is nasty.


    "Aerial Ace, now", Dominic says rapidly. Scyther swings his blades at Minefoo, who can''t regain his balance in time, taking the second hit in a row. So much for Detecting every attack, Joe thinks, Scyther was simply too fast now, and there was no space for Mienfoo to use.


    "Quick Attack", Dominic orders sharply and, even though Henry tries going for Detect again, Scyther is too close and too fast to be avoided. Mienfoo ends up on a ground, fainted.


    "Well, that was nasty", Marc snarks as Henry silently recalls his partner.


    "Yeah, did you see how fast my Scyther can get", Dominic exclaims cheerfully, "this was the best, I never get to raise Scyther''s speed to its limit in battle, I can''t believe I just did that, it felt amazing".


    Joe had learned two things from this very one-sided battle. Although they never managed to corner Dominic in any way, the guy clearly had a good head on his shoulders. He took the advantage and didn''t rush in to attack. Second thing - flying types now firmly solidified themselves in 2nd place on Joe''s ever-growing lists of types he hates to face in a battle.


    "He was like, swoosh-brrr-swoosh", Dominic basically skips over to them, with Scyther floating right behind him.


    "That was definitely dangerously fast", Joe admits calmly, only slightly dissapointed he never got to do that with Riolu.


    "Really, thanks for battling me, I mean I guess you didn''t enjoy this too much, but I certainly did", Dominic word-vomits, "Mikey and Vinnie would never let me pull something like this".


    "Yeah, rub the salt on our wounds", Marc laughs.


    "Hey, not that I''m calling you bad, I mean, I had to get rid of you fast since you were problematic", Dominic adresses the blond boy, "please, take that as a compliment".


    "Well, since you ask so nicely", Marc scratches his head, his cheeks turning red.


    "And Henry, thanks for sticking this out and letting me test out Scyther''s top speed", Dominic adds, "I actually did this a few times against Bo as well, but he always just forfeits as soon as I raise Scyther''s speed too much".


    "It was a good practice for me as well", Henry nods, "and a reminder I need something to help me deal with flying types".


    "Well, you could definitely use more versatility", Dominic nods cheerfully.


    "Right, I was a bit to focused on building Mienfoo''s moveset to counter Joe''s Riolu", Henry admits, "kind of forgot there are other threats in this school, in my defense, I didn''t really have many chances to battle too many of our classmates".


    "Right, and where''s that Riolu of yours?", Dominic turns to Joe, "Vinnie also said he''s a menace, thruthfully, I was a bit dissapointed when I saw you using Espurr against me".


    "Rio''s on a break from battling", Joe says shortly, "besides, I wanted to see what Kafka can do, honestly, I thought we''d be a better match up for you".


    "Strange that you didn''t go for any psychic moves on me, those would help", Dominic thinks about it, "your Espurr, or Kafka, I guess, seems developed enough to know some of those".


    "He does know them, I just don''t think he can use them yet", Joe admits.


    "Well, anyways, that was a fun tactic, letting Henry hit you with Trailblaze to give him a speed boost, but a bit self-destructive", Dominic concludes.


    "I do what is necessary", Joe says simply.


    "I see", Dominic nods in understanding. "So", he looks at the three of them, "we going to get some snacks now, or?".


    "I''m in", Marc gets infected with Dominic''s cheerfulness.


    *****


    Sitting in an empty dorm room feels strange. It was strange when he fell asleep last night, and it was strange when he woke up that morning. Joe stares at curtain he had brought from home and set up. He had nothing better to do. His day with Marc, Henry and Dominic was fun, but he couldn''t fully enjoy it after that loss. It was such a stupid loss, he thinks. He did nothing. It was even worse than not being able to get a hit in on Damian back in Mali. At least with that, he knew Damian had way more experiance and training.


    There were other problems as well. Perhaps he''d have to face Dominic on his own someday, and at this point he had no secure way of dealing with his Scyther. Flying types were another problem he couldn''t seem to get around.


    Riolu stood, looking through the window calmly. It was too early for Joe to start teaching it how to use Aura Sphere. He was not even close to developing that. The move required significatn amount of fighting energy to be gathered and controled. Joe spent most of his training focusing on training, pure power wasn''t exactly his forte. But he did realise it, a pokemon he wanted to make into special attacker currently had 2 physical moves. And anything else was too far ahead for them to start working on it.


    Espurr, who sat on the bed and stared at the wall blankly, was not in better shape. More importantly, Joe didn''t have a slightest idea on how to deal with it. Teleport and Shadow Ball would be good, he knew that much. However, they both required energy manipulation, and he had a hunch, Espurr wasn''t that good at it. With his new partner being unable to use two special attacks, that was the only explanation Joe could come up with. Even if those were truly underdeveloped, Espurr should be able to use them to some extent. They might be extremely weak, but Espurr should be able to use them.


    He scoured the internet for advice, but it wasn''t much help. Mostly, the advice came down to motivational speech and pure theory. He had no idea how he would, in reality, get Espurr to start firing off those moves.


    In an attempt to get it off his mind, the boy stood up and walked over to the window where he kept the berry pots. They were placed there to get as much sunlight as they could. It was dark outside now, so the small trees looked a little bit depressed. Still, Joe was satisfied with their progress. Seeing a few closed up flowers amongst the small branches, Joe concluded they should start bearing fruit by this weekend. Record timehe thought, realising that the life of a farmer might not be so bad after all. Farmers didn''t have to deal with emotionally dependent fighting dogs or emotionally distressed furrballs.


    The doors opened slowly behind him, and Joe turned around to see Ace walk in. The blond boy tilted his head in a sign of greeting, before he launched his backpack onto his bed.


    "Oh, you already arrived", Ace notes shortly.


    "Flew in yesterday", Joe responds. "I brought curtains", he adds, gesturing towards the piece of fabric.


    "That''s actually amazing", Ace twists his face in surprise, "and the room looks clean as well".


    "Did some cleaning, not much going on", Joe admits.


    "Nice", Ace stops abruptly, noticing Espurr sat on Joe''s bed, still staring at the opposing wall in a show of eitger steely determination or a complete absence of thought. "This thing yours?", the boy asks.


    "Yeah, that''s Kafka", Joe explains, "Teo caught him, and gave him to me".


    "Teo caught it for you?", Ace raises his eyebrow.


    "It''s not like I asked him to", Joe says defensively.


    "The two of you are on good terms, huh?", Ace wonders.


    "Not sure", Joe answers shortly.


    "Well, doesn''t matter",     Ace says producing two pokeballs from his pockets. He releases both, and Rockruff and Charcadet appear. Rockruff immediately takes interest in Espurr, with Riolu quickly joining them in a very one-sided conversation.


    Joe stares at the Charcadet, realising Ace had caught himself an addition as well. The small pokemon seemed pretty cheerful as it carefully took the room in.


    "Caught it back in Canalave", Ace notes, noticing Joe''s curiosity, "didn''t get to tell anyone yet".


    "Good, that''s good", Joe says, approaching his drawer and finding the heal capsules. "Here, have this", he throws it over to Ace, realising he now has only 2 left. Splitting them between his teammates, and giving both Marc and Henry one quickly lowered the number. He did want his teammates to be able to somewhat heal their pokemon remotely, however, so it was a necessary trade. Especially after Sam was set up, Joe had no idea what to expect from this school.


    "Thanks", Ace says, quickly adjusting the heal capsule over Charcadet''s pokeball. "Anyways, I''m glad that you''re here", the blond boy says with a sigh, "I wanted to talk to you".


    "You missed calling me a dictator for the weekend?", Joe gives him a cautious look as he sits down on his bed next to Espurr. Rockruff and Riolu are still trying to communicate with the psychic type, but he''s still silent as ever.


    "Not exactly", Ace clears his throat, "I have a proposal for you".


    "I''m falttered, but I''m too young to get married", Joe deadpans, "besides, you''re not my type, Ace".


    "That was a terrible attempt at the joke, please don''t ever do that again", Ace rolls his eyes as he steps closer in.


    "What was it that you wanted?", Joe says calmly.


    "I want to propose an alliance", Ace extends his hand.


    "That''s... interesting", Joe says slowly, leaving Ace hanging. "Surprised you want anything to do with me", the boy adds, "I thought you hate me for ''trying to get us expelled'' and simar rhetorics".


    "Look", Ace removes his hand, "don''t get me wrong, I don''t necessarily like you".


    "That''s not how you negotiate", Joe says simply.


    "You and I are the only ones who take things seriously on this team", the boy ignores his remark, "we have the best test scores, and we are the only guys with any semblance of a plan, you have to admit that".


    "Ves is there as well", Joe notes.


    "Ves is just hot headed, how far do you think that will get him?", Ace raises his eyebrow.


    Joe looks over to the side. Maybe Ace is right. Teo and Sam were pretty much dead weight at this point, and Ves gets by on basis of powering through things. His battle record isn''t that impressive either. It stings a little, realising that he''s in the same boat right now. But he wasn''t, Joe thinks, not truly. Riolu can still battle, it was a risk, but it''s not like his partner was out of commission.


    "So, you and I, we start working together from now on", Ace spots Joe''s reluctance, "mind you, what I''m suggesting here is purely a business parthership".


    "Right, what good does it do", Joe says.


    "For once, you get a training partner", Ace sits down next to him, "I''ll do your crazy training routine from now on, waking up at 5 AM and all".


    "Frankly, that does more good for you than for me", Joe retorts.


    "You also get a study buddy", Ace offers. That does pick Joe''s interest. Marc and Henry have been great as training buddies, but the two of them don''t exactly like sitting down to study. Really, the only reason Henry wasn''t ranked higher in the entrance exam was the fact that he hates studying, and he had to force himself to power through it in order to get in. Unfortunate, since even with the least amount of effort, Henry managed to land himself in top 100.


    "More importantly, you get me on your side in any future arguments that break out in this room", Ace sweetens the deal. "Plus, we can exchange tips and informations on training, that''s bound to be helpful for both of us", the blond boy adds.


    What Marc had said comes back to him, in pair with the day he had just spent with his classmates. Having Ace to talk to about training might not be the worst thing.


    "Okay, so, what do you want?", Joe gives in, noticing Ace''s expectant look.


    "Just to offer my companionship", Ace says innocently.


    "Cut it out, what do you want?", Joe says flatly.


    With a deep breath, Ace says: "Take me to Lilicove".


    Joe gives him a slightly surprised look. "What''s this now", he says carefully, "are you suggesting we break the rules".


    "Look, don''t give me shit on this", Ace rolls his eyes, "I am forced to fight for myself here, I''ll fail the year at this point if I don''t, and I see a little difference between that and getting expelled".


    "Glad you finally realised that", Joe says camly.


    "Don''t get me wrong", Ace scoffs, "I wouldn''t be doing this if there were other options".


    "Right", Joe nods.


    "Hey, you guys got me backed in the corner", Ace crosses his arms, "I''m taking the only way out here".


    "Huh, and what do you need in Lilicove?", Joe raises his eyebrow.


    "I need to get some TMs for Rocky and Private", Ace states, "I want Rocky to learn Taunt, and I need a new move for Private, since he knows only 3".


    "Huh, well", Joe thinks about it, "sounds like you thought that through, however...".


    "However?", Ace says expectantly.


    "A trip to Lilicove right now would only waste my time, it''s an unnecessary and detrimental risk for me". Finding TMs for Teleport and Shadow Ball would be good, but even if he did, he''d still have to work with Espurr, which he had no idea how to do. A trip would just waste him a whole day of training and studying. "Sorry, Ace", Joe shrugs, "I''m in for setting up training and studying sessions, but I have no reasons to take you over the ocean right now".


    "Cmon, dude, do this one thing for me", Ace sighs, "it helps you out as well".


    "How does this benefit me at all?", Joe wonders.


    "If I get new moves, it gives the team an opportunity to advance further in the tournament, so more opportunities for all of us to score points, including you", Ace says simply.


    "Look, Taunt certainly sounds like an interesting strategy, but I don''t think it will be some crazy power up that lets you just blow through the tournament", Joe concludes.


    "It will give me more tools to work with", Ace stays adamant, "besides, I want to teach Rocky how to use Sucker Punch as well".


    "Sucker Punch?", Joe raises his eyebrow, "Rockruff learns that?".


    "He does, with move tutoring", Ace raises his finger, "I checked, and there is a move tutor in Lilicove, I need to get there, alright, as soon as possible".


    "Move tutor, huh", Joe thinks about it, "they open up new energetic pathways in pokemon''s body, right".


    "Yeah, it''s some strange hypnotic therapy, something like that, but ultimately, it opens up new energetic paths that pokemon have but don''t develop naturaly", Ace confirms.


    That might actually work on Espurr, Joe thinks. Maybe his energetic pathways have been closed off, the pokemon''s been held in captivity after all. Maybe move tutor can help with it.


    "And you say you need to get there as fast as possible?", Joe looks at Ace.


    "Yeah", Ace nods.


    "Alright, let''s go tomorrow morning", Joe says simply, "we''ll cut classes, I hope you''re okay with that".


    "You changed your mind pretty quickly there", Ace looks at him curiously.


    "Let''s just say I''m in a hurry as well", Joe responds.


    "Alright, then, we''re going tomorrow morning", Ace states confidently.

 Chapter 22

    "Hey, hey Sam", Dean shakes him lightly bringing the boy out of his thoughts.


    Monday classes aren''t Sam''s favourite thing in general. Especially today. He flew in late last night, and was greeted by yet another fight between his teammates. Unsurprisingly, Teo and Joe had gotten into a scuffle. Apparently, Teo had suggested they plant Mental Herb as soon as he came back. Joe outright refused to farm drugs in their room. Ace took Joe''s side, and Ves took every opportunity to yell out his thoughts.


    Sam couldn''t care less. After how his weekend in Lilicove ended, he realised one thing. It all truly didn''t matter. It was an unfortunate thing, that he left his old life behind, just to be surrounded with the wrong kind of people. But someday, he knew, he''d leave these people behind as well. Getting into fights and trying to make friends out of them was a waste of time. At this point, Sam couldn''t care less. They could grow Mental Herb in their room, they could do whatever they wanted, he would no longer try to be a part of it.


    "Hey", Dean repeated, "you alright? You seem a bit out of it".


    "It''s nothing", Sam waves it off, "I''m just a bit tired".


    "Oh, alright", Dean says simply. "Just checking to see, I mean", the boy nods towards the rest of the class. They have been creating noise that Sam was trying to cancel out.


    "Where the fuck are they even", Lesley was yelling at Teo and Ves.


    "We have no idea", Ves yelled back, "they just weren''t there when we woke up, didn''t tell us anything".


    They are asking about Ace and Joe, who had dissapeared that morning. Sam didn''t want to know about it.


    "You''re their teammates, how do you not know", Natasha joins in, "that maniac owes me rematch, call him and tell him to come here this instant".


    "Yeah", Lesley agrees, "I want a match as well, with both of them, I need to test Pancham out".


    "Joe owes a rematch to the entire fucking school apparently, so take a number and stand in line, do I look like his fucking manager?", Ves yells back.


    "Besides, they didn''t tell us where they are, and we don''t have their numbers", Teo notes dryly.


    "They are in Lilicove", Marc says, turning all the eyes on him. "What, I just texted Joe, he told me", the boy says innocently.


    Sam still doesn''t care about it.


    "They want to ask all the professors to referee a class tournament, see if any of them will agree", Dean fills him in, "they think if they make it class wide, someone might agree to referee for people who usually don''t get to battle".


    "Sounds great", Sam says half-heartedly.


    The doors fly open the very next instant, with Leah rushing inside yelling: "Hey, hey, my guys and guy-ettes, look here". She boastingly raises a moon stone above her head. "Look what mama''s got on her trip back home", she exclaims in excitment. At least she makes everyone else shut up.


    "Now it''s time for this gal to get the best pokemon an alt girl can wish for", she says releasing Eevee onto one of the tables. The foxlike pokemon wags its tail as she approaches it, threateningly holding up the moon stone to its face.


    "Um, doesn''t it require high connection to its trainer in order to evolve into Umbreon?", someone points out, "and doesn''t it have to evolve in the night?".


    "Nonsense, that''s only the simulation thing", Lesley waves it off, "Eevee evolves strictly with stones". He turns to Leah: "But...".


    She presses the moon stone to Eevee''s forehead before he can finish the sentence.


    Nothing happens. Other than Eevee giving a weirded out look to its trainer.


    "But, Eevee needs to be developed", Lesley sighs out, "evolutionary stones only trigger the evolution, allowing the pent up energy to released".


    "Right, our Eevees aren''t developed enought to Evolve yet", Natasha adds knowingly, "otherwise, I''d already have my Sylveon".


    "So, you''re saying we need more energy, huh?", Leah scratches her chin. "Does anybody have a charger on them, I''m going to energize this baby", she states.


    "I''m pretty sure you''ll get a Jolteon like that", Teo points out.


    "I think you''ll discover a ghost type Eeveelution", Henry says calmly.


    "Guys, guys, I''m joking", Leah says, picking up Eevee and petting its head, "I''m not that stupid, I just didn''t know that thing about the stones, cause I''m not a complete nerd".


    "Well, we were in the middle of setting up a class tournament", Natasha informs her, "so, there''s a chance for you to help Eevee to develop".


    "Sounds like a hastle, is any professor going to agree to that?", Leah furs her brow, "you two have been at Nolan''s neck ever since the school year started, I''m pretty sure he''ll start running from you soon enough".


    "Well, he can try running", Lesley grins, "doubt he can do it".


    "Yeah, and when we''re on topic of runners", Natasha turns to Marx, "those two really escaped, huh".


    "Honestly, I''m just shocked Ace broke the rules", Teo says.


    "You think Joe kidnapped him?", Lesley offers.


    "Could be", Teo nods along.


    "Well, not that I care about that, just wanted to have my rematch", Natasha sighs.


    "Well, you can always rematch me", Lesley offers, "I do have Pancham now, I won''t lose to you for the third time".


    "Yeah, well, I already beat you twoce, honestly, it''s getting kind of repetitive, no offence", Natasha waves off.


    "Oh come on", Lesley says pleadingly.


    Mai comes over, whispering something into Natasha''s ear. "Okay", Natasha turns to Lesley, "I''ll gove you a rematch, but only if you''re willing to place a bet on it".


    "A bet?", Lesley says surprised, "um, okay, what did you have in mind?".


    "If I beat you again, your team has to do an interview with me and Mai", Natasha says decisevly.


    "You want an interview?", Lesley says in surprise.


    "Mai and I want to do vlog series about life at Old King''s", Natasha explains, "but no one wants to be in our videos".


    "You want to vlog?", Lesley says, visibly dissapointed about something.


    "Getting famous is a part of being a professional trainer", Mai informs him, "and people don''t really have imsight about life at this school, we thought it would be a good chance for us to break through".


    "Yeah, you''re probably right", Lesley scratches his head, "I just, when you suggested a bet, I was expecting a different kind of request, that''s all".


    "Well, what do you want if you win?", Natasha questions.


    "Uh", Lesley says, his face turning red, "go out for tea with me?". Seeing Natasha blush in uncomfort, he quickly adds: "nothing serious, I... I just thought we should get to know each other a bit better". Stepping back, he says in a low voice: "I thought that''s the direction we were going in".


    "Wow looke the goldilocks shooting his shot", Marc grins, grabbing Lesley as at his shoulders.


    Mai and Leah chuckle lightly, while Natasha starts looking more and more like a fire type.


    "Sorry, I just though... I can come up with something else", Lesley waves his hands around, "forget it".


    "No, it''s alright", Natasha clears her throat, "it''s just tea, right".


    "Right, it''s not a date at all", Lesley confirms uncomfortably.


    "Alright, then, that''s a deal", Natasha nods uncomfortably, "we can do it like that".


    "Yay, Natasha got a date", Mai claps her hands in a playful mock.


    "Hey", Natasha nudges her, "I''m getting us that interview".


    "Right, right, but only if you beat me", Lesley finally recovers.


    "Hey, you have to get a professor to agree to this first", Leah reminds them, "otherwise, both your vlogging career and love life are going to be on a standby".


    "Oh, we''ll get someone to referee", Lesley says, busting with newfound motivation.


    "Alright, so, our whole team, and Lesley''s whole team, right, that''s 10 of us", Natasha counts, "we need like 6 more people so we can set it up like a tournament".


    "Hey, we''re in as well", Ves chimmes in.


    "Right you have 12 people", Teo confirms.


    "Sam, what about you?", Natasha turns around to yell at him, "you gonna be our number 13".


    Sam doesn''t really think too much about it. "Yeah, sure", he says. It''s what he needed to do. He was already lagging behind, and training was desparately necessary. He beat Fred. His childhood friend didn''t prove to be too big of a challenge. What he needed now was to start facing his classmates.


    "Good", Dean gives him an encouraging tap on the shoulder, "I can be your opponent then, Aron needs some practice".


    "Hey, Dean, thanks for the challenge, but I actually wanted to battle someone else", Sam says carefully.


    "Oh really?", Dean looks slightly dissapointed.


    "Yeah", Sam nods, turning to his chosen opponent. "Andrei, is it alright if you battle me?".


    "Uh", Andrei looks taken back by the challenge, "I mean, I''m being forced into this anyways, so sure, not that it matters to me".


    "Great", Sam nods, already feeling the burn in his chest. One thing he has to know - if he can beat Andrei who''s ranked just a spot above him. He nervously adjusts the necklace under his shirt, turning to Dean: "you''re cool with this, right? I mean, it''s a torunament, so we can battle each other anyways, we just have to win".


    "Yeah, it''s fine, I get it", Dean nods.


    "Alright, then, we have two matches decided already", Natasha announces. She looks around the classroom adding: "we have 3 emtpy spots, anyone interested in taking them?".


    To everyone''s surprise, one boy shoots up from his seat instantly, almost yelling: "hell yes, I am taking one of those spots". He seems to be enjoying the way all eyes turn to him, as he crosses his arms and firmly says: "y''all have been acting like the world revolves around you ever since we got here, always causing ruckus, I am aboslutely taking this opportunity to kick your loud asses".


    "Wow, calm down there, buddy", Teo laughs.


    "Oh, you don''t talk", the boy says sharply, "I''ll kick your ass first, Teo".


    "Okay, okay", Teo raises his hands in the air, "I accept your challenge".


    "Rodney", the boy says.


    "What?", Teo asks confused.


    "Rodney''s my name you asshat", the boy hisses, "none of you ever cared to ask any of our names in these two weeks that we were classmates".


    "Hey now, we''ve been busy with our own shit", Teo rolls his eyes, "besides, you can''t expect me to memorise every background character".


    "My God, I can''t wait to kick your ass back to earth", Rodney says loudly.


    "Alright, alright", Natasha tries calming the situation down, "Rodney, thanks for joining this battle, but we still need two more people".


    "I''d be happy to battle 2 more times", Rodney says confidently, "more of your asses kicked, the happier I am".


    "Actually, I would like to take part as well, if you don''t mind it", a strawberry blonde girl says calmly.


    "Um, yeah", Natasha says a bit uncomfortably, "okay".


    "Honestly, I just wanna see where this new rivals to lovers plot goes", the girls says with a sly smile, causing Lesley and Natasha to blush again.


    "Okay", Henry takes over, "we are fine with that".


    "And I can get you the last player as well", the girl says, nudging a girl next to her, "right, Masha, you''ll do this with me".


    The read head next to her leans in to whisper something.


    "Come on, I need to know what happens with the lovebirds", the girl says loudly. Something tells Sam she enjoys this kind of chaos.


    "Fine, Maria", her friend sighs, "I''ll humour your little obsession". When Masha''s met with an array of strange looks, she waves her hand: "Maria''s following you lot like you''re some kind of a TV show, and she''s obsessed".


    "Hey, I find trainwrecks entertaining", Maria responds, smiling.


    "Oh, and now that the two of you are doing this whole date thing, I won''t ever hear the end of it, she''s been shipping the two of you almost this whole time", Masha sighs.


    "Hey, they are both loud, insuferable battle maniacs, I think they''ll work together", Maria laugs. "I''m rooting for you two", she winks at them, causing them to turn red yet again.


    "No one ever start dating Joe", Masha adds cautiosly, "please, we won''t be able to live with her if he ever gets into a relationship".


    "Hey, don''t ruin this for me", Maria nudges her again.


    "Alright", Henry says in an attempt to settle things down, "thanks you two, we have 16 participants now, so let''s settle the match ups before Nolan gets here".


    "I''ll battle any of you", Maria says simply.


    "Girl, you and I can give it a go then", Leah says, "I like your style".


    "Done deal", Maria says simply.


    "Alright, that''s 4 match ups down, 4 more to go", Henry announces.


    "Tammy, you and I can battle, if that''s okay", Dean offers.


    "I''m good with that", the girl nods along.


    "Hey, Henry", Ves says loudly, "you and me, what do you think?".


    "I think you picked a terrible match up, but alright", Henry shrugs.


    "Don''t worry about me, I just want to take you on", Ves informs him with a grin.


    "Cool, that leaves Mai, Tea, Masha and Marc without opponents", Natasha says, finally returning to her default colours.


    "I can take Mai", Masha offers, "we''re close on the ranking anyways, I want to know how well we fare against each other".


    "I''m in", Mai says with a smile.


    "Than that leaves Tea and I, huh", Marc says, "I''m fine with that".


    "Yeah, anything works for me", Tea waves it off.


    "Good, then all that''s left is to convince a professor to referee for us", Henry says turning to Lesley and Natasha, "we''ll leave that to you".


    "Sure we''ll try to convince Nolan", Natasha nods.


    "If he doesn''t cave, we''ll go on to the next victim", Lesley confirms.


    Things in the classroom settle down only moments before Nolan walks in. This means that the peace doesn''t last too long, with Natasha and Lesley immediately jumping on his throat. Sam, however, doesn''t pay attention to that at all. The only thing he can notice is that Vanessa had walked in after their professor. He lets the rest of the world fade back, staring at the way her jeans wrap around her body.


    Time flows around him, only solidifying itself when Vanessa speaks up. "I think it''s a good idea, professor", her voice is perky and sweet, "besides I''m here as well, so I can help with refereeing the battles".


    When he chekcs his phone, Sam realises 10 minutes have already passed. His classmates have been trying to convince Nolan to set up their little tournamet for that long, and he didn''t hear a single word of it.


    "Am I just supposed to cut the rest of classes so they can battle?", Nolan asks scoldingly.


    "Well, you are their mentor, so you can excuse the ones who are taking part in this", Vanessa reminds him, "I think it''s a good idea, especially since I happened to be here now and have some spare time".


    "Exactly, professor, we need training, and having a certified trainer is great for us",Lesley presses on.


    After a few more minutes of convincing, Nolan finally gives in, noting that Lesley and Natasha had officially surpassed the amount of patience he had in himself. Rodney loudly agreed with this semtiment.


    That''s how Sam ended up leaving with half of the class. He could only look at Vanessa, who walked beside professor Nolan, not even turning around to look at him.


    *****


    "Alright, I''m going first, I can''t wait any longer", Rodney stomped onto the field as soon as they entered the room.


    They already had a deal that everyone would use 1 pokemon, Nolan wouldn''t allow for more. He was already getting them out of classes for this, and had wanted it to be over as quikcly as possible.


    "I''m fine with that", Teo accepted the challenge.


    Still looking at Vanessa, Sam could tell she found this sort of behaviour amusing. Now that she was here, he couldn''t afford to make a fool of himself.


    "Alright, let''s get over this whole ordeal quickly", Nolan sighed, "send out your pokemon".


    The two boys quickly obliged, with Teo sending out Totodile, and Rodney letting a Chewtle hit the field. Two water types, Sam concluded, that should be interesting. He tried focusing on the battle once professor Nolan called for the start, but his eyes kept darting off to where Vanessa was. In his defense, the battle wasn''t all that interesting.


    Totodile ended up Aqua Jetting around the whole time. Rodney cursed Teo out multiple times, because his Chewtle wasn''t the best at hitting the moving target. By the end of it, everyone was aware of the fact that Totodile only ever used one move. More importantly, everyone was shocked when Teo managed to pull out a win like that. Dark haired boy boastingly walked back to the sidelines, announcing that he had won his first official battle. Rodney stepped away as well, planting himslef next to Nolan, aboslutely refusing to look at anyone else.


    Natasha and Lesley basically raced onto the field next. This time, Sam forced himslef into paying attention to the battle.


    Natasha went with her Vulpix, while Lesley released Pancham. It was a new pokemon of his, Sam realised.


    They started as soon as Nolan gave them a sign, with Natasha leading of with Ember. Lesley ordered his new partner to break through with an Arm Thrust, so the small bear ended up charging through the wall of cinders. His attack ended up avoided at the last moment, with Natasha ordering a Quick attack to get away. Lesley persisted, ordering the second Arm Thrust, which Pancham managed to connect, firing off two rapid hits before Vulpix escaped again. Natasha ordered a Quick Attack in retaliation, Vulpix slamming into Pancham and pushing it back. Nolan looked dissatisfied at the fact no pokemon had fainted yet.


    Lesley ordered Pancham to retaliate with a Storm Throw, to which Natasha quickly ordered a Protect. Nolan audiably sighed at this, probably realising that the girl was going to battle defensively.


    To Sam, the two of them seemed equally matched. He did his best to analyse the situation, giving Natasha the edge in the end. She had more experiance with battling with Vulpix.


    "Get back with Quick Attack, go into Ember", the girl yelled out. Long-ranged attacks, Sam realised, she didn''t want to battle Pancham at the close range.


    "Get them with Arm Thrust", Lesley orders, adamant on not letting Vulpix gain space. Once again, Pancham breaks through the cinders, taking the damage, and managing to connect two hits.


    "Ember, get him now", Natasha yells out, probably realising she can''t escape the fighting type. The small bear is incredibly fast, Sam notices.


    "Jump up, dodge it", Lesley tries, but Vulpix starts up the attack too fast, burning Pancham away.


    "Quick Attack, now", Natasha wastes to no time.


    "Circle Throw", Lesley hisses, "grab it".


    "Go on Vulpix", Natasha says, as her partner slams into her oponnet. Pancham grabs the fox-like pokemon after taking the attack head on, and starts swinging it away.


    "Good, Vulpix", Natasha yells as the fighting type hurls her partner through the air, "now use Ember, end it".


    In mid-air, Vulpix manages to position herself, firing off an attack at Pancham. The fox hits the ground seconds later, taking considerable damage, but the battle''s already over. Ember is enough to bring Panncham to his knees, fainting the fighting type.


    "Natasha wins", Vanessa announces, and Nolan quickly gestures for the two to remove themselves from the battlefield.


    Maria cheerfully runs onto the field. "Just because she won, doesn''t mean you two can''t go on a date", she winks at them, causing them to blush yet again. Nolan looks truly terrified at this idea.


    Leah takes her side of the field and the next battle starts up quickly. Leah decides to go with Eevee, while Maria calls onto a Cubchoo. What seemed like an match with equal chances ends up being very one-sided. Alternating between Protect and Icy Wind, Maria quickly renders Eevee''s mobility useless, winning the battle within 2 minutes. Nolan looks satisfied to have witnessed a blitz battle like that.


    Masha and Mai walk out on the field next, calling for Chimcar and Snubull respectively. Sam quickly finds himself rooting for Masha, since Chimcar is quite likeable to him. Unfortunately, the battle ends up swaying into a different direction. Snubull proves capable of takimg hits, and her retaliations are too mighty for the fire mokey to survive. The battle takes a bit longer, and Nolan proceeds to be grumpy about it.


    Dean and Tammy step out on the floor next. Andrei appears behind Sam, whispering into his ear: "can we go next? If I win, I''d rather face one of these two next".


    "Cool with me", Sam replies shortly, hiding the saltiness that comes from finding out Andrei already thinks he''ll beat him.


    "Cool", the other boy pats him on the shoulder before retreating.


    Dean''s battle he wants to see in full. Tammy calls onto her Eevee, while Dean lets Aron on the field. Another addition, Sam realises, Dean did tell him about it back in the classroom, but this was the first time Sam was seeing Aron. He caught it Canalave, Sam realised instantly, so he only had Aron for the weekend, he should be at disatvantage here. The steel typing, however, told a different story.


    "Okay, Eevee, Quick Attack", Tammy ordered as soon as Vanessa gave them heads up.


    "Head Smahs", Dean says conclusively.


    As Eevee hits the Quick Attack, she bounces backwards. Aron''s head flashes in metalic light, and the small pokemon launches forward the very next second, propeling the normal type even further back. Just like that, Eevee ends up fainited on the ground. Dean only stands there, almost apologetically scratching his head, as Tammy recalls her pokemon. Nolan is absolutely ecstatic that the battle had ended in one hit.


    Sam, on the other hand, realises he''s about to step onto the field. He moves forward as if struck by lighting. He can''t lose now, not when Vanessa is watching. Not when he''s facing Andrei. He has an advantage here, he knows. Andrei had a ghost type, his attacks would activate Rattled. He could win here, just like he did back in Twinleaf when he battled Fred. But Andrei wasn''t Fred.


    Speaking of his opponent, the boy unwillingly made his way onto the field, carelessly letting Dreepy out of his pokeball.


    "Okay, Bolt, let''s go", Sam says, releasing his partner as well.


    "Alright, I hope this one is over quickly", Nolan sighs, looking expectantly at Vanessa.


    Sam takes one more look at her, just to see she''s looking straight at him. He can feel his heart twisting. He has to win now.


    "Battle start", the girl announces.


    "Bite, go Bolt", Sam wastes no time. Waiting on Andrei to hit him was a no-go, not when he can start dealing damage.


    "Dodge it, Dreepy", Andrei says unenthusiastically, "Astonish him".


    With Yamper''s lackluster speed, Dreepy has no problem avoiding the attack, swifty hitting back with Astonish. Sam watches as his partener''s muscles get infused with energy, triggered by the activation of his ability.


    "Oh, no", Andrei growls, "don''t tell me this has Rattled".


    "Maybe", Sam says, not really happy to find Andrei already figured that out.


    "I only have Bite and Astonish as my attacking moves", Andrei face-palms.


    "Bite, Bolt", Sam takes the opportunity to go into offensive.


    "My God, dodge it Dreepy", Andrei reacts, and Dreepy manages to avoid yet another attack.


    "Go on using Bite, Bolt", Sam persists. Landing just one should get the ghost type on the edge of his health.


    "Dodge, then hit him with Confuse Ray", Andrei announces. Fliating away again, Dreepy manages to send a ray of psychic energy into Yamper. "Now, please, hit yourself into fainting", Andrei scratches his head.


    "Bolt, run", Sam decides in an instant. Going for Bite now could end in Yamper hurting himself. Even if his partner broke through confusion, Dreepy would have no problem dodging the attavk again. A quick glance at Nolan, who''s picnhing the bridge of his nose, confirms Sam''s suspicions. There were two ways for this to go now. Either Andrei attacks and helps out by raising Sam''s speed, or Sam keeps his distance and charges up enough Thunderbolts. By the way Andrei is behaving, this looks like its going to turn into a Thunderbolt fest.


    "Are we really going to do this?", Andrei wails, "can''t I just forfeit".


    "Thunderbolt", Sam says in response. Yamper gathers power, but thanks to confusion, can''t spot his target. The Thunderbolt ends up passing right next to Andrei, causing the boy to flinch.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "I surrender", he raises his hands in the air", looking at Nolan expectantly.


    "I think that''s for the best", professor says firmly, giving Sam a stern look.


    "Andrei forfeits, Sam wins the battle", Vanessa announces.


    Sam blushes, trying not to look at Vanessa. This was not at all how he wanted to win, especially not in front of her.


    "Sorry about that", Andrei says when they get back to the sidelines, "I didn''t want to get fried to death".


    "It''s fine", Sam waves him off absentmindedly. One person in this school he thought he could beat for sure, and their battle ends like this. Getting one-shot would feel better than this.


    The worst thing, he would''ve won eventually. On his own, without Andrei forfeiting, and he knows it. He had it all planned. Andrei would have to hit him, raising his speed, or he''d go down to an array of Thunderbolts. The battle was Sam''s to win. But now none of them would know it. For all of them, he won only because Andrei was being Andrei.


    He doesn''t even bother watching the next matches. They all pass by quickly enough.


    Tea and Marc go next, and the match is over in a blink of an eye. Tea uses Metronome, and her Shroodle ends up using Explosion. Marc, however, goes for Protect. Tea curses, noting that she wanted a tie, just to screw with the bracket of their little tournament.


    Ves and Henry go next. Ves tries going for an Ember, but Henry quickly cuts him off with a Mach Punch, then proceeds to pummel him with Aerial Aces and more Mach Punches. A minute later, Ves is on the sidelines, cursing all fighting types. Henry only informs him he was the one who chose the match-up.


    Just like that, the second round of their tournament starts up. Nolan swiftly helps the kids heal up their pokemon on one of the machines located at the side of the room.


    When the battles start up again, Sam finds himslef quickly losing his patience. He has to go against Dean next, and if he uses Aron, he''s not sure if he can win.


    As Teo and Natasha step out onto the field, Sam can feel his body heat raising up. He hopes their battle lasts forever. That something goes terribly wrong, and they have to cut this tournament short. He wishes that Thunderbolt would''ve struck Andrei. That way, he wouldn''t have to go through with this.


    As he watches Natasha and Teo go at it, Sam realises - he can''t keep up with these people. He could beat Fred, he could be confident against him. Fred wasn''t one of his classmates. Even with Andrei, he was confident. He had an advantage. Everyone else, however, was a different story.


    He watched as Natasha struggled to overcome the ever-Aqua Jettimg Totodile, wondering, how she found it in herself to keep going. That croc was incredibly agile, Sam thought, even with the type advantage, Yamper probably couldn''t win against him. His Thumderbolts couldn''t keep up with Totodile''s speed, not without Rattled.


    Natasha however, managed to stop Teo''s attack with a Protect, using the seconds it took Totodile to create his water veil again to counter with Quick Attack. It took her a bit, and Nolan wasn''t too happy about it, but in the end she managed to triumph over Teo as well.


    Sam could only stand there, thinking to himself that he couldn''t do it. His head felt dizzy, and the talisman felt hot against his skin.


    By the time Mai and Maria walked out of the field, Sam had already sweated out a small lake. The second battle seemed to pass in an instant. Maria somehow managed to win, not that Sam could pay any attention.


    He didn''t even realise when he had made it onto the field, with Yamper readily standing in front of him. Dean raised his hand for, givimg him an encouraging wave, before letting Aron hit the field.


    Doing his best to focus didn''t help much, his thought were scattered. Aron probably didn''t have moves that would activate Rattled, Sam realised. Right. Getting in close was a no go. Head Smahs would be too much for Yamper. Stay away, use Thunderbolts. That was the best thing Sam could come up with.


    He heard through the riningimg in his ears when Vanessa announced the battle.


    "Go, Metal Claw", Dean''s voice rang out in the distance.


    "Run, Bolt", Sam said, trying to cut through the dizzines, "Thunderbolt".


    The field looked like quick sand. Yamper seemed to be slower than ever. Everything seemed slower. Shapeless.


    Aron missed his Metal Claw. Speed, Sam thought. Aron was slow as well.


    "Again", Dean''s voice rang out. He seemed agitated. Yamper hit with Thunderbolt, Sam realised. He didn''t even catch that.


    "Thunderbolt, again", Sam demanded, on autopilot.


    "Close in Aron, let him hit you", he heard Dean say. This time, he saw Aron''s body enveloped with electricity.


    "Again", Sam says quickly.


    "Power through it", Dean yells out, "Head Smash".


    Sam realises one thing. Yamper has to lower his speed to fire off a Thunderbolt. Without the speed boost from Rattled, his partner basically comes to a full stop when he attacks.


    He watches as Aron takes the last Thunderbolt, still enveloped in crackling electricity when he slams his head into Yamper, knocing the electric type out.


    Sam''s not sure wheter he feels relieved or defeated.


    Recalling Yamper, he steps away to the sidelines, not daring to even look at Vanessa.


    "Hey, that was good", he feels Dean lay his hand on his shoulder.


    "Yeah, good battles, congrats", Sam says absentmindedly.


    The next thing he knows, his body is heating up again. The world turns white in front of him. The next moment, he feels his hand grapplimg with the ground, and hears Dean''s voice in his ear.


    "Hey, you alright dude?", the boy sounds a little bit distressed, and Sam''s not sure why. The only thing he knows is that his eyelids feel as if they were made of lead, just like his legs. His own body feels like it weighs a ton, and the necklace around his neck feels like another one.


    "What happened", a girls''s voice sounds worried as well, "he just fell down?". It was Tammy he realised.


    "I''m fine", he tries to make his voice sound even. He lets Dean and Tammy help him up.


    Everyone''s looking at him, he realises. It makes him feel even worse. "I''m fine", he notes shortly, waving them off. The last thing he needs is pity. "Just go on with a tournament", he says, spotting that Nolan''s looking at him discerningly. He doesn''t dare to look at Vanessa.


    They help him lean against the wall, and he props himself up, focusing on breathing. He nods towards their mentor, letting him know he''ll be alright. If he cut this tournament short because of him, everyone else would judge him. Sam didn''t want that to matter, but it did. So he would sit through this.


    It took him a moment to calm down, letting his body go comoletely numb.


    "Hey", a sweet voice cathes his attention, as he feels a hand brush against his shoulder. He didn''t even spot when Vanessa approached him.


    The match between Henry and Marc was already over, and Nolan was healing up injured pokemon again. Vanessa took that time to walk up to him. He wasn''t sure if that made him feel better, only that his heart started racing again.


    "Nolan told you to skip the rest of the classes today and come to his office", she informs him, and he hates that she was sent there by his mentor. "I''ll take you to the nursery later", she says, before leaving.


    Dean quickly comes along to take her place, and Ves and Teo end up sitting next to him as well.


    "You alright", Ves says, rubbing his shoulder, "what happened?".


    "I''m fine", Sam brushes him off. Ves was pretty much the last person he wanted pity from. He could already imagine the boy making fun of him for this.


    "You sure?", Ves says, "we could take you back to our room".


    "No need", Sam says shortly. He probably just wants an excuse to cut classes.


    "At least go see a doctor", Ves offers.


    "Since when are you so worried about my wellbeing", Sam tries scoffing, but it comes out as a huff.


    "I just watched you fall to the ground out of nowhere", Ves says sharply, "what do you take me for?".


    "Great, we''re going to argue about this now?", Sam keeps his eyes peeled onto the battlefield as Natasha and Maria steps out. Not that he can follow the battle, but it''s still better than dealing with Ves.


    "If you''re gonna be like that", he hears Ves say. Sam doesn''t turn around to look at him.


    The battle between Natasha and Mai lasts for a bit. Sam can''t exactly follow along, but Natasha manages to pull out another victory, abusing Vulpix''s fire typing.


    Dean walks out onto the battlefield next, facing off against Henry. That one passes by quickly, with Henry overpowering Dean''s Aron in an instant.


    "Henry better win this whole thing", Ves sighs next to him.


    "No way, Natasha has to win, she''s crazy", Teo retorts.


    "Dude, she had trouble beating all of her opponents up until now", Ves scoffs, "Henry beat everyone with ease, he''s way better".


    "Henry had easier opponents, dude, he battled you, and Natasha had to battle me", Teo concludes.


    "Whatever, Henry will crush her", Ves crosses his arms.


    They will really find any reason to argue, Sam thinks. Wheter Henry or Natasha win, it''s all the same to him. Not that he would stand a chance against either of them.


    The battle starts, and the two seem to be pretty equally matched. Natasha stops Mach Punches with Protects, and escapes Trailblazes with Quick Attacks. Henry, on the other hand, Detects her Embers. The stalemate lasts for a good bit, with two of them trying to get the feel for the situation.


    "Alright, Mach Punch, now", Henry says decisevly, and his Mienfoo jolts forward to make a hit.


    "Protect", Natasha readies herself for another round of their little dance.


    "Cut it, jump up, Mienfoo", Henry orders swiftly, and his partner obliges, leaping into the air.


    "Terrible choice, Ember, Vulpix", Natasha orders.


    "Break through it, Mach Punch", Henry wastes no time. His partner takes Ember head on, landing a Mach Punch into the Vulpix.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Natasha orders.


    "Keep up with Mach Punch", Henry says firmly. His fighting type manages to match his opponent''s pace, landing another hit.


    "Go again", Henry orders, adamant on keeping the tempo up.


    "Protect", Natasha growls, "retaliate with Quick Attack".


    As Mach Punch hits into the Protect, Vulpix crushes into her opponent the very next second.


    "Now, Aerial Ace, finish it when they are close by", Henry orders as soon as his pokemon has taken a hit. The fighting type swiftly flies his hand up, creating an air current that cuts at Vulpix, sending the fire type backwards and knocking it out.


    "Vulpix is unable to battle", Vanessa announces, "Henry wins the battle".


    "Told ya", Ves sounds overtly proud.


    "Whatever, it was close", Teo scoffs.


    Sam''s just happy that this tournament is over.


    *****


    The dizziness was finally gone, Sam realised, as he hang back in the chair in Nolan''s offife. His eyes flew between his mentor and Vanessa, who looked over some papers. Sam felt stupid interrupting them.


    Thankfully, whatever work they had to do took only a few seconds.


    "Are you alright?", professor Nolan asks, his voice firm and even.


    "Yeah, all better now", Sam nods slowly, "I don''t know what that was".


    "Could be a few things", Nolan notes, removing his papers back to his drawer, "the doctor should be able to tell".


    "Right", Sam nods along.


    "Did you feel alright this morning?", the man questions, "did you have breakfast".


    "Yeah", Sam says, "I mean, yes, I felt alright, and I had breakfast".


    "Then, it must be stress", he gives him a curious look. "Happens often", he looks at Vanessa knowingly, "stress is an integral part of this school it seems".


    "Yeah, there are fainters every year", Vanessa chuckles lightly, "though mostly people wait for the ranking tournament to hit the floor".


    "Right", Sam hangs his head low, "I wanted to get that out of the way beforehand".


    "Well, he can make jokes, so I''d say he''s fine", Vanessa laughs, causing a bloodrush to Sam''s face.


    "It''s understandable", professor Nolan ignores them, "this year students are a strange bunch, even I can see that".


    "Professor, we all know you don''t really pay close attention to battles", Vanessa says playfully. Her voice turns serious the very next instant: "but, yeah, I agree, this year is quite strange".


    "Why''s that?", Sam asks, not having the slightest idea where their assessment comes from.


    "Most of the matches today were pretty cut and dry", Vanessa says, rubbing her chin, "it''s not really common to see that".


    "It''s not?", Sam straightens up in his chair.


    "Not amongst the people in the same year", Nolan adds, "there are always a few people who stand above the rest, but for the most part the students are evenly matched".


    "Right, this school gathers students with high potential, and sure, some of them take longer to express that potential", Vanessa explains, "but it''s never happened before to have a split like this".


    "What split?", Sam almost wants to jump from his spot. None of this makes sense.


    "Well, for instance, those three are pretty damn good", Vanessa seems knee deep in analysis, "that girl with a Vulpix, and guys with Mienfoo and Pancham".


    "Natasha, Henry and Lesley", Sam states, "yeah, they are good, that''s nothing new".


    "Right, but see, the 3 of them could''ve easily taken on anyone in that room", Vanessa rasises her finger, "those two girls with Snubull and Cubchoo held their ground, they are pretty close to that level as well, but not quite there yet".


    "Fine, but what does it all mean?", Sam practically begs for a straightforward answer.


    "Vanessa wants to say it''s strange that no one could challenge those 3", Nolan sighs, "it''s not usual, you know".


    "Right, I mean it''s normal that some people do better in battles, especially since you are all new to this, but usually even those who are the best in this school can be challenged by their classmates", Vanessa adds, "look at me, I was never the best trainer in my generation, but I could still give any of my classmates a run for their money".


    "So, you''re saying those 3 are better than everyone else", Sam says in dissapointment. This was nothing new.


    "No, we''re saying that''s not normal", Nolan says calmly. "That friend of yours, Joe, wasn''t even there today", he adds, giving Sam a questioning look.


    "Right, him and Ace didn''t feel well this morning", Sam instantly lies.


    "Right", Nolan accepts his explanation, "he''s in their ranks as well, as far as I could tell".


    "There''s another one?", Vanessa raises her eyebrow. Sam almost says that Joe had already beatent all three of them, but stops himslef, remembering his battles against Lesley and Henry were against the rules. He also recalls Joe telling them last night Henry had beaten him back in Canalave.


    "I still don''t know why that''s not normal", Sam says.


    "A similar thing happened in golden generation", Nolan states, "there were a few students that couldn''t be challenged by anyone else".


    "Yeah, but it was like 5 or 6 of them in the entire school", Vanessa says, "not 4 of them in 1 class".


    "That''s exactly what I''m saying", Nolan sighs, "and I''ve heard there are some pretty good students in other classes as well, so...".


    "You think we''re seeing a new golden generation?", Vanessa says expectantly.


    "Yes, and no", Nolan seems to think about it, "do you think those three could face the golden generation, if they were first years together".


    "Face them, yes", Vanessa says instantly, "win against them? No.".


    "Exactly, they are somewhere in between", Nolan nods, "but there are more of them now".


    "I still don''t get the problem with all of this", Sam shakes his head.


    "The problem is, the rest of the students will have trouble keeping up", Vanessa says flatly. "Golden generation was something different, there were a few exceptional people, but everyone else could match each other, so they weren''t really that detrimental".


    "To put it even more plainly", Nolan cuts her off, "this school operates on basis of students competimg against each other, and that doesn''t exactly work when half of the students stand above the rest in this way".


    "Right, it''s good facing someone who''s slightly better than you, it helps you get stronger", Vanessa nods, "but it doesn''t really help when there''s a too big of a gap".


    "Basically, such a disparity throws off the whole system this school operates on", professor Nolan decides, "and school board didn''t really help with this year''s partner choices, somehow they made things even worse".


    "Actually, I think there might be other things in play as well", Vanessa pinches her nose, "Sam, what did you think of your battles today?".


    "Um, nothing much", Sam admits, I mean, the outcomes were pretty easy to predict.


    "Okay, then explain how your predictions work?", Vanessa persists.


    "Well, Andrei has a Dreepy, and it''s a ghost type", Sam thinks about it, "it''s faster than Bolt, but that''s the only thing it has, it couldn''t hit my pokemon without activating Rattled and Bolt has Bite as well, so that was a pretty easy match up for me". Sam quickly adds: "I would''ve won that one even if Andrei didn''t forfeit".


    "Alright, and the second one?", Vanessa''s bursting with curiosity.


    "Well, both Aron and Bolt are on a slower side, so that''s an even match", Sam scratches his hair, "but I''ve aready seen Rock Head, that''s a powerful move, I knew Bolt would go down if he got hit with it". Taking a breath, he concludes: "basically, Bolt didn''t have moves that could hit Aron hard enough, so it was a tough match-up for us from the start, even if we didn''t go down so fast, we'' d have to hit Aron too many times to knock him out".


    "Right", Vanessa nods, "that''s what I thought as well".


    "Oh, and I''ve notices Bolt practically stops when he uses Thunderbolt, without Rattled active, he slows down too much and leaves himself open for the attack", Sam adds, "and Aron probably has no moves that could activate Rattled".


    "See", Vanessa gives professor Nolan a significant look.


    "See what?", Sam asks, confused yet again.


    "You can analyse battles pretty well", Vanessa shrughs, "you know, when I was a first year, most of my classmates wouldn''t be able to pick up on everything you just said".


    "So, you''re saying I''m smart?", Sam says hopefully.


    "I''m saying you kids were exposed to internet way before us", Vanessa sighs, "it was much easier for your generation to access matches, watch them, read up about strategies, watch analysis videos, it creates progress on a generational level".


    "Huh, maybe a bit too much progress", professor Nolan scoffs.


    "So, you''re saying my generation is better?", Sam wonders.


    "I''d call it a new wave of a kind, and a very tricky one", Vanessa thinks about it, "there seems to be a wall between groups".


    "A wall?", Sam raises his eyebrow.


    "Alright, don''t take it so literaly, it''s not that cut and dry", Vanessa sighs, "look, those two girls, Mai and Maria, right? They would''ve been at the top of my class with their skill. In this generation though, there are people they can barely measure up with".


    "Okay, so, it''s like a hierarchy?", Sam questions.


    "Well, basically, but a very strange one", Vanessa says.


    "From what we''ve seen today, out of 16 of you, there are 3 that stand above the rest", Nolan inserts himslef, "2 girls could stand some chance against those 3, and the rest, 11 of you could not measure up to them".


    "Yeah, and it''s not just about match ups", Vanessa adds, "that''s just the surface".


    "Exactly, and that''s just 3 of them in one class", Nolan explains, "add that teammate of yours as well, then consider the fact there are 270 more students in other classes".


    "And are other students good?", Sam asks, thinking back to his battle with Bo. The mullet guy was definitley not in the last group. At the very worst, he could measure up to the best students, even if he couldn''t beat them.


    "I don''t have too much insight on that, but from what I''ve heard, yes, there are other students who are pretty advanced as well", Nolan confesses.


    "Like those guys, Mikey, Dominic and Vinnie?", Sam questions, "I mean, they are ranked at top 3 spots".


    "Right, from what I''ve heard, those three are definitley something", Nolan confirms, "and there are other exceptional students as well".


    "So, where does that put me then?", Sam sighs.


    "In a very rough position", Nolan says calmly, "which only serves to explain your state of mind".


    "Yeah, that really helps", Sam sighs, "really happy that I''m right to be stressed".


    It hits him all at once. He sees the difference Vanessa and professor Nolan are talking about clearly. And it goes beyond that. Back in Twinleaf, he could beat Fred without an issue. They grew up together, the two of them were evenly matched. But Sam had 2 weeks of being at Old King''s. That in itself was enough to give him the edge. But Fred was one thing. His classmates were definitley something else.


    There were people he simply couldn''t beat. People who stood in a league of their own. But how many of them were above him?


    "Worrying about it too much doesn''t help", Vanessa waves her hand, "I mean, I graduated, so it''s obviously possible". She brings her hand to her chin thoughtfully: "though, I didn''t have maniacs like those, so I''m not sure if that makes you feel any better".


    "Not really", Sam admits.


    "Listen up, Sam", professor Nolan clears his throat, "do you know why pokemon training even exist as a profession?".


    The question seems to come out of nowhere, and the boy''s not sure what the answer is.


    "Well, first pokemon trainers appeared because wild pokemon caused trouble in first human settlements, so someone needed to deal with that", Sam thinks about it.


    "Alright, how about today, what about the leagues?", Nolan insists.


    "Well, people wanted to have fun, I guess, see who''s the best", Sam says simply, "and I guess other people like watching it".


    "Exactly", Nolan nods, "it''s a spectacle sport".


    "Right, it is", Sam says, failing to see the point.


    "And what does that tell you about our world?", Nolan puts his hands behind his back, as he walks up to Sam.


    "That we like watching TV?", Sam tries, "and going to stadiums?".


    "Perhaps", Nolan chuckles lightly, "wanna know what I think?".


    "Yeah", Sam says, not really sure if he wants to hear it.


    "Training pokemon was always out of place", Nolan says firmly, "at first, it was just a side effect of life, the fact people and pokemon couldn''t live together". He takes a second, giving Sam a look that makes the boy shiver. "Then it became a mere entertainment, for the most part", the man continues, "a way for mankind to show we''ve overcame the nature, put it under our control, made it serve us in any way we want".


    "So, um, what you''re saying then...", Sam starts.


    "Goddamn, professor, you''re being too intense again", Vanessa laughs, hurrying over to place herself between them. "Maybe don''t scare the kid away", she says to Nolan in a firm tone.


    "He did come to this school to try and become a trainer after all", Vanessa turns around to face him, and Sam spots Nolan rolling his eyes.


    "Right, I did", Sam nods, not sure how he''s supposed to react.


    "Whatever, I just don''t like seeing young people dishartened over such trivial things", Nolan says.


    "Now''s no time to get dishartened", Vanessa raises her finger.


    "You know as well as I do how these kids can be", Nolan eyes her cautiosly.


    "Exactly, that''s why we''re here to help out when we can", Vanessa say, "now, let me take this one to the nursery, and then we''ll go ahead and do some training".


    "Right, training", Nolan nods in dissatisfaction.


    "Come on professor", Vanessa waves her hand around, "there are different ways of getting through to people, and I think my methods are much better suited to the occasion".


    *****


    The doctor only checks his pulse and blood pressure, quickly concluding that he fell due to a stress-induced dizzy spell. She suggests relaxing, as if something like that is possible at Old King''s.


    Regardless, only 15 minutes upom entering the hospital wing, Sam finds himself traversing the island with Vanessa. He''s not sure what that whole thing back at Nolan''s office was, but he''s just happy it had earned him alone time with a girl. Vanessa wanting to get through to him was more than enough to have him not asking any questions.


    She stays silent for the most part, only telling him they are going to the beach to train. He follows along, without a word, growing more nervous with each steps. Not that he''s usually nervous around girls, but Vanessa is different. He really wishes he knew what to say.


    "So, uh, what''s the whole deal with Nolan and pokemon training?", he manages to come up with a question.


    "Oh, he used to go to this school, ages ago, did not go too well", she quickly brushes him off, "don''t get hung up on that".


    "Well, what happened?", Sam questioned further, wanting the conversation to continue.


    "He never really told me a full story", Vanessa shrugs, "but he failed in his second year, and there were some problems with his teammates as well".


    "Professor Nolan had problems with his teammates?", Sam wonders.


    "Yeah, apparently, he got stuck with a pretty capable group", Vanessa notes, "he did good at tests, but wasn''t much of a battler, I think they put too much pressure on him bacause he was dragging them down".


    Sam gulps down on the nerves rising in his throat. "So, what happened then".


    "Not quite sure, I think he kind of snapped from all the pressure, started doing bad on his tests and ended up failing", Vanessa shrugs, "he finished his degree elswhere and became a historian, so it all turned out well, but he has a certain dislike for overconfident trainers, I think, I mean, he tries to manage it, but it shows sometimes".


    "Yeah, it does", Sam nods, "so, what happened, with his teammates and him, and all of that?".


    "I told you everything I know", Vanessa shrugs, "you''d have to ask him for more than that".


    "Right", Sam nods, "and what about you, I mean, you graduated".


    "Huh, me", Vanessa says, "I guess I agree with him to a certain extent".


    "You do?", Sam asks in surprise, "but you graduated, you''re a pokemon trainer".


    "Right, well, I was never that good at it", Sam spots a weak smile appear on her face, "my teammates were pretty good, so they kind of dragged me along to graduation".


    "Really?", Sam questions, "so, you had problems as well?".


    "Not exactly like Nolan", Vanessa says, "I mean, my teammates were girls, obviously, so they never really openly called me out for dragging the team down, but, well, they had their way of letting me know".


    "Huh, that... that sounds terrible", Sam says, realising he''s not the only one going through it. Who knew how many people were in the same spot where he was now.


    "How are things with you and your teammates?", Vanessa asks, "what I got from Nolan tells me you''re not in the brightest spot".


    "He told you about it?", Sam says uncomfortably.


    "Well, I was curious", Vanessa says distantly, "after Canalave, you know, at least at the start of the year, the teams tend to stick together, even if there is tension".


    "Yeah, well, my team''s a little bit special, I guess", Sam manages a chuckle, "specially socially challenged".


    "They give you tough time?", Vanessa doesn''t laugh.


    "I mean I guess", Sma confesses, "well, obviosly, I''m last in the rankings, and I didn''t turn out to be a battling pridogy either, so I''m not their favourite".


    "Right, that''s the problem with this school", Vanessa says, "there''s a weakest link on every team".


    "Yeah, I guess, but it''s not just that", Sam feels the words rushing out, "I mean, they don''t really pick on me exclusively, they all fight constantly, and to be honest, I think I''d like it more if they attacked me, because like this, it''s like I don''t even exist until I fuck something up".


    "That''s...", Vanessa''s not sure how to react.


    "And I''ve tried approaching them, I really did", Sam catches wind, "but it doesn''t matter, and it feels as if I''m so far bellow them that I''m not even worth looking at, not unless I''m doing something to actively harm their chances of passing the year".


    "Okay, alright, calm down", Vanessa raises her hands, and Sam realises he had just trauma-dumped all over her. "Look, some people are like that, they care only about themselves", the girl says, "don''t let it get to your head".


    "Right, I don''t know", Sam sighs. "I mean, I did decide that it doesn''t matter".


    "That what doesn''t matter?", Vanessa asks.


    "My teammates", Sam says, "I mean, even if I pass the year, even if I graduate, I will only know them for four years, so it doesn''t matter".


    "Huh", Vanessa laughs a bit.


    "What?", Sam says, curious to know if he had said something wrong.


    "Nothing", the girl clears her throat, "that''s a good mindset to have in a place like this".


    "Yeah, I mean, life changes", Sam says in a low voice, "if people we knew our whole lives can leave, then what''s the point of chasing after these people I''ll know for 4 years at most".


    "Huh, you are one clever kid", Vanessa says with a smile. "Let''s see how far that gets you when it comes to training", she points towards the beach they have arrived to.


    "Okay, what should we do? Battle?", Sam questions, kind of sad that their conversation had ended just when she was startimg to see a good side of him.


    "No, you stand no chamce against me", Vanessa brushes her hand against his cheek playfully, turning it red. "Say, what did you do up until now?".


    "I just practiced Thunderbolt, trying to make it faster and stronger", Sam says, "I also do some running with Bolt, to help his speed, not too much that I can do other than that".


    "Fine, I''m not much for running, but I can help with Thunderbolt", Vanessa says, producing a pokeball from her pocket. She throws it into the air, causing a Gollett to appear on the sand.


    "Um, that''s...", Sam says, looking at the stone giant that had just appeared before him.


    "That''s Gollett, I git him assigned to me last month when I officially became a memeber of Historian Institute", Vanessa says.


    "Right, that makes sense, I just didn''t think you''d use a pokemon like that", Sam admits.


    "Well, Gollett is a Historian standard, helps with holding up ruins and.chasing away ghost types", Vanessa shrugs, "anyways, it should help you Yamper practice using Thunderbolt on the go, you can hit it as many times as you won''t, as long as he stays on the ground Gollett won''t take any damage".


    "What do you mean as long as he stays on the ground?", Sam finds himself confused, "I mean, I get it, ground types are immune to electric attacks...".


    "Oh, right, well, yes, they are, but that''s because they are basically conductors", Vanessa notes.


    "What?", Sam asks.


    "Groumd types basically lead any electric attacks into the ground, they pass right through them without causing damage", Vanessa explains, "when they are airborne they do take damage from electric attacks because the energy has no way of being released from their body".


    "Oh", Sam says in surprise, "I didn''t know that".


    "Well, it''s not that important, I mean, ground types are hard to get off of the ground anyways, and even if you manage to do it, electric attacks won''t damage them too much", Vanessa waves it off.


    "Yeah but it''s still good to know", Sam points out, "I mean, if they have to jump up for an attack, then that leaves them open for electric attacks".


    "Wait, what''s the deal with other immunities then?", Sam asks, "how do they work?".


    "Uh, well, I''m not exactly an expert", Vanessa scratches her head with a laugh, "but, like, psychic attacks can''t affect dark because dark pokemon naturaly have dark energy integrated in their energetic paths, so psychic attack can''t hit their targets".


    "Right, and other ones, normal and ghost, what''s the deal with that?", Sam questions further.


    "Uh, ghost types don''t have an actuall physical body, so the only way to hit them is through the energy, and attacking normal moves aren''t infused with energy", Vanessa explains, "and normal types have don''t have the energetic pathways that ghost type energy hits into either, so they can''t be hit with those moves".


    "Wait, wait, but ghosts can be hit with physical moves though?", Sam finds it slightly confusing.


    "Yes, physical moves infused with energy can hit them", Vanessa notes, "for instance, Bite is a physical move infused with dark type energy, a ghost type would take damage from the dark energy, not from the pokemon''s teeth themselves".


    "Oh, alright, and fighting types?", Sam wonders.


    "Similar thing, I think, fighting type energy is weird, it is a type of energy, but it hits into the phycical body instead of energetic pathways, and ghost types don''t have that", Vanessa shrugs off.


    "Oh, and steel and poison?", Sam smiles. He likes having Vanessa explain this.


    "Posion can''t get through steel type''s body, it''s an anatomy thing", Vanessa sighs, "now, please, just release your pokemon and do some training".


    "Uh, alright, sorry", Sam says, hurriedly producing his pokeball. Boring Vanessa to death was not what he wants to do.


    He lets Yamper out onto the sand, and the small dog immediately starts running around. "Alright, so", Sam crosses his hands, "hit me".


    "No, you''re supposed to hit me", Vanessa retorts.


    "But Gollett is a ghost type, so hit me with a ghost move, activate Rattled, then Bolt will be ready to go", Sam says decisively.


    "First, Gollett is too strong, he''d knock out Yamper in one hit", Vanessa points out.


    "I thought it wasn''t trsined for battles", Sam notes.


    "It''s not, but that doesn''t mean it''s weak", Vanessa sighs, "besides, you need to train your pokemon''s movement without Rattled activated, you can''t rely on that ability too much, you know, especially since it''s dependent on your opponent''s pokemon".


    "Alright", Sam sighs, "so what do I do then?".


    "Have Yamper charge up an attack and try to release it without stopping in his tracks", Vanessa says.


    "Right, Bolt, start running around Gollett, get ready for a Thunderbolt", Sam says instantly. His partner starts running in a circle, as electricity slowly builds up on his fur. "Good, now attack", Sam says as soon as he thinks Yamper has enough energy. The Thunderbolt slams into the Gollett, enveloping stone giant''s body and ultimately doing no damage. Sam expected that. What bothers him is that Yamper had to stop in order to release an attack again. With only his base speed, Yamper is too slow, and stopping for an attack only leaves him open for a counter.


    "Okay, try again, try not to stop when you attack this time", Sam says, not really knowing what to do. Yamper repeats the process again, stopping in his track yet again when he attacks.


    "Just keep going", Vanessa urges him, "practice makes perfect".


    But Sam has been practicing for a week straight, and other than gaining some power, the progress was virtually non-existent. Yamper''s lackluster speed was a great detriment, in all regards. It limited his power as well, and his ability to stick around on the field. After an hour of doing the same thing over and over again, and reaching the same result, Sam started to sink into desperation. The sun had already sunk, and the classes he was supposed to be at were definitely over a long time ago. Yamper was still doing the same thing.


    The boy watched as his partner tried rushing over the sand, causing it to rise up alongside him. With Yamper''s chubby legs, his runs looked more like stumbling. When it came to an attack, those stuby legs couldn''t support him well enough. He got stuck with a partner like that, it crossed his mind, when all of his teammates have gotten pokemon much better suited for battling. Riolu wouldn''t stop during his attacks, Sam thought. And he had seen Ves and his Houndour so many times, the black dog had powerful and nimble legs, staying on the move was no problem for him.


    It struck Sam suddenly. "Hey, Bolt", he called for his partner, "come over here". Thinking about Ves and his Houndour gave him an idea. He''s seen Houndour hit the field way too many times.


    "Hey, Bolt", the boy says as his partner makes his way over to him, visibly tired from running around all this time. "I have an idea, can you go on for a little bit longer", the boy says, kneeling down to look at his partner. Yamper gives him a firm bark in response.


    "Alright, you know how Houndour gets into the battle stance", Sam raises his finger, "I want you to do that as well when you attack".


    Yamper tilts his head to the side in confusion.


    "When you release the attack", Sam tries explaining, "instead of trying to run, I want you to stop and take a battle stance".


    Yamper looks even more confused now.


    "Look, you''re slow, attacking mid-run is too much to ask from you", Sam points out, "so this is a better way, alright?". Yamper barks in response, still clueless on why Sam''s changing his objective now, after they had spent an hour trying to attack in motion.


    "When you release your Thunderbolt, stop, spread you front legs, and lower your body forward, alright", Sam explains, "right after you hit Gollett, I want you to dash forward and keep running".


    Yamper barks again, notifying Sam that he has figured out what the boy wants him to do. He proceeds to look at him strangely, since he still has no idea why Sam wants him to do it like that.


    "The problem is that stopping for an attack leaves you open for a counter", Sam sighs, "when you try attacking on a run, you end up stopping, but you stop with your legs straight, so that makes it harder for you to start running again. If you stop intentionally and take an attacking stance, it lets you start moving up again after the attack much easier".


    Yamper barks, burrying his head into Sam''s legs. "It''s more about letting you escape the counter if it does come", Sam pets his partner, "since we can''t make you faster than you are this is a better option".


    Yamper barks readily, reclaiming his spot in the sand. "Alright, now start running, gather up power",    Sam says decisevly. His partner starts making circles in sand again, gathering electricity. "Thunderbolt, now", Sam says, and Yamper digs his paws into the sand, attempting to lower his stance, but ends up rolling away in the sand.


    "That''s a wrong attack, buddy", Vanessa laughs.


    "Yeah, we know", Sam sighs. Yamper''s not really used to controling his weight. Making a sudden full stop only causes him to lose balance.


    "Let''s go again", Sam notes, "dig your feet into the sand".


    Yamper runs again, and attack after the attack, he ends up rolling away. Finally, after what seems like forever, he manages to hold his ground, but the Thunderbolt ends up failing. Focusing on both releasing an attack and keeping his balance is too much, Sam realises. But this is something practice can fix, he thinks. It''s just about Yamper getting used to controling his body, once he''s done it enough times, it will come naturally.


    So they keep doing it, over and over again. Even without Thunderbolt managing to release, Sam commands Yamper to dash forward after he had taken the battle stance. At least that''s working. Yamper might not be able to attack immediately, but he can get back into the run without much issues. That''s good. If they had done it like this back in his battle with Dean, Yamper could''ve at least avoided getting hit with Head Smash.


    After 2 hours of failed attemtpts, Sam decides to slam himself into the sand. "That''s enough", he lets out a deep breath, as his partner rolls up right next to him.


    "Well", Vamessa quickly comes over to stand next to him, recalling her Gollett, "that was good thinking, you just need more practice".


    "Yeah, I''m aware", Sam sighs, "thanks for today".


    "Hey, it''s no trouble", Vanessa sits down next to him, propping herslef on her arms. Sam sits up, looking at her. Under the moonlight, her skin looks almost grey.


    "I guess I''ll just end up failing", the boy says simply.


    "Well, you know, if you manage to score well on tests, and practice some more, you might be able to pull through", Vanessa laughs.


    "Huh, well, I don''t know", Sam scoffs, "you''ve heard Nolan, I''m in the lowest grade, if I get matched up against strong people in the tournaments, I''m done for".


    "Well, there is one thing you can do about it", Vanessa leans in closer to him. Sam can feel the warmth of her body, and his own heart racing.


    "Yeah, and what is that?", the boy asks quietly.


    "Evolving Yamper", she almost whispers at him.


    "Um, isn''t that like, super hard to do?", Sam''s not sure why she''s suggesting that, but he likes the way she inches in closer towards him.


    "Nonsense, it''s easy, it just requiers emotional reaction", Vanessa laughs sweetly.


    "And how do I do that?", Sam asks, thinking that his emotions are already high enough as it is.


    "Let me try to help", Vanessa says. She brushes her hand against his cheek. Her skin feels soft and warm, Sam thinks. The very next thing he knows, her lips are pressed against his, moving slowly and causing his mind to be clouded.


    It lasts for a second, then she moves back. Sam can''t feel his arms, or find his words.


    "Looks like it didn''t work", Vanessa says simply, looking over at Yamper.


    "I... I think Yamper needs to be developed much more for an evolution", Sam utters, not knowing what else to say.


    "Huh, seems I have forgotten about that", Vanessa laughs.


    "Right, I think I forgot too", Sam confesses. He couldn''t quite put his finger on it. Vanessa was basically ignoring him during the tournament today, then she offered to help him train, and now she was kissing him all of a sudden. Not that he minded it.


    "Well, I can''t help with that", the girl laughs, "but we can try the emotion thing again".


    "Uh, yeah, yeah, sure", Sam stutters, "I''m fine with giving the emotion thing another try".


    Her hand finds the back of his neck, pulling him in like a tide, and her lips find his again.

 Chapter 23

    "I''ll admit, this is much more pleasant than being stuck on a boat with Teo", Joe says in his usual flat tone.


    Ace can''t really bring himself to focus on his teammate. He''s surrounded by water, and he hates it. The only thing he can think about is how many ways the ocean would kill him.


    "Right, I''m glad to know I''m a better company than Teo", the boy states carelessly.


    Last night, when Teo came in, he suggested they grow Mental Herb in their room. That did not surprise Ace at all. What did surprise him was that Joe had said no. Even though Teo spouted some bullshit about needing it to get through to Absol. Looks like Joe had some red lines after all.


    The other boy doesn''t respond at all. Not that Ace is much for talking, after all it was 6 AM, and Joe had woken him up at 5, hauling him into tjshis small boat. Unfortunately, he couldn''t complain, since it was his idea. Just sitting there quietly didn''t really help him feel more comfortable. But he didn''t exactly know how to talk to Joe.


    "So, what''s with a sudden chamge of heart", Ace says carefully, "I mean, you didn''t care to go to Lilicove at first".


    "I need to see a move tutor as well", Joe informs him shortly.


    "What for?", Ace reminds himself him and Joe are allies now, and he can''t hiss at him for being conversationaly inept.


    "Kafka", Joe says simply, "I need to see what''s going on".


    "Well, what''s going on?", Ace raises his eyebrow questioningly.


    "He''s not using his moves", Joe says simply, "pokedex says he knows Confusion and Dissarming Voice, but he is mever using them?".


    "Huh, so we have another Totodile case on our hands, huh?", Ace wonders.


    "Don''t know", Joe resposnds flatly, "Kafka uses his other moves, and it doesn''t disobey me, so I think his pathways might be blocked out or something?".


    "So you think a move tutor can help with that", Ace nods.


    "Move tutoring does work by opening up energetic pathways that pokemon have but don''t naturally develop", Joe shrugs, "if it''s a blockage, then move tutor should be able to help".


    "And if it''s not that?", Ace wonders.


    "Then it''s probably that Kafka onl learned those moves without ever developing them", Joe says hesitantly.


    Ace figures it out quickly. That''s definitely not it. That explanation works for moves learned by TM. If a wild pokemon had learned a kove naturaly, that would mean it would be able to use it, to some extent at least.


    "Well, at least you''re better off than Teo", Ace admits, "you still have Rio".


    "Yeah, I do", Joe says distantly.


    "Oh my God", Ace sighs, "what''s going on now?".


    "Nothing''s going on", Joe says simply.


    "Don''t fuck with me", Ace scoffs, "you just looked away as soon as I meantioned Rio, what''s going on, don''t tell me there''s something with that as well".


    "It''s nothing", Joe says firmly, "there''s nothing wrong with Rio".


    "Great", Ace feels the sense of relief. The tournament is nearing, and he can''t have Joe out of commsion for that. "As long as you can use Rio in battles, it''s good, Kafka can work on his blocked chakras or whatever".


    "I can''t use Rio in battles", Joe looks away.


    "Don''t screw around", Ace sighs, "you just said Rio''s fine".


    "Correction", Joe says, "I won''t use Rio in battles".


    "Joe", Ace looks at him with a burning fury of thousand dovorcees, "I''ll repeat it, don''t fuck with me".


    "It''s none of your business, Ace", Joe says flatly, "I''m not using Rio in battles, that my decision".


    "Dude, the tournament is like a month away, you can''t do this to me", Ace dies his best to keep his voice from cracking, "why the fuck are you not using Rio, you said there''s nothing wrong with him".


    "There''s something wrong with me", Joe says quietly.


    "My God, no, no, stop this, stop acting like an overdramatic character from Vampire Diaries", Ace yells out.


    "I''m not", Joe says flatly.


    "There''s something wrong with me", Ace repeats his words mockingly, "we''re not some CW teen drama, you know?".


    "Technically, this is a teen drama", Joe reminds him.


    "Oh, no, no, do not break the 4th wall on me", Ace scoffs, "just spit it out, why the hell would you not use Rio?".


    "Back in Canalave he attacked Henry", Joe says simply, "and when I was back home at Mali, he attacked my friend as well".


    "So, what, just because Rio misbihaved a few times you won''t use him?", Ace''s voice cracks, "we''ll fail the year like that, we''re already failing".


    "Ace", Joe''s voice turns firm, "Rio didn''t misbehave".


    Ace stops in his tracks. Right. Riolu picks up on his trainer''s emotions.


    "You lost to Henry in Canalave, right?", the boy questions.


    "I did", Joe notes.


    "And that friend of yours, did you battle him as well?", Ace continues.


    "I did", Joe confirms.


    "And I take it you lost to him as well", Ace raises his eyebrow.


    "I did", Joe repeats.


    "So, let me get this straight", Ace claps his hands, keeping his voice calm, "the two times you lost, Rio attacked your opponents?".


    "Right", Joe says flatly.


    "So, if Rio can pick up on your emotions, and went crazy, than that means that losing battles pushes you into feeling negative enough for Rio to go and attack your opponent", Ace is doimg his utmost best to keep himself from yelling at Joe to get over himself. "Basically, you hate losing so much that it makes you want to harm your opponent if they manage to beat you".


    "I don''t want to harm anyone", Joe responds firmly, "that''s precisely why I won''t be using Rio in battles from now on".


    "Great, just great", Ace hangs back, in an attmept to stop himself from screaming. They already had Sam who was completely incompetent, and Teo who couldn''t control either of his pokemon. Now Joe was refusing to use Riolu in battles, and had a second pokemon with blocked chakras. Unbelievably, Ves was his most reliable teammate at the moment, and that din''t exactly make Ace feel hopeful.


    "Enough about this", Joe says, "I''ll sort out my own problems".


    "Well, what you gonna do?", Ace says, "get over whatever the fuck is going on in that head of yours in a month?".


    "I''ll train Kafka", Joe says simply, "and I''ll see what I''ll do about Rio".


    "Train Kafka?", Ace scoffs, "no offense, but even if you manage to do that, Espurr is not the strongest pokemon ever, and we have a tournament coming up in a month, you do realise we need to at least make up points we lost beacuse of Sam, otherwise, we''re screwed".


    "Mind your business, Ace, I said I''ll deal with it", Joe says firmly, "besides, what''s up with you and this whole thing?".


    "Nothing''s up with me", Ace rolls his eyes, "I''m doing perfectly fine".


    "Right, so you just randomly decided to go breaking the rules and making alliences", Joe looks straight at him, "it''s not exactly you".


    "What do you know about me", Ace crosses his arms.


    "I know you''ve been pesky about rule breaking ever since I''ve meet you", Joe states.


    "Well, that''s because it was an unnecessary risk at the moment", Ace scoffs, "unfortunately, now it''s necessary".


    "Well, that explains it all", Joe rolls his eyes.


    "Well, let me see", Ace says mockingly, "on our team, we have Sam and Teo who are basically useless in battles, we have Ves who is mid, and now we have you with your whole ''emotionally unstable so I can''t use my pokemon'' thing, so where does that leave us".


    Joe doesn''t respond.


    "So let me get something straight, I will pass this year, and I will become whatever I need to become in order to do it, get it?", Ace gets carried away, "I''m didn''t want to be reckless when we first came here, but if that''s what gets me where I want to be, than I''ll do it".


    "What''s gotten into you", Joe says diatantly.


    "Nothing''s gotten into me, you just don''t know me", Ace scoffs.


    "Who''s a CW teen drama now", Joe remarks, but Ace ignores him.


    "Look here, mister overachiever, my whole life no one''s expected me to accomplish anything", Ace goes on, "but I did, I worked my ass off, and I got myself here, no matter how much anyone denies it, I know I can make it through, because I already did that countless times".


    "No one''s denying you anything", Joe says faltly, making Ace stop for a second.


    "Whatever", the boy scoffs, "my point is, I''ll find a way to get through this, and if that entails breaking rules and battling like a maniac, then that''s what I''ll do".


    "Huh", Joe says faltly, "looks like I''m not the only one with emotional problems".


    "Listen up here, I am not taking any shit from you", Ace scoffs, "what''s the deal with you and the emotions thing, huh, I thought you were the ever-so collected one of this group".


    "Lave it, Ace", Joe says, looking away.


    "Well, why, huh, you act all cool, like you have everything under control all the time, but here we are, finding out you''re just hiding whatever fucked up emotions you have", Ace laughs, "maybe stop acting all high and mighty".


    "Did you really have me bring you out to the open sea just so you could get on my nerves and try to drop your tragic backstory?", Joe says, still looking out at the horizon, "you know, Teo was more pleasant after all, at least he had the decency to try and fistfight me".


    "Right, well, I''m just saying, you can''t do this", Ace crosses his hands, "we are a team, and I need you to win your matches in the team tournament so that I can rack up points".


    "We''re not much of a team really", Joe says, "besides, we''re in the same boat, as far as I remember, your battle record isn''t exactly spotless".


    It stings, but Ace knows it''s the truth. Be as it may, he did want to strike up an alliance with Joe. He needed all the help he could get, someone to push him forward, so he can be battle ready for the tournament.


    "Alright", Ace decides to hang back. Fighting about this now was useless. Joe didn''t want to use Riolu, and that was it. "I''m sorry", Ace says with a heavy heart, "I''m just stressed about it all, and finiding out you don''t want to use Rio in battles doesn''t exactly help me feel better". Joe doesn''t respond, so Ace adds: "you know, I hate to admit it, but I was counting on you and Rio getting us sure wins".


    "Yeah, I figured that much", Joe says flatly.


    "Yeah, you see the deal is", Ace lets out a deep breath, "I know my battle record is not the brightest, and sure, you were right, I approached my battles with too much reserve". He really hates admiting it, but if it helps get Joe on his side, it''s a good thing in the long run. "But I can change that, I can get stronger", Ace says with determination, "I already beat a gym leader while I was baack in Vermillion, so I know how it is, to battle like that, recklessly, I know I can do it".


    "Glad you figured that out", Joe''s response is simple.


    "Alright", Ace''s not sure what else to say. "So, if I help you out with Kafka and Rio, then you''ll help me train Rocky and Private, right, that''s good for both of us?".


    "We can train together", Joe confirms, "I don''t see how you''d be able to help me though, but sure, if you get stronger and actually start winning, that''s good for me as well, more opportunities to win".


    It strucks Ace that this guy is still planning to win. He''s not sure how Joe plans on accomplishing that now, but he leaves it be.


    "What are you even looking at?", Ace says, noting that Joe''s still looking over his shoulder.


    The other boy simply points towards something. Ace turns around, seeing an island growing closer to them.


    "A cathedral? On an island like that?", Ace notes, "I mean, it''s a bit strange but you''ve been staring at that this whole time?".


    "Yeah, Teo and I saw it last time, so I was looking for it this time around", Joe says simply.


    "Why though?", Ace questions, "I mean, it''s not that interesting, you really ignored me because of a bunch of floating ruins?".


    "Look at that", Joe points his finger again, "look at that crest".


    The golden crescent moon bearing spikes catches the early sunshine, glowing through the gray. "It does seem familiar", Ace nods, but he can''t quite put his finger on it.


    "It''s on that book I brought from Lilicove last time", Joe lets him know, "at least I''m pretty sure that''s the same thing".


    "Right", it strikes Ace in the moment, "that figure in Nolan''s office has the same thing on its head, I''m pretty sure".


    "A figure in Nolan''s office?", Joe raises his eyebrow.


    "One of the figurines he keeps at his table, it looks like a giant worm with wings and legs", Ace explains.


    "Huh", Joe seems surprised, "I think that''s Giratina".


    "Giratina?", Ace squints his eyes at him.


    "It has a wings like smoke, right?", Joe looks at him.


    "More like a torn-up curtain", Ace nods.


    "Right, well, that''s Giratina", Joe notes simply, "I only got to flip through that book, so I don''t know too much about it".


    "Joe", Ace sighs, "you know as well as I do that that book is pseudo-history, you know how many books like that exist? Books that talk about pokemon no one''s ever seen, pokemon that do not exist".


    "Yeah, I mean, you''re probably right, it''s just strange", Joe admits.


    "What''s strane?", Ace sighs.


    "The fact that this island''s here", Joe says simply.


    "Well", Ace thinks about it, "when you put it like that, it is strange, that the islands here, and that Nolan has a book with the same symbol...".


    "Giratina''s crest", Joe corrects him.


    "Right, it''s strange, but it''s just a coincidence", Ace leans back, "I wouldn''t give it much thought".


    "Nolan did get it in some alleway bookstore", Joe notes, "that''s strange".


    "Yeah, probably not a popular book", Ace shrugs, "besides, he kept it in the open when we came along to have our points reducted, so I don''t think it''s something he''s trying to be sneaky about".


    "I don''t know, but I do think it''s strange", Joe admits, "maybe I just don''t really like Nolan".


    "Yeah, I dislike him too, and he''s definiely a type to be into stupid bullshit like Giratina, but who cares about it", Ace shrugs, "I mean, if it makes you feel any better, we can flip through that book, I just have no idea what you except to find".


    "I don''t know", Joe says, still looking at the island. "Wish I had a flying type on me, so we could go to that island".


    "Drop it, we''re not doing any sidequests today", Ace retorts.


    "Right", Joe nods, "but having a flying type would be handy, you have to admit that".


    "Why, so you can go around exploring ruins and escape from the island on the regular basis?", Ace sighs.


    "Well, that, and they are pretty nasty in battles", Joe admits.


    "Yeah, no, I definitely don''t want you to have a flying type", Ace laughs, "you''re problematic enough with earth bound pokemon, can''t have you going airborne".


    "But it would be fun", Joe says, "just to fly around, right?".


    "Well, yeah", Ace thinks about it, "it would be fun".


    He''s not sure where all of this is coming from, but Joe looks at him, with hazy eyes.


    "Right, flying would be nice", Ace repeats.


    *****


    Apparently, Joe''s an expert shopper, and it isn''t something Ace would complain on. They end up finding a TM for Taunt in an instant, and they even manage to strike down the price to 2000pd.


    Finding other things they need proves to be much more difficult. For once, Ace is not even sure what move he wants for Charcadet. He only knows he wants an attacking move to fill up the empty spot. Astonish and Ember aren''t that powerful, and are not his style. A physical fire move would fit best, since he does plan on making Charcadet into a physical attcker. But there are not too many moves that are suitable for Charcadet''s current abilities. Sure, he could get a TM or Flare Blitz, but Charcadet isn''t even close to being able to gather enough energy to use that move. Actually, scratch that, Ace couldn''t even get that move, since the price was 16000pd.


    Joe reccomends they look for Flame Charge, a move that would raise Charcadet''s speed as a side effect. Ace really likes the idea, since Charcadet''s already pretty agile, gaining even more speed would help out a lot.


    On the other hand, his teammate''s trying to find Teleport and Shadow Ball for Espurr. Shadow Ball doesn''t surprise Ace, Joe was always on and on about finding a way to deal with ghost types. Teleport, however, is a strange idea. No one ever uses it, not in the league battles anyways. When Joe relies to him that he plans on having Espurr move acorss the field by using that move, Ace can only start praying his teammate never finds it.


    Teleport drains a lots of energy when moving a pokemon on the long distance, however, at shorter distances it could practically be used consecutively, especially by a pokemon that has as much psychic power as Espurr. Joe was already problematic with just Riolu. If he had a psychic type that could dissappear at his own will, he would be a truly terrifying opponent. Luckily, Ace would never have to face him for points. Well, unless they end up facing each other in a singles tournament.


    Nevertheless, all three of the TMs tgey are looking for prove to be super hard to find. Ace keeps looking at his phone, wondering when they will get to go and look for a move tutor. Joe keeps texting Marc and Henry. Ace doesn''t particularly like the fact he''s letting them know where they are. Even though they are friends, they were still on opposing team. They could easily rat them off and get them expelled.


    They manage to find Shadow Ball, but it costs 13000pd, a money neither of them have, and Joe is quick to give up on that. About 2 hours into their shopping trip, Joe manages to find a TM for Teleport, and buy it for only 1500pd.


    "Now all that''s left is to find the Flame Charge for you", Joe says, rubbing his hands i satisfaction. Apparetly, price-lowering is a turn on for him. Ace can already imagine him watchimg those pawn shop shows.


    "Maybe we should just go", Ace says, already tired of walking around and shopping.


    "Nonsense, Flame Charge might be a bit harder to find, but it''s not like it''s super rare", Joe states confidently, "plus, the price should be fine".


    "Doesn''t really matter", Ace sighs, "not right now".


    "Come one, we already managed to find everything else, why give up now", Joe says.


    "Doesn''t matter, I mean, I can ask the move tutor to teach Private a new move as well", Ace shrugs, "honestly no use wasting time on this now".


    "First off, Private probably wouldn''t be able to master a move tutor move right now, so that would be a waste of a move slot", Joe points out, "second, the TMs better since you get to keep it, so we can eventually use it on other pokemon as well".


    "Right, communism", Ace rolls his eyes, "but it''s not worth wasting time on that right now".


    "What do you mean, it''s not a waste of time?", Joe latches onto his arm and starts leading him through the stands, "Private needs his 4th move, why keep the slot empty".


    "Calm down, dude", Ace is quick to set himself free, "Private doesn''t really need a new move, I just wanted him to have it for the future, but it''s not something I need to do right now".


    "Why not?", Joe questions, "the sooner Private learns it, the sooner he can start training, get it battle ready".


    "But I''m not even using Private in battles", Ace protests.


    "What? Why not?", Joe asks flatly.


    "Well, for one, he''s too young", Ace crosses his arms.


    "That doesn''t really matter", Joe shrugs it off, "I mean, Teo''s Totodile is pretty young as well, but Teo uses him in battles".


    "Right, but Charcadet doesn''t really care about battles, or training", Ace sighs.


    "Why?", Joe raises his eyebrow in confusion.


    "To hell if I know", Ace''s voice cracks, "he just doesn''t care, all he wants to do is run around and play".


    "So, he''s not obeying?", Joe asks.


    "I don''t know, yes and no", Ace admits, "he does listen to me for the most part, and I managed to trick him into practicing Ember, but I don''t think he wants to do the training, or try battling".


    "Well, that''s tough", Joe scratches his head.


    "Don''t you pity me", Ace rolls his eyes, "I have Rocky, that''s enough for me right now, Provate will come around, I hope".


    "Right", Joe''s voice turns a note more distant.


    "So, let''s give up on looking for this TM and go see the move tutor", Ace decides.


    "Right, maybe a move tutor will be able to help with Private as well", Joe says.


    "You''re right, maybe he can help out with activating Private''s motivation", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Hey, I mean, he might be able to help, it''s worth a try", Joe says calmly.


    "Maybe", Ace says, "let''s go and find out".


    "No", Joe says adamantly, "let''s look for Flame Charge just a bit longer, it''s still good to have it ready, we can''t just blast off to Lilicove every day, you know".


    "Oh, we can''t", Ace pokes at him, "I thought you liked these little escapades".


    "I do", Joe admits, "but I only take beneficial risks, one TMs not worth making a trip for, so let''s look for it while we''re still here".


    "Oh, come on", Ace draws out.


    "Just half and hour more", Joe decides, "we do have to stay in Lilicove until nightfall anyways".


    "Alright, but just half an hour", Ace says adamantly.


    They end up spedning the next hour looking through the stands, with Ace despising every second of it. Just when he''s about to lose it, Joe grabs his arm, dragging him towards one of the stands. The tabletop is filled to the brims with all kind of things, and Ace immediately notes the TM cases, that are brimming with red. Joe starts yapping lies in an instant, telling the salesman that they need a fire type move for his brother''s birthday.


    The salesman''s apparently new to the business, they find out. He had noticed not too many stands hold fire type TMs, and decided that would be a good market to take on. Turns out, Lilicove, that is surrounded by water, isn''t really a suitable place for seeling fire moves. Trainers there didn''t really have many fire types, since they didn''t really live in the surroundings in large numbers. It was a bad business strategy, but it turned out to be great for Ace, since they managed to knock down the price for Flame Charge to 2500pd, which was extremely low for that move.


    "Great", Ace says, holding up the bright red disc, "now that we have this, we can go forward".


    Unfortunately for him, Joe is still knee deep in conversation with the salesman, twisting a small box in his hand like a very curious crow.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "Hey, let''s go", Ace nudges him.


    "How much for this?", Joe ignires him fully.


    "I can give it up for 1500pd", the salesman sounds overwhelmed by Joe''s persistance.


    "Amazing, I''ll take it", Joe nods, quickly taking out the money and basically throwing it at the salesman. "Thank you", the boy says as he merrily scoots away from the stand. Ace has never seen him that happy, and he finds it slightly disturbing.


    "What even is that", the blond boy basically has to run after him, "some kind of strange training equipment?".


    "Better, a portable phone screen projector", Joe says excitedly.


    "What", Ace finds himself surprised, "why would you even waste your money on something like that?".


    "Because we can watch matches in our room with it?", Joe notes, "we have a white curtain now, so we can play projections".


    "Huh", Ace sees the appeal of it, "we could watch movies".


    "We''ll see about that", Joe says cautiously, "mostly I want this for league battles, but we could also record our own battles and watch them later on".


    "Huh, right, that could be helpful", Ace nods, "but cmon, movies, think about it, we could get those three to stop causing mayhem all the time with this".


    "You really want to use TV as a means to behavioural correction?", Joe sighs, "that''s bad parenting".


    "I ain''t their mother, I don''t care", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Well, we''ll see, not sure we''ll have too much time for movies", Joe admits, "we both have to train, and I plan on shiting into the high gear from now on".


    "You''ve been waking up at 5 AM ever since the year started, was that not the high gear?", Ace says carefully.


    "That''s called a morning routine", Joe says simply, "I''ll do much more starting tomorrow".


    "Right", Ace says, "and I''ll follow along, just so you know".


    "Good", Joe confirms. "By the way, speaking of training", Joe says, "I know you''re in a hurry to go to the move tutor, but could we have a quick battle?".


    "A battle? Now? Why?", Ace raises his eyebrow. Not that he didn''t think about it, but knowing Joe didn''t want to use Riolu in battles meant the other boy would probably hold back. That''s not how Ace wanted to beat him.


    "I was thinking", Joe says, twisting the projector in his hands, "maybe Kafka and Private just need some motivation, you know".


    "Motivation?", Ace wonders.


    "Right, well, actually, I wanted us to watch matches because of that", Joe admits, "I thought if they saw actual battles they''ll want to start training themselves, and you know, using stronger moves and stuff".


    "Huh, that actually sounds like a solid idea", Ace scratches his head, "but why would you want those two to battle now?".


    "Just thought we should give it a try", Joe shrugs, "since both of them are not the best battlers, it''s not the worst if we try giving them a little push".


    "Well, it might be useful to at least give it a try before we go to move tutor", Ace thinks about it, "I mean, I never really tried having Private battle, he just doesn''t want to train or spar with Rocky, so I thought he doesn''t care about battling".


    "Right, so maybe the problem solves itself like that", Joe offers, "just one thing, we''re not going to push through to the end, just let them have a go at it, end it before anyone takes too much damage".


    "Right, we do have to see the move tutor later, and we can''t go to the pokemon center here, since they''d probably call the school", Ace says, "sounds good, you got yourself a deal".


    "Great", Joe says, leading the way.


    "Where are you even going?", Ace follows after him.


    "Not sure, gonna find somewhere where there are no people so we can battle", Joe says flatly.


    "God, you''re horryfying", Ace sighs, "would you let me make a suggestion".


    "Sure", Joe stops suddenly.


    "Right, how about we go further into the city", Ace is a bit surprised it was this easy stopping the other boy, "the move tutor lives in the northern suburbs, we should try in that neigbourhood, so we don''t have to walk through the whole city later".


    "Sure, as long as you can find a place for a battle", Joe shrugs.


    "It can''t be that hard", Ace says.


    "Then lead the way", Joe says, as Ace steps forward, surprised that Joe had let anyone else take control and happy that he finally gets to leave the green market.


    As it turns out, finding a good spot for them to battle is not easy. The city is bustling with people, so finding a spot where they wouldn''t be seen is nearly impossible. They quickly make their way through the city square, and Ace does his utmost best not to window shop. He''s already spent most of his savings on these TMs, so looking at shiny new things only makes him feel worse. He barely manages to stop Joe from walking into some botique. His teammate saw a cardigan he really wanted. Ace is not sure why the other boy loves those so much. Joe informs him he simply thinks they looked cool, and he always wanted to wear them, but he couldn''t fulfil that dream of his back in Alola, because it was always too warm. The boy then went on rambling about how much he loves autumn, even though the cold is pretty damn new to him. Ace found it all too strange, that someone was stuck on seasons. Back in Vermillion, he thought, they had all 4 season. He couldn''t help but ask Joe if he had ever seen snow. Apparently not.


    As they strayed away from the city center, there were no shops Joe could look at, so he opted for bugging Ace instead. At first, he was persistant that Ace has fucked up by leading them into the city, saying that there was no way they''d find a good place to battle. Ace shoot him down quickly on that one. Right after that, Joe started thinking out loud, it took him 30 minutes to conclude that he shouldn''t teach Espurr Teleport right now. If his energy paths were really blocked, and the move tutor wasn''t able to fix that, then it would be useless anyways. A least it reminded Ace that he could as well use the TMs he had gotten right now. He quickly scanned Charcadet''s pokeball, inserting Flame Charge TM. Few buttons later, his new partner knew a new move. Great, now all that was left was to get him to actually train.


    He scanned Rockruff''s pokeball, but quickly decided not to teach him Taunt right now. He would already have to remove one move the rock type knows in order for the mkve tutor to do their work. And tutor moves were much harder to master. If he deleted yet another move right now, that would leave Rockruff with only 2 usable moves. That was a no go. Taunt can wait anyways. With heavy heart, he made Rockruff forget Sand Attack, in preparation for their visit to the move tutor. Quick Attack could still be useful to him.


    "Alright, how about that", Ace points to the nearly empty park they find themselves walking up to. The move tutors house is supposed to be only a few streets away. The park itself looks empty enough for the two of them to have a quick battle.


    "There are people here Ace", Joe informs him shortly, nodding towards a few senior citizens sat at the benches.


    "Yeah, but they are all old", Ace points out, "we can literally just tell them we''re 18, not like they''ll know".


    "I don''t think we look 18", Joe says thoughtfully.


    "Dude, they are all like 70, they''ve lost the difference between 14 and 18 a long time ago, trust me", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "I don''t knowzit feels like a dumb way to go", Joe admits.


    "Alright, I mean we don''t have to battle", Ace sighs.


    Joe takes another cautious look at the elders before noting: "alright, but we''ll make it quick, just a few moves so we see how out pokemon do".


    "You''re actually really easy to convince", Ace says proudly.


    "Let''s just go", Joe says flatly, walking over to the empty spot in the park. At this distance, these fossils probably can''t even tell the difference between people and pokemon. Ace shudders a bit. Since they are battling with Charcadet and Espurr, the septagenerians might think they are forcing toddlers to fight and call child protective services on them.


    "Okay, I hope you'' re ready for this", Ace says, quickly getting his pokeball out and releasing Charcadet.


    "Ready", Joe says, doing the same and letting Espurr touch the grass. The psychic type has a disturbingly neutral look in his eyes. Ace doesn''t particularly likely. He''s much different than his own Charcadet, who''s looking around at the trees.


    "Hey, Private", Ace kneels down to him, "focus please, we''re going to have a quick battle here, alright, I need you to do your best". Charcadet tilts his head sideways, giving Ace a disinterested look for a second, before proceeding to stare at another tree. The leaves are covering the ground, Ace thiks, hitting them with Ember was a fire hazard waiting to happen. He quickly gets it out of his head. Getting held back by things like that was not something he could afford if he wanted to pass the year.


    "Can we start?", Joe yells over at him.


    "Wait just a second, Private is still unfocused", Ace sighs.


    The two of them watch patiently, as Charcadet playfully stumbles acoross the grass. He spots a pile of dried off leaves, and in an instant, Ace sees his chest spread.


    "Fake Out, Kafka", Joe says in an instant, realising what the fire type was about to do. Espurr rushes in, slammimg at the small fire solider from the side and making him flinch.


    "Private, stop that, no setting things on fire", Ace hisses, thinking that he might have a little arsonist on his hands.


    "Can we go on?", Joe says patiently, staring at Charcadet strangely.


    As Private sits up on the grass, he looks over at Espurr with the eyes of a betrayed man. Espurr proceeds to stare at him blankly.


    "Hey, Private please, get up and attack", Ace sighs. Still sitting on the ground, Private charges up another Ember, aiming it at Espurr.


    "Dodge it", Joe reacts instantly, but Espurr stays glued to the spot, allowing himslef to be hit by the Ember head on.


    This is the worst battle ever, Ace thinks.


    "Go, Kafka, Scratch", Joe attempts, and his pokemon starts stumbling forward.


    "Private", Ace starts, but before he can give a command, his partner jumps up and shoots another Ember at the Espurr.


    The psychic types runs through the cinders, landing his own attack. Charcadet rolls over on the ground and starts throwing a temper tantrum, waving his hands wildly at Espurr. The psychic type seems distressed as it tries to dust off the ashes left from the Ember from his fur.


    "I... I don''t think this is going where we want it to", Ace says patiently.


    "Yeah, no, I agree", Joe watches the show with an unreadable look.


    "We should just... stop", Ace offers.


    "I kind of want to see what happens next", Joe scratches his head in utter confusion.


    Charcadet jumps up again, and starts yelling at Espurr, who ignores him, still cleaning his fur.


    "I just don''t think these two are battlers, dude", Ace admits.


    "Yeah, no, not battlers", Joe concludes, "but they are definitely something".


    "Well... I''ll just", Ace says uncomfortably as he recalls Charcadet back to his pokeball.


    "Right, yeah, probably a good idea", Joe says, doing the same thing.


    "So, um... basically, with these two, I''d say we''re a little bir screwed", Ace says walking up to Joe.


    "Pretty much", Joe confirms, "Private tried burning the whole park down".


    "He was just playing", Ace says defensively, "and that''s not what I meant".


    "Yeah, I get it", Joe nods, "these two do not know how to battle".


    "Right, Private basically attacked only becuse he was mad at Kafka", Ace says, "and I have no idea what''s going on with that pokemon of yours".


    "Me neither", Joe admits.


    "Well, this was a waste", Ace points out, "we learned nothing".


    "Well, we did learn a few things", Joe points out.


    "Yeah, that we''re screwed", Ace nods.


    "That, but also, Espurr does listen to my commands, mostly", Joe notes.


    "Well, good for you", Ace says, "the only thing I learned is that Private''s still too young, which I knew already".


    "Well, we did learn another thing about him", Joe points out, "though I''m really not sure why he uses Ember with his mouth".


    "It just uses it like that", Ace shrugs, "I knew that already, it''s normal".


    "It is possible, but it''s not normal", Joe says simply.


    "What do you mean?", Ace questions.


    "Charcadet line uses fire attacks mostly from their hands", Joe points out.


    "I know that", Ace shrugs, "but they can also use them from their mouth, it''s not unnatural, the do have flame organs in those places, you know".


    "I do, but they are not as developed as the ones in their hands", Joe points out, "that''s why they usually use their hands for attacks, they are stronger".


    "Right", Ace thinks about it, "I knew that, I just figured Private''s still young, and that''s how he''s used to doing things".


    "Right, well, you do plan on making him a physical attacker, so he''ll have to switch to using his hands, you know", Joe notes.


    "Right", Ace nods, "I''ll start working on that, as soon as I get him to do some actual training".


    "You probably should", Joe says bluntly, "now let''s get going, where does that move tutor live?".


    "He should be nearby", Ace explains as they start to leave the park. The retirment watch didn''t bother them, but Ace dislikes how this whole ordeal went. Charcadet not using his hands for attack aside, it showed just how unprepared both pokemon were for battled. Taking into account the whole Riolu thing, it didn''t give Ace much hope. At least he could count on Rockruff, but even his reliable dog couldn''t take them that far. Some match-up were simply too unfavorable.


    They made it into some white picket-fence neigbourhood, which reminded Ace of his own home. The short white houses with front porches filled with yellowing grass. Ace counted the number on the houses, and turned t the pathway of the house number 9. That was the adress he found on the internet. Unfortubately for him he couldn''t find an e-mail or a phone number, so setting up an appointment was a no-go. He handily avoided telling Joe about that part.


    Through a small row of ever-green bushes, the made it to the front doors. Joe''s hand flew for the doorbell immediately, but Ace stopped him in time.


    "Let me", he says, not wanting Joe to be the first one to talk to the move tutor. They didn''t have an appointment, and Joe was an unforseen circumstance when it came to interactions. Sure, Ace saw him swindle the salesmen today, but he could easily imagine the other boy coming on too strong.


    Ringing the doorbell as softly as he can, Ace stands back and wait. He''s not sure for how long they just stand there, but at the certain point, he thinks the house might be empty. Joe gives him an expectant look, and Ace thinks about ringing the doorbell again.


    Just then, the doors open up slightly, with a bald head peeking out. "Hello, what is this about?", the man''s voice sounds raspy but pleasant.


    "We came to see the move tutor", Joe immediately shoots for it.


    The man looks at them strangely, but opens up the door. Ace can see he''s leisurely dressed in track suit and loafers, as if it wasn''t Monday for him. "And what would the kids like you need a move tutor for?", he asks curiously.


    "Well, move tutoring", Joe says flatly. "Did you not announce us?", the boy looks over at Ace.


    "I couldn''t find the contact number on the internet", Ace says apologetically. Turning towards the man, he tries to make his voice as polite as possiblee: "we are sorry for interrupting you, but we do require your help".


    "You require a help of a move tutor?", the man chuckles slightly, making Ace feel uncomfortable. "It''s alright, kid, no need to be that formal", the man waves it off, "I have no idea how to put up the contact information on that website, this is not the first time this has happened".


    "Then I guess we''re good", Joe looks over at Ace again.


    "It''s all good", the man nods, "though, I would like to here why would two kids like you need a move tutor?".


    "For a few things actually", Ace starts.


    "We are student''s at Old King''s", Joe says immediately, making both the man and Ace look at him in slight shock.


    "What", Joe shrugs at Ace, "we need a move tutor for our pokemon, there is no way around it, better come out with it immediately".


    "I guess you''re right", Ace sighs, "but you didn''t have to put it like that".


    "So, you''re from Old King''s, huh?", the man eyes them carefully. "And you came here all on your own", he says, looking behind them, fully aware that there was no one but the two of them there.


    "Yes, we did, we had to", Ace tries explaining, "we are not happy about it".


    "I am perfectly happy about it", Joe states, causing Ace to attempt a murder with his glare.


    "We know it''s not really a good thing", Ace continues, turning towards the man, "but we really need help, and I would assume that you are the move tutor, so please, just see us about this".


    "And preferably don''t call the school", Joe points out.


    The man starts laughing immediately. "Alright, alright, you won me over", he waves for them to come in, "let''s see what I can do for you, and no worries I won''t call the school".


    Joe enters immediately, while Ace follows behind him reluctantly. The house is simple, with beige walls hallway lined with vases that leads into a large living room.


    "I suppose neither of you boys have a Wailord I need to see", the man says, as he gestures for them to take a seat on the couch.


    "We do not", Joe confirms.


    "Good, so we can do this inside", the man nods.


    "Alright, Sir", Ace sas ys politely.


    "You can just call me Robert", the man says, "anyways, I suppose your pokemo need to learn a move, huh?".


    "Well, yeah, I guess that''s not that hard to figure out", Ace scratches his head.


    "It''s not, though I find it strange that kids as young as you came looking for a move tutor of all things", the man takes a seat on a sofa opposite from them. "Anyways", he rubs his hands together, "let me see thr first patient".


    "Um, actually", Ace stops him, "can I ask what you charge for your services?". Truthfully, after the TM shopping, Ace wasn''t sure if he''d have enough money to pay for this.


    "I''d hate to charge younglings like you, so how about the deal", the man waves of his question, "you help me set up the contact info on the website, and I do this for you in exchange?".


    "Sure, we could also add your business to google maps", Joe offers.


    "I have no idea what that is, but if it''s helpful, great", the man sounds satisfied with this kind of deal.


    "Great, then", Ace brings out Rockruff''s pokeball and Robert gives him a sign to release his partner.


    Rockruff starts absorbing the room as soon as his feet find the carpet. Seeing Robert, the small dog scurries over to nudge Ace''s leg.


    "Can you just let him stand on the table", Robert says, standing up.


    Ace carefully picks his partner up and places him on the table, as the small dog proceeds to eye Robert curiosly. The move tutor brings his hand forward gently pressing on the pokemon''s neck, and Rockruff immeduately relaxes. The man cautiously runs over the pokemon''s skin. "Huh, how long did you have this one?", he asks.


    "Just little over 2 weeks", Ace admits, "why?".


    "His skin''s already this rough", the man curiously, "not bad, you must have a hell of a grooming ritual for him, huh, boy?".


    "Not really?", Ace admits, looking over at Joe.


    "Don''t look at me", Joe raises his hands in the air, "I''m not a caretaker, I''m a trainer, I don''t exactly give my pokemon a spa treatmant".


    "Can I see the rest of your pokemon?", the man looks at them, "if you have any more.


    "Sure", Ace says, quickly releasing Charcadet. Joe follows suit, letting Riolu and Espurr out.


    "Huh, you''ve both been trainers for 2 weeks, and you have 2 pokemon each already", the man says eying their partners with critical eyes. "Well, this one''s clearly young", he notes as soon as he sees Charcadet.


    "These two, you don''t take care of them?", the man looks at Joe, softly brushing his hand against Riolu''s fur.


    "Not really", Joe admits, "as I said, I''m not really a caretaker".


    "No worries, you''re both young", the man says, "it''s just strange, since your pokemon look pretty well developed, for their stage, of course".


    "Thanks, Rio and I are both on strict training regimen", Joe asserts.


    "That''s good", the man says, "but you should really start looking for a good grooming methods and diet for your partners as well, it might seem stupid to you, but it goes a long way".


    "Noted", Joe nods, "we will research that as soon as we can". Ace is not sure where they would find time for that.


    "Well, regardless, let''s focus on this good boy", rober says, proceeding to pet Rockruff, "what move do you want him to learn?".


    "Sucker Pucnh", Ace says, "and I already emptied the move slot for it".


    "That''s good, you came prepared", the man nods, "you Old King''s kids are pretty sharp, I usually get the government licemsed trainers coming around, most of them don''t know what move they want, they come and I have to list moves for them, then they spend half an hour figuring out which one they want, so this is a nice change of pace".


    "Well, I thiught about it already, much longer than half an hour, and Sucker Punch is the move I need", Ace says proudly, "can you do that".


    "Of course I can", the man chuckles. "This might tickle a bit, buddy", he says to Rockruff.


    Robert''s eyes turned determined, as he starts pressing at Rockruffs side. The pokemon doesn''t seem to mind, but his fur does stand up straight at the certain point. The move tutor keeps applying pressure on Rockruff for the next five minutes, before stepping back and simply stating: "done".


    "Wait, that''s it?", Ace says in disbelief and slight dissapointment. He expected something more.


    "Yes, I unblocked the energetic pathways, your Rockruff will now be able to start learning Sucker Punch", the man says simply.


    "Don''t mind if I ask, but how does this whole thing work exactly?", Ace scratches his head.


    "Pretty simple, pokemon have organs that allow the energy to flow throughout their whole body, and they let them use that energy to form moves", the man shrugs, "some of those pathways do not develop naturally, instead they are blocked, I simply find the blockages and remove them by applying pressure".


    "And you know where these energetic pathways are for every pokemon?", Joe asks in disbelief.


    "Of course not", the man laughs, "I can see the energy flowing through the pokemon".


    "Huh", Joe says thoughtfully, "so, for instance, if I were to apply pressure to Rio like that randomly, could I accidentaly activate energetic paths and have him learn a move".


    "You could", the man says, "but it''s much more likely you''d accidentaly block already active energetic paths instead, so I don''t recomend doing it unless you can see them".


    "Unfortunate", Joe notes.


    "How can you learn to see the energy?", Ace wonders.


    "You can''t learn it, as far as I know", the man, "it''s a gift you are born with".


    "That''s not cool at all", Ace protests.


    "Yeah, the only gift Ace was born with is making terrible movie references", Joe states.


    "Shut up", Ace scofds at him.


    The man laughs at their bickering. "The two of you are a funny pairing, you must be good friends already".


    The two boys look at each other uncomfortably. "We''re teammates", Joe states.


    "Right", the man nods, "well, the truth is we all have our own way of interacting with pokemon, some people get gifts like mine, some like caretaking, some like battling".


    "Right", Ace nods, not liking where this conversation is going. For all he knew, he was born without any meaningful gifts.


    "Anyways, let''s get back on track", Robert clears his throat, "what pokemon needs to learn what move next".


    "Actually, we don''t need any more move tutoring, but we need help", Joe admits, "since you can see the energy, could you please tell me if Kafka has any of his pathways blocked out?".


    "Kafka?", the man raises his eyebrow.


    "Espurr", Joe corrects.


    "Alright", the man says, taking a careful look at the grey furball. After only a few seconds he says: "no, he''s all good, all of his regular pathways are not only open, but pretty well developed".


    "They are, huh", Joe sighs heavily.


    "Is there a problem here?", Robert questions.


    "Kafka can''t use any of his special moves", Joe explains, "I thought it might be an energetic blockage, though you could maybe help with that".


    "What moves are we talking about?", the man looks at Joe.


    "Confusion and Dissarming Voice", the boy says. "He probably just never perfected them", he adds quickly.


    "I don''t think that''s the case", the man says simply. "Considering that his energetic pathways are pretty well developed, he shold be able to use those two moves without many issues, it''s not like they require too much energy", the man says, "I''d say this is a mental or emotional blockage".


    "Alright, so... can you press some pressure points and get rid of those?", Joe follows up quickly.


    "No, I can''t do anything about it", Robert laughs, "but I know someone who might be able to help".


    "Really?", Joe says hopefully.


    "Ywah, really, and the good news is, you won''t even have to make a trip", the man says standing up. Making his way towards the living room doors, the move tutor peeks out his hand, and yells: "Nora, darling, come downstairs".


    Ace picks up on some rumbling coming from upstairs, and the move tutor adds: "It''s alright, just come down".


    Slamming sounds preceed the bat of small footsteps against the set of stairs. Few moments later a small head full of curly hair carefully spies at them from the door frame.


    "This is my daughter, Nora, she''s 8 and she''s an empath", the man says proudly, encouragingly gesturing for the girl to come at meet their guests.


    "Right, an empath, just like any woman out there", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "What''s that?", Robert looks at him strangely.


    "Nothing", Ace waves it off, "but everyone is an empath these days, curse the therapy talk".


    "Well, Nora is an empath, she can feel the emotions of pokemon", Robert states.


    The girl looks at Ace giving him a puffed up glance. Joe immediately walks over to her, crouching down to meet her.


    "Hey, I''m Joe, nice to meet you", he says in a sweet voice. This would be the first time ever Ace has heard him like that.


    "I''m Nora", the girl says shyly.


    "That''s a really cool shirt", Joe continues acting all sweet, pointing out the child''s pink shirt with a Roselia on it, "is that your favourite pokemon?".


    "Uh-huh", the girl nods slowly, but a smile spreads across her face, "Roselia is beautiful and I like it".


    "It is", Joe smiles at her, sitting down on the floor, "you know, there''s a girl with a Budew in our school, you know, Budew evolves into Roselia".


    "Of course I knew that", the little girl tries scoffing.


    "Oh, yeah, of course you knew that", Joe laughs.


    "But... I''ve never actually seen a Roselia, or a Budew", the girl says carefully, "could you bring that girl here someday, I really want to see a real life Budew".


    "Sure", Joe says with a smile, raising his hand up, "we have a deal, high five me on it".


    "Cool", the girl laughs as she high fives Joe.


    "What the hell was that", Ace laughs looking at his teammate.


    "What?", Joe says flatly.


    "Since when exactly are you all friendly and cool dude?", Ace says.


    "I have like 10 younger cousins at my place at all times", Joe retorts, "I''m good with kids".


    "Wow", Ace says, "you''re just full of surprises, you terrify me, you know".


    "I could say the same about you", Joe responds.


    "Why me?", Ace questions.


    "The whole ''I''ll become whatever I need to be'' thing slightly terrifies me", Joe says blankly, making Ace shift uncomfortably. Maybe, sometimes, he gets carried away and starts monologuing like a movie character. "I like it though", Joe adds quickly.


    "Right", Ace clears his throat. He did not come here to share coming of age moments with Joe. "So, she can feel emotions of pokemon?", the boy diverts the conversation back to where it''s supposed to be.


    "Yeah", Robert confirms yet again, "Nora, sweetie, can you check Espurr''s emotions please".


    "Is Espurr yours?", the girl looks at Joe expectantly.


    "Yes, I call him Kafka", Joe nods.


    "That''s a funny name", the girl laughs, but she quickly skips over to the pokemon.


    She stares at Espurr with look of determination in her eyes, while Espurr retorts with his usual stare devoid of any thought. Ace wants to laugh at this, but he stops himself.


    "This Espurr doesn''t feel anything", the girl decides, "I don''t think he likes that there are so many of us here, but that''s it, pretty much no emotions".


    "How come?", Joe asks.


    "Um, just to point out", Robert chimmes in, "Nora can feel the emotions of a pokemon, explaining them, however, is a different story".


    "Yes, but this Espurr isn''t feeling anything right now", the girl stays adamant, "I know how to explain that, dad".


    "Right sweetie, sorry", Robert smiles apologetically.


    "Kafka isn''t feelimg anything right now, huh?", Joe seems to think about it. "Nora, could you please step back?".


    "Ookie-dookie", the girl moves back cheerfully.


    "Can you stay tuned into Kafka''s emotions?", Joe inquiers.


    "Yes", Nora nods.


    "Good, then", Joe nods, "Kafka, use Confusion on Rio". Espurr proceeds to stare blankly at him, before turning to Riolu, and staring blankly at him as well. The attavk never happens. "So, what did Kafka feel when I gave him the instructions?", Joe turns to Nora.


    "Um, scared, Kafka was scared", Nora brings her finger to her lips, "I think that was it".


    "Scared, huh?", Joe thinks about it.


    "Maybe Kafka just doesn''t want to harm Rio?", Ace proposes.


    "Kafka, hit Charcadet with Confuison", Joe says immediately.


    "Hey", Ace yells, but the attack doesn''t happen.


    "See, it''s not that", Joe says simply, "we know for a fact Kafka doesn''t mind attacking Private".


    "Guess you''re right", Ace sighs. Charcadet looks kind of betrayed at all of this.


    "So, how did Kafka feel now?", Joe turns to Nora again.


    "Still scared", Nora notes.


    "Right, scared", Joe sighs, "okay, Kafka, use Dissarming Voice at the wall".


    "Dude", Ace yells, but nothing ever happens again.


    "Dude", Joe echoes at him, "I told you Kafka can''t use those moves, calm down". He turns to Nora: "so, what was it this time?".


    "Still scared", the girl sighs heavily, as if this was her personal misfortune.


    "Robert", Joe turns to the move tutor, "what do you think about this?".


    "Well, I suspected it as soon as I saw Kafka, but I couldn''t be an sure, since it''s an Espurr and it could just be a species thing", Robert admits.


    "What?", Ace says curiosly.


    "Well, you see, I didn''t really think about this at first, but as soon as Nora said Kafka was scared I figured it out", Joe looks over at Ace, "it''s the accumulation organs".


    "Oh", Ace figures it out instantly. Espurr generally has trouble controling the power it stores in its accumulation organs, they use their ears to supress that power. And it is a huge amount of power.


    "It''s the only explanation", Joe states, "since Espurr should be able to use those moves, and it obeys me, I mean he uses both Fake Out and Scratch".


    "Right, normal type moves don''t tap into the energy", Ace confirms, "so Espurr is scared of using the stored power on accident and causing a problem".


    "That''s what I think", Joe nods.


    "I did notice his ears are very stiff", Robert notes, "thiugh I haven''t really seen too many Epsurr, so I don''t know what''s normal and what''s not".


    "But why would Kafka be scared of that?", Ace wonders, "I mean, Espurr usually don''t tap into the power stored in their accumulation organs, they use the one generated in normal energetic pathways, I don''t think it''s normal for him to be that scared".


    "Kafka was poached", Joe reminds him, "so it''s quite possible that the poachers got him scared into not using those attacks in order to make him a suitable pet".


    "Oh", Ace says, "yeah, that makes sense".


    "That sounds terrible", Nora protests.


    "It is", Joe confirms. "But, could I ask for a bit more of your help?".


    "Yeah", Nora says readily.


    "Alright, then, Kafka", Joe turns yo his pokemon. "Say something", the boy says decisevly, making Ace wonder what''s going on. The pokemon doesn''t make a sound and Joe turns to Nora again.


    "Scared again", the girl shoots.


    "Again?", Joe wonders.


    "Yes, but it''s a different kind of scared", the girl elaborates.


    "How different?", Joe says.


    "The first ones were like when I''m scared I''ll get in trouble", Nora explains, "this one is like when I''m scared someone will laugh at me".


    "That''s called shame", Joe says to her.


    "Well, why the hell would Kafka be ashamed of saying something?", Ace wonders.


    "I have no idea", Joe admits, "I just know I had Kafka for 4 days, and I never heard him make a sound".


    "Well, this is a lesson to us all", Ace nods, "never take a pokemon that Teo catches, apparently, all of them come with problems".


    "Noted", Joe nods.


    "So, what you gonna do now that you know?", Ace wonders.


    "I''ll sit and think about it", Joe says simply, "not much that I can do right now".


    "Undersandable", Ace nods.


    "Anyways, Nora, could you please check Rio''s emotions just for a bit?", Joe asks in a sweet voice.


    "Sure", the girl perks up.


    Ace is not sure how that would go. Since Riolu picks up on its trianers emotions, Rio would basically feel whatever Joe is feeling. To some extent, at least.


    "Alright, Rio, get ready", Joe says calmly, "like we''re going to battle someone". Ace can only hope Joe wouldn''t try using any moves inside the house.


    Riolu takes a battle stance, aiming hid eyes at Rockruff, making the small rock type flinch a bit, but the blue dog never attacks.


    "Uh, this is hard to explain", Nora says, scratching her chin, "it''s a very big emotion".


    "Big emotion?", Joe wonders out loud.


    "Yeah, like when I''m playing pokemon cards against my dad and I really want to beat him, this is how it feel", the girl explains.


    "That''s called determination", Joe says.


    Ace wants to inform them that the emotion is actually called ''being an overtly competitive motherfucker''. He''s not sure what he expected Joe''s emotions would be like, but this was on point. The guy was a certified overachiever. Though Ace is not sure how this info helps his teammate at all. Joe himself doesn''t seem too satisfied with the answer.


    "Alright, that''s all", Joe says softly, "thanks''s a lot Nora, high five".


    "Ahem", Ace clears his throat, "could you perhaps chekc on Rockruff''s and Charcadet''s emotions as well".


    "I don''t know, can I?", the girl brings her hands to her hips staring Ace off.


    "Pretty please", the boy sighs. Sassy 8 year olds are not his target audince.


    "Fine", Nora says dryly, "but only because I think your pokemon are cute".


    "Their names are Rocky and Private", Ace offers. Talking to kids is really not his specialty, Valerie''s basically the only little girl he knows how to talk to.


    "Rocky is a cool name", the girl decides, "Private is kind of stupid, you should name him Princess or Fireboy or something".


    "Right, I''ll think about it", Ace says in order to get on the kid''s good side. Charcadet gives him a look of dissapointment.


    "Okay, Rocky first", Nora decides, taking a step forward and focusing on Rockruff.


    Ace sees Joe appriaching Robert, and the two of them talk a bit before Robert hands him of his phone. At least Joe would deal with the whole website thing.


    "Alright", Ace brings his attention back to his pokemon, "Rocky, take a battle stance, get ready to go". Rockruff lowers his body, readily looking forward.


    "Rocky feels good", Nora decides quickly.


    "That means?", Ace asks expectantly.


    "He feels like I do when I really want to do something", Nora offers.


    "That''s called being excited", Ace informs her.


    "Right, excitment", Nora says. "I think Rocky really likes you as well", Nora gives him a wide grin. Maybe sassy 8 year olds aren''t the worst thing, Ace thinks.


    Knowing Rockruff is excited when he gets into a battle is good. Not that Ace had expected Rockruff would have any issues, but excitment was definitely a good emotion.


    "Great, thanks", Ace nods along, "now can you do the same thing with Private please?".


    "Sure", Nora perks up, shifting her focus to the fire type.


    "Alright, Private, take a battle stance", Ace says, not expecting much. Charcadet priceeds to stand in his place and loaf around.


    "Um, he feels okay, good, a little bit bored", Nora says, "I can''t really explain".


    "Private, let''s do some training", Ace summons his determination.


    "Still good and bored", Nora offers.


    "Charcadet, food", Ace sighs, gaining the fire type''s immediate attention.


    "Good, and he''s not bored anymore", Nora informs him.


    "Great", Ace think out loud, "just like I thought, Private doesn''t care about battles or training".


    "He cares about food", Nora confirms his other suspicion.


    "Does he like me at least?", Ace sighs.


    "He definitely liked it when you mentioned food", the girl shrugs.


    "Great, so he sees me as a food provider and not a trainer", Ace says desparately. At the very least, food is something he can use.


    "Great, thank you Nora", Ace says, "high five". The girl high fives him reluctantly, but Ace decides to take it as a win.


    All things considered, this visit turned out to be pretty good. Rockruff got a new move, and they found out both him and Riolu enjoyed battles in their own way. Not that those were knews, but getting a confirmation was definitely encouraging. Meanwhile, Charcadet and Espurr had their own problems, which they also knew already, but at least now they had better insight into what those problems were.


    The two of them left the move tutor''s house shortly afterwards. Ace quickly informed Joe he''d take time to come up with food regime for Charcadet, since food seemed to be his primary motivator. Joe retorted with saying he''d find grooming methods, since he noticed Espurr liked to keep his fur clean, and some care-taking might help with overcoming fears. They quickly came to the conclusion that the best way of action for them was to have Ace find good diets for all of their pokemon, while Joe would take care of grooming. It was surprisingly easy to come to terms with it. Maybe they had differing physolophies sometimes, but when it came to tackling these kind of issues, the two of them worked well together. Ace hated to admit it, but it felt good having someone to co-operate with.


    They had to waste a few more hours in Lilicove until the sun finally started to go down and they could start their trip back to the island.


    The trip was uneventful, with the two mostly bringing out their theories on pokemon food and caretaking, in other words, talking bullshit with no reference. As it turns out, neither of them had much knowledge on the topic. Still, it felt good, to talk like normal people. By the time they reached the shores and hid the boat into one of the caves, Ace had realised he felt good about hkow his days had passed.


    He was blissfully unprepared to run into Sam, who was making out with a girl clearly older than him, just a few seconds later.

 Chapter 24

    Teo stared at his reflection in the mirror. Not because the gym leader had told him to do it. Well, that''s not how it started, at least. As he thightly held on to the razor, hesitant to apply the shaving cream, his appearance simply caught his eye. The first thing he noted were the acne, dark red part of skin that plagued his face for as long as he could remember. They were the reason he freted shaving. Cuts were inevitable, and they stung, and all the Youtube tutorials couldn''t save him from all of that. Luckily, shaving wasn''t something he had to often yet. This was maybe his 4th time attempting it.


    Crossing his fingers across the patches of red on his skin turned into staring at the rest of his face. His eyes seemed somewhat foreign, sharp and dark object framed by the pale white of the surrounding skin. His eyebrows were thick and messy, he thought. It was the first time he payed attention to his eyebrows. He couldn''t conclude if that was weird, that he was noticing it now. Or was it weird that he didn''t notice his own eyebrows before? They were pitch black, matching the colour of his hair. One thing he knew for certain he liked about himself. Running his finger through his buzz cut, he concluded he would need to get a haircut soon. Back in Spimuth, he had no money, he blew whatever he had left from selling the TM on a ball toy for Totodile, and a new hoodie for himself. At least, Totodile loved his new toy.


    The boy''s eyes skiped over to his upper body. He looked sickly even to himself. Lean and pale, he carefully traced his finger across his shoulder, feeling the little bump where the bone is. It feels uncomfortable. His torso fades beneath his shoulders, and his own chest look as they are sunken in.


    He looks weak, he thinks, Logan''s words coming back to him like a whisper. He quickly gets it out of his head. The gym leader didn''t get to see his battle today, he encouraged himself. Winning in his first official battle was a big deal. That one with Joe back in Lilicove, he wasn''t counting, since he had just caught Totodile then, so obviously Joe had an advantage over him. Besides, it was an unofficial battle. What matters is, he beat that Rodney guy today. He might''ve lost to Natasha the very next match, but that was fine, that girl was a monster anyways. As far as Teo was concerned, he had an official 50% win rate, which he thought was great for a guy who was ranked as low as him.


    The only thing that killed his vibe was the fact he didn''t feel as if he had actually won. The battle was basically Totodile galore, with his croc manically Aqua Jetting at his opponent any chance he had gotten. All Teo did was stand there and yell: "Yeah" and "Go, Tots". Did that make him a trainer? He could only wish that his classmates would see the way he deals with thugs. He does that pretty well. Those battles at least make him feel as if he''s a trainer, with his little show of aiming for a good spot to release Totodile in. Those battles are fun. Whatever that battle with Rodney was, it was not fun.


    With a sigh, he lowered the razor. Bleeding and overthinking at the same time was not his style.


    Everyone was training, he knew. And he couldn''t even start. What was the point? Neither Absol nor Totodile would listen to him. The only thing he could do is work on Aqua Jet some more, but even that, he had no idea how to do.


    Ves went out to the training center as soon as the clases were over. Apparently, he was trying to teach Houndour how to use Bite. Even Ace and Joe skipped school to go to Lilicove, which, knowing Joe, definitely meant they were out there hunting for something that relates to training. He had no idea what Sam did, but he''d seen him train enough times last week to know even he was trying to get better somehow. Teo was the only one who couldn''t move from the spot.


    No use thinking about it, he decides with a sigh. Taking up the razor again, he loses track of his reflection.


    The doors to the bathroom swing open, just as he''s about to start the process.


    "Hey, sorry, didn''t know you were in there", Ves stands in the doorway uncomfortably shuffling in on spot.


    "Um, occupied?", Teo sighs.


    "Yeah, dude, I can see you''re standing there in your underwear", Ves scoffs, "for the record, the room was empty when I came in, so I just assumed the bathroom was as well".


    "You could''ve knocked", Teo reminds him.


    "Hey, I just really need to take a leak, so don''t mind me", the other boy says scurrying over to the toilet. Teo hears him unzipping his pants, and tries to ignore it. It is highly uncomfortable, but he doesn''t want to be a bitch about it.


    "Anyways, why are you even shaving?", Ves says, for whatever reason. Teo finds it strange that he''s trying to chat while he''s taking a piss.


    "I have to remove my beard", Teo informs him.


    "What beard, dude?", Ves laughs.


    "The beard I have", Teo carefully brings the razor to his skin, sliding it slowly. 2 cuts immediately burn themselves into their face.


    "You should probably use a shaving cream for that", Ves notes, flushing the toilet.


    "I can''t see my acne if I use it", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "So you raw dog it, huh", Ves laughs.


    "Oh, shut up", Teo says, trying to focus on shaving. His hand bupms, creating one deeper cut. "Dammit, now I cut myself because you can''t stop talking", Teo curses out.


    "Dude, don''t blame me", Ves says, "why are you even shaving if you don''t know how to do it".


    "Stop being an ass, like you know how to shave", Teo scoffs at him.


    "I do, in fact", Ves retorts quickly.


    "Well, good for you", Teo rolls his eyes, "guess you had your daddy to teach you how to do it properly".


    "What do you even know about it?", Ves inches in closer to him, his voice rising up.


    "I know enough", Teo rolls his eyes, "what do you know?".


    "I know how to shave", Ves brings his hands to the side, "and I know you''ll bleed yourself to death if you keep trying to do it like that".


    "Fine, no one asked your opinion", Teo sighs, "so please, remove yourself from the bathroom".


    "What if I don''t", Ves yells at him.


    "Why are you such a cunt?", Teo retaliates, "really, no one wants to hear from you, why do you keep yelling out your opinions?".


    "Huh, well, obviously no one wants to hear what I have to say", Ves sighs, and Teo can see his face shift, "I don''t even know why I''m trying".


    "And what exactly are you trying?", Teo inquiers, "to get on my nerves or?".


    "To give you advice so you don''t ruin your fucking face", Ves rolls his eyes, "who even thought you how to shave?".


    "Youtube", Teo slurs.


    "Youtube? Really?", Ves sighs.


    "Right, well, I didn''t exactly have a better teacher", Teo says firmly. "Be a darling and call up whoever taught you so they can explain it to me as well", Teo says mockingly.


    "I can''t, he''s dead", Ves retorts dryly.


    Silence sinks on them. Teo keeps looking at the other boy, seeing his face shift all around the brown eyes that stay determined. Ves had a few soft hairs poking from his chin, Teo noticed, he definitely never brought a razor to his face.


    "Look, all I''m saying is, use the shaving cream", Ves sighs as he turns around to leave, his voice turning distant. "And stretch your skin so you don''t cut youself".


    "I''ve tried that alredy", Teo says.


    "Well, try again", Ves sighs, placing his hand on the doorframe.


    "What even is the deal with you?", Teo says behind him.


    "Nothing, I''ll leave you alone", Ves says indifferently, "sorry for interruption, and unsolicited advice".


    "You alway do this", Teo says louder.


    "Do what?", Ves asks.


    "You come in swinging, you start a fight, then you turn around and act all apologetic like this", Teo informs him, "so what the hell is up with that?".


    "Nothing", Ves says, turning around to face him, "not that I know, and even if I did you wouldn''t want to hear it, huh?".


    "Is your dad dead?", Teo asks instantly.


    "Not legally", Ves furs his eyebrows. "Why would you ask that?".


    "Well you said you can''t call the person who taught you how to shave cause he''s dead", Teo challenges him, "I just thought, that might explain some things".


    "My father didn''t teach me how to shave, my brother did", Vea informs him coldly.


    "You have a brother?", Teo asks in surprise.


    "I had a brother", Ves corrects him.


    "Right, sorry", Teo says.


    "Whatever", Ves says firmly, "I''ll leave you alone now, since that''s what you want to be".


    "Wait", Teo says behind him immediately. He''s not sure what he wants to say to Ves, maybe because there are too many things burning on the top of his mind. "For the record, my dad is dead, legally", he decides to say, although he'' s not sure why. Sprining that on Ves might''ve been too much, not that they ever talked about things like that. Well, not that they ever talked, period.


    "So", Ves says, visibly confused, but he closes the doors to the bathroom, "what does that have to do with me?".


    "Nothing", Teo says quietly. "I just thought you should know".


    "Why?", Ves walks up to him.


    "I don''t know, maybe I just want you to know I didn''t exactly have anyone to teach me how to do this before you start pestering me with advice", Teo says, trying to use the razor as some sort of emotional shield, "besides, you told me about your brother, so I thought it would be fair".


    "Right", Ves nods.


    "Right", Teo tries to avoid his eyes.


    "So", Ves shifts uncomfortably, "Youtube, huh?".


    "Yeah", Teo plays around with the razor in his hands.


    "You need help with that?", Ves steps in carefully.


    "Help with shaving?", Teo rasies his eyebrow, "I mean, if you can do it via Bluetooth then sure, that would be great".


    "I can do it via that, if you''ll let me", Ves places his hand forward, gesturing for Teo to give him the razor.


    "So, what, you gonna shave me?", Teo laughs.


    "Right, I mean if you need help", Ves says slowly.


    "That sounds kind of gay though", Teo says with a sigh.


    "It''s fine as long as Ace doesn''t know about it", Ves offers.


    "Somehow, that sounds even gayer", Teo laughs uncomfortably.


    "Well, if you want to hear a bad Brokeback Mountain reference, we can tell him", Ves laughs.


    "I don''t know", Teo says slowly, "it''s kind of strange".


    "Fine, whatever", Ves scratches his head, "if you don''t want help". Lowering his hand, Ves starts turning around.


    "Wait", Teo says instantly. Reluctantly, he extends the razor to him: "here".


    "Changed your mind pretty quickly", Ves raises his eyebrow.


    "Frankly, I''m not even sure why I''m letting you do this", Teo admits, "but I appreaciate the help, I guess".


    "Alright", Ves says accepting the razor. "So, uh", the boy notices Teo''s uncomfortable look, "just put on the shaving cream first".


    Teo takes the cream, carefully shaking it, before putting a little bit on his fingers. "I hope you know what you''re doing".


    "I do", Ves nods.


    "Really, I mean you don''t look like you shave, don''t blame me for being hesitant", Teo says.


    "I do not", Ves says, slowly standing closer to him.


    "Great, so I''ll bleed to death then", Teo says, carefully rubbing the shaving cream across his face.


    "You won''t", Ves rolls his eyes, "I think".


    "How did you even learn to shave if you''ve never done it?", Teo asks cautiously.


    "I used to bug Vincent about it", Ves admits, "I used to bug him about a lots of things".


    "That doesn''t really make me feel more secure", Teo points out.


    "He let me try it on him a few times, just to teach me", Ves shrugs it off.


    "Your brother let you shave him", Teo asks.


    "Well, I''ve seen him do it, and I guess I really wanted to try it myself, but he wouldn''t let me use it on my face since I was like 8 or 9 at the time", Ves admits.


    "Alright, that''s enough for me", Teo says, finishing the process of applying the shaving cream.


    "Good, now just stand steady, don''t move", Ves steps in right next to him. He carefully places his finger under Teo''s neck, picking at the skin and stretching it out.


    "This feels so fucking gay", Teo says.


    "Don''t talk, I might cut you on accident if you do", Ves says calmly. Almost with clinical precision, he slides the razor up his skin, surprisingly not making any cuts. He repeats the same feat on the next go.


    "Wow", Teo says, tracing his fingers down the spots Ves had shaven for him to make sure there were no cuts, "it''s actually surprising that you know how to do this".


    "Yeah, well, we''re all full of surprises I guess", Ves says carefully.


    "What do you mean?", Teo questions.


    "I mean, I can do this, and you can wrap up burns and wounds, what''s up with that?", Ves says.


    "I just know how to do it?", Teo chuckles slightly.


    "Really, since when?", Ves inquiers.


    "I mean, I grew up in Spikemuth", Teo admits, "that place really knows how to leave a scar, so wrapping a bandage was a necessary skill to learn".


    "Sounds nasty", Ves raises his eyebrow, but doesn''t ask anything else.


    And suddenly, Teo wants to ask more. About Ves''s brother, his father, the whole deal with Mikey and Vinnie. He settles for the last one. It feels like the least personal issue, since they all already know that the three of them are related.


    "So um, if you don''t mind me asking?", Teo starts.


    "I actually mind you talking at all", Ves says, "I''ll cut you".


    "Just let me ask one thing then I''ll shut up", Te offers.


    "Fine", Ves says, letting the razor down for a second.


    "Could you tell me what''s the matter with you and Vinnie and that Mikey guy?", Teo shoots out, "how come you''re all related but you''re the same age, and what''s the whole deal with half-sister, step-brother, isn''t that the same damn thing?".


    "Okay, dude, that''s more than just one thing", Ves sighs.


    "Sorry", Teo clears his throat.


    "Well, to answer the last one", Ves says carefully starting the shaving process again, "half-sibling is used for someone you''re related to by blood, you share one parent with that person, step-sibling is not your blood relative, but someone you''re related to by law only".


    "I did not know that", Teo admits.


    "Please, stay quiet, I don''t want your blood on my hands", Ves says and Teo quiets down. "Anyways, yeah, Vinnie is my half-sister, we have the same mother, Mikey is my step-brother, since my mother married his father".


    "So, then Mikey has a different mother", Teo figures out.


    "Clearly", Ves says.


    "So, what happened there?", Teo asks.


    "Well, my father''s always been busy with work trips, works in sales department in pokeball company, so he was basically never home", Ves explains, "his wife was bored at home, so she took shopping trips to Castelia to find fun, at first it was sightseeing and shopping, but she probably got bored with it and decided that cheating on her husband was more fun".


    "Oh, that''s... well, interesting", Teo says, noticing that Ves has stopped shaving him, and the two of them were now fully commited to the conversation. Not that he''s complaining.


    "Yeah", Ves coughes up uncomfortably, "so at one point she stayed pregnant with Vinnie".


    "And she left your father", Teo nods along.


    "Well, she wanted to, but she didn''t do it immediately", Ves explains, "at the time her affair buddy, Mikey''s father, was married as well, and it happened that his wife was pregnant at the same time as well".


    "Wow, that''s... fun", Teo''s not sure how to react.


    "Anyways, the two of them had a deal that they''ll stay with their partners until the kids were born, then they''ll both get a divorce and marry each other", Ves continues, "they didn''t want to cause unnecessary stress while the pregnancies were going on, and my father was basically rarely there anyways, so it wasn''t an issue for them".


    "Wow", Teo repeats.


    "Vinnie was born in January", Ves says, "and obviously my father came to stay home for a good bit, thinking Vinnie was his child", Ves explains, "then Mikey was born in March".


    "Oh, and then they all got divorced and remarried", Teo ends the story.


    "Well, no, they didn''t", Ves says dryly, "actually, after Vinnie was born, and in those two months it took Mikey to be born, my mother managed to get pregnant again, with my father this time".


    "She sounds like a really nice woman", Teo notes.


    "She is not", Ves sighs.


    "What happened then?", Teo asks.


    "Nothing much", Ves shrugs, "they just decided to wait until I was born as well, which was in October of that year, a month later, my mother came out clean about the affair and Vinnie, my prents got a divorce and she left".


    "Oh", Teo scratches his head, "I didn''t know you were younger than the two of them".


    "Well, I am", Ves says.


    "Well...", Teo''s not sure how to react to all of it. Thankfully or unfortunately for him he doesn''t have to, since the bathroom doors swing open after only seconds of uncomfortable silence.


    "I''ll deal with you later", Ace is yelling, his voice cracking at the seams as he steps inside. Seeing Teo and Ves the boy comes to a full stop, his face changing multiple colours, and his eyes finding the ceiling after just a few moments. "What the hell is going on here", the boy scoff, "why is Ves holding a razor, and why is Teo almost naked with white cream on his face".


    "I''m just helping him shave, calm down Ace", Ves sighs.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "God, this reads like a deleted scene from Call Me By Your Name", Ace hisses, his eyes still plastered to the ceiling and his face red.


    "Oh, it wasn''t going to be Brokeback Mountain", Ves nods.


    "Why are you bursting in here without knocking", Teo hisses at him, quickly washing off the shaving cream off his face, "and why are you yelling for fuck''s sake, you need to be on Xanax".


    "Oh, my God, I can'' t deal with you and your diagnosis and your gay shit right now", Ace curses, "we have different problems now, olease, just let me use the bathroom".


    "No one''s stopping you", Ves shrugs.


    "Get out", Ace hisses at them.


    Ves goes to say something else to Ace, but Teo can hear yelling in their room. To his surprise, it''s Sam who''s yelling, so he just grabs Ves, motioning for him to follow him out of the bathroom. The other boy reluctantly complies.


    Ace shuts the doors behind them and they find themselves witnessing the strangest scene ever. Sam, yelling at Joe at the top of his lungs. The sight itself takes Teo out for a few moments, ant he needs a few seconds to start abosrbing the actual words.


    "Why the fuck are the two of you even acting like a fucking campus police, as if you have any right to do that, I wasn''t even doing anything against the rules", the brown haired boy is red in his face, manically flapping his hands around, "and may I remind you, the two of you were off in fucking Lilicove, I could''ve easily ratted you off to Vanessa then and there, but at least I have some decency".


    "Considering your current record, I don''t think you have any right to threaten things like that", Joe says calmly, "besides, you were making out with a girl older than you, that''s a completely separate problem".


    "Well it''s not your problem?", Sam yells back at him.


    "You are 14, a minor, and she''s like 19, it''s called pedophilia, Sam, and we have a moral obligation...", Joe starts calmly.


    "Moral obligation", Sam laughs almost manically, "you need morals for that buddy, which none of you have".


    "What the hell is going on?", Teo whispers over to Ves, not wanting to get in the middle of it.


    "I have no idea, but apparently Sam got some action", Ves admits.


    "Sam, she''s using you", Joe sighs out.


    "No she''s not, you just hate to see someone actually likes me, since y''all have decided I''m not good enough", Sam protests.


    "She doesn''t like you, how long have you even known her for?", Joe says.


    "Does it matter?", Sam retorts.


    "Yes, yes it does", Joe replies flatly, "we''re saying this for your own good, she is using you".


    "Or maybe you''re just jealous that I''m getting some action, huh", Sam grins at him dryly, "since you''ve been chasing after Henry since day one, weren''t you".


    "I was never chasing after Henry", Joe says calmly, "what are you talking about?".


    "Oh come on, you''ve been stickimg with him and Marc since the school started, you obviously like him but won''t admit it because you stand no chance", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "I like Henry like a friend", Joe persists, "besides, you don''t know me and you''re not observant enough to figure those things out".


    "God, it''s so obvious, I don''t know what you''re on about", Sam waves him off.


    "Quit it, Sam", Joe says firmly.


    "Why would I, the two of you just embarrassed me in front of the girl", Sam crosses his hand, "why is it that you all get to do whatever you want, and when I do anything, you make a problem out of it?".


    "Because we actually think things through", Joe says simply, "and we do things for a point you know, we don''t just battle someone because they appriached us randomly or kiss some random older girl cause we''re hormonal and horny".


    "Oh shut up", Sam cuts him off.


    "I can''t believe this doesn''t even ring a bell for you", Joe says, "why is she even here? She''s clearly not a student".


    "She''s a former student", Sam retorts, "and she''s Nolan''s assistant, she has every right to be here, and I have every right to do what I want".


    "You actually do not", Joe deadpans, "age of consent is 16 and you are 14, her kissing you is literally against the law".


    "As if you care about the law", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "School rules are not the same as the law", Joe retorts.


    "Alright", Ace finally walks out of the bathroom, "so where did we stop".


    His eyes lend on Teo frist. "Get dressed already", the boy says firmly.


    Proceeding to look between Joe and Sam he sticks to the former, asking: "did you get anywhere with him?".


    "No", Joe says, "because he doesn''t understand what age of consent is and why it''s important".


    "Alright, I''ll take over then", Ace says.


    Taking a deep breath, he stares at Sam. "Now listen up you motherfucker", his voice beams, cracking all along, "this is not The Secret Life of the American Teenager, so keep it in your pants buddy, instead of letting a girl lead you on, maybe do some fucking training and get better, since we''re already falling behind thanks to your dumbassery".


    "She was helping me train", Sam protests.


    "Yeah, well, that was not the kind of training that will get us through the year", Ace yells.


    "Oh my God, all of you are insanse", Sam grabs his head, "Us? Us? I thought we were all passing on outr own, so what does it matter to you if I train or don''t".


    "Well unfortunately, we''re stuck with the team tournament, so we need wins to advance through the rounds and get more points", Ace points out, "as soon as that part is over, you''re free to do whatever the hell you want".


    "Whatever", Sam scoffs, "you don''t get to tell me what to do, we''re not even friends".


    "Well, you literally can''t date a staff member", Joe points out calmly.


    "She''s a staff member?", Ace yells out.


    "She works with Nolan on his field research", Sam rolls his eyes, "she''s not on school staff".


    "Oh my God, she has a job", Ace wails, "do you not get how wrong this is?".


    "Why?", Sam crosses his arms.


    "Dude, she has a job, and in research, she''s legally an adult and a smart one, meanwhile, you''re 14 and certainly some kind of stupid".


    "My God, I made it into this school just like you all did, stop calling me stupid", Sam says firmly, "Teo only has like 20 points more than me, and you never call him stupid".


    "First thing, I have 42 points more than you", Teo points out, "second, don''t drag me into this".


    "Teo", Ace turns to give him a dry look, "should put some pants on, I''m literally allergic to all of you walking around in your underwear".


    "I can take it off if that will make you happier", Teo winks at him. Pushing Ace''s buttons is just way too entertaining.


    "You two, just go back to the bathroom and be gay", Ace sighs, "I''m dealing with this one now, I can''t take you two as well".


    "I''m sure you could take all 3 of us if you tried", Ves smirks, and Teo has ti high five him.


    "Wow", Ace says defeatedly, "are the two of you really teaming up now? Whta the hell happened in that bathroom?".


    "Nothing, it''s just fun when you yell at people, we like seeing you mad", Teo shrugs.


    "Right, we didn''t mean anything by it, it''s just a joke Ace", Ves says, in a surprisingly sincere tone.


    "Right dude, besides, what''s the big deal with us being in our underwear sometimes? I mean, we''re all guys here", Teo shrugs.


    "It''s just about common decency", Ace sighs, "nevermind that, that''s not the topic now, Sam''s the problem here".


    "Right, I''m the problem", Sam says, "as always".


    "You are the biggest problem at this moment", Ace corrects.


    "God, I have had enough of this", Sam throws his hands up, "it''s always me, everyone does what they want, and I''m always the worst somehow, no matter what I do".


    "It''s cause you''re way too fucking trusting", Ace sighs.


    "Right, a guy comes, chats you up, and you go and battle him on school grounds", Teo points out.


    "A girl kisses you and you don''t even question why?", Joe adds.


    "Omay, first, we already fought Lesley and the guys long before I had that battle with Bo, so excuse me for thinking that is what we''re doing", Sam hisses.


    "Yeah, dude, notice how we only ever fought them", Ace rolls his eyes, "because we know they won''t rat us off, it''s not like we go around and battle whoever".


    "Right, well, Vanessa kissed me cause she likes me, what else could there possibly be?", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "Um, grooming?", Ves points out.


    "She wants to use you for your body", Joe adds.


    "She''s just leading you on for fun", Teo chimmes in.


    "She wants to get the two of you on tape so Nolan can expell all of us because he hates us", Ace concludes.


    "That''s it, you know what?", Sam sighs, "maybe I''m too trusting, but all of you are way too mistrustful".


    "We are absolutely not", Ves crosses his hands.


    "Yes, you are, come on, we''ve been at this school for 2 weeks, and how many friends do you all have?", Sam says firmly, "other than Joe who goes around with Henry and Marc like they are some kind of a small cult, but that''s literally it, none of you have any friends because you''re a bunch of mistrustful assholes".


    "Just to point out, I do have friends, and I am very social", Joe says flatly, "I befriended Dominic just yesterday, kind of".


    "Yeah, and I befriended an 8 year old named Nora who really likes Roselia today", Ace says decisevly.


    "I befriended some guys back in Canalave, kind of", Ves scratches his head.


    "I befriended some narc gym trainers when I was back home", Teo points out.


    "Right, we are all social, see, you can''t blame us for your own problems", Ace deduces.


    "Dude, the whole class literally hates us", Sam yells desperately, "there''s a girl who thinks we are a TV show".


    "Oh, God, are you taking what Rodney had said to heart?", Teo laughs, "Rodney is an asshole".


    "Who the fuck is Rodney?", Ace says.


    "Oh, that guy who sits near the window in the 4th row", Joe points out, "he has a Chewtle, looks kind of weak, no need pay attention to him".


    "Wait, you actually know Rodney?", Teo raises his eyebrow.


    "Of course, I know the whole class", Joe says simply, "most of them are inconsequential though, so I see no reason to pay attention to them".


    "You know, when I hear you talk like that", Ves says, "Sam might have a point? How the fuck are you the only one of us who managed to make friends?".


    "I don''t know, I guess I''m just likeable", Joe shrugs.


    "Stop Garry Stue-ing", Ace sighs.


    "I''ll tell you how, because both Henry and Marc are the same type of an idiot as he is", Sam wails, "have you ever seen Henry talk to anyone? Like ever? Both of them are like robots with 0 emotions who only think about battling".


    "I beg to differ", Ace says giving Joe a serious look.


    "And Marc is just like Ves 2.0, he''s just slightly less insufferable and much more blond".


    "Right", Teo nods, "and doesn''t have a nearly good ass".


    "Hey", Ves daggers at him, "I thought you were on my side on this one".


    "Look, no need to attack Henry and Marc", Joe says coldly, "we get along, stop bringing them up".


    "And you wish you were on a team with them instead, right", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "Well I can''t say I''d complain if that was the case", Joe admits.


    "Obvioisly", Sam says.


    "Look, we clicked, that''s all", Joe says, "it''s not like I was looking for friends or trying too hard, it just happened, that''s all, it could''ve happened to any of us".


    "And what if I just click with Vanessa", Sam says in a challenge.


    "That would be illegal, I thought we were over this", Joe points out.


    "Not like that", Sam says, "God, y''all really just enjoy fucking me, huh".


    "Hey, we''re not as lucky with chicks aa you are", Teo laughs.


    "You know, it''s always like this, and it''s not fair at all", Sam says, his voice evening out, but staying sharp.


    "Like what?", Ace wonders.


    "We all fight, but I''m always the only one left on the outside", Sam says, "however many times you go and say we''re not talking anymore, the four of you always end up taking each other''s side, making some kind of groups or whatever, it''s like you''re part of your own strange world, and I''m just an annoyance".


    "Wehat kind of groups are you talking about?", Ves says.


    "Oh come on, the two of you were doimg gay shit in the bathroom right now", Sam points out.


    "God, I was shaving, that''s all", Teo says.


    "Whatever", Sam waves it off, "you and Ves are a team now, maybe you won''t be tomorrow, but you are right now, and these two went on their little fieldtrip so they are tag teaming as well, I''m the only one here who''s always excluded".


    "I''ve tried to include you", Joe says, "what exactly do you want? A babysitter?".


    "Oh, come on, you were just acting nice, and you know it", Sam says dryly.


    "At least I tried, alright", Joe seems to gain some red in his face, "but you know, I left you out of my sight for one day, and you almost got us expelled, I did not come to this school to be anyone''s care taker".


    "Right, so I was just a problem to you, that''s fine, I never asked you to be my babysitter", Sam says.


    "I didn''t say that", Joe says, "I just have my own problems as well, that''s all".


    "I believe", Sam rolls his eyes, "and you and Ace are buddies for today, huh, we''ll see how long that one will last".


    "We came to a bilateral agreement", Joe says.


    "Right, just don''t go signing any papers with this guy", Sam says to Ace.


    "You need to chill out dude", Ace sighs, "all we''re saying is you shouldn''t go falling for girls older than you, we''re just trying to help".


    "I didn''t ask for your help", Sam says, "so let me reiterate the deal I thought we had, just leave me the fuck alone".


    "Harsh", Teo says.


    "Fine", Ace rolls his eyes, "don''t say we didn''t warn you".


    "So", Ves says, after a few moments of silence, "is that all, are we done here".


    "Yes, the show''s over, you can go your merry way", Ace waves them of begrudgingly.


    "Right", Sam throws himself onto the bed.


    "Good then", Teo slowly steps back into the bathroom, with Ves close by him.


    "What even was that?", the other boy asks expectantly.


    "I have no clue", Teo admits.


    "Sam''s a bit... jumpy", Ves says, "I''ve never seen him like that".


    "Oh, just leave him be", Teo waves it off, grabbinh the shaving cream again.


    "But, I mean, he is kind of right", Ves scratches his head.


    "About what?", Teo says, rubbing the cream across his face.


    "I mean everything", Ves says, "I would know, you guys didn''t exactly give too many chances to me either".


    "We''re teammates, it''s normal", Teo says carefully, "no one said we have to be best friends, or friends at all, Joe''s right, we''re not here to be his babysitters".


    "But those two were berating him about being with a girl", Ves takes the razor, "I mean, it''s strange that she'' s older, but that''s his personal business".


    "She''s Nolan''s assistant", Teo points out, "we could all get in trouble because of it".


    "Why would we all get in trouble?", Ves questions, slowly sliding the razor acorss Teo''s skin.


    "Because, apparently, we are supposed to stop each other from doimg stupid shit", Teo says, "according to school board, at least".


    "I have no idea", Ves says, "I just don''t know, maybe they went a bit overboard with it, it is a personal matter".


    "You know, what worries me more is that those two seem to be in some sort of a deal", Teo says cautiosly, "I mean, they were off to Lilicove without telling us, now they are tag-teaming Sam, we''re gonna have tough time if they keep this up".


    "Yeah, honestly, I''m surprised it took them this long", Ves chuckles, "the two of them look as if they would get along".


    "Oh, don''t say it", Teo sighs, "they will be a pain in our asses".


    "Maybe not, who knows", Ves shrugs.


    The bathroom doors slide open once again, causing the two boys to stop talking immediately. Joe carefully walks in, closing the doors behind him.


    "Good God, has anyone in this room heard of knocking", Teo says. Ves keeps carefully sliding the razor across his face, and Teo realises he''s almost done.


    "I need to talk to you", Joe looks at Teo, ignoring his previous remark. "Alone", the boy gives an empty glance to Ves.


    "G, what is that about", Ves rasises his eyebrow, getting the final strokes of the razor in.


    "There are a few things I want to say, that''s all", Joe says, throwing his stuff onto one of the plastic clothes holders.


    "Alright, I''m done here anyways, so I''ll dissapear", Ves rolls his eyes. He steps away, as Teo washes his face. "Just don''t murder each other", the boy points out, as he takes a hold of the door handle.


    As soon as he''s out of the bathroom, Joe steps in closer. "You taking a shower?", he asks flatly.


    "Yes, I planned on doing that", Teo informs him.


    "Good, let''s do it together", Joe says calmly, quickly sliding off his shirt.


    "Dude, what?", Teo says in surprise, "I''m not into shit like that".


    "Drop it, I can''t have anyone else listening in, that''s all, so I want the water running", Joe shoots him down, "just take those off and get into the shower".


    "Dude, you can''t just say that", Teo sighs, "I''m not gay, you know".


    "Neither am I", Joe rolls his eyes, "will you guys ever learn what asexuallity is?".


    "Well, you can''t just waltz in here and order me to get into the shower with you", Teo protests.


    "What''s the big deal, dodn''t you threaten getting naked just a minute ago", Joe says, quickly sliding off the rest of his clothes. Teo''s eyes dart away quickly, his face blushing.


    "That''s different", Teo scoffs, "get a filter dude".


    "Just take those off and get in here", Joe rolls his eyes, stepping into the shower.


    Teo has no idea what Joe''s trying to accomplish here, but it feels all too strange. With a sigh, he decides to play along. Not that Joe would do anything to him right here, he thinks. Sliding his underpants off, he steps after him, and Joe quickly slides the curtain to hide them.


    "You like what you see, you perv?", Teo says sarcastically, but it doesn''t take him too long to figure out Joe''s not looking at him. As the other boy gets the water running, Teo becomes aware of his own body, as if he can feel just how transluscent his skin is, how uneven and plain every part of him is. Isn''t a gay guy supposed to want to look at him? Or asexual, whatever, Joe does like guys, as far as Teo figured out. In a sort of a protest, Teo refuses to look at his teammate. He can''t help noticing the difference though, Joe''s skin has some colour, and his body is toned, much more developed. There might be something about waking up at 5 AM for a run every day. A stinge of insecurity nests in his chest.


    "So, the Mental Herb, you still have it, right?", Joe says calmly, getting Teo out of his head.


    "I do, why?", Teo says cautiosly, "you gonna berate me into throwing it out or?".


    "No, we''ll plant it", Joe says quietly, "just don''t tell the others".


    "Oh", Teo says in surprise. So this is what the whole shower thing was about then. "You had a change of heart, huh".


    "Yeah", Joe admits, "don''t get me wrong, we''re just going to use it out of necessity, that''s all, once everything is sorted through, we''re getting rid of the plant".


    "We? We are going to use it?", Teo asks curiously.


    "I need it as well", Joe says flatly, "that''s all I wanted to tell you, as I said, not a word to anyone else about it, alright?".


    "Alright", Teo decides to take a win.


    The two of them proceed to shower in silence. Teo doesn''t like the way they need to stand so close, he does his best not to accidentally touch the other boy. Joe on the other hand, seems careless, as if this is nothing to him. Teo really hates the fact he''s not acknowledging how strange this situation is at all.


    They get done with it quickly, and Teo shots out of the shower quickly, drying himslef and getting dressed in an instant. He doesn''t look at Joe, but waits until the other boy gets dressed as well so the two of them go back to the room together.


    Of course what awaits them as soon as they step into the room is an array of gay jokes. Teo just stands through them, thinking that at least, Joe''s on his side about the Mental Herb. Plus, there''s something he''s hiding from Ace, so it''s not like the two are together on every issue. That''s very good for Teo.


    *****


    The classes are as annoying as ever, if not more. After yesterday''s tournament, everyone is talking about the results. It seems to be an official opinion now that Henry is the strongest in the class. Especially since the girls found he had beaten Joe as well. It crosses Teo''s mind that most people in the classroom hadn''t even seen all the battles they had, so they don''t know how strong Joe actually is. Teo would assume he didn''t just hand the victory over to Henry.


    Nevertheless, Teo finds the effects of that tournament annoying. Rodney''s watching him with daggers in his eyes, not that that''s the biggest problem. No, the biggest problem is that Natasha and Lesley keep dissapearing to the end of the room, as if the two are conspiring on something. They end up discovering that they did end up going for tea yesterday after classes, and apparently they clicked. Teo finds the idea terrifying. Not that they were dating, at least not openly, but it definitley seemed to him that the two of them have created a small club with just the two of them.


    To make matters worse, Ace couldn''t help mentioning that Teo and Joe had ended up in the shower together last night, so everyone''s looking at him strangely. Great. If he could, he''d murder Ace on the spot. Joe doesn''t seem to mind it, chatting away with Marc and Henry as he always does, with Ace actually joining them thid time around. The blond boy was complaining more than usual. Apparently, he went on to do Joe''s morning routine today, and it has brought him to the death''s doors.


    Sighing, Teo realised Maria is looking over at him, with a weird grin, sliding her eyes over at Joe every time she realised Teo was looking back at her. She creeped him out, and he hated the fact he wouldn''t be beating the gay aegations anytime soon.


    With nothing better to do, and not wanting to talk to anyone else in that classroom, he turned to Ves.


    "Hey", he says quietly.


    "Hey", Ves says in surprise.


    "Uh, what are you doing after classes?", Teo asks carefully. After the whole thing last night, it felt strange talking to Ves. Not that they were friends, but at least Ves ended up being a good teammate.


    "Going off to training center for a few hours", Ves says simply, "why?".


    "Any chance you''d let me join?", Teo asks immediately.


    He really had no idea what he''s supposed to do. Ace and Joe had their own thing now, and Sam ignored them all ever since that fight last night, Teo really didn''t want to be stuck in a room with the three of them. Besides, he did need to get some training in. Everyone was doing that, everyone had some sort of the schedule set up already, except for him.


    "Sure", Ves says simply, "though I don''t know if I''ll be able to help you much".


    "Don''t need help, just... I don''t feel like being in our dorm room", Teo admits.


    "Right I get it", Ves nods, "by the way, did something happen between you and Joe last night? I didn''t really want to ask but...".


    "No, nothing", Teo says quickly.


    "Really? He didn''t try anything?", Ves raises his eyebrow cautiously.


    "No, no, why would you even ask that?", Teo says, blushing.


    "I mean, I don''t really know, that was strange how he just walked in last night, and you know, he likes guys and all, so I thought...", Vea tries.


    "No, we just talked", Teo reassures him quickly. "We had some things to settle back from when we went to Lilicove, and then from Canalave, that''s all", Teo thinks lying is the best option here.


    "Alright, dude, just checking", Ves nods along, not looking all too certain.


    "It''s alright, I mean, he didn''t even look at me, which honestly was kind of offensive", Teo admits.


    "He''s one all around confusing dude", Ves sighs.


    "That he is, both him and Ace", Teo sighs, "Sam as well, I don''t know what that was last night".


    "And me?", Ves asks expectantly.


    "What about you?", Teo asks.


    "Am I confusing?", he reiterates.


    "Yes, you are", Teo says bluntly.


    "Wow, thanks", Ves says dryly.


    "Now don''t get mad, I mean, I just can''t figure out what''s up with any of you", Teo raises his hands in the air, "I''m just being honest here".


    Truth be told, Teo really can''t put his finger on any of his teammates. Not that he had tried too hard.


    "Besides, I have bigger issues on me right now", Teo sighs.


    "Tots, right?", Ves nods, deciding to let go of the team thing.


    "Yeah, both of my pokemon, I have no idea how to train them, and it''s really about goddamn time I started", Teo looks over to see Rodney who''s almost obsessively petting his Chewtle. Totodile beat them on his own, but there were definitely too many people the small croc couldn''t handle like that.


    "I mean, Tots is, like, super young, but he has potential", Ves says simply, "so maybe, just let it do what he wants to do?".


    "I don''t think that will win me too many battles", Teo admits.


    "No, no, I actually have a stupid idea here", Ves points out.


    "Sounds promising", Teo nods expectantly.


    "Back in Canalave, the gym leader told me I should let Doom battle how he wants to", Ves says, "so maybe you should let Tots use the moves he wants to use, the moves that feel good to him".


    "He only wants to use one move", Teo points out.


    "Right, he knows one move he wants to use, so just make him forget the rest", Ves says decisively.


    "That really is a stupid idea", Teo sighs.


    "Why not try it? I mean, Tots is already not using them, he''s already battling as if he only knows 1 move", Ves shrugs, "if you just delete those other 3, you leave space for Tots to naturally develop new moves, through training and battles, and moves that he will want to use".


    Pokemon can develop new moves naturally, though it''s a risky business, since you can never be sure what you''ll end up with. The development level was a good indication, however with Totodile who was still young, the moves he could naturally develop weren''t the strongest. It was an overall very chaotic method.


    "I don''t know", Teo admits, "what if it doesn''t work, and I end up with a pokemon who only knows 1 move?".


    "You get Joe to take you to Lilicove again, and you get some TMs", Ves shrugs. Noticing Teo''s reluctant face, Ves adds: "I think it''s a good bet, having 4 moves doesn''t mean much when your pokemon only uses 1, even if Tots can develop just 1 more move that he wants to use, it will be worth it".


    Teo can''t really afford to think about it. Doing his best to turn off his mind, he pulls his pokedex out of his pocket, quickly scanning Totodile''s pokeball. Before he can overthink it, he selects Water Gun, Scratch and Leer, making his partner forget those moves.


    "I... didn''t expect you to jump on the train this fast", Ves admits, sounding only slightly terrified


    "Me neither", Teo says flatly, "but I have to start moving faster, that''s all". Now that it''s been done, Teo''s not sure if it was the best bet. "Thanks for the advice", Teo says to Ves.


    "No problem, hope it pays off", Ves shrugs, still slightly surprised.


    "Hey, what are the two of you conspiring about?", Ace appears above them in an instant.


    "Training", Ves says shortly.


    "Really? The two of you?", Ace tries chuckling, but Teo can see him twitch in pain. Joe''s rainimg regimen definitely brought him to the verge of death.


    "Yeah, I made Tots forget all of his moves other than Aqua Jet so he can develop new ones that he wants to use", Teo informs him.


    "God, you are an idiot", Ace tries to chuckle again.


    "Why, you have a better idea?", Ves says in a slightly offended tone.


    "Hey, it''s a good idea in theory, a very good idea actually", Ace says, "but why the fuck would you make Tots forget 3 moves? You could''ve forgotten 1 move, wait until Tots learned a new move, then you can make him forget another move".


    Frankly, Teo didn''t think about that. One look at Ves makes him realise the other boy didn''t realise that was an option either.


    "Look, I just like to keep things intersting, be a wild card, you know", Teo rasies his hands up, trying to play it off as an intentional risk.


    "Great, that''s just great, first Sam made his Bolt forget Nuzzle, now you made Tots forget 3 of his moves", Ace sighs, "you three should consult Joe and I before making decisions like this, you know".


    "Yeah, right, sorry", Teo says dryly, "next time I want to do something, I''ll write you a paper request".


    "That would be for the best", Ace nods half-serious.


    "Just go away, Ace, let''s not start a fight", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "Whatever", Ace rolls his eyes, turning to leave.


    With the blond boy gone, Ves immediately turns to Teo, stating apologetically: "sorry, I didn''t really think the idea through, honestly, it was just on top of my mind".


    "No worries", Teo waves him off, "I could''ve thought it through as well".


    "So you''re not mad?", Ves asks expectantly.


    "No, uh, but I think I''ll train on my own today", Teo says. In reassurance, he quickly adds: "it''s not about this, I just want to take the training outside so Tots has more space to Aqua Jet and play around you know, I think that gives him better chances of developing a new move".


    "Right, understood", Ves nods.


    *****


    The training session with Totodile quickly deevolves into kicking the ball around.


    For the first half an hours, the small croc energetically Aqua Jets a tree, only to get bored of that little game, and decide to switch onto the next one. Right. It''s all just a game to him, Teo realises.


    Picking up the handball Teo had gotten for him, Totodile starts kickimg it into the air, chasing it around as soon as it trajects further away. Little bit later, the croc gets bored of that do and opts to deflect the ball into the tree instead.


    Although he wanted to train today, there were a few things standing in Teo''s way. First was the fact he was tired, as he always was on school days. 9 hours of classes drained up his energy pretty quickly. He could only sit himslef under the tree and watch as his partner played around.


    Second thing was, now that he took Ves''s advice he had no idea how to proceed. Totodile would have to develop a new move on his own.


    Third thing, he enjoyed just watching Totodile play. It was a bitersweet sight, a small pokemon playing by himslef in sundown. The small croc seemed excited, happy. It reminded Teo of his own childhood, he''d bounce the ball against the wall of his building anytime he had nothing better to do.


    He''d lose himself in his thoughts, but it awlays felt isolating. He wondered what his childhood would''ve been like if he had Totodile back then. He tried imagining a world where anyone could keep pokemon as pets, but it seemed so far fetched.


    What brought him out of his thoughts was the ball slamming into his head. Rubbing at the spot, he looked at Totodile, who looked at him expectantly, jumping from foot to foot. He''s gotten bored of playing with a tree as well, Teo concluded, and was searching for a new buddy.


    "Sorry, buddy", Teo sighs, "can''t do, besides, it''s late already".


    Tilting his head, Totodile gave him a pleading look.


    "Sorry", Teo says, standing up and takimg Totodile''s pokeball, "we should go".

 Chapter 25

    Wednesday morning started on a very concerning note for Ves. As soon as he saw Natasha and Lesley stand in front of the class and call for attention, his stomach sunk.


    "We have an announcement", Lesley clears his thorat.


    "Who would''ve guessed", Rodney drawls out from his spot, "I thought you were too quiet yesterday, we''re paying for that peace now, huh?".


    "Shut up, Rodney", Natasha sighs at him.


    "Anyways", Lesley goes on, "Natasha and I had strategic meeting on Monday, aftrr the torunament".


    "Date", Maria chimmes in enthusiastically, "they were on a date, I saw them".


    "It was a strategic meeting", Natasha turns her gaze towards the ceiling.


    "During that strategic meeting we concluded that our little tournament was a good opportunity to learn and grow", Lesley ignored the remarks.


    "Good for whom?", Rodney scoffs.


    "Good for all of us, now shut up already Rodney", Natasha sounds about ready to jump the boy.


    "That''s why we decided organising something similar would be beneficial", Lesley says firmly.


    "Oh, no, even more battles", Andrei groans, "I''m out".


    "You''re not out buddy", Lesley gives him a warning glance.


    "Anyways", Natasha takes over, "seeing how the seniors held their own official tournament, we decided us first years could try doing the same".


    "So, we got professors to agree to give us a spot in one of the stadiums", Lesley ties in.


    "You mean you bullied professors into it?", Ace chuckles.


    "My God, the point is, they agreed to let us hold a mock tournament", Lesley finally snaps, "will you stop interrupting us".


    "Right, we''re telling you now, so you know a bit earlier, but they will probably announce it today as well", Natasha says.


    "It will be a short form tournament meant to help us prepare for the tag team competition", Lesley explains, "so, it''s a team tournament".


    "Participation will be voluntary, but the whole team has to sign up", Natasha says, "of course, it''s only a practice tournament so the tournament will only include 1 round".


    "Exactly", Lesley points out, "it''s just one team battle, and, unlike the real thing, we won''t have 5 one-on-one battles, but 2 doubles and one single battle".


    "That''s pretty much all you should know, the sign-ups should be up later today, and we hope you''ll all decide to take part", Natasha finally finishes up.


    The two have really been acting as class presidents, Ves thinks. Taking part in yet another of their tournaments doesn''t really peak Ves''s interest. He''s already tried battling it out on Monday, and it didn''t end splendidly. Battling right now wouldn''t be too beneficial, since Houndour was already a move short, he''d have trouble standing up to any stronger opponent. One look at Teo told him the other boy shared the sentiment.


    Sam sat alone, trying to ignore everyone else, so he was probably against the idea is well. The only two who might''ve been into it were Ace and Joe. Ves spotted the two talking, with Ace leaning in, looking as if he was trying to convince Joe. To Ves''s surprise, the blond boy quickly gave up on that, sidelining for Ves and Teo.


    "Hey, you two, please tell me you''re up for this tournament", Ace says in a tired voice as soon as he approaches them.


    "Nope, not really", Ves says simply.


    "What, don''t tell me Joe left you hanging?", Teo says.


    "Of course he did, he''s got that thing going on with Rio and Kafka", Ace scoffs.


    "What thing?", Ves asks in surprise.


    "You don''t know yet?", Ace gives him a confused look.


    "Well, obviously we don''t", Teo rolls his eyes.


    "Uh, well, basically, he won''t use Rio cause he''s scared he''ll hurt someone, and Kafka can''t battle", Ace scratches his head, "so...um, I kind of need the two of you to step up".


    "Wait, wait", Ves stops him, "what do you mean he won''t use Rio?".


    "You''re telling us this now?", Teo joins in. Turning quickly to the otger boy he yells: "Joe, get your ass over here".


    Joe seems as he had expected this, as he quickly stand up and walks over to them. Ves truly can''t believe these two. "Sam, hey, Sam", he yells, "come over here".


    The boy gives them an empty look before promtly ignoring them.


    "Get over here, you idiot, this concerns all of us", Ves raises his voice.


    Sam relucntantly gets up, walking over to them. "What do you want now?".


    "We need some ground fucking rules here, that''s what I want", Ves sighs. Looking straight at Joe he questions: "did you know this idiot doesn''t want to battle?".


    "I didn''t and I don''t care, don''t see how that''s my problem", Sam says flatly.


    "I never said I don''t want to battle", Joe says, "I said I can''t battle right now".


    "There you have it", Sam shrugs, "still none of my problem".


    "It is your problem, it''s our problem", Ves persists, "we can''t be 1 person short for that fucking tournament, we''re already a complete mess". Ves is slowly starting to despise the word tournament.


    "There''s still time until tournament, no need to overreact" Joe says flatly.


    "Still, you could''ve said something to us", Teo points out.


    "I told Ace", Joe says simply, "besides, it''s not like this has been going on for that long".


    "Look, I respect that you and Ace have your little friendship thing bloomimg, it''s cute and all", Ves says dryly, "but you should''ve told all of us about this".


    "Exactly, we should know about stuff like this", Teo agrees.


    "As I said, I''ll fix it", Joe says, giving Ves an empty stare.


    "Yeah, well, you''ll have to", Ves retorts, "otherwise, we''re screwed".


    "I know that", Joe doesn''t budge.


    "Whatever, so, he can''t battle, what was the point of this anyways", Sam scoffs, "why did I need to be here?".


    "You need to be here cause we have to start actually functioning like a fucking team to some extent", Ves says loudly, "so, if anyone else has anything to say, start saying it".


    "Training wise", Teo adds.


    "Right, training wise, it affects all of us, so we should know what''s going on within the team", Ves nods.


    "I suppose you know what''s up with me", Joe shrughs, "Rio picks up on my emotions, goes berserker, I''m not using him until I figure it out, and Kafka is not the best battler all together, plus, he won''t use any special attacks, so that leaves him with only Fake Out and Scratch".


    "Alright, where''s everyone else at?", Ves claps his hands resdily, "I''m teaching Doom how to use Bite, so we''re 1 move short at the moment, but that''s all I have to say for myself".


    "Absol is still trying to kill me, unless there''s someone else trying to kill me, then he tries to kill them first", Teo offers, "Tots still only uses Aqua Jet, and I deleted the rest of his moves".


    "Alright, if you need to know, I thought Private Flame Charge, he still can''t use it in battle though, probably because he doesn''t really care about battling", Ace shrugs, "Rocky''s doing good, I had the move tutor teach him Sucker Punch, we''re practicing it, but it''s still very far off, though we''re doing good over all".


    "And you?", Ves looks at Sam expectantly.


    "I''m good", Sam says simply, "Bolt and I are training, that''s all I can tell you".


    "Good, good, so to summarise, Joe is out of comission, Ace and I have 1 usable pokemon that''s 1 move short, Teo has Tots that only has 1 move, and Sam is training", Ves nods, not feeling any better about things.


    "Seems to me like we''re pretty screwed", Teo nods.


    "That''s exactly why I want us in this tournament", Ace points out, "it will give us a push".


    "I doubt we''d move from this spot in one week", Joe sighs, "it''s just a waste of training time".


    "Hey, Doom and I can finish up Bite within a week", Ves points out, "so speak for yourself".


    "Right, I''m not really into the idea of this tournament though", Teo admits.


    "I don''t care, if you want to do it, I''ll do it", Sam says flatly.


    "Good, so we have two people who are for it, and two against it", Joe sighs.


    "Well, I wasn''t really for it, but if the situation is like this, we need to get in as much practice as we can", Ves admits.


    "Great, so we''re doing it then", Ace decides.


    "Alright, hopefully no one loses a limb", Joe says flatly.


    "You stop screwing around", Ace scoffs, "you and I can do a double battle, just use Kafka as support, that you can do".


    "Might I point out, I already tried that when we battped Dominic, and it didn''t go well", Joe says.


    "Wait, you battled Dom? You lost to him as well?", Ves says in surprise, "so, 2 people here beat you?".


    "Technically, Henry beat me in that battle as well", Joe corrects him.


    "How the fuck?", Ves says, now completely confused.


    "We had Mienfoo use Trailblaze on Kafka so he gets speed boost, since Schyter set up on us", Joe explains.


    "Huh, you really like those kamikaze strategies", Ves concludes.


    "Hey, hey, it doesn''t matter", Ace chimmes in, "the two of us will do double battle, that''s the executive decision".


    "I''m fine with that", Joe nods.


    "Teo, you and could try a double as well", Ves offers, "Since Tots is pretty limited right now, it would be for the best".


    "Sounds good", Teo hangs back in his chair, "I''m really not too eager to do another tournament anyways".


    "That means you''re battling in a singles battle", Ace informs Sam.


    "Whatever", Sam nods.


    "Great, then it''s all settled", Ace concludes.


    "Wait up", Ves claps his hands, "before you all run away, is there anything else going on, anything that we should all know about?".


    "Nope", Ace thinks about it for a second, "not really".


    "We are supposed to start looking into the grooming methods and diets for our pokemon", Joe gives the blond boy a look of significance.


    "Right", Ace sighs, "I keep forgetting, dude, it''s so hard keeping track of everything".


    "Anyways, if the three of you want to join in on that, some help would be welcome", Joe says.


    "Grooming and diet?", Teo asks reluctantly, "what are we now, a daycare?".


    "Hey, unfortunately, those things are important, and we haven''t been doing too good on that front", Ace scoffs.


    Thinking about it, Ves realises Ace is right. In order for pokemon to develop well, care and nutrition are mandatory. More importantly, they''d need to start doing things like a team for once, otherwise, they''ll be constantly trailing behind.


    "Fine, we''ll do it", Ves decides for both him and Teo, earning him a sharp look from the other boy. "What do you need us to do?", Ves ignores him.


    "Well, I was supposed to start looking into grooming methods for our pokemon, so I need help with that", Joe informs them, "Ace will take care of food".


    "Right, well, I''m not playing around with brushes or anything", Teo says decisively, "so I''ll help with the food".


    "Great, then you and Ace find the best diets for our pokemon", Joe nods, "and keep them on a budget, please".


    "The two of you go look for brushes and shit", Teo grins at Ves.


    "We will", Ves rolls his eyes. "See, it''s not that hard talking about this stuff", the boy concludes, "is there anything else".


    "Actually", Ace says, seemingly thinking about something, "there is one more thing I thought I should do, guess now''s as good of a time as any".


    "Well, shoot", Ves offers.


    "I want to battle the two of you", Ace says simply.


    "I appreciate your bravery", Teo chuckles, "but I think you might be in over your head with a 2v1".


    "Look, I just want to know for sure where I''m standing", Ace raises his eyebrow, "to be fair, the two of you aren''t exactly the best battlers around".


    "I''m in", Ves says simply. He gets it, Ace wants to test himslef. Besides, he didn''t really get a chance to battle him thus far, so it could be fun to give it a go.


    "Great", Ace says.


    "Okay, just don''t go complaining when you lose", Teo shrugs it off.


    "I won''t", Ace nods, we can do it after classes.


    "I can record it", Joe says suddenly, causing Ves to give him a curious look. "We bought a projector back in Lilicove, so we can watch matches", Joe clarifies, "if we record our matches, that can help us study them later on".


    "That''s a good idea", Ace nods.


    "Sounds like more studying, but alright", Teo sighs.


    "It is more studying", Joe informs him.


    "Alright, then, we have a deal", Ves says.


    "Great, I won''t be joining you", Sam finally joins in on the conversation.


    "Um, alright", Ves says slightly confused. Guess Sam''s still mad about the whole Vanessa thing so he''s acting up. "I mean, we won''t force you".


    "Huh", Sam scoffs, "since when are you so nice?".


    "I''m just trying to get us to function somewhat normally", Ves admits.


    "Alright, I''m not dumb enough to fall for that", Sam rolls his eyes.


    "Then don''t fall", Ace says dryly, "we''re finally operating as a team for once and you''re getting mad".


    "Whatever", Sam scoffs turning to leave, only to bump into Natasha.


    "Yo, a question real quick", the girl basically traps Sam there, "you guys up for taking a trip to Hoenn this Friday?".


    "Um, no, can''t do", Ace says, confused out of his mind.


    "Alright, alright, Tammy wants to catch Feebas for herself, and we thought we should invite someone", Natasha raises her hands up.


    "Why not invite Lesley though", Ace retorts, "aren''t you two a thing now?".


    "We''re not a thing, officially", Natasha coughes up uncomfortably, "we did invite them, they can''t go".


    "Right, Marc''s going home on Friday, you need all 5 team memebers to sign up for a trip", Joe points out.


    "Of course you would know where Marc is going", Teo throws Joe a knowing eyebrow.


    "We talked about it", the boy clears his throat.


    "Oh my God, I just thought you might want to go", Natasha sighs, "I didn''t want to get involved in one of your things".


    "Oh, then just don''t ever talk to them, they are always on their bullshit, I promise", Sam taps her on the shoulder, finally setting himself free and leaving.


    "Wait, Tammy wants to catch a Feebas?", Joe says, finally realising that''s going on, "shouldn''t she focus on training the pokemon she already has?".


    "Yeah, and why Feebas, that thing is already like useless before it evolves, and it takes a lot to evolve it", Ace questions.


    "Besides, that thing''s like super hard to find", Joe adds.


    "First off, Tammy thinks Milotic is super cool so you shouldn''t comment on it", Tammy appears next to Natasha.


    "Yeah, it''s her decision, she can catch however many pokemon she wants to", Natasha says adamantly.


    "Besides, our biology professor is leading the trip to Fortree city, the rivers there should have enough Feebas", Tammy says.


    "You sure about that?", Ace challenges.


    "Yeah, I did my reasearch", Tammy scoffs, "Feebas migrate from August to middle of November, that''s when they breed in nature, the shallow parts of the river where I can fish should have more than enough freshly hatched Feebas around this time of the year".


    "Are you a fish expert or something?", Ves laughs.


    "My dad likes sport fishing", Tammy says, "so yes, I know about this, besides, obviously I reasearched the pokemon that I wanted to catch, that''s a normal thing to do when you''re a trainer".


    "Does this team look normal to you?", Teo chimmes in.


    "Um, yeah, actually, now that you mention it", Natasha thinks about it, looking at Joe, "how the fuck did you find an Espurr in Sinnoh region, I thought they don''t naturally occur there?".


    "Actually, I found it", Teo says proudly, "saved it from some poachers and gave it to Joe, since he helped me catch Tots".


    "Oh", Natasha says.


    "And the other two pokemon, how did you find them?", Tammy questions.


    "I just ran into Charcadet randomly and decided to catch it", Ace admits.


    "Totodile ran into Joe and me randomly", Teo adds, "and basically caught himself".


    "Oh, that''s...", Tammy says, "you should maybe start thinking these things through?".


    "Right, I mean, trainers spend time reasearching where to find pokemon", Natasha offers, "most people don''t just go catching whatever they run into".


    "It has worked out thus far", Joe says confidently. He gives a significant look to the rest of the boys: "actually, maybe we should go to Hoenn".


    "Why now?", Ace vails.


    "I could catch a Salamance, I want a flying type", Joe says simply.


    "Absolutely not", Ace says sternly, "you''re not getting a Salamance, there''s no way you could catch that, besides, with our luck, you''ll pick up an emotionally disturbed one and kill all of us".


    "Besides", Tammy clears her throat, "Salamance line doesn''t live near Fortree city, they prefer mountains, which you would know if you researched this".


    "Of course I knew that, everyone knows that", Joe says flatly, "but I might find a roaming Bagon or something".


    "We are still not going to Hoenn", Ace decides.


    "But it''s not even that far", Joe pleads.


    "Nope, you already have two pokemon, you don''t need a third one", Ace says, "focus on getting Rio and Kafka ready for the tournament".


    "Stop mentioning the tournament, I''m getting a gag reflex from that word", Ves sighs.


    "Look, we just wanted to see if you wanted to come along", Natasha waves them off, "but we''ll leave you to your business".


    "Honestly, that''s for the best", Ace nods, "please, don''t give these three any more ideas".


    "Roger that", Natasha says, all but pulling Tammy away from the boys.


    "So, training, battle, grooming, diet", Ace claps his hands.


    "And maybe we go to the Fortree city on our own, it''s close to Lilicove anyways, we could catch a train from there", Joe chimmes in.


    "No Fortree city, you are not getting a fucking Salamance", Ace says firmly.


    "Actually", Ves cuts him off, "since we''re doing the whole team thing and stuff, maybe I want to go to Lilicove".


    "Why the fuck now?", Ace looks about ready to cry.


    "Well, both you and Teo went, it''s my turn now", Ves points out, "besides, the nights are getting colder, and the heating won''t start anytime soon, so we could use like a portable heater or something".


    "You are absolutely not taking him to Lilicove to get a fucking heater, do you understand me?", Ace gives Joe a death glare.


    "I mean", Joe says thoughtfully, "he''s kind of right about the nights getting colder, and besides, we will probably end up needing more berries and grooming stuff, so...".


    "No", Ace says, "you can''t just hop onto a boat and go to Lilicove every chance you get".


    "Just to point out, it''s unfair that you all get to go and not me", Ves hangs back in his chair.


    "Look, the grooming kits are not the best in the school stores, and they are pricey", Joe says, "plus, diets usually requier specific berries, among other stuff, I already have Chople berry for Rio, but we will need similar berries for the rest of the pokemon, so keep in mind, we will have to go to Lilicove again, as soon as we have the list of everything that we need".


    "Great, we can all go together", Teo claps his hands together, definitely ecstatic about pissing off Ace.


    "I''m not road tripping with all of you, this is not Paper Towns", Ace sighs, "but fine, you can go to fucking Lilicove when we have the list of the things we need".


    "And you are taking me this time", Ves says victoriously.


    "I might want to come as well", Teo says readily.


    "You are absolutely not going, the last time you were alone with Joe, the two of you almost got arrested", Ace says simply.


    "You can''t stop me", Teo shrugs simply.


    "Hey, you already went, it''s not fair", Ves protests.


    "Joe went like twice already", Teo retorts.


    "I''m the only one here who can drive a boat", Joe offers, "so I kind of have to go".


    "Fair point", Ves nods in agreement, "Joe and I are going".


    "But the two of them might try killing each other", Teo says to Ace, "do you really want to leave them alone on a boat in the middle of the ocean?".


    "It''s not like they will be safer with you there", Ace rolls his eyes.


    "Fine, then you come too", Teo says simply.


    "Alright, alright, all four of us are going", Ace finally decides, "but only after we''ve decided what stuff we need".


    "And don''t spend too much money, save up", Joe reminds them.


    "Exactly", Ace nods, "and focus on training until then".


    "Right, and everything else", Ves nods in agreement, realising just how much stuff they have to do.


    *****


    The worst thing about Old King''s are definitely the classes. At first, pokemon school seemed much more fun than the regular school. First year, however, consisted strictly of regular classes like English, Math and Biology. No cool stuff like Pokemon Anatomy, or Ecology, or learning specifics about different types. No, all of that was relegated to later years. As Ves sat through another physics lecture, all he could think about was the battle that was in front of him. He never really had a chance to battle against Teo or Ace. Actually, the only time he got to face against any of his teammates was when Ace, Sam and himself faced Joe, and that was like, on the third day.


    It was hard for him to put it into place, this has been only his third week at Old King''s. Actually, if he remembered correctly, that battle was exactly two weeks ago. He already felt like a completely different trainer since then. And how many battles did he even have since then? It felt like too many, somehow. Well, he did have that free-for-all back in Canalave, and had beaten three trainers in a row back in Nimbasa. Just those battles alone were enough to build up his confidence, especially when he knows he went up against Mikey once and against Vinnie twice. His battle against Henry on Monday didn''t really go too well, but it was Henry, so it didn''t count.


    He took the opportunity to text Daniel, only to find the three trainers he met back in Nimbasa were staying in Castelia city. They''ve been training, and Karl had considered catching a new pokemon for himslef, but gave up in the end. Daniel tried challenging Castelia city''s gym leader with his Tepig, thinking the type advantage would give him the edge, but he ended up losing. Ves couldn''t help thinking about how it would feel just traversing through a region and trying to win all the gym badges. Looking over his teammates, he could see them going down that path in a different universe. Until it came to him that they weren''t from the same region. More likely, somewhere in a parallel universe, he was taking on the gym challenge with Vinnie and Mikey by his side, maybe even Dominic.


    The three of them lived in Castelia, he thought. Maybe, had things played out differently, he would''ve lived there as well. Mikey''s father was ready to have him move in with them, and Ves''s mother wanted that as well. Vincent was basically the only reason Ves stayed in Nimbasa, back when he was alive, their father didn''t want the two of them to separate like that. And Vincent was already old enough to know what''s going on, and didn''t want to live in Castelia. It was strange, imagining the alternate path he could''ve gone down. Mikey and Vinne, for what they were, weren''t the worst people alive, he knew. But Ces could simply not imagine himself getting along with them, not enough for the three of them to travel Unova together.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    He shook those thought out of his head. Thinking about his half-sister and step-brother was not his favourite thing. It was all too complicated.


    As the classes dragged on, he did his best to focus on what''s in fron of him. Beating Ace and Teo. As far as he realised, Ace wanted them to have a 3-way battle. Coming up one move short would put him in a disatvantage. Energy Ball would be his go to strategy, as the grass type move would match well into both Rockruff and Totodile, at least Ves assumed his teammates would use those pokemon. The problem there was that Energy Ball was quite puny. That was expected, pokemon had natural incline towards gathering and manipulating the energy that matched their type, while any other variety of energy was harder for them to control. Ember, the only other attacking move he had battle-ready wouldn''t hold up against a water and a rock type. At least it could be used to keep Ace from being to annoying with Double Team.


    Ves himself could try setting up with Nasty Plot, but that was a risky plan in 3-way battle. If Ace and Teo decided to tag-team him, he''d be done. Another problem was, bit of his opponents had access to priority moves. This was a terrible match-up for his partner, the boy quickly concluded. The best bet he has is to try and keep the two of them at bay with his attacks, let them tire each other out, preferably wait for one of their pokemon to get knocked out.


    He really wished he spent more time practicing Energy Ball with Houndour. That would give him a better chance here. If that attack was stronger, one well timed blast could probably knock Totodile out. Not that he feared Teo too much, but having Totodile Aqua Jet around on a whim didn''t exactly sit right with him.


    It dawned on him that this is good. If he has trouble coming up with a way to beat his teammates, that means they are at least somewhat good.


    By the time the final bell rang, Ves had decided that the best plan is not really having a plan. 1v1v1 battles are unpredictable anyways, the best he can do is stay on his toes and try to adapt to whatever situation arises.


    Sam dissapears as soon as the last class is over, leaving the other four boys to make their way towards the beach. The sun is ever so close to setting, even though it''s barely past 5 PM. The four of them don''t talk too much as they walk, other than Teo occasionally trying to make a joke. He doesn''t seem too bothered with this battle. Unlike him, Ace seems to have fully dissociated and sunk into him, almost as if he''s going through every possible outcome of the battle. Ves himself has given up on trying to make predictions.


    As soon as they reach the shore, Ves runs onto the sand, releasing his partner. Houndour appears on the filed, looking as determined as ever. In the dying sunlight, the pokemon''s black fur gains the ashen gray note, making. Ves tries to remember the first few days he had Houndour. It didn''t feel like this. Just two weeks ago, letting Houndour hit the field felt exciting, a bit scary and all too important. Now, however, it felt almost natural. The boy couldn''t decide what the gray meant, was it just the lighting, was it a sign Houndour has developed, or was it a sign of his non-existent grooming routine.


    "Hey, Doom", Ves crouched down, whispering to his partner, "we''re about to battle, I want you to keep your distance as much as you can, we''re battling defensively, alright".


    "Whatever you''re whispering won''t work", Teo smirks, reasying his pokeball. "I will Aqua Jet you both into oblivion", he states, throwing his pokeball into the air. Totodile, upon hearing the words "Aqua Jet" immediately launches into attack, making the straight line in the air, before landing on the sand.


    "I''ll get both of you", Ace says, letting Rockruff hit the sand as well. As expected, the blond boy is relying on his rock type. Not that Ves is too happy about it. The only thing that makes him feel somewhat more confident is the fact that he knows Rockruff is one move short right now as well. Though, he has no idea what move Ace had sacrificed.


    "Alright, are all three of you ready?", Joe asks, taking his phone out and preparing the camera.


    "obviouely,we can start", Teo informs him.


    "Take your spaces, and wait until I find the best angle to record this", Joe says absentmindedly walking across the sand. As the three of them take positions on the beach, Joe walks around, complaining about the lighting. In the end, he decides to stand facing the ocean, to get the best of the last of the sunlight.


    As soon as he has taken his spot, Ves turns around and focuses on the three pokemon in front of him. Both Houndour and Rockruff have taken the battle stance, while Totodile is loafing around, looking between the two dogs.


    "Alright, if you are ready", Joe says, pressing the record button, "battle begin".


    "Go Tots, do your thing", Teo says immediately, as Totodile leaps into the air, enveloping himself in water, and propeling himself forward.


    Teo didn''t pick the target, but Ves spots the Totodile is aiming for Rockruff.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace orders immediately.


    "Nasty Plot, Doom", Ves takes the opportunity.


    "Bullshit", Ace scoffs, as his partner quickly gets away from the incoming Aqua Jet, "Accelerock, hit Doom, cut it off, Rocky".


    The rocks swiftly projectile towards Houndour, just a moments too late, the Nasty Plot has already gone through.


    "Dodge it", Ves orders up, "keep mooving Doom, go in circles".


    "Tots, keep it up", Teo says almost manically. He might be leaning too much into the chaos, not picking targets, just letting Totodile do whatever he wants.


    The croc pokemon jump starts tge next attack, aiming at Roclruff yet again, and Ves almost can''t believe his luck. "Energy Ball, hit Rocky", he orders up, ready to corner Ace in an instant.


    "Fuck this, Accelerock into the Energy Ball", Ace says through gritted teeth. The rocks are barely enough to stop the powered up Energy Ball in a clash, but Totodile slams into Rockruff with the water type attack, throwing him backwards.


    "Quick Attack, counter", Ace yells, realising he''s the one being ganged up on.


    "Aqua Jet, get away", Teo orders, but Rockruff''s too close, and is by far better trained, managing to hit with a Quick Attack before Totodile could propel himslef away.


    "Accelerock, keep it up", Ace orders immediately, decisive to get rid of Totodile.


    "Aqua Jet", Teo says as quickly as he can.


    Thid time around, Totodile manages to get away from the attavk, but instead of simply using the Aqua Jet to escape, he decides to launch himself at Houndour.


    For a second Ves wants to try intercepting with Energy Ball, but decides against it. "Dodge it, Doom", he orders, not sure if his partner can release an attack in time.


    "Double Team", Ace orders quickly, as Houndour manages to avoid the incoming water projectile.


    "Shit, Doom, jump back, try to cover the field with Ember", Ves orders, trying his best to cancel out Ace''s Double Team and stay as far aways from Totodile as possible at the same time.


    "Fuck, how are you two avoiding the priority attack this much", Teo scoffs, "hey, Tots, any chance you could get just a little bit faster?".


    Before either Ace or Ves can come up with the next move, Totodile starts stomping his feet on the send, with a faint energy appearing around pokemon''s body. Ves is not sure what it is, but the very next second the enrgy is gone, and Totodile is up in the air again, starting another Aqua Jet.


    To Ves''s satisfaction, he''s heading for Rockruff.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace orders up, moments too late. Before Rockruff can move away, Totodile has already dispersed his clone. Both Ace and Ves got distracted by Totodile''s little dance, but Ves finally realised what it was. That Aqua Jet was faster than before. Totodile had most likely used Agility.


    He can''t have that. "Energy Ball, hit Tots, quickly", Ves says, as soon as he can. Having Totodile randomly flinging himself across the field was already bad, having him do so with his speed raised was a nightmare.


    Houndour seems to realise what the matter is, releasing the fastest Energy Ball he can. It''s weak, since the fire type didn''t have enough time to prepare, but it does what Ves needs it to do, connecting into Totodile before the water type can react. But it fails to knock it out.


    "Accelerock", Ace says immediately, catching onto this new situation, "get Tots".


    Rockruff fires off a swift attack of his own, not giving Totodile a chance to move back, instead throwing him forward and knocking him out.


    "Alright, Doom, now, Energy Ball", Ves decides now''s the perfect time to take care of Ace as well. Rockruff had already taken damage, and Houndour was perfectly healthy, and powered up. He could definitely win this.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace seems to have expected this, "retaliate with Accelerock".


    "Dodge it", Ves orders, as he sees Rockruff avoid the Energy Ball and fire off an attack of his own.


    Houndour manages to avoid the Accelerock, only for Ace to order up the next one as soon as possible.


    Ves did not expect this from Ace, now that the battle was down to 1v1, he thought the blond boy would resort to his usual Double Team tactics.


    "Dodge it, again, get further away", Ves orders, realising that the power up to his special attack didn''t mean too much when his opponent has two priority moves.


    There was only one way for him to win this now, he realises.


    "Now, Doom, run forward, jump up, use your body, and hit him with Energy Ball", Ves says expecting Ace to keep up the pressure with Accelerock.


    The only way out here was for Houndour to take an attack head on, and hit with an Energy Ball. Rockruff had already taken damage, so just one powered up Energy Ball should be enough to knock it out. And if he lets Houndour use his physicality as well, he would gather more energy. That was Houndour''s natural way of fighting.


    As Houndour leaps forward, taking into the air and readying the attack, Ace''s reaction isn''t what Ces had counted on.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace decides to go on a defensive, "then use Double Team".


    So, Ace is not abandoning his evasion strategies after all, Ves thinks, as Rockruff gets away from the path of Energy Ball.


    Doesn''t matter, Ves thinks, he can still push through. "Ember, now", Ves says, ready to deal some damage while getting rid of the Double Team clone at the same time.


    "Accelerock, now", Ace switches up on the offensive now, and Ves curses under his breath. He should''ve expected that much. Ember wouldn''t be enough to knock out the rock type, he had just given Ace a free hit.


    As Ember disperses the clone and burns into Rockruff, the rock tyoe swiftly retaliates with the attack of his own, digging the rocks into Houndour and knocking the fire type back.


    "Now, get closer", Ace orders, "get ready, Rocky".


    "Hit back with an Energy Ball", Ves orders trying to salvage the situation.


    "Use Quick Attack to avoud it", Ace says readily, "hit back with Accelerock"


    As the Energy Ball misses again, Ves reacts quickly: "Dodge it, retaliate, Energy Ball, as fast as you can Doom".


    Houndour seems heated up as he swiftly steps away from the prohectilimg rocks, starting up the next Energy Ball.


    "Keep up the pressure, Rocky, Accelerock", Ace orders, and Ves is not sure what the blond boy is betting on. Just one hit from Energy Ball, even the weak one, will be enough to knock out Rockruff now.


    Houndour manages to fire of an Energy Ball, but Rockruff is in time to intercept it again.


    "Shit, again Doom, fast", Ves yells tgrough gritted teeth. The faster Houndour releases Energy ball the weaker it is. Meanwhile, Accelerock is meant to be fast, so Ace doesn''t lose on power.


    Ves quickly realises he''s done for. Ace can just overwhelm Doom with Accelerocks. Ember was a no go, it would just allow a hit into Houndour, without knocking Rockruff out in exchange.


    Energy Ball clashes with Accelerock again, but the rocks break through this time around, hitting into Houndour.


    Even before Ace orders another round, Ves knows he had lost. He tries ordering Houndour to dodge, but the next array of rocks comes too fast, slamming into the fire type and knocking him out.


    "Fuck", Teo whistles out.


    "I have no idea what I was expectimg, but this was not it", Joe says, slightly taken back. "I have it all on the record, we can watch it as soon as we get to the dorm room", he informs them, as he presses the button to stop recording.


    "Good effort Houndour, come back", Ves says abesntmidedly recalling his partner. "Good battle", he coughes up, seizing the blond boy.


    Ace looks content with himself, as he recalls Rockruff as well. "Thanks", he says shortly, and Ves can see his face steeling for a moment.


    Not that he had gone into this battle thinking he could win, but he didn''t expect to lose to Ace in a 1v1. Especially not when Ace had already taken damage and Houndour was powered up with a Nasty Plot. It didn''t feel good. Not when it was clear as day that the battle as a whole favoured Ves, he had multiple chances to get attacks in. There truly wasn''t too much to think about in that sense. Rockruff was much better trained, that much was clear as day.


    As much as Ves had focused on training, for the past few days he had been working almost exclusively on teaching Bite to Houndour. He wished he had worked on Energy Ball just a little bit more. If Houndour had been more proficent in usimg it, if he could fire it off faster, make it stronger, he could''ve won this. But no. Even with effects of Nasty Plot, the grass type attack was proved too weak.


    Ace, on the other hand, seemed to have changed.


    It surprised Ves, that the boy didn''t go with Double Team from the get go. He''s been trying out the evasion startegies ever since they''ve stepped foot on the island. Even more surprising, he had apparently given up on Sand Attack. To think that little  over 2 weeks was enough for Ace to change like this.


    "I''ll be honest, it was a good battle", Ace says simply, "can''t believe I pulled that off, but I''m happy about this, at least the two of you are somewhat good, so that''s good for all of us".


    "It would be better if Teo actually called out a target", Ves says lowly, "Totodile was chaotic".


    "Hey, Tots only knows one move, and you know it", Teo raises his hands in defence, "this was the only way for me to keep you on your toes, I did what I had to do".


    "That''s actually sort of smart", Joe admits.


    "Yeah, and a good thing is, Tots learned Agility, so he knows two moves now", Ace points out.


    "Wait", Teo raises his eyebrow in surprise, "when did he learn it?".


    "Um, learned it mid-battle, dude", Ves says, "that little dance it did, it was Agility, at least I think".


    "Yeah, it happens sometimes, though it''s very rare", Ace says, "I mean, learning a move is one thing, but using it successfully in battle on the first try is basically a miracle".


    "Tots is really strange", Joe conludes.


    "Wait are you for real?", Teo is still dumbfounded, but Ves can hear a smile in his voice. He quickly whips out his pokedex, scanning Totodile''s pokeball. "Oh, he really did learn it", the boy states loudly, "honestly, I thought that little dance was just Tots hyping himself up".


    "Well, no, it''s a move", Ace says, "and it''s a good thing Tots learned to use it".


    "You know what I find weird?", Joe asks.


    "What?", Teo asks.


    "Agility is a psychic type move", Joe states, "the fact that Tots learned it and used it on the spot is really wild".


    "Right, Tots didn''t previously know any psychic moves, so how the hell did he figure out how to control psychic energy on the spot", Ace sounds confused.


    "Tots is just built different, I guess", Teo laughs.


    "He''s definitely a prodigy", Joe says flatly, "I mean, we knew he had potential, but do you realise how crazy it is for a pokemon as youmg as him to learn a move with such ease?".


    "Right, and, I''m saying it again, just randomly using it mid-battle is a different level", Ace says with a healthy dose of fear in his voice.


    "Yeah", Ves thinks about it, "I''ve been teaching Doom Bite for like 5 days already, and he still can''t use it in battle, and that''s a dark type move".


    "Well, now, that''s a different story completely", Joe stops dead in his track, giving Ves a confused look, "how are you taking so long to develop Bite, I mean a move like that should come pretty naturally to Doom, he already has good control over dark energy, as far as I can tell, I mean, he was pretty good at using Snarl".


    "Hey, I''m doimg good", Ves says defensively, "Doom and I are practicing all the time, his jaw is getting stronger, we just need to put in some more work".


    "Ves?", Joe says questioningly.


    "Yeah?", Ves replies.


    "How exactly are you practicing that move?", Joe questions.


    "Um, well, I''ve had Doom split tennis balls and try using the move on training bags", Ves admits.


    "And what exactly do you tell him to do?", Joe persists.


    "Um, I just tell him to bite into things and try to split them", Ves admits, slightly confused.


    "And do you tell him to infuse his jaw with dark energy?", Joe points out.


    "I mean not exactly", Ves admits, "doesn''t he just do that naturally".


    "No, no he doesn''t", Ace sighs, "Doom listens to your commands, and biting something is not the same as using a move Bite, Ves".


    "Oh", Ves says in surprise.


    "Dude, did you really forget to tell your pokemon to infuse an attack with energy", Ace says.


    "Um, look, in my defense, the gym leader back in Canalave told me Doom is better suited for usimg his physique in battles, so that''s what I''ve been working on", Ves admits.


    "Ves", Joe says, "fighting physically is not necessarily the same as using physical attacks".


    "I know that, I''m not dumb", Ves scoffs, "Houndour moving his body helps him gather and control energy more efficiently".


    "Right, but you forgot the energy part during your training", Ace points out.


    "I did", Ves admits.


    "So, you''ve been only training Doom''s jaw this whole time?", Joe inquires.


    "Yeah, turns out I did", Ves says.


    "Than that''s going to be one hell of a Bite", Hoe says flatly, "as soon as he starts infusing some dark energy into it".


    "What do you mean?", Ves says confused.


    "He means you probably overdeveloped Doom''s jaw by this point", Ace says simply, "with Doom''s physicality and dark energy, it''s going to be one hell of an attack".


    "Right, but you do need to tell Doom to use dark energy during the attack", Joe points out.


    "The two of you really need to ask us before you go and do shit", Ace sighs.


    "Well, I don''t exactly need your permission, Ace", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "You don''t need permission, but you obviously need help", Ace retorts.


    "Eh, we''ll wake you up tomorrow so you can come train with us", Joe says simply.


    "I didn''t sign up for that", Ves says.


    "Hey, it''s just one training session", Joe says, "you''ll survive, and we can probably get Houndour to use Bite pretty quickly".


    "Huh, I think you''re stuck with them now", Teo laughs.


    "You''re coming as well", Joe says, "letting Tots pick his own target to create chaos is a smart move, but it only works when there''s more than one target on the field, in any other situation, you''re lacking".


    "I didn''t sign up for this", Teo sighs.


    "One training session", Joe states decisively, "just to give the two of you a little push".


    "Alright", Ves says. He feels just a little bit stupid about forgetting to tell Houndour to use energy in his attack. Besides, training together might help. "One training session", he says, "let''s not fight about it".


    As they make their way back to the dorm room, Ace keeps giving unsolicited advice, in pair with Joe''s level-headed explanations. Ves realises just how terrible this pairing is - the worst brand of diplomacy. The worst thing is, the two of them make a lot of sense, not that Ves would ever admit it.


    As soon as they make it back to the dorm room, Joe starts setting up the prijector, while Ace and Teo pick up the job of healing their pokemon.


    Ves grabs one potion, releasing Houndour and making the pokemon drink the medicine. As he crosses his fingers across pokemon''s fur, he notices it feels rougher than before. Houndour still has that steely determined look in his eyes, and the boy feels a stinge of guilt. His partner''s been amazing thus far, he knows. Houndour''s listened to him all this time. He got lucky with a partner like that. Teo had Absol, who didn''t listen at all, and Totodile who did whatever he found entertaining. Joe had problems with his pokemon as well. Ves, on the other hand, has never had problems with Houndour. Yet, he failed to guide him like he was supposed to.


    Joe slots his phone into the projector and makes them sit down on the bed to watch the battle. Their little hamg out goes surprisingly well. They try following through the recording, analysing the battle, but truthfully, there''s really not too much to analyse. That''s good, Ves thinks. None of them really made too many mistakes, save for Ves going for Ember that one time.


    "It''s tough", Ves says in a low voice once they watch the recording for tge third time, "battles, I mean".


    "Yeah, it''s much different than on TV", Teo admits.


    "Right, you can plan all you want, but things happen in an instant, you make a few snap decisions because you have to, and it backfires", Ves nods.


    "Yeah, I know", Ace says, "it''s like, you need to think of a solution on the spot, and sometimes your opponent simply outplays you".


    "Yeah, it''s rather hard to do", Joe joins in, "each pokemon has 4 moves, so the resources are limited, you need to find your way out of any situation with those 4 moves, and you need to do it in an instant".


    "Exactly", Ves says, "and the biggest issue is, your opponent is constantly trying to do the same".


    "Yeah, it would be much easier if y''all would just let me hit you", Teo chuckles, "but you''re assholes".


    "Shut up", Ace sighs.


    "No, but really, this whole training and battlimg thing is very different than it looks on TV", Ves tries keeping them on track.


    "Right, when I watch official matches, it feels like everyone knows exactly what they are doing all the time", Teo admits, "like they all have a plan, a strategy all the time, but when you''re in a battle you realise that it doesn''t work like that at all".


    "Yeah, you can come in with a strategy, but it doesn''t always work out, and you have to change stuff", Ace admits.


    "It feels really good when you come in with a strategy and see it through to the end, though", Joe adds.


    "That mught happen to you, you wanker", Teo laughs, "to be frank, I can''t exactly have a strategy like ever, since the only pokemon I can use in battles only ever uses one move".


    "Well, he has two now", Joe points out, "but yeah, having just one move limits your strategic thinking for sure".


    "Yeah, well one of those moves is a set-up move, which doesn''t deal damage, so I do not exactly care about it", Teo shrugs.


    "Dominic used Agility to set up when we battled him", Joe says simply, "he maxed out his Scyther''s attack, it was basically uncatchable, so I would very much care about that move".


    "No, but imagine Tots Aqua Jetting around with maxed out speed", Ves points out.


    "That would be living hell", Ace concludes.


    "Alright, alright", Teo laughs, "I''m interested, let''s just hope Tots actually wants to use it from now on".


    "Maybe tomorrow we could have Tots just raise his speed to its maximum, see how it goes", Joe offers.


    "Yeah, let all hell break loose, why not", Ace chuckles.


    "I''m in, then the four of you can try stopping Tots", Teo decides.


    "What if I just max out Houndour''s special attack and hit you with an Energy Ball, what then", Ves laughs.


    "We should try that as well", Joe says.


    "No fair, I don''t have any set up moves", Ace scoffs.


    "Neither do I", Joe confesses.


    "Skill issue", Teo sticks his tongue out at them.


    It''s sort of strange, the fact that they are all just talking like this, but Ves finds it a nice change of pace. It wouldn''t be the end of the world if it was always like this.


    Alas, only a few moments later, Sam finally decides to show up, and another fight breaks out almost instantly, as they find out he was with Vanessa again. Sam states he was training, but Ace doesn''t let up, while Joe keeps on adding fuel to the fire in his usual cold-worded manner. 10 minutes later, they are all preparing to go to bed and Ves can feel the atmosphere getting him down again.


    *****


    "You know, running when no one''s chasing you feels super boring", Teo complains in short breath, "I just don''t feel motivated".


    "Will you shut up", Ace pants out. The early morning running isn''t exactly his favourite activity, Ves concludes.


    Ves himself doesn''t mind running itself, just the fact that it''s 5:20 AM and he should really been asleep. Houndour, however, seems to enjoy it, successfully keeping up with Joe and Riolu. The three of them are the only ones who are taking this seriously.


    Ace looks to be on the death''s doors, constantly falling behind, and Rockruff playfully runs circles around him. Teo only jogs lightly, putting in just enough effort to keep up. Totodile falls back constantly, only to catch up with them by propeling himself forward with Aqua Jet. Ves himself doesn''t have his heart in it, and is instead yearning for his bed.


    "How much longer are we going to do this?", Ace manages to squeeze some more words.


    "We''ve been only running for 15 minutes", Joe says flatly, but to Ves, he seems slightly annoyed by all of this.


    "It''s too early", Ace pants, "don''t... blame me".


    "You should be used to this by now Ace", Joe says calmly, lettingn himself fall back, "are you really that out of shape".


    "I''m an indoors person", Ace tries retorting.


    "Whatever, just keep running", Joe decides the best course of action is just to ignore him.


    "Easy for you to say, you''re a madman", Ace nites, but Joe stays adamant on ignoring him.


    Another 15 minutes later, they find themselves amongst the trees. The trunks seem beaten up, Ves notices, and he quickly find out why. It takes Joe 10 seconds flat to instruct Riolu into hitting them with Vacuum Waves. The boy calls on his Espurr and atyempts to get him to train as well. The grey ball of furr doesn''t really seem to be too eager to do that, so Joe settles on having him just use Scratch against the tree. He doesn''t want to use any other moves, the boy states.


    As he watches Riolu, Houndour looks determined to start training as well. Ves, however, is not sure what to do. Practicing Ember was a no go with all the trees. And there really wasn''t anything for his partner to bite either.


    "Alright", Ace drops down on the ground, "so, I have no idea what I''m doing today".


    "I aboslutely know what I''m doing", Teo says, standing firm behind him, "Tots, use Agility".


    Totodile jumps up, doimg a little dance and creating energy around himself, using it to enhance his physical ability. Even Ves breathes out a sigh of relief when the water type agrees to use the right move.


    "Alright, again, max out your speed", Teo orders readily. Totodile uses Agility three more times, and the four of them stand back, patiently waiting to see what happens next.


    "Now, use Aqua Jet", Teo says readily, pointing to the nearest free tree.


    Totodile dances around a little more, before summoning a swift water current around himslef and propeling himself at the tree. Cuttting through the air at the speed of a small missle, he hits into the trunk, and the four of them watch wide-mouthed.


    Too fast, Ves thinks, as Teo manically orders the second Aqua Jet. Totodile flies up, faster than ever, and Ves''s eyes can barely keep up. He''s never letting Teo set up on him, he decides.


    Taking a second, he whips out his phone, recording Totodile''s next Aqua Jet, and sending the video off to Karl. ''Here''s the training idea for you'', he adds the text. The response doesn''t come, which feels sensible since it''s not even 6 AM.


    Rushing through the air, Totodile uses his Aqua Jet again. The small croc seems to be enjoying the speed. It is truly terrifying.


    "Alright, Teo, you tried it, now recall Tots and let him out again so the Agility wears off, and we can keep training", Ace says.


    "We can go on like this", Teo offers.


    "No way, ain''t nobody keeping up with that", Ace replies.


    "You''re no fun", Teo says, recalling Totodile. When the small croc appears again, the enchancments have already wore off.


    "Alright, so, what do we do now?", Ves questions, ready to start training himself.


    "Well, I want to try practicing Sucker Punch with Rocky", Ace says, "I''ll need some help, Teo, can you tell Tots to use Aqua Jets at Rocky?".


    "Um, dude, that training will be over quickly", Teo scratches his head.


    "No worries, I came prepared", Ace says, dropping down his bag to show a whole stash of potions. No wonder he had trouble running.


    "Still, it''s a little excessive, don''t you think?", Teo says uncertainly.


    "It''s Sucker Punch, it works by summoning dark energy and using it to cut off your opponent''s attack", Ace shrugs, "so I kind of have to have an attack coming into me".


    "That''s really strange, isn''t there any other way?", Teo''s still not too happy.


    "No, the move works by sensing energy that''s coming Rocky''s way, and he reacts instictively to it, cutting off the attack", Ace notes.


    "Right, Sucker Punch is like reverse Detect", Joe states, and Ves is pretty sure the boy had made that connection only now.


    "Alright, we can try that", Teo says, "hey Tots, use Aqua Jet at Rocky, be gentle".


    Totodile readily obliges, shooting into the air and aiming for Rockruff.


    "Quick Attack, get away", Ace says instantly. As Rockruff gets out of the way of the incoming attack, Ace scoffs: "you need to wait for me to give instructions to Rocky, dude".


    "Alright, alright, sorry", Teo waves him off, "go on".


    "Rocky", Ace crouches down, "we''re practicing Sucker Punch, Tots will attack you, you try gathering dark energy and emptying your head, then just let your instincts take over, okay?". Rockruff barks back in understanding.


    "Okay, can we go now?", Teo questions.


    "Yeah", Ace nods, taking a step back.


    "Alright then", Teo says readily, "Tots, Aqua Jet, now".


    Totodile propels himself into the air again, heading towards Rockruff. The small dog looks to be focusing. At the last second he tries getting out of the way of the attack, but Totodile slams into him with an Aqua Jet.


    "Alright, that''s what I expected", Ace sighs, "Rocky, try it once again, if you get hit, I''ll heal you up".


    Rockruff nods along, looking determined to continue, even though he bad taken damage. The story goes tge same way, witg Rockruff being pushed to the edge of his health this time around.


    Ace approaches him, carefully giving out one of the potions. "It''s fine, I''m sorry, but this is the only way to practice Sucker Punch, so I''ll need you to take it a bit furtger, alright?". Rockruff doesn''t look too bothered by the idea of taking hits.


    "What now?", Teo scratches his head, "Do we just keep this up? It feels kind of bad hitting Rocky repeatedly".


    "Well, it''s the only way", Ace shrugs, "we get you practice Sucker Punch, you get some target practice".


    "Roger that", Tek says somewhat unwillingly.


    "Not to interrupt, but what exactly am I doing here?", Ves interrupts them. Being woken up at 5 AM was bad enough on its own. Now he has to stand back and watch as everyone else is training. Losing to Ace last night still stung, and improvment was heavy on Ves''s mind.


    "Well, we told you, tell Doom to infuse his jaws with energy and use Bite", Joe says simply.


    "Um", Ves says flying his hand around, "what exactly is Doom suppoed to bite into? He can''t really do that with a tree trunk".


    "Oh, right", Joe says apologetically, as Ace and Teo return to their practice. "Rio, come over here", the boy says. The fighting type quickly appears beside him. "Alright, Houndour will try using Bite on you", Joe informs him shortly, causing the pokemon to give him a blank look. Ves is not sure why Riolu hasn''t revolted against his trainer yet. Joe''s ideas were perhaps not bad, but they were always somewhat sadistic.


    "Um, that''s not...it''s not really cool", Ves points out, "I don''t really want to attack your pokemon repeatedly".


    "Why not, Ace and Teo are doing it", Joe shrugs.


    "That''s different, Sucker Punch literally has to be used as a counter move", Ves points out, "I could just go to the training center once it opens up, no need for Rio to take damage".


    "Bold of you to assume you''ll do damage", Joe says flatly, "no one can guarantee your bites will actually work".


    "Well, that''s right, but they might", Ves points out.


    "Look, Ves", Joe says calmly, "Bite is a dark type move, and Rio is a fighting type, even if you do manage to hit him, you won''t do that much damage, and it''s actually preferable for Rio to take a few hits as well".


    "Why would you prefer that?", Ves almost hisses at him.


    "Steadfeast", Joe gives him an empty look, and Ves realises what he''s aiming for. This opportunist wants to raise Rio''s speed to its limit, he''s fishing for flinches.


    "Your whole thing is a little bit self-destructive, you know", Ves sighs. Not that he minds. Target practice is good, it will definitely help Houndour have Bite battle-ready sooner.


    "Just attack us", Joe says calmly.


    "Alright then", Ves says, looking over at Houndour. The black dog doesn''t seem particularly bothered by the idea of attacking his teammate. Were their pokemon even teammates, Ves wonders.


    "Doom, try using Bite on Rio", Ves gives the instruction, "but try infusing your jaw with dark energy, similar like when you used Snarl, just don''t realease it, keep it on your fangs instead". Houndour tilts his head readily.


    "We''re ready", Joe nods.


    "Alright, go Doom", Ves orders, and Houndour jolts forward. Rushing in, the black dog snaps his jaw at Rio, and Ves can see the small waves of dark energy formimg alongside his partner''s fangs. As soon as Houndour closes his jaws over Rio''s shoulder, the fighting type vinces in pain, flinching, and Ves knows the attack has worked.


    "On your first try", Joe says simply, "not bad".


    "Well, we''ve been practicing", Ves says proudly. After five days of focusing on this, it would be devastating if Houndour couldn''t pull it off. His partner had a knack for controlling dark energy, Ves realised, and now that he could officially use the move, it wouldn''t be much longer before Ves had it battle ready.


    "Go again, three more flinches please", Joe says somewhat absentmindedly.


    "Wait, just wait a second", Ves says, rapidly recalling Houndour and takimg out his pokedex. He scans the pokeball cheking for moves. Bite is there, he realises. He just had to be sure. "Alright, Doom", Ves eagerly calls on his partner again. The fact that he''s attacking Joe''s pokemon has slipped his mind. "Let''s go again, Bite".


    Houndour flashes forward, jumping at Rio and landing another Bite. Two in a row, Ves thinks excitedly. Rio doesn''t flinch this time around, so Joe seems dissatisfied. Not that Ves cares about that. This is the first move he taught to Houndour, and it felt good to finally have it down.


    "Again", Ves says, and his partner obliges. Rio flinches upon taking the dark attack again.


    "Wait a second", Joe says calnly, appriaching Rio and giving him a potion. The fighting type quickly drinks it. "We''re good to go", Joe announces.


    "Alright, let''s go, Doom, use Bite", Ves says, and Houndour springs into action.


    "Detect", Joe orders as soon as Houndour comes close. Rio''s eyes flash in blue, and the pokemon twists away from the black dog''s jaws.


    "Hey, that''s not fair", Ves protests.


    "Why not?", Joe shrugs, "Doom can use the move now, so why not just advance to getting it ready for an actual battle".


    Suddenly changing pace is not Ves''s favourite thing, but it does make sense. "Alright, Doom, go, use Bite again", he yells out.


    "Detect, Rio", Joe orders up, and the attack is avoided again.


    "Now, get him while you''re close, Bite", Ves reacts quickly.


    "Dodge it, Rio", Joe says readily, and Riolu swiftly jumps out of Houndour''s way.


    "Are you really going to make me chase after you?", Ves scoffs, "I thought this was training".


    "It is, I''m testing Rio''s speed as well", Joe shrugs, "just be thankful I''m not counter-attacking you".


    "Is that supposed to be a threat", Ves grins.


    "No", Joe says flatly, "I''m still stronger than you, that''s all".


    "That''s what you think, huh?", Ves says.


    "Those are just facts", Joe shrugs him off.


    "Alright, let''s see", Ves says, "Doom, go, use Bite". Houndour launches into Riolu again, widening his jaw.


    "Detect", Joe says.


    "Good, now, use Ember", Ves instructs as soon as Bite misses its mark again.


    "Rio, get away", Joe says in surprise, "and you stop this Ves, this is not a battle".


    Riolu tries jumpimg back again, bit the Ember spreads across the field, catching him slightly.


    "Now, go, Bite", Ves ignores him, going for another attack.


    "Rio, Detect", Joe says firmly, "counter with Vacuum Wave".


    "Dodge it, Doom", Ves orders, but with Riolu''s speed being raised up, the attack is a sure hit, knocking Houndour back and doing significant damage. "I thought you weren''t counter attacking", Ves says through gritted teeth.


    "Yeah, well, you started acting like this is a battle", Joe retorts.


    "You had me chase after you", Ves points out.


    "I had Doom practicing with a moving target", Joe says flatly, "I would''ve let you get a few more hits in eventually".


    "Well, maybe you should''ve said that instead of calling me weak", Ves hisses.


    "I didn''t call you weak, I said I was stronger than you", Joe''s face changes, as his eyes flies over to Riolu.


    "But you said it like a bitch, like you always do", Ves protest.


    Joe swiftly recalls Riolu into his pokeball, before stating back: "I just said it like it is".


    "Yeah, but do you always have to be a self-assured prick", Ves retorts.


    "And what''s wrong with me knowing I''m strong", Joe retorts, "at least my mood doesn''t swing like a Zarude through the jungle".


    Vescan feel his nails digging into his palm. "You know, you''re constantly looking down on us", the boy says, rage raising in his voice, "it''s like you think you''re a God given and no one can compare to you".


    "I''m just pointing out your shortcomings", Joe retorts, "it''s not my fault you have so many".


    "So yeah, I''m right, you think you''re always right", Ves hisses.


    "No, I just think I''m right more often than you", Joe says, "and I am better at this than any of you, that''s a cold hard fact".


    "Prove it then, beat all three of us", Ves laughs.


    "Didn''t I already do that once?", Joe challenges.


    "Yeah, well, we improved since then", Ves replies. Ace and Teo had stopped their practice to watch the two.


    "Forget it", Joe sighs, "I''m not battling you".


    "Why not, you scared, huh?", Ves taunts, "you''re so great, but you''re scared of battling".


    "I''m not scared", Joe says, "and I''m not childish enough to fall for that sort of behaviour, you know".


    "Oh, you''re not childish", Ves laughs, "great, well, just to inform you, you''re the only one on the team who''s refusing to battle right now, so technically, you are the weakest link".


    "There''s a reason I don''t want to battle right now, it doesn''t mean I''m weak, or that I''m scared", Joe retorts, "what do you even want from me".


    "Some respect", Ves replies instantly, "if you can summon something like that up".


    "I was trying to help you train, it''s not my fault you have anger issues", Joe says.


    "Well, I wouldn''t have anger issues if you didn''t take any chance you get to be an ass", Ves yells.


    "What do you even want from me?", Joe''s voice raises up as well, surprising Ves for just the moment, "you know, I do everything around here, I''m the one who helps everyone train, I''m the one who makes trips to Lilicove to get the berries and TMs and whatever else, everyone just counts on me to get us sure wins in the tournament, so maybe, just maybe, I deserve to act like an ass from time to time".


    "No one asked you to do any of that", Ves scoffs.


    "But that''s what all of you expect from me", Joe retorts, "isn''t it?".


    "No, we do not", Ves retorts.


    "You do", Joe''s voice turns bitter, "you aboslutely all do".


    "Dude, no one expects anything from you", Teo chimmes in, "and we do appreciate the help, we just wish yiu weren''t such a prick about it all the time".


    "You''re the last one who should start this with me", Joe shoots him a sharp look and Teo steps back immediately.


    "Look, both of you are in one of your episodes right now, so maybe just calm down", Ace comes in, trying to fix things up.


    "Oh, no, Joe''s newest little lackey is going to teach us about emotional regulation", Ves rolls his eyes.


    "I''m not his lackey", Ace scoffs, "and you know, you do have a knack for switching up out of the blue and just insulting people".


    "But I''m right, you are his lackey, you''re running around and following him, just like Sam did", Ves scoffs, "I''m surprised the two of you are not sharing the bed already".


    "Shut up already Ves, I don''t have lackeys", Joe says firmly.


    "Yes, yes you do, that''s what you do, and you enjoy it", Ves says, "you just like when people are running after you, hanging on to every word of yours".


    "That''s not right, I just like it when people ackowledge that I''m right", Joe says.


    "Oh, but you are always right", Ves says poisonously.


    "Exactly", Joe hisses at him.


    "You know, it was actually nice hanging out last night", Ves sighs, "obviously, it couldn''t last".


    "It''s not like it''s my fault", Joe says calmly, "you''re the one who turned this into a battle, when you know well enough I said I don''t want to do battles if I don''t have to".


    "That''s because you have something against saying things like a normal person", Ves says, "no, you just have to go around acting like an all-knowing asshole who''s too cool to say what''s on his mind".


    "Are you really that stupid, Ves", Joe says, "I am not battling because Rio attacked people, he attacked you once already, and you still go and jump start a battle".


    "Oh, and you''re so worried about Rio hurting me", Ves mocks.


    "I can let him out right now if you want", Joe says, "there''s plently he could pick up on right now".


    "Go on", Ves clenches his fists, "do it".


    Staring straight through him, Joe turns around. With a sigh he recalls Espurr back to his pokeball.


    "I have to go", the boy says flatly, "I have some plans with Marc".


    "Yeah, another lackey of yours, huh", Ves says behind him.


    "I have nothing else to say to you Ves", Joe says, "I have no idea why you''re the way you are".


    "And what''s the way I am exactly?", Ves says behind him, but the other boy ignores him.

 Rankings and Teams (update 1)

    Current rankings:


    1. Mikey - 997 pts.


    2. Dominic - 995 pts.


    3. Vinnie - 995 pts.


    4. Joe - 994 pts.


    5. Zoe - 994 pts.


    6. Patrisha - 992 pts.


    7. Natasha - 990 pts.


    8. Parker - 990 pts.


    9. Quincy - 990 pts.


    10. Bo - 989 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    17. Lesley - 979 pts.


    18. Nick - 979 pts.


    19. Otto - 979 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    50. Nina - 913 pts.


    .


    55. Maria - 912 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    60. Mai - 900 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    73. Elijah - 881 pts.


    74. Henry - 882 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    87. Ace - 833 pts.


    88. Luka - 833 pts.


    .


    .


    101. Masha - 819 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    146. Dean - 777 pts.


    .


    .


    159. Rodney - 772 pts.


    .


    168. Tammy - 769 pts.


    169. Ves - 767 pts.


    .


    182. Mario - 752pts.


    .


    .


    211. Leah - 710 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    249. Tea - 676 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    255. Teo - 660 pts.


    .


    257. Marc - 649 pts.


    .


    .


    .


    273. Corey - 636 pts.


    .


    299. Andrei - 620 pts.


    300. Sam - 618 pts.


    _______


    Pokemon and movepools:


    Joe:


    Riolu:


    1. Vacuum Wave


    2. Metal Claw


    3. Endure


    4. Detect


    Ability: Steadfast (raises speed after flinching)


    Espurr:


    1. Fake Out


    2. Scratch


    3. Confusion


    4. Disarming Voice


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    *****


    Teo:


    Absol:


    1. Swords Dance


    2. Knock Off


    3. Double Team


    4. Quick Attack


    Ability: Super Luck (raises critical hit chance)


    Totodile:


    1. Aqua Jet


    2. Agility


    3.


    4.


    Ability: Sheer Force (Increases the power of moves with beneficial secondary effects by 30%)


    *****


    Sam:


    Yamper:


    1. Thunderbolt


    2. Bite


    3. Howl


    4. Sand Attack


    Ability: Rattled (raises speed after being hit with Bug, Ghost, or a Dark type move)


    *****


    Ves:


    Houndour:


    1. Ember


    3. Energy Ball


    3. Nasty Plot


    4. Bite (learning)


    Ability: Flash Fire (strenghtens fire moves after being hit with a fire move)


    *****


    Ace:


    Rockruff:


    1. Accelerock


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Double Team


    4. Sucker Punch (Learning)


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    Charcadet:


    1. Astonish


    2. Ember


    3. Leer


    4. Flame Charge (learning)


    Ability: Flame Body (might burn a target upon contact)


    *****


    Lesley:


    Spoink:


    1. Confusion


    2. Nasty Plot


    3. Protect


    4. Snarl


    Ability: Own Tempo (prevents confusion)


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Pancham:


    1. Storm Throw


    2. Leer


    3. Tackle


    4. Arm Thrust


    Ability: Iron Fist (makes punching moves 30% stronger)


    *****


    Henry:


    Mienfoo:


    1. Aerial Ace


    2. Detect


    3. Mach Punch


    4. Trailblaze


    Ability: Regenerator (recovers HP upon switching out)


    *****


    Marc:


    Sneasel:


    1. Ice Shard


    2. Assurance


    3. Taunt


    4. Protect


    Ability: Pickpocket (steals item when hit by another pokemon)


    *****


    Andrei:


    Dreepy:


    1. Astonish


    2. Bite


    3. Protect


    4. Confuse Ray


    Ability: Cursed Body (may disable a move used on this pokemon)


    *****


    Dean:


    Petilil:


    1. Absorb


    2. Growth


    3. Stun Spore


    4. Pollen Puff


    Ability: Chlorophyle (doubles speed in sun)


    Aron:


    1. Tackle


    2. Harden


    3. Head Smash


    4. Metal Claw


    Ability: Rock Head (prevents recoil damage)


    *****


    Natasha:


    Vulpix:


    1. Ember


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Protect


    4. Snarl


    Ability: Flash Fire


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability (Makes same-type moves stronger)


    *****


    Marnie:


    Snubbull:


    1. Tackle


    2. Bite


    3. Fire Fang


    4. Protect


    Ability: Intimidate (lowers opposin pokemon''s attack upon entering the field)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Leah:


    Ducklett:


    1. Water Gun


    2. Wing Attack


    3. Protect


    4. Tailwind


    Ability: Hydration (heals status conditions in rain)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Tina:


    Shroodle:


    1. Bite


    2. Acid Spray


    3. Protect


    4. Metronome


    Ability: Prankster (non-attacking moves get priority)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Tam:


    Budew:


    1. Absorb


    2. Growth


    3. Stun Spore


    4. Extrasensory


    Ability: Poison Point (poisons opponent on contant)


    Eevee:


    1. Quick Attack


    2. Growl


    3. Sand Attack


    4. Tail Whip


    Ability: Adaptability


    *****


    Dominic:


    Scyther:


    1. Furry Cutter


    2. Quick Attack


    3. Aerial Ace


    4. Agility


    Ability: Techincian (increases the power of 60 or lower base power moves by 50%)


    *****


    Mikey:


    Axew:


    1. Dragon Rage


    2. Iron Tail


    3. Night Slash


    4. Protect


    Ability: Mold Breaker (stops the opponents abilities that nulify the additional effects of moves)


    *****


    Vinnie:


    Mimikyu:


    1. Shadow Sneak


    2. Dazzling Gleam


    3. Protect


    4. Swords Dance


    Ability: Disguise (Shield pokemon from taking damage from the first hit)


    *****


    Otto:


    Kecleon:


    1. Shadow Sneak


    2. Thief


    3. Protect


    4. Fake Out


    Ability: Protean (changes typing to match the move it''s using)


    *****


    Bo:


    Zorua:


    1. Hone Claws


    2. Thief


    3. Protect


    4. Scratch


    Ability: Illusion


    *****


    Luka:


    Ralts:


    1. Confusion


    2. Dissarming Voice


    3. Double Team


    4. Hypnosis


    Ability: Trace (Traces opponents ability)


    *****


    Mario:


    Varoom:


    1. Tackle


    2. Poison Gas


    3. Assurance


    4. Lick


    Ability: Slow Start (halves pokemon''s attack and speed for a bit)


    *****


    Quincy:


    Charmander:


    1. Scratch


    2. Ember


    3. Metal Claw


    4. Dragon Breath


    Ability: Blaze (powers up attack and special attack in a pinch)


    *****


    Elijah:


    Skitty:


    1. Charm


    2. Draining Kiss


    3. Furry Swipes


    4. Protect


    Ability: Normalize (makes all attacks normal type)


    *****


    Corey:


    Oddish:


    1. Mega Drain


    2. Acid


    3. Synthesis


    4. Stun Spore


    Ability: Chlorophyl


    Capsikid:


    1. Absorb


    2. Ember


    3. Protect


    4. Growth


    Ability: Klutz (lowers accuracy)


    *****


    Masha:


    Chimcar:


    1. Scratch


    2. Ember


    3. Mach Punch


    4. Thunder Punch


    Ability: Iron Fist (powers up punching moves)


    *****


    Maria


    Cubchoo:


    1. Protect


    2. Icy Wind


    3. Night Slash


    4. Yawn


    Ability: Slush Rush (rasises speed in snow/hailstorm)


    *****


    Rodney:


    Chewtle:


    1. Water Gun


    2. Bite


    3. Protect


    4. Rock Polish


    Ability: Shell Armor (makes it harder hitting the critical spot on pokemon''s physical body/ prevents critical hits)


    ________________


    Origins:


    Towns/Regions:


    Teo - Spikemuth, Galar


    Sam - Twinleaf, Sinnoh


    Ace - Vermilion, Kanto


    Ves - Nimbasa, Unova


    Joe - Mali, Alola


    Lesley - Vermilion, Kanto


    Henry - Dewford, Hoenn


    Marc - Goldenrod, Johto


    Dean - Cascarrafa, Paldea


    Andrei - Ballonlea, Galar


    Mikey - Castelia, Unova


    Vinnie - Castelia, Unova


    Dominic - Castelia, Unova


    Bo - Nacrene, Unova


    Otto - Nacrene, Unova


    Natasha - Motostoke, Galar


    Leah - Shalour, Kalos


    Tea - Mauville, Hoenn


    Tammy - Hearthome, Sinnoh


    Mai - Ecruateak, Johto


    Luka - Anistar, Kalos


    Mario - Olivine, Johto


    Corey - Mauville, Hoenn


    Quincy - Pallet, Kanto


    Elijah - Luminose, Kalos


    Masha - Postwick, Galar


    Maria - Snowpoint, Sinnoh


    Rodney - Rustboro, Hoenn


    Region count:


    Kanto: 3


    Johto: 3


    Hoenn: 4


    Sinnoh: 3


    Unova: 6


    Kalos: 3


    Alola: 1


    Galar: 4


    Paldea: 1


    *Fun fact: Paldea has the Naranja and Uva academies, so most kids born there decide to go there, making Dean one of the only students at Old King''s from that region. With Uva academy being based more on research, and Naranja academy having courses for pokemon trainers.