Nemona's Current Team:
Dun - DudunsparceMiles - RotomNightwing - GliscorNotch - DianciePhantasm - Hisuian ZoroarkAthena - LucarioBahamut - HaxorusRadiance - Iron MothAnya - GothoritaCataphract - Hisuian SliggooTestudinidae - TorkoalMeloetta - Meloetta
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Ms. Briar said, shaking me out of my thoughts and the paper I’d been typing for the last half hour. I was sitting by a table in one of the spare labs Colress had authorized my use of.
“Huh?” It took me a moment to figure out what she was talking about, and then I groaned. “Hardly my achievement there. It was all that Ace Trainer, whatshisface.”
“I believe his name is Francis. And I doubt he would have ever figured out how to evolve his Carbink without your paper,” my busty homeroom teacher said, holding up the article. “He even thanked you for your ‘discovery of the evolution.’ Oh, it’s wonderful!”
“I guess.” At the angry look on her face, I quickly clarified. “I mean, I am happy about it, really. And it’s good to hear that my hypothesis was confirmed that different Diancies mutated this way will have different traits - Francis’ has sapphire gems protruding from their body and can conjure those, while lacking the bulkier arms or diamonds Notch has. It’s just kind of annoying to have a bunch of people asking me about it, when I don’t know even half the details! Especially when I have this I should be filling out instead.”
I gestured at the scientific paper I was writing regarding my experiment in the Terarium. Over the past month, three of the Goomys had evolved. All of those were Goomys that belonged to Dragon Tamers, but just the other day, one of the Kitikami ones had evolved as well. All of them had turned into Hisuian Sliggoos, which was enough for the scientific board and Colress to declare the experiment a smashing success! Unfortunately, that still came with much paperwork, and I wanted to be quite careful that everything was covered in my report. The environmental factors introduced, the time it took each of them to evolve, any changes in their behavior after evolving, everything.
“Oh boo hoo, how terrible it must be to succeed so much.” My teacher said sarcastically, and I winced.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
She shook her head, looking very remorseful. “No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be speaking to one of my students like that. I just- I want you to know that it’s a good thing that your work is being recognized. Sometimes, such achievements never are.” There was a wistful quality to her voice and I knew what she was referring to.
“I get it, and I am happy to hear someone else managed it. I did check online, but it looks like the story only just hit the news. Most people haven’t had time yet to reformulate their opinions on me.” And some are still stubborn enough to deny it, call it a hoax, or claim that I simply bribed the Professors watching over the experiment and took the credit from them. I’d call it moving the goalposts (and for some people it definitely is), but there were those accusing me of that well before this case. “Would be nice if they got the terminology right and called it a ‘mutation’ rather than evolution, though that might be an uphill battle.”
“That would be a true miracle,” she said, eyeing my belt. I guess she’s still a little miffed about how no one calls Radiance an ‘Iron Moth’.
“On the topic, I have a question. You don’t have to answer if I’m being too rude or anything, but… why are you so fixated on proving Heath’s work? Don’t get me wrong, I understand being proud of your family’s accomplishments and wanting to see them recognized, but you’ve done good work too. Your Synchro Machine is revolutionary in it’s own way - arguably moreso now that another expedition has been made successfully into Area Zero. Yet at times, it feels like you’re more focused on seeing his discovery recognized than your own.”
Briar gave me an odd look before shaking her head ruefully. “My father said something similar to me. I think that’s why I care so much. Heath, our ancestor, did the impossible; carried out a successful expedition into Area Zero for the first time in Paldea’s recorded history. And we have a looooong history! And his name was tarnished, and is soon to be forgotten. He’s gone and the rest of my family doesn’t have any desire to see the records righted. There’s no one left to fight for him but me.”
“You have me, too,” I said. Perhaps a bit too impulsively, but Meloetta is teaching me the importance of accepting my emotions. Briar isn’t wrong, either; Heath really does deserve recognition for his work. We’ll just have to find a way to do so that doesn’t threaten the stability of the region. “I did ask Chairwoman Geeta, but unfortunately we still have much to sort out before we’re ready for another expedition.”
She blinked, looking at me as if seeing me for the first time. “That’s very kind of you, and I’m sorry for… getting so caught up like that and putting a burden on you. It’s easy to talk to you like an adult.”
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. “I’ve been told I’m an old soul,” Or at least I was in my previous life, ironically enough. Not sure if anyone has specifically called me that here. “It's no burden, I want to see this done too. It might take a bit, but at the very least, I think we’ll be able to get one organized by the time I’m done studying at Blueberry Academy. Once I’m back, we’ll have more Champions to cover things in Paldea.”
Plus two more years to scrub Turo’s labs clean and make sure no one gets any ideas. The latter a bit more difficult than the former since all Turo needed was Heath’s book in the first place to get interested, and he wasn’t even related to the late Professor. Hmm, I wonder if I’ll be one of the Trainers sent on the expedition? I kinda hope so. While I know I’ll need to step into the role of Top Champion eventually, I’d love to get the chance to explore the mysterious Area Zero.
Briar’s unusual Tera symbol pupils lit up and she clapped her hands together excitedly. “Splendid! Oh, I can’t wait-”
“-I heavily implied it would take a couple years so I kinda hope you can wait-”
“Here, let me help you with that so you can get on preparing the expedition,” she declared, sliding beside me. Deciding not to shoot down her hopes further (if only because the action seemed futile), I graciously accepted the help and received some pointers that made the whole thing a lot easier and better than I had thought it would be.
***
My days were occupied by more than just writing a paper, of course. I also had to invite the Dragon Tamers over to inspect their Pokemon, and convince them to let their Sliggoos stay there, for a while. “No, there isn’t a risk of them changing back upon their next evolution as far as we know-”
“As far as you know? What does that mean?” Mera demanded angrily now that she had stopped cooing over her Sliggoo. Her Pokemon was by her side, breathing out a few purple embers of Dragonfire in a show of solidarity. Cute, and glad to see your bond has withstood the test of time, but please stop it.
“It means in any recorded case of a Pokemon evolving into one regional variant based on the environmental conditions they’re in, they still can evolve along that path even when taken out of those conditions. Galarian Mr. Mime and Alolan Graveller are both clear signs of that. I’m simply saying this because this is the first time we’ve researched the evolution of the Goomy line this way.”
“If that’s the case then why do you want to keep Sliggoo cooped up here?” The angry Dragon Tamer demanded and it took all that I had not to roll my eyes. I would hardly call the Terarium ‘cooped up’. Even just the Canyon Biome is pretty spacious.
“Because we want to establish a breeding population here, and it doesn’t hurt to check. Now, usually a special coach is called in to help the student, but given the circumstances if you want to train and spend the time just with your Pokemon-”
“C’mon, Slig, let’s go. I’ll train you up to a Goodra in no time at all, then we can blow this place!”
“Goo!”
The two of them left and I just shook my head. Not like I really expected much different. I wasn’t upset either as it gave me time to train my newest member in secret. I pulled out Meloetta’s Pokeball and released them. They did a graceful twirl, their eyes scanning around for threats - and potential allies. Pokemon can sense outside of their Pokeballs, but it takes a bit of concentration or practice, usually. This is still new to Meloetta, but there are times I’ll need them to be able to jump out of their ball and respond at a moments notice.
Our first training session had proven that Meloetta had at least as much strength as they had boasted to me, if not more. Boulders were shattered with light taps from their feet, and then all the pieces picked up and thrown about with precise, powerful, Psychic, pushes. Even with all that, there were TM Moves for them to learn, and more importantly, teamwork drills, as Meloetta integrated themself into the team.
Their concealment technique, while quite potent, unfortunately only worked when Mel wasn’t fighting, and wasn’t as instinctual as Phantasm’s illusions. We couldn’t be using it as a surprise in our battles, but that wasn’t to say there would be no surprises ahead, especially for our first fight together. By chance, they picked one of the Pokeballs I modified to be unregistered, so there won’t be any way for Elsa to realize I’ve got a new Pokemon the next time we fight, but we can still train plenty and bring them up to speed.
With no one else out, Meloetta quickly took a ready, neutral stance after having scanned all around. “Good. Today, we’re going to be practicing your quick switches. Due to your unique Typings, you’ll have weaknesses to entirely different attacks in each form,” I said, releasing Nightwing, Phantasm, and Athena. “I’ll call out attacks for them, and you’ll try to switch to better take the hit. If you can, use Relic Song or Relic Dance to counter.”
They nodded, a smile dancing on their lips. Those Moves are powerful, capable of hitting multiple foes and putting them to sleep, but facing three at once will be tough. Especially since I plan on using this time to train up Athena’s Wide Guard too. “Oh, and no disguising your attacks, Phantasm,” I said upon seeing the sly look on her face. She pouted, giving me her best Baby-Doll Eyes, but I was unmoved. “There’s a time and place for pranks, but not here! Now, let’s begin, Knock Off!”
Nightwing surged into battle, and I watched as my Pokemon sparred, shoring up weaknesses and analyzing their strengths. It’s hard to believe how much they’ve improved from when we first met, and yet there’s still more to go. How far will we reach? I didn’t know, but I was looking forward to it.
***
“How did your tests go?” I asked the rest of my friends as we gathered outside the classroom. We had just finished our final math exam and I was feeling pretty good about it. Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. While not exactly the same, working with Colress on his portable barrier, there’s plenty of calculations there, and far more complicated.
Unsurprisingly, Carmine was the first to respond, boasting of her results. “I did excellently! I aced that test, no doubt!”
“I think I did pretty good too.” Kieren added, and Carmine shot her brother a thumbs up.
Sally added, “Nice going. I think I passed all of my classes too. I hope…” she muttered something at the end, which sounded like ‘I prayed to Moltres and hopefully they had mercy on me.’ Hard to tell if people are joking or not in regards to stuff like that. She is from Kanto, so it’s not out of the question for her to pray to the Legendary Bird Trio, but I know a lot of the newer generations don’t tend to do that as much. There were regional variances, of course. Some places like Alola kept those traditions strong.
Still, I don’t think we can diminish the effect the League culture has had on that. Before there were Trainers who had befriended Legendaries, but they were almost always made as part of the priestly class or some equivalent. Now you have Ace Trainers (like myself) fighting with Legendaries and I think it takes some of the mysticism away from them-
“Are you worried about your tests?” Victor asked me, and I shook my head. “Aww. I mean, that’s good, totally wasn’t hoping you’d fail too-”
“You didn’t fail Chumley, you put in the effort and studied hard too. I’m sure you passed.” Not sure of much more than that, admittedly, but still, a pass is a pass. Better than Judai, at least. I’d spied the other boy sleeping partway through our latest exam. At least he did well on the battle practical and environmental studies. I think he’s clever enough to have made up something to get passes in the more essay based Social Study tests, but will still almost certainly have some remedial classes to take over the summer.
“Then what were you thinking about so hard?” Drayton inquired.
“Just a different essay I could have used for Social Studies. Not that the one I ended up using was bad, just a little dry.” Though for Professor Jolt, talking about how industrialization of Pokeballs and the Pokeball Registration System is oft overlooked in how it contributed to the modern League System, it was likely better received anyways. “How about you?”
“Me? I did great! I already got back my first test,” Drayton said, proudly presenting his Rotom Phone. It displayed his Literature grade which was a C plus. When that didn’t earn him a round of standing ovation, he pouted. “Hey, we can’t all be super geniuses like you two,” he said, pointing an accusatory finger at me and Carmine.
“I think it’s just a you thing; I’m not a genius either, but even I got a B,” Lacey commented, flashing her own Rotom Phone and displaying her grade. Kieran flashed a grin too, showing he’d done the same. I think I actually got worse than Carmine on this one, only an A minus. Too much time spent on science and Elite battles to study the novels in depth. At least they don’t shove a bunch of dystopian books and Shakespear at us and pretend that they’re the height of all literature like I had in my last high school.
“Ugh, look, the Drayster made it, and that’s all that matters. No way gramps can complain now.” I’m pretty sure from that phone call I overheard, it was that you’d definitely be getting a dressing down if you failed, not that just passing would mean no complaints.
Still, I was proud of the work he’d - the work all of us had put in. This is nice, everyone just hanging out, enjoying the last few days of school.
“You all seem quite relaxed,” an icy voice drawled, as if summoned by my thoughts. That had the (likely intended effect) of putting all my friends on edge. It also gathered attention from the rest of the students milling around after class, all eyes laser focused on us.
“Elsa,” I answered faux-cheerfully before I turned around and took in the sight of her. She was as composed as ever, but there was a tension to her, a tightness I spotted around her lips and eyes. “Why wouldn’t we be? Class is over now, we’ve got nothing left until the break.” I paused for a moment, just long enough for her to formulate a response, but before she could throw some taunt my way, I added: “Nothing that is, except for beating you.”
She relaxed slightly at my declaration, even as the other students were whispering excitedly around us. Were you feeling nervous about my rising fame, or just eager for the battle and happy to hear that I won’t be letting this matter rest until next year? I couldn’t tell what it was, the teenager not giving much else away as she responded.
“How wonderful for you. I still have a few tests left, but we could fit a match in near the end of the year. In fact… why don’t we have it up top, right before we all leave for summer break? It’ll be a fitting bookend to how you started the year.” She sure does have a flair for drama, but I don’t mind.
“Sounds good.” With that, our battle was locked in. My team was much stronger than it was before, but would it be enough? Let’s see how far we’ve come.
A/N: Not a lot going on here, I know, but I kinda felt I had to have this chapter here to wrap everything else up in the school year and set up the match ahead. It’s been a long road since we started this arc, and I hope you’re looking forward to the climax as much as I am.