Zach's Years: Freshman

by Deathlark

Zach is no regular Gallade. He was born with red skin instead of green. It seemed lucky for him, but when an enemy starts to haunt him for no reason, things get chaotic, and dramatic, and he finds out much more than he should about the world, himself, and those closest to him. 10K Words Per Chapter. Rated M for lang., and mention of sexual scenes. First 2/3 chapters arent too good.

3. Chapter 3, Unusual, Not A Freak

Zach's Years: Freshman. A Pokemon Fanfiction. Chapter 3, Unusual, Not A Freak

Author's Note: I procrastinated more than ever on this chapter. But in the end, I feel left alone. With TF2 updates pouring in like pickled toast, I've been trading like a Chihuahua. Sure my previous statement, didn't make sense, but who cares, because it's random. Plus, I'll be enwrapped in TF2 in about a week or two since I'll be "filming" for youtube.

This chapter is progressive, but not to the extent as the other two. It does teach an important lesson though, so I guess there's that to look forward to. Otherwise I have nothing else to yap on about. Enjoy the rest of the chapter!

Disclaimer: It should be no big surprise that I don't have any rights to the pokemon series or Nintendo. There, I said it.

….

The big bully Rhypherior didn't take kindly to make actions. He demanded, "Meet me at the gym. Or else," he said.

"Wait- what?" I said. He mashed his fists together. I just realized I had yet again got myself trapped in another situation that I would have to fight a brutal opponent. I was worried that this would start becoming routine…

"Well, looks like you've gotten yourself into another fight. At least you'll have an advantage," Eric said.

Matt from the bus corrected though, "But he's a junior! How's Zach gonna beat him?" I felt twice as roughed up the day before I fought Tucker. I remembered how he was a Dark Legion. It uncomforted me, but I felt better, as if this guy wasn't one. I just had gotten in his way and he wants to humiliate me. It might just happen, as I have more doubts than yesterday. As Matt pointed out, he's a junior. I'm a freshman.

"I think it's his niche to get to fight," said Kyle.

"It isn't. I'm tired as hell…" I said.

"Just be careful out there. Don't get into any situations where you're going to hurt yourself more than your opponent," said John, concerned. I thanked him. I was worried. I packed up my books and went to my locker. It was mid-period, so kids were out and about the school. Alexis approached my locker.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about your upcoming fight… I just wanted to ask you something…" she said.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you try to instigate? In that display you acted like you wanted to fight that guy," she said.

"Well I do instigate only if its right. I felt sad for the Pidgeot, so I wanted to intervene," I told her.

"That sounds like something a super-hero would do," she said. I don't know if that was reassuring or demoting. Couldn't tell.

"Well, I'm going to get prepared. If you need me I'll be in the cafeteria," I said. She nodded and then we parted. I went to the cafeteria to pick up a sandwich. I needed some fuel if I was surely going to endure the fight ahead. I ate the sandwich and saw a familiar face approached me. I smiled and he saw me and smiled back.

"Well if it isn't the lawful son of a bitch," he said.

"How are you holding up in high school?" I asked.

"Just fine. You on the other hand, hah!" he laughed. "I imagine you're some sort of hell."

"You don't even know…" I started off. His name was John. He was a Blaziken, and more off, he was Brians' girlfriend's (Rachel) little brother. We were the same age, and once Brian and Rachel got together, we became really good friends. He was a great fighter at the private school, and was a very popular child. "They've been swarming me like a plague."

"In a way they are. But you'll get used to it. Trust me," he said. "You seem to instigate a lot."

I sighed and said, "I just got asked about that 4 minutes ago," I said.

"What?" he asked.

"You're not on my team. You're on which one again?" I asked.

"L," he answered.

"Yeah, I'm on A. There's a shiny Gardevoir that's essentially the queen of the girls in our grade," I said.

"Oh… Alexis Fettner?" he asked.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

"Hah, the guys in my team can't seem to stop talking about her. I don't have any focuses," he said. John was the most happy-go-lucky kid I knew. He was hard to get down on. He was going to have an easier time at high-school than I was. "What's with her and you?" he asked.

"Putting it that way sounds like we're having an affair," I said with a stern face.

"Are you kidding me? I would never suggest that. You're like polar opposites," I said.

"I guess. But she talked to me about instigating. I wasn't though…" I groaned.

"How weren't you? You clearly showed dislike towards that Rhypherior," he said.

"I didn't mean to do that! I just was standing up for the Pidgeot… Jeez…" I moaned. He nodded and realized what the real goal out of all that was. I was trying to stand up for a victim. We talked a bit more until I finished the sandwich.

"Good luck," he said. I smiled and waved. I had a match to go to.

….

The gym wasn't as packed as it has been before. I knew that there was considerably more people in the fight with Tucker than at this fight.

"By the way, I'm Josh," he said.

"I assume you know my name," I said. He nodded. A referee had come once again to watch over the fight. He looked pretty calm as if nothing serious was going to happen this time. I had hopes. This fight can turn out badly for either of us, but it won't be as serious as last time. I was given a new grade-spike cover. It's a special one that absorbs all mild shots towards the spike. The other one I had was specifically for the tip. They were really strong, and usually can protect the spike. But I was unfortunate enough not to have worn my spike cover the day of the fight with Tucker. Ever since, I've been holding onto it as close as possible. It was almost sort of a security measure. The fight with Tucker is easily the second worst thing to happen to me.

"Are the fighters ready to start?" asked the referee.

"Yes!" we called out. He waved a flag signaling the start. I started off with a mach-punch towards him. It was almost funny the next actions, even if it was sort of painful. When I got to him, he just lifted up an arm and blocked the blow like if he was getting poked. He picked me up but I squirmed my way out of his grasp. He tried using hammer arm but I jumped out of the way. I followed up with an ice-punch that the disc concealed that my brother had given me. I wasted no time learning it. He was surprised by the attack and took it on full-blow. He was even frozen to an extent by it. He was irritated. He struggled to get out while I was charging up a super-punch. Unfortunately for me, he broke out of it seconds before I hit him. It was enough time for him to time it right, and use a hammer arm to smack me out of the way. I was thrown away into a wall. It hurt but I've gone through worse. He dug his claws into the ground, and took out a large boulder. He was using boulder toss. I had to act quick. I had a striking idea though that I can use.

I will charge up as many punches as I can in the time before it can connect. I'll then hit it just right so that the boulder will go right back at him. Unfortunately it didn't work as planned. I only had time to charge up a mach-punch and ice punch, which smashed the boulder instead of repelling it. I was quickly shaken up by a sneak earthquake. I was thrown all around dealing damage that was quite painful. I tried to use a decoy-night slash but to no avail. He charge full-throttle, ramming me as a snowplow. I was smashed against a wall, conceived to only eyesight of him ready to hammer arm me. He pulverized me with a thunderous blow that left me paralyzed. Utilizing the time he pulled up another boulder from the ground and smashed on top of me. I had lost almost all hope. It looked bleak and pointless…

But yet… Something inside of me kept me pushing forth. It had looked like the match was over and people were starting to leave. I felt a feeling that didn't want the fight to be over yet. I had to muster the strength to lift up the boulder. But how. I just then knew how. It was going to be agonizing, but I would have to redo the retract on my spike. If a large pressure is upon a Gallade's/Gardevoir's spike, it will retract to prevent any harm. So I had one option. I forced the spike to slowly pop out. It looked like it wasn't working, but I only needed a centimeter to get my arms beneath me and thrust me up again. Surely enough, my spiked slightly jotted up the boulder and raised it a slight amount off my back. It wasn't enough, but it had to do. I pushed my arms into the ground and started lifting myself up. Before I knew it, the boulder was off of me and I was on my two legged fighting stance. It was clear that I was tired.

"You can give up now unless you want to get hurt even more," he said. His face was dead serious. However, it wasn't the face of the horrid Dark Minion. Tucker's face was full of anger. Josh's face was content, and respect. He knew for a freshman that I was a good opponent. He respected me and vice versa.

"I'll go until I need to really need to stop," I said. With those words the fight continued. My spike retracted as I took a fighting stance. He caused an earthquake but I used mach-punch to keep myself airborne. I lunged down and hit him full force with another ice punch. He was frozen yet again, and I only charged up a dual mach-punch and night-slash this time to hurt him. It worked quite well. In fact better than I expected. He was hurt quite bad from the combo. He then had one last final effort. He picked up another bullet and launched it as fast as possible. I had no time to react. I shot my arm out in front of me like a sword, and made it glow with a light beam. I had no idea what I was doing, and so did the rest of the crowd. But the beam helped me secure content. Well, sort of. It chopped the boulder clean in half. I knew what happened and I punched one slice away. The other one though, hit me rendering me in able. However, at just the same time, the other piece mashed into Josh and took him out too.

"It seems the match has ended in a draw. No one is deemed victorious," the referee said. The crowd had mixed feelings, and some started to even laugh about it. The referee helped us up. We shook hands and left. I had enough battling for the next few days. I had to stop getting into battles tomorrow. I can't take too much more. It was driving me insane. I decided it was time to get ready to go home, a sanctuary where I know I can at least not get hurt terribly bad.

….

I only started to see the true damage left over when my friends pointed it out to me on the bus. When I sat down next to Kyle he looked awestruck.

"Dude!" he said.

"What?" I asked.

"What… What happened? You looked like you went through hell and back," he said.

"Did I really get hurt that much?" I questioned.

"What's going- whoah!" Matt shrieked from the back.

"What is it?" said a kid in the seat he was in. His name was also Zach. His name was Zach Ferrari. He looked over and saw what I went through. I was clueless to what had happened. "Jeez! Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just tired… What's the big idea?" I asked. Zach whispered something to some girl on the bus and she pulled out a hand mirror. She gave it to him and he gave it to me.

"Look!" he said. I reflected my face and saw that there were several bruises. I looked into my shirt and saw several more. I even saw a purple spot on my arm when I looked through my body. That spot was numb.

"You feel fine?" asked Kyle.

"Yeah… I've been through worse," I shrugged.

"Wow, you must have some sort of change that happened with your skin. Some weird deformity I guess…" said Matt. That made me start thinking. What if this wasn't a blessing. What if this was a kind of curse. It started to make sense… For a bit. I lost the idea. I started thinking that Arceus gave me this to torture me; after all I didn't want what was coming. I shook off the idea quickly, realizing it was complete bullshit. I was somewhat silent, joining a single random conversation in the middle. When I got off the bus I went back home.

Even though my brother owns his own apartment, he does like to visit. He'll bring Rachel occasionally, and usually when he does, John usually came with her. We often did sports together and would run around the neighborhood or on the tread-mill. He tried to get into the ABC, but he didn't qualify. He was mad, but he kept his feelings to himself. I could have trumped him in a battle easily, so easily that we started keeping record. I had once gone 4 times without losing to him. He's fairly good, but apparently I'm better. However he is more athletic since he is a Blaziken. He's taller than I am, but I always get told that I hit it late. I have been growing about an inch every two weeks, so I'm sprouting up like a weed… When I got home I saw my brother there, but no one else joining him.

"Hey bro. Where's mom and dad?" I asked.

"They're at some sort of meeting… It's a joint meeting, so I assume it's important," he said. I nodded. I decided it was a safe time then to head up to dad's little mythology cabinet. It had a lock, but I had found it out a long time ago. He really goes far to secure the locks. There's three of them, and they all have 10 different numbers to enter, with each lock going up to 99. It took me a week to pick one, longer for the next one, and almost a month for the third. He even has an identity lock for the Extreme Confidential case. It was another unnerving and mysterious thing about them; they act completely regular, but they're completely inconspicuous. Me and my brother came up with stories about who they really are. But we just joked practically. We knew it was some sort of business reason. I entered in the first 10 numbers. 87-15-6-19-64-12-34-32-90-45. I breezed through the second one but then my mind went blank at the third lock. I almost spent 10 minutes trying to remember it. I heard Brian say a word that instantly made me remember. I'm not going to say which word it was, but it wasn't important. It was a pretty gruesome term that I shiver at saying. I entered in the code and the lock disengaged. The bookcase flipped around. I saw an arrangement of odd books. I saw the one I had read last week. Still in pristine condition. I scrolled through some books and then I found one with a blank title. It didn't have one at all. I opened it up and saw a contents. It contained all sorts of weird names. I recognized one, and it was Victini. I knew this was some sort of legends book. It made me think; what if all these urban legends were actually real and not some fake crap?

I opened the book and read on. I saw a name called Lugia. It was a mythical creature of the sea who fought for the well-being of pokemon. It had psychic powers beyond belief.

There was another one called Rayquaza. It was said to be a tyrant of the sky, circling the ozone layer never to come out. Extremely strong and large, it would pillage any city within an instant.

There was also one called Reshiram. It could summon infernos and firestorms large enough to engulf the entire earth in flames. It generates such powers in a large heater-like tail.

There were several other ones that I didn't understand quite as well. Some of the text was written in some sort of code language that was several thousands of years old. I put it back when I heard the garage doors start up. I quickly redialed the locks to their previous number, sealed away the door, and quickly removed all evidence that I was there in the first place. I came to greet them, but they were taken back by how harmed I was.

"Kid, what happened to you?" dad asked.

"Another fight… It's happening to me way too much," I moaned.

"Sweetie, you look horrible! How bad does it hurt?" mom asked.

"Not too bad actually," I said.

"It was a Rhypherior," Brian said.

"Hmph. Those are some tough cookies," he said.

"It was a junior too," Brian added on.

"What? How bad did you lose?" he asked.

"It was a draw," I said.

"On a junior?" mom asked.

"Not a very good one," I added.

"Well, I guess I have no other to congratulate you," he said and patted me on the back. I didn't feel like I deserved it. I felt sorry for myself in a way.

"I don't think I should be congratulated… I sort of got myself into the fight," I said nervously. I didn't know what to expect out of them.

"You instigated?" mom asked. I nodded.

"Huh… Well, let's take care of this later," dad said. He left into his room, looking fairly concerned. Mom left to join him, looking very concerned as well. My brother looked at me. He knew everything already, so he went back to reading his magazine. I decided to sit down at my computer. I had a fair amount of researching to do. Some homework assignments based on how some old people settled into a land and flourished starting a civilization. I started to just forget everything and daze off into homework. Today wasn't the best day ever…

….

I decided to go and sneak into the computer night after hours. It was 11:34 at that time. I knew how to be silent in my footsteps so I successfully made it down. I was looking up certain mythical stories. Brian was at his apartment, probably sleeping with Rachel. A thought popped into my head but I rushed it out. I went to the computer and started it up.

"What were you thinking about?" a voice asked. I should have mentioned I know who this voice is. It's none other than the Victini I had met. It can communicate through my seal. It's almost like my inner conscience in a way. I called it Vic.

"Nothing. It's about my brother," I said. It knew all about my life.

"I heard thoughts of love, and sensed certain jealousies. What is this all about?" it asked. I'd prefer to say he. He sounds a bit more of a man, but still quite genderless.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he said.

"Alright then. I just think of how my brother and his girlfriend are always so happy with each other…" I said.

"So you long for someone?" he asked.

"Not quite… it just makes me wonder what I'd be with someone else. I'd be much different," I said.

"A girl or boy can really make one another lose focus on their world. But it's unavoidable. It's something that everyone experiences in different ways," he said.

"I just want to know- does your species have a gender?" I asked.

"Technically no. We live essentially as long as we live. We don't age," he said.

"Interesting," I said. I pulled up the searching engine.

"What are you searching for?" he asked.

"Lore," I said. "I found some names in a book of my dad's," I said.

"Yes, the odd one. Even though he and your mom may not be very conspicuous, they do share a great love for each other," he said.

"Of course. I wouldn't be here if they didn't. I still remember the whole reason though why I have this discoloration," I said. A story yet untold… I searched up an article called the Phalanxious gene. I pulled it up.

"What is this?" Vic asked.

"Read it. It's why I have this color," I said. The article read as follows.

Phalanxious Gene, Ancient Coloring Machine

In one recorded case of the world, there is a young Ralts. He's like every other Ralts. 6 pounds, 2 feet, and a very cute child. What makes young Zach Regaldi different from the rest is he is a red Ralts.

Scientists rushed immediately to figure out why such an unusual discoloration happened in this child, and why it only happened with him. They took several blood samples and DNA extraction progresses. It was all regular except for one gene that has not been seen in any other life forms. In the entire DNA line, it had an extra 2 strands of nitrates, adding for several different DNA combos. There were no longer only 4 strands in his DNA complex, but 6, all interloping with each other. It made his DNA infinitely times more complicated, and harder to study.

They soon found out that a simple gene had carried on this deformity, but one thing didn't make sense. Why had the gene not affected its carrier? Several theories were taken and blood samples from the parents and his one brother were taken. They discovered that his dad, Max Regaldi, actually had a an unusual gene that would be passed on by its predecessors from over a thousand years, until it gained enough significance until it changed the offspring's DNA. However, the most unusual thing is that the coloring was passed over a thousand years, which meant that the gene has passed down the Regaldi family line as far as it can date back. Certain investigations are being held to figure out who lived back then.

Scientists needed to take more samples, so they released that in every blood-drawing that they would take a slight bit more to be sent to scientists, or pokemon could generously give a hair sample to the DNA Discoveries foundation. They named the gene the Phalanxious Gene, representing the Phalanxes, an ancient group of tribal men that lived a thousand years ago.

"Even though my son has a unique color, he will always be like any other Ralts, no matter what happens," says Max Regaldi. (Vic laughed when he read that part.)

"I for one think proudly that my little child is a one of kind-unique Ralts. I know he will grow up like any other Ralts, but he will always be special and different from one another," says the mother, Megan Regaldi. For the most part this investigation will have private results.

Written by,

Author Name Here

I could tell when Vic was done reading. He reads through my mind.

"So that's interesting. How did the results turn out?" he asked.

"It got classified somehow… I have no idea, but I guess they abandoned the project," I said.

"Well that's interesting," he said. I pulled up a research site and pulled up an article about mythical creatures. I saw an index in this website that listed 3 different names. They were known as the legendary birds.

There was Zapdos, a bird that lives in Lightning Clouds. It watches above in a storm that will never die off, and a most violent one at that. It has the strength of 100 lightning bolts in the flap of a wing. Its peck causes a thunderous roar whenever it strikes.

Then there was Articuno, a bird that lives in supposed caverns inside of icebergs. It makes its home in a spot so cold that people will freeze just by entering. It can freeze cities whole in a single breath and can whip up blizzards with a flap of its tail.

Lastly there was Moltres, a bird that makes its homes in the bases of volcanoes. Its cry can make volcanoes erupt in an instant, and creates infernos wherever it flies. The flaps of its wings will heat up landscapes to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

They were legendary, which means there is no confirmed footage, but certain witnesses say they've seen the few trio. They made sketches of great mighty birds.

"I know a Moltres," Vic said. The words made my heart race.

"What?" I asked eagerly.

"Yes, in the volcano you met me. There was a Moltres living there. He still lives there now," he said.

"God I gotta go there when I can! I know just the way how too," I grinned. I could tell that Vic was brimming with excitement.

"How will you do so?" he asked.

"You know my brother has his own apartment? If Rachel is out he lets me stay there. I'll tell my parents I'll be going to Brian's, but I'll be heading to the old volcano. You still are there correct?" I asked.

"I'll meet you in a specific covering. There will be an insignia," he said. He drew a marking in my mind. I sketched it down. "Look for a carving of that symbol in the wall. I'll be behind that symbol, and I will guide you to where he lives." I was surprised that a Moltres had a gender. "But wait- what about the guards?"

"Damn, forgot about them…" I said. I started brainstorming. I knew I had to lead the guards away from them. I could use a decoy, but I wouldn't be able to control it. Just then I knew what would work. I would use a sort of fire blast in order to draw the guards away. I would sneak around and enter the cave when they were checking out what it was. I just needed to get a Flamethrower disc, or…

John the Blaziken could teach me. I knew that he was coming over tomorrow, so he would be able to teach me. It would seem odd, especially that I would get it down quickly, but I'm sure he won't mind.

"I know how. It will take me a few days… But I'll be able to do it in due time," I said.

"Good to hear. Get some rest, it's late," he said. I looked at the clock and it was already 12:19. I snuck back up and had some-last minute thoughts. The Phalanxious Gene had to have been 1000 years old. I was wondering if my ancient ancestor somehow lived extremely long and had one child only. After all, genes aren't able to last a long time especially if they're dormant. It was weird.

The other thing is I don't know what it would be like to encounter a Moltres… It was a mythical being that was rumored to be extremely powerful. I'm hoping Vic would be able to convince him not to treat me badly… Hopefully.

The last thing is I started feeling like some sort of weirdo. I was completely different from all other Gallades in more ways than one. It was my personality too. I started feeling like a freak due to that article… I worriedly fell asleep, only to have a not-so pleasing nightmare to antagonize me the way through my sleep.

….

I woke up feeling extra drowsy, so I hesitated no time jumping into the shower. I had a small pep talk with Vic. I was feeling a bit down today, and now the pains from yesterday's fight were really starting to pack on. My face hurt a bit, the numb spot on my arm was riddled with soreness, and the bruises hurt to the bone. I was aching a lot, and my dad gave me some not so useful device.

"Just walk it off," he said. Which isn't easy considering it's hard to walk. I was concerned about how I would even get around. I could ask for a crutch at school, but that would look odd. I guess I would just have to take dad's advice and walk it off…

Even the walk to the bus was difficult. Brian wasn't there today, so I had troubles getting there in time. Literally, after seconds of showing up, the bus came by. I felt like everything was going downhill since yesterday's fight. The only positive thing was the Moltres act. Nothing much else. I got on the bus and just said that I didn't want to talk today. They really urged me into joining a chat but I always turned them down, or gave a short answer. I had a pretty sad or bored tone, or somber I guess is the way to describe it. I wanted to be alone for the first time since school began, and I wanted it bad. I didn't talk at all most of the day. I had an irritated face and clearly didn't want to talk. I was silent for the most of first period until I got to battle class. I knew I would have to step up to the plate, and it was NOT going to be easy. The ABC was brutal and I knew it. It was going to be twice as hard due to my injuries. I told Mr. Endire that I won't be able to give it my all. He looked pretty displeased, but noticed some of my injuries. He looked a little less distraught afterwards.

He started us off with 10 laps around the field. It was agonizing. I was ranked #3 on the loser chart on his standards. John was #2 on the winner chart, only to be matched by a Primeape named Michael. It was really actually a good thing to try and be on the winner chart; because it would get Mr. Endire off your ass. He would really be strict if you're not doing well, and I could tell. In each exercise he lectured me.

When we were doing wall plants and flips, I was fumbling all over the place. Plus, he had no care for language. He had his own solitary room just so he could yell at the students all day. I tried doing a flip but landed in a face-plant because I couldn't put enough power on my legs without it burning like firewood. Here's his reaction.

"If you can't flip it makes you look like a dumbass fish. He tries to get out of water to see that he can't breathe," he said. It angered me, and that was his intent. But I knew I was already doing my best without hurting myself.

We were doing pivots and quick turnings. He was an essential opponent and we would face the other way. He would do a three-way combo. You had to block each one in order to be successful. If you weren't you would try again. The students had trouble, and we were not allowed to watch. When I came up, this is where all the shit went down… In fact, it got me in serious trouble. I turn towards the wall ready to see what I was in for. He mixed it up each time and had an arsenal of moves. I turned around to see him try to use dragon claw, I move but not enough to get stricken by the fury. It burned.

"You moron! You have to JUMP out of the way! No shift to the left a bit!" Mr. Endire yelled.

"Dodging gusts is a piece of cake! You spin the other way!"

"You don't jump into dragon breath you jump away from it!"

"God damn it! How do you not expect me to jump out of the ground!"

"Why can't you dodge a simple steel wing?"

"Avoiding counters is as easy as 1, 2, 3! You expect a counter, you move out of the way, then you counter yourself!" I was just about ready to lose my mind. In a way, I almost did. I was so mad that in the last time, it went too far. I turned around to see him use an aerial ace. I dodged swiftly and then he launches a gust at me. I spin around it and he lunges at me with a dragon claw. But something inside fueled a forbidden rage. The words, "Counter yourself" hung in my heart. I was so mad that I turn around charging a psycho-cut and hit him full on with it. Not expecting it he goes flying. I realized instantly that I had gotten myself into such trouble that would not end positively. He got back up quickly with furious eyes. He looked as if he was ready to attack me aggressively. The students turned around in time for me to punch Mr. Endire straight on. They were awestruck, and almost scared. I stood staring at the floor feeling like I had lost all hope.

"You're coming with me to the principal's," he said. I nodded grimly and left the room. The students stood still.

"Class dismissed," he announced. I didn't lift my head shamefully when going through the corridors. Not a single word was said.

….

We walked into the office and he asked for a moment with Mrs. McConnell. She was the principal of the school, and she was a Meganium. She was kind, but could go from friendly to fiendish in seconds. I knew this wasn't going to go well.

"You've got yourself into some grim shit friend," Vic said in my mind. I didn't say anything.

"What is it Mr. Endire?" Mrs. McConnell asked when he came in.

"This student, Mr. Regaldi, had attacked me during a training session," he claimed. She looked displeased with the remark, but not very furious.

"Can you describe the situation?" she asked.

"Yes. My class was doing the turn-around counter exercise as you know. Zach right here was doing horribly. For some reason, after he finally gets it right, he hits me with a full-power Psycho-cut. I demand proper punishment," he said.

"What do you say is proper punishment?" she asked.

"An OSS," he said. All of a sudden that didn't sound like a bad idea. I would have a full-day just to go the volcano. I was almost hoping for it.

"Now Zach, tell me your side of the story," Mrs. McConnell said. I didn't expect that. I had a sudden sense of self-pride. No school suspension or not, I wanted to stand up.

"Well for the most part he tells the truth. I hit him with a full-on Psycho-Cut. The thing he didn't get right was that I had successfully completed the exercise," I said. He turned around. It was working out perfectly. I would make myself seem right, yet get a punishment too. It was genius. "I may have dodged all of his attacks, but I still failed the exercise. I failed because I hurt him. I know it was wrong." The two of them were speechless. Mr. Endire looked dumbstruck to what he was hearing. There was a pause of silence, and Mrs. McConnell broke it.

"Well, I am going to have to take Mr. Endire's request. You have an outside of school suspension tomorrow Mr. Regaldi," she said. I felt sort of derp-ish. I tried but it didn't work out.

"Thank you Mrs. McConnell," he said and left the room. I got up but she told me to sit back down.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I want to talk to you some more. About the whole incident. I know you hadn't mean to do it," she said.

"In a way I did. It felt good," I said, as if shooting myself in the foot. I knew that wasn't the case.

"Don't say that. Why would you lie to get yourself out of trouble? You already have the OSS, why go for worse?" she asked. I didn't say anything. "I know that it was almost involuntary in a way. You had built up rage hadn't you?" I still was silent. "Mr. Endire is a vile teacher. It makes him the best. You had been angered because you couldn't get it right. When you had enough, you wanted to show him who was the right one. But you had gone too far, and you regret it. That's the most important thing. This could get you out of more trouble then you need," she said.

"How?" I asked.

"Answer yes or no to this question. Did you regret it?"

"No," I said. It was true. I was truly mad at Mr. Endire. He didn't give let-up to anyone who was hurt.

"Good," she said.

"What?" I asked confused.

"This is the only case where I disagree with Mr. Endire. Out of all his years of teaching this is the only time I would disagree with his method. I know that you're badly hurt due to three, very difficult consecutive battles. It was wrong of him to take it easy on you," she said. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You have every reason to be mad at him," she said. I was dumbstruck. "You can leave now."

I walked out the door. But before I left I said one thing. "By the way, Mrs. McConnell, thanks for understanding."

"Do not mention it, especially to Mr. Endire," she said. I left and went onto 3rd period for history and etc.

….

3rd period really dragged on. I was very silent… I didn't want to talk much. If I was called on I would answer without much of a tone. I was kind of depressed even though I was shown kindness before-hand. I was all sort of overwhelmed and confused. It was difficult to follow along, and it wasn't just me. The entire class was struggling with the content. Over 10+ people needed to be memorized of when they were born and what they did. Plus there were several vocabulary terms and areas, or events that had to be memorized thoroughly. We were already going to be given a test tomorrow on what we had learned. The teacher said to study hard as it will review what he had just learned in about the last hour. It was all a jumble really. I had hoped to lose some piece of mind during lunch. Couldn't quite happen since no one was at Nihar's table except Nihar, who in fact had gone to a different table. So I had no choice but to go to Kyle's table where I got a surprisingly warm welcome. I didn't talk as much either until Kyle decided to ask.

"Hey dude, you were quiet during history. Even for someone determined you were oddly quiet. What was that all about?" he asked.

"I'm guessing I should tell you since John didn't. I punched Mr. Endire with a psycho-cut and got an OSS," I said. That gained everyone's attention and caused them to swarm around me. They asked why and I gave them the same answer every time. I had done it out of rage and didn't regret it since he was being a really big asshole since I was hurt already. Everyone supported me and though the same, while a few people didn't know who Mr. Endire was. I told them and went on my way. I said to Kyle that I wasn't going to join the group today. In fact I was going to leave early, that is you need to have permission from your parents/guardian(s). I kept trying to stay silent but the crowd just forced me to talk. I was able to call my parents and they sent Rachel to pick me up and bring me there, along with dropping John off at my house. She was also picking up Brian. I met Brian there and we had a friendly little conversation. I didn't tell him about the suspension. In fact it was helping me. After about 5 minutes I saw Rachel and the ever familiar John. He was a bit shocked at how much I had been hurt.

"Wow what happened to you?" he asked.

"It was the fight on that Rhypherior. He beat me up, but it was a tie. Plus a rough battle class," I said.

"Yeah I heard some kid actually hurt the teacher Mr. Endire since he wasn't cutting him some slack. He got an OSS," he said. The fact that the news had spread unnerved me, but at least my name wasn't mentioned. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah… just a bit bored. Hey by the way, could you teach me the move Flamethrower?" I asked.

"What? Why?" he asked back.

"It's always seemed useful as a ranged attack to me. It would help a lot. I know I can learn it too," he said. He took my word for it and agreed to help me learn Flamethrower. They dropped us off at my house and we went outside where he would teach me. It was not easy to learn at all; it was a complicated process and actually had many different fundamentals in how to actually control it. It took us some rigorous process training, but after 2 hours, I knew how to keep a somewhat steady flamethrower beam. I thanked him and knew something that would help. Even though it was weird, I could take a bath that had special minerals mixed in to help alleviate certain wounds and sores. I knew it would help with recovery.

I asked mom if I could borrow some for using it in a bath and she said sure. The same sort of carelessness that she has with money is also for everything else I do that isn't a large problem. I got the water flowing and relaxed in. I felt easily relaxed as I sank into the tub. I was supposed to relax and move as little as possible. I was having a mental conversation with Vic that actually would help. A lot more than I expected.

"Man I feel like a freak right now," I said to Vic.

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"It's just because of… well, ME," I said.

"I don't understand," he said.

"I'm saying I feel too different from everyone else. Just the life I've had," I responded.

"You feel different from everyone?" he asked. He always asked and would comment until he knew everything. It was his personality.

"Yes. It makes me feel like a freak," I said.

"Even though you're clearly different you're just like them. You're special," he said.

"That doesn't help. Everyone would say that. It doesn't change anything. I could have had a regular life but a simple gene tells me not to. It makes me a freak," I said.

"Hey! It does not make you a freak! It makes you…" he said. He had trouble.

"It makes me what? Exactly. It makes me a different freak from the rest of everyone else," I said.

"It makes you…

Unusual."

Unusual… That word starting ringing in my head over and over again. I was silent and didn't say anything. It just then struck me. I wasn't a freak. I was simply unusual and unlike the rest of the people. It wasn't bad that I was different, nor was it good. It was just simply making me unusual.

"Thanks," I said.

"For what?" he asked.

"For helping me gain a grip on myself," I answered.

"I don't understand," he said once more.

"I'll leave you to figure this one out," I said. He started ranting but I just ignored him and relaxed. It took him a few minutes but he eventually understood the grasp of it. He had helped me break an issue that I was having trouble with, and yet it only took one word. It started making me think how little it can take to make a big difference. A simple millimeter of off balance could send an entire table crashing down to the ground. A small chip in the main column of a building could make it collapse. Concrete absorbing water becomes weak and easy to break through. It all made sense to me now. So I could now continue forward calmly.

….

"It's impressive the progress he's making."

….

(WANANANA, SCARY)

….

I had another nightmare that night. It goes as follows. I was sleeping but I couldn't help shake the feeling that someone or something was watching me. Vic was muttering constant nonsense in my mind while I felt something slowly rubbing my spike. But nothing was rubbing it.

I was on edge incredibly frightened. Unable to handle it I get out of bed trying to open the door to find out I'm locked in. I try to go for the window but it suddenly isn't there. The roof flies off and a gigantic gust comes out. I see a dark black Flygon with menacing red eyes glaring down at me very irritated and displeased. He opens his mouth and starts sucking me in. I try to hold onto my bed but I can't hold on. I fly into his mouth and as the mouth closes I wake up.

I was sweating and my entire sheet was almost moist. I was panting and dehydrated. I looked at the clock and it was only 11:43 P.M.

"Vic," I said. "Vic!"

"What… I'm sleeping," he said.

"I can't sleep. I've been having constant nightmares…" I told him.

"Constant? For how long?" he asked.

"Since the fight with Tucker," I said.

"Calm yourself then. I know a trick. Lay down, get some water, and relax," he said. I followed his instructions.

"Good. Count to 8," he said. I was confused but did so.

"1…, 2…, 3…, …, 8," I said. Before I knew it I felt a lot lighter and more relaxed. I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off into another land. I didn't have a single nightmare that night afterwards.

….

I had a trick to get me into a completely conspicuous way. I had an OSS so I wasn't expected to be at school that day. So I just fake that I go to school to my parents and brother while I really head over to the Slugma Volcano. I see some guards at a post along with a wired fence. I had planned for this and knew a way in. I see a security outpost. I sneak along the fence and hide in it. An officer comes in and looks for a certain item. I come out of my completely hidden hiding spot and pounce on him. He tries to signal but I jab his hand and use hypnosis on him. He falls completely asleep and I can take his uniform. I switch the uniforms and take his badge. He was also a Gallade, lucky for me. I hid my red skin and spike so that I looked completely regular. I was let through the large gate without problem. I run around and see the compound. I see the entrance to the massive volcano.

"Hey Vic, you there?" I asked.

"Yeah. How is it going?" he asks.

"I'm within the fence. I just need to use the distraction. Is the insignia in place?" I ask.

"Yeah, go as far down through the main corridor. Look up and I'll yank you up. It'll be the first time we've seen each other in a year," he said.

"Yeah, I know," I said. I'll also be able to see a Moltres was what I was really excited about. I rolled up my sleeves and charged a fire ball in my hands. I did just as what John told me and I transferred it into an energy. I launch the energy out in to the sky and everyone is immediately alerted. It works just as planned. Everyone rushes to the source, including the gate guards. It's my perfect opportunity to sneak in, so I do so.

….

POV Switch To Anonymous

….

"So Jim what do you think that flame was all about?" I asked.

"I don't know Alex. That doesn't look regular. I'm going to check this footage," Jim said. He looked through it thoroughly. His face then went grim.

"Uh oh…! Intruder! He is a Gallade!" he announces over the microphones and sounds the alarm.

….

I hear an alarm go off and stereos in the tunnel say, "Intruder! He is a Gallade!" I knew my cover was blown.

"Is that you?" Vic asks.

"No time to talk!" I said. I use agility to give myself a very fast boost and I start sprinting down the corridor. They were just too fast though. One was an Accelgor and the other was a Swellow. Even running at 25 miles an hour was no match for the fully adult two. They caught up to me right when I saw the insignia on the wall. The Accelgor used Bug Buzz and paralyzed me. My ears rang with some serious might.

"Help!" I yelled. He knew at that instant that I needed help.

He jumped through the insignia. He stood there for a sec and then charged a blaze with his ears. He launched the fire V in a row and knocked the two off. There was no doubt that the blast had knocked them out.

"Well I had to save your ass, but here you are," he said.

"Thanks. It's good to see you after a year," I said.

"Come on. I dug a path to Moltres's room," he said. I smiled. It's not every day that you get to meet a mythical legend considering your friend is already one. He showed me a small tunnel. I had to crawl through it and it was really tight. At one point I saw an opening.

"You see, the Slugma volcano isn't actually a volcano. It's called the Magcargo Sanctuary. It's a large molten world where several different fire pokemon get together and live in the largest underground magma patch in the world. There IS everything here. You name it and we have it. But I want you to meet only Moltres, and nothing else. Is that fine?" he asked me.

"Yes," I said.

"Good, follow me," he said. I saw the opening and it was now a cave instead of a tunnel. I could stand here and I saw a long narrowing passage. I saw some Slugma along the way with a Magcargo too. There were some Growlithe playing while an older brother Arcanine was chasing them. They were all primal; not the civilized ones. I started to notice the cave was getting larger. Until I saw what would be one of the most important areas in my life. It was enormous. Several miles wide, filled with lava and burning logs galore. There were hundreds of fire-types playing joyfully in the terrain, having so much fun. I even saw an urban legend pokemon on its own. A Magmortar. There were only Magmars at the school. I was impressed that they were actually real. Of course, it was primal.

"The path to Moltres is reserved and uses a special lock system," he said. He showed me to a wall. It was completely regular but he drew some water from a water gun. He shot it at the rock and the rock became a Geodude. He moved out of the way to reveal a very narrow tunnel. It was not possible to tell that the rock was a Geodude. It was completely conspicuous. I wouldn't have guessed at all. It revealed a narrow tunnel like the one I got here to. He motioned me to come though.

I was all having trouble taking this in. I had never known just how beautiful this area is. I almost teared up when I saw the area. I had never seen anything quite like it. It's a shame that no one will ever be able to see this but the residents, and I want it to stay that way. Some things must be preserved.

We got to the end of the tunnel when a Golem was standing there. He grunted and Victini said something that I assumed was primal language. He stomped twice and a Machamp moved a solid rock wall. In there I saw a gigantic red bird resting on a large perch surrounded by a lava moat. That was Moltres.

He was huge. Twice as tall as me. His wings were coated with embers and flames. His mane was hot enough to feel from across the room. Just as legendary as the website said. Victini went up to the moat and said, "Mr. Moltres!" His eyes struck open and he cried out with a roar.

"What is it Victini? I have been sleeping fine," he said. He was tired I could tell.

"It's him. The one I told you about," Vic said.

"Yes… This is the child with the Phalanxious Gene. Welcome, Zach Regaldi," Moltres said.

"It is an un-measurable honor to be here," I said.

"You gained an approval from Victini, yes?" he said. He spoke slowly but surely. I pulled up the back of my shirt and removed a cover to show him my seal.

"Yes!" he yelled out. He let out a call. "He has asked me to teach you!" he said.

"What?" I asked, almost scared.

"Do not be alarmed! You can learn any move, yes?" he said. I nodded, yet gulped too.

"Yes!" he called out. He was very excitable. I was petrified though.

"You know Flame Punch, yes?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Good!" he said. "I will teach you a move that is twice as powerful as your flame punch." I started to like where this was going. "It is called, Flame Fury!"

"How do I learn Flame Fury?" I asked.

"Learn? Learn? HAHAHAHHA!" He started laughing.

"You do not learn it with you mind. You learn it with your soul," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"Silence! You are making it harder. You must believe, and then you will know, the move," he said.

"But I-" I said before he cut me off.

"NO! ENOUGH!" he roared. The ground shook and the lava rushed. The room was set in flames. "Be quiet or it will not be possible!" I decided to follow his request. I calmed myself and stayed silent. "Now close your eyes… Access your dream world… Count to 8." I knew where this was going. I counted to 8 slowly and felt light again. I floated up below a flame. I saw Moltres's face in it. His beak came close and he turned me around. He faced my V seal. I felt a small, not painful poke. It was very hot, but not burning hot. I felt a little ember enter it and my seal turned a bright red. It quickly calmed down however. I felt myself fall back down to earth.

"The deed is done!" Moltres pronounced. "How do you feel, Zach Regaldi?" he asked.

"I feel… hot… as if I was in a sauna excluding the one I'm in right now," I said.

"Yessss… Now use your fire punch, but use it from the heart!" he demanded. I calmed down and charged a fire punch. I channeled energy from my spike, and soon the V seal flared up. I used fire-punch and I amazed myself. My blade launched out and caused such a large flame followed where I had swung. It covered half the room in the arc I traveled in. I was amazed. I knew how useful this was, but it was only for emergencies.

"Thank you. Mr. Moltres," I said.

"You do not have to thank me. Thank yourself," he said. I didn't understand, but I knew it was best not to argue with a bird of the flames. I said goodbye and Victini teleported me back home. It was the right time and I was just in time for when my parents got back.

"Victini, thanks for that. That's not even a once in a life time experience. That's something that never happens on a regular occasion," I said.

"You do not have to mention it. Maybe in the future I could do other works with you in the lava pocket, but later. Magcargo Sanctuary does not like frequent visitors from the outside," he said. I understood as my parents saw me eating a bowl of chips.

"Hi honey. How was your day?" mom asked.

"Just fine," I said.

"No fights?" dad asked.

"No," I said. He nodded. Ever since the fight with the Rhypherior they seemed to be a bit more concerned about me. I didn't know why, but it did concern me for the most part. I was looking forward for Brian when he was going to stay over for the night. It doesn't happen much, but when it does, we have a lot of fun.

….

After dinner Brian came over and greeted us all. We were all happy and he got a fake fill in of what "happened" at school. I told him that at 11:00 I want to talk with him outside in the secret bunker we had built. It was an underground stone house completely hidden that we could. I even got snapshots of Moltres to show to Brian using a special camera. Moltres said it was fine as long as I didn't use it widespread. I watched the clock anxiously until 11:00. I rushed outside where I saw the swings. I hopped left swing and swung on it for a while. When it was just right, I hopped onto the top of the swing pole. I picked up the swing seat and threw it down. It spun around 3 times and then the door to the bunker slightly jerked open. Enough to pry it open. I did so to see Brian indoors watching a TV show.

"What took you so long?" he asked.

"Nothing. How long have you been here?" I asked.

"About thirty minutes," he said. He put down a bowl of popcorn. "So what's so important?"

"Have you heard of legendary pokemon? Excluding Victini that is," I said.

"Yeah there's a few. I've heard of like legendary birds. Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos," he answered.

"Well apparently, Victini knew a Moltres," I told him.

"What!" he asked surprised.

"I'm not kidding. You know the Slugma Volcano?" I asked.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I managed to get in and he led me to a secret path. It led to the Magcargo Sanctuary," I said sa I pulled out pictures of the place.

"Holy shit! This is incredible! Where is this?" he asked.

"Under a super hard layer of rock. Completely hidden from man-kind. Every single known fire type in existence is in that cave," I answered.

"So that means Moltres is there?" he asked.

"Yes. I met a Moltres. He taught me a move that only I could since I had the V seal," I answered him. "Flame Fury." I charged up a Fire punch and took the energy from my heart. I released and made the gigantic inferno punch appear in front.

"Woah!" Brian yelled out.

"No joke. That's what he taught me. I even got pictures of Moltres," I told him. I showed him the pictures. He was amazed at all this. Afterwards he went up and so did I. I needed some sleep after such an exciting day. I was ready to completely go out.

….

So yeah this chapter took a while, but I mostly rushed it through one whole night/morning. Plus after this there is going to be some filler more like. Not quite as much serious plot progression.

For the most part I have other stories to work on before I can get to chapter 4, so just bear with me as I try to work this all out.

Chapter 6 of Demoknight is on my list, and then I have chapter 4 of NRT.

That's all folks.

Remember to leave a review if you have any advice or if you want to leave a friendly comment. Or you can add this story to your alert or favorites list whenever a new chapter premiers. Check into my homepage for further updates.

~DTH~