The new arc begins. And what will happen, I wonder? Time for the Daevas to really get things started!

KedharS: And all we can hope is that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't an incoming train.

Hellraiserphoenix: The next arc should be interesting, let's say that.

Pokemonking0924: Who says what Kanone is trying to do isn't what history intends, though?

Aquahaze675: She's one of the major mysteries of the series. We may never learn all there is to know about her.

MikySP: Apology? Apology for what? And no, no plans as of now. I'll think of something probably.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 486

"…Pokemon that possess the capability to change their forms, therefore, are an astounding example of genetic abnormalities." Professor Decker was on another long speech, and Maddi was furiously taking notes, even though this was something that she was already well-educated on. It was still interesting to consider. "The process of pokemon evolution occurs by a pokemon's body changing on a genetic level, the alignment of their genetic structure reconstituting itself and transforming into a brand new form. But this is not the same as a pokemon conducting a form change."

Professor Decker cleared his throat.

"Who here can tell the class what the Beta Regression Threshold is?" Professor Decker asked. Several hands raised, including Maddi's and Nikita's.

"Whitmore," Decker said, not even looking her way.

"The Beta Regression Threshold is the point when a pokemon's genetic makeup has been altered too much to prevent evolution," Maddi explained. "Prior to a pokemon crossing the Beta Regression Threshold, it is possible for several factors to be initiated, by pokemon or trainer, to nullify evolution and leave them in their original form."

"Correct. You see, evolution is an irreversible process, and when a pokemon has crossed the Beta Regression Threshold, there is no going back. That pokemon WILL evolve. But form changing is different," the professor explained. "Pokemon that are capable of changing form can do so under the proper conditions, and then change to their prior form again. We do not call this 'evolution' because pokemon evolution cannot be reversed."

While the class was writing down what the professor was saying, one of the students raised their hand. To Maddi's surprise, it was the Phantom, Valon.

"Do you have a question on form change?" Professor Decker asked, his voice cold.

"Can you clarify something for me, professor?" Valon asked. He was sitting in the front, so Maddi couldn't see his face, but she could hear the playfulness in his voice. "On the nature of pokemon evolution. Are you certain that there are no forms of evolution where a pokemon evolves, but still possesses the ability to return to its prior state?"

"We would not call it evolution if that were the case," Decker replied. "That would be a form change. Or did you not do the reading, Valon?"

"I read every word," Valon assured him. "But I've also read papers written by other scholars in the field. Promoting theories of another type of evolution."

"And I could present you with an extensive paper a certain professor wrote stating that the pokemon Magcargo possesses a body temperature of 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Or roughly 8,000 degrees hotter than the sun. And yet the planet is not reduced to a smoldering crater, because other scientists did actual research backed by evidence, rather than blind speculation. Just because you read it in a paper, Valon, does not make it authentic science."

"Then how can you be so certain that what you believe is true to be correct," Valon asked, "and that the theories they're proposing now are not correct? Isn't the job of a scientist to test theory? To attempt to validate it?"

"Theory based in evidence, not based in speculation," Professor Decker replied. "Until those papers support themselves with evidence, or even an indication of possibility, they are not worth the time of any true scientist. Unless there is adequate proposal of how to test for this so-called 'new evolution' it is not worth my consideration."

Valon said nothing to this, but Maddi didn't feel like this conversation had really come to an end. She'd been taking notes the whole time, though, and was certainly intrigued by what was going on. This was something that she looked forward to sharing with the Commander; it might clue into what the Phantom was planning.

Having a class with him was turning out to be a lot more beneficial than Maddi had anticipated. Even if Sylvia Driscoll happened to be in the class as well.

She had to admit, though, the geneticist inside of her was intrigued. She'd heard a lot about the work her parents had done, and the notion of a pokemon that could evolve into a new form and revert back was interesting. Form changes were nothing new, obviously, Sango had a Castform after all. But what distinguished this 'new evolution' from normal pokemon evolution? It was curious. She would have to do further research on the topic.

Right now, though, there was something else on her mind. Something that had been sticking out to her for a while, now. The Phantom was a concern, but there was something else she was more concerned about.

That something else was Misato Daisan.

She'd heard about Misato Daisan, the Phantom's cold and detached right-hand woman, and the head of the Computer Club. But seeing was a different story.

When Maddi had first seen Misato, it was like she was looking at a ghost. But it wasn't a ghost she was seeing, because the person who had "died" had not been a person at all. But this… whoever she was, she looked identical. The same hair the color of the sky. The same gold-colored eyes devoid of all life, the same flat affect. She looked significantly older than the robot… thing she had encountered all those years ago, but she had no doubt that this… "Misato" was the same sort of "whatever-it-was" as the Misato she had met.

What to do with this information, though, she couldn't be sure. She was thinking about telling the Commander, but what would be the point of that? "Hey, just so you know, you know that Misato girl who works with the Phantom? Pretty sure she's a robot. Why? Well, when I was a little kid a robot saved me from Team Rocket, and… no, I'm not crazy!"

…Yeah, probably something like that… Maddi sighed, and continued to take notes as the professor continued his lecture.

When she finished with class, Maddi made a quick departure, before Sylvia could get her hands on her. She didn't really want to talk about what had happened at the party over the weekend. But as she was leaving the classroom, she ran into someone else.

"Maddi!" Cynthia's bright, smiling face was probably one of the last things that Maddi wanted to see after a two-hour long class period, she barely had enough energy to put up with the other girl under normal circumstances, and this wasn't a state where she was exactly at her best.

"What do you want, Cynthia?" Maddi asked, trying not to sound too hostile. She knew that Cynthia had only the best intentions, so she wasn't trying to be too outwardly irritated by her. Patience, that was the best way to deal with the redhead. Patience and earplugs.

"It's not what I want," Cynthia said. "Didn't you get the text?"

Maddi turned her phone off for class, and checked it. A note from the Commander? Demanding that they meet at the hideout…

She sighed, and nodded. She'd wanted to go take a nap (last night had gone long) but she didn't have it in her to go against the Commander's orders. So she'd trudge through it. Besides, she had to tell him about what she'd been taking notes on about the Phantom in class. Having class with him could end up being very helpful, after all.

So Maddi followed Cynthia as the two headed off to where the Commander had set up his base. Fortunately, Cynthia wasn't in a very chatty mood, which was a rarity. She was content with walking at Maddi's pace, and even seemed to be actually QUIET for once.

Maddi considered the thought that maybe, just maybe, Cynthia was showing genuine consideration for her feelings, and wasn't chatting up a storm the way she would want to normally, since she knew that Maddi didn't like that sort of thing. If that was the case, and she was really trying to improve herself, Maddi was genuinely grateful.

But she wasn't about to say anything in case the truth was just that Cynthia was exhausted from her birthday party and not anything out of concern for Maddi. THAT would be embarrassing.

Maddi appreciated the silent walk, it helped her relax. She was feeling tense as she sat down in the meeting room next to Cynthia, waiting for the Commander and Vic to come. They were the last ones there; Tommy, Keya, Ross, and Mason were all already there.

"So what's this whole thing about, huh?" Tommy asked, scowling. He was as abrasive and unpleasant as ever, much to Maddi's distaste.

"New information, that's what."

Everyone turned to see Vic walk into the room, a stern look on her face. She stood straight at attention, glaring at the others.

"Everyone sit," she barked. "The Commander has something to say!"

"Geez, Vic, don't be so serious all the time," Alden said, walking into the room. But even though he said that, the look on his face told Maddi that she should be taking this very seriously. She sat up straight, intrigued and concerned, her prior exhaustion forgotten.

"I called you here to talk about this," Alden said, reaching into his bag and withdrawing a letter, still in a black envelope, but with the seal broken.

"What's that?" Tommy asked, confused.

"So you didn't get one then?" Alden asked, frowning. "I see. Did anyone else here? It was delivered to my mailbox."

A chorus of shaking heads affirmed that, no, no one else had gotten a letter.

"What is it, huh?" Cynthia demanded, giving no concern about the fact that she was still the newbie, or that she was just a first year, or that she shouldn't be so impatient in general out of basic etiquette. She was intrigued, practically bursting out of her seat.

"Sit down," Vic scowled, glaring across the table at the excited girl. She turned to Alden. "Commander?"

"It's a letter," Alden replied, to which Maddi had to resist saying "no kidding" like she assumed the rest of the table was. "About a particular tournament that's being held soon. Sort of a 'back to the new term' kind of thing."

"Another tournament? Yes!" Cynthia cheered, pumping her fist into the air.

"But aren't there tournaments coming in the spring?" Vic asked. "Is this another one?"

Alden shook his head, a shadow crossing over his face.

"It's not a normal tournament," he replied. "It's something special, organized by the students."

"Awesome!" Cynthia said, pumping her fist into the air with excitement. "I can't wait! I'm gonna get revenge on Blake for last time!"

"It's not that sort of tournament," Alden replied. He took out the letter from the envelope and unfolded it, taking a closer look.

"To whom it may concern:

Congratulations! As a new year begins, we begin with growing interest to implement a new event for trainers to test their skills, the best of the best! You have been selected to participate in a very special Selection Tournament! 16 of the best trainers in the Pokemon Academy have been hand-selected to compete against one another, with the reward being a very special prize! The battles will be intense, and the glory will be real. And not only that, but this will be an opportunity to inspire those new students just getting started on their efforts at this school! There are a great many things to be gained from this tournament, including our grand prize. If you are interested in showing everyone here why you believe you have the talent to be the best, then please make your reservation on the website! Welcome to the Phantom Cup, and may you have the battles that you deserve!"

"The Phantom Cup, huh?" Vic sourly said. "And none of us got invited. Just you, sir."

"Wait, what's this whole selection tournament nonsense?" Cynthia protested. "Does that mean that since I didn't get one of those letters, I can't participate?"

"Exactly," Vic said. "Only people who have been specifically invited to participate in the tournament are allowed, and it looks like only the Commander is one of them."

She scowled.

"Talk about unreasonable! This is clearly the Phantom's tactic to overwhelm us with numerical superiority! Sir-"

"Vic," Alden said, his calm voice causing her to fall silent, "it's not something that you need to concern yourself with, understood?"

"But sir-!"

"Vic," he repeated, his voice sharper, "let me ask you something. Are you really that concerned that I might be joining a tournament where all the other competitors could be working with the Phantom to defeat me?"

"Of course!" Vic exclaimed. "It's a dirty trick, because Richard Valon doesn't play fair!"

"Vic," Alden said again, leaning back in his seat and locking his fingers together in front of him, "do you really think that, even in those conditions… I would actually lose?"

Vic gasped, going pale. "That, that wasn't what I-!"

"I know," Alden laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "But it doesn't matter how many people he tries to overwhelm me with. Getting intimidated by odds like that, my Sense isn't that weak. All I have to do is defeat the opponents in front of me, and that's all."

"Yes, sir," Vic said, nodding. She sighed. "I'm just upset that I won't be able to fight beside you, sir! It's my duty to lend you whatever help I can!"

"It's fine, Vic," Alden said, shaking his head. "Besides, knowing the Phantom, this will likely be single battles, and your Sense is a lot weaker when it comes to those."

Vic grumbled, but she couldn't argue with him on that issue. She nodded her head silently, sitting back down.

"Now then, the issue is about who the other competitors are," Alden mused. "Hopefully, they'll all be worthy opponents, but there's something else we need to consider, at the same time. And that's the nature of the tournament itself. Why would the Phantom set this whole thing up? It can't just be out of the thrill of combat. No, he's definitely up to something, the question is, what?"

"He's probably trying to show us up," Tommy grumbled, punching his hand in frustration. "Commander, you'll show them what's up, though!"

"That's what I was thinking, too," Vic agreed, incensed that Tommy had brought it up first.

"Yes, I think you're right," Alden said, nodding, but part of him wasn't convinced. He wasn't the smartest person in the room, that was for sure. All he was was a guy with a good Sense for battle. But even he knew how to rely on his intuition, and it was telling him that there was something to be cautious of, that he should be prepared for.

…Nah, that's way too much effort for him to think.

"Who cares?" Alden scoffed. "All that matters is that I win my battles! Just you watch!"

"That's the spirit, sir!" Vic smiled, nodding eagerly.

"So with that, let's put the issue of this tournament aside for now," Alden declared. His expression turned serious again. "We have another important issue to discuss."

"Oh?" Cynthia asked, interested. "What do you mean?"

"It's time we talk about the Orre Region," Alden said, glancing at Vic, "and the nature of Shadow Pokemon and what they're currently doing there."

Cynthia frowned. She glanced at Maddi, who turned to her. Both girls were worried about what this might mean.

Meanwhile, across campus, another one of the Daevas was having an interesting morning of her own. Or rather, her lieutenant was.

Ayame let out a sigh, slumping across the kitchen table.

"…Well now, you seem down," Olivia noted, taking a sip of coffee. "What? Would you like to go out for lunch, Aya? That could cheer you up. If you'd like to talk instead…"

"It's just too hard," Ayame groaned. "Blake's in class right now, and I want to go see him so badly! You wouldn't get it, boss!"

Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at that. No, she didn't get it.

"It's hard to believe you're still the same girl, Aya," Olivia chuckled. "Why, back in the day, you were so dour and surly, and the way you treated Blake-"

"I was embarrassed, okay?!" Ayame sputtered. "You-you think I wanted him to say… that?! About my butt?!"

She pouted, straightening back up. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and glanced away, unable to meet her eyes.

"He could have said something sweet if he wanted me to act a little nicer, you know? It wasn't my fucking fault…" Ayame pouted.

Olivia snickered at how awkward she was acting. She really was adorable.

"Maybe you can go see him after class then, Aya," Olivia laughed. Ayame brightened, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"Well, obviously I'm going to see him after he gets out of class!" Ayame said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We're going to get lunch together! That doesn't mean I can't still want to hang out with him before lunch!"

This time, Olivia did choose to roll her eyes. This was why she preferred the "hump and dump" approach, way less annoying lovesickness.

"Aya-"

But a beep from Ayame's phone cut her off. Ayame quickly grabbed it off the table, hoping it was Blake messaging her, but no. It was something maybe even better.

"My package arrived!" Ayame gushed, jumping out of her seat, turning to Olivia.

"Your… what?" Olivia looked at her, confused.

"When we were in Johto, my sister did this painting! Well, paintings, actually, and because we couldn't get them on the plane due to luggage, she said she'd mail them over! And they must have just arrived just now, because I'm getting a notification!"

"…Well, I'll come with you then," Olivia said, sliding out of her chair and stretching, washing out her mug. By the time she stepped out into the cold, Ayame was already running as fast as her feet could carry her off into the distance.

Olivia found it best to enjoy a leisurely stroll to the mail room. By the time she ambled in, Ayame was at the head of the line, being handed a long, wide package that must have been the paintings.

"Boss! Got 'em!" Ayame gushed, turning to Olivia with a smile on her face. "Come on, we gotta get back so I can get 'em out! That way I can bring Blake his for lunch! He's going to be absolutely thrilled, I can't wait!"

"In a minute, I'm checking my box," Olivia said, walking over to the metal slat on the wall with her number on it.

Ayame nodded, opting to do the same, and blinked at what she saw. There were the sports magazines she was subscribed to, of course, but sitting on top of them was something else entirely, a small, sealed black envelope. She took it out of the box and turned it over in her fingers, confused. A love letter? But she already had Blake!

So, another invitation! Alden and Ayame are both participating in this tournament? Interesting! Who else will get an invite, I wonder?