Chapter 5: To Find A Witness
Ace couldn't believe what he just saw. He absolutely had no idea that Ryuji was capable of awakening to the same power as Ren has. But all the same, he was excited that now Ryuji got to fight alongside them.
"What troublemakers bother King Kamoshida with such trifle matters!" The pinkish knight Shadow remarked as he commanded his subordinates to enter the battle and transformed into the same green-horned horses that knocked most of the team down. "I shall strike you all down where you stand!"
"If that asshole's decided that I'm just no good troublemaker, I might as well give him what he wants!" Ryuji retorted. "Let's do this, Captain Kidd!"
"Now perish!" One of the horse Shadows shouted as he aimed towards Ren.
"(Sorry, but no! Quick Attack!)" Nickit appeared before Ren before he swiftly hit the charging Shadow, causing the latter to be studded backwards.
"Why you…!" The Shadow growled as Nickit glared at him.
"Thank you." Ren simply stated.
"(Don't thank me yet, There's more to these two horned Rapidash things!)" The Fox Pokémon said as the frizzy haired boy nodded.
"Hrrah!" One of the Shadows then charged towards Ryuji
"I don't think so! Zio!" Ryuji shouted as his Persona shot a bolt of electricity from his arm cannon, causing the incoming Shadow to be knocked down. This did not go unnoticed by a certain Pokémon Trainer.
"(I'll help too!)" Yamper shouted as he proceeded to use Nuzzle on one of the Shadows, not only greatly damaging but also inflicting it with paralysis.
"And goodbye!" Ryuji proceeded to swing the pipe rod onto the Shadow, defeating it. He then turned to the Puppy Pokémon. "Thanks for the help, little guy! I owe ya one!"
"(No problem.)"
"Looks like those two horned, black Rapidash-like Shadows are weak to everything electricity." Ace then pulled out the Net Ball, containing a certain Pokémon. "Come on out, Butterfree!"
He threw the Poké Ball high up in the air before it opened up, summoning Butterfree once more.
"(Yes, Ace?)" Butterfree asked before she noticed the Shadows and gulped at the sight. "(Well… this complicates things."
"I dunno, Dude. That butterfly's not gonna help us with this" Ryuji commented.
"You'll see soon enough." Ace smirked before he outstretched his hand. "Let's start with Electroweb!"
"(O-Of course!)" Butterfree said before creating an orange-yellow orb of electricity on its face. "(Take this, you big bullies!)" She then threw the orb before it transformed into a circular yellow electrical net that trapped and electrocuted the Shadows who were unlucky enough to get caught by it.
"What is this!?" Kamoshida exclaimed as he saw his soldiers flailing helplessly in the electrified net while also being slowly electrocuted to death.
"Whoa…" Ren muttered impressively.
"Well damn..." The dyed blonde boy added.
"I've never seen anything like it." Morgana commented before he turned to Ace. "What kind of move is that?"
"Surprised? Say hello to Electroweb!" Ace stated. "It's a move that not only deals electrical-type damage to the opponents but it also traps them in, restraining their movements."
"(Thank you. Now you make this real easy for us to take them out!)" Yamper barked as he was crackled with yellow electricity as he used Nuzzle on the trapped Shadows, defeating them one by one.
"Let's see how you like it when someone you beat down beat you up back!" Ace then waved his hand forward. "Use Air Slash!"
The Butterfly Pokémon screeched as she flapped her wings several times, which resulted in firing multiple light-blue glowing blades of energy from said wings and to the trapped Shadows, killing them instantly as they dissolved.
"Why you, insignificant bug!" The last remaining Shadow snarled as it charged towards Butterfree.
"(Eek!)" Butterfree exclaimed.
"(Oh no you don't!)" Yamper intercepted it with a Tackle, causing it to scream in pain as itdissolved into nothing.
"(Umm… Thank you for saving me.)" Butterfree thanked her savior.
"(No problem. Just happy to help!)" The Puppy Pokémon barked happily.
"All right, looks like the lackies are out for the count." Ace then turned to his teammates. "Now let's take out the leader!"
"Right." Ren nodded as he brandished his knife.
"Let's eff him up!" Ryuji said as a silver pipe rod with a curved end formed on one of his hands through the blue flames.
"I couldn't agree more." The cat-like creature said as he pulled out his sword.
The three proceeded to strike the lone Shadow with their respective melee weapons while Ace commanded Butterfree to attack with Pollen Puff, managing to score some hits onto said Shadow.
"I will not be taken down by puny peasants such as yourselves!" The knight-on-horseback Shadow said before he readied his spear. "Now begone-" Just as he was about to charge, yellow statics of electricity suddenly appeared on his body that caused him to be unable to attack. "Damn! It's that paralysis!"
"Looks like the paralysis he got from Yamper's Nuzzle is slowing him down!" Ace stated. "Let's take this opportunity to take him down!"
"Ravage them!" Ren shouted as he ripped his masks once more to summon Arsene, who proceeded to slice the enemy with one of his sharp heels.
"Persona!" Morgana shouted as Zorro appeared behind him and assaulted the Shadow with Garu.
"Get wrecked!" The skeletal pirate that floated behind Ryuji fired another bolt of electricity at the enemy, greatly weakening the Shadow in the process.
"Give that Shadow the what-for!" The Galar Champion told Butterfree.
"(Of course, Ace! All the way!)" The Butterfly Pokémon declared before she used Air Slash on the horse-ridden Shadow.
"(Let's join in!)" Nickit said to Yamper as he went into a fighting stance.
"(I'm with you, buddy!)" Yamper said before he and his partner unleashed their own attacks towards the Shadow, with Tackle and Quick Attack respectively.
"How… can this be…?" The Shadow weakly muttered as he tried to have his horse to stand his ground, albeit barely. "Why did I lose… to such lowly peasants when I'm… a loyal follower of the great King Kamoshida…!"
"It proves that just because you were following a famous athlete, doesn't mean you are right." Ace mocked. "At this rate, you'll just end up dragging his name to the mud, where it belongs."
"Why… you!" The red knight weakly growled as he and his horse collapsed in a pool of black sludge before it reverted into his base form that was just lying on the floor.
Ryuji was panting and was trying to catch some air as Captain Kidd disappeared into his face, which materialized as the skull mask. "... You see that, asshole!? What we were doin' to him is what'll we gonna to do you!"
"(Yeah! And then we'll rescue all the Pokémon that you captured!)" Yamper joined in as he growled at the king.
"(You two are so alike that it freaks me out.)" Nickit stated as he sweatdropped.
"Don't push yourself, Ryuji." Ren advised. "Our objective isn't actually to confront Kamoshida."
"He's right." Morgana added. "We were just escaping until this happened."
"So, you now have a fancy mask to brag about. Big deal!" Kamoshida scoffed, having regained his composure. "I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is MY castle!" The perverted king proceeded to look to his right. "Isn't that right, my dear princess?"
"You got it, Kamoshida~!" A new voice entered as a familiar blonde girl appeared as she walked towards Kamoshida's side. However, she now wore a purple bikini with panther-like patterns on it and wore high heels and wore a pair of cat ears and a pink crown on top of her head.
"Hold on, who's that!?" Ace exclaimed as she stared at the newcomer's body, but not in a perverted way. 'I don't know why, but… she reminded me a bit of Nessa…"
"Wh—Takamaki!?" The dyed blonde boy exclaimed in disbelief.
"Wait, that girl…!" Ren added, recognizing the girl as the one sitting in front of him during class.
"Oh…" The cat-like creature gasped, completely enamored to the girl. "Wha… What a meow-velous and beautiful girl…"
"Really…?" The knitted cap boy deadpanned.
"I don't know about you, but she's different from that girl that I've seen..." Ren stated as he recounted how the girl had expressed her dislike towards the coach, completely the opposite to the girl that he just saw right now, who was acting very flirtatious. "She must be another one of those cognitive copies that was created in Kamoshida's image."
"Oh right, I forgot about that. Cognitions and shit." Ryuji said. "But this is just… so effed up on so many levels..."
"It was obvious, really. I don't see how a flashy girl like her would hook up with a guy like him." Ace remarked as the half-naked girl began to lean onto Kamoshida's shoulder, with him touching her chin.
"Hey! Don't touch her, you perv!" The delinquent-looking boy snapped at him.
"Why not? She's the princess of the castle." Kamoshida retorted. "Everyone except for you slow-witted thieves wants to be loved by me. And besides, women aren't drawn to problematic punks like you."
"Ouch. That sting…" The Galar Champion remarked.
"Guards! Take out the garbage this instant! Make sure to catch those weird animals too! Especially that butterfly!" As he said that, multiple knight Shadows emerged from out of nowhere as they were ready to fight them.
"Oh great. More of these creeps!" Ace complained. 'Looks like he is interested in the Pokemon that appeared in his castle, but not in a good way. That bastard…'
"Come on! Let's scram before we get surrounded again!" Morgana urged them.
"Tch…!" Ryuji clicked his tongue as he knew this was all he could do for today before he glared towards Kamoshida. "This ain't over, you son of bitch! We'll expose what you are no matter what it takes!"
"Good then! I was just starting to get bored of torturing those slaves anyway." Kamoshida said with a sick grin. "If you dumbasses fail, which you inevitably will, you are free to come back here whenever you like and die! Hahahaha!"
"Come on, let's go!" Once Ace returned Butterfree back to her Poké Ball, they proceeded to leave the castle.
"(We should withdraw too.)" Nickit told Yamper.
"(Right!)" The Puppy Pokémon said as they went after the group.
(Outside of the castle)
They managed to sneak into the last room before exiting the castle through the same ventilation shaft. It didn't take them long before they ended up near the gates of the castle.
"That… was something…" Ace stated as he and the others were catching some breath.
Ryuji took a moment to relieve himself before looking at his new attire.
"You know, I don't remember changin' into this!" He pointed out to the others.
"Now you definitely looked like a thug." Ren cracked at said attire.
"Well, at least it's a little better than yours, all wizardly and shit!"
"Quiet! You'll attract the guards here!" Morgana reprimanded him as they kept quiet when they heard the voices of the knights, which were nearby. Once the voices died down, they proceeded to lower their guard.
"So, what's goin' on? I'm completely lost, man!" Ryuji asked.
"I told you before. When a Persona-user opposes a Palace's ruler and becomes a threat to them, this happens." He told Ryuji. "It's to prevent you from being affected by distortions."
"Is this… a skull?" The dyed blonde-haired boy inquired as he reached out and felt the mask that was on his face.
"Your appearance reflects your inner self. It's the rebel that slumbers within." The self-proclaimed human explained. "Not that you'll get it anyway."
"Actually, I kinda do. Just a little bit though."
"Same here." Ace added.
"So… I guess we should book it now?" The skull masked teen continued. "He shouldn't remember any of this in the real world, right?"
"As far as I know, he didn't mention something along those lines yesterday, so yeah..." Ren replied.
"A Shadow is the true self that is suppressed—a side of one's personality that they don't want to see." Morgana explained. "So, there's no way he'd know what you did in his cognitive world."
"All right, that's good to know." The knitted cap boy said.
"(Um… Hello.)" They turned to see Nickit and Yamper, who was with them the entire time.
"It's those Pokémon." Ren pointed out.
"Sup." Ryuji greeted them. "Thanks for the help there. You were great out there despite bein' a couple of little guys."
"(You saved us, and then we returned the favor.)" Nickit simply told them. "(It's only natural, that's all.)"
"(Don't mind Nickit. We're pretty grateful to be helpful to you all.)" Yamper added.
"It sounds like they're really grateful for us saving them." Ace interpreted for the Pokémon.
"Oh really? Thanks, uh…" The dyed blonde-haired boy stated. "Yamper… and Nickit, right?" He continued, having learned their names due to them keep saying their own names.
"Why do Pokémon always say their own name anyway?" Ren inquired curiously.
"Beats me. But I know a certain species of Pokémon that doesn't do that." Ace pulled out his Rotom Phone before opening the Pokédex app and then the screen showed an image of a Nickit. "Listen to this."
"Nickit, the Fox Pokémon. A Dark type. Cunning and cautious, this Pokémon survives by silently stealing food from others with the aid of the soft pads on their feet. It erases its tracks with the swipes of its tail as it makes off with its plunder."
"I know for a fact that foxes like to steal things, but…" Ren said. "That entry makes them more impressive."
"(I like to think that you're pretty stylish too.)" Nickit replied.
"It sounds like a promising phantom thief, if you ask me." Morgana added before the image shifted to that of a Yamper.
"Yamper, the Puppy Pokémon. An Electric type. It tends to be drawn to fast-moving things and will chase after people, other Pokémon, or even vehicles. As it runs, it generates electricity from the base of its tail."
"So this little guy's a runner too, eh?" Ryuji smirked. "I had a feeling we'll be gettin' along just fine."
"(You seemed fast too despite some difficulties in one of your legs.)" The Puppy Pokémon pointed out as Nickit looked at Morgana.
"(So now that I got a closer look at you, what exactly are you anyway?)" Nickit asked Morgana, who couldn't understand him. "(You seemed like a Pokemon, though. A variant of a Meowth, perhaps?)"
"(Yeah, but you can summon those big figures just like those two humans in weird getups. So, what does that make you?)" Yamper added.
"Umm… What are they talking about?" The aforementioned cat-like creature inquired.
"Looks like they were curious about you, Morgana. They also probably mistook you for a Pokémon." The Galar Champion told him as he waved his Rotom Phone in front of Morgana. "But just to be sure..."
The Pokedex proceeded to have a loading screen for a while before a question mark appeared, followed by the sound of confirmation.
"No data."
"Damn. That was worth a shot." The knitted cap boy said in disappointment.
"Come on! I'm a human! Not a cat or a Pokémon!" Morgana told him.
"(You don't seem human though…)" The Puppy Pokemon pointed it out.
"(Ignore him, Yamper. He's one of those delusional types.)" His partner remarked before a certain knitted cap boy had an idea.
"You know, I had an idea." The two boys turned to Ace. "Why don't you two catch them right now?"
"You want us to do what!?" Ryuji exclaimed, but not loudly enough to attract the Shadows.
"Are you sure?" Ren asked.
"I'm positive about it. Plus, these two seemed to have grown fond of you."
Nickit and Yamper looked at them with happy expressions, as if they were asking the two boys to catch them.
"I… guess I could do that." Ryuji reluctantly agreed while scratching the back of his head.
"But how do we do that?" The frizzy haired boy asked.
"That's where these babies come in." Ace proceeded to pull out two empty, regular Poké Balls from his bag. "Here you go."
"Thank you." Ren said as he and Ryuji proceeded to take one Poké Ball each from Ace. "And then what?"
"Throw it at them."
"Here goes." Ryuji said as he and Ren proceeded to throw the empty Poké Balls Nickit and Yamper, who let themselves hit by it.
Upon impact, the Poké Balls opened and red lights enveloped them and said light disappeared into them just before they closed. Once the balls landed on the ground, they shook once before two clicking sounds could be heard.
"And that's it. You have caught your very own Pokémon." Ace told them. "Normally, you need to battle and then catch them once they are weakened enough. But there are cases when a Pokémon takes a shine to you to the point that they let themselves be caught. You understand that so far?"
"I think I got that." Ren said as he felt what it's like to catch a Pokémon. He was willing to see where this goes.
"I admit though, that was surely something." Ryuji added. "But I feel really good, to be honest."
"Yeah." His frizzy haired friend nodded as they put the Poke Ball away.
"Okay. We know how to deal with Kamoshida, so let's get hell out of here and get to it by tomorrow!" Ryuji told them. But just as they were about to leave…
"Wait. I guided you as promised. It's your turn to cooperate with me." Morgana stopped them.
"Cooperate? Why?"
"You seriously asked that? Why do you think I bothered to teach you guys everything I know about the Palaces and everything?" He explained. "Remember? I came here to investigate the distortions so I can regain my true form."
"Um… We've never said anything about helpin' you out." The dyed blonde-haired boy replied, surprising the cat-like creature.
"Huh? Don't tell me… Are you not going to repay the hospitality I showed you?" He stated before turning towards Ren. "Especially you! You're going to up and leave, even though you're already part of my master plan!?"
"If it makes you feel better, we'll come back here and help you after we deal with Kamoshida." Ren said. "Does that sound good?"
"Dude! Are you for real!?" Ryuji exclaimed before he calmed down. "I guess… It's not so bad when you think about it. I did learn a few new things from the cat, after all."
"Same. I'm dead set at rescuing the Pokémon that was imprisoned here." Ace added.
"Well… If you're willing to make a promise to me, then I guess I'll hold you onto that." Morgana said. "You do what you have to do. And when you're all done, I'll be waiting right here."
"Thanks, cat.'' Ryuji said as he knelt down to Morgana's eye level. "You're awfully strong despite bein' a cat and all."
"Would you quit calling me a cat!?"
"See ya!" Ryuji waved goodbye before leaving the Palace.
"Take care." Ren said. "We'll see you soon."
"Bye!" Ace waved before he and Ren then went after Ryuji.
"And there they go…" Morgana said as he saw them returning to the real world. "Hmm… I wonder if I can go there…"
(In an alleyway across the school gates)
"You have returned to the real world. Welcome back." The voice of the MetaNav said as the three boys were panting and tried to catch some breath. Ren and Ryuji now wore the school uniform as soon as they left the Palace.
"Who would've guessed that traveling through that Palace-thing can be so tiring?" Ace muttered as he took his time to catch some breath.
"I hear you, dude. Must've been from gettin' a Persona." Ryuji added before he looked at Ren. "How about you, you tired?"
"I could use a nap right about now." Ren answered.
"After what we've been through, I don't blame ya." The dyed blonde-haired boy agreed. "I'll prolly gonna sleep like a rock when I get home."
"So, our plan for tomorrow is to find a witness to use against Kamoshida, right?" The Galar Champion asked.
"Yup. That bastard's done for now that we know some people to fess up." Ryuji grinned.
"But will it work, though?" Ace asked Ryuji with skepticism. "I'm not saying your plan is gonna suck, but how do you think that it'll work?"
"Well… we just gotta confront one of 'em and make him tell us about the abuse."
"So that's it, huh? Your big plan is to visit them and hopefully they'll tell us about the physical abuse?" Ace frowned before he sighed as he reluctantly agreed to follow his plan. "But I'll guess we should give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all."
"Sure, I'll help." Ren chimed in, also agreed to help out.
"Nice! I knew you'd say that! Thanks a lot, guys!" The dyed blonde-haired boy grinned. "I know I've been dragging you guys a lot recently, but thanks for having my back."
"Don't mention it." Ace said as his frizzy haired friend nodded.
"All right. So uh…" Ryuji then turned to Ren. "I know this is kinda late to say, but… If you were thinking about layin' low 'cause you got a record, I don't think that'll help. Everyone already knows, so they already pegged you as a criminal."
"I'm perfectly aware of that." Ren replied as he adjusted his glasses. "I wonder… who leaked that?"
"Ain't it obvious? Kamoshida opened his big effin' mouth!" Ryuji replied with a frown, "No one but a teacher could've leaked it that fast! Doesn't matter if it's a student or a club, that asshole just wrecks everything he doesn't agree with. Just like he did with me."
"I guess the reason he did all that was to take everything that overshadowed his volleyball team out of the spotlight of the school." Ace stated. "The same can be said of how leaked Ren's past on a whim. Hell, he could even be trying to get some dirt about me right now. I am THE sudden foreign transfer student, after all."
"But little did he know, he won't find anything." Ren smiled.
"You bet he won't. Seeing you're from another world and stuff." He chuckled before looking serious. "No one'll take everything I say seriously. But still, the rumors about him gettin' physical might be for real. And after seein' Kamoshida's distorted heart thing in person, there's no way I can just sit back!"
"I agree. That man needs to be stopped." The frizzy haired boy nodded.
"I guess I can tag along for this ride." The Galar Champion added as he put one of his hands onto his neck.
"Thanks. That's all I need to hear." Ryuji thanked them. "Don't worry, I'm hyped about this too!"
'Looks like Ryuji and I will be close friends…' Ren commented in his head as he felt a bond of trust with his dyed blonde friend.
All of a sudden, everything stopped around him as if time itself stopped. The atmosphere around him darkened.
"What the…" Just as Ren was about to say more, a familiar voice then rang in his head.
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
that breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Chariot Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…
Then, a tarot card appeared on top of Ryuji's head that said, "The Chariot" in France, which was followed by a word that appeared in thin air that said, "Rank 1" and a sound of chains breaking.
The sound of a stomach rumbling can be heard by the three.
"Right… I forgot that I haven't eaten anything since lunch." Ryuji commented, admitting that he was the one with a rumbling stomach. "It'd be weird splittin' off now, so why don't we grab a bite somewhere?"
"Sure thing. I was beginning to get some chow myself." Ace agreed.
"What do you have in mind?" Ren added.
"Meat, duh." The dyed blonde-haired boy replied. "Just follow me, guys. I know a good place to go to."
"By all means, lead the way." The Galar Champion said as Ryuji picked up his bag, which was lying on the ground, before he and the others left for the station.
(With Ace and co)
"WHAT!?" Ryuji exclaimed loudly as he, Ren, and Ace were eating at the beef bowl restaurant called, "Ore no boko" in Shibuya. Apparently, his frizzy haired friend decided to confide the two about his past, specifically on how he was wrongly accused. "The hell, man!? How much shittier can that asshole get!?"
"Keep your voice down, Ryuji." Ace told him as he turned to Ren. "But I agree with him. That is so low on so many many levels."All you did was step in and defend that woman, but the fact that prick just wrecked your life just because you were simply there? I swear, some people…"
"The past is in the past." Ren told them. "Not like there's anything I can do to change that."
"True that." The Pokémon Trainer said.
"But still, listenin' to that story of yours makes me angry!" The delinquent-looking boy retorted before he calmed down and resumed eating. "So… you left your hometown, and… you're livin' here now, huh?"
"Pretty much." The frizzy haired boy replied as he and Ace continued eating their meals.
"Gotta say… I think we might be more alike than I originally thought." Ryuji commented.
"Is it because of what Kamoshida said earlier?" The knitted cap boy nodded.
"Yeah." He nodded. "One time, that asshole made the team runnin' without water and made us do more reps than usual that pushed us to the limit." The former track runner continued. "I got so mad that I swung on him, and then Kamoshida broke my leg in the name of that "self-defense" bullshit. And the next thing I knew, our coach got fired and the team's finished. I guess my former teammates must've hated me for it."
"I have a feeling that he wants you to hit him." Ace suggested. "Thinking back on what you said, he might've known that you would be the one to likely snap at him."
"That's most likely what really happened." Ren added.
"That's certainly something Kamoshida would do." Ryuji agreed as he looked towards Ren. "But I guess what I'm tryin' to say is that we're both treated like a pain in the ass by the people around us, like we don't belong." He then finished up his beef bowl before looking at his two other friends. "You two are livin' in… Yongen, right? It's rush hour on the subways, I suggest you kill some time before headin' home."
"Noted." Ren nodded.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped."
Ryuji then looked at Ren's bowl, which was still full with beef and rice.
"The hell man? You barely touched your food." He said as he put a little bit of ginger onto said bowl.
"You do know I can do it by myself, right?" The frizzy haired boy told him.
"Just lemme do it. Gotta thank you for helping' my ass out." Ryuji grinned as he looked towards his two friends. "Anyways, I got you guys' back like you two got mine from tomorrow on. As long as we do something about Kamoshida, I'm sure we'll feel better about bein' at school."
"For your sake, I hope so." Ace said as he put a spoonful of rice and beef into his mouth. "If I remember what my new homeroom teacher said, there's a volleyball rally tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah. Shit's recommended by Kamoshida. Makes me wanna gag." Ryuji frowned. "But on the bright side, there's no class when that is happening, so we'll be able to sneak out and hit up on those slaves we saw at the castle."
"Won't we get in trouble by doing that?" Ren asked skeptically.
""Course not, man. That pervert won't expel us just because we're talking to people."
"I hope you're right about that." He said before he and Ace continued eating.
(Meanwhile, in Shujin Academy...)
Takamaki was sitting at a bench as she was talking with another girl, who seemed to be close to her. The friend is a black-haired ponytail girl with a pink band that tied her hair and two gray hair pins. Her outfit consisted of a beige turtleneck sweater rolled up to her elbows, as well as the standard uniform skirt. Underneath her skirt, she has black athletic shorts, and beneath her shirt, she wore elbow braces. She also has a black knee brace on her right leg and wore white running shoes with red designs, and white ankle socks.
After talking for a while, the ponytailed girl paused for a few seconds before she sighed.
"I-I haven't been sleeping lately…" She stated. "Whenever I close my eyes, I keep thinking about too many things…"
"Shiho…" Takamaki muttered with a frown.
"Nationals are coming up soon, so I keep thinking…" The girl named Shiho began. "Should someone like me really be on the starting lineup?"
"Don't worry. Just be confident in yourself." Her blonde friend assured her. "Your skills have been recognized! It's all because you work harder than anyone else!"
"Mmm…" Shiho turned to her. "Yeah… Volleyball's all I'm good at, after all."
"More importantly, was that injury, okay?" Takamaki asked. "It looked really swollen."
"No, it's nothing. It's normal…" The ponytailed girl said. "Especially since a meet's coming up."
The blonde girl was silent at that response. Everything was silent until a bluish black-haired boy approached them. He wore the school's standard turtleneck with rolled up sleeves, suspenders off of his shoulder, standard plaid trousers, and a pair of white and green tennis shoes.
"Sorry to interrupt, Suzui." The boy joined in on their conversation. "Um… Mr. Kamoshida told me to get you."
"Huh?" Shiho widened her eyes. "What does he want?"
"He didn't say…" He simply answered.
She looked down as she tried to wrap her head about what more could he possibly want from her.
"Ann, I…"
Ann thought for a while about what she needed to say to comfort her before talking again. "It'll be fine! I bet it's a meeting about the starting lineup or something."
"Y-Yeah.." Shiho barely mustered a smile before she stood up, along with Ann. "Well, I better go…"
"Yup. Good luck!" The blonde-haired girl cheered as her friend nodded before leaving her with the boy.
Once the two were out of sight, the lone girl couldn't help but to frown.
"Hang in there, Shiho…" Ann muttered quietly before she left.
(With Ren and Ace)
Both boys proceeded to enter the cafe, where they saw Sojiro, who was sitting in one of the chairs.
"Oh, you're back." Sojiro told Ren before he looked towards Ace. "Weren't you supposed to find a place to stay today?"
"Oh, right." Ace replied, clearly forgotten about it. "A lot of stuff happened and I wasn't able to find the time to look for it."
"Are you sure?" The middle-aged man asked with a raised eyebrow. "You're not up to something, are you?"
"Now why would I do that?" He retorted.
"Well… as long as you're not dragging him into any of your trouble, I won't make a fuss about it." He warned Ace.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
Sojiro then turned towards Ren.
"And as for you, I take it that you actually went to school today?" He asked.
"Of course." Ren simply answered.
"Good. It's a relief that you listened to me." The man said. "But in case you forgot, your life isn't exactly a free one right now."
"I know." The frizzy haired teen nodded before his phone rang.
He pulled it and found out that Ryuji had sent him a text. Before heading off to the subway, Ren and Ryuji managed to exchange phone numbers, but for some reason they were unable to exchange theirs with Ace.
Ryuji: Hey, I decided to go ahead and message you.
Ryuji: I was about to text Ace, but then I remembered that I don't have his number yet.
Ryuji: Can you see this?
Ren proceeded to reply to the text message on his phone.
Ren: Yep.
Ryuji: I'm gonna be counting on both of you tomorrow, OK?
"Tell Ryuji that we got his back, all right." Ace told him as he proceeded to text just as he was told.
Ren: We both got it.
Ryuji: You're a bro, man. You and Ace.
Ryuji: Welp, seeya tomorrow!
Ryuji: Let's save those guys who've been abused. All three of us.
"Made a new friend, huh?" Sojiro asked Ren as he and Ace turned to him. "As long as you stay away from bad influences, I don't care what kind of friends you make."
"I understand." Ren nodded.
"And as for you, don't drag this guy to any trouble." The man told Ace. "He's already in a tough situation as is, so don't make it worse. You got that?"
"I hear you loud and clear, sir." Ace nodded.
"Good." Sojiro said as he stood up. "Well, I'm gonna lock up the store now. Don't go wandering out."
"Got it." Ren simply nodded before he and Ace went upstairs to turn in for the night.
Things will certainly be interesting from here and out…
(Later on...)
Ren, once more, woke up as he found himself inside the same prison cell and the same prison attire.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Igor welcomed the "Inmate" as he faced him. "I thought about resuming our previous conversation tonight. That is why I summoned you."
"I see…" Ren muttered.
"Now then, what are your thoughts? Are you becoming accustomed to this place?" The long-nosed man asked.
"You could say that." The "Inmate" replied.
"Ah, glad to hear it. It seems you have nerves of steel." Igor continued. "The goal of your rehabilitation is to thwart the fated ruin. However, you cannot accomplish such a feat by you alone. Today, you entered a partnership with someone who awoke to the same power, did you not?"
"You mean Ryuji?" The frizzy haired boy inquired once more.
"Involving yourself with others is an important foundation for your recovery. You've done well. That said, I am not advising the formation of superficial relationships." The long-nosed man continued. "It must not be of frivolity, but a ring of those who would, by morals or faith, lend you their strength. In other words, they are bonds with those who have been robbed of their places to belong." He continued. "The expansion of said ring will, in return, help you mature as well."
"Personas are the strength of heart." Justine told Ren. "The stronger the bonds that surround you, the more power your Persona will gain."
"There are countless people in the city who have talents that a weakling like you doesn't." Caroline added. "You better rack that noggin of yours and get them on your side. We'll change that into power."
"Indeed. You should be prepared to use even myself, or your ambitions will not come to fruition. What say you?" The long-nosed man said before asking Ren.
"I… understand." Ren nodded, accepting the deal.
"Good. We have a deal then." After he said that, a familiar feeling from back then returned.
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
that breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Fool Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…
Like before, a tarot card materialized on top of Igor, this time was "The Fool" written in French. After that, time resumed as Igor and the twins watched on.
"Well, you will understand it all in due time… " Igor advised. "And lastly, you have procured yourself a Pokémon, I presume?"
"I did."
"While this is not mandatory, bonding with one in your care is also a necessary foundation for your recovery. Continue devoting yourself to your rehabilitation."
"Now, this conversation's over! Back to sleep, Inmate!" Caroline demanded as Ren returned to his bunk bed.
(Next morning…)
As Ren and Ace were walking towards the school after exiting the subway, they heard a conversation between the students, who were walking in front of them.
"How annoying—we've barely started high school, and already they're making us play at a volleyball rally?" One of the students, who was in front of the aforementioned duo, whined. "And why are they pitting us against the teacher team? Kamoshida's gonna crush us."
"We get to see his technique live and in person, though. We should totally get spiked on!" His friend said otherwise.
"Yeah, okay. You're gonna get your face smashed in. Just look at how banged up the volleyball team is. What the hell goes on during their practices?"
'You have no idea…' Ace muttered in his thoughts as he and Ren kept on walking.
Unbeknownst to them, Ann was looking at Ace since this is her first time seeing him as she was walking behind them with Shiho.
''Looks like he's that foreigner everyone has been talking about.' Ann pondered. 'I heard he was seen entering the principal's office at the same time when that new guy in my class showed up. And the next day, he showed up as a student almost immediately.' She continued to ponder. 'I wonder what his deal is?'
(Inside Ace's classroom)
"All right, listen up everyone!" Sora said to the students as she got their attention. "In case everyone forgets, today is the volleyball rally. So, be sure to head to the gym once you've changed into your PE uniform, understand?"
'This is probably gonna end poorly for those poor saps who went against that pervert's team.' Ace commented in his thoughts.
Makoto, the girl who sat next to him, could tell that he was plotting something, but couldn't figure out what.
'What're you planning to do for today?' The brunette girl wondered.
(Later on…)
"Pretty borin', huh?" Ryuji said to two of his friends who sat next to him with his back leaning into the wall. Time flew really fast thanks to the rally, and now Ren, Ace, and Ryuji were now sitting along the wall of the gym. In front of them, the male teachers were currently playing a game of volleyball against the students. Because among them was Kamoshida, most of the members of the students' team were spiked several times. To Ace, the game's nothing more than to assert his dominance to the students as well as to satisfy his over-inflated ego.
"I didn't think you actually wanted to come here." Ace told Ryuji. "For a second there, you should at least try to question the students right about now."
"Well, I don't want to stick out as I already am so I thought about making an appearance here." Ryuji answered. "Don't worry though, we'll leave eventually."
"I hope so. I'm tired of seeing that bastard in the spotlight."
Ryuji then skimmed through a crowd of students before stopping at Ann, who was playing with her hair as she was disinterested with the match.
'Huh. She twirled her hair just like Sonia. That's something.' Ace muttered in his thoughts as he was seeing what Ryuji saw.
"Still sticks out like a sore thumb, huh? She hasn't changed one bit." Ryuji muttered.
"You know her?" Ren asked after he looked at what Ryuji saw.
"A bit. We were friends in middle school, but we haven't talked much after getting into high school since we were put into different classes." The dyed blonde-haired teen explained.
"You don't say?" Ace added.
"Here it comes!" The three of them turned their attention towards Kamoshida, who spiked the ball so hard that it flew all the way to Mishima, the boy who was in Ren's class, and the ball ended up hitting his face. The force was enough to knock the teen off his feet, which followed by him falling onto his side.
"Ouch. The poor guy's gonna feel that tomorrow." Ace commented as he flinched at the impact.
"Hey, you alright?" Kamoshida asked as he ducked under the net to run towards Mishima.
"That's prolly on purpose. He ain't foolin' me." Ryuji pointed out.
"I agree." Ren said as Kamoshida lifted the poor teen up and allowed another student to take Mishima off from him.
"That asshole's gonna get his." The dyed blonde-haired teen then picked up the ball in front of him before tossed it forward, where a student picked it up as soon as it hit the ground.
(Meanwhile…)
A certain pair of Pokémon were eyeing on a student holding a snack from a corner.
"(Wow. Would've been nice to eat something like that, right?)" Yamper asked Nickit as he was licking his lips.
"(That's for sure since our new trainers forgot to feed us after returning from the castle.)" His partner-in-crime replied.
These two somehow went out of their Poké Ball that was inside their respective trainers' locker. And apparently, they haven't eaten anything ever since arriving at that other Kamoshida's castle and as mentioned earlier, they were not fed yesterday.
"(So how can we get some food?)" The Puppy Pokémon asked. "(I had a feeling that this place doesn't welcome folks like us.)"
Nickit pondered for a moment before something crossed his mind when he saw his partner.
"(I might have found a way.)" The Fox Pokémon looked towards Yamper with a mischievous smile. (You wanna do that thing again?)"
"(What thing?)" He asked before he realized what his partner was implying. "(No! No! Absolutely no! There's no way I'm going to do it again! Not a chance!)"
Sora was walking in the hallway until she saw a pair of students talking about something that might piqued her interest.
"Did you hear? There's this cute puppy in school, dancing!" A female student told her friend.
"For real? Where did you hear it?"
"A friend of mine just sent me a pic of it just now." She then grabbed her friend by the hand. "Come on, let's go see it!"
"W-Wait!" And with that, the female students took off, unknowingly leaving Sora to process the newfound information.
"A dancing puppy?" The teacher muttered as she was curious. "That I want to see."
She then left to where this aforementioned puppy was sighted. By the time she got there, she saw a big crowd of students watching a performance.
"Look at it go!"
"I never thought a puppy could do all that!? That's some skill!"
"The way it danced and barked is too cute."
Sora managed to get through the crowd and saw the performer in question. As it turned out, it was none other than Yamper who was performing some neat dance tricks that most dogs in this world couldn't do.
"(You like it? You haven't seen everything, folks!)" Yamper barked while sticking its tongue in a cute manner.
"OMG~! That puppy must have been the cutest thing I ever saw!" A female student said excitedly.
"I know. I'm going to record this." Her friend added as she held her phone out to try and record Yamper's performance.
What they didn't know is that Nickit stole some food they may have held while they were distracted by the performance.
"(That's right. Look at the cute, dancing puppy.)" The Fox Pokémon muttered as he swiped some stuff from the students.
(Meanwhile…)
"Well, that was a bust." Ace commented as he and Ren saw a pair of third year students leaving them.
"Looks like he doesn't want to talk about Kamoshida too." Ren added.
After sneaking out of the gym, the boys decided to enact their plans of finding witnesses, starting with a volleyball player in Ren's class. Unfortunately, he denied the accusations, and asked them if they had proof of Kamoshida's abuse which they are unable to answer. After leaving the guy, they decided to split up so they could find more witnesses. Ren and Ace then met a third year volleyball member and asked about how he got the injuries, to which he claimed that they were from practice. When his friend recognized them as friends of Ryuji, they immediately left them while throwing an offensive claim of Ren carrying a knife with him.
They then heard a ringtone coming from Ren's phone before he pulled it out and saw that Ryuji was texting him.
Ryuji: How's it going?
"Might as well tell him that our attempts have failed." Ace told Ren.
"Right." The frizzy haired boy said as he texted a reply to Ryuji.
Ren: He refused.
Ryuji: Him too...? Man, everyone's too freaked out about Kamoshida.
"I guess things aren't working out on his end too." The knitted cap boy commented as Ryuji kept texting.
Ryuji: I still got a lead though. A first-year, new
Ryuji: Wait a second.
The two boys raised an eyebrow at the latest message. Then, Ryuji sent a message, one that was unrelated to today's plan.
Ryuji: Dude. You're not gonna believe what I just heard right now.
"Hmm? What got him worked up?" Ace wondered.
"I'll ask him." Ren said before he texted back.
Ren: What's wrong?
Ryuji: I just heard from a couple of girls that just passed by me talkin' about a dancing puppy in our school.
Ren: A puppy? What kind?
Ryuji: I dunno. They said somethin' about a yellow pup with a lightning bolt tail dancin' in one of the hallways of the school right now.
"A yellow pup with a lightning bolt shaped tail? What could-" Ace then widened his eyes as he realized what kind of puppy with that description. "Oh no."
"What's wrong, Ace?" Ren asked.
"I just realized what Ryuji was talking about!" Ace replied as he sprinted ahead.
"Ace, hold on!" The frizzy haired boy then went after the Pokémon Trainer.
(In the other side of the school)
"Look at it go!"
"Wow, that pup sure can dance."
"I wonder who taught it like that?"
"Who cares? I wish I had a puppy like that!"
Multiple students were cheering on Yamper as he was still dancing to the large group of audience. Even Sora couldn't help but to smile at this little skit.
"What is going on ?" Everyone, including Nickit and Yamper, stopped what they were doing and turned to the voice that appeared… who was none other than a certain student council president.
"Oh crap! It's Niijima-senpai!"
"What's the President of the Student Council doing here?"
The students were uneasy as the brunette girl looked at them. With red eyes like that, it was hard to not talk back to her.
"(You have got to be kidding me. No one likes a party crasher.)" Nickit said as his scheme was foiled.
"Well? Can anyone tell me what this is all about?" Makoto asked them as she turned to Yamper. "And whose puppy is this?"
The students were looking at each other as they couldn't come up with a proper answer.
"I'd like to remind all of you that bringing pets into the school is strictly prohibited." The student council president said. As she kept on talking, NIckit stealthily approached his partner with a sack of stolen foods.
"(At this rate, she's gonna ruin everything.)" The Fox Pokemon informed Yamper. "(We need to do something about this. Fast!"
"(Then what do you think I should do? Come to her and maybe charm her with my cuteness?)" The Puppy Pokemon asked.
"(Charm her…?)" Nickit muttered before he had an idea after what his partner had just said. "(That might not be such bad idea.)"
"(What?)" Without warning, Yamper was pushed ahead right near Makoto's feet by Nickit, which he felt bewildered at. "(Seriously!? *sigh*... Me and my big mouth.)" He took a deep breath before donning a serious look. "(Here goes nothing…)" He proceeded to bark at Makoto.
"What is… going on?" Makoto stopped herself as she found herself looking at Yamper's puppy dog eyes via Charm. 'I don't know why but… I can't bring myself to get angry at this puppy." If there's one thing Makoto is vulnerable to, that'll be a penchant for cute things. And that puppy eyes look was one of them. But just as things were according to plan…
"What's this commotion all about a puppy?" Everyone turned to see a certain volleyball team coach.
"Oh shit! It's Mr. Kamoshida!"
And just like that, some of the students were pale at him while others, like Sora, Nickit, and Yamper, were both shocked and irritated at the same time.
"Oh great. Is that pedophile." Sora muttered under her breath with venom in her tone.
"(It's him! That tyrant!)" Yamper and Nickit growled as they glared at them.
"What's got into this puppy?" Makoto muttered as she turned to whatever the puppy was growling at. "And why did it become hostile to Mr. Kamoshida?"
"Hmm?" Kamoshida then turned towards Nickit. "So not only do we have a puppy, but there's also a thieving kit too."
"Wait what?" Everyone turned to notice Nickit and the sac.
"You're right! There's also a kit here!"
"And what's that sac over there?"
"Aah! My yakisoba bread is missing!"
"My snack's gone too!"
"Has that kit been stealing our food all this time?"
As the students kept on talking, Ace and Ren arrived at the scene. And the former was not too pleased at what he is seeing right now.
"My Arceus. I hate it when I'm right." Ace facepalmed at this predicament.
"Hold on? Those are our Pokemon." Ren pointed out. ""How did they get out of their Poke Ball?"
"Looks like I forgot to tell you that Pokemon are fully capable of getting out on their own if they feel like it." He replied. "Should've mentioned that to you two yesterday."
"Now now, everyone. Let's not get angry at them." Kamoshida told the crowd of students. "They basically just got strayed here and needed some food."
"That's Mr. Kamoshida for ya!"
"Wow! He's also kind to animals too."
The majority of everyone here was gullible enough to believe in Kamoshida's words as they praised him.
"" Kind to animals" my ass." Ace muttered in contempt, having witnessed first-hand on Kamoshida's treatment towards Pokemon.
"I agree." Ren nodded as he shared the sentiment before Ace suddenly widened his eyes before smirking as he had an idea… an idea that was so perfect that it could kill two birds with one stone. Or in this case, not only giving the two Pokémon a chance to escape but also pulling something that could make Kamoshida look bad.
"You know. I might have an idea." Ace told Ren with a mischievous smile. "I'll be right back."
"Good luck." Ren said as Ace proceeded to went somewhere to execute his plan.
"So, I'm going to take these guys outside so they can be on their way home." Kamoshida said as they approached them.
"Way to go, Mr. Kamoshida!"
"Maybe you could also take that sac for us?"
"(That's what you think, you dummy!)" Yamper growled.
"(You might not be the same person from the castle, but you're still a rotten human that needs to be taught a lesson.)" Nickit added.
'It's one thing for abusing students physically, but I won't tolerate that behavior towards animals.' Sora growled at her colleague, knowing that Kamoshida would hurt them just like the students, especially the team he coached. She may not look like it, but she is an animal lover. So thus, she's clearly against what the "star coach" is trying to do. 'I need to stop this before– '
"Aaah! There's a skunk! A big, fat, skunk!"
"Run away!"
Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a scream from a student.
"What!?" Kamoshida exclaimed as he saw several students running away before the aforementioned "skunk" made itself known.
It is a quadrupled, dark purple, fat skunk with tan undersides and legs. The unique features from this new creature were its face that resembles a cat but without the whiskers and a massive tail with a cream-colored stripe, which sits on top of its back and head.
"A skunk!?" Makoto exclaimed at the sight.
"Oh my god! There really is a skunk!"
"Let's get out of here!"
Most of the students immediately ran in fear as the "skunk" was threatening to release some stench when she aimed her bottom at them even though if she was what someone or something thinks she is, the stench would actually come out from the tip of the tail. Makoto tried her best to calm the students
"Wow. That is a weird looking skunk." Sora commented as she tried to cover her nose.
"(Yes! Yes! Run you ninnies! Lest you want to feel my stinkiness!)" The "skunk" declared as she scared away some students.
"(Whoa. It's a Skuntank!)" Nickit exclaimed, recognizing the "skunk" as a Pokémon.
"(I wonder how did it got here?)" Yamper wondered before a certain someone came to mind. "(Could that trainer have something to do with…?)"
"Okay, who brought a skunk to the school!?" Kamoshida shouted at the students but they were too busy avoiding the smell. He then noticed Ren. "Hey, Amamiya! Do you have something to do with this!?"
"I just got here." Ren simply answered. "And I don't even have a skunk for a pet."
"Bullshit! Everyone knows skunks aren't native Japan! So, you must be the one-" As he was approaching Ren, the "skunk" stepped in between them.
"(So. You must be the one Ace told me about?)" Skuntank told him, despite not knowing what she was trying to say. Nonetheless, she smirked deviously. "(My my, this is going to be good.)"
"You vermin! Do you have no idea who you were making fun of!?" Kamoshida pulled back one of his fists before making a beeline towards Skuntank because she was smirking at him. Fortunately, most of the students were busy panicking that they didn't witness this. Though only two people were concerned about this.
"That idiot. That's over the limit!" Sora commented with disgust.
"(Oh? You're gonna hit me? In that case…)" Skuntank readied herself. "(Allow me to retort!)" Before Kamoshida could hit her, she suddenly headbutt him in the gut.
"What the–!?" Kamoshida gagged as he felt that hit.
"What reflex it has…!" Sora exclaimed as she found a fat skunk able to deliver a fast retaliation.
"That Pokémon definitely belonged to Ace." Ren commented before taking a picture of it with his phone so he can show it to Ryuji later.
"(Whoa! She used Sucker Punch!)" The Puppy Pokemon stated.
"(I wonder if she can teach me that move?)" His friend wondered as they saw the coach fall on his back.
"(Hey, you two!)" Both Pokémon turned to see Skuntank. "(Let's split while that loser's down. I know somewhere where we can escape from here.)"
"(I was just thinking about that.)" The Fox then turned to his best friend. "(You heard her? Let's scram!)"
"(You sure you don't want to take that sac with you?" Yamper asked. "(And after all the work I did to distract them enough to let you steal them, you're going to just leave it here?)"
"(At this point, it doesn't matter since they're all tainted. Come on, let's go!)" And with that, Nickit ran ahead.
"(Hey, wait for me!)" Yamper proceeded to also make his exit too as Kamoshida finally got up and realized that the "animals" were trying to escape.
"Hey! Get back here, you little shits!" Kamoshida proceeded to give chase towards the Pokémon, intending to make them pay as the crowd of students were shocked at how angry Kamoshida had become.
Ren then stopped taking pictures and decided to text Ryuji as the crowd began to calm down.
Ren: I'm done checking the sightings. Let's meet up. Ace said he'll catch up later.
Sure enough, he immediately got a reply.
Ryuji: Sure, dude. Let's meet up by the vending machines, yeah?
Ryuji: And btw, I went to the first-year member while you and Ace were checking out.
Ren: Did you get something from him?
Ryuji: guy kept his mouth shut just like the others.
Ryuji: But he slipped and mentioned someone's name.
Ren raised an eyebrow at the statement as he texted back.
Ren: So, who is it?
Ryuji: I'll tell ya more when we get together.
Ren: Okay.
Ren then put away his phone before leaving as Sora stared at the boy with a curious look.
(Later on…)
As Ren arrived, he saw the blonde girl in his class, noticing him immediately.
"Oh, it's you. I was just about to go and look for you." The blonde girl told him as she approached him. "You got a minute?"
"What is it?" Ren asked.
"It'll be quick, don't worry." Takamaki assured him as she looked down for a moment before turning towards her classmate once more. "So… What's with you? Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all." She continued. "There's also that weird rumor about you."
"Whaddya want with him?" Both of them turned to see Ryuji, who had just arrived.
"Right back at you. You're not even in our class." The pigtailed girl retorted.
"We just happened to get to know each other."
"Ryuji, what's wrong?" Three of them turned to Ace, who also arrived. He immediately noticed Takamaki. "Oh? It's you. What's up?"
"So, you're that third-year student I kept hearing about." She stated.
"Yeah, it's me. What's it to you?" The knitted cap boy asked.
"No reason." Takamaki proceeded to look towards the three boys. "I'll bite. What're you three planning on doing to Mr. Kamoshida?"
"Huh!?" Ryuji exclaimed before he made an assumption, albeit a wrong one. "I see. I getcha. You're all buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all." He continued.
"Wait, you're trying to snitch us!?" Ace stated with a shocked expression. "You do know that "Snitches get stitches", right? Even if you are a girl."
"That's not–This has nothing to do with you two!" Takamaki told them.
"If you found out what he's been doin' behind your back, you'd dump him right away." Ryuji warned her.
"Behind my back…?" She repeated. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's… hard to explain, but the point is that it is bad." The knitted cap boy said.
"Not like you'll get it." The delinquent added.
"People are already talking about you three." Takamaki stated the facts. "I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's gonna help you. I'm warning you, just in case. That's all."
She then proceeded to leave the three alone.
"Girl doesn't mince words, does she?" Ace asked them.
"Yeah. Why's she gotta be so aggressive all the time?" Ryuji wondered angrily.
"She seemed annoyed." Ren pointed out.
"Takamaki tends to do that, but not as aggressively as when we're middle-schoolers." The dyed blonde boy commented before moving on to the main subject of why they gathered here. "Anyway, I talked to the first year and he accidentally slipped Mishima's name. Said something about "special coaching" or whatever bullshit Kamoshida makes him do. If you asked me, it makes some sense. Since the guy always covered in bruises after comin' back from practice."
"Who's Mishima?" Ace asked.
"Remember the guy that got his face smashed by Kamoshida earlier?" Ryuji asked, which the otherworldly boy replied with a nod. "Yeah. That's the guy."
"I think I'm in the same classroom as him." The frizzy haired teen commented.
"Yeah, I know. Which is why we need to go and talk to him right now before he goes home."
The boys proceeded to head towards wherever Mishima was. Little did they know, a certain someone was there eavesdropping their conversations.
"It looks like those three were looking for witnesses." Sora muttered, coming out from her hiding spot. "While I applaud them for doing the right thing, I hope that they didn't get expelled by him. Too many students already have their futures taken away by that glory hungry monster."
Sora proceeded to leave the area.
(Meanwhile…)
The boys managed to catch up with Mishima, who was just about to leave the school to go home.
"Hey, got a second?" Ryuji asked the bruised boy, who took notice of him.
"Sakamoto?" The boy replied as he became aware of his classmate and one other. "And Amamiya and the foreign transfer student too!?"
"Relax, man. We just wanna chat a bit." The former runner assured as he folded his arms. "Kamoshida's been "coaching" you, huh? You sure it's not physical abuse?"
"Certainly not!" Mishima denied.
"What're you talkin' all polite for? Anyways…" Ryuji decided to go back to the topic at hand. "We saw him spike you today. Right in the face."
"That was just because I'm not good at the sport… "
"Oh, I don't know about that, man. It absolutely has nothing to do with you getting spiked to the face." Ace commented.
"Be it as it may, you were always seen with bruises. That would imply something is not right." Ren added.
"Th-They're from practice!" The plain-looking boy denied yet again.
"Is he forcin' you to keep quiet?" The delinquent asked again.
"That's–"
"What's going on here?" They then turned to the aforementioned person as he arrived to intrude their conversation. Kamoshida then turned to the boy that he spiked recently. "Mishima, isn't it time for practice?"
"I-I'm… not feeling well today." The boy meekly replied.
"Oh? Then you're better off quitting then." The coach casually told him, and he changed his mind. "You're not going to improve that crappy form of yours unless you show up to practice."
'His face doesn't say it outright, but he definitely threatened the poor guy.' Ace noted in his thoughts. That I can relate. Remind me so much of that deadbeat.'
"Didn't you hear him? He said he ain't feelin' well!" Ryuji intervened as he approached the one who broke his legs.
Though Kamoshida simply ignored the delinquent and glanced at Mishima, looking indifferent. "Well, Mishima? You're coming to practice or not?"
"... I'll go." Mishima relented as the coach glared at Ryuji.
"As for you, any more trouble and you'll be gone from this school for sure."
"Bastard." Ryuji cursed as he was threatened with expulsion.
Kamoshida then glared towards Ren. "That goes for you too. Didn't the principal tell you to keep in line?"
"I was just about to leave." The bespectacled boy said.
"Sure, you were." Kamoshida then finally turned to Ace. "And you are probably the worst of the three. The blackmailer."
"Why gee. That's an interesting nickname you gave me. I'm flattered." The boy simply responded with a smile.
"I don't know how a total nobody like you can enroll here or even how you convince the principal to even allow it, but I have my eye on you." Kamoshida threatened. "You'll regret coming to this school before you even know it."
"Sorry, didn't catch that." He simply stated. "Just thought about how you got your ass beaten by a skunk."
This made the coach twitch at the last sentence. He immediately knew that this kid in front of him had something to do with the skunk from earlier.
"Let's see how long you can keep that attitude, you cocky little shit." He remarked.
"Does this mean you're gonna find dirt on me?" Ace asked. "Just like how you leak Ren's criminal record to the school?"
"I have nothing to do with that." Kamoshida feigned ignorance. "To be frank, all these rumors are making the students uncomfortable here."
"And whose fault was it, dumbass?" Ryuji stated.
"This won't get us anywhere." The coach ignored Ryuji yet again to look at Mishima. "Let's go, Mishima." He then turned his back. "Shujin Academy is a place where those with aspirations come to learn. Unworthy students such as yourselves don't have any right to be here." He then glanced at Ryuji and his other two friends. "Get with the program!"
"Yes, sir." And with that, Kamoshida left them.
"That asshole." The former runner cursed. "He's gonna pay for this!"
"... There's no point." Mishima shook his head, shocking Ryuji and Ace.
"Huh!?"
"Run that by me again because I think I misheard you."
"Proving that he's physically abusing us… is impossible." The plain-looking boy continued. "Everybody knows… The principal, our parents… They all know and they keep quiet about it."
"This has gotta be a joke…" Ryuji exclaimed.
"The principal, I get it. But for even one's own parents to look the other way…" Ace could not believe what he was hearing. He could not fathom the concept, the very idea, on how parents kept quiet about their own children's suffering. Sure, his history with his family is pretty messed up, but certainly not on this level of scale. 'All of the suffering… was just to bask in some washed up has-been's fame? They're crazy! It's not worth having that fame if you get beaten senselessly on a daily basis! I swear, what some people won't do…'
"... Don't be a pain. You don't understand what I'm going through." Mishima told them off as he glared at Ryuji. "Shouldn't you, of all people, know that nothing's going to help?"
The delinquent was unable to respond to that question as he looked away. The bruised-up boy then took off, heading to the gym.
"Dammit!"
"What now?" Ren asked.
"I'll try one more time to persuade the other guys. That's… all I can do." Ryuji answered.
"Ryuji, I'm telling you right now." Ace reasoned. "You can try to do that, but I'm 100% sure that they are as unwilling as the others we talked to today."
"I'll just… try until I do get someone to talk."
"Just remember, I warned you." Ace stated. "Oh, and meet me on the roof once we're all done changing. There's something I want to talk to you two about."
"Sure." Ren said as Ryuji nodded.
They then returned to the locker room to get changed before they headed up to the roof.
"So, what do you wanna talk about?" Ryuji asked.
"This." Ace snapped his finger, which was then followed by the appearance of certain skunk-like Pokémon.
"It's that skunk." Ren stated.
"Whoa. Its face is like a cat's!" Ryuji commented as two other Pokémon appeared before them. "Wait a second, isn't that our Pokémon!?"
"That's right. Apparently Yamper is the rumored dancing lightning tailed puppy. While Nickit swiped the foods the students have when they distracted by Yamper dancing." Ace folded his arms.
"For real!? That was them!?"
"And that's not all, Kamoshida showed up and had it not been for Skuntank, that pervert would have clobbered them right then and there."
"But why do they even do that?" Ren asked.
"(Well, it's because–)" Nickit didn't get to finish as his and Yamper's stomach growled loudly.
"Oh. They were hungry." The bespectacled boy said.
"Sure, they are. And since you two are Pokémon Trainers now, it's your responsibility to take care of your Pokémon. Especially feeding them." Ace explained.
"Well, that's fair. But what do Pokémon eat?" Ryuji asked.
"You can feed them anything as long as it's edible to them." The Pokemon Trainer said. "The snacks you find in stores should do."
"Okay. I guess I'll make a stop at the convenience store before headin' home." Ryuji then turned to Yamper. "Sorry for not feedin' ya yesterday."
"(As long as you learn your lesson, then we don't have any more problem.)" The Puppy Pokémon barked happily.
"(You could try to feed me with that curry. I always wanted to taste it since I can smell it from inside the Poké Ball.)" The Fox Pokémon told.
"We'll try feeding them next time." Ren told Ace.
"Good. Then we're done here." He and the rest returned their Pokémon into their respective Poké Ball before going home.
(Later at Kamoshida's office…)
"What do you mean you can't find anything on that foreign piece of shit!?" Kamoshida shoved Mishima so hard that he fell on to the floor. The teacher had the boy search for some details about Ace so he could spread another rumor at the school just like he did with Ren.
"I tried, sir. I really did…" Mishima said as he slowly got up. "I searched everywhere. Even through social media. But there's not a single trace about him."
"Find something, anything! Goddammit! Before I start to wonder why I kept someone as useless as you on the team!" Kamoshida shouted at him as he sat back on his chair. 'That punk… Not only does he have the audacity to defy me like that mutt Sakamoto, but he humiliated me with that skunk! I'll make him pay for this! No one humiliates the "star athlete" Kamoshida and gets away with it!' He then proceeded to leave his office with Mishima, swearing to get even with Ace.
Next: Chapter 6: The Last Straw
That's a wrap for today's chapter.
Sorry for the long holdup. Very busy with college assignments and playing games. Games such as Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin,Saints Row The Third: Remastered, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (because of Sora and Sephiroth), Monster Rancher DS, and Pokémon Shield to name a few.
And I also watched some promising anime as I go about my daily life. That being Fruit of Evolution, World's Finest Assassination Reincarnated into a Nobleman, and etc. Not to mention some tokusatsu like Kamen Rider Revice, Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga, & Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger. Hopefully I will be able to update some stories, assuming I don't get sidetracked by games and other stuff.
The idea of Skuntank being on Ace's Team is something I thought up as I write the chapter. Which leaves two unknown Pokémon that are on Ace's team. Who are the final two, you asked? Well, you'll just have to stay tuned and find out.
If you have some more questions, you can just PM me.
And please don't forget to leave a review :)