Bunny felt useless. She couldn't even hold the pokeball in her hand. The love ball that Dr. Walkmen had given to her after she was paired with Kat was so slippery. This wouldn't have been a problem if Bunny had not landed on her shoulder/arm during her fight with Alex. 'I feel like a idiot', Bunny's right arm was in a hard cast so she could not move it. She hadn't been this vulnerable since she was a child. Everyone knew how to hold a pokeball, but Bunny just couldn't do it with her left arm. The worst part was that Bunny was not alone. Dr. Thorne, who was helping Bunny master BattleBond, had allowed Bunny and Kat to use her private training room inside "The Center", which was where students and professors trained. Dr. Thorne's private him was a psychic type masters paradise. The room was filled with neutral color and soothing music in the speakers for meditation purposes. Of course the music was not playing right now. Bunny hung over head, "I can't do it. I can't even hold this ball and I want to know what's inside." If her parents could see her they would be disgusted.
Kat sat on the floor across from Bunny as her Gardevoir, Skye, floated next to Kat. Kat had tied her hair into a ponytail and put in her contacts while she switched to more comfortable yoga pants and plain grey shirt. She had wanted to see what Pokémon Bunny had received. Kat had her gift pokeball next to her and was rolling it around with her foot. She smiled at Bunny, "Bunny, take your time. We have no where to go. You'll get it eventually." Of course Kat would be patient with Bunny afterall understood what had happened. Kat had been Alex's first phone call about what had happened and Bunny being in the hospital. Of course Kat hated hospitals because of what happened with her mother. But Kat had still visited Bunny in the hospital. The junior knew the girl would be on a long road to recovery and was willing to give her time. She needed positive affirmation statements. "You're still in recovery it's not going to happen over night. Plus when you work for Dr. D, he wants you to be patient and work through problems. That's lesson one, don't panic find a solution.", Kat's Gardevoir smiled and nodded at Bunny.
"You worry too much about your families thoughts.", Dr Thorne said. The battle sciences professor had just been observing what was going on. She had seen Bunny struggling to get used to throwing and operating the pokeball with her only good arm. Dr. Thorne had of course been reading Bunny's thoughts. Bunny's training to hone her Battle Bond had not started yet as Dr. Thorne had spent most of her time observing the young girl. She had offered her private room up for both girls. Dr. Thorne had finally spoken, "Ms. Bunny, all you think about is how your family will view you as an embarrassment if you don't succeed here. You need to stop. It's blocking you from becoming the trainer you should be." The battle science professor rarely spoke to students unlike she really liked them and saw potential in them. She saw that in Bunny. "There is a reason why my colleague Dr. Walkmen had agreed to bring you on as a second assistant, you need to stop thinking about what your family thinks. If you think you will fail then you will.", Kat had to nod at Dr. Thorne's comments she was right.
Bunny looked at both Dr. Thorne and Kat. She knew they were trying to be kind, but Bunny was sick of being treated as the weak link. Her family did it, Alex did it, now Kat and Dr. Thorne were doing it. How could she not think about her family? They were all great trainers and she was not. She was a great gardener, but not a great Pokémon trainer. Now with her busted arm, she felt even weaker. "I know that being selected by Dr. Walkmen is a great honor and Kat you're going to be a great mentor, but how can I not think about my parents and family? They are all great trainers. I'm not. Everyone know it. If I was stronger than I wouldn't have this stupid thing.", she held up her cast. She hated this thing. A reminder of another failure as she had lost to Alex in the battle. Now it was affecting her ability to even handle a pokeball. "What if I fail as an assistant? What if Dr. Walkmen gives up on me? Then I'll be even more of a failure to my family.", Bunny tried to handle the pokeball again, but couldn't grasp it correctly with her left hand.
"You won't fail Bunny. I am your mentor afterall. I won't let you.", Kat spoke up and grinned. "But Bunny, you aren't the only one with family problems.", Kat traced the star birthmark in her right palm. The junior did this when she was nervous and nothing made her more anxious than talking about her family. But if it gave Bunny comfort than Kat would talk about it. "Alex, never told you about my mom, did he?", Bunny shook her head. There were only two people at the Institute that Kat had told about her mom. She had sworn her two friends to secrecy so she was glad Alex had kept to his word. There were times where he wasn't a complete asshole. "My mom died of lung cancer. It devastated me. I wanted to give up on everything. But my brother helped me out of it. That's when I learned it's better to do things with people that care about you. And that is lesson two.", Kat rose to her feet and walked over to Bunny.
The 5'2 junior, who dwarfed Bunny, was a lefty by nature so it was easier for her to operate a pokeball. She showed Bunny the proper way to grasp the pokeball with her left hand. Kat showed Bunny some of the tricks that left handed trainers used to throw the pokeball. Dr. Thorne watched them both, yes this was a good pairing. Dr. Walkmen would have two very good assistants, 'I need to get a better assistant', Dr. Thorne thought. She had a klutz for as an assistant and now Dr. Walkmen had the two best ones. The battle sciences professor just sighed. The Battle Science professor continued to watch this new partnership. With a Kat at Bunny's side, Dr. Thorne figures that Bunny would be ready to undergo the battle bond training. She would have the confidence in herself finally. "Girls, why don't you look at the Pokémon Dr. Walkmen gave to you. Afterall he has been talking about how special these hatchlings are. Let's take a gander.", Kat and Bunny would nod in excitement.
Kat would go first. Skye of course remained by Kat's side. "Alright Doc, lets see what you gave me", Kat tossed the new pokeball out as she stared at whatever would come out. The pokeball would reveal a grey fur pokemon with white paws, white eyes, and big pink eyes. The cat creature looked around and tilted its head, "Espurr?", the Pokémon asked. Kat made a noise that to Bunny sounded like a moan of joy. Kat ran over to the psychic cat Pokémon and scooped it up in her arms. "YOU ARE SO FUCKING ADORABLE!", Kat brought the Espurr up to her face and nuzzled it. "I have always wanted one, but never had the chance to catch one before. This is great. I have to thank Dr. D for giving me one.", Kat sat legs crossed in front of the Pokémon with a large smile on her face. The Espurr walked over to Skye as both psychic types' eyes turned blue a sign they were having a psychic conversation. Of course Dr. Thorne was nodding along with what the Pokémon were saying.
Bunny now wondered what Pokémon she had inside the pokeball. She twirled her pokeball in her left hand. She completed the throwing motion that Kat had shown her earlier. It was awkward, but Bunny did it as a smile crept on her face. The pokeball awkwardly flew through the air, but it sent out a Pokémon that hovered in the air. The Pokémon was pink and looked like a blobby bird. It's face was white with a long pointed nose with red eyes and large eyelashes, "Sprrriiiiittttttzeeeeeee", the Pokémon called as it floated over Bunny's head while doing circles. Bunny was stunned. This had been her favorite Pokémon besides Torterra. She had always wanted one, how would Dr. Walkmen know that? "I can't believe it. I have always wanted one, but how would he know that I wanted one?", Kat shrugged as Bunny stood amazed.
"That's why Dr. D is a genius. He knows more about researching people and Pokémon than anyone.", Bunny and Kat watched as the Spritzee floated towards the Espurr and Gardevoir . Suddenly, the usually fairy type's eyes started to grow blue as it joined in on the psychic conversation of the Pokémon. Kat and Bunny were stunned. They looked over at Dr. Thorne who nodded in confirmation that indeed the spritzee was psychic. Both girls walked over to the three psychic types. That was when something popped into Bunny's mind. The picture of the Sawsbuck Alex had caught,crept in, "wait, Avantura Pokémon are quite different than their other regional variations, so Spritzee in Avantura is a psychic type. This must be extraordinary rare as most are fairy. But this one is psychic. Fascinating.", Bunny continued to look at the three as Kat patted the mentee on the back.
"See, you're so smart Bunny. This is why you will be perfect to be Dr. Walkmen's assistant. You are able to have keen observational skills. This will help you become a better assistant. This is lesson three be observant.", there was a sense of pride in Kat. So far Bunny had been a better mentee than Alex at the start of the training. For example, Bunny hadn't made any crude sex jokes in the first five minutes like had when he had been Kat's mentee. She sighed at the thought. How she got paired with Alex last year still confused her. But now with Bunny, Kat felt that they could get the best out of one another which was the point of the exercise. Kat felt a buzz from her Pokédex which signaled she had gotten a text message. She looked down and smiled as she responded, "hey Bunny, you up for a double battle. Someone wants to finally fight me and I need a partner."
Bunny looked at her arm. The last time she had agreed to battle someone she had ended up with this cast. So there was a bit of her that was apprehension in her. But Bunny looked at Kat who was nodding and hoping that Bunny would join her. Kat gave Bunny confidence that she never had before, the sophomore nodded. "I am up for it, but I have to go get Ribes first. Who are we facing anyways?", Kat just smiled as a gleam filled her beautiful eyes.
"Raja, bubblebeam! Wipe out those targets!", the dragon and water Pokémon would fire a reckless wave of bubbles at several moving targets that Jameshad set up. The attack had missed the bullseye of the targets. Yes, the target had been destroyed, but it had not hit the bullseye. The Kingdra floated in a makeshift pool that a James had brought out to a open field area. Royce, the dragon type master, looked over at James. Royce had expected his mentor to be pleased by his powerful dragon Pokémon destroying the targets. A Dreepey sat on Royce's shoulder looking on. This was the Pokémon that he had been gifted by Dr. Walkmen. James, however, had a frown on his face and shook his head. This confused Royce, "why are you shaking your head. We hit the targets this time. Look they're destroyed." Royce and Raja had done exactly what James had said to do. Why wasn't James pleased?
Even James' Lucario, Aurora, snook her head. "You are to worried about the damage you deal instead of being worried about accuracy. You need to have your Pokémon focused on the target while seeing the big picture.", James saw a lot of himself in Royce. Back when James was a competitive runner he thought being powerful was the key to success. He had trained and trained to bulk up, but power wasn't everything. James had learned that lesson and he wanted to still it in Royce. Royce was an interesting mentee. He was quiet, but there was a power to him that James couldn't put his finger on. James wanted to bring that out in Royce. "I know that your speciality is dragon types and dragon types are very strong, but power is nothing unless you can control it. Accuracy is part of that.", James turned to his trusty Lucario. "Aurora go Sophie them what I mean."
Aurora picked up her trusty bone, "Lucario!" The bone in her hand started to glow as the targets reappeared. Aurora charged at them. Her attack was swift and accurate. The fighting type made sure her bone hit directly on the bullseye of the targets. Royce watched on, he had to admit that this Lucario was exceptionally well trained. A prime example of power and grace that James had been talking about. Royce knew that his beloved dragon types were not at that level yet. James could help him get there. Royce rubbed his dragon tooth necklace as he continued to watch the Lucario in action. It was beautiful to watch. Aurora continued to show off not only her power, but her accuracy . James had made sure all his Pokémon were like this, but Aurora was the stand out. Aurora finished up and knelt in front of James, "Cario!" James rolled his eyes. Aurora always referred to him as "your majesty." It was annoying.
Raja had sunk back into the pool mumbling something. The Kingdra was not happy at all. Especially being shown up. Royce though took this in stride. Very impressed by the Lucario. "Arurora, that was amazing", the dragon trainer said. He felt Raja's glare after complimenting the Lucario. Aurora bowed at Royce, "Lucario Lu!" James rolled his eyes, "she said thank you Sir. Royce. Don't ask me why she thinks humans are royalty or damsels. Aurora is a weird Pokémon." The Lucario stared at her trainer with an evil glare. She would get him back for that later. His attitude did not reflect the nature of a true knight. Aurora was a true knight and she was chivalrous and kind. She had been trying to teach Sir. James the merits of being a true knight, but he had not taken to it. "Cario...", Aurora sighed as she twirled the bone in her hand. But first she had to help Sir. James train Sir. Royce.
"KINGDRA!", Raja shouted from the pool. He was ready to try again. The dragon and water type was annoyed by the nonsense that had gone on. He was ready to prove that he could do better than that weird Lucario. He was from the Kingdra line and as a dragon Pokémon he was better than other mons. He was going to show that he could do a simple task like hitting a bullseye. Royce just had to give the command and Raja would be ready to show that he was indeed better than the Lucario. Royce looked over at Raja and could tell that the Kingdra was ready to rock. He smiled at the dragon and water type and nodded. Royce turned back to James, "James, I think Raja and I are ready to try again. If it is possible." The junior looked over at Aurora and nodded. She readied the targets again then returned to her position over by Raja to give encouragement and fulfill the second part of training for the Kingdra.
"Alright, Raja, aim for the bullseye this time. Don't worry too much about the power behind your attacks let's just work on hitting that target.", Royce pointed to the reset targets. Raja soaked himself under the water in order to gather some water in for the attack. Raja narrowed his eyes as he studied his aim. It was like he was about to fire off a cannon. He just needed Royce to give the command to fire off the attack. He was going to nail these targets and show he was the best. "Raja, use bubblebeam", the Kingdra fired off the bubblebeam attack. This time the attack was not as powerful as the other one, but this one was going to hit the bullseye. The bubblebeam attack hit the bullseye accurately. Then he did it again and did it a third time as well. Raja let out a joyous shout, "King", but then was hit in the back of the head by Aurora's bone. Both Royce and Raja stared at James and Aurora. "Want the hell, James? That was not fair.", Royce snarled.
James just shrugged, "I told you both to look at the whole field. You didn't do it you were distracted by celebrating a minor achievement. You did not see the whole field. You need to in order to succeed." This had been another skill James had learned from his track exploits. In order to succeed you had to see everything behind and in front of you. This clearly applied to Pokémon battles as well. Especially if they were going to fight against The Righteous who wouldn't use fair tactics. "You think The righteous is going to use fair tactics. You should know better than anyone that they don't. Afterall you've seen them up close, did they fight fair or did they chest and use underhanded tactics?", Royce could not deny that James was right. That they had to see the whole picture. James thought he was getting through to Royce. It was important that he did.
Royce had to keep his composure. He would have said something to James, but his new mentor was correct. Raja and Royce had taken their eye off the ball. That wouldn't happen again. Royce remembered what it was like to fight The a Righteous. They did not play fair so Royce would have to take that into account again. James was absolutely right, but it wouldn't happen again. "James, May we have have one more chance at this task?", the junior nodded. Of course Royce could. In fact James hoped that they would stay at it until Royce got it. Royce walked over to Raja and got to eye level with the dragon water Pokémon. "Raja, I know you want to get that Lucario back. I want to prove to James that we can do this. So I have a plan.", Royce started to talk and talk to his Kingdra. A smirk appeared on Raja's face. Whatever archer had told him seemed to excite the Kingdra. Royce would then leave and nod to Raja.
The Kingdra again dove under the water again and focused on the bullseye or at least he wanted James and Aurora to think he was solely focused on the bullseye. The Kingdra had the Lucario in the corner of his eye. If she tried something he was ready. "Bubblebeam on the targets.", Royce commanded as Raja again hit the target right in the middle. It was beautiful in terms of accuracy. But this time, Raja ducked underwater just as the bone club was trying to hit the Kingdra again. Aurora looked around dumbfounded and even James was shocked. Raja popped his head out of the water and shot water right into the face of the Lucario . The fighting type stumbled backwards and landed on her bottom. She was drenched in water as Royce and Raja laughed. They had outsmarted James and Aurora for the first time today.
Aurora arose and smiled. James started clapping, "well done Royce and Raja. That was what I was talking about." Aurora would bend her knee and present her bone club to Royce. This was the ultimate sign of respect from a knight. Royce would take the bone as it would not have been respectful, he knew the honor of Pokémon and knights. James walked over to Royce and put a hand on his shoulder, "you have been great so far. Now allow me to explain the second portion of the lesson to you and that is nutrition. It is imperative that you and the Pokémon are treated well. So you will come to my house and I will cook you and your Pokémon a proper meal." Yes, this was going to be a good partnership James believed. He would unlock the best of Royce.
"So Ava, what are we going to be working on today. I really need to work on concentration. That my biggest weakness. So can you help me with concentration-", Nikki wouldn't shut up. Ava knew that being paired with Nikki would test her patience, but this was ridiculous. Ava knew people got nervous easily and would talk nonstop.it was a tick, but this was not the case with Nikki. She just kept talking and talking. Ava thought Kat could be a chatterbox, but this was ridiculous. And it didn't help that the baby Pokémon Nikki had in her hands wasn't shutting up either. "GIB GIB GIB", Junior, the Gible took everything in. The two week old Pokémon had no idea where they were going, but he loved to see new places. His mother had taken him to so many places that he was giddy. Nikki looked at Junior, "yeah Junior I don't know where we are going, but your aunt Ava is going to help your mum on being a better Pokémon trainer." That whole sentence had made Ava shiver in annoyance, she looked down at her new Pokémon, 'why can't that Gible be like you?'
In Ava's arms was a sleeping Trapinch.Ava had always been a huge fan of the Flygon line. She never caught one before so when Dr. Walkmen's pokeball had been opened and a Trapinch was inside, Ava was so excited, but stayed composed to keep up her silent badass reputation. Ava would show this off to Kat, Kat knew how much Ava wanted a Flygon and now she had one basically. Her hatchling was well behaved, but Nikki's supposedly older Pokémon wouldn't shut up. They said that Pokémon took on the personality of their trainers even their bad attitudes. It was apparent to Ava that this Gible had taken on the annoying personality of Nikki. If this was going to be how Nikki and her Gible were going to act then this was going to be an extremely long partnership for Ava.
"AVVVVVAAAAAA ANSWER ME!!", Nikki yelled. Nikki's personality had come back to her normal self. Since she and JJ had talked, Nikki was back to being energetic and fun loving. She knew she could annoying, but she didn't care. Plus she knew that Ava wasn't always this silent badass she portrayed. Alex and Dexter had told Nikki some stories about Ava and Nikki knew that she was just a big softy with people she cared about. Nikki would break her down and get the real Avaline Bloodsworth if it was the last thing she did. Plus, Nikki really wanted to know where they were going. It looked like they were going to the housing that elite upperclassmen were given. 'Is Ava going to take me back to her place? Maybe she'll show me her room, I bet its pink and filled with Chanseys.', the thought brought a smile to Nikki's face.
'Champion of Galar. That's what you are working towards.', Ava kept telling herself that. She sighed, "you'll see." That was all Nikki would get out of her. Ava was taking Nikki to her and Kat's house, but they wouldn't be going inside. Instead Ava had a plan. Ava would open the gate to her place, it was a modest place. Yet it symbolized that she and Kat were elite. Not that Ava was surprised by that. Ava motioned for Nikki to follow her, Ava led Nikki to the backyard. There the backyard had been transformed into a makeshift practice ground. Nikki's jaw hits the floor she didn't know this was behind the houses. It was impressive and looked like a regulation sized fighting ground. How Ava and Kat managed this, Nikki didn't know.
"You wanted to work on concentration, well I heard you suck at double battles. That is the ultimate test of concentration", that hurt Nikki. The sight of a nearly dead JJ shot in Nikki's mind. Nikki shook it off. Nikki had to get better."so I texted someone to bring her mentee here so we can fight and practice.", Ava explained. She wanted to see what Nikki had in terms of abilities. She had seen the mega Noivern, but what else did Nikki have? Ava wanted to see. Nikki tilted her head, "so who are we facing?" The ground started to shake as loud footsteps seemed to be closing in to the girls. Nikki and Zavala's bitch looked and saw their opponents.
OOC: Surprise! I got the chapter up early. Wanted to show some of the pairings and showcase the new Pokémon the students got. I hope you enjoy it. Next chapter will be the double battle with Nikki and Ava vs the mystery team.