The Children of the Oracles have been driven off! With the help of Shaymin, Alcea has managed to score a great victory over the terrorists, protecting Agate Village and the Grass Oracle! But will happen now? What will the fallout of this be? Is Callie okay? What about Maddi? And what will happen to Shaymin and Alcea after all of this?
The Elimination Round of the Pokemon Academy Best Girl Contest 3 has started! Make sure to get those votes in, we've only got a couple of people who have voted so far! Please, make sure to get those votes in! You can vote for up to 5 girls, so make sure your favorites have a chance to shine!
Nominated: Ange, Ayame, Caelia, Chloe, Cynthia, Donoma, Elaina, Kate, Maddi, Marion, Misato, Ryoko, Sango, Satsuki, Sylvia, Vic
KedharS: Stronger in character, maybe.
Just a Bad Writer for Fun: Well, your predictions do have a good track record of coming true, so I guess we'll have to see.
Hyphenman: The left eye is the blue one.
Tambry96bj: Definitely something to be happy about, that's for sure.
Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings
Chapter 966
With Val and Gwen's departure, the tension that had been building up inside of Alcea drained away, like the strength had left her completely. Recalling Venus to her pokeball, she had just enough strength to smile at Shaymin. Then she fell to her knees, exhausted, and the Oracle around her neck ceased its verdant glow, returning to a simple green crystal. The stress she'd been under all day had finally caught up with her.
"Alcea!" Vic cried, running over to her. She knelt by the girl's side to check on her.
"I'm fine, is it…" Alcea panted, glancing up at Vic with a soft smile. "Just… a long day… oui… I need some time… to rest."
"…Yeah, I get you," Vic said, nodding. It had been a long day. For both girls. Today had started with Vic waking up hoping to get into Relic Cave. Since then, she'd seen the boy she loved fight against her father with her fate in the balance, recovered memories from her past that made her realize she'd met Alcea a long time ago, helped Alcea recover her memories, worked with her and Rui to help heal Shaymin, and then fight off a terrorist attack on her home.
That was a lot to process, and the day wasn't over just yet. So even though she felt like she was going to collapse from exhaustion like Alcea, she couldn't let herself give in just yet, not while everyone else was still in trouble.
"What about Callie?" Alcea asked weakly. "Is she…"
"I'm… okay… I think…" Callie said, struggling to stand up. Her chest still hurt, but the wounds had mostly closed. To her chagrin, though, the scars in her flesh were still deep. She wondered if they would ever fully heal…
She turned and saw Rio, still unconscious in the grass, and gasped. She turned to run over to her, and promptly collapsed.
"Callie!" Alcea cried, trying to run over to her. But her legs didn't have the strength.
"It's not good," Wes said grimly, kneeling beside her. "The wound's closed up well, but before that she lost a lot of blood. We need to get her to the hospital, now."
He scooped Callie up in his arms and recalled her Lucario to her pokeball. Then he turned and practically ran in the direction of the Pokemon Center.
"We'll take Maddi and Keya," Ross called over to Vic. "For now, you-"
"N-No…" Keya said, his eyes fluttering open. "I'm… I'm fine now. Just… a little nauseous…"
"You don't look fine," Ross said, frowning.
"It was… that girl," Keya mumbled, pulling himself out of Ross's grasp and lying down in the grass. "Being around her… it was overwhelming, I just… I couldn't handle it. But I'll be fine… just need to catch my breath and calm down."
Ross wasn't convinced. But they had a bigger emergency on their hands. Keya might have been fine, but even if he was, Maddi still hadn't regained consciousness. He turned to Tommy. "You can handle her, right?"
Tommy nodded, following after Wes.
"Why are we going to the Pokemon Center?" He asked.
"Agate Village doesn't have a dedicated hospital," Wes replied. "It has an urgent care clinic in the Pokemon Center, and a pharmacy, which is enough for the people here normally. But I don't think that'll be enough right now…"
He turned and looked at Maddi. "What happened to her, anyway? When she was fighting, she just passed out."
"I don't fucking know," Tommy muttered. "Madison's a weird one. I can never be too sure what she's thinking, none of us can… but it doesn't look like she's in very good shape."
Alcea watched Wes and Tommy depart, wishing she could go with them. But she was just too weak to move right now. It was strange. She'd never felt this drained after a pokemon battle before, but it was like she'd run a marathon.
"Shaymin…"
She perked up at the sound of Shaymin's voice, glancing over to the small pokemon. Shaymin walked over to her, still transformed, a worried look on her face. The green glow around her body had faded away.
Alcea smiled. "It's okay, Shaymin," she assured her friend. "I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me, is it?"
"Shaymin?" Shaymin brightened, smiling hopefully.
"What happened to you?" Alcea asked, sitting up and reaching out to pet Shaymin's ruffle of grassy hair. "How did you transform like this?"
"This is why."
Alcea and Vic turned to see Rui approaching them with Mason in tow. Rui's face was solemn, and in her arms she was carrying Alcea's incubator. She'd forgotten about it until now, but seeing it made her gasp in surprise.
The flower had bloomed!
"That flower, what…?" It was like no flower Alcea had ever seen before. She prided herself in knowledge of such things, so for there to be a such a beautiful blossom that she couldn't identify was truly a shock to her.
"The flower is known as Gracidea."
Alcea turned to see Ryoko walk up to Rui and take the flower from her, handing it over to Alcea.
"It was a flower that was said to carry the blessings of nature itself. It was cultivated long ago, but has since died off. I do not know how such a thing could possibly have come into your possession, but it is fortuitous that you had it. If you did not, then Shaymin could very well not have gained the strength to recover and come to your aid," Ryoko explained.
Alcea's eyes widened with hope. "So you mean it's true, then? Shaymin has recovered her strength, is it?"
"Shaymin!" Shaymin chirped, nodding excitedly.
"Wait, I'm confused, what's going on here?" Alden asked, walking up to them. Ross followed along, with Chloe waiting anxiously a little ways away.
"What pokemon is that?" Ross asked, curious. "I've never seen one before."
Vic glanced at Rui, and both women turned to Ryoko.
Ryoko sighed.
"This is the pokemon Shaymin. She is a Mythical Pokemon with the power over nature and life. It is the duty of the Protectors of Agate Village to nurture her and keep her safe, in the hope that her powers may one day restore life to the Orre Region," Ryoko said, glancing at Shaymin.
"So that's… the pokemon in Relic Cave?" Keya asked, sitting up. He smiled shakily at Shaymin, who smiled back at him.
"She's so… gentle…" Just being in Shaymin's presence and connecting to her with his harmonia was enough to cure his heart of the corruption that was plaguing him from Gwen. He felt the strength return to his body, and soon enough he was able to stand and join the others.
"Oui, it's thanks to her that we were able to drive those two away," Alcea nodded, petting Shaymin again. "And look. Look at what she's done…"
There were fields of flowers scattered all around Agate Village. The villagers who'd been hiding from their attackers in their homes were now coming out to see what was going on.
"So lovely…"
"Such bright colors!"
"That pokemon did this?"
Rui sighed, rubbing her forehead. "It looks like that's the end of Relic Cave's little secret, no way we can just pretend this didn't happen."
"That is alright," Ryoko smiled, petting Shaymin as well. "The secret of Relic Cave was meant to keep Shaymin safe. But with the blessing of Gracidea, she no longer needs our protection. She is more than capable of defending herself."
She glanced up at Vic. "…With a little help from those of your family, of course."
Vic blushed a little. "L-Look, I can't say I'll be the next protector or anything, you know? I've got my own dreams to think about!"
"It's fine, Victoria," Rui laughed, patting her daughter on the shoulder. "I would never force you to do something like that!"
She leaned in close to whisper to her daughter. "With that being said, though, it is necessary for the family line to continue. So better get started on some grandchildren as soon as possible, you understand?"
Vic's face turned bright red. "MOM!"
Rui skipped away with a chuckle while Vic fumed.
"What's up? What did she say?" Alden asked curiously.
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Vic screeched, her glare spinning across the field. Soft and sweet Vic would have to take a backseat, the bitch was back!
"I hope… I hope Maddi will be okay…" Chloe mumbled, glancing down at the grass. "And Callie, too… they both looked pretty hurt…"
"Callie did amazingly," Ross nodded. "If it wasn't for her holding off that other girl so long, we all might have died."
"She'll be fine, I think," Vic shrugged. Then she scowled. "At least she helped! Unlike you!" She turned to Mason and pointed an accusing finger at him. "You have your pokemon too, you know! You could have done something!"
Mason adjusted his glasses and averted his eyes, not having the strength to stand up to Vic's accusations.
Luckily, Rui was there to come to his rescue. "Now, Victoria, if it wasn't for Mason, then neither you nor Alcea would have gone out there, and Shaymin wouldn't have joined you either. You know that full well. He's as much to thank for our victory as anyone here."
Vic frowned, blushing with shame. She knew that, of course, she just felt a little guilty because she hadn't really done anything either and wanted to shift the blame.
"Well, we all helped," Alden laughed. "…I mean, I didn't, but that's because I didn't have my pokemon, sorry!"
"That, of course, is entirely different!" Vic said. "Your pokemon were weak and injured, and recovering at the Pokemon Center, so of course they couldn't fight!"
"My, a bit of a double standard, eh?" Ross smirked. Vic shot him a death glare.
Rui clapped her hands. "Anyway! The important thing is that we're all safe, for the most part. So let's hope that Maddi and Callie are okay, and be relieved that things weren't worse."
Alcea nodded, and tried to smile, but she was still worried about these two. And even being around Shaymin wasn't helping her as much as she hoped it would.
"I understand that you must be concerned," Ryoko said quietly, kneeling down next to Alcea. She looked the redhead in the eyes. "But I promise you, they will be fine."
"…Are you really allowed to do that?" Alcea asked, giving her a rueful smile. "Providing information about the future, is it?"
Ryoko shrugged her shoulders. "It is permitted when necessary. So, what will you do now, then?"
Alcea glanced back at Shaymin, who looked up at her curiously.
"Shaymin?"
"If I leave this here, then Shaymin will continue to benefit from its powers, oui?" Alcea asked, gesturing to the flower.
"Correct."
"Then that is what I would like to do," Alcea decided. If only it was that simple. "However… this flower does not belong to me, is it? It belongs to someone else… I am merely caring for it for the time being, is it?"
And knowing the flower's original owner, Alcea doubted that she would be so considerate as to leave it in Agate Village. If Sylvia knew how powerful such an effect was, Alcea was certain that the blonde would seek to take it for herself.
"I am not asking the owner of the flower what should be done," Ryoko calmly replied. "I am asking you. Because yours is the opinion that matters. After all, it is you who Shaymin is closest with, so only you may make that decision."
Alcea blinked, stunned. "W-Wait, no, that is… not correct, is it?"
She glanced over at Vic and Rui. "They both… their help was necessary as well. Rui has cared for Shaymin all these years, and Victoria, she… she has been looking for Shaymin all this time, we are both her friends. And then there is her harmonia as well, I do not see how I…"
Vic groaned and slapped her face with frustration. "Oh, come off it, Alcea," she rolled her eyes. "You don't need harmonia to see how attached Shaymin is to you. I'm honestly kind of jealous."
Rui glanced at her. "Jealous of Alcea, or jealous of-"
"Mom." Vic silenced her with a glare, but her pink cheeks told Rui that she may not have been too far off.
"Shaymin," Shaymin said quietly, staring into Alcea's eyes. Hers were so bright and warm and green, Alcea felt her heart skip a beat. Shaymin leaned in close and licked her cheek.
"Thank you," Alcea murmured, scratching Shaymin's neck tenderly. "So I wasn't… the only one who felt that way."
She glanced up at Ryoko. There was a sad look in her eyes.
"If possible… I would like to take Shaymin with me, as my pokemon, is it?" She whispered, knowing even as the words left her lips that she couldn't.
Ryoko closed her eyes and shook her head. "Unfortunately that cannot be allowed. Shaymin has the duty to care for the Orre Region. With the strength of the Gracidea, she finally has the power to truly begin healing the corruption of this region without succumbing to its effects."
Alcea nodded, a sad smile touching her lips. "I see. That is… how I expected things, is it?" She agreed, resisting the urge to cry.
"Shaymin…" Shaymin looked sadly up at her as well. Neither trainer nor pokemon wanted to part from the other now that they were together again, but unfortunately, it wouldn't be that easy.
"Alcea…" Vic felt a pang of sadness herself. It wasn't fair that Alcea had to be separated from Shaymin like this. But at the same time, what was she supposed to do? Forget about the Orre Region and selfishly take her home? Neither one would be happy with that arrangement.
"I have decided," Alcea said, even though there wasn't really anything to "decide". The answer was clear as day. "I will… leave the Gracidea flower in the care of Agate Village."
She ruffled Shaymin's hair and smiled. "Where its protector can watch over it peacefully, as she saves this region."
"Shaymin…!" Shaymin's eyes started to water and she leaned in, rubbing her head against Alcea tenderly. Alcea wrapped her arms around the sweet pokemon and held her close, gently stroking her fur.
"It is alright," Alcea assured her. "I'll see you again, ma couer."
Feeling exhausted, she flopped back into the grass and stared up at the colorful sky, feeling the strength leave her. Today had been painful and hard and long, and she just wanted to rest. She closed her eyes and thought of Callie, and hoped that she would be alright.
"Well, as for the rest of us, we've all been through a hard struggle," Rui said. "I'm sure that a bunch of you have pokemon that need healing, so I'd say it's time to head over to the Pokemon Center and take care of everyone, what do you say?"
Rui led the others towards the pokemon center, but Vic hung back. She didn't need to heal her pokemon, since they hadn't been fighting. She glanced over at Alcea.
"Alcea, will you be okay?" She asked quietly.
Alcea nodded. She reached to her belt and unclipped two pokeballs. "Victoria… could you please take Venus and Anastacia to the center? I will… follow shortly. When I'm ready."
Vic nodded, taking the pokeballs. She turned and headed to the Pokemon Center, only to freeze as she passed Alden coming back.
"Commander? What's the matter?" She asked, confused.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing!" Alden laughed. "It's just that my pokemon are already being looked after anyway, so it's not like there's any big rush to get there, you know? I thought it would be fine to just hang back and chat with Alcea a little, nothing much!"
Vic tensed, a stab of pain shooting through her heart. "I… I see…" she mumbled, not letting those words tear her apart. "Are… Are you sure you wouldn't like to come with me? I mean, with the rest of us, that is?"
Alden blinked. "Huh? Oh, yeah, not at all, you guys go! I'm totally fine!" He grinned, completely unaware of how much his words were tearing her apart.
"Y-Yes, sir," she nodded, standing a little straighter, and stiffer, than usual as she saluted. She quickly turned and dashed away like he asked, only to stop and turn around again. She saw Alden walk over to Alcea and sit beside her, the two talking with smiles on their faces.
Her heart shattered, but she didn't let herself cry. After everything she'd been through today, after everything they'd all been through today, something like this was nothing. What was even the point of getting upset?
Tears blurred her vision and she turned away, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. She clutched Alcea's pokeballs tightly and ran to the Pokemon Center as fast as she could, even as she felt the strength leave her body.
She knew that she felt so weak because she'd used so much of her harmonia. But right now, seeing the two of them like that, she could only blame the ache in her heart for how dead inside she felt.
Vic had given her all to help. She'd saved Callie's life with her harmonia. And if not for that, she would have given Alcea aid in her fight without a moment's hesitation.
But Alcea was the hero. The one who'd fought beside Shaymin and driven off the terrorists. Shaymin was more attached to Alcea than her, due to Alcea's affinity for Grass type pokemon. That was fine. She could live with that. She knew Shaymin's heart, and felt the pokemon's love for her as well, even if it wasn't as strong.
But the Commander…
As usual, he was only paying attention to Alcea. He didn't have any thoughts to spare for her. Vic clutched her heart and stifled a sob. She resented how much she cared for Alcea now, after her memories had returned. It made it so much more difficult to be upset with the girl. No matter how badly she wanted to be.
Oof. Even after winning the battle against the Children of the Oracles, it seems there's still a rough road to recovery ahead for everyone in the Commander's group. Hopefully Maddi and Callie will be okay, and hopefully Vic will be, too.