A/N: Alright, here you are everyone, the next chapter of this story! Yay! ^-^
Chapter Thirteen
Thank Your Lucky Star You've Gotten This Far.
A yawn, and a stretch. Then another yawn. Followed by quickly laying back down and curling into a ball to try to go back to sleep. Someone nearby sighed, before using a spell to splash the sleepyhead with cold water.
"Ack!" Exclaimed Ron, as he bolted upright. He already knew who'd done it. "What was that for, 'Mione?"
"It's almost noon!" She exclaimed. "We have five minutes to pack up and get back at the instructed time!"
Ron glanced at the floating clock nearby. He jumped out of the sleeping bag in an instant. Within moments, everything was packed – the trio thanking the gods for magic due to its assistance – and they raced as quickly as they could to the meeting spot. The moment they reached the field, one of the professors of their class, the Luxray, noticed and laughed good-naturedly.
"Don't worry, you're on time," Kyashii giggled, making them sigh with relief as they got into their appointed spots. "My trainer's on his way."
As the large population of students waited, minutes passed. And Nozawa was nowhere in sight. After a few more minutes, with it growing more and more awkward with every passing moment, Kyashii sighed and asked for Sara, Nozawa's Pidgeot, to go look for him. The female bird Pokémon took off and was gone quite quickly. Then the Luxray stepped forward, and spoke.
"I apologize for the delay," She began. "I do not know what is preventing my trainer from – ah, there he is!"
In the background, one could hear an argument going on actively between Nozawa and another professor. The shrill voice made the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws sigh/groan and the Slytherins smirk.
"They could have DIED!" Umbridge shrieked into Nozawa's ears – and many of the students' as they worked their way to the front of the group. She seemed oblivious to this, her rage blinding her to the fact he'd walked out here. "You had NO right to just leave them out there in the forest!"
"Professor Umbridge..." Nozawa began, now at the place where he was going to talk to his classes.
"No, you hear me out!" Her shrill voice cut him off. "I will see to it that you are fired and a more SUITABLE person is found for this position!"
The powerful trainer opened his mouth, but sighed when she continued to rant the hell out of the young man. After a while, he was sick of it.
"Professor Umbridge," Nozawa growled, snapping at last. "SHUT! UP!"
Umbridge froze, her mouth agape. No one had dared to say that to her face. Before she could say anything else, the young man forced his anger and annoyance aside to address the students, casting Sonorus once again.
"I thank you all for your patience!" He said, bringing to his colleague's attention that she had inadvertently been led here. "First, my... colleague... has brought up a good point."
There was a pause as the students wondered what he was talking about.
"If you have died, please raise your hand."
Several chuckles and giggles were heard seconds later. They intensified when Fred and George raised their hands, before grasping each other's shoulders, and yelling something about "I'll see you on the other side, FredorGeorge" before over-dramatically falling over, and without missing a beat, Ginny was soon gasping and over-dramatically yelling "Noooooooooooooo" on her knees.
Umbridge, flushed with rage, stormed and stalked back up to the castle. Once it died down, the professor went on to tell them to head back to their dorms. They had no homework, other than to get to know the Pokémon they may have captured. With that, the crowd dispersed as Nozawa talked to Kyashii. The Luxray was giggling still, quite entertained by the display made by the Weasley siblings.
"Hee hee, they really are like Lucario and Espeon!" She giggled, making Nozawa grin.
As they entered the castle, Nozawa sighed upon seeing Umbridge returning with Dumbledore in tow. When he asked what had happened, the young man explained it as best and as calmly as he could. He refused to show any emotions at all. Afterwards, it was decided by the headmaster that Nozawa had handled it perfectly fine, and that the students were fine, leaving the current DADA professor seething and stalking off to her office. It was then that Nozawa took the oppurtunity to talk with the headmaster about an idea he had in mind.
Six o'clock, already?
I was just in the middle of a dream...
I was kissin' Valentino,
By a crystal blue Italian stream.
Up in the Gryffindor common room, the group of students were discussing their experiences in the forest. They all agreed that although it had been scary at first, it had turned out quite alright in the end. As it turns out, several things had happened during that time. Harry had captured an Absol, Hermione a Natu, Ron a Poochyena. Ron's Caterpie had also evolved into a Butterfree, and on that same subject, Ginny's Milotic had also evolved!
The professor had helped her get the Pokémon to achieve the necessary requirements, and the change had happened in the forest. The event was known to the classes as a 'Capture Weekend'. Apparently, they were going to have several more throughout the school year, in order to build their team up to the limit set by the official Pokémon League rules – six Pokémon per trainer. Either way, however, everyone was excited and indeed, very happy with the results of their time in the forest. They continued to talk and chat, as their Pokémon did the same.
But I can't be late,
'Cause then I guess I won't get paid.
These are the days,
You wish your bed was already made.
After the entire day of Monday had passed, once that day's classes had been completed for the select few students who signed up for them, the group known as Dumbledore's Army met once again. Just as last time, the ever-popular Professor Nozawa was there as well, Kyashii at his side this time.
"Umm..." Harry began to speak, roll having been taken and everyone having been proven to be present. He had planned this the day before, with Hermione and Ron. "Today... I was hoping we could get a Pokémon battle demonstration or some advice from Professor Nozawa..."
Aromi didn't bother hiding his surprise, a simple raise of the eyebrow. From the murmurs of the group, he could tell that they were, indeed, quite interested, and perhaps had some questions. Most of the students here were in his classes, anyway.
"Alright," He said, shrugging at the idea. "Why not? What would you like to see, or would you all like to ask questions first?"
At this, Harry, along with Riolu, smiled. Pidgey asked Riolu about it, and the Emenation Pokémon quickly took up the duty of explaining what they'd witnessed earlier in the year. As this went on, the raven-haired young man invited to come up front. Almost immediantly, Hermione's hand was up in the air. Nozawa chuckled good-naturedly.
"Always the inquirer, eh?" He grinned. She blushed at this, but remained determined to ask.
"I have a question about your battle earlier this year," Hermione began. "During the battle, attacks were going by fast enough that the Omnioculars had trouble keeping up, even in their slow-paced mode. How is it you and Cynthia were able to think that quickly?"
Nozawa nodded, understanding her confusion. After a moment, he spoke.
"Well..." He began, thinking of how to phrase it. "You all have done wizarding spars, haven't you?"
Imagine a large group of people confirming this.
"It's similar in that kind of thought process," He explained. "You don't really think as much as read the opponent's actions. Like if you see someone waving their wand a specific way, you get an idea of what spell they're going for, and so you respond appropietely. It's kind of the same with Pokémon battles. It takes a lot of practice and skill, but in a high-level battle, both trainers are able to do it.
"When two high-level trainers meet and battle, they usually don't know the other's style. However, they both have such firm trust in their Pokémon that the trainer and their Pokémon seem to be thinking the exact same thing. So when that trainer calls an attack, it's more of an automatic reaction, a habit if you will. As you all continue to do battles in my class, the verbal call of an attack will become automatic to you. Hence the reason that, even as high-level trainers fight and read each other and their Pokémon, they speak the commands simply from force of habit. Does that make sense?"
There was another chorus of nods and such. Then Fred asked if the professor had advice for becoming more profecient in battling.
"Simple," Aromi said. "Set up a partners chart. Practice battling against your partner until you can recite each other's strategies in your sleep. Then change partners, and do it again. For example, have Harry team up with Ron, and once they could tell you in explicit detail how their partner uses their strategy, have them change partners. By doing so, you become used to the way one person works, but because of the forced change, you're thrown off-guard. Not only will it teach you new strategies and such, but you'll soon learn the way your new partner works as well.
"Do so for about five different team mates, then go back to the one your were original partnered up with, and battle them again. You'll be surprised by how much things will have changed between the both of you. Going back to my original example, after Harry has battled several friends, I have no doubt he would be thrown off-guard by Ron's new ideas and strategies. People change; and that's why it's important to rotate partners. So why don't you all set up a chart and start?"
Within a few minutes, that is exactly what they did. Almost by Nozawa's prediction, Harry was partnered up with Ron. Hermione teamed with Ginny, Fred was against George, and so on. The large group continued their practicing until the Pokémon couldn't take anymore. Then the DA group split to their common rooms, to rest and try to comprehend what they would do to throw their work partners off the next time they battled.
It's just another manic Monday,
I wish it were Sunday.
'Cause that's my fun day.
My 'I don't have to run' day.
It's just another manic Monday,
"So, Aromi, what did you do with that group today?"Lucario asked his trainer, as they returned from a day of hardcore training out at the Quidditch field.
"I helped them learn how to read an opponent in a Pokémon battle," Nozawa said with a grin at the thought, as they reached the room they were staying in. There, he, with Kyashii's help, explained what had happened that day. After a few moments of silence...
"Dibs on going with you next!" Two voices exclaimed at the same time. Without missing a beat, all the others laughed at Espeon and Algida's expense, who soon joined in.
"I was actually thinking of taking all of you," Aromi admitted, smiling. He explained his idea, and it was quite quickly approved. They were all eager for his new idea.
Have to catch an early train.
Got to be to work by nine,
And if I had an air-o-plane,
I still couldn't make it on time.
After a few more, somewhat tense days, the group of students and professor met once again in the Room of Requirement. As it turns out, the professor had been planning to use his previously-given advice as homework for his classes. In fact, the members of DA had been given it no more than two days before the rest of the students in the class. As a result, they were slightly ahead and knew what to do in an instant. However, they kept up with their own schedules as well, planning to keep it up for a while... however, it turns out that there was a surprise in store for them, as soon as Nozawa arrived and Harry grinned, along with his Pokémon.
"Alright, everyone," Harry began to say, getting their attention. Some were confused about his obvious excitement, while some just smiled as a result, the grin being quite infectious. "Professor Nozawa has a little something special planned just for us today. Professor?"
Nozawa grinned, coming forward. He quickly asked everyone to back up. Quite a bit. Then he quickly released five of his six Pokémon, making the majority of the group gasp in surprise.
"Professor...?" Ginny began, voicing the group's confusion.
"My team is quite interested in what you all are currently doing," Aromi began, grinning. "So we decided to give you all a demonstration. Lucario, Rikku?"
With that, the two mentioned Pokémon went forward, while the others backed up. The young man went to what could only be described as the judge's spot. Once there, he began to explain.
"Alright, so as we spoke of last time," He said. "It's all about reading the opponent's movements, anticipating their next move, and responding in time. My team will be helping me demonstrate what we mean. Lucario and Rikku will be exchanging a few blows at their regular speed, then we'll move on. As you can see, one Pokémon is not out yet; that is for the next show. Now, then, go for it!"
With that, both Pokémon launched their attacks almost instantly. After several blows got in, they stopped upon their trainer's orders. He began to explain the next part of his plan. The students and their Pokémon were, once again, in awe at the speed and power behind each and every strike. They looked to be nothing more than a blur!
"As I can see from your expressions," Aromi said, grinning. The result made the students stop gaping with a resounding click from shutting their jaws. He chuckled for a moment. "You're all quite impressed by the way these two move. Good work, both of you."
Lucario and Rikku just smirked at him, eager to move on. He rolled his eyes.
"You can go full-blast another time," He said calmly. "Anyway, now these two will move much, much slower. Watch closely."
With that, the two Pokémon did just as he said. Right when Lucario began to move his arms back, preparing to attack, he stopped at his trainer's command.
"I want someone to guess what Lucario is about to use, and suggest to Rikku what he should do in response," Nozawa said quickly. His team had already agreed to this earlier, thus the water-/steel-type was fine with it. Surprisingly, it was Neville who called out.
"Lucario's using Aura Sphere!" He exclaimed, looking to Rikku. "Uh... I think you should dodge before attacking back!"
The moment the round-faced boy had finished speaking, the aura Pokémon did, indeed, use the expected attack. Just as was suggested, Rikku dodged, and froze before he gave his counter, and the process was repeated, with Hermione being the correct one this time. After a couple more exchanges, it ended, and the Pokémon stepped back. Having to stop every time before they attacked was hard work; it was tough to stop right before that moment because of how automatic it was for them to just follow through and do it. Lucario and Rikku stepped back, while Nozawa stepped forward.
"Alright, I need a volunteer," He said loudly. After a few moments, Harry stepped forward... only after everyone else stepped back. The young man chuckled, as the raven-haired boy went across from his professor, assuming the position for a battle. "Relax, we're not going to actually battle; I'm not that mean."
Harry sighed with relief, and relaxed a bit more.
"How many of you know about the quick-draw?" Aromi said to the crowd. He nodded to the many raised hands. "Well, those of you who don't, you'll know soon enough – because that this next exercise. By the way, everyone, this is a technique to be shown to all the classes soon. Kyashii, would you count down from three?"
The Luxray nodded, as Harry instantly understood. This was to see how quickly he could bring out a Pokémon in comparison to his professor.
"One!" Kyashii exclaimed, and Harry reached for his Pokéball as quickly as he could. Sure, it was empty, but all that mattered was how quickly he got it out.
"Go!" He exclaimed instinctively, grabbing one from the belt he and all of Nozawa's students wore under their robes in easy-to-reach places.
However, by the time he'd pulled the ball off his belt, Nozawa's Espeon was standing there, with the man smirking. Harry faltered at this, causing Espeon to giggle and Nozawa to grin.
"Don't worry, it's normal for a novice trainer," Nozawa commented. "But you did quite well for one. Really."
Harry smiled slightly at the compliment.
"This is another exercise for you all to try," Aromi continued. "I will be introducing it to everyone else soon, but you'll all just get a head-start. Anyway, Harry, let me tell you your results."
The Boy-Who-Lived blinked before nodding, curious.
"It took you three seconds to recognize what Kyashii had said," The Professor began. "Two seconds to push past your robes, three seconds to reach the Pokéball. Two seconds to grab it, three to pull it off your belt, four to bring it forward, and if you'd followed through, probably another five seconds to actually throw it. Another three to release the Pokémon, and maybe another seven to call the first command. That, Mr. Potter, is a grand total of thirty-two seconds. More than enough time to bring out a Pokémon and call an attack... for me, at least."
"It took you a total of about six seconds to do all that," Sara said, having timed her trainer to compare the reaction times.
"And that, everyone, is the speed of almost every high-level trainer out there," Aromi said, confirming everyone's suspicions. "I suggest that you all practice your reaction times as well as the reading of not only your opposing trainer, but their Pokémon as well. You should probably start with the Pokémon reactions. Use that clock spell I taught you all earlier to come up with a timer. Partner up and take turns timing each other's reactions."
That is exactly what they did, but unfortunately for the majority of the students, none of them seemed to go below twenty seconds. They were, however, grateful for the fact that their professor assured them that their current speed was normal for trainers of their current skill level. Even so, most, if not all, of them were impressed once more by the young man, and they were quietly discussing this as they soon left for their dorms.
'Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear.
Blame it on the train,
But the boss is already there.
"Wow, that was actually a lot of fun!" Espeon exclaimed, happy at the way the students had so eagerly trained while their Pokémon rested from their constant practice battles.
"And it's going quite well, huh?" Lucario commented, as they reached their room.
"Yeah, I can't wait to see how much better they'll be at the end of the school year," Aromi said, grinning at the thought.
"Say, what are you planning to do then?" Algida asked, curious. "You said something about the Headmaster approving your idea."
"Can't hide anything from you," Nozawa chuckled, as he prepared for bed. "Well, don't tell anyone, but at the end of the year, I plan on taking some students back with us. Let them have a whirlwind tour of Sinnoh. Maybe even see how far they get in the league."
This brought up a whole bunch of quiet talking from the team, as they all discussed this plan. It seemed like a good idea, since it would help those students become better trainers, and expose them to how other trainers did things. The talk continued all the way until everyone in the castle had fallen asleep...
A/N: Well, I sincerely hope you all like this rather short chapter and that I surprised you with Nozawa's plans! :D If you have the time, please leave a review!