The first day, part 2! And what chaos will spring up this chapter?
I don't own Pokèmon, and I barely own many of the characters – most of them are based on real people!
"I choose you, Dratini," she whispered gently.
And the Dratini nuzzled against her shoulder – so this was what it was like to have a trainer? So blissfully happy and content? Why had she ever fought it?
Neither of them noticed or remembered going out of the room, nor being told to sit down and wait for Aria's fellow classmates.
Aria spoke softly to the small dragon, sensing its reserved nature. "Do you want a name? It'd just feel weird to me to call you Dratini all the time. My whole family uses names, so…I'm just used to it, I suppose."
The dragon nodded, before attempting to say something. Aria could just feel the communication, but couldn't understand the words. After a few minutes of straining, she ventured a guess.
"Draigas? Is that your name?"
She nodded; content pouring off her in waves, making the human smile.
Suddenly, the next new trainer entered the room – Seig, with an overjoyed Eevee nestled in his arms. Aria went over to greet them.
"I met you earlier – sorry, I'm not too good with names – Seig, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, that's right. You were…Aria? Anyway, you haven't met my new partner, Willow."
The Eevee gave a happy purr.
"This is Draigas," Aria introduced.
Draigas went to peer closer at the fox-like creature, but Willow backed away shyly, pressing herself closer to Seig's chest. Draigas suddenly froze and shuddered – something seemed wrong about the Eevee, something terrible that went against all Pokèmon nature… She just didn't know what, but wound herself around her new trainer for reassurance.
Aria knew something must be wrong, but there was no way the dragon could communicate it to her. To her, Willow seemed to be shy, but nothing else – nothing completely out of the ordinary. For a second, she saw a flash of guilt in Seig's eyes, but it was gone so quickly, she wasn't even sure it had been there in the first place.
Another new trainer came in through the door – the one whose rant on orange wielding penguins had made Aria laugh. He also had a Dratini, whom Draigas rushed to meet in a happy state. After a few minutes of them communicating – which none of the children understood – Aria picked out a word her Pokèmon had said in such obvious distaste it had stood out from the conversation.
"Zippo?"
"Yeah, that's what I called him," the boy, Zero, announced.
"Zippo?" the other two asked in disbelief.
"How could you subject a poor innocent Dratini to a name like 'Zippo'?!" Aria asked incredulously.
"Hey, it's a cool name!" Zero protested.
Zippo, the unfortunately named Dratini, snorted derisively – obviously he didn't think so either.
This vein of conversation was halted by the next trainer coming in. Namely, Wraith, the one with the unnaturally silver hair – and she had chosen another Eevee. This one seemed to prefer her shoulder as a perch, though.
"Hi, everyone! Meet Sirius!" she said smiling.
"See, Sirius; a decent name. As in, not 'Zippo'!" Aria pointed out.
Her remark made Seig smile and Zippo laugh. Draigas came back to her trainer and wound herself gently around the human's arm again. Aria didn't realise it, but she was comparing the two Eevees in the room, and found that there was something oddly different about Willow, although she couldn't place what it was…
"By the way, did you see the Neko-jin earlier?" Wraith asked.
"Who?"
"There's a girl who introduces herself as Ebony Neko-jin. She was next in line after me, so she should be out soon…"
Ironically enough, the girl came into the room at that moment, a cute Vulpix at her heels. She had fluffy black hair and brown eyes and at first, that seemed to be all of notice about her. Then, Aria noticed the pair of jet-black cat ears on her head, and an elegantly swishing, feline, black tail sweeping the floor.
The Vulpix nudged her forward, persuading her to join us. She seemed rather shy – by now, the children and Pokèmon were quite a sizeable group and got on well, so it seemed natural that someone could find it hard to approach them, especially if that person wasn't…quite normal.
"Hello," Aria greeted warmly. "Who's your partner?"
"Phoenix…"
Completely overshadowing the quiet Ebony was the next new arrival. This girl didn't look odd or weird – she radiated it. From the large Tropius by her side to her loud greeting, the whole group knew instantly that if she was around, peace and quiet would be the last thing planned. Apparently, her name was Pasqua and the Tropius was named Dashita.
By now, the hall was filling up quickly, and the new trainers were coming in faster and faster.
Rhiannon, with the small black Poochena pup, Layla; Tegeirian with Naga, the elegant Ekans and Rydia with a small Zubat called Jet all came in. For a few minutes the children thought that they were last of the trainers, until a series of loud crashes came from the Pokèmon filled room.
They crowded around the door, curious to see the source of the noise, but a blue blur rolled past them at a high speed, followed by a battered and bruised boy. He limped slightly, a result of the blue blur colliding with his leg, they later learned.
"I'm Fossil…and this is Rolo," he panted.
The blur rolled behind him and uncurled itself, revealing itself to be a Panphy. Many of the girls 'aww'-ed at the tiny elephant as it raised its trunk in salute.
The children now knew that everyone had chosen their Pokèmon, as the friendly teacher from before – Mr. Reese – came to talk to them. He was standing on a balcony high up in the room, with a Persian curled around his feet, gazing languidly, yet oddly keenly at the children and their Pokèmon.
"I'm glad to see that you have all had a chance to know each other and I hope you make some good friends. I would like to explain now how Saralli Caira works. This is a small school, and as you know, highly exclusive. Because we are so few in number, we don't split you into classes, or years. The whole school is taught as a whole.
"At first, you may find it difficult, as there are trainers here with up to four more years of experience than you currently have. But we feel it gives you something to strive for. We also find that the older students learn from being around inexperienced trainers and their mistakes, so don't be afraid to get things wrong. Are there any questions?"
When no one raised his or her hand, Mr. Reese directed their attention to the person now entering the room. Aria instantly recognised him as Haru – he was unmistakeable anywhere, really, with his pale blue skin and fins.
"This is currently our strongest trainer in school – Haru Hearts. He won't mind being challenged if you feel the need to attempt to beat him, however I would advise training for a long time beforehand."
Haru smirked up at the teacher. "Why not tell them to give up? After all, if I can beat you…"
The children gasped collectively – a pupil being better than a teacher just seemed unimaginable. Even Aria, remembering that Latto had said that Haru had beaten some of the teachers, was shocked.
Mr. Reese went red and coughed. "Yes, well, I'll let you do the teaching in future, Haru," he said sarcastically.
However, Haru took his words literally, and addressed the congregation.
"My advice to you is find what you're good at and stick with it. Every trainer has their own style. And know when you're beat before you start, kids. It saves you a lot of time. And if anyone wants to challenge me…I'll be in the coliseum, where there's a crowd to watch me kick your ass!"
"Haru, that's enough. Can you lead them outside and show them around?"
"No problem. Kids, follow me!"
Half the crowd were fuming over constantly being called kids, but were following him anyway. Aria, with Draigas wound around her neck, ran to catch up with him.
"Haru! What the heck did you mean earlier? What do you know about my family that I don't?" she asked, walking quickly by his side.
"You mean your mother hasn't told you?"
"Told me what?"
"Your family legacy. Seriously, your parents must have said something…"
"About what?" Aria almost shouted in frustration.
"Ask your mother."
"I'm asking you!"
"Trust me, you'll want her to tell you."
By now, they were outside in the open air, and Haru addressed the small crowd.
"Now, kids, I'm supposed to tell you how things work here. You'll spend most of your time outside – every morning you'll have a few hours to do anything you need to outside, like training, catching new Pokèmon or having a battle. If your Pokèmon get seriously injured, depending on how close you are, you can get them healed here, in this main building.
"The main building has a Pokèmon centre, feeding hall, library and a lecture hall – that's where you'll have any classes. And if you look on the roof of the building," Haru pointed to guide the children's eyes, "you can see the coliseum. We have a tournament four times a year, but when they aren't on, you can use it for personal battles. Some people also go there to observe battles and watch other people's mistakes. Any questions?"
When no one raised their hand – either out of lack of questions or the fact that this blue skinned person was just too weird for them – he gave a smirk.
"Some of the teachers here are pure evil, by the way, they just act normal around the new kids. I'd stay away from Mr Harrier and Mrs Pierce…and Mrs Genwyn."
Strangely, Haru turned to Aria and said in a low tone, "Especially you."
"Huh? Why?"
"Get your mother to tell you – just stay away from Genwyn and don't tell her your name. Make it up if you have to."
"What? I demand some answers!"
"Demand all you want – if you can't beat me in a battle, I have no reason to have to tell you."
"Fine, then! I challenge you to a battle!"
"Brave, kid, but not too smart. But, why not? Show these other kids a real battle!"
Draigas unwound herself and floated just off the ground, giving a dragon's growl in anticipation of the battle. Haru threw a red and white Pokèball into the air and in a flash of red light, a Floatzel appeared.
"Floatzel, let's make this quick, alright?"
Floatzel roared at the serpentine dragon, and the enormity of the battle dawned on Aria.
"Come on, Draigas, we can do this!" Aria shouted with mock confidence.
Aria's heart was pounding with adrenaline and the children around cheered – although she couldn't hear them. Her world ended outside the small battlefield.
"Floatzel, dig!" Haru commanded.
The otter-like Pokèmon burrowed under the ground.
"Draigas, fly as high as possible!" Aria called in a concerned voice.
The Dratini floated high as the Floatzel burst out of the ground.
"Ice beam, Floatzel!"
An orb of icy white gathered at the Floatzel's mouth, and Aria felt a surge of panic. She knew all too well that dragons were weak against ice, and she also knew Draigas was an easy target in the sky. There was no time to react – the beam shot out of the Floatzel's mouth and hit the small dragon squarely in the neck.
With a weak cry, Draigas fell through the air – Aria rushed forward and caught her, running towards the main building. She was crying – how could she have been so stupid to let Draigas get hurt like that? Just because of her ego…
In the main building, she took a better look at the battered and bruised dragon. She was feebly chirping, her eyes barely open.
"Hello! Is there anyone there? Please, I need your help – my Pokèmon is badly injured!" Aria shouted desperately, but her voice merely echoed around the cold, empty room without any reply.
"Please!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her eyes.
A woman with straight, shoulder-length hair and a kindly face stepped into the room, took one look at the injured Dratini and launched into action. She scooped Draigas out of Aria's arms taking it behind a counter, through which was a doorway to a room filled with medical looking equipment.
Aria craned her neck, trying to see where Draigas was, but she'd been taken into this room, beyond view. After a few minutes, the woman came back.
"How is she?" Aria asked worriedly.
"She'll be fine, although she won't be in any battles for a day or two. What were you thinking, taking on Haru on your first day?"
Aria went red, her eyes shot down to the floor and she almost started crying again.
"You heard about it, then?"
"Taken down in two moves…Haru went easy on you. He could have easily ended it in the first five seconds. That Floatzel was holding back, too…he must have taken pity on your Dratini…"
Aria choked on her tears – she could never forgive herself for this… "I was really stupid, wasn't I?"
"That depends on if you're planning on doing it again anytime soon," the woman answered.
"No! Of course not!"
Aria trembled at the thought of putting Draigas through that again.
"Then you aren't completely stupid. A good trainer learns from their mistakes."
The woman thought a while, before realising, "How silly of me – you don't know my name! I'm Mrs. Hurtz and I teach theory, as well as heal Pokèmon."
"My name's Arianrhod…can I see Draigas?"
"Of course, come here."
Mrs. Hurtz led the young trainer into the sterile, white room. All the surfaces were clean, shiny chrome, and on one of them lay Draigas, tightly curled up, asleep. She woke slightly when she heard the two humans, slowly opening an eye and inching towards Aria.
"No, you don't have to move," she whispered, but the dragon continued to painstakingly make her way to her trainer.
"Oh, Draigas, I'm so sorry…I was so stupid back there! I don't deserve to be a trainer!" Aria apologised tearfully.
Draigas nudged the girl's hand, telling her as best the dragon could that she didn't blame her trainer.
"Draigas should be able to move properly in ten minutes or so," Mrs Hurtz informed the trainer.
"What? So soon?"
"I've given her some fast-acting medicine, and most Pokèmon are naturally tough and fast healing. It probably would take you a week to recover from a similar hit."
"Wow…I never realised just how amazing Pokèmon are… If you don't mind me asking, what Pokèmon do you have, Miss?" Aria wondered.
"A Roselia, called Juliet; a Chansey, Leanne; and my first – my Clefairy, named Blossom. I'd introduce you to them, but you'll met them sometime…probably in battle."
"What? But…"
"That'll be your end of year exam – using your whole team to take on one of the teachers and one of their Pokèmon."
"Wow…that seems so daunting…"
"Well, you can have up to six against one, so it isn't too hard – you just need to have a strategy ready. Hardly anyone has ever failed the end of year exams, so I wouldn't worry…"
Aria kept quiet, secretly thinking that she was likely to fail and be one of those select people… Draigas sensed this and slowly wound herself onto her trainer's arm, trying to reassure her. Aria knew this and gave a half-smile in response.
"Stop trying to strain yourself, Draigas," she whispered.
Draigas made a melodic noise at her; it was soft and soothing, yet slightly reproachful. It was almost as if to say, 'Have more faith in me, and yourself. See, I'm fine now.'
Aria offered her hand and it got nudged in a playful gesture.
"She should be alright to move around now, as long as she doesn't strain herself," Mrs Hurtz said.
"Really?"
"Yes. Just keep her out of battles until tomorrow, and I'll take another look at her then. If you're lucky, you should be able to battle then."
"Thank you, Miss!"
"It was no problem - it's my job, and it was a delight talking to you. But can I ask something of you?"
"What?"
"Train really hard, and beat that Haru. He's getting overconfident – he'll think he owns the school next! I'd just like someone to put him in his place."
"But you said…"
"I said that you should train first before challenging him. Not to mention that he has whatever battling tips and knowledge built up from just being in this school for two years and you don't, yet. But you will do soon, especially if you keep your eyes and ears open. Just because it's not you making the mistake doesn't mean you can't learn from it."
"Wow…well, I'll try my best," Aria pledged bravely.
"Now go on outside, Draigas is definitely alright to move, and it's almost time to go home."
"Thank you," Aria said, bowing her head slightly in respect, before dashing out the door, Draigas wound around her neck.
From a glance up at the quickly forming clouds, it'd start raining fairly soon. The children were in a loose group, saying their goodbyes before the melodic chime of the bell told them to go home.
Mr Reese addressed the crowd briefly before they left. "By the way, there are optional lessons in understanding what your Pokèmon is saying – these are after school, tomorrow, in fact, so if you're interested, remember to tell your parents! And I'll see you all tomorrow!"
And Aria started the short walk home, bursting with excitement. The first day hadn't all been good, but she was now a Pokèmon trainer, and no one could tell her otherwise!
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