After the touching reunion of Akira and Dakota warmed all our hearts, it's time for something a little more intense! That's right, we're going to skip ahead and get to the match between Kanone and Blake! Blake's been training for days to get strong enough to take down his brother, but we won't see any of that training. Why ruin the surprise? No, we'll get to see just what sort of strategy he developed right here!

KedharS: Yeah, I wanted a nice touching chapter before we got into the intense stuff.

Arbiter8991: I don't know if Sylvia is ever REALLY "civil" but it's certainly not in this chapter, lol. But she's definitely got something up her sleeve…

Guest: There is certainly more to Sylvia than meets the eye, that's for sure. Which is part of the persona she wants to cultivate.

Hyphenman: It was nice to see Sylvia lose her cool for once. But yeah, the way things are going, we might see beneath the layers soon enough.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 1278

Blake took a deep breath and exhaled. He stared at the five pokeballs resting on his dresser, the pokemon he was going to use for his match. He set a sixth down beside them. This has to be enough. With these six… and our training…

"You heading out?" Reiner asked, glancing at Blake. He and Nick were wary of this mess, but they both supported Blake and wanted him to come out on top. "You're ready to win?"

Blake nodded. "It's necessary. I have to win."

He gathered up the pokeballs and headed outside, followed by his friends. Almost immediately, he bumped into Sango, who was coming back from the bathroom.

"…Hey," he mumbled, feeling a little awkward being here in front of her.

Sango didn't seem much better in that regard either. Silver glanced cautiously at him, and she muttered back, "hey…"

"…Well, alright then," Blake stepped around her, heading for the stairs. He wanted to repair their relationship, but they didn't have anything they could say to each other at this point. So he just had to focus on the task ahead.

"…Good luck…" He barely caught her whisper in his ear. But it was enough to bring a smile to his face. He headed towards the stadium, the battlefield for his match with Kanone.

Eon Stadium. The best field for their match. Blake didn't expect he'd be battling here again so soon, after the Phantom Cup.

He arrived far earlier than anyone. After all, the match wasn't scheduled to start for another couple of hours. He had preparations to do.

Cynthia had rallied the others for Blake. Caelia had declined, but Maddi seemed open to it, agreeing to come along and watch with them. Sango came too, which wasn't surprising, even though she had some bad blood with Blake right now. She was still going to support him, after all. Then there was Nick and Reiner, and Nikita, as well, and of course, Julia and Kitty.

"So, um…" Sango glanced aside, sitting a space away from Cynthia, leaving an empty seat between them. "I actually… I invited someone to come, if that's okay."

"Sure thing!" Cynthia chirped. "The more the merrier!"

"Oh, good," Sango sighed in relief. "And, it's someone you know, so… don't worry about that, either, it's fine!"

"Right," Cynthia nodded. "Who-"

"Hello there."

Cynthia glanced up to see Elaina Bishop standing in the path. She looked nervous, as if she wasn't sure she should be asking permission to sit down. Sango had invited her and told her it would be okay, but even though she'd just gone on a trip with them, Elaina still had doubts. How couldn't she, given everything she'd been through?

"Awesome! You're here to support Blake too?! That's so great! Come on, come on!" Cynthia eagerly patted the empty seat, shocking Elaina completely. She nodded shakily and stepped around Sango, sitting down between the girls.

Cynthia sank back into her seat with a grin on her face. She couldn't get Caelia (not even the temptation of watching Blake fight had been enough!) but she'd managed to wrangle in Elaina. And with Maddi sitting on the other side, she felt like she was in a pretty good position.

"You guys excited?" A familiar voice asked.

Cynthia glanced up to see Dakota's smiling face. She flinched. It was still a shock seeing her fellow redhead now that her hair was pink. Dakota had her arms wrapped tightly around Akira's, and she was clearly not interested in letting him go.

"You seem pretty excited," Reiner noted. "I'm glad you finally got back together."

"Yeah," Akira nodded, smiling. "It feels like I'm still dreaming, honestly."

Serefina was standing next to them, smiling serenely as she gazed upon the couple. She still didn't know the specifics of Akira and Dakota's discussion about Dakota's powers. But Akira didn't seem to be treating her any differently.

"Hah, screw reuniting with my boyfriend!" Dakota snorted, casting Akira aside like yesterday's laundry. Her eyes were shining with glee. "I've got the match of the century to report on!" She held up a bright and shiny camera.

"With my new camera, I'm going to capture everything! And then I've got an exclusive report with Blake after the fact! Of course, I'd love to be interviewing the winner, but you gotta take what you can get, you know."

"Wait, so you don't think Blake's going to win?" Cynthia scowled as the trio sat down in front of them. Dakota turned around in her seat.

"Hmm? No, I'm just kidding around. He's absolutely gonna win," she laughed, her eyes shining. "He's got a secret weapon, after all."

Akira frowned. "If you think that'll be enough."

"Wait, you don't think he's going to win?" Serefina asked, surprised. Akira tended to have nothing but praise for Blake's skill as a trainer.

"Uh, no, of course not," he said, staring at Serefina as if the brunette had asked if she thought Blake would grow feet out of his ears and start walking on his head. "We're talking about Kanone Harker here. Sure Blake's got skill, but Kanone is champion level, even if he IS only using one pokemon."

Elaina tensed, clutching the hem of her dress. Not too long ago, she'd been preparing to battle Kanone Harker. Due to her incident with Akira, she'd been forced to substitute for Gerard, and he'd lost badly. The issue hadn't been raised since then.

But still, Kanone Harker…

Perhaps now I'll get to see his strength for myself, she mused.

The attitude of the group had taken on an awkward turn. Everyone was discussing whether or not they thought Blake would have a chance of winning.

"Of course not," Sango said bluntly, surprising everyone. Usually, she was one of Blake's staunchest advocates. "Look, Blake's skilled, but like Dakota said, his brother is just that strong."

"W-Well, I think he can win!" Kitty said adamantly.

"Really?" Julia was surprised. "I think Blake's strong too, but Sango's right. Kanone's on a different level completely."

"Kanone will win," Nikita said, adjusting her glasses. "He's powerful. You're not wrong, Julia."

"No, she's completely wrong," Reiner snorted, rolling his eyes. "Blake's been training like crazy, he's going to tear that guy apart."

"Do you really believe that, or are you just disagreeing with me?" Julia scowled.

"Can't it be both?" Reiner asked, offering her a smirk.

The two glared at each other, with Nikita being caught in the middle. How could she have thought this was a good idea? They should have had the two of them sit on opposite sides of the group.

"Okay, that's enough," Kitty said, pulling Julia out of her seat and switching places with her. "Time-out time."

The way she said that made Nikita snicker. Her roommate was hardly ever so forceful, but Julia brought out certain attitudes.

Kitty plopped down beside Nikita, and immediately turned to her.

"So how's your little guy doing?" She asked excitedly.

Nikita's Rolycoly was tight in a pokeball on her lap. She'd wanted to bring him out, having just picked him up the other day, but the nurses said to give him some time to rest. And they also noted that the fervor of the crowd might not be good for him.

While everyone discussed who they thought was going to win, Maddi and Elaina were both silent. Even Nick, who was grouchier than usual, had a position to share, thinking Kanone would kick Blake's ass. But maybe he was just being cynical.

"Blake will win."

A new voice added to the conversation, and everyone turned to see who it was. Their reactions were rather negative.

"What's with all the pouty looks?" Sylvia frowned. "You're acting like nobody missed me!"

"We didn't," Sango scowled. Sylvia pushed her way through the crowd and sat down beside her fellow blonde, smiling from ear to ear.

"Come now, Sango, don't be like that! If you keep frowning you'll wrinkle and get even uglier!" Sylvia grinned.

"Shuppet!" Specter laughed.

"Castform!" Silver glared at his fellow floating pokemon while Sango glared at the Shuppet's trainer. She wasn't alone in feeling that way, nobody wanted Sylvia here.

Cynthia was at least willing to offer the benefit of the doubt, though.

"Why did you come?" She asked curiously. "Don't the Eight Leaders have their own box, or something like that?"

"Oui. But on occasion, we prefer to mingle with the other students, in the name of improving our bonds," a familiar accent rang out above the eager crowd. For once, the entire section of the stadium fell silent as everyone turned.

Someone like Alcea Vermeil had that effect. Her beauty remained untarnished even though the plain Kate was following behind her with a toxic scowl. She radiated beauty and elegance, sitting down behind Cynthia's group.

"So you're going to watch it with us?" Cynthia asked, turning around in her seat.

"Oui, an experience worth sharing with others, is it?" Alcea nodded. "Besides… I would quite like to see the fruit of your labors." She glanced at Kate, who blushed and looked away. Alcea hadn't exactly made her feel guilty about going to see Blake before returning to the Gardening Club, at least not intentionally.

"I-I'm sorry, milady, but he said it was important…"

"Nonsense," Alcea smiled. "I am only teasing."

Besides, she silently added, I have no intention of sharing a viewing box with that Gerard Alkwest if I can avoid it…

The school and Alcea's own compassion may have necessitated that the incident in the Orre Region be brushed under the table. But Alcea wouldn't forget.

"I imagine that Kate jumped into Alcea's arms the second she got back," Reiner laughed, earning him a death glare from the Poison type enthusiast.

"Do you think she kissed Alcea's hand an everything?" Nikita wondered, the couple bonding over giving Kate the business.

"Something along those lines," Alcea laughed.

Kate's jaw dropped in shock. "Milady!?"

"Teasing, is it?" Alcea said again, smiling at her friend. Kate squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Alcea hadn't told her anything about her trip to the Orre Region, but whatever had happened she'd certainly become a lot more open. It was kind of weird.

"Guys! They're starting!" Cynthia said, practically hopping up and down in her seat.

A hush fell over the stadium as the lights dimmed. It was just for effect, of course, the sun was high in the sky. But at the same time, the three beauties who strolled onto the center of the arena wore large smiles on their faces bright enough to illuminate the entire thing themselves.

They were faces familiar to anyone in the student body.

Olivia stood at the head of the trio, flanked by Darla and Lila.

"Hi, everybody!" Lila called, waving eagerly at the crowd.

"We're SO glad you all decided to make it!" Darla grinned, flashing a thumbs up.

"Yes. I can't express how happy I am to see so many excited faces here," Olivia nodded. She didn't have the idol perkiness that defined the other two girls, but she held her head high with regal countenance as the Empress. "After so many of my fellow students were distraught over the early conclusion to our trip, I thought it was important to stage a special event to lighten things up."

"Oh, what event is that, Olivia?" Lila asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"It's the Academy Pokeathlon Competition!" Olivia announced, not sparing a glance for her fellow blonde. "A fun event where trainers get to compete side by side with their pokemon in a series of events! But that's not why we're here today, no!"

"That's right!" Darla agreed. "The Pokeathlon begins tomorrow, after all! We're a day early!"

"Whaaaaaaaaaat?" Lila asked, holding her hand over her mouth. "Then why did we all come here today?"

"That's simple, Lila," Darla laughed. She nodded to Olivia. "Why don't you tell them?"

"The reason we're here today is a simple one!" Olivia declared. "To kick off such a fun and spectacular event, I thought it would be important to have a great opening act. And that's why I called in a favor, and had my close personal friend Kanone Harker come to join us today!"

Kanone could not be described as "close" or "personal" in relation to the Empress, but it made a much better scene.

"Hello everyone!" Kanone greeted the audience with a wave as he stepped out onto the battlefield to the roaring crowd.

Immediately, Lila and Darla started fawning over him.

"It's SO amazing we get a trainer of your caliber to come by our school so often!" Lila gushed.

"Yeah, totally!" Darla nodded, her eyes practically flashing with hearts. "I can't wait to see you battle!"

"Oh, he's here to battle, Darla?" Lila gasped.

"That's right, Lila," Darla nodded. "Our special event today is an exhibition match Kanone has so kindly agreed to throw for us, isn't that right, Olivia?" She turned to the Empress for confirmation.

"You're absolutely correct, Darla!" Olivia nodded. "And that's why I'm here to introduce our challenger… Blake Harker, Kanone's own brother!"

The applause was significantly less intense when Blake stepped into the ring, but he didn't care. The only person in this stadium he could see right now was his brother.

"A battle between brothers?! That's so cool, right, Lila?" Darla asked her partner.

"You said it, Darla! But personally, I'm worried this match might be over too quickly! They're both such strong trainers, after all."

"That's a good point, Lila," Darla nodded, touching her finger to her chin and scrunching up her face in an exaggerated demonstration of thinking deeply.

"No need to worry about that," Olivia assured the girls with a smile. "Because Kanone's agreed to a special handicap for this match."

"A handicap?!" Both girls gasped at once, holding their hands over their mouths. "What kind of handicap?"

"Kanone here will only be using one pokemon!" Olivia announced, holding up her hand towards Kanone. "And the challenger will be using six! It's a test of pokemon might and mettle! Will Kanone be able to overcome the disadvantage of only having a single pokemon at his disposal and defeat the challenger? Or will Blake prove himself the victor? It's a tense match that has our hearts throbbing! I can't wait a second longer!"

"Me neither!" Lila wailed. "I want to get to the fight, like, now!"

"I'm with you there, Lila!" Darla nodded. "So let's not keep these two waiting! This match is going to be an exciting one, and we're right here for it!"

And with that, the three girls took a bow and left the battlefield, occupying the seats in the announcer's box.

Dakota squirmed in her seat. This was it, what she was waiting for!

"Are you ready?" Kanone asked, looking to his little brother.

Blake narrowed his eyes. "You'll keep your word, right?" He asked, making the audience wonder what he meant. Only a handful of people knew the greater stakes at play here.

"Absolutely," Kanone nodded. "Assuming you're able to win, of course!"

He flung a pokeball into the air, releasing his strongest pokemon.

"SAMUROTT!" Sammy roared, landing on the battlefield. The aquatic pokemon may have been light, but an immense pressure swept over the battlefield all the same as he asserted his dominance, letting out a fierce roar.

The audience went crazy.

"What's up with that Samurott?!" Akira asked, sitting upright in his seat. "Why does it look like that, so… menacing?"

His sentiment was shared by a lot of the audience, who were all confused about Kanone's pokemon. No one was sure what was going on.

"Kanone's chosen his Samurott, of course!" Olivia declared. "But she's looking a little different than normal, it seems."

"I'm confused," Lila frowned. "Why does his Samurott have those black shells, now?"

"It's a special breed of Samurott," Darla explained. "There are records stating that hundreds of years ago, Samurott were native to the land of Hisui, which Sinnoh was once called, and due to the harsher nature of the land, they were part Dark type!"

"That's right, Darla," Olivia nodded. "And it looks like Kanone's Samurott has inherited those tendencies now! I don't know how he did it, but he managed to awaken some sort of ancient power, and now his pokemon is stronger than ever!"

"So you mean it's part Dark type now?!" Lila gasped, her jaw dropping in mock surprise. "You can DO that?!"

"I wouldn't put it past someone like Kanone," Darla nodded.

"I'm sure we're all excited to see just how powerful Kanone's Samurott is now," Olivia said. "But don't forget, our challenger is a talented trainer in his own right! Even a menacing pokemon like that can have trouble beating six pokemon!"

"But it's so strong!" Lila said.

"That's right, it's definitely menacing," Darla agreed.

"That may be true," Olivia admitted. "But if Blake's opponent is that powerful, then it just means he needs to be careful about which pokemon he chooses to use! Blake's put together a team specifically for taking the Samurott down, so let's find out what pokemon he'll use first!"

"Who do you think he's going to use first?" Reiner wondered. Blake hadn't shared his strategy with any of them.

"Probably his Snivy or Galvantula," Nikita guessed. "It would be good to use a pokemon with a type advantage early."

"I think he'll use his Scizor," Kitty said. "I mean, it makes sense."

"Wouldn't he want to keep Weiss for a trump card?" Julia asked. "That's what I'd do."

"Against a pokemon like that, it might be better to come out guns blazing, though," Reiner noted. "Use your strongest pokemon to weaken your foe fast and all that, so his other pokemon can clean up. There's no right answer."

Julia glared at him. "Are you just saying that to disagree with me again?"

Reiner didn't answer.

"I think he'll use his Crawdaunt first! After all, Cory's super-duper powerful!"

"Marion?!" Sango sputtered in disbelief. Somehow, no one had noticed the tan girl sneaking in next to Alcea. The fishing enthusiast waved at her.

"Well, whoever he's going to use first, he's clearly thought it out," Maddi said, staring intensely at the battlefield. "We know that much, at least."

Blake threw out his first pokeball, officially starting the battle.

So the match with Kanone begins! Which of Blake's pokemon has he chosen first? This is going to be an important moment that will define the match! Blake can't afford to make any mistakes here if he wants to defeat his brother, he's got to give it everything he's got! Hopefully he'll be able to win, in order to learn everything he can about what happened in Agate Village.