Well, no reviews for the last chapter, but I won't let that get me down! This chapter probably won't get very many either, since it's very exposition and backstory-heavy, but this is some important information, so I hope you enjoy it, and please review!

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 76

Blake entered the hair salon, noting how nice it looked. There were different products lined floor to ceiling on the shelves and the walls were full-length mirrors, to admire the hair from all angles. There were enough stations to treat a dozen customers at a time, but there were neither customers or attendants in sight. The building was completely empty. Were they even actually open? Blake noted he was only in the first room. He stepped through a small archway that led to another room, then another, each as immaculate, and strangely empty, as the last. It was somewhat unnerving. It was like he was in a funhouse. Ayame and Celia trailed after him, staying at a distance. Finally, he reached the end of the chain of rooms, in front of the only wall that wasn't mirrored, instead made out of fine white brick. Built into the wall was a door marked "Private". Blake glanced back at Ayame, who nodded. He reached down and twisted the knob, the door swinging open to reveal a private suite behind.

"Welcome," a soft and melodious voice greeted him. There was an older girl seated in front of him in one of the private booths, reclining back in her chair. Instead of a school uniform, she wore a beautiful and elegant white and gold dress with a vaguely gothic style, the sleeves and collar lined in lace and buttoned to her neck. She had long, blonde hair that cascaded down her back in a well-maintained group of light curls. She had pale skin and clear blue eyes, her mature smile and calming air giving her the atmosphere of a doll.

"Are you the Empress?" Blake asked.

"That is my title, yes," she said, nodding. "But you may call me Olivia Himeko."

"Ah. So you're a princess." The Empress's immaculate face twitched a little at this comment, showing the first crack in her otherwise perfect exterior.

"…That may be my last name…" she said slowly, choosing her words deliberately, "but please do not mistake that as my position, please."

"As you command, princess," Blake said, bowing her mockingly, Olivia twitching again. Ayame was fuming as she glared at him, but Celia was holding her back.

"Listen, princess," he continued, curious as to what would happen if he could eventually get her to snap. Much to his disappointment, Olivia maintained her perfect composure in spite of her clear frustration. "I'm sorry to act so rudely, but your lady friends abducted me in the middle of a celebration for one of my friends. So, if you wouldn't mind, I would very much like to get down to business, so that I can get back to them and get some food."

Olivia considered this, smiling.

"Fair enough," she mused. "I like a man who's willing to get right into the thick of it. Well then, I'll put it simply. I've heard quite a bit about you, Blake, and what I've observed since you came to this school as shown that your skills are more than wanted among the ranks of my followers. I would like to extend the chance for you to join us."

"I'll pass," Blake said. "I'm not too interested in being a part of any sort of 'organization'."

"Oh? But you haven't even heard what I have to offer yet," she purred, licking her lips. She placed a hand on her knee, teasingly raising her skirt. "I guarantee it would be quite… worth your while…"

"Nah, I'm good," Blake said, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head. "I don't have much interest in staring at your crack-stained panties. A much better incentive would be seeing your girl Ayame in some bloomers, if I'm being perfectly honest."

"NOT A CHANCE!" Ayame shouted, before dropping silent at a glance from Olivia.

Olivia chuckled, dropping her skirt.

"Oh, quite brazen! I'm liking you all the more, Blake. Impeccable taste as well, I must say." Olivia glanced at Ayame, smiling. "An eye like yours with such a talent for discerning the quality in Aya's… assets… mm."

"Empress, I… I mean…" Ayame flushed, breaking her gaze.

"Well then, we have a bargain," Olivia said, snapping her fingers. "Aya, go change."

"Seriously?" Blake asked, surprised, but he wasn't necessarily protesting either.

"Seriously?!" Ayame was equally surprised, not exactly pleased at being presented up to Blake like a dinner platter.

"Seriously." Olivia stated, the softness of her voice not detracting from the weight of her statement. Ayame looked down dejectedly, and nodded.

"No, no, there's no need for that," Blake said, smiling. "As nice as the eye candy would be, I think it would only serve as a distraction."

He narrowed his eyes.

"We still have quite a bit to discuss, I'm sure.

Olivia's arrogant smile widened.

"Indeed."

Ayame breathed a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing. Celia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Now, on to the reason I called you here."

"Oh? I thought you were going to make me an offer to join you? And as I said, not happening."

"It's not as simple as that. I'm merely giving you an opportunity to join me. Think of it as… a test, of sorts. Simply demonstrate your talent for me. Should you be up to the level I expect, then you will pass."

"I'm guessing you didn't get told 'no' much as a child, did you?" Olivia's face hardened at that. Where before it was simple ticks, this was the first time Blake could see something really shaking the woman from her façade.

"What's the harm?" Olivia asked. "It's only a test. Something so simple should not trouble you? If you fail, then our business will be concluded. If you pass, and you are still uninterested, then you may go. Either way, there is nothing for you to lose by giving it a try."

"Nothing but time," Blake said. "I'm busy. I'm not interested in any sort of tests you have to offer."

"I see. Then you may go. I have nothing more to say to you." Olivia said. Her eyes were shining and she smiled a knowing smile. Blake's expression soured. That look on her face was that of someone who was holding all the cards.

"So if I want to hear what you have to say, then I have to pass this test of yours, huh?" Blake confirmed.

"Precisely."

"And this has to be done now? My pokemon exhausted themselves today. They don't have any strength left to fight. Whoever you want me to battle, it'll have to wait until-"

"Ah. You've misunderstood me, it seems," Olivia interrupted, waving her hand to dismiss his words. "I didn't call you here to measure your skill in battle. I have no interest in such barbaric affairs."

"Oh?" Blake said, his interest piqued by his confusion. "Then if you won't want to see my skill in battling, what am I doing here?"

"I'd have thought it would be obvious, based on where I arranged to meet you," Olivia said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Blake glanced around at the salon walls, his eyes narrowing.

"Well, now that we're on the same page, do I have your interest?"

"I'm surprised, that's all," Blake said, shrugging. "Most people wouldn't see me as someone to come to for hair styling tips."

"I'm not most people," Olivia chuckled. "You see, Blake, when it comes to the people I take under my wing, there is only one thing I care for. Beauty."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you."

"Indeed, your looks are only slightly above average. But beauty does not exist in only one form. The beauty of a pokemon performing on the stage, the beauty of a perfectly painted picture, even the beauty of a body like Aya's in motion, running down the track… I seek out people of talent. My empire is built on the quality of beauty and talent of people like Aya and Celia, and, perhaps, you. I think that you and I are very much alike, Blake. We come from… similar origins, as it were."

"Thank you for your kind words, but I'm really nothing special," Blake said.

"Oh, don't be modest, Blake," Olivia chuckled. "I have access to a decent… source of information into your talents. I believe that my hair is in good hands."

She smiled.

"…As you wish," Blake sighed, nodding in agreement. "I don't do this very often anymore, I'll have you know. You should feel lucky."

"I do, quite a bit," Olivia said, nodding. She leaned her head back, a content smile on her face, as Blake began to fill the washbowl. He gently reached out and began to lift her hair back, wetting it to make it easier to prepare.

"Starting so suddenly, without even a word!" Olivia said, surprised. "Won't you even ask me how I'd like my hair styled? I'd hate for you to give me something… unsuitable."

"You needn't worry about that," Blake said. "I pride myself on my ability to give people hair that suits them the best."

"Quite confident, I see, that's good," Olivia noted. "You must have quite a good eye."

"Not as good as you'd think," Blake said. "It's not my eyes that pay attention, it's my ears."

"Oh?"

"When I'm working with someone's hair, if they really want me to style it in a way that suits them the best, it helps for them to tell me a little something about themselves," Blake explained. "A story. So I can get to know them. Understand the kind of person they are. And come up with a style perfectly suited for them, and only them."

"Mm. I see. That sounds like quite a daunting task."

"As a gift for someone you care about…" he murmured, "it isn't daunting in the least."

"So are you here to take my confession?" Olivia asked, chuckling. "I suppose that's fine."

"Then, Blake, let me tell you a story."

"This story begins in the Galar region, with a young lady named Runa Himeko. She was a foreigner, born in the Sinnoh Region, but due to circumstances she immigrated to Galar to find work. But the Galar Region is famously intolerant of outsiders and foreigners. The only job she could find was in the house of the Evergreen Family, one of the oldest and richest of the old noble families in Galar. She kept her head down and did her work diligently, but one day she caught the eye of the future head of the house, Aaron Evergreen.

"He had grown infatuated with her due to her exotic beauty, but she would often rebuff his advances. She was no more than a maid, after all, and he was old nobility. She had no intention of just being a rich man's toy. While she enjoyed his kindness and his company, she knew her place and would reject him over and over, much to his constant frustration. It was not until she overheard the whispers of other members of the staff that she began to see him in a different light. Aaron Evergreen was in the prime of his life, and his family was very rich and successful; other wealthy families were eager to enter into a union with his. His father, the current head, received many letters requesting marriage meetings with daughters, sisters, and even granddaughters from families all across the region. Aaron refused them all, however. He even rejected a proposal from his childhood friend Angie, whose family was a close personal and business acquaintance of the Evergreens. No, Aaron had no interest in other women, he was totally smitten with Runa.

"It was then that Runa began to feel differently toward him. She wasn't some toy for his amusement. He would never throw her away. She accepted his feelings and they agreed to keep their relationship a secret for the time being, for both of them knew that his father would not allow such a thing. Runa should have known her place. She should have seen that there could be no happy ending coming from such a union. But she was young. She was in love. And that was what led to her to make her greatest mistake. Not long after they began, they were due for a surprise. Runa had gotten pregnant. This would not do. If any of it came to light, the scandal could ruin Aaron's reputation. Aaron, fool that he was, couldn't care less. In his stupidity, he confronted his father with the truth, and told him that he loved Runa, and wanted to marry her. His father threw his confession in the boy's face, and told him that he would not marry 'some nameless foreign whore'. He would marry Angie, for the good of their family and business. If he refused, he would be forced to leave the house, and abandon the Evergreen name forever.

"Aaron decided to leave that very night. He didn't care about his family, or about the money, he loved Runa and their unborn child, and would do whatever he could to provide for them. But Runa was not as foolish as her lover. Aaron was a man who had never worked a day in his life. He could not be counted on to provide for her, or their child, or even himself. If Aaron was cast out, then their future together would, more likely than not, end in misery. So Runa found herself with only two options. She would have to discard Aaron and his love, and beg him to marry the girl and start a family with her; remain in the household and become the head, and provide for her and their child in secret, even knowing that they could never openly be together again. Or… she could discard the child. This innocent life growing inside of her, free of guilt from their parent's horrible mistake, and things could return to how they were. Aaron would remain a 'bachelor' and she as nothing more than a maid… it was the choice that would allow them to stay together, but it was a choice she could not bring herself to make. That night, she went to Aaron's father, and got down on her hands and knees throughout the night to beg his forgiveness and pardon, to allow her and her unborn child to remain in the employ of the household, and be looked after. In exchange, she promised, she would never stand between Aaron and his duty to the family again. The head of the Evergreens, impressed by her resolve, agreed to care for his grandchild and treat it right. Certainly not as the heir to the family, of course, it was some bastard spawn of a maid. But the child would, at least, have a roof over their head and schooling provided for it, on the condition that the truth of its birth never leave the grounds.

"Aaron was brokenhearted when Runa told him icily that this was how it would be. But she told him her mind was made up; she would not be with him. Even if he would cast aside his family, she would not follow after him. She bade him to marry Angie and move past them, and start a real family. Reluctantly, Aaron agreed, and he married Angie in the following spring.

"Then I was born, not long after." Olivia paused. Blake had said nothing through the story, diligently tending to her hair.

"Surprised?"

"Somewhat," he admitted. "But it makes sense now how someone clearly from Sinnoh would be born with blonde hair and blue eyes."

"A mongrel bastard of nobility," Olivia chuckled. "Not quite the image of regality that a title such as 'Empress' would command, no?"

After her laughter ceased, Olivia resumed her story.

"For my first years in the household, I found myself content. Not long after I was born, the new lady of the house had given birth to a daughter of her own, and then a son the year after. So I had great playmates in my half-siblings. By the time I was five, my 'father' had become the head of the family, but at the time I only knew him as such. I was unaware of the connection that lay between us. He treated me like another member of the staff, not giving me so much as a second glance. I didn't find this odd, of course, as all I was was the daughter of one of the family maids. But things began to change when my mother grew ill. By that time, I had already begun schooling, already ventured out into the world. I knew that things weren't as peaceful as they seemed inside the walls of that great estate. My half-siblings were sent to fancy boarding schools, while I was sent to a public school for the commoners. That was where the difference between myself and all those around me became clear. While I may have inherited my father's hair and eyes, my features were still very much foreign, as you can no doubt see. And my surname was the same. My 'peers' would tease me constantly, and isolated me because I was different. School was horrific. I had no one and nowhere to go. Certainly, my life on the outside would be no better. My mother could scarcely work, and yet still we were not asked to leave. She was cared for and received the best treatments and doctors she could get. It was all so confusing. All this, just for a maid? I couldn't understand it at all back then, because my mother had never spoken a word. But no matter how good the doctors, no matter what they tried, my mother was gone before I even turned seven years old.

"When I received her personal affects, among them was the diary my mother had always written in. It was then that I discovered the truth I had never known. The truth about my mother… the truth about my father! It all made sense, and that made it hurt even more. My mother sacrificed everything for my father and for my happiness. But I… I wasn't happy. I was miserable. I hated my life and everything in it. I loathed my father, who would not even look at me. I envied my siblings, who received the love and care of a family that I never got. If I had never been born… then certainly my mother would have been happy. These were the thoughts swirling around in my young mind, the suffering guilt I so carefully tended to like a garden as I grew older. And not even my debut as a pokemon trainer offset this.

"By the time I turned ten, there were no more secrets between my father and I. He knew that I knew who he was, but he did not let it on in public. None of his other family members knew, however. I was still just Olivia, the maid's daughter, who the family was taking care of as an act of kindness and charity. I always wondered if my step-mother suspected, though. After all, I had as much of her husband's blood in my veins as her own children. The daughter of a maid from Sinnoh, with the eyes and hair of a Galarian beauty? But if she suspected, she never made it known to me. Because my father wanted to look after me, he gave me my first pokemon. But at the time I thought he wanted me to leave the house and go take the gym challenge. I tried, at first. I wanted to please him, to make him happy, to show him that I could be a daughter he could be proud of. I had lost my mother years ago, and with no real friends or allies, I clung to the idea of approval from my father desperately. Alas, I made a poor trainer. A truly pathetic excuse. Even with his endorsement, I couldn't win a single battle. Training and battling were both talents I sorely lacked. Unfortunately for me, in Galar, battling is everything. Pokemon matches are broadcast in massive stadiums. There is no use in Galar for a pokemon that can't battle, or a trainer that won't fight. I had disappointed my father once again.

"I tried whatever I could to become a better trainer. I studied famous trainers across the region to look for tips and tricks, and even trainers from other regions. But one, more than any other, caught my eye. A woman named Cynthia, the champion of the Sinnoh Region, where my mother was born."

Olivia opened one eye, staring up at Blake, who had paused.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing," Blake said, shaking his head, resuming his work.

Olivia continued to tell Blake about herself.

"I grew fascinated with Cynthia. I idolized her, I wanted to be like her. But more than that… I wanted to find a place where I could belong. And it had grown increasingly clear that the Galar Region was not that place. So I went to my father and told him that I wished to improve my skills by training in the Sinnoh Region. I figured he would be happy to be rid of me. I was partially right. He was glad that I found my own path, and agreed to pay my way and fund my stay. I was surprised. Rather than happy to be rid of me like the nuisance I thought I was, he seemed happy for me. I wondered… did my father really see me as no more than a nuisance? With that thought in mind, I boarded a plane and flew to my mother's homeland, seeking a place to belong.

"…In the end, though, I could not find it. I was as out of place in Sinnoh as I was in Galar. In Sinnoh, my blonde hair and blue eyes made me a rarity. It was like being put on display; I found I enjoyed the attention of my new peers in the school I attended, but it was only for a scant period. I was no more than a passing fancy for my classmates, and as someone who could barely speak the language, I found myself isolated once more. I was the 'funny foreign girl'. But I wasn't one of them. I was too much of a Sinnohian for Galar, and too much of a Galarian for Sinnoh. I was nobody. I belonged nowhere. Not even among my own family.

"I left school, and traveled the region for a short time, staying in hotels off my father's money, trying to become a better trainer. I enjoyed the thrill of winning, but I hated the battles themselves. Why, why did I have to fight like this to be accepted? Was there anything I could do? Anywhere I could go? What was I looking for? I didn't know. I just wanted to find somewhere where I could be accepted. It was then, staying in a hostel in a small town in the middle of nowhere, that my life changed forever. She was sitting eating a meal at a table by the window, a woman I recognized immediately. Cynthia, my idol. It took everything I had in me, but I mustered up the courage to greet her. She looked at me… she smiled… she asked me what my name was…"

A smile crossed Olivia's lips. It was a good memory for her.

"We got to talking. She spoke English remarkably well. She traveled the world in search of ancient ruins, she explained, and because of that she had grown to know quite a few languages. She told me quite a lot about herself, as well. She spoke fondly of her past as a former champion, her family back in Kalos, her husband, her handsome son, her adorable daughter… and the sweetest young boy rescued from an orphanage that she had taken in and loved as her own child."

Olivia glanced at Blake.

"Is there something wrong?"

"…" Blake said nothing. He rubbed his hands, smoothing out drying balm over his palms, and rubbed it into her hair.

"Even though I despised battling, I idolized your mother for the phenomenal trainer that she was. Far more magnificent than even her son, Kanone. But when I told her I wanted to be like her, she asked to see my pokemon. It only took a few glances, and a few pats on the head, and she told me what I already knew, and what I feared her saying. That I was unsuited for battling. That I couldn't reach even close to her level. I thought I would burst into tears. But then she said something that changed my life. She said she suspected that I might be more suited for something else, something I would never be able to find in Galar. She suggested I travel with her some, so she could help me find my path. I was overjoyed.

"I traveled with Cynthia for weeks, telling her about myself, and hearing stories about her adventures and her family. I learned that she was on an extended trip for research on a paper she was writing, and that she was glad she'd have the chance to help a lost child like myself while I was here. She brought me to Hearthome City, one of the greatest capitals of culture in the Sinnoh Region. And above all… the home to the Contest Dome.

"My first experience with Pokemon Contests was unreal. Human and Pokemon, performing together, as the center of attention, looked upon and cheered, celebrated for who they were instead of shunned. This. This had been what I had searched for. My own personal stage, somewhere I could stand and be looked upon, and idolized. Somewhere where my family and my lineage didn't matter, where I could just be myself, and put on a show like no one else ever could. I knew that no matter what, I would find my way to get on that stage, and showcase the greatness of my beloved pokemon without having to risk their injury. They could simply display their beauty and talent.

"That night, I set my sights on becoming a coordinator. The greatest in the world, and show my father that I could shine in my own way. Cynthia and I parted ways after that. But I promised her that I would be on stage someday. And when I did, I would invite her to my very first contest as a professional. I returned to Galar with my heart and confidence reborn, and worked to cultivate my relationships with others around me to become a whole new woman. And now, here I am.

My father's connections got me admitted here, and I became the woman I am today. I was certain that I would make Cynthia proud of me. But by the time I made it in… three long years ago, before I even had a chance to keep my promise to her… word reached me that there had been an accident."

"That's enough," Blake said quietly. "I don't need to hear anymore."

"Cynthia had gotten badly injured fighting against a wild pokemon. It was serious. It seemed that she had overexerted herself trying to protect her family from a particularly ferocious attack… She had been hospitalized, and had fallen into a coma. It broke my heart. Even now... she still hasn't woken up, has she? No change in her condition, isn't that right? So... once again… someone who meant so much to me had been lost. So when I heard that you were attending school here, Blake, the son of the woman I so deeply admired… I simply had to bring you to see me, you understand? Especially when I heard of your… talents."

"So that's my story," Olivia said, opening her eyes. "What do you have for me?"

"…I'm done," Blake said, running a comb through her hair one last time. "What do you think?"

Blake turned Olivia's chair to face the mirror, displaying her freshly dried and styled hair.

"You straightened it!" Olivia said, surprised. Her hair lay flat in an elegant and beautiful hime cut, the light blonde locks shimmering in the salon's bright lights. It was a simple, plain, traditional style, the look accentuated by only a single flowered hairclip holding back the left side behind her ear.

"Hearing your story was quite tragic," Blake said, frowning. "I guess you were right when you said we were similar. I also know what it's like… to feel like a stranger in my own house. And I also know what Cynthia was like… I'm glad she helped you find your way. This is my thanks for that. I haven't tended to hair like yours since she… you know."

Olivia nodded solemnly.

"You've lived your life doubting yourself, unable to find a balance between the two sides of who you are. Part of you wants to be Galarian, like your father, which is why I decided to leave your hair the color it was, rather than dyeing it. At its core, your roots are essential to the woman you became. Leaving your natural color shows the effort you've made to embrace your past, rather than run from it. I left it long, to demonstrate the long road you've had to walk to get this far and find who you are, and straightened it as a sign of you finally having a clear path to reach your goals ahead. No twists or turns, you know what you want and how to get it. But the style, the accentuation… you are, in the end, as Sinnohian as you are Galarian, and you shouldn't reject that part of you, either. Sinnoh was where you found your dreams, where you were reborn… so that's what I think should define your own unique style."

Blake paused, letting his words sink in. Olivia traced her flat bangs and the hair clip, a smile crossing her lips.

"Thank you, Blake. It's quite beautiful. I made the right choice in coming to you. I hope I can count on you from here on out?"

"I already told you, I have no intention of joining you and your little empire," Blake said.

"I see… that's a pity," Olivia said, looking down, clearly disheartened but maintaining her prestigious visage. "Thank you all the same. You may go."

Blake nodded, turned, and began to walk away.

"Oh, and thank you," Olivia called after him. "It was a great joy… talking to you about Cynthia. When those we care for are gone… sharing our memories of them is a way to keep them alive in our hearts."

"Yeah," Blake said, pausing. "But she isn't gone yet."

"I see."

"I told you I wouldn't join your group," Blake said, glancing back at her. "But I wouldn't mind coming back every now and then… to maintain that hairstyle of yours."

"Yes," Olivia said, her face brightening. "And perhaps… could we talk some more about Cynthia?"

"Yeah… I'd like that," Blake said, nodding, smiling for the first time in since he'd heard her story. He stepped past Ayame and Celia, giving Ayame a wink and receiving a revolted eye-roll in response. He took out his phone and called Cynthia.

"Hey, guys, sorry it took so long. You still at the restaurant? I'm on my way back."

Well now. That's something quite interesting to find out about Blake and Kanone. So Kanone is the champion Cynthia's son… Suddenly his cheating with harmonia makes a heck of a lot more sense. Stupid scummy A.I. IVs.