A Champion's Path
Chapter 1: Weiss Schnee "The Second Daughter"
"Magnezone, light screen!" I shouted, cowering behind the floating UFO pokemon as the opposing houndoom growled a fiery reply.
Somehow, the mystical, purple shield went up before the enemy's flamethrower could collide with my borrowed pokemon. A speedy magnezone and bulky houndoom? Father's pokemon certainly were uniquely trained.
"Honestly, Weiss…" Scoffed the white haired and suited man across the pristine, silver sparring arena, "Of all the techniques…"
True, it was perhaps a bit late to conjure a light screen, but seeing how Magnezone shrugged the scorching heat only further galvanized my motive.
"Once more, Houndoom." Father pointed my direction, "Flamethrower!"
"Mirror Coat!" I ordered.
Magnezone tensed its metal body, becoming covered in a reflective skin of psychic energy. An orange jet of flame rushed forth from Houndoom's snarling maw, only to be drank and absorbed by Magnezone's defensive posture. After a split second, the steel and electric type pokemon launched a lavender blast of stored power, its body returning to standard coloring in the same breath.
"Hmph." Knowing the attack was unavoidable, I crossed my arms confidently.
Upon contact, however, the beam simply disappeared! It didn't add even a single iota of momentum to move Houndoom in the slightest. Needless to say, I was frozen.
"Rawwwrrrr!!" The fire and dark type creature thundered a fearsome roar.
"But...but…" I was completely lost, "Why didn't…?"
"I command Magnezone to follow your every directive and this is how you use him?" Father grimaced, "Defensive play is unbecoming of a Schnee."
"Based on Houndoom's injuries-" I recounted with measured enthusiasm, "I knew a Mirror Coat would-"
"A psychic technique, dear daughter." Father interrupted, adjusting his sleeves just before yelling, "Has no effect on a dark type!"
Of course…
"In my calculations…" I tugged at my dress's edge and felt the scales of my tail reflexively wrap around my ankle, still length to spare, "It seems I forgot."
"All these years and still you find new ways to disappoint and disgust me." He spat, "Winter never made rookie mistakes like yours these past years. She is also free of your…animalistic affliction. Truth be told, I'm overjoyed to be rid of you. If Beacon accepted fresh charges prior to the age of sixteen, I'd have been rid of you much sooner."
His words dug deep, he knew mentioning my unhidable faunus trait and Winter's exploits would wound me. Afterall, perfect little Winter overcame the mental strain of her first pokemon before turning sixteen; a diamond in the rough sort of trait exemplified by prodigious young hunters and huntresses. Father turned and headed for the exit.
"You forget far too much, you're in need of a permanent reminder." He coldly continued, grasping the door handle, "Houndoom, you will carry this out in my stead."
My eyes went wide as the beast nodded his head and started toward me. I looked to the magnezone that had just shielded me and saw he was hovering after his true master.
"Nothing too drastic, you understand; a simple scar will do. Use your judgment and put it wherever you desire." Houndoom released a short howl in response, fire escaping in tandem, "She'll grow from this."
When the door slammed, Houndoom raised a foreleg and flexed his claws. I stood perfectly still, inner being terrified and body covered with sweat. Then, I shut my eyes and waited for it to be over.
Just how much have you learned since that day, five months past?
The room was cold. The air, still. It was with a heavy sigh that I leaned to peer out the window of my father's private jet.
"Attention." A stern female voice suddenly begged for my regard, projecting from the speaker above me, "Glacier 12 will touch down at Beacon Academy in forty minutes, Miss Schnee."
Well, one of his private jets, anyway.
"Affirmative." I replied, changing positions so my white-scaled reptilian tail could stretch out a moment, it reached the length of my leg twice over and was thick as my arm…no, thicker. I sighed.
The racist remarks of low-class ruffians couldn't be any more biting than Father's, could they?
Watching the many textured clouds from below, their white hue and solid, varying shapes reminded me of the snowy mountains in Atlas. It was normal to be a little nervous, was it not? Then again, what did I have to be nervous of, other than the obvious?
I'd read numerous sets of books on the many subjects pertaining to all things pokemon: aura, breeding, bonding, nurturing, training, and of course, battling. Furthermore, just how many other students have had the opportunity to practice with such esteemed pokemon as those wielded by my frustrating father and spectacular sister? Of course, I'd also felt firsthand just how deadly they could be. Touching a finger to my left eye and caressing Houdoom's scar, the nerves returned.
DING-DING*
Oh, what's this?
Regard drawn to my scroll, I saw it read 'Breaking news'. Perhaps it was the boredom. Either way, I lazily tapped the holoscreen.
"Breaking news!" A monotone woman's voice spoke, doing her best to emote, "As of yesterday evening, Roman Torchwick is behind bars! While robbing a rather affluent Schnee Vitamin Company establishment, a fifteen year old girl, Ruby Rose, decided it was her civic duty to intervene. Now, an interview recorded minutes after his arrest."
Curiosity burning at the mention of a Rose, I tapped the devices 'video' toggle.
"Wooo!!" A girl's voice excitedly hooped, the feed showing a deserted and cracked city street.
"Miss Rose? Miss Ruby Rose?" An off screen man beckoned, "A moment of your time, please?"
"Oh, definitely." The youth replied, stepping into frame.
Adorned in a bright red cloak and short black dress, she flashed an absolutely melting, perfect smile.
"Quite the heroic display." The reporter marched next to her, thrusting the mic closer.
"Like my mom always says-" Ruby began only to be cut off by a piercing squawk, "Get down here, Cres, it's picture time!"
Shouting above her head, a large corvisquire fluttered down and landed beside her. It's feathers were whitish grey and gave the faintest hint of sparkle. Towering over the girl, she giggled and climbed onto the creature's back.
"This girl here is my partner for life!" Ruby chirped, "Crescent!"
"A splendid one at that!" The reporter beamed, "You mentioned your mother? What would she say about all this?"
"Want me to call her?" Ruby devilishly raised an eyebrow and produced her scroll.
"No, dear." He chuckled, "I only meant-"
"Yeah, yeah, she always says-" Ruby cleared her throat and forced out a deeper voice, "Remember, Little Rose, always do the right thing." She then chuckled, "I try my best."
Her smile was infuriating and yet also somehow pleasing. It was...infuriatingly pleasing.
"And what about your corvis-uh, your Crescent?" The reporter asked, pointing, "Aren't you a bit young to-"
"She was just a tiny rookidee when I bonded with her last year!" Ruby enthusiastically recounted, "In fact, Mom says I could probly handle a second pokemon but she doesn't want me to get too far ahead of everyone else at Beacon! Really, I-"
Rather fervently, I smashed the holographic audio toggle. Watching the red haired girl's mouth move and arms gesture silently atop her flying type pokemon filled me a strange sensation.
Another prodigy...
No, I wouldn't. I simply couldn't. There wasn't a single smidge of unease in my entire body. I was sure of it.
--
Crisp, clean, and moist; Finding the air quality on Vale Plateau to my liking, I straightened my posture and pushed the white hover cart that carried my many suitcases on down the stone walkway. I wasn't surprised to see a half-dozen other private crafts of shimmering obsidian, glittering sapphire, and even one possessing a brilliant earthy brown hueing.
In addition, whole herds of students were stepping off of two scarlet transports when an explosion erupted overhead. Head whipped to the sky, I saw splotches of black smoke dissipating while a cadre of icy spears burst open a creamy cloud and fell for the dock.
"Gahh!" I and several other onlookers squealed, diving for cover as the four-foot frozen projectiles pierced the concrete with ease.
"Coco Adel!!! Velvet Scarlatina!!!" A woman bellowed, hidden behind a crowd of students, "Detention for both of you!!!"
Scanning my sight all across the clouds yielded no results; whoever they were, they were gone now. Returning my regard to the task at hand, I began to push into the crowd.
"Freshman! All first years to me, please!" Another woman called, her voice smooth as silk; calming, "All freshman must go through me, please!"
Knowing I was in the right place, a fruity scent entered my nostrils. It took no genius of deduction to locate the source, either.
"Nahh, it just isn't warm enough up here." A tall girl with an extreme amount of thick, curly blonde hair was speaking, "That's why I'll nab me a fire type like Coco Adel's charzard! It'll be sick, trust me."
"I feel warm is far gone." I interjected, "This place could do well with a thick cold front."
"Geeez." The tall girl sighed, already preparing to high-five a short brunette boy, "And where are you from? The North Pole?"
"Near enough, actually." I replied, smiling politely, "I'm from Atlas."
"Well, congrats, girlie." She clasped my shoulder and shook me playfully, "But it ain't getting any colder here on the Plateau. Get used to it."
Clearly eyeing my uncomfortable expression as well as something over my shoulder, she quickly released me.
"Sorry." She chuckled, "I'm a 'hands-on' kinda girl. Name's Yang." She nudged the short boy, "This lil twerp is Oscar! He's my lil brother."
"H-hi there." The shy brunette managed.
"I'm Weiss." I replied, exchanging handshakes with the pair, "Weiss Schnee."
"Huh?" Oscar's dark eyebrows leapt upward.
"Hold up, like Winter Schnee?" Yang stepped closer, inspecting my features, "I didn't know the Schnee's had a second daughter."
"That's because-"
"Or that you would be a faunus! Neat!" She went on.
Flinching at her loud declaration, I centered myself with a deep breath.
"Well, you see-"
"Oh, you're one of Jacques's nieces, right?" Yang punched one hand into the other, "Yeah, but that's so cool you get to say you're a Schnee, though."
"No, listen." I tried again, diligently clearing my throat to reach a louder speaking volume.
"Students!" A voice like shattering glass quickly garnered our attention.
"Wahhhhh!!!" Yang yelped.
Clutching just a hair more dignity, I subdued my embarrassingly equal urge to shriek. Peering past her muscled shoulder, I glimpsed a sun-tanned woman wearing a long blood-red dress and jet-black hair. Seated behind an excellently carved darkwood desk, she had a bit of fury in her orange eyes as she looked each of us over.
"Please don't dawdle." The woman spoke, voice now smooth as silk, "We have a large freshman class this year, boys and girls. Please, step forward."
It was then that I connected the overly harsh voice from before and this alluring woman were one and the same.
"Who's that?" Yang leaned over, partially shielding her mouth.
"Sure thing, Prof F." An orange haired boy spoke with noted haughtiness, elbowing another boy nearby.
"You'll find yourself with an F if you don't change that tone, Mr Winchester." She threatened, "And that's Professor Fall to you."
"Yeah, uh, I mean, yes ma'am." The boy replied, shrinking for Beacon's towering archway doors.
Reluctantly, Oscar was forced forward by his sister.
"And who do we have here?" Professor Fall smiled wide, already scribbling onto a thick notebook, "Could it be, the Xiao Longs?"
"Yes, uh, ma'am." Yang fumbled, adjusting the straps of her large backpack, "Yang and Oscar."
"I was a great friend to your father, you know." She went on, tone turning distinctly somber, "His passing weighed heavy on many of us here at Beacon and even across Remnant as a whole. He was well loved."
"Thank you, Professor." Oscar spoke, bowing his head, "We miss him a lot."
Yang said nothing at that. Feeling tension abound, I elected not to mention the passing of my own mother as a means to comfort her. Was that even correct? At the least, it would convince her that I understand her pain…right?
"Were you a friend of my mom's?" The blonde finally spoke, raising her head.
"Not...precisely." Professor Fall broke eye contact, "All the same, please give Raven my best. I do wish her well."
"We will, ma'am." Oscar nodded with conviction.
"Thank you, children." The Professor finally put her gaze upon me, "And Weiss Schnee! What a pleasure-"
Suddenly, whoosh of flame split the sky, revealing a charzard and its rider. The very next instant, another pair burst into view; a togekiss carrying its trainer as well. Pangs of pink light erupted overhead, subsequently followed by a flurry of fire. It was exceedingly faint, but I thought I'd heard laughter coming from above.
"These two…" Professor Fall growled, glowing bright orange from head to foot as her aura energized.
Next, a piece of her fiery glow leapt from her body and materialized into a heatran. A second followed and hastily took the shape of a latias.
"Amber, blow them from the sky." Professor Fall coldly commanded, "Vernal, catch them."
The heatran squealed and launched a volley of attacks like no other; circular blastwaves of fire. An explosion soon sounded, bringing out scattered cries from those unaware. The very next second, the latias was zipping upward into the clouds.
"And Weiss Schnee!" The Professor's tone suddenly all cheer, "When Winter became the champion, I was more than proud. She was a favorite student of mine, you understand."
"Yes, ma'am." I answered, feet together, tail low, and hands clasped behind my back in a show of impeccable etiquette, and yet I still struggled to peel my regard from the smoke ridden sky, "She spoke of you on several occasions."
Groans soon met with my ears. Turning, I saw latias return with two girls, levitating them with its telekinesis.
"Sign here, you three." Professor Fall pointed to her notebook, "Now, be on your way." She moved her glare to the pair of girls before her, "Coco Adel and Velvet Scarlatina…starting this semester with a month of detention seems appropriate…"
Needing no prodding other than seeing the devastation her heatran was capable of, I ushered us away. We made it just out of earshot when Yang began to speak, but a shrill noise stopped her.
"Yaaaaaaannnnnnnng!"
A high pitched voice came careening from above, accompanied by the caws of a bird pokemon. After a flash of light, Ruby Rose landed in a rather pretentious fashion.
"It's Ruby Rose!" A boy whispered much too loudly.
"Can she get us Summer's autograph?" A girl wondered.
"Screw that noise!" Another refuted, "Ruby's clearly the new hotness!"
Back facing the newly arrived red-haired girl, Yang locked eyes with me and cringed.
"Hey, Ruby…" She gradually greeted, glacially pivoting to meet her, "Mom said you'd be coming." Yang's voice became a scantily audible mumble, "Two years younger than me, but whatever..."
"Well, my mom told me to give you this." Ruby unslung an apple hued backpack and dug into it.
"Let me guess…" Yang crossed her arms.
"Cookies!" Ruby shouted, tossing a small package forth.
"Yeah." Yang caught it, sighing, "Tell Summer me n' Os said thanks...I guess."
"Sure, sure, whatever." Ruby waved her away, striding off to a grouping of students pining for her attention.
"You know her?" I posed, tapping Yang on the bicep.
"Who, Ruby?" Yang gestured, awaiting my head nod, "Unfortunately, we're cousins. Come on, Os."
"Wait!" I called, "Where are you going?"
"Look, that Little Red Spoiled Brat really saps my good mood." She yawned, "And Summer...we don't even like cookies! That's a Ruby thing!"
"I see…" Speaking quietly, I remembered my luggage.
"Summer is…" Oscar stammered, rubbing his palms together.
"Can-it, Os." Yang interrupted, "Don't even think about saying something mean or else you'll short circuit. Leave that to the pros."
"It was...nice to meet you both." I smiled.
"Hey, listen, Weiss, maybe we'll see you inside, alright?" Yang offered, "If not, I'll see you 'round somewhere, k?"
"Of course." Waving, I gathered my things, including scooping up one bag with my tail, and made for the entrance.
--
After being briefly herded by a skinny and eccentric stringy black-haired man, I next found myself and a whole sea of others gathered tightly into a rounded auditorium; its walls and domed ceiling an off-green coloring. On the stage raised before us stood a prim and proper fellow bearing a most manicured mustache and impeccable posture. He then bent and pulled a microphone stand from the ground, no doubt some hidden compartment.
"Excuse me, students." The man spoke.
His voice was charismatic but his eyes narrowed and fluttered critically about the crowd, even landing on me.
"I am Doctor Watts, professor of doubles and support tactics here at Beacon." The mustachioed man continued, "And it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you all!" He paused for a slight rumble of applause, "As you well know, you're all here to learn the craft of pokemon training and become hunters and huntresses." Doctor Watts relented for another bit of clapping, "But I am merely a vessel by which to communicate the teachings of someone far greater. Allow me to introduce Headmistress Salem!"
The cheering was growing ever louder, even more so when the so-mentioned, grey-haired woman meandered out onto the stage. Her black dress dragged the floor and her skin was supremely pale, even by Atlas's sunless standards…and this was Vale! She moved slowly, perhaps because of her advanced age or maybe she simply wasn't in any rush. Doctor Watts handed the mic over with a bow and swiftly stepped away while the old woman addressed us with the heartfelt, close-mouthed grin a grandma might display. Quickly glancing to my sides, I saw how boys and girls alike appeared to worship her.
"Pokemon." Headmistress Salem boomed authoritatively, "Are the single most dangerous force on this entire planet." The crowd became silent, "Their magical, cellular makeup is something we will never understand or comprehend and their ability to destroy is unparalleled." She took a breathy inhale, seemingly winded, before stepping closer to the stage's edge, "But they need not be feared. All of you before me possess the rare gift of aura. It is the same energy field that protects every single pokemon from harm. With it in hand, you will form bonds and partnerships that are quite literally lifelong. Their joy, sorrow, and thoughts will become something very similar to your own, just as well, so will their pain."
It was as if her brief silence sent with it a subtle and invisible shockwave, I flinched as the force washed over me. Judging by the serious and stunned expressions of those near, I wasn't the only one.
"Your pokemon companions will not be enough, however." The Headmistress began again, commanding complete quiet, "You all undoubtedly know the name: Elite Four." She paused once more, taking a deep breath, "Though Winter Schnee reigns above them as the current Champion, the Elite Four are the most powerful hunters on the planet. They are wholly dedicated both to the peace of people and pokemon but also to each other. It is they who you will aspire to be like, not the former."
Headmistress Salem stopped, heaving heavily. Doctor Watts rushed onto the stage and pressed a glass of water to her hand. Drinking it fully, the old woman stood tall with visually renewed vigor.
"As such, you will be divided into your own groupings of four and taught according to your talents and your needs." The Headmistress gestured to the exits at either side of the stage, "Beyond these doors, you will obtain your first pokemon. Fret not, this is a controlled environment and most creatures within are quite young. After forming your first bond, the very next human you make eye contact with will become your permanent team member, your other half in all doubles events, and your bunkmate. It is in your best interest to choose wisely. That is all."
The moment Headmistress Salem completed her speech, the aforementioned doors swung open, letting in a breeze of fresh soil and growing, green things. Before I'd even decided what to do, those adjacent began pushing past me and rushing toward to our shared objective, hooping excitedly all the while. As their shoving quickly became more intense, I curled my tail close and soon relegated myself to the outside edge of the crowd to avoid further contact. Feeling the scar suddenly burn over my left eye, I cupped a hand over it and winced.
Despite Headmistress Salem's warnings, they fling themselves face-first into danger. No, they don't know pokemon like I do.
As the first years finally thinned, I rejoined them and took a series of practiced deep breaths. She said that most would be young; that did little to comfort me. Upon penetrating the doorway, I was greeted with a fantastic and flowing forest. Feeling my boots slightly sink into the moist ground, I was pushed off balance by a rough hand.
"Move it!" Some boy ordered, running past me, "Freak."
Deflating a bit at that, I allowed time to elapse a bit and eventually, I was alone with not but my thoughts and the sounds of the greenscape. Peace coming over me, I was newly resolute to accomplish my task. Stepping over tree roots reaching above the ground and hopping nimbly over muddy puddles, my sight was ever prowling. I hadn't seen a pokemon yet, but the further I went, the better I heard the laughter of the others. Clearly, this was fun for them. Then, a twig snapped.
"Who's there?!" I demanded, catching a glimpse of some flying type disappear into the treetops.
"Oh, it's you." A high pitched voice spoke from behind, "You were with my cousins earlier, right?"
Turning a bit too fidgety, I saw Ruby Rose stood near a large trunk. Though a small pond separated us, she leapt up to low hanging branch and propelled herself across.
"I'm Ruby Rose." She giggled, slapping her thigh, "But let's face it, everyone knows who I am."
"That's...true." I slowly agreed, taken aback by her brash personality and equally so actions, "I'm-
"Well, I guess we're partners." Ruby decided, clapping her hands.
Partners with the strongest huntress in the class…
As I pondered the boons of such an arrangement, I found my eyes peering into the shorter girl's silver irises a smidge too hard.
"Wait." I said, shaking off my stupor, "I have yet to form my first bond."
"Huh?" Ruby reeled, expression puzzled, "But you're Weiss Schnee, right?"
"You know me...how?" I inquired.
"Uh, because Winter talks about you, duh!" Ruby pointed to her head, "Your sister lives at the Mantle Plateau with the Elite Four, you know, where my mom, 'The Champion Who Never Lost', lives?"
"Right, I...hadn't considered-"
"Holy shit." Ruby laughed, hugging her gut, "You're as worthless as they say, huh? And what's with the lizard tail? Winter doesn't have one. You sure you're a real Schnee?"
Frozen in place by her words, I wanted badly to summon a rage of counter-comments. Unfortunately, she was the prodigy that everyone seemed to adore. Worse, she was right.
"Got nothing to say?" Ruby verbally prodded, I could scarcely see her smug expression in my side vision, "Whatever. I gotta find a real partner. You know, someone who can handle pokemon? Later, loser."
Hearing her skip away while humming some tune, I fumed with hidden anger and sprinted deeper into the forest. Tree trunks passed me by as my sight scanned for the most powerful pokemon I could possibly locate.
I'll show her...I'll show them all, even Father! First, I-
Inner monologue shattered, I felt my feet become tangled and watched helplessly as my face flattened a patch of thin grass. Groaning and simultaneously retching, I wiped the dirt and grime from my person.
"Loooo!"
Circling my eyes around, I spotted a lone lotad. It's own regard fixed on me, I sat up to a kneel and gradually crawled toward it.
"Here, you." I said in my best, soothing voice, "Wanna come closer?"
It continued staring, seemingly accepting my advance.
"That's it." I cooed, stretching my hand forward.
The lotad twitched, sniffing at my fingers.
"Looooo!" It screeched in my face, lunging straight into my chest.
"Bleh!" A coughing fit seized me, having the wind knocked from my stomach, "J-just-"
It was no good. Aura kept serious injuries from occurring, but it wouldn't fix everything. Just as I rolled over to catch my breath, the lotad pelted my backside with a barrage of water bullets. Feeling my clothes tear, I rolled three of four more times before jumping to my feet and sprinting away. Passing innumerable tree trunks, I heaved a moment and inspected my welts. It had even hit my tail as well.
This will certainly sting in the morning.
Just as I considered this fact, I spied a bit of movement through a patchwork of lustrous, pine bushes. Carefully inching closer, I was able to distinguish the orange hueing and long snout of a cufant. It appeared docile, peacefully munching on an assortment of berries.
Determination flooding forth, I snuck ever nearer. It turned to see me once, but happily returned to its meal. This was it: I reached and put a hand on its back, flexing my aura all the while. Upon meeting with my body's blue glow, the cufant's own green colored aura manifested in response. A section circling my hand began to change and match my own when I suddenly realized it was looking at me with rage in its brown eyes.
"Cuuuu!" It roared, stomping the ground.
The soil fractured and quaked, shaking my legs fiercely. Feeling strength desert my lower limbs, I attempted a hasty escape. Diving out of the Bulldoze's range, I rolled over and found the cufant bringing its foreleg down on me. Focusing aura the best I possibly could, I deflected it with my right arm. A snap followed.
"Gahhh!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, pain shooting throughout like electricity, "Ohhh, fuck. Fuck!"
Agony consumed me. Writhing about in the dirt for an undefined amount of time, tears blocked all sense of sight. Gingerly, I forced my good arm from cradling my broken one to wipe my eyes clean. Unsurprisingly, there was no one rushing to my aid. Of note, however, was the absence of the offending cufant.
Father was right. Ruby's right. Everyone was! I can't do this…
Singling out the most attractive looking seat nature could offer, I whimpered over and planted my rear directly on top of it. The sanctity of my dress was far beyond salvage, anyway. Clutching my hurt limb tightly, I wasn't certain how bad it was. Closing my eyes and curling into a ball upon the mossy stump, I had no defense against the rampant overflow of moisture from my eye sockets. I wondered how long the professors would let me linger in torment before arriving to retrieve and declare me a failure.
A soft clicking sound emanated to my right. Ignoring it, I sobbed and wished for whatever it was to put me out of my misery. Again, the clicking noise sounded. Additionally, I felt a nudge against my hip.
"G-go away, w-w-whoever or whatever y-you are." I managed, whimpering all the while.
Quiet returned, though it was vanquished shortly after it began.
click! click! click!*
Groggily raising my head, I unobscured my vision and saw a white caterpie-like creature. A pokemon I wasn't familiar with, its body was covered in pointed yet dulled spikes. It looked upward and met my gaze, rubbing its two tiny mandibles against one another.
click! click! click!*
"Just what do you want?" I inquired of the creature, "If you've come to pummel me, please don't waste my time. Aim for this:"
Pointing to my head to make sure the white pokemon understood, it tilted its head and began to slither back down the stump I sat upon.
"Good riddance." Snarling, I replaced my skull between my knees, wrapped my tail around me, and prepared to begin crying again.
click! click! click!*
With a sniffle, I found the mysterious white pokemon again perched beside me. Sitting between us was a pair of berries. Each had lemon yellow skin and reddish-orange spots. They were known for their sweet taste and high nutritional value.
"Sitrus berries?" I questioned, still reeling in pain, "Wasted on me."
The little pokemon gripped one berry and shoved it into my lap. Then, it grabbed the second and began working its way onto my lap, pushing my legs down and tail out of its way.
"Really?" I rolled my eyes, only to subsequently wince with pain, "Fine, fine."
Relenting, I bit into the sweet tasting morsel and realized I hadn't eaten all day. Starting conservatively, I swiftly and voraciously devoured the thing. It was by no means cured, but the extreme agony in my right arm had subsided by a large margin. The white worm pokemon was still feasting. It seemed transfixed on me.
"So...you wouldn't happen to desire being the partner of someone like me, would you?" I asked, licking the loose juices from my lips.
click! click! click!*
"You sure about that?" I clarified, examining it closely, "Do you understand how weak I am? I'm Weiss Schnee, the second daughter that no one even knows exists."
click! click! click!*
Finished with its food, the worm pokemon crawled closer to my face, nearly pushing me over backwards.
"But I don't have even a single clue what species you are!" I harped, putting my good arm around the creature, "Is that okay?"
click! click! click!*
"Fine, fine!" I sighed, "How about a nickname? Let's see, my grandfather had an articuno called Myrtenaster. Sound enticing?"
The worm shook its head in reply.
"Okay, I get it." I giggled, "Too many syllables. Well, then how about Myrtle?"
click! click! click!*
It blinked and clicked rapidly all at once.
"Very well, Myrtle." Nodding approvingly, I realized just how giddy this tiny pokemon was making me, "Now, let us become one."
click! click! click!*
Flexing my damaged ice blue aura, I placed a hand on Myrtle's head and focused. The worm's own aura manifested as a bright white glow, but quickly and completely transformed to match my own. Myrtle's entire body then dematerialized and joined with me. Of all the sensations, there was nothing like this one. All the reading I had done on the subject could never have prepared me for the bliss of combining minds with such a kind and selfless being as Myrtle. I could immediately and fully understand her. Ah! She was a girl! Her thoughts told me as much.
Alright, let's finish this initiation.
Next I knew, confidence boomed deep inside me. I had no idea from what hidden cavity it suddenly poured from and I didn't care to find out. Carrying my broken arm with the other, I marched in search of another human. Father was just about to be proven wrong. Moving through the forest at a renewed, swift pace, I began to barely pick out the haughty laughs of a girl.
It couldn't be her…
*click! click! click!*
Behind me…?!
Spinning on one boot, I saw a rather randy hoot-hoot diving from the tree tops.
"Go, Myrtle! Powder Snow!" I ordered, prepared for evasive action.
A formless blob of ice blue aura leapt from my body and became my new companion in an instant. She opened her mandibles and out blew a gust of frigid air, specks of sparkling snow fluttering throughout.
"Hooooot!" The opposing pokemon collided with the icy breeze, crying in pain.
Clearly satisfied, the tiny spherical bird quickly spirited itself away, chirping incessantly as it went.
"Your ice half certainly comes in handy." I praised, bending to extend my good arm, "Come on!"
Myrtle clicked and crawled up onto my left shoulder. I had already proven Father wrong, I had a pokemon of my very own! True, the road to Champion was shaping up to be one of extreme length, but with our minds united, Myrtle and I were ready for the challenge. Now, there was just one small matter remaining to finish the day.
Creeping as quietly as I could, I followed the girlish grunts and hoops. A loud squawking accompanied; that was a good sign. Along the way, I spied Oscar Xiao Long walking beside a whimsical looking short girl with pink and brown hair. Other pairs passed me by as well, not batting a single eye. Ignoring them, I trudged onward. Finding a five-foot tall wall of thick bushes, I could just narrowly glimpse the scenery beyond. Scenery, it absolutely was. It was as if god herself had arranged for such an encounter.
Just past the obstinate vegetation was none other than Ruby Rose! Standing fast, she directed her grey-feathered corvisquire to attack a growling bewear. The gusts sent her black dress and red cloak swirling about her. I truly hated admitting it, but Ruby Rose was positively cool.
click! click! click!*
"What do you mean, you like her?" I turned my head to address Myrtle with a whisper, still perched on my shoulder, "Didn't you see my memory of her? She's a nuisance."
click! click! click!*
"Yes, her talents are undeniable." I admitted, refocusing my sight on the red-headed girl.
click! click! click!*
"What do you mean, where am I looking?" Scoffing, I saw the little worm was pleased, "Yes, her appearance is...sufficient. Hey, don't place strange notions in my head!"
click! click! click!*
Myrtle continued laughing at me as a devilish grin laid claim to my face and I felt spite spike within me. It would be a simple thing to now bind myself to her. Her, who had just hours past so brazenly insulted me and took pleasure in the act! Yes, the ironic humor was heavy on me as I moved around the bushes.
You're mine, Ruby Rose.
"Hey, faunus girl." A male voice sounded from behind.
It was reflexive. It was the result of an afternoon of pummeling. It was not what my heart yearned for. Despite all this, I spun to face him.
"You got a pokemon, right?" The boy waited briefly for confirmation, towering over me with bright orange hair, "You look kinda...tore up. Hey, is your arm okay?"
Among other habits, Father had instilled in me that Schnee's never shy away from eye contact when speaking with someone. I glanced in horror from his brown irises to the tiny durant that clung to his shin.
Oh, curse the affluence of my upbringing!
"You mighta heard of me, or at least maybe my mom...I'm, uh, I'm Cardin Winchester." The boy introduced himself with a nervous chuckle, "Looks like we're partners, huh?"