Chapter 4:
The dimly lit room fell under Lyla's control, her presence dominating the hushed atmosphere. The captive Pokémon, their expressions a blend of uncertainty and dread, fixated their gaze on her. Tule, obedient and broken, sat as still as a stone, her eyes locked onto the floor. She had learned quickly that in this new world, her only option was to obey.
Lyla's voice, crisp and commanding, filled the room as she explained their purpose. "You are here to be instructed," she declared, her eyes scanning the room, "I am your new teacher, and I will train you in the art of discipline, how to care for your future masters' belongings, and, when required, how to please them."
Tule's heart sank at the mention of the word "please." It was a term that carried a heavy burden in this new reality. The concept of obedience and servitude had taken root in her world, and it seemed there was no escape.
"You will learn to be obedient," Lyla continued, "to serve as maids and, when required, as mistresses. Your lives now belong to your masters, and you will serve their every whim."
Tule kept her gaze fixed on the floor, the harsh reality of her situation becoming clearer with each word. She felt a chill run down her spine as Lyla approached her.
"You will focus on me anytime I am here to instruct you," Lyla's voice was stern, and without asking for her name, she gripped Tule's face, forcing her to meet her gaze. Tule's eyes, once vibrant, met Lyla's unwavering stare. The pressure of the Hatterene's grip seemed to cut into her very core, and Tule's spirit felt even more fragile.
"This means you too, Kirlia," Lyla emphasized, her tone dripping with authority. She released Tule's face and returned to the front of the room, her commanding presence leaving no room for resistance.
"We will begin your training immediately," Lyla stated, her eyes scanning the room once more. Some of the Pokémon meekly replied, "Yes, Miss Lyla," their voices trembling with a mixture of fear and submission.
Lyla's anger flared at the puny and sparse response. "LOUDER!" she barked, her voice resonating with power. The room trembled under the weight of her expectations.
"Yes, Miss Lyla!" The response was stronger this time, an acknowledgment of the new reality they had been thrust into. Tule, her soul seemingly broken, knew that her life had taken a dark turn, and the path ahead was fraught with lessons she could never have anticipated.
With Lyla's guidance, the group of captive Pokémon was led down a dimly lit hallway into a room adorned with textiles of black, dark brown, and white. Lyla's commanding presence loomed over them as they entered, and her cold voice resonated through the room. "Your first lesson will be making your uniform," she informed them, her eyes scanning the room. "There are wooden pattern pieces for you to follow and replicate in fabric." She pointed to a corner of the room, where wooden pattern pieces were neatly stacked. "You will sew them together yourselves."
Lyla's grip tightened on a wooden measuring stick as she emphasized, "These textiles are a gift from our master, MY master to you." Her voice dripped with a sense of superiority. "Do NOT WASTE THEM!"
As the hours passed, Lyla circled the room like a hawk, correcting even the slightest mistake with a swift and painful smack on the back of hands. Tule felt the sting of Lyla's measuring stick more than once, the sharp bite a cruel reminder of the hierarchy they were now a part of.
The room buzzed with a mixture of concentration and fear as the group of Pokémon attempted to sew their uniforms with trembling hands. They worked diligently, each stitch an act of obedience to their new way of life.
After several hours, the room's heavy atmosphere shifted as Lyla's master, Brodrick, made his entrance. Lyla's attitude transformed entirely as she turned to him, her demeanor suddenly excited and cheery. "Welcome, Master Brodrick," she quipped, striking a curtsey that was an embodiment of submission.
"I trust you are instructing our merchandise well," Brodrick stated, his voice calm and unwavering.
"Of course, my Master," Lyla responded, her voice filled with reverence. "I take pride in my teaching."
Lyla then turned to her "class," her sternness returning, and commanded, "Thank our master for the gifts he gave you!"
Tule, along with the others, uttered their thanks, their voices meek and submissive. Their gratitude was an acknowledgment of the power that Brodrick held over them, the man who now owned their lives.
Before Brodrick left, Lyla offered him a kiss, a gesture that spoke volumes about her relationship with her master. She belonged to him entirely, her mind, body, and soul, a stark reminder of the kind of servitude they were all destined for.
Once Brodrick departed, Lyla's demeanor reverted to the stern and unyielding teacher. Her presence remained, and the room continued to resonate with the tension that clung to every corner. The Pokémon knew that their journey through this new world was only beginning, and the lessons of submission and obedience were far from over.