Sorry about the late chapter I got injured at work, and I am still not happy with the later part of the chapter. Hope you enjoy it regardless.
"Speech"
'Thought'
"English"
Void and veil - The big city
"Finally," Sonia exclaimed, stretching as we exited the train. I rolled my eyes as we walked onto the platform, it hadn't been that long.
Putting away my ancestor's book as we walked, I thought about the ancient professor. After getting over the fact the side games were now confirmed lore in this world, I had to admit to being dubious about our familial relations. I had thought him related to Leon and Hop, though a thousand years is a long time. It was kind of surprising how long history was in this world and how slowly technology had advanced, actually. I guess they had to learn to work with the God-like creatures around them first?
As we exited the Hammerlocke station, grey-bricked townhouses and a Victorian-style manor, where I knew the ghost girl would be, came into view. Beyond the houses was the stadium, or GYM, shaped like a huge elongated octagonal castle with a central tower and five horizontal bridge-like structures stacked at their bases on either side of the building, resembling skeletal dragon wings. Though that was only the center of the city, the city itself was inside one giant castle.
The only way such a strangely designed, massive castle could exist would be because of Pokemon.
But where we were heading was across the city to the old school grounds, which were attached to the vault. It was a very high-end school, in case you couldn't tell, used to be for noble families before the war. But that begs the question, "Gran, where are we going? There's a stop much closer."
Gran sighed, "We're going to the stadium proper, to meet with chairman Rose." Well, bugger. Gran and Rose don't get along well, but they still had to work together and go through each other for projects. Incidentally, Rose's power plant was directly underneath the GYM stadium.
"Cool," Leon cheered, and Hop followed suit, though they were the only ones. The Joy's and Jenny's clenched their jaws, bad blood there from the budget cuts. Sonia was fidgeting, glad she took my advice, and Gran looked exhausted. For some reason, though, little Joy and Jenny we're eyeing me.
Maybe from the lack of reaction? But I had figured something like this would happen, not this soon, but still, chairman Rose being here means that his shadow, that bitch, Oleana is here as well.
"Hmmm," Was my simple acknowledgment, as we trekked to the stadium. Joy and Jenny were whispering to each other now, while their mothers were eyeing me, the hell?
Sonia was distracting herself by asking Gran about the upcoming coaching course, with Leon joining in as well. Which left, "HI!" Crap.
Sigh*
"Hello, Hop," I reluctantly greeted the hyper boy. I began to root around in my bag for a book, lamp posts be damned, I'm not dealing with this.
"So Lee said your names, Jerry, right?" I twitched at Hop's question and pulled out a medical journal that Joy had recommended to me, or rather given to me. There was no way I was risking my... Special books.
"No," I said firmly, Hatty who had since returned to my head giggled. She was no doubt amused at my irritation, even if she didn't like the loud boy herself.
"Wha', NO WAY! Lee wouldn't lie to me!" Again with the ear.
"Is your name, Sonia?" I questioned.
"Oh, err, no?" Did he phrase that as a question? Deep breaths, Jericho, deep breaths. "Then it's Jericho to you," I informed him ruffly.
"What! But Lee said-," I cut the boy off, "Look." I was trying to be diplomatic for Sonia's sake, "I don't care what Leon said, my name is Jericho. I don't know you well enough for you to call me, THAT." I really wasn't a fan of that nickname.
Hop frowned and was quiet for a moment. I don't like the kid, I know that seems unreasonable. He was just trying to fit in with us, and I should be the adult in all this. According to the games, he's a good guy, but dammit, does he have to yell so much? My ears are ringing.
Hop went to open his mouth again, "Oh, Jerry~ is that what I think it is?" Joy interrupted the purple-haired boy. She had obviously heard our conversation and was either, A) Trying to get a raise out of me, or B) Getting a raise out of Hop... Or both. You know what? "Yes Joy, it is, the biology of egg groups and adepts," I answered the sadist simply, Joy's small smile split into a disturbing grin.
The book was a present from Joy, and not one to be outdone, I had received one from Jenny as well, though based on the laws regarding adepts and Pokemon marriages and laws regarding Pokemon clans. They were admittedly interesting and obscure books, I had read them before, a lot about the dragon clan actually, such as where they came from. The book hypothesized that it's from drinking dragons' blood over generations in the clan because there are no human-like egg-grouped dragon Pokemon in reasons with dragon-blooded clans. The problem? That would be an unnatural/forced adept like myself, not a bloodline.
Sure, I could unlock and teach my kids, it would get easier per generation, and would even predispose my line to psychic types. But that's it, its strength would remain consistent or collapse and there would be no physical changes to compensate. The energy wasn't natural to my bloodline we had no Pokemon ancestors, or it wouldn't have nearly killed me, I would have absorbed it and used my own reserves.
Now in this world, humans are a part of the human-like egg group, making the whole cross-breeding thing possible, hence natural adepts, that's already documented. But with my otherworldly knowledge, I'm aware of several instances where humans breed outside of those egg groups, such as in Pokemon legends Arceus, where a Froslass and a human man married and were referred to as ancestors by an old human, which implied children, human children, though this could have been just a generalization, I'm not certain.
But I do know I certainly regret telling Joy THAT old Hisuian tale, she was obsessed with figuring it out. Why do you think she took apart those poor Wooloo? I suppressed a shiver at what that girl would do for knowledge.
"Oh, ho, I'm glad you liked it," She looked like the cat who caught the canary, Purrloin that caught the- oh forget it. And Hop was looking more and more upset.
Sigh*
"Look, Hop," I got the kid's attention, "You seem like a good sort."
Hop blinked, probably from shock, so far we had ignored him. Joy cocked a brow and Jenny frowned in confusion both of them had picked up on my dislike of the boy.
Hop began grinning again, but I held up my hand stopping whatever he was about to, no doubt, yell. "But you see who's on my hea-," I was cut off as Hatty escaped from the loud boy to Joy's head once more, much to her delight. "Her head," I continued unabated.
"Oh, err, YEP!" Really even now? I questioned the need for his loudness.
"Well, she is a Hatenna the first of the Hatterena line, though you would know them better as the witches of the forest," I informed the boy and watched him pale. The witch of the forest is a popular Galar bedtime story, it was meant to stop children from staying out after dark. Never worked on me mind you and if Joy's grin and Jenny's fidgeting and guilty blush were anything to go by, the same applied to them.
"O-oh," Hop stuttered out, quietly for the first time.
"Yeah, and their line hates strong emotions, it hurts them, and loud noises upset them," I gestured around me, at the crowds in the city. Which mind you had nothing on the crowds back on Earth. Two cullings of the population had that effect, who would've guessed?
"What exactly do you think is around us," I asked him. Almost to punctuate my point, a teenage girl began yelling into her phone hotly, as I gestured. I saw the moment realization set it, his eyes widened, pupils constricted, and his head snapped to Hatty. The little witch was currently busy getting slow but deliberate head pats from Jenny from atop Joy's, head, who I knew had heard every word. They all seemed thrilled with the arrangement, the human girl's mothers, less so.
Hop frowned and turned back to me. I spoke before he could, "I'm currently forcing myself to remain calm, so she has something to focus on." It's a good excuse with some truth to it, and it makes it less personal, not his fault.
"Now, what do you think happens if I lose my calm?" Hopefully, the kid would take the hint, the implication of a Pokemon lashing out is a dangerous one, but one that would remain under control if he let me focus.
The purple-haired boy didn't respond to me he simply turned and ran up to his now-waiting brother. Well, shit, that backfired spectacularly. Damn it, it's not like I was lying, the ritual might be in effect, but it doesn't hurt to be prudent. I gave a reasonable reason as to why I'm acting the way I am, I was just trying to make him understand it... Ah, I was trying to use logic on a NORMAL six-year-old... Bugger me.
I sighed as Joy and my partner giggled, then I felt several eyes on me. I made a show of taking a calming breath, not that I needed it. If I can face that thing in the mirror and remain focused enough for a fight, then I could bloody well compartmentalize the constant calmness in the back of my head.
The group had stopped moving now, and Leon was patting Hop's head. "Sorry," I really had been trying to help, even through my own irritation.
Leon looked up at me, giving me a wan but understanding smile, "It's alright." Not helping, he was a good guy who made you want to like him. But he was also going to hurt Sonia, abandon her, if canon was still on course, which I couldn't forgive. Perhaps that's why Hop annoys me so much?
Leon picked up the younger boy and wiped his tears. Ah shit, there's the guilt. "It's OK Hoppy, Jerry boy-," I twitched at that, "-wasn't trying to be mean, he was just trying to explain why he's acting weird, OK?" Fuck you to Leon... Is it really that noticeable?
Regardless, the younger brother nodded into his elder brother's shirt, "Now I need you to stop yelling or being too loud for a bit, OK?" Once more, Hop nodded an affirmative as Leon put the younger child back down, but offered his hand, which the boy took. Jenny had come up behind me and patted me on the shoulder and gave me a small smile of support, which I didn't need, but did appreciate.
"Indeed," Gran spoke up, patting Hop on the head as Sonia fussed over him. "I apologize dear, I didn't realize you were doing it constantly, I'll talk to my friend later, see if we can't figure something out," Gran was frowning now, though not at me. I really should have brought this up before, I hope she ain't blaming herself. She knows how smart I am, I'd ask if it was urgent. My mind ran back to when my body was adapting to my new abilities and the sorry state it had put me in. OK, but that's different, right?
"So that's why you've been acting so strange lately," Sonia chimed in, having finished with Hop and decided to voice her thoughts on the matter. Dammit, at least I'd managed to hide the worst of it, but of course, doing that would come off as weird.
Jenny spoke up next to me, looking like she'd just solved a mystery, "Oh, dur." she palmed her own head, and Leon chuckled at the display.
"That can't be healthy," Mama Joy was looking me over now, much to my chagrin. Though the younger Joy narrowed her eyes unconvinced because, of course, she's as paranoid as I am. Then again, it's not paranoia when you know something IS coming.
"Relax, Joy. Kid's fine," Mama Jenny pulled the older nurse back and gave me an approving nod.
Meh, I'll take it. Seven out of eight isn't bad, and it IS a good excuse. I'll accept the guilt that comes with it, as I said I would.
Hatty returned to my head and sent a feeling of acceptance, which admittedly helped. Little Joy was fixing her once more flattened nursing cap, though was unbothered by it if her humming was anything to go by.
"He'll need a full check-up when we arrive," The older nurse insisted. OK, yeah, going to have to cut that one-off.
"Don't we have a meeting to get to?" I raised a brow in faux nonchalance. "Yup," The older officer popped out, grabbing the pinkette and marching forward with her cousin in tow.
Sigh*
I moved forward as attention drifted from me. 'So much for reading, guess we'll have to figure out how we're going to deal with the chairman,' I sent to Henrietta, I felt confusion.
"Hey, umm, Jerry?" Jenny sound unsure of herself, but at the moment I was a little occupied. "Yeah," I said out loud, Jenny smiled. "Are you OK?" The police cadet inquired. "Hmm, yeah, fine," I nodded at the young Jenny, who let out a sigh of relief and was now wearing a massive grin.
'I mean that we don't need his attention, I have a failsafe, but I'd prefer it if we don't need it,' I explained to my partner, the little which confirmed she understood this time, I could feel it. 'If he tries to pull something with Gran or Sonia though,' I left the threat vague because I don't know what I'd do, but he WOULD regret it. Hatty sent a feeling of annoyance, what, oh, 'Yes that includes you, and we both know you'd enjoy the chaos,' I thought with a hint of exasperation, in return, I got remorseless glee. She's really come out of her shell.
I bit back a groan, 'Much as I hate the guy, he has a lot of power and is the worst kind of villain,' The little psychic was back to being confused. 'Hatty, he's the type of villain that thinks what he's doing is right, justified. And he will do whatever he has to see it through, sacrificing whoever he has to, including himself.' Hatty was concerned now, which is about the right response.
Jenny began humming next to me now, and Joy had come up beside her, hand over her mouth. What the hell was so funny?
'Point is, that we don't want to make an enemy out of him...Yet. Especially because I'm a false adept, he-, the league would want me. And while I'm sure Gran would gain custody of me, again, it'll disrupt our...other activities, so if we can help it we play nice, if not, please help,' My partner understood now and sent possessiveness into me. 'Err, thanks,' I thought back nervously, why do I always get the crazy ones?
At the stadium entrance, we passed under several stone archways before entering the reception area, which wasn't as crowded as I would have expected. The steel elevator doors to the underground power plant were on the right of the room from the entrance, while a checking desk stood to the left. Directly ahead stood the archway door to the GYM proper, which had the GYM's badged emblazoned on a hanging banner, a whiskered dragon head checkered in red and blue. Finally, a blue and red zigzag striped carpet stretched between the entryways.
But we were here for the man who stood in the center of the room, a portly man with tan skin and combed-over black hair with the left side shaved. He had deep green eyes and a black beard that was purposely split into sections, a mustache, a goatee, and the beard itself. To complete the wealthy look, he had going on, he donned a crisp gray three-piece suit.
"Chairman, it would appear our guests have arrived," Spoke Oleana, Rose's assistant. She was fair-skinned with green eyes and long dark blond hair. She wore a long white coat with a red blouse underneath, a black pencil skirt with black leggings. She was also wearing makeup in the form of red lipstick and fingernails. She was one of Gran's old lab assistants, we didn't get along.
Why do I feel like I'm being watched? I scanned my surroundings a second time, seeing nothing, but it did put me on edge.
"Ah, yes, excellent," Rose had that charming smile on his face, one common among politicians, I really wanted to punch him.
"So these are the rookies, huh?" Spoke a third voice, Raihan I knew, from the games. He was around Leon and Sonia's ages and the future leader of Hammerlocke GYM. The boy had brown skin, cyan-colored eyes, and black hair in a protective style, complete with an orange headband. He was also wearing a black and tan hoodie and blue shorts. And if the boy's elongated fangs, when he grinned in greeting, were anything to go by he was definitely dragon blooded.
"Chairman!" Leon yelled, moving forward and enthusiastically greeting the older man. Though about halfway he registered what Raihan had said, "Rookies?" He gave the other boy a look, "You can't be that much older than us."
The chairman chuckled, and I decided to explain before I had to hear him do so, "He's Dragon blooded, Leon, Draco clan specifically. They own this castle and the GYM here." I paused for a second, evaluating the new boy as he did the same to myself and Leon, "And trust me he has combat experience, he'd have to have passed his clan's trials to become a Galarian trainer."
As I finished speaking, I met the other adepts eyes and nodded softly in greeting, the dragon tamer's pupils slit like a cat's dilating in light, or rather a reptile's. I cocked an eyebrow, in question, at the action, staring back, but internally, I recognized it as a challenge. A part of me said to run from the more experienced adept, the other older part refused to be culled by a child and refused to back down.
'Stand by Hatty, if we have to fight we'll have to work in tandem, and make my energy look like yours,' I warned my partner in advance as she shifted on my head, giving me a resolute confirmation.
It was strange, normally I wouldn't care if a child challenged me, but this was different, maybe because he was an adept as well?
"Cool!" Leon interrupted our staring contest with an excited shout, thoroughly ignoring his prior advice to Hop. Well, now I see where Hop gets it.
"Ha, ha, you lot are alright," The Draco smirked at us, patting me and Leon on the shoulder, then he looked behind us. I followed his gaze looking back, realizing that only Leon, myself, and Hatty had been the only ones to move forward.
The others though were looking on nervously. Right, I internally winced adepts were deployed as living weapons in the war with elite Pokemon squads, they gained... A reputation, and they were feared well before that.
"Aptly put young man, you are quite correct," Rose smiled at me and I felt a chill go up my spine because it was genuine. Then the chairman eyed Oleana for a second, which was apparently her cue, "Jericho, sir. Professor Magnolia's grandson." The chairman's face twitched into a frown at that, but only for a moment.
"Is there a problem, chairman?" Gran asked far too nicely, obviously having seen him frown.
"Ah, no, no, I am simply... Impressed with how knowledgeable he is for such a young man," The man straightened his tie, cleared his throat, and clapped his hands. "Now, I am glad you could meet with me professor, and your...guests," He inclined his head toward the Jennys and Joys. "However I believe we should keep this as private as possible, yes?" Now he indicated the elevator to the power plant, then he swept his arm to me and Leon. "Now I realize that Leon and Hop are under your care right now, and your grandchildren, obviously. And then we have the representative for the Draco clan," Rose finished and gestured at Raihan, who simply shrugged, hands still in his hoodie pocket. The implication behind this been for the Jennys and Joys to leave, well now, I wonder why that is?
"Now hold on a second there chairman," Mama Jenny had her hands on her hips, and she didn't look pleased. "Our families are going to be present at the school as well, and we Jenny's and Joy's will need to know what's planned to provide adequate services," She finished crossing her arms. I mean, she isn't wrong. This isn't a personal endeavor or a company one, even if he involves them. This is a government or league-supported event, I should know, I live with the woman who helped organize it.
"Apologies officer, but I believe, younger members of your family will be present for training, excellent initiative, but we can't have your families doing all the work now, can we? Why people may accuse you of cheating! And we don't want that now, do we?" Rose was making threats now, like I said, he had a lot of influence, he could spin that. Hell, Leon looked like he had just put two and two together and nodded in silence thanks to the chairman, like he was doing us a favor. I was only catching the underlying message because I knew how he really was, be it from the games or Gran, I paid attention.
Jenny bristled at that and her next words were low, "Is that a threat, chairman?" Never has it been more evident that Mama Jenny was an armed response officer and NOT a negotiator.
Rose smiled gentlemanly, "Of course, not officer, perish the thought." Wow, he actually sounds offended.
"I am simply preventing a situation that people, COULD look upon unfavorably," Again he made it clear he could make this bad publicity for the families, and that he could prevent it. In reality, he would make it happen if they continued. The question is, why?
"So in order to prevent that from happening, I will be having Marco Cosmo provide the necessary support for the school," He was grinning now. Marco Cosmo is his power company and is considered a part of the league because their CEO is also the league chairman in Galar, making his staff, league staff but directly under Rose.
And there it is.
I don't fucking think so, there is no way in Giratina's name I'm having his little cult breathing down my neck OR influencing the next generation of trainers. He would go out of his way to gain their loyalty, which really isn't good, and apparently, Gran and the Joys and Jennys had caught on to that with the tightness in their faces. Sonia had figured out something was up, but hadn't quite caught on. Still, they didn't know just how destructive his endgame would be... But I did, and I'd prepared.
"And yet, you're willing to hire a thief as your administrator, chairman. Seems to me people COULD look unfavorably on that," I said aloud, eyeing Oleana who looked ready to blow a gasket. "Now, now my boy, those rumors are simply that, rumors," Rose looked annoyed but maintained that smile of his, "Just because your Grandmother beliv-," Oh, hell no. "Who," I interrupted the bastard, "Do you think, made the recording? ROSE." The man's mouth snapped shut with a scowl.
"You little BRAT!" Seems Oleana took it personally when she couldn't find out who got her, now she has lost her composure. The woman is nuts, she hides her psychosis well, but seriously. She was stalking toward me now.
Growl*
Oh, shit that was Raihan, looking to the side, I saw the older boy bearing his fangs, he looked pissed, so did everyone else mind you. But Raihan looked downright feral, something about this had triggered his dragon blood then, how curious.
Oleana had stopped in her tracks, and looking around I noticed that Leon was holding back SONIA who was, in turn, twisting his ear, at least until she looked at me and seemed to relax. When had she tried to get past us? I don't think I've ever seen Sonia so outright pissed off, upset yeah, not this.
Hatenna hissed at the blonde woman for good measure, and she took a step back, obviously not liking her odds against a Draco and an armed response officer, speaking of, both Jenny's were glaring at her now. Though little Joy seemed amused while her mother tried to pull her back from the impending fight, Gran was oddly quiet, though.
"Careful," I spoke once more, above the chaos, "Just because you got rid of the evidence on record doesn't mean you got the original." I patted my bag, which held another copy I had. The Crazy bitch finally got the message, and paled drastically, while Rose's jaw clenched.
The best part of this? I'm not even lying.
Back when I was 3 she was one of Gran's research assistants. And knowing how she really was, I kept an eye on her, and lo and behold, when the lab began research on the Dynamax band, something that in canon she had created, I put two and two together.
I had watched and waited, and eventually, I had used a combination of failed plans that she was made to think were real as bait, and lured her into a trap. I'd recorded her from the vents taking the plans, something she DIDN'T have access to, then sent a copy to the police. Anonymously of course, not easy considering I was 3, but worth it, even if the bitch was bailed out by Rose, who I strongly suspect was behind the whole thing, including the missing evidence. Either way, in this world, she wasn't credited with the creation of the Dynamax band.
In a way, I'm glad it had happened, it was the first time I had changed things outside of simply existing, the first time I had been pissed off on my new family's behalf. And the first time I truly realized that they WERE my family now, not simply characters from a game.
Young Joy, ever the sadist, burst out laughing with an, "I told you" To her mother for some reason. While Raihan had calmed somewhat now, but was still glaring at the woman. The detective in training, however, puffed up like a peacock, with a declaration of, "I taught him that!" Which, of course, caused Sonia to groan into her hands and release Leon's ear, who then rubbed said ear while comforting a confused Hop. Gran pinched the bridge of her nose, while mama Joy was looking around for... Something.
But it was mama Jenny and Oleana's hands reaching for their pokeballs that was the main issue right now. 'Hatty, standby,' I thought to the little witch, as we readied ourselves for a fight.
Then... A long-bodied white bipedal mustelid with a purple ring around its body with purple clawed paws on its legs, and a pair of long, yellow-tipped whiskers and thick whip-like fur drooped over the top of the paws on its arms, appeared. A Meinshao? What is with today?
The possible combatants froze for a beat at the Pokemon's appearance, long enough for a voice to be heard, "Haha! Really, Oleana? A little boy has you all flustered?" A smiling Mustard had entered the lobby. The older man was in his 50s and grey-haired by now even with his flat-top hat, his absurdly long eyebrows showed off that fact. The master martial artist also wore a baggie Veridian and black hoodie to match his hat and, a yellow jersey poked out under the hoodie, along with some white baggie trousers and brown loafers. Lastly, the man had an obvious Asian heritage, or well, Indigon? Kantonian? Regardless, his Galarian accent was too strong, showing that Galar was where he had been born and raised, though anyone could tell you that. There was a lot of information on Galars longest serving champion, after all.
"Oh, thank Arceus," I heard Gran say under her breath. Then louder she addressed the new arrival, "Took your time, Mustard."
"Oh, ho, ho, my apologies Maggie, I wanted to see what would happen, though Mienshao was out and ready the entire time," The current champion chuckled, seems he had begun to mellow now, in his older age. He was closer to the man I knew from the games.
"YOU'RE THE CHAMPION!" Leon yelled, getting his bearings, up in until Sonia slapped the back of his head.
"Mustard, why are you here?" Rose was failing to keep his composure.
"Why for the training course, of course," The champion grinned and chuckled.
"Ah, I was unaware that you would be joining us," Rose was wearing a pained smile as Oleana rapidly checked her notes, a small bead of sweat on her forehead.
"Well now, you don't think ol' Mag's called you first, did you? We needed you on board for this, we have to work together. And regardless of what you think, we all want what's best for Galar and the next generation," Mustard explained jovially, then moved over to Sonia and Leon, who were both still next to me.
"So you two are here for the course then?" The old martial artist asked the two with a grin, now ignoring the situation around him.
The two of them instantly became stuttering messes, much to Mustard's amusement. He patted the two of them on their shoulders, "Well I look forward to seeing you both on the circuit." If I remember correctly, the older champion takes leon under his wing as a student.
"Let's see, you are, Leon, Rose's student. And you are, Sonia, Maggie's granddaughter," He looked at the two of them and nodded. "Well looks like we might have a challenge this year, aye Mienshao!" The current champion laughed to himself, though the aged Mienshao rolled its eyes.
The champion then turned to me and my partner, and the dragonkin that had since come over when Oleana had made a scene of herself. "And you must be Raihan of the Draco clan." The older boy shrugged and grinned showing his fangs, "Yep, and you had better remember it, coz me and my partner are going to be the ones to beat you!" Mustard grinned back at him, though this one was more serious.
Dammit, why is everyone being so loud? I could feel Henrietta's annoyance as well. Mustard broke his stare down and laughed uproariously. Then he turned to me, crap.
I felt the weight of the veteran martial artist's gaze, and that of the dragonkin next to me, who was still curious about me. I shifted into a ready position presenting my left side while I moved my left arm to falsely adjust my collar, ready to deflect, while my right moved to my belt loop as if resting but in actually chambered.
Logically, I knew they weren't a threat, but instinctively, they were a huge threat, and I wouldn't have time to draw a blade or prepare a spell. But unlike my psionics I couldn't cover for my blades and spells with Hatty.
Mustard's grin turned feral as did Raihan's, "Jericho, right?" Oh, shit has he figured it out?, "Yeah" I confirmed with a false indifference. "Interesting," Was all he said. Why does everyone say that?
Mustard turned back to address the group, "Now seeing as there is an impasse of sorts here, I would like to put forward a split training plan. Students will be able to select which group they will study under, the standard League course or Marco cosmo." I thought Marco cosmo was under the league through the chairman?
Something else to look into then, uh.
"Sounds fun I'm all for it," Raihan spoke up in support and as the one representing the Draco clan, his word carried weight.
"Works for me," Was Mama Jenny's response, followed by a rapidly nodding Mama Joy from behind her.
"Agreed," Gran sighed out.
"Very well," Rose spoke up and immediately tried to take control, "We will meet on school grounds tomorrow then, I will see you after you have settled it."
"Indeed, the rest of the league staff will finish arriving today and the students will be arriving tomorrow, yes?" Great official Gran was back.
"Ah, yes that's correct, now if you will excuse me, I have some work to finish," With that, the chairman exited the lobby via the elevator.
More like he needs to lick his wounds and change his plans. If I had known Gran had fucking Mustard of all people coming, I would have kept my mouth shut, still, we botched his plans right good.
Smack*
"Oww," I called out instinctively, turning to the side, I saw my sister had just twatted the back of my head, just missing Hatenna.
A beat passed, "Why?"
"You tried catching a criminal when you were, three!" She screamed, Ah. And now Gran was marching over.
"Ok, first off, tried? I succeeded, thank you very much. And secondly, well you and Gran were already stressed, so I took care of it," I shrugged, it was true after all. I caught Leon in the corner of my eye in a thinking position, hand under his chin.
Little Jenny was across from me, smiling proudly, "I taught him everything he needed to know about those cases." Mama Jenny sighed and pinched her nose.
Sigh* Not exactly, but the 4-year-old at the time did help point me in the right direction, she had literally been brought up understanding laws after all.
"Is that so?" Crap Gran had arrived "Well yeah," I confirmed slowly.
Now Gran grabbed my ear, "Oww." Well, it didn't actually hurt, still, she doesn't need to know that. Joy, the sadistic one, not the nice one, was laughing her little arse off.
"It isn't your job to worry about ME, young man. That woman is dangerous, you could have been hurt or worse," OK fair for a normal kid, she's angry, shit.
Gran sighed and released me, and looked around at the group, "We will be talking about this more later, Jericho." I sighed but nodded my understanding.
Gran clapped, "Right then, we best be off, so we can get settled in. Raihan dear, would you like to join us?"
At the question, the dark-skinned boy responded rather quickly, "Ah, nah, thanks matriar-, ma'am, but I got to get back, later." The Draco waved his goodbyes and walked back toward the GYM proper.
"I best head off too, me and honey have a date night scheduled, what with how busy the next month'll be," Mustard chuckled to himself again and likewise left the lobby with Mienshao in tow, though the Pokemon gave me a strange passing glance.
"Well then we best be off ourselves then, come along," Gran gestured toward the door, and we all obeyed, lest we give the old woman an aneurysm.
Honestly, I think I've had enough for one day, between conspiracy theories, Mirror creatures, the chairman, and Oleana I just want some sleep. Sonia was already dragging Leon the right way.
"Hey, miss Maggy," Joy chirped up having finished laughing at me, and using her's and Jenny's nickname for Gran. Oh, sweet baby Mew what now.
"I was wondering if Jericho had a phone? See he asked me and Jenny to look up something for him on our phones," She skipped alongside Gran awaiting her answer.
"Did he now?" Gran raised a brow in my direction. Damn it all Joy, "It was for a book," I shrugged nonchalantly, not inaccurate. While I did need a phone, I didn't need questions regarding THAT.
"I just thought it might be a good idea for him to have one, I mean you've seen the trouble he can get into miss Maggy," Joy cocked her head cutely smiling all the while with a little giggle. Oh, you little.
"Joy that has nothing to do with you," Mama Joy cut into the conversation, chastising her daughter, who now wore a terrifyingly effective pout.
"No, no, it's quite alright Joy, she has a point, it's a good idea," Gran hum'd to herself.
"Well, why don't we go with Jerry tomorrow while you're at your meeting?" Joy indicated Jenny and herself.
Oh, no way I got Hatty with me, I'll be fine. I opened my mouth to interject only to have Joy wrap her arm around my neck, partly choking me as she jumped on my back, much to her and Hattys amusement... They bother me, they bother me a lot.
"An excellent idea, if you have no problems with it?" Gran turned to the two mothers, with a ghost of a smile on her face. Oh, fuck this is my punishment, isn't it?
The older Joy and Jenny looked at one another for a moment, though Joy was the first to speak, "W-well, I'm not su-" The mother was cut off by her daughter who by this point had crocodile tears, buried her head in my back and was starting to cut off my blood flow, her speech was muffled, "Pleassse, mommy we'll be careful and keep each other safe."
I'd call her a sociopath if I didn't know how much she cared for Jenny and, admittedly, her family. She was just a manipulative, sadistic, little psycho, and that's the only way she knew to do things, not that that's much better, mind you, the jury's still out on why, though. Worst, her mother knew what she was doing but loved it when Joy acted, normal.
"Yeah, come on mum," Jenny spoke up, as I attempted to free myself without excessive force, Joy wasn't choking me, she was making sure I couldn't talk... Clever girl. Honestly, at this point I'm used to getting dragged along with these two, my struggle was just to make a point nowadays, it was just another game... Which I realize is rather concerning.
"We've got phones if something happens and Jerry has Hatenna," Jenny attempted to convince her own mother. Honestly, I don't see what the big problem is, this is the same world that sends 10-14-year-olds off to train and fight what amounts to living weapons, granted it's for international prestige, still fucked up, though.
I wrapped my hands around the girl's thighs and yanked her upward, electing a squeak from the normally put-together girl, once more to Hatty's amusement, though Hop looked like he thought I was about to explode. I growled long and deep to show my displeasure, an old habit from another life that they'd grown used to. I could hear Joy trying not to laugh against my back, though to others it probably looked as if she was crying.
The older Jenny knew her niece well and rolled her eyes, "Sure why not?"
"What!" The other mother was not amused.
"Really!? Yes!" Jenny was quite pleased, running over to Joy and me and patting the pinkette on the back, then gave me... The look, you know the one.
I sighed, might as well go all in, at least Joy helps with Jenny and vice versa. I spoke in the flattest voice possible, "You trust 11-year-olds with minimal training to go into the field to train and, or fight creatures that could kill them. We're half the age, we can handle a trip down the shops." The adults stared at me in bewilderment for a moment.
Jenny the elder burst out laughing, while Joy was busy repeating herself with, "I, I, I." Gran actually seemed both amused and concerned. Why do I still feel like I'm being watched?
"Come on Joy, they'll be fine, and it'll give the older kids a chance to be able to sign in," She wrapped her cousin in a one-armed hug and nodded toward us but stared me right in the eye, the older nurse followed her gaze toward me then turned to Jenny wide-eyed who nodded. OK, what the actual fuck is going on?
The middle-aged pinkette fidgeted a moment before sighing, "Fine." Her response was soft, but Joy heard it because she shot straight up from her slouched position, arms in the air, cackling madly, so I let go.
A short yelp later, I felt her legs tighten and hands grab onto my shoulders."Oh, Jericho~," She said coolly. Oh, I immediately regret this decision. Thankfully, Hatty showed mercy and teleported atop the irritated girl's head, who began cooing at the little psychic the moment she appeared. Jenny decided a group hug was in order, much to my chagrin.
Thankfully, Joy jumped off of me to hug her cousin, though that kick to the back of the leg was definitely intentional. As soon as the girl was down, I was grabbed and included in this hug.
"Great," Joy chirped out, skipping back up to her mother, "Then you can meet us at the family dormitories in the school tomorrow morning. It's a date~." She teased and began giggling yet again as Jenny turned red.
Sonia walked up to me like a damn cat with how amused she was and slung an arm around me, "Wow, way to go, little bro."
Sigh*
I pinched my nose, this is going to be the rest of my day, isn't it?
A/N: Writing Rose is harder than I thought, don't think I quite got him. I'm also having trouble with asterisks not appearing at the start of a sentence, thought I had fixed it, but nope.
