Chapter 3: Here comes Nemona
The Paldea Region... it sure was a lot of things, and pretty was definitely one of them.
At least that's how Juliana felt after moving there, she hadn't always lived there, she spent her first thirteen-and-a-half years on the Earth stuck on a neighboring microregion to the east of Paldea. In search of better opportunities, both Juliana and her mother were able to move to Paldea by boat, and neither have looked back since.
Cabo Poco alone was far nicer than anything the girl had seen prior. The beautiful grassy terrain unfolded over the horizon like a vibrant tapestry, with its emerald-green meadows stretching beneath the azure sky. The grass swaying gracefully in the gentle spring breeze, and its landscape, covered to the brim with wildflowers, painting a picturesque scene.
Being secluded to her house almost every single day after moving to Paldea was almost enough for her to forget just how lovely the place was. Indeed she may not have grew up in Cabo Poco, but regardless, it was her hometown, that's how she felt at least.
Taking a stroll down to the large house on the opposite end of town alongside the trio of Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly reminded her of how much she loved her home. And not only that, but it was also just the thing she needed to help her decide which of the starter Pokémon she truly desired.
Once she approached the front gate of the house, Juliana was utterly taken aback by how big the house was. She knew it was big by the look of things, but it wasn't the same as being right up and center of it.
The house was huge, if she had to guess, probably about three or four times bigger than her own. It had a garden, a water fountain, and a distinct aroma, like blooming jasmine on a warm summer evening.
"Dios mío!" Juliana exclaimed in amazement. The three starter Pokémon beside her getting a kick from viewing her reaction "Now I've seen everything... This is like a palace!" The girl turned to her side to witness the look on the Pokémon's faces, but much to her surprise the three had already left her.
She scanned ahead of her; the Pokémon had already scattered to different sides of the place.
The closest Pokémon to her was Quaxly. The water type naturally having an affinity to his own element, as he was by the water fountain washing his face off before shaking his head with droplets of water leaving to the side.
Then, there was Sprigatito, the grass type Pokémon much like Quaxly was drawn by her particular element. That of course being the many flowers scattered around the area. Particularly some wildflowers that were in the midst of the garden.
And lastly, the fire type Fuecoco, who was the closest to the entrance of the house. It was messing around with some apple that had fallen from a tree, using a small blast of its Ember to burn the fruit to a crisp.
Juliana smiled with her hands on her sides. Her stroll with the starters lasted about a quarter of an hour, but it was only at this moment when the girl decided which of the three she'd choose.
It was at that moment however, when someone came from beside the cute fire type Pokémon, crouching down to pat it over its head. Someone Juliana had definitely never seen before.
She looked to be about her age, maybe a year or two years older at the most. She was wearing a similar school uniform to Juliana, except with the added addition of black leggings, a pair of red and white sneakers, as well as a black and red wrist glove on her left arm, and her hair was tied into a black ponytail.
The girl got up from her crouched position with her back turned to Juliana who was curious as to who she was now. Of course, her curiosity stemming from the fact that the girl was wearing a near-identical uniform to her own.
The mysterious student in uniform slowly turned forward towards the intrigued Juliana with their eyes meeting. Her gaze held a warmth that mirrored the soft hue of her orange eyes, with some freckles above her nose, as well as a green streak of hair stemming from her hairline.
The two girls had stared at each other in complete silence for about ten seconds or so. That was before Juliana finally spoke up breaking the mold with a friendly tone.
"¡Hola!, soy Juliana! I can't help but notice that uniform you're wearing!" Juliana said, inviting the girl to conversation. "So, you're also from Naranja Academy, I presume?"
It was then that the demeanor of the girl completely changed. The once warm gaze transformed into an icy stare, a sudden chill permeating the air. Her orange eyes, once inviting, now held a distant and cold intensity that began to make Juliana feel a bit worried. It was enough to send an involuntary shiver down her spine. A sudden sense of intimidation hung in the air, as if an unspoken challenge had been issued.
Juliana gulped before continuing speaking. "¿C-Cómo te va?" She said, the first thing coming to mind.
The girl with the icy stare's gaze finally began to soften, which almost would've relieved Juliana if it weren't for how tense the whole situation felt. "Todo tranquilo por acá. ¿Y tú?"" She responded in a soft voice which almost seemed at odds with her initial stare.
"T-Todo bien." Juliana replied. All three of the starter Pokémon were staring at the two girls surprised at the tension that was in the air. Breaking that tension, came Clavell, who placed his hand on the girl's shoulder swaying his hand towards Juliana.
"Ah, here so soon, Miss Juliana." Clavell said with a smile on his face. "How ironic, we were just speaking of you." He said turning towards the other girl. "This is that girl we were just talking about. Juliana Quintanilla."
"I figured." The girl replied in a deadpan voice. "So, I was told you're the one who moved into that small shack across town a couple months back, huh."
Small shack...? Well, compared to this place, I guess it kind of feels like one. Juliana thought before speaking. "Uhh, yeah, I guess so. And I'm guessing this place is your casa?"
The girl gave a bob of her head. "Yeah... well, one of my casas anyway, my folks own a few different ones across Paldea." She said so casually Juliana nearly lost her footing in shock. Whoever this girl was, she had to be stinking rich.
"J-j-just one of your houses!?" Juliana cried out completely taken aback. "C-can we trade lives please?" She joked, not getting so much as a laugh from the girl.
Clavell noticed the strain in the air and tried to lighten the mood. "Oh, dear me, where are my manners, Juliana, this is Naranja's Academy's pride and joy, Nemona Menzi. She's the president of our student council, and a champion ranked Trainer." He said with the last part managing to intrigue Juliana.
"Naranja Academy's pride and joy? You've got me wrong, director." Nemona said cutting off Clavell. "I'm just a girl who likes to battle." She said before returning her gaze to Juliana. "And I understand you were of course not only enrolling in our school, but also receiving one of these three starters, sí?"
"Yes, that's right." Juliana responded which got a smile from Clavell.
"Wonderful, so, have you come to a decision as to which of the three partner Pokémon you'd like to choose?" Clavell asked, which amid all the tension Juliana had almost forgotten about that.
"Oh! Yes, I know which Pokémon I want to choose now!" Juliana said beginning to get excited once again at the mere thought of it. With that being said, all three of the Pokémon rushed to the front of Juliana from the different spots they were all in. Fuecoco and Quaxly were shoving and pushing each other as they got in front of Juliana but quickly stopped it to give their best cute stare. Then there was Sprigatito who stood to the left of them patiently awaiting which one of them would be chosen.
Juliana smiled. The choice was finally clear to her now. The air thick with anticipation. All three of the Pokémon equally wanting to be chosen as the girl's first Pokémon.
Her gaze shifted between the three Pokémon who were all giving her the puppy dog eyes. "You know, it wasn't an easy choice. But I've made up my mind." She said raising an arm forth towards one of the Pokémon.
Both Clavell and Nemona were stunned to see the girl's arm pointing towards Sprigatito, the grass type, who looked equally as shocked as they were.
"Sprigatito, I choose you!" Juliana exclaimed with a cheeky smile. The grass type Pokémon almost couldn't believe it. It managed to get picked. In its excitement it pounced off the ground landing in Juliana's arms who happily accepted its embrace. Juliana held the grass cat so closely she could smell its scent. The Pokémon smelt almost exactly like walking through a field of orchids.
"Sprigatito, tito, tito!" The Grass Cat Pokémon happily squealed, as happy as Juliana was, her new starter Pokémon may have had her beat in that department. She could feel its fur tickling her, which gave her a soft giggle.
The other two starter Pokémon, Fuecoco and Quaxly, both looked down in disappointment, sure there was always next time. But they wanted to get a Trainer now. Quaxly put his arm on Fuecoco's shoulder as the two Pokémon both felt each other's pain.
"Splendid, you took a liking to Sprigatito I see." Clavell noted while stroking his goatee. "I must say, I'm delighted with this choice. I feel it really suits you."
"I'm glad you agree, Mr. Clavell." Juliana said to the director before looking back towards the Sprigatito in her arms. "While we were walking here, I noticed you picked up a marigold flower for a second, that's my favorite flower... that's when I decided I had to choose you."
With happiness bubbling up inside the grass type, it leaped out of Juliana's hands landing on her right shoulder, licking the side of her cheek which made the girl giggle even more.
Nemona watched silently. At least until she had a realization. She turned her face towards the director who returned her gaze. "Mr. Clavell, I hope you don't mind, but I'm taking one of these starters with me." She said so directly it almost threw Juliana off for a second.
Hearing her say that, both Fuecoco and Quaxly stopped supporting each other and ran up in front of Nemona giving her the same googley-eyes they had given to Juliana.
"Oh, but did not receive a Pokémon when you entered the academy, Ms. Nemona?" Clavell couldn't help but ask which Nemona responded with a head shake no.
"Since I managed to have a few Pokémon before enrolling here, I was never given a first partner Pokémon." Nemona uttered. "I'd like to have one. I want the opportunity to raise a new team, starting with one of these little guys here."
Clavell smiled. "Well, in that case, how could I say no? You may proceed, Nemona."
She turned towards the remaining starter Pokémon who stared intently at her. As did Juliana, Sprigatito, and Clavell who were all curious as to which she'd choose between the two.
"It's a hard choice... but!" Nemona cried out kneeling down in front of the water starter who grew the biggest smile on its face. In eye level of Quaxly, she spoke. "How would you like to come with me, little guy?"
The water type didn't take a second to leap into the girl's arms. Nemona's mouth contorted into a smirk as she got off her knees. "Bien." She said in a soft voice with Quaxly turning towards the disappointed Fuecoco, sticking his tongue out pulling down his eyelid at the fire type despite the two of them sharing each other's pain not even a minute before.
"Coco..." Fuecoco said with his head hanging low. Clavell, feeling sorry for the little guy, raised the Pokémon's Poké Ball and recalled him. "Hang in there, Fuecoco. I'll find a good Trainer for you soon." He said returning the Pokéball before handing Sprigatito's Poké Ball to Juliana and Quaxly's to Nemona, both accepting it.
"Those are two fitting Pokémon you both have chosen. And as for you Ms. Juliana, I have no doubt you will come to prove yourself as a marvelous student and Trainer in no time." Clavell said getting a smile out of Juliana and Sprigatito, who was still upon her shoulder.
Still, there was one thing on Juliana's mind; the Pokémon Nemona had chosen, Quaxly, was a water type, that typing of course being at a clear disadvantage to Sprigatito's grass type.
She gave a smile looking towards Nemona who was still holding Quaxly in her arms. "So, we've both got these two starter Pokémon here. You said you're a girl who loves to battle, right? So how about it? What's say you and me get down to business?"
The fleeting smile across Nemona's face vanished as her demeanor shifted once again. Her calm and collectiveness replaced with a renewed tension. But this time Juliana wasn't in the least bit scared, after all, she had her Pokémon upon her shoulder.
"You want to battle me?" Nemona said trying not to raise her voice, clearly insulted by the request. "Don't get arrogant now. As Mr. Clavell said, I am a champion-ranked Trainer. Even with my Pokémon at a type disadvantage, you would stand no chance."
"Oh yeah, or are you just scared?" Juliana accused with a bright gleam in her eye. The accusation was enough to get a laugh out of Nemona who never felt so slighted in her life.
"Girls, girls, girls." Clavell uttered trying to defuse the situation. "There's no need for you two to bicker, you're both fellow students at Naranja Academy, it would be preferred if you two could get along."
Nemona scoffed looking away from Juliana before dropping her sulkish attitude. "...You're right, Mr. Clavell. I'm sorry." She replied before the director continued.
"Although, perhaps a battle between you and Ms. Juliana would be good, it could be an excellent start to her curriculum." He suggested which neither Nemona nor Juliana expected to hear from him.
A grin spread across Juliana's face as she gave a snicker. "You heard him, Nemona, you can't say no to the director now, can you?" Juliana said with arrogance in her voice before looking towards Sprigatito upon her shoulder. "Alright Sprigatito, are you ready for this?"
"Spri, Spri!" The Grass starter said with confidence in its voice. Ready to scrap with Quaxly knowing it'd be the definite victor.
Quaxly was a little intimidated at the thought of battling with Sprigatito, if it had the choice, it'd definitely prefer to face Fuecoco instead, but his fears were calmed by his new Trainer who gently pat his head easing him.
"Don't worry Quaxly, I promise, we are going to win this." Nemona declared glaring intently at the opposing Trainer before her.
Whew, another chapter down. Now, before anyone says it. I know. I know this version of Nemona is absolutely nothing like the one from the games so far.
All I have to say is wait, just wait a few more chapters because I've got something interesting cooking with her character.
— letsgojojo, signing out.