"Wake up!" Deputy Raticate called. Alex tiredly opened his eyes. "The doctors have signed off on all of you, so now we need to check your physical and battle ability. Come!" he yelled from the door.
The other recruits minus Alex and Caleb were talking together, glancing at Alex and Caleb occasionally.
"Deputy Raticate, is it true that Alex is human? He's not getting special treatment, is he?" Monferno asked.
"That information is classified. But, everyone must follow the same rules and has the same expectations. Every Pokemon must succeed on their own terms, no matter their origin or species," Deputy Raticate said. "Enough lollygagging! Follow me to the gym!"
Deputy Raticate led them into the hall, where windows were letting the morning light in. Deputy Raticate brought them to a large room in one corner of the Rainbow Mesa, with windows cut into two of the four sides of the arena. Multiple Pokemon were already in the room, with rings marked out onto the floor as fighting areas.
"Here you will spar with the battle instructors of the Academy. We will also test your agility, strength, and endurance. Those who do well will be fast-tracked to exploration based assignments, while those who do poorly will need remedial lessons." He squinted. "Machop, Abra, did you have a good nap?"
Alex swallowed nervously. "Yes, Deputy Raticate."
"Congratulations! Since this is so boring you fell asleep, you can battle Sergeant Graveler at the northwest corner. Machop, you will face Sergeant Mienshao in the southwest. Monferno, Sergeant Dusknoir in the center. Girafarig, Sergeant Vikavolt in the northeast, Murkrow, Sergeant Ninjask in the southeast. Fomantis, go with Sergeant Shiftry between him and Monferno. Baltoy, Sergeant Zangoose between Machop and Abra." Deputy Raticate barked his orders.
Alex slowly walked around the edge of the room, looking at the Graveller towering above him. The boulder stared at him, his face nestled in his crag-like arms. What could Alex do here? He knew one move, but it took time for him to focus on it. Yesterday, he teleported, but he didn't know how to do it voluntarily or control where he went.
Before Alex could decide on a course of action, Sargeant Graveller was already moving toward him, reaching out one of his arms to crush him in his hands. Alex half jumped, half fell to one side, barely avoiding the attack.
"Good! At least you didn't just stand there and take it. If I attack you with my full power, you will faint before you know it. Now fight back!" Sergeant Graveller said.
He again punched toward Alex, who clumsily ducked under his arm, and circled around him. Sargeant Graveler was slow, or he was acting slow for Alex's benefit, so he was able to get behind him. As Sargeant Graveler turned, swinging his huge arms in an attempt to catch Alex, Alex continued to run to stay behind him. He jumped to climb up Sargeant Gravelers' craggy back, which had huge cracks and ridges for hand- and footholds. It took him a few tries, but Alex managed to wrap his long fingers around one outcropping out of reach of Sergeant Graveler's arms. Once Alex had gotten his grip, it was easier to hold on. Sergeant Graveler's exoskeleton didn't flex with his muscles, only rotated as he moved his body, making his handholds surprisingly stable for someone trying to shake Alex off..
Sergeant Graveler rotated his arms, trying to find a way to dislodge Alex. "Well, I can't get you like that, as long as I restrict myself to hitting you. But running and hiding can't beat me by itself. Surely you have attacks, Abra?" he said.
Alex hyperventilated. His hands were already starting to cramp from holding his body onto a single point. He curled his feet around a second crag, giving him more support.
How do I attack? I did that Hidden Power earlier, but I'm not sure I can do it again. And Psychic Musharna was really freaked out by it. What if Sergeant Graveler thought the same way about my Ghost type Hidden Power? Would I get kicked out if he thinks the same way? Alex thought.
"Come on! Attack me! You can't win any battles only by hiding!" Sergeant Graveler yelled.
I guess I don't have any choice. I don't know how to do anything else. Alex thought.
He tried to remember how he did the attack earlier. Focus in on myself, find the energy. Push it outside. It was hard to concentrate when Alex kept being jerked around, and his fear made it harder. But he somehow calmed himself enough to find the swirling gray energy in his soul, grabbed a piece of it, and threw it in desperation.
Alex heard the same high pitched ringing he had when he destroyed the office. Alex felt Sergeant Graveler jerk away from him, as if a mighty blow had stuck against his back. Alex lost his grip, and saw Sergeant Graveler sliding several feet away, gray wisps of smoke trailing off where Alex had hit him.
"Oh! That was strong! I haven't felt a Hidden Power like that from a kid Pokemon like you before! But it's not enough to knock me out yet. Keep attacking!" Sergeant Graveler said, rushing at Alex again. Alex jumped to the side again, away from Sergeant Graveler's punches and grabs. Alex paused to attack again, but his focus was broken by Sergeant Graveler grabbing one of Alex's arms and lifting him up. Alex dangled from his wrist, caught in a stone vise. His other arm scrabbled at Sergeant Graveler's hand trying to pry it away, but he could find no purchase on his smooth hands.
Sergeant Graveler examined Alex dangling from his hand. "You're not good with that attack, are you, little Abra?" he said. "Your attacks should be extensions of yourself, usable at a moment's notice. Now, how well do you handle pain?" Sergeant Graveler asked, before swinging Alex by his wrist and slamming him onto the ground.
Pain seared through Alex's body. He had landed partially on his tail, bending it unnaturally far, and then rolled to his left. Graveler had released him as he hit the ground.
That hurts! Is he trying to break something? Alex's thoughts swam hazily in his head. He coughed, the dust of the floor getting in his mouth. His tail ached, and his left hand throbbed where he had landed on it.
I have to get up. I'm supposed to join here. Alex thought to himself. He pushed himself up, stumbling as his left knee almost gave out.
"Good! We can keep going!" Sergeant Graveler said. Alex closed his eyes and focused. He let out another Hidden Power, but instead of releasing it only once, he kept his focus on his internal energy and threw out another attack. Then a third, and a fourth. Alex didn't dare open his eyes to see what effect this was having, if any. But after his fifth attack, his energy was spent. He opened his eyes to see Sergeant Graveler shielding his face, with the residue from Alex's Hidden Power streaming off him.
"Haha! Good, you are strong!" Sergeant Graveler laughed. "You pass! You need a lot of practice, mostly on your aim. You shot that attack everywhere!."
"I… I passed? But I didn't even beat you." Alex said. He panted with the exertion. The effort he had put into his attacks added strain to his mind, like his overused muscles from the day before.
"I am strong. Even though you're the strongest Abra I've seen, Abra are not stronger than me. Eat an Oran Berry and rest before Deputy Raticate takes you elsewhere," Sergeant Graveler said. He pointed at a shelf with berries sitting on it.
"I-thank you, Sergeant Graveler" Alex said. He limped to the shelf with berries, where Fomantis stood gnawing on one.
"Are you done already?" Alex asked.
"Yes. I am not a good battler. I intend to study medicine, not exploring." Fomantis said. "I saw your battle with Sergeant Graveler. Your attack is exceptionally powerful."
"Sergeant Graveler said the same thing. I couldn't do it for long, though. I'm glad he was just testing me. I don't know how well I would do in a real fight," Alex said.
Now that he looked at the shelf, there was a variety of berries, none familiar to him. There were two kinds of blue berries, as well as red, orange, purple and pink ones, in strange shapes unfamiliar to Alex.
"Umm, which one is an Oran Berry? Sergeant Graveler said I should have one." Alex asked.
"You truly don't know?" Fomantis asked. "Perhaps you really are a foreigner to us then. The round blue ones are Oran Berries. They promote healing, as well as relieve pain. They're one of the most common berries cultivated for those reasons."
Alex took one and started eating it. It had a strange texture, and a thick, chewy rind. It had many different flavors, somehow bitter, sweet, tart, and with a hint of spiciness at the same time. Yet, it didn't taste bad. Its flavors that theoretically clashed with each other instead made a pleasant taste
As Alex ate his berry, he watched the other battles taking place. Baltoy rocked side to side, avoiding and deflecting the slashes of Sergeant Zangoose. When there was an opening, they would shoot a pink beam out of the horn on his head. Girafarig stood in the center of her ring while a bug buzzed around her. Without turning her head, she kicked out with her hind legs to catch Sergeant Vikavolt as he dashed in to bite her with his mandibles. Monferno danced around a Dusknoir twice her size, launching fire from her mouth and launching flurries of attacks with her fists and feet. Monferno would occasionally light up her fists with fire or electricity to hit Sergeant Dusknoir, which caused him to flinch whenever they hit.
Caleb was facing off against Sergeant Mienshao. Caleb would square his stance to throw a punch, but Sergeant Mienshao would buffet his face with her whip- like arms to distract him. With a yell, Caleb launched into a frenzy of kicks, trying to land at least one solid hit. Sergeant Mienshao skipped around him, skillfully disrupting his attacks.
The sound of dried clay hitting the ground drew Alex's and Fomantis' attention back to Baltoy. Their rocking had turned into an uncontrolled wobble, and there was a crack in the top of their head.
"No more. I yield. No more," Baltoy repeated, his voice echoing with the sound of pottery on stone. They put his hands to their head. Sergeant Zangoose lowered his claws. "Go get an Oran, I'm finished testing you."
"G-Gratitude." Baltoy said. They wobbled to the shelf of berries, leaning heavily to their left. Fomantis climbed onto the shelf to assess Baltoy's injury.
"Very odd." he commented. "I've never met a Baltoy before now, so I don't know your biology. You seem to actually be made of clay, not flesh. Since you don't seem to be missing any large pieces, this crack should heal quickly. I'd assume this is similar to breaking a bone in most pokemon. An Oran Berry should improve your rate of healing so that you will be fully healed by the end of the day." He finished by passing another Oran Berry to him.
"Gr-gratitude," Baltoy stuttered. They caught the berry on one of their arms, opened their mouth as if it were hinged, and stuffed the whole fruit inside of them.
Immediately, Blatoy straightened up and stopped wobbling. "Gratitude, Fomantis. I was not thinking correctly, and could not think of the right berry."
"Not a problem, Baltoy. I was curious about your physiology. Are you actually hollow on the inside? It seemed that way, but I couldn't see clearly through the small crack."
"Affirmative. Baltoy and Cladol are clay constructs animated with psychic power. As such, we are immune to diseases that affect flesh, though our form can be disrupted," Baltoy said.
"Um, how does that work? How can these Oran berries work as well on me as on him?" Alex asked.
Baltoy answered. "All healing berries and items are blessed by Celebi to grant beneficial effects on Pokemon, regardless of species. It seems to directly affect the aura of the Pokemon itself, removing the harmful effect it counters. Are you unaware of this?"
"Um, yeah," Alex answered. "I don't remember anything. I can recognize Pokemon species, but beyond that, I don't have any knowledge."
Alex didn't want to admit he was human in public yet, even if Psychic Musharna had announced it to everybody an hour ago.
"You haven't demonstrated any of the psychic abilities common to your kind. It is unusual for an Abra to not levitate for locomotion. Are Psychic Musharna's claims that you are a reborn human true?" Baltoy asked.
As Alex stuttered, Murkrow squawked as he approached. His feathers were disheveled, and he had numerous cuts seeping blood. "He's too fast! How do you fight that? Electricity? Fire? Well, I can't do either of those. Totally unfair for me." He started pecking at an oran berry.
"You at least did better than me. I was the second out." Alex said, changing the subject.
"I think he was just toying with me, actually. I was keeping away from him and shooting off Haze to try to slow him down. I don't think it did much," he said.
Girafarig and Caleb came to the shelf together, both with bruises prominent on their bodies.
"That was annoying! Every time I went to attack, Sergeant Meinshao hit my face or yanked my arms. I only really got one hit in. And it didn't even faze her," Caleb grumbled.
"I did better than I thought. Kuro would tell me when Sergeant Vikavolt came from behind, so I could attack back," Girafarig said, feeding a berry to her tail and taking another for herself.
The group watched Monferno continue to battle with Sergeant Dusknoir. Compared to a few minutes before, Monferno was slowing down. She was breathing heavily, and her strikes were slower and more clumsy. Sergeant Dusknoir looked at the group of Pokemon congregating around the healing supplies, and stopped attacking.
"Enough. Your fighting abilities are proven," he said.
Monferno straightened up from her fighting stance. "Of course. Thanks for the workout," she said, walking to the berries.
She picked up an Oran berry without looking at the other recruits. "Looks like I'm the best battler here. Not that there was really any doubt. After all, I'm evolved," she gloated.
As soon as Monferno had eaten her berry, a familiar voice shouted.
"Recruits, listen up! Battle evaluation is over, so we will move on to general physical fitness. There will be running and agility drills to assess your physical abilities. Rest, and it will begin shortly," Deputy Raticate said.
Alex walked over to Baltoy. "Um, I've noticed that you hover sometimes when you're not balanced on your foot. Is that something you can teach me to do? Walking all the time hurts my legs and feet," he said.
Baltoy made a strange buzzing noise, which made the crack in his head rattle. "How to levitate?" he paused. "Never thought about it. Baltoy levitate naturally using our powers. I may as well ask you to teach me to breathe."
"Oh. Um, thanks for letting me ask," Alex said.
How am I going to get to learn how to be a Pokemon? Nobody here is the same species as me. Will I have to find out everything on my own? Everyone else has natural weapons with fists or claws. Baltoy is the only one who uses psychic powers, but they doesn't have to think about them. Alex thought.
Alex closed his eyes like Principal Blastoise had told him was normal for Abra. He didn't gain any new perceptions or insight on how to be an Abra, but it helped him think.
How do Abra go around like this? If I'm psychic, shouldn't I be able to sense everybody's minds or something? He thought to himself
Alex tried to feel his core of energy for clues, but it just swirled around in its purple-gray haze. No new abilities seemed forthcoming, though if his Hidden Power was as potent as it seemed, it was a strong weapon.
"Breaktime's over! Recruits, line up here!" Deputy Raticate yelled. Alex flinched, but he quickly recovered. Deputy Raticate was standing at one of the walls of the arena. The group of recruits followed him.
"First is agility! You will get from this wall to the other and return as fast as you can ten times. This tests your speed, as well as endurance. If you start with sprinting, you won't have enough energy to finish. Move however is easiest. Murkrow, you are free to fly. Abra, if you want to teleport, use it. Understand?" Deputy Raticate said.
"Yes, Deputy Raticate!" the recruits said in unison.
"On my mark! Three, two, one, go!" Deputy Raticate called out. He looked at an hourglass on the wall which had many lines drawn on the glass.
Monferno shot out, alternating between her hands and her feet as she ran. Girafarig slowly sped up to a canter, and Caleb started with a light jog. Murkow flapped his wings frantically to take off. Baltoy used a strange hopping motion, while Fomantis scuttled on his belly. Alex started walking. He didn't think that he could pull off teleporting when the only time he had done it before was in a state of panic. Who knew where he would end up if he teleported again? Already, Monferno had touched the opposite wall and was heading back. Alex tried walking faster, trying not to strain his backward facing toes. Pushing harder with his legs, Alex started to transition to a light jog, stretching his tail out for balance. He touched the wall, already breathing harder. Abra weren't built for running, it seemed. Or was he just a really weak Abra?
Alex's gait became more regular as he jogged back to the first wall. His legs burned, so he slowed to a walk to try to recover. Monferno was already on her fourth lap, though Girafarig's long strides put her close behind him. Alex and Murkrow kept pace with each other, Murkrow having the advantage of not having to dodge the other recruits. Fomantis was faster than Alex walking, but Alex had passed him while running. Alex decided that walking for one lap and running every other lap was a good compromise between speed and efficiency.
After her fifth lap, Monferno was slowing. As Girafarig neared, she would speed up, refusing to be passed. But a few laps later, exhaustion took hold, and Girafarig passed Monferno for good. Caleb had picked a good pace and was consistent in his speed, where Murkow would alternately speed up or slow down. Baltoy's hopping was confusing to watch. They would float far longer than was natural and cover more distance than would be expected, yet their body barely seemed to flex or bend to show effort. Alex and Fomantis continued to pass each other as the former alternated between walking and jogging.
As Alex neared his last lap, he chose to continue running. He hoped that he hadn't lost count. He had started by holding out one finger for each lap, but realized after two laps that he only had six fingers, not ten.
Alex leaned against the wall when he finished, breathing heavily. Every day there was some new physical challenge for him to struggle against, and do poorly at. Fomantis followed soon behind him.
Deputy Raticate finished writing on a paper he was carrying with him, glancing at the hourglass on the wall.
"Good work, recruits! You're slightly faster than molasses! You get a five minute break, then we will begin the next test!" he shouted.
Alex dropped to the floor, bending his legs to touch his feet together. Slowly, he was finding the most comfortable ways to sit and move in this strange body. Since he didn't have another Abra to watch and learn from, he had to find it out on his own.
Caleb sat down beside him.
"Wow, that was tough! The other 'mons applying are pretty strong. Alex, I saw you're getting better at running too. Yesterday, you almost fell when you tried, but now, you ran like half the course!" Caleb said.
"I… I guess so," Alex said. Things were starting to look up for Alex, as he became more coordinated and started to understand his body more. He felt his heart racing in his chest, trying to recover from the stamina test. Alex noticed that Caleb wasn't breathing hard, and was almost relaxed, even after the running they had just done.
"Um, did you not run as fast as you could? You're not even breathing hard, when everyone else is almost falling down," Alex asked.
"Oh, that? That's something special about Machop and their evolutions. No matter how much I exercise, I never feel tired or sore. But sometimes people see that and think I didn't use my full strength if I don't look tired. But actually, even if I don't show it, I can still run out of energy.".
"That's lucky. I still hurt from all the walking yesterday. Moving around is helping, though," Alex said.
Nearby, Monferno and Girafarig were arguing.
"I did just fine! Your long legs gave you an unfair advantage!" Monferno said.
"I'm just trying to help you! You tried to sprint too early, and used up all your energy. You need to pace yourself more," Girafarig said, her tail snapping at the air. "Don't get mad because you misjudged your strength. You wanted to show off, and it backfired. In a place like this, you could have beat me, since you can turn around faster. It was because you wanted to show off that you lost."
"Grr. Whatever. I'm still the best battler out of all of you," Monferno grumbled.
"Breaktime's over! We're going to the obstacle course now. Keep up!" Deputy Raticate yelled.
The seven applicants left the battle arena and followed Deputy Raticate to another large room, filled with ropes, ramps, and tunnels of different sizes.
"Here is the final test. Walking Pokemon will take one of four routes, depending on their size, and if they have two or four legs. Murkrow, you will take the flying section. As before, you will be timed on your performance. Now, who's going first?" Deputy Raticate asked.
"I'll do it!" Monferno said. "Where am I going?"
Deputy Raticate led her to a pair of tunnels. "Take the left tunnel. You will run through this tunnel, crawl under the ropes, climb the rope tower, take the balance board, and climb the ramps. Next, you will take the ravine back to the start, and climb over the wall. Any questions?"
"Got it. Watch me get the fastest time out of all these kids," Monferno said.
She immediately started loping through the wooden tunnel, crawled under the ropes, and launched herself at the ropes wall when she finished. Her monkey arms and legs let her easily climb the rope wall and land on the balance board. She scrambled on all fours across the beam and bounced across the sloped dirt, though she did slip in the narrow ravine before scrambling up the wall that stretched over her head.
"One minute, forty seconds," Deputy Raticate said. "Next!"
How am I supposed to do that? I know that I'm going to be the slowest, but I don't know how I can get over that wall. It goes over my head! Alex thought.
"I would like to attempt this, please," Fomantis said. He got down on his four limbs and scuttled into the tunnel. His scythes let him grip the ropes, though his body was so short he had to climb the vertical ropes instead of using the ropes as a ladder. On the sideways slopes, his scythes made him slip sideways, making him crabwalk instead of going straight. On the vertical wall, he simply dug into the dirt and scuttled up.
"Three minutes, forty five seconds," Deputy Raticate said. "Next!"
"Question: Am I required to climb the ropes, or may I levitate myself?" Baltoy said.
"You are required to get to the top. How you get there is up to you," Deputy Raticate said.
"Understood," Baltoy then began to hop down the tunnel, taking low hops to avoid hitting their head on the top. When they got to the crawl, they laid down and rolled, using their arms to push forward. They used a large jump to skip four rungs at a time, hooking their arm on a rope rung before leaping again. The rest of the obstacles went similarly for them, hopping as needed to keep balanced.
"Three minutes exactly," Deputy Raticate said. "Let's get all you bipeds done first. Machop or Abra, get up here!"
"I've got this, Abra," Caleb said. He ran through the course, though not as agilely as Monferno.
"Two minutes, thirty seconds," Deputy Raticate said. "Abra, get up here!"
Here goes, Alex thought to himself. He stood at the entrance, looking at the tunnel that started the obstacle course. The tunnel was just low enough that he would have to duck slightly to fit.
"What are you waiting for? Get going!" Deputy Raticate said.
Alex started into the tunnel. He held his hands out to each side to keep his balance on the sloped floor. The wood was worn smooth from use, reducing the risk of splinters. Once he exited, he had to crawl in the mix of dirt and rock on the floor to keep under a web of ropes above him. He flexed his tail down to keep it from touching the ropes.
Alex then began to climb the rope wall which stretched above him, two or three times his height. Each time he put his weight onto a rung, it dropped, leading him to use more energy to climb it. He tried to grab next to the vertical ropes, but his feet and hands would slip to the middle of each rung. Eventually, he made it to the top, his arms and legs burning, and dropped down the other side. Alex tumbled on the ropes, rolling to a stop at the start of the balance beam.
Monferno laughed. "Idiot. He can't even do this easy course? What a failure."
"Come on! He's trying his best, Monferno!" Caleb said.
"If that Musharna was telling the truth, that Abra is really failing to scare me into doing his bidding. What kind of lame human is stuck as an Abra? All they do is run away," Monferno said.
Alex stopped listening as he stepped onto the balance board. He held out his hands to each side and stretched out his tail to keep his balance. It was slightly wider than his feet, and if he fell, it would only be a small drop, but Alex wanted to save face as much as possible.
Next was sloped ramps, tilted in every direction. It wasn't much different than the hike yesterday down the hill, so Alex didn't have to figure it out from scratch. The ravine was a rough trench dug into the rocky floor, making Alex slip in the uneven footing.
And finally, there was the last obstacle, the one that Alex was dreading: the wall climb. It stood just over his head, enough that Alex could reach the top with his fingertips. There was a vertical rope on his side of the wall that he had missed, but Alex wasn't sure if it would help him.
With a deep breath, Alex jumped and grabbed the top of the wall, hanging from the edge. His feet scrabbled at the edge, barely finding purchase to lift him up. Alex grunted, trying to pull himself up, but his arms were too weak, and his legs couldn't get enough grip.
If only I could get to the top. I need to get over this! Alex strained, focusing with all his might to pull himself to the top of the wall. He felt pressure building inside him before there was a sudden pop.
Alex found himself standing on the top of the wall, wobbling at the top. Did I just teleport again? A small slip made him put that question aside for later, as he hopped to the floor. He walked, tired, to where Deputy Raticate was standing.
"Four minutes, thirty seconds."
"That's not fair! He cheated on that last part! We're supposed to climb the wall, not teleport onto it!" Monferno complained.
"The challenge is to navigate each obstacle, in any way you are able. Since Abra reached the top of the wall, and got down, it is valid. If he had teleported to the other side of the wall, he would have to redo the course," Deputy Raticate said. "It's difficult enough to make a set of exercises that all Pokemon can do, without making some suffer for their biology. Girafarig, get over here!"
"Yes, Deputy Raticate," Girafarig said. She followed Deputy Raticate to a taller set of tunnels.
"You're on the course for larger quadrupeds. No ropes on this course. Here, you start by going through this tunnel, up the balance ramps, then into the slopes. Crawl under the ropes, and start into the hurdles. Your last obstacle will be a steep slope climb. Understood?"
"Yes, Deputy Raticate," Girafarig said.
Girafarig started cantering down the tunnel. She then climbed slopes similar to the ones everyone else had, testing her balance in every direction. A narrow piece of wood added some challenge, where a hoof slipped off here and there. But, Girafarig didn't fall, and continued to walk through the course.
Girafarig had to crouch onto her knees to navigate under the ropes. She then slowly made her way over the escarpment, digging her hooves into carved ridges in the rock.
"Three minutes, thirty five seconds," Deputy Raticate said. "Murkrow! Get in the air, you're last!"
Alex looked up to see a series of hoops and beams in the air. They seemed to lead into a course similar to the ones everyone else had done, just based in the air.
Murkrow flapped his wings heavily. "It's not easy flying inside like this. Where's the start?"
"Start at the green hoop, and follow the arrows!" Deputy Raticate yelled.
Murkrow started to fly, going around the beams and through the hoops. Occasionally, he would tap a wing against an obstacle, making him squawk in pain. After a few minutes, he landed, breathing heavily.
"Three minutes, ten seconds," Deputy Raticate said. Turning to the rest of the group, he called out:
"You've all gotten your scores from today's test. Though some of you were faster than others, what is important is that we know your baseline. In a month, when those that are accepted in the Academy graduate from recruits to rookies, you will take this same test, and we will measure your improvement. It's better to compare yourself to your past than to someone else's present."
"Whatever. As long as that Abra isn't allowed to teleport past everything next time, I'll still beat him," Monferno said.
Before Alex could react, Caleb pulled him away. "It's great that you figured out how to teleport, Alex! See, you're starting to understand how to be an Abra! I'm sure with some practice, you'll be a super strong Pokemon!" Caleb said.
Alex thought about how he had managed to teleport for the second time. It felt like he had to concentrate on movement, on being someplace, in order to teleport. He needed to practice more, since it would make moving around so much easier.
Well, everyone says that Abra are good at running away from stuff. If I can get teleporting under control, I'd be a pretty good example of an Abra. But I don't think I can save the world just by teleporting away from challenges. Wait, if humans are supposed to be smart, maybe I don't have to fight head-on in battles. I did that a little with Sergeant Graveler earlier. If I can act like a human, I might be able to win without getting hurt.
The other applicants didn't seem to want to talk to Alex, instead talking about the challenges they had with the obstacle course.
"I had difficulty navigating the rope sections. My species is reliant on psychic power for locomotion, but I have never practiced moving vertically," Baltoy said. The crack in their head was smaller than it had been an hour ago, but there was still noticeable damage.
"My hooves kept slipping on the sideways slopes. I'm glad there were some footholds worn in, or I would have slipped to the bottom," Girafarig said. She looked at her hooves. "Maybe I need to get them trimmed soon."
"Listen up! It's time for lunch, so you're going to eat while I talk with the Principal and other leaders to determine who's getting in. After you eat, any of you that are rejected will leave, and the rest of you will be assigned rooms, a mentor, and given a tour of the Academy. Are there any questions?" Deputy Raticate asked.
Alex raised his hand. "Umm, what would make someone fail, Deputy Raticate?"
"The assessments are taken to determine if you are physically and mentally capable of the rigorous training of the Academy. Pokemon that are too young, immature, or weak are disqualified on physical grounds, while problems with attitude, cowardance, or unprofessional conduct will disqualify you on those grounds," Deputy Raticate said, glaring hard at Monferno. She stood straighter at the strength of his gaze.
Deputy Raticate ignored her and walked out of the room, heading toward the stairs.
"Come on, rookies! Or are you not hungry?" he yelled. The applicants quickly hurried after him to the stairs.
"Up to the green floor!" Deputy Raticte ordered, hopping ahead of them.
The applicants followed him up, where the walls changed to a dusky green color, marked with flecks of white. Alex smelled something cooking, and his stomach grumbled. The dry bread and meat from the morning was leaving him unsatisfied.
Deputy Raticate led them to a room with windows along one wall, a welcome sight from the crystal and orb light that lit the corridors and inner rooms inside of the base.
"Meat's served on the right side, if you want it, plants on the left. Don't take what you won't eat. I will return in one hour to inform you of the results," Deputy Raticate said. He then turned and left down the hall, not looking back.
Murkrow hopped to be the first in line. "I didn't get to eat anything this morning. I'm starving!"
Behind him, the rest of the applicants lined up. None of them chose to go to the line where the scents of cooked meat a long table, a Phantump hovered, holding a ladle in each arm.
"Rice or potatoes?" he asked.
"Rice!" Murkrow said. Phantump put a scoop of rice in a bowl, then offered a choice of sauce, and gave him the bowl, which Murkrow carefully carried in his beak to a low table.
The rest of the applicants followed, choosing a base, a sauce, and a fresh price of fruit before going to the tables. Fomantis, Murkrow, and Girafarig sat next to each other, while Monferno and Baltoy ate by themselves. Alex went last, choosing to get the same meal as Caleb.
"What do you think, Alex? Should we try to sit with somebody else, or go by ourselves? Whatever you want to do, I'm happy," Caleb said.
"Why- Why don't we sit by Fomantis,Girafarig and Murkrow? They sounded pretty friendly earlier. I think we should try to get to know them, since we'll probably be spending a lot of time together," Alex said.
"Sure thing," Caleb said walking to the table where the three sat on the ground. They looked up when Alex and Caleb approached, but they didn't say anything or move away.
"Hi," Alex said, sitting down. "Today's been a lot harder than I was expecting."
"I thought there would be some kind of test, but I didn't expect four different sections! I thought there was going to be some battling, but I didn't think they would ask so many questions!" Girafarig said.
"I know, right? Did they really need to know about the last time I molted? Seriously," Murkrow said.
"I believe it's a way to evaluate health and body function. Problems with natural cycles can point to health issues that can put an explorer in danger," Fomantis said.
"Maybe, but it was still embarrassing." Murkrow said.
"Anyways, Abra, good job on that teleport at the wall. I could tell you were trying. But, was Musharna right? Are you a human?" Girafarig asked.
"Umm, would you hate me if I was? She made it sound like I was cursed or evil because of the move she taught me," Alex said.
Girafaig shifted uncomfortably. "I'm... not sure. Ghost types are really creepy, the way they laugh and trick you. And if you have that power, it might mean you are too. Plus, you have all those weird scars…" she trailed off.
Alex followed her gaze to the red-brown marks on his arms., then tried to cover them with his hands.
"I met Alex yesterday on my walk here, and he hasn't done anything mean or wrong. He's just really confused about everything," Caleb said.
"Are you sure he isn't messing with your head? He could be tricking you," Murkrow said.
"Did you see the way he struggled to teleport? I hardly believe he can even sense your mind, much less affect it," Fomatis said.
Alex looked down, spearing the potatoes in his bowl with his fork. "I don't know who I am, or why I'm here. I just want to find out my past, and why I'm here. I don't want to hurt anyone, even if Psychic Musharna said I'm cursed."
"Wait, so Psychic Musharna didn't unlock your memories? How could she know that you're bad then?" Girafarig asked.
"Hey, let's let my friend eat in peace for a bit, okay?" Caleb said. "We're nervous that we won't get in. Do you think they're going to kick any of us out?"
The rest of the applicants uncomfortably turned back to their food. After a minute of awkward silence, Murkrow spoke up.
"I wonder if they're going to let that Monferno in. She's acting like she's used to getting her way, and she's said some bad stuff to almost all of us. Hopefully they talk to her before she turns into a bully,"
I'm worried they won't let me in. I'm really weak, and barely know how to use my powers. That teleport earlier was the second one that I've done, and I'm not fully sure how I can do it again. I know that Code said they have to help me, but what if they find me too far behind and tell me to come back? Alex thought.
"I hope they let me join the medicine classes, even though I am physically weak. I'm sure they have exceptions for those who don't intend to enter Mystery Dungeons or battle, but I won't be good at either until I evolve," Fomantis said.
"I was surprised at those challenges too. But I'm sure we'll all get in. We all tried our best," said Caleb.
"I hope so," Girafarig said.
Alex ate his food in silence. The three applicants eating with him and Caleb didn't seem to hate him, at least not as bad as Monferno. The food was filling and good, even though Alex still had some struggles using his utensils with his odd hands. But once he was done, he looked at the many different Pokemon in the room.
Nearby, a Lairon dove into a large platter of potatoes and vegetables, with a pile of metal on the side. To Alex's amazement, the Lairon ate the scraps of metal as if they were no harder than the cooked vegetables on his plate. A Stoutland was using his paws to wipe splashes of sauce off his face from eating.
It looks like a lot of Pokemon attend this Academy, Alex thought. There's at least fifty different Pokemon just in this cafeteria, and they're all different sizes and shapes. I wonder how all these Pokemon are able to work together, especially if they don't have hands or limbs for dexterity.
The group of five Pokemon finished their meal, imagining what kinds of training they would receive at the Academy, if they were admitted. When everyone was done eating, Caleb volunteered to take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen, and Alex followed him.
"What do you think so far? Is the Academy a place you want to be?" Caleb asked Alex.
"I-I think so. I've learned a lot so far about how to use this body, and I can tell it's safe. At least, it's safer than the wilderness you found me in. So I know I want to stay here and learn how to survive and live," Alex replied. "And at least the other Pokemon here aren't attacking me, like Principal Blastiose said might happen."
"I'm happy you feel better now. Do you think we should just wait at our table for Deputy Raticate to come back, or did you want to talk to somebody else?" Caleb asked.
"I think I'll wait at the table, maybe close my eyes for a few minutes. I feel like I need to sleep more… I hope I get used to the hard work soon," Alex said.
They went back to the table, and Alex returned to his cross legged pose to relax, not quite dozing. After a few minutes, he heard a large, heavy Pokemon approaching behind him. Alex opened his eyes to see a big, red Pokemon behind him, with fire sprouting from his eyebrows.
"Hey, kids, it's time for your orientation. Follow me to the auditorium, then we'll tell you who got in and do a tour for those staying," the Darmanitan said. Monferno and Baltoy were already standing behind him.
"S-sure," Alex said, standing up. Fomantis, Murkrow, and Girafarig were right behind Alex in following Darmantian.
"Good, the gang's all here! We're going to one of the smaller meeting rooms, not the big Auditorium for the whole base. That'd be way too big for just ten of us," Darmanitan said, leading them out of the cafeteria.
His odd knuckle crawling gait made him move nearly as fast as Deputy Raticate's constant running. Soon, they entered another door on the same floor, where Principal Blastoise and Deputy Raticate stood at the front of the room, with Psychic Musharna and Physician Golduck behind him. Darmanitan led the applicants to a set of cushions on the ground, where they could sit and listen to the leaders of the Academy.
"I've brought today's applicant's, Principal Blastoise and Deputy Raticate," Darmanitan said.
"Thank you, Mentor Darmanitan," Principal Blastoise said. Mentor Darmanitan stepped aside to let Principal Blastoise stand at the front of the room.
"Welcome, Pokemon, to the Academy at Rainbow Mesa. I know many of you have travelled for days to apply here. And so, we will announce the accepted recruits. Recruit Monferno, step forward," Principal Blastoise said
Monferno strutted forward to stand next to Principal Blastoise, chest puffing out.
"Recruit Monferno, your ability and skill is plain to see. It's not often we have an evolved Pokemon seeking entrance to our Academy. But your belligerence is tolerated. You have disrespected your superiors, as well as your peers multiple times in only a few hours. Due to your rash and boastful nature, we reject your admission to this Academy. Perhaps in the future, you may apply again, but unless your character improves, you will be rejected again," Principal Blastoise said.
Monferno's face fell, but her expression quickly turned to anger. "What? You can't do that! I'm the best out of all these weaklings! If you're going to kick me out because that whiny human can't compete with me, then you're just pandering to the weak. You know-"
"Enough," Principal Blastoise said, his voice hardening to a steely edge. "You are not welcome here any longer. You are no longer eligible for enrollment in this Academy, no matter your current or future abilities. Deputy Raticate, escort Monferno out."
"You can't do this! You're only hurting yourselves by missing out on me!" Monferno shouted.
"You have ten seconds to leave before I knock you out and drag you outside." Deputy Raticate said.
Monferno's eyes locked onto Alex's. "This is all your fault. Every guild in the world has to bow down and pander to you humans, and leave us regular Pokemon behind. And for what? You can't even climb a wall."
A flash of movement, and Monferno slumped to the floor. Deputy Raticate stood behind her and grabbed one of her arms in his teeth. All of the applicants gasped at this display of power as Deputy Raticate unceremoniously dragged Monferno out of the room.
"No one is ever to be judged by their species or capabilities, or lack thereof," Principal Blastoise said. "Now, next applicant. Girafarig, step forward."
Girafarig stood up and faced Blastoise.
"You are a reliable battler and a caring soul. Welcome to the Academy," Principal Blastoise said.
"Thank you so much!" Girafarig said. Even her tail seemed to smile at the prospect, recovering from the drama from a minute before.
Baltoy, Fomantis, and Murkrow were all called up in turn, to be accepted into the Academy.
"Recruit Alex, step forward."
Alex twitched. Wasn't his name supposed to be secret? Principal Blastoise was the one that suggested it to be kept secret, but now he was throwing that away?
Alex stood up to stand before Principal Blastoise's towering form.
"Alex, you have been an Abra for less than a day, but you have already demonstrated much power and potential. Welcome to the Academy." The other recruits began to whisper, but Principal Blastoise raised his voice.
"Yes, the declaration of Psychic Musharna is true, at least in part. This Abra is a human, with the name of Alex. Psychic Musharna has verified this with a mind probe. But to dispel the rumors: yes, his Hidden Power is unusually strong. It is also true that it has the element of Ghost attached to it. That does NOT mean that he is evil, or trying to eat your soul, or whichever other superstition is floating around these days. Ghost types are no more or less capable of cruelty than any other type, and in any case, Alex is a Psychic, not a Ghost. Those responsible for spreading this rumor have been reprimanded, and further attempts to discriminate will be disciplined.
"Furthermore, even though Alex is a human, he will get no special privileges or treatment. Alex will be subject to the same rules and guidelines for advancement as the rest of you. We will treat him like any other recruit, and we expect you to do the same.
"The original plan was to simply let you learn his origin on your own, after you knew him as a person. But that secret is out, so we must adapt. And to answer the last question most of you will have, we do not currently know the exact purpose he has been brought here. There is no major increase in disasters or needed rescues, so perhaps Alex is simply here as a reborn human, rather than as a hero. Pestering him about it is unacceptable, however.
"Now that that announcement is over, I will call on today's final applicant: Caleb Machop, step forward." Principal Blastoise said.
"Yes, Principal Blastoise!" Caleb jumped up to stand in front of Principal Blastoise.
"You are solid and dependable. Support the Academy, and more importantly, your partner. Welcome to the Academy, Recruit Caleb."
Caleb's eyes sparkled with joy, as his dream was realized.
"Now, I have one more item of business. First, Recruits, this is your immediate leader, Mentor Darmanitan. He is responsible for your classes and teaching you the rules of the Academy. Obey him as you would obey me or Deputy Raticate. Any questions, concerns, or needs should be brought up to him," Principal Blastoise said. And with that, he sat down, and Mentor Darmanitan stepped forward.
"So I've got seven recruits this time, huh? A little bigger than normal, but not too bad. Now, before you get too comfortable, we're going for another walk. I'm going to show you all the places in the Academy you need to know, and we'll talk about rules and schedules on the way. Let's go!" Mentor Darmanitan said.
As Alex stood up, he felt a voice in his mind.
No matter what the Principal says, I don't trust you, human. Never has one so tainted with Ghost energy been a truly good person, and with your power, you'll only hurt those around you, no matter how much control you try to have, Psychic Musharna spoke into his head.
Alex, stunned, couldn't answer. He hurried to the door, where Caleb and his companions were walking into the hall. He hurried after them, trying to escape the hateful Musharna behind him, and the jealous Monferno being dragged out of the base.