Getting Adjusted

It has been a month since Zoelle started working as a kindergarten teacher. She, along with her students, had a routine to follow. Granted some days were better than others. Sometimes the kids are well behaved, other times they are complete monsters. And of course, there are the couple that stay in trouble but for the most part, everything is going well.

"Alright Rosco! Excellent job on showing the kids your moves!" Zoelle praised the sea lion pokemon. "Now kids no matter which career you choose to focus on make sure you know how to use your pokemon's move in a battle."

"So, if I became I coordinator my moves still have to be strong and not just pretty?" Aoki asked sweetly.

"How can I put this in a way you can understand. Yes, your moves must be strong to impress the judges especially during the battle rounds. It shows that you care about training your partners while also showing off their best qualities."

"Does it matter what pokemon do the appeal rounds? Like can Rebel do appeal rounds?" Jace asked.

"Rebel has done appeal rounds even as a Charizard. It depends on your preference. There are coordinators use that prefer to use 'cuter' pokemon for appeals and use their more 'fearsome' during the battle rounds. Take me for example, I have a salamance that I would use for my appeals to show how great I have trained him. And turn around and use my lopunny for battle rounds. Like I said its more about your preference."

"Can we go to the contest coming up?" Nora asked.

"Well, I have to ask first." The teacher replied with a smile. "I am sure we can go if a say it is school related.

With that the kids cheered taking that as a yes. Chuckling a bit Zoelle checked her watch. It was almost time for the kids to go home. She returned Rosco and ordered the kids to head back into class. Today was okay. Sure, there was bumps here and there. And sure, there was moments when Zoelle wanted to rip her hair out. Overall, an okay day.

As the kids were getting their things composed, the teacher was organizing her desk. The worst part about being a teacher, other than the snotty noses, is the never-ending work at the end of each shift. Making sure everything is clean and organize. Sorting the kids work and preparing for the next lesson plan. The full bladder at the end of each day because she forgets to use the restroom. Zoelle sometimes uses Romeo or ask one of the teacher aids in another class to babysit for a quick bathroom break. To top it all off she had to attend those boring mandatory meetings just get her qualification certificates and for the veterans just update theirs. All of that just to get home at six in the evening every day. A few of the other teachers did assure that once she gets even more adjusted, she could make it home at a decent time. She just wants to go home already.

Waving the last kid goodbye all the kindergarten teachers headed to the faculty lounge to work on the paperwork at their assigned desks. At first Zoelle had a hard time because some teachers purposefully left stacks of paper on her desk, which added more time staying at the school. It's becoming less often but every now and then someone would revert to the old tactics.

Zoelle let Regal out of his ball to keep her company. All he did was lay down by her chair while she did whatever needed to be done. And he also reassured that no other teacher would bother her. He could not understand why the other humans had such petty resentment towards his trainer. It's not like she wronged them in any type of way. If she did, well maybe they deserved it.

"Excuse me Ms. Morris but can you please make sure your persian doesn't destroy anything," some random teacher implied.

"He hasn't done any property damage for the past few years. He is fine." Zoelle replied annoyed.

"Well, its unprofessional to have your pokemon out."

"But everyone else have theirs out why can't I?"

"Because…"

"Cut the crap already! Let her finish her work in peace!" Ms. Norton defended.

Frustrated the other teacher went back to their desk. Zoelle gave Ms. Norton a quick thank you while continuing her work. She went ahead emailed both Mr. Roberts and Mr. Oda for a chance to take the kids to the upcoming pokemon contest in two weeks. It would be nice to have a break from the mundane school tasks they do every day. Also, it gives the kids a better visualization on how contest works in real time. Zoelle wanted to add a field trip to the local gym as well, but due to the controversy, it's probably best not to.

The next morning Zoelle began to open a pack of paper masks with the three starters, pikachu, and eevee masks she found at the local crafts store for a low price. She thought it be something fun and cute activity for the kids to do. Speaking of the kids, most of their parents seem to like the new teacher, all except for Nora's mom.

Nothing seemed to impress the woman and she always gave facetious compliments. And sometimes the young girl acted just like her mom being complete disrespectful. Not just to her but also her fellow classmates. Nora was one of the kids constantly getting in trouble, but the mother does nothing to correct the young girl behavior. Zoelle still loved the girl however she was almost near the breaking point.

"Ms. Zo what is that?" Jace asked as he pointed his finger at the masks.

"They're masks and we're going to color them!" Zoelle proudly exclaimed. "Everyone is going to get a mask. For you Jace you will get a charmander mask."

"Yay! I'm going to name mine Rebel too!"

"I want a Squirtle mask Ms. Zo!" yelled Spinda.

Smiling while also calming them down Zoelle handed each kid a mask. For Aoki and Lily, a bulbasaur, Jackson and Spinda an eevee, Nora a pickachu, and a squirtle for Sammy too. The kids began taking out their crayons and began coloring the masks. Surprisingly the kids actually used the correct color or close to the correct palette of the pokemon. Heck she even grabbed a Charmander mask to color herself.

In the middle of coloring each of the kids stopped to show their progress. Despite being one of the biggest troublemakers in the class Nora colored the best, next to Jace. The downside of coloring the masks Zoelle had to put them together. That wasn't so bad she most likely will do that around nap time.

"I'm going to show my mommy!" Nora said excitedly. "Are you going to show your mommy too Ms. Zo."

"My mommy is no longer here?" Zoelle smiled sadly.

"Where is she?" Spinda asked innocently.

"She's in Heaven with my dad."

"Oh. Do you think they know my grandma? She went to Heaven too." Such innocence.

"I think so, but Heaven is a big place." The young teacher replied with a smile.

With a huge smile on his face Spinda went back to coloring his masks. Jackson was the first to turn work in on the teacher's desk. It had the correct colors but was sporadically colored. At least he tried. Next was Aoki and Lily, who finished at the same time. Aoki's Bulbasaur was a darker green compared to Lily who used a yellow-green crayon. Nora seemed to be the only one really concentrating on her mask. She was really taking her time trying not to color outside the line verses everyone else that seemed to go either crazy with it, or barely added in any color. Kids.

Frustrated once again, the brown-skinned woman was getting annoyed tying the string together make sure it was loose enough to fit the kids' heads while also being tight enough not to break. Thankfully she was on the last one and there was still quite a while before the kids had to wake up.

To keep her company, Zoelle let out Rouge. He was used to being around the kids more but still didn't like to be touched by them much. If he had to choose, Rogue would say the Jackson cub was his favorite. He was not loud like the others and touched him gently unlike that Nora cub. He looked at the kid's artwork. The eevee faces disappointed him. Throwing judgmental glares at his trainer he barked quietly as to not wake them up.

"Don't look at me like that. They need to get certain skills up on their own," Zoelle huffed.

Scoffing the electric fox sat beside his trainer's feet. He was also getting adjusted to this new life. They were getting fed on a regular basis while also keeping up with their training in the down time. Heck he was even starting to enjoy being part of the lesson plans somedays. Although he and the rest of the team could not completely relax. Regal had to mention HIM during their downtime at the park.

*********************** A few weeks ago, ***********************************

"Well dear friends I have been keeping a horrible secret," Regal casually mentioned licking his paw. Due to his tone of speaking the team knew he was being serious.

"And what is that?" Rebel inquired.

"I picked up HIS scent."

Everyone stopped what activity they were doing. They all gathered around the Charizard and persian. If HE is around Zoelle's safety is at risk. Hell, all their safety is at risk. HE is the one that caused a scar to form on their trainer's back. Luckily it mostly not visible due to some oil she uses and is always covered up from her clothes. But the physical scar did not hurt as much as the emotional and mental.

Rosco looked towards his trainer with worry. Sure, he was the humorous one, but he also knew when it was time to be serious. How can he entertain the kids, knowing HE might be nearby. Before Rosco could say anything ravage raised his scythe-like appendages in the air in frustration. Knowing their trainer would check on them, the sea lion pokemon quickly blasted water in his face. The bug pokemon was annoyed but understood why Rosco did it. If Zoelle senses any tension she would worry herself all night.

"Good job Rosco," Rebel complimented. "It is best that we remain ourselves and pretend to not care like we usually do. If we do anything out of the ordinary Zoelle will think something is wrong."

"Should we destroy something?" Romeo asked.

"No but for safe measures go hit a rock or something."

Rogue scoffed, "Great."

"Where did you pick up the scent?" Ravaged asked Regal directly.

"It was near some place with a strange symbol on it. Oh yes, the human center," The cat pokemon replied as he stretched.

Once again Rogue scoffed, "Figures he would be near the place he sent Zoelle plenty of times."

"Well, like Rebel said, lets act normal. I will stay patrolling the area until I feel like the threat is gone."

"I can patrol too y'know. I know this area better than you!"

"Well, you need the energy to help train the human cubs with Zoelle. Besides you're more recognizable."

"Regal does have a point. Although I also think you should patrol some nights. Maybe your old friends can tell you where HE is located." Rebel cosigned.

**************************Back to Present**********************************

"Everything okay Rogue? Do you need to take your nap?" Zoelle asked concerned.

Shaking his head, the fox pokemon rubbed up against the teacher's leg. Smiling Zoelle scratched behind his ear. Every now and then he acted cute. It was hard to get him to do appeal rounds because he never utilized his cuteness as an eevee much. And doing street performances to get extra change was a no go. Still when they were alone, he showed how adorable he can be. Smiling the young teacher began to take out her phone. Surprisingly she had a few notifications.

The first one was her the work email from Principal Roberts. He agreed that going to the upcoming contest would be a great idea for kids to enjoy. He also mentioned that all the classes from kindergarten to second grade will also attend. Roberts sent out another email that had the permission slips for the parents to sign. It was up to the teachers to print them out. Great.

The second notification was a text from Dario. He asked for her number a week after they had dinner that time. She figured since they were neighbors it does make sense. Plus, the two friends planned on battling each other soon. Before she could actually see what, the message was it was time to wake up the kids. Rogue helped by nudging the kids. They usually woke up happier seeing his face.

Once all the nap mats were put away Zoelle gave the kids their masks. Kids being kids however pretended to be the pokemon. They were getting a bit rowdy so Zoelle promised that they will take it home. Not really wanting to take them outside, the young teacher pulled out some blocks for them to play with. Maybe it will calm them down.

"Ms. Zo, Spinda took my blockes," Lily whined.

Or not.

"Nu uh, I had them first!" Spinda countered.

"No, you didn't I had them first."

"No, me!"

"Me!"

"Me!"

Annoyed Zoelle took a deep breath to regain control. "I gave everyone an equal number of blocks. We do not take things from each other. Now it does not matter who had the blocks first; you can learn how to share and play together. And if I hear anymore fighting from anyone, all the blocks will be put up and you will not play for the rest of the day. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am," everyone replied.

"Wow amiga, sounds like you're getting the hang of this now," Dario complimented out of nowhere.

"Dar- I mean Mr. Garcia what are you doing in this building?" Zoelle asked confused.

"Mr. Oda told me to bring you a gift. Guess you didn't get a chance to read my text."

"I'm sorry I did not."

Smiling, "No problem."

"Umm who is watching your class?" Zoelle wondered. Even she knew leaving kids unattended for long periods of time can get you in trouble.

"Well since my kids are older, I have my ace student, Adrian, watching them along with Hellcat."

"Ace student or teacher's pet?" the kindergarten teacher quipped.

"Both. Speaking of pet that is what you have come on out!"

I hope everyone is having a wonderful year :)