This is getting tiresome.

The girl stamped her foot and slumped in her seat. The action caused her brilliant gold hair to settle over her face, further frustrating her as she tried to comb it out of the way with her hands.

Now, now. Just because you were eliminated doesn't mean we can't still enjoy this, Diane. Now, would you mind sitting up?

The freshman obeyed her father and sat upright. It was silly of her to forget her position while in public.

Not to mention, the freak has already been eliminated…and before you! That's reason enough to be pleased.

The girl shifted uncomfortably.

Y-yeah…

She didn't like her parents trying to involve her in their politics on the board. She could tell they were trying to mold her to their will to somehow get her to take over when they felt like retiring.

She sighed. It was quite foolish of them to think that schools ran like a monarchy, but she was forced to indulge it even if the thing she wanted to do most was the complete opposite.

It wasn't just this instance either, she wanted to go against them in everything. She wanted to define herself as a rebel, but was too proper to actually go through with it. It was why she had looked at the supposed "freak" like he was the scum of the Earth on orientation. In reality, she wanted to befriend him…maybe even go further…but she was still too obedient for her own good.

Isolde, you aren't listening.

Oh, of course. I understand.

– Chapter Fourteen: What She Wished Would Freeze –

She said she understood, but she still wasn't paying attention. Instead, she was watching one of her acquaintances, Emil Nozawa. He was one of five trainers from Price that were still in the tournament and he was doing astoundingly well. She was sure that he would be making it out of Pool G, but there was still that trainer from Ballonlea, Emmanuel. He only had three Pokemon, but the only time he was given any trouble was against the freak…no. Against the Ghost trainer.

She cursed herself for succumbing to her parents' opinions again. She hadn't even bothered to learn his name…

She shook herself free from that train of thought and jumped back to the tournament. The point was, she was impressed by both, but Emmanuel had only used two Pokemon to take down every trainer he faced except for the Ghost type user. Emil was definitely strong, but did he stand a chance against someone like that?

Of course, that's assuming he wins…

She thought to herself.

Isolde, pay attention!

Her father scolded her.

Oh, right…

You're supposed to be watching Mr. and Mrs. Nozawa's son.

I was!

She tried to sound defiant, but it came out more as affirmation.

Well that's good honey. You may be good, but you could stand to learn much from someone as powerful as him.

Her annoyance was rising to the level that she was beginning to think she could actually snap…but it still didn't come. She would have to suffer in silence. She glanced over the stands, looking for anyone else she might recognize when she caught sight of him.

What?

Unfortunately, she vocalized her confusion, leading to her father to glance at her and then at where she was staring.

His frown was much deeper than any she had seen in at least the past year.

Have we become such a joke that the Champion debases himself by interacting with rabble?

Her father launched into his tirade, leaving Isolde to be ashamed and guilty at having directed his gaze at the Ghost type trainer and those that sat around him, specifically the Senior Gym Leader, Elite Four, and Champion, Circe, Ava, and Cannon.

This is-

The sound of him choking on his words caught her by surprise, and she could tell why. Cannon was staring intently up at them. His gaze could be described as nothing but pure determination.

Her father said nothing for a long while.

– – –

"Everything alright?" Ava glanced worriedly at Cannon who was staring behind them.

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

Despite saying this, he was still looking behind them, but eventually turned back forward.

"So, Othello," it was Circe who began speaking to him again, "What was it like? Those were your first battles, right?"

He was still staring at where Emil was battling. None of the seniors could tell what kind of look was in his eyes. It certainly wasn't jealousy and was definitely too relaxed to be excitement. Curiosity, perhaps?

"It was…" he began, not sure how he would end the statement, "An experience. There were so many details and I felt like I couldn't process them all. My commands felt so simple compared to some of the other trainers I saw…"

He turned to them, facing Cannon specifically.

"Am…am I cut out for this?"

The question was surprising to Circe and Ava, but Cannon was expecting it. He had seen some of Othello's struggles when he had just started training his Falinks, but he hadn't seen much from him since then save for the battles that Othello had just participated in. Cannon couldn't deny it, there was something that Othello had that made him powerful, whether it was skill or just a sense for battle, he knew what to do and with it you would never think that he had so little knowledge of Pokemon over all.

It was clear as day to Cannon that this freshman could quickly overcome the most powerful trainers if he was nurtured by a skilled trainer and if Othello nurtured his knowledge.

But for the first time, Cannon found himself questioning what Othello meant by "cut out for it." It seemed a lot more personal than he had expected. He thought more on it for a moment and came to his conclusion.

"Probably," Cannon shrugged.

The non committal answer took Othello by surprise, unlike Ava and Circe. Both of them rolled their eyes, it was a very Cannon response.

"I can tell you that you have the opportunity to be really good," he continued, much to the surprise of the others, "But whether it's what you want, that's up to you. Take your time with it though. You are new to this whole world."

He gestured to the stadium as a whole.

"So don't make the decision too quickly. You've got the time."

– – –

I wonder what they're talking about…

Isolde was staring intently in the complete opposite direction, not allowing herself to glance in their direction. She knew it wouldn't mean anything good for her if she did. Her father was already huffing incredulously even if he wasn't saying anything. He wouldn't admit it, but Cannon terrified him. His power had terrified most of the board three years ago when he had come to Price. Isolde remembered her parents' hushed voices the day before the board was to make its decision.

To call him the most powerful trainer at the Academy was a massive understatement. He was quite easily the most powerful trainer in the entire region. Her father had also convinced her that he was a cold and unfeeling "man" (even though Cannon was only 15). He held the false opinion that Cannon would come after him when he was Champion of the region because he wasn't allowed in the Minor League as a freshman. As far as she knew, it was a popular fear among most of the board. Some had even made attempts to get into Cannon's good graces with gifts or funding, but he never took them up on the offers (which only fueled the sentiment).

They're all the same.

She scoffed. They were so obsessed with their little slice of power that allowing others to rise from the bottom to the top caused them to lash out like caged animals…and she hated it. She hated being associated with such awful people.

But you're the same…

Some inner part of herself screamed it at her. It made her a hypocrite, but that was only for now. She promised herself that she would discard these influences one day.

Well look at that dear. Emil won his match.

She stared down enviously at her fellow student. She wished she had his power so she could at least stand up to her parents with more confidence.

But that'll have to wait. For now, I'll at least cheer him on. He doesn't seem like me…a hypocrite…