UPDATE: Well...it's been 9 months since the last chapter. To the 6 people who have Voice on their follow/favorite list, I'm really sorry! I've had a couple chapters written out for a while, but I've had a lot of lifestyle changes in the past months that I've had to adapt to and haven't been able to come back to this story with a fresh mind. The good news though, is that I'm back! I'm releasing 4 chapters alongside this one (December 27th, 2023) and I'm going to set a schedule for myself that will usually be a chapter every 3-5 days. If I get burnt out, that'll increase, but I promise it won't be more than a week and a half. The next chapter will be out on New Year's Day. I'm excited to finally be able to get back to this story, so I hope you all enjoy it!
Mr. Leone had barely sat down when he was launching into questions.
So I heard you've never been to a private academy before. Is there anything I can help you with to acclimate?
How many Pokemon have you got?
Actually, I heard you rarely see Pokémon, so what can I do to help you with that?
After a minute he suddenly stopped.
Right. Coursework. Sorry. So, the day starts out with homeroom. The homerooms for the first three years are in this hall. From there you'll go to your 1st period which will be taught by a type expert. First-years don't get to pick the classes they're in, so you'll be randomly assigned to four of these. 1st and 2nd periods are these type-specific classes, but 3rd is Gym. It's a sort of practical application of all you'll be learning. 4th will be an elective of your choice. We have a variety of them and they're more like clubs. Drama, choir, band, gardening, you get the idea. Any questions so far?
Othello shook his head. Just like with the map, he was trying to absorb as much of this as he possibly could.
That's good. From there it's about more of the same. You have lunch between 4th and 5th, the last two periods of your day are more type-specific classes, then the rest of the day is yours so long as you're back at your dorm by 9.
Othello was still nodding, trying to keep everything straight.
"Why four types?"
He blurted it out without thinking, but it was nagging at him.
Well, as a First year, it lets you try to find interest in one type or to see if you prefer diversifying your team. In your later years, you can take more specialized courses in a type or multiple types. Any other questions?
Othello shook his head. In response, Mr. Leone leaned forward on his elbows.
Do you mind if I ask a question then?
Othello hesitated. The way he said it was so serious compared to the avalanche of questions he had asked just before.
"Okay…"
What do you know about the ghost?
– Chapter Three: Dusk –
"What?"
You heard it in the hall. I've practiced for years, but don't have a real "affinity" for ghost types, so all I hear is this static shouting. No one else seems to hear anything, but you heard something. I can't tell if you also hear just noise or if you understand it. I want to know what you heard.
Othello's heart pounded in his chest. All this was new to him and now he was figuring out that this wasn't normal? Was this why he heard those two other Pokémon in the hospital and why they followed him here?
"Why do you think I heard something in the hall?"
Mr. Leone laughed. It was a good-natured, honest laugh that Othello wasn't expecting.
Sorry if this is a bit intrusive. I'm not trying to grill you or anything, I'm just curious. If you don't want to say, no worries. I've tried getting some of the teachers who specialize in ghost types here to check it out, but they don't believe me. If you want to try honing that I'm sure they could help though.
Othello didn't know how to reply to this. It was…friendly? The seriousness of the question made him anticipate something much different, but here he was. This whole trip to this academy made him question his view of the world. He had some contact with the outside world when he was younger and the extremely rare case of being forced to do some job by his uncle, but never would have imagined it was as open and accepting as this. In his mind, he did concede that half the time he went out he had ended up in a hospital, which couldn't have been representative of everything.
"I want to try catching it."
Mr. Leone was stunned for a second.
Are you serious?
"Yes."
A few seconds passed as the weight of the affirmation settled in, then Mr. Leone grinned.
If you did, you might just be my favorite student in this whole academy! It's like carrying down a tradition of investigating this ghost and catching it! Or, at least, trying to catch it.
He flashed a thumbs up to Othello.
"If you need anything on that front, I've got your back the whole year."
Othello was surprised for what felt like the hundredth time today. Again, he was expecting disapproval, or ridicule for attempting something even Mr. Leone couldn't do.
"Ava will be back any minute now, but best of luck on that endeavor!"
As if on cue, Ava slowly opened the door and poked her head in.
"You didn't set anything on fire while I was gone, did you?"
Mr. Leone gave the same lighthearted chuckle in response to her as he had Othello.
"Yeah, you know how much of a fan of arson Dea is. The whole room is scorched, you probably don't want to come in."
Ava rolled her eyes and opened the door fully. She gestured at Othello who got up from his seat and walked towards her.
"I hope you didn't lose too many brain cells with him. We're going to the Falinks Cafeteria. I'll show you some of the food we have and then we'll go to the dorms."
"Okay."
What Ava said was background noise for the moment as he tried to catch any bit of speech from the supposed Dusknoir of Scolipede Hall.
Are you there?
Othello didn't say it out loud. He didn't want Ava to think less of him even though he now knew it existed. Instead, he tried echoing it in his mind again and again. He didn't know why, but it felt right; it felt like the same garbled speech that he had come to know.
"Yes…"
It was faint. Much fainter than when he had first entered the hall.
"But I must sleep now…I am tired…my work is tiring…please…come by soon…Othello…"
The sound puttered out with the final utterance of his name.
"Come on Othello. Principal Owens is a bit strict about these tours' time frames."
He followed Ava, but his thoughts dwelled foremost on what he had just heard, and he thought about what he had first heard.
"S…O…S…"
– – –
Upon entering the Falinks cafeteria, Othello's mouth was immediately watering. No students were even there, but there was a strong aroma of cooking that he couldn't quite place his finger on. It reminded him of the rare days when the chefs his uncle had would make something special just for him. Those days were among the best and they were making him a bit nostalgic.
He snapped back to reality as Ava launched into descriptions of the foods. She spoke so quickly that Othello barely caught any of it, but the passion in her voice was clear. Whether she loved the art of the dishes or just their taste was much less clear though. She only stopped when a troupe of tiny, armored Pokémon came from the back and stared at her from behind the displays of food.
"Is that Connor Price's Falinks?"
Othello recognized the Pokémon after all the iconography around the building.
"Oh, no. Falinks don't live that long. These are just the mascots of the kitchen they bring out everything and they love to be scratched or pet."
To show, she reached out her hand and the little soldiers piled on top of each other to reach her hand. Ava lightly caressed the head of the one on top, which gave a contented cry before shuffling to the bottom of the totem pole to be replaced by another. This cycle continued until Ava withdrew her hand and they all tumbled and clamored for more. Their cute cries caused Othello to smile and try to hold back a laugh. Ava kept smiling at the little helpers before turning back to Othello.
"Falinks are pretty cute. I've always wanted one but since one is six, it's a bit hard to keep up. Anyways, that was just about everything for today. Someone will help you find your dorm where your stuff should already be. I have to get back to Principal Owens and help her out with the other incoming first years. Hopefully, everything else goes well for you."
She made a clicking noise to the Falinks before walking out of the cafeteria. Meanwhile, the Falinks rolled out from behind the counter into Othello's legs and gestured toward the other door where the dormitories were. Surprised, but understanding, Othello followed them to the Vikavolt Dorms.
– – –
The second he was in his dorm, he flopped down on the bed, exhausted from the day. While on the bed, he looked around at the features of the room. In his uncle's house, he had been given a spare room which was still fairly large, but this put that to shame. It was almost luxurious to the point that it could be detestable. According to a note in the dorm, they wanted him to "feel as comfortable as a student can" to show that he wasn't a subject, but "like all the other students here at Price Academy."
Dwelling on it gave him an odd feeling of unease, so he got up and went to hang the few posters he had around the room. He put up some old souvenirs from his parents. The first was from the Inaugural Champions Pokemon World Tournament which featured Iris, Cynthia, and Steven posing dramatically, the second was a poster of Sabrina with an Espeon on her shoulder. It was supposedly a rare piece from when she was an up and coming trainer and not a Gym Leader. That didn't matter to Othello though, it being a momento was what was important.
Looking up at it gave Othello a huge sense of satisfaction that also reminded him of the Pokémon he had "caught" outside the school. He brought out the Great Ball and the Dusk Ball and released the two.
"So as I was saying, it seems really weird that he suddenly can understand us."
The sword made what looked like a nodding motion.
"It is quite sudden, but I do not see a reason to complain. We were able to stay with him."
Othello stared at the two for a second before they realized he was there.
"Oh…yeah…"
The cloth said it as if it had forgotten Othello was there.
"Uh, I'm sure you've got a lot of questions."
"Probably brimming with them."
The cloth glared at the sword.
"So, let's get the introductions out of the way. I'm a Shuppet, and he's a Honedge. We're ghost-type Pokémon."
"So, you are ghost types."
Othello echoed what the Shuppet had said before asking a question.
"Why can I understand Pokémon?"
"Well…you can't really understand Pokémon. Just ghost types. As for why you can do that…I don't know. Some humans are born with it, some develop it, and I've heard some can speak to any Pokémon through long exposure to Pokerus, but no clue how true that is."
"We do not know which is the case for you. We have not met any of your family and based on the hospital…well…we do not need to bring that up."
"Hey, dumbass, I just said that."
The Honedge was slightly taken aback by the outburst from the Shuppet but remained quiet. Othello tried to think back to his parents even the occasional time he had met his grandparents, but he couldn't remember them ever displaying or even mentioning this ability.
"So…"
Othello trailed off, trying to comprehend his situation and form a response.
"Why did you two follow me? How did you even find me at the hospital?"
This time the Honedge took the lead.
"The Affinity."
The way he said it made it sound like a person to Othello.
"Oh, my apologies. The Affinity can be thought of as a hormone or a distinct smell. Pokémon linked to the Affinity can follow the trail to the host. We sensed yours was particularly potent and found you."
Othello blinked a few times. He wasn't sure what he should be feeling in response to that, but right now it was definitely disgust. The Shuppet sighed and turned back to him.
"It's like that saying, 'you don't choose your Pokémon, your Pokémon choose you' y'know?"
Othello couldn't remember ever hearing that saying but decided it was time to simply roll with the punches with these two.
"We chose you. We want you to be our trainer."
This last bit struck Othello out of his confused listening.
"Me?"
"I apologize. Did my friend's slang interfere with your comprehension? He tends to do that to other Pokémon too. I myself can barely-"
"No, I understood, I'm…surprised. I've never…really…had Pokémon before."
"Welp, we're glad to be the first, aren't we Honedge?"
"Undoubtedly!"
Othello stayed in stunned silence. He had caught these two on a whim and they had intended on being his Pokémon. Every feeling he had felt in this short conversation was coming back to him in one melted-together, incomprehensible mound of emotion.
"Great, I think you broke Othello, Honedge."
"Nonsense! Humans don't break. They aren't machines."
"Never mind. You don't understand anything I say."
"Yes…your point is?"
Othello finally opened his mouth to speak, and the two Pokémon turned toward him, awaiting his response.
"Thank you."
It was then that they realized that Othello was on the verge of tears. Droplets were welling up and dropping from his eyes like dew off of a leaf. The two Pokémon were trying their hardest not to cry along with him. After a minute, Othello finally asked through small sobs.
"Can I…name you two?"
This time it was their turn to be in disbelief.
"Like…an actual name? Not just Shuppet?"
Othello nodded which caused the Shuppet's eyes to go wide.
"Yes…YES!"
Othello wiped his eyes and pondered how or what he would name the two when the names struck him.
"Shuppet. I'll name you Cyril. Honedge. I'll name you Mythos."