NSO Chapter 4

I don't own Pokemon.

The hallway was abuzz with chatter and the flashing of cellphone cameras, Pokemon pointing and staring in surprise at the sight before them. Zenith could have stood there for ages in shock, looking at the students who were gaping back at him. Fortunately, it didn't have to come to that. Someone wrapped a dry towel around his shoulders and led him away from the gawking, clamouring crowd, but Zenith didn't even have to turn his head to know who it was. The scent of ocean mist was too familiar, despite only having met her a few minutes ago. Through his peripheral vision, Zenith could see Cleo's facial expression. Judging from that, he could tell that she was feeling extremely guilty about causing such a ruckus and drawing so much attention to the both of them, even if the hint of confusion on her face showed that she had no idea what she had revealed to half of the school. It seemed like she needed a place to calm down. New or old students here, anyone would have been overwhelmed by all the things that had happened, especially so early in the morning.

Well, at least from all his experience in hiding from others, I know every hiding spot in this school.

Wow! Your timid nature has finally come in useful! For once!

Why do I even put up with you?

Because you know that without me, you feel lonely? Also, cause you can't get rid of me.

… I hate it when you're right.

As flattered as I am right now, don't worry about me now! Focus on Cleo!

Snapping out of his mental conversation, Zenith realised that his inner voice was right. Cleo was looking at him with a distressed gaze, eyes darting left and right nervously, but inadvertently straying to the light-blue ring on his forehead.

"Hey, Cleo, you seem kinda stressed about this entire thing. I know a place where it's a bit quieter. Do you want me to bring me there, to calm down?"

"S-sure, I guess that would be fine. It's just that everything's happening too fast for my liking."

Hearing Cleo's consent, Zenith brought her to the wall next to the Janitor's Closet. He was sure that he was the only one that knew about this, that the wall was actually a hidden sliding door, painted to perfectly match the wall around it. The door opened to a spacious room, and could be locked only from the inside. As an added bonus, the walls were actually soundproof, ensuring total privacy to the Pokemon in the room. Zenith had accidentally stumbled upon it when running from bullies once, and now had devoted most of his free time in school to making it his secret base. The room was filled with miscellaneous items like chairs, wardrobes that contained towels, and giant jars. The weirdest item in the room was a giant cupboard. Its doors consisted of mirrors on the outside, but on the inside they were revealed to be one-way glass, enabling whoever was inside the cupboard to see out. Zenith had secretly installed a small surveillance camera in the cupboard. It was hardly noticeable, and although it made him feel guilty placing it in there, it would help him know who else knew about this place. It also made him wonder who put all of the furniture and items in the room, why the school even had this built in the first place, and why no one remembered that this room even existed. Sliding the door open, Zenith ushered Cleo into the room, gesturing for her to sit on the floor. As she sat, he quickly dried himself with the towel. He had discarded his jacket earlier, since it had been torn to shreds by Kurt's attacks. Wiping the last drops of water away from his fur, Zenith laid the towel on the floor to dry, joining Cleo to sit on the floor.

"Okay… it should be a bit quieter here. Take your time to catch your breath, calm down, anything like that."

The Vaporeon's rapid breathing slowed as she hugged her bag close to her chest, glancing around at unfamiliar surroundings. Her fins, which were previously pressed stiffly against her head, were starting to relax, rising back up again.

"Um… where are we? I don't think I saw this room on the school's map…"

"It's a hidden room that I found by accident. I think I'm the only one who knows about it, so I don't think anyone will walk in on us here. It looks like we have an hour before class starts, so I guess we can stay here for a while. I can answer a few questions, if you have any."

"Thanks… Zenith, was it? Yeah, thanks for bringing me here. I sometimes freeze up a little when everyone's looking at me. Don't like all those stares..."

"It's fine. If anything, I should be thanking you. You really saved my life back there with Kurt."

There was an awkward silence between the two Eeveelutions, each of them still slightly uncomfortable in each other's presence, not wanting to ask too intrusive questions to a Pokemon that they had just met a few minutes ago. Trying to find something to do to break the tension, Zenith wiped off the remaining dried yellow paint stains on his fur as Cleo looked on with curiosity.

"Um.. sorry for asking, but… um…" Cleo looked down at her paws as she spoke, wringing them as if regretting her question. "...why was everyone staring at you like that just now? You know… when I accidentally washed off all that paint…?"

Zenith wanted to dodge the question that he dreaded hearing the most, but something compelled him to tell Cleo the answer.

"Everyone was staring at me because I'm a 'Shiny' Pokemon." Seeing Cleo's confused look, he continued to elaborate. "A 'Shiny' Pokemon is a Pokemon that has a different colouration to what is usual for its species. About one in every 819200 Pokemon is a 'Shiny', meaning that Pokemon like me are super rare. Combined with the fact that Umbreon are not common here, the chances of me being shiny are probably lower than winning the lottery. That's why I received so much attention."

"But if you're a 'Shiny' Pokemon, why did you pretend to be a normal Umbreon? Wouldn't you want to let other Pokemon know? I mean, you're super rare! You could be famous!"

Zenith chuckled softly, before replying. "Trust me, Cleo. I did consider that option, but after some research, I found out that being a 'Shiny' does not mean that our lives will be all glitz and glamour. There are many different groups out there, some who like 'Shinies', and those who hate them. The haters think that we are breaking the natural order of nature, and call us freaks due to our different colour. They also spend most of their time trying to 'cleanse' the world of 'Shinies'. But then, the fans aren't that good either. Their only positive trait is that they think that 'Shinies' should be protected, but then even they go one step too far. They kinda treat us like higher beings, and are really annoying, based on what I've read online. Some of them track 'Shinies' down, and sometimes even stalk them, just to catch a glimpse of how a Shiny looks like in real life. In fact, I read an article about a 'Shiny' Pokemon that somehow got his Shiny status exposed into the world. Once the public knew, he was instantly hounded by tons of other Pokemon, fans and haters alike. In the end, it was all too much for him. He hanged himself in his own house. Couldn't even leave his house due to the mob surrounding it. And that is why I tried to be a normal Umbreon. Not only because of the suicide thing, but because I don't like trouble. And fame seems to be more trouble than it's worth."

More silence followed Zenith's words. He realised that he had been staring absent-mindedly at his reflection in the cupboard mirrors, and looked back at Cleo. She was still looking at him, but her eyes were drifting back to the blue ring on his forehead.

Hey, Zenith. I think she's… checking you out?

The voice was right. Cleo still seemed to be in her dazed trance, her eyes travelling from the blue rings to Zenith's head to the similarly coloured rings and bangs on his arm, body, ears and legs.

This is kind of creepy.

I know. What's also creepy is the fact that someone probably likes you.

At first, Zenith tried to ignore Cleo's wandering gaze, fidgeting uncomfortably as he felt Cleo's wandering gaze move all over his body, hoping that Cleo would snap out of whatever state she was in herself. However, after a couple minutes, it became apparent that that wouldn't be the case. Trying to not look as irritated or creeped out as he felt, Zenith clapped his paws in front of Cleo's face. The Vaporeon jumped, startled by the unexpected noise. Her face instantly grew red at the realisation of her subconscious actions and she stared down straight at the floor, embarrassed to meet Zenith's eyes.

"So… yeah." Zenith scratched the back of his head, looking away from Cleo to try and relieve some of the shame she was feeling. "Now you know why I do all these things to stay hidden."

"But now your secret's out! Pokemon are gonna know! And it was all my fault…" Cleo's fins drooped sadly, still staring at the floor, but her previously mortified expression was replaced with one of guilt.

Huh. I guess she WAS listening after all.

"Hey. Don't beat yourself over this. As I said before, if you didn't help me just now, I wouldn't even be here talking to you right now. You did what you thought as right, Cleo, and I owe you plenty for that. As for me, I'll… I'll find a way to cope."

RING!

Before Cleo or Zenith could ask any more questions, the school bell rang, signaling the start of classes.

I took an hour to explain? No wonder she was spacing out.

I guess a career in teaching is not for you.

"I think I have to go…"

"Yeah, me too."

After exiting the secret room, Cleo and Zenith compared timetables.

800-845 English

845-945 Gym/ Physical Education(PE)

945-1045 Battle Training

1045-1130 Science (Biology/Physics)

1130-1200 Recess

1200-1300 Math

"Wait, we're in the same class?" Zenith knew that Cleo was new in this school, but with the way that he had always kept to himself outside of his house, he had never noticed her in the same classroom with him.

"Yeah… funny coincidence, I guess," Cleo laughed nervously, thankful that the Umbreon had been oblivious to her staring at the back of his head during classes.

As Cleo and Zenith walked towards their classroom, the Vaporeon stopped in her tracks. She seemed deep in thought, so Zenith continued walking forward, expecting her to catch up when she was done.

"Hey, Zenith!"

Hearing Cleo's voice, Zenith stopped in his tracks, looking back at the Eeveelution. Her face was still red and she was looking back down at the floor. An awkward silence ensued as he waited for her to continue her silence, his heart beating against his ribcage at a rapid pace.

"After school, do you want to hang out?"

"Um.. y-yeah! Sounds like a plAn!"

Zenith facepalmed mentally as the cringeworthy reply left his mouth, his voice cracking on the word 'plan'.

That's you for you! Your timid nature acting up at the worst of times!

You couldn't keep quiet for less than 10 minutes, could you?

However, hearing Zenith's reply, Cleo's eyes seemed to light up in what seemed to be delight, before catching up to him.