NSO Chapter 21
I don't own Pokemon.
The next two weeks flew by, filled with revising and studying as the students of Kingdra High frantically prepared for their examinations. Well, all of the pupils except for one. Gayle had already completed her exams in her previous school, so she was exempted from the papers that her classmates had to take. Thus, while Zenith spent most of his time with Cleo pouring through notes, the Vibrava spent most of her time zipping around school and the neighbourhood, exploring every nook and cranny.
Four exam-filled days passed by with the same speed as the two weeks before them, and Zenith found leaving the gymnasium to meet Cleo, having finished his Battle Training exam, where he had to last his own against a battle bot in the arena.
Zenith arched his back, trying to relax his muscles that were aching from overexertion.
"Well, exams are finally over."
"We do have a break, right? I don't think I want to go back to school for a looong time."
"Yeah, we have a week of free time away from school, but we do have to return during the last three weeks for Post Exam Activities. Do you have any plans?"
"I... was thinking that we could spend more time together." Cleo looked away, blushing. A frantic voice in her head was scolding her for just blurting that sentence out loud, but it was quickly silenced by Zenith's reply.
"That sounds awesome. C'mon, let's go get lunch. This exam really works up an appetite!"
Gayle sighed from her spot on the ceiling, watching Zenith and Cleo walk towards the canteen. Seeing Zenith in a relationship made her feel lonely. The empty void in her heart became more and more prominent as she witnessed more acts of affection around her, and it yearned for the company of another Pokemon to fill it up.
Calm down, Gayle. You've only been in this school for a few weeks, and you already expect to find love? Does that not sound a bit too ambitious to you?
But... I've always been alone, with no friends. Ever since I was in that orphanage... to when Clint adopted me... to now. All my life, I've seen Pokemon finding their own partners. No one likes you as a Trapinch and being a Vibrava makes no difference.
I just want to feel what I've seen others feel...
Gayle shook her head vigorously, trying to get rid of the negative thoughts that she had been wallowing in.
I need something to do to distract me from this...
From the corner of her eye, Gayle noticed a glint, the light reflecting off its surface to catch her eye. Curious, she turned around, only to see the shine coming from a large piece of paper pinned on the school's notice board. Out of the other multiple pieces of paper advertising different programmes and clubs, this one poster seemed to stand out from the rest, shining brightly in the electric lighting of the hallway, as if calling out to the only Pokemon left in said hallway.
I think I found my solution.
Flying down from the ceiling, Gayle went to check out what that poster was about.
Presenting... the all-new Battling Club!
Do you have a burning passion for battling? Then step in, because it's all we need!
Ever Battle Training started in this school, it has been gaining popularity, being integrated into the curriculum of many other schools! Now with more than a hundred schools teaching Battle Training, we can finally introduce Battle Clubs!
Each school with Battle Training will come up with a team of six Pokemon plus a reserve to form a 'Battle Team'! Each 'Battle Team' will Battle others from different schools to become champion in the inter-school competition known as the Pokeschool League!
Interested? If you are, head to the Battle Room now for tryouts by Mrs Sal! Remember, spots are limited, so sign up now!
Gayle examined the poster closely. There was a date printed on its bottom right corner, and it seemed to be the date it was published.
Published today? This is too much of a coincidence.
The Vibrava looked back at the red door of the Battle Room. Zenith was the last student taking the exam, so it was empty, save for Mrs Sal, The Salamence seemingly always in the room.
I guess there's no harm in trying it out. I think I'm good at battling, I proved that to the bullies in the orphanage. I think I'll give it a shot.
And into the Battle Room, Gayle went.
"Hey, Zenith? You do realise that school's out for the day, right? Like, after we finish our exams, we can go home?"
Zenith put down his empty Moomoo milk bottle on the canteen table.
"Yeah, but I have to wait for Gayle first."
"She went for try-outs for that Battle Club thing, right? I hope she didn't see us peeking around the corner. "
"She most likely did. Vibravas have a 270-degree range of vision, so I think she definitely saw us, just that she didn't want to speak out. Then again, she seemed pretty distracted..."
"Oh. Did you try to sense her emotions? Read her mind?"
"Why would I try to do that? "
"You know... you have Psychic... we could use it to understand her more!"
"That's wrong! It's an invasion of her privacy!"
"I guess you're right. "
The whispers were cut off as the sound of the Battle Room opening reverberated through the hallway. Gayle flew in a moment later, literally buzzing with excitement.
"Guys! Guess what? I got into the Battle Club! I completely crushed that tryout! The school's going to have to buy a new Battle Bot though..."
Zenith whistled in admiration, impressed by the Vibrava's feat. Even he didn't beat the Battle Bot until a point where it was completely out of use. "That's great! Wanna go get ice cream to celebrate? McDonphan's having a sale on their frozen confectioneries!"
"Sure, you walking thesaurus. Honestly, why can't you use the same word in two consecutive sentences? It's kind of weird. "
Zenith pondered that piece of information for a while. And a while more. Seeing that the Umbreon was starting to think deeply again, Cleo hurriedly got off her seat, laughing nervously to break the silence. Once entering that 'state', Zenith wouldn't snap out of it until he managed to think of an answer or gave up trying. This took quite some time, and with his mind running on autopilot for his other actions, he was effectively a danger to himself and his surroundings. Like the time he fell down the flight of stairs in Cleo's house, deep in thought about the Vaporeon's transition from a liquid to a solid form while trying to get a glass of water from the kitchen.
"Yeah, Gayle! It's weird, but it's not worth thinking about, right Zenith? Now let's go get some ice cream!"
Too late. Zenith was now standing there, eyes unfocused, staring into blank space as he started to walk out of the canteen. Sighing, Cleo took off after him, leaving Gayle flying behind, both amused and impressed as she watched the scene before her.
Dialga? You there? I have a question...