Chapter 9

To Blade, and Shadow's surprise, Codsworth stopped the limousine in front of the Academy. "Codsworth, what are you doing?"

"Bringing you to the academy, I will not allow you to simply avoid your education. I shall handle moving their belongings into the manor, with the assistance of Madame Shard." The lucario spoke sternly. "All three of you will be in attendance."

"But what about," Nagi began, but was cut off.

"Blade's cut has stopped bleeding, and you are all fine, there is no excuse." The elder lucario gave no ground.

"If you cannot be convinced I suppose we have no choice." Shadow seemed not to contest it, knowing Codsworth was right. "Come along you two."

Neither Blade nor Nagi hesitated to follow Shadow as he stepped out of the vehicle. As they did, the front most door opened and Codsworth spoke up. "Your bags sir."

Shadow stepped to the door and reached in, slinging a satchel over his shoulder, letting it rest against his lower back, then quickly grabbed Nagi's backpack, holding it out for her. The weavile took it, simply holding it with both hands.

"Thank you Codsworth." Shadow nodded as he grabbed an almost identical satchel and held it to Blade. "I noticed yours was rather beat up, so I got you one like mine. Much more durable, and surprisingly lightweight."

"What about my old one?" Blade didn't seem too concerned, rather he was curious.

"It is back at the manor."

"I love it!" Blade took the satchel and hugged it tight to his chest.

"Oh, if you look inside there is a gift, but I would recommend you check that in the locker room." Shadow smiled as he held his hand out for the sneasel. Blade took it happily as they walked into the academy. Nagi however split off, heading toward her own classes. "We still have some time before classes start," Shadow led Blade into the locker room "Please see your gift."

Blade opened the satchel and looked inside. "Ooooh, that was quick!" The sneasel rushed off behind a curtain in the locker room, for a little more privacy.

The Darkrai smiled contently as he waited, and within only a few moments, Blade reemerged. The sneasel was now draped in a dark blue tailcoat suit, with matching pants, and simple white shirt. His new outfit was almost identical to Shadow's, but simply a different color.

Shadow was silent as he looked Blade over. "So uh, how do I look?" The sneasel gave a small spin to show himself off fully. But Shadow remained silent. "What, is something wrong?"

"N-no, you look perfect." The Darkrai smiled and hovered close, leaning in and kissing Blade on the cheek. "You look absolutely perfect, as always."

"Shadow…" Blade blushed looking away.

"Do not hide your lovely face from me."

"We uh, should probably head to class." The sneasel kissed him back.

"Yes, you are quite right." The two stepped back into the hallway. "I will see you later today, and keep that sweet smile on your face, you know you are never fully dressed without one."

"I will, see ya then." Blade gave a small wave as he turned to stroll down the hall. It felt like so long since he'd last been in the school, everything had happened so fast, it almost didn't feel real.

As he stepped through the door to the classroom he was stopped by the teacher.

"Mr Iceson, I'm glad you decided to join us today." The Umbreon spoke. "Fortunately for you, your mother explained your absence."

"Sorry about that Mr Saltzman."

"It's fine, just take your seat and pay attention," Blade nodded and turned to hisss seat. "Oh, and Mr Iceson, nice suit."

"Thanks." The sneasel quickly took his seat.

After a few moments the bell rang, and all the students were seated. The Umbreon stood in front of the class. "Well, today we have something important to discuss, so we'll be holding off on the History of Firelink, as I have been teaching it." He turned to the large board at the front of the class, quickly writing a single word. "Disaster. As I'm sure you all heard, given how loud it was, the disaster siren was active recently. Do any of you know why the disaster siren was made?"

One of the students raised their hand giving a brief explanation. "It was made to warn the citizens of impending danger on a large scale."

"Essentially yes, but there is a bit more nuance." Saltzman continued. "The disaster siren was created to warn us of danger, yes, but the caliber of danger is what determines its use." The Umbreon quickly drew two pokemon, Palkia and dialga. "Last time it was active was a few years ago, when the masters of time and space did battle over our city, and nearly destroyed the fabric of reality around us. And when that happened it played a particular tone, a rather high pitched shriek, a sound made to tell us to evacuate."

"But Mr Saltzman, that's not what it sounded like a few days ago."

"Indeed, the tone the siren used there was a warning, to stay inside and lock your doors, where you have a greater measure of safety. So if you hear that bellowing horn again, get inside." Before the class could question it he continued. "There is a third tone the siren uses. Or rather a series of tones. A single blaring horn that changes pitch from low to high, and back to low. That one hasn't been used in so long, we've forgotten what it was for," he wrote a series of words across the board. "War. Chaos. The end of the world. These are all theories as to what that final tone is for. Some believe it was made as a final warning, that you should do whatever it takes, and pray that you survive."

The class looked uneasy. "That's pretty dark sir." One of the students spoke up.

"True enough, but like I said, that's just a theory, a history theory." the umbreon chuckled to himself. "Any questions?"

Blade raised his hand. "Yeah, do we know what the first disaster was, the one that sparked all this?"

"Glad to see you're participating, and we have old legends and bedtime stories, but nothing concrete." Saltzman turned back to the class showing off a large dusty book. "The most accepted legend actually came with the founding of our city. And that was that there was a monster running around the town taking lives left and right. Some of our historians theorize that it was searching for something."

"What was the monster Mr Saltzman?"

"No one knows for certain, but old reports claim it resembled a darkrai, but twisted. Its body burned to cinders, limbs twisted and broken. Something straight out of a horror movie."

"What happened to it?" Blade piped up again.

"According to records, it just vanished. All we know is that it vanished after our resident Mare Nightshade came to town. And if you believe the rumors, he stopped the creature."

"What do you think Mr Saltzman?" one of the other students asked.

"I think we got lucky, and if Mare didn't defeat the creature, his presence was enough of a deterrent." Suddenly the bell rang. "Huh, it seems we're out of time. Alright, you guys keep this stuff in mind, in case the disaster siren starts up again in the future."

Blade stood up and walked out of the classroom, hurrying to his next class.

Just as he got in and took his seat Anelace was standing in front of him glaring murderously. "What the fuck did you do?!" She grabbed him by the collar of his suit.

"Ann, c-calm down!"

She struck him across the face. "Shut your fucking mouth!" She shoved him to the ground and climbed on top of him, putting her claws around his throat and squeezing. "I'll fucking kill you, you little bastard."

"That's enough!" Anelace felt her arms pulled back. Glancing to her right, Aqua was holding her right arm. And to her left, the source of the voice, Nagi. "You need to cool off Ann." The weavile pushed her back.

"Nagi, I will send you to the distortion world with him, you cunt!"

"STUDENTS!" they fell silent. Ms Bitter had entered the room. "This horrible day is horrible enough without you children making it worse. Take your seats, and go to your proper classes, any further disruptions and I will send you to the underground classes."

"I thought those were a myth." Aqua spoke up as he helped Blade stand up.

"I HAVE SPOKEN!" the banette glared, and they each took a seat, as Nagi hesitantly left the room, still worried for Blade. "Good, now if you'll all take out your terribly overpriced textbooks and turn to page one hundred fifty one, you will see more of the horrible language that we speak, read, and write…"

Blade tried his best to stay focused, but found it too difficult. Not just because of Ms Bitter's constant downer personality, but because he could feel Anelace staring a hole into him. Luckily for the sneasel time seemed to fly, and in no time at all the bell rang, and they left for their next class.

Blade had never left a class quite as quickly as that, praying Anelace wouldn't follow him. Unfortunately, as he glanced back she was full sprinting down the hall, shoving other students out of the way.

Aqua was standing beside him. "Outside, go quick! I'll slow her down."

Blade rushed to the nearest exit door and out into the academy courtyard. To his surprise and chagrin, Aqua barely slowed Anelace. The female sneasel was right on his heels and she tackled him to the ground.

"Anelace please I can explain!"

She headbutted him. "Shut up, I'm tired of listening to you flap your tongue!" she suddenly reached into his mouth grabbing his tongue and pulling it taut. "So just one more time, before I take it away." She grabbed his side, digging her claws in deep, ripping the new suit Blade had been given. Suddenly she pulled back and thrust her claws down to stab him, but felt herself stopped. "I'm not gonna stop this time, not for Nagi, or Pyre, or even you Shad…" As she glanced to see who had stopped her she was surprised to see Rai standing over her holding her claw tight.

"I can't tell if you're lucky I'm the one who found you or not."

"He's not lucky, I can…"

"I wasn't talking to him." The look in the raichu's eyes was one of pure hate. Rai yanked her back, throwing her to the ground. "I'll give you one chance. Walk away."

"You think I'm gonna run from some track star that doesn't know how to fight?"

"Who said I didn't?" There was a crackle of electricity as Rai rushed by slamming his foot backwards into Anelace's back sending her tumbling forward.

Rai slowly turned around again to look at her on the ground. As she stood up one of the nearby doors opened. Bardiche and Gladius came out and helped her. "Don't touch me! I'm gonna fucking kill you fagchu!"

Rai was ignoring her, simply helping Blade stand up. "You okay lil bro? Go to class, I'll catch up." The electric mouse gave a sweet smile. The sneasel nodded and rushed toward the door. "I'm extending this offer once, you can still walk away."

"C'mon Ann, he isn't worth it."

"Shut up Bard, I'm gonna skin him alive."

Rai stretched, and cracked his knuckles and neck. "Okay, are you two gonna help her, or be smart."

"We're not leaving her alone!" Gladius spoke up.

"We would never betray our family like Blade and Nagi!" Bardiche snarled.

"Fine, I've given you courtesy, enough." Rai took a relaxed posture bouncing on his feet as he raised his right paw up but letting his left hang rather relaxed by his side. His fur began to stand as electricity crackled around him.

Anelace rushed forward first, practically bloodthirsty. Then Gladius followed, and finally Bardiche charged in.

Rai stepped forward using his raised arm to slap Anelace's first swing away, and in the same motion he leaned into her, rolling himself over her back. With the momentum he kicked Gladius in the face as he landed, sending the sneasel stumbling into Bardiche. The raichu ducked as Anelace swung her claws backwards, and he slipped under, slamming his elbow into her gut.

She staggered back, clutching her stomach as Bardiche and Gladius closed in from behind. Rai grabbed the back of her head and jumped, throwing her face first into the ground, and using both feet to drop kick Bardiche.

Gladius swung his claws overhead to catch the raichu as he fell, but suddenly felt a long slender tail pull him to the ground.

The second Rai landed, he rolled to the side and stood up, dusting himself off. The three ice types lay on the ground, holding themselves in pain. "Guess you are lucky I'm the one that found ya." He abruptly walked back inside.

*In Class*

Blade sat down just before the bell rang, and in that same moment he felt a small shock, as his friend took a seat by him.

"Told ya I'd catch up." The raichu smiled happily. "You okay?"

"Yeah, thanks." Blade smiled.

"Ah, I see the entire class is in attendance." The Togepi spoke as his seat hovered in. "Today we will be doing a small field trip to the academy parking lot." Robutmick didn't wait, he simply floated his chair out of the room, with the class quickly following behind.

Within minutes they reached the parking lot and found a massive mechanical egg parked there. "Ah, perfect, it has arrived." The togepi opened the egg, revealing dozens of shining stones. "So class, does anyone know what these are? I'm sure you do, but I'll tell you anyway. They're evolution stones. And as that title implies, they allow pokemon like us to evolve. Not all pokemon require a stone like this to evolve." He paused for a moment to lift up a thunder stone and a razor claw. "Most pokemon evolve simply by growing stronger. Some need only love and friendship, typical, but others require an item or stone. A perfect example, for a sneasel like Blade here, he would need a razor claw to become a weavile. Or a Pikachu, would require a thunder stone to become a Raichu." He stopped a moment as he set them down. Then he turned back. "Of course there are exceptions to the rule, some theorize that Evolution can be artificially induced with technology, and in the case of Rai over there, he was allegedly born a raichu. Any questions?"

"Yeah, what are those?" Rai pointed to a small group of paired stones.

"Those are mega evolution stones. Particularly those for Lucario, Charizard, and Sableye." Robutmick seemed rather proud of the small collection.

"And those?" Blade spoke up pointing at seven empty diamond shaped sections surrounding a larger diamond opening in the massive egg display.

"Oh, those are for the Discord Emeralds and the Mod Emerald. Magical gems of near limitless power!" He paused. "Wait, I had one of them already where did it go?"

"Looking for this Egg-boi?" a strange blue shaymin was sitting on top of the egg display holding a small green gem.

"Why you blasted blundering buffoon, snooping as usual I see!" Robutmick swung around in his seat pressing several buttons. "I don't have time for you right now, I'm teaching!"

"These poor students, your ego has probably rotted their brains by now."

The Togepi was visibly shaking with anger.

"Maybe you shouldn't antagonize him." Rai called out.

"What? Eggy won't do anything, he's too busy teaching."

"Well students, class is dismissed, please stay in the classroom, and try not to snoop like this blue menace!" Robutmick launched his chair forward chasing the shaymin. "Get back here Sonic!"

"Well I won't complain." Rai smiled and started walking back to the classroom, with Blade right behind him.

After a short while the bell rang again, and it was time for their next class.Rai split off leaving Blade and Aqua together again. After they changed into their more flexible shorts and shirts they rushed into the battle area.

"Hey wait up guys." Pyre called from behind them. As they turned to him, he seemed to be walking strangely.

"What happened to you?" Blade asked with a small giggle.

"Uhh," Pyre leaned close and whispered to both of them. "Butt stuff."

"Wow, that's pretty funny."

"Hey everyone, glad to see everyone's here again." The infernape spoke confidently. "Before we get started, I'm asking again if anyone wants to apply to the battle club?"

"Oh yes sir" Blade raised his hand and stepped forth only to accidentally bump into Nagi. "Sorry about that."

"Alright, the last two the club needed to compete in a tournament. We've got time to get the club in shape before one comes up, I'm so excited!" Goku was practically dancing. "Thanks you two."

"Oh, uh I can be in two clubs at the same time right?"

"Oh yeah you totally can, just need to schedule attendance with both clubs. We can handle that on the next club day."

"Thank you sir." Blade smiled as he and Nagi returned to the rest of the class.

"Okay guys, I know I don't normally do this, but I've been pushing you all pretty hard lately, so you'll get a bit of a break. It's not a free period, but we're just gonna do some simple exercises." The infernape nodded. "I'll go around each of you individually, and I want to see how you fight. Just simple attacks, punches, kicks, slashes, that stuff."

He stepped up to Blade first. "Uh, I'm not very experienced."

"Don't worry, that's what battle class and battle club are for. To help you learn to defend yourself."

Blade took a rather narrow stance holding his arms out wide and he began to swing his claws and his legs.

"Okay, I can already see some things to improve. First, widen your stance, if your legs are too closed up, you can get knocked down easily. Second, pull your arms in, you want those close to your chest, easier to defend important areas that way."

Blade pulled his arms in too close, and spread his legs too wide.

"Hmm, we'll work on it more."

"Allow me to assist him." Shadow's voice came. "I assume it is not a problem that I join the class again."

"If you think you can, by all means give him a hand. You know him better than I do, you'll probably explain it better for him." The infernape moved to the next student.

"Here, do as I do." The darkrai sprouted legs, spreading them to shoulders length and bending his knees. He then raised his arms, holding one closer to his chest and the other just in front, his body was turned to the side.

Blade nodded carefully, adopting the same position. Shadow looked him over, and carefully adjusted his body. "This should feel more stable, does it?"

"Yeah, it does." Blade nodded, he had to admit the position wasn't the most natural for him, but he did feel stable.

"Okay, now I saw before I came in, but you are swinging too wide with your attacks. You are smaller, faster than many others, so you will not hit as hard. You appear to be overcompensating for your stature." Shadow gently took hold of his claws. "Your claws are sharp, they can cut easily. So do not use such large sweeping motions, bring them closer. Try this." Shadow held up one clawed hand and thrust it straight forward, twisting his body and carrying the attack forward. "The straightforward jab should have enough force to pierce your enemy, but if they avoid it," He swiped his clawed hand quickly from one side then to the other. "Try small, but fast swipes to catch them."

Blade mimicked the motions, punching forward, then swiping his claws back and forth in abrupt motions.

"Perfect, with more practice you will refine your muscle memory, and that will be second nature."

The rest of class passed in a flash, as did their lunch time and in no time at all they were leaving. As they approached the academy gate Anelace was waiting for them.

"I don't care who protects you Blade, I will kill you for what you did."

"Blade? What did you do that has infuriated your whore of a sister so?" Shadow spoke with disdain.

"He got our father arrested!"

The Darkrai chuckled in a chilling way. "Oh, you have it all wrong." He leaned down looking Anelace in the eye. "I had your father arrested. For abusing Blade, forcing himself upon him, and repeatedly doing the same to the rest of you." Shadow pulled Blade close. "Unfortunately because you have no alternative caretaker, I must offer you all residence at the manor with your mother."

"Fuck you!"

"So be it." Shadow opened the door to the limousine allowing Blade and Nagi inside before sitting down inside himself. "Take us home Codsworth."