Trusting Lord Ikur

17

Tuesday, May 9th, 1989

The afternoon air blew softly down the streets uninterrupted. The silence was almost deafening. Almost. Kitiku's crutches tapping away on the ground and the occasional request for ID or a permission slip were the only things to break it. The cobbles made it hard for him to move around, but Kitiku didn't complain. He smiled as he entered the office building. Lieutenant Tomilson waved at him before coming over.

"Afternoon. Damn, you've grown since we last met. You must nearly be 5ft 8 now." Lieutenant Tomilson raised his hands. "I suppose you are here to see Lord Ikur?"

Kitiku nodded. Days have gone by since the incident, and everyone has gone back to normal. In two days, we will be able to start our regular classes. I can't wait to be like you, Pierre. He felt Lieutenant Tomilson pick him up and carry him down each step. The white walls of the medical bay filled him with relief.

"Well, at least you are on time." Lord Ikur pushed his glasses back onto his nose. I have your results back from the test, and I am sure you want to talk about your work-study form."

"I-I think I-I w-want to be a d-d-doctor. L-like you." Kitiku took Lord Ikur's arm.

Since when does he speak? A doctor? A kid like you would get eaten alive. Stand no chance out there, but he still wants to talk to you about it? Does he know something I don't? Lieutenant Tomilson smiled. "Well, I should leave you to it, and your secret is safe with me and Sutton, of course." He reached behind him and tapped Sergeant Sutton on the back.

"-gh what?" Sergeant Sutton said. "-gh, gh." Tiny specs of bread fell out of his mouth and onto the floor. "Sorry, I'll clean that."

The hand of Lord Ikur slammed into the wall, blocking his path. "What secret?" His voice was cold enough to freeze the room. His eyes narrowed and piercing, fixated on Sergeant Sutton. Sergeant Sutton smiled back at him awkwardly. "Oh, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend." He looked at Kitiku. Well, I didn't expect that. That was the last thing I'd have expected. Timid boy, no muscles, unable to walk, doesn't really do much to stand out… "Well, as long as you don't do anything illegal, I won't care too much. I hope she is understanding towards that. Don't ever let her pressure you into doing anything illegal." He reached over to Kitiku and placed his hand on his shoulder. "In a few years, you will get married, and that would be good for you. I can see it now. You will have nice flowers everywhere, and lots of pictures. You would need to get a planner, too."

He really is into all of this, huh? Scary Lord, my arse. Why can I see Lord Ikur planning his wedding? LieutenantTomilson smiled at him again.

Lord Ikur put the paperwork down. "So you want to be a doctor? Well, you won't get much higher than a healer unless you manage to get into the academy at Kirot-Akalt as a student. The exams are complicated. There are the early introductory exams in June, then the late ones in July. That's when you have to do mathematics and your regional language. Then you have the September exam, which is the early physical exam, and in October, you have to get a Guard's recommendation letter. If you get those done and pass them, you will have your final acceptance exam in November. If you pass that, your final task is to get a bid in December for the inter-school faction you'll be in, and you'll then start in February. Of course, it would be tough for you to get in. This year would be one of your only chances. This year and next year, if you get in this year, then you have a year to settle in before you go into the high school section of the school. With you being unable to read and write Colrat I-"

"I can. I c-can read it. M-my b-brother t-taught me. S-so I c-c-can f-focus on l-learning Elkrat." Kitiku nodded. "A-and C-c-captain gave m-me this." He opened his school bag and pulled out the book. "I w-want to d-do this w-work study w-with you." He grinned when Lord Ikur nodded.

Lord Ikur raised a finger and walked into the backroom. Minutes passed before he re-entered, carrying a thin white coat, white shirt, grey trousers and some white trainers. "Apologies, boy. They might be a little big on you, but these belong to some of the Elkran students who do their work studies here. If you ask your mum or girlfriend, I am sure she can make them fit." He poked Kitiku in the chest.

The Lord staggered into the wall with a thud and bent down to pick his glasses up. "What the…? Why is there a bronzor here? Sergeant Sutton! Lieutenant Tomilson!"

The litwick the wall flickered its purple flame, and the white wax of its body dripped onto the floor. A twisted smile was painted on its face, and its golden eyes narrowed in on Sergeant Sutton and Lieutenant Tomilson. It flickered its flame once again, and Sergeant Sutton's spine shuddered, and he wrapped his fingers around the edge of his shirt. He pulled it out and wiggled his fingers. A small sweat drop rolled down his face. The litwick its lips and looked at Lieutenant Tomilson. Lieutenant Tomilson shivered and lowered his head, shielding his eyes from the glowing purple light that had consumed the room.

"… I-I-I caught a b-bronzor and she is f-from Kilgor," Kitiku said, hugging it. "I love her v-very much." His arms wrapped around the lower half of her blue, circular body. Her eyes could just about see over the top of them.

Lord Ikur paced on the spot. His footsteps were loud enough to wake anyone who slept. He pushed his glasses back onto his nose, and after an eternity of silence, he said, "You broke the law. I have to report this infraction. I understand you care greatly for this pokémon, but it doesn't belong to you. I will defeat it in battle to prove it, but… I suppose for now I best hand you this." He reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a white-capped poké ball. "This is a lillipup. It is going to be your companion, and it will help you with your anxiety. When you are in your dorm, or at home, or whenever you feel anxious, send it out, and it will help you. Yes? The white poké ball indicates medical. Therefore, no one can force you to put it away except a Lord."

"Y-yes, sir. I… Can I g-go home s-sir?" Kitiku asked.

Lord Ikur got up and said, "After we battle. Come, we battle in the town square. After all, it is marked out due to the training. You and the Lieutenant versus myself and the Sergeant. Hopefully, he won't be totally useless." He walked up the stairs and out the door. His narrow eyes flicked back to Kitiku being carried by Lieutenant Tomilson and Sergeant Sutton behind him.

The ringing of the shop doors had gone silent, and the rush of people was gone. Lord Ikur stepped onto the small ring and tossed his poké ball onto the field. As the clip of the poké ball reconnecting with his magnet ring rang out, the luxray appeared. He stretched his claws out and let a little grumbling growl.

"Let's keep it nice and simple. One pokémon each. I will try and kill you or at least knock you out." Lord Ikur took his white coat off and pulled the small metal rectangle out from his shoulder. He shook his fist, hanging it below his grip, and it popped out into a shield with his family coat of arms painted on the top half. The Elkran flag on the bottom. He took his sword out, which hung from his waist, and held it forward.

Alright, let's not go all out. Lieutenant Tomilson pulled his metal rectangle out and drew his sword and shield. "Sorry, Kitiku, but seeing as you can't really stand without assistance, a shield won't be much good for you." He flicked his wrist forward and tucked his right foot behind his left. The ball bounced on the floor and back up into his hand, while his dragapult floated battle-ready. Let's go.

"Vesx, let's go." Sergeant Sutton raised his hand with the poké ball up to his forehead before tossing the ball forward. Sergeant Sutton pulled his shield out from the metal box on his shoulder and drew his sword. His electabuzz wiggled his tail, and he let out a joyful chatter.

Kitiku shuffled forward and pressed the button on his poké ball. His bronzor spun around excitedly. Its yellow eyes glowed as it made itself dizzy. However, immediately, shards of ice shot towards it.

"Wake up. I will kill you." Lord Ikur stood; his hands tucked behind his back. His shield lay on the floor in front of him. His eyes locked onto the dragapult whizzing towards him — time to show my strength and to see how strong Kitiku is.

I need to hold back, Lieutenant Tomilson thought. He raised his sword and glanced at Sergeant Sutton. I can't risk showing who I really am. What's gotten into me lately? I'm thinking more and more about… He lifted the sword. Sergeant IncarestaSutton isn't stupid; he is clumsy, though. Kitiku, on the other hand, is a weakness. It is a two-against-one here. The kid can't fight. His bronzor can but him? No. Do I hold back? Do I go full force?

Sergeant Sutton stared at Kitiku and then back at Lieutenant Tomilson. Lord Ikur is bombarding Kitiku with ice. I can knock him down onto the floor, but Incaresta would be ready to fight back. He stabbed at Lieutenant Tomilson's knee, but his sword was deflected by a clean cut upward by his older counterpart. He felt nauseous as the dragapult floated through his body and solidified her tail. She wrapped her tail around his leg and pulled him towards the ground. However, the electabuzz swung his leg at the dragapult.

"Come on, Kitiku. Do something. Your bronzor can't defend against me forever." Lord Ikur stepped closer—his sword loosely in his fingers behind his back.

Kitiku's spine shivered, and the world around him dimmed. It was just him and Lord Ikur. If this was real… what would I do? What can I do? I am hopeless. He shuffled back on his crutches and fell on his back. As Lord Ikur swung his sword down on Kitiku, it was stopped and held in place by the bronzor. However, the electabuzz, covered in mud, punches it squarely. It tumbled back, and the sword continued down towards him.

"Stop the sword!" Lieutenant Tomilson called out. His sword grating against Sergeant Sutton's sword. His dragapult lunged at Lord Ikur's sword and struck it with a dragon tail attack. He felt Sergeant Sutton push back against him. Damn it, did I lose concentration? No. This is fine. I can't win against Lord Ikur, but Sutton? That will do. He opened his mouth and shrieked, letting his pent-up frustration surge through him. "Give up!" He swung his sword back up and kicked Sergeant Sutton in the shin.

"Ugh." Sergeant Sutton staggered back. "Thunder!"

Quickly, Lieutenant Tomilson raised his shield and blocked the attack. He tossed his sword forward like a throwing knife, clipping Sergeant Sutton's leg. He fell into the mud. His fingers were shaking as the protective field on the front of his shield broke, and electricity shocked through the metal and into his body, passing through him into the ground. Damn shield… he couldn't feel his legs, and he fell onto the floor.

Sergeant Sutton panted, and his fingers pressed against the ground. He felt the air leaving his lungs faster than he could take it in. He looked over to Lord Ikur, standing tall with his hands behind his back. Did he even move or break a sweat? He puffed out his mouth and stood up. He looked over to Lieutenant Tomilson.

Lieutenant Tomilson forced a wheeze. He isn't even tired? The only reason Kitiku isn't tired is because the bronzor has been deflecting the majority of those attacks. He pushed his hair from his face and scrambled back onto his feet. With Incaresta down and me down, it is up to those two. Was it truly wise to give the boy the bronzor? Of course, I can't use my full strength. Maybe I should have?

"Alright, time to end this. Wild charge." Lord Ikur put his hands back behind his back and grinned. His luxray charged at the bronzor covered in electricity. The sparks spat out around his body.

"N-no. Z-zanha! Um… use s-slam!" Kitiku sat on the floor and tried to get up onto his feet. However, he felt powerless as the large luxray struck the bronzor and sent her flying backwards. It quickly attempted to attack back with psychic. Its eyes glowed, and locked gazes with the luxary. The bronzor lifted the luxray into the air and threw him back, but the moment the luxray's paws touched the ground, he roared, sending sparks of electricity forward. The electricity coursed through the bronzor's body, and it struggled to move.

"Again." Lord Ikur's words had barely finished leaving his mouth, and the luxray had slammed into the bronzor, and it hit the muddy floor and slid along the battlefield.

"Zanha!" Kitiku cried out, crutching over to the bronzor, which lay in the mud. She is hurt badly!

Lord Ikur stepped over with his luxray beside him. As he stopped, the luxray sat and licked the wounds caused by the bronzor. With a grin, Lord Ikur said, "Very good, but you aren't in control. Your bronzor doesn't listen to you, but it does protect you, which is something. You must improve your control and your battling skills elsewise the academy will forever be a dream. Sergeant Sutton and Lieutenant Tomilson take the boy home. Also, you are both suspended for three days for lying. Next time, it will be an execution. Do I make myself clear?" Lord Ikur reached into his bag and pulled out a small notepad. In messy handwriting, he scribbled down the sheet: Administration and Requests Office, Academy Segment, Citadel, Kirot-Akalt, Elktan, and handed it over to Kitiku. "Write to them. Ask them for information about joining the academy in Elkrat. Remember, when you write in Elkrat, include the "r" in city names and in people's names but not in the text. Otherwise, they will burn your letter."

"You a-aren't going to t-take her?" Kitiku asked, clutching his bronzor tightly. He puffed a sigh of relief as the Lord shook his head. "Oof," he gasped as Sergeant Sutton picked him up and put him on his back. These people are kind. Why does the Colran news say awful things about them? My battling skill isn't strong, not like him or Pierre. He even looks a little like Pierre. Kitiku closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, leaning over Sergeant Sutton's shoulder.