Twin Colors

by tremor3258

Generally getting cheat memories is supposed to be a *bonus*. OCs, Paldea, post-game.

18. Lunacy of Mondays

Twin Colors

By tremor3258

Chapter 18

Lunacy of Mondays

---

Miriam didn't have much to do for homeroom since the had covered a lot of starting term information on Friday. Normally she would be distributing any other Academy-wide information and just getting a feel for how students were doing.

She had opened a question session to fill out the time, and yesterday's incident was the natural focus. The conversation had drifted to Miriam's contributions, so her Eelektross was confused, but pleased, to be the center of attention. She floated over the tables next to the podium, twisting back and forth to show off her profile as Miriam used a laser pointer to describe details on the species.

"Did you catch it at this level?" Victor asked, "I've heard wild evolutions that require an evolutionary stone with trainers are willing to find partners in Paldea."

"That's correct," Miriam answered, "Second term health class goes into some of what we know about Tera Crystal interaction to provide the energy boost than is more commonly available elsewhere. I didn't catch her technically. She was a rescue when I was working at a Pokemon Center. She was just a little Tynamo from the coast off Porto Marinada when we met. They don't have the energy to learn many moves until they evolve, but we worked through it together, didn't we?" She smiled fondly at the lamprey-mouthed beast.

"There were some people who wanted an Eelektross at Blueberry, but everyone I knew gave up and released their Tynamo. They take a lot of nurturing to grow to Eelektrik," Kieran said. Even the Eelektross nodded in agreement at that. Their wild spawnings were similar in size to Magikarp clutches.

"Levitating electric Pokemon," Rose whispered to Alamy, "Are you thinking of raising one?"

"I already have to budget the funds for one Thunder Stone," Alamy answered back, "And I am ashamed to say I find the mouth off-putting."

The circular tooth arrangement was unusual enough among Pokemon to be a bit uncanny valley, Rose had to concede. She nodded in understanding to Alamy. Poppy's expression was horrified fascination, and she flinched every time it happened to turn to face her.

"Slackers," Mei said loudly at the front, "If you're experienced enough to risk going out to sea or in a cave to catch one, you should know they take time."

"It's one thing to know something and another to experience it," Miriam said with a sigh, "And they take a lot more effort than even something famously inept like Magikarp."

"I thought they learned some electric attacks?" came a voice from the back of the classroom.

"Spark, Charge Beam, and Thunder Wave is about all they can manage. Even with modern TM technology, a trainer can't get much more out of them," Miriam acknowledged.

"The warm romantic ideal of striving for glory versus the cold financial reality. You could have a Pawmot with similar effort, and probably for a while, if you were a dedicated battler in Paldea. They can do a lot more than trace faulty wiring to help the team's budget," Victor said.

Minx asked, "Were you looking for a Tynamo to evolve for your team, or was it a match made in a fated encounter when you looked into those shiny fisheyes?" she said the last part in a sweeping manner. She was eager to avoid going back to the Kalos countryside, so Rose couldn't fault her romanticism.

"Well, I was at a place where I could consider expanding my team, and I did feel sorry for her. She was a long way from home. I had a saltwater tank for Toxapex and Pincurchin already, so that made her easier to care for," Miriam said. Her Eelektross looked at her and fluttered her eyes in admiration.

That got a general 'awww' from a good percentage of the class, despite Eelektross being, objectively, a spiky floating lightning monstrosity with a blender-mouth.

"Why were you building out a battle team?" Mei inquired, "Were you thinking of going to work at a Gym?"

"I mainly did it because once I finally started working on it seriously, I turned out to be good at it," Miriam said simply, "We don't have as deep a tournament structure or demonstration battle program as some regions, but between my job and commissions, I could afford to take a team member who needed some nurturing."

"It's really not a talent you should sleep on," Rose murmured to herself. Poppy, Alamy, and surprisingly, Victor, nodded in agreement, almost reflexively in earshot. Zania looked over surprised, having missed the comment.

Rose was more offput when the Eelektross turned in her direction and fluttered her eyes at her.

---

The chimes rang shortly thereafter, and people gathered their things to leave. Rose noticed Mei still sitting and mentally shrugged. Her goal was forward momentum, but Mei needed more time to cool down before Rose could try any more attempts to help her sister's balance.

She called Azucena out to the next class and spotted Victor lingering. Alamy was bringing out Bandwidth and spotted it too. She motioned for everyone to hurry up, predicting another explosion, and a glance back was all it took to get their friends moving.

"Not much time before the next class," Zania said. Group chat had revealed everyone was in the first three classes on Monday thanks to requirements. Her Fue-cutie and Poppy's Fuecoco were having a casual whistling conversation.

"It'll be better when we know the building," Teff assured her.

"These gaps aren't long enough to do any training," Rose noted, "But I guess there will be time to look at the commission listings when we reach Salvatore's classroom," Rose said as they paused off to the side as a trainer and his Sandaconda slithered down the hallway, taking up most of the space

"Did you use up the reward?" Poppy asked.

"I don't think it will last long. I tried rinsing the uniform when I was showering, but getting the dirt off just showed how much was burned when the Misdreavus took out my seals. If I had another wrecked uniform, I could patch something together. I want the necklace repair to happen quickly, so that will be pricy. And I need to pick up skin lotions for my partners until their greenery grows back in," Rose listed.

"They don't need it if they're a bit itchy," Trigo said, walking behind.

"I'll skip meals first," Rose said flatly, "They knew our chances." Alamy nodded.

"Sorry, bad joke. I get when there isn't enough to go around," Trigo said. Zania and Kieran looked down awkwardly. Trigo's Lechonk Coche grunted meaningfully.

"Of course, I'd get you some if you needed it," Trigo said.

"I think my mother wants us sticking close to campus. She promised a bigger transfer to cover Hunt training, but now is tight," Rose said.

"You don't sound happy," Poppy said nervously.

"Mei and I were planning to be able to do weekend training in the intro period without needing to pick up commissions. We didn't know how bad grocery prices had gotten, our mother had done the shopping," Rose said grimly.

"Food prices blindsided me," Teff added.

"That does sound premeditated," Trigo said, "But my dad said most everything is in the granaries, so his suppliers are expecting it stabilize."

"The food costs and then the supplements to keep up a high training pace," Alamy said with a sigh.

"You're smart to start early. Which are you using in their food?" Kieran asked. Alamy blinked in confusion.

"I meant the restoratives like Ethers or Potions to rapidly recover from a battle so you could challenge more wild Pokemon. I'm mainly using broad-species Pokemon food plus some cooking, is that wrong?" Alamy asked.

"Oh, I know what Kieran's talking about. It's that pricy section of vitamins you see in Pokemon-focused stores," Zania said, "Those little bottles are the most expensive thing by weight usually. They're nutrient blends to enhance the effects of training."

"They do work, and are perfectly safe," Kieran argued. Kieran's Poliwrath flexed for emphasis.

"Sometimes you can find them in flavors," Poppy said.

Coche squealed a question. "Guys, I know you mean well, but remember we're starting? We have to count Poke balls here," Trigo said. Alamy and Rose nodded.

"Sorry," Zania muttered. Her Fue-cutie looked up and whistled in support.

"No, they're right. I forget I'm lucky," Zania said.

"Yesterday was more intense than I would hope, but Naranja is offering us a lot, but it does leave us more dependent on support than a full journey," Alamy noted,and patted Resistor's Poke ball. Bandwidth looked away and Alamy frowned again.

"You guys are eager with great attitude. I forget you've only just started as battlers, or even trainers in general," Kieran back-pedaled, "You'll reach the point throwing in a Snorlax on the budget isn't a concern."

"From you, that's really appreciated," Rose said honestly, "But we're past the growing season, so there won't be many small jobs for grass Pokemon. And most larger commissions take enough time it would interfere with classes."

"I'm glad I'm just here for football," Teff said to his Sprigatito. The cat shrugged, accepting of a life of slow evolutions with his trainer.

They ducked to the side as an adult student with a Stantler went by, trying to stay clear of the antlers.

"Lot harder to get through the halls than the weekend. It's like backstage at a tournament, or trainers rushing to a mass outbreak. Everyone treating their partners," Kieran said.

Trigo was still stuck on budget. "Do you think home ec will cover foraging during the Hunt?" he asked.

"Did trainers' school here cover basic flora identification?" Alamy asked.

"They did, but not much on preparation," Trigo said.

"The berry trees and bushes near Los Platos were picked over this weekend," Rose warned.

"Those regrow pretty fast. You can usually find all the berries in the Mesagoza markets, but that goes back to the money problem. Coche likes the Orans, though. Those aren't too bad," Trigo said.

"If you're looking for something specific like a Yache to shield a Pokemon, having a market source is useful," Kieran encouraged.

"You think Salvatore will be there?" Poppy asked, pressing her fingers together as they finally reached the right hallway. The group paused and stared as a Magikarp flopped after a student wearing a complete diving suit.

"Everyone else saw that?" Rose asked in concern once she got her voice back. There were general nods.

"Poppy, he did seem very determined," Rose assured her, after one more look at the sight.

"Oh, you guys must be new. Welcome to Naranja," an older teenager overhearing said, "Rial always wears that Mondays to get in the right frame of mind before feeding the biology wing's water Pokemon. Now if you want strange, did you hear about what happened on campus this weekend? Aliquis and some girl got eaten. Some first years had to help save them." Rose winced.

---

Mei waited for the class to clear out before making her move. Miriam hummed to herself as she switched the class's electronic boards over for health class, making no comment. Once Mei heard the door close, she stood up.

"Yes, Mei?" Miriam asked patiently and expectantly, without looking behind her. Mei took a deep breath. The teachers almost seemed to be keeping score at never being the ones surprised. Being partially ignored had caused a surge of irritation, she was wound too tight.

"How did you know when it was time to expand your battle partners?" Mei asked once she was under control.

"You have to be kidding," Victor interjected. Mei jumped. She'd been so focused on Miriam she hadn't realized he was still there. She'd like to blame Victor masking himself, but really it was bad situational awareness on her part.

"What?" Victor commented defensively, "I was curious why you weren't heading to paper over our latest debacle trying to play ringmaster over your sister." He looked, in Mei's opinion, like he wished he had a box of popcorn.

"Latest?" Miriam interrupted.

"Oh, if Teff knows something, we all know it," Victor said with a wave, "A month and he's going to be the heart of the entire school's gossip network. But there's been other chatter about Mei's gold medal in spreading around other people's personal issues last night."

"Great Dragons I don't need a lecture in communication from you of all people," Mei said.

"Someone should give you one," Victor gibed, then leaned back.

"I should apologize, though, I interrupted our teacher when you asked a valid question," Victor said, giving a bow to Miriam.

Miriam had gotten enthralled watching them go at it. She coughed and stood up straight before answering.

"When you can do it and not be exhausted in battle isn't a helpful answer, but it's the truth. The most important thing is not feel strain at normal link without channeling. That hurts your and your partners' growth," she said, "It's a very personal decision though to add another partner. Not every battler pushes to six." It wasn't a hard and fast rule, but managing Pokemon got more complicated the more were added. Six was the interregional standards as limits to enter into even the most advanced tournaments.

"Do you think you're ready?" Miriam asked pointedly.

"No," Mei said after a little thought.

"And I owe myself some money," Victor said, leaning forward, surprised. "Were you hoping for some cheat? You're talent gives you some edge right now, but you're still an untilled field."

Mei sighed and nodded.

"Adding more links to channeling would help some of your flaring issues, but you need to have control of yourself as a real solution," Miriam warned.

"You've got so much refinement already you're having trouble converting to an opposing element," Victor said enviously, "That's not a basic problem. Just give Pome a break for a while."

Mei shook her head, she said, "I want to beat this. And he's a great guy." She pointed at Victor and tried to turn things around.

"I see you've upped to three active now after yesterday, but aren't you still slumming? Isn't that hurting your growth?" Mei asked.

"I'm trying to make sure it's the right kind of growth," Victor said, needlessly cryptic to Mei's ears. He continued, "Three is already going to attract some attention. A lot of people in our track only have the study Pokemon as their partner, no matter what house Pokemon they helped take care of. I needed to focus on catching for my family before school started, and then I met Nemona and saw what happened to nails that stick out in Paldea."

"Damn. I can't argue about that," Mei complained. Victor grinned.

"We are going to work on that for her, still. It hasn't gotten lost with everything else yesterday," Miriam promised.

"Now we're among students of all levels instead of beginners, it doesn't stick out, and I can try and develop more. Hopefully the competition won't be too weak in battle tactics this afternoon," Victor said.

"Ugh, both people that annoy me there to bug me and Rose," Mei said, reminded.

"I'm curious how Alamy," Victor said, emphasizing the name, "will do, given the changes she just went through, and how suffering yesterday's attack affects her, and if it affects her duck. Hard to tell with everyone in Poke balls and not at battle-strength. She was pretty type-aligned for a pet owner already."

Mei started gathering her stuff at the name. "I suppose we'll see," Mei said cooly, and stomped out of the room.

"That's pretty clear evidence that the circus still thinks it has a sideshow," Victor remarked after the door closed.

"She's not even handling the name well," Miriam said, "Zania was right to text everyone."

"Except the victims. Are you going to tell Rose or Alamy or better both? I'm surprised the flower child thinks it's a training critique from the haunted forest there," Victor said, "She's astute."

He sighed, "I wish Mei hadn't brought donuts. Kieran was planning to slip in between them sitting, but covering the front desks with pastries meant they ran into each other and it nearly got ugly," Victor said.

"Rose didn't even move her hand towards her belt. At her experience level, that's not an easy impulse to resist," Miriam reflected.

"I think if she had a Poke ball in hand, she would have thrown it down. She can't control her eyes, and her channeling was writhing," Victor said, "What did Mei say to her?"

"I'm not going to repeat it," Miriam said, "But I want to commend the effort you're putting in to help people you haven't know for long."

"Everyone's been helping each other. It's only right to pay that forward," Victor said, a little uncomfortable.

"It is, but not everyone is as strong about it. It's not some revelation of their past to say the twins are used to being lonely, and that plus the stress is having detrimental effects," Miriam said.

"They are some of the most astutely and idiotically trained people I've ever seen," Victor said, "That isn't helping."

Miriam frowned but nodded. "Please let people know, discretely, I appreciate all your efforts in this. I will reach out to Alamy and Rose so they can process the situation better, but it may be a bit before we can confront Mei. This is a symptom of her deeper problem."

"Mei flailing around with that blunt object she calls a battle style hurts to watch. She has far too much talent on tap for this," Victor said with gritted teeth, "Her sister is an absolute mess in comparison, but look what she can do because she can concentrate. Getting the two in contact is just hurting both, and they know it too. Mei clearly is usually a more decent person than what's happening with her overstressing her channeling. I fully believe her sister would have smothered her in her sleep ages ago, otherwise."

"A specialist burning out like this is one of those warning cases you never expect to actually see," Miriam mused, "I hope she can figure it out. Her partners like her, and she likes them. It's not just a cold mechanical calculation to keep Pome."

Miriam glanced at the clock. "And you should head on to languages," Miriam warned.

Victor shuddered but stood up. "I'm not some traditional upholder of Kalos beauty stands, but I'm not looking forward to seeing what shape Professor Salvatore must be in," he said.

---

Professor Salvatore was smiling and Mei wished he wouldn't. She had walked into class after recalling Terpsi and recoiled. His face was swollen on one side and the bruises had come in spectacularly all over.

He was chatting with some student Mei didn't recognize up front casually, so the painkillers were working. Mei took a moment to regain her composure to walk into class. He didn't have a podium, instead having an antique desk set up. Mei could see his feet were in walking casts.

She sat down in the back and looked at the Pokedex app briefly. Even if she wasn't quite ready, she did need to think about it. Quite a few of Paldea's grass types were common in the cultivated south province. Bramblin, per Hassel's suggestion, was farther afield. They did seem appealing. Fierce if a bit fragile, but they could get crafty and hit hard. The two major arid areas in Paldea were doable as a Flying Taxi daytrip.

She really needed a flyer at some point. The noise in the Paldean taxis was incredible. The Ride Pokemon program in Paldea had a lot of fine print she still was working through. Maybe Tropius was included. They were genial if you could find one, and she had an edge there.

Miriam and Victor were right though. She really was too tired after fights to add a third yet. She was having to push herself too hard against what should be even opposition. She could feel Pome sending apologetic vibes, but she told him not to worry. It was on her to get stronger too.

She glanced up front. Rose was talking with Trigo about something, probably not training like she should. Her channeling was a mess, energy all over the place. Whatever revelation she had gotten, mainly thanks to Mei helping her confidence with that tree shrine, had done some improvement, but she was still too sloppy to delivery heavy knock-out blows.

It wasn't her fault, she didn't' have Mei's advantages in experience. And her talents had always felt more diffuse to Mei, who had the edge in power over her sister once their abilities had actualized with partners. Hannah really should have seen the problem. It was becoming more and more obvious.

But Rose had herself to blame too. She had managed to get ringed out. That almost never happened in court matches, though the court in question barely qualified. How she was so confident in her training with power snapping out all over the place and her partners rolling around was beyond Mei's comprehension.

Mei was going to be the champion. Something like her had done it once, and she could do it cleanly. But she kept messing up with people. The moves weren't quite right, and she wasn't winning as consistently or easily as she wished. She couldn't give up Pome either, he was a sweetie.

And she was worried about Rose. In the past experiences, the Ranger had never been a match for the Knight. Mei didn't have those external enhancements, thankfully, but there were other portals. Mei could see Rose dead-ending her career before she was twenty. Her sister was focusing on minor issues and frittering away time with a fragile light bulb of a Kalosian instead of fixing her own problems. Mei couldn't see what Rose didn't see the problem. Mei couldn't get the words right ot her sister either.

I'm at least in the right class then, Mei thought to herself, amused. Though digital language instruction was faster, its limitations had been made obvious to all newcomers to Paldea this year.

Victor slid in right before the bell rang, a few seats down. He nodded at her, which put her on edge, but there was no follow-up quip.

The bell chimed, and Salvatore opened the class, cheerfully cycling through a half dozen lanaguges back and forth from Paldean.

"My goal for this class is to help you build bridges – with each other, and with Pokemon. Our bonds with our own partners cover most communication with them," Salvatore said to open the class, and Mei's eyes were drawn to the little Kalosian. Sure enough, her head dropped down in shame. She was a battler now and couldn't get a Pokemon trained to open up to talk with her.

"While Pokemon battles are a universal language between trainers, anyone interacting with a wild Pokemon must be able to communicate without the crutch of a trainer's bond. Even if just a workout, one must be wary to not threaten the Pokemon into lashing out. And for people interested in husbandry or research captures, it is a vital skill for encounters through their lives," Salvatore explained.

"And of course, for interacting with other humans through language is a skill even battlers must know. Which basic vocabulary and pronunciation," Salvatore paused as his eye twitched. A lot of the class, having gone through the training package experience, laughed nervously.

"I don't want to fault technology. The ability to pick up languages quickly is a great gift in this expansive world. I hope to help provide the practice to give understanding with knowledge, as well as how body language and intent can provide the comprehension of language below language," Salvatore finished.

Teff held his hand up. "There are so many Pokemon species though. How do we learn them all?" he asked when calmed.

Salvatore pointed out an arm to Teff and winced slightly – he did have some injuries out of sight apparently. He recovered to smile again quickly.

"It does look like a daunting prospect sometimes, doesn't it?" Salvatore noted, "But body language is often broader than the specifics of speech. If I say 'electric' do you think an appliance or a lightning strike? The warm light of a bulb or the crackle of a short circuit? All can be correct given context."

He pulled out a Poke ball and dropped it open, revealing a sleek Persian that hopped on the table that Salvatore had been using as a podium. Mei had only seen this evolution of Meowth in pictures at trainer's school and she leaned forward. Salvatore rubbed his knuckles along the big cat's head, setting up a rumbling purr.

"Some things are simpler to translate, but can still take experience to interpret," Salvatore said, and looked at the front rows. "Rose and Alamy, can you come forward and deploy your Pikachu and Sprigatito, please?" he asked politely. Mei's mouth dropped open.

Rose shot straight up surprised, before ducking her head. Alamy stiffened, and then as Rose started to shuffle forward, Mei could see Alamy take a deep breath and then smoothly stood up. She then paused briefly, took a step, paused, and then repeated the process, like a robot looping instructions.

That nervous faker, trying to look smooth, Mei thought as she got hold of herself and closed her jaw.

Rose swung a Poke ball out as she walked forward, keeping her hands forward. Ivy popped out and hopped on the table, looking at the bigger Persian curiously. Rose swung around, putting her hands behind her back as she looked at the ground and stayed back. There was sweat on her brow.

Alamy brought out her Pikachu. The newly evolved Pokemon flipped up to the table and threw a peace sign. Ger trainer instead stood back next to Rose. She was looking forward and smiling, but Mei had spent her life next to her shy mirror. She could see the teeth were grit and Alamy's skin shone too much to not be coated in sweat. She had her hands in her pockets.

Mei was sure she'd be fine up there. Maybe uncomfortable but the class wasn't noisy, or have multiple conversations at once. It was the activity of a lot of people which wore on Mei.

Salvatore had continued rubbing his Persian's head, and moved on to the cheeks, which had the cat twisting around to maximize the scratching.

Once the other two Pokemon were up, he politely thanked the two trainers and moved onto Ivy. The Sprigatito rolled his eyes briefly as Salvatore moved up, but after a few seconds of ministration, he was purring and twisting around as well. Mei glanced over at Rose and saw her sister giving a small smile, but not look up.

Salvatore approached the electric rat, and she ducked her head cautiously, holding her paws up in warning. Alamy took a half step forward, but Salvatore nodded, and she stepped back.

"Resistor is showing her familiarity with strangers, as she is cautious towards being touched. If you have any familiarity with the line, there are spots that should not be touched on the species, and she understands that and wants to keep her distance for my safety. Wild Pikachu are typically not considerate," Salvatore noted.

He paused and pulled out a glass handled brush. Seeing it, the Pikachu perked up and straightened.

"I admit I have some experience with this line, when it comes to being able to overcome such barriers" Salvatore said with a smile, and started brushing the top of the mouse's head, who buzzed happily.

"She is happy for contact, but her own natural defenses can get in the way with humans. A reaction to keep distance can be respectful or fearful, and while the basics of body language are understandable, they can require interpretation to the motives."

He nodded to the two girls, who spoke quietly to each other briefly, before stepping forward to have their Pokemon jump in their arms, their hands digging into the fur to obscure them. They went to their seats before recalling their partners, but Mei could hear a couple of muttered exclamations at seeing their hands despite their efforts.

"I'd like to thank my two volunteers," Salvatore said over the muttering. He really was a master at projecting his voice. "I would look far less handsome today without their efforts yesterday, and it took real valor." He bowed slightly.

The muttering continued, but friendlier, and Mei's jaw clenched a little. She glanced at Victor, who shrugged. They were here too, as far as that went. It was like the Academy wanted her sister plunging cheerfully off into an abyss.

"With that brief intro to the scope that communication will cover, today we'll focus in on some basic human greetings in multiple languages to open the bridge to one another," Salvatore began the lesson, and shaking Mei from her thoughts as she made sure it looked like she was paying attention.

---

"And there's the bell. I'll see everyone Wednesday," Salvatore said.

Mei was glad she was in the back during the phrase repetitions. Her diction was more than a mess than one group exercise could fix. She stood up, gathering her stuff, intending to head to the front. She wasn't sure what she would say to Rose but felt she had to say something.

"Wowsers, Victor and Mei, I didn't see you come in," Kieran called, having turned around. The class looked at the elite trainre curiously.

"These two beginner trainers did a lot to help yesterday," he said as a general answer. "Do you two have anything to do right now? I wanted you to go through step-by-step what you pulled off against that Misdreavus yesterday. I've heard most of it thirdhand. I'll buy lunch!"

Mei glanced at Rose, who'd paused, surprised, in storing stuff in her bag. Her eyes were lit up a bit. She sensed Mei's gaze and looked down. Mei looked around, most of the class was looking at her or Victor.

Mei puffed up a bit. She did want to talk to Rose, but there would be more chances today like math, and Rose couldn't do too much damage to herself between classes. "I have no issue with it. Probably wouldn't hurt to have an expert look at your saltshroom, Victor," Mei said.

"He did go on a bit of a ride," Victor said, amused, "Lead on." Kieran nodded and the class, seemingly subconsciously, stood aside to let him move through without pushing as Mei and Victor fell behind.

"Lunch isn't a bad idea, but I should probably cook something, you know? Maybe see everyone at Math?" Zania said brightly near the front of the class after Kieran had led Mei and Victor out.

---

"I appreciate this," Rose said quietly, "I'm sorry she's still causing issues with me. She means well."

"No idea what you're talking about," Teff said, as quickly as his Paldean allowed.

Rose looked up finally and her eyes gleamed briefly. "You all aren't that subtle I had to actually listen in on it. Mei hasn't yet, though," she said, lips quirking into a smile for a second.

"That sort of intuition is a double-edged gift, but with precautions can be valuable in many roles," Salvatore said, still at the front, but pitched to not carry far. Rose turned around quickly in surprise, but the class was emptying, generally drifting off after Kieran.

"I knew you were there, and I was still surprised. How do you fade out like that?" Rose asked. Salvatore merely smiled.

"It must be nice to get some extra hints. Knowing where people are for passing without looking would be great," Teff said.

"It isn't a very quick practice, and I need to have a framework of an idea. Genuine Psychics get a lot more than elemental sensitivity. There are some downsides, apparently. Which I didn't know about before this weekend," Rose said.

"That Misdreavus put a lot of pressure on me as well, but you threw it off," Alamy said encouragingly.

"Even without a follow-up attack, I was in a worse state than both of you, and you were both directly hit by projected ghost energy," Salvatore reminded them.

"It helped to see it coming," Rose said and blushed, "I would probably be trying to ignore it after the nurse's office yesterday without encouragement."

"Oh, you can't do that, it's you," Poppy encouraged, "You work around it, like with stepstools, Rika always told me."

"I got lucky, though, it happened here instead of the Treasure Hunt. From Mei's description of what happened, I probably would have fallen in the woods injured, without knowing why. I can't imagine I could risk wilderness training after-" Rose stopped, slamming her jaw so quickly her jaw clicked. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Your records did not have it," Alamy said tremulously, putting it together as well, "With all the amazing things Pokemon could do, no one would think to retest for it."

Rose sat back down and put her head down on the table.

Salvatore looked at her and frowned.

"No wonder it doesn't matter what I'm doing. She just thinks I'll stop," Rose said, still with her forehead resting on the table.

Alamy put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly and Rose twitched fiercely at the contact, making Alamy jump like she'd touched a live wire. "Sorry," Rose said apologetically without still looking up. Alamy put her hand back tentatively, and this time Rose only trembled a little.

"You're under a lot of stress," Zania said sympathetically.

"We'll show you all the good deals in town for groceries later. It should help a little?" Trigo offered weakly.

"Her uniform was wrecked," Poppy informed Salvatore at his look of confusion.

"I only have, had, a couple. I'm not bragging, Poppy, but I should be having a growth spurt soon now that I have partners. We only each have a couple autumn uniform," Rose said, finally looking up. Her eyes were flat, but at least weren't black.

Poppy nodded and clarified, "It's fine. The doctors think I might still get both big spurts, just steel being so static is slowing it down." Poppy crossed her fingers and Rose smiled sympathetically.

"You'll probably end up taller than me," Rose observed. Poppy beamed.

"There is a bond for damages due to accidents on campus, you all are certainly due," Salvatore said, "When the first phase of the investigation wraps up, I expect a mass mailing to post to for liabilities."

Rose nodded and stood. "And Mei should be in a better mood after she eats," Rose said optimistically.

"And gets to be feted in the cafeteria by a Champion trainer," Alamy said wryly. Zania and Trigo snorted.

"I don't think I'm supposed to agree with that being the major factor," Rose said and laughed before standing up.

"Your class has had an unusual first couple of days, on top of the stress of being in a new environment," Salvatore said gently, "Given some time to adjust it should help your sister find her new balance as well."

"She has been helpful, just she goes spiky," Teff said.

"Spikes I do understand a bit better than a few days ago," Alamy admitted, tapping her Poke balls, "But they do not stay spikes."

"Oh, that's right. Don't you need to head out of the walls for a few hours?" Trigo asked, "People usually get pushed out the door after battle-synching to get that first rush out of the system."

"Oh, I spent a couple hours training with her this morning," Rose said. Alamy nodded at that.

"Those movies with new trainers practically foaming at the mouth are more accurate to me than I had hoped. It felt so necessary to be having a match," Alamy explained.

"No regrets?" Poppy asked. Alamy shook her head, and patted her Poke balls again.

"I got along with Resistor better than I do with most people before we were bonded more closely," Alamy assured, "And I still have hopes with Bandwidth. Actually, Professor, do you have time?"

"My next class isn't until one. I recall the conversation yesterday on how you're seeking a specialist to ask. I don't believe we have a water trainer with the equivalent of Rose's talents, but this is a more stable location for observation. Is he willing to be called out?" Salvatore asked, and she nodded.

The group backed up a bit, and Bandwidth quickly was called out in a puff of air. The Quaxly looked around and cringed at being the center of attention.

"That reaction I understand," Rose said. Alamy nodded.

"He is somewhat shy and is reluctant to engage and jumpy when he does. I get mainly nervousness from him. He blocks additional details. My bond in both energy and feelings feels weaker than Resistor's," Alamy said.

"Looking at you, it isn't that surprising. You have that glow already," Salvatore said, "But, comprendre, unusual for a study Pokemon to not want to put itself on display for a trainer. Battles or coordinating or assisting a swimmer makes little difference."

"Victor's Quaxly seems normal," Trigo observed. Bandwidth ducked, shielding his head with a wing.

"Victor is willing to put his life on the line so his Pokemon can be stronger. There's no faster way to a Pokemon's heart, is there?" Teff asked. Salvatore nodded and frowned.

"Explain, bitte," he said. Teff filled in what had happened Saturday. Alamy, Zania, and Poppy hadn't heard it before.

"That sounds worse than what was going on Friday," Zania said, disturbed.

Salvatore looked relieved in comparison. "That is what I had heard before, so I am glad he is keeping his promise. He will be observed during battle class for his safety. I feared there had been an additional incident," he explained.

"I think we were the only students around," Teff said, nervous.

"You were, but students tend to make waves. League officials cooperate with the Academy to pass along info. People and partners pushing themselves too hard happens more than anyone wants. Center staff are trained to keep an eye for it," Salvatore explained.

"Sometimes people don't know it's abuse or dangerous, one side or the other," Rose said grimly.

"Yes," Salvatore said, looking at Rose oddly for a moment, before continuing, "Sometimes people will say things are fine too long in hopes of pleasing someone, unfortunately. It is easier to say than admit." Everyone nodded at that.

"For your Quaxly, though, it does not seem cowardly but seems to dislike the attention or focus. That is unusual for going through the creche. Biology is still a required course first-term?" Salvatore asked. Everyone nodded. Bandwidth gave a muttered squawk at the focus being back on him.

"Jacq will know this Pokemon, at least distantly. He may be able to provide clarification, though unfortunately the issue with Misdreavus takes priority for now. I would keep after him in biology class, as he has many demands on his time and attention. I will see if I can put together a list of contacts with skills and talents for you to consider," Salvatore promised. Alamy bowed in thanks at that. Bandwidth quacked, unconvinced.

"I seek to figure out what you wish," Alamy assured, before recalling the Pokemon.

"Perhaps lunch will put him in a better mood," Alamy said hopefully.

"Oh, do you want to meet up before the next class, make sure we get good seats?" Poppy offered.

"Right, you have to go outside to feed your Pokemon," Zania recalled. Poppy nodded.

"I really do appreciate this," Rose repeated.

"Oh, we're not doing that much, really," Teff said.

"And it's better than this season of dramas have been," Trigo added. Everyone looked at him for a second until he burst out laughing. With the tension, the laughter proved contagious.

"I'll try not to keep competing in the ratings," Rose promised once the giggles stopped.

---

It was skewer day in the cafeteria, which was an unexpected bonus. Mei had them from street vendors this weekend and they were rapidly sliding into being her favorite food with how Paldea marinated them. They'd taken one of the middle tables and Pome was happily chewing on a stick of meat as Victor and Mei walked through a (slightly edited) version of events.

All eyes were on them. The Grimmsnarl from Kieran didn't hurt, a powerful, majestic dark beast, currently eating fries. There were a few rumbles in the background, but the noise in the cafeteria was fine, so the eyes weren't as exhausting as a loud city street. She had to prep for stadiums, of course.

"The salt circle was a good improv too," Kieran complimented.

"It didn't work for very long, but getting relief for a second at least let me catch my breath," Victor admitted. His Nacli was out as Kieran looked him over, working on a set of lumpy looking chow designed for rock Pokemon.

"I'm surprised you or Nemona didn't feel much," Mei broke in.

"We may have been too strong to get in, or just a really bad fit," Kieran theorized, "I'm dragon at the core and I know Nemona's trying to stay generalist, she's really, really, not ghost or fairy either. I think at this point she's staying amorphous for the extra challenge instead of settling into fighting."

"You're pretty good with Nacli there, too, even if you're dragon," Victor noted.

"You really should give him a nickname if he's permanent," Mei urged.

"He's on the team for now, sure," Victor said. Nacli just made some noises like a happy gem tumbler.

"I used to overthink it so badly I wasn't getting anywhere," Kieran reflected, "But I got emotional during a fight and just stopped trying to think so hard about the 'right' energy to give them." He stopped to give a hard look to Mei at this point. Mei stared back.

"I'm not trying to switch it. It's all grass, just Pome is burning it. You keep dancing around something, like you made a huge mistake at some point. Would it help if I knew?" Mei countered.

"I did," Kieran said bluntly, "But that's what you get on it. I screwed up in a different way."

"Fair," Victor interceded, "But how do you channel dragon to a Grimmsnarl to get a Spirit Break with any oomph? They're diametrically opposed." The Grimmsnarl in question stopped working on his fry basket, hearing being called.

"I wish this was easier to describe," Kieran said, "We can assign numbers to Pokemon output, but partnering isn't a science. I mean, we can feel we're pulling from something, but it isn't really draconic until after me. Could it be just a mental association? I don't feel like a type specialist. But Kitakami has some fairy mushroom circles, and I can feel a strain around them," Kieran said, not quite answering.

"So should I keep pulling until I snap?" Mei said sarcastically. Both boys and all three Pokemon looked aghast at her.

"I'm not going to do that," she added hastily, "I came close day one."

"Okay – let's try and be constructive," Victor suggested, "How do you see it when you give energy to Pome?"

"Says the guy walling himself off looking for good examples," Mei grumbled, but offered nonetheless, "I feel like it's branches connecting to him, but I need to pile more on to keep the fire up. At normal, it just feels like a field readying to be sown, but in battle, he needs more. It's too cold otherwise." Pome whistled sadly.

"That doesn't sound sustainable. Bonds shouldn't be something you let get eaten up," Kieran said.

"I'm not sure how else to keep him fueled. All I know is how to push or lock up," Mei said. Pome paused and offered the last of his skewer to her.

"Thanks, but go ahead," she said. Pome didn't hesitate again.

"I'm going to go on dangerous ground," Victor announced, "Your sister has her own issues, but she seems to be more flexible with her connections. Maybe you need to work on loosening up?"

"She's just spilling all over you mean," Mei corrected, "For me, everything creaks rather than moves. Swaps feel like forcing growth," Mei said. Victor and Nacli both winced.

"Wowsers, no wonder you're building your moves so much in practice," Kieran said, "Practice will help."

"Sure," Mei said with stolen experience, "But it feels like I'm holding a Macho Brace in my head, even when Terpsi gets spun up to draw faster. It works so far."

"Sort of," Victor said.

Mei grabbed another skewer and pointed it at him. "People who are kludging high powered moves shouldn't throw Stone Edges," she said, "Or did you fix that?" Pome, mimicking his trainer, gave a mocking grunt. Victor's Nacli shifted free of Kieran's inspection to impose himself.

"They won't like you two going at it in the cafeteria," Kieran said, though he didn't move to intervene yet.

"It's still in progress. We'll see who fixes what first. Or just insists she's amazing until she's left behind," Victor warned.

"Just keep yourself warm on those moral victories. It's not much, but I'm better than I was at the start," Mei countered.

"Okay, wowsers, let's calm it down a little. We're eating lunch, you don't want to break for a match," Kieran said, "Poor Nacli's barely gotten to eat for instance. Victor, it doesn't look like any lingering curses left in his salt." Nacli rumbled and dove into his gravelly chow. That was about as bad as watching Terpsi eat, and Mei got distracted in amusement.

"That's them?" came a voice behind Mei.

"Yup," said a voice roughly, and Mei found herself being twisted around. Whoever it was felt like nothing, she hadn't felt it in the dull throb of the crowd. But their eyes were focused on hers and she could feel it spearing into her until a thrill of sudden bloodlust.

---

By the time they reached the last two floors, it was only Alamy, Zania, and Rose on the elevator.

"The dorms are too crowded to get much effect, but you can at least practice channeling with Bandwdith. It's helped me get closer to my partners," Rose urged as she finished a list of suggestions with it more power. She got off and waved, with Azucena following doing the same.

"You could pay a gym for a month and not get all that. And she doesn't think she's special," Zania quipped after the doors closed. Alamy's lips were set in a thin line.

"She is very dedicated to improving. I do not know why her mother seems to seek to sabotage her. Or her sister's anger at her methods," Alamy said. Even Bandwidth nodded at that.

"You and Rose really hit it off," Zania said cautiously.

"We met each other at a moment we were able to recognize ourselves in each other," Alamy said after a moment. The doors dinged and started to slide open.

"What was it?" Zania said, interested.

"Loneliness, mostly. And admiring a little beauty in a world we don't know our place," Alamy admitted, "We're not as stable as we pretend." Bandwidth made a noise both girls whirled on. Zania was almost certain it was a snicker, but he had it back under control by the time they looked.

"Who is, really?" Zania said cynically. Fue-cutie whistled, raising his arm.

"Well of course, you are. You have a problem that makes you take a deep breath, you set the thing on fire afterward," Zania said fondly as they left the elevator. Fue-cutie nodded enthusiastically.

"What did you see in us, then, to want to reach out and go all the way to Los Platos?" Alamy asked, "You seem to at least accept your hurts better than we do."

"Yeah, they're gone from my life," Zania said casually, "It took a bit to realize, but by the time we were cooking on Friday?" Alamy nodded.

"You two keep going. I don't do that naturally. You help me push myself to be better. Even if you do it just out of ignoble, spiteful motives," Zania said and Alamy blushed a bit, "You do it anyway, and that's inspiring. Poppy too. You would think she's at the end of the road."

"I have seen the end of the road," Alamy said seriously, "You never reach it. It is a constant path of improvement."

Zania opened her mouth to make a quip, but it was clear the girl was completely certain. Zania thought for a moment about that. "Well, explains why so many people who are battling experts are experts in something else. If you're serious about one, you may as well be serious everywhere."

Alamy paused outside her dorm door. "But you are serious, are you not? On pigments and colors and dyes?" she asked.

Zania looked down at Fue-cutie and back. "It probably helps why I'm here instead of just apprenticing," Zania admitted. She was a little amused. Alamy had joined Rose in 'not-pushing but…' for battle sync. Pointing it out wasn't stress they needed now, in Zania's opinion, her eye on Alamy's scarred hand on the handle. They had enough lately.

"I had a lot of lessons with people, but not really anyone that seemed to be a friend," Alamy said, "I will try not to make the mistake the people in your life had."

"You haven't laughed at my dreams," Zania said with sudden bitterness before continuing in her usual light manner, "Even Mei hasn't made that one. I hope we can help her get the rest of it under control. Rose isn't used to it at all, and her sister being like that is hurting her, and she deserves better."

"I wish I knew what it was," Alamy mused, before waving and going in with Bandwidth, calling out Resistor as the door closed.

Zania waited for the door to click before continuing to speak to her Fuecoco. "Let's hope I never have to keep blind on something because confronting it is worse," she said shaking her head. Fue-cutie solemnly nodded.

---

Rose glanced at the common area where the remnants of the donut boxes from this morning were present. A mainly adolescent student body in the wing had swarmed through, but a couple of the less popular items were left.

"Wait!" came a voice from the kitchen area. Curious, Azucena and Rose paused.

Mela, in her student uniform, came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a paper towel. A Salandit padded beside her, tongue tasting the air curiously.

"Do you need help clearing this?" Rose asked politely. Fixing Mei's messes again, she supposed. To Rose's surprise, Mela laughed.

"I'll give it to dinner to see if anyone picks up the last cream-filled, then drag Mei into doing it, if someone's Pokemon doesn't just want to eat the cardboard," Mela said casually. She pointed to the sitting area. Rose had missed it from the hallway, but there was an easel set there with a small canvas. A digital photo of a Ceruledge was on the TV screen, slicing into an anvil with a shower of sparks, with the Great Crater faintly visible in the background. A rough pencil outline of the same scene filled the canvas.

"I was just washing up before trying to finish the sketch. First day of classes and I'm already behind," Mela said idly. Her Salandit snapped her, the fire-type was too plump to be male, jaws at her, but Mela shook her head.

"That's an amazing photo, too," Rose offered. Azucena clapped, following her trainer's lead. Aesthetics were one of those areas of human behavior closed off to most Pokemon.

"I can't take credit for it. I'm more of the exploding all over the place when picking my team, but one of my Schedar Squad managed to dig up an old, cursed armor for one. Chopped up four anvils to get a shot he was happy with," Mela commented, proud for her followers.

"Did you ask for the photo?" Rose asked.

"No, he did it for one of his collages and didn't mind me using it as a base. I've only just started, really," Mela said, suddenly hesitant, "It's not fire how I would think of it, so I wanted to expand a little, y'know?"

"I really like the colors. If you can capture it, I'm sure it'll end up great," Rose offered.

The four stared at the photo for a few seconds, and then Mela sighed and slammed her fist into her palm.

"Okay damn it, this isn't getting any easier to ask," Mela complained, "Are you okay, Rose? My own damn pride in getting the camp back into shape instead of staying here the first weekend to watch over all of you. I should have laughed at Ortega instead of agreeing. It's not part I get, but I should have realized from your eyes. I saw Mei's afterwards and I have no excuse for spotting it as a difference."

"I didn't know, how could you?" Rose said, though her voice was bitter.

"Who did?" Mela said, picking up on it.

"I don't know for sure," Rose said, "It'd all be slander if I say anything."

"I went through the rest and I can guess what this week is like. Too close to Pokemon to feel comfortable around humans, especially right after breaking through," Mela said, then her voice softened, "Battling for the first time, pulling a whole bunch of energies that had been just out of reach all your life. First channeling that works at all you latch onto because everyone has spent your life telling you that you should be good at this." The last part Rose mouthed along, and Mela smiled sadly.

"You need to talk to Mei," Rose interrupted, serious. Azucena nodded empathetically.

"Yveltal scorch the skies, I know. I heard," Mela said. Her Salandit hissed in agreement.

"And that's a real separate problem. This is your time, okay?" Mela said, "You're in better shape than I last saw you." Mela paused, and her eyes gleamed briefly. Rose let it wash over her.

"Oh, you had quite the weekend. I'm not great at talking, I'm better at hitting or telling something how to hit. I wish I had been here to help. You or your sister can be an arrogant exploding loudmouth if you want, or some tiny quiet flower girl, but you shouldn't get shoved into it," Mela urged.

"I do need to go get seals again before Math if I don't want to sleep in the nurse's office," Rose said. Mela nodded.

"Look, the whole faculty's running around on damage control for this mess with Aliquis. All I can offer I'm confident in is do you want to train together in a few days? Either alone or with your sister," Mela finished weakly.

"Thursday is my most open day during the week, just Math," Rose said. Mela nodded.

"I can work with that. Tyme's the gentlest rock-head you'll ever meet. You'll like her," Mela predicted.

"I think I've met the traditional example. He doesn't want it though," Rose reflected.

"That's his call," Mela agreed.

"You said you did spend some time trying to get away," Rose recalled, "You need to speak with Mei on it alone too for some training," she repeated, "I can't get to her."

"Sparks getting to her, huh?" Mela theorized. Rose nodded.

"I think a friend of a friend has a Scovillain partner. Might borrow it for that lecture," Mela reflected.

"Listen, I'm giving you my number. Even if I'm in East Province, send me a text if you think it's getting too much," Mela said, and stared at her canvas for a bit.

"I think it's coming along well," Rose offered again.

"I'm an artist now, though. I keep hating my own work," Mela quipped.

---

There was immediate anger as she realized what was going on, but weak as it was, it was directed right at her and she couldn't look away. What she was didn't allow it. The need to challenge was woven into her partners and even if she could guide them, she couldn't avoid it.

It was a key fitting into a lock, the promise of a rush to charge forward. She had been plenty stressed and this would be relief, even if it wasn't something she chose. It was human nature, locked into neurochemistry. Even pet trainers got it, if slower.

She could hear Pome starting to hiss behind her. This was an attack, not the usual quirk of two trainers who were seeking out focusing on each other. That made this much more difficult to manage. She needed to fight him, but it didn't have to be a match.

Miriam's comments about reckless tantrums from this morning echoed in her mind and she clung onto that. It was tempting to order Pome to immolate this fool for relief. The challenge was bouncing back and forth across the entire team, human and Pokemon.

And the fool even kept holding it after the lock engaged. He had to be able to see it. She knocked his hand away to shift free, heart pumping fiercely. A punch as a follow-up was far too tempting.

She knew this from two lifetimes, she was the trainer, she was the guide. With a parting thought of regret, she held the skewer she was working on to Pome behind her to keep him occupied. There was a small wrench in her wrist as he tore it from her with his teeth, his own savagery up.

"Yeah, you need to do it just like the rest of us. One on one match? Lot of talk about you, but it wasn't a Pokemon battle you did, was it? We all agreed to show 'em how far they have to go," her challenge said. His voice was nearly growling, he was stuck in as well.

She had to let several heartbeats thunder in her ears to make sure she processed the statement correctly instead of accepting whatever terms. She was going to be incandescently furious about this later, but the match was the thing dominating her thoughts, and all her efforts were to keep it legal and to try and win.

There were a few others murmuring behind him and the cafeteria had nearly gone silent, but they were all shadows in comparison.

"Did you two just force a match? They were just eating!" Kieran said aghast, "Wowsers, rude doesn't even cover it. I should have Dragonite burn you both down." His fists trembled and his voice shook.

"It's fine," Victor said, voice trembling a bit. Mei looked over and saw Victor having another student stare at him. Well, that explained the 'two' bit of Kieran's question. Mei nodded as well.

"You two wouldn't think that if you hadn't just been assaulted," Kieran said angrily. Mei stood up, and found she was chest high. The two sudden aggressors were taller than Victor, and likely older besides for that to have kicked in.

"I'm aware of that," Victor said, also standing up. He shoved a finger at his challenger's chest. "You pushed for this, so you better have a field ready, or we can go right now if you're that stupid to drive this in without release. If we wreck the cafeteria instead, you can guess who's getting the blame?"

"Easy," Kieran urged looking around at the many breakable objects around them.

The challengers took a step backwards and muttering went up as what he'd done got flat out stated, then he shook his head. "We take our training proper serious," he said without much animation, "We have courts reserved, but the rules aren't going to save you."

Mei poked her challenger in the chest as well. "We are missing valuable skewer time. You'd better be ready with the forfeit," she threatened.

Kieran looked back and forth, his fists balling and his Grimmsnarl had his claws up, growling. Suddenly the two of them relaxed.

"Do you have a ref too? Is this organized at all?" Kieran said, suddenly calm if you didn't look at his eyes too closely, "I mean, there's a bunch of you. Is this some sort of racket? Wowsers, Victor and Mei were just eating, perfectly friendly. I bet two to one you can't match them in a straight match."

"It's a school court, we wouldn't cheat," Mei's challenger said.

"What was that on bets?" one of the hanger-ons asked, interested.

"Hey, why would you back them?" another asked, more astute, "Who are you anyway?"

"Transfer, I like to think I have a good eye. You'd better honor this match, or you can be on the receiving end of a lock," Kieran threatened, and patted his Grimmsnarl on the back.

"Whoa, big evolved Pokemon there. Don't worry, we'll play fair. Heck, I'll even let you hold the bets," Victor's challenger said, holding his hands up.

"We've got a semester up, newbie, we may not be Nemona but we can take care of our Pokemon," one assured. Kieran laughed, not pleasantly.

"Can we go do this already?" Mei asked, recalling Pome.

"Can someone put this up for us?" Victor said, gritting his teeth as he gestured at the table, "We have to go."

---

News spread fast at Narnaja. By the time Kieran was done marking bets, there was a small crowd waiting expectantly at one of Naranja's courtyards, between two of the courts.

Most of the followers on the two challengers bled off into the crowd, which then broke to hit Kieran with more bets.

Seeing the trainer box helped bleed off a little of the manic need, so she was able to strategize. Victor paced back and forth, also working on focusing. The two opponents kept their distance, but didn't seem as driven.

Amateurs, Mei thought contemptuously, Terpsi, you've got wider move options right now, so we're starting with you. They're probably anticipating Pome if they heard about yesterday, she thought to her partners. Their balls rattled in simple agreement.

"Hang on, need some help tracking all this," Kieran said loudly, as more gathered for betting. "Wowsers, there's a lot of you." He recalled his Grimmsnarl and brought his Porygon-Z out to help crunch numbers. Its head spun around, curious, and Kieran leaned against it to tabulate.

Mei breathed heavily and Victor balled his fists. They were appreciative of Kieran's loyalty in putting so much money up, but it was slowing down the battle now. How did Rose put up with this for hours? She'd probably been exaggerating, Mei decided.

The betting was getting involved enough Mei was starting to worry for Kieran's finances when a familiar voice broke into her thoughts. They're pet trainers, she heard in Kieran's tones, I know in lock you're working up with your partners too much to look for it. Uxie alone knows what they were thinking without checking.

Mei was impressed that a non-Psychic could throw thoughts like that, and she stared over at Kieran. He looked back and forth between his classmates and gave a vicious smirk.

If I were Psychic, I could hear back instead of just transmit, Kieran replied, apparently having guessed the train of their thoughts. Well, he was an Elite trainer. Kieran should be a few moves ahead, in Mei's opinion.

The odds were in their favor you two wouldn't be yet. I mean, ignoring you two were willing to face down a major threat. They didn't even check. I don't know why they would rush this hard, especially betting, but we're splitting this three ways. Take them to the cleaners, he suggested mentally

Mei looked at her opponent, curious, but she couldn't push out to try and get a feel at what their channeling was like at full, she was wrapped up in the partners on her belt. She didn't say anything. Scaring them off at this point would not be healthy for her. She needed to at least get them in the trainer box so she could battle synch up.

She could sense a small flicker, an undefined pillar. She could count two Poke balls and a Great on his belt. Rose's pet project had been brighter on Friday.

He did notice her interest, and Mei pasted a smile on hastily. "You got lucky with a bum Fire Spin, newbie. Acting like a big shot trainer on campus? That's just too much. I've got three partners, so be glad we're keeping this one on one while we take your friend's money," He bragged. His friends nodded around smugly.

His friends nodded exactly in synch. Mei took a shaky breath. She couldn't run from a trainer battle, but they needed to get help.

"Kieran," she said roughly. Her voice was already starting to go, she kept looking forward. She thought she saw something dark in their eyes, but it could be her imagination.

"Hm?" Kieran said, "Oh, Giratina dive," he started to say, then audibly swallowed, "Wowsers, think I'm about at what we can cover. Let's get this started?" He laughed, in a way that would give any drama teacher a headache. The group didn't notice and filed over in unison. Victor looked at her and then pointed in disbelief. She nodded and he slumped in disbelief.

Terpsi rattled in warning. I think so too. I doubt they have Tera Orbs so no giants. Let's see if they're better than Kieran thinks, but we may need to go light contact so they don't get as angry as Aliquis did. At least we can practice Razor Leaf! Mei encouraged. Terpsi didn't feel much better.

Texting a teacher, Kieran broadcasted.

---

The crowd quickly went silent, standing in a line between the two courts within the running track. The two challengers finally, finally stepped into the boxes.

"Third round in last year's junior cup," Victor's challenger taunted. None of those from Miriam's home room were familiar with whatever that was, so Victor just shrugged.

"That confident?" he continued, his eyes starting to flash in sync, "You got to scratch a bit at a ghost in a big fight and Clavell talked you up to make everyone feel better. Heard how you've been talking it up, think you're special because you were standing close to Nemona. All it is, is Clavell doing another push to get more battlers for the routes. We've got hundreds of normal people here, but battlers are all they pay attention to."

"You know what? That's too good a line to resist. They're in the box and they can't run," Victor said, holding a Poke ball. Mei nodded.

She mimed drawing a sword and saluting, letting the power flow from her to her Pokemon and back, ready to strike down these knaves. Condensed grass, with a few other colors surrounding it, flowed as she opened her palm, and a spindly tree of the gathered energy shaped in her palm.

Victor put his hands together and bowed, there was a flare around him, a swirl of light that wanted to condense to gems but kept being forced apart into a mere shower of light.

It was a special effect, coming back into style like nicknames, as what had fallen by the wayside with the manufactured Poke ball started to come back into style with the generation after the improved synthetic version. It wasn't anything useful as far as moves go, and it took some energy, but it looked cool.

Mei spread herself into the court and held a Poke ball. The opposing trainers took a simultaneous step backwards in shock. "On three?" Mei asked sweetly, but she was already counting out loud without waiting for an answer. Her opponent scrambled for his Poke ball.

---

The Poke balls burst open as the court barrier flared to life. Terpsi gave a little dance on entering the field, before giggling at her opponent. The opposing Chewtle clacked her jaws in irritation at the type matchup.

Careful, entirely possible she's got an ice move, Mei warned her partner. Her mind had cleared like being dunked in ice water as they'd gone to full sync. Every single person in Galar knew the Chewtle line well. It was Nessa's favorite Pokemon, she raised a dozen at a time, and Nessa was on half the billboards in Galar.

I know Razor Leaf's range isn't great yet, but let's see how she defends. She'll want to get in close anyway with those jaws, Mei directed and fed power.

Terpsi hopped, skipped, and started to spin, conjuring a flow of leaves around itself. It was more of a Razor Ring than a better Leafage yet. Getting enough where it formed was what Mei was interested in, when they were in the safety of the Academy, to start refining. At least until they had more funds for TMs.

They had the edge in reaction speed; Kieran had been right there, definitely a pet trainer. The move was done and off in a bristling wave of greenery before the little Snapping Pokemon gathered anything to herself. They bombarded the Chewtle's upper body, and she winced. Her trainer finally called a Water Gun, a splash heading out towards Terpsi.

They had plenty of time to see the hit coming. Terpsi angled her leaves to help deflect the move, leaving it more of a minor splash. Terpsi chirped happily at being watered, and the Chewtle snapped her jaws again in irritation.

Okay, don't make them too mad, let's not go super-effective on the next hit, practice switching moves, Mei cautioned. Terpsi chirped agreement as she spun up as Mei did her half of the work.

She tried a little of what Kieran had suggested, trying to push along life in the vibrant interior of the cold tangled forest of their bond. She had never visualized the internal pathways well before, and so she hadn't extended the metaphor with the right channels for this.

Mei made a note to work on that better later and did her usual push. Terpsi started to glow as the power came in for the Rapid Spin. Mei let herself show the fatigue from it. Mei looked up to see a hesitant, relieved smile on the opponent's face. She did not want to push him into getting eaten by that Chewtle. That seemed like it would be permanent.

Terpsi swerved around another water gun to smack her leaves into the Chewtle's side. It wasn't energized with grass energy, but Chewtle didn't have her evolution's rock typing either. While her trainer wasn't much, she was still naturally tough enough it only did minor damage.

Great work on that swerve though, getting better at that motion, Mei encouraged mentally. Terpsi sent back smugness.

That was good – look tired, came Kieran's broadcast. It's making that line behind happy. We can crush them in a bit, oh yes…

Mei blinked; not sure Kieran meant to broadcast that last part. As far as her fight was going Chewtle was sticking to water gun. If Mei was running the turtle, she would be pushing forward against the impacts, to bite back and force Terpsi into a smaller area so she could deliver a crushing blow.

Fortunately, she had Terpsi instead. And Rapid Spin was having its effect, making everything flow faster through their bonds as the next move came easier. A few more stinging hits pushed Chewtle around.

"Come at me and fight properly!" her opponent demanded.

You heard him, Mei directed. Terpsi stopped her spins in front of the Chewtle and looked at her with gigantic inviting eyes.

"Wait, no, Bitcon, look away!" came the frantic instruction but it was too late for the Chewtle. The Play Nice took effect, and her bites would be that much weaker under its effects, if she ever got close enough to use them.

Terpsi pirouetted up to speed, conjuring another flight of leaves. Mei directed her to push them out as far as she could, for more practice. Terpsi danced the fringes of the glowing greenery into Chewtle, before skipping merrily behind the little turtle, a big smile on her face

You can finish this up, Kieran mentally directed. Mei didn't look back. She needed to keep her eyes on the jaw while Terpsi was pirouetting.

Guess that's this practice session done. Remember yesterday with the array? Play it up after, Meti thought at Terpsi. She reached down within herself and pulled, opening herself up on her natural axis. Energy of life and growth flowed into Terpsi as Mei poured it on, and Terpsi spun again, eventually conjuring a Razor Leaf swarm twice as big and faster than the last one.

This one wasn't dancing at the fringes, as Terpsi slammed the full set right into the Snapping Pokemon. From behind, the Chewtle couldn't defend well and staggered. Mei sent a more normal pulse of grass after, for a faster Razor Leaf, and the Chewtle's legs went out from under her under the combination of hits, her stamina broken.

Mei put her hands on her knees and sucked in air. It wasn't as much an exaggeration as she would wish. Terpsi meanwhile, spun to a halt and then took a few tentative steps, as if dizzy. She then sagged to the ground, and panted for several seconds, before taking some dragging steps towards her trainer. Mei was sure if she had arms, she would be reaching out imploringly. Her Fruit Pokemon was fifty percent ham.

The match was over and Mei held the Poke ball up, still breathing heavily. Terpsi let the recall function grab her, but not before giving a blatant wink to her trainer. Terpsi also let her know her performance was excellent and Mei didn't know proper acting. Mei tried not to laugh audibly as she bowed to her opponent to end the match.

That could have been uglier. Even without some ice-powered bites, getting caught in the jaws would have hurt. Trying to minimize the Chewtle's lousy ground speed by using her weak ranged attacks had been a poor play.

Mei hoped her opponent hadn't taken the mandatory tactics class yet or she was going to lose a lot of respect for Dendra.

Mei glanced over and it looked like Victor had finished as well, holding a bow just deliberately off what Flare had drilled into the Knight. She hadn't thought Victor would be taught that well enough to insult with it. When he straightened, he staggered artfully. Mei tried to highlight the subtle performance to Terpsi but the diva wasn't going to take tips from their rival any more than Mei was.

"That's plenty. Misty Terrain and Life Dew," came a deep voice behind them. Mei and Victor jumped and turned. Kieran was standing next to Saguaro, the home ec teacher. His Alcremie and Alomomola were out in front of them, and two went into action, spreading power on the ground and through the air.

Mei raised one foot curiously as the Misty Terrain rolled under her. There was a feeling like something was off her shoulders. The Life Dew was more noticeable, her breath immediately coming easier.

"Everyone come over here," Saguaro bellowed, Mei's head snapping around. Rose was right, the teachers were ninjas for a man that brash to come up unexpectedly.

Mei and Victor reached the professor and Saguaro nodded to them genially, then his expression hardened looking at the others. They were coming over, slowly and unsure, but they were coming over. They weren't walking in sync anymore.

"Raifort thought a healing move might disrupt it," Saguaro said, "The Terrain was my idea, see if it held it off. Pleased to report success. Now, I beg you to explain the sequence events that ended with bullying your classmates into a match." The big man folded his arms.

"It was for their good," Victor's challenger said, as if an automatic response. He paused, "No, that isn't quite right."

"They didn't do that much yesterday, but they got highlighted in front of people. It was for their safety, even if it's an ugly method," Mei's challenger said slowly, as if unsure what he was saying.

"Someone suggested the challenge and it sounded like a good idea. They weren't supposed to win," someone else added.

"Who?" Saguaro said. There were murmurs of uncertainty.

"Speak up," he ordered. There was no reply.

"Someone did, I'm sure of it," Mei's opponent said, then rubbed his head.

"This is a place of education about Pokemon, not intimidation and cruelty. If none of you understand what was wrong with your methodology, you can discuss it further with Professor Raifort after classes," Saguaro said.

"Raifort?" several people shrieked in dismay.

"External factors were clearly an impetus. This sort of action would carry at least a suspension normally," Saguaro said, "Raifort will investigate to determine the instigator."

"She doesn't help anyone!" came a voice from the crowd.

"You would prefer the standard punishment?" Saguaro asked. That led to silence.

"Yes, then shake – it was a good match. Raifort will see you at four," Saguaro ordered. The two opponents came forward. Mei reached forward to grip strongly, but felt Saguaro's eyes on her, and shook normally. Saguaro smiled broadly and recalled his Pokemon.

"Well, you students are free to your next class!" he said cheerfully. He turned to look at the other three, and kept smiling, though his eyes were a bit harder.

"You three come with me," Saguaro said, and withdrew them to the corner of the courtyard. The other group shakily spread apart, confused murmurs going on.

"It was with Aliquis, wasn't it?" Kieran asked anxiously once they were out of earshot.

"There have been other cases," Victor said. Saguaro nodded absently.

"Nothing as dramatic as yesterday, but this isn't the first incident of some sort of negative expression today. That this was their option does not speak well of their character," Saguaro said, frowning.

"So, Kieran, you've been keeping your phone in hand. What else were you doing?" Saguaro asked.

"Addition practice before Professor Tyme's course?" Kieran suggested. Saguaro barked a laugh, clearly regretting it immediately.

"Is drawing additional resentment the best way to handle it?" Saguaro asked, "Having a professor come to stop it does at least redirect some of the ire."

"They were bullies," Kieran said resentfully, though not with the same edge as before. "I had to do something about them," he paused and nodded. "I really had to do something about them," he repeated and frowned.

"So, this is affecting everyone, then?" Victor surmised.

"I don't like that sort of smug looking own at people," Kieran said, "I won't apologize for hating it."

Terpsi gave a long rant as Mei slammed her fists together. "You didn't throw a Pokemon at them or make them throw one at you," Mei said. With the battle over, the anger in what they did was starting to generate.

"I hate to put the onus on you all for this, but try to control your emotions," Saguaro urged, "What you're feeling is very real, but something seems to be amplifying it.

"Aliquis put up a lot more fight than they did," Victor said.

"Can I send our group chat a message on this to keep an eye out?" Kieran asked, "And also, should give back the bets?" He showed the totals. Saguaro whistled.

"What odds did you offer that they bet this much?" Saguaro asked, "None of these students are battle experts, either, they don't have inside knowledge."

"There's a lot of them," Kieran said, waving around, "And not one looked. They all believed they could do it because they were bigger and older and drag Mei and Victor out here. Then they went weird in sync, but I stopped taking bets."

"They haven't given forfeits yet either," Mei added. Victor nodded.

Saguaro facepalmed and was silent for a bit. "This is an institution for education," Saguaro said again, "Let's talk with them on it."

---

Victor had his Wattrel out from his win as they walked reluctantly back over, until a thought occurred to Mei.

"You think we could get them to bite again?' Mei murmured to Victor as they walked back.

"If you were better at fake staggering, I'd say yes. Maybe sit down and drink a water bottle when we get there," Victor suggested quietly.

Saguaro coughed and said, "Underestimating people's hearing can be perilous. Also, you two are deservedly angry, but perhaps consider where your thoughts originate."

"I barely felt anything when you did the combo," Mei protested.

"I think that says more about your self-awareness," Victor commented. Mei growled.

"Don't say you're okay with this," Mei said.

"Oh, absolutely not," Victor said, cheer dropping from his expression. "I'm going back to lunch and checking the Paldean laws on match determination and assault after this is done."

Saguaro paused. "They arguably aren't in their right minds on inflicting this," Saguaro warned, "Mental contamination and possession would put the burden of guilt on the perpetrator."

"For the sake of public order, they'll be let off," Kieran said flatly.

"Raifort is very interested in finding the source," Saguaro said, then sighed. "I'm sorry," he said, "If it happened to me, I would be furious too."

He raised his voice and called out, "I'm sorry, an additional point was raised. Can you come back here for a moment?" The crowd wandered back over, looking at each other.

"I believe there is an issue of renumeration," he said.

"Right, the forfeits," Mei's opponent said, and pulled up electronic wallets on their phones. That transfer was done fast, and then Kieran coughed, holding up his phone.

"Professor Saguaro, surely you can't hold us accountable for actions taken under a malign influence that led to us to the low sport of gambling?" Mei's opponent asked.

"You were practicing that," Mei accused him.

"Why did you challenge her?" Victor asked again.

"Because… she was getting too much," he said a bit vacantly, then shook his head.

"Professor, we both saw Aliquis. He was very lucid outside anything where he was under the influence during the fight. If he's that articulate on money but vague on why he forced," Victor paused to glower as his Wattrel flapped his wings, "forced us to battle them, I think it's outside the scope of whatever is going on."

"Uh… gambling bad?" Mei's opponent tried hastily. Saguaro crossed his arms and shook his head. Kieran smiled and held his phone up.

After those financial exchanges were handled, complete with dirty looks at Mei and Victor, Saguaro said, "Remember, Raifort for administrative discipline at four. She had the facilities to investigate this in depth for your sake."

"Well, at least it's not Tyme," one said philosophically.

"So, anyone else want to battle?" Mei asked. They goggled at her.

"Look, I'm too angry to be hungry yet, but I need to eat before my next class. Natural talent may put me ahead, so I'll even fight you in series, and it's only my win against anyone if I beat everyone," she said. She'd been thinking about this.

"Too much natural talent," Victor said drily. Mei put a hand on her chest and posed.

"Some of us are fortunately blessed; it is our duty to utilize that to elevate the world of training. And frankly, these idiots need a proper lesson in tactics," Mei said bluntly. That got some angry shifting.

"Never do hostage negotiations," Victor advised quickly.

"Your friend has a point there," Saguaro said, trying not to look amused. Mei scoffed a bit at 'friend'.

"Assessing isn't a mysterious battler art. Looking at us at all, or even asking someone would have been basic prudence. If you're going to be as low as you are, at least make sure you have a chance," Mei said.

"But you did manage to wear me down," Mei sort of lied, "So three of you in series, one-on-one matches, and I only win if I get to the end. Unlike you, I need training."

"It's not a bad handicap, all things considered" Kieran pushed.

"I'll even referee it, if you want," Victor said.

"You know her," Mei's first opponent protested.

"That just makes me want to see her get beaten more," Victor assured him. That got some laughter.

"Come on, matches are supposed to help bring people together. I'm sure you've all seen a Mienfoo Fury movie," Mei pushed.

"I wouldn't mind getting some money back," one volunteered. A few others stepped forward.

---

"Pleasure having a match against you guys," Mei said wearily. It had been tougher than she thought to keep up her strength with both her Pokemon. It was a good wake-up call on what she had to work on.

Saguaro and Kieran stayed around to watch. Well, Kieran stayed around to watch, delighted in watching some bullies get taken down even more. Saguaro was keeping an eye on Kieran. One Aliquis was enough.

"Okay, I guess I could probably do a series at this point, if we all agree that was fair? I would be happy to have some practice for low stakes," Victor said, "I'm going to go eat otherwise."

"I probably should too," Mei said, and artfully wheezed a little. Kieran ducked his head to his phone to not grin openly.

"Wait!" one she hadn't matched yet said. "I'll go double on my forfeit if you give me a match?"

"Are you sure?" Mei asked and coughed as if her throat was too dry.

"I'm feeling good at this point," her next opponent said.

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't be fair to not give you a chance," she said, "But I'm getting a bit worn out."

"Triple," the person said fiercely.

Saguaro stood up. "I probably should not be a witness to this," he said quietly to Kieran.

"Do you want to know how long the streak goes?" Kieran asked back quietly.

"Officially, no," Saguaro said, stroking his mustache.

"I'll let you know at home ec on Wednesday," Kieran promised. Saguaro nodded and set off. Kieran's Grimmsnarl waved genially as left.

"All right guys," Mei said in an affected tone – her accent was helping sell it. Kieran could make out how stilted she was, but he doubted natives could past the eastern Sinnoh. "I know we're a bit tired, but they really want a match, and they asked so nicely, can you push through for me?" she asked. The balls rattled audibly.

"Well, I guess I have to," Mei said. Kieran rolled his eyes but settled in to watch.

---

"Did you look at Mei's message?" Poppy asked when she joined the others near the classroom. Given the floor they were on, she didn't have any of her partners deployed.

"Not yet," Zania said. The girls pulled their phones out and read silently for a minute. The blood drained from there faces as they read.

"Huh," Zania said finally.

"I can't believe someone would be so crass," Alamy said, appalled.

"Forcing like that," Rose muttered in disgust, holding onto her arms as if cold. Ivy yowled in protest and even Bandwidth was quacking angrily.

Zania held her arms out and picked up Fi-cutie to snuggle, breathing in the warmth to relax. "It sounds like they lived to regret it, but I hope they suffered," she muttered.

"You guys saw it, then," Teff said as a statement when he approached. The girls nodded.

"I hope Mei exaggerated it," Rose said, doubtful, then shuddered again and looked grim, her right hand stretched like she wanted a Poke ball in it.

"Regretting she already beat them?" Alamy guessed, shifting back and forth as well, antsy.

"I wish I'd been there to deal with the bullies too, ganging up like that" Poppy added fiercely.

"Mei makes it sound premeditated," Rose observed, "But if it were, they should have known Mei and Victor were strong enough they would need more help. She must be talking it up." Rose sounded unconvinced.

Teff opened his mouth then closed it. "Huh, yeah. You're right. And I thought that Spikemuth Gym stuff last season was stupid," he noted.

"For the continentals?" Zania prompted, though Alamy nodded in recognition.

Teff and Rose looked at each other, and Rose shrugged. "So last season, the Spikemuth Gym Leader's sister was running the Circuit," Teff said, "And a few of the trainers got it in the idea to… barely disguise themselves and try and block contenders' progress so she would win no contest. They were helping with Route security while they were out there or they would have criminal charges."

"It would have been bad for the Gym anyway, but the Macro Cosmos stuff happening too made such a self-indulgent scandal worse," Rose interjected.

"Piers ended up having to step down and got some massive fines," Teff finished.

"Marine took over the gym though. She is his sister," Alamy said.

"Looked into the scandals?" Teff asked. Alamy nodded. "Marnie got off since there's plenty of her footage trying to stop those idiots and the new Champion personally vouched for her character, but most of the Gym Trainers were fired too as part of the deal," Teff said. His Sprigatito huffed in disgust.

"That is dumb," Zania analyzed accurately.

"Mei makes it sound like Kieran cleaned them out, at least," Rose said, not feeling sorry for them.

"You're talking about that text?" Trigo asked, coming up with his Fuecoco Tren.

Everyone made general noises of agreement.

"I hadn't wanted to eat at the cafeteria, but I wish I had gotten in on that action. Mei makes it sounds like they walked right into a sucker's bet," he said wistfully.

"Maybe it was a strength in numbers thing. I mean, works with people, but not Pokemon battles, at least official matches" Zania reflected. She looked around, and cuddled Fi-cutie again. "Sorry, still stuck on what they were thinking."

"Maybe they hoped to get Victor and Mei in trouble by lashing out. Group intimidation can do that to battlers. We see a trap and try to force free," Rose said, "Miriam said, and I agree, we don't react the same to stress."

"I know a lot of people don't train much, but I thought movies and TV taught what battlers are like?" Poppy asked.

"Having a challenge lock on top of being deliberately intimidated like that guarantees we will try to battle that person," Alamy said. She shivered. "I know what the lock can be like," she added, and grinned absently

"Since when?" Trigo asked.

"Before we battled this morning. I wanted Alamy to recognize it and divert it if she had to," Rose explained, and licked her lips briefly. Ivy crouched towards Bandwidth and purred, causing the duck to retreat.

"Okay, your trainer is showing," Zania said drily. The two had the grace to blush.

---

The other three showed up shortly before Tyme, having to make their way through the building.

Mei waved, and explained, "I'm going to stay over here. I'm a bit ripe at the moment." Her hair was sticking to her head through sweat. She was grinning proudly, though, and her movements were casual and relaxed.

"Who needs a Trainer's Eyes app when you have Clavell, to promote you, apparently?" Victor added. He just looked weary, and not as sweaty. He was frowning about something. His Quaxly waved and Bandwidth dropped back again, causing a hitch in Victor's duck's step, surprised.

"You two got a good workout," Zania observed, looking them over.

"Something like six or seven battles all told. They weren't much individually but the payout was good by the time I calmed down enough to go eat," Mei said gleefully. Pome waggled back and forth, waving his arms.

"More like live target practice," Kieran argued. Victor coughed. Pome stopped and looked at Kieran and hmphed, fire glowing a bit brighter.

Alamy and Rose looked at each other but both shook their heads minutely, not wanting to set Mei off.

"Did you get any matches, Victor?" Rose asked politely.

"A few," he said curtly, "But couldn't keep it up the same way, and didn't try."

"You won the ones you took," Mei said casually.

"Were they really being that dumb?" Teff asked, more interested in the school chaos than Mei's battle record.

"We probably should blame some sort of leftovers from yesterday," Kieran admitted.

"We were a bit rude as we left," Victor reflected.

"All I did was show I had some energy left," Mei said stiffly.

Victor shook his head and Rose didn't press.

"This was some leftover grudge that was affecting them?" Alamy asked hastily.

"Of some sort. Paldean tall poppy syndrome amplified," Victor theorized. That brought Mei's mood down.

"I bet when the history professor interviews them later, they'll still be confused," Mei said glumly.

"Like Aliquis?" Poppy asked. On receiving a nod she thought for a moment before continuing, "I guess I should keep an eye out then."

"Why?" Rose asked kindly.

"Well, Nemona and Kieran both had things they didn't like show up. Nemona had a good trainer who isn't very tact- good at battles. And Kieran really doesn't like bullies?" Kieran nodded.

"I guess ghosts or peppers for me," Poppy surmised.

"You were fine with the peppers last night?" Zania asked, latching onto the most minor part.

"Oh, I like them cooked fine," Poppy explained.

"I don't think top trainers are being targeted. It's like things boiling over got amplified. I'm not sure it was entirely our idea to shake them down," Kieran said after thinking.

"Felt good though," Mei said. Victor and Kieran nodded.

"The ghost yesterday we thought was a bond breaking, too, until it was too late, and even then we didn't know until we were lucky enough to stop it where they could both talk," Kieran stopped talking and winced, realizing too late where he had put the conversation.

Rose and Alamy sighed as Mei huffed, "Plenty of luck on the first part but the actual stopping it was perfectly calculated." Pome looked apologetic as he was recalled as Mei angrily brushed past them to the room.

"We almost got through a well-mannered conversation," Trigo lamented.

"I am so sorry," Kieran began, but the door opened.

"The teacher's in here, she said to come on in before everyone has to rush in with the bell," Mei reported.

Alamy held Rose back a little as the hallway filled with the noise of recalling Pokemon.

"Can you tell if this is an attack? Your advantages are good with mood," Alamy said quietly.

Rose shrugged helplessly. "Nothing feels like it's building to anything, but it didn't yesterday either."

"We are purely reactive until the next 'incident' I suppose," Alamy said glumly.

"Just keep training for now and try to be good to each other, if it's making bad emotions worse," Rose said, and sighed, looking at the door. "No matter how difficult someone makes it. I already wasn't looking forward to math."

They walked into the room, and at the question written over Alamy's face she explained, "You can't memorize your way out of math."

---

Professor Tyme was up front in the classroom, tapping on the digital board rather than using a remote. She was a kind looking older woman, but her hair was still styled as she had when she was the Montenevera Gym Leader.

Everyone who had been at Victor's outburst of frustration on rock types yesterday kept an eye on him as he moved to the front of the classroom, but he merely bowed respectfully rather than ask anything.

"Come in, come in – you get enough people outside, everyone will wait to be late than go against the crowd," Tyme explained. She turned around and looked over, smile quirking on one lip.

"Most people. I know what you're thinking, but I have travelled around a bit. It's human nature more than Paldean nature with the way we subconsciously get along in cities. Trainers tend to be more independent, true, but we still follow social cues," she said.

"How big are our individual files already?" Mei asked, curious. She wondered if she could read it. Tyme laughed heartily.

"Battle trainers require a bit of extra attention, we've found. Even before Geeta decided to come barreling in right at the start," Tyme said, briefly frowning.

"She's going to scare people going off ace or elite in Paldea," Victor warned, "That's… a lot right at the start. But I guess if you got it, flaunt it."

"I'm so sorry she's doing that," Poppy said, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.

"Agree with both of you," Tyme said, "But I wouldn't want her job either. I find this environment of being able to focus on teaching students even more fulfilling than helping guide trainers." She held up a finger.

"And that's about all I'm going to say on it, to forestall your questions. My sister is gym leader of Montenevera now, and I don't want to second guess her style. I don't regret my time protecting Montenevera as its Gym Leader, but I don't want to hold it over what I'm doing now, as Ms. Tyme, math professor extraordinaire!"

Mei raised her hand anyway. Ms. Tyme gave a look, but prepared, Mei was resolute. "This isn't about the gym, it's about you, but I have to mention the gym, Ms. Tyme." Ms. Tyme nodded.

"One of the Montenevera gym trainers is on our floor the next few weeks. She mentioned two sisters that ended up rock and ghost. Did you and your sister start with different affinities, or did your different interests and careers lead you to it?" Mei finished.

Tyme looked back and forth between the twins. "I can see what prompted the question. Our interests pulled us in different directions. In Montenevera, we both started with rocks; but fate and song led my sister to the spirit realm. But improving my rock-types led me more into geometry and probability, with one love to the other feeding each other. Find what you love and the partners you love, and training will never be a burden," she finished fondly.

Rose sighed. Her main goal for a year had been to get partners and begin her journey, even before the dragons' intervention made her want to spend time at home even less. Photography was a casual thing, not what she wanted to do with her life, and pretty much everything else she did linked back to getting ready for partners.

Ivy sent a haughty reassurance. Humans did many weird things in his mind, so he figured all the minor stuff around the important stuff of taking care of him (Azucena sent a spike of irritation) of her partners, he quickly amended, would sort itself out.

"But on improvement, I heard about the math lesson you offered," Tyme said. Kieran laughed nervously.

"Officially, it's a bit distasteful to abuse ignorance. Also officially, I'm proud of you two holding out for the courts under such provocation. We all saw how much damage a Pokemon battle can cause out of a controlled setting. You two should not have been pushed like that. You'd probably be seeing Raifort just to check if you had. Trainers need to be able to control themselves with the power we wield," Tyme warned, and Victor and Mei nodded in agreement. Rose and Alamy winced again.

Tyme looked up, seeing more people entering. "That's enough of that for now, then. Welcome, welcome," she called.

---

"Greetings everyone to your first mathematics course at Naranja. I'm Ms. Tyme, the math teacher, and let me start with a question. Do you enjoy numbers and arithmetic?" Tyme asked, settling behind the high table after everyone sat down.

Rose looked at the table she was sitting behind. Most other responses were noncommittal. Zania had her hand up in the air waving.

"Oh my, what a mix," Tyme commented, "Well whatever your previous opinion, I hope you have an enjoyable time in my class. Math is useful in many branches of Pokemon training, like it is in other professions. I'll do my best to match those interests up with math."

"Here's a question from one of my hobbies," Tyme said and grinned, "Shopping! If you have two thousand and Poke balls are two hundred each, how many can you buy at the Pokemart?"

Trigo looked around and raised his hand. "I don't know if you meant this, but you can get eleven because they throw an extra one with the colors flipped if you buy ten," he said, after Tyme nodded at him.

"Yes, that's correct, though ten also is correct. It's a bit of a trick question. Math in the real world doesn't always provide all the factors easily. We are a Pokemon academy, so a lot of our examples will focus on interactions and tactics; but the world of Pokemon is so vast there's a lot to consider. Every phone in Paldea has a calculator; it's my job to expand your mind."

---

The rest of math class passed quickly with passing out some basic review drills so Tyme could make sure everyone was on the same basic level. Rose glanced at the assignment and sighed. That was a half hour of training time gone.

"And there's the bell," Tyme said, "Submit your answers to the class mailbox electronically by Wednesday night and have a good rest of your first day!"

"I'm going to go eat a bit more," Mei announced, "Need to get my strength up to work on getting the next moves in, and that means dedicated practice." She said the last with emphasis to Rose as she left. Rose stuck her tongue out once she couldn't see.

"I want to take Nacli around the courtyard we were in earlier, one more time, see if he triggers anything," Victor said quietly, "I'll see people at battle tactics." Kieran waved, headed off directly to a business course.

"Something has him down," Zania observed.

"Well Mei didn't say anything so it's not her. No hose today," Poppy said. Rose rubbed her eyes irritably.

"Maybe we can get it out of him at battle tactics. The weather's stayed cooler since the rain this weekend," Rose said, "I think I'm going to go run for a bit, burn off some energy. Just around the school with some weights. Does anyone want to come?"

"I've got time for a bit of one, and I need more endurance. Don't you have another class?" Zania asked. Others nodded as well.

"Not for over an hour. All the young battlers took the same battle tactics this term, it seems. Dendra's course preparation said she likes to teach outside in good weather," Alamy answered. Only one course of the class was required, but you could take it every term. Excepting Kieran, who had gone to one of the advanced courses, only the young battlers in Miriam's homeroom had signed up this semester.

"Why did you join the tactics class then, Alamy? You didn't know you would be a battler in time," Trigo teased.

"Or at all. Most tactics are still applicable as a pet owner, especially if you are going to the wild, and making Resistor stronger was and is a real wish of both of us. Given both of you want to travel, I am surprised you are not covering the basics against wild Pokemon before the Hunt," Alamy responded.

"Taking an industrial technologies course for the basics there and didn't want too much class load," Trigo said.

"Chemistry is partially in the same slot," Zania said, "Or I would. If I'd known how fun last weekend would be, I would have tried to juggle it more. I hope I can do a little next weekend."

"I don't really care about travelling," Teff said.

As they finished packing up and called out Pokemon through the halls, a thought did strike Teff.

"How did you end up in that course though? Are you teaching it?" he asked the diminutive steel trainer.

"Gotta learn the other types better," Poppy said, "And I don't know all the names for the things I do most people use. What if a Steel trainer wants help someday?"

"Right, no Steel gym here. I keep forgetting you don't have two circuits," Teff said.

"It does make me curious to see the Cortondo Gym. I don't ever remember the bug gym in Galar reaching the major circuit," Rose said.

"I don't either. There's been a couple bug specialist contenders at the Championship now and then," Teff reflected.

"Katy's the easiest," Zania said dismissively, "Everyone knows that." Poppy and Trigo nodded.

"I know Cortondo is traditionally the first Gym for the Hunt, but I was thinking of putting the gym off to later in the Circuit," Rose admitted, "I need better move density to cover my weaknesses and time to find and train my team. Even fighting them at a few badges higher sometime next year or later will probably go better for me."

"What are you talking about?" Trigo asked.

"Well, Azucena is a dear, but she can't learn anything very strong against insects. And Ivy can learn a flying move but putting him three against one would be more than I should ask," Rose clarified. Azucena huffed and flexed.

"I know you'd give a good accounting, but we're outnumbered right now too. I remember Paldean gyms are usually three or four," Rose said.

"What would more badges have to do with the match against Katy, though?" Zania asked.

"A lot of Bug Pokemon evolve after only a little training, so I get why more development time would benefit you to catch up in relative strength," Alamy encouraged, "I would check if you would be facing four though for a higher-level match." Rose nodded.

Trigo jogged in front of them and held up his hands. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.

"Well, it isn't Galar," Rose said.

"Traditional journey in Paldea, isn't it?" Teff asked, "She doesn't have to hit them in order like the Circuit."

"I know it's not the best look given my gifts to have to bypass what's supposed to be an 'introductory' challenge. I don't want to try and drown Katy in a full team by waiting that long, but a few rock or flying moves would really help," Rose said defensively.

"If Iono was first, I would be in a similar position," Alamy added to Rose's defense, "Trading electricity, I expect the Gym Leader would be able to overwhelm me with their experience, without a few ground moves to assist." Bandwidth nodded agreement.

"Katy faces all challengers with the same team," Zania said, explaining slowly to simple people.

"It is like the Circuit, then?" Teff asked.

The group reached the library – there were some lockers there to store stuff in to divest of packs for the moment. Rose brought several weighted rings to strap to her ankles and wrists plus hand-weights.

"I need to get those," Alamy realized.

"We are headed to shop this evening," Rose said.

"No, you can face them in any order, but there's just one team," Trigo continued, back to the main topic, confused by his classmates.

"Galar Gyms have a bunch of Pokemon, and the Leader keeps teams for all Circuit entry positions. They do exhibition matches at multiple levels on and off-season too," Teff said.

"I was hoping to do at least one badge this semester. I guess we will have to find Acrobatics somewhere," Rose told Azucena. Azucena cheeped back.

"No, I'm not feeling any connections with the Hoppip who get stuck," Rose answered.

"You still could pass it, train, and come back later," Alamy said, though her heart wasn't in it.

"If it's intended for beginners, I should face it then to get the proper instruction," Rose said, "I guess the water gym will wait."

"You guys really didn't know?" Zania asked.

"I know there was a traditional order to the Hunt, but I hadn't thought it was set challenges," Rose said.

The bells chimed, announcing the hour. Rose, Poppy, and Alamy's phones cheeped.

"From Dendra," Alamy said, after she pulled it in to read the message. Bandwidth hopped on a shelf to read over her shoulder.

"Doesn't look like rain out there," Rose observed, "I was hoping to avoid having to put everyone up in a classroom. This Paldea walking tradition is one I like." Azucena nodded sadly. She pulled her phone close.

The two read for a bit and then made faces of disgust. Azucena slapped her 'arms' over her face in a facepalm.

"Is there rain coming? Or is class cancelled?" Trigo asked.

"No, she's switching the courtyard," Rose said glumly.

"We just got moved to the one Nemona used yesterday," Poppy said, and shivered.

Rose and Alamy's phones beeped again.

"Oh, more good news," Alamy said sarcastically, "Clavell wants to see us after battle tactics."

"We can work around that for errands," Trigo assured, "Maybe the courtyard switch will be fun?"

---

"I think I'd rather be in the classroom," Rose muttered to Alamy when she saw the courtyard. The doors had been left open and the three had stopped in the doorframe, shocked by how bad it looked.

The passage of a day had made the court's devastation seem worse. Craters dotted the field, a few were deeper than Rose remembered at the time. With the mud drying out, the cracks in the clay surface had widened and made the damage look more barren. Around the field, the grass Finto and Rose had sprouted was trampled down and desiccated, making the lawn seem more ravaged.

The run had been helpful to Rose's mood. She had been able to spend over half an hour enjoying her friends' and partners' company in relative silence. Poppy had lapped everyone repeatedly, of course, with Alamy not far behind as she broke in her new capabilities. Rose ran typically for endurance than to improve her ground speed. Her Pokemon were far more capable there even when they were helping her abuse background physics. She had other methodologies for improving their ground speed instead of trying to race them.

Like most advice not related to bonding, her mother's advice on endurance training had held up. The weights helped her keep her pace to non-battler runners. Though Zania and Trigo weren't in the best shape. Rose had shortened her stride and hoped it hadn't looked patronizing as they chatted on the tourist sites Trigo wanted to see on the Hunt.

She was going to need more weights though. She wasn't sure if she was in that much better shape to start or her team's bonding was ahead of the estimates she had from the Ranger.

It was a nice run to burn out the adrenaline on everything going on, a quick stop upstairs to refresh. Then she, Alamy, and Poppy had rendezvoused in the library early to walk together, chatting about speed training techniques. It was a nice way to spend some time. Ivy and Fuey were chasing each other in circles as Bandwidth lingered behind them, still sulking on something.

Seeing yesterday's battlefield brought her mood down. Her recall linked the Ranger's memories of a dozen large-scale fights. A few were powerful Pokemon whose territory disputes got too close to settlements, and a couple large-scale fights against poachers.

Then there were the Kalosian cities where reality had frayed. Emotional distance from most of that life, she got that clearly. Never again. Fortunately, Paldea's problems seemed to be overcharged Pokemon than some malevolent genocidal conspiracy. If the dragons wanted a trainer to be with Pokemon, that was much better than some heroic vanguard. She didn't think much of her chances there.

"I guess they are still investigating so cannot begin repairs," Alamy said, "Why we would have class here with damaged courts is beyond me."

"I thought Victor would be here," Rose said, looking around.

"Maybe he got hungry. Do you think they want to use us to smooth it out as move practice instead?" Poppy theorized. She recalled Fuey and fumbled with her phone briefly. The Poke ball vanished into the ether with an Ultra ball appearing in a gleam of energy in its place.

"I should really rehome Fuey to match, but Basti has the shape for dirt," Poppy explained, patting the Poke ball affectionately.

"I haven't seen Paldea's mobile transfer system in use before. That's easy to use. Galar needs to upgrade," Rose said. There was a small convenience fee, but compared to electronic stabling fees it was a pittance.

Alamy asked, "Which is Basti? There are so many species."

"Basti's a Basti- Bastiodon, but she wasn't born in the lab like her parents were! She's a real sweetie! Loves Berries and potato salad," Poppy said.

"A fossil Pokemon?" Alamy asked. Poppy nodded. Neither was shocked that Poppy would have access to a rare Pokemon like that.

"Does she still have rock typing? I know the lab-recreated Pokemon do," Rose asked.

"Yup, rock and steel! Let me show her!" Poppy said, tossing the new Ultra ball ahead into the courtyard. The big Pokemon appeared, giving a low rumble that ended like a chorale of bells. Basti wagged her armored tail happily on seeing her trainer. Poppy waved and ran through the door to pet her.

"That face shield makes her tall for a Pokemon," Alamy observed, having to look up to see the top of the crest. She probably was over a meter and half at the tip of the shield.

"They said she was," Poppy paused and took a breath, "Statistically large for her species. You can pet her if you want!"

The two walked forwarded and pet the Shield Pokemon cautiously, who made happy clarion noises. Ivy ran up to sniff curiously as Bandwidth hung back. As they started walking to look over the damage, Ivy scooted up Basti's tail and settled in with a spin to nap on her ridged back.

"Well, that's the final nail in that coffin then, if she's naturally rock," Rose said.

"They did arrest her, correct? Some could not even breath well," Alamy said fiercely.

"I heard about that mean lady," Poppy said, frowning, "But Basti's not some jigsaw puzzle!"

Bandwidht got interested and quacked. Alamy looked at Rose to prompt, who shook her head.

"He's actually interested, and he'll get it better from you," Rose said.

Alamy shook her head, and paused, speaking hesitantly, "I know you would know about, but it felt like I would cross a boundary just speaking."

"Oh, yeah, you two had a match this morning," Poppy said, "And you two are pretty close since Rose had a boost. Did she win?"

"I was hoping we were friends that hierarchy problem wouldn't hit a new trainer," Rose complained, "Alamy, you have permission to argue with me, if it helps." Alamy blinked.

"It'll be better after more battles. The first couple feel important," Poppy said casually. She was scratching Basti behind the shield to where Ivy had to jump off as the big Pokemon really started to lean into it. The little Sprigatito started rubbing around Rose's legs to showcase he wasn't worried, really.

"Is that why you have not yelled at Mei?" Alamy asked. Rose thought for a moment and shrugged.

"I know what she's going through, but I can't ignore it may be part of it," Rose admitted.

Bandwidth quacked again, being ignored.

"Oh, we were talking about a project in Galar to restore Pokemon species from local fossils. The researcher was a biology genius, but a poor paleontologist. She thought if she had a partial skeleton, she did not have the DNA, or that the rock part had been 'added' by the common process. She created hybrid chimeras together instead," Alamy said, and shuddered.

"With Chariman Rose's obsessions, it seems he rubber-stamped it to keep up with other regions. After the Darkest Day, Leon ordered the project put through scientific review. It seemed Professor Less had faked evidence of the species she created. The League did take full responsibility, yes?" Alamy asked.

"Before this season started," Rose confirmed, "They're trying to let them live out their days comfortably. Even with the Darkest Day chaos, people really stepped up to put together a high quality of life, so none had to be euthanized."

Bandwidth quacked in irritation. Basti chimed again after a rumble, enjoying Poppy's ministrations. Alamy pointed at Basti. "Like you can see, most fossil Pokemon can get along fine in the modern world, they even breed true. The new theory is that rock-types are the only ones whose energy permit them to fossilize with their DNA retrievable."

"Was that the bell?" Victor asked, coming into the yard. He stopped briefly at seeing the rare Pokemon.

"That must be yours," he said spotting Poppy and realization on his face. His Quaxly waved at Bandwidth who ignored him. Alamy shrugged apologetically at Victor's duck.

"Yup! Have you seen one before?" Poppy asked.

"A scant handful in my whole life. Tyrunt and Amaura are much more common, and still quite rare. I saw a Rampardos once," Victor recollected.

"There was a full-power exhibition match once I saw where Gordie, that's Galar's rock Gym leader, went up against a Tyrantrum and an Aerodactyl," Rose said.

"A battle where no rock moves were used, I'm sure," Victor said.

"It did end up with a couple Max Hailstorms," Rose recalled.

"Given his mother, I suppose rock from ice is a sensible step," Victor said.

"Melony, Gordie's mother, is an ice specialist gym leader. They both live in Circhester so they switch off who competes for the major circuit each season," Rose explained at Poppy's look of confusion.

"That's a polite way of putting it," Victor said wryly, "But you're not exactly wrong. Gordie isn't mimicking Melony's style, but you can see her teaching. They're certainly individual talents. He's strong on his own."

There was a crashing sound as Basti rolled over and Poppy started on her belly. She didn't look over as she spoke in the silence, "There's nothing wrong with working with your favorites." For Poppy, she sounded angry.

"I'm not that far ahead. What makes you think I'll be strong?" Victor said sadly. Poppy turned in surprise, though still scratching Basti. His Quaxly quacked protest.

"Well, you would think that," Victor said without rancor, "But my family hasn't ever been blessed with talent. I've gotten some more glances at what that really looks like." Victor's eyes went to Rose briefly.

"My sister spent years trying for Ace rank, and never managed to win a sixth badge," Victor said, "She gave up and came home, and then won the Teen Cup two years running in Kiloude. She makes more in six months than the League budgets a gym for a whole year. Why try and hope to refine a useless specialty for that?"

"Some of us don't blossom, surge, or ring out with power," Victor said, pointing at each respective girl in turn.

"I have been doing this for months," Alamy reminded him.

"Talent isn't everything," Rose said.

"A moral the talented love to give out," Victor said, "You still need to work hard, of course, but Poppy isn't an Elite Four at ten just because she's been training."

"I know," Poppy said, "That's why I want to help teach people to power them up! And you aren't even trying with your favorites to see if it would work!"

Victor stared for a moment. "I didn't like Geeta, but she raised you right. The world would be better with more like you and less like me," he said respectfully.

"You are doing better than what I internalized," Alamy said. She turned to Bandwidth. "Is that the issue? I am forcing some sick beauty?" The Quaxly shook his head.

"All those moves you taught were built for the battle circuit," Rose said, "The ones Miriam and Kieran were mad about. If those are the moves your taught, all your training has been set for the circuit too. It's not surprising you would see better results there."

Victor paused in thought at that.

"All the strength a specialist has doesn't mean much when the trainer isn't powering the bond, right?" Poppy asked.

"The question is not presented if you intend to merely settle," Alamy said.

Rose scooped up Ivy after he started to protest. The giant lizard tank was getting more pets than him, and that wasn't fair. She merely looked at Victor, waiting for his response. Her eyes were bright, waiting.

"I bet your sister could do better now at the Kalos League!" Poppy encouraged.

"I am trying to retrain after this weekend, but that's more reason to keep an open state," Victor said stubbornly after more thought.

"No offense to your skills Poppy, but Kieran and Nemona are even stronger and they're still at least partial generalists," Victor pointed out. Poppy shrugged.

"Please don't think what you are is wrong. My sister and I are fighting that," Rose urged. Her eyes were bright, but more from watering. Victor drew back slightly in response.

"You would know," Victor said eventually, "The ringmaster is nearly burning herself out to try and avoid it."

"Has anyone figured that out or do I get the hose before class?" Poppy asked, not unwelcome to the idea.

Victor let out a breath. "It's a shame you can't seem to put that intuition on to your sister. Or is it something you pick up to get at the heart?" Victor asked.

"It's hard to describe, and more useful when I have time to think. For the weather or tracking a Pokemon, it's more on the wind, but Pokemon don't care much about human emotional problems outside their partners to help," Rose explained. The partners in question made various cries of acknowledgement, causing some laughter.

"All the changes this week," Rose said carefully, "I'm probably too close to Mei before partnering."

"She is still knowledgeable in tactics, and when she was acting 'tired', she got quite creative. She would be a good measuring stick of an opponent if she could handle all the changes around her like that," Victor stressed the last part of the sentence. Rose nodded in agreement.

"She could tunnel vision on a problem a bit, but she didn't get so heated when she was attached to an idea. I hope that comes back," Rose said. Rose tilted her head questioningly at the brief pain on Victor's face.

"She's mad at my training," Rose said as further explanation, a bit confused. She held Ivy and he glowed and purred as she pushed to him a little. She stopped and looked up, looking dismayed.

Alamy and Victor looked around curiously and Victor sighed, pointing towards the doors. "Open up a bit," he directed. Poppy and Alamy expanded their channeling briefly then both sighed. Bandwidth gave a groaning quack and sat down.

"What's with that invitation?" Mei called as she appeared in the door, irritated at the brief flares she detected. Terpsi skipped behind.

"Oh, is that an Ampharos? Big yellow lizard," she asked, spotting Basti rolled up so her belly was exposed, mood shifting quickly.

Rose shifted slightly towards the big Pokemon's bulk, defensively holding Ivy up. "Poppy said this is a Bastiodon," Rose answered. Basti turned a bit, despite Poppy's ministrations, so Mei could see her shield-like face and rumbled hello.

"Wow, that's rare. What lab did she come from?" Mei asked. Poppy explained again Basti's wilderness origin.

"Science is amazing! Anyway, did you all get here early to plot against me?" Mei said quite cheerfully. Apparently some extra food had put her in a good mood.

"This is a modern region with phones. We don't need to meet in person for that. I took Nacli around, but he didn't feel anything actively resisting. Ghostly influences all over. I went to the chapel to make sure he was fine," Victor explained.

"We have had to use his salt pretty hard," Mei agreed.

"We were saying before you arrived that this courtyard is too damaged to battle," Alamy said.

"Maybe it's a lesson in hubris?" Mei said, "Really see the power of moves, the consequences of what they can do, and what happens when you treat them casually."

Rose breathed in deeply of Ivy to try to ignore her sister. You're not addictive, are you? She thought at the Sprigatito. Ivy wasn't sure.

Alamy was lacking in grass cat aromatherapy and stepped forward, at her limit. "Or perhaps a lesson in limitations, getting in the way of trainers in a match? You were more in the line of fire at the trainer box for far longer than we were," Alamy shot back. Bandwidth looked up at his trainer there, concerned.

Mei blinked, surprised Alamy was biting back.

"I hadn't thought about that," Rose said thoughtfully.

"I think she's been working on that one," Poppy observed.

"Like I said earlier, I would have run if I could," Victor said, "Except for that tremendous pressure."

Mei ignored that to say, "I figure we will be going over theory the first day. Food helped a lot; I was pretty peckish. Still, had quite the workout earlier creaming that bunch of jerks. But how rough can they make the first day of class?"

Victor opened his mouth and closed it. "Too easy," he said after a moment. Alamy nodded.

"You were hungry again after running into that pack under the influence of whatever?" Rose asked, concerned. Ivy yowled in agreement.

"Oh, right. No, more I was still hungry. I didn't put away more than another plate of skewers," Mei explained.

"Do you know what they fry those in?" Alamy asked skeptically.

"We were a tad under the influence. We probably are now too. Try not to get caught up in bad thoughts," Victor pointed out.

"Oh, so I do need the hose," Poppy said. Terpsi snorted, and Mei turned to glare at her partner.

"It isn't the worst idea to be ready," Rose said.

"More intuition?" Alamy asked, alarmed.

"This place just still feels dreary," Rose said, shaking her head.

"You're probably right," Victor said grimly, "Ugh, ghosts." Poppy nodded agreement.

"It sounds like there were some bad impulses that were exacerbated. Of course, I got the worst instances of it, the jerks," Mei said, "But it sounds like they are starting to set up countermeasures. Maybe Dendra will cover them."

"There are hundreds of students all told, so at least you shouldn't have to interact with people who jumped right to 'induce biological compulsion to fight' as the right thing to do," Rose said optimistically.

Silence dragged for a few seconds. "Mei?" Rose prompted. Mei and Terpsi were staring, and the others turned to look.

"Whoops," Victor said bitterly. There was a cluster of students coming from the door towards the group already present. Their chatter died away as they saw who was there, with their walking Pokemon moving forward defensively.

It was six trainers, a decent chunk of the class attendance. Mei's expression was still transfixed, and Victor's was as dark as a stormy mountain.

"Hey, we're learning tactics, like you said!" one called, with false brightness.

"Glad to see you looking so bright still! I mean, you were so tired," another said.

Bandwidth reluctantly pulled himself up as Ivy jumped down to hackle and hiss. Bastidon rolled up to her feet, sounding like an angry church tower. Mei jerked, startled at the noise, and settled into a defensive stance as Terpsi flounced forward.

The six approaching paused, looking nervously.

"Ron, none of them said anything," one said.

The one in front, Ron presumably, said, "Of course, they're just all somehow battlers then, aren't they?"

"Rika says it's not healthy to obsess on a loss," Poppy piped up. She quavered as they turned to look at her, but she didn't take a step back.

"Who is Rika?" Ron asked.

"Ugh, you were the one who challenged me. Of course I got what passes for a leader," Mei said, "Listen, so we're probably half the class, but we can just ignore each other's existences? I mean, that may be easier for us-"

"Mei!" Rose hissed. Mei looked behind and grinned sheepishly.

"Sure, ignore. Nothing that sticks with you, like you skipping and laughing away after you took triple forfeits from everyone, even though you were so tired," one said.

"Quadruple for me," one muttered.

"Luckily for her, her greed was exceeded by your poor judgement," Victor said. That got some growls.

Poppy tugged on Rose's arm. "There's only one teacher and one Nemona and there's over twenty in this class. I'm probably okay, but I'm worried for you all," she whispered. Rose nodded, also concerned about cheap shots. Pokemon were much more vulnerable without a trainer backing them up.

Rose didn't say anything aloud about hubris coming back around to Mei, but it was tempting.

The other tempting thing was the thought Rose couldn't shake. After all, cheap shots went both ways, and they had already forsaken any claims to honor.

And she couldn't for the life of her recognize it as any thought but her own.

---

As a minor one-off name 'Rial's' name is based on the finest Pokemon tradition of plant-names by being based on the Latin name for kelp.

Mei is perhaps being a tad hypocritical of blaming someone for putting a brave face.

Kieran's worst traits temporarily activated by seeing a chance to take a bully down.

I may have to do a story about Oak getting Red and Blue ready, as some of the first trainers of this 'generation' that broke so much of what was expected of trainers to rapidly become Masters, with so many others following in their footsteps.

Actually, come to think of it, Leon meeting the Battle Legend would be a fun story. My timeline has them a similar age. Red vs Leon would be a battle for the ages.

I'm arbitrarily going with (especially as Tyme has multiple Lycanroc) that the Gym Leader sisters both started with Rockruff, and an unfortunate accident led to Ryme's grief reviving it as her beloved now-Houndstone

Given how inaccurate Rock moves are, I can imagine Tyme spending a lot of time with protractors trying to perfect her aim.

I get it's a bit of a joke on early fossil reconstructions, but it's not like a Shield Fossil is an entire Shieldon or the like as far as the S/V fossils go. No Dracovishs appearing, I think, in this story.

Sometimes karma comes around a bit quickly.