Chapter Text
Kieran wasn't sure when he fell back to sleep. His last memory was him curling up under his bed frame, crying. When his body finally decided it was time to get up, he found he was very much not under his bed anymore. Instead Kieran found himself on the floor, located firmly between the bedroom and the kitchen. His body felt sore, like he ran laps, muscles burning and aching at simply existing. He didn't want to pick himself up, but the distinct lack of an alarm told him he probably should at least see how badly he overslept.
With a groan he pushed himself up…and felt his blood run cold.
His whole room was a mess, no, not a mess, it looked like a war zone. His bed was torn, books and knickknacks knocked onto the floor, some unfortunate books became the victim of some kind of mauling. Even the electronic display was busted. He turned to see the damage in the kitchen and felt his heart sink deeper into his chest. The cupboards had gashes, deep powerful ones, ones that looked like the marks on the trees. His fridge also had dings and marks, shallow scratches that started from the base and then traveled up in an absolute frenzy. On the floor by the fridge was food scraps from something tearing into what few groceries he had.
However, none of that was even the worst of it.
No, the worst was sitting on the floor, in a broken heap of shattered dreams.
The Fuecoco rice cooker.
The poor machine had been destroyed beyond belief, metal dented, lights broken, chunks of plastic scattered about. The inner pot somehow was thrown out of the machine and laid in an equally dented state, the remnants of the Great Curry War still burnt on the inside.
“No no no no no!” He crawled over, picking up random shards. There was no way for him to fix this! No way could he face Juliana now, with this broken mess of her beloved possession!
Tears stung his eyes as he fought back against crying. He didn't deserve to cry, not when he failed at being a friend. A frustrated sob escaped him as he swiped the mess away from him. Immediately he's hit with more regret as the tantrum caused the rice cooker to get even more damaged. Poor Fuecoco's leg went tumbling against the floor.
“Whats wrong with me?” He whispers to himself, grabbing his arm to try and stop his trembling form. He found himself scooting into a corner that was saved from the destruction, shaking and breathing fast, his chest burning with every desperate gulp. First the ribombee plush, now this. His kitchen had already been a mess still from the first time he awoke to it in shambles, and now it looked like a pokemon went savage in his own room.
…And the only pokemon that it could’ve been, was him.
His train of thought is derailed however by the sound of notifications coming through. Sniffiling, he crawled over to his husk of a phone, finding he not only way overslept, missing the patrol, but also was about to be late to first again! The notification in question was from Carmine, a simple “you okay?”. He instinctively went to respond, only to stop. He shouldn't bother her with his nonsense, she was busy with so much, busy actually being useful and doing those stupid patrols. His hands trembled while he stared at the screen, tears falling onto his phone.
- - -
“Hey…Juliana?” Lacey's voice was quiet beside her. Her and Lacey had been selected to walk the canyon biome together, and unlike her last few patrols, this one had them both fighting off rabid pokemon. Currently they were against a savage Haxorus that roared before them, not an issue between Lacey’s fairy type pokemon and Spriggy being an absolute power house
“Yeah?”
“Can…I talk to you about something?” She had that tone that whatever it was, it was serious and personal.
“Yeah…what's up?”
“It's just, yesterday there was an incident with Kieran, and it really freaked me out.”
That made Juliana pause, Kieran never showed up to evening patrol and it made her worried. And when she asked if anyone had seen him, no one voiced that they had.
“What kind of incident?” She turned to fully look at Lacey, not even bothering to watch the pokemon battle.
“He…he went missing during third. Just disappeared on me and Drayton. We looked everywhere, never found him, till just after fourth got out.” She gripped her cane tighter, shaking violently. “He…he thought Drayton pranked him, lashed out, punched him.”
“Kieran punched Drayton?!” Now that scared her. Kieran wasn't violent, not by default. The only time she saw him get violent was with the Loyal 3, which ya know, fair.
“Yeah! Just right in the nose, wasn't listening to reason. I eventually got him to calm down, but…” She trailed off as her eyes landed onto the scene, Cupcake and Spriggy both fighting the purple eyed dragon. “He’s getting more unstable…Drayton’s right in thinking whatever’s affecting the pokemon is getting to him too. And if he starts to act like the others…” Her voice trailed off in horror.
Juliana knew of the incident, at least vaguely. Kieran regressed during a panic episode and lashed out, injuring 3 of the BB League.
“How much longer till he snaps…” Lacey finally finished looking horrified and lost in her own head.
She is snapped out however when a pained cry echoed in front of them. The enraged Haxerous was gone, probably retreating after being beaten, but it seemed Spriggy wasn't done with the battle and turned to Cupcake, slashing at the fairy type.
“Cupcake!”
“Spiggy, no!”
Spriggy stopped her assault enough for Lacey to return Cupcake. The grass starter, her best friend and partner, turned to look Juliana in the eyes.
Spriggy’s eyes were purple and crazied, patches of fur fell off her arms and legs, exposing inflamed skin. Juliana had noticed Spriggy scratching more, hissing more, but figured she was just feeding off Juliana’s stress.
Oh how much she wished she was right.
“Spriggy?” Juliana slowly reached for the worn ball and Spriggy lunged for an attack.
And in a flash of light Spriggy was knocked away by Icen who had came out of his ball and delivered a devastating fire punch. It didn't knock her out, but it stunned Spriggy enough for Juliana to retrieve her and lock the ball.
“I'm sorry girl…” She whispered, feeling the ball rattle. She looked to Lacey who was breathing fast and shaking. “Lacey?”
“This is getting bad, this is getting so bad, how much longer till every pokemon is lashing out!”
‘A little late for that’ Juliana thought sadly. Spriggy was like this, yesterday when she checked Koraidon’s leg it showed signs of the purple marks, Rouge was snapping at everyone, Cressile looked ready to slash someone, even sweet WoopBoop was making angry noises and becoming restless. The only member of her team who wasn't lashing out, was hilariously enough, the one she caught when it was lashing out.
Icen let out a worried meow, looking at Spriggy’s ball with such sad eyes. The two had gotten along so well in the last week, and now this?
“It's okay, bud.” She says gently, patting the side of his face, “We’ll figure it out.”
Lacey let out a shuttering sigh once everything calmed down. “I-I’m okay now…” she gave a shaky thumbs up, one Juliana didn't believe.
Her, Lacey, and Icen finished the patrol, Icen acting like a body guard to protect the girls from any feral pokemon.
“Im sorry.” Lacey spoke as they approached the elevator, “for…burdening you with that earlier-”
“Lacey, you're not burdening me.” She says simply.
“...Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She nods as they board the elevator. “Sides, I've had my own concerns with everything going on.”
“You have?”
“Yeah…concern for Kieran, how exhausted he's been…I don't think he's getting enough sleep, or eating enough…” He looked like a zombie some days.
Lacey sighs, “Yeah…I'm worried too…”
The door opened and they stepped out into the hall.
“Same time tomorrow?" Juliana joked, trying to make light of everything
Lacey snorted “Yeah, same time tomorrow." She laughed as she headed the opposite direction as Juliana.
Once Lacey was out of sight, Juliana deflated with an exhausted sigh. These last few days had been rough for her, juggling classes, the patrols, and of course the growing worries with everything. The attacks were becoming constant, most students did not dare enter the terrarium out of fear of being mauled, and even now the ones that were traditionally braver were starting to falter, herself included.
Juliana liked to think she was tougher than that, she survived area zero multiple times afterall, but even with those pokemon being aggressive, it was nothing like this. The paradox pokemon were like any other wild pokemon not used to humans, potentially aggressive if you got in their space, but none of them actively seeked out people to hurt. Here it felt like the pokemon were just waiting to see something move so they could fight.
And it hurt worse knowing her pokemon were falling victim to it.
She dreaded to know what would happen if Koraidon became like them.
Dread, that's how she had felt. This horrible sense of dread. Everyday she was waiting for the newest attack to spread through whispers, waiting to see who of her classmates would disappear next. Everyday, her heart stung as she watched Kieran’s condition get worse and worse. She tried to keep up the appearance that she wasn't bothered…for his sake. But after yesterday in Ms.Max’s class, and what Lacey had told her…
How much longer did he have until he was no more?
Juliana was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of clicking heels and her body went stiff as she saw Verosika walking towards her. She looked side to side, searching for an escape and found nothing, she was completely trapped.
Verosika stopped just in front of Juliana, chewing gum and arms crossed as her eyes looked Juliana up and down, analyzing her, calculating what was no doubt going to be another insult that left Juliana a mess. She watched Verosika then look side to side and even behind her, checking to see if there would be any teachers to witness her before she verbally tore Juliana to shreds no doubt. Seeing as it was just them in the empty halls, Juliana felt the dread get worse. She was tempted to bolt, but was stopped when Verosika suddenly grabbed both her shoulders.
“Please,” Her voice is quiet yet harsh, “Please for the love of all things beautiful and stylish, do something better with your hair, I’m begging you.”
That made Juliana short circuit.
“What?”
“Do you know how frustrating it is to see your hair suffer in silence?! When's the last time you used a volumizer, a proper mouse, literally anything?!”
“Uhhh…”
“Please tell me you at least use a conditioner?!”
Juliana just shook her head, till trying to grapple with the events playing out in front of her.
“Oh my Lunala you are helpless.” She whispers in absolute horror. “You know what, no, I'm not letting you walk around like this anymore.” She digs through her satchel and forcefully pressed a bottle into Juliana’s hands. “Thats the best volumizer money can buy, and don't say you can't afford it, I know your a champion rank student, you got money, so please use it.”
Juliana wasn't sure what to say. She just stared at Verosika and then looked down at the volumeizer, and then back to Verosika.
“Thank you?”
“Dont mention it, trust me I’m doing you a favor, its ben C to the R I N G E seeing you walk around with that hair. Plus-” She flips her hair. “I know you got googoo eyes for that Kieran kid-”
Juliana felt her face get flushed, how in distortion did Verosika find out about that?! Did one of her friends snitch?!
“Oh dont give me that look, you're about as obvious as they come, I mean half the time you can't take your eyes on him.” She shakes her head. “Gotta say though, I respect a girl who’s a freak.” Juliana saw her eyes get dark, “What I can't respect is a girl like you making a fool of yourself with your hair, not anymore. So use that volumizer and maybe get your hair done by someone who isn't your mom-no offense to your mom, but she clearly doesn't have proper cosmetology skills.”
Juliana was going through an absolute whiplash. Verosika giving her actual hair advice, not insulting her, being apparently fine with her having a crush on someone who was also a pokemon, the whole ‘no offense to your mom’ thing.
“I know this is a lot, but trust me, you’ll thank me later.” She gets a chime from her phone and her smile drops, “Ugh, act natural.”
“What?”
Verosika suddenly cleared her throat and got into the meangirl ™ stance.
“Ugh what do you think you're doing here, clogging up the hall with your basic ass.”
“Wha? Huh Verosi-”
Verosika gave her a look that screamed ‘play along’. She didn't get what it was about until she heard Owen’s voice coming from down the hall.
Oh…thats why she wanted her to play along.
“Hey!” Owen’s voice boomed as he stormed up to them. “Leave her the hell alone.” Owen snapped at Verosika. Verosika’s brows raised in surprise as she was basically nudged to stand behind him, alongside Issac who looked miserable.
“So sorry about that Juliana, heh, sometimes my associates.” He turns to Verosika and gives her a dirty look. “Just think it's okay to act like a jerk for no reason.” He took a step closer to Juliana and she instinctively stepped back. “Annnywaaaaay I was thinking, you could join me at the lunch table, you know, compare notes with these useless patrols, maybe share some battle strategies.”
Juliana felt like she was gonna throw up.
“Ah that sounds great Owen, but ah-Ya know I’m a little busy, ya know, helping Noelle with her injuries.”
“Well I could-”
The first shift bell rang and Juliana couldn't be happier.
“Oop that's the bell, gotta go, sorry Owen.” She said fast rushing to move past him before he could react, desperate to get away by any means necessary.
- - -
The droning tick tick tick of the clubroom clock filled the room. Carmine and Amarys sat beside each other, while Lacey sat across from them.
“So…what exactly happened with-” Carmine gestured to all the scratches and scuff marks that surrounded them.
“That…was one of the things I was hoping we could talk about…” Lacey sighed, “but we're still two members down.”
“Make that one!” Crispin declared as he flew the door open. “Whoa what happened to the clubroom?” He looked around at the destruction.
“Lacey was about to explain it to us.” Amarys said.
“Once Drayton gets here.” Lacey adds.
Crispin nods and walks over to Lacey and plops down beside her. He began to dig through his chef's coat's pockets.
“I went to the school store to pick up some ingredients for a new recipe and found a sticker pack I thought you'd like.” Crispin pulls out the sheet of colorful adorable pokemon stickers.
Lacey gave him a tired but grateful smile as she went and set her cane on the table so the two could begin decorating it.
They sat like that for a while, Lacey and Crispin figuring out where to put stickers while the 4 of them all talked about stuff going on. Carmine brought up her apprenticeship with Briar and how it's been draining. Amarys mentioned a recent placement test where she got in the top 10, meaning she may be able to take college level courses starting next year. Lacey mentioned how the Tinkatink Juliana traded her was doing well, even if it was being a butt and trying to harass the local Pikapek population. And Crispin brought up how the cooking club was trying to vote between making chili or curry as their next big dish, with Crispin being pro chili but Ryan was pro curry and everyone else seemed split.
Their comfortable conversation however ended when Carmine let out a loud huff and crossed her arms, her face twisting to that of anger.
“May I ask what bothers you?” Amarys looked at her.
“Just, ugh, thought he would be better about this kind of stuff, especially when it's an emergency, but I guess Drayton is still a slacker.”
Amarys hummed, “While he’s been shown to be lax, Drayton has never actually missed a meeting.”
“Plus he missed last night and today’s morning patrol, same with Kieran.” Crispin added before he got a fearful look, “You don't think something bad happened to them…do you?”
Lacey’s face falls. “Drayton’s…probabaly busy or something, I'm sure he has a reason. And Kieran…” She bit her lip, unsure how to continue.
“Me and Carmine can go look for Drayton later,” Amarys looked at her and she nodded, sitting back up. “We should probably get on with the meeting, we only have 30 minutes left of break period.” She said while looking at her pocket watch.
Lacey nodded with a wavering “Right.” Before clearing her throat.
“To start things off, general club announcements-” Her Rotom phone flew out of her cardigan and she began scrolling her list. “Challenges are subsequently canceled until we can get the feral pokemon situation under hand, all ranks will be locked to their current status, no one can rise or fall from their brackets.”
“Owen ain't gonna be happy we decided to do this.” Crispin whimpered.
“Well Owen can piss off,” Carmine slammed her fist to the table. “He’s not the one that has to deal with the students having panic attacks because their pokemon are mauling eachother!”
“And if he actually cared about anything other than trying to regain his champion title…he’d understand.” Lacey sighed. “Second thing on the agenda…addressing what happened in the clubroom.” Lacey looked at all their faces and took a shaky breath as she recounted the incident from the previous day. How she met Drayton at the vending machine for snacks during a break moment in classes, how they walked in on the clubroom in shambles, how the only one who was inside was Kieran.
“To make matters worse, when we eventually found Kieran he was…unstable for a lack of better word. Cussing out Drayton, barely even listening to reason, Drayton thinks whatever's going on is affecting him too…and I’m inclined to agree.”
She looked at all their faces, Crispin looking horrified and concerned, Amarys’ lips pressed thin as she also had a look of concern, and Carmine was staring down at the table, clearly processing the words.
“I…also agree.” Amarys finally spoke, “I’ve suspected something has been wrong since last week, but this confirms it.”
“But we don't even know what is even causing it! How has it gotten Kiki?! Is it a legendary?! Do I need to fight someone?!” Carmine’s voice cracked, tears pricking her eyes.
“Drayton told me he was going to try and get to the bottom of this, but I haven't seen him since.” Lacey shook her head. “I’m worried we won't have much longer until-”
“Its a repeat of last semester?” Crispin answered for her, to which she nodded. “I don't think I could survive another attack like that.”
“There won't be another attack like that, not if I can help it!” Carmine declared, slamming her hands down and standing up.
Amarys slowly pulled Carmine to sit back down.
“As much as I want to agree…I’m scared we might be too late for that…” Lacey frowned.
Carmine turned to her with a burning determination in her eyes. “He is my brother, cursed by this bullshit or not, I'm not going to let him just suffer another breakdown like that.” Her voice wavers. “I don't think he’d survive another breakdown like that…” That long long week where Kieran refused to leave his room, the absolute fear and hurt on his face, the way he so wholly blamed himself and wanted to give up.
She couldn't handle seeing her brother broken like that, not again.
Silence hung in the air as the group let the topic die. Each one just looking at each other with silent concern, fear, and worry.
“There…was one more thing for us to discuss…” Lacey clears her throat. “The clubroom will need repairs…I’ve already contacted the art and the workshop clubs to come renovate. They said it’ll take a long time given how bad it is, probably 2 weeks…they also said we might need to contact the stem club to help with the tech panels, since they’re broken too.”
Crispin shot his arm up.
“Yes Crispin?”
“Can we finally take up that offer to redecorate the clubroom entirely! Don't get me wrong the blue is classic but, I dunno, Manny was showing me some of the concept sketches and I saw a few that I think better fit the vibe of the club now.”
Lacey blinked and tapped her chin. “Not a bad idea actually, given we need the room gutted, a redesign shouldn't be too hard to ask for.”
“Plus, it’ll piss off Owen more.” Carmine pointed out, causing Lacey to stifle a laugh.
“Alright then, Crispin, can you ask Manny for a copy of those drafts? And once we’re ready we can vote for a design we like?”
Crispin nodded with a little salute.
“Alright, with that I bid this meeting over.”
Carmine got up and grabbed her bag. “Come on, Amarys, let's go find toothpaste head.”
Amarys simply nodded and got up, bidding Lacey and Crispin a good rest of break.”
“...So,” Crispin turned to her with a big smile. “Sticker time?”
Lacey laughed and nodded. “Yeah, sticker time.”
- - -
“HEY!”
Drayton had been in the middle of a peaceful sleep when two hands suddenly came down onto the table, startling him awake.
“Wha-huh-I’m awake-” He blinked away the sleep, his vision clearing to see Amarys and Carmine both standing in front of him. “Oh, hey girls,” He yawns, “How can I be of assistance?”
“Huh, out of all the places, my last bet would’ve been the Library, color me surprised.” Amarys spoke plainly.
“Drayton why the hell are you here?! Is this where you've been all day?!”
“Yup.” He punctuated the P, “Actually been here since yesterday.” He picked up his head fully from the table, books scattering about.
“How did the librarian not find you?” Amarys asked, looking around for the librarian.
Drayton yawns. “Cause, no one thinks to check this section of the library.” He stretches his back. “I mean let me guess, you checked this specific section last.” He had picked a part of the legends section that was tucked away from view, making it perfect for him to do research (and sleep) without being seen.
“Okay yes it was.” Carmine grumbled, crossing her arms, a reaction he always loved. “But why?!”
He looked up at her and sighed. “Cause yesterday, our darlin lil Kiki lost his shit and decked me square in my handsome face. And I assume you saw the clubroom yeah? I have a feeling he did that too.” He looked at the current book he had been going through. “He's becoming unstable, whatever is happening to the other pokemon is happening to him too-” He closes that book with a huff. “-and these patrols haven't gotten us any closer to actually knowing what's happening, just that shits getting worse.”
“It's reaching its boiling point.” Carmine added fearfully.
“Bingo!” He snapped his finger at her. “And I'm not too keen to see him go savage again thank you very much.”
“What have you found so far?” Amarys asked.
“Not much if I'm being honest. I mean I have a few things, but…nothing that really matches what's going on. “ He shook his head with a sigh. “I got to be getting close though, I feel it.”
Carmine looked down at the pile of books, how Drayton decided enough was enough and buried himself in research to try and solve this weeks long mystery.
“Scoot over.” She declared.
“What?”
“Scoot over.” She repeated. “Im helping out.”
Drayton looked at her for a moment.
“No.”
“What do you mean no?!” Carmine squeaked. “In case you forgot, that's my brother who’s suffering!”
“I mean no. Look Mimi, you got a lot on your plate. Briar’s apprenticeship, your AP classes, the reports, the patrols, being E4.” He lists each one off. “You got too much going on, and unlike me, you actually have a future to look forward to.” He shook his head. “I’m not letting you add even more to your plate.”
“But-”
“Look, let ol drop out Drayster handle it, yeah? I feel like I gotta be close to a breakthrough.” He shuffled through the books “If you want to help…try and keep everyone you can safe, okay?”
Carmine’s eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, oh no, she was not taking that as an answer. ‘Just keep everyone safe’? Who did he think he is?!
“There’s gotta be some other way for us to help!” Carmine protested, “Ya know I can come in after fourth, check over notes.”
“6 eyes would be better than two.” Amarys then adjusted her glasses, “Or would it be considered 8.”
Drayton let out a tired laugh, “Good one,” He yawned just as a bell played overhead. “Mmmm which bell’s that?”
“Lunch.” Amarys answered simply.
“Ah ha, that's what you two can do, get me some lunch, I’m starving.” He rubbed his belly for emphasis.
“Arc, you're ridiculous.” Carmine shook her head. “We’ll see what we can grab you.” She promises as she heads out with Amarys. Leaving Drayton to his pile of books.
“Alright,” He sighed. “Back to research…”
- - -
Classes had wind down for the day. The students, now free from the grueling day, rushed to their various cliques and clubs to enjoy the much needed socialization.
Juliana sat in the art club room. It really was just a side room attached to the main art room, but it was a nice secluded little area away from the chaos of others. Noelle, Ruby, Angel, Kaiya, and Gwyn all sat with her, all in an awkward silence.
Angel sat on the floor, knees pulled to their chest, eyes focused on the floor, likely still feeling guilty about yesterday.
Noelle sat on an oversized foam block, bandaged up, but fine otherwise.
Juliana was pretty thankful that while Sol went savage, she and Carmine had been able to subdue him before it became a bloodbath.
“Sooooo,” Gwyn began and turned to Juliana. “How’d Kieran take the gift?”
Juliana suddenly felt her face become red as all eyes locked to her.
“What gift?” Rosie asked with a smirk.
“A graciadia flower.” Gwyn said with elicited ‘Oooo’s” from the others
“He isn't escaping the Shaymin allegations with that one.” Noelle shook her head.
“You guys are still on that bet?” Juliana laughs in disbelief. Pokemon were going crazy, every day the tension felt thicker and thicker, and everyone was still more concerned over a bet.
“Of course we are, Angel, how high is the bet now?” Kaiya looks at them.
Angel pulls out their phone. “Uhh the betting pool has now hit over 80,000 bp.”
“DAAAAAMMMMNNNN.” All 5 of them said in unison.
“But back to the important question at hand…” Ruby points at Juliana. “Y o u! You gifted Kieran a gracadia flower! So,” she crosses her arms. “Go on, try and defend yourself."
Juliana looked at her friends, all of them looking at her expectantly, and sighed.
“Fine, I have a crush on Kieran. I have for a while now.” It felt reliving to get it all off her chest.
“Whoa…it's that easy.” Angel laughed softly.
“Congrats, we've been knew.” Gwyn chuckled.
“Ugh I know I know,” Juliana hid her hand in her face. “I was worried if I said it out loud, ya'll would-”
“Make fun of you?” Noelle asked, to which Juliana nodded.
“I mean we tease…” Kaiya
“But genuinely I think it's super sweet!” Ruby smiles.
“No yeah watching you two, it's adorable~” Noelle added.
“So yall dont think it's weird I wanna date someone who's also a pokemon?”
“Nah, you know, furries-” Angel doesn't get to finish, as Gwyn throws a book at them.
“As Angel meant to say, it's not weird at all! I mean Kieran is pretty clearly also human, so like, if you're worried about that it's fine.” Noelle reassured.
“Yeah he passes the Harkness test, so you're all good.” Gwyn gives a thumbs up.
Juliana sighed and shook her head. “You're all so dumb.”
The others all laughed at the remark.
“So-” Ruby smiles as the laughter dies down. “When you gonna ask him out?” She leans closer.
“Ah…truth be told, im unsure-”
“Oh nuh uh you do not gift a gracadia flower and then be unsure!” Noelle crossed her arms.
“What no not like that! I mean I want to ask him out, but unsure if now would be the right time. I mean…ya'll seen him, he's exhausted all the time now, he's barely functioning.” She felt her heart arche. “He's so stressed and I don't want to add to that.”
The gang all look to each other and then back at her.
“Yeah that's fair.”
“I didn't think of it that way.”
“He can barely stay awake in class…”
“Exactly!” Juliana continued. “Hes got so much going on right now, I just, don't think the time is right.”
Noelle gives her a calm smile. “If you'd like my two cents?” Juliana nods. “I think waiting till this whole situation calms down is the right move.”
“Noelle's right, once everything goes back to normal, you should pop the question then.” Ruby adds. “Till then though? We're all rooting for you.”
“Thanks guys.” Juliana sighs. “Just. Wished I could figure out what's going on just so this nightmare can be over.”
The 5 of them mumble in agreement.
“Do we have any clues?” Kaiya asks.
“Just surface level stuff, but nothing concrete to tie it all together.” Gwyn shook her head. “I swear though something about this is familiar.”
“Its a lot like how Borger acted when he first got here.” Juliana said, “but driven to 10.”
Gwyn sat there, tapping her chin, when her eyes lit up. “Wait, yeah, it is a lot like him! And he began acting weird after-” Gwyn didn't get to finish her thought as a sudden commotion from outside the door got their attention.
“Now what in the creation trio is going on!” Ruby got up, so did the others as they made it to the door.
Juliana opened it to find kids rushing down the hall, all talking over each other. Her eyes scanned and eventually landed on Lacey.
“LACEY!” She had to shout over the crowd. The girl stopped and hurried over to Juliana, panic on her face. “Lacey what's going on?!”
“It's Kieran and Owen! They're fighting!”
Juliana felt her blood run cold. With how on edge Kieran has been…how long till a petty school fight became bloody?
Judging by Lacey's face, it might be too late.
Juliana didn't think twice before rushing down the hall, Gwyn following closely after, with the rest of the squad chasing after the two.
- - -
Kieran stumbled through the halls in a haze. Fourth period had just got out and as such everyone was rushing to the various clubs hosted on Fridays. He however did not want to go to any club meetings or do anything, he just wanted to get to his dorm after a whole day of shitty classes and dealing with stupid students. The hallway lights were too bright, the chatting students too loud, his head pounded in pain as he tried to just get through the crowd, every breath his lungs burned.
He should bite someone
No he can't, he’d get in trouble.
Who cares, no one cares, go savage.
But he's so tired.
Go be wild.
He can't.
Fight fight fight fight fight
Kieran was snapped out of his thoughts as he was suddenly shoved from the back. He let out a startled noise as he stumbled ahead to try and catch himself. He turns around with a snarl to see who dared to challenge him. Only to blink in surprise when he saw Owen.
Owen stood in front of him, panting, looking disheveled and unhinged, his hands balled up into fists as his whole body shook in rage.
“You.” Owen snarled, stepping closer. “You think you're soooo special huh?” Owen shoved Kieran again, this time making him fall and land on his butt. “Think you can just, come to this school, fuck everything up, and be accepted like one of us!”
“The fuck are you talking about.” Kieran snarls as he gets up, something primal clawing away inside him like an angry animal.
“You know damn well what I'm talking about!” Owen pushes him back down again, and Kieran can feel his body shaking. “Your a freak, a fucking pokemon with human skin! Everyone can see it, everyone’s been betting on what the fuck you are!”
Everyone knows? Everyone had been betting on it?!
“And you wanna know something else.” Owen grabbed Kieran by the hair, causing him to hiss in pain as he was dragged close to Owen. “You don't have a fucking shot with Juliana. You think someone as perfect as her would love a freak like you?” He threw Kieran away.
And Kieran felt his blood become cold and his face become red.
Juliana.
How fucking dare he even speak her name.
He should pay
Juliana was many things. Kind, caring, someone who always made him feel safe, someone who's stood by his side through some tough moments.
Someone who sang to him, held him close when he felt like the world was swallowing him.
Someone who courted him by giving him the flower.
Why is he letting this inferior person stand here and mock him?!
He should teach him a lesson!
Fight!
Fight!
Fight!
“Aww whats the matter, the big scary pokemon upset he’s an unlovable-”
Owen doesn't get to finish his taunt, as Kieran is just done with it all. He snarls as he lunges at Owen, hearing him let out a pathetic scream as he was suddenly pinned under his claws.
Good, the weak should scream. He was weak, a threat, a threat to his herd, to his mate.
He needs to defend his claim.
He can feel wetness on his claws.
Can feel the threat buckle and thrash under him.
‘Shut up, shut up, stay down!’ He snarls.
A fist hits his face and he growls, snapping down to bite at the arm that dared hit him. Liquid iron filling his maw.
The threat thrashed and eventually was able to kick him in the face. Pain blossomed as he felt something drip down his nose.
Blood.
How dare this pathetic creature make him bleed.
His claws sink into the threats side, dragging it back to him.
He had a lesson to teach.
He rears back and brings his claws down into a punch.
Punches and claws fly from him as he laughs.
He laughs at the cries.
Laughs at this weak thing trying to fight back.
No, not even fight back.
It was just laying there, taking the blows.
Thrill tingles up his spine and his bones.
All he can hear is his blood pumping.
Yes.
This is what he's needed.
Yes.
Yes.
Y e s.
And just as quickly as it started, it ended. Something grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him off his prey. He just hung there, breathing heavy as he was scruffed.
How dare he be pulled away from defending his claim?!
“-thing we learned in defense class”
Kieran blinked at the voice that was speaking, his anger and frustration melting to clarity as his vision tried to refocus on the world.
“Pretty much every pokemon has a point like this, they'll go limp when it's pressed.” the voice- Gwyn's he's able to figure out, continues. “It's basic self defense when it comes to pokemon.”
Self defense? What was she going on about?
His vision finally cleared and Kieran felt his blood go cold.
Owen was on the ground, shaking and crying, though no sound was really coming out of him except broken whimpers. His entire body was covered in deep bloody gashes. His face was the least scarred, but he figured that's because he used his now mangled arms to protect it from the brunt of the attack. Owen's arms were now torn to shreds, chunks of skin hanging off him like ribbons, deep gashes that went into muscles bled all over him and the tile, staining it.
Kaiya was on one side of Owen, trying to keep him propped up. On the other side was Lacey who looked horrified. She was saying something about shock and to get to the nurse. When she noticed Kieran was looking at her, she visibly recoiled back, looking at him like a monster.
He was now very much aware of the taste of blood in his mouth..
He looked away from the carnage and saw the crowd that had formed. So many students looked at him with fear, a few had their phones out, having recorded the fight. His eyes eventually landed on Juliana who stood there, pale faced and shaking.
She was scared.
She was scared of him.
His body shook as he looked down at his bloody claws. Blood stained his hands and splattered up his coat.
It was all too similar to that day. With Drayton, Crispin, and Lacey.
He felt his breathing becoming quicker and panic settled in. He attacked Owen- no he mutilated Owen. Mauled him till he was too in shock to do anything. He felt his feet land fully on the ground, Gwyn seemed to have let him go. He doesn't even wait a second before booking it down the hall, desperate to escape the hundreds of eyes all on him.
He ran to the one place where he couldn't hurt anyone.
His dorm.
- - -
Drayton was .5 seconds away from ripping out his own hair. He's scoured about every single book on various myths and legends across the world and has found Jack and shit. There was nothing that matched the description of the feral pokemon 100%. There were some that shared a few of the elements.
The hyper aggression matched the accounts of when Victini would seek out a battle, making any pokemon nearby want to fight…but that didn't match the purple eyes or the weird patches of purple skin.
The purple eyes made him think of some kind of psychic hypnosis, maybe a mewtwo then? But 1: how would it have gotten there, and 2: why make pokemon go randomly savage?
Some legendaries could “thrall” other pokemon into acting however the legendary desired, but most cases that were documented showed it was weaker legendary and mythicals doing it to pokemon to protect the legendary or give it food, and a tell tale sign was that the eyes of the pokemon would reflect that of the legendary. Outside of the purple iris, the eyes were all distinct to the pokemon they originally belonged to. Plus, there were no purple legendaries or mythicals he could think of…
Unless Genesect somehow got into the academy??
Then of course he had to look at the possibility it was something planted or added into the terrarium, maybe some kind of poisonous plant? But the botany section was huge! Easily double the myth section.
He let out a frustrated groan and bonked his head on the table. He's scoured so many books in the last 24 hours and his eyes burned and his brain felt like goo.
“Maybe I need to take a break.” He speaks to no one.
However a noise catches his attention. It was sooooo faint he almost missed it. The sound of scratching and upset chittering. Slowly he got up from the table and moved closer to the noise.
“Psy psy psy psy psy”
He turned the corner to find Calamity the Psyduck, Library Mascot Extraordinaire ™, scratching away at its face and body. Drayton watched as its pristine yellow feathers fell out in a ragged display, purple spots blooming where the skin was exposed.
Wait…that is! Exposed!
Calamity lived exclusively in the Library, it never went to the Terrarium or anywhere else for that matter. Meaning whatever the pokemon were affected with wasn't some foreign plant in the terrarium or a legendary causing mischief, it had to be something that spread from pokemon to pokemon.
And the only pokemon that Calamity had come in contact with recently, was Kieran.
“Its a diaease! Not some legendary!” He laughs, smacking his forehead. “Of course! Calamity you beautiful bastard, you just gave me the last clue I needed.”
Calamity just looked up at him confused before going back to scratching.
Drayton wasted no time and booked it to the medical section.
- - -
Owen was walking down the halls with a pep in his step. Fourth period just let out, which meant it was time to enjoy the weekend- er well enjoy it the best he could given the whole rabid pokemon attacks. He tried not to think about how the attacks were getting worse, or how every day more and more people became too afraid to go into terrarium, too afraid to battle. Arc even the league club planned to shut down rank battles because of it. Bunch of pansies all of them.
Nope- he wasn't gonna let that drag down his mood. It was the weekend! Which meant everyone was free.
Meaning Juliana was free.
He didn't think he'd ever feel interested in anyone ever again after Kaiya. Most people couldn't match his energy, they were just a bunch of filthy casuals who were more caught up in petty nonsense than strength.
Juliana was different.
He thought of her originally as some damsel, some nobody just waiting around for something to happen. It didn't help that she seemed to be buddy-buddy with that idiotic group Kaiya joined. But when she fought off that savage Flygon with that strange mismagius of hers? Oh he suddenly understood everything. Juliana was strong, probably as strong as him. But she was simply humble about it! Pretend to be a defenseless damsel so when she's pushed into a corner, she takes her foes off guard.
He hated how he treated her before, she more than earned her spot in Bb, transfer student or not. Arc, in his mind, belonged here more than half of the plebs he called classmates.
He had been trying for the last few days to get a moment alone with her, to apologize and try and start again. Unfortunately it seemed her ‘friends' had convinced her to avoid him. Of course they were, Kaiya was a part of that group, of course she would sabotage his relationship!
Well whatever! He was gonna talk to her one way or another! Mark his words!
“You're all so dumb.”
Owen froze as he passed the door. That was Juliana's voice! The sound of laughter followed it. Owen narrowed his eyes and tipped toed closer to eaves drop.
“So, when you gonna ask him out?” Another voice spoke.
Did Juliana have a crush on someone he wasn't aware of? Was it him?!
“Ah…truth be told, I’m unsure-”
“Oh nuh uh you do not gift a gracadia flower and then be unsure!” a new voice spoke up.
Wait…she gifted Kieran a Gracadia flower…did she…no she couldn't be!
“What no not like that! I mean I want to ask him out, but unsure if now would be the right time. I mean…ya'll seen him, he's exhausted all the time now, he's barely functioning.”
That…sounded like Kieran alright.
“Hes so stressed and I don't want to add to that.”
She sounds sooo sweet when saying that, like the idea of stressing the freak out hurt her.
It made Owen's blood boil.
Out of EVERYONE she could've picked, she was interested in Kieran?! The freak ass pokemon who somehow got into his school?! He couldn't even argue she didn't know, she was there when his horns popped out in front of everyone, she knew what he was and still wanted to date him?!
He was going to kill Kieran.
He was going to murder that pokemon freak in broad fucking daylight.
He didn't care anymore.
He's been stuck tolerating that fucker for almost 2 years now, watching him corrupt the school into a fucking preschool where everyone held hands and sung kumbiya with their pokemon. 2 years of him turning people against Owen, first it was the Bb league, then it was Kaiya, and now?
He wasn't going to let him take another thing of his.
Owen moved down the halls with purpose. He had to find that freak and give him a lesson, had to make sure he understood he was nothing and to give up Juliana. It didnt take long to him to find the fucker, he was walking slower then [Insert slow pokemon here]. Owen's rage boiled and he stormed over as he shoved Kieran.
Unfortunately he didn't fall, just stumbled a bit. Kieran whipped his head around to look at Owen, already growling like an animal. Pathetic.
“You.” Owen snarled, stepping closer. “You think you're soooo special huh?” He shoved Kieran again, this time making him fall and land on his butt, good, the ground suited him more. “Think you can just, come to this school, fuck everything up, and be accepted like one of us!”
“The fuck are you talking about.” Kieran snarled at him, standing back up. Oh how he can't wait to put this mutt in his place.
“You know damn well what I'm talking about!” Owen pushed him back down again. “Your a freak, a fucking pokemon with human skin! Everyone can see it, everyone’s been betting on what the fuck you are!”
He could see the panic spread over Kieran's face and Owen smiled, feeling validated for every time he called Kieran out and no one seemed to care.
“And you wanna know something else.” Owen grabbed Kieran by the hair, yanking him close so he can deliver the final blow. “You don't have a fucking shot with Juliana. You think someone as perfect as her would love a freak like you?” He threw Kieran away, watching him shake as he stayed on his hands and knees.
Owen felt sooooo validated, humiliating and belittling Kieran until he was just a trembling pest. “Aww whats the matter, the big scary pokemon upset he’s an unlovable-”
Owen doesn't get to finish his taunt, as Kieran snarls and suddenly lunges at him. Owen screamed in pain as he felt the sharp claws of Kieran sink into his shoulders, pinning him roughly against the cold tile. He tried to kick Kieran off but his shoes kept slipping. He was able to rip his arm free and deck Kieran right in the face.
It was enough to stun, but not knock him off. Kieran paused, before snarling, and fucking decided to bite his arm.
The scream that was ripped out of him hurt his throat. Holy fuck! Wasn't Kieran suppose to be a fucking skiddo or some shit?! Why the hell did he have sharp teeth, and why in arceus did he think punching him was a good idea?! F U C K!!
Kieran was snarling around the bite, thrashing his head back and forth, tearing away at the flesh. Fuck fuck fuck it hurt so much. Owen was just blindly thrashing, he needed Kieran off of him, need to escape this pain. Eventually he gets his footing and Owen kicks Kieran off. He took a chunk of flesh with him, which left Owen gasping from the blinding pain. It hurt so much, everything hurt so much. The sound of snarling got Owen's attention, he looked up and finally got to get a good look at what Kieran had become.
Four dark green horns sprouted out of his head, two twisting up into the sky while the other two stuck out just above his ears. His hair was a wild mess of raven and forest green, maybe it was Owen's imagination but it looked like he was fluffed up. Looking down, Owen felt fear hit him. Kieran's hands had been replaced with bark like claws, now stained red with his blood.
He was panting and snarling, blood dripping from the fanged maw, as well as a trickle of blood coming down his nose.
And then his eyes snapped back onto Owen, the yellow iris now a solid purple.
“Oh fuck oh fuck.” Owen tried to scramble away, now fully aware of what sort of beast he just unleashed. Stupid! Of course Kieran would get whatever was making the pokemon go coo coo! Stupid stupid stupid!
Kieran sunk his claws into Owen's side and dragged him closer. No no no, he was too young to die, he didn't want to die! He looked around and saw a crowd watching him, but none dared to come near the bloodbath.
“H E L P!!”
And then Kieran continued his attack. Claws came down as open scratches or as punches. Owen felt his body be torn apart in a bloody display, the claws tearing through skin and muscle. His clothes soaked in his own blood. The pain was everywhere, his ribs were crushed under the weight of the beast, his arms ribbons, his neck and face were scratched and bruised to hell. At some point he stopped screaming, only able to take the assault, a part of his mind retreating away from the gore and pain.
And as fast as it began, it stopped.
Someone finally pulled Kieran off of him.
There was someone beside him, pressing something down against his body. There were voices but he wasn't able to tell who they were.
Everything.
Just.
Hurts.
Everything had been a blur after that. One moment he's still in the hall, his body screaming of pain, the next he's being carried down the hall by some kind of psychic type. The next he's on a bed in the nurses office, being tended to by the nurse and her Audino's, the warmth of the heal pulse lulling his in shock body to sleep.
He awoke on a bed in the nurses office, dosed up with enough pain meds that he was only vaguely aware of the pain coursing through his body. He blinked, trying to get his vision adjusted to the room. It was dark, the only light being some filtering from under the door. Looking down, he found arms were bandaged to hell and back.
“Oh you're awake.” His head snapped and found Kaiya sitting on a chair by the door. “How are you feeling?”
“Like ass.” He groaned, sitting up in the bed. He hissed in pain, seems there was a wound on his side that really didn't like that
“Yeah, makes sense.” She's silent for a bit. “So,” she got up and walked over to the bed, "You wanna tell me what you did to antagonize him?” Kaiya finally asked.
“I didn't do shit!” A lie, but it came out faster than his brain could even process the question.
“Owen,” she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You and I both know that's a lie. You physically can't not antagonize Kieran at your every waking minute. So why don't you come clean and tell me what you did?”
Owen growled. Of course, he's the one that got mauled but Kaiya is all on Kieran's side.
“Ugh cause I fucking heard Juliana telling you and that group of prisses you hang out with that shes got googoo eyes for that- that freak! He's not even a human! He shouldn't even be at this school!”
“And yet he is! You don't get to decide who should or shouldn't be at this school.”
“Well I should. My dad put his hard labor into making this school happen, and yet time and time again students and staff spit on all his hard work.”
Kaiya groaned, “Again with your dad?! He built the climate control for the terrarium, it's not like he has actual stakes in how the school does.”
Owen felt his face get hot. Of course Kaiya wouldn't understand how important this was. “You don't know shit!”
“Uhuh.” Kaiya crossed her arms. “Anyway back to the point, you heard Juliana confess to us and what, decided to big a big matcho man and pick a fight with Kieran?”
“Hes a weak, pathetic freak, he doesn't deserve someone like Juliana!”
“And you don't get to make that decision!” She snapped back. “The only person who gets to make that call is Juliana herself! You can't just control who she does or doesn't have interest in!” He watched Kaiya take a deep breath. “Juliana and Kieran are close, very close. Arc, I knew of Juliana back during last semester cause he wouldn't shut up about her in class.” She shakes her head. “Those two have been through thick and thin together.”
“The kind of friendship that can't be broken.” He sighed, staring up at the ceiling.
“...yeah.” Kaiya says softly.
“...Like us.. huh?” He looked at her with hopeful eyes. The Kaiya he knew had to still be in there deep down. Had to be.
Kaiya was quiet for a second, crossing her arms and looking away from him. “No…cause unlike you” she says it with such venom. “Kieran doesn't control Juliana.”
“I never controlled you!” He hates how his voice squeaks.
“Bullshit!” Kaiya snapped back. “You humiliated me in front of everyone, you swooped in with the promise of friendship, told me if I stuck with you I would be stronger.” Her eyes were filled with hate as she listed each one. “You encouraged me to bully anyone weaker than me, to bully my fellow classmates, to bully Kieran, all because they didn't for your view of strength. You got in my head, you isolated me from anyone who got too close! When I left I had no one.” She was shaking.
Owen scoffs. “Please, you don't need anyone else!”
“Oh here we go! This is what I mean Owen! Even now!” She laughed bitterly, “You know what? No, I'm done with this!” Kaiya turned on her heel and stormed out.
Owen felt his heart sink and his blood go cold. “Wait Kiaya Im sor-” the door slammed. Kaiya was gone.
The room was quiet.
The room was quiet and dark.
And he only had himself to blame.
He didn't understand why he was like this. Why he seemed to rot everything around him? He was just trying to make the school a better place! No one took it seriously, the league club was a massive joke, they were allowing non trainers in, they allowed someone like Kieran in. He was keeping the school's reputation from going into the shitter.
…wasn't he?
No- he was! No one else appreciated his work! All of his ‘friends’ proved themselves fake. Danny stopped talking to him once he lost his champion status. Marcus dipped when he tried to show him Diana cheated. Lacey, Amarys, and Diana were just a bunch of two faced bitches who plotted against him.
And Kaiya…
It was Kieran's fault! He shouldn't even be here! If he wasn't here, Owen wouldn't have to try and push him out, and if he didn't have to push him out, Kaiya wouldn't have left…
Yeah…
He likes to think of the events like that…
He was pulled from his thoughts when the door opened, light filling the dark room. He squinted and saw-
“Mareep head?”
Bede stood at the entrance, holding a fucking get well soon balloon, smirking at Owen.
“Blondie.”
- - -
Kieran pushed through the door, locking it behind him. His bloody claws trembled as he backed away from the door.
Fight Run Fight.
He growled and grabbed his head as his headache came back with a horrific vengeance, mocking him.
“No, please stop!”
Wild Free Fight
It hurt so much, the voice in his head screaming, whittling away at his sanity. Every breath he took burned, every second his head felt ready to explode.
Fight fight fight.
“SHUT UP!” He shouted to no one. Stumbling away from the door on shaky legs. Eventually backing all the way to the kitchen counter, sobbing.
Wait…why was he sobbing again? He needs to get back out there, stake his clai-
Kieran slapped himself hard, gasping as hot tears streamed down his face.
He was losing it.
He was actually fucking losing it.
He began laughing, hysterical broken laughter.
-
Drayton had all but turned the medical section upside down, books littering the floor. So far things have been a bust, but he knew he was in the right spot. He just had to figure out which of the bazillion books had the right information.
Easier said than done, when he didn't even know what he was fully looking for.
He did one more glance over the shelves and froze. Tucked in the corner at the bottom was a dusty old book “Peculiar Pokémon Plagues!!” circa 2002. He hadn't even realized it was an actual book when he first looked through the shelves, he assumed it was one of those decorative book stoppers.
Drayton felt a tingle go down his spine. This one…this one had to have it.
-
A pained noise escaped him as he body slammed into the wall, snarls and growls escaping him.
Be free.
No.
Fight!
Stay put.
He clawed his face in a desperate attempt to stay grounded, but his mind kept slipping back into that feral state.
Stay grounded!
Let go.
Frustrated sobs left him, his body pulled in two different directions. In his distress he began coughing, and he became soooo much more aware of the taste of blood in his mouth.
He stumbled to the fridge, throwing it open, desperate for something to wash out the taste of Owen's blood. His eyes landed on the Pecha box and he tore it open, uncaring of the damage. He needed this to stop.
He grabbed a pecha, and without a second thought bit into it.
And immediately spat it out.
Gone was the sweet fruit with crisp flesh, now a filthy, bitter mush. He finally took a moment to get a good look at the berry.
It was rotten
-
He sat down and began flipping through the pages, eyes scanning the text, just trying to find something that matched.
Feather flu? No…
Dotlerpox? No…
Muk-Eyes? No…
Drayton stopped as he landed on one page. He reads the passage once, twice, double checked the symptoms-
And felt dread.
That.
That was what the Pokémon were affected with. It had to be.
He had heard about it once before, his grandfather told him about it, when he was only a kid. Telling him and Iris stories of rampaging dragons, with eyes a vivid purple and a savagery not seen since the old times.
At the time he figured they were just tall tales by an old man.
But now?
-
He laid there on the floor, shaking as he tried to hold onto what little humanity he could. He had to keep fighting it, had to. If he let go again…
A shine from under his bed got his attention and he crawled over. His masks, his precious masks…his.
He looked at the masks.
And then the door.
And then the carnage around him.
Who was he fooling…
He's going to snap…
He's already destroyed the nest.
And others were gonna come looking for him.
He looked at the masks.
And then the exit.
-
Drayton's eyes landed on his phone, and with shaking hands, picked it up.
…They hadn't talked since the incident last semester, when the school called about him being attacked. But even then, it was quick one word answers and hanging up before they could get too deep.
He swallowed as he scrolled through the contacts. Months since speaking with the old man.
His finger hovered over the id…maybe he didn't need to call him.
No. He needed to know how absolutely fucked they were.
-
Bloody claws shakily reached for the lock. Kier-Ogerpon counted his breaths.
He had to make it. Get out before he loses it completely.
For Carmine.
For Julibee.
For everyone.
-
He tapped the icon and waited. One ring, two rings, and on the third he picked up.
“Drayton.” Drayden's voice comes over. Gruff and serious as always.
“Heeeeey Gramps, how are-”
“Drayton, it's been 3 months since you've called.” Drayton wasn't sure if he was angry, disappointed, or a mix of both. “And last time was because you got attacked, and it wasn't even you calling, it was the staff.” Nope, that's angry. “Are you still skipping classes?” Here we go. “If your calling for me to bail you out you got another thing-”
“Gramps! This is serious!” Drayton snapped.
The other line was silent for a while before Drayden cleared his throat.
“My apologies, what's wrong?”
Drayton took a shaky breath, looking one last time to the book. “Shits gotten bad here at the school, pokemon going savage, kids being sent to the nurses office daily.” He hates how his voice cracks some. “We've been trying to look into it and, fuck, Gramps I…I think I figured it out but.” He tries not to choke up. He hated being vulnerable to anyone, let alone his grandfather. “I need to know how fucked we are.”
-
*click*
Ogerpon opened the door.
Free. Free!
-
“...What is it?” Drayden’s voice was stern, but Drayton could feel the concern dripping from those three syllables alone.
He swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked at the page one final time.
“Do….you remember telling us stories…about Pokerus?”