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‘By Arceus she did it.’ Drayton thought proudly as Kieran’s last Pokémon fell to the ground with a cry as its trainer looked on in shock.
“Wha… huh?”
Finally, Kieran’s reign as the Blueberry Champion has come to an end, his plan had worked!
“What? He actually lost?”
“Let’s go, guys.”
The students that surrounded the battle arena slowly broke away, their champion (who was a jerk) had lost and they couldn’t really care less.
“No…why?! This wasn’t supposed to happen!” Kieran cried, falling to his knees and clutching his head.
“Way to go- both of you! That was awesome!” Crispin cheered, not exactly understanding what just happened.
“Oh, honestly, Crispin! Read the room would you!” Lacey scolded, getting a confused look from him.
Drayton slowly started to walk over to the now ex-champion, ignoring Lacey’s call.
“Good match, you two…” He started, stopping behind Kieran and looking down at him, “too bad about the outcome though, huh…”
He leaned down, closer with a grin, “…ex-Champion?”
Kieran still looked dumbfounded, mouth gaping like a fish as he stared at the ground, so Drayton decided to put his focus onto Juliana.
“Look at you, buddy! Way to go!” He commended, ignoring the look on her face as she glanced back at Kieran, “guess we got a new BB League Champion!”
“Huh?” She asked, glancing back to him.
“The academy’s got a prize for people like you who make it all the way to being Champion.” He continued, handing over a master ball. “Here, all yours.”
She took it and put it back into her bag as Drayton looked back over his shoulder, “hey. Kieran. This may not mean much coming from a guy who couldn’t beat you, but…I wish you’d go back to having fun with all this.”
Kieran said nothing but looked up to Drayton, so he continued.
“I get that burning desire to win. I mean, who doesn’t like winning? Just…don’t let that desire burn you to a crisp. It’s hard to watch. C’mon. Let’s all go and-”
Kieran mumbled something that he didn’t quite catch.
“Come again?”
“I won’t lose… Next time, for sure, I’ll…I’ll win. Next time…I’ll win…” He declared, standing up.
“Kieran…” Juliana said but trailed off.
“Juliana…I…aww…” He frowned, looking away.
“Ahem. If we might, um…interrupt?” Lacey asked, now having walked over with Crispin and Amarys tailing behind. “Well…first, of course, we want to offer Juliana our congratulations for becoming Champion. It really is an amazing achievement! Something that should be celebrated… But with the way things are now, I’m sorry to say that it does, well…complicate matters. We’re having a bit of a hard time knowing how we ought to proceed…”
“Proceed with what?” Drayton asked, confused on what she was talking about.
“Well, think about it a moment, would you?!” Lacey exclaimed, shaking her head, “if Juliana is our Champion, that that means she’s head of the League Club! But she’s an exchange student! What is our long-term plan here, if she doesn’t stick around?! There are so many particulars to sort out!”
Drayton scratched his head briefly, he didn’t exactly think about that if he plan did succeed, he just wanted to see Juliana put Kieran back in his place. “Oh…huh. Yeah.”
“And of course, if Kieran rejoins the Elite Four after having lost the rank of Champion, that would push Crispin out of our ranks.” Lacey added.
“Wait, what?! ME?! That’s bad, isn’t it?!” He cried before his shoulders fell as Lacey shook her head, “I’d like to hear from Kieran himself what he would like to do next…”
They all turned their attention to the boy, but he didn’t say anything.
“Kieran…” Amarys started.
Bing-bong-bong-bing
Drayton looked up upon hearing the announcement chime of the academy.
“This is an announcement for the following students: BB League Champion Kieran. Top Elite Four member Drayton, Carmine of Class 3-2, Juliana, our exchange student. Ms. Briar and some guests would like to see you. Please proceed to classroom 1-4 as soon as possible.”
Bong-bing-bing-bong
“What could that be about? Now’s really not the time…” Lacey sighed.
“BB League Champion Kieran, huh? They’re gonna need to update that.” Drayton pointed out.
“Drayton! Could you seriously NOT right now! It’s just not right- and certainly not kind!” Lacey exclaimed.
“Well, we shouldn’t leave Ms. Briar hanging, or we’ll never hear the end of it.” He said, ignoring what Lacey said. “You go on ahead Juliana, I’ll make sure Kieran comes, too, even if I gotta carry him.”
Juliana looked between Drayton, Lacey and the others, then Kieran, who wouldn’t look at her, before nodding and heading off to the classroom.
Once she was gone, he turned to Kieran, “c’mon, let’s head off.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Kieran mumbled, already walking off to the classroom.
‘Well that was easy.’ Drayton thought, crossing his arms behind his head and following behind.
Lacey will probably give him an earful in the clubroom later.
“Here we are, Ms. B.” Drayton greeted as he and Kieran walked in, already seeing both Juliana and Carmine sitting at desks.
“Thank you all for coming.” She replied with a smile, “I’m pleased to inform you that some very special guests are here to see you today. They left for a tour of the school mere minutes ago, but I believe they’ll return soon enough. In the meantime, I’ll fill you all in on the situation. Please, take a seat.”
“Don’t mind if I do. These knees are creakin’.” Drayton replied, already walking over to a desk near the back and sitting down, making himself comfortable.
“Oh please. You’re not old enough for that yet!” Carmine chided from her seat.
“Ah, Juliana! I’d heard you were busy battling your way up the BB League…but to think you’d make it as far as Champion! What a dazzling accomplishment!”
“Thanks, I guess…” Juliana thanked, seeming to force a smile but Briar didn’t comment.
“Sorry, Ms. Briar, but could we leave all that for another time?” Carmine asked, Kieran having tensed a little, “what’s this thing you wanted to tell us about?”
“My apologies… That was insensitive of me.” Briar apologised, “let me get straight to today’s topic, then. I want all of you here to join me on an expedition to the secluded and mysterious Area Zero!”
‘That weird place in Paldea? Eh, pass.’ Drayton thought, not really wanting to go all the way there.
“Area Zero? That’s the place in Paldea you wanted to visit, right? You got permission?!” Carmine exclaimed.
“My main goals are to investigate the Terastal phenomenon and to gather samples of the crystals present in the crater. But to be honest, I also have one more ambition for this trip. I’m hoping that we could find Terapagos, the Legendary Pokémon slumbering in Area Zero!”
“…Terapagos? A Legendary Pokémon?” Kieran asked.
“A rather exciting idea, isn’t it?” A new voice asked, causing the students to look to see a well-dressed woman standing by the doorway with long black hair.
She walked in, followed by another with her long green hair tied into a ponytail.
“There you are, Geeta! I was just getting the kids up to speed.” Ms. Briar greeted.
“I do apologise for my tardiness.” Geeta started.
“La Primera!” Juliana greeted, looking surprised from what Drayton could see.
“Hm? Champion Juliana? I certainly didn’t expect to run into you here…” Geeta replied but smiled at her, “ah, of course. You must be participating in the student exchange program.”
‘Oh, the chairwoman from the Pokémon League in Paldea, right?’ Drayton thought.
“Juliana just got crowned our new BB League Champion, too.” He added, glancing over to Kieran.
“Your talent is as brilliant as always, I see. Truly a wonderful thing. If you’ll be going along, then I suppose that bodes well… Is it all right if I explain the situation to the children, Briar?” Geeta asked.
“By all means.” Briar replied.
“First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Geeta. I am the chairwoman of the Pokémon League in Paldea…”
Geeta explained the Pokémon Leagues involvement with researching the crater and how they just monitor it at the current moment. Which all seemed pretty interesting.
“…That being said…Recently, we’ve had to confront the possibility that dangerous Pokémon could escape the area. There’s a clear need for further research- and quickly. But at our Pokémon League, we’ve had trouble finding capable personnel- not to mention time- to study Area Zero. So…” Geeta finished, turning to Briar.
“You reached out to me, as I’ve been requesting access to the area for quite some time now.” Ms. Briar finished with a smile.
“I apologise that we are not better equipped to deal with this ourselves.” Geeta apologised, “Blueberry Academy has a wealth of highly skilled Trainers with well-trained Pokémon. And with Champion Juliana also on the team, I’d know I could safely initiate a new expedition.”
“This is entirely voluntary, of course, but it would be very reassuring to have you with us!” Ms. Briar added.
‘Thank Arceus.’ Drayton thought with a quiet sigh.
“What do you say? Will you join our little team as we explore Area Zero?” Ms. Briar asked.
“I’m in.” Juliana replied.
“Splendid. Well said, Champion Juliana.”
“Uh, well… I think that it’s already decided that I’m going.” Carmine said.
“Your support will be useful as always, Carmine. I appreciate having you on board.” Ms. Briar thanked.
“Sorry, but I’ll pass on this one. The League Club’s a whole mess right now. We need my steady hand on the wheel here.” Drayton announced.
“Suuure. You just can’t be bothered to travel all the way to Paldea, can you?” Carmine replied with a roll of her eyes.
There was no use hiding it, “heh heh. Guilty.” He replied before glancing at Kieran, who hadn’t said much, “I’m curious what our mighty ex-Champion is thinking, though.”
“…I’m going. If there’s a Legendary Pokémon there, I want to find it…and catch it. This time…I won’t let this chance go.” Kieran replied.
“Interesting.” Drayton hummed.
“Then it’s decided! It’s too bad that Drayton won’t be joining us, but it seems the team will consist of Carmine, Kieran, Juliana, and myself.” Ms. Briar finalised.
“You have my thanks for your help on this matter.” Getta said. “I look forward to the great findings that you will no doubt bring back!”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity, Geeta. Leave it to me. My dream of exploring Ara Zero is finally becoming a reality!” She clapped her hands together, “now, since it’s quite late, how about we all head back to our dorms for some rest and meet by the bridge at the academy entrance first thing in the morning!”
“Okay, Ms…” They all replied, chairs squeaking as everyone stood up and started to leave the classroom.
“Ah, can I talk to you for a moment, Champion Juliana?” Geeta asked as Drayton was almost out of the door.
‘Wonder what that’s about…’ He thought, he still wanted to talk to Juliana herself so he decided to hang outside in the corridor while Kieran and Carmine walked off, supposedly to their dorms.
After a few moments both Geeta and the other woman walked out, giving Drayton polite smiles before walking away as Juliana walked out of the classroom behind them.
“So, how does it feel to be the new BB League Champion?” Drayton asked. “Also since when were you the Champion of Paldea?”
“Hm?” Juliana asked, looking at him, “oh, I’m not the champion, just a Champion-ranked trainer…”
“Still, you didn’t think to mention anything? Imagine what Kieran would’ve thought if he learned you were already a Champion somewhere else before battling him!” Drayton replied with a laugh.
“Yeah…imagine…” She mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Drayton asked.
“…I didn’t want this. I don’t want to be the BB League Champion…” She said, looking at him, making him surprised.
“Why not? You’re a great fit for the job, considering you’re a Champion in Paldea as well.” Drayton asked.
“No, I just came here to be an exchange student, it was you who roped me into joining the BB League for what? Just so I could go and beat Kieran again?” She replied, “like Lacey said, I shouldn’t have joined because I’m not a permanent part of the school.”
“Again?” Drayton asked, he never really knew what happened on that school trip Kieran and Carmine went on to Kitakami…and Carmine would refuse to elaborate whenever he tried to bring it up.
“It’s my fault that he’s ended up like he is. I befriended him before betraying his trust by lying to him and that stupid, stupid ogre chose me instead of him!” She started, tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to stop her sniffles. “I-I thought that maybe if I agreed to the exchange student program…I-I could try to make it up to him, but he wants nothing to do with me!”
“Yeah, he wanted nothing to do with anyone…” Drayton pointed out, rubbing her shoulder for comfort. “Just wanted to get stronger-”
“I’m aware of that!” She snapped with a glare and pulling away from him, “I get that he was an asshole when he was Champion and I get you wanted someone to take him down a peg, but having me do that just doesn’t feel right…”
Drayton didn’t say anything, just felt a little disappointed in himself for not knowing that much about Juliana and Kieran’s relationship before Kieran became the BB League Champion.
“I’m…gonna go to bed…” Juliana muttered, wiping her eyes, “then when I get back from Paldea, I’m resigning as the BB League Champion.”
She walked off down the hallway before he could say anything, just staring at her retreating figure.
Did his plan work out in the end?