Chapter Text
“BEEP BEEP BEEP”
Groggy eyes willed themselves open at the excessive beeping. The culprit? His Rotom phone floating in his face, ringing its forsaken alarm right in his way to sensitive ears.
“BEEP BEEP BEEP ITS 6:00 AM TIME TO GET UP”
Kieran closed his eyes and grumbled a soft “5 more minutes.”. The bed was cozy damnit!
The Rotom phone ignored his request and instead made the alarm louder. Why did ghost types always have to have the most annoying personalities!?
“BEEP BEEP BEEP ITS 6:00 AM -”
“Alright alright I’m up I’m up.” Kieran groaned, watching the device float off. He willed himself to push off the warm comfort of his blanket, shivering as the cool air of his dorm hit him. A tired yawn slipped out of him as he stretched out his back, trying to shake the last remnants of sleep.
“You have one missed message from Lacey” The Rotom phone floated next to him. He checked the message, just her reminding him they were meeting in a half hour by the clubroom. Kieran and Lacey had both been asked to help with the tour for the exchange student program. Lacey due to her status as the Elite four’s second strongest member (Drayton was ‘too busy’), and Kieran due to what he technically offered as a non-trainer for the school.
This resulted in them both having to get up earlier than normal to greet the students at 6:30, do the tour, and get done before first period at 8am. Not an issue for Lacey who normally got up early, but it was for Kieran who enjoyed sleeping in as late as possible.
He finally bothered to push himself out of the bed and get ready. Surmising he wouldn't have time to eat breakfast AND freshen himself up, and out of those two, he wanted to make sure he looked presentable when meeting with the new students. Juliana was a part of the group afterall and would be waiting to see him again, it wouldn't be a good reunion with her if he showed up with a bad case of bedhead. Plus Lacey would totally chew him out for it.
Quickly changing out of his pajamas, he slipped on his school uniform, sans the jacket. Instead he chose to grab a green hoodie that was inspired by his Ogerpon form. It was a gift from Lacey for his 15th birthday, got it custom made thanks to her connections with one the gym leaders. The hoodie had quickly become his favorite article of clothing, the faux moss was a sensory delight, not to mention the oversized sleeves and the plush horns on the hood itself just looked good on him.
He quickly fixed the horrendous bedhead he had, brushing and styling his hair in the same way he had been for the last however many years. He checked himself in the mirror once more, wanting to make sure he looked his best. Hair styled how he liked, his outfit fitting him well-
“ You have to meet Lacey in 10 minutes” The rotom phone reminded him.
“Yeah yeah I know.” Kieran rolled his eyes before snatching the possessed phone and heading out the door, if he was lucky he could get there a few minutes early. Why did his dorm have to be on the complete other side of the school?
- - -
After sprinting around the mostly empty halls for a while, Kieran rounds a corner and finds Lacey already at the clubroom door. She was busy checking her own phone, leaning with one hand on her decorated cane as the other tapped the screen. That is until she’s alerted by him jogging her way. The phone flies back into her pockets as she waves him over.
“Goodmorning Kieran, you ready for this tour?”
“Yeah, thought uh I don't know how good I’ll be at this tour guide stuff?” He’d been honest with Cyrano then that he didn't think he’d be a good pick, but the Director didn't listen as always and roped him in despite his concerns.
“You’ll be fine,” The two then began to walk to the elevator that led them to the entrance, Kieran purposely slowing down to match pace with Lacey. Since the incident, she had a limp, an unfortunate side effect of him nearly destroying her hip bone… least it wasn't wor- “You’ve been practicing right?”
Her voice cuts out the intrusive thought. No, no thinking about that! That was last semester, the circumstances were different, don't think about the what ifs. He takes a second to process what she says and nods “Yeah I mean I know WHAT to say but, aww man Lacey you know how I am with new people.”
She rolled her eyes and playfully nudged his side “You're going to be fine Kieran.” Her face does turn to a small smirk “Just try not to get too focused staring at Juliana”
He nearly stumbles over himself, barely catching his footing to avoid falling to the floor “W-WHA” He can hear her chuckling at his reaction, face turning a bit red “Oh thats a low blow Lace!”
“Sorry, sorry you're just too cute sometimes,” She’s still laughing, trying to hide the absolute shit eating smile she had. Kieran made a flushed keen noise, trying to hide his rosy cheeks “alright, your right, that wasn't right of me, I'm sorry”
“You don't sound sorry!” He laughs back. The two kept walking, laughing about their dumb antics for way longer than they should. Their conversation soon changed to what their classes were eventually arriving at the elevator and riding it up.
The elevator door slid open and the duo walked out into the main entrance of the school. The warm early morning sun felt like bliss on his face. He sighed at the minor delight, taking in a deep breath of the salty sea air. He wanted to bask in this forever, but he and Lacey had a job. He can see a group of 8 students all standing with the Director. Kieran’s eyes immediately went over them, trying to spot her in the crowd, frowning when he couldn't immediately spot her…did…did she not come after all?
Oh wait no there she is! She was just in the very back. Curse his shortness.
“Ah and there are your tour guides for this morning” Cyrano spoke once the two of them got close enough. “Everyone, meet Lacey and Kieran.”
A chorus of ‘hellos’ and ‘greetings’ rang out from the group.
“Greetings everyone, I'm Lacey.” She waved at the, confident as always
“A-and I'm Kieran,” He gave them all a warm smile, already feeling anxious over all the new faces.
“As the director said, Me and Kieran will be your tour guides for the next hour and a half,” Lacey smiled “I hope by the end of it you all are more familiar with our fair Academy.”
“Lacey here is a member of our own Elite four and Kieran here is our Pokemon specialist” Cyrano spoke up “If you have any questions about our school, or your own pokemon, they’ll be more then happy to help!”
The students already were talking over themselves about the prospect of one, an elite four at this school, and two, Kieran being some sort of specialist. Many were now curious about what an elite four here entails and wanting to know more.
Lacey sighed “Cyrano, me and Kieran would appreciate it if you’d wait to share that information.”
Kieran nodded with Lacey, not being a huge fan of having EVERYONE’S eyes on him now. Eventually, with enough wrangling, they got the group calmed down enough they finally were able to get the tour underway.
- - -
“And thats concludes the tour! You all have 15 minutes before your first period so enjoy yourselves!” Lacey announced and soon the students delved into chatting among themselves. They had decided to end the tour in the terrarium, seeing as it was what made the Academy so famous. Plus the wide open space meant it would be less crowded when the group would decide to mingle.
Kieran sighed, that was way more draining then he originally thought, but now it was over and he felt like he could breathe peacefully again. His eyes drifted over to Juliana, who was smiling wide, looking ready to run off into the terrarium with all the wilderness in her heart. God, even the artificial sun made her look stunning. The way it shined off her hair and skin, the way the false breeze made her hair dance in the wind, how her chestnut eyes shone with the spirit of a wild pokemon.
“You should go talk to her.” Lacey walked up beside him, shaking him out of his thoughts. He looked at her, unsure if now would be a good time. He could feel that anxiety starting to creep its way in.
“I-I dunno…She just got here and probably wants-”
“Kieran,” Lacey put a hand to her hip “You’ve been talking about her non stop all week. She clearly means alot to you. We both know how busy the first day is, now would be your best chance to talk to her!”
Kieran looked between the stunning jewel that was Juliana, and then Lacey. “Y-yeah, you're right!
Lacey shot him a thumbs up. This was his chance! He took a few more deep breaths before walking up to the brunette, butterfrees in his stomach.
“Hey uh, Juliana?” no turning back now.
Juliana turned to him with that radiant smile. “Kieran! So good to finally get to actually talk with you. How have you been?”
“Good! Great even actually. Uhh-” His eyes darted back, Lacey gave him another thumbs up. He has this, he's got this! “So uhh, Juliana, w-we have some free time after first period, would you like to um, have a picnic in the coastal biome? Ya know, give us time to catch up?”
“I’d love to!”
Wow, that was easier than expected!
“Great then I’ll see you th-”
“Um excuse me?”
Never mind.
Kieran and Juliana turned to face another one of the transfer students. It was the Sinnoh transfer student, her name tag reading ‘Gwyn’, hands clenching her bag in a mild anxiety. “The director said you're this school’s Pokemon specialist?”
Kieran blinked “Uhh…yeah I am. Why do you ask?”
“One of my pokemon has been acting up lately, nothing I seem to do works, it won't listen to me it keeps trying to run off to go fight random pokemon, and if anyone tries to stop it, it’ll bite them,” Gwyn explained “It nearly bit my mother before I came here…I'm just at a loss as to what to do anymore!”
Kieran frowned, this could be an emergency, especially if people were getting attacked. Pokemon didn't lash out for no reason, but what could be causing a pokemon to randomly lash out to this extreme.
“Oh. Yeah that sounds pretty serious! My schedule is kinda packed for today but I do have some free time after…first…period” Shit. He looked between Gwyn and Juliana “O-oh gosh I'm so sorry I sort of already-”
“It's okay Kieran, I get you have a job here.” Juliana interrupted with a smile, hand on his shoulder “We can just have a picnic another day. It's not like we won't see each other any other time this week.” Her voice was so full of understanding and patience. God, why was she so perfect like this?
Kieran nodded and looked towards the trainer “in that case, meet me here in the Savanna Biome after first period then? I’ll see what I can do for your pokemon.” It sucked that he and Juliana’s little date got cut short, but hey? There was always another time he could ask her!
Soon the conversation delved into small chit chat about the upcoming year, mostly about what classes they had or any sort of big plans for the semester. Kieran was pretty happy to hear it seemed he and Juliana were gonna share a few classes together.
Suddenly the director’s voice cuts through the terrarium.
‘Will Kieran and Carmine Hayashi please make their way to the main office at once’
“Huh wonder what's that about?” Kieran asked out loud to no one in particular.
“Damn Kiki, didn't take you for a bad boy” Juliana leaned close to him with a smirk. The reaction was near instant as his face became bright red
“I-Am not a bad boy!” He tried to hide the flush, trying (and failing) to ignore how amazing her laughter was. “I-It's probably just a change in classes or something.”
“Well you should hurry it up then, making them wait isn’t right.” Lacey briefly did her signature X, causing Kieran to chuckle.
“Alright alright.” He began heading off “See you guys around!” He waved bye to the others as he left the terrarium, taking the elevator up to the main floor and began heading to the office. It's only once the door shuts and the elevator heads up does he facepalm himself.
“I could’ve just asked her out for lunch!”
- - -
Navigating the halls around this time was more difficult. They were way more crowded as the first period drew closer and closer, many rushing to get to their teacher’s rooms before the bell. He ducked and waved to get around the crowd, trying to stick closer to the walls. It didn't take long for him to run into Carmine, jogging up to her so the two could walk together.
“Hey”
“Oh hey Kiki,” Carmine looked down at her brother “How was that little tour thing the director made you do? I can't believe he forced you to do it, okay no I can believe it, but I'm still not happy about it.”
“Went well enough I suppose?” He shrugged “All the students seem nice, and I mean, the tour wasn't the worst in the world. Just draining.” Soon the crowd began to shrink, the halls becoming barren as they got closer to the main office. Good, he wasn't feeling up for crowds at the moment.
He could hear his sister chuckling and sighed, already looking at her. A smirk graced her face as she leaned in "Sooo did you ask out your little crush?”
He let out a deep sigh as his head fell down. “No I didn't.”
“What!” Carmine’s face twisted into a snarl, “Don't tell me you went all torchic on her!” She raised a fist, shaking it in anger. “Because I swear to Arceus if you got cold feet-”
“No no no nothing like that!” He put his hands up defensively “I WAS asking her out for a date but…a student needed help with a pokemon at the same time we planned for and well…my job came first and-”
“You can't have students do that to you, interrupting you like that,” Oh the irony was lost on her “Seriously, you need to grow a backbone, Kiki.” Carmine huffed, arms crossed.
“I have plenty of a backbone!” He snapped back, crossing his arms and puffing his chest, mimicking her “I just happen to take pride in my job here. Considering it IS the reason I'm in this school in the first place.”
“And where would I be without our lucky Pokemon Whisperer.” Her voice was laced in sarcasm.
“Probably still dealing with that rampaging terastilized Haxorus” One of his earliest assignments was helping in calming an enraged Haxorus that was terrorizing the Canyon Biome. It had been a hard job, but he eventually was able to figure out the problem and take care of it. Who’d guess Scaevola’s made dragon types so enraged?
The rest of the walk was filled with banter, the two taking shots at each other the whole time. To outsiders it looked like the two hated each other, bickering back and forth. But they knew, it was how the Kitakami siblings showed their love. Bickering turned to light conversation of the upcoming semester and anything else on their minds, their footsteps falling in unison as they traversed to the main office.
“What do you think the Director wanted us for?” Kieran asked
Carmine shrugged “Eh, who knows, hell maybe he’ll forget by the time we get there” The two laughed as they arrived, Carmine walking into the office with Kieran following suit. “You wanted to see us Director Cyrano?”
Director Cyrano smiled upon seeing the two siblings “Ah yes! You two have packages from Kitakami.” He announced, gesturing to two boxes sitting on a nearby table, each wrapped and labeled accordingly. Carmine’s a deep blue with a ghost type print, and Kieran’s being green with a fern print. The packages were not really that big of a surprise for them, they usually got a gift from their grandparents during the start of the semesters, though not usually on the first day.
“Guess grandpa sent them early this time.” Kieran walked over and picked up his package, Carmine following suit. The two thanked him and took their leave, not really wanting to open the packages in front of the staff. Only once out of the office did they decide to open the gifts.
“Oh my-!” Carmine had a stunned look and pulled out a beautiful jacket. It was a black silk jacket, the sleeves were embroidered with a spider lily print, the front had a more traditional golden pattern that went down the length of the jacket, but the most impressive part was the back. Intricintally made, it was a beautiful decal of the teal mask surrounded by crystal like shards. From the mask was a web of various native Kitakami plants. “Did…did he get this custom made?” She felt up the material, checking the tag “It's made with Leavanny silk?!”
“Wowzers” Even Kieran was impressed and he didn't care the most about fashion “Sis that's beautiful! You should try it on right now!”
She does and it fits her so well, complementing her hair perfectly. She can't help the wide smile as she admires the jacket, how comfortable it is and how the silk material makes it shine. “Guess we both now have special jackets.” Her smile dimed only slightly as she turned to Kieran “So what did he get you?”
Kieran opened his own package and gasped at the box inside. “WOWZERS!” He couldn't hide the joy as he opened up the box. Inside were 12 bright pink and shiny Pecha berries. Each one was the size of a softball, perfectly colored with a pastel pink base that slowly turned to a light orange tip. The flesh had the most perfect shine on them. “I-I cant believe he got me these!”
“Pecha berries? Really?” Carmine leaned over, looking confused as to why he was so excited.
“They’re Highland Mountain Pecha berries! They’re a rare species of Pecha berry, only growing on some rocky edges on the mountains back home! They only fruit every few years!” He vaguely remembered one by the dreaded den…but that got chopped down at some point, way before he became Kieran at least. “They’re so good! Like, way better than any normal Pecha berry. They’re so sweet, and juicy!” The memories were hazy, thinking back to them always felt more like a bad dream than something he really experienced, but even still he remembered these.
He remembered their taste and texture, how they went perfect with Rimbombee honey, how they fed him during one of his lowest points. How he would risk injury just to snag one of the fruits.
“That good huh?”
“Yeah they’re amazing…” He was practically drooling as he stared at the fruits, admiring how flesh reflects the light of the halls. Their scent is suttle, but being so close to them he is overwhelmed by their delicious smell. He so badly wants to just take one out and enjoy it here and now.
“...so you're going to give me one right.” Carmine asked with a cheeky smile.
“Wha-No these are my special peaches!” He hugged them close, letting a small growl escape his teeth.
“Don't you growl at me, I'm your big sister! Give me one of them!”
“No! They’re mine, and I'm technically older than you!”
“That doesn't count!”
“It so does!”
The two had gotten into a small tussle, Kieran desperate to keep the sacred fruits out of his sister’s reach. Carmine trying to snatch one from her smaller brother who was way too stupidly good at protecting them.
“Kieran I swear to Arceus-”
Ding Dong Ding Dong.
The two froze and settled down.
“Aww man.” The first period bell “Well guess this is where we part for now sis.”
“Unfortunately” She huffed “You ARE giving me a pecha later though”
“I am not, but okay” He laughed as he walked off. He was for sure going to be late but whatever, he had precious cargo to put away! Math class could wait…besides who the hell decided math was a good first period class anyway. Hell might be a good idea to skip it all together with how drained he felt
…Maybe Drayton was rubbing off on him too much.
Kieran pushed open the door of his dorm room, slipping in with a giddy smile. He still couldn't get over his grandpa sending those berries! It was such a genuine surprise, they had to have costed a furtune! He was about to put them in the fridge when he stopped and looked at the box one more time. Surely it wouldn't hurt to have at least one of the berries. PLUS, it would be a crime if he didnt at least enjoy one of them at their freshest.
After all he did skip breakfast, and he’s sure Lacey and Carmine would be mad at him if he didnt eat something. It's not like he was going to be missing THAT much, first days were mostly going over the syllabus anyway.
He removed one of the berries, holding it tenderly in his hands as if it were a precious jewel.
To him they were.
He bit down on it. Teeth piercing Its soft flesh, juice filling his mouth and dripping down his chin. A purr erupted from his throat, oh how sweet and soft the flesh was, with just the slightest hint of natural acidity. He was careful when pulling away from the pit, not wanting to destroy the tender flesh of the pecha berry. These were a delicacy to be enjoyed after all, he couldn't just wolf it down like it was some peasant oran berry.
Eventually he got down to just the pit, sighing in delight once the fruit was gone. His head felt clearer now, the mental drain the morning had given him was gone. That berry was just what he needed. Feeling refreshed he looked to the small stone seed in his hand. He probably should go chuck that in one of the biome’s, see if it would sprout (probably not but hey he could dream). He gently wrapped the stone in some paper towel and tucked it in his pocket for safe keeping. Eyes soon wandered back to that box of peaches. Sweet and delicious, tempting him with their natural shine and-
He shakes his head, he couldn't devour them all in one sitting…okay he could but he didn't want to! These were special berries that he should try and make them last as long as possible. He closed the box and stuffed them in his..admittedly empty fridge…
He probably should fix that. Not now, but sometime soon.
His eyes flicked over to the clock on his wall. There was still an hour left in first period. Part of him wanted to skip the class altogether, but he was feeling better now! And it's not like today’s class would be too hard. Making up his mind, he left to actually go to class, smiling thanks to the lingering taste of peach in his mouth.
- - -
Kieran walked down to the Savanna Biome, humming softly as he checked the time on his Rotom phone. 9:27 am, Gwyn should be arriving soon. He found a spot by the plaza to sit, fiddling with some grasses as he waited. A few of the nearby pokemon walked over to investigate him, including a young deerling who was busy hopping around his legs and headbutting them. Soon more and more juveniles got involved, some of the deerlings leaving him to go headbutt the others in a little competition.
He couldn't stop laughing, reaching over to give a random wild Litteo some scratches on its fluffy cheeks. This ended up getting more pokemon to show up, all demanding the attention of him. The pokemon around him began asking questions. Questions about what the school was like or about asking if he could get the staff to make changes to the biomes for them. A part of him wishes this could be his whole day. Out in nature, even if it was artificial, surrounded by pokemon and the wild flora.
“They weren't kidding, you really do have a way with pokemon”
He looked up to find Gwyn walking over, pokeball in hand. “Huh, o-oh yeah, Pokemon just kinda like to flock to me, I guess” He stood up and shoos the wild pokemon off “S-so, you mentioned a problem pokemon?”
Gwyn nodded and soon pulled out a standard pokeball and sent out a Bidoof.
It…looked normal enough. Looked healthy too! Just the right amount of chonkiness he’d expect from a rodent pokemon. The Bidoof blinked as it was suddenly aware of being outside its pokeball, fluffing it self up as it looked around… wait were its eyes purp-
Kieran never got to finish his thought as the Bidoof decided he was an excellent target and used superpower on him, sending him flying into a nearby block with a powerful headbutt. The force of which knocked the wind right out of him, leaving him sprawled in the grass.
“BORGER!” Gwyn yelled and ran over to snatch up the angry Bidoof “I am so so sorry!”
“I-its fine” Kieran wheezed as he got up, Arceus almighty that what gonna hurt in the morning. He shook off the pain and looked at the enraged Bidoof. ”Set him down for me for a moment will you?” Gwyn obeyed and set down the cubby normal type, who almost immediately began trying to square up.
Kieran watched Borger try to attack him again, this time lunging at him, but Kieran was able to avoid the attack and instead grabbed the Bidoof. He normally avoided manhandling the pokemon he was investigating, but he needed this Bidoof to calm down for 5 seconds! He began scratching the cheeks of the plump mouse Pokemon. Only pausing briefly when he felt rough scaly skin and a lack of fur. Squinting at it, he could see patches of missing fur around its face and behind its ears, the skin there being dry, scaly, and discolored. Looked like an infection of some kind.
Borger had calmed down enough finally that Kieran let the Bidoof go and could now finally try and get to the bottom of this. “H-hey there buddy, whats..whats got you all moody?”
‘Fight’
“What?”
‘I need to fight. I want to fight. Do you want to fight Ogre?’ Borger looked at him with a desperate and sort of pained look, its body shaking in place.
“Wha- I- no? No, I don't want to fight. W-why do you want to fight?” Kieran didn't mind the name the Pokemin gave him, it was the same name every pokemon he’s ever met gave him, aside from his Rotom phone.
‘I have this need to fight, my teeth ache to bite down onto something, ANYTHING’ It whined in clear discomfort ‘ If you wont fight I’ll find something else that will.”
Kieran hummed, watching as Borger walked off to go attack a wild Venonat that had gotten too curious of their group. Gwyn was trying to get Borger to stop, but it wasn't having any of it, ignoring her in favor of attacking the random poison type until the Venonat scampered away faster than his chubby legs could run.
“When did this begin happening?”
Gwyn sighed in defeat “About a week ago, he started acting weird after we went to the GTS in Jubilife city.”
“Huh…that's weird” He kept watching Borger attack any wild pokemon its beady eyes locked onto. There was a wildness behind its movements, acting more akin to a feral pokemon than anything else. Even when the Pokemon fought back, he didn't stop.
“So…do you have any idea what's wrong with him?” Gwyn’s voice pleaded.
Kieran hummed as he kept watching the Borger go around and terrorize the nearby pokemon. The need to fight and the mention of aching teeth usually pointed to under stimulation as a culprit. It explained most of what was wrong, but it didn't explain the weird eyes or dry scaly patches of missing fur. He didn't really have any idea what could be causing that though, it didn't look like anything he was used to. Missing fur could’ve been several different issues, stress, mites, using the wrong kind of shampoo. The eyes were more of a mystery to him.
“I think he may be understimulated?” Kieran sounded unsure but, it was the first and most likely culprit for the behavioral issues “Maybe try letting him battle around the terrarium for a while? Oh and do think of letting him into some trainer battles at this school! We have several different ranks in the league club, surely you can find one that works for his level.”
Gwyn looked at him and then to Borger “You really think it's that?”
Kieran shrugs “I think so, it's the only thing I can think of that matches with his issues” He pauses “I also noticed he has some fur loss, looks like a skin infection? We don't have a pokecenter in the school, but I know some upperclassmen studying in Pokemon veterinary, I could send you their number…Oh and maybe check whatever shampoo you use? Maybe there is something he’s allergic to?”
Gwyn nodded at the advice, a worried but thankful smile “I-I’ll do just that, thank you again!”
Kieran waves her off “Eh its fine, its what im here for, heh”
Gwyn parted ways after that, going to follow her gremlin rodent around. Kieran was about to return to his spot earlier, figuring he could enjoy his freetime out here, when his phone buzzed. It was a message from Amarys? Saying there was an emergency meeting for the club and to come asap. He didn't get why the group always wanted to include him in the inner workings of the club, it was something they always did with him despite him not really having much of a say, maybe they just liked hanging out with him?
He texted back he’d be there soon and headed off, well there went his second option for enjoying free-period.
- - -
Kieran pushed open the club room door, eyes flicking to the table in the middle of the room. Drayton sat at his normal spot, arms crossed and head down. At first looking asleep, till his head picked up and a lazy smile was on his face.
‘Heeey there ‘Rabidpon’” Drayton smirked at him “Didn't bite any of the new students did ya?”
“No but I might bite your other hand if you keep it up” Kieran quipped back with a smirk, walking over to the club’s mini fridge to swipe an apple juice before walking to take his seat, right across from Drayton. The spot next to him was empty, reserved for Lacey, and then next to her chair was Crispin, who gave a friendly smile to Kieran.
“Howya doin Kieran?”
A smile “Ah pretty good actually, just got done helping an exchange student with her Bidoof” He takes a sip from his juicebox “Anyway we know what's up with the emergency meeting?’
Crispin shrugged “Amarys and Lacey ought to be cooking up SOMETHING for them to call one.”
Soon the 3 got into some light chatter. Crispin mentioned how he was taking an advanced Pokemon foods class and was hoping Kieran could be his taste tester (he would happily do so). Drayton mentioned he only had to retake 2 classes this semester as opposed to the 4 last time. Which…was an improvement at least! Plus it turned out he and Kieran apparently had the same second period class together which surprised Kieran.
“You're taking Miss Max’s Pokemon behavioral class?” Kieran raised a brow “Why?”
“Eh, it seemed like a good change of pace from the classes I normally take. Sides you know how much Gramps loves dropping the most bitey baby dragons on me.” He smirked “Pluuuus that way when you go all rabid again I’ll know a few tricks to stop you.” His laughing was escalated by a growl from Kieran
“Oh you toothpaste haired bast-”
“Hey did anyone see Diana at all today?” Crispin asked, suddenly realizing their champion wasn't here despite the emergency meeting “Wasn't she supposed to be back today?”
“That's actually what this meeting is about” Amarys voice cut in as she and Lacey walked into the room in unison. “There's been a change in the club’s ranking.”
“What ya mean by that Amarys?” Kieran cocked his head.
“Yeah, what have you two been cooking!”
“Diana dropped out of Blueberry Academy. Her family has moved to the Kalos region and as such, she is no longer here.” Amarys said “Me and Lacey have been discussing what to do going forward with this news.”
“Aww, didn't even bother to talk to ol Drayster”
“Drayton,” Lacey’s voice cut through with annoyance. “You can't even be bothered to check how many challengers you have in a day.”
Drayton hums and smiles “Guiiilty”
“Anyway,” Amarys continues “Me and Lacey decided the most logical decision would be to drop Diana as champion, and have everyone move up one in the rankings.”
“Move up one?” Kieran blinked, everyone in the league club would be going up one ranking?
“Wait, that means…” Crispin’s eyes sparked and snapped over to Drayton, who’s eyes lit up and his lazy smile was breaking into a more extravagant one.
“Draysters back as the champ baby!” he leaned back in the chair, arms raised as he pumped his fists. He would have fallen had kieran not slipped his foot under the chair to catch one of the spindles before the bozo could lose all sense of balance.
“So what I'm hearing is” Kieran looks to Amarys and Lacey with a slightly done expression “You two will still be doing all the work and pretty much nothing has changed.”
“Correct.” Amarys then looks to Lacey
“Buuut we do now need a new elite four member.” Lacey reminded “And with the ranks just shifting up, well that made rank number 5 our new elite four member”
“And who’s rank 5?” Crispin asked
Kieran suddenly freezes, brows furrowed together as he got the slightest wift of a familiar scent, his sensitive ears could hear footsteps, the beat at which they walked was one he knew by heart. His head already turned to the door way before the others could hear the door being pushed open.
“Oh there she is now” Amarys says, looking over to the opening door to reveal-
“Carmien?!”