Work Text:
Today was the day. A bunch of the gym leaders and even some of the Elite Four(!) from Paldea were visiting the academy. They would all be taking turns acting as special coaches for the various battle classes, but Kieran didn't want to watch the same demonstrations as everyone else. He needed better than that. He needed one-on-one training and he was going to show the visiting coaches he was more determined than any other student to learn from them!
That's why he was awake at 5:30 in the morning, standing outside Hassel's door. He'd hastily shoved his unkempt, unshowered hair under his headband and hurried over in the clothes he'd passed out in last night. There was no time to waste at all, and he'd been relieved to see nobody else was in the hallways this early. That meant he was first for sure! He knocks on the door and steps back, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as he waits.
Hassel is in the middle of brushing his teeth, keeping his usual routine even here in his Blueberry Academy teacher's dormitory. Strudel the flapple rests on the bathroom counter, watching him with her beady eyes before she suddenly leaps up at the sound of someone knocking at the door. The art teacher gathers the little dragon onto his shoulder and strides out to see who could possibly be knocking at this hour.
Opening the door, Hassel’s eyebrows nearly disappear into his hairline - it was a student! Seeing him in his bathrobe! This was definitely unusual. "Er...good morning, Kieran. What brings you to the teachers' dorms so early in the morning? I hope you're not having any sort of emergency?"
Kieran's heart leaps into his throat, the feeling giving way to lightheadedness when the man greets him. Hassel knew his name! Then again, most people knew his name. He was the academy champion after all. It didn't really mean anything.
Kieran takes a shaky breath. Calm down. Couldn't go acting desperate. "Good morning, Mr. Drachenschild. I- I actually wanted to ask if you'd help me train! I know you're gonna be giving lessons later, but I thought it'd be better if we did it without any distractions." I know it's a lot to ask but I really really admire you and I really want to win- He bites back on that sycophantic praise. He was better than that! A champion didn't beg.
Hassel stares blankly at the boy for a few seconds, surprised at how direct he was - and how much enthusiasm he had at such an early hour. "I would love to tutor you, Kieran, but are you sure you don't need breakfast first? If you want to grab something from the cafeteria while I prepare, I'd be happy to meet up with you later in a place more conducive to teaching. I doubt Mr. Cyrano or Mr. Clavell would approve of me wandering the academy facilities in a bathrobe either."
Still clinging to her trainer's shoulder, Strudel sniffs at the air - has she detected a familiar apple smell on Kieran?
Kieran peers up at the flapple. Hassel had an applin evolution too... He'd definitely know what to do. "I usually eat later," he says, which was not a lie. He'd eat something at some point during the day, probably. There hadn't been any time this morning and why would he want to waste any of the precious time he had with these expert trainers? He'd get something from the vending machines between classes. "I can meet you in the terrarium! Have you seen it yet? It's- it's cool." He licks his lips. They're dry. "And there's lotsa room to battle. Would that be okay?"
Something seems off about this kid - the school champion, and yet he was acting so erratically, both now and in his few classes with Hassel. Perhaps Hassel would speak to the Blueberry teachers later about Kieran's progress.
"I do worry about your ability to remain focused without a good meal, but yes, we can absolutely meet up in the terrarium. I have some classes scheduled in the Coastal Biome later and it would do both of us good to enjoy the beach there while we have time. I'll see you there, young Kieran!"
Psht , Kieran could focus fine. The shakiness was definitely just from nervousness, but now he had no reason to be nervous! He'd just have to prove it to Hassel. He bows, reverting to it out of habit even though they didn't do that kind of thing at the academy. "Thank you, sir. I'll see you there!"
He was gonna kill Crispin later. What was that guy's deal, badgering him about not cleaning up the bathroom when he had important stuff to do! Now Kieran was going to be late! And of course the stupid elevator was already gone so he had to take the stairs! What if Hassel had gotten tired and left already! Stupid, stupid, he should have been faster-
Kieran finally stumbles into the terrarium, breathing hard and leaning against the wall. He ran almost every morning with his pokemon, why was he still so out of shape? This was pathetic. He grits his teeth as he combs his fingers through his hair and wipes his sweaty face with his sleeve. The white fabric has gotten all grimy, but that just showed how hard he was working. Anybody with a uniform that was still clean obviously wasn't getting out of the classroom much.
Kieran tucks his hands into his pockets and looks ahead as he walks across the sand, ignoring any nasty looks from the other students. When he finally spots Hassel, he jogs up to him. "Sorry, I-" No, don't apologize. "...I'm here," he finishes.
Hassel seems like he’s been here for a while, relaxing in one of the beach chairs. His shirt's bold Alolan exeggutor pattern matches the real exeggutors that lumbered around the biome. He looks Kieran over as the boy approaches, his concern mounting; why was his uniform so dirtied up? Why was he wearing something like that in the warmth of this biome? He waves at Kieran, inviting him to sit too. "Are you sure you're alright, young man? It's very warm here - let me know if you need a break to get some water. It's important not to get dehydrated out here in the terrarium." Strudel flutters down beside her trainer, curling up and retreating between her two apple halves.
Kieran sits as directed, bouncing his knee and leaning forward like he was ready to spring up again at a moment's notice. It's hot, and even though the academy made an effort to ensure it never got too hot or cold in here, he could still feel sweat soaking into his shirt where his bag was clipped around his waist. "I'm okay."
He glances down at Strudel. Perfect. That made this conversation way easier to start. "Y'know, I actually had my dipplin evolve recently. I wanted to ask you about that... I was trying to get him to learn a certain move but he's having trouble. Can I show you?"
Hassel found it frustrating, watching this boy look so troubled and being unable to take action about it - while he didn't mind working with teenagers, their stubborn nature sometimes got to him more than Hassel wanted to admit. He would have to forge ahead and see if Kieran would at least respond positively to this lesson.
"Ah, you have an applin evolution too? Aren't they the most adorable dragons, with their refreshing apple scent? Like my own Strudel here - and my husband's darling little appletun back home in Paldea." Hassel gently pats Strudel's apple halves. "I would be delighted to meet your hydrapple."
"Yeah! Lemme get him out..." Kieran rummages in his bag, withdrawing Chuchu's pokeball. Not that he was going to tell Hassel that he'd named his pokemon Chuchu. It was so... juvenile.
He clicks the ball open, releasing the big syrupy apple pokemon into the sand. Chuchu pokes his main head out, trilling and peering at Hassel. Strudel peers out from her apple halves, her eyeflaps standing straight up - her curiosity piqued at the familiar apple scent. She trills back at Chuchu.
"I've been trying to get him to learn draco meteor," Kieran explains. "But he doesn't seem to get it..."
Chuchu dips his head, looking a bit ashamed. "...it's not your fault," Kieran mumbles. "I figure I must be doing something wrong."
At least Kieran's hydrapple looks like the picture of good health, his scales green and polished, even if his trainer wasn't. If the boy could care for his pokemon, then he was definitely capable of better self-care.
"Oh!" Hassel exclaims. "What a magnificent dragon he is! Not many Paldean trainers evolve their applin into this particular form, you see. I would love to paint this syrupy gentleman one day - but for now, our lesson commences.”
His voice takes on the sort of tone he used during lectures, enthused and authoritative at the same time. “Draco Meteor is one of the most advanced dragon-type techniques, requiring the ultimate level of trust between the pokemon and its trainer. Your hydrapple seems well-cared for, which is a good sign." Hassel's face furrows. "But it seems all is not well, if Hydrapple refuses to learn this move. How is your bond with it?"
That was right, Kieran thinks. Mr. Drachenschild was an artist too... Kieran had always really liked art, especially carving things, even though he was still no good at it, and he hadn't had any time for anything but training lately anyway...
Several of Chuchu's additional heads snake out of their holes, all sniffing at Strudel and flicking their tongues. Strudel retreats back into her apple halves - this dragon's aroma was familiar, but its size and multiple heads were not, making her wary despite having faced down even larger dragons.
Kieran frowns to himself, reaching up to absently fidget with a lock of hair falling over his face. "I- It's great, I raised him from an applin. There's no reason it shouldn't be working." His own voice rings hollow in his ears.
"Kieran," Hassel says gently, "It may not be my place to intervene, as a visiting teacher, but I have some concerns regarding your demeanor. I've seen other students burn themselves out in their race to the top and it did them no good at all. I know you're trying to hold it together, but your behavior suggests otherwise - just your tone of voice tells me that you are not stating the truth." He shook his head, disappointed. "It's not fair to yourself or to Hydrapple, to pretend that everything is fine when it's not. You can tell me if there's anything on your mind that's troubling you - that's what all of us teachers are here for."
Kieran shoves his hands back into his pockets, hunching his shoulders. This was his fault. He just wasn't trying hard enough. Besides, he was already at the top. Almost. There was only one person left to beat. He just had to tough it out until then.
"...okay," he murmurs, not really sure what he's agreeing to. His eyes fix on Hassel's face, brows drawn together. "If it's me, what should I do, then? How do I fix it? We already spend lots of time together. We study other matches. We do different types of training every day. I've done everything I can think of..."
Hassel smiles at Kieran, trying to make him feel at ease. "It sounds to me like you’ve done everything right and studied all that you possibly could... and now it's time to get some rest. Give yourself and your pokemon a break. Take time to soak in the beautiful sights and sounds of this terrarium - perhaps even go on a picnic. It appears to me that Hydrapple can sense your distress - our pokemon are sensitive to that, and maybe that's why he's being unusually reluctant when it comes to learning Draco Meteor." Hassel chuckled, petting Strudel. "He certainly wouldn't be the first stubborn dragon I've encountered."
Rather than being soothed, Kieran goes stiff, like a deerling caught in the headlights of a semi truck. No! He couldn't! The second he started slacking off, he'd fall behind! And if he got beaten by someone else first, then all this would've been for nothing!
And besides that, there was nothing beautiful about the terrarium. It was all fake and ugly and unnatural. The "beach" wasn't even saltwater! Not even when they had the real ocean all around them!
"Is that true?" he asks Chuchu, turning his head stiffly. Chuchu chirrs, sinking back into his apple. "I'm not distressed. I'm fine. But if you don't wanna learn the move, we can still win. I'll just use something else."
Hassel sighs. It was always hard to watch one of his students reject his instruction. All he could do was try to herd this kid back onto the right path, to help him find his footing again. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Kieran. It's my duty as a teacher to look out for all of my students, no matter how long I've known them. I do agree that your hydrapple shouldn't be pressured into learning a move, especially with how powerful that particular move is. But I also hope you realize that even though having a competitive spirit is the norm here at Blueberry, winning isn't everything."
His smile returns as he continues. "I'm confident that Hydrapple can learn Draco Meteor one day. You just need to give yourself and your pokemon some time to breathe ."
"You all say you care, but if you really cared you wouldn't be trying to stop me!" Kieran snaps, hating the way he feels hot tears spring to his eyes. Don't cry, don't you dare! Everyone is looking at you!
"I need to do this! You don't get it!" he shouts. "I already won! I-" He fumbles for the zipper of his bag, his hands shaking. "I'll battle you right now! So don't tell me I don't have to be the best, 'cuz I already am! Don't treat me like I'm a loser who can't take it!"
Reflexively, Hassel reaches out his hand, wanting nothing more than to place it on Kieran's shaking shoulder. However, he stops himself, knowing from experience that comfort given at the wrong time could only lead to a student lashing out and retreating even further. It was normal for children to be angry, to be frustrated, and they shouldn’t be made to feel like their emotions were improper.
"Kieran, I am truly sorry. You are not a loser at all - I never thought you were. You’ve clearly proven your skill." He withdraws Strudel to her pokeball. "But if you are absolutely certain... I will accept your challenge right now." While Hassel didn't enjoy the idea of battling an upset student, perhaps this would distract the troubled young man from his own distress and allow Hassel to examine Kieran's battle technique, to compare his actual progress to what he'd overheard from the other teachers.
Tears tremble in his eyes, but Kieran refuses to let them fall. He can hear the murmuring of the other students, excited to see the academy champion fight a real elite. He's actually taken aback a little when Hassel accepts; he was fully expecting another scolding about how he was pushing himself too hard. About time someone around here actually showed him some respect. "O-okay. Great," he swallows. "I won't even use Chuchu in this one. He can take a break." His other pokemon would be more than enough.
The eyes of the other students are a palpable weight on his shoulders, whispering, murmuring as he and Hassel take their places on the beach. Kieran rolls the four pokeballs in his fingers, knowing exactly what he's going to do.
Kieran’s technique is overwhelming. Incineroar could intimidate, flinch, and parting shot to completely disarm an opponent before they could even move. Grimmsnarl's taunt ensured setup was impossible, and dazzling gleam would hit both Hassel's dragons at once. The two pokemon work in perfect sync. They might as well be brothers. They sure acted like it, sometimes...
Dragonite and politoed were also perfectly trained to work together. Politoed's drizzle made sure dragonite's devastating thunder and hurricane hit every single time, and its ice beam took care of everything else. Kieran keeps his focus on the fight alone, letting the pokemon do what they were trained to do. He tries very hard not to look away from the battle even for a moment, to not even glance at the other kids. It didn't matter what they thought. He was winning this.
It seemed like Hassel's plan had worked - the tears in Kieran's eyes had boiled into fire as the boy commanded his pokemon. Rain soaks the sand beneath their feet, shards of ice glittering in the air and thunder crackling loud enough to send every other pokemon in the biome running for shelter. The art teacher had been completely caught off guard. He knew Kieran was talented just from his ranking, but it was another thing to actually experience it in person. Hassel met him with the same determination, knowing how rarely he got a chance to go all out, especially against a student.
The battle comes down to Kieran’s dragonite, scales sparkling with pale terastal energy, and Hassel’s baxcalibur, limping but carrying several attacks Kieran knew could end the match in an instant. Freezing mist spills from baxcalibur’s mouth, body tensing as he braces himself on his back legs. Dragonite moves so quickly she’s invisible, slamming into him before he can move, shedding motes of rainbow light. Kieran had collected every single one of those normal tera shards himself to make sure extremespeed hit at its hardest. Any trainer who knew anything knew that speed won more battles than power, and Kieran wasn’t just any trainer.
"Hildebrand! Bravo!" Hassel calls out to his fainted baxcalibur as he withdraws him to his pokeball, ending the match. Now Hassel was the one tearing up. "Kieran...that was wonderful! Your bond with your pokemon was something to behold! You've surpassed all my expectations and beyond!" He blubbers, his dignity melting away right in front of all these students. "So m-marvelous..."
Kieran snaps out of his light daze as Hassel starts tearfully praising him, some of the other kids actually cheering or clapping (whether sarcastically or not). He lifts his arm as if to modestly scratch the back of his head, using the opportunity to wipe his eyes. "Aw it... it was nothin'."
As he draws his pokemon back into their balls, Chuchu hops over to bump his head against Kieran's. Kieran absently pets him, holding his neck for support as that lightheadedness returns. It hadn't been a long battle, but it was intense. It hadn't really felt like it in the moment, but now that it was over...
Hassel whips out the applin-patterned handkerchief that Brassius had gifted him and wipes away his tears, trying to compose himself in front of the students. "Young man, you're selling yourself short. That was some of the finest battling I've seen since I arrived here in Unova. But for now..." Hassel gestures to the two beach chairs nearby, "I think both of us and our pokemon have earned a rest."
Kieran blinks wetly up at him. Yeah, that would be okay, probably... He'd reminded everyone how strong he was. They should leave him alone for a while. Kieran nods and staggers over to the chair, collapsing into it. "Thank you," he mumbles.
It doesn't feel like he's earned the compliment, even though he knows he did a good job. He beat a real Elite Four member! Why doesn't he feel any better? Kieran stares at the artificial lapping of the tide for a long, silent moment. "...sorry I flipped out at you," he says, even quieter.
"It's alright, Kieran. I know what it's like, to have your emotions run so high." Hassel smiles, wiping away sweat from his brow. "That is why I channel those emotions into art and pokemon battling. Both are healthy means of expression... Speaking of, after you heal your pokemon," he adds, more casually, "what are your plans for today, now that our battle is over?" Hopefully Kieran wasn't going to overexert himself again after this...
"I still got classes later. I have battle strategies, and history, and biology..." Kieran lists off. "And I gotta pick up some books I reserved, and there's a big match in Galar with Champion Leon, I wanna see that live..." Just saying all of it made him feel even more tired, but he had to... It was still early in the day. "I, um. I actually like art a lot too..."
"I'm glad that you're keeping up with your classes,” Hassel says, even while cringing internally at hearing how much more this boy expected to get done when he already looked dead on his feet. “Just make sure that you remember lunch and dinner too, so you can stay focused." Healing his pokemon at the nearest plaza and getting a cold smoothie from the cafeteria seemed like great ideas right about now. "I'll also be hosting a special art class next week, featuring Kalosian Impressionist painters... I think you'd enjoy it!"
The artificial waves and sky above had never seemed so bright. He would have to bring Brassius here before their trip ended. For now, Hassel was just glad that he had helped a student - even if Kieran was reluctant now, perhaps one day he would take this lesson to heart.
Kieran looks up too, at the panels that made up the sky. Seamless from a distance, but up close, it was easy to see the cracks. "Oh, yeah. I was just gonna get something out of the vending machines," he says. Probably the grilled tofu. That was one of the only things he liked out of there. It was okay when it was cold.
A two-tone bell echoes throughout the terrarium, warning everyone that their first-period classes would be starting soon. The other students groan as they gather their things and start back toward the elevators. Kieran hauls his tired body to his feet. "I gotta go. I'll try to come to your class though." He hesitates, then turns back with a little bow. "Thanks, Mr. Drachenschild. I mean it. I really will try…"
“I know you will, Kieran.” Hassel smiles, lifting a hand in farewell. That was the problem, wasn’t it. Trying too hard. He wished Kieran would try a little less.