Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Liko!”

Liko heard her mother’s voice from downstairs.

Being back home felt nice for the two weeks, but she was so excited to see them again.

“Liko! You don’t want to be late!”

Sunlight streamed through the crack in her curtains.

“Right! I’m almost done!” Her uniform’s bow was annoying to tie, and she was out of practice.

“Mreow…” Floragato and Hatenna poked out from under the blanket-lump on Liko’s bed. “Yeoorrrrow!”

“Ha…! Ha…”

“Mrrr…”

The sudden light from the opened curtains startled them.

“Mreow…” Floragato peeled open her eyes, seeing her trainer standing in front of the window.

Liko turned back, smiling. “It’s a beautiful morning today, Floragato and Hatenna!”

“Paaa…” Pagogo stretched on their pillow, yawning. “Paaago.”

“Good morning to you too, Pagogo.”

Liko was happy to be alive, happy to live this way she did.

Having met tons of people and had tons of experiences.

And they would only keep coming!

With the Terastal Program, she could grow past her weaknesses.

Liko picked up Pagogo and placed them in the carrier bag she’d gotten, it had holes for their legs, tail, and head to stick out.

“Pwah?” She zipped them in, they popped their head out. “Pwah!”

“All right,” Liko put the bag on her shoulder, she had her backpack too. “Let’s get going,” She grabbed Hatenna off the desk in one hand. Floragato was behind her. Liko and Floragato turned to walk out the door.

Liko remembered arriving home, she’d announced it rather cheerfully.

——

“I’m home!” She opened the door, hiding Floragato behind herself.

“Liko!” Her father came running over, Floragato slipped out. “I’m so glad you’re home safe!” He hugged her tightly. Hatenna quivered in Liko’s hood, as shocked as she was.

“Welcome home, Liko,” Her mother walked around the corner.

It was a little embarrassing.

But she was happy to see them.

“I’m home, Dad. Mom. Oh, let me introduce you,” She patted Floragato’s head. “This is my partner, Floragato!”

“Myreow.”

Lucca crouched to get a good look at her. “I’m Lucca. It’s a pleasure. I’m happy to finally meet you!”

“Your Sprigatito evolved into Floragato?” Alex asked his daughter. “That’s great, Liko!”

Liko giggles to herself.

“Is it me, or did you get a bit taller, too?” Lucca stood. “You’ve been through a lot, huh?”

“Yeah!” Liko nodded. “I’ve got so much I want to tell you!”

“Ha!” Hatenna poked from Liko’s hood cheerfully.

“Pwah!” As did Pagogo, from her bag.

——

“Morning!” Liko walked into the dining room/kitchen area, where her mother had breakfast. Liko held Hatenna still. Liko’s father sat at the table with a cup of coffee.

“FiFiFi!” Fidough ran over to Floragato, jumping into her arms.

“Morning,” Both Liko’s parents said.

After breakfast, dishes were in the sink and Liko and Lucca stood outside, facing Alex.

“Well then, I’ll be off,” Lucca said.

“See you another time!” Liko smiled and waved, keeping expectations realistic.

“Be back safe,” Alex waved as his two favorite people turned to leave.

“Fa!” Fidough was also insistent.

Lucca and Liko went in the same direction.

“Right, this is my stop. Good luck, Liko,” Lucca would continue to a school-house, whereas Liko and Floragato would take a dirt path up a hill to Mesagoza’s gates.

“Thanks! You too, Mom!” Liko turned and began to walk.

Floragato spun her little yoyo flower-bud as various Pokemon lurked about.

Hoppip and Shroodle.

Liko saw Mesagoza, the expansive city was impressive as always. The Pokemon Mini-Center right outside the gates was good to see.

Liko entered the city with Floragato, everything was calm and pretty, people with their Pokemon, food carts, stores…

“Let’s see…” Liko checked her phone. “This is the place, right?” She looked up.

“Hey! Liko!”

Liko turned to see Roy and Dot, wearing Naranja Academy uniforms. Daplit and Fuecoco were also there.

“Morning!” Roy waved. Peptalk with Dot, done! Liko, spotted! Everything’s set!

Dot hunched in on herself, this could ruin everything, especially now, why did she agree?

“Good morning, Roy! Dot!” Liko ran over, excited. “The uniforms look really good on you!” Liko smiled.

“Yeah! They’re comfortable too!” Roy smiled.

“Nice!” Liko smiled.

“I find it uncomfortable…do we for real have to?” You can do this. You can do this. Everything felt worse to Dot with her nerves running high time. “Not even a full-time program…”

“Dot…” Liko caught her attention. “You look great in it!”

“Wuahhhh?!” Dot panicked. “Uh, um, Liko, uh…do you wanna go on a date?!”

Liko blushed. “Huh, oh, uh, um…”

“Nevermind, it’s fine!”

“I’m sorry…”

“Oh…”

What? Roy had been so sure Liko liked Dot back…

“I wish I could, but…we have Terastal Training to do…an-another time?”

“Oh…uh…yeah, I’d…love that…!”

Dot and Liko smiled.

“So, you two’re girlfriends now, right?” Roy leaned in.

“No-Yes?!” Dot panicked.

“I think we need a date first…” Liko wasn’t sure how this stuff worked. “But…we could be girlfriends pending?”

“Yeah!” Dot blushed.

Both were blushing furiously.

Roy felt very proud of himself.

“Your uniform looks nice too, Liko,” Roy smiled. “Indigo Academy has nice stuff!”

Fuecoco and Daplit went over to Floragato, who greeted them. Fuecoco waved back to the much taller Pokemon. As did Daplit.

Liko chuckled. “I haven’t worn it in a while.”

“Pwah!” Pagogo poked out of Liko’s shoulder bag.

Roy startled. He couldn’t hear their breathing compared to the city’s sounds. “Pagogo! You’re keeping them there?!”

“Yeah, I figured the bag made a good hiding place, especially with the foot-holes on the bottom.”

“Right…” Dot leaned in. “We could run into trouble if Pagogo was spotted…Maybe it’s not the best idea to give them the ability to wander off…girlfriend?” Dot didn’t know how to interact. She had a girlfriend now. That was crazy. “Good thinking though.”

“Pwahahah!” Pagogo laughed.

Roy and Liko chuckled along, Dot smiled.

The ascent on the stairs was…exhausting, but they took their pace.

Roy ran to stand in front of the school. “Awesome!” The top was shaped like a Pokeball. “Hey! How ‘bout we take a group picture?”

“Eh?!” Dot flinched. “I’d rather not. Sounds like a pain…”

Liko wanted to ask Dot, but that would be manipulation, and she didn’t want to be abusive.

“…Liko, I can tell you’re thinking something.”

“Dot…come on! It’s our first time in these uniforms together!” Liko smiled. “Pleaseeee?”

“To make it less weird, I say please too!” Roy approached. “Come on!”

“Can’t stop you two…” Dot slumped, but she was somewhat happy. It wasn't a real question.

“‘Kay!” Roy pulled out his phone. “I’m taking it!”

Roy held Fuecoco, Dot held Daplit, who was posing, and Liko and Floragato stood together.

The school made for a good backdrop.

“Perfect! I’m very happy with this.”

“Let me see!” Liko leaned in.

“Sheesh,” Dot turned. “You done yet? Let’s go already.”

“Right!” Liko turned to the school.

“Let’s go!” Roy smiled brightly.

“Fueco!”

“Mreo.”

“Qua!”

“Naranja Academy!” Dot, Liko, and Roy were very happy with the current state of their lives.

“Pleasure to meet you!” The three went to the Director’s Office.

“Right,” The director, an elderly man with white hair and glasses, said. He wore an orange jacket and had quite pale skin. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Next to him stood a woman with blue eyes that had yellow squares in them. Her hair was black with flecks of dark gold, much like her clothes, black with a tie of dark gold. Her skin was tanned.

“I am the director of Naranja Academy, Clavell,” They stood next to each other, in front of the director’s desk. “And this is our chairwoman…”

“Geeta Smudge. Pleased to meet you,” She gave a bow.

“Now, allow us to explain our school’s Terastal Program,” Clavell turned to a screen, which Geeta turned on.

The video that began was orange, the emblem for Naranja Academy spun into view as a narration began.

“This Terastal-focused curriculum is one of our various battle studies programs,” It showed students looking cheerful in front of the academy. The main hall next. “Trainers are coming to our academy from all over the world, hoping to learn about Paldea’s unique Terastal phenomenon.”

Next of a Water Tera Jigglypuff. “Terastallization is a phenomenon that causes Pokemon to sparkle and shine like jewels.”

A Fire type Fletchling.

“They look so cool…!” Roy hugged Fuecoco.

“Many kinds of Pokemon Terastallize, thereby gaining special powers,” Geeta said.

“You’re the one who did the narration!” Dot realized.

“It’s thought to be related to the Terastal Energy that emanates from beneath Paldea,” The screen showed a lump of iridescent crystals. And another, in a field.

Liko gasped, she’d seen those before. “I’ve seen rocks like that near my house!”

“That said, many facets of it are yet to be understood,” Geeta grabbed the remote and swapped to a new picture, scientists, doing thorough research on one of the crystals.

“That’s fascinating…” Dot murmured. Why are they telling us this…? It isn’t part of the video, so it must not be knowledge to be spread…

The narration was back as the video returned with an image of a kid using a Tera Orb. The swirling light and flecks of light were easier to see in a still frame. “Trainers are able to bring out the Terastal phenomenon in their own Pokemon,” An image of a Terastallized Eevee. “The key to doing so lies in Tera Orbs such as these,” Geeta cut the video off in sync with it, pulling out a tray with three black Tera Orbs, just sitting there.

“That said, a Trainer may only use one with approval from Paldea,” Geeta walked over to the children. We have some illegal users… "These belong to you three. Please take good care of them.”

“Right!” The three smiled again. Nothing could go wrong!

They took the hard orbs, it was a tough plasticky material, see-through enough to see a dark symbol for Terastal.

Roy held his up to get a better look.

“Right, I have a question for you, if I may,” Clavell began. “What is your motive for mastering Terastallization?”

“There’s this strong Pokemon I really wanna beat and catch!” Roy didn’t reveal too much.

“There’s…” Liko looked at Floragato. “A place I need to find with my friends. I’m looking for a new horizon!”

“I wanna…Find out more…about all the mysteries of the world’s Pokemon,” Dot managed to hold her head up.

Clavell nodded with a smile. “The program’s curriculum is simple. You’ll first learn the theory behind Terastallization, then travel across Paldea to battle its Gym Leaders.”

People like Iono and Brassius came to the Tacklers’ minds.

Battle…them?!

This was exciting. But startling.

“Now, then, you ought to be heading to your classrooms,” Clavell finished. “To show you the way, our student council president, who is already coming here with someone else who needs to finish her Terastal Certification tests–”

There was a knock at the door, and a familiar voice. “Excuse me!” The door opened, and in walked Nemona, with her Pawmot, dragging along Kat. Nemona blinked as she saw them. Then smiled. “Liko? Roy?” She dashed over, dragging Kat with her.

“Nemona!” Roy recognized. Wait…Clavell…Nemona Clavell…Director Clavell…Oh…

“Kat!” Liko was happy to see them both. “It’s been so long! Much longer for you!” Liko pointed at Nemona.

“I know, right?!” Nemona gasped.

Dot followed her friends.

Nemoan stared at Floragato, before nodding to herself. “Nice, nice…Your efforts are bearing so much fruit!”

“I keep forgetting how big Pawmot is…” Roy mumbled, staring at the large creature, it was up to Nemona’s waist. Fuecoco stared.

“Pawma,” Pawmot waved.

“Yup, I was quite shocked myself when I got them!”

“Ah, you’ve already met my granddaughter?” Clavell said. “And Kat…”

“I knew it!” Roy hissed.

“Yeah. Nemona helped us in Artazon once, and Kat is an ex-classmate of mine that we encounter a…surprising amount.”

“Nemona…in the flesh…and the star…of Naranja…” Dot mumbled. “Wait, she’s the one that gave you the book?!” Dot pointed at Kat, who flashed a peace-sign with a toothy grin.

“Oh, yeah!” Roy smiled. “Thanks for that by the way!”

“Glad you’re enjoying it,” Kat smiled. “I have another gift,” She pulled her bag off her shoulder. “Happy early birthday.”

“Wait…” Liko mumbled. “It’s your birthday?!” Liko felt like a bad friend. “And why do you need to complete Tera Training?”

“Oh, yeah, in, like…two weeks or so.”

Kat looked up. “Well…uh…”

“I pulled strings to get Kat her Tera Orb! And no one noticed…because she doesn’t use it much…” Nemona muttered.

“Correct she did,” Geeta nodded. “I was surprised when I found out the truth.”

“Yeah…” Kat pushed her index fingers together before going back to her backpack. “Anyway…CROSSBOW!” Kat pulled out a weapon and chucked it at Roy.

Roy fumbled and caught it. “Woah…” How does Kat know my birthday…?

“Are…are you just letting her give him that?” Dot glanced around.

“If we take it away, she’ll just give him another,” Clavell sighed. It’s better this way…

“Oh,” Dot looked at Roy’s new weapon. It had two bells tied to a metal ring on the end. And two glass stones positioned at the front, they had small shimmers of pink in them. Dot glanced up at Kat. Same color as her eyes… “Nice weapon.”

“Thanks!” Roy smiled. I could’ve sworn Kat’s eyes were gray that time…right?

Kat also handed Roy a bundle of crossbow bolts in paper. “Those stones can activate runes, and there’s some translation notes on the inside of the paper.”

“They’re called runes?” Oh, yay, I don’t need to bleed.

“Maybe, shut up, I don't care to answer your questions.”

“So, uh…did you two not panic over meeting two Champion-ranked trainers…?” Dot turned to her friends.

Nemona got in Dot’s face, startling her back. “So! Who’re you? Nice to meetcha, whoever you are!”

“Yeah…” Dot murmured, before Nemona turned to Roy, gazing at his crossbow.

“Oh, yeah…Roy! Remember that promise? I’ll put you to the test! With a battle!” She pulled out and brandished a Pokeball.

“Yeah! I was looking forward to that!”

“All right!” Nemona flourished. “Then let’s get to it!”

“Mm-hm,” Clavell drew attention.

“Whack,” Kat whacked Nemona gently.

“Miss Nemona,” Clavell addressed his granddaughter. “Before that, I believe I asked our student council president to show them around the school,” I’ll have my conversation with Kat about the terms of her certification.

“Ack!” Nemona slumped. “Yes, sir…” Liko and Roy sighed.

Nemona led the three Tacklers out.

“Now, Kat, shall we discuss the terms of your certification?” Geeta smiled.

Kat stretched. “Eh, can’t it wait? How about I don’t use Terastallization at all for now. I wanna spend some time with Ame.”

“I understand…but wouldn’t you rather know what to do so you can do it on your own terms?” Clavell knew exactly what Kat was weak to. Tasks that needed doing.

She loved her free time, and would only enjoy life if her tasks were done. She liked doing things for people too.

“…I just have to fight two Gym Leaders and impress them, right?”

“Well, for normal students, yes, but you’re not exactly normal,” Geeta said. “We know you wouldn’t utilize Terastal in the tests at all, so what’s the point?”

“But there are tasks, right?”

“Well, that’ll be determined,” Clavell coughed. “A being such as yourself can handle doing one task for each Gym Leader, correct?”

“…Yeah. I’ll handle it,” Kat turned on her heel.

———

Nemona led the three through a hallway. “Naranja Academy’s a historic school. It’s one of the oldest in the world!” She said, showing off a classroom.

She brought them down to the main hall, where a library was.

The art room. “You can learn everything you need to be a Pokemon Trainer here,” The cafeteria.

“Mot!” Pawmot agreed as they walked down the hall.

There are Pokemon all over the place here! And everyone’s having fun! Liko smiled.

They looked forward, attention caught by two people.

“Mister Hassel!” The blond man turned at Nemona’s call.

“Oh, it’s Nemona,” He smiled, he had an aged face and golden eyes. “I take it these are some of our new Terastal Program students?” Is that a crossbow? “And that weapon is Kat’s doing?”

“Yup!” Nemona chirped.

“Nice to meet you. I teach art classes at this academy. My name is Hassel Lireft.”

“Hey, kiddos!” Someone with blue hair in a long tail popped out. “Rika Smudge, at your service!” She had metal piercings on her ear and wore gloves.

“Please, if you could only be serious…” Hassle sighed.

“Should we know them?” Roy leaned over to Dot. Same last name as the chairwoman…

“C’mon, man, I am serious!” Rika complained.

“That’s Mister Hassel and Miss Rika from the Pokemon League Elite Four!” Dot hissed back.

Liko and Roy looked at them. Liko…had not known that either.

Rika looked back at them with a smile, she had deep red eyes. “I know that uniform! You’re from Indigo Academy, yeah?”

“Huh?” Liko jumped. “Oh, yes! I’m Liko Amulette!”

“I hear the League’s in for a real fight from the exchange students this term,” Rika smiled.

“Not me! I’m still totally new at all this!”

“Either way, kiddo, you’re out here reppin’ your school, yeah?” Rika strolled up to Liko, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Make ‘em proud!” She walked off.

Repping…? I hadn’t even thought about that… Liko was freaking out. Me, representing Indigo Academy…? It felt…nice. That’s right! “I’ll do my best!”

Rika waved her hand, not looking back.

“Now, that’s really got me fired up!” Nemona put her hands on her hips. “You know exactly what this calls for! A battle! Right, Roy?”

“Yeah!” Roy was happy to relieve some confusion, no time to think when fighting!

The bell chimed.

“All right, kids, hurry along to class,” Hassel said.

“Ack…Not again…” Nemona slumped. Roy did the same.

———

“Osu! I’m your battle studies teacher, Dendra Cycek!” A woman with fiery eyes and black hair tied up, though with two chunks hanging down, spoke with energy.

“Hara!” A Hariyama stood next to her.

“Now, let’s get right to it!” Dendra slammed her hands on the desk. “First! Let’s head to the schoolyard!” She pumped her fist.

“Huh?!” This confused the Tacklers, who had just got comfortable not running around and just sitting at desks next to their partners. Another thing that confused them…

Why are we the only ones here?!

———

The six ended up sitting in front of Dendra. Roy had put the weapon into his bag.

“Okay, let me explain the specifics of this program!” She pumped her fist, and proceeded to explain nothing. “Let’s start the workout!”

“Hari!”

The Tacklers got up to face Dendra a little farther away. Dot groaned.

“One! Two!” Dendra put her palms forward, left, then right, clenched to her sides, repeat. “Keep it up!”

“One! Two! Three!” The three repeated, following the steps.

I need to get stronger! Floragato had a fine time, spinning her bud.

How does this help? Fuecoco…not so much. So he cheered Roy on instead.

I hate this! Daplit was average, flourishing. “How’d I…get myself into this?!” Dot breathed.

“One! Two! Three!”

This repeated. Floragato yawned.

“During the program, Gym Leaders will administer two tests: Basics and Implementation!” Dendra actually explained. “Let’s hear those muscles shout! One! Two! One! Two!” She began doing the little palm forward things again.

“All! One! Right! Two! Two chances to battle a Gym Leader! One!” Roy was a little confused how this helped still.

“One! Two! One! Two!” The three kept repeating.

Dendra and her Hariyama kept moving. “They’ll test whether Trainer and Pokemon are using Terastallization right, and whether a Trainer’s fit to carry a Tera Orb! Now, look alive!” She pumped her fists.

“One! Two! One! Two!” The three kept going. Dot was panting and slowing down.

“Osu!” Dendra said, stopping them. “Next, an important rule to keep in mind during the program! One! Two! Keep it up!”

“Right!” The Tacklers had to keep going. “One! Two! One! Two!”

Daplit was still flourishing and Fuecoco was still cheering.

“Students aren’t allowed to Terastallize in battle with other students!” Dendra was still not tired at all. “You’re only allowed to use it on Gym Leaders!”

“Right!” The three agreed, all…not doing very well.

“One! Two! One! Two!” Liko regretted her long sleeves. Roy’s arms were tired. Dot was just having an awful time.

“The school will assign you Gym Leaders based on your individual aptitude!”

“Right! One! Two!” Only Roy and Liko yelled back, as Dot was taking a break, slumped and breathing.

“First is your Basics Test! You’ve gotta pass muster in battle against your assigned Gym Leader! Got all that?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“All right! That’s it for today’s workout.”

“Har-yi!”

“Osu!”

“Right…” Liko breathed. Dot slumped over. Liko fell as well.

Roy’s legs wobbled, he looked at them. I can’t show weakness. He sat down. I’ll just be with my friends.

And promptly collapsed with them.

“So that’s where you were!” A new voice spoke. The children lifted their heads to see a man with messy purple hair, different shades and layers, flipped up. “You weren’t in your classroom, so I’ve been looking all over,” He had a labcoat stuffed with books, and hexagonal glasses. He approached.

“My bad…” Dendra turned to him. “I just couldn’t sit still.”

“Hey there, kids!” The man turned, pulling out a phone and waving. “I’m the biology teacher, Jacq Florize,” His phone opened. “I’ll just send you the app with all your curriculum info on it.”

The three forced themselves up as Jacq clicked away. His phone pinged, resulting in their three phones pinging in response.

They checked.

It was an app with Naranja Academy’s symbol.

Its backdrop was the academy and it had four more widgets.

“Along the way, try to interact with wild Pokemon as much as possible,” Jacq’s eyes smiled. “I’ll be asking you to do reports, so remember to take plenty of photos and videos,” He walked away, waving again. “Do your best out there!”

“Osu!” Dendra caught their attention again. “Check the app to see where you’re assigned!”

“I got Cortondo…” Liko murmured. “The Gym’s run by Katy Woodstock…” Bug types…that’s gonna be a problem… “I wonder what she’s like…”

“Artazon!” Roy chirped. Grass types, perfect. “I get to fight Brassius again!”

Dot slumped.

“And you, Dot?” Liko turned to her girlfriend.

“Levincia…” Dot sighed. “Can I have some girlfriend-ish comfort?”

“Yes!” Liko hugged Dot. I hope I’m doing this right… “So…Iono? Why so sad?”

“She’s just…very intense…and Electric types are a horrible match-up for me.”

“Osu! That’s it for this lesson,” Dendra struck a ready-to-run pose. “Now then, let’s get back inside!”

“Right!”

“Right!”

“Right…”

The three followed with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

“Liko?!” Liko heard a familiar voice behind her.

“No way!” Two familiar voices.

“Ann?! Spoon?! And…that new kid?!” Liko smiled.

“Caius Smudge.”

“Right, sorry.”

Wow, uh… Roy was very confused. Two odd similarities, last names and… “Does she look like a terrorist to you?”

“Huh?” Dot stared.

“Right, you never saw that guy.”

Ann, Liko, and “Spoon” sat down on a bench.

Dewott, Floragato, Daplit, Fuecoco, Cyn, and Rowlet played with each other.

Roy and Dot sat on a different bench. Caius leaned awkwardly against a tree near the others of his school.

“We’re here for the Terastal Program,” Ann explained to Liko. “You too?”

“Yeah, along with Roy and Dot,” Liko paused. “Wait, have I told you guys about Roy and Dot?”

“Uh…can I get a refresher?” Spoon asked awkwardly.

“Let me introduce you,” Liko looked over at her friends. “Guys, these are my classmates, Ann, Spoon, and I don’t know him but Caius.”

“I’m Roy Eeviekor!” Roy smiled. “Liko’s told me lots about you!”

“Dot Putnu. Nice to meet you…” Dot felt awkward. Liko has so many friends…

“Nice to meet you!” Ann flung up a sign. “I’m Liko’s BFF from Indigo Academy, Ann Ironjaw!”

“Hey,” Spoon waved. “Hifevria Whitlocke, but I go by Spoon.”

“Uh…Caius Smudge…again…”

“Any relation to Geeta Smudge and Rika Smudge…?” Roy asked awkwardly. Liko noticed the name.

“Wow, that’s a co–”

“They’re…my parents.”

“Oh,” Ann stared. “That’s so cool!”

Caius was glad no one made a big deal about it, as everyone went back to watching their Pokemon play.

“So…Oshawott and Cyn evolved, I see!” Liko smiled.

“So did your Sprigatito!” Ann smiled.

“Guess we’ve all grown, huh?”

“Yeah,” Spoon replied. “I’m…glad, I get to be independent from my brot–Is that a crossbow?”

Liko didn’t even turn around. “Kat gave it to him.”

“Kat?”

“Yeah. She’s doing Tera Training too, apparently she skipped out on it…” Maybe I shouldn’t have told them that.

“Liko! This is our chance to have another one!” Ann smiled.

“You mean you wanna…?”

“Of course! Let’s have a battle!”

“Har-yi!” Hariyama startled as the Pokemon tumbled into a pile.

———

Students watched the two girls face each other on one of the courts.

Dendra checked the opponents. “This is a battle to celebrate your reunion! Are your minds and bodies ready?!”

Ann nodded. Dewott stepped forward to be on the court.

Liko looked to Floragato. They nodded at once.

“Mreow,” Floragato assumed her position on the court.

I still remember our first and only time… She and Sprigatito hadn’t been in sync.

It was, after all, their first day together.

But her and Floragato…

They’d understood Bacco. Protected each other. And held their own against Rayquaza.

That was a long time ago.

“Do your best, both of you!” Roy shouted. “But be aware I am incredibly biased!”

“Fueco! FuecoFueco!”

“As am I…” Dot muttered as she turned on her camera.

“I-I am also biased!” Caius added.

“I am not!” Spoon smiled.

“Pwah!” Pagogo popped out their head, confused.

“Now, it’s time to get each other’s fighting spirit burning!” Dendra smiled. She swung her hand. “Let the battle begin!”

“Floragato! Magical Leaf!”

Floragato swung her bud with a hiss, making a swarm of glowing leaves spin from nothing, whirling at Dewoot.

“Dewott, use Water Pulse!”

Dewott took a breath and shot out an orb of water, it met with the leaves.

Swirled, and popped.

There were cheers.

“Nice, Liko!” Roy was there.

“Pretty good, Liko!” Ann was also happy.

Way better than last time! Liko felt proud.

“Dewott! Go for a Razor Shell barrage!”

Dewott plucked both of its scalchops from its sides, they glowed as Dewott ran forward, swinging them wildly.

Floragato dodged a swipe.

She dodged another and ran along the court, her new body was larger, but more agile.

“WOTT!” Dewott caught up and swung again, making Floragato participate in a close combat dodging versus swinging match.

“Floragato, get some distance!” Liko called.

Floragato did so and swung her bud a flick, before leaping up and back in front of Liko. Dewott was back on its side, shells still prone.

“Wott!” She ran toward her again.

“She can’t outspeed us! Floragato, use Quick Attack!”

“Nya!” Floragato flung forward.

“Dewott! Toss your scalchops!”

“Wotty!” Dewott threw one, spinning. Then the other.

Floragato dodged both and knocked into Dewott. “Nyrarr!”

“Wah!”

“It hit!” Liko smiled. First hit was hers.

A scalchop spun around in the air, spinning back.

Second hit was Ann’s

And it was a harder hit than Floragato’s.

Floragato slumped.

“Don’t let your guard down! Aerial Ace!”

Dewott’s paws glowed, one scalchop hooked back into place, they ran forward, slapping at Floragato with the Super Effective move.

“Floragato!” Liko cried.

Dewott uppercut Floragato, smacking her up.

“Oh wow…That’s super effective on Floragato, Rika!”

“Yup,” Rika pat Poppy’s bonnet and hair. “Guess she had somethin’ up her sleeve to make up for Dewott’s Grass weakness, huh? They’re just gettin’ started, though.”

Penny sighed, going back to typing on her phone, looking at its Eevee case.

“Those children…” Larry muttered. “Students from Indigo Academy, no?”

Hassel nodded. “You can really feel the spirit in this battle.”

“Hmm…” Kat hummed.

“Floragato, are you alright?” Liko called.

“Myereah!” Floragato wiped her face off, having landed back.

“Good,” Liko nodded. One scalchop gone…if I can get rid of the other one… “I know! Floragato! Use your bud to stop Dewott from moving!” Liko swirled her finger, explaining with her hands, before stumbling and throwing her hand.

“Nyea…Nyeaahhahahahah!” Floragato grasped her bud with her claws and pulled it out, vine extending from her fluff, it spun at Dewott.

“Like I’ll let you! Detect!”

Dewott’s eyes snapped and it ran at the spinning wine and bud, jumping and dodging through the plant.

“Finish it! Razor Shell!”

Dewott pulled their scalchop off. Floragato hissed and spun her yoyo back around, knocking the shell out of Dewott’s hands.

It clattered to the court as Floragato’s bud landed back in her claws.

“Floragato! Magical Leaf!”

“Mreeaayyayahhh!” Floragato swung her bud, shooting leaves and pummeling Dewott.

“Dewo!” Dewott landed on their back. “Dewy…!” Knocked out. “Weeeeee…”

“It’s over!” Dendra called. “The winners are Liko and Floragato!”

The gathered students cheered and clapped.

“That was an awesome battle!” Roy smiled.

“Yeah,” Dot was happy, she nodded. “You can really tell how much they trust each other!”

“It was soooo cool!” Spoon emoted with joy.

“Ye-Yeah?” Caius couldn’t really tell what was a “good battle” or not.

“Fue! Fue!” Fuecoco jumped and cheered.

“Eeee…” Ann walked over to her partner.

“Thank you, Dewott,” She stroked its head and pulled out their Pokeball, returning Dewott for resting.

Ann looked up at Floragato and Liko, just…standing there.

“We won?” Liko seemed confused. She smiled soon after and ran to her partner. “Floragato!”

“Myeowreow,” Floragato turned, nonchalant.

“Liko!” Ann walked over, standing in front of Liko, she looked a little sad.

Kat narrowed her eyes. This could go south fast…Or it could be good! Please don’t remind me…Remember that time our friend–! Stop upsetting her. FINE…weakling…Stop. Sorry.

Liko panicked, and then remembered to be confident. Oh, no! Should I hav–? No. She needs to…this isn’t Wakaba again! And if she wants a free win, sh-she can go back to Indigo Academy! …That was mean…Ahhhh! I’m sorry for thinking that, Ann.

“I’m super frustrated…” Ann held her fists, looking mad.

Roy glared. Annoying.

“But I still had a ton of fun!”

Oh.

Thank goodness. “I did too!” Liko smiled after a moment.

The world lives another day…

“Let’s battle again sometime! Next time, I won’t lose!” Ann winked.

“Yeah! We’re gonna keep getting stronger, too!” Liko smiled. “Right, Floragato?”

“Nyearah.”

“That was quite an interesting battle,” Geeta approached the League’s employees.

“Got that right,” Rika smiled.

“Connecting with other schools will help our school flourish, too.”

“You two are glad your son is at a school with good trainers,” Hassel said, before smiling. “Which is good for Mister Caius!”

“That’s your son?” Kat tilted her head.

“You got that right on the head!” Rika smirked. “What took you so long?”

“Uh…he just seems so…hm…Wait, you can’t do anything to me, pathetic.”

“Well, he is just a child,” Geeta said.

“Penny’s a child.”

“I’m older though,” Penny added.

“I suppose.”

“Maybe one day we’ll have more for the League, to boot,” Rika smiled.

“Don’t slack off in anticipation someone else’ll do your job…” Larry sighed.

“So, that was your goal, right, Geeta?” Rika stared at her wife.

Geeta simply hummed. “Well, we’ve got some students from an independent schooling group too.”

Nemona suddenly opened the door behind them with a clank. “Battle–! Oh, hi, Penny.”

“Hey,” Penny nodded.

“And you guys! What’s goin’ on? Were you battling?!” Nemona got closed. “Me next! I wanna have one–!”

The bell rang.

“Right, time to host the assembly, student council president,” Geeta smiled.

“Ack…You got it, Primera…” Nemona slumped.

———

“Here you are,” A woman handed Liko a Naranja Academy themed bundle at the front desk.

“Thank you,” She took it and walked away, followed by Floragato.

Ann, Caius, and Spoon had broken off into their own group.

“Going camping with friends! Doesn’t that sound like fun, Fuecoco?!” Roy chattered to the croc as he packed his bundle into his bag. Soon, I’ll be back in my own clothes!

Dot was packing her own large bag. That goes there, I guess…?

“Fue-Coco!”

“Oh…we’re gonna have to sleep in tents…” Dot sighed. “But…wait, wait, I can’t sleep next to my girlfriend!”

“I can be in between you guys– Wait, that’s worse.”

“Yeah, that’s worse–! Wait, separate tents.”

“Problem solved before it started, awesome!”

“It’s gonna be dark in tents…”

“There’ll be lanterns!”

“This is starting to bum me out…”

“Haha…”

“Sorry for the wait!” Liko tapped over. “So, where to first?”

“Well, Cortondo’s the closest,” Dot checked her phone. “Means you’d be doing your test first,” She looked at Liko. “That okay?”

“Me, up first…?”

“Liko, you just beat up your friend, you can do this!”

“FuecoFueco!”

“Not the best cheer…but thanks for the support!” Liko held her fists. “Yeah, I’m ready!” She nodded. “Let’s do this!”

“Well, off we go!” Roy flipped his bag, containing a crossbow, over his shoulder.

“Fueco!”

The bell chimed. That was…odd.

Director Clavell went to stand in front of the front desk. “Dear students, the time has come for your departure. Please take care on your travels.”

The doors burst open.

“Awright!” two figures stood. “Home safe!”

“No, we were clearly out by a mile,” The taller of the two said, with black and red hair smoothed back over white.

“Hmph,” The one with pink hair in braids, and some brown poking out. “Total drag…” She strolled forward, hands placed behind her head.

“Oh, there were students yet to arrive?” Clavell pushed up his glasses. Kat glanced at the girls leggings, black and starry.

I should wear those again… She had a similar pair.

“My apologies,” The male inclined his head. “One of us slept in, despite how important this mis–oppertunity is. No, I shouldn’t make excuses.”

“Your names?” Clavell asked.

“I’m Ony…Onigiri,” Onigiri looked to the ground before he finished. The female snorted. “And this is San…Sandwich.”

Sandwich stifled a laugh, tearing up with little cackles. “Totally lame!” She wiped her eye and threw up a peace sign. “Nice to meetcha!” Her voice almost changed to a higher pitch. “Name’s Sandwich!”

“And your…last names?” Clavell asked, tapping on his phone, their names weren’t coming up.

“Oh, his i–” Sandwich was about to answer.

“Seasoning! And her’s is Cornbread!”

“Onigiri Seasoning and Sandwich Cornbread?”

“Uh…Cornbread Sandwich, I got her name backwards!” Onyx panicked, flipping over things in his brain. Sandwich Cornbread sounds backwards, gotta fix that! Sango was looking increasingly upset.

“Do you have middle names?”

“Yes! Mine is…also Sandwich, and she–!”

“Cornbread doesn’t have a middle name,” Cornbread interrupted, she eyed Onigiri.

“Mister Onigiri Sandwich Seasoning and Miss Cornbread Sandwich, correct?”

“Yes,” Cornbread seemed depressed. “Though, honestly, I’d prefer Sandwich…” Cornbread is weird and crumbly! I’m not crumbly!

“You’re not on the list.”

“Nah, that can’t be right,” Sandwich waved her hand, she had sharp pink nails and a little blue bow around her wrist. Damn you, Spinel! Damn you! This was your plan! “We were enrolled by Sp–”

“Our parent, Spelin Snu,” Onigiri said, wincing awkwardly.

“Oh, you’re siblings?”

“Step-siblings, the…marriage has yet to happen, and we’re adopted. Look a bit harder, please.”

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Sango was so confused where all this info was coming from. “Please, sir,” She played along. “As former orphans, we need this!”

“This uniform is proof of my determination to learn,” Onigiri pulled at his Winter Uniform’s collar.

“Man, I just can’t tell whether you’re serious or not…” Sandwich looked off to the side. Can’t date my step-sibling, oh wait, yeah I can! Sounds like Spinel’s weird books though…

“What was that, step-sister of mine?”

“Nothin’,” Yup, definitely weird. “How about you?”

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

“Please be courteous of each other, even if you are siblings, you are now peers and students. If you cannot obey the rules, you will not pass this program,” Clavell was firm.

“Fine…” Sandwich shrugged. “You heard the man.”

“It is what it is,” Onigiri subsided.

“Still, this is peculiar,” Clavell pushed his glasses. “They’re nowhere on the list…”

“Director…” A Black woman approached. She wore a tan suit and glasses, her hair was brushed almost all to one side. “Is something the matter?”

“These students aren’t on the list…” If their parent, this “Spelin Snu”, failed to enroll them, I’ll have to chase them down myself…A good Psychic should fix their brain to care for their children.

“I see,” The woman’s phone popped out. Arceus dammit, Spinel. Her fingers moved rapid fire on the screen.

How to draw this together… Sango knew she could drag Agate into their weird fake family scheme. “Hi, Step-Mom!” Agate, Sandwich is so, so sorry for saying you’re marrying Spinel.

“WHAT?!” The woman jolted. “Oh, yeah, my…”

“Adoptive mother,” Onyx fake cheered.

“Dear adopted child, and future dear step-child,” Someone’s getting stabbed for this, probably Spinel, he didn’t write a cover story prior. “Anyway, database error it seems. I’ll take care of it,” The woman retook her composure, phone slipping away to her pocket.

“You will? Thank you.”

“Right, if you two could just follow me,” Sango and Onyx knew they were gonna be dragged into a closet or something.

“Fineeeee!” Sango tried to play the role of a child who didn’t want a new family, she walked off pompously, followed by Onigiri.

Roy, Dot, and Liko watched.

“So, like…those were Explorers, yeah?” Dot asked.

“Oh, absolutely,” Roy sighed.

“We’ll have to be careful…” Liko whispered.

“No way…” Roy heard a familiar voice behind him. “Roy!” And then his neck was grabbed.

“WHO THE HELL–?! I’LL RIP YOU APART!” Roy screeched, ripping himself from the person’s grip.

“Woah, Roy!” Mary flinched back.

“Uh, sorry, our friend doesn’t like being startled,” Liko smiled, grabbing Roy’s hand, he was seething and glaring.

“Well, he’s my friend first!” The girl said. “Roy, you never told us you were in this program!” She smiled, two boys walked up, with a Glameow and a Tailow.

“Why would I do that?” Roy cocked his head.

“Do you…know these guys?” Dot asked, shying behind Liko.

“Classmates,” Roy shrugged.

“I’m Maike!”

“Travis,” The other boy said. “So, you guys know Roy too?”

“We’re friends, I’m Liko and this is Dot!”

“Hi, I guess.”

“I’m Mary! Roy, wanna come with us?”

“No.”

“Great–! Wait, huh?”

“Why not?” Travis asked.

“Because you don’t matter to me?” Roy answered slowly.

“What?” Maike flinched.

“Lemme rephrase, we’re incompatible as friends, consider you all…not my friends.”

“Wha-But…we’ve always–”

“Mary, do you know any of our last names, because I don’t know you guys' last names.”

“I’m…it’s Hease…” Maike said.

“Mine is Ishi,” Travis stared. “And why do last names matter?”

“That was an example, I know, like, nothing about you guys.”

“My last name is Dumstork! We’ve shared, so should you!”

“Uh…no? I don’t want to.”

“Roy…” Liko squeezed his hand.

“Let’s go, guys!” Roy smiled at his friends and moved to walk out the doors.

“Bu-But…” Mary was left stuttering.

———

“They sure make a ruckus, hm?” Drayton tilted his head, smirking.

Amethio seethed. Why are the Tacklers here? Why are the other admins here?!

———

Spoon stared down at the rest of the main hall. “Was that my brother…?”

“I think that was my sister!” Ann stared.

“And I have nothing to input in this conversation!” Caius chirped.

———

Liko, Roy, and Dot walked down the stairs in an awkward circle, as Liko wanted to hold Roy’s hand for emotional support, Roy thought Dot should hold Liko’s hand, and Dot felt too weird holding just Liko’s hand.

Their Pokemon watched. Daplit and Fuecoco from their trainers’ arms, as they had small legs.

“So…what are the Explorers scheming?” Dot questioned. “Ideas?”

“Hostile takeover of the school?” Roy offered. “Or maybe they want Terastallization, hence the enrollment in the Terastal Program!”

“Just like us…” Liko murmured.

“For now, we’ll wait and see,” Dot was grateful to reach the bottom of the stairs.

“Yeah,” Liko and Roy agreed, the three stopped holding hands.

Well…here we are. Liko thought. My friends, my other friends, Roy’s old friends, the Explorers…Kat…we’re all just…here… She looked into the sunset. Despite it all…I’m excited!

Dot was still stuck on one thought. OH MY ARCEUS, I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND.

———

Orla was glad to have so many tools for fixing the Brave Olivine. Metagross flew around to help.

She sat down on some crates, tired from a long day’s work. Orla sighed as Elekid walked over. “Feels like I’m rebuilding it from scratch…”

“Orla,” Friede cheerfully walked over. “How’s the Brave Olivine coming?”

“Pika,” Cap was poised on his shoulder as always.

“Hmm…It’s gonna be a while,” Orla crossed her arms, worried.

“RtomRtom!” Her phone pinged and popped out.

“Oh, message from the kids,” Orla smiled. “They’re heading off to start the program!”

“So it’s finally time for their Terastal debut, hu–?” Friede had also gotten the message. “Holy hell, is that a crossbow?!”

“Oh, Arceus…” Orla groaned. “Maybe I need to make the walls stronger.

Mollie and Ludlow checked their phones from where they were, at the hotel they were staying at temporarily, with the ship’s Pokemon.

As did Murdock, at his job.

“That’s a good idea,” Friede smiled. “And, as long as they have fun, it’s most likely fine.”

“Roy has a crossbow.”

“It’s probably fine!”

“Look after yourselves!” Orla spoke to herself as she typed the message. “So?” She looked up at Friede. “You’ve got your own plans, right?”

“Yeah,” Friede gazed at the ship. “There’s a hunch I’m meaning to follow. Take care of the Brave Olivine, okay?”

“Mm,” Orla stood up. “Roger!” She mock-saluted. “Then…” She stretched. “Guess I better get back to it!”

———

Friede sat down on the couch in the hotel.

In front of him was the case, the case he’d stored Bacco, Tolliv, and Rat’s Pokeballs in.

Cap hopped off to another chair.

Friede unlatched the case and opened it.

“Just checking they’re still there. Now…onto the next lead, right, Cap?”

“Pika,” Cap hopped back to Friede’s shoulder.

The three Pokeballs were in the capsules on the belt.

———

“So…you dropped Drayton back at Blueberry Academy?” Amethio asked, Kat had shown up in his dorm with snacks. If the Explorers were gonna send him to school, he was going to indulge a bit.

“Yup,” Kat ripped open a KitKat and stuffed the single bar in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “Also, I’ve got requirements from Geeta and Jacq, so…we can’t hangout much.”

“It’s fine,” Amethio played with a wrapper. So…crinkly…Hm.

“And, I have a little gift for you.”

Amethio glanced up as Kat slid her bracelet off her wrist. “Your…bracelet?” The weird one, and only one she wore consistently, the little…Lego thing, made of a brown metal.

“Yup…” Kat loosened the knot and pulled, expanding the black string. “Fun fact, this was meant to be a necklace, but since I’ve already got…” Kat gestured at her silver necklace, two gems brown struck into it. “This, I wore it as a bracelet. And I had a choker at the time, gave it away though.”

“Thanks, Kat,” Amethio took the charm and slid the string over his neck.

“It kinda clashes with your little neck thingy, but it’s lower, so it’s fine,” Kat gestured to the little thing Amethio wore, a small purple gem sat in its middle.

It had been a gift from Gibeon.

And the only thing that tethered Amethio truly to his grandfather.