Pokemon academy IC - Elorwin & Walker of Darkness

[Elorwin]

Yuri walked swiftly down the corridor towards the headmaster’s office on the top most floor of the Goldenrod Pokemon academy. The academy itself was a large four story building where students both studied and lived for the 6 years that the academy taught them. Yuri walked passed classrooms where lessons were being held, lessons of pokemon types, battle strategies, breeding, and general care.

Yuri flicked her pale blonde hair back over her shoulder as she continued walking. As normal she was wearing the pokemon academy uniform which for a girl consisted of a black sailor style dress which had colourised edging. The colour on Yuri’s dress was purple which indicated she was in her sixth and final year; each year was represented by a different colour on their uniform. Glinting on her uniform was also the head girl badge which flashed white and bright against her black uniform. Over her shoulder she also had her blue school bag which contained her books, paper and most important her 6 pokeballs which contained her best friends and partners. As she was in her sixth year she had been allowed to have six partners, each one she had caught at the end of each year as part of her final exam.

She was very proud of her pokemon partners; they were all of the fire type as Yuri had already decided that her pokemon life would be formed around fire types. She loved them, everything about them, their courage and grace. To Yuri there was no greater joy than being able to touch her Rapidash’s mane without being harmed, the power and beauty she found in all fire types had her enthralled. So she studied and trained with the ambition of becoming the world’s most powerful fire gym leader.

Finally she made her way up to the headmasters office and knocking on the door she was invited inside his wood panelled study while the moustached, bespectacled silver haired headmaster finished writing on the paper in front of him. Yuri walked into the middle of the room and sat down in the straight backed chair. She had been in the room a few times and none of them for misbehaviour, the last time she was here was to receive a commendation from the headmaster for her Ponyta evolving into a Rapidash. When he had finished writing the headmaster looked up and surveyed Yuri over the top of his glasses.

“Well Yuri, you’re in your final year here at pokemon academy and from what your teachers are saying you will pass from here with highest honours, maybe the highest we have seen. However there is one slight problem.”

Here he paused and again gave Yuri another x-ray look while she squirmed uncomfortably, what was the problem, had she done badly on one test?

“Your teachers tell me your bond with your pokemon is excellent however I see that on every test that required a partner or group you completed it alone, and still came top of the class I might add however this means that you are lacking in any social scores. This means that you cannot graduate without these scores.” Again he paused.

“So I have a solution, a crash course for you to get this grade. We have a younger student umm … in year 5 I believe named Drake Thorn. You are to be his mentor and guide throughout the year, it seems that Drake has been lagging behind in his studies so you will help him. This will work out for both of you, he needs to pass this year to stay in school and you need this grade to graduate.” He smiled again at Yuri who was only stopping her jaw dropping by sheer will. “Well he is going to be meeting you in classroom 15C with Mr Yamamoto who will be watching over you two as you are mentoring Drake. Well that all seems to be in order now, off you go. I expect to hear good things from you Yuri.” With that he shooed her away with his hand and Yuri got up and stumbled off to classroom 15C.

Reaching the classroom before anyone else Yuri sat down on one of the desks and just allowed herself to panic, she had to mentor some kid, some failure kid. Groaning Yuri cursed her luck, this was going to be a massive drag.

[Walker of Darkness]

Drake walked down the hall, not too keen on meeting his mentor. I bet it's some uptight prick like the head boy from last year or something. Man that guy ticked me off. Drake didn't get along with many of his fellow students at the Academy. Most saw him as an upstart who believes he's better than everyone else just because he's the son of a former champ. His attitude doesn't help much, often outright shunning human contact in favor of spending time with his pokemon or with his face buried in a book. He was just shy around people and gets along a lot better with pokemon. While he was walking, he reflected on the previous day's meeting with the head master.

***

"Drake," the headmaster began, "you've had perfect scores on everything other than social skills for the first four years you spent here at the Academy. You even made an unheard of perfect on the battle theory and tactics exam! Why, then, with everything you seem to know about pokemon, do you refuse to battle?" It was a question that had been asked of Drake many times in this very room over the last year.
"Because," Drake began to answer, "I don't see the point in forcing pokemon to fight one another just for kicks! All that ever ends up happening is one or both pokemon just end up hurt! how can they stand that?! How can they still trust these...'trainers' so much if all they seem to train them for is fighting!?" He was getting visibly upset...again. "You tell me, what kind of bond is that?" It was the same answer and counter questions Drake had given for the past year.

The headmaster just looked him over, sighing. "I have no choice, then" the headmaster said, "you wont have to worry about turning in your uniform for last year..." he paused, looking over Drake again. his uniform was a simple black suit with blue trimming and 'brass'(buttons and cufflinks) to mark him as a fifth year, but he took a lot of liberties with it. Often leaving the jacket open and the cuffs undone, completely ignoring the blue handkerchief that would normally go in the front chest pocket. Instead of the standard blue button up shirt, he would wear a plain gray tee shirt under his jacket and never bothered tucking it in to his somewhat baggy black slacks. The entire thing was custom tailored because of his height, a head above most students his age and many of the staff."...because I'm holding you back as a fifth year." the headmaster finished.

"What!" Drake burst out.
"Yes, you will be repeating your year, and if you fail this time, you will be removed from the Academy and charged for the entirety of the tuition that I had waved as a favor because of your father and I being old friends." The headmaster smiled as he came up with an idea. "I'll be assigning you a mentor for this year, I might even set you in the same dorm if I feel so inclined. Don't worry about privacy or anything, we have a few dorms with more than one room and if I decide to take that route you and your mentor will be placed in one such room so that you will be able to work together more."
"You're kidding me, right?!"
"This is my offer, take a mentor and pass this year, or you can go home right now." the head master said plainly, his face stern.
"....fine" Drake relented
"Good, I'll send for you once I've chosen your mentor tomorrow. Now off you go."

***

Running his hand through his dark red hair, Drake just sighed. His hand fell down to his belt and the pokeballs housing his most trusted friends who he raised from eggs over his years in the Academy's breeder sub classes. As close as he was to each of his pokemon, he couldn't hell but feel he was still missing something with them. Maybe there was something to the 'battle bond' or whatever, but he just couldn't understand it.

When he finally reached the classroom, he pushed the door open with his foot and stepped in. When he saw who was already sitting in the room, he couldn't hide his utter shock. It wasn't the head boy like he had expected, but rather, the head girl, Yuri, considered by most to be the most beautiful in the Academy. Composing himself quickly, Drake sat down in a desk just a few away from Yuri.
....This....is not good

[Elorwin]

Yuri looked up as the door opened and in walked a fifth year boy, with dark red spiked hair, a messy example of their uniform and a dark scowl across his face as he regarded her. Walking over to another desk he sat down and stared determinedly away from her. Sighing Yuri looked over to him, she was just about to get up an introduce herself properly when Mr Yamamoto bustled into the room, a harassed look on his face which broke into a smile at the sight of the two of them.

“So you two are my special assignment then? So let me explain how this works. You” He pointed at Yuri “need to make sure that Drake” he pointed at Drake “passes his fifth year. This will count as your social score for the entire two years that you have not achieving a score. This means that the harder you both work the better you will both do in the end. So Drake this means you will have to do what Yuri tells you. I will be setting you assignments throughout the year and as the headmaster mentioned to you Drake you may be moving at some point, but that will come later. For now why don’t you two get better acquainted?” With a smile and a nod Mr Yamamoto left the room and they were left alone. Yuri let out a tiny sigh but slipped from the desk and approached the boy.

“Well hi there, I guess. My name is Yuri Nishimura and I suppose we will be seeing a lot more of each other for the foreseeable future.” She looked him directly in the eye and gave a smile that wasn’t completely forced. “So why don’t you tell me more about yourself … um Drake was it?”

[Walker of Darkness]

When Mr Yamamoto left the room and Yuri approached him, Drake met her gaze for a moment before glancing away. "Yeah, Drake Thorn...And from the sound of what Mr Yamamoto said, neither of us had much choice in being here." He could tell her smile wasn't completely sincere, but wasn't forced ether. Ha, forcing the two people who never work with anyone to stick together. Drake thought to himself, She's the school's top trainer too. He just let out a heavy sigh and continued. "You've probably heard all sorts of things about me, but let me get one thing straight off the bat." His visage hardened, eye's narrowed, and voice became grave. "I despise you trainers and the way you treat pokemon. Battles are nothing more than senseless violence that only proves who is better at beating up someone else's pokemon."

After a moment, noticing he had not only just insulted Yuri, but had just proven he was worth any of the negative rumors about him, he stared down at the floor. "Sorry" he mummered under his breath, just loud enough to hear. "I didn't mean to be so....I'm sorry" Great, now I'm just a complete jerk Drake told himself. He and Yuri had been in the same class for the past two years and she had been the only person to match his scores on general pokemon care and came in second to him in battle theory and tactics. Yet he had avoided notice by everyone for his lack of participation in battles with his fellow classmates until last year where his refusal cost him his grade and started to get his family history out into the student body.

The first time they had ever talked, and she ended up getting the worst of his attitude.

[Elorwin]

Yuri raised her eyebrow slightly at Drake at his sudden but not unexpected outburst, she had heard of his reputation but she didn’t normally care for the gossip of other students. She flicked her long curly hair back over her shoulder in a cool and calm manner, sighing with slight contempt she fixed Drake with a hard stare.

“For a start I am still your head girl and now your mentor so I will not be spoken to like that! Secondly I find it quite hard to believe that someone who clearly knows so much about pokemon has missed such a fundamental principal in human-pokemon development.” Flicking her hand lazily into her school bag Yuri brought out her hand with four small pokeballs clasped in between each finger. Holding them in front of her face Yuri looked at Drake for a moment before throwing out her pokeballs to land in the gap between them.

The light cleared away to reveal a large Growlithe, a sleek Vulpix, a muscular Quillarva and a graceful Rapidash. As soon as she was out of her pokeball Vulpix gave a excited cry, turned, saw Yuri and instantly jumped up into her arms and scampered up to sit around her neck looking over at Drake. Both Quillarva and Rapidash stood on her left side, both eyeing Drake but standing impassive Growlithe however was standing protectively in front of Yuri growling at Drake. Reaching up a hand to stroke Vulpix Yuri also bent down and put a hand soothingly on Growlithe’s head.

“Easy Pupstar, it’s alright, he’s no threat.” Pupstar turned and whined at her but stopped growling, continuing to stand in front of her. Smiling Yuri looked at all her lovely pokemon, Rapidash nickered happily and lay her head on Yuri’s shoulder while Quillarva was leaning casually against her leg. Smiling still Yuri looked back at Drake.

“Drake allow me to introduce you to Pupstar, Firefox, Blaze and Inferno.” She said gesturing to Growlithe, Vulpix, Rapidash and Quillarva in turn. “Now let me ask you a question, Drake, do these pokemon look to you like tools of war, do they seem afraid of me or what I might ask them to do?” At that moment Vulpix choose to be amazingly adorable letting out a small content sigh and snuggling in closer to Yuri’s neck.

“Let me tell you why Drake. Battling is not about senseless violence, for true trainers it is about the trust between a trainer and pokemon. It strengthens the bond you share with your pokemon.” Yuri gazed at Drake for a moment or two. “This is not something you can understand by just talking about it… during our training I hope you will begin to understand what I mean.”

[Walker of Darkness]

Taken aback by Yuri's own outburst, Drake only felt more ashamed of his actions. But she was right, her position as head girl and now as his new mentor demanded respect. He couldn't help but compare her to himself for the way she had reprimanded him, though. Man, and I thought I was snarky, he thought, almost laughing in spite of himself.

When Yuri released her four pokemon, Drake finally let his gaze slip from the floor to her and her pokemon. For him, it was a thing of beauty. He could feel the bond Yuri shared with her pokemon, it was almost tangible to him. Vulpix, so cute and well groomed, just cuddling up to her. Growlithe standing on guard, determined to protect Yuri from any danger. Her Rapidash was truly beautiful, it's mane fiery and full, muscles lean and toned. Her Quilava, sleek and sturdy, with a strong coat and gaze. Lastly, Yuri herself, so strong willed, confident, and compassionate about her pokemon...and just as beautiful and fiery, but he kept that last thought to himself. He could feel the trust, the respect, they shared. Just before Drake looked away from them to the window on the far side of the room, his features eased and a soft smile crossed his face. Is this really what we're missing?

As Yuri finished talking, Drake stood from the desk and walked over to the window, leaning on the windowsill as he gazed out to the woods behind the academy. A true trainer, huh? His thoughts wandered back to his first battle when he was a child. If I had met a true trainer then, maybe things would be different? He ran a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh, letting his arm swing down to his belt and tapped a finger on a black pokeball with a skull on the top half. His smile faded and his face became somber in his reflection. ...You'll find out eventually, I guess, he thought as he glanced over to the reflection of Yuri and her pokemon.

Without turning to her, Drake said out loud, "Well, whether ether of us likes it or not, we're gonna be stuck with each other for the year. You might as well get to know the gang" He plucked four of the five pokeballs resting as his waist, three of them standard and one with a cream bottom and flame design on the top, and dropped them down behind him. When the light died down, his own Growlithe, a Poochyena, Eevee, and Riolu were there. While Growlithe just sat down and let out a happy bark towards Yuri and her pokemon, the shy Riolu and Poochyena ran behind Drake's legs as he turned away from the window and back to Yuri. Eevee glared at Yuri before jumping up to lie on Drake's head and tamping one of her paws down on his forehead with a cry as if staking a claim. His pokemon's antics brought back his faint but kindhearted smile.

"Eve's got a bit of an attitude and is more like a jealous girlfriend than a pokemon sometimes." Drake said with a slight laugh as he pointed up to Eevee. "Hates it if I start spending time with people or pokemon other than her and always lets me know when she's annoyed." Crouching down to pat Riolu and Poochyena on the head(earning him another whack to the forehead from Eevee), Drake continued on. "I'm not the only one you'll have to convince that battles are more than just senseless fights." Two of us more than the others he thought. "So, 'mentor'" he used the title jokingly but without malice, "you really think you can put up with us long enough to try and turn me into a 'true trainer'?"

[Elorwin]

Yuri looked on in interest as Drake threw out four of his pokeballs and as the light faded Yuri was able to see a sweet looking Growlithe, a shy Poochyena and Riolu and a stubborn looking Eevee. As they all blinked up at her the Poochyena and Riolu gave little gasps when they saw the strangers and ran behind Drakes legs, while his Growlithe gave a happy bark up at Yuri and her Pupstar. However it was the behaviour of his Eevee that brought a smile to Yuri’s face. Running up and perching on Drakes head Eevee staked her claim on him by tapping his forehead and letting out a possessive cry which left everyone in little doubt who she though he belonged to.

Yuri could not help herself, all pokemon made her go a little soppy but puppy type pokemon held a unfathomable sway over her. Kneeling down Yuri held out her hand for Drake’s Growlithe to sniff and was rewarded by an affectionate lick across the face. Her own Pupstar again whined at her, uncomfortable with another pokemon, especially another Growlithe being close to her but smiling down at him Yuri called him to her side.

“Go on Pupstar, say hello to Drake’s pokemon. We are going to be working together for the foreseeable future so you should say hello and become friends. That goes for all of you, Firefox come down and say hello, you too Blaze and Inferno.” Blaze and Inferno lent down till they were both on eye level with the smaller pokemon while Pupstar sniffed and wagged his tail curiously at the other Growlithe. Firefox however was determined to make friends, so jumping off her shoulder she joyfully bounced over to the Poochyena and Riolu still sheltering behind his legs.

Yuri smiled, the poor Poochyena and Riolu both seemed very shy and being in the presence of two evolved and much bigger pokemon seemed to scare them. Curious for a moment Yuri took a moment to look at both Growlithe’s and noticed that her Pupstar was by far the bigger of the two. In fact even Firefox who was lithe and graceful looked quite big in comparison to Drake’s pokemon. Yuri pouted slightly, figuring it had something to do with experience gained only through battle, plus the exercise allowed them to gain a higher density of muscles.

Firefox however did not seem put off by the small pokemon’s shyness instead she just barrelled right up to them behind Drake. Then blinking at them with her warm chocolate eyes she released the full force of her charm upon them both with a friendly greeting. Yuri smiled, she had never yet seen anyone resist her Vulpix when she turned on the charm and she really was one of the sweetest pokemon Yuri had ever had the fortune to meet.

Holding out her hand encouragingly Yuri looked at Poochyena and Riolu and gave them a winning smile.

“Hello there little ones, well aren’t you two sweet.” Looking up at Drake she gave him a little smile with a hint of mischief in it. “Well I can see at least you are not failing in pokemon care. I don’t think I have ever seen a Poochyena with such a shiny coat and bright eyes. And Riolu too I can see he has a good wet nose and his mask is so much darker than I have ever seen.” Yuri nodded in approval. “All your pokemon are very well cared for.”

While she was talking Blaze, who was the tallest of the group had decided to try and introduce herself to Eevee. Pushing her cream coloured nose forward Blaze was sniffing at the Eevee and trying to nuzzle into her fur.

“Rappi dash Rapidash!” She whinnied at Drake’s Eevee in greeting, from one trainer’s pokemon to another.

[Walker of Darkness]

Drake just smiled as the two growlithe started to get to know one another, with Pupstar trying to be friendly and his own growlithe just goofing off and bounding about. Poor Riolu and Poochyena only shied away from Firefox's approach, both blushing greatly as she turned on the charm and clinging to Drake's legs even tighter. Drake almost laughed at how shy and nervous the two were, that is, until he found himself in the same situation.

When Yuri crouched down to look at Riolu and Poochyena, she was within a foot of Drake's face. He was a bit uncomfortable, he had little to no social interaction with people around his own age, much less any idea on what to do if someone was so close. Eevee just glared down at Yuri from atop Drake's head and only huffed in anger when Yuri smiled up at him. That smile caught Drake completely off guard and he nearly missed her comments about his pokemon. "Y-y-yeah...I...I uh, I mix all their food blends myself, catering to, uh, each one's specific needs" he said in response after a moment, tripping over his words and his face turning almost as red as Riolu's or Poochyena's as he glanced away from Yuri.

Eevee was about to tell off Yuri when Blaze greeted her, turning to regard the larger pokemon for a moment before returning her glare to Yuri ten fold. Growlithe, on the other hand, had watched the events unfold while he seemed to be just goofing around with Pupstar. His mind went through some scenarios, one of which he liked. Growlithe figured if he could find a way to push Drake and Yuri together, he would get to play with Pupstar and the others any time he wanted. His plan was simple, push the two of them together...literally(he had watched too many cheesy romance movies from when Drake left the tv on at night sometimes). Bounding around Pupstar to build up his momentum while looking like he was just playing, he darted past the larger Growlithe and towards Yuri's backside. Luckily, his goofy act wasn't all an act, he ended up tripping to the side and he corrected course in time to barrel right into Drake's chest, knocking him off his feet and slamming him back against the wall.

Eevee was shaken by the impact, Riolu and Poochyena dove to the side and ran right back to Drake, hugging to his torso out of fear, and Growlithe hopped to the side after the impact and whimpered a bit. Drake gasped for a quick breath, as Growlithe had knocked the air out of him, and looked down to Riolu and Poochyena to make sure they were all right, rubbing the tops of their heads to comfort them. Looking up to check on Eevee, he found she had recovered quickly and was now whaling away on his forehead with her paw as she went off on Growlithe verbally. "Eve...ow...Eevee...." Drake tried getting her attention with little result. "Eve!" he said at last with a slight bark of authority in his voice. Eevee stopped and looked down at him with her ears tilted back out of shame. "You know if you keep whacking me like that it's gonna leave a mark" he said with his kind smile. Eevee started to panic at the thought her antics would hurt Drake and began rubbing his forehead with her paws while getting teary eyed. Drake just lifted her up off his head and lulled her down to look at him. Eevee had the water works just barely held back and let out a small sniff. With a look akin to an affectionate older brother, Drake just said "Hey, relax, it's not like you're doing anything wrong. Besides, you know I can't get mad at you." With that Eevee let loose the flood of tears and buried herself in Drakes chest.

Drake just sighed as he turned to Growlithe, his smile still just as soft as ever. "And you," he started, Growlithe whimpering again, "what have I told you about being so rowdy around the younger two?" His voice held not a drop of anger or malice as he spoke. Giving Growlithe a light knock on the head just to tease him, Drake called him a "goofball." Growlithe pepped up in an instant with a happy bark and licked Drake on the side of his face. "What am I gonna do with you guys, eh?" he said with a laugh.

[Elorwin]

Yuri could not help herself as Drake’s Growlithe barrelled passed her leaping heavily into his chest and knocking him backwards against the wall, concerned she let out a loud gasp of alarm. Standing up and rushing over she saw him check on all his pokemon, thankfully none of them had been hurt during the fall. All her pokemon followed suit calling out in alarm and concern across to Drake and his pokemon.

Kneeling down in front of Drake she looked into his face with concern mingled with exasperation while surreptitiously checking him over for signs of injury. Gently taking his chin she tilted his head from side to side but could see no damage. Tutting softly under her breath Yuri sighed.

“Geez you have been in my charge for less than an hour and you are already getting yourself into trouble, by your own pokemon as well!” Turning Yuri looked to the Growlithe who had caused all the commotion unlike Drake Yuri gave him a firm look. “And you Growlithe, you should know better than to charge at your trainer like that, what if you had hurt him.” Pupstar next to them barked in agreement.

Her face softened into a warm smile as she stroked Growlithe’s head and then moved her hand to Pupstar’s soft yellow fur. Addressing Growlithe again Yuri kept smiling.

“You will be fine, just try being a little more careful.” Standing up with a swift movement Yuri stuck out her hand to help Drake to her feet. “Right come on you, I have a class to go to in ten minutes and if I am right so do you. So let’s meet up again tonight at dinner, in the canteen, so I can tell you our training plan.”

[Walker of Darkness]

Drake's face flushed red as Yuri inspected him for injury, leaving him wondering if personal space meant anything to her. He didn't take kindly to her quick scolding of his pokemon, but she was right. Embarrassed, both he and Growlithe turned away. The mention of class didn't have him jumping for joy, either. "Yeah," he said, "don't want to be late on the first day of classes." The distaste in his voice was clear, but he made no further comment as to avoid a lecture.

Recalling his pokemon, Eevee giving Yuri one final glare through her teary eyes, Drake reached behind him and pulled himself up using the windowsill, too nervous to take Yuri's hand for her to help him up. Without even glancing to her, Drake said to Yuri "there's a table to the far right of the patio that no one uses, doesn't have much for a view, but keeps out of the crowds" walking to the door as he spoke. "I'll see you there about five tonight" he finished, still not even looking at her as we walked out of the classroom.

After a minute or two, he arrived at another classroom, opening the door, he was greeted with a questioning look from the teacher, Ms. Kasuki. "Drake?" she started, "what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean? It's almost time for class to start, isn't it?" he answered, not really knowing why she was asking.
"Yes, it is, and if you don't hurry, you'll be late for your class"
"But I'm already here" Drake said, confused.
Ms. Kasuki just looked at him for a moment. "You're not in my class this year, Mr. Thorn." She stated matter-of-factly, "You might want to check your class schedule and try not to be late to your first class."

Wandering the halls, Drake didn't know what class he was supposed to go to. He hadn't received a schedule, so had he assumed that he had the same classes as last year. Deciding to spend the day in his room instead of wandering aimlessly, he headed for the 5th and 6th year's dorm wing. A few minutes walk saw him at his door, and just as he reached to open it, he heard a voice behind him. "Ah, there you are Drake." He turned to find the speaker was Mr. Yamamoto. "I have to apologize, I had forgotten to give you your amended schedule back with Yuri. You will be in the sixth year classes with her and her partner for all pair, team, and group assignments as part of both of your social skills scores. You'll also be taking remedial classes throughout the year to recover your grades for fifth year, with Yuri over seeing those classes as your mentor. I'll be letting her know all of this once I see the two of you tomorrow. Now off to class with you, you're already late!" Walking off after handing Drake his class list, Mr. Yamamoto left him with his jaw agape.