Forum Thread

The Sun rose over the new day, It was the first for many Pokemon at the Aurali High School. A Light Purple Eevee rose up from his slumber, first year of school, he’s never been to one due to the lack of education opportunities in his home region.

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A torracat stretched and yawned, then feverishly began cleaning herself. She was incredibly nervous, for this was her first year of high school. Over the summer, she told herself that she would try to become more social, but now that the day had approached, her confidence shriveled up.

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A Mismagius was trying to decide her look for the first day of school. All sorts of necklaces laid out in front of her ghostly hands and she was trying to pick one that would look good on her. She ended up going with her Pearl necklace that she was given since she was young.

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An citrus coloured Rockruff made their way to the school. Another day, another year, another school for this hyper Rockruff. Yes, he could have gone to a school nearer to his kingdom but elected to come here as an excuse to explore.

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Niwa

Hidden off in the depths of an unfinished basement, past the crumbling plaster halfhazardly spread across ripped walls like icing, a Riolu crouched, examining his face. A ridged paw brushed over his black mask. He pressed his nose into the frosted glass, red eyes unblinking and-

"Niwa? Are you up?" An Oddish perched on the top mantle, the shaking of their leaves betraying their uncertainty. Their eyes, a red as bright as his own, shone in the darkness. Like some horrific creature from a human's movie.

Niwa felt a shudder travel up his spine. Ah- He was so wimpy. He knew that that was some ridiculous human stereotype. He had nothing to fear. The shade was dependent on species, and an Oddish was hardly more dangerous than a Rattata.

"Yeah," he agreed softly. "I'm awake."

That was an understatement. He hadn't slept a wink last night, terrified of what tomorrow- no, today now he corrected- might bring. Something he had to face now, with only a few blinks of rest and no breakfast due to his procrastination.

"Isla's been asking after you. She's really stressed right now." Trust Rosii to say something like that. 'Stressed' rather than 'Murderously plotting the death of her somewhat-adoptive brother'.

"Yeah. That makes sense." Niwa shifted uneasily. "Should I... get up there, then?"

"I'd go the back." Right. So Isla was in that sort of mood.

With a shudder, Niwa pushed himself up. The icy ground of the basement dug into his delicate palms. He pressed them lightly. Nope. Wasn't going to evolve any time soon. Staying a baby Pokémon, unable to do anything for the ones who continuously cared for him, helped him pursue his selfish dreams, maintain a selfish veneer, and pursue a selfish education-

His breaths were coming out shortly. He ducked his head, slipping past Rosii. The Oddish gave him a bob of their head.

"Good luck," they called softly. "See you later. Make some friends, okay?" They couldn't keep the hope out of their voice.

Not likely, he thought gloomily. He slipped out the back door. From upstairs, he could hear Isla's fury. Had she gotten fired, again? Or was it just another rant at the systems which oppressed them, which allowed trainers' Pokémon to reign supreme and pressured those wild to live a life without freedom?

He broke into a run once he reached the sidewalk. The cracked concrete pressed satisfying into the pads of his feet, letting him spring into a speed he could only reach along this path. But at the second right turn, he slowed to a walk. The Aurali High School was coming into sight.

Niwa already felt nervous.

Oh, Rosii. I wish you could be here with me...

But it was impossible. They'd graduated last year, and with it, moved into what little labour a baby Pokémon with a pitiful level could get.

This was his only chance to circumvent that.

His breathing was coming out fast again.

Just get to school, just get to school, just get to-

Niwa stopped in his tracks. He clutched at his heart. Already he could see Pokemon ambling along. One jostled his shoulder and he retreated further within himself, hunching his shoulders, crying out for someone, someone realize that he couldn't, that he wasn't strong enough, he couldn't be here-

No.

He straightened up. This was fine. This was all fine. He just had to keep going. Fight his way to the top and prove his worth.

His palms compressed, and he pulled himself together. This was his first day. With a little hard work, he could win it all and pave his way to a better future.

For all of the Meteorites.

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Shade scratched his ear, his fluff shedded slightly leaving the soft fluff all over his bedroom floor. He grabbed a bag and a few Cherry Honey Cookies.

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Kitty frowned and headed out the door. She walked down the sidewalk, head turning to and fro. When she arrived at the school, she shook in fear and awe. 'Get a grip on yourself!' she thought. She sat down to watch and see what other Pokemon would be here.

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Niwa

Niwa took in a deep breath.

Time to go, he thought. His legs were working. Determination, at least, decided to function the way it was supposed to. He wasn't totally selfish.

His jumbled thoughts managed to piece a coherent order together.

Walk forward into the school, so you can one day help Isla.

Right! Niwa gave his head a brisk shake. He started forward, and instantly knew he'd made a mistake. He hadn't been looking for where he was going. Which was an excellent idea if you were looking to crush baby Pokémon, but not one when you were trying to make a good impression and become the top Pokémon of a school.

Niwa promptly stepped on a Torracat's tail. Which, while not the worst case scenario, was obviously an awful one when you were Niwa and the slightest bit of negative feedback made you bury your face in a pile of sand.

"Ack!" he yelped.

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Kitty turned around abruptly. She was about to make a snappy comment when she realized that the Riolu looked highly scared.

She frowned.

Instinctively, she wrapped her tail around the Riolu's arm. She had no idea why.

"Are you scared of coming to school?" She meowed. "I am too. How about we go in together?"

She tried to give a smile, but it quickly turned into uncertainty as she looked at the building.

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Niwa

Unbeknownst to her, Niwa was in the middle of an internal meltdown, but he managed a shaky smile. "A-Ah- right. Scared of... going to school." His throat visibly bobbed in a nervous swallow.

The gentle grip of her tail managed to defrost the ice which clung to his skin. He breathed out. Go to school... go with someone... A friend? He vaguely heard Rosii's words in the back of his mind. A trickle of hope entered his heart. "Yeah! We could go in together. Both of us! And- and see what the inside is like."

His heart was still hammering in his chest, but his smile was strengthening. "If... you want to. I will not pressure you, if you would rather not."

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Moon put on her backpack and floated to school, half excited, half scared. She wondered if she could even make new friends...

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Kitty found her own smile strengthen. "Sure! Perhaps we have some classes together!"

---

Luther

Curled up on a threadbare couch, a Glameow listened intently to the racket going up upstairs. Isla screaming. Rosii crying back, trying to keep their ever-present, ever-hidden temper hidden beneath gentle pleads and compliments which bit harder than anything anyone had ever said to the furious Pumpkaboo.

He didn't know what'd started this one. But at least Niwa was out of the house.

His tail unraveled from the pillow it'd seated itself on. He tensed his haunches and leapt down. He started for the kitchen- The silence made him pause, a paw raised in the air.

Rosii was crying again.

Pitiful, isn't it? he thought dryly. But no matter what he told himself, that stupid crying pounded on the perpetual ache in his heart. So much for the neverending loyalty of the Meteorites, right? Family- they could barely hold themselves together, much less each other.

He prowled across the barren living room floor, stepping delicately over bald patches in the rugged carpet, skittering over leaves that Isla had once again failed to send in an attack.

He nearly snorted.

Morons. Wouldn't they ever give up? Accept their place in life?

Isla's low voice came from upstairs. Was she comforting Rosii? He was tempted to say yes, but that seemed far too out of character for the hostile Pumpkaboo. She was probably threatening them again.

Luther came to the back door. It was open. The youngest had slipped out again.

Lucky brat.

He was the only one in the family with a chance to escape this horrible place. With Rosii working with Luther and Isla, they could finally support him. He could finally become a Lucario- and help them all out of here.

The thought made him pause.

I wonder if that's lucky at all.

That was long enough for Isla and Rosii to come downstairs. The Oddish wasn't looking at either of them. Isla was scowling, but that was to be expected.

"Morning." Luther's eyes glowed yellow in the dim light streaming through the windows.

After a moment, Isla gave a grudging nod. "Morning."

The tension released. Rosii bustled into the kitchen. Now alone with Isla, Luther sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws. The Pumpkaboo took the initiative and fluttered to the window, brushing aside the curtains with her horns. A faint light of power signalling an attack came, but didn't release.

Luther wasn't all that surprised. Isla had the drive and emotion, but never the talent.

"Niwa's first day of school," Isla said at last.

Luther nodded, but didn't see the point. They all knew that. Was Isla confirming it? Had she finally come out of her hysteric fits long enough to recognize the importance of today?

"It's a monumental occasion." Isla turned around. Luther startled a bit. Was she crying? Geez- maybe she wasn't threatening Rosii earlier. "We're all grown up."

"Sentimental," Luther observed. He gave a cheery laugh. Isla wasn't moved. They both could read each other so effectively. They always had been able to. And who couldn't read Niwa?

The only one of us who isn't obvious is Rosii. The one who wears their heart on their sleeve. Nope. Backtrack that. Human expressions were stupid. Humans were stupid. No stupidity allowed near Isla, unless you wanted to get yelled at. The only one who's actually nice some of the time. That was better. And more accurate.

"Hmph." Isla turned away. "Yeah. I suppose I am."

Rosii entered the room again. They were smiling. "Guess what?" they breathed.

In a minute, all three Meteorites' eyes were as wide as teacups, human phrases and expressions all lost on their minds.

Perhaps today was not nearly as bad a day as it had seemed to be this morning.

---

Niwa

Even for Niwa. Disregarding the fact that he managed to trip three times on his way into the school alongside his new friend. Cheeks burning with heat, he guided her in, pushing his full, (honestly pathetic) strength against the door. "Yeah, maybe," he said, flustered, as he tried to keep it from slamming on his foot. "You first! I'll come after you."

He caught a Mismagius out of the corner of his eye. It made him think of Isla- back before she'd become prey to those horrible fits and rages.

The thought made his heart ache, so he tore his eyes off of her, and pressed harder against the door.

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Moon found a bench outside the school to sit down and quietly sing to herself. She wondered about what this new school year would bring, hopefully not angry PE teachers.

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Niwa

Niwa knew, even before he said it, that he'd regret it. But who cared at this point? How could things worsen? Well, for one, this nice Torracat could leave you forever and call you a- Besides that, he had nothing to lose. So he opened his mouth and said-

"Hello- Ghost Pokémon."

Dom.

A nail in his metaphorical coffin. Excellent. That was truly the work of the future champion of the wild Pokémon leagues. Niwa had truly outdone himself. Acting on point.

That was all sarcasm, just in case the magical, god-like beings from another universe were watching Niwa and his inner stupidity and assumed otherwise.

Shaking off his thoughts, he tilted his head at the Mismagius. "You're new here too, right? Do you want to walk with us?"

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Moon looked up at Niwa, stopping her singing. "Walk- with you?" she asked, before floating off the bench "sure I guess.."

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Niwa

Inner Niwa perked up. This was going great! Two future friends to be a part of his backstory as he rose to greatness and saved everyone he cared about!

"Oh! Sounds great! Glad to hear it!" With a final heave, the door slid open. His pads dug painfully into the metal entranceway. He slipped through, tugging the Torracat after him with her gentle grip on his arm. "Are you all new here? I am. I just narrowly missed my older sibling, Rosii. They graduated last June. Most of my family attended this school."

He puffed out his chest slightly in pride. All of them except Isla, to be fully honest. What use did a Pokémon school have for someone who could barely control their own weak power? Especially one with a plethora of anger issues?

It'd been admittedly hard for her wards to follow, but Niwa took that more as a compliment. The other's squeaky clean records were the reason he was in. And if Luther made a few adjustments to his registered level, well... Who would know?

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Moon followed Niwa, nodding at the question they asked. She wasn't in the mood to be too social so she just remained quiet as she floated across the ground.

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The school was rustic in style, bricks walls, spruce floor, blue windows, and white doors, the outside had a fountain and many cherry blossom trees. Shade had finally gotten to the school, it wasn’t that far and he’s quite fast for a eevee

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Kitty looked at the mismagius with curiosity, but said nothing. Her tail brushed the Riolu's cheek as she walked into the building though, hoping that the Riolu would calm down a bit. It was obvious that the mismagius didn't want to talk, although she didn't want to say so out loud.

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