Trails of Tera Steel (Kiseki-inspired Pokemon Academy Quest)

"...Gardevoir line?"

"Hmm…nah, too clingy. And I already have Fairies covered," Erika replies as she writes something down in her notebook.

Erika had asked for your help in identifying which Pokemon she should try and go for as a second member of her team, so right now, the two of you are in her room, running ideas past each other. You're laying on her bed, looking through the ARCUS' Pokedex for Pokemon available in Paldea, while Erika sits at her desk writing an analysis of her options in that notebook of hers.

"Meowscarada?" They're pretty rare in Paldea, but not unheard of. They'd fit pretty well with her battle style since the Sprigatito line is known for being tricky and mischievous. You think one of the Gym Leaders, Brassius Neopoli, has one on his personal team.

"...maybe, but it's pretty hard to get one right now. I'd either have to buy from a breeder or convince a Trainer of one to give me an egg. It'll be much more feasible as a 4th or 5th."

"What are you even looking for in a second team member?" You ask, exasperated at having to throw out Pokemon names just for them to get shot down.

"Cornelia, could you pass Leaf's notes over to me?" The Carbink levitates over a sheet of paper similar to the one your teacher gave you last Friday. Is this what caused her to start wondering about future team options?

"Let's see, according to her, I need 'A member that can cover Carbink's offensive and mobility shortcomings'. She also wrote that 'get better at improvisation' advice you provided, but since she is an actual professional, I have no choice but to listen." You roll your eyes and throw one of Erika's pillows at her, which Cornelia telekinetically catches. You give a sheepish smile to the unamused Pokemon.

"Why not a Scyther, then? It fits both of those criteria." It'd cover some of the weaknesses that Cornelia has and would give her team a much needed offensive option.

"That's..hmm…they'd fit, but that'll be a difficult addition to my team. I'd have to convince them to willingly join, since there's no use getting a second Pokemon that won't even listen." You restrain yourself from snorting. "...and it's a good habit to establish. The problem is convincing them, and after that, well…" A rather ill-fitting grimace finds its way to Erika's face.

"Well what?" You ask, sitting up to talk to Erika at a better angle. "Why would that be a problem?"

"It's, uh…complicated." Erika turns away, trying to avoid looking at you, so you raise an eyebrow and spare a look towards Cornelia. Their way of expression is very different from what you're used to, and it's hard to understand what she's trying to communicate via pantomiming, but somehow, you get the gist of what she's saying.

"Are you worried that your second Pokemon won't like you?" From the look on Erika's face, you've guessed right.

"I mean—it's only natural that someone would be worried about that—it's…" She's stammering explanations and excuses, trying to spare herself the embarrassment, but stops after Cornelia makes a noise at her, causing her to clam up. You wait in silence for her to compose herself.

"...Fede has a tradition of raising human children communally alongside Pokemon," she finally says. "Aside from other human kids, I was raised alongside Cornelia, Gertrude, and Jill, a Hatenna and a Swirlix." Erika looks out her room's window as she speaks, like she's in a faraway place. "I was never the most sociable kid when I was young. Carried on into my teens, so I didn't get along well with a lot of other wild Pokemon around the place."

"Whenever someone from Fede heads off to the outside world for a Journey, they're usually accompanied by two Pokemon for their own safety, a Pokemon they've been raised with since birth and one they've convinced to join them before they leave." She gestures to Cornelia's Pokeball. "You can probably see how that ended for me." Oh.

"It's rather embarrassing, but the reason I was a mess when you first met me was because I was trying to convince a Wingull to join me, and, well…" She looks genuinely embarrassed, and you can see tears starting to form by the corners of her eyes.

That's it. You stand and walk over to where Erika's sitting. Ignoring her protests, you pull her up and hug her.

"I'm not gonna lie and say you're a social Beautifly, but you're a close friend and I'm sure you'll find a Pokemon you'll get along with." The hug is kind of awkward since she's a head shorter than you, but you put as much affection as you can behind it. After a moment of hesitation, she finally returns it.

"...Thanks. I think I'll try to go for a Scyther…" That's the spirit. But…

"Where would you even find one in Paldea?" You know they're not as rare as a potential Meowscarada, but you only saw a handful in the Highlands.

"Right. Don't tell Leaf I told you this, but our 1st Field Exercise is likely going to be in Cortondo. There's a couple of forests around the town where Scyther are known to hunt." Cortondo, huh? That'll help if you want to look for a third Pokemon.

"Don't worry. If she asks, I'll tell her I guessed." A moment of silence passes between the two of you, still wrapped in a hug. Eventually, Erika lets go, wiping her tears from her eyes.

"It's uh, getting pretty late. I believe the two of us should turn in for the night." You check the clock in her room, and you're shocked to discover that just talking about Pokemon took so long. You grab your belongings and start to head out of her room, and just before you go...

"Goodnight, Erika."

"Goodnight…Mary." You give her a look, and she rolls her eyes in return. "What? The twerp uses it, why can't I?"

You hear Erika's door lock behind you, and then the muffled sounds of someone screaming into a pillow. It's good that she's letting it all out. You, however, still have a part of your daily routine to do.

Heading downstairs, you say hello to Missy and Wiggly, who are watching a weird show on TV–something about a chemist in Unova. After grabbing some food from the fridge, you make your way over to Leaf's office, somehow still unused aside from your sessions with Espurr, and lock the door behind you. You see your shadow wriggle beneath you, meaning that Missy has already split off a shade to watch over you.

You had asked Leaf how Missy does that a few days back, and she'd told you it was something about using Night Shade and Poltergeist to split off a simulacrum of Mismagius for multitasking. You wonder if it's possible for Roland to do something similar once he's grown enough and even fully evolved.

Tangent aside, you release Roland and Espurr from their balls and have them exchange greetings with one another. The usual routine continues, until…

'Human Mariana. I wish to go outside. It does not have to be today.'

You blink. That's the first time Espurr has used your name. "Go outside? Are you sure?" Espurr responds with a nod, before repeating that it doesn't have to be today.

"I'll…see what I can do." You'll need to convince Leaf of this first. Satisfied with your response, Espurr decides to return to her Pokeball.

You broach the topic to Leaf the next day, luckily managing to stumble into her during lunch break.

Leaf looks at you with a calculating expression, intensely staring at you before she finally responds.

"You're not allowed to go out of the Academy Grounds, and Missy herself, not a shade will accompany you. You'll also have to do it at night." That works. You thank your teacher as she waves you off and tells you to head to your next class.

Now to convince Roland.

He's been a lot more, what's the word, uncooperative lately when it comes to Espurr. You know that he dislikes her, but you feel like there's something more. Thankfully, you manage to convince him by promising to take him to the Academy Town's Battle Arenas and to try and fight people he can actually win against. Such a needy Pokemon, but you still love him.


You spend the rest of your time after class, battling and winning against other first years, and even fight Manuel for the first time outside of the Round Robin. Roland with Agility is already too fast for Gawain's to keep up with, but despite that, the battle lasts a pretty long time since you're practicing an attritional strategy with Roland: wear away at the opponent with Will-o-Wisp and Infestation, while using Double Team and Agility to minimize the damage taken. So far, it's been serving you pretty well–you even have a winning streak going.

"Oh? You're my next opponent, Mariana? It seems Roland's gotten faster, huh?

Had. You had a winning streak going. You turn around to greet Nemona, who's just finished up her own match for the day. Huh, it seems she fought Erika. You wave to Erika, trying to get her attention, but she runs off looking embarrassed after she sees you. Did she lose that badly to Nemona?

"I wanna have a fair fight, so I'll use Mercury against you, Mariana! Also, Sunny wants to rest." You give her a thumbs-up, trying your best to make sure Nemona doesn't notice your eye twitching.

It's close.

Genuinely close. But close is not enough to beat Nemona. It'll never be enough.

As you say goodbye to Nemona, ending the day's battling session (the girl herself plans to spend all night battling whoever is willing to challenge her), you apologize to Roland on the way out. You could have made an excuse not to fight Nemona but…you couldn't. You had to fight her. Roland nuzzles up to your face to comfort you, which cheers you up a little.

"C'mon, you baby. Let's get you to a Pokemon Center."

With Roland and Leaf's approval, the day you escort Espurr outside arrives. It'll only be around the Academy Town at night, but apparently even that's okay with her. Then again, the Academy Town is actually a pretty big place–there's even a small park you never visit that'll be perfect for you to use.

"Come on!" You gesture for Espurr to follow you outside, Roland wrapped around your neck.

"Let's go!"

---

What a bother.

She waddles out of the door with Mariana close behind her. The moon hangs overhead. She knows not why that human, Strangling Flowers, had forbidden her from going out during the day, but it is fine. She likes the moon. Mother had said she was born under a full one.

Mariana follows, pink and blue threads of kindness and patience wrapping all around the human, near suffocating in their saccharine smell, but she skims the human's surface thoughts and there it remains, that little thread of white hot ambition going deep, tethered to two places: one to somewhere in the building she had left, the other to somewhere far far away. Is the human even conscious of that? Doubtful.

The human's shadow writhes, and there is their chaperone for the night. Not a shade this time; it seems her request has gotten the full attention of that Spectre, Sorrowful Jubilee. The Spectre is, of course, unable to help herself. She sips, just tiny droplets, of the purple sorrow of Mariana, a consistency like wine. Greedy thing, as she already drinks much from Strangling Flowers. She says nothing, of course, as the thread of sadness is taken and wrapped around the Spectre, strengthening her further. She has no need for it. The Spectre is already stronger than even her jailors, bar a handful.

Besides, calling her gluttonous would not do well for herself. Spectres like her never forget.

She continues to waddle, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of humans and Pokemon alike. She is careful to never let the Well leak, her ears forced shut, as she half-listens to whatever Mariana says about this or that, planning to remember the colors and noises later when she is asleep as Munna had taught her. She will not ruin this night. Thankfully, very little other humans are out to ruin it for her.

Mercifully, the Wyrm has decided not to do so either. He is obediently wrapped around the neck of his mistress, like her younger brothers clinging to Mother despite their age. He has no Name yet, so he is Wyrm to her, with Chains of Pride and Ambition, like cold iron wrapped all around him. A Wyrm through and through, and yet, it is that little thread that was not there when they first met that most interests her. It is a strange color, a feeling that is not easily put into words.

A cocktail mixture of regret, bitterness and betrayal, woven together when she tried to kill Mariana. She's known it for a while now, but the serenity of the environs has given her the focus to confirm.

The Wyrm—Roland hates her.

That is the issue with Spectres. Beings of memory clinging to remnants of emotions (or is it the other way around? She does not remember her Mother's lessons). A Spectre is incapable of forgetting, truly forgetting, for memories and experiences are what wove the tapestries of their forms.

She wonders if he will ever do something about it, whether his love for his human is stronger than his hate for her. Would he wait until he evolves? He is stronger than when she first met him, and he seeks strength, almost craves it. Would she do anything if he does strike one day?

She pushes and prods, trying to draw out the little gem within, to see whether he will do something about her beyond routinely complaining and slinging insults, so often merely empty words. She returns them back to see what other emotions will emerge, a game between the two of them.

But there are times. Where a nugget of true hate mixes in, though they are brief. He clamps down on it fast enough, and she is left wondering how to respond.

She is…unsure of what to feel about his hate. She remembers the relief and the hope, like a refreshing breeze, when he had come to her aid. He had reminded her of Natu, especially with how he acts with Mariana, before—

Hm. She's ruined the night for herself after all.

What a bother.

She stops waddling, stopping in the middle of a small park and looks off in the distance, letting a little of her power leak while ignoring the sound of alarm from Sorrowful Jubilee. She feels the threads that bind her, the threads that make up the tapestry of HIS Creation, the changes done to her by the humans had granted her strength, allowing her to tap into the Well of power within her, an Espurr's birthright.

She thinks of home. She feels her connections to her kin, brothers and sisters, and to her parents. She does not remember how she was taken, only the noise that broke the Well, broke her control over it. She long agonizes over what had happened to all she knew.

She tries, but she cannot reach them. Cannot envision them. No color, no sound, no smell comes to her. She is not like Natu, whose change had brought him sight beyond sight.

She chooses to interpret this as her being too weak to reach them. There will be no more for now–better, the uncertainty. The Well closes.

Looking around her, it seems she's managed to worry Mariana. Save that worry for yourself. It is not over yet. She tells her as such, and the grimace that made its way to the human's face is precious.

They walk in silence now. The Wyrm glares at her from his perch around the human's neck. The Spectre is quiet, contemplating her and what she had attempted.

Their procession finally nears the exit of the 'Academy Town,' as Mariana explains to her, the furthest limits of their trip. She once more looks off into the distance.

She…could try to find out what had happened to her home. The stars will guide her. She could teleport away and dodge those looking for her. It should be possible with the metal on her neck gone. She would not meet the fate of Munna and Natu, she is sure of it. She could—

The Wyrm hisses at her, their little signal whenever he wants to say something (usually an insult) that the Spectre need not hear.

She reaches into his mind and listens.

'Rejoice, ungrateful one. My human has decided to allow you to attempt an escape. She will distract the Sorrowful Jubilee as best she can. Leave or stay. I care not which, though I doubt you'll make it.'

She almost laughs, and her control over the Well nearly slips.

Mariana walks a slight distance away from her, whispering something. From her shadow emerges the Spectre, an irritated look on her face. Mariana is serious about this.


Fine. She will make an attempt.

She waddles as fast as she can–levitation would give away what she is doing. She can do it once she is far away enough, but–

She stops before she can even make it to the gate, her own shadow having turned against her, wrapping around her legs. When did the Spectre get a shade there?

What a bother.

"Okay, I'm sorry, it was my idea! Let her go, Missy!" Mariana pleads with the Spectre, who does not even deign to look at her. She calls off into the distance, towards where the dorms are. It seems Strangling Flowers is aware now of her attempt.

'Worry not, Spectre. I will not flee anymore.' It is pointless now, but at least Mariana had tried. She peers into the surface of her mind, and finds the human more worried about her than she is about herself.

How cute. Her kindness is near cloying. Reminds her of Mother whenever she'd misbehave, playing with the other creatures of the grove.

Fine. She will play nice from now on.

Their group waits until Strangling Flowers finally arrives, scolding and pulling on Mariana's ear. They are escorted back to the dorms, the Wigglytuff, Boundless Care, behind her and scolding her all the while. She cannot find it within herself to care, not when she is busy laughing (internally) at how the Wyrm curses at her for getting his human in trouble.

This night has mostly been redeemed. It seems she hasn't ruined this one quite as thoroughly as the others.

Hmm.

'Mariana,' she whispers into her mind.

'My name is—'

[] Espurr Nickname Write-In (Will be subject to a strict QM Veto)

---

"Double-check this for me, please," Leaf says as she hands you another document.

For the past two days after Espurr's trip outside, your time after class has been taken up by basically being Leaf's secretary. You take her calls, double-check her documents and papers, and even get her coffee. Punishment detail, she calls it, but you really don't regret it too much. Even if it's just the first part of said punishment detail, according to Leaf.

You give the paper a brief look, checking if there are any errors before—wait. You double-check the document, a bunch of it in legalese and technical language you can barely wrap your head around, but you get the gist of it.

Your first Field Exercise will be in Cortondo.

Class VII will be divided into two groups, one with four students and another with five. One group will be assigned tasks in the west of the settlement amongst the grasslands and hills, including the river, while the other group will be assigned to the forests, farms, and the Badajoz Plateau to the east of the province. You'll have to congratulate Erika for being right—

"Peeping, are we?" You're snapped out of your thoughts by Leaf looking over your shoulder, an amused expression on her face. "Don't worry, I should've expected you to eventually read some of the paperwork involving the Field Exercise. Surprised it took till Friday."

You were kind of in a fugue state while being her secretary.

"Oh right, that reminds me. Cancel any plans you have tomorrow. You're showing up to work at Silverleaf Office; that's part 2 of your punishment detail." You nod, trying your best not to give away that you already intended to do Ranger Work this weekend.

"As such, I'm gonna need you to fill these out." With that, she hands you a sheet of paper with your name on it: a list of Ranger Work you're gonna be handling for the weekend.

"Fill out the part asking for your birthday and sign at the dotted line at the bottom once you're done reading."

[] Write in for Mariana's Birthday (Any date involving June, July or August is not valid.)

Ranger Work 1: Pick 1
[] I Need a Stick from Unknown Caller:
"My darling Fennekin is within the cusp of evolution. Research has led me to find out that their evolution, Braixen, requires a decent stick or branch to serve as a conduit for their psychic abilities. I seek the help of you rangers finding me a decent one in the outskirts of Mesagoza. It has to be one steeped in Grass Type Energy. I'd go myself but I've been forbidden to leave the environs of the city, and my guardian is a rather protective woman. I will pay quite handsomely for your help in this regard, extra if the ranger named Elise Montenix is available."

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+PROW and 1d20+SKLL each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 20/24
• Improve Bond with Theodora Unknown Caller and Elise
• Gain 15,000/20,000 Pokedollars
• Gain 300 PROW and 300 SKLL XP

[] Berry Hunt from Caller Erika:
"…Look, I know Rangers are starting to become decrepit everywhere outside of Fede but this is ridiculous. I've been calling for over a week now! Anyways, my request is that you find and deliver a number of Wild Berries found in the outskirts of Mesagoza. The ones in the stores don't have the kick I need for my purposes. Also some Oran Berries, these ones can be store bought. They're for a friend anyhow. Deliver them to the Academy Town if you know where that is."

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+PROW each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 16
• Improve Bond with Caller Erika and Elise
• Gain 8,000 Pokedollars
• Gain 300 PROW XP

Ranger Work 2: Pick 1
[] Maintenance Work: Human communities across the world have long co-existed peacefully and sometimes not-so-peacefully with Pokemon. Someone or multiple someones have gathered enough funds to hire a ranger to clean up and repair the habitats that local wild Pokemon exist in, both for the community's sake and for that Pokemon.

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+PROW each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 12/14/18
• Gain 4000/5000/6000 Pokedollars
• Gain 100/200/300 PROW XP

[] Research Work: Human communities across the world have long co-existed peacefully and sometimes no-so-peacefully with Pokemon. A student has asked for help in gathering field data about local wild Pokemon in Mesagoza. They believe that rangers will be the best way to achieve the objective of their paper while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+KNOW each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 12/16/18
• Gain 2000/3000/4000 Pokedollars
• Gain 100/200/300 KNOW XP

[] Community Work: Human communities across the world have long co-existed peacefully and sometimes not-so-peacefully with Pokemon. A young child has asked for help. A number of Pokemon near his house have been displaced and injured as a consequence of a territory dispute, and as the kid is both too young and too scared to approach the injured Pokemon, they've asked the rangers to help heal and relocate them.

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+CHRM each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 14/16/18
• Gain 2000 Pokedollars
• Gain 400/600/800 CHRM XP

[] Suppression Work: Human communities across the world have long co-existed peacefully and sometimes not-so-peacefully with Pokemon. A Grimer in the Toilet, a Rattata in the Pantry, a Koffing in the Attic. Whatever way you want to mince it, a family has had enough and called for a ranger to evict a Pokemon from or near their house.

• You and Elise will both roll 1d20+SKLL each. I will take the higher rolls of the two. DC 16/18/20
• Gain 6000/7000/8000 Pokedollars
• Gain 200/300/400 SKLL XP

STAT Gains from this Update
100 CHRM XP
300 SKLL XP
220 KNOW XP
330 Passive KNOW XP

Thanks to Casmii for proofreading this update
Vote for Ranger Work will be by plan
Example vote would be:
[] Angela
[] October 25th
[] I Have a Very Large Stick
- [] I Need a Stick from Unknown Caller
- [] Suppression Work