The Eon Academy [S.S. Wishmaker Side-Story]

[[Desolate Divine]]

Season 2 Episode 4: Control

Spoiler:

All I see is darkness, and I’m deaf to the world around me. Yet, this seems normal. The lack of sight, hearing, and I only just realize, smell, doesn’t seem to startle me, as much as I feel as though it should. However, my sense of touch remains intact, and I feel myself encased in a protective shell.

I feel the presence of others, like faint voices creeping into my mind. Thousands, all gradually growing louder. All thinking different things, but as they grow louder, more of them tend to start thinking similar things, though I don’t necessarily understand what it means, only that it is very similar.




W̜̥̥̣̄͒ͥ́̑ͅh̍ͥͪͪ̃͏͇͇̲̩̞ḁ̫̫̫̻̜ͫ̎̈̊͌͝t̜̦̱̦̙͖͍͋̔ ̘̱̝͙͎͈ͤ̿̓̽̓ͫ̕ͅi͖̝̦̖̤̻ͧ̒ͯ͛̀̚͘ŝ̡̧͍͚͖̽̒͊͌ͦ̔͛͋ ̓̊̋ͩ̌̎̃̓҉̺͉̱̮͔t̵̨̹̖ͧ̒ͧ̒͑̐͆̕h̝̗̥͓̰̤̦͓̀̏̈́ͫ̀̄͢͡aͥ̒̆̾̂ ̫̗͌́t̠̙̼̿ͥ͂ͧ͋ͪͥ͂͠?̸̤̰̞̙̹̃ͪ̔͒ͪ



I̧̭̟̋̔̎̋̅ͦ̌͝͝ş̡͍̬̩̭͚̮̬ͤ̋͗̊̾̄ ̴̲̹̬̃͂ͩ͗͌̓ͥͬ̀t̡̼̣̗̙ͯ̎̈́̽h̾̄ͮͤͬ͏̙̦̣̪͎̘̮͉ä̸͓́͋ͮ̐̆ͥͯ̀͟ ̮t̶͚̯͎͓͌̑͢͞ͅ ̶̭̭͚ͣͦ͑̑ͦ̋̋̿͢a͕̜̬̯̗̫̿̀̄̀̀̒ͯͭ̔͟ ̺̞͎̬͇ͤͣ̔ͅͅm̷̟̜̮͍̻̙̠̄̒̉͛̄͒͡ͅe̴̟̪͕̿ͣ̊̕͝t͓̠̤̽̅̂̓̀̚e͂̚ ̻̟̫̱͚̊̅̀o̵̝͍̰̫̥̫͂̈ͮ͗͒ͥͪͅr͖͈̦͙̬̞̭ͪ̈́ͮ̉̈́͂͆͜͝?͐͊ͭ̎̑͐̂̓ ͝͝͏̤̮͔̝̗͕͉!̵̻͎̳̂ͨͪͬ̽ͮ̚



The voices grow louder as the common thoughts become more pervasive, until out of nowhere, I feel the protective shell surrounding me struck by something heavy, before moments later being hit by a form of energy that quickly passes through me, leaving me feeling energized. Am I being attacked? A few moments later, I feel a large crash, however I don't feel pained or injured by this.

I lay unmoving, unable to move of my own accord, and gradually I feel water creep over me. The thoughts I hear are now even more in sync, those of relief. I quickly realize this sense of relief started when I was attacked. Have I done something for these minds to mean me harm?

I am unable to spend too much time dwelling on this when I feel two more presences, drawing closer. They seem to be looking for something. Whilst I can’t hear in the natural sense, when two presences talk to each other audibly, in moments, their thoughts repeat what they hear, and what they are about to say. Granted, I still don’t understand…



“I̷̼͙͇ͤ͑ ̡̣̗̥̟͒̈́ͬ͂ͨ̕t̴̷̷͍̻̮̺ͨ̿͊̂̓̂ḩ̤͉̼̩̼̥̝ͦ́̎͒̍̄͗̚̚í͒ͩ̏͊ͨ ̷̧̱͙ͫn͕̭̝̻̩̥̦̽̊ͨͪͤͣͯͥ̚͜ͅk̴͉͖͍͍̲͌̾͛̏̈́̐̆͊̈͜ ̵̜̹̬̻̪̍͌̐͑̎̊͂̅ͨ͢Iͭ̌̇͑͘҉̼̼ ̨̞̦͕ͥ͗̀f̢̘̼̦̦̱̟̒̍̎ŏ̵͙̥̫̘̺̹͌͐̐͌͟u̗̼̟̞͎ͬ̇͛ͬͮ̏nͤ̌̒̃̎ ͎̜̣̞̤̫́̿͜͠͡ͅd̳͇͒͂̃͒͌ͅ ̢̝̘͚̖̍̒̾̄ͧi̮̭̱̩͍͛̆ͯ̔ͮ̚͠t̞̮͔̐ͭ…̝̤͎̖̳ͭͩͦ͠”



I feel myself lifted out of the water…


“W̳͂̍͆̿͆hͯ̈́̑ͩͤ̄̓ͨ̚͏̸̧̠̙͉̰͖͎̰͍ă̟̰̮̝͎̺̈́̂́̚͞t͐ͦͦ̕҉̠͞ ̹̫̣̫̘ ̫̮̙̖̘͉̝̟̮̒͐̅̓ͧͧ͆́́̚͡ẗ̸̖̪̦̤̜̦́̓́̐̒͢͠ͅh͎̦̲̣̣͉͓̠̀e͖̊̐ ͉͕̰̫͙̹ ̡̠͙̠̗̺̦̭̾ͧ͒̓̓͊͡ͅf̸̴͙̹̞̈́͊̆̑̑ͦ͑̔͠*̻̮̩̤̦̠̦͈͆̍ͧ̐̒̑͆̃̀* ̴̴̴͓̖̪̯̫͒͋́̉̿ͩ́k̵̳͎͖̯̭͔̮ͯ͛̕ ̡͎̘̣̳̩̃̂̏̆ͪͧ͜i̡̝̳͉̤͉̹͈̗̰ͯ̅͒ͮ̓͗̋̀͢s̳̫̥̏͝ ̶̗̳̖̙̊́ͣͫ̅̍ͧ̾ͯ͞t̨̠͈̺͉̗̤̲͋̀ͯ͂ͭ̀̑͟h̸̭̙͔̪̲̋ͅã̴̵͖̬͉͂̑ ̣t̮͎͙̯́̑̐ͮͨ̍̀͜…̷̵̱̹͙̟̠̥͙͊͘”



“Ẁ̡̘̜̦̞͕͔̋̃e̺̻̠̖̙͈̼̙̍̋̈͠͝ ̧̮̜̝̿ͨ͐̆ͨ̾̈̒č̲̰̚ǎ̻̟̩̣̣͖̯̊͋n̵̶̛̤̼̼̹̤͔͙̿̒͛’̧͍̼̬͛̕͘ t̴̫͙͇̜̻͌̂͂͡ ͇̀ͯ̏ͮͭ̽̚ḽ̥̜̰̫̥̥ͥ͋̎̓̐̐̎̋̔e̵̫̫̦̙̻̬͆ͥ͑ṯ̶̯̤̯̳̍̎̍̆̄ͧ͢ ̙͖ ̹͖̫̟͕͖̝ͧ̆̍̿̉̄̽ͮ͠a̢̩̖̰͒̄͘͠n̵͍̰̦̺̥ͣͧ̑ỹ̶̷̖̺̽͌ ̮̜͍̦̰̝̙̠ͦ̽̏̿̍̎ȯ̻̠̲̈́ͩ̓ͮ͂ͅf̫̮͗ͤͯ̇̓͌̃͜ ̶̡̼͔̭̮͕ͣ̆ͅt̹̳͎̬̭̭̬̙ͧ̾ͥͭͨͯͅh̻̹͋͊ͪ̿̈̍ͦë̠͚ͬ̈́ͣ͆̇͛ͪͬ́͠ ͚̗̪͓̬ ̢̢̫ͬ́͛̋ͨ̌̋͊́c̨͈͓̙̲̥͙̖̓̔ͪͦ̈r̖͍̙̟̼̈̌̓͝o͖̣̦̗ͫ̓͂̑̾ͨͤ̀͟ w̼̮͓̖͕̣̫͗́̏ͤ̑̑ͯ͢͡ͅd͕͖̹̭͍́͆̓̄͛͌̏ͪ ̶̨̼̼̘͖͈̐͂͗͗̕ş̪̟̃ͤͧ̌͗́e̛͕̾̌͢͞e͇̻͖͔̝͈̬̰ͩ̇ ̼̠̤̦̬̭̑͊ͧ͢͞ͅȉ̷̢̜̗̜̼̲̯̆̈ͨ̀̚t̸̨̺̹̳̜̙̥̬̱̬̐̃́.͛̍́ͧ̉ͦ͆ ̺͉͓̰̙͍̜ͩ͝ͅ G̢̛̠̠̰̪̺̍ͨ͐̉̉́i̷̝͙̳̟ͤ̀ͦ̿ͯ̓͝v̢̜̖̭͖͔͉͓̍̄̏͒͑ͫ̽e̵̛̓ ̭̦ ͈̺̗̊m͉̺̲̳͕͂̇̃̃͝ȩ̳͓̹̖̯̠̞͌̌̈̋̏͑ͫͩ͝ ̝͕̒͊͞ͅy̶͉̝̰̳͐̃͐͌̓͑ͪͩ́ö̴̝͖̱́̀̾̑ͩ͐͢͞ǘ̥͕̲̺̣̃ͬͬͨͨ͟r̨̈ ̭̬̪ ̨̯͉̹̬͇͚͐͆͂̓ͮ͑͛͛̚͞s̨̝̙̜ͪ̅̑͒ͥ̓ͭ̚h̛̞̫̥̮̲́̀ͬ̋͗ͭ̀͡ḯ̇ͨ̽ ̶͕͎̳̖̠̬ͅr̷̮ͮͩt̴̺̹͈̮̼̪̩̰ͭ̌͂̇͡.̱̰̞͈̺̑͗͑.̙̠̜̩̲̜̰̀ͯͧ.́ ̨̠̗̘̤̥͓͋ͮͫͬ̍̔”




“W̞̦̟̯̙ͮ̌͑̈́̀h̛̃͆̔̓̚҉͚̭̠yͤ̿͂͗̇̊ͮͭ̽҉̨҉̠̙?̢̄̐̅͑͞ ̮̥̬ͅ”



“B̴͎̜̫͕̤͌ͩ͒̑̈̈́̕e͎ͨ̑͗ͬͩc̴̟͎͖͈͍̼͎͚̾̏̊a̤̮̟͕̤̘͖͂ͤͬ̏ͥ̽͐ ͕ư̬̱̠̫͐̏̐ͦ͑͊s̶̞̳͇͔̲̀̂͊ͦ̀͐́ͅe̲̋̇ͪ̐̉ͨ͒͒ ̫̱̣͍ͨͪ̃͛Ị̳̥̔̃͛̑̃͝ ̞͉̙̣͔͉̝ͫ͒͑͂̏ͬ͑͒́w̺͈̠̾̓̿̍̅ͤͯ̃̆̀̕͜ä̴̹̟̭̳͚̫̜̩́ͪ͂̆̽̂n̎ ̵̱̖̏̓̀ͨtͪ̃̇͏͉̖̩̝͉ ̧͓͓͈ͬ̌ͦͦ̃̃͋͢t̵ͣ̓҉͎͚̗̤̼o̶̢͖̩̘̞̱̗̿̐̕ͅ ̟̘̹͎̟̺̱̬̑̐͒͆ͭ͟c̨̱͎͕̱̪ͣ̑̕͡o̠̅̔̀̚͘͟ͅv̴͎͔́ͣ̒̑ͅē̖̞͐̈ͥ ̥͕̳͖͓̯r̨͕̞̯̥̆ͦͩͦ̎̊̓͡ ̡̠͇̙̩ͮ͋͌̈́͑ͣ͛͛t̿͊̂҉̷͚͔̹̱͚̳̖̖͉h̢̠̠̜̙͐ͤ̉ͨ̎͆͠i̪͔̺͔̋sͫ̈́ ̙̟͇̣̰̿͡ ̶̛̖̹͉͈̼ͤ̏̑̒́̅ͭ͗t͓̯͕͎͔̼̝̝̎ͫ̀h̴͔̫̮̤̭̠̭̐̄ͮ͆͆̋̒̿̀ī̉̓̈́ ̗̟̥̬̩̣̭ͬn̠͈̻̳̦̞͖̫͔ͩ͛ͮͬ͐̾́g̩̫̦ͪ̓̌̌̕͠,̟͈̳̭ͭ̍ͥ͌ ͊ͣ̇҉͏̯̠ã̢͉̠̦͉̤̞̠͋ͯ̑̿̐͊͒͝ͅn̡͇̭̤̺̣̫̣͒͗͌ͅdͮ͊͆̅ͭ͞ ̺͖̙̫ ̛͚͉̯̣̪̜̫̐ͧ͒ͣ͑İ҉̪̯’͕̯̥̬̄ͪ̄̿͋m̃̾ͬͪ̀͑͘҉̛͈͙͔̩̲̟̯͕ ̺ ̼̪̅̃̿̄ͤ̈̈̋ͪ͝ͅn̦̞͔̠͋̅̒ő̗̬̳̰͛͞t̜̰͕̪͔̣͎̳̑̑ ͇̟̗̩͎ͮ̅ͬ̓t̵̥̰̙̃̀͞a̴̐̒̐ͦ̌̉̎҉͏̱͖̗̖̣̜̟k̢͈͔̱̯̓̎̏ͥͫ̒͛͋i ̧̰͕͎̙̗̯̪͆̇̅́ͭ̈́̕n̴̩͍̻̱͉̂ͩ͆̅̽ͥ̽̚͢ḡ̓ͮ̇͐҉̡̜̞ ̸̵̮͓͉̜͐ͦͮͩ͊ͯ̀m̴̮̯̪̣͈ͯͬͫ̏ͭ̾i̫̟ͨͤ̃ͨ̾́n̷͙͍̱̏͑̉̓͂̈́ͥ̕e͌ ̨̣̬͉̌̅͞ ̸̶̢̱̝͍̠̄̓͑o̷̯̫̫̳̬͉͊̋̀̿̂ͣͬ̃f̣̣̣͔͖͕̙̱͗͋ͤ̔͘̕͢fͤ͛͒̑̃̊͌ ̀҉̵͓̻̭̥̠…̷͔͈͎̥̒ͥ̈́͡”




I feel a sense of embarrassment from one of the presences, before I find myself coated in something new. Not hard and protective like the last protective shell I had, but something soft and warm.

As the conversation seems to dwindle, I feel a strange emotion from the one holding me. A protective instinct, and realize that for the first time, I feel a strange emotion myself. A sense of peace, or safety.

I am carried towards a crowd, where this protective instinct seems to grow stronger, and eventually all but a small handful of the presences start to leave. However it is then I feel a presence pushing its own consciousness into mine, though I don’t understand what it’s trying to say.



“W̡͓̖̝̰̣̪̪̔̂̔̏͜ḥ̢̖̟̅̿̐̑ͩ̌ͨͦa̡̹͔̟̖͂̌̈́̋̓͒͘t̏̃̐ ͕͍̠ͪ̅ ̜͔̠̍̋aͪ̋̚͏̳͕͚̗͇̼̩͠r̟̱̍̑͘̕ḙ̷ͧ ̸̸ͩ́ͬ͗͏̬̼̫̩̱y͔̗̤̆̑͋͂͢o͖̳̫̳̅̄͋̓̏ͤ̀ủ͎͔̂ͩ͊͋̈́?͉̣̻͍̈̀ ̫̪̻̤ ̴͇͚͖̩̱̗ͮͩ̆ͤ̄͆̿̆̈́̕ͅͅÃ̷̟̠̥̖̼͇͓͆ͭ̌̎r̻͇͈̞̬̟̱ͪͫ̋͐̐ͅẽ̅ ̹̜ͣ͌ͨ́̚̕ ͍͍̒̆ͦ̊ŷ̖͕͎̬̯̪͌ͮͨͦ̾̍͡o̶͛͏͚͉͉̦̱̼̣̱u̶͙̿̌ͭ͂̓́ ̹̜̳̩̝̬ͣ̄̿̚̚͠a̸͕͕̟̱̘̰̖̳̼͌ͫ̕ ̷̬̝̪͙̪̬̗ͤ͌̓ͩ̒ͭ̋̎͝͞P̖̯ͮ̀̍͒͗̓͌ͣ̀͘o̭̝̝͍̹̅̊̀̕ͅk̆̑͑̃̓́́ ̛̛̺̯̫ͫ̒̀e̴͚̱͙̙͕̠̳͛̅͂̎͋̃̾̒͟m̨̡̙̯̲̤̀̈́̆́̃̚͘ǫ̲̭̪̀ͪ͊̿̚ ̻͈͎n̮͕̫̫͇̋ͦ̅͒ͯ͑͘?͆̔̈̀͏͇̬̳̹̳̣͉̠͡”


I try to say I don’t understand, however I know that chances are it doesn’t understand either. And whilst I can see some of this being's own senses, what it sees, and hears, leaking through the telepathic connection, and could eventually grow to understand, all I see and hear is nothing. I feel, and detect, but that’s not enough to bridge this gap of understanding.

The presence disappears, and I have no choice but to wait. I continue to be held by the being who seems to want to protect me, and after a while, they eventually place me down. There, many of the beings talk, most of them having a sense of intrigue or curiosity, though a lot of it is slightly intertwined with concern and fear.

Then something changes. The being that wanted to protect me is now suddenly alarmed, before having a sense of resignation. That something is out of their control.

Suddenly I am picked up again, and taken away, this time by another being, being forced to leave my protector, and suddenly, this feeling of peace and safety is gone…

Charlotte awoke with a start. It was a dream but something didn’t seem right about it. Charlotte had nightmares a lot as a young child, and from there, without even realizing it, learnt to be aware that she was dreaming, and learnt to wake herself up when things became intense. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a dream and wasn’t aware she was dreaming. Why now? And what did it mean?

She checked the time on her phone next to her, seeing it was only 6:45, and she had over an hour before breakfast. Before she knew it, the majority of all she had seen in her dream was forgotten, and it was little more than an afterthought, of why she didn’t know she was dreaming. It had been a week and a half since the students arrived at the Eon Academy. Thursday morning.

Careful not to wake Abbee who slept in the bunk on the other end of the cabin, she quickly got dressed and grabbed her Pokeballs, before heading outside, figuring she would make the most of the hour she had before breakfast.

Whilst a year ago, it would have been easy to use the battleground, now it had been replaced with a large building that Jon kept locked. Additionally, with the construction of two new lodges on the property, the best space outdoors to practise was either by Jon and Alyssa’s cottage or by the front gate, and considering they probably got less sleep than everyone else, Charlotte decided the best place to train would be at the front of the property.

It was nearing 7am when Charlotte found herself near the front gate, where she had Roserade and Milotic out of their Pokeballs. She had been attempting to teach Roserade a hybrid attack. A Grassy Terrain attack, with Leech Seeds hidden amongst the terrain. Essentially using two moves in the time it would take one, but also to be subtle about the Leech Seed. Currently Roserade was able to do it, however was slow and obvious, which made it not viable in a battle.

As Roserade practiced this, using dummy seeds that didn’t harm Milotic, but instead just exploded into harmless spores, Charlotte had Milotic turn away, unable to see where the dummy seeds were hidden, and when Roserade was done, Milotic had to try to identify where the hazards were, and reach Roserade without triggering them. It was nearing 7:30 when Charlotte was pulled from her thoughts.

“That’s a very good way of training,” came the voice of an older man from the other side of the gate. Charlotte turned towards it to see a man who looked like he was in his eighties, standing with a walker, and a small suitcase sitting on the ground next to him. She noticed a taxi leaving the front gate, and was surprised she had been that focused to not see this man arriving.

“Thank you,” Charlotte said, as she walked towards the gate. “Can I help you?”

The man seemed familiar, though she couldn’t pick why.

“I’m here to visit my grandson, Ryan,” the man replied. “My name is Jack Mason.”

Charlotte didn’t know a Ryan at the camp, however she had far from learnt the names of campers that weren’t in her team. However it still seemed strange that a kid's grandpa would come visit him in summer camp, and seem packed enough to be planning on staying. Even more confusing was that the name sounded familiar. She had definitely heard it mentioned here before.

She looked at his eyes, and suddenly it made sense. He had the same eyes as Jon. She remembered Jon mentioning last year being taught by his grandfather, Jack Mason.

“You’re here to see Jon?” she asked.

“Oh yes, sorry,” Jack replied apologetically. “He only started using his middle name after he started competing, and I keep forgetting that people don’t know him as Ryan now…”

Charlotte was slightly surprised to hear that Jon uses his middle name instead of his first name. It seemed odd. He didn’t seem like a Ryan, but that being said, she’d be saying the opposite if it were the opposite way around.

“Come in,” Charlotte said, as she made her way to the electronic lock on the gate, and typed in the code Jon had given all of them during their induction. She called her Pokemon back, and grabbed the man’s suitcase.

She considered walking him to Jon and Alyssa’s cottage, however was worried the distance might be too much for him. Instead, she walked him to the hall where people were going to be having breakfast. Chances are Jon would be there anyway, and if he wasn’t Jack could sit down while she went and fetched Jon.

“I’ve seen you battling on TV,” Jack said. “I’m sorry though, I can’t remember your name…”

“Charlotte Jones,” Charlotte replied, slightly surprised. “You must really love battling to watch the junior matches on TV? They usually air in the early hours of the morning, don’t they?”

“When Ryan and Alyssa visited last autumn, Ryan showed me the videos from the summer, and I asked him to set the box on the television to record the matches his students might be in,” Jack explained, leaving Charlotte slightly embarrassed. “Ryan’s really proud of the five of you.”

As they slowly made their way towards the hall, other students passing them and noticing Jack, though not knowing who he was, Jack told stories of the tournaments that he had won, and talked about his own team of Pokemon, though the only one who hadn’t passed away since was his Flareon.

Charlotte walked into the hall, and noticed Jon talking to one of the younger campers. As Jack followed her in, she called out to Jon.

“Jon, you have a visitor!”

Jon looked over, and was shocked to see Jack walking into the room, looking around.

“Your flight wasn’t supposed to get here until noon?” Jon asked, somewhat surprised, as he walked over, before giving his grandpa a hug.

“I got to the airport early, and they were able to get me onto an earlier flight.”

“How early did you get to the airport?” Jon asked.

“Seven hours…” Jack replied. “Isn’t that how early you're supposed to get there for inter-regional flights?”

“It’s three hours…” Jon replied, slightly shocked that his grandfather had the patience to potentially wait seven hours at the airport for his flight.

“So where are Alyssa and Lili?” Jack asked. “Dylan as well?”

“Liss and Lili are in one of the classrooms at the end of the building, going over some stuff, since Liss is running a class at 9. I sent Dylan to round up any of the boys who are liable to miss breakfast,” Jon explained.

“Sounds like this is keeping you busy?”

“You have no idea…” Jon retorted. “What are you going to do? I’m free from about 3pm onwards, and Alyssa is free from 10am onwards. You’re welcome to rest at the house for a little while?”

“I’ve come all this way, and you think I wouldn’t sit in on some of your classes?” Jack laughed. “You might even be able to teach this old fool something new…”

“If you really want to,” Jon replied. “But most of the stuff I am teaching is what you taught me, so I’m not sure what I can teach you?”

“I’ll be the judge of that…”

Charlotte had left Jon to catch up with Jack, and quickly scanned the dining room for her group. Five of the seven were here already and the two who weren’t were the sort to show up right on eight, and she wasn’t going to make the trip to the lodge if it’s going to be redundant.

As she stood at one of the counters, buttering some slices of toast, as Chris and Justin made their way into the dining hall, noticing Charlotte, and making their way over towards her. Chris nodded towards Jack.

“Who’s the geezer?” Chris asked, as Charlotte elbowed him, though at this point, knew he meant no disrespect, and was just trying to get a reaction out of her. It worked…

“Jack Mason. Jon’s grandfather,” Charlotte explained, hoping Jack didn’t hear. “From what I have heard, he was a pretty big deal in Goldenrod fifty odd years ago…”

Whilst this was happening, Justin noticed Jack glance over with a slight grin, wondering what was going through his mind. If Jack did hear Chris, Justin was already worried for him, knowing what Jon’s sense of humour was like, and having a good idea where he got it…

Dylan arrived soon after, and was slightly surprised to see Jack there. Whilst Charlotte knew Jack was friendly already, she was still surprised at how he was with Dylan, treating him like his own grandson, or something similar. When she heard Dylan would be staying with Jon and Alyssa after he wasn’t able to go back home, she didn’t doubt that they would treat him like family, but she appreciated seeing that confirmed like this.

Abbee was the last of the interns to show up, who alongside the remaining members of Charlotte’s group, showed up right on 8am. Then at 9, Dylan and Abbee’s groups went to the first room for Trainer Career with Alyssa, and Chris, Charlotte and Justin’s groups went with Jon to the arena for Practical Training.

Abbee sat at a table in the back row, with Dylan next to her. She had learnt within a few days that whilst the younger girls in her group were motivated, and did want to be there, they were still naturally chatty, and it would sometimes get the better of them. However if Abbee were behind them and able to see them at all times, as well as within reach to give a tap on the shoulder when they needed it, they would tend to focus better, and pay attention to what Alyssa was saying. Alyssa was teaching on the involvement of the Pokemon League with trainers under eighteen, and what things are different for them. As she spoke, Amelia sat on a small mat in the corner of the room, playing with some toys Alyssa had brought for her, and making the occasional noise that Abbee found to be adorable.

Abbee looked over, and noticed Dylan browsing different articles on Pokemon food on his laptop, and for the first time in nearly two weeks, she realized something. She started writing in the bottom of her notebook.

”You’ve technically graduated now and work here, right? Do you even need to be in classes?”

She slid the notebook over, with the pen on it, and Dylan looked away from his laptop. Making sure nobody else could see him, he quickly wrote back.

”You’re technically right. Jon’s tutored me one-on-one during the year, so in terms of what’s taught here knowledge, I’m a couple of years ahead of you and the others, though not the most experienced battler. I technically don’t need to be here.”

He slid the book back to Abbee. One of the girls in front of her, Alicia, heard the sliding sound, and looked back. Abbee made eye contact with her, then nodded towards the front of the classroom, keeping a straight face. Alicia turned to face Alyssa again, and Abbee held in a chuckle. She did enjoy the power a little. Dylan grinned next to her, as Abbee read his response and wrote her own.

“So why come? Surely you have work responsibilities you could be getting ahead on?”

As Dylan took the book, he read Abbee’s question, and began writing.

“So that if something is said in class and they want me to elaborate later I can. And for the same reason you’re sitting up here. If my group knows I’m here, they are more likely to behave themselves...”

Abbee understood as she read the message. Whilst Dylan’s group were mostly level headed, and didn’t cause much trouble, Blake and Hannah, two seventeen year olds, did try to sneak out, and were caught by Dylan. Granted, it was nothing too serious, the pair wanting to look for Water Type Pokemon at the beach that only appear late at night, Dylan was the one who had to deal with the situation, and Abbee had wished she could be a fly on the wall. She didn’t know what exactly was said, and couldn’t guess, as she couldn’t even imagine how Dylan would handle a situation like that, but Blake and Hannah both seemed like they had learnt their lesson, and didn’t seem to have beef with Dylan afterwards. If she found herself in a similar position, she knew she would definitely be going to Dylan about it.

Regardless, she was glad Charlotte had put the pressure on her to talk to him. Three weeks earlier, being in this position made her anxious. Now, things seemed okay…

************************************************** ************************************************** *****
“Before we continue our sessions on double battles, I will answer the question you might find yourself asking…” Jon began, getting the attention of the two dozen students in the arena. “You may have noticed we have a guest…”

Jon nodded towards Jack who sat on one of the seats by the commentators table, who gave a grin in response.

“You may or may not have known, but I was taught to battle by my grandfather, who has come to see what the Eon Academy has become. His name is Jack Mason, which may or may not be familiar to some of you, though more likely to your grandparents,” Jon explained. “Almost everything I know of battling and am teaching you all, I learnt from him.”

Chris stood with Charlotte and Justin at the front of the group of students. Charlotte was focused on Jon’s every word, whilst Justin was busy taking notes, knowing that this was what he had missed with his slacking the year before. Chris on the other hand, stood with a grin.

“So why not cut out the middle man?” Chris called out to Jon, as Charlotte snorted before she could contain herself. Jon rolled his eyes, before continuing.

“Anyway…”

“I’d be okay with that…”

Chris’ eyebrows rose as he realized Jack had been the one to say it. Jon looked at Jack, then back at Chris, before grinning. Justin watched carefully, and figured Jon knew something…

“You wanna run part of this session Grandpa?” Jon asked. “Give the students a break from my voice?”

“I’d be willing to try…” Jack said, as he slowly stood, getting a hold of his walker, and making his way over. “You’re teaching on double battles now, aren’t you? What have you gone over?”

“Mostly moves that will harm allies, and moves that are more suited to double battles,” Jon said. “That and how to choose which two Pokemon to use together.”

“Good, good,” Jack replied, seeming to come up with a plan as he did. “I think I have something I can teach them that hasn’t been covered yet…”

Jack stopped walking, and looked over to the three interns standing together.

“You, young man,” Jack said, nodding towards Chris. “Would you mind helping me demonstrate a point with an informal battle?”

Jon’s eyes widened.

“Flareon’s too old to be battling, especially against Chris…”

Chris felt a slight sense of pride that Jon was concerned for his opponents safety, however Jack spoke up.

“Flareon’s battling days are definitely over, so…” Jack began, before looking to Justin and Charlotte. “Could I please ask a favor from the pair of you, in the form of loaning a Pokemon each?”

Remembering the look he saw Jack give Chris, and thinking over Jon’s knowing look just then, Justin had a hunch Chris was going to be getting more than he expected, and was eager to see how Jack would handle him.

“Sure,” Justin said with ease, as he unclipped a Pokeball. He considered for a second loaning Jack Regieleki, however figured even for a veteran trainer, handling an extremely rare, powerful and unique Pokemon with no experience whatsoever could be dangerous for his own wellbeing. Instead, he chose a Pokemon he knew would be adaptable, and easy to work well with.

Charlotte had originally been a little apprehensive about loaning a Pokemon, but didn’t see the harm in loaning one to Jack.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

Charlotte unclipped one of her own Pokeballs, handing it to Jack, who made his way towards the closest end of the battlefield, whilst Chris went to the far end, and everyone else spread out to the sidelines.

“Watch yourself Chris…” Jon called out, “He can be quite tricky…”

“Trickier than you?” Chris laughed.

“Where do you think I learnt it?”

Jack laughed, before calling out.

“Select your Pokemon, young man. Then we will begin…”

Chris chose two Pokemon, and on Jon’s word, four Pokemon entered the battlefield. On Chris’ side were Charizard and Ninetales, and on Jack’s, Justin’s Lucario, and Charlotte’s Luxray.

Jack took a moment to inspect both Pokemon, and confirmed some of their moves and abilities with their trainers, before Jon gave the word for the battle to begin, and sat down on his walker.

“Luxray, Protect!” Jack commanded, “And Lucario, Follow Me!”

Both Pokemon acted with no hesitation. Chris had commanded Charizard to use Bulldoze on Luxray, however due to Lucario’s Follow Me, Charizard’s attention shifted, and it launched the attack instead at Lucario, whom, whilst affected by the attack, did not seem hurt by it. Meanwhile, Ninetales, whose ability had created a miniature snowstorm, used Aurora Veil, a move that would reduce damage done to both itself and Charizard.

“Smart moves…” Jack called out, causing Chris to grin.

“That Protect seemed like a waste…” commented Sarah, one of the students in Justin’s team. “Didn’t Follow Me protect Luxray?”

“It didn’t protect Luxray from everything…” Charlotte replied, nodding towards Chris, “And Chris knows exactly how to get around it.”

"He's still going to lose though…" Justin said, "Even I know that."

"Oh, he knows that," Charlotte said. "I think he just wants a challenge…"

“Earthquake!” Chris called out to Charizard, knowing the move will hit all other Pokemon on the field. “Ninetales, Protect!”

Ninetales raised a Protect barrier, as Charizard launched the Earthquake.

“Wide Guard, Lucario!” Jack called out, as Lucario created a smaller protect barrier, but one that protected both itself and its ally. “Now Swagger, Luxray!”

Luxray snarled at Charizard, raising its attack power, however also causing the Pokemon to become immensely confused, as Chris cried out in shock.

“Powder Snow!” Chris called out, knowing that the only way to deal damage to Luxray was through moves like this, and if Jack is making it that difficult to hit Luxray, he had something planned. “And Earthquake!”

Ninetales cried out, as fine white snow blasted from its fur, hitting both of Jack’s loaned Pokemon, with Lucario seeming near unaffected by it, though Justin knew that resistances aside, it couldn’t remain standing forever as the sole target in this double battle.

Charizard however was still confused, and didn’t follow the command, instead crying out in irritation, and letting out a jet of flame into the air.

“Luxray, Magnet Rise!” Jack said. “And Lucario, Iron Defense!”

Luxray became encased in electricity, causing it to rise lightly from the earth beneath it, as Lucario’s hide started to harden.

“Icy Wind!” Chris called out to Ninetales. It cried out happily, as a blast of icy-cold air escaped its jaws, and sent a chill through the battlefield. Luxray was knocked back by the blast, but regained its footing, roaring back at Ninetales, as Lucario’s own footing was shaken.

“Now Fire Fang!” Chris said to Charizard, who snapped out of confusion, and darted towards Lucario, fire escaping its jaws. Chris had realized at this point how pointless it was trying to stop Luxray without first taking out Lucario, and had set his sights on the Steel-Fighting type.

“Endure!” Jack said to Lucario. “And Luxray, Agility!”

Lucario took the attack, being knocked back and to its knees, however remaining barely able to battle, as Luxray’s own speed increased sharply.

“Now, Luxray, Charge!”

Luxray cried out, as it began to stockpile electricity, and Chris gave out his next command.

“Ice Beam, and Flame Charge!”

“Protect!”

At the last moment, Lucario managed to get a barrier up in time, protecting itself from the match ending attack. As it did, the colourful veil that was softening the attacks to Ninetales and Charizard disappeared.

“Now Helping Hand, Lucario!” Jack called out, “Luxray, Discharge!”

Lucario cried out, sharing its own power with Luxray, who indiscriminately discharged intense bolts of electricity, slamming into Charizard and Ninetales and knocking the pair of them out cold...

As both trainers returned their Pokemon to their Pokeballs, before converging in the middle of the battlefield, Chris knelt down in front of Jack.

“I’m not worthy!” he said jokingly, causing Jack to laugh, and Jon to scoff.

“Show-off…” Charlotte called out causing the other students to laugh, as Chris stood back up with a grin.

“Hey, it’s true, mostly,” Chris replied, as he stood to his feet. “I got beaten by someone using two Pokemon chosen for him. That’s saying something…”

“I think I like this kid…” Jack said to Jon, who rolled his eyes, before addressing Jack.

“So what was Jack trying to teach with that battle?” Jon asked the group. Charlotte knew the answer, though wanted to give one of the newer students the chance to speak up, and Justin had a pretty good idea of it as well.

“To control the battle?” Christy, a seventeen year old from Charlotte’s group asked, Jack nodding in response.

“It’s very important in a double battle, but can also be quite useful in a single battle too,” Jack explained. “Ultimately, the goal of a trainer and their Pokemon in a battle is to either knock out their opponent's Pokemon, or get the opposing trainer to concede. Both sides will be trying to knock each other out. Both sides are strategizing and planning with that goal in mind.”

“But if you can figure out a way to force the opponent to act a certain way, preventing them from using whatever tactics they may have planned to beat you down, whilst still implementing your own plan of attack, you will find yourself with a significant advantage,” Jack continued. “In this case, Luxray was going to be the heavy hitter of the duo, and Lucario was buying time for it. By using Follow Me, and moves like Protect and Wide Guard, Luxray was mostly safe, whilst Lucario bought time for Luxray to prepare a powerful attack. Had I just simply tried to knock out both of Chris’ Pokemon, Lucario and Luxray wouldn’t have done much damage to either Pokemon because of Aurora Veil, and been beaten before they could beat the opponent.”

“Even if you don’t use a control tactic such as this, it is imperative to be aware of their existence, in order to not be victimized by them,” Jon explained. “This tactic in particular, whilst difficult for Chris to counter, was not impossible. Charizard was not able to defend against it in any way short of just knocking out Lucario. As for Ninetales…”

Jon began listing moves from Ninetales’ moveset that he could have used.

“Ninetales had a few moves that could get in the way of Lucario using Protect, and was naturally faster than Lucario so could have used these first,” Jon explained, counting the moves on his fingers, “Spite would reduce the amount of times Lucario could use Protect during the match. Encore would have force Lucario to use Protect continuously, making it fail, and also preventing it from using Quick Guard to stop the Earthquakes from hitting, and Imprison would have prevented Lucario using any moves that Ninetales’ knows, and Ninetales had used Protect to not be hit by the first Earthquake. If Lucario couldn’t use Protect, it couldn’t buy time for Luxray to make itself immune to Ground moves, speed itself up, and prepare for a big attack, and wouldn’t have been able to use Helping Hand to boost Luxray’s attack power.”

Chris’ shoulders sank a little hearing how overlooking a few of his Pokemon’s moves cost him the match.

“Make no mistake, Chris battled well,” Jack explained. “Both Pokemon were sent in with a clear purpose, one to attack and the other to cause trouble and provide support. And he adapted well, having Ninetales switch to wide reaching moves to try and whittle down Luxray’s energy, and then just focusing on beating Lucario. I’ve just had a little more experience…”

Charlotte noticed Chris’ grin return, and groaned about how easy it was for his mood to shift, though she suspected part of that was his way of just trying to take each moment as it came, and not dwell too much on what has been and what is to come.

Jon began pairing up the students, each of them taking half the battlefield each where they would battle, but instead of battling to win, giving them the instruction of restricting their opponents options, and trying to break free of whatever restrictions are placed on them.

Justin was paired with one of the other students, and as Jon came to Chris and Charlotte to pair them up, Chris raised a question.

“We did double battles last year, but we never talked about this control stuff?” Chris asked.

“Not exactly,” Charlotte interjected. “We covered it in one on one training, but I don’t know if it was just me. It wasn’t suited to how I battle, so I didn’t implement it much myself, but more so kept note so I could cover myself if I faced someone who did.”

“I covered it during training with Abbee as well,” Jon explained. “Dylan started off a couple of steps behind the rest of you, so I was covering more foundational things with him during one-on-one.”

“What about myself and Justin?” Chris asked, though he had a hunch he knew the answer and didn’t like it.

“It took a little while for you to make the most of your time here last year, so I wound up spending a bit more time during one-on-one training reinforcing stuff you weren’t getting out of class time alone…” Jon explained. “Justin even more so, though he almost seems like a different person now.”

Chris sighed, before another thought hit him.

“That doesn’t sound like you?” Chris asked. “You always made it clear you will help how you can when we want it, but if we want to waste our time, you aren’t going to bend over backwards to give extra help?”

Jon chuckled.

“You got me there,” Jon answered. “I said that to give you some incentive to take things seriously. I figured at some point or other you and Justin would come around, and did what I could to make sure that when you did, you weren’t gonna be too far behind. But even if I didn’t teach you this stuff one-on-one, you still managed to beat Dylan by pulling similar tricks last week.”

Jon walked over to check on one of the groups, as Jack supervised the other, before calling back to them.

“Keep that between us though. Gotta keep that trick working somehow…”

As Jon left them, Chris thought over what Jon had just told them.

“How does he do that?” Chris asked Charlotte quietly.

“Do what?” Charlotte replied, as Chris laughed.

“I don’t even know how to explain it. I guess, see the potential in someone he has no reason to, and be willing to take a chance and help them not be too far behind when they do finally get their s**t together…”

Charlotte was silent as she thought over how best to respond.

“I think you’re wrong there,” Charlotte explained. “He took a chance and helped you because he saw reason to. Justin too. Even if you can’t see those reasons just yet.”

“Maybe…”

“No maybe about it,” Charlotte replied. “Now send out a Pokemon. I’m a camp intern, not a volunteer counsellor…”

************************************************** ************************************************** *****

It was 2:15 when Abbee found herself in the surprisingly empty Main Hall. Charlotte’s team was currently training with Jon, and most of the younger students who weren’t in training had gone with Justin to the arcade in town. The older students were scattered across the property, some in their rooms, others enjoying the nice weather outside.

Abbee collapsed into one of the couches in the rec-room end of the hall, and exhaled deeply. Her team hadn’t even done one-on-one training today, and she was still exhausted. Part of her considered going back to her cabin to nap, however knew that if she did that, she would barely sleep later at night, and figured she was better off just relaxing while she could. She pulled her phone from her pocket, and began browsing Twitter.

After a few minutes, she heard the sound of the door into the hall and noticed Jack enter the room, making his way to one of the counters where there were clean mugs, instant coffee and a kettle. She watched as he began making his coffee, and considered offering to make it for him, however let it be. He seemed to be managing, and based on how frail he looked due to his age, that was somewhat a surprise. She didn’t want to take what could be one of the last things he could do for himself from him.

She had heard from Charlotte during their lunch break that Chris ran his mouth, and made a joke about cutting out the middle man, during a class Jack was sitting in on, and Jack proceeded to take the class, and teach the class a lesson on battle control by beating Chris effortlessly with Charlotte and Justin’s Pokemon. Chris making a stupid joke, Abbee knew was in character. However, according to Charlotte, Chris took losing very well, and it surprised Abbee when she realized that was also in character for him. The part that surprised her most was the fact that a year ago, Chris taking a slightly humiliating loss well would be a massive shock. It got her thinking how much everyone had changed in only a year. Charlotte was probably the one who changed the least, but even then, she was noticeably less uptight, and generally happier these days.

Abbee didn’t realize that whilst she was staring off into space, thinking over these things, she was still looking at Jack, who began to approach her. She realized what had happened when Jack was already two thirds of the way to where she was sitting.

“You’re one of Ryan’s students from last year, aren’t you?” Jack asked, as he transferred his coffee from the seat of the walker to the coffee table in front of Abbee, and slowly sat on the couch opposite her. She was slightly confused for a second, hearing Jack mention Ryan, but remembered what Alyssa told her about Jon’s history, and how he goes by his middle name, figuring Ryan must be his first name.

“Yeah, this is my second year here,” Abbee replied. “I’m Abbee.”

“Jack,” he said, before taking a sip of his coffee, before seeming to notice something, and looking at Abbee more carefully. “You’re Richard’s daughter, aren’t you?”

Abbee was slightly surprised to hear Jack reference her father in such a casual manner. She began wondering if Jack may have been at the funeral, but quickly realized it wasn’t likely. Her and Tyler shared delivering the eulogy, making them center of attention, and whilst it had been a year, Abbee still looked mostly the same. If Jack were there, he would have recognized her sooner.

“Yeah, did you know him?” Abbee asked. “I know he was a fan of yours, though I don’t think he realized you and Jon were related when I came here.”

“Sadly, only as a colleague. His time battling competitively started around the same time mine came to an end, and after I retired, I had other responsibilities, so we didn’t cross paths very often at all. I met and spoke with him a small handful of times, but always enjoyed watching his battles on the television,” Jack replied. “I was, and still am, very sorry to hear about his passing, and wish I could have crossed paths with him a few more times.”

Abbee nodded, feeling the familiar knot in her stomach thinking about her father’s death. Whilst it was nothing compared to the days and weeks following it, she still felt that knot every time she remembered the moment when she found out her father was gone.

“Thank you. I was here when it happened, but looking back, I don’t think there was anywhere better for me to have been,” Abbee explained. “I wish I could have seen him more before the accident, but Jon and Alyssa were so amazing and supportive when it all happened. Alyssa dropped everything, and came back to Goldenrod with me, so I wouldn’t feel alone during the funeral.”

Jack smiled hearing this.

“He’s definitely got himself a keeper…”

Abbee laughed, before continuing.

“If Dad were still around, I think he’d be fangirling like crazy to hear that you knew me as Richard’s daughter,” Abbee laughed. “Jon mentioned you were his grandfather at the end of last summer, and if Dad had have known I was being taught by your grandson, he would have freaked.”

Jack laughed at the idea, as he had the last sip of his coffee. He looked down at the empty mug, before speaking up again.

“I came here to get a pick-me-up before I spend some time with my very energetic, great-granddaughter,” Jack said, as he placed the mug on his walker again, and began to stand. “Thank you for indulging an old man with some good conversation.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Abbee replied, as Jack nodded with a grin, before turning to walk towards the door. As he did, Abbee couldn’t help but notice how he only really seemed old of body. Experienced, yes, and probably pretty wise, but Jack still seemed very young at heart. As she thought over this, the bittersweet idea came to mind, of whether her dad, had he not died a year earlier, would have grown to be like Jack at that age. Abbee sighed, knowing that if she dwelt on that too long, it would just depress her, before opening Twitter again, and resuming her time-killing.