Chapter Text
Yuu clapped, happy to see that they decided to catch Pyroar, Lycanroc, and Thievul. Even if it was another world, it was always wonderful to see people catch their very first Pokemon.
“Congratulations, guys!” she cheered. “To let them out, just throw the pokeball or press the button.”
“Like this…?”
Jack tossed his pokeball and it opened up, letting out a bright light that materialized into Lycanroc.
“Lycan!”
“Whoa!”
The Wolf Pokemon immediately jumped on Jack, who stumbled a bit before steadying himself.
“T-This guy’s excitable, huh?” Jack managed to get out.
“He’s just happy you caught him,” Yuu giggled.
Ruggie tossed his pokeball and out came Thievul. The Fox Pokemon let out a happy yip and nuzzled Ruggie. The hyena grinned and pet his head.
“Heh, maybe this won’t be so bad.”
Leona waited for a moment before tossing his pokeball to let Pyroar out.
“Py.”
The Royal Pokemon sat by Leona, looking up at him. Leona put his hands on his hips and stared down at him.
“Now listen here, as long as you don’t interrupt my naps, we’re good. Got it?”
“Py, roar.”
“Don’t worry, Leona-senpai. Pyroar enjoys napping as much as you do,” Yuu said, fishing her Pokemon out and pointing it at Pyroar.
“Pyroar, the Royal Pokemon. Fire/Normal-type. The males are usually lazy, but when attacked by a strong foe, a male will protect its friends with no regard for its own safety.”
“Heeeh…it’s usually lazy, huh? Shishishi! A perfect fit for Leona-san,” Ruggie snickered. “But protecting others without regard for his own safety? That’s completely the opposite of Leona-san.”
Leona huffed at that. “Hmph. At least I know he can be lazy.”
“Py, py.” Pyroar won’t deny it. He does enjoy his naps and lazing in the sun.
“What is that?” Jack asked, pointing at her Pokedex.
“It’s a Pokedex, an electronic encyclopedia for Pokemon,” she explained, moving on to Lycanroc. “I figured it’d help you get to know your Pokemon a little better.”
“Lycanroc, Midday Form, the Wolf Pokemon. Rock-type. Its quick movements confuse its enemies. Well equipped with claws and fangs, it also uses the sharp rocks in its mane as weapons.”
Jack carefully tapped on the rocks around Lycanroc’s neck.
“So these are rocks. I’ve been wondering about that ever since I first saw him,” he said.
Ruggie looked excited as Yuu moved on to Thievul.
“Thievul, the Fox Pokemon. Dark-type. It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it.”
Ruggie’s eyes sparkled at the Pokedex entry. He should have realized from its name, but Thievul was a natural thief?!
“Shishishi! Oh, that’s perfect!” He rubbed his hands together. “Thievul, we’re gonna have a very loooong talk soon.”
“Thie!”
Pyroar sighed. Looks like he’s gonna have to keep watch over more than his own trainer.
Yuu wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it, but as long as Ruggie and Thievul keep their stealing to a minimum, then it might be fine…?
“I also wrote down what moves they know, so you know what to do if you ever need or want to battle,” she said, handing Leona a list.
The boys gathered around and looked at the list. Ruggie let out a snort at one of Pyroar’s moves.
“Noble Roar…this is way too fitting,” he snickered.
“Shut up,” Leona grumbled. That must have been the move that Pyroar used on him when he overblotted. He could still remember that roar clearly.
“Ace and Deuce told me about Pokemon battles after the tournament ended,” Jack said. “They sound perfect for me and Lycanroc. Yuu! Is it alright to ask you for a battle?”
She smiled. “Of course! It’ll also help you get used to working together with Lycanroc. Why don’t we go to the Spelldrive field so we can battle? Is that alright, Leona-senpai?”
Leona waved a hand. “Do what you want. Let’s just go already.”
“This sounds interesting. I wonder what’ll happen?” Ruggie wondered as they followed the freshman outside.
When they reached the Spelldrive field, Yuu and Jack stood opposite from each other. Lycanroc was already in position, tail wagging in anticipation. Leona and Ruggie sat at the stands, watching.
“Lycan!”
“We’re ready to go whenever, Yuu!”
“Alright! Then…”
She took out a pokeball and tossed it in the air. The bright light it let out materialized into Staraptor, and Leona clicked his tongue at the sight of him. Damn bird who thinks he’s so damn cool.
“Staraptor!”
“So our opponent is Staraptor,” Jack said.
Lycanroc grinned before shaking his head and watching Staraptor carefully. He has an advantage over the Predator Pokemon, yes, but he should never underestimate his opponent. Likewise, Staraptor eyed him cautiously. He had faced Rock-types many times and had lost more than he won, but he won’t lose here!
Yuu held up a hand. “You can have the first move, Jack.”
Jack tensed slightly. “So you’re letting us move first, huh? Then…Lycanroc, use Accelerock!”
“Lycan!”
Lycanroc was surrounded by a white light before speeding off towards Staraptor.
“Dodge it, then use Aerial Ace!”
“Star!”
Staraptor quickly flew up, dodging the attack before diving back down and hitting Lycanroc with Aerial Ace.
“Ly!”
Lycanroc skidded across the ground before shaking the damage off. Jack noted how it looked like it didn’t have much of an effect on him.
“That move…it looked more powerful when we were playing Spelldrive,” he observed.
“Aerial Ace is a good move, but Lycanroc is a Rock-type and Staraptor is a Flying-type. Rock-types resist Flying-type moves and also have an advantage over Flying-types.”
“What? So you purposefully let Staraptor out?” Jack asked, a little miffed that he was given a handicap.
“Hey, don’t get so upset, Jack-kun. An advantage is an advantage!” Ruggie said. “Just take it!”
“That’s right,” Leona agreed. “Don’t complain about that.”
Yuu smiled. “I just wanted to teach you about type strengths and weaknesses, that’s all. Type advantages matter, yes, but they aren’t everything. Many Pokemon prevail over their weaknesses. Like this! Use Close Combat!”
“Star!”
Staraptor flew down and started punching and kicking Lycanroc, and the Wolf Pokemon let out a pained cry. With one last kick, Staraptor sent him flying across the field.
“Lycanroc!”
Lycanroc shakily got back up onto his feet with a growl. That Close Combat was as powerful as it looked during the scuffle with the Savanaclaw team.
“Close Combat is a Fighting-type move, and Rock-types are weak to that type,” Yuu explained.
“So you covered that weakness with Close Combat…” Jack pursed his lips. She may have that covered, but he still had the advantage. He should use the other move he saw on the list, and judging from the name it should be Rock-type.
“Then how about this? Stone Edge!”
Lycanroc howled and reared up before slamming his front paws onto the ground. Giant stones rose up from the ground in a line heading straight for Staraptor. Staraptor tried to dodge but ended up getting hit and fell to the ground.
“Staraptor!”
“S-Star…”
Like Lycanroc, Staraptor took some good damage from that. He shakily got to his feet and flew back up into the air.
Ruggie’s ears twitched from the excitement he was feeling.
“Somehow, this is kind of getting me pumped up,” he said with a grin.
Leona would be lying if he said he didn’t feel the same, but he would never admit it out loud. Instead, he just smirked as he watched the battle.
“Heh. Jack better not mess this up.”
Jack pumped a fist. “Alright! That worked! Stone Edge again, Lycanroc!”
“Lycanroc!”
Lycaroc reared up and slammed his paws on the ground again, the stones rising up from the ground once more.
“Weave through them with Aerial Ace!”
“Star!”
Staraptor expertly weaved through the rocks, blue light trailing behind him. Once he cleared the rocks, he slammed into Lycanroc, pushing him back.
“Ly…!”
The Wolf Pokemon skidded back as Staraptor continued to push, digging his paws in so as to not get blown off them.
“Now! Close Combat!”
“Staraptor!”
Staraptor transitioned from Aerial Ace to Close Combat quickly, leaving no time for Jack to call out another command or for Lycanroc to dodge. Lycanroc was sent flying once more, but when he hit the ground he didn’t get back up.
“Ly…can…”
He lifted his head only for it to fall, his eyes swirling. Jack’s eyes widened and he ran over.
“Lycanroc!”
Staraptor landed on the ground as Yuu approached to make the judgement. She looked over Lycanroc as Jack held him in his arms.
“...Looks like Lycanroc is unable to battle,” she finally said. “Which means I win. Good job, Staraptor.”
“Star!”
Staraptor puffed up his chest proudly as Yuu pat his head.
Jack’s ears and tail drooped in disappointment. “We lost…”
Yuu stooped down and put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be so disappointed, Jack. You’re learning something for the first time that I’ve had more time to learn and train in.”
He nodded. “You’re right. But it still stings to know that we’ve lost.”
Lycanroc whined sadly and licked Jack’s cheek. His fellow wolf just ruffled his fur in return.
“We’ll train to get stronger, Lycanroc! I’ll show you my usual routine starting tomorrow!”
“Lycan!”
Leona leaned back in his seat with a sigh. “And after I told him not to mess it up. Hmph.”
Ruggie slumped over. “Aaaah…he even had the advantage too. It’s just like with us and Spelldrive, Yuu-kun just has more experience with battles.”
“Pyroar.”
“Thie, vul.”
Pyroar and Thievul were proud of Lycanroc. Now it was only a matter of training so that he and Jack could work better together.
Yuu rummaged through her bag and pulled out an Oran Berry. She handed the blue berry to Jack.
“Here. This is an Oran Berry and it’ll help Lycanroc recover his strength.”
Jack took the berry and looked at it curiously. It kind of looked like a blue-colored orange rather than a berry. Were berries just like this where Yuu was from?
“Thank you, Yuu.”
He held the berry to Lycanroc, who happily ate it up and instantly felt and looked a lot better.
“Lycan!”
The Wolf Pokemon happily licked Jack’s cheek, making his fellow wolf chuckle.
“Heh, alright, alright! I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Yuu started as they walked back to Leona and Ruggie. “I’ll be holding classes on how to care for Pokemon for those who have become trainers.”
Leona raised an eyebrow. “Did Crowley approve this?”
“Yeah, he said to hold it whenever it was necessary, so you guys should come so you can get to know your new partners better.”
The lion groaned while Ruggie and Jack hummed.
“Well, getting to know how to care for our otherworldly friends would be good to know,” said Ruggie.
Jack nodded. “Yeah, we’ll be in your care, Yuu.”
Leona huffed. “Is it mandatory?”
Yuu put her hands on her hips. “You’re going to need to know how to care for Pyroar, senpai. I haven’t raised one myself, but I did go to a Trainer School and my family has a good variety of Pokemon so I can at least tell you his basic needs.”
“Ugh, I got it, I got it. I’ll be there.”
She nodded in approval. “Good! I’m going to hold it in a couple of days, so I’ll see you then.”
“Aside from teaching us how to care for them, will you be telling us other things?” Jack asked. ”Like battles.”
“Sure, if you’re interested! I can tell you guys more about my world, so if you have questions, I’ll tell you during class.”
The wolf pumped up a fist. “Great! I can’t wait to know more about battles.”
Yuu giggled. “I’m happy you’re eager. Well, I have to head to Heartslabyul now, so I’ll see you guys later.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you later,” Jack said.
“See you during Pokemon class, Professor Yuu,” Ruggie snickered, waving at her.
Yuu blushed as she waved goodbye. It was a little embarrassing being called “Professor” when all she was doing was just teaching them how to care for their Pokemon. It felt like he was putting her on Professor Rowan’s level when she really wasn’t.
“Oi, little herbivore.”
Leona walked over as she stopped and turned back to him. He stared down at her silently once they were face-to-face. Yuu looked up at him questioningly as the silence between them dragged on. Finally, he reached out and ruffled her hair, causing her to let out a surprised squeak.
“L-Leona-senpai?!”
“Make sure the class is interesting or else I’m sleeping through it.”
With her hair sufficiently ruffled, he turned around, the tip of his tail brushing against her cheek. She watched him go, flustered and confused as she tried to fix her hair.
“O-Okay…”
Yuu hurriedly left Savanaclaw, hands over her blushing cheeks. Ruggie snickered as she ran away.
“You’re playing with your food, Leona-san~.”
Leona smirked. “Ha. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jack looked between Leona and the direction Yuu ran off in. A little ball of something stirred in him as he remembered the interaction between them.
Maybe he should go for a jog.