Published: February 15th 2024, 6:02:00 am
A tinge of sweat begins to pool at my brow as the woman rises to her full height before me.
She's rather tall, actually. Intimidating.
"I didn't expect to see anyone else out here..." The woman begins slowly, giving me an inquisitive look. "That outfit... you go to Blueberry Academy, right?"
"I do." I nod once.
The Glaceon looks over its shoulder at the blonde haired woman, seemingly jealous of Loki... then leaps.
"G-Glacia!" The champion of Sinnoh gasps as the slighter larger fox lands on her shoulder. "Your paws are cold!"
It lays down over her shoulder, looking down at Loki with its own signature look of superiority. "Glacee~"
"Your Eevee is surprisingly well groomed. The glossy coat and healthy weight. I am curious, though... where did you find an Eevee with that color?"
"I got lucky, really. I found him in the wild around here. It was a one in a million encounter, honestly." I stroke his head, the little brat leaning into my palm as I do so, letting out a low purr. "Also. Don't complement him... please... his Ego is already just... absolutely titanic and I don't really need it getting bigger."
"Eevee!" Loki sounds scandalized as he lets out a small shout of protest into my ear.
"Ow... that was my eardrum." I frown as I reach around him and rub by ear. "Little brat."
"Anyways, I should probably go. Last call is in like... three hours, and I need to finish a bit of homework for my archology elective."
"Oh? You are intrigued by archology as well?"
"More the Paleontology aspect, but trying to piece together ancient pots and stuff sounds interesting as well." I admit, trying desperately to leave the conversation. "But I put off my paper while I was searching for another pokemon as Blueberry academy has its entire curriculum based on double battles. So now I've got to get back, finish that, get a shower, then connect with the pokemon I caught, then also fix dinner and, well, get to bed at a reasonable hour. Sooooo."
"Well, I won't keep you, then." The woman states.
"Goodbye!" I wave as I quickly make my exit.
"Ah- good... goodbye?"
That woman is fucking terrifying.
Well, actually, it's more her land shark dragon in her pocket that's terrifying. But regardless, she exudes this aura of menace... said menace was increased about threefold when I realized that little pendant around her neck was a keystone.
She can fucking mega evolve that Garchomp.
**Linebreak**
I look to the red and white sphere in hand, Loki stood next to me cocking his head to the side in an utterly adorable way.
"Well, let's meet him, I guess."
"Vee Vee!" The little fox exclaims.
With a flash, a red line streaks from the opening ball, condensing on the ground is...
Huh...
So like, it's black in color with four little orange eyes, a yellow bill, and it has six little stubby legs- but that's pretty standard for a Lotad just in a different color- oh, also it has two more eyes than normal.
What is probably the most attention grabbing thing, is that instead of a large lily pad atop its head, there's a large brimmed blue wizard hat with a little yellowish pompom at the end.
"..."
"Looootad." It intones blandly.
"Hello." I wave quietly. "My name is Xander, and I guess I'm your new trainer?"
The little dude stares up at me, its eyes blinking slowly. "Looootad."
"Do you have any objections to that?"
"..."
"Loooootad."
I'm sort of struggling to get a read on this guy.
"No."
I flinch back slightly as a voice speaks into my very mind.
"I don't care."
"Wonderful!" I beam. 'So he can speak into minds. That's really useful.'
"So... I guess you'll need a name. I'm not just going to call you 'Lotad'." I gaze down at the little creature, cupping my chin as I think deeply for a moment.
Briliant orange sparks begin to flicker around his face.
"H-Hey! Quit it! You're going to set my room on fire!"
"Nonflamable."
"What?" I whisper.
The sparks become a circle, then said circle fills out with elaborate markings and writing.
The circle stabilizes into an honest to god magic circle.
He flicks his head back slightly, causing the circle to flip, and shoot forwards slightly... only to stop about a foot away from him.
He leaps once, landing atop the circle, then leaps again to land on the bed.
"What was- what was that?!"
"Tao Mandala..."
The little wizard seems to look over me, staring at Loki for a long moment.
"What is... my name?"
I stare down at him for a long moment. Quietly pondering.
A really good name pops into my head. "Merlin."
"Ok."
"..."
"Ah... Cool. Glad we- uh- covered that..."
"Loootad."
"..."
"..."
"..."
**Linebreak**
I will admit, having Merlin has made my life a little awkward. I mean, Loki is clearly smarter than the average dog, but there was always that little barrier that allowed me to sort of distance myself and see myself as sort of his 'owner'.
It's a lot harder to do that with something who can one: talk to you and two: is arguably smarter than you are- due to psychic typing.
Plus there's his weird ass magic bullshit.
I genuinely have zero idea what he's talking about. 'Winds of Watoomb' this and 'Ruby Rings of Raggadorr' that.
Those actually sound vaguely familiar, but I can't really put my finger on it.
Said source of my confusion is currently stood on my desk, staring at my computer as I slowly scroll.
"What metal did you need again?"
"Gold. Bronze. Brass."
"All three?"
"Yes. And small silver."
And a little silver?
He can't really speak much with telepathy, but that's probably a result of him being a first stage evolution... one that doesn't even have the 'telepathy' ability.
It might also be a result of him not really knowing human language that well.
I imagine our future conversations will be much more in-depth and insightful.
"What are you even trying to make?" I question.
I REALLY lucked out here... like, Merlin here said he could CRAFT things. That's like... insane. I can already see that my team is going to be absolutely kitted out in magical swag. Give Loki a vorpal sword to swing around in his jaws, hell, maybe then I could be useful if I get some magical items.
"Sling... Ring..."
Hold on a fucking second.
Sling ring?!
Doctor Strange?!
HOLY FUCKING SHIT, WAS THIS LITTLE GUY TAUGHT MARVEL MAGIC?!
It said he learned 'Mystic arts'...
Oh damn. Could I learn that?!
I'd imagine to even begin; I'd need him to be able to speak a little more fluently... also maybe have hands so he can show me how to do things.
But regardless, he will be an absolute powerhouse in the future.
Hell, I might be a powerhouse in the future if I can figure mystic arts out.
The screens for my scanner will likely be here by tomorrow, as well. That's another thing to work on.
Then, after I sell my idea, I'll consider housing.
Then.
Profit!
If Merlin here can figure out how to make Dr. Strange portals I could honestly begin my research right now!
Just teleport across the region, then, after classes end, teleport back.
That'd be exquisite!
So much work could be done!
I look to the little wizard-cap wearing creature.
He looks a bit like the black mage from Final Fantasy, now that I think about it... or, well, the head of one.
"So how much gold do we need?" I question.
Merlin tilts his head.
A magic circle appears in front of his head, this one around softball sized.
"Yeesh. That's sort of a lot... I'll see what I can do."
**Linebreak**
I lay a package on my desk as I reach out and grab a pair of scissors.
I slice open the tape and carefully open it.
'Ah. Good. The pieces are all here.'
I quickly move over to a nearby shelf and grab another box, this one holding all of the materials that had arrived last week.
*Squeak*
A small smile forms on my lips as I look over my shoulder, seeing Loki biting down on a small squeaky toy shaped like a bone.
I had bought him that a couple of days ago, the little brat seems to love it.
When he isn't being a little bastard, it does makes me glad I was put here.
He shakes his head violently then slams the toy down, pouncing on it.
*Squeakeee*
*Squeeeen*
That is adorable.
I shake my head and return to my desk.
I glance upwards to see Merlin casually floating around the room like he's some sort of helium balloon... or like he is in zero gravity.
The little guy's hat apparently functions like Dr. Strange's cape which is awesome. That's like having two pokemon at once if you consider what his cape was capable of!
Though... in this case, I sort of doubt that the hat can be taken off, as regular a Lotad's cannot.
Regardless, pretty neat.
Who needs flying pokemon?
I have a Psychic water type!
An amused snort leaves my nose as I quickly lay out everything I need.
Tools? Screwdriver, clamps, blow torch- to heat up the metal to bend it into shape without it snapping- soldering kit, then a few USBs and a wire stripper.
My hands move as if on autopilot, my eyes widening slightly as I perform actions that seem as if I were quite experienced in creating what I plan.
Technology isn't my specialization, but, it appears that this was packaged alongside my genetic mastery as a method to scan pokemon easier.
I also have knowledge of how to make that big ass microscope and a large gestation tank that wouldn't look out of place to be creating Cell from dragon ball.
With around an hour of effort, the basic outside design is finished, looking similar to a police officer's speed gun.
Now all that remains is getting the important bits to fit snugly inside, then I can begin the 'programming hell' that'll likely take considerably longer.
The phone sitting beside my bed abruptly leaps up and begins floating.
"Mr. Welsh!" It cries out. "Mrs. Fennel has released a forum on the Blueberry Academy website that you must fill out if you wish to take part in the Archology field trip that is going to take place during fall break!"
"Wait..." It blinks finally taking notice of the Lotad slowly floating around near the ceiling. "Who's THAT?!"
"My second pokemon." I answer blandly.
"..."
"It is an undiscovered pokemon!"
"It's regional variant of Lotad." I reply with a small frown, I can already feel the headache this is going to give me from a mile away.
"We have to tell someone! This is incredible!"
I whirl around, pointing at the Rotom giving it a harsh order. "Do. Not."
Loki looks up, toy in his mouth, looking confused, probably assuming I am chastising him... and to be fair, he usually is the target of my annoyance.
Seeing that I'm not even paying attention to him, he goes back to whatever it is he was doing.
*Squeee*
"What?" The rotom blinks. "Why not?! The discovery of a new pokemon species is an incredible thing that should be celebrated!"
"I can give you several good reasons as to why you shouldn't reveal it." I lift three fingers "First and foremost. You forget one little thing, Rotom. Humans are a vile, greedy, and violent species by nature. Loki is already pushing it. I already worry for my safety whenever I go out with him. But if I were to reveal that I have a one of a kind pokemon that has never been seen before? What do you think would happen? How many thieves, killers, and criminals would crawl out of the woodwork just to take what I have."
"How many rich collectors would harass me near constantly in order to try and bribe or blackmail me into selling him to them?" I question.
"That..." The rotom begins quietly. "That is..."
"Reason two. I legitimately have ZERO good explanation as to why I have him! He literally just crawled out of a portal in front of me!"
"A portal?" The rotom mutters.
"Reason three. Secrecy is a good thing. The less people know what to expect, the better my chances of winning battles in the future are."
I stare at the floating phone for a long moment.
My eyebrow twitches slightly. "Why do you look so guilty?"
"I... Might have already notified the faculty before you... Said anything..." The rotom dejectedly whispers.
My hands shake in very poorly controlled anger.
I'd break that fucking phone if I wouldn't be forced to pay probably a tremendous amount of money...
Also be labeled as someone quick to anger and a person who abuses pokemon.
But, ah yes. The reason why I need my own fucking home. So this shit doesn't happen.
I take a deep breath, then exhale, looking past the source of my current annoyance.
"Merlin. Roughly how long would it take you to make that ring once I get you the materials?"
The floating pokemon slowly turns to me, beginning to slowly do a barrel roll in the air, seemingly thinking deeply upon the question.
"Month or three."
"And how far can you cover, roughly?"
"Unsure."
Damn.
Damn damn damn.
I'll check back with him after he makes it.
Hell, I might try and figure out how to do it on my own.
Out of the view of this little 'big brother is watching you' piece of shit.
Oooh I'm so mad.
"Merlin. Lock the deadbolt if you would." I call out.
*THUNK*
I hear the lock slam shut.
"Thank you." I nod once as I go back to what I am doing.
I pause as a thought crosses my mind.
"Huh..."
I grab a piece of paper and a piece of tape, then scrawl in large letters upon it "Doing delicate work. Don't fucking bother me."
I walk over to the door, unlock it, open it, slap the piece of paper on the outside, then close everything and re-lock it.
"There we go. With that settled." I nod slowly before whirling around and pointing at the rotom. "Never do that again. I don't care if I walk in here with god himself in a pokeball, NEVER put me on the spot like this again."
"Blueberry academy can protect you!" The rotom begins. "You should trust the faculty."
"The only things I trust in this world are One: myself. Two: an Idol Corporation's ability to somehow be one of the most black hearted and corrupt things in existence, Three: Loki-"
"Eevee?!" The little fox perks up.
"-And four. Merlin." I gesture up to the floating Lotad.
"Loootad."
"Beyond that I just naturally assume everyone has their own agendas when they talk to me." I roll my eyes.
"That- That isn't good! You shouldn't do that!" The ghost type exclaims. "You should make friends! Mingle with your peers!"
"Gonna stop you right there. I'm going back to that other point you had. Blueberry academy MIGHT be able to protect me... for four years... but I am genuinely out of luck after that, no?"
"You... could become a teacher?" The Rotom tries.
"Pfft-" I snort.
"..."
"Oh my god you're serious, let me laugh harder. Pahahahah!" I quietly cackle.
I wipe a tear from my eye. "Haaah. Hilarious. No. I don't believe I will."
I return to my tinkering, the rotom quietly floating away and laying back down on my bedside table.
**Linebreak**
I let out a quiet yawn, wiping an eye as I look to the clock.
12:47
Fuck. Might have spent too much time on making this.
Damn it! home room starts at six!
I let out a long sigh as I sit the little scanner in a box and quickly fold it up, putting it on the shelf.
I look over to see Loki curled up at the foot of my bed, Merlin has placed himself up high on one of the shelves.
"Rotom. Wake me up at five thirty."
"Y-Yes sir." The ghost type dejectedly replies.
According to Merlin, apparently someone did show up sometime yesterday, but thankfully they read my glorious message and left me alone.
I crawl up under the blankets, a frown upon my face, glaring pointedly up at the ceiling.
'At least I have some iced Coffee in the fridge, I suppose.'
My eyes slowly close, already dreading tomorrow.
**Linebreak**
Four and a half hours of sleep! Let's get it!
I take a seat in the back of the classroom, quietly shuffling through my papers.
'Let's see here. First period is math with Mrs Blanche, then... language with Mr... 'Spark'... History with Mrs Fennel, then home economics with Candela, lunch, then professor willow for biology and science, annnnd battle studies with Mrs Briar.'
Luckily there's no elective today.
So.
I just need to last nine hours... then another six or so in order to not fuck up my sleep schedule.
Don't mental break.
Doooon't mental break.
"Mr. Welsh." Mrs Briar begins. "Could you stay for a brief moment after home room?"
I don't really dignify that with a response, giving her a slow tired blink.
Damn it.
I'm going to have such a migrane after today.
I quietly wait, watching as everyone stands up and make their way to math, my eyes slowly trail over to Mrs Briar as she walks over.
"I have been informed that... you have a new pokemon?"
"Nope. My rotom was mistaken." I smile brightly. "Besides, I seriously do not want the attention such a pokemon would put on me. I mean, Loki is one thing, an incredibly powerful Eevee in a unique color?Eevees are pretty expensive, but common. Regardless, that'll probably already have collectors looking to less than legal options to grab him, but if they found out that I had a legitimate one of a kind pokemon that I could have only gotten if it literally teleported right in front of me from god knows where? Well, I'd be looking at a serious case of swimming with cement shoes~"
"That is- you would never be in danger within Blueberry Academy if that were the case." The woman begins.
"But what about when I graduate? What about during summer break? What about if I take a short trip to Undella town to enjoy the beach?"
"..."
"Very well, Mr. Welsh, I respect your decision on this matter." The woman frowns. "However, what are you going to do Battle studies? Our entire curriculum is learning to use multiple pokemon at once... and if you feel you are unable to make use of all of your pokemon, you will never pass."
"Well, perhaps your curriculum is wrong." I frown, staring into her eyes. "The people in my class have Pokémon of a variety of strengths. The girl with the Poochyena, to the guy with the Duraludon. This is not even. You may be training us, yes, but how can you expect our pokemon to grow if they are never pushed to their limits? What If I only used Loki?"
"I might not learn the valuable skill to command several pokemon at the same time, but Loki will learn a skill just as valuable or perhaps more so... how to fight and deal with multiple opponents at once. I wholeheartedly believe that you should allow students with advanced pokemon to merely use one to balance out the class somewhat. Drayton has caught a Duraludon and an Axew. It is clear that one of these pokemon is vastly stronger than the other even with the Axew being amongst the strongest of the secondary pokemon anyone in this school has received. Thus, Duraludon will be stagnating against the other pokemon here in Blueberry academy. Perhaps forming bad habits of underestimating opponents, or maybe even aging out of the prime age to teach your pokemon."
"..."
The woman lets out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead briefly. "Fine. You can just use your Eevee. But. The second that battles begin to get too much for it. You must use a second pokemon... I would suggest, that if you wish to keep any of your pokemon that you might already have a secret, it would be in your best interest to, in your free time, join the group that descends into the terrarium below and get another team member."
"And." She continues. "If you wish for any help regarding any of your potential team members, remember that the faculty here at Blueberry Academy are here to assist you."
I offer a slow nod. "Thank you, Mrs. Briar."
**Linebreak**
"Fuuuuahhh." I sigh as I flop face-first into bed.
I lay there for a moment, then turn my head and get back up.
Five more hours.
I have to make it to eight before I can even humor the idea of sleeping.
I wordlessly let out Loki and Merlin.
Loki, fresh off the high of beating the snot out of a Numel and Magby runs in circles, he rushes towards the wall, then leaps at it, he then turns and leaps off it again and continues rushing in circles.
I roll my eyes at the little fox as Merlin goes back to my shelf and sits down, closing his four eyes as he seems to ponder deeply on something...
Or he is just going to sleep.
One or the other.
"Loki, behave." I snort as I grab his toy and toss it underhand to him.
It lands nearby, causing him to pivot and pounce on it.
*Squeee*
I love that adorable little bastard.
I walk over to my fridge and grab another iced coffee, flopping down at my desk as I slowly turn to my shelf.
"..."
I should have grabbed all that before I sat down.
A sigh leaves my lips as I stand up, retrieving my stuff, then return to my seat.
A yawn leaves my lips as I bring out the scanner from the box, wiping my eye 'allllll righty let's see here. I was having a bit of an issue with the interface?'
Loki lets out little growls behind me, shaking his head violently as he savages his toy.
I'm honestly surprised that it has held up so long. But. I do suppose that it is a pokemon chew toy. Anything from my last life would have likely imploded in the first five minutes of him playing with it. But here? They have to practically make those things out of titanium as every dog, rat, and cat can bite hard enough to crunch your femur like it's a fucking twix bar.
I should see about learning magic as soon as possible. Preferably out of the eyes of rotom.
Surely there's something Merlin could teach me. Doctor strange didn't rely on a sling ring, after all.
For portals, maybe, but not for most of his other bullshit.
Hang on.
Merlin says he can craft stuff...
Could I get my very own doctor strange cape?!
I mean. That comes with the downside of wearing a cape. I'm neither a magician nor fucking Lance, so I imagine it'd look sort of out of place on me.
The ability to fly and have a cape capable of strangling people... or just not looking like a fucking idiot.
Huh.
That's actually sort of a tough decision.
What about a scarf of some sort?
That could work, honestly.
Yeah! A scarf of levitation. That sounds pretty awesome. It would probably improve my survivability a bit as well.
I slap my cheeks, refocusing myself on the task at hand and shaking my head. 'alright, you sleep deprived motherfucker. FOCUS.'
I can daydream about magic capes or scarves later.