Chapter VIII: Reversed roles
"What mess did I get myself into again?"
That was what Kellyn had been repeating to himself since this morning. After waking up, he had found himself with a mission on his hands... He had to play teacher for the Ranger School's Outdoor Class! Why is that? Because Barlow, the one assigned to this task in the first place, had to make an emergency trip to Boyleland to try to solve a mystery: the local Pokemons had disappeared!
So, on top of this alarming news, the brunet found himself panicking like hell because he knew what he was waiting for...The Question-&-Answer Session of Terror.
- (Don't worry little Amethyst! Everything will be fine!)
- Easy for you...! It's obvious that you've never witnessed the Outdoor Class!
- (Nope! However, it sounds very funny!)
- Depends on the point of view....
As the teenager grumbled into the plumage of the Doduo he was riding, the creature suddenly stopped.
- Huh? What's going on, my dear?
- [Sleazy people, sleazy people...]
Sure enough, on the bridge leading to the Ranger School were two men and a Croagunk who was clearly hypnotized because of the ridiculous behavior it was having.
- Haha! Try these commands!
- This little gem works wonderfully!
While the poor Poison-Type Pokemon tried to reproduce as faithfully as possible the orders given to them by the men, Kellyn was seething with rage. The poor creature was in a world of pain!
- (The motherfuckers! Kell! We have to do something!)
The teen didn't answer her, contenting himself with leaning toward the Doduo and whispering:
- Stay back. We are taking care of it.
The boy climbed down from the creature's back, letting it back off, before approaching the goons, Styler in hand. Both men looked up seeing the Ranger staring at them, his gaze furious and cold.
- Boss, boss! There's a Ranger meddling in our business!
- So, let's try that! "Attack while laughing deviously"!
The higher-ranking of the two tapped on his kind of computer, giving order to the toad. Except that...
- Aaahhh!!! Wrong command!
- Boss, boss! Let's use the good old method!
Said method which was simply just pushing the Pokemon onto the Ranger.
....No comments.
Anyway! Still, Kellyn had a capture to do. So while Fischl bared her talons and attacked Croagunk with air blades, the brunet circled around the Pokemon. The duo had decided to use a new tactic in order to avoid the near disaster of the day before.
This one was simple. The bird took care of the frontal attack, while the teenager moved constantly so he wouldn't be an easy target. This made a capture much longer, of course, but it had the merit of protecting the human from potential dismemberment.
As a result, the Poison-Type Pokemon did not know where to begin. It's confusion allowed the Ranger to capture them without any apparent problem.
- / Shhh...~ It's alright, it's over...Atta boy.../
- [...Tired....]
- / I know, I know....But you can rest now.../
The creature gave the boy a soft headbutt before leaving. The latter, who had completely forgotten about the goons, suddenly turned around when he heard a mini-explosion...Oh yes, that's right. These computers exploded when the controlled Pokemon was caught. Logic.
- Boss, boss! The Ranger beat us up!
- I know! Let's move on to plan B!
The evil duo jumped off the bridge landing in the river, thus escaping the wrath of the brunet and his Partner.
- (Are they all cowards in this team or what?!)
- I don't know. But in any case, they were using the same computer as their colleague yesterday...
- (Do you think it has the same functions as a Gigaremo?)
- Possible....Or at least, the effect seems more...Targeted.
- (It's true that it doesn't seem to affect all the Pokemons in the area...Anyway. Let's hurry, we're going to be late.)
- I forgot that I had to play teacher today... Thanks for reminding me.
- (You're welcome little Amethyst!)
--
The school had NOT changed at all. The sight of the building brought back a lot of memories, both good and bad.
- I didn't think I would come back here....The feeling is strange.
- ( Nostalgic?)
- Most likely. Oh! Look! It's Miss April!
The woman who was the brunet's teacher for a year appeared, smiling.
- Kellyn? It's really you? Sweet Arceus...! You've grown so much!
- "It hasn't been that long, ma'am! But I'm still happy to see you again."
- The feeling is shared, little one. Oh? Is this one of those new special tablets?
- "Yes. One of my relatives gave it to me right after my admission to Vientown."
- I see... If it allows you to be more comfortable, then use it during the Outdoor Class. I think we'd both like to avoid a panic attack, right?
The teen chuckled, remembering his first day of school...Such a Hell!
-...I'm happy to see you surrounded by good people. You were always someone who tried so hard to fit in....And it hurted you. But now, you no longer fear the gaze of others regarding your condition. I'm relieved to see you so peaceful unlike last year...
- "I...Thank you Miss April."
- Haha...Anyway. Let's get serious, shall we? Follow me to the staff room. We have to take care of the final details.
- "We're right behind you!"
The red-haired woman then guided them through the establishment, while taking the time to catch up with her former student. They then met Principal Lamont who was also very happy to see Kellyn again.
The two adults later let him go to the Pledge Stone, so that he could mentally prepare himself. Also, according to Miss April, Mr Kincaid had taken a long leave for no apparent reason....Meh. Not his problem.
- (Breathe little Amethyst, breathe....)
- That's what I'm doing! That's what I'm doing!!
- (Is that why you're giving us a nice panic attack?)
- Please. Don't make the situation worse. For pity's sake.
The boy nervously fiddled with his bracelet, desperately trying to calm his nerves. And that saddened the Staravia. So she decided to sit on the teenager's lap, thus getting his attention.
- (Come on Kell, calm down. It's alright...Shhh...Follow my breathing okay? 1....2....1....2...)
The young Ranger almost immediately followed his Partner, taking deep breaths of fresh air. In no time, his mind was calm and serene again.
- (See? You're safe. It's okay...)
-...Yes...Thank you Fischl.
The bird gave him a gentle headbutt with a smile before something caught his attention.
- (Ah! They're here! Come on, you can do it! Don't worry, I'm staying with you.)
Kellyn took a deep breath, before patting his cheeks.
- /...Let's go./
Immediately, the duo was surrounded by students who were completely excited.
- Wow...! A real Ranger!
- He looks so young...!
- I hope I can be like him!
Oh dear Arceus...! They were adorable...!
- Calm down! Calm down kids! I know you're excited, but be polite!
- Thanks for coming, Ranger!
The brunet's teal gaze softened as he picked up his tablet under the dumbfounded eyes of the students.
- "I didn't expect such a welcome! But, I understand your point of view. After all...I've been there too. I didn't think I would become an Outdoor Class teacher, to be honest...there's a beginning to everything, I guess."
The students gave a common "Oh~", which made their teacher laugh.
- Haha! It's true that you were the student last year... Children, this is Kellyn, one of our graduates. He will be your teacher for today.
- "I know I'm not Miss April, and therefore I'm not qualified to give you real lessons...But, I'll do my best."
- Don't say that! I'm sure you'll be an excellent teacher!
She put her hand on the boy's shoulder, to reassure him. He gave her a shy smile.
- Anyway. This is the moment you've all been waiting for! The Question-&-Answer Session of Terror!
Following this announcement the students shouted in sync, delighted, while the young Ranger was stressing. He ran his hand through his Partner's plumage to calm himself down.
- /...Let's go!/
- Ranger? Are you mute?
Oh, a simple question? It's fishy...
- "I have selective mutism, so I guess in a way I am."
- Ah....It must be hard....
- "Not so much when you have the right equipment."
The student, although curious, decided not to dig, leaving his place to one of his comrades.
- Hey hey! Do you love someone?
That's it. It begins.
- ( Oh oh....)
- "Well...There is my Partner Fischl...My cousin...My friends...My relatives...They are all very important to me. So of course I love them!"
The teenager announced this with such innocence that the whole group of students fell silent. An awkward silence settled down, causing Kellyn to panic.
- "H-Hmm...? D-Did I say something wrong...?"
- (She wasn't talking about that kind of love, Kell...)
- / Oh?/
The student who had asked the said question recovered very quickly.
- A-Ah, no Ranger! It's not your fault! Guess I wasn't specific enough....Do you love someone in a romantic sense?
- /...Oh.../
The brunet's cheeks flushed delicately as he thought. It was....Complicated.
- "I'm going to be honest with you, my dear: I don't know. Love has always been...a vague subject for me. I don't understand what you mean by "romantic love". For me love is love, that's all. I know I love some people more than others, but....I'm sorry..."
- (Don't apologize little Amethyst...It will come with time.)
Fischl gently rubbed her beak against her partner's cheek, who looked down, ashamed of not knowing something so basic. As Miss April was trying to unravel the awkward situation they were in, two voices interrupted the lesson.
- Well! If it's not the Ranger from earlier!
- Sorry for the little intrusion! But we decided to represent the criminal syndicate during this lesson.
All the students stepped back, shaking like leaves as their teacher stood in front of them, staring at the intruders sternly.
- I would kindly ask you to leave this place immediately.
- Aw~ How cute! Sorry Madam, but we have to refuse your offer!
- You son of..!
The redhead was interrupted by Kellyn who held out his arm in front of her, telling her to step back. She tried to protest except that upon seeing the teenager's cold serious look and the fact that he and Fischl were ready to fight, she gave up.
- Dear Ranger! You've caused us a lot of trouble, and you see... We're the resentful type.
The older of the two henchmen pulled out another computer, completely identical to the one the brunet had destroyed.
- Pop quiz kids! You know what it is? Tick tock tick tock....~ Time's up! This is our newest gem: the Miniremo! It has the same effect as the Gigaremo, but weighs MUCH less!
- Boss, boss! What if we gave them a demonstration?
- Good idea young cadet! So~ We type, this, this and this...And then "Enter"!
Two bestial cries echoed in perfect synchronization, warning the Ranger of the arrival of the creatures which attacked as soon as they appeared. Kellyn therefore jumped back, narrowly avoiding the Pokemons and their powerful jaws.
- / Carnivines. Tss...It's going to be more complicated than expected. /
- (Don't worry, it's true that their charges and bites are very dangerous, but...It's easy to make them lose their sense of direction.)
- / Ok, you go right, I go left?/
- (Oki doki! Try not to get bitten!)
- / No promise!/
The duo therefore launched an attack on the 2 hypnotized Pokemons, applying their tactic, and quickly, it was proved to be effective. The 2 friends were circling their targets with such synchro as if they were one, making the creatures confused as possible. As a result, the capture went off without a hitch.
- Boss, boss! The Ranger beat us again!
- I'm not blind, you fool! Listen to me, Ranger! Don't think it's over! Now...let's run away!
The goons bolted like jackrabbits, leaving the group behind. The brunet huffed before taking a normal position and welcoming his feathered beast on his shoulder.
- / Tss. Cowards./
- (Well! You're not in a good mood today! Is it because they threatened children?)
- / There's that too. But especially because they dare to use Pokemons this way... It makes me sick./
- (You have a big heart, Kell...)
As the teal-eyed one turned back to the group to check on everyone's condition, he was greeted by a mini-army of students staring at him, stars in their eyes.
- Wow! You were so cool Ranger!
- You and your partner were awesome! I would love to have a partner like yours...!
- I felt like I was watching a dance performance! Where did you learn to move like that?!
The poor teen was bombarded with questions and compliments making him blush like hell.
- Aw!~ Look at those red cheeks! You are so adorable Ranger!~
The boy hid his face in his hands, feeling even more embarrassed than before. By Arceus! Since when were kids so teasing?!
- (Aw...~ Don't take this the wrong way, Kell. You're really adorable.)
- / N-No, I'm not!/
- Calm down! Leave him alone kids!
Kellyn thanked the all-powerful Alpha Pokemon for bringing in Miss April who kindly sent her students back to their class. They also pouted.
- Please forgive them, Kellyn. But I have to give them a point, you were fantastic today! I wouldn't be surprised to see you promoted to Top Ranger one day!
- "Y-You...You're doing too much ma'am..."
- No. I'm just being honest. You should have a little more confidence in your abilities, little one.
The brunet gave her a shy smile, preferring not to dwell on the subject.
- Anyway, I want to thank you for protecting us all. You taught them a good lesson, and I really hope they won't come back. You also inspired my students a lot today, they're even more determined, I can feel it. I don't want to keep you any longer, you should probably go back to your base. Say hello for us, and don't hesitate to visit, okay?
- "I will, Miss April. Have a nice day!"
The woman left with the principal, who also gave the boy some congratulations before following her. The duo set off almost immediately, they had a short walk to do after all.
- (Well! This day has been quite chaotic!)
- But also very interesting. It felt good to see this school again to be honest.
- (Nostalgia, huh?)
- Yeah....Although I'm a little worried.
- (About Team Dim Sun? Don't worry, I'm too.)
- Now, we also have to worry about the Miniremos....It would be wiser to inform our superiors.
- (Especially if they start replacing the Gigaremos. We'll never see the end of it!)
- Arceus forbids, okay?
When the two returned home, they were greeted by Kate who gave them a big hug.
- Welcome back you too! How did that happen?
Kellyn smiled, telling himself that despite what was happening, there was always someone by his side to show him the light of day.
-------------------------------------
Student: Eh eh! Do you love someone?~
Kellyn: H-Hum... *confused gay teenager noise*
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Kellyn and Fischl: *fighting with the grace of the most gracious ballerina*
Dim Sun Goon: Eh! Stop it already! We're fighting not performing Swan Lake last time I checked!
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