Chapter Text
"Come on, guys! Just one more round!" Mike called out as Pawmi shot a Thunder Shock into the air. The crackling electricity dissipated in the early morning light, leaving behind a faint scent of ozone. Mike grinned, sweat beads glistening on his forehead.
"Alright, alright," he panted, "Let's go!" He bent his knees and sprang upwards, his hands reaching for an invisible bar. His muscles flexed as he flipped through the air, his Roselia mimicking the move with a graceful Magical Leaf. They were a well-oiled machine, Mike's gymnastics background blending seamlessly with his Pokémon's natural abilities.
Marshtomp looked on, bouncing in place, eager for its turn. "Marshtomp, Mud Shot!" Mike shouted, pointing at the makeshift target in the far corner of the yard. The marsh Pokémon's eyes narrowed and it took a deep breath, sending a glob of mud arcing through the air. It splattered against the wooden fence, just shy of the bullseye. "Almost," Mike said with a chuckle, landing lightly on the dewy grass.
The quiet was shattered by the slamming of the back door. "Mike!" a voice boomed. "You're going to be late for school!" It was his father stepping out onto the porch in his bathrobe, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. "What's with all the racket out here?"
Mike took a moment to catch his breath, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "Just training," he said nonchalantly, gesturing to his Pokémon. "You know, keeping fit."
Mr. Coda raised an eyebrow, sipping his coffee. "Fit for what, exactly?" He took a few steps down the porch stairs, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "I don't recall you being this eager to work out before you and Relena became an item."
Mike felt a blush creep up his neck. "Dad," he began, "It's not like that. I just like to keep in shape."
"Mm-hmm," his father murmured, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Well, don't let me interrupt your... routine." He turned and headed back inside, the screen door slapping shut behind him.
Mike looked at his Pokémon, who were all watching him with varying degrees of amusement. "Let's cool down," he said, trying to ignore his father's teasing. "We've got school to get to." As they began to stretch and wind down, Mike couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, his father was onto why he was really training.
The warm water of the shower washed away the sweat and the mud, leaving Mike feeling refreshed and slightly less embarrassed. He toweled off and pulled on his school clothes, which were already laid out neatly on his bed. A few minutes later, he descended the stairs to find his mother reminding Cece to keep her toys off the stairs.
"Cecilia," Mrs. Coda said to Cece. "From now on, any time someone trips over one of your toys, that toy is going in the garbage, little lady."
“No, Mommy!” Cece shrieked, unaware that her mother was bluffing.
Mrs. Coda looked up from where she was picking up a stray teddy bear as Mike came down the stairs. "Your tutoring is only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, right?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Mike nodded. "Yeah, only on Tuesdays and Thursdays," he confirmed, feeling a twinge of guilt. The truth was, he didn't have tutoring in the traditional sense. He had been secretly taking lessons from Mr. Beck, the mysterious man who lived in a floating house in Lake Dewberry. Mr. Beck had introduced him to Eeveelucha, a unique martial art that utilized the grace and agility of the Eeveelution line of Pokémon. Mike had been drawn to it after a couple of unpleasant encounters with some bullies at school, and he hadn't told his parents because he knew they'd worry.
He took a deep breath and approached the kitchen, where his mother was preparing breakfast. The smell of pancakes filled the room, and his stomach rumbled. "Mom," he began, "Can we talk about my after-school activities for a bit?"
Mrs. Coda looked up, spatula in hand, and gave him a concerned look. "Is everything okay?"
Mike took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Well, it's just that, the tutoring... it's not exactly for schoolwork."
Her eyes widened. "Then what is it for?"
He swallowed hard. "It's for... self-defense." The words felt heavy in the air.
Mrs. Coda's expression softened. "You're learning how to fight?"
He nodded, feeling his cheeks burn. "Yeah, but it's more than that. It's about respect and discipline. Mr. Beck, he's a great teacher and its technically just another sport, right?"
His mother studied him for a moment, then set down the spatula. "Why didn't you tell us?" she asked gently.
Mike shuffled his feet. "I didn't want to worry you guys. And, I don't know, I guess I was a bit embarrassed."
Mrs. Coda walked over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Mike, you can always tell us what's going on. We're here to support you, no matter what."
Mike felt a weight lift from his chest. "Thanks, Mom." He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "But can we keep it between us for now? I'm not ready for Dad to know just yet. I’ll tell him myself."
She nodded. "I understand. Just be careful, okay?"
"I will," he promised, giving her a quick hug before sitting down to eat. As he took a bite of his pancake, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and dread. He had told part of the truth, but the secret of his training in Eeveelucha still hovered over him like a storm cloud, ready to unleash its fury when least expected.
Breakfast passed quickly, and soon Mike found himself standing outside, his backpack slung over one shoulder, saying goodbye to his mother and sister. Cece waved enthusiastically, her pigtails bobbing with every movement. "Bye, Mikey!" she called out as he closed the door.
Mrs. Coda gave him one last knowing look before returning to her chores. Mike stepped onto the porch and took a deep breath of the cool morning air, feeling slightly better after his conversation with his mother. As he started down the path, Ellie, emerged from her house. Her spiky hair jutted out of her bucket hat, and she wore a mischievous smile.
"Hey, Mike," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Big day, isn't it?"
Mike rolled his eyes. "What do you mean?" He tried to play it cool, but his cheeks gave him away.
"Oh, come on," Ellie said, nudging him with her elbow. "It’s you and Relena’s one week anniversary."
Mike felt his cheeks turn a deeper shade of red. "It's not a big deal," he mumbled, trying to keep his focus on the sidewalk ahead.
Ellie's laughter was light and airy. "Oh, please," she said, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You've been acting like a love-sick Pichu for days now."
Mike let out a slight chuckle. "Can we not?" he mumbled, but Ellie wasn't about to let it go. She'd always been like that – teasing, but never malicious.
"Fine," she said, switching tracks with a smirk. "So, you excited for the big game against Salal City?”
The mention of the upcoming Pokémon battle games snapped Mike out of his embarrassment. "You guys are going to crush them," he said confidently. "With you, Lys, and Loki on the team, it's going to be an easy win."
Ellie beamed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," she said, her eyes sparkling. "But we've got some serious competition. Their team captain is a real show-off."
They arrived at the school's courtyard to find Relena waiting for them, her blonde hair tied back in a sleek ponytail that made her look even more pretty than usual. Mike's heart did a little flip-flop as he saw her, and he couldn't help but lean in for a quick kiss.
"Hey, no PDA before the battle," Ellie teased, waving her fingers in the air as if to fan herself.
Relena blushed slightly and rolled her eyes, but the smile didn't leave her face. "How are you feeling, Ellie?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned.
"Confident," Ellie replied, puffing out her chest. "We've got this in the bag."
The three of them were soon joined by Drake. His usual uplifting expression was dialed back, replaced by a look of concern as he spotted them.
"You guys heard the news?" he asked, gesturing to the far end of the courtyard. "Craig Knapp’s been sponsored by Hyperush after the incident at the contest hall last week. Can you believe it?"
They all turned to look. There, standing tall with a group of admirers, was Craig. He wore a black and green hoodie with the Hyperush logo emblazoned on the front, looking every bit the part of the sponsored athlete. He caught their gaze and gave them a cocky wave.
Mike felt a twinge of jealousy, but he pushed it aside. "Good for him," he said, trying to sound indifferent. "But as cool as it would be to get all the Hyperush perks, it's not about the sponsors, it's about the battling skills."
"True," Ellie agreed, "But it does mean he'll have access to some serious gear."
The conversation drifted to the various tactics the Salal City team might employ and what Ellie and Drake could do to counter them. The excitement grew palpable as they talked about their own strategies and the potential match-ups.
"Well," Drake said, glancing at his watch, "We should probably head to homeroom. Don't want to keep Mr. Slowking waiting."
Mike nodded, his thoughts still lingering on the battle games ahead and his role as the school mascot. They made their way through the bustling halls of the school, the chatter of their fellow students a dull roar in the background. When they entered the classroom, they found Lys and Loki already seated, deep in conversation with Nadine, who looked up as they approached.
"Morning!" she greeted them, her voice filled with the same excitement it always carried.
Mr. Slowking, began the rollcall. "Lillyvanth Acres?" she called out, his voice echoing through the classroom. The room fell silent, and Mike couldn't help but notice that Lilly's name had been unanswered all week. He glanced around the room, expecting to see her empty chair once again, but then the door creaked open and in she walked.
His eyes widened. It was Lilly, but she was almost unrecognizable. Her once-blonde hair now had vibrant red streaks woven through it, and she was dressed in clothing that was a stark contrast to her usual attire—short black shorts, a studded belt, and a purple crop top that had a Soul-verize logo on it, the band that Elite Four Zayne Reed was a part of, under a leather jacket. She had a new eyebrow and nose piercing as well as a pair of studded sunglasses that sat atop her head. The biggest shock, though, was the tattoo that snaked down her left leg, a stunning design of lily flowers wrapped around a thorny vine.
As Mr. Slowking was about to mark Lilly as absent, she strutted in with a newfound confidence that had the entire classroom turning to look at her. She slammed her hand down on the desk in front of her. "Here!" she exclaimed, her voice firm and self-assured.
Nadine's mouth fell open. "Lilly, is that you?!" she asked, her voice filled with astonishment.
Lilly smirked. "In the flesh," she said, her voice a low purr. "Been working on myself, you know? Oh, and it’s Vanth now.”
The room was abuzz with whispers as the classmates took in her transformation. The shy, awkward girl they had all known had been replaced by a force of nature, and Mike couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity.
"You look amazing," Ellie said, her eyes wide with admiration.
Vanth shrugged nonchalantly. "Thanks," she replied, flipping her hair over one shoulder. "It's all part of the new me."
The room was abuzz with whispers as the classmates took in her transformation. The shy, awkward girl they had all known had been replaced by a force of nature, and Mike couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity, a feeling he could tell most of the class had.
"You look amazing," Ellie said, her eyes wide with admiration.
Vanth shrugged nonchalantly. "Thanks," she replied, flipping her hair over one shoulder. "It's all part of the new me."
Mr. Slowking cleared his throat, trying to regain order. "Well, it's nice to have you back, Lilly—I mean, Vanth. Let's not interrupt the rollcall any further."
The room settled back into a hush, but the whispers didn't completely die down. Mike couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about her transformation. It was as if she had shed her old skin and become a completely different person overnight.
"So, uh, Vanth what's the deal with the tattoo?" Loki asked as they took their seats. Mike could see that he was practically drooling over the new and improved Lilly.
Vanth leaned in, a glint in her eye. "It's a reminder," she said cryptically. "Of where I come from, and where I'm going…"
Johnny sat on the cold, metal bleachers of the courtyard, his eyes glazed over as he stared at the patch of dry grass in the distance, remembering his battle at the contest hall alongside Tyler West just a week earlier. The bell was about to ring, signaling the start of another class. The sun hovered just above the horizon, casting a dull light over the concrete area. His thoughts drifted to the weekend he was going to spend with Jennifer and the promise of freedom from the monotony of textbooks and homework.
Suddenly, a burst of energy broke through the stillness. It was Craig, walking towards him with a grin wider than the schoolyard itself. The green and black jacket he wore fluttered in the breeze, displaying the unmistakable logo of Hyperush. The company's reputation as the ultimate sponsor in Acinus was not lost on anyone who saw the emblem. Johnny couldn't help but feel intrigued at the sight of it.
"Johnny, guess what?" Craig called out, brimming with excitement. He didn't wait for a response, plopping down beside Johnny with a thud.
Johnny's gaze shifted from the grass to his friend. "I’m guessing Hyperush gave you some more free shit?"
"Yeah, man! They're giving me the works: gear, money, even access to their elite training facilities!" Craig's enthusiasm was palpable. "And get this, they gave me a two grand signing bonus!"
Johnny's eyes widened. That was more money than he had expected a teenage trainer would get from signing on with Hyperush. "Wow, that's... that's amazing."
Craig's grin grew even larger, if that was possible. "They said I can start uploading my battles and every time I capture a Pokémon and share it online, boom, more cash for me! Can you believe it?"
Johnny nodded, trying to absorb the gravity of the situation. The local independent Pokémon battling scene in Dewberry City felt trivial in comparison. "So, you're going to move out from your uncle’s place?"
"Fuck yeah I am!" Craig slapped his knee. "I've had it with Uncle Geoff and his stupid shit. I've got a viewing for an apartment this weekend. Can't wait to get my own place! I’m going to have a party every night."
The bell rang, jolting Johnny back to reality. He grabbed his backpack, feeling the weight of his unexciting life pressing down on him. As they approached the classroom, they bumped into Nat. "Hey, guys, what's up?" Nat's eyes darted to the emblem on Craig's jacket, and he whistled lowly. "Looks like someone's going places."
Without missing a beat, Craig launched into the story of his newfound sponsorship, his words tumbling over one another in his bragging. Johnny listened, his mind racing with the implications.
"So, Nat, how's dance class going?" Craig asked, nudging him playfully. "You two spot any…talent?"
Nat shrugged his shoulders. "It's fine, I guess."
Craig leaned in with a sly smile. "What about that freshman with the spiky hair? She's the one I’ve seen you talking to, right? She’s friends with Mascot Boy."
Nat’s eyes searched the hallway, and his gaze landed on Ellie, who was laughing with her friends. "Well, I mean, she's okay."
As they talked, the shy and awkward Lilly appeared in the doorway of the classroom. Her transformation was astonishing. Gone was the shy girl they had known, replaced by a confident punk rock goddess. Her hair was a wild mess of reds mixed in with the blonde, and she wore a studded leather jacket over a ripped band tee. Lilly tossed a casual, flirty "hi guys" in their direction before sauntering into the classroom with a confidence that none of them had ever seen in her before.
"Whoa," Nat breathed out. "Is that...that Lilly girl?"
Johnny nodded, his eyes following her until she was out of sight. "Looks like she had a glow up."
Craig, looking oddly satisfied, nodded. "Guess some people just need a new look to find their confidence."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Johnny and Nat to exchange puzzled glances. Before they could say anything, Ellie joined them, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You guys haven't seen Lilly, have you?"
They both nodded in unison, still reeling from the sight.
"Her new name is Vanth," Ellie said with a wink. "Isn't she amazing? I have the coolest dance partner."
Johnny had to admit, she did look cooler than ever.
"I've got to say," Nat began, his voice still in awe, "she's really…changed."
As they entered the classroom, Johnny couldn't shake the feeling that everything was changing around him.
Vanth's hand hovered over the soda machine's buttons, her eyes scanning the rows of fizzy drinks. The school hallway was empty, the echoes of receding footsteps the only sound as students rushed to their next class. She'd chosen grape, the same flavor she'd picked every day for the last two years. It was a simple choice, a comfort in the chaos of high school life.
The cold metal can felt good in her hand as she turned to leave. That's when she saw him, Loki, leaning against the locker across the hall. His eyes locked onto her, a smirk playing on his lips. He pushed off the locker and strolled over, his footsteps echoing like a drumroll announcing his arrival. Vanth's heart skipped a beat, not because she was scared of Loki, but because she knew he was the kind of personality she couldn't ignore.
"Hey, Vanth," Loki said, his voice a mix of charm and challenge. "Still rocking that name?"
Vanth took a sip of her grape soda, the fizz tickling her nose. "You know it," she replied, her tone breezy. She was dead serious about her new nickname. It was a declaration of independence from the past, from the person she used to be—Lilly.
"Must be nice," Loki said, leaning closer. "Getting all this attention."
Vanth arched an eyebrow. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
Loki chuckled, not bothered by the jab. "I might just," he said, his eyes sparkling. "You see, it's my birthday next weekend. I'm having a bash at Drake's cabin. You should come."
Vanth studied him, her mind racing. A weekend at a cabin with Loki and his friends? That was a whole new level of attention. "How bad do you want me there?" she asked, a playful smirk crossing her lips.
"Let's just say, you'd make it unforgettable," Loki replied, his gaze lingering.
Vanth took another sip, the sweetness of the soda mixing with the anticipation. She knew what he was hinting at, the unspoken deal. She liked playing this game with him, keeping him guessing. "We'll see," she said, her voice a whisper of promise.
The bell rang, a harsh intrusion into their moment. Loki straightened up, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face that they couldn’t continue their conversation. "You think about it," he said, tipping an imaginary hat before sauntering away.
Vanth watched him go, the clank of the tall boots on the hard floor fading. The invitation was more than just a party; it was a door to a world she hadn't been part of before. She felt the weight of the decision in her chest, the excitement and the fear. What would it be like to spend a weekend with Loki and his friends? Would she fit in? Would she finally feel seen?
The sound of approaching footsteps brought her back to reality. She turned to see Lys walking towards her. Lys's eyes searched hers, worry etched in her features. "Everything okay, Lilly?" she asked, the name slipping out naturally despite her best efforts.
Vanth felt a pang of annoyance at the slip-up, but she knew Lys had no malice. "Yeah, I'm good," she said with a forced smile. "Just got a lot on my mind."
"You've been out of school for a week," Lys said, her voice tentative. "Is everything okay...with the whole nickname change?"
Vanth nodded, her eyes never leaving Lys. "It's more than that," she said. "It's about becoming who I really am."
Lys's expression softened. "I just want you to be happy," she said. "But you know, you were still important as Lilly."
Vanth took a deep breath. "Lys," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I'm not Lilly anymore. I'm Vanth."
Lys paused, looking down at her feet. "Sorry," she murmured. "If you're happy with it, that's all that matters. My opinion is irrelevant."
Vanth's smile was genuine this time. "Thanks," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “That means a lot."
The two friends stood there for a moment, the buzz of the hallway fading into the background. Lys reached out and gave Vanth's hand a squeeze. "I'll always support you," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. She noticed the expression on Vanth’s face. “Anything else you want to talk about?”
Vanth's mind raced with the possibilities, the excitement bubbling up again. She took a deep breath and shared the invitation, the words tumbling out like a secret she hadn't meant to keep. "Loki invited me to the party at Drake's cabin next weekend," she said. "For his birthday."
Lys's gave her a reassuring smile. "Wow," she said. "It would be great if you came with us."
"Yeah," Vanth agreed, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and doubt. "But I don't know if I should go."
Lys looked at her, her eyes full of understanding. "Well, I’ll say again that if it's going to make you happy, then you should do it," she said. "But remember, you don't have to change for anyone but yourself."
Vanth nodded, feeling the weight of Lys's words. The decision was still hers to make, but she knew she wasn't alone in this new chapter of her life.
As the next class period began and the hallways filled with the chatter of students, Vanth slipped away to a quiet corner, her thoughts swirling like the grape soda in her hand. The taste of the drink was bittersweet, a reminder of the past she'd left behind and the future she hadn't yet decided to embrace. But with Lys's support, she felt a little more ready to face whatever came next.
The party at Drake’s cabin was still a week away, but the anticipation was already building. Vanth knew that her life was about to take a turn, and she had to decide if she was going to ride the wave or let it crash over her. She took another sip of her grape soda, feeling the fizz dance on her tongue, and made a silent promise to herself. She would make the most of this opportunity, no matter what it brought. She was Vanth, after all, and she was ready for anything.