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hamofjustice · 2 days

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Nemona the Unrivaled

Chapter 1: A Closed Door

Finally, Nemona was getting back out of this darn villa. That was the most painfully long time away from school she could remember, even if the numbers on the calendar said she was imagining things. She just had to stick around a bit longer while Director Clavell talked to Mother and Father, and she’d finally be on her way back to home sweet dorm for a while.

... It was nice of those two to actually show up for something.

But the thought that they were having some kind of grown-up talk in there that she wasn’t privy to -- one that was almost definitely about her -- was digging one last pit in her stomach. What had she done wrong without noticing now, that was apparently worth worrying about but no one had the guts to just bring up to her directly? She gazed down at the intricate stone work under her red shoes, but took in none of what she was seeing.

But then, she heard a bit of commotion in the distance. Who was that coming up the road? With no less than three Pokemon all running up to her!? Was this that kid next door coming to visit, finally? Were they--

Alright, alright, cool it, look away for a sec, act natural, pretend you don’t see ‘em, don’t just stare and creep ‘em out. Wait for the right moment when they get close to turn around and give ‘em the ol’ razzle-dazzle... okay... and... go!

"Oh? Are you these three's Trainer?" Nemona greeted her visitor, coolly turning toward them with her gloved hand on her waist, a swirl of her ponytail and a nod of her head. Nailed it. “Buenas! We haven't met, have we?”

Nemona looked at the newcomer properly now. Looked to be a boy, though it was best not to assume those things in Paldea. Kinda on the younger side, or maybe just hadn’t the kind of growth spurt she had yet. Slightly spiky short brown hair and a paler complexion than her own, in the standard Uva Academy uniform. Not much to speak of in the style department. Yep, just the way they usually rolled out of the boy factory. Not that Nemona knew much about fashion either -- she mostly just let her family doll her up for events as they saw fit -- but she at least picked herself out some matching non-Academy-branded red-and-black accessories for school and adventures, even if it didn’t really go with the indigo-and-white uniform or the green bits in the front of her hair. Nobody seemed to get that she wanted it to look like leaves on a fruit! She wasn’t gonna cut it off no matter how dumb anyone thought it looked, though. It was a small act of rebellion, the only serving size of rebellion she could usually get away with, between the --

Anyway. The new kid seemed to be closely observing the Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly that had run ahead of him. In fact, it looked like he didn’t notice there was another human there too until the three little critters ran past her legs to play in the villa’s garden and fountain like they owned the place. He seemed a little surprised to be spoken to.

“H-huh? Oh. Uh, they’re not mine... yet. Um... the Academy Director left me to choose one of them.” The visitor eventually explained, avoiding eye contact instead of giving her a name. Was she making him nervous already?

Nemona heard the door open behind her seconds later to save them both from the awkward silence, and she turned to look as Director Clavell stepped out of the villa to greet their visitor. The old man cleared his throat to further announce his presence and pushed up his glasses. Nemona often wondered why he didn’t just get a new pair that stayed on better, but at this point touching his glasses all the time seemed to be as deep-set a habit of his as folding his hands behind his back, so it probably wouldn’t make much difference.

"Director... Is this who I think it is?" Nemona just had to ask, balling her fists excitedly against her chest like she was watching a battle.

“Indeed, this is our academy's newest student, Master Adam. He will be attending as of today.”

Nemona’s head whipped around to face Adam again upon having that confirmed. "So you ARE that kid who moved up in the road! I've been dying to find out more about you!"

He winced slightly at her enthusiasm. “Y-yeah, that’s me. Uh... I’ve been looking forward to getting my Trainer’s License for a while. Been studying on my own and everything.” Adam offered as some kind of information as he crouched down to watch Fuecoco in particular. He didn’t ask for Nemona’s name.

“Oh reaaaally?! Well, you’re talking to the right girl, then!” she enthused regardless. That eagerness of his was so exciting to her!

... Adam was mostly paying attention to the little fire croc having just roasted an orange that had fallen from one of the family’s trees, and nodded to it approvingly. Nemona, meanwhile, was getting lost in her head with excitement that this boy might be the friend she needed. She just needed to make sure to sink her teeth in early, before anyone else could tell him she was an annoying weirdo, or stuck-up nepo baby, or the chosen one, or--

“Uh... oh yeah?” Adam eventually responded. He didn’t really seem to be on Nemona’s wavelength, but his curiosity seemed a bit more piqued by the "right girl" line.

“Quite. Miss Nemona here is not only president of our fine Academy’s student council, but already a Champion-Rank Trainer in her own right." Clavell clarified before Nemona could.

Adam glanced up and down at Nemona, as if newly re-appraising her now. “Nemona, huh... Well, uh... good for you, Champion.” he said flatly as he stood back up, no longer looking quite so interested.

Nemona felt a bit of sweat on her brow. “U-um, hey, don’t let that intimidate‘cha, though! I was just like you, not too long ago! Honest!”

Adam, however, was looking at her family’s little seaside mansion with half-lidded eyes. “Sure.”

“Miss Nemona speaks the truth. Our school is quite proud to have a student so brilliantly passionate among us.”

At that, Adam and Nemona both snorted automatically and covered their mouths.

“Hm? Did I say something amusing...?”

“Nothing.” Adam and Nemona blurted out almost simultaneously. Nemona shot Adam a knowing glance, but he only returned it for a brief moment.

Clavell sighed. “I must say, I do still feel so out of the loop with the youth at times, despite my best efforts.” the Director admitted, pushing up his glasses. “Regardless... Master Adam, I wasn’t expecting to see you follow me here so soon. Shall I take that to mean you have already decided which of these Pokemon you would like to be your first partner?”

“Um, yeah. I think Fuecoco would be the smartest choice, given the types of the first two Gyms, and the potential of its Torch Song when it someday learns that.”

“... I see. You certainly have been doing your homework already, so to speak. Well, er... Fuecoco seems to have taken quite a liking to you as well. This is your first Pokemon, yes? Please do raise it with love and care, even when it is not the correct tactical choice. And of course, be sure to keep it tucked safely within this Poke Ball when it’s time for it to rest. Or if you’re unsure it will behave properly indoors just yet, hoho.”

Adam took the Ball and nodded, before recalling Fuecoco into it and attaching the Ball to his belt. It was officially his now. “Thank you, sir.”

Nemona had her hands clasped together in front of her and stars in her eyes as she watched. A brand new Trainer born before her eyes, like watching an egg hatch! “Adam... I can't believe you actually chose Fuecoco...”

“What do you --”

“I mean, like, way to make the perfect choice for you! You two make such a good combo!"

“... Oh. Uh, based on what? Like... vibes, or...?” Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Um... yeah!”

Adam scratched his head awkwardly and shut his eyes, looking irritated. “... Okay.”

Even Nemona could tell this didn’t seem to be going well, but she stuck with it and turned to Clavell to let him know about her plan regardless. “H-hey, um, Director... can I choose one of these Pokemon, too?”

"Oh, but...did you not receive a Pokémon when you enrolled at the academy, Miss Nemona?"

Adam crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently as the conversation went on without him.

"Not back then, no! I had other Pokémon I was focused on raising at the time. But now I want to raise a new Pokémon alongside Adam while he raises his own new partner!"

“... Huh? What, like... just pretending you’re a new trainer?” Adam asked flatly.

“Yeah! I’ve been meaning to relive my first Gym Challenge anyway, and I’d love to have a rival along the way!”

Adam huffed, shut his eyes and rubbed his forehead like he had a headache. Nemona seemed to have struck a nerve she was unaware of. “... I get a say in this too, don’t I?”

“Um, well, yeah... I just thought it’d be nice to final-- t-to make a new friend today, though.”

“I’m sure someone like you has plenty already.”

Nemona’s gut twisted a bit. “Uh, well, um, I just wanna help out, too!” she continued desperately.

The irritated boy took a deep, weary breath. “I don’t know how much fun I’m going to have with someone who’s already done all this stuff breathing down my neck and talking my ear off.”

“Aw, c’mon, pleeeaaase? It’s not like that...”

“Go pick on somebody your own size.”

“What do you mean, ‘pick on’...?”

“Master Adam --” Clavell began, attempting to intervene.

“What reason would somebody like you have to give up what you’ve got and pretend we’re equals? You just want to lord over me, puff yourself up about how much better than me you are, try to tell me what to do... Something. I just know you’re up to something. Can’t you go buy yourself some friends?”

Nemona’s eyes widened and blood ran colder with every word. Her stomach felt like it had dropped right on through the ground into the cave system below. Where did all that even come from? If even a complete stranger could be like this to her now... what hope did she have left? “No, no, it’s not like that--” she said again shakily, stepping forward and reaching a hand toward Adam, who just took a step backward in response. Was she really that bad? Was he afraid of her now? No, no, no...

Director Clavell blocked Nemona with his arm before she could get any further, but his eyes were laser focused on the boy in front of him.

“Ahem! Master Adam! While you are as free as any of us to do as you see fit on your personal journey, and your boundaries are you own... I must ask you to please be more respectful of your fellow student, especially one merely trying to be your friend. Her idea would be quite a charming one, if I were a student in your position. Would you not appreciate having a peer take you under her wing as you get used to your new life here, making some memories together right from your very first day of school? It is quite presumptuous to believe she would do any of the things you have accused her of. Show a smidge of good faith, would you?”

Adam stood his ground for a moment, glaring at the two of them like they were about to jump him, but he sighed in resignation and unclenched his fists. Whatever awoke in him seemed to have quieted down, maybe out of fear of the Director. Adam shut his eyes and scratched the back of his neck. “... I... I see your point. I uh, apologize for my remarks, Director. And... Miss President. It’s, uh... nothing personal. I would rather go it alone, though.”

“... Okay. That’s... perfectly fine.” Nemona responded weakly, each word squeakier than the last, and gulped.

“Hmph. Very well... I’ll check in to be sure you had a safe trip to school on your own then, Master Adam. And I’ll be having a quick word with your mother about these ‘remarks’ once I’m done with my business here.” Clavell said sternly.

“Yes sir...” Adam grumbled as he set off alone toward Poco Path. “Teacher’s pet...” he muttered, too low for an old man’s ears to pick up.

Nemona still stood dumbfounded next to the Director. The excitement she had a few minutes ago had drained away into the hint of tears in her eyes. Why had it turned out this way? “I... I’m sorry...”

“What? Miss Nemona, you’ve done nothing wrong...?”

“Then why... why does this --” she tried to say, then gave up and wiped her face with her sleeve, trying to save face. “Okay... I just... ugh.”

Clavell looked a bit unsure of what to do in this situation -- Nemona had never let him see her this upset before. The old man hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder. “It seems he was... a bit intimidated and anxious because of the way I’d spoken of you. If anything, that was a mistake on my part, even if... it was certainly not an expected reaction. It is I who should be deeply sorry to you, if it cost you a friend.”

Nemona sniffled again and shook her head. “No, no... I can’t ask you to pretend I’m someone else, Director. I don’t think Adam was ever going to like me anyway.”

Clavell gazed down at the confused Sprigatito and Quaxly looking back up at the two of them, as he sighed and gave Nemona’s shoulder a couple small pats.

“... Perhaps not. But I will not stand to hear it as any fault of your own. His solitude is his loss. But people can change... especially if they find themselves haunted by regrets.”

Nemona lost track of how long he kept holding her shoulder as she kept gazing emptily at nothing in particular.

“... Er, before we forget, Miss Nemona... would it cheer you up if I still offered you one of these Pokemon?” he offered with a sympathetic smile.

Nemona was suddenly jolted back to reality by the reminder that the two remaining little buddies were still there, and joined the Director in looking down at them. She sighed as well and knelt down, letting the old man’s hand fall slack against his side. She was so tempted to say she wasn’t in the mood for her new adventure anymore and just leave, but... she couldn’t say no to that little Sprigatito’s face. This wasn’t its fault either, after all. She petted the little grass cat with a bittersweet smile as the Quaxly clung to familiar Clavell’s ankle. Nemona was planning on picking a Grass-type to make things easier for that boy’s Fire-type, but maybe he would have just found it patronizing. Or maybe he would have thought she was bullying him if she picked the Water-type. It seemed like maybe there was no right answer. Maybe this was just always going to happen to her and there was no point obsessing on it. She’d just have to find bits of joy wherever she could.

“... Yeah, I’ll take this one. Thanks, Director...” Nemona said without any of the usual life in her voice.

Clavell solemnly reached down to hand Nemona the Poke Ball for Sprigatito, unsure if she would be getting back up anytime soon, and she accepted it. After a moment, she did in fact stand up and recall her new Pokemon quietly. Clavell similarly returned his Quaxly to its Ball and tucked it into his coat for another day.

“... May I ask a delicate question, Miss Nemona?”

“... Go ahead, sir.”

“Does this... sort of thing happen to you often?” the Director asked in a low voice. “This brand of... open hostility towards your, er, social standing and achievements?”

Her eyes widened and and she glanced away. “Huh? Um... not... really...” she lied.

“... I assure you that your answer will be quite confidential when I resume speaking with your parents.” he clarified, pushing his glasses to his brow. “However, I cannot escape the feeling that much of the events that transpire at our school occur hidden from my watch.”

Nemona took a deep breath. “It’s fine, I’ll find somebody. I just need to be... different. Or something.”

Clavell blinked. “You... do have friends your own age, do you not? I recall seeing you quite often with Master Arven or Master Aliquis in the schoolyard...”

Nemona staggered for a moment at that question. It was a wonder she kept standing. “... They... they both got tired of me. I don’t know if they were really ever my friends. They just... thought it was really important to beat me in a battle, and got really angry when they couldn’t. And when I started taking it easier on them or trying to help and encourage them, they... they told me I was being patronizing and rude, and got even angrier. They stopped returning my calls, too...”

“Ah... and here I’d assumed it was typically you who initiated those battles, given your passion for them.”

Nemona stood up straight, closed her eyes to take another deep breath, and pulled her glove on tighter. “At least my Pokemon like me! Don’t know what I’d do without ‘em!” She said in her usual bright and happy tone.

The young Champion put away her new Sprigatito’s Poke Ball and pulled out a different one, releasing her Cyclizar in front of the villa. Rather than get onto its back just yet, however, she just knelt down with her arms outstretched. “Right, buddy?”

The lizard Pokemon stepped up and gave her a hug without hesitation, despite the awkward tire-like sac on its chest. A smile slowly crept back onto her face as she closed her eyes and soaked in the moment. “Yeah... love you too, li’l guy.”

Clavell looked away sadly. “So... this does indeed happen often.”

Nemona didn’t respond, other than a deep breath through her nose. She continued to cling to Cyclizar.

“... I can make some time to discuss this with you privately this evening, if you’d like. Right now, I’m afraid I’m falling behind schedule for everyone else. In the meantime... please do not be afraid to reach out to the other adults in your life, Miss Nemona. Take care.”

“If they have time for me.” She muttered under her breath.

Clavell lingered and looked back at her for a moment, before sighing and heading for the door back into the villa. He probably heard that one.

“... You take care too, Director.” Nemona finally added at the last second before he went back inside. He was right, Mother and Father were probably tired of waiting for him by now. She’d been holding him up. Stupid, needy, pathetic girl, never happy with what she had...

Nemona picked up the riding gear she’d been keeping in front of the villa until it was time to go and strapped it onto Cyclizar’s back. She still wasn’t in the mood to start a new Pokemon team with Sprigatito, at least not today. It’d remind her too much of how much fun she could be having if she just had a friend. Nope, with how she felt right now, she was just gonna skip the exercise potential and zoom straight to her dorm room at Uva, dump her bags and pockets wherever, and crash in bed until she didn’t feel quite as awful. Normally when she was in a mood like this, she’d train one of her Pokemon against a whole outbreak of powerful wild ones, like in a martial arts movie or something, to clear her head. But today, a nap sounded better. Or at least easier.

She’d been rolling the Director’s advice around in her head for a minute too, though... and took out her solid black Rotom Phone to consider dialing La Primera. No, no, Geeta was probably just as busy as Clavell was, especially today. She sighed and let it float back into her pocket before getting on Cyclizar and riding off down Poco Path.

She pretended she didn’t see Adam poking around in the bushes by the road with Fuecoco as they passed him.

#pokemon scarlet and violet #pokemon sv #pokemon scarvio #nemona pokemon #nemona #pokemon fanfiction #nemonaposting #hamfiction #nemona the unrivaled #it gets better for her soon i swear

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