The High School Life of a Pokémon Collector

Akamiko

Lavra ran and ran until her legs gave out. She fell to her knees and sobbed like a baby.

She thought about her approaches to Terri. How she was too energetic at first, how she assumed things about Terri and projected herself onto Terri. She tried to mend her approaches, but it seemed too late to do anything. This only drove Lavra deeper into despair.

When her tears finally dried, it was already nighttime. She didn't want to go back yet after leaving so abruptly, so she wandered around the woods for a little while. 

After a little bit of walking, Lavra came across a very large lake in the middle of the woods. It seemed to be a Pokémon haven, but no Pokémon were there.

She almost had another breakdown when she heard her name being called.

It was Cyndaquil! She scurried towards the lake, huffing and puffing.

'Lavra! I've been looking for you!'

"Is it because it's night and I've been gone too long?"

'Halfway right. I told Terri about your feelings and how you thought of Terri. She thinks everything is her fault for how you're feeling. She wanted me to tell you she said, "I'm sorry."'

This news was bad. Lavra was completely the one at fault. She didn't disclose anything with Terri whatsoever, so it was only natural Terri would feel ashamed.

'She also told me she speaks better with Pokémon than humans ever since she was little.'

"What? My hypothesis was correct!?" Lavra mumbled.

Lavra had already surmised that Terri could speak with Pokémon. But she was in denial because Arceus had given her ancestor that power many eons ago. Since then, a baby would be born with yellow eyes and, naturally, the power to speak with Pokémon. She wasn't aware of any other family who had that ability, and Terri didn't have yellow eyes, so Lavra was conflicted. It seems that Terri was an outlier.

"I've got to go apologize!!" 

Lavra ran through the forest, and quickly realized she didn't know where she was. Were the teachers and students looking for her? She certainly hoped so as she wandered through the woods, even though she knew it was probably impossible. 

Nobody really enjoyed Lavra's presence at school. She picked fights with the class idol all the time, and she had an explosive temper which made the teachers afraid. Mr. Tamaka was the only exception, but only because he was acquainted with her brother as an alumnus of Gondola Academy. She knew that everyone was afraid of her, and probably didn't care if she was there or not. She still went to class every day as a way to fight the school and the stupid people who cared more about looks and popularity than helping someone who was alone.

Cyndaquil seemed to notice Lavra was lost.

 'You know I can sniff my way back to camp, right? You left your stuff there.'

"Huh. I didn't think of that... You're right. Thanks, Cyndaquil!"

"Didn't you want to give me a nickname?"

"Eh? Well, yeah... you want me to catch you now?

'Well, I don't want to be ordered around, but you just seem like a girl who needs help. You saved me, too, so I should return the favor.' Cyndaquil was a tsundere, she could tell.

 "Then, I'll give you the name 'Akamiko.' It means 'Red Priestess.' I thought it would fit you nicely." Lavra giggled a little bit as she told her new friend what she planned on naming her.

'Akamiko...! I like it!'

"Which Pokéball...? Oh, I have the perfect one!" She took out her Friend Ball that she had found a long time ago. Since it was so rare, she felt it was a shame to use it. Now felt like the perfect time to use it.

"Ready, Akamiko?" 

Lavra knelt down and put the Friend Ball in front of Cyndaquil. Cyndaquil tapped the button and got sucked inside. Once... twice... three times the ball rocked from side to side. The capture was a success!

"Come on out, Akamiko!" Lavra exclaimed as she brought Cyndaquil back out. 

'OK, follow me!' Cyndaquil, now Akamiko, notioned.

Lavra said nothing as she followed behind her newfound friend. She still needed to apologize to Terri, but Lavra was happy she finally won over Akamiko's heart. 

The only issue is, which party member should she replace...?