Beast Speaker, Monster Tamer

76: This is the Chapter Where They Try, Pt 1.5

"Congratulations to the twenty-sixth examinee to pass this part. Elise Wing, you've now been granted immunity, please make your way off the field now."

Hah...Ahah.

The bout of nausea she suppressed came back with a horrible vengeance and Elise motioned for Charizard to let her down. She rolled off and leaned over just in time for the contents of her stomach to all come up.

The other girl appeared by her side, curious concern lining her features. Thdre was no traces of resentment as she asked, "You aight?"

Her throat burned as Elise cleared it. "Yeah—Yeah. Just my quirk drawback."

She nodded, dusting off her costume as she hopped off of Charizard. "Good job on getting your win, earlier. I have to say, you U.A. kids truly are impressive."

"Ah..."

The second boy whom Elise was dealing with popped up by the other girl's side. "It was a close call though. But don't worry, Alice and I will carry on for you and March, Skyzone."

By this point, all activity around them had died with that announcement, Zoroark not fighting, but still eyeing the girl who was doing the same. A tug on their bonds prompted it to leave and trot over with a bark of acknowledgment. Elise thanked both of her Pokémons and recalled them. She let out a sigh of relief that quickly turned into a hiss of pain as her arm seized.

Skyzone's friend looked at Elise and nodded respectfully. "Good job underclassman! Sorry about March's sourness earlier. He's just a bit fired up."

"Thank you. I tried my best."

"We all do," he laughed, turning around to call for his other companion. "Come on, tick tock, Alice! Time's still counting down! Let's not be late! Bye Skyzone, bye underclassman."

"Good luck to you too!"

"Bye Cheshire, bye Alice. I'll be watching for your success."

Skyzone turned to Elise as the others left, the two beginning to head back. "Sorry. I never quite introduced myself. I'm Akihito, the Light Insect Hero: Skyzone. The other three were the Wonderland Trio, Alice, March, and Cheshire."

"Ah, I'm Elise Wing, the Pokémon Hero: Monostrum. Are they siblings?" she asked as they walked back, peeling off the targets along the way. Her head pinged, the headache making itself home behind her temple.

"Triplets," Skyzone answered. "Had always wanted to go and be heroes together. Well, we still have next year."

"Are you all second years?" Elise asked curiously.

"Yep. Our school's not overtly famous like U.A. or Shiketsu, but we're more well-known for our international programs. So a big melting pot. This time, for U.A., it's first years right?"

Elise nodded.

Akihito grinned. "Aw, all these kouhais!!! Adorable AND good at what you do, huh?"

Heat spread across her cheeks, hand coming up to massage her aching arm, which was slowly going numb as the ache faded. "A-Ah thank you."

"Mhm," the girl hummed. She stopped and pointed in a separate direction. "This is where we part. They have their own waiting room for those who didn't make it. I'll watch out for you and everyone else. For what it's worth, I'm sorry about the way March treated you during the fight. News like to sensationalize everything and some people get so easily caught up in it."

"I see, thank you," Elise said. "I'm sorry that you didn't pass."

The girl waved a dismissive hand, turning around to leave. "I don't mind. Not if I lost to someone like you. It was worthwhile."