Pokémon Scarlet: Shimmering Destinations

6. The Embers Glow Brighter at Night-

It was a long couple of months at Naranja Academy, but they were eventful in the best way, more or less.

Since I helped out that girl from Team Star, I've gotten quite a few mysterious calls from a person named Cassiopeia. Apparently they hacked my phone from who knows where, but needed my help in their plans for a project called: Operation Starfall. Sending the locations of the so-called bases:

"A plan to bring down Team Star and force them to disband for good. I need allies to carry out this operation and I'd like you to be one of them. No need to discuss right this second, we can discuss the details some other time."

It was strange, and I got yet another earful from the Director about needing to be careful about our tone of voice and confidentiality afterwards.

Professor Jacq had explained more in detail about the Poké-Dex and how it also shows habitats and common sightings, allowed for a full view of a Pokémon once captured, and even have an insight into what it could evolve into next.
He beamed with pride as I compared both my Galarian Dex and Paldean one, there was so much to see and record.

Then I had basic studies; Mathematics, Foreign Language, Science and Home Education, where it was more trying to one up Arven at his own game since he insisted he wanted to see more.

Lastly, was recreation or what is commonly known as a gym class.
I didn't like the idea of battling with my whole strength yet, so class after class I would hold back and restrain on certain moves, going as far as allowing classmates the advantage.

"Hoshi, there's one thing being humble and another just straight up throwing away your skills. Don't hold back, you hear?"
Nemona confronted me one evening as we put our belongings in our lockers and gave mind to the Pokémon running about as a trainer tried to get them back in their ball.

"Nemona, you held back when I first started out again. This isn't restraint to self harm, this is restraint to be equal. I'm not going to obliterate every classmate I have, I want to show I can be defeated."
I hesitantly replied, my thoughts going back to Hop and how devastated he was at the fact he couldn't surpass me.

That day broke me, it was heartbreaking to see all that he had aspired to be was shattered right before his eyes. True, he did own a legendary and was running the Lab with Sonia now, but it was a moment I didn't want to repeat.
I wasn't a revered goddess at battling, I was just like every other trainer, I made mistakes and I've lost my fair share of battles before taking on Leon.
The difference was, I had complete trust in my team and knew they could give their all no matter how weak they seemed to others.
But there were some who didn't quite see that, and in a place like Paldea, one rising star was big news enough; imagine that same star was a rival to the school you crowned the best in your region.

Blueberry and Naranja Academy were sisters with different study appeal. Where Blueberry focused on better Pokémon training and strength with studies in between; Naranja catered to the study of Pokémon growth and development, having them as helpers over battle partners.
Their gyms, from what I've learned, aren't always challenged completely. Trainers gave up after a certain point, some were lucky but never made it before the League. Pokémon in Paldea were meant to better lives and make companionships that depended on others. I didn't want to disrupt that.

"Tell you what, Nemo," I held her shoulder reassuringly, "I'll take on the Gym Challenges and I'll showcase my strength then."
Nemona's eyes lit up immediately, her face beaming with joy unlike anything I've seen before.
"But, that doesn't mean I'll assume Champion rank here. I still have to think about that."

"That's good enough! I just want you to battle to your true strength. Don't hold back for anyone."
She smiled, giving me a tight embrace.

We walked out of the lockers, heading to our rooms to freshen up before we gathered our stuff, Nemona typing away at her phone and sending me the locations of the gyms.