Chapter Text
Nemona had messed up. Again.
It wasn’t her fault! She just got a little… Excited is all.
Okay she got really excited. But can you blame her?
When she heard about a new kid moving in across the road, she was already psyched. And then the new girl, Juliana, picked her starter at her home!
She just had to battle her!
Even though she had the type disadvantage, she thought it’d still be a close match. After all, she was a champion rank trainer, so she knew how to order even young Pokemon like Sprigatito no sweat!
But Juliana? Juliana, who said maybe 3 words maximum a minute?
She was a beast.
She clearly had a natural talent for battles, and Sprigatito went down swiftly to Juliana’s Fuecoco. It was incredible. Nemona knew at that moment Juliana was capable of great things, and right there the Paldean girl truly believed she had finally found her long awaited rival. She was so, so pumped!
And then Juliana fell and met Miraidon, and when Nemona talked about how badly she wanted to battle it, Juliana… Kinda looked angry at her.
“I don’t think it wants to battle.” She had said, and it was probably the most the other girl had ever talked to her before and after.
After that they met Arven, and she had admittedly butted heads with him. He and Juliana fought, Juliana got Miraidon’s Poke Ball, and when Nemona took her up the lighthouse told the other girl how excited she was to be in the same class and all the battles they’d have…
Juliana became tense, gripping the straps of her bag tightly, and mumbled a weak “Yeah” in response.
Figuring maybe she just needed a minute, Nemona ran off ahead, waiting for her friend at the Pokemon center so she could give the other some extra League Points and Materials, and then dashed off to start training up her Sprigatito.
Along the way, her egg hatched out a brand new Pawmi, gifted to her by the Pawmot she had used during her own champion run, and she was so excited to train a new one!
By the time she felt like she had hit a comfortable level, she made her was to Mesagoza, where Juliana was just about to enter on her own.
“Oyeeee! Juliana!” She had cried, rushing over excitedly with a wave.
And Juliana flinched , turning around nervously as Nemona challenged her to a brand new battle.
This time was a whole lot closer, as Juliana made the fatal mistake of ordering Fuecoco to tackle Pawmi, and between the paralysis caused by static and the tera boosted Thunder Shocks, Fuecoco went down.
Unfortunately for the battle loving girl, however, Juliana had a whole heap of other Pokemon at her disposal, and was overpowered by sheer numbers. She praised the catching and battle prowess of her friend, and received nothing more than a small mumbled “Thank you.” after giving her some spare Revives.
After that, she took a moment to catch her breath, cursing her poor stamina as she followed after Juliana and told her a little about the area, and then zoomed off so she could get Juliana’s brand new Tera Orb ready to go.
To her surprise, Juliana caught her at the top of the stairs, and with a grin she had rushed off, failing to notice the annoyed expression flashing on Juliana’s face as she began explaining the Tera Orb to her.
Looking back, it was this moment Nemona realised she had messed up.
“With this, you can Terastilize your Pokemon! Like how I did earlier!” She said with a wide grin, grabbing Sprigatito’s PokeBall once more. “Now that you’re really ready for battles, what do you say? Ready for round three-”
“NO!”
The frustrated shout echoed in Nemona’s mind, and it was then she properly took in Juliana’s face, and saw the frustrated tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes. “I-I don’t want to battle! Just…” The smaller girl’s fight left her body, and she slumped in on herself, and it took a solid minute before Nemona realised she wasn’t going to finish whatever it was she was going to say.
“...That’s okay!” Nemona bounced back quickly, forcing a smile on her face and her usual cheery disposition in her voice. “We don’t have to battle right now! ¡Siempre una próxima vez!”
Juliana nodded wordlessly, clutching the Tera Orb in her hands, and speed walked away. Nemona realised the shout had gathered quite the audience, and turned to address the lingering students. “Alright, nothing to see here! ¡Seguir! ” She dismissed them.
She turned and made her way to the academy, keeping her head held high… Even as the whispers began.
“There goes the Student Council Prez, pressuring another kid into battling her.”
“At least they finally said no. I’d never be able to do that, she’s too scary!”
“Poor kid…”
Following Juliana into the school itself, the two met up with Director Clavell, and then made their way to their first class of the day with Mr. Jacq, where she nervously stood up in front of class and introduced herself. Although he tried his best to get her to open up, the skittish girl failed to say a word, and so he gave up and informed her to simply take her seat.
After class, Nemona went to the Staff Room, where she was intercepted by the La Primera, who asked for her help with a project, and it was as the Top Champion left that Nemona saw Juliana wander in, looking lost and confused before her eyes settled on Nemona, and she once again flinched.
“Hey Jules!” Nemona greeted, waving her over. “You need help with something?”
Juliana sighed, wandering over with papers in hand. “I need to turn these in.” She mumbled, Nemona taking the papers and recognising them as forms for housing in the Dorms.
“Oh yeah! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that for you!” The Champion ranked trainer offered, receiving a small nod in assent. ‘Now or never Nemona.’ She thought, determined to take another shot at befriending the other girl.
“Say, Juliana.” She started off, getting the other’s attention. “You remember in class, when Mr. Jacq asked what your goal was?” It was a question Nemona had wanted to ask, but never got the chance as Jacq failed to get the girl to speak much, and had asked the question before she could.
Juliana nodded, offering a weak “Mhmm.” and refusing to meet Nemona’s eyes.
“Well, if you’re still undecided, I’ve got an idea for you!” Nemona replied, putting her hands on her hips proudly. “You should try to become a Champion rank trainer, like me!”
“...Wha…?” Juliana looked up at her confused, eyes blinking as if it would somehow change the picture in front of her.
Nemona brought her fists up to her chest excitedly. “Trainers who reach the Champion rank are the ones who raise their Pokemon really strong. And you get to go around and fight the Gym Leaders around the region and take the Champion Assessment! It’s super fun!”
The battle loving tomboy hoped beyond hope her words would reach the other, hoping that her final shot would land and she could finally have a rival to call her own and push her to new heights.
But the brunette refused to meet her eyes. “I’ll… Think about it.”
Nemona had heard those words a lot over the course of her life.
And there was only one translation.
“Please leave me alone.”
That was the last real time Nemona had interacted with Juliana. She led the other girl to her dorm after, but they didn’t really have much of a conversation. And after that, it became obvious even to the usually oblivious girl that the brunette had begun to avoid her.
And so, life went on. She had really, truly been looking forward to a change in her routine with a brand new rival, but it was increasingly obvious that in spite of her natural talent, Juliana had no interest in battling her.
So she did what she always did - Stuck herself into her schoolwork, her job as Student Council President, and battled anyone unfortunate enough to cross her path.
Ding Dong Dong Ding…
“Could Miss Nemona and Miss Penny please make your way to the Director’s Office? Miss Nemona and Miss Penny to the Director’s Office, thank you.”
Nemona blinked in confusion, before standing up from her desk and collecting her stuff. She wondered what exactly the Director could want with her…
And who the heck was Penny?
Shrugging, Nemona made her way down the hallway, giving out passing greetings to anyone she recognised, before she arrived at the Director’s office and knocked.
“Enter.” Came the Director’s reply, and so the tall girl happily opened the doors and stepped forward. “Ah, Miss Nemona, right on time. I had a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Sure thing Director Clavell sir!” She replied, placing a hand on her hip casually. “What’s it about?”
The Director nodded appreciatively. He could always rely on Nemona to bring a cheery attitude to any problem.
He just hoped it’d be enough.
“You see, I have a favour of sorts to ask of you…”
“Don’t you get it?! If you join Team Star, you can shine as bright as anybody!”
“ ..."
“Seriously, what’s with you? Don’t you wanna burn bright with awesome friends like us?”
“...Not really.”
Penny was fully aware of the irony of the situation. Here she was, the unknown leader of Team Star, being accosted by two low level grunts trying to recruit her.
And their methods were terrible. Seriously, had they implemented a quota while she was gone? Or are these two just trying to make her feel bad?
But she didn’t want to cause a scene. She didn’t want to stand out, let people know there was a student on campus with a full team of powerful Veevees. Even when she was Cassiopeia she hid in the shadows, doing all she could to prevent herself from being seen and letting her bullies torment her further.
So no, she did not like the idea of ‘shining’, thank you very much.
Clack clack clack! The sound of school shoes impacting the ground behind her, and she turned, hoping that perhaps someone else had shown up that Team Star could harass instead.
But the student, a brunette almost as short as Penny herself, simply ran past, ignoring the grunts calling out to her.
And so, Penny was left alone to deal with the duo until a staff member, Dendra she thinks, arrived and chased the students off, stopping briefly to ask if she was alright.
Penny mumbled out her confirmations, and didn’t miss the concerned look on the battle studies teacher’s face even as she relented.
“Those Team Star kids are starting to be real menaces lately… If they keep this up, they’re on track for an expulsion.”
Penny’s heart dropped into her stomach. The thought of Team Star, her friends, being kicked out of school…? The very thing she left for Galar in the first place to prevent?
She needed a plan. Now.
That night, she began planning “Operation; Starfall.”
Penny drowsily rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she trudged to the Director’s office. She was having one of her rough nights again last night, and sleep had refused to come, so instead she binge watched her favourite anime with Sylveon in her lap to keep her company.
Everyone has their coping methods, and that was hers.
But somehow, in spite of the fact she never left her dorm, here she was being summoned to the Director himself. She kept her hood up, trying desperately to avoid the questioning gazes of students passing through the halls of Uva academy, all wrapped up in their own little worlds and talking about their plans for the upcoming Treasure Hunt.
She waited around the corner from the Director’s office, waiting for a group of friends to walk by first, and then quickly slinked around the corner and speed walked to the door. She stopped in front of the intimidating door, and took a deep breath before she opened it, being met by the end of a conversation between the Director… And the Student Council President.
“...Of course Director sir!” Nemona said, and boy was she loud. Penny was shocked she hadn’t heard the girl before she entered.
Director Clavell nodded, before he noticed the new arrival. “Ah, Miss Penny, welcome. Please, come over here, would you?” He greeted kindly, gesturing for her to come closer.
Penny closed the door behind her quietly, slowly walking forward with her hands in her pockets and her head held low.
“Oh, and please remove your hood indoors, it’s rather rude.” The Director said, his tone kept even and welcoming.
It didn’t stop Penny from hesitating however, and the short girl reached up and removed her hood slowly.
“You wanted to see me?” She asked, and shot a glance over at the much taller girl questioningly, who responded with a widening smile.
“Ah, yes.” He nodded, and stood up. “You see Penny, classes are graded on two spectrums at Uva Academy - Assignments, and Attendance.” Director Clavell explained, and Penny nodded along. “Your grades for your assignments are all fine and well, however… Your attendance has proved rather concerning as of late.”
Penny flinched, tucked her hands into her pockets nervously in order to fidget with her hands. While she had initially tried to attend at least some of her classes when she first transferred back, her encounter with Team Star had left her frenzied and desperate to avoid any further interactions, and so she had locked herself away and only did her work virtually instead.
Of course, only half the time was she doing her classwork. The rest was spent on Operation Starfall instead.
“...Sorry.” She mumbled weakly. “I’ll try to show up more.”
Director Clavell stared at her, and then sighed, bringing a hand up to stroke his goatee. “...That’s not all.” He began again, eyes shut. “I’m also worried about your lack of interaction with other students.”
Penny found a particularly interesting spot on the floor to look at, as opposed to anywhere else. “...I have friends.”
It’s not technically a lie. Team Star are her friends. Well, Cassiopeia’s friends. And they have no idea she’s back in Paldea or that she’s even alive.
…It still counts!
“Miss Penny.” Penny’s head snaps up to face the Director, his firm tone contrasted with his soft, worried eyes. “Do you have any plans for this year’s Treasure Hunt?” He asked.
The short girl gulps nervously. “Yes. I do. Director Clavell. Sir.” She stammers out, unable to maintain eye-contact.
He continues, facing her directly, his presence equal parts terrifying and comforting. “And what are those plans, may I ask?”
‘Oh, I’m just going to ask the first suitable candidate I can find to help me dismantle the gang I created one by one, and blackmail them if necessary.’ She thought sarcastically. She didn’t dare speak a word of this aloud, and the Director seemed to take this as her answer with a sigh.
“That’s what I was afraid of.” He says wearily, before gently grabbing her shoulder and turning her to face the tall girl, who instantly flipped from concerned to shining brightly. “Miss Penny, you are familiar with Miss Nemona here, correct?”
Penny nodded. “She’s the Student Council President.”
“Very good. I’ve asked Miss Nemona here for a favour. She will be watching over you for the next few months.” Director Clavell explained, and now Penny was really confused.
“ ¡Hola Penny!” The battling brute greeted with a smile. “I hope we can be great friends! That Eevee bag is suuuuper cute! Love that fluff!”
Penny, however, simply spun back around to face the Director. “Watching over- What do you mean watching over me?!” She asked in a panic.
“I meant what I said about my concerns over your attendance.” He explained, readjusting his glasses. “And from the sounds of things, it sounds as if your only plans for the Treasure Hunt were to remain in the dorms for the duration, which goes against the spirit of the entire experience. As such, Miss Nemona has agreed to act as a companion and ensure you make the most of your time both here at school and during the Treasure Hunt.”
The Veevee enthusiast began to panic internally. ‘Nonono, this is bad, this is beyond bad! I can’t act as Cassiopeia if I have the Student Council President breathing down the back of my neck! How am I supposed to pull off Operation Starfall now?!’ She felt her breathing becoming erratic, her hands clenching into fists. And yet, all that stupid Director did was sigh.
“I’m sorry Miss Penny. But this is for your own good. Perhaps you’ll find that you enjoy the experience and become fast friends, hm?” He turned to Nemona. “Miss Nemona, if you would, please escort Miss Penny back to her dorm.”
Nemona raised two fingers and gave a salute. “You got it, Director Sir!” She turned to Penny, and that annoying smile continued to shine at her. “Alright Penny, let’s get you back to your dorm, okay? We’ve got a busy morning tomorrow!”
“...Right.” She mumbled in response, following behind the taller girl slowly, shambling out the door even as Nemona held it open for her. The two began to walk back to the dorms, and instantly the loud girl began yapping.
“Don’t you worry Penny! I’ll take good care of you, both before and during the Treasure Hunt!” She exclaimed, and Arceus above does this girl not know what an indoors voice is?!
Penny grunted in response, and tried her best to tune out the incessant chatter to no avail.
“We can do whatever you want on the Treasure Hunt! Though if you want my recommendation, you should totally do the Gym challenges!”
‘The crazy battle girl wants me to battle. What a surprise.’ Penny thought harshly, only to be interrupted by a sharp gasp as Nemona stopped and turned with an excited expression.
“Hey, you know what we should do?! We should have a battle!” Nemona shouted, eyes burning bright with the blaze of battle.
‘Nopenopenopenopenopenope-’ Penny’s thoughts looped, and she took a step back in shock. “N-now? Isn’t it kinda late?”
Nemona, however just giggled. “Aw come on! What better way to celebrate being friends than to get to know each other? And there’s no better way to know someone than a battle!” She insisted, hand on her hip casually. “So, how ‘bout it?”
Penny felt her heart racing in fear, and began looking around. Although the crowds had mostly thinned out, the few stragglers still around seemed to be whispering among themselves, and there was just- Just so many eyes all looking at her.
She needed to leave.
“ThankyoubutIcanfindmyownwaybackbye.” She spat out as quickly as she could, and before Nemona could react, dashed away back to her dorm full sprint, hood pulled up to avoid people seeing her face.
She eventually made her way back to the dorms safely, slamming her door shut behind her and turning the lock, huffing and puffing from the sheer exercise that was fleeing that scene. She slumped to the floor with a groan, eyes squeezed shut and hands on her face.
“Now what am I going to do…?” She mumbled aloud, asking the question to no one in particular.
“ Veon? ”
Before she could spiral further, she felt a pair of ribbons wrap around her wrists and remove her hands from her face, and was met with the friendly face of her Sylveon, who chirped excitedly at her.
“Hey Sylvey.” Penny greeted, and used one hand to begin scratching the loyal Veevee behind the ear while fixing her glasses with the other. Sylveon, for her part, leaned happily into the scratches, basking in the affection of her trainer.
It wasn’t long before Umbreon came over to investigate, and sat down patiently in front of her, and soon she was dual-wielding scritches for her beloved Pokemon.
“ Jolte !” Cried Jolteon from further down, who was patting his food bowl impatiently. Penny smirked, and gently removed Sylveon from her path before getting up and filling up food and water for her team, snorting at the noises they made as they ate. She heard her stomach rumble, and thus it meant it was officially time for another cup of noodles.
She took her dinner over to her desk as she ate, booting up her PC and looking over the profiles of strong trainers in school. She had compiled herself a database while looking for someone suitable to take down Team Star, and found herself scrolling down to two in particular.
Name - Juliana
Known Pokemon - Fuecoco, Lechonk, Ralts, Buizel, Unknown 5th Pokeball.
Known information - Lives nearby the academy at Cabo Paco. Was seen by the student body traversing the plains and battling with Nemona. Rumours indicate she harshly rejected a battle with the Student Council President Nemona at the front gates. Has been seen frequently alongside someone by the name of Arven. Vaguely familiar. (Where have I seen her before…?)
Strength - Some students report seeing her do battle against Nemona outside of Mesagoza, mere minutes before their follow up confrontation outside the school. Some even report her being victorious, suggesting a certain skill for battling.
Recruitment possibility - Ideal Candidate. Juliana allegedly lacks any kind of clear focus for the upcoming Treasure Hunt. With her strength and availability, she would make an ideal candidate for Operation Starfall. Contact should be made soon.
Known blackmail - None. Records dating back to education in Unova before her transfer have yet to yield any useful information.
Name - Nemona
Known Pokemon - Extensive collection. Current known Pokemon includes Sprigatito and Pawmi, though her status as a Champion rank trainer suggests a much bigger selection is available.
Known information - The current Student Council President and a Champion rank trainer, Nemona is a prodigy in every sense of the word. High grades and known for being battle obsessed, she is easily the strongest trainer in the academy. Wears a wrist brace on her arm, suggesting some form of injury or disability. Loud.
Strength - The strongest in the school for a reason. She has defeated Champion Geeta in a battle, and has been known to never back down from any challenge presented to her. She has even reportedly made a student cry once, due to his arrogance in believing he stood any kind of chance against her.
Recruitment possibility - Do not recruit. Not only is Nemona a member of the Student Council, she’s the President . She reports directly to the teachers and Director Clavell, and is likely to jeopardise the entire mission. She can’t keep a secret to save her life either apparently.
Known blackmail - Blackmail is likely ineffective and pointless. I don’t think she knows what shame is. She probably thinks it’s some kind of move like Spite.
Penny sighed as she leaned back into her chair. Nemona butting into her life is far from ideal, and now the entire operation is at risk. How is Penny supposed to get away with convincing Juliana to join the operation if Nemona is constantly on her back?
‘Ugh, this is way too stressful…’ She bemoaned internally. ‘I need a pick-me-up…’
And so, the nerd resigned herself to another night of binge watching until she was tired enough to pass out, placing her glasses on her desk and letting sleep take away.
BANG BANG BANG BANG!
“Pennyyyy! Up and attem!”
The reclusive girl groaned at the sound of banging and shouting at her door, snapping awake before instantly trying to recline back into her chair. She had no idea what time it was, but her body was saying it was way too early.
‘Maybe if I ignore her, she’ll go away…’ She thought hopefully.
And yet, the knocking continued.
“Penny! I’ve got a master key! Don’t make me come in there!” The voice shouted from the other side of the door. Penny groaned, and grabbed her glasses off the desk, shuffling over to the door with her blankets draped around her, trying not to trip over her beloved Veevees.
She unlocked the door and barely opened it a crack, yet Nemona still radiated sunshine that blasted her in the face.
“ ¡Buenos días Penny! ” she greeted excitedly and far, far too loud for how tired the other girl was.
“Wha… What time is it…?” The short girl asked, punctuating her sentence with a yawn.
Nemona, however, didn’t seem sleepy in the slightest, and instead replied enthusiastically “It’s 8:30 in the morning!”
“...”
SLAM!
Penny shut her door and locked it, shambling over to her bed and hoping to get some more sleep in.
If only she paid the slightest bit more attention, she’d remember a very important fact, and wouldn’t be so confused by the sound of her door being unlocked and nearly slammed open by the tall sunshine lady currently invading her room.
“¡Ay que linda! ” Nemona gushed, bending down to pet a curious but confused Sylveon. “I didn’t know you had Eeveelutions Penny!”
“Why are you here…?” The sleepy girl grumbled, shoving herself back under the covers desperately… Only to have them forcibly removed moments later.
“Don’t you remember, silly? Director Clavell asked me to help out, so here I am!” The peppy girl replied, smiling down even as Penny glared back at her. “He emailed me your schedule so I could help you get to class on time, but I wasn’t sure when you usually get up, so I just came early instead.” She continued to explain, smiling as the smaller of the pair finally sat up in bed.
“Great… So it wasn’t a nightmare…” Penny complained, but her complaints only earned the other’s laughter.
“Nope! This is reality, at least last I checked.” Nemona said in between her giggles. “Alright, so for the future, what time do you usually get up?”
Penny lazily trudged over to her Veevee’s food bowl, refilling much to the delight of Jolteon, the glutton he is. “...Iunno… 10 or something?” she answered noncommittally, earning a gasp of shock from her intruder.
“What?! But classes have already started by then!” The Student Council President replied, a hand over her mouth in horror. Penny merely shrugged. “Well, that’s just not gonna do! We’re gonna start getting you up nice and early for class!”
“ Joy. ” The nerdy trainer replied, bitterness lacing her words like it was a Poison type move.
“Glad to see you’re already getting in the right mindset!” Nemona replied, and Penny wasn’t sure whether she was choosing to ignore it or was just that ignorant of the real tone behind the words. “Now, you get ready, and I’ll wait for you outside!” With that, Nemona happily marched out, closing the door behind her and bouncing on the heels of her feet with excitement.
Okay, so her rivalry with Juliana didn’t work out. Which sucked, in her opinion, but that’s fine! She has a new goal now, a goal directly given to her by Director Clavell himself! She was gonna make sure Penny starts attending her classes, and that she has an awesome Treasure Hunt! And she won’t fail this time!
Penny, significantly less enthused about the current situation, has added a new objective to Operation Starfall - Survive Nemona.