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"And plant a giant neon sign on themselves?" Sol asked Aile. "We'd be on alert instantly if they infected one of our own, better to leave one questioning with as few crumbs as possible. And with the kind of mastery we're apparently dealing with, it'd be no difficult task to ensure your safety until the time is right."

Afterwards, he'd look to Ms. Raifort after her remarks. "Hm? You're back with us?" The way she sounded, he figured she was alright, but it seemed like she wasn't surprised. "What happened to you? We'd been trying to sort out your whereabouts ever since you left Cabo Poco."

Tsuki listened intently as Sol explained some things about channelers, hybrids, and artifacts. He didn’t know a lot about it personally and it was always something he was interested in pursuing, but the timing and the need to do research didn’t do wonders for someone who used to feel suffocated in libraries. The shift of the Ho-oh hybrid’s eyes to the sword by his side did catch the young Snagem’s attention. Was that also an artifact? He must have been speaking from experience then. “Ah, so that’s explains the pseudo Solar Blade move from the Klawf fight.” He said, pointing to his sword. Dangerous or no, that was a handy tool to keep in one’s back pocket as a last resort.

Actually Cera’s point, ignoring the want to go awh at the Mew, did give Tsuki SO many questions. Would using Transform into a human allow her to channel? Could she transform into any kind of hybrid? What would an artifact do to a Pokémon if what Sol said was true? What would happen if- He did NOT ask any of the many probing questions in his head, though it was very clear that the boy was restraining himself from asking close to thirty or so of them. “Eh, either no effect or it’d do something similar.” Like a Life Orb, now that he thought about it.

But once the other students were awake and defungified, Tsuki’s attention immediately turned to them. Reno beat him to the punch though, because Mateo’s mention of a ‘he’ and that sign of aggression made him think that he knew something of their mystery mushroom man. With him handled and Raifort already being talked to, he decided to check on the person he brought here. “Hey Eri,” he said, walking over to her and trying to see if she could be woken up. “, you all together?” Then there was more buzzing in his pocket and Tsuki tensed at it before muting his phone.

"Yes...Cabo Poco...I remember that." Raifort began to answer Sol, rubbing her head as if she still had a slight headache. "That's the last thing I fully remember. I can remember some of what I experienced while under the influence but a lot of it is a blur, at least the parts my influencer didn't care about me remembering. I know I saw everything I was doing but remembering everything is another thing. I never fully understood why I was doing such things." She continued. "I seem to be okay now though, thank you, all of you." She said to Aile and at everyone in general. "As for what happened to me I...don't know."

Matteo would swiveled his head towards Reno as the Psychic Channeler spoke, apparently still on edge as his instincts told him to snarl but he quickly pulled back as reason took back over. "I don't know who." He replied. "All I remember is being upset because I found out Tristen...my classmate...lied about his Pokemon. Then I remember I just kept getting more and more angry. My parents say I have temper problems but I didn't understand why that made me so angry. Then I felt that person's presence over me. You know how you feel when your parents are watching you while you're sleeping, before they wake you up, and you jump awake? It felt like that, all the time. I would fell them but they weren't there, it kept me on edge all the time. They wanted me to do things, but I didn't do them. Instead they just made me feel so angry...reminded me of my dad." Matteo explained to Reno.

"Hm?" Eri muttered as she came too, jumping once she realized she was at the academy, part of her preparing to run, that was until she noticed Tsuki talking to her, causing her to pause long enough and notice how packed this place was. A quick escape was not possible so might as well not make a scene, yet. "I think I am. I got a terrible headache though." She responded to Tsuki. "...why are there so many students here?"

It was over two weeks since that day where all hell broke loose in Paldea. The students were put through the throes of chaos, from Team Star being loosely mind controlled, if albeit emotions severely manipulated by the likes of one who Reno would aptly nickname ‘Mister Mushroom’ to the innocent ones that Team Snagem would have to evacuate so they would not be caught up in it. While peace would return to the academy, it was a rather awkward one. No one in Paldea could have ever imagined the likes of Team Star pulling the stunt they pulled, if albeit their strings manipulated, or an eldritch abomination showing itself. Paldea learned the hard way that the region too was not immune to what happens in this world.

For Tristen in particular, recovery back at the headquarters would come along fine, much to the teen’s astonishment. He was certain that after getting forcefully mega evolved by accident in an attempt to stop Atticus from utilizing the chi machine in Clavell’s office, he was for certain not going to make it. Recovery wasn’t easy, however. Tristen found himself on medications for the next while in an attempt to get his biological electrical systems right again, muscle relaxers and such to get it out of its ‘constant discharge’ state for one and small doses of electricity to reset and retrain his electrical system to get back to what it was supposed to. In the meantime, Mr. Clavell had been in close contact with Team Snagem post the major incident at the academy. In truth, after Tristen’s heroics that he bore witness to first hand, let alone the reputation he ended up establishing for himself to the student body before the chaos unfolded, he left the invitation to Tristen to come back at the academy to finish out the school year, and without penalty due for his rather justified absence. To sweeten the proverbial pot, the academy donated a Pokémon Egg, one which Tristen later would find to be a Sprigitito, for Tristen to raise as commemoration for his stay there. It seemed like a pretty awesome deal with all considered.

The problem was Tristen didn’t necessarily want to go back…

In the two weeks, especially the first couple days after waking up, Tristen had all the time to think and lament about those ten days he had at the academy. While getting what friends he did was great and all, what bothered him was that try as he might, he realized he never really fit in. All the affectionate hugs from B and E, chats with Fela, Penny, and Nemona, training of Spewpa and so on never really could cover up the fact that he was too…grown up for who he was, and to no fault of his own. It was just how he was raised. He had the maturity of most adults, and as far as hybrids are concerned, Tristen could outclass any student, and perhaps even any hybrid teacher for that matter, just only because they have not gone through what Tristen had gone through, trained as hard and rigorously as he did. For all intents, Tristen was a literal freak of nature comparatively. Worse, now that Team Snagem had made themselves known full on in Paldea, and the fact that the student body knows for certain that Tristen in particular is Team Snagem, even if he went back, they’d either treat him more of a celebrity, or give him an extra wide berth in fear of leaving them to wonder if they’re being investigated in some capacity. Even if hell didn’t break loose like it did, Tristen realized that realistically Tristen wouldn’t have been able to keep such things like his involvement in Snagem or even that his adoptive father. Everyone found out his Pokémon training capability in a matter of a few days. It was impossible.

Truthfully, Tristen didn’t really want to face anyone, suddenly content with going back to how he was and allowing Freth to just teach as best as she could, when she could. His adoptive father and even Sub was understanding of Tristen’s reasoning. It didn’t quite fly as hot with Freth, however. While she acknowledged that it was going to be awkward, it was going to be awkward regardless what school Tristen went to and that was on fault of her and his adoptive father for not moving faster on getting a more formal education for him. Tristen had to just focus on his studies and just get through it. Come what may, after all.

It was early Sunday where his adoptive parents and Tristen met with Mr. Clavell once more, a meeting Tristen felt was a bit too soon. The Manetric hybrid wasn’t too successful in working up the nerve to be back here, but it was where he was at now. After some talk, Tristen would be told that his room was where he last left it. No one had been in there that Mr. Clavell had been aware of. Tristen realized that it might have meant that he might need to do some cleaning in there. There is some foodstuffs in the small fridge in the kitchenette that probably needed to be checked on and that’s let alone the bed sheets or anything of that sort needed to be cleaned up as well. Tristen would also would be told by his adoptive father that he’d be in the region for at least a little while, namely to finish up the Victory Road course that got interrupted by the emergency call. He and his Pokémon were going to see this to the end, or at least try to.

Time was spent between the trio of Tristen and his adoptive parents, trying to get him ready and at the very least get him to just get everything off his chest about what he was worried about and to help him get his dorm room straightened up a little. But after a time, it was about time to head out. Freth would return to the headquarters, intent to try to solve a few mysteries that cropped up post her excursion of Area Zero and Blizzard would start heading off towards the northern reaches of the region, hopefully to pick up relatively where he left off. Once again, Tristen found himself without his parents. But this time, he felt a bit more alone than ever. Normal…was not going to be normal, he’d fear. He’d spend some time with his new Sprigatito as he hung out in the dorm, making sure things were ready for the next day.

Tristen perked up, hearing something just outside his window. Pulling apart the curtains, he started to look around, and to get a better look, opened the window up altogether. “Nyah?” The Sprigatito mewed, curious as to what got Tristen’s attention. Tristen looked around then noticed around on the outside sill of the window a blue powdery substance which Tristen didn’t think was there before. Probably something that happened within this past couple of weeks, Tristen could figure. The Sprigatito tread across the bed then hopped up on the window sill, curious as to what Tristen was looking at, or at the very least what was out beyond the window. Close to two weeks in the world now, this cat was, and it was curious as curious could be.

“Woah, careful!” Tristen said. “Last thing I want you to do is to jump out the window.” Tristen said, picking up the grass cat into his arms. The grass cat confusedly meowed towards Tristen again, not really understanding as of yet what Tristen was getting at. “Man, it’s been a while since I actually raised a Pokémon from an egg…I think the last one…was…Zebstrika, really…” Tristen said, trying to think back. He gave a few strokes to the cat’s head to try to get it to mind its mortality then looed back at the powder, giving it one rub of his index finger. It was probably nothing, Tristen thought. Didn’t look like Sleep Powder from a bug or grass Pokémon. Didn’t really recognize the dead remains of a flower either. He sat the Sprigatito back down on the bed then closed the window afterwards, then closed up the blinds once more.

As he went to rinse his hands off to get the powder off, Tristen started to realize that he really needed to do something constructive, if nothing else. Students were probably not going to show back up until at some point this evening because to his recollection, a grand majority of them went off away from the academy. Maybe to go home, maybe to do…whatever it is they tend to like to do. All in all, break away from the academy and cut loose. Tristen checked his SNAG to see what time it was; there was a fair bit of time still in the day, barring the proverbial time-zone lag from going from Mt. Silver to Paldea. There was a bit of time to maybe train a little bit. Maybe get a check on his hybrid abilities. Doc Owl suggested to check on his electric output at least once a day to make sure that the medications were still working and allowing Tristen to naturally recharge once more. Fortunately, the prescription is temporary, its nothing that he’s going to need to stay forever on. Just for the time being. If nothing else, for that matter, he could perhaps start training his smaller Pokémon like he originally wanted to do before the rumors, followed by the subsequent threat of a Team Star attack, forced him to shift over to his stronger Pokémon entourage.

With a sigh, he’d put his pack, followed by picking up his Sprigatito in his arms, giving the cat a few pets before leaving the dorm and locking the door behind him. He would make his way down through the academy, getting to a PC, adjusting his Pokémon party for the time being, then made his way off out of the academy to go figure out how to spend his afternoon.

“It’s a long story, but the short of it is a bunch of students were infected by a fungus up until a bit ago that was making you all up.” Tsuki explained once he saw that Eri was conscious enough to ask questions. “Nobody was seriously huuuuuur- well.“ He thought about it and that Tristen guy did get hurt badly. But he didn’t know if the infected had anything to do with that directly.

“You guys didn’t hurt anybody in your state at least.” He’d add, trying to reassure if that was a worry.

Tsuki looked around and felt one question ringing in the back of his mind. This Bug or Grass channeler, that was definitely a thread that needed to be pulled but they had something resembling a lead now. He looked back to Eri. “Hey, you mentioned something about a Dark One when you were in a lucidish state. Can you tell me anything about that, that you might remember?” He asked. His working theory is that it was related to that Ziton guy and that they were working with their mystery channeler somehow. But he was really out of the loop in the Evil Psychic Killer Cloud department.


Oh right, the Bombirdier. Honestly, it had been such a crazy week that Tsuki was mixing some things up. He really needed to keep some kind of journal to keep their group outings logged for future reference. “Yeah, that’s something I’m interested in looking into- especially after this week. I don’t think I can do as much as I could right now.” He’d admit, thinking back to a few times where he thought he could have been more helpful. “I might…? My grandpa on One Island studied under this guy named Agnes. Igni? My cousin is named after him.” He hadn’t been to that island in years so his memory of that was pretty shoddy.

“Na, it was a Dondozo I think- though honestly they look pretty similar. Dondozo has got whiskers on its face.”

Tristen would manage to walk through and out of the academy without issue, the place largely deserted, Tristen seeing just a couple students along the way and even fewer staff the majority too preoccupied with whatever to notice him and those that weren't didn't recognize him. It was probably for the best, the boy likely didn't want to be bothered, at least not yet.

After settling his team and making his way down the front stairs Tristen would find himself in the streets of Mesagoza. Again, it was rather empty, the shops he passed along the way not looking all that busy, but it was to be expected for a Sunday. Most of the Sunday activity was in the morning anyways. However again nothing would stop him along the way, nor prevent him from hitting up any restaurants, stores, or food carts along the way. He was being treated like anyone else, a nice respite no doubt.

If he so chose to Tristen would be free to exit Mesagoza in any direction. The guards at each gate would notify him of the going ons in those areas. Area One to the south was particularly calm today with nary a trainer there, Area Two to the west was also looking a little more active with the olive trees beginning their hibernation and so the Combee were busy collecting what food remains, and Area Three to the east was plagued with a Squawkabilly turf war today but besides that nothing too severe going on.