The School Years (Part B) by Michael Keens/ Exodus A couple of months later, and the school year was back on again, Tetsubo had returned home and spent time with his family, except for Megumi, who was said to be on a holiday with her friends. Tetsubo wandered into the college while many new students were arriving, and came across two lost students. One, a dark haired young lady in a pink and blue school uniform, the other was a small kid with short light brown curly hair. “Hey, are you lost?” asked Tetsubo politely. “Uh huh.” said the boy nervously. “We’re looking for the dorms.” said the girl. “That’s an easy one, follow me...” smiled Tetsubo... It didn’t take long for the three to become friends, a good thing for Tetsubo since Bryan had changed totally, he hung around with the bad crowd, yet did well in the classes, but he had become what he used to hate, a bully. Tetsubo finished a type chart lesson and came out with an above average score, just a little study and he’d perfect that class. He turned a corner and saw Joe, his friend, jumping wildly to try and get his bag back from Bryan, who held it up just out of reach. “Give that back! All my notes are in there!” shouted Joe. “Hey!” shouted Tetsubo, running forward and standing in front of Joe, “What right do you have to be so mean?” “Every right ‘Capture. I want others to experience what I did, every school needs a bully.” said Bryan. “How dare you Bryan, after everything that’s happened, you understand full well how much it hurts to be new and bullied, it wasn’t that long ago that you were fat and targeted by Erin and Brandon.” accused Tetsubo. “Shut up ‘Capture, I’m not looking at the past anymore, only the future.” replied Bryan loudly. “Give the bag back or I’ll tell on you.” threatened Tetsubo. “Heh, Telltale.” sniggered Wesley. “You’ll get yours if you do.” added Bernadette. “You think I won’t? I nearly drowned in order the stand up to the last bullies, I can take far worse.” “Be careful what you ask for, ‘Capture...” said Bryan, dropping the bag and walking away. “Thanks Tetsubo, I just can’t seem to be able to stand up for myself...” said Joe. “I used to feel the same way, but circumstances forced me to, not that it was appreciated by everyone.” added Tetsubo. “Bryan used to be your friend?” asked Joe. “Yeah, but I’d stress the ‘used to be’ part, I don’t understand how he could change so much so fast...” “Thanks again Tetsubo, I’ll see you around...” said Joe, running to his next lesson. Tetsubo simply stared at Bryan and his group, and swore that he’d never become like him. The following class was Pokémon Battles, and Bryan was his opponent, it was an even setup, Squirtle Vs Grimer, Tetsubo encouraged the Squirtle to do well, while Bryan ordered the Grimer around, the Grimer was defeated by a mere Bubble attack and Bryan blamed the Grimer for their loss, he demanded a rematch but that’s not how things worked here. Soon afterwards, came several scores, in time for the parents evening, Tetsubo’s parents couldn’t make it, but were sent the good comments about him, he was fast becoming the top student. Bryan’s test scores weren’t at their best, he had been distracted and didn’t really believe in the tests having any use in Pokémon Battles, but his battle sheet was also below average and a win in the last battle would have put him in the clear. His mother came to the meeting and was informed of Bryan’s below average scores and his constant distractions, she wasn’t told of his bullying, the bullied students kept their mouths shut and so the teachers weren’t told. As always, his mother was judgemental and told Bryan that she was disappointed in him, he still couldn’t stand up to her, no matter how much he trained, it was something that only high grades could overcome. Soon after that, Tetsubo was constantly bullied, Bryan blamed him for his low score and insulted him, spread rumours, and did everything he could to lower his self esteem, and hopefully, his scores, but Tetsubo pulled through and performed his best, until one day, close to the end of the year. He received a phone call from his parents and was told a secret they had kept from him: Around the time he enrolled, Megumi had overdone her share of work until their parents started their job, and then she disappeared, they had waited before telling Tetsubo in the hopes that she had gone on a Pokémon Journey with her Voltorb, but they checked the entries, newspaper articles and television shows, and her name wasn’t on any of the lists, and when Tetsubo had returned home, they didn’t want him to go back to Pokémon Tech upset, but now they were sure that Megumi had disappeared and that she wasn’t coming back. This left Tetsubo upset, he looked up to Megumi, she was snide and conceited at times but she was a great sister that looked out for him, and now she was gone, maybe even dead... Now he’d never get to show her what he’d learned. “So, that would make it close to two years now.” said Giselle sadly after Tetsubo had discussed it with her in the lunchroom. Giselle and Joe were Tetsubo's friends, but not so much with each other, they were different people with separate groups of friends. “And without a single reply?...” added Joe. “She’s gone... I’ll never see her again, I wanted to show her how much I’ve grown, how much I’ve learned. I promised I’d win the Pokémon League for her...” said Tetsubo sadly. “Don’t worry Tet’, you have to have faith that she’s alive, and if you win the League, you’ll be on TV, there’s no way she wouldn’t know about you.” said Giselle cheerfully. “You really think I could do it?” asked Tetsubo. “Of course, you’re a master at types, and having compassion and consideration for Pokémon will also help you. I’m just glad I don’t have to take you on since I’m not in your year.” said Joe. “But Giselle... You’ve beaten me before...” said Tetsubo turning to face her. “Let’s not go into it, I beat you because I’m full of surprises, sooner or later, I’ll get caught out, I wouldn’t have the heart to beat you if that scenario occurred in the Pokémon League. Just remember Tetsubo, we’re your friends, and you can always depend on us for support and company.” explained Giselle. “Thanks you guys, you’re the best.” Bryan was sitting not too far away, and smiled. Tetsubo started packing his things, ready for a ride home with his parents, the second term had ended, along with this year’s Pokémon League, three more years and Tetsubo would be there, battling in the hopes that his sister would be watching. He turned around suddenly as Bryan was standing in the doorway. “Oh its just you.” said Tetsubo, hurrying so that he wouldn’t have to leave in a bad mood. “Tell me, why do you think your sister left?” questioned Bryan snidely. “That’s none of your business Bryan!” shouted Tetsubo. “Do you know what I think, I think its because she knows you’ll fail, or else she’d surely stay to watch you in three years.” smiled Bryan darkly. “You don’t know anything about her, don’t you dare talk about her!” screamed Tetsubo. “Its nice to know that Smart-alec, perfect score ‘Capture doesn’t come from a perfect family, I guess there’s hope for everyone, even those with loony siblings.” chuckled Bryan. “Don’t you dare!” shouted Tetsubo storming up to Bryan and trying to push him in anger, but Bryan stood like a wall and didn’t move. “Good luck ‘Capture, you’re going to need it next year...” Tetsubo squeezed past and ran as fast as he could, tears falling from his eyes. The third year didn’t go too well, Tetsubo missed his sister so much and Bryan was anything but sympathetic, and taunted Tetsubo with his words and actions, and because he was so strong, Tetsubo couldn’t get close to stopping him, and he decided against telling the teachers, he didn’t want to go as far as getting Bryan expelled, because he had the opportunity to become a great trainer despite his flaws. Bryan wasn’t as half as caring in return though, and drove Tetsubo to despair by stealing important papers, causing Tetsubo to miss lessons by locking him away in places, and his constant reminders of Megumi. Tetsubo lay in his bed, it wasn’t worth it, he was old enough to train Pokémon, and the college was giving him more grief than happiness thanks to Bryan, he sat up and stared at his bags, all sorted out for tonight, Tetsubo left a note on the bed before climbing out of the window... “Goodbye Pokémon Tech, you finally broke me...” said Tetsubo quietly at the gates. “Tetsubo!...” shouted Giselle. “You can’t leave, who will we look up to?...” asked Joe. “In the year we’ve known each other, you’ve given us a lot, you can’t take it all away from us.” pleaded Giselle. “But... Bryan...” muttered Tetsubo. “Who cares about Bryan?! Its you that matters, please Tetsubo, reconsider...” said Giselle close to crying. Tetsubo’s head sunk down and he tried to walk away, “Its too hard, I can’t take the abuse...” “Fine! Go then!” shouted Giselle with tears in her eyes. “Giselle?...” questioned Joe. “Go! Just like your sister!” she screamed. Tetsubo’s eyes widened and he shot a look at Giselle. “Yeah, that’s right! Remember your sadness when your sister disappeared, well it’ll be just as bad for us if you leave!” she yelled. “Giselle... I’m sorry...” apologised Tetsubo, turning away slowly. Giselle fell to the floor and covered her face with her hands, when she looked up again, Tetsubo stood in front of her, offering a hand. “I’m really sorry, could you ever forgive me?...” “Yes Tetsubo... Yes!” cried Giselle, giving Tetsubo a close hug. The forth year went better and Tetsubo turned things around, his work had gone downhill during Bryan’s tormenting ways, but Tetsubo became stronger, Bryan’s comments about his sister no longer worked, after what he had nearly done to his friends, Tetsubo realised how selfish his sister was to have left without contacting them, he knew she was alive somewhere, he just felt it, but resented Megumi just a bit, but he would follow through on his promise and make her proud, no matter how disappointed he was with her. Tetsubo finally stood up to Bryan, and assured him that nothing he could say would divert him from being the best he could be. Bryan was a little taken back, but then stopped trying to wind Tetsubo up, it was never any fun when a victim wasn’t suffering, and so he turned to other kids, but did nothing excessive. Tetsubo was finally in a state of happiness and had confidence in his abilities. And then the final year, it felt so close now, close to the time in which Tetsubo would compete in the Pokémon League. Giselle got involved in some extra curricular activities and ran a study group, but she fell in with a bad crowd, Joe unfortunately fell behind and so joined the group, but Giselle’s crew were a little hard on him and Giselle had become conceited, and her friendship with Joe was faltering, it was a problem left unresolved, until one day. Tetsubo had only heard about it but apparently some visitors came by and beat Giselle and Joe through level advantages and other tactics, they realised that the college hadn’t taught them everything they needed, and so they bailed out, promising to start from scratch at home, and enter the League next year, Tetsubo was sad to see them go, but unlike him, they exchanged contact numbers and addresses before leaving, and they promised to stay in contact, the study group disbanded and things got back to normal, for now... Tetsubo became quite the prodigy in the college, and was known as the top student, now more than ever, he had the motivation to learn whatever he could. This angered Bryan, as he was second best in comparison to Tetsubo, his parents noted that he was second best and continued to be the only ones capable and justified in putting Bryan down. It was close to final exams and the college had a tradition of making a big deal of the highest scorers, and Bryan felt he had to be the one, but as long as Tetsubo was around, he’d never achieve that, everything he tried had failed, and he couldn’t do anything to Tetsubo when the exams were on, so he made an arrangement with his friends... “Are you sure the study hall’s open? I thought the librarian was off sick.” said Tetsubo suspicious as Wesley accompanied him. “No, no. She’s fine, she just came back, I’m sorry for everything I did, Bryan’s really matured and taught us a lot, he’s trying to be more like you, honest.” explained Wesley. “I’m glad to hear it.” smiled Tetsubo. The two entered the study area but the door looked broken. “Hey, that-” “Come on, I need your tutoring.” said Wesley, pushing Tetsubo in, Bernadette was creeping from behind and closed the doors and blocked them with chairs and tables. “What’s the big idea? I thought Bryan-” “But its true, Bryan wants to be as good as you, better even, but its not going to happen unless you throw the exams.” smiled Wesley in a sinister tone. “You can’t be serious, I’ve worked too hard and too long to fail because of silly threats, if Bryan wants to talk about these things, the least he can do is talk to me himself.” “I guess its Plan B then.” smiled Bernadette. “What?” “Read that sign.” grinned Wesley. “Pokémon Tech Exam Papers, No Student Access. No...” “Uh huh.” said Bernadette hitting the fire alarm. “Once you’re caught here, no one will believe you’re a good student, they’ll see you as a cheater and you’ll be kicked out, and Bryan will be the supreme trainer of this college.” explained Wesley. “Must be fun, being the local idiots serving the brains.” said Tetsubo insultingly. “Bryan’s our friend, and you make him unhappy, he’s been through a lot you know.” said Wesley firmly. “And so have I, mostly because of Bryan!” shouted Tetsubo. “Its too late to back down, we’ve got our bedsheets to glide down, if you want out, you’re going to have to jump a couple of floors, but oh, you won’t be able to take the exams if you’re in the hospital.” grinned Wesley. “No... I will not be framed, not now!” shouted Tetsubo running forward and grabbing Wesley, “You’re staying here, I know they’ll believe me if I have proof, and you Sir would be it.” “Get offa me!” yelled Wesley, and Tetsubo was thrown away. Wesley was a short kid and a creep, but he knew how to defend himself physically. Tetsubo crashed into a few tables, and the lamp that had lit the room crashed down and set the wooden tables on fire, blocking off the escape route planned for the two. “You two are staying to sort out this mess!” shouted Tetsubo, “Where’s the fire extinguisher?!” “I think its by the door!” said Bernadette, moving the block of tables and chairs carelessly and causing a different pile to crash down. “No...” groaned Tetsubo, “If only I had a Water-type Pokémon right now... Just help me move these things!...” They did so, being careful not to place them near the growing fire, which was headed for the office with the exam papers, the glass window shattered and sent shards everywhere. Tetsubo was quick to pick up a table and shield himself and the others. “You saved us...” muttered Bernadette. “Yeah, but don’t think I’m letting you off the hook, we need each other to escape, and a face full of glass isn’t going to help anyone.” The three worked together to rebuild a separate pile of furniture that wouldn’t collapse and spread the flames until the door was clear, some of the teachers were outside with the fire department, who quickly got to work. “Tetsubo?... And Wesley and Bernadette? What were you doing here?” questioned Mr Takanichi. Wesley quickly stepped forward, and spoke quickly with an innocent grin, “Well Mr Takanichi, Tetsubo was tryin’ ta-” “You little sneak! Don’t even think about blaming me.” shouted Tetsubo. “Tetsubo, I’ll have your story first, and then these two troublemakers can confirm it.” said Takanichi firmly. “Thank you Mr Takanichi... But... the exams...” muttered Tetsubo. The office was next on the fire’s list of priorities and everything inside was destroyed. Takanichi sighed, “Don’t worry Tetsubo, the exams can be replaced, you can’t...” Tetsubo was lucky to be trusted so much, the teachers believed he was set up and Wesley and Bernadette were asked to leave the college, basically, they were expelled, and Bryan wasn’t happy about it. Because of that incident, it took an extra two months to replace the exams, stopping all students from graduating before the Pokémon League, but would later be allowed access to next year’s League. Bryan’s last ditch effort had failed, and now he was alone, Tetsubo had ruined things for his friends and they probably would never forgive him, they couldn’t afford to be kicked out, both came from difficult families, just like Bryan. The exams went without a hitch two months later, and it took a little while before the students were given their scores. Tetsubo was confident he would do well, but had a troubling problem in his mind, now that he couldn’t go to the Pokémon League, he couldn’t win it, and he told his sister five years ago that he would be there, she’d think he’d have given up and he might never see her again. He thought of her, and her Voltorb and wondered where they were, how much of a relationship they had... Tetsubo had an idea, but he had been thinking about it since Giselle and Joe left... Meanwhile, Bryan broke into the library and gained access to the computers, it was night and security could have been better. “Just as I thought... A perfect score... And me?... No! One question out! It can’t be!... That stupid Charizard question... If this stupid place had a Charizard, I would have had a perfect score... Tetsubo shouldn’t be so good, he doesn’t deserve to be the favourite, he doesn’t understand misery, depression and hatred like I’ve had to deal with. We’ll just have to change his scores and surprise him... How dare he get my friends expelled... What?! Access Denied?! Exam Results can only be edited from Room 108. I’ll do it tomorrow night then...” The next evening, Tetsubo caught up to Mr Takanichi locking up his classroom, “Sir, I’ve got something important to say.” “Can it wait? I’ve got to prepare for the graduation party.” he replied. “I’m afraid it can’t Sir.” said Tetsubo politely but firmly. “We’ll talk on the way...” “Sir, I’m very sure I got a good score and that I’ve passed...” explained Tetsubo. “No doubt about it.” nodded Takanichi. “Its just that, by next year, I might not remember everything that I’ve learned.” “Well, under the circumstances, you’re very welcome to stay for another year...” smiled Takanichi. “No Sir, I plan to enter the Kanto Pokémon League next year, but I’ve decided to go about it normally.” explained Tetsubo. “You mean, go on a Pokémon Journey, travel the world and train Pokémon? But you could go straight into the League with some Rental Pokémon, and what if you couldn’t win all eight badges in time? You’d already be behind if you started now...” spluttered Takanichi, concerned for Tetsubo. “Yes Sir, don’t get me wrong, this place has helped me a lot, but I’d like to use everything I’ve learned out in the real world, you’ve probably noticed that I haven’t had much time for friends, but if I had a Pokémon of my very own, I could study, train and have a companion to rely on.” “I understand Tetsubo, its not wrong to go down that path after studying here, and I’m sure you’ll find a way to catch up, and I suppose any professor would be delighted to sponsor you, but will you stay for the graduation party?” asked Takanichi. “I’m afraid I can’t, its my birthday before then and I promised my parents I’d come home, if not for the fire I would have, but the situation gave me time to think about what I want to use my knowledge for, I’m not backing down.” said Tetsubo firmly. “Tetsubo, this is a completely different side to you, usually you’re so willing to follow rules and tradition, I guess you need to discover yourself too.” smiled Takanichi. Tetsubo laughed a little, “I guess that too, but I’ll be back someday, I promise I’ll do the best I can, to represent this college and myself... Hey... Who’s that in Room 108?” “Wha?... Hey, there Is someone...” With that Mr Takanichi opened a panel and loud sounds and flashing lights went off, the security alarm. Before long, the security guards arrived and rushed into the room to restrain the culprit, Tetsubo was shocked. “Bryan... What were you doing in there?...” questioned Tetsubo. “What do you think?... You’ve ruined everything for me Tetsubo, I don’t know what’s worse, having you as a friend, or an enemy...” growled Bryan. “I didn’t know... Really I didn’t...” said Tetsubo sadly. Bryan was kicked out of the college for cheating, and none of the other students tried to fight for Bryan’s right to retake the exam, he had no one to fall back on. Bryan’s score was erased and he was not to return to Pokémon Tech. Tetsubo sighed at the front gates, “Bryan... You ruined it all for yourself, I was once willing to help you, but you threw it all back in my face. You could have been so much better than this...” Tetsubo sighed and decided that from now on, he wouldn’t feel sorry for Bryan, he made his bed, and now he had to lie in it, it was Bryan’s choice to become what he was, and Tetsubo would start his journey with a clean slate. “Come on son, we’ve got lots of surprises for you.” said Tetsubo’s father as the car arrived. “Oh Paul, now you’ve spoilt the surprise.” moaned Tetsubo’s mother. Tetsubo smiled and got in, “Will Cody be with us?” “I’m afraid not, he started his Pokémon Journey a month ago. You sounded worried about your choice, about the money for Pokémon Tech, I presume?” asked his mother kindly. “As long as you learned from it and passed, we’re happy for you.” smiled Tetsubo’s father. “Did you organise a sponsor like I requested?” asked Tetsubo hopeful. “Of course we did.” laughed his father. “Paul, you’re doing it again, just don’t tell him her name, at least leave some surprises for the party.” moaned Tetsubo’s mother, but in a cheerful mood. “Okay okay Sue.” laughed Tetsubo’s father. Tetsubo smiled, it felt so great to make his parents proud of him, all the effort, the sacrifices and the hardship had all been worth it, and he’d leave his mark in history in the traditional way, by embarking on a Pokémon Journey. “Goodbye Pokémon Tech.” said Tetsubo quietly, “I’ll always remember the happy memories...” End of Part B Back to Part A Back to the Side Stories Back to the Pokézone