Pokemon Scientia Potentia Est - An Exchange of Vows - Chapter 1: Futile Promise
Based on a world where Pokemon are anthros and hold a rich culture in battling - where there is a higher learning institute where they can hone their skills.
Pokemon obviously is copyright Gamefreak/Nintendo
Inari Hachiko is mine
Galiana Hertz is http://theexplodingcelebi.tumblr.com/
Institute of Battling Proficiency is mine, but is pretty much fair use in all its forms and names it has taken.
At the Institute of Battling Proficiency, affectionately known as BP Institute, battle finals were usually targeted at a specific area, prioritizing crippling weak points that could potentially be remedied, as opposed to simply improving upon their already formidable strengths.
Inari, the Flareon firebrand whispered with a mortified croak, "Teamwork? But I'm an indy fighter." Her green eyes looked up and stared at the Cofagrigus Professor who had administered the evaluation. Even the ends of her individual strands of vibrant orange-blonde hair drooped, trying to wriggle their way into her red hoodie.
"Yes. This is true. However, this refusal to work together with others is interfering in many of your other fields." The Egyptian Sarcophagus, Cofagrigus shook his ornate head, as he started reading over a list.
"In Combat Applications, you've been reported to refuse to participate in group activities."
"I enrolled to fight, not to play dodgeball," she mumbled.
"That was your defense in the report too. And in English Composition, your assigned group for the research paper reported you never showed up for meetings and "did not help at all on the paper." And yet, you managed to turn in a research paper - completely different from the one the group turned in, but within the boundaries of what we required other than anything involving other members of the group - and received a C as a result of your insistence to work independently for a paper that was intended for a group."
"Stayed up for two days doing that one," she grumbled, gritting her teeth to prevent fiery ire from escaping her lips. "Because the computer wouldn't cooperate."
"And you showed a distinct lack of cooperation with the computer when you inadvertently set the keyboard on fire. You also did the dissection group experiment in Biology by yourself - and that was a mess, wasn't it?"
"I got a little annoyed with the precision cuts."
"And proceeded to inadvertently ignite the embalming fluid on that poor feral Espurr corpse. And the list goes on. Ms. Hachiko, you are causing yourself unnecessary trouble by refusing assistance in any of these areas, and risk jeopardizing your peers. I will formally request one of our Combat Applications Professors to test your aptitude for teamwork."
Inari's glare tensed up. But in the end, she clamped down on her tongue hard enough to keep quiet.
"We know you're a capable student, Ms. Hachiko. However, you're not using your gifts efficiently. I must make this mandatory for your own progress and benefit."
***
With the sun slowly fading into the night sky, Inari looked out her dorm's window as she continued to ponder the problem. She had received the Pre-Final Student Conference Report a week and a half ago. With her battle final coming up in two days, she had to make the decision tonight as to who would be her partner for the teamwork exam against an unknown opponent.
"Do you have any close friends? Maybe you could ask for them to be involved to make life easier?"
She pondered on the solution suggested by Melanie Altaic, one of her classmates. That was only her option, but ...
She didn't want to embarrass the proud Luxray. Besides, she had already scoffed at the idea. "Taking an exam for the fun of it? Go to hell," she said.
All her 'friends' were more mentors than friends. They couldn't help her - they had graduated a while back. And she didn't want to rely on just anybody. As desperate as she was, she still hung on to some small trace of pride.
There was only one person who was eligible for this endeavor. A tender soul she would never wish this upon if Inari had half-a-spine, if Inari could only be stronger.
***
The Flareon sat in the little cafe, staring awkwardly at her twiddling thumbs as the forest fairy sat across from her, sipping her coffee, naive of Inari's motives. She could feel her red-furred ears wilt from that sweet smile. Everytime she saw it, it disarmed her, like a pixie ripped from the pages of a Mother Goose tale had prodded her with a magic fairy godmother wand.
"I'm usually the one having to twist your arm to get you away from training, Inari. What's with the sudden change?"
How could she ask this from Galiana? How could she thrust her into the dangers of professional battling for such selfish reasons? These questions gave Inari pause, as she stared blankly at the Celebi.
"Is there something wrong?" The sweet smile dissipated, and transformed into a more hideous sight for the Flareon - a concerned frown and a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was like she had been claw-stabbed in the gut, before having it wrench her insides as it was pulled out the side.
"You're the only I would trust with this." Inari hesitated, and took a deep breath. "I need a partner for a teamwork exam." The awkward silence was so deafening, the proverbial pin drop would've been drowned out as well. "I'm sorry to ask you. I won't force you to say yes." Inari bit her tongue, not wanting to plead her case either way for fear of shoving her foot in her mouth.
Galiana stared equally blankly at Inari and opened her mouth. At first, nothing came out. The hesitation seemed endless, with raucous thoughts raging in Inari's heads as to what the forest fairy was thinking. Inari broke the silence, reaching out for her delicate hand, and taking it into Inari's own calloused, burned ones.
"I'll protect you. I promise."