Chapter 28: Master Plan

  Aspen arrived at the cafeteria with his heart pounding, feeling that no matter how early he had come, it still wouldn’t be enough to calm the turmoil inside him. He inhaled the aroma of freshly prepared food on the trays and headed straight for the line where the main dishes were served. Without a second thought, he paid for two full meals and carried both to the same table, using food as a refuge for his anxiety.

  He sat in one of the cafeteria’s corners, where students usually gathered with their groups to chat. But at this hour, before the cafeteria filled up, only distant murmurs and the metallic clinking of utensils could be heard.

  Looking at the two overflowing plates, he felt that familiar mix of embarrassment and relief that accompanied him whenever he did this. It had become a habit over the past few months—whenever he was under stress or experiencing extreme happiness or sadness, food became his anchor to reality. The first plate, with rice, chunks of Tauros meat, and steamed vegetables, was cooling quickly, but he barely touched it. The second, with pasta and creamy sauce, gave off a slight aroma of Johto spices.

  —Damn it, —he muttered to himself—, why did I rush to get here if I still feel like a nervous wreck?

  He took a bite without really tasting the rice and chewed sluggishly, noticing how the normally pleasant salty flavor barely distracted him this time. He wanted to convince himself that everything would be fine—that he just needed to eat a little and organize his thoughts.

  Suddenly, the cafeteria door swung open softly, and a figure stepped inside with silent footsteps. When he looked up, a slight chill ran down his spine—Vera Esperna had just crossed the threshold. Her deep red, almost burgundy hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders, and her magenta eyes scanned the room until they landed on him.

  Aspen shifted in his seat and swallowed an imaginary lump in his throat, trying not to stare at the girl approaching him. It wasn’t that he disliked her—they had shared intense and confusing moments—but he couldn’t deny that there was a certain tension between them. Part of him still remembered how she had nearly killed him in the library when she thought he was an assassin linked to the Poison Clan. Even though things had cleared up a bit after that, that memory wasn’t easy to erase.

  Without asking for permission, Vera sat across from him, carefully pulling her chair closer to avoid knocking against the table legs. She wore a dark jacket that concealed part of her slender figure, while also adding to the enigmatic air that always seemed to surround her.

  —Good morning, —Vera murmured, her voice low.

  The mere fact that she broke the silence made Aspen nervous. He forced a crooked smile, though it looked more like an insecure grimace.

  —Ehm… hey —he blurted, trying to sound casual but failing miserably—. You’re up early too, huh?

  She nodded without further comment and briefly glanced at Aspen’s two plates. There was no mockery in her gaze, but the curiosity was evident. When their eyes met, she said nothing—just held that neutral expression that unsettled Aspen more than a direct insult would have.

  To escape the discomfort, he searched for something on the table to focus on and took another bite of rice, as if that could somehow shield him.

  —Does it bother you that I sit here? —Vera asked calmly.

  —No, not at all… —he replied with a slight shrug, lowering his gaze.

  Another silence fell, though this time it wasn’t just Aspen feeling awkward. He noticed a flicker of hesitation in Vera’s eyes, as if casual conversations weren’t something she was used to. Her direct nature could sometimes be jarring—especially when she asked questions like the one that came next.

  —Why haven’t you caught a Slowpoke?

  Aspen choked on a bite of pasta and started coughing, covering his mouth with his hand. After a few seconds of struggling, he gulped down some water to soothe the irritation in his throat.

  —What…?

  —You like them a lot, don’t you? I saw how you looked at Duque yesterday—going on about how “cute” he looked, with that slow attitude. —Vera tilted her head slightly, watching him intently—. So, why don’t you have one?

  Aspen took a deep breath. He hadn’t expected such a direct question so suddenly, and he certainly didn’t think Vera, of all people at the Academy, would be interested in something like that. However, he had to admit—it was a fair question.

  He had liked Slowpoke ever since he was a child and had even considered catching one. But things changed when he discovered his affinity for poison and the effects of the technique his grandmother had revealed to him.

  —It’s complicated, —he replied, pushing his plate aside—. You see, my energy… —He struggled to find the right words—. My energy can affect Pokémon that aren’t Poison-type. It’s a risk I don’t fully understand yet, but… it could weaken them or, in the worst case, poison them permanently.

  Vera lowered her gaze slightly, as if recalling something personal, then nodded slowly.

  —I figured as much. I can’t have Pokémon that aren’t Psychic-type either. My psychic energy is too intense, and if I share it with a Pokémon that isn’t also Psychic, I run the risk of overloading its brain. Imagine what would happen if a Rattata or a Growlithe constantly received those impulses… it would end up harming them.

  Aspen looked at her with newfound understanding. It made sense that each of them had their own limitations, though he had never considered it so clearly until now.

  —And Kara? —he ventured, trying to show interest—. I suppose she’s different.

  —She is, but she has her own problems. Kara has such a high Fighting-type aura that it would overwhelm the body of any Pokémon that isn’t aligned with that type. It would drain their energy—or worse, cause serious physical damage. And her aura level is much higher than the average member of the Fighting Clan.

  Aspen tilted his head, partly surprised at how much Vera seemed to know, and partly reflecting on how many secrets the Academy held. He also recalled that she herself had a psychic energy stronger than most in her supposed clan—something that wasn’t always a good thing. Too much power could lead to physical or mental dangers.

  —So I guess I’m not that weird after all, —he joked with a bitter smile—. But… I have Dozy. He’s Poison- and Dark-type, which is a pretty rare combination. Dual-type Pokémon…

  —…are highly sought after, —Vera finished his sentence—. And they’re usually kept classified or bred in special environments. You’re lucky to have Dozy.

  There was a faint gleam in Vera’s magenta eyes—something Aspen couldn’t quite decipher. She smiled slightly, but it carried a hint of mystery, as if she had something else she wanted to say but chose to keep it to herself.

  The cafeteria door swung open again, and a large group of students entered. At the front, exuding an almost excessive confidence, walked Ethan. Aspen recognized him immediately and noticed he wasn’t alone.

  Beside him was a short boy with lime-green hair, observing everything with curiosity; a girl with long, sky-blue hair named Cira, who kept her gaze fixed forward; and a tall, stocky boy with brown hair, Tadeo, whose expression was serious. Behind them, almost forming a second line, were three more girls—Neva, with light blue hair; Rayna, with yellow hair; and Faviola, with red hair.

  Aspen felt the atmosphere tense. He knew some of them, and not all had warm feelings toward him—especially after past clashes at the Academy. However, he also remembered the promise Ethan had made: something about overthrowing Class A and giving Aspen a chance to climb higher in the school’s internal hierarchy.

  —Well, Ethan’s gang just arrived, —he murmured under his breath, glancing at Vera to gauge her reaction.

  But Vera remained unmoved, her gaze locked onto the entrance, as if analyzing every movement and gesture the group made.

  Before the tension could rise any further, the door opened again, and Kara burst in with her usual carefree energy.

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  —Hey, Aspen, Vera! Thought I’d get here before you guys! —she called out, slightly out of breath—. I lost track of time training… again.

  Her arrival eased the atmosphere slightly.

  Yet, as Ethan and his group settled at a nearby table, the weight of unspoken plans loomed over them.

  And then, Ethan spoke:

  —Shall we begin?

  Aspen tensed when Ethan’s voice carried across the cafeteria, gathering attention from those nearby. The casual atmosphere of the morning meal suddenly felt heavier, as if everyone present knew that something bigger was about to unfold.

  Ethan leaned against a chair, exuding confidence, while his group members sat around him. He placed a folded paper on the table and tapped it lightly with his fingers.

  —As I mentioned yesterday, we have a plan. A plan to overthrow Class A and establish a new hierarchy here.

  Aspen felt a chill at the word overthrow. From the beginning, he had heard rumors that Ethan aimed to shake up the Academy’s power structure, but he hadn’t expected him to say it so boldly. Then again, Class A had always been a privileged elite, with students tied to powerful clans and prestigious families. It wasn’t surprising that someone wanted to challenge them.

  —Our goal is simple, —Ethan continued—: to destabilize Class A’s leaders, strip them of their advantages, and take their positions. And for that, we need help.

  He paused briefly, ensuring everyone was paying attention. Then, with a deliberate motion, he unfolded the paper, revealing an image: the silhouette of a Squirtle, but with a pale, almost icy hue to its shell.

  —We need to capture this Squirtle, —he announced, showing the group—. It has a rare affinity with ice—something almost unheard of. It will be invaluable in battling the Dragon-type Pokémon used by Class A, particularly Varel, the successor to Lance and, according to many, the strongest student in Kanto.

  The mention of Varel stirred murmurs of unease. Everyone at the Academy knew who he was—a senior student specializing in Dragon-types, training them to monstrous levels, just like Lance had done before him.

  Ethan’s gaze swept over Vera, Kara, and Aspen, knowing they weren’t fully aware of the deeper details.

  —My group is already briefed on the essentials, but you three are still on trial. If you cooperate with us and help secure this Ice-affinity Squirtle, I’ll officially welcome you into my team, —he offered, a self-assured smile playing on his lips—. And in return, you’ll get your chance at revenge against Class A. I know each of us has unfinished business with them.

  A silence hung in the cafeteria. Ethan’s followers seemed to agree, as if they had already settled on this plan beforehand. Meanwhile, Aspen exchanged glances with Kara and Vera.

  He remembered what had happened in the cave with Niko and Janine—both tied to the Poison Clan—and how Class A seemed to be involved with multiple powerful clans. There was a lot to process.

  —Where is that Squirtle? —Kara asked bluntly.

  —Seafoam Islands, —Ethan answered—. Or at least, that’s where we’ve tracked it. You all know that Class B has an official research trip there to study Water- and Ice-type Pokémon, but the truth is, I’m the one who pulled the strings to secure that permission. We need to use this official expedition as cover to find the Squirtle… and something else.

  —Something else? —Vera inquired, narrowing her eyes.

  —A Shellder, for you, —Ethan said, locking eyes with the psychic girl—. I know you intend to catch one. Your group will likely conduct reports and experiments on its shell and its reaction with Slowpoke evolution. I understand your goal, and I want to help you—if you help me.

  For a moment, Vera’s surprise showed, though she quickly masked it. Catching a Shellder wasn’t just a personal hobby for her—it was part of a larger strategy to strengthen herself.

  —The issue is, the Seafoam Islands aren’t just any ordinary place, —Ethan continued—. The icy currents and diverse marine Pokémon make it treacherous, but the reward is worth the risk.

  Kara listened intently, nodding slowly.

  —So you’re using this research trip as a cover for your personal plans… and recruiting more people in the process, —she muttered with an ironic smirk.

  —Exactly, —Ethan admitted, not even bothering to deny it—. And if we get that Ice-affinity Squirtle, we’ll stand a real chance against Varel’s dragons.

  Vera listened carefully, her eyes slightly narrowed. After a moment, she raised a hand as if to interrupt.

  —I accept… but on one condition, —she said, as direct as ever—. I need to visit certain locations in the area for personal reasons. If I’m not allowed to explore those places alone, I’m not interested in joining you.

  Ethan shrugged.

  —As long as you don’t interfere with the main mission, I don’t see a problem.

  Kara, however, was more skeptical. She eyed Ethan up and down with cautious brown eyes but eventually nodded.

  —Fine, I’ll lend you my strength, though I don’t like the way you go about things. I thought you wanted a fair fight, not a coup against Class A… —Her shoulders tensed—. But if this truly helps prove to those arrogant elites that they aren’t untouchable, I’m in.

  Aspen listened quietly, trying to absorb what it meant to get involved in yet another conflict. He already had enough trouble dealing with the Poison Clan and his own forbidden technique. But the promise of improving his position and rising through the ranks was tempting.

  Not to mention, an Ice-affinity Squirtle and Vera’s Shellder were key assets for future battles.

  —What about you, Aspen? —Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow—. Are you in?

  All eyes turned to him. His hands trembled slightly, but he hid it by gripping the edge of the table. He pressed his lips together, recalling his grandmother’s warnings about politics, clans, and dangerous alliances.

  He also remembered every humiliation he had suffered at the Academy—the insults for his poison affinity, the looks of disgust whenever people saw Dozy, his Alolan Grimer.

  This was his chance to change something.

  —I… —he began hesitantly, then cleared his throat—. I accept, but I have a condition too.

  —We’re listening, —Ethan said, intrigued.

  —I need an official permit registering Dozy as an Alolan Grimer under my name. If they find out he’s not a Kantonian Grimer, but actually an Alolan shiny variant, he could be confiscated or reclassified—especially because of his Poison/Dark typing. I don’t want to risk losing my Pokémon or getting tangled in Federation paperwork.

  The cafeteria went silent. In the distance, the clatter of utensils and murmurs of students filled the space. Ethan’s lips curved into a predatory grin, as if he had anticipated this.

  —Hmmm, a permit from the Dark Clan, I assume. Since registering a Dark-type Pokémon isn’t exactly easy.

  Aspen nodded. Dozy may have come from Alola, where Dark-type Grimer were common, but in Kanto, classification worked differently. And his shiny appearance only made it more complicated.

  —I can’t get you a legitimate permit issued by its original clan, —Ethan admitted, clicking his tongue—. But I could forge one that’s valid for the Federation’s database. It’d be enough to let you move around freely without anyone confiscating Dozy if they check.

  Aspen’s stomach twisted at the word forge. In any other situation, he would have refused outright. But he understood that if he wanted to move forward, he needed that document, even if it wasn’t official. A real permit for a dual-type Pokémon as rare as an Alolan Grimer would be nearly impossible to obtain without clan connections or serious pull within the League.

  —Alright… I accept, —he finally said, his pulse quickening—. But if something goes wrong… I don’t want trouble with the authorities.

  Ethan shrugged, brushing off the risk.

  —I’ll cover for you as much as I can.

  Kara arched an eyebrow, skeptical of the legality of their discussion. Vera, on the other hand, remained silent, arms crossed. She likely considered forged paperwork a minor concern compared to the greater scheme at hand.

  —Then it’s settled? —Ethan looked at the three of them—. We leave for Seafoam Islands first thing tomorrow morning. Gather your supplies—the cold and ocean currents aren’t a joke. And most importantly, we must keep this under wraps. I wouldn’t be surprised if Varel has spies.

  Aspen exhaled sharply. There was no turning back now.

  Tomorrow, everything would begin.

  The mention of their departure being tomorrow sent a fresh wave of unease through Aspen. He wondered if he’d have time to stop by his house, if he should inform his grandmother… She would likely warn him against getting involved in more trouble, but it was already too late. Ethan had a way of pulling people into his schemes, and Vera and Kara seemed determined to follow him for their own reasons.

  —Alright, —Kara said with her usual enthusiasm—. Then I better start preparing. I could use some extra training this afternoon to make sure I stay in top form.

  Vera remained reserved, merely muttering something under her breath. Aspen noticed she seemed distant, as if she were physically present but her mind was elsewhere. He wished he could read her thoughts to understand how she truly felt about this whole plan.

  Regardless, none of them had time to waste.

  At that moment, Ethan dismissed the meeting with a confident gesture. His followers gathered their things and exited the cafeteria with him, leaving behind a murmur of curiosity among the students who were still eating. More than a few wondered what that unusual group was up to.

  Aspen remained seated for a moment alongside Kara and Vera. He looked at his plates, still half-finished, and felt his stomach protest slightly—perhaps from the excess of food, or perhaps from the sheer weight of everything that had just happened.

  A quick glance at the clock told him there was still some time before the next round of classes. However, his mind was already elsewhere. He had to prepare his backpack, gather enough supplies for Dozy (berries and items that could help with toxicity), maybe review the Scroll of the Five Venomous Organs, and most importantly—mentally brace himself for the fact that in less than twenty-four hours, he would be setting sail for a cold, unfamiliar place, full of Water- and Ice-type Pokémon.

  Vera stood up, smoothing out her jacket, and cast one last glance at Aspen.

  —I suppose we have no choice but to cooperate… at least for now.

  Her words carried a simple truth—it was the only way to advance their own goals. Aspen took a deep breath and nodded, silently confirming that he felt the same, no matter how uncertain he was.

  Kara, with her usual energy, waved at them and hurried out, shouting something about tracking down one of her professors to inform them of her upcoming absence.

  Aspen picked up his tray, dropped it off in the dish return area, and took one last look around the cafeteria. He had arrived trembling with nerves, seeking comfort in food, and now he was leaving with his mind cluttered with plans and commitments that felt almost suffocating.

  The deal was sealed: he, Vera, and Kara would cooperate with Ethan to capture the Ice-affinity Squirtle, help Vera obtain a Shellder, and in return, they would get a chance to challenge Class A, face Varel, and secure a forged permit to protect Dozy.

  He gave Vera a slight nod as a farewell and stepped out into the hallway, feeling the cool air hit his skin in stark contrast to the warmth of the cafeteria. A tingling sense of unease ran along his arms.

  His hand instinctively moved to the pocket where he kept Dozy’s Poké Ball, and Ethan’s promise echoed in his mind.

  There was no turning back.