POKEMON : A Battle of Monsters

The room went still as the name "K21" hung in the air.

Lilia's hand faltered, her breath caught at the boy's stark response. Kiyoshi's voice had been so devoid of emotion, yet something within it stirred an undercurrent of pain too deep to ignore.

Rory straightened as she stared at the boy, her mind racing. 'What had he just said?'

Arnold stood silent, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He glanced at Lilia, who seemed locked in a trance, her hand still hovering near Kiyoshi. She finally broke her stillness and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Kiyoshi," she began, soft and cautious, "Is that your real name?"

For a brief moment, the boy's eyes flickered with something—recognition, maybe, or defiance—but then it was gone. His face, usually calm but emotionless, now seemed like a mask.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Lilia added. "But we... we'd like to know about you."

Kiyoshi's gaze shifted downward. His fingers, once limp at his sides, twitched slightly. "Kiyoshi," he murmured, as if testing the sound of his own name, "I am Kiyoshi."

Rory, who had been watching with a knotted brow, finally spoke up. "Mr. and Mrs. Veynor, why don't we give Kiyoshi a moment? You know what he's been through… a lot of pain and confusion. This isn't easy for any child, let alone one with his… history."

Lilia hesitated but finally nodded. Arnold, however, was less inclined to walk away. He knelt down, meeting Kiyoshi's gaze head-on.

"Kiyoshi… or K21, whatever name you want to go by, it's okay to take your time. We don't want to pressure you," Arnold said, his voice level but warm. "But we came here because we wanted to meet someone special. And after seeing you, we're not going to turn away."

Kiyoshi's lips tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like he might say something—anything—but instead, he looked away.

"We'll give him some space," Lilia suggested quietly. "Rory, if we could talk over the paperwork?"

Rory nodded, her relief barely hidden behind her professional smile. "Of course, this way."

As the three adults walked away, Kiyoshi was left alone for the first time since the moment had shattered in the air. He stood there, motionless, before turning on his heel to leave.

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***

Kiyoshi stepped into his room, the familiar emptiness welcoming him back. The few items he owned were scattered—a threadbare blanket, a small notebook filled with equations, and a small and rusty, black and yellow Pokeball. He hadn't even looked at them in weeks.

He just stood frozen in the middle of his room. His hands, once steady, now trembled faintly at his sides. The usual stillness in his expression faltered, replaced by a flicker of unease. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths as a sheen of sweat gathered on his forehead, dripping down his temples and tracing sharp lines along his scar.

He ran a hand through his blue-white hair, gripping it tightly as if trying to force clarity into his mind. The air around him felt heavier, pressing down on his shoulders and making the silence of the room deafening.

His eyes darted to the desk in the corner, then to the window, as though searching for an anchor in the chaos of his thoughts. His lips parted, but no words came at first. Instead, the tension in his features deepened, his brows knitting together in a rare show of vulnerability.

Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper but laced with confusion and frustration, he muttered, "... How the f*ck?-"

- Knock! Knock!

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed from the doorframe. Kiyoshi didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

The door slowly cracked open. It was a little girl, who seemed to be the same age as him, Acerola—her little presence was always too gentle, too timid, but it lingered nonetheless.

"Kiyoshi?" she said, stepping inside, her voice a barely audible whisper.

He didn't respond, starting to rummage through his belongings as if her presence were no more than a breeze in the room.

"I—I heard you're leaving," she ventured. "That's... That's great! I'm happy for you."

Kiyoshi stopped, his hand frozen mid-air. Without turning around, he spoke, his voice, cold and emotionless, cutting through the air like a whip.

".. F*ck Off."

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the stunned quiet that only comes when something too blunt has struck too close. Acerola stood still for a moment, her little mind trying to catch up with the meaning of his words.

"Huh?" she said softly, confused. She didn't quite understand the phrase, but the atmosphere it created told her all she needed to know. Her smile faltered, and though she had no grasp of what he'd said, she knew enough to back away. "Oh… okay. I… I'll leave you to pack then."

She slipped away, her steps light as always, but now tinged with a heaviness they hadn't had before.

Kiyoshi stood alone, eyes still fixed on the same spot. He knew she'd always tried to be kind, tried to shield him when others picked at him or whispered behind his back. She'd even tried to reach him when no one else bothered.

'And what had it gotten her?' Kiyoshi grimaced, a deep frown on his face.

'Annoying brats.'

He grabbed his belongings hastily, stuffing them into a worn bag. There was no use in lingering. He was leaving this place, and nothing—no well-meaning words or soft smiles—would change that.

As Kiyoshi packed the last of his things, his movements grew more mechanical, deliberate, as if going through the motions was the only way to numb his thoughts.

Outside, the hallways of Aether House bustled with life—laughter, footsteps, and the occasional call of a Pokémon. But here, in this small room, time seemed to stand still. He didn't belong in their world, and he never had.

His thoughts were interrupted by another knock, this time sharper and more purposeful. The door creaked open, and Rory stepped inside, her expression carefully measured, betraying nothing but professionalism.

"Kiyoshi," she said, her tone gentle but firm, "Mr. and Mrs. Veynor are ready when you are."

He turned to face her, bag slung over his shoulder, his eyes cold and distant. Rory hesitated, glancing at the scar on his cheek—a permanent reminder of whatever dark past had carved itself into this boy's life.

She had always wanted to reach out to him, to offer something more than structure and rules, but he'd never let anyone close enough to even try.

For a brief moment, Rory wondered if the Veynors were truly ready for what they were about to take on. But then she remembered Lilia's expression—the strange, maternal connection that had sparked the moment she laid eyes on Kiyoshi.

'Maybe… maybe this is what he needs.'

"Hmm," Kiyoshi said flatly, moving past her without another glance.

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***

Downstairs, the Veynors stood waiting by the entrance. Arnold was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, deep in thought, while Lilia fidgeted nervously, her hands clasped together as if in silent prayer. When they saw Kiyoshi approach, their expressions shifted—Arnold's eyes sharpened with resolve, while Lilia's softened, a small hopeful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Kiyoshi," Lilia began, stepping forward cautiously, "are you ready to come home?"

The word *home* felt foreign to him, distant. He too, had one, not in any sense that mattered in this life. But he didn't respond, his silence hanging in the air like a wall between them.

Arnold, sensing the tension, cleared his throat. "No rush, kid. Just take it one step at a time."

Kiyoshi nodded mechanically, as Rory handed the final papers to Arnold, Lilia knelt down, leveling her gaze with Kiyoshi's. "Before we go, is there anything else you'd like to take with you?"

He shook his head. There was nothing here worth remembering.

"Alright," she said softly, standing again. "Then let's head out."

They walked out into the sun-drenched courtyard of Aether House. The other children were still playing, their laughter a distant echo as Kiyoshi followed the Veynors toward their car. His steps were heavy, each one bringing him closer to an unknown future.

As they approached the sleek black vehicle, Eevee popped her head out from the backseat, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Kiyoshi.

- EEV! EEVEY!!

She barked excitedly and wagged her tail, jumping into the front seat as if to greet him.

For a split second, Kiyoshi's hardened exterior cracked. He didn't know why, but the sight of Eevee, so eager and unburdened by the complexities of human emotion, caused a faint warmth to stir in him. It was nothing he'd show on his face, but he felt it all the same.

Lilia noticed the slight change, her smile growing. "Looks like someone's excited to have you along."

Kiyoshi said nothing, but when he opened the door and sat in the back seat, Eevee wasted no time jumping onto his lap. He stiffened, but didn't push her away. Instead, he let her stay, feeling the soft warmth of her fur as she nestled against him.

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***

Inside Aether House, Rory watched from a distance, her eyes following the car as it slowly pulled away. She stood next to the headmaster, an Oranguru, who had been observing the entire exchange with quiet wisdom.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" she asked quietly, more to herself than to the Oranguru.

The Pokémon gave a low, thoughtful hum, his deep eyes focused on the retreating car. He didn't need to speak to convey the answer Rory was hoping for.

As the car disappeared down the winding road, Rory sighed. "I hope so."

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***