They of the Sun
Chapter Five: They Wouldn't Choose A Brat

     Before I knew it, the weekend was over. It wasn't enjoyable knowing that I had been placed in this position- a Trainer 'handpicked' by the Tapus- over the course of the weekend I wanted to simply relax and... vandalize school property. Whatever fun things to do in Alola that were available.

     Assuming I could even call myself a Trainer with yesterday's events.

     An odd sensation coursed through me as I stepped into the somewhat familiar halls of the school, highly aware of the Ball in my bag. A wave of nostalgia came over me. The one time I went to the school in Jubilife City.

     I closed my eyes as the memory took over. The steel-gazed Pokedex Holder ...

     Have they ever felt this way? Entering a school they had always known with a Pokémon in their hand. I remember the look in their eyes, knowingly powerful and slightly uncertain. They had fought two of the students with ease, the bond they had with their Pokémon leaving a much younger me in awe at the showcase. Little did I know it was that exact bond that would tear my world apart.

     Gritting my teeth, I shook off the feeling that I'd let wash over me. It was incredulous anyways. Because that was years ago and I wasn't them. I was only some stupid kid. I didn't have the same pathway paved for me as them. I would never be that lucky.

     I just wanted to go throughout the school day, unnoticed. But boy was that not happening. A kid yelled, "Look! The girl chosen by the Tapus!"

     Mocking or not, I was ready to knock the living daylights out of whoever let the words pass their lips. There was no way for me to find them in this crowd. I ignored inquiries, pushing past everyone to try and get through this hell.

     The moment I set foot in the classroom is when I heard the intercom announce my name, asking me to go to the office. I groaned, "fuck!"

     I jumped when I noticed a presence at the front of the room and my heart froze. First because I thought my teacher had finally heard me speak- I had a no speaking policy in this class- and then because it wasn't my teacher, but a different person with disgustingly beautiful pink hair and skin about the same shade of tan as mine. I would've mistaken them for a girl... if it hadn't been for their flat chest and deeper voice. "I'm assuming that's you?"

     "Fuck off," I mumbled at him, marching right back into the sea of people now trying to press into the classroom all at once. Like they didn't have a functioning brain to get through the door separately. I made my way up the steps and to the office where a girl was stepping out with tears in her eyes, Principle Asuka right behind her. She composed herself as she met my eyes, moving over to the side to let me in. "Good morning, Miss Kuro."

      "Let's just get this over with." I stated bluntly as I breezed on in and lounged right on the couch against the wall. I knew she hated it and I knew she wouldn't fight me at this point. I let my smirk take over my face, tilting my head to look back at her.

      "I'm assuming you know what this is about?"

      "Nope," I said, popping the 'p' with precision, twiddling my thumbs along my stomach. I could feel the air becoming heavy with her frustration; I soaked it in. This was too easy.

     "It's about your Island Challenge," she continued, fixing papers on her desk, "You were given a Pokémon recently by the Kahuna."

     "Mmhmm," I said, reaching into my bag and holding up Pan's Ball. She gave a sigh and I tilted my head to look back at her, rubbing her temples. I knew exactly what she was thinking, why a kid like her? Out of all the fine, upstanding students... Why the trouble maker?

     "The Kahuna had requested you be given the final exam, early," she said, "To begin your trials as soon as possible you must be able to defeat a few of our top students."

     I sat up then, twisting my body to look at her. "I'm not fighting."

     "I see you don't understand," she says, leaning back in her seat. "In order to graduate to go on your Island Challenge you must battle your classmates. It's the word of Tapu Koko."

     Tapu Schmapu. I turned my head away and crossed my arms. "No."

     "No?!" She stood then, unable to hold back her anger. "Listen he-"

     Asuka stopped in her tracks as the door to her office opened. Both of us looked... and there he was again. How had he gotten there so fast?! His grey eyes were fixed between us and there was a distant smile on his face. I felt my heart flutter. "Am I interrupting something?"

     "Ilima!" The principal breathed out, a smile forming on her face to cover up her earlier rage. "Goodness no! If anything you can help. Miss Kuro!"

     So this was Ilima. The Prince of the Trainer School.

     I didn't let my gaze fall to her, keeping my rigid posture and my arms over my chest. I could hear her grit her teeth from across the room. "Ilima, this is Cyra Kuro. The girl chosen by the Tapus."

     I was beginning to hate that phrase. Like I was something special. Hah.

     Ilima tilted his head in a curious fashion, his eyes focused on me. He was an actual prince.... in looks anyway. My heart picked up and I had to look away... Until he started to speak. "You can't be the girl the Tapus graciously chose. They wouldn't choose a brat."

     Ouch.

     "And you can't be the Prince of the Trainer School," I said firmly, refusing to be fazed, "You look like too much of a wuss."

      His faraway smile stayed plastered on his face and he raised an eyebrow. Absolutely unfazed. His eyes drifted from me to the principal as he began to speak. "I don't come around often enough if children don't know who I am."

    Children? He was barely any older than me. "Excuse-"

     "Oh no, it's fine," Asuka said right over me. "I understand that you're very busy."

     The conversation continued back and forth. Anytime I tried to pipe in, I was ignored. Flat out. There wasn't a nudge from their focus on the conversation. The irritation was creeping up. I stood up, marching out the door. I thrusted my arm up to hold Pan's ball high into the air. If they wanted me to do their stupid test fucking fine.