HOLY SHIT I THOUGHT I PUBLISHED THIS CHAPTER ALREADY OH NO

"NOW THEN, I'D LIKE TO GET STARTED QUICKLY, IF YOU DON'T MIND." Crowley had led the four (six, if Grim and Milcery counted) down Heartlabyul's corridor and into a room a couple of doors away from the lounge. There, Yuu recognized, was Heartslabyul's study.

Grim let out a low, impressed whistle. She didn't know cats could do that. "You guys got a tiny library in here too?! No fair!"

She smoothed down his ears in an attempt to pipe him down.

"We've got quite a lot to cover; this conversation has been long overdue," The Headmaster cleared his throat, garnering the attention of everyone in the room. "Yuu, I figured that this information might prove interesting to you. Trappola and Spade-kun, as fellow magicians, there is a need for you to be fully aware of the consequences that could happen."

Ace raised a brow, pointing out the hallway. "Eh? You mean the Zoru-Arch back there?"

"Zoroark, actually."

"Same thing. You and your damn names."

"No, no, of course not," Crowley waved. "That is just as important, and I'll get to that later— I'm talking about Rosehearts' Overblot." Ace and Deuce made an O shape with their mouths, and he continued, "What do you know about Overblot?"

The two looked at each other. Ace could only say, after hesitation, "I've only heard about it from my big bro before, but I didn't expect that... all that'd happen during Overblot. With the giant and everything..."

Even Trey could not provide a solid answer. "Not much is known about the subject, so I wouldn't put it past you guys. I mean, what we experienced the other day most people don't get to see in their entire lives... Much less, uh... survive..."

What?

"Wait, wait," Yuu gawked at him, sputtering, "Are you saying Riddle-senpai could have died? —How? Why?!"

"Ne, ne," Grim cocked his head, "What even is a blot? Everyone's talking about it but what even is it?"

"Oh, that's right. I must start with the basics when it comes to you two," She chose to ignore the backhanded comment. He cleared his throat, "Right. I will graciously tell you, of course. Blot is akin to wasted material that accompanies each use of magic."

At the blatant confusion on her cat's face, he continued, "Take an automobile, for example. It consumes fuel and expels smoke at the same time, correct? Magical energy and Blot work in a similar way. Does that make things easier to understand in this sense?"

She nodded. "...So what you're saying is, like smoke, Blot is unhealthy to whoever accumulates it."

Oh, that certainly changed things. All this time, she had thought Magic and Pokémon moves were roughly the same. That wasn't the case anymore, wasn't it? Such a brutal disadvantage.

Trey fiddled with Milcery's squishy paws(?) as he spoke, "Exactly. Not much is known about the phenomenon, actually, just that it is extremely toxic to whoever uses it."

"Oh yeah," Ace placed a finger on his chin, "Back home, my granny would always go, Don't use your magic willy-nilly if you don't want to Blot!"

"Not even the greatest magicians have an unlimited supply of magical energy." Crowley shook his head solemnly.

"What?! So you're saying the more magic you use, the more unhealthy you'll get?" Grim nearly screeched, frowning, "Isn't that totally unfair though? That kinda thing doesn't happen to Henchman's Pokémon."

"Not completely. Hm... I think it would be easier to understand if I showed you a demonstration rather than just explain it using words." He snapped his fingers quickly. "Ah, Trey-kun, I'd like to ask you a favor. Please take out your magical pens, the four of you."

"Wait, Headmaster," Deuce sputtered, "are you asking us to fight Trey-senpai? You mean right now?"

Trey, who nodded along, seemed to understand whatever it was he was talking about. "Ah, I think I get it. But... Ah, is making them duel me the only way to go about it?"

"Get what? What are we doing right now?"

"Come on now, what better way to learn than with a hands-on approach? Ah, I suppose Yuu-kun can sit this one, then—"

The man did not pay attention to their concerns (nor did he care too much, for that matter). He ushered them together. "Come, come!"

"Headmaster Crowley, isn't three against one a little... unfair?"

"It's a lot unfair!" Ace exclaimed.

"Oh, fine, enough with the dawdling. I suppose Clover-kun can bring in Milcery if he wishes— Ah, just come here for a minute."

Yuu jokingly, half-expected them to fight to the death (or at least till either side fainted). That's what most battle experiences resulted in, back in her previous world, anyway. They had gone back and forth, projecting spells for about ten minutes until Crowley called an end to the battle. By then, they had all built up a sweat, save for her.

"Hey, Headmaster!" Grim whined, splayed comically over her head. "What does a Blot have to do with fighting Trey at all?!"

"Check your pens and collars," He hinted.

"Hey, wait," Yuu bright Grim down so she could take a better look at his collar, "Is this the Blot you were talking about?" Right in the center of the purple gem was a muddy marking.

"What? My collar's got some dirt on it! My paws can't wipe it up!"

Deuce furrowed his brows, "Ah...! Now that I look closely, my magical pen is the same!"

Wow, that was quite concerning. "It's not permanent, is it?"

"Do not fret, it isn't permanent," Crowley answered, and all of them sighed with relief save for Trey. She assumed he had this otherworldly sagely knowledge that she did not understand.

"With enough rest, the Blot will disappear all on its own. I see Rosehearts-kun has yet to get an adequate amount... —Ah, but these pens are also used to accumulate Blot that could otherwise affect the caster. Quite important, I'll have you know."

"We'll keep it in mind."

Trey pushed up his glasses. "He's saying that if our pens are looking muddy, it's a sign for us to rest."

"Exactly, Clover. Any Blot is sure to disappear if one takes great care to eat, sleep, and rest properly." He raised a hand. "In addition, the more magical energy a person has, the more careful they have to be to avoid accumulating Blot."

"That must be why Riddle-senpai was so prone to it," Yuu took a guess, "The more magical energy he had, the more magic he could use. The more magic he used— and by God, did he— the higher the chance of... Blotting."

"Right on, Yuu-kun. Goodness, I can only hope that such a thing never happens again."

Ace had a contemplative look on his face. "So what he— She's saying is that if we just use it stupidly like Riddle-senpai did, without thinking of the consequences... It'll be easier for us to Blot?"

"To an extent, yes," Crowley supposed. "Though, considering your skills with magic, I don't think you'll have anything to worry about just yet." His eyes were shining crescents behind his mask. "Good for you, huh~?"

"Hey, that's kind of hard to be happy about."

"There he goes with his shameless insults."

"Hey, hey," Grim pawed at Yuu's sleeve, "If our magical pens turn completely black like Riddle's, will we all turn into a crazy berserker villain too? I was so scared when I saw him Blot, you know?"

"One's mental state has a huge influence on your magical limit before you actually Blot," The man said, frowning, "Anger, frustration, resentment— All those things Rosehearts-kun has felt sped up his Blotting process."

"The monster looming behind Riddle was all his feelings... come to life, in a sense. " Trey pursed his lips.

"It truly is a relief he has been brought back to his senses. If he hadn't..." Crowley brought his hand to his face, wailing, "Oh, the Horror! I don't even want to imagine it! It's too awful!"

"Don't yell like that, you scared the crap out of me!" Grim whined.

"Ah. Of course. My apologies." He clasped his hands together, "My point for herding you all here was to make sure you were well informed with the dangers that entail the use of Magic. You'd do well to never forget that."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, your special lesson with your special Headmaster has come to a close! You three are excused."

Just as Yuu and Trey made a move to leave with the rest of them, they were stopped.

"Ah, ah, ah. I actually have one more particular matter in mind that I'd like to discuss with Clover and Yuu-kun. You two, please stay. Ah, and Milcery as well— She's quite important."

Yuu exchanged looks with Trey, who looked just as confused as she felt. Strange, she thought he would know at least a bit more than her.

Grim looked utterly betrayed. "More important than me?!"

"You shall find out in due time."

"What—?!"

"W-We will make our leave!" Deuce said, making haste. Yuu let him scoop Grim out of her arms and usher a bewildered Ace out of the room.

"Hey, where are you taking me—"

"Don't you want to know what's going on?!"

It was quiet for a few moments after, aside from Milcery's incoherent burbling.

"Listen up and listen close, you three. I've already gotten Professor Crewel's approval for this. Ah, aren't I a genius?" Crowley turned to them and smiled widely. "Now, how would you like to be a part of Night Raven College's very own..."

"ZOROARK, THE ILLUSION FOX POKÉMON. Each has the ability to fool hundreds of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery." The voice of the Pokédex rang loud and clear.

The now captured Pokémon sat politely in the corner of the room, a stark contrast to the ravaging monster they had seen a few moments prior.

"Finally caught." Riddle crossed his arms, unamused. His face was set with a deep frown. "I hope you know just how much trouble you've caused me."

Unremorseful, it— him—?? Settled on shrugging.

"Why, you—!"

"Who knew the Wild would actually be a fully evolved Zoroark," Yuu mused, tucking her Pokédex away. "Didn't even know its species could speak!"

The room stayed silent after that, a silent urge for it to say something, anything.

"Well?!" Crowley's voice was especially loud, as if his volume would somehow make it easier for him to be understood. "Pray tell, where do you hail from, you... ah, you fox-like monster?! Why have you chosen to assail our peaceful Heartslabyul residents?!"

In response, a noise halfway between a snarl and a hiss could be heard.

"I beg your pardon?" They watched, stupefied, as the Zoroark lifted a finger and pointed at him.

"Oh, me? ...No, not me. ...This magical pen? What of it?"

"Ah, Animal Languages, right! I've been taking it since last year." Cater snapped his fingers, "Hopefully this works. Watch this, guys!"

Yuu watched, indeed. He slid out his pen with deft fingers, a confident smile as he waved it around the room. There was a jingly noise, sparkles floating through the air as he did. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of spell it was that he just cast.

"Don't think you can weasel your way out of this one." The teen then turned to Zoroark with a wink. "Try talking now!"

"Zoroark? Roark, Zoro." Can you understand me now? Hello? About time.

"Milcery!" Rude! Milcery squealed, and in that moment she realized she could perfectly understand the language of both the Pokémon in that room.

"Oh my Greats," Ace gasped. "This is pretty freaky."

"Hey!"

"Quite impressive, Diamond-kun, a perfect rendition of that spell." Crowley nodded with praise. "What luck that it works on Pokémon as well. Bonus points for you!"

"I didn't even know that was possible," Yuu said with disbelief.

Riddle gave the fox a scathing look. "You are not off the hook just because you are a fox, I'll have you know. Now, out with it. Why would you do all... this?"

"Zoroark, Roark, Zoro. Zoark Zoroark, ark." Look, I don't even know how I got here. You think I want to be here? I don't even remember much before I came... wherever the heck this place. But being in an unfamiliar place, I do the only thing that Zoroarks know how to do. Blend in.

"Yeah, no kidding."

"Ah, if I remember correctly, that's quite similar to how Misdreavus came to be." Trey murmured.

"Zoroarks do that," Yuu recalled. "They're incredibly territorial and they like to defend their lairs with illusions."

"Wow, it's like some kind of inter-dimensional invasion," Ace joked, which she thought was a little bit too realistic to be joking about. It only became evident Pokémon were here and here to stay.

"That's right." Crowley sighed deeply, "I suppose it cannot be helped any longer..."

"There's one thing I don't understand, however." Riddle was still rather unconvinced. "Why? If they were truly harmless illusions as you day, then why? Why go through all this trouble to throw Heartslabyul up in a frenzy? Do you know how long it took to hunt you down?"

Zoroark shrugged. "Zoroark, Zoro. Ark, Zoroark, zo." I was careful, actually, I made sure to keep my tracks clean. I wasn't even trying to make trouble for any of you. Not until you collared me, at least. Can you please take this off me now? I promise I won't run... There's no point to it anymore.

The boy stiffened quite suddenly. "You promise, right?"

"Ark, Zoark." I'm sitting in a room with five magicians and their magician headmaster. I know when to quit.

At last, Riddle relented.

"Zoro, ark, Zoroark. Ark, Zoro Zoroark, ark." Oh, that's better. But like I was saying, then it got personal. I mean, now I couldn't care less who I confused or whose tiramisu I ate in the fridge.

"Wait, that was you?!" Ace hollered, pointing accusingly at him, "Trey-senpai made that especially for us last week! This entire time, I thought Grim ate it!"

"I told you, it wasn't me!"

He had the gall to look proud. "Zoroark, Zoroark, Zoro. Ark, Zoroa." Oh, I did, and it was DELICIOUS. Consider it a payback for the collar.

"Oh my Sevens. ...What was your thought process throughout all of this, anyway? How did you even get inside here?"

"Zoroark, Ark. Ark, Zoro Zoroark." I heard news that you guys were dead-set on snuffing me out, so I panicked. Disguised myself as the blue-human.. Decided to talk to the girl-human, see if I couldn't figure anything out.

"Blue-human—" Deuce sputtered, pointing at himself. "You mean me?"

"Zoro? ...Zoroark, Zo. Ark Zoroark." Who else? ...Are you and the girl-human doing alright, by the way? She seemed very relieved to be talking to me, who was supposed to be you. It was awkward. I overstepped into some weird... human boundaries.

Grim looked at Yuu, who'd gotten very quiet. He whispered, not-so-quietly, "What'd you talk to him about?"

"It's nothing!" Nothing they should be concerned about, anyways. She'd rather not think about the one time she got duped, spilling her feelings out to a fox... of all beings.

"Zoroark, ro. Ark Zoro Zoroark, ark. Zoroark." Are you two ever gonna get that sorted out, by the way? I'm kind of invested in whatever's going on.

"That's enough about me. It's..." Embarrassing, that's what it was. "Not the point."

The Zoroark snickered. Whatever you say, girl-human.

Crowley was her savior. "From then on what happened after the garden? After you met up with Yuu-kun, I suppose you decided to sabotage their meeting today?"

"Zoroark, Zoro. Roark, Ark Zoro." Well, sabotage is a strong word. The girl-human told me explicitly that another meeting would be held here. I was afraid of what you'd do to me if you ever caught me, so I decided to sneak in... as that guy.

The fox outstretched an arm towards Ace, grumbling. Didn't expect the spiky-human to slam a door in my face, though.

"Didn't expect a Pokémon to eat my tiramisu either, but here we are."

Oh, please. Get your green brother to make you another.

Trey blinked, managing an incredulous laugh. "Is it— Is he referring to me?"

"Zoro, Ark, Roark?" Is your hair... not green?

"I realized something was off with Deuce later on, but the time I did it was too late. He slipped away into the rose bushes before I could catch him," Yuu explained.

"So I panicked, and I went to the first person I thought of. Ace. We thought we'd be able to lure him back, and, well..."

"Ah, it looks like we have two schemers on her hands here! I knew it was weird that Ace would make some last-minute changes like that." Cater laughed, draping an arm around her and Ace, "But you know, Yuu-chan, you could have come to your very cool and very reliable Cater-senpai instead!"

"Yeah, right! She went to me first, so cope with it." Ace shrugged his arm off, "I thought I'd be able to make an awesome dramatic entrance and bust the guy, but I didn't expect to whack it in the face."

"I still can't believe you threw an egg at me."

Sorry, I guess.

"That's the most unapologetic lie I've ever heard!"

"All's well that ends well, I suppose," Crowley said, clasping his hands together. He was smiling jovially, as if the whole ordeal hadn't even taken place. "Now, the next question should be, just what should we do with you? You bad Pokémon, you..."

Zoroark grinned sheepishly. Well, that was the end of that, she supposed.

Exactly one day after the Zoroark incident, all was well. Crowley promised him he would allow him to stay at NRC in the one condition that a repeat of this event never happened again. Heavy emphasis on never.

[ OMAKE ? 

A FEW DAYS LATER... ]

"YU—YUU... CAN I BORROW A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR TIME?" She didn't think she had ever seen Deuce this nervous. Goodness, his face mimicked Riddle's exactly when he got into one of his temper tantrums. The poor boy was shaking like a leaf. "I need to talk you you, if— If that's alright."

Yuu swung open her front door, the last person she expected to see was Deuce, of all people. The company was not unwanted.

"Hi, Deuce!" His discomfort, as much as he tried to hide it, did not go unnoticed by her. "Ah... Did Ace or Cater put you up to this? You don't have to force yourself to talk to me."

She said that, but the crease of her brow told him otherwise.

"Ah, n-no! I came here on my own. Actually..." Yuu watched curiously as he fumbled around with a small stack of— were those note cards he was holding? Earnestly, he started reading off of them, "I wanted to apologize for... everything I've done to you these past few days. A-And before you say anything! I wanted to let you know that it wasn't my intention to hurt you in any way by avoiding you!"

Ah...

He startled her by bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "So from the bottom of my heart, I'm so sorry! If only I had known how you felt, I never would have—!"

This was a similar interaction in Heartslabyul's Rose Maze— only the roles were reversed this time around, a part of her inwardly mused.

"It's alright," She cut in. "You can raise your head now— ...Or not, if that makes you feel better. Ah, sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if I didn't say anything in the first place..."

It was supposed to be a joke, but Deuce snapped his head up abruptly anyway. "Of course not! You put a lot of trust in us to tell us about your gender, it's— It's just that I didn't take it well, is all!"

Well, that part might have been true, but she understood that he couldn't help it.

"Thank you for trying," She said, "You can still refer to me with masculine pronouns if you'd like."

It was the same offer she had given to the Zoroark all those days ago in the maze, but she still meant it all the same.

The boy nodded earnestly. "I'd like that." Damn, that Zoroark was too good of an actor. Perhaps it was just coincidence, but weren't those his words as well?

"Actually, Yuu... Uh, someone really did put me up to this, actually."

She blinked at him. "Who is it?" Oh, she was totally going to hunt Ace down when they went back to school on Monday.

"Zoroark."

Speak of the devil. Her mouth fell open. "Zoroark? He told you?"

"He told me, he came to me and told me how genuinely happy you were to finally make amends with me..." Deuce frowned at the thought, "And I was just avoiding you like that... The realization made me feel awful."

"That's..." She struggled for the right words. "Strangely nice of him."

"He said watching us run around like..." He hesitated, laughing incredulously, "Frenzied Pikipek? Was making him annoyed."

"Guess he's not that bad after all." Yuu shared his laugh. "I suppose I'll have to thank him later. All I wanted was to talk to you again, anyways."

He turned red and bowed the same way he did before. "I! I feel the same!"