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Tristen listened to Matteo. The Growlithe hybrid’s composure, what little of it Matteo had to begin with, continued to break down into nothingness while under the humiliating grip of the electricity-induced paralysis. Even while paralyzed, Matteo tried what he could, everything taking more effort than what he ever had to just to simply move. Matteo even tried to make a surprise lunge, which Tristen easily swayed away from, leaving Matteo to find himself in the dirt once more. Matteo’s jealousy coming forth in that instance in that desperate lunge. Tristen knew he wasn’t perfect; never claimed to be. His strength, power, even his adoptive father did not make him that way. He just knew better. He was taught better. Nothing more. He was still as error prone as anyone else.

But then the floodgates of emotion came forth, Matteo sobbing, everything coming to a head. Tristen remained stalwart however. He sympathized, but he wasn’t budging, having Matteo to come to grips with his situation, letting him just get it all out there on the ground. “Why? Why what?” Tristen asked. “Why you’re on the ground so easily? Because I ended up fighting all sorts of stuff since I was what…six? Seven? Shadow Pokémon, evil teams, that sort of stuff? Trained to be strong just so I can, you know, live? And the moment that I try to find a break in it all that I ended up fighting two Team Star leaders, twin Zoroark hybrids twice, one of those times they risked killing themselves getting artificially souped by a machine to beat me, and you? You thought you could do better beating me up than any of them!? That even though earlier today I told you that Atticus found out the hard way that was a real bad idea coming at me alone!? At least Atticus had those stupid mushrooms as an excuse.” Tristen said. “Why are we out here right now while you cry on the ground like a baby? Because, I was wrong about something; realizing now that you still apparently haven’t gotten it after all. About actually ‘being better’. That you want to take a lot of stuff as an excuse to fight and still hold grudges to people that as far as I am aware of you wronged first, like Ms. Picante?”

He would walk around Matteo. With Matteo under the grip of paralysis and it not going to be wearing off on its own for a while, Matteo had no choice but to listen to what Tristen had to say. This was going to be resolved tonight, if Tristen could help it that is. “Or maybe why to questions that even I have now? Like why do you try to keep your guard up around people, putting on a mask of some kind? Trying to act like some tough, cool guy to most people. Matteo, you were like a whole other person yesterday when you met Blizz. You even hugged me while celebrating his gym battle victory! Or every time I tell you some stories of what I been through in Team Snagem, like earlier today when I talked about Legendary Pokémon and stuff. Or when you talk about some stuff with B and E, like those shows that I haven’t seen yet.” Tristen said. “It’s like you don’t get to actually…be you a whole lot. You have to put up some sort of appearance. An appearance that all falls apart too easily like earlier in the cafeteria. Or every time Gloria finds something to pick on you about like that whole Blueberry thing earlier this week which I haven’t gotten around to asking you about because I was too busy walking on eggshells to ask! It’s why I asked you about your dad at lunch earlier, Matteo. With what I heard between you, between our friends in school, and some from the teachers and staff, it was the only thing that seemed to add up at the time. All the talk always get his fame and accomplishments brought up for some reason, but nothing, absolutely nothing, about the kind of person he actually is other than aside mention about you being too much like him and it’s said like it was a really bad thing! Are you trying to protect the fame or the person, Matteo!?” Tristen asked him. “I asked not only because I was worried about you, not just because I still wanted to be a friend to you, but because I wanted you to lay off of Ms. Picante and to some of those ‘adults that hold things against you forever’ that you talk about and get to the bottom as to why that is. Just to find out just how much damage you done before I showed up and help you to make things better between them. Maybe in the process, find out why you, yourself, went into Team Star, a group that as I heard started in response to being bullied by others!? Were you bullied, Matteo!? Maybe by your dad in fact!? Doesn’t have to be any one student in class after all!”

Tristen would reach down, grabbing Matteo and fairly easily dragged him off to a nearby tree to sit him up right so he’d at the very least stop eating dirt as he cried. Not like he would be able to resist it, still being under the effects of paralysis. “So, start talking, like you should have from the start. Did I really solve some of the stuff? Was I way off? Help me help you.”

There it was, in all of its unholy glory. Matteo trying to earn the approval of one of his parents, only to fall short of standards, and those standards apparently were sky high. He wanted to be his father, and not for any good reason. In some instance, one may argue that Matteo was trying to be better than his father out of spite, not out of any sort of goal to his benefit. Trying to meet all of these expectations only to be met with disdain as opposed to positive encouragement.

Tristen did have such thoughts himself growing up in the likes of Team Snagem, but he was assured that while reaching those powerful heights were perhaps impossible like his adoptive father and some other key members had, it wasn’t as damning as what it looked on the surface. That in the face of hordes of Shadow Pokémon, scorned Legendary Pokémon, and sociopaths, everyone plays a part. It’s where Tristen, alongside doing his normal training of his hybrid capabilities and Pokémon battling, he focused more in general studying altogether. Knowledge was just as much power as anything else. He picked up his adoptive fathers knack for picking up subtle cues in fights of all kinds, rather they be the fisticuffs or the Pokémon battle sorts, and use those cues either antagonize, outmaneuver, or utterly break his opponents depending what the situation called for. He picked up his adoptive mother’s penchant for investigation, that everything on the surface is not always the things were, teaching him to check and double check, especially when it comes to history, and especially for people in the now. While he wasn’t the most powerful Snagem by any means, and probably wasn’t ever going to be, he was perhaps one of the smarter ones, something that Sub would acknowledge here and there himself. While Freth would bemoan Tristen’s lack of social skills generally with anyone beyond the Snagem headquarters, it was something that he was sure to learn as he stayed in Paldea. He had the parents that were caring and proud of him for every step forward he made. In every stumble, he was guided forward, if not by those adoptive parents, but by those around him, and told to try again and keep moving, showing him new ways to go about his issues. Problems and solutions that Tristen took to heart.

Matteo apparently hadn’t had that sort of support where he needed it most. And when someone comes along, excels where he can’t, he gets jealous, not just because of him not being able to do it, but it was because he perhaps imagines his father yelling at him, maybe asking why he couldn’t be more like that person. That person like Tristen, for instance, who is evolved, stronger, and faster naturally without Agility…everything that Tristen worked for over the span of years. When Matteo loses out to Tristen or Nemona in a Pokémon battle, why can’t he be as good if not better than them? Its always a comparison where Matteo loses out. Tristen began to wonder if that sort of thing was the reason why he tried training a Bagon, only to end up with a Shelgon with no care for Matteo’s wellbeing. Why Matteo seems to have a skewed outlook on the definition of strength. Why Matteo seemed to take the extremely small victories where he could get them. Every issue cascades into other issues – his former status in being with Team Star, his grades while probably not failing could definitely stand for improvement, Matteo’s rebellious streak like burning of the see-saw at risk of another student or his grief with Ms. Picante. The reason why Matteo tries to come off as that ‘cool, tough guy’ was because that was how his father was and Matteo was a poor imitation. Tristen had the feeling it was bad, but the more that he thought about it, Matteo was effectively in an abyss, and it all stemmed back to one instigated by his father.

Tristen’s mind started to think rapid-fire. Another issue Tristen picked up on. While some are privy to how Matteo’s father is, overall, he’s still a celebrity for better or worse according to Matteo. Held in high regard similarly to how they view ‘The Noble Hybrid’, an image that solidified in everyone’s mind for better or worse, not knowing what the person is like behind the title. Tristen started to feel that if anyone needed a dose of utter humiliation, worse than what Matteo got exposed for during that tournament earlier in the month, it was this man. Expose him for being the kind of person he is; expose him for all he has done to his son. Though Tristen wasn’t really sure how to actually expose him like that. He had no good enough reason to track him down in essence, and he wasn’t the sort like his father to go off and thoroughly threaten someone where needed even if he did. That was going to be an issue for another time. For now, trying to deal with the immediate issues Matteo had was going to have to do for now.

Something occurred to Tristen just then. He thought…Toasties… “What about your mom?” Tristen then asked. Someone who would randomly give homemade sweet treats like that to their son couldn’t be as bad as that, or so he thought. “Or anyone else in the family? Surely, they know your dad is like this? Don’t they stop him?” Tristen asked, wanting to know how far the apparent corruption spread.

“Matteo…” Tristen said, kneeling down to the Growlithe hybrid, taking off his pack as he done so, sitting it along side of him. He started to dig around in his pack, keeping his eyes on Matteo as he spoke. “…its got to stop. Love your father, sure, fine, whatever, but you’re never going to be him any more than you are going to be me or anyone else. And you shouldn’t have to be. Do your best, find ways to improve in all you do, sure, but don’t do it trying to meet the expectations of a man that supposed to be your parent that finds excuses to put you down. You do it for you and those you care for as they care for you, like your friends, your Pokémon.” Tristen perked up and pulled his arm out of his pack, pulling out a pouch and opening it up, grimacing a little bit and only in a ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ length of time. He noticed only one more Lum Berry; having lost track as to how many he had. He was going to need to get more at some point or another if he could. A note for later; but this last one hopefully wouldn’t be a waste.

Keeping the berry in the palm of his hand for the second, Tristen would stash the berry pouch back in the pack then, reach over to actually hug Matteo. “Matteo, I’m sorry…I didn’t know how bad it was. Like I said, I was trying to help you be better. I want you to. You can be. But look, teachers might be hard on you a little, but keep in mind they’re trying to teach you things. And when you fail, they fail. And when you settle for barely passing grades because you think why bother? Then why should they bother teaching you? When your Pokémon couldn’t measure up against a strong trainer’s Pokémon, you only truly fail when you give up, stop learning, and stop going forward. When you constantly hurt people in some way, or even sometimes it might be a one-time thing, if it’s bad enough, they remember that, and get defensive when you’re around, not wanting to be hurt again. And to those that make fun of you or make you out to be small for your failures? Like Gloria? Or your dad? They’re not important. You got better things to do than give them the time of day.”

He would then let go, looking at Matteo for a second. “You try again. You be true to you. And whatever you do, it probably won’t be easy, but you do it to better you. You have to make the effort. In the right ways. No more Mr. False-tough-guy and no more thinking that you need to be evolved and super strong or stuff like that; no more thinking that you are or at least should be better than everyone else, because the reality is that there will always be someone better at something. That’s something that even Blizz realizes, but he keeps going and improving anyways. That’s why he’s as strong as he is. You’ll evolve eventually, maybe be super strong like you hope one day, but you have to work at it. Give yourself a foundation to build on. Start by talking to Ms. Picante. Working with the teachers. Your Pokémon like Shelgon. If you like some stuff like some of the shows B and E watches or hobbies that your dad might look at you funny over, like, I dunno…drawing or something, who cares about what he or someone like Gloria thinks. They’re not going to take it away from you that easily. Keep at doing them. Figure out your hybrid abilities one part at a time. And if nothing else, don’t take it on all at once and don’t hurry with it; that is what’s going to keep you frustrated, keep you sobbing like this. And whatever it takes, one step at a time, because clearly, your dad isn’t going to care otherwise unless you meet his arbitrary, and being real, unrealistic expectations. Even if you do meet or pass them, why would you need his approval at that point anyways? He wasn’t the one who built you up, you would have. And besides, you got some in your corner as is. And maybe potentially more, if you do this right. Your life isn’t ruined. Not yet.” Tristen would hold up the Lum Berry for Matteo to take. “Not if I got anything to say about it. You want to be the next Naranja Flash or Orange Blitz or whatever for the school? The real revenge is actually showing him what that truly means, and getting him to eat Murkrow.”

Tristen would continue staying where he was, knelt down as he watched Matteo managed to take the Lum Berry and eat it to rid himself of the paralysis Tristen inflicted on him. It was silent for a short bit between the two once the Lum Berry started to take effect for Matteo. As the two looked at each other for a second, Tristen started to feel an odd tenseness then. Not really sure what it was. But then, Tristen found himself being caught off guard himself by Matteo instigating his own hug, and a tight one it was, with a rather heartfelt thanks to follow. One that showed that he meant it. One that gave Tristen confirmation that he actually did break through. Tristen would reach back around Matteo, hugging him in return. “You’re welcome, Matteo.” Tristen said. “Come on…we got school in the morning. Let’s get back.”

It was going to be a long road for Matteo, that much Tristen knew for certain. It was going to probably be tough to start off with, especially after that showing right in front of a good few students, and one of their other friends for that matter. But whatever what was going to happen, Tristen would help in whatever way he could.

Tristen would walk along with Matteo, keeping a close eye on him. It was silent for the most part. All was said was needed to be said. Though that was what he hoped only just a week ago as the two talked in Tristen’s room after class, where the Growlithe hybrid started confessing his jealousy full swing and his realizations after the mushrooms had his way with him. Matteo was a little bit in his feelings still, perhaps the utter embarrassment that he put himself through. The spots where the two talked was just mere check ins on if Matteo was getting himself back together again all right. It was kind of funny in a way…Tristen thought maybe he needed to Thunder Wave some back at Snagem to get a point across. He decided against it, however…fearing how well that was going to go as a whole.

Once he made it back to the academy, greeted by the Gengar in the main hall, then parted ways with Matteo for the night, he made his way to his own dorm. He’d make it to his dorm, unlocking the door, then made his way inside. He walked forward, sliding his pack off his back for the time being and letting it sit on the floor near his work desk. He once again took out his SNAG, the battery power on it the lowest he had in a long time. He never had any opportunity to get it charged since after that whole scan this afternoon that he had GRAY do. He would proceed to allow it to get it set up to charge then made his way to the showers. While under the shower head, he thought back through the evening, everything that Matteo said, everything laid out that made Matteo into the person he had been. It was agitating, if nothing else. He could only imagine what he’d do if he ever saw this man, Matteo’s father. So many words that needed to be said, and maybe a thorough beat down if nothing else. But no, he wasn’t like that. Tristen was more methodical. Pain was temporary. Something had to be memorable to make sure that Matteo would get respected and treated as a son as he should, or rather, make his father realize what exactly he was taking for granted. Expose him. If unchecked pride was the issue, then there needed to be an exact blow to ego and everyone see what he truly was. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything that was happening anytime soon that would put Tristen and Matteo’s father in the right circumstances for it, nothing that Tristen was aware of anyways.

Tristen would make his way out of the shower and then made his way for his desk. He’d start changing out his Pokémon now that he knew, hopefully, that Matteo wasn’t going to commit an all-out Pokémon battle like he wanted to. He once again pull out the team that he was set to raise, never mind was able to relatively fit comfortably in the dorm and not have to be confined to Pokeballs so long as he was in the school halls. Sprigatito, Rookidee, Golisopod, Torricat, Espeon, and Mienshao, one by one would be released, checked on, then told to have a good night. Tristen would then succumb to the bed sheets himself, hopefully ready for the day to come.

As Tristen got up the next morning, the alarm once again going off from his SNAG, the birds outside of his window, the sun peering through the curtains. Tristen winced a bit. Tristen felt a bit drained, probably from the hectic weekend, never mind from the stressful evening dealing from Matteo. He started to get breakfast ready in his dorm, starting to put out meals for his Pokémon first before getting to his own breakfast. Once again, he thought about last night then had a realization something that he didn’t quite think about until now. Matteo did cause a bit of an uproar in that brief stint out in the rec yard yesterday afternoon. Some students watched the entire conversation unfold, one of which possibly Camp, who Tristen told to not expect much from the days to come. Even though all was well that ended well last night, Tristen had some sort of idea as to how the students operated in this place and even though Matteo was set to try to better himself for real this time, word about that whole few minute exchange was bound to get around. Today was probably going to be a long day after all…

Once he was done with breakfast, Tristen would start getting ready, getting dressed in his academy uniform once again and getting his school supplies that he was going to need for the day sorted as they needed to be. He would round up his Pokémon, recalling them back to their Pokeballs, then he would grab his SNAG, ready for the day to come. “Well, here goes something…” Tristen said, making his way off back out of his room and off for the first class of the day.

On the way to art class, Tristen was effectively autopiloting through the halls as he started his way to his art class. He was mentally trying to double check everything that he needed to take care of. The assignment for art class was submitted that Friday early evening as assurance he had his weekend to do whatever. Mr. Sanguaro hadn’t given him anything to do for Home Ec, though he remembered that berry related things like Poffins were going to be a thing here for the next little bit. Science class took up the last half of Friday to release Vivillion out into the wild, there wasn’t any assignments there. Incidentally, he did wonder how Fela was holding up; he hadn’t really checked up on her all weekend given how busy he was. He’d find out one way or another during lunch. He did, after all, offer to help her as well as he was trying to do with Matteo.

Tristen’s thought process was derailed when Camp caught sight of him. “Oh hey, morning, Camp.” Tristen said. When he asked about last night, Tristen had to hold back a sigh, that feeling of inevitability coming sooner than he wanted it to. But then, what did he expect to begin with. “Uh…well…” Tristen looked around himself, making sure that no one was in earshot, never mind Matteo. Though he shouldn’t be on this side of class that he was aware of, he wasn’t one to take too many chances with things this sensitive. He started to talk lower to make sure it stayed between Tristen and Camp. “…a lot better than I thought it would have been, though honestly kinda wish it didn’t happen to begin with. Though honestly? Maybe it needed to happen. I managed to get down to probably a lot of what makes Matteo tick and got him to realize that the way he was going wasn’t working.” Not a lie in any capacity, as far as Tristen could figure. But he didn’t really want to let out about Thunder Waving Matteo leaving him a paralyzed, sobbing mess for a short bit last night until he managed to get everything sorted. “The only thing I’m worried about now is how will everything from here on is going to work out. Matteo did kinda…bring some attention to himself before I put a stop to it.”