Chapter Two

Unrequited Wonders

 

"Finally," Jake muttered as they jumped back onto Kin Island ground, they spent the night on the routes in between Celadon and Vermilion and hitched the noon ferry to Kin Island. Rachel stayed back to catch the next train to Goldenrod. But while Laura and Kitty were bouncing off the walls for their pokemon they were to receive today the adults and their pokemon were lucky to stand. "Hey…why don’t you two go and get your match and we’ll head home and pack your stuff all right?" Carson and Melinda looked at the two with hope. The pokemon held their breath, hoping they didn’t have to carry the stuff from the adoption center and to their homes.

"Sure, I don’t see why not! See you later!" Kitty cried as she pulled Laura with her down the road. Leaving their group behind, all relieving a relieved sigh. "I can’t wait to see my pokemon and train it and then show it off to the school! I’m so happy! Aren’t you Laura?" Kitty cried happily as she spotted the adoption centers and tried to speed up the pace.

"Yeah…sure! You might want to slow down or we’ll skid past it!" Laura suggested as Kitty went unintentionally faster.

"Oops!" Kitty gasped as she slammed both feet on the ground, and well, fell over with Laura following.

"I said slow down, not stop." Laura stated as she crawled off Kitty and then helped her friend up.

"Yeah, I know. Sorry," Kitty said, "but looky! We’re here!" Laura blinked and looked around. "Is there something wrong Laura?" Laura shook her head and looked up at the adoption center.

"It was nothing, come on let’s go." Laura insisted as she walked into through the automatic doors, Kitty following with a concerned look. Though it instantly disappeared once she was surrounded by various basic pokemon in cages. Besides them, Kent was at the counter returning a squirtle in a poke’ball and giving it to a boy their age before the boy ran out of the shop. Kent didn’t notice them though, as he began wrapped poke’balls and putting them in a box.

"Hey! Kent!" Kitty cried as she ran up to the counter, the man smiled as his eyes lay on the hyper girl.

"Well, nice to see you two again. Read y for your pokemon?" Kent asked as he placed the balls and boxes aside.

"What are those for?" Kitty asked, looking over at the forgotten box and balls.

"Oh, those are for the Quest Islands trainers. Unlike the other islands, they pay for everything and have everything shipped. Lazy people at that with cash to burn. But as for your pokemon, let’s see…" Kent flipped through several papers clipped to his clipboard till it stopped at his wanted page. His eyes skimmed the page and then with a smile, he looked up. "If you go down the second isle and stop at number 34 Laura Wood, you will see your first pokemon." Laura nodded with a thank you and hurried off. "As for you Kitty, down the fifth isle at number 200." Why the heck they would give a student this kind of pokemon is beyond me…but I have to follow the rules… Kitty bolted down from the counter and stopped dead in her tracks when she came halfway down the isle. These pokemon looked slightly different from the ones she saw in the windows and the ones before. They looked more…challenging…

But when she came to #200, she nearly jumped out of her skin as the pokemon’s head rammed against the glass walls with metal bars behind the glass the ensure that it stayed where it was. It was a growlithe, a feisty one at that too. When he spotted his trainer, he growled fiercely and bit at the bars. Yet it only increased her curiosity and she leaned into the glass.

"Hey! I’m your trainer! My name is Kitty! Let me see…a good name for you would be…oh! You’re papers! I might get an idea here!" She cried happily as she unhooked the clipboard hanging over the fire puppy’s cage, the growlithe growled as she read his contents. "Fire duh…anyone would know that…ability is Intimidate and you’re two feet and six inches tall with 50 pounds to boot! Wow, you’re slightly bigger than the average growlithe! I’m so lucky! So happy to meet you-! I still don’t have a name for you darn’t it!" Kitty stated.

"So you met lil’ growly eh? He’s a rough one, here, let me get him out for ya." Kent said but he had the poke’ball ready, he unlocked the door a bit and opened it a little, the growlithe found the option to escape, but before he could ram into the door to overpower the clerk Kent returned him to the red and white ball.

"Why did you put him in a ball? He was all right out," Kitty said, Kent sweat-dropped as the growlithe intended of making her his next meal.

"It’s all right, just wait till you get outside that you release the little guy." Kent said, "and you might want to buy a chain leash before you do just that."

"What was that?" Kitty asked innocently as Kent handed her the ball, he shook his head with a nervous smile.

"Nothing, nothing, just be careful."

"All right, I wonder where Laura is." Kitty wondered aloud.

"Oh, I already got her pokemon, she’s outside waiting for you." Kent said.

"Oh! So how much is he?" Kitty asked, just then remembering she had no money on her.

"No need, this is sponsored and paid for by Kanto’s mainland. So I don’t need money, I just give out pokemon to their assigned trainers." Kent explained as they walked down the isle of challenging pokemon.

"What pokemon did Laura receive?" Kitty asked.

"You can see when you leave." Kent said as they came to the counter, Kitty spotted Laura outside bending over with a happy voice, probably looking down happily at her new pokemon. Kitty couldn’t wait to see it and show off her growlithe.

"All right, thank you Kent. Bye!" Kitty said, waving good-bye.

"I’ll see you at the departure of the ferry to Fortune Island!" Kent cried after her as she left the building.

"Hey Laura! Wow! You got a torchic?" Kitty cried as she stopped in front of Laura with a happy orange bird at her feet.

"Yeah! Isn’t he awesome! His name is Sunwing! Yours? Oh! It’s in a poke’ball," Laura spotted the ball with an unhappy growlithe inside, getting the warning from the puppy’s eyes, she eyes her friend wearily. "Um…that’s the pokemon you got?"

"Yep! Isn’t he awesome! Though I’m not sure what to call him…any ideas?" Kitty asked.

"How about Feral?" Laura asked with sarcasm.

"No…that doesn’t suit him at all…" Kitty said, spacing out in thought.

Of course it does! Laura thought as Kitty failed to think up a name.

"But anyway, come on out-"

"No! Let’s not let the little guy out!" Laura cried, trying to stop her best friend from releasing a wild pokemon, too late, the wild growlithe looked about eagerly as he then, sat down on his hutches. He gazed about, and with a snort began to scratch his right ear. Laura sweat-dropped.

"Why not! Isn’t he the greatest? I bet he’ll be the best fighter on my team!" Kitty cried, earning a transfixed gaze from growlithe.

"No duh, of course I’m going to be the best pokemon on your team." The growlithe growled as he resumed being ignorant. Yet all Kitty and Laura heard were disgruntled barks and grunts. Sunwing sent him a confused stare, but looked up at his master and pranced around her feet. Laura dropped her worries and scooped her pokemon up and buried her nose into Sunwing’s neck feathers.

"Well, let’s get home and well…let’s see how this guy favors everyone else," Depending how many casualties they’ll be… Laura thought with an odd expression on her face. Sunwing chirped as they began to walk; though Kitty had to stop and call to her new growlithe to follow them.

"Growl!" The growlithe barked, planting his four paws firmly on the ground and pretended to be occupied with the sight of a stone in front of him, Kitty called him again and again, he still didn’t budge. Laura, with a sigh, put Sunwing down.

"See if you can reason with the pup," Laura ordered, Sunwing nodded and twittered over to the stubborn fire puppy. Kitty watched with curiosity, probably wondering why he wasn’t listening to her. Laura watched and sighed as the growlithe merely stared at the fire chick, for a moment he looked surprised, but than bared his teeth. When Sunwing refused to move, the growlithe launched from the ground towards the tori. Sunwing jumped out of the way, missing his body by a hair.

"Use Scratch!" Laura cried out by instinct, Kitty gasped.

"Why are you attacking him?" Kitty cried as the growlithe jumped out of the way of Suwing’s talons. Launched another Bite attack on the fiery chick.

"You’re pokemon attacked mine! So therefore I’m fighting back!" Laura answered.

"Oh! Well you don’t have to be so hasty!" Kitty cried out, "So that means we’re having a battle right? Yay! Use Roar!" Laura fell Sunwing though, twirled as the growlithe grabbed a mouthful of yellow feathers and tore past him with feathers trailing after him. With a sneeze at the halt, feathers flew out of his mouth as he turned and glared down at Sunwing with a snarl.

"Why did he use Bite? I told him to use Roar," Kitty said as Laura gathered herself up and noticed what happened.

"Oh no! Are you all right Sunwing?" Laura asked, Sunwing chirped back, apparently the loss of feathers didn’t hurt him by much, but it still angered Laura, as she turned towards Kitty. "Return that dog back to its ball! He just injured Sunwing!"

"But aren’t battles like that? We do have a Pokemon Center you know," Kitty said innocently.

"It’s not listening to a thing you’re saying! It’s out of control there’s going to be unintentional damage on my pokemon! So stop him or return him!" Laura ordered as she rushed down the path towards Sunwing. Sunwing chirped in warning as growlithe spotted Laura coming close, his eyes narrowing. Kitty blinked.

"Is that battle over?" Kitty asked as she ran after her friend.

"It never even began!" Laura cried back as she reached Sunwing and scooped him up in a tight embrace, but jumped when a vicious growl erupted from the growlithe’s throat. "Return him Kitty!"

"I suppose the battle is over huh? Too bad…" Kitty mumbled sadly as she approached the scene, not realizing how feral the growlithe looked. "I suppose I should, but it was only a battle! He should be all right to roam about freely."

"No way! Are you nuts?" Laura asked, frightened as she suddenly jumped behind Kitty as the growlithe advanced towards her, Sunwing chirped angrily, but didn’t struggled when Laura kept him tight against her. "You can’t have him be walking freely, the way he’s been acting you would think he came from a juvenile delinquent center!" Kitty blinked.

"Really? I thought he came from the adoption center," Kitty pondered aloud, Laura fell.

"Just return him all right! Or you can stay behind and walk home alone with him." Laura said reasonably.

"Laura? What’s wrong? You’ve never acted like this before, I mean, it was only a battle." Kitty responded.

"This isn’t about that battle or if it was even a battle! The whole point is that-that thing attacked Sunwing when he was ordered to do so! It’s wild!" Laura shouted, "Do us all Kin Natives a favor and return it to its ball or better yet! Return it to the adoption center and get another one!" Laura ordered as she stomped away, shocking Kitty greatly. Since when had she ever acted moody?

"Wait a minute Laura! Don’t be mad! Wait!" Laura didn’t wait and continued to walk on towards home without looking back at Kitty, Kitty though sighed. The growlithe snorted and sat on his hutches again to resume scratching at his ear. "I don’t what’s wrong with her, she never acted like that before…"

"Growl," The growlithe barked in response.

"Maybe she’s mad…or even jealous, though I wouldn’t know why now would I?" Kitty said, then she peered over her shoulder at the growlithe as he licked his paw. "Oh! I know why!"

"Growl?" The growlithe looked up and jumped when Kitty grasped his thick neck into a hug. "Growl!" As he struggled to escape.

"She doesn’t have such a great pokemon as you!" Kitty cried, the growlithe calmed down as she released her grasp on the puppy pokemon. The growlithe looked up at her; baffled by such actions. "As I said before, you’ll probably be the best pokemon on my team! Oh! Do you know where we’re going later! To the Sevii Island Academy! There we’ll get to battle! And do some more battling! Of course there’s that dumb paperwork, but heck, at least we get to catch more poke’friends! So are you with me buddy? Oh yeah…still need to figure out that name…" The growlithe, confused by her speech looked around, fur tingling.

"Giving you something related to fire seems to be too common, how about something legendary?" Kitty asked her first pokemon, but the growlithe wasn’t listening. Kitty noticed and her golden orbs watched as the growlithe looked around, his nose to the air. His ears pricked up and alert. "What’s up growly?"

"Growl," he answered, though as she didn’t understand him completely she guessed it was a yes. They stood there for a moment, though the next moment happened so fast, it took the growlithe only seconds to react. Kitty gasped as dirt flew up and she had to shield her eyes.

"Ah…found you at last!" Kitty felt a warm breeze pass her body, as soon as it was safe to reveal her eyes the growlithe was glowering up at a tall figure, though the body was covered in a dark cloak, Kitty figured it was a man. He was broad-shouldered and quite tall at that. But the hood of his cloak kept his face hidden, Kitty looked up at the figure.

"Who are you?" Kitty asked, it was then that a strong wind passed and the cloak shifted to reveal the man’s chest, revealing a bold and red capitol ‘R’. "Team Rocket?"

"Yes, and unfortunately for you, I cannot have my whereabouts confirmed. Or the boss will have my head! Go! Rampage!" The man threw out a black-topped poke’ball with a red ‘R’ on it as well. A bull pokemon burst out and glowered down at the growlithe. "This is PK124 Rampage, I do believe you remember him well," this was directed at Kitty’s growlithe. The puppy grunted and released an Ember at the bull pokemon.

"Eh! No! You’ll anger it!" Kitty cried, but it was too later, already the fiery balls had hit the tauros and in return, the bull charged at the growlithe. "Dodge it! It’s a Tackle attack!" The growlithe though, stood his ground and glared up at the pokemon. "Run!"

"Grroowl!" The growlithe cried as he released yet another Ember, as soon as smoke steamed from the attack as it made contact, it swallowed the growlithe and again, Kitty had to cover her eyes.

"Growlithe! Are you all right?" Kitty cried out into the smoke, but coughed with she breathed it in.

"Growl!" Embers shot out of nowhere and past Kitty, Kitty gasped when she heard a loud grunt and she jumped when she recognized the tauros behind her, limping away as the smoke cleared. The growlithe was five meters away from Kitty, glaring up at the tauros. The bull glared back, but it seemed its trainer had enough and returned him. The growlithe looked back at the Rocket member with pure disgust.

"Perfect, you just keep getting stronger and I’ll be back with you shortly." The man laughed.

"Pokemon are not toys that you can just put on the shelf! So stop treating him like that!" Kitty snapped back, the man at last noticed her and leered down at her.

"Feisty one aren’t you? Aw yes, you’re Jake Osokana’s daughter aren’t cha? Pretty thing you, all well, I’ll be seeing you soon then too. Remember my name, it’s Roka. So long!" With a flip of his wrist he threw a smoke ball at the ground and again, they were swallowed by smoke. When it cleared, the man named Roka was gone.

"I wonder what that was all about? Oh! Are you all right?" Kitty asked as she bent down and patted the growlithe on the head, for a moment he merely stared at her, but with a fierce grunt he looked away. "I suppose that would be a yes eh? Well, I think you’ll be happy when I tell you that I discovered a name for you. I think Soldier will do well for you, how about it?" She caught his attention again, gold met chocolate sienna.

"Rrr?" Soldier lightly barked.

"If you like it, it’s yours. So…like it?" Kitty asked, Soldier made a jerky nod and looked away again. "I’m happy you like it Soldier! I can’t wait to tell Laura and Sunwing and everybody else! I’m sure they’ll be happy to meet you! I also think that you’ll like them too! Let’s go!" Kitty cried, standing up straight and shooting her fists into the air. Soldier looked up at her with his original sarcastic posture and wondered whether she was on the planet earth when Roka appeared.

"You do know we’re going to school right Soldier?" Kitty asked, Soldier remained silent as she led the way down the road towards her home. It seemed to him, that the outbursts from Laura didn't bother her. He couldn’t help, but find that an amazing and admiring quality in her.

Fortunately, Soldier behaved nicely when Kitty introduced him to her friends and Jake. Laura and Sunwing were no where in sight, Melinda and Carson said they thought she was with you. Yet Jake said he saw her running into the Berry Forest, though most of the questioning glances were shot towards her for such actions, Kitty could only tell them she had no clue. Despite not liking to lie, she didn’t know what to expect if she told them what happened. Yet, Kitty seemed mildly taken back for the rest of the night. Soldier stayed back and seemed to value solitary confinement more than the company of other pokemon and people. Kitty didn’t mind though, nor did anyone else for that matter.

The time from then to leaving by ferry went by fast, Kitty had a hard time keeping up as she tried to finish whatever packing she had left. She was sent the last letter till term started, saying she will be placed in a school team once she got there and a dorm. The rest was how to behave and so on and so fourth. She was even told they were to spend the next day after arrival to find out where their classes would take place till the next day, when classes would begin. Sadly, the farewells came to Kitty hard and she was nearly in tears when she and the other very few children boarding the ferry to Fortune Island.

"Do call and write to us and don’t forget your Aunt Rachel, she would like to keep updated you know!" Jake said with a laugh as he took his daughter in a farewell embrace. Melinda and Carson with their pokemon out to wave farewell weren’t far, Laura had Sunwing in her arms and she seemed still depressed over what happened. Soldier, refused to be around such ‘ceremonies’ and had been snoozing in his ball since morning. When Jake released Kitty, he caught her eye and he smiled.

"Do not forget Kitty-cat, we’re here for you when you need help, and don’t hesitate to ask for such when you need it, all right? And don’t forget that we’ll all give each other the help we can give no matter how far we are from one another. Can you believe that?" Jake asked, putting a hand on his daughter’s red head.

"Sure can Dad, here, this will only take a minute." Kitty said as she jogged over to Laura. Laura was leaving back for Vermilion Harbor in two more days when the ferry returned and was re-supplied for the longer journey, from there she would take a bus to Saffron, where she was taking the train to Goldenrod. Rachel had said she would look after the Woods daughter, since she worked for the Miltanks sponsors.

"Hey Laura!" Kitty cried as she stopped in front of her friend, Laura finally noticed her and stared at her blankly. "Here to say good-bye, promise me you’ll send a pidgey? An e-mail? A phone call? Something? Please, I don’t know how I’m going to live through this year without you," Kitty saw the corners of Laura’s lips curl up, but she caught herself and returned them back to their firm line.

"Sure," Laura said, Sunwing looked from his trainer to Kitty and back.

"All right, and promise, when we get back, we’ll be ready to battle one another! I’ll work hard all year and be ready to battle as soon as I get back! Got it?" Kitty asked, holding out a hand, Sunwing chirped up at his master. Laura blinked, looking at her hand.

"A battle? You want to battle me?"

"Sure, you see. The battle before wasn’t really all that great, so, to make up for it I want to battle you again, what are they called? Oh yeah! A rematch! What do you say Laura? You Sunwing?" Kitty asked, looking at the fiery chick. Sunwing chirped happily of approval, Laura looked at her friend with wide eyes.

"Oh, all right. Sure," Laura said as she finally smiled and shook her friend’s hand. Then the ferry’s bell rang.

"All aboard those heading to Sevii Islands Academy!" the ferry driver cried thought he PA.

"All right, I better go. Promise you’ll work hard through the year and we’ll meet this summer and we’ll give it our all!" Kitty said.

"Well, not all. But yeah, I promise. You better give it a good shot too then," Laura said.

"Now that’s the old Laura I used to know! Well, I’ve gotta go…bye," Kitty said as she turned around slowly, keeping eye contact with Laura’s sapphire gaze.

"Bye, keep in touch." Laura responded as their contact broke and Kitty walked towards the ramp loading the few children onto the ferry. Her face was filled with determination, determination not to break down and run up the ramp. No, she wanted to leave strong.

"Wait! Kitty! Wait!" Kitty jumped and looked around, it was Kent, and he was running towards her with a sweaty face. "Here!" He pulled something out of his pocket as he approached her and put it in her hand. "This is a poke’gear, you see, they have a portable phone. I have put all of our numbers in it, including your Aunt’s and if you need any help, don’t be afraid to give us a ring. Then there’s the radio and map of the Sevii Islands, of course there’s also the time and date on it as well." Kitty unwrapped the tan paper to reveal a small black purple device; her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Thank you, thank you so much. I’ll put to good use," Kitty said as she threw her arms around the clerk’s neck and hugged him tightly.

"Take care of yourself all right Kitty?" Kent asked as he hugged her back.

"Sure will, as long as you all do." Kitty stated as the embrace broke.

"Now, why do you think we’ll do anything so catastrophic that we would put our lives in danger?" Jake joked, Kitty giggled. Again the ferry bell rang, forcing her to begin walking towards the ramp again.

"Bye Kitty-cat!" The pokemon cried in their own native tongue farewell to her and the Kin natives.

A trainer's life is hard

You're travel routes so far

Away from friends and family

You learn to sacrifice

Always ready to pay the price

But what you have to understand

"Bye every one!" Kitty cried back as she made it up to the ferry and leaned over the railing as the ramp was drawn up for the departure of the ferry.

"Don’t forget to write Kitty dear!" Melinda cried.

"Don’t worry! I won’t!" Kitty shouted back.

Even heroes need a helping-hand

"We’ll see you next summer!" Kent shouted.

"Be a good girl and stay out of mischief! But throw an occasional dorm party!" Jake shouted.

"I don’t know about the good girl part but there will be a party!" Kitty cried back just as playfully, the ferry began to sail away. Kitty jumped off the railing and jumped onto the railing in the back of the ferry. "Bye! See you later!"

Whatever you want, whatever you need

You know you can always count on me

There'll always be someone waiting

'Cause you're never too far from home

"Remember Kitty! You promised!" Laura shouted as Sunwing danced about next to her at her feet. Kitty laughed as she waved at her best friend.

Yeah, I’ll remember, she thought as the water began to swallow them and take them out of view. She sighed and sat down on an unoccupied seat, the other some few Kin natives were now getting ready for the rest of the day and night that would approach and force them to sleep on the small ferry. They would be on Fortune Island by morning, and somehow, Kitty already felt like she had been on the ferry forever. She snapped open her poke’gear and curiously scrolled down the memory. Shockingly, Akira and Shawn’s numbers were down on it as well!

Where ever you go, whatever you do

You know we'll be there to pull you through

You know there'll be someone waiting

'Cause you're never too far from home

What? How? Wha-? How did he know that I was with them back there? She looked up at the ceiling of the ferry, storm clouds were gathering, it wasn’t going to be a sunny day for the first arrivals. But how Kent got the information that she had been with Akira and Shawn was beyond her, if he got them from her father, then how would he know? He was partially at the Game Corner most of the time, and therefore didn’t pay too much attention. And not many enjoyed the company of Questrians because of their reputations, so why would anyone tell Kent that she had been them? And why would he go through the trouble of getting their numbers?

We never had a doubt

You'd always figure out

Which way you're going

This will be a great adventure; I’m willing to bet on it! Kitty thought as she unsnapped Soldier’s ball and looked down at the growlithe snoozing away in his ball. I wonder who this Roka is? And why he was there not so long ago…? She hadn’t told anyone about her encounter, she was afraid that Jake and the Woods would get over excited and then the island would be in havoc. Why do that to them when the guy only seemed to be after Soldier?

Be proud of what you've done

And the person you've become

But if you ever feel afraid

Well, he’s certainly not going to get his hands on Soldier! He’s my friend! Therefore I’m not letting him down! She thought with great determination. Her hand squeezing the poke’ball slightly.

We're gonna help you find your way

The next morning Kitty and the rest of the Kin natives got up and got dressed and cleaned themselves. By the time they docked onto Fortune Island’s harbor, their pokemon were away and they were all ready to go. One by one they left the ferry and with a rig of her bell, she sailed away. Fortune Island was a very large island, but it couldn’t hide the unmistakable sight of the school’s proud white tower, but that was just about all Kitty could see. The white tower with red shackles and a golden bell within it. Jake said that bell was the Kinring, as he said it was built on Kin Island and it was the school’s trademark, though, it only rang once a year.

Whatever you want, whatever you need

All of our love will set you free

You know there'll be someone waiting

'Cause you're never too far from home

When they got close enough, Kitty gasped when she saw the numerous amounts of other Sevii children and teens. The few Kin natives shrugged it off as they had already had their first year there; Kitty quickly hurried behind them, not wanting to noticed. The only Kin natives though were herself, two twelve-year-old boys and a third-year girl. The three seemed friendly, but didn’t seem to have noticed Kitty had ever existed from the point she got on the ferry yesterday.

Where ever you go, whatever you do

All of your dreams will soon come true

You know there'll be someone waiting

You're never too far from home

When they stopped moving they were a small group, compared to the other groups of kids. Many of them had their pokemon out, but much like Kitty, most of them kept their pokemon out of sight. But they were all talking excitedly. Kitty looked around, trying to spot Akira or Shawn, when she didn’t, she felt entirely lonely, it was kind of like eating lunch alone…

"Well…look at that, it’s the Questrians," someone mumbled, Kitty turned around, certainly enough, the large amount of Questrians ambled into the wide school grounds. Among them Kitty spotted the blunette and his buddy. She waved to try and get his attention, but it seemed she was only drawing the attention from the people around her instead of from their crowd.

You're never too far

You're never too far

You're never too far from home

"Erm…?" Someone tapped her on the shoulder; it was another girl probably in her second year with bright sky blue hair up in a frizzy bun and sharp green eyes with a pair of frame-less glasses on the bridge of her nose. A natu sat on her shoulder as they both glared down at Kitty. "What the hell are you doing? Do you not know who they are?" Kitty’s eyes grew innocent.

"They’re the Questrians of course, I was just trying to-"

"They’re not entirely given a warm welcome if you haven’t noticed. We have seen nothing special in them before, nor the generations before us, why all of sudden do you wish to give them a cheery smile? As far as I know, you’re the only one happy to see them come, we would be happier seeing them go." The girl stated.

You're never too far

You're never too far

You're never too far from home

"Huh? Oh, I thought it was natural to wave to your friends." Kitty said as she went into thinking mode.

"Ugh, you’re a Kin native aren’t you? It’s obvious, you’re rather brainless." The girl stated the male Kin natives glowered at the girl.

"Watch your mouth Akawaski, Ebony here has been you in every exam yet." One of them growled, Kitty knew them all by name, just not personally. The one that just spoke was Makoto Misuraki, a boy about a few inches taller than Kitty with spiked blond hair and large violet eyes, he was rather tan in a way as well and certainly had gained some muscle over the summer with his pokemon, machop, you had recently evolved into a machoke, just in time for the second year.

"Yeah, and here we are who had made better athletic performance then any computer nerd such as yourself." The other responded, he was Deamon Hirahon, a well-tanned boy at the same height as Makoto with thick black hair to his shoulders and medium-sized blue orbs. His pokemon was the hard corfish, yet to evolve into its next form. Yet it had a good Harden, Kitty once spotted them on the beach training, it didn’t even move with its Harden activated when a hard and speedy wave hit it. Kitty had to admit it was well trained.

You're never too far from home!

"Now really you two, can’t you think up anything else? It’s becoming rather degrading to here such things from you, you’re spoiling my image." The girl called Akawaski said with a devious glare along with her natu at the two, neither flinched, but their arms headed for their poke'balls.

"Are you asking for a battle then? Yet you can’t refuse now can you? It’s rude to refuse one from a friendly challenger," Makoto stated with a sneer.

"Really? I find it hard to believe your friendly at all." Akawaski replied.

"You’re not tempting us like last year, last year we weren’t pros. But this year you’re going to be the one that sucks!" Deamon stated sternly.

"Wait a minute, no battles now!" Kitty cried, Akawaski and her natu looked at her.

"What are you going to do to stop it eh? You’re the one who started it," Akawaski replied. Kitty looked taken back at first, but before the remark got to her head, she smiled and unsnapped Soldier’s ball.

"Then I’ll finish it," Kitty replied as she maximized her ball. Inside, Solder awoke and noticed the situation and happily prepared to battle to release pent up energy.

"A battle? About time one got a brewin’! Hurry guys! Battle!" someone, cried, instantly people separated and circled around the two, making enough room for them to battle. The Kin native girl sighed.

"Fine, I’ll be the referee, and listen this time Lizzi. I don’t want a first year hurt, especially someone from my island." Her name was Ebony Tokimori, a fair-skinned girl with black hair halfway back in a white elastic band. Her eyes were a rich color of orange and had a slender figure and the brains of a super computer. From what the news told on Kin Island, she fixed up the Pokemon Center’s reviver. Her pokemon was a kadabra; she was in third year it seemed with this Lizzi Akawaski girl, and psychic rivals it seemed.

"Whatever, just start already." Lizzi growled.

In the crowd Akira and Shawn pushed people away to get to the front, and both eyes widened when they saw it was Kitty that was fighting. Deamon and Makoto were beside them, both gave the Questrians hard looks.

Whatever you want, whatever you need

You know you can always count on me

There'll always be someone waiting

You're never too far from home

"What are those looks for?" Shawn asked, glaring back.

"For being you," Deamon sneered.

"Honestly, you’re acting like we did something to you." Akira replied.

"You will, eventually, they all do, all of you anyway." Makoto responded. Then the four looked back at the battle.

"All right, let’s hurry before the teachers and the heads come out of this building. Not to forget to mention a clean and hard fight got it, don’t push it too hard Lizzi, she’s only a first year. Now, no switching –that goes for you Lizzi- and no items will be used. When one trainer’s pokemon is unable to fight, the other trainer wins. Ready? Begin!" Ebony cried.

"I’m suppose to take it easy on you huh? All right, go! Chou!" Lizzi cried, releasing a butterfree.

"Awesome! But very poor choice! Go! Soldier!" Kitty cried, an anxious growlithe popped out of the ball and glared up at the butterfree, though it didn’t flinch.

"You think just by a type disadvantage you can beat me?" Lizzi asked. The natu on her shoulder remained silent, though anyone could get the feeling that it was smirking.

"I don’t think I’ll never know if we don’t start battling! Soldier! Ember!" Kitty cried, Soldier’s mouth flew open and balls of orange flames shot at the butterfree, with ease it dodged. Both the pokemon and trainer began laughing.

"Those are such predictable attempts! Maybe you should have stuck to the first year weaklings!" Lizzi shouted out from almost pure joy. Kitty growled. "Oh! Am I making the kitty mad?"

"Huh? How did you know my name?" Kitty asked, Lizzi stared at her strangely.

"You mean ‘kitty’? That’s your name? You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re named after a feline?" Lizzi began laughing and the crowd somewhat chuckled as well, Kitty’s eyes grew large with confusion, not seeing the joke. Though Soldier did, and growled deeply at Chou. The butterfree shivered, as the pupils minimized, somehow, as Chou looked around for help from its trainer, no one else seemed the upcoming danger.

"Befree!" Chou cried as Soldier lunged at it with no command, making Kitty, Lizzi, and the crowd gasp. Soldier tackled Chou, landed and turned around, with another mighty leap he tackled Chou’s back, and with one more turn around, he blasted embers at the butterfree.

"What? No!" Lizzi cried as the butterfree limply floated to the ground, fainted. Out of shock it took a few minutes till Ebony got her bearings back.

"The winner is! Kitty and Soldier!" Ebony cried, Deamon and Makoto grinned evilly at Lizzi as she returned her pokemon. But before anyone could do anything, Lizzi went after Kitty with verbal thoughts.

"Excuse me! Do tell me how that was even legal? That brat didn’t even command that mutt to do anything and it acted don free will! Pokemon aren’t supposed to do that!" Lizzi shouted angrily at Ebony as Soldier happily pranced over to Kitty who had bent down and began scratching behind his ears, his face contorted into mild happiness, not too eager to show it like most canine pokemon.

"I don’t know why he did that either! But do refrain from using unnecessary language Lizzi, it’s not becoming of an uppers man." Ebony replied as she stood her ground, the crowd remained quiet as they waited for Lizzi’s next reply.

"Don’t go around with those issues of yours! Unless you want to battle me and let’s see who had gotten stronger over the summer," Lizzi suggested, Ebony’s eyes narrowed.

"We shant battle till you are at least worthy to look at Lizzi-chan," Ebony replied calmly, the crowd laughed as Lizzi’s face contorted into sheer anger, her face began to redden as the laughing got louder.

"Don’t go talking to me like that without a bit of action Tokimori, or do you have any of the brawn to even battle?" she jeered.

"I suppose you would know all about the power of an all-out battle then Lizzi-chan? As you have your nose stuck in that laptop of yours far too much to even see past the reality of the world." Ebony responded, again calmly. Akira, Shawn, Deamon, and Makoto walked up to Kitty and Ebony –Kitty returned Solder just then. Shawn, Deamon, and Makoto sent Lizzi glares, Akira and Ebony stared only calmly, and Kitty alone looked completely clue-less. The natu on Lizzi’s shoulder glowed.

"Confusion? What are you getting at wench?" Deamon shot out at her, Lizzi grinned.

"Um…why am I floating?" They turned around to see Kitty hovering a few inches from the ground, she fought to keep her skirt down and the crowd around her –mainly males- began to snicker, but death glares from the four boys kept them away. The girls stared horrified, few though, grinned, must have been Lizzi’s friends.

"Kitty!" Akira cried, Lizzi giggled.

"So you’re named after a feline, it kind of suits you. Tend to prove how much it fits your profile?" Lizzi asked. The group turned to Lizzi.

"What do you mean?" Ebony asked, fingering for her kadabra’s ball.

"I mean this!" Lizzi cried as Kitty rose fast and was flung.

"KITTY!"

"I’ll handle this! Go Bakemono!" Ebony cried, releasing her kadabra. "Use Confusion on the girl Bakemono! Bring her back!" The kadabra focus, his spoon bending his eyes snapped open, and was surrounded by a light blue glow. Yet it was already too late when Kitty prepared to land. She twisted, curled right, and finally touched down on her right foot, followed swiftly by her left foot, there the glow surrounded her, before she knew it, she was in the air again and brought back. This time her skirt stayed down and landed neatly where she originally was. This time every one was quiet.

"What the…hell…" Makoto muttered, everyone else thought the same, even Lizzi and her natu were very confused.

"How did you do that?" Shawn asked, Kitty looked up at him.

"What did I do?" Kitty asked.

"That…that twisty landing thing you just did?" Deamon managed to say Kitty smiled.

"Oh! That, I have always been able to do that! Ask Laura Wood anytime you can reach her, she can tell you all the tricks I can do!" Kitty exclaimed proudly, as if it were like winning the Olympics, but everyone else thought differently. Yet when their thoughts were interrupted by a clapping, they looked up at the doors, where the head mistress, Simone Sunwing and the deputy mistress, Sachi Tayaguchi.

"Very good, very good, just what we were expecting from our new students. But now I’m afraid the fun must end, do file in and go into the auditorium please," Head Mistress Sunwing requested, everyone listened and began filing in. Kitty being stuck with a parade of questions, though Akira, Shawn, and Ebony hurried them off. Makoto and Deamon wandered off behind them.

"What was that all about Kitty-cat?" Shawn asked as they entered the large lobby, all finely built of tan and stained bricks with beige smooth floors. As they moved down the hallways, there were pictures of the past trainers that graduated from the school with their pokemon at their side.

"It’s perfectly normal, I don’t know why every one is riled up about it." Kitty admitted.

"Maybe we can get some answers at the auditorium," Ebony suggested as they eventually came to open double doors and sauntered in to the dark room where only the stage was set with light. Swiftly they picked the center columns and sat down near the front. Makoto and Deamon eventually sat behind them surrounded by Knot islanders. Kitty sat safely in between Shawn and Akira, Ebony was on the other side of Shawn.

"Good morning to all of you, I am Simone Sunwing for those who don’t know or can’t remember, and this is Sachi Tayaguchi-" The students grew restless in a number of short minutes as the apparently repeated speech was spoken to them again. The next explanation though, seemed new as it caught many of their attentions. "-as you may know, there have been set boundaries for the forests around us. It seems that Pattern Bush and the Green Path had been causing problems, therefore, we forbid any of you to go past the boundaries. We are sorry that it will limit the pokemon you can catch for your team, but as far as safety goes, we must provide these precautions." She shuffled through some papers on the thin wooden stand.

"First, mind the boundary markers, anyone crossing them at any time will be sent to immediate detention, if done twice, a call to your guardians, a third time done, suspension may be required, the fourth punishment is something I don’t think any of you would want; expulsion. Second, before you reach the markers in the forests, always have a pokemon out of its poke’ball, any dangers somehow coming into the parts that are secluded from outside the markers will not give you a warning before they attack. Third, training pokemon in the woods is no longer optional, they will only be trained inside the gym, and only catching them will be allowed in the forest’s markers. Fourth, Always go with a friend or escort into the woods, only with an adult or part of the school staff will allow you past the forest markers. Fifth, don’t stay outside after nine, and only go out at least till after ten in the morning till you go out to wander about on days off. Understood? Any questions then?" A hand shot up, "Oh yes, you dear, what is the question?"

"I don’t understand why there are suddenly markers, what are the dangers that have so quickly befallen into the Green Path and Pattern Bush?" a girl asked, many voices agreed.

"Well, it seems we have some sinister activity roaming about around the school. I do not want any casualties or kidnaps if it is people doing this, but so far, only pokemon have been making random ransacks into our class rooms and other parts of the building. So far my own pokemon and Ms. Tayagushi’s have been keeping them away as they guard most of the time around the school grounds." Kitty wondered, she didn’t see any pokemon when they arrived.

"Yes?" Kitty snapped back to reality.

"What makes you think it is pokemon who are attacking the school?" Kitty stared at her left, it was Akira.

"The evidence does not lie, if you would like to look at the damages yourself to be proven otherwise do it when you have free time." Sunwing answered, Akira remained quiet as the questions came to a stop and Sunwing continued.

"Like last year lights are out at ten unless there is a team party and so on. Classes start at seven twenty tomorrow. Lunches are at any time around twelve PM to one forty-five-" Kitty’s eyes drooped as the rules kept coming. It wasn’t till Sunwing began sounding a little more bored than usual that they all looked up at her with curiosity.

"-and now everyone! With all my gratitude for your patience, let the sorting begin!" Kitty jumped awake, alert. Sorting? What sorting? The second and third years looked at one another with curious and somewhat bored looks. Shawn noticed alone with Ebony at Kitty and Akira.

"Look behind you, see those images?" Shawn asked, they both turned around to see faint images of three large signs above the columns. On the far right was a darkened image of a blue teardrop, a large light blue and bold ‘M’ on it. On the far left was a large dark green leaf with an equally large and light green ‘E’ on it. Then there was the center, in the column they were in, a great red flame with a bright light red ‘C’ on it. "Those stand for the Marine, Esmeralda, and the Crimson team."

"Teams?" Kitty repeated as the wooden stand was given a black leather book, Tayaguchi took over and began to skim through it, her reading glasses slipping off the end of her nose, and she quickly pushed them back up.

"Yep, depending on the first pokemon you receive, you’re placed in those teams depending on their types. For instance, you have a growlithe, I bet you’ll be in the crimson team. I’m an Esmeralda, started off with a treeko! Though, not sure about Akira. Wasn’t with him when his pokemon came in through the mail. C’mon! Now that Kitty’s here you can tell us!" Shawn said as he wrapped his right arm around Akira’s neck and began ruffling his hair.

"All right, let’s begin. And do stop rough-housing young man," Tayaguchi ordered, Shawn grinned sheepishly as he noticed he was caught and released Akira, giving him time to smooth out his hair. "Now then, let’s get on with it. Let’s start with the Esmaralda Team, there are-"

"She’s a real grouch, be very weary of her if you spot her in the halls, she’s known to give detentions out to kids only tying their shoe laces in the hallways." Shawn said in Kitty’s ear, but quickly sat up straight when Ebony sent him a strict stare.

"From Boon Island there’s Amelia Wadlert-"

"No Kin natives eh? How many are here again? Four? I can’t believe that, here is Boon Island, the smallest village but has at least one new person every year…" a guy murmured to another in front of Kitty, she cocked her head slightly. But almost immediately, people began changing seats, Shawn sighed and stood up.

"Time we headed to our proper seats, I need to go over there. See you two later," Shawn said as he slid out from the row and noiselessly entered the Esmeralda section. Kitty watched as many boys gave Shawn a high five and the girls greeted them sweetly.

"All right, now onto the second team, Marine." Tayaguchi announced, unnoticed to Kitty, with every name called she moved slightly closer to the blunette. He smiled.

"I’m afraid to break it to you Kitten, but I have indeed gotten a water pokemon for school." Kitty’s eyes looked downcast, and remained unmoved till his name was called, there was still several people around them, but didn’t seem to notice as Akira got up and slowly said farewell to Kitty as he headed towards the Marine section. Now she was alone, and an irritated growl was suppressed as the girls squealed with happiness (though went silent as Tayaguchi gave them a stern glare) and the guys glared at Akira, for one being a Questrian and getting the girls’ attention. Kitty went back to looking over at Shawn, he too was sent glares from both guys and some girls that were Questrian.

"Now, the Crimson team has well been decided." Kitty noticed that Ebony, Makoto, and Deamon were in Crimson, were they part of that team as well?

"And therefore, I will still announce the names of their newcomers. Starting with Kimberly Affer-" Kitty waited as the letters came closer to her own. She used the time to look around her, Rika was unfortunately in the Marine section as Lizzi was in the Esmeralda section, she couldn’t believe she had already had supposedly arch rivals. Yet she couldn’t seem to accept the fact that they didn’t really like her.

I wish we were closer Laura, I barely know anyone here… Kitty thought miserably.

"From Kin Island, Myuu Osokana-" She went on as nothing happened as the students began to talk amongst themselves.

"Who’s Myuu?"

"Can you believe it! Another Kin native? Only one though, but she’s in Crimson! Can you believe it, all four Kin natives are in Crimson!"

"And what about Osokana? Hm? I don’t see another Kin native here yet…"

Kitty sunk down into her chair, hoping not to get noticed. No one knew her real name, and no one could tell who the other Kin native was.

"-and there, the sorting has been completed. Any questions?" Instantly at least five hands shot up, Tayaguchi picked one; it was someone from the Marine.

"Who’s this Osokana? You can’t tell us there’s one here!" the Marine student cried.

"Yes, there is one here. And if she would be so polite as to stand up to reveal herself as an Osokana, you will find out who this Kin native is." Tayaguchi said, they all looked around for someone to stand up. Kitty sunk lower into her chair.

"I don’t see anyone!" a few people cried, Ebony looked down at Kitty, and sighed.

"Stand up Kitty!" Makoto hissed, "we need some popularity here!"

"Be quiet Makoto, if she doesn’t want to stand then she does not have to stand. She isn’t a public model," Ebony hissed. Kitty looked at Ebony thankfully; she sent no reply back, but simply looked back at Tayaguchi. Makoto sighed and sat back with Deamon.

"Do stand up Miss Osokana, we are of no mood for any games!" Tayaguchi announced.

Why does she think I would want to play games…? Kitty wondered as students began to question one another.

"Excuse me, if she does not want to stand to reveal herself, then let her be. She has her own free will, she does not have to do what you please!" Akira announced, standing up without hesitation. Kitty looked at him from the corner of her eye. Many people, especially Lizzi and her friends chatted angrily as Akira was Questrian. Kitty looked at the back of the chair in front of her, she was being a coward when Akira was standing up despite the rude comments he was being sent. It seemed that everyone knew who was Questrian and who was not.

I can’t let him face ridicule that’s mine… she thought as she stood up silently, eyes turned towards her.

"I’m Myuu Osokana! Though I prefer to be called Kitty," Kitty announced, everything went into an out-burst as Kitty sent Akira a grateful look as they both sent down. He mouthed ‘you welcome’ before people began blocking her view.

"Be quiet and sit down!" Ebony cried as people began to stand to see Kitty; her cheeks began to burn from embarrassment. What was so special about her to get so much attention? Yet she really wanted to know exactly if it was a good thing or a bad thing…

"Ahem! There is no reason to be riled up, do sit down at once!" Tayaguchi said into the microphone. People did so, but Lizzi and Rika and a few other students remained standing.

"Is there a problem you five?" Tayaguchi asked, they seemed to be fuming, and shakily, sat down, Ebony rolled her eyes and Makoto and Deamon smirked at one another. Somehow her presence was unwelcome by a few people, but Sunwing took the microphone quickly and began putting on a cheerful accent, something Kitty was grateful for when people began looking back at the stage.

"Now, now, everyone. We must remember she is as well as student amongst you, therefore you will treat her like a student, an equal student. Now, assigned prefects for this year, do lead your first years to their rooms. Do remember the gender rule second year since you can pick your own this year, only girls with girls and boys with boys! Same with you third year! Prefects sleep in the Court Yard Division!" Sunwing reminded them as Ebony, another girl and surprisingly, Makoto stood up, apparently they were the Crimson prefects. Kitty looked over at Esmeralda; somehow Lizzi was a prefect.

"All right girls, follow us! You too Kitty, you can talk to the others later," Ebony said as she and the other girl led the Crimson girl students out of the auditorium, Mokoto and the other boy led the Crimson boy students after them. Deamon, as Kitty saw at first, seemed a bit upset. "If you’re wondering, Makoto is in third and final year, unfortunately, Deamon is in second year. It’s a shame they’re a year apart, they’re great friends to one another." Kitty looked up at Ebony, but she looked expressionless. As intellectual she may sound, she doesn’t seem to be the bragging type.

That’s a good quality… Kitty thought with happiness as she placed a small smile on her face.

"That’s a good smile, if you showed that to everyone in the auditorium, no one would probably badger you." Ebony said as she looked down at Kitty.

"But why did my name startle people? I don’t understand," Kitty admitted.

"It’s understandable that you don’t know, but let’s keep it that way." Kitty had no hope in getting any more out of the black-haired girl. Yet instead, she occupied herself along with all the other first years as they walked through the halls. There were marvelous art pictures on the wall, her favorite was the one on a majestic arcanine growling in the darkness, and another one was on the marvelous Moltres.

"…" Ebony slid her maximized poke’ball into the round padlock. The door in front of them sucked into the poke’ball, and then gave it back to her. With a small flare dance on the fire symbol on the door, it opened automatically; she turned to the first years with the second years behind them.

"These are the Crimson girl quarters, in order to enter them you must place your first pokemon’s poke’ball into the lock. On every one of those balls there are codes printed on them, those codes will open the door; there is no other way in. Though only those balls will work for this door, the boys will work for theirs. Though your own first ball will not work on any other door, so don’t try it. It’ll give a detention got it? No follow us," Ebony demanded as she and the other girl went through the door, the first, second, and third year Crimson girl students followed, the door shut behind them.

They were forced to climb up two flights of stairs with flaming red railings and flare-designed carpet with golden decorations here and there. Finally they reached three doors; each had a golden number on it over a red flame.

"The first years will enter the door with one on it, while the others will enter the other two. Though these doors do not operate on locks, so they are open to anyone who enters the Crimson girl quarters, second and third years may go into their dorms." Ebony announced, happily second and third years opened the doors to reveal another flight of steps that led up to another hallway for them. When the doors closed, Ebony resumed her speech. As she spoke Kitty looked around, noticing another Moltres picture, though it was a close-up, the single eye looked at her, it seemed to be some golden jewel…

"-so now that you know the rules, you may leave now. You will see that your bags have already been transported to your assigned rooms." Ebony said, Kitty jumped from surprise she wondered what happened to her duffel bag. Following along with her fellow students, Kitty found herself alone at the beginning of the hallway as the girls scurried from door to door, looking at the names on them, looking to see if it was their room that the door told them so. Yet Kitty had an easier time, as when every one of those some thirty doors shut, she was alone in the hallway. After a few seconds of regaining her thoughts, she walked passed noisy doors looking at their fronts. So far, nothing. Sadly, she had to walk all the way to the end of the hallway to find her door. It was the last one, the sign said ‘No. 40 Myuu Osokana’. She swallowed as she took hold of the golden knob, only to have a groan escape her. The door revealed a spiraling golden staircase, but it looked like it hadn’t been used in years. She walked in and close the door behind her, afraid to move any further, she released Soldier.

"Growl!" Soldier barked as she greeted him with a pat.

"Come on boy, I want you for company." With a strange glance her way, he put his muzzle pointing away from her, and began leading the way up the staircases like he knew it well.

A/N:

Nello people! Sorry for the long wait! But I was more inspired with my GS and Furuba fics so I needed to get poke'pirated before I could write the rest of this! And just for the future reference, the reason Questrians aren't really appreciated is because they're thought of as the school snobs basically. You know, most of you should have experience with people who think they're better than everyone else! So that's what all the other students think of the Questrians. Also because of the populations of the islands of the Sevii, the populations at the school are based off of them, Fortune, Chrono, and Quest islands are the largest of the seven islands. So they have the most students sent to the academy. Then the ones with medium population at the school are Knot and Floe islands. Then there's the smallest - Boon and Kin islands. To recognize them by name they're usually referred to by:

Quest - Questrian

Chrono - Chronos

Fortune - Fortunate One

Knot - Knot Domestic

Floe - Floean

Boon - Boonish

Kin - Kin Native

Amazingly, only Sevii-born citizens can recognize other Sevii natives by looking at them. For instance, a Knot Domestic can recognize whether a person beside him is a Chronos or the person two meters ahead of them is a Floean. If you have any questions, tell them in submitting a question, otherwise I will not answer it. The answers I will eventually post on my profile

Thank you so much for reading this far! -