SOON ENOUGH, CROWLEY LED HER TO THE LIBRARY. It was much warmer there than the outside halls, illuminated in a soft glow. The room seemed to recognize the man as its owner as soon as they walked in— After he snapped his fingers once, the lights immediately flickered on.

And so began the search.

"There really is nothing," Crowley sighed after forty long minutes of scouring the shelves of the school library, top to bottom. He set his hat down and leaned over a mahogany desk. "And you're positive the name of the region is Kalos?"

"Yes. It's the largest region on the continent," Yuu sighed after looking up from the map he had given her. Not a single landmark or city she could recognize.

"Not only the world map, but this Kalos you speak of isn't written in any history." He closed a book shut and slid it back onto the table, squinting at her with suspicion. "Are you truly from where you say? You aren't lying to me, by chance?"

"I wish I was lying. Maybe then, I'd really be sent home."

The man gave her a meaningful look before sighing. "I have no idea how this is possible. Just how could this happen?"

He watched her fumble around with her pockets and pulled out another Pokéball again.Her voice was defeated as she lifted the item up to his eyes, "So what I'm hearing is that you have no idea what this is?"

The man stared at the object with contemplation, racking his mind for any recollections. In the end, he still shook his head. "...Not a clue. What is it, may I ask?"

"It's a Pokéball." Yuu's face fell. How could anyone not know what a Pokéball was?

"I... see. What does it do, exactly?"

"It's a device for catching Pokémon. This way, people can carry them around easily." Crowley looked just as confused as he did five minutes ago. "...I'm assuming you have no idea what that is either?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Pokémon is an abbreviation for Pocket Monsters. Like the name implies, they become portable when inside a Pokéball." She tossed the capsule to the floor. "Meowth, come out."

A bright glow filled the room and cast long shadows along the bookshelves as the ball snapped open. To Crowley's surprise, a beige cat-looking creature— with some strange golden token on its forehead— popped out.

"It's great to be out again! Finally! Wow, sure was stuffy in there."

He stared at the cat, placing a hand over his mouth. "Oh, my. Yuu-kun, this one can talk."

"Regrettably, sir."

"Hey!"

"Just kidding. Headmaster Crowley, this is Meowth," Yuu introduced, gesturing towards the creature, "one of my Pokémon. Meowth, this is Dire Crowley. He's the man who runs this academy."

"Nice ta' meetcha." The cat stuck his paw forward and the man shook it after a moment of hesitation.

Crowley stepped forward to examine the Pokémon as if it were an unusual specimen he had never seen before. And in this case, it was. "How peculiar... And it is able to wield magic like your bird from before?"

"He. I'm a he," Meowth corrected, crossing his arms, "Man, you really have no idea what we are, right?"

"Manners, Meowth. All Pokémon are able to wield magic—" Yuu explained. "Where I come from, the term for it would be Moves. I think it would be helpful if you compared them to casting magic spells."

"I see, I see."Crowley took a seat in front of them, fully intrigued. It relaxed her to see that he took the information relatively well. "And how are you able to possess the ability to speak, unlike the bird from before— Fletchling, was it?"

"Yeah, Fletchling!" she nodded, pleased that he was able to remember the name of the Robin Pokémon. "So far, Meowth's the only one I know who is able to talk without using telepathy. Other Pokémon can't do that."

Most Meowths can't even stand up like him," She continued, shrugging, "It actually took him a lot to learn how to talk and stand on his hind feet, so he doesn't know a lot of moves."

"Hey! He doesn't need ta' know that!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't be mad!" Reaching down, Yuu picked up a ball of paper from the floor. "A demonstration, please. Fury Swipes, okay?"

Meowth stuck his tongue out at her. "Only since you asked nicely."

She tossed the ball at him and he immediately leapt forward with incredible speed.

Crowley's eyes widened dramatically at the sight— Meowth's claws seemed to glow and extend to more than five times their original size. He watched with parted lips as the creature slashed relentlessly at the ball.

When Meowth landed on the floor again, the paper ball had been reduced to nothing but confetti.

The man started clapping. "Incredible! Thank you both for the insight."

"Yeah, I guess I am that good."

"This settles it, then." He stood up from the chair with an air of finality. "Looking at all this evidence, there is no doubt about it. Yuu-kun, Meowth-kun, you truly do not hail from this world."

Yuu winced. "Yeesh. I mean, I assumed so, but I kind of didn't want to hear it anyway."

"You two seem... rather unconcerned for two beings who have been flung into a different dimension," He observed astutely. "Are such things commonplace in your homeworld?"

"No, we're concerned," Meowth answered, who was now sitting on the table, "just not surprised."

"People from our world deal with planet jumping all the time," She explained, knowing full well how bizarre she must have sounded, "You see, there are a lot of powerful Pokémon out there with the ability to traverse worlds. Sometimes humans like to get caught up in that."

"Well." The man sighed vehemently. "What did you have on you when you came here? ...You appear to be empty-handed, besides your Pokémon, of course."

Yuu sprawled her belongings onto the desk. Her team— six Pokéballs— and an early Kalos model Pokédex. (The latter was honestly of no use to her at this point. How would one use a Pokédex in a world without Pokémon?)

Crowley raised his eyebrows.

"This is... This is quite concerning. I can't let someone without magic stay at this school." He placed a finger on his chin, staring at the both of them in deep thought. "However, as an educator, I cannot just toss a penniless teenager out on the street with no form of communication, for I am gracious."

Yuu and Meowth exchanged anxious glances.

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Hm... Ah, that's right! I just remembered!" A light bulb seemed to flash above Crowley's head as he snapped his fingers. "There's an unused dormitory— Ramshackle Dorm— on campus. It is a little dusty, but I imagine if you tidy it up you shall be able to stay there."

They both perked up. "Seriously? You're giving this to us for free, sir?"

"Of course I am. Yes! It is now decided." He placed his hat on his head again and picked up his ornately decorated walking cane. "For the time being, I shall let you and all your kin stay there. And then, of course, I shall look for a way for you to return home."

"I can't thank you enough." Really, she couldn't.

He waved her off. "Yes, yes. Well, it was to be expected. My graciousness is limitless! I am a model for all educators."

"Yeah, of course!" It seemed Meowth decided he would say whatever the heck Crowley wanted him to say if it meant having a roof over his and Yuu's head.

"We had better be on our way, then. Let us head to the dormitory. It may be a bit old, but there is a certain charm to it."

The two quickly shared a congratulatory high-five before following after the Headmaster. 

BOTH YUU AND MEOWTH HAD THEIR GRINS WIPED CLEAN off when the building came into their full view.

"Yuu. We're lookin' at the same thing, right? This is the place where we're s'posed to stay?"

"I... This is too much charm, sir?"

Could that even be considered a building? It looked like if she breathed too hard it would come crashing down. Its windows had been boarded up, roof shingles nearly falling off. The grass was overgrown and creeping up the stairs that led up to the building. The whole joint was incredibly neglected.

If Crowley noticed their discomfort and disappointment, he did not comment on it. Instead, he unlocked the front door and ushered them inside. "Right, right. Please come in."

"Oh my Arceus," Yuu whispered after clambering over the coat hanger to get in. "I can't believe it."

The interior of the building, from what she could make of it through the dark, was in the same wretched condition as the outside. If not worse! The wallpaper was peeling off, mottled with water stains. Debris had been strewn about the floor, a whole chunk of the ceiling lodged into the floorboards.

She and Meowth gaped silently with disbelief as they followed Crowley into the lounge.

"I think I'll take my chances with the streets, thanks," He made a face after accidentally leaning on a stool caked with dust.

Crowley didn't hear him or something, placing his hands on his hips in a triumphant way. "Staying here will at least keep you out of the rain. I'm going back to research more. Make yourselves at home!"

Yuu watched him— or tried to, anyway, since the room was dark— pivot around and head back to the foyer. His head popped into the doorway again, as if remembering something. He pointed at them.

"Do not let me catch you wandering about the school with any of your creatures. Farewell!"

"That guy," Meowth cat scowled at thin air, sticking his thumb at the now empty door frame, "is a real work of art."

"I'm just glad we're not outside. It looks like it's gonna rain soon," She sighed, turning to where she thought his voice was coming from. The room was still pitch-black. "You're the one with night vision. Could you try and find a light switch or something?"

"You got it, boss."

"You're a lifesaver."

"Ehe, when am I not?" She heard a little bit of shuffling around before the lights flickered to life.

Suddenly Yuu wished she couldn't see again, because the lounge was a mess. Spare books lay around, paintings had fallen from their place on the walls, furniture was found upturned. Each and every surface was layered with dust and the banister on the stairs looked like it would collapse at any moment.

"Great." She gave the floorboards an experimental tap, wincing when they creaked terribly. "I feel like this place isn't gonna handle Mamoswine's weight."

"Yeah, no doubt about it," He snorted, "The whole floor's gonna cave in if ya' send him out 'ere."

"I know, but..." Her brows stayed furrowed as she surveyed the room. It would definitely be tall enough, just not strong enough. "Damn. It's not healthy for Pokémon to stay in their balls all the time. I want you guys to stretch."

She couldn't just let Mamoswine roam outside. It was about to rain soon, and anyone who passed by would surely get a heart attack from the sight of a furry mammoth monster on school grounds.

"You know the old guy is tough enough for that. If he can survive the freezin' cold winters of Dendemille, he can stay in his Pokéball for a coupla days."

The girl stared at the Pokéball, rubbing it apologetically. "Sorry, big guy." It thrummed steadily, comfortingly in the palm of her hand.

"Alright then... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give everyone else some stretch room. Come on out!"

She tossed her other four Pokéballs out on the floor. In order— Fletchling, along with a Noibat, Sandslash, and an Audino appeared out of their respective capsules. Yuu laughed delightedly as they clamored over her.

"Noiibattt..."

"Fletchling!"

"Sand, Sandslash."

"Audi, dino."

She stroked Sandslash's icicle-like spines, reveling in his cool touch before patting Audino's ears. Standing up, Yuu let Noibat perch on her head while Fletchling chose to sit on her shoulder.

"You heard what Crowley said, right?[1]" She tried not to let her voice sound too downcast, "That we're stuck here until he can find a way to return us home."

A unanimous nod from her Team.

"Sandslash, Sand. SlashSand?"

Meowth, who had lived with them for long enough, knew he needed to translate. "He said everyone thinks you're a guy. What're you gonna do about it?"

"I dunno. I think I'm gonna tell him tomorrow or something. It's kind of funny, actually." She rolled a lock of her hair between her fingers, shrugging.

"Do I even look that much like one? I mean, my hair's not that short, right?"

It was only chin length, anyway. She had cut it a few months ago so it stayed out of her hair during work at the PokéCenter, but she never thought it was that bad to the point of people mistaking her gender.

Audino shook her head and pointed at her. "No. Audi, Audino." No, though your hood was up the whole time.

She had totally forgotten about that. Yuu always liked having something to cover her head, maybe it was just a force of habit from working and training outside all the time.

"Noibat? Noi... Noibat?" He fiddled nervously with his wings. What do we do now?

"Let's... clean this place up, gang," She decided, "I'll try to sort out our sleeping situation later."

A few of them groaned, but they all ended up complying anyway. Noibat and Fletchling had taken to sweeping the cobwebs and dust away with a few simple air moves. Audino grabbed two fallen brooms off the floor and helped Yuu sweep. Meowth and Sandslash decided to pile all the trash on the floor into one corner.

No more than ten minutes later, the group had been interrupted by a rough slam of a door, accompanied by a scream. Audino immediately threw her broom to the side and took a defensive stance, frowning.

"Whoa, hold on!"

"Hyii!! It's really coming down out there!"

Yuu girl recognized that voice all too well.

Grim had barrelled through the hallway in a blur of gray, clutching his ears desperately. Fletchling, who had met him before, let out an offended hoot upon recognizing him.

Meowth and Sandslash only stared at him with bewilderment. Audino, on the other hand, looked more than ready to take him in a fight.

Grim let out a high-pitched squeal once he saw the lounge, now packed with strange new creatures. "You have more?! Great, as if that annoying bird wasn't enough!"

"Fletchling! Ling! Fletch, Fletch... Fletchling!"

"Fletchling, you better not try to Peck him. You know we're inside."

"Fletchling!" She raised a wing at Grim in protest. He watched the two of them conversate perfectly despite the language barrier.

"I know he's annoying you, but still."

The bird huffed and gave in, not before glaring down at the Not-Pokémon from where she was.

"Hey— Hey! I know what's goin' on here! Don't think I wouldn't know," Meowth started, pointing at the other cat, then her. "You tryna' replace me or what? Being the only talking cat on this team is part of my charm, okay?"

She looked at him incredulously. "Are you kidding me? You know I wouldn't do that."

"Yeah! Who'd wanna be on your team anyway?" Grim repeated, crossing his arms, "I'm no Pokkimon! I'm Grim the Great, obviously!"

"It's Pokémon," Yuu corrected, crouching down in front of him, "What are you even doing here anyway? I thought the red-haired guy chased you out."

As reckless and hot-headed as this cat was, it gave her some sense of relief to know he wasn't wandering about the streets.

"If you think that short human could get rid of me so easily, you've got another thing coming! I'm a genius destined to become a great magician, you know," He huffed begrudgingly, "I mean, this is my only chance! You see, I've been waiting for the Ebony Carriage to pick me up."

He paused. Staying unnaturally silent, he lowered his head.

"But... But..." His voice seemed to tremble as he spoke, ears pinned flat against his head.. Yuu's eyes softened at the sight. It was a small crack of vulnerability that he was showing to her.

Grim quickly composed himself soon after, back to his usual demeanor. "Hmph! The Dark Mirror just doesn't have an eye for a pure genius such as myself. So that's why I came here on my own."

So that was why.

It turned out he wasn't as terrible as she initially thought. He followed his dreams, and if his dream was to become a great magician, then so be it. It was good to follow his dreams.

She found that quite admirable, despite the attempted arson. "Is that so?"

"Of course! Not letting me in would be a grave loss for the world— You humans just don't get it," He muttered, "Bah, I'll just sneak back into school again. Come on, who do you think I am?"

"You know what? You got guts, I'll give ya' that," Meowth admitted.

"I... I don't need you to give me anything!"

Yuu nearly squealed when something cold and wet landed on her face.

"Hah! You should see the look on your face right now," Grim cackled, pointing. He yelped when something wet landed on his head as well. "Cold! Damn, the roof is leaking."

"Oh my, you're right." She craned her neck up to stare at the ceiling, which was littered with holes. Another drop landed on her cheek when she did. "Ah! At this rate, the whole floor is gonna be soggy."

The water continued to drip. Grim cackled at their predicament initially; he was singing a different tune when a trickle of water landed on his head soon after.

"Fnga... It just won't stop! My adorable ear fire is gonna go out at this rate! H-Hey— You, bird, what are you laughing at?!"

"This won't do," Yuu sighed, "Sandslash, can you try to patch it up with ice? Or stop it temporarily, at least. I'll go look for a bucket."

He nodded his head in compliance. "Slash." As for Noibat, Meowth, and Fletchling, she sent them off to find any cups or bowls to stop the flow of water. Audio volunteered to come along with Yuu.

Apparently, Grim didn't want to be left alone with a bunch of creatures whose magic was much stronger than his, so he clambered after her and Audino (who gave him a wary look).

"T-The Great Grim will come with you to help! Since I'm a powerful magician, after all."

"Au... Audino..." You better not try anything. I'm watching you.

The hallway the trio continued down was dark and dingy. Still, they continued. Past the kitchen. Past the single bathroom. Yuu stepped gingerly between the fallen paintings and planks of wood, carefully avoiding the spots in the ceiling where the rainwater trickled down.

She tried her best not to let the feelings of uneasiness show as they continued down the hallway. Unlike Audino, who kept an air of calmness, Grim blatantly stuck by her legs like glue. They paused when a door seemed to swing open on its own.

"Hee hee hee," An unknown voice cackled, sending shivers down her spine. "We haven't had a guest in so long. I'm just dying for some action."

"Who are you? Come out, please!"

From the dark, Yuu could make out a few floating figures. They came closer into the moonlight, where she could fully decipher them as ghosts. There were three of them, she quickly realized, little top hats and black cloaks and devious little grins on their faces.

Immediately, all her fears fizzled away. These ghosts were... unexpectedly cute.

"Gyah!" Grim screamed, so terrified that his fur stuck up with alarm. He latched onto her leg for dear life, pointing a shaking paw. "Those are g-g-ghosts!"

She didn't know why he was so scared, since they didn't even look that terrifying. There were definitely even scarier, stronger, destructive Pokémon out there. The puffy, marshmallow-like design of their bodies wasn't helping their cause, either.

"The people living here got scared of us and left," The smallest ghost snickered, looming forward. Who on earth would be scared of these, of all beings?

"We've been looking for more ghost pals," The largest, stout ghost said in his baritone voice, "How about you guys? —Hey. Hey. What are you doing?"

Yuu had raised her Pokédex to scan the ghosts. All at once, a female robotic voice chimed out, "Unknown. Please scan a Pokémon."

"Damn. I really thought that would work."

Grim looked at her. "Are you kidding me?"

There was a brief moment of silence before the ceiling rumbled. Before any of them could blink, a flash of black zipped across the corridor, Grim to jump several feet into the air.

"Misdreavus! Gheeheehee."

Yuu nearly dropped her Pokédex. This time, she really did scream. Right in the middle of the hallway, was a Misdreavus in all its glory, snickering. Its hair was tousled about, the red orbs around its neck glinting dangerously in the moonlight.

"Oh my Arceus, that's a Misdreavus." She gaped at it, whipping her head to look at Audino, who was as gobsmacked as she was. "You see what I'm seeing? That's a literal Pokémon. Here. Right here."

"Audino?!"

"What the heck is that? There's even more?!" Grim screeched, pointing, "What is wrong with you guys?!"

She didn't know either. Why was there a Pokémon here? It certainly wasn't hers, so it must've been a Wild one, but... Crowley had definitely said she was in a different world. The only actual Pokémon around should have been on her team and her team alone— So why?

A Ghost Pokémon— an actual Ghost Pokemon, had merely giggled at their shock, floating up to high-five the other three.

The thinnest, almost skeletal ghost laughed wildly and patted its back. "Yeah! Nice job, Misdreavus, you got 'em good!"

Yuu raised her Pokédex at it. Maybe they were being pranked right now. Wild Pokémon were not supposed to be found here, at all.

And yet, as clear as day, she heard, "Misdreavus, the Screech Pokémon. Misdreavus frightens people with a creepy, sobbing cry. The Pokémon apparently uses its red spheres to absorb the fearful feelings of foes and turn them into nutrition. Ghost-type."

That's it. This was it. She must have completely lost her mind.

"Now you're here, Misdreavus," Stout Ghost continued, smirking proudly.

It seemed all three ghosts had been acquainted with it. "Now the real fun can begin! Hee hee hee!"

"Who cares if there's one more? I, the Great Magician, ain't afraid of no ghosts!" Grim, who had been cowering prior, burst forward with a newfound determination.

All at once, a blue plume of fire exploded from his mouth. Yuu and Audino scrambled to get out of his line of fire. The four ghosts continued to laugh, easily dodging it and every consecutive move after that.

"Where are you aiming, huh?"

"Can't catch us, hee hee!"

"Stop! You're going to burn down the building!" Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets once she saw the flames come dangerously to the ceiling.

They clambered out of the way to avoid the Psybeam sent by Misdreavus. The move had scorched a sizable crater into the floor. "Shut up! Don't try to give me orders!"

Audino whipped around eagerly to face her, ready to fight at her command. "I'll give all the orders I want as long as it means it keeps us safe. Shadow Ball!"

The smirk Audino wore was unfit for a Pokémon of her cute stature.

Grim ogled dumbly as the marshmallow thing, in his words, jumped forward and clasped her paws together. Slowly, gradually, an orb of erratic and black... magic— Whatever the Hell that thing was, was formed and fired directly at the ghosts. Upon impact, the ghosts scattered like bowling pins.

"How did that—" Shaking, he pointed directly at the fizzling sparks of black and purple in the air, then back to Audino. "Come from that?!"

"She's amazing, isn't she? Now quickly, while the ghosts are distracted— What's your learnset?"

"What?!"

"What can you do? Your learnset," Yuu repeated, "Your moves— I mean, your magic, your attack range, what are they? Tell me all of it."

"You might be able to tell your pets what to do, but not me!" He sneered back at her, "The Great Grim, won't be bossed around so easily, yanno."

"Audino, put your fist down— Tell you what, you listen to me just once." She tried to reason with him, trying not to let the panic leak into her voice as the Misdreavus powered up for a Confuse Ray. "If we drive out these ghosts, Headmaster Crowley might let you attend Night Raven College."

Grim took the time to mull it over, time they didn't have.

"Don't you get it? He'll be in your debt. You'll be doing him a favor."

Grim liked favors, apparently. "Fine! Just tell me where they are, damnit."

"Look, it's gonna use Confuse Ray. It's important you don't get hit. It's pretty slow already, so it shouldn't be too hard. Now," She thrust her arm forward, pointing Skeletal Ghost, "To your left!"

Thankfully, he heeded her words and pounced forward with a burst of fire. When it got hit, the ghost screamed and dissipated into the air. He whipped around to face her, as if he couldn't believe it himself. "I hit it! Did you see that? I really hit it!"

Yuu stuck her thumb up, grinning. "Perfect shot, Grim. Now do it again."

Well, he certainly was no Pokémon, but Grim sure as Hell could fight like one. They continued clearing out the corridor in this fashion— Grim and Audino staying in the front and carefully following Yuu's direction. It wasn't long before they chased all four ghosts out.

"Misdreeeavus!"

"Hee, heeee! We're goners! Run away!"

"E-Eh? We won? I mean, of course we won! Well, I wasn't scared at all, of course," Grim smirked, his chest heaving up and down as he let the adrenaline wear off. He widely shook his fist back and forth. "This is nothing for the Great Grim! How 'bout that, ghosts?! You done yet?"

"I knew you could do it." Yuu crouched down and reached forward to pet Audino affectionately on the head, who trilled contentedly. She turned to Grim with a pleased smile. "You too! You did really good, Grim."

"Yeah, of course I did! Who do you think you're talking to? Come on."

"Hello?" A head popped into the doorway. She recognized his distinct top hat.

Crowley just returned with a large cardboard box in his arms. "Good evening. I have so graciously brought you supper. And some for the critters as well! Aren't I so thoughtful?"

"Audino. Dino, Audin." Audino immediately waddled over and took his hand in both her paws. Impossibly large, blue doe eyes blinked up at him.

The man blinked back. "I beg your pardon?"

Yuu wasn't the best at Pokémon dialect, but she was familiar with certain pitches enough to know what hers was trying to say. "She said it's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

Quite taken aback, he coughed into his free hand. He shook the paw in a hesitant sort of way. "Ah. Well. Good day to you as well. My name is Dire Crowley, Headmaster of Night Raven College."

Audino pat his gloved hand in a satisfied way.

"Ah, what a polite darling..." His eyes trailed off and nearly bulged out of his mask when he spotted the cat standing in the corridor. He pointed, aghast, "You! You're the monster that ran amok during the entrance ceremony! I had you thrown out of the school, you... You— What are you doing here?!"

"Never mind how I got here," Grim bit back, crossing his arms, "I exterminated your little ghost problem! Be grateful!"

"What could you possibly mean by that?"

"There were ghosts threatening to harm us, so we chased them out," Yuu said, mindful to leave out the part with the wild Misdreavus among them. Crowley didn't need any more worry on his plate. Grim and Audino played along, carefully holding their tongues.

"Actually, now that I recall..." Crowley placed a finger on his chin contemplatively. "There were some prankster poltergeists living here that kept students away from this dormitory. However... For you to work together to get rid of them..."

"Hold on, hold on, hold on. Who worked together? He," Grim cut in, jutting a finger at Yuu, "was just sitting around. I did all the heavy lifting anyway— Hey, hey. What are you doing? —Fngaa! Put me down! Lemme down or I'll roast ya!'"

Yuu pinched the bridge of her nose. "Audino, put him down."

Audino relented with a huff, letting him go. Grim landed perfectly on his hind feet when he hit the floor.

Crowley watched the interaction with intrigue. "Actually... Hm. I'd like you all to show me exactly just how you exterminated those ghosts."

"But we, uh, drove them away already?"

"Maybe if you give me a tuna can, I'll do it," Grim grumbled.

The man pulled a small vial of something sparkly and purple-colored from inside his coat. He quickly downed its contents. "Do not fret! I shall act as the ghosts. If you beat me, I'll give you all the tuna cans you desire."

She gawked at his transformation, stupefied at how he simply drank a potion and morphed into another sort of entity entirely.

Grim wasn't too convinced. He groaned and waved lazily in the general direction of Yuu and Audino, "Eeeeh, but do I really have to team up with... those guys?"

"Don't you want to get on Crowley's good side though?" She prompted carefully with a coy smile, "Maybe this is a chance to get into the school."

"...Fine, fine! Let's just get this over with. But you absolutely— absolutely have to give me that tuna!"

CROWLEY'S EYEBROWS SHOT UP WITH ALARM when he saw what seemed to be a pangolin with literal icicles on its back, in Ramshackle's Lounge. And there was the red robin he had recognized at the entrance ceremony, along with some purple bat-like creature he did not know. No matter how he looked at it, it was quite a very cute bat— large ears and luminous, coppery yellow eyes. Quite a timid one, for it had shot up to the ceiling as soon as it caught sight of him.

Prior to this, Yuu, Audino and Grim had made quick work out of him even as a ghost. Audino, who seemed to be the most unassuming out of the three, had gained a rather menacing aura as it fought. This one particular magic spell from it— no, this particular move— a crackling ball of black energy, he had found to be unexpectedly potent.

"Sandslash."

Ah. Yes. The matter at hand.The matter at hand.

Crowley apprehensively eyed the glinting ice that jutted out of its back and two front claws that seemed to be six inches in length, at least. The creature cocked its head and stuck out its paw. "Sandslaaash?"

"He's sayin' hello to ya,'" Meowth translated idly, placing a cup he found underneath a damp spot in the ceiling.

"Oh. Of course. Hello to you as well." Crowley gingerly, rather awkwardly, took Sandslash's claw and shook it. Yuu would pay anything to know what he was thinking right at that moment. "Well, I honestly shouldn't be surprised that you have an aptitude for taming beasts—"

"—Pokémon."

"—Yes, them," he waved dismissively, "But still, I would have never expected for this ability to extend out to magical beasts as well. One that is not one of yours, at that."

"Speaking of him," Yuu started, looking up at him, "I was meaning to ask you if Grim could stay here with me." Her five Pokémon stopped what they were doing and gaped at her. Fletchling, in particular, was so aghast she nearly forgot to fly.

"What?" The cat in question whirled around to stare at her. Those big blue eyes were comically wide. "You're vouching for me? Seriously?"

Crowley looked at her strangely. "What now? Let a monster live here?"

"It wouldn't sit right with me if we just threw him out again, even if he isn't a Pokémon," She continued. Maybe it was the caretaker in her speaking, but the thought would forever weigh on her conscious if she let Grim wander around in the streets. "So, please!"

Crowley examined her, then the cat by her side. After a moment of careful contemplation, he sighed and said, "Alright. I suppose it can't be helped, then."

"Fuwah! Really?"

"However! I cannot simply allow someone, let alone a monster, into school who wasn't selected by the Dark Mirror," He held up a hand, putting a stop to their celebration. "I cannot let all of you be freeloaders here, either."

Grim seemed to deflate. "Well... talk about short-lived joy..."

"Listen until the end." Turning to Yuu, he said, "Concerning that your soul was called here, the school has to take responsibility for you as the owners of the Dark Mirror."

Meowth put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, that's right. So?"

"For the time being, I shall permit you to stay in this dormitory for free. Necessities shall be provided, of course!" Crowley regarded everyone in the lounge this time, "Anything else, you must provide for yourself. Seeing as you have nothing to your name, however... Fufu, here's my proposition."

"...Just what exactly are you gonna make me do?"

"Please wipe that look off your face, you look as if I'm going to send you to a slaughterhouse. No need to fret, any of you," He continued, gesturing around the room. "I can see that you're all decent at cleaning."

"I suppose. Does this have to do with your proposal?"

"Yes, so here's what I've been thinking— How about I make you do maintenance and odd jobs around campus? You can be the... the handymen of this school!"

"If I may, I used to work at a facility quite similar to a health clinic," Yuu said, stepping forward. To be specific, she used to work at a PokéCenter— Though, Crowley probably had no idea what that was. "Audino did too. Though our area of expertise is in Pokémon care, we do know how to tend to humans as well."

"Is that so?" The man seemed to consider it.

"If you have any room for it, I'd like to do that instead." She really hoped he'd agree to it.

"Well, we are quite short-staffed in the infirmary, after all," He murmured, which sounded like a positive thing, "However, the campus still needs the extra maintenance."

He snapped his fingers with realization. "Yes, I know! You'll still be a handyman, but nursing will take up half of your tasks. This way, you will receive special permission to remain on grounds and access to the school library. However! This is only after your work is done."

Yuu didn't dislike the sound of that. She turned to her team, who merely shrugged with indifference. It seemed that they didn't mind either. "Okay. That works for us."

Grim, however, made his objection quite clear. "What? I'm not okay with that! I wanna wear that fancy uniform and be a student!"

"It's fine if you're unsatisfied," Crowley crossed his arms, unfazed, "I'll just toss you out again."

Grim looked at a loss, his nose crinkled up like a paper ball. "Fine. Fine! I get it already, I just have to do it!"

"Aw man, really? That was one less mouth to feed."

"Meowth! Mind your manners!"

"What, I'm just saying!" Yuu responded by sending him a light flick to the forehead. "Ouch! Hypocrite! You mind your manners!"

Crowley clapped his hand together cheerfully, putting an end to the banter. "Wonderful! Then starting tomorrow, you all shall endeavor to be Night Raven College's best handymen!"

EDITED 12/22/21, 6054 words

[1] Pokémon Consciousness — Just a bit of background information, but Pokémon are conscious of the outside world when inside of their Pokéballs. Some can even exit the capsules out of their own will.

Other Pokémon Terms mentioned in this chapter include:

Pokédex — A Pokédex is a digital encyclopedia and an invaluable tool to all Trainers alike. It goves information about all Pokémon in the world that are contained its database.

Fury Swipes — A Normal-type move in which target is scratched by sharp claws two to five times in quick succession. This move was introduced in Generation I, able to be utilized by many species of Pokémon.

Peck — A standard Flying-type Pokémon move in which the user sharpens their beak for impact. Fletchling was about to use on Grim before Yuu stopped her.

Misdreavus — A Ghost-type Pokémon that made its appearance in this chapter! I would explain more about it, but it seems the Pokédex has done my job. Anyways, this Pokémon was introduced in Generation II.

Confuse Ray — A Ghost-type Pokémon move that confuses the opposing Pokémon. A confused Pokémon will sometimes hurt itself instead of attacking correctly, which is why Yuu wanted to avoid getting hit.

So now, we know of Yuu's full team. In order, we have: Meowth, Fletchling, Noibat, Sandslash, Audino, and Mamoswine.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Woo! Many new characters have been introduced, four of which are Pokémon. I hope I kept it engaging enough (since I know most people came here for TWST) for you to continue, but not too overwhelming since there are just. So. Many. Characters.

Ahem... Thank you again for reading. Oh, and especially for leaving your wonderful comments. I loved reading them!