🌹 A Not-so-Friendly Encounter, Let's Get Picking! 🌹

Despite the unexpected surprise from the Magnolia twins, the group's last class went off without a hitch. Although the boys argued over whose choice of the creature was better for their essay, Lia didn't pay much attention to them this time. She was nose-deep in the creature encyclopedia to even look away. Eventually, she found a creature to do her report. The Abion Water Dragon.

A serpent-like dragon that lives in vast lakes is said to bring great fortune and luck to those who gaze upon it.

Pikachu thought she made a good choice, plus he thought it was cool. But not as cool as the Thunderbird he read about over her shoulder. Grim chose something called a Cornish pixie, some creature that reminded her of an Impidimp for some reason. Ace went with a bird-like creature called a phoenix and Deuce went with a serpent bird-like creature called an Occamy. However, during her time in class, Lia was still a little miffed about one thing. Something that she needed to take care of after class.

Once Miss Mac's class was over, Lia asked the boys if they could wait for her outside. The two could help but feel sorry for the twins for whatever punishment they might get. If there's one thing they've learned from their time with Lia, is that you should never make her mad. They can't even imagine what she would look like if she was furious.

"Alright you two, spill it. Why the heck are you now teachers' assistants with your Pokémon out in the open like that?"

"W-Well Li, its because," Maddie was about to explain, but then Miss Mac suddenly jumped in.

"It was Crowley's idea Lass. He thoucht that it would be better an safer for them tae be under constant supervision from the school staff. Rather than havin them be alone at the dorm, no thon he doubts yer creatures. But as ye all are now in unknown territory. Its better tae be safe than sorry."

Lia took a deep breath and sighed, "I understand, however, that's no excuse to do this behind my back. What if someone gets suspicious with Zorua and Golett? Most of all, who's watching the Pokémon at the dorm?"

"Oh, Magerna and Indeedee are taking care of things inside the dorm, and Lucario and Zeraora are guarding the perimeter. Everyone else are staying in the backyard." Matt explained.

"Alright, as long as everything is under control, then I don't have a problem with it. Just, promise me no more secrets or keeping things from me. Okay?" Lia asks.

"Okay," the twins replied.

"Don't worry lass, A promise they'll be well-taken care of." Miss Mac assured her. "Also, If ye iver have time, A would love tae know about yer little critters lass. Never seen anythin like them." she said at the end as she reached out and scratched behind Pikachu's ears.

"Chaaaa!~"

"I'd be happy to tell you more about them Miss Mac. In return give us all the knowledge, you have of this world's creatures and animals. Honestly, we need that the most while we're here." Lia admitted, slightly embarrassed.

"Na need tae get embarrassed lass. Eva told me aw aboot yer situation, in fact, yer mother was juist as confused as ye were when A first mentioned bears an horses tae her." That surprised Lia.

"You knew my mother?"

"Pika?" (Really?) Pikachu tilted his head.

"Indeed A did! A was one of the first people yer father introduced tae her whan she first came tae Twisted Wonderland. E'en performed with her in some shows whan she started her career here."

"You're a singer too Miss Mac?" Maddie asked.

"Not as good as the lass's maw. But ay, A was. A wasn't much in tae the spotlight most women in showbiz are. But singin about ma imagination was like ridin down a new adventure."

"I bet that's how my mom felt too." Lia said thoughtfully.

"Yer mother was a wonderful woman lass. Never met anyone else like her. A was proud tae have known her." Miss Mac told her, placing a comforting hand on Lia's shoulder.

"Thank you, Miss Mac."

"Anytime lass. Now, A believe we've left yer friends waitin for long enough." Miss Mac said, gesturing her head to the door. And sure enough, the boys and Grim were peeping from the corner of the doorway. As soon as they found that they were spotted, they quickly dove back behind the frame. Not that it made any difference.

Lia, Miss Mac, and the others laughed as Pikachu and Persian just shook their heads.

"Pika," (Dummies)

"Real mature boys."

"We'll see you later Miss Mac. Come by at the Ramshakle dorm anytime." Lia smiled.

"Will do lass! Ye all tak care now!" Miss Mac waved them off.

"I like her." Maddie beamed as she walked with Lia and the others out of the classroom.

"She seems quite the character doesn't she? Now, you and Matt head back to the dorm and help Indeedee get dinner ready. Me and the boys are going to be busy for the rest of the day till dark. Don't let any one in unless it's Madame Eva, Crowley or anyone else in the school staff. Got it?" Lia informed the two.

"You got it Li!" Maddie playfully saluted.

"We'll make sure everything's ready till you get back." Matt nodded to her.

"Good, Persian, will you make sure they get back safely?" Lia asked her feline Pokémon friend.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them. Especially missy here." he gestured his paw to Maddie.

"Hey!" Maddie hissed as they walked off.

"You guys ready yet?" Ace replied impatiently as Lia and Pikachu got close to him and the other two.

"Dude, there's this thing, called Patience." Deuce retorted.

"What are you getting miffed about? You're not the one who has to deal with this thing around your neck and not being able to use magic!" Ace snarked back, pointing at his caller.

"Alright, alright let's get going. Wouldn't want you to miss dinner and eat someone else's treats out of hunger again now, would you? ~" Lia hummed.

Deuce, Pikachu, and Grim snickered as Ace fumed.

"Oh sure, rub it in why don't you?"

It didn't take long for the group to find the forest behind the school. If Lia was being honest, she now wanted to explore the forest for herbs and new plants to discover.

'You can take the girl out of the wilderness, but you can't take the wilderness out of the girl.' she playfully hummed in her head.

Grime and Pikachu started to wonder, "Whoa! Look at all the chestnuts laying around."

"Pika, Pika." (Never knew there were so many chestnut trees.)

"I'm gonna live large on chestnut tarts with this many! Let's start grabbing! " Grime boasted.

"Pika," (mini munchlax) Pikachu murmured as he was about to pick some up.

Just as they were, "Grim, Pikachu! Wait!" However, Lia's warning was belated.

"YOWCH!"

"PIKAAA!" (OUCHIEEE!)

"Owwww! The chestnut spines pricked my paws!" Grim whined.

"I was trying to tell you two to wait a bit. Chestnuts are protected by a spiny shell that's really difficult to remove if you don't have the right tools." Lia exclaimed as she helped remove the said spines.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small spray bottle and a cloth. "This should help relieve the pain a bit," she sprayed on their paws and patted them down. No sooner she did do that, the pain they felt when they hurt their paws was so fast it was like it never happened.

"Whoa!? What is that stuff?" Grim asked amazed.

"A medical potion of my own making. Well, actually, it was created by my mom. But, I modified it." Lia said.

"I agree with Lia, we shouldn't try to pick these things up with our bare hands. We need gloves and something to put them in." Deuce suggested.

"Then our best bet is to look in the botanical garden. I hear the school's groundskeeper mostly spends his time in the tool shacks there."

"Let's take a look then and ask if we can borrow some stuff from him," Deuce replied.

The group walked back and headed straight to the botanical greenhouse. The very minute they stepped inside the place. Lia was speechless, it was walking into a whole other land it was filled to the brim with all sorts of plants and trees. It looked almost similar to the Xanadu Nursery in the Kanto region. But this had way more varieties of plants than Lia had ever seen before. Including herbs, she's never even seen!

"Whoa, I didn't realize this place was so massive," Ace said, looking around in awe at the place.

"With it being this large and well-kept, there's no doubt that the groundskeeper is somewhere in here. But, I don't think we'll be able to find him with we don't cover more ground. Let's split up," Deuce thought.

"No sweat, I call the right side." Ace announced.

"Then I'll take the left side, Lia. You, Grim, and Pikachu take the path ahead. . . . Lia?" Looking around, Deuce noticed that the said girl of their group wasn't with them. Neither were the two creatures with her.

"Where'd she go?"

"Fond her," Ace said lazily as he pointed ahead of them.

Looking to where the redhead was pointing, sure enough, Lia was hunched over a small patch of herbs. Completely fascinated by them.

"Never see these medicinal herbs before, they almost look a bit like,"

"Earth to Lia, you still with us?" Ace's voice rang out next to her.

Yelping in surprise, Lia jumped to her feet and held her chest. "Geez, did you have to scare me like that?!"

"I didn't even raise my voice, your fault that you were off in your own little world." he groaned.

"I get you're excited to see all the plants here, Lia. But right now, we don't have time for that." Deuce reasoned.

"You're right, you're right. Sorry, with me being an herbalist and all back home. I can't help myself but get curious about other plants." Lia admitted.

"Maybe tomorrow you can do that," Ace suggested.

"Yeah," Lia sighed.

The boys went over the plan to find the groundskeeper to Lia, and she agreed. And just like they said, Ace went one way and Deuce another. Lia, Pikachu, and Grim went straight down the middle. Lia had to do her absolute best to not get distracted, as much as she wanted to check out more of the herbs that were surrounding her, she wasn't sure how long Trey could remain patient.

"Hey, Lia! Look at these!" She heard Grim call out.

"There's a ton of fruit growing over here. And they smell so ripe, too! It wouldn't hurt to have just one,"

As the feline monster was about to reach out and pick one of the fruits, his paw was suddenly smacked by a pointy tail.

"Ouch!"

"Pikachu, pika." (Don't pull an 'Ace, Let's not forget where he ended after eating something without asking.)

"Ah, come on! It's just one fruit. Don't be so stingy!"

"Pikachu's right Grim, we came here to get tools for chestnuts. Do you want to try picking them with your bare paws again?"

"But, but, they look so good,"

"How about this, other than chestnuts will you help me pick some mandarin oranges for my mandarin orange tarts? I'll have you and Pikachu take the first bite." Lia coyly smiles.

"I get to lick the spoon too." Grim bargains.

"Deal."

"Pika, pika. Pi." (I think I saw some baskets we could use not far from we are.) Pikachu pointed.

"Lead the way, buddy."

Just as the three walked down the path through the gardens, Lia soon stepped on something that'll put her in another predicament.

"Ouch!" grunted a voice.

That made Lia pause. 'Did I just hear Grim,' "Grim, did you just say something? If you did, your voice sounded deeper."

"Huh? I didn't say anything. And My voice is just fine."

Suddenly, Lia felt a presence approaching them from the greenery. 'Was there someone here this whole time?'

"Oi," came a voice.

Turning around, the three saw a tall man coming out. He had tan skin and long brown hair that had two braids that framed the sides of his neck. Pricing green, emerald eyes with a scar that ran down the left one. But the most curious thing that stood out from his appearance was the pair of animal ears that were perched on the top of his head.

'He must be one of those beastmen Trey and Theo were telling me about. And from the feeling I'm getting from his aura, he's not one to mess around with. I better be careful here.' Lia steadied herself.

"You lot got some nerve, stepping on someone's tail and walking away without a care." the beast-man retorted.

"Are you the groundskeeper of this place? Is that any way to talk to students?" Grim retorted back.

"Pika!" (You're the one who should watch how they speak, plus I doubt he's the groundskeeper at all!) Pikachu lowly hissed at his companion as he glared at the man.

"Nothing worse than enjoying a good nap, only to have it interrupted by someone stepping on your tail." The beast-man glared at them.

But Lia didn't back down. "Look, I'm sorry for stepping on your tail and all. But it's kind of your fault as well as you had your tail laying out on the path we were walking on. So don't you be getting upset over something as silly as that."

"Hmm? You got a lot of guts talking to me like that."

"Just because your baring your teeth, doesn't mean I'm gonna be all intimidated by it." Lia shot back.

"Can't say I don't admire a woman with moxie. But you're really tending on thin ice, so I'd choose my next words carefully if I was you." The beast-man folded his arms as he got closer to her. But then, he took a good look at Lia when he did, "Wait a minute,"

"You. . . . I know you, you're that herbivore from orientation. The one with the weird critters and has their magic sealed."

"So, what if I am? Also, don't call my friends critters. They take you down with one shot if they wanted to, so back off." Lia growled at him. Pikachu jumped onto Lia's shoulder and readied himself as he gave the stranger his stink eye.

"Pika!" (Yeah!)

This made the said beast-man throw his head back with a laugh. "HA! I like to see them so much as try."

"Pikachu!" (Don't hold your breath!) Pikachu barked back.

"I was talking to your owner, you little rodent. So, pipe down."

"Pika, Pika!?" (Who are you calling a rodent?!)

But the man didn't pay the small mouse Pokémon any mind as he picked him up by the scruff of his fur and tossed him at Grim.

" Oof, Oi! Watch it!"

"Pika!" (Not my fault!)

"Grim! Pikachu!" Lia cried out as she tried to run over and check on them. But she was soon pulled back as the beast-man grabbed her by the arm and had her go against a tree. And caging her in as he loomed over her. "H-Hey! What's the big idea?!" she yelled at him.

But the beast-man didn't answer her, instead, he leaned down a bit closer to her and started to, 'Is he, sniffing me??!'

"H-Hey! I'll have you know that I bathe regularly! So personal space!" Lia tried to push him away but he didn't budge.

"Humph, I thought so."

"Huh?"

"Your magic is sealed, but I can sense some of it leaking out. But, also, something else," he looked at Lia oddly, as if there was something off about her but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Would you back off now? I don't know what's your deal, and quite frankly it's really ticking me off. I said I was sorry and you should leave it at that. If you start getting any 'funny ideas, I'll make you regret every bit of it." Lia threatened.

"Pikachu!" (You tell him, Lia!) Pikachu called out as sparks lit up from his cheeks.

"Is that so? Well, can't say it'd be much fun to mess with someone who can't use their magic much. But with a mouth like that, I'm going to do it anyway. Just so you know who you're dealing with." He maniacally grinned at her.

"Okay, I don't know what's up with that guy. But that smile is making my fur stand on end in a bad way." Grim whimpered next to Pikachu.

"Pika, Pika. Pik Pi." (Please, he's nothing but a punk. Lia can take him.) Pikachu scoffed.

"No one gets to not only stomp on my tail and just walks away, but also doesn't get to just act all high and mighty to me without paying the price. Put's me in a bad mood on account of being woken up too. It's going to cost you a tooth or two, Kitty Cat~."

Lia had just about had it with this guy; she suddenly lunged forward and pushed him. But she didn't just 'push him, focusing her aura, she channeled it through her arm to her hand the moment it made contact with his chest. When she did, she sent him skidding across the path a few feet away from her.

To say he was surprised was an understatement, when he looked up, he found Lia in a defensive stance with her bow staff in hand. 'Where was she hiding that?'

"I may not be used to having magic. Nor, do I know how things work around here. But I'll have you know, I'm not someone who you should be messing around with either. If you're going to pick a fight with me just because I 'Accidentally stepped on your tail and talked back out of defense, I'll gladly beat some sense and manners into you."

'She thinks she can take me even when she barely has magic? This girl is getting more interesting by the minute, as expected from a descendant of Yen Sid.' the man thought amusingly. Then something accrued in his mind, 'Wait a minute, that move she did on me just a second ago, it felt like. No, it couldn't be.'

"Oi, did you just use Aura manipulation?" the man asked.

"Yeah? So what if I did, how else was I going to get you to back off?" Lia huffed.

"Do you have any idea how much of a gamble you're making?" The man growled, not towards her, but towards the fact that she can use aura.

"Huh?"

"Leona!? Leona, there you are!" came a new voice.

Looking over, Lia and the man, who she now knows as Leona, turned to the voice and found that it was another beastmen. He was half the size of Leona and had dirty light brown hair with matching ears. Lia also noticed that he wore the same-colored vest as Leona.

"Knew I'd find you here. We got after-school classes today; please tell me you didn't forget that." the guy huffed as he approached the scene. When he was close enough, he saw both Lia and Leona looking like they were about to throw it down.

"Um, did I interrupt something?"

"No," "Yes," Lia and Leona answered. Making the two glare at each other.

"Oi! What's going on here?" boomed another voice.

Turning the other way, another man came into the scene.

He was very big with untamed red hair and a beard. He looked like he was a gardener as there were several tools strapped to his waist on a belt, and wore gloves.

"Ye better not be causin trouble. A just cleaned up the last mess Divus's class made last week. So, if ye all don't mind, don't go makin more trouble for me. Leona, if ye don't git now, Mac's gonna pile more on ye're plate than she already has."

"Great, not only do I have this guy on my tail. Now Mr. Clyde is getting on my case." Leona begrudgingly groaned.

"He has a point, Leona. You've already repeated a year, and Miss Mac was kind enough to help you catch up. If you get held back again, we're going to end up in the same grade." the smaller beast man urged.

"Would you put a sock in it Ruggie? I'm tired of you yapping already.

"Does it look like I enjoy nagging and getting on your case? Come on man, you act like it's the hardest thing to do when really you can breeze through like nothing if you can just get up and do it. No come one already, you know Mr. Xaivier can only be patient with you for so long." Ruggie, who Lia now knows, started to push Leona forward to exist.

"Fine," just as he and Ruggie were walking off. Leona turned to glance at Lia. "Better watch your step the next time I see you herbivores. I won't be so nice if you enter my territory. And you better not go around swinging your aura like it's nothing Kitty Cat. It'll cost you more then you'll realize before it's too late." and with that, he was gone.

'What did he mean by that?' Lia wondered.

"Pika?" (Lia, you okay?) Pikachu asked, jumping back on her shoulder.

"I'm fine Pikachu. No worries."

"Yeeesh! I didn't like the sound of that at all! What was up with that guy?" Grim shuttered, hiding behind Lia's legs.

"Ah don't worry about it. Leona knows better than tae cause damage. Especially when he gets enough of an earful from ma sis. Best not tae get her mad let me tell ya." The man chuckled.

"I'm sorry sir, but, who are you?" Lia asked.

"Oh, where are ma manners? Clyde Furgus Dunbroch is the name. A'm the groundskeeper, keeper of keys, an the nightguard here at Raven's collage." Mr. Clyde held out his hand. Lia took it, as it is proper manners to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time.

"I'm Lia, these are my friends Pikachu and Grim." Lia introduced.

"That's 'The Great Grim, remember?" Grim huffed.

"Pi pika," (Oh brother,) Pikachu rolled his eyes.

"Now then, what are ya doin in this side of the gardens Lass?" Mr. Clyde asked.

"Oh, some friends of mine were looking for tools to pick chestnuts. We need to gather as many as we can to make tarts." Lia explained.

"And A recon young Trey is helpin' ya?" Mr. Clyde guessed.

"How'd you know?" Grim asked.

"Ah, that young feller comes here all the time tae get some fresh produce and such for his treats. Makes a really good rum cake, A'll tell ya that," he says.

"I heard you said this before, but is Miss Mac really your sister?" Lia questions.

"Aye! Mac's my own big sister. We both started workin here around the same time as all the rest of the staff."

"Big sister!? It should be the other way around! I mean, you're like a freaken mountain!" Grime said, flabbergasted at what he heard. Though Lia and Pikachu were a bit the same.

Mr. Clyde laughed. "It's true, me an my other brothers are the youngest in our family. Mac was the first, as we came later on as triplets. It just doesn't seem like it cause we took after our pa quite a bit. Sometimes men grow big in the Mystic Mountain Kingdom."

"Good to know, anyway, would it be alright if we could borrow some,"

"Yo. Lia, Pikachu, Grim! We found some baskets and tongs!" they all heard Ace call out from the distance.

Looking over, the two boys were making their way to them. When they noticed their friends weren't alone, they figured that something must have happened "Okay, two things. One, who's that? Two, why do you have your bow staff out? In addition, why does Pikachu look like he's going to zap someone and Grim looks like he's going to run for the hills." Ace huffed.

"What the, do I look like a scaredy cat to you!?" Grim hissed.

"Pika, pika." (Do you really want him to answer that?) Pikachu deadpanned.

"Ahem, Ace, Deuce. This is Mr. Clyde, he's the groundskeeper of the school. Mr. Clyde, these are my friends, Ace and Deuce. They're from the Heartslabyul dorm." Lia introduced.

"Oh, A'm well aware lass. A recognize those dorm crests anywhere in this school. Me bothers and A were friends with some twins who were in that dorm."

"Would you happen to know ways to gather chestnuts faster?" Deuce asked.

"That's right, the chestnuts! We need to get all those chestnuts so I can get my tart on!" Grim proclaimed.

"Get 'your tart on?" Lia gave him an amused and questioning look.

"Pika, Pikachu." (Like I said, mini munchlax) Pikachu deadpanned with a sigh.

"But of course, an while we're at it. The lass here can tell ya what happened earlier, cause A don't know most of it before A came along." Mr Clyde offered. As the whole group walked out of the gardens.

By the time they all made it to the forest behind the school, Lia, Pikachu, and Grim finished telling the boys what happened to them in the gardens before Mr. Clyde came and interfered.

"Then he walked out after giving Lia a bizarre warning." Grim finished.

"Yeah, exactly how did you mistaken him as the groundskeeper in the first place?" Ace asked.

"He was the first person we saw, so I just assumed. But now that I think about it, he and that other guy were wearing a golden yellow vest. The color for the 'banana-claw dorm?" Grim guessed.

"Not quite Grim, it's Savanaclaw." Lia corrected him.

"And you tried to pick a fight with him Lia?" Deuce questioned her.

"No, he was trying to pick a fight. I was simply defending myself." She replied

"Pika, pika. Pika, Pikachu, pi!" (Yeah. Plus he then acted like he had something against aura, I don't know. But the next time I see him, I'm giving him a full 'Thunderbolt!) Pikachu declared angrily.

"I'm starting to think that there's a lot of delinquents in Night Raven.. . " Deuce mumbled.

"That's just how most students are here nowadays lad. Some have an ego as big as a bears apatite before hybridization. Course it wasn't as bad at the time me bothers and A where attending this school. In fact most of the staff you've seen in ye're classes were students here, and they turned out just fine. Though, tae be honest with ya, A'm not quite certain havin Crowley as headmaster was the best choice." Mr. Clyde admitted.

"Pika?" (Why?)

"Don't get me wrong, he's a good man. But his responsibilities as head are left tae be desired. Good thing they made Eva vice head of the school."

"No argument there." Lia, Ace, and Deuce sweat-dropped.

"So, what dorm were you in when you were in Night Raven, Mr. Clyde?" Lia asked.

"Believe it or not, me bothers an A weren't sorted to any of the dorms." The groundskeeper answered.

"REALLY?!"

"PIKA?!"

The group looked at him in shock. And he just laughed at their reactions.

"It's true, the same is said about Brandel an Xaiver. Our magic didn't seem tae match the requirements of any of the dorms, so, we were on our own in what ye lot now call the Ramshackle Dorm. Course we called it that as well, considering none of us was the same in terms of traits an potential.

"Hang on, didn't you mention that you and your brothers are triplets??" Grim asked.

"Yep, however; even though we all loved tae play around together an had the same desire tae cause mischief. We each had our own personal life goals in mind. My eldest brother, Calan, he's under our pa's wing as he's going to be the next head of our family business. Callum, the second eldest, runs his own business makin our homeland's traditional goodies. As for me, A decided tae work here along with Mac."

"Still find it hard to believe that she's the eldest sibling," Ace uttered.

Yeah, when Lia and the other two mentioned that fact to him and Deuce. They were so shocked that they were speechless for a whole five minutes.

"How come she didn't take the position as the heir to your family business? And what does your family do in that business?" Deuce asked next.

"Well, tae start off. The Dunbroch family is actually a noble clan in the Mystic Mountain Kingdom. A proud an noble family that was once the very leaders of the land, our ancestor was actually the king long ago. But now that title goes tae our relatives. Right now, we the Dunbrochs stand in charge of the lands we own an deal with our fair share in trade."

"What does your family trade?" Lia questioned.

"Hmm, mostly furs from our annual hunts, an huntin tools." he answered.

"Now, as for why Mac didn't take the spot as the head of the family. She did consider it at first, but she loved showing others the wonders an creatures of the world more. An wanted tae show it. As for why I tagged along, in case ye were wondering. I wanted tae watch over the next generation of wizards and help them realize their true selves. And also watch over ma sister." Mr. Clyde reluctantly admitted at the end.

"Pikachu?" (What do you mean?) Pikachu tilted his head.

"*Sighs* Let's just say, she's got the same sort of temper as our pa. And let me tell ye lot, it ain't pretty."

"Sounds like she's just as crazy as the House warden." Ace groaned under his breath.

"Oi, come now. Riddle's only like that cause of his childhood. So cut him some slack." Mr. Clyde said.

"I'm sorry what?" Lia turned to him.

"Shouldn't of said that, look the point is. Ya shouldn't mess with folks that shouldn't be messed with. Riddle's no exception as he is the head of Heartslabyul. In fact, do not offend any of the heads of the dorms. Each one was picked as heads not only for their skills in magic but also for their hidden talents that they don't show, till it'd be over." He told them. Inwardly hoping they didn't catch that first bit.

However, Lia and Pikachu did catch what he said the first time. And began to wonder, 'Cause of his childhood? What did he mean by that? Seems like there's something curious going on with that dorm head.'

They both snapped out of it when they heard Ace suddenly shouting. "Hey! Leave that alone! Those aren't for you!"

Looking over they found that he was trying to shoo away a bird that was pecking at the chestnuts that were in his basket. However, it was no ordinary bird. It was a Pokémon! A Taillow!

"I've already given you some chestnuts, quite picking from my stash!"

"Ace, stop! Don't hurt him! He's trying to help!" Lia called out.

"Help me!? He looks like he's trying to gobble up my haul!"

"No, he's not! He's trying to pick out the bad ones you picked!"

"Huh?" Ace looked at her confused.

Lia walked over to him and took the basket from him and set it down. "Look,"

As soon as she set the basket down, the Taillow hopped over to it and started to pick out certain chestnuts and made a small pile. "See, he wasn't trying to eat your nuts, he wanted to sort out the bad ones for you. As a thanks for feeding him."

"Odd little feller, A say. He looks a bit like a young swallow." Mr. Clyde said.

"That's basically what a Taillow is." Lia took off her back and set it down. "Rotom, could you come out please?"

Soon as she asked, the said Pokédex Pokémon flew out of the bag and floated to her.

*Yes miss Lia? How my I help?* he asked.

"Could you?" she pointed to the small Pokémon, that just finished picking out the bad chestnuts for Ace.

*Certainly!* He floated near Taillow and 'Dinged.

*Taillow, the tiny swallow Pokémon. Taillow is a young Pokémon they soon go off on their own, once just leaving their nest after hatching. As a result, it sometimes becomes lonesome and cries at night. A Taillow courageously stands its ground against its foes, however strong they may be. This gutsy Pokémon will remain defiant even after a loss. On the other hand, it cries loudly if it becomes hungry. They can fly over 180 miles a day. They weaken by cold temperatures and going hungry.*

"So you think of yourself as the 'tuff guy, huh?" Ace questioned amused at the Taillow that just landed on his shoulder.

"A Hundred and eighty miles per day?!" Deuce and Grim shouted in surprise.

"Like I said before guys. The little Pokémon may not look like much. But they can still pack quite a wallop." Lia said.

"It's always the little fellers you'd want tae watch out for." Mr. Clyde added.

"Wait, if it's one of those pokemon from your world, how is it here?"

"If I'm right," Lia walked up to him and reached out for the said Pokémon. It didn't retaliate as she gently made it stretch out its left wing. Sure enough, it had a small black, heart shape mark under it.

"It's one of mine. Well, not mine personally but it's one of the Pokémon I take care of at my mother's cottage. In a way, he's a rescued Pokémon. So, he doesn't have a trainer. Though, it seems he's taken a liking to you Ace." she explained.

"Probably because I fed him." he thought.

"Pikachu," (I think there's more to it than that.)

"Pikachu's right. Pokémon tend to be good judges of character, and start to develop a bond to whoever they want as their trainer." Lia informed.

"Soooo, I can have him?" Ace asked, trying not to sound so hopeful, though didn't really work as it made Lia giggle a bit. Making him blush.

"If you promise to take good care of him and never take him for granted. He'll be your trusted partner as you will be his, not to mention your best bud. Can you do that?" Lia asked in return.

"If it mean I can have a cool creature like him with me, and duke it out when we need to. Then heck yeah I will." Ace smirked, making Taillow cheerp in joy.

"In that case, here." Lia reached into her bag and tossed him something. It was a Pokéball. "Just puch the button to enlarge it and tap it on Taillow."

"Like this?" Ace did what she said, and sure enough, the ball popped open and zapped Taillow in a stream of energy. And going into the ball. "What the!?"

"What's happening?!" Deuce asked out of worry.

"Just watch." Was all Lia said.

Then the ball snapped shut teetering for a few seconds. Then it made a ding sound.

"Congratulations Ace, you've caught your first Pokémon." Lia smiled.

"Wait, what?" he questioned, not getting what just happened.

"What you guys just saw was how we catch and hold Pokémon. I can't exactly explain much as I don't really know how it works specifically. But when you throw a Pokéball at a Pokémon or tap it. The ball will open and capture a Pokémon. Allowing the trainer to explore more. You see, Pokémon is a smaller title for Pocket Monsters as you can shrink the balls and put them in your pocket with the Pokémon inside."

"That explains a lot now," Grim says.

"An quite interestin if I say so. An if this little feller came from yer place lass. Thare'd be a possibility that thare might be more runnin around on campus."

"Oh, sweet Arceus, you're right!" Lia freaked.

"Don't worry lass. A'll have a talk with Crowley and Eva. A'm sure they'll help, in the meantime, A'll keep en look out for any more of yer unique critters." Mr. Clyde offered her.

"Thank's Mr. Clyde."

"Alright, with that all aside. I think we gathered enough chestnuts. Let's head back and get these baskets over to Trey."

"Sweet! Now that we got what we came for, it destination; Flavor town! Whoohoo!" Grim cheered.

"Excited little feller aint he?" Mr. Clyde chuckled.

"When it comes to food? You have no idea." Lia said. "Thank you for all your help today, Mr. Clyde." Lia smiled at him.

"My pleasure lass. My pleasure. An, if ye lot ever want tae hear the ropes of Night Raven, feel free tae ask me." he offered.

"Pika!" (You bet!) Pikachu beamed.

"Come on, let's go. I want to get this whole tart thing over with so I can get this stupid thing off." They heard Ace complain.

As the group left, they didn't notice a few pairs of eyes watching them. And followed ~