🌹 Baking Buddies, Some Egg Trouble🌹

Lia couldn't help but feel at home with how the kitchen looked when they got there. It was rustic but homey, like her cottage's kitchen. Just not as big, Lia found Trey at a counter getting everything ready. But then suddenly made an annoyed face.

"Welcome back everyone, Whoa! You guys certainly pick a bunch!" He stated, seeing the baskets of chestnuts.

"Well, that's because we had some help from the groundskeeper," Deuce admitted.

"Ah ha, I'd be more surprised if he didn't. I believe me, Mr. Clyde is too kind of a man to not help others."

"Oh we do," Lia replied.

"Pika," (Yep,)

Trey noticed Lia's expression. "Um, Lia, is everything," "What are you two doing here?" she cut him off.

Off on the other side of the counter, were Maddie and Matt tying each other's aprons.

"We wanted to help with the tarts," Matt answered.

"And did you really think we were going to leave you alone in a kitchen full of 'Boys?" Maddie questioned back.

Lia looked over to Persian, who was sitting next to the two with his head down.

Pikachu sweat-dropped. "Pikachu," (They ran away from you as soon as you got near the dorm. Didn't they,)

"More like I lost a 'Battle of Will,"

"Gave you the 'eyes, huh?" Persian's silence was all the answer she needed.

"Don't worry, they weren't causing any trouble," Trey assured her.

"You guys know Lia can't babysit you all the time, right?" Ace snarked at the twins.

"Oh, we're well aware of that." Matt adjusted his glasses, "We just don't want you 'boys, getting any ideas around big sis." Maddie snarked back.

"Whoa, where did this come from? You two weren't like this, this morning." Deuce stated.

"This is how they usually are when men are around Lia or their cousin for too long. Or if they don't like any specific men in particular." Persian explained.

"So what? They're like her bodyguards or something?" Ace laughed, but it was cut short when Maddie whacked him with a ladle. "OW! Hey!"

"Laugh it up while you can Mr. We heard about what you did and said to big sis yesterday. You better plan on apologizing to her or else we'll make sure you'll have the worst school experience of your life." Maddie gave him a glare so dark, that the air around him dropped several degrees that his spin shivered.

"What are you, the spawn of the devil!?"

"You're not far off," Persian and Lia sighed.

"Let's cut the chit-chat and start backing already! Let's make them massive!" Grim shouted excitedly.

"Calm down will you," Lia sighed.

Trey lightly laughed. "Well, you know that the bigger the tarts, the harder it'll be to peel all of the chestnuts. So. . . good luck with that."

"Wait, we have to peel all of these? Suddenly the room feels like it's spinning." Deuce moaned, not looking forward to that.

"Can't be as hard as getting juice out of chesto berries." Maddie thought.

"Chesto berries?"

"I'll explain later," Lia told him.

"Well, preparation is the key to good baked treats." Trey pointed out.

"He's not wrong guys. You'll get the opposite effect of what you wanted with one miss-step in the ingredients." Lia mentioned.

"Pikachuuuuuuuu." (Like that time Maddie mistook salt for sugar when she made brownies at the Postwick back sale last year).

Lia sweat-dropped. "Yeah, that sure was a surprise for us."

Maddie huffed. "Hey! They weren't that bad! And it was my first time!"

"Alright, enough with this chit-chat already. I get it! We've come this far, there's no way we're backing out of now!" Ace declared.

"Alright, alright, no need to shout all of a sudden. We wouldn't want to 'lose our heads now, would we?~" Lia teased.

"Not funny Lia."

"Okay, let's get to work. It can be tricky peeling a chestnut right, however, that's where having magic comes in handy." Trey explains.

"Ace can't use magic, and Lia's still getting used to hers so they're going to have to do it the hard way with the kids." Deuce pointed out.

"Oh, just wait! Watch as I'll wipe the floor with you without my magic!" Ace proclaimed.

"Pika, Pikachu.~" (Actions speak louder than words you know.~)

"Oh, shut it you pipsqueak."

"Pika," (Watch it,)

"You guys. . . *oomph!*. . . and that. . . *crunch* That's *mmph* after!" Grim garbled as he was eating some of the chestnuts he peeled.

"Grim! Don't eat those!" Both Lia and Ace shouted.

Pikachu suddenly batted the peeled chestnuts out of Grim's paws and into an empty bowl Matt was holding.

"Hey!"

"Pikachu! (Eat on your own time!)

"Come on guys, the sooner we get this done the easier it'll be to make the tarts." Lia reasoned, already making a good size pile of peeled chestnuts as if this was child's play for her.

"Wow Lia, you're already off to a good start," Trey said impressed.

"Well, I've picked nuts, fruits, and berries before since I was seven. So, this is a walk in the park for me."

"Are you going to be making your Mandarin orange tarts too big sis?" Maddie asked with big eyes.

"When Mr. Clyde delivers the mandarins, yes."

"YAY!"

Ace showed off the few chestnuts he's peeled. "Hey, Lia! Check it out, a perfect primo peel!"

"Nice Ace,"

"Well done, Ace. You're surprisingly deft." Trey lightly praised.

Ace smirked. "Well, someone has to be. Cause it sure ain't this furball or Mr. Honor student here."

Deuce glared at him. "Hey, my chestnut peels are fine, thank you very much."

"Yeah! I mean, if you compare mine with Ace's. You can't even tell the difference." Grim inputted.

"Pika pi, Pika. Pikachu." (Actually, his pile is a bit bigger than both of yours put together.)

"No one asked you!" But Pikachu just shrugged while sticking out his tongue playfully.

Trey chuckled. "Ha, ha, quite an energetic bunch, are they?"

Lia and Persian sighed. "They're just getting started,"

"Okay, while it's good to see you all getting fired up, use that energy for the rest of the chestnuts. You still have a ways to go." Trey exclaimed to the boys.

"I'm sure with this many hands, we'll get it all done in no time," Lia assured.

About twenty minutes later, Deuce uses his magic to peel the last chestnut out of its prickly barrier. "Whew, finally done."

"Nice work Deuce,"

Trey to was impressed. "Alright, even the manual team managed to get their stash done quickly."

"But of course. ~ Any job is done faster with me around." Grim gloated.

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

"Okay! Next comes the straining!" Trey announced joyfully.

"Wait, THERE'S MORE!!??" the boys and Grim cried out.

"Well yeah, all we've done so far is get the chestnuts out of the prickly shells. And there's more to making a chestnut tart than just that; there's straining the chestnuts in boiling water so that we can peel the skins off once they're cooled. Then we mash the nuts into a pot with some milk and sugar while mixing them to a simmer. Once that's done, we have to puree the mix to a paste." Lia explained the basics.

"Good memory, I take it you've made plenty of chestnut tarts yourself?" Trey asked.

"Yeah, like I said before, my mother used to work at a small pastry shop in her childhood home. And I sometimes help out at that same shop just to get a little bit of extra cash."

"Don't you already have a job as an herbalist at your home?" Grim asked.

"Well, yes, but there are times when I don't get very many customers for that, so I take up some part-time jobs to help me get by."

"Good thing mommy and daddy are paying you for taking care of us."

Persian sweat-dropped at Maddie, "Not paid enough if you ask me."

"At any rate, it's good that you know the next steps for this. Saves me the trouble to explain." Trey smiled at Lia.

Ace looked at the ingredients on the counter. "Do we even have enough milk and sugar for the simmering part?"

"Oh, looks like I forgot to bring those out. Luckily I brought my assistants to help out." Trey mentioned.

"You're assistants?" Lia questioned. Suddenly, she felt something against her legs. Looking down, she was at a loss for words at what she saw.

"Slurpuff, Slurpuff." (Hi there.)

"Slurpuff !?"

"Pika!?" (What the!?) Pikachu jumped as well.

"Is that a" Deuce didn't get to finish as something walked up to him,

"Steenee," (Here's an apron for you.)

"Um, thank you?"

"Pikachu?!" (You're here too Steenee?!)

"I've got one more," Trey said with a smile.

Everyone looked at him, and coming out of hiding from behind his head was an Alcremie. One that bore candy clover decorations.

Lia sighed in defeat. "I'd be more surprised if it wasn't an Alcremie."

Maddie and Matt nodded, "Same,"

"Trey, how the heck did you get yourself some Pokémon?" Ace asked.

"Is that what they are? I just assumed that they were some undiscovered species of magical creatures when I found them."

"Pika, Pika?" (And how did you find them?)

"Well, first off, I found Slurpuff in the Heartslabyul's kitchen a few days before the beginning of the school year. Eating three whole bags of sugar. For Steenee, I ran into her in the botanical gardens picking some fruits at the same time I was picking some strawberries for Riddle's tarts. As for Alcremie, she's been with me since I found her in my family pastry shop during the holidays last year." Trey explained.

"Not surprised with the last part. The Alcremie species are attracted to people who are mostly backers or pastry chefs." Lia said.

"Really now? Guess it was fate for the two of us to find each other." Trey smiled at his Alcremie. Alcremie happily nodded. "Cremie!"

Ace looked at the other two Pokémon oddly. "Okay. . .. What about these guys? What were they doing in the places you've found them?"

*I can answer that!* Rotom-dex popped out of Lia's bag, floated over to the said two Pokémon, and started his documentary.

* 'Ding!' Slurpuff, the Meringue Pokémon. A Fairy-Type. And the final evolved form of Swirlix. Slurpuff has an impeccable sense of smell that can not only allow them to smell out the quantities of foods and ingredients. But they can also sniff out a person's mental and physical health. Sometimes making them valued assets to some doctors. Slurpuff's fur is so filled with air, that it's very soft to the touch and makes Slurpuff lighter than it looks.*

* 'Ding!' Steenee, the fruit Pokémon. A Grass-Type, and the evolved form of Bounsweet. When it's very happy, Steenee spreads a pleasing sweet scent that makes others around it feel invigorated. This same scent is popular for the use of antiperspirants. The sepals on its head are so well developed, that it's their main weapon to protect itself. These are so hard, that even if pecked by bird Pokémon, this Pokémon will just go on unphased. Also, If the rind on its body is pulverized, it can peel off and be used to treat stomach pains.*

Then, Rotom flies over to Alcremie, * 'Ding!' Alcremie, the cream Pokémon. A Fairy-Type, and the final evolved form of Milcery. Also, a Vanilla cream flavor. Alcremies can produce whipped cream from their hands, which becomes richer the happier the Alcremie is feeling. Desserts made using this cream are so invariably delicious, that many pastry chefs strive to have an Alcremie as their partner.*

"No wonder the tart I ate was so darn good!" Ace shouted.

Deuce looked over to Rotom, "Rotom, what do you mean by evolving? You've used that word quite a few times in your descriptions."

Lia explained. "Evolution is a process state in which certain species of Pokémon can change into a different species of Pokémon. In other terms for this phenomenon, Pokémon evolution is more similar to metamorphosis or leveling up, depending on how well the Pokémon is either raised or trained. And during evaluation, not only does the appearance of the Pokémon change. So does its personality, and with each evolution, the Pokémon becomes more powerful and stronger with their abilities and attacks."

Failing again to hide his curious excitement. Ace asked, "You said certain Pokémon can evolve, can Taillow?"

*They sure can! Into a Swellow!* Rotom showed a picture.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. There are other ways for a Pokémon to evolve other than just training and raising it. There are these things called evolution stones that can allow certain Pokémon that need them to evolve into their final form. There are different kinds of stones for certain types of Pokémon. Take my Pikachu for example, he was once a Pichu before I trained and raised it to be the Pikachu he is now. Now, in order for him to go into his final form, which is a Richu, He'll need a thunder stone to do that." Lia finished while Rotom showed a documentary.

Ace huffed. "Again, your world sounds like a living video game."

"Still pretty interesting though," Deuce said.

"I'm glad you think so," Lia then turned to Trey, "However I'm even more relieved to know that these three are being cared for by someone like you Trey."

"Hmm? What makes you say that?"

"Aside from mine and my mother's Pokémon. Ninety percent of the Pokémon at our home are mostly Pokémon that have been abandoned by their trainers or have been rescued by us. I found Steenee badly wounded while being stuck in a trap set by a Pokémon hunter the last time I was in the Alolan Region. Slurpuff was literally dropped off at the front steps of my house by their trainer because they claimed that they weren't taken too seriously in their battles. And for Alcremie, the baker that raised it started developing an ego and took all the credit for the goodies they and Alcremie made, it made Alcremie feel so sad and left out that the cream it made started to taste bad. And when that happened the baker started to lose his customers and took out their anger on Alcremie. Luckily my brother was there and took Alcremie to me before any more harm was done."

"What a jerk, did he seriously forget the cream that Alcremie makes is influenced by its emotions?" Grim asked scornfully.

"Apparently, this is why many Pokémon don't trust humans. They take their sense of trust very seriously. Some are so proud and prideful that they won't hesitate to get back at you the minute they're betrayed. And Pokémon hunters and Smugglers are no help with that either."

"Well, you don't have to worry about any of that happening to these guys again. I promise I'll take good care of them."

"Oh, I don't doubt that. If I know Pokémon as I do, is that they can tell what's in a person's heart. Sometimes some Pokémon don't get a choice of who gets to be their trainer, but when they do, you can expect that they've got your back as you do theirs."

"That's good to know," Trey laughed as Alcremie snuggled up to him against his face, Slurpuff did the same at his leg. Steenee just beamed at them.

Ace spoke out, breaking everyone out of their thoughts. "Okay, not that this isn't nice and all, but we still have some tarts to make,"

"Oh! Right, sorry about that." Trey chuckled.

An hour or so later, everyone had finally pureed their last batch of the chestnut paste. And to say some of them were tired was an understatement. Lia did feel a bit sore from most of it, but not like she hasn't done anything like this before. However, she couldn't say the same for the boys as they started to whine and complain.

"Finally! Pureed the last batch," Ace.

"My arms are killing me," Deuce.

"Mine feel like they're about to fall off," Grim.

Pikachu, Maddie, and Matt giggled, "Pika/Wimps,"

All three glared at them. "Oh, shut up."

Trey chuckles. "Chin up, you all did a great job. It'll all be worth it in the end."

"You're telling me, the smell of all this already has me drooling,"

"You are drooling," The twins sweat-dropped at the monster.

"Stay strong Grim. Remember our deal before?" Lia reminded him.

"I still get to lick the spoon right?"

"Alright, now I'll add the butter and sugar to the chestnut paste. While adding a sensible splash of my secret ingredient. . . . Oyster sauce!" Trey announced.

"OYSTER SAUCE!!??" Ace and Deuce shouted in surprise unison.

". . . . " Lia didn't say anything, and neither did Pikachu. They just gave the upperclassmen a questioning look. Maddie and Matt backed away in disgust.

"Of course! The Umatilla from the oysters helps bring out the cream, giving it a nice deep savory taste. I use the 'Walrus-brand Young Oyster sauce. Some of the best pastry chefs use this technique."

Deuce as having a hard time believing it. "A-Are you sure? Cause isn't oyster sauce supposed to be really salty?"

"Don't some cooks use chocolate in their curry recipes? Maybe it's the same thing?" Ace thought.

Lia, Persian, and Pikachu deadpanned. 'It definitely is not,'

All of a sudden, as if confirming their thoughts, Trey began to laugh at them. "It was a joke, a total lie. No chef or baker in their right mind would put oyster sauce into the pastry ingredients."

"Thought so/Pika,"

"So, wait, you were just 'yanking our chains at this point?!" Ace barked at Trey.

Lia shook her head. "Seriously Ace? Anyone with common sense would know better how utterly ridiculous that is. Baking is like chemistry, make a single wrong move or in this case, the wrong ingredient and it'll all go downhill completely."

"Lia's right, let this little prank be a lesson to you all, 'Don't believe in everything you hear,"

Grim muttered under his breath. "To think I was under the impression that he was a somewhat decent guy,"

Pi, Pika." (Even decent men can lie with a straight face.)

"this is actually good prank material."

"better not use it at home sis,"

"A-hem," The twins quickly shut their mouths when Persian glared at them.

"I'm impressed with how you were able to see through my joke, Lia," Trey said to her.

"It wasn't that hard, to be honest. One, as I've said before it's common sense. Two, I bake myself so there was no way I'd believe it. And lastly, Slurpuff and Alcremie are pretty gagging in disgust. I'd be careful when using that joke around them." she explained.

"Ah, ha, ha, will do. Now then, the real next step is to. . . Oh, shoot!" Trey widens his eyes as he just realized something.

"What's the matter?" Ace asked.

"Pikachu?" (Are you okay?)

Trey sighed, disappointed with himself for not realizing it sooner. "I'm fine, it's just that you guys picked a pit too many chestnuts that I'm afraid we might have overdone it with the paste. I don't think we have enough ingredients to finish the rest. Alcremie can make more cream but we're low with everything else."

Lia stepped in, "I can go get some more supplies. If I remember correctly, the school has its own store, right?"

"It sure does, and they pretty much sell just about everything you'll ever need,"

"Great, just give me a list and I'll be right back with them. Persian,"

"I know, keep an eye on the kids. Though I'm sure Trey here will make sure nothing is amiss while you're gone."

"Is it alright if I come with you, Lia? You might need help carrying all that stuff." Deuce offered.

"Some extra hands would help, thanks Deuce." Lia smiled, causing the said boy's face to fluster.

"I'm coming too! All this stirring is making me dizzy and my paws hurt. I need a break." Grim groaned.

"Pikachu pi," (Let's just hope you don't plan on eating the stuff after we get it,) Pikachu uttered under his breath.

"I heard that!"

________________________________________________________________________________

Soon after. Lia and Deuce were walking through the school grounds to the school store. When they got there, Lia couldn't help but think the structure of the said place looked eerily cute.

Pikachu on the other hand had second thoughts.

"Pika? Pikachu." (Are you sure this place will have what we need? Looks a bit small.)

"There's only one way to find out," Lia told him.

Deuce opened the door and was the first to speak, "Hello? can we get some - Whoa."

When they all entered the store, Lia, Pikachu, and Grim were lost for words. The inside was like a wonderous convenient store with all sorts of nit-knacks and gadgets. Stuff that Lia and Pikachu have never seen before. Deuce was the same, except he had plenty of words.

"This shop is like, wild."

"That's one word for this place," Lia said.

"They have crystal skulls, grimoires, Taxidermied. . . . um, I don't even know what animal that is." Deuce sweat-dropped, looking at some sort of stuffed creature.

"Do I even want to know what taxidermy is?" Lia asked him, stepping further away from the said item he was looking at.

Remembering the kind of environment Lia and her friends lived in, in their world, he quickly turned around and guided her to the counter. "No, no you do not."

"Do you guys think they actually sell baking ingredients here?" Grim asked looking around the place.

"Pika, Pika. Pi." (As we have been proven wrong in many cases so far, it might be best to assume. Yes.)

"Hey there!" Called out a deep eccentric voice.

A man wearing a bright purple vest with skeletal motifs as buttons came in through the beaded curtains behind the counter. He also wore a hat that was sewn together of maroon and black colored parts. He had a small skull affixed to his red clothing wrapped around the hat. And to top it all off, a necklace decorated with long, tooth-looking bones, and bone-like tattoos on his person.

'He looks around the same age as Leon.' Lia thought.

"Greetings my stray little imps, how are we faring today? Welcome to Mr. Sam's Mysterious workshop! Does anything among my humble selections catch your eye? Charms from a secluded land? Mummified remains of an ancient king? Accursed tarot card? Anything and Everything is in stock now!" He proclaimed with a pose.

"Pikachu?!" (What kind of selection is that?!) Pikachu questioned in shock.

"Not one I was expecting, that's for sure," Grim answered him.

"I take it your Mr. Sam?" Lia questioned.

"You got it little missy! But you can just call me Sam! So, what can I do for you?" Sam smiled at them at the end.

"Can you get us everything that's on our list?" she asked, handing him the list Trey gave her earlier.

"And bring up two or three cans of tuna while your at it!" Grim quickly added.

"Pika!" (We're not here for that!) Pikachu glared at him.

"Exactly! Nor do we have the money for it either!" Deuce argued as well.

"Let's see, eggs, milk, fruit-, my, my! That's a sweet lineup! Just wait here a bit and I'll get it all for ya!" Sam said and went off to the back.

"Whoa, he wasn't kidding when he said Everything is in stock." Deuce blinked impressed.

"I'm now agreeing with what Persian said this morning. This world seems to find a lot of new ways to surprise me." Lia sighed.

While the group waited for Sam to come back with their items. Lia looked around the shop for a bit, a few things did catch her eye. Recipe books she could use to get used to this world's food, some really soft blankets that could come in handy back at the dorm, and gorgeous decorative flower string lights she would definitely use in her bedroom. But just then, something else caught her attention. Something she never expected to see in this store, something she couldn't leave alone.

Finally, Sam returned with their groceries, "Alright! Here's everything you've asked for. Though be careful, it's quite heavy; why not get one of our 1/1000th size flying saucers to help carry them for you! Only 30% off today." he offered.

"Piiiiiika?!" (Whoooooa!?) Pikachu looked at it with dazzling eyes.

"What the heck is that?! It sounds awesome! Let me see it! Let me see it!" Grim asked frantically like an excited child.

"No thank you, we're fine with this. Let's go guys." Deuce quickly dismissed. Grabbing their bags.

"Come on! Humph! Did know that today was 'National Buzz-kill Day." Grim whined, with droopy ears.

"Pika, Pika. Pikachu." (There's always next time bud.) Pikachu comforted him, patting his back. Though he was a bit disappointed too. His droopy ears were a giveaway.

"Oh! Coming!" Lia called back, grabbing the item she found and placing some money in its previous spot.

"Hopefully that's a good reasonable amount." she assumed, not wanting to be a thief.

"Alrighty then! I'll see you next time my little imps. Feel free to stop by at any time, Bye!" Sam waved them all off.

Just when the group left, Sam's shadow suddenly moved from under his feet. It caught Sam's attention, pointing at the area Lia was in. Looking over, he found that one of his items was replaced with money.

"Wasn't this where I put that giant egg I found days ago?" he asked. A long side with the money was a note,

'I'm sorry for the inconvenience, I'll explain everything the next time I come over. I hope that this amount will suffice.'

"Hmmm, now I'm curious as to what that egg was to be worth fifty thousand madol." Sam smirked. His shadow whispered something to him, making Sam laugh. "Ha! I agree, like father, like daughter. Too good to do anything malicious."

Meanwhile back with the group. They started to make their way through Main Street, back to the school kitchen.

"The store sure was something wasn't it?" Deuce asked impressed.

"Pi," (It sure was,) Pikachu agreed.

"It wasn't that impressive." Grim huffed.

"That starry-eyed look you had before said otherwise~." Lia teased.

"By the way, what was that you put in your bag Lia?" he suddenly asked her.

"What was what?" she asked back, looking like she didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

"Actually, I saw it too Lia," Deuce said.

" *sighs* Alright, I'll tell you. I found a Pokémon egg." Lia admitted, pulling out the said egg from her bag. It was as big as Noibat's egg was; except this one was white with blue spots on it.

"What was it doing in the shop?" Grim asked, a bit surprised.

"You're guess is as good as mine. But I couldn't leave it there when there could have been a possibility of someone else buying it and making it their next morning's breakfast." Lia shivered at the thought.

"You think it might've been transported here from your world by mistake?" Deuce thought.

"It goes without saying, the possibility of there being eggs from mine and my mother's care center is very high. In fact, Pokémon eggs are known to be sighted randomly in various places back in my world. That's also one of the reasons why they are so hard to find out what kind of egg they are." Lia explained.

"Pikachu?" (So what are you going to do with it Lia?) Pikachu asked.

"I'll figure it out when we get back to the dorm," she told him. Then she looked at the bags Deuce was carrying.

"Would you like me to help you, Deuce? Some of those bags look pretty heavy for you."

"Oh no, it's fine. I got a knack for this sort of thing, so don't worry," he assured her.

"Pika?" (A knack?) Pikachu questioned him.

"I take it you've carried heavy things before?" Lia guessed.

"Yeah, I used to go out with my mom to limited sales to stock up on certain supplies. Pretty much making most of our bags hefty to carry. I'm the only man in our home so, all the heavy lifting falls onto me. Ah! Sorry, didn't mean to start rambling there." Deuce awkwardly laughed.

"Not at all, that's very sweet of you to take on some of the harder responsibilities. You must really care for your mom." Lia said thoughtfully.

"Actually, no, it's not like that." Deuce frowned.

"Pika Pi?" (What do you mean?)

"Well, my mom and I are. . . The truth is that I - ooph! Oooww!" Suddenly, out of nowhere someone bumps into Deuce and makes him fall backward and smashes the bag with the eggs.

"Ah! The eggs!" Grim cried out, looking at the mess.

"Pi Pikachu?" (Are you alright Deuce?) Pikachu asked him concernedly.

"I'm fine, but both of the cartons of eggs are completely smashed now! The bag's dripping everywhere." The spade boy pointed out irritated.

"Hey! Watch where you're going you - Hold on, I remember you guys! You're the jerks that broke my egg yoke on my carbona at lunch! Not only that but also ripped my pants!" It was the same delinquents from lunch.

"You punks got some nerve bumping into us, was humiliating us from before not good enough for you? Seems like it's about time for you to learn your place!" the red-haired delinquent smirked.

'Had I suddenly become invisible?' Lia questioned them, as they seemed to be directing their attention to Deuce and Grim.

Deuce got up and faced the two, not looking phased by their 'so-called intimidation at all. "Excuse me, but you were the ones who darted at us from around the corner. Not only that, but you're the ones who tried to start a fight back at lunch over an egg you were still able to eat! Now you've gone and smashed all of our eggs!"

"Yeah! This is all on you!" Grim yelled at them.

"What? Are you saying it's my fault?" The wight-haired delinquent barked.

"Yes, I am. I'm going to ask you 'Nicely to reimburse us for the eggs you've broke, and then apologize to the chickens." Deuce demanded.

"Huh?/Pika?" Lia and Pikachu looked at him confused about the last part.

"Ooh?~ What's this? Look who's got their 'big boy pants on now.~ You're seriously making a big deal out of some stupid eggs?" The red-haired delinquent mocks.

"What did you say?" Deuce growled.

"They haven't even touched the ground, so they can still be edible for you. So quit your whining." The white-haired delinquent mocked at well.

"You should be thanking us by saving you the trouble of cracking them." The red-haired delinquent laughed, his wight-haired friend joins him.

"That's rich coming from you two. If I recall correctly, you guys made a big deal over a poked egg yolk. Even went as far as to try to start a fight with it. And here you are now, not letting that go and getting back at us by shoving my friend here to the ground. I can't believe you're holding a grudge over something so ridiculous and getting revenge for it. Were you guys seriously waiting for us from behind the corner to do that? That's literally the most immature stunt I've ever seen. Come on, how old are you?" Lia reprimands them.

"What did you wretch?" The white-haired delinquent glared at her.

"Do I need to discipline you two again? Or how about I just report you two to a staff member of your behavior?" Lia threatened.

"You think we're scared of you and your little rat buddy here?" The red-haired delinquent laughed pointing at her and Pikachu.

"Pika!?" (What did you just call me!?) Pikachu seethed.

"That's not funny," Deuce lowly growled.

"Huh?" both delinquents looked at him.

"I, said, THAT'S NOT FUNNY!!" he hauled, looking livid.

'Whoa! where did this come from?' Lia wondered, surprised at Deuce's sudden outburst.

"You punks don't get the right to call our eggs stupid! Or any eggs stupid! Those eggs may not have gotten the chance to become chickens, but they were going to become amazing tarts soon! Not only that, but you also even went as far as mock my girl and her friend in their faces! It's you guys who's got a lot of nerve!"

"What the heck is with this guy all of a sudden?!" The red-haired delinquent cowered.

"You punks now owe us two cartons of eggs, if you won't pay, you'll get a bruise for each one! And some extras for messing with my girl and her partner!" Deuce threatened them as he readied his fists.

"Are you serious?!" Shocked the white-haired delinquent.

"Buckle up and get ready you jerks!"

As Deuce was about to lunge forward to attack the two. Lia, Pikachu, and Grim went to stop him.

"Deuce! Stop! They're not worth it!" Lia tried to reason with him.

"How can I just let this go when they just insulted you and Pikachu!?" he replied furiously.

"What's going on here?" demanded a familiar voice.

Everyone looked to see Theo making his way to the scene. The way he held himself made him look strongly intimidating. From the expression on his face, Lia could tell that he was not in a good mood.

"It's Theo Magus!" the red-haired delinquent stuttered.

"Theo?" Lia looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" Grim asked.

"I was on my way to return a textbook I had borrowed from the library. On my way back, I come across this commotion." Theo explained, glaring at the other two instead of the group.

"You got to do something here Magus! This guy's totally out of his mind!" The white-haired delinquent pleaded.

"I don't believe I 'got to do anything. I may be a third-year, but I'm not part of your dorm. So, it's not my problem that this gentleman here is defending himself." Theo said, fixing his glasses.

Deuce stopped his rampaging as he looked over at Theo, surprised that he was defending him.

"Huh?! But we're the victims here!" The red-haired delinquent argued.

"Do you two seriously take me for a fool? I saw and heard the whole thing. And let's not forget the near stunt you pulled back in the cafeteria. " Theo glared at them, making the two delinquents step back in fear.

"As I've said before, I can't do anything since I'm not in Heartslabyul. I can however inform your dorm head about this."

"What!?" The two delinquents shouted.

"I've already informed him about the cafeteria incident, I can't imagine how furious he'll be when he hears that not only about you two starting a fight again, but also insulting and attempting to harm my cousin here. If I recall correctly, there was a rule stating that one must treat a lady with respect. And we all know how Riddle is with following the rules." Theo menaced them.

"C- Come on! L-Let's get out of here!" The red-haired delinquent urged his partner.

As they ran off, Deuce went back to his raged attitude. "The next time you eat an egg, you better beg for forgiveness! You pieces of garbage! That goes for seeing Lia and Pikachu too!" he screamed at them.

"Deuce! Calm down! It's over," Lia pulled him back.

"Eeesh! Remind me not to tick you off." Grim remarked.

Deuce took a few deep breaths as he calmed down then suddenly jumped back realizing something. "Urk! I did it again didn't I?" he asked.

"Pika?" (Did what?) Pikachu asked back. But he didn't get an answer.

"Argh! And here I was so dead-set on becoming a model honor student this time! Dang, it!" Deuce scolded himself.

"Hmm? This time?" Lia questioned.

"Deuce, why don't you explain to us what you're talking about? Hmm? It might do you some good." Theo kindly suggested.

Deuce went quiet for a moment, then reluctantly agreed. "Alright, it's like this. . . . "