~ Where Am I? What's with this. . . Meowth? ~

Lia felt as if her body was floating, floating in an endless sea of darkness. Then a light came shining down in front of her, revealing the mysterious mirror once again. It started to show her images of certain elements.

"Flames that reduce even the brightest stars into ash"

"Ice that can seal away, even time itself"

"Great trees that can swallow even the sky,"

"But you my dear, ~ You possess a power far greater than those"

Lia started to feel something bubbling up inside of her, she started to pant heavily as it felt like it was trying to burst out from her. She started to panic till she heard the voice again.

"Fear not the forces that dwell inside."

"Now...demonstrate that power to them, young one. ~"

Just as Lia began to awaken, the darkness overwhelmed her once more.

________________________________________________________________________________

Lia's eyes shot open. She groaned as she reached up and rubbed her head.

A light snoring sound caught her attention. Since she couldn't see, she felt around her. Pikachu and Persian were asleep beside her head and by her feet. Suddenly, she started to panic as she looked around for something else when her hand touched a familiar leather handle. "Thank Arceus; it's still here."

Lia sighed in relief after she felt the familiar fabric of her bag. However, the texture of her clothing put her on alert. Lia's heart rate quickened as she realized she was enclosed in some box.

The darkness did not help her case either; Breathing was only becoming harder. She knew her condition would worsen if she did not escape her confinement. Then, there were sounds of indistinct chatter coming from outside.

"Ah, Crap! People are coming!" a voice said. It sounded like they were nearby. "I need to hurry up and get a uniform before I get caught!"

'A uniform? Is that what I'm wearing?'

"Persian, Pikachu, wake up," she whispered, gently shaking her Pokémon.

Pikachu rubbed his eyes. "Pikachu?" (What time is it?)

"Where are we? Why does it feel so cramped?" Persian asked, a bit annoyed that he couldn't stretch like he normally did when he woke up.

Lia's fear instantly faded to confusion at that moment. 'Did I just hear him physically and not in my head?'

Lia snapped out of her thoughts as the said box rattled.

"Urrrgggh! Gah! This lid feels like it's weighed with bricks!" the person outside complained as they kept trying to open it.

Suddenly, the edges of the lid burst into blue flames, scaring the three inside.

"PIKA!" (YOW!)

"WHAT IN ARCEUS!?"

"F-FIRE!? ARE THEY TRYING TO COOK US!?"

Soon, the lid to the box opened, freeing the three inside.

"Alright, just grab a uniform and. . . WHAT THE!! You're not supposed to be awake now!"

Lia, Persian, and Pikachu stared at the creature that freed them, tilting their heads as they did so.

From Lia's point of view, it looked similar to an Alolan Meowth. But its whole body was a darker gray, with azure blue eyes, blue flames out of its ears, a black and white bow, and a pitchfork-like tail at the end.

"Some sort of. . . Meowth let us out?"

"Lia, I know Meowths, all different forms. That's no Meowth," Persian tilted his head in confusion. I don't even think it's a Pokémon."

Instead of answering him after making that statement, Lia stared at him as if he had just grown a second head, and Pikachu did the same.

"What? Is there something on me?"

"Persian, you're actually talking to me. I mean, like physically speaking!"

Pikachu freaked while pointing at the said Pokémon. "Pikachu!" (Yeah! Your mouth is moving)

Persian's eyes widened when he realized they were right. He wasn't speaking telepathically anymore; he was actually speaking from his mouth!

"SWEET ARCEUS!! YOU'RE RIGHT!"

"Hey! I'm still here! I'm not, whatever those things you mentioned. I am Grim! Sorcerer extraordinaire! Now, listen here, human," Grim pointed at Lia. You better give me that uniform you're wearing right now and be fast about it! Cause if you don't."

Lia and the others ignored the strange animal when she noticed things floating around them. Looking back, she realized that what they were trapped in a moment ago was no mere box.

"F-Floating coffins?! And we were just in one of them!?"

"Hey!! Don't ignore me! Listen, human. I'll say this one more time: I'm Grim. And you better remember that in the future. Now, gimme that uniform! Cause if you don't in the next five seconds," blue flames burst all around Grim. "You're toast!"

Pikachu and Persian growled in response. They took up a defensive stance in front of Lia.

"Guys, calm down. If you two teamed up against him, that'll be overkill," she deadpanned.

"Don't underestimate me, human!! Grah! I'm on a tight scandal here, hurry up and give me those clothes!" Grim demanded.

"Well, Thanks for getting us out of there, but we don't have time for this either, so see ya!"

"Hey! Wait!"

Lia ran out of the room with the floating coffins and down a dark hallway, as she did, with Persian running next to her. She pulled out a Pokéball and held it in her hand for later.

They kept running down the hall, passing some classrooms, through a courtyard, and finally stopping in what appeared to be a library.

Lia crouched over, supporting herself on her knees as she caught her breath. "I... I think...this is far...enough..."

Persian inspected his surroundings, "Just where in the name of Arceus are we? Last I remember, Pikachu and I tried to stop you from approaching that mirror we found in your dad's study. But you just kept getting closer to it. What happened back there, Lia?"

"Honestly, I don't know." Lia hid her face in her hands as she groaned in confusion and frustration, "Alright, that's it. We need answers," Lia tossed the ball in her hand. "Lucario! Come on out!"

A stream of energy came from it, and from that energy was a bipedal, dog-like creature. Once they were fully formed, he opened his red eyes and looked at Lia.

"Lucario, we need you to use your aura to figure out where we are,"

Lucario nodded, then closed his eyes and concentrated. As he did, the parts on his head raised up and vibrated as he used his aura to scan the area they were in. Once he was done, his eyes flew open in shock.

"What is it?" Lia asked.

"I cannot locate where this place is because it's nowhere near any place we've been to. Not only that, but I don't sense any Pokémon anywhere in this area besides the ones with us." Lucario informed, with his mind.

"So, we're in an unknown location with no other Pokémon. Terrific, and how can you speak with telepathy while I, on the other hand, can speak physically?" Persian questioned.

"Yeah, did his aura change or something, Lucario?"

"No, his aura remains the same."

"Pika, Pikachu?" (Then how is he talking without telepathy?)

"Let's worry about that later; right now, we need to find a way out of -!" Lia was cut off when Lucario pushed everyone out of the way from a blue flame inferno.

"Lucario! Return!" Lia called out, bringing the said Pokémon back to his ball to avoid the fire.

With a smug smirk on his face, Grim emerged from the shadows. He snickered, "Did you honestly think you can get away from me with the nose I have? Huh, you're even dumber than I thought."

"Wanna repeat that, you blue flame nuisance!?" Persian growled. Pikachu stood beside him.

"Guys, don't fight! You'll end up ripping this place apart!"

"If you don't want to end up extra crispy, then give me that uni—Yeow!" Grim was soon cut off when a strange whip came out of nowhere. He struggled against his restraints, "Hey! What gives?!"

"It is my whip of 'tough love!" yelled a person. Coming into the room was a tall, very formally dressed formally dressed man with a feathered coat draped over his shoulders. But what stood out to Lia the most was the creepy mask he was wearing on his face.

After tying up Grim with his whip, he turned to Lia and her Pokémon. "Ah! Found you at last. Were you that eager to make an entrance that you'd bring a poorly trained familiar? Were you not told of our strict rules on these grounds?"

"Fami-what?" she looked between Grim and the masked individual, "Hold on! He's not-"

"I'm no one's freaking familiar!" Grim continued to thrash against the whip wrapping around his body. "As if I'd take orders from anyone, let alone a stupid human like them!"

"Call her that one more time, I dare you." Persian seethed at him. Pikachu did the same. But Lia quickly picked him up in her arms.

"My goodness, out of all the students I've dealt with over the years of working here, you are the first to force your gate open and run off on school grounds. Does the meaning of 'patience elude you?" the man asked.

"Gate?" Lia questioned, but he kept talking.

"Oh well, orientation has already begun, and my wife can only entertain the new students for so long. Come, let us return to the Mirror chamber." the man motioned the three forward.

"Um, excuse me, sir. But mirror chamber?" Lia questioned again; this time, the man heard her.

"You awakened in the room full of gates, did you not?" the man asked her,

"You mean those floating coffin boxes were gates?!"

"That has to be the sketchiest gate I've ever seen." Persian huffed.

"Pika pi" (And creepy)

"The design was intended to symbolize parting with your former world and into ours as rebirth. All new students and students before them have arrived on campus by passing through such gates. However, new students normally wait until I open them before awakening. Care to explain?"

Lia, Persian, and Pikachu glared at Grim, who was still struggling to get out.

"Why don't you ask the rude fireball there?" Lia retorted.

"So, the culprit happens to be one of your familiars. Since you're the one who insisted on bringing it here, you are responsible for its behavior."

"Once again, Grim's not," the man cut off Lia once again when he looked at her better.

"Wait a moment. You're a girl. Why did the Dark Mirror allow a girl into this school?" the man asked himself.

'School??' The three wondered.

"There you are, Dire. Everyone's wondering where you ran off to," a woman's voice spoke from behind.

Lia looked behind the masked man and found another guest walking towards them. The woman was a beautiful maiden with raven-black hair, emerald eyes, and tan skin. She wore a purple and black dress and several pieces of gold jewelry.

"E-Eva!! My apologies, my darling; I have a simple matter to take care of. No need to worry," Crowley tried to reassure her, but the woman wasn't convinced.

"The Mirror Chamber is that way. Where are you taking her?"

"Away from campus."

"Dear, you can't do that. She needs to attend the ceremony."

Crowley lowered his voice. "You know that girls don't go here."

"In case you haven't noticed, Dire, she's wearing the school's ceremonial robes, clearly stating that the Dark Mirror sought her out. And I'll let you know that I also sense something from her. So, that said, she deserves to participate."

"HEY! What am I?! Fried tuna!? Let me take her place! I'm the one who has ma-guff!?" Grim was suddenly cut off when the man used his whip to gag his mouth.

"He couldn't have done that before?" Pasian deadpanned.

"Pika" (For real.)

"Guys, shush."

Though she kept herself as composed as possible, Lia's heart began to pound harder and quicker. She needed to figure out where she had been taken and what her next move should be. Could she even go back the way she came?

Eva and Crowley continued arguing for a couple of minutes, though it seemed like hours. Until, at last, the man gave in, "Very well then, let us get this over with, as we do not have the time to prattle or do any more scolding." the man sighed. He linked his arms with Eva and guided Lia back toward the direction in which they came. "Let's make haste. You have an orientation to attend."

"Hang on! Could one of you please tell me where we are and what the heck this place is?"

"Hmm? Are you not fully awake? The gate's time-space teleportation must have frazzled your memories. . . Well, I suppose these things happen to some. I shall explain everything to you as we walk, for truly, my graciousness knows no bounds." the man smiled.

As they walked, Persian recalled what the man had said earlier. Making dread spread across his face. He whispered, "Lia, Lia."

She also kept her volume to a minimum, "What is it?"

"Back when that man explained about those coffin gates. Remember what he said about what they mean, looking like that?"

"Yeah, he said it means leaving our old world behind and coming into a new one."

"Right, now I'm sure it originally meant leaving the life you used to live behind and entering a new one for a brighter future. This is a common saying most educators say to students. However, for us, it's literal."

Lia soon made a face of shock, realizing what her Pokémon was saying.

"Persian...are you telling me that we're-"

She was soon cut off when they heard the man clear his throat, "This is Night Raven Collage, an institution of education where students from all over can demonstrate an aptitude for rare magic. It is the most prestigious and educational academy here, in Twisted Wonderland."

'Twisted Wonderland?

"And I am Dire Crowley, the headmaster of this fine establishment. A position entrusted to me by the chairmen of the board himself." Crowley hooked his arm with the woman. "This is my beloved wife, Evangeline."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady, though, if it makes you comfortable, you may call me Madame Eva." she warmly smiled in greeting.

"Wait a second...magic?" Lia questioned. "But...but how?"

"The Dark Mirror perceives only those who have a talent are admitted into the college. Those selected are summoned to the campus through those 'gates, which can appear anywhere," Eva explained, "A black carriage carrying such gate should have come to you."

"I don't recall a carriage, but I do remember hearing something carrying the...um, gate."

Crowley chimed in, "Yes, the black carriage serves to receive the student the dark mirror has chosen. It also holds a gate to this campus, which you should know. Sending a carriage to meet and receive someone is a time-honored tradition the school holds."

"So, in other words, a mirror teleported me into a 'coffin gate, carried by carriage...to a school that teaches magic?"

"Precisely," Crowley confirmed. He looked again at Grim, who continued to struggle against the whip.

Eva took the opportunity to satisfy her own curiosity, "If you don't mind my asking, exactly where did you find those familiars for yours? I've never seen anything like them."

"Hmm? Oh, do you mean Pikachu and Persian?" Lia asked back.

"Is that what they're called? Fascinating... I don't even think one of our staff members has either, and they just so happened to teach beastology."

"Never? Not even a creature remotely similar to them?"

"No,"

'What in Arceus's name did we get dragged into?'

________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, in the Mirror Chamber, a large crowd of people was gathered, chatting among themselves as they were sorted into seven different groups. When it seemed like the sorting was finished, all of the heads in the Mirror Chamber wondered where two specific individuals were.

One of them assumed that the headmaster had a stomach ache and his wife was helping them. However, they were proven wrong when the said two came through the doors.

"Oh, speak of the devil." the redhead said. "We were all wondering where you went, Headmaster, Madame Eva."

"I was out searching for the lost student who was not present for the orientation ceremony," the man explained as he and Eva guided Lia to the center of the room.

A pit formed in the girl's stomach as she inspected the room more thoroughly. 'Oh, sweet Arceus, I've been sent to an all-boys school! No wonder Crowley and Madame Eva were making a big deal out of it!

Crowley cleared his throat again and addressed Lia. "Now, as you are the only one who has not been assigned yet, please step up to the Dark Mirror so it'll be done. I'll watch over your weasel."

Grim growled and mumbled something, but the whip muffled it.

'Somehow, I doubt that's what he is either.' "Um, excuse me, sir. I think there's been a miss-"

"Come now, be quick about it. Everyone else has waited for long enough." Crowley interrupted her.

'Seriously!?'

"Come on, Lia, let's just get this over with. I don't think he'll let us go if we don't," Persian reasoned, though he was just as irritated as she was at Crowley's not listening. Deciding he was right, Lia sighed and bit the bullet as they walked up to the mirror at the head of the room. 'It looks just like the one in Dad's study,' he said.

She soon snapped out of it when she heard whispering among the crowds.

"What are those things with that guy?"

"I've never seen anything like them before."

"Check out that cat that's with them; it even has its own magic crystal."

"What's that thing in his arms? A mouse?"

'Okay, now I know that I'm not in my world.' Lia sighed again as she approached the mirror.

Once she was in front of it, a creepy green face with a lace-like mask appeared in the mirror's reflection, making Lia and her friends slightly jump.

But then she felt a gentle hand on her back; Lia turned to see Madame Eva kindly smiling at her.

"It's alright," she assured her. Lia nodded as she took a deep breath, then turned back to the mirror.

"State thy name," it said.

"Lia Mag-"

"Your full name." it interrupted her, making her flinch.

"But I don't like saying my full name," she grumbled but sighed in defeat.

"Lianara Estella Cosmo Magus"

The minute her last name was spoken, the commotion from the attendees was unlike anything seen before.

"Did I hear them right? Did they say, Magus? As in the Magus?!"

"I heard rumors that he settled down, married, and possibly had a child. But I didn't think it was true."

As everyone chatted, all was quiet when Madame Eva clapped her hands loud enough that it echoed through the room.

"Will you all be silent, please!"

Once she said that, the mirror began to speak.

"The nature of thy soul is. . . " the mirror made a face at Lia, looking like it was thinking. Then, it widens its eyes a bit before returning to normal. "Unclear."

"What did you just say?!" Crowley asked, shocked.

"The magic I sense within her is known and unknown to me. On the one hand, her magic is greatly similar to that of the great mage, possibly stronger. On the other, it is a mystery, much like the powers within the familiars that stand alongside her. However, it is sealed deep within her. Therefore, no dorm is appropriate for the girl."

All of the other students in the room expressed their shock.

"Why the heck did the school let in a girl in an all-boys school!?"

"Did it just mention that she has stronger magic than the Great Mage Magus's?!"

"How's that possible!? The only other person I heard that's as strong as him is Malleus Draconia!"

"Wait, what does it mean that she also has a mysterious power?"

Lia only began to consider how ridiculous their reactions were.

Her companions saw her frustration and sighed. If there was one thing they knew about Lia, it was that she hated being underestimated. Having had enough of all this negative talk about her, Lia decided to face Crowley and the crowd. But as she did, the hood from her uniform that she awoke in flew off her head.

Her hair flowed down her back so elegantly that it looked like flower petals being blown by a gentle breeze. Her eyes glistened and shined in a way that would put priceless jewels of the same color to shame. But with her appearance alone, Lia made everyone reconsider their choice of words.

"Yes, I'm a girl! So, what!? That doesn't mean I'm weak or defenseless if that's what you all are thinking! FYI, you even have a woman on your staff! Also, I didn't even want to be here as I was forced into this situation! But your so-called Head-mage didn't listen to me as I tried to explain!"

One of the leaders was taken aback by Lia's sudden stand. But was also impressed by how she held herself.

The others had different reactions; one with emerald eyes couldn't help but smirk at Lia in both fascination and amusement. 'A descendent of the Great Sorcerer, huh? ~ Finally, a new worthy rival other than that Diasomnia bastard. Or maybe, an ally that can help knock him down a peg. ~' And for some reason, he couldn't help but feel a strange, warm feeling deep down the more he looked at her.

The dorm leader with whitish-gray hair was staring at Lia as if he had just seen the ghost of someone he knew.

A beautiful-handsome dorm leader couldn't but feel a bit crossed with the dark mirror for not putting her in his dorm.

The screen of the floating tablet silently scanned Lia. The man on the other side of the screen was curious and intrigued by Lia.

Madame Eva couldn't help but feel bad for Lia as she was placed into a situation she didn't want. She turned to her stunned husband with a slight glare, "Well, Dire? How are you going to handle this?"

"I, um, well...." he pondered.

"Come on, Dire, you can see the poor thing is lost! You won't give up on her or throw her out like you attempted before, are you?"

"O-Of course not!! I-"

Before Crowley could do anything, Grim finally wriggled out of the whip and stood up.

" *Gasp!* I'll take it! Let me have her seat!"

"Hey! Stop! Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!" Crowley shouted.

"Unlike this human here, whose magic is sealed. I can use my magic! So let me be a student here in her place!" Grim demanded.

"Here! I'll show you what I'm capable of cause my spells are the cat's meow!"

Both Lia and the redhead figured that Grim was about to do something drastic. Before Lia could say anything, he beat her to it, "Everyone! Get down! Now!"

"Myaaahhhhh!"

Within a flash, Grim blasted streams of blue flames into the room. Unfortunately, one of the dorm leaders was caught in the fire.

"AAAAAHHH! GAH! Help! I'm on fire!"

"Someone! Anyone! Stop that blasted vermin before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Crowley shouted.

'Then why don't you!?' Lia and her Pokémon silently scolded him.

Suddenly, they heard someone scoff; turning to them, Lia found that it was a tall young man with long brown hair and braids. His skin was tan, and he had bright emerald-green eyes. However, she noticed his eyes were slit, and he had feline-like fangs in his teeth. 'Is he not human?'

"Oh? What's this? I assumed you fancied yourself as a great hunter. Can't help yourself to a nice plump juicy morsel?" a handsome blonde boy mocked him. Lia looked at him in shock, and so did her companions.

"Not even worth it; too much effort," the other guy said, making Lia and the others deadpan at him with a 'Are you serious? Look.

Then, a man with silver-white hair stepped forward with a somewhat too enthusiastic face. "Allow me to do the honors, Head-mage Crowley ~. Since none of the others are willing to catch that wild animal, I shall take the responsibility ~."

"WTG Azul, you're always trying to rank up those participation credits. It's typical," said the floating tablet. Just looking at that thing made Lia think there was a Rotom in it.

"Hey! A little help here!?" cried out the boy with red eyes, struggling to put out the fire on the back of his robes.

"Spunky little fellow, aren't you? Riddle, would you be so kind?" Azul asked who Lia now knows as Riddle.

"Pesky, furry little miscreant. I will not tolerate any rule-breaking here! You shall be judged by my hand."

'This day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?'