~ Surprises, Surprises ~

"How in the-"

"Heh, heh, heh! The look on your faces makes it look like you've been slashed by a water balloon!" Grim laughed.

"How in Arceus's name are you back here, you pyro-brain!?" Persian growled.

"Ha! As if I wouldn't sneak back onto campus as soon as that darn collar was off and everyone's guard was down. None of you have any idea of what I'm capable of! So that's that!"

"Pika! Pika, Pikachu! Pi, Pika!" (You got a lot of nerve coming back after that stunt shorty!)

"Who are you calling shorty Pipsqueak!? You're no bigger than me! Anyway, I'm not giving up on going here just because I got booted 'one time. And if you, for a second, think I will...think again!"

Lia shouted, "Lucario!"

In an instant, he appeared behind Grim, "Gah! Just how many more of these weird creatures do you have?!"

Pikachu sweat-dropped. "Pika, Pi." (You're one to talk,)

"Plenty, Lucario. Go get Madame Eva or Mr. Crowley and-"

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't go snitching on me!" Grim urged, "Aren't you wondering why I came all this way back?! It wouldn't kill you to let me explain, right? Right!?"

Lia and Pikachu sighed while Persian and Lucario rolled their eyes.

"Alright, why do you want to come to this school so bad that you'd break in, twice?" she asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I was born for this stuff! I'm a natural with spells, a magical prodigy who's got the makings to be the greatest mage in the history of the world! I've been waiting forever for the black carriage to come and get me. . .. and yet." Grim began to cry.

Lia frowned at him, "You were never accepted. You were underestimated and looked down on just because of how you are."

Grim toughened up and wiped his tears away. "That dark mirror just doesn't know real talent when it sees it. So, that's why I took the initiative to come here myself and show them what I'm made of! You, humans, don't get the mistake you're making. Refusing to let me in would be a total loss to this world!"

'He's almost like that kid that challenged Leon. So, determined and yearning.' Lia couldn't help but laugh a bit and smile at him.

"Gah! Hey, could you scoot over?! It's dripping over here!" Grim yelped when water fell on his head again.

"That's because the roof's filled with leaks and holes. Some of my friends are currently trying to fix it." Lia tells him as another drop of water falls on him. 'Darn it, I hope Gardevoir and Gengar are okay out there.'

"Eek! I can't get water on me! These flaming' ears are my trademark you know. I can't get them doused out!"

"Pika?" (They're that important?)

"Of course, they are! They're all I have that makes me 'me!"

Lia crouched down and placed a towel on his head. "Can't have that can we?" she smiled as she dried him off.

Grim stared at her with wide eyes, 'She's being nice and helping me?'

"No one wants to lose what's important to them. That's why you'd want to take care of it and keep it close. I can understand that." Lia drifted off as she held her mother's bracelet sadly. Grim figured it'd be best to change the subject.

"Um, can't you use magic to fix the roof yourself? Oh wait, you can't can you?"

"Nope, as the Dark Mirror said, I can't since it's sealed away. Honestly, I didn't even know I had magic, to begin with." Lia shrugged.

"Then what was that stunt you pulled when you guys were fighting me?" Grim asked.

"That wasn't magic, that was 'aura."

"Aura?"

Lucario explained, "It's the life force and energy that dwells in all living things. Lia here is one of the few humans that can physically manifest it out and control it to her will."

"Speaking of which, what the heck are these guys anyway?" Grim questioned as he looked at the Pokémon in the room. "I've never seen them before."

Minutes later, Lia and Persian went and told Grim about Pokémon and the world they lived in. Needless to say, Grim was more than surprised.

"Another world!? And you have hundreds of these guys living there!? Man, that almost sounds like paradise. Battling whenever and wherever you want."

"Not as great as it sounds." Persian deadpanned.

"Gah! Another leaky hole!" Grim cried out.

"Pika, Pikachu." (Can't you fix it? You have magic.)

"Waste my talent on a leaky roof? Ha! Good one Pipsqueak, I'm actually just trying to take shelter from the rain. Don't think you can boss me around."

"Listen, Grim. I get that you want to go to this school. But after that stunt, you pulled back into the Mirror Chamber, do you really think you have a chance?" Lia asked.

The said creature lowered his head realizing she was right.

However, Lia believed there was still a way to turn things around, "But...if you really want to, you'll have to pull your weight around here. Unless you'd like to get kicked out again."

Grim pondered on her offer, "If you got some cans of tuna, then it's a deal."

Lia, Persian, Pikachu, and Lucario sweat-dropped. 'Tuna?' Neither had any idea what that was, so Lia thought of something else that can get Grim to cooperate. "I think I have something better than that."

"Huh?"

She quickly ran to the kitchen and returned with a small basket. "I just made these, and I hope you like them." Lia opened the lid to reveal the goodies inside.

"Cakes?" Grim tilted his head.

"They're called Poképuffs." Lia corrected him.

"Pikachu!" (And they're really good!) Pikachu took one and started eating it.

Grim hesitantly took the one that Lia offered and sniffed it. When he took a bite, his eyes flew open with stars in them. "Yummy! It's perfectly sweet and tart, practically melting in my mouth!" he scarfed the rest of it.

"I'm glad you like it." Lia smiled.

With the negotiations settled, everyone decided to head to bed. The minute Lia turned to go down the hall, she immediately froze as she was faced with the darkened hallway.

Her breath started to quicken; the walls felt like they were closing in on her. Much to her dismay, Lia tried to turn on the hall lights, but the switch wasn't working, so she ended up walking in the dark in order to reach her bedroom.

'Fantastic.' Thinking quickly, she looked through her bag. She soon let out a sigh of relief when she found what she was looking for. "This place freaks me out as much as the Scary House back in Kalos, reaaaalllly glad I always pack a flashlight in my bag," she uttered, as she hears the dorm settle in the wind.

Suddenly, something creaked in the hallway, "Gengar if this is one of your pranks," she froze when unfamiliar laughter was heard. "That's not Gengar," Lia slowly turned around, and suddenly right in front of her were three figures that appeared out of thin air. "GAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

"Lia! What's wrong?!"

"Pika, Pikachu!" (We heard you screaming!)

"What's gotten you so spook - GAAAAAHHHH G-GHOST'S!!" Grim screamed.

"Yee, heh, heh, heh. . . Keh, heh, heh, heh. It's been so long since we've had visitors. Ages!" Cackled the skinny one.

"I've been hoping to make some new friends for so long!" Said the small one.

"Bah, ha, ha, hah, hah!" The fat one laughed.

"Ghosts, r-real, g-ghosts!" Lia stuttered.

"The folks that used to live here all ran off scared when they saw us." The small ghost said.

"All we want is a new ghost buddy to play with. Why not you little lady? ~" The fat one asked Lia.

"U-Um, n-no thank you. I'm f-fine the way I am th-thank you."

"P-Pika!" (N-NO WAY!)

"For once, I'm wishing this is one of Gengar's pranks," Persian said, with shaky paws.

Grim pulled himself together. "Wait, I'm a master of magic. No way I'm afraid of a few dumb ghosts! Take this!"

"Grim no!"

But it was too late, Grim used his magic and lit the hallway aflame. But the three ghosts weren't affected by it at all.

"Whoo, hoo, hoo! Not even close little fella!" The skinny one mocked.

"We're over here! Over here! Bah, ha, ha, hah, hah!" The fat one laughed.

"Gah! Stop disappearing and reappearing randomly!" Grim yelled.

Pikachu noticed something. "Pikachu?!" (Are you seriously firing your magic with your eyes closed?!)

"Shut up Pipsqueak! You're not the boss of me! Plus, I don't see you trying to get rid of these guys!"

"Grim! Stop! You're going to set the whole dorm a blaze and burn it down!" Lia called out to him, but he wasn't listening. So, she thought of something else "Grim! if you cooperate with me and Pikachu, I'll convince Mr. Crowley to admit you into the school!"

"Really?"

"I promise!"

"Bah, ha, ha, hah, hah! /Yee, heh, heh, heh. . . Keh, heh, heh, heh!"

Grim was getting frustrated. "Grrrrrrr, now they're ganging up on us!"

"Grim, Grim listen. Let me help you, and you can have as many Poképuffs as you want."

"Throw in some cans of tuna while you're at it!"

"Alright! On your left, now!" Lia instructed.

Grim did so, and managed to hit the skinny ghost right on the mark. "GAH! That smarts!"

"Now to your right!"

"Yeow!" the fat one yelped.

"Keep it up! It's working!" Grim smirked.

Soon Persian and Pikachu joined in on the action. "Persian, use 'Shadow Claw on your right! And Pikachu, use 'Electro ball on your left!"

"On it!"

"Pikachu!"

"Yeow, ow, ow, ow, ow! / Gah! ge, ge, ge, ge, ge, ge!" the ghosts cried out.

A good few minutes later, the ghost finally took the hint. "Gah! Let's get out of here! Otherwise, we'll disappear for good!" Fat ghost declared. One by one the three faded away. Lia let out a sigh of relief, Persian used 'Water Pulse to put out the flames in the hall, then he and Pikachu leaned onto each other and fell to the floor.

Grim huffed. "Did, did we win?"

"You bet! You guys did great! I'm so proud of you!" Lia cheered as she gathers the three into her arms and embraced them.

"You most of all Grim, you faced your fear and took out your opponents."

Grim looked at her in awe as his cheeks slightly turned pink, but then he quickly snapped out of it so she wouldn't notice.

"S-scared? Who me? Humph! those punks didn't faze me at all!" Persian and Pikachu deadpanned at him.

"Yeah right,"

"Pika,"

Lia just laughed. Just then a golden ring suddenly appeared right in front of them.

"Eek! Don't tell me there was another one!" Grim to freaked out.

"Wait," the three creatures looked up at Lia as she placed them down on the floor. "I know that ring,"

"Are you sure about this?" said a familiar little boy's voice from the other side of the ring.

"You want to get out of this creepy room or not?!" Argued a familiar little girl's voice.

"Loetta! Melo, Meloetta!" (Please don't fight!)

"Yeah! Hoopa wants out too!"

"It can't be,"

"Pika, Pika!?"

Soon, four figures jumped out from the ring and landed on the floor, "Ow," said three of them.

Lia picked up the flashlight that she dropped earlier and shined it on the group, what she found was the biggest surprise she's had today.

"Owwwwww, Hoopa, couldn't you've landed us on something soft?"

"Not like he could've predicted this, Maddie."

"MADDIE!? MATT!?" Lia yelled out.

"LIA!!!!" The two ran up to her and hugged her legs for dear life.

"Where are we!?"

"What's going on!?"

Before Lia answer them, she heard the front door open and heard footsteps making to them. 'I just can't catch a break today, can I?' she groaned in her head.

And sure enough, it was Mr. Crowley and Madame Eva coming in with the necessities they promised.

"Good evening, Miss Lia! As another gesture of our grand kindness, I've brought you dinner and my darling wife has brought you some bedding and a change of clothes for, wait a minute; That's the weasel creature we had evicted from campus for causing the ruckus in the orientation ceremony! How and what is it doing back here!?" Crowley yelled.

Then he noticed Maddie and Matt, "And are those children?!"

Maddie huffed and gave off her signature sassy attitude. "What? Have you never seen a kid before? Let alone two?"

"Um, Maddie, let's not make him mad." Matt nervously suggested to his twin.

"Exactly how did you two get here?" Madame Eva asked.

Lia couldn't handle all these questions that are going around all over the place, with a heavy sigh, she finally spoke up. "Alright, enough. Let's all settle down and take this to the lounge. I'll explain everything about Grim," She turns to the twins, "And then you two will explain how and why you are here. Does that sound good to everyone?" She asks.

"Yes, I believe that is better for all of us. Dire, you take the food to the kitchen, and I'll put the bedding and stuff away in Lia's bedroom. Then, we can all meet in the lounge." Madame Eva refrained.

"Thank you," Lia smiled gratefully at the woman.

After the little fiasco in the Hall, soon everyone was in the lounge waiting for some answers. Lia made some hot chocolate for everyone. A little saying her mother told her, 'A little chocolate teds to ease the nerves. And she was right, As everyone was settled, Lia explained the craziness that had happened before Crowley and Eva arrived.

"So then after settling things with Grim, we were suddenly jumped by a group of ghosts that were in the hallway,"

"But I took care of those bozoes. They were no match for me anyway, I could take them with my eyes closed." Grim boasted.

Pikachu deadpanned. "Pikachu," (You pretty much did,) Grim glare at him.

"Uh, excuse me? We took care of them. With the help of Lia's guidance. You also almost burned up the hallway too." Persian corrected Grim. But Grim didn't listen as they argued with each other.

"Ghosts? Like, as in real ghosts? Not Ghost-type Pokémon?" Maddie asked excitedly.

"Yep," Lia confirmed.

"I think I'm good with just Gengar and Phantump, thank you," Matt muttered while drinking his cup.

Madame Eva looked at him curiously till Lia explained that he was a very paranoid and superstitious child back home due to all the scary stories a former nanny told him. In Lia's opinion, their parents shouldn't have hired a retired Ghost and Dark-type gym leader as a nanny. The raven-haired woman completely agreed.

"Back to the topic, I seem to recall that this dorm was abandoned because of a mischievous Ghost problem." Crowley hummed, making some of the people and Pokémon in the room glare at him.

'And you couldn't have remembered or mentioned this sooner?!'

"Dire," Eva gave him a glare of her own that seemed to spook him more than the others.

"Ah! *Ahem!* Anyway, you say you joined together to drive them away?"

"In a matter of speaking, it took some convincing on Grim's part. But in the end, we all managed to do it together." Lia said.

"I wouldn't exactly say that, me and two of my associates drove them away as the human watched. I just did it to have some Poképuffs and tuna. Speaking of, where is my reward, Lia?" Grim asked in a grumpy tone.

"Poképuffs?" The two questioned.

"They're a special treat that's mostly made in the Kalos region," Matt explained to them.

"Anyway, Miss Lia. would you and your cohorts be so kind as to demonstrate your, ghost-eradication to my wife and me?" Crowley asked.

"Um, but we already drove off the ghosts. And I'm not going to have Gengar be a training dummy." Lia replied.

"Yeah, and I'm not doing anything till I get my tuna," Grim demanded.

"I shall play the part of the ghosts. As for the tuna, you will receive it, after you've defeated me. Don't my generosity seem exceptional?" Crowley beamed at the end, making Persian and Pikachu rolled their eyes at him.

"Dire, dial it down," Eva said unamused.

"Um, excuse me, sir. Exactly how are you gonna play as the ghost?" Matt asked.

"Put a sheet over you and go 'boo?" Maddie giggled to herself, and Pikachu and Grim did the same. But stopped when Lia stared them down.

"Maddie,"

"Sorry, Lia,"

Crowley pulled a small bottle out of nowhere and showed it to the kids and Lia. "Quite simple young man, I just need to partake this 'transmutation potion and. . . "

No sooner than he said that he chugged the potion in front of them and was suddenly surrounded by a bright light. The light started to dim and there before everyone was a ghost version of Crowley.

"Huh, it looks like the weight of his ego made him gain a few pounds," Persian whispered to Pikachu and Grim.

"Persian, not nice." Lia scolded the classy cat Pokémon.

"What?" he acted 'dumb.

"Seriously? I have to work with these two and the human again?" Grim complained.

"Pika, Pi. Pikachu!" (Do you really want to pass this up?) Pikachu asked him.

"He's right Grim. If you defeat Mr. Crowley and impress him, you might convince him to enroll in the school!" Lia encouraged.

Grim thought about it for a moment, then reluctantly complied. "Alright, fine. This will be the last time I'm doing a 'team-up. When this is over, I better be up to my chin with cans of tuna!"

"A deal is a deal." Lia smiled.

Maddie made a gesture to Madame Eva to get closer to her as everyone else was getting in position, "What's tuna?" she asked. This made the said woman sigh a bit as she realized that there was more to teach these kids than she thought.

Then, the fight between 'Ghost Crowley and Lia and company began.

"Right then! Let's see if you can expel me as a Ghost. Come on now, don't be shy about striking me. I am far too gracious to be riled up so easily over something like this." 'Ghost Crowly said as he appeared and disappeared around the group.

"Alright, sir. But I'm letting you know now that you literally asked for it." Lia said back.

"Yeah! And there better be some tuna after this!" Grim protested.

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. ~" Persian grinned. Getting ready to attack.

"Pika," (Same here,) Pikachu did the same.

"You know what to do Lia, Tell me when he so much as blinks near me!"

"Don't worry Grim, I got your back," Lia assured him.

"Let us commence!" Crowley decreed.

"Grim to your left! Now!"

Grim did so, as he fired his flames in that direction, 'Ghost Crowly was as good as burned.

"My word! Does that ever smart!" the ghost mage cried out. Making Maddie, Matt, and Madame Eva laugh a bit.

"Alright! Pikachu, use 'Electro Ball on your left too!" Lia called out.

"Pi!" Then 'Ghost Crowley appeared right where Lia directed Pikachu, and the little mouse Pokémon powered up his tail and sent the said attack right at him.

"Gah! Well, I'm shocked!"

"Well, you said for them not to hold back my dear." Madame Eva playfully mocked.

"Right, you are my love. I'm impressed, to say the least, I may have to 'up the difficulty a tad smidge."

As soon as Crowley said that he started to fly around them at a surprisingly fast speed.

"Gah! He went fast all of a sudden!" Grim cried out.

"Let's see if you can keep up with me now, yes? ~"

"Ha! This is child's play for the great Grim!"

"And did you really forget what I did back at the ceremony Mr. Crowley?" Persian questioned.

The said Pokémon started to chase 'Ghost Crowley with his speed and was able to keep up. But then the 'ghost mage pulled another trick. Suddenly two images of the ghost before appeared as 'Ghost Crowley appeared himself on the other side.

"Now, can you elude this many at once?" Crowley asked.

"You'd be surprised, Pikachu! 'Iron tail on your right! And Grim fire at your sides!" Lia ordered.

"Pika!" (You got it!)

"Alright! You don't need to yell at me!"

The two went back-to-back and faced their opponents with the moves Lia told them. This made the ghosts, including 'Ghost Crowley, disappear in wails of pain. Using her aura sense, Lia predicted Crowley making his next move.

"Persian! Use 'Fury Swipes right behind me!"

"Right!"

Lia ducked down as Persian charged at 'Ghost Crowley and attacked. The Head-mage cried out in both shock and pain as he went flying at a wall behind him. Making him return back to his original human self. The three who watched the whole thing were amazed, especially the twins.

"Yeah! You did it!" they cheered.

Grim panted as he tried to catch his breath, " *pant* *pant* Well. . . ?" he asked, turning to Crowley.

"Fascinating, I have never seen anyone have a creature of monster cooperate with them so easily the way you have Miss Lia. I must say, my educator's intuition did sense something about you after the ruckus in the mirror chamber before. You even managed to predict where I was before ordering your companion to attack."

"That's because I used my aura to sense you, sir," Lia told him.

"Your aura? Wait do you mean to say you can manipulate your aura?!" Crowley questioned, stunned.

"Yes, why is that such a shock?"

"Aura manipulation hasn't been done in centuries. In a way, it was considered the first form of magic by some people. However, the development of maintaining and controlling it was so difficult and dangerous that no one's been able to attempt it again since." Madame Eva explained.

"Well, in the Kanto region, there was a place where people called 'Aura Guardians are able to use that all the time. and for those who want to learn it, have to be really dedicated and strong enough to gain that ability." Lia exclaimed. Then she turned to Crowley.

"And as for what you said sir, I told you. Back in our world, we trainers dedicate our lives to training and working with Pokémon. We try to gain their trust and loyalty and we trainers provide them with all the care and kindness we can offer. We form a bond so that we can coexist with each other in peace. As for Grim, I just gave him the kindness and support that he's never been given before."

"I see, hmmm." Crowley begins to mumble to himself at the thought of what to do with Grim.

Lia took this as a chance to keep her promise to Grim. "If I may sir, would it be possible for you to let Grim stay here with me?" she asked.

"Hmm?! What's that? Let a monster stay here?"

"Why not? I've dealt with difficult Pokémon before, I can keep an eye on him and make sure he stays out of trouble. Plus, he really wants to stay and learn from this school. You said so yourself that you were impressed by how he defeated you earlier. I can tell that he's a very talented creature, he just needs to be taught how to use his abilities the right way."

Grim couldn't believe what he was hearing, a human, who he's been giving a hard time since they'd met. Is asking for him to stay in the school of his dreams. As she said, she's given him kindness whereas he's done very little to earn it.

"So please sir, would you let him stay?"

The way Lia pleaded to Crowley with her 'doe eyes, made an imaginary arrow strike his heart. To him, she was so kind and pure as a mother is to a child. Crowley snapped out of it as he cleared his throat and faced her.

"Hmmm, I dare cannot such a kind and honest plea. Well then, I suppose I can allow it. Ah, very well." he agreed.

"R-Really!?" Grim beamed with excitement.

"However, let me be very clear! Under no circumstances, would I admit anyone who hasn't been selected by the dark mirror to Night Raven Collage, especially not a monster! As well as you, Miss Lia, will I allow you to freeload here till you are able to return to your home world with your creatures."

"As much as I don't want it to be this way, my husband's right sweetie." Madame Eva said sadly.

"Guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up... " Grim said, depressed.

"I'm not finished, as it was the dark mirror that somehow brought you here, it is the school's responsibility for your well-being. So, I will allow you to remain here in this dorm free of charge; but as for food, clothing and incidentals. You will have to pay for them yourself."

"I understand, sir. But with the money I have, I don't think it'll work." Lia pointed out.

"Yes, you're practically penniless here. Therefore, I shall have you and your creatures do a few odd jobs for me around campus. Simple as that, and from what I can see, you and your creatures have a way of tidying things up. So, what do you say that you two and your creatures work as a janitorial service team?"

"That seems reasonable enough,"

"I'll also permit you to use the library from time to time so that you can find a way to return to your home. Of course, that is when you are done with your work. Isn't my gracious kindness so grand? ~" Crowley grinned at the end, earning him an elbow to the gut from his wife.

"Huh! What kind of deal is that? I want to wear those awesome uniforms and be a top student here! Not pick up and clean someone else's junk!" Grim complained.

"Oh? If you are unsatisfied with this agreement, I can always have you thrown out again." Crowley mentioned. Making Grim take back his words.

"Gah! Alright, alright, fine. I'll do it."

"Pika, Pika," (Can't be that bad.)

"At least we don't have to deal with much." Persian huffed.

"Splendid, starting tomorrow, you all shall be the newest Night Raven Collage janitorial staff members." Crowley decreed.

"But dear, what about the children?" Eva mentioned, standing by Maddie and Matt.

"Ah! Yes, that I haven't considered."

"How about we figure out how you two are here in the first place,"

The said two looked at each other, till Matt spoke up first. "Well Lia, it's like this,"