"Oh, there're two Eggs!" The entire class was gathered around Professor Juniper's desk, where two Eggs were lying on a cushioned casing with the glass case removed.

"Yes, the first Egg is one I brought from Kanto the other day." She indicated a reddish brown one. "The other is one I got from Undir Núll Mountain." She gestured towards a white one with light blue flower like patterns.

"What kind of Eggs are they?" A girl was tilting her head left and right.

"What do you expect us to do, Professor Juniper?" Another asked.

"Well, I propose as a side project, I'll take care of one Egg, and one of you take care of another." Professor Juniper said. "Of course, as a class, you should observe the state of the Egg every day and record any changes."

"How would you decide who gets to raise the Egg and keep the Pokémon inside?" Lance asked.

"Who gets to keep the Pokémon inside? Well, it's the person who gets the highest marks for the pop quiz I gave earlier this week to see how much you've retained." Most of the people in the class groaned except Ash and his friends. "And that goes to...our Vice-Chairman Pakura."

"But I already have one idiotic baby to take care of." Pakura was indicating to her Eevee, who was gnawing at her collar, though she came forward to select the Egg she wanted. "Gee...I can't decide which Egg. What do you think, Rosaline?"

"Huh? Well..." Rosaline said. "Personally, I'll pick this one." She pointed to the reddish brown Egg. "I feel afflicted with it after all."

"Ok thanks. I'll pick the other one then." Pakura grinned, as Rosaline face-faulted.

"Why did you ask me to pick?" Rosaline muttered.

"Well, from the years I know you, I learnt that the opposite from your choice is usually the better option." Pakura answered, and as she reached out for the Egg, it shifted slightly, indicting whatever was inside was alive. Everyone watched in awe as she took the Egg and carried it in the Egg case. "Once it hatches, it can play with my other Pokémon..." When her Eevee yipped in excitement, Pakura said, "Yes, you too, Eevee..."

As she said that however, the bell rang, and it was time for them to get to Chemistry Class, which was scheduled to be in one of the labs, prompting them to quickly pack up and make their way to Chemistry Class. On the way, he spotted Cynthia, looking beautiful in a casual sweater and a pair of jeans that accentuated her figure nicely in all sorts of ways with matching stiletto boots. She was accompanied by her usual entourage of boys she had gained during the first week of the school year.

'Cynthia's such a dame.' Jude thought, staring at her. 'She's the most beautiful girl in the world, and I don't even feel like giving her a sarcastic remark.'

"Jude. Jude, are you alright?" Pakura frowned at him in disapproval when she realized what he was looking at.

"Yeah, great, Pakura." Jude replied.

"Do you like her?" Pakura asked, pointing at Cynthia who was walking past them.

"Me and a broad?" Jude sounded incredulous. "Get serious. She just seems, I don't know..."

"Yeah, right. Stand in line." Ash scoffed, as he pointed to some familiar faces among the entourage of boys. "See? There's Morty. You remember he's the mystic seer of the school. He's got a fan club as well and popular among the girls. And there's Juan, he has many female fans, and is considered very dashing. Also, he is a former winner of the Grand Festival. He is quite the celebrity type, putting on shows with his Pokémon during our sessions together. And there's that actor guy, Brycen, member of my Drama Club. He's so famous he's got his own cereal box. I'm sure you know that right?"

"Big deal. What do they have that I don't?" Jude raised his brow.

"Time to spend with her. After all, she got more popular ever since she did her hair like that." Phillip replied promptly. "They on the other hand are not as busy as you, so they can dedicate some of their personal time to her. I thought you said you don't want to date, though?"

"Well, school is for dating, like hanging out and going to movies, not for finding soulmates." Jude waved him off.

"If you want her, I'll advise you to get rid of the competition. After that you can ask her to the Interregional Diversity Dance or something." Ash suggested.

"That's an idea..." Jude grinned, as they got to the Chemistry Lab, though a student worker came up to Ash with a pink hall pass with his name on it and told him to meet Principal William in his office.

"Don't worry Ash, I'll take your homework and your notes for you if that's what you're worried about." Pakura said. "Just go see what he wants." Ash nodded as he passed the Class Diary to her and made a detour towards the Principal's Office.

"Is there something I can help you with, Principal Anderson?" Ash asked, as he entered the Principal's Office, as William sat behind his desk sipping tea. "It must be important, considering you pulled me out of Chemistry Class."

"Yes, I know how much you enjoy your lessons, Ash, but we have another pressing matter at hand, and I believe you as Student Council President should handle this." William replied. "The paperwork has already been handed and filed in, and all we are left is the Star Ranking and class she will be placed in...along with other stuff, since it is a huge blow. But there is no choice."

"Wait, what?" Ash was puzzled, just as the intercom said, "Principal Anderson, the potential student to see you."

"Send the sweetheart in." William called out, as the door opened, and in came a girl around Rosaline's age. She had black hair and green eyes that can make emeralds jealous. She had a petite figure though with a fairly sizeable bust and had delicate features that few girls can rival. To add to her femininity, she was wearing a lovely pink dress with a white collar and darker pink ribbon sash around the waist with puffy sleeves.

"Hello, Principal Anderson." The girl said politely with a dazzling smile. "I'm ready to take the test to see if I'm worthy of being in the school."

"This is Akeno Calfuray Cheveyo. Akeno, this is Ashura Red Satoshi Ketchum, out Student Council President." William introduced.

"Hello, Ashura. It's good to meet you." Akeno held out a hand.

"Just Ash will do. Great to see you too." Ash replied, as they shook hands.

"Ash, I trust you'll help her feel welcome and find someone to give her a school tour?" William asked.

"I see, so you want me to make sure she feels comfortable in our school when she gets in." Ash nodded. "Sure, I'll do my best. After all, we take care of the other students and no one is left out. Good luck for your test, Akeno, and when you settle in, I'm in HSD AP Class A and we can choose your guide from there." With that, he smiled and left the office.

Because of this matter, Ash was late getting to lunch and also, he had to find the other members of the Student Council to find out how the arrangements of the auction has went. So it was a surprise when he got to his seat at their table with his food and saw that Rosaline was missing.

"Where is Rosaline?" Ash asked, as he took the seat next to Pakura.

"She got a call, so she went somewhere to answer it, as the dining hall is noisy." Jude answered. "You missed the field trip announcement, by the way."

"What?" Ash was startled. A field trip?

"Our class would be taking a field trip to the Pokémon School in the Alola Region located in Melemele Island. You know, since Alola Region has a separate school from PAL Academy, and it would be a good idea to learn something from the students there and vice-versa and bring it back to help in the curriculum. Rooms would be paid for, but you'll have to pay for your own plane ticket." Phillip replied.

"Sounds like a great opportunity." Ash commented.

"Although some of the other students in school might not be able to afford that ticket." Jude frowned. "I mean, our monthly allowances are different after all."

"The ones with Financial Aid would have more school subsidies though." Ash pointed out. "So, you guys going?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Jude sounded amused, as Phillip laughed.

"Well, I can use a break. I mean, there's Hau'oli City, where there is a Shopping District and have plenty of local goods and souvenirs. Not to mention, you can get everything from fashion items to popular treats to eat there, and we can leave the preparation for the guests to the teachers." Pakura replied. "After all, they will be coming here as well."

"Yeah, you have a point." Ash nodded. "It'll be a nice change of scenery. We can also hold the auction while they're there so they can be impressed."

"They are there to learn, not to sightsee." Pakura retorted. "So, what did Principal Anderson call you for?"

"Apparently there is going to be a new student. I met her in the office." Ash answered. "Her name's Akeno."

"Wait, you don't mean Akeno Calfuray Cheveyo, do you?" Pakura interrupted, as she looked up from her Macaroni and Cheese

"Why yes, how do you know?" Ash was surprised.

"We shared an enrichment class when I was younger." Pakura replied without elaborating. "Her name was also memorable in the sense that the Chevyo Clan is a family of spirit mediums. These mediums are known to channel spirits but they also use their spiritual powers for other purposes. They used to live in Ten'i Village in the Sinnoh, but recently moved to Ariolo Village in this region. Everyone who has bothered to read the regional papers besides their own should know."

"Just you, then." Jude answered, rolling his eyes.

"What you're not aware of would definitely fill up several Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix books, Jude." Pakura shot Jude a glare. "And what is taking that idiot so long?" When she saw Rosaline was nowhere near, she took her plate of turkey croquettes and Macaroni and Cheese and replaced them with her broccoli and mushroom.

"Rosaline isn't going to be happy when she returns." Phillip remarked dryly.

"I hardly think that matters, Phillip, unless there is a type of broccoli and mushroom that happen to be spicy." Pakura shrugged. "Besides, she also steals my desserts and I hardly say a word, so who is she to complain?"

Ash laughed, as he said, "I think we better eat her lunch. Lunch is almost over after all and Rosaline doesn't look like she'll be coming back any time soon. It'll be a waste if we just threw this in the trash. If she's hungry we can make her a bento or something."

Jude and Phillip shrugged, before helping themselves with her lunch, as they kept glancing up to look out for their friend.

"I wonder where Rosaline went." Espeon mumbled, as Lucario shrugged.

"I wonder what happened to Rosaline." Ash said, as he looked at the empty seat Rosaline usually occupied as they gathered in their classroom for English. "Something is not right here."

"Must be something to do with the call she received." Pakura rolled her eyes, as Miss Davis started to call for their attention.

"Students, I have news for you." Miss Davis was addressing the class. The students looked at one another, wondering what sort of announcement their teacher would have for them that was not mentioned in the morning announcements. "We are going to have a new student in our class due to the student's high marks in the test. Hence, she is placed in the Advanced Programme with a Triple Star Rank and in our class as well."

"Wait, don't tell me..." Ash remembered Akeno who was scheduled to take the test during lunch hour. 'What did she score on her paper, anyway?'

"Please, come on in." Miss Davis said, as the door opened, and sure enough, Akeno came in with an angelic smile on her face, wearing the school's blazer over her casual attire, a Rotom following behind her casually. Everyone was somewhat shocked into silence. "Please introduce yourself."

'She sure radiates a glow of complete sincerity.' Ash thought.

Akeno gave a bow, and said sweetly, "My name is Akeno Calfuray Cheveyo. I'm sixteen years old this year, and I decided to enrol in school to learn and help my clan to the best of my abilities. I just want to say, it's an honour to be transferred in this class and I hope you would all bear with me."

"I'm sure the honour is all ours." Miss Davis smiled. "Please, take Rosaline's empty seat for now, until we can find a suitable seating for you." Akeno smiled, and went to sit at Rosaline's empty seat. "Oh, and Ash, the Class Committee and the Student Council may be affected sometime this week. Please send a message to the rest of your members. I swear it's a bad time for it to be happening, but still..."

Ash frowned, but recorded in the Class Diary that Rosaline is absent from English class. He had a nagging feeling that something was wrong and Miss Davis had knowledge on what was up with Rosaline, as Miss Davis started on the ways to summarize an English Comprehension passage. Amethyst was next to him taking notes, though he knew her thoughts are somewhere else at the moment.

"What do you think Miss Davis meant by the Student Council and the Class Committee being affected?" Ash whispered.

"How would I know? She's a little eccentric. With her rumoured OCD and all, I won't be surprised if she left out a few details and would try to repeat it to you later." Pakura muttered.

"Who has OCD?" Miss Davis appeared from behind them.

'Talk of the devil.' Ash thought, as Pakura said, "No one, Miss Davis. We were just discussing the topics of the essay we did the last time and how it can be improved."

"Good to know you're working hard, but try not to focus on too many things." Miss Davis replied, before walking away.

"Nice." Ash grinned, but his smile dropped when he saw Akeno. "But how did she get to be in our class? Usually those who get high marks would go to AP B Class at best."

"She must have scored full marks for her test and have participated in other competitions before she entered." Pakura replied. "Principal Anderson would never allow her in the class unless he is more than confident that she can cope. Then again, she is a prodigy of her clan so it's not really surprising she will end up here sooner or later...in this case, it's sooner."

"Do you think she happen to know something about the reason why Rosaline didn't show up for class?" Ash whispered.

"I won't put it past her. Even as a child, she is skilled in the art of divination and can utilize all the methods, like tarot reading, tea leaves reading, that sort of stuff. The thing is, she uses spiritual power rather than psychic power and she gets information from the spirits wandering around. She's a nice girl, but very creepy." Pakura answered. "If I were to guess, she will blend in rather quickly."

"Alright in groups of five or six, please write up a summary of Chapter 7 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." Miss Davis announced. As soon as that happened, Phillip and Jude went over to them with their chairs, and sat around their tables. However, they heard a set of footsteps, and looked up to see Akeno smiling at them.

"Would you let me join you, Pakura?" Akeno gave a dazzling smile, as the class broke into whispers.

"No way, the new girl just approached the most popular group like she belonged!" One said.

"The new girl knows Pakura already?" Another gasped.

"Not surprising, since Pakura is very well-known." A third answered. "But to talk to her in a casual way like that... Ash would not like that"

"No way will they accept." A fourth laughed, as Akeno looked nervous.

"That's enough!" Pakura said to the class, glaring at them. "Whatever Akeno does, it's none of your business. How rude for you to talk about her like that when she is trying to fit in! I don't care what clique she chooses to join later or who to befriend, but we are in the same class, and we must treat one another with respect."

The class fell silent, as Pakura said to Akeno, "Sure you can join us, Akeno."

Akeno smiled, as she shifted her chair next to Pakura. "Thank you!"

"So, introductions?" Jude gestured.

"That'll be nice." Akeno smiled, as Phillip began to write down his ideas of a summary for the chapter.

"I'm Jude Harrison. I'm the Discipline I/C of the Student Council and the Sports & Wellness Ambassador for the class. I am a captain of...a lot of clubs."

"Lazy ass." Pakura said, smacking him on the head, where they laughed.

"Akeno, the welcome package Principal William should contain the list of CCAs and the current captains. Unfortunately, our names appear a lot as we are captains for at least ten clubs." Ash told her. "Phillip, your turn to introduce yourself."

"I'm Phillip Robinson, I'm the Treasurer of the Student Council and the Cyber Wellness Ambassador for the Class." Phillip blushed.

"You already know me. I am also the Chairman of this class." Ash smiled.

"Yeah, you know my name, and I'm the Vice-Chairman of the class, and Vice-President of the Student Council." Pakura waved her off. "There's also Rosaline, who is the Reading Ambassador of this class and the Secretary of the Student Council, but she's not here. I wonder where she went."

"I'll introduce you to the other Student Council members later so you can select your guide." Ash nodded, as Amethyst and Jude joined in the discussion of the summary.

"No need." Akeno said calmly. "I have already made my choice the moment I entered this class."

"Really? Alright, then who?" Ash asked curiously.

"Pakura, will you be my guide?" Akeno turned to the girl.

"And let you accompany me to every single CCA I go? Girl, you'll be bored to tears." Pakura replied. "You have no idea how packed my schedule is."

"Nah, that's alright. I've been looking to join some CCAs as well to have a more meaningful learning experience outside of books." Akeno answered. "We share all the classes together after all."

"You're in Gifted and Talented?" Jude was incredulous.

Akeno nodded. "Yup, I do love flower arranging and origami, hence Principal William decided to put me in the class."

'Oh great, why do I have to babysit?' Pakura thought. 'First the Eevee, then the Egg, and now Akeno. I hope she knows my name because I am well-known in the school and not because she remembered me from her childhood.'

'If all of us were a family, she'd be the mother by now.' Phillip thought, looking at her.

"And who will be the father?" Pachirisu asked.

'I guess Ash.' Phillip shrugged.

'She seemed creepier from the last time I met her. Why did she transfer here?' Pakura thought.

"We can do the paperwork for your new locker later, considering you'll need it if you don't want to carry all the books in your bag. It'll be heavy." Pakura said to Akeno, as the group made their way to the final lesson in the afternoon, History/Geography, which meant they have to walk back to their classrooms. "Does anyone need to go to the washroom?"

"Oh yeah, we definitely need to." Ash, Jude and Phillip said in unison.

"No, I'm good." Akeno smiled.

"Alright, then you wait outside for us, and we'll take you to...what are you taking?" Pakura asked.

"History." Akeno replied.

"Fine, just wait here for us." Pakura nodded, as they made their way to the washroom.

Akeno shrugged, as she leant against a locker, not knowing a gang was making their way towards her. They stopped when they saw her.

"What's up, girl? Are you new?" May asked. Akeno gave them a glance, before looking away.

"Oh wow! You're an angel! Did you come from Heaven, because I..." He was cut off when Croagunk jabbed him with Poison Jab and dragged him away.

"I'm Cilan." Cilan held out a hand. Akeno shot her another look, but shook it. "This is Misty, that idiot is Brock, this is May, Danny, Dawn, Iris, Clemot, and Serena "

"Hey, girl, what's up?" Misty grinned at her.

"Akeno." She said, her face becoming closed off as she heard their souls and knew somehow to Ash

"Good to meet you, Akeno." Serena said. "Where are you from?"

"I used to live in Ten'i Village." Akeno said.

"Oh, the Sinnoh Region. I'm from there too!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Any particular hobbies?" Danny asked. "Do you play sports or anything?"

"No." Akeno answered shortly, hoping they would leave her alone.

"No, that's actually cool. That's totally cool. We could always use more boosters in the stands to cheer for the participants on competitions, you know." May smiled.

 "Listen. How did you get Ash to talk to you." Danny asked

"Huh." Akeno asked 

"How did you get my step- Brother to talk to you easily." Danny asked

"I knew Pakura and I guess he trust me." Akeno said

"Good talking to you, girl. We got to go for class, maybe we can hang out some..." She was cut off when the door to the ladies washroom opened, and Pakura came out.

"Pakura." Dawn's smile dropped.

"Berlitz." Pakura answered, as her Sylveon growled. as Dawn pipulp growled 

"How can Ash love you. You look like the girl who would cheat on others." Dawn said 

Pakura didn't seem fazed, however. "Really. If I am remember you cheated on Ash five years ago breaking my boyfriend heart. Now he happily dating me and you think I ain't right for him go tell his father oh wait his father or sister doesn't like you or even meet you"

'Ouch.' Akeno thought as she saw Dawn fuming, but stopped when they saw the boys exit the washroom, and had no choice but to leave. As they walked past, however, Dawn whispered, "Trust me, those people would just stab you on the back if it would help appear cool to everyone. I'll be waiting at the gardens near the courtyard at five to hang out. You'll want to join us." With that, she left.

"Gotta love the classics." Jude said sarcastically. "Self-proclaimed cool and popular gang versus the nerds. Just get better with time, don't they?"

"They are soon to be irrelevant." Pakura replied. "Come on, Akeno. Let's get to class."

The class turned out to be watching some movie called Duck and Cover which is a social guidance film on what to do when you see an atomic bomb or something. Everyone was getting sleepy as they watched the screen blankly or doddle on their notebook and whispering to their friends on topics that had nothing to do with History. Ash and his friends were trying to live up to their reputation by watching the movie and listening, though only Pakura seemed remotely interested.

"Rosaline still had not showed up." Jude muttered.

"Let us face, without panic, the reality of our times. The fact that atom bombs may, someday, be dropped on our cities. And let us prepare for survival by understanding the weapon that threatens us." They heard the line from the movie.

Akeno was at an empty seat in front watching the movie attentively, and Pakura decided to go talk to her. She took her chair, and placed it behind her, and tapped her shoulder.

"How are you settling in so far?" Pakura asked.

"Just fine, thanks." Akeno gave a wry smile.

"Good. That's good." Pakura nodded. "I noticed the gang wanted to hang with you. I'm not against it since I can't choose your friends for you and I won't tell the others either, but however I must warn you that the only thing we will discuss is academic matters. Nothing more, nothing less. I figured I should tell you this sooner than later in case I forget. After all, I'm a busy student."

"Who's talking?" The teacher asked, and Pakura fell silent.

"Look. It's cute, it really is. You are an adorable girl and I am sure you'll be liked by everyone. But there is only so much I can help you with as a guide. You know that, right?" Pakura whispered when the teacher turned back to her papers.

"Yeah, I know." Akeno nodded.

"Good thing you learn fast. Also, while I'm here, I'm going to let you in on a little tip. Find your place fast. Catch the rest of this flick. She'll most likely give a verbal pop quiz later. Extra Credit to those who can answer her questions correctly." Pakura nodded, before quietly sliding back to her place next to Ash.

"What were you talking about?" Ash asked.

"Nothing." Pakura said