A week of living with the Young family isn't all that bad... other than my visit with my parents. Always looking to the side or fidgeting a body part. Not much was really said other than what they wrote in the letter beforehand. Even more strange, the IPB still questioned me if they said anything. Yet thanks to Kayla, I thought of that they could've been recording us either way.

With school coming about, luckily no word was really spread of.. well anything. Besides, the many that still hold a grudge of the death of Melissa. Of which Mr. Yo- umm Appa told me that Junu didn't have another female cousin.

Junu on the other hand still stays the same as I met him when first attending the academy. Seeming the same even at home.

With more and more projects popping about, as I was moved to higher level classes, Appa and Omma were there to help. Unlike my original parents...

At least the school is well known for the great events, which will probably be a good thing for me for the rest of my academy years; taking some time to take breaks here and there.

With the upcoming Halloween party and dance coming up, mom started to bring up stories of how Junu enjoyed it every year. To go and celebrate, until of last year. Claiming that he does not want to go this year.

"Planning to go to the party?"

"I would like to go... though I don't have a costume, and the ones that you can buy at the stores are a little too common and unoriginal to me."

"Well, we still have nearly two weeks before the party. How about we create one ourselves? Have you ever sewn before?"

"No, though I'm not entirely sure of what to go as. Other than an Espeon coming to mind only."

"Well, we could that. After classes tomorrow, we'll go to some stores and look for supplies, okay? Oh, Junu! Plan to go this year to the party?"

"No, really don't have any plans to go."

"Zorua! Zor zor!"

"Looks like someone wants to go."

"Fine, I'll go. Don't bother anything for me. I've already had one," Junu states, taking some pineapples from the fridge, and starts to his room, whereas he spends all his time mostly after classes or non-class days.

"I'll bet he's just going to buy some mask and put it on."

"Doesn't that ruin the mood? For Halloween that is?"

"He always figures a way to make things better, or at least above average."

"Does he do anything? Since when I see him in his room, he's usually reading."

"He does a draw too, but a few weeks before you came, he was usually on his computer playing games."

"What does he like to draw?"

"Personally, I really do not know, always have his sketchbooks hidden away, and his digital drawings blocked by his own password. Anyways, have any idea how you want your costume?"

"I do, but it's hard to explain... Do you have any pencil and paper around?"

"I have something better," she looks into a cabinet near the living room.

Returning with a few pencils, a sharpener, and a sketchbook.

"You can use the rest of this, I don't think Junu will be needing a sketchbook anytime soon."

"Thank you."

"No problem, dinner will be ready in the next hour or so. Just so you know," she calls out from behind as I head on up to my room.

Starting at first with ideas coming to mind, but instantly scraped as it's something that I would not enjoy. Then my thinking concludes to a mage-esque concept... now then a long staff to carry around or some small twig-like wand....

-----------

"Let's see here... I think this hue of lavender will do better, don't you think?"

"Yeah, but the material of it doesn't look very good to me. It's not going to be like exact fur. It's going to be more like the fabric of a mage's cloak or robe. But more of a cloak, because I don't want to wear something heavier."

"Ah, I think this one should do?"

Feeling the fabric, and holding it with one hand to judge of total weight, later on, it's quite light. Also, noting that the material is water resilient; a new form of fabric recently made and has a similar hue of lavender compared with Kayla.

"You think this looks like the same color, Kayla?"

With a sensation of satisfaction, I continue through the store, seeing if there anything I could get for Kayla.

Buying the supplies and food for the rest back home, we come back with the fabric, thin metal rods, string. Also grabbing a few yards of another colored cloth, for Kayla, as I planned to have a near similar robe to go with mine. After dinner, Omma starts to teach me of the basics on how to sew and use the sewing machine.

Starting a little bit on the cloak, lining out the fabric, starting to cut it out and to cut it a little bigger, so it'll be able to fit me now and if I plan to wear it again anytime soon.

Soon enough, Omma suggested going to bed, as we still had classes tomorrow. Which leaves a week and a day before the party is to take place.

---------

As classes slowly roll on by, the recruitment of the school's battling team starts; whom are chosen by each period within the battling classes. The top two boys and girls -if they choose to - will meet up on an appointed date and have a battle with the other top two boys or girls in other periods before it comes down to the last girl and boy to represent.

I only manage to beat three others before getting disqualified myself, which I really don't mind.

Junu, on the other hand, looks as if it's just another day of class. Yet a few days ago back at home, Appa was trying to convince him to at least try more this year. That if he were to win every single battle till the championship, it'll help him out if he decides to go and explore the world.

That is what he seems to be doing, but then again this period has what I consider to be the weaker class, seeing that most use the school's Pokemon. Either that or they're the ones that mostly talk about in class, never taking it seriously.

With the last set of battles for the boy and girl, Junu wins by a longshot alongside with a boy named Calvin. As for the girls, it's Helen and Nicole.

Beeeeeeeep

"Crystal! Mind coming here for a moment?"

"Haha look at that, she got into trouble again probably," Zoey snickers with her friends as they pass by.

"Yes..."

"You have one more period, right?"

"Yeah?"

"We'll be going home after the battles are over so come straight here after your last period, okay?"

"Sure, though I'm going to be late. It's across the campus."

"Uhh here," he hastily signs a piece of paper, looking more like scribbles than an excuse paper as he hands it to me.

Even though with a pass, I run as quick as I could over to the classroom, not to take my leisurely time as some other students would.

----------

With the ending of last period, I walk alone with Kayla back to the school stadium. To see the battling between the top of each class already started.

To see Junu and Lock battling against another boy with an Ivysaur. Looking like Junu is starting to wrap things up.

"Lock, once more, psycho cut."

Charging up on the run - Lock agile as ever - lands the final blow to the near immobile Ivysaur.

"Victor goes to Junu and Lock! That leaves him with two wins and zero losses."

"Well done, Junu! Your last opponent will be Luke," Mr. Young calls out.

"So you're finally taking this seriously, huh Junu? Well, let's go, Owen!"

Sending out a Pignite, Lock walks to the battle stage without Junu calling him out.

"Alright, let the battle commence! The first move will go to Junu."

"Future sight."

"Let's finish this up before it comes at us, Owen, arm thrust!"

When the orbs of light vanish to wherever they go to, the Pignite charges, both paw open so that the palms face the target: Lock. Before the Pignite could land an attack, Lock dashes out of the way.

"Psycho cut."

With Lock's horn charging up, he charges into the Pignite, which he couldn't dodge quick enough. Lock lands the attack, but the Pignite barely blocking it with its arms. In the quick succession, white orbs pop from the air, and converge to the Pignite, all the orbs closing in with successful hits.

"Victor goes to Junu! As the victor of this match, he will be our male representative in the district battle tournament. Now, let our last two girls come up and battle!"

"Well done, Junu! Perhaps you can make it to the world championships, we might as well celebrate New Year's at your aunt's place if you want."

"Sounds nice I guess, when is the district tournament?

"Next week, however, you'll be attending practices here for the next few days."

"Sure."

"Will I have to stay as well or no?"

"Yeah, you'll have to be staying here for another thirty minutes or so after your last class. You wouldn't mind, right Crystal?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind."

"Good, that wraps it up then, let's go home and celebrate this victory."