Chronicles of Fate: E.L.P.T.A

Introduction​

Ello! Welcome to my new story. This is one, that I had lingering around for quite some time. One that I had orignally was going to be a game, but ended up deciding against it. So now here it is, in story form. It fits it. Also, these will not be updated, in a routine basis. Of course, I'll update before the thread revival limit, but will not be pushing these out, on a certain scheldule. With that said, please enjoy my weird story.

Prolouge​

Hello! Welcome to the world of Pokémon. There are multiple regions, in the world of Pokémon world. Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos. All hosting many wonderful Pokémon to enjoy and cherish. But in this tale, our story isn't in any of those places. But a far off region, known as Estino: A series of five islands, which together makes up the entirety of the region. One of these islands is a large island, containing most of Estino's cities and towns. The four, smaller islands are just tourist attractions, except one. This island will host a grand opening of something big. What will it be? Well, let's dive into this world, in the tale of a young man, who begins his journey....

In a Pokémon Trainer school.

 

PART 1: On An Island Far, Far Away

Chapter 1​

Beep. Beep. Beep. A loud sound was ringing. Beep. Beep. Beep. The sound was continually getting louder and louder. Beep. Beep. Beep. The sound was demanding attention.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BE-

The sound was cut off, as a young boy, rose out of bed with a yawn even louder, than that of the alarm. The boy took three steps from his bed, dragging his cold feet across the hardwood floors. He was clad in striped, blue pajamas with a Pokéball image, in its back.

"Today's the big day", the boy thought. He stretched his arm outward, nearly hitting the wall with the painting of a young woman in a black outfit and blonde hair. On the bottom of the painting read the words "Cynthia: The Greatest Champion To Ever Live"

The boy walked into the bathroom, turned the sink on and looked at himself, in the mirror. He saw a young man with brown hair and hazel eyes. Pale skin. In blue pajamas. Nothing too new. When he reached down to grab his toothbrush, he saw a slip of white paper.

He picked it up and it read:

WALTER SIPTER
ONE ADMISSION TO S.S ELPTA
S.S ELPTA TO LEAVE AT 7:40 A.M MAIN/ 8:00 A.M VLAD
REMEMBER TO BRING CLOTHES AND MONEY

70? Walter quickly got wide-eyed and rushed to his alarm clock, running over the clothes hastily laid out on the floor. He grabbed his alarm clock from his wooden shelve, accidentally pulling the plug from the alarm. Walter looked dumbfounded as he couldn't put together, why the clock didn't work.

He gazed down at the floor to see the plug not in the outlet. And now all of a sudden it made sense.

"Oh, come on, " Walter grabbed the plug off the floor and plugged it back in the wall.

Work, work, work. Walter kept tapping the clock, thinking it had any connotation to how fast it would turn on. To no surprise, it didn't.

I don't have any time for this, right now. The clock turned on with the time showing "88:88". Obviously, this wasn't the actual time.

Hurry up, you stupid alarm. The clock started to blink and blink from 88:88 to nothing. The red LED lights, while only a few seconds, took almost an eternity for Walter. Finally. Walter thought.

The time flashed 7:18. ****. I'm going to be late. Walter quickly perked himself up and fumbled through clothes, he left on the floor and bed.

He picked up an outfit and held it up against the wall. It was a simple, red shirt and blue pants. Good enough.

He took off his dirty pajamas and was left in only his underwear. Then, hastily put on his shirt and jeans. Rushed to the bathroom, nearly slipping up on a puddle. I left the sink on. Walter grabbed his toothbrush, brushed his teeth, and spat in the toilet.

Am I good? Walter grinned and checked out his face. I'm good.

Walter ran down the stairs. The living room was also clad in hardwood. There was a small kitchen, with all the necessities. The living room had a green couch and a television. The television was set to the local weather station.

"I need to go",Walter stretched a hand on the front doorknob before he was interrupted.

"Where do you think, you are going?!" A voice echoed the living room as Walter halted his actions and turned around. "Sit down, you haven't eaten breakfast yet, sweetie"

This was Walter's mom, Caroline. Caroline was a nice woman. She looked a lot like Walter, except she didn't have sideburns like Walter, nor did she have brown hair. She was blonde. Caroline was also a trainer before Walter was born. She became a stay at home mom, once Walter was born.

"Mom.... But" Walter sighed as he sat down in the kitchen dining room table.

"But this, but that, we never talk, besides, you won't be late, promise. Walter sat down on a chair across the table from his mom. "Now eat your food, I didn't poison it"

Walter looked down at his prepared plate. It had hash browns and pancakes, which were drizzled with brown syrup. On the side, there were also some eggs that were bred and nurtured from Exeggutors. As a drink there were also a shake made from Oran, Pecha, and Sitrus berries. It gave off a sweet aroma. It was almost too irresistible to pass up. Unless you had a diet as weird as a Grimer in a waste bin.

I guess I can stay for a little bit. Walter chowed down on the food, starting with the pancakes, then finishing off the eggs and drinking his shake.

"Mind if I take these hash browns to eat on the boat?"

"Sure, I'll get you a bag"

Walter smiled.

"That won't be necessary", Walter shoved the hash browns, into one of his jean pockets. Caroline looked stupefied.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! THAT IS SO GROSS"

"It saves bags"

"You are one, weird kid", Caroline nodded her head.

Walter rose out of his chair and walked to the door.

"Bye mom, love you!"

"I love you too", Caroline looked beside her side and found something.

When Walter stepped out the door, a fresh air cooled him. The sky was a faint blue and the grass was wet with fresh dew. The smell of trees and berries filled the air, that enveloped him. The town also had plenty of trees and berry bushes. Yep, this was Suric Town. Surtic Town was on the far left side of Estino. It had good vegetation with year round, growing berries. It was a very ideal place to settle down.

The toes on his feet wrapped the grass around him as something slimy crawled to him. That is when Walter noticed. There's a Pokémon crawling on me. I forgot my shoes.

Caroline burst open the house doors to find Walter screaming at the top of his lungs.

"MOM, GET IT OFF ME. GET IT OFF ME!", Walter was shaking his foot, uncontrollably. Caroline rushed over to Walter, who was shaking his entire body. She hit the bug and it fell on the ground, fainted.

Walter was hyperventilating on the ground. He always hated the feeling of bug Pokémon.

"You forgot your shoes", Caroline handed Walter's shoes. Walter puts on his shoes. A voice was heard from the other side of the town.

"Yo, Walter!", the voice got closer. Walter, of course, knew who this was-None other than his best pal, Garett.

Garett was Walter's best friend. They have known each other, since they were babies. Garett was pale skinned, in a flannel jacket of brown and had jeans and sneakers on. Garett was always the one to jump the gun and was hyperactive. He always teases Walter, with only the best intentions. He was also leaving for the S.S ELPTA.

"Is that you, screaming like a baby, this early?", Walter grinned and laughed.

"Can you stop laughing and help me up, please? You know how I am, about bugs", Walter asked as he held up his hand. Garett grabbed it and pulled him up.

"If you keep screaming like that, you'll never have a girlfriend", Garett prigly said. "Like, when was the last time, you had one? If not, at all?"

Walter blushed. "I don't have to answer that"

"If you aren't a loner, this year. Maybe that'll change", Garett smiles. Garett was always the one to worry about relationships. As much as Walter wanted to disprove it, Garett was right. He really haven't made any friends, let alone any relationships outside of his mom and Garett.

Caroline and Garett stared at each other and laughed. They almost burst into tears, before Walter jumped in. They won't be laughing once I do get one, thought Walter.

"Ha-ha, very funny. Are you even ready?", Walter questioned.

"When you are. We are taking Pidgeot and Fearow to Latermin City", Garett stated.

"Fine by me"

Caroline stared at Walter very intently. She licked her thumb and smeared it against Walter's hair. Walter was moving around his whole body to shake her off. He had a line a spit across his forehead, when he shook her off. It wouldn't even make my hair any better.

"Sorry. You're growing up so fast, Walter"

"Yeah, Walter. You're growing up so fast", Garett mocked. Walter shoved him, in the stomach.

"Have your clothes, Walter?", Caroline asked.

"Yep"

"Money?"

"Yep"

"Toothbrush?"

Walter hesitated to answer, he knew he forgot. Caroline sighed and gazed at him hard.

"Boys will be boys, I'll go get it"

Caroline walked into the house and shut the doors behind her.

Garett's dad, opened the door to the house and walked towards the boys. In his hand was two Pokéballs. They were obviously their transportation to Latermin. He looked at the boys.

"Ready to go?",he asked.

"We're waiting on my mom" Walter responded.

"Ah. Okay"

There was an awkward silence. It was most likely because everyone was tired to say anything, that or they are just very boring people. A bug crawled up Garett's shoulder and a Pidgey perched on Walter's head. They shook it off. Still, no words were exchanged. What is taking her? I'm gonna be late, again.

As soon, as he recollected her thoughts, screams can be heard from the house.

"WALTER! DID YOU FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE SINK AGAIN AND DIDN'T CLEAN UP?! HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO TELL YOU, THAT THE DRAIN DOESN'T WORK?! AND YOU FORGOT TO FLUSH! I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF ON THOSE PUDDLES! WHEN I GET DOWN THERE, I SWEAR!"

Walter gazed at Garett and his dad. They were dumbstrucked. The three men looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Garett's dad sent out his Pidgeot and his Fearow.

"I think now is as any good time to leave, get on", Garett said.

Walter propped on Fearow and began to rise off the ground. Caroline slammed open the doors and startled them. She was holding a toothbrush.

"Well. Time to go. Love you. Bye", Walter waved his hands goodbye and took off with the other two.

Caroline sighed and relaxed her shoulders, as the boys took off. She grinned.

"He forgot his toothbrush"

And as the boys rose into the sky, their grand tale of the adventures of E.L.P.T.A finally began. What will await me when we arrive? Where the classes be held? How will be classes be taught? All the answers, Walter was trying to make sense of. But only when they arrive on campus, will he get his answers.

 

Chapter 2​

The boys landed their birds in Latermin City. Latermin City was a port. It was the place to go, if you wanted to visit the other four islands of Estino without using the help of bird Pokémon. Of course, in order to reach their destination, Walter and Garett needed to ride the boat.

Walter smelled the air around him. The salty seas of Estino and the sound of roaring boats filled his ears and nostrils. The sky was bluer than before and all around the dock, students were having casual conversations.

Garret stretched out his arms, and placed his hand on the shoulder of Walter's red shirt. Garret's dad looked at them both.

"You boys better stay out of trouble. Imma head out now, have fun!" Garret's dad put Fearow back in his Pokéball and put the Pokéball in his pocket. Mounted on Pidgeot, he flew away and disappeared in the clouds.

"Finally, he's gone" Garett said. "Now it's time to have some real fun, amirite?"

"I-I guess" shyfully Walter made his way over to the dock, passing by the Pokémart and Pokécenter.

"What's the matter, Walter?"

"You know... I'm not sure how the other kids will like me. I'm not that popular and I don't know anybody because I barely leave Surtic. And the fact that-"

Garret stopped him there. He smacked his teeth and nodded his head in disapproval. He, once again, put his arm around Walter's shoulder. He stared at him and smiled as he pointed towards the dock.

"Walter. Walter. Walter. Don't be such a sap. Think of it this way. A lot of people here, don't know each other. You aren't the only one. You see the dock? That's your opportunity to meet someone. And hey, you might meet someone special if you know what I mean...." Garret continually nudged Walter's elbows and raised his eyebrows, hoping he would catch on.

I guess he is right, even about me meeting someone "special", whatever that means, Walter thought.

"And besides, we got here relatively earlier, even if it has been just by a few minutes. Hopefully the line isn't too long."

They approached the boats and the wooden docks. When they looked, the line was very long. People were in a single file trying to get in. Some even almost falling off completely into the water. The boys grew wide-eyed and confused, like a Magikarp splashing on nothing but dry land.

"You were saying?" Walter averred as he swallowed hard. I guess, we didn't get here early enough.

"Don't worry, I am NOT going to leave your side. I swear it"

They approached the line as kid's were shoving each other to get the front of the line. It's not like the boat is leaving anyone behind, they are wasting their time.

"HEY, YOU SKIPPED ME!" a random Youngster said on the front.

"YEAH, I DID! AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?!" A much larger and more frightening Hooligan responded. He grabbed the kid by his yellow shirt and lifted his scrawny body into the air. He hurled him towards the back of the line, landing right in front of Walter and Garret.

Two girls approached Walter and Garret. From the looks of things, they were swimmers. They looked the part. They had bikinis on and it wasn't that hot outside, a staple for people striding to be swimmers. Their bikinis were red and blue, respectively. Other than that, there was no differentiating from the two girls. It was like they were twins.

"Hey, can anyone, that is from here, walk us to where we can get some soda?" The girl in the red bikini requested.

Garret pulled Walter aside for a moment. He placed his mouth against his ear and began to whisper.

"Remember when I said that I wouldn't leave you? I'm sort of breaking that promise."

Garret rushed towards the girls, completely betraying Walter. How'd I guess that he would try to get fresh with someone he doesn't know?

"I'll take you guys" Garett said as he was some drooling puppy. So much for Garret not leaving my side.

"Thanks! You can take me. Lola, can you save our spot, in line?" The girl in the red bikini asked. She winked towards her.

"Sure, I guess" The girl in the blue bikini answered. As she said that Garret and the girl left the two behind. She walked towards Walter. She was twirling her thumbs with her head down, as she was trying to find the right words to say.

"Hey, um.... Nice to meet you? No, I mean, how are you?" The girl in the blue bikini said as she extended her palms. Walter looked flabbergasted as he doesn't have any experience with talking to others, let alone a female.

"Hi" Walter greeted. He stared blankly at her palm.

"An open palm means you shake it" Walter still looked confused.

"You aren't the talkative type, are you?" The girl said.

"No, not really." Walter held his head down. This is so embarrassing, thought Walter.

"Well, let's start off with names. What's your name?" She brushed against his arm, making him feel a bit more uncomfortable than usual. Can she get any closer? Geez.

"My name is Lola, if you hadn't heard already from my sister." Lola gazed at Walter hard and saw he was sweating. Walter seemed to begin to warm up to her.

"That was your sister?" Walter asked. Lola had a blank expression, as she was annoyed by that.

"Unfortunately, yes." Lola said. "Her name is Lille and we are twins. She is the older twin by a couple of seconds, so she thinks she has dominance over me. I think its a load of bull, if you ask me." Lola paused and smiled. She shoved Walter a few feet away from her. "I see what you did there! Don't try to back down now, dude. What's your name, you weirdo?"

"Hey, I not the one who just share my life story just now, so I'm not the weirdo." Walter smiled back. "But, yeah. My name is Walter."

"Cool. Last name?" Lola asked quickly.

"What are you going to do, look me up on the internet?" Walter sarcastically queried. It was becoming more apparent that he was beginning to enjoy her company.

"Don't be ridiculous." Lola lightly punched Walter in the shoulder. "I only look up people, who are actually cool."

"Oh, so I'm not cool enough for you?" Walter pointed to himself, as he made a face funnier and more stupid than a Feebas.

Lola laughed. "Barely. You seem nice, how come I don't see you around more?" Walter sighed.

"Because I live in Surtic Town"

"Oh.........I seeeee" Lola heard her voice as it her pitch got higher. "Where's that?"

"Exactly, my point. It's in the ass end of Estino's mainland. You don't even need to go there to reach some city. All it has is trees, berry bushes, and rocks."

"Damn. That sucks." Lola sat down on the wooden plank. A Luvdisc appeared out the water and sprayed Lola in the face. The pressure of Water Gun obscured her vision and left a Salty taste in her mouth, the force of it subdued her back to the cold, hard wood. When she got up and wiped off her face, she left a sour grin on her face.

"Are you okay?" Walter asked.

"I'm fine. Water Pokémon don't bother me some" Lola faintly smiled. "The primary reason why I'm going to this academy is to hone my skills as both a Swimmer and a trainer"

"You're a Swimmer?" Walter puzzled. He stared down at Lola's two piece blue bikini. Of course, she's a swimmer, Walter. When he stared back up, he saw Lola staring at dead into his eyes. She pointed at her face.

"Eyes are up here, buddy"

Walter flinched and jumped back a bit behind him.

"No! I didn't mean it like that" Walter frantically shook as he protected his face, with the palms of his hands. I really screwed up badly.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna slap you. It's not like you can help but stare at my bikini, can you? It's a price from being a swimmer, you know?" She store down and adjusted her top. "My sister has the exact same one, except its Red....speaking of which, where is Lille and that weird friend of yours?"

Where is Garret? What is taking them?, He thought.

"You mean Garret? Yeah, he is sort of a flirt. He's probably trying to hit on Lille right now" Walter said awkwardly. He rubbed his hair and forced a grin, like forcing a Mightyena to not frown.

"That would explain why he was staring us down from earlier....... What a creep" Lola looked mortified. "You guys must go way back, if you can put up with that." Walter sat down next to Lola.

"He's not that bad once you get to know him. We go back, since we were babies. Neither of us had any siblings, so we considered ourselves brothers. Speaking of which, what about you and Lille? What's the deal with that?"

Lola looked a bit depressed as she couldn't form the correct words in her head to explain their situation well.

"Actually, is it fine, that I don't mention that? It's kinda personal. But it is why we came here in the first place, you know?" Lola averred and lept up before the situation got too awkward and discomforting.

They both saw Garett and Lille approach them, with three sodas and a fresh water bottle.

"It's about time, you got here, Garret! I'm thirsty over here" Walter scolded.

"Yeah, Walter.... The vending machine ran out of sodas, so we got you a fresh water." Garett said as Walter frowned. Lille gazed at Garett and snatched the fresh water from his hands.

"Garett, are you some sort of deaf idiot? I'm watching my luxurious weight, you know?" Lille gestured her hands throughout her whole body. Well, I guess Lille's the pushy one.

Don't I look slimmer already, Lola?" Lola peeked at her body and looked unconvinced.

"Sure, you do. Miss Eat Three Bags of Potato Chips Before We Leave The House" Lola responded.

Lille gasped. She was tearing up, in sheer shock. "Lola, you know, we don't talk about that! It was my moment of weakness." What a baby, Walter thought. Lille stared at Walter.

"Who's he?"

"His name is Walter, and he's cool when you get to know him." Lola pointed at Walter and gestured it to Lille.

"Walter, this is my sister, Lille"

Walter quietly waved his hands at her. Lille got uncomfortably close to Lola, yet Lola didn't feel slightly threatened.

"Hi, Walter.", Lille said. "Lola I'll tell Mom and Dad, you were smooching it up with Walter!"

Pressured, Lola cracked down and blushed and Walter eyes popped out is socket. THAT NEVER HAPPENED..

"WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT! WE JUST MET" Lola said.

"But I know, you were thinking it." Lola was embarrassed. She didn't stand the fact, that Lille blackmailed her. For her, it wouldn't be the first time.

"What about you and Garret, huh? Why were you guys gone for so long? How long does it take to get four sodas?" Lola rebutted.

"Excuse me, I never told you my name....", Garret murmered.

Garret stared at Lille and blushed. Lille was livid.

"WE DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!" Lille exclaimed. "This isn't the right boat anyways, our boat is in Peninsulan City. So we need to go like now." Lola spat in Lille's face. From disgust, Lille tripped back a few steps, nearly hitting Garret in the face, with her pasty and sunburnt elbow.

"You know what, NO!. They are all going to the same place, if you hadn't noticed, you dumbass. Why would I go with you?!"

"First off." Lille smacked her lips. "I AM in charge of you." Lille rolled her eyes. "Second. We can't just be going off in the wrong boat when we are checked for attendance in another boat, dummie" Lille apporached dangerously close to Lola. "And Third. I know something you don't want these two to hear"

While Garett and Walter were confused, Lola quickly grew furious and teared up.

"You wouldn't tell anyone about that!"

"I would"

Lille and Lola were staring each other down, harder than a Zangoose and a Seviper fighting over the last berry in the bush. They both despised each other, neither wanting to back down. A game of Poker to see, who could call the bluff. But Lola didn't want to bank on the chance that Lille was playing a bluff. Lola sighed. "Fine. I'll go, but let me say bye first."

"You have one minute", Lille clocked. Lola quickly approached Walter and Garret. She turned towards Walter.

"It was really nice talking with you, Walter. I hope I can see you around at the Academy later. When you see me around, don't be a stranger and say Hi." Lola smiled amd turned to Garret and snatched a can of soda from his hands.

"What's up with you twins and snatching things all the time?" Garret said.

Lola waved to Walter and Walter grinned and waved back.

"DON'T FORGET TO TALK TO ME WHEN YOU SEE ME, BYE!"

Lola and Lille both ran off. As they left Latermin City, the evidence of a salty breeze and the cool sea were fainting from the twins. They ran past the Pokécenter and then the Pokémart and headed towards the adjacent route. And like that, they disappered in the route ahead.

"She took my soda.... I already drunk from it. She'll notice a half-empty can of soda, sooner or later." Garett handed one of the sodas to Walter.

"Eh. I'm not thirsty anymore", Walter said. "But. I'll keep with me, so I can drink it on the boat.

"You're not thirsty? You mean to tell me that I spent 80 Pokébucks just to figure out you're an Aquaphob?" Garett teased as Walter blankly stared at him. "But what did I tell you, Walter? You were going to talk to someone before you knew it and you might meet some "special". Garett felt on top of the world for helping Walter. He had a mass superiority compex towards Walter.

"But you also told me, you weren't gonna leave my side, too. We just met anyways, so I wouldn't say that, yet." Walter was twidling his thumbs and looking down at the wooden planks at the dock. We literally just met, Garett is ridiculous.

Walter noticed the line got considerably shorter than when they arrived.

"SOMETIME THIS LIFETIME, KID" someone in the line rudely shouted. But it appeared to be directed to the front of the line, rather than the two boys. Wonder what that's about.

Walter and Garett were then being shoved by kids behind them, telegraphing them to move up. When they moved up ahead, Walter noticed a faint hand mark on the side of Garret's face, he then smirked. He soo got rejected.

"Hey, Garret?"

"Yeah?"

"How did Lille go for you?" Garett blushed and loured.

"Shut up"

 

Chapter 3​

In the front of the line, an ambitious young girl readys her things for the E.L.P.T.A. But she was really taking up their time.

"Okay, Makeup. Check." The girl tallied. "Dresses. Check. Bracelets. Phone. Check. Check and check. Money. Good."

"COME ON, HOW MANY GODDAMN THINGS DO YOU NEED, CHICK?!" It was becoming apparent that this one girl had brought a huge load of things. The already, angry line of students was getting even angrier.

"YEAH, WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?!"

"HURRY UP"

But the line wasn't the only one who was getting annoyed. The girl herself was becoming more and more furious. Can't they just considerate and wait for once? You can't rush beauty. I need to make sure everything is with me. Another person in the line outbursts, as if they have been reading her very thoughts.

"YOU'VE BEEN UP THERE FOR FIVE MINUTES. ALL YOU DO IS SHOW A SLIP OF PAPER AND YOU'RE IN"

"Slip of paper...?" She mumbled to herself. She snapped her fingers, recovering her lost knowledge. Should be around here somewhere. The girl dug into her pockets and to her surprise, felt nothing, at least something that felt as flat as a Stunfisk under an anvil.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god." Her heartbeat raced under the pressure. She turned her head towards the "guard" of S.S E.L.P.T.A, a towering young man whose muscles were so toned that even a Machamp could get jealous out of looks alone. He was holding bags of makeup and clothes.

"Umm.... You see Mr. Guard, I don't have my ticket" The guard looked eerily frustrated with her.

"No ticket, no entry" He said.

"Pleas-"

"No." He shoved her bags of stuff back at her chest. "Go home"

Aw, man. I was looking forward to this too. The girl felt a tapping on her left shoulder. She turned around to find a short kid with black, gelled hair and a preppy getup of a V-Neck vest and khakis. He held out to her a slip of paper.

"I guess that means, this is yours." The kid said with something to almost a pitched screech. The girl held out one of her hands, with the other one gripping the bags with dear life.

"Gee. Thanks. Umm, well this is awkward. What's your name?"

"Henry" The girl smiled and looked down at her paper to verify it was her:

REBECCA LIA
ONE ADMISSION TO S.S ELPTA
S.S ELPTA TO LEAVE AT 7:40 A.M MAIN/ 8:00 A.M VLAD
REMEMBER TO BRING CLOTHES AND MONEY

This was Rebecca. She is an ambitious young girl who comes off a bit vain at times. She wanted to leave for the academy, to see all the new things she can learn about trainers and becoming one herself. Rebecca always has the best intentions to be kind, even if her boasting is more than annoying.

"Thanks. Henry"

"You are welcome, Rebecca" Henry felicitously smiled. Rebecca turned around and handed her ticket to the Guard.

"Seems like you lucked out. Go ahead and go in the boat"

"FINALLY!" Someone in the line said, as she entered the boat.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Rebecca took two steps in the boat and saw that it was pretty standard. The whole boat's floor was patted and boarded by hardwood, the walls were covered in a bleek white wallpaper, and there were a lot of doors, that would probably be the bedrooms for the passengers.

She frowned. Well, this is what I get for wanting something a bit grander.

As she drudged her shoes through a door, a voice greeted her.

"Hey! Welcome to the S.S ELPTA!", the woman greeted. Rebecca turned her head to the right to see that a woman was sitting down at a desk with a pen and a clipboard. The woman had red hair, a face of perfect complexion, oblong glasses, and a large grin on her face.

"Before you go on your merry way, I need to tell you what room you stay in!", the woman enjoined.

"Umm....okay" Rebecca refuted.

"So, all I need is your last name, first and then your first name", the desk woman required.

"Lia, Rebecca"

The desk woman grabbed her clipboard and began flipping through it.

"L's, L's, L...." she mumbled. Her face lit up. "AHA. Ms. Rebecca Lia, you'll be staying in Room A7."

"Uhhgg. Where is A7?"

"Oh, that's easy. The 'A' means you reside on this floor, the first floor and '7' means you are in the seventh room." The woman checked her clipboard again "OH and by the looks of it, you have a roommate too! Hopefully you guys get along."

Rebecca began to walk off when the woman handed her a piece of paper.

"Make sure you have this with you, at ALL times. But if you lose it, make sure to come to me. HAVE A NICE DAY!"

The paper reads:

REBECCA LIA
ENTRY: 548
ROOM: A7
E.

548? What does that mean?

Rebecca began to walk away, in search for for her room, when she began fantasizing about her roommate.

We are going to get along so well! She and I are going to be besties, I just know it! But what if "She" is a "He"? We would be the cutest couple ever!

She passed by other kids who were conversing as normal.

"Did you get a slip of paper", a boy asked. "What did you get?"

"I got a 374, whatever that means.." another kid responded.

"I have a 172" the boy said. "These could be rankings, that's it! I'm better than you because I have the smaller number. Ha-ha!"

Rankings? Rebecca looked at her slip of paper again. No fair! I have 548! Is it because I took too long in the line? I really hope they're wrong...

She looked up to find engravings, in a door that read "A7". Rebecca grabbed the doorknob and opened it.

Room A7 consisted of two desks, a bunk bed and a mirror.

"Thank God, they have a mirror", thought Rebecca. She lowered one of her hands to set her bags down, afterwards, started to incessantly talking to herself.

"This is going to be so fun! Gonna be a trainer, then Imma make a bunch of friends, and no one will be able to stop me once I become the Champion of Estino. They will all look at me like-"

"Can you please, shut up! I'm trying to sleep, here" Rebecca's speech was intruded by someone else in the room.

On the top bunk, a blanket fell off the bunk and a figure appeared from the soft mattress. The figure was a female, with black hair and green eyes. She was in a purple T-shirt and white pants. She had clear blue piercings in her ears.

The figure looked at her stuff and back at Rebecca.

"Don't tell me, you're..." She mumbled unpleasantly.

"YEP! I'm your new roommate, girlfriend!" Rebecca grinned.

"Don't call me 'girlfriend'. My name is Stephanie and I'd prefer if you call me by that."

This is Stephanie. She is a bit of a sour puss and kinda mean. She likes sleeping. She hates noise. And she wants to be a trainer, I guess. It's just best not to get in her way.

"Okay, Stephanie. Ummm...." Rebecca searched the room for a way to conserve with her new roomie. Her thought process ended once she glanced at her makeup bag.

"Hey, you can use my makeup ba-" Again her gesture was interrupted.

"Imma stop you right there, what's your name?"

"Rebecca"

"Okay, Rebecca. Let's get a few things clear. I'm not a makeup person, nor am I a type of person who relishes on quote on quote, 'girly' things. If you stay out my way, we'll get along just nicely. Are we on a mutual agreement?"

"I guess.."

"Good. I'm going back to sleep"

"Umm... Stephanie?"

"What is it, Rebecca?" Stephanie asked annoyed.

"Can I have the top bunk?"

"Stephanie's top bunk is reserved for Stephanie only. So the short answer is no and never"

"Oh. Well, good night"

"Night"

Before Stephanie could recede back into the comforts from underneath her blanket, the intercom rang. Rebecca recognized the voice as the woman that greeted her on the boat.

"Hey, guys! Welcome to the S.S ELPTA! We hope you enjoy your temporary stay here, as we head off to the campus for four years of FUN! Since all our passengers are now aboard, the cafeteria is officially open! The cafeteria is Room D4. We hope you make time to eat and enjoy your stay!"

The intercom rang again, signally the end of the call. At that moment, Stephanie threw the blanket from her body and jumped off the top bunk of the beds.

She stretched her entire body outwards and yawned.

"It's about time, they finally got everyone in." Stephanie approached the bedroom door. "I don't about you, but I'm gettin' some grub. Come to the cafeteria once you are finished and stuff, or not, doesn't matter to me."

Stephanie left the bedroom and left Rebecca. Great, my roommate is a total tool. What did I do to deserve this?

Rebecca peered at the top bunk of the bed as her stomach grumbled.

"YOU BETTER NOT THINK ABOUT SLEEPING ON THE TOP BUNK" Stephanie yelled from outside the room. "AND HURRY UP"

"Never heard that sentence before", Rebecca sarcastically thought.

She approached the bedroom door, hungry.

"Not risking it. Just going to get something to eat."

 

Chapter 4​

Rebecca followed Stephanie's lead. She passed by an endless slew of kids speaking to one another about the potential of what awaits them at the academy.

Stephanie turned around to find her roommate pursuing her to the cafeteria. She seemed genuinely shocked that Rebecca followed.

"Oh, so you AREN'T messing with your makeup or something." Stephanie mocked as she paused in her tracks.

"Well, I have to eat too, you know?" Rebecca clenched her stomach as it howled for any existing sign of an edible treat. "Let's just hurry up, okay?"

Before I really have to eat my makeup kit...

Stephanie shrugged her shoulders and turned around, facing the staircase next to the upper floor. When she tried to step forward to climb the stairs, her path was obstructed.

Every step she took only deterred her forward motion elsewhere. Continually trying, it was repeating itself over and over again:

• Stephanie took a step.
  
• Stephanie's body was rotated.
  
• She tried to make a run into it; It was like running into a brick wall

.

"Are you being serious?!", Stephanie pronounced as she kept making attempts to step on the stairs.

What is she doing? Rebecca stepped forward.

"Uhh, I don't have time for this", Rebecca groaned. Rebecca took a step on the stairs and immediately was deterred and pushed back, causing her to trip on her heels and fall to the ground.

The other kids around her was staring at the two girls, grinning and giggling with each failing try. Rebecca held out her palm to Stephanie, motioning her to pick her up. To no surprise, Stephanie declined her gesture and continued to try and ascend, something as simple as stairs.

Stephanie continued her advancements until she was tripped up as well.

The kids on the first floor were all shown taking video of the incident and mocking her.

"Hey, girls. Can't climb stairs?"

"Yeah, what a couple of bozos"

But Stephanie, instead of completely becoming livid instead got up the ground and approached two youngsters. She towered over them, like a legendary Pokémon to a mere Flabébé.

Instead of physically hurting them, she grabbed both of youngsters' phone and crushed it underneath her balling fist, popping multiple blue veins within the pressure of it all.

Petrified, the other kids quickly grew silent and hid their phones away from the site of Stephanie, fearing her more.

Rebecca, also petrified, got up from the ground. And approached the spot where they couldn't pass.

"I'M HUNGRY" Rebecca screamed. "UNIVERSE. CAN YOU PLEASE JUST LET US GO THROUGH?!"

"No" Stephanie declined. She was starting to feel around the invisible barrier that was preventing their salvation to lunch. "There is something here, I can feel it..."

The room grew silent. What is her deal? Great, my partner is psycho and mean. Stephanie balled her fist.

With one, quick swing of the arm and hard force, she punched what should've been air. But a hard crack revealed that it wasn't air, but a green animalistic chameleon that materialized, before their very eyes. The chameleon fell over to the ground, fainted.

The lady on the front desk ran over to the scene and saw the helpless Pokémon still on the floor, with a large knot on its forehead.

"Ouch" the lady said, scrunching up her face. She grabbed the Pokémon up off the ground. "Poor little Kecleon, you must've slipped in while everyone was getting in line. I'll get you patched up, little buddy!"

She stared at the two girls, who looked annoyed, as if the whole time, she could've intervened but decided not do. The lady looked across the entire floor of children, feeling pressured and a bit displaced, in it all. So, she was here the whole time, and we never asked her.

"Guys, why so serious? Lunch is being served. It'd be awesome to eat, but I have to attend to this Kecleon first, yes I do, whittle Kecleon."

The woman walked away from the crowd of shocked people and cleared the pathway for the stairs.

"... What was I just looking at?!" Rebecca asked.

Rebecca took a step on the stairs and felt absolutely relieved. Well, not going to wait here any longer! Rebecca pratically sprinted up the stairs and headed towards the lunch room in Room D4. Stephanie followed suit, leaving her crowd of spectators, left speechless.

"Hey, guys...let's not post this on the web...", a youngster in the crowd pronouced. Everyone nodded their heads in approval, signaling their unsaturated fear for Stepanie. The kids quickly turned off their cell phones and resorted to what they once were.

With all that spunk at first, Rebecca quickly tired herself, underneath the pressure of hunger and sweat. Why did I run? Someone kill me now. She was huffing and puffing for any fresh air, taking in each little molecule, she can scrape up.

Stephanie climbed the stairs, comsiderably less tired than her roommate. She store blankly at her with disapproval.

"Hurry up, slowpoke", Stephanie said, making her way to Room D4.

Stephanie had already entered the cafeteria before Rebecca responded. "D-d-don't..huff...woooorr..huff...worry. J-j...*cough*...need to catch my breath"

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Walter, finally entering the boat, took his first steps into the S.S E.L.P.T.A with sheer confidence. He was prepared to take on anything. He took more steps towards the rooms, when a desk caught his attention. Staring at the desk, Walter noticed a strange, green, chameleon-like creature laying on its back, who seemed to be, unconscious.

What did I miss? What is that thing?

Asking himself that, he cautiously approached the animal, when he averted his eyes towards someone behind it. It was a lady.

A lady with no blemishes, red hair, and circular glasses. She was intently focused on the thing in front of her. Her palm was making its way across its entire body.

"There, there. It'll be okay. You'll be back to the island, in no time. With your friends and family..." the lady consoled the animal.

Walter approached the desk to see what the commotion was about, but he was interrupted by Garett, who had just entered as well.

"Dude, you're still here? What can possibly be so intere-" Garett's voice came to a halt as he peered into the eyes of the lady, giving treatment to the chameleon.

Garett averted his lips towards Walter's ears.

"Walter, can you move out the way... I think I might love her..." Walter rolled his eyes as stepped aside, as Garett quickly brushed back his black hair and breathed into his hands to test its smell.

He put his elbows on the desk and stared into the woman's eyes.

"So, you look very beautiful and so stunning, how about we-"

"I know that you want to go home, little guy" the lady said as she was still peering downwards.

"Little guy? Hey, I'm not little! Look can we make this going out thing official?" Garett responded. "But I can see you have an amazing brain"

"I know how you feel. Just need to wait until we stop, okay?"

"Oh, alright, if that's how it rolls. I'll be waiting, sweetheart, " Garett looked behind Walter, giving him a smile and a raised thumb of approval. He is getting no where with her.

The lady looked up from the desk and blankly stared at Garett, as if she never seen him in her life. A complete stranger who was unaware of the fact she was being hit on.

"Uh. You were saying?" Garett was flabbergasted and Walter stepped back against the wall, laughing. And he told me to worry about my relationships.

"You didn't hear a single thing, I said?" Garett sighed. "Nevermind then"

"Sorry, this poor little Pokémon made his way on the boat and caused some trouble." She stared at the Pokémon. "It's asleep now, I healed it. I'll return it to the wild once we arrive."

Garett looked back to find Walter on the floor, crying his eyes out, as if the floodgates had opened. The lady smacked herself on the forehead, recalling lost memory.

"Dang it! I COMPLETELY FORGOT! I NEED TO GIVE YOU GUYS YOUR ROOM NUMBER SLIP", she remembered. She snatched her keyboard from underneath the Pokémon and opened the pen.

"What are your names? Last name, then First."

Garett opened his mouth first, with Walter soon following afterwards.

"Keel, Garett"

"Sipton, Walter"

She fumbled through the clipboard, in search of the two boys' names. As soon as she spotted one, she tore off paper and wrote down the needed information. She first handed a slip to Garett and then to Walter.

Walter scanned over his slip and it reads:
WALTER SIPTON
ENTRY: 447
ROOM: B6
E.

447? I can see what room means, but what exactly is an entry? He looked over Garett's shoulder and he was peering down at this ticket too. He noticed that his entry was "451"

Maybe these are being tracked based upon our enrollment. Walter recalled that he and Garett submitted their applications for the academy at relatively the same time, which would explain why their numbers are closer to each other.

Both, wondering what it could possibly be, make their way to their rooms.

"OH, GUYS!" The woman alerted as the two turned around. "Lunch is being served in Room D4, which is the fourth room on the fourth floor. ENJOY YOUR STAY!"

Walter and Garett gazed at each other and smiled, ambivalently. Both had the same idea. He thinks he can beat me, please.

"So.... Wanna make this interesting, Walter?" Garett asked.

"I have hash browns from this morning, in my pocket still.. winner gets dibs on it?"

"Fine with me, I always liked Caroline's cooking anyways. I always win, remember?"

"You're as well as racing, as you are at picking up secretaries."

"Shut up. They obviously don't know greatness when they see it"

"When I see you, I want to throw chunks all over this hardwood floor. On three?"

"You know it. One...." Garett initiated a countdown.

"Two...." Walter continued.

"Three!"

Both teens readied themselves and took a quick step off the ground and sprinted for the stairs. But let's face it, the hunger was talking on this one.

The lady on the desk sighed once again, nodding her head.

"I forgot to tell them how the floors work here!

 

Chapter 5​

Step by inconspicuous step, the small grudging of feet across the cafeteria floors were proving to be asinine. The cafeteria was a simple layout. There was a section dedicated to the actual kitchen, where the food was both being cooked and served. The other portion of the cafeteria was a set of long blue, metallic tables. This is where everyone would be enjoying their meals. Then to each end of the cafeteria was two doors, that led to respective bathrooms.

Everyone here was hungry, confused, tired, and impatient. Those three traits never blend well together. The lunchroom was infested by zombies. Zombies as far as the eye can see. They only spoke in grunts and noises and moved like a set of paralyzed Munchlax over a layer of Sticky Webs. In short, the line was taking too long to move, or at least that is what Stephanie thought.

She saw Rebecca behind her, drained out from being pushed around by that Kecleon, running across the boat, and ascended three sets of stairs to get here. "Everyone in this lunchroom is pathetic" thought Stephanie. They should all be leaping for joy

The line was steadily making its course through, as Stephanie seemed to be the only one who wasn't tired out and oblivious to simple things. She steered her head again towards Rebecca. "What is everyone's deal? They all look like they want to kill themselves", asked Stephanie.

Rebecca slowly, trod forward and took a large breath of hair and stood up from her hunchbacked position. "Well, not everyone took mid-morning naps when they got here..."

Stephanie then remembered that she slept before lunch was called, meaning she had more energy than the rest of the kids, residing on the boat. She was overseeing others' privacy by listening to someone's conversation with another girl.

"I really hope we get off this boat soon..." The girl hoped. "I get motion sick easily and I can't handle boats"

"Then just go to the infirmary" the boy ordered. "Did you hear about those two girls and that Poké-"

Stephanie decided to end her eavesdropping there. She had enough bicker, surrounding the Kecleon incident. Word spreads like wildfire, here. Do they have nothing better to do than gossip? The line was getting shorter, but each step felt like a chore to the entirety of the lunchroom. Stephanie felt a slight tap on her shoulder. What does she want now? She turned around towards Rebecca.

"The line is empty at this point, can you move up, like now, I'M STARVING!" Rebecca exclaimed. Stephanie turned her attention towards the line in front of her, which now only had but a few people.

"Oh. Well, my bad, then" Stephanie took a few quick trades forward. She grabbed her lunch of Rice, Beans, questionable meat and milk and headed towards the counter. When she got there, she was genuinely surprised. There was a lady working at the register. This lady had red hair, oblong glasses, and no blemishes on her face. Looking down, Stephanie noticed this lady also had a slim body with a floral patterned dress on with white heels on her feet.

"Hold the phone..." Stephanie thought over her next choice of words, as Rebecca followed behind her.

"Aw man, you still aren't done, what can possibly be so inter-" Rebecca stopped as she saw the familiar face as well. Quickly she let go of her tray and pointed to the lady and yelled "HEY, YOU WERE AT THE ENTRANCE, HOW ARE YOU HERE?!" Way to be subtle.

The lady behind the register looked up to find two curious girls staring intently at her. They seemed to be solely focused on her and her only. They practically forgot about their lunches. She grinned and squinted her eyes, then nodded.

"You guys are the firsts, one to ask that question" the lady said. How this room was, that is no big shocker. "Well, I was taking care of that poor, cute Kecleon and there weren't a lot of people here, so I decided to cover shifts over here" the lady's smile grew three times its size.

"But how'd you get here so fast, though" Rebecca asked. The lady pulled out a Pokéball from her pocket.

"I used the help of my Pokémon to get here.... That and the staff only door", she said. The girls lit up at the sight of the Pokéball. What could be so fast that she got here so fast.

"Can we see?" Rebecca asked. She lady nodded of disapproval. She put the Pokéball back into her pocket. "Sorry, but if I let this little guy out, I'll get into serious trouble" She looked up towards the ceiling and scratched her long blonde hair. She snapped her fingers. The lady looked back down towards the girls.

"How about this? When we stop the boat, remind me to show you, okay?"

"Fine by me" Stephanie nonchalantly said.

"AWESOME" Rebecca rejoiced. They couldn't believe they'll be the first to see a staff's Pokémon. But the lady was having trouble remember what it is she was currently doing. The two girls lifted their trays, reminding her of her duties as a lunch clerk.

"Oh, yeah! Lunch!" The lady said. She viewed over Stephanie's tray of rice, beans, meat and milk. "Okay, your meal will be twenty Pokébucks!" She smiled as she held out her hand expecting money.

Stephanie dug in her pockets. But at that point, she was daunted. She began to put herself down for any sign or slight remorse of a wallet. Oh crap! Where's my wallet?! I swear I brought it with me No, it can't be-

She started to recall herself in the room, underneath her warm blanket. When she jumped from the top bunk, the wallet fell out her back pocket.

Stephanie looked at the lady, who still had her hand held out for any cash.

"Look, um... I left my wallet in my room... can I go eat and pay you back later?"

"Nope!" The lady grabbed her tray and set it aside of the register. She grinned again.

"Come on! I'm starving!"

"Sorry, rules are rules and they have to be obeyed. Sorry, you can back in line tomorrow and get a lunch!"

Stephanie furrowed her brow and was angry. Sure, I'll just starve myself until tomorrow. She then sighed and walked from the register to find herself a seat. Meanwhile, Rebecca stared at Stephanie's plate and back at Stephanie, feeling bad that she wasn't able to get a lunch.

At the table, Stephanie was a bit grumpy from the turn of events. She watched as the other kids playfully chatted and conversed as normal, human beings. They all laughed and giggled, appreciating the pick me up, they were blessed with. Comparing that to Stephanie's sour mood, it seemed that she was the infected Vileplume out of the sea of Bellossom. This is bull. Why couldn't I've checked for my wallet? She buried her head underneath her arms and closed her eyes.

For once, she was settling down and getting comfortable. For what it was worth, the cool touch of the desk felt nice and its flat surface was surprisingly nice to lay her head on. But not before long, a large quake reverberated through the cafeteria. YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!

She rose from her miniscule nap to find that two knuckleheads entered the cafeteria. They were both panting and viciously smiling. The two teenagers were both male, one with a brown flannel jacket and the other wearing a simple red shirt and jeans. What a bunch of idiots...

The boy in the flannel jacket held out his hand.

"HAHA! I WIN! SUCK IT, WALTER!" The boy in the flannel exclaimed. At that point, the boy in the red shirt, got up as well.

"NO WAY! YOU TRIPPED ME ON THE LAST SET OF STAIRS AND YOU KNOW IT!" The kid in the red suit.

"Salty?" The boy in the flannel smeared. "Just hand over the hash browns, like a good loser" He motioned his hands to give in to his demands. The boy in the red shirt dug in his pockets. Hash browns? In his pocket?, thought Stephanie.

"Are you sure, you still want these, they've been in my pocket for quite a while now" the kid in red held out a bunch of crumbs of golden hash browns.

"You can throw in your soda, while your at it"

"NO WAY"

"You're an aquaphob, remember? I would've been better off, just giving it to Lille"

"You mean Lola?"

"Lola... she was the one in the red bikini right?"

"No, she was the one in blue"

"I thought Lille was in blue"

"No, she slapped you"

"Oh, yeah.... But just give the soda!"

"NO! It's mine."

Stephanie was only getting angrier at their mediocre and idiotic conversations, about some Lola and Lille. Do I really need to go that low? She stared at the two boys and remembered they had soda, as her stomach made the decision for her. Yeah, who cares? I need it more.

She got up from her seat and made her way towards the two boys as the one in red handed the other, a set of crumbs.

Alright, game face, Stephanie. As those thoughts crossed her mind, she forced herself to smile in a "girly and ladylike" manner, by showing her teeth through her forced grin, as well as, giggle and cross her arms behind her back and poke out her lips.

She tapped the boy in the flannel's shoulder. He turned around and grew wide-eyed. In the back of her mind, Stephanie was being tortured. Geez, he acts like never seen a girl before.

"Um. Hi. Do you boys have time?" Stephanie asked. The boy in the flannel smiled, as his friend in the back was shocked.

"Of course, we have time. What do you need, sweetie?"

Oh, I see, he is one of those guys. The kid in red spoke up before the one in the flannel jacket continued.

"Umm, Garett, are you really sure about this? This is a first"

"Shut it, Walter. Maybe I'm an approachable guy, now!"

Walter is the one in red and Garett is one in brown. Got it. Stephanie let out an insincere giggle. Those hash browns better be good.

"You're funny, Garett!" She gazed down at Garett's palms with Walter. "Say, do you think you let me have those, I couldn't afford my lunch"

Stephanie pulled out all the stops to get it. She puckered her lips and placed one finger over it and winked at Garett. This better work.

Garett extended his reach towards Stephanie's chest and his face glowed. "SURE, take them! I don't need them" Nailed it. You are too good, Stephanie. You deserve this.

As soon as Stephanie took the hash brown crumbs, her innocent demeanor resorted back to its original nonchalant nature. She stuffed all the crumbs in her mouth, all at once.

She tasted crispy and succulent gold with a bit of spice from black pepper on the outside and the smooth and honey sweet taste of the hash brown's inside content. This was worth the humiliation. She pointed to her mouth, which was full and spoke.

"Thi is a goo ha-broon." She commented. Garett was twiddling his thumbs and blushed. He got closer to Stephanie.

"I know, we only just met, but how about we go out sometime" Garett nervously asked.

"Fat chance"
_____

Rebecca was still in line at the time, negotiating a deal with the clerk, who was also the entrance lady. Again, there was a line of hungry and angry kids behind her, ready to throw her overboard for halting the flow of the line.

"Come on, you HAVE to tell me!" Rebecca said.

"Okay, okay. The secret to my clear face..... Drink water regularly" The lady said.

"OH! I drink water, all the time, is my face good?" Rebecca asked.

"YEAH, it is looking really nice! I am so jealous!" The lady said.

"Thanks! I know, it is super cute and no one has a clear face than me." The two girls giggled. Kids in the back began to yell out in anger and annoyance.

"DO YOU ONLY KNOW HOW TO HOLD UP LINES?!"

"JUST PAY FOR THE DAMN LUNCH!"

Come on, do they only complain about me holding up the line? Can us girls, talk about girl stuff for once? Geez. The clerk woman smacked her forehead in sheer stupidity.

"Aw man, I forgot again, " she said. "Okay, because I like you and I can't get in trouble, I'll let you have the girl's lunch for free"

"Really?!"

"For real, now go off, you little scamp and make sure to drink water regularly!" Rebecca grabbed Stephanie's tray and headed to where she was sitting. To her surprise, she wasn't there. Did she go back to the room? I guess I'll take her lunch with her. Yeah, I'm such a fantastic friend.

She headed for the entrance to find not only Stephanie there, but two other boys. So she decided to go get boys for both of us, how sweet! Maybe she isn't so bad. Rebecca approached the two strangers. Stephanie turned around and spotted her roommate, trailing over with two trays.

"It is about time you got here" Stephanie riledly said.

"I got your lunch, Stephanie" Rebecca offered. Stephanie glowed as she reached for her tray only for Rebecca to avert it away from her, so that she couldn't get it. Stephanie grew livid.

"WHAT'S THE DEAL?! IF YOU GOT IT FOR ME, WHY WON'T YOU LET ME HAVE IT?!" Stephanie was like a rampaging Snorlax who didn't get enough sleep. She calmed down and stared at Rebecca. "I see.... What do you want for it?"

Wow, never thought I'd get this far...

"Uhh.." Rebecca couldn't make out the words, but once she thought of something, she let out an ambivalent grin. "I want one thing and one thing only.... The top bunk!"

"HELL NO! Top bunk is for me and me only"

"Well, I could always throw this away...."

"Okay, fine. One night"

Rebecca smiled as she happily handed Stephanie her plate of food. Stephanie looked at the two boys, who were engrossed in their own conversations to actually listen.

"Umm, you guys want to sit with us" Rebecca asked.

"Sure" Walter responded. The four teens made their way to the long blue table and sat. When they sat, it almost seemed awkward. Throughout their entire stay here, thus far, they have been around only one other person. It was an alien concept to them. More than one friend...

We need to brighten the mood.

"So.... Let's introduce ourselves, I am Rebecca and this is my friend Stephanie"

Stephanie sighed. "Acquaintance. But yeah, that's my name"

Garett jumped on the bandwagon next. "I AM GARETT and this is my loyal and shy subject, Walter"

"Hi, " said Walter.
_____________________
They broke the ice and began to talk. They simply talked about what they have been through, since their arrival. Of course, it's short lived, as an announcement was projected throughout the cafeteria.

"Thank you for those who participated in lunch today. We will be serving tomorrow morning, before we make our stop at the academy. We hope you have a good day and we wish you the best of luck"

The four teens got up from their seat. They were trying to traverse, what seemed to be millions of kids, when in reality, there was only a couple hundred. The cafeteria closed and no one was allowed to enter until further notice. Everyone went back to talking to each other, as they were before.

"Hey, I'll see you guys later!" Walter said.

"I'm going to go mess with my makeup, what about you, Stephanie?" Rebecca notioned.

"Sleep. I have no other things to do on this damn boat" Stephanie strected her arms outward and yawned.

"Rebecca, think about what I asked, okay?"

"For the last time, I SAID NO!"

"Fine by me, you'll come back around" Garett smiled and headed down the stairs before the rest of them.

"What a creep! I swear" Rebecca threatened.

"He isn't that bad when you know him" Walter laughed.

The four kids parted ways and headed to their rooms for the remainder of the day. Soon, the long awaited academy would show its head. But for now, Walter headed back to his room, as did the other three.

Already, Walter made a few new friends here. Even if they were all female. But was it bothering Walter? Not in the slightest. He just walked back to his room, B6.