Nemona whoops as the Team Star grunt slumps in dismay. “Nice, Carmina! You pulled off Terastallizing, no problem! Moves of your Pokémon’s Tera Type will hit even harder when it’s Terastallized, y’know! Sometimes, you’ll find a Pokémon whose Tera Type is totally different from its usual type that difference can open up your strategic options! Gotta charge your Tera Orb at a Pokémon Centre after every use by healing up your team, though.”

  The Team Star grunt I’d just thrashed chuckles nervously. “W-well… I’ll be on my merry way, then, yeah? Hasta vistaaarrr!”

  The female grunt adds, “me, too! Hasta vistar!”

  The pair of them dash off pell-mell, clearly freaked out at getting so easily spanked. Nemona folds her arms. “So, yeah. Team Star is basically a group of students that like to kick up trouble. They hardly ever show up to css, and when they get together in groups, they’re a real headache. Even the teachers don’t know what to do with ‘em, from what I hear…”

  “Um… ‘scuse me!” A quiet voice breaks through Nemona’s tirade. The gsses-wearing girl blushes and fidgets. “I… uh… I just… well, thanks.” She starts to head up the stairs, before turning her head. “So, yeah… see you round.”

  She starts running, and I smile. “She’s an egg, if she’s not already hatched…”

  “Egg?” Nemona asks, blinking. I shake my head. “Never mind, just a random thought.”

  “Huh. Well, I don’t think I’ve seen that girl around. Maybe she’s a new transfer, like you…that Eevee bag, though! Love that fluff!”

  I nod. “I’d kill to get one! I should’ve bought one when I still lived in Gar.”

  Nemona grins. “Anyway, seems like the trouble’s died down, so we better book it up to school! Get ready to climb the worst staircase in the world!”

  Twenty minutes ter, I colpse at the top of the staircase. “I… Hate… stairs…” I mumble into the grass. Nemona chuckles, as out-of-breath as I am.

  “See? I…told…you! Worst… staircase… in the… world!”

  After another five minutes of trying to cram our lungs back into pce, we stagger upright and enter the academy building proper, the cool air a huge relief after the baking sun.

  “Anyway, here we are, Carmina! Welcome to Naranja Academy!” Nemona announces, beaming with pride. “This here’s the entrance hall! You can sign up for all kinds of csses at the desk behind me, and those halls off to the sides lead to all different parts of the school. It’s totally big enough to let loose and battle in here, but for some reason, they banned Pokémon battling in the main entrance…”

  Gee, I wonder why?

  “Miss Carmina. Miss Nemona.” Director Cvell approaches. “How did you find your first school commute?”

  I smile, sharing a look with Nemona. “We had a bst!”

  The director raises an eyebrow. “I imagine Miss Nemona’s high spirits helped with that. She’s a true asset to our fine academy. Not that I was expecting anything less from our Champion-ranked student council president. Reliable as ever, Miss Nemona.”

  She winks at me. “Well, I know how to look after my friends! Right, Carmina?”

  Turning back to the director, she adds, “Oh! But speaking of which… we saw some of those Team Star kids in town, Director!”

  Mr Cvell’s hand shoots up and he adjusts his spectacles. “You did?! Where?!”

  Nemona nods. “It was down the stairs from the front gates. They were hassling a young woman with an Eevee backpack…”

  Mr Cvell lowers his hand. “That is quite the news. Are they still to be found out there?”

  Nemona grinned. “Actually, Carmina flexed on ‘em and ran ‘em off!”

  Mr Cvell fixes me with an intense gaze. “You don’t say… Of course it’s a fine thing to try to help a fellow student in need, Miss Carmina… But you might wish to show a bit of restraint as you find your feet here at our academy.”

  Ouch. 10 points from Gryffindor! XD

  “And, Miss Nemona, do remember that the school’s staff is here to resolve any such troubles.”

  Uh… right! Yes sir, Director!”

  The Director pauses. “A young woman with an Eevee backpack, you say… I suppose that might have been Miss Penny. I’m relieved to hear she’s come to css, at least. Ah, and Miss Nemona? If you’d be so good, do report to Mr. Jacq about this Team Star business. As your homeroom teacher, he should be kept apprised of all such goings-on.”

  “You got it, sir!”

  Mr Cvell nods approvingly. “Ah, but look at the time. You two had better hurry along-csses will be starting soon.”

  Nemona turns to me. “We’re in css 1-A, Carmina! C’mon, I’ll show you the way!”

  A few minutes ter, I’m standing outside css 1-A. from inside, I can hear a lot of people chanting, “Good morning, Mr. Jacq!”

  Another, more jovial voice responds, “hello, hello, everyone. We have some exciting news this morning. Who wants to hear it?” that must be Mr. Jacq.

  A girl’s voice cries out, “Oooh oooh! Me! I want to hear the news!”

  Mr. Jacq’s voice replies. “I suppose I should have told you sooner, but we have a new friend joining our happy homeroom as of today.”

  I can hear the kerfuffle of whispering, even from out in the hall.

  “Alright! You can come on in!”

  I slide the door open, stepping in and closing it behind me, joining Mr. Jacq at his desk. He smiles encouragingly. “Could I trouble you for a few words about yourself?”

  I look out at the css. There are students of many ages, from as young as ten years old, all the way to full-grown adults. This school really does take all kinds of students. Nemona is sitting at the front, staring intently at me, and I can tell she’s trying not to grin.

  I swallow. Starting a new school is difficult, sure, but… only the teachers know about me. None of my new cssmates have to know that I’m trans. It won’t be like it was back in Gar…

  “I’m Carmina... I moved here from the Gar region, and arrived earlier this week. .. It’s… it’s nice to meet you all.”

  I can hear one girl whisper to her deskmate. “So calm and collected. She’s pretty cool!”

  Calm? I’m about to barf up a swarm of Butterfree here!

  Mr. Jacq turns to me. “Looks like everyone’s eager to get to know you, Carmina. Alright, then. Who wants to be the first to ask our new friend a question?”

  “Me! Me! I want to ask a question!” a younger boy waves. Mr. Jacq gives him the go-ahead.

  “What’s your favourite thing about Pokémon?”

  I bite my lip, before shrugging. “I like battling, I guess.”

  Mr. Jacq looks over the css. “Does anyone else have a question for your new cssmate?”

  Nemona stands. “Me! I have a question!”

  She looks at me. “You went to all the trouble of enrolling here, so spill, Carmina… what do you hope to get out of it? You must have some kind of dream, right?”

  I blink. “I don’t… Actually know.”

  Nemona nods sagely. “Fair, I get it! The possibilities are endless, right? Who can decide!”

  Mr. Jacq turns to me again. “Well, thank you for telling us a bit about yourself, Carmina. I’m Mr. Jacq. I teach biology here at the academy, and I’m also your homeroom teacher. There’s your seat, second row from the front.”

  I make my way over and sit, tucking my skirt in neatly. Mr. Jacq. Cps his hands. “Alright, you ragamuffins! Be nice and friendly to our new cssmate!”

  The whole css choruses, “WE WILL, MR. JACQ!”

  After css, Nemona smiles at me. “I have some student council business to take care of, why don’t you explore a bit on your own? Get to know the academy campus!”

  I nod, and begin doing just that. The library, the other cssrooms, before heading to the staff room. There, I see Nemona talking to a woman with the most ostentatious hair I’ve ever seen in my life.

  “Very well, then, Champion Nemona. I trust you to handle this in my stead.”

  Nemona beams. “Sure thing! You can count on me! In fact, I bet this is gonna be fun!”

  “I’m gd to hear it. Good day, then.” The mysterious woman turns and leaves, almost walking into me. “Oh-pardon me.” she steps tom one side and exits the room. Nemona greets me. “Oh, Carmina! Hey!”

  I ask, “Who was that?”

  Nemona’s eyes sparkle. “Piqued your interest, huh? That dy is… well, they call her La Primera! She’s strong, she can do practically anything, she’s got cool practically coming out her ears… she’s basically everything I wanna be- or that any Pokémon Trainer would wanna be, really!”

  She starts. “Oh, which reminds me! Remember in homeroom when I asked you what your dream is? If you’re still trying to decide what it is you’re looking for… I’ve got an idea for you! You should try to reach Champion rank like me!”

  I pause. Back in Gar, the Champion is a celebrity! Sponsorships, interviews, the whole nine yards. Keeping my secret would be practically impossible…

  “I don’t know…”

  Nemona’s face falls a little. “Aw, but talent like yours deserves to be used! Her me out…The Trainers who reach Champion Rank are the ones who raise their Pokémon really strong. They’re pro-tier battlers. Their moves keep the crowds absolutely on the edge of their seats! You have to prove yourself to the Pokémon League to officially get the title of Champion. And to do that, you have to do more than just take csses here.”

  I shrug. “I know what the Gym Challenge is, Nemona. Just because I only became a Trainer like… today, doesn’t mean I’m completely unaware…”

  Nemona grins. “Then you should know that it’s every Trainer’s dream! The coolest title anyone could ever hope to get! Not to brag or anything! I reached Champion Rank during our st Treasure Hunt, you know. Oh, the Treasure Hunt is a special ‘independent study’ thing we’ve got here. Should happen soon Our st one started not long after the beginning of this school year! It’s great! You get to leave school to have an adventure and learn however you want! I guess…”

  She folds her arms. “I guess you could say that my journey to becoming a Champion was the treasure I found… maybe? I dunno yet if that’s the answer I’m looking for…”

  I bite my lip in thought. She seems really passionate about this whole thing.

  Nemona’s eyes lock on me. “Anyway, I’ve got a feeling I’d be able to get even stronger if you and I were both working at it…Lemme go ahead and save the Gyms’ locations in your map app in case-just IN CASE- you decide to go for it!”

  My Rotom Phone accepts the transfer of information, and I remind myself to have a word with it about doing stuff like that without my say-so.

  “Give it some thought!” Nemona runs off, and I sigh. “But…” Ugh, too te. She’s already gone…

  Since the school’s serving food now, I guess heading to the cafeteria for a snack wouldn’t hurt. I don’t think I could tell her yet. She’d probably try and wrangle it out of me with a battle, too, if she realised I was hiding the truth about me from her.

  In the cafeteria, I head for the serving table, bumping into a familiar face. Arven.

  “Oh, hey. So we meet again!” he says. “You remember me, right?”

  I nod. “From the lighthouse!”

  “Yeah, exactly! That’s my little know-it-all buddy! Got a mind like a steel trap, eh?”

  He crosses his arms. “No need to tell me your name. Carmina, right? Whole school seems to be talking about you. The new student who showed up with the president of the student council.”

  Arven moves along the serving counter, helping himself to several unfamiliar foods. “I normally wouldn’t even bother showing up for css, but I came all the way to school today just to talk with you- our new celebrity.”

  I flinch. Ah, crap. Does he know? No-one’s said anything, but… there’s only one thing that I can think of that’d get me any sort of recognition…

  He continues, “You’ve gotta help me out so I can finally make my dream a reality!”

  I blink. “What’s this dream, first?”

  Arven brushes a strand of hair out of his face. He’s actually kinda handsome. Not my type, but he’d definitely be the kind of angsty guy that girls would’ve drooled over back in Gar.

  “Hehehe… caught your interest, have I? You want to hear all about my dream, right?”

  I slowly nod. What have I gotten myself in for now?

  “Well, this might come as a surprise, but I’m all about that picnic life: the great outdoors, the perfectly prepared sandwiches, all of it. Not half bad at cooking, either, I can tell you. Right now, I’m researching new recipes that’ll help Pokémon feel better. Real health food, see. I found this book the other day, and it had a section about these ‘Herba Mystica’ things… Basically, they’re some kind of special herbs that heal up any Pokémon as soon as it eats them! Now, there are a total of five different types of Herba Mystica, based on what I read.”

  Arven gets out a very old-looking book, leafing through it. “Just taking a little lick of them once they’ve been powdered will get your blood flowing, provide nutrients, prevent aging- it’ll even boost the immune system! These herbs seem like they’re the real deal. Only found here, in Paldea- and rare to boot!”

  He looks down at his book again. “But this says that they’re all guarded by ‘Titan’ Pokémon, meaning that it’s gonna be pretty tough to try to grab even a few sprigs. ‘Cause, see, Titans are- Well, I think they’re gotta be… things like this!” he turns the book so I can see. I read the page he’s got open.

  “Monsters of Area Zero.

  As we descended further into Are Zero, we began to catch glimpses of mysterious Pokémon- though we wondered if these huge, ferocious beasts were indeed Pokémon at all. One of our team suffered a brutal blow from such a beast and was mortally wounded, forcing us to retreat for a time.”

  Arven turns the page.

  “A member of the survey team captured this photograph by chance. I noticed a passing resembnce to the Pokémon known as Donphan, yet differences such as its sheer size and the shape of its back set it apart-as do its great tusks.”

  Arven closes the book and shoves it back into his pocket, turning away from me.

  “I really want to get those herbs for myself, but… I’m not very good at Pokémon battling. Don’t have any friends with strong Pokémon to lend me a hand, either… And I’d never hear the end of it if I went crawling to that student council girl…”

  Arven’s shoulders sag, and I can sense that he’s pretty disconsote about something. He whirls, suddenly animated.

  “But here you waltz up! You’ve got to help me out with this- you’d be perfect!”

  I think for a moment. If Arven is serious about this, then… he must have a rally good reason to ask a total stranger for help. And he doesn’t seem like a bad guy…

  I nod. “Alright, I’m in. I’ll help you.”

  He cracks a smile that seems genuine, and then covers it with a cough. “I’ll mark the pces where it seems that there might be sightings of Titans in your map app for you, okay?”

  I nod, and let my Rotom record the data. And then, Arven hands me something. “Here, take this. As a little thanks for listening, AND agreeing to help.”

  It’s a bag of Stardust, an exceptionally-fine type of rare sand, whose high mineral content gives it a silky feel and a beautiful red colour. “Thank you, Arven, but you don’t have to give me anything. You’ve gotten me curious about these Herba Mystica, so I want to see if they’re as amazing as you say!”

  Arven pauses, looking emotional, before he bolts from the cafeteria, pte in hand. I stare after him, then quickly eat and start heading for the main hall. Then my Rotom Phone rings. I pull it out, and blink. I don’t recognize the number. I’m about to reject the call, but it answers on its own. Weird.

  The voice on the other end is heavily-moduted, making it impossible to tell if the caller is male, female, young, old, or even human.

  “…This is Carmina, correct? I hacked your smartphone so I could talk to you. Hope you don’t mind.”

  What in the heck? Hacked??

  “I’m sorry, who are you?”

  “My name’s Cassiopeia. But never mind that- it’s YOU I want to talk about. I hear you’re a Trainer with serious potential. If that description is accurate, there’s something I’d like to ask of you. Tell me, Carmina… You know about Team Star, right?”

  I nod. “Yes, I do. Not much, but I know of them.”

  “Great. I appreciate you being up-front here. Team Star is a group of troublemakers formed by some academy students a while back…they cause headaches for the school and try to drag other students down to their level. And I refuse to sit idly by and let them get away with it! So I’ve come up with a pn to bring down Team Star and force them to disband for good. I call it… Operation Starfall! But I’ll need allies to carry out this operation… and I’d like you to be one of them.”

  I blink. A hacker wants me to help shut down a group of hoodlums?

  “This is just like that anime I watched recently…”

  “Sorry? Did you say something?”

  “O-oh, no, it’s nothing. I’ll give it a shot. I’m in.”

  “Thank you for agreeing to assist in Operation Starfall. I’d be grateful if you could keep this on the down-low. I’ll contact you with more details when everything’s in pce.”

  Cassiopeia disconnects, and I can’t see any record of a call coming through at all. It’s as if… it never happened. Mr Cvell stops me on my way out of the cafeteria.

  “Ah, Miss Carmina. Please do try to keep your voice down if you’re making calls within the school, won’t you?”

  “Of course, sir. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”

  “Very good. You don’t want anyone else overhearing any personal information, after all. Honestly, there are so many things we need to be careful about in this day and age. On you go, then, young dy.”

  He waves as I leave, and I could swear I heard him mumble to himself.

  About an hour ter, I hear the intercom chime, and I’m called… to the Director’s office?! What? I haven’t been THAT bad, surely? It’s only my first day!

  I make my way to Mr Cvell’s office, worrying about why I’d be called there. When I walk in, I see the Director at work. He lifts his head and greets me.

  “Thank you for coming, Miss Carmina. Have you been enjoying your first day?”

  I nod. “Yes, sir. Very much.”

  “That is most wonderful to hear. Now, you may be wondering why we could not have simply conversed in the cafeteria. But let me assure you, this could not be done. It seems that a friend of mine has a rather serious matter they would like to discuss with you.”

  I look around, but there’s no-one else here.

  “Ah, no, I’m afraid they aren’t actually here in this room with us. One moment, please. Just allow me to connect us…”

  The Director fiddles with a monitor, and I join him in front of it.

  The screen lights up, revealing someone who looks like some kind of… cavewoman scientist. She waves and smiles.

  “Hello, Carmina. It is nice to meet you. My name is Professor Sada. I carry out Pokémon research within the Great Crater of Paldea- at a site known as Area Zero.”

  Mr Cvell interjects. “The professor is, in fact, a graduate of our fine academy, as well as a splendid researcher.”

  Professor Sada clears her throat. “Well. Allow me to get straight to the point. Carmina, student ID number 805C393…”

  I jump as she rattles off my student number like it was no big deal. Who IS this dy?!

  “You are the student who travels with the unusual Pokémon Koraidon, is that correct?”

  If she knows something like my student ID and we’ve never met before, I REALLY don’t want to give her a reason to look up MORE about me. I nod and admit the truth. “Yes, I’m currently caring for Koraidon.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that you were honest in confirming the facts.” The professor says, smiling. “Ah, not that I-I do not mean to offend you.”

  Offend me? I’m not offended, Professor Creepy, I’m SCARED!

  “In fact, I wish to ask for your assistance.”

  I pause. “With… with what?”

  I hear a warbling “Agia?” from behind me. Koraidon’s released itself from its Pokéball, and is standing in the Director’s office. Professor Sada smiles, and even coos a little. “Oh, how good to see that you are well. It has been some time since we st met.”

  “Gias!”

  The professor continues, “Koraidon was once in my care, you see. Its Pokéball was also originally mine. I assume you received it from a young man called Arven. I am no longer in any position to be able to manage that Pokémon myself. This is what Ii would ask of you: would you continue looking after Koraidon on my behalf?”

  I nod. “Of course. It saved my life, after all. And I like it. It’s quite friendly!”

  Sada’s smile broadens. “I do appreciate your agreement. Koraidon here has been greatly weakened and is currently incapable of battle. It can, however, take on a form specialized for mobility. In all likelihood, it will require some time to fully regain the capabilities it once had. I will provide you with my contact in formation. If you would please get out your phone?”

  I do as asked, and the professor’s contact info is safely added to my contacts list.

  “I will be in regur contact going forward, to keep tabs on your status. Until then.” Professor Sada waves, and walks off-screen, before it goes bck.

  Koraidon comes closer. “Agigia! Gias!”

  As I gently pet it, Mr Cvell muses, “Could this Pokémon have its origins within Area Zero…? Sada… don’t tell me you actually did it…”

  I return Koraidon to its Pokéball, as the Director eyes me curiously over his gsses.

  “Well, it seems the professor is asking quite the favour of you. But of course the academy is always here to support you in any way that we are able. I do hope you’ll continue to enjoy your school life, together with that Koraidon.”

  As I turn to leave, Nemona enters. “Hellooo! ‘Scuse me!”

  She shuts the door, and blinks at me. “Oh! You’re still here, Carmina! Oof. Getting called into the Director’s office? How’d you nd in that much trouble already?!”

  I open my mouth to protest my innocence, before I catch Nemona ughing. “Naw, I’m kidding! I know it wasn’t like that. Mr. Jacq wanted me to show you the way to your room in the school dorms. Your very own private room, Carmina! Let’s go check it out!”

  I find myself being dragged out of the office by the wrist, and excited Nemona tugging me along relentlessly.

  “Ta-ta-tachán!” Nemona announces with needless fanfare as she throws open the door to my room. It’s a lot bigger than I was expecting. There’s a kitchenette with a microwave and hotpte, an ensuite bathroom, and a rge bed, as well as plenty of shelf space, a wardrobe, and a desk and chair combo!

  “From today on, this is your room, Carmina! Actually, it’s as new to me as it is to you. Never been in here before.”

  She turns in a slow spin. “Maybe check out your new bed? Looks comfy, you must be worn out from all this stuff happening on your very first day, huh? A quick rest is all you need to get yourself and your Pokémon healthy again! I’ll see you tomorrow, when you’ve rested up. Then we can battle even more! Take care!”

  She scampers out, shutting the door behind her. I sit down on the edge of my new bed. This is really it, huh. A new start. A new life, one where no-one knows me as the boy I was forced to be, a life where I can just be Carmina, the girl I always have been. Me…