Pokemon League Academy of Excellence

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon, but Milena Laighin is my original character, and is not to be used without my permission.

UPDATED AND EDITED!

Working on the next two chapters! They should be up by late next week!

Milena Laighin nervously 'walked' her pointer and index fingers on the windowsill of her stuffy third floor bachelor-ette apartment. It was cheap and proved that you only get what you pay for; it was one average sized room that was combined as kitchen, living room and bedroom. The 'bathroom', just off of what Lena, as she was more commonly known as, called her 'bedroom', was small with barely enough room to stretch your arms out without touching both corner shower and door. Her other hand was propping up her head as she watched the sidewalk below her. Her grey eyes appeared to glaze over in the afternoons' heat as the 17 year old awaited the mailman and possibly for the outcome of her future.

It was late summer in the Johto region, and Lena had been waiting weeks for her response from the Pokemon League Academy of Excellence (P.L.A.E. for short). It was a relatively new school, more of a university if it could be compared, of only 20 years. Those accepted were few and far between and the price, unless you were lucky to receive a scholarship, was a hefty one. But the benefits were vast if you passed the Academy; you could do anything you wanted to with Pokemon; breed, train, raise, become a Gym Leader, join the Elite Four, etc. Of course, these all depended on final exam marks and your recommendations from the school. The school, located on the border of Johto and Kanto, is just south east of the Pokemon League itself. If she failed to be accepted into the League's school, she would more than likely spend the rest of her life working at the diner she had been working at since the age of 15 when she left home after finishing her advanced schooling.

Not only was she waiting for her acceptance, she also awaited her possible scholarship, which could pay for up to ¾'s of her expenses during her 4 year stay at the Academy. The school ran the full 4 years, with 1-month breaks during the summer months and 2 weeks for Christmas; it took a dedicated person to complete the 4 years. Many, in fact, dropped out during the first 6 months because of the rigorous pace. While Lena was a bright and dedicated student, she often wondered if she had it in her to make it to and through the PLAE. She had been top of her class in school as well as her advanced schooling, but PLAE was a completely different league. Everyone there deserved to be there and wanted to be there. Everyone competed for top grades, because all had been top of their in their hometowns. PLAE accepted students as young as 16 and as old as 18 for their first year studies; Lena had just recently saved the money she needed to attend, but only if she received the scholarship.

Sudden movement along the sidewalk caught the blonde haired girls' attention; her fingers stopped their almost panicked walking and she corrected her gaze; mailman! Jumping up from her perch by the windowsill, Lena ran full tilt to the door of her apartment, down the narrow and crooked stairway; almost knocking over poor Mrs. Harris, the elderly lady living on the second floor as she flew through the door. She met the mailman before he even made it to the edge of the old house turned apartment building. "Do you have anything for me?" all of this came out in a flutter as Lena walked with the man, though backwards, along the sidewalk.

"Now, I wouldn't know, would I? Apartment?" he asked mockingly. The blonde haired girl had been pestering him for weeks when she was home; he knew exactly who she was and where she lived.

"Yes you would!" Lena practically whined; her grey eyes wide as she pouted. "Milena Laighin; apartment 3! I've been pestering you for weeks!"

The mailman smirked. "Well, I may just have something for you." He made a show of taking the mail sack of off his shoulder, opening the sack and fumbling around. "Yup," he added. "It's in here somewhere, now that I recall. Some pretty looking letter; in a nice envelope with some sort of pretty looking wax seal."

Lena's fingers twitch for the envelope, which the man was still fumbling for. She wanted to knock the man unconscious, steal his bag, and run off into the alley to open her letter. She'd even deliver the rest of the mail for him if only he'd hurry up. And then suddenly he was passing her the heavy paper envelope, with the nice red wax seal and perfect calligraphy spelled out into her name and her address on the front.

"Well?" The man knew perfectly well where that letter had come from; he'd seen some before, he was a mailman, after all. "Open it up!" He said exasperatedly as he closed his satchel and stood. "You were so antsy to get it, and now you're hesitating?"

Lena shook herself from her stupor. They had responded, that was a good sign, right? Half the time they didn't even bother responding. With shaking hands, she opened the seal, some of the wax sticky from the heat. She pulled out the papers inside (multiple papers were good, right?) and began to read:

Miss Milena Laighin,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been formally invited to attend the Pokemon Academy of Excellence beginning the September the first. Enclosed you will find your billing information and supplies list. Any further information as to where to catch the train and find supplies is included.

We thank you for your interest and hope to see you on September the first!

Sincerely,

Elva Townsend,

Headmistress

Lena stood shock still; her mouth agape in an almost horrified manner; she had been accepted? Milena Laighin, from a family of nobody's, had been accepted to the P.L.A.E.? This must be some kind of joke; Lena thought for sure they must be kidding and that the other papers were going to tell her that of course she hadn't been accepted and it was all some horrible joke. But they didn't. One was her supplies list and where to find everything, where to catch her train and her transit number, and one a list of commonly asked questions. She looked on the back of her first paper; no it wasn't a joke.

"Well?" The mailman inquired; he hadn't moved, this was just too interesting.

Lena blinked like a deer in headlights; he was still there? "I was accepted." She replied almost mechanically; this was too weird. "I was accepted." She replied in a murmur. "Oh my goodness! I've been accepted!" Lena's face burst into a wide smile and she began to jump around, doing a bit of a happy dance somehow mixed between the chicken dance and a tap dance. She was so happy she even hugged the mailman; and when she was running up the stairs, she stopped to hug Mrs. Harris, who was peeking out the second floor window at the neighbours. Reaching her apartment, she closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment, before transferring herself to her couch. She read, and re-read the papers, and finally took notice of the smaller, less formal looking envelope that had been in the larger envelope. She nearly gulped when she realized what it was; the response to her applying, well, begging, for a scholarship. It didn't matter if she had been accepted into the school; this was what determined if she could go or not. With fingers trembling more than before she ripped open the letter, taking it in with wide, fearful eyes.

Miss Milena Laighin,

After considering your proposal from many of the others applying for our three year scholarship to the school, it appears that you have met all of the requirements. We are pleased to offer you the Pokemon League Academy of Excellence Scholarship. Enclosed is the cheque, made out to you, which you can use for living expenses, books and other supplies you might need over the next three years. We hope to see you on September the first!

Sincerely,

Bill Burden,

Deputy Headmaster

'Okay, breathbreathbreath'. Lena repeated quickly to herself. This was absolutely impossible, there must have been others more qualified than her? She read the letter over again, looked at the cheque and nearly threw up all over the place; people actually have that much money to dole out?

After recovering the side-effects, Lena read the extra information. Her train left from Goldenrod City the day after the next at 9: 30 am. She'd need her transit number to board. All of her supplies could be found at the Goldenrod Shopping Plaza. She could deposit her cheque at anytime. Okay, this was good. And then it hit her; what was she going to do with her apartment? She couldn't just leave, could she? Yes, she could and she would. Her landlord would deal with it; she'd see him in the morning. Okay, all of her stuff? Pawn shop! She wouldn't need it anymore; even if she were on summer break she'd probably stay on at the school, they offered summer employment.

Later that evening when Lena had pawned off all but her personal items; put in her notice with her landlord, who had had no qualm with her leaving; deposited her cheque; and quitting her job, Lena looked about her almost empty apartment with a sudden sadness. All she had ever known had happened here, and if not here just outside of the town where her father was living. It was a sort of sad-happy moment, but Lena was grateful for the chance to do something with her life.

She took her familiar perch on the window, looking out on Ecruteak City, which was slowing as the sun began to set. She found that sitting was making her antsy, so Lena got up and slipped into her sandals, and went for a walk down to the take-out restaurant a block away. Lena picked up some noodles, and walked slowly around the block, eating as she went. She wondered if maybe she should say goodbye to anyone, or if she had gotten everyone. She assumed she had; she only knew her landlord and the girls she worked with at the diner. She found herself looking up at her apartment an hour later. She ascended the stairs and let herself in again. All of her furniture had been sold, so she curled up on the floor, using her bag as a pillow and her coat as a blanket, and fell asleep slowly; her stomach unwilling to settle in all of the excitement. Somewhere around 2 am it finally settled, and Lena fell to sleep.

She awoke quite early, for all she had had very little sleep, at around 8:30am. Groggily she fumbled her way out of her sleeping bag and made for the bathroom, and the shower. Stepping out ten minutes later, she quickly towel dried longer blonde hair, and dressed in a pair of cut off jean shorts and a black t-shirt. She shoved her dirty clothes and her sandals into a plastic bag and into her bag, and pulled out a pair of ratty-looking beat up tennis shoes, stained with dirt from years of use. Lena wrinkled her nose at them and decided that it might be time to purchase a new pair. Lastly she pulled her backpack up on her back, and took one last look at her apartment, and closed the door quietly behind her. As she reached her mailbox just outside the door, she opened it up, dropped her apartment keys inside and turned towards the bus depot. Lena walked for about 20 minutes before reaching it; and went inside to inquire prices and times to Goldenrod City.

"Goldenrod City?" The attendant repeated. "There's a bus leaving in ten minutes; the cost is $43.50. Would you like to buy a ticket?"

"Yes, I'll take a ticket." Lena pulled a few bills out of her pocket and handed them to the woman. She received the change and gave her bag to be weighed and loaded with the others. She got on the bus, taking a seat close to the front so she'd be one of the first off, and settled in for the 2 hour bus ride.

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew she heard the bus driver, "Goldenrod Shopping Plaza!" Startled, she rose, her back giving a few little cracks from sitting while sleeping. She joined the queue exiting the bus, and was soon outside collecting her backpack. She took it aside, and pulled her supplies list out.

Suggested Supplies:

1. Casual and dress clothing for weekends and special occasions. (ATTN: Uniforms will be distributed once the students arrive and are housed).

2. Proper foot wear. Sneakers, sandals, one pair of good hiking boots. (ATTN: Everyday shoes will be provided by the school).

3. Notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, etc. Text can be purchased at the school shop.

4. Bathroom supplies (toothbrush and paste, shampoo, etc).

5. Bedding and any decorations you'd like for your room.

notice: Mini-fridges, laptops, and microwaves will be supplied by the school.

Lena stopped and looked at the list. Casual clothing; she hadn't bought herself clothes in over a year, and her shoes were in even worse condition. She'd need new everything. Considering all she ever wore was her diner uniform and occasionally some worn out shorts when she wasn't working, Lena had little of anything. So she'd need some clothes, school supplies, bath stuff…….she needed luggage before she bought anything! Hoisting her bag up onto her back, Lena made out to find a luggage shop inside the Plaza that wouldn't cost her a fortune. She found two that were completely unreasonable; and was wholly discouraged at the third that she found. It was a dimly lit luggage store, and had your basic back packs and travel cases. The man inside was friendly enough; he was big and round with greying dark brown hair and green eyes covered in large bug eyed glasses.

"What can I do for you today, miss?" He asked, joining Lena on the other side of the counter.

Lena smiled slightly at the man and began to explain; "I'm off to P.L.A.E., and I'm looking for some light weight luggage that I can carry with me."

The man's intelligent green eyes lightened and he called out to the back room, "Lovey, someone is looking for some lightweight luggage. Could you bring me out three pieces?"

Lena eyed the man oddly, wondering why he was calling an employee 'lovey' and emphasizing 'lightweight'. Lena understood immediately the 'lovey'. The woman who came from the back room was round and plump, her curly greying blonde hair pinned up, glasses dangling around her neck. It was the man's wife; but she had no idea why there were three large metal trunks with her. The woman pulled them out on a trolly, and smiled at Lena. "I think you'll find these quite adequate."

Lena wrinkled her nose slightly and blinked. "But, they're made of metal?"

"Au contraire!" The man smiled knowingly at Lena. "That is what they appear, but not what they are. Pass me your bag."

Reluctantly Lena passed her bag to the man; first retrieving her wallet from the side pouch. She understood why no one had given the shop a second glance; the pair of them were crazy! She immediately regretted her thoughts when the man tossed her bag into the trunk, closed it and pushed what had appeared to be a lock, but was actually a button. With a small wisp of white smoke, the trunk was gone and a small capsule, which Lena could fit in her hand, was in its place. The look on her face must have said it all; because the man chuckled, picked up the capsule and pressed the small top into the body of it, tossing it to the ground, a second small wisp of smoke and the trunk was back, and her bag was inside.

"Will this suit?" The man asked, watching Lena with that knowing smile.

"How…" Lena blinked. Never mind how, she'd take it! "I'll take them. How do they work?"

The man smiled again, pressing the buttons on all three of the chests, and three capsules appearing, each labelled a different colour: yellow, blue and red. He passed them to Lena, who held them delicately as she peered at them. "Why, I can't reveal my secrets! But I can guarantee you they'll never break! They come with a lifetime guarantee."

"How much?" Lena grimaced slightly. She knew it would cost a pretty penny.

"$400.00 each." The man replied, as he rummaged for something under his desk, he pulled a box out and dropped it on the counter. "You get one of these free, however."

Lena's stomach had done a funny flop at the price; but were they ever worth it! She'd never be burdened by bags and parcels again, something that was going to be useful. She took a look in the box and found several different coloured satchels, the kind of pouch that was carried around the waist. Lena pulled out one made of a soft, brown leather and tried it around her waist, the actual pouch off to one side in the back where the pocket of her shorts were. The pouch was about the size of a paperback novel, and about as thin. It had a flap that covered three little capsule holders, and a larger compartment that she found fit her wallet. As she placed the capsules in their holders, she wondered why they weren't so popular, but then, they might be new and difficult to make. Whatever the case, she was grateful, and thanked the couple profusely after she had dished out the $1200.00.

From there on out the shopping was a blur; and by 6:00 pm that evening, Lena's trunks were almost completely full, with room left over for her school clothes and books. She wandered the streets and found a café where she got some supper and found directions to the train station and lodging for the night. Just up the street was a lodging house for travellers, and the hostess welcomed Lena with open arms. Her name, she told Lena, was Rosa, and she was a very plump happy looking woman. She showed Lena to the dining room, where she forced stew on Lena and then showed her up to her room for the evening. Lena would pay in the morning after her breakfast.

Lena closed the door behind Rosa, and stripped down to her shirt and underwear, not bothering to get her pj's out of her trunk. She slid in between the soft cool sheets, and snuggled down into the bed; she fell asleep immediately.

Please R&R!

Gin