CUE THE EPIC THEME SONG!

Chia: There isn't a theme song, doofus.

Right. *sweatdrop* Heya readers! To the new guys, nice to meet ya! And to my loyal readers *points to neon sign that says welcome and the fireworks above it* I set that up myself.

Chia: *sniff* Is something burning?

Huh? OH DEAR ARCEUS THE CURTAINS! *runs*

Chia: Right. I'm Chia the pachirisu and Sky here is the weird author who writes these stories!...and sets fire to curtains apparently. Welcome to a special edition of the Pokemon Ranger Shadows of Almia fanfic!

*returns* Why's it special? See, I have a lot of ideas. And I want to write them all! But face it. I can't write them all. Not when there's other ideas/priorities/limited time/etc going on. So I decided on this little project!

Chia: Sky here will write crossovers of various tv-shows, movie scenes, cartoons and random stuff. BUT! They will only be one-shots! And each chapter is totally different!

Also the crossover choices themselves will be based on my own preferences. Like this first chapter is based after an old cartoon I loved watching as a little kid; Recess.

Chia: Bunch of kids creating anarchy on a playground? Oh I can totally see this at ranger school…

Heck yeah! My thought exactly! So dear readers, I hope you read, review and enjoy!

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Recess: Cast of characters

Gus- Kate

TJ- Keith

Ashley Spinelli- Wendy

Vince- Sven

Mikey- Murph

Gretchen- Issac

Minor characters: Ms. Gotke (Ms. April) and Principal Prickey (Principal Lamont)

There are numerous other characters as well who will be played by the pokemon ranger casts.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

A lovely fall day in Ms. April's classroom within the prestigious school for rangers. The entire class was learning about pokemon food and proper nutritional value. Groups were split up so they could focus on what type of pokefood they wanted to make.

"This is so boring…"

Wendy moaned impatiently from her spot at the table.

"I hear ya." Sven sighed.

"What's this got to do with ranger'ing anyways?" Wendy questioned.

"You weren't listening?" Issac asked, stirring the boiling pot. "We learn about this so we can properly energize the partner pokemon as well as heal the sick pokemon or coax them from dangerous situations. This experience will benefit us all in the future."

"Yeah." Murph said in between chewing something. "Dis is fa weally good lesshun!" (translation: This is a really good lesson)

Issac skimmed the paper for directions. "Let's see, add the contents of the green cup with the…hey where'd the green cup go?"

"Huh?" Sven scanned the desktop. "It was here a second ago."

….

"Murph?"

"….yeah?"

"What are you eating?"

….

"Mystery solved." Wendy sighed. "You know you shouldn't be eating that, idiot."

"Sorry!" Murph sweatdropped.

"Guys!"

Along came the last member of the group; Keith. As usual, he wore his mischievous grin and his eyes shined bright with ideas.

"You remember the plan?" Keith whispered.

"We're with ya." Sven said as Wendy & Murph nodded.

Issac stopped what he was doing to track down the teacher, Ms. April. She was helping students in another portion of the room.

"Ms. April! Ms. April!"

The blond genius ran up to her, carefully avoiding the other students hard at work.

"Oh? Issac?" Ms. April said. "Is there a problem with the assignment?"

"No, no! It's quite fascinating actually! I understand the process of heat and the ratio of liquid to solid. But I'm more interested in the effects of potential calcium and the total amounts of carbohydrates!" Issac quickly, and excitedly, told her.

"I, uh…well um…" Ms. April was confused by the vocabulary.

"Or perhaps what could happen if we…"

And thus the rambling of the genius began. That was the cue to begin the next stage. Keith gave a head nod to Sven who nodded in return. Sven dashed over to the teacher's desk with ninja-like precision. He searched through multiple drawers before finding the item; a small gold key. Sven tossed it over to Wendy, on the opposite side of the room. Wendy and Murph snuck out of the classroom, into the school halls.

"See anyone?" Murph whispered.

Wendy searched. "Nothing. We're all clear."

They ran ahead into the center of the hallway where the clock was located. This clock was special. See, ranger school had designed this clock so that it synchronized with all the other clocks in the building. Mostly built so it could combat daylight savings time. But today, it'd be a part of Keith's brilliant plan.

Murph kept a lookout while Wendy, the somehow taller of the two, climbed on a nearby chair and up to the clock. She used the key to open the glass casing the clock was in. Nice! Now all that was left to do was adjust the hands on the clock…

"Uh oh! Mr. Kincaid's coming!" Murph warned (quietly)

"Gimme a sec, will ya?" Wendy hissed.

She carefully pushed the hands on the clock forward. They went about an hour and ten minutes head of time. True there was an exact time that the students wanted specifically to happen. But in order for the plan to work, Wendy had to make sure she set the clock a bit early. That way, no one would be busted.

"Are you almost done?" Keith asked, poking his head around the corner.

"Get back!" Murph yell-whispered. "Kincaid alert!"

"Uh oh!" Keith gulped. "Wendy, hurry it up!"

"Oh gee, I think I'll just take my time!" Wendy sarcastically responded, panicking slightly as Kincaid's approach was near.

There we go! Clock set! Wendy shut the case and locked it tight. She ran alongside the boys back into class. Whew! Made it! Not busted by Kincaid and Ms. April was still distracted. And the clock by Ms. April told the friends that their plan went well! The other classmates, who already knew about this prior, put on their 'well-behaved' faces and took their spot at the tables.

RIIINNNNGGGGG!

"What the…?" Ms. April gasped, staring at the time. "H-how? Recess already? Sigh…maybe I need more coffee. Class dismissed for recess."

"YAAAAY!"

A round of cheers, followed by a stampede of kids running for the door. But they were stopped by Principal Lamont. Instantly, the students stepped back.

"Oh Principal Lamont! What brings you here?" Ms. April cheerfully asked.

"I'm here to bring you a new student." He answered. "You didn't get my email?"

Ms. April paused a moment. "Oh yes! That's right! I thought it was for tomorrow! Very well then. Who's our late addition?"

Lamont stepped back. Behind him was a girl with light brown hairs in two spiky pigtails. Her eyes were big and blue, looking a little out of place. Whispers broke out among the class. Keith, though, was unusually silent.

"Keith? What's with the big grin?" Ms. April asked.

Keith shrugged and continued staring at the girl.

"Anyways, this is Katalina Gustav." Principal Lamont introduced. "Her paperwork was misfiled so it's the reason she's a little behind coming here. But her ranger score was high so I have big hopes for this student."

"Um…I prefer to be called Kate…" The girl, Katalina, murmured shyly.

"Well then, Kate. Welcome to class!" Ms. April warmly accepted. "It'll be wonderful having you as…"

"Ms. April?" A student, Summer, interrupted. "Can we go to recess now?"

"Hm? Oh sure." Ms. April replied.

"YAAAAAYYYY!"

Another rush of kids and a stampede. An entire class was gone; outside to the ranger grounds. Kate (who nearly was run over) dizzily huddled by the door.

"Isn't it early for recess?" Kate asked. "It's only…"

"HEY KATE!" Keith suddenly shouted, rubbing her head. "Why don't I show you around?"

Without waiting, the redhead dragged Kate and ran through the hallways to the outside school grounds. The teacher and principal still remained back in class.

"Hey my watch is an hour behind!"

"Odd. Mine too."

"You don't suppose…?"

"…nah. How smart can those kids be?"

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

The outside grounds of ranger school. Everywhere you went, there was some form of activity going on. All sorts of groups, clichés, friends…whatever, doing something. It was just another school day. Keith took Kate through to explain these people. One by one, his friends joined to hear the explanation and catch a look at the new student.

"Ok so over there is the hardcore jocks. Heath's not the brightest but he's group leader. Usually harmless but don't tick them off. I wound up being tied into a knot for five hours thanks to that dude."

"Yo Keith!" Sven dragged Keith aside. "We need to talk."

"Hey guys. Can you introduce Kate to the class jokester, Crawford? We'll be there in a sec." Keith said.

The group moved off. Keith laid back against the school wall, joining Sven in their own little discussion.

"So what's on your mind?"

"Dude? Do you know the rules?" Sven questioned. "The 'new kid' rules?"

"Oh geez. Not this." Keith groaned. "That Kate girl is pretty harmless. No one has to know about her 'status'! I won't say anything. You won't say anything. Neither will the group. And I doubt the class will. Things are going to be fine."

Sven raised an eyebrow in suspicion but said nothing else. The two guys walked over to join their buddies who started giving Kate the tour.

"See? Over there are the Girls Cliché. Lavana's the leader with Tiffany and Blue Eyes as the followers. Basically they hang out together, do girly stuff and spread gossip like a wildfire. Total snobs."

"That group is the Ground Guys. They love ground type pokemon and are trying to dig a hole like digtrio. I think their names are Ollie and Ponte?"

"Mechanic's corner is right there. They're nice but since they always talk tech, it's impossible to really connect with them. I know those three are Elaine, Vatona and Nage but not sure about the rest."

Kate listened intently to each and every description. She was usually quiet but did ask the occasional question. It was sometime later when she got teary eyed and stopped in her tracks.

"Something wrong?" Keith asked.

"It's just…" A sniffle. "You guys are so nice to me."

"Huh?" The group blinked in surprise.

"I…I…I was never really good at making friends. Nobody really wanted to hang out with me. But you're all so great! And I'm thankful for the time you're spending to show me around." Kate explained.

"Hey that's what friends do." Murph said with a smile.

"And you'll make plenty of friends around here." Wendy patted her shoulder.

"HE'S COMING! THE MASTER IS COMING!"

Gasps around the entire grounds, followed by shocked silence. A pathway was cleared as a group of students started coming in.

"What's going on?" Kate asked, confused.

"Master Ice, that's what." Keith whispered. "He's the ruler of recess. Just don't tell him you-…"

"Hey cherri head. You getting shorter or what?"

The group of kids stopped. From the midst of them came a guy dressed in blue; from the crown on his blue head to the shoes. Only non-blue thing were black shades, which were taken off to look at Kate.

"And who's this noob?"

"This is Kate!" Keith spoke up. "She uh…she's…"

From the crowd, someone shouted. "She's the new kid!"

Keith face palmed in frustration. Ice smirked.

"Really?" He snickered, then faced the crowd. "By Recess Decree, I pronounce this girl to be the new kid! She shall be known as new kid and nothing else!"

There were cheers from some, buzzes of whispers among the rest. News spread like a wildfire. The group of friends looked nervous at this announcement. But Kate was feeling even worse.

"M-maybe it won't be so bad…?"

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

WRONG.

How could Kate have known she'd be placed as the school's outcast? That her name, Kate, would be replaced by 'new kid'? She'd never have guessed that no one would be her class partner or sit with her at lunch. As new kid, she was pushed aside constantly. Always picked last for gym class…then never allowed to play for her team. She was prevented from even talking to other adults as other kids provided distractions.

Kate was alone.

True, there were pokemon, but she still felt horrible. Like she committed a terrible crime of sorts. And while she tried to study for her dream as ranger…it was still hard ignoring this. It pained her to live day after day without a single person to call her friend.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

"That's it! I'm sick of the rules!"

"Keith! Are you insane?"

Lunch time. The group sat at their usual spots. Keith was in his own spot but watched Kate eat alone for the past few days. Poor kid looked like she was in pain. He hated to see her this way. But as much as he wanted to join her, he was always stopped.

"It's forbidden!" Murph said.

"By Recess Decree, you must not interact with the new kid in any way or you will face severe punishment set by Ice. And you know he dislikes you strongly." Issac warned.

"I don't care!" Keith slammed his fist on the table. "This is wrong! Absolutely wrong! We can't let a kid suffer like this!"

"You had no problem with Lunick." Murph pointed out.

"I barely know the guy. He's in another class." Keith argued.

"Or could it be that our redhaired idiot has a crush on the new kid?" Sven smirked.

"I DO NOT." Keith growled, turning red. "I-I just think this sort of action shouldn't be tolerated anymore."

"A crush on new kid? Tch. That's a total bummer." Wendy sipped her juice. "Besides, she's lookin a little depressed."

"How'd you feel if they took your name from you?" Murph pointed out.

"True." Wendy sighed.

"Rules or no rules, we should help Kate out somehow." Sven said.

Lightbulb went off in Keith's head. "Maybe we can!"

"Oh?" Wendy questioned.

"We'll give Kate her identity back!" Keith told them.

"How do you purpose such an idea?" Issac asked.

"Easy. We'll be the main part of this plan but I can call in a ton of favors people owe. Heck, I know some kids who'll do this just for the sake of helping change these stupid rules! And you know me. I'll come up with something. I did break into the cafeteria after hours before once." Keith explained.

"And you made the escape plan from the detention where you got busted for it." Sven said.

"When we're done, we'll get Kate her identity back!"

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Next day, Kate left the girls dorm of the school. The gang was ready, walkie talkies in hand.

"Spikey has left the building, over. Big guy is standing by."

"Redhead standing by."

"Boy Genius standing by."

"Cowboy Awesome standing by."

"Ok we're all set."

….

"What?"

"Say it."

"Sigh. Flight Girl standing by."

"We're all set then."

Kate went down the stairs, soon joined by Murph.

"Morning Kate! Beautiful day! Right, Kate?" He said.

"Huh?" Kate blinked. "I…"

"Kate!" Keith jumped right in. "Did finish your homework last night, Kate? Cause I can help out. That cool, Kate?"

"I…" Kate was in shock. "W-what's going on?"

"Nothing!" Murph and Keith responded with big smiles.

Weird. Kate sweatdropped and continued walking down the stairs. Though she could've sworn that the two guys winked while trying to usher her downstairs faster. Once at the bottom, a bigger surprise was in store. Kids started waving and saying hi. Kate heard her name being used all the time. Posters welcomed her; the name Kate written in big letters. Offers for help on the test, sitting together at lunch, hanging out at recess…they all poured in. Kate had no idea what to make of us.

Outside, though, was the biggest of all shocks. Keith grinned, turning Kate to face the top of the school building. Wendy unfurled a big banner that says 'Welcome to ranger school, Kate!'. Kids started cheering. Balloons lifted up into the air. Kate found that everyone knew who she was and they…they started to accept her. Tears dripped down her face.

"I…I'm touched…" Kate smiled. "I feel so lucky to meet such nice people! You guys are the greatest! T-thank you everyone!""

"Hey if anything, the idea was all redhead's here." Sven pointed to Keith.

Keith's cheeks were a pinkish hue which Kate saw for a split second before he turned away. Kate walked over to face him. Silence for a brief moment.

"So…" Keith sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "Ya like all this, Kate?"

"Keith I…"

"MASTER'S COMING!"

More gasps, with frozen silence. A path was cleared; Kate was dragged into the crowd. Clearly no one had thought what would happen should Ice come back. The group of guys walked to the very center of the crowd before stopping. Ice emerged and saw the banner.

"Who did this?" He demanded. "Who put up this banner? And why did I hear a rumor about welcoming the new kid?"

"Stupid jerk…" Keith muttered through his clenched teeth.

Kate looked around. The students were absolutely terrified of this guy. He was ruling them all, stomping them into the ground. And just moments before they were sweet enough to ignore his Recess Decree. They all took Kate in; warm and friendly. Kate gained new allies as well as some new friends. Now she felt it was time to do something about this. With a deep breath, Kate stepped forth.

"Kate! Don't!" Keith tried to object.

The pigtailed girl walked from the crowd (who stared in horror). She stopped directly before Ice and stared at him with defiant eyes. Ice pulled his shades halfway, studying her.

"Get out of the way new kid." He ordered.

"…no."

Gasps. Some faces grew pale.

"No?" Ice raised an eyebrow. "You dare defy me?"

"Yes. And I refuse to be called the new kid. I'm not going to follow your stupid recess decree." Kate told him.

"You think you can talk to me that way, you noob kid?" Ice questioned impatiently.

"Oh yeah? Watch this." Kate frowned. "Before coming here, I was alone. Always alone. MY family moved a lot so people didn't take the chance to know me. Nobody wanted to hang out with the shy girl in the corner. I was depressed for years. And coming here, just when I found happiness, you took it away from me. You stole my name and had everyone think I didn't deserve to live. Those were dark days. I thought that no one cared; that it'd almost be better if I left this school or…or if I just went away altogether…"

The recess grounds were silent. Students seemed regretful of their actions.

"But I found friends." Kate glanced at Keith & the others. "And they care about me. They're bringing me out of my shell and showing me the time of my life. I won't let you take that away from me. Never again will I let this happen. From now on, I'm not the new kid. I have a name. It's Kate!"

Ice looked at her through his shades for the longest of times. A bored expression on his face.

"Your point?" He finally asked.

"I want my name back." Kate said.

Moment to think. "…very well. You get your name back, Kate."

"Really?" Kate was stunned. "T-that easy?"

"Uh yeah. I'm bored. Don't really care one way or the other." Ice shrugged. "Boys, let's go."

Ice and his group of guys moved out. For a little bit, there was silence. And then a burst of cheers. Everyone danced, jumped, celebrated. Kate was no longer a nobody! She had a name; an identity! Not new kid but Kate!

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

The school day passed quickly. Night descended upon the school grounds and all was peaceful. Sort of. People were still hyped up over the days events. Kate was congratulated at every opportunity. No time to really catch her breath! Desperate for air, she had to sneak out and go down to the Ascension Square. She looked out at the night sky just above the calm ocean.

"There you are. Wondered where you went off to."

From the stairs came Keith. He walked over and took a seat on the statue, beside Kate.

"Nice out here." He said.

"Yep." Kate agreed.

"So are you alright?" Keith asked. "You know, after what happened and all."

Kate nodded. "Yep! Everyone wants to be friends with me after standing up to Ice like that."

"Well it was pretty brave of you to do it. No one ever has before." Keith said. "Heck, I don't even mess with the dude."

"Really? I thought you were brave to do that sort of thing." Kate responded. "You sort of inspired me to do that…"

"I inspired you?" Keith's eyes were wide.

"Mhm." Kate smiled. "You're brave, strong and an amazing friend. It was thanks to you that helped me out. From day 1 to…er…now. I know we met a few days ago but you're already my closest friend."

Keith's cheeks were turning pink again. "K…Kate…"

"Thank you." Kate whispered, her own face a rosy shade.

The air seemed denser than before. Moonlight shimmered on the students eyes. Slowly, without thinking, they closed the space between them and leaned closer in….

"KEITH JUST KISS HER ALREADY!"

"ACK!"

Keith and Kate whipped their heads to the cliffs. Wendy, Issac and Murph were there snickering. A flash came from the stairs; Sven was holding a camera.

"YOU GUYS!" Keith yelled as he and Kate turned a red hue.

"This'll be great for the school website!" Sven teased.

"GIVE ME THE (bleeeep)ING CAMERA YOU JERK!" Keith shouted, bolting from his spot.

Sven, sensing danger, ran up the stairs with Keith in pursuit. Kate laughed along with the others as the chase continued around the courtyards.

"Hey Sven! Pass it here!"

"Catch!"

"DAMN IT! GIVE ME THAT CAMERA!"

"Yo Murph! Go long!"

"NO DON'T PASS IT!"

"Right here! Issac?"

"W-wha? Wait I'm not athletic!"

"Catch!"

"AHA!"

BAM!

"WOO! Tackle attack by Keith!"

"Where's the camera?"

"AHA! Got it!"

"Yoink! And awesome ranger Sven swipes it back! Now to get to the computer lab!"

"NOOOOOO!"

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Chia: Not bad. *claps*

Shame I didn't include Randall (would've been Ben) or give Ms. Finster (Kincaid) a bigger role. Oh well.

Chia: When's the next update and what will it be?

Hard to say actually *shrugs* See, I started this partly due to writers block. So an update could be tomorrow, next week or awhile. Depends on how things go. But hopefully, my lovely readers will stick around for more!

Chia: HEY READERS! SKY DOES NOT OWN POKEMON OR THE CARTOON RECESS!

But I do recommend watching them! At least see the theme song for Recess. Now that's epic.