Chapter 1 | Entrance Fears

Kellyn's POV

The small, yet famous school's gates loomed over me. Everyone knows that if you wanted to make it as a ranger, an operator, or even a mechanic, this is the best place to go to. The Ranger School, the school that gives everyone a chance to become the best of the best, graduating from here gives you a great head start for when you finally have to go out into the world as your own person. The application process was endless to say the least, especially for me, a student who didn't even live in the region at the time. Yet, here I am, miles away from Fiore, the region I once considered home, in front of the school's very gates all the way in the Almia region. I continued to stare at the school in awe, silently debating whether or not I belonged here.

"M-maybe I'm getting in way over my head," I muttered to myself, "I mean, what did I even do to be here at such an amazing place. . ."

I decided that maybe I should take a little walk around the road until I cleared my doubting thought from my head, but before I was able to turn away from the gates-

"Are you alright, Mr. Marsh?" I heard a soft voice call.

I immediately snapped back out of my thoughts and stared at at woman with bobbed, brunette hair, wearing a light green shirt with a white skirt, on the other side of the now opened gate.

"U-umm," I stuttered, "I suppose I'm alright."

Unless making yourself look like a nervous wreck counts, I'm totally fine.

"It's alright to admit you're nervous," she told me, "Everything is new to you here so I've heard, so it's fine. Your fellow students will understand, trust me."

I sighed in defeat, "Fine, I'm absolutely terrified and confused."

"And that's perfectly normal," she replied, "Now, we should really get going. You still need to pass the entrance exam."

I just nodded my head in response, knowing me, if I had said anything more I'd be digging myself a grave.

"Oh, I forgot I haven't introduced myself, how rude of me," she exclaimed extending her hand to me, "I'm Ms. April, I will be making sure you learn everything there is to know about achieving your dream during your time here."

I took her hand and shook it, making sure I actually left some kind of good impression.

"Now then, why don't we hurry and make sure you get through the exam before the day is over," she said as she turned towards the school, "Just follow me."

I followed her up the stairs to the school buildings. The front yard was filled with Bidoofs, Pichus, Budews, and Taillows along with random crates and patches of dirt scattered around the place. Nonetheless the place looked pretty, you can see the ocean past what seems to be the main school building. Ms. April led me to the smaller building to the left and stopped in front of its double doors.

"This is where you will take the exam," she said, "I'm sorry, but I can't go in with you, I need to check in on my students since I left them alone for quite a while."

"It's alright ," I replied.

"Don't worry alright," she said with a smile, "I believe you will do fine."

'That makes one of us,' I thought to myself as I just gave her a nod in response.

I watched as Ms. April then walked off into the larger building. I turned back to the double doors next to me as soon she was out of sight and took a deep breath.

"Everything's gonna be fine," I mutter to myself while clenching my fists, "You're just overthinking things, you've gotten this far, it'll be worse to just turn back now rather than trying." I took another deep breath before giving the double doors a shove, and instantly gaining the stare of a man.

My nerves came rushing back quicker than I thought. I just stood there for a while until he spoke.

"The newest recruit has finally arrived," the man chuckled.

"E-excuse me?" I stuttered.

"You're here to take the entrance exam, are you not?" the man replied.

"Yes, I am?" I said in response.

I have no idea what kind of exam I'll be taking anymore. . .my mind is so lost right now. . .

The man walked towards me and handed me what appears to be a Styler, finally something I'm actually familiar with. The man then whistled, and out of nowhere a Pikachu came sprinting towards him.

"Your test is to capture this Pikachu within 2 minutes," the man exclaimed, "A ranger must be able to capture a Pokémon quickly during dire events."

I nodded my head in understanding. Though, I'm not sure if I can manage to befriend a Pokémon that quickly, but I need to try.

"Okay then recruit, get ready because your exam starts now!" the man exclaimed as the Pikachu ran towards me.

I shot out the top from the Styler, and furiously made the top loop around the Pikachu, and suddenly it just stopped trying to attack the spinning top and stared at me for a while. Then the Pikachu scattered back to the man, who donned a grin on his face now.

"That was one of the best captures I've seen in awhile," the man laughed, "That makes it official then. You are now a part of our secret army, the instructable Team School."

"What?" I mutter.

"As proof of your membership, you're bestowed the School Styler you have just used," the man continued, "Together we shall rule the world-"

Help, someone please stop this madness, I feel like my head's gonna explode. I'm so lost here.

"Mr. Kaplan! I would like it if you do not tease our new student with a silly act like that," a familiar voice echoed.

"Thank Arceus," I sighed as Ms. April walked into view.

"I'm sorry, but the timing was just too perfect to miss," he chuckled.

I silently growled in response, having my confusion used against me, that must've been grrreat for him to watch.

"Anyways," he continued as he cleared his throat, "Congratulations! You passed the exam with flying colors! Like I said before you made a very impressive capture."

"See, what did I tell you," Ms. April said as she turned to me, "I gather you even did better than expected."

"Y-yeah," I stutter.

"Now that you're an official member of this school, you can now meet your classmates. They're waiting for you," she said.