So, here's the second part of Club Days! Quite a few things will happen here…

Regiinator: Well, we'll see, won't we?

Sonofthetrigod: She's a lot of fun, that's why I like her.

Duskzilla: You are a person after my own heart.

BloodStarGeneral: Yes, there is a similar ranking system for each of the five curricula in the school. For example, in the Appeal Course there are the Five Idols, who are the top ranking coordinators in each of the five categories of contests. As for benefits, think of the Appeals Course as something similar to an acting school. For example, Dakota will enter the Appeals Course in her junior year even though she isn't a coordinator, because the Appeals Course has to do less with contests as a whole and more with pokemon artistry and appeal as a whole. Pokemon Announcers, Pokemon Movie Stars, groomers, even musicians, they all are part of the Appeals Course. High grades in your specialty is similar to graduating from a prestigious college in our world, so it will almost guarantee you a job in your desired field if you're good enough at it. Several people within the Five Idols have gone on to become professional Coordinators and Movie Stars. It's very similar to college sports, as talent scouts are often present at the school's contests in order to find potential stars. Even background work such as grooming and pokeblock making is good to excel in, because if pokemon you helped to groom become successful, it looks good on your resume as well. As for the Battle Frontier, THIS WAS LEFT OFF THE LIST INTENTIONALLY. It will be important later on in the story.

DS49: Thanks.

Daozang: Well, "Lopunny Costume" is kind of an exaggeration. "Brown and Tan Playboy Bunny Girl Outfit" would probably be more accurate.

Arcana of the North: Not exactly a league, just a ranking system.

Darkmoonrise312: It was an amazing and awesome thing.

My Wunderwaffle iz missin: They're not that bad. To girls, anyway.

Darkhammer: Hopefully so.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 15

"Thank you for your application," the redhead said, a forced smile on her face as the boy left. Eli was currently sitting at the stand of the Pokemon Friends Club, a large stack of applications in front of her. She added the newest one to the pile, frowning in irritation.

"Nothing but pervy boys wanting to join…" Eli sighed. "This is all Seri's fault…"

"…Um…" a soft voice spoke up, Eli looking up to find its owner. However, there was no one to be seen.

"I'd like to join…" the voice said again.

"A ghost?" Eli asked, shocked. She jumped up and ran around the table, only to notice that the speaker was not, in fact, a ghost.

The large stack of paper had blocked the short girl from view, but now Eli could see her clearly. She had pale white skin and wispy white hair, and looked so fine and delicate that she could break with a touch.

She was like a doll.

Eli found herself getting red in spite of herself as she stared at Kitty, and shook her head to distract herself.

"Sure, you can join!" Eli said, smiling, adjusting her glasses. "Just add your submission to the pile."

Kitty turned to look at the large stack of papers and reached up to try and put hers on it. Unfortunately, she was too short to reach that high.

So adorable! Eli thought in spite of herself. She took the sheet from Kitty's hand and placed it on the pile, smiling.

Kitty looked down, her pale face a light pink, and gave a small smile before she turned and ran off.

"So cute…" Eli said, blushing. "…Wait, this doesn't make me a hypocrite, does it?"

"Oh, so that's how it is," Cynthia said, her lips curling into a smile.

"…" Alcea glanced at her, frowning.

"You're into Clamperls, aren't you?" Cynthia asked, grinning. "That's why you won't let boys join your club, and that's why you don't have a boyfriend in spite of your beauty. It's not just that queen nature of yours, you like playing with Cloysters, don't you? It's not something to be embarrassed about."

"So vulgar!" Kate exclaimed.

"You are mistaken," Alcea said, shaking her head.

"Yeah!" One of the girls shouted. "Our lady likes boys, but none of them have made the cut!"

"Oh?" Cynthia asked, intrigued.

"If any stupid boy has any ideas about dating our lady, he has to meet the criteria she sets!"

"And what criteria is that?"

Kate walked over to bookshelf. Alcea realized a fraction to late what she was about to do, and her objections were drowned out by Kate's reading.

"Number 1: Above all else, must be a strong and elegant pokemon trainer.

Number 2: Charming and compassionate, a true gentleman.

Number 3: Must have a love of flowers.

Number 4: Just like me, cannot so much as kissed another person before.

Number 5: A chance encounter with him on a beautiful Rapidash.

Number 6: It must be love at first sight.

Number 7: A handsome prince of a foreign land would be desired.

Number 8: Would sacrifice his life to protect me if needed.

Number 9: Not just gallant and brave, must be intelligent as well.

Number 10: He must intend to date with the expectation of marriage."

"…" Alcea tried to maintain a composed expression, but her embarrassment was apparent on her face.

THIS PERSON DOESN'T EXIST! The group thought as one.

"For any man to date our lady, he must at least meet those qualifications," Kate said, smirking. "So you boys can give up now."

"Kate, please sit down," Alcea said, frowning. She coughed, and turned to Julia.

"If you aren't up for joining, there are other options you can seek. There is Gym Leader Training Club you can join. Elle is a part of it. If you joined, she could help you train. You wanted to train under someone strong, is it?"

She's trying to change the subject. Everyone thought again.

"I realize that," Julia said, nodding.

"Elle is a master of strategy, and practices constantly. With her potential of growth, I have no doubt that by graduation she will have become much stronger than I."

"I see, so you think that by the time she graduates, she'll be a better trainer than you?" Julia asked.

"I'm certain of it."

"If that's the case, then that means you're stronger than she is right now then, isn't that right?"

"…" Alcea's lips curled into a smile. "Is it?"

"So if I want to become stronger now, I have to train with you, right?"

"That sounds right. That's what you want, is it?"

"It is."

"Très bien. Kate, please give her the paperwork to fill out."

"Well, guys, looks like I found my club," Julia said, smiling.

"Hey, do you think I can join?" Cynthia asked.

"…No," Alcea said, shaking her head.

"Wha? Why not?"

"You seem… like a bad idea to be around."

"…" Everyone tried hard not to laugh. Tried.

"Fine, let's go," Cynthia huffed.

"Feel free to come back any time for a visit," Alcea said.

"Hey, do you mind if I fill this out later, so I can hang out with my friends some more?" Julia asked.

"Of course," Alcea said, nodding.

"Where should we head to next?" Reiner asked.

"Well, we could check out the Pokemon Friends Club now," Cynthia suggested. Everyone seemed okay with this idea, so the group headed back to the central field. However, the place was a lot more crowded than it had been.

They moved through the crowd, following Cynthia. Blake felt some people bump into him, pushing him away from them, and he felt a hand press tightly on his shoulder. Something was slipped into his shirt pocket.

Blake reached in and found a slip of paper, his eyes narrowing as he read it.

"Blake, you coming?" Cynthia called. Blake looked up to see Cynthia through the part in the crowd. He slipped the note into his pocket, and followed after her.

Cynthia led them to the stand for the Pokemon Friends Club, where a beleaguered Eli was sitting.

"Well, Cynthia, it seems your brilliant idea worked wonders in attracting prospective members," Eli said, gesturing to the large stack of papers.

"Hey, come on now, it worked perfectly!" Cynthia said, grinning.

"Yeah, but it's a bunch of pervy guys who just want to stare at Seri all day," Eli sighed, her face turning red and looking down. "Are these really the kind of people we want to join?"

"I thought you guys were desperate?" Cynthia asked. "Besides, I've got a few new prospective members for you!"

Eli eyed them, and sighed.

"More boys? At least you got some girls, though."

"I'm joining a different club," Sango chirped.

"Same," Julia nodded.

"So, Eli, how's the recruitment drive going?"

Everyone's heads turned to see Lukas walk up, a coy smile on his face.

"…Go away please," Eli said, frowning.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that," Lukas said, smiling. "Still, I'm here for a different reason."

Lukas turned to Cynthia and smiled.

"Dear lady, would you like to join my club? It's called the 'Pokemon Beautification' Club. Club activities include long walks on the beach and late night pokemon grooming sessions."

"Don't 'dear lady' me," Cynthia said, shaking her head, smirking. "Besides, I already told you I like girly girls, not girly boys."

"Oh, playing coy, are we?"

"If you think this is me playing coy, girls must reject you more than I thought."

"Lukas, could you PLEASE not pick up girls in front of our stand?" Eli asked, looking down.

"Oh, sweet little Eli, feeling jealous, are we?" Lukas asked, turning to her.

"Please, you are NOT my type," Eli giggled.

"Oh, you wound me," Lukas said, holding his hand over his heart in exaggerated pain.

Eli chuckled in spite of herself, and then resumed her serious expression.

"Don't worry, I'm gone," Lukas said, grinning. "Talk to you again, Cynthia!"

"Please don't!" Cynthia said, smiling cheerfully.

"…So, you guys wanted to join?" Eli asked, turning back to them.

"I'll join," Cynthia said, nodding.

"…Me too," Nick said.

"…I need to think about it," Blake said.

"Really?" Cynthia asked, surprised. "I thought this would be a perfect fit."

"Yeah, but I need to think. I'll give my answer tomorrow."

"Okay, well, here, take these forms to fill out," Eli said, handing the three of them sheets of paper.

"What about you?" Julia asked, turning to Reiner.

"…Doesn't seem like a fit for me," Reiner said, shrugging. "I'll keep looking."

"Where do you want to head then?" Cynthia asked.

"Nah, we'll split up here," Reiner said. "I'll see you guys later."

Reiner headed off, Cynthia watching after him with concern.

Reiner opened his phone, and answered it.

"Hey, teach, what's up?"

"…"

"Yeah, they do have a Pokemon Archaeology Club."

"…"

"No, I'm not going to join… I think I'll be joining the Gym Leader Training Club. It's what my family wants to do, and all. This'll be the quickest path to becoming a strong trainer."

"…Yeah, talk to you later, teach."

Reiner pocketed the phone, took out a map, and looked for the club.

"Okay, I'll turn my form in to the Survival Club," Sango said. "Wanna check it out, guys?"

"Sure," Blake said, nodding. "It sounds interesting."

Sango led them across campus to where the Survival Club had its stand set up. Unlike the other clubs, the Survival Club had been allocated the entire field around Pichu House. Pichu House was already further away than the other dorms, located on a small hill for the wild pokemon in the area to wander around. Several students were hanging around, some wearing armbands to signify they were Ranger Majors.

"Oh, it's you guys!"

Aidan walked up, waving to them, Arion walking beside him.

"Oh, Aidan, what's up?" Sango asked, smiling. "You joining too?"

"Yup," Aidan said, nodding. "Gotta get those extra credit points."

"Totally."

"Lot of people here," Blake said, surprised.

"Well, the Survival Club is special because it's one of the few school sponsored clubs worth class credit," Aidan explained. "So a lot of people looking to join the Ranger Course join."

Sango and Aidan walked up to the stand, where a large man with a stern expression sat, leering at them. He was built lean and strong, the arm band signifying being a Ranger Major was wrapped around his arm. He had short black hair and tanned skin, and dark red eyes. Perched behind him was a Noivern, the large bat-like dragon type staring at them.

"Are you joining the Survival Club?" the student asked in a rough voice.

"Um… yes…" Aidan said, nodding.

"Think you're cut out for it?" the junior asked. "If you're someone who thinks he can join this club in order to slack his way through his Ranger Course, you're going to learn pretty fast that you just made the biggest mistake of your life."

"Whoa, hey now, I just want to join to become the best ranger I can," Sango said, frowning. "Is this the place where I can do that?"

"…And do you… have what it takes?"

"You'll have to find out, won't you?"

The student's face cracked what might have been a smile, but looked more like a smirk.

"Sound's good. Here's a waiver to fill out, in case you end up… not so happy with your experiences."

Aidan and Sango both took the waivers, and walked back to the others.

"That guy was scary…" Aidan said, frowning.

"Oh, the Sarge?" Everyone turned to see a dark skinned man with slicked back hair and amber eyes, a dim smile on his face like he was laughing at a joke no one else understood.

"Who are you?" Cynthia asked, frowning.

"Andre," the boy said, smiling. "I'm the vice president of the club." He pointed to the orange armband signifying his major. "Although I'm also a security volunteer. Oh, and this is my partner, Loki."

A Banette popped up from behind him, cackling.

"That guy's name is Sarge?" Sango asked, turning to look at the junior.

"Nah, we just call him Sarge since he acts like a drill sergeant," Andre explained. "His name's Eric. He's currently the president of the Survival Club. He might be a little serious, but once you get to know him he's not that bad."

"Huh…" Aidan said, frowning.

"He was vice president last year, and while he might have been pretty rough, he did weed out a lot of people who were just joining this club for the points. No slacking off when Sarge is around."

"Sounds perfect," Sango said, grinning. "I take things to the extreme no matter what I'm doing."

"Well, the faster you get those forms turned in, the better," Andre said, smiling. "Sarge likes it when people show initiative."

Andre waved at them as he walked back into the building, his Banette floating behind him.

"Odd guy," Cynthia said, frowning.

"Weird…" Julia agreed.

Reiner walked up to the stand for the Pokemon Gym Training Club, a few students standing in a line in front.

Elle was perched on a stool behind the table, reading a book. Each student who handed her a form, she looked it over, looked them over, and then put the form in one of two piles.

"…Weak."

Elle dropped the form into the much larger pile, and waved the student off.

This continued for a little while. Will, who was also in line, finally reached the front, and handed her the form.

This time, Elle looked up with more than a glance, and paused as if trying to remember where she had seen him before. A spark of recognition flashed in her eyes.

"…Good enough."

Elle dropped the form into the stack which was maybe five forms high and waved Will off, returning to her book.

"Elle, what are you doing?"

Heads turned to see a man with short, dark brown hair and light blue eyes hidden behind glasses walk up, a kind smile on his face. He wore a red armband, signifying he was in the battle course. Elle gave him the barest glance of acknowledgment before returning to her book.

"Accepting applications."

"That isn't what it looks like."

"They were weak."

"That's why we have an aptitude test."

"Too much work."

"That's not up to you. You're just the vice president."

"Aptitude test?" Reiner, who was currently at the front of the line, asked.

"Oh, yes, see, we don't just accept anyone into the Gym Leader Training Club, we make prospective members take a battle test to see if they have the potential to become a gym leader," the brown haired student explained. "See, a lot of people want to join in order to become stronger, but it takes more than just a strong student to be a gym leader."

"…It doesn't," Elle said.

"Yes, it does."

"No."

"You aren't helping."

"…"

"She has a point, though," the man sighed. "See, some people just aren't cut out for it, no matter how hard they train. That's why this course is so exclusive. Anyone who doesn't think they have what it takes should leave. Our training regimen is not for anyone who's just trying to prove he's strong."

He turned to Reiner.

"You seem tough, but have you got the drive? I'm not sure." He took the application from Reiner, and dropped it into the smaller pile. "Still, the aptitude test will prove it. If not, the Gym Master Challenge certainly will."

"Gym Master Challenge?" Reiner asked.

"Oops, that was supposed to be a secret," the man said, smiling sheepishly. "Well, no matter. You'll see soon enough. I hope you do make it into the club, though. Tell me, what's your name?"

"…Reiner. Reiner Zollern." Reiner held his hand out, the man taking it.

"Gerard Alkwest. Gym Leader Training Club President, and Eighth Leader."

Reiner's eyes widened, Gerard dropping his hand.

"I do hope all of you can make it through the aptitude tests."

That night, after Reiner and Nick had fallen asleep, Blake read over the note dropped into his pocket. He headed out of his room, and walked up the hill towards Pichu Dorm.

He followed the smell of fish cooking, heading into the field behind the building where Andre was seated next to a camp fire.

"Ah, Blake, you made it."

The flames reflected off of Andre's amber eyes as a smile crept to his face when he saw Blake.

EoS: So… quite a few things happened in this chapter, yes?