Here comes the conflict of the Daevas, meeting head to head for the first time. Ow will this meeting go, I wonder? Remember to review!

Just a Bad Writer for Fun: Yup, she's pretty laid back, and as a conservationist, maintaining the status quo is her job, after all.

Hellraiserphoenix: Good observations on all accounts. If you weren't expecting Marion to be a daeva, that means I did my job correctly.

Aakareo Kokokuhikari: I'm legitimately surprised that no one guessed it (or if they did, they didn't say so, and aren't saying so now, so I'm assuming no one did) most of the time I do something like this, people call it immediately. There are people right now who've predicted things that have yet to come with almost perfect accuracy, much to my chagrin. So the thought that after all this focus and no one saw it coming is honestly surprising. I referred to the last of the daevas as "The Mermaid" multiple times, that should have been a big tip-off right there.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 122

"This is all a waste," Alden yawned. "If we're going to be seeing who's the strongest, why not just settle it with a good, old-fashioned battle to determine who's the strongest? No easier way than that."

"How fitting, that you would rely on such barbarity to determine who is on top," Olivia scoffed. "There are things to consider besides battling."

"Are you serious?" Alden laughed. "There's a reason that the Battle Course is by far the largest course at this school. We're the ones who get the most sponsored events! People know that battling is where it's at. So clearly, the one who's the best at it would be considered the top trainer at this school!"

"It's exactly this close-mindedness that I can't stand," Olivia scowled. "The Appeals Course may not have the size of the Battle Course, but you can't deny our results. It's like comparing a sports star to a movie star. If you look at where the real money is flowing, it isn't in your boring tournaments. You think sponsorships and prize pools are the backbone of the economy? Pokemon tournaments make for a good 'sometimes' food, but the real core of a person's diet isn't in watching a battle that's the same as every other battle. It's in show business."

The two seniors glared at each other.

"This is why I can't stand you!" Alden said. "Where do you get off looking down on battlers like us?!"

"Please, remind me again where the standing of your organization is?" Olivia scoffed. "You all might not like to admit it, but when it comes to funding and infrastructure we all know whose faction is generating at maximum efficiency, and it isn't that money-pit of yours."

Alden scowled at her.

"The 'Battle Frontier', really?" Olivia continued, smirking. "And island where all that matters is pokemon battles? I've got some bad news for you, Alden, that place already exists, and it's called 'Galar'."

Alden glared daggers at Olivia, who returned with an icy glare of her own, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Come on, guys, there's no need to fight!" Marion said, waving her hands. "Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, right? Olivia doesn't like battling, but that isn't wrong!"

"Battling has its place," Olivia agreed, "but what I can't stand are closeminded bastards who think that it's the only thing that matters. I'm grooming stars that will be holding the spotlight for decades to come, making connections with all the right people. My charisma, beauty, and talent got me to where I am today."

She glared at Alden.

"You're just a pokemon trainer like all the others. If you put all your stock in winning, what will you have left when you lose?"

"The thrill of the battle," he replied, smiling. "Win or lose, the joy is in the battle itself! But I guess that goes over the head of a pretty little perfectionist who can't accept even coming in second."

Olivia flinched, narrowing her eyes. Marion looked helplessly between the two, unable to scale down the escalation.

"Olivia does have a point, Alden," Valon interrupted. The two bickering seniors refocused their attention on this new voice joining the discussion. "Your faction gathers around you because of your strength as a trainer. Take that away from you, and you fall to pieces. Look at what's happening with Gerard. He built up his 'Gym Leader Training Club' on the basis of him being the strongest of the Eight Leaders, and now that he's lost to Kanone, the sharks are smelling blood in the water. No one has heard from him in weeks, it's like he's gone into hiding out of shame. If you were to lose… I wonder if the same would happen to you?"

"I'm sure you have nothing to do with all the unrest occurring in that club," Olivia said, her tone implying she suspected exactly that.

Valon said nothing, just smiling brazenly.

"That's a pretty confident boast you got there," Alden chuckled. "So, you think so? Think you're the man to do it, eh? Well that's fine by me! That's how I wanted to settle things from the start! You and me, one battle, to determine which one of us is the strongest?"

"A single battle won't be the deciding factor in this skirmish," Valon stated. "Your simplicity in your thinking is truly naïve."

Alden frowned.

"You always gotta make everything so complicated. Battling is so simple! It's the best way to determine who's really on top, and yet you keep making all these weird moves when you could just be challenging me outright. Seems like you're just scared."

"It makes sense," Olivia agreed. "After all, you know that in an open conflict, you can't hold a candle to Alden and the trainers allied with him. All your Research Course students are fairly lacking in the battle skills department, so of course you need to rely on your schemes to hold a candle at surpassing his combat potential and my connections."

"Don't think you're the only one with connections," Valon said calmly, turning his attention to Olivia. "But just as you don't discuss yours, so too do I see no need in conversing about my own supporters."

Olivia sat back in her chair, frowning.

This is getting us nowhere. Or more accurately… by its nature this could never really go anywhere. We all know that when it comes to determining "the best" at this school, my presence here is a non-factor, since we're approaching from different angles. I'm not the best trainer, it really will come down to a struggle between the Phantom and the Commander…

She glanced at Marion.

The Mermaid Faction is less a struggle for the top than even my own. Back when the four of us were establishing ourselves, Marion gathered together students from the Ranger Courses and Caretaker Courses so they wouldn't end up getting swallowed by the escalating tensions between the two of them. Meanwhile, I've set myself up separate from the skirmish over territory by defending myself on a different field…The two of us are separate from the two of them, whose goals are completely at odds with each other. Alden wants to build himself up behind his reputation as the strongest trainer… and as for Valon…

His goals are a complete mystery to me. And yet he's opposed the Commander's faction at every turn, and tried whatever he could to eat into their territory. In all honesty… the "Daeva Skirmish" is really a struggle for power between those two. Which means Marion and I… we're only here because of our influence over the neutral factions. How we choose to move will be the deciding factor in this war.

Marion is absolutely not the type to pick a side. If she had her way, things would remain in a perpetual stalemate until graduation. While I can see the value in that, it isn't in my nature to be passive. I've reached the peak of where I can get on my own. The best method of increasing my own personal power… would probably be an alliance with one of the other factions. In other words… this is currently a battle between the two of them to seduce me over to their side… I'm like the belle of the ball, with two men vying for my attention… or more specifically, my funding and charisma. How magnificent…

"Olivia… you have a really creepy smile on your face…" Marion commented.

"Hush, you."

"This is a waste of time," Alden sighed. "Something like a summit isn't going to change a damn thing. If this struggle of ours could be settled with a little bit of negotiation, then we wouldn't have gotten this far in the first place."

Leave it to the guy with no tact to voice what we're all thinking, Olivia smirked.

"I'm not interested in any peace talks," Alden continued. "All I'm looking for is support for completing the Battle Frontier, and the only route forward is to become the strongest trainer at this school. So that's why I've got no interest in going along with any sort of negotiation you're looking for, Valon. Unless this is about your surrender, in which case, you didn't have to go through all this trouble."

"I… I have to agree," Marion said. "While I do think that peace would be nice… I can also see that we won't be getting anywhere with meaningless conversations like this. I have my own goals, just like all of you. It's why I've been building up my influence with the Pokemon Ranger Union and different Pokemon Breeders and Pokemon Conservationists from different regions."

"And yet you just got your Probationary License today," Olivia sniped.

"Urgh… anyway, that isn't important. For the sake of my Resort Harmony, I need to gather influence and funds, the same as you, Alden, for your Battle Frontier project."

"You're comparing your fishing hotel to the Battle Frontier?" Alden scoffed.

"Don't you make light of my dream!" Marion snapped. "Everyone wants different things in this world! Don't think your dream is somehow more important than mine! I plan to fill the world with smiles brought on by the love of fishing! My dream is beautiful, don't you dare mock it!"

Alden frowned, shrugging.

"You've been remarkably quiet on this topic," Valon said, turning to Olivia. "Are you, also, not interested in discussing further?"

"I wouldn't say there's no value in it for me~" Olivia purred, stroking a lock of her hair. "But then, I quite loathe it when men try to seduce me with their sweet words. Besides, it's not like I need any help from any of you to cement my position. My goals are all set to be met, with or without any outside assistance. I've built up my own contacts and reputation, so it seems there is nothing to be gained from continuing any further."

"I see then," Valon said, shrugging his shoulders. "If there is no surrender to be had from any of you, it's war, then."

He rose from his seat, looking out over the other students like a snake eyeing a group of rabbits. His lips curled up into a smile.

"Just remember that when the time comes, I gave you all a chance to join the winning side."

"Hah! That's rich!" Valon's exit was accompanied with the sounds of Alden's laughter echoing out of the room, but he didn't let himself be shaken at all.

"Is it done?" Misato greeted him as he exited. Valon glanced at Ayame and Victoria, who were staring at him suspiciously.

"Apparently so," Valon nodded. "Shall we go?"

"Affirmative." Misato turned to follow Valon down the hall.

"It's quite a pity when people won't move the way I want them to," Valon sighed. "Even if it is to be expected."

"Indeed. The motivations that drive human beings are defined by their irrationality," Misato agreed with him. "It could be argued that the inconsistency of humanity is what makes them human."

"The mecha-doll is a scholar of human psychology now?" Valon chuckled. "Your father would be proud."

"…"

"And how is the other plan going? Is William going to comply? If his loyalty is assured, then you don't need to spend time with him any longer."

"…" Misato stared at him for a few seconds, her blank eyes considering what Valon was saying. She determined the best answer to provide him given the information she had to work with, assessing Will's loyalty and other contributing factors.

"I have not gathered enough evidence to make an assertion with any level of statistical support," Misato answered. "I can neither confirm nor deny that the level of loyalty that Will possesses toward your organization will not lead him to betray your plans if given the opportunity."

"I see, well that is a pity," Valon nodded. "In that case, please continue with your observations as you have been."

"…Affirmative," Misato nodded. Valon glanced at her with an appraising eye.

"…On second thought, perhaps not," Valon said. "Something seems off about you. We'll have Oscar look over you to ensure that there's nothing wrong before you return to your duty."

"Unnecessary. Oscar possesses the mechanical aptitude to repair my body, but my own diagnostics determine that all my functions are operating to maximum efficiency."

"I see. Well, if you say so, you know more about your specifications than anyone else, Misato."

"Of course I do."

Valon and Misato continued walking in silence, Misato considering the conversation that had just occurred.

How odd. From the behavior I have observed, the probability of Will betraying us at this point is statistically insignificant. And yet I still delivered the report that I did. Perhaps my functions are compromised after all. I will have to run a diagnostic to ensure my judgment is operating properly. If there is no malfunction, then the irrationality of my illogical response cannot be explained through logical means. Furthermore, there is also the irrationality of keeping this information concealed from Valon. Perhaps not. There is no need to bring it up. It is not like any human still living is capable of understanding the intricacy of my programming. I shall keep it to myself until I discern the source of the malfunction.

"What a waste…" Marion sighed, sadly popping a piece of sushi into her mouth. "He didn't even touch the sushi I prepared… it's always the same thing with him, what a drag…"

She glanced at the other two hopefully.

"What about you two? You want some?!"

"I'm afraid not," Olivia said, rising from her seat. "Eating at this time of night will completely ruin my figure. You know how it is, food is thrice the calories when consumed after sunset."

"Where are you going?" Marion asked.

"The summit is over," Alden said, standing up, shrugging. "No need to stay."

"What a waste," Marion repeated, popping another piece of sushi into her mouth.

"Besides, Ayame and I have a party to get to," Olivia smiled, strutting out of the room with a wave. "So long, Marion. Good luck trying to keep the balance, I'll be pulling for you."

Marion was left alone in the room with only a tray of sushi as company.

"Haaa…" she sighed, getting started on finishing off the rest of the fish. "Why was I even here? All I'm trying to do… is keep everybody happy."

"Uwaah…" Cynthia stared through the open door, her mouth agape.

"Why hello there," Olivia said, bowing courteously. "You are Cynthia Fafnir, am I right? My dear Ayame informed me that there was a party to be had, and so I thought I would join her."

"Uh, um…" Cynthia stuttered. She whirled around and stormed over to Blake.

"Blake!" She hissed, wrapping her arms around his throat. "Who is this bombshell and why is she standing in our doorway?!"

"That's… Olivia… Himeko…" Blake choked out. "The… Empress…"

In the midst of being choked out, Blake looked up at Ayame for clarification. The guilty expression on her face was enough of an answer.

"Is it not okay for the two of us to be here?" Olivia asked, tilting her head to the side.

"N-no! Of course not! By all means, come in!" Cynthia gushed, gesturing for Olivia and Ayame to enter. "I-I was just embarrassed! Our room is a total mess, you know, cause we're in the middle of a party, and so-"

"Nonsense," Olivia smiled, putting on her business face. "It is quite nostalgic. How long has it been since I set foot in the freshman dorms?"

She bowed her head and held the hem of her skirt, curtsying.

"Greetings, all. I am Olivia Himeko, but you may call me Olivia. It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of my dear Blake's close friends."

"…" Sango stared at Olivia, her mouth agape. Olivia was the most beautiful woman Sango had ever seen.

"You're Sango, right?" Olivia smiled.

"Y-yes ma'am!" Sango said, nodding.

"I heard you passed your Probationary Ranger Licensing Exam," Olivia said, placing her hand on Sango's cheek. "Congratulations. You're quite a talented young lady."

"Uh, um, you're the one known as 'The Empress' right?" Cynthia asked.

"Oh, you've heard of me?" Olivia smiled, stepping up to Cynthia so she was right in the shorter girl's personal space. She glanced down at Cynthia through half-lidded eyes, her lips curling upwards as she reached a finger out to tilt Cynthia's chin up so she was looking face to face with her.

"I'm so very pleased to hear that from a cute little lady like you."

"Y-you… you think I'm cute?" Cynthia stuttered, her face turning red. Olivia nodded her head, Cynthia swooning.

"Boss," Ayame said, clearing her throat. "Maybe turn it off."

"Ah, yes, I forgot," Olivia giggled. "I'm always in 'work mode' so I sometimes forget myself. This is a party, is it not?"

She glanced at the other freshmen, who were sitting in a circle on the ground. She recognized a few of them. The tan boy was one of the kids in that Gerard's club, and the tall girl she'd heard was associated with that damn Alcea. The leftovers were a nondescript looking boy, and a rather lovely little girl with snow-white hair and the most gorgeous red eyes Olivia had ever seen. Her lips curled into a smile.

"But I must say, it's getting a little crowded trying to fit all of us into this room. So if you all would be interested… would you like to accompany me to my own dormitory? I have a private room that I believe will be well-suited to our needs."

"Er, uh…" It was Sango's party, and she didn't want to be spending any more time around this beautiful party crasher than she had to. But… she was Blake's guest, right? So it would be rude to-

"Though I suppose we could make it work," Olivia continued. "Though I can't bear the thought of messing my clothes up by sitting on the floor. Blake? Would you mind if I sat beside you on the bed?"

She placed a hand on his shoulder, pushing him gently aside, and squeezed in next to him so that her body was pressed right up against his. She glanced up at Ayame with a coy smile.

"B-boss!" Ayame exclaimed, flustered. "What are you doing?!"

"Yes, let's move to your room!" Sango half-shouted, standing up, her face bright red. "Immediately, please!"

"Magnificent," Olivia said, clapping her hands.

"You sure?" Cynthia asked Sango, the eagerness on her face apparent. "I-I mean, if you're sure, it wouldn't hurt to get to know her-er, them! Better…"

Sango sighed, shaking her head. Why did it have to be like this? She'd moved so far since she'd left… and yet somehow she still couldn't overcome the shyness and insecurity in her heart when confronted with Blake and her jealousy.

I may have grown as a person… but when it comes to love, I guess I still have a lot more growing to do…

Aw, don't worry, Sango, maybe you'll get there someday.