Here's another chapter. There won't be too much more of Marion's backstory to get through, don't worry! Also, important announcement, so pay attention. I've decided to poll for who the best girl is. But because there's so many girls, to start with, I need to get some nominations! That's right, it's time to decide once and for all who the best girl of this series is!

To start, I want each person to nominate their top 3 choices for the role of Best Girl. The girls with the most (or any) nominations will then be included in a poll on my profile whenever I decide to end the nomination period. So please show you support for all the lovely girls and include your nominations for best girl!

Just a Bad Writer for Fun: They'll go okay… for now.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 173

"Doctor K, are you sure we need to go now?" Marion asked, confused. She held Mana cradled in one arm while the doctor held her other hand and guided her down the wide halls of the big hospital. "It's almost bedtime…"

"Sorry, sweetie," Doctor K apologized, looking sadly down at her. "But I thought you would be most comfortable with your first test if I was with you. The kids don't like the tests very much, but they're for your own good."

"Okay…" Marion nodded, looking down. Her straw hat concealed the worry on her small face from Doctor K.

"It had to be today," Doctor K sighed, gently squeezing down on Marion's hand in a reassuring way. "I'm going on a business trip tomorrow to scout out another potential. That's why I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could."

"Okay…" Marion said, nodding.

"Can you be a big girl while I'm gone?" Doctor K asked. "I know you're in a new place and you might be scared, but I hope I can make things as nice for you here as I can."

"I'll… I'll do my best," Marion said, nodding. But inside, she was still remembering the anxious faces of her fellow kids, watching her as Doctor K took her away. What were these tests going to be like? Marion swallowed her fears.

Doctor K led her into a large room, with a big and soft operating seat in the center, a lot of machinery around it. There were two other doctors in the room, big and scary. Their faces were smiling, but their eyes weren't warm like Doctor K's. Marion trembled, and the doctor placed a gentle hand on her back.

"Marion, can you sit down in that chair?"

Marion nodded warily, and sat down, clenching Mana to her chest. Doctor K stood over her, smiling, and reached out her hands, taking Mana from Marion.

"Come here, Mana," Doctor K hummed, setting the Mantyke down on a cushion within a small incubator. She turned back to Marion. "Oh, Marion, can you remove the hat, please? We won't be able to get good readings with it on."

"Um, okay," Marion agreed, removing her hand and leaning back, her minty hair feeling a chill as it touched the cold paper covering the pillow.

One of the doctors looked over Marion, attaching two weird things to her forehead. They had wires coming out of them, and Marion followed the wires to one of the machines. She glanced at Mana, and saw that the small pokemon was also having two wires attached to her forehead.

"Okay, Marion, I want you to listen closely," Doctor K said, looking down at Marion with a comforting smile on her face. "Close your eyes, and think about Mana, okay?"

"Okay…" Marion said, squeezing her eyes shut and thinking hard about her cute little partner.

"That's good, now, remember to think hard on her, okay? Call out to her with your heart, and listen closely to her, okay?" Doctor K's voice rang out from somewhere up above.

Marion wasn't sure what calling out with her heart meant, but she tried focusing as hard as she could. She winced, a throb of pain shooting through her forehead.

"We've got a signal," one of the doctors reported.

"Good, she's established connection," Doctor K said. "Marion? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just…" another spark of pain caused her to let out a small yelp, her eyes opening. She sat up, sweating, her head feeling sore.

"…We lost her," one of the doctors muttered.

"What was her rate?" Doctor K asked.

"Low," he reported. "Only 7%. She's clearly not used to this."

"Well of course," Doctor K replied. "It hurt, the poor thing."

Doctor K turned back to Marion and reached into her lab coat. With a smile, she took out a small bottle and shook a tiny white pill into her hand.

"That was very good, Marion," Doctor K reassured her. "But it hurt, didn't it?"

"No, it wasn't…" Marion tried to remain tough. It wasn't that bad, it was only a little startling.

"You're very tough," Doctor K smiled, taking her hand and closing it around the pill. "But you don't need to. This is medicine. I developed it myself. It should soothe your headaches."

"Director, are you sure?" One of the other doctors asked. "The medication will hinder her ability to fully connect, her synchronization levels will-"

Doctor K turned and glared at the doctor, her lips pressed into a tight frown.

"That may be so, but it's more important to take care of her," Doctor K replied. "I don't want her to strain herself and get hurt."

She turned to Marion, and smiled.

"Any time you need, just ask one of the doctors for the pill, okay Marion?" Doctor K suggested. "We don't want you to feel uncomfortable while you're here, okay? I know full well just how bad the headaches can be. So take care of yourself, okay?"

Marion nodded, and swallowed the pill, feeling a little more reassured with herself. The pressure in her brain began easing off, and her breathing returned to normal. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, focusing on Mana once again. It didn't hurt this time, she was more relaxed, and she had Doctor K at her side, looking out for her. She reached out to Mana, and felt the joyfully feelings of the cheery water pokemon bubbling up in her heart. Marion smiled. Being with Mana… it was like sitting in the bathtub, the water tickling her cheeks. Or being rocked to sleep while on the deck of her daddy's boat, the sweet smell of salt water in the wind. It was like she and Mana were together, in the water… was this what swimming was like? She had never swam before, but she could feel the sensation of moving through the water flow into her. She felt like she was a fish herself, moving with the current, feeling the sun gleam in the waters above. Which was strange. She knew the both of them were in the hospital, in a room with a bunch of lights and machines and Doctor K and the others. But part of her… part of them both, was deep in that bright blue sea, getting rocked by the waves.

Why was I so scared of the water back then? Marion asked herself. She couldn't even remember the panic she'd felt that day she'd been washed overboard. The ocean and its inhabitants were still her friends. They always had been. Maybe one day, she'd get out of this place, and be able to learn how to swim for real. She and Mana could go swimming together. This feeling… she wanted more of it! It was like being reborn in the warm waves and calm sun, surrounded by all her fishy friends.

Marion let out a soft sigh. If only this feeling could go on forever…

"Amazing!" One of the doctors' voices pierced through the gentle lull in Marion's relaxing union with Mana.

"What's her synchronization rate?" Doctor K asked.

"She's topping out at 57%," the doctor reported.

"On her first attempt? That's quite high!" Doctor K gasped. "Astounding!"

"It's holding fairly well," the other doctor said. "Is the girl keeping composure? Check her vitals."

"Everything is normal," Doctor K said. "Marion, are you feeling okay?"

"Mhm…" Marion murmured, the doctor's voice sounding far off in the distance.

"Should we try and increase the power?" One of the other doctors asked. "We may be able to improve her synchronization rate if we increase-"

"Absolutely not," Doctor K snapped. "Marion is a child! We're keeping the kids on the baseline, anything else could damage her! She isn't something to be experimented on!"

"Y-yes, you're right of course, director!" The doctor hastily corrected himself. "Well, with these results, I'm sure she'll perform exceptionally well with a little further focus! Thank you for your assistance, director."

"Of course, I'm always happy to lend a hand and observe, in order to make sure things are going okay," Doctor K said. "Marion? We're all done now, you can come back to us."

Come back? Why on earth would she ever want to come back? Swimming in the ocean… It was wonderful. But Doctor K was calling her… should she go off to her side? It wasn't like she had to worry about leaving the ocean behind, after all… she could come back here any time…

Marion blinked, roused from her almost-nap.

"Izzit over?" Marion yawned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

"Yes, all done," Doctor K said, smiling. She detached the electrodes from Marion's head, and nestled the girl's straw hat over her light green hair. Marion peered up at her, smiling.

"Did I do okay?" Marion asked hopefully.

"You did really well," Doctor K reassured her. "Let's get you up and back to the others." Marion climbed off the big chair, and turned to Mana, picking her up.

"Oh, if you don't mind, we were going to take Mana somewhere else," Doctor K replied. Marion looked up at her in surprise, her eyes wide. Doctor K blinked, and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, guiding the confused Marion out into the hallway.

"What? But…" Marion was confused, she was with Mana all the time when she was home, why couldn't she spend as much time with her here as she did back then? She… she didn't want to! She'd miss Mana way too much!

"Mantyke need water, remember?" Doctor K sternly reminded her, puffing up her cheeks. "I know it's not fair, but we can't just have her sleeping in bed! We can take her to an enclosure, how does that sound?"

"Can… can I visit her?" Marion asked, looking hopefully up at the doctor and trying to resist the urge to cry.

Doctor K blinked, confused.

"Why, of course you can," she said. "Why couldn't you? You can go anywhere on the grounds you want, Marion! Except for the doctors' offices and the labs, think of this place like your home."

Marion sighed in relief, petting Mana in her hands, and smiled.

"Okay, good."

Doctor K led Marion down the hall to a large enclosed indoor park, filled with plants and rocks. It was a wonderful indoor garden, with a glass roof, though the real majesty was hard to see in the darkness of the night sky. Chinchou floated in the waters of the enclosure's lake, lighting everything up in a calming glow that was reassuring for Marion. Doctor K led her off toward the lake, Marion looking down worriedly at the glowing water.

"Man!" Mana chirped, letting Marion know that everything was going to be okay. Marion nodded, wiping her tears away, and smiled. She knelt down and set Mana down into the water, the small pokemon bouncing through the calm water. Marion stood back up and turned to Doctor K.

"You can come see her tomorrow," Doctor K said, smiling. "Let's head back to the other kids, okay, Marion?"

Marion nodded, and took the doctor's hand. Doctor K led her back down the hall, Marion looking up to stare at her back.

"Doctor K…"

"Yes?"

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Marion asked.

"Hm, I wonder…" Doctor K murmured. "I know! I'll come eat breakfast with you kids, sound good? So you better wake up on time, because I have to leave pretty early in the morning!"

"I will," Marion replied, smiling. She entered the common area where the other kids were, and glanced back at Doctor K as she walked in. The doctor smiled back at her and waved goodbye. Marion nodded, and headed inside, closing the door behind her.

Marion glanced around the room. The other kids were looking at her expectantly.

"How was it?" Rast asked, walking over to her. "Was it uncomfortable?"

Marion shook her head.

"No, it was… really nice."

Rast frowned, glancing at the others.

"Well that's good. Did the doctor give you some pills?" Marion nodded.

"Well, that's good, at least," Rast sighed with relief.

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Little Rey scoffed. Marion shot him a dirty look. Why did he have to be such a-?! She had such a nice time, and he had to go and say such stupid stuff.

"What was your synchronization rate?" Katrina asked, her eyes shining eagerly.

"Um, I think they said it was… 57%?" Marion said. The kids stared at her, their eyes wide. They all let out gasps. Even Little Rey had dropped his scowl for a look of pure surprise, something Marion was relishing.

"That… that's amazing!" Katrina gasped.

"It… it is?"

"Yeah! Even Kyrese and Flora only get synchronization rates in the 60s, and they're way older and have been doing this longer!" Rast said. "Even I only get in the high 40s!"

"I… I see…" Marion said, surprised.

"And not only that, but that was with the pills, right?" Katrina asked. "Which means that you can maybe get even higher without 'em!"

"Really?" Marion said, thinking about the praise that the doctor might give her if she scored really high on her next test.

"Looks like we have a new rival to be worried about," Kyrese said, laughing.

"Good job, Marion," Flora said, smiling.

Marion smiled, basking in their praise. It felt so nice. But there was someone else who was keeping quiet. She glanced at Little Rey, who was facing away from her, sitting on his bed. She walked over to him, smiling smugly.

"Did you hear? My synchronization rate was 57%!" Marion boasted.

Little Rey glanced up at her, his expression flat. The lack of reaction made her even more upset, like he was disregarding her hard work entirely.

"Didn't you hear? 57%!" Marion said, frowning. "Why are you looking at me like that? What? What was your synchronization rate, Little Rey?!"

Little Rey glared back at her, Marion returning his glare with a glare of her own.

"Ah, leave him alone," Kyrese laughed. "Little Rey is probably just a little jealous."

"Am not!" Little Rey growled.

"What was your starting synchronization rate again?" Rast laughed.

"It… it doesn't matter!" Little Rey exclaimed. Now Marion wanted to know. Was it really that much lower than hers? He looked down on her so much, but his synchronization rates were that much lower than hers… (even if she didn't know what, exactly, synchronization rates were) that was just hilarious!

"Little Rey's synchronization rate was only 23%!" Katrina answered, the angry boy's face turning hot pink in response.

"Shut up! So what?! It's way higher than that now!"

"Yeah, but it's still the lowest rate here," Katrina replied, smirking. "What's it up to now? 34%? 35%?"

Little Rey glared at her, unable to respond. Marion felt smug about her 57% now.

"Hah! And you were looking down on me so much!" Marion laughed. "I guess you aren't as good as you thought you were, Little Rey!"

"Shut up!" Little Rey shouted, jumping out of his bed and glaring at her. He shoved her back. "You stupid girl! You don't understand! This isn't some game!"

He turned to the others, and glared at them.

"What's the matter with you? Joking around like it's all fun and games?! You know what's gonna happen, right? Letting her be all happy about her 57%, like she doesn't…"

"Rey," Kyrese glared at Little Rey, his voice cold. The boy flinced, wilting under the older kid's glare. "We know. But even so, there's nothing wrong with letting her enjoy herself for a little longer, don't you think?"

"It's pointless," Little Rey muttered, sitting back down in bed and pulling the blanket over himself. "You're just going to make her suffer more when she learns the truth."

Marion didn't really get what that stupid Little Rey was saying, but she knew that he was just a big old meanie anyway. That stupid Little Rey!

"You okay?" Marion glanced up to Rast standing over her, a look of concern on his face. Marion nodded, and took his hand as he helped her up. He smiled and headed off to the bed his sister was sleeping in, Marion watching after him as he walked. He sat on the bed next to hers and patted the small girl on the head, smiling, and climbed into the covers. Unlike that stupid Little Rey, Rast was such a nice guy!

"Where's Mana?" Katrina asked, catching her attention. Marion turned to her, smiling sheepishly. She yawned, realizing how tired she was.

"Doctor K let her out into a cool looking park," Marion said.

"Oh, yeah, that place is a lot of fun," Katrina agreed. She and Marion walked back to their beds, climbing inside and resting their heads down on the pillows. The lights went off not long after, indicating it was time for the kids to get to sleep. Leo curled up at the foot of Katrina's bed, and the two girls continued their conversation in the dark.

"So what do you think so far?" Katrina whispered, being considerate of the other kids. "Do you like it here?"

"It's okay…" Marion said, nodding. "Except for that stupid Little Rey… he's such a meanie!"

Katrina giggled.

"I'm glad you like it here," she replied. "Tomorrow, let's go play in the park, okay? With Mana and Leo and the other pokemon. Sound good?"

Marion smiled.

"I'd like that…" Her face turned sad. "I… I'm lonely," she confessed.

"Oh…" Katrina said, the sadness in her voice obvious.

"I mean, I like it here, definitely, but… I miss mommy and daddy…" Marion confessed.

"I miss my dad, too," Katrina admitted. "My mom, she… I never got to know her, so… Doctor K is a lot like what I imagined a mom to be…"

"She's super nice," Marion agreed. "But still… I miss my real mom…"

Marion turned over in bed and stared up into the blackness of the ceiling. This bed… it was more comfortable than the one back home… but she missed the warmth of her mommy's hug, and the reassuring pattern of her daddy's snoring. It was so lonely here…

Her face grew wet as she began softly crying. She wanted to stay tough for mommy and daddy… but she missed them so much.

She cried herself to sleep, trying to recapture that feeling of drifting through the water from earlier, hoping tomorrow would be a little better.

I'm sorry to say, however, that it won't be.