The night is still young, and Callie and Alcea have a lot to discuss. It's about time Callie learned the truth of what's going on around here! Hopefully, the two of them can get started on a real friendship, Callie needs someone in her corner right now.

KedharS: Callie doesn't have many friends her own age, and definitely has a chip on her shoulder when it comes to pretty girls. Knowing that, Alcea is the perfect choice for a friend.

Tambry96bj: That's part of the fun of two truths and a lie.

Just a Bad Writer for Fun: Who knows, maybe we'll see what the guys are up to.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 883

Callie was surprised at how natural it was to talk with Alcea. She didn't have any friends among the Eight Leaders. There was her brother, of course, but he wasn't exactly someone that she could consider a friend. No, he was way too frustrating for that. And everyone else, well, they just weren't the right kind of people.

Dokukage didn't really talk to anyone; he was too focused on himself. And that went double for Gabrielle, who acted like anyone that was weaker than her wasn't worth her time, and anyone stronger than her was an enemy.

Raizer was someone that she could at least talk to, because he was a friendly sort of person, but that wasn't the same thing as actually being a friend. She looked up to him a lot because he'd been her previous club president, but they had stopped being as close once they took up positions among the Eight Leaders.

As for Gerard, Callie didn't want anything to do with him. She'd respected him at first, thinking he was someone worth looking up to as a talented trainer and competent administrator. But once the issue with Elaina had come to light, she'd seen him as the snake he really was. Now she was completely disgusted by him.

So that left Alcea. And Alcea was Alcea.

Callie would be lying if she said she didn't have the teensiest, weensiest little girl-crush on Alcea. It was nothing to be ashamed of, of course, it was perfectly natural. Alcea was a beautiful woman and a powerful trainer, and accepted to be the strongest female trainer in the school. Callie, who always admired strength, found that awesome.

Because of Alcea's strength, her beauty, her wealth and status, her title as the "Queen of Queens", "Queen of Roses", etc., and the way her club flocked around her like flowers in a bouquet, had made her the kind of girl that always seemed more suitable to admire from afar than to get close to and befriend, so that was always how Callie had treated her.

But right now, it wasn't some untouchable rose queen who was sitting up and talking in the hotel room with her.

It was just a girl her age, expressing her worries and insecurities.

Callie didn't know what to say. Alcea Vermeil had worries and insecurities? It just didn't seem real. She'd always come off as flawless and perfect, the kind of woman that any girl would want to be when they grew up.

Not that Callie had any more growing to do…

"So let me get this clear," Callie said, feeling a little more confident in speaking her mind now that she knew Alcea wasn't some unrestrained natural force of girlboss energy. "You think that Gerard and the Phantom… are working together?"

"I'm certain of it," Alcea said, the bitterness in her voice obvious. "He's working with them. I know from a reliable source."

"A reliable source? Who?" Callie knew that Gerard was a jerk, but the idea that he was working with the Phantom, an even BIGGER jerk, was a little hard to believe.

"Gabrielle," Alcea revealed.

"Gabrielle? And how would she know?" Callie asked.

"Because she used to be working with the Phantom," Alcea said. That was another revelation that made Callie's jaw drop.

"Wait, for real?!" Callie gasped. How much had she missed this last year while she was dating Nick? "Gabrielle was working with the Phantom?"

"The way she told it to me, it was like a partnership of convenience," Alcea explained. "She didn't agree with the way that Gerard was running their gym leader club, so she wanted to defeat him in front of everyone in order to force him out of the position of president. She was working with the Phantom to sabotage him, but when it backfired she was no longer of any use. So she broke off from the Phantom's organization and explained it all to me, and now we've been working against both of them."

"And you're saying that Gerard and the Phantom were working together all the way back then? How long ago was this?" Callie was still trying to make sense of this whole mess in her mind. That would have had to been before the Phantom Cup, since Alcea and Gabrielle were working together to fight off all the other trainers. And it would have probably had to happen sometime after the Fall Festival Tournament…

"No, I think their partnership was a recent thing," Alcea explained. "But Gabrielle… she said that the Phantom always intended something like this, at least, that was how she perceived it. She suspected that he wanted to weaken Gerard's position so he could better sway him over to their side, due to how arrogant Gerard is as a person."

Alcea felt like throwing up every time she mentioned his name.

Callie thought it over. And yeah, Gerard had been behaving erratically these last few months. In fact, he'd been off ever since his defeat in the Phantom Cup. He'd used that Legendary Pokemon Diancie, and it still hadn't been enough to beat the Commander.

"Wow, that… I guess that's just really hard to believe," Callie said, shaking her head. She'd always gotten the vibe that Gerard hated the Phantom, but she figured that after being pushed so hard there really wasn't any other choice.

And it wasn't like Gerard was the kind of guy who had standards or morals, the piece of shit.

"But still, that's just suspicion, right?" Callie asked hopefully. "You don't know for sure. Maybe they aren't working together after all!"

Alcea nodded, but it was clear by the look on her face that she didn't really believe it. "Yes, that's a possibility," she admitted, "but I think it's naïve to believe that's the case. You see, I'm not the only one suspicious of a connection between the two of them. Someone actually came to me before this trip to talk about their suspicions and get a feel for where I stood on the topic."

Callie perked up at this new information. Someone else was involved? "Wait, what? So there's someone else who's looking into Gerard and the Phantom's connection? Who?"

Alcea glanced away for a second before looking back to Callie, her face twisted with a look of… apology? Guilt?

"…Your brother."

The news about Gabrielle had made Callie's jaw drop, but this revelation knocked her clean off of her bed.

"RAFE?! Rafe told you?!"

Callie couldn't believe it. No, she refused to believe it! Her good for nothing older brother didn't give damn about anything and couldn't be asked to even do basic paperwork, and she was supposed to believe he was dedicating his time and energy to helping defeat Gerard and the Phantom?!

Rafe?!

"He came to me before the trip, is it?" Alcea explained. She kept her tone soothing, knowing that this would probably be a lot for Callie to take in. "Apparently, the Headmaster himself spoke with Rafe directly, expressing his concerns about the situation with the Daevas."

Callie was beside herself. "The Headmaster?!" She gasped, climbing back onto the bed. "But… why Rafe? I mean, I know he's the Seventh Leader, and yeah, he's a senior so he has the most seniority out of everyone, but… Rafe?!"

No matter how many times she said it, it wouldn't sound not weird.

Alcea shrugged. All she could do was report what she heard.

Callie just shook her head numbly. "So the Headmaster talked to Rafe… and then what? Rafe told you? Is that what happened?"

"Oui," Alcea nodded. "The Headmaster didn't want any tension between the students during this field trip. I don't know if it's because he suspects something could happen or because he thinks that the Phantom and his organization might pose a danger to the students, but Rafe and several members of the Eight Leaders, were placed in the same group as the Phantom and his associates. Including Gabrielle… and Gerard."

Callie frowned. That didn't sound good. "So the Headmaster put Gerard and the Phantom in the same group, with my brother? And what, Rafe's supposed to keep an eye on them?"

"Oui. Rafe was concerned because he suspected that there was a connection between the two of them," Alcea sighed. "And I can't say he's that far off. So he's watching out to make sure nothing goes wrong, and he wanted to check in with me because he knows how I feel about the subject. After all, Gerard…"

Alcea couldn't even finish her sentence. Thinking about Gerard just made her too damn mad to think straight.

Callie shook her head. She just couldn't believe that her brother actually had the capability of being responsible. If he was the one they were counting on, that didn't bode well. But there was something else that was bugging her even more. "So… why are you telling me this?"

Alcea raised her eyebrow. "To be honest… your brother wished to keep this information a secret from you, is it?"

"He… he what?" Callie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Why would he want to do that?"

She shrugged. "He said that you always make it a point of getting involved even when you don't have to. Something about how you have a tendency to overwork yourself when you should take a break and relax, I believe."

And whose fucking fault is that?! Callie wanted to scream. If Rafe wasn't such an irresponsible airhead, Callie wouldn't have to spend all of her time cleaning up after his messes!

"I think he just wanted you to enjoy your spring break and field trip without any concerns, is it?" Alcea mused, smiling softly. "And also… he probably wanted to keep you safe."

Callie winced. The anger that was fueling her sapped away hearing that explanation. Yeah, that did sound a lot like her brother… darn it, why did he have to be such a nice guy when he made her so mad all the time?!

"So why are you telling me?" Callie asked again.

"Because I respect you," Alcea said. Those four words were enough to take Callie by the heart and lift her up high. Her face turned scarlet with joy, hearing Alcea's esteem.

"R-Really?" She asked, knowing she was blushing but not really caring.

"Oui," Alcea nodded, giving the other girl a kind smile. "You're a talented trainer, and you have a good heart that cares for your pokemon. You're a reliable young lady and I know that I can count on you to do the right thing."

Nick was the only other person whose compliments could make Callie feel this warm inside. She squirmed on her bed and smiled like an idiot.

"Well, um… thank you, Alcea… that… that really means a lot, coming from you," Callie said, a giggle escaping her lips.

"It's a simple matter of fact, is it?" Alcea shrugged. "I know that if we're going to do anything about the Daevas, then your help will be necessary."

"I-If you want me to, I'll be happy to help!" Callie said, nodding eagerly. "Besides, if my brother's going to be looking into the Phantom, then you're definitely going to need me!"

Alcea laughed. She actually laughed! It was a rather sweet thing to hear. "I'm counting on you, then," she said, and Callie felt even better.

"So… what are we going to do, then?" Callie asked, not sure what "helping" would entail.

Alcea's expression darkened. "That… is a concern," she admitted. "I'm not entirely sure what our next move should be, because the Phantom hasn't made his. I suppose for now, we should just get closer with the Commander."

"So you want to ally with him, then?" Callie asked.

"Oui," Alcea nodded. "Before I learned about the alliance between Gerard and the Phantom, I was concerned about Gerard's activities myself, so I went and spoke with the other Daevas. I couldn't get ahold of Marion Rivers and I didn't want to ally myself with the Phantom after what Gabrielle told me, but I did speak with the Empress and the Commander."

Callie winced. She knew that Alcea's relationship with Olivia Himeko wasn't exactly what people would consider cozy.

"And… they're going to help?" Callie asked hopefully.

Alcea shook her head. "No. The Commander said that it wasn't his problem, but he would be happy to fight Gerard, which wasn't at all what I wanted. I wanted his assistance to look after that girl, Elaina Bishop. And as for the Empress…"

Remembering what Olivia had made her do for her allegiance turned Alcea's stomach. The other girl's grudge was a powerful thing. And even after all was said and done, and they were technically allies now, Alcea couldn't help but doubt that the Empress would really lend her support.

Callie could read the tension on Alcea's face and didn't press things further. "So you want another crack at the Commander, then."

"If it's true that Gerard is an associate of the Phantom's now, that will give the Commander a good reason to act," Alcea explained. "It won't be an unrelated issue anymore. So I need to work hard to get into his good graces."

"And that was why you battled him today?" Callie realized. Yeah, just like his brother Raizer, Alden was a battle junkie. He made bonds through pokemon battles.

"…Oui, that was part of the reason," Alcea admitted, turning a little red with embarrassment. "Also… I wanted to battle him for myself, is it?"

Callie grinned. She knew that look! Alcea could hide it all she wanted, but there was a bit of a battle maniac in her, too! "I knew it!" She cackled. "You like pokemon battles just as much as the next girl, you just wanted to see what he was made of!"

Alcea grinned sheepishly. "To say otherwise… would be a lie, is it?"

The two shared a laugh.

"So basically, just get in good with the Commander and his friends, and show them the benefits of working with us," Callie said, nodding. "Is that the plan?"

"Oui," Alcea confirmed. "And when the time is right, we can discuss the topic of the Phantom and Gerard. Until then, we'll just enjoy our field trip, and just wait for the Phantom to make a move, I suppose…"

Callie noticed that Alcea's hands were shaking, which was a surprise. She was nervous. She was actually nervous about this.

It was actually a relief. Callie herself was thrilled that Alcea wanted to rely on her, but at the same time she was legitimately worried and nervous herself. This was big girl stuff, not just administrative work and helping out her fellow students. She was on the road to fight in a war, and that wasn't something she was used to.

So seeing that Alcea was just as human as her was a comfort. She wasn't the only one getting anxious about this thing.

Alcea sighed. "It would be so much simpler if the Empress would help as well, but I don't see that happening."

Callie nodded in agreement. Ayame may have been Callie's friend, but Olivia Himeko wasn't exactly synonymous with "cooperative". Especially when it came to working with the Commander, and double especially when it came to anything involving Alcea.

They'd have an easier time convincing a hurricane to join the battle against the Phantom than they would getting the Empress to work with Alcea and Alden.

Alcea let out a long sigh and flopped back into bed, setting her book aside. "I think that's enough serious talk for now, is it?" She asked, glancing over to Callie. She yawned. "I'm getting rather tired, and I don't wish to end the night on such a tense note."

Callie nodded, she was definitely feeling the fatigue of the day's travails herself.

"Well, is there anything lighthearted we can talk about then?" Callie asked, leaning over on her side and propping herself up on her pillows.

A coy smile crossed Alcea's lips. "What about romance?"

"Buh-wha?!" Callie gasped in shock. "Romance?! Huh?! With who?!"

"You do have a boyfriend, don't you?" Alcea giggled. "And I hear it is customary to discuss such things with friends on trips like this, is it?"

Callie didn't know what to say. Yeah, sure, Alcea's logic was faultless, but at the same time… wait, friends? They were friends now?!

"Yeah, I guess so," Callie said, not about to look a gift-Horsea in the mouth. "So, um… what did you want to talk about, then? Me and Nick? I can go on and on about that for hours."

Alcea laughed. "That would be nice. But maybe another time? I had something specific I wanted to ask you. I needed… advice, is it?"

"Uh, yeah, shoot," Callie said, feeling a little nervous. Alcea Vermeil, bar-none one of the most beautiful women Callie had ever met, was asking her for love advice?

"With you and your boyfriend… Nick, is it? The two of you… how did you… know?" She asked carefully.

Callie blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Alcea sighed. "Recently I have been nursing… a broken heart, is it?"

Tonight was a night for shocking revelations. "You? Seriously?!" Callie asked, unable to believe it. "But… but you're… you're you! Who in their right mind would reject you?!"

"That's sweet of you to say," Alcea smiled, "but it isn't that simple. The one I had feelings for… was Kanone Harker."

"…Oh." Okay, yeah. That explained it. "So you had a crush on Blake's older brother?"

"Oui. I told him my feelings, and was handily shot down. And now I wonder… was it romance? Or merely infatuation, born of my admiration for his abilities?" Alcea mused. She glanced towards Callie. "So I'm curious. When it came to your feelings for Nick… how did you know?"

Well. Yikes. Alcea had come to her for love consultation, and had started out by chucking Callie right into the deep end.

"Well… I guess with Nick… yeah, it started as a crush," Callie said, smiling fondly at her memories of their first encounter. "It wasn't all that special, really. He just… helped me out. Because I was too short to hang up a banner."

Alcea raised her eyebrow. "And that was all, is it?"

"Yeah. That was all, at first. Not exactly a dramatic romance. He just… he was just a sweet guy. And he didn't look down on me for being short or anything like that, he was just… really sweet. And always treated me like an equal."

What else was there to say? "I guess it started with a crush, and then he never really gave me any reason to stop," she tried to explain. "It was just more tiny things he did as I got to know him that made me like him more and more, and before we knew it, we were just… together, I guess. And that's not to say we don't have our problems, but really… yeah. I love him, so here we are!" She laughed, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't know how else to explain it.

Alcea contemplated what Callie was saying. "So… from the start, you knew that you liked him, is it?"

Callie nodded. "And… I know it's different for a lot of people, too. I knew right away, but then there's guys like Blake who didn't realize his feelings at all until it just sort of came out, you know?"

"Oui," Alcea nodded. "Kate is the same way… thank you, Callie, you've given me a lot to think about."

"Um… you're welcome?" Callie didn't think she'd been all that much help. But if Alcea was happy with it, that was good enough for her.

Alcea smiled, stretched, and yawned. "Now, I think it's time we retire for the night, is it? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Callie nodded, her face bright again. They were going to the beach! She'd never been to the beach with friends before, but now… now she did have a friend to go with! She pulled her covers up to her chin and nestled down into her pillow as Alcea flicked off the light. She wasn't worried about the Daevas or Gerard, she was too busy thinking of what tomorrow would bring.

Aww, that's nice! Callie's going to have a nice time at the beach tomorrow, I hope! And it's sweet to see her bonding with Alcea. They definitely could both use a friend in a situation like this. I hope we have more touching moments in the future!