The time had flown too fast for Ruby's liking, as she was now packing last minute for the long trip ahead. It would take at least 2 days of trains and walking, and she wanted to be early.

When she stepped onto her creaky porch, she paused to appreciate the view she had taken for granted. The earth smell of the forest nearby, the slightly chilly wind, the sun beams sneaking through the holes of the clouds. Would she see any of this again after today? She wasn't too sure. The thought of never returning nearly made her vomit her light breakfast. She knew deep down the Moongleam guild is what she really needs in life, that she'd be happy there. She shook away any thoughts of giving up her dreams, she wouldn't let a dark mind sway her. She held on tightly to her blue scarf, wishing it would give her more strength.

It was about an hour walk to the first train station in miles, most folks back home didn't care much for traveling far. It was long and boring, but Ruby didn't mind. She was used to being on her legs all day, how else would a pokemon throw strong kicks like her? Her breakfast threatened to come back up a second time today and she found a seat on the train. It was weird to be alone on a train, usually she had her Dad with. Today, she was isolated, some other older pokemon gave her looks, or was she just imagining that? Stop thinking so hard, no one cares about a kid on a train, you're fine.

While waiting for the conductor to get the show on the road, she decided to triple check on everything she had. Hopefully it was enough food and water to last the trip, because her train ticket basically ate up her allowance. After quadruple checking she didn't somehow forget the basic items she needed, she switched to pokemon watching. Across the aisle from her seat was 3 pokemon, a very young newborn squirtle sleeping tightly in a swaddle, and she assumed the blastoise and sceptile were his moms. Looked like they were the biggest pokemon here, guess they didn't feel like waiting for a train that accommodates larger pokemon like them.

Right before the train conductor shut the doors, a loud jingling could be heard as a zigzagoon clamored inside, apologizing profusely about being late. He looked about Rubys age, he had a milky pink collar around his neck, with a giant bell in the middle. Explains the jingling I guess.

The conductor grumpily tells him to just find a seat. Of course, most of the seats are taken. She prays that he chooses the lady in front of me to sit with, but of course he bounds right towards her.

"Hey!" he says while hopping onto the seat next to her, placing his paws on the table, "I'm Rusty, where are you headed?" He looks right into her eyes.

She clears her throat, "Uh..I'm Ruby. I'm going to the Moongleam guild. His eyes light up.

"No way! Did they pick you too!? I was surprised when I got my letter. Wow, all the pokemon that applied and they pick us two, where do you live?"

She smiled. His excitable nature was a little contagious, even if it's a bit much for my nervous state, "Mill Saw, it's an hour away from here" right as she finished speaking, the train blasted a loud sound and began creeping forward, gradually gaining speed. The still life out her window soon became a mishmash of colors, blue sky and green grass warping.

Rusty interrupted her thoughts again, "Oh cool. I'm from Bridgton, we're pretty close together aren't we?"

"Small world, huh? I still can't believe they chose me" she replied.

Rusty scratched at his nose with his dull claws, "I know! This is my second time trying, I was sure I wouldn't get in so early"

"First try for me" Ruby said, "I don't even think I was impressive at all, but the Guildmaster must like me"

"My family was so proud, I even saw my Dada shed a tear!" he announced.

Ruby fidgeted nervously with her scarf, and thought of a way to redirect the conversation away from dads.

"I haven't spent a lot of time in big towns. I'm used to being alone with hardly anyone nearby" she said.

"Aw don't sweat it Ruby. I'm used to moving from city to city, stick by me and I can show you the ropes!" he said a little too loudly. Ruby nodded along.

They carried on some small chitchat for the next few hours. Look at you, making friends already! Way to go me. Ruby pondered if the other pokemon would be just as nice as Rusty, would the higher ups bully them or pull pranks? It was a professional Guild, not a frat house, but still.

The train came to a stop some hours later, and Ruby was grateful for the chance to spread her legs. They were hardly halfway to the Guild now, unfortunately. When Ruby stepped onto the deck, she looked to the horizon. The sun was about to set, it would be way too dark soon, so walking wasn't an option. She asked Rusty if he'd like to share a motel room together, to which he happily obliged. The company was nice, having someone nearby who could hold a conversation by themselves made her feel less sick and worried. She still had the jitters of course, but soon was soothed to sleep. In the morning, they got up super early (much to Rustys distaste) to walk the rest of the way. She wasn't taking any chance of getting caught in the dark again, since she didn't have money for another stay at a motel. I hope I can find a way to work a little during my schooling. The walk was easy, but long and boring. After they got out of town it was just fields and farms for many hours. The sun bore down on the pair, cooking them like a roast.

Rusty caught his second wind, "Ruby look! There's Moongleam!" he pointed forward towards the horizon line, and sure enough, you could make out the beginning of Moongleam city. He practically ran the rest of the way, with Ruby slugging behind.

They took a second to take in the scenery when they finally entered the town. It was bustling and alive, like a machine that uses every part to function. Not a thing was missing or out of place. People walked the roads gracefully like they were set to walk a single line, pokemon talked in loud voices to hear one another. It was even more magical in the Main plaza they found somehow throughout the twists and turns. People selling things from their carts, food and knick knacks. The smell of fresh bread from a nearby bakery makes Ruby's stomach growl.

Rusty wasted no time in hopping up to a random citizen to ask for directions. The sun was starting to set again, the air was already cooling down considerably. The granbull he asked pointed us to the right direction, and we were suddenly face to face with the giant Guild building.

"Wow…just…wow." Rusty said, starstruck, "it's so…big"

He was right, it was bigger than any other building around, its round red roofing pointing up towards the heavens, its sleek electric blue walls almost glittering in the low sun, and the gold trimmings around the front glass doors were shining bright as well.

All Ruby could do was stand and watch it. Her stomach was doing somersaults, begging her to either run or go right in. But instead she felt paralyzed with fear of the unknown. What lies ahead? Only my entire future.

Rusty took the first leap of faith, clearly more excited than nervous. He bound right up to the doors and pushed them open. He didn't even look behind him, maybe he has nothing to lose behind him.

With one big gulp, the small mienfoo tread forward, her paws trembling as they push open the door.

The first thing she saw was a bunch of pokemon looking right at her. Well, not a lot, only a few seemed to be out in the front entrance right now. Most of the guild members were probably eating in the mess hall, or sleeping. She knew some guild members did most of their work in the nighttime and slept the day away. The only pokemon out here and looking at her were a luxray, a staraptor, a heracross and a wyrdeer. The luxray had a split second reaction to seeing her, first it was excitement, then he frowned. Was he expecting something else?

The luxray then walks up to her, "did you happen to see a luxio on your way here, freshie?" his voice was dark and wise, he was an old man with a huge life behind him.

"I uh…freshie? I mean uhm, no, sorry. Did you see a zigzagoon come through here? We're both new here and I don't know where to go"

He nodded, "He went upstairs. Freshies hang out in the upstairs lobby until the Guildmaster is ready to run them through first day stuff"

"The names Shadow" he extended a paw to her, and she shook it.

"Ruby, nice to meet a real guild member" she said, Shadow had an odd squint in his eyes, like he was sizing up some sort of threat.

"Sorry, I'm a little on edge. I'm waiting for my daughter to arrive".

Ruby's ears perked up, "How'd you convince the Guildmaster to let her in?" Shadow chuckled lowly to himself, amused by Ruby's innocence.

"Oh trust me, it was the last thing I wanted her to do. We don't exactly see eye to eye" he glared down at Ruby, and she squirmed at his attention. Luckily, he stopped and pointed to the stairs, "Go up there until you meet your tanooki friend, the others should be here soon. Or else Cleo won't be happy".

She gulped and skedaddled up the stairs. Upstairs seemed to be where most of the rooms were, it was like an apartment complex, some rooms big, some small. There was also the Guildmasters office to the right of the halls, beyond the office was a small sitting room with chairs, a small tv, and some games. It looked pretty cozy, if a little under utilized. Rusty was sitting on a red loveseat, wagging his spiky tail. She smiled and went to sit next to him.

As she sat down, three more pokemon arrived, a luxio, a sliggoo, and a physic ponyta.. The luxio looked a lot like shadow. She had pink stripes in her side swept bangs, ear piercings, and her claws were hot pink. Overall, she carried 'don't fuck with me' attitude.

The sliggoo looked very shy and anxious to be here, he introduced himself as 'Token', and then slithered to sit in the corner. Even Rusty must have realized his overexcited nature might be a bit much for the shy slug.

The ponyta was different. The first thing Ruby noticed was that she was using a fake leg. Her entire hind leg was missing, leaving only a stump protruding from her flank. The next thing she noticed was her short hair. Most ponyta, both fire and physic, like growing out their manes, but this one seemed fine with neck length hair. Ruby often was jealous of pokemon that could style themselves like that. The third and most damning thing she noticed was her red scarf, it looked just like hers!

"Hey! Nice scarf!" she joked, alluding to her own, she giggled and trotted over.

"Thanks, yours is nice too. I'm Sapphire"

"Ruby, we even have matching names" Ruby said. Rusty hopped off the loveseat to handshake with Pixie and introduce himself.

"Whats your name? I love your nails by the way" he asked the cat. She just rolled her eyes at him.

"Eclipse. Now quit bugging me" she spat, looking at him like he had three heads. Rusty's ear drooped slightly at the negative energy.

Well she seems cheery, Ruby thought. Oh well though, these other pokemon seemed nice enough. She decided to pass the time talking to the other pokemon while waiting for the 6th freshie.

"So, crazy how we all made it in, huh?" Ruby started, hoping to spark a conversation.

Sapphire responded first, "I was told by everyone they wouldn't let a "cripple" like me in. Feels good to prove them wrong"

Ruby gasped a little. Sure, she didn't know much about disabilities, but surely she could still do the hard work at an exploration guild? Right?

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that" Rusty said, "My family was the same, they think I'm too childish for this work. But I can't change who I am, or my dreams!" he beamed.

Ruby chuckles, "I don't think my Dad even cares, I told him as soon as I could and all he was convinced I'd fail" she laughed again with disdain.

The 3 chatting pokemon look towards Token hidden in the corner, and he realizes he has to speak.

Token startles, "Sorry! I'm not…uh…I'm bad with talking" he starts softly, "but my parents were happy for me…I think. Or maybe it was just pity…but I'm not very interesting, sorry" he finishes, and Rusty smiles at him, as if to reassure him he did good.

Ruby talks a little more with Sapphire, they seem to have a lot in common. She learned that Sapphire was very interested in medicine, and hoped to become a traveling nurse on missions to help lost pokemon and her teammates. She was pretty confident in her ability to do so, despite her missing leg. Ruby was tempted to ask about it, but knew better.

They both had come from small towns, too, and Moongleam city felt so large and alive to them. Rusty was used to it, but to them it was magical.

"Ugh, great. A bunch of sissies huh?" a voice interrupted their pleasant conversation, everyone turned to the new freshie. It was a tall quilava, and he seemed to have a permanent scowl etched on his face.

Eclipse steps in, "I know, right? A bunch of losers and a handicap. You'd think Guildmaster Cleo would actually care about who he picks. I think we're the only decent pokemon here" she spat.

Token flinched at the outburst, and the rest of the group stood shocked at what she said. The quilava looks at her smiling, agreeing with what she said.

"Not hard to be great when you got the grandmaster Shadow as your dad!" he laughed. He then turned to face the others.

"I expect to see you wimps gone by the end of the week, this isn't a daycare, this is real shit. Not for babies. I'll be certain to forget you all when I become a famous explorer. Call me Tyrone, but don't refer to me if you can help it" he said bluntly, taking a seat with Eclipse.

Great, not one, but two bullies to deal with. Ruby sighed, "don't pay them any mind, they're not worth it" she forced a smile, but the others spirits were already down, even Rustys.

Spirits were lifted however when in came the big man himself, Guildmaster Cleo. He was a huge, overpowered garchomp. He could probably kill each student in one swift move if he wanted.

"Glad to see everyone is here. I don't accept unexcused tardiness. As you should hopefully know, I am the Guildmaster here at Moongleam" he began in a deep voice, and looked around the group, "I hope none of you disappoint me"

Tyrone makes a bold move, "Guildmaster I don't mean to sound rude, but what was going through your head when you chose these chumps? I mean for Arceus sake the pony girl can't even walk"

This interruption riles up the Guildmaster, and the land shark takes two steps towards the small shrew, "I know very well what I'm doing" he said, making direct eye contact, "I believe every student here has great potential. I won't allow bigotry here either, I'm not afraid to expel you, Tyrone". Tyrone gulped and quickly nodded, and sighed in relief when Cleo backed off.

"Now, onto other matters. Did everyone bring their essentials?" everyone nodded, so he continued, "Your rooms are labeled, you'll find them at the left of here. Each person is given an assigned roommate. Rusty is with Token, Ruby is with Sapphire, and Tyrone is with Eclipse, got it?" they nod again, looking toward their new roomie.

The guildmaster then started droning on about the rules of his guild, most were fairly standard and expected, Ruby was very ready to hit the sack by now. Finally after what felt like forever, the students were dismissed and headed to their respective rooms. The first class was the next morning, and apparently they'll hit you with hard work right away.