Three girls are ultimately succumbed to darkness and heard a voice.

Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor... my proud, beautiful flower of evil.

You are truly the fairest one of all.

O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat...

Reveal unto me the visage I seek...

They heard the hooves from an unknown creature.

You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth...

If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.

As flames reduce even the stars to ash

As ice seals away even time itself

As great trees swallow even the sky

Fear not the power of darkness.

Now— demonstrate your power.

To me. To them. To yourself.

The hour grows long, and time is scarce.

Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come...

Ophelia immediately gasps and opens her eyes to see darkness. "Am-Am-Am I in the coffin!?" Asked in panic and wondering how she ended up stuck inside the coffin. "My-my Pokemon!?" She pats her waist and pales to find out her Pokemon is gone missing except the mega keystone.

"I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me..." She heard a voice from outside. "Urgggh... this lid weighs a ton!" It grunted. "Try this on for size! Mya-ha!"

"Fi-fire!?" Ophelia immediately heard a boy's voice and didn't hesitate to use her powers to break the coffin.

"Now to grab the goods..." It gasps in shock to see the one who breaks the coffin is fully awake. The mysterious boy isn't the only one but also three humans break their own coffins as well. "What!? You ain't supposed to be awake!"

"Is that a new Meowth from Paldea?" Aileen couldn't help but ask curiously and gaze at the unknown creature.

Its fur is grey with a white patch at its chest and pink paw pads. It has electric blue flames blazing from its ears. Its eyes are also bright blue. Around its neck, it wears a black-and-white striped bow tie which is torn at the ends, and its tail is shaped like a pitchfork.

"A talking... weasel!?" The boy couldn't help but exclaim in shock had never seen a creature before.

"How... how dare you! I am no WEASEL OR MEOWTH!" Its creature screeches in anger. "I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire! Tch. Whatever. You humans! Just gimme your uniform and be quick about it! Cause if you don't.... you're gonna regret it!" He showed off his blue flames and they blinked in shock.

"What uniform?" Crystal looks down to see she's wearing a purple robe and wasn't the only one who wears it. Her friends as well including the boy.

"Fl-floating coffins?" The boy stuttered nervously and noticed they were surrounded by floating coffins.

"Here I thought it was Cofagrigus... but apparently it's not a Pokemon." Ophelia commented and laughs sheepishly.

"You guys are Trainers?" He asked curiously and surprised to see other Trainers other than him.

"Yeah, and you too?" She was surprised to bump into another Trainer.

"Getting roasted alive by a weasel? What will I dream of next?" The boy asked nervously and the girls are in front of him.

"Well keep dreamin', 'cause I ain't no weasel!" Grim is completely offended at his new nickname. "Ah?! I'm floating!" His whole body is covered in a pink aura.

"Tehee~" Ophelia giggled in amusement before slamming him into the wall. "Not today hybrid Meowth!" She grabs the boy's wrists.

"Let's go!" The four of them fled off before Grim could catch them.

———————————————————

They somehow managed to run far away from Grim. The four of them happened to be in the library as some books are floating.

"Where are we?" The boy couldn't help but ask curiously and glanced at his three companions.

"Who knows..." Aileen answered and was completely lost. "Ophie, do you know where we are?"

Ophelia is about to close her eyes and uses her psychic powers. "Foolish humans!" Grim finally catches them. "Did you really think you could slip away from ME?" He asked them with a smug look before glaring at them. "Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp take off that—" He was cut off by the sudden whip. "Me-yeow! That hurt! What gives?" He grunted in pain at the whip around him.

Aileen and Ophelia knew it wasn't Crystal's lasso but someone's black whip. Someone appeared in front of them a man wearing a half mask resembling a raven's beak. His eyes are glowing gold and his pointed ears with short wavy black hair.

He's wearing a great coat over his suit. Thick blackbird feathers curl out from its blue collar, while the tips of the coat are cut to resemble two bird wings.

He wears black gloves on either hand, with golden claw rings over each of his fingers. Three mirror-like accessories are attached to his hip, with four golden keys dangling from them. He wears another mirror-like charm on his hat, which has three more keys - making a total of seven.

"Consider it tough love." The man answered bluntly without noticing an unknown creature behind Ophelia's back and silently handed her Pokeball.

"Wha—" She gapes in surprise to see Hoopa with its usual mischievous look before handing the other Pokeball to Aileen and Crystal without alerting the others.

"Shh! Don't let them know I'm here hehe...." Hoopa silently cackled through Ophelia's mind and she silently nodded her head. It silently goes back to its hoops to find their belongings.

"Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid." The man sighs in relief to see the four students roaming in the library. "I trust you four are this year's new students?" He asked them curiously.

"No—" Crystal was cut off by him.

"My, were you ever eager to make your debuts?" He's going to deal with other troublesome new students. "And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rule."

"As if I'd serve some lowly humans!" He yelled and never served humans like them. "Now lemme go!"

"He isn't ours, to begin with." The boy pointed out seeing none of his companions knew him and nearly roasts them alive.

"I agreed with him." Aileen nodded her head. "We just him today and nearly roasts us alive."

"Yes, yes, rebellious familiars always say that." He completely ignored their words which irked Aileen in annoyance. "Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" He covers Grim's mouth with his whip.

"Mmmrph!" He muffled through the whip.

"Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you guys are the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it." He crosses his arms and sighs in annoyance. "Does the very notion of patience elude you?" They were protesting but the man didn't bother to listen to their complaints. "No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber."

"Students...?" The boy asked curiously.

"You guys awakened in a room full of gates, did you not?" The unknown man asked them curiously. "All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up." He explained.

"We did break them after hearing screaming from outside." Ophelia smiles sheepishly and never intended to break stuff. "We were worried about him." She pointed at the boy next to her.

"Ho-how?" The unknown man stuttered in shock. He wasn't expecting the three of them could break the lid off.

"I think something blew the lid off mine..." The boy changed the subject before it escalates more.

"The culprit appears to be that familiar of yours." He accused the boy and finally found the owner of the familiar. "You're the one who insisted on bringing it, so curtailing its behavior is your responsibility." He lectured the boy while the girls watch them silently. "But now is not the time for such a prattle. You have a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste."

"Where are we?" Crystal asked curiously.

"Hm?" The unknown man hums in surprise at the question. "Have you not fully regained consciousness? The time-space teleportation must have addled your memories."

"The last thing we remembered is falling asleep after the long flight." Ophelia whispered in a low voice to Aileen. "We never sense anyone abducting us."

"How did we get in here?" Aileen asked in a low tone. "There's no way Dialga and Palkia would do this. Even we know Giratina wouldn't do anything to harm us."

"Who uses coffins as a gate?" Crystal asked curiously and crossed her arms. "Humans are getting weirder."

"Says the person who is half human." Aileen reminded Crystal and she remains quiet.

"Well, these things happen, I suppose." He completely ignored the girls' whispers behind their backs. "I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless." He commented proudly ignoring their blank look.

"He's full of himself, isn't he?" The boy couldn't help but sighs heavily while Ophelia laughs nervously.

———————————————————

The man leads them somewhere and begins to explain about the school. "This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland." He explained and left them a bewildered look.

The girls could understand magic exists but it's rare for them to appear from their world. The boy, on the other hand, just started his journey to find out what he wanted. None of them recognize the word called Twisted Wonderland or Night Raven College.

"And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as head mage." The man finally introduced himself in front of them.

"Magic!?" The boy couldn't help but yell in shock.

"Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college." Crowley answered calmly. "Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those 'gates', which can appear anywhere."

"Our powers aren't magic." Ophelia commented through Aileen and Crystal's minds. "We were chosen by Arceus to be his guardians and protect his plates."

"For now... we need to keep our identities hidden the fact we're guardians." Crystal informed them as they were no longer in their world. "We need to stay sharp and I have a feeling that boy isn't one of us." This leaves Ophelia and Aileen caught off guard. "His aura is different but he has no ill intentions."

Crowley looks up at the full moon. "A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you."

"Ours is different." Ophelia cuts him off and laughs nervously. "We were sleeping and next things we know... we're here."

"That's interesting... young man." Crowley hums in amusement while Ophelia blinks in surprise.

"Yo-young man?" She stuttered and never expected he would assume she was a boy, not a girl.

The boy hums and the last thing he remembered was walking in a dark forest to find one of the Team Star's hideouts. He ended up being taken by them. "I do kinda remember crossing a dark forest... to find Team Star's hideout." He said the last part.

"That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror." Crowley explained while Aileen was trying to think how they manage to bypass their portal without alerting the Legendary or Mythical Pokemon. "It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition."

"More like abducting to me." Crystal muttered under her breath while the boy smirked.

"Hold on here..." Aileen could feel a headache from taking a lot of information right now. "Time-honored tradition, where?" She asked Crowley.

"Mmmff! Mmmmmffff!" Grim trying to escape from being tangled by the whip. No one dares to save him from his predicament.

"Now, let us attend your orientation." Crowley shrugged off Aileen's question.

All of them are sharing worried glancing and preparing to face it.

———————————————————

While Crowley is taking four students back in the orientation, the students begin to murmur his whereabouts.

"We're done with orientation and dorm assignments?" The red-haired boy asked curiously and planning to take the new students back to his dorm. "All right, new students— let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head." He warned them leaving the students to gulp in fear of their dorm leader.

The boy with lion ears yawned tiredly from the long ceremony. "Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever. I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me."

The boy with glasses smiles at the new students. "New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement. As a dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience."

The handsome boy glances at his surrounding to find their headmaster but has no luck. "Hey, does anyone know where the head mage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony..."

The tablet floats. "Some head mage he is..." He muttered.

The boy with red eyes looks worried. "Maybe he had a tummyache?" He asked worriedly.

Crowley and the others heard everything as the headmaster decided to slam the door open. "I most certainly did not!" He exclaimed.

"Ah, he came." The red-haired boy is surprised to see him, the other four students, and a monster in Crowley's grip.

Crowley sighs heavily. "If you must know, I was searching for the new students who'd failed to show up for orientation."

"It's not our fault we'd been chased by the hybrid Meowth..." Aileen muttered under her breath in annoyance but the boy with lion ears smirked in amusement.

"You four are the only ones who have yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I'll watch your weasel." He pushed the boy to go firsts.

"Gggrrr!" Grim growled angrily and tried to escape.

The boy sighs nervously and Ophelia patted his head. "We're with you along the way."

"Thank you..." The boy trailed off and didn't get a chance to get their names.

"Ophelia." She smiles while closing her eyes.

"Ophelia, I'm Yuu." He introduced himself and stepped up to face the mirror while the girls followed his actions as well.

The big mirror glowed to reveal green flames and masks. "State thy names" He ordered the four students in front of him.

"Yuu Enma"

"Ophelia Fay Ambrosius"

"Aileen Luna Sycamore"

"Crystal LaRusso"

"Yuu, Ophelia, Aileen, Crystal..." The Dark Mirror mention their names. "The nature of thy souls are... unclear to me." He declared.

"What did you just say!?" Crowley gasps in shock.

"I sense no magical power from the young man whereas the young maidens have powerful magic we have never seen in this land." He answered calmly and left the males gasping in shock. "One who can control the ocean and seas, an ability to warp the reality at her own will, a demigoddess with beauty and strength."

"Did he just say young maidens!?"

"I thought this is all boys' school!?"

"Demigoddess!?"

Aileen, Crystal and Aileen pull their hood down to reveal their faces. They're completely unamused by their reactions.

"They're so hot!"

"They send us beautiful girls!"

"They bless us with hot girls!"

"Their powers are completely different from our magic whereas the young man isn't like them. Soundless. Colorless. Shapeless. Utterly vacant." Dark Mirror ignored the students completely. "Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate."

"What did he mean by that?" Yuu couldn't help but ask Ophelia.

"He means our abilities and skill are different." Crystal answered and glanced at the males with a scowling look. "We actually don't know their culture and traditions but my guess is that they can cast any spell unlike ours." She never appreciates their looks because they're only three females here in this room.

"Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a guy who cannot even use magic whereas the girls have powerful magic?" Crowley couldn't help but be surprised by the sudden revelation. "But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence! How could this have happened?"

"It is now considering they've taken us for a reason." Aileen pointed out and wouldn't blame him for his mental breakdown.

Grim finally remove the whip and regain his breathing back. "Me! Let me have this student's seat!" He's going to take Yuu's position as a student.

Crowley gape in shock. "Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!" He exclaimed and tried to trap him with his whip.

"Unlike that human, I can actually use magic!" He exclaimed and crossed his arms with a smirk. "So let me be a student here! Look, I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow!"

"Everyone get down!" The red-haired boy ordered. All of the students including the head mage ducks to avoid getting burned.

"Myaaaahh!" He blows out the blue flames.

Yuu's Pokeball pops out to reveal a small feline-like Pokemon covered in pale green fur. The fur's composition is similar to that of plants, allowing it to absorb sunlight for energy. It has green ears with pale green insides, a tuft of fur on the front of its chest, and a green marking around its pink eyes and nose that resemble leaves. When its mouth is open, two pointed teeth can be seen in its upper jaw. It has a fluffy tail and small paws with pink paw pads underneath and no visible toes.

A glow of green barrier protects its Trainers. Yuu blinks his eyes to see his first Pokemon. "Sprigatito!" He yelled the name of his Pokemon.

The boy with red eyes isn't lucky but gets struck by a flame. "Ahhh! HELP! I'm on fire over here!" He's running around in circles as no one tried to help him.

"Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Crowley ordered his students.

The girls, Yuu and Sprigatito silently give Crowley a deadpan look for not helping them.

The boy with lion ears clicks his tongue in annoyance and wanted no part in this situation. "Ugh. Can I go now, or...?"

The handsome boy raises his eyebrow in amusement. "Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!" He commented.

"Too much effort. Do it yourself."

The boy with glasses smiles. "Allow me to handle this, Headmage Crowley." He volunteered to capture the monster. "If none of you are up to the task of catching a small, I will accept the responsibility."

"WTG Azul." The floating tablet commented. "Rackin' up those participation credits."

"Hey, um, my butt's still on fire... could someone maybe put this out!?" The boy with red eyes exclaimed and tried his best to get rid of the fire.

"I'm sorry, were my instructions unclear!?" Crowley is completely offended as none of his students are helping.

"They're completely imbeciles." Aileen commented and throwing her arms to summon the water and drench him completely. "The head mage should put the student's firsts before them. Clearly, you let us do your work." It stabbed Crowley's heart completely with her harsh words.

"Ah. thank you! Miss!" He sighs in relief and thanked the blue-haired girl with amethyst eyes.

Aileen just nodded her head and throws the Pokeball to reveal Greninja. "Use water pulse towards the fire before it causes more damage." She ignored his awestruck and amazed from him.

"Niin! (Got it!)" Greninja obeyed his Trainer's wishes and immediately put the fire out.

The boy with lion ears sighs heavily. He smirked at Aileen's blunt words. "Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy weasel all on your lonesome there, head mage."

Crystal shook her head and summon Lucario. "Lucario, use bone rush with less power. We don't want him to give serious injuries." She ordered her Aura Pokemon.

"As you wish." Lucario answered in his baritone and Yuu jumps in surprise at his voice. The aura Pokemon jumps in to catch the monster.

"He can communicate through telepath!?" Yuu exclaimed in shock.

"Yes~!" Ophelia laughs happily and glances at Gardevoir who she was summoned by her. "Lucario here is one of the rare Pokemon to communicate through our mind."

"Voir... (These vile men.)" She isn't pleased to sense some malicious aura towards the girls.

"It's fine, Gardevoir. Leave them." Ophelia sensed her hostility and didn't blame her. She knows Gardevoir is overprotective towards her and her friends.

"How many times do I gotta say it?" Grim is completely offended by their assumptions of him as a weasel. "I'm Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I am NOT a wea— Woah!" He dodges the attack from the canine-like Pokemon. "Another monster!?"

"Aren't you a spunky little fellow?" Azul asked in amusement and looks surprised to see another two monsters catching Grim.

"Greninja! (I'll help you out, my friend!)" Greninja lends Lucario a hand to aid and he nodded his head in thanks.

"Geh!" Grim receives two whacks from Greninja and Lucario.

Lucario grips the monster's neck and ignores two bumps forming on his head. The two of them approached Azul and Riddle to hand Grim to them. Both Pokemon don't have a move to stop Grim's attack.

"Riddle-san, I believe they're giving the monster back to us." Azul recovered from their sudden appearance.

Riddle blinks his eyes and nodded his head in thanks. "Thank you." He glares at Grim coldly. "Furry miscreant. I will abide by no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand." He grabs his magical pen with a red crystal on top. "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" Chanting his unique magic.

Grim gasps in shock to feel the heart collar around his neck. "Myah! What are you doing!?" He exclaimed in shock.

"The Queen of Hearts's Rule 23: One must never bring a cat to a formal affair." Riddle recites the rules while Lucario and Greninja have remained stoic. "Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately."

"But I ain't a cat either!" Grim protests and wanted to prove to anyone that he's a monster, not a cat or weasel. "Don't you try'n collar me! I'll burn it right off!" He tried to blow out with his flames but nothing came out. "Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!"

Riddle smirked proudly. "Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using magic. you're naught but a pet cat now."

"M-meoWhat!? I ain't nobody's pet— NOTHING!"

"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet." The red-haired boy denied the idea to adopt him as his pet. Especially that cat causes havoc and nearly burned them inside. "The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus."

"Ha-ha! Good show as always, Riddle-san." Azul chuckled in amusement. "Your signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy. I've just GOT to have it— ah, I mean, I've just got to have respect for it." He didn't notice Lucario and Greninja's narrowed eyes as they decided to go back to their Trainer.

"Good job, Lucario and Greninja." Crystal complimented their successful job as they smile back.

"Enma-san! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar!?" Crowley exclaimed in anger and frowned to see four unknown monsters in front of them. "You three summon them out of the blue! Now discipline your—"

"Hold on!" Yuu cuts him off completely and scowls. "He wasn't mine in the first place or the girls did!"

"We tried to tell you many times but you're very rude to cut us off completely." Aileen commented and crosses her arms. "Our Pokemon aren't like Grim's behavior." She didn't say the part of overprotective unless they're been provoked or in battle mode.

"Oh... is that so?" Crowley feels embarrassed and clears his throat. "Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner."

"The-the-they cook monsters too?" Crystal asked and pales at the thought of Grim being cooked by them. "I get sick thinking about it." She covers her mouth while Lucario rubs her shoulder.

"My, but I AM kind!" He declared proudly while Ophelia laughs nervously. "... someone take this away, please."

"Nooo! Let me gooo!" Grim didn't want to leave the campus because he wanted to become a student like them. "You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!" He declared before the door slammed shut.

Ophelia feels sorry but her eyes glowed a bit to see his future. It disappeared and discreetly smiles to see Grim's future lying ahead after kicking him out of the campus. "It's extreme but knowing him at first glance... he seriously wanted to study here." She commented in a whispered tone.

Yuu glanced at her. "I feel bad for him and wonder why he's desperate to stay here?" He asked curiously.

"We don't know their education system very well... maybe because it's a popular and prestigious school in their world." The blonde girl suggested and Yuu hummed in agreement.

Crowley clears his throat. "Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms." He ordered every house warden in their respective dorms. "...hm? Come to think of it. I don't see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere." He holds his chin in deep thought.

"And that surprises you? Dude's a total recuse." The boy with lion ears commented bluntly.

The boy with red eyes gasps and looks at the dorm leaders. "Wait a sec... did anyone even invite him?" He asked them.

The handsome boy shook his head. "If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself." He pointed out bluntly.

"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either..." He sighs heavily.

The students are murmuring in fear.

"Draconia... like, Malleaus Draconia? THAT Draconia?"

"So it's true? He really does go to school here?"

"Yikes!"

Aileen frowned and wondered why most of the students fear this student name Malleaus Draconia.

"Ah. Just as I'd expected." The boy with a deep voice sighs heavily. Aileen glanced at the person across from her. She can see a glimpse of his black hair with magenta tips. His eyes are deep red, with vertical-slit pupils and long eyelashes. "I figured I'd come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony." He is crossing his arms with a displeased look on his face.

Aileen assumed this isn't the first time it happened due to his actions and tone. It makes her wonder who Malleus is.

"You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub." Azul apologizes for not informing Malleus in advance whereas the girls and Yuu could tell he isn't sincere at all.

"I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with." Riddle pointed out as he encountered Malleus before but didn't have time to talk to him.

"No one even bothers to know him first." Aileen commented under her breath not knowing the black-haired with magenta tips boy heard her. "He must've been hurt and lonely for him not to get invited. I wish there is someone being considerate."

"Nin. (It's going to be fine, Aileen.)" Greninja nodded his head and rubs Aileen's shoulder.

Aileen smiles softly. "Thanks buddy." Greninja smiles behind his long tongue.

The boy with a deep voice smirked in amusement at Aileen before glancing back to the new students. "No matter. All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this..."

Slowly the students are following the Housewardens in their respective houses. Azul glanced at the four new students with their creatures. He smirked in amusement and looked forward to knowing them more. If they happened to stay here for long. However, Azul didn't notice his greed detected by Ophelia, Lucario and Gardevoir. They're going to watch his moves carefully if they stumble on him again.

Crowley holds his chin and looks at them with their creatures. "Well, Enma-san, Ambrosius-san, La Russo-san and Sycamore-san. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven College after all. Surely you realize that I cannot very well admit students with no magical ability to my academy. But worry not. The Dark Mirror will you safely home."

"It wasn't our intention to come here in the first place. Let alone this school exists as well." Yuu pointed out his and their beliefs in the first place.

"Now, step into a gate, and visualize the place from whence you came."

Each one of them closed their eyes to visualize their place. The girls with their Pokemon are thinking of Cortondo Paldea whereas Yuu and Sprigatito think Mesagoza.

"O Dark Mirror! Return their souls where it belongs." The Dark Mirror didn't glow or bringing back to their home. Crowley clears his throat. "L-let us, er... try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return their souls—"

"There is no such place." The Dark Mirror answered and they gape in surprise.

"That's impossible!" Aileen and Crystal exclaimed in shock.

"There is no place in this world where their soul belongs." The Dark Mirror explained. "None." It breaks their heart and hoping it's just a dream.

"How can that be?" Crowley is completely speechless. "My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!" He exclaimed in shock while the Dark Mirror didn't respond. "This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss. Tell me: From what land do you hail."

"Originally I'm from the Hoenn region before we move to Paldea because of my mom's job." Yuu immediately answered and Sprigatito nodded his head silently.

"I'm from the Galar region and a foreign exchange student to Paldea region." Crystal immediately answered.

"Ophelia and I are from the Kalos region." Aileen answered. "We're the same as Crystal. Foreign exchange student to Paldea region."

"Wait..." Yuu blinks his eyes. "I remember Director Clavell we're going to have foreign exchange students from different regions. I wasn't expecting that would be you guys." He and his other friend, Nemona, have been assigned to welcome them once they arrive at their school.

Ophelia laughs happily. "What a small world we encounter despite the predicament we've had."

Crowley stares at them. "I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place."

"Eh?" Aileen stares at Crowley worriedly. "What about Lumiose City? It's known as the City of Lights and one of the largest cities in Kalos region."

"I'm afraid I've never heard of this place." He sighs heavily and never encountered this kind of situation before. "I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet... this mysterious homeland of yours eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?" He leads them to the library and hopes they can get the answers.