Chapter 1: That's the way the Ash Ketchum Crumbles

Just like any school year, when summer's over school starts. The new school year comes filled with meeting new friends, teachers, and sadly, homework. However, it's not the same for a certain young boy. Meet Ash Ketchum, he may not be the brightest kid in town but he sure knows how to have a good time with his friends. Oh yeah, remember how I said this would be different? Well, here's why…

"Ash," called his mother, "it's time for school. You better be up and dressed by the time I get up there young man or else you'll be walking to school today. Wouldn't want to be late on your first day now would you?"

Well you know how I said it would be different? That's why. Ash is going to be going to high school. For him it'll be from old friends to new ones and from old memories to new ones as well. However, unlike how his mom had hoped, he still hadn't gotten over those memories. The memories that he'd never forget, the memories of, well, girls chasing him around campus till classes started or till break ended.

"Mom," said a sleepy Ash, "I'm ready, just give me a few seconds to go get my bag and we can go." Ash was all ready and dressed with his favorite pair of light blue jeans, a dark blue shirt, a black vest with a blue line through it, and his favorite hat.

As he walked down the stairs to the living room, his mom asked a question.

"Hey Ash," she said, "You ready for school? I know you don't want to because of, well, what's been happening through your days in elementary and middle school. But at least your friend Gary will be going to the same school as you this year. So unlike in middle school where he traveled with his grandfather elsewhere for middle school, you'll find a familiar face. So don't worry okay?"

"Don't worry mom, so long as the girls chase him instead of me I'll be fine. However, if he has a girlfriend they'll probably chase me. Hopefully they all find someone else to chase around campus this year," he stated cheerily.

"Well, it's time to go Ash. Here," she said as she pulled a piece of toast from the toaster, "eat that on the way over okay?"

"I will mom and thanks," he said as he took the piece of toast from her and started eating it while they got in the car.

As they started driving, Ash saw a girl. I know what you're probably thinking, why's he staring at a girl? I thought he didn't want anything to do with them. But this girl seemed to get his attention. For some reason it was like he was drawn to her. He only caught a glance at her. Her seemingly carefree style was what caught his attention.

Sadly for him though, looking at her lasted only for a second. He did make it to school early though, just as he thought. But sadly, as soon as he took five steps away from his mom's car and she drove off, girls started chasing him everywhere until the bell rang and school started.

As soon as the bell rang the new students lined up to take a look at who was in who's classes on the board. When he looked at the schedule from the school office to see who was in his classes, the first name he looked for was his one and only friend, as far as he knew anyway, Gary. What he saw relieved him. He was in all of his classes including homeroom.

"Whew, at least I won't be in this all alone," said Ash as he let out a sigh while walking to homeroom, "wonder if I'll see anybody else I know in there."

As he walked into the room, he saw an old friend he hadn't seen since his childhood days with Gary.

"Hey there Brock! How've you been buddy? It's nice to see you again," said Ash.

"Oh? Ash? Hey! I've been great and it's nice to see you too. How've you been? I hear the girls have been chasing you again. Hope you hold up long enough to graduate," said Brock. Brock was wearing just a pair of black jeans, a light brown shirt, and a green vest.

"Heh heh. You're not the only one that hopes so too," said Ash, "by the way, have you seen Gary? I was looking for him and-"

"Looking for me Ash," said someone behind him.

"Yeah and you were who I was looking for buddy." The person Ash was referring to was Gary Oak, his child hood friend. He wore dark blue jeans and a black polo shirt.

"Oh yeah, before I forget I should probably tell you. Word has it that on your way to school today you were looking at a certain girl. Are the rumors true," asked Gary.

"… who told you that?" The silence around Ash was so bad you could probably here a cricket right now.

"Um, I'll take that as a yes. By the way As-," Gary was about to finish his sentence when the bell rang and it was time for class to start, "*sigh* guess I'll tell you after class is over Ash."

As soon as class started the homeroom teacher, Ms. Carol, made everyone do a short introduction.

"Okay class my name, as most of you now know, is Ms. Carol. To start today off I'll be introducing everyone to the class starting with you," she said as she pointed to Ash, "Ash, Gary, Brock, Tracey, May, Misty, Dawn, Drew, Barry, Paul, Kelly, Lyra and Melody… Melody? That's odd she's not here. I could've sworn I woke her up this morning."

"HERE," shouted a girl's voice as the door slammed open, "sorry I'm late sis. I kinda had to wait for stop lights non- stop while walking here."

"Well, at least you're here now. Try to get up when I tell you to next time though."

"Will do."

"Well, now that we know who everyone is, I'd say it's time we try to get to know each other better. First I want you to pick a partner and then I want you both to do an introduction about them. I'll give you 30 minutes to talk about each other. Ready? Start!"