(Day of the Exam)

"Well Ash we have arrived at Viridian City. The exam is taking place on the second floor of the pokemon centre. Your hall ticket is in your pokedex. Now the exam is going to start in 15 minutes. Are you ready?" Asks Oak with a smile.

"Yeah. Well. I don't know. This is my first time. So kinda nervous." Ash replies slightly embarrassed.

"Don't worry Gary was the same last year. So you will be just fine. Now the 1st paper will be of 2 hours. Do you remember what I told you regarding marking all the guesses?" asks the professor.

"Yes I do. 30 minutes before the paper ends I will review all my attempted questions. Then 2 minutes before my paper ends I will se how many A, B, C and D I have marked. Whichever out the four have been marked the least I will mark all my unattempted questions with that option." replies Ash curtly.

"Very good. What about the essay round?"

"Simple. Stick to the word limit. Divide essay into 3 paragraphs. In 1st paragraph must include description of battle along with when and where it was held. In the 2nd para discuss how did I deal with the type disadvantage. Finally in the last paragraph discuss other possible measures which I could have taken."

"Good. Now go. Best of luck. Pikachu and I will wait here."

"Ok buddy. I guess I will see you in 3 hours." says Ash while stroking Pikachu with a goofy grin.

"Chu." replies Pikachu responding to his trainer's affection with a cuddle.

"Ok bye." says Ash running to the examination hall.

(3 hours later)

"Well Ash how did it go?" asks Oak.

"It went good I expect. I knew 65 question correctly. 10 I was not so sure about. Remaining I guessed as per your instructions. The second round went very well."

"Very well we shall see how did you perform in the evening. Now let's get going shall we?"

"I guess so." Ash starts before his tummy gives off an embarrassing sound leaving him scratching the back of his head.

"I guess we should have lunch first. Since it is your 1st paper this lunch is on me." says Oak with a chuckle.

"Alright." Ash shouts as he jump into the air with his fist pointing up and Pikachu perched on his shoulder.

(Later in the evening)

"Alright my boy I got your score back. First off you should know that the scholarship cut off was 78 this year. The highest it has ever been in the last 10 years for trainers with more than 40 badges." Oak says with a serious expression.

"That's not good." Delia replies with a worried expression.

"Your are right to be concerned Delia because Ash did not get a score in the 70s." professor says in a passive expression.

"Damn I didn't pass." Ash replies with a glum expression.

"Oh sweetie. Don't be upset there are other schools. Or you will get in next time." Delia responds with a soft hug.

"I am sorry mom. I failed you." Ash replies with tears trickling from his eyes.

"Actually you didn't. Because you got an 81." Oak replies not before falling on the floor bursting with laughter.

"I actually got an 81!" Ash stammers as if he has just been hit by an iron tail.

Then suddenly he jumps in excitement along with Pikachu with a fist in the air.

"I got 81. I am awesome." Ash yells at the top of his voice.

"Professor. Don't you dare mess around with us like that ever again." Delia yells a little angrily holding back her tears of joy.

"I am sorry. I just had to see your expressions. They were priceless." replies Oak while choking on the floor with laughter.

After the laughter subsides.

"I must say I am very proud of you. To get an 81 with just 1 week of study in a KIP exam is nothing short of a marvelous feat. Well done. Now in 2 days time we shall get to know which scholarship class did you get." Oak says while turning around to leave for the lab.

"Needless to say professor tomorrow we are celebrating so bring Tracey and come by for dinner. You both helped Ash so much. It is the least we can do." says Delia.

"Of course we will come." replies the professor before leaving.

(In the Kalos region)

"Here you go Diantha. These are the last applicants who have successfully cleared the scholarship cut off from the Kanto region." replies Kathy wiping of a sweat from her forehead.

"Thanks Kathy. Now remember there is only one spot left for the 100% waiver scholarship. So let us get started." replies Diantha.

"Oh come on Diantha we have spent 5 hours going through this pile of applicants. Why don't we just pick any random applicant."

"That will be unfair to the applicants who have put their blood, sweat and tears into clearing the cut off. We have certain standards to maintain." Diantha replies with a commanding tone.

"Fine. Whatever." Kathy replies in defeat.

After 2 hours of looking Diantha comes across Ash's application.

"A recommendation by Drake. Doesn't look very promising."

She is about to put the applicant in the non 100 pile when 2 more sheets fall down. She picks them and reads. She starts thinking to herself.

"A recommendation by Professor Oak and Brandon the Hoenn battle pyramid king!"

She gets visibly shocked for a few seconds. Kathy notices this.

"What happened Diantha? Are you unwell?" she asks.

"No. No. Nothing of that sort. This applicant has a recommendation from the Hoenn battle pyramid king Brandon himself."

"That's impossible. Everyone knows he never gives recommendations. Even those who beat him don't get it." Kathy replies.

"No but see. There is the insignia of the Hoenn battle frontier and his personal signature and stamp."

Kathy scans the document closely.

"They do look authentic, but we need to verify this given Brandon's reputation for refusing recommendations."

Diantha calmly walks over to to her office desk and sits down.

"Patch me through to the Hoenn battle pyramid now." she says.

"Right. Give me a minute."

Diantha stares at the computer screen and waits patiently. Suddenly Brandon's face comes into focus.

"This is the pyramid king Brandon speaking. Who is this?" he speaks in a commanding voice.

"This is Diantha, champion of the Kalos region. Please pardon my intrusion. I have called you regarding verification of an applicant by the name of Ash Ketchum who appears to have your recommendation for his application." Diantha replies curtly.

"Ah yes. That's right he has got my recommendation. It is genuine. Why is there something wrong?"

"No nothing like that. It's just that you have reputation for refusing recommendations so why recommend this particular boy?"

"He is different. Not only has he set a record in the battle pyramid but I was so impressed with him that I even offered him the chance to become a frontier brain. The offer is still open should you deny him the scholarship."

"Sounds like he is quite the trainer. To merit your good grace for such a long period is no small feat." Diantha replies with a smile.

"Likewise. I will tell you this Champion Diantha. You would be an idiot to deny the boy a scholarship waiver." Brandon replies.

"Oh don't worry he is getting a 100% scholarship waiver alright. But your recommendation has me intrigued. Tell me more about this boy."

"I can tell you, but that will spoil the fun. You will get see that when you see him. All I will say is this. That this boy's compassion for pokemon is different. Bear that in your mind when you see him."

"I will. Thank you for taking out your time. I need to get back to work."

"You are very welcome lady Diantha. Before signing off I will tell you that I am coming over to Kalos to do some research on some ruins that have been discovered in West Kalos. When I reach Kalos it would be good experience for your students to see an exhibition battle between me and you. Furthermore we can also have an arrangement where a select few of your students can come and challenge the battle pyramid when it reaches Kalos."

Diantha thinks for a while. Then she responds.

"This will be indeed be an excellent arrangement which shall work to our mutual benefit. I accept. My assistant Kathy shall be in touch to discuss further details with you later."

"Excellent. See you in about a month." Brandon says while signing off.

"Kathy put Ash Ketchum as the last applicant for the 100% waiver scholarship. We will begin dealing with the other classes of scholarships after a 1 hour break."

"As you wish Diantha. Glad that the 100% category is over." Kathy replies while walking out of Diantha's office.

"Ash Ketchum. Sounds like some trainer alright. Even though he tried to hide it it was clear as day that Brandon is proud of this boy. I must remember this name. Looks like we will have an interesting new trainer joining us this year." Diantha smiles as she sits on the chair talking to herself.