Author's Note:

Okay, this is the start of the Summer Academy Arc. We also see some of Ash's older Pokemon coming back (I am surprised no one guessed the first one. Nothing much else to say. So, enjoy...

I do not own Pokemon... Although I wish I owned a Heracross

Chapter 7: Camping It Up

"We're going to be late guys, I know we are." Ash informed as the group ran, although a special bug was sucking on the Pallet native's head. "If Dawn didn't spend hours on her hair then we wouldn't need to worry.".

"Excuse me, but it was your Heracross who ruined my hair by sucking on my head." Dawn retorted.

"That just means he likes ya." Ash replied, as Heracross flashed a thumbs up as confirmation as he continued to suck on Ash's hat.

"Hehehe, I think Heracross is adorable." Serena giggled.

Heracross was happy with the compliment and flew over to her head and started to suck on her hat instead, making her laugh happily.

"Remind me again, why you decided to start rotating some of your older Pokemon?" Brock asked.

"I've been telling Serena about some of my other Pokemon and previous adventures at night." Ash explained. "And she said she would like to meet them.".

"I thought your mouths would be too occupied for talking." Dawn muttered.

"Come on Dawn, we haven't kissed in front of you since we left Hearthome City." Ash retorted.

"That was only a day ago!" Dawn yelled in response.

"HURRY!" Brock instructed.

The group ran through the academy gates as the bell went off.

"Looks like we made it after all." Ash sighed as everyone tried to get there air back.

"But your late." A serious voice appeared behind them. Everyone shot up as they recognised the voice, and turned to the source.

"Wow, its Professor Rowan." Ash and Dawn exclaimed in unison.

"Whose Professor Rowan?" Serena asked. Heracross landed by her side, also scratching his head in confusion.

"Professor Rowan is a Pokemon Professor." Ash explained to his girlfriend.

"And he also gave me Piplup, back when I was first starting out." Dawn added.

"And who might you be?" Professor Rowan asked, as he inspected Serena.

"This is Serena Yvonne. My girlfriend." Ash introduced.

"Hello." Serena replied, intimidated by the old man.

"Well, you are welcome to join in with the academy." Professor Rowan informed. "I welcome you all to the Rowan research facility on Mt. Coronet. Also known as, your school. Go and get registered and you'll find out your class and dorm numbers.".

"Dorm numbers?" Ash questioned.

"Where you shall sleep whilst here." Rowan explained. "Boys in one room, girls in another.".

Ash and Serena looked upset, seeing as they won't be able to share a bed whilst at the academy. Although both wanted to object, neither had the bottle too, and the group walked off to get that information.

It turns out that Ash; Serena; Dawn and Brock are all in the red class. Conway is also attending the academy and is in the blue class. With Ash; Brock and some other boy sharing a room, and Serena; Dawn and a girl named Angie sharing a room.

"Now it is time for the Pokemon to introduce themselves." Rowan informed. "And the best way is, a Pokemon Battle.".

Everyone cheered.

"Hold on now." Rowan interrupted the students who were already holding Pokeballs. "Each and every one will use these Pokeballs. One Pokeball per student.".

Ash was the first in line, with another student opposite him.

"I see, so the Pokemon we all end up getting matched with is..." Brock mused.

"From the luck of the draw." Dawn concluded.

"Okay, let's see." Ash replied as both himself and another student reached for the same Pokeball.

"Let go, I got it first." The other student instructed. Tugging the Pokeball.

"No, I got it first." Ash replied, tugging the Pokeball right back.

The got into an argument over the Pokeball.

"There's nothing ruder then a guy who ignores ladies first." The student exclaimed.

The surprise made as let go as he fell on his behind.

"You're a girl?" Ash asked, bewildered. She looks like a boy.

"Now you're really getting me made." The student replied. "The names Angie, and I challenge you to a battle.".

Dawn and Serena sweat dropped, this was the girl they were sharing a room with. Ash grabbed a different Pokeball.

"Hey, you've got yourself a deal." Ash replied confidently. "Oh yeah, by the way. My names Ash.".

"Good, that's the spirit." Rowan walked in between them. "But tomorrow is when the real battle starts. The order of business today is too meet the Pokemon you choose.".

The group each got their own Pokeball and they each released their new temporary partners. Ash had a timid Raichu, what are the chances. Dawn had a show Grimer; which made Ash think about bringing his Muk over. Brock had a Magnemite and Angie had a Monferno. Finally, Serena released her Pokeball to reveal a giant Metagross, who seemed quite serious.

Over the course of the day everyone spent time with the temporarily team mates. The group split off and Ash released his six on hand Pokemon to meet the timid Raichu. As Pikachu; Heracross; Staravia; Turtwig; Monferno and Buizel appeared, Raichu dug underground.

"Come on out, please Raichu." Ash asked, kindly. "No-body wants to hurt ya.".

"There you are." Angie huffed as she grabbed Ash's Monferno.

"Monferno!" The firefighting type exclaimed.

"Hey leave Monferno alone!" Ash ordered.

"Go back and deal with Raichu and leave me and Monferno alone." Angie ordered.

"But he isn't your Monferno, he's mine." Ash retorted, as his Pokemon roared in agreement. "Yours's is over there arguing with a Croconaw.".

"Oh please, if anything that's your Monferno arguing." Angie replied. "Of course, since you can't control your Pokemon.".

"You don't control Pokemon, you work together as a team." Ash replied.

Monferno had enough of being pulled around, and unleashed an ember, but he couldn't aim it right and it hit Pikachu. In response, he fired off a Thunderbolt towards Monferno and Angie. Angie was able to avoid the shock but had to let Monferno go.

"If that's how you want it, then I'll bring out my Pokemon." Angie growled. "Go Shinx.".

"Alright then, Pikachu I choose you." Ash retorted as the two electric types faced each other and entered battle stances.

"ENOUGH!" Rowan shouted as he stood between the two. "I never said you could use your own Pokemon.".

"But she started it." Ash retorted.

"Nu-huh, you did by trying to take my Monferno and attack me." Angie retorted.

"But he's my Monferno." Ash retorted.

"Prove it!" Angie angrily shouted.

"There is a simple solution, each of you try your Pokeball." Rowan sighed. "Which ever one works will prove who the trainer is.".

Both trainers nodded and Angie tried her Pokeball confidently, but it failed. Ash tried his Pokeball, and it worked. Angie refused to apologies unless Ash apologised for attacking her with Pikachu...

A little bit away, Serena was sat with her Fennekin, Roserade and new Metagross. She was trying out a new brush technique Brock taught her yesterday on the fire type. Who seemed happy with the treatment. She could see Brock polishing his Magnemite out of the corner of her eyes.

"Hey Metagross, would you like a polish as well?" Serena asked.

"Meta." Metagross answered, without any movement.

Serena sweat dropped seeing as she couldn't tell what its answer was from the monotone voice.

"Now as we move onto our second hour, I want you all to work on getting closer with your new Pokemon." A blue haired assistant instructed. "Understand?".

"Right." The class replied in unison.

"Grimer, I've made some delicious poffins for you, so why don't you try one?" Dawn offered.

"Grime-er." Grimer cheered happily, eating some of the poffins. Angie walked by.

"Wow, you've got poffins that are home made." Angie spoke, shocked.

"Alright Magnemite, how about a little static electricity." Brock suggested.

Rubbing a panel against his hair to generate static electricity, he moved it over Magnemite's screw, feeding the electric steel type.

"Magnemite." The magnet Pokemon cried happily.

"Wow, what a great idea!" Angie exclaimed. "His Magnemite looks so happy.".

"And... Done." Serena finished as she looked at her shining Metagross, who she just polished. "What do you think, Metagross? Do you like it?".

"Meta." Metagross replied, in the same monotone voice.

Serena sweat dropped as she really can't tell if that is a yes, or a no or any other answer.

"Wow, Metagross looks great." Angie added, she turned to where she believed Monferno was and started talking. "Monferno, would you like a brush too?".

Unfortunately, she didn't find Monferno there and looked around frantically. Turns out Monferno was facing off against the Croconaw from earlier.

"Monferno, I've told you to stop that." Angie shouted as she tried to drag the fire monkey away.

"Alright. Raichu, let's just see what moves you can use." Ash told his latest team member as he pulled out his Pokedex:

Moves: Thunderbolt; Double Team; Focus Punch; Dig; Iron Tail; Thunder Wave; Hidden Power Flying; Thunder

"Raichu, you can use Double Team too." Ash exclaimed, excited. Raichu flinched. "I can't wait for our battle to start.".

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed as well.

Dawn scanned her Grimer with her Pokedex:

Grimer, the Sludge Pokémon. It was born when sludge in a dirty stream was exposed to X-rays from the moon.

"Let's see what moves you've got." Dawn suggested:

Move(s): Poison Gas, Sludge; Mud Bomb; Pound; Harden; Protect; Poison Jab; Payback

"Yes, no need to worry." Dawn exclaimed. "I just know you're going to shine, Grimer.".

"Grimer!" Grimer cried happily, hugging his new trainer. Dawn blushed.

"Gee wiz, tell me how you really feel." Dawn replied, trying not to offend the sludge Pokemon.

"Okay, now Monferno, were going to practice a few of your moves." Angie told her firefighting type.

Monferno, scratched his head before launching an Ember attack at Angie's head. The young girl chased after the monkey, who ended up dangling from the ceiling, where he launched another Ember towards her. Angie dodged out of the way, meaning Ash and Raichu got hit.

"Why me!?" Ash asked angrily. Serena quickly handed him a cloth to clean himself up with. "Thanks, Serena.".

"No problem." Serena replied, hopping Ash notice the cloth she actually gave him.

"Because you weren't paying attention." Angie replied, sarcastically. Ash was too angry to properly inspect the cloth as he was about to argue with his latest rival.

"Oh yeah, says who!?" Ash asked rhetorically.

"Says me!" Angie retorted as both got into the others face.

"Heh hem..." Rowan coughed, causing both to sweat drop.

The two students were forced to run laps around the campus grounds as punishment. Once they were done, it was time for tea and the two turned that into a competition since they started once everyone else had finished. It turned to night. Over the day, they got into three more arguments over petty things, which all ended up in them being punished. Although both trainers caused a least one each.

In the girl's room. Dawn and Angie, we both talking as it is three beds in a room, while Serena was lay on her side. Tears welled in her eyes as she couldn't fall to sleep, she has become used to having Ash there, to cuddle like a big teddy bear, and the bed is considerably colder, and the pillow isn't as comfy as his chest. It sounds weird since he is just down the hall, but she misses him.

"What's up with Serena?" Angie asked, changing the subject.

"Probably upset that she can't cuddle with her boyfriend." Dawn replied. "This could actually be the longest they have been apart since getting together.".

"Whose her boyfriend?" Angie asked, curious.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Dawn replied with a smirk, seeing as Angie has formed quiet the rivalry with him. Soon the two girls also lay down for the night.

In the boy's room. Brock was giving his Happiny a night time feed while talking to their roommate about different breeding tips. Ash was in pretty much the same position as Serena. He never noticed how good it felt to just spend the night time with Serena, not even kissing, just talking was enough. Although he never told her, he would always stay awake a little longer then she did, just to appreciate his luck of finding her again.

As his hand stroked the air where Serena's hair normally would be, he remembered the cloth in his pocket. It may only be a small part, but it is still from her. Of course, he would return it in the morning, but for now he just wanted to feel close to her again. Taking it in his hand, Ash took his first proper look at the cloth, and realised he has seen it before. It was the same one he tied around her knee when they first met. The fact she kept it all this time brought tears to his eyes. He fell asleep clutching it like a child would their favourite blanket.

The next morning, Ash and Serena went to do some training with their two Pokemon. Ash returned the cloth to his girlfriend, who insisted he kept it seeing as it was his to begin with. Ash discovered that Raichu had the problem of no confidence and Metagross, while following Serena's instructed, made a massive explosion with his power. Serena decided to leave them to it, seeing as Metagross scared Raichu.

Angie over saw Ash's training, being led by Metagross' explosion, but she missed seeing Serena and Metagross. Inspired by Ash's motivation and encouragement of Raichu, she started 'training' with Monferno, and the two were able to make a connection.

After returning to the school grounds, the two groups encountered each other and both declared to be the victors in today's battle. Having a race across the field, while Brock and Dawn watched from a window.

"Now all we have to do is make sure those two won't beat us." Brock started the conversation.

"All I want to do is make Grimer shine like a star." Dawn replied.

"That's the spirit." Rowan smiled, walking up to the window, looking at the race. "Those two are the perfect example of two trainers that don't get along at first but grow to be formidable rivals. It's one reason why I love this job.

Soon the battles started. Brock faced a girl with a Smoochum, who refused to let the little cutie pie battle. Dawn battled against Conway, with her Grimer against his Vennonate, which Dawn won thanks to the contest edge she used against the strategist. The next battle was Serena against the boy with the Croconaw.

"Alright Metagross, use Psychic." Serena ordered after the boy cockily let her go first.

Metagross used Psychic restraining the water type.

"Now Bullet Punch!" Serena cheered.

Preforming the steel and psychic combo, knocked Croconaw out in under a minute. By far the shortest battle of them all. Rowan even commented that he has never seen this Metagross so happy, which caused Serena to sweat drop since it still had the same monotone voice and expression. After a few more battles, the final one was between Ash and Angie.

"It's time, we're finally up." Ash declared, stepping into the trainer's box. "Just be confident and give it one-hundred percent Raichu.".

"Rai ai!" Raichu replied, pumped up.

"Go out there and win it, Monferno." Angie encouraged.

"Mon-Ferno!" Monferno cried as both Pokemon and trainers took their positions.

"Begin." The assistance declared, acting as the ref.

"Monferno, Mach Punch let's go!" Angie cried.

Monferno's fist lit up as he sped towards the electric type.

"Dodge with Double Team, Raichu." Ash countered.

Before Monferno reached the fully evolved Pokemon, Raichu had multiplied itself. Monferno hit a copy as ten more surrounded him.

"Hit them all with Flame Wheel!" Angie instructed.

Monferno jumped into the air as he became surrounded by fire.

"Counter with Focus Punch!" Ash shouted.

All the copied clenched their fist which started to glow as Monferno burned through the copies. When only one remained, the two launched at each other, where Raichu won the power battle.

"Now Raichu, use Dig!" Ash shouted.

Raichu dived into the ground as Monferno struggled to his feet.

"Careful Monferno, Raichu could come up anywhere." Angie warned.

Monferno nodded and narrowed his eyes, looking around for the slightest clue to the electric types location.

"Don't be so sure." Ash smirked. "Finish it with Thunder!".

Lightning bolts rose out of the ground, which began to crack under Monferno's feet. Soon the Fire Monkey was hit by a massive electric bolt as the ground caved in. A fainted Monferno fell onto the rubble as Raichu returned to Ash's side. Monferno had swirls in his eyes.

"That's it, victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town." The assistant declared.

"What, how could we lose after all our training?" Angie asked sadly as she returned her fallen firefighting type. Rowan approached her.

"Don't feel bad, both Monferno and Raichu are around the same level, so it came down to the trainer's experience." Rowan explained. "And Ash is the only person on the planet who has conquered Kanto's battle Frontier. I doubt you would've won even if you had Serena's Metagross.". Ash approached them.

"Yeah Angie, you and Monferno worked great together." Ash praised.

"Why didn't you say you've beaten Kanto's Battle Frontier?" Angie asked.

"It isn't that big of a deal..." Ash shrugged it off. Soon every student (except for his friends) surrounded him like he was some sort of celebrity. "Is it?".

"Hahaha, what do you know. Ash has become the popular kid." Dawn laughed as she stood with Serena and Brock. "Who knows Serena, you might have competition.".

"I'm not worried Dawn, Ash told me he has been searching for me ever since his journey began." Serena replied, confidently. "I think that if I had to worry, then it would've happened with someone before we even reunited.".

"You two sure do love each other, don't you?" Brock commented.

"Yeah Brock. Maybe if you stop making googly eyes at every woman then you could find someone who loves you too.".

Dawn burst out laughing at the breeder's expense, which caused Serena to join in.

"You have all done well, to befriend all of your Pokemon." Rowan praised, at the award ceremony. "So, from now on, I want you all to make friends with the Pokemon in attendance. And now, it is time to announce the trainer who most developed his or her relationship with their Pokemon.".

The crowd cheered.

"From the red team, its Serena." Rowan announced.

"Wha- Me?" Serena asked, shyly as the crowd cheered for her.

"Great Serena." Ash praised.

"You showed them." Angie patted her on the back.

"And now calculating the team with the highest cumulative score is... The blue team." Rowan continued. "Second is the green team, and in last place is the red team.".

"Wow, what a rip!" Angie protested. "Serena has the most points of everyone!".

"True, but the red team also lost points thanks to two members constantly arguing yesterday." Rowan explained.

This caused both Ash and Angie to sweat drop.

"Hehehe, sorry." Ash sheepishly replied.

"Me too." Angie replied, in the same style.

"But I promise I'll make it up." Ash declared confidently.

"Yeah the battles just begun." Angie declared in the same style.

"Chow time!" The cooks shouted.

"Well I'm sure after today, everyone has worked up quite the appetite." Rowan dismissed and the students ran to get some food.

And... Done. So, the academy arc has started. Ash won't be able to swap any of his Pokemon whilst at the academy so his team will be: Pikachu; Heracross; Staravia; Monferno; Turtwig and Buizel, (plus any temps he could get like he did Raichu) But that doesn't mean he won't see other old Pokemon, I got the idea from a review a few chapters back, so thank you GA Pokemon Fan. Also, I have something interesting planned for Angie, seeing as she seemed to have a crush on Ash in the cannon. Next up is Up Close and Personable. Also, the amourshipping might die down a little in the academy arc, mainly so I can develop Angie a little, and in turn develop Ash. Remember he isn't dense like in the cannon but... You'll see. I also want to thank AshXSerena123 for suggesting Serena has a Metagross in PM, I like to throw in curve balls. See ya next time...