Ash made his way back to the meet-up point. it had seemed everyone had already partnered up with a Pokemon. Most looked pretty delighted with what they had befriended. A few seemed less enthusiastic but otherwise satisfied. Only Iris looked disappointed just staring at a Pokeball with a sour look on her face. He would have to ask her what was up some time.

"Ash! You're the last one." Valerie said. "Let me see what you got."

He smiled and walked off. "Here you go! I think he wants out soon though."

She chuckled. "I can believe that. Now let's see what... That's odd."

"Hmmm? What's odd?"

"My scanner seems to not recognize this. Well, I'll just let him out."

She gave the Pokeball a toss and the yellow Pokemon came out with a cry. Ash waited to hear what everyone would say but to his amazement, he was met with complete silence. Valerie's mouth was wide open as she stared at the Pokemon with a look of shock. Everyone else was looking just as stunned as they locked onto the Pokemon. Both Ash and the Pokemon got a bit uncomfortable when the dark skin boy spoke up.

"I thought you said there were no Legendary or Mythical Pokemon here!" He yelled.

"Goh! Be quiet!" The girl responded to him.

"Ash, where did you find this Zeraora?" asked Valerie.

"He was in the forest area. Is he really something special?" He asked looking at him. He was looking more uncomfortable and stood next to Ash.

She pulls out a phone. "I will be right back everyone." She walked over and made a call.

"They are going to make you release it, that or take it away." The boy, "Goh", said. His Scorbunny nodded in agreement.

"Goh stop that! He caught it!" The girl responded, her Yamper growing.

"But it's a Mythical Pokemon! He can't use that as a starter!"

"But it chose him!" Kari said as she walked up with her Purlion. "You know how the Pokeballs work and how the assignment goes!"

"I think he needs to get rid of it!" Some boy with a Sandshrew said. "Not fair if he has it."

"About as fair as the entire "Gifted trainer program" is," Angie said while petting her Eevee.

Goh shook his head. "Well, I know he won't be allowed to keep it!"

"No, he will be," Valerie said walking back. "Oak said that the Pokemon needs to willingly join you, it does not mean it has to come from the reserve."

Half the students got a pretty smug look on their faces while the other half looked mortified. Ash and Zeraora could tell that the school was pretty split on this. All of a sudden he got pretty worried about how his school year would be. Zeraora looked pretty worried also but stayed by his side and gave him a look like he would stick with him. Well if anything this would wipe the smug look off Gary's face.

"Ash please come with me, both of you." She said.

The three of them walked off. She lead him into the building and guided him to the "Gifted" classrooms. They walked into one of the rooms to see Oak talking to the trainers that just got their starters. This must have been where the gifted program got its starters. Oak just finished when he noticed them.

"Ah! You made it just in time. I just got done talking to them." Oak said as he walked up. "Now let's see this Pokemon you got Ash."

Gery scoffed as he patted his Squirtle on the head. "You called Ash back here to see his Pokemon? Come on gramps it is probably just a-."

He went dead silent when he saw Zeraora. Everyone's eyes were glued to the strange electric type. Ash admitted to feeling a bit smug that his prediction that this would one-up his Rival was right. Oak looked it over before pulling out a strange device that looked like it scanned him. He smiled at the results.

"It's not very high leveled. This is good as you two can train together properly with the rest." He put it away. "So you chose Ash to be your trainer?"

The yellow Pokemon nodded at him keeping his eye on the professor.

"Very well, Ash your schooling will go on as planned!"

Ash let out a sigh of relief. Valerie did also, he guessed she wanted things to proceed for whatever reason.

"Gramps! This is unfair!" Gary protested.

"Gary, you and the others got well-bred Pokemon. Ash was chosen by it. This is pretty fair in my opinion."

He grumbled a bit but seemed he was forced to accept it.

"Professor, perhaps we should dismiss him for the rest of the day? Orientation is not really needed after all and he does need to prepare." Valerie suggested.

"Perhaps a good idea. Ash, you and Zeraora are free for the day."

Ash nodded feeling it was perhaps for the best. He and Zeraora started to leave the school together. Already people were staring and whispering as they saw the rumors about him having a Mythical Pokemon were true. Zeraora was ignoring them but Ash felt uncomfortable. This was not how he saw his schooling starting.

"ASH! WAIT!"

He turned just in time to be crashed into. He was in a similar situation from earlier where his face was cushioned between two orange mounds again. She quickly bolted up once again embarrassed. It was Bianca once more, this time holding an egg that she managed to keep safe. He guessed it was to be her Pokemon.

"Sorry! Oh, thank goodness I was able to keep you safe little one!" She said to the egg. "Ash I heard you got a-."

Her eyes were glued to the now very confused Zeraora.

"Yeah, Zeraora here chose me." He said.

"That's, AMAZING! Wow, you're so cool!" She said studying him. He seemed a tad uncomfortable but kept his composer.

"You skipped orientation to see me?" Ash asked.

"OH! I have already been to it. The bright side to coming in off a recommendation." She faced him. "I came to take you out to eat since you were allowed off early."

"Oh right. You promised to take me out. Umm, sure I guess? I could use a little bite to eat after all that."

"Good! I will make sure you get fed also!" She said to Zeraora. He gave a swift nod.

"Well, we got a while before the bus shows up." He said noting how redundant it was to let him off early just to still be at the bus's mercy.

Bianca chuckled. "I got us a ride."

A car pulled up beside them. Stepping out of it was what he recognized as Professor Juniper.

"Well, this is the boy you mowed down?" She asked Bianca, who just responded with an embarrassed smile. "Oh! You're the one with the Zeraora! Don't worry I won't go crazy over looking at it now. I am sure you have had enough people poke and prod at you." She said with a wink to the electric type.

While confused he was glad someone was respecting his space for once.

"So can you take us to that restaurant you were talking about?" asked Bianca.

She nodded. "Yep! Right beside it is one for Pokemon so Zeraora will be fed also. I have called ahead and made sure he can be served with you."

Ash looked confused at this. "Why can't he go eat with the other Pokemon?"

"Ash, he is a Mythical Pokemon. Perhaps best he not be left with people we don't know." Junipher responded.

Ash sighed at this. It was a good point sadly. He looked over at Zeraora wondering if he was regretting his choice. Zeraora must have told how upset he was because the Pokemon shot him a smile and gave a quick nod to him. Ash smiled back and went into the car. Zeraora follows sitting in the back with him.

The car ride was pretty silent. Bianca asked Ash something from time to time but it was mostly about where he came from. Turns out she came all the way from Unova. She had thought about being a trainer first but found she preferred to do research. Juniper felt she was worthy of a recommendation and should get in under a talented researcher. Unlike the others she would rather get one of the standard eggs than the special eggs, she hated the idea of having an advantage over everyone else.

Soon they pulled up to the restaurants. They were nothing special to look at, pretty normal-looking family-style restaurants. One had Pokemon inside it the other had humans in it. As they all walked in the restaurant went very quiet as the mythical electric type walked in with them. He took a seat with everyone and chose to ignore the stairs.

"For you Zeraora I asked them to make a few dishes good for electric types," Juniper said. "Sorry to say but we have no information on you so we will have to see what you like to eat."

"Is it all healthy?" Ash asked, he knew he needed a good diet, not just food he liked.

She nodded with an impressed look. "I asked them to make sure it had a good nutritional value."

A waiter came up and handed menus out to everyone. "The food for our Pokemon guest is almost ready." He sounded nervous. "Owner says he will wave the bill today."

The guy walked off. Ash felt that this was due to him being able to say someone with a Mythical Pokemon came to eat. He was uncomfortable with this but since Bianca was going to pay for everything he let it slide. He would rather she had a merciful bill. Besides, when would he ever get to eat at a place like this. Not for a long time if the prices on the menu had anything to say. Despite looking like an average restaurant the prices were pretty high.

"So Ash," Juniper started. "I do have a small request."

"What's that?"

"Could you let Bianca study Zeraora?"

Bianca choked on the water they were served when she heard this request. "Professor!"

"Relax, he is free to say no. But she will have to do a research paper at some point and this is a rare opportunity to study this Pokemon."

Ash expected this to happen. Though he was surprised she did not ask for him to let her do it. Bianca seemed nice but they had just met very recently. Still, Juniper was a respected professor and she seemed very confident in her. He guessed he would rather a student do it so Zeraora wouldn't be taken away a lot. Still, he wanted Zeraoras input.

"I am okay with this." Bianca looked surprised by the answer. "But... Zeraora, what about you? Would you be alright with letting Bianca study you?"

Zeraora looked at his trainer and then at the girl. The stories the Pokemon that raised him told him were feeling like lies at this point. Not only did Ash seem nice but he was letting him have a say in things. He did not know this girl, but his trainer seemed to trust her enough. To him, this was good enough. He gave a quick nod and a smile.

"Alright then. But I must be present okay?"

Bianca looked like she was going to burst with joy. "Yes! Of course!"

They spent the rest of the time just chatting about this and that. Bianca was honestly a lot of fun to talk to. She had a lot of interesting stories about when she was still trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Her clumsiness was something that she still suffered from. Not a big deal but Ash predicted more crashes in his future.

Zeraora really loved the food. This was nothing like what he had been eating in the forest. It was all so much better and he felt a lot more full. He was glad he would not have to forage for his own food for now. Still, he felt the experience was not the best. The many looks and people asking questions got on his nerves very fast.

"Well, I think we should get you to your apartment now," Junaphur said. "I will get the care ready. Just book it when you three are ready."

She got up and went to pay the bill leaving them alone.

"Ash, thanks. I know you were kinda put on the spot but it means a lot you said yes." Bianca said.

"Heh, Zeraora is the one who said yes. Besides you seem nice," he responded.

She nodded. "I will make sure to get you some of the really good food when I study you!"

Zeraora was satisfied with getting good food. This worked for him.

They waited for a bit before they saw the Professor waiting for them. They quickly just booked it out.

Ash was dropped off at his apartment, luckily it was pretty close by so he did not have long to wait. He bid Bianca and the Professor farewell and headed inside with Zeraora following him. The desk was unattended at the moment, he was kind of glad as he just wanted to relax and not answer a ton of questions. He rode the elevator up to his floor and B-lined it right to his room. He let himself and Zeraora into the apartment to find no one in at the moment.

"Alright, then buddy. This is where we will be sleeping."

The yellow Pokemon walked around. It was nice, felt cozy. He got onto one of the seats and started to rest. The forest was pretty uncomfortable to live in most of the time and felt pretty dangerous. Here it felt safe and everything was comfortable. He still did not regret joining this human yet but the constant attention was getting on his nerves. Knowing that there was a safe place away from the world made him feel better.

"I have three roommates but I will make sure you won't be bothered by them."

"Zera!"

The two spent the night mostly watching TV. The girls had not been home when they got there and they were not home for a very long time. He heard a party was being thrown to celebrate getting their Pokemon and he figured they went. It was getting pretty late when they still did not show up. Worried he called Rita.

"Hello? Do you know how late it is?" she asked groggy.

"It's Ash, I am really sorry but the girls are still not back and I am worried... Should I call the Police?"

The annoyed, groggy voice was replaced with a chuckle. "Oh, I should have warned you. They like to party hard if there is one. Also, Mallow has a boyfriend they tend to spend the night with if they go out. No, don't worry they will be fine."

"Oh, I see. Sorry about that."

"Don't be. I am glad to see you were worried."

He hung up and the two got ready for bed. The fold-out was large enough for both of them so they just went to bed.

It was late when Ash was awoken by a noise. He looked at the clock to see it was almost five in the morning. Zeraora was already awake and glaring at the hall reading to the front door. He once again heard the noise now recognizing it as someone trying to unlock it. He heard it open and saw Lana drag herself in.

"Lana? Are you alright?"

She sighed. "Can I come into your room?"

He was glad to see they remembered that. "Yeah sure."

She walked in and collapsed on the seat. "I need coffee. Last night was horrible."

Ash was a bit shocked. "I thought you went to a party?"

"I was going to make sure Mallow and Lillie did not do anything dumb."

"Huh?"

"It is a long story Ash, One that is not mine to say. Just... coffee please."

He nodded and went to get some coffee. He got enough sleep so he decided to wake up. He put on some coffee and pulled out some food for Zeraora. He started brewing it while Zeraora started eating, he didn't seem to mind it thankfully. He was glad they already stocked up on Pokemon food and allowed him to use it. The coffee was done in no time and he walked out giving her a mug he poured for her.

"Thanks." She weakly said as she drank it. "So how did the rest of the day go?"

"Alright. I was taken out to eat as an apology for being running down and then spent it here."

She shook her head. "I see. You should put him in his Pokeball when you head back. The school is very split right now."

Ash chuckled. "Thanks but he hates being in his Pokeball. I think I will just risk it."

She nodded and drank her coffee. "Mind if I get a shower first?"

"Sure! I can wait."

Lana went to the bathroom. It did not take long for the water to start running. He flipped on the TV and saw it was on the news. Much to his and Zeraora's dread, they were on the news. They both let out a long sigh.

He already knew this was not going to be something that could be hidden. A lot of students had already seen him with Zeraora and there was no guarantee the school could make them all keep it a secret. He was fine with having it out at the restaurant as this was going to get out within the day. Although he knew this was all going to happen he was not expecting the news to jump on it. by some stroke of luck, they brought up that they had already been forbidden from interviewing him.

Lana walked out after a bit giving Ash and Zeraora time to wash up. Zeraora seemed to enjoy getting nice warm water to clean up in. Though he was less than pleased about having his fur poof out after drying up. They took a few to get ready before meeting Lana out in the kitchen. They got a quick bite to eat and then went out to catch the bus.

"Will the others be alright?" Ash asked ignoring the looks from everyone.

"Yeah, this is not the first time they stayed over," Lana responded. "Mallow's boyfriend has extra clothes."

Anabel and Angie came on shortly after. Anabel was scolding Angie for sleeping in and almost getting them late. Though when they saw Ash Angie got a bit quiet and sat down. She also had an egg much like Bianca. He knew the care program did the same thing as the research program. Made sense once he stopped to think about it.

"Hey, Ash! Good to see you also Zeraora." Anabel said.

"Hey, Anabel! How's your Eevee.

"She is going well." She looked at Zeraora and closed her eyes. "I can see your Zeraora is a bit irritated with the attention he has been getting but is otherwise enjoying his time with you and is liking that things are more comfortable."

Zeraora looked a bit shocked at this. Ash could tell she hit the nail on the head.

"How did you-?"

She laughed. "Psychic, I can read feelings and if they let me in a lot more. I thank you for letting me see as much."

Zeraora looked a bit confused but seemed to understand the gist of what happened. While not thrilled his mind was more or less read he was relieved someone could understand him enough to communicate. He would have to make sure Ash visited her now and then. Since she could read his mind if he let her in he decided to do so and looked at her. Thankfully she seemed to get it.

"Oh? I see. Ash, he wants you and him to visit me now and then."

Ash chuckled. "I see. Well, we live close and go to the same school so you don't need to worry about it."

Zeraora seemed relieved and the two just chatted the entire trip. Angie was oddly silent the entire time. She even seemed to be outride avoiding eye contact with him. He wondered why she was doing this. She seemed fine with him before.

He was not able to ask as right when he noticed the bus stopped and she got right out. He shrugged and followed her out with Zeraora, Lana, and Anabel. He was in for one heck of a day and that had to be what was on his mind right now. Eyes were all on him, some good some bad. He and Zeraora were going to make it to the end though.

As he walked out he failed to notice a periwinkle-haired man watching him.

"I can confirm, he has it alright." He said.

"I see. Return to the hideout and await further instruction."