Ash followed Cilan's advice, and with Pansage's help, Ele was able to learn to tap into Grass-type energy and use the move Cotton Guard by the end of the month. Then followed the dual training, which surprisingly was not that hard. There was some competitiveness there, but most of it was Ele taking the lead as the Thunder's dragon leader and Ladon following her. It did help that Ladon looked up to her as a mother figure, so having him questioning her position as leader was not an issue… at least not yet. Sunny Day is a fire type move, so the dragons had to learn to tap into another type of energy yet again and then learn to use the move. It took them another month.
The year went by and summer came, Cilan returned to his hometown to visit his family while Ash stayed helping out at the Preserve. It was hard for the two best friends to stay be apart for the whole summer break, but they managed. Ash had his dragons and Cilan his brothers, not to mention they would see each other again once the school year started.
Ash took advantage of his me-time and coached Ele into learning Solar Beam, he wanted to surprise Cilan once summer was over. They did not manage it, but they did make leaps of progress. So, he was very proud of them.
"Ash!" Cilan called out, by the entrance of the Academy.
"Cilan!" Ash exclaimed, excitedly, rushing towards his friend's side. "How are you? How's Pansage? How are your brothers? How was your summer?" The boy might be twelve years old now, but as he hugged the fourteen years old, he still acted as if he was eleven.
"We're all fine," Cilan laughed, amused by his friend's hyperactivity. "Mom and dad took us on a road trip and by the end of the summer, my brothers passed their Gym Leader test. They were given funds by the League and will start building our café/gym this year. Though they won't open it until I graduate and pass the exam myself. I'm planning on doing so as soon as I get my degree from the Academy."
"That's so cool!" Ash exclaimed, eyes shining in excitement. "But I don't like the thought of this being the last year we go to school together." He pouted, saddened by the reminder.
"Well, what if I told you that this year, you'll be getting a new friend," Cilan told him, trying to cheer up his friend. Ash looked up at him curiously. "You see, this Academy is not only prestigious for their academic accomplishments but also for preparing their students into the art of pokemon care and pokemon fighting. I think they are even adding a few extracurriculars for those interested in Pokemon Contests too. So, when the students enter their last three years of school, they are presented with a large variety of pokemon from which to choose. That pokemon is the one that will accompany them throughout the rest of their Academy experience and the one they'll be given by the school board when they graduate."
"Really?!" Ash, exclaimed shocked and excited at the same time. "Why didn't I know that?"
"Because students aren't supposed to know," Cilan replied. "Otherwise, they'll choose the pokemon because of their strength or because they are rare or something like that. Also, because sometimes teachers will see that the pokemon they chose isn't a good match, and throughout the three years might give them a new one. What do you think will happen to the boy or girl who had thought that pokemon was going to be their starter is later taken from them? If they are just a pokemon they befriended and train with for schoolwork they'll be sad, but if they were supposed to be their starter… they'll be devasted."
"Then why tell me? How do you even know?" Ash asked, confused.
"Because you already have a starter pokemon and there is no way that the pokemon and you won't get along." Cilan ruffled his hair, making him giggle cutely. "I know because when I went back home for the summer, I saw the same pokemon my brothers used during their time in the Academy with them. They explained everything to me then."
"What pokemon did they get? What pokemon will you get?" The younger boy asked, barely stopping himself from jumping from excitement.
"Chili got a Litwick that evolved into a Lampent, Dean Drayden also gave him a Dusk Stone when he graduated alongside his pokemon. He now possesses a Chandelure, they are a dual Ghost/Fire pokemon type. Cress got a Tympole that evolved all the way to a Seismitoad, he is a Water/Ground pokemon. I got a Sewaddle, she is now a Leavanny. She is a Bug/Grass pokemon." Cilan answered.
"Will I get to meet her?" Ash's eyes shined, barely containing his excitement.
"One-day," Cilan laughed. "Now, you better get to class."
"Yes, sir!" Ash saluted, rushing towards his classroom.
The two boys were in their own world laughing and joking, not really noticing the big impact that they were creating around them. Most of the students in the corridor had stopped talking to turn around and look at the pair. But they were not any pair, they were the popular pair.
Cilan Dent: not only was he handsome and the top student of the Academy, but he was also the youngest Pokemon Connoisseur in the history of Unova. He already had a starter and rumor has it that he will be joining his brothers running a gym as soon as he graduates from the Academy. He had every girl swooning after him and every boy envying him.
Ash Ketchum: cute adorable Ash, who had won everyone's heart with his Sunflora smile and his kindness for everyone. Always giving a helping hand to anyone in need. He was at the top student of his class, not to mention that he was being mentored by the Dean of the Academy himself- the strongest gym leader of Unova and a Dragon Master. He already had a starter and another pokemon, both dragons.
On their own, they are stunning, but together they were a breathtaking view. Turning necks and stopping conversations. They don't even know it! The King and the Prince of the Academy.
"Good morning everyone!" Ash greeted, as he entered the room- not wasting a second a releasing Ele from her Heal Ball.
"Al-ria!" The majestic pokemon greeted alongside her human.
The classroom quieted down at the grand entrance and took a moment to look at the angelic picture the two of them made. Before they all rushed to return the greeting. But soon enough the class had to shut up and sit down, as it was about to start. Surprisingly, it was not their teacher who came in but Dean Drayden. Many students turned towards Ash in question, but the boy simply shrugged, as confused as them. He knew that today was the day they were receiving pokemon, but he did not expect Drayden-sensei to be the one to be giving them out.
"Hello class, today we will be having a very interesting activity." The Dragon Master began. "As you know the Academy is very well known for preparing their students into the art of pokemon care and pokemon fighting. But how can we do that without you having any experience? So, whenever the students enter their last three years of school we present them with a large variety of pokemon from which you'll choose a pokemon that will accompany you during your schoolwork. Be it in grooming, dueling, healing, or even cooking, as you'll need to learn how to feed different types of pokemon." Soon the class erupted in excited chatter. "However, that's not all." Drayden continued, successfully silencing them all. "You'll also be receiving a Pokedex that will serve as a guide to help you deal with your pokemon and other pokemon. Another thing that you'll need to know is that the pokemon you'll receive will stay in the Academy, you will not be taking them with you home and if the Academy Board sees that you two are not a good match you'll have to switch your pokemon. So, choose wisely. If the Academy Board finds out about any of you abusing or neglecting your pokemon you will be expelled, effective immediately." The students gasped, some even shivered in fear at the look in Drayden's eyes- they had never seen him look more like a dragon than then. "Now, then, Ash, come up here and show your classmates how to use a Pokedex."
"Ok!" Ash replied, he patted Ele before marching towards his mentor and facing his classmates. "So, the Pokedex doesn't only tell you about the bio of different pokemon and what they evolve into. It also informs you of the different types and types of advantages and disadvantages. You can also research different moves that your pokemon can learn. If you place it above your pokemon's ball you can analyze it, and it will read you a lot of data from your pokemon. Like this!"
He took out Ele's Heal Ball and his Pokedex to analyze her data. It said:
Pokemon : Altaria.
Gender : Female.
Ability : Natural Cure.
Type : Dragon/Flying.
Move set: Peck, Astonish, Sing, Fury Attack, Disarming Voice, Refresh, Perish Song, Safeguard, Take Down, Mirror Move, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Aerial Ace, Double Team, Dragon Claw, Dragon Pulse, Sky Attack, Cotton Guard and Sunny Day.
The pokemon knows the egg moves Steel Wing and Dragon Rush.
NOTE : This pokemon is shiny. The egg moves Steel Wing and Dragon Rush are both unlocked.
"Wow!" Many students gasped, turning towards the Humming Pokemon who was grooming herself.
"She is so cool!" One exclaimed.
"She knows so many moves!" Another one said.
"She's a kickass fighter!" One shouted, making many laugh.
"I know right!" Ash exclaimed, chuckling. "Ele is amazing!" Said pokemon took in all the praises, head high.
"What about your other pokemon?" A girl asked, excitedly.
"Yes, what about your Gible?!" A boy exclaimed.
Ash turned towards his mentor, who chuckled and said: "Go ahead."
He then returned the Heal Ball and took out Ladon's Poke Ball. The Pokedex said:
Pokemon : Gible.
Gender : Male.
Ability : Rough Skin.
Type : Dragon/Ground.
Move set: Tackle, Sand Attack, Dig, Bite, Take Down, Dragon Dance, Slash, Dragon Claw, Double Team, Dragon Rush, Sand Tomb, Sandstorm, and Sunny Day.
The pokemon knows the egg move Iron Tail.
NOTE : The egg move has yet to be unlocked.
Many students looked at Ash shocked.
"Is that a baby pokemon?" One asked surprised.
"So, strong!" A girl exclaimed, looking at Ash with stars in her eyes.
"As expected of a dragon," a boy said.
"Enough of Ash's pokemon," the Dragon Master finally said. "Are you ready to get your own?"
"Yes!" Everyone exclaimed, their blood pumping.
They've never been more ready.
