The region of Alola was celebrating their first year of having a Pokemon league to call their own. In other words, it was Ash's first champion anniversary. Nearly all his friends and even some rivals came to Alola to celebrate. Even Jessie, James and Meowth came undercover. Pretty much everyone knows it's them but they play along to enjoy the day. Albeit Pikachu is ready to pounce if the Idiot Brigade tries to do something stupid.
It was late noon and the festivities calmed a bit down. Most people were just talking with friends and enjoying the food.
Max Marple sat with Bonnie, Clemont, Paul, Gary and Brock. Ash was approaching them. Bonnie will start school soon and asked how it is.
"Are you nervous, Bonnie?", asked Ash.
The girl nod, "Yes. I saw in so many movies and shows that it is terrible. Mean teachers..."
"Ah, that is only a real problem in higher grades.", said Paul.
"Relax, these are just fiction.", said Gary. "And elementary school is a piece of cake."
"Yeah, relax.", agreed her brother.
"But what if I don't understand the material?", asked Bonnie.
"Again, elementary, it will be a piece of cake.", repeated Gary.
"I already taught you to read and write a bit, and very basic math.", said Clemont, "Don't worry."
"If you really need help, you can ask one of us for help.", offered Ash.
"Yes, not necessarily Ash, but yeah.", agreed Brock. "You can ask us and your brother."
"Brock! What is that supposed to mean?", asked Ash, sounding insulted. "Why shouldn't I be able to help?"
"Not to insult you, Ash, but, while you are a great trainer, you're a champion after all, but you aren't the most academic gifted.", said Brock.
Gary chuckled a bit, which confused Paul and Bonnie, the only two noticing. Norman Marple chimed in, "Not to insult you, but no one would ask a drop out for help."
Now Gary was crackling on his stool. Professor Kukui, Professor Sycamore and Professor Oak overheard, Oak asking, "What the heck are you talking about, Marple?"
"Oh, please. Ash's been traveling for years back to back. At least while he was in Hoenn, he never did any distance learning.", argued Norman, "It is clear he's a drop out."
"Well, you're wrong, Marple.", replied Oak. "Ash isn't in school, because he doesn't need to. He has a GED."
"Wait, really?", asked Professor Sycamore.
"Yeah.", said Ash while fishing out a copy proving that he, in fact, has a GED and finished mandatory schooling.
He showed it to Sycamore. "Wow, impressive."
The others also looked onto the document. Norman's face paled. "Maths, A. Japanese and English, A. Sports, A. Biochemistry, B. Physics B. Literature, A. Holy Sh-Shuckle.", said Norman in disbelief. "Looks like I was wrong."
Now Gary was loosing it. Paul said, "I assume Gary knew?"
"Yeah, and he was jealous for two months straight.", replied Ash.
Everyone in ear shot took a look at the document, mind blown that Alola's champion, with the expectations of the natural sciences, was a straight A student.
"Oh... Ash, I am sorry for assuming.", said Norman.
"It's okay, you aren't the first one to assume that."
The Idiot Brigade fell out of a tree. Pikachu, on Ash's shoulders, was starting to spark. James stood up and asked, "With these grades, why aren't you in further education?"
"Because I don't want to.", was all that Ash replied.
"What is that supposed to mean?", asked Max.
"I assume he doesn't bother because he prioritizes his traveling.", guessed May.
"Partly, May. I mainly got the GED, so that I don't have to bother with my father.", revealed Ash.
"What? Explain.", asked Norman. "What does your father have to do with this?"
"Simple. You see, my parents are divorced. They have the court ordered agreement that, because my father is more wealthy than mom, that he is responsible for my education.", explained Ash, "This means while attending school, I have to life with him. Well, I pretty much hate him, so I got the GED, so that I can move out. Plus he wanted that I attend the same school as my spoiled half brother, which was pretty shit."
"Spoiled, you say?", chimed Augustine Sycamore in. "That explains some of these subjects."
"Which is also why I don't bother with further education. It would mean I have to move back with my dad, which I want to avoid.", explained Ash further. "I doubt that jerk would allow me to attend any school away from him. So I wait to turn eighteen before doing so. That, and I can't decide what to study."
"More like you have no interest.", chimed Gary in.
"Wait, what about the alolan school?", asked Paul.
"I just attended the Pokemon classes, so it didn't count.", said Ash.
"Your dad was probably sad when you got the GED and moved out.", guessed Norman.
"Again, you're wrong. He and his new family was happy I left.", said Ash, "Not to mention, he only learned of the GED after I left."
"Wait, does that mean you ran away?", asked Professor Kukui.
"I won't say I ran away. By law, I wasn't required to continue living there.", said Ash, "I just moved away while they were on vacation."
"Without you? No wonder you left.", said Jessie, half hanging from a tree. "Wait a minute, you have an A in... what the heck did you choose for subjects."
"I just choose anything my half brother didn't pick.", explained Ash. "Meaning everything that wasn't sports, related to Pokemon, or pottery."
"I constantly forget Silver is into Pottery.", added Gary.