The worst day of the week, Monday, announced itself by the ringing of Ash's alarm. Ringing at four in the morning, an ungodly hour according to his Pikachu. Said rat burrowed itself it its Pokemon bed.

"I'll get you when I go to school, remember, we need to walk.", he told his starter. "I am not convinced they'll drive me, even if Silver and I go to the same school. Riko was embarrassed when I was home when her class visited her for some project. I can't imagine it to be different for Silver, He'll be embarrassed too pulling up at school with me in tow. Especially when he gets his license."

Pikachu just mumbled annoying, wanting to return to sleep. Ash on the other hand got showered and then dressed in his uniform. Gray on gray on gray with a red tie. Perfectly showcasing the stiffness this more than upper class school has. "Three hours walking for that shit show.", Ash muttered while leaving the bathroom.

Pikachu followed him and they descended the stairs. Ash was readying himself to leave, when Ariana came out of the kitchen. "Ash? You're already awake? And clothed?"

"Well, yes.", he replied. "Isn't that good?"

"It is weird, may I ask why?", asked Ariana,

"Well, I need at least three hours to get there on foot-"

"But we'll drive you! Go back to bed, Ash.", explained Ariana. "But you don't believe that, do you? Do you at least have food packed?"

"I have a few Poke-dollars left, I just buy something.", he answered.

Ariana shock her head, "No, you won't be able to afford anything with these few cents Delia gave you. Let me give you your allowance."

"Allowance?", he asked in disbelief. "Wait, you just let me walk away?"

"I am too tired to argue with you, so yes, I will let you go, even if you don't have to.", explained Ariana, "Giovanni will probably punish you if you go, though."

"Whatever." He walked out and dropped the allowance she had given him. Someone can collect it another time. What makes her think he'll accept money from her? He knows the trick, Alexander pulled it often enough.

Two hours later, Giovanni and Silver woke up. Eating breakfast, Giovanni remembered he has his second son at home as well. "I'll better wake Ash."

"Unless he is already awake and just ditches to eat with us.", chimed Silver in.

Ariana informed them, "No need for that."

"What do you mean, Ari?", asked her husband, stopping in the door frame.

"Ash woke up hours ago. I saw him leaving two hours ago when I made my first coffee. He's going on foot.", she explained. "I told him we drive him, but he didn't accept that, so I gave him money and let him go."

"You just let him go?!", asked Giovanni shocked. "We need to catch up to him!"

While two of her three boys rushed to get out of the house, Ariana made a note for Maria, explaining the situation. In the car, Giovanni drove, Giovanni told her she should have woken him up for him to handle Ash. Silver agreed with his father.

They didn't know where Ash was, what route he was taking, they only spotted Ash close to the campus of Goldenrod prep. It was clear he spend three hours just walking though the city. Silver caught him at the entrance.

"Ash! Why did you leave so early? Mom and dad both told you that they drive us!", said Silver. "No wonder you look tired, walking three hours."

"Leave me alone, Silver.", demanded Ash annoyed.

"Fine, but let me show you where the secretary is at least.", said Silver.

"Mm, okay."

Both brothers walked though the still empty corridors of the school, until they reached the secretary. The secretary said, "Ah, you're the new student, Satoshi Sakaki, I assume?"

"My surname is Ketchum, not Sakaki!", he said surprised and shocked. He looked to Silver, "Did Giovanni seriously change my name without even telling me?"

Silver said nonchalantly, "Oh, come on! It is better if you go by our name and not by Delia's."

"But is it even legal to change someone's name without their knowledge and consent?", asked Ash annoyed.

While the two boys were arguing, the secretary noted down 'Satoshi Sakaki, forced surname change, prefers old name Ketchum'. She then send a few teachers the note per E-mail. She then wrote on a file to keep an eye on the Sakaki's. She then gave Ash his new schedule. "Here is your schedule, Ketchum. I've send your teachers a notice that you prefer being called Ketchum. Have a nice day and welcome to Goldenrod Prep.", she said, "It is uncommon that a new student starts so close to the winter break."

"Thank you, Mrs..."

"Champell.", chimed Silver in. "Thanks. Mrs. Champell."

The two then left the secretary. Silver took a peak at Ash's schedule. "Man, I wish I had a free period!"

"You may have if you hadn't chosen the maximum of subjects.", said Ash. "You're a workaholic like Giovanni."

"Ash, why don't you call him dad or something?", asked Silver slightly annoyed, while searching something in his bag.

"I haven't the last twelve years so why start now?", countered Ash.

Silver than gave him a sheet of paper, "A copy of my schedule, so that we can meet up in between classes."

"Uh, thanks, I better get going.", said Ash.

"Let me show you the way."

Ash's first period, he sat in Kantonian Standard. His teacher was so nice to introduce him as 'Ketchum' not by Giovanni's name. Seriously, is it even legal that his name got changed without even his knowledge?

After his Standard Kantonian lesson, he had his first recess. He felt like a fish out of water. Not necessary because he has no friend group here – not a big difference from Pallet Valley High, his old school – but this school was like a different world. At least he knew each other student pretty much lived in a different world. All of them were rich. Ash may live in a villa now, but he does not think he is rich in his own right. For all he cares, he is an outsider here.

He was on his way to his next class when he walked into Silver. He tried to avoid the red head, but Silver had a different idea.

"And? How was your first period?", asked Silver.

"Stiff and cold.", said Ash. In his old school, they talk a lot, they discuss their topics with their teacher. But here, the teacher just drones on about the topic, maybe asks a student a question, but all in all, the students just listen, look and write down. "I-I need to go."

"No, our recess just started, Ash.", said Silver, grabbing Ash's arm as he was about to leave. "Now, mom gave you money, did you buy something to eat from it yet? I doubt you ate something before your needless march."

"No..." Partly because he threw the money on the ground of the entrance.

Silver sighed with annoyance. "Let me give you some of my food, then."

"N-No!", said Ash, before rushing away, as Silver let go of him to dig in his backpack.

"Ash!"

After Pokemon Theory, a subject so boring all Pokemon of his classmates – not just his lazy potato of a Pikachu – fell asleep, no, it wasn't boring. His Poke Theory teacher was surprised seeing Pikachu.

"You see, Ketchum, Pikachu's are so common, that we don't give them out as starters. And our students rarely bother to catch one in their summer breaks. Mind you, most of them don't bother catching anything, as they just buy whatever Pokemon they want from breeders.", told him his teacher, Mrs. Willow, a very old lady. She used to be a professor decades ago, but she preferred to be a teacher. "Now, do you plan to evolve it into an alolan Raichu or a normal one?"

While he loves the thought of an alolan Raichu - they are so cute – he has no idea how to evolve it into one. He doubts Pikachu is patient enough to wait until he saved up money to travel to Alola in his adulthood... albeit the potato seems content enough to be a Pikachu, maybe he doesn't want to evolve? "He doesn't want to evolve into either, I won't force him. That would be cruel." Not that he thinks rich people care much about moral, hence Giovanni.

"If you say so, Ketchum..."

His classmates must think he's a second class citizen for having a Pikachu. Riko sure did, her and her stupid Sprigatito. A cute Pokemon, but Riko ruined it for Ash.

After that embarrassing period was his second break, this time he gave his best to avoid Silver, which said red head noted. Silver was keeping an eye open for Ash, but he couldn't see his brother. He called his Mother.

"Sorry that I call only now on my second recess. Right now, I have no idea where Ash is.", he told her. "As of now, he hadn't eaten a thing until first recess. I think he is avoiding me."

"That boy, I already can feel my hairs going gray.", he heard his mother muttering. "And Giovanni does nothing, of course."

"Ash should have his free periods now, I hope he uses the time to eat something.", told her Silver. "Ash's receiving his Goldenrod Starter. I volunteered to help Ash pick it. We will have an earlier ending to our day."

"We pick you up, sweetie.", said Ariana. "Giovanni!-"

Lunch break. Ash made the mistake while getting familiar with the campus to pass where Silver had his sixth period, so Silver dragged him to the cafeteria to make sure he eats lunch.

"Ash, you need to eat something! Be it just soup and a salad!", demanded Silver.

Ash was annoyed by this. "Fine. What soup is offered?"

"Tomato, Miso and Asparagus soups.", said Silver.

"Okay, asparagus is a big nope and I have no idea what Miso is, so I guess I take the tomato soup.", said Ash.

"Good!", said Silver happily. He watched Ash eating soup and salad. While not much, he ate something. "But seriously, how do you last eating so little?"

"I'm just not that hungry.", said Ash. "Not everyone is a glutton like you."

"Hey! Now eat a bit more."

"No."

"Ash...", said Silver slowly. He started to become annoyed.

"No means no, Silver."

A teacher walked to their table. It was Mr. Falkner, Ash's new Ethics teacher. "What are you two arguing about?"

"Nothing, Mr. Falkner.", lied Silver. "I was just-"

Ash interrupted him, "Silver was forcing me to eat even though I have no hunger."

"Sakaki, don't do that. You should know force feeding can cause eating disorders!", said Mr. Falkner. "Silver, please refrain from Ketchum at lunch breaks from now on."

"But-"

"Don't you dare arguing!", yelled Falkner. He then turned his attention to Ash, "Ketchum, if he does something like that again, tell one of the teachers or the lunch ladies."

"O-Okay, Mr. Falkner."

Mr. Falkner then dragged Silver away from Ash.

Physics was utterly boring. The only interesting thing was that Ash sneezed. Then he saw a flower petal on the floor. A tulip petal to be specific. Where did this petal come from?

The recess after, he again avoided Silver. That was easy as their lessons were on opposite sides of the campus. Then he had Ethics. The teacher sat him into a separate room. The teacher, Mr. Falkner, always does a test with the new students to access their ethics. As he is a new student, but joined late into the year, he was set into a separate room, so that he isn't bothered by the rest of the class.

Most questions were well known ethical questions, but one question stuck out to Ash. A question that hit home like none other. 'A married couple with a child, the husband cheats, an affair child comes to exist. The wife and others abuse it out of anger for the man's cheating. Does the child deserve it?'

Ash wrote his answer, 'Yes, it does. It ruined one or two marriages and a family. I should know, I am such an affair child.' After the last question was answered, he returned to the class and gave the paper to the teacher, who then continued the lesson.

After the lesson, Mr. Falkner told him to go to the principal's office. Ash was worried as to why, but complied. In front of the office, he saw Silver. Silver told him with a smirk, "Did you think you can avoid me the whole day, little brother?"

"We aren't brothers.", muttered Ash, walking into the office. In the office, he met Principal Professor Ivy, a rather young and beautiful woman.

Principal Ivy told him with a smile, "Ah, you must be Satoshi, Silver's brother. It is nice that you joined our school. Apropos Silver, I asked him to help us with something. You see, now that you're one of my students, you will receive a starter from us."

"But I already have Pikachu.", said Ash. "And Silver isn't my brother."

"I know about Pikachu, but we want to track your progress properly, so you'll receive one anyway. Well, I am a busy woman, so Silver is the one to guide you to where our starters are, there you will pick one. Or they will pick you, we will see.", she explained. She gave Ash a Luxury ball in the colors of the school. Instead of gold and red, it was rose gold and pale blue. "Use this Goldenrod Prep branded ball to catch your choice. Now go you two."

Silver took Ash's hand and dragged him to an enclosed area on the campus. There were dozens of Pokemon. Ash recognized some, but many he didn't.

"These are the Goldenrod Prep starters. Most of them are from other regions. Paldean starters, rare Pokemon from Unova, to choose is so difficult!", said Silver. "Now pick one. Take your time, though."

Ash just stood there for a while. He remembers when he got Pikachu, or was supposed to. Delia and Alexander made it clear he can't 'outshine' Riko's choice. But because his school gave them out earlier by a week, he couldn't knew what Riko choose. So he had to request to wait a year to pick his. Normally this would raise eye brows, but his school had a starter less that needed, so he 'volunteered' to wait a year. Riko then choose her Sprigatito. A year later, Ash choose Pikachu, as it was the most plain, common and unimpressive Pokemon there was.

Finding such a Pokemon here will be a challenge. He doesn't want to outshine Silver – if he is banned from outshining Riko, it makes just sense he can't outshine Silver – but what is he supposed to choose from this selection when Silver choose a fucking Eevee? One of the more common starters in general. Half of his old school's selection was literally just Eevees. He slightly regrets having not chosen one himself, but now that he is stuck with the Sakaki's maybe that was a good call.

He was ripped out of his thoughts when he felt a punch of Pokemon pulling on his pants. He was surrounded by grass types, ghost types, poison types and even some dark types! Taking a few steps away, they followed him.

"Looks like they like you!", said Silver laughing. His eyes then got wide, "Holy Arceus, is this an Absol?!"

While not directly in Ash's personal space, an Absol was close to Ash. It looked at Ash and blinked slowly, before walking away. Albeit it did keep an eye on Ash. He reached for the ball Principal Ivy had given him to catch it, but refrained. Walking away from the Absol, he walked into a Sprigatito. Said grass type nuzzled Ash's legs.

"Aw, she likes you! Choose her.", said Ash.

"No, that is my decision.", replied Ash, not to mention Riko has one. He will not choose the same Pokemon Riko has. "Wait a minute, how do you know it is a she?" Walking away from her, the Sprigatito following him like a second shadow, he found a lone Trubbish. While considered exotic, it is literal trash. Bland enough, the total opposite of Silver's Eevee turned Espeon. "I think I pick the Trubbish."

Silver looked at him in utter disbelief. "You want the literal trash bag? Don't you want something more special? Or stronger? Less smelly? The Sprigatito is following you, you just need to turn around.", said Silver. "Seriously, a Trubbish?"

"Yes, the literal trash bag.", repeated Ash deadpanned.

"But that is a terrible choice!", said Silver loudly. "I won't allow you to waste your choice on literal trash! You deserve better, Ash." He then took the ball from Ash and kneed in front of the Sprigatito. "Do you want to join my brother, little Petal?"

"Seriously! I do not want the Sprigatito! Okay, I choose something else but the Trubbish!", said Ash in panic. Looking around, he saw a Bulbasaur sniffing on him. "Maybe that Bulbasaur that sniffs on me?"

"But it is so basic!"

"Says the dude who choose an Eevee!", countered Ash annoyed. "And news flash, when I choose Pikachu, I wanted a Charmander, another basic Pokemon! A kantonian standard starter, like this Bulbasaur!"

"I just mean it well, you deserve better, Ash.", said Silver. He then caught the Sprigatito and stood up, before giving the ball to Ash. "Now let's register Sprigatito as your Pokemon."

"I, you, that was my choice! Fuck you, Silver! I hate you!", he yelled into Silver's face, who was surprised by Ash's outburst. Ash then walked to the office. Silver caught up to him.

"Ash, I just mean it well.", argued Silver. "It is just a Sprigatito, why are you so angry?"

The boys arrived in Principal Ivy's office. She asked, "What did you choose, Ketchum?"

"He choose a Sprigatito!", replied Silver for him, "And why do you call him Ketchum? We have the same surname!"

Principal Ivy just smiled, "I've read the name change was involuntary. Your brother prefers to go by his old name. We at Goldenrod Prep respect what our students want to be called from pronouns to names, surnames included. Now that you have your new starter, both of you are allowed to go. It isn't worth it to return to your last periods, you missed so much."

Both boys walked to the door, when Silver was out, Ash turned around, "Principal Ivy, I wanted to choose a Trubbish, but Silver took the ball and caught the Sprigatito, he forced me to take it."

"Ash!", said Silver, popping back in, "Get going, I already messaged dad, they should come soon." He then dragged his brother out the room.

Principal Ivy sighed and wrote down a few things. "First day and already so much drama for his file."

The two boys left the building and saw Giovanni's car on the parking lots. Getting in, Ariana asked, "And Ashy, how was your first day?"

"Did you just call me 'Ashy'?", he asked in disbelief. A nickname of a nickname. "The day was okay, I guess, all things considered."

"Ash, what did you choose as a starter?", asked Giovanni as they were driving off the campus.

Ash was considering if he should throw Silver under the metaphorical bus. Or if they would even be angry at Silver. Risk be worth it if it works. "I wanted to choose a Trubbish, but Silver took the ball and caught a Sprigatito, even after I said multiple times I don't want the Sprigatito.", he explained.

"I had to interfere! He was about to choose a Trubbish! Literal trash!", argued Silver.

"What, would that be embarrassing to you if your 'brother' has a Trubbish?", asked Ash mockingly. "It was your idea that we attend the same school, if you forgot. Which reminds me, why the heck did you change my surname?! Is it even legal to change it without my permission or even knowledge?"

"Complain to Delia, she demanded you loose her name.", said Giovanni. "We discuss this at home."

AN: I lost count of how often this chapter got a name change.

Ciao for now,

ABSOL_ute

Started: 10th August 2023

Edited: 27th August 2023\

Finished: 12th August 2023

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