A week had gone by since Ash arrived in Paldea. He had settled into the rhythm of academy life, attending various classes and exploring the campus with Pikachu by his side. Among his classes, Dendra's battling lessons stood out as his favorite. Dendra's enthusiasm and fighting spirit mirrored Ash's own, creating an instant connection. In Dendra's class, Ash was always the first to volunteer for demonstrations. The excitement of facing off against other students kept his competitive spirit alive. Dendra's energetic teaching style made each lesson exhilarating, and Ash thrived under her guidance.
Whenever Nemona stepped up to challenge Ash, the class bell inevitably rang, ending the session and leaving them both frustrated and eager for more. Their rivalry grew stronger with each postponed battle, fueling their determination.
Other classes Ash attended didn't exactly play to his strengths. In Hassel's art class, for instance, Ash found himself challenged by the demands of creative expression. He wasn't much of an artist, but he couldn't help but admire Hassel's passion and dedication to teaching.
During painting sessions focused on various Pokémon, Hassel would walk around the room, offering feedback. When he reached Ash, he pointed out some positive traits in Ash's unique style, even though it was clear Ash had much to learn. "You have a good eye for color, Ash," Hassel would say, smiling encouragingly. "But try to focus more on the details and proportions. Here, let me show you a technique that might help."
Ash would nod attentively, appreciating the guidance. "Thank you, Mr. Hassel," he said with a smile, determined to improve.
Although art wasn't his forte, Ash approached each class with the same enthusiasm and willingness to learn that he brought to his battles.
Mr. Salvatore's language learning class proved to be Ash's most challenging subject. It wasn't just the new vocabulary and grammar rules that made it difficult; it was also the importance of learning how to communicate effectively to help people understand each other's feelings and deescalate conflicts. This was an entirely new dimension of learning for Ash, who was more accustomed to physical battles than verbal ones.
Salvatore's thick accent added another layer of difficulty. There were moments when Ash found himself lost, struggling to keep up with the lesson. However, he remained determined, knowing that effective communication was an essential skill.
In contrast, Nemona thrived in the class. Her Spanish background gave her an edge, and she often answered questions in fluent Spanish, much to Salvatore's delight. "Excelente, Nemona!" Salvatore would exclaim, beaming with pride.
When praised, Nemona would glance over at Ash and give him a wink. Despite the challenges, Ash couldn't help but chuckle at her playful encouragement.
"You're doing great, Ash," Nemona said after one class, noticing his frustration. "It takes time, but you'll get the hang of it."
Ash smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Nemona. I'll keep trying."
Ash's second favorite class turned out to be Mr. Saguaro's Home Economics. This class focused on practical skills essential for surviving and thriving during their travels, which resonated deeply with Ash.
Mr. Saguaro's lessons on the value of sandwiches and nutrition were particularly engaging. He demonstrated how to prepare balanced meals that could sustain trainers and their Pokémon on long journeys. Ash quickly grasped these concepts, thanks to his extensive experience traveling with Brock, who had always been a reliable cook and caretaker during their adventures from Kanto to Sinnoh.
During one class, Mr. Saguaro emphasized the importance of taking care of their Pokémon. He talked about the nutritional needs of different Pokémon species and how to recognize signs of fatigue or illness. Ash listened intently, nodding along as Mr. Saguaro covered topics he was familiar with but also provided new insights.
"Remember," Mr. Saguaro said, "a well-fed and well-cared-for Pokémon is a happy and strong Pokémon. Just as you take care of yourselves, you must also ensure your Pokémon are healthy and happy."
Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he realized how much he had already been practicing these principles. During a class exercise, he expertly prepared a sandwich that balanced taste and nutrition, impressing both Mr. Saguaro and his classmates.
"Impressive work, Ash," Mr. Saguaro praised, examining the sandwich. "Your time on the road has certainly taught you well."
"Thanks, Mr. Saguaro," Ash replied with a smile. "Traveling with Brock taught me a lot about taking care of my Pokémon and myself."
His classmates were equally impressed, and Nemona, in particular, couldn't resist a playful comment. "Looks like you're not just the Monarch of battles, but also of sandwiches!"
Ash laughed, feeling more confident in his abilities and grateful for the chance to learn even more.
Ash's worst nightmare at Naranja Academy was undoubtedly math. Unlike Clemont or Sophocles, who were natural wizzes with numbers, Ash struggled with math quizzes and figuring out complex calculations. The subject was a constant challenge for him, and he often felt lost during lessons.
Whenever Ms. Tyme, their strict but fair math teacher, held random pop quizzes, Ash's anxiety would spike. During one such quiz, he tried to sneak a peek at Nemona's answer sheet, hoping to get some guidance. However, Nemona immediately covered her answers and playfully glared at him.
"Ash, no cheating!" she scolded, half-amused by his antics.
Caught red-handed, Ash sighed in frustration, feeling the weight of his struggle with math. Just then, a stern voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Ahem," Ms. Tyme cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. Ash looked up and met her piercing gaze, her annoyance evident.
"Care to explain yourself, Mr. Ketchum?" she asked, her tone firm.
Ash chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Uh, sorry, Ms. Tyme. I just... got a little stuck."
Ms. Tyme's expression softened slightly, but her voice remained stern. "Math is about understanding, not guessing or copying. You need to put in the effort to learn, Ash. Cheating won't help you in the long run."
Ash nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination. "I'll try harder, Ms. Tyme. Promise."
"See that you do," she replied, handing him back his quiz. "Now, focus and do your best."
Another subject Ash struggled with was history. Despite his appreciation for Ms. Raifort's passion for Paldea's historical past and artifacts, he found it hard to stay engaged. The endless dates, events, and historical figures seemed distant and irrelevant to him.
Ms. Raifort, however, had a knack for capturing her students' attention with her animated storytelling. One day, during a lecture about ancient Paldean civilizations, she dropped tantalizing hints about the shrine locations for the Four Treasures of Ruin.
"The Four Treasures of Ruin are legendary artifacts believed to hold immense power," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "These treasures are hidden in shrines scattered across Paldea, and their exact locations have been lost to time."
Ash's interest was piqued. He leaned forward, eager to learn more. "What are these treasures, Ms. Raifort?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Ms. Raifort smiled enigmatically. "Ah, that's a story for another day, Ash. I'll reveal more about them if you and your classmates perform well in your upcoming exams. History is not just about the past; it's about discovering the mysteries that shape our present and future."
Ash felt a surge of determination. He realized that understanding history could be as exciting as uncovering new Pokémon species or winning battles. He decided to give it his all, not just for the potential knowledge about the Four Treasures of Ruin, but also to appreciate the stories that had shaped the world he lived in.
Mr. Jacq was in the middle of his biology lecture about Pokémon habitats when he noticed the young champion, Ash Ketchum, was half-asleep, leaning on his open palm with drool dripping from his mouth. Half-amused, the homeroom teacher decided to disrupt Ash's nap time.
"Mr. Ketchum," Jacq called out firmly, with a hint of mischief in his voice.
Ash suddenly shot straight up from his seat, wiping the drool from his chin, and shouted, "I wasn't sleeping!"
The majority of the students, including Nemona, giggled at his silliness. Penny, the shy Eevee fanatic, just gave him a blank stare, looking uninterested, while Arven scoffed and muttered, "Some World Champion with that sort of behavior."
Pikachu, sitting beside Ash, could only shake its head in disbelief at its Trainer.
Mr. Jacq, trying to hide his amusement, continued, "Since you're so awake, Ash, perhaps you could answer this question. Can you tell us the primary habitat of Sandile?"
Ash blinked, struggling to pull the answer from the depths of his memory. "Uh, Sandile... Sandile live in... sandy areas, like deserts?" he answered hesitantly.
Mr. Jacq nodded approvingly. "Correct! Sandile are typically found in desert regions where they can blend in with the sandy environment. Well done, Ash."
Ash let out a sigh of relief, and Pikachu patted him on the back with a proud "Pika!"
Nemona leaned over and whispered, "Nice save, Ash."
"Thanks," he whispered back, giving her a sheepish grin.
After class, as the students were packing up, Nemona caught up with Ash. "You know, staying awake in class might help you a bit more," she teased, nudging him playfully.
Ash laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just that biology lectures can be... relaxing."
"Maybe, but there's a lot to learn about Pokémon habitats. It might come in handy someday," Nemona replied.
"You're right," Ash agreed, nodding. "I need to pay more attention."
...
As Ash made his way through the hallways, Pikachu perched comfortably on his shoulder, he couldn't shake off the exhaustion weighing down on him. "What a day," he muttered to himself, feeling the weight of his busy schedule. With the prospect of finally retreating to his dorm for some well-deserved rest, Ash rounded a corner, only to collide with someone coming from the opposite direction.
"Oops, my bad!" Ash exclaimed, quickly realizing he had bumped into Penny, the girl with the adorable Eevee backpack. As Penny stumbled backwards to the ground, her hoodie pocket spilled its contents, and her Eevee keychain clattered to the floor.
Recognizing Penny, Ash's face lit up with a smile. "Hey, you're Penny, right? Sorry about that!"
Penny hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between Ash and the ground, before she softly confirmed, "Yes, that's me."
Feeling genuinely apologetic, Ash offered a hand to help her up. But before Penny could accept or decline, she gathered herself and stood up, brushing off her clothes with a hint of embarrassment.
"I-I need to go. Bye!" Penny stammered before darting off, leaving Ash slightly bemused by her sudden departure.
"Take care!" Ash called out after her, watching as she disappeared down the hallways.
As he turned to continue on his way, Ash noticed the abandoned Eevee keychain lying on the ground. He picked it up, twirling it between his fingers thoughtfully. "She must really like Eevee," he mused to Pikachu, who nodded in agreement.
Determined to return the keychain to its owner, Ash tucked it safely into his pocket. "I'll make sure she gets it back when I see her," he resolved with a smile, appreciating Penny's unique style.
...
As Ash lounged in his bed, lazily dangling Penny's Eevee keychain in front of him, Pikachu nestled comfortably on his stomach, already deep in slumber. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep himself, his Rotom Phone buzzed to life with an incoming call.
"Nemona is calling. Nemona is calling. Nemona is calling," it announced.
Curious, Ash picked up the phone and answered the call, greeted by the worried face of Nemona on the screen. "Nemona, what's up? Why do you look so nervous?" he inquired, noticing the tension in her expression.
"Ash, I was heading home to grab a few things when I heard a suspicious noise. You need to come help me," Nemona explained urgently, her voice tinged with concern.
"A suspicious noise? And right now?" Ash echoed, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
Nemona nodded earnestly. "Yes, right now. Please, Ash, I need my number one rival's help," she implored, her eyes pleading for assistance.
Ash let out a sigh, feeling torn between his desire for rest and his loyalty to his friend. "Fine, just tell me where you're at, and I'll be there," he relented, resigning himself to the unexpected turn of events.
Nemona's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Ash! You're the best!" she exclaimed before ending the call.
Ash glanced down at Pikachu, who had stirred awake at the commotion. "Looks like we have a late-night adventure ahead of us, buddy," he remarked with a wry smile.
"Pika!" Pikachu squeaked in agreement, ready to accompany Ash wherever their friend needed them.
Sorry if the chapter was a little boring and felt filler, but the next chapter should be more entertaining. xp