It's Children's Day, and the quartet help the children at a nearby school celebrate the holiday for the requested visitors will not be able to attend. However, after hearing how she wanted to do something special for the preschool's children, the four decide to let the children play with their Pokémon instead. Inside the school, the children rushed over to play with Pikachu, pulling at his face in their joyous excitement. Ash rescued the children from an electric shock and receives the shock himself instead. Then the four let out all of their Pokémon, who all begin playing with the little ones.

Laoise couldn't blame them, she'd remembered happy times playing with pokèmon on Children's day that made her school years more enjoyable.

However, one child, Timmy, reveals that has no interest in playing with any Pokémon besides Meowth. He explains that this was due to a wild Meowth saving him from a Beedrill once. Yet, the other children do not believe the story and mock him. Team Rocket spoiled the fun with a Pikachu-napping scheme that goes awry when they snatch Timmy by mistake.

Fortunately, it rurned out alright in the end. When a boulder was dislodged from the mountainside, headed towards Ash and Timmy. The wild Meowth Timmy ecnountered once saves them by slicing the boulder in half. Meanwhile, Jessie and James are trapped on top of the rolling boulder, running away with Meowth.

Reiko thanked the quartet for fulfilling Timmy's wish, whilst Timmy proclaims that one day he will join the Pokémon League, hinting that the wild Meowth, resting on the preschool's roof, is now his. Ash laughed, stating that the two of them could meet again one day as rivals. Meanwhile, Team Rocket walk away at sunset, contemplating upon their day. They state that Meowth could have been seen as a hero by the children if only he kept quiet.

Meowth denied it, "Nah! Dat helpless buncha sticky little brats would've driven me nuts! Besides, you two need me more dan they do."

James rolled his eyes. "Dream on, Meowth. By the way, what do we do now?"

Jessie declared. "Meowth, we've got to get that Pikachu!"

"Don't worry, Jessie. Meowth always has a plan. Don't you, Meowth?"

Meowth chuckled nervously. Maybe he should've stuck around the preschool where he was better appreciated...

Soon after stumbling upon police training Growlithe pack, Ash enrolled Pikachu in a training school for police Growlithe as does Laoise for fun. But the course is tougher than Ash imagined, for himself and for Pikachu. Ash wants Pikachu to be as tough as Kanto's finest, but Pikachu is Pika-pooped. Laoise and her female Nidoran powered through albeit to the point of hyperactivity. At that moment, Team Rocket flooded the schoolground with helium gas, and everyone's voices become squeaky. Laoise, inevitably, laughed at how silly they all sounded but calmed considerably when Jessie and James use a special voice-changing megaphone to sound like Officer Jenny, and commanded the Growlithe to follow them.

Laoise had wondered why the Growlithe couldn't recognize Officer Jenny by sight until Brock reminded her that some pokèmon were color blind.

Team Rocket almost got away with it, too, but Pikachu is still able to recognize Ash and the Growlithe remembered their special bond with Officer Jenny, who raised them and trained them.

Days later, the four are being shadowed by Todd Snap, the world's greatest Pokémon photographer. Snap hoped to catch just one great shot of Pikachu, but Pikachu is camera-shy. Laoise liked some of the photographs but thought Todd was being a tad too intense with his photographing.

What the trainers don't know is that Todd is doing this job for Team Rocket. But Team Rocket thinks that Snap is in the business of actually capturing Pokémon—the villains don't realize that he only captures them on film. When they figure out their unwitting tool is actually a photographer (Meowth had misunderstood the wording in Todd's article "the best at capturing Pokémon on film"), Team Rocket drop in to swipe Pikachu themselves. Ash and Snap worked together to send Team Rocket off in a photo finish.

Not long after, the gang having a picnic out in the field, when Misty asked an 'innocent' question. "You know, you and Laoise haven't gotten a badge in a long time, Ash. You think you'll both ever get another one?"

Ash started choking on his sandwich, Brock had to help him.

Laoise scowled indignantly. "HEY! Cinnabar Island is off the coast of the mainland, remember? And who knows when we'll reach a dock and a boat to take us there?

Misty then tactlessly remarked, "I guess Ash could make another gym leader feel sorry for him and get another badge that way while Laoise does the actual fighting."

"Misty, do you truly think I can manage?" Laoise asked her tone sweet as honey.

"You know I do."

"THEN NEVER TALK DOWN ABOUT ANYONE ELSE AGAIN! Capisce?!" Laoise snarled.

Misty was taken aback. "Okay, okay! Geez! You don't have to yell like that!"

While Laoise gave Misty a tongue lashing, some of the others tended to Ash. Brock gave Ash a cup of water which helped.

Ash replied, "Skill! I win matches with skill!"

Misty said, "How much skill does it take to win a match against Team Rocket?"

"We're not talking about those three clowns, we're talking about Ash' past gym challenges." Laoise pointed out sternly, "Reminder: First of all, he would have won easily after the sprinklers went off in the Pewter City gym, but he decided not to because he wanted to win HIS way, not just by an accident. Yet Brock gave him the Boulder Badge because he showed mercy to Brock's own Pokemon when Onix was down and out.

Second, pretty much had you beat in your own hometown of Cerulean City before Team Rocket showed up and ruined it, but it was his bravery that earned him the Cascade Badge.

Third, Ash lost the first time at Vermilion City, but he figured the key to beating Raichu was speed, and that earned him the Thunder Badge. Fourth, Ash won the Marsh Badge in Saffron City by using Haunter's sense of humor, rather than fight power with power and speed, even if he didn't notice it until after the match was over.

He also showed he had skills of his own when he took on Erika in Celadon City and got the Rainbow Badge, even though he was tricked by Team Rocket to get in. And when he beat Koga for the Soul Badge in Fuchsia City, who was a ninja master. And FYI he beat you in a rematch after Togepi was born, remember?"

Misty sulked. "No need to remind me."

"She's right, and I'll show you some skill! I challenge you to a match, right now!" Ash said, pulling out a pokéball.

Pikachu put his front paws on Ash's right calf. "Pika Pika!"

Ash looked at him, "No, I will not change my mind!"

Todd's shutter is soon heard. He'd begun snapping pictures of Pikachu, much to Ash's irritation. He told Ash that he should take the Pokémon League Admissions Exam.

So our heroes made their way to the location of the Pokémon League Admissions Exam. Usually to get into the Pokémon League, a trainer has to travel from one Pokémon gym to another and collect badges to prove he or she's defeated each gym master. However...

The Head instructor explained, "Here at the Pokémon League Admissions Center, we evaluate applicants based on the combined written and practical skills exam. And those who pass receive this badge," He showed the badge. "Qualifying them for the Pokémon League."

Everyone was amazed. The program was perfect for people whose age or health keeps them from traveling around and for those who can't ever seem to get away from work.

"Take this." The Head instructor handed Ash a tag with the number 7 on it. "It's your testing number."

Ash grinned. "Lucky seven! See, Misty? I have skills and luck!"

Misty snarked back. "A little modesty wouldn't hurt."

"In that case... Why not? I wanna try out too! Laoise declared, surprisingly everyone."

"Are you sure?" the others were surprised.

"Yes." Laoise nodded.

The head instructor nodded. "Very well then, just fill out this form."

"Oh no! I wanted number seven!" A teenage girl with dutch braids and glasses moaned.

Then Ash notices the stranger watching him and thinks she looks familiar, but fails to put his finger on why as the stranger sheepishly fills out the application form.

"Age, seventeen. Profession, diva." the girl

"That girl looks familiar." Ash wondered.

As Laoise finished filling up the form, a Nurse Joy entered and an infatuated Brock followed her.

Laoise handed in the form then the Head instructor addressed her and Ash.

"Just a minute! You'll have to leave your Pokéballs here with me." The man said, "You're not permitted to use your own Pokémon during the exam."

Laoise reached into her backpack and fetched her pokémon filled pokèballs. "Hmm, good thing I got the blue heart stickers the other day to identify them." she mumbled.

Ash took out his Pokéballs and handed them over. "Here."

Laoise placed hers on the desk calmly. "Here are mine."

The head instructor took them. "Thank you."

Misty questioned, "Can I take care of his Pikachu during the exam?"

"Of course! Good luck, Mr. Ketchum and Ms. McGrady!"

Misty said, "I'd wish you luck too, but you're so skilled."

Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder and climbed up Misty's.

"You got that right!" Ash winked.

"Pika."

The Nurse Joy, who turned out to be from Fuchsia City, told Ash and his friends that she signed up for the exam because it was a convenient way for her to train to become a Pokémon Master.

Soon after, James walks in, disguised as a schoolboy with glasses, but quickly heads for the counter once Ash sees him. When the head instructor reads James's registration form and calls out his name, James tells him to keep quiet. Unfortunately, Jessie hears this, takes James outside, and asks what he is doing there. James confidently says that he too wants to become a Pokémon Master, then asks Jessie what she is doing here. Jessie explains that she wants to add another talent to her collection, just as Meowth shows up and scratches both their faces. James quickly throws Meowth a ball of yarn as a distraction, and then runs off with Jessie back inside for the exam.

Soon, all those who signed up are in their seats and ready to start the first part of the exam.

"The first test will measure your overall knowledge of Pokemon! Ready? Begin!" said the Head instructor.

"I can't wait! This'll be easy!" Ash murmured.

On each monitor, a picture of Pokémon came up and the testers listened to figure out the answer to the question they're given.

"Lickitung's tongue is twice the length of it's body. True or false?" came the first question.

"I'm pretty sure it was longer than that." Ash pressed the false button.

"Hmmm, yes. The Pokédex did say that, so... " Laoise pressed the true button.

A picture of a Vulpix came up next on the monitors.

The second question popped up. "Ninetales evolves from Vulpix only by use of a Fire Stone. True or False?"

"Oh, man. That's too easy. True! True!" Ash pressed the true button.

Laoise pressed the true button. "Duh. My girl Oriana's a prime example."

A picture of a Hitmonlee came up next.

"Hitmonlee is also known as 'The Punching Demon'." Was the next one.

"Let's see. It's either Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan who's the puncher. I think it's true!" Ash thought for the moment then pressed the true button.

"That's false, since Hitmonchan's the puncher." Laoise pressed the false button.

A picture of a Magikarp was next to appear.

"The only attack Magikarp originally knows is Splash. True or False?"

This question particularly irritated James.

"Gah! Magikarp! Just hearing that name makes my...My blood boil!" he growled lowly.

Jame still hadn't forgotten how he'd been swindled out of the money by purchasing the fish. He'd gladly dumped it onto the short oddball in the blue hoodie, then as the little girl fed the fish a candy bar… it became a Gyarados right before their eyes. A vicious Gyarados who acted like a fierce guard dog at the girl's side.

"True."

Next to James, Jessie was answering her questions without even thinking.

"That's true, too." She pushed the true button.

A picture of a Caterpie is next to appear on the monitors.

"Caterpie is the world's smallest Pokemon. True or false?"

"Yeah, that's true."

Jessie was simply giving each question a "true" answer, hoping that she gets half of them right.

Soon, the second test was set to begin.

"Now, we will measure your ability to recognize Pokémon! Please name the Pokémon by identifying its silhouette or any part of its body as its displayed here!" The Head instructor pointed to a large screen.

"Alright! This is gonna be a piece of cake!" Ash said.

"Here's the first question." A large black circle appeared on the front screen. "Identify this Pokemon."

"This is gonna be a breeze for me! It's a Voltorb!" Ash said.

James smirked. "Ah, how simple. It's a Pokéball, without a doubt."

Jessie said. "Obviously, it's an Electrode."

Laoise guessed uncertainly. "Uhm... a Togepi hiding its eggshell seen from above?"

"And the answer is a.. Jigglypuff seen from above." The Head instructor said.

The picture of the Jigglypuff turned vertically to show the full body of it. Team Rocket, Ash and Laoise nearly fell out of their seats in disbelief

"Next question. What Pokémon displays this pattern?"

The next Pokémon to recognize looks like a swirl; Ash guessed it is a Poliwhirl, James believed it is an Omanyte, and Jessie guesses it is an Arbok when it was all coiled up. However, the correct answer is a Poliwag, as its swirl changes direction upon it evolving.

The others watch through the glass window.

Misty commented "Hey, this is hard."

"And it's getting harder by the minute!" agreed Brock.

Pikachu nodded. "Pika."

"Question fifteen: What Pokémon does this tail belong to?" questioned the Head instructor.

"It's either Charmander, Charmeleon, or Charizard." Ash guessed. "Yeah! It's gotta be Charmander!"

Laoise guessed. "A rapidash."

"The answer is...Ponyta." The screen revealed the Ponyta.

Ash became glum "No, it can't be."

"Alright my mistake." Laoise sighed. "Should've memorized its characteristics."

Finally, Jessie lost her temper. "Can't you ask me a question that I know that answer to?!"

The Head instructor said sternly, "Please take your seat!"

Jessie protested. "This is a joke! These stupid questions won't make you a Pokémon master!"

"For your information, young lady, a Pokémon master must understand all aspects of their Pokémon's life in order to achieve oneness with their Pokémon!"

"You're not making any sense at all! I'm through with this!" Jessie snapped.

"Get out!"

Jessie took off and threw down her test number. "I can't wait to go!" And she left the room while slamming the door.

Nurse Joy looked concerned, "Dear, what a shame."

"That girl was so rude!" Laoise grumbled. "And entitled."

Ash had his arms folded. "That girl's attitude seems familiar, too."

Minutes later inside the testing building, the scores have been counted and are displayed for all the test takers to see.

"Here comes the scoreboard!" Misty pointed, "The ones on the right got the lowest scores, and the ones on the left got the highest."

"Look! Nurse Joy's near the top!" Brock noticed.

"Wait, I see Laoise! She's in between right in the third row corner in the middle." Todd said, "Well Barely."

Laoise shrugged. "Eh, I knew it. I sucked eggs in that visual test."

Todd looked around the scoreboard. "Hey, where's your picture, Ash?"

"It must be where they put the highest scorer." Ash said.

Misty beckoned over, "Ash."

Ash, to his disbelief, realizes his score is one of the lowest. Ash is left frustrated when Todd takes some photos of his abysmal score. Meanwhile, James stands alone in a corner, vowing that he will try extra hard for Jessie.

Later, outside, a bell rings that signals that the next test is about to begin, and its a battling test. And the first battle is Nurse Joy's Squirtle against one of the instructors' Pokémon, a Charmander.

The others are watching in the bleachers, and get embarrassed when Brock starts rooting for Nurse Joy.

Meanwhile, Ash, Laoise and James are selecting which set of Pokéballs to use during the test.

"Now, select whichever one you like." The Head instructor indicated.

Ash looked thoughtful. "I don't know which one to pick. You can't tell us what kind of Pokémon are inside them, huh?

"That's what makes it a test. All of these Pokémon are trained for battles so they'll obey your commands. This test determines whether a trainer can adapt, regardless of what Pokémon comes out."

James questioned. "With whom do we have to battle?"

"With me."

Ash took three pokèballs, "Right! Then I'll take these!"

James picked another set. "I'll take these!"

Laoise picked another, "And these are mine. You guys pick your Pokémon and check out my battle. It's next and I'm ready to ace this test!"

Soon, the bell rings and Laoise takes to the field as the Head instructor brought out his first Pokémon, a Weepinbell.

"Are you ready, Miss McGrady?"

"Ready as I'll ever be! Go!" Laoise tossed the first pokéball.

Out of the pokéball a Scyther materialized.

Laoise was surprised. "Wowzers!"

From the bleachers, the others were just as surprised. As was Team Rocket.

"A bug type. That's a good match-up since grass types are super weak against fire types." Brock mused.

"Let's see if she can keep her head in the game." Misty said.

The bell rings, and the battle is underway.

The Head instructor told the Weepinbell. "Go, Razor Leaf."

Weepinbell sharpened its leaves till they're like blades and charged toward Scyther.

"Quick, Scyther, Double Team!" Laoise called.

The Scyther obliged and dodges by glowing and formed copies using Double Team, to confuse the Weepinbell. The copies circled around, leaving the grass type with nowhere to run and no idea where an attack will come from.

"Use Stun Spore."

"Fly up to avoid it!" Laoise said to the Scyther.

"Scyther!" Obediently the Scyther used it's wings to fly up and avoid it.

"Use Air Slash!" Laoise said.

The Weepinbell was forced back.

"Now take it down with X-scissor!" Laoise said.

The Scyther slashed at the Weepinbell by crossing its scythe-like appendages.

The Weepinbell was struck more than once, it tried to advance only to moan and faint.

"Weepinbell is unable to battle, Scyther wins." The referee said.

"Amazing! You beaten my first Pokémon of the test!" The Head instructor declared.

"She did it!" Todd cheered, snapping pictures.

"But she can't let her guard down yet. She still has two more Pokémon to contend with." Brock said.

The Head instructor brings out his next Pokémon, a Mankey.

"Fighting type." Laoise stared analytically then took out the next pokéball, "Let's see if I got something to counter it. Go!"

Laoise throws the Pokéball and a Kadabra materialized.

"Whoa! I got a psychic type!" Laoise gasped.

The others were also gaping.

"Laoise just got the same pokèmon as Sabrina." Misty remarked.

"Kadabra, what are its attacks..." Laoise mumbled. "Think, think, think. Laoise, think!"

"Mankey, Leer!"

Laoise remembered, "Kadabra, use Psycho blade!"

The attack struck but the Mankey got back up again. After several attacks from each side, Laoise chose the next move.

"Push it back with Psybeam!"

That was critical hit, the Mankey was knocked out, earning Laoise her second win. The third pokèmon was an Alolan sand shrew.

Laoise was so surprised, she'd almost forgot what its attacks were. But she remembered long enough to earn her victory over the Head instructor's Nidorino.

"The test is over! Laoise passed the battle portion!"

"I did it! I did it!" Laoise cheered, jumping up and down.

James was up next against the head instructor. The first Pokémon James sends out is a Pikachu, much to his delight. Thinking that he cannot lose with Pikachu and claims that he has been destroyed by Ash's Pikachu's attacks so many times that he knows them all by heart. The head instructor sends out a Graveler. James immediately commands Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but the attack doesn't work on Graveler, allowing it to send Pikachu flying with a Tackle. Angry at this, James sends out an Ivysaur and a Charizard at the same time. Unfortunately, the head instructor expelled James for breaking the rules by bringing out two Pokémon at once.

It is Ash's turn to face the head instructor, who sends out a Flareon. Ash pulls out his first Poké Ball, which reveals a Weezing, much to Ash's shock and displeasure. "I got a Weezing?"

Team Rocket murmured, "That's bad."

The others were stunned and Todd held up his camera, "I gotta get this! His face looks just like Weezing's!"

In effect, for a moment Ash had the same expression as the Weezing.

Ash heard Todd take the picture and scowled. "Not now!"

The instructor has Flareon use Flamethrower, which Weezing proceeds to dodge. Coming up with an idea, Ash tells Weezing to counter with Smog, which explodes upon being hit by the Flamethrower, throwing Flareon backwards. Flareon uses Leer, but Ash has Weezing use Smokescreen to hide, then follow up with a Tackle, knocking Flareon out. As Misty comments on Ash being good at battling after all, Brock comments that even Team Rocket could win if they battled like that. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is taking notes of Ash's fighting strategy. Next, the head instructor sends out a Jolteon, and Ash sends out an Arbok. Jolteon uses Agility, but Arbok stops it with Glare. Arbok tries to use Wrap, but gets hurt by Jolteon's spikes. At this point, while Arbok is wincing in pain, Jolteon shakes off the Glare attack and finishes Arbok off with Thunder.

For the final round, Ash opens his last Poké Ball to reveal a Meowth, while the head instructor sends out a Vaporeon. Meowth tries to use Fury Swipes, but gets frozen in its tracks when Vaporeon uses Ice Beam, giving the victory to the head instructor. Team Rocket's Meowth scratches Ash's face and frees his fellow Meowth.

The Head instructor was intrigued with Meowth, "Say, now! I'd love to catch that talking Meowth there! Pokéball, go!"

However, a Flamethrower, a Vine Whip, and a Thunderbolt knock the Pokéball back, to the shock of our heroes and the head instructor.

"Return those Pokémon immediately!"

Jessie and James then stepped in saying their motto and removed their disguises.

Ash snapped, "Don't interfere with my test!"

"Or mine!" added Laoise.

"Just go home and study harder and you can try again next time!" said the Head instructor.

Team Rocket ordered Ivysaur to use Vine Whip, Charizard to use Flamethrower, and Pikachu to use Thunder.

The Head Instructor remained calm, "Listen up Ivysaur, Charizard, Pikachu! About face, now!"

The Pokémon obeyed immediately, to Team Rocket's shock, and go on the attack.

Misty's jaw dropped, "How did you?"

Ash understood. "Oh, they obeyed you because you're the one who raised all of them!"

The Instructor nodded. "Very good, Ash."

Ash orders his Meowth, Weezing, and Arbok to also stop Team Rocket. After Team Rocket has been beaten down by their own Pokémon, Weezing uses Explosion, sending them blasting off again.

Back inside the building, the head instructor tells the whole class that due to Team Rocket's interference, they have to do the entire exam all over again. The head instructor offers Ash another chance to pass the test, but Ash refused, saying that he was better off winning Gym Badges from Gym Leaders. Laoise admitted that she tried out as a challenge and enjoyed the battling test especially with learning how to manage with different Pokémon.

Later, our heroes are seen departing the testing facility. Many roads lead to the Pokémon League. Both Laoise and Ash's chosen path is to win all eight gym badges.

Todd then toward the entrance to the testing facility with an injured Meowth in hand. "Hey! Where's Ash and the others?"

"They already left. They're on their way to the next gym." explained Nurse Joy.

The head instructor and Nurse Joy then noticed the Meowth in Todd's arms.

Nurse Joy gasped. "What's wrong with that Meowth?"

Todd explained. "It got hurt in the explosion."

"Where am I?"

The Head instructor took the Meowth into his arms, "This must be…"

"Huh? Meowth! What's going on?!" Meowth woke up and saw where he was, "Where's Jessie?! Where's James?!"

"I finally got my talking Meowth!" The Head instructor smiled in surprise.

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Meowth yowled and jumped right out of the man's arms.

There seemed to be a mix-up!

Meanwhile, as Jessie and James vowed revenge, they quickly discover that they ended up with the wrong Meowth.

Oops.

To be continued…

Author's note: Yeah, the children's day episode had so many cute scenes of the kids playing with the Pokèmon. The Police Growlithe episode had plenty funny moments with the characters voices in the helium and then Jessie getting the wrong voice mixed up that had me laughing. And the Ultimate Test episode was pretty interesting to say.

Gonna try something different in the next one. With 'The Breeding Center secret' and the first half to 'Riddle me this' all in one chapter, I've still need to plan out for Laoise's gym battle in the Cinnabar gym. Choosing the right pokèmon won't be the only problem she'll have there.