The next day, Professor Oak arrived with Tracey in tow. And Delia. Apparently after Oak told her about the task, she wanted to watch, to see how Asher holds himself explaining stuff. Tracey said something about them being 'friends with benefits', but Ash has no idea what that is supposed to mean.

That day, after the student's lunch break, they were in the school's atrium. All these students were at least two years younger than Asher. Ash, the professor and Tracey stood on a stage with Mrs. Zanophie. Ash was nervous, but Oak said he would help him, so did Tracey. She started the presentation by greeting the students, "Hello students! Your subjects for today are scratched, instead you'll listen to these three gentlemen introducing the position of the On-Field Trainer and Researcher to you! Tomorrow, your after-lunch classes are replaced by a presentation on ghost types. Now a warm welcome for Professor Samuel Oak, his assistant Tracey Sketchit and their associated On-Field Trainer and Researcher Asher Farron Ketchum!"

She made space for the three. Professor Oak took over from there. "Your teacher asked me if we could introduce the position of the On-Field Trainer and Researcher to you. First of all, it isn't a job, despite you getting paid. The pay is rather low, it is more about perks. OFTR's are a type of volunteering helpers for us professors, they help us do research outside our labs. The name is pretty self explanatory, really.", he told them. "Most OFTR's start out as trainers and volunteer for the perks. OFTR's get a TM pass that makes building teams more easy, or a more interesting starter Pokemon, but they also get a more capable Pokemon Index or Pokedex for short. One even you can't buy with money."

That got the student bodies attention. They are so used to just buy what they want, the prospect of something money can't buy attracts them like a Venomoth gets by light.

Tracey then added, "Despite On-Field Trainer and Researchers being volunteers, they receive some training. Most of the time, it only lasts a week or two. In that time period, they are trained in the basics of Pokemon battling and care – if they weren't trainers before hand – and how to survive in the wild and handle tasks and problems an OFTR may face. Of course, some training how to conduct some light weight research."

"Albeit, due to the appearance of the Mindless, some hand-to-hand combat had been introduced to the OFTR boot camp.", told them the professor. "The league considers to change the age requirement for OFTR. I for my part do not accept any trainer under fourteen due to this."

A student asked, "But isn't it super unlikely to face a Mindless? And even if, can't you just walk away from them? They're like super brain dead, this can't be difficult."

Now Ash chimed in. "It is actually pretty likely to walk into one. I faced one in my OFTR exam. Also, Mindless aren't brain dead, they just have a blank mind, memory loss. Adding to that, the state a Mindless can be in is a spectrum. While some are just walking around and can be avoided, some Mindless – like the one I faced in my exam – are essentially feral and attack a person on sight.", he explained to that student, "Adding to that, Mindless aren't the only danger. From wild Pokemon to walking into a criminal organization, a lot can happen off the dedicated routes and streets of Kanto. I for example got attacked by Team Rocket a few days ago."

The student body started to whisper about this then. A girl with dark hair then asked, "What are your credentials as a trainer? Besides your OFTR training?"

"Well, I haven't been a trainer for long, I only started a few weeks ago. So far I only have two badges.", he explained, pointing at the badges he pinned on his jacket. His case broke (Rowlet's tantrum) and he felt like bragging about having two gold badges.

"That's not much.", said a kid with glasses.

"Like I said, I haven't been a trainer for long. One week for example was just spend training to be an OFTR. I only was allowed to catch Pokemon by the time my exam rolled around.", explained Asher. "Not to mention, I choose a very restricted type to focus on. Challenging a gym with just one Pokemon is stupid, so I had to wait until I found something to catch." Tracey tried not to laugh at this, he knew Ash got most of his team, if not all, handed to him.

The kid with glasses then said, "I assume that one Pokemon is your starter? What did you choose as an OFTR? And why are your badges golden? My cousins were silver."

"I start with the badges. This is still a somewhat new introduction. You may or may not know, a gym can only be challenged trice. If a trainer lost three times, they are prohibited from challenging the gym until the next season. The League introduced gold, silver and bronze badges to signal how many tries a trainer needed for a gym. Gold means one try, silver means two and bronze means three.", explained Asher, "Like you can see, I needed only one try per gym. I got the second one just three days ago."

"Which one?", asked the first student to ask any question.

"The gym in Cerulean City. Now, yes, the one Pokemon was my starter, what else would it be? Mine was theoretically an OFTR pick, albeit I didn't choose it. The professor offered her to me and I accepted." He called out Rowlet. "This is Rowlet, she is the grass starter from Alola and my starter." She flew on his shoulder and started to preen her feathers. "Do you seriously have to do that now, Rowlet?"

"Ash will tell you more about her tomorrow when he showcases the ghost type to you, as well as the rest of his team.", said their teacher Mrs. Zanophie. "Like you can see, ON-Field Trainers and Researchers are just one reason why you may see Pokemon that aren't part of the natioinal Pokedex."

"Other reasons range from Pokemon migration, to inter-regional trades. Maybe your opponent comes from a different region or a Pokemon wanders the borders.", spoke Professor Oak, "Pokemon have little regard for state borders."

"Any questions?", asked Tracey.

The girl from before asked, "Why should we become OFTR's? We can afford any TM and Pokemon and after we graduate, we won't be out as trainers."

Another girl added, "And if we want to be researchers, we want the real thing, no stupid voluntary work."

Mrs. Zanophie sighed. Ash was sure he herd her mutter, "Spoiled brats."

Professor told them, "Well, the OFTR work could ice out the resume to make it easier to become a full blown researcher. In general, most employers and higher educational institutions like to see applicants with experience, a healthy work ethic and willingness to help the community with voluntary work."

The students didn't really look impressed, so Mrs. Zanophie said, "Asher, why don't you tell them how your exam was?"

"My exam wasn't complicated. It was an emulation of what a task as an On-Field Trainer and Researcher would look like. Mind you, I do not mean something like these simulators your teacher told me about. It was a practical exam as close to the real thing as possible. The professor's assistant Tracey hid in a forest near to my home town. My task was to use the skills I've learned beforehand to search for him.", explained Asher. "From battling wild Pokemon, to tracking Tracey's foot prints, to foraging for lunch and not getting lost myself, everything I've learned was tested."

"Didn't you something from a Mindless attack?", asked one student.

"Yes. When I was making lunch, Tracey came running into the clearing I was in, he was being chased by a feral Mindless. After Rowlet and I took the Mindless out – we just knocked him out and captured him before the authorities could collect him – the people observing decided the exam counted as passed."

"But you didn't find Tracey!"

"Yes, but that's because, like Ash said, the exam was meant to be close to reality. Not everything goes as planned like a written exam.", chimed Tracey in, "That he managed to face the Mindless and get by until now was already good enough."

"And to be fair, OFTR's don't have the highest standards, it is voluntary work after all.", said the Professor.

After it became clear that none of these kids was caring about the subject, Mrs. Zanophie ended the presentation. She shared with Asher, Tracey and Oak that she would love to just show these kids the fail rate of graduates in the league. But that would bring her in big trouble with the school administration, the parents and the lawyers of the parents. She still thanked the three for speaking in front of the students. And she apologized to Asher for her students calling him weak as he just has two badges, which the students consider as weak.

Delia was proud of him for doing such a presentation without much preparation and experience. After that, Oak told Ash the presentation tomorrow will be done by just Tracey and him. Tracey was more nervous about this than Ash.

The next day was the day of the ghost type presentation. Again, Mrs. Zanophie handled the introduction. "Hello again, students! Now an applause for Tracey Sketchit and Asher Ketchum-" It felt nice that she ditched his middle name. "-tell you about the ghost type, one of the rarest types here in Kanto. Only rarer is the dark type, as only Umbreons can be native from Kanto."

Tracey continued, "Your teacher told us that you tend to disregard the ghost type because of this and because it is similar to the dark type, but let us tell you, there are some things the ghost type can do that most dark types can't. Ash, you take from here, you battle with them after all."

"Unlike dark types, ghosts are unaffected by normal types. While not the strongest type, it is an all rounder that tends not to be resisted. So ghost's full blown immunity can throw a good wrench in your favor to your opponent.", explained Ash.

"We already know that from the simulators!", yelled a student in the end rows.

"Mrs. Zanophie told me about these. One thing your simulators probably don't account in your simulations, is the general ability of ghosts to make themselves invisible and intangible. Neither a move nor explicit ability, this is a little trick ghosts can use to dodge attacks or sneak up on their opponents.", explained Ash. He called out Phantump. "This is Phantump. He is a grass and ghost type from Kalos. Phantump is a lost Pokemon I care for until their trainer is found. In a fight he volunteered to assist me with, he turned intangible and invisible to dodge a Starmie's attacks and tire it out as it wastes its stamina by using moves into nothing. He also likes to vanish in the ground to attack from a Pokemon's dead angle. Do your simulations account for tricks like that?"

"No... is that even allowed?"

He pointed to his Cerulean Badge, "Considering I have this badge, I suppose yes. Pokemon battles, with ghosts or without is not as cut out and dry like your simulations make it look like. There is more to battles than type match ups. There are strategies, taking advantage of the environment and Pokemon's abilities, like a ghost's tangibility. Now I'll introduce you to some ghost types. All of them are not native to Kanto, so your simulators probably can't help you facing these."

"Ash, do you plan on catching a Gastly?", chimed Tracey in as Ash called out his Pokemon.

"Of course. Would mean I wasted money on a Gengarite if I don't. Scratch that, I still need a Key stone. I catch one when I am in Lavender Town." When Frillish was called out, he continued, "Let's start with Rowlet as you're already familiar with her. Like I said, she is the grass starter from Alola. While she is now a grass and flying type, her last evolution is a grass and ghost type. But even now, she can see in the dark, an ability most ghost types have."

"Ironically, most dark types can't see in the dark.", chimed Tracey in. "But it is a default with ghosts."

"Then there is Snorunt. Like Rowlet, she isn't a ghost yet, but her evolution will. As of now, she is an ice type commonly found in Sinnoh and Hoenn. Snorunts have a split Evolution's. Both genders can evolve into Glalie, which also has a Mega Evolution, but only females can become Froslass, a ghost and ice type upon the use of a Dawn stone.

"Then there is Phantump. Like Rowlet's final evolution, Decidueye, he is a grass and ghost type. He is a so called trade evolution. Not much to say about him, as I already used him as an example for creativity in battle. Then there is Dreepy. Dreepy is a ghost and dragon type, native to Galar. He is categorized as a pseudo-legendary. While most ghosts are thought to be silent killers, Dreepy's are pranksters. And rude, but that could be the dragon part speaking.

"Then there is my newest team member, Frillish! She is a water and ghost type native to Unova and she was a gift. I saved a girl from a Gyarados and patched up her bike. She waited a week at the Cerulean gym to thank me in form of this little beauty. Like you can see, ghost types don't have to be scary. They can be as cute as Rowlet, as pretty as Frillish and be as awesome as Dreepy."

One student asked, while most just stared at Frillish and Dreepy, "How did you beat a Gyarados with just two badges and an under-evolved team?"

Instead of answering, Ash used his powers to make the Pokeballs float. "I assume you all noted my hair color? Since a freak accident and a near death experience, I had a special connection to ghost types. I can understand them and I have these powers. Powers I used to scare the Gyarados off.", he explained, "Adding to that, the Gyarados was disadvantaged. He was stuck in a river too small for him. He knew he had better chances by just leaving. Do your simulators count in how the environment can affect a battle?" He was answered by a wave of no. "Any questions?"

"How did you get your hands on those? None of them are native to Kanto!"

"Rowlet is my starter. Snorunt was part of a sponsorship deal-" "Are you even allowed to take one as an OFTR?" "Yes, but I have to discuss it with the professor. Frillish was a gift, so was Dreepy. Phantump is a lost Pokemon I care of until their trainer is found."

"You're pretty lucky, mister."

"Not really. I got nearly kidnapped and robbed by Team Rocket, doesn't sound that lucky. I know I can't rely on being given Pokemon, so I plan to catch a Gastly when I am in Lavender, and maybe a Vulpix.", he answered, "I know it is not a ghost type, but it is associated with mysticism, so I would catch it. Plus, I really want a fire type."

"Vulpix are so cute!"

"That, too. Any questions?", he asked.

"Do you plan on going to other regions to catch Pokemon there?"

"I would love to, but I am too broke for that. Plus I doubt my mother would risk that Team Flare or Team Galactic tries to snag me.", he answered, looking to Delia. It was one thing that she allows him to travel though Kanto, he doubts any foreign region would be allowed by her. Okay, maybe Johto, but that one is just Kanto with more old buildings. "We'll see how much money I win at the league, maybe I pay Johto a visit."

"Go to Sinnoh, Johto is just Kanto with more old buildings!", said a like minded student.

The presentation was soon wrapped up. Afterwards, many students came to either pet or ask about his Pokemon. One student wanted clarification if he really can just understand ghost types. This made Ash realize he wasn't sure if he can understand terastalized Pokemon or ones that gained the ghost type after going Mega.

Ash introduced his team to his mother. She adored Frillish and hoped Phantump would find his trainer soon. After that, Ash continued his way to Vermilion city and Delia accompanied the professor and Tracey back to Pallet Town.

Started: 17th September 2023

Edited: 29th July 2024

Finished: 17th September 2023

Uploaded: 3rd November 2025