Chapter 15: Exams
The days of repetitive school life flew by like a speeding Pidgeot. As the first-semester final exams at the academy loomed closer, the students were caught in a mix of stress and anticipation. Though weekly test scores gave them a rough idea of their standings, Chloe, ever the perfectionist, suggested a group review session to ensure they were fully prepared.
"We might have good scores from our weekly tests," Chloe said during lunch, her tone serious but supportive, "but finals are more comprehensive. It won't hurt to review properly."
Ash, munching on his sandwich, nodded, though the idea of spending a Sunday indoors wasn't exactly appealing. "Yeah, that makes sense. Let's do it."
Serena chimed in with a warm smile. "We can use Misty's and my apartment for the review. It's cozy, and we'll have enough space to spread out."
"Fine," Goh groaned, slumping over the table. "But I'm telling you now, exams are the worst. I know the answers; it's just boring to write them down."
"Well, maybe this time you can try not to get bored," Dawn teased, nudging him playfully. "Think of it as… I don't know, endurance training for your brain."
"Lucky for you, Goh," Misty added, rolling her eyes, "you're good at discussions. Meanwhile, Ash, Dawn, and I are going to need all the help we can get—especially with math."
Being the best ones in their group when it comes to their academic subjects, Chloe and Serena agreed to take charge of teaching their friends, and the group finalized their plans.
The days leading up to the review session passed quickly.
On Sunday morning, the sun was just beginning to rise when Dawn arrived at Ash's house, their eatery closed on Sundays. She knocked on the service door and waited, bouncing lightly on her heels to fight off the crisp morning chill.
Ash answered the door, looking half-awake, his messy hair sticking out in every direction. "Morning, Dawn," he said with a yawn, stepping aside to let her in. "You're early."
Dawn smirked, crossing her arms. "And you're not ready."
"I'm ready!" Ash protested, gesturing toward his backpack sitting by the door. "I just need to grab my jacket."
Dawn rolled her eyes but grinned. "Alright, hurry up. Misty will have our heads if we're late."
After a few minutes of scrambling, Ash grabbed his bike, and Dawn climbed onto the back seat, clutching his shoulders for balance. "Alright, hold on," Ash said with a grin as he pedaled down the quiet streets.
The ride to Serena's apartment was filled with lighthearted banter.
"So," Dawn teased, "are you ready for Chloe's 'finals boot camp'? Because I'm pretty sure she's going to work us to the bone."
Ash laughed. "As ready as I'll ever be. But hey, we've got Serena's snacks to look forward to, right?"
"True," Dawn agreed, then added mischievously, "And you'll get to cook, too."
Ash smirked. "I hope we survive that." Their laughter echoed down the street, drawing the curious eyes of a few passersby.
By 7 a.m., they arrived at Serena and Misty's apartment. Serena was already up, wearing an apron and busying herself in the kitchen with baking supplies spread across the counter. Misty was on the couch, sipping tea and scrolling through her notes.
"Morning, you two!" Serena greeted warmly, looking up from her dough. "You're just in time. Make yourselves comfortable."
Dawn immediately took in the apartment, smiling at its charm. The soft pastel walls, the gentle floral scent, and the potted plants by the windows made the space feel cozy and inviting. The living room, with its low coffee table surrounded by beanbags and cushions, was the perfect place for a group study session.
"This place is adorable," Dawn said as she set her bag down.
"Thanks," Serena replied, brushing flour off her hands. "Misty and I worked hard to make it feel like home."
Just as they settled in, Chloe arrived, clutching her notes and a neatly packed bag. "Sorry I'm late," she said, stepping inside. "I almost got lost, but Serena's pinned location helped."
"You're right on time," Misty said, motioning for Chloe to join them.
The four of them were just setting up their study materials when the door swung open at 8 a.m. and Goh strolled in, looking as though he'd just rolled out of bed. His bag hung loosely from his shoulder, and his hair was a mess.
"You're late," Chloe said, not looking up from her notes.
"It's Sunday," Goh replied lazily, dropping onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "Sundays are for relaxing, not math."
Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Not when finals are around the corner. Now, sit up and get to work."
"Fine, fine," Goh muttered, though he couldn't help smirking.
Once everyone was settled, the session began. It didn't take long for the first signs of frustration to appear.
"I don't get it!" Misty exclaimed, throwing her pencil down in exasperation. "How is anyone supposed to remember all these formulas?"
Dawn, biting her lip in concentration, nodded in agreement. "Seriously, math is like a different language. Chloe, help us out here."
Ash scratched his head, looking between his notes and the problem in front of him. "Yeah, this doesn't make any sense. I can strategize for a Pokémon battle, but numbers? Forget it."
Chloe sighed but leaned forward. "Okay, let's break it down. Misty, don't overthink it. Dawn, just follow one step at a time. And Ash…" She glanced at him, watching him scratch his head. "Think of formulas like battle strategies—if you learn the patterns, you'll know how to respond."
"Right… patterns," Ash muttered, his brows furrowed.
Goh yawned. "Can't we just skip to the part where we talk about Pokémon types or something? Math isn't even relevant to battles."
Chloe glared at him. "Math is relevant to everything."
Dawn whispered to Ash, "I think Chloe's about to lose it."
Ash chuckled quietly, then nudged Goh. "Come on, man. We're all suffering here."
Despite some initial grumbling, the trio slowly began to improve under Chloe and Serena's guidance. Chloe's sharp explanations paired with Serena's patient encouragement made them an ideal teaching team.
By mid-morning, everyone needed a break, and Serena took charge in the kitchen to whip up snacks. The kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven and the faint tang of freshly squeezed lemonade.
As Serena plated the warm cookies, Ash leaned over the counter, stirring a pot of stew for lunch. "Wow, you're amazing at this," he said, glancing at the golden-brown cookies. He already knew that, but it would not hurt to say it again.
Serena flushed slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. I've been baking since I was little—it's kind of my thing. You, though… you're surprisingly good at cooking." She had seen him cook before, but that was a resin paste for their paper mache project months ago. That was nowhere close to an actual dish.
"Well, I've had practice", Ash smirked as he stirred a pot of stew. "Hey, when you work at your mom's restaurant, you either learn to cook or get stuck peeling potatoes for hours."
Serena laughed, savoring the moment. Ash, as usual, seemed completely oblivious to her delight.
When the snacks were ready, Serena placed the cookies on the coffee table alongside the lemonade. "Alright, break time!" she announced.
The group descended on the snacks like a pack of ravenous Growlithe. Misty took a bite of a cookie and let out a satisfied sigh. "Serena, these are amazing! You should open a bakery."
"Yeah, these are so good," Dawn chimed in, grabbing another. "They're almost worth doing math for."
Goh, munching on his fourth cookie, grinned. "Almost."
For lunch, Ash unveiled a hearty vegetable and rice stew, seasoned to perfection. The warm, savory aroma filled the apartment as he served everyone bowls.
"This smells incredible, Ash," Chloe said, genuinely impressed as she took a bite. "It's comforting and so flavorful."
"Wow, Ash, this is really good," Serena added, her eyes lighting up. "You weren't kidding about working at your mom's restaurant."
"Thanks," Ash said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I just wanted to make something simple and filling."
"Simple? This is like restaurant quality," Goh said, going back for seconds.
As they ate, the atmosphere lightened. Despite the struggles with studying, the good food and camaraderie kept their spirits high.
After lunch, the group returned to their studies. Goh, despite his usual boredom, managed to stay somewhat focused, thanks to Chloe's persistent encouragement. Ash, Misty, and Dawn continued to struggle with certain subjects, but they tackled each question with growing confidence.
When the session finally ended, the apartment was a mess of scattered papers, empty plates, and eraser shavings. Goh was stuck washing dishes, grumbling the whole time, while Misty and Dawn tidied up the living room.
:・゚(ꈍᴗꈍ)・゚:
The exam day finally arrived and the group walked to the exam hall together, each carrying a different mood. Chloe and Serena were calm and confident, having thoroughly prepared. Goh looked more focused than usual, his boredom replaced by determination after the group's hard work.
Ash, Misty, and Dawn, while still a bit nervous, felt more prepared than they had before. As they sat down and flipped over their exam papers, they found that the problems they had struggled with during the review session now seemed far less intimidating.
When the exams finally ended, the group met outside the building, visibly relieved.
"That was better than I expected," Dawn said, stretching her arms. "Still tough, but manageable."
"You all did fine," Chloe reassured them. "Trust me."
Ash grinned. "At least it's over. Now we just have to wait for the scores."
"And enjoy the break!" Misty added.
"Honestly, we deserve it," Serena said, sneaking a glance at Ash. "And hey, we didn't kill each other during the review session, so that's something."
The group burst into laughter, the weight of the exams finally lifting. Whatever the results, they knew they had worked hard—and together, they could handle anything.
:・゚(ꈍᴗꈍ)・゚:
It was a crisp, sunny morning as Ash and his friends strolled toward the bustling announcement board near the entrance of the first-year building. A large crowd of students had already gathered, jostling and leaning in to check their grades. The chatter of voices filled the air—some filled with excitement, others tinged with nervousness. A mix of cheers and groans rippled through the crowd as students spotted their ranks.
"Ugh, it's way too crowded," Dawn muttered, craning her neck and standing on her toes to try and get a glimpse of the board.
"Looks like half the first-years are already here," Serena observed, holding her bag close to her side as they approached the swarm of students.
Ash, ever determined, grinned. "Come on, let's push through! We've gotta see how we did!"
"Relax, Ash," Chloe said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "The board's not going anywhere."
They maneuvered their way through the throng of students, dodging elbows and backpacks. The announcement board loomed large, neatly displaying the rankings of over a thousand first-year students. The names were arranged in descending order based on their performance in the semester's practical exams.
Ash's eyes immediately darted to the top of the list. Under "1st Place," three names were listed:
1st Place: Chloe Cerise (Section 2), Gary Oak (Section 2), Trevor Hart (Section 1)
Chloe blinked in disbelief. "Wait… I tied for first place?"
"Wow, Chloe! That's amazing!" Serena said, smiling warmly.
"Tied with Gary, huh? That's huge!" Misty said with a grin. "You're incredible!"
"Seriously impressive," Ash added, adjusting his tie. "First place out of a thousand students? You totally earned it."
Chloe hesitated, a bit overwhelmed by their praise. "I mean… I guess the practical exams just played to my strengths," she said modestly.
They moved on, scanning the list to find their own names.
"Found it!" Goh exclaimed, pointing halfway down the top fifty.
20th Place: Serena Yvonne (Section 2)
21st Place: Goh Walker (Section 2)
48th Place: Ash Ketchum (Section 2)
49th Place: Dawn Berlitz (Section 2)
50th Place: Misty Waterflower (Section 2)
"Top fifty, baby!" Dawn cheered, throwing a fist into the air.
"Not bad at all," Serena added, nodding with satisfaction.
Ash grinned. "We did pretty well. But Chloe—first place? You're the star here!"
Behind them, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Gary's at the top," one student murmured. "No surprise there. He's been bragging about it all semester."
"Yeah, and Chloe's right there with him," another student pointed out. "As expected of Professor Cerise's daughter."
Chloe stiffened slightly at the comment, but Ash gave her a light nudge and smiled. "Ignore them," he said. "You worked hard, and you totally deserve it."
Later, in their classroom, the energy was still buzzing from the grade announcements. Students chatted excitedly as they settled into their seats. Gary Oak, the class representative, stood at the front of the room with his usual confident smirk, ready to address the group.
"Alright, listen up," Gary said, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. The murmurs died down. "First of all, congratulations to everyone who ranked high in the practical exams. Especially those of you who made it into the top fifty."
He glanced at Ash and Chloe, raising an eyebrow. "And, of course, a special shout-out to my fellow top students. "Sharing the top spot, huh? Guess even I can't shine alone all the time," Gary quipped, offering a mock shrug.
A ripple of laughter spread through the class, though Chloe simply gave a polite nod, unfazed.
Gary continued, turning to address the rest of the students. "For those of you who didn't score as high as you wanted, don't get discouraged. This is just the beginning. Work hard next semester, and who knows? Maybe you'll get closer to the top."
Then his smirk deepened. "Though, let's be real—being number one isn't just about hard work. It's destiny. Some of us are just born to be the best."
Ash frowned from his seat, crossing his arms., thinking to himself, 'Destiny? Yeah, right. Being the best comes from effort, not fate. I'll prove that.'
Gary flipped open a small notebook and moved on. "Now, onto something more exciting. With the end of the semester comes our semester break, and you all know what that means…"
The room erupted into cheers before Gary even finished his sentence.
"Our class trip!" he said, raising his voice to be heard over the noise. "We've been saving up class funds all semester, and now it's time to put them to good use. Here's the plan: we'll meet at the port next Sunday at 8 AM sharp. Don't be late, and make sure you're packed for a five-day trip. Day one is for travel, followed by three days and three nights at the destination. Then we'll travel back on the final day."
The room filled with excited chatter as Gary wrapped up his announcement. "Enjoy your break, everyone. And don't forget—be ready. This trip is going to be one to remember."
As the students began chatting and waiting for their first-period teacher, Ash turned to his friends, his thoughts lingering on Gary's earlier comment about destiny. Gary's implication that success was predetermined—rubbed Ash the wrong way.
He glanced at Chloe, who was quietly organizing her notes, and his other friends, who were animatedly discussing the upcoming class trip. They had all poured their energy into studying and preparing for the practical exams, pushing themselves to their limits. Their rankings weren't handed to them because of who they were or where they came from—they earned them through sheer effort and determination.
'Destiny?' he thought. 'That has nothing to do with it. We worked hard for this, and no one's going to tell me otherwise.'
:・゚(ꈍᴗꈍ)・゚:
At an abandoned airfield far from the prying eyes of any law enforcement, Team Rocket was assembling for what could be their most critical mission yet. The airfield, surrounded by dense forests and hidden in a valley often cloaked by thick morning fog, was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. Three gargantuan aircraft stood like silent titans on the cracked tarmac. Each was painted in matte black with the crimson "R" of Team Rocket emblazoned on their sides, a symbol of the organization's lingering ambition.
The planes were massive, military-grade cargo aircraft capable of accommodating over 200 operatives each, with room to spare for the specialized equipment required for the operation. Their engines hummed softly as teams of engineers and mechanics swarmed around them, ensuring everything was in perfect working order.
Cassidy stood near the control tower, her sharp eyes scanning the activity below with a mixture of pride and unease. She wore her standard Team Rocket uniform, the trim and cut indicating her seniority within the organization. Next to her, Butch adjusted his gloves, his expression unusually somber. The typically brash and snarky duo was uncharacteristically silent, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on their shoulders.
"This is it, Cassidy," Butch finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he gestured toward the massive operation unfolding before them. "This mission… AG47… it's do-or-die for us. For all of Team Rocket."
Cassidy crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "It has to work, Butch. After our failure with Mewtwo and losing so many members, we can't afford to screw this up. Giovanni made that very clear."
Butch let out a bitter laugh. "Clear? He practically spelled it out: 'One more failure like that, and there won't be a Team Rocket left in Kanto.'" He glanced at the nearest aircraft, where workers were hauling crates labeled 'Prototype AG Equipment' into the cargo bay. "We're throwing everything we've got into this mission. Every last operative, every piece of tech… If we fail, we're finished."
Cassidy's voice hardened. "We're not going to fail. This time, we're prepared. No wildcards like Mewtwo. No improvisation. This operation is meticulously planned, and we have the manpower to pull it off."
The airfield was a hive of activity. Teams of Rocket grunts, worked tirelessly to load the three aircraft. The sound of forklift engines revving and steel crates being secured echoed across the tarmac.
One crate fell with a deafening clang, causing a grunt to yelp and jump back.
"Watch it, you idiot!" barked a supervising officer, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You want to blow us all up before we even get off the ground? That crate contains the disruptors!"
Cassidy winced at the commotion, but Butch smirked. "Typical," he muttered. "Even on the brink of something this big, we've got amateurs screwing up."
Beyond the cargo loading, mechanics moved between the three aircraft, checking and double-checking every detail. Engine maintenance, fuel checks, and last-minute calibrations were all conducted with painstaking precision. A group of engineers huddled near one of the planes, reviewing schematics under the dim glow of a portable floodlight.
Cassidy turned her attention to the nearby barracks, where the remaining Team Rocket operatives in Kanto were assembling. Hundreds of grunts stood in formation, their faces steeled with a mix of fear and determination. Among them were squad captains barking orders, ensuring everyone knew their role.
Cassidy's gaze softened briefly as she watched the scene. "You realize, Butch," she said quietly, "this is all we have left in Kanto. Giovanni called back every active operative for this mission. Every last grunt, engineer, technician, and specialist. If we fail…"
Butch finished her sentence grimly. "…there won't be anyone left to call back."
The memory of the disastrous Mewtwo operation loomed large in their minds. Over a quarter of Team Rocket's forces in Kanto had been lost—captured, imprisoned, or worse. Their numbers had never fully recovered, and the whispers of doubt within the organization had grown louder since then.
"This isn't just about capturing some legendary Pokémon," Cassidy said, her voice trembling slightly. "This is about proving we're still a force to be reckoned with. To the world, and to ourselves."
Butch nodded, his jaw tightening. "That's why we can't fail. AG47 isn't just a mission—it's survival."
A loudspeaker crackled to life, and the airfield fell silent as Giovanni's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Attention, all personnel. This is Doctor Namba. We depart at dawn. Ensure all preparations are complete. Failure is not an option."
The announcement sent a ripple of tension through the air. Grunts moved faster, crates were secured more carefully, and mechanics worked with renewed focus.
Cassidy turned to Butch, her eyes blazing with determination. "Let's do one last sweep of the preparations. If anything's out of place, I want to know about it now."
Butch smirked, his confidence returning. "Right behind you."
As they descended the control tower and strode toward the aircraft, the gravity of the mission hung over them like a storm cloud. For Team Rocket, this mission was all or nothing.
:・゚(ꈍᴗꈍ)・゚:
A/N: Thank you for reading! I know it's been a while since my last update, and I won't try to make excuses for my absence—life priorities have simply taken over. I can't make any promises about consistent updates, but your comments and feedback really do mean a lot and help keep me motivated. Thank you for your support, and stay safe!
-Areyem Meyera
