Chapter 14: Cloudy with a Chance of Snow Balls
"Before we move on to the next chapter, let's first answer some review questions. Close your tablets, please. Keep your answers concise—focus on one or two key points," the history teacher of Class 1-2 instructed, her gaze pointedly shifting toward Goh and Gary during the last sentence.
"First question: What did you learn about the Pokémon League?" A few hands shot up, and the teacher selected one of the students. "Ritchie."
"The Pokémon League is an organization founded by Mr. Charles Goodshow 25 years ago, right here in Kanto," the auburn-haired boy began, his tone steady and confident. "It organizes competitions for registered Pokémon Trainers. To participate in regional competitions, trainers need to acquire a certain number of Gym Badges by defeating that region's Gym Leaders, or in the case of Alola, complete the Island Challenge. At first, this system only existed in Kanto, but over time, the Pokémon League expanded its scope to other regions with capable facilities and leaders." Ritchie's response was almost a perfect summary of their reading material.
"Well done. Any additions?" the teacher asked, her eyes scanning the room. She nodded toward another student. "Morrison."
The chubby boy leaned forward, resting his hands on his desk for support as he stood up. "There are two types of champions in a regional league," he began with a hint of enthusiasm. "The first is the Conference Champion, who is simply the winner of the competition. Then, there's the League Champion, who is guarded by the Elite Four and has duties beyond just battling. A Conference Champion can challenge the Elite Four and the reigning League Champion in the Champion League of their region. If they win, they'll be crowned as the new League Champion. Oh, and Kanto and Johto used to share the same Elite Four and Champion, but eventually, they split and arranged separate groups for each region."
As Morrison sat back down, the teacher's eyes fell on another raised hand. "Gary, go ahead."
Gary smirked as he straightened in his seat. "The Pokémon League also oversees the distribution of starter Pokémon Eggs to Pokémon Schools and regional Professors. Those eggs are raised by school Pokémon Breeders so the Pokémon are low-level, making them easier for rookie Trainers to handle when they're ready to start their journey. And another thing," he added, clearly enjoying the attention, "the Pokémon League makes its money through TV broadcasts, merchandising, sponsorships, and event tickets. Trainers can earn prize money by winning official Gym Battles and Conference matches. With my skills, I'm going to be rich someday!"
The teacher raised a brow at Gary's confident declaration but let it slide. "Alright, that's enough for question one. Moving on: What did you learn about the Pokémon Contest Committee?" She called on another student whose hand was raised. "Dawn."
Dawn stood up, her posture poised and her voice clear. "The Pokémon Contest Committee, or PCC, is the governing body for Pokémon Contests. It's presided over by Mr. Raoul Contesta. The PCC's mission is to organize and coordinate Pokémon Contests and Grand Festival tournaments worldwide. These events are designed to showcase the style, skill, and beauty of Pokémon through visually impressive performances and battles. Trainers who participate are called Pokémon Coordinators. While the PCC competes with the Pokémon League in the entertainment industry, it still supports the League's programs for students and trainers." Dawn's delivery was polished and precise, reflecting her deep knowledge and passion for Pokémon Contests. Even though she could have elaborated further, she kept her answer concise as instructed.
The teacher gave an approving nod. "Excellent. Now, for the next question: What have you learned about Pokémon Showcases?"
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
Matori stood before Giovanni's desk, her clipboard in hand, her demeanor calm yet professional. "Boss, the elite members who were apprehended by the authorities have been transferred to high-security prisons in various regions where our influence is limited. This move was clearly designed to prevent us from staging any coordinated rescue attempts. Professor Sebastian has been sent to Hoenn, Attila to Unova, Hun to Kalos, Jessie to Alola, and James to Galar. As for the regular members, nearly half of those arrested were moved to Sinnoh, swapped with an equal number of Team Galactic operatives who were relocated to Kanto's largest prison facility."
Giovanni pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "What's the status of Mewtwo?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with frustration.
Matori flipped to the next page of her report, her expression neutral. "Dr. Namba, Cassidy, and Butch, along with the 2nd Company, have conducted extensive searches through the densest forests across Kanto. However, they have found no sign of Mewtwo. They conclude that it has likely left the region."
Giovanni's jaw tightened as he processed the news, though part of him had anticipated this outcome. "Order Dr. Namba and the others to return to headquarters immediately," he instructed. "Have the remaining forces in Kanto regroup and begin preparations for Operation AG47. We'll execute it in a month or two."
Matori's eyes widened slightly at the sudden change. "Sir, wasn't that mission scheduled for next year? And hadn't we considered letting our competitors handle the operation first, so we could simply take the results from them afterward?" Her tone was respectful but questioning—a privilege only someone of her status could afford with Giovanni.
Giovanni poured himself a glass of whiskey, his gaze cold and calculating. "That region's economy has been steadily growing due to increased tourism. The Pokémon League has expressed interest in establishing a regional conference there and has submitted plans to construct Gyms. In response, the local government there has proposed strengthening security to accommodate the influx of trainers and tourists the conference would attract. If we wait until their plans are implemented, the window of opportunity will close. It's better to act now before their defenses are fully fortified."
"Regarding the captured members, have any of them revealed critical information to the authorities?" Giovanni's fingers tapped rhythmically against the glass in his hand, dreading his secretary's answer.
Matori placed a document on his desk. It was a list of hideouts in Kanto, accompanied by their coordinates. "Based on the recent raids on smaller outposts across Kanto and Johto, it seems that some regular members have cracked under police interrogation in exchange for lighter sentences. However, our primary bases remain secure, which suggests that the elite members have yet to divulge anything significant—at least for now."
"Do you think the Pokémon G-Men are preparing for a larger assault on us?" Giovanni asked, his voice steady.
"It's possible," Matori admitted. "But if Lance or the League had actionable intelligence on our main operations, they would've made their move by now. Historically, he's not one to wait."
Giovanni contemplated this for a moment before issuing his next orders. "Assign Proton and Petrel to lead separate teams in Johto to search for Mewtwo. As for Ariana and Archer, inform them that, once we confirm the elite members have remained loyal, they'll be tasked with planning and executing their prison breaks."
Matori hesitated, her expression momentarily doubtful. "Are you certain about rescuing them, sir? The logistics of breaking them out from multiple regions will be highly complex, not to mention the risks of drawing even more attention to us. The fallout could outweigh the benefits."
Giovanni turned away from her, stepping toward the large window of his office. The feline Pokémon that had been resting on his lap leaped gracefully onto the floor, giving its master room to stand. Giovanni's gaze fixed on the distant city skyline, his voice unwavering. "If they prove their loyalty by keeping Team Rocket's secrets, then we owe them the same loyalty in return. If we can't even protect our own, how can we hope to reshape a world that despises us?"
A faint smile tugged at Matori's lips, her earlier doubts replaced by renewed resolve. Her leader's words resonated deeply, solidifying her belief in his vision—not just for Team Rocket, but for the future of the entire world. She straightened, ready to carry out his orders with unwavering determination.
"Yes, sir," she replied firmly, bowing slightly before exiting the room.
Giovanni remained by the window, his mind already working several steps ahead. The weight of his decisions bore heavily on him, but he knew better than to falter. In his eyes, the world was a battlefield, and only the strongest, most cunning, and most loyal would survive.
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
"Why aren't you wearing your swimming uniform, Ash?" asked the P.E. teacher. They were inside an indoor pool, and all the students, except Ash, were wearing the modest school swimming uniform: dark blue with a few white lines. The girls wore short-sleeved swimwear with a small skirt over knee-length tight shorts, while the boys wore short-sleeved shirts and knee-length swimming trunks.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't bring my swimwear. I forgot that swimming is our topic today," Ash replied, his face a mixture of embarrassment and disappointment. Wearing his regular uniform, he was the only one who wouldn't be allowed in the pool.
"Do you know how to swim, Ash?"
The boy nodded, his expression brightening just a little.
"Then don't worry. There's always next time." Having said that, the teacher turned his attention to the class. "Just a reminder, every Monday from now on, swimming is our activity. Our goal is that by the end of the year, you'll all know how to swim and even how to surf with a Pokémon. These are skills you'll likely need on your journey as Pokémon Trainers."
At that moment, a woman in her early twenties stepped forward. She had blue hair and eyes, and her beauty earned whispers of admiration from several boys and girls in the class.
"This is Ms. Marina," the teacher introduced her. "She'll be teaching those who don't know how to swim yet. Follow her to the left side of the pool. I'll stay on the right, teaching techniques to those who can already swim."
Almost half of the class followed Marina, while the rest stayed with their P.E. teacher. Ash sighed and sat on a bench nearby, watching them.
The teacher glanced at a page in his folder, then blew his whistle. "Ritchie, Morrison!"
The two boys, walking toward Marina, stopped and turned around with disappointed expressions.
"The record says you both can swim. Get back here," the teacher said.
With a defeated sigh, the two slumped their shoulders and walked back to the main group.
The teacher then turned to the class representative. "Gary, it's been over a month since your classmate Kenny was suspended. Why hasn't he shown up yet?"
Gary scratched the back of his head. "Ah, sorry, I haven't informed you yet, sir. During his suspension, Kenny prepared his papers and transferred to another school. He apparently returned to Sinnoh."
Hearing this, Dawn glanced at Ash, who just shrugged. Ash had wanted to talk to Kenny about what had happened to his bike. He wasn't upset anymore, especially since the damage to his bike had been paid for. After all, it had been more than a month since the incident. He just wanted to know the reason behind it. Still, he doubted he'd know how to start such a conversation. If Kenny had come back, Ash probably would have just smiled and welcomed him.
Dawn, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief, like a thorn had been pulled from her heel. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her fellow Twinleaf native again; she just hoped their separation would bury Kenny's feelings for her into oblivion over time—if he even had feelings for her. She'd never had the chance to confirm it.
The teacher cleared his throat to get the attention of the students on his side of the pool. He began teaching them the proper ways to stretch before swimming, while Ash simply watched from the bench. Everything seemed fine until the teacher's eyebrows suddenly furrowed and he placed a hand on his stomach. With his free hand, he retrieved a Pokéball from his pocket.
"Golduck, cover for me for a moment," he said.
A blue, bipedal Pokémon with a cream-colored beak materialized in front of him, earning curious looks from the students. Its eyes shared the same red color as the small gem on its forehead. "Golduck will be watching over you for a while. I, uh, there's just… something I gotta do."
Some of the students chuckled lightly, noticing the teacher's pained expression as he clutched his stomach. Ash and the students watched him quickly set his Golduck's Pokeball dawn on a nearby table along with his records and pen, before hurriedly running for the exit.
As soon as their teacher was out of sight, the water on the right side of the pool erupted as some students jumped in.
Golduck was clearly irritated by the children's actions, while Ash just sat there, feeling left out. Ritchie and Morrison pulled Goh into the pool, forcing him to play with them. Dawn splashed a small amount of water on Chloe, who was sitting on the edge of the pool, trying to convince her friend to join her. Gary and Misty could be seen underwater, competing to see who could hold their breath longer.
"Man, they're having so much fun!" Ash grumbled before glancing up at the dome skylights of the roof and letting his gaze drift to the passing clouds.
"Must be nice to drift like clouds. Free and unrestricted," said a feminine voice as its owner sat down next to him.
Ash recognized the voice but still glanced at the girl out of the corner of his eye before returning his focus to the sky. "Yeah, they can travel to different places anytime they want. Unless there's a storm stopping them, of course."
"Right, I guess even clouds have their own problems." The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked down at the tiled floor.
Ash raised an eyebrow at her sad tone. "Something wrong, Serena?"
The honey-haired girl perked up at the question, biting her bottom lip for acting so down. "Nah. I mean, there is, but it's nothing serious." She forced a smile when she noticed Ash was now looking at her.
"I'd be happy to lend an ear if you want." Ash doubted his ability to offer advice, but he knew the best thing he could do was listen. After all, she said it was nothing serious. "Is there something in our classes you don't understand?"
"No," Serena shifted in her seat. "Do you know about Rhyhorn Racing?" Ash shook his head, prompting her to continue. "It's quite popular in my region, Kalos. My mom's an accomplished Rhyhorn Racer… and now that she's retired, she wants me to become one too. But, uh, I want to be a Pokémon Performer."
A moment of silence fell between them as Ash imagined himself in Serena's shoes. "Did your mom enjoy her racing days?"
"Yes," Serena replied, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she thought back. "She would often talk about her career as a racer and the intense training she went through."
"Have you told her about your dream?" Ash asked gently, wanting to be careful not to rush her.
"Not yet. Thankfully, I convinced her to let me study here," Serena said, her tone a little more hopeful now.
The two of them fell silent again, watching their classmates continue to play in the pool. Their teacher's Golduck was now being splashed with water by Goh, Ritchie, and Morrison. The water-type Pokemon was clearly not amused but the three boys just couldn't take hints.
Ash had an idea of what he wanted to say, but the exact words escaped him. If only his understanding club advisor were here; he'd definitely know how to help Serena. But he felt that if Brock was here, he'd be on the left side of the pool, with Ms. Marina.
He bit the inside of his cheek, scolding himself for letting his mind wander. With a deep breath, he turned his full attention to Serena and smiled. "I can't say I've experienced the same thing. But let me just say that my mom once told me she'd prefer it if I continued working at her restaurant instead of becoming a Pokémon Trainer. I know she's just concerned about me, so I thanked her for that. But then I politely insisted that I really wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer. She's been supportive ever since." Serena listened intently, waiting for his next words. "You said your mom enjoyed her career as a Rhyhorn Racer. I think she wants you to be happy too. She just wants what she thinks is best for you. I have a feeling that when you're ready, she'll understand if you confidently and happily tell her your dream."
Serena smiled in return, her cheeks flushing a shade of pink. She was glad she had joined Ash on this bench. It wasn't just her helping him with his solitude; he had lifted her mood as well. Ash had helped her see her mother's reason for all those Rhyhorn racing lessons. Serena could now appreciate those moments more than ever, knowing how much joy her mom had found in them. "Thanks a lot, Ash! You've really made my day!"
As if to jinx the moment, Golduck leaped away from Goh, Ritchie, and Morrison and stood near Ash. It raised its hand, the gem on its forehead glowing. Dark, artificial clouds quickly formed just below the roof, and snow began to fall from them. Ash recognized it as the move Hail, which Golduck had been taught to help students prepare for cold weather. But this time, Golduck was using it to punish the three students who had been annoying it. Everyone watched as larger balls of snow flew down on one side of the pool, forcing the targeted students to scramble out of the water.
Ash swiftly ran to the nearby table and grabbed Golduck's Pokeball. With practiced accuracy, he pointed the Pokeball at the enraged Pokemon, retrieving it in a red beam of light. The Hail stopped moments later as Ms. Marina and the rest of the class sighed in relief, thankful for Ash's quick thinking.
Ash walked back to Serena, the shrunken Pokeball still in his hand. "Serena, clouds are on top for a reason," he smiled, glancing up at the clouds, "They float so high because they refuse to carry any burden."
"Pft, did that Hail affect your brain or something?" Gary snickered, having overheard the cheesy line from his fellow Pallet native. "Whatever, good job returning that Golduck. And as for those responsible…" He, Chloe, and Dawn glared at the guilty trio of Goh, Ritchie, and Morrison, making them shiver more than the Hail had. He'd be sure to report what had happened to their P.E. teacher. The four of them, including Golduck, could use a little restraint.
Ash sat back on the bench next to Serena. "It's from a movie my mom and I watched last Sunday, haha," he admitted, grinning at his earlier line.
Serena giggled, her eyes locking with his. "Still, thank you, Ash. It really made my day to hear that."
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
A/N: If you have the time, feel free to make predictions of the plot and future events. In my spare time, I watch reviews of some movies detailing what made them bad or good. It would be nice to hear from you guys whether I'm being predictable, boring, or doing just fine, even just barely.
Thanks for your time!
-Areyem Meyera