A few days after the new students had settled into the academy's daily routine, Dot finally prepared for her first official live stream on campus. Inside her dorm room, she adjusted the camera angle and tugged on the oversized ears of her Nidorina costume, ensuring her signature look as "Nidonothing" was flawless. Her heart raced with anticipation—this was a big moment, and she wanted it to be perfect.

With the backdrop set—a mix of her usual playful decorations and subtle hints of her new academy life—Dot took a deep breath and pressed the "Go Live" button.

"Hey, everyone!" she greeted in her familiar cheerful tone, her voice slightly muffled by the costume. "Nidonothing here, coming at you live from a super special place! Guess what? I'm officially a student at the prestigious Naranja Academy!" She paused, giving her viewers a moment to process before adding with an excited flourish, "And not just any student—this year, we're sharing the halls with none other than the Monarch himself! That's right, the one and only Ash Ketchum is here!"

The chat exploded instantly. Messages flooded the screen:
"WHAT?! ASH?!"
"No way, Nidonothing! Are you serious?!"
"Omg, you're living the dream!"

Dot giggled, clearly enjoying the reaction. "I know, right? It's wild. I mean, one day, you're streaming about random Pokémon battles, and the next, you're sharing the cafeteria with the Ash Ketchum! Honestly, it feels like a dream."

She leaned closer to the camera, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But don't think I'm letting him off easy! You guys know me—I'm here to prove I've got what it takes to stand out, even with someone as legendary as Ash around."

The chat hyped her up:
"You got this, Nidonothing!"
"Challenge him to a battle!"
"Can we see Ash?!"

Dot leaned back, crossing her arms. "Patience, my lovely followers. As much as I'd love to sneak in a quick cameo, Ash is pretty busy being, you know, the Monarch. But who knows? Maybe one day, I'll convince him to join a stream." She added with a playful wink, "For now, stick around because there's so much to explore here—new Pokémon, exciting battles, and maybe even some behind-the-scenes scoop on academy life with a Champion in our midst."

The stream continued, with Dot showcasing snippets of her dorm (strategically avoiding Liko's side), chatting about her first impressions of the academy, and answering questions from her viewers.

As she signed off, she gave a cheerful wave. "Alright, that's it for today, everyone! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Nidonothing's just getting started, and trust me—you won't want to miss what's coming next. See ya!" As the stream ended, Dot let out a satisfied sigh, slumping back into her chair. "Phew, first one down." She glanced over at Liko, who had been quietly watching from her bed.

"That was... really impressive," Liko admitted with a small smile.

Dot shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, well, it's what I do." But the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her pride.

Little did she know, Ash and Pikachu had stumbled upon the stream while taking a break. Ash chuckled, shaking his head. "This Nidonothing person's pretty good at this, huh, buddy?"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed, smirking as if to say, Yeah, she might even give you a run for your money, Monarch.

"Very funny..."

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink, Liko, Roy, and Dot made their way to the academy's practice fields. Liko fidgeted with her bag straps nervously, while Roy grumbled under his breath about how lucky she was to have Ash as her mentor. Dot followed at a casual pace. When they arrived, they spotted Ash standing in the middle of the field, stretching with Pikachu mimicking his movements on the ground beside him. Dendra, the academy's enthusiastic battle studies teacher, stood nearby, grinning ear to ear.

"Alright, class!" Dendra called out, clapping her hands for emphasis. "Today's after-school training session is all yours, Ash! Show these kiddos what makes you the Monarch!"

Ash waved at the trio, his signature friendly smile instantly easing some of Liko's nerves. "Hey, everyone! Ready to get started?"

Liko hesitated before nodding. "Y-Yes, I'll do my best!"

Roy folded his arms, glaring at the ground. "Man, I wanna train with Ash too. This is so unfair…"

Dot raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah, Roy. I'm sure Ash is just dying to teach you how to yell louder during battles."

"Hey!" Roy shot back, earning a smirk from Dot.

Ash chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Don't worry, Roy. I'll work with you soon. But for now, let's focus on Liko. First days are always important."

Roy huffed but nodded. "Fine... but I'm watching."

Liko stepped forward, clutching Sprigatito's Poké Ball tightly in her hands. "What are we doing first?"

Ash gestured to the open field. "We're starting with the basics: understanding your Pokémon's strengths and how to trust each other in battle. Before we even think about advanced techniques, we need to build a solid foundation. Sound good?"

Liko nodded again, more firmly this time. "Got it!"

Ash turned to Dendra. "Thanks for letting us use the field, Miss Dendra."

"Anytime, Monarch!" Dendra saluted dramatically. "Knock 'em dead out here! I'll be watching from the sidelines—can't miss this show!"

As Liko and Sprigatito took their place on the field, Roy and Dot stood off to the side. Roy was leaning on a fence, muttering about how he could've shown off Fuecoco's moves, while Dot simply sat on the grass, scrolling through her Rotom Phone but sneaking occasional glances at the training session.

Ash began by having Liko and Sprigatito run through some basic battle drills. He demonstrated with Pikachu, showing how they could combine speed and timing to dodge attacks and set up counterstrikes.

"Okay, now let's see you try!" Ash encouraged, stepping back.

Sprigatito bounded forward, eager but slightly clumsy. Liko called out commands, her voice shaky at first but growing steadier with each attempt.

From the sidelines, Roy watched intently, starting to root for Liko despite his earlier jealousy. Even Dot found herself pausing her scrolling to watch, though she kept her expression neutral. After a few rounds, Liko managed to time a perfect dodge and follow up with a Razor Leaf attack. Ash clapped his hands. "That's it, Liko! You're getting the hang of it!"

Liko beamed with confidence. "We did it, Sprigatito!"

"Sprigaa!" Sprigatito meowed happily, nuzzling her leg.

Roy finally broke into a grin. "Not bad, Liko!"

Dot smirked. "Guess you're not a total newbie after all."

Liko laughed softly, feeling a warmth in her chest—not just from the training, but from the support of her friends.

Ash smiled at the group, his hands on his hips. "Great job, everyone. And this is just the beginning. Let's keep working hard together, alright?"

"Yeah!" Liko and Roy cheered in unison, while Dot simply nodded, a small but genuine smile tugging at her lips.

The training session stretched into the evening, the setting sun casting long shadows across the practice field. Ash kept a steady pace, guiding Liko through various drills and helping her refine Sprigatito's moves. Roy eventually joined in, his Fuecoco happily bounding onto the field with uncontainable energy.

Dot remained on the sidelines, seemingly disinterested, though her Rotom Phone subtly recorded snippets of the training session. She occasionally scribbled notes in a small notebook, her eyes flicking between Ash's demonstrations and the Pokémon on the field.

Ash caught sight of Dot's quiet note-taking during a water break. With a warm smile, he walked over to her, Pikachu perched contentedly on his shoulder. "Hey, Dot. You've been watching us all this time. Why not jump in and give it a try?"

Dot stiffened. "I'm fine here, thanks," she muttered.

"You sure?" Ash asked. "Even just a little practice might be fun. No pressure, though."

Dot fumbled for an excuse, her cheeks tinting pink. "I-I'm more of an observer. Not really a 'training' type."

"Everyone starts somewhere," Ash replied with a smile. "If you ever feel like giving it a shot, just let me know. I'd be happy to help you out."

Dot's blush deepened, and she quickly nodded, mumbling something about "maybe next time." As Ash turned back to the field, her eyes lingered on him for a moment before she ducked her head back into her notebook.

Liko, meanwhile, had noticed the interaction and frowned slightly, her hands tightening around her water bottle.

Roy smirked as he caught her reaction. "Liko, are you jealous?" Roy teased, nudging her with his elbow.

"What?! No!" Liko stammered, her face turning red. "Why would I be jealous? That's ridiculous!"

"Uh-huh, sure," Roy drawled, grinning. "You're totally not upset that Ash was being nice to Dot, right?"

Liko huffed, turning away from him. "Just focus on the training, Roy!"

Roy chuckled but decided to drop the topic, returning his attention to Fuecoco, who was gnawing on a rock for reasons no one could explain.

The rest of the session went smoothly, with Ash alternating between guiding Liko and Roy. Sprigatito's movements became sharper, and Fuecoco even managed to pull off a surprisingly powerful Ember attack, much to Roy's delight. By the end of the evening, Liko and Roy were sprawled out on the grass, utterly exhausted. Their Pokémon flopped beside them, equally tired but happy. Ash, however, seemed as energetic as ever, standing over them with an amused chuckle.

"You two did great today," he said, hands on his hips. "A good workout like this is what builds strength and trust with your Pokémon."

Liko managed a tired smile. "Thanks, Ash. I'll keep working hard."

"Me too!" Roy added, though his voice was muffled as he lay face-first on the ground.

Ash laughed. "That's the spirit! Same time tomorrow?"

Both Liko and Roy groaned in response, making Ash laugh even harder.

"Hey, Ash!" Nemona's voice rang out across the field.

Everyone turned to see the ever-energetic student council president striding towards them, her signature grin firmly in place. Reaching the group, she casually slung an arm around Ash's shoulders, leaning in with a mischievous smirk.

"You ready for our date, Ash?" she teased, her words carrying a playful lilt.

Liko froze, her eyes widening as her cheeks flushed pink. "A d-d-date?" she stammered, glancing nervously between Ash and Nemona. Even Dot, who usually kept her cool, flinched slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Ash scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, letting out a sheepish laugh. "She's joking," he explained quickly. "Nemona just invited me to hang out. She wanted to show me around Mesagoza."

Liko's shoulders relaxed a little, but she still looked uncertain. Not wanting to be left out, she straightened up and spoke with a determined tone. "Well, I'd like to come too! Exploring the city sounds fun."

Roy immediately jumped on the opportunity. "If Liko's going, I'm in too!" He grinned, already imagining all the cool places they might see.

Dot crossed her arms and shifted uncomfortably. "I'm good, thanks. You all have fun," she said, already taking a step back.

"Oh no, you're coming too," Liko insisted, grabbing Dot's wrist before she could escape. "You've been holed up all week! A little fresh air and exploring will do you good."

Dot sighed heavily but didn't resist, mumbling, "This better be worth it."

Nemona blinked at the sudden addition of more people, her grin faltering slightly before she forced it wider. "Sure, the more the merrier!" Her eyes twinkled with amusement as she added, "But since there's so many of us now, Ash has to pay. He is the Monarch, after all. It's only fair."

Ash's jaw dropped as Pikachu let out an amused "Pika pika!" from his shoulder. "What?! Why do I have to pay?"

Nemona patted his shoulder with mock sympathy. "Because you're the Champion, Ash. And champions treat their friends. It's tradition."

Roy chuckled, nudging Liko. "She's got a point. Monarch perks come with responsibilities."

Ash groaned dramatically, burying his face in his hands. "You guys are unbelievable."

Nemona giggled, giving him a playful shove. "Come on, it'll be fun. Let's go before it gets late!"

As the group headed towards Mesagoza, Nemona led the way, rattling off a list of her favorite spots to visit. Ash walked beside her, trying to keep up with her rapid-fire explanations, while Liko, Roy, and Dot trailed behind.

Roy leaned over to Liko with a sly grin. "You know, you didn't have to invite yourself along. Jealous of Nemona?"

Liko's face turned bright red. "What?! No way! I just... wanted to see more of the city too."

"Sure, sure," Roy teased, earning a flustered huff from Liko.

Dot, walking slightly behind them, rolled her eyes. "You're both ridiculous."

Nemona led the group to the Artisan Bakery as she waved them inside. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries greeted them, and Roy's eyes immediately sparkled with excitement.

"Look at all these free samples!" Roy exclaimed, grabbing one after another without hesitation. Fuecoco mirrored his trainer's energy, happily chomping down on whatever Roy handed him.

Liko, standing nearby, covered her face with her hands. "Roy, could you at least try to act like you've been in public before?"

Dot adjusted her hat, clearly trying to distance herself from Roy's antics. "This is... embarrassing."

Nemona laughed, watching the scene unfold. "Don't worry about it, guys. Roy's just making the most of the experience!" She then turned to Ash with a mischievous grin, holding up a flaky croissant. "Hey, Ash, want to share this with me? We can call it an indirect kiss."

Ash blinked, his cheeks flushing slightly as Pikachu tilted his head curiously. "Uh, I think I'll just get my own," Ash said quickly, grabbing a pastry from the counter.

Nemona giggled at his reaction, while Liko frowned, glancing away with a small pout.

After finishing up at the bakery, the group made their way to Rough & Tough, a trendy clothing store known for its bold designs. The moment they entered, the female employees lit up at the sight of Ash.

"Oh my Arceus, it's the Monarch!" one of them exclaimed. "You've got to try on our latest collection!"

Ash held up his hands defensively. "Uh, I'm good, really. I don't need any—"

Nemona cut him off, her eyes shining with excitement. "Come on, Ash! Let's see what you've got. It'll be fun!"

"Yeah," Liko chimed in, surprising even herself. "It wouldn't hurt to try a few things. You're always wearing the same thing anyway."

Ash sighed in defeat, scratching the back of his neck. "Fine, but only a few."

The employees practically dragged Ash into the fitting room, emerging a few minutes later with different outfits. The first was a casual hoodie and jeans combo that Nemona thought looked "okay but boring." The next was a flashy, sequined jacket that earned a unanimous "no" from everyone, including Ash.

Finally, Ash stepped out in the last outfit, and the room went silent. He wore a sleeveless white shirt with a golden collar, reattachable sleeves that emphasized his toned arms and shoulders, a gold necklace with a Poké Ball insignia, fitted black pants, and sleek black sneakers.

Nemona's jaw dropped. "Ash, you look—"

"Really good," Liko finished, her face a deep shade of red as she struggled to look directly at him.

Even Dot, who had remained quiet most of the time, glanced away, muttering, "It's fine, I guess."

One of the employees clasped her hands together, practically squealing. "He looks adorable—and maybe a little... daring."

Ash shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of the shirt. "I feel weird without my hat," he admitted, looking down at Pikachu, who chirped approvingly.

Roy groaned from the side, crossing his arms. "Ugh, why are you all so obsessed with how he looks? He's just Ash."

Nemona smirked, giving Roy a playful shove. "Oh, don't be jealous, Roy. You can't compete with the Monarch."

Roy rolled his eyes, muttering, "Whatever," while Fuecoco nodded in agreement.

Ash ultimately decided to stick with his usual attire. "Thanks, but I'm comfortable with what I've got," he said, handing the final outfit back to the employees.

Nemona, however, wasn't ready to let it go. "Oh, come on, Ash! You looked amazing in it!" she insisted, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. Without waiting for a response, she turned to the cashier. "I'll buy it for him."

Ash's jaw dropped. "What?! Nemona, you don't have to do that!"

Nemona waved him off with a big grin. "Relax, Monarch. Consider it my treat for all the hard work you've put in."

"But—"

"No buts!" she said, handing over her card. "It's done!"

Ash groaned, rubbing his forehead, while Liko frowned slightly. Roy just shook his head with a smirk. "Guess the Monarch gets special treatment, huh?"

After leaving the shop, Nemona led the group to their final destination of the day—a cozy, family-owned diner called Barato's. The smell of sizzling dishes and hearty meals filled the air as they entered.

Roy was the first to decide, pointing enthusiastically at the menu. "I'll have two Salisbury Steak with Fried Fixings, one for me and one for Fuecoco!" he said, grinning ear to ear.

Liko gave him a disapproving look. "You're going to eat two full meals?"

"Of course!" Roy replied, completely unfazed.

Liko sighed and ordered something lighter. "I'll just have a Caesar Salad, please."

Dot glanced at the menu, looking unsure. "I'm not really that hungry," she said softly, before pointing at the desserts section. "I'll have the Chocolate-Vanilla Fruit Parfait."

Nemona nudged Ash, holding up the menu. "What about you, Ash? How about this Dry Curry with Lemon Gelato? It's shaped like Pikachu! Totally your style."

Ash chuckled and nodded. "Alright, that does sound fun. I'll take that too."

The group waited for their meals, chatting and laughing about the day's adventures. When the food arrived, Roy and Fuecoco dug in with gusto, while Liko and Dot enjoyed their simpler meals at a much calmer pace.

Ash admired the presentation of his curry. "It's almost too cute to eat," he said, poking at the gelato ears with his spoon.

Nemona smirked, already halfway through her plate. "You'll get over it. Dig in, Monarch!"

As the group wrapped up their meals and prepared to leave, a familiar voice cut through the lively chatter of the diner. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

The group turned to see Geeta, the chairwoman, approaching with Rika in tow. Geeta wore her signature composed smile, while Rika's usual confident demeanor seemed just a little less steady.

"My, if it isn't our dear Monarch and our prestigious student council president," Geeta teased lightly. "Hanging out together, I see?"

Nemona grinned. "Chairwoman Geeta! Rika! Fancy running into you here!"

Ash gave a polite wave. "Hey, Geeta. Rika."

Rika's gaze immediately locked onto Ash, her sharp green eyes widening slightly before she cleared her throat. "Kiddo, what's with that outfit?" she asked, though her voice had an uncharacteristic wobble.

Ash opened his mouth to respond, but Nemona beat him to it, puffing her chest out proudly. "I picked it out for him! Doesn't it suit him perfectly?"

Geeta's amused smile deepened as she leaned slightly towarsd Ash, inspecting his new look. "I must admit, it's quite a striking change. What do you think, Rika?"

Rika coughed into her fist, glancing anywhere but at Ash. "It's… fine, I guess. Nothing too special." Her cheeks betrayed her with a faint tinge of pink.

Geeta chuckled, clearly enjoying her colleague's flustered state. "You know, I think it's perfect for him too. If he wore this on campus, I imagine all the girls would flock to him—just like you, Rika."

Rika's head snapped towards Geeta. "What?! Don't lump me in with them! That's ridiculous!"

Ash, now fully blushing, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh, I think I'll just stick to my usual outfit for school…"

Nemona grinned mischievously. "Aw, come on, Ash! Don't be shy about it."

Rika crossed her arms and huffed. "Listen, kiddo, wear whatever you want outside, but during school hours, stick to the dress code. Got it?"

Geeta smirked, resting a hand on Rika's shoulder. "Now, now, Rika. Don't be too strict. I'm sure Ash would look great in anything—and it'd be good for morale, don't you think?"

The tomboy shot a glare at her boss. "I think you're enjoying this a little too much."

Geeta simply laughed.

Ash sighed. "Where's Brock when you need him?"