A/N: A bit of a long note this time.

First off, thank you all for your continued interest in my story, especially to those who have followed and added it to their favorites. An even bigger thank you to those who take the time to leave comments.

A special shoutout to UltimaCCC, a well-known and generous commentator across fanfiction. Your support motivates not just me but the entire community.

Also, a special mention to Brax, Pokemonfan21, BNRBC, and Guipa for dropping recent comments, and to all Guests, whom I bestow the title Silent Heroes.

I take pride in balancing realism with the artistic side of storytelling to create believable scenes and an enjoyable experience. I understand that as we… ahem …get older, it becomes harder to enjoy stories that feel too childish. Instead, we tend to gravitate toward well-developed characters and reasonable actions...or at least, that has become my personal preference when searching for stories on this site.

When it comes to classifying Legendary Pokémon, I hope we don't run into disagreements over some of the changes I'll be making. I've done my research on the differences between actual Legendary Pokémon, so-called Sub-Legendary Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon, including some surprising classifications, like Arceus. These distinctions are based on the games, where the criteria are clearer than in the anime.

That said, I'll be mixing things up a bit for my story. I'm basing my classifications on a Pokémon's relevance to the world and its power level, rather than strictly following the games or anime.

So if, at some point, you think I've made a mistake regarding a Legendary Pokémon's status or role, rest assured, it was most likely intentional.

Sorry for the wait.

Chapter 23: Half Way

Ash, Dawn, Chloe, Serena, Gary, and Goh sat in a row before the school principal's desk. Ms. Chrysa stood beside him, arms crossed, looking more tired than strict. The principal, an older man with sharp eyes and a firm posture, let the silence linger before finally speaking.

"Ms. Chrysa has informed me of what happened during the school trip. You worked together to stop Team Rocket and saved an entire region." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I have to admit, that's impressive. But it also worries me."

Ash exchanged glances with the others.

"You're worried about Team Rocket coming after us," Gary guessed.

The principal nodded. "It's possible. A group like that doesn't take failure lightly. But for now, we don't believe they'll be looking for you."

Chrysa stepped in. "That's because, according to what I've heard from my contacts, Team Rocket's entire Kanto branch is… gone."

That got everyone's attention.

"Gone?" Ash repeated. "Like, disbanded?"

Chrysa hesitated. "Investigations show that Team Rocket's entire Kanto branch took part in that mission… and after what happened, there's no sign of them left. Most of them… well, the Legendary Birds weren't exactly merciful." She glanced at the principal, who gave her a nod before continuing. "The few that Lugia managed to save are now imprisoned in the Orange Region. For all intents and purposes, Team Rocket no longer has a presence in Kanto."

Ash and the others exchanged uneasy looks.

It was Dawn who broke the silence. "Wait, you mean most of them…?"

Even though they weren't responsible, the thought of so many Team Rocket members being wiped out left a heavy weight on them. The reality of what had happened settled in, casting a somber mood over the group.

Chrysa didn't answer right away. "Let's just say they won't be coming back."

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Even Gary, usually the first to crack a joke, looked unsettled.

The principal cleared his throat. "What remains of Team Rocket is their Johto branch. And right now, they have bigger problems than chasing rumors about some tourists who 'might' have interfered with their plans. The Orange Archipelago Police and I agreed not to disclose your involvement. The official story is that an unidentified group attempted to disrupt the festival, but local authorities and trainers handled the situation."

He folded his hands on the desk, glancing at each of them in turn. "The residents of Shamouti Island have been asked to keep your identities hidden, and we've instructed your classmates to do the same."

Serena exhaled quietly, though her expression remained uneasy. "So… no one knows what we actually did?" she asked, her brow furrowing.

The principal gave a small, knowing smile. "Not exactly. Based on what your classmates have been saying, all they know is that Gary was given a role in the local festival, Ash somehow got into trouble with Team Rocket, and the rest was about the Legendary Pokémon. As far as they're concerned, you all just helped Gary with what was required of him for the festival."

Dawn, Chloe, and Serena exchanged glances, the three of them relaxing slightly. They didn't want credit, avoiding too much attention was for the best.

The principal leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "I know that might sound like it's downplaying what you did. But in reality, it's a good thing. It means less unwanted attention, fewer questions, and most importantly, your lives can go back to normal."

A long silence followed, broken only by the distant chatter of students outside. Then, Ash gave a slow nod. "That's fine," he said. "We didn't do it for recognition anyway."

Goh smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Guess we're secret heroes now."

"More like secret troublemakers," Chloe muttered under her breath.

The principal turned his gaze to Ash. "That brings me to another matter." He sighed. "The rest of you are dismissed. Ash, stay behind."

"Ummm, what for, sir?" Serena asked politely, concerned for her friend.

"For breaking school rules," the principal said flatly. "Bringing a Pokémon on the trip."

Chrysa gave Ash an apologetic smile before motioning for the others to leave. Gary shot Ash a teasing grin on his way out. "Guess you're finally getting expelled, Ketchum."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just go."

Once the door clicked shut, the principal exhaled and regarded Ash with a measured expression. His fingers were interlocked on the desk, his tone carrying both weariness and authority.

"Ash, first Team Rocket at school, and now this. I have to wonder, what's next? Preventing a Legendary Pokémon from bringing disaster upon the world?"

Ash straightened in his seat, his posture respectful. "Sir, I assure you, I never intended for these things to happen. They just… unfold that way."

The principal studied him for a moment before sighing. He leaned back slightly. "Let me be clear, you are not in trouble. However, you did violate school policy, and I needed to address it. If I allowed this to go unnoticed, it would set a poor precedent for the rest of the student body."

Ash lowered his head slightly. "I understand, sir. I take full responsibility."

The principal's gaze softened just a bit. "Ms. Chrysa told me about your Pikachu, how he's been exceptionally attached to you. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're already his trainer."

Ash hesitated for a moment before responding. "Technically, sir, he belongs to my mother."

The principal gave him a knowing look. "Is that so?" He paused, then added, "Regardless, I trust you'll ensure that he does not cause any issues moving forward."

Ash gave a firm nod. "Yes, sir. I'll make sure of it."

The principal regarded him for a moment before continuing. "Your first year here at Vermilion Pokémon School is already halfway over. I strongly suggest you make the second half as uneventful as possible. No more life-threatening situations. No more encounters with criminal organizations. And certainly, no more legendary Pokémon incidents."

Ash didn't respond immediately. He knew he couldn't promise that trouble wouldn't find him again. But he could promise to be ready when it did. "I will do my best, sir."

The principal exhaled, shaking his head slightly but not unkindly. "I mean it, Ash. You're capable of great things, but not if you burn yourself out before you get there."

With that, Ash stood, offering a small bow of respect before leaving the office.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Matori stood rigid in front of her leader's desk, her voice as composed as years of discipline could make it. "That's the entirety of the report, sir." She delivered the words with practiced neutrality, masking the devastation clawing at her insides.

Scattered across Giovanni's desk were the remnants of their greatest operation, their greatest failure. Folders lay open, pages filled with grim details of their losses. At the top of the pile sat the files of Cassidy and Dr. Namba, their names stamped with a cold, red CAPTURED. A better fate than Butch and the others. More than half of Team Rocket's entire forces, gone in an instant.

She had expected an outburst, a violent display of anger, but Giovanni remained silent. He simply stared at the reports, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he downed the last of his whiskey, the amber liquid vanishing in a single motion. The glass met the desk with a quiet clink as he turned his chair, shifting away from her. The golden glow of the setting sun framed his silhouette, casting long shadows against the office walls.

Finally, he spoke. "Instruct Proton and Petrel to halt their search for Mewtwo in Johto. Have them regroup with Ariana and Archer. Tell them to reassess the situation and make the necessary decisions to preserve our remaining forces."

Silence settled over the office, thick and suffocating. The only sound was Matori methodically gathering the reports, stacking them into a single, organized pile.

Then Giovanni uttered words she had never expected to hear.

"I will be gone for a while."

The files slipped from her hands, papers scattering across the floor. Her carefully maintained mask cracked, surprise flickering across her features. She looked up at her leader, but before she could speak, a sharp hiss cut through the air.

"Nyarrrr."

Persian, who had been lounging on the sofa, now stood poised and alert, its piercing eyes locked onto her. It stepped forward, tail flicking, its posture a clear warning: Do not question the boss.

Matori stiffened as Giovanni reached down, running a hand over his Persian's head in silent acknowledgment. A rare moment. The Classy Cat Pokemon only acted like this when Giovanni's decisions were absolute, when there was no room for argument.

"Leave."

Matori bowed immediately. No further words were necessary. Turning on her heel, she strode toward the door, her footsteps echoing in the soon-to-be empty office.

Behind her, Giovanni remained, his gaze fixed beyond the glass windows, as if already looking toward whatever came next.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Ash stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying his damp hair as steam drifted behind him. He wore a loose t-shirt and shorts, his movements slow and relaxed after a warm shower. With a sigh, he walked over to his desk, slinging the towel over his shoulder before pulling a stack of notes from his bag.

"Ugh, homework," he muttered, flipping through the pages with a tired frown.

A soft rustling came from his bed as Pikachu stirred from his half-sleep. The mouse Pokémon blinked drowsily, his ears twitching as he let out a small yawn. But then, something caught his eye—a small object peeking out from beneath a pile of papers on Ash's desk. There was a subtle warmth to it, something that seemed to call for attention.

"Pika?" Pikachu perked up, hopping off the bed. He waddled over, grabbed the object with his tiny paws, and let out a cheerful cry. "Pika pi!"

Ash turned, curious, and his eyes widened when he saw what Pikachu was holding. "Oh, I totally forgot about that!" He reached over, taking the object from Pikachu's paws. "Thanks, buddy."

He examined the item, a rectangular wooden box, about the length of his hand. It felt smooth yet sturdy, the grain of the wood polished with care. His curiosity deepened as he slowly lifted the lid, a gleam of silver peeking through the edges.

Ash and Pikachu both leaned in, their eyes widening as the contents were revealed.

For a moment, Ash just stared, his breath catching slightly.

"It's… the Silver Wing," he breathed, carefully lifting the shimmering feather between his fingers. The delicate strands caught the light, reflecting an almost ethereal glow. "This is the one Slowking gave to Melody…"

"Pikaaa!" Pikachu chirped in recognition, nodding excitedly.

Ash frowned slightly, rolling the feather between his fingertips. "Wait… why would she give this to me?" His grip on it tightened as uncertainty crept in. "Maybe this was a mistake…" He quickly placed it back into the box, leaving the lid open as if expecting an answer to appear.

"Pika pika." Pikachu shook his head firmly, his expression unwavering.

Ash studied him, then exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right… she wouldn't just give this to me by accident." He glanced back at the Silver Wing, still gleaming inside the box. "But man… something this valuable? I should at least give her something in return."

"Pi pii!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.

A mischievous grin spread across Ash's face. "I know! I'll give her a yellow, cheeky furball instead!"

Before Pikachu could react, Ash lunged, scooping him up and launching into a tickle attack.

"Pi-pipi! Pi-pikahaha!" Pikachu squirmed, laughing uncontrollably as Ash's fingers danced across his fur. He flailed his tiny arms, sparks crackling harmlessly from his cheeks in protest.

Ash laughed, holding his struggling best friend close. "Okay, okay, I'll think of something better."

Pikachu finally wriggled free, puffing his cheeks in mock annoyance before playfully bumping his head against Ash's.

Ash let out a small chuckle before his gaze drifted back to the Silver Wing. He traced his fingers over the wooden box absentmindedly, thoughts of Shamouti swirling in his mind. Without realizing it, he pushed his homework aside, the papers slipping further across the desk. Pikachu, now comfortable, curled up on top of them, as if declaring the study session officially postponed.

Ash didn't notice. His focus remained on the feather, and the mystery of why it was now in his hands.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

"Ash Ketchum," the teacher's voice rang out, firm but not unkind. "Since you didn't do your homework, you can spend the lesson outside. Maybe next time, you'll remember to complete your assignments."

Ash sighed, slumping his shoulders as he trudged toward the door. As he stepped out, he caught a few chuckles from some classmates, while others like Serena and Dawn exchanged glances of concern.

"Do you think he stayed up late cleaning at the restaurant again?" Dawn whispered.

The door shut behind him, and Ash leaned against the hallway wall with a sigh. From inside, he could still hear the lesson continuing.

"There are three tiers of Legendary Pokémon," their teacher began. "Name one, provide a short description, and give an example." There was a pause, followed by the teacher's selection. "Alright, Serena."

Serena's sweet voice carried through the door. "Deity Legendary Pokémon. These Pokémon are one of a kind meaning only one of them exists in the world. They are believed to be created directly by Arceus and cannot reproduce. Their power is said to affect entire regions or even the whole world, and many are worshiped as deities. Trainers are strictly prohibited from capturing them, as they play important roles in maintaining balance or in some cases, because angering them could be dangerous. An example is Xerneas."

Ash exhaled, thinking of Lugia. He had seen firsthand how its mere presence alone was enough to calm the raging storms and bring harmony back to the sea and sky.

"Good. Now, the next tier?" the teacher continued. "Go ahead, Chloe."

"Sub Legendary Pokémon," Chloe answered in her usual calm tone. "Unlike Deity Legendaries, this group isn't limited to just one individual, multiple of them have been sighted across the world. Some are created by Deity Legendaries, while others are incarnations of natural elements. While catching them is discouraged, it isn't strictly prohibited, unless they serve as guardians of specific areas. One example is Moltres."

Again, Ash's thoughts drifted. He recalled the special set of Legendary Birds they encountered in Shamouti, their power exceeding that of any other Moltres, Zapdos, or Articuno in the world. They weren't just powerful; they played a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the entire Orange Archipelago alongside Lugia.

"Good. Now, for the last tier…" Their teacher hesitated slightly before sighing. "Fine. Goh, just stop jumping in your seat."

"Mythical Legendary Pokémon!" Goh nearly shouted. "Some argue that they're just an extremely rare group of Pokémon, not actual legendaries, since their strength can vary so much. But let me tell you, not just from books, but from my own eyes and memory, they are real, and they are legendary in strength and awesomeness! Like Mew! And I bet the others in the group are just as..."

"Okay, okay, Goh! If you don't want to join Ash outside, sit down."

Laughter rippled through the classroom, and even Ash, despite his predicament, couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

As the laughter in the classroom faded, the lesson truly began, the teacher's voice settling into a steady rhythm. Ash, still leaning against the hallway wall, let out a quiet sigh.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement.

Turning his head slightly, he noticed a girl standing just outside the door of the next classroom. She had shoulder-length brown hair and striking blue eyes. Her expression mirrored his own from moments ago, disappointed, maybe even a little frustrated.

'Guess I'm not the only one kicked out today', he thought.

Just then, she noticed him. Their eyes met.

Ash didn't want to seem like he was staring, but before he could look away, the girl gave him a friendly wave.

For a split second, he hesitated. Then, without thinking too much about it, he lifted his hand in return.

Neither of them spoke. The moment passed as quickly as it had come, and Ash let his gaze drift upward, watching the distant clouds. The pale winter sky stretched endlessly above, soft wisps of white drifting lazily across the blue. A cool breeze stirred the bare branches of a nearby tree, sending a few stray snowflakes fluttering down like tiny feathers.

The girl, now aware of his presence but seemingly uninterested in conversation, leaned against the doorframe of her own classroom, mirroring his posture. A faint trace of warmth lingered in the air, the kind that came on gentle winter days when the sun peeked through the cold, casting long shadows across the quiet school grounds.

And just like that, two students, both temporarily cast out of their lessons, stood in silence, watching the winter sky, waiting for time to pass.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Ash pushed open the small gate leading to the school's Pokémon Ranch, pausing briefly as he took in the familiar sight before him. A soft layer of snow blanketed the meadow, shimmering under the pale afternoon sun. Pokémon of all kinds roamed the open field—some playfully kicking up powdery snow, others nestled together for warmth beneath the bare-branched trees. A gentle breeze carried the crisp scent of winter, but the air remained calm, making the scene feel peaceful and serene. It was a quiet, familiar moment—one he had grown accustomed to during his time in the club

He made his way toward the Breeding Club's isolated building, a multi-room structure with a few wooden sheds, set apart from the other club facilities. As he approached, he spotted his club advisor, Brock, talking to two older students. Their red neckties marked them as third-years. One had dark blue hair and sharp black eyes, while the other, holding a box at his side, had black hair and piercing blue eyes.

Ash slowed his steps as he got closer, catching Brock's voice mid-sentence.

"Damian, how many times do I have to tell you not to push your Charmander too hard?"

Damian let out a short laugh, shrugging. "Sorry, sir. I'm just training my starter harder so it can evolve faster than my classmates." His tone carried a hint of smugness.

Ash frowned slightly. He understood wanting to be strong, but there was a fine line between training hard and pushing too far. If even Brock, who was usually patient, had to step in, that meant Damian had already crossed it. Forcing a Pokémon to evolve just to outshine others? That didn't sit right with him.

Brock sighed, clearly unimpressed. Then, as he glanced in Ash's direction, his expression shifted. He motioned for Ash to step forward.

"Ash, take this box from Alain," Brock instructed, gesturing toward the other third-year.

Ash took the box without hesitation, adjusting his grip as he set it down on a nearby table.

"These are the third-years' Starter Pokémon," Brock explained. "They had a training battle earlier, so I need you to check them for any unreported injuries. Take your time."

Ash nodded and placed his bag inside his locker, ready to get to work. As he did, he overheard Brock continuing his talk with the third-years.

"Alain, I'll ask Lucario if he's willing to go through with your request," Brock said, his tone far more neutral than it had been with Damian. Then, turning back to the blue-haired student, his gaze hardened. "And Damian, this is your last warning, don't force your Pokémon beyond their limits."

Damian rolled his eyes but forced a grin. "Got it, sir." He didn't argue, but in his mind, he scoffed.,'It's survival of the fittest. If a Pokémon can't handle a little pain, how's it gonna win battles?'

Alain gave a small nod. "Thank you, Sir Brock."

With that, Brock dismissed them, and the two third-years finally left.

Letting out a deep sigh, Brock turned back to Ash. "Third-years can be a real handful," he muttered. "They get too excited about evolving their starters. Sure, it's common for their Pokémon to evolve before they graduate, but pushing them too hard isn't the way to do it."

Ash nodded as Brock practically voiced his own thoughts. Wanting to keep the conversation lighthearted, he grinned. "I can't wait until I'm a third-year and finally get my own starter."

Brock smirked and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Focus on the Pokémon in front of you first. I'll send another club member to help you out."

Ash tightened his grip on the box. "Thanks, Sir Brock!"

One day, he'd have his own partner Pokémon. He just had to wait… even if it wasn't easy.

Ash carried the box into the main room of the club, where several members were busy with their assigned tasks—some tending to young Pokémon, others cleaning equipment or preparing food. He made his way to a table near the health scanner, setting the box down before grabbing a Poké Ball.

Placing it into the machine's slot, he watched as a green beam of light ran over the Poké Ball. After about ten seconds, the monitor flashed a report.

Pokémon Health Scan – Complete.

Below the header, the report displayed the Pokémon's species, vitals, and other medical details. Ash skimmed through the information until he reached the bottom.

Status: All Clear.

Nodding in satisfaction, he took the Poké Ball and placed it in a separate container. "That's one down, twenty-nine to go," he muttered.

He had scanned about half the Pokémon when someone called out to him.

"Are you Ash? Sir Brock sent me to—" The voice paused. Ash turned to see a girl standing nearby. She blinked at him for a second before quickly continuing, "—help you with Class 3-1's starters."

Ash recognized her as the girl he had seen outside the classroom earlier. "…Yeah, thanks," he replied. "I'm about halfway through. So far, only one needs treatment."

She nodded, her blue eyes flicking to the box as she picked up a Poké Ball. "Well then, let's keep going."

Together, they worked efficiently, scanning each Pokémon one by one. By the end, three Pokémon were flagged for medical attention, while the remaining twenty-seven were simply exhausted from training.

Ash grabbed the container holding the cleared Poké Balls. "Let's go."

The girl picked up the smaller container with the three injured Pokémon. Her brown hair swayed as she quickened her pace, following him outside.

Their first stop was a wooden shed where several students were feeding Pokémon. Ash handed over the container and requested, "Can you line these up for feeding?"

One of the students nodded. "Got it."

With that done, Ash and the girl moved to an unoccupied shed. Inside, she placed the three Poké Balls on a table while Ash went to a nearby cabinet, gathering medical supplies. Moments later, he joined her.

"Alright," he said, setting the supplies down. "Release one of the Pokémon." Then, after a short pause, he added, "By the way… what's your name?"

The girl raised an eyebrow before realizing she hadn't introduced herself. "Oh, right! I totally forgot!" She let out a sheepish laugh. "I'm May."

Ash gave a small nod. "Nice to meet you, May."

She smiled before turning her attention back to the Poké Balls. "Alright, let's see who we're working with first."

May reached for one of the Poké Balls on the table and pressed the release button. In a flash of light, a small chick Pokémon materialized. It had tiny, downy yellow wings, its round body covered in soft orange feathers. A fluffy tuft of down crowned its head.

"Chiccc…" The little Fire-type let out a pained chirp, its tiny body trembling.

May ran her fingers gently over Torchic's feathers, trying to soothe it. "It's okay, Torchic," she whispered.

Ash leaned in, his sharp eyes scanning for injuries. "There's a wound on its back," he noted.

May held Torchic steady while Ash grabbed a bottle of disinfectant. As he sprayed the wound, Torchic flinched and whimpered, but May murmured words of reassurance, softly stroking its head. The two worked efficiently, cleaning and bandaging the wound until the little Pokémon was properly patched up.

"There we go," Ash said with a nod.

May set a bowl on the floor, filling it with food. Carefully, she picked up Torchic and placed it near the bowl.

"Tor-chik… chik…" The hesitant Pokémon glanced up at her before pecking at the food, slowly relaxing.

Ash reached for the next Poké Ball and released it. In a burst of light, a small, green, reptilian Pokémon appeared. It had a sleek body, a large leaf-like tail, and piercing yellow eyes.

"Treee…ckooo," it winced, its gaze flickering between Ash and May.

Despite its injuries, Treecko tried to maintain its usual confident posture. The two students worked together again, cleaning and dressing its wounds before setting out a bowl of food. Once Treecko started eating, they moved on to the final Poké Ball.

As the sphere opened, another reptilian Pokémon appeared—this one curled up on the table, fast asleep. But unlike the others, it was in far worse condition. Multiple bruises marred its small, orange body, and a deep wound ran along its leg. Even in its sleep, the lizard Pokémon winced in pain, its tail flame flickering weakly.

Ash's eyes widened in recognition. "This is the same Charmander I've treated a few times before…" His voice held a note of concern. He had seen it injured before, but never this badly.

May frowned. "Then why didn't its trainer report its condition sooner?"

Ash shook his head. "I don't know… The injuries aren't life-threatening, but they're definitely worse than the others." His brows furrowed. "Whoever owns this Charmander should have asked for immediate treatment."

With a steady hand, Ash got to work, tending to the deeper wounds while May assisted, passing him supplies.

"Charr..charrr," Charmander stirred midway through, letting out a soft whimper as its eyes fluttered open. It blinked drowsily, locking onto Ash's face. Despite its exhaustion, there was still a flicker of trust in its gaze.

"Just hang in there, buddy," Ash said gently. "We'll be done soon. Try to relax."

Charmander let out a weak but trusting coo and settled down again. When the last bandage was secured, Ash placed a bowl of food in front of it. "Here. Eat up, so you can recover faster."

Charmander tried to push itself up but winced in pain. Seeing its struggle, Ash carefully helped it sit upright and moved the bowl closer.

"There you go," he encouraged.

Charmander sniffed the food before finally reaching out to eat. "Charr… charr…" It let out a content sound as it chewed.

Ash and May exchanged a smile as they watched the three Pokémon eat. Torchic chirped happily between bites, Treecko nibbled in silence, and Charmander—despite its condition—seemed to enjoy its meal. Though they winced from their injuries now and then, it was clear they were beginning to heal.

Once the Pokémon had finished, May picked up Torchic and Treecko's Poké Balls, recalling them.

Ash turned to Charmander, who was still sitting on the table. "You're looking better now. I'll return you to your Poké Ball so you can rest, alright?"

"Char-mander…" Charmander gazed at him, then, to Ash's surprise, leaned forward and wrapped its tiny arms around him in a hug.

Ash blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before smiling. He gently patted its head. "Get well soon," he murmured before finally returning it to its Poké Ball.

Once the supplies were put away, Ash turned to May. "Thanks for your help."

May smiled. "Thank you too. This was actually the first time we've worked together in the club, even though there aren't many members."

Ash scratched the back of his head. "To be honest… this is actually the first time I've even seen you here." He paused. "Well, except for earlier in the hallway during class."

May's eyes widened in mock offense. "I've been seeing you in the club regularly! You mean to tell me you've never noticed me?"

Ash laughed awkwardly. "I guess I was just too focused on my tasks…"

May folded her arms, pretending to be hurt, before breaking into a grin. "No harm done."

Ash chuckled. Somehow, this felt like the start of an easy friendship.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

A/N: Writing in a school setting is fun but also quite challenging. I have to ensure things don't become too repetitive while maintaining engaging, overarching subplots that naturally build toward the main plot, rather than just random slice-of-life moments.

For example, I've gradually introduced Dawn, Chloe, and Serena to lesser forms of elemental forces before their encounters with the Legendary Birds and their Treasures:

-Dawn with Pichu, later Zapdos.

-Chloe with the burning branch, later Moltres.

-Serena with Golduck's hail, later Articuno.

Each of these moments subtly foreshadowed the Legendary Birds and Ash's characteristics, planting the seeds chapters ahead—even before the trip to Shamouti.

Meanwhile, Gary and Goh remain organically relevant to the story while ensuring that Ash maintains his status as the main character.

The site has been buggy lately. Sometimes, chapters go missing, which can confuse readers into thinking there are fewer available chapters or that there haven't been any new updates. I strongly recommend following the story to get notified whenever a new chapter goes up.

For new readers, there are currently 23 chapters (or possibly more, depending on when you read this) for you to enjoy. If the chapter count seems off, try refreshing the page to make sure you're seeing the correct number.

-Areyem Meyera