The 'Outcast' - First Year

Part 21

Next morning...

Ash awoke early despite having trouble going to sleep last night. After being told by his old friend Cilan that Team Rocket were technically trying to conquer the world once again, he just knew that he would play a role in saving the world yet again. Truth to be told, this time he had a bad feeling about all this for some reason.

After a while Cilan got up as well and began getting ready. Ash slowly walked to Cilan's room and lightly tapped on the door.

"Yeah, come in Ash," Cilan responded.

Ash opened the door and stepped inside.

"You know Cilan, it certainly looks like you're doing very well for yourself. How'd you manage all of this anyway?" Ash questioned.

Cilan just gave a light chuckle at the curious boy. "Well, maybe I'll let you in on my secret some other day. For now, we've got other things to take care of, right?" Cilan replied.

"Oh right. You offered to drive me to school today. Is the offer still up?" He asked.

"Of course. Let's get going," Cilan said. They exited his house. As Cilan opened up the garage they got into his nice convertible looking car and began driving towards the school. The cold morning air hit Ash as they drove at a normal speed.

"So how long have you been in Kalos Ash? I haven't seen you here," Cilan inquired.

"Just got into the region not too long ago. I wanna say... one or two months now. My mom wants me to finish school of course, so she enrolled me into Sycamore's high school here in Lumiose," He explained.

"Oh I see. Are you in your first year of high school?" 

"Yeah, just started it not too long ago," Ash replied.

"Ah, So You've still got three years left. Hey, education is important and comes a long way Ash, trust me," Cilan said.

"If you say so Cilan... you sure know a lot," Ash said.

"I sure do," He replied. "Education can help you live the way I do. Living wealthy in a house up on the hills without a care in the world."

"That sure sounds like the ideal life alright," Ash nodded. Eventually the sight of the school came into view indicating they were close. Just in front of the school Ash could see the familiar sight of Gary and the rest of the group.

"Alright Ash well listen, I'll be seeing you soon. When I do we can catch up properly. I know I was a bit straight forward with all the info last night, but we'll meet again soon pal," Cilan said, as he parked just outside the front of the school.

"Of course Cilan. You just give me a call and I'll be there. And thanks for the ride and everything else," Ash said, giving him a fist bump before parting ways. Cilan waited for Ash to get to his friends before driving off.

 Gary was the first to approach Ash. "Eh, who was that?" He asked.

"Nobody don't worry about it," Ash responded.

Gary raised a brow at his response. "Oooookay then. Anyway get this, Ash. Barry has been going crazy with battling these days. I don't know what happened but he's improved quite a lot."

"What are you talking about? Improving is just a normal part of the process," Ash replied calmly. 

"No, no. He's been improving rapidly and by high margins. Honestly even Paul was left speechless when he witnessed a few of his battles and the results," Gary explained.

"I just want to know how he did it. It seems like he's unstoppable at the moment," Paul chimed in.

"Apparently Barry's first battle for the Junior cup is this Friday in Lumiose City. Mines also on Friday just a little later in the same place," Trip told.

"That's cool. Mines on Saturday here in Lumiose city too. As long as I win two out of my three I'll be good..." Ash muttered.

As the boys continued to chat about the upcoming tournament Serena couldn't help but be curious about who that man was. The green haired guy who had just dropped Ash off in front of them.

'Was that his brother or something?' Serena wondered. The blonde haired girl was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice a blue short haired girl right behind her.

"So, You've got your eyes on the new guy too huh?" She said, startling Serena in the process.

She jumped a bit as she noticed the all too familiar face of Miette. A long time friend of Serena and rival from Pokémon performing.

"Miette! Shush. He might hear you," Serena whispered urgently. She looked over he shoulder and fortunately he was still conversing with his friend Gary.

"Anyways, have you been preparing for Performing season?" Miette Asked.

"What? No. That doesn't start until January or February I think. Right now it's Battling season since that whole Junior cup tournament stuff is happening," Serena informed her.

"Oh yeah... you're right," Miette sweat dropped. "So do you plan on watching any of them at the stadiums? You know, just to chill out and socialize."

"Maybe. If the rest of the girls go then maybe I'll tag along," She shrugged.

A smirk formed onto Miette's lips. "Ooh and what if Ash is battling? Then will you go?"

"Miette!" Serena shrieked. The blue haired girl laughed it off. She loved teasing Serena when it came to boys.

Rowan's classroom

Trip suddenly remembered something important. "Oh shoot. Hey, did any of you guys actually do that project thing he assigned to us a few weeks ago? All the boys had the same expression knowing they were doomed when they got to the classroom.

 "Damn I forgot about that thing. He even made an exception for us, letting us work on it alone. Oh, he's going to be so pissed..." Gary said.

As the boys walked into Professor Rowan's classroom he already distinguished the boys with an unpleasant look. After everyone in the classroom settled in their seats Mr. Rowan began.

"Alright class listen up! I must say, I'm very unpleased, but also not surprised that half of you students did not turn the project in to me. It was due last night and I only had twelve submissions." He sighed

"Anyways I need to speak to Paul, Gary, Trip, Ash, Conway, and Barry outside please. If you heard your name please step outside. As for the rest of you, start working on any missing work. If you're all caught up, read," He stated. 

Professor Rowan took all the boys outside into the hallway. He took his glasses off for a moment and rubbed his eyes.

"Boys... what's going on? I'm genuinely concerned at this point. Do you guys not care about passing or... what is it?" Rowan questioned.

"We care about passing... we just didn't think about your project sir," Gary answered first.

Rowan sighed again. This was going to be a long day. "Okay, let me try again. This semester is coming to an end soon... and so far, none of you boys are passing my class. You kids are on the cusp of retaking my class in summer school or next year. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is?"

While some of them did start to feel kind of bad for stressing the old man out, Ash did not. He simply folded his arms and looked down at the floor showing he really didn't care.

"Ash Ketchum, can you at least-

"Haven't you ever heard of the term: "You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped?" Ash said, cutting him off.

"... Okay," Rowan accepted. If Ash was not going to accept Rowan's attempts at helping, it wouldn't be his problem when Ash failed.

"As for you five, I will be making calls home if you guys don't get it together. You're in high school for the love of Arceus stop being so childish!" Rowan scolded.

Thank goodness it was already Friday. Nobody else wanted to keep listening to Professor Rowan yelling at them constantly. But that also meant the Junior Cup was approaching its arrival soon...

To be continued...