BP; Hi everyone, here is the first chapter of the high school version of PAL, where we follow Ash and his friends among the ups and downs of their school life after their summer vacation. There are some things that would be parallel to the original story, so enjoy!

Warning: May have spoilers.

Ash should have known that from the way the woman kept looking at his name tag that she was going to ask.

"Ash Ketchum." The woman said as she pulled out her wallet. "Now how do I know that name?"

"Gee, Ma'am." Ash replied. "I don't know." He was somewhat sick of people gawking at him. True, he was the most popular boy in PAL Academy, one of the top students in his cohort (and also youngest in his class), captain of many CCAs (Co-Curricular Activities), which meant whatever competitions he participated would be put in the school and local paper, but it'd be nice to have some privacy once in a while.

Ash Ketchum is a 15-year-old boy, and is also the youngest of his class (he was put in the first class of the Advanced Programme). He stood at 185cm tall, and he had brown eyes that he usually wore half-closed, giving him a calm look. His hair was also smoothed down, and cut to above-shoulder length. His favourite subject is Social Studies. He is the captain of Pokémon Conference Club, Pokéathlon Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, Current Affairs Club, Environmental Rangers Club, Scouts, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Climbing Club, Basketball Club, Rotaract Club, Concert Band Club, Floorball Club, Mentoring Club, Cycling Club, Squash Club and last but not least, the Skating Club. He could easily be captain of all the 18 Pokémon-type clubs, but he simply chose not to. He had a Special Star ranking, which not many can get.

"I know." The woman said, snapping her fingers, and pointing at him. "You're on PAL Academy's men's soccer team!"

"No, Ma'am." Ash answered. "I'm not." Did she mix him up with Phillip Robinson, one of his friends? Maybe he shouldn't be surprised, since all his five friends were captain of many CCAs, top in their levels (they always get the first five spots), and of course, are very popular. In fact, their clique was the most popular in school, and that is saying something, considering how big their school was. Everyone dreamt of being part of their clique.

"You weren't one of the finalists in the Kalos Grand Festival, were you?" The woman asked. But Ash could tell that she knew that she was wrong again, and thought she must've mixed him up with Amethyst Paradinight (A/N: known as Pakura Ameyuri in the original. Yes, Amethyst Paradinight is her real name in the original.), as she is the one who won the Kalos Grand Festival, not him.

One of the CCAs she was captain of is the Pokémon Contest Club, a CCA that is dedicated to Coordinators whose desire is to participate in Pokémon Contests. Those who make it to the school team would be able to participate in Pokémon Contests to earn Ribbons, and if one won five Ribbons in a specific region, they would earn the right to represent the school in that region's Grand Festival.

Meanwhile, one of the CCAs he had captainship over is the Pokémon Conference Club, where Trainers who had the desire to focus on Pokémon battling, especially in a competitive kind, join. Like the Pokémon Contest Club, those who are in the school team would earn the right to represent their school in Pokémon Conferences.

"No, ma'am." Ash said, wishing she would just let it go, but she didn't.

"Goodness. I just know I know your name from somewhere." The woman said, handing Ash her credit card to pay for her purchases. "You sure I didn't read about you in the paper?"

'Yup….she's one of those that hardly reads the paper….' Ash thought, but he said, "Maybe." He had been in the local paper many times announcing his win on various competitions. Being an honours student also didn't help matters in terms of being put on the paper.

"It's probably," He said to the woman as he ran her credit card through the scanner, "because I am one of the employees for this bookshop, which is the only one in this town." He knew it didn't sound like much, but Present Wisdom is the only independently owned bookstore in Lavender Town, Kanto.

"No." The woman shook her head. "That's not it either."

Ash could understand her frustration, but just said, "Well…maybe you just…you know. Have one of those names that sound familiar."

"Maybe that's it." The woman replied, but she sounded doubtful. "Gosh, this is going to bug me all night. I just know it."

Her credit card was approved. Ash tore off the slip for her to sign and started bagging her purchases, before handing it to her.

"Oh well." The lady said, taking the bag from Ash and her receipt. "I guess it's just one of those things."

"I guess it is." Ash answered, not without some relief. Because she was finally leaving.

However, his relief turned out to be short-lived, because a second later, the bells over at the front door to the shop tinkled, and Candice- if Ash isn't wrong, she is in the Intermediate Class under the High School Division in his school, and most likely a Double Star. She was holding an ice cream purchased from the shop across from the bookstore.

"Mum, would you hurry up? I've been waiting for you like ever."

And Ash realized, belatedly, who he had been talking to. Great. While he can't be expected to read every credit card someone hands to him, the last thing he needed was a schoolmate to come in here….not counting his friends.

"Oh, Candice, you'll know." Candice's mother said to her daughter. "How do I know the name Ash Ketchum?"

"Oh My God! Mum! Ash Ketchum is the most popular boy in our school! He's captain of so many CCAs I cannot name, one of the top students of the Advanced Class in the High School Division, and he's a member of the Student Council who was nominated to be the Student Council President! Oh, I hope he becomes President! He's our Academy's Champion!"

Candice's mother flung an amazed look at him. "And he's pretty modest too." She nodded in approval.

That was when Candice finally noticed him, standing behind the cash register.

"Ash! Can I have your autograph?" Candice asked.

Ash fought the urge to hit his head on the counter.

"Yo, Ash! Want to hang out after you're done with your shift?" Jude Harrison, one of his friends, asked as he, Phillip, Rosaline and Amethyst came into the store an hour after Candice and her mother left it.

These are the other four that made up of the most popular clique in PAL Academy, members of the Student Council, and there are also his good friends.

First off, it was Jude Harrison. He is 17 this year, and is the second most popular guy in school. He had black hair with smooth bangs brushed to the side with wide amber eyes that is usually filled with mischief, in addition to pale skin and soft lips that oozes out the desire to be kissed. He had a slight muscular build and is the tallest of the group, about 187cm tall. He is the captain of the Fashion Club, Drama Club, Entertainers Club, DanceSport Club, Contemporary Dance Club, Photography Club, Pokémon Connoisseur Club, Water Club, Dark Club, Cheerleading Club, Aquatic Diving Club, Swimming Club, Water Polo Club, Scuba Diving Club and Canoeing Club. His favourite subject is Chemistry. His Star Rank is Triple.

Second was Rosaline Pyra. She was a year older than Ash, being 16 this year, and is the second most popular girl in school. She had black hair as well with hot pink highlights (the school allowed hair dye or highlights) and wide black eyes as dark as midnight. She was a petite girl with a delicate figure, and is the shortest of the group at 176cm, making others describe her as "cute". Her favourite subject is History. She is captain of the Fire Club, Psychic Club, Anime Club, Arts Appreciation, Aikido Club, Public Speaking Club, Marathon Club, Poetry Club, Astrology Club, Track and Field, Yoga Club, Mythology Club, and Library Club. She is a Triple Star like Jude.

Third was Phillip Robinson. He was the same age as Ash, and is the third most popular guy in school. He had brown hair with bangs that were combed down and baby blue eyes. He stood around 183cm tall, and is also the smartest among them (He always secures first position in class and level in exams). His favourite subject is Physics, Elementary Mathematics (E-Maths for short), and Additional Mathematics (A-Maths for short). He is the captain of the Electric Club, Steel Club, Infocomm Club, Videography Club, Board Games Club, Chess Club, Robotics Innovation Technology Club, Football Club, Tennis Club, Science Club, Stage Production Club, Astronomy Club, and Computer Club. He is a Triple Star as well.

The last of the group, but not least, was Amethyst Paradinight. She was the oldest of the group, being 18 this year, and is the most popular girl in school, and also considered to be the most beautiful girl in school. She had long ebony black hair that reaches to the middle of her back, with amethyst eyes that is usually emotionless (probably why she was named Amethyst) and high cheekbones. She had soft pink lips that every male had the desire to kiss, with a voluptuous figure every girl would kill to have. Her favourite subject is English and Biology. She is the captain of the Fairy Club, Ice Club, Pokémon Contest Club, Pokémon Showcase Club, Japanese Cultural Club, Archery Club, Bowling Club, Ice Sports Club, Shooting, Gymnastics Club, Red Cross, Piano Club, Strings Club, and Choir. She was offered captainship for the Dragon Club and the Psychic Club as well, being the best Dragon and Psychic Pokémon user in school, but she had declined. She is also a Special Star.

These, of course, made their school lives very busy, in addition to their school work and language classes they might have signed up for.

The five of them also were the ones behind PAL Anonymous, a website where students submit their problems to them (with a pen name), and they would reply on their website.

Now, in PAL Academy, every student is ranked on a Star system that is based on the individual's contribution to the school, achievements, grades and good behaviour, among other things. Students can receive one of five ranks: No Star, Single, Double, Triple, and Special. Their rank is displayed by the appropriate number of stars pinned on the collar of their school blazer (they can wear whatever they want in PAL Academy, but they had to wear the school's blazer over their outfit), and may grant them extra privileges or discipline depending on the rank. A student's Star Ranking also determines the student's dorm rooms and room assignment, food portions, chores, and monthly allowance.

Ash smiled in greeting at his friends, and they did smile back, however, Ash wondered why did he have the feeling Amethyst's smile was somewhat forced, but he dismissed it.

Jude swung himself up on the counter and helped himself to a Lindt truffle from the candy display. The others were looking around the store, wondering if the shop might sell something they want or need.

Not that Ash was mad that Jude took it without permission, but it'd be suspicious if it wasn't paid for.

"Sure, I'd like to after the shift ends, but you'd have to pay up 60 Pokédollars for that." Ash informed him. Jude shrugged, and paid up 100 Pokédollars. Then he plucked another Lindt ball, and tossed it to Rosaline, who was so surprised the Lindt chocolate truffle came at her out of nowhere, she didn't think to catch it, and it smacked her on the shoulder, and before it could fall to the floor, Amethyst sighed, and used her telekinesis to catch it, before passing it to Rosaline.

"You still owe me 20 Pokédollars." Ash said to Jude.

"Later." Jude waved him off.

"How long are you going to continue your shift?" Phillip asked.

"Until closing time, which is at 9." Ash replied.

Phillip nodded, as he caught a Lindt ball from Jude.

"If you break that display glass." Ash warned Jude, because he was still sitting on the counter, swinging his feet in front of the glass display case beneath it, "I'm making you take those entire dolls home with you." Because beneath the glass are about thirty Madame Alexander dolls, most of which are based on fictional characters from books or movies.

Did Ash mention it was his idea to put the dolls behind glass, after Ash figured it out the bookstore he is now working at has been losing a doll a week to doll collectors, who are notoriously light-handed when it comes to Madame Alexander and who carry very roomy tote bags into shops like this one for the sole purpose of adding into their collection without the pesky burden of having to pay for it?

Jude once mentioned he hated dolls. The way they stare into his eyes, he said, is just plain creepy.

Jude stopped swinging his feet, as Amethyst looked at the display glass to admire the dolls.

When the minute hand reached 12 and the hour hand reached 9 at night, Ash started to close up.

"My goodness. I didn't realize it had got so late." Ash's employer, a woman named Amber came out of the back office. She had wavy blonde hair and grey eyes, and she usually wore grey eye shadow and lipstick.

"Hello, boys and girls." said Amber, greeting Ash and his friends. "What are you kids planning on doing with your last free Sunday night before school starts? Is someone having a party?"

"No, we did receive invitations to some parties, but we're not going. Parties like those involve alcohol, and remember what happened the last time alcohol was involved?" Jude sounded disgusted.

"Yeah, some guy in our school two years ago tried to make Amethyst play a drinking game and made her drink more than the usual amount that was agreed upon because he thought she didn't drink them even if she did in front of him. After that, he tried to take her to a room to sexually assault her when she was supposedly drunk, but luckily, Ash saw him and beat him up for that." Phillip said. "He was expelled the very next day of course, when we reported."

"Yeah, but the look on his face was priceless when he realized Amethyst wasn't drunk yet." Rosaline laughed.

"I see." Amber nodded.

Ash couldn't help but laugh, as he reached for the cash drawer to count out the day's receipts, before lifting the cash drawer out of the register then walked back to the back of the store to lock it up in the office overnight.

On the way, he noticed that Jeremy, one of his regular customers, was engrossed in the latest Ride, a car magazine. His three children were busy wrecking the Brio train set that Ash's employer Amber puts out for kids to play with while their parents shop.

"Hey, guys." Ash said to the kids, who were ramming the train's caboose into the block building they just built. "We have to close now. Sorry."

The children groaned, and Ash knew that their dad clearly didn't have as many cool toys at home as they did at the store.

Jeremy looked up, surprised. "Is it really closing time?" he asked, and then looked at his watch. "Oh, wow, look at that."

Ash sighed, and shook his head, and he continued his way, and locked up, before joining his friends, who were waiting outside the door for him.

They piled into the red convertible (belonging to Amethyst. For some reason, she kept asking Ash, who is the only one with a Driver's License among them besides her, to store it at his house, a reason she refused to tell him, just saying it's a personal reason. Ash, as her friend, didn't want to pry, so he agreed.), and Ash started to drive them to their favourite café, and they snagged the balcony table, where they can see what is going on at the streets at the same time.

When they sat down, Jude looked down and said, "Hey, look, down. Is that our classmate Cynthia?" The others followed their gazes down, and saw a very pretty girl with long blonde hair that reaches to her knees and some of her fringe was covering her one eye. She is wearing a casual outfit- a light blue vest-like sleeveless shirt with black pants.

"She sure grown to be one beautiful girl." Rosaline agreed. "But Amy still beats her."

"Indeed." Ash nodded to Amethyst. "Besides, I'm sure Cynthia is not the only one."

"Well, can't wait to see the looks on everyone's faces when they see your new look." Jude nodded to him.

Ash sighed, as he remembered that out of jealousy of his achievements, one of the students poured acid on his face at the end of year celebration. He had waited until Ash went to the toilet alone and attacked him from there. However, Mika, a Student Council member, witnessed it, and reported the student immediately, and Principal Anderson was so angry he had caned the student on the spot in front of the student body, and expelled him.

Amethyst had went to heal his face in secret, but she couldn't return his birthmarks, which was why his face is now birthmark-free. He decided to cut his hair and comb it down as well, and spend more time indoors than out, giving him cream-coloured skin instead of the tanned skin he usually had.

"I still say you look more handsome now." Rosaline giggled.

Ash gave his friends a wry smile.

"Do you think we would make a good soul mate someday?" Phillip asked.

"Don't be ridiculous." Ash muttered.

"Why? What's wrong of finding your soul mate in school?" Jude wanted to know. "I mean, that may be the only chance you find your soul mate. If you blow it off just because you don't want to meet your soul mate school, you may never meet your soul mate, and you'll be lonely forever."

"I don't believe we HAVE only one soul mate." Ash replied. "I bet we're given multiple chances to meet them. Sure, you could meet a soul mate in school. But that doesn't mean if you don't act on it, you'll never meet anyone else. You will, just at a time that's more convenient for you."

Phillip frowned. "What's so inconvenient about meeting your soul mate in high school, though?"

"Let me see." said Ash rubbing his chin as if to think about it. "How about…you still live with your parents? Where are you and your soul mate supposed to well, get it on?"

"Er…..car?" Rosaline suggested.

"See, that's B.S." said Ash. Only he didn't just say the initials. "What's so romantic about that? Forget about it."

"So, you're trying to say no one should date while we're still in school?" Jude asked.

"Sure, you can date." said Ash. "You can like to the movies and hang out and stuff. But don't, you know, fall in love."

Amethyst rolled her eyes and said, "What? Don't fall in love, Ash?"

"Not with somebody you go to school with. I mean, you don't want to spit where you eat, do you?" Ash asked.

Only he didn't say spit.

"Well, you have a point." Amethyst muttered.

"I'm serious. You date someone in school, and then break up, you still have to see them in school. That's like super tense. Who needs all this, when you already have CCA, competitions, classes and even our website to help out students in the mix?" Ash asked. "Besides, we're the most popular clique, everyone wants to date us for the wrong reasons. Who is going to like us for who we are, rather than our looks, popularity and talent?"

"Can I get you guys the usual?" That was what Terra, their waitress, wanted to know as she came over to take their order.

The group nodded, and as Terra, left, Rosaline said, "Well, Ash does have a point. But you know, since we are now in the High School Division, people probably would be starting to date right, left and center."

"Yeah, especially somebody who had a crush on you since you were 14." Jude sniggered to Amethyst, as Terra came back with their orders.

He remembered that in PAL Anonymous, someone had written to them about his crush on Amethyst, and it wasn't difficult to find out who was the one who wrote that letter, as he mentioned he was from the same class as her, and his pen name (Dragon Master) also gave him away. They knew it was Lance, the captain of the Dragon Club, Dragon Dance Club, Dragon Boat Club, and also a member of the Student Council like them. After all, who else who loves Dragon Pokémon is in her class?

"He'll get over it." Amethyst sighed, as she sipped her tea. "It's just a silly crush."

"I doubt crushes last that long, though." Rosaline said. "Probably didn't help that both of you are from the same hometown, and do run into each other over the summer."

Ash had to stifle a laugh at that.

"Ash, you got mail." His mother announced, when he came home for supper, and Pikachu came bounding to him for a hug. "It's from the school." She handed him an envelope that had the school emblem at the top left hand corner.

Ash felt that there was something inside the envelope, and when he tore it open, a badge fell out of the envelope. Ash turned the badge, and his mouth opened. It said, "Student Council President." He read the letter, which was congratulating him as the teachers had voted him to be the new Student Council President, and of course, he has to prepare a speech for the convocation.

"Honey, what is it?" His mother asked, and Ash showed her the badge.

"Oh, I'm so proud!" Delia swept him up into a hug. "My baby boy, new Student Council President! What say we have a celebration? You can let out all your Pokémon!"

Ash nodded, and went to get his Pokémon, as his mother decided to get a cake from the nearby store to celebrate his new position.

Ash chuckled when his Pokémon began eating the food with gusto, and had to laugh even harder when some of his Pokémon began snatching food and there were arguments, but intervened when it looked like they were about to use their moves on each other.

Meanwhile, he decided to eat while preparing his speech. He figured he thinks best while he ate something small.

Later that night, Ash had packed his school blazer, necessities, Pokéballs containing his Pokémon and the books he had bought for the upcoming year. He also made sure his Mega Glove is also packed.

"Well, tomorrow would be a new day, right, Pikachu, Lucario?" Ash asked his faithful partners.

"That's right!" Pikachu replied.

"Indeed." Lucario answered. "Did you pack everything?"

"Well, let me check." Ash ticked the things he had packed off the list. "Yup, I did, and my outfit is also over there ready to be worn when I wake up, and my speech, all written and ready. My timetable also had been printed from the school website."

Just then, his mum came into the room, and sank down on the bed beside him.

"How are you doing, Ash?" His mum asked. "All ready for school tomorrow? It's a big day….first year in the High School Division. I can't believe you're in the High School Division already!"

"Yeah mum." Ash replied. "Everything's great. Don't worry about me." Ash replied.

"You're the one I don't need to worry about." Delia said, patting him on the leg. "Well, honey, becoming a Student Council President is great, but you know the responsibilities, but I don't need to remind you of that…I know what a good head you've got on your shoulders."

"Thanks mum." Ash nodded.

"Well, goodnight honey. Don't forget to pack you-know-what. You don't want to be known as the President who doesn't wear you-know-what, do you?"

"Mum!" Ash shouted, embarrassed.

"See you in the morning." His mum laughed.

"See you." Ash mumbled.

"Well, bye Ash." His mother kissed him on the cheek. "Love you."

"Love you too, mum." He replied, as he boarded the bus with Pikachu and Lucario on the way to Celadon City carrying his luggage, which was where the PAL train would be. It would take him at least an hour to get to Celadon City. He sat, and listed to some of the music he had downloaded on his IPhone.

"Hey, Ash!" His childhood friend, Gary, was taking the seat next to him. Although they were the same age, they were in different level of classes, Gary being in the Intermediate level. "Ready for a new year?"

"Definitely." Ash replied. They weren't exactly close friends, because it was hard to be close friends with the most popular boy in school, since he had such a busy social calendar. But close enough that they had been over to each other's houses to play during the summer. Although once, when Ash was at Gary's house, his grandfather, Professor Oak, the Physics teacher in PAL Academy, was baking a bunch of homemade granola at that time, and the smell of burnt oatmeal was kind of overpowering.

"So, new Student Council President, huh?" Gary smirked.

"How did you know?" Ash was surprised.

"Well, a little Pidgey told me." Gary said in a sing-song voice.

'Must've been Professor Oak. After all he is a teacher in the school.' Ash thought.

Their school was divided into three main divisions: The Elementary division was where children from 7 to 12 study. Middle School Division was for students whose age typically range from 13 to 15. And finally, High School Division is for the second students with their age range being from 16 to 20 (because some of the children enter the school as late as 10 years old, the max age to be able to register as first years in PAL Academy).

And in the three divisions, it is further separated into three levels of classes: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Most Beginner students are Single Star (except Elementary, where some are No-Stars), most Intermediate students are normally Double Stars, and most Advanced students, are of course, Triple Stars. Special Star rankings are given to those true geniuses of the Academy, and they are the truly gifted individuals with formidable grades and achievements, and give great contributions to the school. Out of the entire school, there were only four people with the Special Star ranking, but two of them graduated last year, which leaves Ash and Amethyst being the only Special Star students left.

By the time they reached, Ash was yawning due to boredom, as he made his way to the train that would take them to PAL Academy. The PAL Academy train (can be told by the school emblem at the side of the train) would start off from Kanto, before going to Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova and finally, Kalos before they really reach the school, as the students all come from different regions.

He and Gary handed their tickets to the security guard manning that train, who stamped their tickets and let them pass the border. Ash boarded the train, and got into a compartment alone (Gary went to find some of his classmates), and took out a laptop and the charger from the luggage, before using telekinesis to lift the trunk and place it at the shelf above.

He turned on his laptop and began watching some movies (there were chargers to plug his laptop so he need not worry about the battery running out) and practicing his speech, as the train started moving to Violet City.

Ash was so engrossed he barely heard the compartment door open, and when he looked up, he groaned.

"Oh, not you again." Ash groaned. Because standing there was Morgan.

He was a girly person who had ugly, long green hair (which he thinks it's nice) and was wearing checkered shirt and striped short skirt under the school blazer that made Ash want to puke. He was also somewhat overweight. He wasn't wearing any star on his collar, indicating he was a No-Star. He is also one of the most unpopular students in school.

Ash is not dissing him because of his appearance or he is a No-Star or anything, but it's because of his attitude that makes Ash and the others loathe him- this person had an ego that is bigger than a Wailord, and is delusional, thinking he is very popular and looks better than everyone in school. He is also extremely vain.

He thought he deserved to have the best rooms as well (generally, No-Stars sleep in a large room with other No Star children, but for Morgan he slept in a room in the attic, since he is older), and he kept writing to the Student Council about it. Also, he was a bully, picking on the other No-Star students because he was much bigger than them (No Star students are generally young, being as young as 7)

"What? Not happy to see me, a popular student, new guy?" Morgan huffed in his high-pitched tone, pushing his way into the compartment.

"These seats are reserved for my friends, not you." Ash stopped him with telekinesis.

"Hey, I'm popular so let me sit." Morgan said. "Or are you dissing me because you're jealous that I'm more popular than you, new guy? You should be grateful I chose to sit with you."

"No, I don't want you sitting with me, and I'm not a new student, now out!" Ash shouted, as Lucario pushed Morgan and his luggage out with Psychic, before locking the compartment. Ash sat down, thanking Lucario, and ignored the banging Morgan was making, and him shouting, asking him who he is if he isn't a new guy.

Ash noticed that the train had stopped, and is now letting the Johto students in. He heard someone whack Morgan on the head (judging by his yell), and the door knocking. Ash looked at the glass panel to see Amethyst, and he unlocked the door with telekinesis to let her and her Sylveon in. Ash thought Amethyst looked somewhat upset as she loaded her stuff at the shelf above them with telekinesis.

"Good news: I got the Student Council President position." Ash announced.

"So you got that badge." Amethyst said. "I had the Vice-President position."

"That's great!" Ash exclaimed. "How did your parents take the news? Did they celebrate?"

Amethyst stayed silent. What actually happened was her mother giving her a tight slap and shouting a girl should not be even be spending so much time studying. In fact, she was locked in the room as punishment for the night without dinner.

Amethyst never mentioned her abuse at her family's hands, because she feared them, and as she usually healed her injuries before she met her friends, they weren't aware. In fact, her family never paid her school fees or her schoolbooks or even her school blazer. They were paid by herself and her eldest brother, who was currently working as a Zodiac member in the Hunter's Association somewhere in PAL.

"Not really, said there's room for improvement." Amethyst mentioned off-handedly.

Ash thought she was hiding something, but simply nodded, as she took the seat across from him, as the train started to move towards Mauville City, which was where Phillip lived.

"Anything interesting happened?" Amethyst asked.

"No, just Morgan trying to sit in this compartment." Ash replied. "You did see him outside our compartment, right?"

Amethyst nodded, just as her Love Ball opened and Skitty appeared on her lap. She curled on Amethyst's lap and started sleeping.

"Why come out if you're tired?" Amethyst mumbled, sighing.

Ash laughed. "Maybe she wanted to stay out with you. Better keep her in the Pokéball later in case May sees her." But since he sounded more amused than serious, it wasn't too convincing. Everyone knows that this Skitty formerly belonged to May, a member of the Pokémon Contest Club. She and her friend Dawn usually challenged Amethyst for her captainship, but hey always lost badly.

May used her Skitty to attack Amethyst two years ago, but Amethyst used her ice powers to freeze Skitty, and May ran away so as not to be caught, dropping Skitty's Pokéball in the process. Amethyst then went to heal Skitty, and feed her a Poképuff, and she admired Amethyst being kind to her despite the fact that she attacked her, and decided to follow Amethyst, and willingly go into Amethyst's Love Ball, the only Pokéball she had with her at that time. Ever since, Skitty was a great help in Pokémon Contests and Showcases, even helping her win the Kalos Queen title last year.

The train stopped at Mauville City train station, and true enough, the compartment door had some knocking, and Ash use telekinesis to unlock the door, and Phillip came in, his Pachirisu on his shoulder. Ash helped load his luggage at the shelf, and Phillip nodded in thanks as he sat beside Ash.

"Anything new?" Phillip asked.

"Besides Ash being Student Council President and Amy being Vice-President? Nah." Pikachu replied.

"Ah….I became the Treasurer." Phillip showed his badge.

"That's great, Phillip!" Ash nodded, as the train started moving again.

Just then, the compartment door opened and a voice said, "Well, if it isn't the Pokémon thief."

Amethyst sighed, and turned to see May, with her friend Misty and her brother Max. The latter was drooling over Amethyst, much to her disgust.

"Well, if it isn't the person who ran away without her Skitty just because she doesn't want to be caught." Phillip retorted.

May spluttered, "I did not run away, you…!"

"May would take your captainship away from you this year, wait and see!" Misty pointed at Amethyst. "And I will take the captainship of the Water Club away from Jude as well." The thing about captainship is, anytime a member can challenge the captain for their captainship. If the challenger won, the challenger would be the new captain. This also applies to the other positions members may have (Vice-captain, secretary, member of school team, etc.)

'Coming from someone who didn't even win a Grand Festival yet, while I won all 40 Ribbons from PAL, and four Grand Festivals.' Amethyst thought. 'And you'll never win against Jude….he, like us, has the advantage of commanding Pokémon without speaking, unlike you….'

"You're just sore that you didn't obtain a Vaporeon like Jude and I did, huh, Misty?" Ash asked, and they turned to see Ash, and had hearts in their eyes.

"Hey, new guy, do you want to sit with us at our compartment? You don't have to sit with them." Misty asked in a sultry voice.

Ash shook his head in the negative.

'Bingo' Phillip thought. He knew they can't recognize him.

"They're annoying." Sylveon flicked her tail, and May looked at her Sylveon in envy. How come her Eevee didn't evolve into a Sylveon?

Phillip interrupted with "Well, hopefully you can improve your Glaceon so you would stop being envious of her Sylveon."

May glared at Phillip, and was about to say something, but Amethyst cut her off by saying, "Yes, whatever." and slammed the door on their faces, leaving them gawking.

"It's about lunch time. Someone go to the Supply Station and get some lunch for us. Who wants to go?" Phillip asked.

"I'll go." Ash volunteered, and left the compartment. He scanned the train until he located the Supply Station, a deep compartment set off by a counter. Students were already waiting behind it, but there's not a lot of activity there. Ash went up and requested three boxes of lunch, and the man asked who was with him in the compartment. When Ash told him who, the man checked the student list, took one box from the Triple Star section and two from the Special Star section, and handed him the said boxes along with drink packets. Ash lifted them with telekinesis, much to the amazement of students, although it isn't unusual. Ash turned to find a group forming rapidly behind him.

"Excuse me." Ash said, as he levitated their lunches and drinks through the others back to his compartment.

"Here are your lunches." Ash said to his friends.

"Cool. A Three-tiered lunch box for us." Amethyst commented, taking her lunch box.

Phillip took his lunch box, which was a traditional lunch box.

Ash opened his lunch box, and began eating. They had already fed their Pokémon with a huge meal before they boarded so their Pokémon weren't hungry.

Phillip ended up eating as much as Amethyst as she kept transferring some of her food to his box, claiming she wasn't very hungry.

As they sipped their drinks, the train had reached Celestic Town, which was where the train station is located.

"Ah! That was a great lunch." Ash said, as the attendant came to collect their lunch boxes back. At the same time, Rosaline entered the compartment with her Espeon. She used her telekinesis to place her luggage above them.

"Did you get a badge?" Ash asked.

"I'm the new Secretary of the Student Council." Rosaline replied, sitting next to Amethyst. "What did you guys get?"

"I'm the Treasurer." Phillip replied.

"Vice-President." Amethyst answered shortly.

"I got the President position." Ash said.

"If Jude gets a position too, it means all five of us are part of the Committee!" Rosaline squealed excitedly, as the train started moving to Nimbasa City.

Just then, the compartment door opened, and a girl with dark blue hair and matching eyes were standing at the door. She was wearing a cute dress everyone thought was too short for her, and a white hat with a pink half Pokéball logo on it with pink boots.

"What do you want now?" Phillip sighed to Dawn.

"I'm just here to say you might want to watch out captain, I will take the Pokémon Contest Club captainship away from you." Dawn warned. "How could you kick me out of the school team just because I got Runner-up for the Sinnoh Grand Festival?"

"You got kicked out of the school team is because you had been skipping practices after the Grand Festival, and I caught you trying to sabotage another one of my members in the surveillance camera." Amethyst said calmly. "It has nothing to do with your performance."

"You won't be saying that for long, as you won't hold your captainship for long this year." Dawn sneered.

"Ok, we get it." Dawn turned to see Ash, and of course, drooled over him like the last two girls, and how Max drooled over Amethyst.

Ash had enough, and used telekinesis to slam the door, much to Dawn's surprise, as she was about to ask him if he would like to sit with her and her friends. "Another annoyance." He muttered. Amethyst nodded in agreement.

During this time, Rosaline decided to play Go Fish with Phillip. Amethyst and Ash were watching them play with mild interest.

"Got any fours?" Rosaline asked Phillip.

"Go fish." Phillip said, not even looking up from his remaining card.

"Darn!" Rosaline quipped, picking a card from the pile. She looked at her cards again.

"Got any Eights?" Rosaline finally asked.

"Go fish." Phillip replied.

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Rosaline hissed. "Got any fives?"

"Go fish." said Phillip.

"STOP HAVING NO CARDS!" Rosaline yelled, as she picked out another card, and dealt a pair.

"Not my fault you asked for the cards I don't have. Do you have any twos?"

Rosaline gave him the requested card, and he put his remaining two cards down. "I win." Phillip stated.

"You should know better than to challenge Phillip in games." Ash said, settling back in his seat, just as the train reached Nimbasa City.

"Yo, what's up?" Jude came in and did fist bumps with his friends. "Seems like I'm late to the party, huh?" He sat down as the train moved towards Lumiose City .

"No kidding. It's almost dinnertime." Phillip laughed.

"Yeah, we'll only reach by midnight." Ash replied. "So what position did you get?"

"Oh, I got the Discipline I/C position." Jude answered, just as the compartment door opened again.

"What now?" Ash shouted at the people outside, which was Iris, a member of the Dragon Club, and Cilan, a member of the Pokémon Connoisseur Club.

"I just want to say to that emo girl, that I will take away her title of the strongest Dragon user in the school!" Iris pointed to Amethyst, who looked bored.

"Can't you challenge Lance? He's your captain." Amethyst yawned.

"Yes, but I know for one that the school offered the captainship to you. You were their first choice, and don't think I'm stupid, but you battled Lance with Dragon Pokémon once, and you won." Iris pointed a finger at her.

"How did she know about that?" Phillip wondered.

"And you, my eternal rival Jude, we will see who's evaluation is better this year." Cilan pointed at Jude.

"Ok, we get it." Ash interrupted.

They turned to see Ash, and Iris was thinking, 'Wow, since when do we have a hot guy like that in school?' However, Ash, having had enough, slammed the door on them, and sighed. "Who wants to get our dinner?"

"I'll go. I need the trip to the bathroom." Rosaline volunteered, and left the compartment. She returned ten minutes later levitating the dinner behind her.

As they ate, they could see they are approaching PAL region. They had privately agreed it'll be nice to move to PAL someday when they graduate.

After dinner, they decided to take a nap until midnight, not bothering to change into their pyjamas. They pulled the cushions of the seats, which revealed a bed as well.

"Well, goodnight." Ash bade his friends, and heard them murmuring "goodnight" back.

Ash let the train rock him into oblivion, and he drifted off to sleep….

"Come on, Ash get up. We're reaching school soon." A voice said. He woke up to find Amethyst was shaking him. Apparently, she was the first to wake up as the other were still stretching, and yawning.

"I could do with more sleep." Phillip yawned.

"You'll get it once we reach school, and we get to our dorms." Amethyst replied, as they removed their luggage, set the couches, smoothed their clothing, and waited as the train slowed into Koulutus City train station, and their school is located just across the station.

The dorm building was where the students stay during the school term. There are three different buildings, one for Elementary Division, one for Middle School Division and one for High School Division. The system for all the buildings is all the same: lower Star ranked students stay on the lower floor, where all the smaller rooms are, while higher Star ranked students stayed in much bigger rooms and better accommodations.

Ash and the other students filed into the dorm lobby and onto the elevators. The elevators stopped at every floor to deposit the other students, before he found himself alone with Amethyst, and they walked to their rooms together, since they stayed on the same floor.

"Well, see you tomorrow, Amy." Ash greeted, as he, Pikachu and Lucario reached the door with his name on it.

Amethyst nodded, and Ash entered his room, closing the door behind him.

His room consisted of a bedroom, a dressing area, and private bathroom with hot and cold running water. There are also so many automatic gadgets in his room as well. The shower alone has a panel with more than a hundred options he can choose regulating water temperature, pressure, soaps, shampoos, scents, oils and massaging sponges. When a person steps out on a mat, heaters come on that blow dry his body. Instead of struggling with knots in wet hair, one can just place his hand on a box that sends a current through his scalp, untangling, parting, and drying his hair almost instantly.

The windows also zoom in and out on parts of the region at his command.

There is also a desk with a comfy roller chair (with great lighting), TV and computer with fast Internet Connection. There is also a place where you can place all your Pokéballs. There was a kitchen as well, though he rarely used it, except for feeding his Pokémon.

Ash took a quick shower, and changed into his pyjamas at last. He bade goodnight to his Pokémon, and fell fast asleep.

Ash dressed in a dark blue shirt and jeans, wearing his school blazer over it. He also pinned his Student Council President badge on his chest, and his Star Rank is represented by one pin on the collar: a single star enclosed in a circle. His Pokémon were all let out, eating breakfast.

"Ok, let's go." Ash swung his bag over his shoulder, as he returned all his Pokémon (except Pikachu and Lucario). They nodded, and followed him out, meeting his friends on the way down. When they reached the hallway to get their books from their locker, they were greeted by the morning din.

Combination dials spun. Locker doors slammed. Girls who hadn't seen each other since school ended last spring let out piercing shrieks and hugged one another. Guys high-fived other guys. Pokémon were outside talking to each other. Teachers stood in doorways, clutching steaming mugs of coffee and gossiping with other teachers.

"Well, let's get to our lockers. See you all at the welcome back convocation?" Jude asked. The others nodded, and separated, as all their lockers are at five different points. In fact, when you mark their lockers from an aerial view, it forms either a pentagon or a star. Of course, what the other students do not know is that, their lockers have a doorway that leads to the PAL Anonymous Headquarters, which is where they answer their questions once a week.

As Ash got closer to his locker, avoiding a Shinx that was running in the corridor, everyone was shocked into silence at his new look, and whispered about the new guy. Even Lance and his friends, whose lockers are across the hall from his, were also staring at him, wondering who he was, and how he got a locker so fast as a new student.

"I'm hurt you do not recognize your own classmate, Lance." Ash remarked, as he got to his locker, and twisted the combination.

"Ash?" Lance was surprised.

Lorelei was astonished as well. "How….what…." She was stunned at his new look.

"Ash became hot over the summer." Karen said in awe, as Ash took the books he needed, and stored those he didn't need.

Just then, the bell rang, and Ash slammed his locker door. "Well, see you at the convocation." With that, he hurried down the hall.

"This is so lame." Jude muttered, as they started for their traditional seats at the front row of the auditorium. Everyone was staring at them, muttering comments like, "Merman Jude looks as cool as ever" or "Fiery Phoenix Rosaline is cute as always,"

"Jude, you're an ExCo member of the Student Council, set an example." Phillip warned.

"Where's Ash and Amethyst, though?" Rosaline asked. The other two shrugged, as they sat down, leaving two spaces for their friends. Vice-Principal Goodshow was trying to get everyone to settle down by saying, "Settle down people. Now, people. Please settle down." over and over again in the microphone. The friends watched as the other students poured in, and the seats around them (except for the two seats they booked) are slowly being filled by the other fairly popular students. And then, just before the bell rang, in came Ash and Amethyst, and everyone was staring at the Academy's Champion (Ash) and the Academy's Princess (Amethyst). Many girls were admiring Ash's new look, and commented how he got hot.

The two of them were greeting the other students who kept shouting hello to them, the way a bride and groom might smile and nod at people assembled for their wedding, or a king and queen might nod to their populace. Which is, in a way, true: They are the king and queen of the school. No matter how much some students might not like to admit it.

"Thanks for saving us a seat." Ash said, sitting down with his friends.

"No prob." Rosaline replied, as Principal William Anderson walked up to the microphone, and the chattering hordes fell silent. Everyone is afraid of Principal Anderson as he can be extremely scary if he wanted to. In fact, there was a rumour that he practices throwing knives in his office, regardless if someone is in the office or not.

Principal Anderson started his welcome speech- "Welcome, students, to another school year at PAL Academy." and Ash half listened to it, because it was almost the same every year, but he needed to look like he was paying attention, to live to his new title. After that mind-numbingly boring speech on how they should use the coming year to realize their full potential, Vice-Principal Charles Goodshow read of the highlights of the student code of conduct: no cheating, no violence, no harassment of any kind (includes Pokémon), or they would be expelled immediately.

Finally, after Charles noticed the place was alternatively looking at the clock and longing for it to be lunchtime, or sleeping, he finally said, "And let's have our new Student Council President say a few words. Please welcome, Ash Ketchum!"

Ash started, as there was thunderous applause as he made his way up to the podium, his speech in hand. He had to adjust the microphone to his own height after the diminutive Charles Goodshow stepped away from it, to amused chuckles from the student body. Anyone could tell by the whispering from the girls that they wanted him.

"Good morning to Principal Anderson, Vice Principal Goodshow, teachers, and my fellow students. It's an honour to be standing right here in front of you all as your new Student Council President. And…" He was cut off by more applause and cheering.

"But to me, being the new Student President is not just about the authority granted. It's also about the huge responsibility I'm ready to take up, as the Student Council takes care of the upcoming events, and they must make sure that the events go smoothly, the problems that may arise around school, and deal with the feedback of the students, and the last decision would lie in me, the President."

Ash hesitated a little when he saw all of them staring at him, hanging on his every word.

"Go, Ash." His friends whispered.

"As the President, he or she is the voice of the students, not the voice of himself or herself. And I am very sure everyone in the Student Council knows this as they applied to be the new President. Am I right?"

There were more cheering, mainly from the other members of the Student Council.

Ash smiled. "I am grateful to the teachers that had ultimately chosen me. I realized a few factors last year, where we only went ahead to organize events, and since it was at the last minute, we didn't spare time to what you have to say, and thus you didn't enjoy the events and I am deeply sorry for that."

Some people shouted, "It's ok."

"I want to get to understand all you students, not just as classmates, but as people. I know PAL Anonymous helps you all out with problems, but if you need a listening ear, we will always be here for you. From tomorrow on, a Feedback box and Suggestion Box would be opened for students to give their opinions on how the Council is running and how to improve them, and suggestions on organizing the upcoming events would be welcome."

There was murmuring among the students.

"And I hope, that this year, we will be able to work together, as no matter our Division, no matter our level, we are still one school: PAL Academy. Thank you."

The applause continued long after he's done, and he waited until they finished before he said, "Now, I would like to call upon the new Vice-President to lead all of you to the school song. Would you all please stand?"

Amethyst took her place next to Ash, to whistles and cheers, as the whole school stood up, and started singing the school song, as Amethyst started to conduct with her left hand:

"Hail alter mater P-A-L

May you stand like an evergreen

To spread knowledge and

Develop talents

To teach the ways of trainers

And make us see

The importance of respect

For others the friendship and love

Of our Pokémon, we'll never forget

The advice of friends and teachers

We'll be sure to remember

With you, we march

Forward courageously

With time

We progress together zealously."

As the last note was sang, Amethyst made a zipping motion, signalling the end of the song.

Then the bell rang, signalling lunchtime.

BP: I know, it's bad, because I sort of had to think a long time about the school systems and the CCAs available, and if a Gym Leader, Elite Four and Champion should be a student or teacher, especially those adult and middle aged ones (some are simply too old to be a student). Sorry if Ash didn't look like his normal self, since I explained in the story how he lost his birthmarks and his skin losing the tan.

Don't worry, I will explain the school system as the story goes on.

For now, I have just one question.

What pairing do you hope to see here? (Yes, you can tell me who you ship the five characters with, but just no harem)

Please Review this story and tell me what you think!