POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

The morning sun shone brightly as Ash and his friends prepared to set off on another journey. It was time to say goodbye to Melanie and her companions.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur emerged from its Pokéball, looking around before nodding firmly. Although it would miss Melanie and the Pokémon it had cared for, it had made its decision to explore the outside world.

"You must grow strong and live up to your potential, Bulbasaur," Melanie said gently, crouching down to pat its head.

"Bulba, Bulbasaur!" It nodded enthusiastically.

Oddish and the other Pokémon surrounded Bulbasaur, expressing their emotions. Some were reluctant to let it go, while others vowed to take over its responsibilities. Many offered their blessings and wished it success on its journey.

"We'll be cheering for you when you compete in the Indigo Plateau Conference," Melanie said with a smile.

"Bulbasaur!" it replied firmly, vowing not to disappoint Melanie, its companions, or Ash.

---

Arrival at the Pokémon Research School

The Pokémon Research School was located north of Cerulean City, near Routes 24 and 25. Unlike other areas near Cerulean, the Pokémon here were notably strong, ranging from normal to elite levels. This was intentional, designed to provide a proper challenge for the school's students.

Although the school had originally excelled at blending theory with practical battles, recent years saw a decline in combat-focused training. Wealthy families began to dominate the student body, pushing for a safer curriculum that emphasized theory over practice.

This shift was unique to the Kanto Region. Despite being the birthplace of the Pokémon League, Kanto lacked a strong leadership figure to counter these influential families. Lance, the champion of the Johto Region and part-time Kanto Elite Four member, didn't hold enough sway to enforce significant changes.

As Ash and his friends reached the outskirts of the school, they were unaware of these internal struggles. For now, their focus was simply to rest and explore the area.

"The school is huge," Ash remarked, marveling at the massive grounds visible from the entrance.

The area stretched across an estimated 3,000 mu—approximately 2 million square meters. It dwarfed the Pokémon Centers Ash had visited.

At the gate, Brock approached the guard and presented their identification. The guard recognized Brock as the Pewter City Gym Leader and allowed them in without hesitation.

"The resting area for trainers is this way," the guard said, leading them to a designated section managed separately by the League.

---

A Diverse Curriculum

As they walked, Ash flipped through a brochure about the school.

"I thought this place was just for training trainers," he said. "But it has so many other programs."

The school wasn't limited to trainers; it offered courses for breeders, scientists, and even future coordinators. Its expansive curriculum aimed to support various professions in the Pokémon world.

"This makes sense," Ash admitted. "With a school this large, not every student can become a trainer."

Misty, who was familiar with the school's reputation, added, "In Kanto, the school hasn't produced a single trainer graduate in two years."

Ash frowned. "That sounds tough."

"The low graduation rate is probably to ensure only the strongest trainers make it," Brock speculated.

---

Lunchtime

As the trio neared the resting area, they noticed more students gathering. The cafeteria was adjacent to the resting area, and many students headed there for lunch.

The appearance of Ash and his friends drew attention. While trainers occasionally visited the school, it was rare enough that students couldn't help but point and whisper about the newcomers.

Among the crowd was a group of well-dressed students led by a girl named Stephanie. Her delicate features and fair skin gave her an air of elegance, and she carried herself like a princess.

"More trainers wandering in," Stephanie muttered disdainfully, her voice loud enough for Ash to hear.

Her group echoed her sentiments, their gazes filled with superiority.

---

Exploring the School

Unfazed, Ash turned his attention back to the brochure. He was intrigued by the idea that graduates of the school could skip the usual eight-gym challenge and go straight to the Pokémon League.

"This place is like a shortcut to becoming a champion," Ash said.

"Not really," Misty countered. "The graduation requirements are so strict that it's probably harder than earning eight badges."

As they talked, a boy named Ryo, one of Stephanie's classmates, approached them. Unlike Stephanie, he seemed curious rather than dismissive.

"Are you visiting the school for research or just passing through?" Ryo asked politely.

"We're just resting here," Brock explained. "We're traveling to prepare for the Indigo Plateau Conference."

Ryo nodded. "If you're interested, you should check out the student battle arena. It's where we practice our skills."

Ash's eyes lit up. "That sounds awesome!"

---

The Student Battle Arena

Following ryo suggestion, the trio made their way to the battle arena. It was an open-air field surrounded by bleachers, with students battling under the supervision of instructors.

One battle caught Ash's attention. A student was commanding a Beedrill with precision, showcasing both strategy and skill.

"That's impressive," Brock remarked. "Looks like not all students here are focused on theory."

Ash's competitive spirit flared up. "I want to try battling one of them!"

Before anyone could respond, Stephanie and her entourage arrived.

"You think you can match up to us?" Stephanie scoffed.

Ash stepped forward, undeterred. "Why don't we find out?"

The students around them murmured excitedly, eager to see how an outsider would fare against one of their top trainers.

---

A Fierce Battle

The battle was set: Ash versus Stephanie. The arena buzzed with anticipation as the two trainers took their positions.

"I hope you're ready to lose," Stephanie taunted, releasing her Clefable.

Ash smirked, releasing Pikachu. "We'll see about that!"

The battle began with Clefable using Metronome, summoning a random attack that turned out to be Thunder Wave. Pikachu dodged skillfully, countering with Thunderbolt.

Stephanie was quick to adapt. "Clefable, use Sing!"

Pikachu resisted the lull of the melody and responded with Quick Attack, landing a direct hit. The crowd erupted in cheers as the battle intensified.

---

Mutual Respect

After an intense back-and-forth, Ash emerged victorious. Pikachu stood proudly while Clefable admitted defeat.

The crowd's attitude shifted. Many students, including ryo, clapped for Ash, impressed by his determination and skill.

Stephanie, though initially annoyed, extended her hand. "You're better than I expected."

Ash shook her hand, grinning. "Thanks. You're not bad yourself."

---

Reflections

As the sun began to set, Ash, Misty, and Brock prepared to leave. Their brief time at the Pokémon Research School had been enlightening.

"Places like this remind me how much there is to learn," Ash said.

"And how far you still have to go," Misty teased.

Brock chuckled. "Well, you did earn their respect today."

With renewed determination, the trio continued their journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

---------------------------------------------------

Visit our Patreon for more:

patreon.com/Johnwick007