Ash Ketchum felt different from the other kids at his kindergarten middle school.

He was the one everyone called weird, the one without a dad, the one who was always the last to leave because his mom couldn't afford the bus fee.

Every day, after the bell rang, while the other kids rushed out to catch their rides home, Ash would sit on the school steps and wait. His mom worked late at the local diner, and he knew she'd come for him as soon as she could.

Most of the time, Ash didn't mind waiting. He'd watch the Pidgeys flutter and play in the schoolyard, imagining he was part of their adventures.

It was during these moments that Ash's love for Pokémon and his dream of becoming a Pokémon trainer blossomed.

One day, as Ash sat watching the Pokémon, a group of kids from his class approached him.

"Hey, Ash, waiting for your mom again?" one of them teased.

"Yeah, what's it to you?" Ash responded, trying to sound braver than he felt.

"Nothing, just funny how you're always the last one here. Don't you have a home to go to?" another kid sneered, and the group laughed.

Ash felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment but held his gaze steady on the Pidgeys, pretending he didn't care.

"I like it here. I get to watch the Pokémon," he said quietly, more to himself than to them.

The kids snickered and walked away, leaving Ash alone with his thoughts.

He sighed, wishing he could prove them wrong, show them that he was going to be someone important one day.

When Delia finally arrived, her face tired but smiling, Ash jumped up and ran to her. "Mom!" he exclaimed, his earlier troubles forgotten in her comforting presence.

"Sorry I'm late, honey. How was your day?" Delia asked, taking his hand as they started to walk home.

"It was okay. Mom, I've been thinking... I want to be a Pokémon trainer!" Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Delia's smile faltered for a moment, the weight of their financial struggles pressing down on her.

"Oh, Ash," she began, her voice gentle. "You know we're doing our best, but Pokémon training school... it's very expensive."

"But I don't need school for that! I can learn on my own. I'll work harder than everyone else, and I'll become a Pokémon master!"

Delia sighed, looking down at her son with a mix of love and concern.

The gap between a regular school and a Pokémon Trainer Academy was vast.

The academy wasn't just about learning from books; it offered a hands-on approach that a child couldn't get anywhere else. Students there learned everything from the basics of reading and math to how to battle alongside Pokémon, groom them, cook, and camp. It was a world of knowledge and skills far beyond what one could learn alone.

"I'm already stretching every penny for food, bills, and your school, Ash," Delia thought to herself, her gaze drifting to the sky.

"But it's his dream."

She knew the life of a Pokémon trainer wasn't easy, especially in the beginning.

Only the elite could achieve fame and wealth.

"What do I do?" she pondered, her heart heavy. Ash had never really dreamt of anything before; while other kids his age fantasized about becoming superheroes or astronauts, this was the first time Ash had expressed a true desire.

"Ash," Delia finally said, her voice pulling him back from his dreams of grandeur.

"Yeah, Mom?" Ash replied, his eyes full of that same unwavering determination.

"Do you really want to be a Pokémon trainer?" she asked, crouching down to his level.

"Yeah!" Ash's nod was firm, his eyes alight with passion.

Delia felt a pang in her heart as she prepared herself to explain the reality of his dream.

"Baby, becoming a trainer is going to be hard," she said softly, trying to prepare him for the challenges ahead.

She saw the flicker of concern in his eyes and hurried to offer the solution she had been contemplating.

"There's only one way you can truly become a Pokémon trainer," she stated, watching his reaction closely.

Ash looked at her, ready to tackle any challenge that would lead him to his dream. "How?" he asked, his voice eager.

"Scholarship," Delia said.

"Pokémon Trainer Academies start from highschool school, which you'll be entering next year. You have one year to be the best student you can be. We can apply for a scholarship for you."

"Really?" Ash's face lit up, the possibility of his dream coming true suddenly tangible.

"Yes, really. But you'll have to work very hard, Ash. Not just at school, but we'll need to find ways for you to learn about Pokémon too. Reading, studying, maybe even finding someone willing to teach you a bit about them," Delia explained, her mind already racing with ideas on how they could make this work.

"I'll do it, Mom! I'll do everything I need to," Ash promised.

Throughout the year, Ash dedicated himself to fulfilling his promise, striving to improve his chances of earning a scholarship to the prestigious Viridian Pokémon Trainer Academy.

Every day, he woke up early to study, spending hours before school reading books on Pokémon types, battles, and care. He joined the school's science club to learn more about Pokémon biology, participated in math competitions to sharpen his analytical skills, and even started a small Pokémon fan club, though it didn't attract many members.

Despite his efforts, Ash faced constant ridicule from his classmates.

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"Look at Ash, thinks he's going to be a Pokémon master," they'd jeer, laughing as they passed him in the halls.

"Dream on, Ash. That's all you're good for," others would taunt.

But Ash refused to let their words deter him. He knew his goal was worth every challenge.

A year later, the special day arrived.

With his mother's encouragement, Ash applied to the Viridian Pokémon Trainer Academy.

They had worked tirelessly on his application, making sure to highlight every effort and achievement.

However, weeks after submitting his application, Ash received a letter that crushed his hopes.

He was not accepted.

Delia sat in their modest, worn-down apartment, looking toward Ash's room. She could hear his muffled sobs through the door.

"What now?" she whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face.

The reality of their situation was stark and unforgiving. She had always known that their dreams might face barriers, but the finality of the rejection hit harder than she had anticipated.

Later that day, Ash, trying to mask his disappointment, suggested, "Maybe I can go to the academy office. There might be a mistake, or maybe there's another way."

Together, they made their way to the academy's administrative building, a towering structure that seemed to embody the world of opportunities just beyond Ash's reach. Delia stood by silently as Ash spoke to the receptionist, his voice steady but his hands trembling slightly.

"Hi, I'm Ash Ketchum. I applied for a scholarship here but was rejected. I was wondering if there's any chance you could reconsider or if there's another scholarship I could apply for?" Ash asked, hope flickering in his eyes.

The receptionist offered a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry. The decisions are final, and scholarships are highly competitive. They're often awarded to those with a strong background in Pokémon training or whose parents are trainers. It's not just about dedication; it's about having a foundation that the academy can build upon."

Ash's heart sank as the words confirmed his fears. He thanked the receptionist and turned to leave, Delia's arm wrapping around his shoulders as they walked out into the sunlight.

As they walked home, the silence between them was filled with shared worries and unspoken fears.

Breaking the quiet, Delia turned to Ash with a hopeful look.

"Listen, Ash, I've found a high school in Viridian City that offers a special program in partnership with the Samuel Oak School of Pokémon. It's not exactly a trainer academy, but it includes courses on Pokémon training. Plus, through this school, you can take the Pokémon Trainer License exam in Pallet Town. It might be a bit expensive, but with some hard work, I believe we can manage it."

Ash, trying to hide his despair, shook his head. "Mom, it's okay. I... I don't want to be a trainer anymore."

Delia stopped walking, turning to face him directly. "Ash?" she probed, her voice filled with concern.

Ash's resolve crumbled, and tears started to spill from his eyes. "Mom, the license exam has a huge entrance fee, and the school will charge us for any Pokémon program," he admitted, the weight of their financial struggles pressing down on him.

"Ash," Delia said softly, reaching out to hold his hand.

"Hn," Ash managed.

"Stop lying to me," Delia urged gently, knowing her son too well.

Confronted with his mother's knowing gaze, Ash couldn't hold back his true feelings any longer. He cried, letting out all the disappointment and hurt he had been trying to hide.

"Mom, I still want to be a Pokémon trainer," he confessed between sobs.

Delia pulled Ash into a hug, her heart aching for her son. "Don't worry, baby. We'll figure this out. I'll handle it," she reassured him, her voice firm and filled with determination.

"But how? It's too much," Ash said, pulling back to look at her, worry evident in his eyes.

Delia's promise to Ash, "I'll handle it," wasn't just words.

Without revealing the full extent of her sacrifice to Ash, she made a difficult decision to sell her kidney. With the money she received, Delia bought a rundown apartment building.

In the weeks that followed, after finishing her shifts, Delia and Ash would spend their evenings and weekends repairing and renovating the building. It was hard work, requiring them to learn as they went. They painted walls, fixed leaky pipes, and replaced broken windows. The project was daunting, and progress was slow, but bit by bit, the building began to transform.

Ash saw how tirelessly his mom worked, both at her job and on the building. Inspired by her dedication, he threw himself into the task, eager to help lighten her load. Together, they learned about construction, plumbing, and even a bit about electrical work from helpful neighbors and books.

A year passed, and their efforts paid off.

The once rundown building had been transformed into a desirable apartment complex.

Delia sold it for ten times what she had initially paid.

This financial windfall drastically improved their circumstances.

Fortune smiled on them further when a property dealing company, impressed by Delia's success with the apartment building, offered her a job.

Life did start to look better. They moved into a nicer home, and Ash could pursue his dream without the looming worry of financial hardship.

Throughout their journey, Delia instilled in Ash a valuable lesson:

Life is a challenge, you only lose when you give up.

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[ Present Day ]

Peter Asher, or Ash as he was now known in this world, woke up in the guest room, feeling disoriented.

The flood of memories that had just washed over him made it clear—memories are nothing more than electrical signals in the brain.

Since he had access to Ash Ketchum's knowledge, it was inevitable that he would also inherit his memories.

Needing some fresh air, Ash quietly stepped outside.

The cool night breeze brushed against his face, but it did little to soothe the turmoil inside him.

Seeing Ash Ketchum's memories while he slept wasn't something he welcomed. They left him feeling ashamed, a stark reminder of how different their lives were.

He considered himself a loser, a quitter, a coward. In his family, only his mother showed him any care, but he repaid her kindness with lies. In stark contrast, Ash Ketchum was everything he wasn't—brave, strong, and fiercely determined to chase his dreams.

"One Ash is a winner and the other a loser," Peter mused bitterly as he wrapped his arms around himself.

He thought back to his own life on Earth, how he had retreated into himself, using loneliness as an excuse to become a shut-in.

"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath. Ash Ketchum had faced loneliness too, but he never let it defeat him.

"Ash Ketchum faced challenges head-on. And me? I just... gave up. Gave up before I even tried," he thought.

"It's cold, you should come inside."

Ash heard Yellow say, her voice laced with sleep but tinged with concern.

Turning, he saw her wrapped in a blanket, her eyes watching him with a worried gaze.

"You can go back to sleep, Yellow. I'll come in soon," Ash reassured her, but she didn't seem convinced. Instead, she sat down next to him, extending the blanket to cover them both. The sudden closeness made them both blush, an unspoken warmth between them.

"What's wrong?" Yellow finally asked, her voice soft in the quiet night.

Ash sighed, a torrent of thoughts battling within him.

"I've been thinking... about how easily I gave up on things. I see myself as a loser. I always feel like there was so much more I could've done, but I just... stopped trying. It's like, whenever things got tough, I chose to run away instead of facing them head-on. And now, being here, seeing Ash's memories—it's just hitting me hard. How he never gave up, no matter what. And here I am, given this second chance, and I'm scared I'll waste it by falling back into old habits."

Yellow listened, but Ash's words sounded completely strange to her. The idea of giving up just didn't match with the Ash she knew—the determined, never-back-down boy. Her mind whirled, trying to make sense of his sudden confession of doubt and fear. Then, it clicked for her; this had to be a dream.

That was the only explanation for such an out-of-character moment from Ash.

"Okay, dream boyfriend, I'll help you!" Yellow decided internally, gearing up to play along in this bizarre dream scenario.

With a nod to herself, she began to speak, ready to offer support to this dream version of Ash.

"Giving up is okay, Ash. Remember how you dropped those Pokémon grooming classes because they weren't for you? But you always found your way back to the things you love, like training and battling. Giving up doesn't mean failure; it's about finding what's right for you. And it's never too late to bounce back," Yellow said, her words filled with an earnest belief in him.

Ash felt a spark of hope ignited within him. Maybe he could change, become someone he—and Yellow—could be proud of.

"Tha—" Ash began, turning to express his gratitude, only to find Yellow had fallen asleep on his shoulder. The sight of her, so peaceful and trusting, made his heart swell. In that quiet, shared moment, Ash realized his perception of love had been narrow and superficial.

Love wasn't just about physical attraction or the clichés of romance. It was about moments like these—sitting together under a blanket, sharing fears and hopes. This was genuinely comforting, and for the first time in a long time, Ash felt at peace.

He gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

"I promise I'll change for the better," he whispered, more to himself than to her. Leaning down, he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, his face warm with a blush.