Pokémon Indigo League (Alternate from canon)

The School of Hard Knocks

(< > Is the translation of pokemon's speech , [ ] is the pokedex and bold are thoughts)

Ash, Brock and Misty are in a foggy forest, while Ash is training all of his pokemon while scanning some of his pokemon.

[Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokemon and the evolved form of Metapod.Its wings, covered with poisonous powders, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain. This Butterfree is level
35 and knows the moves Bug Buzz, Psybeam, Psychic, Air Slash, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Whirlwhind, String Shot, Acrobatics, Energy Ball, Hurricane, Giga Drain, Signel Beam, Bug Bite*Egg Move* and Electroweb*Egg Move*]

[Beedrill, the Poison Bee Pokemon and the evolved form of Kakuna.It has 3 poisonous stingers on its forelegs and its tail. They are used to jab its enemy repeatedly. This Beedrill is level 35 and knows the moves Pin Missle, Poison Jab, Twineedle, Fury Attack, Agility, Venoshock, Outrage, Brick Break, X-Scissor, Sludge Bomb, Drill Run, Bug Bite*Egg Move*, and Electroweb*Egg Move*]

[Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokemon. It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks. This Sandshrew is level 28 and knows the moves Dig,
Swift, Brick Break, Earthquake, Protect, Rock Slide, Iron Tail, Poison Jab, Magnitude, Aerial Ace, Night Slash*Egg Move*, Crush Claw*Egg Move* Hone Claws*Egg Move* Rapid Spin*Egg Move* and Rock Climb*Egg Move*]

[Zubat, the Bat Pokemon.Capable of flying safely in dark places, it emits ultrasonic cries to check for any obstacles. This Zubat is level 29 and knows the moves Supersonic, Leech Life, Air Slash, Poison Fang, Venoshock, Steel Wing, Giga Drain, Brave Bird*Egg Move*, and Hypnosis *Egg Move*]

"Ash, why do you always just go wander off and train alone?" Misty said, annoyed with Ash.
"I like training. And I'm not alone. I have my pokemon."
"Why can't you just eat with us?! You never ate with us except at Mt. Moon!" Ash flinches from Misty's loud complaints. Brock tries to break them up. "I think we should take a little break." The two agree and sees Brock setting up a table, setting down a box of hot cocoa powder and an official pokemon tea set.

"I hope you like cocoa." Ash nods with a smile. Hot cocoa is one of Ash's favorite drinks, especially when reading. Brock pulls out a large bottle of Mt Moon spring water. "And I'll be making french crepes." Misty glowed when she heard that. "However." Brock interrupted, Misty and Ash confused. "I can't cook crepes and I can't heat water if I don't have a fire."

Ash nods at that and says "I'll find us some firewood." He walks off with his Pikachu and Eevee and they come across some kids with candles and one running on a treadmill. The ones with the candles were asking questions about Pidgey, but after a while, the boy running slipped and fell off the treadmill.

"I'm sorry...I forgot.." The boy said ashamed. The group sigh in annoyance.
They ridicule him, but Ash interrupts them, trying to stop their bullying, then they walk off, unfazed by Ash's words. "See ya at the Tech, Joe."
Brock and Misty came over, seeing the entire thing.

"So those are the infamous tech students." Brock said.
"Tech students? As in Pokemon Technical Institute?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, that's the one." Joe answered.
"Where even is this place anyway?" Misty asked. Joe pointed forward, the announcement said that Fog Battle Techniques is ended and tomorrow was Snow Competition Secrets. Joe sighed at that sadly. "Looks like I'll be made into a snowman again..."

Then Joe explained they help him study, but sometimes he makes believe he doesn't know all of the answers and that he needs to stay in this school since his parents worked hard to pay for his education. Even learning about adults being held back and people being too ashamed to go home without a diploma.

They learned the rankings. Beginners have same qualifications as someone with two badges, the intermediate as four badges and advanced as someone with six. Even that the teachers don't know about the "help". Or if they do, they pretend not to. They find Joe has a picture of the one responsible for the system. A female student named Giselle. She was beautiful. A fair skinned girl with chocolate brown hair and eyes.