CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING

"Ash, wake up!"

"Five more minutes, mom…"

"Ash, it is 7:00! You slept in!" yelled Ash's mom, Delia.

This made the young teen of 13 years jump out of bed frantically. He did not want to be late, not on his first day of school at least. He quickly brushed his teeth, took a quick shower, checked his appearance in the bathroom's mirror before leaving his room.

As he entered the kitchen and dining room, the fresh and appealing smell of waffles and toast entered his nostrils. He smiled dreamily as he walked towards the ever so enticing whiff of delicious food.

Ash Ketchum was a student of Petalburg High, about to begin a brand new year in Year 10. He always wore a pair of trousers, a black T-shirt and a blue vest on top. He was well known for his spiky, jet-black hair, Z shaped marks on his cheeks, his selflessness and his trademark goofy grin which never seemed to wear down; always able to make someone else's day. He was also the clumsiest person the world had ever seen and that was an understatement.

He lived all alone with his mother who took care of him ever since he was born. His father was someone he could not remember, for he died when Ash was still young. Killed by someone evil apparently as quoted by his mother.

His best friends and neighbours, Drew LaRousse and May Maple also attended the same school. He had known them ever since they moved into his neighbourhood which, he couldn't believe it, but had been 10 years ago. He still reminisced the day he met them, Drew being first and May being second:

Flashback 1

"Ash, did you know we are getting a new neighbour?" questioned Delia.

"No mom, who are they? When will I get to see them?" asked the young Ash.

Just then, as if to answer Ash's wishes, the doorbell rang and the door swung forward to reveal said neighbour and someone whom Ash would become close friends with.

"Hello, good day to you! I am Alexander LaRousse and my son, Drew, and I are your new neighbours!" spoke the impressionable young gentleman, Alexander. By his side was a chubby, green-haired shy little boy who was roughly the same age as Ash.

"Welcome, please come on in!" beckoned Delia and the two adults hit it off like they were friends since they were kids.

"He…hello?" stuttered Ash. "Where is… where is your mom?"

Tears appeared on Drew's face as he replied, "Dead" and with this he broke into sobs. Ash, understanding his pain, quickly comforted Drew by hugging the boy and uttering "It's okay. I know how you feel, I lost my dad too…" Drew appreciated his kind gesture.

"What school do you go to?" asked Ash.

"Oh right now Petalburg Middle School but I will definitely go to Petalburg High after this!" boasted Drew, his ego and overconfidence rising.

"YAY! Then both of us will be in the same school," replied Ash in a very ecstatic tone.

"Yes, then we will be the best of friends, right?" asked Drew in a very hopeful tone.

"It is a deal," responded Ash. And the deal was kept to this day…

Flashback end.

Flashback 2

Ash was trudging down the street with Drew beside him, carrying heavy shopping bags that Delia had asked the two of them to bring from the supermarket. On the way, they saw a bubbly and cheerful little girl with sparkling sapphire eyes and long brown hair forming a V-shape on either side of her face, struggling to lift some boxes to her house which just so happened to be right next to his house. Apparently, those boxes contained her items which she insisted on bringing herself.

"Wait a second, I know her! She's a classmate of mine, May I believe," said Drew in a very shocked tone. "What are the odds of her landing right next to us?"

"I dunno but we better help her, she seems like she is about to fall down. Drew, give mom the shopping bags, I'll help her"

Drew took Ash's bags and with twice the load, shuffled along to Ash's house with the hope of getting some rest.

Ash jogged towards May and asked her "Need some help?" with his trademark goofy grin plastered on his face.

"Yes please, these boxes are sooooo heavy!" exclaimed May.

Ash chuckled at her remark and carried all boxes, one on top of the other. As they made their way to May's house, introductions were made and May was surprised to hear that Drew also lived nearby. Ash was so engrossed in the conversation that he did not notice the door was shut and he barged right into the door. The impact made him fall on the floor with all the boxes and top of him. May could've sworn she saw stars above his head and giggled at the sight of this cute boy, Ash. May's mom, Caroline overheard the ruckus made and dashed to the doorstep. She laughed slightly at the plight of the small child sprawled at her doorstep, with all of May's belonging using him as a cushion.

Caroline could not pass the opportunity to make fun of the little kid. "Kid, I don't think that is the best place to sleep!" This brought out full-fledged laughter between Caroline and May while all Ash could do was smile sheepishly in embarrassment. Caroline unloaded his weight and went back into the house while May still stood back outside giggling as Ash got back onto his feet. May then quickly gave him a light peck on the cheek and whispered a few words that marked the beginning of their friendship, "See you around then!"

Flashback end

Ash ate his breakfast with such speed that he finished it within a record minute. Delia could've sworn he inhaled the food. Quickly snapping out of her thoughts, she caught on her son saying "Bye, mom. I'll be late in the evening because I want to see Pikachu first."

Delia smiled at his dedication. Pikachu had an unfortunate accident several weeks ago but luckily, made a steady recovery.

Meanwhile…

"My he seems to be of age now. If he is the boy mentioned in the prophecy, then his time is coming soon…" uttered a shadowy figure. An eerie smile crept onto his face as he faced his followers. Soon, the world would be his and his pathetic foe would be destroyed…