A/N: I'm writing a Pokemon fanfiction. I'm out of inspiration for my first two stories, so, if anyone wants to adopt them, they're fine to. I hope to finish this at least. I think Ash using legendary Pokemon is cool, so expect him to use them. He starts with one of them! However, since I want to be realistic, at least in Pokemon terms, he'll have to train them well. No Pikachu. I don't dislike him, but I think I'll work better without him. It's Ash x harem. I think I'll include every main girl except for Misty. Also, some others. Slightly Smarter but mainly canon Ash. Rated K for kissing.

Prologue: Shock and Awe

Ash was a little sad. Ok, maybe a bit more than that. You see, he woke up late, and Professor Oak had to tell him that he didn't have any Pokemon that he could give. The starters were all given, and the remaining Pokemon were all too much for a new trainer. So, Ash was given the bad news and ran off unhappily. Professor Oak felt sorry for him, but he couldn't do anything about it. Ash would just have to wait for a while longer to start.

Meanwhile, Ash himself was contemplating his next move. He was angry and sad. Now, he'd have to wait for Arceus knows how long to get a Pokemon. Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson and Ash's rival, who teased him at every opportunity and boasted about his own skill, would be far ahead of him by the time he started. Ash would take a while to catch up, and he mightn't be able to. It distressed him very much.

Ash, however, was nothing if not determined. He decided he would look for a Pokemon himself, and not wait. He was also rash and headed into the forest with just a Pokeball.

'I'll catch one on my own! This will prove my skill and I'll be able to start." he thought.

Ash was also very kind. He would never force any Pokemon to join him. He was also very friendly with Pokemon, and would treat any of them with kindness and some respect. So, any Pokemon he found, he would ask it if it wanted to join him and be his partner and friend.

Ash looked for 20 minutes. He was getting more pessimistic and bored. "This sucks. Will I be able to find any Pokemon?" he thought. He was a little disheartened, but he perked up on hearing a rustling behind him

"A Pokemon! Let's see if it wants to be my friend and partner! If not, at least a friend?" With that he braced himself.

Out came a small grey Pokemon with a mischievous glint in its eyes. Those eyes, however, also showed power. The Pokemon had an eerie aura and radiated an odd energy. Ash recognized it from the camp he had attended as ghostly energy.

He approached it slowly. The Pokemon appeared to be scrutinizing him. He held his hands open to show he meant no harm, then talked to it.

"Hey there. My name is Ash Ketchum. I am an aspiring trainer, and want to be a Pokemon Master, the greatest of them all! But, I need a friend for this. I need a Pokemon to fulfil my dream. A Pokemon to act as my starting companion and be my friend in every way. I want a friend for the journey, as I'll never be lonely and I'll be able to learn from you. So, can you please be my friend?"

Ash said all this. He didn't mean to say everything, but something told him to tell this Pokemon his attitude towards Pokemon.

Ash always treated Pokemon as his friends. He played with them, had fun with them, trained with them (not much) and took care of them. He was an optimist, and he needed cheering up after the bad news he had received in the morning.

So, he was cheered up when the Pokemon nodded it's head. Then, he heard something in his head. He was startled.

'Hello, Ash Ketchum. I am Marshadow! I really like your attitude and nature. I also think you have a great goal! I haven't seen so much honesty from a trainer in quite a while. I can tell you will work hard towards the goal, and that you have a good heart, from the way you treated the wild Pokemon! I'll gladly become your friend. This will be a great relationship, I can tell!'

Ash, still in shock, asked, "Is that you, Marshadow?" Pointing to the Pokemon in front of him.

'Yes, that's me. I am using telepathy! I can use it.'

"Wow! That's awesome! Allow me to catch you, Marshadow." Ash said. At a nod from the Pokemon, Ash threw a Pokeball at it. It hit him, and pinged red instantly, showing Marshadow's lack of resistance.

"All right! I caught a Marshadow!" He said, in celebration. He let it out, and said,

"Let's go! I just need to get my Pokedex and Pokeball from Professor Oak, and we can start! I think this is going to be a great adventure!"

Ash ran off to Professor Oak's Lab with a happier face than when he had left. After all, he was starting with a unique Pokemon not used as a starter.

At Professor Oak's Lab:

"You caught a Pokemon? A Marshadow? I've never heard of that Pokemon…" Professor Oak said.

"Professor, I'll show him to you later! I'm already behind Gary, please give my Pokedex and Pokeballs so I can start quickly!"

Professor Oak chuckled. It seems that Ash is always impatient. He nodded and gave it to him. He watched Ash run off with a "Goodbye, Professor!" He would have liked to have seen Marshadow, but he supposed he could wait. He didn't force Ash because he felt guilty that Ash couldn't get his starter from him. He would talk to him on the videophone later.

"Say, Ash!? I'll keep in touch. Don't forget to call your mother!" Oak shouted, knowing that Ash was often forgetful. Ash smiled sheepishly at this; he'd quite forgotten about that, and was glad for the reminder. He nodded and ran out.

Ash, as he went out, smiled brightly. This would be an amazing adventure! As he walked, he saw an orange bird with a multicolored tail, which was creating a rainbow trail. He looked at it in amazement. He took out his Pokedex to try and see what Pokemon it was. But, the Pokemon was out of his sight by then. He sighed in disappointment, but continued with a smile regardless.

A/N: I used Marshadow as his starter as it is legendary and is very unused. It is also very rarely seen, so I thought it would be cool if Ash were one of the people to see him and own him too! Also, I have the explanation for Ash's Pokedex being able to scan Marshadow, despite Professor Oak not knowing about Marshadow. It is because that Pokedex came from Alolan, and arrived only yesterday, not giving the Professor enough time to study all the Pokemon.