~Chapter 1: A New Adventure!~
"You want to change your last name to Ketchup?"
"That's right! Gotta 'ketch' em all! Haha!"
The simple, yet pretty Nurse Joy looked at the overly enthusiastic boy quizzically. He was none other than Ash Ketchum of course, or rather he WAS Ash Ketchum, for today he was at the Viridian City Pokemon Center, legally attempting to change his last name. But why was he doing it? Well, the world may never know in all honesty, but perhaps it has something to do with his furry little companion on his shoulder?
"Pika?"
"Don't worry Pikachu! I like ketchup just as much as you and now the whole world will know about it!"
Pikachu sighed, wondering if his trainer had finally gone off the deep end. Ash paid no mind to his electric companion however, blindly signing a large stack of documents that Nurse Joy had brought out from who no knows where.
"Now Ash," quipped the Nurse by day Lawyer by night Joy. "Remember that once you change your name you can't legally change it back for 9000 years. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Of course! Now let's get this done so I can go home and watch Keeping up with the Kangaskhans!" yelled the Pokemon Master hopeful.
Sighing, Nurse Joy accepted the paperwork and in exchange presented Ash with his updated Trainer's Card and a bland certificate, both now proudly displaying his legal name-ASH KETCHUP.
Squealing in delight, Ash Ketchup dashed out of the Pokemon Center; on the road back to his quiet hometown of Pallet. Nurse Joy meanwhile, simply shook her head and rubbed her temples.
Weirdo.
"Mom I'm home!" shouted Ash as he barged into his house and plopped onto the sofa before turning on the TV. Pikachu slowly crawled in behind him, apparently having fallen off the shoulder of his master somewhere en route.
"Pika-chu!"
"Shhhh, not now buddy, I'm watching mind numbing reality television!"
Just as an annoyed Pikachu was about to launch a Thunderbolt at Ash, a familiar voice was heard from the kitchen.
"Ash come in here, I've got a surprise for you!"
Ash grudgingly picked himself up off the sofa and shuffled over to the kitchen, dismayed that he was being torn from his favorite show.
"What's going o-WHOA!"
"SURPRISE!"
A shocked Ash was greeted by a group of familiar faces and friends who were gathered around a large dining table littered with heaping piles of mouth-watering food. His mother, Delia, quickly popped up in front of him, her trademark smile plastered on her face. Quickly regaining his composure, Ash wondered aloud what was going on.
"Well I know today was the day you were planning to change your last name to Ketchup so I decided to invite some of your friends over for a big party!" his mother replied, her smile unwavering. "But not all of them were able to make it I'm afraid."
A young man with dark features, spiky black hair, and squinty eyes chimed in.
"Yeah sorry Ash, but Misty was dragged off by her sisters to some water festival overseas and May is competing in a swimsuit contest."
Ash looked disappointed that his first two female traveling companions weren't there to revel in his celebration, but he quickly got over it.
"That's alright Brock, I still got all you guys and that's good enough for me!" grinned Ash as he gave everyone a thumbs up.
And with that, the feast commenced. Ash saw several people he knew (aside from Brock and his own mother of course!)-Professor Oak, Gary, Tracey, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, and even Bob the Builder! Hours passed as the group enjoyed the fine cooking of Mrs. Ketchum (no Ketchup for Delia!) and shared memories of their travels together. Pikachu in particular was having the time of his furry little life, hoarding the ketchup saucers and glasses of orange juice. The Sun soon set and the clamor quieted down...somewhat. It was at this time than a stern Professor Oak cleared his throat and decided to make a statement.
"Alright everyone, I think that's enough partying for one day eh?" The group chuckled as they looked among themselves, disappointed that the day had passed by so quickly.
"Ash, I received a phone call the other day from Professor Yew stationed in the Sandwich region. She invited me for a visit to take a first hand look at some of her latest research, but unfortunately I can't go...so I offered to have you travel there instead!"
Ash frowned. A new journey already? It seems like everytime I come back home, I get booted out to some new adventure.
"Well I suppose I could go," said Ash with a newfound confidence. "What do ya say Pikachu?"
The yellow mouse perked its ears up and gave an enthusiastic "Pika!" in response.
"Well Ash you can count me in too!"
"Me three!"
The raven-haired trainer looked up to see that Dawn and Brock had volunteered to travel with him. He wasn't sure if it was the bowl of onions that someone had stuck in front of him or if he was truly grateful to have such wonderful friends, but Ash began to feel his vision growing blurry.
"Th-thanks you guys!" muffled Ash, wiping the tears from his eyes. "It'll just be like Sinnoh! Except we'll have Iris and Cilan too!"
At this, the green-haired connoisseur and the purple-locked dragon trainer sweat dropped.
"Actually Ash, we won't be able to go with you guys," Iris said, looking more than a little disappointed.
Cilan nodded. "I've been invited to teach for a semester at a prominent connoisseur school in Nimbasa City. I simply couldn't turn that opportunity down!"
"And I have to get back to Opelucid City to undergo some additional training that I wasn't told of until now," sighed Iris.
Despite feeling disappointed that he wouldn't get to travel in a 5-person group for the first time in his Pokemon career, Ash gave them both a thumbs up, wishing them well on their respective journeys.
"Ahem."
All eyes were once again on the still standing Oak.
"If it means anything Ash, I did receive another call just this morning. The caller asked me to keep their identity a secret until they got here."
"WHO IS IT?"
"You will all find out tomorrow morning as that is when this person shall arrive. Until then, I suggest we all get a good night's sleep. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be off to cuddle with Muk before crying myself to bed."
And with that he was gone, leaving behind a confused batch in the Ketchum household.
Of course it was Ash who broke the silence. "Hey can anybody pass the ketchup?"
Soon everyone had either gone home or turned in for the night, with Ash's closest friends spending the night hunkered down in his living room. Ash himself meanwhile, was in his room, standing by the window, and staring out into the night sky.
My adventure in the Sandwich region starts tomorrow. I can't wait...also I'm hungry again for some reason.
Stealing a final glance at the stars adorning the heavens, Ash Ketchup retired to his bed, ready to face a new day.
The next morning, Iris and Cilan said their goodbyes before reluctantly heading off to catch their flight to the Unova region. The remnants of Ash's group meanwhile set off to Professor Oak's laboratory, eager to meet the mystery guest.
"Ah glad you could all make it!" greeted the cheery looking Pokemon researcher. "Our mystery guest should be here any moment, but first let me tell you some things about the Sandwich region."
Ash, Dawn, Brock, and Bob the Builder sat down on a nearby couch, with Professor Oak opting to stand.
Clearing his throat, he added, "Ahem. Bob please leave."
A dejected looking Bob hung his head down in shame and slowly walked out the door, never to be heard from again.
"Anyway, as I said earlier, there are some regulations that the Sandwich region has for any trainers coming from outside regions. The most important one being that you can only bring a maximum of two pokemon with you."
The trio looked about quizzically at this statement, but allowed Professor Oak to continue.
"You can still rotate if you wish at a Pokemon Center and you are still allowed a maximum of six pokemon at any time, but the remaining four must be captured within Sandwich borders. Professor Yew will issue you some special balls known as PokeBuns with which you can use to catch new pokemon." The professor paused to catch his breath.
"The Sandwich League requires eight badges, as usual, and will be held at Chicken Melt Mountain exactly one year from now. I think that covers everything...any questions?"
With a collective shake of their heads as a response, Professor Oak nodded and said, "Good then. You three have some decisions to make regarding which two pokemon you will each take with you. Ash you can come out back to meet with the rest of your pokemon. Dawn and Brock-I'll leave you two to pick your choices.
The two nodded as they watched Ash disappear through a door and into the vast "backyard" that belonged to Professor Oak.
"Alright Ash, are you going to take Pikachu with you to Sandwich?"
Ash thought about it for a moment, which was evidently a moment too long for his yellow companion who promptly blasted him with a burst of electricity. A charred Ash (ha!) quickly apologized. "Relax buddy, I wasn't being serious!"
Pikachu didn't appear to be convinced, but he accepted it with a shrug and wandered off to watch Heracross suck sap from Bulbasaur's bulb.
"I'm not really sure who I should pick Professor Oak. Do you have any suggestions?" asked the still burnt Ash (haha!)
"Well I do know that Mustard Town where Professor Yew is located has its own gym. She told me that the gym leader Leo uses water type pokemon."
Ash rubbed his chin in thought. "Water types huh? I guess I should bring along a grass type then. Bulbasaur is busy keeping things in order here, so how about...SCEPTILE!"
Ash called out for his lizardy friend, but to no avail.
"Oops, I forgot to mention that Sceptile is on loan to a Nurse Joy in some random town whose name I forgot. She did have a spiffy looking Meganium though." said Professor Oak, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
"Darn! Hmm, who else do I have?" pondered Ash out loud.
Just then, a familiar "Bay Bay!" was heard and Ash suddenly found himself on the floor, being pinned to the ground by his overly affectionate Bayleef.
"Of course! I'll take Bayleef with me!"
Bayleef was excited at this news as she hadn't traveled with Ash since his Johto days. She got off of Ash and examined him closely, wondering why he hadn't grown any taller since she last saw him.
"Bay Bay?"
"Hmm? Don't worry Bayleef I'm sure there will be delicious food at the Mustard Town Pokemon Center."
"Bay..."
After several minutes, Ash was finally able to recall his stubborn Bayleef back into her pokeball-breathing a heavy sigh of relief afterwards. Pikachu had wandered back after Heracross tried to suck on his bolt-shaped tail and together with Ash and Professor Oak, they made their way back inside.
"Ash I've decided to take Piplup and Buneary with me!" exclaimed the blue-haired Dawn as she noticed them walk in.
"And I've just decided to take Chansey with me." said Brock, hoping that his pink friend would not try to stop him from flirting with pretty women.
"That's great you guys! I've decided to take Pikachu and Bayleef because the first gym uses water types. Man I'm gonna be champion this time-I can feel it!"
roared Ash, raising his fist in the air.
"Calm down Ash, it's still a ways away before the Sandwich League." chuckled Professor Oak. "Anywho I see that you're all packed and ready to go. Hmm, where's that mystery guest? Maybe they missed the bus?"
Just then a doorbell was heard.
"Ah! That must be them now!"
Professor Oak walked over and opened the door as the trio peered curiously from behind him. They were greeted by the sight of a tall, slender woman with flowing blonde hair who had a familiar air of authority and elegance about her.
Professor Oak greeted the new guest with a warm smile.
"Ah it's good to see you Cynthia!"
So Ash Ketchup and his friends are about to set off on their new adventure in the Sandwich region. What kinds of hilarity will ensue in their travels? Will Team Rocket be there? Will we ever see Bob the Builder ever again? And where does Sinnoh League Champion Cynthia factor into all of this? Stay tuned!
As always comments and reviews are welcome =D!
