It was getting close to lunch time when Professor Samuel Oak was disturbed from his work by the ringing of a phone – no, not a phone call, a video call was coming through to his computer. He glanced quickly at the caller ID to identify which of his sponsored trainers were calling him this time before pressing to accept the call. On the screen a young man appeared, 17 years old, hazelnut coloured hair and vivid green eyes made for quite a handsome face. Next to him, crouched down so that it stayed out of the way of the others mingling in the Pokémon Centre was a fearsome looking Arcanine.
"Ah, Daniel hello, how can I help you today?"
"Hi Professor, I won't take up too much time I just want to send you one of my Pokémon - it failed me for the last time and I have no use of it anymore"
"Wait… Daniel, you can't just-" before he had even finished speaking the young man had inserted the Pokéball into a round, ball shaped capsule on the other end of the phone and sent it through to the Professor.
"Really Professor, I have strong Pokémon on my team now I really can't have weak ones like this anymore. Goodbye."
The connection closed with a sharp dial tone, well the dial tone was no sharper than any other time, but it just seemed so final and ominous in the quiet of the office. With a sad sigh, the Professor reached out a hand to collect the ball that had materialised only moments after the boy had ended the call, opening it with an expert snap of his wrist a red beam of pure energy flashed through the office and a Pokémon started to materialise, floating above the ground with beautiful pearlescent white wings (though with a deep black patterned outline), a vivid purple body and large red eyes "free!" the Pokémon called, looking around for his trainer. "I'm sorry butterfree, you've been sent back to my ranch… it's time for you to go outside and meet the other Pokémon, I'm sure you will be called back into rotation soon". Of course he felt bad for the lie, but he didn't have the heart to tell the poor Pokémon that it would never see it's trainer again, will a happy trill the Pokémon flew through the window to mingle with the others outside.
"Another one Professor?" The voice of a young boy shocked the Professor, who span around to see who had spoken:
"Ah… yes my boy… it was considered too weak and will spend the rest of it's life here with us"
The boy, around 9 years old with raven black hair, shook his head sadly "but that isn't fair! Call him back Professor! Tell him to take Butterfree back!"
"I can't Ash, I'm sorry but it isn't my choice, I can only make sure he is well cared for here with mem what trainers do with their Pokémon is their own choice." The boy, now revealed to be Ash Ketchum, went over to the window and watched as the new Butterfree was greeted by a gathering of others. His eyes wandered, flicking between groups of Butterfree, Rattata, Oddish and even the occasional Pokémon from other regions. But they all had one thing in common, they were considered weak. Not worthy of being with the trainer anymore once they had found one that was conventionally strong. His eyes narrowed in anger:
"Well it's wrong, one day I will show them that any Pokémon can be strong! They'll see!" his mouthed curled into a small smirk "Professor… how do you feel about helping train me to look after Pokémon?".

9 years had passed since Ash Ketchum's question to the Professor, and more had changed in those years than most people cared to admit. The resurgence of a group of radical terrorists named Team Rocket had meant that the Pokémon League had issued new rules: no one under the age of 18 was to go on a Pokémon journey. The rule seemed simple enough, it was made to ensure that no children ran into situations they couldn't handle – no matter how talented the 10 year old was, they could not fight off experienced terrorists with diligently trained Pokémon.
The Pokémon League had also taken a more active role in the running of their Gyms, some like the Cerulean Gym had been completely overruled -it was found that the Leaders (who referred to themselves as the 'Sensational Sisters') were giving out badges to unprepared children because they did not feel like fighting. The Leader of that Gym was now Misty, the youngest sister but by far the strongest – since her tenure 8 years ago only 50 trainers had passed her challenge. Others, like the Pewter City Gym had more support in place, as the Gym found that young Brock had been left trying to juggle his family and Gym life, they had provided funding that allowed them to hire and train an additional Leader who shared the responsibility with Brock. But by far the most drastic change was in Viridian City, after close investigation Giovanni had been discovered as the leader of Team Rocket. Champion Red himself had fought viciously with Giovanni for hours until the vile leader had used a powerful psychic Pokémon to escape. He had not been seen since, but now that his attention was focussed solely on his criminal empire the organisation had become far more powerful and efficient than ever before. Two of his members had been particularly noted for their ferocity, many that fled their encounters had spread stories of the powerful Persian that fought by their side.
But none of this phased Ash Ketchum, he had been trained exclusively in the training and care of Pokémon by Professor Samuel Oak himself, for 9 years he had mastered his skills and strategy and was ready to step up and fight in this dangerous arena… look out world, Ash Ketchum was finally ready.

It was with an all-to-familiar high-pitched shriek that an 18 year old Ash Ketchum was roused from his sleep, slamming his hand down onto the Voltorb alarm next to his bed he groaned loudly. He may very well be used to waking up early to help the Professor, but that didn't mean he liked it. In fact, he would go as far as to say he hated it, he was absolutely not a morning person, and never would be.
With a reluctant moan he rolled out of bed and shuffled towards the bathroom, stripping down he had a quick shower and brushed his teeth.
Ok, that felt better. Much better. But he needed food and caffeine within the next 5 minutes, or he would end up hibernating again "hey Mom" he mumbled as he emerged in the kitchen "want me to make you anything?". Delia Ketchum was a charming woman, auburn hair was always held up and out of her face in a high ponytail, the smile that radiated sunshine and warmth (well, Ash always thought so anyway) was always on her face and her light voice carried musically to anyone she spoke to "no thanks honey, I'm off to work but I'll come and see you at the lab before you leave – I want to see which Pokémon you chose!"
Ash grinned "sure thing Mom, I'll see you later. I'll grab a quick bite before I run over to Professor Oak".

20 minutes later a much more enthusiastic Ash was ready for the day. Walking towards the lab with long slow strides, he pondered the last few years; wilderness survival, cooking, sewing, fire building, fishing, finance, pokémon medication, types, feeding, breeding, battling and even contest rules and regulations were discussed by the Professor in order to fully prepare Ash for life away from home. Without the Professor Ash would admit to being clueless about it all, the school he attended had not prepared him for these things at all, no wonder the League had changed the age restriction. It was because of his good relationship with the professor that Ash was not running to the lab, he had already reserved his Pokémon and had no need to be there early. He smiled slightly as he thought about his Pokémon, the one he had chosen would become a powerful battler and loyal friend. Nothing would stand in their way.

Well… almost nothing, he thought as he saw another young man step out of the lab that he was quickly approaching. In front of him stood a tall, muscular Gary Oak. As much as Ash might loathe the boy, he admitted that being a churlish bully his whole life clearly had it's advantages as Gary stood confidently with bulging arms and a cocky smirk on his face. "ah… Ashy boy, our resident book worm how are you? Don't bother answering, I don't actually care I was just waiting for you to arrive to show you this!" with a quick flick of his wrist the shiny new Pokéball in his hand sprang open, and out of it emerged a small, though clearly well-bred and powerful Squirtle. "With this by my side I can really make you wish you had never been born, Squirtle water gun now!". Following his owners command without hesitation the young Squirtle sent out a jet of powerful water, slamming Ash into the ground and coating him with cold water, and making sludge of the soil underneath him so any attempt to stand was useless. "this is where you belong" Gary spat, slamming his foot down onto Ash's chest eliciting a cry of pain from the young man "beneath my boot cowering in the mud".
With a sneer of pure loathing, he slammed his foot down once again and strode from view "Squirtle, come!" was his only instruction before vanishing from view.
As he struggled to stand in the sodden clothes, a hand came to support him "Oh Ash" a comforting voice whispered "why don't you ever fight back?" Ash did not have to look to know who this was,
"because it's my fault he loathes me, Leaf, besides when I have a Pokémon of my own I can crush him in the battling arena for good".
"I suppose…" she replied, looking at him with gentle brown eyes, "but you need to go and get one first!" with a small slap to his behind she sent him laughing towards the Professor "I already have mine so I will wait by the gate to town to say a proper goodbye!" And with that she ran in the opposite direction before he could reply.
"Right" he thought to himself, "a bad start to the day, but from here on out it can only get better. It's time to collect my Pokémon" and with that thought he strode confidently through the doors of the lab, ready for his adventure to begin.