Ladies and Gentlemen I present my first fic to you. I feel this first chapter was good and solid, but enough of me talking, allow my writing to speak for me.
Disclaimer: Pokémon isn't a part of my legal life, so I definitely don't own it
"And that's it folks, Ash Ketchum has been defeated by Tyson. Another league championship slips through the young trainer's grasp!" The announcer shouted.
Ash looked at his 'beaten' Pikachu with pain, regret and fury, 'Sorry Pi, its over.'
Pikachu also had similar feelings. That Meowth was good, and he was not discing his opponent, but had he been limitless that cat would have a fear of mouses, 'Got it Ash, don't worry, its not that big of a deal'
Ash bowed his head, walked to the middle, shook Tyson's hand, saying that it was an amazing battle, and that he will go far in the elite four challenge. Then, he walked away.
As Ash walked away he could hear the crowd chanting Tyson's name, That should have been me, Ash thought with regret. That should be him receiving the first place trophy, should be him thinking ahead to the elite four challenge. This last defeat had Ash truly questioning his initial decision, he had been naive then but now he was not. And he knew a fraud when he saw one.
Flashback
'Ash Ketchum, we are sorry to inform you that because of your proficiency,with all of the variables life holds, you could go dark, and start destroying the Pokémon world. So the council has concluded to put a limiter, something that will lock away your potential from not only you, but also your Pokémon you've caught and will catch. This is a safety precaution and we hope you understand.' The Alpha Pokémon stated, almost like he was reading it off a paper.
A 10-year-old Ash, having just competed in the Indigo league, was not expecting this after splitting from his group of friends. Ash however, nodded, for he was naïve and he knew not the repercussions of this action.
Arceus, seeing the subtle gesture, began to commence the operation.
Flashback end
Ash would break that limiter; he would prove that he is the best; that would be his name they were chanting.
Pikachu noticed his friend's hand clench, and understood what is going on in his head, but he did not interrupt or voice disagreement, for he agreed with him.
Hoenn had been a breeze. It was quite simple, he knew how things worked now, and he placed higher in the league, but lost to Tyson in top 8 (The above battle for all you slow witted folks). The battle was uneventful. Ash and his Pokémon acted their way through six not so hard fought battles. Now though, it was time to head back to Pallet and relax,
'Wait a minute, aren't we forgetting something?' Ash asked to his starter.
"Ash!"
"Oh yeah."
"Fantastic battle Ash, it was a sight to see!" a tall squinty-eyed man exclaimed.
"Yeah Ash, it was awesome!" a short kid with glasses agreed.
"It was great Ash, you almost had him." May said nodding.
That word hit him like a ton of bricks, almost.
Ash shook his head, 'Later', he thought, "Thanks guys, that means a lot."
"Aren't you going to stay for the award ceremony? you did get second place." Brock asked
Ash sighed, "No. They can wire the prize money to my account, they know how."
The group shared a quizzical glance, then wrote it off as Ash being depressed. They didn't know the half of it.
After some more small talk the time had flew by and Max's eyes bugged out of his head as he looked at his watch, "Come on Ash, we have to catch a boat that will take us back to Petalburgh."
The group shared an awkward stare, this was it... again.
May shook herself out of her stupor, "I'm sorry we can't stay longer, but this is the last boat for the rest of the week."
"I understand," Ash, said with a dip of his head in acknowledgement, "If I were you I wouldn't be able to wait until I got home, we should go to the docks now."
"I agree, let's hurry so you don't miss your boat, then you'd be stuck with us for another week." Brock said, attempting to lighten the mood.
Max let out a sullen chuckle, while May said, "You know what Brock? I don't think that's a bad thing."
The group disregarded the feelings that told them to stay and hurried down to the docks, barely in time to catch the boat. The now split group waved goodbye as the SS Sadie disappeared into the setting sun.
Ash and Brock looked at each other, "The plane leaves tomorrow at 11, we should get some rest." Brock said.
Ash agreed, and the two walked back to the hotel, talking about what one another would do next. It wasn't long before the duo reached their hotel by the airport. They quickly and silently made their way up to their room, and did their nightly routine.
After Ash had taken a shower, it was Brock's turn. And while Brock was in the shower, Ash and Pikachu were having a discussion,
"What are we going to do next Pi? I mean, the Battle Frontier is out of the question, it isn't even completed yet." Ash said, pondering where to go.
'You're asking the wrong Pokémon Ash, I really know almost nothing.' Pikachu said worriedly.
"Yeah, but I heard May talking about something in Sinnoh, want to do some research on the region?" Ash inquired his little yellow companion.
'Sure Ash, not like we have another option.'
Ash then heard the shower stop running, so he walked over to the door and knocked three times.
"Hey Brock!" Ash shouted through the door.
"Give me a sec Ash, just getting dressed!" Brock shouted back.
"Don't rush, just wanted to tell you that me and Pi are going to head downstairs."
"Okay Ash, but I'll be asleep when you get back, so bring a room key."
"Thanks Brock." Ash said as he opened and closed the door.
Downstairs, on the computer
"Says here their champion defeated Lance in a 6 on 6 match. Sounds like it was close though, a downright stare down between Dragonite and Garchomp." Ash observed as he scrolled down the Sinnoh region battle site… uh .com (Yes, they have a website).
'Sounds like fun, wait, I know that look." Pi said warily as he eyed his trainer's face, 'you're not thinking about… you are thinking about it.'
"Of course, I'll talk to Arceus tonight, and if he disagrees, then I'll do it myself." Ash said, firing blazing in his eyes.
Pikachu however, wasn't so sure about this, but knew that it would be for the best. All of his current Pokémon were at the limiter placed by Arceus. That limiter made Ash a slightly above average trainer, and his Pokémon a little more than slightly above average. He was tired of being just another face in the crowd; he was ready for more. Pikachu did however; notice something that turned the tables of his trainer's agreement with Arceus in Ash's favor. He had made the alpha Pokémon allowed him and the rest of the world to age extremely slowly, so that he and all of his loved one's would take nearly forever to die. The only way deaths could occur were through murder, sickness, genocide, suicide, lethal accidents, you get the idea.
With Pikachu on the same page as him he picked up the yellow mouse and hurried up the stairs and to his room. After falling asleep he entered the hall of origin.
Hall of Origin
"I know what you want chosen one, I will not grant your wish." Arceus firmly stated.
"Then I will do it myself, I am tired of being called a lazy ass, and looked down upon as weak." Ash said, maintaining eye contact with the god Pokémon.
"How will you do it?" Arceus asked, perplexed as how a human would break his seal.
"With aura, you never put a limiter on that, and in the past 4 years I have trained it to near perfection, I will be able to break your seal Arceus. So take it off, or I will." Ash threatened the god Pokémon.
Arceus knew what would happen to him if a mortal broke his seal, and Ash knew too, that was why he brought it up. His immortality would be revoked, and some of his power would be given to Ash through the life plates that made up the Seal of Restrict. Arceus's judgment (No pun intended) was blinded by pride, and he did not believe this foolish human would be able to break the limiter,
"You cannot break it Ash, it is of divine origin." Arceus voiced as much.
"Watch me."
Then Ash disappeared in a swirl of black smoke.
The following morning
"Brock, wake up!"
"Brooock?"
"Hellooo?"
"Wake up!"
'It's not working, Ash' Pikachu was getting annoyed with Ash's useless attempts.
"Holy shit man, wake the hell up!"
'He's not waking up Ash' Pikachu said, stating the obvious.
"I feel a familiar presence, reveal yourself!" Ash leaned out the window, and called into the early morning scenery.
'Interesting, it seems you weren't lying Ash, you are proficient in Aura.' A black Pokémon said, revealing itself.
"I figured as much Darkrai, Brock is not a heavy sleeper and he never sleeps in. Did Arceus send you to watch me so I don't break the limiter?" Ash spat at the nightmare Pokémon.
Darkrai merely chuckled, "No chosen one, many of my brethren, and uh… sistren believe Arceus is foolhardy to limit you, as you have been told, you have a pure heart. It would take a great many wrongs to fully turn you. You would be more of an asset than a hindrance."
Ash however, was confused, "What are you getting at?"
"I wish to come with you, to prove Arceus wrong." Darkrai said, his voice and intentions unclouded.
"Alright" Ash said.
Darkrai was slightly baffled, "Why are you so calm? Every other man, woman and child would be jumping for joy if I even showed myself, let alone ask them to catch me."
Ash chuckled at the Pokémon, "I have already taken the first stages to breaking my limiter. This allows for me to have greater control over emotions, I am honored for you're decision, but I am merely hiding the emotions, for I am using them to break the seal even more so."
"Genius!" Said a baffled Darkrai.
"Now, wake up Brock, allow me to catch you, then teleport us to the station, then wipe Brock's memory of you." Ash commanded.
Darkrai nodded and followed the string of commands perfectly, and within moments, Brock was obliviously flirting with one of the flight attendants.
The plane ride was uneventful, Ash was asleep, still continuing to break the limiter, Pikachu was also napping, and Brock was in the bathroom because of his airsickness. This trend went on for 8 hours. With Brock coming back occasionally, flirting with a girl, accidentally glancing out the window, and immediately going back into the bathroom.
Ash awoke to the sound of the pilots voice as he announced they were preparing their descent into Viridian city airport. Telling them the temperature as well as the time, 7:00 pm (19:00 for all you foreigners ;).
Ash looked around for Brock, before remembering his airsickness, and pondering why he decided for them to fly here. Just before the plane landed, Brock stumbled back to his seat. Within moments of Brock buckling his belt, the plane touched down. The passengers were jostled around as the plane finally came to a slow taxi
"Finally, Pi. Back in Kanto." Ash said, not really directed at his Pokémon, but just as an exclamation to the world.
"Yeah Ash, its been so long since we've been back." Brock agreed, still al little queasy.
"You know, one of these days I am going to get you over your air sickness problem." Ash said with mock determination.
Brock just laughed along with Ash, nothing out of the ordinary. Just two friends living it up on an airplane back home. However, that was not about to change, but it would change… in a while. The plane halted at the gate, and the captain announced that the fasten seatbelt sign was now off, and to have a nice evening. Ash and Brock quickly dismounted, and walked off in the direction of the exit, or…
"Other way!" Ash exclaimed, and Brock just sweatdropped as they saw a sign for terminal E.
The pair turned on their heels and walked the other direction. Viridian airport was not small, but it was not huge. Just like the city, and on the way out, Ash and Brock made small talk about the quickest way home. And yes, Ash had miraculously developed a sense of direction.
"So if we go around Viridian forest, we will avoid trainers and Pokémon battles, but it will be more direct, probably get us there 5 hours early depending on how many battles we are in." Brock explained.
Ash just sighed, knowing he was going to have to do something so unlike him, "You know Brock, I think we should go around, knowing us the Pokémon battles and random accidents would be around every tree, besides, I heard that the way around is paved. So no knew shoes for me."
Brock was slightly shocked, but was unable to argue with his friend's logic, "Well then, the long possibly shorter way we go!"
Ash just laughed as the pair set off in the direction of the long possibly shorter route.
The walk was uneventful, which was surprising, because normally the groups get into all kinds of trouble. This made the walk home less than two days. The nights were predictable in Kanto, mediocre and perfect. So the group was able to sleep outside, under the stars, and Pokémon out. The group would awake to a perfect five star breakfast from Brock, then train for 1 hour, and then continue to walk. It was a little before 6 pm that the pair came up on the Pewter/Pallet fork.
Ash looked a Brock, a little sadly even, "It's a shame we're here again; maybe we should have taken the long way."
Brock was also disappointed, journeys were fun, and it was what allowed them to experience true freedom. And what better way to experience freedom then with your best friend, "Your right Ash, 1 more run in with Team Rocket wouldn't have hurt."
"Yeah, those three made our journey complete." Ash joked with a sad smile.
Brock also grinned, "Yeah, they haven't tried to take our Pokémon for a while, wonder what happened to them."
Somewhere in Orre
"Hey Jess, you think we took a wrong turn?" Asked a lavender haired man.
"Not a chance James, right now we're in eastern Kanto, cant you tell by the desert?" a red haired girl assured her partner.
"Yeah Jimmy, we'se be goin da right way." A talking Meowth imputed.
"We'll be right back on the twerps tail, just you wait!" Jesse cried with conviction.
Back in Kanto
"Yeah, wonder if they got lost?" Ash laughed, imagining the trio lost in a different region.
Brock smiled even more, "Nah, they'd probably have starved to death by now."
Ash however, once again got another sad look on his face, and no matter how immature it made him sound, he had to get it out, "Brock?"
"Hm?"
"Are we… are we ever gonna see each other again?" There it was, he had let it out.
Brock was not surprised, he wanted to ask the same thing, "I don't know Ash, but if we don't run into each other on your next journey, we will see each other again."
Ash nodded, his eyes now sparkling with unshed tears. He didn't care if anyone saw, he hugged Brock, the man who had been with him for most of his youth, hell he had been the father that Ash never had, and now his 'dad' was leaving again.
Brock's eyes began to sparkle as well as he hugged back; he and Ash were closer than anyone he knew. Even closer than his own siblings, he knew what Ash thought about him, and he didn't want to break that, as young kids, the bond was formed. It would not be broken now, after five years, there was nothing that would break this bond, not time nor distance. The pair held each other for a moment longer before breaking apart.
"Brock, it's been an honor." Ash said with a bow, showing his respect for the older man.
Brock nodded, "Ash, it's also been an honor, and like I said, we will see each other again."
Ash nodded, dried his eyes, and the pair shared a firm handshake, both not willing to break eye contact. After a moment that felt like an hour, they once again broke apart. Then they turned and walked in opposite directions, one heading to Pewter, the other to Pallet.
Pikachu looked at his friend with worry apparent in his eyes, "You gonna be alright Ash?"
Ash nodded wordlessly. Pikachu however, was not convinced.
"Ash, we've been with each other every moment of our lives for the past five years. You can't fool me."
Ash just sighed. "I know Pi, but its gonna be real different without Brock and everyone."
"But Ash, you go through this every journey, what made this one so special?" Pikachu asked.
"I don't know, I think it had something to do with the tree of beginning." Ash admitted.
Pikachu nodded, but not fully understanding how the tree made a difference, "Why does the tree make this journey so special?"
"After the tree, we lost a friend. The fact that people I had only known for a few months with the exception of Brock would go to such great lengths to save you, my Pokémon. They risked their lives for someone they barely knew. That experience made us all the closer." Ash explained.
Pikachu noticed his trainer babbling a bit, but didn't interfere, "Don't worry, you'll be
fine in a few days."
Ash nodded, then looked in shock at his surroundings. The pair hardly noticed that the forest had gotten thicker and darker.
"Must be night, I recommend we don't set up camp. If we keep moving we might be able to get out in 3 hours, then we can camp." Pikachu advised.
Ash agreed and they quickened their pace. However, it was not to be,
"Pikachu? Was that canyon always there?"
Pikachu was shocked; this was not a natural occurrence.
"Pi, I don't think this is natural. There is a weird aura coming from deep within. It's unmistakably rage. Want to check it out?"
"Even if I said no, you would still go."
"Yep."
And with that Ash grabbed Pikachu and back flipped into the chasm. On the way down his aura armor formed. It was jet black all over, except there were red lines that flowed with energy. His helmet was black as well, but there were no lines. He had a black visor that covered his whole face (Think an ODST, but with full gloves, and red flowing lines).
As soon as his feet hit the ground, he was swiped into the canyon wall by a tentacle of something. Thankfully for the electric mouse, Ash had let go of him just as he had been smashed into the wall. Pikachu wasn't worried though. Ash had gotten hit harder before. Ash indeed was fine, he walked out of the rubble and stood next to his Pokémon. Ash closed his eyes and swept the whole chasm with his aura sight. He soon came upon another strong aura. Ash opened his eyes and ran in that direction. As he ran he was constantly dodging the attacks that the being sent at him. Soon he began to see what he was up against. The being let out an enraged roar that caused Ash to flinch. It looked like a Groudon, but that would be impossible. He suddenly had a flashback to his encounter with Jirachi. This was another attempt at a Groudon.
"Pikachu, I know your not going to like this but in order to take this thing down I need you in your pokeball."
Pikachu nodded and allowed Ash to return him to his ball.
"Now," Ash said to himself as he looked at the artificial Groudon, "Your mine." And with that the entire chasm exploded into red energy. This went on for 30 minutes until it stopped. All that was left of the Groudon reject was a pile of ash. After admiring his handiwork he used what was left of his aura reserves to jump out of the chasm. Then, using the last ounce of strength he had, he released Pikachu from his ball, and then he closed his eyes.
Ash woke up and noticed he was on the outskirts of his hometown. He quickly looked at himself, no armor. He breathed a sigh of relief; it was too soon for anyone to see him in his armor. However, he began to wonder how he got here.
"How did I get here?" He asked to his yellow partner.
"I brought you here." A voice that was not Pikachu's said.
"Thank you Darkrai. That was most helpful." Ash thanked his Pokémon.
"Ash I heard about your run in with a fake Groudon. This is Arceus's doing." The nightmare Pokémon said.
Ash nodded, it made sense, "So you mean he did this to drain my power so I couldn't break the seal."
Darkrai nodded, "You are intelligent Ash. Stay smart, stay quick and you will be fine in the end."
"I hope so, thanks for the ride, return for now." Ash said, holding up a pokeball.
The nightmare Pokémon was sucked in, and Pikachu hopped up on Ash's shoulder.
"This should be fun, lots of rest, and your mom's cooking." Pikachu said, his tone brightening as he mentioned the cooking.
Ash laughed, he liked the cooking too.
AN:
Please review, with this first fic I'll be looking for feedback to motivate (Or unmotivated) me from updating quicker. So let the reviews flow!