A/N: Hey Everyone! Welcome to my first attempt at fanfiction! My name is DeathbyFanfiction1029 or DBF for short. I've been reading fanfiction for a while now but never had the time to attempt writing it. I've got a couple ideas for stories, but I think I want to start out with this one. Basically, the plot of this story is Ash going through the regular Kanto journey while being smarter and more mature. I'll also be throwing in a few side arcs as I see fit. For everyone worried that this will be an out of character "super Ash" story, it won't be. He's still a 13 year old boy who will be similar to the original Ash, but will be mixed with a little more maturity and intellect. If this story goes good enough, I plan on running through the Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh arcs too with my own personal touches. If you're an original Pokemon fan I'm sure that you'll enjoy this because I'll personally see to it that Ash doesn't make the same mistakes over and over again, one of the things that has been a big turn off to me, and I'm sure many fans of the anime.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. As like all authors I've read on here, I'm gonna ask all of you to read and review to help improve my writing. I've got many ideas for this story so unless life prevents me, I should be able to update regularly once I get the hang of this. That's enough of me rambling for now. Enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon! If I did, Ash would've finally won a league, Ash would've finally aged a year (did anyone else catch that on the first episode of the new season?), and the new Pokemon wouldn't look so retarded.
The Prodigy
Chapter 1: Dreams on Hold
The rays of the full blue moon enveloped peaceful Pallet Town like a beacon of light in the surrounding darkness. Situated in the beautiful farmland of the southwest corner of Kanto, Pallet Town had a rustic aura to it due to its distance from the hectic city life of Saffron and Celadon. Despite naturally being calm, there was much excitement found in the Pallet air. Tomorrow was day that the next generation of Pokemon trainers would be receiving their first pokemon from Professor Oak and beginning their journeys.
The light of the moon seemed to shine brighter on one particular window than anywhere else in town. That said window belonging to 10 year old Ash Ketchum, a wanna-be pokemon master who would be beginning his journey the following morning. Currently, Ash is sitting in his starter pokemon pjs mesmerized by the high level battle taking place on his TV…
A fierce looking Nidorino charged at a menacing Gengar. As it was about to make contact, Gengar suddenly lashes out with its arm sending the Nidorino flying away only to land right back on its feet. "And Nidorino begins the battle with a horn attack!" cried the announcer to the boisterous stadium full of spectators. "But Gengar bounces right back!" Gengar raises its arms as a psychic wave floats towards Nidorino. "And there it is! the hypnosis power of Gengar!" Nidorino attempts to fight off the effects of hypnosis but slowly its eyes being to droop…
"This could be the end of Nidorino!" When suddenly a red beam shoots from the edge of the battlefield recalling Nidorino to its pokeball. Bruno, a member of the esteemed Kanto Elite 4, knew better than to leave his Nidorino asleep at the mercy of his opponent, Agatha's Gengar. Quickly going over his options, he decides to go with one of his most trusted pokemon. "Go, Onix!" he yelled as he threw the pokeball onto the field. "Rooooaaarrr!" the fierce cry of Onix was capable of intimidating even the most experienced pokemon.
"Wow! look at the size of that Onix!" yelled Ash with his eyes fixed on the screen. "Ash!" came a yell from downstairs. "Get to bed or you'll never get up in time to get your first pokemon!"
"Okay mom! I just wanna see the end of this battle!" replied Ash. "Fine! but as soon as that battle is done I want your butt in bed mister!" she hollered back.
"Geeze, you'd never know I was leaving on a journey by myself tomorrow from the way she talks to me… " grumbled Ash as he returned his attention back to the screen.
"Both trainers are now down to their last pokemon! Which ones will they choose to send out now?" yelled the announcer to the endless sea of fans. Tension filled the air as Bruno and Agatha both reached for their final pokeball… "Folks what we're witnessed is truly astounding!" cried the announcer again. "Both of these trainers have dedicated their lives to pokemon and have put in countless hours of training to get where they are today! No matter the outcome of this match, these two magnificent trainers should serve as role models to trainers everywhere!"
Now normally those words would pass right through the thick skull of Ash considering that he's normally too focused on the battle to notice anything else. However as the saying goes, once in a blue moon, he managed to hear those words in the midst of the battle. What he would not realize though, is that those words would set off a chain of events that would influence Ash for the rest of his life.
"Wow, he's right" thought Ash. "I can only imagine all the work and preparation that those two must have put in to get where they're at today. Come to think of it, what exactly have I done to prepare myself for tomorrow other than just thinking about which starter I wanted…"
His train of thought was interrupted by the loud sound of applause that came from the TV. On the screen was Agatha celebrating with her second Gengar while Bruno was consoling his defeated Hitmonchan. "No I missed the ending!" he yelled. The last thing shown from the battle was the audience applauding both trainers for an excellent battle before the TV cut to commercials. "Ash! Is that battle over yet?" yelled his mom from downstairs. "This is your last warning, get to bed now!"
"Alright I'm going!" he yelled as he turned off the TV. Looking out his window before he laid down for bed, he took one last good look at his hometown. "Man, I never realized how nice this place really is, I'm gonna miss it when I'm gone" he noted as his attention was suddenly drawn to the blue moon.
As he stared at the rare sight, there was one persistent thought stuck in his head that was nagging him from before. "Am I really ready for this journey?..." "Of course I am! Cause I'm Ash Ketchum and I'm gonna be a Pokemon Master!" he decided to proclaim loudly while posing out his window only to be met with the cries of many upset wild pokemon who had just had their sleep disturbed. With that out of his system and his pride somewhat back intact, Ash decided to go to sleep failing to notice that his glory pose knocked his Voltorb alarm clock off his nightstand to be smashed into oblivion…
(The Following Morning 8 a.m.)
The sun rose over the hills of Pallet town. The morning cries of Pidgeys and Spearows pierced the cool morning air. All across Pallet people were kicking off their day and the group who were to receive their first pokemon was eagerly making their way to Professor Oak's lab…
(3 hours later…)
"Ash wake up! You've overslept! There's not gonna be any pokemon left for you when you finally get there!" was the first thing that Ash heard as he returned to the land of the living. "What are you talking about?,,, *notices alarm clock smashed on floor* What happened to my alarm clock! Mom, what time is it!" yelled Ash finally realizing the predicament he's in.
"It's 11 honey!" came her reply. "I've got breakfast waiting for you on table so hurry up and get down here!" That was the last thing his mom had to say as Ash threw the covers off and raced as fast as he could to his dresser. Quickly throwing on his jeans, black t-shirt, and blue and white jacket he noticed something was missing…
"My hat!" he suddenly yelled. He immediately began frantically searching his room for his treasured hat. It wasn't just any ordinary hat, no; it was an official Pokemon League Expo. Hat. There was no way he was going to leave that thing at home considering what he had to go through to get it. He had to send in like a million postcards for that hat!
Suddenly, he spotted his hat lying under his bed. "How did that get there?" he wondered. "Oh well, I gotta get going!" grabbing his backpack, Ash ran downstairs to his awaiting mother. "Finally! your breakfast is cold. Hurry up and eat it so you can get down to Professor Oaks!" she scolded.
Ash bolted over to the table and shoveled his breakfast of bacon and eggs in at a pace that would put even his normal eating habits to shame. Quickly finishing, Ash sprung out of his seat and ran to the living room to throw on his shoes.
"Good luck honey, make sure you head straight over there" his mom said as she walked in right behind him.
"Thanks mom! I will!" Ash hollered as he ran out the front door, through his front yard and up the Pallet town dirt road.
Running as fast as his legs could carry him, Ash ran down the dirt road passing the neighboring houses without a second glance. "Ahhhh, I can't believe I slept in! I can't become a pokemon master if I don't even have a pokemon!" Such thoughts only cause Ash to increase his pace even more.
After a solid ten minutes of running, Ash finally reached Professor Oaks' front gate and was met with a very confusing sight. Standing in front the gate was Professor Oak, Gary, and an official looking guy with a pokemon league symbol on his shirt.
From what Ash could tell, Gary was extremely pissed about something. What that something was, Ash couldn't tell. But from what Ash saw as he approached the three in front of the gate, Gary was really giving it to his grandfather and the other man.
"What do you mean I can't go on my journey right now? Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?" Ash heard Gary howl at the two older men.
That instantly set Ash on edge that something might be wrong as he decided to voice his opinion "Why can't Gary go on his journey? What's going on?" Ash cut in.
"Oh Ashy-boy, way to finally show up! It's terrible!" yelled Gary.
"Now Ash," Professor Oak, the famous Pokemon researcher who has a lab in Pallet town began looking a little nervous, "It seems like we have some sudden news from the Pokemon League and there's a little problem…"
"You're damn right there's a problem here gramps!" yelled Gary cutting in. "What gives this guy the right to tell me I have to wait another three years to start my journey? I've been waiting 10 years for this moment!" complained Gary.
"Watch your tongue Gary, and what gives these people the right? Gary, they are THE Pokemon League, they have the right to do whatever they want concerning rules." said the Professor.
"Wait; will someone please explain to me what's going on here?" Ash cut in.
"I believe I can do that for you young man." said the official looking man inserting himself into the conversation.
"Who are you?" asked Ash.
"I'm an officer from the Pokemon League executive office" he responded.
"Ok, well why are you here telling Gary he can't go on his journey? As much as I would love for that to happen cause of all the stuff he's done to me, (In the background…Hey!) we're both 10 and today's the day we're allowed to get our first pokemon."
"Well normally you would be right, but unfortunately there has been a change in the rules for beginning trainers" he answered.
"What?" Ash yelled. "No! This can't be happening! Now I know why Gary was so mad earlier, I've been waiting 10 years for this!" he thought.
"Yes I'm afraid so, due to the recent results we've received from an investigation, as of now, all new trainers must wait until the age of 13 to leave on a journey."
"Are you serious!" Ash exclaimed. "You have to be joking! What kind of investigation made you make that decision?"
"Yeah! Why are you doing this to us?" Gary added.
"It's not just you two I have to do this to boys, and the reason we decided to do this was for your safety. Last year we did an investigation on how rookie trainers do on their first journey and unfortunately, the results from that experiment made the decision for us." he countered.
"Now you've got me interested" said the Professor who had been quiet up until this point. "How in the world were you able to monitor these trainers without their notice and what do you mean that the results made the decision for you?" continued the Professor.
"Well Professor Oak, safety has always been high on the agenda for the league and due to the safety of our trainers slipping the last few years, we began an experiment at the beginning of last year. We hired 100 teenagers who were willing to befriend rookie trainers, and would then go on their journeys with them while keeping an eye on how they progress…" the official began.
"Now that's an invasion of privacy!" yelled the Professor actually starting to lose his cool. "How is setting these kids up with people who they believe are their friends, but are actually your agents in reality right for them?"
"We only did it to ensure their safety Professor Oak." the official returned, not backing down to the Professor's challenge. "And after receiving the results from their respective trainers, I have to say that we did the right thing by conducting that investigation and by increasing the starting age."
"Would you care to share these justifying results with us then?" said the Professor.
"Yes I would actually if it will make you realize why we made this decision" began the official. "Out of the 100 rookie trainers we had shadowed by our agents, 22 quit their journey after a week, 31 became hopelessly lost and may have died in the wilderness if it weren't for our agents, 14 had all of their possessions and pokemon stolen, 43 pokemon were abandoned, and let's not forget about the casualties. Unfortunately, we had 13 pokemon casualties and 3 trainer casualties…" finished the official in a solemn manner.
Hearing those statistics made the color drain from the Professor, Ash, and Gary's faces faster than encountering a Haunter in a deserted back alley.
"Gramps, are those facts for real?" stuttered Gary, officially scared senseless.
"My god, I knew things like that weren't uncommon on some people's first journeys but I would have never guessed the stats were that high…" was the only intelligent response the Professor could come up with.
"…." Ash remained silent as the official continued.
"So now that you know why we made our decision, those rookies that you see at the end of the year at the Indigo Plateau, those are the lucky and well prepared ones. Most rush into their journey before they're ready and end up as a statistic…" finished the official.
"Well, I may not agree with how you went about getting your statistics, but I do agree with increasing the age after hearing you out." said the humbled Professor Oak.
"Gramps you can't be serious! I promise I'll be careful, I won't end up like one of those other kids!" countered Gary.
"I'm sorry Gary, but after hearing why the league decided to make this decision, I can't support you leaving right…"
"NO!" yelled Ash startling everyone else as he cried out. "I will not wait another three years to begin my journey! So what if that stuff happened to other kids? I will never quit and I will not give up until I become a Pokemon Master! I'll prove this guy and everyone else at the league wrong! Just wait! You'll see my name in the finals at the Indigo Plateau!" yelled Ash fiercely.
"Ash I'm sorry" began the Professor. "But even if I wanted to I can't go against the league and send you out there now. And I'm afraid that decision is final, you're waiting for three more years." finished the Professor.
"Tell me kid, what is your name?" asked the official to Ash.
"My name is Ash Ketchum, future Pokemon Master and don't you forget it!" Ash responded.
"Well Ash, I'm sorry I have to keep you waiting for a couple more years, but I really like your fire and I can tell you mean every word you said by looking at your eyes." began the official.
"I don't often see new trainers with that drive and determination you seem to have. I might just have to tell Lance to keep an eye out for one Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town in the next couple of years" finished the official with a wink.
"You do that! Tell Lance not to get comfortable cause I'm coming for his title!" Ash proclaimed.
"All right kid, I'll let him know" the official chuckled. "And with that, my job is done here, I'll hopefully hear from you boys in a couple years. It was nice meeting you all despite the bad news I had to bring you. With that I'll be on my way." the official turned with a wave and steadily made his way down the Pallet dirt road.
"How can you just let him tell us what to do like that?" Gary raged. "I'll be back when people start making sense around here." said Gary as he stormed back inside the lab.
"Geeze Professor, do you think Gary will be alright?" asked Ash as he watched Gary close the door behind him.
"He'll be fine Ash; that hotheaded grandson of mine just needs some time to cool down. Judging from his reaction to the statistics I'm sure that he'll understand why he can't leave right now. What I am surprised about is that fact that you seem to be taking this so well. I assumed you would've done the same thing right after finished yelling about how you would be a Pokemon Master." continued the Professor.
"Well," Ash started. "At first I was just as mad if not more as Gary was. But after a remembering a couple thoughts I had last night I realized maybe a couple more years of waiting wouldn't hurt."
"What kind of thoughts could those possibly be? For as long as I've known you you've been waiting your entire life to get your first pokemon. And not to mention you're not exactly the most prone to thinking." the Professor finished while laughing.
"Hey! I can think!" Ash yelled back with a glare. "But anyway, last night I was having a few doubts about how prepared I actually has for my journey."
"Wow Ash, that's very unlike you. I expected you to come running into my lab screaming for a pokemon and arguing with Gary about who'd be the better trainer."
"Yes, well don't tell Gary I said this, but I've actually been having a few doubts about myself after watching Bruno and Agatha battle on TV last night" said Ash embarrassed.
"Ah yes, I watched that battle myself. It was a great battle indeed between two giants of the pokemon world. And let me guess, was it when the announcer mentioned how much hard they put in that has you doubting yourself? said the Professor with a keen eye.
"Whoa, how did you know Professor?" asked a shocked Ash.
"Call it many years of experience coming in handy my boy, now what about that has you doubting yourself? Because I've never seen you doubt yourself before in any of your countless competitions with Gary."
"Well, I kinda feel like I don't know enough about pokemon" he admitted.
"Really? Because all I ever hear you talking about is pokemon." asked a confused Oak.
"Not like that. I mean I don't think I know enough facts about pokemon. Like battle strategies, training methods, moves, natural advantages, I was just gonna wing it with whatever pokemon I got, but now I feel like I owe that pokemon to be more knowledgeable about it so that I can help it become the best pokemon it can be." finished Ash.
"Ash I'm very proud of you. Most trainers never look at things that way and just charge into battle with their pokemon like you were going to do. With that attitude, the dream of becoming a Pokemon Master may not be completely unattainable." said an impressed Professor.
"Wow you really think so Professor Oak?" Ash asked with stars in his eyes.
"Yes my boy, if you spend these next three years learning those things you just mentioned to me and more, you'll be way ahead of the competition."
"But Professor, how can I learn all of that stuff if I'm not allowed to have pokemon for another three years? he asked.
"I believe I can help you out with that. What if for these next three years you work for me up at the lab with the pokemon? What better way to learn about different types of pokemon than to get hands-on experience with the hundreds of pokemon I have out back? And as payment for working for me, I'll teach you those things you wanted to know and anything else I find important for you. What do you say?" offered the Professor.
"Wow, you'd really do that for me Professor?" asked a dumbstruck Ash.
"Yes I would Ash" said Oak with a smile on his face. "I agree with the official in the fact that I believe you have a lot of potential. And don't tell Gary I told you this, but I believe he's more suited to becoming a Pokemon Researcher like myself. Now I'm going to warn you, if you agree to this, it's not going to be easy. You'll have to spend many long hours working with many different types of pokemon each with specific needs. And for me teaching you, you have to be willing to pay attention and research things when I tell you too." finished the Professor.
"You don't have to worry about me Professor! I won't let you down! Please let me work with you!" yelled Ash.
"I knew you wouldn't Ash. If that's the case, then we'll get you started in the next couple days."
"Ash! Congratulations on your first pokemon! Which one did you get?" yelled Delia Ketchum as she approached them.
"Yeah mom about that… there's been a change in plans." said Ash as he began filling his mom in on what had just transpired.
"Oh honey that's great!" Delia exclaimed with a joyous smile on her face.
"Wait a second, you mean you're not surprised or angry at all about what happened?" he questioned.
"Of course not! My little boy is gonna be at home with me for another three years."
"Mom, I'm not a little boy anymore…" groaned Ash with an annoyed look on his face.
"I know you're not honey, I just like to tease you about it. But in all honesty though, I am happy that you're not leaving on your journey yet."
"Why mom? Just the other day you were telling me how proud of me that I was growing up and going on my own journey." he questioned.
"That's what I told you, but it wasn't exactly how I felt." she began. "Honestly, I didn't think you were quite ready to go out there all by yourself. I was counting on the hope that you would find some nice friends to journey with to keep you inline. But now, I have another three years to beat some sense into you." Delia finished with a slightly creepy smile.
"Whatever you say mom." Ash said worried about how his mom plans to "beat" some sense into him.
"Well today sure has been an eventful day. I'd love to stay and talk some more but I have to go attend to the pokemon. Ash I'll see you bright and early tomorrow here at 8'oclock sharp, don't be late. Take care Delia, and don't work him too hard at home, I need him nice and fresh for his work here." with that the Professor turned and made his way up the step and into the lab.
"Well Ash, we might as well start making our way home. I'll be so nice having you around for another three years. If you think Professor Oak will be the only one teaching you things, you've got another thing coming young man." his mother joked.
"What do you plan on teaching me mom?" Ash asked as they turned and started make their way home up the Pallet dirt road.
"Well, since you're old enough now that you hopefully won't burn the house down, I was thinking about teaching you how to cook. How did you plan on surviving out there without knowing how to cook?" his mother asked with a suspicious look.
"Ummm, well I could've eaten some of the berries in the trees.." Ash said sheepishly.
"Now that won't do, that's it, I'm officially giving you cooking 101, not to mention we need to shape up your manners, people skills, navigation, and not to mention the most important one" his mom said with a menacing gleam in her eyes, "I'll have to teach you how to get a girlfriend so you can start working on getting me some grandkids."
"Ewww Moooommmm! Why would you even mention that?" he responded disgusted.
"Well its true honey, those first things I mentioned are necessary, and the last one is pretty important too, do you want to be known by all the girls you meet as the dense kid who can't take a hint?" she continued.
"I guess you're right when you put it that way… But does it have to be you teaching me that? You're my mom, I don't wanna learn about those kinds of things from you." he complained.
"That's the spirit!" Delia said with joy. "And who else are you gonna learn about those things from? Professor Oak? He will be teaching you many things but he's a little old to be teaching you any girl skills that have worked in the last decade. And I'm the best one who could possibly teach you anyway! In case you've forgotten I am a girl too you know." she finished.
"You're not a girl, you're a mom" mumbled Ash under his breath. "Ok then, I guess we'll add those things to my personal learning agenda for the next three years" Ash added with false sarcasm.
"I heard that young man! And don't you worry, by the time I'm finished with you, there won't be a girl who'll be able to resist you! And that reminds me, I'll have to teach you what kind of girls to go after and which kind are trouble…" she said as she continued making a mental checklist in her head.
"What have I unleashed?" Ash asked sarcastically. "Why don't we just go home for now, I've had a long day and I could really use some rest…" Ash finished.
"You're right honey, lets pick up the pace, I think I might have left the roast in the oven and if you want dinner tonight we better get home now." she said as they both picked up the pace.
With that, Ash and Delia made their way home to relax and prepare for the next three years. Flying high above them just out of their line of sight was a magnificent rainbow-colored bird making its way across the sky. As it was about to break into Ash's view, it it suddenly made a u-turn and disappeared before it could be spotted with a seemingly annoyed expression on its face. It was as if it knew that it would have to wait awhile before attempting this again…
A/N: Wow, that went a lot smoother than expected. If you've taken the time to read this all the way here, I want to thank you for checking out my writing and I hope you've enjoyed it. I'll try to keep this going as regularly as I can so keep an eye out for future chapters.
Once again, thanks for reading. Please review and I'll answer any questions that anyone may have.
DBF out