MASTER KETCHUM
SUMMARY:What if Ash befriends a Rare Legendary Pokémon 5 years before he gets Pikachu and it goes with him on his Journey? What if Ash studied more about the Pokémon world before going on his Journey and knew more about Pokémon training than he did in cannon because of it? MathiasNightLord01 Challenge. Smarter/Badass Ash. Pairing is Ash/?/?
AUTHORS NOTE: Trainer starting age has been bumped up to 15 years of age.
PROLOGUE
In this world, there are these amazing and wonderful creatures that roam it, known as Pokémon. They fill the oceans, thrive in the mountains, soar high over the horizons, and share the landscapes of cities. Mankind and Pokémon alike have long Journeyed together to experience the thrill and challenge of the Pokémon Battle, the beauty and grace of the Pokémon Contest and many other challenges that bring them closer together in harmony with each other and nature. Many dream to become the best at what they choose to be...one such person is Ash Ketchum, a young man who dreams of becoming the World's Greatest Pokémon Master.
Our story begins in the Kanto Region, in the small town of Pallet. It was the middle of the day with the sun shining bright and the Pidgey chirping as they flew around the area. Sitting down in the grassy fields near the town with his head in his hands, was Ash Ketchum. The boy was currently 10 years old with wild spiky black hair, brown eyes wearing a short-sleeved black t-shirt and black shorts with a red belt. He was also wearing a pair of matching red and black shoes.
Ash was a resident of Pallet Town who lived at a ranch just outside of it along with his mother Delia Ketchum, a former Pokémon Trainer turned Star Pokémon Breeder. Ash's father had died when Ash was only 4 years old due to cancer. Ash's father, Ashton Ketchum, was co-owner of a famous Pokeball company and, upon his death, had left everything he had to Delia and Ash. He had left them with a large sum of money and several properties all over the world. Delia had taken half the money and had put it into other investments while she put the other half into an account. She had spent some of the money and had a Pokémon Ranch built just outside of Pallet Town for her, Ash, and her Pokémon to live in while she conducted her breeder business.
Ash had loved Pokémon and Pokémon Battling since he saw his mother in a mock battle when he was little. Ever since then, Ash couldn't wait to become a Pokémon trainer and go on his journey and fulfill his dream of becoming the world's greatest Pokémon Master.
However, he wasn't in such a good mood right now. He had been in town at the playground playing with his friends when he walked up to him. Gary Oak, grandson of the world famous Pokémon Professor and Poet, Samuel Oak. You would think that this kid thought that he was destined to become king of the world with the way he acted. He belittled anyone who didn't bow down to him and saw everyone as being inferior to him, no matter who they were. He really liked making other kids look stupid when it came to their Pokémon knowledge compared to his own. And today, his target was Ash. Right in front of all of his friends, Gary started quizzing Ash on Pokémon and what types they were. When Ash couldn't answer some of the questions, Gary started calling him all kinds of names right to his face and started saying how he'll never become a Pokémon Trainer with the way he currently was. It got even worse when all of his friends started laughing at him due to all of the things Gary was saying. Ash had immediately got up and ran away with tears in his eyes, much to the amusement of his former friends and Gary. And that's how he got to where he currently was, sitting down with his head in his hands crying his eyes out.
'Stupid, stupid Gary!' Ash thought. 'Just because your Grandpa's famous doesn't mean that you can put down other people and their dreams.'
Ash was interrupted from his thoughts as he heard a strange noise coming from some nearby bushes. The sound scared off the nearby Butterfly Pokémon, who suddenly flew away from the noise leaving Ash alone, being curious he went to see what was making the noise. He wiped the tears from his eyes and moved over towards the bushes. He peered through the bushes and saw what had scared off the Butterfree.
In the clearing was a very large bird looking Pokémon which Ash could not recognize. It had white and turquoise colored feathers and had a sleek body with large V-shaped wings. It was covered in all types of cuts and bruises and was currently bleeding all over the grass. Ash had just fully stepped through the bushes when it had turned it spotted him. It immediately tried to back up as it growled and glared at him.
Ash backed away slightly before he noticed it wince in pain once more. The young boy shook off his fear as he put his hands up in the universal peace gesture. He started to walk toward the large bird like Pokémon hoping it would understand him.
"Easy! I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help."
The Pokémon observed the human slowly walking toward him. He flexed his hands and wings, ready in case the boy did anything. After Ash was close enough to touch the Pokémon, the creature looked into the boy's eyes and saw nothing but concern for the injured Pokémon. After a few seconds, it felt that he could somehow trust this young human and finally unclenched its hands and wings. However, doing so used up the all the energy it had left and caused it to collapse on the ground. Ash quickly closed the distance between them and checked over the mystery Pokémon was even more injured then he thought. It looked up at Ash from its position with its bright ruby-red colored eyes.
Ash smiled down encouragingly at the injured Pokémon.
"Hold on buddy I'll help you."
It was right then, when he heard a noise coming from the woods before a deep male voice came from somewhere nearby.
"Now where did that damn Latios get off to? I know it's around here somewhere and the client is nearly here for it! Arrgh! I didn't go through the trouble of tracking and capturing a shiny Pokémon just to have it escape its cage. I think I'll have to increase the voltage on the bars next time so it doesn't escape again."
Ash's eyes narrowed as he looked between the, now recognized Shiny Latios, and from where the voice came from.
'So that's what happened to it. How could someone do that to a Pokémon! I'd better hide, Latios I think it was called, until the guy leaves.'
Ash turned to the Latios who was glaring at the voice.
"Latios? I need you to come with me so we can hide you okay?"
The Eon Pokémon looked at him for a few moments before nodding its head weakly. Ash then moved over and grunted as he helped half pull/half carry the heavy legendary Pokémon toward his home. They had to stop a few times due to the fact that Latios was fairly heavy for Ash to move but eventually they managed to reach a grove near a stream close to the ranch. Ash laid down Latios who looked up at the human who helped it in curiosity. Ash smiled before stroking the injured Pokémon's head being mindful to avoid its injuries as the Eon Pokémon cooed in satisfaction.
"Don't worry Latios, you'll be just fine here. I'll be right back just stay still and rest while I get something to help with those injuries." He said, as he went into his mom's lab area. He looked around and noticed that his mother was nowhere in sight, while some of her Pokémon were there but were just lazing around. They didn't even notice him as he ran in, grabbed a Full Heal and Hyper Potion with some bandages, and run back out of the lab towards Latios.
The Legendary Eon Pokémon looked up at Ash curiously from its position as it noticed the supplies in Ash's hands. It cooed at him in confusion.
Ash chuckled a bit before putting down the supplies except for the hyper potion.
"Don't worry; this stuff will help you get better. Now this is going to sting a little but you'll feel much better okay?"
The Pokémon looked at the bottle of potion before closing its eyes and nodding weakly. Ash took that as a sign of consent and starting spraying the potion over the Latios' injuries. It hissed in pain for a moment before letting out a sigh like coo of relief. It had the exact same reaction with the Full Heal. When Ash was finished with the potions, he picked up the bandages and wrapped up the Eon Pokémon's wounds. When he was finished, Latios was looking much stronger than before and needed to rest. Ash stroked the Pokémon's head and watched as it fell asleep. He smiled before he heard a voice behind him.
"So this is what you needed those supplies for, huh?"
Ash jumped at the voice and spun around only to spot his mother standing behind him with a small smile on her face. Ash quickly looked guiltily at the ground.
"Sorry for stealing the supplies mom. But Latios was really hurt badly and-"
Delia waved off Ash's apology with a small chuckle. "It's alright, no harm done. But you'll have to tell me how you came across this Latios, sweetie."
Ash then told her what had happened and what he had heard. She was frowning by the end of his story.
"It sounds like you may have saved this Latios from a rather nasty fate. You most likely ran into a Pokémon Poacher. Those are people that use nets and other cruel devices to catch Pokémon and give them over to whoever wants them for a price. Officer Jenny in Viridian City warned me that they might be operating in this area. I'll call her later and tell her what happened and maybe she'll manage to arrest the ones' who did this. But I suspect they'll be long gone by then, I personally have no love for such despicable people."
Ash growled as he heard about what Pokémon Poachers did. Anyone that would hurt a Pokémon deserved to go to jail or worse in his opinion. He turned to Latios who was lightly snoring contently on the ground asleep. Delia smiled at the heart touching scene.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Officer Jenny called back after they went to the sight and told them that, unfortunately, the Poachers had managed to get away while trying to explain to their client how they had lost the Pokémon they had been hired to capture. Delia told Jenny it was alright and that the Poachers would be arrested soon enough but at least they were foiled this time. After the conversation ended, Delia was confident enough that Latios was safe for now and helped Ash bring it back towards their ranch and put it in one of their medical beds for the night.
Later that night, after having dinner with his mother, Ash had sneaked out with some leftover food that was still hot and brought them to Latios. Latios smelled them food and woke up to find Ash carrying a basket filled with biscuits and a small pot filled with some kind of stew. Latios levitated off the table and flew over to Ash looking far stronger than before and gave the human boy a smile before giving him an affectionate nudge with his head. Ash laughed happily.
"I see you're feeling better. I figured you might be hungry, so I brought you some food my mom made along with some stuff I picked up along the way."
Latios looked at the food before giving Ash a happy expression and cooing at the thought of food. Ash smiled at Latios' happy energy as he gave the Legendary Pokémon food, which the Eon Pokémon happily devoured until it was gone. It gave a satisfied coo-like roar.
Ash laughed.
"Glad you like it!"
Latios then turned to Ash as he nuzzled his head against Ash showing his gratitude for his help. Ash smiled at the bird-like Pokémon.
"Hey Latios, you're a really cool Pokémon. Do you want to be friends with me?"
Latios answered by nudging its head into Ash's chest as it cooed. Ash smiled as he laughed and wrapped his arms around Latios' neck in a hug.
5 YEARS LATER
5 years had passed since the day that they had met. Ash and Latios had become closer over the years playing and learning alongside each other at every opportunity. Latios had grown slightly bigger and was much stronger than when he met Ash. Over the last 5 years, Latios had taken to training himself by battling against other wild Pokémon around Pallet and with Delia's own Pokémon.
But Latios wasn't the only one training himself. Ash had spent the last 5 years studying and training his body in order to become a better trainer in the future. He now knew enough about Pokémon training and general knowledge that he believed he would do well as a trainer just like his parents did. He had not forgotten that event years ago and was training to prove Gary wrong. Whenever should they battle in the future, Ash planned on destroying Gary as a form of payback.
It was also during this time that Ash and Latios grew closer as friends. The Eon Pokémon had become a member of the Ketchum Family and often stayed the night at their ranch. Delia was surprised that Latios was staying there with them at first, but after a while, grew used to its presence around the ranch and sometimes had the Pokémon help her with her duties around the ranch.
It was currently 11 o'clock at night at the Ketchum Ranch, a few days after Ash's 15th birthday where he received several gifts from his mother. Ash was sitting on the floor in front of the Television with Latios laying in front of him taking up most of the floor space after he finished packing his new backpack that was red and black with a white pokeball design on it. He also had laid out his new traveling clothes and shoes so he could get ready quickly tomorrow.
As they watched the fifth round of the Silver Conference Pokémon League Competition, Ash turned to Latios.
"Tomorrow is the big day, Latios. Tomorrow is when I officially become a Pokémon Trainer." He said to it, with a large smile on his face.
Latios turned toward his longtime friend with a questioning look. Ash smiled at the Psychic/Dragon Type Pokémon.
"So, I was wondering. Do you want to come with me on my journey? I mean, I know they'll be giving me a starter Pokémon tomorrow, But you'll always my first Pokémon to me. So what do you say? Do you want to come with me?"
Latios looked at him for a moment before letting out a happy coo and nuzzled Ash's face with his head. Ash laughed as he hugged his friend.
"I guess that means yes."
The door opened revealing Delia who smiled at seeing the scene.
"Ash it's time for bed now. You need to be up early tomorrow."
Ash groaned.
"I don't know if I can sleep. I'm too excited. But I'll try anyway."
Delia nodded before closing the door and heading to her own room for the night.
"Night Honey."
"Night Mom."
Ash turned off the TV before navigating his way around Latios' wings and turning of the light and making his way back toward his bed. He set his alarm before getting under the covers. He turned toward Latios, who was lying down near his bed on the floor.
"Goodnight Latios."
Latios responded with a tired yawn.
Closing their eyes both Pokémon and Trainer fell off to sleep.
THE NEXT DAY
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
Ash's alarm went off, causing both Ash and Latios to stir before waking up completely and turning the alarm off. Ash quickly got up and put on his new clothes. He now wore a short sleeve black t-shirt underneath a short-sleeved open red and white hoodie, black cargo pants, red and black running shoes, black fingerless gloves, and a red and white Pokémon league hat. After getting dressed Ash quickly picked up his bag and ran downstairs where his mother had finished making breakfast with Latios flying not far behind.
Then, when both where finished Ash and Latios both left for Professor Oak's lab, with Latios currently being unseeable. Over the years, Latios had somehow been able to turn himself invisible using his feathers and his psychic energy. After getting halfway to the lab, they noticed a crowd around the front entrance. Ash turned to where he knew Latios was levitating.
"Okay, I don't think you'll be able to fit through the door. So, stay out here until I get back and then follow me until we reach the forest and you can turn yourself visible again." He told him, eyeing the crowd.
Latios nodded, although Ash couldn't see it, and rose higher into the air to get a better view of the lab. Ash then started running toward the lab hoping he wasn't too late.
"Squirtle… Charmander… Bulbasaur! Anyone of them is fine, just save one for me."
Ash got there quickly only to see that jerk, Gary Oak, bidding farewell to all of his adoring fans. Gary turned to see Ash.
"Well if isn't Ashy-boy!"
Ash's eyes narrowed before he walked passed him and kept walking towards the lab. Over the years, he had learned to simply ignore Gary and everything he did. This pissed off Gary every time, because it meant that somebody wasn't acknowledging his presence. Every time they encountered each other, Ash would simply keep on walking by. This time wasn't any different.
"Hey loser, I'm talking to you." Gary sneered at Ash, as he walked up the steps to the lab. However, Ash kept ignoring him and walked through the doors of the lab. Gary grit his teeth in anger before turning around and continued towards his car. "Hmph, loser."
INSIDE THE LAB
Ash entered the research facility to see Professor Oak off in the corner of his lab, tinkering with something at his desk. Ever since the incident 5 years ago, Ash had started acting cold to everyone he came across besides Latios, his mom, and his mom's Pokémon. He acted this way because Gary had gone around town talking about how much of an idiot Ash was. For the first year, whenever he walked around town, the adults would avoid him while the other kids would laugh and make fun of them. Professor Oak was another person who believed what Gary was saying over the years. He was at first reluctant to believe Gary but, when he saw how the other kids and parents were acting around Ash, he was inclined to believe his grandson.
"Professor." Ash addressed Oak coldly. This caused Oak to jump a little in his chair as he turned around and saw who had startled him. When he saw Ash standing there, he sighed as he remembered that he was coming here for a starter Pokémon. He was at first reluctant to give the boy a starter Pokémon, but he was required by the league laws to give all 15 year olds who wanted to become a trainer, a starter. While he did have more of the Kanto 3 Starters in the back, just in case they had more than 3 trainers, he felt that giving such a Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander to Ash would be a waste of a Pokémon's Potential. He would save the other starter types for competent trainers, like his grandson whom he gave all 3 plus an Eevee, and he would give Ash the Pokémon he caught earlier this morning trying to raid the labs kitchen. So, he pressed a button on his desk which opened up a compartment on the examination table in the middle of the room, which was right in front of Ash. Out of the secret compartment rose a Pokeball with a lightning bolt sticker on it, 5 empty Pokeball's, and an odd Pokedex he just found lying around his lab. Unknowingly, he had just given Ash a National Dex.
"There's your starter Pokémon, 5 extra empty Pokeball's, and your Pokedex. Sorry, we didn't have any more Kanto Starters left so you'll have to make do with what we had left. Now, excuse me, I have work to get back to." He said, as he turned around and went back to his computer. He didn't have time to waste on an incompetent little kid.
'Douchebag.' Ash thought, as he went up the examination table and pocketed the balls and dex before he attached his 'starter' to his belt. He knew Professor Oak was lying about not having any more of the Kanto Starters but he didn't care. He had Latios! That beats anything the old asshole could have given him any day. So, with that final thought, and a sneer in the professors direction, Ash walked out of his lab, hopefully for the last time.
OUTSIDE
Once Ash had gotten an acceptable distance away from the lab and into the woods were no one could spot him, he called for Latios to reveal himself, who was floating slightly off to his right hidden in the trees just to be extra safe.
"Alright Latios, let's see what Professor A-hole gave us for a 'starter'." Ash remarked, air quoting the word starter as they both knew that Latios was Ash's true starter. He threw out the pokeball and out came a short yellow rat looking Pokémon. It had 3 brown streaks going across its back, red electric sacks on its cheeks, long pointy ears, and pitch-black colored eyes. It was a Pikachu. It looked around before it spotted Ash and began to growl at him as its cheeks sparked up. However, it was shocked (no pun intended) to see a legendary Pokémon floating behind the boy, glaring at it.
"Calm down, little guy. I'm not here to hurt you." Ash said as he put his hands up in the universal sign language for non-hostile. He then slowly got closer to the Pokémon and bent down to Pikachu's level. The Pokémon was wary of his movements. "I'm your new trainer. Do you think we could work together and be friends?"
Seeing the humans friendly smile and the way non-aggressive way it approached him, Pikachu decided that this human was okay. It also didn't hurt that he had a legendary Pokémon as a friend. They were only friends with nice humans. A small smile spread across Pikachu's face as it walked up to Ash a rubbed its head against the humans, no, it's new trainer's hand. Seeing this caused a smile to spread across Ash's face as he rubbed Pikachu's head and then Latios' who was getting jealous of the little rat Pokémon's attention. Ash then pulled out his Pokedex and scanned the both of his Pokémon.
XXXXX
Pokémon: Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon
Level: 12
Height: 1'4"
Weight: 13.8 lbs.
Sex: Male
Type: Electric
Ability: Static
Info: The evolved form of Pichu. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks and its tail is sometimes struck by lightning as it raises it to check its surroundings.
Attacks: Thunder Shock, Growl, Tail Whip, Thunder Wave, and Volt Tackle* (Note: This move is hereditary).
XXXXX
Pokémon: Latios, the Eon Pokémon
Level: 59
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 132.6 lbs.
Sex: Male
Type: Dragon/Psychic
Ability: Levitate
Info: A Legendary Pokémon. It understands human speech and is highly intelligent. By folding back its wings in flight, it can overtake jet planes in speed.
Attacks: Psywave, Safegaurd, Dragons Breath, Protect, Luster Purge, Zen Head-butt, Recover, Ice Beam, Hyper Beam, Shadow Ball, and Dragon Claw.
Special Notice: This Pokémon is what Pokémon professors refer to as a 'Shiny' Pokémon. This usually means that the Pokémon will be 1.2 to 2.4 times stronger than its normal species counterpart.
XXXXX
"Well alright." Ash smirked, as he put away his Pokedex. He tried to return Pikachu to his Pokeball but he immediately jumped out of the way and glared at Ash. "What, you don't like being in your ball?" Upon receiving the negative head shake from his Pokémon, he simply nodded and put Pikachu's ball back on his belt. "Alright, Latios, you need to hide yourself again. We got to make a quick stop by mom's lab. I want to make sure I'm registered at her lab and that only she gets my info and extra Pokémon. I don't want to even think of what would happen if Professor Oak found out I had you."
Latios then nodded as it turned itself invisible again, surprising Pikachu as it didn't know a Pokémon could do that. Pikachu then shook itself out of its stupor and hopped up on Ash's shoulder.
After introducing Pikachu to his mom and registering himself at her lab, he then said goodbye to her and started down the road towards Viridian City. Ready to start his journey!
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