Author's note will be in bold, Italics will be the Narrator's introduction/conclusion to the story. Takes place after Sinnoh, not many mentions of his actions in the last two regions, but Pokemon may be brought back from time to time.
4 years ago we all watched as Ash Ketchum fought his way to the Pokemon Indigo League in the Kanto region. After being defeated in the quarter finals at the Indigo Plateau, Ash traveled to several other regions with new and exciting pokemon at each turn.
Ready to return home, his resolve to be the world's greatest pokemon master has not wavered in the least. Satisfied with his journeys throughout the other regions of Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, Ash Ketchum has decided to return home to Pallet town with a huge decision to make.
"My name's Jake Stupum, and I challenge you to battle." The guy with red hair declared.
"Sounds good." Ash said, pounding his fist into his open palm.
"One on one work with you?" Jake asked, his voice thick with a British accent.
"Sounds good. I choose you, PIKACHU!"
"I give you a ten for cute pokemon, but this is no contest. This is a battle! Go Graveller!" He whipped his pokeball into the air and out came the rock type pokemon.
"Pikachu use iron tail!"
Pikachu charged up its tail and lept intop the air, colliding with the rock pokemon's body.
"Like I said," Jake jibed after it clearly had no effect, "This isn't a contest! Graveller rock throw!"
The nearby rocks were hurled at Ash's oldest friend, who dodged with incredible speed.
"Tackle!" Graveller rolled at Pikachu.
"Pikachu dodge and use thunderbolt!"
"PIKACHU!"
Jake having been bursting with overconfidence at his type-advantage, wiped the smirk off his own face as Graveller rolled by, singed by Pikachu's electric attack.
"Can't beat a point blank thunder bolt!"
"We'll see." Jaake considered. "Graveller use body slam!"
Pikachu rolled out of danger.
"Grab onto Graveller and use thunderbolt!"
The second point blank shock weakened Graveller greatly.
"Use Iron Tail!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu's tail struck Graveller, knocking him out cold.
"We did it!" Ash yelled, running to hug his longtime friend.
Graveller was returned to his Pokeball.
"Nice match." Ash said, extending his hand to his opponent, who was only staring at the Pokeball he'd just recalled Graveller into.
"Yeah... you too." He replied half-heartedly, shaking Ash's hand.
The two trainers went their separate ways, Ash's leading to Pallet Town.
Ash after leaving his newest Pokemon behind in the Sinnoh region, was feeling sentimental and decided to visit Professor Oak's before heading home.
He was leaning on the white picket fence, gazing at his thirty plus Tauros rampaging across the field.
He could still remember that first day, the day he overslept. The day he got Pikachu.
Before he could be lost in memory, a familiar face came up behind him.
"What's up Ashy Boy?"
"Gary, hey how you doing?"
"Not so bad Ash. I learned a lot about Pokemon since the last time I saw you. How's everything with you?"
"I made it to the Final Four in Sonnoh, but then I decided to come home?"
"Now why's that Ash? It sounds like you were doing really well out there."
Ash thought of Paul and trainers like him. He didn't want to prove himself to their kind of trainers, eve though he and Paul left on okay terms. He wanted to be closer to home from time to time, and capture Pokemon he grew up watching.
"I decided to renter the Pokemon league here."
"What? Really?"
Ash nodded. "Battling with new and exciting Pokemon and trainers has been great. And I'd love to use some of them in the Pokemon League. But I want to be the world's greatest Pokemon master. I figure that I should start right here in Kanto. I'm gonna win the Indigo League and retrace my footsteps until I win them all!"
"I gotta admit Ash; you've got the confidence. And knowing you, you'll figure out a way to win."
"Thanks Gary."
"Better talk to my grandpa, I've never reentered the same region before. So I have no idea what the rules are." Gary admitted.
"Okay let's go!"
By the time they reached the lab, Gary received an urgent call that he had to leave.
"Sorry Ash, didn't meant to cut our visit short. But my girlfriend's coming to town, and I promised I'd meet her in the Viridian Forest."
"No problem Gary, keep an eye out for any rare Pokemon for me." Ash joked, looking his old rival/new friend in the eye and shaking his hand.
"Good luck Ash.
"Good luck Gary." He whispered, watching Gary Oak walk off.
Ash took a deep breath and walked in.
"Muk!" The sludge Pokemon covered Ash the second he walked in the door.
"Ow... hey Muk it's good to see ya." Ash said, trying to escape from Muk's affectionate nature.
"Muk's really missed you Ash." Professor Oak told him, walking up to shut the door.
"Hey Professor. How are you?"
"I'm doing swell, it's a beautiful day after all."
"It sure is."
"Well, what brings you back to Pallet Town? I saw your battle in the Sinnoh league, you've grown as a trainer."
"It helps when you have amazing Pokemon." Ash said, patting Pikachu on the ahead.
"I imagine you're here to tell me you wish to continue your Pokemon journey in the Kanto region again?" Professor Oak guessed.
"How did you...?"
"Today is the day everybody starts after all. You think I believe coincidence brought you to my lab on your fifteenth birthday? Without visiting even your mother?"
Ash laughed awkwardly. He hadn't really thought about his birthday much in recent years. But Professor Oak was right, five years ago today Ash began his journey with a stubborn Pikachu.
Ash followed Oak to his lab where sat three Pokeballs, not unlike the few he had attached to his belt in case he happened across a new one he hadn't caught yet.
"Of course these three Pokeballs housed Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur up until an hour ago."
"You're saying I'm late again!"
"Not to worry Ash." Oak assured him, putting his hands up defensively. "As a Pokemon trainer that has traveled to distant regions, you aren't governed under the same rules anymore. In fact, the three starters you choose from won't be the same at all."
"That's a strange rule."
"Actually, the rule is designed to supplant your ability to use Pokemon you've had for years. If you choose to renter the Indigo League, you must again acquire at least eight badges from eight different Pokemon League approved gyms. But, you face restrictions."
"Restrictions?" Ash asked.
"Oh yes."
"Like what Professor?"
"According to the Pokemon League Handbook 2003 Edition Volume 1 Section Alpha, subsection Gamma bullet point three:
No trainer is allowed to use Pokemon acquired from other regions (such as Johto, Sinnoh, Unova, or Hoenn) until at least three badges are earned from various gyms.
No trainer may be allowed to utilize Pokemon caught on previous journeys throughout the Kanto region until a fourth Pokemon badge is earned.
Until such time as the returning trainer earns their fifth badge, a trainer is NOT allowed to use any starting Pokemon given to them by an approved Professor.
Once expectations are met and skills are proven in Gym battle, any Pokemon may be used without constraint in any Pokemon League sanctioned event, including, but not limited to, the Pokemon Indigo League Conference.
(Notice: The rules governing the use of Pokemon apply only to Pokemon League sanctioned battles/contests: i.e. Pokemon Gym Battles."
Ash's eyes went wide. He was barred from using any Pokemon caught elsewhere for at least three Gym battles. He couldn't use his old friends like Bulbasaur or Kingler until he had earned a fourth gym badge. And what's worse... he couldn't use Pikachu until his sixth gym battle!
"Pretty tough rules." Ash admitted, not feeling as optimistic as he had when he walked in the door.
"The rules are strict to prevent trainers from simply capturing powerful Pokemon in other regions, and using them against trainers who may or may not even know of their existence. Since you have already been through this region, you can return to the site of any gym you've previously defeated. The League doesn't want you to simply use the same Pokemon and tactics, it doesn't truly demonstrate your skill as a trainer."
"I guess you're right."
"Now," Professor Oak said, pushing a button revealing three yellow and white Pokeballs.
"What Pokemon are in these Pokeballs Professor?" Ash inquired, picking one up for inspection.
"As per tradition, the three starters belong to the types of fire, water, and grass. There are fifteen different Pokemon possibilities to use as a starter for any returning trainer."
"Wow! I get to pick from fifteen Pokemon?"
"No. May I see your Pokedex?"
Ash handed him the Pokedex.
Oak slipped it into a small slot and pushed a few keys on the computer.
"Now the computer algorithm will decide which three Pokemon you will be able to choose from."
"How does it decide that?"
"It rules out any Pokemon caught on your journeys, and carefully weighs against Pokemon you've encountered on your journey." THe computer binged a few times. "Excellent, it seems the computer has decided on your starters for this journey."
Another few clicks on the keyboard brought up a shaded image to the screen.
"The fire starter option is: Growlithe." A picture of Growlithe using flamethrower appeared on the screen.
"Cool! I've always wanted one of those."
"Growlithe is unique to the Starting lineup, because it holds only a single evolutionary change." Professor Oak explained.
"Arcanine." Ash remembered, having seen one or two throughout his journeys.
"The grass starter option is: Oddish." A picture of Oddish using razor leaf replaced the blackened out image of the grass type Pokemon.
"And what if I choose water?" Ash asked, thinking of Misty and making a resolve to see her when he visited Cerulean City.
"The water option is: Horsea."
The temptations were huge any way he went. Horsea may not look like much, but he knew that Seadra and Kingdra were reliable Pokemon having seen them in battle before. Oddish may not be the toughest, but after battling Erica's Gloom in Celadon City Ash knew that Oddish would be a Pokemon he could trust.
That left Growlithe.
Historically speaking, fire types were his strongest. Charizard, Quilava, and Infernape were all fire types that were nearly indomitable in battle once he learned how to use them right.
Then again, no Pokemon were as loyal to him as the grass types he'd caught in the past. Sceptile, Bayleef, Torterra, and Bulbasaur were some of the Pokemon Ash hoped to use once he made it back to the Indigo Plateau.
If that could be said about grass and fire, what couldn't be said about water? Squirtle, Totodile, and Buizel were as dependable as any of Ash's other Pokemon. What counted out Horsea?
He'd come to realize that Pokemon are what you help them become. There aren't weak Pokemon in the world, only poor trainers that don't know how to train them to be as strong as the best. Even Magikarp could learn to be strong.
It seemed to take forever, but he eventually made a decision and picked up a yellow ball.
"A good choice Ash."
"I think so too Professor." Ash agreed, gazing at his Pokeball as the Professor recalled the two remaining Pokemon.
Ash was, understandably, excited about releasing the newest addition to his Pokemon family. But, Tauros had other plans.
He was carried off by his Pokemon, caught in the Safari Zone a lifetime ago, and brought to all of the Pokemon he'd caught ever.
Charizard and Snorlax were snoozing, but Bayleef trampled him loud enough to wake even their lazy butts up.
It took hours for him to say hi to all of them, in fact he forgot to show off the newest member of the family.
He reached his mom's as the day turned to night and was greeted with a big hug and lots of lectures.
"Sorry mom. I'll call ahead next time." Ash promised.
Together they ate dinner, and, a little before bed, Ash sat on the fence to his own yard, for the first time remembering his new Pokemon.
"Pika pi?" Pikachu said, bouncing onto Ash's head.
"Hey buddy."
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, pointing to the ball.
"You know this is the first time I got a starter since I got you five years ago." He reminded his lifelong friend. "You remember how much you hated me back then?"
"Pikachu!" The little yellow Pokemon agreed.
"Back then, I chose Squirtle first. After I found out it was empty, I tried Bulbasaur and then Charmander. Then I got you." Ash said smiling.
"Oy, you're Ash aren't ya?" A female voice demanded from several yards in front of him.
"Yeah, who's asking?"
"My name's Sky, I'm a Pokemon trainer."
"Me too."
"Professor O told me you just received one of the special starters from his lab. I've been to Kanto twice before, and now I've got the last starter left in the group of fifteen."
"Then maybe we should battle." Ash said, leaping off of the fence he was sitting on.
"Sounds like a plan. One on one. We'll both use our new Pokemon."
"Sounds fair." Ash agreed.
"Go!" They yelled at the same time, throwing their Pokeballs in sync.
From Sky's side came a beautiful Horsea with a determined look in its eye.
From Ash's side out came Growlithe.
"Aroof." Growlithe said, happy to be free of its Pokeball.
"Horsea." Horsea agreed.
"Horsea, use tackle!"
"Growlithe use bite!" Ash countered.
Ash's Growlithe took a hit and fell several feet back, but got up anyway.
"Let's try a tackle!" Ash decided, pointing at the overconfident Horsea.
"Horsea look out...!" Sky screamed right before Growlithe sent Horsea flying.
Horsea got up and shot a barrage of bubbles towards the fire puppy.
"Growlithe dodge and use headbutt!"
Growlithe leapt out of the way at the nick of time and headbutted Horsea back to the ground.
"Growlithe." The fire Pokemon grumbled.
"Horsea." The water type argued, sending another stream of bubble towards Growlithe.
This time Growlithe fell down, struggling to get back up.
"Tackle Horsea!"
"Use bite!" Ash yelled as Horsea got closer.
Growlithe didn't move until the very last second, leaping over the water type and clamping down on its body. Growlithe shook the little Pokemon in its mouth and dropped it at Sky's feet, spitting embers into the air in victory.
"Great job Growlithe!" Ash screamed, running to hug his new friend. Growlithe licked his face and turned his head to admire Pikachu.
"Pika!" Pikachu greeted, waving at Ash's new fire Pokemon.
"Ight, I'll admit. You done good today Ash." Sky admitted, her long blonde hair sleeked back in a ponytail. She returned Horsea to a yellow Pokeball and approached the victor.
"Thanks Sky. You were pretty great too."
"Guess we'll be seeing ya round." Sky said, waving her hand and walking off. "Just you wait Ash Ketchum," she muttered under her breath, "I'll show ya a thing or two."
Instead of returning Growlithe to the Pokeball, he let his new Pokemon sleep on his bed with him and Pikachu. He resolved to leave by the end of the week to restart his journey. Things were looking bright for this Pokemon trainer.
After an impressive couple of battles, Ash has proven that he has the skill to battle with old and new Pokemon alike. Using Likachu to conquer Graveller, and Growlithe to beat Horsea. Can Ash Ketchum battle his way back to the Indigo Plateau and earn a place among the greatest of all Pokemon masters? Stay tuned...
As stated previously, this story occurs after Sinnoh without Unova or anything canonical after. The starters were altered so as to not give Ash a Pokemon he already has. Various Pokemon will return (both from the movies and series) and will be used by Ash and friends. He will, per tradition, have companions follow him on his journeys, but who they are hasn't been introduced just yet. Each region (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh) took a year to complete by my timeline, including any extra series that occurred within the same regions. Due to the fact that I did not watch much of Diamond and Pearl/anything in Hoenn mentions of those regions will be few.
All movies are canon.
This storyline may include a potential Pokeship in later time.
Thanks for reading:
Stay Tuned