A.N.:
Hey guys! Welcome to my very first story! So I was browsing through the Pokémon fandom and I noticed that there were a lot of high school fics. When it is well written and not completely cliché-ed, it can be pretty enjoyable. This story is just an idea that trotted through my mind for a few weeks, and I thought "why not?"
I am not an experienced writer in any way, English is not my first language, and I don't even know if this idea was done before. So I ask of you, people that might still be reading this A.N., to please point out any mistake. Grammar, punctuation, syntax, spelling, point 'em all. I'm alone on this, so please, understand and help me grow as a writer so the story can be more enjoyable.
Without further ado, let's a-do it… puns…
Chapter 1
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
Sunrays were filtering through the blinds as the horrendous screeching noise woke me up from my slumber. The red flashing "7:00" who was glaring at me scared away the non-existent amount of determination that I possessed to wake up. Struggling, I raised a shaking arm towards the big button who currently represented everything I needed up to this point of my short miserable existence. My excruciating act, however, was interrupted by the person who could either be the sweetest and kindest creature that Arceus graced upon this planet, or a monster so horrible that made Giratina look tame. My mother. Guess what part of her led this morning? Yeah, that's right.
"ASH KETCHUM," she hollered, "Don't you dare hit that snooze button! Because, I swear that if you do-"
"Alright, Alright, I'm up!" I yelled back.
I let out the saddest, most depression-filled sigh as my last hope of achieving 10 more minutes of delicious, heavenly sleep disappeared like snow on a hot, sunny spring day. So, Ash Ketchum. That's me, I guess. 16 year-old, weird birthmarks, average height, raven hair and amber eyes. Those are the boring things that come out during the dreadful "first look". So that makes me a pretty average person doesn't it? That's where you're wrong. Normal and I are as different as night and day. I was born as what the common people call a "Noryoku". What is a Noryoku, you ask? It's very simple. Actually, rectify that. It's kind of lengthy. So grab a chair and heat that popcorn people, because Uncle Ash is about to tell you a story.
A Noryoku is someone who is born with special abilities. Superhuman abilities. There's no telltale sign that shows your belonging to the oh so unholy group of Noryoku. Some people might even go their whole life without knowing they are one, because their superhuman ability has never shown themselves or just isn't that noticeable. I envy those people. The ability to go through a normal life, without getting stared at, judged, and everything that comes in the package of being one of these "demonic creatures". However, I only envy them sometimes. In fact, most of the time, I pity them. Because I could pathetically drone on about how being a "Superhuman" is terrible and hope that Zapdos strikes me with lightening to end my short life, but that would be lying.
Because, let's be honest here, we all hoped at one point in our life that we suddenly would get special abilities or powers and abuse them. That's how it feels. Sure, I could do without the out casting, but I'd rather have super powers you know? Moving on. A Noryoku's ability usually manifests itself with age. Usually. Sometimes, it can manifest itself early through sharp, intense emotions. Usually negatives ones like fear, anger, despair, sadness… you get the gist of it. I'm a part of these lucky people, but I really don't want to explain what happened, so this will be a story for another day.
The creaking sound of the door interrupted my train of thought. This door could really use a good dose of oil. But then it dawned on me. I was sitting on my bed, in my underwear, and I hadn't moved an inch since my mother so gently told me to wake up. And my mother certainly doesn't like when I take my sweet time getting up.
I rotated my head towards the door, just in time to see my mother sporting a sinister grin, holding a very familiar yellow creature, wearing an equally sinister grin. I swear these two will be the end of me.
"Pikachu, dear, you know what to do" My mother chuckled.
Does she even love me?
"No please no! This is all a misunderstanding! You don't have to-", was all I could get out before my words morphed into a cry of pain.
The rodent who manifestly took an immense pleasure out of my pain was my partner, Pikachu. Even though he could be a pest by moments, like this one for instance, I loved the guy. We were best buddies, having each other's back since Oak thought it was a good idea to give a troubled 10 year-old an electric mouse with violent tendencies. Well, scratch that. There was a period where Pikachu hated my guts, and wouldn't do anything that might involve me in the slightest.
The reason why we are now able to spend every single moment of our life together is strangely tied to the reason I am able to tediously move myself up using my bed, even after being on the receiving end of one of Pikachu's strongest attack, thunderbolt. My second ability, heightened resistance, I think they call it. I wasn't really listening to the excruciatingly boring doctor at the time, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with my bone density and an alteration in the composition of my skin. My first ability, you ask? You'll just have to wait and see…
Once my sweet, kind, gentle partner figured out I was pretty much a two-legged punching bag, he started to accept me. But when he saw that I could stand up pretty much immediately after getting shocked, he was impressed. Such a thing to be proud of. Congratulations Ash, you're the best punching bag! Gee, thanks. Then I probably grew on him, because he likes me as much as I do now.
Sappy friendship stuff aside, it's time to move on to the second most important thing in the morning after the holy snooze button; breakfast. My mother surely read my mind, as demonstrated by her next words:
"Come on sweetie," she smiled. "I made you some waffles, your favorites."
See what I was talking about earlier? She made my absolute favorite breakfast for no apparent reas-
"After all, it's your first day to that new school!"
Never mind, then.
I groaned, thinking back to that day.
Flashback
(Three weeks earlier)
"I'm home!" I yelled as I entered the house.
Mimey, the Mr. Mime who was assigned as my mother's partner Pokémon, glared at me as he was the state I was currently in; panting, sweat streaming down my face, looking ready to crash onto the first bed that would come across my way. Pikachu, was faring much better than I was since that, being a Pokémon, he didn't get as winded as me during our daily runs.
The Barrier Pokémon threatened us with his broomstick and pointed at the nearest bathroom. Rolling my eyes, I complied, because I desperately needed to wash myself. After a much-needed, refreshing shower, I set out to find my mom. Unsurprisingly, I found her in the back yard, tending to the crops. She smiled and waved her arm when she saw us.
"Hello boys! Had a nice workout?", she greeted.
"Pika!" "Of course, we keep getting better each day!" we answered simultaneously
"Great work, dear! I'm pretty sure I saw the mailman pass by earlier, could you go check, please"
I nodded, intrigued. Today was Friday, and the new mail usually came in on Sunday, why would today be different? I shrugged. Only one way to find out. I hastily made my way to the mailbox, located in front of our house, and opened it. Inside, a single, lonely letter rested on the hot metal of the box. I took the message in my hands, my curiosity piqued.
Inside, I gave the piece of paper a closer, more attentive look. I noticed two strange things, the first being that it was addressed to me, which happened about zero time, the second being the way the letter was sealed. It was closed with some kind of blue wax sporting an emblem that consisted of Articuno surrounded by some kind of hexagonal shape.
I opened the letter and without wasting any time, started reading it.
Dear Mr. Ketchum.
We are pleased to tell you that you have been accepted at PokeSpe School for exceptional children. You will find attached to this note a list of needed personal belongings and procedure of arrival. Since you are a new student, we advise you to arrive at Kalos' international airport one day before class begins, where a limousine will be sent to fetch you. You may bring your partner Pokémon.
We hope to see you on September 1st.
Sincerely,
Principal Cynthia Shirona
Confused like no tomorrow, I went back outside to my mother.
"When exactly were you planning to tell me about this" I asked curtly, annoyed.
"Huh?" she rose her head. "About what?"
I simply waved the letter in front of me, urging her to come over and read the letter herself. That's exactly what she did. As she was reading I saw two emotions going through her face: confusion, then pure contempt. She then settled with staring at me smugly as if I had something on my face. After a long period of silence, she finally said:
"Well, I have no idea where this comes from or how they got wind of your ability, but this certainly solves a lot of problem!" She seemed really excited.
"Wait, what does that have anything to do with me being a Noryoku?"
She stared at me, sending my way an unsaid Really? "Hmm, I don't know what could possibly have told me that your abilities. You're right, Ash. It's totally not the name that basically screams it."
PokeSpe School for exceptional children. Oh yeah, now I see it.
"I guess it makes sen-," I started. "Whoa, slow down here, you're really considering sending me there, when you don't have the slightest idea as to where it is, how much it costs, and how they even know who I am? Because let's face it, you can barely make enough money for the both of us, even if you send me to some ramshackle public school, and now you're sending me to some rich boarding school that's situated in Kalos? Have you lost your mind? The only two French words I know are Bon and Appétit. How do you expect me to survive? And I'll be gone for the whole year, won't you miss me? And what about-"
I was interrupted by my mother, who exploded in a fit of giggles. I felt my face flush in embarrassment. I was rambling, again.
"Ashy, Ashy, Ashy," I cringed with the use of the nickname. "I understand your worries, but they really are for naught. Here, read this," she said as she handed me the back of the letter.
No payment is required, you are offered a full scholarship. After, all we know about your abilities.
"Okay, you don't need to pay, fine," I admitted. "But still, don't you find it too good to be true? I mean, this could easily be a trap."
"No, I don't think so. After all, if it was a trap, why would they give themselves the trouble of making the school location all the way in Kalos? And on top of that, that is Cynthia Shirona we're talking about, Sinnoh's champion. And her official signature is on the envelope, which means that the letter was verified and scanned to make sure it is not an imposter posting the letter," she explained.
Well, I guess she did have a point here.
I sighed, defeated. "I don't have a say in this, Do I?"
She just smiled, as if that explained everything. Great.
Flashback end
So that brings us today.
The delicious smell of my mother's famous waffles pulled me from my thinking and prompted me to put on the clothes that I had prepared yesterday, dark blue jeans with a black T-Shirt. I then proceeded downstairs to find the mouth-watering breakfast sitting on the table, waiting for me, calling. I didn't even try to put up any type of futile resistance.
I dashed to the table and started feasting on the waffles. I vaguely heard my mother saying something about chewing before swallowing, but I paid no heed. The only thing that mattered was the plate resting on the tabletop, and the half-eaten waffles. After a whooping minute of eating, I was finally done.
Then it was time.
When the clock struck 8 o'clock, I made my way to the front of the house to find all my bags and luggage ready. I took a deep breath, wondering, am I really doing this? Going to another region, to some school that would supposedly help me to hone my Noryoku abilities, for a whole year? I hadn't even taken a step out of the house, and I already started to get homesick.
That's enough, I thought to myself. I steeled my nerves, and turned back to give the house a last look for a long time. My mother was standing there, arms crossed, eyes watering. Even though I was 16, she had trouble letting me go, being an overprotective mother and all.
"Promise me to be good?" she asked, voice shaking. "That you'll call at least once a week?"
I went over to give her a hug and reassured her: "I promise."
"Good. Now go. And don't forget to change your underwear every day!" she said with a chuckle.
"Mooom!" I complained, red with embarrassment.
She giggled: "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Now shoo!"
I smiled, gave her one last hug then set out. It was time for my new journey to begin.
So how was it? Good? Mediocre? Terrible? Let me know in a review! Also, let me know if you find Ash too out of character for your tastes. I wrote him like this because it's easier to write him like this and it fits better with the story and setting, in my opinion. But if it is a bother, I'll do my best to make him more like original Ash.
Anyway, that's all for this chapter. I'll be back shortly with chapter 2!
Blade-a-Blaze, signing out.