Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon (surprise, surprise!)
I don't feel like writing fanfics anymore so a friend of mine will be taking over the account. It will still be posted on this account but I felt that ALL the chapters are poorly paced and suck A LOT. Fragile yet Lethal and this remake are going to bethe main focus from now on. I'm leaning towards keeping this fic and making another with a re added on, lemme know if you want me to do it like that.
By the way, can I just ask some of you to beta read this redo? If you want to do it, just PM and you'll get the document! Enjoy!
"Talking" = Speech
"(Pokéspeaking?)" = Pokéspeech
'Thinking' = Thoughts
'Telepathic speech' = Telepathy
Two figures stood in an open forest. One was a short, bipedal canine and the other was a taller human. The short canine's name was Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Lucario. It stood at 2'4, had black fur on his legs and a black torso, with light blue fur between the two resembling shorts. The Riolu had a blue tail, blue face with black fur around its eyes which resembled a mask. It also had two blue appendages around its head.
The human's name was 12-year old Ash Ketchum. An aspiring, future Pokémon trainer who was wearing a dark black t-shirt with a single thick, yellow stripe across his sleeves of the T-shirt which was white as was the collar. He also wore a red baseball cap with a black had a light blue pokéball shape imprinted on the front (it's basically the Sinnoh outfit).
"Riolu use Sky Uppercut on the boulder," the young trainer commanded as Riolu's fist glowed a bright white and slammed into the underside of the enormous boulder, shattering it to pieces.
"Alright, Riolu use Blaze kick on that tree!" Ash commanded as the young Riolu's leg caught on fire and swung into the boulder, causing the top half to launch to the side and the bottom half to be set on fire.
"Now use Rain dance," Riolu put both palms out and a dark blue sphere started growing out of thin air. Riolu shot the ball into the air and raindrops started falling, extinguishing the fire.
"Alright, Riolu use Sunny Day please," Ash asked as the rain started becoming heavier. Riolu put his palms out again and a pure white orb started growing in his hand - out of thin air like the Rain Dance - before it became a beam and was shot up into the air clearing the clouds.
"Good job Riolu! You've mastered both Blaze Kick, Sunny day and Rain Dance. Those two TMs certainly didn't go to waste!" Ash said, praising the Pokémon and about to order another move before looking at his watch and realising the time, "Alright, Riolu training's over. Mum will go ballistic if we don't get home in half an hour. She said that I should be home 8:00 and it's already 7:47! C'mon Riolu! Let's see who'll get there first!"
Both Ash and Riolu started dashing towards Pallet Town, Ash tailing behind Riolu, who started glowing white and shooting across the path as a blur,
"Hey, you're using Agility!" Ash shouted, trying to keep up although the winner of the race was crystal clear long before they would reach the town.
"Well you did come home before 8:00," Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, said, looking at the clock, Ash was only two minutes from the deadline, "so, I guess you weren't late but you should have come home earlier, the days are starting to get shorter you know."
"Thanks, mum, I was at the edge of the forest so it took a while to get here," the boy said with a sheepish grin.
"Oh Ash, I just remembered a few familiar faces just moved in today! So, why don't you go visit them tomorrow, okay? They live next-door to Gary? I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," Delia said before entering the kitchen, "Oh, and don't forget to pack your bag."
Ash ran upstairs and opened his wardrobe, trying to decide which clothes he'd take on his journey, he started packing his bag for tomorrow, the day he starts his Pokémon journey.
Ash laid on his bed, reading a dark sapphire blue book: Aura for Beginners. Ash had the peculiar gift of Aura, an energy that flows through all living beings. Ash was part of the small fraction of the world (known as the Aura Guardians) that both knew of aura and was able to utilise it to it's fullest potential. All living beings could use the energy to an extent but would need a teacher from the believed-to-be-extinct aura guardians. Ash's eyes widened as he saw a title in the book 'Using Pokémon moves.'
'A lesser known ability of aura guardians is the ability to use Pokémon moves. To even use the simplest of Pokémon moves, an aura guardian needs years of both experience and training. The first believed aura guardian to ever perform a Pokémon move was Sir Alex, an aura user who was able to use the moves 'Thunder Punch' and 'Fire Punch'. This renowned aura guardian was supposed to tutor the next line of aura guardian, however, he died of heart attack before teaching another guardian. Many others have tried and failed to learn how to use a Pokémon attack themselves. However, only four aura users have been recorded to use Pokémon moves'
'Guess I better get ready,' Ash thought before walking down the corridor and entering the bathroom to take a shower. After he finished, he got dressed into a black T-shirt with a dark blue overcoat over it, light blue jeans and a red and white baseball cap with a green L on the front (Kanto outfit.) The 12-year-old then rushed downstairs to start preparing breakfast. He decided to bake blueberry muffins so he pulled out the ingredients from the cabinets and picked some blueberries from his garden before laying them out on the counter. After he'd made the cake batter and put it in the oven, he went back upstairs and woke Riolu from his nap.
"Hey, Riolu!" Ash said, expecting the canine-like Pokémon to wake up, "Do you want to train with me outside?"
'Training, let's go!' Riolu said through an aura bond, as he stretched and dashed down the stairs and into the front yard with Ash behind him.
"Alright, Riolu use Agility to the end of that path and back," Ash commanded, Riolu disappeared and a blue and black blur sped towards the end of the track and back towards Ash's house.
"C'mon Riolu, you're even slower than before," the raven-haired boy said, pressing a button on the stopwatch which displayed '2.23 seconds' on the screen, "Let's try again."
They both kept training until the muffins were ready. After eating the muffins, the two both relaxed and watched TV, the highlights of the Indigo League. Ash and Riolu watched as a Gengar and Nidorino fought on the screen.
"Nidorino use Shadow Ball!" commanded the trainer on the blue side. A dark purple blob started to form in the Nidorino's mouth before the other trainer shouted.
"Intercept with Sludge Bomb, Gengar!" the trainer on the red side said.
A dark purple blob started to form in the Nidorino's mouth whilst the ghost-type's mouth opened and globs of sludge started launching out of Gengar's mouth. The sludge hit the Nidorino before the Shadow Ball was launched causing it to explode whilst forming.
"Nidorino, Horn Attack! Quick!"
"Psychic, Gengar!"
The poison-type charged at the Gengar with its horn pointed forward but it was stopped in its tracks and outlined in blue. Nidorino cried out in pain before being flung over to the other side of the stadium.
"You do know that normal-type tracks don't affect ghost-types," the Gengar's trainer said as Nidorino was slammed into the wall of the stadium.
Ash glanced at the clock and realised the time. If he kept watching TV, he'd be late. He switched the TV off and grabbed his backpack which was full of food, pokéfood, various health recovery items and various other supplies. Sprinting out of the door, Ash and Riolu kept running towards The Pokémon Lab, where he'd receive his Pokedéx.
The Pokémon Lab was a large white building with a red roof. Behind it was an enormous field, made to safely keep Pokémon when their trainers didn't have enough space in their party. The field had a large area for each type of Pokémon on the field, there was also a large windmill to create all the pokéfood. Ash ran up to the doorsteps, he took a deep breath before he went inside, Riolu following behind. Ash sat in one of the seats and started listening to the Professor's speech.
"As you all know, once you've collected all eight gym badges you'll be able to enter the Pokémon League. Once you've won that and are the Pokémon League winner, you may take the Elite Four Challenge where one of you may become a Pokémon Champion. I know that I'm looking at future league champions and possibly a Pokémon champion in these three rows," he said looking at the rows of children listening to the speech, "However, I know some of you would like more than the title of Kanto's Champion, the title of Pokémon Master."
"That's what I'm going to be!" Professor Oak heard someone shout from the back.
"To even apply for the Grand Master Tournament held to decide the Pokémon Master, you must finish any major tournament or league as 1st place. After this you will face one of the greatest challenges as a Pokémon trainer, the Grand Master Tournament is for top trainers from around the world. If you can even enter this tournament - and win - you can face the current Pokémon Master, Jacob Smith. A trainer of extraordinary power, the reason he was able to keep his title for four tournaments in a row. The next tournament is in four years. So you all better start training! Now it is time, for every one of you to gain your starter Pokémon." He said, revealing 24 pokéballs. "As you can see there are three rows one for each of the Starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle," The Kanto Professor said throwing three pokéballs, releasing a Bulbasaur, a Charmander and a Squirtle.
"(Wait, what do I do? Oh wait they don't understand,)" Bulbasaur said in pokéspeech, sighing when he realised he didn't need to say anything.
"(Let's do this!)" The Charmander squealed before looking at the rows of trainers-to-be.
"(I wonder who'll choose me?)" Squirtle asked itself before the professor started to speak.
"I hope you all choose a wonderful Pokémon and become the pride of Kanto," the Professor then recalled the Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur before walking through the crowd of 12-year-olds and talking to Ash, "Alright let me get your Pokémon Ash, Pikachu will kill me if he knows he's been in his Pokéball longer then needed."
The old professor walked to the back of the lab and picked two Pokéballs that were isolated from the rest, before returning back and handing the pokéballs over to the raven-haired boy. He also handed over two pieces of tech, one red and the other a yellow, which confused Ash as he was only meant to receive a Pokédex - which he knew was the red one.
"I've healed both Pikachu and Bagon if you're wondering. I'm sure you know I must give a Pokédex to each and every trainer that receives their starter from me. However, I think after all your hard work helping me research the Pokémon, I thought you've earned a Pokénav, prototype of the newest model in fact. I'm meant to give one of the two I have to a trainer who I think deserves it and you deserve it more than anyone else. It was extremely hard to choose a trainer other than you. In fact, I'm sure you know the trainer quite well, Why don't you guess?" Oak said.
'Gary was the professor's grandson, that would make sense' Ash thought before asking the professor if he was right.
"Really Ash? He may be my grandson but that makes him arrogant, a Pokénav will just give him another reason to brag," The professor replied, chuckling at the thought of Gary having something else to brag about.
"Actually... I can't think of anyone else," Ash said, was it an old friend from when he was younger?
'I should scan my Pokémon,' Ash thought, as he pulled out his Pokédex and released Bagon and Pikachu.
"I was wondering when you'll let me out," Bagon said as the scanner went on to him.
Bagon, The Rock-Head Pokémon and the first stage of the Salamence evolutionary family. Although it is small, this Pokémon is very powerful because its body is a bundle of muscles. It launches headbutts with its iron-like skull. This Bagon is level 14 with the ability Rock Head. It is a Male who is adamant and knows the following moves: Rage, Ember, Leer, Bite, Dragon Breath. It has the following egg moves: Dragon Rush, Dragon Pulse and Fire Fang.
Pikachu, The Electric Mouse Pokémon and the pre-evolution of Raichu. It stores electricity in the electric sacs in its cheeks. It releases pent-up energy in bursts, the electric power is equal to a lightning bolt. Pikachu is level 15 with the ability Static. It is a Male who is mild and knows the following moves: Tail Whip, ThunderShock, Growl, Play Nice, Quick Attack, and Electro Ball. It has the following egg moves: Volt Tackle and Thunder Punch.
Ash was impressed, Volt Tackle was a move that can only be learnt by Pikachu. You'd need the father Pikachu to hold a light ball (which doubles the attack and special attack of the Pikachu holding it) whilst breeding with another Pikachu (an odd thought if you pictured it.) Ash moved the scanner to Riolu, who was standing beside Ash.
'Riolu, The Emanation Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Lucario. It has the peculiar power of being able to see emotions such as joy and rage in the form of waves via Aura. This Riolu is level 17 and has the ability Steadfast. It is male who is Hardy and knows the following moves: Endure, Quick Attack, Foresight, Counter, Feint, Force Palm, Rain Dance and Sunny Day. It has the following egg moves: Sky Uppercut, Agility, Blaze Kick, Cross Chop, Bullet Punch and Detect.'
Ash whistled, as he saw the moves, specifically the egg moves. Six egg moves, he only knew about Blaze Kick and Agility! Ash connected the fact that he saved Riolu from a Breeder to this, but six!
'Mum said that some familiar faces moved in yesterday. Might as well greet them before I leave,' Ash thought as he started walking towards the exit. Suddenly, the door swung open and a girl, who was wearing a sleeveless light blue blouse, a red mini skirt, long sky blue socks and white fedora with a red pokéball imprinted on the front, dashed into the lab.
"Oh shit, sorry Professor, I just moved in yesterday! Are all the Bulbasaurs taken?" The girl asked, panic and exhaustion evident in her voice.
'These must be the people who've moved in, who could...?' Ash thought before his eyes widened as he tied the voice to her. That soft voice was a voice Ash thought he'd never hear again, not after she left six years ago. It couldn't be the girl he'd been best friends with ever since he could remember: Leaf Green.
"No, there are plenty left. Why don't you go pick one Leaf, I expected you'd come late?" the Professor answered with a soft laugh.
Leaf ran towards the table of pokéballs and released one of the Bulbasaur and started talking to it. Before returning it and running back.
"I've chosen him, Professor Oak," she said returning from the long table of pokéballs.
"I've also got a gift for you," the professor said putting both the red and yellow machines in her hand, "Here, the red is a Pokédex and the yellow is a Pokénav. The Pokédex is mandatory however the Pokénav isn't. I've only been given two and should to give it to two trainers who deserved it. Think of it as a welcome present, welcome back Leaf!"
"Thanks, Professor Oak. It's good to be back from Sinnoh and you can count on me!" she grinned at the professor before leaving the lab.
Ash recalled Bagon to his Pokéball and let Pikachu sit on his shoulder whilst Riolu would follow behind him. Ash understood that the familiar faces were definitely Leaf and her mother.
'Knowing Leaf, she'd probably have left to say goodbye to her mother. Mum said that they lived next-door to Gary. I'll go say hi to her and her mum,' Ash thought before deciding to go and talk to Leaf and her mother.
"Yes, who is it?" Ash heard a joyful voice ask as he knocked on the
"I'm Ash Ketchum, I heard someone moved in here yesterday."
"Oh Ash, don't you remember me?" The voice asked as the door opened revealing a woman in her mid to late 30s, wearing a dark green blouse that reached her ankles, "I'm Leaf's mother."
"Really? Your voice has changed a lot," Ash said, pretending to be surprised since saying that you had been watching them silently was creepy "Mum said familiar faces moved in, I didn't expect it to be you though. So if you're here, where's Leaf?"
"Oh, she's just packing her clothes upstairs, why don't you go and greet her, I'm sure she'll love it." Leaf's mother said before she walked into the kitchen.
Ash walked upstairs and stood in front of Leaf's bedroom, it's been a long time since he'd seen his childhood crush again.
"Hey Leaf, it's me, Ash. I just came to say hi to you," Ash said, knocking on the door.
Ash started thinking about his childhood before Leaf left. He started to remember how competitive they use to be with each other, always trying to one-up the other. The races they use to have, how high they could climb on trees (which Ash always use to win) and the pseudo-battles they use to have with the Pokémon at the field. Ash laughed at how competitive they use to be, he wondered whether Leaf would still be as competitive as she once was.
'Would Leaf travel with me?' Ash thought as he waited for the door to open, 'I should ask later.'
Ash kept thinking until the door opened, and revealed Leaf who was still wearing the clothes she wore at the lab. The girl had an awkward smile as she opened the saw Ash in front of her.
"So erm, Ash," Leaf said, starting to walk down the stairs, "what are you doing here?"
"Well, my mum said some familiar faces had moved in, so I thought I should say hi. But since it's you, we might as well catch up, we haven't seen each other for years. So, did anything interesting happen to you?" Ash answered, following Leaf.
"Why don't you start Ash, after all, I'm sure you've had much more interesting stories. You always used to get us in trouble, I'm sure that hasn't stopped when I left," Leaf said, seeming to not want to talk about her time in Sinnoh although Ash didn't notice.
"Well, a few months after you left, I went to Professor Oak's summer camp again. Since it was the 25th time it has been held, we had a treasure hunt with a Pokémon partner. Professor Oak allowed me to use a Bagon - who is the first form of Salamence which is a pseudo-legendary in Hoenn - in the treasure hunt. Since Bagon was sought after in the Hoenn region as it could only be found behind a waterfall in Meteor Falls, we encountered a group of poachers who tried to steal Bagon from me. They stole Bagon and started heading for a truck, which I think was their getaway vehicle..."
"And..." Leaf motioned for him to continue.
"And, then I just blacked out. When I woke up, the vehicle was burning and looked as if it crashed and the engine had caught fire, all poachers were dead and had burn injuries on them and Bagon was on my face trying to wake me up," Ash said, remembering the scent of burning corpses and almost gagging on the memory, "Riolu told me I was an aura user, otherwise known as the aura guardians. Aura guardians can use Aura, no surprise there, which is an energy flowing through all living beings. Anyone can learn it but only an aura guardian can use Aura to its highest potential, both offensive and defensive, and are supposed to be extinct since around 600 years ago. I'm only a beginner since I didn't have a mentor, just a book, and only have a few things mastered. Like making my hand glow blue, aura sight, shooting small projectiles, reading emotions, aura instinct and telepathy, sort of."
"Alright, as great as that is. Could you explain the aura sight and aura instinct?" Leaf asked, wondering what those abilities do, "I mean, the emotion-reading and telepathy are pretty clear-cut. Although, you did say 'telepathy, sort of'"
"Aura sight is like how some animals can see heat, thermo-vision I think, it allows me to use my aura and see it in everyone. In other words, I could find the stealthiest man in the world just using my aura vision. I say sort of after the telepathy because to use telepathy, you must set up an aura connection or thought link, and it needs a lot of power. I can only understand Riolu because he was able to keep the link going. But since I can read emotions I guess all isn't bad. And finally, we have aura instinct, when an aura guardian goes through something tragic, dangerous or something that could kill them Aura instinct kicks in. When someone is using aura instinct they lose complete control (unless they've mastered it) and would do anything to complete their goal. If a family member or someone close got hurt really bad, the motive would be to protect them and get them to safety." Ash explained.
"Jeez, Ash, how much more anime protagonist can you get. You have some magic power to separate you from the rest and that power will make you super powerful if you're in danger. If I didn't know your dad worked internationally as a ranger and came to visit you once a year (he does do that, right) I'd have thought you would go and try to prove your self and try to hunt him down." Leaf said, remembering a few animes she had watched recently.
Ash laughed a bit at the reference, they must have still shared the same taste in anime, "Alright Leaf, I should head off. If I want to be at Viridian City before sunset, I should start moving."
"Wait!" Leaf shouted, stopped Ash from exiting through the door, "Let's battle!"
"I'm sure it'll be good practice, so okay! I choose you, Bagon!" Ash said as he released Bagon. The two walked outside and into Leaf's front garden.
"Alright go Bulbasaur!" Leaf said, tossing the ball into the air causing Bulbasaur to jump out of the ball.
"Bagon start it off with Fire Fang!"
"Bulbasaur, use Growl!"
Bagon launched the grass-poison Pokémon, it's teeth set on fire. Bulbasaur growled at Bagon, who started glowing a dark-purple, meaning its attacks were lowered. Bagon's teeth sunk into Bulbasaur's skin and the grass starter yelped in pain before trying to shake Bagon off.
"Keep trying to shake it off, Bulbasaur!"
"Dragon Breath, Bagon!"
The green flames hit Bulbasaur while it was still trying to wriggle out of Bagon's mouth, but to no avail.
"Bagon, let Bulbasaur out!"
Bagon's fangs released Bulbasaur, who tried to get up to his feet but failed.
"Bagon, use Rage!"
Bagon started glowing a deep red before it's arm smashed into Bulbasaur, causing it to faint.
"Sorry Leaf, for it being a one-sided battle, but I've been training Bagon for a few months whilst you've only had it for less than a day. He only levelled up when a flock of Spearow attacked us or random Rattatas tried stealing from us, which you'll be surprised to find how common it is. I'm sure the level difference will be smaller next time." Ash said recalling Bagon.
"Well, if it wasn't you that beat me, I'd have been a little annoyed. Anyway, I'm going to the Pokémon Lab to use the healing machine, wait for me! I want to ask you something!" She said, returning her Pokémon before sprinting towards the Pokémon Lab.
'I wonder what she wants to ask me, well I may as well do some training,' Ash thought
"Well, Pikachu do you want to train for a while?" Ash asked the yellow mouse who was perched on his shoulder.
'Alright let's do it! Can I learn Iron Tail? My mother used to show me it!' the mouse replied through the link.
"Alright Pi, if like most steel-type moves you need to strengthen your muscles, Iron Tail needs your tail on something with a high endurance, like a boulder or tree. So Pikachu, try to slice the tree with your tail!"
Pikachu jumped into the air, curling into a ball to gain momentum before uncurling and swinging his tail into the tree causing it to shudder.
"Well done, Pikachu! You've got power but not accuracy, if you hit the tree at the right point you'd have knocked it down. Try hitting these pebbles. Make sure you put all your power into each swing, the more you do it, the stronger you do it. But still, remember to hit as many pebbles as you can,"
Ash started collecting pebbles, before throwing them at Pikachu, who swung them back with his tail. Pikachu started making cracks in the pebbles after a few minutes and Ash pulled a red band out of his backpack and put it on Pikachu's wrist. Pikachu started to walk over to Ash but was a bit slower than normal due to the Power Bracer.
"Sorry Pikachu, but the Power Bracer helps you gain attack EVs and those help your physical attacks get stronger. Plus I do have two of each type from that competition of Pokémon knowledge a few years ago. So in case, we might need these again, try to get used to them," Ash said, remembering that quiz-like tournament for the under 10's of Pallet Town. 'I should use these on Pikachu and Bagon. Wait, why didn't I stick these on Pikachu when the Spearow flocks invaded?'
Ash pulled out his Pokédex, scanned Pikachu and pressed one of the extra buttons showing the statistics, EVs and IVs.
STATS
HP: 44, Attack: 32, Defence: 21, Special Attack: 25, Special Defence: 23, Speed: 41
IV's
HP: 31, Attack: 31, Defence: 31, Special Attack: 31, Special Defence: 31, Speed: 31
EV's
HP: 0 Attack: 64 Defence: 0 Special Attack: 0 Special Defence: 0 Speed: 256
Once Ash looked at the machine's screen, he recalled the dream he had the day he met Pikachu.
Ash stood in a pure white area. There was nothing but an endless, ivory white void in every direction.
"Mommy! Mommy, where are you? Where am I?" A five-year-old Ash said, spinning around trying to find something. Then, a dark yellow void appeared and a goat-like Pokémon with a yellow ring around its body appeared.
The Pokémon's name was Arceus, the Alpha Pokémon and the 'original' Pokémon. He was a white centaur-shaped Pokémon with a grey underbelly. It had a long neck with two white extrusions and it's pointed feet were tipped with gold hooves. It had a long black and white mane that blew upwards, it faces grey with green eyes and red pupils. It had a cross-wheel around its abdomen with four jewels in the middle of each cross in its ring.
'Do not worry little one,' Arceus said via telepathy.
"Woah, you can talk! That's awesome!" The small raven-haired child said, jumping with excitement.
'I am Arceus, the creator of the universe. I have a wonderful destiny for you, future Pokémon Master.'
Ash's eyes widened hearing the words Pokémon Master, "I'm going to be a Pokémon Master, yes!"
Arceus smiled at the young boy's reaction, 'If you train properly with your Pokémon, you can be a Pokémon Master, League champion or a top coordinator. This is the reason, you found and saved Pikachu, not because of luck but destiny. I specifically made Pikachu be stronger and faster than any of its species. Once he levels up he'll be able to rival my legendary council. On the subject, once you've started your journey I'd like to give you a legendary Pokémon. This is to show my legendary council, you can be trusted. None of the council believes you deserve becoming the title 'Chosen One'. But she believed in you and still does. Goodbye, Ash. Behave well and show my council and the world what the future Pokémon-master and the Chosen One can do. I'll see you again once you start your journey!'
"Didn't Arceus say I'd acquire a legendary Pokémon?" Ash said as he snapped out of his thoughts.
'Deep in thought, Ash? I've got the basics of Iron Tail down!' the rodent squeaked, excited because of its new move.
"Well done, Pi! Shouldn't Leaf be back by now?" Ash said as he looked around for the brunette.
"Bulbasaur use Leech Seed!" Ash heard a familiar voice say. Ash started running towards the voice and ran towards where he expected the voice to come from.
"Spear Spearow!" Ash heard before stopping and looking at Pikachu, whose cheeks were already sparking.
"Pi, if there's only one, leave it to Leaf. If there's more, take them down." Ash said pulling a blue band with a lens on it and replacing the Power Bracer with the Power Lens, "Let's get that Special Attack up."
Ash brushed a branch out of his way and in a clearing he saw Leaf. Bulbasaur and a Spearow were duelling against each other sending Pecks and Tackles on each side. What Ash and Leaf didn't notice were the flocks of Spearow watching the battle, caution evident in their expressions.
"Use Vine Whip, swing it into a tree!" Leaf called out, close to finishing the battle due to Spearow's slow movement.
"(No, those trees are super sturdy! You know how much that's doing to hurt?)" the Spearow cried out.
Vines sprouted from under Bulbasaur's bulb and latched onto one of Spearow's talons, startling the tiny bird Pokémon as it soared towards Bulbasaur. Spearow then used the momentum from before and started pecking at Bulbasaur rapidly. However, the grass type swung the bird into a tree, effectively fainting it.
"Go, Pokéball!" the brunette said as she pulled an empty Pokéball from her bag and tossed it at the Spearow. It shook once, then twice, then a third time before a light ping was heard. Leaf ran towards the Pokéball and put it on her Pokéball belt. Ash then went forward into the clearing, letting Leaf know he was there.
"Nice catch, Leaf!" Ash said, congratulating Leaf on her catch.
"Oh sorry, Ash. When I was coming here, a few Pokémon challenged me to a battle. It's been really good training for Bulbasaur."
"I guess it was for training. So Leaf, what did you want to ask?" Ash asked Leaf who started blushing a deep red, "...And your blushing,"
"No, I'm not! I was just going to ask you if I could go on my Pokémon journey with you since you're a skilled trainer and I want you to teach me how to be better. So, can I?" Leaf said using puppy-dog eyes.
"Sure, just remember I don't fall for cuteness. Just ask Pikachu how many times he's tried to make me get ketchup, I think I've spent enough money on Ketchup to have bought," Ash comically counted his fingers, "I think it's six houses in Pallet Town. Maybe just the lab."
"Awwww, you use to do whatever I told you to do when I did the eyes, at least you let me join you," Leaf sighed, before smirking at a memory, "so, where are we going Ashy."
"Are you really going to do this?"
"Yup, Ashy, I'm going to call you this forever and ever and ever... if I remember at least."
"Well, let's just hit the road. I want to get into Viridian City by sunset,"
Leaf agreed with Ash and they both started walking towards Viridian City.
"So Leaf, what have you been doing for the past few years. I mean you left 5 years ago when we were both 7. There must've been a few interesting events I don't know of." Ash asked, wondering what his friend had been doing for the past seven years.
"Well, when I left when we were seven, my family left for Sinnoh and I attended a Pokémon school where we all got a Pokémon to practice with for this pre-trainer tournament. I got a Turtwig, which is the grass type starter of Sinnoh," Leaf started before being interrupted.
"Hey, I know the starters of each region. Some of the trainers that leave their Pokémon with Professor Oak go to other regions. I saw this black and red fox Pokémon once. I think it was called a Zorua. It could change its form, but unlike a Ditto it kept its stats, moves and type."
"Okay, just let me talk, Ashy. So during the training, Turtwig evolved into a Grotle. And after that, the tournament was a blur, except against this purple-haired guy. I forgot his name but he kept hitting on me and he treated his Pokémon like dirt. Seriously, he starved his Chimchar if it got hit and stepped on it literally treating it like dirt. And he wasn't exactly using a strategy to evade the attacks. He just said to take the hit, then starved it for obeying. When I beat him, he started muttering, something about destroying my team when we're trainers, before throwing Chimchar's Pokéball on the floor and leaving it there. But instead of moaning or crying, Cimchar looked excited as he left. Almost as if he had been waiting for that day for weeks. I don't think he remembers that kid. Probably for the better."
"Sounds like another Gary, but way worse... never thought I would say that. I don't think Gary would release a Pokémon for a loss - well, at least I don't think he would - and I know that he wouldn't step on them. Even he has a small sense of morality." Ash said, perplexed at what his conceited rival would do.
"Well, Leaf. You're not the only one that has some good stories to tell. While you were gone a trainer caught a herd of Tauros. And guess what, he only used one! He had around 30, and still, he used one Tauros. Then a few weeks after that, he got a herd of Bouffalant, which are commonly found in Unova. The two herds of bull-like Pokémon kept stampeding around the pen. One time they almost broke a wall into the lab, if another trainer's Garchomp didn't stop them. They kept stampeding until the trainer of the two herds finally released the 29 Tauros and all but one of the Bouffalant into the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City." Ash said recalling the herds of bull-like Pokémon, "Hey Leaf, shouldn't we start training? The earlier the head-start on training. The earlier we can get stronger and get to the Pokémon league faster. I think there's a clearing up ahead. We can train there," the raven-haired trainer grabbed onto Leaf's arm; pulling her towards the clearing.
"Alright Ash, let's train! But you're holding onto me way too tight."
Ash released Leaf's arm as they both entered the clearing and released their Pokémon.
"I choose you, Bagon!" Ash said, releasing both the Pokémon. Bagon burst out of his pokéball, with Pikachu and Riolu jumping off Ash's shoulder and joining his fellow Pokémon.
"Go, Bulbasaur and Spearow!" Leaf said, releasing her Pokémon.
"Alright Pikachu, you may have gotten the basics of Iron Tail but we still need the metallic sheen to prove you've mastered it. Use it on the boulders! Let's get a clean slice through them!" Ash said, pointing at the clusters of boulders around the edge of the clearing.
"Bagon, we need another Dragon-type move, it's better we learn now then later. We'll go with Dragon Pulse, it's one of your egg moves, so other trainers won't expect it. When you evolve, you get a larger Special Attack equal to your Attack so it's not a bad idea. Use Dragon Breath, but hold it in. Charge it up, before releasing it. Make it a beam-like attack. You have a long time to perfect it. So no need to be ashamed of failure. Alright, let's go," Bagon started holding his breath and a dark-purple glow started to appear in Bagon's mouth before a small beam shot out his mouth.
"Good start Bagon! Riolu, you have the egg move Detect. This'll let you evade a potentially fatal attack. But you'll need another Pokémon to train the instinct. You do have some other moves worth learning. Let me check,"
Ash scanned Riolu again and pressed the movepool button, and browsed through all of Riolu's learnable moves.
"Sorry Riolu, none of the other moves you learn are available unless you get the TM for the move, or are too dangerous in your current form. Most moves you can currently learn are either TM exclusive or would be better if you had another move to help the process along. Like how move Brick Break to learn Cross Chop. I'm sure you won't need a new move until around the sixth gym. Or until your ready for new moves, whichever comes first. Why don't you perfect Sky Uppercut or Blaze Kick, they are unexpected. Let's not give our opponents time to counter."
Riolu nodded, before running towards another cluster of boulders and shattering them to pieces. Ash started running towards Bagon and helping to coach him with Dragon Pulse. Leaf looked at Bulbasaur and Spearow. Realising she hadn't scanned the bird, she pulled out her Pokédex and scanned Spearow.
Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Fearow. Spearow has a very loud cry that can be heard over half a mile away. If it's high, keening cry is heard echoing all around, it is a sign that they are warning each other of danger. This Spearow is a Female who is lonely, level 6 and has the ability keen eye. It has the following attacks: Growl, Peck and Leer. It has the following egg-moves: Tri Attack.
Leaf gasped, she caught a Pokémon with an egg move, Tri-Attack. She thought only a few Pokémon learnt it but she didn't know Spearow could learn it. She snapped out of her confused state and realised that Ash had said something about an egg move. She'd ask him after she set her Pokémon to work. She looked at a boulder cluster, then at Bulbasaur. The first gym they'd challenge, the Pewter City Gym, used Rock-types - though the gym-leaders Pokémon were all part Ground-type (if you challenge it first.) Grass moves were 4x more effective on a rock-ground duel type then on other types. But Onix, the Pokémon who would most likely give her the most trouble, did have a high base defence. She shrugged it off realising both her Pokémon and most she'd find to Pewter City were physical attackers or only had them early on.
"Alright, Bulbasaur use Vine Whip on the boulder. Repeat 'till it cracks. Try to increase the power! Let's go!" The brunette ordered the Grass-poison type. Leaf looked at Ash, who was still coaching Bagon. She noticed something was around Bagon's head and started sprinting to Ash, who was on the opposite side of the clearing.
"Hey Ash, I have a question for you," Leaf said, approaching the raven-haired trainer, who stopped coaching Bagon and turned around.
"Ask away, Leaf. What do you wanna know?" He replied.
"First off, Spearow has an egg move so can you help me teach it to him? And second, what's on Bagon's head?" The brunette inquired, hoping she could use the advice to train Spearow.
"First, if you want to teach a Pokémon an egg move, you must teach it a move similar to the egg move. Unless the Pokémon has a bit of instinct to it and knows what the attack is but hasn't mastered it. Ask them to use the move, it might be able to use the attack. And Bagon's wearing a Power Lens, which helps it's special attack stat grow whenever it gains experience - the experience it gains from battles and training obviously." Ash answered.
"Okay, thanks for the advice. Alright, Spearow use Tri-Attack!" Leaf commanded. Spearow opened its mouth, and three orbs - one red, one indigo and one yellow - formed in her month. The orbs then grew slightly before becoming a beam and being shot into a tree.
"Well done, Spearow!" Leaf said with a slight laugh, Onix and Geodude's special defence were abysmal compared to their defence so this would lessen the disadvantage Spearow had, if it were forced into the fight.
"You just need it to keep performing the move, I'm sure she'll get it eventually," Ash said, before jogging back to Bagon.
"Bagon, Pikachu! You two up to a sparring match?" Ash announced, catching both Pokémon's attention.
"Alright, I want you two to spar. I want you two to use the attacks you've been learning." Ash said as both Pokémon stood opposite each other at both edges of the clearing, "Three, two, one, go!"
Pikachu launched at Bagon with Quick Attack as soon as the match started, curling into a ball to swing an Iron Tail at Bagon, who dodged the move and countered with a Dragon Pulse. The attack blasted Pikachu backwards as Bagon leapt towards Pikachu, fangs covered in flames. The electric mouse stopped it's fall with an Iron Tail into the ground, steadying itself before somersaulting into a standing position.
"Good work Pi, you steadied yourself with a move. That could be useful in a battle. Good strategy, Pikachu!" Ash said, observing the battle. Pikachu's lightweight body structure (compared to Geodude and Onix's weight) would mean that if he were to be hit by an attack, he would be sent in the air and, more importantly, less mobile and unable to dodge any follow-up attacks.
Whilst Bagon's fangs were on fire, an orange Dragon Pulse was sent at Pikachu. The mouse dodged too late and the attack hit Pikachu sending it flying a few feet. As Pikachu got to his feet, he glowed a slight orange and a tiny flame went across his torso indicating the electric mouse was burnt.
"Wow Bagon, that was a great combo-attack," Ash said, grabbing a Burn Heal and spraying it on Pikachu, "Alright, we'll stop sparring for now. You both deserve a break, after all, you both did create new strategies. I'll go make lunch for you guys."
Both Pokémon sat on a boulder and watched Leaf train her Pokémon. They saw Spearow dive on top of Bulbasaur, before repeatedly using Peck. They realised she was doing endurance training and decided to help motivate Bulbasaur.
"(Hey Bulbasaur, you can do it!)" Bagon shouted trying to motivate Spearow.
"(Just believe in yourself!)" Pikachu added.
"Alright guys, training's over. Lunch's ready!" Ash called his Pokémon and Leaf to a table (which fits in a backpack via hammerspace.)
As the Pokmon ran over, they all got a bowel of Pokéfood (with ketchup for Pikachu) and started eating the food, with satisfied squeaks. Leaf looked at the bowl of stew, then at Ash, then back at the bowel of stew.
"Ash, are you sure this is safe for human consumption?" Leaf asked, remembering the last time Ash cooked, "It looks good, smells good too, but that's what happened last time."
"That was Pikachu's fault, I told him not to spill ketchup in a soup," Ash answered, getting an angry squeal from Pikachu, "And no one has passed out from my cooking. I've had quite a few compliments on my cooking actually."
"Alright, time to face my fears. Alright, three, two, one, down it goes," she took a spoon of the stew and gulped it down. "Holy shit, I didn't faint. And that was surprisingly good. Well, Ash, you can finally cook! Something I'd never thought you'd ever be able to do after that poison you made!"
Just as Leaf was about to eat more of the stew, they heard a shriek. Leaf moaned a little as she was interrupted from eating her lunch, it better be important.
End Of Chapter
Don't worry, this time the second chapter is actually done and should be posted with this updated chapter!