Moonstone

Background Info:

Ash/Satoshi was originally going to start with a clefairy instead of a pikachu. If you were wondering what the world would've been like if the change hadn't occurred, look no further! The Kanto Pokédex has been expanded to include pokemon from other gens. Since all other regions include non-native pokemon, it only makes sense that Kanto would too. Therefore, unless stated otherwise, assume that the pokemon is found in Kanto. Clefairy is a fairy type in this version and has the level-up moveset existing in gen 7.

Chapter 1

"Ash wake up! Do you have any idea how late you'll be?!"

Ash rolled out of bed landing on the cool hardwood floor. Still half-asleep and curious about the commotion, he glanced over at the clock; 8:53. But, wasn't my appointment with Professor Oak at 8:15? MY APPOINTMENT WAS AT 8:15! Clawing at the floor he scrambled to his feet and bolted out the door. The adrenaline was pulsing through his veins and his heart was racing. He barely even touched the ground as he flew down the main road. It was a relatively still morning. The rest of Pallet was sleepely going about their morning routines. Ash stook out like a sore thumb against the lazy morning as he all but tackled a tall woman in a quickly forming group of spectators. Weaving between the mob he was confronted with a boy in a purple T-shirt and blue jeans.

"Well hello Ashy-boy"

"Gary."

" Mr. Gary to you. Show some respect. After all, I'm the one who has a po-"

" I don't have time for this Gary!" He shouted shoving past him.

" Fine suit yourself. But you're just wasting your time Ashy! I got the last one!"

Ash hadn't heard that last bit but he didn't care. What mattered to him most was getting to that lab. The door slammed open and he ran directly into the lab. An old man sat with his back to him staring at a computer. He wore a crisp white lab coat that starkly contrasted against his burgundy collar. The lab was painted a pale cream color with various machines surrounding a central table. Three pokéballs sat on the table with symbols for water, fire, and grass etched into the shining red plastic. Upon hearing his rather noisy entrance, Professor Oak turned around to look at him.

"Nice outfit." He remarked.

Ash looked down to realize he'd forgotten to change out of his pajamas in his rush to get out. I suppose attempting to rush across town in 5 minutes does have its pitfalls. He let out a small laugh before looking towards the table.

"Here to collect your starter I take it?"

Ash nodded violently as if it were only attached by a string. " HECK YE- I mean, 'yes sir'."

" Well Ash I'm afraid you're rather late."

"Yes I know but please? Surely at least one is left! What about squirtle?" He said picking up the pokéball.

" Sorry Ash squirtle is already taken." He said opening the ball up for Ash to see.

" Ok so what about bulbasaur?"

" Also taken. Are you seeing a pattern here Ash?"

" Let me guess, charmander too?"

" Yes."

" Well you knew there would be four trainers coming right? Were you just counting on one of us being late? What if we had all been on time? Surely you must have had some other starter pokemon! Perhaps one from Johto?"

" Well, there is one other..."

" I'll take it! Please!"

" Well Ash this isn't a pokémon I like to give out to beginners. She isn't a typical starter pokemon and instead a pokemon I befriended towards the end of my own journey."

" I can handle her!"

" Well, if you insist."

He walked slowly across the room and tenderly reached for the knob on a pristine white desk droor. He pulled out a glistening white and red pokéball and brought it over to ash. He swiped it out of the Professors hand in an act of unbridled ecstasy. On the ball was a symbol he didn't fully recognize at first. Around it where two very organic shaped that appeared almost like some form of bizarre plant life that contoured the symbol in such a way that it made it appear round. In the middle was an incredibly stylized star.

"Fairy. That symbol represents the fairy typing."

" A fairy type?" Ash said audibly disappointed.

" Do you not want that one? You could always try again next year. Maybe then you'll even be early. "

" NEXT YEAR?! N-no. This one is fine."

He tossed the ball into the air with the glossy counting sparkling against the lights. A waterfall of cerulean colored energy poured out of the capsule and elegantly swirled into the silhouette of a bipedal pokemon on top the table. The light then faded revealing a small pink pokemon. It had grey fingers and feet that stood out against its otherwise monochromatic body. It had a swirl protruding from its head and a much larger swirl for a tail, both of which Ash thought greatly resembles a lollipop.

" Cle-fair-y" The pokémon chimed.

" Clefairy is the fairy pokemon. On the night of each full moon, groups of clefairy come out to play and dance, enveloping the surrounding area in an abnormal magnetic field. It's said that happiness will come to anyone who sights a gathering of clefairy, dancing under the full moon. Bathed in moonlight, its wings will glow faintly, allowing it to float into the air without even flapping. It is said that it's wings store the moonlight, thus allowing it to dawn arrives, the tired Clefairy return to their quiet mountain retreats and go to sleep nestled up against each other. Though rarely sighted these pokémon are frequently sought after as pets due to their adorable and enchanting personas."

" The fairy pokémon, whose a fairy type. Creative."

" I can still take her back." Oak retorted dryly. " So Ashy, are you going to give her a nickname."

" A nickname? Maybe I should name you 'Fairy' to match with the rest of your o-so-creative classification."

With this the pokémon lept off the centerpiece and slapped her new trainer. He clearly didn't respect her, so shouldn't she return the favor? It was only good manners. She smirked at this and looked up at her stunned trained. Ash rubbed the red mark on his cheek where clefairy had slapped him.

"Ok so not Fairy. How about Lollipop? Because your tail and swirl look like a lollipop. I can call you 'Lolli'?"

"Lollipop is certainly a... unique name. You could also go with something like 'Candy'?"

"Candy? That's a cute name too. It has a nice ring to it! What do you think Clefairy? Does Candy sound good to you?"

He looked intently at the pokemon, grinning from ear to ear with excitement. Because he was excited; for his journey. Clefairy nodded in agreement, but crossed her arms over her chest, still not entirely convinced. He picked up clefairy and lifted her up over his head, attempting to maintain a façade of enthusiasm towards his partner. She saw right threw it however and wriggled out of his grasp to slap him again. Using the momentum from her modified pound attack, she landed gracefully back on the table. Crossing her arms once more, she plopped down, clearly agitated towards the boys fakeness.

During the commotion. Ash had failed to realized Professor Oak's leaving and had to infer it by him walking back into the room. Sensing the tension between the pair, he rushed over to Ash, in a feeble attempt to change the rooms general energy.

" Here you go Ash. 10 pokéballs and 5 potions." He announced whilst placing a bag onto the table. " This is also for you." He carefully handed Ash a pokédex and waited for his reaction.

" A pokédex?"

" Mhm. This pokédex will automatically record information on any pokémon you encounter. After all, even when we think we know everything about something, it can still find a way to surprise us." He nodded to Candy while saying this, as if to encourage the pokemon and trainer alike to give eachother a real chance. " It also come equipped with a map and a nifty little device that converts TMs and HMs into a form of energy. That energy is what allows pokemon to learn the special moves. Along with determination and practice of course."

" Great! Thank you so much Professor!"

" Good luck Ash! And do try to change before heading out!"

"Bye Professor Oak."

Ash rushed back through Pallet town for what he hoped to be the last time. The sleepiness of the town was slowly dissipating into liveliness as people began to go about their days. Children played in their gardens as their parents took off for work. Bounding home with a more energetic spring in his step he looked over at the clefairy skipping next to him. A fairy type? Really? I mean, at least it's something but still! Couldn't he have given me something even a little cooler? Like a ghastly or a shinx? Fairy type. More like the pink girly type. The weak type. How is a frail little fairy going to allow me to become a pokemon master?! Why couldn't I have gotten anything else?

Candy seemed to sense his lack of contentment and glared at him with fierce eyes that would burn right through the faint of heart. She cocked her head to the side with an audible "Hmph." I knew it. Of course the boy doesn't want me. He only wanted me because I'm his only option. I bet he'll dump me for the next thing he lays eyes on. I bet he'd dump me for a dumb rattata! Whatever, this boy isn't worth me anger. She skipped ahead of him looking back with a smirk as he struggled to quicken his pace. In her cockinees, Candy slammer right into Ash's mother.

"Oh! And who might this be?" Delia exclaimed.

Ash, having finally caught up, attempted to explain the situation to his mother in between pants.

"So this little cutie is your pokémon? Why, she's lovely!"

" Yeah, you like her?" Of course you would. Fairies are right up your alley.

" She's adorable! And what a little sweetheart she seems to be too"

" Thanks mom."

She wasn't complimenting you. Ungrateful brat.

" Candy, this is my mother."

So this is Mrs. Ketchum.

"That's right!" She announced as if reading Candy's thoughts. "Please call me Delia. Or Miss Ketchum if you must be formal!"

"Candy can't speak mom."

"Of course she can! In her own clefairy language. Just because we can't understand it, doesn't make it any less valid."

"Cleffa!" Candy squeaked in agreement.

" So, you just about ready to go? You should come in and change. Did you pack last night like I asked you to? Don't you think you should stay and leave after lunch?"

"Mom, it's already nearly 9:30! I was supposed to be out by 8:30! I can't be any more than an hour behind or I'll never live it down."He announced in the most serious voice she'd ever heard from him. It was almost funny how hard he was trying to be solem.

" Sure you can. After all, slow and steady wins the race. There's no rush to beat the gyms."

" Yes there i-"

" Besides if your weak from hunger how will you find success? You'll be too distracted by your belly to actually catch anything. And it's not like you ate a big breakfast. You didn't eat anything at all!"

" I-"

" You didn't pack last night either, did you?"

"Well I-"

" Clefairy, what are we going to do with him." She scoffed, looking down at the pink fairy type. She was trying, to no avail, to use Delia's pants to stifle her laughter towards the exchange. I like her. She's nothing like her son.

" Her name's Candy mom."

" Well, Candy, whatever will we do?"

" I should get changed."

" Yes I suppose. Make sure to pack everything you need. I put a list on your dresser set. Feel free to add anything you or Candy may need. Just not too much stuff. You'll collapse under the weight."

Of what his ignorance? Her signature smirk returned at this thought.

" What?" Ash inquired, noticing his clefairy's expression.

" Clef." She stated dryly.

He looked down at his watch. 9:31. Figures.