Ash's New Start
Chapter Two
Announcement: I would just like to say that for one, I do not own Pokemon, and for two, I am making it so that in this story, Brock stayed with his siblings at the gym because his father couldn't do it alone, and Misty's bike was repaired by a shop in Viridian, and paid for by Ash, and so she never followed Ash around either. Also, I am not going to limit Kanto to just that region's Pokemon.
"Try it again! Iron Tail!", commanded Ash to his tuckered out Pikachu.
"PIIIIKA!", shouted the electric mouse as it slammed it's now hardened tail onto the boulder, crushing it to thousands of tiny pieces.
"Great job, Pikachu! That was your best one yet, I think you've finally got it mastered!", the trainer complimented his Pokemon.
"Pi!", agreed the tired mouse, hoping for a long break from the training he had been put through for the day.
"Just think, we never would have even found out you could use moves like this if it wasn't for Dev, isn't that funny?", laughed Ash, who was still on a training high from helping all his Pokemon.
*FLASHBACK*
Ash had been thinking for a while now, going over his training plans for his Pokemon, when he thought back to a Pokemon Battle he had watched on TV a couple of years ago. It had been broadcasted from a region called "Hoenn". He pulled Dev out of his pocket to question the computer about it.
"Hey, Dev, I was just remembering about a match I saw a couple of years ago, and realized that I saw a Pikachu use a move called 'Iron Tail', and I also saw other moves that I have never seen a Pokemon from Kanto use before, why is that?", questioned Ash.
"The reason those Pokemon knew those moves is simple, they were taught them", explained the computer.
"But I looked at the moves that Pikachu will eventually learn, and Iron Tail wasn't one of those moves", replied a very confused Ash.
"The moves you were researching were 'level-up' moves, and those are moves that the Pokemon will learn naturally. 'Iron Tail' is a move that must be taught to a Pokemon through the use of TM's and training.", Dev explained in his monotone voice that Ash was slowly becoming more and more accustomed to.
"Well… what's a TM, and how can I use one?", questioned Ash.
"TM's are Technical Machines, which are small blocks that you give to your Pokemon, and they implant the knowledge that is in the block into their database of skills.", the computerized voice replied.
"How can I get one?", Ash asked the main question that had been on his mind.
"TM's are often found in Super Stores such as the ones in Celadon City, but they are created by the Professors in each region, who research certain move attributes and try to use those attributes to create new and more powerful moves.", the voice continued on, "TM's are also one of my experimental features, it is possible for me to implant knowledge of a TM into your Pokemon, but it is up to the Pokemon and trainer to practice the move together", explained Dev.
*END FLASHBACK*
After finding out about this tidbit of information, Ash made sure to use Dev to his fullest, and implanted knowledge of at least one TM into each of his Pokemon.
Ivysaur- Energy Ball and Sludge Bomb
Charmeleon- Flamethrower and Shadow Claw
Wartortle- Rock Tomb and Ice Beam
Pidgeotto- Aerial Ace and Protect
Pidgeotto had been especially excited to be introduced to the newly-evolved Pokemon, and was happy for them, and hoped that she soon would evolved to her final form. She had been the first to receive training, for she had been the only one to not be included in on the discoveries so far, and Ash felt bad for leaving her out.
Ash ended up making sure that each of his Pokemon got some one-on-one training with him, and soon they all mastered their attacks and tomorrow morning they would be heading out to fight Lt. Surge once again, with the hope of finally earning the Thunder Badge. Ash soon headed to bed after finishing up his training with Pikachu. Pikachu still wanted to meet up and talk with the other Pokemon about the day's training though, so he went and collected each of the Pokemon (who had all been sleeping around Ash in the middle of the room they rented at the Pokemon Center).
*For these conversations, the Pokemon language will automatically be translated into English*
"So, Ivysaur, how was your training for the day?", questioned Pikachu as the acting leader of the group.
"It was great, I am impressed that Ash has finally decided to step up his training tactics, and take our powers seriously for once", explained Ivysaur with a drawl.
"Is something wrong?", questioned the concerned Pikachu, noticing something was off about the Seed Pokemon.
"Well… Why are you leader? I am the oldest Pokemon on Ash's team, and I am possibly the smartest one, I think I should be the acting leader of our group", reasoned Ivysaur.
"Excuse me? I am the leader because I was Ash's first Pokemon, and from what I can see, I am currently the strongest Pokemon he has", bit out the angry mouse.
"Strength doesn't equal leadership, you also need to be able to help each of the other members on the team", replied the calm Pokemon.
"I'm sorry if you think I don't care about you guys, but I do. I am also sorry if you feel that I am not the Pokemon who would do the best job at being leader, but I am the leader, and that is how it is going to stay, got it?", demanded Pikachu.
"Whatever, you better not slow us down.", glared Ivysaur.
"Charmelon, how was your day of training, and how are you doing lately?", asked Pikachu to the Flame Pokemon.
"I'm doing quite fine, Pikachu, thank you for asking. I had a very productive day of training, and feel much stronger because of it", replied Charmeleon with a smile.
"What's that smile about?", asked Pikachu inquisitively.
"Well, all I can think about is what I might have done if Ash hadn't given me permission to evolve. I probably would have eventually evolved on my own, because of the forces of nature, and would have resented Ash greatly. Who knows? Maybe I would have tried setting him on fire each time I looked at him!", Charmeleon let out a raucous laughter.
"Yeah… haha", laughed a nervous Pikachu, the Flame Pokemon always did have a bit of an odd sense of humor.
"Either way, I'm glad that I have evolved now, and I hope that I can be a great partner for Ash in the future", smiled Charmeleon again.
"I'm sure that you will become one of Ash's most powerful Pokemon, Charmeleon!", encouraged the mouse.
"Wartortle… why are you pouting?", Pikachu was having a hard time not laughing his ass of right now, because the image of Wartortle sitting on a rock with his arms crossed and a pout on his face was just too adorable for him not to be amused.
"Well… I don't see why Ash has been training me today", explained Wartortle with a sigh.
"To make you stronger, of course!", exclaimed Pikachu, thinking that the answer was obvious.
"It doesn't matter though! This gym leader uses electric-type Pokemon! Like you! I could never defeat you, I'm too weak against you, I'd be useless against this gym!", yelled the Turtle Pokemon.
"I doubt you would be useless, and you still need to be stronger for the gyms and battles after this one though! Don't be discouraged, just keep training until your strong enough to defeat any type disadvantage and show the world that water Pokemon can withstand anything!", cheered Pikachu to the slowly-recovering Wartortle.
"Yeah! Thanks, Pikachu! You always know what to say to make a Pokemon feel better about himself!", grinned the turtle.
"No problem, Wartortle, this group needs to stick together!", smiled the mouse.
As Pikachu finished talking to the Pokemon, he decided that it was probably time for him to turn in and go to bed now too, even if he didn't think he'd be able to fall asleep with all of his worrying about the next day. No matter how confident he liked to act in front of the other group members, he had his own doubts on if they would be strong enough to defeat an opponent as strong as Lt. Surge. Not to mention that powerful Raichu of his.
Pikachu didn't like to talk about it, and would never mention it to the other Pokemon on the team, but he was terrified of Raichu. Any Raichu. They were partially the reason why he was so hostile toward humans when Ash had first received him. It began with the first trainer who had tried (and succeeded) in catching him.
The trainer was obviously new to the field of training, and therefore tended to not care as much for the feelings of his Pokemon. Though, if one were to just glance on him, they might consider him an advanced trainer, because all of his Pokemon were evolved. You would then need to look again, because all of his Pokemon were forced to evolve.
He had owned a Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Poliwrath, and a Raichu. You could see that all of these Pokemon were forced to evolve with evolution stones, and that he hadn't actually trained them to be powerful, or asked them if they wanted to evolve. The only reason he decided to catch Pikachu was because he saw how powerful it was in it's pre-evolved form, and wanted to see how much stronger it would become after evolution.
Luckily, Pikachu had an accident when he was a young mouse. He had fallen off from a branch that he was on (getting food), and landed on a hard rock. The rock was small, but sharp enough to become lodged in his leg, yet Pikachu didn't even really notice it until he was cleaning himself later that night. This rock was an Everstone, and with it lodged in Pikachu's leg, he would never be able to evolve. The trainer did not like this idea.
He didn't actually know WHY Pikachu wouldn't evolve, but he was not happy about it. He used his Raichu to beat Pikachu until he could no longer stand, before leaving him in the middle of the road, a cracked Pokeball next to his head. This was the reason Pikachu hadn't trusted a trainer in a long time, and this was the reason why he was fearful of Raichu.
No matter what though, he would fight for Ash, his trainer! Ash was the first Pokemon he found that he could trust in a very long time, and he would do nothing to make Ash disappointed in him, even if that meant facing his fear! After settling on this ideal to himself, Pikachu finally drifted off into the land of dreams.
Ash awoke the next morning with a yawn and a smile. He looked over and saw that all of his Pokemon were still asleep, so he decided to leave them in the room, and took a walk outside, wondering what could do until the gang woke up and was ready for the battle today. He noticed a field, and a small pond a small ways outside the gate of town, and headed for it, maybe some fresh air would relax him for the match.
Ash sat down in the middle of the field, and reflected over what he had learned in the last couple of days. He discovered that the experimental Pokedex that Professor Oak had given him was a virtual treasure trove of information that he was finally learning to use, and it was going to definitely help him become a Pokemon Master. Then, he had trained each of his Pokemon and taught them some new moves which would definitely help out against any opponent they came across. As Ash thought of the these events, a small head popped up out of the ground.
"Shrew?", a mumbled voice squeaked.
"What? What was that! Who's there? I'm warning you, I have… a hat!", deadpanned Ash. Why did he leave his Pokemon back at the center?
As Ash searched for the source of the noise, he noticed it was coming from a smirking Sandshrew with its head sticking out of a hole.
"Well, hello there! What are you doing?", smiled Ash, while slowly putting his head closer to the cute critter.
"SHREW!", shouted the Mouse Pokemon, before shooting off a fairly powerful Water Gun.
"Hey! Don't hit me with water! Wait… what? Sandshrew can't use water attacks!", shouted Ash in astonishment.
"Apparently, this one is able to. I would suggest for Trainer Ash to not be an idiot and let this Pokemon get away from him", stated Dev from inside Ash's pocket.
"Shut up, Dev! But, you're right!", Ash shouted before running after the tricky Sandshrew.
Ash arrived back at the Pokemon Center room that he had rented, and noticed that all of his Pokemon were awake and looked ready to go.
"Hey guys! You guys look pretty strong today! I'm surprised you're not all worn out from yesterday's training session!", laughed Ash, while at the same time feeling slightly bad for making them work so hard for his gain.
"Pi!", shouted Pikachu.
"Ivy, Ivysaur, Ivy!", grunted Ivysaur.
"Charrrrrr!", roared Charmeleon.
"War! War! Tortle!", cheered Wartortle.
"Pidgggeeyyy!", preened Pidgeotto.
"Good, I'm glad you guys are all psyched about today's battle! Besides, I think I also have a surprise for you five!", smiled Ash in excitement, before taking a newly-filled Pokeball off from his belt and releasing what was inside.
"Shrew!", huffed the Sandshrew that appeared.
"Everyone, meet Sandshrew!", Ash introduced the Mouse Pokemon to the rest of the group.
"Shrewww!", Sandsrew shouted before shooting another Water Gun at Ash's face, and smacking the button on the Pokeball, thus returning.
"Uh… he's new, but he can use water attacks!", shouted Ash in excitement for his find.
The rest of the group just chuckled nervously at the fact that Ash might be planning to use an untrained Pokemon in the match for today. Ash seemed to understand why they all looked nervous, and attempted to soothe their fears.
"No, guys, I don't plan to use Sandshrew today, he needs much more work before I can trust him to battle in such an important match!", chuckled Ash much to the relief of the other Pokemon.
"So, are you guys ready to head out?", Ash said while opening up the door.
"YES!", all five Pokemon shouted in their language.
"Great! I'm sure we will win this battle today!", Ash cheered, before returning all but one Pokemon, which of course was Pikachu, who hopped on Ash's shoulder and cheered.
"PIKA!"
"We will win…", Ash whispered while standing outside of Lt. Surge's gym, glaring at the sign that stated what it was.
"Well, well, look who we have here", a familiar voice spoke, and Ash's fire was ignited.