Title: Back to Basics
Summary: At sixteen, Ash Ketchum was renowned as a pokemon prodigy. Together with his team, he had overcome rivals, aided in the destruction of Team Rocket, and conquered two separate League Conferences. Then the tragedies of New Island washed it all away. It was only then, at his darkest hour, that his true journey to greatness began. Kalos, AU, Veteran Trainer Ash
Pairing: Just to clarify, while there is a poll already, its main purpose is to gage people's feelings for who they want to see. There will be another later to determine the readers' feelings once they've gotten to know the girls.
AN: There will be mega evolution and z moves. However, whether Ash will use them himself is something I'm not sure of yet. Either way, there won't be any… odd dancing or posing to power them. Also, in the Sun and Moon anime, they highlighted a lot of technology, tablets, cell phones, and that annoying pokedex. And in the previous series, X & Y, robots were a huge part of the story. This upswing in technology is going to reflect in this story.
Chapter two: On the road again!
Back to Basics
Ash exited the pokemon center with Raichu on his shoulder and Mimikyu in his arms. Having rose with the sun, the Kanto native had checked out of his room at Hotel Richissime first thing and made his way to register for the Kalos League.
Registering could be done at any Pokemon Center or through an official representative of the Kalos League, such as a Gym Leader or someone like Sycamore. But with no intention of returning to his 'father's' lab anytime soon, he had opted to pay the local center a visit.
The entire process had taken only a few minutes before he was once more on his way. Knowing the next few weeks would be spent on the road, he decided to indulge and take advantage of the city's renowned cuisine.
Without a set destination in mind, he picked a direction at random and went off in search of breakfast. Bypassing a number of the battle cafes Lumiose was famous for, he eventually settled on a small, but stylish café that boasted an attractive patio perfect for enjoying an early breakfast.
Having left both Raichu and Mimikyu outside as he placed his order with the server behind the counter inside, he made his way back to the patio only to pause as he found the duo in the company of a familiar face.
"Sophie," he greeted her. Wearing heels and a tight skirt, the elegant beauty flushed an attractive shade of red as she rose from her knees with Mimikyu in her arms.
"Mr. Ketchum," she greeted, dusting a nonexistent stain from stocking encased legs. "I recognized Raichu, and thought I'd stop and say good morning."
"And make friends with Mimikyu," he observed lightly.
Sophie smiled warmly down at the tiny dual-type, earning a happy, throaty croon. "It would be difficult not to befriend such a sweetie."
"Would you like to join us?" Ash inquired, motioning to one of the tables.
Looking as if she were about to decline, an eager grunt from Mimikyu saw her relent. "I can't say no to a face like that, now can I? I'd like that very much, thank you."
Surprising the beauty by pulling her seat out for her, Ash took his opposite her. "So, you work closely with the Professor. What type of research do you specialize in?"
Splitting her attention between the conversation and Raichu and Mimikyu, her expression brightened at the subject. "I originally got my start in pokemon medicine, studying at the nursing school here in Kalos. Yet after some personal circumstances, I found myself apprenticing abroad, studying evolution in Sinnoh under the guidance of Professor Rowan. Thus, how I fell into my current field of study, Mega Evolution. Or to be more precise, the correlation between said transformation and the mysterious Mega and Key Stones. Is it said stones which are responsible for making Mega Evolution possible, traits of the pokemon themselves, or some as of yet undiscovered connection? These are the questions I, along with the rest of my team, seek to answer."
Ash made a sound of interest, genuinely curious. But even more impressed. Since the loss of his team, he possessed a newfound respect for those who took up the admirable mantle of healer. At least he did for real healers. Nurse Joys were a different story entirely.
"I apologize," she flushed sheepishly. "You asked about my work, not for me to ramble on about myself."
"There's nothing to apologize for. Believe me, if I weren't interested, you would know," he admitted with a chuckle. "So, Mega Evolution? Despite the increasing amount of evidence to support its existence, it's a controversial subject. It must be difficult having your work challenged, not only by the public, but your colleagues as well."
Mega Stones, as the name suggested, were stones capable of temporarily unlocking a pokemon's dormant power; a type of non-permanent evolution. For generations, the existence of such transformations and stones was widely regarded as embellished wives' tales of a more superstitious time. But in the previous decade alone, with the advancements in technology and, as laughable as it might sound, the presence of social media, the tales had been proven true. For the most part, that was.
There would always be those who would write off footage of such events as falsehoods. It was the same with those who had captured mythical or legendary pokemon on film. There were a disheartening amount of naysayers. But then again, people were naturally skeptical of what they didn't understand or failed to see with their own eyes. Though he himself had never seen an example of Mega Evolution in person, he had seen enough documented evidence to believe in the legends. There were even rumors amongst some of the higher ups in the Indigo League that Lance had a pokemon capable of such a transformation.
Sophie shook her head, absently adjusting her glasses. "Not at all. Most, even those who question the validity of our field, prove respectful. A benefit, I suppose, of basing our research out of Kalos, the birthplace of Mega Evolution. That and your father's name carries a great deal of weight in the scientific community."
"He's excited to see you," she added softly, having noted the subtle, but telling shift in his demeanor. "Your father."
Ash made a distasteful face that more than expressed his thoughts on the man. He was saved from ruining the atmosphere with his response as the waitress arrived with his order.
Noting his attitude toward his father hadn't improved any with a night's rest, Sophie took pity on him and changed the subject. "How about yourself? Two conference victories in as many years, and all by the age of fourteen. You must be proud."
Ash grunted noncommittally. "I've been fortunate in my time as a trainer," he mused, her attempt to play on his ego not working as intended as he turned pensive. "I had an excellent team and just enough talent as a trainer to coax their potential to the surface."
"It takes more than luck and a modicum of talent to win a conference," Sophie countered, bewildered by the modesty being displayed. Having researched him extensively the previous evening, she was familiar with his reputation, both as a trainer and an egotist. "Your story must be quite the tale."
"There's not much to tell that you can't glean from my trainer profile," he said with a shrug, revealing he was aware that she had likely investigated him. "It all began in a small town known as Pallet. No one expected a rookie from a no name backwater to reach the Indigo final four, but I proved them all wrong. Almost immediately after, I set out for Johto and within a year's time I found myself in the Silver Conference finals, only to lose once more and to an opponent I could have beat had I not underestimated them. Funny enough, she was from Kalos. Such a devastating loss taught me a lot, and I set out for Sinnoh without giving my team or myself time to recuperate. Even before the Lily of the Valley conference began, people were feeding my ego with whispers of how I was the next great prodigy. It was there that I finally earned such praise. I won my first conference."
"Having finally claimed a title as my own, but knowing I was no match for the Sinnoh Elite Four or Cynthia, I returned to where it all began, back home in Kanto. I was determined to prove I was every bit the prodigy the masses claimed I was. And so I did. I won without losing a single pokemon," he reminisced with a crooked smile that carried just a hint of his old bravado, but more so, something much darker and self-loathing in nature. "However, as powerful as my team was, again, I was forced to acknowledge we weren't strong enough to take on a Champion. Certainly not one in the same league as Lance. So instead of challenging Kanto's beloved Dragon Master, I joined the Pokemon League for the next two years."
As he had claimed beforehand, he hadn't revealed anything she hadn't learned with a quick once over of his trainer profile. Yet she was a firm believer one could learn all they needed to know about someone by the way they discussed themself and their accomplishments. A touch of sentimental enthusiasm and a undertone of melancholy throughout; by the time he finished speaking, Sophie found herself intrigued, sitting on tenterhooks to learn more about the enigmatic young man.
"You've shied away from the public eye for over a year. Why return now?" Before the start of their little sit down, she wouldn't have dared ask such a question. Though the details were classified to the public, the loss of his team was well documented. There had even been a period of time where the public questioned whether or not he himself had passed. But seeing firsthand the maturity of the young man, she felt comfortable posing such a blunt question.
"I owed it to Raichu." Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Ash scoffed derisively. "No, that's not right. It's what we both wanted. I was just too caught up in my own guilt to realize it sooner. I missed battling, pitting myself against another, and that exact moment of realization when my opponent would meet my eyes from across the field and we would both know my team was superior… Pretty narcissistic, wouldn't you agree?"
Sophie shook her head, emerald eyes warm and a kind curve to her pillow-esque lips. "Not at all. People older than myself are rarely so self-aware, or at the very least as honest with themselves. Pride in one's self or their team isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'd say you're quite brave," she added as an afterthought. "I don't believe I would be reaching if I said a trainer of your caliber could have just about any pokemon you desire delivered to you with only a few phone calls. To place yourself in the position of an amateur, determined to crawl your way back to the trainer you were before is nothing less than admirable."
Ash laughed, the sound more natural this time, if carrying a touch of disbelief. "You're too kind."
"And you're too hard on yourself. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for you, Mr. Ketchum."
Ash made a sound deep in chest, somewhere between a grunt and a resigned sigh before a listless smile made its way forward. "You should really be careful, Sophie. A smile like that and such kind words, I might just fall for you."
Back to Basics
"I might just fall for you." Ash groaned loudly, burying his face in his hands as he blushed like a schoolgirl. "Who even talks like that?!"
It was well past mid-day and they had long since left the chaos of Lumiose in their wake. After his impromptu declaration, Ash had stuck around long enough to finish his breakfast at a pace that was slightly less than repulsive before bidding his father's aide and the city as a whole goodbye.
"You're psychic now!" Ash glared accusingly at the levitating electric-type. "Why didn't you psychic my mouth shut?"
Raichu chattered animatedly, amused by his friend's turmoil. Ash could almost feel the smugness coming off the rodent in waves.
"You wait until we see Buneary or Togedemaru again," Ash muttered vindictively, his moody sneer becoming a smirk when Raichu faltered midair. "Then we'll see who's laughing."
Quicker than a Volt Tackle, Raichu was before him, hovering in his face, glowing blue eyes narrowed in warning.
"Calm down, you big baby," Ash teased as he pulled him onto his shoulder. "I won't mess with your girlfriends."
It was a moody Raichu who chattered petulantly in his ear.
"I'm sorry," Ash sighed, though his smile said differently. "I'll make it up to you next time we have use of a kitchen. Hala showed me how to make pancakes before we left. But first-" he chuckled as the dual-type pressed affectionately against his cheek, the entirety of his sins forgiven at the mention of the treat. "First, we need to train."
Raichu leapt from his shoulder, electric-sacks sparking as he levitated around him. Smiling fondly, Ash knelt without breaking his stride, snatching a handful of pebbles from the dirt road.
"The way I see it," he began thoughtfully, "we can either focus on raw strength or take our time and perfect your control. Luckily, you're already an electric powerhouse. This affords us the opportunity to take our time to develop your psychic abilities to the same level, and hopefully give you a comparable amount of control."
The moment he had evolved, Raichu had instinctively learned Psychic. Yet he was still inexperienced with the technique. A true master of the attack could control their opponent, both physically and mentally. At present, however, all Raichu could manage was using it as a form of telekinesis.
They were fortunate Raichu's evolution had happened now and not years earlier. Had he evolved back when they had first considered making the change, Ash would have had the dual-type lifting boulders and attempting to rip trees up by the roots—though this point was moot as he would have been a normal Raichu. The misguided notion that brute force won battles was one it had taken time for him to grow out of. The results of polishing and honing his control now would show come time for the Lumiose conference, when they planned to make their big debut.
And yet, despite his confidence that he was approaching Raichu's training in the correct way, a part of him feared his actions were misguided. He had never been fortunate enough to train a psychic of his own. And while he knew this uncharacteristic bout of self-doubt was a result of the tragedies in his past, he wished there was a way to know if what he was doing was right by Raichu.
"Catch," he barked, tossing up the handful of rocks he had collected. Raichu fumbled to grab them all with his mind, but managed to not let a single stone hit the ground. "You're going to levitate those all the way to Santalune City, while rotating them constantly."
While Raichu focused on spinning the pebbles about himself, looking to all the world as if he possessed his own gravitational pull, Ash unleashed Mimikyu. While its disguise offered it protection from sunlight, the dual-type was more comfortable being outside its ball after dusk. And while the sun was still out at the moment, it was already on a collision course with the horizon.
"Think you can manage to keep up and fit in a bit of training?"
Mimikyu gave a hollow, throaty grunt as he began focusing on the road ahead. Ash watched as he shuffled dutifully along, the hint of shadow given off by the skirt of his disguise shuddering as he attempted to use Shadow Sneak.
Though he hadn't realized it until he scanned his move set, Mimikyu was young. He was by no means a hatchling, yet his battling experience was next to zero. Likely a result of the seclusion his species was subjected to both by other pokemon and humans.
Chuckling, Ash sent the fairy/ghost-type an encouraging smile. "Keep it up. You're doing great."
Almost as soon as the praise left his mouth, his back pocket vibrated. Freeing his pokedex, he found he had a new message from none other than one Gary Oak.
I don't know what your problem is, loser. But Sabrina just woke me up demanding I send you a message saying, 'You're on the right path.' Whatever the hell that means.
Get your shit together, Ketchum. My girlfriend doesn't need to be worrying about other guys at three in the morning. Especially when it affects my sleep.
Get a cell phone like a normal person, you massive pain in my ass.
His earlier concerns alleviated, the widely grinning young man began typing out his response, a thanks to Sabrina—the big sister he had never had—for watching out for him. Of course, it went without saying there would be plenty of jabs at his very mature best friend.
Back to Basics
"You up for a battle?"
Ash glanced up as he finished furling his bedroll to find a boy a few years younger than himself standing over him with his arms crossed and sporting a mischievous grin.
Fastening his sleeping roll to the bottom of his rucksack, he made his way to the edge of the small thicket bordering upon where he had set up camp the previous night. Sparing the youngster an apologetic quirk of the lips, Ash gave a shrill whistle.
"Just have to wait for them to get back," he explained as he swung his bag over his shoulder.
Nocturnal in nature, Mimikyu spent much of the day asleep or in his ball. This had given birth to a new routine over the past week they had been on the road. Ash would stay up late into the night, overseeing and aiding in his training where he could before eventually making his way to bed. But while he and Raichu slept, Mimikyu would spend the night training away.
When they had woken that morning, Ash had sent Raichu off in search of the fae, who he had last seen disappearing into the woods the previous night
It didn't take long for the two to heed his summons. The challenger eyed the two critically, each for different reasons. It went without needing to be stated aloud that Raichu was too experienced for a battle with a kid who, from appearances alone, hadn't been a trainer for more than a few months. Mimikyu, unsurprisingly, seemed to unnerve the young trainer.
Fighting down a repulsed shudder, he took a hasty couple of steps back as the dual-type launched itself from the underbrush, darting forward with sharp, jittery movements. Its peculiar, unsettling manner of moving left the head of its disguise lolling about as if its neck was broken. This, coupled with the raspy, heady sound it produced while breathing and the crudely drawn face gave off an eerie vibe that even Ash admitted could be frightening.
"Don't worry," Ash chuckled, getting a small kick out his reaction. "I won't use Raichu."
The kid scoffed as he unhooked one of the three pokeballs on his hip. "That makes me feel so much better."
A small, rabbit-like pokemon, Bunnelby, appeared before the kid. The grubby, mud caked normal-type had long, dexterous ears which it used as a second pair of hands. Unlike its front paws, which boarded upon stubby, its ears were incredibly powerful, capable of pushing through solid earth as a water-type might the ocean.
Jerking his head toward the normal-type, he asked Mimikyu, "You up for a match before you crash for the day?"
The dual-type croaked loudly as Ash backed a safe distance away. Noticing the kid's questioning look, he elaborated.
"They're young and inexperienced, but either Bunnelby or Mimikyu could harm us accidentally. I try not to tempt fate too much."
Nodding vigorously, he took a handful of steps away from Bunnelby. "Who goes first?"
"Feel free."
"Alright then, Bunnelby, Mud Slap!"
The hare dug its powerful ears into the ground, ripping up handfuls of mud from the otherwise dusty, dry earth, which it wasted no time flinging at Mimikyu. The dual-type responded by throwing itself forward recklessly, shuddering as it split off into multiple copies of itself.
It wasn't Mimikyu's first battle. He had even lost a time or two over the past week of travel. Ash had worked with him at length and together they had developed an opening strategy they had implemented with each new challenger. Allow their opponent to attack first and respond with Double Team.
"Scratch," Ash ordered.
From the hem of Mimikyu's disguise appeared a dark, amorphous claw, a sight that was replicated by the handful of illusions it had created. Panicking, the other trainer called out for Bunnelby to use Dig.
The rabbit dived for the ground, ears first, escaping into the earth just as the swarm of Mimikyu could reach it. But Ash wouldn't be deterred.
"After it. Copy Cat."
The illusions around Mimikyu vanished as the genuine article began to glow a deep crimson. The beady eyes upon its stomach narrowed thoughtfully as it too threw itself boldly toward the ground, burrowing beneath the surface as if he had known Dig since the day of his hatching.
"Surface," Bunnelby's trainer yelled. "Keep away from it!"
The moment Bunnelby leapt from the ground, Mimikyu was close on his heels, displaying the type of aggression that both its typings—ghost and fairy—were infamous for. Attempting to use Dig once more, the normal-type's escape was cut off as Mimikyu fell upon it with Scratch.
The Pikachu imitator sent the bunny flying with the blow, stunning it with its raw strength.
Despite its diminutive stature, Mimikyu possessed incredible physical strength. Enough so that something as simple as Scratch had left the light weight Bunnelby reeling. And this strength would only continue to grow.
Without need for instruction, Mimikyu finished off the grounded bunny with a final Scratch. The defeated trainer recalled his unconscious pokemon with a frustrated grunt that bordered upon a scream.
"First that girl with her monster of a Espurr and now a demon rat," he seethed, jabbing an accusing finger at Mimikyu. "I can't win today!"
Getting a chuckle out of the younger teen's overreaction, Ash produced a potion, which he tossed to the fuming rookie. At the same time, he gave Mimikyu a rainbow-colored Poke bean. The dual-type eagerly snatched up the snack with an appreciative grunt, tucking it under its disguise.
"What this?" the trainer asked holding up the potion.
"A potion."
The trainer snorted, unamused with his sass. "I mean, what's it for?"
"Most use them to heal-"
"I know what they're used for, smart ass," Bunnelby's trainer snapped. "Why did you give it me?
"Bunnelby will be fine after a short rest. That will help it recuperate faster," Ash explained as he watched the bulge marring Mimikyu's disguise quickly disappear as he devoured the treat.
"As for why I gave it to you?" he shrugged. "I don't need a reason to want to help others. Accept it as a kind deed and shut up."
With a goodnight to Mimikyu, Ash recalled the little one. Not waiting for the trainer's response and snatching his prize money from his hands, the Pallet born trainer brushed silently by. He was only a day or so out from Santalune City and was eager for his first Kalos gym battle.
Back to Basics
"That's really not doing much for you anymore, is it?"
In addition to the pebbles Ash had given him that first day, Raichu was now manipulating a handful more that had been added to make the exercise more challenging. The exercise had done wonders for his dexterity and coordination. Ash could now toss up random objects and Raichu would catch them with ease. But over the past couple of days it seemed as if his best buddy was just going through the motions, absently levitating them.
Which was the worst possible thing he could do. All that progress could be undone if he stagnated or became unmotivated.
"Go ahead and toss them," Ash ordered, surprising the rodent. "I want you to continue where you left off with Light Screen."
Though he hadn't tested the theory, he knew it was possible for Raichu to replicate Light Screen by blocking objects and attacks with Psychic. However, mastering the defensive technique would offer a level of protection that couldn't be achieved with Psychic. After all, Light Screen was more than just a wall of psychic energy, just as Hydro Pump was more than just a glorified Water Gun.
Raichu perked up as it gave the stones a mental fling, eager to be doing something else.
"That was just stage one," Ash informed him. "It'll be something more difficult when we make for Cyllage."
Raichu chattered darkly, eyes narrowed as he attempted to create a Light Screen between them. Ash laughed at his friend, darting out a hand that he ran playfully over the dual-type's head.
Electric sacs sparking, clearly wanting to give his cheeky human a light shock for his impudence, Raichu stiffened.
"Are you alright, buddy?" Ash inquired, concerned. Said mouse had abruptly turned, his eyes suffused with a chilling blue.
Ash started to repeat himself, but the words lodged in his throat as his starter shot off back down the road, going the way they had come. Though he spent most of his time surfing about on his tail, Raichu's speed, which had always been incredible, was now more so. Even sprinting, Ash failed to keep pace. Very suddenly his best friend was a distant figure on the horizon.
Just when Ash was certain he would lose sight of him, Raichu abruptly stopped. Ash pushed himself as hard as he could to catch up. Finally drawing close, he was able to make out a small, grey form on the ground in front of Raichu.
Eyes aglow just as Raichu's were, Ash recognized the tiny feline as he drew near the duo. It was the same pokemon who had tried to steal from him in Lumiose.
Ash lumbered to a stop as the little psychic-type turned to regard him. It was like a Thunder Bolt to the brain as he felt a presence roughly shove into his mind. Crashing to his knees, he clutched at his head and let out an agonized wail as he was overwhelmed by a wave of fear and desperation that wasn't his own.
Unseen by the human, Raichu turned on its fellow psychic, his entire form illuminating with enough electricity to kill a dozen humans. The warning was heeded and the kitten hastily withdrew from Ash's mind, causing him to collapse in the middle of the road.
The thief clutched at its mused fur, mewing urgently. It's large, lilac eyes were the first thing Ash saw as he slowly picked himself up. They were eyes full of fear. Not for itself, but another. That much at least he had been able to decipher from its emotions. Though the part of him that was now an emotional mess and possessed the mother of all migraines wanted to punt the little monster.
"What is it? What's wrong?" he managed, pushing shakily to his feet. Raichu was there, hovering protectively at his side, waiting for the first sign that he couldn't support himself. Ash wouldn't put it past Raichu to levitate him if he couldn't walk.
The kitten made a sound of urgency, turning and sprinting away. Raichu was quick to follow, prompting Ash to do the same. Able to keep pace better with the little psychic than he was Raichu, it wasn't long before it led them off the well-worn path that bridged Lumiose and Santalune and toward a random tree.
Had he not been on alert, he would have likely passed the tree and the figure propped up against its base without noticing either. The girl, who was indeed the same one who had run off with the thieving pokemon back that first night he had spent in Kalos, wasn't asleep as he first thought, though she was certainly exhausted.
Bruising cradled her eyes, her lips were cracked with thirst, and her breathing was shallow and labored. Ash recognized the signs of dehydration instantly.
"Mimi, you came back," she panted, relief flooding her brittle voice. It wasn't until Ash stepped forward, dropping his pack at her side that she noticed his presence. "Ash?"
Said teen froze as he unclipped his canteen from his rucksack. "Not sure how you know me, darling. I'm certain I'd remember a face like yours. Here," he urged, pressing the canister gently to her lips. "Drink."
She didn't listen, instead regarding him with a pair of the bluest eyes he had ever seen. She was jolted from her leering when the water lapped against her parched lips, breaking the dam on her resolve. She desperately latched onto the canister, her grip discouragingly weak as she took long, greedy gulps.
"Easy," he soothed, pulling the canteen back as he produced a ration bar. "Slowly," he warned as he handed it over. "If it's been as long as I think it has since you last ate or drank, you'll make yourself sick if you're not careful."
Ash handed her the canteen as she disregarded his warning and inhaled half the bar. Despite her own hunger, she made sure to present an equal portion to the much smaller Mimi.
"Don't," Ash stopped her as he pulled a canister of pokemon food from his bag. Opening the container, he set it before the psychic. "It's a specialty blend for psychic-types I picked up recently," he explained, jabbing a thumb at Raichu. "If she hasn't been eating properly, it'll be better for her than human food."
He waited until she had finished a second nutrient bar and downed the entire contents of his canteen to speak. "We're about two hours out from Santalune. Do you think you can manage walking?"
Silently, she shook her head. The timid motion sent her matted, filthy hair falling into her unwashed face. The pungent scent of unwashed flesh clung to her, but that was unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
Having expected as much, he stepped forward, hooking an arm under her legs and about her back, eliciting a startled hitch in her breathing. He was both surprised and disappointed by how light she was. Though she felt as if she weighed nothing, from her height and face, he was assuming she was thirteen or fourteen, fifteen at absolute most. Either way, she shouldn't have been so light of a load.
"Where's Mimi's pokeball?" he asked, not feeling it pressed between them or spotting it on her opposite hip. "It's not going to be an easy trip to Santalune. It would be easier on her if she were in her ball."
The girl who had been fidgeting, uncomfortable with the situation and her position in his arms, froze. Noting the worried glance she threw the psychic, Ash put two and two together.
"She doesn't have a pokeball," he sighed knowingly. "Because you're not a trainer."
"Raichu," he called, bouncing the girl in his arms meaningfully. Catching on to what he wanted, Raichu levitated the tiny psychic into her arms. "There now. You two ready?"
Without waiting for an answer, not that he was expecting one, he set out once more for Santalune.
"How long have the two of you been forced to steal to survive?"
Ash was patient in waiting for an answer, but it quickly became apparent one wasn't coming.
"Alright then," he chuckled. She refused to look at him, unlike her companion who refused to look at anything else, its large, unnerving eyes locked with his own. "How long has it been just you and Mimi?"
Again, there was no response. Sighing, he came to a stop in the middle of the road. Standing there with her in his arms, he refused to move or even speak until she looked at him.
"Everybody is entitled to their privacy. If you don't want to share something with me that's fine. But can I at least get your name? I don't think it's asking too much to know the name of the girl in my arms, do you?"
In all honesty, he expected her to ignore him again, or for her to tell him to mind his own business. What he hadn't expected was to find hurt in her eyes.
"You don't remember, do you?"
"I'm sorry," he shook his head as he resumed his unhurried pace, baffled by her dramatic shift in emotion. "Should I?"
Shaking her head, though the tears stinging at her eyes said differently, she tucked her head under his chin.
"Serena," she eventually managed, her breathing evening out as she began to nod off to sleep, exhausted. "My name is Serena."
Back to Basics
Santalune was beautiful by any standard. The quant, stone-walled town blended nature and humanity's touch gracefully with bountiful gardens heavy with vibrant flora, snaking waterways, and a large, attractive fountain that set at the heart of the town's square.
There was an openness about the settlement that was simply beyond what a city the size of Lumiose was capable of.
"Scare off anyone else who tries and stop us," Ash muttered darkly to Raichu. Within the five minutes they had been in town, they had been stopped more than a dozen times by concerned citizens. Route 4 had been no different. Having picked her up, quite literally, so close to Santalune, the road was littered with well-meaning trainers who thought the best thing for her was to stop and pester them with questions.
Though it was awkward, he was able to free his pokedex from his person, but not before waking Serena.
"We're almost at the hospital," he revealed, referencing the map feature on his pokedex.
"No!" Ash nearly dropped her as she began struggling against his hold, fighting to get down.
"Calm down," he managed after taking an elbow to the face. Had she not been so weak, it might have hurt. More. "Explain. What's wrong?"
"I can't go to the hospital," she babbled hysterically. "They'll separate me and Mimi! They'll send me back!"
"Back where?" he asked, his calm a startling contrast to her distress.
Serena looked as if she had suddenly been forced to swallow something bitter. "The orphanage," she whispered, all the fight draining from her.
Ash cursed under his breath, astounded he hadn't made the connection sooner. It was rather obvious, really.
"Alright, no hospitals. But I've got to find us somewhere to lay low. Believe it or not, walking around like this draws a lot of attention. People are starting to suspect I'm some kind of predator."
Guided by his pokedex, Ash was able to locate an inn where they could hold up for the night. To avoid any unwanted questions, they would have to pass on staying at the Pokemon Center for the time being. After what had been a surprisingly uneventful conversation with the innkeeper-he didn't even acknowledge Serena, who Ash was still carrying bridal style—they found themselves in a single bed room. The kitchen nook was tucked away in the corner and the closet-sized bathroom was the only portion of the 'suite' not situated in the main room.
It was little more than a hole in the wall. But it would suit their needs nicely for the time being.
"I'm going to go get something proper for you to eat. Why don't you get cleaned up while I'm gone," he suggested as he laid her and Mimi on the bed. Pulling his toiletries from his bag, along with a spare towel he kept in case of an emergencies, he placed them where she would know she was allowed to use them. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Making to leave, he paused just short of opening the door. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but please don't run away. I want to help you. But I can't if you won't let me."
Back to Basics
Ash swore to Arceus or any other apathetic, sadist of a deity willing to pay his moody ramblings mind that he would never again go shopping for a member of the opposite sex.
Having ordered their dinner from a small, family owned and run restaurant, he had spotted a clothing store across the street. With time to spare before their order would be prepared, he made the mistake of thinking he could grab a few items for Serena to replace the filthy, threadbare rags she was wearing.
Being male, he had thought he could grab a few things and be done with it. That was until he ran into one of the girls on duty in the shop. Knowing she had approached him because he was a guy lurking around in the girls' section, he explained he was buying an outfit for his little sister for her birthday. What followed was the biggest waste of time he had ever been subjected to.
In a bid for freedom, he had grabbed a handful of items that looked like they might fit someone Serena's size and fled. By the time he had paid for their meal and returned to the inn, dominance over the sky had been usurped from the sun by the moon.
"Sorry if they don't fit, there was this pushy-" Raichu levitated into his back when he froze in the threshold of their room. Wrapped in both his towel and one of the thin, cheap complimentary robes, Serena lay curled in a ball on the bed. Nuzzled into her chest and tangled in her still damp hair, Mimi too slept like the dead.
Ash sighed as he laid the food where they would see it first thing if they were to wake. Motioning silently to Raichu to follow, he made his way outside and to the front desk. While he had been unsure before, now he had direction in mind with which he could focus.
Now all he had to do was convince the old man. And figure out why he cared for some girl he didn't know.
"Do you have a video phone?"
It didn't appear as if the innkeeper had glanced up from his tablet in the time since they had left him. And he wasn't about to on Ash's account. With every ounce of listlessness he could muster, he pointed into a room off from the reception area.
Bobbing his head in thanks, Ash ambled off into the direction the man had pointed. A little surprised to find a functioning phone, he dialed the familiar number and waited.
"Ash?" Samuel Oak looked as surprised to see him as he was tired.
"Morning, Professor," Ash greeted, smiling apologetically. "Sorry for calling so early." In Kanto it was eight in the morning. And while the professor would have been up for a few hours now, Ash knew from experience the man was slow to fully wake.
"Nonsense," Oak said dismissively, fighting back a yawn. "When I saw the call was from Kalos, I figured it was you. How are you liking it there? Find any interesting pokemon yet?'"
"It's great." He assumed his impatience must have shone through since the Professor arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "Really, it's beautiful here. There are so many pokemon I've never seen before. It's like I'm ten all over again."
"Is something wrong?" Oak asked, some of his exhaustion giving way to concern.
"I need your help," Ash admitted. He should have known it was impossible to keep anything from the man who had raised Gary Oak. "I'd like to sponsor a new trainer."
Samuel blinked in surprise. "Sponsor, you say? Who could you possibly wish to sponsor?"
"I met this girl," Ash explained, though the rest of his explanation caught in his throat as the professor gave him a stern, disapproving look. "Don't look at me like that. It isn't like that. She's homeless and can use my help."
"If it's not like that, then what is it like? What interest could this girl be to you? If she is indeed homeless, perhaps it would be best if you turned her over to someone in the League."
"She has an Espurr that follows her around like a baby Psyduck." This tidbit was enough to wipe the disapproving look away with one of intrigue. "The two are inseparable. To the point that I fear separating the two would be detrimental to them both."
"It follows her willingly?" Ash nodded, earning a thoughtful hum from the older man. "That's quite impressive. That a psychic-type would willing choose an unproven individual to be their companion speaks highly of her character. That it's an Espurr, who are known for valuing their independence, is doubly so."
Psychic-types were renowned and highly sought after for their immense power and otherworldly abilities. However, their true strength lay with their intelligence which was commonly beyond that of the average trainer. This said nothing of the few capable of feats of the mind that even the most advanced supercomputer available to mankind couldn't replicate. With this kind of intelligence, it wasn't uncommon for them to rebel against trainers they deemed unworthy or, as was the norm for those without a trainer, shun mankind as a whole.
"You see, I thought so as well." Ash agreed, vindicated. "She's old enough by Kalos' standards and what she doesn't know I can help supplement."
Unlike in Kanto, the age one became eligible for trainer status in Kalos was thirteen. A whopping three years later than any other region he knew. But this wasn't the only way Kalos differed from other League controlled regions. Surprisingly, however, these changes had benefited Kalos greatly. Their rookies tended to be more skilled than the rookies other regions produced.
After a twelve-hour flight of nothing but reading the in-depth entries on the region his pokedex offered, Ash was certain he knew more about the inner workings of the Kalos' League than a majority of its citizens.
Samuel made a sound of understanding. "You called me hoping I would write off on your request. However, I'm sorry to say your request is beyond my doing."
"Why?"
"If she were from Kanto or an adult I could perhaps help. But as minor and a citizen of Kalos, my hands are tied. I have no jurisdiction there," the Professor explained apologetically.
Ash cursed under his breath.
"Unfortunately, I have to inform you, given the sensitive nature of her situation, you will need someone of significant importance to approve your request."
Ash froze, giving the older man a stormy look. "You're talking about him, aren't you?"
Oak nodded, undisturbed by his glaring. He regularly dealt with an entire ranch of moody, temperamental creatures capable of raining down fire from the heavens. The young man's angsty stare wasn't worth batting an eye at. Though that didn't mean he didn't sympathize with him. He too had cut all ties with his former apprentice after his treatment of Delia.
"I understand your anger. But if helping this girl is as important to you as you make it out to be, then you'll need to face your fears and meet the man. It may be your only way of aiding her."
"I'm not afraid of him," Ash contended hotly.
"Then act like it. A part of being an adult is facing obligations with your head held high and accepting there are some situations which cannot be avoided. Eventually, you will have to face your father, whether you like it or not. So why not do so on your own terms?"
Ash sighed, running a hand absently through his hair. "How come is it that everyone around me keeps telling me how mature I am, yet you still treat me like a child."
Oak grinned crookedly into the camera. "Familiarity, mostly. You and Gary will always be brats. It comes with being a grandfather. No matter how old or mature you become, you'll always be a child in the eyes of the old."
"Oh yeah? Well, old people suck."
Oak barked out a laugh, unoffended. "If that's the case then let me ask you this then. If you didn't want to meet your father on some level, why is it you rushed off to Kalos in the first place?"
Ash sobered rather quickly at the line of questioning. His answer was slow in coming as he himself was only just beginning to puzzle it out in his head. "It wasn't a desire to meet him that brought me here," he mused honestly. "I wanted him to see firsthand that I was just fine without him in my life."
AN: No matter how many times I rewrote the opening scene between Ash and Sophie, I was never satisfied. So I just pushed it out.
Just so it's clear, Ash was sixteen when the events of New Island transpired. With the passing of a year, he's now seventeen. Also, I know there might be some of you that don't like that I gave Serena Emma's story. But I enjoyed both characters and wanted a new take on Serena. Their relationship, Ash's and Serena's, is one I'm really looking forward to exploring on paper.