First off, this chapter takes place BEFORE Chapter One, "Wings." I am currently deciding whether or not to have this chapter and Chapter One switch places to smoothen out the chronology.
As for the reviews:
Skywa1ker: Thank you sir. A new writer like me definitely wants encouragement, so when I read your review, the reaction was akin to a squirrel pouncing on the last acorn on Earth. Summer's coming up soon, so I hope to bash out a decent number of chapters then.
LightRayPearlshipper: Well after reading your review, I've changed the rating to M, which gives me more freedom to write what I want instead of having to "un-adult-ize" certain parts. As for chapter length, I tend to like being more concise than others, but after reading some monstrous 10k+ words per chapter stories, I am trying to flesh out the details and pack more plot into each chapter. However, Chapters One and Two were, in my mind, designed to provide backstory for both Anabel and Ash, so I wanted to make them somewhat shorter. Your last point about how "Wings" should be Chapter 2 was well said and is under consideration. Thank you for providing constructive criticism instead of straight up saying, "This story sucks."
Though this fic is now rated M, do NOT expect a lemon. I know much about many mature topics, but, simply put, I am waaaaaaaay too young to write one. If I do put a lemon in this story, I will not write it myself, but instead have someone else do it and possibly have them publish it as a separate story.
One last note. After reading numerous AbilityShipping fanfictions involving the Ash-goes-into-solitude-and-then-reappears-at-a-major-tournament concept, I have been conflicted. Should I keep my current plot? Should I switch and start anew? Or should I go the "From Servant to Stardom" route and mash both together (by the way MisterP you are awesome)? Let me know in your reviews or in the poll on my profile.
Also, in this story, Ash can understand Pokemon language due to his aura if the bond between him and the Pokemon is extremely strong and if the Pokemon is aware of his powers. Basically just Pikachu. Note how I said that Ash can UNDERSTAND Pokemon language. His powers are different from those of Anabel, who has a two-way connection with a Pokemon's mind, friendly or not.
Chapter 2
Frozen
The Kanto region. Truly spectacular, teeming with Pokemon and people. Many elements of both nature and civilization come together to form such a beautiful place.
In Kanto, one of the most famous buildings is Professor Oak's laboratory. Though not visually appealing, some of the most important discoveries and breakthroughs in Pokemon research have been made here. Located in Pallet Town, it gives Pokemon trainers their starter Pokemon and Pokedexes, devices that identify Pokemon and give the trainer information about the species. The Oak Ranch provides a perfect habitat, serving as a daycare of sorts.
As such, Pallet Town has become known for Professor Oak's research center alone, overshadowing the remarkable accomplishments of one of its residents.
Ever since he lost the Unova league, Ash has never been the same. To the casual observer, Ash hardly changed. His signature cap, those weird lightning bolts on his cheeks (A/N: What ARE those anyway?), his beloved friend Pikachu by his side (or on his shoulder), even his voracious appetite that rivaled that of the Gible he caught in Sinnoh-all of that was still there. However, those who personally knew him sensed something wrong.
In his room, Ash sat. No writing, no reading, nothing. He just sat blankly, and went wherever his mind might take him. Such was the new way of life for him. Such was how life had gone for six whole months.
On the bed, Pikachu only stared at his trainer. Under his cute expression, he was experiencing a peculiar mix of emotions. Here was one of the bravest humans ever to exist, one who gained the favor of even Arceus. One who, at such a young age, participated in and achieved incredible results in multiple tournaments and leagues. Even more impressively, he didn't make any special effort to train his Pokemon: his victories were ensured by a combination of resourcefulness and deep friendship with his Pokemon, especially Pikachu. Pikachu knew this: he would do anything, absolutely anything for Ash, who had already done so much for him and would continue to as long as he lived.
But Pikachu also saw Ash's greatest flaw.
If anyone else was asked what that defect might be, he or she might say that Ash tended to behave recklessly. Others (especially Paul) might say that he didn't train his Pokemon hard enough and didn't bring out their full potential. And they would be partly right. These were not flaws in themselves, but rather the manifestation of one: selflessness. Not just selfless as in unselfishness and benevolence, but selfless as in a complete lack of care and respect for oneself. This weakness was alleviated temporarily when he started to travel with friends such as Brock, but defeat would eventually cause him to relapse. Coupled with an incredibly dense mind that failed to really sense what others felt for him and an increasingly long string of failures, it came as no surprise to Pikachu that his trainer was depressed.
His conduct, once lively, cheerful, and borderline cocky, had changed to sullen, restrained, and gray. His bond with his Pokemon remained strong, but it was easy to see that Ash had lost his desire to battle. He was no longer a Pokemon trainer who thirsted for competition and victory, but instead he was one who thought that the world did not love him and that he, therefore, could not love it back.
Even worse, Ash actually liked someone. A certain Frontier Brain known as the Salon Maiden. Before, Ash was merely friends with her. But after being separated from her for so long, the feelings only intensified. Though he knew Anabel was not a love interest, Pikachu worried about this attraction. Having never been smitten with anyone before, if Ash eventually fell into love with Anabel, then he would do so quite deeply. And if Anabel didn't love him back...
I've seen Ash's face when he daydreams like this, Pikachu mused. It's easy to know when he thinks of Anabel: he smiles. Not in a forced or goofy way, but in a...happy way. Odd. He hasn't been happy since forever.
Ash had not only lost a tournament, he had also lost himself. And it was this last part, not the first, that distressed Pikachu.
Meanwhile, Ash thought. He thought about many things, some happy, most sad. Memories of his past tournaments resurfaced, as if taunting him.
Indigo Conference: I lost to a trainer with the exact same Pokemon...I must've been really bad. Who knows, I might still be.
Orange League: Sure, I won, but that battle against Drake showed me how far away from my goal I was. His strongest Pokemon, Dragonite, beat almost my whole team! I was just lucky that his other Pokemon were weaker.
Silver Conference: Beat Gary. What did it matter? Gary went on to become a great Pokemon researcher, while I'm just here, being pathetic. And on top of that, I lost against Harrison when he used a Pokemon I'd never even seen before!
Ever Grande Conference: It was a close battle, maybe, but...Pikachu! My best friend! Lost to a Meowth! I know that Pikachu is strong, so why did we lose...? Maybe because of me...
Lily of the Valley Conference: I didn't even win using my own Pokemon...Infernape belonged to Paul...and then I got smashed by Tobias...
Vertress Conference: I lost because of an evolution...
I was so close to victory all those times, but what's changed? It's not like my results have improved by much. In fact, after leaving Sinnoh, my results worsened.
Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm just not cut out for competitive battling...
And then, another memory rose up from the depths.
The Battle Frontier: At least no one can take that accomplishment away from me. Beating Brandon must mean something...especially if Scott wanted me to become a Frontier Brain...
Wait, what?
Ash's eyes widened.
Hm, being a Frontier Brain doesn't sound half bad, actually. I mean, look at Anabel. She gets so much free time, and I'm guessing the pay is huge. If only I actually thought about this back then...
"I'm an idiot!"
"PIKA!?"
A startled Pikachu suddenly jumped up, bouncing on the bed and falling onto the floor before jumping back onto the sheets, an irritated expression on his face.
Ash chuckled. "Sorry buddy, but I just had a great idea."
"Kachu?"
"You know the Battle Frontier?"
"Chu."
"You know how Scott wanted me to become a Brain?"
"Chu."
"Well, I think I'm gonna try! Whadda ya say?"
"Chu!" His mood's better! Sweet!
"All I gotta do is call hi-crap."
Ash suddenly reverted back to his default, somber expression, piquing Pikachu's concern and curiosity.
"Pika pi?"
"It's been...let's see, about, I dunno, two years since he made that offer? What if it's too late?" Ash sighed. "Curse my rotten luck, god da-"
"Pika, pika chu, kachu pi." (Calm, Ash. CALM. It's ok.)
"No, it's not okay! Someone else probably already took my place! And th-"
"Chu ka pika chu pichu kachu pika pi kapi chu ka." (How about you actually CALL him first, Mr. Genius. Professor Oak might have his number.)
"...Good idea."
After Ash rushed out of the room, Pikachu smiled.
He's probably thinking of Anabel right now. Like, maybe her purple hair, or her telepathy, or her face, or her clothing, or lack th-
Pikachu shook his head. Let's not think of that right now. He pounced off the bed, landing on the floor and scurrying downstairs, barely making it in time to hop onto Ash's shoulder as Ash was about to head out.
Ash had been frozen in the past for far too long. It was time for him to move onward.
LET IT GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I just had to jump on the bandwagon.