Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.
Chapter Warnings: Language
Chapter 3 - Partners
Ash is staring up at the ceiling next to him. Papers strewn in every direction after the hours spent reviewing. Other study groups talk quietly nearby. Giving the barracks a dull hum in the late hour.
"Hey Gary?" Ash questions. "Which pokemon are you going to pick for your team selection after we graduate?"
"That depends on if we make it into the Four and get one of the battle trained starters." He explains, "Depending on which one chooses you, it changes your entire team in order to have a balanced unit."
Ash sits in silence contemplating what the other said. Gary locks eyes with his partner who sits up straight as if sensing Gary's change in mood.
"No matter what though, I will get an ice type." Gary declared. "They are the only ones that can cause any significant damage to the dragons."
Gary turns to glare at the ceiling as rage once again washes over him. After a few minutes, he feels Ash give him a slight shove to let him know that he wants to go to bed. Gary rises and plops back onto his own cot. He stares at his clenched fists in silence as his mind tumbles over the horrors of his past.
A soft, hesitant whisper interrupts Gary's thoughts as if Ash knew that what he was about to say will upset him. "You can also get a rock type you know. Most dragons are flyers."
A figure hunched over the beast. A set of wings spreading out into the night.
Ash turns over to leave Gary to his thoughts. Maybe i will add a rock type to my team. It would certainly be satisfying to see them be crushed under thousands of pounds of rubble. Gary closes his eyes as he falls into an exhausted, restless sleep.
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
The next few days pass in a blur for Ash. Between the studying and extra drills he had to accomplish for their advanced classes, he can barely remember time passing. In his exhaustion, he ended up passing out immediately after his final exams and slept on until the next morning.
Graduation day.
Ash looks down at his new official League uniform. He goes over each piece with a critical eye. Well fitted cargo pants. Tight, long sleeve, Kevlar shirt. Sleeveless, zip-up jacket with zip-up pockets. Heavy combat boots. And a thick belt to hold his pokemon team, sword, and a few pouches.
Ash examines the black material. The only color that could be found are the red strings and edges of his jacket and the metallic silver of his belt. However, he is no stranger to the League's wardrobe stylings.
It's harder to see blood when you wear black and red after all.
At the sound of the Assembly Bell, Ash throws his clothes on and rushes out the door to find his partner. He sees Gary waiting for him and joins him to march to the Parade Ground with the rest of the soldiers on Base.
In the middle of the wide open space, his fellow graduating cadets join them in front of a small wooden stage. They stand at attention as they wait for their Commander to make an appearance. The younger cadets and ranking officers fall in line behind them.
The air itself seems to stand still as a tall man walks up onto the stage. Short black hair gleams in the sun. His steps thunder against the boards as he walks towards the middle and turns to face them. Not a single sound can be heard as he stares out at the 30 graduating cadets before him. His eyes are a pitch black that strike Ash frozen. Not a single hint of emotion can be seen on the man's face. Staring out over the crowd, he crosses his arms behind his back and he waits.
Ash breath catches at the intimidating figure before him. He's wearing the same uniform as the graduating soldiers but it just seems to belong on him. Hell, it practically looks painted onto him with the way the material strains against the bulging muscles.
Ash begins to feel dizzy. Reminding himself of his need for oxygen, he takes in a steady breath and steals his nerves.
The Commander takes a step forward. "Cadets." The deep voice carrying easily over the open ground. Everyone immediately straightens in anticipation.
"Today marks your first day as official League soldiers. Once this ceremony is completed, you will have the rest of the day to complete your team reports. You and your new partner will leave after breakfast tomorrow morning. You will be given one month to find and prepare your team before you must report to your assigned stations. Is this understood?"
The Commander was nothing if not succinct.
"Yes, sir!" The soon-to-be-soldiers yell back. Eyes forward, shoulders back. It's not often that they see the Commander in person. Many stories have been whispered to each other at night about his ruthless demeanor. His unyielding punishments on those who disobey his orders. The cadets stand rigid in the posture that has been drilled into them from an early age.
Once again, the Commander scans the crowd. "As I am sure all of you are aware, the Four who scored the highest in the class will be gifted a partner pokemon as a reward for their hard work. They will also receive transportation to a destination of their choice to aid in their journey. In order to increase the success of missions, future teams will be built around the Four since they have the highest chance of mission completion."
A clipboard is pulled from behind the Commander's back. "Come forward if your name is called."
A wave of excitement rushes through the graduates. Ash casts a quick glance at Gary who seems calm as ever with the side of his mouth pulled up in a small smirk. Feeling anger and betrayal claw at his insides, Ash quickly sets his face into an unemotional mask.
The mask they have been trained to wear to hide everything from their enemies lest they find a way to be manipulated.
Bastard. He has no worries about his ranking. These could be the last few minutes of our partnership and he isn't concerned at all!
"Jessica Rochester. Fourth"
Ash's brown eyes widen in shock. There are not many females on the soldier-side of the Academy, so it is quite shocking to have one make it into the Four. Especially since she wasn't in their advanced classes. His eyes follow the tall redhead as she walks onto the stage. How can she even fight with hair that goes past her ass? Doesn't that get in the way? Her blue eyes stare across her comrades' heads as she stands at the ready next to the Commander.
"James Morgan. Third."
As the man climbs onto the stage, Ash squints in confusion at the odd look that passes by the two graduates. However, it only lasts for a moment. Ash decides to ignore it.
While the man is tall, about an inch or two taller than his soon to be partner, his hair is a bright shade of blue. They will certainly make a colorful pair.
He freezes as he realizes that there are only two names left to be called and one of them will be Gary without a doubt. Maybe he didn't do as well on the tests as he thought he did...He was able to answer every question easily enough...Gary wouldn't have purposefully taught him the wrong material when they were studying together would he?
"-Second. For highest overall Battle Simulation score on record."
Air catches in his throat. His thoughts were so turbulent that he missed the name the Commander called. He missed the name of Gary's new partner.
Ash feels a rush of sadness and disappointment overcome him as he allows his eyes to wander, waiting for the soldier to take the stage. When Gary clears his throat next to him, he chances a glance towards the brunet, wondering what was wrong with him.
Seeing the slight tilt of Gary's head toward the stage, Ash's gazes snaps back forward. Brown eyes widen in disbelief to see the Commander's impatient black orbs boring into him. He quickly marches forward onto the stage and takes his place next to the blue haired man. His mind blank in amazement.
I actually made it? And second no less? With a new record in Battle Simulations? This has to be a dream.
Ash glances over to see that Gary is still smirking up at him. He offers a tight nod in return.
"Gary Oak. First. For highest scores on record in Weapons, Battle Strategy and Military Law Enforcement."
Ash's grin widens against his will as his now permanent partner walks up next to him. Of course Gary aced every exam. Damn genius. His eyes roam over the soldiers in front of him. His classmates and younger cadets gazing up at the Four with awe and respect. His instructors nod their heads in approval behind the young recruits.
The Commander turns to face the Four as he once again folds his hands behind his back. "Thank you on your hard work cadets. Are you prepared to receive your new pokemon?"
Saluting smartly at the Commander's praise, the Four call out in strong voices. "Yes, sir!"
A soldier walks on stage and presents a small box to the Commander who tosses four small objects in front of the Four. Bright light emerges from the spheres and begin to take shape of a blue turtle, red lizard, a green bulb, and a yellow mouse. Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur and Pikachu emerge from their holdings with their League-issued shock collars around their necks.
Ash recognizes them all. He had battled with each of them just yesterday after all.
"Starters, you may now pick your trainer."
The pokemon glance briefly at the Commander before eyeing the Four in front of them. Several seconds pass as one side eyes the other. Finally, Squirtle waddles over to stand next to Gary as Bulbasaur walks to the blue haired man.
Ash fights the urge to fidget. The other two are just staring at him and the girl. Do they not want us? Will we be rejected? That's never happened before.
Charmander takes a hesitant step towards Ash. A grin stretches across Ash's face in hope of convincing the small fire pokemon towards him.
As Charmander takes another step forward, a jolting spark slams into the wood just in front of its little clawed feet. The fire type freezes as Pikachu darts in front of it to sit at Ash's feet. Small sparks of electricity jumping out from its cheeks as it glares back at the Charmander.
The small red lizard hesitates once again before walking over to the redhead. Ash blinks down in confusion at the yellow mouse who glances at him briefly before turning around to look over the crowd.
As he looks back over to the Charmander, he sees the small creature looking back at him with a sad, defeated look on its face. Is the little guy that upset he won't be with me? Ash's gaze is drawn up to the fire pokemon's trainer to see the redhead glaring at him. What the hell? Whatever that was, it wasn't his fault.
Ash watches in silence as the young woman looks down at the pokemon at her feet, blue eyes blazing with anger. The pokemon seems to curl further into itself. Ash turns back towards his new pokemon when he feels a tail brush against his leg. Right. Gotta stand at attention.
The Commander moves to the middle of the stage once more. "Presenting Team Alpha. Major Gary Oak and Squirtle with Major Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. And Team Beta. Major James Morgan and Bulbasaur with Major Jessica Rochester and Charmander."
The Four and their new partners salute. They wait patiently while the Commander lists off the remaining pairs for their month off. The soldier who brought the box presents each of the Four with the pokeballs to return their new pokemon.
Once handed his pokeball, Ash looks down to call back his new companion but freezes at the terrified look on its face. Is it scared of me? But that makes no sense since it basically just fought to choose me...
He watches in silence as the rodent looks quickly at the Commander. Ash glances up to the see the man quietly watching them from the side with a stony look on his face.
Pikachu looks back up at Ash before looking down at the ground. Its small body slumped in resignation. Ash turns to Gary but the brunet was already off the stage. I'll have to call it out later to try to find out what is bothering it.
"Pikachu, return."
A red light engulfs the small creature before him and flies back into the red and white ball. Once the ball shrinks to a smaller size, Ash attaches it onto his belt and marches off the stage to catch up with his partner.
"Looks like you are stuck with me now." Ash calls out cheekily once they are out of sight of their superiors. Gary rolls his green eyes before slinging an arm over his shoulder.
"No thank you Ashy-boy? We both know that you were only up there thanks to my awesomeness at tutoring."
Ash grins wider at his friend before slapping him on his back. "What are you talking about? The Commander said it was all thanks to my battle skills! I told you that it would work out!"
"Please," Gary scoffs. "You didn't even hear him call your name called since you were freaking out so much."
Ash lets the comment slide as nothing can take away his happiness at the moment. "Whatever Gary! It doesn't matter anymore. We each have our own pokemon now and since we get to stay as partners, they will most likely assign us to Pallet Town so we get to see Professor Oak all the time now."
A small smile emerges on Gary's face. He must miss his Grandpa. He hasn't been allowed to see him in a while.
Ash smiles in return, threatening to permanently etch itself onto his face. His friend's smiles are rare. All he usually gets is a glare or a smirk thrown his way. "Thanks for the help, Gary."
The small smile widens.
Ash looks down at the small ball on his belt. His very first pokemon. His journey has now officially begun.
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
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Next up: Chapter 4 - Leaving