"(Pokémon Translation)"
(Author's Note)
"(Telepathic / Aura Communication)"
"(Thoughts)"
"Murmuring / Whispering"
Chapter I : The Encounter
April 30, 2001 (Monday)
5:12 PM
The sunset is a beautiful time to watch, as for Ash, Delia, Pikachu and Dratini, who was sitting on Delia's left shoulder, they're almost at Professor Oak's Lab while watching the sun going down when they're walking on the road where it leads to the lab. They only take a look at the sunset for 2 - 3 minutes, then they look ahead of the road. For Ash, he was looking at his mother and Dratini. He smirk and thought to himself, "(I guess family think alike, huh?)"
He thought about the idea that Dratini is sitting on his mother's left shoulder and it was a good sight for him. As they walk, the neighbors were looking at them and smiled that they (Ash & Delia) had their Pokémon sitting at the same shoulder of their trainers. 2 minutes have passed and they're at the entrance of Prof. Oak's Lab. Then Delia said, "Go meet your Pokémon first, while I need to talk to Professor Oak first."
"Ummm... Mom? I have a feeling that Professor Oak is being interviewed by someone, but I do know who the reporter is and she traveled with me to interview him. So, I think they're at the Pokémon Ranch." "Ah, okay sweetie. Shall I go with you?" "Why do you ask, Mom?" "Hehe, just kidding. Of course I'll go with you." Then they go inside the Lab rather than go around it.
Meanwhile, Professor Samuel Oak, who is outside and taking care of the Pokémon that migrates from different places from different regions, is being interviewed by the reporter who was with Ash awhile ago, Alexa. While he is being interviewed, several children come from their houses to see the Pokémon that migrates from different places and Pokémon that were caught by none other than Ash Ketchum himself.
They've heard that Ash is coming home, so they waited. During those 5 years, they always watch Ash's competition from every conference from Kanto - Unova, for they always admire Ash from a trainer who doesn't know how to catch to an amateur trainer who can make combos and such to his Pokémon in a short amount of time. Most trainers are training in their own pace, but for Ash? He developed so many things that he is a little further ahead than most trainers.
They're waiting for him, especially for a certain trainer who also live in Pallet Town, who compete and became Top 8 in Indigo Plateau Conference and Top 4 in Lily of the Valley Conference. His name is Andre Mason.
A 12-year-old trainer whose birthday is February 12, 1989, with a Pikachu on his right shoulder and his outfit is a red polo shirt with white stripes on his collar, pocket and his sleeves, wearing black shirt inside. His outfit is similar to Ash's Kanto / Johto outfit, but different in some cases.
5:17 PM
The children saw their Kanto Professor is being interviewed by a female reporter, whom they don't know. Then a door from the Pokémon Lab opened and out came Ash and Delia Ketchum with their Pokémon on their shoulder. They're shouting for Ash, for he is famous in his town. Both Andre and his Pikachu are also excited to meet him, in person. Out of all the children's age, Andre is the oldest one since most children were only 7 - 11 years old.
(With Ash) As for them, they greet each other, Delia asking the reporter's name and Ash asking Professor Oak about how is his Pokémon. It's just as always when Ash return every once a year, just to see how well his Pokémon are. Ash noticed that there are children waiting for him. He became their number one idol since the day Ash competed in the Ever Grande Conference.
When he came to the children's side, they asked him a lot of questions like how is his journey to Unova, where are his Pokémon and asking how he make combos to his Pokémon, especially to Pikachu, whom they love it very much. When the kids are satisfied with what they want to know from his journey, Ash decided to let out all his Unova Pokémon and say hi to the children. Ash gave a warning to his Pokémon that they shouldn't do something that may harm the safeties of the children around him, which they nodded.
Since the children are almost old enough to make their own decision, they understand what will happen if they do something that angers their idol's Pokémon and don't want any trouble. Ash smile at them, to see how he grown so much and to see the shining smile from the children. He don't want to hurt every children's dream of seeing new Pokémon, but he feels secure, because he knows what the children are doing to his Unova Pokémon, except Charizard.
Andre saw new Pokémon that his idol caught and was excited to see them as well, but he should properly introduce himself first to his idol. So, he waited until he saw an opportunity to introduce himself to Ash. When the kids are playing Ash's Pokémon who are Snivy, Oshawott, Pignite, Charizard and Scraggy, Ash and Pikachu saw one person and his Pokémon walking towards them.
He saw Andre's Pikachu is sitting on the trainer's right shoulder, which make Ash smile because they had the same situation and the same Pokémon as the person who is in front of him. "You're Ash Ketchum, right?" "Yup, that's me. You are?" "I'm Andre Mason and this is my partner, Pikachu."
"Pika pika (It's me alright.)" When Ash heard him, he remembered his days when he was the same age as Andre when introducing himself. "I've been your number one fan ever since you competed at Indigo Plateau Conference here in Kanto." The 12-year-old boy said with a smile on his face, but when Ash heard the Indigo Plateau Conference, he was shocked and a little sad, since he remembered the day his Charizard is not listening to him, which cause him to be an embarrassment to everyone who watch.
"I'm not a good trainer during that time. Everyone looked at me like a loser that is easily beaten since that time." He said with a sad smile on his face and look away, refusing to look at the 12-year-old trainer eye-to-eye. When he said that, Andre chuckled, which make Ash look at him with a confused look or a sad expression that he already know that Andre will laugh at him.
Instead, "That is true to everyone who watch at a trainer who lose at the conference, but during that time..." He stopped, and continued. "When I saw you at one of the TV shows, your Charizard never listened to you, because you're not a trainer that he was expecting you to be, but you did your best to make him accept who you are." Ash was listening what Andre is saying, but had a little mixed up emotions since he doesn't know if the young boy's insulting him or not.
"When I saw you battle at region conferences, you don't want to give up, even at disadvantages and that is what I really admire about you. Finding an open way to hit, making a battlefield your own advantage and so much more. That is what inspired me to use disadvantage Pokémon, even if my opponent has an upper hand. But because of your tricks, I've been finding my own way to use my disadvantage an advantage over my opponent. My mom always told that I shouldn't judge a trainer's attitude by using their disadvantaged Pokémon and such, but judge what was in his / her heart and soul."
Ash was astonished and surprised by what the younger trainer said, including his buddy, Pikachu. He close his eyes for few seconds, then he smiled and said, "Such inspiring, yet big words for a number one fan of me." This cause the 12-year-old trainer get embarrassed and scratched his hair since he's not the type of person who is boastful or full of pride.
"Just kidding." He said before chuckling and then, "Thanks for motivating me, Andre. I really appreciate it." "No problem, sir." "Heh, you can call me by my name." He said, which Andre nodded and ask if he can sit down beside him, which the 14-year-old trainer nodded as well. Few minutes have passed and they talk about their similarities and weaknesses and what a coincidence, they somehow had the same similarities, weaknesses and Pokémon, but only some of them. They are cheery, smart, open-minded, kind and so much more, especially in singing. (They're not really dense, well only a little. But, ah, whatever.)
Ash started singing when he's 8 while Andre started when he's 7. They even have the same starter, but different moves. Ash's Pikachu's ability is Static and his moves are Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail and Electro Ball while Andre's Pikachu's ability is Lightning Rod and his moves are Thunderbolt, Volt Tackle, Iron Tail and Protect. Andre doesn't even know how he had a starter with a rare ability.
After talking for about 15 - 30 minutes, Ash wanted to introduce his Pokémon to his close friend, which Andre do not know about the new Pokémon his idol caught, since he first go to him rather than meeting his Pokémon. Andre said that the Pokémon who are currently with him are Charizard, Infernape, Staraptor, Dragonite and Floatzel. He only said it, not show it. "These are not the only ones that I caught, if you're wondering." "Heh, I thought you might say that." Ash said before they chuckle.
"It would be better if we could wait since we don't want to harm the others if we want to introduce to each other's Pokémon. I have a feeling there will be rivalry when they meet other." Ash said while referring to both their Pokémon when they'll first introduce later, which Andre nodded and they wait until the children return home.
5:45 PM
It took them a while for the kids to go home and after that, Andre released his Pokémon to meet the new Pokémon from his new friend. Most of their Pokémon had a happy atmosphere that they get to talk with each other happily while for two Charizards, they wanted to battle already because of their intense similarities, wanting to know who is stronger and who is weaker until...
"CHARIZARD!" Both trainers shout making their Pokémon look at them what is the problem, while for the 2 Flame Pokémon look at them, thinking that they will be scolded for going to fight each other quickly. "You both will have your duel soon, but not right now and tomorrow." "For now, you have to talk to each other, what are your similarities and so much more." Andre said after what Ash said to both Charizard.
Then both the Flame Pokémon growled in defeat and fly around, but they know that if they battle each other, it will cause chaos and wreak havoc to the Pallet Town. As they see their Flame Pokémon fly, they let them go, because they believe that they'll never battle in a place like this and not only that, they have their faith to never battle in a not-a-battleground arena.
Then they see 2 similar Pokémon who are talking to each other. Both are small, quadruped Pokémon that has blue-green skin with darker green patches. It has red eyes with white pupils and scleras. It also has pointed, ear-like structures on top of its head. Its snout is short and blunt, and it has a wide mouth. A pair of small, pointed teeth are visible in the upper jaw when its mouth is open.
Each of its thick legs ends with three sharp claws. On its back is a green plant bulb, which is grown from a seed planted there at birth. "BULBASAUR!" Both trainers shout as they and waved to one of their oldest Pokémon that they've caught. "Bulba! (Hey!)" Both Bulbasaur said in unison with a happy expression as they run towards their trainers. As they, both the Pokémon and the trainers, are getting close to each other, both Bulbasaur jumped and both trainers spread their arms to catch their old buddy whom they haven't seen for almost a year. Ash's Pikachu hugged their old friend as well.
After a few minutes of embracing each other, Ash asked "How you've been, buddy?" "Bulba bulbasaur saur. (Fine, same day like every day.)" After that, the same goes to Andre who asked his old friend, the same answer from Andre's Bulbasaur just like Ash's. After for a few minutes of finish talking of how they're doing without their trainer, both Ash and Andre said in unison, "Can you call all the Pokémon, Bulbasaur?" They both realized what they are asking which makes them surprised at each other. Their Bulbasaur also noticed this as they got a surprised expression as well with eyes wide open and then both Bulbasaur and Pikachu laugh from what their buddies (Andre Ash) just said.
Then the trainers laugh as well, "(Close friends think alike, huh?)" both the trainers thought about it to themselves after they laugh, which only took about 10 seconds. "Well, back to our requests, Bulbasaur." Ash said to his Bulbasaur and then looked at Andre's Bulbasaur with a smile and nod, which he understands what it means. Then both Bulbasaurs powered up their special move Solar Beam and as when it's about to ignite, it goes up and... 'Boom', out came like a firework with different patterns.
Alexa was amazed by the scenery and said that it looks like a colorful firework, which Professor Oak explains that both Bulbasaur are using Solar Beam to signal or call Pokémon caught specifically in certain regions like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova. Since Professor Oak explained it, he said that this two Solar Beams are different, one firework calls all Pokémon from Kanto to Unova while the other one calls all Pokémon from Kanto and Sinnoh, which make Alexa confused whose firework from Kanto and Sinnoh owned by.
Professor Oak apologizes for not introducing a trainer who wants to become like Ash Ketchum, but the only difference is that the trainer wants to be the best he and his Pokémon can be. Ash and Andre's Pokémon noticed the fireworks, for they only know one thing and that is there is an important event or a certain meeting. They came out of the forest and with a surprised expression, they see their trainers again. They run towards them and tackled them to the ground and embraced them.
For the Pikachus and Bulbasaurs' view, they saw their friends coming towards them, but not at them, but at their trainers whose gone to an adventure for 9 - 10 months. Their expressions are terrified because it look like an enormous stampede with different Pokémon coming at them with full speed, so they ran out of harm's way and in time they evade the stampede of Pokémon that their trainers caught and spend time with.
For the trainers' view, they are happy to see their old buddies again and also terrified that it's like a Tauros stampede. They braced themselves for the incoming stampede and then they tackled them and gave a happy scream that they (Pokémon) meet their trainers again. They always want to meet their trainers because of their trainers' absence of not being with them. Little did they know that Delia Ketchum and Ellen Mason (Andre's Mother) are watching their reunion and it's a happy sight to see the Pokémon-Trainer reunion.
They know each other since the day Ellen saw... someone with Dratini. It turns out it's Delia and her Dratini. Ellen became interested to Delia and that day start their friendship. They've been talking for awhile during those days. Delia telling Ellen about how she found Dratini and Ellen telling Delia her years of being a trainer and so much more that are... Ladies / girls stuffs.
6:15 PM
It's almost like 10 minutes of talking to each other, but it's 30 minutes already. Ash almost forgot if Alexa is staying at the Pallet Town for only few days. So he went inside the Lab and wish if she's still interviewing or talking with Professor Oak while Andre followed him inside. There they saw Alexa talking with Professor Oak, but it seems that they're almost finish talking / interviewing. Ash asked Alexa if she's going to stay at Pallet Town for only few days, but Alexa said that tomorrow she will return to her region, which make the raven-haired trainer think of how to contact her.
Luckily, she gave him her number if he will accept of going to Kalos region and so that Alexa will reserve an airport ticket of going from Kanto to Kalos. Alexa saw a younger trainer beside Ash and was curious of who he is. Andre introduce himself and his partner Pikachu as well. After a few minutes of talking, both trainers went outside to stretch their arms, see the night stars and sigh. "Well, shall we continue our talk tomorrow?"
Andre asked which Ash said "Yup... Thanks for talking with me. I miss my companions so much that it made me feel lonely. But when you came to me, I forget all the loneliness I have inside me, and gain a new friend." After hearing that, the 12-year-old trainer smiled and said "Same, my friend. Same... Well, I'm going home now. I'm guessing that you'll wait for your mother?"
"Yeah. Well, let's talk tomorrow." Before they leave, they raise one of their hands and fist bump each other and Andre went home with his mother, while Ash waited for his mother which it didn't take too long and went home to the road opposite of where Andre went. While walking towards their house, they sighed and remembered their childhood memories where they used to play all time. Ash is playing games with his childhood at Professor Oak's Summer Camp while Andre is playing with his at the Viridian Forest.
Then they sighed and both are having the same thoughts, "(What a day.)"
Well, that is the end of Chapter I : The Encounter. Bet you didn't expect a little plot twist right there, eh? If you do, well alright then. Also if you want to know about Andre Mason's Pokémon's moves, here.
Charizard (Male)
Moves: Flamethrower, Dragon Claw, Flare Blitz and Seismic Toss
Ability: Blaze (When Pokémon's HP is lower, it powers up Fire-type moves by 50%)
Infernape (Male)
Moves: Flamethrower, Dig, Close Combat and Poison Jab
Ability: Blaze
Staraptor (Male)
Moves: Brave Bird, Roost, Steel Wing and Close Combat
Ability: Reckless (Powers up moves that have recoil damage)
Dragonite (Male)
Moves: Dragon Rush, Protect, Ice Beam and Thunder Punch
Ability: Inner Focus (Prevents Pokémon from flinching)
Floatzel (Male)
Moves: Aqua Jet, Ice Punch, Focus Blast and Iron Tail
Ability: Swift Swim (Doubles the Pokémon's Speed during rain)
I would not mention Andre's Pikachu's moves and ability, for I mentioned it awhile ago in this chapter.