I'll answer a couple of reviews before I get to the bigger anouncement.
Snoidragonz: Do you mean Iris's Dragonite? I haven't really thought of him, considering I didn't even know he existed before I started doing some research for this fic. I guess I'm just gonna leave him where he is, as Iris's Pokémon. Ash doesn't really need a Dragonite either way, what's the point of just making him win with Pokémon that are nothing but OP? I don't just love Pikachu because he took out a Latios, I love Pikachu because his species is supposed to be weak and frail, and he's not. He's kickass and super powerful and half a meter tall and takes out Legendaries.
Also, there's a list of future Pokémon that Ash shall catch on my profile. I can add to it at any time.
The Dimensional Reader: I could never forget about Snivy. She was my favourite part of the entire season. She didn't completely suck, and that was only because she left her last trainer behind. Ash barely trained her at all. Some Master. She won't be in for another couple of chapters, though.
Team Rocket is going to be coming up soon, and as for the pairing? Results are in from the poll, and here they are.
Third place was a four way tie. PokeShipping, and I know I will probably annoy a few people when I say this, but I'm fine with it not winning, as it's one of my less preferred pairings. I ship it, just not as much as others. AmourShipping, which I've never watched any of the Kalos episodes (because Unova killed the magic for me, seriously fuck Unova). Are they any good? RaimeiShipping, which I didn't even know was a thing, and DeathShipping. I wonder what the age gap for those last two would be?
Second place happens to go to my second favourite pairing, AdvanceShipping. It lost the poll by a single point.
And would you look at the luck I have? First place in the poll is my PokéOTP. I'm sorry to everyone who did not want this outcome, but please keep in mind that it was the result of the only democracy you're getting. This story is now officially going to be PearlShipping. I can't promise that romance will be a main focus, but I'll be introducing Dawn this chapter. Also, for the sake of the story, the Unova region has started holding contests in the two years Ash spent pulling his head out of his ass.
I can tell you already that I will not enjoy writing them. At all. Not nearly enough explosions.
XxX
"You know what, Tepig?"
Ash's newest Fire Type looked up at the slightly singed teen, small puffs of smoke shooting from his nostrils in tandem with his short gasps to breath.
The latest idea to train both Tepig's accuracy and his own Aura abilities simultaneously had been, in a word, disastrous. At least there was two Water Types on hand to extinguish the...side effects.
Letting a small film of Aura leak around his hand, Ash held an arm up, the small rock that had been traveling towards him at high speed shattering against the Protect shield.
"I need to figure out how to teach all of you to use Aura. That'd be really useful in battle." Ash leant back against a tree, feeling Tepig curl against his side. Blowing a speck of soot from his nose, he turned his eyes to the sky, watching as Swellow effectively detonated a cloud of Stone Edge pebbles with a well developed Boomburst.
His journey from Accumula Town had been one of much merriment, despite the many odd looks he'd received dancing out of the Battle Club. On his way back to the Pokémon Center, Iris had caught up with him, and offered to give him a proper tour of his surroundings, an apology of sorts for questioning both his abilities and mental stability.
Ash glanced down to his wrist, where his first large purchase of the Unova region resided. The blue cross-transceiver was apparently one of the greatest innovations for the entire continent, with a price tag that would make most people cry. Not that the money taken from his account would honestly affect his future too badly.
Iris had been impressed with his monetary worth, to say the least. Being an Elite level trainer honestly was where all the money was at.
The prize money he'd received after his battle with Drake alone would have been enough for his mother to retire as one of the wealthiest people on her side of Kanto. Then again, every single building in Pallet Town could probably be covered in gold if Professor Oak was brought into the equation...
He'd already accepted the fact that he would never understand how the payment system after battles actually worked, all those months ago when he'd asked Professor Oak for clarification. All he'd been capable of retaining from that particular lesson was that it had something to do with the Internet and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Pokédex, with the recent commercialisation of the now rich Professor's invention making the process all the more useful.
The device had already payed for itself in usefulness, barely a full day after its purchase. Not only could he call anyone without need for a phone (never again would he be forced to face the wrath of his worrying mother), but now he could switch between his Pokémon team with one single call to Oak's lab. Something along the lines of being connected to the system that was responsible for tracking and tagging Poké Balls to their trainers, and a new advancement in using Psychic energy for transportation in place of old and easy to hack machinery.
How was he supposed to understand? He was a trainer, not a scientist.
Ash had stayed up until late, playing around with his new toy. Of course, sitting atop a bed within a Pokémon Center would always be the preferred environment for learning how technology functioned, as opposed to out on the road, with the constant threat of attack looming from behind every tree.
A somehow exasperated cry of, "Floatzel!" rang out across the clearing Ash had chosen for that morning's training, bringing the trainer's attention further down the tree line. His recently evolved Pokémon stood, his head in one paw, as Oshawott flailed helplessly from the ground. Pikachu, having joined Floatzel in his training session with the Sea Otter Pokémon, stood beside the Sea Weasel Pokémon, the light blue glowing orb he was maintaining fluctuating mildly as he laughed.
Well, it wasn't a training session unless something happened.
Ash watched on as Oshawott leapt to his feet, pawing wildly at the ice covering his eyes as he ran headlong into a tree.
A rapid succession of thuds sounded from across the clearing, as all the stones in Sandile's control fell to the ground, the cackling Desert Croc Pokémon completely losing his composure as he rolled onto his back. Gliscor followed soon after, leaving their opponents during their double training battle, Pidove and Swellow, to look on curiously.
Ash sighed, being sure to not step on Tepig as he climbed to his feet. Even from his position many meters away, he could clearly make out the frozen fur beneath his Pokémon's mouth.
"It's great that you're picking up new moves and all," Ash crossed the distance separating him from his inept Water Type, laying what he hoped would be a placating hand atop his head as he leant down beside him, "but how did you manage to Ice Beam your own eyelids?"
The noise level in the clearing ascended quite suddenly; two birds soon joining the Ground Types in laughing their way to tears.
Oshawott slumped onto the grass, not bothering to react as Tepig sat down beside him.
"These things happen." Oshawott scowled at the laughter his trainer was trying so desperately to contain, feeling the hand leave his head as his fellow starter's body temperature began to rise. "Come on, if it were anyone else you'd be laughing."
"...Osha." The noise was muffled, still easy enough to distinguish above all the rest. A single drop of freezing water glided down the Sea Otter Pokémon's face, the recently melted ice falling from lips threatening to twist into a smile.
"That's enough for today." Ash straightened up, glancing at his cross-transceiver. "The next town is our first Gym Battle, and we'll be there in about an hour."
XxX
Sometimes, it would be nice if Aura could be used to dull senses.
Ash and Pikachu grimaced, both trainer and rider picking up pace as they made their way through the marketplace. Not throwing any more than a cursory glance towards any of the surrounding tables, for fear of whatever was poisoning the air never being cleansed from their memories, they continued on their path, towards where the Gym was said to reside.
Natural medicines were amazing, but keeping them in his backpack, where they could get to his food, just wouldn't be worth it. He'd rather be sick than hungry, and he had Potions for any other situation on hand anyway.
Ash had already pulled a map up on his cross-transceiver (oh, how he loved this technology). All he had to do was follow it.
Easy.
"We're lost, aren't we buddy?"
"Pika."
...For everyone who wasn't them.
"I don't understand this. It said go left at the Contest Hall! I don't know why it wanted me to climb that wall, but I did!"
"Pika Pika."
"What do you mean, the other left? That just led into a restaurant!"
"Chu Pika."
"The restaurant was the Gym? That's ridicu... oh, son of an Arcanine."
"Pika Pi."
"Yeah, I miss Brock too. He always knew how to read a map."
"Chu."
"Yeah, he was pretty good at cooking, wasn't he? If he were here we wouldn't need this stupid Gym. Oh, what in the name of Arceus is northeast!? Pick one, dammit!"
"We're going to starve! We're going to die in this alley! I'm never going to become a Pokémon Master!"
"Pi."
"That's easy for you to say! You were wild before I ruined your life with my not being able to read a map! Oh, what would my mother say? Wasting away in an alley without getting married and becoming an alcoholic first! I've never even kissed a girl!"
'SLAP'
"I miss razors. It's too warm for this scruff."
"Pika."
"Yeah, you've been out here for fifteen minutes too, and you're covered in hair! What's your excuse, huh!?"
"Hey buddy, would you say you taste better fried or grilled? Just hypothetically."
"I will love you forever if you tell me where I can find the Gym."
"...Who are you?"
"Your soul mate. Let's go get something to eat, my treat."
"Stop running! YOU CAN'T ESCAPE DESTINY!"
"SOMEBODY CALL OFFICER JENNY!"
XxX
"Well." Ash hopped down the last stairs of the station he'd just left, rattling his passenger slightly on impact. "That went rather well, all things considered."
Pikachu narrowed his eyes, tilting his head to the side through his glare.
"What?" Ash shrugged, tapping at the contraption on his wrist. "We got directions, didn't we?"
"You almost molested a mailman."
"I did no-" Ash paused mid sentence, his head snapping around to stare at Pikachu with wide eyes.
"Did you just...?"
Pikachu brought a paw to his face, hopping down from his trainer's shoulder in favour of finding somewhere quieter to spend some time.
Furrowing his eyebrows, Ash twisted around, raising them once more when his eyes were met with nothing but air. Where had that voice...?
Something tapped against his shoulder.
Rolling his eyes, he turned once more, his short search ending abruptly with a surprisingly familiar face.
"Piplup!"
No, not that one.
Ash froze as the girl in his company grew a large grin, his brain taking those few moments to warm up. Before long, his face had mirrored hers, his hand was raising above both their heads, meeting hers in that space for the first high five the two had shared in just as many years.
"Dawn!"
She had changed, that much was obvious. The clothes now adorning her body, the hair flowing down to her hips, the unmistakable power hidden within the Penguin Pokémon hitching a ride on her shoulder. He'd spoken to her, multiple times over the years he'd spent at home, but a phone call could only give you so much.
With a laugh, she launched herself forward, easily drawing the attention of many people around them as she wrapped her arms around his chest. Ash stood, doing his best to ignore the vast amount of attention they were receiving as he was forced to acknowledge just how much Dawn had grown.
Dragged, kicking and silently screaming towards that information, of course.
Piplup shook his head from his trainer's shoulder, pecking Ash 'lightly' on the forehead. Woken from his trance, Ash reciprocated her actions, smiling at the Penguin Pokémon as the Water Type silently dismounted.
"Ash!" Dawn drew back, her arms falling slowly to her sides. "Since when are you in Unova?"
Ash's eyes shot skyward, his tongue poking out of his mouth as he listed days off with his fingers.
"...Around a week, I think?" Shrugging, he turned back to Dawn, a smile spreading effortlessly across his face. "I've already been attacked by a Legendary, though, so it's pretty much officially a journey. So, why are you in U..."
Whether by divine intervention or sheer chance, Ash glanced to the side, his eyes immediately landing on the Contest Hall situated directly beside the Police Station.
"...Right."
Whatever Dawn was about to say was cut off as a large grumble echoed throughout the street, a yellow mouse landing on her friend's shoulder as a blue penguin landed on hers.
Ash placed a hand on his stomach, subconsciously scratching Pikachu behind an ear as the Electric Type waved at Dawn happily.
"...How about we get something to eat? I hear the Gym is nice."
XxX
For a world class establishment and title holder for finest eatery in all of Unova, at least according to Dawn, the entirety of the building Ash now found himself in was remarkably underwhelming.
"I think Professor Juniper said its name was Zekrom? Anyway, after that Garchomp blasted it. Probably saved Pikachu a couple of days in the Pokémon Center. Oh, right. Remember Gible? He's totally a Garchomp now. He's awesome."
She couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes as she sat down, her friend already nose deep in the restaurant's menu.
"I don't know whether I should be more concerned about the fact that you've already been attacked by a Legendary, or the fact that you don't seem concerned about it at all."
Many of the patrons seated at the tables surrounding their's, almost all female, had glanced up at those words, the attention of an entire crowd focused on one boy and his mouse.
"It was kind of a dick, to be honest. Didn't even bother trying to talk to me, and we both know at this point that it could have. At least the lightning was pretty cool."
She shook her head, feeling her starter Pokémon vacate her shoulder. Pikachu had already situated himself atop their table, Piplup nodding along as the Electric Type chatted idly.
"Lightning?" A brand new voice interjected, sounding highly interested. "That most certainly wasn't on the forecast for today."
Ash and Dawn both glanced up, their eyes landing on who could only be described as a waiter. The green haired man's impeccable apron creased slightly as he bowed in greeting, a smile spreading across his face as a monkey Pokémon Ash had never seen before handed him a notepad.
"Welcome to the Striaton Gym." With a flourish that could be described as unnecessary, a pen was pulled from the waiter's pocket, his arm sagging slightly under the green primate's weight as it latched on with a cry of its name. "My name is Cilan, and I shall be your waiter today."
Ash lowered his menu, his growing smirk effectively destroying the joviality on Cilan's face.
He'd waited on enough tables to see this warning sign from across the city.
"I don't really know what my main will be, but for desert can I please order one Gy-"
"You finish that sentence and you'll be earning your first Badge in Nacrene!" Cilan hissed, brandishing the pen in his grip at Ash as though it were a dagger as the teen raised his empty hands.
XxX
Mewtwo crossed his arms over his face as he was forced through the air, the Aura that every true Legend of the Creator was born with flooding his body. The enormous boulder baring down on him gave no reprieve, battering him around effortlessly as it continued its journey forwards.
Psychic energy probed across the rock, the move he was being forced to maintain almost dropping through his surprise.
The meteor was invisible to his senses. Undetectably through any mental means. No, it was actively combating against his attempts.
So that was why Rayquaza hadn't been tasked with destroying this before any damage could be done. Not even he, the greatest psychic on his planet, could see it with anything other than a naked eye.
There was something powerful nearby, forcing the meteor forth. And the only place nearby to hide in the expanses of space was...
With a grunt of mental exertion, the energy of Mewtwo's Protect shot outwards, the small in relation bubble of impenetrable Aura carving through layer after layer of rock. The meteor continued on its path, whatever was hiding within either unaware or uncaring of his presence.
Mewtwo took a deep breath, coating the Protect bubble in explosive energy once he deemed himself far enough in.
An unearthly shriek tore the psychic energy clouding the air apart as Mewtwo's Psystrike detonated, sending the Genetic Pokémon, still cloaked in his shield, bouncing between the now much smaller pieces of debris.
Finally dropping his Protect, Mewtwo glanced to his side, the planet growing larger with every passing second. Righting himself, Mewtwo slowed to a halt, eyes narrowed as he scanned through the destruction his actions had left behind.
He didn't know what he was looking for, but he would when he- oh shit.
Swooping to the side, Mewtwo's eyes followed as a boulder screamed past his face, his body erupting with the shining energy of a Mirror Coat as the first Hyper Beam came in.
The deflected attack incinerated everything in its path, sailing off into the cosmos to ruin someone else's day.
"I know you are there." The mental words carried more weight through the environment than possible for their spoken counterparts, heavily laden with danger and psychic power. "Show yourself, now."
Mewtwo's eyes closed as yet another rock was blown apart, the strange orange creature before him radiating enough strength make him at least somewhat nervous, considering the almost permeable hostile intent.
Its mental voice was scratchy, painful. Alien to his mind and his world.
"I am busy. Get out of my way!"
XxX
*Sigh* Ash, don't antagonise the working class. It's not funny. It never will be funny.
Some more Mewtwo's mission, and a Gym Battle next chapter that'll probably take up the entire thing. Also, this is the first thing in this fic that I am unsure of. The reunion with Dawn. I watched it when it happened in the anime, but all the versions I could find of it were kind of crappy and short. Unless that is what literally happened, and the canon was just that underwhelming.
I'll leave you with something new: A teaser for a future chapter. Enjoy!
XxX
The smile spreading across the man's face seemed genuine, the Poké Ball leaving his hands erupting mid flight. Darkrai settled before his trainer, his visible eye narrowing dangerously at his opponent.
"It seems unfortunate, that you're an opponent in the first tournament I decide to participate in after two years." He sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from his nose. "I do not wish to eliminate you so early, but Darkrai's pride will not allow him to lose again."
Ash scowled, his fingers twitching over the Poké Ball in his hand. An idea was forming in his mind, a plan to circumvent this...obstacle.
Would he do it? Sink to a level he himself would be disgusted with? Could he?
"Mr. Ketchum," The referee frowned at the look on Ash's face, his flags raising ever so slightly higher towards the sky. "Please send out your first Pokémon, unless you would like to forfeit?"
He'd promised his Pokémon. He'd promised Cilan. He'd promised his mother, Professor Oak. Hell, he'd promised Gary.
They were watching, from all across the world. Waiting for him to call a command, to bring home that trophy.
"You can do it, Ash!" Dawn called, her pom poms laying forgotten on the railing as she shouted through the silence of the stadium.
Could he sink to that level? Hell yeah, he could.
Clipping the Poké Ball back onto his belt, Ash unzipped the top of his jacket, pulling the purple 'Ball and its housing necklace into the open. Determination flooding his features, he ignored the easily audible gasp from his spectator box, staring hard into the strange eye pattern that decorated the front of the capture device.
"I need you."
Pushing the pupil down, the 'Ball popped open, the Pokémon inside materializing on the battle field with an other worldly shriek.
XxX
This was supposed to come out yesterday, by the way. It's probably still my birthday somewhere in the world anyway, so there's that.
See any mistakes, let me know. 'Till next time, which will probably be sometime in March.
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