Ashlyn Ketchum: The Birth Of A Legend
Capturing one of each Pokemon species in the world is a laudable goal, of course, but Ashlyn Ketchum believed in quality over quantity. Now add a dash of practicality, a touch of common sense, and a hint of maturity, and you have the beginnings of a Pokemon legend. fem!Ash Palletshipping
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"Hey Gary, the girls and I are going out for some sightseeing," Alicia, a tall brunette with chin-length bangs and a button nose, said. She smiled kindly towards the younger boy. "Do you want to come with?"
"Don't bother with him, Alicia," a curvy blonde with laughing blue eyes replied, "Our Gary here would rather stay in, and write a letter to his girlfriend."
Most of the teenage girls in the private hotel room immediately began to giggle, making said boy flush a deep pink color. One of the quiet ones, a young woman with light blue, shoulder-length tresses, rolled her eyes.
"Stop teasing him, Amelia," she chided, goodnaturedly, "Save the energy you have in making quips for our cheers, and we'll crush the competition."
With a wicked smile, she added. "Besides, puppy love is the cutest kind of love there is."
"Aye, aye, Captain," the aforementioned Amelia said, snapping off a salute. "Come on, ladies. We have some espionage to conduct on enemy forces."
With mild grumbling and brief bursts of laughter, the group of pretty, teenaged girls filed their way out of the room, until only one remained. It was the young woman with the light blue hair, who promptly sat herself besides the only male in the vicinity.
"So, this will be the last cheer competition for the next two months," the bluenette informed, "Where do you want to go next?"
"I was thinking Celadon, for Erika's gym badge," Gary replied, smiling easily at the young woman. Kate Phillips was the captain of Viridian High's cheer squad, and Daisy Oak's best friend since junior high. They had bonded over being the only two thirteen-year-old girls from the tiny town of Pallet to make the long bus ride to Viridian City's more prestigious and better-funded school. Kate was an only child, but had adopted Daisy's little brother as a pseudo-sibling of her own.
She was also the reason why Gary had his own personal cheer squad following him around. Daisy had wanted someone to look after her little brother, Kate's squad had liked the idea of travelling the region in style, and Gary had been given absolutely no quarter on the subject. Not that travelling with an entourage of attractive women had been of particular hardship to him, besides the (common) teasing of his (somewhat existing) feelings for his (pretty in a waifish sort of way) childhood best friend.
Kate's eyes lit up at the news. "Celadon makes the best perfume in the region!"
"I know," Gary informed her. And he actually did too, which was kind of horrifying for him. Travelling with a group of cheerleaders had done more than just change his retinue to include their competitions.
Among Gary's talents, he could now (regretfully) boast the ability to recognise fake perms, apply nail polish, skillfully braid hair, blend makeup, match accessories, and walk in high heels. He still wasn't entirely sure on how he had acquired that last talent.
"Celadon will make your fourth badge, and we can head directly to Saffron afterward," Kate mused, "Should we make that the tentative plan?"
Gary shook his head. "I want to fight Koga before Sabrina. None of my Pokemon are ready to face a psychic of her caliber. And… I need to read some texts on legendary Pokemon in Fuschia. The library there has the largest collection in Kanto."
Kate nodded, simply assuming that the younger boy had developed an interest in legendary Pokemon at some point along the journey. Anyway, now that their plans were finalized…
"So," Kate began, a teasing glint appearing in her eye, "Have you written to dear little Ashlet yet?"
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It was on their second day out of Cerulean that Ash learned about Brock's obsession with attractive women. They had passed by a small town's Pokemon Center, in order for the older teens to send some Pokemon back to their respective gyms. Misty had transferred Goldeen, so she could focus on Chinchou and Slowpoke, while Brock sent Geodude and Onix to help his father with the gym battles. Ash used the opportunity to call her mother and thank for her for the gorgeous badge case she had set by Pidgey Air Mail.
The aerial mail system was the collaborative brainchild of Johto Gym Leader Falkner and Unova Gym Leader Elesa. They had designed a talon bracelet integrated with a tiny processor that used radio waves to determine its proximity to specific Trainer ID Pokedexes. As each unique identification number was input into an international database on the first day of each trainer's journey, the Pidgey evolutionary line could be taught to follow certain orders of beeps to find any trainer in the world.
Ash had been pleasantly surprised when one such trained Pidgey landed before her, it's royal blue and gold harness showcasing the airline logo, and with a package in its claws. She had signed the accompanying form, and accepted the tightly wrapped box. Now Ash's Boulder and Cascade badges were pinned proudly inside the artful box.
"Nurse Joy! I'm so honored to be in the presence of your breathtaking beauty!" Brock shouted, clasping the startled woman's hands in his own, and kneeling before her, "I have travelled for so far and so long just to bask in your your exquisite smile!"
Misty sighed. "Idiot," she mutter, somewhat fondly, as she stomped up to the older boy and harshly grabbed his ear. "Sorry about this, Nurse Joy. Please excuse us."
Under the pink-haired woman's perplexed gaze, she dragged the besotted boy away.
"Now do you see what I mean?" Misty asked, addressing her shocked friend.
Ash nodded hesitantly. "Brock… you're in love with Nurse Joy?"
The older boy nodded vehemently. "There's no one I admire or esteem more than the stunning Nurse Joy!" He declared. Misty rolled her eyes.
Ash's heart softened. "Brock, you'll never win her over like that," she cried out, "What you need is-"
"Self-restraint," Misty suggested dryly. Ash shook her head.
"A wingman!" Ash beamed at her friend. "I'll support you in your quest for love, my friend."
Brock sniffled. "I've never had anyone's support before," he lowered his head, "Thank you, Ash!"
"Nurse Joy just needs to know about all of your best traits," the dark-haired girl added supportively. Then, under Misty's blatantly disbelieving gaze, she marched up to Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy, I want to introduce you to my friend, Brock," Ash declared passionately, "Brock's training to be a certified Breeder, because of his love for Pokemon. He's a selfless, kind, and compassionate friend. He can cook, clean, babysit children, and even knit! Brock likes to take long walks on the beach, and- ack!"
By then, Misty had heard enough, and proceeded to drag her two friends away from the poor woman. Only now, she had one hand on Brock's ear, and the other tugging Ash along. Sometimes the red-haired trainer from Cerulean City felt like she was the only sane person in their little group.
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"Finish it, Pikachu," Ash called, making her electric Pokemon deal one final, devastating blow with a Dig/Iron Tail combo. Her opponent's Caterpie flew through the air, only to land roughly on the ground, with swirls in her eyes. By then, Caterpie would have been grateful for the reprieve, after the nearly one-sided match with Pikachu.
Ash was proud of how much her starter had progressed in the month and a half that they were together. Pikachu had added Dig, Iron Tail, and Thunderbolt to his reporte of skills, and he could semi-reliably call upon Double Team in battle. Ash had intended to master Double Team before learning any additional moves, but Pikachu's practice with the water currents had strengthened his control of his electricity considerably. If they increased his speed, Pikachu could make significant process on Electro Ball.
In comparison, Pidgeotto had hit a brick wall with Steel Wing, so Ash assigned her to practice Double Team with Pikachu instead. That move was mastered relatively quickly, so Pidgeotto was now in the process of learning Wing Attack, the forerunner to the unfortunate Steel Wing. It was considerably less disheartening for the flying type, which showed Ash that she should have worked her way up to Steel Wing, rather than try to learn it from the start.
"You're really strong," her opponent, a new trainer around her own age, said. He disheartenedly recalled his Pokemon. "Do you have any badges?"
"Two," Ash answered, showing off her Boulder and Cascade badges. The boy made an impressed sound.
"That's so cool," he said, admiringly. He looked at Ash with a small blush on his face. "Hey, I bet you're strong enough to fight AJ!"
Not particularly observant of the opposite sex, Ash merely cocked her head to the side. It was a habit she had picked up from Pikachu. "AJ?"
"He's a trainer, who built an unofficial gym down the road," the boy replied, "He's not planning to go on his journey until he's had 100 straight wins, though he's pretty close to that number now. You could try battling him?"
Ash considered it. On one hand, she liked battling strong trainers, and her funds still weren't replenished from Pikachu's medical bills. On the other, it would take up valuable training time, and Ash had wanted to practice a new technique with Pidgeotto today.
"Do either of you want to battle AJ?" Ash asked. Misty shrugged indifferently, while Brock refused.
"I guess we're not going then," Ash said, "Thanks for the battle."
After the three had picked their camping spot for the day, Ash took out several cheap, plastic disks. The last town had a sale on frisbees, and Ash decided to stock up for her latest training idea.
"Pidgeotto, I'm going to throw these frisbees into the air, and I want you to use your wings to deflect them back to me," Ash instructed, "You'll need to carefully choose the angle here. If you hit them with the broadside of your wings, then they'll just absorb the blow and the disks will plop to the ground. If you don't get the aim or force right, than they won't head towards me. You're allowed to use a weak Whirlwind if you want to increase their speed. Don't worry about breaking them- I bought plenty of cheap ones. This is for your Wing Attack, okay?"
"Otto!" Her flying type chirped in assent, and their first round began.
Though what started off as a training exercise quickly devolved into an epic Misty/Brock/Ash and assorted Pokemon threeway Ultimate Frisbee match.
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Misty was not impressed. "So what you're telling me is that this Giselle bullies you terribly, but you carry around a picture of her because… she's pretty?"
Joe squirmed under her sharp gaze. "When you put it like that…" he mumbled.
"I never really got the attraction of the Pokemon Technical Institute," Ash commented, "Why would anyone want to learn from simulations and textbooks when they can be out travelling the world and battling Pokemon instead?"
"Poke Tech teaches students to become champion battlers," Joe puffed up, indignantly, "Graduates of Poke Tech are equal to those trainers that have eight badges from the Main Gyms. They're automatically enrolled in the Indigo League. Even I, the lowest student in my class, am better than trainers with two gym badges."
Ash began to edge away, as the look on Misty's face showed that violence would be incurred soon.
"Only there's never even been a single Poke Tech graduate in the Kanto Top 16," Brock pointed out, making Joe deflate again. "I can't think of a single famous alumna from your school."
Ash agreed. "Being a trainer is about more than just book knowledge. It's about passion, training, and the bond you have with your Pokemon. Money can't buy you any of those things."
"None of you understand," Joe moaned, "Being accepted into Poke Tech is such a huge honor, and my parents saved up money for years to send me here. If I don't do well, than they'll be so disappointed."
"Poke Tech sent me an acceptance letter," Misty said bluntly, "My parents refused since they thought the program was ridiculous."
"They send it to all children of prominent families," Brock added, "I got an acceptance letter on my tenth birthday. My Dad threw it into the trash- one of the few sensible decisions he made that year."
"Even I got one," Ash admitted, offering a cheeky smile in response to her companion's surprise, "Before you ask, I am not secretly related to any super famous individual, though my Dad used to be a good trainer. My letter was addressed to 'Ashlyn Oak'. I think Prof. Oak brags about me, along with Gary and Daisy, so people end up assuming that he has three grandchildren, not two."
"And the good Professor never makes an effort to correct them either," Ash mused affectionately.
"The point is that you can't live your life bullied, alone, and in fear of a twelve-year-old tyrant," the red-haired girl said firmly, "You need to stand up for yourself!"
"How would I do that?" Joe wanted to know.
"Battle her," was Misty's passionate response. The short, brown-haired boy blanched.
"I don't think that's an effective solution," Brock said, thoughtfully, "I agree that it could improve Joe's confidence, but beating Giselle won't make her stop her bullying ways. She would have gone from a bully with no losses to a bully with a chip in her shoulder."
"There are two ways that you can stop the bullying," Ash continued, "You can beat her at her own game, by becoming popular and attracting a crowd of sycophants. Or you could make yourself an undesirable target for bullying through indirect means."
The look in the dark-haired girl's eyes became partially mischievous and partially malevolent, as she draped an arm over the nervous Joe's shoulders. "Joe, my insecure, pitiful, and anxious new friend, I have the perfect solution to this problem. Tell me, has anyone ever introduced you to the wonders of berry dye in a girl's shampoo before?"
Joe's fearful gulp was music to her ears.
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When Brock had showed his friends the notes he took in Cerulean's library, he hadn't expected them to be so interested in the idea of Pokemon nutrition. However, both girls thought adopting the foreign practices would be great for their teams, and Misty proposed splitting the costs of the machines and sharing. Thus, Brock made a down payment on the Berry Blender, and Ash set up an installment system for a small Poffin oven. Misty, easily the wealthiest of the three, outright purchased an Aprijuice Blender, and then covered the additional costs of a basket full of fruits and berries.
"It's fine, guys," Misty placated, ignoring the younger girl and older boy's protests, "My sisters rake in a lot of cash from their water shows. But if you really wanted to pay me back, I wouldn't say 'no' to another cup of Mrs. Ketchum's hot chocolate or some of Brock's raspberry tarts."
As they were making decent progress towards Vermillion City, the three trainers decided to make camp early today and experiment.
"Peeling these apricorns take forever," Misty griped, glaring down at the half-torn green fruit in her hand, "Why are the shells so hard?"
"They had to spray them with some kind of polish to keep them fresh," Brock explained, "Apricorns only grow in a certain area of Johto, and had to be imported here. The hard shells also make them singularly useful for designing specialty Pokeballs."
"Specialty Pokeballs?" Ash's interest perked up, "Misty and I bought a few in Viridian City. Are you telling me they're made from Apricorns?"
"They're made from the outer shells," Brock answered, the gentle whir of the Poke Blender in front of him coming to a stop. A couple of shocking blue cubes popped out. "My first batch of Pokeblock is done! I present to you an aspear and pinap combo, with just a hint of tart oran berries for flavor. Guaranteed to increase the potency of a Poison Type… I think."
Ash and Misty watched eagerly, as Brock called Zubat down from his training. Zubat, Butterfree, and Pidgeotto had developed an elaborate combination game of frisbee, aerial tag, and follow-the-leader that made sense to no one but them, but was surprisingly effective for training. Judging from the smug expression on the Pokemon's face as he landed, Ash surmised that Zubat was currently winning.
"Zubat, can you try this for me?" Brock asked, picking up one of the neon blue cubes, "It's a special treat that's made for Poison Types."
Brock watched in anticipation as a blueish pink tongue snapped out to grab the Pokeblock. Zubat chewed it slowly, before swallowing, and making a happy sound. "Zu."
His trainer beamed. "Do you think it's too sour?" Zubat shook his head in the negative.
"I was thinking of adding some pecha berries, since they're so good for the skin, but they might be too sweet," Brock continued, proffering a slice of the pink-yellow fruit for his Pokemon's inspection. "Think I should go for it?"
Zubat ate the offered fruit, and immediately made a face.
"Then what if I added a lum berry, and some more oran berry slices?" Brock questioned, "I'm using a 2mm cut, so there's not a lot of juice in them."
As Brock continued his interrogation, and Zubat got roped into a round of charades, Ash turned her attention to her own cooking station. She gingerly poked the smoky, black poffins on her plate.
"Think I can convince Pikachu to try them?" Ash asked no one in particular.
The three continued working for the next few hours, until Brock signaled their attention.
"What happened to the pile of poffins I had here?" Brock looked sternly at the eight Pokemon in the campsite. "None of you snuck a treat before dinner, did you?"
A chorus of protests greeted him, except from a large, pink figure that looked chagrined.
"Slowpoke, you ate all those poffins?" Misty said, taken aback. "Over half the plate is gone! Those were for everyone."
"Slow-poke, poke, slow," Misty's Pokemon wailed, holding up his claw and tapping the ground twice.
"I think he's telling the truth, Brock," the red-haired girl frowned, "But if Slowpoke only stole two- which still isn't right, Slowpoke!- than what happened to the rest?"
"I think she can answer that," Ash pointed to a fluffy brown tail sticking out of the bush near the scene of the crime. Brock moved a few branches away, and lipid black eyes stared back.
"Vee," the Pokemon squealed, jumping out of the leaves. The small Pokemon made a dash for escape, by running straight into Brock's back. "Vee!"
One paw accidentally brushed against an empty Pokeball, and a single flash of red light later…
Ash started to laugh. "Congratulations, Brock, on catching an Eevee!"
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In the past…
Delia Taylor was the only child of Edward and Anne Taylor, born on the Kingdom of Cameron, and later raised in her mother's hometown of Pallet. Her parents were reasonable, genial folk, who were happy to stay in the sleepy little town and run Pallet House, the restaurant that their daughter would later inherit. Delia lived a simple, somewhat dull life in Pallet, and spent most of her time dreaming about a starry future as a Pokemon Master and model.
When she was ten years old though, two years before she would start her Pokemon journey, Edward Taylor sat Delia down for a talk. He told her of duty and honor, tragedy and wonders, and how he was one of the rare few humans with the ability to manipulate a special power- aura.
"Our family has been granted the titles of Gatekeeper and Guardian," Edward instructed solemnly, "The first originated in Sinnoh, after Giratina breached the boundary of the Distortion World, and the second was won by our noble ancestor, Sir Aaron, in your own birthplace of Cameron."
Those names were not unfamiliar to young Delia. Her bedtime stories consisted of the stuff of legends, and the Creation Trio and Mew's Tree were particular favorites of Edward. That was all they were supposed to be though. Bedtime stories.
"I know that this has come as a shock to you," Edward sighed, before gruffly continuing, "My own power isn't much, but you have inherited great control of your aura."
Delia was taken aback, as her father raised a hand and brushed a tear out of his eye.
"I know that you have the potential to be an incredible Aura Guardian one day," Edward said, smiling at her, "So I called your Uncle Richard in Sinnoh and asked him to take you in the for the summer. Pallet's not the most exciting place for a young girl, but Hearthome City has a lot of places to explore."
She was still too shocked to respond, so Edward continued.
"You'll be able to see your Cousin Riley too!" Her father added brightly, "He just turned three last week. And Richard has plenty of fascinating Pokemon for you to study. Some of them are even aura users!"
Two months later, Delia found herself tearfully waving goodbye as her parents bundled her into a ship headed for Sinnoh. Although tears were pouring down her cheeks, the young girl felt excited at the opportunity for new adventures in Hearthome City. Her life was going to be anything but dull now.
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Action-packed this was not, though we made some good progress on the storyline, and Brock 'caught' a new Pokemon. I decided to skip AJ, briefly introduce Joe, and establish the future use of Pokeblocks, Poffins, and Aprijuice. By this point, I think Ash's and Misty's characters fairly well-developed, though I haven't gotten enough opportunities to really let Brock's shine through.
For the former chapter, I'm surprised that only one person suggested Mewtwo. I thought I made his identity obvious, especially since I used the same place where Red caught Mewtwo in the games. On the question of limits, most people seem okay with it, as long as it's just an increased quantity rather than a limitless carrier amount, and Ash earns the right via gym battles. That's what I'll go with then.
In the next chapter, we'll have the Kanto Starters and a little more Ash x Gary bonding. Keep in mind that they're only twelve though, and only Gary is mature enough to acknowledge his interest. They're also serious rivals who are focused on their respective goals, so romance is a distant thought now. Later on, I'm planning some major divergences from the main plot, and changing the course of Ash's journey. She'll won't follow the path canon!Ash took. Hopefully, I'll be able to do her journey justice.
Also, longtime readers might have noticed that I have a posting cycle dominated by periods of rapid progress interspersed between long, dry spots. As these three chapters were in quick succession of one another, one could guess which part of the cycle I'm in now. This is a reflection of my everyday responsibilities, and since I have midterms coming up soon, I'm trying to make up for it by posting a lot now. Just an update.
Question: Now that the customary Eevee has been caught, what do you guys want him to evolve into?