Author Notes:
I would like to thank all of those who are about to give this story a shot. It is my first attempt at a fanfic, any and all tips or reviews would be highly appreciated. This is going to be a much more serious version of the Pokemon Universe. There will be death, excitement, drama and drum roll please…..POKEMON! Now with that out of the way let the story commence.
Talking: "Hello"
Thinking: "Hello"
PokeSpeak: "Hello"
Electronics: "Hello"
Disclaimer:
I do not own Pokemon, nor do I receive any profit from this work. Nor am I the creator of the pokemon you see within the story, canonical or otherwise.
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The Legend
The Story of Ashton 'Ash' Ketchum
A young boy, roughly the age of 6 can be seen painting a section of fencing in front of a pristine building. It sat upon a ridge overlooking the serene town of Pallet, a quaint and modest place out of the way in the rural area of the Kanto region. The building was large for the area, but modest in comparative terms to others in the region. It held many large glass pane windows to take in the natural scenery along with a windmill rotating in the back to give power to the many pieces of equipment and technological devices held within.
The boy finishes the last section of fence and places the brush down in the pan holding remnants of the clean white paint. "Wooh, it's been a rather long day." He says as he wipes the sweat from his brow as he looks up towards the setting sun."Better get home for dinner!". He collects the items and carries them to a storage shed alongside the building and closes the sliding doors when he's done. "I should let the Professor know I'm done for the day." He wipes the dust from his hands and enters into the building though a pair of automatic sliding doors.
"Hey Professor! I'm done for the day!" He calls out into the large room. An older man, with greying hair walks through a side door from another room. "Ash my boy!" He glances through the front window and sees the newly painted fence. "I see you've done with the fence! Thank you very much young man. You've been a big help getting this place in tip top shape for the next set of beginner trainers to start their journey!" He makes his way over and tousles the boys already messy black hair to which he receives a friendly swat.
"Hey old man! Mom already throws a fit about my messy hair, I don't need anymore help!" Ash speaks up as Professor Oak chuckles merrily. "Well I guess I deserved that old man wise crack then." He goes to repeat his action, but Ash deftly dodges the man's hand as he runs towards the door."I'll see you tomorrow Professor!" He yells out before he could even get a response.
Ash runs down the dirt walkway until he reaches the main road as he slows down to a walk. He looks over head as a few Pidgey fly overhead, playing with each other as they head to the forest for the night. Ash smiles at the playful antics of the Pokemon above."I can't wait until I catch one of you guys!" He calls as they leave him behind. He resumes his walk back home as he waves to the other townsfolk in passing.
Finally he reaches his home, a modest house with a white picket fence protecting the garden his mother and her Pokemon, a Mr. Mime nicknamed 'Mimey', takes vast pride in. Speaking of which, Mimey just so happens to be tending to currently. "Hey Mimey! Tulips are looking extra bright today!" He calls out as he passes the Barrier Pokemon. "Mime Mime !" Mimey exclaims with a large grin at his trainer's son's compliment.
"Mom I'm home!" He yells once inside, while removing his shoes. "I'm in the Kitchen Ash!" He hears as he dashes in to the smell of delicious food cooking on the stove. His mother, Delia, a beautiful woman, still in the prime of her life, was tending to the food while Ash took a seat at the table. "So how was your day sweetie?" Ash was caught up in the wonderful smell and barely heard her. "Huh?...Oh it was good Mom. The Professor had me paint the fence out front since a few of the graduating kids are going to be leaving for their journey in a few days." Delia turned to him with a bright smile on her face. "I'm proud of you Ash. You've been helping the Professor out for quite awhile now. I'm glad to know I've raised you right." This earned her a blush from Ash as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Now go get cleaned up for dinner. It will be ready soon, Karp filets and veggies tonight."
Ash leapt from his chair and ran upstairs to his room to get changed and cleaned up. It was a typical boys room, Pokemon everything and everywhere. He discarded his dirty clothes and put on a pair of black shorts and a black T-shirt and walked over to his desk and adorned his trademark Special Edition Pokemon League hat, which was a fitted black hat with a white pokeball symbol on the front. "Ahh, better." He grabs his toy Pokeball and then begins to throw it all around the room yelling "Charizard, I choose you!" as it bounces off the walls and door.
"ASH WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THROWING THAT IN THE HOUSE!" His mother yelled from downstairs. He sheepishly puts it back on his desk and then goes to clean up his hands in the bathroom and head back downstairs.
"Sorry mom, I just can't wait until it's my turn to go!" He says animatedly as he rushes back into the kitchen. Delia sighs at the prospect of her son leaving her, thank Arceus they changed the age to 13, due to the issue of young trainers that went missing, early on in their journeys. "Well, let's worry about having dinner first Ash." She chastised her young son while she held a smirk. The boy ducked his head as his mother set his plate in front of him. "I will be more than ready for when my time comes! Get ready world, a new Pokemon Master is on it's way!"
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( 3 years Later)
An older Ash could be seen grooming an Eevee of one of Professor Oak's sponsored trainers. "Veeee!" The Evolution Pokemon cried out in joy at the attention it was receiving as the boy ran the brush down the length of its back and down its tail. "Sit still Eevee." Ash spoke as he chuckled at the small Pokemon's actions. "There ya go, all done!" He pats the Pokemons head as it runs off to go play with its friends at the Ranch.
Ever since he was old enough to walk and talk Ash had spent nearly every waking moment around Professor Oaks Ranch, wanting nothing more than to be surrounded by Pokemon, much to the enjoyment of his pseudo Grandfather, who always seemed to need help with something.
Professor Oak walked up to the boy as he smiled down towards him. "Ash, I swear that the Pokemon here love you nearly as much as their trainers." He says while shaking his head. "Are you ready for today's lessons?"
"Of Course Professor!" Ash stands. While brushing the dust off his black cargo pants. "Let's go!" He shouts as he darts off back towards the lab with the Professor in tow. It could never be said that Ash wasn't an eager learner when it came to Pokemon.
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The Professor looked down upon Ash while he eagerly awaited the start of his lesson for the day. Samuel Oak, the man who was considered to be one of the top Pokemon experts, in not just the Kanto Region, but the entire world, had taken a particular shine to this young man. Once he saw the intelligence that the boy held, along with his impossibly insatiable thirst for knowledge regarding Ash's favorite topic, Pokemon, he had referred to Delia about taking the boy under his wing and becoming his sole teacher. Now, even though the local schools held its students to a relatively high standard regarding standard material such as Math, Science, History, Writing, they did a pretty good job of preparing those who wished to start their Pokemon journies.
The Professor however, knew a special case when he saw one, and jumped at the chance of getting this young man under his wing. He pushed Ash to lengths the standard schooling wouldn't be able to in a crowded classroom environment, here Ash could go at his own pace, which honestly was frightening, even to a Professor of Oaks caliber. If only his own Grandson, Gary Oak, would take such an interest in his studies and learning of Pokemon, rather than which ones were the coolest looking and how popular he was. "Now Ash, yesterday we left off on type advantages and disadvantages. Just a slight refresher, which ones would a Water, Fire, and Grass type Pokemon be most effective against, and which ones would be most effective against them?" He spoke in a clear and refined manner, awaiting the answer.
Ash's face scrunched in thought for a moment before speaking. "Well, a grass type would be most effective against a Water, Ground or Rock type Pokemon, while being at a disadvantage against a Fire, Flying, Bug, Poison and….Ice type!" He smiled when the Professor nodded at the correct answer.
"Ok, now the others?" Oak not being surprised at the correct answer.
"Hmm, a Fire type is good against a Grass, Bug, Ice or Steel type, and weak against Water, Rock or Ground types. A Water type would be the best choice against a Fire,Ground or Rock type, while not being the best against a Grass or Electric type." Ash finished and grinned at the Professor in a manner knowing he got the correct answer.
"Very good m'boy!" He beamed at his pupil. "But always remember, type advantages aren't always the sure fire way to win a battle. There are those who have secondary types along with special abilities, moves not similar to their types, and with good old fashioned strategy or creativity a Charmander can take on a Squirtle, and win!" He said with exuberance, remembering how his own Charizard had defeated the then current Champions Blastoise, to earn his title of Champion.
Ash nodded excitedly at the prospect of planning and thinking of new ways to battle when it was his turn to finally set out with his starter. "You mean like Charizard being a Fire and Flying right Professor? Or like the Ability Lightning Rod, or Lanturn having Volt Absorb against Electric attacks?" He said while racking his brain for everything he has learned and studied.
"Well, well, well, someone has been reading have they not?" He was pleasantly surprised once again at the due diligence the boy before him paid.
The boy somewhat shied away a bit at the praise he was receiving. "I mean, going out to play is fun and all, but I think reading about Pokemon is so much more exciting! I'm going to be the next Pokemon Master after all!" He puffed out his chest and held out a hand as if he was holding a Pokeball.
Oak chuckled at the antics of the boy. "Of course, of course. How could I ever forget!" He said, rolling his eyes in a joking manner. "Surprisingly, somehow, I do not doubt you at all." He thought to himself.
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(2 Years Later)
Samuel Oak had a delima on his hands, he had just got off a video call from one of his colleagues from the Holon region in the north. This in and of itself was not the issue, the problem was the Pokeball sitting in his Pokeball Transfer Device, or PTD for short. They have been having a very exciting phenomena occurring with a very minute portion of their newly born Pokemon, and wished for him to study a specimen that had been birthed not too long ago.
"Hmm." He rubbed his chin as he stared down at the Pokeball in question before reaching down and taking hold of it and walking outside to the Pokemon Paddock.
He exits the back door with his brow furrowed in contemplation while gazing at the pokeball in question.
Ash had been playing with the local Pokemon while filling the feeders with Pokechow for those wanting to eat when the Professor exited the building. He noticed the rather serious look on his face and decided to satiate his own curiosity as he ran over the older man. "Pokedollar for your thought old man?"
The Professor had barely realized he had company before him when he spoke. "Hmm..what? Oh! I just had received a call from one of my colleagues wanting me to study this Pokemon. Would you like to see?" He raised a brow in question to his pupil.
"Of course! Let em' out!" Ash was nearly bouncing with excitement to see a pokemon that had the great Professor Oak thinking with such concentration.
The Professor smirked then tossed the Pokeball in question away from the others as the sphere opened midair and released a blinding white energy, indicating the release of a pokemon.
"Umm. Professor….is that a...Ch-Charmander?" He unabashedly stared with wide eyes at the pokemon before him.
"Indeed. This one however is very unique, it is a Delta Species Charmander." He said with equally wide eyes. "What have you gotten yourself into Hawthorn?"
Before them stood, what resembled a Charmander, but just barely. It was easily as tall as a Charmeleon, deep black color with a crimson chest and underbelly in similar scheme to a standard Charmander. I was more fit, for lack of a better term than its counterpart as well, thinner, yet looked to pack more muscle under its midnight scales. Its arms were slightly longer and muscular with claws and visible fangs that were slightly elongated and looked much more intimidating. It had a lone spike protruding out the back of its head in a manner reminiscent of a Charmeleon, but pointed. "CHAR!" It bellowed in a tone slightly deeper than a normal Charmander, but still held it's childlike resonation. It's tail flame flared with it's roar, which burned brighter than usual as well. A remarkable beast to be sure.
"Astonishing." Was all that Samuel Oak could muster. Even after all these years, nature proved to show, they had much to learn.
"WOAH!" Ash had never seen a Charmander look...look...LOOK SO COOL! He may have been a dubious study and a realist when it came to Pokemon, but was still only eleven afterall.
Charmander surveyed its new surroundings, glad to be out of that stuffy and cramped space, when he noticed the two onlookers. He crouched low and growled, not wanting to be poked and prodded anymore. He held a defensive stance, trying to gauge the intention of the two before him. "Char Char Charmander." Which equated to 'Leave me the hell alone.'
Even before the Professor could act, Ash crouched down and smiled at the pokemon. "Hey there little guy, my name is Ash, are you hungry?" He said as he reached into his jacket pocket and took out some treats he gave to the other Pokemon.
Oak, deciding to let this play out was truly fascinated by the Pokemon before him. This new species for all intents and purposes, held the look or a Charmander sure, but had Draconic properties as well. He was onguard, looking over and nodded to his trusty Arcanine that was sure to stay near his trainer's young pupil in case the other Pokemon started to act up.
Well, to say the least Charmander was surprised at the kindness the human before him displayed. He hadn't experienced nothing but pokes and prods all in the name of science, to which always earned them a good Ember in return. "Char?" He sniffed at the air, catching the alluring scent of the treats. He tilted his head and slowly creeped towards the smaller human, ready to act in defense if required to do so.
"It's ok buddy. They're pretty good from the reactions of the others." He held his smile, sure to not display his teeth, an act of aggression in the Pokemon world. How some trainers didn't learn this he would never know. He stretched out his hand to further it from his body in attempt to seem like the Pokemon hadn't had to go so close to his body.
"Charmander." The little reptile finally got close enough to swipe a treat from the boys hand, accidently scratching it in the process, to which Ash hadn't shown he minded. He sniffed the little morsel then side eyed the humans with caution as he devoured the treat, and much to his surprise, it was GOOD! "Char!" He hurriedly went back to the young boy and scarfed up the remaining treats without realizing he was literally eating out the boy's hands.
If one was to say that Professor Oak was surprised would be an understatement, he was amazed. "Quite amazing Ash...I doubt I could have done better." He was actually a bit jealous. "Or quite as good, I imagine."
Finally, realizing his folly Charmander jumped back a bit and eyed the other human with a slight growl. The small one was alright so far, the other wore the same get up as the other humans he remembered. "Char Char!" He warned the old man.
Ash had kept his smile, even as the Pokemon nicked his hand, what was a little cut anyway. "It's ok Charmander, the old man is with me." He said while pointing with a thumb at the Professor. "He may not be as good as me, but he's alright." He said with a chuckle.
The adjusted his lab coat with false indignation. "Youth these days, always messing with their older, more refined counterparts." He smirked as he nudged Ash a bit, but not enough to make him topple over.
"Watch it old man!" He joked as he made to stand. "I'm gonna be the next Pokemon Master someday and you will be best to remember that as he playfully punched the man's arm. "I know this is a new place, with a lot of potentially scary things, but I will be here to help Charmander. Let's go meet everyone!" He said to the small Lizard Pokemon.
Charmander watched the two humans interact as he slowly relaxed some, they were very different than the humans from where he came from. "Char!" He exclaimed to the smaller one, 'hopefully this place would prove to be much better than the last one' he hoped as he made to wearily follow the boy to the group of other Pokemon that had been curiously watching the entire exchange.
Samuel Oak watched his prodigy and his newly acquired study as they made their way and Ash introduced Charmander to the others. "What kind of surprises are you going to spring on me next Ash?" He thought as he made to join them all.
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(2 Years Later)
Ash had been sitting in his usual spot on the roof just outside his bedroom window that early morning, watching the sun rise and the Pidgey begin their morning flights to scour for food. "Today is the day, the beginning of my journey. Watchout world, Ash Ketchum is coming to play." He said to himself more than anything. It was finally here, this was his turn. He had turned 13 earlier that year and had passed his exams with flying colors. Even scoring higher than Gary, his rival since childhood and his other lifelong friend, Leaf. Leafanne Greene was the only child that had been kind to Ash growing up, being supportive of his dream to become a Pokemon Master, as he supported her wanting to become the world's best Coordinator, which was what her mother strived for before her.
"Ash! Breakfast is ready sweetie!" Delia called out from the kitchen. Knowing her son was most likely out on his usual spot. She had gotten used to her son's nonchalant behavior to dangerous activity. She worried about this day for years, the day her son went out into the big world, like his father did before him. Thank god they didn't start out at 10 like his father Red had before. Roderick 'Red' Ketchum, Ash's father was a good man, who had an obsession with the esoteric side of Pokemon, more specifically the Legendaries.
Delia had met Red when they were fairly young and fallen in love. He was a kind young man, that had a love for Pokemon that rivaled all. He was Samuel Oaks very first sponsor and his star prodigy, quickly rising the ranks of the Indigo Conference Pokemon League, IPCL for short. Nearly reaching the position of Champion before he decided that he would rather play an active role in Pokemon and Human preservation and travel the world. He was responsible for the dismantling of the once prominent Team Rocket along with his life long friend and Rival Jay 'Blue' Oak, the son of Samuel Oak who had become the Champion shortly after Red decided to not challenge him himself.
Sadly, Blue had passed away during a raid on Team Rocket that him, and Red were a part of. Ash and Gary both were only 1 at the time and Red took the loss of his friend exceptionally hard. Shortly after he received a message of the passing of his Aunt in a place called Rota, meaning his niece was to inherit the throne when she came of age. Deciding he would not let anyone else down, he left his wife and child in the small town of Pallet to return home.
Delia never blamed the man, he had vowed to return to her and his son one day. He kept in contact with her and even sent means for her to never need to support herself or Ash on her own. Still, it was lonely.
"Hey mom it smells great down here!" Ash spoke up as he bound down the stairs and into the kitchen. He noticed his mother with her furrowed brows and it worried him. "Everything ok mom?"
Delia snapped out of her thoughts when her son asked her if she was ok. "Oh yes Ash I'm alright. Just thinking about how I'm gonna miss you." She pinched her son's cheek earning her a moan of embarrassment.
"I know mom, but hey Mimey and PomPom will be here to keep you company when I'm gone. I'll even call you every time I get to a new pokemon center so you don't worry!" He said while rubbing his now sore cheek. PomPom was an Ambipom that Professor Oak received and took a shine to his mother, who decided if she wanted to, could stay with her and help around the house the Mimey.
Delia smiled at her boy."I know honey. You just will always be my baby boy. Now eat your eggs and bacon and go get ready. You don't want to be late on your first day do you?" He laughed as her son started to devour his plate, in a well manner fashion, it wouldn't do for her son to be a slob.
Ash had hurriedly ate his breakfast and rushed upstairs to get ready and make sure he was all packed. He picked out his attire himself, going for function and comfort over fashion, Gary Oak be damned. He wore a black sleeveless shirt, a pair of black cargo pants, high laced black boots that were durable but comfortable as well. He slipped on his black denim jacket that had a grey hood stitched into it and his PokePack by Silph Co, which was dark red and black that wasn't overly big, nor was it too small.
Silph Co. was the region's leader in technology and advancement. The PokePack being one of its newer items. It utilized technology similar to PokeBalls, as in the many compartments it held, were much larger that could be visually seen. He had spare clothes and his camping equipment in the main section, an area to hold medical supplies, Pokemon based or otherwise, a section for the TMs and TRs he bought for his Pokemon, and a section to hold his spare Pokeballs as well.
He looked in to his mirror and smirked as he adorned his signature Hat and nodded to himself. Black on black, needless to say that was his favorite color, besides black was intimidating, at least he thought so. "Let's do this." He finally was ready, and made to leave his home and start his Journey.
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Ash couldn't help himself, but to be early to start his journey. The excitement nearly kept him up all night! He was nearly to the Lab when he noticed a few flashes of light and sparks emitting from the side of the building. "Hmm, what could that be." He cautiously peaks around the corner and sees a lone Pikachu gnawing on one of the power cables exiting the wall. "Uhh Pikachu?" He says with an attempt to not startle the small rodent, their Thundershock, while smaller than their counterpart Raichu, could still kill a human from the damage.
The small rodent stops gnawing on the cable and takes a few steps back, sparks emitting from the red sacks on it's cheeks in warning. "Pika! Pika Pi Chu!" He was not gonna be denied by this human, or worse, caught.
Ash slowly raises his hands to placate the small thing. "Woah there Pikachu, I'm not gonna harm you. Those cables are for the equipment inside the building there. If you damage it enough, and it loses power, the things inside will stop working and some of it is to help heal hurt Pokemon. You don't wanna stop that from happening do you?" Hoping to heaven and hell the Electric type could understand him.
The sparks on it's cheeks died down as it looked at the cable and the building before looking at the human. "Pika." It shook its head to indicate no, he did not want that. Honestly, it was surprising that the human had not tried to yell or scream at it, or even try to harm it to force it away as others had when he was just a small Pichu.
Ash was thanking Arceus that he got the message across." Hmm. Do Pokemon understand all English? A thought for another time." He pointed to the Pallet shoreline as he spoke. "There are hydroelectric plants near the ocean that emit an electric field that you could absorb, Pikachu. You don't even have to eat the nasty cables." He made a face at the few exposed wires, copper couldn't be good for a Pokemon to ingest.
Pikachu had known about those plants, or else why would he be eating copper wires, they couldn't be good for him to eat anyway. "Cha!" The pikachu exclaimed in thanks before running passed the human, making sure he had a wide berth so it couldn't grab him.
"Bye Pikachu! I hope you stay safe, and don't eat anything you shouldn't!" Ash yelled as he made his way back to the entrance. Thankfully, nothing severe happened, it could have ended much worse.
As Ash made his way into the Lab, Pikachu stopped running to the coast and turned to look at the humans retreating back, then back at the coast. He decided on a whim, maybe there was something with this boy, and he wanted to see exactly what it was, so he darted off towards Route 1 in haste. He had to be going crazy, humans weren't supposed to be that nice.
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Delia my sweet,
I am writing to you because I know our son is ready to start his journey, like I had many years ago. I wish I could have been there to help raise our precious baby boy, but I know you were an amazing mother to our child. There could be no way for me make amends for my absence, but alas, I shall try in due time.
Our son is special Delia, more so than you or even I could have realized. Even in the short time I got to hold him in my arms, I knew he had received my families lineage of Aura. His ability will far surpass my own, the fates will be, what seems to be cruel to him, but he shall persevere and rise above it all. He is our son after all.
Within the package I have sent with this letter, is a Pokeball. It contains a Pokemon that shall be a great asset to our young man, and help guide him along the way. Please, as a gift from his Father, give him this when he goes to make his leave.
I love you Delia, Always and Forever,
Sir Roderick 'Red' Ketchum
Tears had started to fall from her eyes and land onto the letter from her husband. Oh, what she wouldn't give for him to be here for this, also for her to hit him over the head for being a stubborn lout. "Red you stupidly foolish man, how do I love you so." She held the letter close as she unpacked the Pokeball and stared at what would be the only gift Ash had ever received directly from his Father. "Please do him proud, little one."
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Ash hadn't been as early as he wished he was, actually he was the last one to arrive. "Dammit! I knew I should have skipped breakfast!" He casually walked up to the group as they finally took notice of him.
"Hey there Ashy boy! Finally decided to make it? Your mommy have to wake you up?" Gary sneered at his lifelong Rival, why his Gramps saw anything the loser was beyond him.
"Oh hush up Gary! He is early just like the rest of us, so keep your comments to yourself!" Leaf was always the mothering type. She didn't stand for any teasing that wasn't lighthearted. She turned to Ash and gave him her winning smile. "Glad you could make it Ash. I wanted you to be here when we all got our starters." She said with a slight blush.
Ash smiled back at the pretty girl. "Thanks Leaf, I didn't know everyone would have the same idea as me." He turned to Gary with a bored expression. "Gary, I'm glad you're here, it wouldn't be the same without you." Sure the sarcasm would fly over the boys head, he turned to the other of their quartet, a boy named Joshua he was acquainted with. "Hey Josh, heard you were gonna be the last one to join us."
Josh wasn't a bully by any means, and he actually had a fairly pleasant relationship with Ash and the others, besides Gary, he just usually kept to himself. "Yea, I got lucky and scored a few points higher than Lisa to get the sponsorship." He rubbed the back of his head.
It was at this moment Professor Oak made his way to the main area the teens were congregating. "Ok everyone! Since you all seem to be fashionably early, why do we get a head start and you on your way. Now, follow me." He said as he waved them all to a back section of the lab where Ash knew held the starters.
In the room many computers hummed and different devices buzzed in operation, and in the center was a pedestal that held three Pokeballs. One with a Fire symbol, one with a water symbol and the last with a Grass symbol. "Well, since there are three pokemon, and four of you, who would mind taking a non standard starter?" He looks expectantly at the four teens awaiting their answer.
Gary obviously wouldn't be the one to speak up, he wanted Squirtle without any doubt. Joshua hadn't had a preference, but wasn't ready to just volunteer to miss out on a rare starter. Leaf had her heart set on Bulbasaur, but due to her kind nature, she was about to speak up.
"I'll do it Professor." Ash had his heart set on the Charmander, having a love for Charizard since he was young, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made. He loved all Pokemon afterall. Leaf moved to face him and mouthed a 'thank you' and turned back to the PRofessor.
Professor Oak beamed at his young pupils generosity. "Well since that's all settled, let's go with the age old tradition of ladies first." He motioned for Leaf to pick her starter
She eagerly stepped forward and grabbed the Pokeball with the Grass symbol and held it to her chest for dear life, then took a step back, smiling all the while. "Yes." She whispered to herself.
"Now we would follow with who got the best Pokemon Training League Exam score, but since Ash volunteered to take a different starter, Gary your up." He smiled at his Grandson, he loved the boy no doubt about it, he just wished he wouldn't have such a bad attitude.
"Thanks Gramps." He said as he smirked towards Ash, better score or not, he got to choose first. "The best choice it is, Squirtle for me." He said as he grabbed the Pokeball with a Water symbol on it then stepped back in line.
"Joshua you're up." He smiled kindly at the boy. What was his last name again? Blasted old age.
Joshua stepped forward and took the last Pokeball with a fire symbol on it then stepped back. Happy he got his first Pokemon.
"Splendid! Now since you three have your Pokemon, I have one more gift for you." He turned around and went to a desk and grabbed 4 red devices and walked back to the aspiring trainers. "These here are my own inventions, they're called Pokedex's, they will record the Pokemon you capture as well as many other functions to aid you along with your Journey. There is a help section that will guide you through its many features." He smiled at the three children as he watched them cradle their Pokeballs and Pokedex like babies. "Now go you three! You have no time to waste!" He made a 'shoo' motion with his hands as the three teens darted out the building to start their journeys.
Ash watched the other three go with a sad smile. He knew the rarity of finding those three pokemon in the wild and he would probably never get the chance to catch them.
"Ahem." Professor Oak cleared his throat to get Ash's attention. Said boy turned around with the utmost haste and stood ready to get his first pokemon. "Now Ash, I could say that I am proud that you were willing to sacrifice the chance at getting one of those three, however I am glad that it was you."
Ash tilted his head in confusion. "Why is that Professor?" He was honestly curious about this turn of events.
"Well because my boy, here is your starter." He pressed a button on the pedestal and the top opened cylindrically and another smaller one was brought forth. This held a lone Pokeball with a Dragon Symbol on it.
"Professor...is that? No it can't be!" He reached forward and grabbed the Pokeball and without hesitation or permission he tossed the Pokeball in the air. Once the bright white light receded, there he stood in all his glory. The little Delta Charmander that he had befriended what seemed so long ago. "Alduin!" "Charmander!" They came together in a hug which even surprised the Professor.
"It seems introductions are not in order." The professor laughed at himself. "I had hoped you would take the pass and be this one's trainer Ash. I must say you did not disappoint." He placed his hands on his hips and smiled at the two.
"I can't believe it Professor! I would have never thought!" He set the Charmander down that he had aptly nicknamed Alduin. He couldn't contain his smile. He got something even better than a future Charizard. He got his friend. "Charmander!" Alduin cried out in rejoice.
"Now Ash, with this I make a request of you. You have been my pupil and dare I say unofficial Aide for quite some time. I want you to document and photograph Alduin as he learns and grows. He is more than likely a one of a kind and a prime example of nature at work. Along with this, you would now be my official Aide and assist me with documenting and studying things you encounter along your journey. Could you do that for an old man?"
"Of Course Professor! I planned on doing that for my own benefit anyway." He had gained an embarrassed look while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Splendid! You would make a fine researcher someday with how inquisitive you are. Now with that, some adjustment must be made to your Trainer ID." He held his hand out for the Pokedex.
Ash happily handed it over and walked with the Professor desk where he plugged it in and began adjusting the data within. "There we go all done." He handed it back to the young man."Check and see for yourself."
A picture of Ash can be seen in the middle of the screen
Trainer Name: Ash Ketchum
Trainer ID: AK4568701
Trainer Rank: Beginner 3
Special Exemptions: Field Researcher In-training
Wins: 0
Losses: 0
Tournaments Won: 0
Pokemon Seen: 0
Pokemon Caught : 0
Ash stared wide eyed at the Pokedex, he was finally a trainer, but something caught his eye. "Hey Professor what is that 'Special Exemption' part?"
Oak chuckled, hoping he would catch that part. "You see Ash, as a Field Researcher, you have the pleasure of having your Pokemon carrying capacity raised to 10 instead of the standard 6, since you're expected to study and research Pokemon, in some rather...dangerous situations."
"Wicked." That was the eloquent response that Ash's overloaded brain could muster up at the moment. On a whim he decided to scan his new partner into his Pokedex.
"...Scanning…"
"Charmander the Lizard Pokemon"
"Special Ability...Rough Skin"
"Gene Variation Detected"
"No Knowledge Known"
"Pokemon Type...Fire and Dragon"
"Moves Known Scratch, Growl, Ember and Dragon Rage"
"Egg Moves Detected...Dragon Rush..Locked.."
"Metal Claw...Locked.."
Ash had a look of complete wonder as he looked down at his new partner as Alduin puffed his chest out and was proud of being part Dragon. "I didn't know Alduin was part Dragon Professor, I had thought he just had stronger Dragon genes than standard Charmander, and Dragon Rush! Phew you're a monster Alduin!"
Professor Oak nodded defty. "I had my suspicions as well Ash, when I had programmed the Pokedex to scan for Pokemon types and finally was able to scan Alduin I was surprised to say the least, but it at least confirmed my suspicions." He began to ponder once again what the Pokemon would grow to be once again. He shook himself from his reverie, not wanting to hold the young man up. "Well Ash, I believe you should make your exit. The Indigo League waits for no man."
Ash nodded to his teacher. "You're right Professor. I'll make sure to make regular reports of what I encounter and call once I reach Viridian City." Once he came to the door with his partner alongside him he turned to the Professor. "Thanks. For everything Old Man." Without waiting for a reply he left the Pokemon Lab and began walking to the entrance of Route 1, his new starter right alongside him.
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Ash was pleasantly surprised when he noticed that his Mom and few of the townsfolk were waiting for his arrival and had a banner that said 'Good Luck' for the four teens who were leaving today.
"Mom! What's all of this for?" He called out when he made it to them with Alduin coming to a stop alongside him.
"It's to make sure you kids have a proper send off Ash! Oh my!" She noticed that he had his long friend Alduin beside him and she beamed with pure joy. "Professor actually let Alduin become your starter? I would never have expected that!" She said as she scratched under the chin of said Pokemon. Earning her a happy "Char!" and a near puddle of black goo in her hands.
"I was as surprised as you Mom! I wouldn't have expected in a million years, but I couldn't be happier." He smiled at his Mother giving his partner affection. This day was turning out to be better than he could have imagined.
Delia finally wrapped up her attention paid to Alduin much to his displeasure. "We wanted to make sure you kids knew how proud we are of you all. Especially you Ash, a mother couldn't be more proud of her son as I am of you." She took a small wrapped gift out of her pocket and handed it to Ash. "This is for you from me dear."
Ash wasn't expecting a gift and happily received it with a bright smile. "Thanks mom." He opened it and gasped. It was an Xtranseiver, a joint production of Devon Corp and Silph Co, a true piece of technological genius. "Mom you really shouldn't have, but thank you!" He gave his Mom a hug along with Alduin, because if his trainer was, why not him too?
Delia embraced her son and then held him at a distance to get a good look at the young man before her, Ash had truly grown. "You deserved something for all the hard work you put in for so many years, besides, now you can call me wherever you are!" She smiled at her son, in a 'You better call more than once a month.' type of way.
Ash sweatdropped at this and scratched his temple. "Of course Mom!" He knew to never upset his mother, she could be down right scary. "Well, I think we should be off. I wanna get some training in and set camp before dusk."
Delia nodded to her son, she had to let go sometime. "Before you go, I have something else. It's from your Father." She held out the Pokeball to her son.
Ash had barely noticed the Pokeball when he heard it's from his Father. "Dad? Really?" He slowly reached out, almost as if scared to break the Pokeball. "A Pokemon...from my Dad." He wore a sad smile as he took it from his Mother.
Delia nearly broke into tears at the sight of her son. "You should wait to release it once you're on Route 1, so you don't startle it with all the people." She placed a hand on her son's cheek before letting her arm fall limp. It was time, and she would miss him dearly, but a mother had to let her child go. "We're proud of you Ash."
He smiled at his mother as he clipped the Pokeball onto his belt and nodded to her. "I will make you even prouder Mom." He looked down to Alduin and rubbed the top of his head. "Let's go buddy. The Indigo League waits for no man." He said as he gave his Mom one last hug and a kiss on her cheek. He thanked everyone for the warm send off and began walking out onto Route 1. "You better look out World. A Legend is about to be born."