Hello, hi! So, I've been inspired by a TON of Pokemon fanfics out there, NAMELY Mateusz's The Mortal Earth, TheStraightElf's Traveller and lastly darkfire1220's Challenger! As I'm a stressed out art student, writing is (ironically) my stress relief SO I made this! I won't claim to be a good writer, but I worked hard on this - I'm alarmed that I made this monster of a chapter in a total of 45 hours? wtf is wrong with me - so I hope you give me and my story a chance!
Heads up for all of you, so if you find some things you don't like, you can immediately leave and spare yourself the drama!
It will get particularly violent later on, and not just physically; I've been told I like psychological horror a little too much. I LIKE OCS A LOT (speaking of, notes for OCS at the end of the chapter!). You might not like my version of Ash early on, but... character development... UNPOPULAR CHOICES, and questionable ones! Haha. So far, those are the ones I can confirm that will be present in the story, but if there are additions, I guess I'll just add them.
Shout out to Mateusz for encouragement and guidance!
Now, on with the story!
Ash has been up for a while – an hour before his alarm was supposed to ring, to be specific – but he's not feeling the excitement. Not feeling the burning eagerness he was feeling ever since he became fifteen a year ago. How could he? When, just a couple months before Professor Oak would open the annual Trainer Licensure exams, his mother, Delia, had made a snap decision to move all the way to Sinnoh.
A few thousand miles north, a little closer to the polar cap and thus colder than anything Ash experienced in perfect, tropical Kanto. Unfamiliar, unknown Sinnoh. Scary Sinnoh. Not-Kanto Sinnoh.
If this was a mere trip, Ash wouldn't be so upset. But this isn't a mere trip, this is a permanent relocation. A permanent relocation to a place so far from home, so far away from the roots of their lives. Honestly, Ash doesn't even understand why his mother did that. Move them all the way northwards, to Sinnoh. He didn't understand. He didn't understand.
A stronger than normal wave lapped as his bare ankles, and Ash rises from his thoughts, blinking several times in quick succession as the sea in front of him began to twinkle and glimmer, the first rays of sunlight lighting the blue-green surface as the sun slowly, slowly climbed up the sky.
With the sunrise, Sunyshore's beach came to life; Ash could hear the first sounds of life from the city, the citizens waking, the city itself waking. Pokémon began to move about to, beginning their own days, their own lives. Ash walks a little further out from the beach, hiking his capris higher up his calves as we wades further out, breathing deeply as the still chilly waters tickled the backs of his knees. A couple of brave Remoraids swim close, inspecting his feet, before they dart away. Ash looks at them fondly, a smile softening his lips.
Then he remembers and the pleasant expression is wiped from his face.
He sighs.
He knows he shouldn't be so gloomy, so upset – after all, change is the only constant in this world – but. But.
He can't help it. He was close. So close to taking his first step. He was so close, but his chance is taken from him.
Ash absently bends down, dips his hand into the water and patting around for a smooth pebble. He finds one, and lifts it out of the water. He shakes off the water clinging stubbornly, inspecting it. It's smooth, it's flat, "And so easily," Ash lets his wrist flick, the pebble skipping across the surface six times before sinking into the deeper waters. An Octillery surfaced and blubbered angrily at him, and Ash winced. "… throw-able. Ugh, why am I moping?"
Huffing to himself, Ash makes his way back to shore, not bothering to put on his shoes and just picking it up as he heads back to the main part of the city. Like every region in the Eastern continent, the people are extremely polite and Sunyshore's residents are the same. Despite being the new resident, they greet Ash warmly, especially the elders, and Ash scrambles to return the politeness. It's still unsettling – Ash was never good with new people – but good thing he didn't have to suffer much, as he finally reached his mother's house.
His mom's Butterfree chatters at him from its perch, tending to the plants, and Ash gives it a pat on the head before heading inside, drying his feet on the rug and setting his aside his outside shoes.
"Mom?!" He calls out, stepping into his inside slippers and standing in the living room, perking his ear to hear better.
"Upstairs, Ash!" Ash easily follows his mother's voice, taking the stairs two at a time and turning down the hallway, into the piano room where his mother is, seated in front of the grand piano with music sheets in front of her and a pen tucked behind her ear.
Delia Ketchum turns at Ash's approach, smiling at him. She scoots and pats the empty space, and Ash slides in stiffly. Ash blinks at the ivory and ebony keys, then sneaks a glance at the music sheet. It's unfinished, lacking a title, even. "New song?"
"Mmhmm," His mother hums, playing the opening bars and Ash, despite it all, falls calm. "They've commissioned me for musical pieces. Hearthrome Theatre, I mean."
Ash blinks slowly, hesitantly putting a hand on top of the keys. His playing is terrible at best, but his mother merely smiles and continues to play on her side. "Isn't that the… the Contest Central of Sinnoh?"
Good job Ash, idle talk is good, nice.
"Yes it is- oh wait, Ashy play that sequence you just did please," Ash did so, so used to his mother's musical antics. His mother plays it, over and over, applying changes here and there until she's satisfied. Only then did she continue. "Anyway, yes, you're right on that front. The coordinator for this year's competition commissioned me for a few performance pieces, like I've said."
Ash swallows, takes his hands away from the piano. If his mother noticed, she didn't do anything. "That's great,"
"It is," Delia hums happily, and Ash knows that music and performance is his mother's passion, just as his is Pokémon batting. "I'm so happy."
Ash knows. Ash knows but yet… "I'm gonna go eat downstairs," Ash informed his mother, easily slipping out of the seat. "I'm starving."
"I cooked your favourite," Delia informs him, and that mollifies Ash a little bit. "What are you doing afterwards?"
"As usual," He says, already leaving the piano room. He drops his voice to a whisper. "Sulk somewhere."
He heads down, the stairs, fighting to keep his steps light and unhurried.
(He underestimates the capabilities of a mother, and he misses the way Delia's hand freeze over the piano keys, the anguish in her eyes. Misses the way Delia mouths 'what's wrong?' to the empty air that will never answer her.)
True to his word, Ash is starving and had devoured his food in short order, calling up a farewell to his mother as he leaves the house for the second time that day, this time bringing with him a small bag and a book. He opts for a sturdier pair of shoes instead of his usual slippers, slipping out the house and into the streets of Sunyshore soon enough.
He's lived at Sunyshore for a month now, and Ash thinks he has a good grasp on the city's eccentricities at this point.
Like the way the youths of Sunyshore – only a few years younger than Ash – are heading towards the local Gym means that someone is challenging Volkner.
Unable to help himself, Ash turns toward the road leading to the Sunyshore Gym, and true enough, the Gym is open, with people gathered at the spectator's entrance, eagerly waiting for the official opening once the preparations inside are done.
Ash, curiosity and intrigue piqued to near unbearable levels, approaches, joining the line. With nervousness clogging his throat – he quashes it valiantly, though, curiosity getting the better of him – he taps on the shoulder of teen in front of him. The younger boy turns to Ash, blinking up at him innocently. Ash clears his throat awkwardly, stuffing his sweaty palms into the pockets of his capris as he nods towards the Gym. "What's up with the Gym?" He asks, and blinks in surprise when the boy seems to practically vibrate in eagerness.
"She's dropping by for their yearly battles!" The boy replies cheerfully, and Ash is confused.
"Who is 'she'?" He asks, puzzled and intrigued. This is the first time he heard about it, something about a 'her' and a 'yearly battle' and with Volkner, of all people.
Ash isn't an idiot (well, most of the time) so he knows just who Volkner is. Volkner, Sunyshore's Shining Star, arguably the strongest Gym Leader in Sinnoh, more within the ranks of the Elite Four, maybe even the in the Champion's realm. Volkner, who is a genius with machinery and Pokémon. Volkner, who is Sunyshore's greatest pride.
If Ash didn't know who Volkner is, considering Volkner's massive house is just a block away, above all else, Ash won't hesitate to throw himself off the top of the lighthouse.
So for someone to challenge Volkner, when the competitive season hasn't even begun yet…
Ash is going to bet that this person, whoever she is, is either crazy or overly confident in her skills.
Ash wants to see the fight.
Before the boy in front of Ash can answer, the doors are opened and the excited crowd didn't even hesitate to stream into the building, Ash too surprised to realize that he's being jostled, tossed around by the stampede and before he can even refocus, orient himself, he finds himself blinking up at artificial lights, at the Gym's massive interior, some walls made of special glass and he can see gears and machines moving within the wall, making it seems like the Sunyshore Gym is a mechanical beast, and Ash is standing in its belly.
The usher beckons the stragglers up the viewing area, and Ash hastily complies, all the while looking around and gaping at his surroundings.
He's never been inside a Pokémon Gym – access is not given lightly – not even in Kanto, and despite his misfortune Ash is still glad he gets to see the inside of a Gym on his 16th year.
He brutally quashes the bitterness flooding his chest when that insidious voice at the back of his head whispers he's only there as a spectator, as a mere audience, and focuses his eyes on the battle zone, zeroing on the Trainer boxes.
On the blue side is Volkner, yellow mane spikier and messier than usual, and he's not wearing his signature blue and yellow get up, instead just clad in a grease-stained shirt and ripped jeans with even more grease. He's scowling fiercely, and Ash figured that the man was interrupted from his tinkering.
(It was a city-wide knowledge that Volkner absolutely loathes it when he's torn away from his machines or Pokémon unless it's absolutely dire. The last time, Volkner had caused the drained the city's electric supply in a childish bout of pettiness. But he did make a bomb laser light show, so the city didn't really mind. They're used to Volkner's own brand of quirks.
There was a reason the houses and the buildings are old fashioned, even the Pokémon Centre and the Pokémart. There's also a reason why all the skyway roads are made with sturdy solar panels.
And that reason is Volkner's tendency to reroute all the electricity in the city to his 'amusements'.)
Ash shifts his gaze to the challenger, and he's surprised when he sees a girl, grinning unrepentantly, pastel pink and black hair, pulled back in a tight braid so that two halves of her hair melded together in the middle. There's… something odd about her eyes, Ash can tell, but from this distance, he can't tell what that is. The challenger is casually tossing a Pokéball of odd make (dark green, with black lines running around its shape) and she's the complete opposite of Volkner, at this moment.
She pleased, where Volkner is anything but. She's excited, where Volkner looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.
Ash claps his hands over his ears when the girl turns to the on-lookers and blows them an obnoxious kiss and the crowd roars at that, and Ash is so confused. The girl laughs, waving back eagerly with a too wide grin on her face before turning to Volkner, blowing him a kiss too.
Volkner's expression sours, and all Ash can think is 'same dude'. "Can you stop with the ruckus?" He grumbles, voice amplified by the speakers in the Trainer boxes. The crowd laughs at that, like this is commonplace and wow.
Ash is so confused.
The girl laughs, voice surprisingly deep. "Aw, c'mon, I'm rarely ever here, let me have my fun Sparks!"
'Sparks'? Did she just call Volkner Sparks? Just who is this madwoman?
Volkner pins her an irritated look, releasing a pair of Medicham (Ash recognized them as part of the youngest Sinnoh Gym Leader's team), who immediately moves to the side and wordlessly create a psychic barrier. "I thought you were here for me?" He growls.
The girl forms a heart with her fingers, aiming them Volkner's way with a ridiculous pose. "Don't worry baby, you're my one and only!"
Volkner looks like his soul has left his body, and Ash can relate, feeling embarrassed even if the obnoxious and annoying actions aren't aimed his way. The crowd doesn't seem to think the same way though, cooing and laughing at the duo.
Ash shakes his head, getting to his feet. "If this silliness doesn't cease, excuse me while I go jump off the lighthouse-"
"Hey."
The sudden silence is louder than the previous ruckus the crowd was making, and Ash freezes where he's standing, throat closing when he realizes everyone's eyes are on him. He can't move, can't sit down to meld with the audience, so he's in plain view, everyone can see him-
Ash realizes why there's something wrong with the girl's eyes.
They're unnaturally bright. And they're trained on him, like a predator spotting prey.
The girl leans against her Trainer box, crossing her arms as she rests her weight on them, and not once does she takes her eyes off of him. Ash feels his skin crawl, his mind screaming at him to back up back up back up get away get away-
"You're a new face," She hums, cocking her head and she looks over at Volkner, whose face had smoothed out, looking at Ash as well. When Ash looked over at the older man, he thought the Gym Leader smiled apologetically at him, but when he blinked the blonde's face was clear. "A new one, Volkner?"
Volkner nods, turning to the girl, who is watching Ash too closely for comfort. "Yes, moved in just last month." Ash is reminded that technically, Volkner is also the leader of Sunyshore, aside from being its best Trainer. Volkner, technically can be acknowledged as Sunyshore's mayor.
And he knows what happens in his city.
The girl turns her smile – knife-like – on Ash. "Stay a while then, kid." She winks, and Ash can't shake off the unsettling feeling despite the cheerful and inviting words. He sits down. "We'll show you something amazing."
And the massive announcement board lights up, displaying the battle's details. The extra barriers around the audience area goes up, casting a faint rainbow sheen when the light hits it momentarily, and the lights of the gym changed into spotlights, all four of them focused on the battle zone, casting the area outside of it - and the girl and Volkner – in darkness.
The battle is apparently a one-on-one, and Ash catches sight of the challenger's name. 'Shade'. Ash thinks her name is fitting; she's shady as nothing else he'd ever come across.
"Trainers, release your Pokémon." A mechanical voice sounds out, and with red flashes, Volkner and the challenger release their combatants.
Volkner had released a massive Luxray, its black mane spiked up as electricity danced over its form. It releases a deep growl, loud over the din of the cheering crowd. Its tail lashed back and forth, the yellow spikes at the tip sparking threateningly as the Luxray regarded its opponent.
Shade the challenger had released a larger than normal Mismagius, and the only reason Ash knows of what Pokémon that is, is because in his boredom he had read through the online Pokédex, and Sinnoh's Fantina has a Mismagius as well, the cornerstone of her own Ghostly team. Shade's Mismagius is threatening to look at; closer to four foot, maybe even more, and it has five gems on its chest, not three.
That worst part is that it's grinning nastily at the Luxray and Volkner. The Mismagius' eyes flash pink, and its grin grows wider, its giggle sending chills up Ash's spine at the haunting sound.
"Of course, you'd bring out one of your nastiest," Volkner sighs, and the Luxray releases a snarl, muscles bunching and getting low on its haunches, readying to pounce for an attack or leap to dodge. "Whatever, let's go."
"Yes, let's!" Shade cackles out, and her Mismagius' eyes flashed pink once more. "Better be quick now Volkner!"
And with her cackling declaration, the Mismagius rises up in the air, wisps of energy roiling off of the Pokémon as it rises in the air, imitating its Trainer's ominous cackle.
Volkner's eyes flashed with panic. "Oh, wait, wait, Tes-!"
The Mismagius opens its mouth and a haunting melody pours from it, interrupting Volkner's frenzied shout and shocking the audience into silence at the sheer, unexplainable terror and despair that filled them, robbing the warmth from their chest, knocking the breath from their lungs and Ash feels the inexplicable urge to cry.
He almost curls up then and there until his mind kick started back into function and he realized what the Mismagius just did.
Perish Song.
Ash tries not think of the words spilling from Volkner's mouth – it wasn't exactly kid-safe after all – and Shade cackles in glee, her Pokémon echoing her sentiment in the smug way it floats down, haughty despite the timer it put on itself. It's so unbothered, despite the effects of the Perish Song, and a Pokémon couldn't, wouldn't, behave like that unless it knows it will be fine.
Unless it knows its Trainer will pull through.
Perish Song is one of those not-exactly-explainable powers Pokémon have access to, the simplest way to describe its effects is that the user, and its target, will faint after a while.
No questions asked.
The only way to lift is effects is to put the affected Pokémon in suspended animation – pulled back into a Pokéball or something similar – but aside from that, there's nothing to be done. Not even knocking out the user would lift the effect.
In regards to this battle, as it's a one on one, with no pull-out rules in place… Shade, essentially, put the battle on a timer.
And ensuring there will be no winner.
"Ooh, I hate you so much right now!" Volkner hisses, though there's an undertone of excitement in his voice and Ash is now afraid.
What are these people.
"Nah," Shade shoots back cheekily, and her eyes are gleaming pink. "You love me babe."
Really? These two? Ash didn't see that coming-
Wait.
Her eyes are pink. The same pink as her Mismagius' eyes. Glowing eyes are one of the most common manifestations of a Psychic-link. Shade has a Psychic-link with a Ghost-type and wow this is going to be complicated.
"Tes, Thunder Hall, get it up!" Volkner orders, and the Luxray doesn't hesitate, letting out a primal roar as its form let loose a bolt of lightning, a massive wave of electricity washing over the field and slamming against the Psychic barriers so hard both Medichams flinched. "Pursuit! Account for complex evasion!"
Shade doesn't need to verbally relay her orders, what with her Psychic-Link with her Pokémon, and the Mismagius lets out another chilling cackle, raising up Protect barriers around itself as it fearlessly floats towards its opponent, uncaring of the orbs of lightning that had formed at the four corners of the battle zone, shooting bolts of thunder wherever and whenever. One slammed against the Mismagius' shield, and Ash is in awe when it didn't even break, despite the bolt going off like a thunderclap when it impacted the Mismagius' shields.
Just how strong is this Shade person and her Pokémon…?
The Luxray snarls viciously, Dark energy dripping from its form as it rushed at the Mismagius, and it coils up, legs bunching beneath it, and it leaps powerfully, clearing three metres easily as it pounced on the Mismagius-
Only for the Mismagius to slip down into the floor, disappearing with a spine-tingling giggle.
The Luxray lands, yowling furiously, but it didn't panic, instead hunching low with its nose to the floor, attempting to scent it. It didn't work, Ash could tell, so it shakes its head, eyes flashing a brighter gold and it scanned the area.
Ash then remembers, from his studies of the Sinnoh Pokémon, that a Luxray's eyes sees all.
The grin that curls the Luxray's lips is entirely Volkner's, and it pounces once more, seemingly random. It lands, and raises a massive paw, wreathed in Dark energy and it slams it down on the floor, hard enough that it caves under and the Mismagius shoots out from the place with a pained shrieking, obviously hit by the attack. Seeing its chance, the Luxray leaps, teeth clamping around the Mismagius' neck. It lets loose another vicious wave of electricity and the Mismagius lets out another pained scream, shaking and shuddering as the Luxray thrashes it around.
It's violent, it's vicious, and-
Ash sees Shade grin in that cheeky way of hers, and he immediately snaps his eyes to the Mismagius, just in time to see it twist in the Luxray's grip and screech into its ear, making it flinch horribly and release the Mismagius. The Mismagius didn't hesitate, smugness absent from its visage and its glare could probably melt a Steelix. It glows an unholy violet colour, and before the Luxray could recover, it phases through its body, making the Luxray roar in pain.
The Mismagius wasn't done, no, because it opens its mouth and practically bathes the Luxray it intense violet flames. The Thunder Hall dissipates as the Luxray loses control over it, and at this the Mismagius continues it onslaught with increased vigour.
Ash gasps along with the crowded, wholly gripped by the intense battle, entranced by the spectacle they are indeed showing him. He's holding his breath, heart thudding his chest, and it's this. This is what he wants.
To orchestrate his own battlers. To be down here, being the challenger. Be a Trainer on his quest to become a Master.
Suddenly, he wants to go down there, join in. He grabs the edge of his seat, biting his tongue to hold himself back.
"Eerie Impulse!" Volkner calls out, and despite the pain it no doubt must be under, the Luxray releases a staccato pattern of Electric waves. The waves are weak, but it still forces the Mismagius to back away, shaking its head as if it's dizzy. The Luxray lets out a loud, triumphant howl, body flashing as it conjures a massive Thunder overhead, aimed point blank at the Mismagius. "Blow it to Distortion!"
The Thunder is released, and Ash hisses in pain when the resulting thunderclap and light assaulted both his eyes and ear, rendering him nauseous and dizzy, trying to blink away the spots dancing in his vision, the ringing in his ears making him twitch and squirm uncomfortably.
He hears a weird hiccupping sound, and when his senses finally right themselves, he realizes it wasn't hiccupping he was hearing.
It was the Shade girl laughing raucously.
She has her head thrown back, laughing a belly laugh that sounded… odd, but she doesn't seem to care that she's laughing hysterically. She's now bent over double, still laughing her guts out, and her Mismagius…
Her Mismagius seemed fine. Scorched black, and its 'cloak' shredded on some parts, but upright and easily floating on a non-existent breeze.
Its smug disposition is back, maybe even smugger than ever, and it chortles, tipping its pointy hat towards Shade who is now on her knees slamming her hands on the flooring over and over as she wheezes more than she laughs.
Ash frowns, extremely confused. His sentiment is shared by all of the on-lookers, confused whispering and questioning exclamations filling the silent air.
"Hah!" Shade gasps out, cackling shortly before hauling herself up to stand (more like drape herself) against the railing, shoulders shaking with the force of her unexplainable mirth. "Oh, oh I didn't think it would work so well!"
Even Volkner is frowning now, sharp blue eyes scanning the field until he hisses, eyes narrowing. "You sly- You did those on purpose!" Volkner whistles, and his Luxray lopes back to its Trainer, a questioning look on its visage. Volkner gestures towards the Luxray's chest-
"Oh." Ash blinks, seeing the ornate, 8-shaped sigil glowing innocently against the Luxray's chest. It yowls in distress, pawing at it desperately, and Volkner coos softly at it, easing it, and the Gym Leader looks at Shade with narrowed eyes. "Destiny Bond." Ash murmurs, wondering when the hell the Mismagius placed that thing on the Luxray.
Now, Destiny Bond is another not-exactly-explainable power; it basically, literally ties itself to a Pokémon, so if the user faints…
The target faints, unless put in suspended animation. It's extremely similar to Perish Song, but none of the waiting.
"Spooks, darling," Shade speaks aloud, the Psychic-link gone now, but in its place is a really, really sinister grin. "Memento."
The Mismagius doesn't even hesitate, doesn't even blink when it makes a knife-like apparition before it, the weapon made from Dark-energy hovering over the Ghost's chest. A breath hitches in Ash's throat, and a lot of the audience are so gripped by the spectacle that they screamed when the Mismagius plunges the 'knife' in its chest. The Mismagius howls, and despite the pain Ash can definitely hear it.
The triumph. The glee.
The Mismagius collapses in a heap, its form going hazy-
The Luxray lets out a weak yowl, swaying on its feet, before it topples over, knocked out cold.
The Gym is so still, so silent and tension-filled that Ash is taken by the atmosphere, hardly breathing as his eyes flickered back and forth, back and forth between the smug Shade and the blank-faced Volkner. He feels like he can literally cut the tension with one of his mother's knives-
"Battle, draw!" Ash jerks in surprise, the mechanical voice filling the Gym and thus breaking the tension with its unbothered tone. "Trainers please leave the field."
The lights slowly return, casting the place in regular light once more, and Ash squints in the sudden change of light, and he stares in stupefied wonder at the destruction that admittedly short fight caused.
The ground is scorched, and there was a small yet deep crater, the spot where the Luxray had flushed out the Mismagius, and there still remnants of that weird fire blast thing the Mismagius did-
Volkner snorts, shaking his head and recalling his unconscious Pokémon, Shade doing the same. "I hate you." He informs the girl simply, remorselessly.
The girl simply shrugs. "I know, I make it easy." She replies blithely.
They simply looked at each other for a moment, before they both burst into laughter. And just like that, the crowd launches into a borderline violent applause, and Ash doesn't even pretend to be not impressed. He stands and claps as hard as he can, releasing a breath he was unconsciously holding in, adrenaline pumping faintly in his veins.
Wow, was he that into the battle?
Volkner and Shade bow towards the audience, and they both leave the Trainer boxes, ducking of to one of the side exits together and Ash follows the chattering crowd as they leave, finding himself grinning. He doesn't even care much right now; his plan was to sulk somewhere, but he got top-class entertainment, live, instead.
Today wasn't as bad as the other days.
Upon exiting the building, apparently the excitement isn't over as the girl, Shade is waiting for the crowd, Volkner off to the side a bit (wait, when did he change into cleaner clothes?), and the Shade girl lets out a happy cry upon seeing the crowd, waving her arms enthusiastically.
Ash is alarmed when the people flocked to this Shade girl, practically drowning her – wow she's actually short, Ash couldn't see her over the heads of the people – and literally sweeping her away, all the while talking and cheering and jabbering and all around making a racket as they made off with the Shade girl. Ash watches them go, several parts disbelieving, several parts amused, and a whole lot confused. Really, just who is this Shade person?
In the month that Ash lived in Sunyshore, he'd never seen or even heard of her. And while her paleness is somewhat close to the paleness common in Sinnoh-born people, it's too pale, making her black-pink hair all the more vibrant in its contrast.
And her battle…
"Ash," Ash startles so bad he almost jumps a foot into the air, and he whirls, seeing-
"S-sir!" Ash squeaks out, because what the heck what the heck what the heck it's Volkner what is this what is this aaaaaaaAAAAAAAHHHHHH- Ash coughs, straightening and nodding respectfully at (a terribly amused) Volkner. "Sir."
Volkner grimaced, but he was also trying not to laugh – Ash sort of wants to kick himself in the face – and he holds a hand up. "Please, no need to be formal. It makes me feel old." He nods towards the Gym. "So. How was it? The show, I mean."
Ash takes a moment to ask himself if this is really happening, that a Gym Leader is talking to him, someone who isn't a Trainer- "Amazing." Ash blurts out, voice reverent and obviously amazed that Ash is disappointed in himself. Really? Fan-boying now of all times?
"Glad you think so," Volkner replies, "You know, I haven't really welcomed your family to Sunyshore, now that I think about it. Sorry about that." The man says, smiling apologetically.
Ash really needs to get a grip. Like, now. What is wrong with him? "N-no need for that, its f-fine, Sir, uh Volkner."
Volkner shakes his head, "No, I've been a little neglectful of my duties as the keeper of Sunyshore. Let me make it up to you?"
When he puts it like that it sounds like he owes them. What in Distortion's name is happening?
Really, all he wanted is to stay in Kanto, finally get his Trainer's License he worked so hard for, and aim for Mastery with his Pokémon friends. And to be more specific time-wise, all he wanted to do today is go somewhere peaceful and sulk.
Now he has the Sunyshore Gym Leader, the Shining Star, wanting to visit his mother's house?
What even…?
"Okay," Ash croaks, because if he's being honest, he's really, really amazed that he's talking to Volkner the Gym Leader. "I-I'll tell my mom."
"I hope I wouldn't be imposing too much." Volkner smiles, following Ash as the younger male walks (stumbles, really) towards the direction of his house.
Discreetly, as they walked together silently, Ash pinched himself to see if he's dreaming. When he confirmed that he wasn't, he has to wonder why Volkner would want to visit a non-Trainer. Sure, he's the Sunyshore Gym Leader but… isn't personally visiting a bit too much…? Not that Ash is against it, no, Gym Leaders visiting would be welcome because that's awesome, but. He's not prepared.
Like, at all.
So to be correct, Volkner followed Ash quietly, returning greetings sent his way from the citizens, and Ash screamed at himself in the privacy of his own mind. He had managed to send a heads up to his mother, informing her that he's coming back with a guest and she should probably prepare snacks, but his hands shook so much Ash wasn't sure if his message was written properly.
"So Ash," Volkner starts, and Ash tries not to fidget, instead putting his hands in his pockets. "I noticed that you don't have a Pokémon, despite looking to be of age. Being a Trainer not your thing?"
Boy, Ash was glad he had already hid his hands in his pockets. He really doesn't want anyone to see how his hands twitched in response to the innocent question.
"It's my thing, it's just," Ash shrugs as nonchalantly as he can manage. "There were some complications."
"What complications?"
This time, Ash did jump a foot in the air, a curse on the tip of his tongue when someone appeared beside him.
Upon recognizing the bi-coloured hair, Ash really, really has to wonder like what is happening today like is there? Some sort of? Cosmic force out there? That is wanting to mess with him? Ash knows he's done some bad things – well, he considers them bad things – but was it enough to warrant like a series of incidents like this?
First, Volkner talks to him.
Then Shade (somehow, somehow) tracks them down and now she is talking to him-
"U-uh, what complications?" So here's the thing; Ash scored rather high on the time-pressure battling, the highest in fact. But that was battling; conversations aren't battles, they're talking and Ash never really got the best grip on societal niceties or mastered the smoothest conversations (that area is Gary's expertise, and besides, Ash gets too mouthy for his own good). So, in short, Ash is a conversational disaster.
Fortunately for him, Shade doesn't have such problems so she smoothly turns to Volkner, who replies swiftly. "Complications in regards to his Trainer License. He's from Kanto."
Shade snaps her finger, turning to Ash and pointing to him with an expectant look on her face. "Either you didn't pass the Board Exam, the approval didn't go through before your transfer here, or you left before you managed to even take the exam." Shade grins at Ash's alarmed look, crossing her arms in front of her, looking so self-satisfied.
Ash has to gape, because she got the reason for his lack of Trainer License in just three guesses. Blind guesses, at that.
Before Ash could ask about how she guessed it right, Shade walks backwards, moving away from them. "Well, whatever those complications are, if you need help, you can come find me!" Shade says, looking Ash in the eye, like she's trying to convey something else aside from the extremely generous offer. When Ash fails to respond – he ended up just gaping at her like a Magikarp out of water – Shade merely grins, winking before waggling her fingers at Volkner's direction. "I'll head home first, see you when you get back, Volk!"
And with that, Shade turns and leaves, leaving behind a gaping (and confused) Ash and an exasperated Volkner. Ash wordlessly turns to Volkner, a questioning finger pointed in the direction where Shade had gone off to. Volkner sighs, a small smile playing on his lips.
"That was Shade, as I assume you should already know," Volkner begins, the duo continuing their trek to Ash's house. "She's one of my oldest friends, which is why she acts so informally and familiarly towards me and the rest of Sunyshore."
"I've never seen her before today…" Ash trails off, desperately racking his brain for a memory of seeing the odd-haired girl. Woman, Ash corrects himself, as Volkner said he and Shade were old friends and taking that to account, they must be the same age, or at the very least near in age.
"Because she doesn't live here," Volkner informs him, and Ash nods, now understanding the lack of Shade's prior presence. "She's from Unova."
Oh, wow. "That far?" Ash whistles, because Unova is on the other side of world, along with Kalos and Alola. "Huh. I wonder what Pokémon she got. Must be pretty strong."
"I can definitely confirm that Shade is strong," Volkner grimaces. "But not in the conventional way. You've seen our fight earlier."
"Yeah, it's actually pretty hardcore, how she opted for a draw than a complete victory." Ash muses, giddiness flooding into his voice. "Now that I think about it, if that strategy was applied to a multi-round battle, it would have way different results. I figured that technique would be most effective against an opponent that has an advantage over her team, beating the opponent with a sacrificial method, to be specific. If she can take out the cornerstone of the opponent's team in such a devastating and fast manner, she's putting loads of psychological pressure on the other side." Ash rambles, pulling out his hands out of his pockets to gesticulate randomly, trying to convey his thoughts to the Gym Leader. "And also, I noticed that she had a Psychic-link with a Ghost-type! That puts her in a tactical advantage due to speed of commanding as well as the lack of verbal communication, which keeps the opposition guessing."
Volkner makes a curious noise at the back of his throat, eyes a little wide as he looks as Ash in fascination. "You figured that out in just one battle?"
Ash flushes, instinctively burying his hands back into his pockets. "U-uh, my teacher back at Kanto sort of drilled into us, ah, assessment skills. Said we need to process what we're seeing, pick it apart for details, and sort of form a hypothesis of the opponent's strategy's based on their methods. In the shortest time possible." Ash explains, a little nervous. "But there was one thing I wasn't sure about though."
Volkner blinks curiously at him, making a gesture for Ash to continue.
"That Mismagius… When did it land the Destiny Bond?" Ash asks. "It couldn't be during that 'phasing through the Luxray' part; that was obviously a different attack."
"And you'd be right," Volkner sighs. "It was actually during the part when my Luxray, Tes, got her jaws around Shade's Mismagius. It's honestly been a while since I've battled Shade, so I forgot her tendency to… to play things on the risky side. Shade had her Mismagius let my Luxray thrash her around, using the commotion to hide the placement of the Destiny Bond."
Ash brows furrowed. "You mean she purposely let her Pokémon be hurt just to set up a trap?"
Volkner nods. "Sounds irresponsible and dangerous, I know, but Shade and her team works differently. In a manner only a few that isn't them can stomach, really." Volkner hums. "Besides, Shade specializes in Dark and Ghost Pokémon, and those two types aren't too keen on following conventional things."
Ash frowns, but before he could speak, his mother's house comes into view and he tries to stifle the urge to turn around and walk away, clenching his fists inside his pockets. He turns to Volkner, gesturing towards his mother's house. "So, uh, here we are." Ash says lamely, trying not to grimace. He quickly walks up the walkway, up the patio and then opening the front door.
Ash removes his outside shoes for the second time that day, putting his inside shoes on. He hastily offers a spare indoor footwear for Volkner, after the man is done removing is own outside shoes. Ash can hear his mother tromp down the stairs on quick feet, and he turns, just in time to see her walk down the last step.
Ash sees the split second she's shocked into silence by the sight of Volkner, but she smoothly recovers, walking forward to greet the guest.
(Ash pretends not to notice his mother's alarmed look, moving to the kitchen to fetch Volkner some drinks and snacks instead.)
Upon returning to the living room, Ash is reminded that his awkwardness in social situations is all him, because Delia and Volkner are sitting across from each other, chatting amicably and a mile a minute already, as if Ash wasn't gone for just a few minutes. Ash, not really keeping pace with… whatever the adults are talking about, just sits there to the side, pouring them cups of tea and replenishing the plate of pastry when needed (Ash is sort of impressed at the amount Volkner puts away, and from the look of it, he's nowhere near full yet). He also lets his mind wander.
Specifically, his mind wanders over to Shade, and her offer.
Bold of her to offer her help to a stranger, but if Ash is being honest… He's tempted. Very, very tempted. His chance to become a Trainer is dropped on his lap, after all, so how can he refuse such a tempting offer? If he can, he would leave the house – again, but he doesn't care – and seek out the strange woman, take her up on her offer, and finally, finally take his first step in becoming a Master.
As he should be doing already.
But better just a few months late than wait for next year; Ash just really, really loathes wasting time.
The only thing that's keeping him in his seat, is that he's… he's a little weirded out by Shade. There was… something off about her. Something lurking… Or maybe that just her overly friendly (and overly flamboyant) personality chafing against Ash's prickly self. He's prone to overthinking, after all, so maybe that just it. Clashing personalities.
He ought to talk to Volkner, as the older man was present when Shade extended the offer to Ash. And besides, Volkner surely knows if it's a good idea to accept Shade's offer. Ash doubts that Shade is a sinister character… but better to be sure, right?
Tentative plan made, Ash let himself drift where he is, answering when questioned directly ("I didn't know you know Mr. Volkner, Ash!" "We just, ah, met earlier, really.") or getting up to get more refreshments for his mother and Volkner. Ash isn't sure how long Volkner stayed – he didn't mind, Volkner is actually a chill person to be around – but when Volkner excused himself, Ash got up to see him off, like a proper host.
"I'm glad to hear that you and your mother are settling well, Ash," Volkner says. Ash really, really, tries not to grimace at that. "I hope we can talk some other time, when I'm free."
"Actually, about that…" Ash fidgets a little, hiding twitchy hands in his pockets. "Uh, you… You heard about Ms. Shade's offer. Earlier. You heard it, right?" Come on Ash, don't become a stuttering mess now. "Well, I was, uh, wondering about… your opinion… on that."
Volkner blinks several times in surprise, leaning back and regarding Ash carefully. Ash tries to not to fidget under the intense scrutiny, opting to look down and stare at Volkner's well-worn sneakers instead. "Hmm, my opinion, huh?" Volkner leans against the wall, pursing his lips in thought. "Well, to be honest… I say go for it."
Ash is surprised by the easy and almost blasé answer. "What?"
Volkner shrugs. "I know Shade; she doesn't let anyone have her favour so easily unless she has a reason. And she's a good person, despite all her… quirks." He explains. "And the fact that she's offering to help you secure your Trainer License… Well, I'd suggest you take her up on her offer. If she retracts is, there's no more get backs. Besides," Volkner smiles at Ash. "I'm pretty sure, with whatever help you get from Shade, you'll put it to good use. You seem like a good kid Ash."
Ash somehow manages not to trip in place and stutter in embarrassment. He does duck his head though, practically tucking his chin against his chest. "U-uh, thanks."
Volkner lets out a small laugh, before opening the front and stepping through. Ash follows after him quietly, watching the older man leave. Ash lets out a stuttering breath. Today was wild, after all.
"Oh, yeah, Ash?" Ash looks up, seeing Volkner by the end of the walkway, half-turned towards him. Volkner tilts his head, a questioning look on his face. "When you get your Trainer License… What will you do?"
A large smile overtakes Ash's face before he can control it.
"Isn't it obvious?" He asks, rhetorically.
"I will be a Pokémon Master."
SUPERNOVA
Dinner time at Delia's house is mostly a quiet affair, but tonight, it's a little different.
Ash can't blame the change in routine, though. He continues to determinedly spoon more beef soup into his bowl, practically drowning the rice with how much he's pouring, while his mother gushes on and on about Volkner's visit.
"I'm so surprised Ash," Delia was saying, waving her fork around while Ash concentrates on ripping apart the beef slices. "For the Sunyshore Gym Leader to visit us?"
"I know the feeling," Ash mumbles back, wondering himself how exactly did that happen. He's still in disbelief, like he's just having a very detailed, very crazy dream. "But I don't think I'm hallucinating though."
Delia sighs, a dreamy look on her face. "Ah, but I have to say, that man is quite the catch. Shame I don't have any daughters." Delia looks over at Ash. "Or that you're not a girl."
Ash has a few choice words about that, but they shouldn't be uttered around his mother in risk of being given a scolding that would scar him for life. So he resorts to glaring at his mother, wishing that she wasn't so fixated on romance. Or his love-life. Which is foreseeably non-existent until he achieves his goal. Even then, Ash isn't really sure if he really wants such a thing.
"Can you not," Ash tries to bend his chopsticks by sheer force of his mortification. "Say that?"
Delia blinks innocently at him. "… Do you like Volkner even if you're a guy?"
Ash wishes the ground would swallow him whole. Why is his mother like this? "Alright, let me just," He gets up, turns towards the door, "Jump off the lighthouse real quick-"
Delia's tinkling laughter rings out, a firm hand clamping around Ash's wrist in a vice-like grip. Ash sits back down, huffing in irritation. Really, why is his mother like this? He wasn't the perfect child, he's aware of that, but does she have to make him suffer like this?
Ugh.
Excitement over, the mother and child resume their dinner, the only sounds permeating the air is of the clinking of chopsticks against ceramic wares, of metal spoons against the bowls, and the nightlife of Sunyshore outside the house. Delia's shenanigans aside, the evening was peaceful.
Although, Ash isn't so sure how long that peace might last, with what he's going to announce a little later.
See, Ash had thought about Shade's offer of help, and consequently Volkner's encouragement in accepting said woman's offer. At this point, there wasn't any negatives to it – aside from the unavoidable, but Ash didn't claw his way to Professor Oak's top three just to muck up all the knowledge – so Ash, if given the chance, would bolt out the door and seek out Shade, take up on her offer without any more second wasted.
But. He has to let his mother know of his plans. He has to let him know that someone had reached out to him, offered their help. And whether or not his mother would approve of this, Ash is still going. He is definitely going. And his mother won't be able to stop him.
After all, she owes him this, right? If Ash didn't (convolutedly) meet Shade, he would have been forced to retake the Board Exam after three years, as competitive season roughly takes two years, with a gap year in between. If he didn't (convolutedly) meet Shade, Ash would've wasted three years. Absolutely unacceptable.
So, after dinner, after washing the dishes, Ash is going to sit his mother down, and declare his plans.
Which is exactly what he did the moment he finished washing the dishes; he sat his mother down, and told her about Shade's sudden offer, his interest in it, and that he's taking that offer, no matter what. He won't be dissuaded, no matter what she does. It might be a little rude – okay, a lot rude – but Ash doesn't care.
Being an official Trainer is so near. Practically at the tip of his fingers. He will reach out and grab it-
"… Okay." Ash blinks, looking over at his mother, wondering if he misheard. Delia smiles, a weak and brittle thing, and Ash pushes the guilt away. His mother nods slowly, like she still shocked but already beginning to process Ash's words, his plans, his intent. "Okay. You won't hear me stopping you dear. It's… It's what you've wanted for so long."
Ash couldn't help the slow grin that on his face, the utter relief. He just sits there for a moment, unable to even move from the amount of joy his mother's permission gave him. Then, before he could really put a lid on his excitement, he jumps up onto his feet, fists punching the air as he lets out a loud whoop. The sudden, explosive show of happiness from Ash made Delia laugh, and Ash didn't think too much when he bent down and hugged her tightly. Delia returned his embrace with equal ferocity.
"I gotta go pack," Ash blurts, pulling away from Delia's embrace with a gasp. He brings up a finger, "I gotta pack a travel bag, get my stuff together, prepare- oh, by Distortion, do we have maps? Do we have maps?"
And so, the rest of the evening is spent in a frenzied flurry of preparations, with Ash preparing to set off on a region-wide jaunt in his quest to become The Pokémon Master. They managed to unearth a bag (a pouch, really) which used the same technology as a Pokéball's – meaning everything inside is transformed into codes of data and stored in a database, then reverted into its original form when 'released' – so Ash would be spared the grief from thieves, and heavy bags.
The bag is then loaded up with travel-safe clothes, as well as a tent, a couple sleeping bags – never know when a spare can be used – as well as a book entitled 'Walking in the Wilderness for Dummies'. Ash didn't even complain at that; he knows he might find something useful, despite the title.
Delia finally (finally) gave Ash his credit card, containing trust fund money accumulated for 16 years and a bonus added just that night when Delia agreed to having Ash take his Coming of Age journey. Ash had wasted no time in making a list of what he'll be buying come morning, the list being changed over and over when mother and son debated on what to bring, and what not to bring.
("I really should bring a knife, mom." "No, you will not!")
It took them quite a while, even though they were rushing, but by the time they were done, it was midnight, and Delia had retreated to her room to rest, bone-tired from keeping up with Ash's enthusiasm.
Ash himself is not the least bit tired though, so he boots up the computer in his room and logs into the chatrooms, pleased that his friend is still online.
Ashy-boy: u ther bro
Future Professor: Yes Ash. And would it kill you to use proper typing?
Ashy-boy: ye itll kill me
Ashy-boy: but enuf of dat
Ashy-boy: I got news
Future Professor: Spill it, then. I'm logging of soon.
Ashy-boy: I'm gonna be a Trainer.
Looking at that, Ash feels so pleased, so fulfilled, like being a Trainer is what he was always meant to be. Like it was Fate herself wants him to be a Trainer. 'Trainer Ash'. Ah, it even rolls of the tongue so nicely!
Suddenly, Ash's computer chimes a merry tune, his screen displaying a 'VIDEO CALL INCOMING' which had Ash scrambling for his headphones – so his mother doesn't have to be woken by the screaming that will undoubtedly come from his best friend's end. He puts them on, plugging it into the audio jack before hitting the 'Accept' button.
Gary's face appears on the screen, glasses perched on his nose, spiky brown hair a total mess and his lab coat still on. Huh, so he was still working, even at such a late hour.
Ash grins. "Hey-"
Ash thanks his quick reflexes, because he managed to yank his headphones off in time, saving himself from what must be an absolutely piercing shriek Gary let out, judging from how Gary had his mouth opened really wide, and even the veins in his neck are standing out. Ash just watches Gary shriek for a solid 30 seconds, both impressed and exasperated at Gary's antics, and when Gary has shrieked himself hoarse – hah, karma – Ash puts the headphones back on, smirking.
"You done yet Gary?" He taunts, snickering when Gary coughs out a laugh, reaching somewhere off screen to grab a cup of something drink, gulping it down enthusiastically to soothe his throat.
"Shove off Ash." Gary croaks, voice definitely wrecked because he's an idiot.
Ash mockingly cups a hand over his ear, squinting at the screen. "I'm sorry, Gary, but I didn't hear that." He says, fighting off a grin. "Could you say it louder?"
He gets Gary's middle finger as a response, and Ash laughs softly, shaking his head. When they're both calm – and Gary's throat now soothed – Ash tries again, unable to help but grin at his older friend. "Hey there future prof." He chuckles, sticking his tongue out at Gary's eye-roll. "I see you're working really hard."
"I'm Gramp's personal intern, what did you expect?" Gary replies, sipping more of that drink of his. The older male sighs, leaning back on his seat and raking a hand through unruly locks. "But workload aside, I'm doing more than fine, really. Doesn't make me regret handing over the Champion's mantle back to Lance."
Ash wisely doesn't give his two cents on Gary's choices, rather picking a much safer conversation route. Specifically, how he's going to be a Trainer soon enough. "Good to hear that. But you know what makes me happier?" Ash couldn't help the grin that practically took over his face. "The fact that I'm going to be a Trainer soon."
Gary jolts at that, sitting straighter and almost lurching towards his own screen, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Tell me about that." Gary demands, eyes gleaming in undisguised interest and glee. "Spare no details!"
And so Ash happily recounts his story, from his not-so-good day, to the fight between Volkner and Shade, and finally Shade's offer. By the end of it all, Gary is staring wide-eyed at Ash, a hand cupping his chin, almost unmoving. Ash is grinning all the while, unbothered with Gary's stare.
"Ashy, my bro, are you telling me…" Gary sucks in a breath, blinking owlishly. "You got yourself a sugar mommy?"
Ash accidentally kicks out at the edge of his desk. The very metal, very solid edge of his desk. Ash managed to swallow a shout of pain, and he glares viciously at Gary who is howling in laughter. "Can you not?!" Ash hisses, cradling his foot close, rubbing at it in an attempt at easing the pain away. "And also, no? I didn't get a sugar mommy, Gary, what?"
Gary was still laughing, in actual tears as of the moment. Ash, for some horrible, horrible moment, entertains the thought that if Gary and Shade were ever to meet… Ash shudders, fear crawling up his spine, and he hopes to The One that will never happen. Never.
Ash buries his face in his hands. "Why are we friends again."
Gary lets out a last cackling laugh, slapping his knee. "Ask your mom and Gramps, they practically raised us as brothers," He wheezes. He takes a deep breath, unable to help the few giggles that escaped him. Gary fixes Ash a smug look, turning his nose up at the younger male. "And as your older brother, it is my sworn duty to mortify you beyond your worst nightmares, Ashy."
Ash rolls his eyes, grimacing. "Yay, I guess." He knows, that when it comes to embarrassing Ash, Gary and his own mother are at the top of the list. Wow, what kind of family he has; backstabbers, the lot of them.
(But if comes down to it, he wouldn't exchange them for the world, despite all… all the grievances between them.)
Gary looks at him fondly then, one corner of his lips kicking up into a crooked smile. "But really though," He begins softly, looking down at his own fingers, which Ash knows are calloused and heavily scarred from his own years out in the wilds of Kanto, four years years of it spent clawing his way to the top, to get the Champion's Mantle for his own. "I'm… I'm so glad for you Ash," Gary looks up, looks right into Ash's eyes. "Like, I'm feeling what I felt when I got my own License, and I know how much you've wanted this. Prepared for this. I'm glad you're finally getting what you want."
Ash grinned, wide and so pleased. "I'm glad too."
And so the two of them talked for an hour more, until the day's events have finally caught up to Ash, making his lids heavy and his mind fogged up, and Gary sent him to bed with a laugh and words of encouragement ("Call me when you need anything. Well, anything besides money and precious items!" "… Thanks."). Ash turns his computer after that, smiling all the while, and he finally flops on his bed, face first.
"I'm gonna be a Trainer," He whispers, smiling harder. "I'm… finally gonna be a Trainer."
And with that pleasant thought, Ash falls asleep.
SUPERNOVA
Ash wakes up before his alarm again, but he couldn't even be bothered by how early he is; he's too excited. Apparently his mom is feeling the same, because when he ran down the stairs – already dressed and bathed - she's already cooking, cooking something fit for an army to be specific.
Ash is glad his stomach alone is an army.
Delia smiles at him as Ash takes a seat, practically drooling at the sight of his mother's meals. "Good morning," She says, piling up a plate with tonkatsu slices, as well rice and then pouring a generous amount of sweet sauce over it. She places it before Ash, chuckling at the way he eyes it like a man who hasn't eaten in years. "I can see you're excited."
Ash doesn't look away from the tempting food. "Can you blame me?"
Delia's smile takes a wan quality to it. "I suppose not," She sighs. She takes a seat herself, and after the said their thanks, Delia grinned. "So, let's eat!"
The food didn't last long between them, and before they knew it, Ash is bringing his packed bag downstairs in preparation – in case he has to leave right away – and Delia is hugging him fiercely by the front door, bawling her eyes out at how her baby boy is growing up, and he's finally going to be recognized as an adult.
Ash gamely endures his mother's antics – after all, he doesn't know when he'll be back here to Sunyshore – and when the goodbyes are over, and Delia's instructions are over and done with, Ash set off for the Sunyshore Gym, figuring he could check the place out if Shade, or even Volkner, is there. If not… he could probably drop by Volkner's house to ask where Shade is.
Luckily for him though, in front of the Gym is Volkner and Shade – despite the early hour – so Ash easily jogs up to them, grinning excitedly.
At his approach, Shade smiles smugly, cocking a brow a Volkner. "I knew he'd accept," Ash hears her say, and he slows down to a stop before the two adults. Shade looks up at him, smiling widely. "Good morning, future Trainer!"
Wow, it's so good to be acknowledged as a Trainer. Ash, remembering his manners, bows to them at the waist. "Thank you." He straightens. "Thank you so much."
Shade shrugs, casual. "No problem kid. Now!" Shade takes the folder she had tucked under her arm, handing it towards Ash. Confused, he takes it with both hands, and then he sees the Kanto coat of arms stamped on the side. "Inside that folder is the necessary files for your Trainership to go through, and let me tell you, I'm glad I have enough contacts in the Kanto League." Shade was rambling. "Normally, you'd have to take an exam again, since I went and checked and found you already passed the Board Exam, but get this; I got you a personal letter of recommendation from your Professor, Professor Oak. So you get to skip the tedious parts."
Ash gapes when the implications set it. "Y-you mean…?" By Arceus by Arceus by Arceus this is actually HAPPENING-
Shade smirks. "That I practically gave you an instant Trainership? Then yes." She laughs, and Volkner is smiling as well. "We have to file this with the Professor here in Sinnoh, meaning that would be Old Man Rowan, so you can register in the database officially and save yourself from further complications. Oh, so you can have free access to League facilities if you're planning to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion."
Ash couldn't wait, he's practically vibrating. Volkner chuckles at him, releasing two Medichams. "Calm down; you'll explode if you don't do so." He jokes. Shade snorts at that, afterwards smiling warmly at one of the Medichams that approached her, the Meditate Pokémon offering a hand towards the woman. Shade curtsies with a soft laugh, placing her hand in the Pokémon's.
The other Medicham holds its own hands out towards Volkner and Ash, and Ash, after swallowing his nerves, places his hands on the Pokémon's-
Hello, little one
Ash blinks, frowning in confusion because did he just hear a voice in his head?
That would be me. The Medicham in front of you
Ash gapes at the said Medicham, and it seems to smile in amusement, before it looks away, turning towards Volkner. Ash guesses the two are speaking telepathically – with the tell-tale pink glow in their eyes – and after a moment Volkner looks at Shade then at Ash.
"Well, we'll be teleporting to Sandgem Town, where the Professor's laboratories are. First timers, I advise you to close your eyes." Volkner says, and Ash easily complies, not wanting to risk it.
"And in three, two… one!"
Ash feels like the whole world lurch and jerk beneath him, and he almost stumbled when the world solidified once more. Ash groans as he opens his eyes, deeming it safe to do so, and he finds Sunyshore gone, to be replaced by a small, homey town. It reminded Ash of Pallet-
Ash stops that thought in its tracks.
No need to send himself in a tizzy now.
Volkner makes gestures to the town around them a soft smile on his lips. "Welcome to Sandgem Town. It's small, but it has it charms." Volkner points toward something behind Ash, and he turns, noticing the largest building in the town, with aged brick walls, a dark blue roofing, and massive glass windows. There's a signage off to the side, and Ash sees 'Rowan Laboratories' written in fancy script.
Ah, so this is the place. Ash watches Shade all but skip towards the laboratory, and he follows closely as she enters, unable to help ogle at the things in the receiving room.
It's certainly… something else. The walls seem to be made out of bookshelves, brimming with books – Ash tries to keep his hands to himself – and knickknacks, and when Ash looked upwards to the ceiling, he can't help but gape. It's an extremely detailed star map, and Ash absently muses that if one of his friends, Misty, was here, she'd be frothing at the mouth at seeing such a detailed star map.
"Yoohoo, Professor Rowan~!" Shade sings out, completely at ease, and Ash had to snicker at the way Volkner had a tight grasp on the back of Shade's shirt, probably an attempt to stop the woman from causing chaos. "I have a Trainer-to-be with me right now!"
A door opens down the hall, and Ash vaguely recognizes the old man from the science fairs Professor Oak and Gary had taken him to.
Professor Rowan may not be a once-Champion like Professor Oak was, but Professor Rowan had his own aura of authority, his own identity. The man before Ash had spent the majority of his life diligently and ruthlessly learning and researching about Pokémon's evolution, slowly but surely uncovering its secrets and sharing them with the community in hope of improving human-Pokémon relations, to instil understanding.
Of course, not everything is uncovered yet, but undoubtedly, Professor Rowan is an expert when it comes to evolution; uncontested in his knowledge.
"Ah," Professor Rowan strokes the edge of his beard, regarding the grinning Shade with an amused quirk of his eyebrow. "If it isn't the most incorrigible troublemaker that graced the region of Sinnoh."
'Incorrigible troublemaker'…? That… that doesn't sound too good…
Shade just smiles smugly, looking extremely proud. "That's me."
Professor Rowan shakes his head, exasperated but surely fond, and he turns to Volkner, who respectfully bows his head in deference. "Ah, young Volkner. It's rare for the Shining Star to leave his home." The man remarks.
Volkner just smiles, shrugging but otherwise keeping silent.
Finally, Professor Rowan turns to Ash, acknowledging his presence, and by reflex, Ash bows at the waist again. He only straightens when the Professor tells him to, and he automatically hides his hands in his pockets, hiding the way it's starting to become clammy.
"Ah, the potential Trainer…" Professor Rowan remarks, prowling closer to Ash. "Mm, imagine my surprise when my old friend Oak called me up so suddenly, speaking in favour of a young man… Your papers, please?"
Ash immediately hands over the folder in his grasp, trying not to fidget in nervousness when Professor begins to parse through his files, the man humming in interest every now and then.
"… Taught by no other than Professor Oak himself, eh?" Three pairs of eyes flicked over to Ash, one in interest, one in mild surprise, and the last in confirmation. Ash swallows, nodding. Professor Rowan nods to himself, looking back down at the file in his hands. "Mm, smart, if a little too reliant on books, but eager to learn. A Pokémon lover, oho! Always a good thing. Mm, a lot of good things speaking of you, I suppose…"
Wow, this is nerve wracking.
Ash jumps in surprise when Professor Rowan snaps the folder close, the man turning to him with a glint in his eyes. "Well, I don't see a problem." He declares, and Ash's heart nearly stops in his chest. "I say, welcome to Sinnoh, Trainer Ash."
And so Ash finally takes his first step, with the biggest smile on his face.
I have a reason as to why Gary is four years older than Ash (meaning, Ash is 16 and Gary is 20 in this fic). But I won't say anything further than I just want to hahaha.
Okay, so, Ash in Sinnoh! Now, the thing about the OCs I mentioned is that I need Trainers for Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig! I don't have anymore necessary brainpower to make Ohs for each Sinnoh Starter, so I need help, haha. for the Trainer OCs, I need basic information, their battle style, personality, looks, and anything else you deem necessary. For their team, I need a team, labeled in the order of their capture, their starter being 1 and so on and so forth. The teams can be all-Sinnoh Pokemon, though if you can give me a good explanation for them having a non-local Pokemon, awesome!
That should do for now.
Please drop reviews! Comments! Complaints! I hope we have fun~