"So what do you say, kid?"
The kid in question was no other than Ash Ketchum, a young, aspiring Pokémon Master in the making. What he had been offered was to trade his Tauros.
The problem was... would he? Granted, he had only used Tauros at least once so far, during the Orange League against Drake. But still, he wasn't sure. Then gears started to turn in his head. He didn't have to trade this Tauros.
"Well, sir," Ash answered, "I can't trade my Tauros."
The trainer who asked him his question began to have a face of understanding, but then Ash continued, "However, I do have about twenty nine other Tauros, so I could trade you one of them instead."
His two traveling companions were blown away at the idea.
"Wow, Ash. Are you sure?" Misty, a future Water type master and current Cerulean City gym leader, questioned.
"Yeah, I mean what about them?" Brock, a future Pokémon breeder and current Pewter City gym leader, added. "Are you sure they will be okay with that?
Ash noted his friends' concern. It wasn't like him to just trade his Pokémon, not like the last time when he had traded a gentleman's Raticate for his Butterfree. But this was different. How was he supposed to use all thirty of his Tauros? What better way to give them to trainers who wanted or needed a few bulky Tauros. "I know you have some worries, but I can't keep all thirty Tauros in Oak's Corral forever. Plus, I bet they would want to battle to."
Both of his friends nodded at the idea. Maybe this would be for the best of the herd.
"But, I should probably check with the herd and see if they are ok with it," Ash said before going to the nearby Pokémon Center to call Professor Oak.
"Really?" Oak was blown away by what Ash was suggesting.
"Yeah," Ash confirmed, "As much as I hate to admit, I don't see how I would even use all thirty Tauros. So why not trade the herd for some new members?"
"Well, Ash... I think that is a splendid idea!" Oak stated. Ash grew a smile on his face before asking to see the herd. Oak obliged and was able to maneuver the screen to the Tauros herd. Ash explained his idea and the current Tauros all nodded their heads in unison, wanting to battle themselves. While it did pain them that they would never see each other again, they would gain new 'herd' mates and not stuck in Oak's corral while destroying his fences as they stampeded.
With the heads nodding in agreement, Ash asked Professor Oak if he could star his main Tauros' Pokeball that he was keeping. The Kanto regional professor did so, adding a star sticker to Tauros' Pokeball before returning all of the current twenty-nine Tauros and sending six a time.
"Thanks professor!" Ash said before taking six at the moment as he sent back his current party back to Oak for a short time.
"Alright, here's one of my Tauros!" Ash excitedly said before getting his first trade. The trainer placed his Pokeball onto the trade machine and the process began. After swapping off, the line of trainers began to form for the Wild Bull herd. Ash checked what Pokémon he got, which was a Rhyhorn, a Pokémon he originally wanted at the Kanto Safari zone.
"Alright, everyone form a line!" Brock directed to prevent any cutting. Misty also helped to direct anyone with potential interest in having a Tauros for themselves.
The next Pokémon Ash recieved was a Ponyta from a ranchero. Ash liked the idea of having more Fire types on his team and Ponyta also doubled as a fast Pokémon which was great for his battle style.
Another Pokémon he got was from another ranchero. He traded his Doduo for a Tauros, which Ash was also glad to have as he had battled Falkner's and would definitely work well with him.
The next one was a Venomoth, another Pokémon Ash wanted for its tricks and powder moves. It also had potential Psychic type moves, which would be new to Ash.
Ash then received a Kangaskhan, a true powerhouse like his Tauros. It would provide to hit hard and take attacks like his Snorlax, but without the sleeping part.
The next five were breeders which gave Ash quite the assortment of Pokémon. The five Pokémon offered were none other than the Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, and two other new evolutions of Eevee. One was a lavender purple furred cat like Pokémon with a split tail and a red gem on her head. The second one is a black fox like creature with red eyes and yellow rings that flashed.
Ash scanned them discovering that the lavendar one was an Espeon and the black one is an Umbreon. Ash was thrilled when he discovered that they were apart of the Eevee line. He had always wanted an Eevee or an evolution from the line, now he's got five.
Another breeder came around, giving Ash an Arcanine in exchange. Another great Pokémon for himself as he knew the 'Legendary' Pokémon would follow the same route as Ponyta if it evolves into a Rapidash.
The next one was a Tangela, one that Ash found both an odd choice for the trainer. Said trainer was a gardener so why they wanted a Tauros he was not sure, but at the same time he was glad to have another Grass type on the team.
Following the Vine Pokémon, Ash got another new Johto Pokémon: a giraffe like Pokémon with a black end and head-tail. He scanned it with his Pokédex, finding out it was called a Girafarig, a dual Normal/Psychic type.
The next one was an archeologists who wanted a Tauros for excavations and moving boulders with their strength. Ash was happy to oblige and got an Aerodactyl in return. He had brief flashbacks from Grandpa Canyon about being Pokénapped by the Aerodactyl but he was informed that this one was revived from an Old Amber.
A Nidorino was given to him for a trainer who wanted a strong Normal type on his team. Ash didn't mind having the male Poison Pin in return, after all he felt like Nidorino would be beneficial to him.
A Bug Catcher was attempting to start anew and traded his Scyther for a Tauros. Ketchum was extremely glad that he had the Mantis Pokémon now as he had also wanted his hands on one. Plus he could potentially get a Scizor.
A Magnemite farmer offered Ketchum a Magnemite of his own since he needed a Tauros for pulling wagons. Ash pondered this one for a while as he recalled his brief adventure in the Orange Islands about the Magnemite ranch, but gave his Tauros in favor of the Magnet Pokemon, giving Ash his first Steel type.
A Parasect was given in exchange for a Tauros and Ash was happy about this one as he wanted the dual Grass/Bug type since it was capable of mixing acids within itself for potions.
The next Pokémon he got was a silver coated bird with sharp feathers. Ash later found out it was called a Skarmory, a Steel/Flying type and the Pallet Town native was glad that he got a Steel/Flying type.
One trainer was a black belt and said he wanted a hardy Normal type for himself. Ash obliged and was given another Johto Pokémon. It was a short purple humanoid creature with brown thighs and legs. Scanning his new teammate, it was revealed to be a Tyrouge, the prevolved form of the Hitmon line. And Ash was more than happy to have another Fighting type.
A Normal type specialist was given a Tauros since they were hard to find in Johto. In return, Ash got another new Pokémon on his team. It resemble a short yellow and teal coloring rattlesnake with small wings. Scanning the teammate, it was called a Dunsparce, a pure Normal type, but Ash didn't mind as he found this Pokémon quite interesting.
An Ace Trainer traded one of his Pokémon for a Tauros for one of his. Ash complied, getting another Bug type on his roster. Scanning the new member, it was a red shelled turtle like creature with yellow limbs and head, called a Shuckle. Reading more, he found it was a Bug/Rock type which Ash appericiated.
Ash got another offer from an Ace Trainer, which gave him a new type of Pokémon. It was a bipedal cat-weasel hybrid with bluish-black fur, long claws, and a red feather on its head. Looking it up, Ash found out it was called a Sneasel, a Dark/Ice type which Ketchum was ecstatic about since he now has two Dark types and another Ice type.
Oddly enough, a Surfer offered to trade his Slowpoke for a Tauros. Apparently a Tauros can learn Surf and the trainer was interested in it. Ash reluctantly agreed to let him try his Wild Bull out and got the Slowpoke in return. Ash didn't mind having the Water/Psychic on his team and he kinda did want the Dopey Pokémon on his team after the whole Azalea Town incident.
Another Pokémon breeder came around offering a Pokémon that he bred. Ash agreed and sent a Tauros over, getting an Exeggcute for himself.
An Ace Trainer wanted a Tauros for his lineup, which Ash agreed to. For one of his Tauros, he got a Sandslash. The Ground type Mouse Pokémon reminded him of AJ's Sandshrew. Part of him wondered where he was now.
Following after, another Ace Trainer asked for Ash to trade, getting a new Johto Pokémon in the process. His new member was a manta ray like Pokémon. Using the Pokédex, he discovered the manta ray Pokémon is a Mantine and a Water/Flying type.
Another ranchero came by, looking for a Tauros for his ranch. In return, Ash was able to get a Stantler. The Big Horn Pokémon was a great addition in Ash's opinion as he remembers its abilities for creating illusions.
And the final Tauros Ash gave up was for a ladybug Pokémon. Ash scanned it with his Pokedex, discovering it is a Ledian, a Bug/Flying type.
While Ash would miss his Tauros herd, he knew it would be better for them rather then keep them in the corral.
"Sorry we couldn't trade your Wobbuffet today Benny," Ash apologized with his friends. He had gotten so caught up with trading his herd, Benny didn't get a chance to trade his Pokémon.
But Benny dismissed the apologized, "No need to apologize. I did manage to swap."
"You did?" The three travelers said.
"Yep!" Benny grinned before sending out his new team member: a Lickitung.
"Wow. Cool Lickitung," Brock commented as Benny returned the Licking Pokémon.
"I feel we have this Lickitung before," Misty added before shrugging, "Must be my imagination."
"Gang way!"
The trio and Benny turned to see a fleeing man with a backpack on. He ran with a dust cloud behind, an enraged James chasing him.
"Come back here!" James shouted.
"Let me think about! Nope!" the man he was chasing said and the two ran by the bystanders, giving them a quizzical stare.
"What was that about?" Ash asked. The three trainers didn't know and just paid no attention. Ketchum then noticed a Pokéball on the ground, deducing it was possible the man's Pokémon. He released it to reveal...
a golden Magikarp.
"Woah!"
Each gave their response: Ash was astonished, Pikachu and Misty fainted, Brock gasped, and Benny had star eyes.
"It's a shiny Magikarp!" Brock exclaimed.
"Oh wow!" Benny said.
"Why did that man of a shiny Magikarp?" Ash questioned before the two conscious males just shrugged.
"Maybe he was planning to trade it?" Benny said, "But who would trade a shiny?"
"Who knows," the Pewter Gym Leader said.
Ash approached the golden Fish Pokémon. Part of him wanted to return the fish to the man, but he didn't know where he was. For all he knew he could have been across Johto by now. And another part of him wanted to keep the Magikarp, rather to protect him since he was on his own.
"Karp? Karp! Karp!" The Fish Pokémon was flopping tremendously. It eventually stop its flailing, calming down before noticing the three trainers before it. "Karp?"
"Hey Magikarp," Ketchum addressed, "How would you like come with me?" He kneeled down to the Fish Pokémon, meeting it face to face.
"I'm not sure if your trainer is coming back, but I don't think you should be on your own out here," Ash reasoned. He didn't want to steal the Pokémon but seeing as he had the Pokeball, Ash could potentially release it when it gets
The golden fish stared for a minute. He recalled getting fished by his previous trainer but that trainer was a conman, selling his kin for money. While he couldn't speak, Magikarp wanted to be more than a means of money. And this trainer seemed to be better than that conman. With a happy expression, Magikarp flopped with a smile.
"Great!" Ash said, returning the shiny to its Pokeball.
And with that, today ended with a total of thirty new family members of the Ketchum family.
"Ugh/Pika..." Both Waterflower and Pikachu came to, "I was dreaming that we came across a shiny Magikarp."
"Well.." Ash sheepishly stated, "It wasn't a dream."
Misty blinked at the claim before Ash explained what happened.
A/N: New story. Inspired by a comment of my "To Be A Pokémon Master" story about Ash trading his Tauros. I informed the reader that I wasn't going to have Ash trade his Tauros in that story but then I got the idea of trading his Tauros in this story. This story will most likely tackle Johto, giving Ash some new Pokémon and he will be catching other Pokémon from his journey, both canon and non-canon.
Some Pokémon traded where given by the reader, while some are my choice. Others I just gave since Ash had his eyes on them.