Author's note: I'm sorry for the lack of updates, since the pandemic and other things I lost motivation but I am in a better headspace than I was before and I will try and update as often as I can. A massive thank you to my beta Blades of Chance!

Update14/06/21: This is not beta-read and if you see any spellings or grammar mistakes. Please tell me ASAP

Flashback

'thoughts'

Flashback

"Pokémon speech"

"Telepathy"

Pokémon-line break

'Pokédex'

It is late in the evening and Ash and his Pokemon are spending it practicing in the Cerulean Gym as tomorrow will be the first official pokemon contest.

"Okay tomorrow is the first day of the contest and I want to see what all of you can do with the water," Ash explained.

"Ash, why do we have to work with the water?" Clefairy asked.

"Because the stage is here at the Gym and I need to know if we could use the water to our advantage," Ash answered. "Butterfree I want you to use sleep powder on the water and then use confusion on the water before sleep powder enters the water and then make mini water shapes but make sure that sparkle from the sleep powder, Pikachu I want you to use your electric attacks on the water while using one of the platforms and then use a Thunder and Iron tail as your final pieces and hit the water while jumping to the closest platform to you, Pidgeotto I would like you to use wing attack on the water that's by the stands and then steel wing," Ash explained that he then turns to his latest Pokémon. "Clefairy, I understand that metronome is an unpredictable move as it can be anything, so I'd like to not use that move. What other moves do you have?"

Clefairy took a while but showed Ash her moves which happen to be: Moonblast, Gravity, Spotlight, and Psychic.

"Wow you may look cute, but you're a powerhouse that's for sure," Ash said in awe.

"Ash why don't you use Clefairy for this contest," Butterfree suggested.

"But what about all of you?" Ash asked. "I don't want any of you to be left out."

"Ash there will be many contests after this one, and besides I think Clefairy attacks work much better for this type of field," Pikachu explained while reassuring Ash.

"Clefairy, it's up to you."

"I want to," Clefairy said. "I want to show everyone that even though I'm cute, I can certainly show that appearance isn't everything."

Ash nodded. "Okay, everyone takes a break, let's help Clefairy with her first contest."

All the Pokémon nodded and allowed Ash and Clefairy to have room to practice.

"Okay Clefairy, use Spotlight in the middle of the water, then use Moonblast and then use Psychic on the water to create any shapes you like until then release the water to the air and then use gravity," Ash commanded and without fail, Clefairy followed everything that Ash has said.

Ash then hugged Clefairy, "You did amazing. I am so proud." This then caused the rest of Ash's Pokémon to hug and complement Clefairy, not knowing that Ash's father and uncle watched the practice.

"Your son is growing up," Riley said to Red.

"I am aware, brother." Said Red. "I am worried though, in three years he will have to enter the Temple of Aura for him to officially become the Aura Prince."

"He will be fine," Riley reassured his younger brother. "Besides his yours and Delia's son, so there is nothing to worry about. Let's go before he notices us. " The two brothers left not knowing what Ash's future will bring.

Pokémon

It was the next day, Ash and the other Pokémon are excited as today was the day that Ash may ring his first contest ribbon. "Ash, we will cheer for you!" Gary said as Ash gave him Pikachu to look after.

"Ash which of your Pokémon did you choose?" Brock asked in curiosity.

"I've chosen Clefairy for this contest," Ash answered. Ash then looked towards his father and asked, "Would you mind holding my other Pokémon for me dad?"

Red nodded in yes. "I'll make sure to take good care of them."

"Ash, even if you don't win this contest. I'll be proud of you regardless." Riley said as he hugged Ash with all his might.

"Thank you, Uncle."

The others then left Ash in the waiting room, and feeling nervous decided to release Clefairy to groom the Pokémon.

"Ash, I can sense your nervousness, but there's no need. The others are cheering for you."

Ash then hugged and Clefairy holds Ash in their arms in comfort, not knowing that all of Kanto is watching the scenes in the comfort of their own homes including a certain Team Rocket base and Pokémon.

"Mr. Ketchum, can I ask you a question?" Misty asked while watching Ash and his new Clefairy.

Red looked at Misty and nodded. "Does it worry you that Ash may use his aura on T.V?"

"It does sometimes, but I know if anything happens Ash has his protectors and Pokémon to protect him. That reminds me, Brock did your father explain the role of the guardian?"

Brock shook his head but said, "It was Gary that explained it but I think it was more of a simple explanation and that wasn't long before you two showed up."

Red was about to say something but then the MC announced Ash's turn. 'Ash you can do it!" Red thought as Ash entered the "field".

"Clefairy I choose you!" Ash shouted as he threw Clefairy's pokéball in the air.

"Let's show the world that I'm not just cute!"

"Okay, Clefairy let's do what we did at practice but this time let's make it bigger."

Clefairy nodded and with no further prompting Clefaury used Spotlight in the middle of the water, then used a Moonlight move in the same place that they placed Spotlight and the water started to move due to the gravity of the moon, and as soon as the water hit a certain height, Clefairy used Psychic to create shapes, but one of the shapes didn't just amaze the judges but everyone watching as Clefairy made a smiling Ash shaped water feature, and then swiftly used gravity and gently released the water back to its original place.

The M.C quickly went back to reality and swiftly went to the judges. Which one of them ended up being Nurse joy. While the other two are called Raoul Contesta and Mr. Sukizo.

"I'm astounded with the bond between this Pokémon and their trainer." Mr. Consteta said in amazement. "You will certainly do well young man."

"I've never been more proud of a bond. Mr Sukizo exclaimed. " Young man, did you train Clefairy to create your shape?"

"No, sir when I was helping Clefairy with their abilities and able to control water, I never knew that they planned my face as a feature," Ash answered truthfully. Nurse Jou decided to pipe up. "You're through to the next round." Ash smiled and walked back to the waiting room. After Ash and Clefairy (Ash decided it was better to leave out of their pokéball instead of sending it back in) left the stage, Ash's friends left their seats to see Ash in the waiting room and congratulate him on passing the first round.

Pokémon

As soon Ash and Clefaify only had to wait five minutes before they were all hugged by their friends and family.

"Ash, I'm so proud of you," Red said as he tried to fight back his tears.

Ash only hugged his dad tighter and spoke to him telepathically, "Dad I never thought that Clefairy would do that! I'm proud of them but I'm worried that someone will try and steal them from me."

"Ash no one will take them away from you! I promise you that." Red vowed and then released Ash from his arms and Pikachu saw the opportunity to jump into Ash's arms and both agreed to not let go just yet, so for the others, they all had to hug one-handed, otherwise, Pikachu would gently attack them,(In Gary's case until he faints from the voltage as Pikachu might have gone a little overboard.)

"So Ash what's the next stage?" Brock asked.

"A Pokémon battle, but I think I can choose any Pokémon for this round."

"That's right," someone said and it was no other than Nurse Joy. Which caused Brock to be a little flirty until Misty dragged Brock with his ear to another room.

"Nurse Joy, what brings you here?" Ash asked who still happens to be holding Pikachu.

Nurse Joy smiled. "I wanted to let all those who passed the first round that they can choose any Pokémon in their party for the round two will be in about two to three hours and the final round which will be tomorrow."

Nurse Joy left with a smile.

Ash then decided to go out with his friends and family for some light lunch at a local Pokémon café.

Pokémon

It was the next day and after having a sleepless night including debates between all of Ash's Pokémon who will battle for the second rounds and the final rounds (it was announced that it would be a Pokémon battle) Pikachu was chosen for the second round including the final.

"Okay, Pikachu remember we can dodge an attack or we could attack." Ash reminded Pikachu as Ash was grooming Pikachu's fur in the waiting room.

"I know, but I don't like hurting the Pokémon it's…"

"It's against your code as an aura prince," Pikachu said as nuzzled Ash's left cheek. "Does it hurt? When you have to attack other Pokémon?"

Ash sighed. "It can, especially when my aura starts to fight against me."

Pikachu looks at Ash and in Pikachu's eyes, you could see pain shining in them and decided there and then he'll do something that no other Pokémon has done ever before.

"Now, it's time for the Pokémon battle event. This event will determine which coordinator will win the Cerulean ribbon." The M.C announced.

"First up is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and his opponent is Morag Pollock from our very own city! Who will win?" The M.C then took a breath. "Let the battle begin!"

"Go my little star," Morag said as she took out her Pokéball and after a brief flash, it was revealed to be a Staryu.

Pikachu then jumped down from Ash's left shoulder and his fur stood on end. 'I will not have Ash command me! It's time for my plan to take action.'

Which didn't take long as Morag commanded her Staryu to attack, Pikachu decided to follow his instincts as the partner to the aura prince.

"I'm the partner of the Aura prince! I forbid you from attacking me and his highness!" Pikachu commanded and in consequence, Staryu bowed towards Ash and Pikachu and to their surprise, the Staryu flew to their coordinator, touched their Pokéball, and swiftly returned.

Meanwhile in the stalls. Ash's friends and family looked at the events in shock.

"What happened?" Misty asked.

"I think was the partner's voice," Red answered unsurely. "Legend has it can command Pokémon of any kind, whether they were captured by trainers or in the wild."

"But, why use it now?" Brock asked in amazement.

"I think it's because Ash didn't want to fight and in some cases, his aura attacks him as it's against the nature of the aura prince to attack Pokémon," Riley said.

"I wonder if Pikachu will use it again?" Gary asked.

"Pikachu won't," Red said.

"How come?"

"Because the partner's voice can be heard within ten meters of range and all the Pokémon will follow the orders. Ash has won this contest by default." Riley said.

And he was correct as all the Pokémon did the same thing as Staryu and Ash won his Cerulean badge by default. And with that our heroes went off to continue their journey.