DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY THE POKEMON COMPANY.
Chapter 3: The Partner and Start of a Journey.
Ash entered the kitchen after a morning run around pallet town. Lucario had told him that the first step in using aura is maintaining his body in good shape and running is the basics. He saw Delia making everybody breakfast. Lucario was beside Delia helping her while Mimey - Delia's was cleaning the living room. Ash remembered how Delia had asked the lucario if she could stay with them if only until the egg hatched and the Lucario had agreed for the sake of the safety of the egg. Ash greeted his mom and Lucario and he got two cheerful 'good mornings '. He was still shocked he could understand pokemon talking with him but also ecstatic as it would help his dream of becoming a Pokemon Master! After his eating his breakfast he quickly bid them goodbyes and rushed to the Lab for his lessons.
It has been a year since Lucario had started living with them and things had been quiet. Delia's restaurant was also running good as Lucario also helped around the hotel. Ash also helped around whenever he could between his studies. The occupants of the house had just learned from a Pokemon Doctor that the egg was going to hatch any day. Lucario was both happy and sad the fact; happy because of the egg's hatching and sad that her child would not have a father. Lucario had told them how the poacher had found them in their home and how her mate had told her to run while he fought the poacher's and as seen during the fight the poacher was ruthless and had probably killed him. All the occupants of the Ketchum residence were sitting in the living room halfheartedly watching some show and were waiting for the egg to hatch which was sitting in an incubator. The egg began to glow and startled the people of the room. Delia quickly removed the incubator and placed the egg on a soft platform. Lucario knelt in front of the egg while tears of joy leaked from her eyes. Ash and Delia quickly moved back giving them their space.
Cracks appeared on the egg and they saw a small pokemon who was looking at lucario at with a soft smile and whispered "Ri" to which Lucario just hugged the tiny pokemon. Picking up a scent behind his mama the small Riolu looked in the direction of the Ketchums and he met eyes with Ash as they felt both of their auras resonating with one another and their eyes glowed blue and they stared at each other with such intensity it seemed as if they were conversing with each other. As their stare continued Delia and Lucario gasped in amazement both being aware in the formation of an Aura Bond and both happy for their children.
Ash's and Riolu's eyes turned to normal and ash rushed to the Riolu and started petting him "What just happened now? It was like I was with Riolu and this blue aura encircled us and I could read what Riolu was thinking and feel his emotions!" asked Ash in a hushed but excited voice. "When an Aura User and a Riolu have similar Aura they bond naturally like you two did but if you want to form an Aura Bond with other pokemon you need extreme concentration which requires a lot of meditation and control over your Aura that I will be teaching you when Riolu is at least a year old. Ash I have decided that since Riolu is your partner, I will stay here permanently. In this way I can still see my boy when you are home. Please tell Delia to capture me with one of the pokeball so that I can't be caught by other trainers or poachers." said Lucario smiling softly at the small Riolu who had fallen asleep in her lap. Ash gave a silent cheer and translated Lucario's decision to Delia who was happy to have a new friend.
Next morning the mood in Ketchum residence was bright due to the baby. They went to Professor Oak's Lab to make sure the Riolu was in perfect condition. The minute Professor Oak saw him he congratulated Lucario and petted the baby pokemon.
It has been a year since the day Riolu was born and when he had started walking on his own he and Ash would be seen together like they were glued to each other. Riolu would also accompany Ash to the Professor's Lab and ash had a good laugh when Gary first gaped at Riolu and started ranting about how he was more deserving. Lucario was often found being bombarded with question about Aura and The Aura Guardians by the young duo. Ash and Riolu were jumping up and down in excitement in the living room as today Lucario had agreed to start teaching them meditation and to control their Aura. Lucario entered the living room of the house and found the young Aura users shaking with excitement and smiled at their similar behavior."Are you going to be jumping all day or are we going to do start the lessons?" teased Lucario and bringing the attention of the boys to her. Ash and Riolu screamed "Yes" and lucario chuckled at their enthusiasm and told them to sit in cross legged position on the ground. It took several days to even learn to meditate. Lucario then had both of them do laps around Pallet Town. After running they were made to do exercises and told them to do their exercises regularly when they start their journey next year.
Six months have passed since Ash and Riolu have started and so far they can form small Aura spheres in their hands and can sometimes read emotions of people and pokemon alike. Ash spent his day mostly working the mornings with Professor Oak, the afternoon with his mother learning to cook from his mother, the evening was spent training with Riolu. Ash's first attempt in cooking had been a disaster. He had added too much salt thus making the food inedible.
Time went on and now it was time for the aspiring trainers to give the TLE. Ash was prepared and he was confident that he would at least clear the exam. There were four kids in pallet town who wanted to become pokemon trainers. These four included – Ash, Gary, a girl named Rose who was shy and usually kept to herself and a boy named Steve who also wanted to compete in the Indigo Conference.
It's been two weeks and Ash has given the exam and all of them; Delia along with Lucario and Riolu were waiting for the results. The computer in Ash's room showed a notification and he was sitting in front of the computer with Riolu sitting in his lap, Delia and Lucario behind them all watching intently at the screen. Swallowing down his nervousness he clicked the page and typed his Roll no. and pressed the enter key with shaky hands. The score came out to be 98 out of 100! All of them whooped Ash being the loudest. Ash jumped up and lifted Riolu into his arms "I did it buddy. We will become Pokemon Master and Aura Guardians!" yelled Ash in his excitement and Riolu gave a "Ri" in agreement. Delia was happy that her son had scored so high in the exam and decided to give him a special reward when he leaves for his journey. Lucario was also happy for Ash. Turns out this year all four children passed the exams Ash and Gary getting the highest and both had tied at the score of 98, Rose had scored a 70 while Steve had barely managed to pass his exam at 40 marks. Professor Oak had congratulated each of them enthusiastically and had told them to meet him at the Lab in a two day's time to choose their starter pokemon and begin their journey.
The sound of the alarm clock woke Ash up from sleep and once he remembered the importance of the day he jumped up and rushed to the bathroom while thinking how long the past two days had been. Coming out he quickly dried his hair and looked his reflection in the mirror and nodded. He wore a black t-shirt with a blue and white jacket over with light blue jeans and wore black and white sneakers. And finally his official Pokemon League hat which he had won in a contest. He put on his cap and went downstairs. Delia and Lucario were already in the kitchen preparing for breakfast with sad look on their faces at the thought of their boys leaving for a journey. Riolu had forgone sleeping in Ash's room to spend some time with his mother and was sitting on the dining table staring outside.
"Morning mum, Lucario, buddy!" said Ash. He received a chorus in return. "Ash sweetie why don't you and Riolu eat up and go to the Lab while me and Lucario." said Delia. Lucario barked in agreement. "Sure mom. What do you say bud, let's go the lab." Riolu yipped in excitement. Both boys practically shoveled their food into their mouths and ran out of the house saying their goodbyes leaving Delia and Lucario behind to shake their heads in fondness.
Ash and Riolu both reached the lab and saw Gary, Rose and Steve waiting for someone to open the door. Just then the door opened and Professor Oak himself stepped out. "Good morning children. Come on in. I have everything you need."
"Now Steve, Rose and Gary I have three Kanto starters that you are going to choose from while I register Riolu as Ash's starter. Follow me Ash." said Professor Oak. Ash and Riolu went after the man. "Now Ash the reason I asked you to come here is for two reasons. The first is you need to capture Riolu so I can register him as your starter."said Professor Oak before giving Ash a pokeball. Ash and Riolu nodded and Riolu tapped the pokeball and was sucked in it. Ash gave the pokeball to Professor after calling out Riolu who landed in his usual spot beside him. "There it's done. Riolu is your official starter Pokemon. Now the second reason is I found a troublesome Pikachu yesterday who was chewing the wires. So I caught him but the minute I call him out he continues to shock not giving me a chance to speak to him. Perhaps you can speak to him and take him on your journey. He is creating problems for us here at the Lab." said the Professor giving him the Pokeball and walking out towards the teens.
"Might as well give it a try" Ash thought. "Ok Riolu I am going to call out the Pikachu, don't attack him but be cautious." Riolu barked in agreement. Ash threw the pokeball and Pikachu came out growling "I am going to electrode you old man! How about I capture you in a stupid ball and we will see." And without seeing if the Professor was present or not launched a thunderbolt. Ash and Riolu quickly formed an Aura shield which was still weak but effective nonetheless. Pikachu was stunned that a human could block his attack and tilted his head in confusion.
"Hello Pikachu. Will you give me a chance to explain myself or I will release you from the stupid ball as you put it. And as for how I defended myself me and Riolu are Aura users." Ash answered seeing his confusion.
"Sorry about that. I just don't like being locked. So what did you want to talk about?" Pikachu asked looking warily at the boy. Aura user or not he could not trust someone easily because of his past.
"It's alright. No harm done. As to what I want to talk about, I want you to consider coming with me on my journey in becoming a Pokemon Master. I know you want to become strong I would bring your dream to reality. Why don't you join me and Riolu?" said Ash.
"Alright I will come with you but I have two conditions. Don't keep me in that ball. And the second if I feel I am not getting strong you will release me." said Pikachu in a firm tone after thinking for a few minutes.
"These conditions are agreeable. But how will you travel if you don't go in the pokeball." asked Ash.
Pikachu responded by jumping onto his shoulder. Ash grinned happy to have made a new friend. He walked back to the room to find the three of them had already. Gary had chose Squirtle, Rose took the Bulbasaur while Steve took the Charmander.
"Before you go. Take these pokedexes with you. As you know they identify pokemon, their stats, moves, abilities and nature of the pokemon. These will also be your identity card in your journey." said Professor Oak giving the device to each of them. "And the last thing. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY!" exclaimed the Professor.
The four of them bid goodbye and stepped out of his Lab. Steve and Leaf bid Ash and Gary goodbye and went their ways. "See ya later Ashy-boy. Watch me while I win the League." said Gary before leaving in his red sports car. Ash rolled his eyes and stepped down the stairs whwere he saw his mother and Lucario.
"Hello Ashy. You forgot your bag at home. Here, I also packed for you today and please take care of yourself Ash and you too Riolu." said Delia. "How come you have another pokemon. He is a cutie!" Delia asked while petting the Pikachu who purred under her touch. Ash smiled and explained to her. Startling them both, Delia and Lucario hugged their sons until both boys were gasping for air and let them go. "Don't worry Mom and Lucario, we will call you every time where a phone is available." said Ash and Riolu barked in agreement.
Delia and Lucario nodded tearfully. "Now Ash your father told me that if he was not here then I need to give you this book before you start your journey. It can only be opened with Aura. Study from it seriously and please take care of yourself Ash and Riolu. And please call us often." Giving them a last hug they headed towards the border of Pallet Town.
With Riolu walking beside him and Pikachu sitting comfortably on his shoulder, Ash and the two Pokemon waved back to Delia and Lucario who were still crying till they were facing Route 1.
END CHAPTER
AN: Thanks for reading the chapter. The next chapter will be ash and team arriving in Viridian City. I will also have to decide a name for Riolu as once he evolves there will be two Lucarios, so it will cause some confusion. Give me suggestions.
How should I write the dialogue for pokemon? Should I do it like in this chapter? Or should I do like this – For eg. – Pika pi(dialogue). Let me know I have almost finished the next chapter.
Make sure to follow the story. Ash will be catching all pokemon he caught in anime plus the extra ones I want him to have. Please give your suggestions of pokemon he should catch in Kanto and orange island arcs which are NON-CANNON.
I know it's a little early but what do you think should be the pairing? Please let me know. I am leaning towards Cynthia or Serena.
Also I don't know a thing about Alola or Galar regions. So I won't be doing them in this fanfiction. If I do watch them in the future I will let you know. Thanks for reading.