Ash was in his room, contemplating how to train his new Pokémon. He thought of having his natural born Pokémon teach some of the clones some moves they shared, but some he didn't have any experience with like Scyther, Hitmonlee, and Rhyhorn.
'Ash...' Mewtwo made his presence at Ash's window. "Gahhh!!" Ash exclaimed before catching himself, "Mewtwo haven't I told you not to do that before." 'You have,' Mewtwo remembered, 'but I sensed your thoughts and decided to come and check on you.'
Ash had to admit, maybe Mewtwo could help with training. The Genetic Pokémon did develop the three fully evolved starters and they seemed strong. But then again, Mewtwo generated them from tubes. 'You know, may I suggest some solo training. Like on New Island.'
"Wait, are you suggesting I can use New Island to train with my Pokémon?" Ash repeated. 'Yes. The stadium can become a training area. Plus I can use my psychic powers to allow you to use all of your Pokémon on the island,' Mewtwo informed.
"Awesome!" Ash said, excited to use all his Pokémon at once. "That way, I won't have to use them six at a time!"
'Yes,' Mewtwo confirmed, 'perhaps I should go now. I sense Samuel is trying to prevent Mew from getting into his work.' Over the past few days, Mewtwo had gotten comfortable around Oak enough to let him study. Mew also got studied but she was more interested in having fun or chaos once in a while, hence why she was interrupting Oak's documentations.
After Mewtwo Teleported away, Ash rose to his feet and out of his bed. Now that he knew he could use New Island as a training area, he couldn't wait to try it out.
But first, he wanted to talk to some people first.
"Are you sweetie?" Delia questioned.
"Yes, mom," Ash confirmed, "I kinda want to be on my own for a bit." Ash had told his mom about New Island -not the details on how he found it- and his plan to train all of his Pokémon. But he wanted to do it solo for the time being.
His mother was silent for a while, racking the idea in her brain around. While she didn't want to stand in her child's way, she didn't want to get constant updates from her child. "I know, you won't get updates," Ash said, like he read her thoughts, "but I promise to call you and let you check up on me at least once a week. Mewtwo had some... engineers install a PC for calling."
That made Delia feel better. Mewtwo had taken some precaution it seems so she could talk to her baby at least once a week. After a while, she made her decision.
"...Alright. Who am I to stop you from wanting to train your Pokémon," she said, "it's just like your father."
Ash was shocked at the mention of his father. He knew his mother didn't like to talk about it but to hear her said he resembled his father with his goals made him tear up a little.
"... Thanks Mom," Ash said, glad she understood. "But before we go, I have a few items that might be beneficial to help you succeed," his mother informed, "I picked up a few things after you left for your journey. It is like a 'your-child-is-leaving-on-a-journey-to-become-a-famous-trainer' kit." Ash nodded and chuckled at the name of the kit, before following his mother into the kitchen to receive the gift.
"Woah!" Ash said as he saw a basket. The basket contained a journal with a few pencils, healing items, and few store bought berries for humans and Pokémon to consume. Ash's tears returned before giving his mother a hug which she embraced with one of her own. "Thanks, mom."
"You want to train without us?" Misty rephrased.
"Don't worry Misty," Ash reassured, "when the Indigo League begins, you can still see me win." Misty and Brock had heard what Ash had said and were in thought about Ash's solo training.
"... Well, come to think of it," Brock began, "I should probably head to Pewter City for any last minute trainers."
"Yeah," Misty admitted, "my sisters kinda called me a few days ago saying I was needed at the gym for any trainers since they are busy with their water performances. Plus the mermaid play was such a success and are doing more water ballet than ever."
"But before you go," Brock said and reached for his backpack. "We should give you a few gifts. Your mother told us about your birthday coming up, so me and Misty went shopping for something you would want."
Brock pulled out a few books related to Pokémon breeding and training. "These books contain some tips for raising Pokemon. From caring for them individually to being aware of certain habits your many Pokémon have," Brock explained.
Then Misty got out her gift, "My gift isn't much but I got you this." She handed Ash a Fishing Rod before explaining, "I found it at a nearby Poke Mart and decided you should have it. Something to remember me by. Also I got 'How To' on fishing."
"Wow! Thanks guys!" Ash said and gave his friends a parting hug. Pikachu, having been there, nuzzled Togepi, who was oblivious to what was going on. They had been through so many adventures together but this wasn't a goodbye forever. The two friends soon left Pallet Town as the duo watched them in the distance.
His last stop was Oak's lab. Ash arrived and saw Oak getting his last few notes on Mew. The professor let out a breath before noticing Ash, "Ah, Ash!"
"Hi, Professor Oak," Ash acknowledged. "I take it you are here for Mewtwo and Mew," Oak guessed, "I have just finished getting their information into the Pokédex so now they can be scanned." "Actually, I came here for you," Ash admitted. Oak tilted his head in confusion, "Me?"
"Yes," Ash said before explaining himself, "I was thinking about my Pokémon and their moves. Mewtwo has probably told you about my idea of going to New Island to train all my Pokémon, right?" "He has," Oak answered.
"Well, I kinda want to work on teaching my Pokémon some new moves," Ash explained. Oak nodded along, he was surprised that Ash was coming to him about it. The professor had always seen the boy as his secondary grandchild and the fact he came to him about teaching him about Pokémon moves was surprising. After Ash explained the idea, Oak immediately knew what he had to get, "Well, seeing as you are about to be on an island with all your Pokémon, I figured you would want to see what your Pokémon can do."
Oak walked over to a filing cabinet and opened it. He pulled out multiple catalogs regrading moves and physiology for each Pokémon type before heading them to Ash. "Now Ash," Oak began, "these catalogs are for all eighteen types of Pokémon." "Eighteen types?!" Ash exclaimed.
"Yes, there has been three recent discoveries of new types: Dark, Steel, and Fairy. In fact, your newly caught Wigglytuff is a Normal/Fairy type." Oak explained. Ash was amazed to here that. Three new types of Pokémon? He thought there were just fifteen.
"The only known Steel types in Kanto are Magnemite and Magneton as there are no such Pokémon that are Dark types," Oak continued before starting to lecture/teach the boy. After the hour long lecture, Ash took each catalog to and was definitely going to read this over the course of the two months.
Ash spent the rest of the day in the corral seeing his Pokémon interact with each other, not with hostility but as a family. And Ash thought this was a wonderful sight to see.
The next day, Ash packed up his bags with his new gifts and usual traveling items. Ash gave his mom one last hug and a goodbye to Mimey before leaving. Oak acknowledged the boy when he entered the lab before getting all of his Pokémon together, sans Mewtwo p, Mew, and Pikachu.
Mewtwo then Teleported them to New Island. Ash and Pikachu shook off their daze before the trainer sent out all his Pokémon. Each Pokémon gave their respective noise as they were sent out. "Alright, everyone," Ash called to his Pokémon, "this is where we will be training for the Indigo League! I hope you are all excited and ready to work hard!" The Pokémon nodded and roared to skies...
Except one.
Charizard heard his trainer's 'speech' but frankly he didn't care enough to listen. Charizard just dozed off as the other Pokémon left to wander around the island. Ash noticed his natural born Flame Pokémon being his lazy self and frowned at this. He didn't want to lose an important match with his Charizard not wanting to fight.
Well, now is the time to fix that.
"Come on Charizard," Ash politely asked. The Fire/Flying type just ignored him. Ash tried asking nicely, not wanting to come off as rude but Charizard just shook him off. Ketchum even started to tug on Charizard's scales, which irritated him and led to a Flamethrower that Ash dodged.
Ash never understood why his Charizard started to disobey him. What was it? He needed to know now.
"Mewtwo, do you a separate place on the island where I can talk to my Charizard?" Ash questioned the Genetic Pokemon. 'Yes, the lobby should do,' Mewtwo informed. Ash nodded and returned his natural born Charizard before walking over to the lobby. He sent out Charizard who didn't even bat an eye at his trainer.
"Alright, Charizard," Ash began, "What is the matter?" Charizard didn't reply. "Did I do something wrong? You were never like this before evolution. What's wrong?" The trainer pleaded. Still nothing. This was beginning to frustrate Ash. Charizard only ever listened during two fights: Blaine's Magmar and Charizardtwo's battle.
"... So this is it.." Ash spoke. Charizard perked up at that. "After everything we been through... you don't see me as trainer..." Charizard rolled his eyes at that. "I saved your life, saved you from your previous trainer who left you to die!" Ash shouted before continuing, "I thought I was doing the right thing, but if I knew how this would turn out after your evolution..." Ash stopped before catching himself, "...why can't things go back to the way they were?" He nearly cried as he looked back when Charizard was a Charmander. He was loyal, confident, always wanting to please, trusted him.
Charizard stared at his trainer, taken aback by the outburst. He was mauling the memories over in his head as well. "Please, Charizard..." Ash urged, "I don't know what to do to get you back... if you bury all your anger and disobedience away and become my friend again..." Ash began to tear up, his emotions finally coming to the surface. "Just please, come back as the Charmander I saved..."
Ash fell to his knees, breaking down but wiped his tears away. Charizard was shocked to hear his trainer speak to him like this. He had always thought Ash wasn't one to be angry or upset with his Pokémon, but it seemed he was the straw that broke the Numel's back. The Flame Pokémon began to be in deep thought about his previous attitude. He hates to admit it, but he had become prideful, only wanting to fight 'worthy challengers.' But that pride made him think he could be unstoppable, not needing a trainer. "If you want me to release you, I will," Ash admitted, "you can go as far as you can from here and never see me again. Let me know within the next few hours."
Ash began to take his leave when he heard some chattering. The chattering seemed to be coming from the pipe he jumped down. Curious, Ketchum slid down, feet first into the pipe, leaving the Flame Pokemon alone to think about his actions and behavior. After popping out, Ash came across the destroyed clone machine and saw three Team Rocket grunts salvaging the machine.
"Can you guys go any faster!" One grunt said, "this place gives me the creeps!" "Oh, pipe down! This place has been abandoned. I doubt even a Ghost type would hang around here," the second grunt reassured. Ash crept over to the grunts discussion and wondered why they were here. "As soon as we finish this job, Team Rocket will be able to clone as many strong Pokémon as we want!" The three declared. Ash growled at that, but his noise caused the grunts to notice him. "W-w--what was that?" The first one said, frightened by the growl. The second and three looked around and saw Ash's hat, "Well I think we found snooping around something they shouldn't be interfering!" The second one said.
The three grunts released their Pokémon: a Cloyster, Golbat, and Hypno. Ash appeared and the grunts stared before laughing, "Really some measly kid!" "This will be easy!" "He doesn't even look like he has any Pokémon on him!" Then the door to the clone room opened and revealed...
Charizard.
"... Well, a Charizard," the third grunt said. "Doesn't look like much but I bet Team Rocket will make it better!" The second grunt commented. "If it can survive this," the first one said, "Brine!" The Cloyster fired a salty gush of water that directly hit the Fire/Flying, causing the receiver to roar in pain as he was blasted back. Ash watched in horror as his Pokémon suffered. After Brine, Charizard's tail flame was small and diminished. "Tch..." the second grunt said. "It's too weak... oh well! Let's put it out of its misery," the third grunt said.
Ash couldn't watch any longer. He ran over to Charizard, who weakly opened his eyes to see his trainer. Ash glared at the grunts before spreading out his arms, "I won't let you hurt Charizard anymore!" The grunts just grinned madly. "Well, I guess the nuisance wants to die with his Pokémon," the first grunt said. "Who are we to deny a trainer's dying wish. Golbat, Air Slash!" "Hypno, Psybeam!" "Cloyster, freeze them over with Blizzard!" The grunts' Pokémon were about to fire their attacks when they became outlined in blue and thrown at their respective trainers.
Mewtwo Teleported in with Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. The three natural Pokémon fired off Thunderbolt, Razor Leaf, and Water Gun respectively and defeated the opposing Pokémon. "W--w--what is that Pokémon!?" The first grunt stuttered, clearly scared. 'One that you won't remember,' Mewtwo declared as he sent the three grunts away with their Pokémon, all while wiping their memories of this encounter. The Genetic Pokémon turned and saw his trainer and Charizard, the latter losing life. 'Ash, what happened?'
"The Cloyster hit Charizard with a Water type move," Ash said before addressing the main problem, "we have to get Charizard's tail to keep going!" Mewtwo nodded and warped them to the center of the coliseum. "Alright! Charizardtwo and Rapidash over here!" The two Fire types ran over before getting their instructions, "I need you two to let your flames touch Charizard's tail to rekindle his flame." They nodded and went to work. Charizard's tail began to shortly grow in size. Mew also Transformed into a Charmeleon to help rekindle while Ninetales and Vulpix performed a low power Flamethrower and Ember at a steady pace. Ash watched as the Fire types did their best to help the Pokémon and it was slowly effective. Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle patted at their trainer's back, keeping him calm. The other Pokémon ceased their observations and all huddled around their fallen teammate, hoping he is okay.
The process eventually reached till dusk, and Charizard's tail flame was at the point where it could stabilize on its own. The Fire types ceased their aid and waited for him to get better. Soon, all the Pokémon began to slowly doze off one by one. During the course of this stressful event, Ash had created a small campfire in order to help with flame, it slowly dying out. Ketchum and Mewtwo stayed awake for the time being. 'Ash, perhaps you should rest,' Mewtwo suggested. Ash shook his head in defiance, "I can't, Mewtwo. I'm staying by his side this time. Even if he disobeyed me, he's still my Pokémon." But soon, Ash and Mewtwo joined the team in snoozing.
Charizard had heard Ash's reasoning. His own trainer was willing to take an attack that would surely injure him and yet, he had been disobeying him since his evolution. Ash was willing to stand guard and he had been ungrateful ever since his Charmeleon stage. He thought he could do whatever he want now that he was evolved but still shackled to his trainer. But today, Ash had willingly risked his life to save him. Like when he was a Charmander...
This caused something in Charizard to change. He wanted to get stronger and with Ash at his side, it seemed possible.
Morning soon came and Charizard was feeling better while taking it easy. Ash awoke to Charizard nudging at him, "Charizard! You're alright!" Charizard let out a low grumble which Ash must have understood as an apology. "It's alright, Charizard. I guess you were just prideful with your evolution. But now you're back!" Ash said, pumping his fist in the air. "And we can begin our training." Charizard nodded at that before blasting a Flamethrower to the sky.
Let the training begin.
A/N: You are thinking about Chronicles of the Chosen One by Nateman364 (I believe that is his username). The story was deleted since the deactivation of the account because he stopped writing. Unless, his account is still on here.
Updates to my other Pokémon story are coming soon, might become a monthly post.