This story has been torturing my mind for a while, so I decided it was time to get it out there. This is a passion project as well as something I use to help sharpen up my writing skills. Updates should be fairly regular. Hope you enjoy!
Ash hadn't meant to wake up late.
It wasn't like he was totally blameless; in hindsight, having a Pokéball-shaped alarm clock around a hyperactive, battling-addicted child was a poor choice on his part, but now he was almost a half-hour late, having to hurriedly get dressed, in his usual blue jeans, white tee and short sleeve blue coat combo. And that would cost him.
It was rare in a town as small as Pallet that four kids would have close birthdays so close together, but it was what it was.
The three starters Oak would give traditionally give out to three children just past their tenth birthdays; Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle were incredibly rare and powerful Pokémon that most kids would kill for, something Ash knew better than most, as his mother was the one responsible for breeding them.
Now, logically, Ash knew Oak would have a Pokémon waiting for him, even if he wasn't already someone Ash knew personally, but he really wanted one of those three starters, especially Charmander.
Charizards were among the most popular and revered Pokémon. And for good reason. They were fast powerhouses, capable of dismantling entire teams in minutes if trained quickly. And that was without the insane fires it could unleash merely by breathing.
Ash's idol, Lance, Champion of Indigo, had a Charizard that could melt steel with his flames, and from the moment he saw it, he knew he wanted to train one more than anything.
Ash had always been fascinated by dragons. The near-mythical beasts, majestic, strong beings, were among the rarest of the rare and most people who owned a dragon tended to be experienced and strong trainers. It was part of the reason he looked up to Lance so much; he owned a team of dragons and other beasts of similar strength.
Ash reckoned a Charmander would be the closest he could get to owning a dragon in the near future, but now that dream was closed on him, something he reflected as a cool breeze blew through Pallet Town.
But now, he knew one of the other three kids: Sarah, Jason, or GARY would have taken it by now.
Ash was disappointed about that. Now, don't get it twisted, Ash would love and care for whatever Pokémon the Professor would give him, and he knew he was lucky to get a Pokémon at all, but now the thoughts of What Could Have Been would plague his mind for a while.
Honestly, the worst thing had been his mother's disappointment when she finally managed to wake him up. Ash knew how much hard work she had put in at the Lab and felt bad for seemingly not being committed enough to even wake up when she asked him to. Her face hung in his mind and it bothered him for a while, but eventually, more pressing matters overtook it.
As he made his way to the hill where the Laboratory was, his mind shifted to what Pokémon the Professor would give him. Maybe it would be a Nidoran or another local Pokémon? Maybe it would be a Pokémon bred at the Ranch? The mental image of a Taurus being released and wrecking the Laboratory was a funny image to Ash, but he reckoned it unlikely.
The likely contender was the local trickster Pokémon. For the last few months, electrical problems have been surfacing around town. At first, people naturally assumed it was a problem with the electrical system itself or perhaps faulty wiring, but both were confirmed to be false. The local townsfolk were puzzled as to what could be the culprit.
Then one night, after the lights in his house went out, Ash looked under his house's porch to see a Pichu chewing through electrical wiring.
Given how rare and full of potential Pichu could be, many, including those at the Lab attempted to bait and capture the little demon, but it had evaded capture every time, and the sniggers of the electric rodent haunted the dreams of every trainer in Pallet Town.
It wouldn't be the start he wanted, but he would accept it.
Ash wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was. A Master, someone who would leave a legacy behind.
He couldn't let something like this drag him down.
Ash started to walk up the hill.
As he rested against the wall of the Oak Pokémon Laboratory, Jason Carmine was stumped.
He had just gotten his starter, and without trouble, too.
With the dilemma of four kids having birthdays in rapid succession this year, he knew he was gonna fight tooth and nail to get his way. It would be a painful struggle that would create 'epic rivalries' between them, as Sarah had put it, and something that he was sure would be an event to remember.
So, imagine his shock when things went off without a hitch, because Ash hadn't shown up.
Now, Jason was thankful for this, as he hated arguing and petty fights in general.
What was stumping him was Ash.
Ash Ketchum was many things.
Hyperactive.
Hot-headed.
Way too obsessed with battling.
A good friend.
A smart guy.
A kind soul.
Lazy was not one of them.
Now Ash excelled at things he was interested in, i.e. type matchups, and tended to struggle with things he was not, i.e. mathematics, but he always tried to do his best, and in all the four years he had known Ash, he was never late to a day of school.
Plus, Jason had met Ash's mother, and when you live under her, being lazy would be something thoroughly removed at an early age.
Ash would never be late to something, let alone something as important as getting a starter on purpose.
So what was keeping him?
He pulled away from his thoughts to look at the other two kids who the kind Professor had given Pokémon.
Sarah Greene, or 'Leaf' as she had been nicknamed after Gary had seen how many plants she grew, was positively beaming, twirling around, skirt swaying in the breeze. How that skirt hadn't flipped in the breeze was beyond him, but he didn't question it. Jason half-expected her to start jumping for joy.
She was a clever girl, but also the most energetic person he knew, and he didn't think it was possible to meet someone with more energy than Ash. While the two were good friends now, that wasn't always the case.
When they first met, Sarah was, for lack of a better word, nosey. She would ask many questions rapid-fire, and disregard personal space, things the socially awkward Jason did not appreciate, and so he stayed away from her at first, which hurt her feelings for a while.
Eventually, as they got older, and she realised that her behaviour had made him (and many others, not that they would ever admit it) uncomfortable, she had toned it down and the two enjoyed a great friendship ever since.
Her parents ran the local florists, which is where she picked up her horticulture skills. Sarah would spend a lot of time growing her own plants and flowers and would often give them out as gifts. Her last Christmas present to Gary, a Unovan cactus, had gotten no small amount of laughs out of Ash, who upon hearing about it, exclaimed; "Well, it's a perfect gift for him. Anywhere you look on a cactus, you see a prick."
With her background, and her sunny aura, her starter was never in question; she chose Bulbasaur without a moment's hesitation. She knew perfectly how to apply the various spores and vines and things that line could create, and Jason would have been surprised if she had picked anything else.
She saw him looking at her, and she smiled at him, humming a little tune.
He then shifted his glance towards Gary, who grinned at him in a cocky manner, laying back against a tree in the shade, enjoying the breeze.
Gary Oak, the grandson of Professor Oak, was what Jason's parents would call an acquired taste. Gary was not a bad guy, by any stretch, but he did have a…competitive streak and a slight hint of arrogance.
His parents had died in a car accident when he was young, leaving the Professor to raise him and his older sister, Daisy. Being raised by a legend like Professor Samuel Oak is bound to raise your ego quite a bit, and it showed.
Gary was the top of their class at school, and was not shy about it in the slightest, often rubbing it in people's faces.
This rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but Jason, Sarah and Ash (at the time) didn't care. They could see through Gary and they were always willing to put up his behaviour. They were quite the neat little group, but none were closer than Ash and Gary, at least, they used to be.
Jason never understood that. He never understood what could drive that wedge between them, that would lead to such bitterness. All he knew was that one day, they were as thick as thieves, the next, they were shouting at each other whenever they were together. Jason remained Gary's friend but never let him insult Ash.
Now, while Gary's arrogance and passion for everything Pokémon would lead one to assume he picked Charmander, that was not the case.
While Gary's bravado was something true to his character, what people didn't know was underneath it, Gary was also focused, ruthless and efficient, a product of living with and learning under one of the most knowledgeable trainers who ever lived. Gary had instead chosen Squirtle, a wise choice. Squirtles were varied creatures, and their vast movepool and strong defences would make a perfect partner for the methodical and patient Oak.
And that left him.
Jason had been in Pallet Town the shortest, his family having moved to Pallet four years ago from Viridian City, as his father was one of the key researchers at the Laboratory.
He was not a popular kid, always having been both socially awkward and anxious. He didn't like talking unless strictly necessary, and this meant he didn't have friends for a long time, preferring to read books.
He sat with Ash and Gary at school, but didn't speak to them often.
Until one fateful day when a question about Charizards came up.
"You're wrong" he told them, both boys shocked that Jason willingly spoke to them.
"What?" was Ash's inspired comeback.
"Charizards aren't Dragon-type. They are Fire/Flying. They're shaped like dragons and can use some Dragon-type moves, but they are specifically not dragons."
"That's dumb" Ash replied.
Jason's response would become an in-joke that went until this very day. "That's biology."
This would start a long conversation that lead to Jason going from no friends to two, and then to three eventually, once Sarah toned it down.
Jason wanted to travel the world, and see what Pokémon were out there. He wanted to see what different styles of battle different regions could offer him, and he wanted to see it all. With such a high-flying dream, it was only natural that he picked Charmander.
Charmanders were powerful and driven, and always looked for new experiences and territory, something he resonated with. He knew Ash wanted a Charmander so that he could raise it to be a strong competitor like Lance's Charizard, but he wanted a Charizard that he could experience the world with.
He took out his Charmander's Pokéball and smiled.
The Professor had mentioned that he had another Pokémon set aside for Ash. Jason didn't know what it could be, but with how determined Ash was to be a great trainer, Jason knew he would turn it into a strong, confident and capable Pokémon.
He tugged down his red hat. The sky was clear and the sun was shining, which was nice, but it also got in his eyes. He did not enjoy that.
Ah, speak of the Devil, and he shall appear.
Ash ran up the hill, took one step towards the Laboratory, collapsed to his knees and started breathing deeply.
Gary, very amused that Ash was late to something this important, immediately made comments.
"Took you long enough, ya dope! What makes you think you could run late to this, huh?! You're lucky Gramps even has a Pokémon for you. Explain yourself."
Ash, still catching his breath and struggling back to his feet, said "I…had a Pokéball alarm clock. I had a dream…about competing in the Indigo…Conference last night and chucked it…it broke."
Gary, still with a cocky grin, simply replied "Bull".
Sarah wasn't smiling anymore. "Gary!" she exclaimed, angry frown with hands on her hips, "You know he wouldn't be late on purpose. Leave him alone."
Gary looked at her, sighed and said "Fine" before turning to Ash. "Now, you better get your ass in there and apologise to Gramps."
"Gary" was Sarah's frosty response. Gary threw up his hands in a resigned manner.
Ash went to the front door of the Laboratory. He turned back to the three of them and asked them "Before I go in there, who got what?"
Sarah looked to Ash, pointed to herself, said "Bulb", to Gary, "Squirt", and then to Jason, "Char".
Ash nodded, and then headed into the Laboratory.
Ash made his way through the Laboratory.
It was far from the first time, of course, but Ash had never walked through the large building feeling nervous.
He had always gotten on really well with Professor Oak.
Ash admired his knowledge of Pokémon, and the power and ability his Pokémon possessed. In turn, the Professor had always appreciated Ash's enthusiasm to be the best trainer he could be, and would often tell him stories about his time as a trainer and give him advice.
Ash deeply respected the man and was annoyed at himself that he would hold him up.
Now logically, he knew Professor Oak wouldn't be angry with him, if a little disappointed.
But part of his brain was just repeating "stupid, stupid!".
He just ignored that for now, and tried to conjure an apology in his head.
He approached the door to the central lab.
He stood before it, pausing for a moment, that annoyed part of his brain louder than ever.
He took a deep breath, and opened the door.
At the other end of the room was Professor Oak standing in front of the table he knew the Pokéballs of the starters, looking at Ash.
Ash closed the door behind him.
The two assistants in the room, both at tables at the sides of the room, turned to look at Ash.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Ash paused, unsure of what to say or do, just simply walked towards the Professor, waving at the assistants with an embarrassed blush on his face.
He stood face to face with the Professor, and took a deep breath.
Ash rushed out a quick-fire apology. "Professorimsorryiaccidentlysmashedmyclockandyouknowiwouldntbelatetothisand-"
He was stopped when the Professor kneeled down, holding his shoulders. The poor boy was turning blue. He hated seeing Ash like this, being so upset over something like this.
"Ash, my boy, relax. You're not in any trouble, your mother phoned as soon as you left the house to tell me what happened. You're not the type of boy to miss out on this opportunity. I was a little disappointed at first, but you're not the first child to be late to this, and you certainly will not be the last."
Oak didn't like the sheer look of relief that spread across the young man's face.
"Thank you" he replied. "I am really sorry." Oak could tell it was sincere.
Oak sighed. "This isn't the first case where four children got starters. And I think you'll like yours."
That perked Ash back up, if his head instantly shooting up was any indication.
"Oh yes" the Professor continued. "Your mother bred this one too. Full of potential for a great trainer to bring out."
Ash smiled. Not that he wasn't excited already about finally becoming a Trainer, but a potentially powerful Pokémon? That was able to put that silly part of his brain aside for just one moment.
And then what the Professor said next sent his excitement to overdrive. "And it was bred by one of my own Pokémon." Oak's team was legendary, strong and masterfully trained. Ash was sure whatever Pokémon he was about to receive would be better than getting one of the regular starters.
Oak grabbed a singular Pokéball from inside his lab coat and enlarged it.
"So, without any further ado, I present to you, your starter Pokémon."
The Pokéball opened, its occupant materialising on the empty table out of a flash of light.
Ash got a good look at what his partner was, and his heart stopped.
No way.
He-he can't possibly be giving me a Pokémon this r-rare.
I don't believe it.
I don't deserve this as my starter.
Oak saw the sheer shock and amazement of the boy and chuckled, before offering Ash a pat on the back.
"Yes, Ash, your starter is the Dragon Pokémon, Dratini."
Ash was there, still in shock, watching the little dragon open its eyes, taking in its surroundings.
"Normally, I wouldn't offer a Pokémon this strong to a new trainer, but I know how determined you are to be a great trainer. If anyone can handle this adorable powerhouse, it's you. So, my only question is; do you want this Pokémon?"
Ash, once he remembered to breathe, only said one thing in response, with as much confidence and commitment as he had ever mustered in his short life.
"Yes."
The Professor chuckled again, before handing Ash a small red device.
"This is something I've been working on for a while, here at the Lab. It is a device used to obtain and register information about Pokémon. I call it the Pokémon Index, or PokéDex for short. I want you, while on your journey to register all the Pokémon you can find, in return for giving you Dratini."
Ash, still dumbfounded that his starter was a goddamn DRATINI, simply took the device and replied with "Absolutely, Professor. Thanks."
Oak, thoroughly amused with Ash's excited shock about the whole thing, told Ash. "Well, don't just stand there, Ash. Introduce yourself to her."
Ash, brought back to reality in an instant looked at the now fully awake Dratini.
He bent down to the table, before looking the dragon in the eyes.
"Hey there, I'm Ash Ketchum. I suppose I'm your trainer now. I know you're probably confused, but I'm gonna say it simple, okay? I want to be a Pokémon Master, one of the greatest to ever live. I know how powerful you can become, and I want to help make you that strong. So what do you say? Do you want to come with me?"
He held out his left hand to Dratini. She hesitated for a moment, before sniffing Ash's hand, before shooting off the desk, twisting her small serpentine body around his arm (the feeling of scales on skin was something he was gonna have to get used to), moving around his body, including his face, before she settled on his neck, wrapping around it as a thick, living scarf. She let out a cheery sound. She agreed with Ash's sentiment.
Oak was delighted that the two had hit it off so well. "Well, it seems I don't have to do much more, except hand you these" he gestured to the desk, now holding a tube with five Pokéballs.
Ash went over and took the Pokéballs, adding them to the holsters on the belt his mother had recently bought for him.
He rubbed Dratini's forehead with his left index finger, leading his new partner to coo in response.
The Professor handed Ash Dratini's Pokéball, which he added to the front holster on his belt.
"And now, Ash Ketchum, you have begun your journey. I do not where it will take you, or how strong you'll become, but I know that whatever you do, there is not a doubt in my mind that you deserve the device and Pokémon I have given you. Rocky a start as it may be, I know you'll do yourself, me and your mother proud."
Ash nodded, smiling and on the verge of tears. This was a moment he had dreamed and waited for his whole life and now that it was happening, it had blown all his expectations away.
"I will, Professor. No matter what, I will. Thank you, for everything."
Oak smiled, recognising the now determined look on Ash's face. He'd seen that look in so many people, and all of them went on to great things. He just knew Ash would too.
"Well then. Ash Ketchum, welcome, to the world of Pokémon."
Well then, bet you weren't expecting Dratini, were ya? Part of the reason I made this decision, and this fanfic to begin with, was because of the fics Traveller (by the Straight Elf) and Challenger (by Darkfire1220).
These stories were different, interesting interpretations of the Pokémon Anime, and it got my long dead fic-creating juices rolling again.
I feel like this could be a unique story to tell, but don't be expecting Fullmetal Alchemist-levels of storytelling. This is just meant to be a fun reimagining of my childhood obsession, and I hope you enjoyed reading it so far.
With that being said, thank you for reading this all the way through, I hope you stick around, but if not, I hope this was at least not a waste of time for you.
With that being said, I must say Goodbye, and Good Night!