Just a quick note, this version of Ash has only ever been to Alola, Kalos and Unova, and only spend a few months in each. This is an AU world, because I want this version of Ash to seem more believable as a twelve year old.

Yes. Ash is 12 in this AU. so is Goh. I want some of Ash's more important moments and battles, including those involving characters from Kalos and Unova especially, to make sense in this AU, and thus here we are. Please review.

"People Speak"

"Pokemon Speak"

'Dream Speak'

Thoughts/Dream Narration

The first day had ended quietly, partly because Arron had remained in his ball for the rest of it, save for meals and when Goh could be alone with him. Thus, there weren't any more disturbances. Currently, he and Ash were sitting on the porch of his house, watching the sunset as they talked.

"What do you think we're going to do once we get back to Professor Cerise?" Ash asked, eyes still glued into the view

Goh sighed. "Something involving Arron for sure. He isn't a normal pokemon, I can feel it. And I think Cerise can as well, he just doesn't want to reveal his suspicion until he has hard evidence."

Ash nodded absent-mindedly. "Yeah, that makes sense."

Goh looked at ash, noticing his distant attitude. "What's on your mind?"

Ash looked down at the ground in hesitation before answering. "Battling Leon."

Goh nodded, knowing that his dream of beating Leon was a touchy subject, mainly because he'd been on a losing streak before his battles with other trainers had petered out altogether.

"Ash, you'll get to battle Leon-"

"Yeah, maybe, but think about it for a second: I'm a nobody in a sea of nobodies, Goh. Leon has no reason to notice or acknowledge me. To him, I'm just another adoring fan in a crowd. But I don't want to be another face, I want to be like him. I want to be strong like him, to win," Ash's determined attitude crumbled along with the power in his voice. "But this recent losing streak has got me thinking, maybe I'm not ready to take on Leon, at least not now, not anytime soon."

Goh was absolutely flabbergasted at Ash's change in priorities. Ash wasn't someone who thought things through, who saw the big picture. He just charged forward into the fire and hoped to not get burnt. But maybe this time he'd been burnt enough to know that fire is a tricky thing.

"But, what else will you do? What else do you have to do? This is your dream, you can't just abandon it.".

"I'm not abandoning it, Goh, Just… setting it aside for now. I'm not ready. Riolu and I have to keep practicing, keep pushing ourselves, same with me and Pikachu. Besides, we've got bigger problems."

Goh nodded. "Arron."

Ash nodded. "He's our priority right now, not battling Leon or catching mew, no offense. We have to find out what he is and where he came from, and I think the best way to figure out the former is to keep battling with him, figure out his moves and powers. And of course help out the professor."

"You're right, Ash. We have a duty to help Professor Cerise first and foremost, that's the whole point of this internship. Everything else is just a detour."

"In a way, yeah. But I was thinking, why don't I join the league and compete with you? That way I could make Arron one of my lineups and we could figure out a lot of his moves and powers. And we could practice while we're at it."

Ash didn't look convinced. "Aren't we supposed to be studying Arron? I get what you're saying, but we need to be productive. This all sounds like a distraction."

Goh shook his head. "It's not a distraction, don't think of it like that. Its more of a… compromise. Besides, a few losses aren't a big deal, we just need to practice some more."

"What about Arron's attitude? He'd tear up everything in sight, he'd get disqualified!"

"Ash, I was researching Pokemon like Arron: Zigzagoon, Yungoos, Cyndaquil, they're all very hyperactive and restless. I think a lot of Arron's aggressive nature comes from his lack of purpose and direction. We need to give him a path and run him ragged, train him hard, and he'll mellow out some more. He just has too much energy and not enough to do with it."

Ash had a skeptical look. "Are you sure?"

"Well, it worked for you dear."

They both swiveled around and looked at Ms. Ketchum behind them. She had a cup of steaming tea in both hands and a newspaper under her arm. Her small smile was deep and genuine, a hint towards her caring and loving nature.

"What do you mean, mom?"

"Well, Ash, before you went off on your adventure with Professor Cerise as your benefactor, you were restless, hyperactive and you didn't pay attention in school. So when you brought me the flier about the Internship program, and I talked privately with Professor Cerise, we both agreed that it would be a great fit for you. And we were right. In the last month and a half, you've not only learned a great deal, but you've matured far faster than I could have hoped."

Ash scratched the back of his head in humility. "Well… thanks mom, but what does that have to do with Arron?"

"It has everything to do with Arron. Ash, people and pokemon aren't that different. We all need purpose. Now, whether we make that purpose ourselves or we get a little help along the way depends on the individual. For instance, before I had you… I did some unsavory things. But when you came along and became my purpose I made a better life for myself. Now that you're starting to become more and more independent, my life is in order and I have goals for myself," She sipped her tea before continuing. "What I'm saying Ash is that maybe Arron doesn't have a purpose yet, he's very young. Or maybe he's lost his way. Giving him something to do, something to work towards would help him mature a little more, just like we both did, and I think Goh's idea is perfect for him; as far as I've seen, if Aron loves to do anything, it's to fight."

Ash stared at the wood of the porch, contemplating his mother's words. "Wow, mom… I never thought of it that way."

She just smiled a little wider and nodded, sitting down between them and putting an arm around both of the young boys, pulling them closer. "Just promise me you'll be patient and caring with Arron. Something about that poor creature isn't right, something bad happened to it to be so detached. I'm surprised it even tolerates us."

"I will, Ms. Ketchum. I'll be very caring."

She nodded and ruffled his hair. "You better, or I'll get Mr. Mime to come after you, and we wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Goh thought she was serious for a moment before she burst into laughter. She widened her eye with her free hand before second down. "Oh, that was hilarious, you thought I'd send Mr. Mime after you?"

Goh smiled weakly before looking behind him into the window, seeing Mr. Mime stick out his tongue at Goh before winking playfully. Goh cracked a smile.

"I'll do my best, Ms. Ketchum."

She nodded before standing up and retrieving her tea. "I know you will, Goh. You always do."

"Now, who wants Ramen? It's my specialty."

Arron was starting to become very worried.

He had never been to Japan when he was ove, and he never stayed in the world of the loving for too long, definitely not long enough to get used to the people and the culture there.

So when they released him from his ball once again, and he smelled something he couldn't quite recognize, he became concerned by what they might be cooking. What did Japanese people eat?

All that came to mind was sushi and cup noodles, the former definitely not being the case here, since it was most certainly a stew, and cup noodles were out of the question since he was sure that this kid's mom wouldn't boil cup noodles in a stew pot, nor would she feed cup noodles to her kids. He was sure with how Ash had described her that she could cook.

Well, if she could cook, then he had nothing to worry about. He'd get used to something different.

He looked over to see Ash and Goh sitting at the table while the rest of the pokemon sat around a large bowl on the ground piled high with what looked like kibble.

Oh.

No.

It was much worse than he thought. He remembered the very specific pecking order that animals had with people back in his world. People ate the best food, while animals got the scraps. Now he was feeling bad for those animals, since he was getting a taste of his own medicine.

While Arron sat still, going through an existential crisis, Ash, Goh and Delilah turned away from their food to look at Arron, concerned by his inaction. Delilah stepped forward and petted Arron across the head, trying to calm him, but he only became more agitated, fidgeting hysterically like he had drunk several liters of energy drinks and topped it off with just a straight shot of caffeine. Delilah pulled her hand away, fearing that Arron might lash out, but he didn't, he just remained, almost glassy eyed as if he was having a seizure.

The other pokemon also stopped eating and stared at him, if not concerned then just curious. Riolu especially, who was looking at him with his big red eyes and analyzing his psyche.

Raboot was the first to act. She waddled up to Arron, looking at him blankly before she lifted an eyebrow. "What's your problem, tough guy?"

"What are you eating?" He asked calmly, surprising Raboot.

"It's… food? You know what food is, right?"

He shook his head. "That looks like painted pebbles."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you talking about? It tastes perfectly fine."

But Arron wasn't convinced. "I'm sure to you it does, but I'm used to eating actual food."

Finally understanding Arron's current crisis, she grinned condescendingly. "Oh, the big bad ice pokemon is scared of some pokemon food. I didn't know you were that spoiled."

Arron didn't take the bait however, remaining calm, to the shock of all the other pokemon there. "'Spoiled' isn't the correct word. I just have standards."

Raboot snorted and turned back to Riolu. "You hear that Riolu? He has standards. He sounds just as stuck up as you are." In the distance, Pikachu snickered at Raboot's teasing as both Arron and Riolu growled at Raboot. Luckily, however, Goh separated the both of them before any conflict arose.

"It's no big deal, you two, just settle down," he looked at Arron's still dazed expression in concern. "What's wrong, Arron? Aren't you hungry?"

Arron didn't respond, rather choosing to curl up into a ball. He'd be damned if he'd eat some kibble like an animal. Goh picked him up and cuddled him close to his chest, trying to.soothe Arron to no avail. "What's wrong? I can't help unless you tell me."

Arron perked out from Goh's arms and flashed a devious grin at Raboot, who stomped her foot in irritation at the fact that Arron was practically being coddled for being a problem child. She hated to admit it, but she missed it when she had done the same with Goh.

"Goh, he's probably confused, he's never had pokemon food before, so maybe he just doesn't know that it's food. Just give him some."

Arron's smile died as Raboot's grew again, seeing his short success backfire. Goh set him down next to the bowl before attempting to give him pokemon food, only for him to avoid Goh's hand. Both Riolu and Pikachu had chosen to ignore the spectacle while Raboot was giggling under her scarf like a little girl at Arron's anguish. After several attempts to get Goh to eat some of the food, Arron squirmed out of Goh's lap and into Ash's room, hiding under the bed to avoid the foul substance.

Goh sighed. "I have a feeling he knows what it is and he just doesn't want to eat it." He turned to Raboot. "Hey, Raboot, you two were talking, did he say he knew what it was?"

Raboot nodded, causing Goh to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, we've got to find a way to fix that. Any Ideas Ms. Ketchum?"

She just shrugged. "I've never dealt with a pokemon that wouldn't eat food before. Maybe he just doesn't like it?"

Ash had finished his Ramen and slumped up the broth noisily in the amount of time it took Goh and Delilah to get to this point. "So, what now? We can't just let him starve, he has to eat something."

Ash, Goh and Delilah were silent for a while, trying to think of a solution. "Well, I can just make him something. I'll just make him a quick curry and call it a night. We can call Professor Cerise in the morning and see if we can put our heads together and come up with a solution."

Ash didn't seem to like the idea. "Well… you just spent an hour over the stove, mom. You shouldn't have to cook again just because Arron is acting like a spoiled brat. Besides, if we give him some of our food, it'll develop a bad habit.

Goh nodded "Me and Ash don't always have the luxury of your home cooking on the road: sometimes we live off of whatever we can find in grocery stores, usually instant meals and microwave ramen we cook on my stewpot. So that Pokemon food is very important because we have a set amount of rations, both for us and our pokemon. So if we feed Arron our food, he'll think it's okay and expect to have it everyday."

Delilah nodded. "You both make good points. I guess we should leave some food out and let Arron eat it when he feels like it. I'm sure if he gets hungry enough he'll come out."

Later in the night, Arron fumed underneath Ash's messy bed. Bastard child, I save his ass and he treats me like this? His anger had been short lived, however, as it was replaced with a simmering pout.

Arron wasn't regretting helping the boy or anything, he would have helped him no matter what. But it still hurts to be treated like an animal when you are used to being human. He didn't know what he was getting into when he vowed to accept his new form in the woods outside of that small town.

But it was their fault. They didn't know. And they wouldn't know. He'd take the secrets of his past to the grave with him. He didn't want them to know the atrocities he'd committed as a Hollow, his kill count. Fifteen million souls were a lot of souls to devour. While those were just numbers to a hollow, they would be considered horrific to the people that lived in the unnatural serene world.

And the worst part is he wasn't thinking of his own wellbeing. He didn't want to break the boy's heart. Despite all his shortcomings and flaws, all his terrible actions, even after he bit his finger off, the boy named Goh still tolerated him, even cared for him. All of them did for sure, but especially Goh. To break his heart would be unspeakable.

If Grimmjow were here he'd be laughing his ass of at Arron's perceived weakness, calling him a pussy. Arron didn't mind. He was used to that sort of treatment over his protective attitude towards his sister Harribel. Grimmjow was always a cruel, vain and spiteful soul after all, and he hated that he was only number six, a quality he shared with Nnoitra.

What if they had come here as well? He wasn't sure about Grimmjow, but he'd killed Nnoitra himself after that Zaraki guy (who was supposed to show up but didn't) became occupied with Yammy when he showed up a bit too early and released his resurreccion after Ulqiorra's death. He had to come back and save the Kurosaki boy, he was vital to their plans, just in case he and Gin were compromised.

Nnoitra was breathing heavily, his chest laden with cuts and bruises. But despite his grievous injuries, he had a wicked smile on his face. He quickly restored stature and the wounds on his chest closed, leaving only scars and exhaustion behind.

'Let's hope that's the last distraction so I can split your head into two like a melon, Neliel!'

The little girl bared her teeth behind Ichigo's leg, who was holding his blade weakly in a vain hope to ward the mantis arrancar off for just a little longer. But he knew it was in vain, Ichigo was half dead at this point and Neliel wouldn't be able to return to her original form anytime soon with the massive fissure in her helmet.

So it seemed Arron would have to play the Hero.

His sister was standing beside him, as were her fraccion Sun Sun, Mila Rose and Apacci. While his sister had no qualms with talking to him, her fraction always averted their gazes and avoided talking to him at all costs. Harribel never explained why, and he chose not to ask.'

Why are you so intent on saving the Soul Reaper? Isn't that somewhat counter-intuitive?'

He sighed and smiled weakly. 'It's not about the soul reaper, he's just collateral. But I won't let Nnoitra harm Neliel, not again.'

Harribel raised an eyebrow. 'Why not? She isn't an Espada anymore?'

He glared at her. 'That's rich coming from you, Ms. Sacrifice. You didn't know Neliel like I did. She is a rarity, a Hollow with a heart. I've never seen any hollow like her, and I've known her far longer than you, before I even found you as an Adjuchas near the crevice.'

Harribel nodded. 'I understand, then. Do what you must, but why not leave the reaper to his fate?''

Aizen has his reasons.''

So, more secrets then, brother?'

Arron didn't respond, choosing rather to jump off the sleek red pillar and descend to the sand ground behind Nnoitra. Nnoitra felt his presence and narrowed his eyes. 'Not more of this bullshit. What do you want?'

Arron was emotionless. 'For you to finally die. You're to damn annoying, and Aizen gave the go-ahead.'

Nnoitra's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure, his mouth forming into a crooked scowl. 'No, you're lying. I'm too important to be lost. I'm the Quinto Espada! All the others below me are dead, he has none left beyond us five!'

Arron's expression was unchanged. 'What about Luppi? What about my sister Harribel? There's a whole sea of hollows, you fool. The only few who matter are the irreplaceable, like Ulqiorra and my sister, the Vasto-Lordes and the True Arrancar like me. You are like a cog in a machine compared to me.

But Nnoitra only laughed. 'You really think I'd believe you're a true Arrancar? I can't even sense your spiritual pressure! You're boasting to try and scare me, but I never back down!''

You never back down because you always attack the weak and the broken, like the Kurosaki boy over there. You are nothing but a disgrace, and I've always hated you for your perverted worldview.''

Oh, you hate me, huh? Well then, strike me down. I'd love to see you try! I'd love to see your sword shatter against my hierro!'

But Arron remained still and unmoving, his hands crossed. Nnoitra grew angry at his inaction. 'Fine then, I'll cleave you in two by myself!'

Nnoitra rushed towards Arron, deftly swinging his pole arm behind him like an acrobat. He then jumped into the air and swung it downwards to meet Arron's shoulder and carve his arm off. But it never cut. His polearm shattered against Arron's skin like glass, flinging wooden splinters and shrapnel everywhere. Ichigo's eyes widened, but Neliel had a small smile. She knew.

Nnoitra was going through a bout of disbelief at the turn of events. His hands twitched as he brought his shattered weapon up and looked at it. 'H-how? How did you break my weapon? I couldn't sense your spiritual pressure, I couldn't-' he was met with a Bala with the force of a speeding locomotive, sending the Quinto Espada flying backward into the sand dunes. The impact sent waves of reatsu swimming through the air, causing the ground to shake.'You are wondering how I deflected such a blow with only my Hierro, huh? Well, mine's stronger than yours. Much stronger.'

Nnoitra lifted himself off the ground, sand falling from his robes. 'But Aizen-'

'Aizen never lied to you. He never really lies, he just never tells the whole truth. It's easier for him to feign innocence that way. You do have the strongest Hierro of the Espada, at least in base form. But I am not a member of the Espada.'

Nnoitra's realization hit him harder than Arron's Bala. 'You're his-'

'Fraccion? not quite. That title goes to Gin and Kaname. I'm more of an… asset if you will. But I'm the strongest of the Arrancar here, at least the ones still Alive.'

After a moment of contemplation, Nnoitra became engulfed by his rage, yellow reatsu swirling around his ruined weapon like a vortex. His sneer grew wider than before. 'No, this is a trick. I refuse to believe you are stronger than me. I refuse to be beaten by the likes of you!'

With a grunt, he lifted the pole of his weapon in the air and let out a shout that shook the sand dunes. 'Pray! Santa Teresa!'

The vortex grew by orders of magnitude, engulfing the Quinto Espada in bright yellow light before revealing a drastic change. His arms had doubled, revealing four bone-plated limbs wielding scythes. His once sealed jacket was split, revealing a muscular chest. Nnoitra's grin widened to inhuman levels.'Now, I'll cut you down. Nothing can stop me!'

He rushed at Arron at blinding speeds and laughed maniacally, preparing to strike at his neck and land a killing blow. But Arron was unfazed. He remained still, waiting for Nnoitra to make his move. This only fueled Nnoitra's ego as he swung downwards only to hear a metallic clang as the blade met Arron's jugular to no avail. Nnoitra's eyes widened in disbelief.

'No.'

He swung again, this time across his chest leaving a trail of orange sparks.

'No!'And again, this time at his shoulder attempting to cut his arm off once again with the same results.

'NO!'

Nnoitra released a whirlwind of strikes across Arron's entire body, kicking up dust, only to be thwarted at every turn.

'NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!'

But before he could continue, Arron caught his next strike, causing Nnoitra to falter. 'You know something, Nnoitra? Aizen once told me something a long time ago, one of the few truly honest things he's ever said to me. He told me that all the Arrancar he recruited, those who were Espada or of similar strength like me, weren't only representative of their aspects of death, but would also meet their demise in a way relevant to their aspect of death. Grimmjow was destroyed by his own rage and destructive tendencies, Szayelaporro by his insanity, Zommari by his intoxication in his own power, and Ulqiorra by his inability to comprehend emotion. We will all die in a way relevant to our aspect of death, it's why we were assigned them. Aizen knew your fate from the start.'

Nnoitra's eyes widened. With a movement faster than a stroke of lightning, Arron drew his sword and cut two of Nnoitra's arms off like they were made of butter. He stumbled backwards, attempting to regenerate them, but Arron's icy influence encrusted around the stumps and leeched his own reatsu into the wounds, causing Nnoitra to wince in pain.

'Your death, Nnoitra, will be because of your despair. In your despair brewed hatred, self-doubt and jealousy. And you struck down Neliel in your rage. You reveled in the brief respite your wicked action gave you from your despair. You indulged in your arrogance.'

Another powerful cut from Arron's sword left a gaping wound across Nnoitra's chest, causing him to double over slightly and he backed up slowly.'

And the ironic twist is that if you had never indulged in your hatred of Neliel, your desire to see her ruined, I would not be here today. I would not be butchering you like the pig you are. I would still be in the vast wastes of Hueco Mundo since my sister would not have been recruited. And you would still be alive.'

Another cut sheared off the other two arms Nnoitra had, causing him to fall to his knees and stare past Arron with glassy eyes. Arron sheathed his sword and walked past the shattered Nnoitra towards Neliel, who was hiding behind Ichigo. Nnoitra attempted to stand again, the ice covering his torso and stumps, but Arron simply whispered.

'Ruptura'

And massive spikes of ice erupted from Nnoitra's body like he was a sea urchin, shattering bones and rupturing organs. The now ruined corpse of Nnoitra collapsed onto the ground before dissipating into dust.

Nnoitra Gilga was no more.

'Why did you save me?' Said a meek Neliel, peering from behind a stunned Ichigo Kurosaki.

Arron just smiled. 'I would never abandon you.' She hugged his leg before returning to Ichigo's side.

Ichigo raised his sword, but Arron caught the tip with his finger and pushed it down. 'I'm not your enemy today, Kurosaki, not yours or Orihime's. Zaraki and Kuchiki need your assistance with Yammy.'

'Why?'

Because I've hedged my bets in a different direction, so I can protect my sister. We're both brothers, you understand.'

They parted ways, but before they separated, he placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. 'And keep Neliel safe for me. She's an old friend.'Ichigo nodded before picking up Neliel. Orihime nodded and followed closely behind as Arron returned to the pillar to speak to his sister one last time.

Arron regretted killing Nnoitra. Not because he didn't deserve death for his many crimes, but because he wondered if he had unleashed a Nnoitra upon this world. This world was too innocent for a monster like Nnoitra, Grimmjow or Yammy. All they would do is reap destruction and sorrow, killing everyone in their way.

But the bright side was that might not have appeared here, and he was the only inhabitant of this world originating from Hueco Mundo. Then this world might continue to see peace.

A hand reached under the bed and grabbed him, pulling him out from under the frame. It was Goh with a concerned expression. Goh picked him up and held him in his arms. "Are you feeling okay? I just want to know if you'll eat."

Arron didn't make a sound, only huddling next to the boy to not concern him. Goh wasn't convinced, but sighed in defeat. "We'll, if you aren't hungry, then let's go to sleep. It's close to ten and we're going to do a lot tomorrow."

Goh carried him to the guest room and set him down on the edge of the bed as he took off his shirt and put on a tank top. He then tucked under the covers and pulled Arron close to him. Arron didn't protest, choosing to curl up under the boy's chin and listen to his slow heartbeat. Goh rubbed his mane absent-mindedly as he closed his eyes.

"Goodnight, Arron."

Arron didn't make a sound, he was too distracted. Instead, he set his head down and yawned. He didn't know why, but he had taken a liking to the boy. Maybe he could start over in this world. He lost his sister, but he had gained someone else.