A/N: So I decided to rewrite this story, following my newer standards. Since I have a decent amount of free time nowadays, updates, while not daily or even weekly, will be more often.

It was a beautiful day as Lance, Champion of the Pokemon League traversed through the air, heading towards the Indigo Plateau. Riding a top his Dragonite, he took in the rushing wind, the fresh air and the openness of everything, something which he wasn't always able to do due to his duties as Champion and Leader of the G-Men.

Unfortunately, a huge explosion in a small nearby town knocked him out of his peaceful mindset. "Alright Dragonite, let's go quickly." With a flap of its wings, Dragonite sped towards the black plume that quickly rose up in the sky.

Reaching the still burning building, Dragonite landed with a heavy thud. Lance jumped off, immediately noticing the smell of burned flesh. 'Not again.' He thought miserably. Rushing towards the Officer Jenny, he spoke, "Officer Jenny. Status report." The Officer quickly snapped out of her shocked look at seeing the Champion before saluting, "Sir, some criminals thought to be cooperating with Team Rocket set an explosive inside this building which housed a number of trainers. Casualties unknown yet. Injured civilians have been moved to the Hospital."

Lance closed his eyes and sighed. This was the eighth attack this month towards the younger trainers. It seems that for some reason Team Rocket was trying to take out as many trainers as they could at a young age, most likely so that they don't become a problem later on. The thought was horrifying. Lance didn't know what to do. "Thank you, officer. Dragonite, Hydro Pump. Take out the fire." Dragonite roared and with a blast of water the roaring fire was gone, allowing the authorities to move in and clear things up.

Lance looked as bodies were dragged out and people were crying trying to identify the burned bodies. This nauseating scene was now forever imprinted in his mind. Clenching his teeth, Lance mounted Dragonite, "Dragonite. Indigo Plateau. Now." Hearing the steely command of his trainer's voice, the orange behemoth jumped into the air and flew as fast as he could towards his destination. 'I won't allow this to continue.'

Scene Break

Pallet Town, Ketchum Residence

Ash woke up with a start, hearing his mother shouting from the bottom of the stairs, "Ash honey! Time to get ready, you don't want to be late for the start of your journey now do you." Jumping out of bed, Ash shouted, "I'm up." Speeding towards his closet he started putting on his outfit, one that he chose for this specific day. Consisting of light blue cargo pants, a pair of black trainers, a dark green t-shirt with a slightly darker blue jacket, a pair of fingerless gloves and his Pokemon League hat. Quickly putting it on, Ash smiled at his reflection, flexing, "Oh yea, whose the master. Yea that's me!" With that, he picked up his bag with supplies and headed down.

Delia was a short, brown haired and browned eyes single mother. Known as one of the kindest residents of Pallet Town, which really said something since they were all kind, she was especially known for her cooking and overprotectiveness of her only son. Ash Red Satoshi Ketchum. While Satoshi was his official middle name, he adopted the name Red after his father once he learned of his great deeds and his amazing Pokemon.

Delia and Red met when the man brought over some data for Professor Oak, when Delia was still working with the esteemed Professor. Having bumped into each other, things escalated into a friendship and soon into a relationship that birthed Ash. When Red has seen his son, he vowed to become strong enough to protect the both, and after persuading Delia to change back into her maiden name, he left. Even though many told Delia to forget Red and to get remarried, she refused. She was loyal to her husband and even if it took him another twenty years to show up, she knew he would. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she focused on their offspring, watching as he quickly gobbled up his food in manner like a Snorlax. Smiling, she shook her head, trying to understand where her son put all that food in.

"Ash honey, slow down, you wouldn't want to choke now would you. Once you're back from the lab, I'll have a surprise for you." Ash nodded excitedly, eager to see what the surprise would be. Finishing the last of his food, he stood up and hugged his mother quickly before dashing out of the house.

Delia smiled sadly, looking at her son all growing up. Sighing, she started to clean the table. Making her way towards the sink, she casually opened the TV towards the Kanto National News. She gave a halt though at the reporters' words. "And now we have Champion of Kanto and Johto, Lance Blackthorn." Watching the man who was beaten by her husband, she felt tears come to her eyes as she he continued talking.

Oak Laboratory

Ash burst through the doors, panting loudly, having crossed the distance in record time. Waving at the assistants, he quickly made his way towards the center where another four people were waiting.

On one side stood Gary Oak, grandson of Samuel Oak and son of Blue Oak. He had dirty brown hair with blue eyes. He was wearing a grey jacket with a blue undershirt, steely gray cargo pants and black trainers. He also had a necklace around his neck, something he took after his father. Being the grandson of Samuel and the son of Blue, Gary was arrogant, knowing his name had weight and freely threw it around. He was also smart, making him able to back up his claims.

To his left was another boy, dressed in a dark yellow jacket, with a stripped blue shirt, pair of blue jeans and brown trainers. Covered in a mop of grey hair, and watching things with black eyes, Ritchie was someone new into town having moved here only a few weeks ago not giving him enough time to make friends. He was usually loud and always tried to pick a fight with someone bigger than him, which usually ended up with him beaten up. He wasn't very smart and tried to make that up by bullying the kids their age. Never worked with Gary and Ash though, since they wouldn't allow anyone to beat the other up except for each other. They had a weird rivalry like that.

At the far left though was a little girl, wearing a light green dress, with knee high white socks and a pair of flats. Her fedora covered some of her light brown hair, and her green eyes looked around in a joyful manner. This was Green Leaf, or just Leaf as everyone called her. She was sweet, kind and very capable of punching the day lights out of you, as she demonstrated with Ritchie when he was stupid enough to take her doll. Gave him a double whammy she did. Gary, her and Ash were childhood friends and even Gary's arrogance, Ash's energy and Leaf's tendencies to physically abuse them both (She called it keeping them on their toes) didn't break that up.

In the center though, standing tall and proud was the Professor himself. Gray hair and blue wise eyes peered at them all as Ash took his place on Gary's right. "Glad you could all make it in time." He smiled at the young soon-to-be-trainers. He had high hopes for them all. The son of a world renown boxing champion, the daughter of a master in the field of Grass Pokemon, his own grandson and then the son of Red. The same burning red eyes stared at him just like all those years ago. The intensity would have been shocking for those who did not know Ash Ketchum. "You have all passed the exams and have managed to be chosen for the position of a trainer. While this in and of itself is a spectacular feat, what comes next will be remarkable."

Their eager faces changed to confusion though as Oak's face dropped slightly. "That's how I would have started my speech to you have there not been unforeseen changes to the law." Gary took a step forward, a small pit forming in his stomach, 'Probably everyone else as well.'. "Gramps, what are you talking about. What changes?"

Oak sighed, bringing up a device with some writing on the screen. He spoke, "According to the Pokemon League recent changes, no one under the age of 15 is legally allowed to own a Pokedex, a Trainer license and a team of Pokemon."

Ash felt like his whole world stopped. 'No way.' His hands started to shake as the implications came on to him. He heard Leaf ask a question, her shaky voice causing him to wince, "Why though?" Oak gulped, "Due to increased criminal activity and the presumption that these Crime Syndicates are actively targeting younger and inexperienced trainers, the League thought it prudent and wise to take this course of action."

That..made sense and Ash couldn't deny it, but that doesn't mean he had to like it. 'This was my dream. They can't just take it away from me.' Ritchie was shouting, Leaf was practically sobbing while Gary seemed to be the calmest, only his shaking hands showing that he was affected.

Ash himself was barely holding it together. 'This isn't fair.' "I understand your distress but there is nothing I can do." Silence pertained the lab, as the children started to understand there wasn't anything they could do. Ritchie had already run out at some point, while Ash hugged Leaf trying to calm her down. Gary just kept staring at the screen.

"Now if you would al-" "What if there was a loophole?" Asked Gary, interrupting his grandfather. Ash and Leaf looked taken aback while the Professor smiled, "Go on." Gary gulped, "Well it says that we can't have trainer licenses and Pokedex's or even a team of Pokemon. But it doesn't say we can't have one Pokemon, our Starter. A team consists of six Pokemon and while we won't be able to leave town for another five years on an official journey, we could, theoretically, obtain our starter and train."

The more and more Gary talked the more hopeful Ash felt. Even if he didn't start his trip for another five years, at least he could train his Pokemon. Leaf also had a hopeful smile on her face.

Samuel was beaming at the end of his grandson's little observation. "Right you are Gary. I was hoping one of you would notice it. Yes, indeed I cannot give you a Pokedex, a license or even a standard trainer set. But I can help you meet your partners. If you'd please." Motioning for the three to stand in front of the pokeballs, he stood behind the machine.

Grabbing the far left one, he picked it up. Opening it, a small quadruped Pokemon came out. "This is Bulbasaur. A grass-poison type found around Kanto. Very easy to raise, powerful and loyal, they can be quiet a game changer in a battle." Oak raised his eyebrows at Leaf, who raised her hands. "Yes Leaf?"

"eh well Professor, aren't Bulbasaur's usually blue-green skinned? This one is green and brown?"

Chuckling, Oak answered the question, "Indeed Leaf. Usually Bulbasaur's are blue-green and Grass-Poison types. But much like the rest of the starter Pokemon this year, you will all receive a special Starter. They are the usual, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. But due to natural and unnatural phenomena, their types have changed and so has their skin colour." At that Ash's eyes brightened, "Oh you mean like the Alolan Pokemon?"

"Exactly Ash. But these are the only ones that we have found, and they were found in Kanto. This has caused a huge stir in the Pokemon research community. But I digress. This Bulbasaur is a grass-rock type. This means that their resistance towards fire has increased, while their resistance towards ice has decreased." Leaf frowned at that, while Gary had a question, "Does this mean that the resistance towards water was decreased as well?"

Oak smiled, "What do you think?" Ash cocked his head to the side, "I don't think so. That wouldn't make sense. I mean if you look at it, the force from the water and the temperature is the only problem a grass Pokemon faces from a water-based attack. The water just drips on them or if it's a really well trained one, they could actually absorb the nutrients of the water and strengthen themselves."

While Gary and Leaf were gapping at their friend, who was known to be somewhat average in intelligence, Oak beamed, "Bravo Ash, I knew you paid attention, just not what kind. Yes indeed, the type difference won't affect Bulbasaur's resistance to water, in fact it might increase it since now it can handle more force. Now let's move on."

Grabbing the far-right ball, he lifted it up and up came a bipedal Pokemon, known as Squirtle. Unlike the usual ones though, this was a darker blue, with its shell having a small gleam to it. "Can anyone guess what it's type is?"

It took a moment, but Gary spoke up, "The gleam on its shell, it makes it look like metal so I'd guess Water and Metal typing?" Oak nodded. "Indeed. This Squirtle is a Water and Metal type, meaning that while it might conduct electricity more often than a normal one, it has certain advantages with it's harder than steel shell."

Grabbing the center one, it released another bipedal Pokemon. The Charmander that came out shocked the kids, the difference of it being obvious. Its coloration was different, very different. Instead of red scales, it had black scales. Forgoing the white belly, it had a light blue one instead which complemented the blue flames on its tale. This along with red menacing eyes, made for a very different Pokemon.

"Now who can guess the type of this Charmander?" Oak was always eager to make a lesson out of everything and this one was very interesting. The sheer mindboggling answer caused issued to raise up all over the world.

Leaf spoke up, "Eh well it has fire and its black. Maybe Fire and Dark typing?" Oak shook his head negative, his smile never wavering. Gary had a go, "Well. What about water and dark? Or ice and Dark since the flame is blue?" Another negative. A look at Ash, who was gazing very intently towards the Pokemon, who gazed back just as much.

Ash, never breaking eye contact, spoke up. "Fire and Dragon?" This got another negative.

All three now looked thoroughly confused. What was it? Oak's smile was so wide, if it wasn't for the wrinkles, his face would have been split into two by now. "This is Charmander. The flame indicates a fire typing which is correct. The fact that it's a blue flame shows that it's hotter than the normal Charmander flames. The dark skin, indicates to a dark typing, which is correct again."

"Eh? But that's what Leaf said."

Oak shook his head, "Indeed, Leaf did say Fire and Dark typing. But let me reintroduce you to Charmander. The first Pokemon that holds three types. Fire. Dark. Dragon."

Ketchum Residence

Delia sighed sadly as she closed the TV. Lance had just finished talking about the new laws being enforced immediately and while some part of her was sad for her son, another was grateful that her baby boy would be safe and that the League was taking steps to ensure things didn't get to out of hand.

Moving around in the kitchen, she started cutting up the vegetables, knowing Ash would most likely want food when he came back. She stilled though when a creaking sound was heard. Knowing Ash would have made a ton of noise, even if he was sad, she took a shaky breath before tightening her hold on the knife. Acting normally, she hummed to herself and went to open the glass door of the cupboard on purpose, to confirm her suspicions.

Glancing up, she sucked in a breath at the figure in the glass. Dark clothing with a giant red R in the chest and on the center of the black cap, the figure was slowly approaching her with a dagger. Making her decision, she grabbed a glass jar with some spices and twirled around before throwing it at the figures faces.

"Ah! You bitch!" The Team Rocket member cried out, dropping his knife, which slid under the cupboard and started rubbing his eyes, trying to clear the spices. She quickly grabbed her knife and jumped forward, stabbing him in the arm causing him to scream out in pain. Quickly turning around she tried to run, with him distracted, only to scream when she was pulled back and pushed towards the shelves.

Falling back, a pan that was above her fell on her head, causing her to gasp in pain and hold her head. The man, unable to find his dagger, wretched out the knife from his forearm and, ignoring the dripping blood slowly approached the downed woman. "If it was up to me, I'd hurt you before killing you but the boss had clear orders. Get in, stab her, blow up the house and get out. I don't know who you are and I don't care, I'm just following orders, nothing personal."

Standing in front of her, he waited for her to look up in fear, a fear he relished in. He himself knew what it was liked to be bullied and threatened by stronger people. That's why he joined Team Rocket, to be better and stronger. He enjoyed putting other people in their place. ' But you made it personal.' With that last thought, he lurched forward and stabbed the knife into her chest, straight through the heart. He chuckled as he watched her eyes go from fear to shock, as she started to bleed out.

Delia could only watch horrified as the man before her laughed. She could feel the pain, the blood being pumped out, spraying like a faucet. She couldn't believe that after all these years, they managed to find her. She didn't blame her husband, he did the right thing. The only saving grace was that her son would live and hopefully grow up to be as strong if not stronger than his dad. She trusted Oak to take care of him. 'Ash, always remember. I will always love you.' With her final though, Delia Ketchum passed away.

Seeing his victim die, he let out a sigh. He had already planted the bombs and they were going to blow up soon. Looking around for his dagger, he couldn't find it and so giving up, he turned away and walked out through the back door, before letting out his Pokemon. Seeing the Fearow, he jumped on and flew away into the sky.

A/N: What do you think? I wasn't really happy with the previous way things were written. It was too broken for my standards. Hopefully this one meets yours.