A/N: Well this is the second chapter. Tell me what you think. I don't own Pokemon or anything else.
Oak's Laboratory
"What!" Three voices rang out in shock at the recent revelation. Samuel Oak could only watch in amusement as the three kids in front of him were sent into a slight state of shock. When you reached his age, not a lot of things could surprise you and even less could be said about having seen things. He had travelled around the world, flown over some of the highest mountain peaks and dived down into some of the deepest parts of the oceans. He seen Pokemon the size of skyscrapers and more powerful than anything a regular trainer could even comprehend. Yet, with all those experiences, the change from shock to curiosity and eagerness was something he could watch day in and day out with it never losing its sheer amazingness in his life. After all, he became a Professor for a reason.
"Indeed. As we previously said, these three are somewhat like the Alolan Pokemon. However, while Alolan Pokemon gradually adapted to their different environment and slowly changed their status to fit their habitats, these Pokemon are different. You see, in each Pokemon there is a…core shall we say of energy. This energy relates to the nature of the Pokemon, as such a Pokemon such like Koffing who naturally spew out poisonous fumes, their core changed from neutral, or in this case Normal into Poison. This is in fact tied into the DNA of a Pokemon when it is first conceived. As the cells start to multiply and give form to the child inside the egg, they draw on the latent power of their parent and if you take into account that a pregnant female is usually surrounded by other Pokemon of the same species, the cells also draw from the surrounding energies. Therefore, a Nidoqueen would give birth to a male or female Nidoran which is a Poison-Type, having shaped its own core into the same…frequency.
However, for reasons that we can only speculate on, this specific batch of Pokemon were born differently. A few Professors who actively study Pokemon evolution, habitats and breeding patterns have theorized that the parents of these Pokemon were of the same, regular type yet in a different habitat, with there being an increase of a specific status energy. For example, Squirtle here is the child of two Blastoise, each one a Water-Type as expected. However, these Blastoise had moved to a specific location inside Mount Silver were the Steel-Type energies were of a higher frequency than normal. In addition, there most likely were a decent amount of Steel-Type Pokemon inside or close to the area and so came the first Water-Steel Type Squirtle."
The children hanged on to every word from the Professor, eager to know more, curious as to why and wondering how this would affect the future. Leaf nodded, before asking "What about Bulbasaur? How did he go from Poison to Rock?" Oak hummed. "Indeed. The previous theory does not account for second typing as such it begs the question, how does a second typing change? Alright, let's look at Bulbasaur's parents. The two Venusaur's are like any other Venusaur, apart from a few small things. When we found the parents, they were in a different habitat, being inside Mount Moon. While Mount Moon is not known for its Steel-Type Pokemon, yet still contains a few, it is more known for its Zubats and Geodudes. Poison and Rock, with Grass-Poison typed parents then you would think Poison would have won out.
Nevertheless, after some research and thinking, the main theory is that the Venusaur's had burrowed deep within Mount Moon and when the Egg was laid and hidden away, it was close to a deposit of Hard Stone. Do you know what that means?" 'Have to make them think as well.' Thought the amused Professor. Gary though was quick to answer, "Hard Stone is a specific type of stone that when given to a Pokemon, any Rock-Type moves used are enhanced." Oak nodded, pleased with the answer. "Indeed, do you know why though?" At the stumped look on the kids' faces, he chuckled. "The Hard Stone is a type of rock that has managed, throughout the ages to feed off the surrounding Rock-Type energies, be it from moves from various wild Pokemon, evolution or being close to some for a prolonged period. As such, when given to a Pokemon, said Pokémon's core starts feeding off the Rock-Type energies and effectively enhances the Rock-Type moves. Thus, the reasoning for Bulbasaur's Rock-Type."
"Well why aren't there more of them then? I mean, there is no way that this just happens now." Ash spoke up, unsure as to why something like this would just happen out of nowhere. Oak went silent, losing his smile as he withdrew into his thoughts. Ash was right, this wasn't a new question. However, an answer can't be given because scientifically there isn't one. Thousands of years of activity and only now this happens? Call him a fool but Oak knew there was outside influence. These were the theories they would give out to the public but behind the scenes, everyone was working overtime, trying to understand as to why this has happened and why only to these three.
Letting out a grunt, Oak spoke again, "Not a new question but a question, nonetheless. Unfortunately, science has no answer for this one yet and it may never. Now as of Charmander, well this is a bit more complicated. A Charmander is born a Fire-Type and evolves into a Fire-Flying Type. We do not know what will happen for this one. The theory behind the three typing's is that wherever the egg was, all three energies were equally present and equally absorbed by the cells. We can't be for sure, but it is believed that the egg was laid close to a Dragon's den, specifically close to a Hydreigon den."
Gary was in deep thoughts. He wasn't particularly interested in the other two Pokemon. He had made up his mind a long time ago, when he found out his father's starter was a Squirtle. He had vowed that no matter what he would get a Squirtle and become as great if not greater than his father and his grandfather. The fact that his preferred starter had an extra typing, well that wasn't a problem in fact the opposite. Yes, the Steel-Typing was going to cause problems with electricity, fire, ground and fighting attacks but on the other hand it was going to give extra defense against grass, flying, psychic and even dragon types while completely nullifying Poison-Types. Plus, it didn't really matter since a Pokemon Trainer needed to know how to beat the weakness of his Pokemon. With that final though, he stepped forward and took Squirtle's Pokeball. Kneeling before his chosen starter, he smirked "You wanna come with me? I'll make you great." The Squirtle stared at the kid before nodding. With a tap, the Pokemon disappeared and Gary stood up. "Well Gramps, I'm off. Got to train and all. As for you two, smell ya later losers." Before Leaf started beating the ever living shit out of him though, he darted out the door, grinning as he heard the yell of "I'm going get you asshole!" from the petite little girl.
Oak, Ash and the Pokemon just started as Leaf fumed in her place. She was pissed! She did not stink. When she got her hands on that piece of shit, she would show him! Huffing, she walked up to Bulbasaur having her mind already made up, long before she came here. Her mother was a world-renowned Grass-Type Trainer, plus she thought Bulbasaur was cute looking. The fact that he was different made it all the better cause she could use that to her advantage. Kneeling in front of her chosen started, she gave it a cute smile. "Hey there little guy! How about you and I become partners eh?" The Bulbasaur, half scared to death by the scary girl and half amazed at how scary she could be nodded his head frantically. "Awesome! Alright Professor and Ash I'll see you later." With that she grabbed the Pokeball, recalled her Pokemon and dashed outside all the while muttering about murdering a browned haired idiot.
The three remaining occupants watched as the girl left. Oak made a mental note to never allow her and Daisy to meet…ever. He watched as Ash slowly made his way towards Charmander. He was surprised by Red's son. The boy was energetic, frighteningly so and he had seen what can happen when that energy was focused. One day there was an incident with a few Spearow, and by a few he meant a couple dozen, that attacked a small Pichu inside the forest. Ash having been close had sprinted towards the downed Pokemon, grabbed it and dashed straight out of there like a bat out of hell. He ran for thirty minutes straight and managed to make it to Oak's lab. Oak, seeing the Spearows unleashed his Dragonite who made quick work of the young Flying-Types.
Taking the injured Pokemon, he had put it into a healing chamber. After a few days were Ash came to visit and keep the Pichu company, he released the Pokemon. What amazed him though was how Ash, even after running for thirty minutes straight didn't look out of breath. When asked, the boy looked confused before saying, "I wasn't tired. All I knew was that I had to help Pichu. That's it." The Professor was shocked by that. 'Did the boy accidentally tap into his Aura powers somehow? No, that wasn't possible. The youngest person to do that was around thirty years old and that only happened after a decade of training, only to manage a small dash before fainting. Granted, as he trained, he was eventually able to use it more and more but still. How much more will you surprise me, son of Red?'
While the Professor was lost in his thoughts, Ash was also thinking, though of different things. He knew his father's starter was a Charmander. He also knew that he was named Ash because his father believed that there was a fire in him that would leave all who opposed him in ashes. At least that's what his mother said. To be honest, he was always more interested in the Dragon-Type Pokemon, I mean who wasn't? But to find out there was a Charmander with not only Fire-Dragon Typing but also Dark! This was amazing and it really excited him. Unlike Gary, Ash wasn't that concerned with being great, no he wanted to become a legend, someone who people in the future would speak of as a myth. He wanted to travel the world, see the sights, fight the battles and more than anything, to explore.
From a young age he had always read the legends, of giant Pokemon, beings of so much power that they could reshape the world. Those were his goals, to find them and to match them. Gazing in his starter's eyes, it was easy to see the same hunger, a hunger born from the Dragon DNA in him. Contrary to belief, the Charmander line wasn't completely Dragon free. Tests have shown that there was a Draconian element inside the DNA, and this was probably enhanced by the Dragon-Typing. They came to an agreement. Grabbing the Pokeball, he looked up at the Professor who stared back with a raised eyebrow. "Do you need anything Ash?"
Steeling himself, Ash powered through, "Professor I wanted to ask if it would be possible for you to teach me a couple of things." Seeing the intrigued look in the old man's face, he forged on. "We won't be able to go on our journey for another four years. While I think I am somewhat prepared, I know there is more to learn, and I want to become better. I want to learn from you, not only about habitats but about Pokemon themselves and…about the Legends."
Oak's eyebrows rose into his hairline at that. The Legends, such wonderful beings. Oak had met a few of them and thankfully they didn't kill him outright. In modern day, these Legends were spoken of as myths, as beings that either never existed or were long gone. Oak knew better though. A select number of people across the world were in the know-how of these Legends. Regional Champions, Professors, Elite Four, those kinds of people. It wasn't general knowledge because the chances of an arrogant trainer trying to catch one of these Pokemon were too high and so would the death toll.
Eventually humanity reached a point where they either believed these Legends to never have existed, some believe that they are still here to this day and are searching for them for their own individual wants and the last group would be the ones who praised these beings as gods. It was quite a conundrum. Oak knew these beings existed, yet he did not know if he could classify them as gods. Maybe incomprehensibly powerful Pokemon but gods? He had no idea. He knew of the Legend of Arceus, the God Pokemon. Hatched from an egg, it decided to create the world and introduce human beings and Pokemon. After centuries of peaceful living and cooperation, came the Dark One. Most people assumed it to be Giratina or a shadow version of Arceus, but the truth was more sinister than that. A band of scientist had hired a group of mercenaries to hunt down Mew, the New Species Pokemon and either capture it or some of its DNA.
The mercenaries had managed to take a lock of hair from the pink cat Pokemon and had taken it back to their employers. Once in the hands of those people, tests and experiments had started, creating deformed versions of various Pokemon. The reason it wasn't a stable Pokemon is because Mew's DNA is unstable, much like a Ditto. Unlike Mew though, while Ditto would merely copy a Pokemon in its appearance and nature, Mew would become a whole new Pokemon. As such, with the scientists messing around with the genetic code, they eventually stumbled upon the DNA of an unknown Pokemon. It seemed as if Mew itself could become combinations of various of Pokemon yet could not create them. With this new species in front of them, they started to create it physically.
Once done, the Pokemon seemed like a combination of Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. Standing at 35 metres tall, this giant's body was primarily of the same skeleton as Palkia, with bone like fins protruding from its back, showing the elements of Dialga. Its claws were sharp enough to rend steel apart like paper, its forearms bore scale like braces with them ending in three spikes. On its chest was a single gem that glowed an ominous purple with its pitch black skin being enhanced by the red vein like patterns across its body. This Pokemon, once created flew into a rage and caused untold destruction. Its power rivalled that of the three beings it was made of and when they tried to take it down, they were unable to. Their domains were of no benefit since this one Pokemon had control over all three at the same time.
In the end, Arceus himself came and wiped this being out of existence. Cautious of humans trying once again, Arceus and the Legends disappeared from the known world and were never seen again. To this day there were some people who claimed to have seen a Legend here and there, yet no evidence has been found. Oak did not doubt the story, nor did he doubt that the Legends were still alive and active. No, he and the rest have discussed this time and time again. The movement of these various Crime Syndicates were a sign of something big, something destructive. 'The world has grown darker and dangerous.' With that final thought, Oak made his decision.
Ash watched as the Professor seemed to contemplate something. He himself was somewhat surprised by his reveal of wanting to see the Legends. He honestly wanted to see them, not to capture them or harm them, but to see them and test himself against. To ask them questions, to hear their stories. He's never revealed this kind of information, even to his mother because people would have made fun of him and so he stayed quiet. He watched as the Professor seemed to have reached a conclusion as he straighten himself and suddenly Ash felt the air shift and realized why the man in front of him was so well respected and feared, even by the criminals.
The air seemed to thicken slightly while the atmosphere grew stiff. Oak spoke calmly yet authoritatively "It seems you have given me an interesting proposition young man. If I were to accept you as my student, then I require a few things from you." Seeing the child nod, he continued, "First! I am a busy man with important work, as such if I think for a minute that you are not giving me your all, that you are slacking or messing about, the deal is off. I don't have time for games, nor do I have time for immature antics. Is that clear?" Getting a gulp and an affirmative, he went on. "Second, seeing as how I will be teaching you here, I want you be here every day at 7AM on the dot. You will be helping me inside the Ranch, and you will also be given books to read. I will quiz you whenever I please and test you to see your progress. Once you reach a high enough level of understanding, I will be taking you out with me on excursions." Ash's eyes widened at the implication of visiting some ancient ruins or flying across the world to see rare Pokemon. "Last and most important, I will need a confirmation letter signed by your mother. We can visit her together after this, seeing as I have a free day today. Is that understood?"
Oak nearly chuckled at the frantic nodding from the child. He had lived a long life and experienced much. It was time he took on an apprentice. "Well then. Will you give your Pokemon a name? Or shall we go." At that Ash stopped and thought. A name for Charmander. He wanted to give one that had significance but couldn't think of one yet. "Is it okay if we walk and I'll try and find one then?" Oak nodded. "Well, off we go."
Ketchum Residence
The party of three were walking in silence. Oak was looking forward to having an apprentice, trying to come up with things to teach him and what needs to be first and what needs to wait. Ash was trying to come up with a name for his friend and partner while said partner was lost in his own thoughts. He heard Ash speak of the Legends and the truth was every Pokemon was born and raised with the knowledge of these beings existing. Before he was taken from his home, his parents and the other dragons had taught him about the stories of old, when the Legends would fly across the sky, swim in the deep oceans and walk across the massive fields.
The stories were normally said to give a sort fear and apprehension when it came to the Legends, but he, like his own partner was eager to meet them. He wanted to test himself against him, obviously not now but once he got older and stronger. The fact that his partner was also looking for them was a huge bonus, something they could both work with. He was glad he wasn't chosen by any of the other weaklings. After all, thanks to that old damned dragon, he could sense Aura and he was amazed by the boy's own latent power. He had faith that the boy would be great and that he would eventually meet the Legends and when that day happens, he would be there as a great Charizard, ready to show the world that he and his partner were not to be messed with!
When the Ketchum residence was in sight, Ash shook himself out of his thoughts and started running, "Come on Charmander! I'll introduce you to my mum. You'll love her, she is the best cook ever!" Charmander, eager to eat tried running on his little legs, while Oak smiled and shook his head. As Ash rushed up the stairs and opened the door, time seemed to stop before fire was everywhere and an explosion destroyed the house, throwing Ash into the air before he crashed down into the dirt road with a sickening thump. Charmander had frozen, staring at his partners body flying into the sky like a rag doll while Oak rushed to the boy's aid. He flung two pokeballs. One releasing a towering dragon and the other a lumbering turtle. "Blastoise put out the fire! Dragonite, get the child to the hospital now!"
The dragon nodded, before gently scooping up the boy and flying off into the sky. Oak turned and watched as the fire was put out. He rushed in and went straight into the kitchen, Delia's favourite place in the house. Charmander, scared and confused followed the old man. They both came up to a disturbing scene. A charred corpse laid across the floor, burnt to the point of being unrecognizable and yet the kitchen knife sticking out of her chest was unmistakable. Oak cursed, dropping to his knees. He closed his eyes in despair. Delia was a kind woman, one of the best. She was an old lab assistant of his, before she married and had a child. 'How could this have happened.' He thought despairingly. As he went to get up, he noticed an odd object on the floor under the cabinet. Picking it up, he brought it closer. It was a dagger which caused more questions to rise and alarm bells to ring in his head. Twisting it around, he looked at the handle and snarled angrily causing the small fire Pokemon to look at him in shock. Oak's eyes narrowed on the hilt, gazing angrily at the small, nearly unseen R. "Team Rocket."
A/N: As before I am trying to set a slightly more realistic and gritty reality. Pokemon won't have a limit of moves and obviously things will slightly shift.
