Author's Note:

Hey guys and gals and everything else! Prototype here. So, if you didn't guess from chapter zero, this is going to be my attempt at a less cartoonish and more realized Pokemon fanfic! Some things to note in regards to myself as far as this goes, this is my first official fanfic project! So expect some growth as I go and errors as well. I welcome feedback! There are some things that won't change. This story will eventually feature a romantic pairing between Cynthia and Ash. There is no Harem. I don't want to write a harem ever as it just isn't generally something that fits with the worlds I picture. Secondly, I will take some liberties with the story, the first and foremost being that trainers aren't starting their journeys until the age of sixteen, because really. Who would trust an eleven year old with a DRAGON? Thirdly, Ash's team is generally fleshed out already and he will catch Pokemon that are not region specific outside of their home regions, though I will attempt to make them have some semblance of reason for being there. I may also take some liberties with the canon direction of story. Skip/move the timing of certain events or even ignore them altogether should it not fit the direction I'm attempting to take. I may also take some liberties with the moves in that if they could learn them in any manner then they are obviously capable of performing the move and thus it can be learned. Regardless, again, I definitely love feedback and hope that everyone who picks this up enjoys the story! Thanks!

Warnings: Story will contain swearing, adult themes, and elements of horror at times.

I do not own Pokemon (outside of a copy of the games) in any regard, nor will I ever.

Chapter 1: Profectionem

Ash's darkened eyes awoke from his slumber to the sound of a screaming alarm clock. With a quiet grumble and a slow roll to slap the snooze button he rolled back into bed, then promptly snapped back up with a gasp. Today was the day. Today was the dream of every aspiring trainer, the day they got their first Pokemon and started the journey into the true world of Pokemon. Ash got out of bed with a slight spring to his step and a grin affixed on his face, quickly clothing himself and grabbing the backpack he'd packed the night before.

A look in the mirror presented his sixteen year old, 5'11 frame dressed and with an eagerness radiating from him that was uncommon, but not unusual. His cap was over the jagged haircut he'd adopted as his own for years, though the somewhat off gray highlights were newer, originating from the event that had altered his eyes and self in a similar manner five years prior. Those same eyes, a pitch black that seemed to be a portal to an endless darkness stared back into him from the mirror, then quickly proceeded further down his body, casually cataloging the angled bones of his face, the baby-fat of his face giving way to a handsome young man. The blue and white trainers shirt seemed to flutter in a non-existent breeze and his black fingerless gloves strapped to his hands. The dark trainer's pants with his knife holster strapped to his side, along with the knife Gary had gotten him for his birthday the year prior and his black boots strapped down to his feet.

Ash was ready. He'd been studying for years, practicing wilderness survival with Gary, reading on Pokemon of every region and their habits, weaknesses, abilities and habitats. Most importantly, he'd learned about himself.

Ash would never forget waking up to his crying mother. He'd never forget feeling the shadows that creeped away the night his life changed, leaving, yet sinking into his very soul. He wouldn't forget the looks of Delia's Espeon looking aghast and terrified of him, the same Espeon that had fallen asleep in his lap just that morning. He wouldn't forget his mom's Mr. Mime peeking terrified around his unhinged bedroom door to look at him like something dredged out from the darkest pits of the ocean floor, and he would never be allowed to forget the change to his life that happened from then on. It didn't take much to change the mind of a young child after all, and Ash's sudden change in appearance and his suddenly calmer and more reclusive personality led to a natural reaction from his peers; fear. The children he was friends and acquaintances with, that he'd laughed with and played with pretending to be the next champion or fighting evil trainers with, suddenly recoiled from him, avoided his gaze and whispered of him behind Ash's back. Ash hadn't realized it until several years later, but to most people, he was a terrifying figure. It wasn't any action of his that caused this, but merely the presence he seemed to exude. It was one of power, but more than that, it was an aura of the unknown, akin to something great and eldritch standing behind him at all times, just beyond sight. Pair that feeling with his darkened eyes, as well as all of the lights flickering and dying the night prior in Pallet Town accompanied by a rush of shade to the Ketchum home, and that was enough to make him a monster.

Almost all of the children ostracized Ash almost overnight, so it may come as odd to some who were familiar with the dynamics of Pallet Town, that the only one of them who didn't leave Ash that next day outside of his mother and mentor, Professor Oak, was Oak's grandson; Gary Oak. Gary had arrived at trainer's classes that day, took one look at Ash and said aloud, "Nothing different ya pansies, looks like the same Ashy boy to me." And seemed to move on with his day. Throughout the years to come, none would comment that the prodigy grandson would seem to spend time with Ash more than any other. That he would often be seen walking with him into the forests surrounding Pallet on camping trips, studying with him either in the lab or at their homes, or even eating lunch on the Pokemon ranch, but the older townsfolk of Pallet assumed it was some sort of pity for the boy who'd had such a traumatic event happen to him and the kids believed he'd been bewitched by whatever had happened to Ash. In truth, it was neither of these things. Gary just knew what it was like to be alone for being different, and thus even if he felt that same fear upon seeing Ash after the incident, he also saw Ash's shaking hands, and his tormented gaze and simply chose to not allow someone he still considered a friend to go through the same thing he himself understood.

With that presence, Ash gained the one thing that allowed him to keep his sanity despite the shadows that had changed him; a true friend. Ash and Gary grew up alongside each other, maturing and becoming both rival and confidant. Though definitely different people, Ash and Gary had changed from when they were young. Ash, a previously exuberant and outgoing boy, became more reserved and introverted. His prior lighthearted humor had become more acerbic with time and though even tempered, he'd developed something of a vicious streak underneath his calm exterior. Gary, though arrogant when younger, discovered his match in Ash, tempering him over time into a confident, but humble man. He was still prone to rash action, but Gary often used it to his advantage, creating plans and ideas quickly and on the fly. And even, if not especially because of their differences, Ash and Gary were closer than blood.

A soft smile crossed Ash's face in the present as he thought of getting his starter today with his brother in everything but name. They'd already agreed to attempt to travel the circuit up to the conference together, also agreeing that they'd make as much effort as they could to finish a few months before so as to split up and train whatever Pokemon they'd manage to befriend on their way separately so as to have a more exhilarating fight in the conference. It never even occurred to either boy that they might not face each other, or that they may not finish in the time span they wanted; it was simply a fact to them that they would manage.

Ash's expression eased into its normal, lackadaisical look, swinging his pack onto his back and making his way downstairs towards the kitchen where he could already smell his mother cooking breakfast.

"Morning Ma." Ash said, excitement trickling into his voice, "making breakfast for the champion?" Ash sat down at their simple wooden table, Esper, Delia's Espeon, crawling out from under and rubbing against his legs, purring loudly in response to him reaching down to scratch under her chin.

Delia snorted in laughter in response to Ash's early morning emergence. "If Lance Wataru himself knocks on that door then yes, I suppose I am." She responded, continuing to finish her scrambled eggs, there already being a plate of bacon and buttered toast in the middle of the table. She mixed in an assortment of shredded cheese, allowing it to melt, then transferring the finished eggs onto a third plate at the table, splashing a pinch of pepper over it to garnish for flavor. "But even if he does, he'll have to wait. You need to get all the food you can in you for your journey today. Don't want you starting hungry."

Ash eagerly dolled out servings of the steaming breakfast food, having already snuck several pieces of bacon before she'd even turned and in particular sneaking one to Esper, now in his lap. "I won't mom, not with all this." He said between mouthfuls. Ash continued to put away first one plate, then a second, polishing it till it was nearly spotless and standing slowly, dislodging Esper down to the floor and walking over to the sink dropping off his dish.

Delia smiled at her son. Idly she thanked whatever deity intervened in her life that allowed him to remain somewhat upbeat despite whatever had happened to him. She'd feared that he would change forever afterwards, but though he wasn't nearly the same boy he was the years previous, he was still a good, if somewhat unsettling, young man. Besides, she'd seen him around her Pokemon and the Pokemon at the ranch afterwards. They were drawn to him, particularly the ghosts and dark types that were there. They seemed to draw calm from his presence, though it only came with time that other types found the same solace and she often wondered if that was something to do with him aging or Ash personally.

Delia shook herself from her thoughts as the young man she proudly called her son moved to awkwardly hug her goodbye. "Ash, wait. I want to tell you something before you leave."

Ash stopped in his motion seeing his mother seem to draw herself together. "Ash," Delia began, " I want you to know, no matter what you do on your journey, whatever you find and learn, no matter what you and Gary get into, and no matter if you become the Pokemon master you want to be, find the cause of what happened to you those five years ago, or if you fail and come home, I support and love you. You're an amazing young man and I'm proud to call you my son, and because of that, I want you to have something before you go."

Ash stood misty eyed for a moment. His mother was never lacking in affection, but the purity of her words had struck him. "Ma, I don't need a gift from you. You've done more than enough for me over the years. Without you, Professor and Gary, I don't think I'd be me ya know?" He responded, choking back tears.

Delia smiled softly and pulled him into a tight hug. "Ash, you're a delight and stronger than anyone ever could have dreamed you'd be, but this gift is something that you can take of home on your journey and I think you'll be able to make the most of him as a trainer. Now come with me outside." She said, releasing him from the hug, musing inside her head that Ash was taller than her by a few inches after many years.

"Him?" Ash questioned catching the oddity from his mother. He walked after her outside following to past where Mr. Mime and Delia's Kadabra were weeding the garden outside, and to where the front of their walkway was to the Ketchum abode. Outside he found something there that hadn't been last night; a table with a single pokeball on it. "Ma, is that… a Pokemon?" Ash asked, stunned.

Delia laughed brightly. "Well, it's not lunch that's for sure. Go ahead Ash, it's from me, though more from Esper really."

Ash slowly approached the pokeball as though in a trance and picked it up, turning and releasing the Pokemon within onto the grassy lawn outside his home. In a bright beam of energy, a small brown and white bundle of fur appeared and bound forward with exuberance.

"Buvwee!" the Eevee trilled in an extraordinarily happy greeting to his new trainer. Ash stared for a second and then a shocked grin spread across his face.

"An Eevee? Ma, this is incredible! Are you sure? Is he one of Esper's litter? That'd make him young, only about a month and half. Does he have any training? What kind of food does he prefer? Probably something sweet or protein based like Esper." Ash dissolved quickly into excited rambling, a habit he'd developed over the years. An almost visible dark cloud had formed over him as he continued muttering under his breath, a series of numbers seeming to float past his face, his hand moving to reach for the notebook and traveler's pen he had in his bag. The recently revealed Eevee cocked its head and stared at Ash as though asking if he did that often and Delia couldn't help but laugh again.

"Yes Ash, he's yours. It's a new family tradition, Esper was my starter and now this Eevee can be one of yours. I'm sure Oak still wants to give one of his two favorite students a partner as well after all." she mused. "Now, all he really needs is a name."

Ash stopped muttering and turned to the bubbly Eevee. He approached slowly and got down into a crouch reaching into his bag and pulling out a sitrus berry from the berry pouch. He held it out, smiling when the Eevee trustingly started to devour the treat he'd been given.

"He's a little bundle of light isn't he." Ash mused aloud. "Lux. Your name is Lux. Is that okay with you little guy?" Ash asked the Eevee after he'd finished eating the berry. Eevee nuzzled into Ash's hand in response and trilled again in satisfaction.

"I think that's a yes." Delia said, mirroring the soft smile that had appeared on Ash's face. She walked over to Ash as he got out of his crouch, visibly mulling over calling the newly named Lux back to his ball or not and pulling him into another hug. "I love you Ash. Don't forget to call at least once a week and let me know what you're up to, and make sure you feed yourself, and take care of yourself, okay?"

Ash returned the hug and withheld the urge to shed tears. "I will ma, I love you too. I'll call as often as I can." Ash pulled away and motioned to Lux. "Come on Lux, we're gonna walk down to Prof's lab. Wanna stay out?" In response, Lux leapt with surprising agility up to Ash's shoulder looking around from his new perch with glee. "Guess that answers that question." Ash said, chuckling. Ash walked the last few steps off of the Ketchum home and started to make his way down towards the lab, stopping after about twenty paces and turning to see Delia one more time. "Bye Mom! I'll be the best Pokemon Master, I promise!" He yelled back, waving.

"I know you will, Ash!" She yelled back smiling teary-eyed and moving back inside with Esper next to her. "And don't forget to change your underwear!"

Ash sighed and turned away, hand still raised in his wave, the other palming against his face as he took the first steps into his new journey.

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Ash had made his way most of the way towards the lab after about ten minutes of walking. The lab/ranch was situated on the outskirts of Pallet and though still within the borders, parts of the ranch expanded deep into the countryside. Ash took that time to get to know his newest partner by idly stroking Lux's fur and letting him look around. Lux was, to describe him simply, exuberant. He eyed everything in the homely town of Pallet with open excitement and wonder, an amusing contrast to Ash's subdued mannerisms as they made their way. Something as simple as a hanging pot of flowers, or a pidgey flying overhead was received with absolute admiration and awe. Ash snorted, wondering if Lux was going to be like that for his entire journey. It would be an odd sight to be attacked by a wild pokemon and his starter to be bouncing along happily after him whilst in mortal peril. The only change in Lux's attitude, and an indicator of despite how happy he was just how aware he was of his surroundings, was his change in mannerisms when they passed someone else. It was subtle but upon seeing the reactions to Ash, either pity from the elderly or evasion from those his age, Lux seemed to sober up and observe the race that didn't understand his new trainer. Those moments quickly passed however and Lux resumed his joyful expression.

As Ash neared the lab, he heard someone call out to him from behind.

"Ashy Boy! Hey! Wait up!"

Ash turned a grin appearing on his face. "Oak. Am I going to beat you to your own house?" a mocking, but friendly lilt in his voice.

"Fuck off Ash," gary affectionately responded, "like I'm not allowed to get some supplies last minute."

Gary looked packed to travel. His hair was styled into its a jagged part, drooping over eyes that were often defined by many of the girls in town as "melted chocolate." His face, much like Ash's, had lost a lot of the baby fat that was on it over the years and gained some height measuring in at 5'9, though Gary had a far more defined jawline and cheekbones than Ash. The necklace with the pokeball shard that signalled their promise (Ash's was in his bag) to be the best trainers they could be, looped around his neck. Gary also was dressed in a black overcoat with a white fur fringe at the top, open to show the grey trainers t-shirt he was wearing underneath that led down to his dark tan travel pants and ending in the black hiking boots laced to his feet. Gary completed the image with a cocky grin and his own travel pack thrown over his left shoulder. "Besides, I get a few extra pokeballs and you get an Eevee? What the hell is that supposed to be?" Gary asked, cocking an eyebrow to match his smile.

Ash let out one bark of laughter and then pulled Gary into a tight handshake and one armed hug. The two friends smiled at each other and started walking alongside towards the lab.

"His name is Lux, and he's one of Esper's litter and a gift from Ma. She wanted me to have a partner from home." He said wistfully, rubbing under Lux's chin much to his pleasure getting a happy trill in response.

"Eh. Whatever then. You'll need every advantage you can get to beat me anyways." Gary said plainly. "Besides, he seems chill. Same taste as Esper?" Gary asked, reaching into his bag and starting to sort through for a pokeblock.

"Give or take," Ash answered with a shrug. "Definitely seems to like sweets though if the way he pounded down a Sitrus Berry is any indicator and the way he keeps nudging my bag to try to get more." Gary pulled a brightly colored block out of his bag and held it up to Lux's nose slowly, letting him smell the treat. With a happy yip, Lux snagged the block with his teeth and began eating it nearly whole. Gary blinked owlishly.

"I'm inclined to agree with ya there Ashy. So if he's one of Esper's litter then he's gotta be about a month and a half old?"

"Should be yeah, still young but definitely old enough to train well." Ash answered absentmindedly, going back to petting under Lux's neck after he'd finished eating.

The boys continued bantering as they made their way down until they reached the doors of Professor Oak's world famous lab. The doors slid open as they made their way inside, passing several researchers rushing by working on projects, and making their way through to the back, where the entrance to the pokemon ranch was. They proceeded through the back door and both scanned around trying to find the erstwhile Professor.

The ranch was far reaching and majestic in its simplicity. Bordered by a tall fence that was made more to show people where the edges of it were and featuring a wide expanse of grass, ponds and forest, it allowed a multitude of research experiments on consenting pokemon and even more importantly a wide variety of habitats for pokemon of all types and kinds. It even extended into a small range of hills and mountains for dragon, fighting and ice type pokemon to live in the crags of the hills on the upper reaches. As such, there were pokemon running, flying or lazing around everywhere. A herd of the nidoran species was in the field in front of them, curled up around the Nidoqueen that was their packmother. A flock of pidgeys was nesting in various trees. Several tauros were grazing in the field or basking in the early morning sunlight. An arcanine was running around with a number of growlithe chasing it. Truly, an idyllic pokemon haven for wild and trained pokemon alike.

"Hey gramps! Where are ya! If you're stuck in Muk again I am not helping you!" Gary yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth looking around. Ash scanned his surroundings as well. He'd always had a knack for being observant, even more so after the incident that had changed his sight five years ago. Before he simply was good at catching nuances, but now it was as though he had a sixth sense for where people and pokemon he wanted to find were.

"Prof's over there Gary, he's toying with the comms again." Ash said finding the Professor after feeling him out in the environment. They made their way towards the left of the entrance back into the labs, into a smaller alcove that had a large amount of electronics in it. Everything from scanners, to small radio towers, rows of harddrives and flashing lights, and underneath all of that was Professor Oak; one of the most acclaimed researchers on the face of the planet renowned for his work detailing the impact of pokemon and human relations, a driving force in development of the modern cycle of Pokemon containment devices, one of the leading minds in his field, and currently covered in a mix of dirt, pieces of wire and missing half a sleeve on his lab coat.

"Ah! Boys! I'll be out in just a minute. One of the pikachu that's newer to the ranch crawled through here and did a number on the wiring." Professor Oak said in greeting, working his way out from underneath one of the many blinking piles of cpu. Once he'd managed to remove himself, Ash reached out a hand and helped the older man to his feet, where he brushed off the dirt from his knees. Oak was a taller man, standing at a height of 6'1. His hair had grayed over the years, though instead of indicating age, it only seemed to add to the general air of wisdom and strength the professor naturally exuded. His lab coat was worn overtop of a burnt orange button up, tucked neatly into a pair of clean, tan pants and finished by a set of black hiking boots. The most defining features of Oak however were the twinkle of intelligence and joviality in his eyes and the quiet strength that suffused the space he existed within.

Ash grabbed Professor Oak into a firm hug and then stepped back, Gary stepping in to do something similar once he'd released his hold. All three of the men wore matching grins as they silently celebrated the start of something that couldn't quite be put into words. Oak glanced up to Ash's shoulder and nodded once, firmly. "I see Delia decided on giving you Eevee after all. We debated on whether to give you a second starting pokemon for quite some time, but ultimately this little guy decided for us. Of the litter, he was certainly the most eager to go on a journey with you. He should be quite strong for you; Delia herself caused more than a few waves with Esper you know." Oak said musingly looking over Lux, who was preening from his perch on Ash's shoulder.

Professor Oak led both of the boys out halfway into the meadow portion of The Ranch and stopped with Ash on his left and Gary on his right. "So," Oak began, "I'm sure both of you know the normal routine. I procure three pokemon either through a breeder or through the wild pokemon that wander the ranch and you choose from those, but I have something special for you two. It's twofold. I've chosen you two as the lab trainers this year, both because I have high hopes for you and because you have the best scores in the practical training and in the theoretical. So instead of the normal offering, you two will get to wander the ranch today and find the pokemon you most connect with. Come back before sundown alright?"

Both boys gaped for a moment. The offer they'd just received was unbelievable. To be named a lab trainer was beyond an honor, it was to have a steady income of money, the ability to carry up to twelve pokemon (an entire six more than most trainers were permitted) and access to areas normally prohibited for the average trainer, all in exchange for doing minor field work on their journey. More than that, the reason that most trainers received the classic three pokeball offer was because it allowed for early trainers to receive pokemon that were easy to train, either by being bred in safe conditions or being previously caught and given basic interaction training beforehand. What Professor Oak had handed them was a blank slate, the ability to find any pokemon that called the ranch home and wasn't owned by another trainer and one that they could start fresh with.

"Gramps that's-" "Professor I-" Both boys started to say simultaneously then stopped and looked at each other. They turned nearly in sync to the Professor and grinned. "Thank you." They said in near unison.

"Think nothing of it my boys! I have the utmost confidence you'll impress me and bring great things!" Oak responded laughing. "Now go on! You've got about eight hours, make them count!" Oak said, grandly waving his arm outward.

Ash and Gary took one more look at each other and moved forward, determined to make the most of the incredible offer they'd received.

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Ash and Gary had quickly agreed to split up, realizing that whatever pokemon they met that they bonded with may only do so if they were alone. Ash had also returned Lux to his pokeball for the time being, not wanting a pokemon to only interact with him because of the Eevee on his shoulder. Ash had spent a few hours touring around the meadow portion of The Ranch, but outside of gently petting a few of the growlithe and navigating around an exeggcute nest, he hadn't had many interactions that struck him as anything special. Due to that, Ash made a call and followed his gut. He'd felt a pull to go into the forest ever since he'd arrived, an odd connection to the shadows that danced within the trees and swayed with the movement of the leaves. Ash navigated through fallen branches and grass, stepping over roots and using the knife strapped on his waist to cut through particularly dense foliage. If you'd asked him, Ash wouldn't have been able to tell you where he was going in particular, only that he knew he was getting close. The feeling in his chest that had drawn him in had become nearly physical in its intensity; a pulsing beat that spread through the rest of his body. He crested another particularly large tree only to see its brother in front of him, a majestic beast that stretched into the sky and held a large hovel under its bows, the shade swaying somewhere between violently and gracefully underneath it. Ash felt it then, he was at ease here. This was where he'd find his other partner.

Ash reverently approached the tree. He stepped closer and laid his hand against its base, basking in the dying light of the area. Ash looked upwards and observed how light filtered through the branches above and created an ethereal quality to the small grove that he was in. So lost in thought was he observing the natural beauty of where he was that he almost didn't notice the changes to it at first. It started as a dark mist, floating along the ground out from under where the pitch black of the roots were. Ash watched as that same mist poured out at an agonizing pace, noticed the feeling of eyes on him from every angle in the grove and how the corners of his vision seemed to flit with figures that weren't quite human or pokemon. Where most would feel fear however, Ash only felt calm, even a sense of happiness. The mist that previously encroached on the space surged suddenly back in towards Ash, a rolling crest of billowing fear. Even then Ash stood calm, though now taller and faced that wave. Whether it was because of that, or some other unknown variant, The wave stopped a few feet from Ash, defying the conventions of physics on a whim and that's when Ash heard it; a laugh.

It wasn't human, and though it may have sounded cruel to some ears, to Ash, it was a sound of merriment, like a child completing a prank.

"Thought that was funny huh?" Ash said aloud looking deeper into the cloud of black that still hovered close to him.

With his question, Ash saw movement within the miasma, now approaching closer, even as the clouds seemed to suck themselves back into the underside of the tree. A small portion of that gas remained behind however, swirling around Ash's feet. From that gas, something else formed, appearing in front of him in a slow spiral. A dark orb, sharpened ethereal teeth and eyes and a vapor trail emanating from behind it. The sound of that same gaseous laugh originated from the now plainly appeared Ghastly in front of him.

"You definitely did." Ash deadpanned out. "Is that your home under there?" He asked, pointing to the shadows still dancing underneath the large tree's roots. Ghastly dissipated again and spiraled around Ash's feet then appeared closer to the tree.

"I'll take that as a yes." Ash said, nodding. "Well, I'm sorry to disturb your home. It's beautiful here. Dark, but it has a lot of character. Have you been here long?"

Ghastly seemed to waver briefly, as though an unseen wind had blown through him, then solidified.

"Got lost and camped out for a while huh? Better than nothing. Mind if I sit down for a bit then?" Ash asked, finding a particularly comfortable nook close to the ground of the tree. Ghastly eased across the ground and formed around Ash seeming to prod him within its form and, finding whatever form of satisfaction it wanted, swirled around the shadows Ash cast as he leaned against the tree.

Ghosts were a difficult type to understand on the best of days. Not many, outside of the occasional Ghost-type Master and psychic, seemed to have much of an idea what they were or where they even came from. What was known was that they were capricious in nature, finding enjoyment in odd things that were sometimes strange, sometimes cruel to many. They were also very rarely seen in the wild, most areas containing them either being self-contained or so downright creepy that humans and pokemon avoided the areas on principle. Ash as a trainer knew a bit more at least, understanding that they drew life and energy from a realm outside of the plane that Earth sat on, that they didn't function as a normal pokemon, able to take levels of punishment that other pokemon simply couldn't and not only live through it, but reform quickly.

Ash got lost in the view and the oddly comforting feeling of Ghastly floating around him quietly for hours, falling asleep and waking up to the sun cresting over the height of the forest through the tree leaves. With a wide stretch and a yawn, Ash stood slowly so as not to disturb Ghastly.

"I need to leave Ghastly, and head back to the big building out that way." Ash started slowly. Ghastly formed in front of him and its long tongue lolled out of his mouth. Despite that, Ash felt a feeling of sadness coming from the ghost.

"You could come with me, you know." Ash said. "I'm a trainer. I'm aiming to be the best trainer in the world, a master of all types and species. I'd love to have you along. I'm just starting, but I promise that I'll train you as well as I can and that we'll have tons of fun along the way. What do you think?"

Ghastly seemed to become darker for a moment, clearing mulling over the proposal, then in a sudden burst of activity, dissipated back into smoke around Ash giving him the appearance of a trail of vapors coming off of him. Ash laughed.

"Alright then!" Happiness entering his voice, "Partners then! We'll have to get you into a pokeball when we get back but right now, you need a name."

Ash released Lux from the pokeball at his waist, letting the Eevee look around for a minute and allowing Ghastly to look him over from his smoky disposition.

"This is Lux Ghastly, he's my other partner right now. He's the light of my home that I get to have with me, and if he's my light then you should be the dark that I find comfort in. How about it Nox?" Ash questioned aloud. Ash was rewarded with the mist thickening and the sensation of a handshake brushing over his hand. Lux hopped onto his now semi-familiar perch on Ash's shoulder and, as though that were the signal he needed, Ash turned, making his way back to the front of The Ranch.

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Ash arrived back to the meadows and made his way to the entrance to the labs. He navigated over pokemon that were settling into a night rhythm, some fed and others finishing dinner of varied kinds. Gary had beat him back and was talking animatedly with Professor Oak at a small table and set of chairs outside. Gary greeted Ash with the same self-assured grin that he seemed to always greet him with.

"Didn't find anything huh? Just stuck with Lux? That's fine you know, some people just don't have the same level of success as an Oak." He boasted casually. Professor casually reached across and cuffed him over the back of the head.

"Ego, Gary. Ash? No luck?" Oak asked, looking him over. Suddenly, the table began to shake and a blast of gas exploded out from under it casting shadows across most of the surfaces around. Gary leapt from his seat quickly with a yelp and Professor Oak nearly fell over backwards, arms flailing and one hand going to a pokeball under his coat. The mist quickly reformed next to Ash in the form of a cackling Nox.

"Some luck," Ash said, chuckling himself. "Gary, Professor, meet Nox." Nox wavered in what Ash was beginning to realize was the ghost's version of acknowledgement and dissipated back into his shadow leaving traces of vapors as his only indicator of existence.

Professor Oak and Gary gathered themselves, Gary scowling and Oak gathering himself and easing into a more relaxed posture. "A Ghastly is a fascinating choice Ash," Oak began, looking over Ash's person noting the effects the vapor that now emanated from him and mentally sighing, realizing that it would only add to the terrifying aura Ash carried regardless. "Nox will likely make a challenging, but rewarding partner for your journey."

Gary, having recovered from the scare prior, smiled again and fingered the pokeball attached to his belt now noticing both of Ash's pokeballs mirroring his position on his own person. "Yeah, a ghost is cool, but you didn't catch a dragon now did you?" With that proclamation Gary released his starter and much to Ash's shock, a Dratini emerged and looped itself around Gary's shoulders.

"You caught a Dratini!?" Ash practically yelled. Gary laughed and caressed the scales on the side of dratini's head.

"I sure as hell did! There was a small nest of Dragonair and Dragonites up where the mountains are. One of the Dratini decided I was something special and attached himself at the hip to me. Ash, meet Regent."

Gary was proud, and rightly so. The only other trainers who started with one of the pseudo-legendaries of Kanto were the famous Wataru tribe, and everyone knew how strong some of their key members were. Ash shook his head in amusement and admired Gary and Regent.

"I'd expect nothing less from you Gare. You're an incredible trainer." The honest praise shook Gary from his cocky stance, the boy running a hand along the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well, thanks Ash, you know that means something from you at least."

Professor Oak watched them look over each other's starters, (Lux being asleep on Ash's shoulders and Nox materializing around the pair and poking them in varied places or fluttering past them as a cloud every few moments) and smiled. It reminded him of the start of his own journey many years prior. Oak shook his nostalgia away and gestured for both of the young men to give him their attention.

"Now, I have something else to give you before you go." Oak reached into his lab coat and pulled out two small flip objects; one red and one black. "These are something I've been working on for years. They're pokedexes. These are going to be a big part of your work as lab trainers. I want the both of you when you can, to catalog different pokemon and how they interact with humans. Collect data, write little thoughts and notes on different species on your way, moves they use, anything you think is worth noting! And most importantly," Oak said, drawing to a close and grinning so wide his eyes nearly closed, "Have fun."

Ash and Gary took the pokedexes with a sense of awe and then looked at Oak. Ash stepped forward and grabbed The Professor into a tight hug.

"Thank you, I'll do you proud Professor." Ash pulled back and Gary stepped forward doing the same.

"You'd better be in the front row of the conference when I win Gramps." Gary said, stifling tears in his eyes from the tight hold he'd pulled Oak into.

"I'll be there when both of you boys make it to the Indigo Plateau." Oak said softly, but with pride. "Now go on, if you two leave now you should be able to get about halfway to Viridian town before the sun is gone."

Ash and Gary pulled away from their grandfather and mentor respectively. Both men realized that the time for words was over and were led by Oak out the front of the lab and to the edge of Pallet where route 1 started.

"Now," Oak said watching the two young men start the first steps of their gym circuit, "go, and change the world boys."