Hello everyone, I am once again back with the new chapter of Ash Ketchum's Master Aura Journey. Hope you all like it. Do send your reviews, as it will help me writing better.

Now to make some clarifications. Those who expect that Ash will be OP character in this story from the very beginning, forget and leave immediately. Do something better. This is a story of the character transformation of Ash Ketchum, from being a novice to a mature and skilled trainer. He will gradually, after months of practice and training. This will also include failures, as it is a part of everyone's life. Ash will face numerous hardships and he will also have to learn to overcome his failures and carry on with the aim of becoming better. Ash will not get everything on a silver platter. He will have to work hard and earn it.

To everyone who has given suggestions for the Pokemon that Ash will have, thank you very much, I will surely try to incorporate them in the story as the situation would permit.

If any of you have more suggestions on what kind of Pokemon Ash will catch, do write them in the reviews section I will surely try to incorporate them.

Till then, do enjoy the story.

Chapter 2: In the Viridian City

After walking several minutes, the group finally reached the Viridian City Checkpoint were, a female police officer who had amber eyes, teal coloured hair, and in blue police uniform was announcing something in her intercom.

She was announcing, "Citizens of Viridian City! Be on your guard, two criminals of a crime syndicate, responsible for stealing Pokemon, have been sighted. If seen, report them immediately to the nearest police outpost!"

After finishing her speech, Officer Jenny looked around to find that a group of children, two (a boy and a girl) around the age of fifteen and one boy no older than ten.

A boy with auburn hair and maroon trench coat and a girl with brown shoulder-length hair wearing a navy blue overcoat was entering the city accompanied by a boy with raven hair with a Pikachu in his hands.

Suspicion crept into her mind, and alarm bells started ringing in her head. She went up to them and said in a harsh tone, "Wait you three! Who are you? And why do you have a Pikachu in your hands?"

All three of them looked at the female police officer.

Before anyone else could say anything, Ash in a pleading voice said, "Please, let us go! My Pikachu is severely injured and needs medical attention. So, we are heading towards the Pokemon Centre…"

The officer simply raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh, is that so? Then why don't have your Pokemon inside a Pokeball? How can I believe that you all are not Pokemon thieves? If you all are Pokemon Trainers then show your identification!"

Ash was now scared. He did not know how he could prove to her that he was a Pokemon Trainer.

"Identification?" He asked uncertainly.

Officer Jenny replied, "Yes, your Pokemon Trainer I.D."

Ash began, "I don't-" When a hand touched his shoulder drawing his attention to the person behind his back.

The auburn-haired boy had a calm and composed exterior.

In a calm tone, he said, "Do you have your Pokedex?"

Ash nodded in affirmation. So, the boy continued, "A Trainer's Pokedex is his or her Pokemon Trainer I.D. Give it to Officer Jenny, she knows what to do…"

Ash pulled the red device from his pocket and handed it over to the Officer clad in blue uniform.

The woman opening the Pokedex switched it on and tapped a button.

The device quickly became alive, and in its mechanical tone, it said, "I am Dexter. The official Pokedex of Pokemon Trainer, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, is sponsored by Professor Samuel Oak of Pallet Town. I also serve as the official Pokemon Trainer I.D. of Ash Ketchum."

Officer Jenny's tone softened a bit and said, "Oh, now I see…" but then she turned towards the older kids in the group and looked at them with a questioning look.

Not giving her any chance to further accuse them of thievery, boy the boy and the girl, pulled a laminated card from their coats and stuffed it into the hands of the Officer.

Reading the data present in their cards, Officer Jenny's eyes widened momentarily but quickly composed herself back to her strict demeanor. She returned back the cards to each o

She said, "It seems everything is in order, but tell me why your Pikachu is not in a Pokeball?"

Ash replied, "Because my Pikachu doesn't like to be confined inside a Pokeball…"

Understanding the raven-haired boy's predicament, the officer nodded.

Then with an apologetic tone, she said, "I sorry I spoke to you all in a harsh tone, and accused you all to be thieves. You see, there has been a sudden rise of criminal activities especially matters related to Pokemon stealing and poaching…so the entire police department has to be extremely cautious of strangers entering the city…"

The brown-haired girl nodded and said, "Understandable."

The teal-haired woman said, "Well if you want a ride back to the Pokemon Center, I can give you one, as compensation for my bad behaviour…"

"Really!" Ash said excitedly, at the prospect of reaching the Pokemon Center fast.

Officer Jenny smiled, "Yes."

Then Ash looked at the Officer's one-seater motorcycle along with a sidecar. But then Ash realized that only two could fit in the vehicle.

He turned to look at the smiling faces of the auburn-haired boy and the brown-haired girl.

The boy in maroon trench coat said, "Ash, you go with Officer Jenny, we can manage for ourselves…"

Ash replied with uncertainty evident in his voice, "It won't be a problem?"

The brown-haired girl replied for the boy, "Don't worry about us, we will have no problem finding you. Besides, your Pikachu needs medical attention fast!"

That left no further chances of argument on the table.

Hopping in the sidecar, Ash and Officer Jenny sped off in the direction of the Pokemon Center.

Officer Jenny (along with Ash) burst through the doors of the Viridian City Pokemon Center with her motorcycle. She applied brakes only when she was mere seconds from crashing into the front desk.

"We have a Pokemon that needs immediate medical attention!" declared the teal-haired officer.

But a loud shriek welcomed them. The pink-haired Nurse Joy, had her hands on her chest as if having a massive panic attack.

Nurse Joy cried, "What are you doing?! Bringing a motorcycle inside the Pokemon Center, are you nuts?!"

Officer Jenny adopted a sheepish look on her face, "Sorry…but it was an emergency…"

Nurse Joy gave a sigh of relief and then reprimanded the Officer, "Don't do that ever again! Parking space has been created for a reason."

Then she looked at Ash, who was carrying his Pikachu in his arms.

Seeing the tattered condition of the Pokemon, the pink-haired nurse gasped, "What has happened to him?" Pointing at the Pikachu.

Ash only said one word that explained the entire situation, "Spearows."

Understanding the severity of the situation, Nurse Joy immediately barked some orders in the intercom and within seconds came from the interior of the Pokemon Center, three large pink coloured Pokemon with a stretcher, chanting, "Chansey…Chansey…Chansey…"

Chansey, the Normal-type Pokemon, is mainly used by Nurse Joys in different Pokemon Centers as Medi-Pokemon.

Quickly they put the unconscious Pikachu on the stretcher and moved him inside.

Seeing Ash's worried look, Nurse Joy in a soft tone comforted him, "Don't worry, your Pikachu will be fine…" And then followed the group of Chansey.

Then a cough drew Ash's attention to the person behind his back.

With a smile on her face, Officer Jenny of Viridian City said, "Okay, I guess my work is over here. Hope your Pokemon makes a speedy recovery. Bye!" With that, she hopped back into her vehicle and left the Pokemon Center.

Ash turned and was about to go and sit on one of the benches in the waiting area when a view made him freeze on his tracks.

The auburn-haired boy and the brown-haired girl were leaning against the wall near him and were looking at him. While the girl had a brought smile on her face, the boy was simply smirking.

"Well, that was true quite an entrance, won't you agree?" He asked Ash, still smirking.

That broke Ash's stupor, which made him blurt out, "How the hell did you two be able to arrive so early?!"

That indeed a valid question. It took them ten minutes even in Officer Jenny's motorcycle to reach the Pokemon Center, and from what Ash could understand, the duo arrived earlier, much earlier than him.

This time the brown-haired girl replied with a smirk, "Well, that's for us to know, and you to find out…"

All three sat on the benches provided in the waiting area. The boy and the girl sat side by side, while Ash sat facing them on another bench.

The auburn-haired boy said, "I guess, we have not yet introduced each other properly till now, haven't we?"

Ash was suddenly filled with embarrassment. The two absolute strangers, who had no obligation to help him, had not only saved him and his Pokemon from the onslaught of the Spearows but also helped in nursing his Pikachu back into health. He would be forever grateful to them.

Breaking himself of his inner musings, Ash extended his hand towards the boy and said, "Right…I am sorry for not introducing myself…My name is Ash Ketchum and I am from Pallet Town. And I am ten-year-old…"

The auburn-haired boy shook his hand and said, "Its nice to meet you Ash. My name is Arthur Penn and she…" pointing at the brown-haired girl, "…is Artemis Larsen…we both are fourteen and are from a place in the North of Kanto…"

Ash nodded understanding the situation.

The brown-haired girl, Artemis Larsen, simply waved her hand in acknowledgment.

Artemis asked, "Ash, you are ten-year-old, right? Then does that mean that you recently started your journey?"

Ash nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! I began my journey today only, with Pikachu as my starter."

Both Arthur and Artemis shared a glance at each other and inwardly smiled seeing the kid's enthusiasm.

But Arthur had a doubt. He said with confusion etched in his voice, "You got Pikachu as a starter? I thought Pokemon Trainers start in the Kanto region with one of the three Kanto starters…"

Ash suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and with a sheepish tone described what happened in the morning, how he overslept and missed the opportunity of getting one of the Kanto starters and landed with a stubborn Pikachu, who was caught chewing the electric cables of the lab.

Both Arthur and Artemis were laughing like crazy, hearing Ash's story. Ash had a sheepish grin on his face.

"Oh my…!" Artemis exclaimed laughing.

Arthur composing himself a bit said, "Met many trainers like, but none had a beginning like you!"

At that time Nurse Joy appeared and called, "Ash Ketchum?"

Ash hearing his name being called turned to find Nurse Joy. He went up to her and asked in a worried tone, "Will Pikachu be alright? Will he make a complete recovery?"

Nurse Joy gave him a small smile and told him, "Don't worry, your Pikachu will make a complete recovery. Had you not applied the Super Potion on time and fed him the Milk of Oran then the condition of your Pikachu would have been worse…I was amazed when I found the examination result showed Milk of Oran in your Pokémon's system….to know what Milk of Oran is at such a young age is amazing!"

Ash had an expression filled with confusion which Nurse Joy quickly noticed. She asked, "Any problem?"

This broke Ash from his state of confusion and he said in reply, "Ah…actually…I do not what Milk of Oran is…"

Nurse Joy was now confused. She said, "Wait, you don't know what Milk of Oran is? So how did you feed him?"

Before Ash could reply, the voice of Arthur Penn answered, "I gave his Pikachu the Milk of Oran and applied the Super Potion on his injured areas…when Artemis and I found them, on the way towards Viridian City…"

Ash turned to see Arthur and Artemis approach them.

Nurse Joy exclaimed, "Oh, I see! Well never mind…" Then looked at Ash and continued, "… well your Pikachu will just need a night's rest and then he will be absolutely fine by tomorrow morning."

With that, Nurse Joy left all the three kids alone.

Ash turned towards Arthur and shocked him to the core by bowing and thanking him profusely, "Thank you very much, Arthur! I don't know what would have had happened to Pikachu, had you not helped us…"

When he said the last, Ash almost teared up at the prospect of seeing his partner dead.

Arthur feeling a bit uncomfortable quickly helped him to stand straight and said, "Don't worry about that. I would have helped anyone in need, whether it be a Pokemon or a human being…"

All three of them returned back to their former positions in the benches they were sitting. They all started exchanging stories.

Ash informed them that he had the dream of becoming the world's best Pokemon Master. Then, Arthur asked him a question, that will make Ash forever think, in his free time, in his sleep, even in his future battles.

Arthur asked, "You are saying that you want to be the World's best Pokemon Master, right?" Ash nodded in affirmation. Arthur continued, "What does it mean being a Pokemon Master to you?"

Ash simply opened his mouth to reply, "Huh?"

Arthur repeated, "What does it mean being a Pokemon to you?"

Ash replied, "I can't understand what do you mean by that?"

Arthur smiled and said, "In these four years of our journey together, Artemis and I Have met numerous trainers. From Rookie-level to Elite level, and I have asked them what does it mean to be a Pokemon Master to them. Some replied to defeat the Champions of all the regions is being Pokemon Master. Some answered catching all the Pokemons in the world is being Pokemon Master. Many of them gave similar as well as very different answers. So I ask you once again, what does it mean to be a Pokemon Master to you?"

As Ketchum could not form a reply. Because he had nothing to say. The question deeply affected him. He had been chasing a dream which had no clear definition.

Arthur, understanding of Ash's predicament, saved him from further introspection for the time being. He said in a gentle tone, "I know it is very difficult to find a proper answer to that question. Just think about it, no need to hurry to give an answer..."

From there the discussion turned towards Arthur and Artemis's journey.

Arthur said that he and Artemis were Pokemon Trainers and began their journey almost four years ago, and in these four years they have traveled to various regions apart from Kanto and seen many Pokemon. They had traveled in Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unnova, and Kalos.

At one point the topic of Arthur and Artemis's relationship came up. Artemis replied that by grabbing Arthur by the collar of his trench coat and shoving her tongue in his mouth, giving him a passionate kiss.

Ash blushed at the scene as it was a little 'adult' in nature. He murmured while still blushing, "Didn't know that you two were a couple..."

Artemis grinned and then said, "Well it took him three years, numerous threats to other guys who tried to flirt with me, some sleepless nights, to finally confess to me on New Year Eve..."

Then she leaned against his boyfriend, who gently wrapped his hand around her waist, and said, "But it was worth the wait..."

At that time, the memory of being rescued by Arthur's lion-like Pokemon resurfaced in Ash's memory. So, he asked Arthur, "Hey Arthur, what Pokemon did you used to save Pikachu and me from the Spearows back then?"

Arthur, removing his hand from Artemis's waist (which earned him a pout from his girlfriend) simply smiled and without replying just pulled a Pokeball from his belt and released the beast that was confined inside it.

The Pokemon came out from its Pokeball and gave a loud roar, "Lux…Luxray!"

Ash was amazed. He cried, "I have never seen such a Pokemon!" And then he pulled his Pokedex to scan it only to get the reply, "No Data Available."

"Huh?!" Ash was stunned at the reply.

Arthur could not help but laugh seeing Ash's gobsmacked expression.

He gently patted the head of the unknown Pokemon (to Ash only) and said in a calm yet firm voice, "Luxray, calm down…"

The Pokemon Luxray gently nuzzled its head on the feet of his trainer.

Arthur turned his attention from his Luxray to Ash and said, "You will not find any information about Luxray, because your Pokedex is a regional Pokedex and has information about only 150 Pokemon who are native to the Kanto region, whereas Luxray is a Pokemon native to Sinnoh region, and is the final evolutionary form of the Shinx Pokemon line…"

Wow! Ash could not properly digest all the new information he had received just now.

Then Ash suddenly remembered that he had something else on his list to do after reaching the Viridian City, that is…calling his mother!

Ash suddenly stood up exclaimed, "Oh crap! I was supposed to call my mother, and I haven't done so till now!"

Both Arthur and Artemis laughed at this. Artemis motioned him in the direction of the telephone corner.

Ash went up to the booth and dialed the number of his home. It rang for some moments before the voice of Delia Ketchum answered, "Hello. Ketchum residence, how may I help you?"

Ash replied, "Mum, it's me, Ash! I have reached the Viridian City!"

At that time the screen became visible and showed the beautiful face of Delia Ketchum, freshly out from the bath.

"Oh, Ash, it's you! You have reached the Viridian City already?" She exclaimed joyfully.

"Yes, mum." He greeted his mother lovingly.

"How's everything darling? How's Pikachu?" This relatively sobered the mood and Ash in a dejected tone told his mum what had transpired the entire day.

Delhi consoled her son, "Oh Ash don't worry Pikachu will be fine, no need to worry…"

"Yeah, I know mum…" sighed Ash.

"Okay dear, do take care and don't forget regularly to change your underwear, bye!" finished Delhi Ketchum.

"Mum!" exclaimed Ash feeling embarrassed as he was able to hear the snickers coming from Arthur and Artemis from where they were sitting, but it was too late, the screen had already become blank.

Sighing, Ash dialed the number of Professor Oak's Office. After ringing once, the call was picked up.

"Hello, Ash! It seems you have reached the Viridian City already…" asked Professor Oak, with his back facing the camera…

"Um…Professor?... I can't see your face, only your back is visible…" He trailed off in the end.

"Oh crap! Once again wrong camera…" Then Professor Oak tapped a button that now showed the view of the old Professor's face.

Professor Oak began, "Once again hello Ash. I hope everything went well? It is amazing that you reached the Viridian City so early, normally it takes a week to reach the city on foot…"

"About that Professor…I took a detour…" And then began explaining to his professor what were the events that had occurred throughout his journey.

"Well, Ash…you really have some tough luck…I guess Pikachu is, okay?" asked the worried professor.

Ash nodded, "Yes, Nurse Joy said that Milk of Oran really helped in the recovery process of Pikachu…"

Professor Oak nodded in agreement, "Yes, this Arthur boy, really showed his intelligence in using Milk of Oran in such a circumstance. I am more surprised of the fact how did he even know about it…"

Ash asked a bit unsure, "Um…Professor…what exactly is Milk of Oran?"

The Pokemon researcher replied, "It is a liquid mixture of 70 % milk and 30% pulp of Oran berries grown in the Hoenn region. It is a restorative food for the Pokemon to recover their strength and cure injuries, and I am amazed that this boy knows about it, because it is a very recent discovery that has not reached the ears of many Pokemon Trainers…"

Ash replied, "I see…"

Then Professor Oak suddenly in a dejected tone said, "I guess I lost the bet I made with Gary…"

Ash feeling intrigued asked, "Bet with Gary?"

The Pokemon researcher in a solemn tone said, "Gary believed that you would not be able to catch a single Pokemon before reaching the Viridian City…I guess I lost the wager then…"

Ash inwardly smirked at the prospect of proving Gary wrong at least in something, even as trivial as catching a single Pokemon.

Ash smirked, "Professor, Gary is wrong…"

"Huh?" the old professor gave a confused sound.

Ash gave a smug smile and replied, "I caught a Weedle!"

"Really?!" Professor Oak had a gobsmacked expression. Ash simply smiled victoriously.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! One million Poke dollars is mine. Thank you, Ash…" Professor Oak cried like a child who got his favourite toy.

Ash could not help but laugh at his professor's antics. Then sound a doorbell ringing was heard in Professor Oak's office.

Professor Oak said, "Sorry, as much as I like to converse with you, but I can't. My pizza delivery has arrived. Best of luck in your journey and keep catching more Pokemon!" With that the old Pokemon Researcher-cum-Professor ended the call.

Shaking his head to clear all unnecessary thoughts, Ash walked back to the place where his two new friends were sitting.

"So that was the world-famous Pokemon Researcher, Professor Samuel Oak, huh?" Arthur asked Ash while petting his Luxray which was now sitting on his lap.

"Yes, indeed…" With that Ash began explaining about Professor Oak and his ranch where all Pokemon were kept, how Ash used to play there in his childhood.

At one point their discussion turned towards Ash's family.

Ash told them how he loved his mother Delia Ketchum who was, according to him, the sweetest person in the entire planet. How she earned a living by running a restaurant adjacent to their home.

Then Artemis said something that struck a sore spot in his heart.

Artemis said, "But Ash, what about your father?"

At the mention of the word father, Ash's face suddenly adopted a scary and dark look, which would greatly unnerve anyone.

The sudden silence that descended among the trio, was all that was required for Arthur and Artemis to understand that they had reached a forbidden topic of discussion.

Artemis in a soft tone said, "Ash I am sorry…"

Ash released a sigh and a small sigh. A faint smile appeared on his face. He said, "Don't apologize Artemis, it wasn't your fault that you knew…"

Arthur gently said, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Ash remained silent for the next few minutes before suddenly started speaking, "My father Silver Ketchum, was a Pokemon Trainer. In his journey, he met my mother and fell in love. Later they both got married and settled together in Pallet Town."

"After one year, of their marriage, I came into their life. And not even a year passed since my when he abandoned us!" The sheer amount of venom in the mouth of a ten-year-old greatly unnerved both Arthur and Artemis.

All of them remain silent for the next few moments, each basking in the pool of their personal thoughts.

After some time, Arthur first opened his mouth to speak.

"Ash…" Arthur said in a calm and hard tone which surprised Ash greatly, "…I know…it is not my place to say things like this…but your father was an absolute jerk…"

Ash was now really surprised. All this time, he had seen Arthur's calm and dignified persona. Never he could imagine a person like him would curse.

Arthur continued, "A person, who simply leaves his only child and wife all to themselves, while he himself goes travel just to satisfy his lust for adventure is absolutely disgusting…"

Artemis had a furious expression on her face and simply nodded in agreement, too angry to speak anything.

Ash was surprised to see such reactions from his new friends. He was about to say something when the doors of the Pokemon Center slid open and entered a girl, no older than age twelve, with flaming orange hair and wearing a yellow crop top and denim shorts.

She was also carrying a burnt(?) cycle on her shoulder, and her first reaction on seeing the raven-haired boy with a red and white cap on top of his head was, "Now I've got you!"

Hope you all like the story! If you have any suggestions regarding what Pokemon Ash will have you can write them in the reviews. So, will meet you all the next time!