Hello everyone! Sorry this hasn't been updated in a while but I thought people had lost interest. Turns out I was wrong. Okay, so a few replies!

Nafiska: Thank you! I wish I had a little companion like Loki. Ah you shall have to wait and see but I can promise you it'll be exciting. I can tell you that there will be some good old drama!

Roni: Hope you enjoy!

Vincent Balmes: Thank you for the suggestions but I had actually come up with those in my pre planned stage of the chapters. I actually plan everything out before the story with character descriptions and their abilities. I actually did read that chapter and I was so surprised! Such a sad story though. Thank you for the review! Hope you enjoy.

Rufus2644: Thank you!

And thank you to the people who have PM me about this story! Cupcakes to all and I hope you enjoy!

The group had finally made their way out of the forest and were now looking down at Pewter city. The streets were busy, and Ash could sense all types of magic down there.

"Alright we made it!" Loki said as he flew up to get a better look.

"Wish I had wings," Pikachu grumbled.

"I thought we'd never get out of there!" Misty said as she stretched out her arms.

"Pewter city is grey, the colour of stone. This town has always been famous for stone," a voice said stiffly.

Ash looked down from the ledge he was standing on and saw a man sitting cross legged next to a shelf full of rocks. He had a big beard and his hat almost covered half of his face.

"Weirdo," Loki said.

"Um…hello there?" Ash said loudly.

"Name's Flint and you're all standing on my merchandise," Flint said. Ash did take a step back as did Misty, but he did see that all he was standing on was a rock. He came down to Flint's level to see that the shelf with rocks had prices on all of them.

"You sell…rocks?" Misty asked slowly.

"They're Pewter city souvenirs. Want one?" Flint asked.

"No thanks but if you could give us directions to the Pokemon Centre, that would be great," Ash replied.

"Of course, but that'll be two dollars for standing on my merchandise," Flint added. Everyone sweat-dropped at this but Loki meekly handed over two dollars from his knapsack from his back. It made Pikachu and Misty wonder what he kept in it, but Ash assured them not to ask.

After arriving at the Pokemon Centre, Ash had given Nurse Joy Pikachu, Loki and his other pokemon for a check-up and re-charge. Misty herself had sat down for a rest and Ash was looking about the waiting room mindlessly. Well it was mindless until his eye caught a hold of something interesting. It was a large notice board, but it had a number of papers pinned to it, all different pictures, paragraphs and surprisingly prices.

"Hey Misty, what's this?" Ash asked with interest.

"You don't know about jobs?" Misty asked in surprise.

"Not really," Ash admitted.

"Well, they're open for everyone really, but mainly for people who use magic. People send out requests to wizards of all kinds and pay good money for it. It's good for trainers to pay for things as they go on their journeys, but you have to have a certain qualification to do some of them," Misty explained.

"Huh, that would help a lot," Ash commented.

"As a Dragon Slayer, you could do some of the harder ones. You can even get personal requests if you build up your profile," Misty added.

"That's cool! Having a good job profile like that would help my Pokemon Master quest too!" Ash pointed out. He then heard a chuckle behind him and then saw Flint coming towards him.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of challenging Brock, the Pewter city gym leader?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Ash asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just you don't seem strong. That's all," Flint said.

"Of course not, I've just started my journey. Beating Brock will be good experience for me and my Pokemon," Ash answered calmly, surprising Misty.

"Sure, you'll beat him," Flint said but his voice was drowning in sarcasm as he walked off.

"He's not as nice as I thought," Ash commented.

"Well he has a point. Gym leaders aren't your everyday trainers. They're tough to beat," Misty said.

"I know that but no matter how strong, they all have a weakness, even the Champions. That's what makes it more fun," Ash grinned with a glint in his eyes.

"I don't get you. Do want to go eat?" Misty asked, and Ash simply nodded.

Ash was indeed very hungry, but he knew he couldn't eat the way he usually did when he was at home so, as much as he hated it, had to eat more slowly and carefully. Misty watched him with interest.

"So, about those jobs earlier, do you think you'll do some?" she asked.

"Sure, but I might do ones that are local. Say if there's a job in the city we're in now I'll do it. If I take one far away, I need modes of getting there. I'm sure I can become intangible for long enough," Ash commented.

"What has that got to do with anything?" Misty questioned as she drank some water.

"I could go incredibly fast. Plus, I remember Yakuri saying something about ways for me to get around quicker too. It was something different though, but he didn't tell me," Ash answered.

"Why not?" Misty asked.

"He didn't think I was ready. Stupid old geezer," Ash pouted.

"Was there as reason for that?" Misty laughed. Ash recalled the time where he had fired an attack at Yakuri's tail and the dragon had hit him so hard, he'd flown up into the sky. He gave a shrug.

"No idea why," Ash fibbed.

"I know this is another question, but do you have a weakness? Like light magic or something?" Misty asked.

"I'm a Dragon Slayer, not a vampire," Ash deadpanned.

"You know what I mean," Misty frowned.

"I do have one but I'm not going to mention it," Ash grinned.

"Aw why?" Misty whined.

"You have to find out," Ash told her. He didn't want to tell her since it was embarrassing, and he'd never hear the end of it. Loki was the only one who knew, and he had enough teasing off him about it already.

"Are you going to enter magic tor…" Misty started but then she noticed that Ash wasn't paying attention anymore. She followed his gaze and saw that a trainer had appeared, round about her age. He had spiky hair with a serious expression and was wearing brown trousers and a green shirt.

"I heard you're looking to challenge the gym leader?" he asked.

"I am. I presume that you are Brock the gym leader?" Ash asked as his nose instantly picked up on something interesting.

"Correct. I saw you earlier coming in with a Pikachu and some flying Pokemon," Brock replied.

"Um, he's not a Pokemon, he's…" Misty started but then trailed off.

"He is a cat with a rice ball problem," Ash answered bluntly.

"I…see. Well if you plan on challenging me with a Pikachu, then I would advise against it. It is in its cutest stage after all, so it can't win," Brock told him which caused Ash to raise an eyebrow.

"So? I'll worry about my Pokemon and you worry about yours," Ash answered back. Brock was surprised at this, but he kept his composure.

"That's a little hostile coming from a brand-new trainer. Are you new when it comes to magic?" Brock commented.

"Want to find out?" Ash asked with a smirk.

"Alright that's enough. You can't win against me with your Pikachu. It's impossible to beat Rock with Electric. But as a gym leader, I have to accept your proposal. See you at the gym tomorrow," Brock said as he almost stormed out.

"He seemed grouchy," Ash commented.

"I know. Wonder why," Misty said. A loud cheer then came to both of their ears and they both turned to see Loki flying towards them with Pikachu and the other pokeballs in his arms.

"Hey guys," Ash said with a smile as they came up beside him.

"Are you feeling better?" Misty asked, and Loki nodded happily.

"Aye! Much better!" Loki replied.

"I feel so refreshed!" Pikachu said and grinned as Ash rubbed his head.

"Well that's good but Brock did bring up a good point. Rock isn't going to be easy to beat with Pikachu's attacks. Thunderbolt, Double Team and Quick Attack won't be that effective. I need to come up with a strategy," Ash said thoughtfully.

"You want to think? Don't hurt yourself," Loki teased which earned him a fist to the head by an angry Ash.

"Watch it cat!" he yelled.

"You two…honestly," Misty said with an eye roll.

"I'm going for a walk. See if I can come up with a strategy while I do," Ash said as he got up and walked out while Loki soothed his head while Misty and Pikachu laughed.

It was now quite late in the evening and Ash knew that he had to be ready for Brock tomorrow. He just wasn't sure about his strategy. He was a user of Rock Pokemon and he had no Pokemon that could counter those moves yet.

"Haven't got a clue on what to do have you?" the voice asked.

"Nope. Pretty stuck on this one right now. Do you have any suggestions?" Ash asked.

"Not really but you're supposed to be the smart one. Guess I was wrong," the voice said.

"Remind me again why I can't tell my friends about you?" Ash questioned.

"I told you, I already have you. I don't need any more losers around me, do I?" the voice asked.

"Well when you put it that way… I'm telling everyone sooner or later. After what happened in the forest, they've been asking about you," Ash answered.

No answer came, and it took a few seconds for Ash to realise why. He turned to see that Flint was approaching him.

"You still plan on challenging Brock tomorrow?" Flint asked.

"Of course. Why do you ask?" Ash asked.

"Brock is very talented. His skills can take him further than being the local gym leader," Flint said as they began to walk together.

"I see. Then why hasn't he?" Ash questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Flint was surprised at this question. Usually people who learned of this would back out of the challenge and find another gym. In fact, this trainer reminded him of someone he met years ago.

"He… has his reasons," Flint said carefully.

"Which are?" Ash asked, and Flint sighed.

"Brock has ten brothers and sisters to look after, which is why he can't leave," Flint explained.

"I see. Is there any reason why the parents aren't around?" Ash asked.

"Well… some say that the father left to be a Pokemon Trainer. The mother was so heartbroken that she left too," Flint answered sadly. Something finally clicked in Ash's brain at that line.

"So, he left to be a trainer? Now is that the excuse people give him or is it the excuse you're giving yourself for not being able to handle the role of a father?" Ash asked bluntly, causing Flint to freeze in his tracks.

"W-What are you talking about?" Flint asked as he pretended to be confused but Ash smirked.

"You can't lie to me Flint," Ash said as he scratched his nose slightly.

"I guess it's a bit of both. I failed to become a great trainer and I was too embarrassed to come back. I didn't think that they'd want a father like that," Flint admitted.

"You're still their father. They'd love you no matter what. As long as you are always there for them, then there is nothing to be ashamed about," Ash explained.

"You think?" Flint asked in shock. He had never cone across someone who was so mature for their age about this particular topic. It was a rare experience to say the least.

"I know!" Ash said as he put on his best smile as he tried to hide his anger at his own father.

"I guess you're right," Flint said as he scratched his head.

"Tell you what. If I win tomorrow, I want you to come to the gym to see Brock and tell him what you told me," Ash said as he started to walk off, much to Flint's astonishment. He watched the young trainer go as tried to find his words.

"But how did you know I was his father? And what if he doesn't want to see me?" Flint yelled.

"That's my secret Flint and believe me, you'll be surprised," Ash called as he held up a hand to signal goodbye. Unknown to him, Ash had just come up with the perfect strategy to win tomorrow.

A four-year-old Ash stood in the dark, clutching a small blanket. Tears streamed down his face and his eyes were clenched in fear as screams echoed around him. A dark silhouette loomed over him and its teeth were twisted into a scary smile.

"So pathetic. No one wants you, you'll give into darkness. You'll be all alone…" the voice hissed.

Ash's eyes shot open as his breath caught in his throat. Sweat trickled down his face as he felt the sheets stick to his body. His blood pounded in his ears and he placed his hand on his chest to feel his heart. It was almost coming out of his chest.

"Geez," Ash muttered as he sat up. He saw Loki and Pikachu curled up around the bottom of his bed. He gazed out the window at the night sky. To think that a ghost could be scared of the dark. Well, not scared per say but more afraid of what was in the dark.

He put his head back down on the pillow and clutched the sheets tighter to him. It was his only source of comfort right now. There was only one person who helped him sleep through his nightmares and that person wasn't here anymore.

The next morning, Ash had risen nice and early and was getting dressed in his room in the Pokemon centre. Like was still snoozing on the bed as usual with Pikachu who was also asleep. Ash looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you two going to sleep like that all day?" Ash asked.

"I'm not battling so I can sleep all day," Loki mumbled as he was lying flat on his face in the sheets. Pikachu stretched himself as he got ready and tried to get Loki up but to no avail. Ash then grinned with a glare in his eyes that startled Pikachu a little at first.

"Loki? You don't need, a little...fright to wake you up?" Ash asked, and Loki was up and, in the air, as quick as a thunderbolt.

"No sir!" he said quickly.

"What do you mean by that?" Pikachu asked.

"You know well enough that ghost related magic isn't exactly pleasant. It can be quite scary," Ash said, and Pikachu smirked at Loki's pouty face.

"I don't want your nightmares thank you," Loki said, and Ash scowled at that.

His nightmares had been getting worse lately but of course he wouldn't tell anyone. His mother would worry, Pikachu and Loki would continually ask, and he wasn't sure Misty would understand. Speaking of whom, she came through the door of his room as they had slept in separate rooms.

"So, are you ready for today?" Misty asked.

"Of course, we're all set and ready!" Ash replied.

"Do you want to borrow one of my water types? I know you'll be at a disadvantage out there," Misty said, and Ash raised an eyebrow as he pulled on his hat.

"No thanks, I'll be fine. Besides, types don't always determine the outcome of a battle you know," Ash said as Pikachu clambered onto his shoulder.

"Well, me and Loki will be cheering you on from the side lines," Misty said.

"Aw why do I have to be on the side lines?" Loki pouted.

"You're not taking part, that's why," Ash commented.

"Oh yeah? Well I'll race you there!" Loki yelled as he sprouted his wings and flew out the door.

"No fair, you have wings!" Pikachu shouted as he ran after the purple cat. Ash laughed as he ran after his friends too with Misty sweat dropping as she followed them.

So we have a little information about the jobs. I can give you some spoilers that Ash will take some that will reveal some new abilities and secrets. Who is that voice? Who will win? Will we see Brock's magic? Stay tuned for cupcakes and chapters. Bye for now!

-Star