Woo. An update. To answer questions, Eevee is a boy. I had started writing him as a girl and when i went through and re edited the last chapter I mistakenly changed his gender to a boy. I am too lazy to fix those mistakes, so sorry. I am thinking of veering off the path of following canon events, and doing my own thing while integrating certain events into the story. Anyways, as always leave me comments telling me who you want him to be paired with, what pokemon you would like him to catch, and decide on a legendary for him. I might even consider two if the reasons are good enough. I hope yall like this update. Enjoy!

Ash felt like he was floating. Or maybe falling would be a better way to describe it. Not that he could aptly judge however, because he was encompassed by black mist all around him.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Ash's voice was feeble, wobbling out into the darkened space before slowly fading.

Shivering, Ash curls himself into a small ball. While the ten year old was incredibly mature for his age, he always had a problem with isolation. Growing up Ash only had his mother. With no friends, due to Gary's negative influence, Ash always felt a constant ache in his chest. While all that went away with the meeting of the then Pichu, Ash slowly felt himself grow happy again. Now though, is this black abyss, Ash felt the same ache growing inside of him again.

Ash didn't know how long he floated there. It could have been minutes or days, but a light slowly began illuminating in the distance. Shielding his eyes, Ash is overcome by a blinding flash of blue.

"Hello young Chosen." A gentile voice echoes off the dark matter of the area they are trapped in.

Slowly opening amber eyes, Ash is surprised to see a white and yellow equine Pokemon.

An awed gasps escapes pink parted lips. "Arceus."

"Yes, Chosen. It is I."

Left breathless at the sheer amount of power exuding from the mythical pokemon, Ash gaps slightly.

"But… What? Why?"

Arceus gazes softly at the stunned human at its feet.

"You died."

The words are blunt, cutting straight through Ash's reverence and rendering him to shock. "What?" Ash croaks.

Taking pity on the young human, Arceus gently nuzzles the small chest.

"It is okay Ash, I revived you."

"What happened?"

Arceus makes a slight humming noise. "When you fell into the pit, you took the brunt of the fall. With the combined weight of your Pokemon landing on top of you it was enough for you rib to snap, the broken end piercing your lung. Officer Jenny was not able to get you to the hospital in time, causing your lungs to fill with blood. You choked to death."

Tears, that had began welling up at the start of Arceus' story, are fluidly making their way down scarred cheeks. "I don't remember any of this."

"No, I took the memories and pain away from you. While mature for your age, there are some things no child should have to endure."

Nodding absently to the Original Ones words, Ash begins fretting. He was leaving so many people he loved behind. Pikachu, his mother, Charmander, Eevee. They would be so devastated he was gone.

"Will they be okay?"

Tilting its head to the side, Arceus observes the weeping boy.

"Do you not wish to know what will happen to you now instead?"

Ash vehemently shakes his head. "No. I'm already dead. All of them, they have to go on living."

Arceus can feel itself begin to chuckle. "I can understand why you have been Chosen."

"What do you mean?" Ash questions as he wipes the tears from his eyes.

"You have been Chosen by a prophecy. While I cannot divulge the details to you at this time, I now understand why the Fates chose you."

"But I'm dead. I can't do anything."

"Ah, but young Ash. If you agree to certain conditions, I will restore your life force."

Amber eyes narrow. His mother taught him that things were rarely ever given. That they always came with a cost. "What conditions?"

Laughing at the suspicion of the boy, Arceus explains itself. "The first condition is that you train your aura. At its current level it is too weak to even light a candle. In a few years' time I wish for it to have the power to level a mountain."

"What is aura?"

"Aura is a force that can be found in any living creature. Every thing that exists has its own aura. Certain Pokemon can use aura naturally such as Lucario and Riolu. While every human has the ability to learn at least some form of aura, such as the human psychic Sabrina, the stress and pressure of their abilities often leave them mentally damaged in some way. You have already unlocked a small portion of aura, leading to your ability to understand Pokemon, as well as your eidetic memory. You Ash are a direct descendant of Sir Aron. He was the greatest aura user of any human before or after him. What I offer you is to impart the full usage of aura into your mind. However, because the immense strain this would put on you I am basically going to lock away the information. You will receive the most basic forms of information regarding aura, and until you master it no knew information may be unlocked."

Ash, who sat patiently through Arceus' speech, nods in understanding. "Okay, I think I can handle that. What are the other conditions?"

"You will agree to help the Legendary Pokemon whenever they may need it. While most are doing okay in their respective positions, certain events or people will disrupt their duties and cause a natural disturbance. It will be your job to help the Legendary rectify these happenings."

Ash nods, gesturing Arceus to continue.

"The final condition is simple. I want you to continue taking care of your Pokemon to the best of your abilities. As well as freeing any Pokemon that you believe is being abused."

"I can agree to all three of your conditions. I accept your proposal." Ash tells the Creator seriously.

"Are you sure you can handle this?"

"Yes."

"Very well then. I will send you back to right after you enter the hospital. I will fix the damage done to you. By the time you awake, you will be ready to discharge and resume your journey."

Ash feels a wave of relief crash through him. "Thank you Arceus."

"You are welcome Ash."

Gathering its power, Arceus watches as Ash leaves the distended state, returning to the world of the living.

"Do me proud."

Squirtle sits diligently beside the young trainer's bed. It has been a week since Ash has entered his coma, and Squirtle feels increasingly guilty. All the pranks he and the rest of the Squirtle Squad had played were just a retaliation for the hurt the abandonment of their trainers caused. They had only wanted to show the humans that they were there.

After the accident, Officer Jenny had threatened with turning the Squirtle Squad into the League. This would send Pokemon Rangers after them in full force, forcing them into areas were volatile pokemon were kept. They never wanted any of that.

A day after Ash was admitted into the hospital a fire had broken out in town. The Squirtle Squad, feeling guilty over their actions as well as wanting to prove to Officer Jenny that they could change, had easily and effectively put out the fire. Because of their efforts, the town had given them an award and promoted them to the town firefighters. All of the Squirtles had instantly taken to the job. All except him. Squirtle felt guilty over what had happened with Ash, that guilt only growing with each day he spent in a coma.

Squirtle vowed to spend the rest of his life making it up to Ash.

Glancing over to Charmander, Eevee and Pikachu, who had fallen asleep at various places next to Ash, Squirtle could only hope the three could forgive him too.

Bulbasaur sits quietly next to Melanie, taking in the sight of all the Pokemon running around their small clearing. Ever since he had met that trainer, Bulbasaur has felt something growing in him. He regretted every day not going with Ash. Felt it deep in his gut that he had made the wrong decision. But he couldn't leave Melanie and the rest of the pokemon here. They needed a protector.

"Bulbasaur."

Bulbasaur moves his eyes up to the bluenette's face.

"These past couple of weeks I have noticed a change in you. You are not the same."

"Bulba?" Bulbasaur questions the young woman, not that she would know what he was saying.

"Your heart isn't here anymore." Melanie eyes the small plant pokemon seriously. "Though I agree with whatever caused this change of heart. The pokemon here were only supposed to stay until they grew strong enough to leave. Now they feel too safe here. I think, Bulbasaur that you need to follow your change of heart. I can take care of our small home, but you deserve to go out and explore the world. You deserve the chance to live your own life and follow your own dreams. And if you ever want to visit, we will always be here to welcome you."

Bulbasaur's eyes fill with tears. He had felt so guilty over wanting to leave, expecting the woman he came to about to hate him. But she was giving him her permission and blessing.

Standing up, Bulbasaur nods his head resolutely. Sending out his vines to encompass the woman in a soft hug, Bulbasaur begins to make his way out of the forest and towards where his heart was telling him Ash was. He didn't know how long it would take him, but he swore to himself that Ash would be his trainer.

Opening his eyes was painful for Ash. The light shining through the window was too bright and his head was pounding. Slowly blinking, Ash was mystified to see a Squirtle staring at him. Looking around, he located his other pokemon curled in a ball together at his feet, he eyes quickly lands back on the water pokemon.

"Hello?"

"Hi Ash."

"I don't mean to seem rude, but who are you?"

"I am one of the Squirtles that planted that hole you fell into. But if I would have known it could have seriously hurt someone I would never have dug it." Squirtle quickly explains himself, before sighing in anger. Ash wouldn't even understand what he was saying.

"Ah, so it was you. I was curious on what that hole was doing out there."

Feeling his eyes go wide, the water type gasps. "You can understand me?"

Ash nods, flinching slightly when the movement causes his headache to increase. "Yes, it is gift I have."

Shifting in his seat, Squirtle carefully crawls onto the white hospital bed.

Placing a tiny hand against the scarred tan cheek of his, hopefully, future trainer Squirtle speaks. "I wish to become your pokemon. I know I do not deserve it, because I am the reason you got hurt in the first place, but I want to start making it up to you."

Amber eyes gaze thoughtfully at the small turtle. "It is okay Squirtle, I forgive you. You do not need to become my pokemon if it is not something you truly wish for."

Heart squeezing when the tan boy said 'I forgive you', Squirtle felt emotion well in his chest. Most trainers would take whatever pokemon they wanted, regardless of if the pokemon wanted to be caught or not. Having Ash forgive him for not only landing him in the hospital but also turn down his offer of capture if it was not something he truly wanted hit a cord with the small turtle.

"It is something I truly want."

Ash nods. Then I will capture you after I get released and all of my stuff back.

Nodding and beaming, Squirtle hurries to find a doctor who can release Ash.

"We're lost. Aren't we?" Pikachu questions exasperated.

"Not lost. Just… misplaced. Yes, misplaced."

"Blah." Ash sticks his tongue out at Pikachu, much to the amusement of his other pokemon.

"I can smell salt water, if it is any consolidation." Squirtle spoke up.

After Ash had woke up from his coma, Squirtle had found a doctor who could discharge him. When the doctor walked in, it had caused his other three pokemon to wake up also. Clobbering their trainer and friend, the three pokemon did not stop their inspections until they were sure that Ash was awake and still alive. While they had initially been miffed at Squirtle, Eevee threating bodily harm in his usual extravagant manner, the three had come to accept Squirtle as part of the group.

Ash had also remembered his dream of Arceus and what the Creation pokemon had told him. After this discovery, Ash began slowly working on his aura, putting his full concentration into being able to read emotions; the most simple aura ability. This is what caused the group to become lost in the forest.

"That is actually good. If we head towards the water, we might be able to find someone who can tell us where this dummy got us lost at."

"Be careful about who you call a dummy Charmander, or else I might add more weight to your ankle bracelets." Ash says teasingly.

This causes Charmander to gulp and look down at the black bracelets adoring his tiny legs. Ever since Ash had restarted his journey, he had Pikachu and Eevee teach him and Squirtle everything they had learned so far. And while Ash could be a slave driver, he never pushed them too hard. Though the past week Squirtle and Charmander had already leveled drastically.

"I was just kidding, Ash. Jeesh."

Making a humming noise, Ash waggles his finger in the fire type's direction.

Following Squirtle, the group exited the forest and emerged onto a beautiful sandy beach.

"Hey Ash, isn't that Bill's lighthouse?"

Following the direction of Pikachu's finger, Ash sees an old lighthouse perched on top of a cliff. While he and Pikachu had only seen the lighthouse in pictures, the two had talked to Bill on several occasions when he called Professor Oak.

"It is! Yay! We're saved!"

Eevee, exasperated at his trainer's enthusiasm, gently nibbles on Ash's ear from his position on his shoulder. "Well then, what are you waiting for?"

Beaming at his four pokemon, Ash begins running towards the old lighthouse, and hopefully a warm bed.