9,535 words. Can we just take a moment and appreciate that? I hope ya'll like it. I've spent the past couple of days writing and then going over it so that it would be good enough for my amazing readers. ;)
DISCLAIMER: I IN NO WAY MAKE MONEY OFF OR THIS OR OWN THE POKEMON FRANCHISE!
Anime tears. Big, fat, gigantic anime tears were spewing from the corners of Gengar's eyes. Why? Why! Why did he have to choose such a sadistic trainer?!
"Come on Gengar! All you have to do is beat your fastest time and then you can take a break!"
"Easy-" Gengar wheezes, struggling to breath, "For you to say!"
Sighing, Ash looks down at the small stop watch resting in his palm. "Gengar. The area is only two hundred meters. Everyone else finished theirs in only twenty seconds. You are struggling to make it in forty-six."
"But I also have weights on! Weights!" The ghost pokemon continues to complain as his stumpy legs begin shaking with over-exertion.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, amber eyes glare at the purple pokemon. "And I told you to fly instead of run! But you decided not to listen to me!"
Stopping to catch his breath, Gengar greedily sucks in the oxygen around him. He knew Ash repeatedly told him to fly instead of run, but the way the other pokemon were looking at him made him want to push himself harder. They were all so strong, running with their heavier weights in a faster time than Gengar could manage. It hurt his pride. Back at the Tower he was used to being the strongest, the best. He was the only fully evolved pokemon there.
'And now,' Gengar bemoans silently, 'now I can barely keep up with only fifteen pounds strapped around me.'
Moving from his spot against a Pecha Berry Tree Ash makes his way across the small clearing until he is kneeling in front of the depressed pokemon, unmindful of the dirt staining his jeans.
Stroking the ghost type gently behind the ear, Ash pours some of his aura into the newest member of his team until he calms down.
"It is not fair to compare yourself to the others, they have been with me longer and have had time to get used to this type of training. It is only your third day. I have faith in you that you will get better. You just have to have faith in yourself. Now," Ash beams, dimples showing, "Why don't you show me those huge muscles you were bragging about!"
Crimson eyes glow in new found determination. If Ash believed he could do it, then by Giratina he would!
Mewtwo effortlessly tosses aside a challenger's Raticate. Was this his life? Was this what his entire existence was going to amount to? Remaining stationary and battling weaker pokemon?
Tilting his head, Mewtwo contemplates. Maybe he was stronger because he was a clone? Because he was created? And what was that mysterious energy he felt spiking every now and then? He knew it was coming from the northeast, but that was all he was able to discern so far.
"Mewtwo, let us take our leave."
Amethyst colored eyes flicker towards the orange clad man. His partner. He would ponder these questions another day.
Jumping up and down in elation, Ash gesticulates his arms wildly.
"Good job Gengar! You did it!"
Beaming in pride Gengar flexes his, admittedly weak, muscles. "Oh yeah baby! You know it!
Eevee, who was cheering the ghost type along while the other pokemon trained, jumps into the stubby arms of the ghost type.
"Yay! I am so proud of you brother! Now you can show all those pokemon who is the meanest of them all!"
Twirling the silver colored fox around in a circle, Gengar's crimson eyes sparkle with happiness. He had managed to beat his time! And by a complete six minutes!
"I told you you could do it!" Ash wraps his skinny arms around the laughing duo. "Now we just need to work on giving you a bigger move pool. I was thinking we could start learning Thunderbolt and Shadow Claw by the time we head for Saffron City."
Eevee licks his newest brother on the cheek, ignoring the whine Gengar let out. "I am sure Pikachu will help you with Thunderbolt."
Gengar shivers. He felt like the yellow mouse still had it in for him. Maybe he would show how harmless he was with a few pranks.
Sabra stands between two towering Elm trees silently watching the young pokemon trainer make his way through the woods, towards her city, with his pokemon. Tossing her ball gently between her pale hands, Sabra ponders the best way to approach this trainer. He was traveling with all of his pokemon out, which gave the small doll the perfect opportunity to see which ones he had. And luckily for him, and her, the young Aura Guardian has a Gengar.
Normally she would have approached the young trainer, but with the ghost type by his side she could not risk it.
Sighing sadly Sabra pouts cutely down at her ball, her gigantic hat casting a shadow over her eyes. She would just have to wait to officially meet her Sabrina's future friend when he arrives at the gym.
Giggling, Sabra casts one last look before turning around and running off into the forest.
Finally entering Saffron City, amazed amber eyes gaze around at all the buildings.
"Wow, have you guys ever seen anything like it?"
Pikachu, who was resting on his usual spot on Ash's shoulder, shakes his head in awe. "No Pikapi. Look at all the buildings! They are so tall!"
Giggling, Eevee nuzzles his soft head against Ash's chest. "I was only just hatched when Professor Oak gave me to you. I have never seen anything like it either. I bet there is so many places to visit and see!"
Smirking mischievously, Gengar dances a jig from his spot floating above his trainer's hat-clad head. "I usually stuck near the Tower, but there is a lot of people to prank here! They never stood a chance against the awesomeness that was my pranks!"
Ebony eyes glare at the floating ghost type. "Don't think Charmeleon or I have forgiven you yet for tricking us into eating rocks. Wartortle hasn't forgotten about the Beedrill incident either."
Snickering, Gengar flashes the yellow mouse an innocent smile, ignoring the eye rolls from Eevee and Ash. Over the past week the team had learned that Gengar loved pranks. He disguised two rocks to look like Oran berries, which he then gave to Pikachu and Charmeleon. The two pokemon were baffled at the show of generosity but still attempted to eat the berries which ended in sore teeth and Gengar on the receiving end of a dual action Thunderbolt and Flamethrower.
Wartortle was another unfortunate victim of the sneaky ghost type. Gengar had tricked the water pokemon into going into a Beedrill nest to get honey, only to be attacked by the hidden angered bug types when they realized what was happening. It finally took several powerful Flamethrowers to get the agitated pokemon to retreat.
Bulbasaur got off mildy compared to the rest. He woke up floating in the middle of the small lake on nothing more than a tiny plank that was barely keeping him afloat.
Not that those were the only pranks Gengar pulled, but they were the most memorable ones. The only people that didn't get pranked was Eevee and Ash. Ash, the pokemon assumed, because he was their trainer and would not be scared to make Gengar run extra laps, and Eevee because the small silver fox spent a lot of time with the purple pokemon.
"It's not my fault you guys made it so easy!" Gengar smirks. He might be the weakest physically on the team but that didn't mean he wasn't the sneakiest.
Ash, wanting to stop the argument before it could become a full blown fight, points towards the oddly shaped gym. "Look guys! It is the Saffron City Gym! If we beat Sabrina then we can get a Marsh Badge!"
"But who are you going to use to battle? I know you have it between me, Eevee and Gengar but you haven't chosen one of us yet." Pikachu questions his longtime friend.
Stroking Eevee's long ears, Ash contemplates. "Well, you are the strongest on my team, so you could try to take her pokemon out with sheer power, but with the way Professor Oak was talking about the Gym Leaders I don't know if that would even work. Eevee has had training with Bill's Alakazam and knows some dark type moves that could be helpful, the only problem is Eevee lost all his battles against Alakazam because of teleport and only just started landing hits right before we left. Gengar would be the obvious choice because of his type along with the fact he can disappear and reappear at will, but he doesn't have the training the rest of you have. So I guess which one of you wants to battle her?"
Hurriedly cutting in before the other two could, Gengar quickly blurts out, "I want to battle her! The others have had the chance to prove how strong they are, now it is my turn! Plus like you said I have a type advantage."
Reaching out to grab one of Gengar's small hands Ash opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted.
"If you are trying to enter the Pokemon League young man, this is one Gym I suggest you stay away from."
Turning on his heel, Ash comes face to face with a bearded older man. "What is that supposed to mean?" Ash demands. He hates when people suggest his pokemon are weak. He knows that most trainers his age don't really bother to train their pokemon thus resulting in them doing poorly in battle, but it makes him so angry when people just assume all young trainers are like that! Even Eevee is slightly growling, Pikachu's cheeks are sparking, and Gengar is glowering at the jogging male.
"Sabrina is known to be tough. You are just better off going to one of the non-major gyms to get a badge." The man says nonchalantly. He didn't want to see another young trainer hurt. His daughter has lost herself. She was ruthless and cruel. And this seems like such a nice young kid.
"Well, just because I am young doesn't mean I am weak. I have trained my pokemon to the very best of my abilities and they are strong because of that."
The man's shadowed eyes glance over his three pokemon. "Your pokemon are not even in their pokeballs young man."
Silently hissing, amber eyes spit venom at the older man. "That doesn't mean anything. I like to keep them out and they like it too. Just wait, I will get the Marsh Badge and you will see!"
Grimacing, the man turns and begins jogging away. Gengar, in revenge for the way the man talked about his trainer and his new brothers, used his ghost type abilities to trip the man, snickering when the embarrassed male falls on his face. Quickly standing and dusting himself off, he resumes his jogging, but before he is out of sight he calls over his shoulder, "We'll see kid. We will see."
Glaring as he watches the man jog away Ash turns back towards the Gym and begins to angrily stomp his way towards the glass doors, muttering under his breath.
Eevee, Gengar, and Pikachu exchange looks. They have never seen Ash that mad before. Not even Pikachu.
"It's okay Pikapi. We will show him." His other two pokemon nod their heads in agreement.
"We have to challenge Sabrina. We have to have a Marsh Badge in order to enter the Pokemon League." Entering through the doors, Ash glances around at the orange walls, noting the distinct lack of people.
"Hello?" Ash calls out. "Is anyone here?"
Not getting a reply, the blackette shrugs his shoulders, careful of Pikachu, and begins making his way down one of the twisting passage ways. After a couple minutes of walking the four happen upon a door. Peeking through the small glance window, Ash cocks an eyebrow when he notices people going through a variety of physic tricks.
"Kid! What are you doing here?"
Letting out a surprised gasp, Ash turns towards the heavily accented voice. A man with long brown hair pulled back into a pony tail, and oddly enough a medical mask covering his face, is standing in front of him.
"We've come to ask for a pokemon match so that we could try to earn a Marsh Badge."
Scowling at the young cocky trainer, Fraisher begins his tirade. "You want to challenge the great Sabrina?" Glaring when the trainer and his pokemon nod, Fraisher pulls a spoon from his white lab coat and begins to concentrate his minimal psychic powers on it. Feeling them sluggishly work towards bending the spoon, Fraisher sighs in relief when it bends slightly. Flushed, but proud, the brunette holds the spoon out. "You cannot control a psychic type pokemon without having telekinetic powers!"
Humming, Ash plucks the spoon from the man's fingers. "That's what you think." Calming his mind, Ash manipulates his aura to bend the spoon in half.
"WHAT?!" Fraisher bellows, grabbing the kid by his jacket and roughly shaking him. "How could you, a kid, manage what I couldn't?! What type of psychic powers do you have?!"
Pikachu, not liking how the man was roughly handling his friend, sends a Thundershock towards the brunette, watching in satisfaction when he lets go and momentarily drops to the floor.
"I would appreciate if you did not grab me again. My pokemon are very protective." Ash states, soothingly petting Eevee who had been shaken up. "And it wasn't physic powers, if you must know."
Fraisher, who had picked himself up, sneers down at the kid. "Then what was it?"
"My secret." Ash smirks. "Now, please take me to Sabrina so that I can have a match."
"Very well." Fraisher states. Sabrina will wipe the floor with a kid like this.
Leading the young trainer and his pokemon through the winding halls of the Gym, he pushes open a set of double doors leading to the battling arena.
The gym room had the classical field, but there was torches sitting at either side of a shielded spot at the end of the field.
Walking up towards the steps, Fraisher kneels down. "Sabrina, this trainer wishes to battle you. Though I do not know why you would waste your time with such a loser." He begins to cackle, surely Sabrina would see how great he was and how much he cared for her after saying this.
Ash watches as a light goes on, illuminating the small sectioned off room. A small girl dressed in a white and pink dress with a matching hat is shown through the blinds. The girl's eyes begin glowing blue as she captures the man in her psychic powers.
"Please," Fraisher croaks, struggling to breath. "Forgive me. It is not my place to decide who can battle you, Great One."
Screaming in fright, Fraisher scrambles from the room when Sabrina releases her hold on him.
Watching as the man runs from the run, and deciding it wasn't worth it, Ash turns back towards Sabrina. "Sabrina, my name is Ash Ketchum and I request an official match from you."
Giggling bounces off the walls. "I accept your challenge but," the high pitched girlish voices demands, "if you lose then you have to be my friend and let me play with you."
Sabrina glances down curiously at Sabra. While Sabra has made such demands in the past, it is usually given to other girls. Sabra loves playing dress up and dolls. Though Sabrina could not find it too odd, her emotions must be bouncing off of her and towards Sabra. The small doll could have felt her anger at the idiot who insulted the Aura Guardian. While she didn't know how she would react towards him, she did not suspect such protectiveness.
"Be your friend?" Ash muses. His aura was telling him something was off about the little girl, he just doesn't know what. "Of course I will be your friend." While he does not know why his aura is acting all funky, if a small child was requesting for him to be her friend, he could not refuse.
The shades raise quickly and it is shown that the small girl is sitting on someone's lap. The older girl has deep blue eyes and dark green hair and was wearing a strange red dress with huge gold buttons. "So… the battle begins."
Using her psychic powers to lift herself from her chair, Sabrina floats onto the field, holding Sabra in her arms. Coming into the light, Sabrina finally has a clear view of the other.
He was about 4'6, with amber eyes and his spiky black hair is covered with an official league pokemon hat. His slim body was clothed in slightly baggy jeans and a black t-shirt with a cut off jacket over it, his tennis shoes are just beginning to show their continuous wear. His tanned skin highlights the scars on his cheeks. A Pikachu is resting on his shoulder and a shiny Eevee is held securely in his arms.
"One on one, and all out match, agreed?" Sabrina states, coming out of her evaluation of the young Guardian.
Ash nods in agreement, ignoring the way his aura kept tugging at him. "Agreed."
Slightly dipping her head, Sabrina allows Sabra to use their psychic powers to gently drop her pokeball onto the ground. "Go, Abra."
"An Abra, huh? Go Gengar."
Gengar, who had previously been invisible, appears in front of Abra on the field. "Are you ready to lose to the awesomeness that is me?!"Gengar boasts extravagantly before sweat dropping when he notices Abra is asleep. "What?! Are you seriously asleep right now?"
Growling angrily Gengar sends a Thunderbolt towards the psychic pokemon.
Sabrina, who was surprised at the ghost type's appearance, uses her powers to wake Abra, causing both of their eyes to glow red.
Abra, waking up, teleports away from the attack and appears on the other side of the field.
Gengar watches as the Abra evolves into a Kadabra. Well, that was some type of luck. If it would have stayed an Abra it could have been an easy win because the Abra might have stayed asleep during their attacks and thus a sitting Psyduck.
"Congratulations Sabrina." Ash tells the Gym Leader. It was always exciting when one of your pokemon got stronger.
Sabra giggles, he was so polite! "Thank you Ashy."
Sweat dropping, Ash shakes himself off. At least she didn't say 'Ashy-boy.' Stupid Gary Oak.
"Gengar, Mean Look!" Ash shouts, hopefully this plan will work.
Gengar nods in understanding, he thinks he knows where Ash is going with this. Using Mean Look on Kadabra, Gengar is pleased when it lands successfully.
"Now, quick Gengar! Night Shade!"
"Kadabra, teleport." Sabrina orders emotionlessly, but gasps in surprise when it doesn't work. "What? How?"
"Mean Look is used to prevent pokemon from leaving battle or being switched out, I figured if I used it on Kadabra it would prevent him from using Teleport."
Feeling her powers flare in rage, Sabrina gives this battle her full attention. Obviously this aura user was not like most rookie trainers, and because of her assumptions Kadabra was badly hurt from the direct attack.
"Recover."
Kadabra heals himself, leaving behind no trace of the super effective attack. At least she has that move to fall back on.
"Gengar, don't let that trip you up, Will-O-Wisp!"
"Kadabra, dodge it!"
Kadabra just barely makes it out of the way, though he could swear he could feel the heat from the attack. "Now Kadabra, Psychic!"
"Dodge it! And then counter with Sucker Punch!"
Nimbly dodging away, Gengar appears behind Kadabra, punching the pokemon in the side and sending him flying.
Scowling when Kadabra harshly hits the wall, Sabrina again has to calm down her powers. "Kadabra, Recover and then use Confusion!"
Gengar, captured by the Confusion, is thrown repeatedly against the ceiling and floor, his body hitting hard each time.
"Hang in there Gengar, Dark Pulse!" Ash shouts, his grip on Eevee tightening enough for the small silver pokemon to wiggle from his arms and join Pikachu on his other shoulder.
Gasping in pain, Gengar sends out the dark type attack, sighing in relief when it hits causing the other pokemon to release his attack.
"Recover. Use Double Team and follow it up with Psybeam."
"Gengar, Dark Pulse again! If we can't pick the right one then we will just have to hit them all!"
Gengar nods, sending out his attack. However, both attacks clash in mid air causing them to explode.
Sabrina and Ash both wait for the smoke to clear. Kadabra and Gengar are both bruised and breathing heavy.
"Recover."
"Disable!" Ash calls desperately. Gengar wouldn't last if Sabrina kept recovering her pokemon.
Feeling her heart race from the thrill of the battle, Sabrina can feel a grin twitching onto her lips. She feels so engaged. All their attacks keep bouncing of each other. Kadabra and Gengar are evenly matched. And Kadabra can't use Recover anymore. There is a chance she could lose this. She hasn't lost to a trainer in a long time.
Their battle wages on, the field slowly being destroyed from the force of their attacks. She would definitely need to repair it after this battle.
"Kadabra, Psybeam!"
Gengar, slowed from their battling, gets hit directly. If he was any other type, he would have fainted. Still, the attack sent him crashing into the ground.
"Get up Gengar! I have faith in you!"
Hearing his trainer's voice, Gengar weakly pushes himself up until he is standing. His head is spinning. He can't last another attack. Kadabra would win if he can't end this soon.
"You are getting too weak. We need to finish this quick. Shadow Ball now!" Ash knows Gengar doesn't have the stamina and endurance to last much longer. He hopes an all-out offensive strike would be what it takes to win this.
Releasing the dark ball of energy, Gengar scowls when Kadabra dodges. "Now! Dark Pulse, and don't let up!"
Kadabra gasps in pain from the continuous super effective attack. He is too tired to move. With Recover being disabled and Teleport off the table for now, he is screwed.
"Finish it up now! Shadow Claw!"
Charging towards the weakened psychic type, Gengar lands a direct hit causing the other to feint.
Sabrina stands frozen. Her Kadabra. Her strongest pokemon. Defeated.
Gengar slumps slightly in relief before regaining some of his energy and begins dancing around the field and pulling weird faces. He thought he was going to lose for sure. He was so grateful he was able to prove himself in front of Ash.
Sabra feels her eyes welling up in tears, before they begin streaking down her porcelain face. "Now you won't be my friend or play with me."
Ash, who had frozen mid-hug with Gengar, looks at the crying little girl. "Just because I won doesn't mean I won't be your friend, silly."
Sniffling, Sabra eyes the other wearily. She just needs to play her cards right. "Really?"
"Yes," the petite trainer beams. "Of course."
Using Sabrina's powers, the small doll floats from her stunned master towards the ebony haired aura user. "And you will be Sabrina's friend too?"
Amber eyes glance from the little girl and gaze into the stunned ones of the Saffron Gym Leader. There was something about the other. Something his aura was pulling him towards. It wants them to be friends, or at least get to know each other. "I would love to be friends with Sabrina."
Sabrina, who has shaken off her shock, returns Kadabra to his pokeball before glaring at the petite trainer. "And why would someone like you want to be friends with me?" Even though her psychic powers are angry with her rudeness towards the other, Sabrina has to know. No one ever wanted to be her friend. They always wanted something from her.
"I don't know." Ash says honestly. "I just know something is pulling me towards you. I want to get to know you."
Clenching and unclenching her fists, Sabrina's blue eyes begin to fill with tears, the same way Sabra's did just moments earlier.
"It is just your aura that is saying that. If it wasn't for your aura you would have already gotten your badge and left ages ago."
Cocking his head in confusion, beautiful amber eyes gaze at the psychic user in bafflement. "How did you know I can control aura? And why would it have any effect on me wanting to be your friend?"
Using her powers to summon Sabra back to her, the Gym Leader presses the small doll possessively towards her chest. Sabra was her only comfort right now. "Because long ago when Aura Guardians and Natural Psychics roamed the Earth, Arceus made it to where the two would always be natural allies, scared of the destruction they would cause if they were enemies. It is only that reason why you want to be my friend. Nothing else."
Taking in her words, and filtering it through his lessons, Ash shakes his head. "Exactly. They were natural allies. Allies. That didn't mean they had to be friends. They just had to get along well enough not to fight. I want to be your friend Sabrina because you seem lonely. I know what it feels like to be lonely. I never had any friends growing up until I met Pikachu. He was my only friend, and while I am gaining new friends and family in the form of pokemon, I still do not have any human friends. I grew up an introvert and an outcast and now I suffer from social anxiety. But you make my aura calm. I know I can trust you. Just like you can trust me. We can be each other's first friends. What do you say?"
Seeing the genuine truth is Ash's eyes, and feeling his aura that projected nothing but honesty, Sabrina felt herself truly smile and be happy for her first time in a long time. "I would love that."
Sabra grins sweetly. Her work in this realm is done. Using what was left of her life force, Sabra gives Sabrina one last hug before she fades away, joining the others that were waiting for her.
"Wait, so you mean to tell me you actually had your mom turned into a doll and sitting in your doll house?" Ash exclaims flabbergasted.
Blushing bashfully, Sabrina scratches the back of her head; a habit she is sure she got from Ash. "Yes. But I released her and everybody else! No hard feelings either!"
Laughing uproariously, Ash hits his fist against his leg in mirth. "Oh my Arceus Sabrina! You were something else!" Regaining his composure, Ash reaches across the table, being mindful of the tea cup in her hand, and ruffles his new friend's deep green hair. "At least your mom and dad are back together and happy."
Blue eyes softening, the psychic nods happily. "Yes, and they want to be a family. Now that I'm not drowning in my powers anymore I can finally start being a good daughter to them."
"You were always the apple of their eyes. Now you can finally see it."
Sabrina smiles gently at Ash. The Aura Guardian has been staying with Sabrina for almost two weeks now. The two were becoming something similar to brother and sister. They were able to use their powers to show each other memories from their pasts. Their pokemon got along too. Surprisingly Kadabra, Gengar, Eevee and Pikachu were thick as thieves. The four could always be spotted playing with each other or training. Gengar even got the three to help him in his pranks on the poor unsuspecting towns' people.
And while at first Ash was leery around Rick and Amanda, Sabrina's parents, he slowly started opening up to them too. That was after Rick apologized and thanked him profusely for giving him his little girl back.
"It is really cool how you have this pokemon playground here in the gym. I would never have thought it." Ash comments, looking over at Charmeleon, Bulbasaur and Wartortle playing on the toys. It was nice to see them so relaxed.
"Sabra had insisted on it. She always said I might need it for when I make more pokemon friends." Sabrina reminisces.
"Well, my pokemon seem to love it." Ash beams.
"Speaking of pokemon, where is your egg?" The Saffron Gym Leader questions.
"I left it with Nurse Joy this morning. She is giving it a full evaluation. She said I could pick it back up later tonight."
The green haired girls hums slightly, before turning back towards Ash with her eyes gleaming. "Well, while we wait to go pick it up, what do you say we practice with your aura some more?"
Ash groans. Two weeks. Two weeks he has been with Sabrina and every day she was pushing him towards his breaking point with their training. Though he couldn't complain. He was making leaps and bounds now that he has Sabrina's help. They had even begun being able to communicate telepathically; something they were both excited about because it meant they could keep in touch even when Ash returns to his journey. They wouldn't have to wait till he finds a phone to call with.
Amber eyes watch Sabrina's gym battle with awe. Ever since all of their pokemon began training with each other Kadabra has really improved his speed and endurance. With Gengar being able to disable both Recover and Teleport it had made the psychic type really have to think on its' feet. And the way Sabrina was expertly handling a challenger's Haunter really showed that.
"Haunter is unable to battle, Kadabra wins." Ash calls out. Pikachu, who was sitting on his shoulder, lets out a cry of happiness before running onto the field and tackling the larger pokemon.
Rolling his eyes in perfect synch with Sabrina, Ash walks over to check over the burnt yellow pokemon while Sabrina consults with the trainer.
Stroking the light blue shell of his egg, Ash hums in delight when he feels the small push against his hand when he sends some of his aura into the egg. The egg was close to hatching. Nurse Joy said it would probably only be a few more days. Ash was excited. He couldn't wait to see the newest member of his family.
Besides practicing his aura with Sabrina, and letting his pokemon bond and have time to just have fun, Ash was waiting on the egg to hatch before he begins his journey again. He knew the unborn baby would feel most comfortable if it hatched somewhere that he, Ash, found safe. And what safer place than Sabrina's gym? It was also an added plus that the baby would have the chance to meet Sabrina. The older girl was like a sister to him after all these weeks, plus their memory sharing made it seem like they had known each other all their lives.
"Don't worry little one. When you finally decide to come out you will have so many family members willing to protect you, you will never have to worry about coming to harm."
Feeling another warm pulse against his palm at those words, Ash flashes his dimples down at the egg.
It was on the third day of his fifth week that the egg began hatching. Sabrina, Kadabra, Ash, Pikachu, Eevee, Gengar, Charmeleon, Wartortle, and Bulbasaur were all gathered around the large egg.
"Come on, you are almost there." Pikachu urges the baby. Small cracks and light was shinning through, leaving all the pokemon restless and excited.
"Once you hatch you I will show you all sorts of cool moves and help you get super strong."
"Charmeleon," Wartortle admonishes. "It will only still be just a hatchling."
"So? That doesn't mean I can't start teaching my new littlest family member early." Charmeleon states, scowling lightly at the water type.
"You two better stop before this turns into a fight. Our newest sibling is about to be born, they don't need to come into the world hearing you two bickering." Bulbasaur states, breaking up the fight before it could even start.
"Ever the peace keeper." Eevee says giggling.
"You know how these two are. They love riling each other up." Bulbasaur exclaims before shrugging.
"Hey now. We are not that bad." Wartortle pouts.
"The key word in that sentence being 'that'." Pikachu, who was listening in, snickers.
"Shh you guys. The egg is almost done hatching."
Shutting up at Kadabra's words, the group turn their attention back to the almost hatched egg.
Shielding their eyes when the light got too bright to look at, the group finally got the chance to see their new member.
"A Dratini?" Sabrina gasps. "You are lucky Ash."
The six foot long blue snake-like pokemon only cutely tilts her winged head to the side.
Misty Waterflower punches a smug looking Gary Oak over the back of his head. "What did I say about acting like such a stuck up snob?" Misty screeches.
She had started traveling with Gary at this beginning of his journey a few months ago. The egotistical brunette had completely ruined her bike while he was training with his Squirtle, and while Misty adored water type pokemon, that bike was the only thing she had ever earned herself with her own money. And that this smug little brat refused to pay for it to be fixed, it irked her. Especially when he was traveling around in a sports car with a crap ton of cheerleaders. He obviously has the money to replace it but he thought he was too good to.
That was six months ago though. They had grown to be an amazing pair of friends. She had forced him to drop the cheerleaders and start making the journey more about his own experiences than just trying to prove he was better than others. And while Misty helped him learn to curb his egotistical tendencies, he helped her with her anger issues. The duo has really grown close.
Rubbing his sore head, Gary glares at the water-type trainer. "I was only congratulating Blastoise on mastering a new move."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Misty huffs. "Still."
Rolling his eyes, Gary sticks his tongue out at the red head. "You're just jealous because you can't teach that Psyduck to do anything."
"Why you!" Misty yells, chasing a laughing Gary around their campsite.
Dratini the Dragon pokemon. This pokemon is rare and was considered to be only a myth until very recently.
Level: 1
Ability: Shed Skin with the Hidden Ability Marvel Scale
Moves Known: Wrap, Tackle, Leer.
This Pokemon has the Egg Move Extreme Speed that has not been unlocked yet.
Ash listens to Dexter finish his assessment of Dratini while the dragon type happily munches on some freshly made pokemon food.
Surprisingly it was not Pikachu or Eevee that instantly took a liking to the small snake like pokemon, it was Charmeleon. Since the hatching a few hours ago the fire type was watching the baby like a Spearow.
"I wonder why Charmeleon took such a liking so quick to Dratini." Ash muses out loud, not expecting an answer.
"It's because he sees Dratini as a baby sister, we all do already. However because of the severe nature in which he was abandoned as a Charmander, he has become over protective of everyone he sees as family." Bulbasaur explains to his trainer.
Smiling, Ash gently picks up the seed pokemon and gently places him in his lap. Soothingly stroking the grass type under his ears and up his bulb, Bulbasaur becomes putty in Ash's hands. "I just wish I could have saved him from that. I wish I could have saved all of you from that."
Nuzzling his trainer's slightly calloused hand, the grass type purrs in bliss. "He knows Ash. We all know. All those one on one counseling sessions you give us every day and then the group sessions have really showed us."
Tan cheeks color slightly. "I just want you all to never feel like you have to face your burdens alone. You all have me as well as each other. We are a family."
Using his vine to give his trainer a loose hug, Bulbasaur cuddles deeper into his warmth. "We all know. We might not have been with you as long as Pikachu, but we all know you love us just as deeply. And we love you."
Quirking a smile that shows off his dimples, warm amber eyes gaze at the scene in front of them.
Dratini is being watched after by an over protective Charmeleon. Pikachu, Eevee, Gengar, and Kadabra and curled up into a mass ball taking a nap. Wartortle was floating around in the small pond Sabrina had put in just for him. If there was one thing the water type loves, it is floating on his back while napping.
Feeling his heart swell at the sight, Ash continues his rhythmical strokes on Bulbasaur, chuckling softly when the grass type falls asleep too.
"If you follow Route 7 it will take you straight to Celadon City." Sabrina informs Ash. She already knows that he knows the way, but it makes her feel better by telling him again.
"Thank you Sabrina." Throwing his arms around the taller female, Ash hugs the psychic user tightly. "Don't forget to send me your thoughts whenever you want to talk. And I'll call you whenever I get to the cities."
Hugging the petite male close to her body, Sabrina buries her face in his silky ebony hair. "Don't forget to come visit me. You are my little brother now and that means you have to see me whenever you get the chance. Plus I want to see how strong your pokemon get."
Beaming at the girl he considers his sister, Ash waves towards their pokemon. "With the way Gengar and Kadabra are, I would be lucky to get away with a couple of days without talking to you."
Laughing, Sabrina consents to that. "Let me know when you get to Celadon. Knowing you, you will probably go straight to the Gym so you can try to catch up on lost time."
Scratching the back of his head, Ash giggles. "You know me. I want to be able to challenge the League when it comes around."
"If there is anybody that can make it through to have the chance to battle the Elite Four and then the Champion it would be you, Ashy."
Grimacing at her teasing, Ash wags his tongue. "Whatever you say, Bri-Bri!"
Quickly pivoting on his heel, Ash begins sprinting away from the Gym, his pokemon running after him. If there was one thing Sabrina could not stand it was being called Bri-Bri.
Giovanni glares at the green haired underling in front of him. He couldn't remember his name at the moment, he considers it beneath him. "What do you mean all work at the Tower and the surrounding area has been stopped?"
Kevin was sweating profusely. As the agent in charge of the operation it was his duty to tell the Boss. However, this was his first chance in the past couple of weeks because Giovanni was previously too busy to talk to him. "A kid with some super strong pokemon came. He defeated me and all of the others in the area. After that the towns' people as well as Sabrina, the Gym Leader, have been making sure we can't get into the area anymore."
Slamming his fist onto his mahogany desk, Giovanni growls. "Sabrina is known for being aloof and never leaving her Gym."
Catching himself before he can shrug, Kevin begins fidgeting with the bottom of his uniform shirt. "The same trainer that kicked us all out is thought to be the same one that has brought the change in her."
Black eyes sneer down at the pathetic grunt. "What is his name?"
"He said his name was Ash Ketchum, sir."
Flicking a piece of imaginary lint from his suit, Giovanni twists his fingers, a sign all Rocket members learnt as a dismissal.
A kid that could not only beat his grunts, but also get Sabrina out of that thick shell of hers? He would have to keep an eye out for this 'Ash Ketchum'. And if he continued to get in his way?
Well, Mewtwo has been acting bored lately.
Walking through the streets of Celadon City with Pikachu on his left shoulder, Dratini wrapped around his neck, Eevee in his arms and Charmeleon walking by his side, the group made for an interesting sight.
"This is a grass type gym, so I am going to use you Charmeleon. You haven't battled in a gym yet, do you think you're up for it?"
"I might not have battled in a gym yet, but I have battled many other opponents. Do not worry Ash this gym will be an easy win for us." Charmeleon replies, flicking his tail and wiggling his claws at his trainer.
Dratini giggles at her big brother. "Brother Char is silly."
"Oh, I am silly now, am I? I'll just have to show you how tough I can be then!" Charmeleon boasts, taking a page from Gengar's books and flexing his arms at the dragon type. This only causes Dratini to giggle more, something Charmeleon was going for.
Grinning at the display, Eevee shares a look with Pikachu. While they shared an intimate connection with all of their team mates, the two have known each other the longest.
Sliding his tanned hand down Dratini's long body, Ash relishes in these moments. If only Bulbasaur, Gengar and, his perpetually lazy, Wartortle were out with them then they would be walking through Celadon like a family.
Speaking of family he needs to call his mom, Professor Oak and Sabrina.
"Hey, do you smell that?" Eevee questions, wiggling from his spot in Ash's arms and jumping to sit on top of his head. His small black nose is pointed to the air and he is breathing in deeply.
Charmeleon too sniffs the air. "It smells like… flowers?"
Using his tiny paws to grip onto his trainer tightly, Pikachu leans his body forward. "It's perfume."
Sporadically tightening and untightening around Ash's neck, Dratini hisses in excitement. "Oh Ashy, can we go, please? I want to see it. It smells so good! Please, please, please?" Dratini begs, her giant doe-like eyes crumping any resistance Ash would have had.
While Delia raised Ash to not care what was 'boys' and 'girls' Delia was never a big fan of perfume. She thought it was gaudy, expensive, and a waste of money. She always preferred the natural scent that came from good hygiene. It was something she instilled in Ash also, one of the reasons she reminded him to change his underwear so often.
"I guess so. If you really want to go." Was the stuttered and hesitant reply.
"Yay! Lead the way brother Char!" Dratini shouts, bouncing happily.
Beaming at his little sister, Charmeleon follows his nose towards the smell.
"Whatever you do Ash, do NOT insult the perfume. I know how much you dislike it, but Erica is easily offended. She is known to turn trainers away if they insult her products." Sabrina's cool and calm voice echoes through Ash's mind. It is a good thing she sent her thoughts, because Ash was about to have to force his pokemon to leave.
Even Pikachu, the traitor, was entranced with the perfume. He thought mom had convinced the electric mouse that perfume was a rip off too. One of the girls, a blonde wearing a tight purple skirt with a white peasant type shirt, was gushing over Dratini, trying to find scents that she thought would match the dragon type.
A girl with curly purple hair was stroking Eevee's fur, exclaiming over the unique coloring and how shiny and healthy it looks.
Pikachu and Charmeleon were busy being fawned by a curvy brunette with her hair pulled up into two ponytails.
It was all getting to be too much for Ash. The amount of people and their overt displays to his pokemon was causing the aura user to begin hyperventilating. The abundance of smells wasn't helping either. It was making him feel sick.
Liquid filling the tear ducts of his large amber eyes, Ash crosses his arms and begins scratching at the skin there.
"Ash! Listen to the sound of my voice. You can hear me, can't you?"
Jerking his head in a swift nod, Ash scratches at his arm harder. "Concentrate on me Ash. Close your eyes. There. Good boy. Now focus on your breathing. Have it match mine… Good. It is just me and you Ashy. It is just us. You're doing so good." Using the link to send calming emotions through their bond towards the aura user, Sabrina feels herself relax. Ash was no longer hyperventilating, however from what she could tell, he had managed to make himself bleed in his attack.
Long yellow and black ears twitch. Pikachu turns from where a girl is explaining a product to him and Charmeleon, and his black eyes begin looking over the store. There is tall shelfs lined with expensive looking bottles holding numerous perfumes. Pikachu likes the ones that remind him of the gardens from his home before he was kicked out for being too weak.
Wide sweeping glass windows allow the sun in, causing anything glass to sparkle like crystals. The other team members were being chatted with by other sales girls. But where was Ash?
Attempting to sniff the air, but not being able to smell anything over the fumes from the perfume, Pikachu begins to trot around the store. Finally turning around another shelf, the electric mouse finds his best friend curled into a fettle position. His left arm was bleeding from where he had been scratching at it, it looks red and raw. He is still shaking slightly and he has tear tracks down his face.
Instantly Pikachu felt like a Muk after being left out in the sun too long. He knew Ash has social anxiety and was prone to attacks when around a group of people. The workers, plus the customers, must have been too much for Ash to handle at once. Pikachu knew Ash was hesitant about coming into the store, something Pikachu at the moment only thought was because Delia taught them perfume was pointless. But now Pikachu knew the real reason, knew it like a train hitting him in the face.
Ash was scared of being around so many people, but because Dratini was only still a baby, he wanted to give the small snake-like pokemon a good memory.
Frowning, Pikachu walks towards his trainer, using his furry red check to nuzzle his best friend. Smiling when Ash lifts his head from his arms completely and looks at him, Pikachu lets out a happy squeal.
"My Pikapi!" Jumping onto Ash's denim clad lap, Pikachu grips Ash's shirt and cuddles his body into the humans, offering his body heat and comfort. "I'm sorry Pikapi. I was so excited about visiting I completely forgot about what it can do to you."
Cuddling the rodent pokemon class to him, Ash relishes in the soft fur of his starter. "It's okay buddy. I didn't want to make it seem like a big deal. I thought standing in this corner away from everyone would help, but you saw how much good that did me. Plus I had Sabrina to help me through the worst of it. See," presenting his arm to Pikachu, Ash proudly points to the bleeding mark. "It is only slightly bleeding. A lot better than that time I got lost in the mall and it when you and mom finally found me my whole arm was bleeding and not just a small little scratch."
Sighing at the careless lack towards his own wellbeing, but knowing Ash always put off his own health, Pikachu nods his head slightly. "Okay Pikapi. But I want you to wait outside. I'll gather the others and then we can head towards the Gym."
Beaming at Pikachu, Ash stands up and makes his way towards the entrance. He could always count on his friends.
Standing in front of the Gym, Ash admires the roof. It is shaped like a Vileplume. The painting and art work was very well done.
A tan hand rests gently on top of Charmeleon's head. "Are you ready for this, buddy?"
Charmeleon's chocolate brown eyes glint in determination. Pikachu had explained what happened in the shop to them, and now he was even more determined to win this for his trainer.
"Of course Ash! Let's go!"
"Yeah! Charmeleon gets the chance to fry up some grass types! I bet they are nowhere near as strong as Bulbasaur!" Eevee screeches. He loves when his team wins. And while they have lost a lot to some really tough trainers, they always came through when it mattered most.
Rolling his eyes in fond amusement, Ash steps his way through the sliding glass doors and into what can only be explained as a jungle.
"Are you sure this is the Gym, Ashy?" Dratini questions her father. This didn't look anything like auntie Bri-Bri's Gym.
Rubbing her head, the tan trainer glances around, but it was Pikachu who answered. "Yes Dratini. Most Gyms reflect what type the leader is. Because Erica is a grass type trainer, it is only natural that her gym would reflect that."
Nodding at the wise words, Dratini's wide blue eyes glance around from her spot around Ash's neck. "But I don't see anybody."
"They're probably just running scared because they know our awesome brother Charmeleon is going to totally wipe the floor with them!"
Sweat dropping slightly at the small fox, Charmeleon blushes. It was strange still knowing that his team mates actively work to make each other feel more confident. Even that annoying Gengar when he wasn't pulling pranks.
"Hey! Who are you?" A female voice calls from behind them.
Turning around, Ash and his team come face to face with a blue haired female wearing tan shorts and a green shirt.
"Just who are you?" She questions again.
"Hi, my name is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. I came to challenge the Gym Leader to a pokemon battle so I could have the chance to win the Rainbow badge." Ash customarily introduces himself.
"Oh," the bluenette breathes in relief. "I thought you could be another thief."
"Thief?"
The brown eyed girl waves her hand dismissively. "Yeah we had a couple of crooks in here a few weeks ago trying to steal my secret recipe for my perfume. Luckily a couple of trainers were here to help out. Anyways, my name is Erica and I am the Gym Leader."
Turning and walking away, Erica beckons the young trainer to follow her. "It will be a three on three battle. Sound good?"
Nodding his head in determination, Ash agrees.
"Good, then," throwing open another set of doors and allowing the beautiful view of her battling arena, Erica turns and beams at Ash. "Let the battle begin!"
"Wow, bummer." Erica pouts, handing over her badge towards the trainer. His Charmeleon really tore through her pokemon. Even Gloom didn't stand a chance. "You were a really great battler. It is obvious you trained your pokemon well. Most fire types can't stand the smell of Gloom's spores, but yours just burned right through them."
Ash scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. "I spent a while teaching Charmeleon. I have a Bulbasaur, and while not the same as Gloom, he can still do some of the same attacks."
"Ah," Erica hums. "That makes sense. And it is very smart. You said that was your fifth badge right? I suggest heading to the Fuchsia Gym next. They specialize in poison types. And the Gym Leader there is super strong."
"Thanks for the advice Erica!" Ash flashes her his dimples, before waving goodbye and making his way towards the Pokemon Center.
Erica's eyes travel after him. She had got the phone call telling her to go harder on this trainer, because he actually trains his pokemon unlike most new trainers who rely on sheer force in like. Ash Ketchum had to perfect strategy to each attack she had and knew how to execute new defensive moves on the spot. She had used her more powerful pokemon, thinking the trainer wouldn't stand a chance, but he managed to prove her wrong.
She needed to give Koga a call and warn him. He was much like her. Cocky and sure that he would win.
He needed to know to bring his A game.
Because that Ash Ketchum was a Champion in the making.
I apologize for the abrupt ending. I have strep throat and I am currently high on sleep medicine, however I wanted to get this chapter out here for yall.
I am going to let you guys now from here out this story is going to pick up its pace. I want to start getting to the fun parts. Like battling Team Rocket and such. In future chapters I will go through time skips. I don't want to drag the regions out too much, at least until we get to Unova. I have been non stopping watching the Unova episodes and I am obsessed. A twenty year old girl obsessed with pokemon. Great. Lol.
I already have a list made up of the pokemon I want him to catch, so if you have any specific ones from any region you would like to see him with, tell me NOW.
For the pairing. I don't really know. Though I am going between Volkner, N, and a few others. I just cannot decide. Though that will not be for a few 'years' until Ash is older.
So, bestie Sabrina. How cute, right?! I don't know, I was just writing and I loved the idea.
If anyone feels like Ash is too powerful, a Mary Sue, ect. I am sorry you feel that way. This is how I want MY Ash to be. I want him to be a bad ass. He still has faults, obviously, and still loses, a lot to tougher opponents, BUT he also has a photographic memory, studied under Prof. Oak, his mom, and read scores of books before starting out. The Ash in anime was an idiot at first, and still now. But I guess I just want to channel myself into Ash and how I would travel through the Pokemon World. So that is why he is the way he is.
Oh Oh! If anyone would recommend any good Pokemon Yaoi Fics with Ash/boy that would be great. I can't find hardly any. :(
IMPORTANT READ NOW!vvvv
I AM GOING TO MAKE THE POKEMON LEAGUE BE WHERE YOU HAVE TO BEAT YOUR OPPONENTS, THEN THE ELITE FOUR, AND THEN THE CHAMPION IN ORDER TO WIN. HOWEVER, I want your opinions in how far you would like Ash to go in the Indigo League? He will at least make it to the Elite Four, but would yall want him to lose to one of them. Or make it to the Champion before losing to him? Or after a long and hard battle beat the Champion, but let him keep his title so he can travel the regions and enter the other Leagues? Opinions please!
Okay okay I am done going on and on now. Comment and review the usual stuff, I love you all.
P.s. I do NOT have a beta. So if you find spelling mistakes sorry, all my fault.