Ash groggily rolled out of bed. A week had gone by since arriving at the Battle Palace. His muscles were achy and his mind tired. Nonetheless, he got up, got dressed, and made his way into the kitchen. At least Spenser had the kitchen close to the bedrooms.
"Good morning young man. Today is a special day."
Ash sweat dropped slightly. Despite his age, Brandon was very energetic, especially the morning.
"How so?" Ash began making some simple toast and jam. Pikachu too had groggily came in and jumped onto his trainers shoulder.
Brandon turned to him, a slight smirk playing at his lips. "Today you are receiving Spenser's Pokémon."
Internally, Ash was excited but cringed a little bit. How would Spenser's Pokémon react to this news about their trainers passing? They still hadn't been informed yet which seemed unfair to the boy, but there's a day for everything.
Ash just smiled as he spread the jam on his toast. "Sounds good Brandon."
Brandon smiled at the boy. He was already learning to control his excitement. Brandon placed his plates and pans in the sink. "When you're done, if you please."
Ash deadpanned while Pikachu sweat dropped.
After a nice breakfast, the two were in the main courtyard of the Battle Palace. Ash had been given special permission to let his Pokémon roam and live at the Battle Palace and surrounding woods. However, he called forth three of them to help integrate his newest editions: Sceptile, Swellow, and Heracross.
Brandon walked forward with three pokeballs. "These were his official ones. You should know who they are. Spenser said his successor would be allowed to have them, if the Pokémon would allow it."
Ash nodded at this, it was fair and just. Brandon released the three Pokémon. Claydol, Shiftry, and Venusaur appeared, a little confused. Where was Spenser? They had recognized Brandon with ease, and after a minute or two recognized the boy and his team.
"You three, I have terrible news." Brandon's voice cut out, and he received six eyes all looking at him. "Your trainer, your partner, Spenser, has passed." Brandon stopped to let it sink in.
Venusaur looked dazed, spacing out in bewilderment. Shiftry was stoic, not one to show emotions anyways but a few tears pulled at his eyes. However, Claydol took it the hardest. It sank to the floor, it's 'hands' fell too, and cried silently. Tears just poured of its eyes.
Spenser has raised it from a little Baltoy decades ago. Spenser was his best friend. Spenser helped him get stronger. Spenser unlocked it's true potential. A soothing hand was placed on Claydol's head.
"Hey, I know it's heartbreaking." All three turned to look at the boy. "But I think a part of Spenser is still here. He's in all of you, and in my Pokémon, and in the whole natural world around us." Ash paused.
"This might be even more sudden news, but I am taking over the Battle Palace." Spenser's old Pokémon looked at him with wide eyes. "And, if it's okay with you guys, I would love it if you joined me. We'll help keep Spenser alive."
Ash stopped and waited for a few minutes. Tensions were high as the two humans waited for the answer. Shiftry was the first to move, decided that this trainer was worthy. He stepped forward and nodded with a smile.
Venusaur seemed a little reluctant, but also decided to join Ash. All eyes soon fell on Claydol. It looked at the ground, tears still coming from it.
It soon found a green figure walking up to it. Sceptile has fought this mighty foe years ago and was aware of its power. He was a stoic, yes, and his next move shocked everyone. Sceptile hugged Claydol, and began telling it all the wonderful adventures he had with Ash. He felt sorry for Claydol.
Claydol looked up at Sceptile. Yes, this rugged old foe turned friend was quite the battle all those years ago. Claydol flew up and went to Ash, silently floating in front of him. Ash stared back. Swellow and Heracross were talking with Venusaur and Shiftry and telling them all about Ash and that things wouldn't change too much.
Claydol pointed at Sceptile then pointed at Ash. He didn't speak Pokémon, but he knew what he wanted.
"You want another battle don't you? Just like when I came through the Battle Frontier?" Claydol nodded at Ash.
Ash smirked. He could already feel the adrenaline running. "Sceptile, lets do this!"
The other Pokémon and Brandon smiled. They all walked onto a side bench to watch the display. A few other of Ash's Pokémon had come and more were pouring in.
"Sceptile, use Quick Attack!"
The forest guardian dashed at Claydol, who disappeared at the last second and fired a Psybeam from the side. Sceptile dodged and smirked at his opponent. Still up to it's teleporting tricks huh?
"Sceptile use Leaf Blade!" Sceptile's arm appendages grew in size and glew a bright green. He jumped at his opponent, who used Rapid Spin to deflect the attack.
"Solar Beam!" The bulbs on Sceptile's back began glowing and charging as he took in the suns rays. Claydol knew of this powerful attack, and began charging a Hyper Beam.
There was a calmness in the air as the two titans were charging attacks. It was not long, though. Sceptile released his solar energy, and Claydol released its internal energy. When the two attacks met there was a large explosion. Smoke blinded everyone.
"Sceptile! You okay?" Ash called out to his friend. A gust of wind blew by and it revealed the two, standing off.
Ash smirked slightly, "While it's recharging use Quick Attack into Leaf Blade!" Sceptile called his name and lunged for the opponent. He crashed into it, and struck it with blades of green energy.
Claydol somehow survived the assault, and teleported away. A Psybeam was launched at Sceptile and scored a direct hit.
Brandon watched intently at the battle. Yes, it seems Ash has grown up and not relying on the brute strength of one or two moves to turn a losing battle into a victory.
"Sceptile, finish it up with one more Solarbeam!" Ash called raising a fist.
Sceptile, panting but still ready to go, went down on all fours as the bulbs on his back glowed, taking in solar power. Claydol floated there, waiting, ever so slightly twitching.
'It's gonna teleport!' "Sceptile, while charging use Quick Attack!" Sceptile nodded and lunged for the ground type, who to confirm Ash's suspicions did teleport away. His plan worked! "Turn and fire Solarbeam!" Ash exclaimed, his blood rushing. Sceptile turned to his side and launched the powerful grass attack, scoring a critical hit on Claydol.
Claydol shut its eyes as the attack hit it. It's vision faded as it was knocked out.
Ash breathed a sigh of relief. That was a hard battle! He ran up and hugged Sceptile, as Claydol's friends walked up to it with fruit to restore its health.
"Young man." Ash turned to look at Brandon, who had a smirk on his face. "Your battling has changed. Well done for your victory. Claydol was Spenser's first Pokémon, his best friend, and his age in the hole."
Ash gave a half smile at Brandon and looked at the dual ground and psychic type. With some of its health restored, Claydol slowly moved towards Ash. A Pokéball levitated in front of the boy. Ash nodded and took it, and returned Claydol to the Pokéball. He smiled at his new friend.
Later that night, Ash was on the phone with Professor Oak.
"How's the training coming along Ash?"
He smiled wide, "Its been good! Brandon is really helpful. And today, I was donated Spenser's Pokémon." He finished that rather melancholy though.
The professor smiled at Ash. "You know, since all your Pokémon are there, how are your Tauros?"
Ash looked up. He suddenly thought about his herd. He only used the leader, and trading away to where they could be used would be beneficial, plus he could get new Pokémon!
"Professor, am I able to put up some of my Tauros for trade?"
The old Oak smiled, "Why yes of course! Through the GTS, you can put up your Tauros for the whole world!"
Ash smiled, "I would like to do that. I'd like to put up five of them for now."
Oak smiled, "Alright, transfer five of them and I'll put them up for you. When trade offers have come in I'll let you know!" Ash nodded and got five of his Tauros pokeballs from his backpack and placed them one by one on the transporter. The professor showed all five of them to make sure that they arrive safely.
Ash gave a goofy grin. "Awesome! Thanks professor!"
"No problem Ash! Now if you'll excuse me, my tofu is ready!"
Ash waved and said his goodbyes to his friend. He flopped onto his bed and Pikachu joined him. "Hey buddy, you been havin fun?" He asked as he scratched his companions ears. "Chaa!~"
Ash smiled at his friend. "Hey Pikachu? You think I should try to evolve our team mates? If they want to, of course. If we're going to be a Frontier Brain, we have to be as strong as we can!"
Pikachu looked at his trainer. He had matured a lot lately. Pikachu pointed to himself and shook his head no. Ash laughed and said, "Of course buddy! I wouldn't ever evolve you, we've proved that you're better than a Raichu!"
Pikachu smiled. "Pika chu chupi Pikapi."
Ash smiled at his friend. "I think I know who we should start training roughly too. We need to step up our game buddy." Pikachu nodded and gave a yawn. Ash laughed and yawned too. The two soon found themselves asleep, dreaming of ketchup and having the strongest Pokémon there is.
The next day, Ash walked into the kitchen to see an egg in an incubator on the counter with Brandon next to it.
"As a Frontier Brain in training, part of your training involved hatching and raising a Pokémon from an egg. A colleague of mine gave this to me and I knew that you would be the perfect one to raise it."
Ash went wide eyed. An egg? For him to raise? His last egg Pokémon was Scraggy who turned out fine. "No worries Brandon!" Brandon smiled and handed Ash the incubator. The egg was all white, with small blue diamonds adorning it.
"And young man, today we begin the most important thing for being a Frontier Brain!"
Ash smiled and looked up at him. "Big and awesome Pokémon battles?"
Brandon gave an evil smile. "Nope! Paper work!"
Ash fell to the floor in defeat.
Paper work sucked. It really sucked. Ash dropped his pen, Pikachu sleeping on his head. It was 11 at night.
"That was rough, huh Buddy?" He dropped his partner in his arms as he started to stir. Pikachu shook his head and looked up with a weak smile.
Ash stood up and carried him to their room. "It's time for bed buddy," he places Pikachu on the bed and got ready for bed, going to sleep as soon as his body hit the comfortable bed.
Ash shot up. He looked at the clock, 4:13, in the morning of course. Of course something woke him up this early. He mentally sighed and got dressed quietly. He creeped outside where the commotion was, it was quiet but nonetheless woke him up.
"It's a Xatu." His wird's caused the mystical bird to look at him. The flying type was rummaging through the trash can. Ash groaned in his head as he realized he didn't have any of his Pokémon on him, or awake.
The Xatu was none too pleased with this interruption. Who was this human, this boy, to interrupt him? The Xatu spread its wings and gave a fierce glare, looking like it was preparing to strike.
Ash spoke aloud in desperation, "Is anyone awake?!"
Luckily, there was. His call was met by his nocturnal bird. His Noctowl landed in front of him, staring down the rogue Xatu.
"Oh Noctowl! You're awesome! You ready to do this?" Noctowl smirked at Ash and took flight, baring her talons.
Xatu almost laughed. This haggard looking bird was going to stop him? Xatu took flight and rushed forward with an Aerial Ace.
"Novotel dodge and use Air Slash!" Noctowl chirped and dipped out of the way, summoning an orb of air energy. She fired it at the psychic type, who dodged the move with a Teleport.
"Figures it knows teleport.. Use Foresight then Air Slash!"
Noctowl chirped and red rays shot out form her eyes, scanning the area around them all. The Xatu was covered in a red film, now if it teleported moves will still hit! She began charging her attack, but the Xatu struck her with a mighty psychic attack.
Noctowl stumbled in the air. Her temper flared, this Xatu was stronger than it seemed. The temperature seemed to rise in the air, suddenly Xatu was struck with a Heat Wave attack.
"Alright! Noctowl you learned Heat Wave!" Ash cheered his nocturnal friend. Noctowl smiled and gave a small bow.
This notion wasn't unnoticed by Xatu. Now it was bowing, in the middle of a match? The Xatu let out a screech and dove for Noctowl with a Sky Attack, being cloaked in a bright blue light. Noctowl managed to dodge, but was nicked by the attack. She retaliated with a Take Down, slamming Xatu into a tree.
Ash looked at his owl with concern. Her endurance was low as it was, and she had taken a bit of damage. "Noctowl, use Hyper Beam! We need to finish this!"
She nodded and began charging an orange sphere in her open beak. Xatu stood, shaking its head of cobwebs. That really hurt, especially his head!
When he looked up, he regretted looking up. The bright orange beam struck him dead in the chest. He was blown back through a few trees, knocking out once he finally slowed down.
Ash sighed and congratulated Noctowl on her well earned victory. He walked up to the psychic type. "What am I gonna do with you?"
Unfortunately, the Hyper Beam has woken up everybody. Brandon ran out with Pikachu and several of Ash's Pokémon came up to him.
"What happened Ash?"
"This Xatu was going through the trash, and when Noctowl showed up it got really upset. It almost seems rogue or something."
Brandon nodded. He looked at the knocked out Mystic Pokémon.
Ash suddenly had a grin on his face, and ran inside and came back out with an empty Pokéball. He tossed it at Xatu, and a 'ding!' signaled a capture.
He picked up the ball, and smiled at it. "We'll figure you out new friend."
Brandon smiled. "Let's all go back to bed, huh?"
Ash nodded. He was really tired now. All his Pokémon wandered off, and he and Brandon returned to their respective beds. Ash fell asleep with a smile on his face, a new Pokémon was always fun. Plus this Xatu seems interesting.
AN: I'm proud of myself for getting this out relatively soon. College is good, sophomore year is cool, lots of papers though which is rough. But enough about me. Ash caught a Xatu and received a mysterious egg from Brandon. What's in the egg? Only I know definitively, but guesses are welcome! And yes I do have a list of which Pokémon Ash will get from the GTS and ones he'll catch while training. Now what I'll do with Bulbasaur and Venusaur both being Ash's is a mystery. Take care and y'all have a good day.