Pokémon: Pallet Town Heroes
I have rewritten the first chapter from the ground up. Heads up, I decided to retcon Atmosphere and have Ash's deal being something else. Something more 'sinister.' I'm not happy with a lot of the beginning chapters. So, I decided to edit them. Nothing major like this chapter, however, I would like people to read all the way through, so I know what needs fixing and what needs more context.
Chapter 1: The Dex Holders and Ash: The first step.
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Welcome to the world of Pokémon.
Regions that are as vast as space, are filled with ancient beings that walked our planet for millions of years. We, humans, live by them side by side. Whether in the light or in the shadows, we coexist with these fantastic creatures. Life without these beautiful creatures would not be as wonderful, nay, it would be horrible.
And now, four children will have a chance to experience this wonderful life. In the quaint town of Pallet. Home to the prestigious Professor Oak, these four kids passed their test to be allowed a companion.
Well, three of them, anyway.
With a pep in her steps, a girl with long black hair, a black sleeveless dress, white gloves, and heeled black shoes walked down the beaten dirt road to Oak's lab. Humming a tune from last night, she looked at the houses that she passed and her memories.
3 years. She's been back for three years. Yet, it felt like her childhood. From Red and his absurdity, Blue and his pretend aloofness, to the Professor and his eagerness in Pokémon. They had all been constants like constants all her life.
It's only been three years, she was three years old when she was kidnapped, from here, from her parents, from her freedom.
That man needed to be stopped, he needed to pay.
Enough! If she thinks too much about that, she will revert to her old self, scared, only thinking about survival. She didn't want to go back to those times. Think about the future—The future. All of them were going on an adventure. Across the Kanto region.
Battling for their badges—camping under the starry night—Making those who deserve it beg for their lives—hah~ all the new memories they would make. Of course, catching all the cute Pokémon, too.
As she thought about it, when they were going on their adventure, they would rarely see each other, only being able to call each other if both were at a Pokémon Center. And knowing those two, they rarely sat in one place.
They only had a limited time before they went their separate ways.
It was best to savor these moments. She should have them keep a promise to each other. To meet up and hang out if they ever see each other on the road. If they traveled together, they would all be wrapped up in everyone else's situation and would make a mess of everything.
Traveling by themselves would be for the best.
It just hurts a bit.
There was another person going on an adventure but asking them would like to be asking a stranger to go with you because it basically was asking a stranger to go on an adventure with you. The girl wanted to slap herself for coming up with that 'solution'. She winced and cringed at the thought. She basically ignored them.
Finally reaching the end of the road, she was in front of the yellow brick lab/house that the professor and his family called home.
"Okay! I got this. I got this. I got this…" She breathed deeply, closing her eyes before opening them again.
Grabbing the door handle and swiveling it, she pushed in to see… no one.
She was on time. She checked twice, thrice, four times before coming here. So, where were they? Professor Oak was in the back with his granddaughter, Daisy.
Were they… late? Were they late to go on their adventure!? Were they late on their goddamn big day!? Those freaking-!
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Red Hayasawa sweated as he tried to tie his shoelaces. His buddy, Poli the Poliwhirl, looked at him expectantly, "Poli, Poli…" Red turned to him, "Oh, lay off. I was triple checking our things to make sure we don't die in the wilderness." Though that argument rang hollow as he blushed when he failed, again, tying his laces.
He hoped the others wouldn't be mad, they probably were.
He could see their disappointed faces…
Red continued to sulk, his mother, Tajiri Hayasawa, stood by the door, leaning on it as she smiled and looked at them. Everyone his age would love to go on an adventure, though very rarely do people commit to it. Her little boy and the Pokémon they called family for so long would be embarking soon. Her husband thought they would be on time, heh, he should know better.
It didn't take much to get Red sidetracked by thinking about the future and not what was in front of him.
Red was finally done tying his shoes, putting everything in his backpack, he shouldered it onto himself, "See, now that didn't take that long, did it?" It earned him an indignant huff from his companion.
"Red,"
"Huh, yeah mom?"
"…Please. Be safe."
Drip-Drip-Drip.
Tears pricked and fell from her eyes.
It made Red freeze. Poli did too. Looking into his mother's eyes, which only made them water more, she walked towards him and cupped his cheek. "Remember to always keep yourself safe." Her voice cracked, God she didn't want to appear like him in front of her son, but she couldn't help it.
Poli looked towards Red worriedly.
Red gently raised his hand and grasped the hand cupping his cheek. His smile made her worries feel minuscule and ridiculous, "Of course. I'll be the safest trainer in all of Kanto. I'll be the strongest, too!" His face rose with that smile, it shined brighter than someone thought could have.
"…Thank you. Well now, best be on your way. Make your mama proud."
"I will! I'll be the strongest! I'll beat all the gyms and beat all the champions!" Red ran towards the Professor's lab, he turned his body and waved vigorously towards his mom, who appeared smaller and smaller.
"Make sure to ask for help when you need it! Don't do anything stupid, Red!" She shouted towards her son, cupping her mouth with her two hands.
She was sure if her son heard it, she sure hoped it did. Thinking about the lonely boy in Pallet made her sad, she hoped he was doing fine. He was going to travel as well. She wanted the best for all these kids. Even when they weren't her own.
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Now, Professor Oak was a lot of things. Smart, kind, diligent, hard-working, a living legend, and utterly exhausted.
Completely, utterly, exhausted. He nodded absently along to Green Akabane's tirade to his granddaughter, Daisy. From the yelling, fuming, and overall displeasure she had with Red Hayasawa and his grandson, Blue. But—she had her reasons, after all, she was the only one on time.
Professor Oak was simply waiting for the others to arrive so he could give the three his greatest creation he has made in a long time. Of course, it wasn't just the three of them going around Kanto, no, there were four of them. And…Oak moved uncomfortably, he worried about his reaction. Oak did not believe that the boy would use it properly. No, that wasn't it. That was just a bald-faced lie to hide his true reasoning.
He couldn't bring it onto himself to say it, even when he was alone, because it sounded too cruel and cold coming from him. Someone who was also a grandfather figure to the boy, and a father figure to his mother.
Vrr-Ding!
Oak and the two young ones were brought out of their thoughts and rants as his door opened to reveal the two youngsters. His grandson, Blue, had a long sleeve purple shirt with a necklace that he gave him when he was young, and brown pants. Red, Blue's rival, wore a red cap with a short red and white-sleeved jacket and jeans.
Red had a sheen of sweat on his face while Blue looked perfectly normal, though if you looked a bit closer, he was breathing quite heavily. Red paled as he saw Green, while Blue looked away, clicking his tongue.
Green gave them a threatening glare, which Red took a backstep, "Well, look who finally showed up—One hour late." She grounded out. She crossed her arms, with a look that would make the beefiest of Tauros scared. Daisy looked on and sighed at the trio. Blue waved her off.
"Be glad we showed up at all. Red decided to pick a fight with me." Red looked at him, betrayed.
"No, I didn't! It wasn't me! I swear! C'mon, believe me!? Please!" Green faced him, her eyes closed, and her arms still crossed. She harrumphed. He slumped.
"Anyway, since most of you are here, may I have your attention, please." Oak took their attention from picking on Red, poor boy, finally to him. But they all took notice of his words, "most of you", Looking around, they noticed one boy missing. They were one would-be trainer short.
"He's still not here?" More annoyed than surprised, Blue bit out. Before he could say anything else, his sister cut him off.
She pointedly looked at him, "That's rich, coming from you, brother." Blue clicked his tongue and closed his eyes, but not before giving her a glare. Daisy looked at her grandad, expectedly, "Well, shouldn't we wait for him?"
Oak shook his head, "With most of our trainers being late, we simply do not have the time to wait, if we wait for more, it wouldn't be fair to the Pokémon." The clock was already ticking, and time waited for no one.
Green wanted to wait for her friends, and this was all he could do. And maybe…This was more of a blessing for now.
Gaining their full attention, Oak changed their attention to a machine in the center of the room. Opening the machine, the smoke left as the hatch opened, showing three Pokeballs. "As you would know, three Pokémon are chosen for each region to hand out to new and upcoming trainers. Make no mistake." Oak's eyes pierced the three, making them gulp.
"It's a privilege, to get these Pokémon, these partners." The three listened intently, paying attention like they were back in school. They all dreamed of this moment, this time in their lives. They dreamed of this moment, for different reasons of course.
"Now, then… Who would like to go first?"
No one said anything for minutes on end. It ended up with the three looking at one another, lost on what they should say. Oak sighed; it was just like his class when he raised a question to the kids. All of them didn't want to answer for fear of getting something wrong. For Pokémon, there was no wrong answer.
"I think-" "Green should go first." "Well-" Red and Green began rambling and it was only his grandson who gave a straight answer. The other two didn't stop until Blue had to forcefully put his hands on their shoulders.
"Stop." Blue very much commanded the two, and it surprisingly worked. He looked at Green, basically his second sister, and flicked his head toward the Pokeballs. Green looked bashful, but with a wink of appreciation, she walked forward towards the podium and grasped one.
Pokémon Trainer Green, with a flourish only she would have, opened the Pokeball to reveal a blue turtle. It looked up at her before jumping and prancing happily around her, she giggled at the sight of him. "I think—I'll call you Blasty!" With a cry of happiness, she returned him to his Pokeball.
Oak smiled at her choice before returning his to the two boys left.
Red and Blue looked at each other, and nodded, before walking at the same time. "From the very start." "I knew who I wanted to pick."
Red chose the one opposite of Blue, and they both unleashed their new partners.
Pokémon Trainer Red unveiled his new partner, a green quadruped with a bulb, which held a gentle gaze in his eyes. Red flicked the underside of his nose and smiled at his next buddy. "Saur it is." The Bulbasaur simply smiled.
Pokémon Trainer Blue released him from his Pokeball, revealing a red biped lizard, with a flame at the end of his tail. Behind his eyes laid a steely gaze. This lizard was a proud warrior, and well, it was going to be by the end of this journey.
Daisy couldn't help but squeal at the cuteness of the three Pokémon, to which they released all their Pokémon to interact and meet one another. They would get along with each other just fine.
Now for the next thing.
Professor Oak coughed into his fist, catching everyone's attention. "The Pokémon aren't the only privilege I'm giving you, there is something else." That caught their attention and excitement. From his pocket on his white lab coat, he placed three red devices on the empty podium, all of them having a small blue glass bulb.
"These are what I called a Pokedex. High-tech encyclopedia. I want all of you to try and fill out the best you can, maybe even complete it." That was a near-impossible task, since the world has over a thousand Pokémon, and it seemed the world was always getting larger.
But to these three? A task deemed impossible would be a challenge they would like to conquer. They looked at each other, grinning, smirking, and held a competitive gaze. With that, they took their Pokedex and quickly left for their adventure.
With that, Oak let himself fall into his chair and breathe deeply. Now only his granddaughter and he were in his lab.
It was a peaceful quiet until Daisy broke it, with a question he dreaded.
"Say, grandfather, what are you going to do for Ash?"
"For Ash? I'll tell him when he gets here. If he doesn't show up, I'll just go to his house to give the graduation."
Daisy nodded, but she couldn't help but worry for the boy, as when she knocked on the door earlier, there was no response. She didn't know where Delia or her son could be.
A day earlier…
Ash regretted a lot of things. Lying to his mother, accidentally breaking expensive furniture everywhere he goes, setting the playground on fire…
Okay, on the last one, it was not his fault. He was trying to stop the kids from lighting fireworks on top of the slides. He just accidentally pushed one of them, then they dropped it, then fwooosh! Fire on the playground. So, maybe he had some part in it, but it wasn't fully on him.
…Maybe.
But that didn't matter anymore, because tomorrow was the big day. The day he would finally get his Pokémon! The journey to becoming a Pokémon master. The journey, to show the world who he is, what he has to offer, and to discover. He wants to discover the hidden sights of this beautiful world. To see and love Pokémon.
But that wasn't the only thing, he also wanted to not have any regrets. He refused to regret it anymore. His actions, his opportunities, his choices.
So, it was easy when he saw what was happening in the forest in Viridian.
Those strange People in black.
The way they were treating the Pokémon in cages.
He had to stop it.
Ash has never run as fast or as hard as he was doing now. Scratches covered his arms, shirt, and pants, everywhere. Of course, the Pokémon in his arms was doing a lot worse than he was. Besides, he was a lot stronger than most people thought a 10-year-old could be. Professor Oak said so, anyway.
"Ah! Get away! Get away!" He missed the spearows when he swiped his hand. He continued running away from the people in black and their bird Pokémon. He didn't know what they were doing in Viridian Forest, but they for sure weren't there for good reason. He needed to contact Officer Jenny.
"Skreee!" After he escaped these birds.
So, he ran.
Forcing his way through shrubbery and roots, he came to a clearing with a cliff. He was stuck. Ash looked down, and saw a river, he wasn't going to jump, especially with a bird in his arms. With a pivot, he ran left, maybe there would be a road.
"Skree! Squawk!" The Spearows caught up. Now they saw their cornered prey.
If he couldn't do this, then he would never be a Pokémon Master.
His thoughts drifted as he ran. The other kids made fun of him for the made-up term. He did make it up, but that didn't mean it didn't hold meaning to him.
He knew what it meant, his dream. His love and adoration for the animals they walk side-by-side with every day.
To him, it was something far greater than a champion. A champion was someone he greatly respected. But his goal was beyond that.
Those thoughts were his undoing, as his foot caught a little ledge, sending him tumbling. "Ah!" curling into a ball, he protected the Pokémon in his arms. It was only when they stopped tumbling, he noticed the rain and the thunderstorm.
The Spearows were right on top of them.
"I'll protect you." The Pokémon, a bird that has brown feathers, finally looked at him. Heavily injured, it could barely look through its eyes, he heard soft whimpering. He gritted his teeth. Why, why would people do this?
Ash looked at him with kind eyes, the same kindness he felt when he was lost in the Viridian Forest, how the Pokémon in there comforted him. He'll do his part.
"I'll protect you, always."
With that, he picked up a rock and blocked the flock of Spearow. "I'm right here! Come at me!" He screamed, yelled, provoked them to attack him, and to leave the bird alone, maybe they would forget it. The people in black didn't follow either.
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I remember a laboratory. I remember many of my kind, and many more that were different. Even compared to most of my family, I was different than most. I was brown, most were gray and black. But even then, the flock cared for me. They were my family. I lived happily; I enjoyed life. I remember racing my brothers and sisters to see who was the fastest. I always won.
Mother always scolded us, but even then, we knew she loved us.
But that changed, not with rain or thunder, but with nets and roars. Humans clad in black and with cruel visage, destroyed my flock, capturing some, discarding others. No one was safe. Mother was strong, but not strong enough.
Then came the needles, the liquid, the days in agony.
The happiness and life I once had was burnt away in those times.
I will never forgive humans.
I was now nowhere close to home, they put me in the care of a member in black, who was the same as all the rest. So, when I finally had a chance, I broke the red and white sphere and flew. I didn't get far. They caught up and started to beat me like I was in the laboratory again. I would die there.
I didn't want to die there, I wished for it, then someone else came. A short, small boy with what seemed like lightning marks on his cheeks. I looked into his eyes.
And I saw worry and anger. Worry about what was happening. And anger, too, when he understood.
Finally, he ran, with me in his arms.
"I'll protect you." I thought I saw mother.
"I'll protect you, always." The boy, with a rock, faced the flock.
Maybe, some humans weren't bad, maybe there was good in some. This one wants to protect him, even if they just met. But he wasn't going to win. And maybe he already knew.
They closed in on him fast. Beaks pointed at him, ready to pierce and puncture.
I was faster. I always was.
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Ash braced for the impact. There wasn't much to say or think. His thoughts moved a mile a minute, only to come up with nothing.
It was like his life was flashing before his eyes.
And then a light did flash in the thundering rain.
With what sounded like a sonic boom, the Pokémon that Ash was protecting flew before him, fast and strong. Faster than anything he had seen. It flew straight and true, as if it wasn't littered with bruises and cuts. Ash's breath caught.
The sight after was mesmerizing.
With a sonorous war cry it flashed with lightning. Thunder struck and flew towards it, gathered around it, and then waived off and on his form.
Fwoo-BOOM!
The Pokémon became a missile, a shooting star. It sparkled bright and pure.
The explosion was loud, the wind blew out the nearby trees, Ash fell to the ground. The crash was swift, closer to a decimal of a second than a whole. Just as smoke covered the area, the faster it left. Alone stood the injured bird, defeating the flock in one fell swoop. It was going to slump onto the ground.
Ash didn't let that happen. "I got you." He clambered up and gently picked the bird with his arms, making sure it was comfortable in his arms. Ash cradled the Pokémon. It was only then he noticed the clouds parting. He looked up at it. The sky was now orangey yellow.
"Ah!" He finally noticed it. A Pokémon that was flying up high. With beautiful rainbow wings, it flapped and left just as it appeared. But not before what Ash thought was a glance. A look towards him, and as he looked closer at the Pokémon, he thought he could see a smile on its lips.
A large, bright feather fell softly to him. With two fingers, gently grabbed the stem, and held it close for the bird to see. Ash laughed a bit when it was also mesmerized by it.
"I think…We should get help, I'll bring you to my house, my mom can help us." The bird squawked before yawning, exhausted. Chuckling, Ash went on his way home.
Present day
Professor Oak was now in front of Ketchum's house. In his hands was a trainer's license, and if you looked closely, had an image of just enough points to pass the exam. An annoyed look on his face, he knocked on the door.
No answer. Knocked again. Again, no answer. One final kno-
"Stop. Stop. I'm getting there. No patience at all…" A drowsy and tired voice rang from the other side. The door slowly opened to reveal a very tired mother. Bags under the eyes, a giant yawn, and disheveled clothes. "Yes~? Can I help you?"
Professor Oak coughed into his fist, trying to get Delia to notice it was him. It seemed to work when he saw her eyes widen by a smidge. "Oh…And?" Oak sighed heavily.
"Ash is supposed to start his adventure today. Get a Pokémon, collect badges, do what he wants… He's late for it."
"Okay."
"Delia…Please…" She giggled at his misery. They both knew she was just joking and just trying to irritate him. "Come inside, I'll make some tea." That sounded nice to Oak. But he had a job to do, and he wanted it to be done now.
"The other kids are already on their journey, Ash should start now, unless he wants a major disadvantage." Oak looked at Delia and pointed upstairs, wanting permission to go up and wake him up. If Delia was this tired, then Ash would probably still be sleeping.
"Sure." Delia nodded while preparing the tea kettle. She had a wistful smile on her lips. Oak nodded thanks and went towards Ash's room. Opening the door, he couldn't help but see how everything was in disarray. His clock was broken, the blanket wasn't even on the bed. Ash wasn't any better than his room. His limbs were in every direction, and his snoring was louder than a Snorlax.
Then he saw it. A brown Starly. Many kids today call it "shiny." The scientific term was disruptive coloration. Much of the time, they don't survive in the wild. It was bandaged and sleeping soundly.
He couldn't believe it. Delia came from behind with another yawn before smiling, "I saw him walking towards our house and panicked. I wanted to scold him for doing something so dangerous. But I saw the look in his eyes, that determination and kindness, it reminded me of the past. It was cute." She softly laughed at her own thoughts.
"He is something special, isn't he."
Professor Oak wanted to say something, but words didn't come out of his mouth. He had to collect his thoughts. "You could've told me about this."
"I didn't want any rumors starting about Ash…Again."
He nodded. A lot of those were rude and unsubstantiated. How the other kids around Pallet treated him was always cruel and he would try to stop it when he had the chance. But he wasn't always there. Kids were kids, filled with pride and ignorance, and disliking Ash even further. Blue was a prime example of this. He needed to reteach that boy's manners.
They also made the excuse he was a troublemaker. Granted, he was, but it wasn't like all the other kids weren't either. Any excuse to put him in a bad light. It started to affect how some of the adults treated him in broad daylight.
The adults were much worse behind closed doors.
"Ash…Ash…ASH WAKE UP!" Oak had to yell for his voice to project. Ash yelped and turned, dropping to the floor with a *thud* and a pained groan. "I'm up…" Oak let out a suffering groan. Delia laughed.
Oak reorganized himself and looked Ash in the eyes, which made Ash right his body quickly to look at him. "Ash… are you ready for your journey?" Ash looked at him dumbfounded. "Ye-yeah? Of course, I am." The professor just shook his head.
"Do you remember what day it is today." Ash thought about it. He tilted his head, and so did Starly, which was strangely adorable. Oak can see the gears turning in his head, and with his eyes widening and his mouth slowly opening, yeah, he knew.
"AHHH! I'm so sorry!"
After a quick bout of 'I'm sorry, it's okay,' Oak continued. Out of his pants pocket, he handed Ash's trainer license to him.
Name: Ash Ketchum
Date of Birth: May 22, 1997
Place of Birth: Pallet Town
Trainer class: Trainer
Grade: 65%
"And…here are some Pokeballs." A total of six.
"Ah—thank you Professor."
"And I guess you already have a partner Pokémon." Ash looked at Starly with a smile, to which Starly nuzzled his face.
Ash thumped his chest with his fist and bore a smile, "Do you want to go on an adventure with me! I'm going to become a Pokémon Master!"
"Starly! Starly!" It chirped proudly. With a quick touch and some beeping later, Starly was now his Pokémon. Not just Pokémon. A partner for life.
This was just the start, for all four kids of a journey worth a lifetime and more. This was just the first step.
