Beginning of a Legend

"Charge!"

Dozens of soldiers wearing black and red armor charged towards a much smaller group that wore blue and white armor, the Pokemon of both sides wore rather similar armor as both groups began attacking one another. The humans clashed swords while the Pokemon fired off attacks or clashed fists against one another.

"You will surrender to our king or perish! So say I Sir Lancelot!" A soldier wearing a black knight set of armor, donned with a red feather on the back of his helmet aimed his sword at an individual wearing a similar suit of armor but white and with a blue feather. A mighty tall dragon stood behind him, it's black scales and red eyes matched the color scheme of Sir Lancelot and his soldiers armor, it's tail began glowing bright blue as it appeared to be charging up an electrical attack!

"We'll never give up, we're going to fit right until the end!" The white knight retaliated. A mighty tall dragon similar to the other dragon stood behind him, it's appearance appeared more feminine than the darker dragon. It's scales a matching white color while it's blue eyes seemed rather calm looking despite the situation though she was ready to fight her brother no matter the cost!

"Pikapi!" A Pikachu wearing a white suit of armor stood atop his companion's shoulder, cheeks sparking in a threatening manner as he glared at Sir Lancelot.

"Foolish child, you really think some kid is going to beat me?! I've killed men twice your size and decimated entire armies in the king's name, your never going to-"

"I've heard of you but that doesn't mean a thing, if we don't take you down now then you're going to drag the rest of the world into this conflict! The people have had enough of the king's tyranny, now you can either step aside and join us or we'll fight to the death if we have to! You can't honestly think Reaper's going to keep you around after all of this do you? You'll be tossed aside and thrown out like rotten berries if not killed, you're a threat to his reign!"

"Pikapi!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.

Sir Lancelot froze for a moment, his facial reaction unseen due to his helmet masking him, though he'd soon shout out and lash out with his sword!

"Aaaah!" Ash suddenly shot awake, holding his head as he had quite the headache!

"Pikapi?!" Pikachu stirred awake on the pillow by his trainer and best friend's side before tilting his head with concern over his actions.

"J-Just a really weird dream, Pikachu..." Ash muttered, rubbing his head before getting up to get some aspirin. "No need to get worried."

"Pika..." Pikachu flattened his ears before following his trainer down the stairs. It had been two years since Ash's loss against Tobias and they'd spent the entire time training, well most of the time anyways, Oak had ordered him to take a week off in order to let his Pokemon along with Ash himself to recharge their batteries and not overexert themselves.

During that time, Primeape and Pidgeot had returned to the lab and were living alongside the other Pokemon. Charizard and Squirtle had returned as well with the entire Squirtle Squad retiring and living at Oak's lab so they could continue hanging around their leader and close friend! Totodile had also evolved into a Feraligatr during that period, Ash finally fulfilling his promise to the Johto starter of becoming one! Feraligatr had kept his joyful attitude despite his size, which made it quite comical seeing a giant crocodile Pokemon dancing joyfully! Gible had also evolved into a Gabite and Quilava and Bayleef had evolved into Typhlosion and Meganium respectively!

Ash's friends had also succeeded in their life goals, May and Dawn had become Grand Coordinators after winning in their home region's Grand Festivals, Brock had graduated from medical school and was now a fully fledged doctor, Misty was considered a top Water specialist worldwide, Gary had succeeded Rowan who'd retired from his Professor duties making Gary now a fully fledged Professor, and Max would soon be leaving Petalburg City in order to receive his first Pokemon from Professor Birch! Ash hoped to fulfill his promise to Max and battle him someday!

"It'll be our turn soon, Pikachu!" Ash pumped his fists with determination as they entered the kitchen where he started preparing his breakfast, which was cereal and milk. Despite him spending almost the entirety of the past two years within Pallet Town, he still hadn't mastered the art of cooking! Everything he pumped out ended up burnt to a crisp! Delia was quite patient with him during that time and reassured him that a lot of guys couldn't cook and perhaps that someday he'd meet a girl who'd be able to cook meals for him, Ash had no interest in finding a girlfriend anytime soon though for his main focus right now was conquering a regional Pokemon League! That was a major step towards becoming a Pokemon Master!

Though which region to go to was the question, he had traveling pamphlets of several regions spread upon the table. Alola sounded interesting but the lack of any Pokemon Leagues or even Pokemon Gyms was a major turnoff for him, though despite their being two other options he'd end up trying to choose between the Unova and Kalos regions. Kalos had a newer champion from the information he had gathered and there was an also a new technique called Mega Evolution that he was interested in taking part in, though Unova didn't have it... meaning if he chose to go to Unova after he conquered Kalos, it'd feel quite underwhelming. He stroked the bottom of his chin for a moment as he pondered the choices over before eventually closing his eyes and letting fate guide him, his hand landed on a pamphlet causing him to open his eyes before smiling towards Pikachu.

"I guess we're going to Unova, buddy!"

"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out.

Ash soon finished up his breakfast before cleaning his dish and silverware, then putting it away before he'd make the journey up to Professor Oak's lab! Professor Oak was currently slapping his hand against the side of his computer phone as the screen was currently just a bunch of static, a look of frustration upon his face while Tracey looked up from his sketchbook and waved at Ash as he'd enter the room.

"Hello Ash, getting ready for another training session?" Tracey asked as he closed his sketchbook in order to go fetch Ash's Pokemon for him only for Ash to shake his head in response.

"Nope, I'm finally ready! What happened in the Sinnoh League won't happen again, I'm sure of it!" Ash pumped his fists as stars shined brightly in his eyes before he produced the Unova traveling pamphlet and handed it to Tracey. "Today I'm parting for Unova!"

"Unova, eh? What a coincidence, I just happen to be talking to the regional Professor of Unova right now!" Oak laughed, giving the side of his communication device one hard kick before the screen finally corrected itself to reveal the picture of a lab somewhere in the Unova region according to what Oak had told him.

"Professor Juniper, you there?" Professor Oak called out, his call soon answered as a young woman soon stepped into the picture. She looked to be in her early twenties, definitely the youngest Professor that Ash had seen so far! She had short light brown colored hair along with a pair of light green eyes, her attire seemed quite different from most Professors as well as she appeared to be wearing a white tank top and a long green skirt beneath her lab coat from what Ash could tell.

"Got that machine working again, Samuel? You should really throw that old thing out and get a new one." Juniper giggled leading Oak to rub the back of his neck nervously.

"Well I don't like tossing things out, I've had this machine for quite some time and I don't intend on throwing it out. I'll find some other way to get it working right." Oak chuckled before shaking his head. "Anyways, this is Ash. He's going to be challenging the Unova League from what I hear, perhaps instead of me mailing you my research notes on the subject of trade evolution, he can just deliver it to you in person?"

Professor Juniper leaned closer to the screen as if to examine Ash as she lightly hummed. "Ash Ketchum, eh? Why does that name sound familiar?"

"Well he is the Orange Island champion, or rather one of them. They do things differently there." Oak chuckled. "And he alongside his rival Paul, are the only trainers to successfully conquer the Battle Frontier here in the Kanto region!"

"Yeah, that's probably it. My father's a friend of Brandon's," Juniper noted, nodding her head in acceptance before smiling. "So you plan on entering the Unova League, eh? Well good luck, Alder's had the title since he was your age and nobody's managed to take it from him yet!"

"That just makes the thought of battling him more exciting!" Ash smirked as Pikachu nodded from atop his shoulder. "If he's as strong as you say then beating him would help me advance towards my goal of becoming a Pokemon Master!"

"Pi Pikachu pika!" Pikachu cried out.

"Heh, well good luck with that!" Juniper giggled, smirking lightly before directing her attention to Oak. "Mind sending him on his way? I've got to focus on getting things here ready for the new trainers coming in today."

"Of course," Professor Oak chuckled before giving Juniper a wave as he turned off the device and resumed his focus on Ash, handing him a folder full of research notes before giving him a kind smile. "Would you like to take any Pokemon with you, or am I to assume this is another fresh start?"

Ash shook his head before smiling. "I'd like to use my Pokemon later on but for now, I'm going to focus on adding some new Pokemon to my team!"

"A wise decision," Professor Oak nodded as another smile crossed his face. "If you capture new Pokemon then you'll be able to train them up in the earlier gyms and get them fit and ready to fight alongside your other Pokemon further on." Oak closed his eyes for a moment before holding out his hand to Ash.

"I wish you luck on your new adventure, I really feel like you'll win this time!"

Ash smiled before shaking Oak's hand. "Thank you, and good luck on your research here at the lab!"

"See ya, Ash!" Tracey waved at Ash.

Ash headed on back to check on his Pokemon in order to reveal that he was leaving. Bulbasaur greeted Ash as he exited the building, a smile upon the Grass starter's face.

"Bulba, Bulbasaur bulba!"

"Hello Bulbasaur," Ash lowered himself to his knees as he smiled down upon his Pokemon. "Would you mind gathering the others? I'd like to inform them that Pikachu and I are leaving for awhile, leaving without saying goodbye wouldn't feel right."

Bulbasaur nodded before crying out as Ash's bird Pokemon; Pidgeot, Staraptor, Swellow, and Noctowl arrived. The four tilted their heads as Bulbasaur began chanting at them, they'd soon nod before taking off into the sky! Returning not long after with all of Ash's Pokemon

"Everyone, today I'm leaving for the Unova region. Now I know you're all looking forward to battling again but I'd like to start off by strictly using Pokemon that I find within the region then in the latter half after I've gotten them trained up, I'll bring in the rest of you and we'll conquer the Unova League!" Ash pumped his fists while his Pokemon cried out, seeming to accept his wishes and were content with it! After all they could always use more friends and there were still a few key types absent from Ash's arsenal!

"Primeape!" Primeape punched the air before glaring at Ash.

Ash merely chuckled lightly before petting Primeape's head. "I'll try and make you one of the first, Primeape. That's a promise!"

"Prime!" Primeape seemed satisfied with that answer though he was still rather impatient to get out there and kick some ass!

"Bui bui!" Buizel punched the air alongside Primeape, seeming to share Primeape's thoughts.

"I'll definitely need all of you if I take on the Elite Four!" Ash laughed before directing his attention towards the horizon. "But the world's a big place and I've trained you all to the point that you'd all sweep through the Gyms rather easily, even Pikachu's sitting the first Gym battles out."

"Pikachu," Pikachu crossed his arms and nodded, showing that Ash wasn't favoring Pikachu and that he was getting the same treatment as the others. He was just going with Ash since he'd never willingly leave Ash's side or turn his back on him. Pikachu and Ash would always be together!

"Though I have to get going if I'm going to make it to Vermilion Docks by the time the boat leaves," Ash looked at his watch and sweated lightly. "I'll see you all in a few months!" Ash waved at his Pokemon as they all cried out and waved after him, the birds even following him out of the lab for a bit before waving with their wings as they watched Ash heading up the long road out of Pallet Town.

"I really missed traveling, it'll be fun to explore an entire new region!" Ash reached out to stroke Pikachu's fur, the electric mouse cried out in agreement as he stretched himself out.

A car horn would soon honk and Ash glanced back to notice a jeep driving down the road, the jeep seemed to be slowing down as it approached before coming to a stop. Ash glanced at the driver before realizing that it was Brock's dad, the older man rolled down the window before smirking as he thumbed backwards.

"Get in the back,"

Ash nodded, thanking the man before opening the door and climbing on into the back. Not really noticing that somebody was in the seat next to him until he spoke out.

"Going somewhere, Ash?" The familiar voice caused a smile to cross Ash's face while Pikachu cried out before leaping across the jeep to nuzzle the other male's cheek.

"Brock!" Ash cried out, excited to see his best friend again! Brock waved back while petting Pikachu with his free hand, Croagunk could be seen peeking over the seat from the back of the jeep, croaking silently.

"I heard that you were heading off on another adventure, you weren't thinking of leaving without me were you?" Brock smirked.

"But what about your doctor-?"

"I'm a traveling doctor, Ash. I can go anywhere!" Brock smiled before teasing Ash lightly. "Besides the trouble you get into, you could use a doctor in your group!"

Ash chuckled before holding out his hand. "Welcome to the group then!"

It wouldn't too much longer before Brock's father stopped the jeep outside of the Vermilion docks, allowing for Ash and Brock to hop on out with Croagunk and Pikachu following their trainers. Pikachu being quick to hop back onto his trainer's shoulder while Croagunk just stared at passing trainers while silently croaking out.

"Thanks for the lift, Brock's dad!"

"Yeah, thanks for getting me here!" Brock chuckled.

Brock's father shook his head before giving Ash a light smile. "Don't mention it, it's the least I could do after all you've done for us." He turned the jeep around before driving off, presumably back to Pewter City. Leaving Ash and Brock to go purchase tickets for the next boat leaving for Unova!


"Hey, you awake?!" A girl around Ash's age quickly jumped from her bed as she heard the door being barged open, opening her eyes to see her best friend standing there with quite the cheerful expression. "We're getting our first Pokemon from Professor Juniper today, aren't you excited?!"

"Yeah, I'm excited alright..." The girl muttered, though she didn't look it. She still had no clue what she wanted to do in life, she knew her two friends wished to take part in the Unova League but that never interested her. She currently wore a white t-shirt and a pair of blue short shorts, her long brown hair was currently a mess and her blue eyes seemed glazed over from tiredness as she let out another yawn.

The other girl tilted her head. "Something wrong?" She asked. "You can tell me anything you know!"

"It's just that... I don't really have an interest in Pokemon battles, they've never seemed my short of thing. You, Cheren, and my brother always enjoyed watching the League battles on television," Her brother had already left a few years ago, Hilda and Cheren on the other hand waited until they were sixteen which was when Bianca's overprotective father was willing to allow the girl to leave. Hilda and Cheren wanted to support Bianca and didn't want her to feel left out by ditching her, besides Hilda wasn't even sure of what she wanted to do back then and she still didn't!

Bianca rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well you do know they're trying out Pokemon Contests here soon, you could always try that! Or perhaps Pokemon Musicals?" Bianca tried suggesting options to her friend.

"Nah, I don't think those are for me." Hilda shook her head as she put her jacket on above her shirt, following up by tying her hair into a ponytail. "They've always seemed a bit... girly."

"Huh, well that's tough." Bianca shrugged while giving her a sad expression. "I don't really have much else to offer you, sorry to say."

"It's alright, perhaps I'll think of something as time goes on." Hilda smiled before the two headed on out of the house, Hilda's mother giving Bianca a cross expression as they passed due to her barging in like usual.

Bianca giggled before waving. "Sorry about that, you won't have to worry about that happening again for quite some time!"

They headed on down the road before arriving at Professor Juniper's lab, which was quite the ordinary looking lab facility with a large field fenced in around it to allow for any Pokemon that trainers capture to reside in if needed. A boy their age stood out front, wearing a blue jacket and black jeans. He had short neatly groomed black hair and a pair of dark blue eyes that laid behind a pair of glasses. He adjusted his glasses as he took notice of their arrival, a light smile crossing his face before nodding towards the building as they began their way inside.

"So Cheren, any ideas as to what Pokemon you'll pick?" Bianca asked her friend while giving him a rather warm look. Hilda scoffed and rolled her eyes, praying that she'd never end up fawning over a guy like that.

"Why yes, I've come to the realization that Oshawott would be the most ideal starter for me." Cheren smirked lightly while Biance let out a giggle.

"Really? I'm choosing Tepig, cause he's just the cutest!"

Cheren narrowed his eyes at her before shaking his head lightly. "You won't get far if you just catch things cause they're cute, you know."

Bianca shrugged, merely smiling and not seeming concerned by what he said. "It's about having fun, is it not?" She giggled out. Cheren rolled his eyes in response while Hilda remained quiet as she pondered over her thoughts.

Professor Juniper was looking over some notes as they walked in, Hilda taking notice of a boy around her age standing next to her along with an older one with some strange blue frog Pokemon standing next to him.

"You know, after you finish reading those notes perhaps you'd like to discuss going out on a date with yours truly?" Brock suggested, getting down to a knee as stars filled his eyes. "I don't think it's mere fate that we crossed paths today, I think it was destiny! Perhaps this is Arceus' sign that you and I are destined to be, that we could-UGH!" Croagunk jabbed Brock's back with Poison Jab, causing him to keel over as Ash and Pikachu sweat dropped.

"I thought he wouldn't try this on her considering what happened with Ivy," Ash muttered to Pikachu, the electric mouse nodding in response before Brock's face went pale and he seemingly teleported across the room, curled up in a ball as he muttered out.

"That name..." It seemed whatever she did to him still scarred him even all these years later!

Professor Juniper then looked up, pushing her notes aside before waving Cheren, Bianca, and Hilda on into the room. "Come in, come in!" She smiled while reaching out for three Pokeballs. A small otter shaped shadow watched them from around the corner, it's attention focused on the group gathered within the room.

"You three will receive your first Pokemon today," Professor Juniper looked between the three as she pressed the buttons on the three Pokeballs, releasing the contents of them out into the room as a small white otter Pokemon, a green snake-like Pokemon, and an orange/black pig Pokemon appeared before them all!

"Oshawott!"

"Snivy!"

"Tepig!" The three Pokemon cried out as they were released before smiling upwards at their possible trainers.

"You can pick any of the three you want, I've got more in the back if any of you happen to want the same Pokemon." Juniper offered, after all only having one of each would just be cruel if two of them wanted the same one though thankfully that wasn't the case today!

"Ah, this one's cute!" Ash's gaze was locked onto Oshawott, whose cheeks turned red in response to his compliment while the Oshawott within the shadows gasped out, his eyes sparkling as he gazed towards Ash.

"Oshawott..." He slowly walked out before placing himself behind Ash, who didn't take notice of him at first as his attention was directed on the three new trainers.

"Well naturally I choose Oshawott," Cheren picked up the female Oshawott, who let out a cry before hugging Cheren.

"And I choose Tepig, come here you cutie!" Bianca laughed, suffocating Tepig with kisses as the pig squealed out and squirmed within her grasp!

"Guess that leaves me with Snivy then!" Hilda smiled, which was fine by her! Though she had no idea what her goal would be as of yet, she always intended on picking Snivy as her starter! The Grass starter raising her head with a cocky smile before nuzzling his head against Hilda as she picked him up.

Professor Juniper smiled before handing the three the Pokeballs the Pokemon belonged to, along with a few extras for each of them. "You'll have to buy the rest if you intend on capturing more Pokemon, or if you lose them." She glanced at Bianca as she said the last part, the blonde nervously rubbing the back of her neck in response before Juniper handed the three a Pokedex. "And this will help you three out on your journey, it'll show you what moves your Pokemon know along with giving you information on any Pokemon that you encounter while on your journey!" She also handed Ash his Pokedex back. "And I've taken the liberty of updating yours so it is up to date on all of the Pokemon residing here within the Unova region!"

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Ash smiled before pocketing his Pokedex, which was when he noticed Oshawott holding onto his leg. "Hello there,"

"Oshawott!" Oshawott smiled upon being noticed, quickly climbing up onto his shoulder before pushing Pikachu off as he took a proud looking stance! "Osha, Oshawott!"

"Pikaaaa!" Pikachu landed face first on the lab floor before growling as he glared up at Oshawott.

"Oshawott..?" Ash gazed at Oshawott with a curious expression before turning to face Professor Juniper who laughed lightly as she held another Pokeball within her grasp.

"Oshawott's sure grown rather fond of you, why don't you take him? From what I heard, you could use a Pokemon if you don't intend on using Pikachu for awhile." She offered.

"Is that what you want, Oshawott?" Ash asked, a smile quickly formed across his face. "Would you like to join me and help take on the Unova League together?!"

"Osha!" Oshawott nodded, smiling before Ash took the Pokeball from Juniper and returned Oshawott to it before holding the ball up with a warm smile across his face.

"Welcome to the team, Oshawott!"

Pikachu flattened his ears before leaping back onto Ash's shoulder, muttering beneath his breath.

"You got Oshawott too, eh?" Cheren laughed before smirking. "I know, how about we have a Pokemon battle? After we capture some Pokemon on Route One!"

"A Pokemon battle?! You're on!" Ash clenched his fists with a determined expression across his face. Oshawott's ball shook in response, it appeared the otter Pokemon shared Ash's view on the matter.

Brock noticed Hilda's concerned expression and approached. "Hello there, I couldn't help but notice that you look rather unsure of yourself. What's up?" He asked. He was once in a similar mood after all, being forced to become a Gym Leader despite his dreams and eventually those dreams evolved into his current one.

"I'm just not sure to do what," Hilda muttered, looking towards the others. "Those three seem to enjoy the prospect of entering the Unova League but I've just never understood the love for battling, I-I'm not sure what I'd like to do..."

"You know, there are Pokemon related goals out there that don't require battling. For instance I used to be a Pokemon Breeder and now I'm a Pokemon doctor! Of course I battle every now and then as I enjoy it but that doesn't mean you have to!"

"Pokemon breeder...?" Hilda raised her eyebrow as a curious expression crossed her face.

Brock chuckled before smiling at her. "I'll tell you while on the way, something tells me that you're going the same way we are anyways. I'm Brock by the way,"

"Hilda," The two shook hands while Ash and Cheren gave one another a challenging look before they all departed from the lab after bidding Professor Juniper a farewell and made their way towards Route One!


Team Rocket stood atop a nearby roof, looking down at Ash while wearing uniforms that resembled the greater Team Rocket's attire instead of their usual white outfits.

"It's been quite some time," James smirked, looking down at Ash as he walked down the path.

"He's probably grown stronger too," Jessie commented. "He's sure grown too."

"Meowth, we've grown stronger too!" Meowth stated, glaring at Jessie. "But we need to forget Pikachu, we earned this promotion and we can't afford to squander it by digressing back to our old ways!"

"He's right, we should really meet our contact here." James nodded, a small shadow-like Pokemon wearing a golden mask floated behind him.

"Yamask!"

A pink jellyfish Pokemon floated alongside Jessie as the smirk resumed on her face. "Right, we can't let the boss down!"

"Frillish!"

The group placed their hands together before crying out, this time they'd earn their bosses full acceptance and become Team Rocket elites!

For those that read my other stories, Shadows is currently on hiatus.

And I don't intend on pairing Ash up in this one, why? Well let's just say that is better saved for the sequel story. I'd like to keep him single until then, I even stated that he has no interest in getting one right now as becoming a Pokemon Master is his dream and current focus but when you meet the right girl... that changes. Does that mean he loses the Unova League? No, it doesn't. He's going to beat Cameron, slight spoiler?

Cheren and Bianca have been introduced and Ash will interact with them more in the next chapter, while Ash's third companion was also briefly showcased. I originally wrote her as another Coordinator... but then when there's Serena coming in during the sequel, it just feels too repetitive ya know? So I swapped her goal to becoming a Breeder instead, that way Brock can have a bigger role instead of being a supporting character as he mentors Hilda and Ash also helps her improve her battling skills later on as the Team Plasma/Rocket wars get underway.

And I think it's obvious Ash is getting Reshiram, why Reshiram? Because pretty much every Black/White story gives him Zekrom? I know Zekrom's who he was intended on bonding with before Team Plasma got canned in the original plot for the anime but I'd just like this to be different, ya know? Zekrom is my favorite too so please don't assume I'm choosing favorites haha!

The trio are going to stay in character, they're not villains. They're misunderstood like Dr. Doofenshmirtz in Phineas and Ferb, they're good people.

Rocket shipping, Ferris wheel shipping, and... whatever Bianca and Cheren's ship is called are the pairings for this story.

And Snivy is still happening, I love Ash's Snivy and Tepig! :)

Don't think all of Ash's canon captures will happen though, he'll get ones that he doesn't have along with some that might not be from generation five? Like older Pokemon he missed, apart from brief mentions of the newer regions I intend on treating this like a period piece. Until later chapters anyways, since that's what the anime usually does, you won't see any Kalos Pokemon; Nor will any Alola or Galar Pokemon physically appear at all!

And for future reference, Ash is 17, Brock is 20, and Hilda is 16!