Ash woke with a silent yawn, eyes opening to see the sun rising and showing that it was early in the morning. He admired the beautiful sight, gently shifting Pikachu onto the sleeping bag.
"Good morning, Ash."
"Morning Lucario," Ash said without flinching. He'd gotten used to Lucario's habit of lurking about.
The Aura Pokémon jumped off of the tree branch he had been sitting on, landing neatly. "The girl, how will you handle her?" Lucario asked, gesturing at Misty.
"Not really sure, honestly. It would be nice to have a human to talk to as we travel along, but then I wouldn't be able to talk to you guys all the time if I wanted to keep my secret," Ash responded, troubled by the situation.
"Then don't." Ash looked at him curiously. "If you are going to make real friends, it would be counter-productive to hold any secrets back, namely your Aura abilities. They need not know about your Chosen status, but the rest they should be privy to."
The black-haired trainer sighed. "What if I end up as a non-stop translator then? I'm sure any trainer would love the chance to be able to converse with their Pokémon. And my Aura abilities, I'm not sure how normal people would react to traveling with a Human Pokémon…"
"Make it clear then. If they will truly become a friend, they will respect your wishes to use your ability as you wish. Serena took the revelation of your abilities well-enough, did she not?"
"I guess so," Ash conceded. "Guess I'll make breakfast and wait for them to wake up."
Lucario nodded and went off to hunt for his own food. He preferred hunting for his own food to being provided to by Ash, though he appreciated the sentiment.
Ash whipped out a pan and ingredients from his backpack of seemingly endless capacity. He whipped up a batter for pancakes and beat some eggs for himself and Misty. Taking out a few berries, Ash chopped up some Chesto, Shuca, and Oran Berries to add to Pikachu's food. He prepared a different batch for Fearow.
He really enjoyed perusing the effects of berries in meals, the more common being the Chesto to help wake up Pokémon from their morning slow-down and Oran for energy.
Ash set-up a little array for him to cook pancakes in and started to hum. Soon, Pikachu and Misty stirred from their slumber to the sound of crackling and smell of food.
"Good morning Ash!" Misty said brightly. Pikachu drowsily bounced over to Ash, taking his usual place on his trainer's shoulder.
"Morning Misty, Pikachu," Ash replied, flipping a pancake over. "Breakfast will be done in a few minutes."
Misty nodded and relaxed, stretching herself out. Her eyes locked onto the friendly, but mysterious boy, watching him silently.
"You have a healthy amount of interest in my trainer," a voice stated from behind her, startling the girl.
Misty turned to see Lucario, amusement in his eyes. "D-Did you just talk?" she asked apprehensively.
Lucario bit down a sarcastic retort, considering that she was just a ten-year old girl, and replied evenly. "Yes, it's something that my powers over Aura allow me to do. I believe Ash has finished cooking breakfast, don't let me delay you from your meal."
Misty nodded, still rather startled from the information. 'What a way to start a conversation,' Ash thought to himself with a smirk.
Lucario leaned against a nearby tree as the trio ate. Ash released the Fearow he caught, but it stayed away from the quartet for the moment. He would take care of that later. Ash decided to explain his ability to speak to Pokémon while the subject was breached, leaving his ability to utilize the Aura to simulate moves for some other day.
Needless to say, Misty was pretty astounded. Shock soon turned to amazement. It was definitely a cool ability, but she realized that Ash didn't want her to treat him any differently. She opted to talk about some normal stuff. "So, where are you heading to Ash?"
"We're going to stop off in Viridian City to get Pikachu a little check-up and register for the Indigo League. Then we're heading through Viridian Forest and onto Pewter City for our first gym badge."
"Wait, your first gym badge? How long have you been on your journey?"
"This is my second day."
Misty gasped. "What, really? How did you catch the Fearow so easily? It looked so strong!"
Ash pointed to Lucario and Pikachu. "My friends are really strong, that's all I can say. Pikachu's gone through some pretty tough training already, haven't you buddy?"
"Torture, not training…" the mouse responded.
"Right…anyway, enough about us. Where are you going to do?"
"Well, I'm not really sure…I set out on my journey to work on becoming the best Water Pokémon trainer, but I don't really know what I should be doing…"
"Why don't you travel with us, Misty? If you don't have anything else you want to do, it'd be good for you to rack up experience while traveling," Ash offered.
Misty looked surprised. "Really, you'd let me come with you? Wouldn't I just be slowing you down?"
Ash shook his head with a smile. "Of course not! The more, the merrier, right? I'd have to be insane to not want to travel with a cute girl, anyway."
"Oh Arceus, I think I'm going to be sick," Pikachu groaned melodramatically. Ash stuck his tongue out at his little, yellow companion. Red tinged Misty's features, flushing at the compliment. Her heart drummed slightly.
She made up her mind easily. "I'd love to come along, Ash. Thank you," she said sincerely.
"Glad to have you on-board, Misty. We should set out for Viridian City now. I'd like to get to Pewter within the next four or five days," Ash said, snapping back to business.
Misty got on her bike, while Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario ran. There was always time for training, after all.
…..
A/N: In case anybody thinks that Ash/Naruto's behavior is strange. Some people are probably thinking something along the lines of "Naruto be perving on younger people." Well, Naruto himself was technically around 13, which isn't much older. Also, during his transfer, I somewhat stated it, but it might've been misunderstood. Basically, Naruto is Naruto, Ash is Ash. It's been made that while he can access the memories and experience of his past life, Ash is his own person, own personality, and as such, actually a ten year old, but more mature, as per side effects of old life.
"Hello~! This is the Ketchum Residence."
"Hey mom!"
Ash heard a squeal and some shuffling on the side of the call before his mother showed up on the video, a towel wrapped around her neck. "Hi, dear! Where are you right now?"
"I'm in the Pokémon Center in Viridian City."
"Oh, wow, you're already there? Your father took four days to get there! He'd be so proud."
"Yea, it didn't take us long to get here. Pikachu got in a lot of training and we even made a new friend on the way!"
Misty came into view, brought over by Ash. "Hello Mrs. Ketchum, my name is Misty Waterflower. Nice to meet you!"
"Oh, that's so sweet, Ash. I always knew you'd be a ladies man when you started your journey. Don't forget, since you're a trainer, you're basically an adult now, so be responsible!"
"Mom! Stop it, that's embarrassing," Ash complained, blush on his face.
"Hehe, I was just kidding with you, sweetheart. Well, I'll be going now! I have something I need to do. Love you, son!"
"Love you too, mom."
The call ended and Ash sighed, turning to Misty. "Sorry about that, my mom can be kind of…overbearing sometimes."
Misty waved it off, another light blush on her face. "Oh, don't worry, I don't mind at all. It's sweet how much she cares for you."
Ash nodded in agreement and smiled brightly. "Yea, she's the best! She's so supportive of my dream too!"
Misty smiled inwardly. Ash was really mature for a 'ten-year old' boy. Most other guys would've been embarrassed and annoyed at their mothers for stuff like that, not appreciative in the least. Ash was different though.
The orange-haired girl looked around the Pokémon Center as they waited for Nurse Joy to finish checking over Pikachu and Fearow. Her eyes stopped on a quad-colored tablet on the wall.
"Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos, and Arcanine."
Misty looked back to Ash, who was watching her. "Huh?"
"Those are the four Pokémon on that tablet. The Kanto Legendary Bird Trio and the 'Legendary' Pokémon, Arcanine, protector of the law," Ash commented, walking next to the girl. "Arcanine feels kind of out-of-place though. I feel like it should be Lugia instead."
The duo stood patiently in wait for a few more moment before an obnoxious ringtone went off.
"Ring, ring, ring! Phone call! Phone call!"
Ash quickly ran over to the computer that Nurse Joy normally manned, accepting to call to shut off the ring tone. "Hello, who is this?"
"Here, over here!" a familiar voice said. Misty and Ash heard a click and watched as the Arcanine tablet piece slid away to reveal a video screen. "Ash, it's Professor Oak! Don't you recognize me?"
Ash sweat dropped. "You're facing the wrong way, Professor."
"Oh, whoops! Sorry, wrong camera," he said in embarrassment. He tapped a few keys and swapped the camera to his face. He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I just spoke with your mother and she told me that you are already at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City! Is that correct?"
"Well, you called the Pokémon Center and I picked up, didn't I?" Ash asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, right, of course!"
"Is he senile?" Misty whispered.
"The other trainers made it to Viridian City without many issues as well, but I was surprised that you made it so quickly. I assume you worked out things with Pikachu, right?"
"Yea, we're best friends and partners now! Everything's perfect."
"Good, good, that's good. One other thing. Gary said that you wouldn't have a single new Pokémon by the time you reached Viridian City and I bet him a million Pokédollars that he'd be wrong!"
"Looks like Gary owes you then, Professor. I caught a Fearow on my way here," Ash stated. "You sure you guys should be wasting money on stuff like this?"
"Ohoho, don't worry about it. I do feel kind of bad for taking advantage of you like that, so I'll transfer some of the money over to you!" A bell rang in the background, distracting the Professor. "Oh, it looks like my pizza is here. It was nice talking to you, Ash. Good luck!" he said before hanging up.
Ash and Misty both sweat dropped at the old Professor's antics. He just shrugged, accepting the extra funds for his journey.
Nurse Joy came out with Pikachu and Ash's Pokéball. "Your Pikachu and Fearow are perfectly healthy now! You have also been registered for the Indigo League, so you're all set to go!"
"Thank you, Nurse Joy!" Ash held out his arm, which Pikachu used to climb back over to his shoulder.
Before anything else could happen, a loud announcement rang out in the city from Officer Jenny. The glass skylight of the Pokémon Center shattered, two Pokéballs falling through.
Both opened, releasing two purple Pokémon. 'Ekans and Koffing…' The gaseous Pokémon flew across the room, releasing a smokescreen. Two figures jumped down into the midst.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people with our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
A Meowth jumped down to join the strangely dressed duo. "Meowth, that's right!"
Ash finally registered the giant red R that they each had on their clothes. "Team Rocket, that one criminal group that's notorious for snatching Pokémon?"
"Well, well, it looks like the boy's done his research," James mocked.
"It doesn't change anything though. Now, hand over all of the Pokémon you have here in the center and we might leave without destroying too much," Jessie said with a cruel smirk.
Ash raised an eyebrow at the criminal trio. They'd regret underestimating him. Ash wasted no time.
"Lucario, Pikachu, time to battle!" Ash shouted, tapping the Pokéball on his necklace. The beam of white light landed in front of Ash, Pikachu taking a position adjacent to the materialized Aura Pokémon. "Lucario, Bone Rush on Ekans, Pikachu, Quick Attack with Iron Tail on the Koffing."
The duo nodded, quickly moving to strike. Lucario materialized a bone and struck Ekans a single time, knocking it harshly back into the Team Rocket trainers. Pikachu sped up quickly, slamming his glowing tail into the gaseous Pokémon, knocking it into the two trainers as well.
This all happened in a second. Meowth snapped out of his shock, claws glowing as he tried to use Fury Swipes. "Pikachu, Double Team to evade, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave, and Flash to disable them."
The electric mouse easily dodged the cat's attack, three more copies appearing and confusing him. All four images dashed towards Meowth, the real Pikachu slamming into his side and propelling him towards the Team Rocket group.
He released a paralyzing wave of electricity into the group, inhibiting their movement and blinded them with Flash, before returning to Ash's side.
The Team Rocket pile struggled to move, but flinched from the paralysis. Moments later, Officer Jenny arrived to take in trio of thugs. Initially, Officer Jenny started off with a rant about how he should have left the dangerous work to adults, but then congratulated and thanked him for his quick actions, preventing any damage to the Pokémon Center.
"We'll get you for this, brat!" Team Rocket shouted simultaneously as they were dragged off.
Ash watched the doors to the Pokémon Center close and turned around. "For some reason, I get the feeling that we'll see them again."
With nothing else to do in Viridian City, the group left for the Viridian Forest.
…..
Hall of Origin…
The Hall of Origin. Existing in a dimension between time and space, the Hall was an object of legends and myths long passed down by the humans. As the name indicated, all of life originated from this single place.
The home of the Legendary Pokémon, Arceus. The one known as the God of All Pokémon, the Creator of Life.
Unlike its normal state, the Hall was filled with occupants today, at the first Council of Legends in many years.
The Kanto Bird Trio: Zapdos, Avatar of Lightning, Articuno, Avatar of Ice, and Moltres, Avatar of Fire.
The Johto Beast Trio: Raikou, Beast of Lightning, Entei, Beast of Fire, and Suicune Beast of Ice.
The Guardians of the Seas and Skies: Lugia and Ho-Oh.
The New Species Legendary Pokémon, said to contain the DNA of all Pokémon in existence: Mew.
The Traveler of Time and Embodiment of the Forest: Celebi.
The Hoenn Legendary Golems: Regice, Regirock, and Registeel.
Their Master and the Colossal Pokémon, normally slumbering within Sinnoh: Regigigas.
The Hoenn Eon Duo: Latios and Latias.
The Hoenn Weather Trio: Kyogre, the Empress of the Ocean, Groudon, the Emperor of Land, and Rayquaza, the Lord of the Atmosphere.
The Hoenn Wish Pokémon, who normally only every one thousand years: Jirachi.
The Pokémon from Outer Space: Deoxys.
The Sea Guardians: Manaphy and Phione.
The Sinnoh Lake Guardians: Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit.
The Sinnoh Creation Trio: Dialga, Lord of Time, Palkia, Lady of Time, and Giratina, Empress of Antimatter.
The Sinnoh Lunar Duo: Cresselia, Princess of Dreams, and Darkrai, Prince of Nightmares.
The Volcanic Pokémon, born of the planet's burning core: Heatran.
The Gratitude Pokémon and Purifier of Lands: Shaymin.
The Unova Embodiment of Victory: Victini.
The Unova Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, along with their recent member Keldeo.
The Unova Forces of Nature: Tornadus, Landorus, and Thundurus.
The Unova Tao Trio: Zekrom, Aspect of Yin, Reshiram, Aspect of Yang, and Kyurem, the Dragon of Absence.
The Legendary of Song and Dance: Meloetta.
The Ancient Insect Pokémon: Genesect.
The Kalos Mortality Duo: Xerneas, the Empress of Life, and Yveltal, the Emperor of Destruction.
Each of the Legendaries were present in the Hall of Origin, summoned by their mother, Arceus. The children and siblings created by Arceus many years past were with their respective kind.
A few years ago, Arceus had seen it fit to increase the number of some of the Legendaries, though the reason was unknown to them.
At the moment, many of them were arguing. "Humans are despicable creatures, searching to misuse our powers and catch us for their personal use! How can you not see that?"Groudon roared.
"And how are you blind to the fact that not all humans are all the same way? Even we Pokémon differ in behavior, some aggressive for no reason at all!" Kyogre growled back.
"Ah, but you have not been personally exploited yet, Kyogre. You don't know how it feels to be under the cruel hands of humans," Genesect clicked.
"One man in particular has been pursuing my son endlessly, hoping to add him to his collection of Legendaries…" Darkrai stated monotonically.
"I know the feeling, Darkrai, but even you must agree that there are humans that can be trustworthy. Does the girl Alice not hold a place in your heart?" Latios stated. One of his own brothers was being pursued by the same man. However, Latios and his sister, who was timidly floating behind him, both trusted greatly in Lorenzo and Bianca.
"Sir Aaron, as well. He gave his life selflessly for my survival and to end the Great War," Mew added in.
"The same Great War that was started by greedy humans in the first place!" Entei roared back.
"The same greed that has led so many organizations to attempt to unseal and use us as tools," Reshiram stated.
The bickering continued between the larger Legendaries, but Celebi, Meloetta, Shaymin, Manaphy, Phione, Mew, Keldeo, and Jirachi simply sat back. "Humans aren't really that bad, are they?" Keldeo asked curiously.
"Not all of them, no. However, the truly great ones are few in the world. Most of them aren't particularly bad, but rather simple-minded," Celebi stated objectively.
"Well…we'll have some real fun soon!" Mew said playfully. The others turned to look at her, but then Arceus floated down from above, aura of power permeating the room.
The room went silent as all heads turned to their leader. "Thank you all for gathering at such short notice," Arceus stated, settling down at the head of the room.
"Why have you gathered us here, mother? You have not called a Council meeting in over a millennia," Zekrom asked respectfully.
"Change is coming to our world... Darkrai, tell me. What do you think of humans?"
The Pitch-Black Pokémon considered the question carefully for a minute before answering. "Humans are variable, the largest force of change in the world. It was they who started the Great Wars in the past…but also they who turned the world to peace.
Humans can be vile, hate-filled, greedy, and untrustworthy…but they can also be kind, caring, trustworthy, and a wonderful species.
Some of the others argue that our fellow Pokémon are forced by trainers to fight against their will and degrade themselves. I find that to be untrue. While there are some vile humans that take Pokémon against their will or train them for misdeeds, there are also trainers that treat their Pokémon as comrades and friends. Pokémon themselves, in some cases, want to go with trainers to strengthen themselves outside of what they can in their natural environment.
I am indifferent to humans."
Some of the Legendaries frowned at Darkrai's defense of humans, but many smiled in agreement. Arceus nodded in acceptance. "That is a very thorough and well-thought out answer. Now, then, the change I speak of will occur in the near future. Soon, organizations and individuals alike will seek out the Legendaries to further their own goals, whether of greed or power." Many of the Legendaries roared in anger at this. "SILENCE!" The Hall settled down once again. "They will seek you out and capture you with technology, attempting to bend you to their will. However, you will not face these endeavors alone."
"Does that mean you will aid us, Lady Arceus?" Groudon asked in confusion.
The giant quadruped Legendary shook her head. "No, it will not be, nor any of your fellow Pokémon." Eyes widened in understanding. "A human will be the focal point and our savior."
Silence fell over the Hall, disbelieving expressions on every Legendary. Except Mew and Arceus. "What powers could a human hold to protect us against that which we cannot defend ourselves from?" Dialga asked skeptically. The Legendaries waited anxiously for her response.
"He is no ordinary human. He is my Chosen. The one who will become a champion of Pokémon and human alike. And do not be so conceited. Regardless of how each of you view humans, you must recognize that they are innovative and developing rapidly. You will need him."
The words sent shockwaves through the bodies of each Legendary. A Chosen of Arceus…what would this human be like? Similar questions ran through the minds of the silent and still Council.
"Who is this Chosen, mother? What is he like?" Celebi asked curiously.
"He is pure of heart, with noblest of intentions.
He is strong, with the potential to become an Aura Guardian beyond the power of Sir Aaron.
His skills as a Pokémon Trainer will flourish as he brings his companions and friends to victory, going so far as to train alongside them.
Pokémon will flock to him, those of great potential, potential to become the paragon of their species. They will seek his guidance and receive his friendship, something that they will never regret.
He will meet many women through his travels, with a heart large enough to hold them all equally. Eventually, they will mature and determine what is more important to them; having a single partner or sharing an invaluable companion.
Most importantly, he will bring about great change to you all. As he meets you, you will form your own opinions of him.
He has my blessings and will become a forerunner of the future, a light for all to follow. He will change humans for the better."
The Legendaries remained silent, pondering the words of their creator. Eventually, another question arose, that had been lingering at the back of their minds. "What of us, Lady Arceus? What role do we play in his life as a whole?" Lugia asked.
"Aside from interacting with him as he works to fight the forces of darkness that encroach upon our world, some of us may become his companions," Arceus answered easily.
One by one, the Legendaries registered her words. "I will NOT become some human's POKÉMON, to be called out upon a whim and forced to battle!" Groudon roared in defiance.
Suddenly, an immense pressure forced itself onto him and he shook in absolute terror. Arceus gazed at him coldly. "And none of you shall be forced to do so. Make your judgments as he meets you. If you feel inclined to join him, then feel free to do so."
Arceus turned her gaze to Lugia, releasing Groudon from the horrifying experience of being on the creator Pokémon's bad side.
"For example, if you do feel so inclined to join my Chosen on his journey, I shall create a replacement to take up your duty, given that you have one at the time." Arceus stated. "The meeting is concluded and you may all take leave, if you wish to. Lugia, I would like to speak to you briefly.
Many of the Legendaries retreated to their bodies in the physical world, taking the new revelation into consideration. The silver Legendary moved off to speak to her creator.
…..