Hey there, everybody! It's me, Ash! For those who I never got to meet, my full name is Ash Ketchum and I'm a Pokemon Trainer who hails from my home in Pallet Town, found in the Kanto region. Since I started my journey, I've made many new friends, be they new Pokemon I come across or other Trainers who travelled alongside me. And through it all, I've had my lifetime partner, Pikachu, the first Pokemon I ever received from Professor Oak. We've taken on so many Trainers and faced a lot of tough challenges over our journey. It's thanks to his help along with the trust I share with my Pokemon that led to me being crowned World Monarch at Wyndon Stadium, earned after defeating the Galar Champion, Leon, during the finals.
Hmm? What's happened since you last saw Pikachu and me? Heh heh. Well, it's been twenty five years since then…and now I have a family of my own to raise in Pallet Town. While I might be a father of my own now, I'm still the reigning Champion of the Alola region and I've been invited to other tournaments and events since my battle in Galar. I now have two kids, Aiden and Rosalyn, at home with me as well as their caring mother, my old travel companion Misty. I know…I never thought there'd come a day where I would ask Misty to marry me. But it just happened. Probably rekindled after we last traveled together. Anyway, it's great to see you again. And I hope you're ready for new adventures with me, my family and my Pokemon friends.
Pokemon Legends: Brand New Frontiers
Chapter 01: Invite of A Lifetime
~ Ash's Home - Pallet Town ~
The sun shined brightly overhead as the Ketchum family was out in their large backyard, built specially for the Pokemon Ash and Misty had caught. Outside at the time was Ash, Misty and their two kids playing with their Pokemon in the grass. Aiden, Ash's only son, was playing tag with Pikachu and Oshawott while Rosalyn was giggling while cuddling up next to his Charizard. The giant dragon was sleeping soundly against the trunk of a tree, squinting open his eye to watch her with a smirk on his face. In the same tree Charizard slouched beneath was another of Ash's Pokemon, his Noctowl quietly hooting in its sleep. Just then, Aiden wound up being tagged by Pikachu. But their chase ended up causing Aiden to trip and face plant into the grass, followed by Oshawott not stopping in time and flopping atop Pikachu's back. The three of them looked at each other before bursting out laughing. From the stairs of his patio, Ash watched his kids playing before Misty approached him, garnering his attention.
"What you looking at, Ash?" she asked while embracing him from behind.
"Just…taking in the view. Never did I imagine that my life would've led me here when I was out catching Pokemon or challenging Gym Leaders." he replied "Sometimes I almost believe this is just a dream I've yet to wake up from." Misty chuckled.
"You don't have to worry. This isn't any dream. This is the life WE'RE sharing…as a family." she said. Their hands overlapped each other, a glint of light casted against the wedding rings they wore. Ash glanced back at her.
"Yeah. That's right." he said softly. Suddenly, they both heard the doorbell ringing.
"Oh. That must be Professor Oak." Ash said "Can you watch the kids for a moment?" Misty nodded before letting go and Ash headed towards the front door. Pikachu gave chase at the same time and managed to catch up to Ash just before, climbing onto his shoulder, he opened the door. Professor Oak waved to Ash, carrying a few books under one arm and a smile beaming on his face.
"Hello there, Ash. I hope you don't mind me coming by like this." Oak asked. Ash chuckled.
"You know the door's always open to you Professor. Come on in." he said, leading Oak to the kitchen table. As the professor took a seat, Ash went into the fridge to fetch a pair of soda cans and offered one to him.
"What brings you by, Professor? Felt like you needed to check up on Pikachu or the other Pokemon?" Ash asked while pulling up a chair. Oak shook his head.
"Actually, I wanted to ask if you've put any thought upon the request that the "Pokemon Professor Association" asked of you." he explained, handing Ash an opened tan envelope with a letter inside. Glancing at the letter showed the proposal brought upon Ash by the association founded by the Pokemon Professors of the varying regions. It was addressed from each of the Professors that he met upon his travels asking if he would help them in investigating the legends behind the mythical legendary Pokemon from around the world.
"I've given it SOME thought…but I don't know if I'd be willing to just leave my family behind to go traveling. That might've worked for me and Pikachu before…" Ash said before Oak nodded.
"But you have Misty, as well as Aiden and Rosalyn, to think about too. I understand. But…speaking of your wife, have you talked about it with her at all?" Oak continued. The question left Ash speechless as he briefly paused, trying to recall. Seated besides him on the table was Pikachu watching as well.
"I actually don't remember. It was such a while back that…I guess I forgot." he laughed, sticking out his tongue. From behind, Misty walked in after overhearing the conversation and heavily sighed, shaking her head side to side.
"Honestly Ash? Don't tell me you really DID forget?" she asked with a slightly irritated expression "I remember telling you that you should take this opportunity and see the places you've been to before again. A lot HAS changed since you won the World Coronation Tournament." At her side was Aiden and Rosalyn.
"Is…Is dad going away, mom?" Rosalyn asked with a hand on her shorts.
"If he THINKS of it, he's not leaving US behind!" Aiden exclaimed. Ash looked back at his kids eyeing him and then shifted gaze back to Misty. They quietly stared at each other, Misty's face relaxing into a smile, before Ash turned back to Professor Oak.
"W-Well, if they'd still want my help…." Ash replied "I suppose I'll take their offer. DId any of them say anything about me bringing my family with me?" Professor Oak laughed.
"Why yes. I recently got in touch with Professor Kukui from Alola…saying they forgot to include that factor in the letter they sent. They would encourage you and your family to travel together. Professor Juniper believed it would give your children a chance to see other Pokemon, possibly encouraging them to follow in their father's footsteps when they're old enough." he explained. Ash suddenly felt stupid after hearing the professor's response, nervously chuckling while rubbing the back of his head.
"In that case…why did I EVER hesitate?" he retorted before catching Pikachu staring back at him. The small mouse stared with arms crossed and a brow raised look on his face.
"Hey! Don't you give me that look! Professor Oak just admitted they forgot to include that part! I-It's not entirely MY fault!" he replied, locking eyes with his partner.
"Pika-pi…" Pikachu sighed. His family started laughing behind him, only making him feel even more embarrassed as looked back.
"In that case, would you come with me back to the laboratory? We'll be able to call them and tell them you accept. " Oak said. Ash nodded before, once again, the doorbell rang. Ash went to answer but found it was simply a signal that the mailman had come by, evident by the postman walking away with a Pelipper flying alongside them. Spotting Ash, they tipped their hat while he waved back and collected the mail. He looked down by his foot and saw a small brown box on the edge of his doorstep, picking it up after collecting the rest.
"Who was that, Ash?" Misty asked.
"No biggie. It was just the mail. But…any idea what this is, Misty?" he said, showing them the box. Misty shrugged, saying she wasn't expecting anything. When they looked to their kids, they replied the same way. He set the box on the table before, with help from Pikachu's tail, broke the mailing tape.
"Well…this is rather exciting. I wonder what's inside myself." Oak said. With the box corners folded back, the sight caused Ash to briefly gasp. He pulled out a Master Ball from inside, the ball carefully nestled among soft felt paper and other padding.
"A…A Master Ball? Did…Did someone just send me a random Pokemon in the mail?" he asked, checking all around the ball's outer shell.
"I can't imagine someone would use the mail to send a random Pokemon to anyone. Maybe it's a gift from one of your "many" fans, Mr. Chapion." Misty teased. Seeing no damage done to the ball, Ash shrugged and decided to give it a light toss, seeing if there was anything inside. To everyone's surprise, the ball popped open and out came a shining flash of light. They all gasped as a large figure materialized itself inbetween Ash and his family. The Master Ball landed back in Ash's hand as, seen slumbering on the kitchen floor, there was a large reptile like Pokemon. It could be heard lightly snoring, the tip of its tail wiggling. Its eyes then slowly opened, scanning the area around itself, before seeing Ash. It had a plume of feathers and long slender atennas on its head, sitting itself upright to reveal a extended skin sac colored similarly to a tire. It growled in a playful manner before cleaning its eye lid with its tongue.
"Who….or WHAT are you?" Ash thought, left completely puzzled.
END OF CHAPTER
TO BE CONTINUED…