Delia Ketchum was Ash's birth mother, but might as well be Satan in sheep's clothing. She was the most cruel person Ash had the honor to meet. She treated Ash like complete trash, the same type you found on a garbage can, it just sat there growing larger and smellier with each passing day.
It began over 6 years when Ash got on Gary's bad side. Believe it or not, Ash and Gary were friends when they were younger. Both of them had spent the afternoon at a river fishing for pokemon. But then Ash's rod caught on to a discarded poke-ball and the two fought over who kept it, when they realized what it was. During the struggle the pokeball snapped in half, Ash claimed the top-half and Gary took the bottom-half. Their friendship ended that day and Gary's wrath followed the next .
The citizens of Pallet were alerted by the young Oak the next day on how stupid Ash was, in which they ignored at first, but with a few well planned tricks, schemes, and pranks, people began to believe Gary and soon the entire town believed him.
After seeing the other Parents turn against the Ketchum family, Delia followed their example and started treating him like garbage too.
She always put him down, called him names, or when she was in a particularly bad mood, she beat him.
Delia was one of those people who fell under peer pressure easily. When the other parents and town folks turned on Ash she followed suit not wanting to be excluded or harassed for taking care of him.
The past eight years were hell because of her and Gary.
Now it was Ash's final time to see her and he would make sure to love every moment of it. Ash made it his goal to humiliate Delia and Gary when he beat him during the Indigo League.
Delia stood above Ash staring down at him with unreadable eyes, her facial expression turning to a scowl to a annoyed expression and then back again. Her arms were crossed across her chest and she tapped her foot impatiently. Her red hair was tied into a pony tail and gave of a malicious glint when the sun shined upon it.
Ash returned her glare with his own, staring defiantly into her unmoving eyes, his own blazing with a blue fire in his irises. He didn't care who she was, he would be damned if his journey to become a Dragon Master was hindered by Delia.
Finally she spoke, "Where do you think you're going, you miserable heap of filth." she said annoyance evident in her voice.
"You now where I'm going, that's why you're here right now." Ash replied coldly.
"Don't smart talk me young man." she growled at him, her foot tapping the ground faster.
"How can I be smart, you always said I was as dumb as a doorknob." Ash countered his voice heavy with hate.
"Don't you talk like that to me! Who do you think you are, you miserable piece of scum! I can't believe I gave birth to such a useless boy like you! Remember I could have aborted you anytime I wanted." Delia snapped at him.
Ash stared at her before remarking,"Well here's your chance to get rid me. Now if you don't mind I have places to be." Delia's face reverted into shock and anger at his remark.
Ash then turned on his boot's heel and began walking away from Delia's shocked face. Charmander followed his trainer as he walked away from his mother.
Adam and Julia, along with their starters, hurriedly followed Ash as he departed for Viridian City.
The Journey to Viridian would take about a day. For most rookie trainers Viridian was their first stop. But despite being the first city that had a Pokemon Gym, they couldn't challenge it.
The Gym Leader, Giovanni, was extremely powerful and ruthless. He was so ruthless it was required that you have the other six badges to challenge him.
But the city provided a safe haven and a resting place for trainers, either if they started their journey or if they're already continuing it.
The trio of rookie trainers continued down the winding, dirt path that led to Viridian, with Shinx and Eevee out waking beside them. Charmander tired out after starting their journey, apparently using Dragon Pulse multiple times depleted his energy, so Ash put him back into his poke-ball to rest.
Along the path they were constantly challenged by "campers" or trainers that stayed in one spot to get easy money. However Charmander's and Shinx's love for battle won them any battle that they participated in. Eevee didn't battle much, but any battle that was thrown at her she won with her arsenal of attacks.
The Eevee line was exceptionally good at learning attacks or moves that most pokemon couldn't like Shadow Ball or Confuse Ray. Also being a normal-type pokemon meant that they didn't have any weakness, but it also meant she wasn't strong against anything.
After a few hours of walking they noticed that the sky was reddening, signaling that night was upon them. They found a clearing of berry trees nearby and decided to set up camp.
"Uh, do either of you have a tent?" Ash said realizing he didn't have anything to protect themselves from the elements or curious wild pokemon.
Adam started whistling sheepishly while Julia glared at him.
"Well I was going too but someone had to waste all my money on food." Julia said referring to Adam. Adam just gave them an innocent look before turning away from Julia's burning gaze.
"Could you guys get some water while I get some wood?" Ash asked as he began to walk to the forest.
"Sure, but bring Charmander with you!"Julia replied as Adam gathered their water canisters. Tales of children being found dead in the Route One forest gave shivers to all children of Pallet, effectively warding them away from the woods and quenching their curiosity of the outside world.
Ash released Charmander in a flash of white energy. He yawned and stretched before regaining his serious expression and cracking his knuckles.
"Relax buddy its not a battle."Ash said soothing his riled up starter. Charmander broke its serious expression and looked around the woods curiously, its tail fire illuminating the darkness.
"I need your help to carry some wood." Ash said as he picked up a large branch. Charmander nodded its head and began to pick up branches from the forest floor.
After about an hour of picking up sticks, branches, and twigs the duo returned to the camp with an armful of wood. They placed the wood into their makeshift fire place and leaned against a tree tired from the days journey and their wood gathering. Charmander blew a small ember on the pile, effectively lighting the wood, before joining his trainer in rest.
Adam was currently walking back from the stream with their water bottles filled to the brim with water. Shinx was walking by his side dragging a small Magikarp to the campsite, seemingly happy with his catch.
Julia was beginning to prepare their evening meal, she was sitting by the fire masterfully cutting various vegetables into a small pot. Eevee was happily munching on a blue berry by her side.
After about 30 minutes Julia's cooking was done and she served her morsels among her companions. It was a hearty broth with some meat and vegetables. It was pretty good, it filled Ash with warmth and the taste rivaled that of her parent's cooking.
Ash handed a piece of meat to Charmander who gratefully munched on the flesh. Shinx was by Charmander happily tearing apart the Magikarp which had been roasted courtesy of Charmander. Eevee was already fast asleep curled up by Julia who was washing their dishes with some of the river water.
After finishing their meal the trainers prepared for bed. Julia and Adam were setting up their sleeping bags, Ash found a nice log and unsheathed his sword for a head rest.
(Note: he sitting on log and resting his head on sword hand guard)
Having your parents love you was something essential to live with when your young and Adam and Julia were lucky enough to have their support. Ash, on the other hand had to parental support except for any money given to him from the Professor for helping him with something.
Ash volunteered to take the first watch, being that he had the most uncomfortable position to sleep.
Soon Ash was the only one awake, Adam and Julia, along with their starters, were in blissful sleep. Charmander was by his side quietly munching on a berry. It seemed that Charmander's love for food matched his love for battle.
Sometime during the night Ash no longer couldn't stay awake and fell into the dream world.
Screams, gunfire, his father's pleas for help, his mothers relentless beatings. His mind tortured him again with his life.
Red lightning flashed through his mind, creatures of shadows crept by him, hissing and sneering at him.
He could feel the life suck away from him as he stood longer in his dream world. His breath was ragged and he could feel sweat drip down his face as he stood in his nightmare.
And in the middle of it all was a throne. One of skulls. A figure of darkness sat upon it, Ash couldn't see what he looked like, but he could make out that the figure was smirking at him.
Black mist surged forward from the throne of skulls and inched its way to Ash who began to go on his knees from the horrifying sight.
As the black mist surrounded him, he felt a strange pull at his heart as the mist completely encased him.
But then Ash felt a familiar heat emit by his side. He turned to see a large Charizard starring at him, its large wings seemingly warding of the cloud of darkness, and its tail fire burning away the darkness. Its attention was focused on the figure on the throne, who instead of a smirk wore a frown.
Ash didn't know why, but he knew the Charizard was his little Charmander and hope welled up in his heart after seeing him there, standing by his side. Suddenly his word appeared by his side and he drew it out. Claw and steel, fire and iron challenged the darkness.
Ash awoke in a cold sweat upon his sword. He swiftly took of his helmet and began to wipe away the sweat that was on his face.
It was still night and the rest of the group was still asleep. Charmander was faithfully curled up by his side, snoring gently against his boot.
Ash just smiled at his starter's loyalty as he shifted back into slumber. For some reason he knew nightmares wouldn't plague him anymore.
A gentle prodding awoke Ash from his slumber, Julia was poking his cheek trying to wake him up.
"Come on Ash we have to go, Adams already up." she said still prodding him.
Ash gave a groan to tell her he was awake. He sat up and cracked his back to rid himself of any discomfort that his sleeping position gave him.
After wiping the sleep from his eyes, Ash looked for Charmander. He found him bringing an armful of berries back to camp. He put them on the ground and began to give berries out to all of them before munching on one himself.
Ash bit down on a red one enjoying the sweet flavor that ate away any lingering drowsiness. He could see why Charmander enjoyed them.
"We should start heading out now. Were almost at Viridian." said Ash finishing the rest of his fruit.
"Yeah, I can't wait to get their. I always wanted to go their." commented Adam, Shinx nodding excitedly.
After cleaning up the campsite, the trainers continued their journey to Viridian. The trainers were talking about their starter's move set either shocked by the discovery or envying it.
Ash found out that Eevee possessed Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack, and Confusion. Confusion was a very useful attack, especially for beginner trainers seeing that any "camper" would easily fall against its power.
Shinx possessed Quick Attack, ThunderShock, Growl, and Iron Tail. Iron Tail would be especially effective against the Pewter Gym which specialized in Rock-type pokemon.
Ash made a note to teach Charmander Metal Claw to help against the gym. Dragon Pulse would help out, but he doubted he could use it more than once without Charmander tiring out. Maybe he could catch a Horsea. Nah, it was getting late and the great city of Viridian was in the distance, he would worry about it later.
Hey Lordofire here and thanks for the support for my new story, sorry last chapter was smaller than usual.
Also story is same as my original Dragon Master story.
Review or Pm me if you need to say anything to me.