A.N.- Thanks for all the reviews, they were all very helpful. I appreciate all your continued support. I received a long list of good Pokémon for Ash to capture in my reviews and I have to say it was pretty much the same as my own list. Been watching some episodes just to get the feel and I had so many face palm moments, my girlfriend, however, did not share the same reaction as I did as she never really read the manga.
I don't get why people are saying that Ash is Red, they're completely opposite. Red is the ultimate trainer, lone wolf, badass, eventual champion who single handedly destroyed Team Rocket and trained on top of Mt. Silver like a boss. And Ash is…well, Ash.
If you haven't read more of my stories, I have a strong dislike for underdog stories, because the idea of an underdog to me is ridiculous though not entirely impossible.
Ash wants to make friends with his Pokémon more than capturing them and training them to be the very best of their species, fine I can respect that, but while Ash is making friends and putting his Pokémon's wishes ahead of himself all the time, he won't become a Master anytime soon. You can't do both, I mean it.
Don't bash my OC because Tobias is the ultimate Gary Stu in the Pokémon universe, wow a Darkrai and Latios! I thought the point of legendaries were that they can't be captured or all hell would break loose. It would be more realistic if Ash was beaten by non legendaries in the semi-final in Sinnoh. The writers went full retard there, nothing against people with learning disabilites. But it was clear, they just don't want Ash to win, which is ludicrous!
And another thing, why is Pikachu and Ash nerfed every time they go to a new region. Statistically speaking, Pikachu should be level 100 right now and should be much stronger than he is depicted in the anime but no, that would be unfair so lets reset him to level 5 everytime he goes to somewhere new.
Seriously? Dafuq? And don't get me started on Ash, everything he learns goes out the window after each of his journey ends and he becomes a noob again. That is really really stupid.
Even my little brother says so and he's in the age zone where Pokémon are trying to appeal to. He made me laugh the other day saying that even he could whoop Ash's butt. Really really poor writing, the writers of Pokémon should all be thrown out of the window. An underdog is cool but he has to win, Ash loses too many times.
~0~
It had been two and half weeks of nonstop traveling and training but Ash and Brock had finally arrived at Vermillion City. Fatigued and covered with mud and grime, both teenage boys moved quickly towards the Pokémon Center to wash off their hobo-like stench from their clothes and bodies.
"The sun's going to set soon and I don't think you or your Pokémon are in a shape to compete at one hundred percent so I think the best course of action is to wait for tomorrow. What do you think Ash?" Brock stated as he fell onto a bed.
"I guess so…" Ash sulked and proved Brock's point with a huge yawn. Pikachu, affected by his trainer's condition also yawned and rubbed its eyes with its tiny paws as it hopped onto Ash's bed and started to doze off.
"I'm just going to grab a bite…be right back pal." Ash petted the electric mouse on the head.
"Pika…" Pikachu mumbled as his trainer left the room. Ash noted that there were a lot of injured Pokémon around him as he held a box of food in his hand. He was narrowly hit by a stretcher with a Pidgey, rowed by a Chansey followed by a trainer. The Nurse Joy there was being overworked as she explained to the curious Ash that it was the fifteenth case of the week and that all the injured Pokémon came in after battling with the Vermillion City Gym Leader.
As Ash slowly ate his dinner in the lobby, he was suddenly alerted by a sudden noise as he looked up at the big screen and saw a familiar face in the broadcast. It was his brother Alec, facing off against an Unova Elite Four Member named Marshal in the Champions League Tournament.
The Champions League Tournament was an annual tournament consisting of members of the Elite Four from Kanto/Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova as well as the Champions of each region in a knockout tournament. And ever since Alec became Champion, he had the oppressing advantage over everyone since he was the only person alive to remain undefeated in this competition. Ash was watching with much anticipation as he took a large bite out of his fried chicken.
The two trainers were at the center of the field, his brother was dressed in long khaki pants, a silver t-shirt and a long fitting black trench coat. His opponent wore long baggy orange pants, a sleeveless vest with a black belt around his waist and orange gloves. Ash couldn't tell what the two trainers were saying to each other and soon the two trainers walked to their respective ends, along with it the cheers from the fans rose.
"The match between Alec Ketchum, the Champion of Kanto against Marshall from Unova will begin now!" The commentator exclaimed with excitement. By now, the Pokémon Center was filled up with trainers as they all stared at the large screen.
~0~
"Don't be too cocky about your skills, kid. I will be the one to end your unbeaten streak." The orange hair dark skinned trainer from Unova said as he shook his opponent's hand.
"You can try…but fate will say otherwise." Alec replied frostily and walked to his end of the field. Up on the VIP Lounge, the Elite Fours and Champions from other regions watched on.
"So, what do you think Drake?" Wallace asked out of the blue as he surveyed his long time friend on the field. Like always, he wore his white outfit, accompanied with a matching colored beret.
"The outcome is obvious." The older man beside him replied gruffly. He was wearing black colored boots, light blue pants, a black captain's coat and a white sailor's hat. Down in the field, Alec pulled a Pokéball from his belt and his eyes narrowed as his opponent did the same.
"Aggron, I have need of your assistance!" With a flash, the huge black and gray-silver monstrous bipedal Pokémon appeared with a ground-shaking roar.
"And Champion Alec starts things off with his mighty Aggron!"
"Breloom, it's fighting time!" Marshall tossed a Pokéball and out came a green theropod like Pokémon with a mushroom-like green cap on its head.
"And here it is folks, a battle between two Hoenn Pokémon."
"Use Seed Bomb!" Marshall commanded and Breloom jumped into the air before slamming a barrage of hard-shelled seeds down on Alec's Aggron.
"Counter with flamethrower!" Alec shouted and opening its mouth, Aggron unleashed a powerful torrent of red scorching flames that made short work of the seed bomb.
As Breloom leapt deftly back on the ground, Marshall shouted "Breloom use Solarbeam!"
"Aggron, show them what true power is, Hyper Beam Attack!" Alec countered. Both Aggron and Breloom unleashed their respective charge attacks and two powerful beams collided with each other, resulting in an explosion. When the smoke cleared, it was obvious that Breloom took more damage as Aggron barely had a scratch on its gleaming metallic body as a blue glow outlined it.
"Iron Defense, a defensive technique for a Pokémon to minimize damage done to it while increasing its defense stat." Alec merely recited with a smirk at his opponent, "Now finished this with Fire Blast!"
Opening its mouth after taking a deep breath, Aggron released a powerful torrent of flames from its mouth, which took the shape of a kanji letter and engulfed its target. When the flames died out, Breloom was knocked out burnt to a crisp with swirls in its eyes.
"Breloom is unable to battle, Aggron wins!" The referee raised his flag and Breloom's picture blacked out on the large screen up on the stands.
Marshal recalled Breloom back into its Pokéball and pulled out another one in its place. "Throh, its fighting time!"
And with a flash, out came a Pokémon with a bulky body, with red rocky skin and standing on two legs. It was wearing a Judogi with a black belt wrapped around its middle.
"And Marshall has opted for Throh, a Pokémon from the Unova Regions against Ketchum's Aggron." The commentator blasted out.
"Aggron return, you did well…but she wants to take over now." Alec told the bipedal metal Pokémon who nodded and was soon returned back into his Pokéball. Putting Aggron's Pokéball back to his belt and retrieving another one, Alec whispered, "The stage's all yours princess...Show time, Gardevoir!"
With a flash, his shiny Gardevoir appeared on the field, and with it, the screams of his legions of fangirls rang as their idol's most beautiful Pokémon appeared.
"The Champion recalls his Aggron and brings out his Gardevoir."
"Let's not make this too easy shall we?" Alec remarked at the Psychic-type Pokémon who only gave him a smirk before her eyes and body glowed blue.
"That Gardevoir is certainly something else…just like that time…but why, why do you look so sad?" A young woman commented from the VIP Lounge, she had smooth creamy white skin, wearing a fitting white gown with a white bow tied on her waist that went to her lower legs, pink heels and a pink transparent cape. On top of her head of incredibly long and wide blonde hair was her hat.
"You say something, Caitlin?" A girl with short cropped purple hair with glasses asked.
"Oh? It's nothing Shauntal." Caitlin smiled at her friend and fellow Elite before glancing at the Gardevoir in the field, who had finished off Marshal's Throh easily with a Confusion attack, followed by a Psychic attack and her unsmiling trainer, who'd lost the carefree smile and blood boiling passion that she loved so much whenever he battled.
She still remembered, when they had faced against each other the first time, her Gothitelle against his Gardevoir. It was shortly before he had became Champion, they had met by chance in a park in Opelucid City.
~0~
Caitlin was in her own thoughts as she surveyed the peacefulness around her. Apple trees, lush fertile grass and crystal clear water. Suddenly she was distracted from her thoughts as she saw the water ripple. She was surprised when a young man emerged, from the water. Seconds later, a majestic blue serpentine Pokémon with white feathery wings on either side of its head emerged and cooed.
"A swim was what we needed, you agree?" The young man with soaked chin length brown hair and blue eyes stroked his Pokémon and laughed as the Dragonair nuzzled his cheek with its own. Then a Pokémon with a huge cobalt blue-colored body and massive three fingered open palms as well as a wide mouth emerged from the water. The Pokémon opened its mouth and sprayed his trainer with a light burst of water.
"Glad you're on board, Swampert." The Swampert's trainer laughed and ran a hand over his face and hair.
Caitlin giggled lightly but suddenly felt something lightly poking her leg, looking down she saw a fox Pokémon with a sleek tan body, a shade of dark brown that is carried out on the tip of its paws, and in the center of the ear. It also had huge, adorable brown eyes and green colored sprouts growing through its body as well as a longer sprout on its forehead. And finally, a long leaf like tail swayed gently.
"Oh, hello." Caitlin greeted the Pokémon as she bent her knees.
"Feon?" The Leafeon tilted its head and mewled when Caitlin stroked its head and gave her a lick to the face, causing the young woman to laugh. Suddenly the Leafeon was surrounded by a blue glow as it was lifted into air and a Shiny Gardevoir materialized into the air.
"Sorry, she is incredibly playful and personal space doesn't register her. I hope she wasn't bothering you." Gardevoir informed the Psychic-type mistress who only blinked in shock for a second before regaining her composure.
"It's alright. She's a darling." She replied. Gardevoir blinked and turned to the small leaf fox Pokémon, who seemed to look quite smug as she was released from the Psychic-Type's psychic hold. But the two Pokémon soon turned their heads when a sharp whistle was blown.
"Lunch is ready! Come and get it!" A voice called out and Leafeon's ears perked as she immediately rushed towards the direction of the lake where a whole bunch of Pokémon was already gathered to their respective bowls of Pokeblocks. The group included a Dragonair, Swampert, a particularly fierce looking Salamance that swooped down from the skies, and a Lucario that seemed to scan through her with its red eyes. "Gardevoir, you too." The young man who had been swimming with his Dragonair and Swampert said as he approached the two. He was dressed in loose long black sweat pants and a loose silver t-shirt. Gardevoir nodded and teleported towards her fellow Pokémon.
"Hi, I hope my Leafeon didn't surprise you with her playfulness." The fairly attractive young man said as he stuck out a hand. "I'm Alec."
"Caitlin and no, she's a darling." Caitlin took his hand with a smile, noting that the young man somehow looked familiar.
"My team and I are having a picnic. Would you like to join us?" Alec asked, rubbing his neck nervously.
"I don't wish to intrude." Caitlin started.
"Well, the more the merrier, Leafeon seems fond with you and I've never seen Gardevoir act so warmly with a stranger. You must have an affinity with Psychic Pokémon." With that, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards her team, never noticing the blush that had appeared on her cheeks from the praise.
"You're from Kanto?" Caitlin asked with surprise as she took a bite out from a delicious roast beef sandwich Alec had handed her earlier.
"What? I do not look as country and outdated as you thought?" Alec asked with an eyebrow raised. Despite being neighboring regions, the people of Kanto were not thought highly in Unova.
"No! No! That was not my thought at all!" Caitlin replied frantically with wide eyes until she heard Alec snigger.
"Just kidding." He laughed softly as Leafeon leapt into his lap and began purring. Caitlin's frantic attitude immediately changed as she joined in and giggled.
"So, are you planning to try the Unova League?" Caitlin asked as she looked on at Alec's team of Pokémon lightly dozing off in their afternoon nap.
"Sadly no, I'm afraid the ordinary regional tournament isn't the stage for me anymore…" Alec replied quietly with a sad smile as he stroked the sleeping Leafeon, who had curled up comfortably in his lap. Suddenly, as if she were stung, Caitlin suddenly realized why she found Alec's face so familiar looking. He was Alec Ketchum, the Tensai of Kanto, and the trainer from Pallet Town who had won four straight tournaments in four years.
"Hmmph…judging by your shocked reaction, it would seem my identity is discovered." Alec remarked humorlessly as he gently lifted Leafeon from his lap, and chuckled when it whined a bit before setting her on the soft grass before standing up and walking towards the rest of his Pokémon.
"Yes, your name is quite well known, even here in Unova but worry not, for I am not one of those mindless shallow girls that you fear so much." Caitlin replied, flashing a small, shy smile as she stood up too before pulling out Pokéball on her white colored belt.
"If you believe the league is below you, I challenge you to a battle." Caitlin looked at Alec.
"Hmmph…interesting, are you challenging for the league?" Alec replied, intrigued at the young woman's determination.
"You must not be too familiar of Unova, I'm Caitlin, Elite Four Member and Master of Pyschic-type." The young woman formally introduced herself. She watched as Alec's blue eyes widened but as quickly as his shocked expression appeared, it disappeared.
"A challenge from an Elite Four Member, I gladly accept." His voice was laced with subtle anticipation as he gave a sharp whistle and at once, all his Pokémon opened their eyes, fully alert. Soon Alec and Caitlin stood facing against each other in a grassy field as Caitlin raised the Pokéball in her hand.
"Let's have a battle that we'll never forget." She smiled.
"My thought exactly." Alec nodded back respectfully. "Gothitelle, the stage is yours!" Caitlin called out, tossing her Pokéball.
"And Conkeldurr is unable to battle! What a magnificent display with a Thunderbolt and Psyshock combination! Gardevoir and Champion Ketchum are the winners!" Caitlin was brought back from her thoughts as thunderous applause and cheers rang around her wildly. She was just in time to see Gardevoir being returned to its Pokéball and Alec giving the Pokéball a gentle kiss before turning around and disappearing into the stadium tunnel which led to the changing rooms.
"What happened to you..." Caitlin thought sadly, ignoring the commentators booming voice announcing the next two contestants.
Meanwhile down in the locker room, Alec was motionless as he dunk his head into a sink and immediately water sprayed down and soaked his hair. He flipped his head back and stared at his own pale and gaunt like reflection. "Who are you?"
~0~
"Well guys! This is it! You all ready?!" Ash gave his little pep talk as his Pokémon all gave their growls or exclamations of affirmation in their room in the Pokémon Center. Ash had a large smile on his face as he surveyed his three Kanto starters, a small bipedal, orange lizard with a cream colored belly and a bright flame burning on the tip of its tail and big blue eyes.
He had gotten Charmander when it was abandoned by its original trainer Damian for being too weak. Ash had nearly beaten the son of a bitch to death if it were not for Brock who decided to step in and contain his friend. Ash had never felt so angry, it was only in the heat of the moment but he swore he would have ended the pathetic loser's life right there.
Later they ventured out in the rain and found the abandoned Charmander taking cover underneath a small leaf and quickly got it to the Pokémon Center just in time much to both boy's relief. Ash had stayed all night keeping watch over the small fire lizard, who had unintentionally opened its eyes slightly and saw Ash's head drooping down while he sat on an uncomfortable chair with only a blanket over him. Ash had unknowingly won over its allegiance with that simple act and it didn't take him a second to sent a flamethrower at his former trainer the next day much to Ash's delight.
Next to Charmander was a small green hided dinosaur Pokémon with a green onion bulb on its back and walked on four legs. It was a Bulbasaur, the grass-type Kanto starter. Ash had encountered it while he'd met a girl named Melanie, who'd devoted herself to caring for her gardens as well as the abandoned Pokémon that were there. Ash had found Bulbasaur's standoffish attitude confusing but was soon cleared up by Melanie when she explained that it was the guardian of her garden and was very serious in its duty.
Unfortunately, Team Rocket just had to ruin their day as they tried to capture the Pokémon in Melanie's gardens only to be blasted away by Gible, Pikachu, Pidgeot and Bulbasaur. Ash was getting seriously pissed off, of all the trainers in the world, why was it him that always had to deal with clowns at least once every day.
Afterwards, Bulbasaur had issued a challenge to Ash after Melanie told it that it could become stronger if it were to leave with Ash. So it was Pikachu who'd jumped to the challenge, the electric mouse was in quite a pickle when Bulbasaur trapped it with its vines but countered with a Thunderbolt followed by a high power Volt Tackle. Ash then threw a Pokéball and thus, he'd gained a new companion.
And finally, standing proud and tall next to its Grass counterpart, a Squirtle with its blue colored paws folded across its chest and a pair of sunglasses over its eyes simply nodded at Ash. Ash in returned just sweat dropped.
He'd caught his final Kanto starter when he came across a gang of abandoned Squirtle. It made his blood boil in anger when he found out that Meowth had 'befriended' the gang of Squirtles to make them capture Pikachu for him and after a long heated explanation and a staring contest between the lead Squirtle and Ash, the two sent Team Rocket blasting off again when it was clear that they had lost their patience and was resorting to their appear and grab tactic.
Squirtle had seen the way Ash battled and requested humbly to join him, and so with the rest of the Squirtles were left in the care of the local Officer Jenny, Ash captured the final Kanto starter. It was clear that after training for hours every day that the three were going to be hugely important in his team when he would be competing against tricky oppositions.
Of course Ash knew about the final evolutions of the three Kanto starters. Charizard, Venasaur and Blastoise were all powerhouses and incredibly strong Pokémon if possessing a great skill set. But like all strong Pokémon, they were hard to train, especially Charizards since they value strength above everything else and combined with a hot head, it could turn out to be disastrous if not handled correctly.
"Hey Ash, you ready?" Brock poked his head into the room. In response, Ash pulled the hood of his sleeveless black hoodie over his head and returned all his Pokémons into their respective Pokéball before walking out of their room.
"So how're you going to deal with this one?" Brock asked as he and Ash walked towards the Vermillion City Gym. "It says here that the Gym Leader uses electric Pokémon."
"Er…honestly, I don't know. I don't have any Rock-types yet but I'm thinking." Ash mumbled as he thought which of his Pokémon would be up to the task. Pidgeot was a no go for obvious reasons, as was Squirtle. So it was a toss between Gible, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Pikachu. He decided as he soon stood in front of the entrance to the Vermillion City Gym, it was a massive structure with a Pokéball on the top with lighting bolts surrounding it. Pushing the massive doors open, they were greeted with two people standing there with arms crossed. One was a young man with a gangster outfit and the other was a young woman dressed in a similar attire.
"State your name and business." The girl asked or more like, demanded.
"Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader." Ash stated with some satisfaction when he saw the look of fear on the two 'receptionists' faces. "
"Ketchum huh?" A deep voice broke the silence. Out from the shadows, a massive man emerged with spiky blonde hair, wearing a military uniform with his shirt unbuttoned showing his muscular physique.
"This is the Gym Leader?" Brock murmured silently yet anxiously next to Ash who remained undeterred.
"So this is my challenger, you're shorter than when your brother when he first came in." The large man stared down at Ash and inwardly Ash gritted his teeth, the one thing he hated more than people calling him Ashy boy was calling him short.
"You'll swallow those words after I beat you." Ash responded and without waiting for a reply, walked into the Pokémon Arena and to the challenger side.
"This will be a one on one battle between the Vermillion City Gym Leader Lt. Surge against the Challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." The girl dressed in the gangster outfit announced.
"Raichu, show them your might!" Surge bellowed and out came the evolved form of Pikachu. Pikachu growled lightly and narrowed its eyes as it surveyed its final form, like itself, Raichu has long ears and feet and stubby arms. Also like Pikachu, Raichu has two horizontal brown stripes on its back. Its long, thin tail has a broad, lightning bolt-shaped end. Unlike Pikachu, however, it does not have fingers. Raichu is yellow-brownish in color, with a white belly. The electric sacs on its cheeks unlike Pikachu, was yellow, instead of red.
"Not this time Pikachu." Ash told the electric mouse, who looked at his trainer with surprise but reluctantly nodded with drooped ears as it stayed put.
"Gible, I have need of your assistance!" Ash shouted and with a flash, the Land- Shark Pokémon appeared with a loud roar, making Lt. Surge's Raichu falter a bit.
"There is no time limit, let the battle begin!" The referee announced and a bell rang, signifying the start of the battle.
"Raichu, start things off with Hyper Beam!" Surge bellowed.
"Gible, use Dragon Breath!" Ash commanded and watched as Gible arched its neck back before releasing a powerful yellow beam the same time Raichu released its own Hyper Beam. The two collided at the center of the arena and resulted in a gigantic explosion. When the smoke cleared, the two Pokémon glared at each other, neither taking damage.
"Raichu use Mega Punch!" Surge called. Raichu charged at Gible with its fist raised.
"Gible, counter with Dragon Rush!" Blue energy covered Gible's body as it charged at the Raichu, colliding into it and causing it to fly backwards. Landing on its paws, Raichu winced as it panted.
"End this with Thunderbolt! Full power!" Surge shouted. Raichu's cheeks sparkled brightly and with a loud cry unleashed the most massive Thunderbolt Ash had ever seen. It was so bright and blinding that everyone watching had to cover their eyes.
"It's over." Surge smirked as the blinding light faded but his face soon turned to one of shock, no pun intended. "What?!" Ash smirked from under his hood as Gible submerged from the ground, before shaking the debris off its blue coat.
"I knew your Raichu would have an impressive arsenal of Thunder attacks so I commanded my Gible to use dig….Mada mada dane." Ash said and pointing a gloved index finger at his opposition.
"Finish this, Giga Impact." Gible growled as it was surrounded by a purple glow as it charged at its tired opponent.
"Raichu do something!" Surge panicked as Raichu was sent flying and landed on the ground with swirls in its eyes as it groaned weakly.
"Rai…Raichu is unable to battle, Gible and Challenger Ash Ketchum are the winners." The referee signaled holding a flag up.
"Alright, you were spectacular out there." Ash cheered and laughed as Gible rushed into his outstretched arms while growling enthusiastically.
"That was a great battle Ash, one of the best I've had in a long time," Surge said walking up to Ash with Raichu, who was awake and seemed to be fine save a few bruises here and there.
Ash simply nodded.
"And here's your proof of victory at the Vermillion Gym, a Thunder Badge." The badge was shaped like an eight-pointed yellow star with an orange octagon in the center.
"Thanks Surge." Ash smiled as he took the badge and shook the Gym Leader's hand.
"And do me a favor will you, I heard your brother's getting rather bored at the top. When you do face him, knock him down a few pegs." Surge smirked.
"Will do." Ash smiled as he and Brock left the Gym.
"Alright! I got the Thunder Badge!" He raised a fist in triumph.
"Pika!" Pikachu gave an excited paw pump despite not participating in the battle.
"Don't worry bud, I'll get you a bottle of ketchup before we leave for the next city." Ash chuckled as Pikachu nuzzled his cheeks with its own affectionately.
"So, where are we headed off next?" Brock inquired.
"Saffron City, that's where the next Gym is. But before I can challenge the leader, I need Ghost-type Pokémon but I have no idea where to find them." Ash said and paused in his steps and thought hard.
"Ghost-Types? Well, lucky you I managed to read the newspapers today and we might find something in Lavender Town." Brock grinned.
"Hmmph…fine, Lavender Town it is." Ash said, surveying his map. Releasing his Pidgeot, the two young men and Pikachu climbed onto the large bird Pokémon and took off.
~0~
"You've made a big mistake coming here, Le Creuset! You're not getting out of here alive!" Le Creuset simple smiled as he raised his staff and the symbol of Arceus glowed purple and the Team Rocket grunts dropped to the ground dead.
"The darkness is starving…you'll be fitting sacrifices." He said hoarsely and laughed coldly as he walked past the unmoving corpses littered on the floor. Getting into Team Rocket bases were as easy as walking through a park for Le Creuset, when he had the Scepter of Destiny in his hands as well as powers that far surpassed those of an ordinary human. Raising his scepter as he walked deeper into the facility.
"Give me the key." His distorted voice echoed the metallic walls and a symbol of Arceus appeared on a researcher's forehead as his eyes went blank as he handed a keycard to Le Creuset.
"Now strangle yourself to death." Le Creuset commanded and ignoring the man who was now strangling himself, swipe the card on the console and the doors swung open. It swung shut behind him. He smirked when he had 'fallen' into a trap as Rocket Grunts armed with firearms greeted him.
"You're surrounded Le Creuset! Surrender and I'll make sure your death will be relatively quick and painless." The silver masked man ignored the warning, and raising his staff as it glowed purple. A huge flash of light appeared from the symbol of Arceus shot into the air, slowly taking the shape of a large winged Pokémon with glowing red eyes.
~0~
On the route to Lavender Town, Ash suddenly felt as if his head was set on fire as he fell to his knees.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu stopped in its training with Squirtle as all his Pokémon stopped in their business and quickly approached their trainer.
"Ash you okay?" Brock hurried over from the small camp fire where he was making dinner.
"Yeah…I think, just a headache. Nothing to worry about." Ash replied as he pulled himself to his feet and assured his Pokémon that he was fine.
"Okay, that's it for today. Great job everyone. We'll be having dinner in a bit so have some free time." Ash announced and his Pokémon all cried out happily. As they did so, Ash placed a gloved hand over his face, the rage he'd just felt flowing through him was even more stronger than the anger he felt when he punching in Damian's face.
"What the hell was that?" He thought. Meanwhile his Pokémon, who were playing a game similar to tag were talking as they played.
"What do you think is bothering master?" Charmander asked as it tagged Bulbasaur with its paw.
"I felt something just now, I don't know what it is but I do not like it. I have a feeling that it is tied to master." Gible growled out.
"I have met many trainers and master Ash is different from them all." Squirtle said and scowled as Bulbasaur used its vines to tag him.
"Are you referring to the prophecy of the chosen ones?" Pikachu squeaked as it evaded Squirtle with pulling off an Agility. Every existing Pokémon, old or young in the world knew of the prophecy. They didn't know why they did, perhaps it was Arceus' doing though they weren't sure. The prophecy stated that when the world became contaminated with evil of the human heart, two humans would arise, one of light, one of darkness and together they will repel the evils of the human heart.
"Though master is the most pure hearted human I've ever met, if he is the chosen one. There would likely be rigorous tests ahead." Bulbasaur added wisely and all the other Pokémon tensed up. None of them liked the sound of that.
~0~
"Please…take all the Pokémon here, don't kill me." A man who was bald on the top and two clumps of orange hair to each side of his head with a busy matching colored mustache begged with genuine fear in his eyes as the tall silver masked figure approached, the blade end of his scepter dripping with fresh blood.
"You life means nothing to me Namba! Where is Giovanni?!" Le Creuset all but yell, causing the normally composed Professor to retreat even further on the floor.
"I…I don't know." Namba responded pathetically.
"So you won't tell me, no matter, I will get an answer." Le Creuset said softly and raising his scepter against the Professor, the symbol of Arceus glowed and Namba's eyes went blank as Le Creuset initiated a mind scan.
"Che…It would seem that you are still of use," He informed the stunned Professor who stared ahead blankly, "I got what I wanted but your soul now belongs to me. Report everything Team Rocket is doing and send it to this PokéNav address." Le Creuset commanded as he pushed his thoughts into Namba's mind.
Satisfied, the purple cloaked man disappeared as mist of darkness covered his body as the distant sounds of sirens could be heard.
~0~
"Here we are, Lavender Town." Ash placed his hands on his hips as he and Brock had arrived in front of a spooky and dilapidated tower. It had two horn-like objects protruding from the side of the tower, a balcony that appears to be a mouth and two eye-like windows on the very top of it, giving it a demonic appearance.
"Er…I'm going to sit out on this one." Brock sheepishly admitted and backed up a bit.
Ash rolled his eyes, grabbing onto the handles of the huge doors, it swung open with a creak which caused the hairs on Ash's back to straighten. Pikachu was clutching to Ash's head tightly.
"Charmander, help guide me into the darkness." The small fire lizard appeared with a flash and was all too happy to help with the flames on the top of its tail. Taking out a flashlight and turning it on, Ash walked into the tower and gulped when the doors creakingly slammed shut behind him.
Brock waited patiently outside as he read his book on Pokéblocks when he heard a loud scream, inhumane laughter and tens of minutes later a loud crash. Half an hour later, the doors of the spooky tower swung open, revealing a sheet white Ash, Charmander and Pikachu though the latter two looked better than their trainer.
"So, what happened?" Brock asked slowly.
"It's better you don't ask. You wouldn't believe me if I did. Let's just say I had an out of body experience. " Ash replied.
"Any luck?" Brock asked as he walked aside his younger companion. In response Ash held out three Pokéballs with a tired nod.
"They're quite playful but I feel we understand each other now." Ash said as they walked back to their campsite and wasting no time, Ash bade Brock good night, climbed into his tent and zipped himself into his sleeping bag, totally exhausted from the rigorous activities that he'd participated in the day. Pikachu doing something similar as it curled in a small sleeping bag of its own.
Read and Review. Next chapter will contain the Gym Battles against our favorite psychic Sabrina, Erika, and her ties to Alec's past and Alec's first meeting with his little brother since Ash first started his journey. If you want another update, review. In the mean time, I'm revising my latest chapter of HP and the Veela. No worries, a new chapter will be updated soon.