A 10 year old boy sat in front of a Television past his bedtime watching a live battle between two giant pokemon. They were a Charizard and a Metagross belonging respectively to The Kanto-Johto Champion and Hoenn Champion respectively. He was at the edge of his bed with excitement not only for the match but because in a few hours he'd begin the long awaited tutelage to begin his journey in a few years.

Ash Ketchum had always been an adventurous boy. He was frequently commended for his unique ability to interact with Pokemon of all sizes, temperaments, and rarities—from the common to the unusual.

He had been fascinated by the concept of visiting new locations and meeting new people since he was a child. He'd get the chance to visit some of the world on small vacations throughout the years with his mother Delia and of course their loyal Pokemon and friend, Mr. Mime. His eyes would lit up with wonder at the various pokemon along with the varying weather factors that he hadn't experienced in Kanto like the harsh sands and heat of Hoenn, the bone chilling cold of the peaks of Sinnoh.

This led to an interest in the vast regions the world had and would continue discovering. He'd often spend hours gazing over maps, daydreaming about all the places he'd yet to but could travel to and activities he could do as he grew older and would one day explore these terrains along with Pokemon.

But one thing distinguished Ash from other kids his age, his love for steel-type Pokémon. It all started when he saw Steven Stone, the Hoenn Champion, battle in the Pokemon League on a show case Exhibition match against an Elite Four, the likes of whom escaped Ash's young mind at the time as Steven's command of his steel-type Pokémon had left a lasting impression on Ash and he had been hooked ever since.

Ash had devoted himself to studying everything he could about steel-type Pokémon since that day. He'd researched their strengths and weaknesses, their rarity and how few people in the world ever excelled in battling with this fascinating Type and learned how to train them and memorised the names and skills of every steel-type Pokémon in existence to date knowing that many more could be discovered in the future or even from the past with fossils and the recent surge of Pokemon thought to be extinct coming out to light in recent times.

Ash had decided to embark on a trip to become the best Steel type Pokémon trainer in the world, equipped with his love of adventure and his passion for steel-type Pokémon. He knew the road ahead would be long and difficult, but he was prepared to face any challenge.

After the Charizard had been defeated, he felt a rush of excitement that made him leap out of his seat and yell out: "I will become the best Steel Pokemon Master!"

A woman with warm amber eyes gently made her entry as the piercing yell rang through the room. She addressed Ash in a voice that left no room for argument: "Ash, dear, it is time for you to retire for the evening. Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., you will begin your difficult journey towards gaining your Trainer Licence Exam certification under the instruction of Professor Oak."

The Pokemon League instituted the Trainer Licence Exam as a mandatory condition for a Pokemon Trainer in response to the widespread malnourishment and mistreatment of these precious creatures at the hands of their trainers as well as the alarming frequency of trainers disappearing or meeting an untimely demise within the first couple of years of their journeys also played a crucial role in the increased minimum age limit, which was raised from 10 to 13 years to prevent further tragedies.

The dejected Ash, despite his initial reluctance, had no choice but to concede to his mother's unwavering authority and retire to his room with a heavy heart. As he lay in bed, he immersed himself in the grandiose fantasies of leading a formidable team of Metagross, Aggron and Steelix, striving to write his name in the records of history as the greatest Pokemon Trainer of all time.

Having fervently pleaded with the legendary Professor Oak to take him under his wing, Ash was overjoyed to be granted an opportunity to learn the art of Pokemon training from such a highly regarded figure. As others would head out to The Pokemon Technical Institute or PokeTech as many preferred to call it, some would study and travel abroad with Prof. Cerise from Vermillion City or ship out to more advanced programs like Project Mew, joined the Jr. Military Program led by Lt. Surge and many more ways to gain their future Pokemon Licenses.

However, his elation was dampened by the thought of having to share the tutelage with Gary, the haughty and pompous grandson of Professor Oak, who had a tendency to belittle others, particularly those younger than him. Despite Gary's brilliant intellect, Ash couldn't help but bemoan his lack of humility and wondered how even in their younger years they were even friends as he drifted to sleep at long last.

The first rays of the sun peeked through the windows of Ash's room, signaling the dawn of a new day in Pallet Town. The melodious crowing of Dodrios wafted through the air as Ash's alarm clock jolted him awake, beckoning him to rise and shine. The determined young lad adorned himself in a pair of light blue jeans, paired with a sleek black t-shirt and a stylish blue half-sleeved jacket after a long shower and morning hygiene routine. His mother would be irate if he didn't have the courtesy of having fresh breath and no bad odour alone with changing his underwear once he began to travel so he would maintain these routines and make his mother proud. Despite his best efforts, his unruly locks refused to be tamed, prompting a resigned sigh from Ash as he made his way to the kitchen adjusting a cap on his head.

A warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek from his doting mother greeted Ash, as he settled down to devour his favourite pancakes eager to embark on the first leg of his journey towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a Pokemon Master.

After finishing his meal, he said farewell to his mother and heard a faint good luck as he ran out of the home and towards Professor Oak's Lab. He approached the Lab's main door and tried to regain his breath Ash exhaled in relief when he saw he was a few minutes early. He rang the bell and heard a faint cry of 'Coming' and waited before a man in a lab coat, who Ash deduced must be the professor's assistant arrived to unlock the door. He was advised to wait here by the Aide. Ash did as instructed and a few moments later he heard a voice behind him.

"Hello, Ash, you're early. Good, why don't you go outside and help the breeders with the pokemon feeding while we wait for Gary, and in the meantime, I'll make some urgent calls," Professor Oak replied, beaming down at him. Ash excitedly nodded and answered: "Alright Professor." before sprinting towards the clearing just outside the Lab. Oak chuckled at his enthusiasm and went about his business.

After a bit of assisting the breeders in feeding the pokemon, Gary arrived looking for Ash, and the two of them proceeded to the library. Because of their differences, Ash and Gary had started to ignore each other when they were together.

They were polar opposites as Ash enjoyed talking with his friends about all things Pokemon, or he might be found playing with them. Gary, on the other hand, enjoyed discussing pokemons but also liked to order others around and brag about his abilities at school. Both boys had many disagreements, so they chose to ignore each other until they could prove who was superior. The boys walked in to find the Professor waiting for them.

"So, Ash and Gary, we're getting started right away. To become a trainer, you must first learn how to care for your pokemon, basic first aid, and understanding of pokemon types and moves, as these will be vital parts of your exam and during your time as a trainer.

First, let's look at the trainer levels.

Beginner - In order to partake in battles for money and other similar prizes, one must first obtain a pokemon from a League-approved Professor. Everyone starts at this level when they receive a starter Pokémon.

Rookie - To achieve this rank, the trainer must have one complete team of well-trained pokemon that is observed by the Regional Professor, as well as 8 badges or 5 ribbons.

Seasoned - To achieve this rank, a trainer must have three full teams of well-trained pokemon, observed by the Regional Professor, as well as 12 badges or 8 ribbons. They must also have placed in the top 32 of at least two regional leagues or in one Grand Festival. Intermediate trainers are permitted to transport two additional pokemon, bringing the total to eight.

Advanced - The gap between Seasoned and Advanced is significant, however in order to obtain an Advanced ranking, a Trainer must have ranked in the Top 16 of three regional leagues or in three Grand Festivals, as well as have two full teams of well-trained pokemon, as observed by the Regional Professor. These trainers are permitted to transport three additional pokemon, bringing the total to nine.

Ace - Earning an Ace ranking is considerably more difficult. Ace trainers must have finished in the top three of at least three leagues and have five entire teams of well-trained Pokemon. These trainers are also permitted to carry three additional pokemon, bringing their total to twelve. Furthermore, these trainers are occasionally hired by The League to do missions for them such as rescuing a hostage, apprehending a poacher and so on. They work alongside prestigious organisations such as the Pokemon Rangers and G-MEN.

Then come the Elite Trainees who are apprenticing directly under an Elite Four Member or sometimes, very rarely even a Champion.

This was all about the trainer levels in detail. Now why don't we take a small break and come back here after 30 minutes to continue the lecture?"


Ash felt compelled to explore the nearby forest while taking a break from his training lesson of the day. He'd always been intrigued by the pokemon that lurked outside the town's borders. His curiosity getting the better of his judgement made it so he ventured into the forest. The forest floor was shaded by the canopy above, which filtered the sunshine. The lovely aroma of wildflowers filled the air.

As he walked deeper into the woods, he heard a strange noise in the distance. It sounded like someone or something was in trouble. He quickened his pace and followed the sound, finally coming upon a clearing. There, he saw a poacher attacking a Lucario, a powerful steel type Pokémon known for its aura abilities. Ash's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. He knew that he had to do something to help.

"Stop it!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fear and anger.

The poacher turned to face him, a wicked grin plastered on his face. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? A little boy who thinks he can take on a poacher? How cute!"

Ash's fists clenched as he took a step forward. "I won't let you hurt that Pokémon. It's wrong."

The poacher laughed. "Wrong? Who cares about what's right or wrong? All I care about is making money, and this Lucario is going to fetch me a pretty penny."

Ash's heart was almost beating out of his chest as he watched the poacher reach for his pokéball. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted to save himself and the Lucario. Suddenly, a strange energy seemed to fill Ash's body. He felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, as though he was connected to the very essence of the forest around him.

He didn't know what was happening, but he was going to make the poacher pay for what he had done. Without hesitation, Ash raised his hands, his palms glowing with a soft blue light. The poacher didn't stand a chance as Ash unleashed could only be described as a weak energy sphere made contact knocking the man to the ground incapacitating him for the time being.

The poacher lay there, groaning in pain, as Ash approached the Lucario. The Pokémon looked up at him, its eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you," it said, its voice telepathic. "You saved my life and that of my child." The mother brought forth a small egg which she was hiding away with her body.

Ash smiled, feeling a sense of pride swell within him, "I couldn't just stand by and watch you get hurt. No Pokémon deserves that."

Suddenly, he heard a loud roar in the distance. It was Professor Oak's Charizard, flying towards them at full speed. The poacher, seeing the large dragon approaching, scrambled painfully to his feet and ran off, vowing revenge on Ash and the Pokémon who had foiled his plans.

Ash could only feel himself collapse as his body was exhausted from the brief but very intense battle. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder catching him before he fell to the ground and looked up to see Professor Oak standing over him.

"You did well, Ash," he said, a smile on his face. "I'm very proud of you."

Ash felt tears welling up in his eyes. He had never felt so alive, so connected to the world around him. It almost made whatever punishment Oak or his Mom likely had in store for him for being reckless as his eyes closed and fell into Oak's embrace.


Ash slowly opened his eyes, groaning as he tried to sit up. His head was pounding, and he couldn't remember what had happened. He looked around, confused and disoriented until he saw his mom and Professor Oak sitting beside him.

"Mom? Professor Oak?" he said, still trying to shake off the haze in his mind.

"Thank goodness you're awake," his mom said, relief evident in her voice.

"You gave us quite a scare," Professor Oak added, placing a reassuring hand on Ash's shoulder.

Ash rubbed his forehead, trying to remember what had happened. Then, it all came flooding back to him. The poacher, Lucario and the egg; it all came rushing back to him.

"What happened to the Lucario?" he asked, still feeling a little dizzy.

"Well, you passed out," Professor Oak explained. "It's likely that you were using an ability called Aura, which I don't know much about yet. It's a power that's been spoken of in legends for centuries."

"Aura?" Ash repeated, confused. "I don't know what that is."

"We'll discuss it later," Professor Oak said, patting Ash's shoulder reassuringly. "But for now, you need to rest and recover. You took quite a hit during the battle but luckily my Charizard came to your aid and drove the poacher away."

Ash looked at his mother, who had tears in her eyes. "Mom, I'm okay," he said, trying to comfort her.

"I know, honey, I'm just so relieved you're safe," Delia said, wiping away her tears. "We were so worried when Professor Oak called us and told us what happened."

Ash looked back at Professor Oak. "Thank you, Professor. I don't know what would have happened if Charizard hadn't come."

"You're welcome, Ash," Professor Oak said. "But you need to be more careful. Aura is said to be a powerful ability, but it can also be dangerous if not used correctly. We'll talk more about it when you're feeling better."

As Ash lay there, still recovering from the shock of the day's events, his mother approached him and sat down on the edge of his bed.

After a few moments of silence, Delia cleared her throat and spoke again. "Ash, I need to talk to you about what happened today."

Ash sat up slightly, looking at his mother with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. "What do you mean?"

Delia sighed, her eyes fixed on her son. "I mean that you can't keep putting yourself in danger like this. I know you're brave and you want to help others, but you have to think about your own safety too."

"I know that, Mom," Ash said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "But what was I supposed to do? Just let that poacher take Lucario?"

"No, of course not," Delia replied, shaking her head. "But you could have called us."

"I guess you're right," Ash muttered, looking down at his hands. "I just... I don't know. I wanted to help Lucario, and I didn't want to waste any time."

Delia put a hand on Ash's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "I understand, Ash. I really do. But you have to remember that you're not invincible. You have to be careful."

Ash nodded, feeling slightly chastised but also grateful for his mother's concern. "Yeah, I understand. I'll do better next time."

"I know you will," Delia said, smiling gently. "You're a good kid, Ash. I'm proud of you." Ash smiled back.

"I guess," he said finally. "But what was that power I used? This aura thing?"

His mother hesitated for a moment, as though trying to find the right words. "Well, from what Professor Oak told me, it's a rare ability that some people have. It allows them to sense and control a sort of life energy, known as aura. It's a powerful tool, but one that requires a lot of training and discipline to master."

Ash's eyes widened as he listened to his mother speak. The idea of being able to control such a force was both exciting and intimidating.

"Wow," he said, feeling a sense of awe. "Do you think I could learn to control it?"

Delia shook her head quickly. "Perhaps when you're older. It's just... aura is a very powerful force, and not everyone can learn to control it. It takes a lot of skill and practice."

"I'm willing to try," Ash said firmly, his determination evident in his voice.

"I know you are, Ash," Delia said, smiling faintly. "And I'm proud of you for that. But let's take things one step at a time, okay? You need to rest and recover first."

Ash nodded, sensing that his mother was right. He needed time to process everything that had happened and figure out what his next steps would be.

"Okay, Mom," he said, settling back into his bed.

If changed something along the lines of "I'll be careful, Mom. I want to be a Pokemon Master and maybe with proper training one day I'll use aura, safely that time but right now I just gotta focus on Prof. Oak's lessons."

His mother chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately. "I have no doubt that you will, Ash. But for now, I think it's time to get some rest. You've had a long day."

"Thanks for talking to me."

"Anytime, Ash," Delia said, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," Ash replied, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort from his mother's touch. As he drifted off to sleep, he knew that he had a lot to learn about aura and the world of Pokémon. But he was determined to do his best and make his mother proud.

END CHAPTER

Yo. So I decided to revamp the whole story….again. The last time I did this, the steel specialist thing was not clarified much. I just edited it to save time and that did not turn out good.

Also a huge thanks to Vital Info for beta reading this chapter and giving me ideas for revamping this fic.

You can join my server, Magnus's Realm, to interact with me. You can join the server to give me ideas and hang out with pokemon fans.

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