Hi! Welcome to my first Pokémon fanfic.
The fire in his soul burned brightly, just like every day. But today, it felt like something more. Like a flame that was about to scorch everything in its path and then continue burning for as long as it could.
Ash had a smile of determination on his face as he thought that it was a fitting feeling. Today was an important day, after all.
He looked at the six Pokeballs arranged atop the large desk in front of him. He's trained a variety of Pokemon over the past five years. Precious, amazing Pokémon that have made him proud time and time again by fighting together with him in countless battles and other events.
Ash's roster of Pokémon gives him plenty of chance to mix things up, allowing him to have an answer for most challenges by rotating his team so that all of his Pokémon can battle often. For the moment, he's chosen the six Pokémon contained in the Pokeballs in front of him to be his team.
These six Pokémon have their quirks, but they are strong. Strong enough to earn admiration and even monikers from the public. Ash couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled the names that each of them have earned.
The Heat Haze.
The Blast Eruption.
The Blazing Fighter.
The Raging Roar.
The Sun Halo.
The Fire Moon.
His Pokémon have taken these monikers to heart, and they carry them with pride each time they are on the battlefield. They enjoy awing the public and even their opponents with amazing feats of flames.
With the Pokémon that he's trained and a few ones that, while not under his official ownership, have allied themselves with him, Ash knows that he'll be able to take on anything that the world throws at him.
A knock from the door of his new office interrupted him from his inner thoughts. He smiled, knowing instantly who was behind the door.
"You can come in, Misty!" he called out loud.
His smile turned into a wide grin as Misty entered through the door, sporting her new outfit. It was a simple navy-blue high-collared trench coat with white on the cuffs and collar plus matching shorts and sandals, but the ensemble looked great on her. Knowing that Misty wore a specialized swimsuit underneath her clothes, it was obvious to Ash that the attire was designed so that Misty could take it off lighting quick if his friend found herself near a body of water.
Ash felt a great amount of warmth as he observed Misty and the easy confidence that she displayed. His friend, one of his original companions, went through many challenges to stand here today.
"My dream is to become a Master of Water Pokémon!"
Remembering those words, spoken by Misty when they first met, nearly brought tears to his eyes. Ash used all of his will to to prevent that. Misty already has a long list of past events to tease him with. Adding one more to the pile isn't something that he wants.
"It's nearly time, Ash," Misty returned his grin with one of her own, "You ready?"
The fire in his soul flared up in response. Yes, he was ready. For today, and for the future. "I am. Let's go."
He rose up from his chair, collecting his six Pokeballs and putting them around his belt before walking towards Misty. Once he was in front of her, Ash was about to walk with her towards the meeting room when Misty suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Ash."
He stopped, turning towards Misty, who had a smile that reflected a lot of emotions. Misty raised a closed fist and held it in front of him, causing Ash's eyes to widen.
"I know I already made the general oath, but I wanted to say one in private, just for us. As long as I live… as long as I can raise a Pokeball and throw it… I have your back. Always."
Ash went completely still for a moment, and so did the fire in his soul as they met something worthy of appreciation. Ash knew any word he said would come out choked up, so he simply raised a fist of his own to meet Misty's in a fist bump.
What had he ever done to deserve such a good friend? Ash didn't know, but he swore by all the fires of the world that he'll never allow Misty's faith in him to be undeserved.
The two walked out of his office in unison. An amicable silence settled between them as they traversed the long hallway that led them to the main meeting room where Mina, Erika, and Surge waited for them.
Ash smiled with pride as he observed his group. Surge had a big grin on his face, wearing his best tactical outfit for today. Erika had a serene calmness on her face as she sported a pristine green and red kimono. Meanwhile, Mina was focused on the paper and pencil in her hands. She wore her everyday clothes, artist bag included.
That got a bit of a chuckle out of Ash. At least she'd washed away the paint that was often seen on her face and hair, but he didn't doubt that they'd return soon.
"About time, you two!" Surge boomed loudly, "And here I was thinking that the three of us were gonna have to mount a rescue operation!"
"Surge, please..." Erika's sigh was one of slight exasperation as she looked fondly towards them, "Ash. Misty. It's good to see you here. We are just waiting for the Chairman so that we can begin."
"Alright! This one's nearly done!" Mina declared with a grin. The pencil in her hand moved swiftly against the paper in her hands, "Let's go! There's plenty of things to draw!"
Erika gently chided Mina for her seemingly carefree nature, but there was a warmth in her voice as she spoke to Mina, who made a showing of pouting and pretending to not hear Erika, even though there was a small blush on her face. Surge simply boomed a loud laugh that resonated like falling thunder.
Besides him, Misty sighed fondly, and they both looked at each other with matching grins.
His group had... interesting personalities, but Ash liked it that way.
Another of the room's doors opened, and in walked League Chairman Charles Goodshow. The bright smile on the Chairman's face and the way his eyes shined showed clearly that while he was old, his spirit was that of a young man's.
"Ah, wonderful! Everyone's here!" the Chairman gave one of his well-known laughs to their group. It was a testament to the Chairman's charm and well-liked personality that Surge stood to attention, Erika gave a small but respectful bow, and Mina paused her drawing to pay attention. Out of the corner of his eye, Ash saw Misty give the Chairman a simple but respectful nod of her head.
Ash simply grinned, walking towards the Chairman with open arms.
"Charles!" Ash greeted the small Chairman merrily. He had to kneel to hug the tiny man, but they both shared a good laugh over it.
"Ash! I'm glad that this day is finally here, my boy!" Charles' voice had a lot of happiness and pride towards him, and Ash couldn't help the goofy smile that appeared on his face.
"Well! Let's get to it, shall we?" the Chairman grinned widely. Ash nodded and turned towards his group with a smile on his face. Instantly, they moved to stand by his side. Misty was on his right, Surge on the left, and Erika and Mina at either of their sides.
Ash may be their leader, but he'd rather his companions stand by his side, instead of simply following his back.
The Chairman walked out of the room, and Ash and his group followed him. The meeting room and every area including his office were carefully built to prevent any sound from outside from entering, but once all six of them were outside, Ash could hear it. The rumbling sound of the crowd that awaited outside.
This was it. This was the moment everything changed.
Charles led them to the waiting area before turning around and giving each of them a bright smile.
"In all my years..." there was pride on the elderly Chairman's face as he spoke, "In all my years, I have seen many groups come and go. Yours is truly splendid. When I see you all, I see a bright future. Thank you for this."
Ash closed his eyes and gave a respectful bow of his head to Charles, feeling the others do the same.
"Get ready," the Chairman grinned, "I'll begin the call soon."
Charles walked into the podium waiting outside, and Ash felt the rumble in his bones as the audience cheered for the Chairman's entrance. Ash smiled, turning to look at everyone else. There were smiles on all their faces as they looked back at him, and Ash felt the fire in his soul thrill with pride and purpose.
These were his comrades in arms. They will stand by him no matter what, and Ash will unleash the fiercest fires of the world to fight for them in return.
"All right, here we go!" Mina declared as she stashed away her drawing book and pencil on her bag. She took a Pokeball from her belt and released her chosen partner for this event. Her Ribombee materialized from the Pokeball and twirled in the air happily.
"Alola, Ribombee!" Mina greeted her partner cheerily. Ribombee greeted her back with a happy sound. Her wings buzzed rapidly as she greeted each of them.
Misty's eyes gained a small twitch that only Ash was able to catch, and he smirked towards her. Misty looked back at him with a face that could have been carved from stone. Ash barely resisted the urge to snicker.
Ash blinked when Ribombee approached him, happily raising one of her limbs towards him.
"Alola, Ribombee!" Ash laughed merrily as he took hold of Ribombee's thin arm, giving it a shake, "Happy to have you here!"
Outside, the Chairman had already finished the first part of his speech. Now came the fun part.
"See you all out there!" Mina waved a hand towards them as Ribombee floated by her side.
"Now! Let the introductions begin!" the Chairman's voice boomed, "From Alola's Seafolk Village! The Pixie Hurricane! Mina!"
Mina walked outside, and she was received by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. She was a foreigner, but she's done well to make herself known with her artistic and battling skills.
"Very well, it's my turn next," Erika smiled as she released her Pokémon with a graceful movement of her arm. Vileplume began dancing the moment she was out of her Pokeball. She had a grace that mimicked her Trainer's and danced as if she were a Bellossom. Ash saw Vileplume's eyes land on him, and she gave him a respectful bow.
"Hi, Vileplume!" Ash greeted the dancing grass-type, who cheered in return.
"From Celadon City! The Nature Princess! Erika!"
Erika moved with grace as she walked out with Vileplume by her side. The audience went wild the moment she walked out. Ash felt a small blush appear on his face when he heard some... particularly enthusiastic proclamations of love to Erika from men and women alike.
"The mission is a go!" Surge grinned as he released his Raichu, who whirred and released sparks from his cheeks. Raichu gave a Surge-like grin the moment he saw Ash, and Ash answered back with a grin of his own.
Seeing Raichu brought fond nostalgia to him. Raichu reminded Ash of being a young, hot-blooded rookie who recklessly tried to overpower any foe with the power of fire alone.
Raichu continued grinning almost evilly towards him before the electric-type chuckled and inclined his head in deference. Ash smiled before approaching Raichu to pat his head.
"Thank you, Raichu. I look forward to working with you," Ash told Raichu with a smile of determination.
"That's the attitude!" Surge's grin was as mean-looking as Raichu's, but Ash knew it was a feature of Surge that made the giant of a man endearing, "A unit that fights together will always be stronger!"
"From Vermilion City! The Lightning Lieutenant! Surge!"
Surge and Raichu laughed in unison and walked out together, receiving a thunderous applause fitting of their fame as an unforgiving force.
Now, only he and Misty remained.
Misty chuckled as she released Blastoise. The big tortoise gave a grin as his arm disappeared into his great shell to bring out a pair of custom-made dark sunglasses that he put over his eyes. Ash was about to greet Blastoise when the Water-Type surprised him by engulfing him in a hug.
Ash laughed with joy, returning the hug as best as he could.
"It's so good to see you, Blastoise! How are you today?" Ash asked with a grin matched by Blastoise, who rumbled a response as he raised an arm, offering Ash a fist bump much like Misty did earlier. Like Trainer, like Pokémon, they said, and Ash was more than happy to return the fist bump.
"Well, it's time..." Misty muttered but then grinned fully as she patted the side of Blastoise's shell, "Let's show them our power, Blastoise!"
"From Cerulean City! The Swift Mermaid! Misty!"
Misty offered him one last grin before walking out with Blastoise, who moved with speed that always surprised those who didn't know him. They both received loud cheers and shouts of their names. Misty and Blastoise were very popular. Ash recalled that their combined fan club rivaled Erika's.
And now, Ash was left alone. He took a deep breath and reached for the first Pokeball in his belt.
His partner appeared, and the effects were instantaneous. The waiting area's temperature was raised severely. Any other person would have begun sweating a bucket, but Ash remained unaffected.
The fire in his soul flared with joy as he grinned towards his partner, who looked back silently, but with no less intensity.
The public refers to her as one of the two pillars of his strength as a Trainer, and they have given her the nickname of Fire Moon. To Ash, she was his starter. The very first to join him on his quest to be the best.
She's left Pokémon of all types charred time and time again, and has been the key to his most important victories, unleashing her flames on the strongest Pokémon that Ash has faced.
She's seen him at his best, and at his worst, her loyalty to him never wavering as they climbed to where they both are now.
"Hey, girl..." Ash said softly as she inclined her head towards him. Ash patted her head with a smile, "It's time."
She didn't roar, but the sound of determination she made was enough. Her flame intensified, and Ash could feel the power stored inside resonating with him. The power of their bond awaited eagerly to be unleashed.
She cocked her head to the side, observing him for a moment.
"You like the new outfit?" Ash asked, looking down at himself, "Mom made it, of course."
A yellow shirt under an open red vest with sleeves that reached his elbows, black jeans, and a pair of red and black sneakers. He wore a pair of red and black finger-less gloves on his hands, and his new red hat was adorned with a white Pokeball symbol at the front.
His partner smiled, giving a nod of approval. Ash grinned as he adjusted his hat, knowing that with her at his side, anything he wanted to accomplish was possible.
"People of Indigo! I proudly present to you!"
It was time. They both walked towards the outside with equal looks of determination on their faces.
"From Pallet Town! The Fire Soul! Indigo Champion, Ash Ketchum! And the Indigo Elite Four!"
Ash walked out, and the applause and cheers he and his partner received must have been heard all across Indigo and beyond. He grinned and waved towards the audience. There must have been thousands present, and who knows how many more were watching the broadcast.
Citizens of Kanto and Johto alike were here. They cheered for him and for his partner. He saw a wave of banners with his face on them, but his partner had her own sizeable club of admirers as her face was plastered on many flags as the audience chanted.
"Fire Soul!"
"Fire Moon!"
Ash approached the podium where his Elite Four waited for him. Mina and Ribombee offered a thumbs up, Erika and Vileplume bowed, and Surge and Raichu patted his back.
Misty had already made her own oath to him, so she simply gave him a bright smile that Blastoise mimicked.
He took a moment to smile towards the VIP Box located high up. There, some of the most important people in his life were watching him.
Ash felt the power of fire course through him, and as he faced the people of the two regions that were now his responsibility, he couldn't help but think of the day that began the path that led him to this day.
Ash stared with awe as two powerful Pokémon clashed.
The Dragonite and Charizard that belonged to Professor Oak fought fiercely against each other. By his side, Gary cheered loudly every time each Pokémon unleashed a powerful move, and Ash did too.
Gary's told him that Professor Oak was never a regular Trainer, preferring to stick to the books from a young age. Ash couldn't understand that. He'd pick being a Trainer any day.
The Professor mainly uses both Pokémon as security for the corral and for when he needs a parcel delivered somewhere far away, but he allows them to battle each other from time to time to keep up their skills.
And today, Professor Oak allowed both him and Gary to watch Dragonite and Charizard battle from a safe distance.
Ash felt his breath leave him once again as Charizard kept unleashing blast after blast of fire against Dragonite. The fire didn't seem to do much damage to Dragonite at first, but after some attacks, Ash could see that Dragonite flinched each time the flames reached her.
Ash vaguely recalls Gary telling him once that Dragon-type Pokemon were naturally resistant to Fire-Type attacks. That didn't seem to stop Charizard. He kept releasing so much fire that soon enough, the battlefield that Professor Oak built was in ruins.
Dragonite counterattacked, launching electricity from her antennae that forced Charizard to fly to the side, only to be hit by a charging Dragonite.
Both he and Gary were cheering so much that they'll probably have problems speaking for the next few days, but Ash didn't care, and he knew Gary didn't either.
After some more attacks were exchanged, it happened. Charizard released a loud roar as he began to glow a deep red color, and the flame of his tail grew more and more.
"Aw, yeah!" Gary yelled with a wide grin, "Get ready, Ash! This is gonna be so cool!"
Ash watched with rapt attention as Charizard roared before unleashing the biggest blast of fire Ash had ever seen. For her part, Dragonite formed a bright sphere of orange energy in her mouth before releasing a rumbling blast.
The two attacks met in an explosion that lifted him and Gary from the ground. The battlefield was covered by smoke, and Ash scrambled to his feet, desperate to see which Pokemon had won.
Ash felt his heart hammering against his chest, and after a few suspenseful seconds, the smoke cleared.
Both Pokémon were barely standing, looking ragged with bruises. Dragonite began charging electricity from her antennae...
But then, Dragonite flinched, and she fell to the ground with a groan of exhaustion.
Ash watched with his jaw hanging open as Charizard reared his head back before launching a roar of victory to the skies.
At that moment, Ash felt as if his entire being had been set on fire.
Thanks for reading the first chapter!
This will be an Anime AU. I'd say it'll be 90% anime with the final 10% compromised of stuff from the games (If you've played the Let's Go! Games, you'll recognize why Mina can be here).
As for why I chose a Fire Specialist Ash fic... well, his name's Ash.
Until the next time!