A couple of quick things before you start reading. First, though it won't be directly stated in the story only implied, this will be a Pokepocalypse scenario so any references I make to pop culture and ancient culture can be attributed to that. Second Pokedex entries and movesets will be from Sword and Shield unless a Pokemon wasn't in those games then will use Ultra Sun and Moon. Pokedex entries will be arranged in a way that makes sense. Third, Pokemon carry limits will gradually increase over the course of the story, but I won't go over the full mechanics here. I'll bring them up in story when they become relevant. And, of course, I own nothing but this story.

"WHY DID I HAVE TO OVER-SLEEP TODAY!?" 15 year-old Ash Ketchum internally screamed as he sprinted towards Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town. Today is the day he finally gets his starter Pokemon and becomes a trainer. Unfortunately, as there were 4 trainers starting their journey today, Professor Oak only guaranteed the traditional Kanto region Starter trio to the first three to get to his lab.

"Damn it, why did I have to sleep through my alarm?!"Ash lamented as he took the stairs leading to the lab two at a time. He stopped at the lab door long enough to take a calming breath, and opened it…

... to find the other new trainers had beaten him there.

"Shit"

"Pay up Oak" a pale boy with platinum blonde hair said calmly, his ice blue eyes showing his amusement.

"I don't know what's worse, the fact that Dylan made that bet or the fact that you took it." sighed a girl with brown hair and green eyes, her hand seemingly holding her bucket hat in place as she slowly shook her head at the other boy.

"But Leaf, Ashy-boy is such a goody two-shoes," Gary Oak said in disbelief as he handed Dylan his winnings.

"That doesn't mean I would never swear" Ash sweatdropped.

"Whatever, it's not like any of you losers can beat me when it counts," Gary boasted, "I'll be the champ in no time!"

"I doubt that" Ash, Leaf, and Dylan deadpanned simultaneously.

"I beat all of you here" Gary retorted.

"You live with Professor Oak. I don't think any of us expected to beat you here." Dylan stated blandly.

"Do you guys have to gang up on me?" Gary whined.

"I don't know Gary. Did you have to plow that car into the Viridian City Pokemon Mart and single-handedly delay ALL of our journeys by 5 years?" Leaf spat out angrily.

"Ms. Green , I would hope you would remember that the decision to raise the minimum trainer age to 15 was in the works for a long time before Gary's misadventure with the Corvette" an elderly voice interjected behind them. The new trainers turned to see an elderly man in a lab coat had entered the lobby, a Pikachu and a Pichu on his shoulders. "A misadventure I made sure Gary learned thoroughly from."

Gary cringed as the Pikachu glared menacingly at him, its cheeks sparking. Ash chuckled as he remembered all the trouble Gary had with that particular Pikachu when Professor Oak had assigned him the task of keeping it from chewing on the lab's power cables. It was arguably the worst task Gary was given as punishment for the Corvette Incident as Pikachu seemed to take a sadistic glee in humiliating him.

"Also Mr. Reynolds, betting on inane things tends to be a sign of an impending gambling problem. Please don't let it become one. If you would all follow me, we can get you squared away and off on your journeys." Professor Oak said as he turned and headed deeper into the lab, the new trainers following on his heels.

"As all of you know, I only sponsor a select few new trainers in all of the Kanto region each year. As the sponsorship comes with a rare Starter Pokemon, 10 Pokeballs, a Pokedex and a 3000 Poke a month stipend, this opportunity would normally only be given to 3 new trainers, but you 4 have proven yourselves exceptional. That being said, there will be work involved. For the first year, I expect monthly reports on your Pokemon's progress, the training methods you use, and any behavioral patterns you notice. After that your stipend will be reduced to 1500 Poke and I will only expect those reports every 3 months until you either join the League administration in some capacity or you decide to retire from Pokemon training professionally. If I feel your reports are unacceptably inadequate, I will work with you to make them acceptable. However if I see no improvement for a long period, I will revoke your sponsorship." Professor Oak stated as they made their way into the next room. In the middle of the room was a pedestal with 3 Pokeballs on it, each with an elemental sticker on it. The professor went to the back of the room where a table with handheld devices and a set of Pokeballs stood. The 2 Pokemon on his shoulders jumped down and sat quietly on the table.

"Here are your Pokedexes. They function not only as Pokemon encyclopedias, but also as your Trainer ID and a debit card any bank accounts you may Trainer IDs and Trainer account information have already been loaded in. I can not stress enough DON'T LOSE THEM. I'll only replace them once before the cost will come out of your pocket" he said as he handed each trainer a Pokedex. Ash checked to make sure his ID information was correct on the device. When he was younger he might have complained about the Pokedex's color, but he could now see how the dark green with translucent purple highlights was actually a good combination.

"We have rooms set aside for you to make your introductions to your new partners. You'll find your spare Pokeballs in them. Gary since you got here first…"

"Because I'm the best." Gary interjected.

"... because you're my grandson who lives with me and it would be weird for you not to get here first, you get to choose your Pokemon first" Professor Oak deadpanned.

"Why can't anyone understand my greatness? I choose Squirtle. I'll be in the next room introducing myself." Gary said as he grabbed the Pokeball with the water sticker and left the room. Dylan, after getting the go ahead from the professor, chose the Pokeball with the flame sticker and immediately left to find a free room.

"Well that worked out perfectly." Leaf said as she grabbed the last Pokeball, "I wanted Bulbasaur." She left to find a free room to introduce herself to her Bulbasaur.

"It was unfortunate that the breeders didn't have enough of my usual starters ready in time, but fortunately you were the last one to arrive, Ash."

" Professor?" Ash asked nervously.

"Do you remember Kukui?" At Ash's affirmative nod, the professor continued, "He recently became the regional professor for his home region of Alola. He remembered you saying you were hoping to get a Rowlet at some point and sent one one to you as a thank you. He said something about helping with his research?"

Ash frowned, "I acted as a sounding board for his ideas but I didn't think I did enough for him to send me a Pokemon."

"Well maybe you'll figure it out eventually. I'll leave you to introduce yourself to your new partner" Oak said as he handed Ash an enlarged Pokeball and left the room. Feelings of excitement and anxiety welled up in Ash as he realized he was about to take the first step on his journey to be a Pokemon Master. He hit the release button, and an owl like Pokemon appeared in a flash of light. Ash took a knee and looked it in the eye.

"Hello Rowlet. My name is Ash. I'm about to begin my journey to become a Pokemon Master and I would like you to join me. I promise to make you one of the strongest." Pokemon and trainer stared at each other until the Rowlet trilled excitedly and hopped forward to allow Ash to pet it.

"This will let me find out more about you" Ash said as he pointed the Pokedexes camera at Rowlet, who stared wide-eyed at it.

"Rowlet: The Grass Quill Pokemon : During the day, it builds up energy via photosynthesis. At night, it flies silently through the sky, on the prowl for a distance, it launches its sharp feathers while flying about. If the enemy gets too close, Rowlet switches tactics and delivers vicious kicks. This Rowlet is female and knows the moves Growl, Tackle, Leafage, and Confuse Ray. Its ability is Overgrow which ups Grass moves in a pinch."

"Confuse Ray? That will shortcut some of the work we need to do but there will still be hard work. You ready Rowlet?" Ash Owl-like Pokemon hooted and nodded.

"I just need to grab my Pokeballs and then we can head out" Ash stated as he turned towards the table to find the Pikachu and Pichu standing on the table in front of the Pokeballs. Trainer and Pokemon stared at each other for a minute before the Pikachu turned to the Pichu and nodded its head. Pichu squealed excitedly, hugged the Pikachu, turned to the Pokeballs sitting on the table and promptly captured itself.

"Well that just happened" Ash said dumbfounded. He picked up the Pokeball and released the Pichu, who shook its head vigorously after it was released.

"If you wanted to join me on my journey, all you had to do was ask" Ash told the Pichu amusedly as he pulled out his Pokedex again, it looking at him bashfully "I'll just have to make you one of the best so you know your faith in me isn't misplaced. "

Pichu: The Tiny Mouse Pokemon: The electric sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked. Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself. This Pichu is female and knows the moves Tail Whip, Thundershock, Play Nice, Charge, Nuzzle, and Electric Terrain. Its ability is Static which may cause paralysis in Pokemon that physically hit it.

"Charge can be explained as an Egg Move, but how do you know Electric Terrain?" asked Ash the Pichu as Professor Oak re-entered the room.

"It was probably Pikachu here. It sounds like something he would sure any child of his knew. I see you have a new team member already." the professor said.

"I was just getting ready to head out, professor" Ash said as he picked up the rest of his Pokeballs. He turned to his Pokemon.

"Let's go ladies," he stated as he crouched down low enough that both Pokemon were able to jump on his shoulders.

"Ash one last thing before you go. Once you've won your first badge, call me. I'll have something for you. And since I didn't get a chance to before he left, please tell my grandson that I asked him to be careful out there"

"I'll tell him Professor" Ash said as he headed out of the lab to begin his journey, a Pokemon on each shoulder.

Because I know the question will be asked the Pikachu in this chapter is the Pikachu Ash would have received had he left on his journey at 10 instead of 15. Also if you go to www. canva colors/color-wheel/ (just remove the spaces) and put in #026d2b you'll get an idea of the color scheme I'm going with on Ash's Pokedex.

NEXT TIME: First battle, names, Route One, and Viridian City.