AN: Alright, to those who just jumped to this chapter instead of reading the first five I want to make sure to point out that there WERE changed from the original version. Most importantly, the pairings. I've recently gotten the Scarlet and Violet DLC's (haven't started them yet though) and found the new Horizons anime.
I'm willing to listen to pairing options but I do have a few rules.
1: No slash. It's not something I write so any request for it will be ignored outright.
2: They have to have different goals than Ash or Percy (part of why I made Percy a ranger and not want to do Gym Battles was because I don't want to have a group all working to try and have the same goal in competitions as the main through line of a story unless that's the main focus, like 'Fight Smart')
3: no EXTREME age differences (Ash and Percy will not be seducing anyone's mothers)
So put your suggestions in the reviews. If they don't have a known/set goal from the show or game, then list what you were intending. If they're from the new DLCs or the new anime season, then just tell me roughly when they'll show up and I'll keep an eye out for them. I'll have candidates up next update and try to have final choices within two, three tops.
Raging Sea and Burning Ash
Chapter 6
-Percy-
"Bruno!" an old man approached happily "I'm pleased as cheese to see you again my boy!" Percy was used to being able to tell who was dangerous even when they tried to hide it, given how Monsters did their best to look non-threatening. He could tell that the old man was still a lot more fit than he was letting on and could certainly still fight. Not to mention how strong his Pokémon would be given Bruno had mentioned that the Dojo Master was a former League Champion.
"It's great to see you again as well Sensei." Bruno happily returned the greeting, "Sir, I'd like to introduce you to my son, Ash, and his friend Percy. They're the ones I told you about."
"Yes," Mustard studied Ash and Percy intently, a sharp gleam in the man's eyes "I must say I was quite surprised to get your call. Still, how could I say no to a favor from one of my most illustrious former students?"
"Um…sir?" one of the various students scattered about the Dojo looked between their group and the corner where 'Miss Honey' was still tearing Klara a new one.
"Don't worry you lot, you're still going to be getting your training." Mustard waved them off, "These two boys…are getting the accelerated course." The dangerous tone in his eyes made Percy wonder how intense this was going to get.
"We have one of those?" the students all asked in tandem, each of them flabbergasted.
"When it's needed." Mustard nodded happily "To start with, we need to assign you your Dojo Pokémon."
"What's wrong with the ones we already have?" Ash tilted his head, Pikachu voicing their own confusion.
"It's a tradition for everyone who trains here to get a new Pokémon to train with in your journey. Most are given one as a gift but those being put through advanced or accelerated courses are sent out to catch them."
"That's true." Bruno nodded "I caught a Jangmo-o when I was a student here and they're still a loyal partner of mine."
"Hmmmm." Mustard studied the two of them before nodding, seemingly finding whatever answer he'd been searching for "You two are to leave your Pokémon with Bruno there when you head out to catch your Dojo partners." There was an oppressive silence in the Dojo before everyone began shouting protests at the thought of being sent out without any Pokémon to try and catch a wild partner. Even Klara, still fresh from being taken to task, was trying to change Mustard's mind. The only ones not speaking up to stop it were Bruno and Miss Honey.
"I'm guessing Dad told you about what happened back at the Pokémon Center in Viridian?" Ash put the pieces together fairly quickly, he and Percy's calmness at Mustard's declaration confusing the protesters into silence.
"No, but I've been around the block a time or two." Mustard cackled "I can tell when someone has unusual gifts so I'm sure you two will be fine." Left unsaid was that the old man probably had a few of his own Pokémon scattered around the island just in case.
"Alright." Percy handed over his three Pokeballs to Bruno, Pikachu holding onto Heracross' as he leapt from Ash's shoulder onto the much larger one, "We'll get it done."
"I'm not throwing you out without anything though." Mustard grinned "A bit of advice on where to go." He pulled out a map of the island and tapped the large area to the North of the Dojo "I've recently gotten some new inhabitants for the island and there are a couple I think would fit you two here in the Soothing Wetlands. That said, it's still your choice in the end."
"I'll check the area out at least." Percy shrugged, sharing a glance with Ash who offered him a thumbs up as they walked outside, noting that those in the Dojo were trying, and failing, to be sneaky as they followed to watch.
Rounding the corner, they passed through the cliffs that formed an exit from the Fields of Honor, seeing the Wetlands sprawled out before them, the sea visible in the distance.
"So, any idea what he had in mind with his recommendation?" Percy asked Ash as they stepped into the Wetlands properly, rolling up his sleeves as he observed the various Pokémon sprawled about the large open portion of the island.
"If I had to guess, then a Fire Type for me and a Water type for you." Ash glanced over out of the corner of his eye "My dad knew of my desire to at least partially specialize and if Mom really did fill him in then he'd know about how you are with water types."
"So, what are we looking fo-" Percy was cut off by the ground shaking, a dust cloud swarming as he and Ash dove out of the way, a black stampede thundering past them.
"Tauros, Paldean Variety." Ash's pokedex spoke up as it scanned the bovine Pokémon "A fighting type. Note, rare subspecies of Paldean Tauros can have the Fire or Water typing along with the Fighting type." Percy shared a glance with Ash, both of them sharing a nod. Fighting types that could have secondary type of Fire or Water? The hint couldn't get much more obvious than that.
Turning back to the stampede, Percy took off running, Ash keeping pace with him. Percy knew he was definitely stronger than he was fast, but he was still a demigod so Ash being able to do so was definitely impressive. He wondered how much was that 'Aura' stuff, how much was tied to being a 'Chosen One', and how much was just his new friend being stubborn. Back with their audience he could hear the shocked gasps at the speeds he and Ash were moving,
"Go right!" Percy shouted to Ash "Pincer them!"
"Got it!" Ash called back, the two splitting as they ran alongside the herd. As he ran by, he could see glimpses of red and blue from inside, proving their idea that Mustard had the rarer varieties on the island.
Spotting a pool of water, thankfully without any Pokémon currently in it, Percy lashed out with his arm, commanding the water to rise and freeze, making a wall to cut off the charging herd. The Tauros brayed in confusion, rearing back at the sudden frigid obstacle to their rampage, shock overriding their natural instinct and knowledge that fighting, and fire, trumped ice.
Charging into the herd, Percy pushed through to find the Tauros with the blue markings and a water type, feeling the pull in his gut. From the other side of the herd, he could hear Ash making his way to the Fire Tauros. "Hey there big fella." Percy grinned as he found the large black bull, the Pokemon's horns thicker than the others in the herd and a different shape.
"Who dares interrupt my herds charge?!" The Tauros roared out; Percy was able to understand this one but not it's non water type brethren. It also wasn't as deferential as other wild water types were, much like the Gyarados had been at first. Maybe it had something to do with how aggressive the Pokémon were?
"I do." Percy flexed his power, striking a pressurized blast of water out of the air as the Tauros attacked first. The Aqua Breed Tauros paused, studying Percy more intently now as the rest of the herd spread further out to observe his fight as well as Ash's further away.
"What do you want human?" the Tauros demanded.
"I need another partner for my team." Percy answered, making it clear he could understand the, now very surprised, Pokémon "And you like you'd make one hell of a partner. So, you up for it?"
"Prove you are worth my power!" the Tauros charged, Percy meeting the charge as he grabbed the thick horns, entering a contest of strength with the powerfully built black bull.
"Gladly." Percy grinned, excitement bubbling up in his gut. Not only was this world full of amazing new things, but it was also full of powerful people and Pokémon. He didn't have to hide here; he could start cutting loose! Grunting, he lifted the Tauros up into the air, ignoring the panicked noises the Pokémon made as he tossed them, the bull sliding back from the impact.
"Enough!" the Tauros panted, "…Enough, you have proven your point. You have strength, I acknowledge that. Perhaps with you I can gain the strength needed to one day become leader of this herd, or to form one of my own."
"Stick with me and I'll make sure you get strong." Percy grinned, bringing out the pokeball he'd brought for the task as the Tauros tapped it willingly, vanishing in a burst of crimson light. A glance over his shoulder showed Ash capturing the Fire type variant as they met up, sharing a high five.
Striding back to the gaping Dojo students, Percy grinned and lifted his new partner's Pokeball "Bring it Mustard! We can take whatever you have for us!"
"Oho?" Mustard's eyes gleamed, glowing faintly as the old man grinned "I look forward to putting those words to the test."