Ash sat nervously in the office of Lance, the Kanto and Johto Champion. He had just scored a perfect 100% on the Pokemon Trainer Qualification Exam, and as a reward, he was being sponsored by the Pokemon League. The other members of the Elite Four, Lorelei, Bruno, and Agatha, were all present, watching him intently.
"Congratulations, Ash," Lance said, offering him a Pokeball. "As a sponsored trainer, you can choose one of these three Pokemon as your starter. This time, Agatha, Bruno, and I have acquired three Pokemon for you to choose from. Agatha brought a Ghastly, and Bruno is offering up a Riolue while I got you a Dratini. You can choose any one Pokemon from the three choices."
Ash's eyes widened as he saw the three Pokemon in the Pokeballs. He needed to decide which to choose, so he released all of them and saw how they interacted.
The three Pokemon emerged from their Pokeballs and looked around the room, curious about their new surroundings. Ash observed them carefully, trying to gauge their personalities and strengths.
Ash went to each Pokemon as they were introduced. He first went to Ghastly and observed from a distance. He knew he couldn't pet Ghastly until the Pokemon trusted him, or he would get poisoned by the toxic gasses surrounding Ghastly. He waved to the Ghastly and laughed when the Pokemon seemed to smile larger and flew around in a circle. Ghastly seemed to be a fun and kind Pokemon, but Ash still wanted to see the other Pokemon before making a decision.
Ash then went on to meet Riolu. He crouched down to its level and looked at Riolu in its eyes. Ash had studied really hard for the PTQE, but his knowledge was limited to Kanto and Jhoto. Ash knew of the Riolu line because of how interesting the history behind the Pokemon was, but Ash had never studied nor met one. Ash studied Riolu for a bit, and to Ash it seemed like he couldn't break eye contact with the Pokemon. Ash didn't know how long he maintained eye contact with Riolu, but they both broke eye contact simultaneously. Ash was really excited about Riolu and how they seemed to connect, but Ash knew that it was his duty to see all the Pokemon before deciding.
Ash moved towards the Dratini and was immediately taken aback by how beautiful the Pokemon was in person. Everyone complimented the strength of Dragonite, but not enough people spoke about how beautiful its pre-evolutions were. Dratini slithered forward elegantly, and Ash kneeled down to be eye-to-eye with Dratini. The Pokemon fearlessly slithered onto Ash's shoulders, and Ash was surprised at how light the Pokemon was. He was bracing for a much heavier load. Dratini went to Ash and licked his face before slithering off Ash and back to the other Pokemon. Ash laughed at the tickling feeling and immediately got serious as he knew it was his time to choose.
He went back to Riolu and reached out his hand. Riolu didn't hesitate to grab Ash's hand. The instant their hands met, their eyes flashed blue for a second, and both Ash and Riolu staggered back after letting go of each other.
To everyone else, it may have felt like only a second, and some may not have even seen Ash and Riolu's eyes flash blue, but to both of them, it felt like an eternity had passed. As soon as they had clasped hands, they were taken to this ethereal realm where they were floating in this light blue void with occasional streaks of white. Ash could see Riolu floating in front of him, and the Pokemon looked like it was on fire with an aura of blue around it.
Ash swam or maybe floated towards Riolu, and they both clasped hands again. This time, Ash could feel something change, and he instinctively closed his eyes. He could feel a warm sensation from his hand, and he opened his eyes to see the blue aura that was surrounding Riolu start moving to Ash. The flame-like aura moved all over Ash, and as soon as Ash was covered by the aura, the strange realm they were in flashed white.
This time, Ash was a spectator in a memory. Riolu's memory. Ash was being moved through memory after memory of Riolu's life. Ash was paying close attention to every detail he could. He could see what looked like Riolu's core memories that defined who he was. He wondered if the opposite was being done for Riolu and if he was looking at Ash's core memories. Ash saw six memories before he was brought back to reality, and instantly, Ash took a step back as he regained his balance and processed what happened.
For now, Ash knew who he was going to choose to be his partner. There was really no other choice after what happened right now. He looked back to Riolu to see him looking back at Ash. "I'm Ash," Ash said, looking into Riolu's eyes. "I'm going to be your trainer from now on. I promise to help you become the greatest Lucario of all time."
Riolu looked at Ash for a moment, and then it nodded. It was ready to begin their journey together.
Ash grinned and picked up Riolu, holding it close. "We're going to be unstoppable," he said. "Together, we're going to be the best team in the world."
"I'll take the Riolu," Ash said confidently, moving closer to the Pokemon.
Lance nodded and handed him the Pokeball containing the Riolu. "Riolu is a powerful Pokemon, but it can also be quite stubborn. You'll need to work hard to earn its trust and respect."
"I'm ready for the challenge," Ash said, gripping the Pokeball tightly. He couldn't wait to see what his new Riolu was capable of.
"You've made a wise choice," Lorelei said, giving Ash a small smile. "Riolu is a Pokemon with great potential. I'm sure you two will make a great team."
"Just remember, training a Pokemon takes time and patience," Bruno added. "But if you work hard, you'll be able to overcome any obstacle."
"Good luck on your journey, Ash," Agatha said. "We'll be watching your progress with interest."
As Ash left the office and stepped out into the bright sunshine, he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.
As he was walking down the steps, a League official approached him.
"Ash, congratulations on your sponsorship," the official said. "I have some news for you. The Elite Four champion, Lance, has authorized a special teleport for you. You can choose any location in the world, and an Alakazam will teleport you there instantly. Where would you like to go?"
Ash thought for a moment, considering all the possibilities. He could go to any region, city, or location in the world. But in the end, he knew where he truly wanted to go.
"I want to go to Pallet Town," Ash said. "I want to start my journey from where it all began. I want to visit Professor Oak and see my mother."
The League official nodded. "Very well, Ash. I'll call an Alakazam to take you there. The teleport will take you to the outskirts of Pallet Town, near Professor Oak's lab. Are you ready?"
Ash nodded. "I'm ready," he said.
The League official called an Alakazam, and the powerful Pokémon appeared before them. Ash stepped forward, and the Alakazam teleported him to the outskirts of Pallet Town.
Ash felt a rush of dizziness as he was teleported, and then he found himself standing on a dirt road surrounded by tall grass and trees. He looked around, taking in the familiar sights of his hometown. He could see the roof of Professor Oak's lab in the distance and smiled.
Ash excitedly walked into Professor Oak's lab. The Pokémon League had sponsored him, and as part of his sponsorship, he was entitled to receive an upgraded Pokédex, the National Pokédex.
As he entered the lab, Ash saw Professor Oak busy at his desk, surrounded by all sorts of high-end Pokemon related gadgets and machinery. Oak looked up and smiled as he saw Ash. "Ah, Ash, my boy," he said. "I've been expecting you. Come, come, let's have a chat."
Ash walked over to Professor Oak's desk and sat across from him. "Hi, Professor Oak," Ash said. "I'm really excited to receive my national Pokédex. Thank you for upgrading it for me."
Professor Oak chuckled. "It's my pleasure, Ash. You've come a long way since you first came to me as a young boy, and I'm proud of everything you've accomplished. I do not doubt that you'll do great things in the upcoming Pokémon League tournament."
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, sleek device. "Here it is, Ash," he said, handing it to him. "Your national Pokédex. It's been updated with all the latest information on every known Pokémon worldwide. It's a valuable tool, and I'm sure it will come in handy on your journey."
Ash eagerly took the Pokédex and examined it, admiring its sleek design and sophisticated technology.
Ash pulled out his national Pokédex and scanned Riolu. The Pokédex displayed information about Riolu, including his gender, height, and known moves.
"Let's see, Riolu is a male Pokémon, 3 feet tall," Ash read aloud. "He knows the moves Aura Sphere, Quick Attack, Counter, Force Palm, Metal Claw, and Endure. That's a pretty impressive move set, Riolu. You're a very versatile and powerful Pokémon."
"Wow, this is amazing, Professor Oak," he said. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Ash," Professor Oak said. "But there's one more thing I need to tell you. As a sponsored Pokémon trainer, you've been given a starting cash prize of 10,000 Pokédollars. You can use this money to buy supplies, heal your Pokémon, and more. But be careful how you spend it because it won't last forever."
Ash's eyes widened in surprise. "10,000 Pokédollars? That's amazing, Professor Oak. Thank you so much."
Professor Oak smiled. "You're welcome, Ash. I have high hopes for you, and I know you'll use that money wisely. And remember, as a sponsored trainer, you get more benefits as you move up the trainer ranks.
As a novice, which you currently are, you can have the standard six Pokemon.
When you get three badges, you'll become a beginner trainer. Then, you can carry up to 7 Pokémon with you. You will also be allowed to enter any tournaments after this rank.
After earning eight badges, you become an intermediate trainer. In this rank, you can carry 8 Pokémon with you. Having eight badges means you can participate in the League Tournament. However, with this much privilege, you also get responsibilities. As an intermediate trainer, you are the first responder for any incident in your area. Any Officer Jenny can command you in your immediate vicinity in the event of an emergency.
Ash nodded, taking in all the information. "Thank you, Professor Oak. I'll make sure to remember all of this and adhere to these rules."
"I know you will, Ash," Professor Oak said, patting him on the back. "And don't forget to stop by and see your mother before you leave. She's been worried about you and very proud of all you've accomplished."
Ash nodded. "I will, Professor Oak. Thank you for everything."
Just then, the door to the lab opened, and in walked Ash's rival, Gary. "Well, if it isn't little Ash," Gary said with a sneer. "I see you've been given the privilege of receiving a national Pokédex. How does it feel to be a sponsored trainer, Ash?"
Ash gritted his teeth, not wanting to rise to Gary's bait. "It feels good, Gary," he said. "I'm looking forward to competing in the Pokémon League tournament and proving myself as a trainer."
Gary laughed. "Proving yourself? That's a good one, Ash. You're still the same weak little kid you always were. I bet you don't stand a chance against me in a Pokémon battle."
Ash's eyes narrowed. He was tired of Gary's constant taunting and was ready to prove himself. "You want a battle, Gary? Fine, let's do it. I'm not afraid of you."
Professor Oak stood up, sensing the tension between the two trainers. "Now, now, let's not get carried away," he said. "I'll be happy to referee a friendly Pokémon battle between the two of you, but let's keep it civil, alright?"
The trainers, Ash and Gary, stood facing each other in the trainer battle area of Professor Oak's lab. Professor Oak stood between them, serving as the referee for the battle.
"The rules are simple," Professor Oak said. "This is a one-on-one battle between Ash's Riolu and Gary's Squirtle. The first Pokemon to be unable to battle is the loser. Begin!"
Ash and Gary each threw out a Pokeball, releasing their respective Pokemon onto the battlefield. Riolu stood confidently, its blue fur shining in the light. Squirtle, on the other hand, looked a bit unsure as it gazed up at its larger opponent.
"Riolu, use Quick Attack!" Ash commanded. Riolu shot forward, its speed allowing it to easily dodge Squirtle's Tackle attack and land a powerful hit on the Squirtle.
"Squirtle, use Bubble Beam!" Gary countered. Squirtle fired a stream of bubbles at Riolu, but Riolu was quick to jump out of the way and counter with a powerful Force Palm attack.
The battle raged on, both trainers issuing commands and their Pokemon executing them with skill and determination. Riolu repeatedly used Metal Claw to wear down Squirtle's defenses, while Squirtle countered with Water Gun to keep Riolu away.
Despite Squirtle's best efforts, Riolu proved to be the superior fighter. Its speed and strength allowed it to dodge Squirtle's attacks and land powerful hits easily. Squirtle tried to use Withdraw to protect itself, but Riolu's Aura Sphere shattered its defenses and sent Squirtle flying.
"Squirtle, use Rapid Spin!" Gary shouted. Squirtle began to spin rapidly, creating a whirlpool around itself. Riolu tried to jump out of the way, but it was caught in the vortex and was pulled in.
"Riolu, use Reversal!" Ash yelled. Riolu used its inner strength to break free from the whirlpool and landed a powerful hit on Squirtle. Squirtle was sent flying and crashed into the wall, unable to continue battling.
"Squirtle is unable to battle," Professor Oak declared. "Riolu is the winner. Excellent job, Ash and Riolu. You fought well, Gary and Squirtle. Better luck next time."
Ash grinned and ran over to Riolu, giving it a big hug. "You were amazing, Riolu! You're getting stronger every day!"
On the other hand, Gary looked disappointed as he recalled Squirtle back into its Pokeball. "I guess I need to work on my training a bit more," he muttered.
Ash grinned and thanked Oak for referring. "I couldn't have done it without Riolu," he said. "I'm looking forward to our next battle."
Ash walked up to his childhood home, feeling a mix of emotions. He would be leaving his home and, more importantly, his mom. As he approached the door, he heard a familiar voice calling out.
"Ash, is that you? I'm in the kitchen!" It was his mother, Delia.
Ash walked into the kitchen, and Delia hugged him tightly. "Ash! You're finally back!" she said, tears in her eyes. "I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished. You're going to grow into such a strong and capable trainer."
Ash smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude toward his mother. "Thanks, Mom. I'm so excited to start my journey"
Delia released him from the hug and looked at him with a curious expression. "What's that on your shoulder, Ash? Is that your new starter Pokémon?"
Ash nodded, and Riolu jumped from his shoulder onto the kitchen floor. "This is Riolu, Mom. He's my starter. I had to choose between Ghastly, Dratini, and him. Riolu and I seemed to bond as soon as we saw each other."
Delia's eyes lit up as she saw Riolu. "Oh, Ash, he's so cute and strong-looking. I love him already." She bent down and petted Riolu, who wagged his tail and nuzzled against her hand.
"Thanks, Mom," Ash said, smiling. "Riolu is a special Pokémon. He's very loyal and brave, and I know he'll be a great leader to my future team."
Delia stood up and looked at Ash with a mischievous expression. "I have a surprise for you, Ash. I made you a new outfit for your journey. I know how much you love wearing red and black, so I made you a matching outfit and a Pokéball hat. It's perfect for your adventures."
She handed him a bag, and Ash opened it to find a black and red outfit, complete with running shoes, all-weather joggers, a white shirt, and an athletic leather jacket. He put it on, and it fit perfectly.
"Wow, Mom, this is amazing," Ash said, admiring the outfit. "I love it. Thank you so much."
Delia smiled. "You're welcome, Ash. I hope you have a lot of fun on your journey, and remember to check in at every Pokémon Center to let me know you're okay. And don't forget to wash your underwear!"
Ash blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Mom, come on. I'm 16. I'm not a kid anymore."
Delia chuckled. "I know, Ash. But you'll always be my little boy. I love you, and be safe on your journey."
Ash hugged her again, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. "I will, Mom. I love you too. And don't worry, I'll make sure to wash my underwear."
With that, he said goodbye to his mother and left the house, Riolu by his side. He was ready to begin his adventure, and he was determined to become a Pokémon Master.
Ash and Riolu walked down the dirt road that led from Pallet Town to Viridian City. As they walked, Ash turned to Riolu and said, "Hey, Riolu, do you want a nickname? I think it would be fun to give you a unique name just for you."
Riolu looked up at Ash and cocked his head to the side as if considering the suggestion. After a moment, he nodded, indicating that he was open to the idea.
"Great!" Ash said, grinning. "Let's think of some nicknames for you. How about Rocky? You're a tough and strong Pokémon, and that name suits you well."
Riolu shook his head, indicating that he didn't like the name.
"Okay, how about Fighter?" Ash suggested. "You're a fierce and brave Pokémon, and that name would fit you perfectly."
Again, Riolu shook his head, indicating that he didn't like the name.
Ash thought for a moment, trying to come up with more names. "How about Leader? You're a natural-born leader, Riolu, and that name would be perfect for you."
Riolu shook his head again, clearly not interested in any of the names Ash had suggested.
Ash sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. "Come on, Riolu! There has to be a name that you like. How about Champ? You're a champion Pokémon, Riolu, and that name would be fitting for you."
Once again, Riolu shook his head, indicating that he didn't like the name. Ash could feel his disappointment through their bond.
"Okay, okay, I get the hint," Ash said, holding up his hands in surrender. "You don't like any of those names. Let me think of something else. How about Rex? That's a strong and powerful name, and I think you'd like it."
Riolu considered the name momentarily, and Ash could sense his hesitation. But then, Riolu shook his head again, indicating that he didn't like the name.
Ash sighed, feeling a bit defeated. "I don't know what to suggest, Riolu. You don't seem to like any of the names I've come up with. Is there something specific that you're looking for in a name?"
Riolu nodded, and Ash could feel his desire for a unique and special name. He thought for a moment, and then a lightbulb went off in his head.
"I have the perfect name for you, Riolu," Ash said, grinning. "How about Custos? It's a Latin word that means guardian, and I think it suits you perfectly. You're a loyal and protective Pokémon, and that name would be perfect for you."
Riolu's eyes lit up, and Ash could sense his excitement through their bond. Riolu nodded eagerly, indicating that he loved the name.
"Great, it's settled then," Ash said, smiling. "Your name is Custos, and I'm glad you like it. Let's go, Custos. We have a long journey ahead of us, and we must get to Viridian City as soon as possible."
Custos nodded, and the two of them continued down the road.
On their second day of travel, Ash and Custos were walking through Route 1 when they heard a commotion up ahead. They ran towards the sound and saw a group of Spearow attacking two Pokémon. The Pokémon were a Pidgey and a Starly, and they were both larger than usual for their species.
The Spearow were attacking the Pidgey and Starly with Peck and Wing Attack, but the two Pokémon were dodging and weaving, trying to avoid the attacks. Ash and Custos ran towards the Spearow, ready to help the Pidgey and Starly.
Custos loaded a Metal Claw in each of his paws, and then he swung at the Spearow, sending them flying backward. The battle had now become a 3-on-3 fight, with Ash, Custos, Pidgey and Starly teaming up against the Spearow.
As Ash, Custos, Starly, and Pidgey faced off against the three Spearow in a clearing in the forest, Ash could feel the tension rising. The Spearow let out fierce cries, flapping their wings and sharpening their talons as they circled in the air above.
"Custos, use Aura Sphere!" Ash commanded. Custos nodded and focused, gathering energy into a glowing sphere. With a mighty throw, Custos launched the Aura Sphere at the Spearow, striking one of them directly and sending it crashing to the ground.
But the other two Spearow were quick to counter, diving at Custos with their sharp talons. Custos used Quick Attack to dart out of the way, but one Spearow managed to scratch its side.
"Custos, use Counter!" Ash shouted. Custos nodded and braced itself, waiting for the Spearow to attack. When they did, Custos used its instinctual fighting type form to counter their attacks, striking back with powerful blows from its fists.
Meanwhile, the Pidgey and Starly took on the remaining Spearow, using their aerial abilities to dodge and attack. The Pidgey used Air Slash to create a sharp blade of wind, while the Starly used Air Cutter to send a gust of wind hurtling towards the Spearow.
The Spearow tried to defend themselves with their sharp talons, but the Pidgey and Starly were too quick. The Starly used Steel Wing to strike the Spearow with a metallic wing, while the Pidgey used Screech to disorient them with a high-pitched cry.
Ash watched as the Pidgey and Starly performed aerial maneuvers, dodging and weaving through the trees as they fought the Spearow. The Starly used its sharp vision to spot the Spearow's movements, while the Pidgey used its keen hearing to anticipate their attacks.
With the Spearow on the defensive, Ash called out to Custos and Starly. "Custos, use Force Palm, and Starly, use Steel Wing together!" Custos nodded and gathered energy into its palms, while Starly focused its energy into its wings. The two Pokémon charged at the Spearow with a powerful combination attack.
The Spearow tried to counter, but Custos and Starly were too fast. Custos struck the Spearow with a palm strike infused with energy, while Starly sliced through their defenses with its metallic wing. The Spearow fell to the ground, defeated.
Ash and the Pokémon stood victorious, panting and out of breath but unharmed. The battle was intense, and just as they were catching their breath, the Spearow squawked loudly, calling to their flock for backup. Ash and Custos could see a whole flock of Spearow coming towards them, darkening the sky with their numbers.
"We need to get out of here, Custos," Ash said, feeling a surge of fear. "The Spearow are too strong, and we can't take on the whole flock. We need to run."
Custos nodded, and the four of them took off, running as fast as they could. They could see a river ahead of them, and Ash knew that it was their only hope of escape.
"Custos, use Aura Sphere to destroy the trees in front of us," Ash commanded. "Starly and Pidgey, help Custos with that and aim for the trees. We need to create a barrier to thin out the flock."
Custos used Aura Sphere to blast apart the trees in front of them, and Starly and Pidgey used their flying-type attacks to help clear a path. The Spearow were getting closer, and Ash could hear their squawking getting louder.
Finally, they reached the river, and Ash knew they had no choice but to jump in and swim to the other side. He grabbed Custos, and the two of them jumped into the water, with Starly and Pidgey following close behind.
The water was cold and fast-flowing, but they managed to swim to the other side, leaving the Spearow behind. They were safe, but they were exhausted and soaked through.
Ash quickly tended to Custos's wound, applying a healing ointment to the scratch and wrapping it in a bandage. Custos winced at the touch, but Ash could see that the ointment was doing its job. "You did great, Custos," the trainer said, smiling. "You're a true warrior, and I'm proud to have you on my team."
Custos nodded and looked up at Ash, its eyes shining with determination. Ash could see that Custos was already thinking about its next battle, and they knew that they could always count on it to give its all.
Ash turned to Pidgey and Starly, who were also panting and out of breath. "Are you two okay?" he asked, concerned. "Those Spearow were adamant. You're both powerful and brave Pokémon."
They nodded their yes, and everybody continued to rest for a second before Ash voiced his thoughts. You both are amazing, and I would love to have you on my team. Would any of you want to join my team?
Ash looks at the Pidgey, who flaps its wings and puffs out its chest as if trying to look bigger and stronger. The Pidgey then turns away and begins to peck at the ground as if searching for something to eat. Ash realized that Pidgey was saying no and was indicating that it wants to get stronger and evolve.
Next, Ash turns to the Starly, who chirps excitedly and flutters its wings. The Starly then takes off into the sky, flying in a circle above Ash's head before landing back on the ground next to him. Ash grinned in happiness, understanding the intention that Starly wanted to travel and have new adventures.
Ash smiled, happy to have found a new companion. He reached for a Poké Ball and captured the Starly, adding her to his team. "Welcome to the team, Starly," he said, smiling. "I'm glad to have you with us. We have a long journey ahead of us, and I know you'll be a valuable addition to our team."
Custos nodded, happy to have a new companion as well.
As Ash entered Viridian City, he was immediately struck by the noise and bustle of the city. The dirt path he had been traveling on for the past few days was nothing compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. Ash could hear the sounds of people talking, cars honking, and music playing from storefronts.
Ash made his way to the Pokemon Center, his Custos riding on his shoulders and Starly in its Pokeball. He was dirty and exhausted from his journey, but he knew that the Pokemon Center would be able to help him and his Pokemon.
He walked up to the counter, where Nurse Joy greeted him with a smile. She had long pink hair and wore a white nurse's uniform with a red Pokeball on it. "Hello, trainer," she said. "What can I do for you today?"
Ash explained that Riolu had been injured in a battle with some Spearow, and he wanted to make sure it was okay. Nurse Joy nodded and took Riolu's Pokeball from Ash, promising to take good care of it.
"And what about your Starly?" Nurse Joy asked, noticing the Pokeball on Ash's belt. "Is it okay?"
Ash nodded and handed over Starly's Pokeball as well. "It's been a long journey, and I want to make sure both of my Pokemon are healthy and happy," he said.
A Chansey came out from the back, pushing a cart with various medical supplies on it. The Chansey had pink fur and a white nurse's cap on its head. Nurse Joy smiled and assured Ash that his Pokemon would be in good hands.
Ash's Custos hopped onto the cart happily, and Ash dropped off Starly's Pokeball as well. He followed Nurse Joy upstairs to the trainer's lounge, where she provided him with a hot bowl of microwave ramen. Ash ate hungrily, grateful for the nourishment after his long journey.
After he finished eating, Ash spent some time browsing the entries on his Pokedex, learning more about the Pokemon he had encountered on his journey. He read up on Riolu and Starly, as well as their evolutions. He learned that Riolu could evolve into Lucario, a powerful and skilled fighting-type Pokemon and that Starly could evolve into Staravia and then Staraptor, becoming a strong and agile flying-type Pokemon.
Ash was excited to learn more about his Pokemon and their potential, and he made a mental note to train them and help them evolve. He thanked Nurse Joy for her help and the hot meal and then went to bed.