"Okay, I'll admit it, I think we're lost." Ash sighed to his partner Pikachu as the two found themselves in the middle of a foggy forest.
"Pi…" Pikachu sighed.
"I know, Professor Oak told us to meet with Professor Elm once we got to New Bark Town, but I couldn't even tell you which direction we're going." Ash admitted. "I wish the others were still here."
"Pika Pi." Pikachu agreed.
Flashbacks
"I know we said we'd bring the GS Ball back to Kanto but Professor Ivy needs my help here." Brock admitted.
"Are you sure about this, it won't be the same without you." Misty commented.
"I'm sure, this is where I'm needed." Brock said.
"Well then, I wish you the best of luck." Ash admitted.
Back to the present
"We need to focus on getting out of this fog." Ash said. "Let's try to remove it, Pikachu use Thunder!"
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, before unleashing a massive amount of electricity, clearing some of the fog up.
"Well, we're near a lake." Ash sighed. "What even is that?" Ash asked, pulling out his Pokedex.
'Subject unknown, species unknown, Pokemon unknown'
Across the lake, there was a transparent creature with ribbons fluttering as it stood across the lake.
"I have a feeling that that's what's causing the fog. Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu sent out a bolt of electricity, passing right through the creature, striking and blowing up a tree.
"Okay, that didn't work, but you can't block everything, Charizard come on out, use Flamethrower, Pikachu use Thunder!"
Flashback
"Ash, I'm really impressed just how far you've come with not just your strength and with Charizard, but the chance to train here, and become an even better water type trainer with Rudy, how can I say no?" Misty asked.
"But the mission to return the GS Ball, you said you'd help." Ash reminded.
"I did, but let's be honest, you hardly need me, with Charizard now on your side, plus Tracey, and your new Pokemon in Snorlax and Lapras, you aren't the same little kid you were a when we got here."
"Alright, just, take care of yourself okay. I'd hate for you to lose yourself here." Ash said.
"Of course, and I'll be sure to root for you every step of the way." Misty assured.
Back to the present
The transparent creature let out a roar, knocking both Pikachu and Charizard back a bit.
"Alright, enough playing around, everyone in. Bulbasaur use Razor Leaf! Squirtle use Hydro Pump! Charizard use Flamethrower! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out in anger.
The four elemental attacks fired off at the creature, causing a massive shockwave resonating through the grove.
"Just as I thought, fog cleared up nice and quick." Ash said, grabbing a Pokeball to catch the creature, only to see it still standing perfectly tall as it had been the entire time.
"What are you?" Ash asked, as the creature leapt over the lake and Ash and his team, before turning around and waiting.
"You want me to follow you?" Ash asked.
The creature nodded.
"Alright beats staying here and lost, come on guys." Ash said, knowing he couldn't damage this creature.
Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charizard, and Squirtle followed Ash and the creature through the break in the fog.
Flashback
"So this is it Tracey?" Ash asked.
"I'm sorry Ash, I know we had fun traveling together, but a chance to work with Professor Oak." Tracey began before Ash waved him off.
"No I get it, you can't pass this up." Ash said. "This is a huge opportunity for you, don't waste it, I'll be fine getting this to Johto."
"Best of luck Ash, once you get there, make sure to get into an old student of mine in New Bark Town, Professor Elm, he'll give you directions on how to get to Kurt." Professor Oak said, handing Ash back the GS Ball, along with his teams Pokeballs.
Back to the present
The creature turned around as they reached a break in the trees.
"You, helped me, even after I attacked you." Ash said in surprise.
The creature nodded, before walking back into the fog of the woods, moments later the fog dissipating with the forest being able to be seen once more.
"Weirdest encounter ever." Ash said, still looking where the creature disappeared. "WHOEVER YOU ARE, THANK YOU!"
"PIKA PI!" Pikachu cheered with his trainer.
"Come on guys, let's see if we can't find out where they led us to." Ash said, returning his pokemon sans Pikachu.
Authors Notes
Yes, after an honestly ABYSMAL upload schedule ever since the crossover we're back with a new Ash and a new story this time in Johto.
As always going over what's canon and whats not, all of the first season is canon, as is most of Orange Islands except that Misty also stayed behind and Brock never returned. Please know this is not me hating the OG companions for Ash, I grew up watching these three, I just worry that I won't do them justice in writing as main characters, hence they only appear every so often in my writings. I am however a sucker for the OG starter squad reunions and getting to START a story in the region they canonically all were in is a LOT of fun for me. We'll be getting a new group of companions for this story as always, and they are somewhat familiar faces, one has changed a bit, but that's all part of the fun.
As always I'm more than happy to hear any comments, hopes, critiques or criticisms, just make sure to word your complaints, not just a I didn't like it, tell me why, I'm always trying to work on getting better, even if I mess up from time to time on it.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder - Agility
Bulbasaur: Vine Whip - Razor Leaf - Solar Beam - Leech Seed
Charizard: Flamethrower - Seismic Toss - Dragon Rage - Fire Spin
Squirtle: Hydro Pump - Skull Bash - Water Gun - Withdraw