With the help of his Pokémon, Ash was able to make it back to Indigo Plateau, but was still shaken up from the experience. By the time he got back, it was sunset however his mind still went back to the Legendary he encountered. He never expected to survive the encounter with the Legendary when he released it but yet it did.

It still baffled him but he did learn a few things. For starters, it knew Confusion and Dragon Breath meaning it was a dual typing. Possibly a Dragon/Psychic combination. It was fast too but now it's injured.

He didn't dwell on it too long since he walked and saw his dad with Venusaur resting nearby. Ash tried to secretly sneak back to his room but Red took a deep breath and spoke. "Ash."

Ash, frozen in his tracks along with his Pokémon, sharply inhaled, "Dad! Hey… um, I have to talk to you about something."

"So do I." Red added and turned around. Both trainers took a deep breath and spoke at the same time.

"I've decided that I don't want to be a trainer/I think it's time you learn to battle fierce Pokémon." They said before reiterating, "What?"

"You go first." Red offered which Ash declined, "No, no, you go first."

"Alright," Red began again, "You get your wish. Pokémon Battling. You start in the morning."

If Ash had received this news before releasing the Legendary, he would have been ecstatic. But now, it was more bittersweet. A notion cared by his Pokémon. After seeing the sparing side of the fierce Pokémon, they were also feeling bittersweet.

"Oh, man, I should've gone first!" Ash exclaimed before lying, "Uh, 'cause I was thinking, you know, we have plenty of trainers nowadays, but do we have enough… coordinators or breeders? Heck, maybe even a Pokémon doctor you know what I'm saying?"

"You'll be great out there." Red said, not even hearing the words of his son.

"I don't want to battle fierce Pokémon."

"Come on. Yes, you do."

"Let me try that again: I can't battle fierce Pokémon."

"But you will battle fierce Pokémon."

"No, I'm very confident that I can't."

"It's time, Ash."

"Can you not hear me?!" Ash shouted, trying to get his point across while dancing around the crucial action he performed today.

"This is serious, Ash!" Red boomed before speaking in a more calm tone, "I admit, it was apprehensive but this is for the best. You have the potential to be like us now. No more all of… this."

"You just gestured to all of me." Ash deadpanned.

"Deal?"

"This feels like a one-sided conversation."

"Deal?" Red pressed and Ash, eventually, relented. "Deal."

With the discussion settled, Red gave a nod and woke Venusaur up while picking up his Pokéballs before heading off, "Good. Train hard. I'll be back."

"And I'll be here." Ash responded, watching his dad leave with Venusaur out the door. "Probably," he whispered under his breath. Pichu nuzzled against him, trying to aid in the discomfort with his trainer followed by Monferno and Lycanroc. Ash just walked it off, not meaning to hurt his Pokémon's attempts of helping, but he just headed back to his room.

His greatest wish just become his worst fear.

The next morning, the field of Indigo Plateau was opened at the break of dawn. "Welcome to Pokémon Trainer camp!" Professor Oak greeted with his Dragonite opening the door.

Among the new trainers was the group from before, consisting of Misty, Brock, May, Max, Gary, Clemont, Dawn, Kiawe, and Serena. Each who were looking either excited or determined as they enter the training field.

"No turning back." Serena said with her Braixen at her side.

Each of the trainers looked around, taking in the field for the first time as their Pokémon were ready to defend their trainers with them.

"Let's get fired up, Marowak!" Kiawe said, burning with excitement. Marowak twirled his bone and lit it with flames.

"We'll show those fierce Pokémon right, Combusken?" May asked her partner, who chirped in agreement.

"At last, I get to demonstrate my hard studies," Max proclaimed while pushing up his glasses. His main partner, a Kirlia, nodded and gave a twirl.

"I wonder what kind of fierce Pokémon I get to encounter?" Clemont said eagerly. His Chespin walked about.

"As long as they don't mess up my hair." Dawn admitted. Her Piplup shook his head at the mention of her hair.

"You fellas just need to sit back and let the great Gary Oak handle everything." Gary cockily said, shooting a wink at Serena in the process who just rolled her eyes. Blastoise pounded his fist together at the chance to battle.

"Yeah, it's all great." Ash drawled sarcastically, making his presence known to the group. With him were Charmeleon and Pichu. Ash decided that if he was going to be in the trainer school, he could at least try to train his other Pokémon by keeping them in rotation.

Oak had a satisfied look on his face but the others were unimpressed at seeing Ash. "Oh great, who let him in?" Misty snarked, her Starmie glowing indignantly.

Oak decided to press on with the lesson. "Let's get started now. Remember, the trainer who does the best will have the honor of battling the fierce Pokémon in front of the entire Kanto faction."

"Didn't Ashy-boy already hit a 'Legendary'? Shouldn't that disqualify him?" Gary mocked as Blastoise gave a smirk.

That hit Charmeleon hard as he was nearly about to rush over to the Shellfish Pokémon and fight him despite having type-disadvantage. The two starters had a rivalry dating back to when they first met as Charmander and Squirtle. Gary often beat Ash and taunted him, which fueled Charmander's determination to evolve into a Charmeleon.

Ash grumbled to himself, inwardly flinching at the mention of battling a fierce Pokémon, but kept it under wraps.

As the other trainers walked off, Oak approached Ash and gave him some 'comforting' words, "Don't worry. They are just hot-headed with their high-level and well-trained Pokémon. You'll get there!"

Ash knew Oak meant well but that wasn't as comforting. He had the skills and ideas when it came to battling usual but they were rather orthodox at times. He shrugged it off as the other trainers were gathered around certain cages holding fierce Pokémon.

"Behind these gates are just a few of the many species you will learn to battle against." Professor Oak said. "An Aerodactyl."

"The Fossil Pokémon. Known for its saw like teeth and flight." Clemont noted.

"A Gyarados."

"The Atrocious Pokémon. Capable of leveling towns with its rage." Max stated, much to Clemont's irritation.

"A Tyranitar."

"The Armor Pokémon. Can level mountains." Clemont said before Max, causing the smart trainers to glare at each other.

"An Altaria."

"Aren't those really cute?" May questioned.

"The Humming Pokémon. Known for their harmonious melody." Clemont continued.

"A Salamence."

"Pseudo-legendary of Hoenn. The Dragon Pokémon." Max countered.

"A Luxray."

"The Gleam Eyes Pokémon. Capable of X-ray vision." Clemont remarked, getting in Max's face.

"A Seviper."

"The Fang Snake Pokémon. Can constrict a foe and strike with its bladed tail." Max stated, getting right back in Clemont's face.

"A Noivern."

"The Soundwave Pokémon. Uses echolocation to locate its prey then uses its fangs to finish the job." Max and Clemont argued.

"Clemont. Max." Oak warned, "As much as I appreciate your knowledge over these fierce Pokémon, can you PLEASE STOP!?" Once the two smart trainers stopped, Oak composed himself and finished the list, "And a Turtonator."

"The Blast Turtle Pokémon. Has a spiky shell and a destructive force." Clemont whispered, getting the last laugh against Max.

Oak proceeded to gesture towards Dragonite, who nodded and flew to a lever in front of the Turtonator's cage.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Dawn exclaimed as she and the other trainers backed away, "Aren't you going to teach us first?!" Piplup backed away in fear too.

"Well, I could but I'm sure you all have the potential." Oak offhandedly said, just as Dragonite flew back with him and went to the sky.

No sooner, the Turtonator appeared and let out a fierce torrent of flames. He eyed the many trainers and their Pokémon, ready to defeat them.

"No time like the present," Brock muttered and pointed forward with his partner Pokémon, "Croagunk, Brick Break!" The Toxic Mouth Pokémon gave a croak and jumped into the air.

"Marowak, Shadow Bone!" Kiawe added. The bone wielding creature join the frog in the air with their respective moves and descended on the Fire/Dragon-type.

However, Turtonator hunkered down as the two moves hit his shell, which exploded upon contact and sent Croagunk and Marowak flying into their trainers.

"First lesson: matching ups. If your Pokémon get beaten you're out. Meaning you two Brock and Kiawe." Oak advised from the stands. He had activated a shield function that would protect him in case any stray attacks the fierce or trained Pokémon would use and miss at their target.

"What's the first thing you need to know about a Pokémon?"

"Home region?" Ash quizzed.

"Speed?" Clemont asked as he wheezed. The inventor was not made for mobility since he spent most of his time inventing. Chespin was running from the rapid fire uses of Incinerate.

"It's typing!" Serena answered.

"Yes! Typing!" Oak praised.

"It's a Fire/Dragon-type!" Max shouted, getting the upper hand. "Kirlia, Disarming Voice!"

Kirlia let loose heart-shaped soundwaves, hitting Turtonator.

"And Fire-type!" Misty cheered, "Hydro Pump!" Starmie spun around and fired streams of water that converged into a massive torrent. Turtonator was hit with it and managed to stand. Snorting, he spun around with a scaly-tail pattern over his tail, hitting Chespin and Starmie.

"While Max and Misty made good choices, it's best not to just rely only on straightforward moves. Also, Misty, Clemont, you're out." Oak said. "Each Pokémon has a certain number for each move it knows… usually."

Dawn took action, "Piplup, Whirlpool!" The Penguin glowed blue and summoned a whirlpool above his head before throwing it, catching Turtonator. However, Turtornator spun with the current and used Dragon Tail, slamming into Piplup after being launched out of the Whirlpool. Piplup hit the ground in pain.

"Dawn, you're out." Oak noted. Berlitz groaned, picked up Piplup, and headed over to where the trainers that were out rested.

"May, we need to coordinate an effective strategy to win this!" Max declared.

"Why do that when Combusken and I can handle this on our own?" May said, disagreeing.

"Combusken can't get close without setting off Shell Trap!"

"May I remind you that Flamethrower is still an option?!"

The Maple siblings bickered at each other until Oak called out, "May, Max, you're out." May and Max looked in confusion before seeing that Combusken and Kirlia had been hit with Overheat and laid on the floor in pain.

"Nice going, Max." May sarcastically replied. She returned Combusken while Max returned Kirlia.

Ash decided to give it a go, "Charmeleon, use Dragon Rage!" Charmeleon prepared to launch the draconic move but Gary's Blastoise fired a stray Hydro Pump, 'accidentally' firing at Charmeleon which missed. The red lizard growled at the weaponized turtle, who feigned the action.

Meanwhile, Blastoise's trainer was trying to hit on Serena. "So, you know, if you ever want to join my cheerleader entourage, you are always welcomed." Serena rolled her eyes as Braixen brought up a Light Screen, preventing a Flamethrower from hitting them.

Seeing he wasn't being swooned over by Serena, Gary decided to show her a different side, "You know, I bet my Blastoise could easily take out that Turtonator, no sweat. Unlike Ashy-Boy's Charmeleon or runt of a Pichu. Blastoise, take it out with Hydro Pump!"

The Shellfish Pokémon launched two gushing torrents of water, making Turtonator turn his attention to him. The two terrapins glared at each other,

"This should cool you off, Ice Punch!" Gary cockily said. Blastoise charged in with a icy-glowing fist and was about to swing when Turtonator turned around and used Shell Trap. The Ice-type move denoted against the move and had Blastoise on his back. The Blast Turtle Pokémon spun around with Dragon Tail and sent Blastoise flying at Serena, Gary, and Braixen.

The girl and her fox jumped out of the way as Blastoise hit his own trainer -who was stunned as he forgot the unique trait of the fierce Pokémon-, knocking them out of the round. Charmeleon snickered at seeing his rival received karma.

"Gary, you're out." Oak announced, "Maybe this will teach you some humility?" Dragonite shook his head, doubting that to be true.

Serena landed next to Ash, who was blushing and working up courage. "So, I guess it's just me and you, huh?" Ash tried to speak.

"Nope, just you." Serena said, speaking to Ash for the first time in his life. Ash didn't get a chance to follow up as Turtonator fired Incinerate at the boy. Ash ducked and Pichu -frightened from the flames- ran off to avoid becoming roasted. Chameleon threw his claws to land Slash but Turtonator slammed a Dragon Tail and causing Charmeleon hit the ground hard. However, since Ash had Pichu he wasn't fully out.

Ash began to chase Pichu with Turtonator on his trail. The spiky terrapin chased the boy and his mouse until he had them cornered. Pichu buried himself into Ash's chest while the boy looked at the snout of the Turtonator charging up to no doubt use Overheat.

Ash closed his eyes, planning to take the brunt of the blast and shield Pichu. Charmeleon weakly stirred and saw the incoming attack but was too injured to get up and run over.

Luckily, Dragonite flew in and launched with Dragon Rush into Turtonator. The Blast Turtle Pokémon stumbled before Dragonite drove himself into the terrapin and back into his cage. Oak firmly crank the lever and the cage shut, leaving Turtonator to vent in rage at his failed victory.

"That could have been disastrous." Oak said, not wanting to face Red's wrath in case Ash actually died on his first day. So he made a decision, "You'll get another chance, don't worry about it." He then hopped over and checked out Ash. "Are you alright, Ash?"

"Y-yeah." Ash said, still shaken up. Much like the Legendary he encountered. Only the Legendary let him live and Turtonator would have cooked him alive.

"Remember: a fierce Pokémon will always -always- go for the finishing blow." Oak sternly advised. The rest of the trainers left to their own activities to spend the day but Ash was confused about that claim.

Later that afternoon, Ash and his Pokémon -after getting Charmeleon to a Pokémon Center for a quick health check-up- returned to the same spot they encountered the Legendary. The advice that Oak had given felt like the complete opposite to his previous encounter. "So why didn't you?" Ash asked himself.

He was beginning to have second thoughts about these fierce Pokémon overall.

"Lycanroc, can you sniff the rope for a scent?" Ash asked his canine. The Rock-type nodded, getting a whiff of the Legendary's scent before tracking the Legendary down. Eventually the boy and his team were trailing the Pokémon.

Pichu looked down as they continued however, Ash noticed and decided to speak up, "Pichu, don't feel bad."

"Pi…"

Ash bent down and scratched him behind the ears, knowing that is Pichu's favorite spot. "Don't worry. One day, you'll conquer your fears. And then you'll show them." Ash encouraged the mouse. Ash's other Pokémon relayed behind him, supporting Pichu who nodded and puffed his chest out before the group continued their tracking.

Eventually, Lycanroc led them to a secret place. Moving through overhanging vines and through a cave, Ash and his Pokémon looked in awe.

A small natural spring filled a basin, providing a water source for any potential Pokémon living here. Patches of grass grew from receiving the water as well along with a few berry sproutlings slowly growing.

"Whoa… I thought a place like this existed in all of Kanto," Ash remarked in awe. The secret paradise also had his Pokémon mesmerized too.

However, too busy being enchanted, they were caught off guard by a rush of wind. Ash and his Pokémon looked to see the outline of the Legendary trying to get altitude but was grunting in mild pain before descending.

The Legendary growled at his failure. He hovered along the ground in a steady motion before trying again. The Legendary got the propulsion but was still hindered and crashed into the ground.

Ash, who was still spooked, tried to get closer while being cautious. He secretly brought out his Pokédex and started to discreetly record it. "Why don't you just fly away?" Ash murmured to himself and zoomed in before noticing the injured wing. Guilt flowed through Ash, knowing he was to blame for the Legendary's current condition. The Legendary flew to a ripe berry tree, snacking on a Wiki Berry briefly.

"Recording complete." The Pokédex beeped rather loudly, causing the Legendary to gaze at Ash. The boy froze as the Legendary spotted him and his Pokémon were ready to engage in case things escalated.

But the Legendary just stared, as if it was merely curious and recognized the human from the other day. After a few moments of the stare-off, the Legendary went back to eating its Wiki Berry, prompting Ash and his Pokémon to leave.

And call him a little crazy, Ash felt like visiting the Legendary another day in the future.