Hello everybody. I'd like to welcome you to a little project I've been working on over the past few months. This project actually has its roots in a discontinued story I wrote about 8 years ago. At the time I was a huge fan of Pokemon and amourshipping and, like many others at the time, began writing a fanfiction about them. Well, frankly, it didn't go anywhere. Life was busy, I was young, and most importantly I was not a very good or disciplined writer. Well fast-forward to recently and I graduated from college and was working full time during covid. Like a lot of you I found the monotony exhausting and had my interest peaked in restarting my series. In truth for about 3 years now I've wanted to start writing another story and basically made the whole thing in my head but I recently got the motivation to actually go all in and write it. I've spent quite a bit of time working on it and at the time of writing this am 14 chapters in. This gives me wiggle room as even if life gets hectic, I can still publish at least a chapter a month, although the goal is to be much more consistent than that.
Now before the first chapter there's a few things I want to note:
1) This is a fanfiction. Like all fanfictions, it is taking material from an existing product and making it into something different. It is also not just the Pokemon Company (which I obviously do not own) that I'm borrowing ideas from. Like many of you I've read and enjoyed many other fanfictions over the years and some of those ideas will slip into my work. If I feel there is a specific idea or chapter that was influenced by another writer from this site, I'll try and shout them out to give credit where credit is due. One writer I just want to shout out up front is FanaticLAguy06. I started reading his Pokemon story way back when he first released it and even years later find myself occasionally reading some chapters of his fanfiction when I'm bored. Although he discontinued his story in the last year, I highly recommend anyone who likes Amourshipping to go read the stories he wrote first, they are far better than anything I could ever hope to write. That being said in many ways I do consider my story a bit of a spiritual successor to his work. While there will certainly be my own unique ideas in the story, certain ideas and plot points are direct inspirations of ideas he created. Again, please check out his story if you haven't already it is a terrific read.
2) One way I'm making my story unique is a very concerted effort to make the Pokemon world more realistic. I'm releasing my first four chapter all at once and by reading them I think you'll have a solid understanding of what this looks like but one way you'll notice right off the bat is that our two main characters begin their journey at age of 16. I never felt that 10 years old's traveling the world made any sense from a logic standpoint but beyond that I think aging up the characters allows me to tackle more mature themes. On that note this is a T rated story for a reason. There will be minor violence, there will occasionally be a suggestive moment, and there will certainly be darker subjects than the average Pokemon fanfic. I am intent on keeping this story within the parameters this website set for T rated stories but nonetheless wanted to make everyone aware of this.
3) As you all know fanfictions stop and start at infrequent intervals. As I said earlier, I've already written 10 chapters past the first 4 I'm releasing today with the expectation that occasionally life will get hectic, or I will experience burn out. There will be times when I only post once a month and other times, I will post multiple times in a week. Please bear with me as I try to juggle responsibilities in my work and personal life. There is also the possibility this story could be discontinued at any time. I have many plans for the future of this story and a lot I want to tell. That being said life is inconsistent and like many authors on this site before me I could come to the conclusion that I can no longer commit time to it. As I said I've thought deeply for many years on what this story would look like so if that point ever comes, I'll be sure to post an outline of future plot points and things that happen, so you all don't feel like you were left totally high and dry.
With all that being said lets get to the story! The first 4 chapters will be released today, so I'll include some authors notes at the end of the fourth chapter.
It was a warm May evening in the Kanto region. While the late spring darkness on a Sunday night would usually put most of the nation's citizens to bed one place was notably light and full of energy, it was a stadium. As light poured down, tens of thousands of screaming fans had their focus on the center, where two pokemon faced off.
"Now Nidorina, use horn attack!" a muscular shirtless man shouted on one side.
His pokemon with spiked pink armor charged forward as it's horn radiated light.
On the other side a man in a dark cloak smiled, "Gengar dodge that attack and use hypnosis." His ally, a large smiling ball of black with stubby arms and legs swiftly charged forward and leapt over it's opponent, stunning the audience that such a creature could move so gracefully. Once the shadow-being had cleared it's opponent it spun in the air and released waves of ominous gray spirals. The Nidorina stumbled as she tried to resist the attack but soon found herself face down asleep.
"Now finish this with dream eater!" The man called to his Gengar. The ghost pokemon, still floating in the air, stuck his hands forward and released a purple energy that enveloped Nidorina. The purple energy then tore itself away from the spiked pokemon who hollered in pain before passing out.
Up in the announcer's booth two men in suits watched with jubilation.
"Oooh, and just like that Nidorina is out of the battle." one said.
"That's right Mark, Shawn Martinez has fought bravely but it looks like he's down to his final pokemon."
"Meanwhile Aaron Tin has only lost two. That Gengar has just been too much all tournament!"
The Muscular man returned his Nidorina before swiftly taking out another pokeball. He smiled softly and took a deep breath before shouting, "Now Onix, show me your fighting spirit!"
Appearing on the field was a massive rock snake that roared down at its opponent.
"Well Mark, you have to hand it to Martinez. Down to his last pokemon and he's still fighting with all he has."
"That's right Bill, he's truly a terrific example for young trainers." The announcer responded.
Although their words couldn't be heard by anyone in the stadium, they carried to millions of people around the Kanto region and even to the wider world. One viewer they reached in particular was a 16 year old boy in a town not too far away called Pallet Town. The boy stood 5 feet 10 inches, had raven black spikey hair, and a slightly muscular build. His name was, of course, Ash Ketchum.
"Come on Martinez, don't give up until the end!" The boy shouted.
Of course, Ash knew that his words could never reach the competitors at the legendary Indigo Plateau. Still though he shouted with excitement as he watched the match play out on his laptop. Ash could only smile brightly and pump his fist as the two pokemon on his screen traded fierce blows. Finally, Gengar released a powerful shadow ball that smashed into Onix, sending the massive snake crashing into the ground.
"And there you have it, Bill! This year's Kanto Conference Champion is Aaron Tin!"
"Amazing" Ash said to himself in awe as he watched the two competitors shake hands before the victor waved to the crowd. With his own dreams so close to beginning, Ash could barely contain himself from daydreaming of being down on that field. Unfortunately, his dreams were ended when a shout came from his door.
"Ash Satoshi Ketchum! Didn't I tell you to get to bed early?" A stern voice boomed.
Ash winced as he looked up at where the shout had come from. Standing in the doorway was Delia Ketchum, a rather tall woman with brown hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Oh Mom" Ash begged, "Can't I just watch the closing ceremony."
"Maybe tomorrow you'll be able to set your sleep schedule but tonight you're on my time." The woman responded, "Now remember what I told you: I need to go to the restaurant early to help open up, so you need to make sure you set your alarm nice and early for graduation."
Ash smiled as held up the pokeball shaped alarm clock next to his bed, "Don't worry mom, look I already set it."
Delia seemed to relax a little and smiled warmly, "Good, now make sure you wash up and look presentable so I can get plenty of pictures on stage. Now goodnight."
For as long as Ash had been alive his mother had worked at a popular restaurant in the center of Pallet Town serving as both a manager and waitress. Despite not needing to work Delia always said the job made her happy and kept her connected to the town. Something she especially valued with her husband always gone. Ash took a deep breath trying to forget that last part, he didn't really need to be thinking about his dad tonight and risk losing his excitement for tomorrow. Instead, the boy chose to get in bed and think about his future. Tomorrow he'll be graduating from high school and getting his first pokemon before beginning a journey across the Kanto region. He'd soon create a pokemon team of his own and win the Kanto league. As he finally slipped into sleep his last thoughts were how he could almost feel himself actually throwing a pokeball and cheering in delight as he caught a pokemon for the first time.
The following day a large crowd was gathered around Pallet Town square. The nearly 100 onlookers sat together as they faced a stage filled with 25 of Pallet Town's finest, the graduating senior class. Amongst them was a tall pretty girl standing 5'9 with deep blue eyes and honey blonde hair that cascaded down past her shoulders. This girl was Serena Yvonne, like the other's she was dressed in a navy-blue graduation gown with a matching graduation cap. Serena beamed proudly as she looked down on the crowd. Her eyes quickly located her mother, Grace Gabena, smiling proudly in her seat. The woman tried to hold back tears as she waved proudly. Sitting next to Grace was Serena's stepfather, Manny Gabena, and her two younger half siblings Gabriel and Emma.
"Your moms holding up better than I thought." A familiar voice said from Serena's right. Next Serena was her longtime friend Leaf Green. "My mom isn't quite doing as well." Leaf motioned to the seats where Serena could see the elder Green bawling uncontrollably as her husband and elder son tried to console her.
"We have to keep in mind it's a big day for them too." A soft voice from Serena's left added. "They're lives are changing just as much as ours are." The voice was from Serena's other close friend Yellow Wilton. "You two in particular need to be extra sensitive since you leave today." She continued.
"I know, I know" Leaf grumbled before sweat dropping, "I could just do without the waterworks is all."
Serena giggled at this. Hushes quickly fell over the crowd as an elderly man with graying brown hair walked up on the stage.
"Good morning to all who could join us today. Especially these wonderful 25 students who after years of rigorous dedication have finally reached graduation." The legendary Prof. Oak began. "Today marks a momentous day for everyone here. For whether you are a student, parent, sibling, or friend, everyone here has contributed to the molding of these young minds and deserves all the adulation for being part of their future success. As the commencement speaker I could bore you all with anecdotes about my past and what moments like this, watching young people take the next step, means to me. But chances are if you've lived in this town long enough you've probably heard me prattle on about all that enough." The crowd gave a light laugh. "So instead, I'll say this, all 25 of you here today have accomplished a tremendous feat, and whether you are going to college, heading directly into your respective careers, or are part of our group of 9 who are heading out on a journey into this beautiful world, I know you will all find tremendous success."
Following a few more minutes of speaking the elder Oak yielded his stage to his granddaughter Daisy, who also just so happened to be a favorite teacher to the Pallet Town students. Slowly Daisy called up each student who would shake hands with the principal before receiving their diploma. Serena smiled proudly as she prepared to walk on stage, this was a moment she had long dreamed of, and everything felt perfect. Well, nearly perfect. Serena couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Then Daisy said the name, "Ash Ketchum"
Serena blushed in surprise. Not evening thinking about the boy until now as the applause from the crowd rang out…
"Ash Ketchum?' Daisy repeated with confusion. But nobody stepped forward. Ash was nowhere to be found.
On the housing part of Pallet Town Ash quickly sprinted towards the festivities, tripping over his gown as he tried to put on his hat. Somehow the teen had managed to throw his alarm at the wall while sleeping so he had slept far past when he was supposed to.
"Oh, mom's going to kill me." He groaned to no one in particular.
As he ran into town Ash saw that the area graduation was meant to be held was now clearing up. Dozens of groups were walking off in opposite directions.
"Oh no!" Ash moaned. In the center he saw a small group of his fellow graduates gathered together. He ran over to them but was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder,
"ASH KETCHUM HOW DARE YOU MISS YOUR GRADUATION!" His mother screamed at him.
"Sorry mom, my alarm broke." He responded sheepishly.
"ALARM BROKE?! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE WAITED FOR THIS DAY? WHAT YOU DID WAS SO IMMATURE AND SO-"
From the circle Prof. Oak cleared his throat stopping the rampage, "Delia, I understand your frustration, but can we avoid the shouting until we've wrapped up here?'
Delia gave Ash one more glare which told her son this was not over before taking a step back.
"Now Ash, good of you to finally join us." Prof. Oak said coldly.
"I'm so sorry Professor. My alarm broke." Ash said sincerely. He then quickly joined the group.
"Typical Ashy boy can't even wake up on time." A condescending voice came from Ash's left. Standing there smirking was none other than Ash's longtime rival Gary.
"Shut up Gary" Ash growled, before turning to his longtime friend Serena, "Hey Serena, you look really great in that gown, you too Leaf!"
Serena felt her cheeks turn a dark shade of red, "th-th-thanks Ash" she stuttered.
Although Ash meant nothing by this Serena couldn't help herself around the boy, forcing her friend to step in.
"Thanks Ash, but you really messed up this time." Leaf warned.
"Oh please, I'm still going to be a better trainer than all of you." Ash responded with a large smile.
"Hahahaha!" Gary began laughing uncontrollably, "Tell him Gramps!"
"Gary" Oak warned.
"Tell me what?" Ash asked.
Prof. Oak took a deep sigh, "Ash, as I was just explaining to the group, Nina wasn't on the list to receive a starter pokemon but unfortunately the pokemon her parents ordered for her got back logged and she had to switch to one of our starter pokemon. We didn't have enough for her but since you weren't here, I gave her yours."
Ash's eyes bulged open in shock, he felt like someone had just punched him in the stomach, "Wait, what?" he managed to get out.
"It's ok" The timid Nina interjected, "I can always give Ash my Bulbasaur."
Prof. Oak shook his head, "You've already introduced yourself to Bulbasaur, Nina. Besides this is the consequence of missing engagements."
"Prof. Oak" Leaf interjected, "is there really nothing else you can do? I mean Ash did say it wasn't really his fault."
Oak merely shook his head, "Unfortunately there isn't. As trainers you all need to understand that these sorts of things can't happen, you'll be in charge of other beings' lives now, not just your own. When it comes to raising pokemon, excuses are unacceptable. Ash, you can wait another month and I'll be able to get you a starter."
"Aw come on Professor." Another boy said, "Let's find another way."
Oak sighed, Ash had always had an ability to make friends, he shouldn't be surprised that the students would go to bat for him.
"Aww this is just the universe sending Ashy boy a message." Gary interjected, "He just isn't cut out to be a trainer."
"Shut up Gary!" The boy growled. Oak prepared to scold his grandson when a voice stopped him.
"No!" Ash said sternly, "I appreciate you all standing up for me, but Prof. Oak is right. I didn't live up to my responsibilities, so I don't deserve a pokemon."
"Ash" Leaf said softly in surprise, even Gary seemed taken back by the statement.
Ash then turned and faced Prof. Oak, his brown eyes staring intently at the man, "But I'm sorry Professor, I also can't afford to spend a month sitting around here either. I might not be getting a pokemon today, but I do get a pokedex and pokeballs. I'll go out and catch a starter pokemon, even if I have to do it alone."
Oak was stunned by the resolve, but cruel laughter soon cut through the group, "Oh please! You're going to catch a pokemon without a starter? I'd pay money to see that!" Gary taunted.
"I'll help you" A shy voice interjected.
The eyes of the group quickly turned to Serena blushing a deep shade of crimson while looking at the ground.
"What'd you say Serena?" Ash asked in surprise.
Taking a deep breath Serena looked up at her crush, "Yea, I'll help you. Maybe we can start our journey together. My starter can help you catch a pokemon and then we can maybe travel-together." She rushed the last part.
Leaf stood there stunned before smiling.
"You really mean it?" Ash asked, grabbing Serena by the shoulders, "Oh Serena, you're the best friend I could ever have!"
"Yea, sure" Serena squeaked, turning bright red again at the contact.
Strangely, Oak just chuckled to himself, "Well I can't say I condone this. But Ash you are correct, if you want your pokeballs and pokedex I will give them to you. Now as for everyone else you have everything you need. I understand some of you plan to meet together with your families at the edge of town in a couple hours. So, in the meantime, go home and get changed and packed and we'll meet for pictures. To the rest of you, I wish you the best, you know I'm always here if you need anything."
Ash turned back to Serena with a huge smile, "Serena thank you so much, let's meet up with the group after we change."
"Sounds good." Serena replied, still clearly too nervous to speak.
"Not so fast, young man!" an angry voice cut in. "You get your butt up on that stage with Miss Daisy so I can take some pictures." Delia growled as Ash sweat dropped.
Two hours later Serena, Leaf, and Yellow walked together towards the edge of town with Serena and Leaf's families in tow. Now changed into comfortable clothes, Serena was wearing a short sleeve black collared shirt with a pink skirt, thigh high socks, and a pink and black hat.
Leaf was now wearing a light orange skirt and a teal no sleeve shirt with matching socks and a white and red hat. Yellow, who wasn't actually going on an adventure, was wearing jeans, purple boots, a flowing yellow shirt, and a straw hat.
"Serena! I can't believe you're actually traveling with Ash!" Yellow beamed.
"I can't believe you actually asked him, '' Leaf added.
"What?" Serena asked proudly, "I said I would, didn't I?"
"You did but, generally when it comes to Ash you have a habit of not totally following through." Leaf replied.
"I always believed in you, Serena." Yellow said.
"And that's why you're going to get the first post card I send when I'm traveling, Yellow." Serena responded with a playful wink towards her two friends.
"Ok, ok, good for you." Leaf huffed, "But seriously Serena, you're going to need to do better with Ash then whatever that was after the ceremony. He won't want to travel with you for long if you can't even form two sentences around him."
"I know, I know, that wasn't great." Serena replied, "I just wasn't ready for the compliment and the touching. Besides, asking was really hard. I'll be better now."
As the group continued forward, they saw the meeting point nearing them. Ash had changed out of his graduation outfit and was now wearing light blue jeans with white sneakers, a red and white baseball cap, and blue short sleeved collared shirt that was unbuttoned revealing a black undershirt.
Next to Ash were his two best friends Jason and Oscar.
"Ash, I can believe you missed the ceremony." Jason chided.
"I don't think my mom would ever let me leave my house if I pulled that." Oscar added, "And now you're going out without a pokemon? How did you swing that?"
"Well after my mom got some pictures of me, she cooled off." Ash laughed, "Besides she's always trusted Serena so she was ok with me heading off without a pokemon as long as I'm with her."
"That's another thing." Jason said before leaning closer to the group, "You've got Serena Yvonne, the best-looking girl in the whole town, no the whole region, asking you to travel with her! How could you get so lucky?"
Ash merely chuckled, "It's not like that guys. You know Serena and I have been friends forever; she's just helping me out."
His two friends looked at each other with utter bewilderment, "So dumb" Oscar said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash exclaimed.
"Forget it. Just make sure to send us pictures, we're both super jealous." Oscar replied.
All three boys had grown up dreaming about traveling together. Unfortunately, as they got older those dreams changed. Jason decided he wanted to become a doctor and realized he couldn't spend a year of his life, or money, traveling with medical school in the future and instead was going right to Viridian Polytechnic in the fall. Oscar on the other hand decided to follow his older brother and was joining the Kanto navy, he wanted to run for the Kanto Parliament one day and knew that eschewing a pokemon journey to join the armed services would look great when he eventually ran.
As the boys continued to chat the three girls approached.
"Hey Ash!" Serena waved, trying to show Leaf she would act normal.
"Too loud, dial it back." Her friend whispered.
Ash didn't seem to notice, "Serena! Are you ready to get traveling?"
"I am!" Serena said cheerfully, "I was thinking we could head directly for Viridian City from here."
"I love it!" Ash said before turning towards her two friends, "So Yellow, when do you head to Cinnabar University?"
"I'm leaving in about 10 weeks." Yellow responded, "It's going to be really lonely here without you all this summer."
"Don't be upset, I'll be alone in the safari zone for probably the next three weeks." Leaf said.
"So, you're really trying to study every pokemon in Kanto?" Ash asked.
Leaf nodded, "That's right, I talked to Prof. Oak, and he gave me advice for getting into the pokemon professor industry and he said if I could go out and study pokemon in their natural habitat he'd show my report to all his colleagues. I decided I'm going to amaze even him by finding and studying every wild pokemon known to Kanto for the report."
"Sounds like a lot of work." Ash laughed.
"Well, I'm not just looking to have some fun like you, Ketchum." Leaf teased.
"Hey, I'm going to be the world's greatest pokemon master!" Ash shouted. "Once I win the Kanto league anything can happen."
"HAH! You hear that? The guy who doesn't even have a pokemon says he's going to win the Kanto league. What a joke." Swaggering up to the group was none other than Gary Oak. He was now wearing jeans, brown boots, and a long-sleeved purple shirt with a green and yellow necklace.
"Gary" Ash growled, preparing a comeback when a voice interjected behind him.
"Actually, about that." The voice was none other than Prof. Oak who walked alongside Daisey. "Ash, I must admit you taking accountability for your mistake and the subsequent resolve impressed me greatly. Because of that, I believe I might have a solution. I told the truth when I said we were out of starter pokemon, but I have another pokemon that has been staying with me at my laboratory." He then held out a standard pokeball with a yellow thunderbolt on it. "This pokemon is very untrusting of humans so I've been unsure what to do with it. But if you are willing, I believe you could be the right person to take it."
Ash stared at the pokeball with shock before smiling wildly, "Alright! Thanks so much Prof. Oak, I'll take it."
"What kind of pokemon is it?" Jason asked.
"Why don't you see for yourselves." Oak said as he handed the pokeball to Ash who stared at the ball for a moment before exclaiming, "Come on out!" As the pokeball opened a beam of red electricity escaped and soon a small yellow mouse appeared before the group.
"Pikachu?" it said as it tilted its head in confusion.
"Awesome a Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed as Leaf pulled out her pokedex and scanned it,
"Pikachu, the mouse pokemon: This intelligent pokemon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat."
"Nice to meet you Pikachu my name is Ash Ketchum, I'm so excited to work with you."
Ash said as he went to pet his new partner. To his surprise the Pikachu immediately flinched on contact before letting out a powerful blast of electricity that fried its new trainer.
Gary again broke out laughing, "Well that went about as well as I could have hoped. Really a championship team you two will make."
Then the group heard a honk a red sports car came speeding up next to them with three girls in it. Ash quickly recognized them as fellow classmates, Amber, Hailey, and Maddy.
"Gary? Come on, are you ready to head out yet?" Maddy complained from the driver's seat. Despite their small class size Ash didn't know the three girls that well. But he had heard Leaf refer to them a number of times a "bimbos''
"And what are you three doing?" Leaf said with a clearly fake smile.
The three girls didn't seem to pick up on it though and Amber said, "Well we're traveling with Gary of course!"
"What?" The group exclaimed
"But you didn't get pokemon?" said Yellow.
"They don't need them." Gary explained, "The girls decided to take a gap year before going to college and are going to travel around with me instead. This way they get to see a future champion in action, and I get to drive around the region in Maddy's car." He then patted the side of it before hopping in.
"It's the future Ashy boy. While you are wandering around like a neanderthal I'll be catching new pokemon and battling twice as many gyms."
Ash growled but Gary ignored him and addressed the group, "Parents, friends, thanks so much for seeing us off. Leaf, Serena, I'm sure I'll see you out on the road. Gramps, Sis, I'll make sure I tell dad you said "hello" when I get to Viridian City. And Ash" his tone changed from mostly polite to snide as he smirked, "Smell ya later buddy." And the car sped off.
"Well, that was certainly something." Leaf deadpanned.
"Hey Ash" Serena said nervously as she spoke for the first time in a while. I-I know you have a pokemon so we don't need to travel together but-"
"Oh, I still want to travel with you Serena." Ash cut in. "If that's ok."
"You do?" Serena said in shock as her cheeks turned pink.
"Of course!" Ash responded cheerfully, "You said it yourself it would be good to start out together, even if it's only for a little bit!"
Serena seemed unsure of what to say for a moment before smiling widely and saying, "Yes of course!"
"Well how fun" Leaf half teased, "Well it looks like I should leave too. I have to walk a long way south before I can catch a boat to Fuchsia City. She hugged her still crying mom and the rest of her family.
"I'll make sure to visit Cinnabar Island as soon as I get the chance" The girl told Yellow, "Ash! You make sure to take care of Serena for me, if anything happens to her, I'm blaming you!"
"You can count on me!" Ash chuckled,
"And you," Leaf said, taking Serena's hands with a playful smirk, "Good luck."
Serena blushed a deep red before finally smiling and giving the girl a hug.
"I guess we should leave too." Ash told Serena once Leaf was gone.
"Right," Serena said with a smile.
Ash went to hug Delia who was now crying uncontrollably, "Oh you be safe out there!"
"I will mom," Ash said confidently.
"And remember to change your you know wha-"
"MOM!" Ash exclaimed.
Serena was hugging her family as well but her stepdad, Manny shouted to Ash, "Listen up Ketchum, I'm counting on you to take care of our girl too. I'll blame you if anything happens." The tone was jovial but Manny Gabena was a special agent for Kanto law enforcement so Ash could tell there was a hint of a warning in there.
"Yes sir" Ash said seriously.
After final farewells the two took off, ready to begin their adventure. As they left Oak and Daisey stood by themselves watching the two leave.
"Grandpa?" Daisy began, "I don't understand, I thought that Pikachu was out of control. How do you expect Ash to raise it?"
Oak only smiled softly, "Daisy, if I told you you'd have me locked up in a retirement home. So just trust me. That Pikachu and Ash were meant to be together; I know it."