Ron the True Fan: You've been demanding. You've been complaining. IT IS TIME.
Takeshi Yamato: As much as I have other things to deal with… such as my recently acquired F-ZERO 99…
Ron the True Fan: I said 'don't pop in until I pinged'. And you didn't do ANYTHING until I did.
Takeshi Yamato: True enough… still didn't feel like long enough of a break, though…
Ron the True Fan: Well, it still applies: I call when I'm done. And while I have time… I still have OTHER things to deal with.
Pallet Town - Kanto Region - 0919 hours local time - Day 365 of Ash Ketchum's Pokemon Journey
April 23rd, Anno Domini 1999. Ash Ketchum's 15th birthday.
For most people, their birthday is something to celebrate. Cake, presents, fun times are had by all involved. It's a general rule of thumb.
But not for Ash. In the original timeline, on his 12th birthday, Latios died in Altomere on his watch. On his 14th, he died, was revived and watched Lucario die. In short?
Ash Ketchum hated his birthday. They were never times of celebration after he left Pallet Town. Just either normal days or days of horrible things happening. So he stopped celebrating.
The only people that knew his birthday in the past timeline were Misty, Serena, Gary, Professor Oak and his mother. None of his travelling companions knew. It was a miracle Brock never found out. Serena knew because she was his friend during her visit all those years ago.
And when Delia insisted on doing something, Ash told her to make it a day for everyone else. He did not feel like celebrating. He hadn't felt like celebrating in a very long time.
The pokedex pinged. It had been given a few upgraded thanks to recent Ranseian relations boons, serving more like a Rotom phone, minus the Rotom.
Speaking of Ransei… Ash was unamused by the message.
'Happy Birthday, my King~! Here's your present!' And included in that message was Tatsuki wearing lacy lingerie, posing like in one of those swimsuit adverts. With only one strap holding up her bra.
Galar backfired on him in that regard. Tatsuki's 'present' was a result of his handling of the fossil Pokemon situation. He let the fossil Pokemon make the choice for Cara Liss' punishment and honored it, proving that he had self-control as well as a sense of justice that demanded the victims decide the punishment of those who wronged them, but compassion to those who did what they did not because they enjoyed doing terrible things to people, but because they were being forced or had no choice.
Even to those who DID, he offered forgiveness and redemption. That put the final nail in the Ash Ketchum Love Boat for Tatsuki and set it sailing.
And Galar was getting backlash out the ass for what happened. Not her fate: only the most delusional and insane would begrudge the poor hybrids their justice. For giving her the opportunity to do that in the first place.
Fortunately for him, she was going to be far too busy dealing with learning to govern Ransei to join him in Johto. Thank Arceus for a small mercy. She was like Serena's perverted personality, but watered down a tad and mixed in with her princess one. He didn't want to deal with two of them at the same time.
His musing was cut short as he heard someone walking over. Robin, probably. Her footsteps were light, a byproduct of walking on sand for most of her life. The only one who had almost equal footstep silence was Iris, thanks to her childhood spent dodging idiots who hated her for just being different. So she had Orrean blood in her veins. So she had dark skin. He didn't care.
"Master," said Robin, confirming his guess, making him frown. THAT was an increasing trend: Robin calling him 'master' instead of by name. He suspected Taggard had something to do with it, but had absolutely zero proof. The old bastard was cackling out of sight - sure as hell not out of earshot - but he clearly knew nothing. He just enjoyed it.
"Robin," Ash replied, trying to be neutral about it. Sure, he probably had zero say in what happened to her (the King of Pokelantis cackled out of mental earshot) but he still wasn't happy about this. "What's up?"
Robin resisted blushing, failing. "Professor Oak is looking for you. Something about the Johto League?" she said, confused about the last part. Orre never had a League, so he supposed she'd have no idea what it was like.
Among other things.
So, he gestured for her to lead the way, gathering his thoughts as he prepared for what he considered the worst year of his past life. Greenfield and Altomere came more or less back to back and Ilex Forest wasn't exactly great, either.
At least Celebi couldn't be corrupted again. One good thing out of that.
They passed the much-enlarged pond, Lapras having a new friend to talk to as Dracovish surfaced.
Professor Oak was… BEYOND livid when he saw the poor thing. Not angry at the forced hybrid, but at his creator. His only regret was that he wasn't there to help decide her fate. Cara Liss was an insult to the scientific community.
He was assigned to Ash's care, but as a strictly aquatic Pokemon, no thanks to that Galaran bitch forcing gills on the poor thing, so he was not going to be a combat Pokemon. The professor was giving him treatments to make the underdeveloped lungs in his torso function, but it would take a VERY long time for him to walk on land and fight.
And unlike certain people, he wasn't going to force the pace. That said, someone was a little too eager to help, as there was a mini training bout with Ash's other new capture. Rookidee refused to go back to Galar and said her destiny was to be with Ash until the end.
Natu did not like having a nest rival. Apparently, the two birds had a dispute about who could nest on someone's head.
Not that that would last. She didn't want to be a Rookidee. She wanted to be a Corviknight. And they were huge Pokemon, so he wasn't going to be having a giant quarter-metric-ton bird nesting on his head.
"Pika." 'Not looking forward to Greenfield?' his starter asked, breaking his silence when he was letting Ash think about the utter hellstorm they were walking into. He, like Ash, was under no illusions that this was going to be anything but hell.
Ash snorted. "Are you?" he asked the Electric Mouse. "We both know what happened."
And there was nothing he could do to stop it. The Ruins of Alph and Greenfield came under the control of Falkner and Bugsy respectively. With Johto as messed up a state as it is, it would take a miracle to get them to listen, let alone do anything about it.
In short, he was fucked. But he had an advantage now.
But first, what did Professor Oak want? Forms signed? He had to do that for Johto last time and his 11 year old self didn't know about the registration until much later.
To his surprise, his… girlfriends - he refused to call them a harem and he knew his choices in being married to them were 'do and make the best of it' and 'do and be miserable' - were already there with his sister arguing with someone.
"It's not happening! He won't sign the form and I'm damn sure going to say no! You're not even old enough!" Bell shouted, Max snorting off to the side.
"Sis, that's not your call!" exclaimed Red, who wore a near-replica of Ash's outfit in Orre - the same jacket he had in Kanto, but red, jeans and his hat - as he argued with his sister. "It's not Professor Oak's, either! It's Ash's!"
"And I'm pretty sure he's not going to do it!" Bell shouted back, Asuka putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Honey, you need to calm down." the busty Ranseian said, making Ash smile a bit. His little stunt brought them closer together… did he see a ring on Asuka's finger?
And a matching one on Bell's! When did THIS happen?
"Am I going to have to call you big sister soon, Asuka?" he asked, a rare grin on his face as his question caught everyone's attention, both women looking at him. "I noticed the ring, so don't hide it."
Serena did the same 'happy housewife' smile his mom did. "Ash!" she cheered, waving at him.
Bell sighed. "Well, now you can ask him. But don't blame me for him refusing," she said, waiving a hand and leaving.
"At least tell me when you're going to tie the knot, big sister!" Ash called, approving of her and Asuka's apparent engagement. Just because he didn't think he was worthy didn't mean he didn't support anyone else getting that kind of happiness.
Ash sighed before looking at the group. "Ok, what's going on?" he asked, before turning his attention to Red. "Red?"
"I want you to be my teacher!" his little brother announced. Ash sighed. Johto just went straight to hell and he hadn't even gotten there yet.
He might as well try to discourage him first. "Red, you know that I'm a magnet for trouble," Ash said. "I'm pretty sure the global Absol population is trying to warn everyone I'm on the way and to pack up. You really want to be around that?"
Red stood his ground. "Whatever trouble you'll run into, you'll beat it. Team Rocket, Cipher, the Ranseian thing…" he trailed off, not knowing all of Ash's troubles. "You beat them all. You'll handle whatever happens."
Ash frowned. Damn his little brother for having faith in his abilities. And damn him all the more for having a point that he HAD handled everything with a minimum amount of destruction for everyone with him.
Everyone on the other side… not so much.
Still… "I just want to be clear that you know what you're getting into," he said. "If this is being impulsive, we BOTH know how well that ends."
Ash better than Red: in the last timeline, his impulsiveness screwed over everyone. Repeatedly. He had learned the hard way to slow down and be careful.
"I thought it over a lot, big brother and if there's anyone who can make me the best I can be, it's you." Red declared.
"I sure did," Max added, smirking off to the side and adjusting his glasses.
Ash let out a breath and raised a finger. "Alright then, you can come along, but only IF you have a starter Pokemon," he said, relenting, but not without a condition.
"I'll go take a look-"
Red never finished as two dragonic Pokemon arrived, one recognizable as Ash's Charizard by the simple fact that he was comfortable around so many non-Charmander line Pokemon and especially water-types and the waves from other members of Ash's team.
The other was a female with a bow between her horns, who looked uncomfortable, but not threatened. Ash knew her instantly: Charla.
"Zar!" 'Am I late?' asked the dragonic Pokemon.
Kyoji, hanging near the lab, chuckled. "You're just in time!" he said, before giving a respectful bow to Charla. "And this must be your friend? Or… something more?"
"I think she's his mate, Kyoji, but why don't we let her tell us?" Ash said, trying to be diplomatic before waving at Charla. "Hello there."
The female dragon nodded at him. "Char." 'You're correct in assuming he's my mate.' she replied. "Zard." 'He walked a VERY hard road to not take my place and secure my heart.'
"Well, Charizard's known for taking the hard road." Ash replied, getting a look of shock from her. "And yes, I do understand you." He then noticed her wings shifting slightly, against her will. "…Is there something on your back?"
Then came a familiar face: a bright orange head with big round eyes and adorable little fangs. It had been a while, but Ash knew the Pokemon.
"Char?" 'Are you daddy's brother?' asked the Charmander, making Ash smile.
Charizard was a dad!
He chuckled. "Yes, I am," Ash said, extending a hand. Charla glared at him, but Ash showed no fear. He'd stared down angry gods. An angry Charizard was a threat, but not terrifying. "My name is Ash Ketchum."
The little fire lizard jumped down, his cuteness infecting all.
"Aw…" Iris said as the little guy seemingly had all the attention in the world on him. "I forgot how cute Charmanders could be!" Her Fraxure tried to approach, but Charla growled at him. Then the little fire-type stared at Red, their gazes meeting.
And Charmander charged at him, arms wide before Red kneeled to give him a hug.
Vun-vun. The theme of the land shark entered everyone's ears. Someone was going to get chomped.
Kyoji looked around, finding his own land shark napping beside him. Ash's Gible was currently a Garchomp, having a sparring match with Sceptile. Tatsuki's was in Ransei.
A fin breached the earth. A red fin.
Lava Gible!
CHOMP! Went the land shark on Charmander's tail, engulfing the flame at the end.
"Sharky, no!" Kyoji exclaimed. "If his flame goes out-"
"Char." 'He'll be FINE.' Charizard waved off. "Char." 'WHY everyone keeps perpetuating that myth is beyond me.' And he was right: the little lizard was fine.
But confused. "Char?" 'Why are you chewing on my tail?' he asked the land shark.
The lava-colored land shark eyesmiled. "Gib!" 'Your head's too small and your neck wouldn't be able to handle me!' said Lava Gible. "Gible." 'Your tail seemed safer.'
Someone did not appreciate this thoughtful gesture as Charla glowered and smoke escaped her nostrils.
Max made a helpful suggestion. "I'd run."
And so they did as Charla took flight.
Ash focused on more… personal matters. Red would be fine. "Congratulations," he said to Charizard.
Misty voiced Charizard's opinion. "I thought you were against this sort of thing," she said. "Your vow-"
"Only applies to me." Ash cut off. "My Pokemon can have whatever relationship with whoever they want. That's their right, just like me to not start one is mine."
Kyoji scoffed. "You're an idiot AND lucky Becca's not here," he said, as the Pewter Gym Leader was dealing with forms to allow her father to take over for another year.
"You REALLY want to talk about that, Kyoji?" Ash asked, giving him a look. "We can discuss your choices if you want." He was, of course, referring to Kyoji's conscious choice to not use his family's legit bank accounts, the ones tied to cleaner businesses, to keep himself off the street.
Apparently, Ash had enough and was prepared to fire back. Fortunately, they had something to resolve.
Saving Red from Charla, though her son was clearly enjoying Red's presence. Or thought this was a game. Either way, they had to go save Red.
45 minutes later
Charla was not happy, but also wondering if Pikachu was, in fact, Zekrom in disguise. That Thunderbolt looked more like a Fusion Bolt when she was warned to stop.
Charmander clearly wanted to stay with Red, too. Ash would honor Charmander's choice, but it had to be a careful one, not made on impulse. Charmander chose Red. He claimed it felt… right.
Ash sighed. Life had it out for him. And it was only going to get worse as Kyoji cackled at the arrival of several large packages, all bearing the sword and shield flag of Galar. He was up to something.
"YES! YES! THEY'RE HERE!" Kyoji exclaimed as the Machamps carrying them stared at him before shrugging and leaving as he cackled madly.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?" he asked.
Kyoji proudly gestured to the massive boxes. "These are our tools of travel in Johto and BEYOND!" he declared. "When we were in Galar, I visited a coachmaker and ordered a bunch of them for all of us! All they need is a Tauros and guess who has THIRTY of them!"
Ash, naturally, was unamused. "Considering Johto is going to be a level of pain none of us have faced yet, I'm against just coaching our way there," he said. "We need to keep in shape-"
"Ash, no one's saying we can't walk alongside them, but a lot of us don't have your… endurance." Serena cut in, a hint of lust in the last word. "We can use them to rest and move at the same time."
What was it with people having a point today? "I'll bring it up with the Tauros herd," he said after a moment. "No promises."
"They'd kill for a chance to run out of the ranch for a while!" Kyoji insisted.
The only reason Ash never brought them out was because there was just never enough ROOM for any of them to run in a gym and they preferred to operate as one. That wasn't legal in a match.
None of his other Pokemon were ever so… extremely situational. Even Dracovish could walk on land for a limited time, though once his lungs were stronger, that wouldn't be a problem. And Meltan was up to SOMETHING.
But the Tauros didn't mind all that much. It wasn't Ash's fault that use cases for them just didn't pop up.
Or that they had a hive mind.
Still, he would ask. If they said no, they were walking. And he preferred walking.
He got across the world walking.
Route 26 - 4 hours later
The coaches were all still boxed up in those little shrinking containers as everyone kept an eye out for Shadow Pokemon.
Ash scowled at the Tauros herd agreeing - he did not like bussing everywhere - but didn't protest. The girls, for the most part, didn't want to wear holes in their shoes.
But Ash had a point and they knew it. They'd all be walking alongside at one point.
"So, we're going to Little Bark Town to talk to Professor Elm to register, then it's onto… where?" Kyoji asked. "I've only been to Kanto."
"Cherrygrove, then onto Violet after cutting through the southern part of Ilex Forest," Ash said, keeping Noctowl and Pidgeot's balls on his second Pokeball belt. He was NOT getting lost. Not again.
"You sound adamant," Kyoji said. "Sticking to that path and all."
"I got lost here a hundred times. Not again." Ash retorted. "About before-"
"You're an idiot. I get you're trying to make them have a happier life, but seriously, you ARE the best option for them." Kyoji cut off. "I just hope one day you'll admit it and break that stupid vow."
Ash snorted as the fog rolled in over the ship. "Seriously?" he snapped. "This doesn't make any sense!"
His answer came from Max, who walked up. "Hot air and cold air over a wet surface makes fog and…" he trailed off before seeing the unamused look on Ash's face. "You don't want to hear about that."
Ash was not in the mood to get lost within five minutes of landing in Johto. He checked the Pokedex, looking for someone that knew Defog. Screw that. He was going to have a clear route all the damn time!
Noctowl couldn't clear the fog. That meant one thing.
"Get ready." Ash said, pulling out the balls for Garchomp, Sceptile and Charizard.
"Ready for what?" Iris asked, confused, Misty putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Remember Seafoam?" she asked. "The Nevermelt Ice?" Iris shuddered, then got the idea in seconds after overcoming her pagophobia.
The fog was being caused by a Legendary. And since when were legendary encounters a GOOD thing? Every time they ran into one, bad things happened.
It wasn't paranoia if it kept happening.
Then they heard yelling in the distance. Kyoji pulled out his pistol as the yelling got closer.
"…not like we can see anything through this fog!" came the voice of a girl, roughly a year younger than Ash. "New Bark can't be that far away!"
"You are more liable to fall into the water, you verdammt fool!" came another, heavily accented in…eastern Kalosian?
"Well, tell that to Dad!" said another girl, this one closer to Red's age. "He won't be happy if you drown!"
"We're nowhere near the water, Rub-WHOA!"
Ash and Pikachu traced the source of the noise in the fog, rushing over and finding a blonde girl with a bomber jacket, brown jeans and thigh-high boots on top of his little brother.
"HMMFF!" Red yelled, muffled by… something.
"Whoops," the girl said, getting up, revealing that Red had his head between her sizable assets. She chuckled. "I'd punch you in the face, but we can't exactly see where we're going, right?"
Ash chimed in, absolutely FURIOUS at the idea of someone hurting Red. "I'd also have Pikachu ELECTROCUTE you for something that wasn't my brother's fault." he stated, getting her attention.
The blonde's lilac eyes went wide at seeing him. "…Fuck me, you're Ash Ketchum." she said, somewhat shocked. "The Crown Prince of Rota, the Conqueror of Orre-"
"And someone who isn't fond of titles other than 'Pokemon Trainer' and 'Pokemon Master'." he cut off, more than a LITTLE annoyed. "And I'm pretty sure I haven't earned that last one yet."
To her credit, she just got to her feet, brushing herself off rather than pissing herself in terror. "You got your mom and uncle's famous temper, that's for sure," she said. "Can't take a joke?"
Red saved him from answering. "He has nightmares. Bad ones," he said for his brother. "He doesn't get much sleep anymore."
The girl winced. "Damn," she said. "Well, sorry. It was a joke. I'm Yang, by the way. Yang Jīnzi-Scarlet of Ferrum."
He waited for Serena to do her cackle and 'A fine addition to my collection' from that cyborg nutjob from those movies.
"Yang!" exclaimed the excitable, younger girl, leaping at what she thought was a blur in the fog. Which turned out to be Red.
She was a redhead, or a black haired girl with red highlights, with a cape, a white shirt, a corset that tied up at the front, knee-length boots and a red and black skirt.
"This is clearly not your day." Ash dryly commented to his brother getting tackled.
The girl yelped as she realized her own slightly smaller, but still quite notable bust - compared to Yang's, at least - was in Red's face. "GAH!" she exclaimed, her silver eyes wide.
"Seriously, you two, can I not have drei seconds of peace-" the third girl finally entered sight, wearing a white jacket with a red inner lining over a dress with a rather frilly skirt. "GAH! Der Kronprinz von Rota! Was, im Namen von Arceus, macht er hier?!"
"I hear Kalosian!" Serena chirped before coming into view and saw the white-haired girl. "Well, hello, Weiss."
The now-named Weiss sighed. "My Lady." she addressed, giving a curtsy. "I would say I am glad to see you-"
"That would be a lie, Dame." Serena cut off before looking at her husband-to-be. "Meet Weiss Blanche, love. She's one of the daughters of my mother's allies. And what are you doing HERE?"
She huffed. "Ich bin von Kalos hergekommen-" she started before Serena tutted.
"Galaran or Kantoan." she said. "Not everyone has my husband's skill in language learning."
Weiss snorted. "Ich bezweifle, dass er uns verstehen kann." she said dismissively.
"Wollen Sie darauf wetten?" Weiss froze at Ash's near-perfect recitation of eastern Kalosian. "Nein, im Ernst. Wollen Sie eine Wette darauf abschließen?"
Now thoroughly proven wrong… "Very well. I came from Kalos to Selan for a business deal." Weiss started explaining. "These two are from Ferrum: war refugees. Their mother dumped them in Salen to help in the fighting there."
"I wouldn't call getting her children out of the line of fire 'dumping'," Ash said before the others finally caught up.
"True. But their father decided it would be safer for them to go on a League run in Johto. Why Johto, I will never know." she huffed. "But better here than Ferrum, I suppose."
Kyoji chuckled, having personal experience. "Yeah, I suppose I… agree…" his jaw dropped. "Holy shit."
Ash followed his gaze to find something on the water. Something all too familiar.
An ornate crest, flowing violet mane, blue and white body…
The rain that put out the Tin Tower's blaze. The Aurora Pokemon.
Ash sighed. "Hello, Suicune," he said flatly.
The trio of foreigners STARED, all pulling out Pokedexes - Kalosian ones, no less, so there was something more to their relationship - and recording the Legendary.
"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, HOLY SHIT," Yang chanted in disbelief. How Ash MISSED that feeling of wonder and awe.
After seven years, meeting Legendaries became…mundane.
"The Legendary Beast of Rain! How are you not AMAZED by this?!" Ruby demanded of the group.
Kyoji rubbed the back of his head. "Not our first Legendary meeting," he admitted, all three STARING at him for that. "Not even our first meeting with a Suicune."
Ash got to business. "Legendaries don't show up for no reason, especially around me," he said. "I don't want to be rude, but just tell us why you're here and go."
"You have every right to be wary." Suicune addressed, making the red, white and yellow-haired girls return their gaze to Suicune. ("SHE TALKS?!" exclaimed Ruby) "After all, you said it yourself: Legendaries do not casually approach you.'
Ash gave Suicune a look of 'please get on with it'. "When the time comes, I will be there to assist you at Lake Ilex," she said.
Celebi must've told her. "Respectfully, Suicune, I don't intend to have you be necessary there," Ash said, his eye twitching at the mention of the INCIDENT. "In my experience, the less legendaries involved, the better off I am."
Suicune nodded respectfully. "I understand, but I will be ready and waiting in case I am needed," she replied. "Better to have the help and not need it, than need it and not have it."
Ash breathed out his nose. "Hard to argue with that." he said. "I am going to try to make sure you won't need to get involved, though."
"That is your right. I simply thought I would let you know." with that, Suicune bounded off into the forest, the fog clearing.
The three girls and to a lesser degree Red - his last experience was with a Shadow Ho-Oh his mother DECAPITATED one with an axe - watched her leave awe-struck.
"Welcome to Johto," Ash said, unamused.
Ruby looked at Ash. "…We're going with you," she said. Ash looked at the redhead. Oh, FUCK the hell no! Serena would seduce this innocent soul and pervert her!
"Well, Johto is kinda shit. Bandits and all that." Yang pointed out. "Strength in numbers, right?"
Kyoji chuckled. "You're damn right," he said, making Ash's gut sink.
He HATED this timeline. And he hated JOHTO more.
Ruby beamed. "THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!" she declared, jumping into the air.
Entry 124: Suicune
The Rain that Put Out the Fire, Suicune is regarded as the youngest of the Legendary Beasts. Her travel patterns are random, but she has been known to visit Pallet Town over the last 15 years.
Another location she is known to visit is Ilex Lake and she is known as the purifier of the waters.
(Journey to Johto by Braxton Burks plays)
Ron the True Fan: After 29 chapters and four subarcs, it is time. Welcome to Johto proper!
Takeshi Yamato: Yep. And meet the newest members of the team… RWY!
Ron the True Fan: Let's make this clear first: you want to blame someone, blame Jorn. Don't bitch to me. But they work so WELL. And before anyone asks… they're not Ash's.
Takeshi Yamato: Ash himself is worrying about that, but… well, he's not the only one with a harem planned.
Ron the True Fan: They're RED'S girls. But not YET. We must SHIP!
Takeshi Yamato: Yeah. And don't worry, we're not touching Yellow just yet in that department.
Ron the True Fan: Red's old enough. Yellow isn't. Now… you know the usual. Subs equal vids. Vids equal chapter writing time! CHAPTER WRITING TIME EQUALS TORTURING TAKE!
Takeshi Yamato: Wait, wha-?!
Ron the True Fan: You think of it as torture of a sort. I'm trying to be FUNNY with it.
Ja Ne!