The world looked so small from up in the sky, and Ash couldn't help but wonder what he had achieved so far in this small world. He dreamed of being a Pokemon Master for as long as he could remember and had traveled to not one but four different regions to achieve said dream. Yet all he had to show for it were top eights at best.
Who would remember people who did not reach the top in such a small world?
"Honey?" his mother's voice snapped him out of it. He turned to se his mother staring at him with worry. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Ash forced a smile, gently running his hand over Pikachu's sleeping form. "Just a little tired is all."
"You know" Professor Oak spoke, passing a brochure through Ash's mother to Ash, "there are Pokemon in Unova that you can't find in any other regions you've been to."
Ash's eyes lit up ever so slightly.
-x-
Ash let out a breath of relief once his feet touched solid ground. Riding on planes was fun, but feet on solid ground was something he found he much preferred.
"The Unova Region… It's odd to say but it does feel different from Kanto already" Ash's mother said with a delighted sigh.
"It is very different from Kanto, with its own climate, wildlife, and culture," Professor Oak said with a smile.
Ash only heard half of what the Professor said, too busy looking for Pikachu who had wandered off. He'd found his electric mouse partner at the end of the pier, staring up at the sky. Ash looked up and stared as well. Black clouds were swirling up there in a specific spot and slowly spreading, blue lightning dancing across the clouds.
Before Ash could think about it further, a metallic frame traps Pikachu. Ash grasps it quickly and struggles to pry it open. It was when he noticed three trenchcoat-wearing people.
"Who are you?! What is the meaning of this?!"
"If we were asked," said the woman.
"We will answer for the sake of tomorrow!" the man answered.
All three got rid of their trenchcoats in unison, revealing three very familiar faces.
Future! A white future reflects the color of evil!
Universe! The hammer of justice in a black world!
Our names will be remembered in this place!
Destroyer of passion, Jessie!
Pure heart of darkness, James!
Infinite intelligence, Meowth!
Gather! Under the name of Team Rocket!
"It always has to be you three" Ash growled, trying to break open the cage. "Pikachu use-" he hesitated a moment. Team Rocket always had a way to fight away electric-type moves. "Iron Tail on the cage go!"
Pikachu's tail glowed and shone like iron before it slammed into the cage. The bars broke and Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms.
"Oh? The twerp actually used his brain for once" Meowth said with a smirk.
Before any more words could be exchanged, a burst of blue lightning hit the ground between Team Rocket and Ash. Team Rocket was sent blasting off and Ash gripped Pikachu tight as he too was sent flying back. Ash landed with a grunt, almost falling into the waters. He looked up and for a moment could have sworn that he saw the outline of a Pokemon in the storm. The Pokemon gathered the lightning in the storm around its tail, or perhaps it was generating lightning in its tail. Either way, it blasted Ash and Pikachu with its lightning before vanishing completely.
Ash groaned, still holding on to Pikachu. His mother and Professor Oak hovered over him and he sighed.
-x-
Nuvema Town was a small town South of Unova and it reminded Ash of Pallet Town in many ways. Professor Oak's acquaintance Professor Juniper had received them and brought them here to show Professor Oak her lab and research. Ash and his mother were merely tag along I this vacation and were enjoying the sights.
Or Ash would be if he was not worried about Pikachu.
The attack from the Pokemon had done something to Pikachu, even if he looked alright. The check-up revealed nothing either, but the occasional sparks from Pikachu's cheeks were not normal. Further tests would help, the Lab Assistants said. So Ash left Pikachu in their care and went to see the new trainer who'd come to pick up his first Pokemon.
"Terip, so good of you to make it here" Professor Juniper greeted with a smile.
"Of course. I am here to pick my starter Pokemon of course."
Ash was curious to see the starters of Unova, and he was not disappointed when they were revealed. Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy were unique and interesting Pokemon.
Trip looked over to Ash and raised a brow.
"Waiting for me to pick first so you have an advantage?" he asked with a condescending smirk.
"I'm not a new trainer" Ash shrugged, "go ahead and pick away". Ash did not like the boy's attitude.
"Ash here is from Pallet Town, an acquaintance of Professor Oak" Professor Juniper explained.
Trip's smirk only grew.
"SO a country bumpkin from some mediocre country town."
Ash gritted his teeth in anger.
"Okay, that is enough" Professor Juniper cut in looking embarrassed. "Let's get back to what you came here to do. Your starter Pokemon."
Trip looked away from Ash and deliberated the Pokemon before him for a moment. He then pulled out his camera and snapped a picture of each of the three Pokemon.
"Snivy," he said immediately and Snivy smirked, while Tepig looked slightly annoyed and Oshawott looked shocked.
Professor Juniper handed Trip Snivy's Pokeball, a Pokedex, and a few Pokeballs. All standard things a new trainer would get when starting their journey.
Trip calls Snivy back and just as he is about to leave, Pikachu comes out from the observation room and rushes to Ash. Trip is shocked, immediately taking Pikachu's data in his Pokedex and then clicking a few pictures.
"Pikachu can't be found in the wild here" Trip noted with a thoughtful hum. "Ash, I challenge you to a battle. I want to see just how strong your Pokemon is."
-x-
The clearing near the lab was the perfect place for their battle. Trip sent out his Snivy and Ash sent Pikachu.
Snivy began the battle with Tackle which Pikachu dodges with ease. Ash commands Pikachu to use Thunderbolt to counter after, but to both his and Pikachu's shock, the electricity fizzes out even before it can be shot. The opening was enough for Snivy to hit a hard Tackle on Pikachu. Ash asks for another Thunderbolt but the result is the same and Snivy lands another Tackle.
"Could this be from the weird Lightning that Pikachu was hit?" Ash thought.
"Is this all? "Trip asks tauntingly. "I expected more but then again, you are a bumpkin."
Ash gritted his teeth in anger. Pikachu had other attacks than electric ones.
Ash told Pikachu to charge forward with Quick Attack. Snivy may be fast, but Pikachu was faster and Ash was confident of it.
His confidence paid off and Pikachu hit Snivy with blinding speed. Trip's momentary confidence faded as he watched Pikachu's Quick Attack onslaught and no room for counter.
Ash commanded an Iron Tail from point blank, which sent Snivy flying into the trees and knocking it out.
"You shouldn't underestimate your opponents" Ash taunted as Pikachu rushed back to Ash and climbed on top of his shoulder.
Trip called Snivy back with gritted teeth and glared at Ash.
"Next time we meet, I'll defeat you. I'm going to be the Unovan Champion and you will not stand in my way!"
Trip rushed off, leaving Ash to ponder about what the boy said. A Unovan League…
But a loud crash snapped Ash out of his thoughts. He looked up and noticed the spiraling black clouds from before building over the lab. Before he could react to them, both he and Pikachu were hit by blue lightning once more.
-x-
"That was the guardian Pokemon Zekrom that you ran into. It's rare he would show himself twice to the same trainer and Pokemon" Professor Juniper explained over dinner.
Ash threw his mother and Professor Oak an "I told you so" look since neither believed Ash had seen a Pokemon in the clouds the first time.
The second blast of light had left both Ash and Pikachu oddly reenergised. It also helped Pikachu gain back the ability to use his electricity. If they ever met again, Ash and Pikachu would thank the Pokemon. Even if they were in the predicament because of it in the first place.
Then his looks softened and he looked thoughtful.
"I want to challenge the Unovan League," he said after a while. Neither his mother nor Professor Oak looked too surprised.
The following day Ash received an updated Pokedex and a few Pokeballs from Professor Juniper to mark the start of his journey.
Just as he was about to leave, he felt his pants get caught in something. He looked down to see the Oshawott from the other day, looking up at him with hopeful wide eyes.
"Oshawott had watched you battle Trip the other day," Professor Juniper said with a smile. "He hasn't stopped gushing about the battle since. Take him with you."
"But isn't he here for a beginner trainer?" Ash asked.
"He was, but if he wants to go with you, who am I to say no? Plus, it's always nice to see a Pokemon choose its trainer for a change."
Ash's lips twitched for a moment before he knelt before the Oshawott.
"Would you like to help me become the Unovan champion and the greatest Pokemon Master in the World?"
Oshawott smiled a big smile and nodded enthusiastically.