Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon and am making no money off this fic. Well, here it is. My first Pokemon fic. With Ash's time in the anime over, here's my take on how his journey could have started. Comments including constructive criticism are welcome.
He stared at the poster on his bedroom wall. The same poster had hung there for nearly a year, A poster he could describe every detail of with his eyes closed.
The eight members of the Master Class of the World Coronation Series, popularly referred to as the Masters Eight. The eight most skilled trainers in the worldwide competition. As always, the twelve–year–old's eyes were drawn to the silver-haired man near the center of the group. Steven Stone, the Hoenn champion who had risen to that title at nineteen, and was the best older brother in the nine regions in Ash's eyes. They weren't brothers by blood, but ever since his mom had married Joseph Stone eight years ago, both Steven and Joseph had treated Ash as if he was family.
"One day, that'll be us, eh buddy?" he remarked.
All that came in reply were a series of soft snores from behind.
Ash shifted his gaze to the Pikachu, fast asleep on the bed. They'd been inseparable ever since Ash had found the then Pichu injured on the grounds of the Stone estate five years ago and nursed the Pokémon back to health.
Tomorrow, both boy and Pokémon would take that first step toward reaching the Master Class. Ash planned to enter the Hoenn League. Even if they didn't win, the experience gained from earning eight gym badges and battling other trainers would be a solid start.
His mind flashed back to the semi-finals of the last Masters Eight tournament. A silver Metagross on the ground, unconscious. A red Gyarados looming over it, victorious.
He would get there. He would make his family proud. He, Ash Ketchum-Stone of Rustboro City in the Hoenn Region, would be World Monarch.
###
Ash snapped awake. The day had arrived. The day he'd been dreaming about ever since he could remember. The day he set out on his Pokémon journey. He got out of bed. As he walked over to the en-suite, he tried not to think about the fact that he'd just spent his last night in this room for the foreseeable future. After a quick shower, he changed into his travelling outfit and headed downstairs to share breakfast with his family. Pikachu perched on his shoulder like always.
As Ash entered the family kitchen, he heard his father and brother talking.
"Are you planning on staying after Ash leaves, Steven?"
"There's a rumor about some cave drawings near Dewford Town. Plus, I haven't seen Brawly in a while."
"I see. So, I'll be able to reach you at Dewford then?"
"Yes."
Just then, both men noticed Ash standing in the doorway. Almost immediately, their expressions changed.
"Ash," Steven looked relieved, "How's Pikachu's Iron Tail coming along?"
"It still needs some work, but we should have it ready by the time we face Roxanne," Ash answered, taking his seat at the table
Are you going to face the Rustboro Gym first?" Joseph asked as their housekeeper poured him a cup of coffee.
"Probably," Ash said as the housekeeper set a glass of orange juice in front of him.
Delia Stone entered the kitchen. " Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well? Are you all set and packed?"
Ash could tell that his mother was trying to sound cheerful. "I think I have all I need for now,' he answered," I talked with Brendan and May. She wants to enter the Slateport Contest as that's the first one of the season."
"She's still set on doing contests?" Steven asked.
"Yep," Ash answered, smiling at the thought of his two human best friends. May was the daughter of the Petalburg City gym leader, and Brendan was the son of Professor Birch. The three had met at Pokémon Summer Camp six years ago and had been close ever since. Ever since he'd known her, May had hated just being known as the daughter of a gym leader and was searching for her own path. In contrast, Brendan had always been content assisting his father and dreamed of going into the field of Pokémon research himself.
"Sounds like the three of you are going to have quite an adventure," Delia said. But, Ash didn't miss the slight hitch in his mother's voice.
###
"Hey, take it easy, May. Ash'll be here on time." The boy who had just spoken was leaning against a tree at the edge of a wood. Above him, a green gecko-like creature perched on a tree limb, a twig clamped in its mouth.
The girl in front of him paused her pacing. "It's alright for you, Brendan. You don't have any sort of deadline to meet. Some of us have to earn five ribbons before the Grand Festival starts. Plus, you and Ash already have your first Pokémon. I still have to pick mine".
" Look, May, no one's expecting you to be perfect the first time. You don't have to be this super coordinator."
The girl opened her mouth to argue, but was cut off by a loud caw. A steel bird swooped into view. On its back were a silver-haired man in a suit and a boy in a red baseball cap.
"It's them! Brendan, it's them! Is there anything on my face?"
The bird landed a short distance away from them. May's eyes, as always, were drawn to Steven Stone, who was helping Ash to dismount. A perfect gentleman, like always. And that suit, so well put together and stylish.
"Thanks, Skarmory," Ash called. May saw Steven press some kind of stone into Ash's hand before remounting the bird and soaring away into the sky.
"Where's Steven headed off to this time?" Brendan asked once Ash had joined the other two.
"Dewford," Ash answered. "Maybe we'll be lucky, and he'll still be there when it's time to challenge the gym."
At that news, what felt like a whole swarm of Beautifly started fluttering in May's stomach.
###
Ash led the way toward the small cluster of buildings that were set apart from the nearby town. They contained both Professor Birch's home and his research facilities. Birch specialized in Pokémon habitats and distribution and was regarded as the leading authority on the subject.
Standing outside the largest building was a green-haired boy dressed in a shirt, vest, and tie.
"Hi," Ash said, "are you here to get your first Pokémon?"
"I am," the boy said. "But, if I'm not mistaken, you already have a Pokémon."
"I'm travelling with a friend of mine. She's here to get a Pokémon. I'm Ash, by the way."
"My name's Sawyer. I'm from Mauville City. I'm taking the Gym Challenge."
"Really, me too!"
"Then I guess that makes us rivals."
The thought gave Ash pause. He hadn't expected to meet a rival so soon. Still, Sawyer seemed nice. There was no reason they couldn't be friends as well as rivals. Look at his brother and Brawly. Their friendship dated back to when they had both competed at the Ever Grande Conference.
"I guess it does," he replied.
"Then, once I've chosen my first Pokémon, would you have a battle with me?"
"Um, sure," His first battle against another trainer, "I gotta warn you, though. We've been training hard."
"Well then, let's see how good your training has been."
Just then, a nearby door opened and a young woman with her hair pulled back into a ponytail stepped out. "Would the trainers who are here to receive their Pokemon please step forward?", she called.
May and Sawyer stepped forward. The young woman led the way inside. The group followed her through various corridors until they came into a large room at the back of the building.
Light streamed in through Kalosian doors that opened onto a large grassy area where several species of Pokemon native to Hoenn could be seen. A short, bearded man came forward to greet them, "May! Is it that time already! It seems like just yesterday, you were learning how to walk."
"It's nice to see you again, Professor," May replied.
Sawyer's eyes widened, "You know Professor Birch?"
"He's a friend of the family," May answered. Ash could tell that she didn't want to discuss it further. It didn't surprise him.
"Well, what are we standing around here for?" Birch clapped his hands.
The same young woman as before emerged from behind a door. She was carrying three Pokeballs. She set them down on a long table in the centre of the room.
"Sawyer, would you like to go first?" May asked.
"Are you sure? It is meant to be ladies first."
"No, no. I insist."
Sawyer stepped forward. He walked along the length of the table, studying the three Pokeballs. One bore a leaf symbol, the second a wave symbol, and the third a flame symbol. After some time, Sawyer chose the ball with the leaf symbol.
"Treecko," the professor noted, "an excellent choice. As Sawyer moved back, May stepped forwards. Without hesitation, she selected the Pokeball with the flame symbol on it.
"Ah, yes. Torchic," the professor nodded, "Good choice, May."
"Professor," Ash asked, "Sawyer and I arranged to have a battle once he'd gotten his Pokemon. May we use the field at the back of the lab?
"Yes, of course. It's always a joy to see young trainers take that first step. "
Birch led the way through the doors at the back and out into the middle of the field.
"Will you referee, Professor?" Sawyer asked.
"Of course. Are you both ready?"
Both boys took their positions facing each other. "This will be a battle between Ash of Rustboro City and Sawyer of Mauville City," Birch called, "The battle will be over when either trainer's Pokemon is unable to battle. You may begin."
Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder and stood ready, cheeks sparking with electricity.
With a flick of his wrist, Sawyer threw the Pokeball. A white light came from the device before a green, lizard-like creature emerged.
"Treecko, use Pound!" The creature leapt into the air, its leaf-like tail aiming for Pikachu.