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Chapter Text

Today was just a terrible day for Ashlyn “Ash” Ketchum.

It should had been the most important and best day of her life. The day a child turn ten was a great milestone for all children for that was the day they gain their Trainer License. The day where her Pokemon Journey began… where she can figure out who she is and… find a place to belong.

Except, not only did she wake up late due to accidentally throwing her clock like it was a Pokeball… she had also waken up to find her mom gone.

Ash didn’t really know her mom. She fed her (when she remembered) and clothe her, never really abused her… but she wasn’t there. She would just sit there, blank and unreachable...nothing like the stories people had told her when she had asked what her mother was really like. Her mother had been an aide to Professor Oak, and been happily married to what she had been told was a gym leader...but when Ash had been four, her older brother had been kidnapped and her mom… had just wasted away. Her dad never came home, sending care packages and presents on her birthday and Winter Solstice but Ash had knew she was busy with both the gym and trying to find her brother.

So Ash had been raised mostly by Professor Oak, the creator of the first electronic Pokedex. He was a nice man though a bit funny. He had allowed her to stay at his house plenty of times when the silence became too much or when her mom would go to bed without feeding Ash. The only problem was his grandson, Gary was a big class jerk in Ash’s eyes. He thought that because he was the grandson of Professor Oak who had also been Kanto’s first Champion, that he was better than anyone else and that other trainers shouldn’t even try with him around. Her and Gary had used to be friends, but when Ash struggle in school and he was praised by the teachers over how smart he was, he decided to cut her off because he thought she would drag him down from his full potential. He then started bullying her, mocking her for forgetting that Jigglypuff was not a fairy type like Cleafable (when it should, its freaking pink) or forgetting that Flabebe was in fact a fairy type and not a grass type. Not that it didn’t matter to Gary that the fairy typing was a new discovery for Kanto after Champion Lance finally got rid of the old prejudiced hags who had affected their educational system because they thought Kanto was better than all the other regions and didn’t want to open their borders to anyone but their sister region Johto, which they shared a League with. But still, it had hit Ash hard trying to remember everything with the new revamp lesson plans that all trainer schools in Kanto had to go through.

But still, Ash had passed the test for her trainer license and even gotten the second highest score for the sponsor rank version (Gary got first place of course). Which meant that she was supposed to have either gotten a Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur as her starter. Which she even sat down and study endlessly so she could train them right for whoever she chose!

But then she woke up late, discovered her mom was gone… Ash would admit that she had broken down crying a bit before she realize she needed to get going. Running down in just her pajamas was embarrassing, being mocked by Gary was humiliating, but being told that the night before, the Bulbasaur had been stolen in the middle of the night and Gary and Damien had come to the lab before her. So all the starters had been gone… that was despairing…

Luckily, at least at the beginning, Ash had been given a Pikachu that Professor Oak had recently caught. Unfortunately, Pikachu it seems to hate humans. He would growl at her, hiss, send warning shots of sparks at her, and even shock her a few times. It took Ash using a clothesline and a pair of rubber gloves to drag him to her house to change clothes and to grab her bag, before dragging him onto Route One. Ash had tried everything to get him to at least trust her a little. From taking the clothesline off to offering him food, to letting him sniff her hand. But all Pikachu did was climbed up a tree and glare at her. So, Ash had decided to do the smart thing and give him space...even though she looked longingly at the Pidgey and Rattata that were scampering around, but Ash wasn’t stupid enough to try and fight a Pokemon on her own.

But, her attempt to try and get along with Pikachu again so they could keep going to Vidiran City… backfired badly. Pikachu had decided to give her another warning by shooting off a Thundershock that wasn’t aimed at her… but it had hit a Spearow who didn’t take too kindly at being hit.

“So here we are now, running along Route 1 to avoid being killed by a flock of Spearow!” Ash thought with wide eyes as she runs along the dirt covered path, heart beating rapidly against her chest, lungs burning as she tries to breathe. She could hear the Spearows cawing behind them, some in anger, some in glee at the thrill of the hunt. Her eyes flicker to Pikachu was a few steps ahead of her, making sure he was ok since she knew that wild Pokemon would attack caught Pokemon due to either jealousy or other hatred for humans.

Ash was brought out of her thoughts as she felt something gripped her ankle, and Ash finds herself grunting as she lands face first in the dirt. Her eyes squeeze in pain as she pushes herself up, slowly opening to watch in horror as Pikachu runs father ahead, diving into the bushes. Ash didn’t have time to react as soon the flock swarm around her. Screaming in pain as a talon rips deep into her throat, Ash covers her face with her arms as she curls in a ball trying to protect herself. But their beaks and talons still hit their marks, ripping into the skin of her face and arms. Ash tries to bat them away with her arm, but the Spearow flew out of the way and dive right back in. She let out another scream as a claw cut deep underneath her eye, just barely missing the organ.

Sobbing, Ash curls up tightly, keeping her face into the ground to trying to protect herself as much as she could. She could feel a warm substance dripping down her face and the metallic taste pooling in her mouth told Ash that it was her blood. Fear grabbed at Ash’s heart though when her vision was slowly going black as she slowly choked on it, finding it hard to breathe. “No… it can’t end like this… please… someone… anyone… help,”

Before she fell into the peaceful darkness, Ash swore she heard a beautiful mournful cry before flames shot over her and the Spearow, sending the birds flying.

Ho-oh narrowed his eyes in disgust at the retreating Spearow, “Bullies the lot of them,” he thought angrily before turning sorrow filled red eyes towards the girl that he had been waiting for. That all legendaries had been waiting for, since the day that Arceus had been force to sleep after his… betrayal. They had all been warned that this child will be something special by both Dialga and Celebi, that the child will have a big heart for Pokémon and will help them all even with her life on the line.

Ho-oh is shame to admit that he didn’t know how much he believed that. He had met many Chosen Ones in his life, Sir Aaron, Lucius, Damos and Akari so he didn’t know what was different about this Chosen One beside fitting the name with Lugia’s prophecy and being female. The last female Chosen One was Akari.

But still, his disbelief wouldn’t stop him from feeling anger and fury at the state of her. She was a child, and even territorial Pokémon such as Spearow should know better. That harming a child would just anger the adult humans. Sure, many trainers died but it was mostly because they were cruel, or they were just too cocky and didn’t see the signs. But those have all been adults, those old enough to know what they were getting into. It was all but a law to not harm a child. Chase them a bit? Yes. Spook them a bit? Yes. But to do harm to them? No. “Still… I need to get her help, there is no one nearby… that orange hair girl left the stream an hour ago,” he frowns, knowing that this may draw the eyes of many humans, especially unwanted humans but Ho-oh knew that he could easily hide from them, he has for many years.

Saving this Chosen One was more important than staying hidden from human eyes. So carefully, he gently grabs her with foot, making sure that his own talons don’t hurt her, before taking flight, heading towards Viridian.

Giovanni smirks, watching as the Tarous struggle in Mewtwo’s psychic grip, watching as the grunts hurl their Pokeballs at them, capturing them with no problem. A sense of pride and he had to admit arrogance filled him. He was all but unstoppable with Mewtwo by his side and as long as he doesn’t fuck things up, Team Rocket will have all the power it needs. “People will fear the name of Team Rocket, no one would dare go against us…and maybe… maybe I’ll be able to find Silver… and make the bastard who took him pay,”

“Sir,” pulling out of his thoughts, Giovanni turns his gaze to Matori walked over, holding a cellphone up to him, “You’re getting a called from the Viridian Emergency Hospital, they say that it’s important,”

Confusion filled him, making Giovanni frowned before he takes the phone and holds it up to his ear, “This is Giovanni, how can I help you?”

“Hello, sir. I’m sorry to bother a busy man such as yourself. But do you know an Ashlyn Ketchum?”

Actual terror gripped at his throat like a vice grip, the soft gasp that left him even drawer Mewtwo’s attention towards him, “What happen to her?!” Giovanni snaps, gripping his phone tightly in his hand.

“Sir I need to know your relationship with-“

“She’s my daughter and if you don’t tell me what happen to her you will find yourself out of your job!” He snarls, eyes narrow and wishing nothing more to be able to glare at the woman on the other side of the phone.

He was please to hear a quiver in her voice, “She was found outside our door… some sort of Pokémon we never seen before dropped her off before flying away. She has wounds across her face, shoulders and arms…. We think she been attacked by the Spearow Flock,” Giovanni growls and grits his teeth in rage even as his stomach churn with guilt. He had been told many times to get a more handle hold on the Spearow flock but he had thought that as long as there was no Fearow leading the group. Experience trainers could handle them and besides a few scrapes, the flock usually ignored the younger ones. But this time they didn’t, and his daughter paid the price. “She is fine, but we couldn’t get a hold of her first emergency contact, you were the second,” 

Giovanni couldn’t help but feel touch. He hasn’t seen Ashlyn since she was four. He kept in contact with her with letters, sending her gifts on her birthday and Winter Solstice but… he hadn’t seen her in person… it had been Delia who had asked for it… she held full custody of Ashlyn after their divorce… after he lost… Silver… but while she couldn’t stop him from sending letters and gifts she could and did stop him from ever seeing his youngest. But then his brow furrows, “You can’t get in contact with her mother? Delia Ketchum?”

“No sir, every time we tried to call the number it tells us it’s out of service. We got in contact with Professor Oak since he’s her sponsor but we needed to get in contact with a parent or guardian,”

“I’m her father, and give her the best treatment you have ever given anyone. Spare no expense. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he snaps the phone shut before the woman could say anything and turns to Matori, “You’re in charge for the rest of the operation,” Matori nodded her head but Giovanni could see a flicker of concern in her reddish brown eyes. He turns to Mewtwo who floated down towards him, “I need you to teleport me back to Viridian,”

“Who is this Ashlyn?” Giovanni blinks at this startled at the curious tone in Mewtwo’s voice, “I do not know why… but it feels like I should… know this Ashlyn,”

Giovanni frowns, wondering if some part of Mewtwo remembers Ambertwo. He knew that during the process of creating Mewtwo, Doctor Fuji tried to clone his deceased daughter alongside cloning the Kanto Starters. The scientist had reported that due to the young legendary clone's powers he had accidentally latched onto the minds of the other clones. They had been force to make him forget though, when he had started to lash out after their deaths. “Ashlyn is my daughter. She had started her journey today and was unfortunately attacked by a flock of Spearow,”

Mewtwo hums at this, “Very well… I shall take you back to Viridian,” Giovanni raised an eyebrow at the sound of… fear in the clone’s voice, but he didn’t have time to question it as suddenly his vision turn black, before he found himself back at his Gym.

He nodded his head in thanks, “Go and take a rest,” he stated, before he all but ran out of the gym. It didn’t take him long to reach the hospital, though he saw that he made a few in the lobby flinched as he all but charges in, “Ashlyn Ketchum’s room,”

“It’s… it’s Room 318… wait sir! You should wait for the doctor!” The nurse cried out to him but Giovanni didn’t wait. He made it to Room 318 with only bumping into a few shoulders on the way. 

He stares with wide eyes at the sight of his ten year old daughter, looking so small on the hospital bed, with bandages wrapped around her face, shoulders and arms. He let out a growl, arms trembling in rage as plans of setting Nidoking and Nidoqueen on that dam flock flash through his mind. “Sir?” Taking a deep breath, Giovanni turns to see a woman wearing a doctor’s coat, curly brown hair falling to her shoulders and orange eyes walked over to him. “I’m Doctor Marie,” she holds out her hand for Giovanni to shake, “I was put in charge of Ashlyn,”

Giovanni shakes her hand but cuts straight to the point, “How is she?”

“She is very lucky,” Doctor Marie informs, a frown on her face, “It was definitely a Spearow attack, I recognize the markings of the wounds on her. Thankfully not all of them were deep, except for the one on her throat. But by the time she was here it was already healed,”

“Healed?” Giovanni frowns, “If one would had been healed why weren't the others healed?” He shakes his head it didn’t matter, “But she is going to be ok?”

“Oh sure!” Doctor Marie nodded her head, “She will have scars, but other than that her recovery will be quick. She’ll be out in a few days,” Giovanni’s shoulders sag at this news, closing his eyes and praying to Arceus and Mew for thanks.

“I’m here!” Giovanni frowns and turns his head over his shoulder as Professor Oak sags against the wall, breathing heavily. Giovanni frowns as Oak shoots with with a look of perplextion, as if the old man couldn’t comprehend him being here. Giovanni never really like the man and he knows that the feeling are mutual, the man have never forgiven him for utterly destroying his son, Morgan at the Indigo Conference during their first year as trainers. “Not my fault that Morgan stood on the coattails of your fame and never actually trained his Pokémon,” “Giovanni… what are you doing here?” He stutters a bit.

“I’m Ash’s second emergency contact on her ID,” Giovanni explained, “Since apparently they couldn’t get in contact with Delia,” his eyes narrow as Oak flinched, “Samuel,” he growls out through gritted teeth, “What happened?”

Oak sighs, closing his eyes as he patted his sweated brow with a napkin, “Ever since… Silver’s kidnapping, Delia changed. She was an excellent mother at first, maybe a bit over protective… but after years of no news, of nothing… she started to waste away. Drinking more and staring at nothing, completely ignoring Ash… most days Ash spend the night at my place…” he trails off as Giovanni glowers at him. The old man knew that if looks could kill, he would be six feet under already.

“And you didn’t think I should know about this?!” He snarls, “I might be estrange with Delia but I kept in contact with Ash throughout the years through letters! Did you tell her to not inform me either?! If I have known about this I would had taken her in!”

“No!” Oak’s eyes went wide, “I just… Delia already lost her son, she would had been devastated if you took Ash!”

“THEN WHERE IS SHE?!” Giovanni roars, taking a step towards the man making him flinch, “WHY AM I HERE IF SHE CARES SO MUCH FOR ASH?!”

Oak stares at him before he squeezes his eyes shut, “I went to check on her, knowing Delia would be sad now that Ash had went on her journey… when I got there the door was unlock but she wasn’t there. All her clothes, all her money, her passport… they were all gone… Delia left,” he whispers in shame.

Giovanni clenches his fist, fighting the urge to slam them in Oak’s face, “I understand you cared for Delia since she is your former student but you had a child bear the burden of being an adult’s emotional support child!” He snarls furious with not only with the Professor but himself. He should had checked on her, he should had been there.

A cough interrupted him, and he was startled, though didn’t show it, at the sight of Doctor Marie glaring at the both of them, “Gentleman please this is a hospital,” Giovanni cough a bit before straightening himself, nodding apologetically to her. The doctor then turns towards Oak, “Professor, as Miss Ketchum’s sponsor, so you may have some ideas. We looked up for any Pokémon she has claim, in case they were injured as well and we could send them to the Pokémon Center for treatment. It says that she has a Pikachu and while we did find it’s Pokeball, it was empty,”

Giovanni felt his anger rise up and burn in him as Professor Oak’s face turns pale, “Oh no…” he whispers, dread all but soak in the tone of his voice.

“A Pikachu?” Giovanni frowns, “Ash got second place in the Trainer License Exam, she should had gotten either a Charmander, Bulbasaur or Squirtle and I know in fact that Ash wrote to me that she was going to pick Charmander.

Professor Oak swallows at the glare that Giovanni shot him, “Pikachu was a Pokemon that I got recently, eating away at my cable wires. He was a bit wild, but low level, a perfect Starter for a beginner trainer,” he then lets out a yowl of pain as Giovanni could no longer hold himself back, slamming his fist into his face.

Giovanni could hear Doctor Marie yell in shock and he could feel the crunching of bones under his fist as Oak’s nose breaks, “You gave my daughter a feral Pokemon that hadn’t been trained?!”

“I didn’t know that Pikachu would run away at the sign of danger,” Oak groans, holding his hand to his nose as it gushes out blood, “Ash is usually wonderful with Pokemon,” he waves frantically at Giovanni when the man growls once more and looked like he was about to throw another punch, “I’m not blaming Ash, I’m just pointing out my reason. I thought that maybe after a day or two they would had bonded… that was my mistake,” he whispers and Giovanni was about to go and snap at him when the other signal him in the league’s official sign language that was taught to higher ups in the league. Giovanni’s eyes narrow, wondering what more is to explain that Oak couldn’t tell him now… but then he thought of Mewtwo’s reaction to Ash’s name… and that it was some mysterious bird Pokemon that saved his daughter, “Don’t worry I will fix this… I’ll call to some people who own me and give Asha perfect-”

“Don’t bother,” Giovanni snaps, making the man stutter to a halt, “I’ll be giving Ash her Starter,” he gives Oak no time for arguments, and slips inside Ash’s room, releasing Persian who mews in confusion, wondering where they were. When she noticed Ash, she mews in sorrow, leaping onto the bed and curling ontop of her legs.

Giovanni sits down in the chair, staring at his daughter’s sleeping form. A choking feeling forming in his throat as he gently takes her small hand into his own. Taking a deep breath, he once more grabs his phone and calls a number that he hasn’t dial in years.

“Hello?”

“Hey Drake… how would you like to help your granddaughter on her journey?”

Chapter Text

Spear Pillar- Sinnoh, Mount Coronet

High above on top of Mount Coronet laid the ruins of a temple. Once long ago it was grand and tall, a place to worship those who were consider gods in the eyes of ancient people. Now what were once pillars were now spears, said to have been an attempt to stab right into the heavens. 

This is where the Legends gathered, the Hall of Origin cut off to even them as Arceus slept. Here is where Dialga and his brother, Palkia has summoned the others after he sense a shift in the timeline. Not all of them could come, being that some were still in hibernation, like that of Groundon and Kyorge, or were sealed away like Zekrom and Reshiram. Those that did show up in the ruins were Mew, Lugia and Ho-oh, Rayquaza, Mespirit, Azelf and Uxie, Kyruem, Zygarde or at least in their cell form, Tapu Koko and finally Koraidon and Miradon.

“Lord Dialga, Lord Palkia…” the blue core cell of Zygarde spoke up, after everyone who could gather settle down, “Why have you called us here?”

Dialga sighs tiredly, “Today a new Chosen was to begin her journey,” at this, many broke out in whispers, some in excitement and some in fear. A new Chosen means great things but they also meant terrible things are to come, “But something… has changed. Both I and Celebi felt it… the timeline shook and cracked,”

“It… it cracked?” Miradon whispers in shock, looking at her ‘brother’ “Could it be because of us?” she asked in fear and Dialga understood the worried that flicker in her optics. Her and Koraidon were new to the council, both having been brought to this present from an alternate future and past respectively. Two idiot scientist decided that creating a time machine was a grand plan but instead of opening a portal to this world’s past and present, it just open up a natural ultra wormhole in the Great Crater of Paldea even more and cause it to fracture. Without Solgaleo or Lunala to close it, Dialga and Palkia decided to ask these two to keep their brethren, the Paradox Pokemon, trap what the humans are calling Area Zero.

“No, its not your fault,” Dialga gently told her, “No… in the orignal timeline, the Chosen One was suppose to be partner up with a Pikachu that was unusually stronger for its kind. Their bond was suppose to be strong, stronger than any bond between a trainer and pokemon has ever been. But now… something has happen to cut that bond, which has crack the timeline,”

Ho-oh nodded his head, “I found the young Chosen One being attacked by a flock of Spearow, the Pikachu no where in sight. I had to use my Sacred Ash to heal her before she died of blood lost from a slash to her throat. It was so terrible that if I didn’t she would had lost her voice if she didn’t die,”

Mew shook her head, guilt in her blue eyes, “I regret making Spearow so hostile… I still wonder why I did?”

“If I remember correctly, it was Zekrom who goaded you into it,” Uxie spoke softly, eyes still shut tightly, “It was just after you made Butterfree. He started saying that you could only make cute and non dangerous Pokemon. That you have given none of them drive to become stronger… you were so enraged at this you made the Weedle Line and Spearow line,”

“Oh right… I remember now! I even made it that Zekrom was allergic to Beedrill stings too!” Mew giggles, making Azelf roll his eyes.

“But still,” Tapu Koko remarks, rather loudly to bring attention back to matters, “Why did this happen? If the Chosen One and this Pikachu are suppose to be inseperible than why was the Chosen One alone?”

“That is because something made her trip and fall,” a green light sparkle from behind a broken pillar and Celebi floated over, “I went back to the time that it happen. Both her and the Pikachu were fleeing from the flock when something… grabbed her ankle. It cause her to fall down and the Pikachu didn’t notice, too far ahead to hear her being attacked,”

“You said something grabbed her?” Palkia asked, “What would grabbed her to cause her to be mauled? She is a child….” he falters when Celebi grimaces, “Celebi?”

“A Garchomp,” Celebi whispers, taking a deep breath, “A Garchomp using Shadow Claw underneath the ground...his Garchomp,” she goes silent as roars ragged from the others. Celebi shivers before she flies over to Rayquaza, hiding behind him.

“How? How can this be?” Mespirit rages, tails lashing out behind her furiously, “I know we all knew he was alive, Giratina reports when he wanders into her realm but he has never shown interest in any of the past Chosen Ones. At least to not out right try to kill one! The most interest he has show others are his descendants or Akari’s,”

Dialga was silent, before turning his gaze to Palkia. The two siblings stare silently to each other before Palkia nodded, turning his gaze to the others, “We did not want to speak of this, to not cause fear… but with him acting like this… we should not keep this hidden any longer. Arceus is waking up,”

A great silence filled the ruins, alongside a great pressure that all landed on them. The Creator of All, the Architect of the whole world, was waking up from his slumber. Normally this would bring them all great joy but when Arceus fell asleep due to Damos’ betrayal, the Creator was filled with rage and anger and they all knew he will not be waking up kindly.

“And the world shall turn to Ash,” Lugia softly mutters, “Are you saying that this Chosen is the Chosen that the Oracle spoke of all those years ago,”

“The very same. Her name is Ashlyn but she goes by Ash.” Dialgo answered, “which explains why he is acting out. He must have sensed that Father is waking up and we all know what he is like. If Ash is able to calm father when he wakes, then he would do anything to stop it. Father going on a rampage works in his favor.”

“If the separation of the Chosen One and this Pikachu made the timeline shook, wouldn’t it just repair if we bring them back together?” Rayquaza asked, Celebi poking up from behind his head, “Couldn’t we just have Mew find them and plop them near her to find them?”

Celebi shook her head, “No… the bond that could had been is gone. Ash… she doesn’t blame Pikachu but she won’t be able to trust them… if we try to force them to be together,” she shudders, closing her eyes tightly, “It will not be good. But,” she opens her eyes, looking at them all, “But I look farther ahead a bit. While the timeline did shift a bit it still goes strong, maybe not as strong as before but still rather strong. She may have lost allies, but she will gain new ones, ones I think will help her more greatly. Right now even, her father is getting her ever loyal starter,”

“Are we sure we can trust Giovanni?” Mew whispers, holding tightly to her tail, “After what he did? What he’s doing?” Are we sure we can trust him being around Ash?” She turns her gaze towards Celebi even as Azelf places a paw on her arm.

“I believe so. Ash needs support… and Giovanni with all his faults and wrongs… he is a caring father and will support her… even if it means her going against him”

Mew was silent but she nodded her head before Kyreum spoke up for the first time since the meeting started, “So… what is it… we are to… do?”

“For now we wait and watch,” Dialga stated, “Keep an eye on her and make sure that she stays safe. And if you spot him near her… either chase him off… or better yet kill him,”

Palkia nodded his head in agreement at Dialga’s words, “We can not allow Volo to succeed in his goals of usurping Arceus and for this to happen, Ash Ketchum must prosper.

Ash was surprise to find herself waking. She had thought that with how she was choking on her own blood and how the Spearow were relentlessly attacking her that she would never wake up. Here here now she could hear soft beeps of some sort of machine and a rumbling in her ears.

Slowly, Ash opens her eyes, squeezing them shut again when a bright light shines in them. Scrunching up her face, Ash slowly pushes herself up, bringing her hand to rub at her eyes and slowly once more open them. At once Ash realizes that she was in a hospital room, connected to all sorts of machines that she had no name of.

“Per?” Turning her head, Ash’s eyes widen at the sight of the very large Persian that had just been laying near her head as she slept. Ash brings her hand up to gently pet the Persian, not being able to help herself with a Pokémon so beautiful as this when she falters at the sight of the bandages wrapped around her arms. She swallows, staring at them with wide red eyes, remembering the cries of Spearows and the burning pain as their beaks tore into her when Ash was brought out of her thoughts as a soft head was pressed into the palm of her hand. Blinking, Ash looks down at the purring Classy Cat Pokémon.

“Where did you come from? And how did I get here?”

“Ash?” Startled, Ash snaps her head up and she couldn’t help but widen her eyes in disbelief. The man sitting in the chair beside the bed she was in, was a man she had only seen a couple of times in pictures. Short dark black hair, the same color as Ash's, the man was very much the giant she had always imagined him to be. He was wearing a long sleeve black shirt with a large v shape neck that shows the red undershirt. “Thank Arceus your awake,” he stood up, revealing the slight baggy black trousers and black dress shoes he was wearing.

“Dad?” Ash croaks, swallowing dryly and grimacing at her sore throat, “You’re here?”

“Of course I am,” he takes a cup from the bedside table and holds it out for her. He watches carefully to make sure she had a strong grip so she wouldn’t drop it, “You also put me as your second emergency contact,”

“I didn’t exactly put any way of getting in contact with you,” she takes a sip, sighing in relief as the water quench the dryness of her throat, “I just put your name since I didn’t know your number,”

Her dad smiles sadly at her, pulling his chair closer to the bed, “Well then, it’s a good thing that I am Viridian’s gym leader. Makes me very well know,”

Ash chokes, coughing slightly as she stares at him, “You’re Viridian City’s Gym Leader? As in the Eighth Obelisk, as in the strongest of all Kanto Gym Leaders?!”

Her dad smirks in pride at the sight of how flabbergasted she was, “The very same,” he then frowns, “Ash… I found out about Delia,” he frowns more when Ash couldn’t help the flinch, “Why did you not tell me? If I had known…”

“But you’re busy…” Ash murmured, her hands gripping tightly to the sheet that covered her that her knuckles turned white, “You’re a gym leader and you were also looking for Silver in your spare time… and… mom would be upset if I was gone. She was getting so upset about me leaving for my journey…” she looks down, feeling her eyes begin to burn with tears, “She called me selfish,” she whispers thinking of the many arguments she had with her mom after her tenth birthday. Words of her abandoning her, of being a brat, that she would die out there, that she wouldn’t make it far had been thrown at her repeadly. It had gotten worse the closer the day came for her to get her Starter… it was the most motion she had ever seen from her mother until three days before she suddenly went quiet. “I guess that was my warning that mom was going to leave…”

Ash was startled out of her thoughts as an arm was wrapped around her and she was pulled into a hug, “You are not selfish,” her dad says sternly, “You are a child who has dreams and decided that she was going to pursue them. It is not your job to be your mother’s support,” he sighs, “And you can call me for anything. It doesn’t matter how busy I am, I will drop everything to help you,” he sighs, making Ash look up at him, “I’m sorry that I made it seem like you couldn’t,”

Ash was silent for a bit, just enjoying the warm hug her dad was giving her before she gently pulls away, “How did I get here?” she asked with a tilt of her head, “I know I wasn’t that far away from Pallet Town, and I knew all the other trainers were farther ahead of me so they couldn’t been the one to save me,” Ash grimaces at the thought of Gary or Damien saving her. Gary would had stuck around and mock her for not being able to befriend Pikachu. Damien on the other hand… Ash would had thought the boy had been replace with somebody else if he had helped her. The boy was smart, he did get thrid place in the exam… but he was more likely to laugh at someone who was getting mauled by a flock of Spearow than help. “I do hope Charmander is ok with him,” she thought sadly of the little lizard pokemon. He had been the one that Ash was going to choose as her partner. Many times she had fled to Professor Oak’s lab after a fight with her mom to play with starters and she just felt something click with him.

“You were saved by some sort of Pokemon,” her dad explained, a frown on his face. “No one could get a really good look at it, but they did said that it was a Pokemon that they didn’t recognize,”

Ash blinks at this but before she could ask anymore questions, the door opens to reveal Professor Oak, “Ah, Ash!” his eyes lit up seeing that she was awake, “Its good to see you up! You had us all worried,”

“Us…” Ash frowns before she swallows nervously, “You didn’t tell Gary about this did you?”

Professor Oak frowns at this before he sighs shaking his head, “I didn’t get the chance to. When I called him he was asking me money to pay for a bike he had accidently ran over with his car,”

Her dad frowns at this while Ash herself blinks, “Isn’t your grandson the same age as Ash? Why does he even have a car?”

“You can blame my nephew for that,” Professor Oak grumbles, “He’s the mayor of Pallet and is hoping that if Gary wins the league in his first year like Galar’s new Champion did last year that it will not only help him with his reelection but also make Pallet even more famous,” he rolls his eyes in annoycane, “I blame my own brother for this mess as well,” he shakes his head, “Anyway, my nephew gave Gary a car and for some reason a whole bunch of older women to cheer him on. With me being so busy due to a fighting breaking out in the corral and Bulbasaur being stolen the night before, I didn’t know of this until recently. And when I did,” he frowns, “I went to the Viridian Pokemon Center and scolded him right there and then. Told him that he couldn’t go around like this, especially during his first year as a trainer,”

“Let me guess?” Ash sighs, “He complained,”

“Oh he did. But I told him, well if he wanted to one day step out of my shadow and prove to everyone that he wasn’t just clinging to my fame that he had to work hard. If he went all over Kanto in a car and a bunch of cheerleaders than people will have thoughts that he just had a big ego,” Ash had to hold back the urge to snort because Gary did had a big ego. “And I told him if he wanted to make up for that girl’s bike, well he better save up his winnings,” Professor Oak shakes his head, “Does he realize how expensive a bike is? Let me tell you, its way more than my job pays me, that is for sure,”

“Well… at least Gary won’t now about this for a while,” Ash commented with relief, “I have time before he starts to gloat on how a terrible trainer I am and that I’m way behind him,”

Her dad raises an eyebrow at this, “Way behind him? What do you mean by that, Ash?”

“Well… Pikachu is way gone now… not that I think I would… want him to be my Pokemon,” Ash frowns, biting at her lips, “Like, he didn’t hurt me but he… he didn’t even look back,” she shakes her head before taking a deep breath, “And Professor Oak won’t have anymore Pokemon until next year…” she trails off when her dad plops a Pokeball into her lap, “What?” she squeaks out, eyes wide.

“Well when I learned about Pikachu and why you gotten it instead of the Charmander you wrote to me about… well I called your grandfather. Recently we had been in talks and he had planned on giving me a child of one of his Pok-”

“I have a grandfather?” Ash exclaims, staring at her dad in disbelief, “But mom told me that all my grandparents are dead!”

Her dad stares at her before he turns to Professor Oak who was squeezing his eyes shut in what Ash could tell was guilt and shame, “I understand Delia never telling her but you?”

“I wanted to respect Delia’s wishes,” Professor Oak rather weakly before he coughs into his hand, “Ash, your grandmother on your mother’s side. She was not a kind woman. She grew up in Pallet Town, a neighbor of mine in fact, but back then Pallet Town was not famous as it is today. Your grandmother, Nicole Ketchum wanted more and when being a Pokemon Trainer wasn’t in her cards, she clinged to those that had talent. That being me and my two best friends, Agatha Cromwell and Drake Blackthorn… and she well clinged hard to Drake… enough that she…” his face turn a bit red as Ash tilts her head, “Enough that she had your mother,”

“Wait… are you saying that Drake Blackthorn as in the dragon master of Hoenn’s elite four? The father of Lance Blackthorn are current Champion…” Ash stares, “Lance Blackthorn is my Uncle?!”

“Well… yes,” Professor Oak scratches at his neck, “As I said, your grandmother wasn’t a kind person, Ash. She didn’t tell Drake about Delia until she was five and he was already married to his wife. When the ‘scandal’ didn’t work the way she had expected for it too, she got it into Delia’s head that he abandoned them to be the powerful trainer he is today. Drake tried to get to know Delia but she absolutely refuse to hear any bad thing about her mother and told Drake that she wanted nothing to do with him,”

“I told Delia that she needed to get therapy,” her dad mutters with a bit of annoyance, “But I did have a talk with both Drake and Lance, our esteem Champion is already making sure that I have full custody of you,” at this he gives Professor Oak a glare and the old man grimaces, “And when I explain the situation to Drake, he all but offer this little one to be your starter,” her dad smiles before gesturing to the Pokeball, “Now… why don’t you say hello?”

Nervously, Ash slowly reaches out and grasp the Pokeball gently in her hand. Swallowing, Ash presses the release button, watching as the red and white sphere cracks open and a brilliant white light blinded her for a few seconds as she forms into a new shape. Blinking her red eyes a bit to get rid of the spots, Ash stares at the small orange insectoid Pokemon that was now on her lap. It was round, with a white underside and four stubby legs. Its head was rather large, which was moving about as it looked around in curiosity with its black eyes. “…. Hi,” Ash spoke gently, the Pokemon’s head turning to her at the sound of her voice.

“Trap!” it chirps cutely before lunging. Ash squeals as she was knocked onto her back, the Pokemon nuzzling its head underneath her chin before it opens its zigzagging mouth wide to swipe its tongue against her face repeatedly.

“Woah!” Ash exclaims with laughter, “Ewwww! That’s gross!” pushing herself up, Ash scoops it up in her hands, giggling as it wiggles fiercely in her hold, “A Trapinch?”

“As I said his Flygon recently had a clutch of eggs and he told me that this one is very much into fighting. Though he did warn me that to warn you to watch out for your left shoes.. he likes to steal them and chew them for some reason,” Ash giggles at this, holding Trapinch close to her chest, looking up at her dad with a giant smile. He smirks, ruffling her hair, “He said that every Blackthorn should have a dragon as their starter… and he also told me it's ironic with me being the ground type master,”

“Trapinch is so cool…” Ash whispers in awe, “Wait I should scan him!” cradling Trapinch with one arm she brought her hand down towards her pocket when she realized that she was wearing a hospital gown and not her normal clothing, “Oh no… my Pokedex…”

“Its right here, Ash,” Professor Oak spoke up, pulling said red device out of his pocket and holding it out to her, “It was found in the pocket of your jacket… the only thing on you,”

Ash sighs, taking the Pokedex in her hand, “The Spearow called its flock on us when we were settling down for a late breakfast… I didn’t have time to grab my bag… not that it had anything important,” she mutters in embarrassment. Her bag had only been a regular bag not a trainer bag that was made with the same technology that created Pokeballs. And even if it was, Ash didn’t have much to carry. Just a spare set of clothes, the rubber gloves and clothesline to wash her clothes, a small lunch that she had made the night before and a book on training that she had bought with the money she had been given for doing small jobs around Pallet.

Holding up the Pokedex, she scanned Trapinch who tilted his head curiously at it, poking his nose against it.

Trapinch, The Ant Pit Pokemon. This Pokemon is a patient hunter, it will lie hidden at the bottom of a cone shaped hole in the desert, waiting for prey to come tumbling down from its inescapable pit. Its giant jaws have enough strength to crush even boulders.

This Trapinch is male with the ability Sand Rush, which boosts the Pokemon’s speed in a sandstorm. This Pokemon knows the moves Bite and Sand Attack. It also has an Egg Move that is currently lock which is Bug Bite.

“Wow… an Egg Move?” Ash whispers looking down at Trapinch as he waves his stubby legs at her, “You’re a powerful little guy aren’t you,” she places her Pokedex down beside her before she places Trapinch back onto her lap. Gently scratching underneath his chin and earning a soft chur, Ash looks up at her dad, “Is it… ok for me to have him?”

“Of course,” her dad gently gives her a reassuring pat on her shoulder, “Drake’s Flygon had a clutch of five eggs and the other four will be given to other young members of the Blackthorn family who are about to start their own journey. Drake makes the final call on who gets a Trapinch though, and he wanted to make sure you get a loyal Pokemon,” warmth filled Ash at this, her smile growing bigger on her face. “Now then...I talked with Doctor Marie and she told me that by tomorrow you should be free to go… I’ll come pick you up tomorrow and we can go shopping to get you fully prepare for your journey,”

Ash’s head snap up at this, eyes widen, “Dad, you don’t have to do that… you already done so much…” she falters to a stop when her dad raises a hand.

“Ash… its my job to make sure you’re safe. I failed at that once and I won’t do so again. If you’re worried about money, don’t be. I make enough money due to my job. We’ll go to Trainer’s Plaza, with Viridian City being so close to not only Indigo Plateau but also Indigo Academy, we’ll find all the things you need for a successful journey,”

“Ash,” turning her head, Ash stares at the sorrowful look that Professor Oak gave her, “There’s nothing I can do that will ever make up for my part of you landing here, but I did add two features into your Pokedex. It now has the radio app, which will help you find rare Pokemon due to migrations, so make sure you listen from time to time. And finally, it also has the phone app, it has my number, your father’s and the universal number for the police in the Kanto Region. You dial that number and it shall connect you to the nearest police station,”

Ash nodded her head at this, though she kept to herself on wondering why the phone app wasn’t already program in the Pokedex. “Maybe its because everyone else has a phone while I don’t?” she thought to herself, before turning her gaze to her dad.

“I’m going to get you something to eat, ok?” he grabs a remote and holds it out for her. “Why don’t you relax and watch tv? Bond with Trapinch… if I’m right, Agatha might even be fighting against Corey as of right now.

Gasping, Ash grabs the remote, ignoring her dad’s and the Professor’s chuckles as she turns on the television, switching to the right channel just in time to see Corey letting out his Rhypherior to fight against Agatha’s Arbok, “I heard that this is the last year that the Elite Four and Champion will be force to use just Kanto Pokemon,” she mutters to Trapinch as she scoops him up, “I think Agatha is the most happy… people kept confusing her for a poison type master when she’s a ghost type master,”

Her mumbles were broken off when she felt a small tug of her hair. Looking down, Ash couldn’t help but snort at the sight of a clump of her hair being softly chewed by Trapinch, “Hey… my hair isn’t food,” she gently said, pulling her hair out of his mouth. Ash couldn’t help but frown though. “Trapinch is… so much different than Pikachu. He’s so happy and he seems to like me while Pikachu just had looked at me with annoyance and dislike…”

“You know… I should give you a name,” Trapinch blinks at her before tilting his head, “I read that naming your Pokemon makes them bond even closer to you… and it will help in battle I read… in case another person has a Trapinch… though I doubt it since you’re from Hoenn…” Ash shakes her head, taking a deep breath to calm herself, “Oh... you’re a boy so Terra and Gaia wouldn’t work...and you lived for sand so Anakin wouldn’t either… how about Atlas?” she looks down at Trapinch, “Atlas was someone who was part of the earth but had the strength to hold up the sky, And why you won’t be a flying type, you’ll still be part of the sky…”

Trapinch stares up at her as Ash rambles before he licks at her hand, making her squeal, “Trap! Trap!”

“Ok...Ok… Atlas it is,” Ash laughs, wiping away the slime that covered her hand before petting Atlas’ back gaining a soft churr. She turns her head back to the screen, watching as Rhypherior slams his arms into the ground, causing the ground to shake violently, making Arbok cry out in pain. “That’s going to be us one Atlas,” she whispers, making Atlas turns his eyes to the screen, “One day… that will be us...”

Chapter Text

Ash frowns at the sight of her blue jacket, now torn and ripped to shreds by the talons and beaks of Spearow. “Well… at least it protected me somewhat,” Ash grumbles as she tosses it into the waste basket. Her other clothes, consisting of a black t-shirt and ans jeans weren’t in better shape, but they would do until she got her new set of clothes. Though she planned on keeping the shirt, she had read that wild Pokemon would would settle down more if you give something with your scent on it. It makes them familiar to it and not the scent of an intruder in their territory,

Turning around towards the bed, Ash couldn’t help the smile as she grabs Atlas’ Pokeball. Ash had spend most of the night bonding with the little Trapinch, just talking to him until the both of them fell asleep. It still amazed Ash that the day that had started terrible with her being abandoned by her mom to being chase by Spearow and then being abandoned by Pikachu, ended up amazing, even if it had landed her in the hospital.

Grabbing her Pokedex, she slips it into her pocket before heading out of hospital room and down towards the lobby. There she finds her dad waiting alongside another woman with magenta hair that was tied up in a Kalos braid. She walks towards them, looking at the woman curiosily, “Ash, this is Jessabelle,” he gestures to the woman, watching with a twitching eye as Ash shakes Jessabelle’s hand, “She’s one of my...employees and I ask her for help in getting you some… female clothes,”

“Don’t listen to him,” Jessebelle smirks, “He’s pratically my older brother, my mom use to work for his mom and he babysit me. When my mom… died, his mother took me in since they were once good friends,” she smiles brightly at Ash, “So I’m practically your aunt!”

“Come on,” her dad grunts, nodding his head to the staff, “We got lots to do and lots to buy,” nodding her head, Ash follows to walk beside her dad, Jessebelle following behind them. 

Once they took a step outside, Ash couldn’t help but stop at the sight of the remains of what was once the Pokecenter, “What in the name of Arceus?” She whispers, blinking in shock.

“A group of Team Rocket tried to stupidly,” her dad growls out making Jessebelle flinch behind them, “tired to rob the Pokecenter in hopes of it holding rare Pokémon. Not thinking at all that any rare Pokémon will be held in this center near the end of the Indigo Season, not the beginning of it,”

“So, they blew it up when they didn’t find any rare Pokémon?” Ash asked, frowning when her dad shakes his head.

“No, there was an Ace Trainer there. After what happen with you and the Spearow Flock I asked the league to send one down to help,” he smiles at how baffle Ash look at him, “I wasn’t going to leave your side to go and attack a bunch of rats with wings,”

“He might have killed them if he had,” Jessebelle mutters before she stood up straighter as Giovanni gave her a glare over his shoulder.

“One of the Rockets had a Weezing that accidentally use Explosion when it was under shock from the Ace Trainer’s Jolteon which cause the explosion to be much bigger than it would normally be. Luckily for everyone, no one was hurt, and the Center should be rebuilt before the Indigo Conference begins,” 

Ash nodded her head at this as they walked past the rubble remains, “What about all the injured Pokémon that were being taken care of?”

“They were all safely transported to Pewter’s Pokémon Center,” her dad explained, leading towards a more crowded area of Viridian City. Ash could see that many of the people who were gather here were kids around her age or mostly older, all wearing the same sort of uniform that were colored beige, “They’re from Indigo Academy, here to hang around or even catch some new Pokémon that hung around here and Route 22,”

Ash nodded her head at this but turns her gaze to the building that they were walking towards. The neon sign shining from the window declared it Madam Rose’s Boutique, the bell that hung above the door ringing as they push it open.

Jessebelle claps her hands together, “Alrighty then, let’s get started as we got lots to buy,” Ash stares at her with wide eyes startled, making Jessebelle giggle, “You thought we would just buy you one set of clothes and be done? We need to get you not only trainer clothes, but a bathing suit, shoes for long hours of walking, sleepwear, jackets in case someone uses Hail and it turns suddenly cold. And other… important things,” at this Ash’s face turns bright red and she looks helplessly at her dad as Jessebelle pulls her towards the racks of clothing. But the only thing he did was look amusingly at her.

Hours later, Ash finds her head slightly spinning from the hours of clothes shopping. She had tired on so many clothes until something just got right for both her and Jessebelle. Now, Ash was wearing a black tank top underneath a black hoodie with a red vest that had a white collar. She was wearing a pair of black biker shorts underneath a dark blue skirt and a pair of red hiking boots that reached her ankles. The only piece of clothing she had kept of her original outfit was her official Pokemon League hat which had survived the onslaught of Spearow talons.

The rest of her clothes were now in her dark blue backpack that was created by Silph Co, allowing her to shove all her new sets of clothes in without even making it budge. 

Afterwards, they went to the Pokemart, where they got her a trainer belt to hold her Pokeballs, which was a nice silver belt that Atlas, who had let himself out, chose for her. And beside the ten Pokeballs that they bought, they also got her five Potions and Antidotes to get her way through Viridian Forest. A berry pouch to collect berries in with a reminder to plant at least one seed so a new tree will grow. Her dad also bought her a notebook, so she could write down any battle strategies and notes about what moves she wants her Pokémon to learn, so that way she wouldn’t forget.

Their next stop was Trainer’s Desire, a store that held all sorts of camping gear such as Tents, sleeping bags, thermos, water purification tablets, tupperware, cooking gear such as pots and pans and of course food for herself and any Pokémon she has. 

“But I don’t know how to cook,” Ash admits as they loaded up the cart with a red tent and black sleeping bag. 

Her dad sighs, “Why am I not surprised?” He grits through his teeth, “you can sign up for lessons in Pewter City. Flint’s wife, Lola runs them,” he grabs a thermos and looks it over before placing it in the cart, “it will mean be behind the others who left Pallet, but you have the whole year for the Conference to begin. And it’s better safe than sorry,”

“But what about money?” Ash holds up two bags of ground-type kibble towards Atlas to smell. She laughs a bit when he scrunches up his face and shakes his head at one bag while the other bag he tries to bite into “You are already paying so much for me… and I don’t want you to pay more than you should… and I need to earn my own way,” she responded placing the bag of Pokémon food in the cart.

Her dad huffs, but his eyes shimmer in pride at her. Jessebelle spoke up from behind the father and daughter duo, placing shampoo and conditioner into the cart, “Pokecenters have a bulletin board where people in the town will hang up odd jobs such as raking leaves or picking weeds and even washing cars or picking up groceries. Their just chores but they can give you a bit of extra cash,” Jessebelle smirks, “Some of them are even educational harvesting with your Pokémon or even helping caring for a gym leader’s Pokémon,” she holds a finger in the air, “When in doubt and low on money always look at the Job board, it’s a trainers best friend,”

“Trainer’s best friend, job boards,” Ash mutters nodding to herself as they push the cart to the cash register. But her attention was pulled towards shrieks and screams coming outside. 

The cashier curses under his breath, “Those damn Mankey!”

“Mankey?” Ash asked with a tilt of her head.

“Down from Route 22,” the cashier, whose name tag said was name Billy answered, “It happens every few months, someone from the Academy pisses,” Billy falters at the glare that her dad aims at him and swallows, “Well one of the students make them angry and they follow them down towards the plaza. Makes a mess of everything,”

“Mankey are fighting type,” Ash mutters as she scoops up Atlas who was lumbering near her feet. Running out of Trainer’s Desire Ash looks around before she spotted the Mankey in question. There were three of them, but Ash had her eyes locked onto the biggest of them. Who had just threw an oran berry at a cafe owner who was trying to shoo them away with a broom. “Atlas… think you can fight that one?” She whispers, brushing her fingers gently against his shell.

Atlas blinks up at her before letting out a rumble and begins to wiggle ferociously in her arms. Smiling, Ash lets him down, watching as he waddles forward and gives out a little roar. The two smaller Mankey laugh when they spotted the small Trapinch but the larger one narrows its eyes, leaping off the table and slamming a fist into the ground in warning.

But Atlas held his ground, he may have never hunted like his mother, but he knew the game. He will not fall for the taunts this Mankey to make his disrupt what his instincts tell him to. And his patience paid off as the Mankey gave out a loud screech charging towards him with glowing white claws aimed for his face.

“Sand Attack!” Ash calls out, watching as Atlas opens his mouth wide to cough up a ball of sand into Mankey’s face. The Pig Monkey Pokémon let out a screech, covering its now watering eyes and running nose with its paws, which unfortunately did nothing for it. Ash though smiles, feeling her heart thumping rapidly against her chest in excitement, “Now Atlas! Bite on Mankey’s leg!”

Charging forward on his small legs, the Trapinch opens his large mouth and bites down hard on Mankey’s leg. Ash grimaces, knowing if that had been a human leg the force of Atlas’ bite would have broken it. But Pokémon had always been more sturdy than humans, so the bite just made Mankey grimaced. It helps even more that being a fighting type that the dark type move made the attack hurt a little less. Huffing through its nose angrily, Mankey swings its leg back and forth in hopes of swinging Atlas off.

“I need to teach Atlas more moves,” Ash whispers, pulling a Pokeball off her belt and priming it. She watches with narrow eyes as Atlas was sent flying, landing thankfully on his feet and not his back before Ash turns towards Mankey. It now has a limp and it’s eyes were narrow angrily, trying to see where its opponent was. The other two Mankey were still on the table, watching intensely, their honor as fighting types not interrupting the challenge that Ash had called. “Bite one more time, Atlas!” 

With a snarl, Atlas once more charge, but yips as Mankey dodges out of the way, swinging it’s flowing claws repeatedly against his armor hide in a Fury Swipe. Growling, Atlas turns around, biting down hard on the paw that was clawing at him. Mankey letting out a screech as it tail whips angrily behind it. It’s whole body began to shake and it was at that moment Ash knew she had to end this.

“Atlas! Let go, now!” Ash calls out as she throws the Pokeball. Atlas opens his mouth, toddling backwards a bit, watching as the Pokeball hits Mankey straight on its side. He stomps his feet, huffing and watching as the Pokeball pulls Mankey in with its red energy, dropping to the ground with a thump. Biting at her lip, Ash watches with suspense as the Pokeball wiggles back and forth, holding her breath before it finally lays still with a flash of stars. She then grins, red eyes bright as she runs towards it, picking up the Pokeball and holding it tightly in her grasp, “We did it.. we caught Mankey!”

“Trap! Trap!” Atlas cries out, waddling towards her. Laughing, Ash kneels down and scoops him up, cackling as he licks her face happily. Pulling her head away, Ash blinks when she spots the two other Mankey leaping off the table and running off, making many other people who had crowded around to watch the battle jump out of the way.

“Where are they going?”

“They’re running back to Route 22,” Ash turns towards her dad who now holds out the dark blue book bag towards her. “Good job on the battle, but you need to get Atlas here more moves,”

“I figure,” Ash nodded her head, cradling Atlas close to her, “I’m going to start teaching him Dig when we get into Viridian Forest, it will help him get away from attacks like that Fury Swipes that Mankey unleashed on him,” she scratches under Atlas’ chin, getting a croon from him, “And Sand-Tomb...maybe even Mud-Shot for a long distant move,” she mumbles

“Just don’t forget you have a Mankey as well,” her dad advises as Ash slips her new bag over her shoulders, “Many starting trainers realize they mess up when they only focus on their Starters and just capturing their other members of their team later on when they realize they need more than in powerful Pokémon to pull the weight. And even then, it’s bad because the Pokémon won’t respect them because they are already powerful on their own,”

Ash nodded her head at this, turned her gaze to Jessebelle, “And look at it this way. You have a ground type and a fighting type, which will be super effective against Flint’s Zero Badge Team,”

“Zero Badge Team?” Ash asked, clipping Mankey’s Pokeball onto her belt.

“You think a newbie trainer’s team can handle an onslaught from a team that's been training for years?” Her dad smirks, pushing her hat down and making Ash squeak, “Beside Sabrina, Blaine and myself, the Gym leaders have extra teams for to correspond with how many badges a challenger has,” 

“Oh so that’s why most trainers I talk to say they started at Pewter’s Gym when they live somewhere like Cinnabar!” Ash blinks, having remembered talking to many passing trainers that come to the lab to check on the Pokémon they left at Oak’s lab. She shakes her head, bouncing on her feet, “So… do we have everything we need?” She asked nervously, not wanting her dad to think she didn’t appreciate, “and should I worry about Mankey’s leg? Since there is no Center?”

“A potion should fix Mankey right up,” Her dad assured her, “and we do have everything you need.” He looks down at her in concern, “You have my number in your Pokédex so if there is any trouble you call me,” Ash nodded her head at this, and gives a small gasps as she was pulled into a hug, “and know that I’ll be cheering you on the whole time,”

Ash smiles brightly, as her dad awkwardly stands up. Cradling Atlas in her arms she turns on her heel running towards the gate of Viridian Forest.

Jessebelle sighs, pulling her hair free from her braid and letting the long red locks free as she walks in a sort of lobby. It was a very nice place, furnished with black couches and a dark brown coffee table. “James, Meowth, get your butts up we need to get going,”

“Man… this sucks,” rasps a small cat with cream fur with darker brown fur on his paws. A golden coin was attached to the middle of his head, shimmering in the light, “We’re on babysitting duty!”

“It’s better being in babysitting duty than being fired, Meowth,” a man with lavender hair that fell to his shoulders pointed out, “We really mess up at the Viridian Pokecenter,”

“How was I supposed to know an Ace Trainer was going to be knacker in the place?!” Meowth snaps, throwing his paws in the air. He hisses tail lashing behind him, the fur along his spine standing on end, “It’s not like I’m a physic type, James!”

“Because that’s what made us go there in the first place?” Jessebelle smirks, “There be some powerful Pokémon hidden there, Jessie,” she mocks with a grin, “and watching the Twerp won’t be bad, she’s a total sweetheart,”

“I know…. She’s the Boss’ kid but this still sucks,” Meowth grumbles, crossing his arms, “Like I get it that she got hurt and all but…” he huffs in annoyance.

“The Boss said that Oak said some concerning things to him when he explained why he gave the Twerp a Pikachu that wouldn’t listen to her,”

James frowns at this, “Must have been a good excuse, he could lose his license and credibility to give out Starters since that incident with Professor Redwood of Kalos,” he shrugs when Jessie and Meowth turn their gazes to him, “Listen I paid attention somewhat in school. But apparently his daughter was going out on her journey with another who was slightly better at training than her. He told her that they’re had been a trainer who came before her that took the last of the standard Pokémon so he gave her a male Sandile with the moxie ability,” Jesse and Meowth grimaces at that, both knowing how that would end with a rookie trainer.

James nodded his head at seeing their faces, “Yeah, the girl unfortunately didn’t make it.. the leagues that were part of the Interregional League Association made a new law saying that any Pokémon Provider either have to hand out traditional Starters, they have to contact every single breeder from the region.  And even then, if the starter has to be a wild Pokémon it can not show any signs of aggression towards humans,” James frowns, leaning into the plush black couch he was sitting in, “So the fact that he ignored all these rules, even though he was the first one to sign the agreement with the law…”

“Apparently,” Jessie sighs crossing her arms, “The old man helped saved a Celebi during his days as a trainer and it brought him forward in time where he met the Boss’ Twerp and she had a Pikachu as her Starter,” Meowth and James blinks at this, exchanging looks at each other, “he made mention that she met other Legendaries before that incident which is why we are put on babysitting duty. If she was to get over her head…”

“Backup duty,” James nodded his head, stretching his arms over them, “Shame that we won’t be able to use Arbok or Weezing for awhile,” he holds up his hand quickly, catching the Pokeball that Jessie threw at him with a loud smack.

“New Pokémon that can handle a rookie trainer’s Pokémon,” Jessie smirks, “A male Nidoran for you and a pretty female Nidoran for me!” She squeals, holding her the Pokeball that contains her new Pokémon close to her, “I’m going to call her Lapis!”

Meowth sighs, and flops onto his belly, “This is going to be a long few years ain’t it?”

Ash looks around the clearing that she had decided to use to make camp after two hours of trekking through Viridian Forest. It was a little away from the path so that she wouldn’t get lost but it will also get her out of the way of any passing trainers, especially the bug trainers. Ash couldn’t help but frown in annoyance, she had heard from older trainers that the so-called Bug specialize or Bug Catchers as they were called were an annoyance for all Trainers passing through the forest to get to Pewter. They get inspired by Bugsy from Johto, Burgh from Unova, Viola from Kalos and Katy from Paldea, capturing the easiest bug types like Caterpie and Weedle or worse Metapod and Kakuna and huddle in wait for any passing trainer to battle. Not realizing that their so called powerful Pokemon actually need to train to become powerful like they imagine.

And as soon as Ash had enter the forest, they all have crowded around her, challenging her to a battle. “At least Atlas got some experience,” Ash thought as she drops her bag near the stump, taking a deep breath. “Ok, bud,” she pulls off Mankey’s Pokeball from her belt, “I’m going to release Mankey right now… don’t attack it but if it makes any sudden movements,” Atlas looks up at her and nodded his head, eyes narrow on the Pokeball Ash held in her grasp.

Looking down at ball, she throws it in the air. Once Mankey was out of its Pokeball it looks around wildly, tail once more lashing in anger when it realize it was no longer anywhere it recognized. Ash slowly kneels down, remembering the lessons she was taught in school and prayed to Arceus that it would work better than it had with Pikachu, “Hi Mankey,” she whispered, trying to not flinch when Mankey snorted at her, “Hey, none of that now. I caught you fair and square and you may not like me now but I want to like you,” she holds up the Potion bottle towards it, “Can I heal you?”

Mankey looks at her with narrow eyes, before they widen slightly, spotting the scars that painted across Ash’s face and arms… they nodded slowly, red eyes gazing hard on the scar along Ash’s neck as she leans closer, gently spraying the potion on its leg. Ash couldn’t help but smile as Mankey flinches, “Its ok…” she assures, smiling as Mankey swings its leg once its heal, “Listen, my name is Ash and I’m a Pokemon Trainer...which you already known,” she chuckles when Mankey gave her a deadpan look, “I would really like us to be friends and I promise I’ll make you really strong! Even help you evolve into a Primeape,” at this Mankey’s red eyes glisten in interest at this. “You like the sound of that? Well we be doing a lot of tough battles! I’m doing the Gym Challenge so I need Pokemon who want to be strong… think you can keep up?”

“Man! Man!” Mankey jumps up and down, red eyes now glowing in determination.’

Ash nodded her head, “Good,” she pulls out her Pokedex, “I’m going to scan you, this is going to tell me what moves you know and your ability and it will help me train you. But I need you to keep still,” Ash barks out a laugh as Mankey stops jumping, standing very still, allowing the Pokedex to scan it.

Mankey, The Pig Monkey Pokemon. Light and agile on its feet but with a ferocious temperament. Mankey are extremely quick to anger and once it begins to attack, stopping it is near impossible.

This Mankey is female with the ability Vital Spirit, which prevents sleep during battle. This Pokemon knows the moves Fury Swipes, Focus Energy and Leer.

“A female huh?” Ash grins, “Girls can be tough too!” Mankey looks at her and snorted, nodding her head in agreement. “Do you want a nickname? Atlas has one…” Ash was startled a bit when Mankey screech, jumping up and down, “Ok… ok…” she laughs, gently petting Mankey on the head, making the fighting type freeze a bit before it leans in towards the touch. “How about… Clarisse? I read a book series and one of the characters were name that, she was a daughter of a god of war,”

Mankey nodded, her eyes doing what Ash could see was an eye smile. “Alright then, Clarisse it is,” Ash looks at her Pokedex as she settles down, leaning her back against the stump, “Ok so the first Gym is against Flint and he uses Rock Types,” she mutters as Clarisse settle down beside her and Atlas waddles up to her, setting his head down on his lap. “Both of you will be doing well at it, at least once you learn some new moves,” she looks down at Atlas, stroking his back, “You bud, are going to be learning Dig… which the Pokedex says you should learn easily, since its in your nature to do so…”

Atlas looks up at her, before nodding and standing up. Waddling over to a patch of ground a bit away, the Trapinch jumps in the air slamming his face into the dirt making Ash and Clarisse jump a bit, “Ok… that’s one way to use it,” Ash mumbles, watches as Atlas slowly burrows his way underneath the ground. Blinking, she looks down at her Pokedex, “And you Clarisse, are going to be working on Low Kick,”

“Man?” Clarisse eyes furrows and she holds up her paws, before she throws a punch at some invisible foe, “Man! Man!”

“I know,” Ash smiles, “You want to get working on the punching straight away. But the Pokedex here says its good for you to start working on your feet before we go straight in on the punching,” she looks down at the page of information, written by Professor Oak with the help of many past trainers, “You won’t have the strength in your arms to learn moves like Cross Chop and Brick Break just yet,”

Clarisse grumbles at this, but Ash gently pets her head, “Hey, don’t worry, in no time you’ll learn all the punching moves you want!” pushing herself up, Ash looks around before grabbing a few small boulders, “So the best way for you to learn Low Kick is really simple...just kick really,” she looks sheepishly at Clarisse who blinks at her before the Mankey shrugs. Walking over to one of the small rocks, Clarisse looks down at it, before she kicks out her leg, letting out a grunt of pain when her paw smacks against the hard stone. But Ash was please when she saw that the pain wasn’t going to stop Clarisse as she did so again and again. Ash bite at her lips though, not really knowing what else to do as her Pokemon trained. “I would feel so awkward if I just sat down and watch them… and feel bad..” she thought to herself before she decided to set up camp.

Once more Ash was thankful for the changes that Lance Blacktorn, her uncle, made during the last year. From the age of five and nine Ash and many of her classmates had been taught the wrong information. The Education Administration didn’t update any of the text with the discovery of Fairy Typing, or how to actually survive out in the wild where an angry Pokémon could kill you, even if it was rare for it to happen to a child. 

Ash gazed down at her arms, staring at the marks that had been torn into her flesh. Swallowing, Ash pulls her bag close to her rummaging through it before pulling out a mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her face had a few less scars than her arms and legs but still had a few that litter across it. One was long and jagged reaching from under her right eye to her chin while her left cheek was marked with an x. Ash felt her throat tighten as her eyes locked hard on the slightly more red scar that was slash across her neck, gently lifting a hand to softly graze it with her fingers.

“Trap?” flinching a bit, Ash turns to see Atlas blinking up at her, his head popping out from underneath the ground, “Trap? Trap?” he wiggles himself out, shaking the clumps of dirt off his body before he waddles over to her, placing his chin on her leg.

Ash takes a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut tightly, “I’m alright, Atlas,” she assures him, gently petting his head, “I… I will be alright,” she whispers, blinking her eyes to stop the tears from forming and smiles down at him, “I have you and Clarisse now don’t I? And any other friend we pick up on the way to become the greatest!”

“Pinch!” Atlas croons, crawling up onto her lap and snuggling his head into her stomach. He didn’t like it when Ash was sad. Sure he has only known the girl for a day or so, but she was clearly like that old human that was his mama’s Trainer. Kind he could tell… and hurt but he could see that she was strong. But it was Atlas’ job to shoulder the responsibility of being strong. He wasn’t just her Pokemon, he was her first Pokemon. That meant that he was the leader of their group, and it was his job to get strong enough to protect not only her but to also guide any new members of their family. Because that is what they were going to be… a family. That is what his grandfather, the old Salamence that was the leader of his mama’s family. They are going to be a family, it will be a bit weird since they be different species of Pokemon… maybe even be a bit broken… but they would be family and it will be his job to protect it.

“Man!” turning their heads, Ash and Atlas look over to Clarisse as she slams her foot, which was now flickering with a light orange glow into a rock, shattering a piece of it off and sending little bits of chunks flying. Clarisse screeches in victory throwing her arms in the air and making Ash laugh. She pushes herself up and opens her mouth to praise the Mankey when a loud screech erupts in the air.

Spinning on her heel’s Ash’s eyes widen in horror as a Pidgeotto dives down at them. Ash took a step back, eyes widening in horror as she stares at the long sharp talons and beak, the way the Pidgeotto’s beady black eyes glinted at them… Ash couldn’t stop the scream that ripped out of her throat as she ducks down, covering her head with her arms.

“Mankey!” she could hear Clarisse let out a rageful screech before a squawk from the Pidgeotto made Ash slowly look up. Her Mankey was swinging a branch that it had grabbed at the Bird Pokemon, making it falter from its dive. It squawks angrily at Clarisse but she huffs angrily at it, swinging the stick and almost striking it belly before it finally took the hint, flying off.

Ash trembles, her throat tightening up as she lets out a little sob. She knew it was just her imagination… her mind playing tricks on her… but she swore that she could feel her scars throbbing in pain, as if she was till being attacked by the Spearow. Ash lets out a little squeak when she felt arms wrapped around her, looking up to see Clarisse staring at her in concern, gently rubbing her back, “Man… man...key!” she croons softly.

At this, Ash couldn’t hold back the strength anymore, tears spilling free from the corner of her eyes as she lets out a sob, throwing her arms around Clarisse and holding the Mankey tightly to her, pushing her face into the soft but coarse white fur. She could feel Atlas squeezing himself into her lap, gently nuzzling his head into her stomach once more, but the two did nothing to stop her from crying.

All they did was show…. That Ash could cry, that she didn’t need to be strong all the time… because… she had them.

And that was all Ash needed right now.

Chapter Text

Ash’s eyes narrow as she stares down her opponent, who was glaring angrily at her. Taking a deep breath trying her hardest to not twitch at the sight of the Pinsir that was leering at her with its spiky pincers clicking at her. “Atlas, dive under and use Sand Tomb!”

Atlas makes a hissing growl in agreement as he quickly burrows himself underneath the ground. Her opponent, a boy who called himself Samurai and had challenge her by swinging a real sword at her face squawks, “Be prepare, Pinsir! Do not let this maiden's honorableness tactics get to you!”

Ash rolls her eyes at this, but grins as Pinsir lets out a screech as a giant hole opens up underneath its feet, sucking it down and trapping it. Atlas pops his head out, small black eyes glinting in triumphant watching as the Pinsir struggle to get out, clawing furiously at the sand which did absolutely nothing. “Now, Atlas! Bite!”

Samurai makes a growl of annoyance as Pinsir cry of pain echos through the forest. Both Trainers watch as Pinsir struggles helplessly as the Trapinch bites down hard on its midsection, thrashing about trying to shake Atlas off but only weakening itself even more with its struggles. Ash grins, throwing a hand in the air as Pinsir finally collapse, knocked out from the combination of Sand Tomb and Bite. “Good job, Atlas,”

“Trap!” Atlas cries out in happiness, crawling easily out of the hole before turning his gaze as Samurai recalled his Pokemon.

“You may have taken out my Pinsir… but you will not defeat my next Pokemon!” he calls out, throwing his next Pokeball. Ash had to fight the urge to fall down as a Metapod blinks blankly up at her. Samurai smirks at her, “Scare now that you have to face down my powerful, Metapod?”

“Clarisse, Focus Swipe,” Ash called out, the Mankey letting out a screech as she charges forward, fur glowing a light blue as she swipes glowing claws repeatedly against Metapod’s face.

“Metapod!” Samurai calls out in despair, eyes widen, “Hold your ground with Harden!”

Metapod clearly tries to do so with the way its shell shimmer briefly, but it was clear to Ash that Samurai had only caught Metapod as a Metapod. For reasons unknown to all researchers a Caterpie that evolves into Metapod in the wild forgets how to use Tackle and String Shot though some theorize its because they didn’t need to focus on strength just defense. Though Ash didn’t think too much on it as Samurai wails in despair, falling to his knees in tears as Metapod faints. “No! How can this be! I was told that you would be the weakest of them all!”

“Let me guess, a boy name Gary said that,” Ash snarks as she kneels down, petting Clarisse on the head. The Mankey was glaring at the Metapod in disappointment, stomping her foot mad on the ground. Ash didn’t blame her one bit at all as she too was getting tired of all the Bug Catchers that were crowding around the forest. With each and everyone of them only catching newly fresh caught bug types, it had been a breeze fighting each and everyone of them. Even Samurai was a breeze and he had a frickin Pinsir which doesn’t nest in this area.

Samurai glared at her, “Yes in fact. The other trainers from Pallet were much more honorable than you,” Ash rolls her eyes at this, as Samurai looked up in awe, “Yes, those three gave me three spectacular matches, each more challenging than the last. Those trainers really knew how to raise their Pokemon. Even, though I was defeated all three times, I was inspired to redouble my own training. I have been eagerly preparing for the day when finally I would beat the next Pokemon trainer from Pallet,” he looks down at her, glaring, “Unfortunately that is you. Compare to those other three, you are a joke and a cheater for using a Pokemon now from your region of your birth,”

“Oh great… he’s one of those people,” Ash fought the urge to roll her eyes again when it finally hit her, “Wait… you said fought three trainers from Pallet before me right?” Samurai blinks at her before he nodded his head, “Did one of them had a Bulbasaur?”

“Why yes!” he nodded his head, “A Bulbasaur and a Jigglypuff,” Samurai jumps back when Ash pulls out her notebook, “What are you doing?!” he growls, hand going to his sword though he flinches as Clarisse growls at him.

“I’m going to ask you for their description,” Ash explained, “There were only three new trainers coming from Pallet Town. Me and the two boys with the Charmander and Squirtle. The person with the Bulbasaur stole it from Professor Oak the night before we started on our journey,”

Samurai stared at her with wide eyes before his face pales in horror, “I fought a Pokemon thief? I complimented someone who steals Pokemon,” he pulls his hand to his chest, staring it down in horror as he trembles in rage, “How… how could I? How could I not see through her lies?”

“Can you please tell me what she looks like?” Ash cuts in before he could fully fall into his despair, “So that way I can inform Professor Oak?”

Samurai blinks before he nodded his head, “Of course. She looked about to be fourteen… which explains a lot now that I think about. Its always honorable to start your journey at the age of ten, a very honorable tradition,” Ash sighs, giving him a glare and he coughs a bit, “She was wearing a black dress that went up to her neck with a green shawl over her shoulders. She had brown hair that fell to her mid back with a green hairband and black boots… and as I said she had a Jigglypuff alongside the Bulbasuar,” he then blinks, his eyes widening a fraction, “Oh and she told me her name! It was Daisy… though it might been a fake name…”

“It still helps,” Ash said as she writes it all down, “Professor Oak is my sponsor, so when I get to Pewter I’ll give him a call,” she slips her notebook back into her bag and recalls Clarisse, scooping Atlas into her arms, “Thanks for the battle,” she nodded her head as she walked down the trail that headed towards Pewter. She couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief as she pushes herself through some bushes and seeing the town over the distance.

Smiling, Ash runs forward, climbing on top of a rock to get a better look, “There it is, Atlas. Pewter City… we finally made it,” she sighs, shoulders slumping in relief, “For a while there, I thought we were going to be in this forest for the rest of our lives,”

“Trap,” Atlas nodded his head in agreement at this, leaning his head back a bit to feel the warmth of the sun. The both of them took in the sight before them, of rolling grasslands and rocks that surrounded them and seem to stretch on for miles. In the distance, standing like a guardian over the city, was Mount Moon, the largest mountain in Kanto that separated Pewter City from Cerulean City.

“Pewter City is gray, the color of stone,” jumping a bit, Ash turns her head to see a man sitting impossibly still below her, next to a wooden stand that was filled with smaller rocks. “This town has always been famous for stone,” he remarked making Ash tilts her head at him. He was wearing a yellow shirt with his sleeves rolled up. His face hidden by a red beanie that he wore on his head, even though it was slowly turning into June and a sharp spiky brown beard. He looked up at her, and Ash could tell that he was staring her down even though she couldn’t see his eyes, “The name’s Flint… and you’re standing on some of my merchandise, young lady,”

Squeaking, Ash jumps off the rock, “Oh, sorry!” she apologizes, looking around at all the rock that had price tags taped to them, “You sell rocks?”

“They’re Pewter City souvenirs. Want to buy some?” Ash swallows, before shaking her head at Flint, slowly edging away from the strange man.

“No thank you! I need to get to the Pokemon Center though… so have a nice day sir!” she quickly ran down the hill, holding Atlas close to her. “Why are people so weird?”

“Hi, Nurse Joy,” she greeted the pink haired lady at the front desk of the Pokemon Center, placing Atlas and Clarisse’s Pokeballs on a tray, “Can you please have my Pokemon checked? The Trapinch is a bred standard while the Mankey is one that I recently caught but she hasn’t been checked over yet,”

Joy smiles at her, not even flinching at the sight of the scars on Ash, “Of course dear,” she gently picks up the tray and hands them over to a Chansey, “I’ll call you when their check up is over. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Ash nodded her head, pulling out her Pokedex, “A few, actually,” she smiles apologetically, “Can you sign me up for the Indigo Conference? And may I have room if you have any, for at least a week… and I also heard that I could sign up for cooking classes under Mrs. Harrison… can you please tell me where I can do that?”

Ash was surprise to see that Nurse Joy flinched at this, “Mrs. Harrison is out of town at the moment,” Ash frowns sadly at this piece of information, “But her son, Brock is doing them, so you can still sign up for them,” Ash sighs in relief, handing over her Pokedex and watching as Nurse Joy slots it in the computer, typing away quickly, “And there we go,” Nurse Joy smiles, handing Ash back her Pokédex alongside a room key, “You are all signed up for the Indigo Conference, the deadline to gain eight badges is in a year's time on April. 22nd,” Ash nodded her head, slipping her Pokédex into the pocket of her hoodie and gripping her room’s key, “You are also signed up for cooking lessons this Wednesday at 12:00 pm sharp, so don’t be late,” she jokes making Ash giggle.

“I won’t!” Ash promised with a nod of her head, “And thanks again Nurse Joy!” She turns around to let the person who had been waiting behind her come up to the desk, but instead of heading towards her room, Ash heads straight towards one of the video phone booths. She knew that with the new phone app that Professor Oak had downloaded onto her Pokédex means she could call anywhere, but Ash didn’t want to let vital information like this get out into the public if someone wandered in on her camp.

Waiting patiently as the phone rang, Ash swung her feet back and forth, smiling softly as Professor Oak appeared on the screen, relief showing in his blue eyes, “Ash, my girl! It’s good to see you! I’m guessing you have arrived in Pewter City now?”

“Well I wouldn’t be calling you from Pewter if I didn’t,” Ash jokes.

Professor Oak blinks before he coughs, “Ah yes you wouldn’t be calling me from Pewter if you weren’t there… my bad. So,” he shakes his head, “How are things? You don’t seem worse for wear besides being dirty, didn’t find it any trouble?”

“Most trouble I found was all the Bug Catchers that seem to not realize they needed to train their Pokemon and some nasty Beedrills that gave me a warning when I got too close to their nest,” she shivers remembering the way they’re eyes glowed red from above the trees, guarding the Kakuna that cling to the trunk. “Anyway, that's not the reason I’m calling, Professor. I got some info about the person that stole Bulbasaur,” 

Pulling out her notebook again, she recited what Samurai told her, not noticing the way that the Professor at first flinched at the name Daisy, before she looks up seeing his eyes narrow in thought, “Well, that gives me more information to give to the police. Whoever this… Daisy is, she took out all the cameras in my lab,” he huffs in annoyance before he shakes his head, “Anyway, I should congratulate you! I see that you caught a Mankey, a strong Pokémon when properly trained,” he looks hard at her, “But my dear, from what I can tell that is the only Pokémon you have caught since you left Viridian,”

Ash frowns, before she shrugs, “I want to be more.. specific over my team. None of the Pokémon around us really… click. It’s Beedrill mating season and I have already been chased down by one group of Pokémon. I don’t need to be chased down by a horde of Beedrill because I dare to try and capture a Weedle. And while I know I could capture a Caterpie and raise it into a powerful Butterfree but once it’s Butterfree Migration Season…” she shakes her head, “yeah… after Pikachu…”

“I see,” Professor Oak stated, “and what about the Pidgey line, I know some flock over in…oh dear,” he mutters seeing how pale Ash’s face went.

“I don’t think I’m going to be catching any bird Pokémon for awhile, Professor,” 

“Well, I understand that,” Professor Oak scratches at the back of his neck, “But you can’t be a great trainer if you’re being so picky. Gary has already caught ten Pokémon himself!” He grins, a sparkle of pride in his blue eyes.

Ash huffs, crossing her arms, “and how many of those Pokémon is he actually going to train? How many Pokémon will actually listen to him when he calls upon them, if he actually remembers them? How many are going to be shipped off to Gym Leaders or Pokémon Schools to be given to new trainers so you’ll have room in your corral?” Ash raised an eyebrow as Professor Oak flinches, “Listen, maybe if the… incident never happened I would have a Pidgey…but I had always planned on starting small on my team, at least for the Indigo Conference. I’ll definitely catch more than six, but having a small team for right now allows me to teach my Pokémon a wide variety of moves and figuring out what works for us will cover any weaknesses that we will have. It will give me more time to train each of them for their full potential. This was something I had planned on doing since last year when all our lesson plans changed,”

Professor Oak nodded his head at this, “That does make more sense, but as long as you know you have to get more than six. Even with teaching them a wide variety of moves, you’ll never be able to completely cover all your weaknesses. And remember, sending them to my lab has benefits, it gives them not only a time to relax but also learn from the Pokemon that other trainers send me,”

Ash sighs, but nods her head, “I understand sir,”

“Now… there is one thing I want to talk to you about,” Ash blinks as Professor Oak look at her nervously, “Its… about your house. I contacted the authorities about Delia,” Ash stares blandly at him as he went on, her hands closing into fists, her knuckles slowly turning white, “But they haven’t found her at all… and I talked to your father… he said that since you are the only other person who lived there…”

“Sell it, burn it to the ground,” Ash hisses making the old Professor flinch, “I don’t care what happens to it. I have what I need on hand… I don’t need anything else from it,”

“But Ash.. what if she comes back.. what if she apologizes,”

“Then maybe she should had thought of that before leaving!” Ash snaps standing up, “Maybe she should had remember that she had another kid that needed her! Maybe Delia should had actally acted as if she was my mom!” taking a deep breath, Ash closes her eyes, “I need to go. It was good talking to you Professor,”

“Ash!” Professor Oak calls out but Ash cuts the connection off, stomping out of the booth making others turn their heads towards her. But Ash ignores it all, blinking back tears of frustration

She was tired of being the one the shoulder Delia’s abuse. Tired of the cruel words that were spit at her, tired of having to be the better person. This journey wasn’t just the start of an adventure for her, this was Ash’s new lease on life.

And Delia Ketchum was no longer going to ruin it for her.

Hours later, with hair slightly damp from the shower, Ash releases Atlas and Clarissa from their Pokeballs. The Trapinch and Mankey look around, curiosity shimmering in their eyes at the room they were in, “This is going to be our room for the next week or so,” Ash explained as she hops on the bed, “I’m planning that our battle with Flint will be on Friday so that will give us plenty of time to get a little more practice,” she smirks at Clarisse, “You will be starting on Brick Break now that Nurse Joy inform me that your arms had grown enough strength to handle it. Looks like doing those push ups really help,”

“Man! Man!” Clarisse hops up and down at this news, red eyes shimmering in excitement.

It brought a laugh out of Ash, who grins at her, “Don’t worry, Clarisse. In time I promise you, you’ll be learning all the punching moves you want,” turning her gaze to Atlas, she scoops him up, “You my friend, will be our MVP against Flint. With you learning not only Sand Tomb but Mud-Slap so easily,” if a Trapinch could look smug, Atlas did so. He had learned Mud-Slap as quickly as he could to keep the birds away from his trainer. Sure it didn’t actually hit them since they flew away, but it still kept them away from his trainer. “But I still want to practice a bit more. Nothing too serious, but you be facing his Onix,” she shivers a bit. Though Ash knew that the Onix would be a lower level, she had seen what an Onix properly trained could do, even if it was just on the screen of a television.  Seeing Bruno’s Onix easily smashing Corey’s Pidgeot out of the sky with a single swing of its tail…

“Yeah, we need to make sure you can dodge,” Ash mutters, making Atlas look up at her, titling his head, “So I’m thinking we could make Flint play a little Whack a Mole,” she giggles a bit as Atlas gives her a confuse chirp, rubbing his head, “Don’t worry, we have five days to work on it. And while we work on that, I’m going to be trying to teach you Giga Drain.”

Ash knew that move was going to be hard to teach Atlas, he probably wouldn’t even be able to learn it before the match or even before he evolved. But it would give him a move to use against water types which as of right now he had a weakness against. Pulling out her Pokédex, she scrolls though the many documents that were downloaded onto it. While the Pokedex was a new invention, it has been around for a while, since the time of her dad’s journey in fact. And over those years not only have many trainers who had been sponsored by Professor Oak have contributed to it, but after the first Pokédex was completed, he gave the rights to the device to the other Regional Professors, who gave it to their sponsor trainers. Years and years of Pokémon training were in her reach and Ash was not stupid to ignore it.

“Here we go,” Ash said, clicking on an article that popped out to her.

Teaching Your Pokemon Moves by Ikaika Kukui 

The best part of being a trainer in my opinion is when your partner learns a new move. The thrill you feel knowing you help them gain access to a move they normally wouldn’t know is just amazing. And I am here, writing this down to help you feel that thrill.

But to understand the process, you need to understand Aura. Now you may be thinking of the Aura that Aura Guardians such as Sir Aaron of Rota and Lucario can use and you're in the right direction. You see aura is in everything, in the very air we breathe, in the water we drink to the soil we walk upon. It’s even inside us, both human and Pokémon. It’s just that Pokémon have an easier time using Aura than us measly humans. And aura is how Pokémon use their moves.

Aura is the source of a Pokemon’s power and at its baseline, it matches their typing.  A Bug Type’s Aura will be a Bug Type, a Water Type’s Aura will be water. It is what makes it super easy for Pokémon to learn the moves that match its typing. This is the reason why some moves are suddenly learned in the middle of a battle, their aura has grown stronger and by instinct they learn it.

Now, teaching Pokémon moves that don’t align to their type is much harder. It takes them much longer to grasp it, especially if it’s a type there are either weak or strong against. But because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

There are two ways to teach a Pokémon a move that isn’t aligned to their typing. One is the easy way, through the use of Tm, or as they are fully known, Technical Machine. Little CD Disks that are either a one time use or reusable (depending on which version you buy) that are instructional videos to teach a Pokémon while in their Pokeball. It’s the easier (and most expensive) way to teach a Pokémon a move they wouldn’t know as they have an example of the aura they need to grasp embedded onto the disk. Though while Pokémon do learn moves in this method, it doesn’t mean they have mastered the move. They can’t just be able to perform it, they need to perfect it, to completely understand what they are doing. So remember practice makes perfect!

“Well I won’t be using tms just yet,” Ash remarked dryly with a huff as Clarisse climbs on top of her back, almost knocking her down to her stomach. “At least not before my first gym battle,” Technical Machines were sold at places like Trainer’s Desires but the best of them found a home at Celadon’s Department Store. But Ash didn’t have the money, or the experience to get any at the moment.

The other way, which is cheaper but harder, is for the Pokémon to watch another Pokémon use the move or a move similar to it, and try to grasp the aura that is being used. Hours of meditation, and practice, which many give up in frustration, but those who don’t will find the rewards are great when the Pokémon begins to show signs of being able to use the move.

“Ok I think I get it,” Ash remarked, scratching Atlas under his chin, “This way is technically the same as giving you a Technical Machine but it’s harder because you got to search for the aura you need to use instead of it being given to you,” she gently pushes Clarisse off of her, making the Mankey give a tiny screech, “I’m sure someone is on the training grounds that has a grass type who can use Giga Drain or something similar,” she smiles as she hops off the bed, “Let’s get to it shall we?”

On Wednesday morning with the sun shining brightly down on her, Ash finds herself not at the Pokecenter’s training grounds but outside the steps of Pewter’s Museum. Since her cooking lessons will be happening around twelve that day, Ash had decided to make it a day of rest for her two Pokémon, especially with how hard they had worked on Monday afternoon and all of Tuesday. Clarisse was taking well with Brick Break, her paw beginning to flow a brilliant white when she karate chops a poor rock that Ash had started her on learning Double Team after seeing another Trainer using it during a battle. She had also bribed Clarisse with a whole bunch of peeled chestnuts when the Mankey showed some displeasure at not learning another punching move.

Giga Drain on the other… was a problem just as Ash had thought. A Trainer with a Weepingbell had been nice enough to show an example of Giga Drain, and Ash had found a video of a Flygon using it as well. Atlas was supposed to bite down and drain his opponent’s energy to replenish his own. Unfortunately, all Atlas was doing was biting down really hard and breaking the training dummy.

“Work in progress. I’m teaching him a move that he wouldn’t know naturally at all without a Technical Machine. I would be very surprised if he got it down at all the first time,” she thought to herself as she walked through the giant doors of the museum. She greeted the staff members with a nod of her head, the woman waving her on in and Ash smiles as walks over.

Her red eyes stare up at the skeletal remains of a Tyrantrum that stood proudly on display. “Wow,” she whispers, leaning her head back, “To think there was a Pokémon like this once roaming around,”

“Professor Harrison, is it true that the labs on Cinnabar Island have brought an Aerodactyl back to life?” Blinking, Aah turns her head to see a group surrounding a man with spiky dark blue hair. He was wearing a lab coat over a light blue button up shirt, dark khaki pants with a red bandanna tied around his neck, “and that it was given to none other than Lance Blackthorn?”

The man sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, “So we’re getting to this already. Ok, yes, the scientists at Cinnabar Labs have successfully revived an Aerodactyl and yes she has been given to our esteemed Champion to raise. But let me tell you this, no revive Pokémon will be available to the public for a year,” he gives them all a stern look, making Ash shuffle under it, “While at a glance these Pokémon look like what we always theorize they are completely different from what they use to be,”

“What do you mean by that, Professor?” One person carefully asked, looking around nervously.

Professor Harrison takes a deep breath, “It was theorized that Aerodactyl had been a pure flying type in the days it was alive, or even a dragon type. But the one that was revived has been confirmed  to be a Rock and Flying Type. The scientists believe that any Fossil Pokémon, as they will be classified, shall have Rock Typing. Which means that their needs and wants will be vastly different from what we do know about their species, which is already so little. These Pokémon, which have lived 65 million years ago, what is left of them is fossilized in rocks. And it is in the rock that real scientists make real discoveries. And now what John Blaine and Benjamin Fuji did at Cinnabar Labs is create genetically engineered Pokémon that are vastly different from what they use to be. They are not only out of their own time period…”

Ash slowly took a step back, blinking a bit as Professor Harrison went on with his lecture. Wandering aimlessly, stopping any time something took her interest, Ash finally found what she had been looking for.

The Hall of Legends

Every picture that hung up in this exhibit was someone of great importance in the history of Kanto-Johto. From the modern day trainers of Lt. Surge and Professor Oak to the last Aura Guardian of Sir Aaron.

But Ash wasn’t there for them. No, her gaze was locked onto two portraits that she walked over to. A male and female, the male had long black hair that fell down to his knees and short bangs that hung messily over his yellow eyes. His outfit consisted of an ebony black kimono with a red and white cherry blossom flower crest at the collar and sleeves with white hadagi undershirt, and a white sashinuki hakama which gather at the ankles, producing a sort of ballooning effect. He wore armor which included a spiked pauldron that covers his left shoulder attached by red ropes to the upper section of his black cuirass with "lotus petal" faulds that possess light gray trim. Surrounding him were the Kanto Three: Charizard, Venusaur and Blastoise, all three looking like they held astounding strength even in the picture. Beside them was also a Jolteon and a Snorlax and finally a Dragonite, who seem to be the strongest of them all. Hanging underneath the portrait was a plaque, proclaiming this person as Satoshi Blackthorn.

The woman, in one word, was beautiful but also deadly. Her light brown hair reached her mid back and was tied in a loose ponytail by a white ribbon and with bangs hanging above her forehead and blue eyes. She wore a white hakui with red sode-kukuri through the sleeves and open shoulders while strings called muna-himo were attached to each lapel and tied in the front to keep the garment closed. The slits on the side of her hakama, and the openings at the sleeves and shoulders of her hitoe showed the white kosode she sported. Standing around her were the Johto Three: Typholsion, Meganium and Ferligator alongside an Espeon, Steelix and finally Johto’s own Pseudo Legendary, a powerful Tyranitar. The plaque underneath her portrait proclaims her as Kikyo Olivine.

Staring in awe, Ash releases Atlas and Clarisse from their Pokeballs, gesturing towards the two portraits, “These two are our goals,” she inform them as they tilt their heads in confusion, “These two were the first ever Pokémon Masters, the reason why there is even a title of a Pokémon Master,” 

The two Pokémon blink at this before staring at the portraits once more though this time with awe. Even Pokémon knew what a Master was, someone who was the best, a goal that every one hopes to one day reach. Ash stares at the portraits, “Satoshi Blackthorn and Kikyo Olivine fought each other in the war between Kanto and Johto, they were in fact the leader of the two armies. The King of Johto, Lutetia stole the Princess of Rota, Audrey to be his wife, enraging her mother Queen Evelyn. A war was declared when King Lutetia refused to return Audrey. The war lasted for ten whole years until finally Satoshi was able to sneak past into the Brass Castle of Ecruteak City by building a wooden Rapidash and hiding himself and a whole bunch of soldiers into it to attack while everyone was asleep. During the whole raid, Satoshi and Kikyo met each other head on until the sun rose onto the burning grounds.”

“Satoshi won that night,” Ash jumps, turning her head over to watch Professor Harrison walked over to her, “Though he not only enraged Ho-Oh for burning down but also Lugia when he injured Zapdos, making the Legendary blind in one eye. The two legends then kept Satoshi from returning to Kanto for another ten years.”

Ash nodded her head before her gaze fell onto Kikyo, “Kikyo survived the battle but she and her family were greatly shamed by the loss. Not only did she loss the battle that ended the war but the royal family of Ecruteak were killed that night. The only survivors were three Pokémon who had perished that night and was brought back to life by Ho-Oh… Kikyo returned to her home of Olivine and gave the title of Head to her younger sister before she ventured up Mount Silver and never returned… Some say that her spirit is up there, waiting for the Legendaries to forgive her so she can finally rest in peace.”

“You know your history,” Professor Harrison praised, making Ash’s face burn, “it’s a good thing. Most kids these days don’t bother to learn about the trainers of the past because they always think they will be better than them,” he shakes his head sadly before he turns to another portrait, “Do you know who this man is?”

Ash looked over to the portrait that Professor Harrison was gesturing to, “That’s Charles Goodshow, he’s part of the Pokemon Association and is the one in charge of planning the Indigo and the Silver League of Kanto and Johto. He is also the man who alongside Professor Oak who fought in the War of Orre,”

Professor Harrison nodded his head, “That war… it was terrible. One of the reasons why most of Kanto population is of the older folk and children… not many trainers who were sent to fight came back,”

Ash nodded her head silently at that. For nearly twenty years or maybe even more, the Orre Region had been under the influence of of an organization that went by the name of Cipher. For years they had gather the many criminal groups that filled the region and had them steal Pokemon and then using their technology, transforming the Pokemon into Shadow Pokemon. These Shadow Pokemon were Pokemon who’s hearts had been closed and due to this they were not hesitate to attack with full force and go for the throat. It didn’t take long for Cipher to take full control of Orre and then turn their eyes to the rest of the world.

Many Pokemon and humans died in what would be called the most brutal war in history. Kanto and Johto was hit the hardest, creating a generation gap so large that the region consisted of children and older individuals. Hoenn and had not been far behind with Sinnoh and Unova being hit the least. Kalos, Galar and Paldea had closed their borders, wanting nothing to do with any of it, while Alola couldn’t participate at all due to not having an official League.

Eventually though, the war had only ended due to a skilled Trainer who use to work for Team Snagem, one of Cipher’s own branch organization. He had grown sick of the awful way the Pokemon were being treated and what he had been force to do, so after swiping a unique capture device he went rogue. With the help of a young lady who could see and identify the previously unrecognizable Shadow Pokemon they had took down Cipher and even crushed their boss.

Ash had remember Professor Oak commenting many times that the region had been lucky. That if it wasn’t for the trainer who wanted to do right things could had gotten worse for the Regions.

“So,” Professor Harrison glances down at Atlas and Clarrise, “I’m guessing you’re here to face against the Pewter Gym?”

Ash smiles, “Yep!” she kneels down rubbing both Atlas and Clarisse’s head, “We been training so Flint won’t know what hit him!” she blinks when Professor Harrison grimaces.

“Actually… it will be my nephew, Brock you will be facing,” Professor Harrison rubbed the back of his neck, a look of anger flashing on his face, “Brock is very good, his own talents could take him much further than simply being the local Gym Leader.”

“Yeah, I saw a video of him when he partake in the Indigo League years back,” Ash stood up, “Even though he hadn’t evolve his Onix, it was really powerful. The same for his Rhyperior and Golem…he is a good trainer.”

Professor Harrison smiles at this and Ash could see the pride he had on his face, “He is, but Brock has ten little brothers and sisters to take care of, so he can’t leave Pewter and do what he really wants to do. Learning to become a Pokemon Breeder. Because of my good for nothing brother,” and at this he scowls, his hands curling up into fist, “who left the family to become something more than a Gym Leader that is spoken down upon due to being the first Gym Leader most new trainers face against and his wife just went up and left, Brock has to take charge as the oldest,”

“But you're his Uncle… why haven’t you…”

Professor Harrison sighs, “I did. I called anyone who would answer my calls during the first few months. They always said they will send someone down to check but they never do. Nowadays they don’t even answer my calls” he laughs sadly, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “I tried my best to help Brock as much as I can. But being a Professor for a museum doesn’t pay well to raise nine kids,” when he noticed Ash glancing at him, he smiles, “The second oldest, Forrest went off on his journey. Unlike Brock, he actually wants to be the Gym Leader,”

Ash nodded her head at this, frowning but her attention was pulled away to her Pokedex vibrating. “I got to go… I actually signed up for cooking lessons, so I need to head out so I can get there on time,” smiling she holds out her hand and shook Professor Harrison’s “It was nice talking to you,”

“You too young lady and good luck in your match,”

“I think I got more egg and flour in my hair and my face than I did in the bowl,” Ash mutters as she steps into her room after her first cooking lesson. Brock, though much taller and stern looking that reminded Ash many of her teachers and other adults who didn’t like her but instead, Brock was kind… and very patient.

Pulling off her shoes, Ash sighs, biting her lips. She saw all those siblings that Professor Harrison had talked about… saw the bags underneath Brock’s eyes…

“I wish someone had spoken up for me…” Ash thought as she pulls out her Pokedex. Looking at it, she pressed a button, “Dad said if I needed anything I could call him at any moment,” she mutters as she waits for her dad to answer, listening to the soft ringing.

“Ash? Is everything alright?” Ash couldn’t help the smile that grew on her face as her dad immediately picked up, warmth filling her belly.

Softly petting Atlas head, giggling when the Trapinch tried to lick the bits of batter clinging to her fingers, Ash softly spoke, “Everything is ok dad… but something is wrong with the Pewter Gym...”

Chapter Text

“What against Brock?” The older boy snorted, exchanging looks with the girl that stood next to him.

She laughs, hiding her mouth behind her hand, “You want to fight against Brock now? You’re a million light years away from being ready for that.”

Ash glares up at the two blocking her way from entering Pewter’s Gym, her knuckles turning white as she grips the strap of her bag tightly, “Maybe I'm not ready, but Brock still has to accept my challenge,” she pointed out, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.

She stood in front of Pewter’s Gym, the building itself was odd compared to the other building surrounding it. Seemingly made of stone, the whole building looked old and run down. The two teenagers, apparently Gym Trainers, looked at her in amusement but stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter.

Taking a deep breath, Ash walked inside and blinked as her sight went dark. Confused she narrows her eyes trying to see anything, “Hello?” She calls out, her voice echoing back.

Ash jumps, holding back the yelp that wanted to slip out as the lights overhead turn on, revealing a battlefield that was simple. Covered in dirt and many rocks,  Ash knew at once that the rock types that make this building their home will have the advantage. But her gaze turns away from the battlefield towards Brock who had seemingly been sitting there for hours.

He tried to look stern, but Ash could see a small flicker of a smile as he stood up. The Gym Leader was wearing a simple orange shirt with a lime-green cargo vest over it and simple brown jeans that was covered in dust. “Who goes there?” He calls out as he crosses his arms, staring at her sternly, “Who dares enter my Gym to challenge me?”

Ash stood up, taking another deep breath to calm her nerves, “Ash Ketchum of Viridian City,” Ash couldn’t help but feel the giddiness well up inside her at saying that out loud. No more was she Ash of Pallet. Ash of the town who turned their backs on, ignoring the neglect that was handed to her. No more will the people of Pallet sabotage her to make Gary Oak look better… no more will the Oak Family have any jurisdiction over her. This…  this was a new turn on her life. “And I’m here to challenge you for the Boulder Badge,”

Brock smirk but he nodded his head in acceptance, “Very well then, I will inform you of the rules as a Gym Battle is very different from a regular battle. But first I need to ask you, do you have any badges,”

Ash shakes her head and Brock nods as he walks to the side. A part of the wall pushes out, and Ash standing on her tip toes saw a glimpse of many Pokeballs, “Very well then, I’ll battle you with those two Pokémon,” he held out his arms holding two Pokeballs tightly in his grip. “This match is for Indigo League authorization and as such we will use two Pokémon each, understood?”

“Works for me,” Ash agrees, watching as Brock walks back to his side of the field. She could feel her legs trembling but not out of fear, but of excitement.

“My specialty is battling with Rock-type Pokémon,” he nodded his head and glancing over to the side, Ash saw the boy who had been blocking her way stepped onto the referee post. “They all have true-grit determination and because of that you will lose!”

“This gym battle will now commence!” The boy calls out raising his hands high in the air, “Both sides will only use two Pokémon and only the challenger may use one Potion. The battle will only be over when either side is unable to battle!” He stares at them before swiping his arms down, “Begin!”

“Geodude! Go!” Brock calls out, throwing a Pokeball high in the air. Cracking open, Ash watches as the small boulder with arms appears with a cry.

Pulling a Pokeball from her belt, Ash throws it, releasing Clarisse onto the field, “Alright! Clarisse just as we planned, Leer and then Brick Break!”

“Good idea using a Fighting Type, Ash!” Brock praises, “But it will only work if your Mankey is fast enough! Geodude, use Defense Curl and then Rock Polish. Get out of the way!”

Clarisse rushes forward, her red eyes glowing brightly which made Geodude flinch. But the Rock Type quickly recovers, curling themselves into a ball. Ash saw that not only did his body glowed a bright blue, he also seem to shimmer a bit. But Ash focuses more on Clarisse as the Mankey swings down her fist which was glowing a bright white.

The ground where Geodude had just been standing cracks underneath Clarisse’s paw. Ash gasps, her eyes wide but Brock smiles, “Geodude! Tackle!”

“Geo!” With a roar, Geodude was was now behind Clarisse sends themselves forward, slamming into Clarrise’s back.

Clarisse rumbles the ground but quickly jumps back up glaring at Geodude who smirks at her. Ash grits her teeth, narrowing her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Ash looks up when Brock smiles at her, “Clarisse looks kinda worried there but if you're not going to act… Tackle Geodude!”

Geodude immediately slams into Clarisse once more, though this time in her belly. “You let your Pokémon take that,” Brock explains as Ash gasps, watching as Clarisse picks herself back up.

“He’s right…. I need to focus and not worry about ifs and whats…”  eyes widening a bit, Ash quickly calls out, “Clarisse, focus and use Brick Break!”

Shaking her body, Clarisse let out a cry, her eye glinting a bit before charging forward.

Brock laughs, “Geodude! Rock Polish one more time to get behind Mankey and then Tackle her!”

Geodude’s rocky hide once more shimmer before he suddenly appeared behind Clarisse. But this time, before he could slam his body into the Mankey’s back, Clarisse spins on her heel, slamming her glowing white hand into his side.

“Geodude!” Brock calls out as his Pokémon was sent flying into one of the many rocks lying about. With a groan, Geodude drops to the ground, his eyes now swirls, signifying that the Rock-type had fainted.

“Geodude is unable to battle!” The referee announces his eyes wide in disbelief, “The winner of the first match is Ash Ketchum of Viridian City!”

Ash released the breath that she didn’t know she was holding, a grin breaking upon her face. “Way to go Clarisse!” She praises the Mankey as she stood up shaking out her dust covered white fur.

“Mankey!” Clarisse cries out in a cheer, beating her fists against herself. Both Trainer and Pokémon watch as Brock returns the fainted Geodude, pulling off another Pokeball from his belt.

“Here it comes,” Ash whispers in warning, watching as the white light that was released from the Pokeball grew bigger and bigger. Ash knew that Onix were big but reading about it in a book couldn’t compare to seeing one in real life. Ash though was quite relived to see that it wasn’t Brock’s starter which she knew was cover in scars and chips in many battles. The one standing before her was young, his crest was lumpy, not sharp as the ones who had spent theirs years digging under the ground after reaching their first year.

Brock snorted, “You really don’t think I would had use my own Starter against your Pokemon now, did you?”

“I mean… I figured but honestly you never know!” Ash calls out, her eyes never leaving the Onix who leans down, gazing at Clarisse. When the great rock snake let out a snort, Ash frowns feeling a flash of anger while Clarisse screeches, “It is my first gym battle,” she pointed out.

“That it is… which means we should get to the second match!” Brock stated and Onix seem to agree, bellowing out a roar that made Ash’s whole body shake.

The refree nodded his head, “Onix versus Clarisse the Mankey- begin!”

“Leer! Try to lower his defense as much as you can, Clarisse!” Ash orders, “Then hit him with Brick Break!”

“You got to do more than that to lower Onix’s defense!” Brock calls out, smirking, “Onix, use Bide!”

Ash watches perplex as Onix stood his ground, even while he flinch only slightly when Clarisse glared at him. When the Mankey slams her fist into his rocky stone hide he bellows out in pain but to Ash’s shock, Onix started to glow.

“While using Bide, Onix can’t attack until after its been attack two times,” Brock explained making Ash shoot him a perplex look.

“What… even though it may be defeated be defeated after two attacks?” Ash exclaims in shock. She didn’t understand why Brock would risk something like this… she knew Bide would unleash a sort of energy that would do damage equal to twice the damage receive… but doing it against a Fighting-type and with Onix's defense lower a bit… Ash looks up, frowning as she saw the way Onix was panting… one more hit with Brick Break or even Low Kick will be enough… “Clarisse! Use Low Kick!”

With a screech, Clarisse darted towards Onix, swinging her leg which was glowing a brilliant orange and smashing it right into Onix. Ash couldn’t help but grimaces as cracks splintered, forming underneath Clarisse’s foot. Onix bellows loudly, filled with pain… but to Ash’s horror he doesn’t faint… instead the glow that surrounded him got brighter, “He has Sturdy… doesn’t he…”

“Exactly,” Brock answered with a smile just as a shockwave of energy erupted from Onix, sending Clarisse flying with a screeched filled with pain.

“Clarisse!” Ash calls out as the Mankey drops to the ground with a painful grunt. Ash lets out a huff, quickly grabbing Clarisse’s Pokeball when she saw the swirls in her eyes, “Thanks for all the hard work,” she praises to the Pokeball, “You did great,”

Looking back, Ash couldn’t help but smile though she did feel a flash of guilt at how beaten up Onix looked. Grabbing Atlas’ Pokeball she grips it tighter before she set the Trapinch loose. Brock couldn’t help but lean back, watching the Ant Pit Pokemon stomp his little foot and let out a tiny roar.

“A Trapinch?” Brock whispers, his gaze looking over to Onix uncertainly and with a hint of concern, “I thought for sure that you would have either a Rattata or a Pidgey...maybe a Butterfree… there really isn’t any good Pokemon to face against Rock Types besides Mankey and the Bulbasaur and Squirtle that Professor Oak gives out… there use to be a Nidoran herd around Route 22 but they were transfer over to Route 3 after some idiot rookies tried to capture a Nidoking… where you get him?”

“Atlas is my Starter,” Ash explains, taking a deep breath, “gifted to me by my Grandfather and Father…”

“Starter or not its time to end this!” as soon as the referee announce the beginning of the match, Brock wasted no time, “Onix, use Tackle and then Bind!”

“Sand Attack and then Dig, Atlas!” Ash ordered.

Atlas quickly kicks a bunch of sand right into Onix’s eyes just as he was about to slam into the Trapinch. While Onix was shaking his head from the burning sensation in his eyes, Atlas quickly slams his own head into the ground, burrowing himself underneath the ground, making Onix looked around in confusion, wondering where his opponent went.

Ash couldn’t help but smile but it soon fell, her red eyes widening as Onix suddenly turns around just as Trapinch emerged from the ground. Before she could tell Atlas to go back under, Onix soon had wrapped the Trapinch tightly in his stony coil, “Atlas!”

“Never underestimate an Onix,” Brock grins, “Being so large he could sense the vibrations of Trapinch digging right underneath him and knew exactly where he was going to pop up,”

Ash grits her teeth, but then she smiles, “Onix may have Atlas in his wraps… but that also means Onix can’t avoid any attacks! Atlas, use Mud-Slap”

Brock sighs, watching as Trapinch opens his mouth wide, firing a stream of mud from his mouth and right into Onix’s face. Face now caked in mud, Onix lets out a tired groan before he falls to the ground, making it tremble as he goes limp. Atlas wiggles out of the loose coils before happily trotting over to Ash.

“Onix is down! Victory goes to Ash Ketchum of Viridian City!” the referee announces but Ash paid no mind, quickly running over to Atlas and scooping him up.

“You did it Atlas!” Ash praises, holding him up, “Both you and Clarisse did it! We won our first badge!’ she pulls the Trapinch close to her, pressing a kiss to his head, “Thank you for fighting for me,”

“Trap!” Atlas croons, nuzzling under her chin.

“You big meanie!” jumping, Ash and Atlas looks over, seeing a bunch of little kids that Ash knew at once where Brock’s little siblings, “You don’t deserve the badge! You hurt Big Brother’s Pokemon!”

“Yeah, go away!”

“You Big Bully!”

“You’re not getting the badge!”

Ash stares with wide eyes and looks over to Brock who sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s enough!” he calls out, giving all the little kids stern looks, “Ash won her match fair and square. Yes, both Geodude and Onix got hurt but do you think they would fight for me without knowing so? And all of their injuries is a piece of cake for Nurse Joy to heal,” glancing at Ash, Brock gives her an apologetic look, “Sorry about them… they do this every time they watch a match… they’re a bit too young to understand that I do have to lose sometimes,”

Ash smiles, letting out a small laugh, “That just means they really love you. You and your Pokemon,” she then watches as Brock extends his hand, holding out a silver badge towards her, “Is that…”

“A Boulder Badge? Yep, its proof that you beat me” Brock grins before he pulls out a disk from his pants pocket. Ash couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the sight of the TM, “And this is Tm 34, which contains Bide. Take it with you so you can teach some of your own Pokemon to use the Bide as well,”

“This is great, thank you!” Ash said, giggling as Atlas sniffs at the Tm, “Really Brock, thank you,”

Brock smiles, “No problem but you do realize you have really started walking the path of a Pokemon Trainer. Its not an easy path, to be sure,”

“I know,” Ash nodded her head, trying her hardest to not glance down at her scars but she pulled Atlas closer to her, “But its been my dream to do this… so no matter how hard it is… I know me and my Pokemon will keep going until we accomplish it,”

She watches as Brock runs his hand through his spiky brown hair, “Dreams huh… I’m actually a bit jealous you know… the truth is I get more pleasure from raising Pokemon than from making them battle,” he shakes his head, his smile growing sad, “I don’t care about being a great Pokemon trainer. I want to become the world’s best breeder but I can’t leave here,”

“Because of your dad leaving?” Ash grimaces when Brock turns to her, “I met your Uncle at the museum… he told me why I wasn’t going to face Flint…”

Brock sighs, “Yeah… I’m the oldest of my siblings so I’m the heir,” he spats out, angrily at the word heir, “Of the Gym as it been in my family since the founding. When my dad left, my uncle said he would take over so I could go and follow my dreams but dad refuse, saying it's been a tradition for the father to pass the mantle of leader to the oldest son… honestly, I think Dad refused because he hates my Uncle,” shaking his head, Brock sighs sadly, “But its ok… my younger brother, Forrest started his journey a few months ago and he said that after he does his League run he’ll return and take over for me… and unlike my dad, I don’t mind if I am breaking tradition… especially since Forrest wants to be a Gym Leader unlike me,”

“Well, you won’t have to wait any longer to go out and fulfill your dreams Brock,” a voice calls out and they all turn and gasped at the sight of the man who walks onto the battlefield. He was tall and thin with bright scarlet red hair that was spiked. He was wearing a medieval-looking navy blue tunic with red-orange trim, the cuffs of his long sleeves black with orange zigzagging trim separating the cuff from the navy blue. His pants were the same navy blue and were tucked into the black boots with two orange rings around the top. A brown trainer belt was wrapped around his waist.

“Champion Lance?” Brock whispers in shock, “What are you doing here?”

“I got a call from Giovanni,” Lance stated, “His daughter told him of your situation and he made me aware,” at this Brock glances at Ash and she quickly turns her head away, face burning red. “I’m sorry for coming unannounced but I didn’t want to interrupt the match,” Lance smiles at Ash, and glancing at him in the corner of her eyes she could see pride in his blue eyes, “That was an excellent match, there are some things you need to work on but for your first gym battle it was really good,”

Ash couldn’t help the smile that grew large on her face and Atlas lets out a smug huff, “Thank you… Uncle Lance,” she spoke, earning her a grin from Lance… and a choking sound from behind. She turns around to see the girl patting the back of the referee who was now coughing. The both of them staring at her with wide eyes.

Lance chuckles before he turns back to Brock, “I’m sorry it has taken so long for the League to act on this and that nobody did anything. It turns out that Flint was staying in a hut at the entrance of Pewter near the Viridian Forest… any time your Uncle would contact the League about your situation and they would send out CPS, he would brush them away, telling them that you were just taking over for the day and that there was nothing to worry about. Him being from a long line of Gym Leaders… you know how people are,”

Brock nodded his head, but his arms were shaking from anger, “Yeah… Gym Leaders can do no wrong… but he was here… the whole time?!” he whispers through gritted teeth.

Lance sigh, nodding his head, “Apparently after he failed becoming a better Pokemon Trainer like he wanted to be, he was embarrassed and ashamed to go back to his family,”

“That’s why he cut off any contact with us?!” Brock snaps, his hands curling into fists, “He’s the reason why no one would come and check when Uncle Jasper called?!” he grabs a handful of his own hair and Ash was worried that he might rip it out of his scalp, “For six years I thought he was dead… that he wouldn’t actually…”

“I’m sorry Brock…” Lance spoke gently, “I already talk with your Uncle. Custody of your siblings will be going to him so there’s nothing for you to worry about them being separated and if you like, he offers to take the mantle of Gym Leader so you can do what you want. And I assure you, I have my men looking out for Lola, neither Flint or her are going to get away with this.”

Brock stares at him, before he silently nodded his head, “Yeah… yeah can… can I think about it… please?” he whispers, looking down at his feet.

“Of course,”

Ash gripped the Boulder Badge tightly in her hand, looking down at Atlas and Clarisse in the lobby of the Pokecenter, “You guys did really good,” she praises, “Though Atlas I’m sorry we didn’t use our Wack-a-Mole strategy, Onix immediately knowing where you were about to dig right back up kinda shock me,”

“Trap!” Atlas chirps, pressing his snout against Ash’s legs.

Smiling, Ash scratches at his neck, earning a please rumble in return, “Don’t worry bud… we’ll get to use it at some point. Probably when we go and face Surge in Vermillion but this will give us a chance to practice more of it since you won’t be fighting in the Cerulean Gym,” Atlas looks up at her, pouting at this, “Unless you somehow evolve into a Vibrava in a few days' time you won’t be facing any Water-type Pokemon anytime soon,” she turns her gaze to Clarisse, the Mankey sticking her chest out in pride, “And Clarisse you did amazing! You almost took down that Onix all on your own and if he didn’t have the Sturdy ability you would have!”

“That she did,” jolting, Ash turns her head over her shoulder and spotted Lance standing behind her, “And you are right about… Atlas is it?” he continues when Ash nodded her head, “He won’t be evolving in a week,” walking over he kneels down, holding out his hand for Atlas to sniffs. “You see how shiny his shell is? When a Trapinch is nearing evolution it begins to dull and cracks will begin to form… it won’t hurt,” Lance quickly assures Ash when her eyes widen, “Because the nerves connecting to the shell had already die off,” he laughs a bit, “The Trapinch evolution is amazing really… they’re so close to Bug-types and yet they aren’t Bug-types themselves,”

Lance turns over to Clarisse, “Now this Mankey… she will be evolving more quickly… I say maybe in a week or two. The signs for her evolution is the fur on her tail, arms and legs start to shed. I suggest when that starts to happen, you mostly focus on her arm strength more than anything. Bruno told me horror stories of his Primeape breaking things by just touching things because he couldn’t control his new strength,”

“That’s good to know…” Ash mumbles, “Do you have any advice on how to try and train a Bellsprout?” Lance turns over to her, “I’m planning on catching one before I face one of the sisters in Cerulean,”

“Why not an Oddish?” Lance asked with a raise eyebrow, “They’re much easier to train,”

“Yeah but I’m actually allergic to the pollen that Gloom makes,” Ash explains, running her hand through Clarisse’s fur, “it makes me break out in hives, not life threatening but pretty annoying… so when I was thinking of my team, if I couldn’t get a Bulbasaur I planned on getting a Bellsprout…”

“Well… I’m sorry to say I don’t know much about the Bellsprout line except to stay away from their mouth,” Ash let out a slight giggle, “And… I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,”

Ash blinks, startled before she shrugs, “Its not your fault… apparently Delia,” she turns her gaze back to Clarisse and Atlas, to avoid watching Lance grimace, “Never like you… I didn’t even knew you were my uncle…”

“And that is wrong,” Lance softly spoke, “I...the whole Blackthorn Family should had been there for you...no child should grow up thinking they were unloved or unwanted…” he holds out his hand, “Can you hand me your Pokedex?” frowning, Ash slips the Pokedex out of her pocket and handed it to him, “I’m going to put my phone number in it, that way if you ever need help, you can contact me. And only if you want to,”

Ash stares, taking back the Pokedex before she nodded her head, “Okay,” she whispers, not really knowing what else to say.

“Ash?” standing up, Ash and Lance quickly turn around to see Brock standing behind them, looking awkward, “I hope this isn’t… a bad time,”

“No, no,” shaking her head, Ash forces a smile on her face, gently patting her hand against Clairsse when the Mankey growls, “It isn’t… what do you want?” she asked, glad for something to stop the awkwardness that she could feel growing in the silence between her and Lance.

“Well… my Uncle is going to take over the Gym now… and all my siblings agree with him that I should go out and fulfill my dreams…” Brock rubs the back of his head, “But I was wondering… if maybe we could travel together? I just... after so many years with being surrounded by people, I doesn't feel right to travel alone,"

Ash blinks, before she smiles and nodded her head, “Sure! The more the merrier… and maybe you could teach me more about cooking? Or at least how to keep the ingredients inside the bowl,”

Brock laughs, his shoulders shaking, and quickly brought a hand up to wipe away the tears that had been forming in his eyes, “I think, with time and practice you’ll be able to do much more than keep the ingredients in the bowl,”

“Like not burning rice?” Ash asked with wide eyes, “Because one time when I was younger, I tried to make rice and I burned it,” unknowingly to Ash, Lance grimaces at this. Images flooding his head about the thought of a younger Ash trying to make dinner because his sister refused to feed her.

Brock nodded his head, “Yes, I’ll teach you how to not burn rice. So if you give me a day or two to get ready and say goodbye to my siblings, where will we be heading to next?”

“Cerulean City, so we will have to pass through Mount Moon,” Ash explains.

Brock nodded his head, folding his arms over his chest, “That means we will have to make a stop at the Pokemart,” when Ash tilted her head in question, Brock happily explained, “I help my Uncle Jasper and the museum scientists in Mount Moon. A lot of fossils are hidden deep within, and Mount Moon is the only place where one can find a Moon Stone. So we will need repels, unless you want to be attack by a hoard of Zubats,” Ash grimaces and shakes her head, “Potions and an Escape Rope in case we find ourselves in deep trouble that we can’t handle,”

Ash nodded her head, “You’re the expert in this Brock, so I’ll take your lead,” Lance smiles at this, glad to see that Ash was taking in good advice. He gently patted her shoulder, making Ash look up at him.

“I better start heading out… lots of paperwork to do,” he groans in dismay, “But remember, anything at all, you call me” he gently squeezes her shoulder in what Lance hope was encouragement, “And I wish you good luck on your Gym Challenge, you have great potential,”

Ash nodded her head, “Thanks… Uncle Lance. I promise… if I need anything at all, I will call dad and you,”