The Altered Path

Hey guys, this is my first Pokémon story. I will be doing my best to finish it but saying this updates won't be frequent due to work and college.

"Speech" - 'Thoughts'- 'Emphasis' - Dream –Telepathy -Legendaries.

Chapter 1 – A new beginning

In a small village close to the stronghold of the Kanto region lays Pallet town, therein lies a ten years old boy that would later be hailed as one of the greatest Pokémon trainers to ever live, in all multiverses regardless of what changed the ripple of time, his destiny to become the very best remained unchanged. The chosen child is one whom is a son, a friend and soon to be a Pokémon trainer known as Ash Ketchum.

'Hmmm Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur... Charizard, Blastoise or Venasaur... Who would suit me best?' After thinking of how would be best to decide his starter, Ash decided he would choose the one who fit his personality best 'I am reckless like a Charmander, restless like a Squirtle and ... nothing like a Bulbasaur. Guess that Bulbasaur out of the picture.'

This continued until the boy grew too drowsy to continue, allowing sleep to take over his conscious form.

Ash awoke from his slumber hitting his alarm clock whilst simultaneously rubbing his eyes to rid himself of his drowsiness. He glanced at the clock to see the figures 9:01 which meant he had around 2 hours to get to the professors lab to receive his starter Pokémon. Always one to be in a rush, Ash leapt out of his bed and dashed to the bathroom to freshen himself up. I mean even the greatest of trainers had to look good to keep up their image, well apart from Alder or that freak of a grandson of his Benga?Banjo?-well whatever called. You could tell they still didn't understand the importance of a shower. Well he(Ash) was never one to turn down a warm shower in the comforts of his home, especially since it may well be the last time he'll have a warm shower for possibly months!

Okay now he was procrastinating. Not good. He had important duties to get to. Like picking a Charmander, getting a kick-ass team, beating up bad guys, saving a princess, beating the gyms, beating the league, becoming champion... Erm becoming a blind vigilante?. Okay well not the last one, well the blind part anyway, because the acid to the eyes would maybe sting a little? Yep only a little. But hey if Daredevil can do it then why couldn't he? Oh Oh, or he could follow in Son Goku's steps and become the protector of the earth, become an eternal badass and marry a princess, albeit a temperamental princess but hey a princess is a princess. He had now found whos steps he would be following!

...

Damn it he was procrastinating again! Well no more. No more!

'I swear I just quoted Goku' Ash thought to himself.

DAMN IT ALL TO HELL. I GIVE UP.

Once Ash had finish his procrastinating thought process, his extremely long shower and his morning essentials, he went downstairs to greet his mother and have his last breakfast of sorts. Damn maybe all this time he was a disciple of Jesus(AS), nah that's not realistic.. Oh Oh, or maybe he's an incarnation of one of the disciples like sounds realistic right? And maybe he was sent to save the world from its sin... maybe a princess while he was at it... Okay the procrastination really needed to stop.

Ridding himself of his wayward thoughts Ash decided to speak to the one person who he could always rely on for comfort, his mother.

"G'Morning mom" Ash started. "What's to eat for breakfast today?"

"Oh Good morning sweetie, I've made you some chicken, rice and potato" Delia replied with a cheerful voice.

Ah, that was the voice of comfort. 'A voice I won't hear for some time'. Ash shook his head to clear himself of such negative thoughts. He could –and most definitely will- make time to see or speak to his mother every so often.

With that Ash made his way to his food, devouring it like some sort of Kirby incarnate. Got held back by his mother for a quick lecture about the rights and wrongs of being a trainer, like no stealing another trainers Pokémon, treat your Pokémon well etc. things a trainer ought to know –but Ash listened like he didn't, for this may be the last time he saw his mother in months. Got dressed, and lastly he made sure to double check his backpack for his equipments.

'Potions check. Pokéballs check. Journal check. Towns map check. Extra clothing checks. Extra running shoes check. Hmm is there anything missing?'

"Don't forget to take some extra undergarments mister! I will not have you wear the same pair all the time." Delia fumed.

"Aye mom" Ash quickly resounded.

"Now why don't you pack these pairs" Delia demanded (?) in a bitter sweet tone.

'Damn mom can be quite scary' Ash sweat dropped.

Ash looked at his watch to see how long he had left, only to find out he had 10minutes to get to the lab, which was on the other side of the town!

'Guess I'll have to run there damn it.' Ash kissed his mother goodbye as he went on his way to the lab.

Still panting, Ash pushed the lab door open to find no Professor Oak, no Pokémon, or anything for that matter waiting for him, well apart from his top researcher, Adam was it?

'Strange, I was told to be here for 11:00. Hmm I guess I'll just have ask Adam about the whereabouts on the Professor Oak.'

"Excuse me, Adam is it? Erm you wouldn't happen to know where the professor is would you?"

"Ah, Ash Ketchum, that's right it is Adam. The professor had me wait for you here to let you know he is at the Pokémon Ranch attending something important. The professor told me to have you make your way there to meet your new Pokémon; you see there was a shortage of starter Pokémon so the professor decided to give something equally as rare and powerful." The researcher then pushed his glasses up, to then continue his 'speech' of sorts "You should feel honoured. The professor is giving you quite possibly the best egg to ever hatch in this Ranch you know. This Pokémon is the descendant of the professor's most powerful Pokémon; one that had taken down more than half of the Elite 4 by itself! You better make the most of this opportunity, young trainer; don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Lucky you are, you shall soon learn this for yourself. "

The researcher then decided to guide Ash to the Pokémon Ranch, whilst fondly telling Ash of his own Pokémon journey, whilst Ash half hearted listened, whilst his brain went into mode overdrive, thinking of what super special Pokémon he would be receiving.

Once they arrived into the Ranch, Ash soon spotted Professor Oak, stood by his Arcanine, running tests on the poor Pokémon, rumours had it that the Tiger-striped Canine was very ill, some of the more extreme rumours that were floating around even went on to say the Canine may even get put down soon, due to some injury during the wars; apparently a stray bullet hit the Pokémon close to the brain, and till this day the bullet still hadn't been removed, for health related reasons, since even a minor error during the procedure could kill the Pokémon! Remembering these rumours Ash decided to let the professor be, and allow him to come when in his own timing. Hey patience was the key in life huh.

Whilst Ash remembered the promise he once made to himself. The one in which he promised that he would do everything in his power to help Pokémon and take care of his team when he grew old enough to have one, it was stories like this, that made Ash so determined.

Looking at his watch, Ash could see Gary had already had a 30minutes head start on his Pokémon journey. Screw patience, his own journey was calling to him.

As he was about to shout to gain the professors attention, the researcher beat him to it "Professor, I have brought the one you have requested for."

Oak turned to see his researcher stood at the entrance of the ranch with Delia's boy.

"Aah, thank you Adam, you can leave and return to your research if you wish." Oak smiled.

"If its fine with you professor, I would like to see off young Ash and his new Pokémon." The researcher fidgeted nervously.

"Ohohoh" Oak laughed out "No need to feel nervous asking. It's quite understandable you would want to stay. I'm still second guessing if this is the right decision to make and if I shouldn't just give young Ash here another Pokémon instead." Oak sighed out, allowing his facial feature to soften. 'But I won't break my promise to his father. I will continue to help young Ash and Delia every step of the way I can. '

"Professor, I don't mean to be rude, but could I have my Pokémon as soon as possible, the others have already got a head-start with their journeys." Ash blurted out.

"Hmm exactly like your father you are; stubborn, impatient and very ill-mannered." The old aged professor then let out a soft chuckle. "I guess it can't be helped. You are his child after all." The eldest of the three once again sighed letting his age and stress show on his face.

It is every grandfatherly figures duty to look out for their younglings; it is also their duty to help build their character into one they can take pride off so seeing the mortified expression on Ash's face; Oak put on his cheerful facade again.

"You're wrong young Trainer." Oak baited him, to help him stop his worrying.

"Wrong about what Professor?" Ash replied.

Thank God he took the bait. "About the others being ahead of you."

"How" Ash asked? Stated?

"That is easy to answer. You see, the Pokémon I am giving you hatched a month –give or take a few days- and has been vigorously been training with its parent ever since, whereas the others received newly hatched Pokémon and that's just one reason." Oak smiled. " Another is because the Pokémon I am giving you, hatched with moves it otherwise wouldn't have known, also known as egg moves."

Seeing Ash's shock, Oak decided to have some fun so he turned to his side, crossed his arm over his chest in a mock disinterested way, almost completely closing both eyes and continued. "But if you feel like I am being unfair, I could give you a Ratatta or Pikachu as your starter, OR we could always wait till next week for the delivery of the new set of starters." Oak finished.

Ash replied with something unintelligent, as the shock would allow his brain to process word to his gaping mouth. After letter what the professor ended with Ash swiftly countered the last statement so he could receive this supposedly super Pokémon.

Seeing Ash's futile attempts to come up with an intelligent argument the two older Trainers laughed, with Oak decided the joke was lost on Ash's side.

"When you argue so well, how can I turn around and say now" Oak let out, removing his hands from his chest, whilst completely opening his eyes. "Now before I introduce you to your Pokémon I believe I should be giving you this" Oak reached into his left pocket and then proceeded to take out the Pokédex, handing it over to Ash. "This is a Pokémon encyclopedia, also known as a Pokédex. With this, you can record data for every see; you can also see the moves the Pokémon you have caught have learnt. I am entrusting this to you like I have for the others who have gone ahead of you." Oak then walked over to Ash, putting a caring hand on his shoulder. "You know the last time I gave out a Pokédex before today was to your father, to Gary's and to your mother. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Oak spoke reminiscently.

Clasping his arm around the youngster he sees as a grandson; Oak walked Ash towards a waterfall in the Ranch; many water type Pokémon swam in the lake which lay at the foot of the waterfall.

"Hmm I wonder where they've gone off to; they were meditated around here somewhere." Oak rubbed his chin absentmindedly. "Aah there they are!" Oak pointed out.

Ash looked to where Oak was pointed to see the silhouettes of two Pokémon. One which he could guess was the parent Pokémon which was intimidating, its size dwarfing Oak's in its seated position! The Pokémon's skin tone olive, with dark brown shoulder and cat-like ears. The other, much smaller –but still impressive for one so young- figure Ash could only guess was the child; the one he'd be receiving. Its colouring was a touch lighter. It also had cat-like ears. That's odd; its shoulder pads are a different colour to its parent. They're pink.

Before Ash could speak out his question Oak spoke "It colouring is different to most of its tribe. This is known as a shiny Pokémon. That is what makes this Pokémon even more special." Oak reached into his right pocket and took out a deactivated Pokéball and gave the item to Ash. "This is the Pokéball in which you will carry your starter. Well when it is injured anyways." The Professor chuckled.

Confused Ash asked "Why only when it is injured? What about the rest of the time?"

"Well that's because some Pokémon prefer to stay out of their Pokéball, and your starter –just like you- decided to take after its father." Oak replied rather amused. "Now aren't you supposed to be in a hurry to catch up to the rest? Well what are you waiting for, greet your Pokémon, say your goodbyes and leave."

"It almost sounds like your trying to get rid of me." Ash said grimly.

"HAHAHA, maybe I am." Oak replied teasingly.

Ash walked up to the lake, his legs moving by themselves. It felt like something was calling to him. He could feel the intensity surrounding the two Pokémon he was walking towards, it was proof of how insignificant his power truly was. The closer he got the more the intensity grew. The intensity grew to such levels that Ash felt the contents of his stomach rise almost to his throat, and then just like that the pressure was gone, but with it came a voice. A voice he faintly remembered from his childhood visits to the Ranch.

"We have been awaiting your arrival Trainer. Now go fulfil your destiny child off The Prophecies for calamities are soon to arise; I can only hope my child can aid you in your path." A sagely voice spoke from within Ash's head. "Nope he cannot speak telepathically as of yet as he is one still young. But soon he shall be able." The voice answered Ash's unspoken question. Now this was freaky.

Ash though freaked out managed a nod at the intimidated, wise Pokémon and then turned to the smaller of the two and spoke "Erm, hello little guy. I guess you already know but I'm to be your new Trainer and would like for you to accompany me on my journey but before that I wish for it to be a mutual, in other words I won't agree to taking you unless you agree. So what do you say, do wish to accompany me?" Ash asked nervously.

The Pokémon made a subtle movement before his Parent spoke "He accepts your invitation to accompany. Farewell son, you know what to do." The smaller Pokémon then reached out for its Pokéball disappearing in a red flash. "Make sure to treat my son well as he wills you. Now begone young Trainer. You're interrupting my meditation."

Ash turned with both researchers and left the Ranch, bidding farewell the Pokémon to greet his entourage who awaited his departure.

"Make sure to call every so often from the PC's at the Pokémon Centres, also make sure you let us know of your progress. Don't become a stranger." The Pokémon professor said to Ash hugging the boy dearly before releasing him so his mother could get a word in.

"You make sure you ring me young man." *Sniffle* "Make sure you take care of your Pokémon but more importantly make sure you take care of yourself." *Sniffle* "Also make sure you shower daily, and make sure you change your underwear!" Delia cried out to her young son.

"Mom! You're embarrassing me!" Ash cried out, making all those who gathered around to laugh at the antics between both mother and son.

With that Ash turned and left on his journey. A journey filled with both fun and adventure. An adventure in which bonds will be made, trust will be broken. Adventures which will have our young hero see the world around him in a whole new light.

I hope you all liked my story. Do not worry Ash's Pokémon will be revealed in the next chapter, but I'm sure most of you can guess just what Pokémon is Ash's starter.

I won't be saying exactly how long till my next chapter, but hopefully within the next 2 weeks.

Please review, favourite and/or follow this story. The more I receive the more I'll feel motivated to write. Also any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated. So please leave a review.