The Quest to Become A Pokémon Master

Here is a new story from me. I have the two Pokémon stories which I am writing together. I think I will update the chapters for both two at a time. The second chapter won't be too long, and the other story won't be either. I will use shared ideas between them, so expect similarities. This one will go from Kanto, orange islands, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh then finish in Unova. Kalos and Alola don't exist in this world.

Pairings are not my specialty, however, Ash and Dawn will be a pairing, then I'm thinking maybe May with Ritchie, but there are a few others I'd consider. I'm not sure about Brock and Misty though.

Basically, this story is a re-write of Ash's journey of how it should be. Unova is a surprise, but he will win the Sinnoh league. He will catch a few more Pokémon.

If you like, I can put the teams at the start of the chapter.

"Ganger, Shadow Ball!" A brown-haired girl with a red dress said. Her name was Rowena. A Ganger uses shadow ball and hits its opponent, Onyx, square on the forehead. However, not before Onyx manages to release a deadly Rock Throw, which sends Ganger flying backwards. Both Pokémon are down, but the trainers urged them onto their feet.

"Get up, Ganger/Onyx!" Rowena/the other trainer James cried.

The battle continues on, with Ganger coming close and using Lick; Onyx quickly retaliated with iron tail. The Onyx repeats the attack until Ganger faints.

"And the winner of the 300th Indigo League Pokémon league is James Samson of Goldenrod City!" the announcer cried.

"Ash! You need to go to bed!" the voice of Delia Ketchum called from the next room.

Said Pokémon league match had been on TV, with a nine-year-old boy called Ash Ketchum, watching attentively. Ash is an eager boy about to become a Pokémon trainer, and the next day he would be able to become one and would become one. He was hopeful he would be competing in the 301st Indigo League in a year's time. Due to the closeness of the two regions, they were held at the same venue and the leagues were held every two years: Kanto one year-Johto the next.

Ash lived with his mother Delia in a very small town called Pallet Town, which was also home to the regions most, if not the world's most famous pokémon professor: Professor Samuel Oak. Tomorrow he would be giving Ash a Pokémon.

"But, mum! It is not even nine thirty yet!" Ash whined as his mother entered the room.

"You're going to become a Pokémon trainer tomorrow: you need a good's night rest! You can't have a good journey without it, and if you go to sleep now, it will seem less time until you start," his mum said sternly.

"Alright," Ash nodded begrudgingly. He slowly stood up and turned the TV off. Ash then walked upstairs to go to bed, muttering dark things under his breath. His mother came into his bedroom after he climbed into bed.

"Goodnight, Ash!" Delia said, kissing her son good night. Then she picked his alarm clock up. "I have set your clock. Do pancakes in the morning sound good?"
"Yeah, thanks, mum! Goodnight," Ash said.

"Night, Ash," Delia said, turning the light out before exiting the room.

Ash sighed: it would be hard to get to sleep! He was so excited, but if nothing else he would go to sleep from boredom.

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"Bring! Bring!" The alarm clock went off loudly.

"Wa! Augh!" Ash cried, sitting upright. He slowly moved over to turn the clock off. Ash then went to go back to sleep, but then he noticed the time, seven thirty exactly, and he remembered! Today was it! He was going to start his quest to become a Pokémon Master: the ultimate goal of most trainers competing in Pokémon Leagues.

To become a Pokémon Master, one needed to know everything and anything to do with Pokémon of all types. They also needed to compete in as many Pokémon Leagues as possible and winning one got you bonus points. He would also need to compete Pokémon Contests: he needed to win five ribbons, and get a top sixteen result in a grand festival. Ash thought he might do a few while travelling Hoenn.

Another activity needed to be done was competing in Pokéthelon. They were the creation of the Johto region, but apparently, they were starting to be held in Sinnoh now, too. Apart from that, a Pokémon master needed to have some kind of medical knowledge for caring for Pokémon. Other things are also required to know, but they are just some of the more time-consuming tasks needed to be done, including Pokémon Trials and one type contests. At the end when Ash has done all of that, he would get invited to compete in a tournament only held once every twenty years and entries only on the invitation, and all would get the title of Pokémon Master. There was a lot of work involved, but Ash thought it was worth it to achieve that dream.

Ash quickly jumped up and had a shower then got dressed, and grabbed his backpack before heading downstairs. As promised, his mother was in the kitchen, making pancakes. Ash was dressed in runners, blue pants, a black shirt, then a blue vest with white sleeves. To go with this, he had a green backpack with a normal coloured Pokéball on it, green gloves and a red and white cap.

It was a Pokémon League expo hat, which you had to send in a postcard to be in the chance to win. Ash sent in a lot of postcards: he honestly couldn't remember how many, but it would be above twenty. It paid off though, considering he now had the hat.
"Morning, honey," Delia said, smiling at Ash. Then she pointed to a pile of stuff at the end of the kitchen table, "There are some last-minute things for your backpack. Breakfast will be ready shortly, and don't forget your medicine: take them before you leave."
"Morning, mum! Okay," Ash nodded. He quickly went to take his medication, then he packed it in. As long as it didn't get too warm Ash could just keep it in his pack.
He opened up his backpack and started putting the items in, with the medication going in last. They included a pair of rubber gloves, some snacks, and lots of pairs of underwear. Ash couldn't help but go red at that: his mum and underwear! There were a few berries useful for healing Pokémon, which had been grown in the town. And some revives: so that's what his mother had brought when she went to Viridian the other day.
A little later, they were both sitting down to eat breakfast. "Do you have everything you need? Have you checked off everything in that checklist you wrote? Do you have that map I brought you?" his mother asked.

"Yes, mum!" Ash nodded, eating faster than a Lickitung. He fumbled with his fork and ended up dropping it.
"Slow down, sweetie! There is plenty of time!" Mrs Ketchum said, alarmed. Ash was normally alright; however, it was times like this his brain trauma would show itself and make him drop a fork or trip over.

"But I'm so excited! And I want to get there early, just to be sure. Leaf said she wanted Bulbasaur, and I think Gary wants Squirtle, but I wouldn't put it past him to decide to want Charmander, and either of them could change their minds," Ash said with his mouth full. He was also bouncing up and down.

"Ash Ketchum! How many times do I have to tell you?! Don't eat with your mouth full! And bouncing like that is a sure way to choke!" Ash's mother scolded.

"Sorry, mum!" Ash said.

Half an hour later, Ash was out the door and starting on his way to Professor Oak's lab. Even though it was a small town, the home of Professor Oak was just out of town, and Ash lived on the opposite side to the lab; it took seven to ten minutes to get there.

Most the houses were average size, whoever some of them had quite large gardens, and the main veggie source for Pallet and the surrounding areas were grown in the centre of town.

Just as Ash reached the steps to the lab, he heard someone call, "Wait up!"
Ash turned around to see one of the kids he had grown up with, running towards him. She had long loose brown hair, blue eyes, white and pink runners with knee-length blue socks. She had a red skirt which was between knee length and mini-skirt length, a light blue shirt, red backpack, and finally a white hat with a red pokéball on it. Her name was Leaf Green.

After the disappearance of Ash's father, Leaf's mother Donna had helped Delia with the grief and looking after Ash, which resulted in the two becoming good friends, which had been nice when Gary, Ash's past best friend turned into a complete jerk.

"Hi, Leaf!" Ash said, waving.
"Hi: Gary is going to be disappointed: he was expecting you to sleep in," Leaf said, giggling slightly.

"Well, my mum did everything to make sure I'd be up on time," Ash said, tensing slightly at Gary's name.

The three kids had been friends since a young age, however, as they got older, Gary started to get unlikeable, and he and Ash were now always at each other's throats if they choose to stick around when the other turned up. After his accident, as his mother called it, (by the way, Ash had no memory of it,) Gary started belittling him, and their heated rivalry was set in stone.

It started with Ash being immature. Then it moved onto the fact he struggled to remember things, and then the fact Ash had to basically re-learn everything from walking to learning about Pokémon. He struggled with learning: he would forget things like the names and moves.

Ash had no idea what happened that day, and no one would tell him. What he did know, is he struggled to remember some of the things that occurred beforehand and compared to other kids his age, he was much more immature and he had to re-learn EVERYTHING! As a result, he was much immature and slower than the other kids of Pallet, and Gary teased and sometimes even bullied him because of it.

"Shall we walk up together?" Leaf said, breaking Ash out of his musings.

"Yeah, lets," Ash nodded excitedly, and the soon-to-be Pokémon trainers walked up the stairs.

They walked up the rather steep stairs, then they were at the Professor's front door. As Ash went to knock, Leaf shook her head and said, "Don't: he's expecting us and probably wouldn't hear anyway, you know how deaf he can be."
Ash nodded, and instead opened the door before making way for Leaf to go through: now Ash thought about it, Professor Oak had said that the last time they met. With Leaf in the lead, they walked inside the Professor's house to the upstairs floor. From there, they kept walking until they found another staircase which went up to the lab.

Professor Oak had several labs scattered in varies different spots of his property, and this was just the one they had been asked to collect their Pokémon from. Ash and Leaf entered the right on nine twenty, right on the agreed time. Gary was already here, and he looked shocked to see Ash.

"So, Ashy boy's here on time: that's a surprise," Gary said dismissively.
As Ash opened his mouth to make a retort, Professor Oak started speaking. "Gary, be nice. Your all starting today, so could you just be nice for the next hour? You too, Ash," Professor Oak said sternly.

"Yes, professor/gramps," both boys nodded.

"Right, let's hurry along, as an older boy is coming today, and I want to send you guys off before he arrives. So, as you know, we have the three Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander. They are just on this table over here," Professor Oak said, walking to the far side of the room where there were three Pokéballs in a row. On it with the three Pokémon, were four Pokédexes. The three kids and the professor gathered around.

"So, who wants to go first?" Professor Oak asked.

"I think Leaf should go first," Ash said.

"Ladies first and all that," Gary begrudgingly nodded. He didn't like agreeing with Ash, but he did think Leaf should go first.

"Thanks," Leaf said, stepping forward.

"Now, Leaf: here is Bulbasaur the grass poison-type: she is a female, she has the moves Tackle, Vine Whip and Growl. Then there's Charmander the fire-type: he's a male, and knows Scratch, Ember and Growl. Then last there's Squirtle the water-type: he is also a male, and knows, Tackle, Tail Whip and Water Gun," Professor Oak said, throwing the Pokéballs of the three Pokémon to release them.

"Bulba!"
"Char!"
"Squirt!" the three starters cried as they were released. The three looked around, then spotted the three soon-to-be trainers, and looked with interest. Squirtle seemed to be the boldest of the group, going up and examining all three of them. Bulbasaur was quite shy: she just stayed on her spot, looking a little nervous: she even hid behind the professor briefly at the start. Charmander was very sweet natured, but not quite as bold as Squirtle, and didn't go that close, but he did go basically right up to them.

"These three are fairly friendly Pokémon: they will get friendlier and more used to you as time goes on. These are some of the gentlest and easy-going specimens of Pokémon around, which is why they're my starters for trainers like you," Professor Oak said.
"I thought Squirtle and Charmander wouldn't be able to learn Water Gun and Ember until they were a little more on with the training," Gary commented.

"Yes, however sometimes you can breed them to have moves different from their normal move set at birth, and that's what the case is here. Some years I have had a starter Charmander know Dragon Rage and a Squirtle Ice Beam," Professor Oak said.

"Why's that, professor?" Ash asked.

"That's just how it works. No one has quite been able to work out which moves the offspring will know, but there is a general belief they will know certain moves. We do not, however, understand why they are sometimes born with really exciting moves. Lapras is a fine example: a lot of breeders say that they have had them born knowing surf, thunderbolt, psychic and ice beam among others. Pokémon breeding is always surprising!" Professor Oak said.

"Sure, does sound it," Ash and Gary nodded.

"Ah. Right, I should make a decision about which one I want: they're all so lovely though!" Leaf said, looking between the three starters. Then Leaf said, "I think I might go with my original choice: Bulbasaur."
"Bulba?" Bulbasaur said, approaching Leaf slowly.

"What do you say? Wanna come with me?" Leaf asked, kneeling down and holding her hand out.

"Bul!" Bulbasaur nodded.

"Right! Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Leaf said, gently picking Bulbasaur up.

"Here is her Pokéball, and your Pokédex," Professor Oak said, handing Leaf a Pokéball and an object that was easily identifiable as the Kanto Pokédex.
"Thanks, professor!" Leaf said smiling broadly.

"Now, who's next?" Professor Oak asked.

"I'll go last, professor," Ash said, believing it would be easier. He could also make sure Gary wouldn't pull the guilt trick of wanting the starter Ash to choose.

"So, which one will your choice, Gary?" professor Oak asked as Gary came up to the two starters. Leaf had opened her Pokédex and was now registering her starter, and probably scanning Squirtle and Charmander right after.

"That's easy, gramps! I choose, Squirtle!" Gary said, picking Squirtle up. Squirtle seemed to be really happy about this.

"Well, here you go, your Pokédex and Squirtle's Pokéball," the professor said, handing Gary a Pokéball and Pokédex.

"Thanks, Gramps," Gary said. Then he too opened his Pokédex.

"Right, Ash: it looks like this Charmander is yours," Professor Oak said as Ash walked up.

"That's fine, thanks: I wanted Charmander anyway," Ash said. Charmander looked at Ash with curious eyes.

Then it cried, "Char!" and approached Ash.

"It is interesting how these three seem truly taken by you guys. It is almost as if you were fated this way," Professor Oak remarked.

"Thank you, professor," Ash nodded. Then he asked Charmander, "You alright coming with me?"
"Cha," the fire Pokémon nodded.

"Well then, I choose you, Charmander!" Ash said, picking his first Pokémon up like the other two had.

As Ash went on to tell Charmander what a great team they were going to be, Gary exclaimed, "Grandpa! My name's not Damien! I know you have trouble with my name, but the Pokédex even as a picture in it of the trainer it belongs to! So, there's no excuse!" Ash sniggered.

"Oh, sorry, Gary: looks like I gave you the Pokédex for the boy from Saffron who is coming sometime this morning. That reminds me, I don't have a normal starter Pokémon for him: all well, I will find something. Hold on," Professor Oak said, quickly looking at the other two Pokédexes. He handed one to Ash, then said, "Here's yours, Gary."

"Thanks," Ash nodded.
"Thanks," Gary sighed, handing Damien's back. Meanwhile, Ash had been registering the three starters.

"Right, here are six Pokéballs each: you all know the rule of carrying up to six, and Pokémon caught above that get sent back here," Professor Oak said, bending down to underneath where the Pokémon had been and pulling out six. He handed those to Leaf, then he got another six for Ash and Gary.

"We're all set to start!" Leaf exclaimed excitedly.

"Are there any questions?" Professor Oak asked.

"No, Professor," the three shook their heads.

"Great: you guys can get going. Keep an eye out for Team Rocket: they went underground a few years back, but they seemed to have come back. We are still finding information about what exactly they are doing, but please keep away from them, as they have tried to steal people's pokémon. The main ones to look out for are: Jessie, James, Butch and Cassidy," Professor Oak nodded. "By the time you reach the next town, your names will be in the Pokémon League database."

"Thank you, and bye! We will," the three said. Before they moved though, the Professor spoke again.

"The Pokédex has both Johto and Kanto Pokémon in it, and it has all the moves your Pokémon learn and be taught in it, as well as extensive information and tips on the various species and how to train them. Take full advantage, please. Now, goodbye!" Professor Oak said quickly. They all thanked the Professor and nodded, then they tried to leave again, but the Professor stopped them again.

"Wait! Now, you guys know the basics about evolution, correct? Most grow up and evolve, some evolve nearby certain rocks or places with a lot of electrical charges. Then some need to know moves and stones," Professor Oak said quickly.

"We did know," Leaf said.

"But thanks anyway," Ash said.

"Now, good luck: A year and a half to the next Kanto League," Professor Oak said, and the three trainers nodded.

Right then, a blue-haired boy with dark eyes who at first glance looked about fourteen, but then Ash quickly realised he was closer to twelve then fourteen. He was with two adults who looked very similar.

"Ah, Damien Foster and Mr and Mrs Foster," Professor Oak said smiling. "You three, this is Damien Foster, and his parents Mr and Mrs Foster. Foster family, this is Leaf Green, my grandson, Gary Oak, and Ash Ketchum: they are starting their journey today also."
"Nice to meet you," Mrs Foster nodded.

"Yes, very nice. We are so glad our son as some people to start his journey with," Mr Foster said.

"Honestly, what a set of pathetic kids: couldn't you have found them better ones?!" Damien sneered.

"Why you!" Ash and Gary growled.

"Damien!" Mrs Foster hissed.

"Gary! Ash!" Professor Oak and Leaf warned.

"Now, we will let Leaf, Ash and Gary get on their way: you three wait here, and I will get you some Pokémon to choose from, Damien," Professor Oak said.

"Bye, Professor!" Leaf, Gary and Ash said, then they hurried out while Professor Oak left to get Damien pokémon.

Halfway to the exit of Professor Oak's home, they split up with Gary. "Well, smell you later, Ash! Bye, Leaf! I will be sure to battle you both next time we meet: try to train and catch Pokémon so you're not too easy to beat!" Gary said, waving.

"Don't be too sure, Gary! I will be laughing when I defeat you without breaking a sweat!" Leaf challenged. Then Gary ran off to go and get the car he had been bragging about.

"That Gary!" Ash cried angrily. If it were possible, Leaf was sure Ash would be steaming with anger.

"Ash, don't let him get to you," Leaf said, trying not to giggle.

They continued out of the building. "That Damien was horrible! He looked so old, too!" Leaf exclaimed as they walked down the stairs just outside the Oak residence.

"Sure did: he looked about fourteen, didn't he? But I get the impression he must be younger than that, not certainly not ten-years-old. He was so unpleasant Gary actually seems like a sweet kid. Where are you off to now, Leaf?" Ash asked.

"I am going to show mum my Bulbasaur, then head to Viridian City. What about you?" Leaf asked.

"I am going to head out now and challenge the gym there as soon as possible!" Ash said, jumping up. He added quickly, remembering what people said about the Viridian gym, "The Pewter City one I mean!"

When they were down the bottom of the stairs, Ash said, "When we next meet up, let's battle!"
"That I can agree to. Until then, safe travels, Ash!" Leaf nodded.

"You too, Leaf!" Ash said, walking in the opposite direction.

Ash and Charmander walked through Pallet until they reached his home. His mother was just outside, looking as though she was waiting for Ash. Ash was surprised: but maybe she wanted to see Ash just before they left.

"You got Charmander?" his mother asked, coming out of the garden and onto the road.

"Yep. Charmander, this is my mum," Ash said.

"Char!" Charmander said.

"Oh, aren't you cute!" Delia cried, bending down and giving Charmander a little pat. "You look after Ash, okay?"

"Char!" Charmander nodded.

"And, Ash: you look after Charmander," Ash's mother said, standing up.

"Sure, mum," Ash nodded.

"Well, see you, sweetie!" she said, pulling Ash into a hug.
"Wha! Mum!" Ash cried. But he did hug her back. Charmander sniggered.

"Good luck!" his mother said, releasing him.

"Thanks, mum! I'll call as soon as I reach the next town!" Ash nodded.

"Great! I look forward to it. Don't forget to-" Delia nodded.

"Yes mum, I won't! Right, come on, Charmander!" Ash said, not letting his mother finish the sentence. Then he looked at Charmander. Charmander nodded, then the two ran off toward where Viridian City was, with Ash stumbling a couple of times; he even fell over.

Ash wanted to get out of the town before Gary drove past in his stupid car. While cars went on a different track between the towns to the trainers on foot, bikes and Pokémon. Ash still had a good chance of meeting him before entering route 1, which he really didn't want to do.

This world the four starting are: Damien, Leaf, Gary and Ash. One question for everyone: Would you prefer the regions in separate stories? I have most the story planned out, so suggest things if you like, however, depending on what they are might depend on what I decide to add.

I have a reason for Ash's immatureness. To not give too much away, there was an incident which gave Ash brain trauma, and Gary to become distance. It probably happened when they were about six.

There will be aura.