Til the Sun Sets

Summary: He wasn't devastated. No, he was much too pissed for that. Who did that cheating ass think he was. But he wasn't hung up over it, just a little sad that he disappointed his Pokemon so much. Not that they see it like he does. They went up against Legendaries and their regular Pokemon team came up on top, even if they did lose. And they were proud of their trainer even if he couldn't see it himself.

Ash's whole life was about battling, traveling, getting stronger and not once did he think to have fun. And after that horrible lose to Tobias (cheater) at the Sinnoh Leagues, he decided, "Why the hell not?" Gym Battles, Contest Competitions, Random Team Rocket Appearances. He was going to have fun, even if it killed him. Slash. Oblivious Ash.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

"Pikachu, thunder."

"Pika! Chu!"

A flash of white lightning arched through the air, shards of rock and dirt flying through the air as the attack hit the ground. Dust fluttered around the otherwise empty field, dispersing to show a hole five-feet deep and about eleven inches in diameter.

A small mouse-like Pokemon flashed into existence then, a pleased smile crossing his face at his successful attack. "Not as small as I was going for, but for a four hour training session, this is actually kind of good." He commented to his trainer.

Ash swung down from his perch in a nearby tree - close enough where he could see the end result - and jogged up next to his Starter Pokemon.

He cocked his head to the side, analyzing the finishing move with a critical eye. "The ends are a little jagged, so a little more heat to that thunder and it'll be a clear circle, condense the power to bit more to get the hole to our ten-inch goal and arch the lightning a little more so it'll hit straight down instead of at an angle."

Each assessment sent a small arrow through the Pikachu's chest, the yellow-mouse ending up on the ground with over-dramatic tears falling from round eyes. "Why do you have to be so harsh Ash, I thought I was doing good too."

Brown eyes crinkled to show amusement, "It was just an honest appraisal buddy, don't get so down." Scooping up his Pokemon, Ash grinned even as a Pikachu used spark as punishment for being so critical. It didn't really hurt, it actually felt as light as poke to him. "You did very well considering when we started the hole was about two-feet deep and ten-feet in diameter. That just means your electric-attacks will be all the more powerful."

And that pleased feeling was back. "You think I'll be able to send Team Rocket flying with one attack now?"

Ash chuckled, "That's what you're worried about? I'm pretty sure you could've done that when we were going through Kanto. They just cheated with all their giant robots. Seriously, I don't understand why we freaked out so much on-" He deepened his voice to sound suitably amazed, "Giant Pokemon Island, considering how many Team Rocket had."

Pikachu just shrugged climbing up Ash's arm to perch delicately on top soft, spiky hair. "Maybe it was because, oh I don't know, you lost all your Pokemon and we we were just attacked by a hoard of Gyarados'?"

"Hey, there's no need for unnecessary sarcasm." Ash protested, heading back towards camp. "I was merely a young, foolish child back then."

"And that changed?" This time the playful insult came from a meditating Noctowl - beautiful, tawny feathers marking the owl-Pokemon as a 'shiny' - dark eyes glowing a transparent blue as he used protect to keep the camp from being robbed.

Ash pouted, "Noctowl." He gave a Growlithe-like whine, eyes wide and hurt.

Not one of his Pokemon bought it, both laughing at the pitiable expression on Ash's face. "Hmph." He crossed his arms and looked away, sulky pout ruined by twitching lips. "If I knew you were going to gang up me, I would've brought Pidgeot instead. She loves me." The 'unlike you two' wasn't said but it was heard, causing both Pokemon to laugh even louder.

Finally with a graceful defeat, Ash gave in, laughing along with his Pokemon. It's been a while since he's been able to do so and it brought happy smiles to both Pikachu and Noctowl.

They were in Hoenn at the moment, just a little into Petalburg Woods really, and it was the first time Ash had allowed his old Pokemon to tag along for an adventure. Pikachu had noticed, after Ash's lose to Tobias - the Sinnoh Cheater (as all of Ash's Pokemon has dubbed him. Damned trainer using Legendaries. How would he feel if Ash showed up with all Legendaries he befriended) - that his Trainer had grown more pensive, almost always lost in thought with a frown on his face.

So it was a relief to see Ash getting better, if only bit by bit.

"So what's the game-plan?" The mouse-pokemon questioned, jumping from Ash's unfairly soft hair to land next to a bowl of Pokemon Food topped with a butt-load of ketchup. "Noctowl can now hold Protect for hours on end and I can put a ten-inch hole through tree bark."

Ash coughed at the ten-inch part, deliberately ignoring the irritated look his cute Pikachu sent him and the muttered, 'I'm off an inch, get over it.' instead, he grinned and eyed the Team Rocket Grunts that were asleep (courtesy of a Hypnosis from Noctowl) after trying to go after the shiny owl-pokemon.

"We could take these idiots to Officer Jenny or..." He withdrew a Pokeball from his belt and held it temptingly in front of two amused Pokemon.

"That's cruel and unusual... do it." Noctowl was feeling particularly vicious, especially when he heard what those dumb-asses were going to do with him when they stole him. 'Taking my feathers is one thing, using for idiotic purposes such as decoration.' He shook his head and scoffed. 'Ash should do it.' He repeated inwardly.

Ash's grin was decidedly scary as he released a large, fire-breathing dragon. "Graaaaawr!"

"Charizard!"

"Hey there Lizard-breath, long time no see."

"Charizard, a pleasure."

"Rat, Owl... my human."

Charizard's long neck came down so he could nuzzle Ash's cheek, relishing in his trainer's presence for the first time in months. Soft hair tickled his muzzle and a slim hand stroked reptilian skin. "It's been a while now, huh?" Charizard growled at the understatement. He had been waiting patiently for his trainer to come back to his senses and call him back, only to see his trainer on the battlefield without anytime to just relax.

"It has, and I did not like it."

And before anyone could do anything, Charizard's mouth opened to flamethrower Ash directly in the face. "That was for forgetting about me and leaving me with that crackpot old man."

A flash of aura and Ash was still smelling a bit burnt, but was otherwise unharmed. "Aw, I am sorry Charizard, I didn't mean to, but Prof. Oak wasn't that bad, was he?"

"He poked and he prodded and I nearly burned down his lab."

"Nearly?"

"... He's alive... after a couple of burn heals were applied."

Pikachu leaped up to snuggle into Ash's hair once more, black eyes on the unrepentant Charizard. "At least you're here?"

Noctowl fluttered closer, "Ash also brought Totodile, Muk and Larvitar is asleep in Ash's bag."

Charizard grimaced at the thought of the over-affectionate sludge-pokemon who left its smell everywhere it went especially when it smothered Ash. None of Ash's Pokemon would go near their trainer for a week straight because of the sewer smell. "Don't worry Charizard, I've aura now, Muk can hug me all he wants and I won't smell." Meaning he'll put up an aura-barrier around himself so none of the sludge gets on.

"I suppose that's fine." Was the fire-type's uppity response.

"Now, for the reason I called you out." Totally disregarding Charizard's, 'you need a reason?' and continued. "These pea-brains thought they could steal Noctowl," He gestured to the two Rocket Grunts. "and were caught in his hypnosis. So we needed you to take part in our punishment."

Pikachu took over, "They're going to play chicken,"

Noctowl's beak curved in a devious smirk. "Except they will playing with the ground."

"Put us down, dammit!"

"We're part of Team Rocket! The World's Most Deadliest Group in the all Regions!"

"You heard them Charizard, put them down."

"Grawwwr!"

"We're sorry, we're sorry!"

"Ahhh! Pick up back, pick us back up!"

Ash looked down from his perch on Charizard's back, exchanging amused looks with Pikachu. "I don't know, they were kind of rude. Calling you a rat with color problems and Noctowl an overgrown bird with ugly feathers. Not to mention insulting Charizard."

"Let 'em drop."

"That's kind of mean though Pikachu. They did apologize."

"Ahhhh!"

"Their screaming is annoying." Noctowl flew down, using a weak-powered gust to keep the Rocket Grunts afloat. For all of a second, their screams of terror stopped, then the stupid one had to open his mouth. "Now take us down bird, we'll get you and your trainer later! That boy will learn not to mess with his betters." Noctowl's eyes turned darkened brown

No one threatened Ash when he was around.

"All right." Catching both in his talons, Noctowl aimed downwards. And instead of slowing, he gained speed. Aerial Ace.

"AHHH! I'M SORRY! I WON'T THREATEN YOUR TRAINER, WE'LL FORGET ALL ABOUT THIS! OH GOD! WE'LL TURN OURSELVES IN! DON'T TURN US INTO PANCAKES!"

Ash and Pikachu giggled behind their hands (paws), watching as Noctowl played with the two, throwing them into the air with a powerful swipe of his claws before catching them just before they hit the treeline.

Ash couldn't here what they were screaming, but it most have been something stupid if Noctowl was that pissed-off. The owl-pokemon was usually very calm and docile.

Charizard huffed, "They threatened you, my human." As if it was the most obvious thing in the world. And to Charizard it was. Why else would Ash's Pokemon get so worked up?

"Really?" The confusion on his cute face was endearing. It was disappointment Pikachu and Charizard was feeling a second later when it cleared. "That's nice of him, but I think we should stop before the two wet their pants. They're already crying."

"... Noctowl, chuu!" A flash of spark got the owl-pokemon's attention and in quick second, Noctowl floated lazily alongside the fire-type, holding two unconscious Rocket Grunts.

"Oh, are we finished already?" The way he asked it was comparable to a, "How was your day?"

Ash smiled and stroked a hand down sleek feathers, something warming in his heart at the answering coo of pleasure. "Yeah, we'll drop them off in front of the Police Center with a note on what they were doing and then we'll take off for Lilicove City to restock on supplies. Anyone have something they wanna do? Totodile wants to visit Mossdeep City to play on the beaches and Muk is fine with whatever. Larvitar is still a child yet, so he won't wake up for a while."

Pikachu was slightly hesitant with his request, "Well, there's a contest in Lilicove right now, right?" Ash immediately knew where his Starter was going with this and grinned. "You wanna enter?"

Noctowl butted in with his own two cents, "I would like to as well. You and the other two girls - blue-hair and that red-bandana was always raving about it. Pikachu had enjoyed himself and I wouldn't deny curiosity."

Charizard, on the other hand, scoffed. "And what's so fun about some sissy competition? I would like to visit Sootopolis, the Rat told me how foolish the Leader there was-"

"I did not! All I said was he was foolish for trying to throw electric-moves back at me."

Charizard continued as if he didn't hear him, "And that the Seelio was powerful with flashy moves."

"You're just jealous your moves are only half as great as Juan's."

"And you, Rat, are trying to make up for your lack of power with a contest front."

Before either of his Pokemon could get into a fight, Ash calmed both down, "We can do both. Contest with a Gym Battle later on. We could also battle the Gym Leaders on Mossdeep, they were a bitch to defeat. Like worse versions of Sabrina... or if Sabrina had a twin." He shivered at the thought.

Pikachu agreed.

"Well... how about if we start over instead of skipping around?" Noctowl interjected, looking a bit apprehensive. "I mean, it's been four months since we've done any intense battling. Training can only take you so far... plus I miss the adventure."

Ash blinked. "That actually sounds much more fun... but everyone already knows me... so how about a new identity? One who no one knows and we can wander in peace without any outside interference."

There silence...

"So contests and gyms? Are we going to be another Nando?"

"I guess, anyone have a name I can use?"

Pikachu answered with a smirk, "Tom Ato?"

Ash turned as red as his former namesake. "Shut up! It was one time!"

"Tom?" Was from Noctowl. "We could use the first name."

"Do you need a last name? Pokemon only have firsts."

Ash thought about it, "Well yeah. I guess Tom is fine for now. We can think of another name later. Now, onwards to Rustboro City and my debut as Tom, the trainer and coordinator!"

This story is literally Ash (Tom) going around and restarting his journey, though he will use his old Pokemon and catch new ones. If you guys have any prompts, I'll try and fit it in. This story is just for fun, I really just wanted to make a Pokemon Fic which contained Gym Battles and Contests.

Also if you guys have any other names beside Tom (first and last) I'll be happy to take a look and choose which ones I like the best.

Aura Usage:

- Talk to Pokemon (Will expand more later on in story)

- Use Aura as a Barrier

- Use in Attacks

- Use in Enhancing Body