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REBORN DARK PHOENIX PROUDLY PRESENTS

RISE OF A MASTER: DIAMOND & PEARL

Key:

"Human Speech/PokéSpeak"

'Thought'

Chapter 1: Something to Think About (V2)

5:57 PM Kanto/Johto Time. 4 April, Tues.

"We beat the Battle Frontier."

This was something that, before today, no Trainer in the Kanto Region could say to others. The Kanto Battle Frontier, a challenge even more tedious than the Kanto Pokémon League Gym Challenge, was something only the best of Trainers ever had a chance at being offered to challenge. From those few Trainers, fewer still ever got to come face to face with its most powerful Frontier Brain, Pyramid King Brandon...let alone beat him. Indeed, to be able to say that one had taken on and beaten the Kanto Battle Frontier was truly something to marvel at. But of course, no Trainer could ever say those words.

Ash Ketchum, however, had done just that.

The 14 year old had made history by becoming the first Trainer ever to defeat the Kanto Battle Frontier. The fact that he was so young made it even more of an accomplishment. Brandon was the most powerful of all the Frontier Brains, and that was just without his arsenal of Legendaries: Regirock, Regice & Registeel. With these three, he was even more powerful. But that hadn't stopped Ash from being determined to defeat Brandon and win his final symbol. And through his perseverance, he had finally accomplished his goal.

The battle was truly one of titanic proportions as Pikachu unleashed everything inside him to bring down that Regice. To the shock of everyone present, he had actually matched it blow for blow as the reinforced battlefield shook and broke beneath their feet. Indeed, Pikachu had wowed his Trainer when he used the most powerful Volt Tackle he could muster, drawing upon all his electric power. Regice had never stood a chance, even as science and logic dictated the exact opposite. It was clear that Pikachu had surpassed his natural limits & was now on a level of power like never before, matching the level of Charizard in terms of power, it seemed. Being able to face a Legendary and even defeating it, how couldn't he?

After that battle, that victory, Ash had been ecstatic. He and Pikachu felt as if they could take on the world. They were sure they could. After all, they had beaten the Kanto Battle Frontier!

And yet, none of that mattered at this moment.

Ash knelt there, on his side of the makeshift battlefield, staring in shock at the fainted form of Pikachu, courtesy of Gary Oak's Electivire, a Pokémon he had never encountered before.

"Pikachu...I'm so sorry," the 14 year old boy said softly to his faithful Starter, holding him gently. "I really thought we could win."

"Pika..." the Electric Type replied with a smile, slowly nodding.

Confusion filled Ash's mind. He had just defeated one of the most powerful Trainers in all of Kanto, and he had beaten a Legendary, all just a few days ago. Gary, meanwhile, hadn't been a fully active Trainer in almost two years. So, how could they have lost? Pikachu had the power, so...was it him? Did he mess up as a Trainer in that battle?

Pikachu's own thoughts mirrored Ash's; he himself was shocked beyond belief. Just mere days ago, he had defeated one of the most powerful Pokémon in existence: a Legendary, Regice! Ever since that day, he had felt how much stronger he had become, the results of the intense training that he had with Ash and his pals Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charizard, not counting the last four years of training and battling alongside Ash. He felt the power and strength inside him...so why did he fail in this battle, and against another Electric Type?

"Hey, Ash."

Ash and Pikachu looked to see Gary Oak walking up to them, having already returned his Electivire. The teen had changed some since they had said goodbye after the Silver Conference almost two years ago. He looked a bit older than he really was, and had that slight air of wisdom. Gary looked at his fellow Pallet Trainer with narrowed eyes contemplating his next words. He could tell that Ash had grown as a person and Trainer, if mentoring that girl May he had been travelling with was any indication, according to his Gramps.

Gary stilled noticed some flaws that needed to be worked on, though, in both areas. He had thought that they would've been handled by maturity & growth, but it seemed not. Not only that, Pikachu had appeared to be struggling in their battle; the small Mouse Pokémon that had felled a Legendary with new power & strength appeared to be struggling to maintain his newfound abilities. It seemed that Ash was simply going on power, and didn't think to train Pikachu in adjusting to his new power.

Gary knew that Ash was rash and overconfident, and it had hurt him many times before. Ash was his friend, though, and as his friend, he had to point him in the right direction.

"It's great that you won the Battle Frontier," Gary said as he approached Ash & Pikachu. "But that doesn't mean you can relax. There are all sorts of tough Pokémon in Sinnoh that you don't even know about yet; believe me. And there are even tougher Trainers out there, too. Some just as strong as the Frontier Brains...maybe even stronger. You can't think that just because you beat a Legendary that you're unbeatable now. Pikachu may have had the strength to battle Regice head to head, and he might still retain that new power, but in our battle...it looked as if he was struggling to maintain it. To keep a hold of that kind of power, you both have to train & focus it, so that Pikachu gets used to it and can use it whenever. But you just assumed that because you beat a Legendary, you would automatically win. It's because of that overconfidence that Electivire & I beat you. The world is a big place...and overconfidence and rashness won't get you anywhere in it."

Ash stared at his old rival, soaking in his words before looking down at Pikachu. He found that there was nothing he could say in response.

His piece said, Gary voiced his return to Sinnoh. After promising Professor Oak on a progress report as soon as possible once he returned, the young researcher said goodbye to him, Tracy and Delia Ketchum. Turning to leave, he spared one final glance at Ash, who was still knelt down on the ground, staring intently at Pikachu. Gary sighed internally, hoping Ash had listened to what he had said.

'I hope you take what I said to heart, Ashy-Boy,' he thought to himself. With that, Gary Oak left the Lab grounds, off on his way.

Tracy, Oak and Delia watched the retreating form of Gary for a few seconds more before turning back to Ash. He was now looking off in the direction that Gary had left in, Pikachu still in his arms and still kneeling on the ground. A mess of conflicting thoughts and emotions were swarming through his mind, and the young teen had no idea what to think at all in this situation. Everything that Gary had told him was stuck in his mind now, and the more he repeated those words in his head, the more he thought on them, the more Ash Ketchum realized something.

"Tough Pokémon...and tough Trainers, huh?" Ash said to himself, but just loud enough for his mother, Tracy and Professor Oak to hear. "The world's...a big place, huh?"

Delia looked at her son, her eyes shining with concern for moments before a smile crept onto her face. For as long as her little Ash had been a Pokémon Trainer, she had learned one thing about him: whenever confronted with a challenge, he would meet it head on, no matter what. That was just how Ash was. He was determined to prove he was a great Trainer, one of the best and capable of becoming a Pokémon Master. It was a fire that burned inside of him, never to be quenched or put out. And in this moment, Delia was reminded of when Ash had decided to depart to Hoenn, when he had that fire burning inside of him. It drove him to journey and discover new lands and new Pokémon. Delia knew, even if it meant he would be gone the very next day and she wouldn't see her baby for yet another long time, that this same fire would drive him to journey to yet another region and meet even more new people & Pokémon.

"Am I...are we ready for that?"

...

Delia Ketchum blinked in surprise. She didn't expect to hear that.

Without a word, Ash stood up with Pikachu in his arms and with one final glance in the direction that Gary has walked off in, he began walking off. Pikachu, sensing that they wouldn't be heading home just yet, jumped up out of his arms and onto his normal perch on his Trainer's shoulders.

"Ash, where are you going?" Delia called after him, concerned and worried about her son.

"For a walk," Ash replied vaguely. "I just...I just need to be alone right now."

"Ash-" his mother tried again as she attempted to follow him, but she was stopped by Professor Oak.

"Let him go, Delia," the Professor replied with a nod of his head. "He has a number of things he needs to think about now, after what Gary told him. Ash has reached a fork in his life's path and he must now choose where & how to go on from here. This is the first step of the rest of his journey, and it's in his hands. He needs to do this alone, though, Delia. We can only hope he makes the right decision."

Delia made to reply, but seeing Oak's expression, she sighed and nodded. She watched as her son walked off, while Oak did the same but with more critical eyes. The Professor knew that what his grandson had told the boy was true: Ash did rely too much on the high, pride and adrenaline rush of a recent major victory in a battle, such as the one that had just transpired, and his overconfidence & rashness would always cost him. The Professor knew it would take something like this to make Ash see it. Now that such a thing had finally happened, it was all up to Ash what he would do as a result.

'You need this, my boy,' Oak thought as he, Delia and Tracy watched Ash's slow retreating form. 'I know you'll make the right choices for yourself, and your Pokémon.'

10:16 PM Kanto/Johto Time. 4 April, Tues.

Ash and Pikachu found themselves sitting on a branch high up, staring up in the night sky, taking in the glittering stars. After walking for a good hour through Pallet Town and out onto Route 1, Ash had suddenly climbed this tree and simply sat there staring into the sky, well into the night.

In all that time, Ash had been replaying Gary's words over and over in his mind. Gary had told him how overconfident he had been, how he had been still carrying himself on the momentum of his victory over Brandon and the Battle Frontier. How his rashness in their battle had clouded his judgment, and made him simply rush into the battle head on, not even considering that he'd lose. Gary had pointed out how that overconfidence had basically lost Ash the battle. And after hours of thinking and mulling over those words, Ash had been forced to come to one conclusion.

Gary was right.

Overconfidence...arrogance...call it what you wanted, but it was all the same: it had always been Ash's undoing. Not just in the battle today, but throughout much of his Pokémon journey itself.

The Whirl Cup in Johto, in his battle with Misty and Psyduck, where Kingler suffered for his mistake. His first battle with Brawly in Hoenn; Arceus, that had been humiliating beyond words. And even recently, when Charizard was destroyed by Brandon's Dusclops...all because of a crucial mistake Ash made. Mistakes that shouldn't even have been mistakes.

These and many more mistakes made, all because of his own rashness and overconfidence. Looking back now, Ash couldn't believe his own stupidity. More times than not, his own arrogance, rashness and overconfidence had been his downfall. Granted, there were some that could be excused; his first year, as he journeyed through Kanto the first time, was a time he could excuse himself due to him being only 10 and just starting out, and maybe also during his year trekking the Orange Islands. But through Johto and Hoenn, and through his second trek in Kanto...there were so many times where things could've ended differently in battle and yet he screwed it all up. That was all on him.

Ash sighed. This had been a brutal wake up call.

"Hey, Pikachu," he said, finally speaking for the first time since he left Pallet. Pikachu didn't respond, and looking down, Ash saw that the Electric Type had fallen asleep. At that, the 14 year old couldn't help but smile; he guessed he had been here for quite a while, and Pikachu definitely must've gotten sleepy from the inactivity involved in just laying on Ash's lap for however many hours. Ash gently nudged at the mouse's side, soon awaking him.

"Pi?" the Mouse Pokémon said sleepily as he looked up at Ash. Then he realized that they were still on the tree they had been when he had fallen asleep. "Pika Pikapi?"

"Yeah, we're still here, buddy," Ash smiled. He then frowned, though, surprising Pikachu. "Hey Pikachu, I'm sorry about what happened in our battle with Gary. He was right: I was so sure we'd win simply because we beat Brandon and his Regice. I just rushed in, and my overconfidence cost us the battle. It was my fault, and I'm sorry."

"Pikapi, Pika Pikachu," Pikachu replied, patting his Trainer's arm with his paw. He held no ill will to Ash in regards to that battle, and he never would. Sure, his pride was hurt because he lost to some Pokémon he'd never heard of after beating a Legendary, but he knew that Ash meant all the best, and would never do anything to purposely get him to lose.

"Thanks, buddy," Ash replied as he scratched his Starter behind the ears, earning Pikachu's trademark "Chaaa..." Ash then looked up to the sky, taking in the awesomeness that was the stars glistening in the night. Pikachu followed his gaze, and the two best friends stared off into the heavens for another few minutes before Ash spoke again.

"You know, buddy, after what Gary said, I realize that he was right, and not just for our battle today. I can think of a bunch of times I rushed into a battle thinking we'd win, just to end up losing to someone thanks to me missing a little detail or just being overconfident. Our battle with Harrison in the Silver Conference, our first battle with Annabel...I never thought to strategize or think things through, and if I did, it was only because of those losses. And then I'd just leave those strategies behind as we move on, and I ended up forgetting crucial lessons I learned. Hell, even Drake warned me about this and I forgot his advice, too: put my entire focus on the battle."

Ash sighed heavily once more, lowering his gaze. "Wow...I've really messed up more than once, huh, buddy?"

"Pikachu," Pikachu replied. He had honestly never thought about it himself, but now that he thought back about it, what Ash said was true. He would always revert back to his original style of battling, forgetting the training he'd implement for specific battles. Ash's overconfidence had also cost them a number of times, one of the most prominent times being their defeat against Tyson and Meowth in the Ever Grande Conference. Although, some of the fault rested on Pikachu's shoulders too in that matter: after so many years of sending Team Rocket blasting off, he was sure he'd do the same to Tyson's Meowth.

"Yeah, I've never stuck to anything I came up with for long after the specific battle I use said strategy for," Ash continued as he kept his gaze skyward. "I always wing it and go with pure power...and a lot of my Pokémon, thinking about it, don't have the power to back up the skill. But...I guess that is kind of my fault, after all. I haven't trained with or used a lot of our friends in battles in quite a long time, huh?"

"Pika," Pikachu replied after a moment's thought. That was true: in the last two years, he had only seen Kingler and Muk three times. Noctowl and Cyndaquil, not since they came back from Hoenn after the Ever Grande Conference. And that was just four of his friends he could think of right now.

"I wonder," Ash mused, "if I had rotated and trained all my Pokémon to get ready for the Ever Grande Conference, and not just have depended on you and my Hoenn team, could we've had a better chance of winning the tournament? Would it have been us instead of Tyson winning the Conference?"

"Pikapi," Pikachu said, gaining Ash's attention. "Pi Ka Chu," the Electric Type said, shaking his head all the while.

Ash looked at him for a few moments before smiling and scratching him behind the ears. "Yeah, you're right, buddy. There's no use dwelling in the past or in what could've been. What matters now is what happens next, and where we go from here. There's definitely one thing that I know for certain: I got to start training harder than ever, and use everything I've learned. All the techniques, specific strategies, any lessons I learned along my way, and different battle styles. Gary's right, Pikachu; out there, not just in Sinnoh but all over the world, there are tough Trainers and Pokémon, and one day we'll be meeting and battling them. And when that happens, we'll have both the power AND the skill and strategy we need to beat them. We'll train harder than ever, us and the rest of our friends, and we'll be ready for whatever comes at us."

"Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu said with determination, pumping his fist. Ash smiled at his best friend's determination.

"We'll do things differently this time. Instead of just rushing into another journey, we're going to prepare. For the next few weeks, buddy, maybe for even a month, we're going to stay here and train as much as we can. We'll get stronger, all of us together. I'll call Liza to see if she can send back Charizard, and Officer Jenny in Vermillion for Squirtle too. Hey, maybe I can even call up Anthony and see if Primeape is willing to come back and travel with us again! I have more experience with Fighting types now, thanks to Heracross and watching May raise Blaziken since he was a Combusken."

At those words, a thoughtful expression came up across Ash's face, soon followed by a frown. "Wow...I haven't thought to ever visit or even check up on Primeape after all these years. I feel terrible about that."

"Pika Pikapi," Pikachu said with a smile, again patting Ash's arm comfortingly.

"Yeah, you're right," Ash replied, a smile coming back. "Better late than never." At that, though, something else crossed his mind. "Hey, Pikachu? Gary said that in our battle you looked like you were struggling to maintain and focus your power. I remember hearing Professor Oak saying that both your and Electivire's Thunderbolt were even, too. Is it true, were you having trouble keeping up with your power increase from fighting Regice?"

"...Pika," Pikachu sighed dejectedly after several moment, before lowering his head while muttering, "Pikachu..." He didn't want to admit it, but it was true. He may not have felt it when performing in the Terracotta Contest, or the times he sent Team Rocket blasting off between their battle with Brandon and their battle with Gary, but in that battle he did indeed feel like he couldn't maintain the control he had in battling Regice. Perhaps then it had been the sheer determination, rush and adrenaline that came with battling a Legendary that allowed him to keep a firm grip on that newfound power. But against Electivire, Pikachu found himself unable to keep a hold on that power. His grip kept loosening, and he couldn't maintain that new level, thus finding himself forced to keep within his own natural limits. While his own natural limits actually greatly surpassed those of a regular Pikachu, finding himself in that situation really hurt Pikachu's pride.

"Hey, buddy, don't feel bad," Ash said comfortingly as he scratched his partner behind the ears. "It wasn't your fault. I should've known better and started training you to handle that new power. Don't worry, that'll be one thing we'll definitely work on. I'll have Charizard help you out, too."

"Pika Pikachu…" While Pikachu would happily take any help, he had a feeling Charizard would never let him hear the end of it.

"So then, what do you think about about my plan, Pikachu? Ready to do a lot of training and learning?"

"Pikachu!"

"Awesome," the raven haired teen smiled. He found his gaze returning to the stars in the heavens, and Pikachu followed suit. "After that, we'll start another journey, and this time, it'll be different. We'll win the next League for sure."

"Pika?"

"Where to next? Hmm...well, why not Sinnoh? Gary said lots of tough Trainers and Pokémon are out there."

"Pika? Pikachu..."

"Hmm...think we'll have what it takes?"

Both Trainer and Pokémon stared off into the night sky, wondering. Suddenly, Pikachu noticed something moving in the heavens, a golden something. Quickly getting his Trainer's attention, Pikachu pointed off in the distance, directly at the golden figure that was flying the skies.

"Ho-Oh," Ash said and awe and wonder. The two followed the Legendary's disappearing form as she flew off into the distance, but not before they heard the echoes of her majestic and powerful cry.

At that, Ash smiled with determination and found that his mind was set. "That settles it. We're going to Sinnoh, buddy."

"Pikachu," replied Pikachu with his fist pumped.

"C'mon, let's head back home. Mom and the others must be worried about us." With that, both of them jumped off the tree and back onto the ground, heading off to Pallet Town and back home.

Before long, the two finally arrived at Pallet. The small town was quiet and calm, almost all of its inhabitants asleep. Walking on, they came up to Professor Oak's Lab, and the fence that served as the border between the massive meadow that served as Oak's corral, and the rest of Pallet Town.

Ash stopped at the fence, thinking about something. "Hey Pikachu, you think the others might still be up?"

"Pikachu," came the reply as Pikachu shrugged his shoulders.

"Hmm...well, Noctowl might be." After another few moments, he made his choice. "Let's go see," Ash decided before jumping over the fence and walking on through the Corral for a few minutes, searching for his other Pokémon. Sure and soon enough, a bird-like cry rang out, one all too familiar to the teen and his Starter

"Hey, Noctowl," Ash greeted as the Shiny colored Owl Pokémon flew down to him, happy to see her Trainer again. Pikachu also voiced his greeting to which Noctowl happily responded. "How've you been doing?"

The Normal/Flying type responded with a happy chirp, prompting a smile from the teen.

"Hey, any chance you know where the others are?" Ash asked. Noctowl nodded and beckoned at the both of them to follow her. After a few more minutes, Noctowl stopped flying at landed near some trees which sheltered a group of sleeping Pokémon that Ash had been through thick and thin with on a number of occasions. He smiled as he and Pikachu came closer, with Noctowl giving a few shrill cries to wake up the others. Naturally, this didn't bode well with them, and they woke up rather annoyed and grumpy, their anger at Noctowl for waking them up evident until they saw their Trainer.

"Hey guys," Ash said as he approached them. "Good to see you all again."

At that, Bulbasaur, Muk, Snorlax, Kingler, the 30 Tauros, Heracross, Bayleef, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Torkoal and Glalie responded happily yet sleepy-like as Ash sat down with them. Donphan, Sceptile, Swellow, Corphish and Aipom, even though they had seen him only hours before, also greeted their Trainer happily. This didn't stop their curiosity flaring up as Ash sat down in front of them, a serious expression on his face. Without being addressed, his Pokémon assembled before him with curiosity and attention, knowing there was something he wanted to share with them.

"Guys, I know that I've been neglecting to train and spend time with many of you, and for that I'm really sorry," Ash said with a sad smile. Indeed, even now, a pang of guilt had found its way into his heart right now as he had seen how happy his Pokémon had been to see him, even after all this time and even in the dead of night. Even with that, they still loved him, and he loved them. "But that's going to change. Starting tomorrow, we're going to start training harder than ever before, and the next time I go off to compete in a League, we'll all win together and with whatever new friends we make along the way. I promise all of you, things are going to be different from here on out, and no matter what happens, I know that we can make it through...together. What do you say, are you guys in?"

Even in their sleepiness, Ash's Pokémon couldn't help but give cries and cheers of joy and determination. They all wanted to do their best for Ash, and if he was going to be serious and step up his game, then so would they. They would give him 120% of their effort, because they wanted to prove to him that they were ready and willing to take on all challenges that come their way. Ash was right: whatever may come, they'd go through it together, as friends...as family.

"Awesome," Ash grinned before suddenly being overtaken by a yawn. "Wow...suddenly got a bit sleepy," he chuckled. "Don't think I could make it back in...you know what? You guys mind if I spent the night here with you?"

His Pokémon responded with joy and they all tiresomely but happily accommodated room for him in their group. Snorlax laid himself down to allow Ash to rest his head on his body. Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Aipom and Totodile came over and snuggled with Ash and Pikachu. Bayleef rested her head on his legs as she made herself comfortable next to him. Swellow and Noctowl perched themselves at Ash's sides while Corphish and Kingler laid themselves next to him as well. Donphan curled himself up at Ash's feet, and Torkoal laid himself near Ash next to Bayleef. Glalie rested his head/body on the other side of Ash's legs, across from Bayleef. Muk let himself rest on Ash's right side. Heracross & Sceptile lay themselves each right next to Ash in sitting positions, leaning on Snorlax as he was. And the Tauros herd circled themselves around their Trainer and the other Pokémon, each of them resting their head in his direction.

"Thanks guys," Ash sleepily said with a grin. "You're the best. Guess it's time to hit the sack now. Goodnight, everyone." They all sleepily said their goodnights before quickly returning to sleep, even Noctowl since she wanted to be wide awake for the training that would start tomorrow. Ash gave one more smile before he drifted off to sleep, muttering, "Things are going to be different...just watch, guys..."

Coincidentally, the group had been sleeping not far from Oak's Lab building, and the Professor had seen the whole thing from his window, smiling all the way. Although he couldn't hear what had been said, Oak just knew that Ash had decided to make some changes, and that from tomorrow onwards, things were going to change drastically.

"I'm proud of you, my boy," Oak said to himself with a smile. With that, he went to call Delia to alert her that her son was alright and was going to be spending the night with his other family.

Hey everyone and welcome to my all new story, Rise of A Master: Diamond & Pearl. Whether you're a regular reader of my work or just found this story and therefore my corner of FanFiction for the first time, I aim to give you all a great story. I'll be drawing some inspiration from Sinnoh Revamped by Analon, The Reason Revised by Jay1414, On Brave Mountains We Conquer by MothBallz, and (minutely) Working Sinnoh with Skill by 0 Jordinio 0. However, I will be making this my own original retelling, so while I do draw some inspiration from those stories, there will be vast changes and original concepts on my part.

In regards to Ash in this story, I will aim to be showing how he's maturing and growing up, but yet still retain Ash's character that we're used to. In terms of aura...he'll be using it, but not like on the level of an Aura Guardian or how he did in Movie 8. When the Aura Sphere Riolu makes his appearance, I'll be delving more into it. In terms of battle strength, I won't be making Ash unbeatable & win every battle, but Trainers he was slaughtered by in the anime will find he won't be such a pushover here (J...). Also, Brock isn't travelling with Ash & Dawn, but he will appear in the LOTV Conference, meaning Ash will be more knowledgeable on Pokémon care & outdoor survival...while still screwing up once in a while.

Anyways, another reason I decided to write this is because I am a huge Pearlshipping fan, and unfortunately there are very few Pearlshipping stories of good quality out there...or very few good quality Pokémon stories at all. Don't get me wrong, there are a number of one-shots out there that are well written, but in terms of chapter length stories, good quality is few and far between. Seriously, when did the fandom of awe-inspiring creatures of nature bending power and the humans that commanded them become about some fangirl's high school fantasies?! I want to see titanic battles of earth shaking proportions, dammit! Pokémon is about TRAINERS AND THEIR JOURNEYS AND POKÉMON!

But yeah, not that many good Pearlshipping stories out there, or Pokémon stories in general, so I'm doing something about that with this story.

Reviews and critique are welcome, as well as any and all questions. New catches for both Ash and Dawn have been predetermined, so please refrain from suggesting anything.

Note: Upon update on 12/6/16, all previously posted chapters have been edited and/or changed for grammar and whatnot. Some were removed altogether. This is an updated version of the original chapter one.