"Ha! As if you Ashy-Boy would ever be able to become a Pokemon Master!" Gary Oak taunted. "Heck, you wouldn't even make a decent Pokemon Coordinator."

Tears sprung to Ash's eyes as he stood there silently-listening to the berating yells.

"Stupid Ash!"

"A Pokemon will never want to come near you because you're weird!"

"Someone mute can never become involved with Pokemon!"

Ash clenched his fists as his side as he stared defiantly at the kids and slapped Gary on the cheek. He hoped his eyes would show everything. The hurt, the betrayal, and the determination. Then, he turned and walked away with his head held high. He followed down the path from the small Pokemon Trainer Facility.

As he walked towards Professor Oak's lab, he felt a presence beside his.

"Master, are you alright?"

Ash nodded and sent a pout to Lucario, his trusted friend.

"Yes, yes, I know. Don't call you Master. You'll have to stick to it, though," Lucario grinned. "Ah, this day seems to be similar to the one that we met, doesn't it. It was just a year ago and you were crying in the forest. Then, I helped and comfort you and began teaching you Aura."

Ash blushed at the crying part. He sped up his pace and the two friends were nearing their destination.

"Master, why do you let them berate you like that? Why don't you fight back?"

Ash shook his head.

"Fighting back will only cause more trouble huh...I guess in this situation, you are correct Master. You're very strong to put up with all of Master. I hope you know and understand that. Especially since you don't react so vehemently."

His trainer nodded in thanks with a small smile.

"Ah, Ash! It's nice to see you," Professor Oak exclaimed as he noticed them in his lab. "And you as well Lucario. How has Aura training gone with the two of you?"

"Quite well. Master just has so much Aura within him and great control. It helps that Master is one of the best listeners in the whole world."

Professor Oak nodded in agreement with his arms crossed and eyes closed. "If there is one word that fits Ash, it's listener or charismatic."

Ash tugged on Professor Oak's lab coat and looked up at him curiously.

"Oh, would you like to go visit the Pokemon in the ranch?" Professor Oak grinned. "Go right ahead."

With a large smile, Ash hugged Professor Oak and sped off to the ranch with Lucario behind him.

"Ah, kids these days. They have so much energy," sighed Professor Oak.

(2 YEARS LATER)

Ash Ketchum sat on the grass petting the Oddish as the other Pokemon sat around him napping or playing. Lucario sat with his back against Ash's and relaxing in the sun.

"There you are Ash! I've been looking all over for you," Professor Oak shouted as he neared the now official trainer. "You ready to get your Pokemon?"

Ash nodded.

Professor Oak grinned as he took a Pokeball out of his pocket. He enlarged it and released the Pokemon inside. With a bright flash of white, it revealed a chubby yellow mouse with red cheeks.

"Pikachu."

Tilting his head, Ash watched Pikachu mimic his actions.

"You see, Pikachu has just been recently caught, but it-."

"He."

"Yeah, he has caused a lot of trouble. Just the other day he was found biting the power cables. Our generator almost died from that," Professor Oak sheepishly admitted. "I was hoping you could take him on your journey."

Ash nodded and crawled closer to Pikachu-the other Pokemon following protectively around him. He reached out a hand for Pikachu to sniff and watched the yellow mouse take in his scent. Pikachu cheered as he jumped up Ash's arm to his shoulder-his red cheek sparkling in harmless sparks as he nuzzled against Ash's cheek.

"Welcome Pikachu to Master's Team."

"Pika!"

"Of course Pikachu would accept you. Like all Pokemon have," Professor Oak laughed. He took out a Pokedex and 5 other Pokeballs. "Here is your Pokedex-I made it a national one for you since I have a feeling you're going to be meeting outside of Kanto Pokemon. Those are you 5 other Pokeballs to catch Pokemon. I have one more surprise for you, but it's inside."

Raising a brow, Ash stood and made a notion for the Pokemon to stay. With Lucario and Pikachu, Ash followed Professor Oak into the lab. They stopped in front of a small table with a machine on top of it.

It was an incubator with an egg!

Professor Oak carefully grabbed it and handed it to Ash. "I want you to care for it Ash. Please take the utmost care of it, okay?"

Knowing the huge responsibility of caring for a baby Pokemon, Ash nodded with a determined face.

"Master said that he'll become the best Daddy ever for the egg and soon to be Pokemon."

Professor Oak nodded. "I know you will, Ash."

Ash set the incubator on the table and wrapped his arms around Professor Oak's waist and clung to him tightly. His face nuzzled into the Professor's chest as he savored this warmth.

The Professor laughed airily as he returned the embrace just as tightly with tears building in his eyes. "Good luck Ash. Go and prove the world that you can be the best."

Ash nodded and the two separated with weak smiles. Their tight knit family was going to have to be separated for a bit.

"Master says to take care of Mama. You better make sure Memma has a lot of care and isn't sad all the time!"

"I promise to take care of Delia," Professor Oak responded.

Ash picked the incubator back up and nodded farewell as he left the lab.

"Farewell Ash, and good luck. Delia and I will always be supporting you here in Pallet Town."

"Aww, my son has all grown up and is going on his Pokemon Journey," Delia cried as she clung to her son.

Ash blushed crimson as wrapped his arms around his mother and soothed her.

"Master says that Mama shouldn't be worried. He's got me, Pikachu, and soon another Pokemon to protect him! Leave him to us Meema! You have nothing to worry about."

"A soon Pokemon?"

Lucario nodded. "Professor gave us a Pokemon Egg to raise!"

"You'll be the best father ever," Delia squealed as she tightened her hold on Ash. "Can I see the egg?"

Ash nodded and lightly pushed away. He walked over to Pikachu (who was standing guard at his bag) and took the egg out of his backpack. He gently strode over to his mother while cradling the incubator. He smiled as he showed his mother.

"I can tell this egg is healthy. Take good care of him/her, okay Ash?" Delia said. "What am I kidding? Of course you will."

The trainer set the egg back in his bag and stuck out his pinky finger to Delia.

Delia smiled as she wiped the remaining tears away and connected her pinky to Ash's. "You better keep your pinky promise to raise that egg the best you can. You must always be careful, understand?"

Nodding, Ash released their pinkies and strapped his backpack to his back. Pikachu climbed up to his shoulder and Lucario shifted closer.

"Oh, have you caught Lucario yet?" Delia asked.

Ash face palmed as he took out a Pokeball and enlarged it. Lucario tapped it and went in without struggle. He was immediately released and resumed his position beside Ash.

He was a bit wobbly. "That was a dizzy experience. The Pokeball's not that bad, but the warp is woozy."

"I know you'll become the best Trainer and Coordinator. Even if not, you'll make it far and be one of the best," Delia stated.

Ash gave her a peck to the cheek with a smile of gratitude before leaving towards Route 1.