My god... I can't believe over 2 years has passed since I updated this story. Time seems to fly so fast these days...
I had so much fun making my Mondaiji Fic that I even forgot this story existed.
But after exploring my archive, I managed to find this story.
Well, with all that being said, I'm sure you are (I hope) looking forward to this chapter!
Quick note:
Quotes - "Hello"
Thoughts - 'Hello'
Pokédex - Hello
Xtransciever/Electronics - "Hello"
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
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"Hello! Nurse Joy!" Bianca spoke with incredible speed, before taking out her Pokéballs form her bag just as swiftly.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you?" Nurse Joy smiled, undisturbed by the energy of the blonde.
"Hello, I would like a check up for my Pokémon!" Bianca smiled as she passed 2 Pokéballs to Nurse Joy, undisturbed or confused despite the woman having the same appearance as the Nurse Joy in Accumula Town.
"Bianca!" Ash ran towards the blonde girl. "Sheesh, you move quite fast."
"Hehe... I hear that a lot." Bianca giggled, scratched her head while holding her hat.
Ash chuckled in return and handed his own Pokémon with Nurse Joy. "Full Restore, please."
Nurse Joy received Ash's Pokéballs and Pikachu with a smile mirroring to the one shown to Bianca. He then returned with a keycard in his hand.
"Eeh? You already checked out your room?" Bianca put her fingers to her chin and tilted her head in confusion.
"Uhh... firstly, it is already evening." Ash pointed to the clock that read "5:37 pm."
"Secondly, it's best to check out your rooms as early as possible, especially in cities with gyms. Often times, you will stay at in for at least a day and they get depleted faster than Magikarps in lakes."
Bianca made an "O" face, as if facing the enlightenment of the century. She quickly rushed to the counter, making her own reservations to her room.
The two now found themselves sitting next to each other, waiting for their Pokémon to be restored.
"Sigh..." Ash was casually swinging his arms. "It sure feels weird, not having Pikachu on my shoulder."
"Speaking of, I heard that your Pikachu doesn't like going inside your Pokéball. I guess that is true then."
Ash nodded. "Yup! Guess you heard that from Hilda huh? Not sure when though."
"Oh, it was just a casual talk through our transceivers. She stated that you helped her catch her first Pokémon right?"
Ash smiled and shook his head. "I was just a spectator. Hilda did most of the heavy lifting."
"But I am sure you must have helped somewhat. She spoke a lot about you."
Bianca suddenly stood up and clapped as if an idea rose from her head.
"I know! While we are waiting, why don't I get your number Ash?"
The boy blinked for a second, before realizing what the blonde was asking. "This... Xtrans-gear thing right?"
"Xtransceiver." Bianca corrected, giggling. "Yea! We both don't have much to do, so now is as good as time as any!"
Ash snickered. "Sure."
The boy touched the screen on his wrist-watch device... before immediately realizing how complicated this was.
"Uhh..."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Bianca chimed in. "Ash?"
The boy sighed, before looking up. "...How does this thing work?"
Bianca blankly stared at the jet for a few seconds, before immediately going into a giggling fit.
Ash was not amused. "Hey..."
"Heheh... sorry, sorry. It's just... it's not every day to see a kid our age stuck on a device."
"Well, I am sorry for being a boomer."
Bianca giggled before teaching Ash the gimmicks of the device.
"There! Now we have each other's number!"
As soon as she finished her sentence, an announcement was made on the Pokémon Center.
"Number 419. Please pick up your Pokémon."
"Oh, that is me!" Bianca ran towards the counter, picking up her two Pokéballs.
"Alright! Now I am going to go and train for the gym battle!"
Ash widened his eyes, suddenly realizing something. "Speaking of, what is the first gym battle like?"
The boy muttered to himself, but the blonde was able to hear the jet. Seeing the girl paused, he quickly made a conclusion. "You don't know either... do you?"
Bianca returned to the jet, scratching her cheek while looking away.
"Sigh... we could always ask Nurse Joy."
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"The Striaton City Gym is quite unorthodox." Nurse Joy stated to the duo.
"Unorthodox? How?"
"For starters, the Striaton City Gym has not one, but three Gym Leaders."
Both Ash and Bianca widened their eyes in surprise, clearly displaying that neither were aware of this.
"So to obtain the badge... we must fight and defeat all three of them?"
Nurse Joy shook her head. "No. You will be fighting just one of them. However, the Gym Leader you will be fighting against will possess a type that counters your own starter."
Ash raised his eyebrows. "Could you explain more on that?"
"Let's take this lady's Pokémon for instance." Nurse Joy looked towards Bianca. "Her starter was a Tepig. This means that she will be fighting against the Water Specialist, Cress."
"...Isn't that kind of unfair."
Nurse Joy made a troubled smile. "Maybe so, but I do believe it carries an important lesson."
Ash and Bianca perked up at that.
"Many trainers tend to rely on just one Pokémon, most often their starters. I believe this Gym is trying to tell us that you mustn't rely on such a strategy. A perfect gym for new trainers."
The boy nodded, understanding the words that the nurse was trying to say.
"Oh?"
An Audino walked out carrying 3 Pokéballs with Pikachu walking out beside her.
"Pika!"
The yellow mouse jumped towards his trainer.
"Fufu. I do believe your Pokémon are ready, Mr. Ketchum."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy. And you too, Audino." Ash happily received his Pokéballs and plugged them into his belt.
Just as the two walked away, a loud growl escaped from Ash's stomach.
"You are hungry already?" Bianca perked her eyes.
"Hey, cut me some slack! It's already dinnertime."
The girl widens her eyes as she looks at the clock near the entrance. Sure enough, the clock pointed at 7:05 pm.
"It is already that time?!" Bianca widens her eyes. She was so focused on her journey that she didn't realize how much time had passed. Not to mention the sky was still bright out due to the long daytime from the Summer season.
(Note: Unova's Sunset start at 8:00 pm.)
Seeing Bianca's surprise, Ash snickered. "You tend to lose track of time huh?"
"Yea. I hear that a lot... from my parents..."
Bianca's tone became lower and lower.
"But it's all fine now! Hey, I actually am quite hungry. I'm going to get some food!"
Ash frowned as Bianca left to the cafeteria. The way she tried to forcefully brighten the mood seemed to only make her more desperate.
In fact, it was as if he was looking at a reflection. A reminder of his acts during the times he lost against Paul and, more importantly, Tobias.
"Sigh..." Ash turned towards his partner on his shoulder.
"Pikachu. Are you hungry?"
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"Phew~."
Ash patted his stomach in satisfaction. Food was always a good way to relieve stress, and today was no exception.
The jet looked down to his 4 Pokémon: Pikachu, Rufflet, Froakie, and Tepig.
"Is everyone good?" Pikachu and Rufflet purred, while Froakie and Tepig breathed out in satisfaction.
Ash smirked as he returned his Pokémon along with lifting Pikachu on his arms.
"Alright, let's go to our room now."
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"Yes mom, I am doing fine. No, I have not gotten to much troubles. Really!"
Thanks to Bianca, Ash became more fluent with using the Xtransceiver. With it, the boy was able to talk to his mom while in his room.
"Goodbye sweetie! Make sure to get a girlfriend or two!"
Before Ash could scream in protest, Delia disconnected the call.
The boy sighed but didn't turn off his watch.
"Now..."
The boy sat down on the bed, deep in thought for tomorrow's Gym Battle.
'If the Gym Leaders are meant to counter the starters... then who would be the one fighting me?'
He unconsciously turned to Pikachu, who is neither a Fire, Grass, nor a Water type Pokémon.
'Considering I have Tepig, it is likely that they would use the Water Type Gym Leader, but Pikachu - my actual starter - counters that. And while Froakie is considered a Kalos starter, my Unova starter Tepig goes against that Grass Gym Leader.'
Ash scratched his hair, frustrated by all this confusing patten.
He sighed to himself, seemingly giving up on trying to figure out which one he would fight.
But then suddenly...
*DING!
If there is a switch that changes a person's emotions, then Ash's most certainly went off.
'If I can't prepare for just one...'
He suddenly stood up, eyes widened in realization.
"That's it!"
"Pu-ika?" Pikachu wakes up with a drool.
Ash, ignoring his starter, pressed on the Xtransceiver immediately.
'Thank you Bianca for teaching me how to use this!'
"Hello Ash!"
"Good evening, Professor. Glad to see you are still available."
Professor Juniper snickered. "Heh, you made it just in time. I was just about to leave the lab. So, what do you need?"
Ash smiled. "Professor, could I ask a favor."
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"Hey Ash!" Hilda waved her hand towards the jet.
"About time you made it Hilda!" Ash returns the wave.
The two make a high-five. "So, are you ready for the Gym Battle?"
Hilda shakes her head. "Not yet. I heard that with my Oshawott, I will be fighting against Cilan, the Grass Gym Leader. I don't have any way to fight against that right now."
Ash blinks. "I'm surprised you knew that already?"
"Fufu." The girl snickers and puffs her chest high. "I did some asking back in Accumula Town."
"Heheh..." Ash powerlessly snickers to himself. Just like that, she was already doing better than when she first started.
"Pika~~~~." Pikachu realized this as well, poking at his cheeks playfully.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Ash refuses to make eye contact with the mouse.
Smelling an interesting story, Hilda leans towards Ash with a playful face. "Hoh~. What could you two be talking about."
Pikachu attempted to take charge, but Ash quickly covers his mouth.
"Don't you dare! You stupid rat!"
"Mmm... Pika-pi!"
The two were so busy bickering that they didn't realize someone approaching them.
"Hello, Ash." A voice came from behind Hilda.
Ash, Pikachu, and even Hilda all turned back to see the familiar green-haired man talking to them.
"N..." Ash said.
"Nice to see you again. Especially so soon."
"Whoa." Hilda stepped towards N. "You talk fast."
Ignoring the brown-haired girl, the man continued speaking to Ash. "What are you doing in Striaton City?"
"For the Gym Battle of course! What else?"
N frowned. "Gym Battle... the Pokémon League... they are but abominations. The greatest mistake of humanity."
"What?" Ash frowned.
"And here I thought you would be different."
"Hey~! I am still here!" Hilda waved her hand in between the duo.
"?" N stared at the girl, who flinched at his cold eyes. "Who might you be?"
"Sigh... not now Hilda." Ash pushed the brown-haired girl out of the way. "N, do you not like Pokémon battles?"
"They should never be a thing." N boldly spoke, as if stating a fact. "Everyone considers it a sport, yet in truth, it is but a barbaric act of causing Pokémon to turn against each other. Yet another proof that people and Pokémon should be separated."
"You're wrong." Ash spoke. "Pokémon battles are a way for trainers and Pokémon to connect with each other, not separate them. There are things in this world we can only see through Pokémon battles."
"Pika-chu!" The mouse in Ash's shoulder squeaks in agreement.
"Hm... so that is your ideal." N steps back. "Very well. If that is the case, I will show you. The truth of this world."
The boy narrows his eyes. "Are you suggesting a Pokémon battle?"
N shakes his head. "Not now. There are things I must do." He turns his back to the jet. "In time, you also see the truth. I will see you around Ash."
And with that, the green-haired man left.
Ash blinked once, then blinked again. "Well that was... strange..."
"Pika-pi!"
The two were standing still for a few seconds. Until...
"Mmmph!"
The boy looks down to see Hilda - whose mouth was covered by Ash's palms - tapping on his hands.
"Ah!" Ash released Hilda.
"Puhah!" The girl takes a huge breath. "What the hell Ash?!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Ash covered his face as Hilda playfully swung his arms at him.
After approximately few minutes of their short ordeal, Hilda finally sighs and relents. "So... he also thinks like that." Hilda was reminded of the release of Pokémon back in Accumula Town.
Reminded of the incident as well, Ash also sighs. "...Yeah."
"......"
With that, the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. Hilda gulped, quickly attempting to change the subject.
"S-so! I heard you were planning to challenge the Gym!"
"Oh... oh yeah!" Ash widens his eyes. "I need to head back to the Pokémon Center!"
Using the Xtransceiver ('Hallelujah, Bianca!' Ash thought once again) the boy turned on the Navigation and ran towards the Center, leaving the puzzled girl alone.
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"Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you!" Nurse Joy politely speaks to Ash.
"Nurse Joy!" The jet speaks. "I came here to pick up something from Professor Juniper."
"I see." Nurse Joy crouches down to her stand before taking out a form on a clipboard. "I will need to verify your identity. Could you fill this out please?"
Ash nods. He takes the clipboard and pen from Nurse Joy to the nearby sofa.
*Scribble, scribble, scribble.
As Ash began to write on his form, Pikachu on the sofa next to him, Hilda approached the boy.
"Some boring paperwork? This is why you needed to come to the Pokémon Center?"
Ash looked up to see Hilda, arms crossed and staring at the boy.
"Well... it's a necessary process."
Hilda stares at the jet with half-lidded eyes. "What? For the Gym?"
"Yeah."
The chestnut widens her eyes, not expecting to be right from such a sarcastic remark.
"How so?" She couldn't help but ask.
But before she could, the boy stands up as he finishes the last part of the form, being his signature.
"All done." With that, he walks up to the stands and hands Nurse Joy the form.
She quickly glosses over the form, before smiling. "Trainer Ash Ketchum. Please let me verify this information. It will take 5 minutes."
"Alright." Ash nods. He turns back to an annoyed Hilda.
"This is the second time you've ignored me today. And it's been less than an hour." The girl pouts.
Ash raises his hands up. "My B. I just wanted to build the surprise."
"Surprise?"
The jet nods. "As you know, the Striaton City Gym has 3 Gym Leaders, depending on the type of starter that you have."
Hilda nods. "Right. Since I have Oshawott, I will be fighting against her weakness: The Grass Type Gym Leader Cilan."
Ash nods. "But in my case, it is different."
The boy rubs Pikachu's cheeks, causing him to purr. "Pikachu here is my starter, and he is not any of the three types."
Hilda widens her eyes, agreeing with Ash. "You're right. But putting the weakness factor into mind, you probably would be fighting either Cilan or the Fire-Type Gym Leader."
Ash tilts his head. "You don't know the name of the Fire-Type Gym Leader?"
"H-hey! It's not my fault I don't remember the names of Gym Leaders I wouldn't face." Hila huffs. "D-do you know their names?"
In response, Ash turns his head to anywhere but Hilda. Seeing Ash's reaction, the girl places her hands on her hips and smirks with pride.
"A-anyways." Ash coughs. "The point is, I don't know who I will be fighting against. While you might be right in the sense that I might fight anyone but the Water Gym Leader, here is where the confusion rises."
Ash releases Froakie and Tepig. "These two are starters in their own right, especially Tepig who is a Unova Starter. However, the said Tepig is weak to Water-Type, who is weak to my actual Starter Pikachu."
After Ash is done with his logic, Hilda looks at Ash with dots for eyes.
"...You didn't follow anything I said did you?"
At Ash's response, Hilda suddenly found the ground a lot more interesting.
Seeing the girl's response, Ash snickers. "Heheh... sometimes I forget that I am dealing with a novice."
"H-hey!"
"Don't worry, these kind of knowledge will come into you naturally."
The girl huffs in embarrassment, but relents. It was undeniable that Ash had far more experience after all. However, the main question was still unanswered.
"So, what did that paperwork have to do with this situation."
Ash smirks. "Well-"
"Trainer Ash Ketchum. Please come to the Front Desk." Nurse Joy's voice could be heard from the ceiling.
"Let's talk as we go to the front." Ash says as the two walk to the front desk.
"As we've previously established, the Gym Battle I would face is difficult to predict. That is why it makes it hard for which side I should prepare for. But then I thought this."
Ash approaches the desk and picks up a small box from Nurse Joy. With a thanks, he takes the box and returns to Hilda.
"If I am unable to prepare for one of them."
Ash opens the box, revealing a Pokéball.
"Then I just need to prepare for all THREE of them!"
With a smile, the boy throws the Pokéball.
*POM!
The Pokéball opens. With a white flash, the Pokémon in question revealed itself.
"Gib-le!"
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Surprise Surprise! Ash got his Gible!
The reason I am doing this is actually for several reasons.
1. Gible is such a forgettable 'mon in Ash's team. Despite it being an ACTUAL psuedo-Legendary, I can remember jack sxxt of what this thing did.
2. This version of Ash just faced a crushing defeat against Tobias. As such, he is actually planning on WINNING this time. In a way, this is similar to Kalos Ash.
3. I just want Ash to have Garchomp. Simple as that. Ash should have a Garchomp! NOT just in that Sun and Moon Ultra Power Rangers bs!
Sigh... but with all that out of the way, yes. Ash will be using a Gible in this journey. You can hate me if you want, but this is MY CHOICE!
Oh, and one last thing. I originally thought of making this EXACTLY like the Pokémon BW game with a bit more emotional weight and with addition to the Unova League. But then I thought... WHERE IS THE FUN IN THAT?!
I've been busy the last few months coming up with a plot for this Generation. While the general premise stays the same (i.e. Truth vs Ideals), I've decided to make some... 'adjustments' to the script. I won't spoil the story. But I personally like with how it turned out, and I hope you will as well.
Thank you so much for reading this!
Like it? Hate it?
Leave any comments or suggestions below, and I will see you all in the next chapter!