Ash stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room, brushing a hand through his now slightly longer, tousled black hair. A spark of excitement danced in his eyes—today was the day he would finally meet his Pikachu.
He had grown taller over the past year, his once-boyish frame now lean and athletic, muscles defined from relentless training.
His posture radiated quiet confidence—the kind only earned through experience.
He had chosen a new outfit for today.
Ash wore a modernized white and blue jacket, sleeveless like his original but more fitted, with deep blue panels on the sides and a bright white center, accented by subtle red lines along the edges. It was zipped halfway, revealing a snug black athletic shirt underneath that hugged his toned frame.
Around his waist was a black utility belt, lined with slots for Poké Balls. His black cargo pants were sleek and durable, designed for both agility and style, with a few red accents near the pockets to tie in with his jacket.
His fingerless black gloves were updated with reinforced grips, and his classic red-and-white cap . Yeah you heard it right this Ash also participated and sent postcards for the cap because of nostalgia but not much just five but he still won must be because of protagonist luck.
On his feet were black high-performance boots, perfect for any terrain in his journey .
He looked like a true Pokémon Trainer.
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* Back in the Kitchen*
Ash returned to the kitchen, adjusting the strap of his bag as the aroma of breakfast hit him again. He paused as he saw Daisy, now awake and seated at the table, already enjoying her meal. She was dressed casually in one of his loose shirts, her blonde hair still a bit messy, but her smile brightened the room.
"Morning," Ash said softly as he walked up to her and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
Daisy smiled with a teasing glint in her eye. "Morning, handsome. Looking sharp today."
Ash chuckled and sat down beside her. "Thanks. Big day. Gonna meet my future buddy soon."
Delia placed a fresh plate in front of him, ruffling his hair in passing. "Then eat up, future Pokémon Master."
Ash first took out his pokeballs tapped at the small button in the center once the tiny ball became larger.
Ash smiled slightly. "Let's go."
He tapped the button again, and with a burst of red light and a familiar whoosh, his Pokémon materialized before him on the grass—Eevee, Arbok, and Pidgeotto appearing one by one, all looking at him.
Eevee gave a cheerful cry and rubbed against his leg, Arbok let out a low, proud hiss, and Pidgeotto flared its wings with a sharp screech, ready to fight .
Ash crouched down, patting Eevee and giving each of them a nod. "Today's a big day. We're going to meet someone very important—our new partner.But first eat up your food. After giving them their food he dug in to eat breakfast himself.
After bidding a warm goodbye to Delia and Daisy, Ash left his personal dimension and returned to the familiar dirt path leading to Professor Oak's lab. The morning sun bathed Pallet Town in golden light, and the breeze carried the nostalgic scent of home.
He didn't get far before a loud honk pierced the calm.
HOOOOONK!
A red car stopped just ahead of him. Music blared from the speakers—some over-the-top rock anthem—
"Give me a G!"
"Give me an A!"
"Give me an R-R-R-Y!"
A chorus of energetic cheerleaders in glittery uniforms popped out of the car, pom-poms flying as they cheered and danced in perfect sync.
Ash blinked. "No way…"
And then, stepping out from the driver's side like he owned the world, came Gary Oak—grinning, stylish as ever.
"Well, if it isn't Ashy-boy," Gary said with a cocky smirk, crossing his arms. "Didn't expect to see you dragging your feet today. Don't tell me you overslept—again?"
Ash rolled his eyes but grinned. "Still obsessed with the spotlight, huh?"
Gary laughed, slapping the side of the car. "What can I say? Winners make an entrance."
The cheerleaders squealed, showering him with praise, and Ash just shook his head with a chuckle.
"I'm heading to the lab," Ash said, walking past him.
Gary raised an eyebrow. "So am I. Guess we'll see who gets the better starter, huh?"
Ash smirked over his shoulder. "Already got my team going. Just here to meet the one that makes it official."
Gary's smile faltered for a second, but he quickly covered it up with a scoff. "Still talking big. Let's see if your battle skills are as sharp as your mouth."
The two rivals walked side by side toward the lab—one loud, one calm—but both ready to begin a new chapter of their journeys… as trainers, as competitors, and as destined rivals.
The sliding doors of Professor Oak's lab opened with a smooth whoosh as Ash and Gary stepped inside. The familiar scent of polished wood, old paper, and faint electrical hum filled the air. Despite all the high-tech equipment lining the walls, it still felt like home.
At the far side of the lab, Professor Oak sat hunched over a large monitor, furiously typing away with his brow furrowed in deep concentration. Streams of data flashed across the screen—probably something about Pokémon behavior or a Pidgey migration chart.
Sitting on a nearby couch, one leg crossed over the other, was Leaf. She glanced up from her Pokégear, a smirk tugging at her lips as she saw them enter.
"Well, well," she said coolly. "Look who finally decided to show up. The drama twins."
Gary didn't miss a beat. He stepped forward and cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Hey, Gramps! We're already here! Let's get this over with so I can start collecting badges—before this loser over here even finds his map!"
Ash snorted, arms folded. "I don't need a map to know I'll be ahead of you."
Oak blinked at his monitor for a moment, then slowly turned his chair around, as if waking from a deep thought. "Oh! Gary, Ash—good, good, you're here. And Leaf too? Wonderful."
He stood up and dusted off his lab coat, walking over with his usual grandfatherly enthusiasm. "I was just compiling some notes on Eevee's adaptation behaviors. You wouldn't believe how much more expressive they are when they're close to evolution."
Ash's eyes flicked down to the Poké Ball clipped at his belt. Eevee's ball. He smiled to himself.
Gary, however, groaned theatrically. "That's fascinating and all, Gramps, really, but can we skip the lecture and get to the part where you hand over the good stuff?"
Professor Oak chuckled, clearly used to his grandson's impatience. "All in good time, Gary. But first…"
He looked at each of them, his gaze softening with pride.
"You three are stepping into a new chapter today—not just as trainers, but as young adults ready to carry the legacy of Kanto's best. I've watched you grow up. And today, you officially begin the next part of your journey."
Leaf arched an eyebrow. "That your way of saying we're old enough to get in trouble without parental supervision?"
Oak gave a short laugh. "Exactly."
Gary folded his arms, clearly still itching for action. "Okay, okay, heartfelt speech—check. Where's the table with the starters?"
Oak gestured toward a covered tray on the nearby counter. "Right there. But there's a bad news four people are supposed to get their starters today but we only have 3 Charmander Bulbasaur and Squirtle and the other trainer came early this morning and already took charmander and there's only two left. So one of you has to postpone your journey for a while before a new one comes .
Ash,Gary,Leaf looks at each other tense no one wants postpone their journey it's like a symbol that they have become adults plus an adventure but after some hesitation leaf lifts her hand and said, "Professor Oak maybe I should just stay behind for a while let them have their Pokemon. I can wait." Leaf said finnally making up her mind.
"Excellent" Professor Oak praised her generosity and character.but then
"Wait professor Oak i already have some Pokemon it's just having a starter makes it official I can wait give them their starters."
"Oh", Professor Oak didn't expect that with Pokemons Ash would be even more excited to start his journey but he held back for others sake. He gave Ash a approving look.bThinking Daisy was in good hands.He was about to speak but
"Wait if this loser can wait I can wait too, it won't make much difference anyway since I, the great ,Gary Oak am the best. No matter when I start I will always be ahead of them"
Gary said.
"Oh didn't expect that from you Gary "Ash said with a smirk. Leaf also nodded.
"Hmph don't misunderstand,it's not like I care or anything it's just it would be too pitiful that I won't be able to beat you personally and you won't be able to see me winning the championship in the Indigo Plateau league , crying in a corner."Gary said.
"Hmph we will see who loses Gary'' Ash said mockingly.
"Alright Alright since Ash said so he can wait for a while . Now you two choose your Pokemon and take the pokedex and pokeballs.Then you can start your journey." Professor Oak said.
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[A/N:-So
1.krabby
2.mankey
3.onix
4.Squirtle island
We're going with these four then ? U can suggest me some Pokemon ash could have caught but didn't only kanto orange league anime episodes only pls]
Thanks for your support 🙏