Um, don’t know what possessed me to write this. AAMRN overdose. Yes. That’s it. Combined with a failed Ecology test…

 

Disclaimer; Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, Shadow owns new pokemon, attacks, Destiny, etc.

Notes: <> indicates telepathy, ** indicates thoughts, italics indicates pokemon speech.

 

Rant Snippet: Yes, this is another one of those fics when Ash disappears mysteriously and then reappears 4-10 years later fics. But this time, he does NOT wind up with Misty as a result of nearly dying for her sake. DEFY THE STEREOTYPE!

 

Ages after prologue: Ash = 15

Misty = 17

Brock = 23

 

Prologue: Beginnings

 

            Ash sat quietly in the dark outside the rented house. He had failed, miserably, his dream to become a pokemon master shattered after the disastrous loss to Richie in the fourth round.

            “You don’t want to be weak forever, do you?” A voice asked.

            Ash peered around in the darkness. “Who are you?!”

            “Someone who can help you.”

            Ash’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

            “Yes. But first, you must pass my test.”

 

            Ash found himself in a clear, glowing space.

            From four sides charged clay humanoids wielding sticks. Ash was frightened, but he didn’t move an inch.

            The sticks crashed into him, but they just went through. Surprised, Ash looked and they charged again. The same thing happened.

            This scenario was repeated several times, but Ash never budged. His stubbornness served him well. Finally, the voice laughed.

            “Very well. You have passed.”

            Ash found himself in a glittering shrine, with a shadowy figure watching him.

            Ash smiled. “So you’ll train me?”

            “Yes, Ash. You will be the best pokemon trainer in this world…”

 

Training…

 

            “Charizard, Multiple Fireball attack.”

            Ash flipped out of the way of each fireball, his eerie red eyes glowing as he traced the dragon’s movements, enabling him to dodge the barrage.

            “Very good, Ash. The sharingan has served you well.”

            “Thank you, sensei.”

            The figure handed Ash a bottle of a potion. “Here, take a ten minute break, I’ll go set up the next test.”

            Ash nodded his thanks and drank. He stretched out his sore limbs. It had only been a week since his deal with the mysterious shade, but his body was beginning to adapt itself to the rigorous training regimen. That was good, fewer bruises and sore muscles.

 

            The figure returned with a white-covered book.

            “What’s this?” Ash asked.

            “Pokemon Physiology. You have to learn their insides if you wish to understand pokemon better. It will also help you figure out what to do should they get injured.” The figure said. “Your assignment is to read two chapters each night and know them well.”

            “All right.”

 

            *FLASH*

            Ash jerked awake as the bright light penetrated his eyeballs.

            “Is it time to get up already?”

            “No, but we should go outside and observe the electrical storm.” The figure intoned. “Respect for the elements is important.”

            The two stood in silence as the sky raged and shrieked above them, until the storm abated and only a gentle rain fell.

            Ash was surprised to find tears on his cheeks. Was it from the beauty of the wilderness? Was it loneliness? He wasn’t sure.

            The shadow smiled knowingly.

 

            “Henge no Jutsu!”
            The figure applauded as Ash succeeded into turning into an exact copy of the man in the picture she had presented him with.

            “Very good, Ash.”

            “Thank you, Sensei.”

            “Now let’s try Bunshin no Jutsu.”

            “Hai.”

            Ash’s eyes glowed and his body blurred as he crossed his fingers. Six copies of him appeared, all in the same pose. They flew at the shadow as if to attack.

            Six needles sailed through the year and the copies all disappeared in poofs of smoke.

            “Ash, you cannot attack with Bunshin no jutsu.” The voice said. “The clones are only illusions, not real. They cannot hurt an opponent.”

            “Then what good is this?” Ash asked.

            “Bunshin no jutsu prepares you for versions that can actually attack. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, the shadow clone technique. Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu, the water clone technique. And others.”

            “Oh, okay.”

            The figure pulled out six scrolls, each tied off with a different colored ribbon. “Study these. It will help.”

            “All right…”

 

            The time flew by quickly. Soon, four years had passed. The shadow presented Ash with a gift – a dark crystal on a golden chain. Ash slipped it on underneath his shirt. His style had changed vastly over the years. He now wore a dark blue jacket over a light gray bodysuit, with electric blue bands at the ankles and wrists, a double-crossed dark green poke belt, white elbow gloves, and gray boots. His black hair was kept back in a loose ponytail tied off with an electric blue ribbon.

            “Goodbye, Chosen One.”

            “Goodbye, Aneki.” Ash hugged the figure for a second before he let go, smiling. The figure looked a bit confused but smiled back.

 

            And with this parting, Ash released his Skarmory and headed off for parts unknown.

 

            The shadow smiled as she watched him go. * Good luck, otooto. Good luck. *

 

END PROLOGUE

 

Japanese glossary (not that much)

Sensei = teacher

Henge no Jutsu = transformation technique

Bunshin no Jutsu = Clone/Body split technique

Mizu/Kage Bunshin no Jutsu = shadow and water clone technique, respectively.

Aneki means older sister.

Otooto means younger brother.

Sharingan – copy wheel eye