Obstruct

1.

Meeting

If there was a day as important as his birthday, it was no doubt today. Sure — while the day he was born was the start of his existence, today was the start of the rest of his life. After all, today was the day Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town would be getting his partner pokémon.

The usual rule of having to be pubescent hadn't been enforced in several decades, so since Ash and three other trainers had recently turned ten, they were allowed to venture the world so long as they had a reliable pokémon to accompany them in the journey.

In Pallet Town, a small, rural country-side spot near the border of Johto, Professor Oak was the one tasked with the handing out of starters. Other towns and cities had to receive their starters from Gym Leaders, parents, and even nearby academies. There was, however, one benefit to getting a starter from Professor Oak.

The Professor of Pokémon, despite holding a wide variety of pokémon on his land, handed out only a select few.

Though that would be a let down to most, it ensured no trainer would be getting a pokémon to advanced for them. Each had weaknesses and strengths that made them all good and bad choices. There was no good starter that would work for any one person. It also helped when considering the future of the partnership.

Though charmander appeared appealing to most given how it evolved into the almighty charizard, the fire-type was testy, disobeying those it deemed unworthy of using its powers. Many trainers had even been killed by unruly charmeleon who were none too happy about being ordered around. So despite charizard's sheer amount of power and abundant move pool, Ash simply couldn't take the risk of being killed by his pokémon.

The next obvious choice was squirtle, who later evolved into blastoise. Blastoise had both power and defenses to back it up. Its shell was nigh indestructible and offered an unexpected power in physical offensive moves. It also had a respectable move pool with moves to back up its weaknesses. ice beam and blizzard were easily some of the most beneficial moves blastoise to learn to oppose grass-types, but the move all blastoise trainers sought was earthquake. A high powered and fast-moving technique developed through the sheer weight of the pokémon and power of the earth. It dealt with electric-types faster than the speedy type could manage to oppose.

Ash would love to take squirtle as his partner. The only issue of the matter was Gary Oak, the grandson of Professor Oak. Gary had his eyes on squirtle since they could recognize the starters, so there simply wasn't a hope that Ash could receive that pokémon. Professor Oak, though not favoring one trainer over the other, would no doubt look to his grandson's desires before the others. And Ash couldn't blame him. Gary was the Professor's grandson, after all.

That left but one choice. The least picked and most neglected of starters Professor Oak had to offer. Bulbasaur. Ash's personal pick. Though venusaur lacked the powerful moves and overall strength that could be seen in charizard and blastoise, venusaur was not a bad choice. The grass/poison-type had great defenses and a good handful of utility moves that would only make capturing other pokémon and bringing opponents to their knees all the more simple. If Ash could teach venusaur the powerful poison move toxic, venusaur would have no issue whatsoever crippling even those it proved weak against. When coupled with leech seed, it would become a deadly and infuriating combo.

Yeah.

Ash was picking bulbasaur.

With his mind made up, Ash rushed downstairs and into the kitchen to find his mother preparing breakfast. Though that would normally be his wake up call, Ash had made sure to set his alarm clock extra early to ensure he got there on time to pick his partner, so when he mother turned around, her eyes briefly widened before she smiled.

"I see someone's up early. Are you eating breakfast first or heading out?"

Ash blinked. That was surprising. "If you don't mind, I'd like to head out first." Of course, he could always wolf down his breakfast, though he feared that would only irritate his mom more than if he just headed out.

"It's your day. Don't worry, I'll prepare something extra special for the little one you bring home."

Ash almost cringed at the wording. His mom made it sound as though he were bringing his own spawn home. He supposed bulbasaur could be considered something of a child to him but he'd much prefer it being called his partner or friend over his child. That was just awkward. "I'll be back soon," he called, waving as he left as quick as humanly possible.

Once out of his house, there was a sense of freedom. He'd never been able to walk out of the yard before today due to his mother's strict rules. In fact, most of the time his mom would be supervising him even then. A part of him couldn't blame her with the constant threat of the legendary birds parading around the region. Though Ash had never seen the legends himself, he knew they were out there, having heard stories from Professor Oak of the rare encounters he's had with Moltres and Zapdos. Though the more allusive Articuno was nowhere in his tales.

He quickly picked up the pace, making it the Professor Oak's lab in no time. There were a few people there already. Daisy Oak, Gary's sister was there, likely having been ordered by Gary to see him off to his journey. There was another family there as well that Ash had never met or even seen in Pallet Town. He supposed they were there to see Damian off. After all, Ash had never seen Damian's family before.

Ash frowned at the thought of Damian. The rather confusing boy would be getting charmander for the sole reason that charmander had a high value on the trading scale. Ash couldn't even begin to imagine trading away his first partner for even the rarest of finds.

Ash made it through the small crowd, simply waving in Daisy's direction as she barely acknowledged him. So he was likely last.

He gulped, now worried that he might be keeping everyone waiting. He bolted up the stairs to the lab and quickly entered without bothering to knock. He was quickly met with the likes of Gary and the Professor. However, to his surprise, Damian had yet to show. Instead, a girl with brown hair and eyes covered by a short-brimmed league sun hat; a style Ash had no idea the league still produced. She was slim and rather short and wore a blue tank top and red skirt that had Ash's eyes lingering a bit too long for his liking.

He inwardly shook his head clear of those thoughts and stepped up, picking the spot next to his rival instead of the space next to the stranger.

"It's about time you got here," Gary said. "Should've picked your friend on the way here."

Ash scoffed. "He's not my—"

"Glad we can agree on something."

Ash turned and cringed when he saw Damian. Shoot. He could feel his face heat up as he realized he took Gary's bait. There went any chances of acting friendly toward any of his rivals.

Professor Oak ignored the little stunt his grandson pulled and cleared his throat to catch the four's attention. "Now, as you all know, today is the day you can officially leave home to begin training pokémon so from this day forth you will be each others' rivals in one way or another. Compete, friendly or otherwise, to achieve your dreams as a trainer. Nothing less is expected of you."

Simply put — be war-ready.

With the recent peace treaties being threatened by the evil organizations of Hoenn and Sinnoh, there was a huge need for war-ready trainers being ready for the fight of their lives. It was up to those handing out starters to ensure there was a sense of competitiveness in all young trainers so they could get a taste of victory and hardship in case war broke out among nations. The only two nations that assured absolute peace with Johto and Alola. Johto because they were under the same Pokémon League, and Alola due to their astoundingly peaceful nature. Anywhere else, no matter the peace treaties' promises, could be a threat.

"These are the three starters I have prepared for the three most competent trainers here. The last one will receive a different pokémon after everyone else has their own." He motioned with his hand to the three pokéballs.

That was news to Ash. He shouldn't have been concerned considering he was no doubt classed as competent with Gary, but the match between Damian and the unnamed girl would be questionable. She didn't look ignorant to pokémon in the least. Damian wasn't the most intelligent of people.

"The starters are bulbasaur, the grass/poison-type; charmander, the fire-type; and squirtle, the water-type. Now. The first to choose is Gary Oak."

Gary smirked. He knew he had first pick, but the confirmation was all the more ego-boosting. He grabbed the pokéball closest to him. It had the kanji for 'water' on it. As Ash expected. Gary released Squirtle, who came out in a beam of red.

Gary looked down at his new partner. "You're gonna be powerful, aren't you?"

Squirtle smirked in return and snapped his jaws open and closed with a loud sound.

"That's what I like to hear!"

Professor Oak grinned at the interaction. He'd made sure to pick the most spirited squirtle of the clutch. He had no doubt Gary would raise the water-type correctly and make it as a trainer worthy of the recognition the second most competent trainer of Pallet Town. Though irritated that Gary wasn't at the top, Professor Oak knew that would change in due time. "It looks like you and Squirtle will no doubt be great partners." He turned to the girl he'd yet to introduce to the boys. "Now, Leaf, this is your first time in Pallet, but you are still one of our most competent trainers that we've seen in nearly a decade."

Leaf grinned as she lifted her eyes to meet the Professor's. They were forest green with a menacing gleam in them. "Thank you, sir. I do appreciate the recognition."

Gary scoffed quietly and whispered: "Some ego she has."

Before Ash could call hypocrisy, Professor Oak said: "That's enough, young man. She's as much of your rival as Ash and Damian are." He then turned back to Leaf, who now wore a grim look. "Apologies. Now, you may choose between either charmander or bulbasaur."

Ash tensed while Damian narrowed his eyes at the girl. It would be one or the other not getting their desired starter. Even if Ash was picked next, there was still a chance of him getting a starter he had no true desire to train. Sure, he would train it if that's what was left, but it wasn't the pokémon he prepared so long for. And then if Leaf picked charmander and Ash did get Bulbasaur, that left Damian without a pokémon he could be sure had the worth that he wanted.

"I pick bulbasaur."

All of Ash's hopes deflated at that moment.

As if this wasn't a huge moment of shock for Ash, Professor Oak offered another grin and handed the 'grass' kanji-marred pokéball to Leaf. The girl eagerly took it and let out Bulbasaur in the same manner Gary had. The bulbed grass-type starter emerged and looked up to see Leaf. It tilted its head and looked at Professor Oak.

"That's your new trainer."

Bulbasaur's jaw fell slack and he met Leaf's eyes , who smiled and knelt.

"What do you say?" Leaf said, a certain joy in her voice previously missing. "Let's be friends and take on the world together."

She held her hand out, which Bulbasaur took with a rather clumsy vine. Leaf gave a small laugh and shook hands, or vines? With the tiny grass-type that Ash wouldn't be taking as his partner.

Bulbasaur was the least popular starter and even then, Ash lost it. How could that happen? And he lost it to a girl new to Pallet Town. Had he been informed of the new arrival, he might have worked on learning the skills of a charizard. Even still, he didn't want to go with the most predictable choice. Everyone who's ever given the choice goes for either squirtle or charmander. As it's most renowned that Gary's father had a blastoise, it was obvious Gary would go for the same. Leaving Ash for the most obvious charizard.

Professor Oak's grin never left as he watched the interaction between trainer and pokémon. When he turned to see a rather sullen-looking Ash, he wondered what the issue was. "And now, Ash, you can take Char—"

"Give it to Damian." The words came out before Ash even knew what he was saying. A round of 'huh's and 'what's sounded around him. Once he realized his words, he added with a forced grin: "Yeah. Damian can have Charmander. I'll take whatever you have left, Professor."

It sounded as though he was immediately giving himself a disadvantage with handing over could easily be one of the most powerful pokémon of Kanto, but he considered that perhaps he could get a bulbasaur or even a squirtle from the remaining clutches. He knew the Professor had more than enough.

Professor Oak was stunned that any trainer, much less Ash, would turn down the chance to train a Charmander. Alas, it Ash wanted Damian to have it, he wouldn't say no. "Er, okay. That's mighty generous of you, Ash. Here, Damian."

Damian took it with little interest.

"Are you not going to see it?" Leaf said, likely more interested in seeing the apparently dreaded fire-type an up and coming trainer didn't want.

"Oh. Right."

Right.

He let the little fire lizard out of its pokéball and knelt in front of it, much like how Leaf did. Rather than say a word to it, he cupped the thing's bottom jaw and snapped it open to expose its tiny, dagger-like fangs. With his other hand, he felt of the sharp teeth, seeming satisfied. He then stood up when Charmander began growling, recalling who no one in the room suspected would be Damian's true partner.

"He'll be fine," Damian said.

Ash suddenly felt a surge of guilt for having not taken the fire-type who surely wouldn't receive the training it needed to succeed. He could only hope Damian would find a worthy trainer to trade Charmander away to.

"All right." Professor Oak didn't appear worried judging by his usual tone of voice. "Gary, Leaf, recall your pokémon."

Leaf looked disappointed, but did as told, standing herself back up in a confident position that appeared to match Gary's, who recalled Squirtle despite his clear annoyance with a loud sigh.

"As you know, I have created a vast pokémon encyclopedia dubbed the PokéDex." Oak stepped over to a counter, opening the drawer to pull out four of the devices he spoke of. One green, one blue, one red, and the last one black. Aside from their color, they look identical, with expensive-looking plastic that glistened with the bright lights of the lab and a button in the front that Professor Oak demonstrated would open the dual-screened device. The screens came to life.

A robotic voice came from the speakers: "This is Dexter. The rookie trainer, Gary Oak, has been automatically registered to this device. Should I be lost, please return me to the nearest pokémon center.:"

Gary took his PokéDex — the blue one — and stared in some wonderment at the device. "Rookie trainer... Not for long! Squirtle and I will make a name out of ourselves."

"Until you have received your third badge or ribbon, you will be classified by the most people as E-rank trainers, or rookie trainers," Professor Oak explained. "After that, you will be D-ranks, then when you have collected either six badges of five ribbons. Once you enter a league to become a B-rank and so forth. The max rank known is S-rank, as a Champion."

Gary grinned. "That sounds like a good rank to me."

"The PokéDex will keep track of all the locations you've been in, the pokémon you have scanned, and the moves your pokémon have. Why don't you three test that feature? I believe you'll be quite pleased with the moves your starters already have." The Professor handed the PokéDexes to the three, Leaf taking the green one and Damian taking the basic red one everyone is usually shown having in the ads on television.

The three were eager to do just that, even Damian. They let their pokémon out and quickly went to scanning them.

"Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. Its shell is not merely used for protection. The shell's rounded shape and the grooves on its surface help minimize resistance in water, enabling this pokémon to swim at high speeds.

"The squirtle has the ability Torrent and knows the moves: Tackle, Water Gun, Withdraw, and Dragon Pulse."

Gary's jaw fell before he smirked. "Damn, Squirtle! Dragon Pulse? How'd you come about that move?"

"Language," Oak warned. "Dragon pulse is an egg move that, though not mastered, is accessible and taught by your father's rhyperior and—"

"I knew he was hiding something from me," Gary said laughing as he recalled Squirtle. He pocketed his PokéDex. "That old man and his ways of reaching out. If that's all you're gonna give me, I'm gonna go call him and thank him."

Before Professor Oak could say something else, Gary was out the door and likely already bugging Daisy about calling their father. Not that Professor Oak would've denied Gary's request to leave. Contact between Gary and his father was a rare thing; the Professor would never deny them the chance of even a short call if it meant something to either of them.

Damian was next to scan his pokémon. The voice had an accent much like his own:

"Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon. The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is enjoying itself. If the pokémon becomes enraged, the flame burns fiercely."

Damian winced at that, but the PokéDex continued: "This charmander has the ability Blaze and knows the moves: Ember, Scratch, Smokescreen, and Dragon Rush."

"That was informative," Damian said as he recalled Charmander. "Thank you, Professor. May I leave as well?"

The Professor nodded, and Damian was out the door.

Leaf smiled. "My turn! Let's see what Bulbasaur is capable of."

A female voice spoke: "Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. It can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.

"This bulbasaur has the ability Overgrowth and knows the moves: Tackle, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, and Sludge."

"That's amazing, Bulbasaur!" Leaf complemented as she knelt to pet Bulbasaur, who accepted the affection with what appeared to be a rather content expression. "All right, let's go!" She didn't recall her pokémon or ask for permission like either Gary or Damian did, instead running out of the lab with Bulbasaur following in his rather slow steps.

Ash couldn't help but sigh. Finally. Leaf was gone. Though Ash wasn't a bitter person, he couldn't help but feel a little angered that the partner he'd looked forward to for so long was snatched right under his nose. Had Professor Oak just said his name before Leaf's he would've gotten the pokémon he wanted. So perhaps it'd make more sense to be mad at Professor Oak, but it wasn't the Professor's fault a new trainer came in or that she chose the starter Ash had wanted for so long.

"Ash, might I ask why you handed Charmander over to Damian?" Professor Oak said, tearing Ash away from his angry debate on who to be angry with. "I know you wanted bulbasaur, but charmander is by no means a bad starter choice."

"I know that, but Damian's my friend. He wanted charmander from the start." Even if it was for the wrong reasons.

Professor Oak hummed in consideration. "True in the latter regard. However, I recall you only ten minutes ago claiming Damian wasn't your friend."

"He's... He is my friend. I just don't agree with him on what he thinks of pokémon," Ash said.

"Not agreeing is common amongst friends, so why tell Gary he's not your friend when that's not how it is?" Professor Oak asked as if this were an interrogation.

Ash couldn't, for life of himself, figure out why the Professor was butting into ten-year-olds' issues but decided to answer truthfully. "Because opinions with pokémon grow out of proportions." They break the world apart, regions apart, families apart. Ash wasn't about to say that, though. Those words would ring far too true for the Professor. "It's safest to keep friends as far away as possible." So you don't break them apart in the process.

Professor Oak neither grinned or frowned as he nodded in agreement with a sound of consideration. "I believe I have the right pokémon for you." He walked away, and Ash quickly followed.

Though Ash felt Professor Oak was trying to lighten the mood from the philosophical moment Ash offered, there was a thick air around them even as they stepped into a room full of pokéballs. Ash had been in the room before, but had never truly admired the sheer about of pokémon the Professor was set to look after. Every pokémon, besides perhaps snorlax and other sleepy pokémon, had to be let out everyday to eat and exercise. Though Professor Oak had a handful of assistants, they were mostly for organizing the office, cleaning, and sorting through mail. So it was most often just Professor Oak having to go through each and every pokémon, let them out, feed them, and then recall most of them that didn't do well when unsupervised. But Ash was confused. This was the area the Professor held other people's pokémon.

Though the desire to request a specific pokémon was still in his mind, curiosity got the better of him, and he bit back the request when he noticed a pokéball sat on the table right next to the Professor's computer system. That was the one. Ash knew it.

Oak confirmed that by picking it up. "I think it's best you see it before I tell you what it is." There was a small smile plastered across his face again. As if he were a young trainer again, he tossed the ball into the air, the barrier of the ball colored with a bright blue beam before it emerged with the same energy.

What landed on the tile floors gave a pitter-patter with long claws as opposed to the thick paws and webbed feet of the other starters.

Ash's eyes grew wide as the little monster let out a rumbling growl, bordering a roar.

It was low to the ground, short legs not visible under the draping black and white fur that was layered in alternating colors. Its claws, almost longer than charmander's, were white with the front paws and black in the back. Fur looking both coarse for protection and soft enough to easily run fingers in shown as brightly as the black PokéDex Ash held. Its tail was short but bushy, not looking like too much of a weapon yet, but Ash felt that could be changed. Its ear twitched as it looked around. And its face... The most noticeable feature of the little monster was the mask it wore around its eyes, star-shaped, and the long, thin tongue lolling out of its mouth, careful to avoid those short, needle-like fangs it showed off. It was only when the creature opened its eyes that Ash noticed the deep pink color.

It was perfect.

The black and white pokémon spotted Ash as soon as it opened its flashy eyes. The corners of its mouth quirked into a goofy-looking grin. It charged to one side with a single step, and then the next charge in the other direction. A zigzag pattern that could prove unpredictable. Claws clicked against the floor as Ash knelt down to meet the pokémon as he thought the little one was doing. However, it quickly bound into the air, tackling the boy. Ash caught it in a hug, believing that it was already accepting it.

Then it began tugging on the string of Ash's jacket.

"Hey! This jacket wasn't cheap!" Ash snapped.

The pokémon snapped right back, snatching Ash's hand with its fangs.

"Ow! You're not as nice as I thought you were." Ash pried the tiny mouth off his hand, only for the pokémon to wag its tail wildly, swiping its surprisingly slobbery tongue over Ash's face. Ash resisted the urge to say 'eek!'. "How is your tongue that wet if it's hanging out?!"

Professor Oak chuckled at the two's interactions. "Zigzagoon looks rather pleased."

Ash pushed Zigzagoon away as best he could to look at Professor Oak. "If this is him being pleased, I dread seeing him happy. Ow! Not again!"

Zigzagoon had Ash's hand in a far tighter grip this time.

"Zigzagoon is a female. It's not wise to misgender a pokémon."

"Oh. Zigza— Let go!" Ash finally removed the pesky pokémon from his hand. She hisses at him as she jumped out of his lap. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know. We're gonna be partners from here on out, so forgive m—"

Zigzagoon was all too forgiving, bouncing back onto Ash with another sloppy swipe of the tongue to the face. This time, Ash couldn't help but smile and laugh at what would hopefully not be a common occurrence. Once Zigzagoon calmed, settling in Ash's arms, Ash stood, holding his new partner.

"Zigzagoon is awesome, Professor! But I have to ask why you have one in your office," Ash said as he busied himself by petting Zigzagoon.

Oak smiled as he took a seat at his desk. "Well, you see, this Zigzagoon is not the usual zigzagoon found in Kalos and Hoenn. This little lady is from Galar."

"Galar?" Ash said, eyes wide. He looked down at Zigzagoon. A Galarian zigzagoon...

The Professor nodded. "Yes. After our recent treaty and alliance, they were kind enough to send a few pokémon my way to study. I also have their primary starters and a new form of weezing that's only ever been seen there."

That was all news to Ash. Galar was the last region he expected a peace treaty to be formed with Kanto. And to offer a handful of pokémon? That was unheard of outside of Kalos, who the Galar region was quite close with. "I'm guessing they're keeping the secrets of dynamaxing?"

Another nod. "Yes, but this is quite a feat between regions. One that hasn't even been announced to most of the Kanto region. League executives, myself, and few others know of this. I didn't intend to give Zigzagoon to you, but I suspect that you can bring out the potential Galar was so sure I'd never be able to find in her.

"As you probably know, I have a lot on my hands right now. Far too much for me to put much focus on Zigzagoon. I no longer train for a reason. Modern methods just aren't a part of my ways."

Ash nodded understandingly. Pumping drugs into pokémon was now frowned upon and with the recent outlaw against rare candies, there were few methods outside of constant strain to speed a pokémon's evolution. Ash smirked. "You have my word that I'll bring out every bit of Zigzagoon's potential and help her reach her final form!"

Zigzagoon hissed, digging her claws into Ash's arm.

"Ah! What's wrong now?"

"Perhaps she wants a name," Professor Oak suggested.

Zigzagoon's tail went wild as she looked up to Ash with that goofy grin.

"A name? Oh. Um. Maybe... Star?" Ash considered.

Hiss.

"Ruby?"

Scratch.

"Ow... Is Ziggy good?"

Bite.

"Ow! Okay, okay! Is Izzy any better?"

Just when Zigzagoon was about to shake her head with Ash's hand still trapped in her mouth, she paused and let go of him, choosing to lather a stripe of slimy drool over Ash's face again. Ash's nose creased in disgust.

"Ew, gross! Okay, your name is Izzy!"

Izzy stopped and smiled. A small but happy growl left her as she settled back into Ash's hold.

Ash sighed, happy she calmed. "Now. Why don't we scan you to see just what moves you have?" He pulled out his PokéDex.

A/N: I love Obstagoon! Absolutely brilliant of Nintendo to pull that move at such a controversial moment of Pokémon. A regional variant the has a new evolution. Genius. I did not see that coming. I'll most definitely be purchasing Pokémon Sword, and once I've spent time with Obstagoon, I'll write the next chapter.

Now about Damian. Is he the same one from the anime? Yes, and no. He's based on the same character, but he's not completely him. I know it's hard seeing him with Charmander, but I promise he's not completely as he is in the anime. He's an experiment of mine to see just how well I can develop characters. I really think if you give me a chance, I can surprise you with him. It's not a complete sob story or anything like that. Just something you've never seen in a Pokémon character. Give the story a chance. If the first few chapters don't show you I'm capable of developing a character like Damian, I'll take the flames.