Ash's Master Quest Challenge.

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon, but if I did Ash would achieve his dream.

A/N This story is written in response to Mathiasnightlord01's Ash's Master Quest Challenge.

"Speech" talking

'Speech' thoughts

"'speech" telepathy

("Speech") pokemon translated speech

Chapter 1: The Legend Begins

In the world, there are these amazing and wonderful creatures that roam it, known as Pokémon. They fill the oceans, thrive in the mountains, soar high over the horizons, and share the landscapes of cities. Mankind and Pokemon alike have long Journeyed together to experience the thrill and challenge of the Pokemon Battle, the beauty and grace of the Pokemon Contest and many other challenges that bring them closer together in harmony with each other and nature. Many dream to become the best at what they choose to be...one such person is Ash Ketchem, a young man who dreams of becoming the world's greatest pokemon master.

Our story begins in the Kanto Region in the small town of Pallet. It was the middle of the day with the sun shining bright and the Pidgey chirping as they flew around the area. Running down the grassy fields near town was Ash Ketchem. The boy was 6 years old with wild spiky black hair, brown eyes wearing a black shirt with a red stripe down the left shoulder and black shorts with a red belt. He was also wearing a pair of matching red and black shoes.

Ash was a resident of Pallet Town along with his mother Delia Ketchem, a former Pokemon Trainer and assistant of Professor Oak. Ash's father was still out on his journey and Ash hadn't seen him in 3 years. Ash has loved Pokemon and Pokemon Battling since he saw his parent in a mock battle when he was little. Ever since then Ash couldn't wait to become a Pokemon trainer and go on his journey and fulfill his dream of becoming the world's greatest Pokemon Master.

Ash spent much of his time at Prof. Oak's lab where he played with the Pokemon caught by trainers sponsored by the Professor kept their Pokemon when they exceeded their team limit of six pokemon. Ash was currently playing with a few of the Butterfree kept at the lab when he heard a noise in the forest near the lab. The sound scared the Butterfly Pokemon, who suddenly flew away from the noise leaving Ash alone, being curious he went to see what was making the noise and entered the forest beyond Oak's enclosure. After walking about 10 minutes he finally saw what scared the Butterfree and what he found surprised him.

"What is that Pokemon?"

In the clearing was a pokemon that stood up on two legs and had blue fur with black ears and black and yellow fur surrounding the blue. The pokemon also had spikes protruding from its hands and feet.

But then Ash noticed something was wrong. The pokemon was laid out on the ground with several nasty injuries.

"It's hurt!"

The Pokemon looked up and saw Ash was there and instantly rose up in attacking position while wincing in pain from its injuries. It glared at Ash and raised its hand, ready to attack if needed.

"Lucario". The pokemon said

Ash backed away slightly before he noticed it wince in pain once more. The young boy shook off his fear as he put his hands up in the universal peace gesture. He started to walk toward the bipedal pokemon hoping it would understand him.

"Easy! I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help."

Lucario observed the human slowly walking toward him with his arm ready in case the boy did anything. After Ash was close enough to touch Lucario, the jackal pokemon looked into the boy's eyes and saw nothing but concern for the Aura pokemon. After a few seconds, Lucario felt that he could somehow trust this young human and finally lowered his arm. However, doing so used up the all the energy Lucario had left and the jackal pokemon collapsed on the ground. Ash quickly closed the distance between them and checked over the bipedal pokemon was even more injured then he thought. Lucario looked up at Ash from its position with its blue eye.

"Lucario" it said weakly.

Ash smiled down encouragingly at the injured Pokemon.

"Hold on buddy I'll help you."

Then, he noticed a noise coming from the woods before a deep male voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Now where did that Lucario get off to? I know it's around here somewhere and the client is nearly here for it! Arrgh! I didn't go through the trouble of capturing it just to have it escape its cage. I think I'll have to increase the heat on the cage when I capture it again."

Ash's eyes narrowed.

'So that's what happened to it. How could someone do that to a Pokemon! I'd better hide, Seviper I think it was called, until the guy leaves.'

Ash turned to Lucario who was glaring at the voice.

"Lucario? I need you to come with me so we can hide you okay?"

The Aura Pokemon looked at him for a few moments before nodding its head weakly. Ash then moved over and grunted as he helped carry the bipedal Pokemon toward professor Oak's lab. Within a few minutes they managed to reach a grove near a stream close to the Lab. Ash laid down Lucario who looked up at the human who helped it in curiosity. Ash smiled before stroking the injured pokemons head being mindful to avoid its injuries as the bipedal Pokemon in satisfaction.

"Don't worry Lucario, you'll be just fine here. I'll be right back just stay still and rest while I get something to help with those injuries."

Lucario watched as Ash then got up and sprinted toward the lab as fast as he could. Ash hoped the Professor was still out looking over the trainers Pokemon as he got closer to the research center. Sure enough the Professor was looking over one of his trainers Dodrio, allowing Ash to sneak in unnoticed and grab a hyper potion and bandages from one of the shelves before running out of the lab toward the grove where he left Lucario. Unbeknownst to Ash, Oak had just finished looking at his trainers Dodrio when he noticed Ash sneaking out of the lab.

'Wonder what he needs those supplies for? Hmmm.'

Meanwhile, Ash was able to quickly make it back to the grove where he left Lucario. The Aura Pokemon looked up at Ash curiously from its position as it noticed the supplies in Ash's hands.

"Cario?"

Ash chuckled a bit before putting down the supplies except for the hyper potion.

"Don't worry; this stuff will help you get better. Now this is going to sting a little but you'll feel much better okay?"

The Aura Pokemon looked at the bottle of potion before closing its eyes and nodding weakly. Ash took that as a sign of consent and starting spraying the potion over the Lucario's injuries. It growled in pain for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief. When Ash was finished with the potion he picked up the bandages a wrapped up the bipedal pokemon's wounds. When he was finished Lucario was looking much stronger than before and needed to rest. Ash stroked the pokemon's head and watched as it fell asleep. He smiled before he heard a voice behind him.

"So this what you needed them for huh?"

Ash jumped as he saw Professor Oak behind him. Ash quickly looked guiltily at the ground.

"Sorry for stealing from your lab Professor. But Lucario was hurt bad and-"

Oak waved off Ash's apologies.

"It's alright, no harm done. But you'll have to tell me how you came across this Lucario."

Ash then told him what happened and what he had heard. The Professor frowned.

"It sounds like you may have saved this Lucario from a rather nasty fate. You most likely ran into Daryon. He's a Pokemon Poacher that uses nets and other cruel devices to catch Pokemon and gives them over to whoever wants them for a price. Officer Jenny in Viridian City warned me he might be coming this way. I'll call her later and tell her what happened and maybe she'll manage to arrest the man. But I suspect he'll be long gone by then, I personally have no love for such despicable people."

Ash growled as he heard about Daryon did. Anyone that would hurt a pokemon deserved to go to jail or worse in his opinion. He turned to Lucario who was sighing contently on the ground asleep. Oak smiled.

"Well Ash, you mother called earlier for you to go home for supper. You go ahead I'll watch over Lucario."

Ash then grinned before leaning over and whispering to the sleeping pokemon.

"I got to go now Lucario. But I'll be back I promise."

He patted the Aura Pokemon's head a few times before getting up running towards his home. Oak smiled at Ash's actions before turning back toward Lucario.

'That boy will be great one day, his love and skill caring for Pokemon will take him far just like his father. Well I better tell Officer Jenny about Daryon.'

He pulled out his Pokegear and called Officer Jenny and informed her of the situation while he watched over Lucario.

A Few Hours Later...

Officer Jenny called back after they went to the sight and told Professor Oak that unfortunately Daryon managed to get away while trying to explain to his client how he lost the Lucario he had been hired to capture. Oak told Jenny it was alright and that Daryon would be arrested soon enough but at least he was foiled this time. After the conversation ended Oak was confident enough that Lucario was safe for now and headed back to the lab for some sleep.

Meanwhile, after having dinner with his mother, Ash had sneaked out with some leftover food that was still hot and brought them to Lucario. Lucario smelled them food and woke up to find Ash carrying a basket and a pot filled with some kind of stew. Lucario walked over to Ash looking far stronger than before and gave the human boy a smile before giving him an affectionate nudge with his head. Ash laughed happily.

"I see you're feeling better. I figured you might be hungry, so I brought you some food my mom made along with some stuff I picked up along the way."

Lucario looked at the food before giving Ash happy expression at the thought of food.

"Car! Lucario!"

Ash smiled at Seviper's happy energy as he gave the Bipedal Pokemon food, which the bipedal pokemon happily devoured until it was gone. It gave a satisfied growl-like roar.

"Cario! Lu! Lucario!"

Ash laughed.

"Glad you like it!"

Lucario then turned to Ash as nuzzled his head against Ash showing his gratitude for his help. Ash smiled at the bipedal Pokemon.

"Hey Lucario, you're a really cool Pokemon. Do you want to be friends with me?"

Lucario answered by wrapping its arms gently around Ash giving him a hug. Ash smiled as he laughed and hugged the Bipedal pokemon back

4 YEARS LATER...

4 years had passed since that day. Ash and Lucario had become closer over the years playing and learning at every opportunity. Lucario even taught Ash enough about aura to actually be able to understand pokemon. Lucario had grown slightly and was much stronger than before he met Ash. Over the last 4 years, Lucario had taken to training himself by battling against other wild pokemon around Pallet, especially a powerful Crystal Onix with an X scar on its face that lived in the mountians nearby. Both Pokemon couldn't figure out who was stronger because their battles usually ended in a draw since they had begun their rivalry year after Ash met Lucario.

But Lucario wasn't the only one training himself. Ash had spent the last 4 years studying and training his body in order to become a better trainer in the future. He now knew enough about Pokemon training and general knowledge that he believed he would do well as a trainer just like his parents did. Ash too, had developed a rival in the form of Gary Oak, grandson of Professor Oak and his former childhood friend before he started learning about Pokemon and become arrogant because of it. This arrogance caused them to end their friendship and now there was a friction between the two.

It was also during this time that Ash and Lucario grew closer as friends. The Aura Pokemon had become a member of the Ketchem Family and often visited Ash and Delia, whose cooking Lucario loved. Delia was surprised by Lucario at first but after a while grew used to its presence around the house.

It was 11 o'clock at the Ketchem Residence a few days after Ash's tenth birthday where he received several gifts from his mother and neighborhood friends. Ash was sitting on the floor in front of the Television with Lucario sitting next to him taking up most of the floor space after he finished packing his new backpack that was black with a purple pokeball set on a gray background design on the front. He also layed out his clothes and shoes so he could get ready quickly tomorrow.

As they watched the fifth round of the Indigo Plateau Pokemon League Competition, Ash turned to Lucario.

"Tomorrow is the big day Lucario. Tomorrow is when I officially become a Pokemon Trainer."

Lucario turned toward his longtime friend with a questioning look.

("Huh?"

Ash smiled at the Aura Pokemon.

"So, I was wondering. Do you want to come with me on my journey? I mean, I know they'll be giving me a starter pokemon tomorrow, But you'll always my first pokemon to me. So what do you say? Do you want to come with me?"

Lucario looked at him for a moment before letting out a happy growl and wrapping around Ash in a hug while nuzzling Ash's face with his head.

Ash laughed as he hugged his friend.

"I guess that means yes."

The door opened revealing Delia who smiled at seeing the scene.

"Ash it's time for bed now. You need to be up early tomorrow."

Ash groaned.

"I don't know if I can sleep. I'm too excited. But I'll try anyway."

Delia nodded before closing the door and heading to her own room for the night.

"Night Honey."

"Night Mom."

Ash turned off the TV before navigating his way around Lucario's coils and turning of the light and making his way back toward his bed. He set his alarm before getting under the covers. He turned towards Lucario who had taken up a meditative pose near the edge of the bed.

"Goodnight Lucario."

Lucario responded with a tired yawn.

("Goodnight.")

Closing their eyes both Pokemon and Trainer fell off to sleep.

The Next Day...

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

Ash's alarm went off, causing both Ash and Lucario to stir before waking up completely and turning the alarm off. Ash quickly got up and put on his new clothes. He now wore a purple hat that a gray stripe with red pokeball design, a black shirt with a closed gray vest with a straight dark purple design over it, black jeans with black trainer belt to hold his Pokeballs, purple shoes, and a pair of fingerless gray gloves with purple cuffs. After getting dressed Ash quickly picked up his bag and ran downstairs where his mother had finished making breakfast with Lucario not far behind.

Then, when both where finished Ash and Lucario both left for Professor Oak's lab. After getting halfway there they noticed a crowd around the front entrance. Ash turned to Lucario.

"Okay I think it be good if you weren't seen just yet. I wouldn't want someone to catch you. Use Dig to follow me underground until you can find a safe way into the lab."

Lucario nodded before diving underground. Ash then started running toward the lab hoping he wasn't too late.

"Squirtle… Charmander… Bulbasaur! Anyone of them is fine, just save one for me."

Ash got there quickly only to see his rival, Gary Oak, bidding farewell to all of his adoring fans. Gary turned to see Ash.

"Well if isn't Ashy-boy!"

Ash's eyes narrowed before nodding civilly in greeting.

"Gary."

Ash's rival gave him a cocky smirk.

"Well you snooze you lose Ash. I've got a Pokémon and you don't."

"You do?"

"That's right loser and its right here in this Pokeball!"

Gary pulled out the Pokeball and twirled it on his finger.

"If you had showed up earlier you'd know that I got the best Pokémon out of all of them."

Ash gave Gary a deadpan look.

"A Squirtle right?"

Gary gave his rival a surprised look. Ash sighed in exasperation.

"You've talked about getting a Squirtle non-stop for two weeks, so it's kind of obvious that you would choose it."

Gary's arrogant smirk returned as he appraised his rival.

"Well you're smarter than you look Ash. It's too bad that I probably just got the last of Grandpa's starters, so I doubt there are any Pokémon left for you.

Gary walked passed Ash before jumping into the passenger's seat of a red convertible.

"Later Ashy, I've got to get going on my journey to be a Pokémon Master."

The driver gunned the engine before driving off. The crowd dispersed after a few minutes leaving Ash seemingly alone. Ash smirked if Gary thought he didn't have a starter to begin his journey today he was dreaming.

"Alright Lucario you can come out now."

The Aura pokemon burst out of the ground in front of Ash growling angrily, having heard the trainer's conversation from below. Lucario didn't like Gary because he was arrogant and didn't like how he treated Ash. He had seen the young Oak around town and even scared him once when the boy had tried to get near him one time. Gary had no idea that the Aura Pokemon was Ash's Pokemon.

Ash gave Lucario a pat on the head.

"Don't worry about him. We'll show him whose the loser."

Lucario gave a satisfied growl at the thought. Ash smiled before he heard a voice behind him.

"Oh so you managed to show up."

He turned to see professor Oak standing behind him smiling.

"Hey Professor!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Ash and Professor Oak along with Lucario entered the lab to get Ash registered. After that was done Ash walked over to the capsule containing the three Kanto starters, Ash looked on as he reached out and grabbed the Pokéball with the flame sticker on it before Oak could say anything else.

"I thought about it a lot and it took me a long time but I finally decided to choose Charmander."

He opened the ball but it turned out to be empty. He frowned and turned to look at the Professor who sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry but Gary and his two friends decided to get up an hour earlier than you did and took all the starters. I was planning on having a catching a Pikachu that's been chewing on the wiring to give one of the trainers should we run out but I couldn't manage to do so in time."

Ash was disappointed, he really wanted a Charmander, but he had Lucario so he was happy with him.

"Don't worry about it professor. I'll just use Lucario as my starter!"

Lucario gave out a happy growl-roar in confirmation.

("Alright!")

Oak smiled.

"I'd hoped you would. So in that case I have another late birthday present for you Ash."

He pulled out something from his pocket and enlarged it. It turned out to be a Pokéball only it was black where the red would be with blue eyed design and silver where it would be white and the ring and button in the middle was yellowish-peach instead of a black, plus there was a dark blue M at the top. Ash eyes squinted in confusion

"What kind of Pokéball is this?"

Oak chuckled before handing it over.

"This is a special Master Ball I've been developing for your Lucario. It's not all that different from a regular Pokéball except for the fact it's more comfortable for the Pokémon and the different color scheme really."

Ash stared at the Master Ball in awe before looking up at the professor.

"Thanks Professor, I'm sure Lucario will love it."

Oak nodded. Ash then turned toward Lucario.

"You ready?"

The Aura Pokémon nodded. Ash then opened the Master Ball causing Lucario to disappear inside and didn't fight the capture.

Ash grinned as he held up the Lucario's Ball.

"Alright! I caught a Lucario!"

Oak chuckled as Ash let Lucario out of his Pokéball in a flash of light. Then the professor pulled out some items for Ash.

"Well, now that that's settled. Here are your Pokédex and Pokéballs. The Pokédex has been pre-programed to include data on all currently known Pokémon as well as information on moves, Pokemon evolution, and anything else a Trainer might require."

Ash looked over at Oak surprised. The old Professor smiled.

"Why don't you try it out on Lucario? Then you'll see what I mean."

Ash nodded before he flipped the Pokédex open and scanned Lucario. After a few seconds, Lucario's picture appeared along with information about the Pokémon.

Lucario, the Aura Pokémon.

By reading the auras of all things, it can tell how others are feeling from overhalf a mileaway

Gender: Male

Nature: Brave

Ability: Steadfast, Inner Focus, and Justified (Adaptability when mega evolved)

Evolution: Riolu-Lucario-Mega Lucario (Needs Lucarionite)

Moves: Aura Sphere, ExtremeSpeed, Blaze Kick, Dragon Pulse, Close Combat, Bullet Punch, Power-Up Punch, Counter, Force Palm, Reversal, Detect, Protect, Foresight, Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Feint, Bone Rush, Me First, Heal Pulse, Dig, Earthquake, Hyper Beam, Brick Break, Shadow Ball, Poison Jab, Dark Pulse

*A Pokémon may know more than four moves*

Ash and Oak were astonished at the amount of moves Lucario knew. Ash knew it had been training and battling but this was something else. Lucario gave the two a look of smug satisfaction at their appreciation of its strength, it worked really hard to get this strong. Ash smiled with pride at his Pokemon.

"I guess battling with that Onix and the other wild Pokémon for so long has really increased your strength Lucario."

("HELL YEAH!") It roared

Oak finally snapped out of it and smiled at Ash.

"Well I guess you got the better end of the deal after all Ash. Not many Pokemon know that many moves before being caught, I'm looking forward to seeing you battle in the future. On another note, your Pokédex is also linked to the Pokémon Storage System so you can transfer your Pokémon here even if don't have access to a Pokémon Center. Finally, and most importantly, the Pokédex contains your Trainer's license so if it is lost or stolen, it cannot be replaced."

Ash grinned as he put away Dexter, his Pokéballs, and putting Lucario back in its ball before attaching it to his belt.

"Thanks Professor, I'll be sure to take good care of it. Now I think we should-"

"Professor!"

Ash was interrupted when one of the lab assistants came in. Oak turned to his lab technician, John.

"What is it John? What's wrong?"

The lab tech pointed outside.

"That Pikachu is back Professor! It's chewing on the wires again! If it does it again we'll have to replace all the wiring for the computer systems!"

Professor Oak sighed.

"If this keeps up, it could end up costing us a lot of money...I guess I'll try to catch it again then."

Ash turned toward the two, having been silent throughout the conversation. He had an idea to both solve their problem and get some battle experience.

"Professor?"

They turned toward the young trainer questioningly.

"Yes Ash?"

Ash held up his hand.

"Would it be alright if I looked for the Pikachu? Me and Lucario could catch it, stopping it from chewing through the wiring, and gain some battle experience at the same time."

Prof. Oak laughed.

"Sure, why not. It would be a good experience for you. Plus, if you manage to catch it you save me money while gaining a new Pokemon for your team."

Ash smirked as his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Alright! It's time for my first Pokemon battle! Where did you see Pikachu last John?"

John pointed towards the outside.

"It was right next to the Pokemon Storage building."

Ash ran outside.

"Thanks John!

Oak chuckled.

"He sure is excited. We'll let's go and see how he does. It should be an interesting battle."

Outside next to the Pokemon Storage building...

When Ash reached the area John saw the Pikachu, he spotted the electric mouse with the lightning bolt tail and black stripes and tipped ears chewing away at the sparking wires where the lines ran into the computers in the lab. Ash grinned pulling Seviper's ball from his belt.

"Found you, Pikachu! I challenge you to a battle!"

The Pikachu stopped chewing as soon as it heard Ash's voice and turned around glaring at the boy cheeks sparking while growling in warning.

("I will defeat you easily!")

Ash glared right back at his opponent as he released his Pokemon from his ball.

"Okay Lucario, come out show this Pikachu whose boss!"

The Aura Pokemon appeared in a flash of light before Pikachu.

("Oh Yeah lets kick some ass!")

The mouse Pokemon suddenly wasn't so sure of himself before shaking off his fear and began growling at Lucario as it crouched and sprung forward leaving a white stream in its wake, a Quick Attack.

("Take this! Quick Attack!")

Ash reacted quickly.

"Lucario! Use Dig to dodge that Quick Attack! Then follow it up with Poison Jab!

Lucario immediately responded and dived underground. Pikachu soared over the hole Lucario disappeared into surprised before Lucario's fist suddenly erupted from the ground beneath it striking direct hit. The attack sent Pikachu soaring before landing a few feet away on its feet its cheeks sparking in anger. Ash, however already made his next move.

"Lucario ascend from the ground and finish it with Aura Sphere!"

The Aura Pokemon burst out of the ground behind Pikachu catching the Mouse Pokemon off guard before he released a blue sphere into Pikachu. The attack nailed Pikachu hard and sent it crashing into the wall of the Storage Building so hard it caused a spider web crack in the mortar. Prof. Oak and John, who had just joined in winced at the sheer power behind Lucario's Aura Sphere attack.

'OH! Now that's got to hurt!'

Pikachu glared as it tried to get back to its feet but then fell forward with swirls in its eyes.

"Now's my chance. Quick Pokéball! Go!"

The Pokéball hit the Mouse pokemon and started shaking. Once… twice…three times. Ping. Ash ran over to the now caught Pikachu and picked up the Pokéball and scanned it with Dexter.

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon.

The evolved form of Pichu. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks and its tail is sometimes struck by lightning as it raises it to check its surroundings.

Gender: Male

Nature: Serious

Ability: Static and Lightning Rod

Evolution: Pichu - Pikachu - Raichu

Moves: Quick Attack, Agility, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Volt Tackle, Thundershock, Wild Charge, ExtremeSpeed, Discharge, Electro Ball, Iron Tail, Rain Dance, Dig, Thunder Wave, Charge Beam, Volt Switch, Brick Break, Protect, Double Team, Sleep Talk, Grass Knot,

"Alright! We caught Pikachu, Lucario!"

("Alright!")

Oak and John smiled at the scene. They were very impressed with the battle and the capture. Ash showed great skill and Lucario was an incredibly strong Pokémon. Now Ash had two very powerful Pokémon if Pikachu's performance and its moves were anything to go by.

"Thank You Ash! Now we won't have to replace the wiring."

"Thanks Professor."

Oak snorted before waving them off.

"So I think its best you start on your Journey."

Prof. Oak walked up to Ash and held out his hand which the youth took.

"Good Luck Ash."

"Thanks Professor."

After that the three humans separated and Ash was left alone. He released Pikachu from its Pokéball and then proceeded to heal it and Lucario's wounds from the battle with some Hyper Potions Professor Oak had given him. After a couple minutes both Pokemon were fully healed. After returning Lucario to its ball he found out that Pikachu didn't like being in a ball so he let it ride on his shoulder which warmed the mouse Pokémon up to him.

After receiving a similar farewell to Gary's from his mother and his friends from Pallet, Ash and his Pokemon left for Viridian City and their adventure into the unknown future.

To Be Continued…

A/N this is my first fic that I have written so please don't flame me and also there is a poll up on my profile for which pairing I should do for ash.