Hello Readers! This is my first fanfic and one I've had an idea for a while. It's certainly an Idea I havent come across yet. Please Tell me what you think!

Disclaimer!: I do not own pokemon! If I did Ash would at least age or have a deeper voice ...

Just a quick Summary.. This will NOT be a typical journey story, no collecting badges (at least not yet). Ash will have a lot of adversity but he will be smarter, and a touch darker.

2nd..Ash will NOT Pikachu! I have nothing against him but he just doesnt fit into my story. He will be staying with Professor Oak.

Anyways, On with the show!

The world of Pokemon has always been a strange and wonderful place. Full of beautiful, wondrous, and at times fierce creatures with abilities that people only dream of having. But even this place has a dark side, and a not so well guarded one...

Where there is light, there is always darkness, and that is where this story begins..

In the small town of Pallet Town, a small group of 10 year olds where getting ready to begin their new lives as trainers. One such 10 year old was a boy named Ash Ketchum. In his room now, the boy could only smile as he thought of the opportunities that awaited him tomorrow. Not only was it a start of a chance to become one of the greats, but it was also his best bet of getting out of this Arceus-forsaken place.

Ever since Ash could remember, he has felt that the people of Pallet town were for some reason against him. One no more as Professor Samuel Oak. He hated that Old Geezer! And he was sure the professor felt the same way about him, and he could only think of one reason.. his father...

Ash's Father was at one time a very famous trainer. His possibly greatest achievement was beating a Pokemon champion, who happened to be Professor Oak's son at that time, and taking his title. But then, what seemed right afterwards, he disappeared without a trace..

Ever since then, the old Oak has held a grudge against the missing champion, and of course, his son Ash. Though it doesn't stop the old Geezer from flirting with his mom every chance he got! what a pervert!

Ash sighed as he packed his traveling bag, think back about all the ways the professor has tried to hold him back over the years. Anything from refusing to teach him necessary skills because it would be "a waste of time", to blaming him for things that he didn't do or even couldn't have done.

'Seriously, how could I have caused a Nidorino Stampede when I had just got there..' Ash thought to himself

Of course, whatever the Professor did, his bratty grandson did just as much. Poisoned by his Grandad's influence, Gary Oak treated him as badly as the Professor did. The worst thing he did was when he spread rumors around Pallet Town that Ash was a thief and an idiot, and that he hurt pokemon for fun!

Ash growled in his throat at the sore memory. Then he smirked as he thought of the way he payed Gary back for those rumors, a swift punch in the face hard enough to make him black out.

As Ash sat on his bed, there was a knock at the door. he turned his head and smiled as the only person that has stuck by him walked through the door. His Mother. She was the only one that saw his smile nowadays..

"How's it going honey? Are you all packed?" she asked as she stepped through the door.

Ash smiled at her and nodded "just about mom, just finishing up" he replied as he went through a mental checklist to make sure he had backed everything.

She nodded and sat down next to him. It was then that Ash noticed that she was hiding something behind her back "what's that?"

Delia smiles as she brings out a brown box and sits it on her lap "this honey, is something that your father wanted you to have when you started your journey" she says with sad eyes.

Ash looks at her surprised then reaches out for the box and places it on his lap. As she stares at it Delia continues "Your father was so proud of you honey, when he had to leave it broke his heart to do so.." she says as a few tears escape her eyes

Ash merely nods, a little choked up himself at the mention of his father, a man that, although he never truly knew him, he still loved and respected. Ash opens the box and the first thing he sees is a letter. He unfolds it and reads it.

Dear Son,

I know you probably won't remember me by the time you read this. But please know that I do love both you and your mother so very much, and it is breaking me inside that I have to leave you.. There are some very evil and vicious people who are after me, so to protect both of you, I must leave. For how long, I do not know. I understand if you are angry that I wasn't there for you and your mother, but I hope you understand I had no choice. I know you will make a fine pokemon trainer when you are of age, and I hope that my gifts help you along the way. please use them to the best of your abilities.

With love and a broken heart, Matthew Ketchum

After reading the letter, Ash couldn't help but let a few tears fall. In the back of his mind was always the thought that it was his fault that his father left. Now those fears have been laid to rest.

Ash then looked more inside the box and let out a gasp at what was in it...

First thing he saw was a complete set of evolution stones! All from the common fire, water, and leaf stone, to the rare dusk and moon stone! He also saw a small round stone that he didn't recognize straight off the bat, which caught him off guard since he did study quite a bit from the books he 'ahem' borrowed from Professor Oak's library.

"mom what's this one?" He asks as he holds up the stone to her. She looks at it and goes a bit wide eyed "I.. don't know honey, but it's obviously very valuable if you father wanted you to have it"

Ash merely nods and looks in the box more. He smiles as finds some books about various subjects surrounding pokemon. "these will definately come in handy" he says to himself

"there's one more thing honey.." she says as she pulls something out of her pocket. Ash is shocked as she recognizes it as a Premier Ball. His mother chuckles at his shocked expression and hands him the ball "well go ahead honey.. open it" she says with a cheery smile.

Ash blinks as he picks up the ball and opens it in front of him. What forms is something that he always wanted and was planning on getting from Oak tomorrow.

"A Charmander!" he exclaims as he looks at it with glee. But there's something different about it, he notices. While charmanders are usually an orangish color, this one was bright yellow. Ash blinks "a shiny?"

"char?" Charmander squeaks out as he looks at Ash, then hops onto one foot and exclaims "Charmander!"

Ash can't help but chuckle and picks the pokemon up, looking him over "he's perfect.." he then looks to his mother "mom.. how did you..."

Delia merely chuckles "it wasnt easy.. but I have a friend who happens to be a breeder and he had this little guy available" she says then her smile fades "while I wanted to give you a good present, theres another reason I got him for you.."

Ash tilts his head "why mom?"

Delia merely sighs "When I visited the lab a week ago, I overheard the professor talking on the phone to Gary's mother about tomorrow.." Ash lets out a growl in his throat, then motions for her to continue "I heard him say that he wasn't planning on giving you a starter, least not a good one anyway.. he was gonna stick you with a magikarp of all things.."

Ash couldnt help but let out a feral growl "vindictive old man, I swear how he treats me is illegal" he grumbles.

"Char?" the little pokemon asks as he looks up at Ash. Ash merely smiled and pets his head, then turns to his mom "I'm going to go to bed now mom.." he says to her, in which she lets out a small gasp "Oh my, it is getting late isn't it? You go to bed right now young man" she states, which he merely chuckles and nods to "okay.. goodnight mom" he says as he turns out the lights, holding Charmander close as he makes sure his flamed tail wouldnt set the sheets on fire..

"g'night Charmander" he says as he closes his eyes "Char Char!"

Phew! what a first chapter!

Well lemme know what you think! please no flames! just constructive critism please!