Title: Back to Basics

Rating: T, eventual M

Summary: At sixteen, Ash Ketchum was renowned as a prodigy. Together with his pokemon, he had overcome rivals, aided in the destruction of Team Rocket, and conquered two separate League Conferences. Then the tragedies of New Island washed it all away. It was only then, at his darkest hour, that his true journey to greatness began. Kalos, AU, veteran trainer Ash

Pairing: Ash / ? The only thing I'll say is it will either be m/f or m/f/f. There is a poll

AN: Just so it's clear, Ash won two League tournaments, but never claimed his right to challenge either region's elite four or champion. He's had one team of pokemon that he's used throughout his journey. As is hopefully clear, this Ash is similar but different from his canon counterpart. He's not an immature idiot. Also, for those of you who have read ROOT, no, he isn't an emotionally stunted jackass. But that doesn't mean he isn't flawed.

Also, a huge thank you to AEthereal Devastation, who has agreed to beta this story as well as ROOT. You're the best, man.

Chapter One: A rookie once more

Back to Basics

"You've displayed compassion I believed beyond your kind, human. Now I will show you the same. But a lesson cannot be learned without sacrifice. And you still have much to learn."

"I suspected I would find you here."

Ash shook off the memories of that fateful night and offered the aged Kahuna a shadow of a smile before once more regarding the view. In all his travels, rare few sights could compare to a Melemele sunset. The way the sun's dying light caught the crystal-clear waters and set the world ablaze in an inferno of orange and red would forever be seared into his memory.

Over the past year, said sight had become a favorite of the duo from Pallet Town.

"Are you really surprised," Ash softly inquired, watching as the man sidled up next to Pikachu. The slight pull on his lips made the full transition to a smile when the yellow mouse chattered excitedly at the gift their visitor had brought. The fluffy, toothachingly sweet pancakes his first friend had become somewhat addicted to in their time here in Alola was becoming a greater vice for the rodent than ketchup. "What is it you always say about this spot? I come here searching for myself or whatever you call it?"

Old man Hala chuckled good naturedly as he offered up the last of the treat to the electric-type. Grunting as only old age allowed, he plopped onto the ground between trainer and pokemon, throwing an arm about the teen's shoulder.

"You know well what I say, young one. But I suppose repeating myself one more time won't bring any harm. You return here each night, the very spot where I fished you from the sea, seeking the answers that evade you. Answers you will only find once you gather the courage to look within yourself and to the bond you share with Pikachu."

"Yeah," Ash sighed, his tone caustic, "that load of philosophical Tauros shit."

Mussing the teen's hair, unoffended by his sharp words, Hala took to stroking the electric-mouse's head. "It's okay, you know. Missing the thrill of battle."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ash growled, pointedly not looking in his direction.

"I don't know who you're trying to fool, young one. You betray your own feelings when interacting with the children at the school; your expression, it says what you can't admit. Your team would understand your desire to battle once more. They were your team after all."

"Is there a reason you keep rehashing this same conversation again and again, old man?" Ash snapped.

"Because you continue to fail yourself… and Pikachu." Hala held up a hand to stem the coming objection. "You continue to miss all the signals your partner is giving you out of some misguided notion of penance for not being able to save your team. Pikachu longs for the challenges and hardships of battle once more. But more so, he wishes to have his friend back."

"That's not-" Ash's denial was interrupted by Pikachu. The chattering mouse crawled into his lap, nuzzling his hand with its electric sacks. The laugh to bubble in his throat as the familiar crackle of electricity left his hand spasming was one of guilt. "Is he right, buddy? Have I been neglecting you? Do you want to… start over?"

Pikachu bobbed its head, its long ears swaying from the gesture as a fire that had long since been absent from the depths of his gaze rekindled. With a tightness in his chest, Ash nodded.

"You both need a new start," Hala continued. Rummaging through his pockets, he eventual produced an unmistakable turquoise stone. Within its depths was the signature lightning-like coloration that marked it as a thunder stone. Chucking when the younger man looked at the stone as if it might bite him, Hala tossed it to him without warning.

Ash caught the stone out of reflex and nearly dropped it just as quickly. Looking to his first pokemon, Ash expected to see his own reluctance staring back at him, but instead of distaste it was the steely resolve that had made the unimposing electric-mouse the cornerstone of his once revered team. It was only then, after months of wallowing in self-pity, that he realized he wasn't the only one who felt guilty about being unable to save the others. Pikachu, like himself, had been unable to stop the psychic; like Ash, he too had been spared for some unfathomable reason that neither of them could comprehend.

"Buddy, you don't have to-" Pikachu launched forward, nearly knocking the stone from Ash's grasp as he bumped it with his head.

"Pikachu!" was all Ash managed before his friend was overtaken by a brilliant glow. He could only watch for a second before he was forced to look away or risk damaging his sight permanently.

It was about the time that he glanced away from Pikachu's illuminated form that the crackle and pop of electricity came. Hair left standing on end and the smell of ozone overpowering, self-preservation sent Ash and Hala scrambling for cover.

The amount of electricity about Pikachu continued to grow until the very air was left vibrating. Yet it wasn't only the raw electricity the rodent was producing that sent them fleeing, but some… indescribable something that left their skin flush with a smattering of goosebumps and a hollow ringing in their heads even after they were a safe distance away.

It felt as if the process had lasted for hours when the miniature lightning storm began to abate, but Ash knew the process hadn't even lasted a full minute.

Blinking away angry splotches of light from his retina, he forced himself to look to his friend, Raichu, and promptly choked on his demand to know if he were alright.

With a Pikachu as his starter, Ash naturally knew all about its evolution. For a time during the early days of their journey, he had considered at great length about using a Thunder Stone on his friend. Any such thoughts died after their battle with Lt. Surge, the Vermilion City Gym Leader.

Till that point, evolution had always been a foregone conclusion in both their minds. If Pikachu were ever going to be a threat to bigger, stronger opponents, he would eventually need to evolve. But after beating Surge's monster of a Raichu, the subject became taboo for the mouse. Out of respect, evolution was never again broached by the two best friends. Not that it needed to be. Pikachu was widely regarded as a champion level pokemon. Though that didn't mean Ash and even Pikachu himself hadn't thought about it on occasion.

The long, wire like tail and powerful form was something they had both studied at depth, not to mention the incredible boost in raw power. But the transformation his friend had undergone was different than what he had always envisioned. The changes were subtle, but were notable enough that Ash was left dumbfounded.

That Pika- Raichu was perched on its tail, floating in midair didn't help.

"How?" he croaked disbelievingly as he absently moved closer. Of course, he knew of the rare Alolan variant Raichu—what self-respecting Pikachu owner wouldn't—but had always assumed only Pikachu hatched and raised in Alola were capable of evolving into the electric/psychic-type.

"I bet Samuel never told you how he came to be in possession of your Pikachu, did he?" Hala asked around a fit of belly-shaking laughter. Ash shook his head, unable to draw his gaze from his friend's tanned coat.

"It was I who sent him to Samuel." Despite himself, Ash managed to drag his gaze from his friend to the old man. "I found him wet and near death, not too far from this very spot actually. We didn't have the proper equipment to care for him then, so I called on Sam and requested he take Pikachu. It was only a few months later that I received the call saying that he had given the upstart of an electric-type to a fresh faced trainer."

Once more, Ash found his gaze returning to the discolored Raichu. On top of having more rounded features than a normal Raichu, its tail and ears carrying a softer curve, his friend's eyes were light blue instead of their former black. But this wasn't where the variations ended. Where his coat should have been a dark, burnt orange was instead more of a tan-color and the black "gloves" that should have been on the ends of his rounded paws were instead a soft white. This said nothing of his features, which were more open and approachable than that of your standard Raichu

"Don't act so surprised," Hala eventually sighed, wiping mirthful tears from the corners of his eyes. "Any Pikachu who evolves here in Alola ends up the same. To hear the locals tell it, it's the pancakes the species tend to love that is responsible. But in truth, it's something in the land or perhaps the air. Just as Charjabug and Magneton can only evolve in certain magnetic fields found in only a few places the world over, it's the same with Pikachu here in Alola."

Nodding at the explanation, Ash regarded his friend once more, a smile beginning to take form as the dual type gradually began to test its new ability to levitate.

"Hey, buddy," Ash began, drawing his attention. "You alright? Are you still you in there?"

In response, Raichu floated over, using his tail like a surfboard as he nuzzled his trainer's cheek affectionately with his own. Ash's eyes widened as a sweet, heady aroma filled his head. Only to be forgotten as a shock more powerful than he normally received when brushing against his friend's electric-sacks nearly brought him to his knees.

"Wow," Ash moaned as he palmed his cheek, though the pain wasn't enough to do away with his smile.

"Their electric-sacks produce a sweet scent when stimulated," Hala explained as he struggled to his feet. "They also pack more of a punch than a Pikachu's. Question is, how are you two going to use that extra power?"

Ash gave a smirk that hadn't been seen in more than a year as he ran a hand along Raichu's sensitive ears. "To win of course."

Back to Basics

"And you're sure about this?"

"First you bitch the entire time we're here, now you're going to miss us?" Ash tossed a wry smile over his shoulder as he continued to pack away the belongings he had collected in his time spent in the island nation. "Which is it, old man?"

Hala scoffed, running a hand along Raichu's head, unaffected by the mild electrical charge his body now exuded constantly. "You know I'll miss your cooking and Raichu's company. Nothing else, I assure you." Ash snorted.

"And you're sure you won't say goodbye to the children at the school… or take young Kukui up on his offer? It's a great honor."

Ash zipped his bag closed with an air of finality and fell onto the bed. "Can you honestly say it's an honor I deserve?"

"I would," Hala nodded seriously, all traces of humor gone.

Ash shook his head, absently brushing his long locks from his eyes. He couldn't recall the last time it had been trimmed. His mother was going to kill him when she saw it. "No, I never deserved to be a champion. My team was strong enough, maybe. Was being the key word. But right now, it's only me and Pik- Me and Raichu. Even if I had a full team, I'm not ready. Not for the responsibility. Or anything that would come with such a title."

Hala chuckled. "You've grown to be your own biggest critic. That's a sign of maturity, young one. But wisdom will only come once you learn that no matter the amount of pressure you place upon yourself, we're all just human. Even you."

"Tauros shit, man. Tauros shit."

Chuckling, Hala gave Raichu a final pat before turning to leave. "I'll look after your bike until you send for it. Also, it looks like your plan to leave without saying goodbye isn't going to work as planned."

Arching an eyebrow, Ash set up, glancing over his shoulder and out onto the balcony. A smirk began tugging on his lips at the sight of the little yellow figure looking in through the sliding glass door. The dual-type was rooted in place, transfixed by its idol's new appearance.

"Want to let Mimikyu in, Raichu?" Said rodent nodded, turning its sights upon the handle. Looking constipated, his rounded features scrunched in concentration as he attempted to use his new found psychic ability to open the door. Levitating came to him as easily as breathing, it was second nature to his species of Raichu, but he had yet to attempt Psychic or any of his other abilities.

It took a moment and he nearly broke out in a sweat from the effort, but eventually Raichu managed to open the door for Mimikyu. Yet the fairy/ghost-type didn't budge.

"Come on, Mimikyu," Ash softly chided, finally earning its attention. "Don't be like that. He's still Pikachu in there. Only now he can fly."

To reassure the smaller pokemon, Raichu floated down to its side, chattering kindly. Mimikyu gave a shrill, hollow cry, a sound that was guarded, reluctant to interact with the mouse.

Ash silently sat back, watching as the friends gradually overcame the awkwardness that Raichu's evolution had created. They had first encountered the little spook on Ula'ula. Understandably, it had been fascinated with Pikachu, following them around and observing their every move. It wasn't until the next day, once they had returned to Melemele, that they realized it had gone to great efforts to follow them. During the day it went off to rest, but at dusk it would normally show up and hang around.

After a time in which he let the two be, Ash sat forward, drawing the duo's attention.

"Listen, Mimikyu," he began. "We're leaving the island tomorrow. We won't be coming back for a long time. If ever," he explained apologetically.

Mimikyu turned to Raichu, its beady eyes welling and its Pikachu inspired disguised skewed haphazardly.

"We were going to come find you before we left," he continued, waiting until he once more had the little one's attention before he went on. "We were hoping you might consider coming along with us?"

Mimikyu made a curious sound, glancing to Raichu who bobbed his head encouragingly. Ash produced a spare pokeball as he crawled to the edge of the bed. Expanding it to full size, he held it out to it.

"You don't have to come with us if you don't want to, but Raichu and I would really like for you to tag along. There's always room for one more friend."

Back to Basics

"Come on," Ash chuckled, uncomfortable with the intensity of the sailor. "I'm flattered, but this is a really bad matchup for Poliwrath."

The burly fishermen grunted, displeased but steadfast. "None of that now! Polly is up for any challenge! You don't have to worry about us! We can keep up! Besides, how often do you get to battle a trainer of your caliber?"

"We won't reach Pallet for another week," Ash reminded him, exasperated. "There are going to be plenty of chances to battle."

Terrell shook his head, refusing to listen to reason. Across the deck, all activity had stopped, both the crew and other passengers had paused in their duties and respective conversations in favor of viewing the coming match. Even after a year of obscurity, hearing his name in passing could still draw a crowd.

Before the events of New Island, Ash had welcomed such reactions, thriving off the attention and would even go out of his way to seek an audience. Back then he had been arrogant. He had become too good too soon. And his resulting attitude was made all the worse by the fact he knew as much. Hell, when Gary Oak labeled you a braggart, one should stop and take note. But the reality of how weak he truly was had been a harsh, humbling lesson. Now the weight of their eager gazes left him feeling cheap and unworthy.

The raven-haired teen from Pallet sighed, giving a reluctant nod. They had come to the deck for a bit of training, not to put on a show. But despite his best efforts, the man wasn't about to take no for answer.

"You ready, Pika- sorry!" he winced, giving the levitating rodent an apologetic smile that the mouse returned, nonplussed. "Are you ready, Raichu?"

Raichu floated forward, his now blue-eyes narrowed in focus and cheeks sparking with electricity. Ash had half a mind to use the little straggler he had caught just before departing from Melemele, but decided against it. There was no way Mimikyu, as inexperienced as he was, would be a match for the hardy dual-type.

"Mind Reader, Polly!" Terrell cawed, as pumped as if he were the one about to tangle with Raichu. "Then Hypnosis and Hyper Beam!"

Ash arched an eyebrow, concerned by the thought of the musclebound water/fighting-type unleashing such a powerful attack on a ship. A miss could potentially sink them depending on its aim and how strong Poliwrath really was. Luckily for them all, Poliwrath never got that far.

Poliwrath's furrowed eyes took on a pink glow just as Raichu blurred forward in a tried and true combination of Agility and Quick Attack that had left stronger, faster pokemon reeling. Raichu didn't need instruction as he slammed into the blue dual-type's broad chest, form engulfed in the shroud of golden electricity known as Volt Tackle.

Poliwrath was launched backward from the force of Raichu's combination. Terrell gave a particularly unmanly scream as he barely dodged his pokemon's limp form as it was sent rolling in a tangle of bulky limbs across the deck of the ship. Raichu chattered grimly, working himself up into his normal battling mindset, but was stopped as Ash called him back.

With a shake of his head, he slid his duffle from his shoulder. "Enough. That was overkill," he grunted darkly as he dug through the section of his bag where he kept paralyze heals—obviously for unprepared opponents—revives, and specially modified potions that were a touch stronger than the norm. All recently purchased for the off chance that Raichu or Mimikyu were hurt.

Ignoring the applause from the crowd, the raven-haired teen made for Poliwrath's prone form with one of each of the healing items in hand. Crouching next to Terrell, he began spritzing the potion over the entirety of the dual-type's body.

"Give her this once I'm done tending to her wounds," Ash instructed, handing the sailor the revive as he continued to work. Raichu floated over and perched on his shoulder, chattering in a concerned sort of way as he watched his trainer tend to his opponent.

"You weren't kidding, were you?" Terrell mused, flabbergasted by the very one-sided battle. "I didn't expect us to win, but I thought we could at least put up a worthwhile fight."

"No," Ash shook his head remorsefully, looking grim. "Raichu evolved less than twenty-four hours ago. We should have never accepted a match without first training to see what he was capable of. He doesn't have a full handle on his new power yet."

"Hey," Terrell grunted, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I insisted. This is as much my fault as anyone else's. I should have known better than to challenge you two. Poliwrath will be fine after some rest. Beyond this pride of mine, no harm done."

With Poliwrath healed and conscious once more, Ash retreated to a secluded alcove at the rear of the ship where the lifeboats were stored and other passengers rarely frequented. Once he was sure they wouldn't be bothered, he released Mimikyu. The fae appeared with a hollow, throat rattling croak, taking in its new surroundings with beady, curious eyes.

"It's time we start your training," Ash revealed in way of a greeting, crouching at the dual-type's side as he pulled out his battered and scuffed pokedex. The crimson handheld had had a rough life and it showed in the scars and markings it had acquired.

"Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokemon," the pokedex droned. "A lonely pokemon, who conceals its terrifying appearance beneath an old rag it has disguised to look a Pikachu in the hope of getting close to people and other pokemon."

"Mimikyu knows the moves: Scratch, Copycat, and Double Team."

"Not a bad move-set to start with," Ash mused approvingly, running a squirming finger along the stomach of its Pikachu disguise, an inch or two below its real eyes and earning a pleased squeak.

His situation was both a rare and unfortunate one. In a position where he was beginning his journey anew, but unlike most new trainers, he had the benefit of experience on his side. He would rebuild his team with a knowhow that even most veteran trainers lacked. And it all began with Raichu and Mimikyu.

"Raichu, I want you working on Light Screen. Eventually we'll need to practice with Psychic, but for now we need to go for inconspicuous if we want to avoid more challenges. Otherwise we'd spend this time testing the limits of your electricity now that you've evolved. I've got plans for you that are going to make you a true force of nature." Raichu's cheeks sparked as he nodded, floating off to a corner to concentrate.

"While Raichu is busy with that, I'm going to be working with you," Ash informed Mimikyu. "You're going to be trying to learn Shadow Sneak. But first we're going to focus on what you already know. Sound good?"

Mimikyu shuddered in anticipation, giving its shrill cry.

Back to Basics

It was bizarre, being back home after so long away. So much had changed in his life in the past year that it felt alien to return to the one place where things never seemed to change.

Pallet Town would forever be Pallet Town.

"I told you I smelled loser, Umbreon."

Just as its occupants would always be the same. Even the jackasses like Gary Oak.

Ash shrugged off his duffle as he turned to regard his best friend and one-time rival. The grandson of Samuel Oak had already crossed the distance between them and had his arms around the slightly shorter boy.

"Get off me, Baby Oak. I don't need an angry psychic thinking I'm trying to steal her man."

Gary chuckled, shoving him away. "Shut it, loser."

Ash eyed the boy he had known his entire life critically as he grabbed his bag. "What happened to you?" Ash inquired, noting the lab coat he was sporting as he knelt next to the other teen's Umbreon and began petting the Eeveelution. "Not able to cut it as a researcher? Had to come back home to mooch off your grandfather?"

Gary scoffed. "I decided to pay the old man a visit when I heard you were dragging your sorry ass home."

Ash made a disbelieving sound as he stood. "Yeah right. I'd believe you're broke before I would that… I told him not to tell my mom. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"He didn't," the younger Oak grumbled, taking note of the transformed Pikachu for the first time as it floated onto the other boy's shoulder. "Is that your Pikachu?"

Scratching his starter behind the ears, Ash grinned warmly. "It is."

Gary shook his head tiredly, giving a put-out sigh. "Leave it to your stupid strong rat to go and get even stronger. The psychic-typing is overkill," he droned as he began leading them down the dirt road that would take them to the Ketchum family home.

"It's like I always told you," Ash shot back. "Quality always beats quantity. If you spent half the time training all those pokemon you caught as you did about bragging about how many you had, you might have made it past a final four ranking."

It was with the familiar sight of his home's picket fence that the two unconsciously shortened their stride. Gary cleared his throat, uncomfortable and eyes trained on the road ahead.

"I'm sorry."

Ash arched an eyebrow, casting a quizzical look in his direction. "It's okay. I'm used to it after being around you so long. I've known for years that you're an ass-"

"Shut up," Gary growled, looking very much like he wanted to smack him. "I'm talking about… everything… I should have been there, too. I could have-"

"Died along with everyone else?" Ash interrupted, voice clipped. It was clear he didn't want to dwell on the subject. But he knew Gary. If the youngest Oak started in on something, it was best to let him get it out of his system rather than fighting with him until he shut up. "What could you have done that any of the rest of us couldn't?"

"I could have helped! Together we could have fought our way out!"

Ash shook his head, forlorn. "There was no fighting it, only death. You're lucky you were smart enough to decline that invitation. If it had spent more than a few minutes with you, I doubt he would have spared a pain in the ass like you."

"Luck had nothing to do with it! The only reason I didn't accept was because I was still pissed about our last match."

"Which I won," Ash added, unhelpfully.

"Still, I could have-" Gary stopped as Ash waved him off, hopping the fence and making for his front door.

"Stop being sentimental," Ash called to him as he dug in his bag for his house key. "It doesn't suit you. Hearing you blabber on is enough to make me want to finish my own self off."

Finding his key, he inserted it into the door. Pausing before he could unlock it, he turned and called out to Gary, who was storming off down the road mumbling about ungrateful jackasses.

"Gary." Said teen stopped, throwing a curious, albeit contemptuous glance over his shoulder.

"What?"

"…Thanks."

Grunting dismissively, the youngest Oak nodded impatiently, turning and leaving without another word. Shaking his head, Ash made to push into the house he had called home for the first eleven years of his life, but found the handle ripped from his hand. He had just enough time to stutter a surprised 'mom?' before he found his arms full of a weeping Delia Ketchum.

"Hey now," he soothed, mumbling softly as he rubbed circles along her shivering back. It wasn't the first time he had come home to an emotional mother, and he doubted it would be the last.

Eventually her sobbing began to soften, having cried herself out. Breathing gradually slowing, evening as she continued to hold onto him as if fearful if she let him go he might disappear. "You're home," she muttered tiredly, absently running her hand through his long hair like she had when he was little.

Having guided them inside and into the living room, Ash nodded, comfortable with their position. "I am."

It was like this, bundled together on the couch, that they passed the time, taking comfort in each other's presence. It had been too long since they had last seen each other and it was entirely his fault. Eventually, Delia untangled herself, wiping sheepishly at her puffy eyes and excusing herself to the kitchen to make them lunch. As Ash made his way into the kitchen it was to the sight of Raichu setting the table, his face scrunched up in concentration as his mother stood to the side happily applauding his efforts.

"Raichu is amazing," she enthused merrily. Said mouse puffed out his chest at the compliment, wearing a self-satisfied look that promptly disappeared when his inattention caused him to knock over a glass.

Chuckling, Ash agreed. "He's still getting the hang of it. But he's doing an excellent job of it, I'd say."

"After working so hard , I think Raichu deserves something special," Delia decided as she disappeared into the pantry where she kept Mr. Mime's treats.

"Actually," Ash called after her, unclipping Mimikyu's ball. "Maybe bring out enough for two."

"What was that, dear?" Delia inquired as she left the pantry with a jar of pokemon snacks in hand just in time to watch her son release his latest catch. An appreciative gasp escaped her as she hurried over to the disguised fae. Going to her knees, she didn't hesitate to envelop the tiny dual-type in a hug.

"Mom," Ash chuckled, resigned. "You gotta be more careful. What if he hadn't wanted you to touch him?"

Delia sent him an amused glare. "Mimikyu are well-known for their affectionate natures."

"Yes," he conceded with a nod. "But he's also a ghost/fairy-type. Typings known for being dangerous."

"Believe it or not, Mr. Bigshot. I'm quite knowledgeable about pokemon. I'd be willing to wager, I know more than even you."

Ash snorted, throwing his hands up in surrender. "Fine. Do what you want. Not like I can stop you."

Setting the fairy on the table in front of a bowl of pokemon food, she glided to the counter where she had left a plate of onigiri. Taking his place at the table, Ash watched her busy herself with a few final touches to their meal.

"So, what are your plans?"

Ash stared at her back and sighed. Though she had tried for being inconspicuous, her words had been resigned. She knew him too well.

"I'm going to begin traveling again," he confessed, knowing it was the last thing she wanted to hear. "Farther away than before. Somewhere I can start over and be anonymous, if only for a short time." He knew that if he showed up in some far off region and began making waves, eventually who he was would come to light. Hopefully, he would have time to form a decent team before his fame caught up with him.

Having finally claimed a spot at the table for herself, Delia sighed, left fidgeting as she wasn't sure what to do with herself. "Do you have anywhere in particular in mind?"

Ash shrugged, unsure exactly where he wanted to go. "I considered Hoenn, but its closer to home than I'd like. That's why I'm currently considering Unova and Kalos as possibilities."

Delia gave a strangled gasp, dropping her riceball. "Oh dear," she fretted as she hastened to pick up her mess.

"Are you alright?" Ash grabbed his napkin and helped her clean up the rice that was now everywhere.

"I'm fine," she assured a little too quickly. Sitting back at his insistence, Delia wore a fretful, brittle smile as she watched him fuss over her.

Ash was brought up short when his mother took a strand of his hair and began running it between her fingers.

"You look so much like your father with your hair like that. Just as handsome."

"What?" Her words were like being doused with ice water. Rare were the occasions that the subject of his father was breached. It was something he had learned early on to stop asking about as it was too painful for his mother. He didn't even know the man's name or fate. Though a part of him knew deep down he was still alive. His mother, as best as he knew, had never moved on, and had there been a grave to visit, he couldn't see his loving, kind-to-a-fault mother not paying her respects.

As a society, the pokemon world was progressive about sexuality. With the past war and the lifestyle most trainers led—constantly traveling from one place to another—there were many, many people in his generation who had only one parent. And while Ash was no prude and wouldn't have thought any less of his mother had he been the product of a whirlwind romance, or even a one night stand, there was just too much hurt there for it to have been a simple hookup.

"Mom…"

Wearing an uncharacteristically firm expression, Delia pulled him into the seat next to her. "You've been mature enough to know the truth about your father for a long time. I know that. I was the one who wasn't ready. But if you're really thinking about going there, it's for the best that I be honest with you."

Back to Basics

Being a trainer who had ventured beyond the borders of his home region, Ash considered himself well-traveled. By the age of thirteen, about the time of his first conference win, he had seen and explored three separate regions. Yet Kanto, Johto and Sinnoh had nothing in comparison to the dazzling metropolis that was Kalos' capital, Lumiose City.

Renowned as the fashion capital of the world, it was also famous for its art and artifice. Some of the most gifted minds and inventors of the age lived and played alongside movie stars and artists. Flashy billboards illuminated the night sky, teasing future attractions and the heartbreakingly beautiful faces of models as the masses shuffled from boutiques to fancy little cafes with communication holograms strapped to their arms. The airplane it took to reach Kalos had been astonishing, but automobiles, a form of transportation that in other regions was reserved only for the super wealthy, public transportation, and League officials, such as peace-officers and professors such as Samuel Oak, buzzed silently by, sharing the roads with the second most popular form of transportation in the city, pokemon.

That in of itself took Ash aback. Besides in Alola where pokemon were integrated into all facets of life, never before had he visited a major city where it wasn't frowned upon for pokemon bigger than those one could carry in their arms to be allowed outside of their pokeball. Yet not only were pedestrians mounted on large, horned pokemon—they were so prevalent that he was certain they were part of some sort of rental service—but pokemon not essential to transport mingled and walked alongside their trainers.

Ash instantly felt a connection to the city and its people.

Withdrawing his pokedex, he directed it toward one of the passing transport pokemon.

"Gogoat, the Mount Pokemon and the evolved form of Skiddo," his pokedex droned. "Gogoat is able to sense its rider's feelings by detecting small changes in the grip on its horns. This allows both rider and pokemon to move together as one."

Stowing the handheld in his back pocket, he affectionately ran a hand along Raichu's head. Ash felt a pang of guilt as he motioned the mouse along, telling him to go on and explore. It was only now that they were away from their slice of paradise back in Alola that he realized how difficult that kind of solitude had been for his electric friend. After the initial rough patch way back at the beginning of their journey together, Pikachu had become a very social creature.

"How about it, buddy? Think we're going to like it here?"

The electric rodent chattered excitedly as it hovered from one sight to another, every bit a tourist.

The two stopped by one of the many food stalls that serviced both humans and pokemon alike. Pocketing his own snack, he held the battery-like 'feeder'—a device which could store vast amounts of electricity—up for Raichu to feed from. Though he could survive and stay healthy on regular pokemon food alone, like all electric-types, he appreciated the taste and boost of energy that came with consuming electricity. It made them stronger and more lively, and could even aid to a limited degree in their recovery after battle.

It took them close to an hour of maneuvering Lumiose's annular, labyrinth-esque streets to find their way to their destination. Though it was as breathtaking as the rest of the tasteful architecture the city featured, Ash didn't waste time sightseeing and quickly made his way inside. He was given pause when he was greeted by a flurry of lab coats and the scientist types that were synonymous with them. He stood silently to the side, surveying the buzz of activity within the lab and searching for someone who appeared to be in charge of the organized mayhem. Yet before he could throw caution to the wind and approach one of the white coats, a mousy girl only a few years his senior noticed him and quickly made her way over.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Augustine Sycamore."

The aide's open demeanor wilted under his terse tone. "I'm sorry, but the Professor is occupied at the moment."

Ash chuckled darkly. "Believe me, he'll want to make time for me."

"Cosette?" An attractive older woman approached the two of them, laying a hand on the younger girl's back. Noting her colleague's discomfort with the situation, the new arrival regarded him with intelligent, apathetic green-eyes. It would take more than a moody teenager to intimidate this woman. "Is there a problem here?"

"Sophie," Cosette sighed thankfully before quickly pressing on with her explanation. "He wishes to see Professor Sycamore."

"The professor is very busy at the moment. His research is at a very delicate stage at present. I apologize for any inconvenience, but he simply can't be disturbed," Sophie elaborated, taking care to be as professional as possible. "Unless you have an appointment with him, you'll have to return at another date."

Annoyed, Ash made to leave before his temper could get the better of him. It wasn't the man's aides who he was upset with, but the man himself. "Fine," he bit out, motioning Raichu to come along with a sharp jerk of his head.

Sharing a concerned look with her young coworker, Sophie called out to the young man, stopping him just short of exiting Sycamore Labs. "Excuse me. Would you like to schedule an appointment while you're here?"

"No," Ash grunted, some of his pent-up anger turning his words sharp. "Tell him the bastard son he abandoned dropped by for a visit."

Turning a blind eye to the stunned reactions his words gave birth to, he breezed from the lab without a backwards glance. The truth about his father hadn't changed how he viewed his mother in the least. As for his father, one Augustine Sycamore—Kalos' premier pokemon professor—well, he had never had an opinion of the mystery figure to begin with. To learn that the man, who his mother met and fell in love with during his apprenticeship with old man Oak, had put his career before his fiancé told Ash all he needed to know. That he had left before ever knowing his mother was pregnant, and had even begged to be taken back once he had learned of his birth, changed nothing for Ash. The man was trash.

"It's okay, buddy," he assured Raichu, tickling him beneath the chin as he slid his pokedex from his pocket.

Scrolling through the many features the handheld offered, he sought out the listings on the local Pokemon Centers and found, as he had suspected, there were no vacancies available. It really wasn't a surprise in a city as vast and densely populated as Lumiose. A short search showed him the listings of the local hotels. Many of the cheaper, practical options were completely booked—once again, not a surprise. That left him with his only real option being a luxury resort with the pretentious name 'Richissime.'

The name alone almost saw him searching out a back alley to unfurl his sleeping bag in. But after a twelve-hour flight, he was willing to put up with pretentious if it meant a good bed.

With his destination in mind, Ash set out with Raichu floating at his side. The rodent drew appraising looks from passersby. More than once, children ran up, asking to pet the mouse as he fielded questions from their elders about the dual-type. Rare as the Alola variant of Raichu was, it was no surprise it was largely unknown by the masses.

Eventual the duo made it to North Boulevard, one of the city's wealthier districts. The people were in large part beautiful. The problem was they were aware of as much. Ash snorted when his appearance—very much that of a trainer used to roughing it for long periods of time—earned him haughty, sidelong glances. Those same derisive sounds made the transition to amusement when Raichu's electric sacs would illuminate with enough electricity to send the hair of anyone within a foot of them standing on end.

As happened quite often when a pokemon gained a significant boost in power, the amount of aggression Raichu showed had increased. He was by no means a threat to the public or himself, but little things that in the past that he might have ignored now could set his best friend off. Not to mention, Ash had the feeling Raichu was enjoying the reactions his displays of power garnered him from the snobbish humans and their pokemon. He had sent more than one fluffy canine-like pokemon fleeing with its tail between its legs.

It was as Hotel Richissime came into sight, a structure of elegance and dark stone, that he felt someone rummaging about in his pocket. Instinctively, he batted away the hand of the offender, only to find no one there. Yet the presence in his pocket remained. By now, Raichu had taken notice of the odd phenomenon. A glow of psychic energy suffused its tail and eyes as it focused upon his pocket. The weight vanished from his person as the dual-type's focus swung about to focus on a dark alley across the plaza.

Whatever it was that had captured Raichu's attention broke off from the side of the wall, little more than a shadow upon the night. The decision to give chase was taken out of his hands when Raichu took off after it, as fast on the air as he was on land. Without much thought for the consequences, Ash gave chase, hand going to his pocket as he palmed what it was the pickpocket had been after.

Raichu had disappeared around the corner and into the maze-like back alleys. Ash would have lost his way after the first two turns had it not been for an explosion of kinetic force that left an entire section of wall a dozen feet ahead of him as little more than rubble. Ash skidded around the corner in time to watch as night became day as Raichu's entire form illuminated with electricity, revealing the culprit, a small feline, leaping into the arms of a stunned young girl.

"Stop!"

Raichu faltered in midair, managing to just fire the devastating bolt into the sky overhead. The air hummed with energy and the pungent, stinging scent of ozone assaulted the senses as a stunned Ash watched the girl dart off into an adjacent alley.

"No, Raichu," he ordered, pulling out the riceball the pokemon had been after. "Let them go. They were just looking for something to eat."

Setting it on the ground, he turned and called into the night, "It's yours if you want it. But you could have just asked!"

Motioning for Raichu to follow, he left the alley without another word. Never seeing the two pairs of glowing eyes trailing him.

AN: The Pikachu in this story is like that which was seen in the finals of the Kalos League, a furry beast. His evolution will make him even more of a powerhouse. Also, Ash won't be receiving Froakie/Greninja. Anyone who has read ROOT, my Naruto/Pokemon fic, knows I'm not one of these writers who go for overpowered/used pokemon.

I felt the decision to make Sycamore Ash's father was an inspired one. I've never seen it done before, but then again, I rarely read pokemon fanfiction. Hope you enjoyed it.