Hey guys this is the start of the updated version of this story. I'm hoping that this will be a massive improvement on the original.

Here's the first chapter I hope you enjoy.

In conversations:

'- Translation of Poké Speech – No human unless otherwise stated can understand it.

"- Human speech

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

As Ash walked back to Pallet Town after his tearful parting with Brock and Misty, he wasn't really focussed on where he was going his focus was entirely on the gifts Misty and Brock had given him a few hours ago. As he walked along holding the items Ash was remembering all the memories he had shared with Misty and Brock, both good and bad. He suddenly came to a stop as a thought came to mind and it made him realise something that would change him as a trainer.

Pikachu looked at his friend wondering why they had stopped. The look on Ash's face had him worried, he knew that parting from Misty and Brock would affect Ash but he didn't think he would take it this hard. He rubbed his cheek against Ash's which shifted his attention from the items to Pikachu.

"Hey buddy what's up?"

'Ash you're worrying me.'

Ash looked to the concerned mouse on his shoulder and smiled.

"Don't worry Pikachu. I've just been doing some thinking and when we get back to Pallet I need to talk to you and the other's about something very important, okay."

Pikachu reluctantly nodded, Ash's response had done nothing to lessen his worry for his trainer but he let him be for now. Ash took a few steps forward and then started looking in all directions. He then mumbled.

"Right now where is the flock."

Pikachu was bemused.

'Flock, what flock?'

"Oh sorry buddy, I'm looking for the flock we left Pidgeot with. I made a promise to her to come get her after the Orange Archipelago and I didn't. Well now I'm gonna fix that."

Pikachu couldn't believe he had forgotten about the loyal Pidgeot. He had to admit that he was excited to see her again after all this time. As they walked to the area Ash thought he had left Pidgeot, Pikachu had a Thunderbolt prepared in case the Fearow that hates Ash was in the area and decided to attack. Pikachu then caught something out the corner of his eye, he leapt off Ash's shoulder and fired the bolt of electricity, but he was stunned to see it had been easily batted away. As Pikachu prepared another attack the figure came out with its wing still metallic and stood in front of Ash. Pikachu stopped preparing the attack when the Pokémon came into full view. Ash walked forward and threw his arms around the bird.

"Pidgeot it's great to see you."

Pidgeot wrapped a wing around Ash in return.

'You too Ash.'

Pikachu jumped back on to Ash's shoulder and gave Pidgeot a thumbs up.

'Hey Pidgeot, long time no see.'

'Hello Pikachu. That was the best Thunderbolt I've seen for a long time.'

'But you batted it aside like it was nothing.'

Pidgeot let out a chuckle.

'Just something I learned to defend myself from electric types.'

Ash watched the interaction between them and smiled, he then remembered why he was here.

"Hey Pidgeot I came to see if you wanted to come and travel with me again."

She nodded and then looked over to where the flock was nesting. Ash understood what Pidgeot was implying.

"You need to tell the other's before you leave."

She nodded and flew off.

"It's great that Pidgeot wants to travel with us again isn't it Pikachu."

'Yep.'

A few minutes later Pidgeot was back, Ash could see by the look in her eyes that it had been an emotional parting much like his with Brock and Misty. Ash took a poke ball and captured Pidgeot, he quickly sent her back out.

"Hey Pidgeot do you think you could give us a ride to Pallet Town?"

'Sure Ash.'

She lowered her body so Ash could get on but as he was about to get on Pidgeot they heard some familiar voices.

"Prepare for trouble."

"And make it double."

Ash groaned.

"Oh for the love of Arceus."

The motto that had driven Ash crazy for the last 4 years stopped and Jesse, James and Meowth appeared. Ash saw that they had lost the Team Rocket garb and were just wearing normal everyday clothes. Pikachu's cheeks were crackling and was ready to Thunderbolt them.

"I'm really not in the mood to deal with you guys right now. Pikachu Thunderbolt."

The trio had a look of fear on their face.

"Wait we're not here to steal your Pokémon. Please just give us a chance to explain."

Ash was dubious but he looked around and they had no contraption to try to capture his Pokémon with and they hadn't sent out any of their Pokémon so they were no real threat.

"Ok Pikachu let's give them a chance don't shock them."

Pikachu nodded and stopped charging the attack. Ash was about to ask them what they want but then he spotted something on Jessie's hand and on closer inspection he saw it was a ring.

"So you two finally got together, took you long enough."

Jesse, James and Meowth were all wide eyed. They were all wondering how someone who has been oblivious to anything not related to Pokémon over the past 4 years had grasped this so quickly. They looked at Ash who was smirking and Jesse realised something.

"It appears you are more intelligent than you let on."

Ash kept on smirking and he nodded. James then said.

"Yes well we quit Team Rocket so me and Jesse are going to settle down."

"Where are you going then?"

"Unova, my parents owned a villa out in Undella Town."

Ash had gone on vacation to Undella Town when he was younger and from what he could remember it was a popular place by the ocean. He had to admit he was happy for them for 2 reason the first being that they'd finally got together and the second being the fact that now they'd finally leave him alone. Ash then thought about what James had said and noticed that he'd said me and Jesse but hadn't mentioned Meowth. He looked at Meowth wondering what his plans are.

"So Meowth what are gonna do now?"

Ash was surprised to see the usually composed cat looked nervous.

"Well I was kinda hoping dat you'd train me."

Ash was stunned that Meowth wanted to train with him instead of taking an easy life with Jessie and James. He was more than happy to have Meowth come with him as he could see in his eyes that there was a desire to be strong. Also Meowth could be a translator which would allow Ash to know what Pokémon were saying.

"Okay Meowth, but you realise the training will be tough."

"I know."

"Well I have to capture you, don't worry I'll let you straight back out."

Meowth nodded and Ash presented a poke ball which Meowth touched and allowed himself to be captured. Ash quickly let the cat out of the poke ball and Meowth climbed up Ash's arm and stood on his free shoulder. After an emotional goodbye the couple started walking north leaving Ash, Meowth, Pikachu and Pidgeot on the path. Ash got on to Pidgeot and looked to the Pokémon on his shoulders making sure they had a tight grip. He gave Pidgeot a nod and she shot off like a jet straight to Pallet Town.

Pidgeot landed on the outskirts of Pallet a few minutes later. Ash thanked her and returned her promising to let her back out soon. He walked towards Professor Oak's Lab, although Ash missed his mother and wanted so see her again he wanted to talk to his Pokémon first. When Ash got to the lab he knocked on the door which opened revealing his travelling companion from the Orange Archipelago.

"Hey Tracey, how are you?"

"Fine thanks Ash. I'm guessing that you're here to see your Pokémon."

"Yeah I have something important to talk to them about."

Tracey then spotted Meowth on Ash's shoulder.

"Wait is that Team Rocket's Meowth?"

"Don't worry I quit Team Rocket and now I'm on your side."

Tracey raised an eyebrow not at all convinced. Ash saw the look and pulled Meowth's poke ball off his belt and returned him. Tracey eyes were now the size of dinner plates, he couldn't believe that Meowth had allowed himself to be captured. Ash let Meowth back out and the cat took his place on Ash's shoulder.

"I can't believe he let you capture him. So he really is on our side now."

"Yep he is telling the truth."

"So can I see my Pokémon now?"

Tracey nodded and stepped aside letting Ash in. He went out the back door to the pasture, the minute he walked outside the ground shook as a group of Pokémon were now stampeding towards him. He was surrounded by all the Pokémon he'd captured to his surprise Charizard was here not at Charific Valley. When the Pokémon saw Meowth several of them started to charge an attack however a quick explanation from Pikachu calmed them down.

"Guys I've got an old friend to introduce to you and there is something important I need to tell you."

Ash threw the poke ball and Pidgeot was revealed, the ones who recognised her quickly stepped forward and they began talking and introducing her to the others. The Pokémon quickly turned their attention back to Ash curious what was so important.

"Okay everyone I've been a trainer for over four years now and I have realised I haven't been a particularly good trainer."

He was cut off by the protests of his Pokémon. He raised a hand and they quietened down.

"Wait let me finish, I know I have treated you well, but I have failed you. During our travels I have very rarely given you proper training, sure I had the odd mock battle with Brock and Misty but that's just not good enough. Also most of the moves you have all learned were in battle, there are not many of your moves that I can take credit for even helping you with. On the way home I realised that I relied too much on Brock and Misty"

His Pokémon looked away silent, they wouldn't admit it but they knew that what he said was true.

"But that changes now. I am going to have a word with my mother to see if she can teach me things like cooking and other travelling essentials and I'll ask Professor Oak if he can help me improve my knowledge of Pokémon so I can be a better trainer. What I will say is that our training regime will be incredibly tough so prepare yourselves"

The Pokémon all cried out enthusiastically and Ash smiled at it. He turned around and went back inside to find Professor Oak. He found the Professor talking with Tracey about something on the monitor they were looking at, it appeared to be a fossil but it looked nothing like the Helix or Dome fossils he knew.

"Hey Professor."

"Ah hello Ash, Tracey told me you'd arrived. You just missed Gary I'm afraid."

"Where's he gone?"

"He's gone to the Hoenn region and only taken his Blastoise with him, he intends to go around the region and catch a new team."

Ash couldn't see the logic there, surely taking his older Pokémon to help train his newer ones would have made more sense. But Ash had more important things to do than question his rivals motives.

"Are you intending to do the same Ash?"

"No, although I would like to travel to Hoenn in the future right now I have something important to ask you?"

"Sure Ash go ahead."

"I was wondering if you would teach me more about Pokémon, like their habitats, diets, moves and abilities."

"Sure Ash, but you do realise it won't be easy."

"Yes Professor I know, can you teach in the mornings so I can train in the afternoon?"

"Okay Ash, get here for 7am tomorrow."

Both Tracey and Professor Oak were expected quite a reaction from Ash at the thought of getting up that early. But they were stunned when he happily replied with a simple ok. Both of their jaws dropped at Ash agreeing to such an early start and happily at that. Ash looked at them and was bemused at what had caused their strange behaviour, he walked to the door.

"Ok I'll see you both tomorrow."

They nodded in response and watched him leave. Ash exited the lab with Pikachu and Meowth chuckling at the look on their faces which made Ash do the same, he walked toward his home happy that he would get to see his mother again.

He got to his house and knocked on the door. A few seconds later it flew open and before Ash had time to even say hello he was pulled into a bone crushing hug, he croaked out.

"Mum can't breathe."

She released her hold on him and led him to the kitchen where she had prepared a massive meal for him. His mouth watered and he near enough pounced on the food and started demolishing it, at the same time Pikachu was guzzling a giant bottle of ketchup. Meowth on the other hand was actually taking time to enjoy the food as he had never had a meal as incredible as the one he was eating right now. Delia chuckled at her son's behaviour but vowed to teach him proper manners. Once the food had vanished and the table was cleared Ash began telling her about his travels in Johto, she listened intently and scolded him a couple of times for his more dangerous adventures. When he was finished talking Ash looked at his mother, she saw the look and knew he had something to ask. She asked in a concerned tone.

"Ash what's wrong?"

"Nothing mum there is just something I need to ask you."

Delia sat and waited for Ash to continue, she wondered what could be so important.

"Would you mind teaching me how to cook and do other skills I'll need when I go travelling again?"

Delia was stunned she had always thought that she would have to force her son to learn these things but here he was asking her politely. Ash sighed and looked at Pikachu kind of annoyed that people kept giving him the same stunned look.

"Not mum too."

Meowth and Pikachu started laughing but the latter quickly stopped and was holding his stomach, he then bolted off towards the bathroom. Ash was now laughing with Meowth as they could hear Pikachu vomiting, Ash just hoped he'd gotten to the toilet in time.

"I told you that you shouldn't have so much ketchup."

This snapped Delia out of her shocked state and she looked at Ash with pride, she didn't realise how much he had matured.

"Okay Ash I'll teach you all the skills you'll need."

"Thanks mum, do you think we can do this when I get home as in the morning Professor Oak is teaching me more about the finer details of Pokémon and I'm training in the afternoon."

"Okay Ash, that's no problem."

Both mother and son yawned neither had realised just how late it had gotten.

"Thanks mum."

He yawned again and then left the room and took a bucket with him, he remembered the last time Pikachu had overdone it on the ketchup and had no desire to wake up in a vomit filled bed. He walked to the bathroom and picked up Pikachu who had lost consciousness and went to his room to get some sleep for tomorrow when he would truly start on his path to become a Pokémon Master. Meowth followed him but stood in the middle of the room unsure where he would sleep. Ash pulled Meowth into the bed with him and Pikachu, the action surprised the cat but he quickly relaxed and fell asleep. Ash smiled at the 2 Pokémon and then joined them in slumber.

Ash woke up early the next morning, he looked at the time and was relieved to see that his alarm clock had worked. He stretched his limbs out and got out of bed to get ready for the day. He raced downstairs and quickly ate his breakfast. He thanked his mum and walked to Professor Oak's Lab finding that he had arrived 15 minutes early, he knocked on the door and saw Tracey who was again stunned.

"Morning Tracey."

"Hey Ash, you're eager aren't you."

"I am taking this seriously Tracey, I want to learn so I can be a better trainer."

Tracey let Ash in and closed the door, he was amazed at the determination in Ash's voice and the mature look in his eyes. Tracey knew that Ash was going to work as hard as possible and Tracey like the Professor had a lot of faith in Ash. Professor Oak heard the door to his office open and turned around to see Ash and Tracey.

"Hello Ash. You arrived early."

"Yeah well if you don't mind Professor I'd like to get started."

"Ok come with me then."

Ash followed the Professor to a room that had a couple of desks in front of a blackboard on the wall. There were also several books on the desks. Ash took a seat and Professor Oak went to the blackboard and the lesson began. The morning was spent teaching Ash the basics of every known Pokémon, Ash was amazed how little he had actually known about Pokémon and was more than grateful that Professor Oak was taking the time to teach him. They finished at lunch, as Ash went to leave he remembered he had a couple of questions for the Professor.

"Hey Professor, do you have any training weights for Pokémon and do you have any I can use to train, I want to grow stronger alongside them."

"Yes I do, if you go down the hall you'll find a room that is filled with training equipment the humans and Pokémon. I recommend you all start on the lightest weights and work your way up."

"Ok thanks Professor. Could you also do me a favour and see if anyone wants to trade for some of my Tauros? I have far too many and I think that trading them to someone will benefit everyone."

"I'll look into it Ash."

Ash thanked the Professor and followed his instructions, he found the room and went inside. Ash looked around in awe, the Professor wasn't lying when he said the room was filled with training gear. He looked through all of the equipment until he finally came to the basic weights. He selected some for all of his Pokémon and took the gear outside. Upon seeing the weights his Pokémon were excited to start training although some seemed a little disappointed that they didn't appear to be that heavy. However as he attached the weights one by one to his Pokémon they realised that looks can be deceiving and they were surprised at how heavy they actually were. Ash told them that when they were stronger they would go up to the next weight level making them wonder how heavy the next set would be.

They all had some weights placed on their arms and legs, the flying types had them placed on their wings to improve speed and dodging and the ones with tails had some placed there to strengthen them for future moves like Iron Tail. After Ash put his own weights on they began running/flying laps for as long as possible. They worked harder than they ever had before, Ash had pushed them as hard as he dared but he also made sure to push himself just as hard and by the end of their training session his Pokémon had sweat pouring off them and many of them collapsed from exhaustion. Ash had felt guilty when he saw them that tired however a look in their eyes told him that they had actually enjoyed the tough training. Satisfied with the days' work he left the coral and talked with Professor Oak.

"Hey Professor how long do you think it will take to teach me all that you can? You see I want to compete in the Hoenn League this year."

The Professor rubbed his chin as he considered his answer.

"Well Ash we both know that you are a lot more intelligent than you let on."

Ash nodded because it was true. Ash had since the start of his journey played dumb, it was a lot easier for him to be dumb and oblivious than intelligent and have to explain to every girl he'd met why he didn't reciprocate their feelings. He was sure one day it would come back to bite him but that wouldn't be for a long time... hopefully. He was drawn out of his thoughts by Professor Oak.

"So I'd say if you work hard it will take three months at the most."

Ash was happy with that, it left him plenty of time to compete in the Hoenn League when the training was done.

"Okay that's great thanks again Professor."

"Don't worry about it Ash."

Ash left and went home he was tired, but he still had more than enough energy to learn the skills his mother was going to teach him. He knew that over time the days would get easier and gradually they did, after just a weeks' training he was more alert and got a lot more accomplished in a day. His mother, Tracey and Professor Oak were impressed with how well he had handled everything. He was a quick learner which made their jobs a heck of a lot easier.

After the second week of the training program he'd made for his Pokémon he decided they were ready to start learning the moves he had planned. So they spent 3 hours warming up and using the weight and then the rest of the afternoon was spent learning the new moves. After seeing what Pidgeot had done against Pikachu's Thunderbolt Ash decided that the first thing they should do is learn a steel move like Iron Tail or Steel Wing for anyone who could learn them. He asked his Pokémon what they thought and after Pikachu and Pidgeot demonstrated what had happened in the forest they all agreed that it was an excellent idea. As they started using the Steel moves he then thought of a variant as there may be times where they wouldn't have time to deflect the attack so he came up with a way to transfer the electricity into the ground. He asked Pidgeot to use Steel Wing but ram the metallic wing into the ground, she did so and when Pikachu hit her with a Thunderbolt the electricity transferred into the ground leaving her unscathed.

Once the Steel moves had been mastered the next move they worked on was an evasion move either Double Team or Dig depending on their size. Ash had looked back on previous battles and realised how important dodging was and that his Pokémon would have been much better off dodging instead of taking attacks head on as he had let them do so many times in the past.

After they had perfected the evasion moves the training time was mainly just using heavier weights to increase their strength, speed and stamina or mock battles to test out new moves that he had helped them learn. Wartortle actually created a new technique by mistake. He had been battling Bayleaf to improve his abilities against foes who had the advantage over him. She used Bullet Seed, he managed to leap over the horde of seeds but had misjudged his jump and he landed on his back. Suddenly another wave was headed his way so he began shooting several Water Gun's to block the seeds which he did but not in the way he imagined. Due to him being on his back firing the Water Gun's had made him start spinning so the Water Gun's ended up creating a vortex which blocked Bayleaf's attack. All of his comrades were amazed at what they saw and began trying to do a similar thing which several of them managed to do. Ash after some thoughts decided to call it the Counter Shield.

After that time seemed to pass by quickly and before he knew it Ash had been home for 3 months. Ash now knew how to survive on his own thanks to his mother's teachings, she'd taught him everything from cooking to sewing. Also his knowledge of Pokémon had grown considerably thanks to Professor Oak and Tracey and because he had learnt much quicker than they had anticipated they started to go into more detailed studies regarding the newly discovered Fairy type. Ash had also become a lot stronger physically thanks to training alongside his Pokémon. His Pokémon had grown a lot stronger too thanks to the weight training. Ash had been surprised when Bulbasaur and Squirtle chose to evolve as neither had shown any desire to evolve before. This was especially true for Bulbasaur as he had shown such a disdain for evolution, but both Pokémon realised they had reached a wall that they could not get past unless they evolved.

Today was the last day Ash was spending in Pallet before starting his journey in Hoenn and he was fully intent on actually conquering the region. He sat on the field and watched as his Pokémon were now having mock battles for a bit of last minute practice before they left. He saw Pikachu battling Wartortle, the latter had used Ash's idea of using Iron Tail on the ground to negate electric attacks during the entire battle meaning Pikachu's biggest strength had been completely neutralised. Ash was impressed how well Pikachu had done without his electric attacks. He had used his superior speed to his advantage but as Pikachu began to tire Wartortle had an easy shot at Pikachu and seeing his opportunity he hit the mouse with a Skull Bash which ended the battle. Pikachu got back to his feet and both Pokémon shook hands, Wartortle then went over to Ivysaur and started chatting while Pikachu walked to Ash looking depressed.

"Cheer up buddy. You were at a serious disadvantage due to you being unable to use electric attacks. I'm proud of you."

Pikachu looked down still feeling miserable he knew that a couple of months ago he could have won that battle. Ash looked at his best friend sadly, he really hated seeing Pikachu like this. His stomach then rumbled and that made him think of a way to cheer his buddy up.

"Hey I'm gonna go get everyone's food. Wait here okay. I'll make sure to put extra ketchup on."

Pikachu still kept his gaze down and nodded. Ash sighed and stood up, he walked into the lab and began making lunch completely oblivious to the fact that when he got up something had fallen out of his pocket. Pikachu had though and he saw that it was the Thunderstone which was now lying there, he knew Ash always carried it just in case it was needed. As he looked at the Thunderstone thoughts were racing through Pikachu's head. Would Ash leave him here now that he wasn't one of the strongest? Would Ash ever battle with him again? Pikachu knew that these thoughts were irrational but he couldn't get them out of his head. There was a way he would become stronger and it was sat in front of him. At that moment Pikachu made a decision that he knew could not be undone, he reached out and touched the stone. He glowed white causing everyone to turn and see what was causing the blinding light and they were all shocked to see that the light was coming from Pikachu.

Notes

Yes I know I put Counter Shield in again, but it is just too good a technique to not use.

In general it will not follow the anime however some parts will be used.

For those of you who read the original I hope you enjoyed this new version.

I really would appreciate some reviews saying what you liked/didn't like even if you only do it for this chapter.

Ash:

Kanto – Pikachu, Ivysaur, Wartortle, Charizard, Pidgeot, Kingler, Muk, Tauros(x30) & Snorlax

Johto – Totodile, Bayleaf, Cyndaquil, Heracross, Noctowl (Shiny) & Phanpy