The emotional high from Mewtwo and Amber's tearful reunion still lingered in the Ketchum household like warm sunlight after a long storm. Mewtwo, for the first time in his existence, looked truly at peace his massive form sitting quietly on the living room rug while Amber clung to his arm, babbling excitedly about everything she'd done since they'd last seen each other. Mew floated above them, occasionally poking Mewtwo's ear with her tail just to annoy him, which only earned her a long-suffering psychic sigh.
Ash watched the scene with a soft smile, arms crossed, leaning against the doorway. Then
Ding!
A familiar chime rang in his mind. A translucent blue panel shimmered into view, visible only to him.
[Hidden Mission Triggered and Completed: "Amber's Happiness"]
Mission Details: Help Amber achieve a heartfelt reunion with her childhood Pokémon—Mewtwo.
Status: PERFECT COMPLETION!
Task Completion Reward: Mewtwo Ability Modification Scroll ×2 (Mewtwo's Ability will be permanently upgraded to function as both Pressure and Unnerve simultaneously.)
Ash's grin widened. "Nice. Double ability upgrade? That's busted."
He mentally accepted the reward. Somewhere inside Mewtwo's aura, two glowing scrolls materialized and dissolved into light, merging with his essence. Mewtwo blinked, ears twitching as he felt the subtle shift in his presence his psychic pressure suddenly carried an unnerving edge that made even the room's ambient noise feel quieter.
Amber noticed too. "Whoa… Mewtwo, you feel… scarier now. But in a cool way!"
Mewtwo gave a rare, faint smile. It is… acceptable.
Ash laughed under his breath. "Training time just got easier."
With the emotional storm finally settled, life in Pallet Town slipped into a comfortable rhythm. Ash threw himself into serious training for the upcoming Kanto League. His Pokémon had already hit their level caps years of battles, system boosts, and sheer talent had pushed them to the ceiling of what natural growth could achieve in this region. So instead of grinding levels, Ash focused on skill refinement: combo attacks, timing, counters, synergy, hidden techniques, and perfecting each Pokémon's unique strengths.
The rest of the household adapted to the routine in their own ways.
Brock had basically moved in. He and Mr. Mime had turned cleaning and cooking into an all-out competition. Every morning started with a silent war: Brock flipping pancakes while Mr. Mime used Psychic to dust every corner at once. Whoever finished breakfast first and left the kitchen spotless won bragging rights for the day. So far, Mr. Mime was ahead by three wins, but Brock was gaining ground with his new "Spicy Onix Chili" recipe.
Meanwhile, Ash's three girlfriends Misty, Sabrina, and Cynthia had grown impossibly close.
It started small: Misty teasing Sabrina about her psychic "cheat codes" during training, Sabrina quietly helping Misty improve her Water-type synergy, Cynthia offering big-sister advice on everything from battle strategy to pregnancy cravings. But day by day, the teasing softened into laughter, the help turned into trust, and the advice became late-night heart-to-hearts on the porch under the stars.
Cynthia, being the oldest and the first to carry Ash's child, was quietly over the moon. She'd always wanted sisters real ones, not just colleagues or rivals. Growing up as Sinnoh Champion had been lonely at the top. Now she had two women who shared her bed, her love, and her future with Ash. Misty's fiery spirit reminded her of younger days; Sabrina's quiet strength grounded her. They braided each other's hair, stole each other's snacks, argued over who got to cuddle Ash first each night and somehow, it felt perfect.
Misty, too, felt something she hadn't in years: family. Her biological sisters had always been cold, competitive, distant. They'd never shared laughter or secrets. But here, with Sabrina and Cynthia, she could be herself loud, sarcastic, protective without judgment. For the first time, she didn't feel like the odd one out.
Sabrina had changed the most quietly. The psychic lock she'd once placed on her own heart years of suppressing emotion to control her powers had shattered the moment Ash broke through it. Now she smiled freely, laughed at Misty's dumb jokes, and let herself feel everything. She was finally living the life she'd always secretly wanted.
Ash noticed it all. He spent every spare moment with them training together in the morning, lazy afternoons on the porch, evenings tangled in each other's arms. Jealousy still flared sometimes (Misty once "accidentally" Hydro Pumped Sabrina's book when she hogged Ash's lap), but it never lasted. They'd learned to talk it out, tease it out, love it out.
One evening, as the sun dipped low and painted the sky orange, Ash sat on the grass with all three girls leaning against him. Cynthia rested her head on his shoulder, one hand on her growing belly. Misty sprawled across his lap, complaining about how hot it was. Sabrina sat cross-legged beside him, reading a book but occasionally glancing up with a soft smile.
"This is nice," Cynthia murmured. "I never thought I'd have… sisters."
Misty snorted. "Don't get sappy on me, Champ."
Sabrina closed her book. "It's okay to be sappy sometimes."
Ash chuckled, kissing the top of Cynthia's head. "You three are stuck with me. And each other. Deal with it."
They laughed easy, warm, real.
Ash had also made a decision about Mew and Mewtwo.
His party slots were maxed out system limit reached. He couldn't carry them both on his belt anymore.
So he sat with them in the backyard one afternoon.
"Mewtwo, Mew… I need you to stay here in Kanto for a while. With Amber and the others. If there's an emergency, I'll send a psychic signal. You'll feel it instantly."
Mewtwo inclined his head solemnly. I understand. I will protect this place and Amber.
Mew, however, threw a full tantrum.
"Mew! Mew mew mewww!" she wailed, floating upside down and spinning in circles like an angry pink tornado.
Ash laughed, reaching up to scratch behind her ears. "Hey, hey listen. After the Kanto League, you're coming with me on the next journey. Promise. We'll explore everywhere. You can transform into anything, cause all the chaos you want. Deal?"
Mew froze mid-spin. Her big eyes sparkled.
"Mew…?"
"Promise."
She zoomed into his arms, nuzzling his cheek with a happy trill.
"Mewww~!"
Mewtwo watched with faint amusement. She is spoiled.
Ash grinned. "Yeah. But she's our spoiled."
During this peaceful stretch, a new face began appearing at the Ketchum residence.
Daisy Oak.
Professor Oak's granddaughter had always been around the lab, but lately she started visiting the house more often bringing research notes, berry samples, excuses about "consulting on Ash's Pokémon food business."
The first time she saw Ash again really saw him was a shock.
The boy who'd left Pallet Town a year ago had come back… different. Taller, broader, sun-kissed skin stretched over lean muscle from endless travel and training. His messy black hair had grown out just enough to look effortlessly tousled. His smile was the same bright, genuine but now it came with a quiet confidence that made hearts stutter. He wore a fitted black jacket over a red undershirt, sleeves rolled up, forearms corded from years of throwing Poké Balls and sparring with Pokémon.
Daisy froze in the doorway, clutching a basket of Sitrus Berries, suddenly hyper-aware of her own appearance hair in a messy ponytail, lab coat half-buttoned, cheeks flushing.
Ash noticed her staring and grinned. "Hey, Daisy! Long time no see."
She swallowed. "Y-yeah… wow. You've… uh… grown up."
Behind Ash, Misty, Sabrina, and Cynthia appeared in the hallway. Three sets of eyes locked onto Daisy simultaneously. The air temperature dropped five degrees. Their smiles were polite.
Very polite.
Terrifyingly polite.
Daisy felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Uh… I brought some berries… for your food business… yeah…" She thrust the basket forward like a shield.
Ash took it, oblivious. "Awesome! Thanks! Want to stay for dinner? Brock's making his famous Spicy Onix Chili."
Daisy glanced at the three women radiating dark aura behind him and gave a nervous laugh.
"M-maybe next time! Gotta… run some tests! Bye!"
She bolted.
But she came back.
Again. And again.
Her visits grew longer. She'd sit on the porch with Cynthia talking Champion strategies, help Misty with Water-type nutrition plans, quietly observe Sabrina meditate and ask shy questions about psychic bonds. She laughed at Ash's dumb jokes, blushed when he complimented her research, and when she thought no one was looking stared at him with open, unholy curiosity.
Delia noticed immediately.
One evening, while Cynthia rested on the couch and Daisy helped Brock chop vegetables, Delia pulled her aside in the kitchen.
"You like him, don't you?" she asked gently.
Daisy's knife froze mid-chop. "W-what? No! I mean yes? I mean he's… really impressive. And kind. And… wow."
Delia smiled warmly. "He's a good boy. And he's going to need someone who understands Pokémon the way you do. Just… be patient. He's focused on the League right now. But after? Who knows."
Daisy's cheeks went pink. "You're okay with… more girls?"
Delia laughed softly. "I've seen how happy they make him. And how happy he makes them. Love isn't a finite resource in this house."
Later that night, Ash opened his system panel out of habit.
A new notification blinked.
[Crush Status Updated: Daisy Oak – Affection Level: 55 → 70 (Crush → Love)]
Ash blinked. Then sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Great. Another one."
He mentally filed it away. League first. Romance later.
As the days ticked down to the final week before the Kanto League, Ash gathered his core group Misty, Sabrina, Brock.
"Road trip," he announced. "One last adventure route before the big show. We leave tomorrow."
Misty pumped a fist. "Yes! One more chance to kick some wild Pokémon butt!"
Sabrina smiled faintly. "And train."
Brock nodded. "I'll pack the food. And the cleaning supplies."
Ash turned to Daisy, who'd shown up again with another "research excuse."
"Hey, Daisy can you make a disguise for Cynthia? Something comfy but hidden. She wants to watch the League in person."
Daisy's eyes lit up. "Of course! I've got some High quality makeup from Johto. I can make her look like a totally different person. When do you need it?"
"By inauguration day."
"Done."
Delia stepped in, smiling. "Amber, Cynthia, Daisy, and I will all be there for the opening ceremony. Front row."
Ash grinned. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
The next morning, Ash, Misty, Sabrina, and Brock set off backpacks slung, Pokémon at their sides, ready for one last stretch of freedom.
Along the route, they ran into a trainer named Otoshi lean, determined, with a loyal Marowak at his side. The bone-wielder spun its club confidently.
"You're Ash Ketchum, right? The guy everyone's talking about for the League. How about a one-on-one? I want to see how strong a fellow participant really is."
Ash smirked. "You're on. Eevee show him what you've got."
Eevee leaped forward, tail wagging, eyes gleaming. Otoshi grinned.
"Marowak Bone Club!"
The battle was short.
Eevee danced around every swing, using Quick Attack to blur around Marowak, then landed a perfect Iron Tail to the club knocking it flying. Marowak tried Earthquake; Eevee flipped over the shockwave and countered with Shadow Ball. One final Take Down boosted by Eevee's Adaptability sent Marowak crashing out.
Otoshi stared, stunned, then laughed. "Overwhelming. You're the real deal."
He tossed Ash a small item a Power Belt.
"Take it. Give it to one of your heavy hitters. And when we meet in the League… I'll show you my real power."
Ash clipped the belt to his bag. "Looking forward to it."
Later that day, they encountered the official Pokémon League Torch Runner a nervous young man carrying the sacred flame. The torch burned with the legendary fire of Moltres crimson and gold, alive with power.
Ash watched the flame dance and smirked. Somewhere in his system storage, his own Moltres stirred, wings rustling, eager to show off.
He almost let it out just to prank the runner with a bigger, brighter flame.
Then he shook his head. "Nah. Let him have his moment."
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
The runner, distracted by the crowd, slipped on a loose slope. The torch wobbled nearly fell.
Ash's hand shot out, psychic energy flaring instinctively. He caught the runner mid-fall and steadied the torch.
"Whoa careful!"
The runner blinked up at him, wide-eyed. "Y-you're… Ash Ketchum?"
Ash grinned. "Guilty."
Chairman Goodshow appeared moments later short, round, mustache quivering with excitement.
"Young man! That was quick thinking! Tell me would you and your friends like to be torch runners for this year's Indigo League?"
Misty's eyes sparkled. "Heck yes!"
Sabrina nodded calmly. Brock flexed. "We'd be honored."
Ash laughed. "Count us in."
The inauguration arrived.
Brock carried the torch first steady, proud.
Sabrina next graceful, the flame reflecting in her eyes like stars.
Misty followed grinning ear-to-ear, waving at the crowd.
Finally Ash.
Eevee and Pikachu ran alongside him, tails high, sparks flying.
The stadium roared.
Ash reached the central pedestal and touched the torch to the massive League lamp.
Fireworks exploded overhead.
In the stands, hidden under illusion charms, Cynthia watched with misty eyes, hands on her belly. Delia hugged Amber tightly. Daisy stood beside them heart racing as she watched Ash, torchlight painting his face gold.
He looked up found their section and gave a small, private smile.
Then he turned to the participant tunnel.
Familiar faces waited inside: Gary with his smug grin, AJ with his Sandshrew, Giselle with her smug confidence.
Ash met their eyes.
And smirked.
Game on.
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Ok guys, we're finally about to start the Kanto League matches! 🎉
As I mentioned earlier, for every 10 comments I'll definitely upload a new chapter.
While skimming through my work, I realized I skipped some filler episodes/chapters:
Season 2 Episode 2 (the kid who liked Meowth and tried to capture Team Rocket's Meowth)
Episode 5 (the Blastoise island episode – this one doesn't happen because Ash already caught Jigglypuff in this story)
Episode 7 (Clefairy Tales – skipped because of the major Team Rocket events at Mt. Moon)
Episode 14 (The Problem with Gloom / The Room for Gloom – the Bulbasaur sickness + love plot doesn't happen since our boy Bulbasaur already evolved)
Episodes 15 & 16 (Lights, Camera, Quack-tion – the whole movie plot with Pokémon actors, and Go West Young Meowth – Meowth's origin story + Hollywood references)
Do you want me to write filler chapters for these skipped episodes, or should we jump straight into the Kanto League matches? Let me know in the comments! 😄