"So, Eevee, to start off were going to attach weights to your legs to improve your speed when we take them off. For the next two weeks we'll be attaching these every day while you walk. You likely won't feel the benefit for a while but believe me it works. Pikachu has done this ever since I caught him, he'll say he caught me but in the time that I've had him his speed has more than doubled, so much so that when he combined a Quick Attack and an Iron Tail it has knocked out many Pokémon we have battled in one hit. We'll be teaching you Quick Attack and Iron Tail, as Pikachu knows them and can describe them easier to you than I can.
Now, for food. Every week I change a certain item in Pikachu's diet and then train him using the benefits of them. We call the supplements or vitamins and I sprinkle them on top of his food every time he eats. They're basically stat enhancers but they only work if you train using those moves that compliment them. There are six. The last week we've been using Iron and Zinc to help Pikachu's defences. For you though we'll be using Protein and Carbos to help your attack and speed. The last two are Calcium for Special Attack and HP UP to improve your vitality and health.
Every morning Pikachu and I go for a run to wake ourselves up before we start to train. You'll see Pikachu and I spar from time to time and in the next few weeks so will we. Don't be afraid of hurting me, I can take it. If I need to keep you longer than the two weeks to make sure you learn the moves I will do but it will be a month max. I need you with my mother before Cleffa returns to Mt Moon. I know it's a lot to take in at the minute, but we have plenty of time to get through it all."
The next week of travelling was very gruelling for the little Eevee. She tried her best every day to improve but couldn't see that she was getting better and she was starting to get a little downhearted as Ash never commented on her progress. He was still only using Pikachu in battles with other trainers while she watched. Pikachu and Ash had seen this but didn't say anything as they were waiting for Eevee to let them know. She needed to know to learn when to speak up for herself and it was on the fifth day of travelling with Ash that she finally asked why he didn't let her battle or comment on how she's doing.
"Because Eevee you have not asked. You've made amazing progress, you really have. Your speed has improved enormously, and your moves have certainly gotten stronger and it's looking like you'll master Quick Attack in the next few days so after that we'll move on to Iron Tail. Hopefully you'll have that down by next weekend. Pikachu and I have been waiting for you to ask you know? When you're a part of my team you need to speak up if you want something. You've seen Pikachu just tell me what he's going to do and then do it. I have no issues with this as long as it works. It'll get to the point where he won't even need my commands in battles, he'll be so used to battling scenarios that he'll be working on muscle memory but even he knows that if a move fails then we try my way. You won't be in my team as long so I'm trying to improve you as much as I can before you leave. You've done well so far Eevee. I'm very proud of your dedication so far. Keep it up." The next few days saw a newfound determination in the little Eevee as she perfected her Quick Attack and mastered the basics for Iron Tail.
Hall Of Origin
Arceus had called for a meeting. Waiting in her room she wondered how this one was going to go. The last one was a few years ago now and it ended up with her putting Darkrai in his place because his son had been caught by a trainer and he wanted to go and get revenge. He had ranted and raved for a good five minutes before she had enough and roared at him. It was enough to silence the entire room who had been muttering amongst themselves.
"Enough Darkrai. I warned you a few years ago that this would happen. It was your son's choice to go along with this trainer and I support it. We will be keeping a close watch on him to see how he's being treated but other than that I will not interfere with his decision" looking around she continued "every single one of you has this choice. I will not stop you, but I will remind you that you have a responsibility to the world around you that supersedes any commands given to you by a trainer. The only person that is on par with us will be my Chosen One, but even he answers to me."
Despite the various mutterings at her announcement the rest of the meeting went fairly well. There were rumblings in Hoenn and Sinnoh of teams in search of artifacts pertaining to Groudon, Kyogre and the Creation Trio but warnings were not enough anymore though. She knew one of the Orbs had been discovered in an expedition in Mt Coronet. Shaking herself out of her musings she saw that everyone had gathered. Giving Darkrai a long look before starting, her eyes warning him not to start anything. She had asked Giratina to stand at his side just in case. Hearing him mumble about "not needing a babysitter" she ignored him.
"Welcome my children. I have called this meeting because I have news. Both good and bad. I shall start with the bad. Dialga, your Adamant Orb has been discovered in Mt Coronet by an archaeology expedition. It has been taken to the Veilstone museum to be researched by the human scientists working there. At the moment I don't think they know what it is, but there have been rumblings of a team searching for yours, Palkia's and Giratina's Orbs. And while they need all three to summon any one of you it is very troubling."
"What can we do?" Dialga asked worried.
"What we should have done for centuries" Groudon roared "and what I've been saying in all that time. We should be proactive and get our Orbs back by any means necessary!"
"That is not possible Groudon" Arceus said back "and you know why and I will not carry on with that particular conversation. Until I gain my missing plates back, I cannot let anyone interfere with the human world. You are all in too much danger should anything happen to you. To answer your question Dialga, until the Adamant, Lustrous and Griseous Orbs have been found we can do nothing. That is not to say we cannot plan for it though."
"So why don't you go and get the plates back oh powerful one?" Darkrai asked sneering.
"Enough with the disrespect" a voice said from the back. Parting the other legends watched as Xerneas came forward and stared down Darkrai who quickly backed away "I have about had enough of your disrespect of our Lady Arceus. Mother has told us all time and time again why she cannot interfere in the human world, if you need your ears fixing just give me the go-ahead. You may be protected by our lady up here and the fact we're mere projections of our true selves, but once we leave here you will be fair game. Say something disrespectful one more time Darkrai and I will happily hunt you and end you. I'm sure we can easily elevate your youngest child to walk in these halls in your stead."
"Easy Xerneas" Arceus said walking forward and standing facing Darkrai "I thank you for your defence of me. It was not necessary, but I thank you all the same. As for you Darkrai, Xerneas is correct. Given your regrettable attitude I have been considering replacing you. I have NEVER had to replace a legendary Pokémon voluntarily before since I created all of you and I would hate for you to be the first. Now, to answer Dialga's question, plans are already in place for help. This is the good news I had planned to tell all of you. I told you all six years ago about my Chosen One, he has recently started his path towards being my voice on Earth and is progressing very nicely."
"Can we see him?" Mew asked anxiously "his first test is not long away now, is it? I do hope he can save my sister."
"I had planned on showing you him, yes" Arceus said turning around and roaring at the sky above her. The Spear Pillar was a fascinating construct in its design. Columns aligned the entrance hall and effigies of every legendary were lined up in alcoves representing their chosen avatar. The ceiling however was the thing that would fascinate everyone the most should they be able to visit. It was a carpet of stars and planets, aligned to represent the forever expanding universe in its entirety. Arceus' roar caused their current galaxy to zoom into view. Soon Earth was visible, then Kanto and then Ash himself chatting to Pikachu and Eevee.
"This is Ash Ketchum my chosen one. For the past six years he has been training relentlessly in his use of Aura. Mew and I may have stacked the deck a little in his favour and bestowed other benefits, but we felt it was necessary given his task. Here, I will show you some of his past up until now."
Arceus roared again and Ash's past six years flew by. The assembled legendaries looked on with great interest. His first few weeks as a trainer interested them greatly.
"He killed all those Spearow" Mew said sadly.
"After they had attacked him" Ho-oH said seriously before she could continue "their arrogance was their undoing. Wild Pokémon are taught from birth what it means to keep the balance with humans. Those Spearow have clearly forgot those lessons and rightfully paid for it. I was there Mew, I saw it. If Ash didn't do it, then I would have done. It was acts like that that could spell disaster for the Pokémon in the surrounding areas who would have been made an example of by the humans and killed in retaliation. As it was those Spearow paid for their crimes and the forest Pokémon have since flourished. The Spearow had taken over that forest to the detriment of the others and had been attacking human and Pokémon alike without just cause."
Silence reigned after that after all who would dare argue with Ho-oH's assessment. She was the Pokémon who restored Pokémon to life. If SHE felt the deaths were necessary, then there was no recourse. Carrying on watching they saw how he dealt with the Team Rocket members and then the Guardian in Viridian.
"When we're done here, I will make my way to Viridian" Celebi said "I will speak to my sisters about it but while Pidgeot has done a fantastic job the forest needs a true protector again."
Watching Ash deal with the news of the fossil made a few shiver as they remembered how vicious Aerodactyl could be. Watching his actions in Mt Moon cemented Arceus plan in many eyes. He was a true protector and a worthy Chosen One and seeing him battle Bruno was an eye opener for Groudon. Turning to Arceus with a noticeable twitch in his eye he asked, "You gave him a Pikachu that can affect ground types?"
"Oh, Dear Groudon" Kyogre cackled "you may have to watch yourself."
"If it can affect me Kyogre just what do you believe Pikachu will be able to do to you" Groudon retorted shutting her up.
Laughing Arceus nodded. Finishing up where Ash was, they all chatted for a few minutes amongst themselves. Finally, Kyogre piped up "He seems like a worthy candidate. But after centuries of dealing with the arrogance of humans I will reserve judgement until I see him myself."
"That is acceptable" Arceus said "I hope you all feel the same way, and I hope that when you meet him you keep your mind open to him. By the way Darkrai, to answer your question I cannot get my plates back by myself, I have foreseen however that Ash will be the one to recover them for me. That is years from now though." Addressing the rest, she said "I am happy with his progress and I plan on sending him more worthy partners to aid us but he seems determined to stick to six though so I will try and make sure they're capable which is all I can do for now. That is all my children. I shall summon you again in less than a years' time. Hopefully Ash can meet the coming challenge and prevail. If he doesn't, then we shall have to make new plans and hope we survive the fallout."
Watching them leave Arceus didn't let on how worried she was. All of her plans revolved around Ash surviving the upcoming event as she knew that the newest human creation was in a lot of pain. And pain coupled with anger was never a good combination. Sighing she returned looking down at Ash and wished him luck.
Partners
It was eight days after receiving Eevee that Ash happened upon a worrying scene. A group of boys were surrounding another boy while he was on a treadmill. They seemed to be asking him questions and when he gave the wrong answer, they increased the speed. The issue Ash had was that the questions were very subjective.
"What level does Pidgeotto evolve?"
"What level does Caterpie evolve?"
"What level does Pidgey learn Sand Attack?"
He wasn't surprised the kid got them wrong as it all depended on the Pokémon itself. Ash had even written a paper on these years ago about how Pokémon learned moves. There's no such thing as a 'level' like people believed, there was just experience and training. Shaking his head, he was about to walk on when he heard them say something that made him pause. "You're a disgrace to Pokémon Tech Joe. Professor Ketchum would be so ashamed." Professor Ketchum? Was there another Ketchum at Pokétech? He had of course heard about the place but had no time for it. Imagine having to sit a paper exam and then be told you're good enough to battle in the Pokémon League without having a single battle outside the building. Rich kids with parental delusions was the phrase Ash always used whenever Professor Oak brought it up. Sam agreed on the whole, you can't learn life lessons in a controlled, safe environment. Seeing the group walk away leaving the kid alone Ash walked up to him and asked what was going on?
"Oh, it's nothing" The kid said as he began to walk back towards the school, "They do this all the time, they just want me to be the best."
"Well, it certainly didn't look that way kid" Ash said shaking his head "that looked a lot like bullying to me."
"They're just trying to make sure I'm worthy to work alongside Giselle and not ruin the reputation of Poketech" Joe said.
"Poketechs reputation isn't great to start with Joe" Ash said shaking his head.
"How can you say that?" Joe said offended "The Pokémon Technology School is a fabulous place to learn how to be a trainer! I have already got two badges."
"Which mean jack shit in the real-world Kid" Ash said interrupting "name a single Poketech trainer in history that has gone on to become a league champion"
"I'll prove it" Joe said, "Battle me right now."
"I don't need to kid; I already know I can beat you" Ash said looking up at the building's façade shaking his head.
"Grrr, you just don't want to admit you're scared" Joe said calling out a Weepingbell "Battle me."
Pointing Dexter at it it bleeped "Weepingbell, Pokedex Number 70, The Flycatcher Pokémon, and the evolved form of Bellsprout. This Pokémon is male. It spits out poisonous powder to immobilize the enemy and then finishes it with a spray of acid."
Sighing Ash told him to take him to one of the battle fields. "Alright Eevee, this will be your first battle. Let's go" Ash said taking off her leg weights "Do your best."
Seeing a crowd form Joe became slightly nervous but upon hearing Ash's words he gained in confidence. "you're using a Pokémon you've never battled with before?" he asked incredulously "this will be easy. Ok Weepingbell lets start off with a Stun Spore."
"Dig" Ash said making Joe growl at his Pokémon's move missed.
"You can't hide forever" Joe said, "when it comes out use Razor Leaf."
"Come on up Eevee" Ash called out. Quicker than Joe could react Weepingbell was sent flying into the air with Eevee following it "Iron Tail". Twisting in mid air Eevees tail glinted and smacked Weepingbell into the ground where it lay unmoving. "Two moves? Is that it? I'm sorry Eevee, we'll find you a better opponent soon" Nodding sadly Eevee jumped back on Ash's shoulder "You did really well though if that helps. It shows how much a week of proper training can do for a Pokémon."
"You've only had the Eevee for a week?" a voice said making Ash turn around to see a man walking towards him. He was fairly tall, very thin with a sunken sallow face and had greying black hair.
"Yeah, I caught her eight days ago" Ash said "She's done really well so far but there is always room for improvement. Sadly, though it looks as though this place has nothing to offer us in terms of development if that's what having two badges produces in results."
"Hey now that's not fair" a snobbish voice said walking up to him. She was stunning but Ash immediately was repulsed by her snobby attitude "Joe isn't even the best we have at Beginner level."
"I really don't care" Ash said looking at her entourage "oh look it's you three again. Taking a break from bullying other students, are we?"
"We have no idea what you're talking about" one of the boys said defiantly
"Oh, so it wasn't you three making Joe answer ridiculous questions before?" Ash said cutting them off "What level does Pidgeotto evolve, what level does Caterpie evolve, what level does Pidgey learn Sand Attack? These ringing any bells?"
"Well, any trainer should know that Pidgeotto evolves at level 36, Caterpie at 7 and Pidgey learns Sand Attack at level 5" one of the boys said defiantly
"All factually wrong" Ash said cutting them off shocking them all. "I have no idea who you've learned that rubbish from, but I suggest you ask for your money back from this place if that's what you're being taught."
"How dare you!" the man said clearly affronted "we offer only the best education here at Pokétech. By the time our trainers leave here they compete in leagues!"
"And when has a single trainer from Poketech won a league after leaving here?" Ash said interrupting his tirade. Looking around he asked, "can anyone answer me that? Can anyone tell me a single trainer who's placed highly in any league? No, I didn't think so. The fact is the trainers that leave here have no knowledge of real-life situations, they believe that type advantage in battles will always determine the winner and they put absolutely no effort into bonding with their partners. There is a reason I turned down this place. Come on Pikachu, this place is exactly what I thought it would be."
"Well Professor Ketchum clearly disagrees with you, otherwise he wouldn't endorse this place" the girl said making Ash stop walking.
"You know, that's the second time I've heard that name today. Who is this Professor Ketchum?" Ash asked.
"I'm not surprised you wouldn't know who he was" the man said sneering "he's a man whose talent in understanding Pokémon has no rival. For years now we've used his papers in our exams and it's to his specifications we tailor our exams. It's only recently though we've learned his real name."
"Yeah, Ash Ketchum thinks this place is good enough and that's good enough for us" the girl said defiantly.
Immediately Ash burst out laughing. "Since when did I endorse this place?" he said between bursts of laughter "I have never heard such rubbish in all my life."
"What do you mean 'you' endorse this place?" the man asked confused.
Finally controlling his laughter, he took out his Pokedex, pressed a few buttons and it burst into life "My name is Dexter and I am the identification for Junior Professor Ash Ketchum, trainer number AK191298. If lost or stolen I cannot be replaced" silence reigned as the people processed what they heard. This trainer was the person they had been learning from for years? And he was only eleven years old!
"You're wrong" the girl said suddenly "and you're lying. Fight me and I'll prove it. My name is Giselle and I'm the best in this place."
Sighing Ash shook his head "fine, but don't be surprised when you lose. And when you do I want you to admit that this place sucks."
"Well when I win, I want you to acknowledge that this place is the best" Giselle said.
Walking back to his side of the battlefield Ash got ready "let's go Pikachu" as Pikachu jumped onto the battlefield.
"Let's go Graveler" Giselle said as a fairly big boulder appeared. Pointing his Pokedex at it it bleeped "Graveler, Pokedex Number 75, the Rock Pokémon, and the evolved form of Geodude. This Pokémon is female. It rolls down slopes to move. It rolls over any obstacle without slowing or changing its direction."
"I want to test something Pikachu. Use Thunderbolt" Pikachu immediately reacted.
"I knew you were all talk. Rock types cant be electrocuted. Graveler, take it and then use Rock Throw. What the hell?!" Giselle said as Graveler lit up like a Christmas tree and was blasted back. Struggling to get to its feet it looked up only to see a metal tail smack it into the face and fainted. Silence reigned as Pikachu made its way back to Ash and its shoulder.