Originally. There was darkness...
Then, I slowly came too in a mystical forest. Pikachu was on my shoulder, also waking up. I don't know what happened, or why we're hear in this weird place. Is it the doing of a Pokémon?
"Ugh... Pikachu, where have we ended up?" A voice rang in the distance. I turned towards the voice. I don't recognize it. But most importantly, Pikachu? Is this a Pokémon trainer? I have to find out.
I kept low to the ground, Pikachu stiff on my shoulder, as we slowly approached the sound of the voice.
"Man, if only I could contact Goh or someone..." The voice said. Who's Goh?
"Hello?" I asked. The voice had seemingly stopped. I heard footsteps slowly approach me. I braced myself.
Out of the fog came an unexpected person. He was kind of short, probably a 10-11 year old, wearing a cap and a blue jacket, and blue trousers. He had a Pikachu on his shoulder.
Kinda like me...
"Hello?" He asked. I awkwardly waved, smiling. What was with this kid? Was he another one who knew about the Pokémon?
"Do you know where we are?" I asked. The boy shook his head. I sighed.
"Well, who are you?" I asked. The boy smiled.
"I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town!" He said. I tilted my head. Pallet town? I've never heard of that town before...
"And this is my partner, Pikachu!" He said.
"Well, I'm (L/N) (Y/N)!" I said. "And this is my partner Pikachu!"
The two Pikachu's smiled too each other.
"Pika Pika!"
"Well, since we have nothing to do, wanna get to know each other?" I asked. Best to know about him.
"Sure!" He responded
The boy told me of all his adventures. He talked about his travels through the four regions of Japan, the region in New York, Paris, Hawaii and the UK. He told me off his achievements, from beating the super strong Battle Frontier, to becoming Hawaii's champion, before becoming the World Champion.
And all of his friends, human and Pokémon.
This kid has been through a lot. Many adventures. Many stories, a lot. How has he been able to go through so much?!
He's something special.
"Wow! That's awesome!" My eyes shone with excitement. "So you're like a super strong champion now!"
"Yes! But I want to be more than a champion! I want to be a Pokémon master!" He said.
"A Pokémon master? What's a Pokémon master?" I asked. Ash scratched the back of his head.
"Well, it's very hard to explain, but I wish to meet Pokémon from every region, go travelling, meet tons of Pokémon everywhere!" He said. He's a very passionate child.
"Wow. You're such an inspiration." I said. Ash tilted his head, a small smile on his face.
"Thanks." He turned to Pikachu, who smiled with him. "Me and Pikachu wish to find the true meaning of what a Pokémon master is. So we're planning to go around our original region!" He said.
I smiled, before I felt a weight lifting.
The fog is disappearing.
"Ash, the fog is disappearing!" I said, looking around, as a bright light slowly consumed us. Ash smiled, looking at the light.
"Hey (Y/N)?" I looked towards him.
"Just remember, this isn't a farewell. This is a 'till we meet again'" He smiled. I stared at him confused. What does he mean?
"It's my time to go now." He started walking, his back facing me. If I looked hard enough, I could see many, many Pokémon following him. A Charizard, Sceptile, Heracross, Krookodile, Greninja, Lycanroc, Lucario, and so many more Pokémon. I was outstanded.
"Me and Pikachu have already had our turn." He smiled. "It's time to move to the new generation."
A bright light consumed us.
I woke up in a cold sweat. Pikachu also woke up, looking around. It was a dream? But it felt too real to be one?
I stared into the palm of my hand.
Ash Ketchum...
25 years. 25 years we've travelled this Pokémon world, explored, caught and discovered new Pokémon alongside this trainer.
He may not be Red, or a perfect protagonist. But in the end, Ash Ketchum was who he was, a ten year old child that wished to explore the world.
God, this is such a bittersweet moment. I expected this, but I really didn't want it to happen. And yet, concluding his story seems to be the best way to write him off.
A trainer with a heart of gold.
Farewell until next time, Ash Ketchum!
...
Anyways this was supposed to release alongside Sports Festival Part 2 but I literally can't, when 'Aim to be a Pokémon Master' is already starting lol.
It's like halfway now, but I haven't been watching it since episode 1.