Professor Oak was slightly disturbed Ash walked into his lab last night and asked to borrow an electronics repair station.
Oak didn't mind too much Ash was probably wanted to fix that antiquated black Pokédex, or take it apart to see how it worked. After all he's getting a modern one today… but what shocked him was the fact Ash was literally soldering surface mount components micro components with what looked like practiced ease.
That was until that other weird yellow device in his pocket dinged… Oh well, what the new youth get up to isn't so bad as long as it is not a gang… Although that Instinct Jacket looks new, which is a bit weird considering all of the three original teams disbanded after their leaders had died.
The war was bloody with thousands dead and millions of Pokémon gone. Hell, it's been 50 years and the Eevee population still hasn't fully recovered. The same could be said for several other powerful Pokemon lines, Lucario and Dragonite. they might as well be sudo legendaries at this point. The ending? The ending is where it was the worst, after the three leaders died, members of the respective teams stopped getting the rare candies, then a few weeks later the truth to how the rare candies were made came out and pretty much all remaining generals and vice leaders which kept the teams going had a revolt on their hands… An all three teams came toppling down, with most Aces and Elite trainers dead in the ensuing chaos.
Entire cities had burned from the fallout of that mess.
Are some Old Monsters still around? Most definitely, however, even Lt Surge was content with retirement.
===
Ash woke up with a rather annoying crick in the neck from falling asleep at the workbench. A Quick Look at the wall had him standing up in shock and some minor terror
"Oh I am most definitely late!" Ash shouts
"You slept in quite late then again you were working on that old prototype deck for what was several hours," Oak states from behind the boy… young man.
"Ah, hi Professor Oak. Um thanks for letting me sleep in, did you save me a Pokemon?" Ash asks
"All the standard starters are gone but have for you if you would like to follow me Ash."
Professor Oak gestured for Ash to follow him deeper into the lab, past the rows of neatly organized Poké Balls that once held the standard starters. Ash's heart pounded in his chest—this moment had been years in the making, yet it already felt different than he had expected.
The professor led him to a secluded corner of the lab, where a single Poké Ball sat on a console. Oak picked it up with a thoughtful expression.
"This little guy is a bit of a handful," Oak warned, giving Ash a sidelong glance. "He's got a stubborn streak, but he's strong."
Ash hesitated only for a moment before nodding. "I'll take him."
Oak handed over the Poké Ball, and Ash pressed the release button. In a flash of red light, a yellow-furred Pokémon materialized on the ground, its ears twitching as it took in its new trainer.
"Pika?" the Pokémon questioned, tilting its head.
Ash knelt down, meeting Pikachu's gaze with a confident smile. "Hey there, buddy. Looks like we'll be partners from now on."
Pikachu huffed and crossed its tiny arms, clearly unimpressed. Oak sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Like I said, he's stubborn. You'll have to earn his trust."
Ash grinned, undeterred. "That just makes it more fun."
After receiving a Pokédex and a small pouch of Poké Balls from Oak, Ash bid farewell to the professor and stepped out into the fresh air of Pallet Town. The sun was already high in the sky—he was definitely late—but the journey ahead was finally beginning.
With Pikachu reluctantly following behind, Ash made his way back home. As he walked through the familiar streets, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. Between the strange Pokédex, the mystery surrounding his grandfather, and the weight of his inherited Instinct jacket, there was more to this journey than simply collecting Gym Badges.
When Ash arrived at his house, his mother was waiting by the door, arms crossed and an amused smile on her face. "You sure took your time, mister big-shot Pokémon Trainer."
Ash rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, well... I got a little caught up."
Delia's gaze drifted down to Pikachu, who was now sitting at Ash's feet, staring at her with wary eyes. "Oh! What an adorable Pikachu!"
Pikachu huffed and looked away, making Delia chuckle. "Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. But I'm sure you two will get along in no time."
Ash grinned. "I plan on it."
"That's good Ash… Such a great little man, you remind me so much of your father." Delia says with a smile handing him a Silph co backpack.
"Of course Mom, I am gonna be the very best, like no one ever was. That includes Red." Ash states with a smile.
"Alright Pikachu, just hop on my shoulder. I just have a feeling that you dont like your pokeball." Ash states to the electric mouse.