Chapter 3: Ash's Starter Pokémon – The Bonded Froakie!
PS: A quick note—this Ash understands Pokémon well but doesn't know much about the original anime plot. He's more of a "game fan." Since almost ten years have passed, even if he remembers some things, most of it is hazy. So just treat this as a smarter, more competent version of Ash who doesn't constantly reset his level!
—
Pikachu, also known as the "everywhere electric mouse."
You can find these guys all over the Kanto region.
Their main feature? There's just so many of them.
But among countless Pikachu, Ash's Pikachu always felt different to Gary.
It's definitely the king of Pikachu!
As Professor Oak's grandson, Gary had never seen such a ridiculous Pikachu.
Its power, speed, even intelligence—it was all abnormal!
If it were any other Pikachu, Gary would be confident Squirtle could beat it.
But against Ash's Pikachu…
Let's talk when it evolves into Blastoise, maybe.
"Fine! We'll meet at the Indigo League! Don't go crying when you lose!"
Gary shouted while leaving, surrounded by villagers.
Ash smirked.
This guy… still such a tsundere.
Wishing him well couldn't just be a normal farewell, huh?
Ash didn't bother arguing. He entered Professor Oak's lab.
He didn't come here to pick a starter Pokémon—Pikachu was enough.
He was only here to get his Pokédex.
Not every new Trainer is eligible to receive one…
Inside, Professor Oak was fiddling with a computer.
Ash and Pikachu greeted him:
"Morning, Professor! I'm here for my Pokédex."
"Pika~!"
Professor Oak paused and looked up.
"Oh! Ash, you're here. Just a sec, I'm having someone transmit your starter Pokémon right now."
Ash: "…Wait, what? I still get a starter Pokémon? Isn't Pikachu mine?"
Oak waved his hand dismissively.
"That Pikachu was from the summer camp, not officially assigned by the League."
"Besides, with how much you've helped me out, and your status in the academic community, it'd be ridiculous not to give you one."
"Ah! It's here!"
Before Ash could respond, Professor Oak hurried over to the Pokémon Transfer Machine.
The machine lit up, and within seconds, a red and white Pokéball appeared.
Oak picked it up solemnly and handed it to Ash.
"Here you go—your starter Pokémon. I'm sure you'll love this little guy."
Ash took the Pokéball, still a bit confused.
Wasn't he supposed to choose from the three Kanto starters?
Why go through the trouble of having it transmitted from another region?
He opened the Pokéball.
A beam of light flashed—and a light blue, frog-like Pokémon appeared in front of him.
Its smooth skin gleamed, with white hands and belly.
A pair of sharp, golden eyes stared curiously at Ash.
Around its neck were fluffy white bubbles.
Although Ash was just ten, he already had extensive knowledge of Pokémon from all regions.
Some of it from his past life playing the games, and some from years of studying under Professor Oak.
So he instantly recognized it—
Froakie, one of the three starters from the Kalos Region!
"Professor Oak, this is…"
Ash turned to Oak in confusion.
Why would someone from Kanto get a Kalos starter?
But the moment he saw Froakie, a strange sense of deep familiarity rose from within him.
There was a bond forming already.
This had to be the Froakie—the one with whom he shared a special bond.
But how did it end up here?
Professor Oak didn't answer. He just smiled.
"Well? Do you like it?"
"I think it likes you too."
"You know, this little guy caused all sorts of trouble over at Professor Sycamore's lab. It never accepted any other Trainer."
Ash turned to Froakie and found it still staring intently at him.
Its eyes held many emotions—scrutiny, alertness… and familiarity?
Even though it was their first meeting, Froakie was already looking at him with trust?
Ash activated the Trait System to check its data.
---
[Name]: Froakie
[Gender]: Male
[Trainer]: None
[Type]: Water
[Level]: Beginner – Low
[Ability]: Protean Bond
[Moves]: Quick Attack, Bubble, Tackle, Growl
[Talent]: Champion
[Special Move]: None
[Traits]: Power of Bond (Gold), Ninja Mastery (Orange), Exceptional Intelligence (Purple), Fast Level-Up (Purple), Aqua Arts (Purple)
---
[Trait – Power of Bond (Gold)]:
Allows deep resonance with Ash, unlocking the legendary "Bonded Form." Massively increases all stats. The closer the bond with the Trainer, the stronger the effect. Weakens if trust is low.
[Trait – Fast Level-Up (Purple)]:
Before reaching Elite Four level, experience gain is increased by 80%.
[Trait – Ninja Mastery (Orange)]:
Boosts ninja-style combat by 50%. Greatly improves the ability to learn ninja techniques.
[Trait – Aqua Arts (Purple)]:
Boosts power of Water-type moves by 10%.
---
Ash's jaw almost dropped.
Five traits right out the gate?!
And one was Gold, one was Orange?!
He'd battled thousands of wild Pokémon—rarely did he see five starting traits.
Pikachu was the only one before this!
And this Froakie was arguably even stronger!
Even Pikachu didn't come with an Orange trait—he had to grind that in later!
This Froakie…
Even in the entire Pokémon world, it had to be one of the most insanely gifted starters.
Trait strength reflects a Pokémon's natural potential.
And only Ash, with his Trait System, could fully unleash that potential.
Regular Trainers? Even if they got a Pokémon with Gold traits, they'd only be able to use them at Blue level effects.
For example, Froakie's Aqua Arts trait would barely boost damage by 1% for anyone else.
But in Ash's hands?
It was a weapon.
Just seeing the "Power of Bond" trait confirmed it—this was his destined Froakie.
Everyone knows about Ash-Greninja—second only to Pikachu in fame!
So how could Ash not recognize it?
What he didn't expect was that Professor Oak had gotten it years ahead of schedule!
What had happened here?
Butterfly effect?
What butterfly could flap its wings in Kalos and affect Kanto?
"…Well? Do you like it, Ash?"
Oak's voice brought him back.
Ash looked at him with curiosity.
"Professor, why did you give me a Kalos starter?"
"Shouldn't I have received one of Kanto's three?"
Oak chuckled.
"There were a lot of reasons."
"But mainly—our beginner batch of starters was all adopted already, and the League hadn't approved the next shipment."
"Just then, Professor Sycamore contacted me from Kalos."
"I asked if he had any extra starters… and wouldn't you know it? He had exactly one."
Ash: "…"
Yeah, right.
Seeing Ash's skeptical expression, Professor Oak gave a dry laugh, then coughed and confessed:
"Okay, okay… Froakie wasn't an extra. He rejected his assigned Trainer."
"And not for the first time, either."
"With your Pokémon approval still pending, I asked Professor Sycamore to send Froakie over."
"Because, Ash… you've never been ordinary. I knew you'd be able to tame him."
That answer had a few holes, but Ash could accept it.
He didn't know Froakie's exact history.
But the fact it waited years in Kalos for the right person said enough.
This Froakie was destined to be his.
Ash walked up to Froakie and squatted down.
He extended a hand and smiled:
"So, what do you think? Want to come with me?"
"I know it's cocky, but I'm not like those immature rookies you rejected."
"I'm really strong."
Professor Oak twitched slightly.
Aren't you ten?
Still, he had to agree.
Ash's strength? It was insane.
Just Pikachu alone gave Oak a feeling of pressure—not unlike an Elite Four-level Pokémon.
And Ash had raised that Pikachu by himself, in a few years!
So yes—Ash calling himself strong wasn't bragging.
It was fact.
Froakie stared at him with those big golden eyes.
Then, slowly, it reached out its tiny white hand—
—and placed it in Ash's.
Ash smiled brightly.
"Then from now on, we're partners!"
Froakie smiled back.
"Pika Pika~!"
Pikachu cheered as well.
"Oh, and Ash," Professor Oak added, "there's someone coming to travel with you—your promised companion."
Ash blinked. "Huh? Companion?"
He looked at Pikachu, confused.
They didn't remember making any such promise.
"Knock knock!"
A sweet, lively voice rang out from the front door.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
---