Pokémon Rewritten Memories: Kanto

"So this is Vermillion City." Ash Ketchum whistled. Vermillion City was Kanto's most renowned and biggest port city. Housing not only millions of people and pokemon but also boats, yachts and cruise liners.

"Pika Pi." Its ears twitched as the sea breeze brushed against its fur.

After a week of walking mixed with short bouts of flying the wandering trio of friends finally had reached the outskirts of their destination.

"And we've got a couple of days to spare." Brock smiled.

"I can't wait for the cruise." Misty giggled, stars glittering in her eyes.

"Yeah." Ash grinned. "But before that I'll have to make a quick visit at the Gym."

"Quick, he said." The older teen chuckled. "That confidant?"

"You tell me." Ash said unabashedly. "I've got this right in the bag. Even without the help of your pokémon, Brock."

"You're sure that Pikachu will be enough?" The older teen asked.

"Pikachu!" A bold claim of victory came from the pokémon in question.

"In any case... we should first check with the PokéCenter." Misty stretched her sides. "Maybe get a meal?"

"Supposedly the Vermillion Cheesecakes are to die for... if we believe the guide that is." Ash countered.

"You didn't strike me as a nonbeliever, Ash." The boy could swear there was a dangerous glint in Brock's eyes.

"Anyways... let's hit up the PokéCenter."

Brock and Misty chuckled as he walked down the slope, trying to keep up his usual calm stride.

"We finally found a kink in his armor." The duo high-fived in victory.

"I heard that..." Ash grumbled.

The outskirts of the costal metropolis greeted the trio with a surprising abundance of people and peddlers.

"It's the morning fish market." Brock checked around, eyeing the local produce with interest.

"Should we take a small peek before the Gym?" Ash asked, seeing the obvious display of curiosity from his friends.

"Since we are all here..." Misty was already gone; shells, pearls and other trinkets took both her and Oddish's attention.

Ash was seemingly left behind by his eager to shop friends. Casting a small sigh, after being patted by Pikachu he decided to not mope around any longer.

"Let's see if we can find anything worthwhile, Pikachu."

"Pika Pi." It cheered back; an excited cheer to be sure.

The duo entered the main street of the market. Banners and shouts of eager sellers trying their best to encourage customers reached their ears.

"Look, Pikachu. Crispy rice balls and fried noodles. We're loading heavy on carbs that's for sure." He licked his lips.

"Chu." Pikachu's expression matched its trainer's.

"Welcome, young man." A middle-aged man greeted the approaching Ash, lowering the empty crate at the back of the stall. "What can I do for you?"

"I'll take four servings of this and that." He pointed at the food options.

"Quite the healthy appetite you've got there." The man smiled and began on the order.

"Got a couple of friends waiting for the chow, mister." Ash smiled back. "Say, do you know any good spots? You could say that I'm quite new here."

"A tourist aye?" The man chortled. "Well lets see... if you have any time to spare I'd urge you to head to the back of the market. There are vendors visiting from Hoenn today."

"Hoenn?" Ash repeated, handing over the money for his purchase.

"Straight from Slateport." The man explained. "They usually arrive every few months. Last week we had a crowd from Johto."

"Man, I knew we should've just blasted full throttle here." Ash said with a resigned face. "It seems getting stones isnt as easy as I'd thought."

"Did somebody say stones?" A young man with silver hair asked, slowly approaching them.

"It's been a while, Steven."

"Too long, Jason. I hope there's still something left for me."

"Haha, don't you worry. I'll always have some stash of noodles left for you." The peddler took out a hefty serving and gave it to the young man.

"Are you perhaps Steven Stone?" Ash blinked at the newcomer.

"It depends on who is asking?" The youth asked back.

"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." He took out his Pokédex. "I'm also under Professor Oak."

Steven let out a sigh of relief. "It's a pleasure. And you'd be right to assume that I'm that Steven."

"Tough day?"

"Pika, pika?"

"Not everyone likes the attention." Steven shrugged.

"You shouldn't have become the Champion then." Ash snickered.

"Maybe so, but it has its benefits. Especially for me."

Two humans and one pokemon headed down the street with the surrounding crowd, casually chatting about their respective regions.

"Do you have a Beldum or Ralts to spare?"

"How about I give you my trophy as well?"

"You can keep it. I'll come for it myself."

"Pika!"

"Sorry, we'll come."

"Chu."

"Why would you need them anyway?" Steven asked.

"Mostly for esthetics." Ash shrugged. "I'd rather use Kanto pokémon for Indigo League. However, I'd be foolish not to ask when given the chance." A wry smile flashed on his face.

"Are you really a 10 year old?"

"Won't deny or confirm."

"Anyway..." A drop of exhaustion dripped down Steven's face. "You mentioned stones earlier."

"I'm searching for a Sun Stone for a friend. I'll take any stone or item that can evolve. You'll never know when it'll come in handy."

"A practical approach. I'm more of a collector myself. That and I'm running errands."

"To each their own. However, whenever you find out about Mega Stones hit me up with one."

Unfortunately for Ash a bell tolled right next to them. An auction was taking place close to them and the auctioneer was relentlessly calling out the winner.

"Did you say something, Ash?" Steven turned back, disinterested with what was being sold.

"Nothing. We'll take life as it comes." The boy cursed inwardly. "So what's the reason you're here at Kanto? Something caught your fancy?"

"Got some business at Mt. Moon. Apparently there've been some news about Moon Stones at that area. Do you know something by chance?"

"Other that the Clefairies probably wrapped up everything and skedaddled on their merry way with a lunatic in their midst... I think not."

"Pika." It sweated.

"That's...huh." Steven didn't know what to say to that.

"I have a couple of pieces with me if you want to exchange for something." Ash picked out a curved piece of Moon Stone from his backpack.

Steven examined the small fragment. The chipped rock glistened under the morning sunlight. If you looked carefully you could see myriads of lights, like stars gleaming and sucking you into a whole new universe.

"Marvelous, a shame I can't see the whole piece." replied Steve, regret stirring in his voice.

"Yeah, it was unfortunately shattered by some stupid ruffians." Ash looked over his shoulder. As he didn't find what he was looking for he turned back to Steven. "Do you have a Sun Stone for this?"

"On me? No. I can send you one at a later date if that's not a problem."

"Sure. We can figure it out later."

After a couple of minutes of walking they've finally arrived at the Hoenn corner. If there was a word that could express how the stands looked like it would've been a marriage between colorful and exotic. Boxes upon boxes of rare berries, glassware and furniture pulled in many people looking for novelty.

"Are those the new works from Master Morgan?" A gaggle of office ladies giggled from the side, enjoying the exceptional vases and even flutes.

"Do you have a blue flute, perhaps?" Ash quickly went up to the small counter.

"Good morning. Of course, would you like to purchase one?"

"Definitely."

Ash continued inspecting other stalls. With a helpful nose from Pikachu he bought a couple of berries that Brock would probably like for his Pokémon food research.

"Do you really think she'll like this?" Ash questioned the small yellow mouse.

"Pika Pi." It nodded, holding a small doll in its paws.

"It looks like Phoebe." Steven added.

"The ghost elite four trainer?" Ash inspected the doll. Although the face looked similar he didn't remember her wearing a kimono.

"That she is." Steven replied.

After buying the doll the duo stopped before a large fish tank. Clampearls and Lovediscs could be seen within. However, something else caught Ash's eye.

"Excuse me, mam."

The young woman reading a fashion magazine raised her head. "Something you like?"

"Yeah, could I see that pokémon over there?" He pointed towards the far left corner.

"That one?" She glanced over him. "Just don't make fun of it. I already had enough problems with it."

The woman took a fish net and grabbed what seemed to be purple trash on the surface. The pokémon didn't even fight against it, letting the woman pick it out and placing it in a smaller aquarium.

"That's a Feebas, isn't it." Steven kept his eyes on the pokemon for a second, visibly confused and wondering about something.

"Yeah, this is an odd ball of the bunch. Not even the right color. Personally I think its much better then the regular ones. Alas..." She sighed. "Nobody wanted it for some reason."

"Is that so?" Ash couldn't help but inwardly laugh. He was trying his best to not frighten the small water pokémon before him with his grin. "I'm more then ready to take this little girl of your hands."

"If you say it like that it makes me even less enthusiastic to give it to you." The seller said with a raised brow.

"Sorry." Ash coughed. "I was just too eager to add a new friend to our team. Isn't that right, Pikachu?"

"Pi." It ignored the pleading look on its partner's face and took a slight step to the side.

"Don't worry." Steven stepped up. "I can vouch for him."

"You...!?" The woman stood with her mouth gaping. "You're Steven Stones?"

"That... I am." He wished he didn't say anything.

The woman quickly regained her composure. "If the Champion says so. I'll even give a discount."

"No need." Ash waved off the offer. "I think she's worth that and much more."

Hearing this, Feebas looked up. A pair of warm brown eyes met its own. It didn't struggle as the boy picked it out from the water.

"So how about it, do you want to go with me, Feebas?"

"Bas?"

"Of course. Why would I lie?"

"Pika pika." Pikachu cheered on from Ash's shoulder.

"Bas." The pokémon nodded.

With the hard part out of the way, Ash tapped his pokéball on the pokémon's forehead, catching it in the process. Having paid the vendor her due, Ash found himself looking up into the sky.

"It's almost noon. I have to find my friends. I have a gym battle waiting for me."

"Then it seems we have to part ways." Steven checked something on a funny looking device. "Unfortunately, I have other appointments to attend. I'll call you when I'll have your stone prepared."

"Thanks. You can always try and reach Professor Oak if I'm out of service. Being on the road and what not."

"We'll see." Steven smiled.

-------

"There you are, Ash!"

Misty shouted from the table at the PokéCenter as Ash entered. Brock was nowhere to be found.

"How's your day been? Found something interesting?" Ash placed the cold noodles on the table.

"I've placed some orders to send back home." She preened. "And what about you? I'm surprised you didn't come earlier."

"Bought a couple of things, met people and got myself a brand new partner. I'll show you later." Ash took the noodles to a nearby microwave and came back after they warmed up.

"That's thoughtful of you." Misty took a bite.

"I try to please." Ash grabbed the bottle of ketchup from Pikachu. "You're still dieting."

"Pika pika."

"After the battle."

"Chu." It sadly looked at the food in front of it. It couldn't have looked more bland even if it had tried.

Brock arrived in the middle of lunch, taking a seat next to Ash.

"You've been gone for quite a while. Did something happen?" Misty asked, wiping sauce from Oddish's face.

"You could say that." He sighed and thanked for the meal. "My shopping was cut short by a couple of trainers."

"Did they start something? Quite courageous of them." Ash replied.

"More like they suffered heavy loses from the Gym leader."

While he said that a couple of young trainers rushed into the PokéCenter with pokémon in their arms. Fear and desperation could be seen on their faces.

"Mrs Joy, will my Rattata be okay?" One boy with a baseball cap urged the overwhelmed nurse to answer.

"Everything's going to be alright. Chansey please bring another cart." She ordered the round pink pokémon.

"Chansey, Chansey." It ran with a serious expression, giving way to another Chansey coming from the ward with a cart of its own.

The trio watched as the uncomfortable scene unfolded from their table. Anger was slowly seeping into Ash's grimace.

"Pika?" Pikachu patted the boy's clenched hand.

"We'll make a statement alright. I'll take down all of his stripes."

"Easy there, Ash." Brock tried to defuse the situation from getting out of hand.

"Brock's right, Ash. We'll go and check after this."

Seeing the concern on their faces he sighed. "I'm sometimes surprised that such behavior is even allowed at this level. Aren't Gym Leaders subjected to any scrutiny?"

"No system is perfect... I suppose." Misty replied, unsure of what to say.

"Let's focus on the battle for now. Who knows, maybe you'll beat him to submission." Brock joked.

"There will be no surrender. Only total domination." Ash replied with his arms crossed.

"Pika pi." It nodded sagely while mimicking Ash's posture.

"Anyway. I have some gifts straight from Hoenn." Ash reached for the bags under the table. "Berries for Brock and a little doll for you Misty."

"Berries from Hoenn?" Brock opened the first container containing yellow fruits with green stems. A sweet smell with undertones of sour reached his nose. "Is this a Pinap Berry?"

"The one and only." Ash raised his head in pride. "I've also got you Nanab and Bluk Berries."

Misty opened the small box before her. She couldn't help but release a squeal of happiness as she took out the small doll from its packaging.

"It's so cute." She rubbed her cheek against the doll's face. "Thank you, Ash."

"You ought to thank Pikachu. I was going for the fishing route."

"Pikachu." It patted its chest.

"Thank you, Pikachu." She affectionately rubbed its cheeks, making it purr.

"Did you buy something for yourself, Ash?" Brock closed the boxes, not wanting anything bad to happen to the berries.

"If you're already done with eating then I can show you." He replied, a mysterious smile on his face.

Misty and Brock looked at each other, before nodding in agreement. After cleaning up the trio left the PokéCenter. Ash was leading the group towards a small park he saw on the way earlier. What was special about this place was the presence of a huge water fountain. Made from white granite blocks it portrayed a family of Seels and Dewgong. The Dewgong were the centerpieces of the structure, releasing two streams of water, one to the North and the other to the South. The four Seels were placed at the outer rim, letting out smaller jets of water towards the center.

Giddy and almost laughing Ash released Feebas after his friends took a seat.

"Bas?" The pokémon let out a couple of bubbles underneath the water's surface.

"Is it... healthy?" Brock's brows twitched. He never thought he'd see something as malnourished as the pokemon before him. Not to mention the odd purple coloring.

"It swims... that's for sure." Misty watched as the pokémon tried to fight against the streak of water coming from one of the Seels. It was losing.

"Heh, what do you know." Ash pulled the dizzy Feebas from under the pouring down water. "In my eyes its one of the most beautiful pokémon there is."

"Bas?"

"Of course you are. Here." Ash took out a small blue berry from his jacket. "I've heard that you like Chesto berries."

"Feebas." It gulped down on the fruit with happiness.

"So that's a Hoenn pokémon." Brock couldn't help but smile. "Can I check on it?"

"If Feebas doesn't have any complaints." Ash looked at it.

"Bas." It nodded shyly.

"Don't worry. Brock wants to become a pokemon doctor, breeder and food master." He gently placed the pokémon in his friends hands.

"How deceptive." Brock brushed his fingers against the scales. "Its surprising soft."

"Really?" Misty walked closer and crouched next to Brock. "Can I pet you as well?"

After a short pause Feebas and confirmation from Ash it allowed it. The pokémon started to wiggle its fins, clearly enjoying the attention.

"As much as I find this adorable we need to go." Ash gave another berry to Feebas before recapturing it back into its pokéball.

"But seriously, Ash. What made you get Feebas?" Misty asked. "And is that color natural?

"You'll see in the future." Ash winked in response. "As for the color its actually a Shiny Pokémon."

"Shiny Pokémon?" Brock and Misty asked simultaneously while they headed towards the park's exit.

"Yeah. Just a different color. It's an extremely rare find. Maybe even one for every nine thousand normal ones." Ash explained.

"That's amazing. Can every Pokémon have a Shiny form?" asked Misty.

"I think so." Ash shrugged. "But it still doesn't change the fact how hard they're to come by."

"Do you have any examples on how the shiny variants may look like?" Brock was taking notes.

"Well... if we look at Pikachu, its shiny form would have a darker yellow tone. Not that different but still visible."

"And what about water pokémon? Feebas has a purple hue." Misty's eyes glittered.

"Well I can't say that I know all there's to shiny pokémon." Ash scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "I can say however that Magicarp has a golden body."

"Just like that one?"

"Yes, Misty. Just like..."

The trio watched gobsmacked as a Magicarp in its golden glory was splashing in the water along with its regular red friends.

"Squirtle, catch that Magicarp for me." Misty didn't waste any time, quickly sending her pokémon to battle.

"Squirtle!" The pokémon jumped into action, scaring the Magicarp as it landed in the river.

"Carp carp." The golden Magicarp's brows narrowed as it flailed against the intruder, sending it back towards the land.

"That's one feisty Carp." Ash grinned. "Need some support, Mist."

"Just stay there and cheer on." Misty readied herself for round two. "Remember our training, Squirtle. Use Rapid Spin."

"Tle, tle, tle!" Like a speeding bullet it cut headstrong towards the target.

"Magicarp!" It jumped into the air, avoiding the incoming attack only to rush down and slam against Squirtle's shell.

"That's impressive." Brock nodded as the battle went on. "For a trainerless pokémon to be so sufficient at battle."

"Maybe it had to toughen up. It is more susceptible to other predators after all." Ash guessed.

"It's only making me want it more." Misty stretched out her arm. "Block its escape with Bubblebeam.

A stream of bubbles cut Magicarp's way. The small balls exploded against the river sending the pokémon ruthlessly towards the land.

"Now I'll get you." Misty tossed a pokéball with all her might, hitting Magicarp square at the side.

The device tumbled against the pavement, twisting side to side.

"Please, just stay inside." Misty watched nervously as it didn't stop turning.

After what felt minutes the ball finally let out a small beep and stopped flashing. With big strides Misty reached for the ball and proudly raised it to the sky.

"I've got a shiny Magicarp."

"Squirtle Squirt." Squirtle joined, standing next to her with its classic round sunglasses and giving a similar pose.

"That was great, Misty." The boys walked up to her.

"Of course. That's what you can expect from a future water pokémon master."

"Pika pika." Pikachu gave her a thumbs up.

"Maybe we should jinx a couple of legendaries next time." Ash let out a sigh before letting out a belly chuckle.

"That confidant on taking one on?" Brock joined in on the laugh.

"A dream is but the first step. Isn't that right, Pikachu."

"Pika pi."

"Let's go. We'll celebrate after the Gym, is that okay?"

"Yeah, let's do this." Misty replied.

"It seems I have no choice but to keep on with the younglings." Brock added.

"Then let's go." Ash could see the roof of their destination. "Our next stop, Vermillion City Gym."