In the Kanto region, hidden amidst the lush greenery and peaceful trails, lies a small, tranquil town—Pallet Town. Known more for its quiet charm than for any grandeur, it's home to only two noteworthy individuals. One is Professor Samuel Oak, the region's most brilliant Pokémon researcher and a former Champion of Kanto. The other, though unaware of it yet, is about to become the center of a legend.
At this very moment… he is being born.
"Push! Keep going! Just one more!" the doctors urged, their voices firm but encouraging.
"Urghhhh!!!" the woman on the hospital bed cried out in agony and determination.
"You're almost there!"
Then—
Wailing cries filled the air.
"It's a boy!" one of the doctors declared proudly.
The exhausted mother, tears streaming down her cheeks from both pain and overwhelming joy, reached out as a nurse gently placed the newborn in her arms.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Ketchum. He's perfectly healthy," the nurse said warmly. "I'm sure the father will be proud... Um, where is he?"
"Oh... he…"
There was an awkward pause.
"I'm sorry," the nurse said gently. "Was that a sensitive subject?"
"It's… fine," Delia Ketchum whispered, brushing her hand through her sweat-dampened hair.
The nurse hesitated, then tried to lift the mood. "Have you decided on a name?"
Delia looked down at her son, thinking for a moment. Then, with a soft smile:
"I'll call him… Ash. Ash Ketchum."
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[Alex's POV]
Urghhhhh—
A blinding light engulfed Alex from every direction. His body felt compressed and stretched at the same time, like being squeezed through a tube—yet oddly painless. He tried opening his eyes, but all he could see were blurred figures and hear muffled voices echoing around him.
Confused and disoriented, his thoughts scrambled until one phrase shattered his fog.
"I'll call him Ash. Ash Ketchum."
...
'Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu######$$$$$$'
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[Some time later]
Outside the hospital, a young woman cradled her newborn as she stepped into the fresh air. Strangely, only one man stood waiting for her.
"Delia," the man greeted gently. "So… the baby's here."
"Yes, Professor Oak," Delia beamed. "This is little Ash."
"He certainly is adorable," Oak said, smiling. "He looks just like his father…"
"Ah… yes…"
Another silence.
"I'm sorry," Oak added softly. "It's still hard to believe he's really…"
Delia's smile wavered. She bit her lip and blinked away tears.
"It's okay, Professor. And no—it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself. He knew the risks. He still chose to do it."
'Holy crap. Continue, continue! The lore is getting good!' Alex thought, mentally glued to their conversation.
"But still…" Oak muttered. "If I hadn't involved him—"
"No." Delia's voice turned firm. "What's done is done. He made his choice."
Oak nodded solemnly. The weight of unspoken history hung between them.
They stood in silence.
'Damn it, they stopped right when it was getting juicy!' Alex thought, frustrated. 'Okay, let's take inventory. One: my "dad" clearly went to buy milk and never came back. Two: I'm freakin' Ash Ketchum now. And three: I have a ten-year countdown before canon begins. I better start preparing. This isn't a game anymore—villain teams won't be taken down by a clueless kid and a Pikachu.'
Professor Oak's voice broke the quiet again. "So, what will you do now, Delia?"
Delia exhaled slowly, looking down at Ash.
"…I think it's time I take over the family business."
"Oh? You're reopening Pallet House? Good. Losing the only restaurant in town would be a tragedy."
*Baby noises*
"There, there," Delia cooed, rocking Ash gently. "Everything's okay, sweetie."
*More baby noises*
"It's alright, shhh…"
It took several minutes to calm him.
'God, pretending to be a baby is the worst. And I'll have to keep it up for at least three more years. Kill me now.' Alex thought grimly.
"Quite the strong lungs," Oak chuckled. "But he's healthy, that's what matters."
He leaned closer, smiling.
"Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name's Oak—but you can call me the Pokémon Professor. This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon. Some people keep them as pets, others use them to battle. As for me… I study Pokémon as a profession. And soon, Ash, a world of dreams and adventures awaits you!"
"Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name's Oak—but you can call me the Pokémon Professor. This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon. Some people keep them as pets, others use them to battle. As for me… I study Pokémon as a profession. And soon, Ash, a world of dreams and adventures awaits you!"
'What the actual—? Did he just hit me with the Pokémon intro speech?!'
*Baby noises*
*More baby noises*
"Ha! Look at that! He's excited already!" Oak laughed. "That's a good sign."
Then he added, crouching a little:
"You know, I've got a grandson a few weeks older than you. I hope you two become great friends."
Delia chuckled. "Professor, he's barely out of the womb. He can't understand a word you're saying."
*Baby noises intensify*
"Maybe not," Oak said with a wink. "But something tells me he's smarter than he looks. I bet he'll follow in my footsteps and become a Pokémon researcher!"
"Oh, come on, Professor. You're just hedging your bets in case Gary doesn't want to take over your legacy."
'Wait—Gary exists? Well, duh. If I'm Ash, of course Gary does. Makes sense.'
*Baby noises*
"I don't just hope Gary becomes a researcher," Oak said proudly. "I'm certain he will."
"You're already placing bets on newborns?" Delia teased.
"I just have a feeling," Oak said, gazing at Ash. "Both of them are destined for greatness."
'Oh, Professor… you have no idea.' Alex thought, eyes full of silent determination. 'I'll do what Ash never could. What Red only began. I'll become a real Pokémon Master. I'll awaken my aura. I'll crush the villain teams before they ever cause havoc. I'll become the strongest, the best there ever was.'
*Baby coo*
'You. Just. Wait.'