Growing up in a home that shunned Pokémon, it was almost unbelievable that the original Ash Ketchum managed to hold on to such a wild, impossible dream—to become a Pokémon Master.
That wasn't just an ambitious goal; it was a declaration that sounded downright absurd.
In a world where every parent hoped their child might one day become a Gym Leader, an Elite Four member, or maybe even the Champion of a region, Ash's dream was on another level entirely.
It was like a kid from the real world telling their parents, "I'm going to be President of the Earth!"
Not impossible—but more than a little unrealistic.
And yet, the boy from this very ordinary household, who'd never even touched a Poké Ball, had made that promise with his whole heart.
Now, standing in his place, Ash (the reincarnated one) finally understood why.
It wasn't naivety. It wasn't childish arrogance.
It was destiny—the will of the world itself nudging the chosen protagonist toward greatness.
Still, for this Ash—reborn, self-aware, and armed with the Ascension Trainer System, not to mention the twin powers of Aura and Viridian—this wasn't just fate. It was a challenge he fully intended to conquer.
"Mom," he said softly, wiping away the last of her tears, "I don't blame you for not paying the starter tax. I understand. You were scared because of Dad. But I love Pokémon… and I really, really want to be a Trainer."
He looked up, his young eyes bright with determination. "I don't want to leave you alone, and I know it's dangerous out there. But I can't stay in Pallet Town forever, right? If I never have a Pokémon to protect me, wouldn't that be even more dangerous?"
Delia's breath caught.
Her son's words—so gentle, yet so logical—pierced straight into her heart.
She pulled him close again, her voice trembling. "I know, sweetheart. I know… The other day when you fell into the river, I couldn't stop thinking—if you'd had a Water-type Pokémon with you, you wouldn't have nearly drowned."
She smiled weakly through her tears. "While we were in the hospital, Aunt Miho talked to me. She told me I was wrong to hold you back. That I was being selfish, trying to keep you safe instead of letting you chase your dream."
Her tears started again, but this time, they weren't just of grief—they carried guilt, relief, and love. "I was so scared of losing you, Ash… but now I realize keeping you from your dream would've hurt you even more. I'm sorry, I really am."
Ash's heart softened. The mother he'd seen in the anime—the gentle, smiling woman who waved goodbye at the door—was right here before him, raw and real. But this side of her, the side that broke down in tears, had never been shown before.
And yet, it only made her feel more human.
"Mama, it's okay," Ash said with a grin, his voice brightening. "I'll become a Trainer, but I'll be careful. I'll never do anything reckless, I promise! So please—believe in me, okay?"
Delia sniffled, then laughed softly, ruffling his hair. "Silly boy. If I didn't believe in you, I wouldn't have signed you up for Professor Oak's summer camp this weekend."
Ash's eyes lit up. "Really? You mean it?"
"Of course." She smiled, wiping her eyes. "I already called the Professor earlier today."
"Mom, you're the best!" Ash threw his arms around her, his heart leaping with relief and joy.
He'd finally cleared the one obstacle that mattered most—her approval.
Now, with his mother's support, nothing could stop him from chasing his dream.
Of course, he couldn't exactly tell her that he planned to catch Pokémon before the legal age limit. Or that his Ascension Trainer System was quietly waiting for him to begin his secret journey.
The League's regulations were strict—no one under ten was allowed to own or train Pokémon. If he got caught, they could revoke his future Trainer license permanently.
And if that happened? Well…
He smirked slightly at the thought. "Guess I'd have to join Team Rocket."
The image popped into his head—himself standing beside Jessie, James, and Meowth, wearing that flamboyant white uniform, shouting:
"Prepare for trouble—and make it double!"
He chuckled to himself. "A Rocket quartet, huh? What a nightmare that would be."
Still, the thought lingered with a trace of irony. The world's most righteous protagonist, the eternal do-gooder, becoming a member of the villainous Team Rocket? Even the wildest fanfic authors wouldn't dare write something that outrageous.
But Ash Ketchum was no longer just the character from the show.
He was someone new—someone who knew the story, the future, and the rules of this world better than anyone.
And this time… he was going to play the game his way.
…
…