In Kanto, there is a town in the middle of the forest that not many people know about—free from outside corruption, pollution, and violence. Few people of importance come from this town, but there are currently two individuals of note living there. One is the former Champion of Kanto and the most famous Pokémon researcher, Professor Samuel Oak. The second is our protagonist who is, at this very moment, being born.
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'Ugh,' our protagonist tries to open his eyes, but he can only see harsh light coming from all directions like his eyes have never seen light. His body feels strange, and his head hurts, his body feels weird like someone crushed him. He can't make out the faces around him, and all he hears are muffled voices and what sounds like some sobbing. The only thing he can make out clearly is a woman's soft voice, as she takes a breath calming down after crying, "I'll call him Ash. Ash Ketchum."
*Sad baby noises*
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(Delia POV)
Delia was wiping her tears of joy seeing the nurse holding her baby out for her, as the Nurse smiled warmly, "Congratulations, Ms. Ketchum. He's a healthy baby boy," said a nurse warmly, as she looked around, "Where's your husband? Shouldn't he be here for his son's birth?"
Delia smiled and just said, "He is a Pokemon trainer and Oak sent him out on a personal mission, and he promised Oak that he wouldn't be back until he could finish."
The nurse paused, unsure how to respond. Instead, she simply smiled and gently handed the baby over to Delia, "So what do you plan to call him? He looks so strong he isn't even crying,"
Delia thought and told the nurse, "I'll call him Ash, Ash Ketchum."
{2 days later}
A young woman with her baby could be seen leaving the hospital, only one person was there to meet her on her way out, and this was Samuel Oak. But obviously younger, he looked more like his Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu counterpart.
"Hello, Delia. Is this the little one you told me about?" Oak asked with a smile as he looked down at baby Ash
Delia smiled, "Hello, Professor. Yes, this is little Ash," she said, smiling as she held him up. "Isn't he cute? He has his father's looks, and his eyes, well, except for the color."
Oak sighed, a bit of regret flickering across his expression. "Ah… yes. I'm sorry about sending him out. If I'd known you two were having a child, I would've found someone else to take the mission. I tried calling him to cancel it, but he's so far out you can't even reach him."
Delia smiled reassuringly as she waved her arm, "Don't worry about it. He's a Pokémon trainer. He probably would've left soon after anyway, to keep chasing his dream,"
Oak nodded, still looking a bit uncertain, "So... what will you do now that you have a child? You can't exactly leave to become a full time Pokémon trainer anymore,"
Delia stopped to think for a bit before suddenly getting an idea, "I can start running Pallet House, the restaurant my mother left for me."
Oak smiled, "That's a great idea, can't have Pallet Town's only restaurant going out of business can we." Then looking at the child looking at him, "Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokemon! My name is Oak! People call me the Pokemon professor! This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokemon! For some people, Pokemon are pets. Others use them for fights. Myself...I study Pokemon as a profession. First, what is your name?"
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(Ash POV)
'My brain can't take this. I'm a baby again, but why am I Ash!? Uhh ... well i guess no use complaining about it… this must be what he set up for me so I wouldn't die immediately. But where's my dad? Did he not show up for my birth? That seems kinda important, especially since he does visit later in Pokémon Journeys. He's clearly in contact, even if we never really get to see him…'
*Baby noises*
Ash blinked against the bright sunlight as his new mother carried him through the quiet streets of Pallet Town. For the first time, he could take in the place for real, not as pixels or animation, but a living, breathing town. Trees lined the dirt paths, rustling in the breeze. Pidgey chirped overhead.
'Okay, focus. I'm Ash. I'm going to start my journey in ten years. I'll probably get my items in about eight. That's what I remember. But… this world isn't the same as any version I've known, game, anime, or otherwise. So basically... I've got nothing.'
His eyes drifted to the man beside his mother, Samuel Oak. Or rather, a younger, sharper version of him. The white lab coat was still there, but he moved with energy, his eyes full of curiosity and intelligence. And honestly? The guy was handsome. Like, movie star handsome. The kind of guy you'd feel weird leaving alone with your mom. Or anyone's mom.
*Happy baby noises*
Oak chuckled, clearly amused. "Lively one, aren't you? That's good. You're going to be studying at my school soon, you'll be learning under me. I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do,"
He crouched a bit, speaking closer to the infant in Delia's arms, "You know, I've got a grandson just a few weeks older than you. I hope you two will be good friends. You'll be neighbors, after all." He lowered his voice like he was sharing a secret. "Between you and me, I'm hoping he follows in my footsteps and becomes a Pokémon researcher. His sister Daisy is already studying to be a Pokémon groomer. But… knowing his father, he'll probably want to be a trainer."
Delia laughed softly. "Stop it, Professor. He's a baby. He doesn't understand a word you're saying. Besides, even if he did, what would you expect him to do, crush your grandson's dreams?"
Oak chuckled and stood up, "You never know. Maybe little Ash will become the next Pokémon Champion for here in Kanto, we both know how much Lance is struggling with that,"
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly, not that anyone noticed, 'Champion? Oh, I'll do much more than that. This time, I'm doing things my way. I'll get to the top and stay there. No more resets, no more leaving half my team behind. I'm doing things my way.'
'Dattebayo!'
Wait, wrong show.
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Well, this is the first and probably last time Delia will get the spotlight, so to celebrate, Did you know?
- According to the novel Delia's Job is running the only restaurant in town which she inherited from her mother
- She is apparently 29 so that means when Ash was born she was roughly 19
- Apparently, she was part of Team Rocket and dated Giovanni for a bit before meeting Ash's dad
- Her dream was to become a Pokemon trainer and famous model, but she left that behind her when Ash was born
- She got married to Ash's father very quickly after they met.
- She was also one of Professor Oak's students, and a prodigy when it came to anything related to Pokemon and battling