Age 9, October 6 — "Apparently, I've Got Talent"
It's been about six months since I started this diary. It turns out I'm more diligent than I thought; I haven't missed a single day yet.
My physical training is progressing just as well. Lately, my "Pallet heritage" has started to manifest. Even I'm surprised by the kind of power I can put out—certainly not what you'd expect from a kid. It's been an absolute blast watching my progress.
Tomorrow is the final Pokémon Camp before I officially begin my journey. However, because I've spent so much time helping out at the lab, Professor Oak asked me to join as part of the staff instead of a camper. Why me?
Age 9, October 7 — "I'm Gonna Eat You Whole!"
The first day of camp.
While handling the tasks the Professor assigned me, I looked over the new batch of kids and noticed Gary was also working as staff. Since our "fishing incident," Gary has changed. He's much more mature, reminiscent of how he acted in the later seasons of the anime. He's shed that arrogant skin; talking to him isn't a chore anymore.
It feels like I've completely derailed the original timeline, but then again, since I became "New Ash," there is no "original timeline" to follow. I shouldn't sweat it.
As I worked behind the scenes, I overheard one of the kids lecturing everyone about Pokémon with an insufferable, high-and-mighty attitude. He reminded me so much of the old Gary that it touched a nerve.
I couldn't help it—I hit him with a "knowledge bomb" that left him utterly crushed. Gary, watching from the side, seemed to have a localized flashback to his own trauma and immediately backed away. Hey, don't run from me!
The kid was trembling with frustration, which was immensely satisfying until Professor Oak scolded me for "bullying" a child. Look, Professor, I'm technically a kid too.
"You and Gary are special cases," the Professor sighed. "Why do you think I put you on the staff side in the first place?"
Apparently, he realized my demeanor would just make me an outlier among the other children, so putting me on the organizing side was his way of being considerate. When the campers heard that, they looked shocked, but after hearing my lecture, their eyes turned to pure respect. Even the brat from earlier came crawling back, calling me "Big Brother Ash." It didn't feel half bad. Since Ash is an only child, it felt a bit like having a younger brother.
Age 9, October 10 — "He Did It Again"
Now that Gary has matured, we actually get along pretty well. We both have an academic streak when it comes to Pokémon, and our discussions can get pretty intense. Unfortunately, I let too much slip during one of our debates, and the Professor ended up submitting another research paper to the Academy.
Even Gary gave the Professor a deadpan stare this time. I just stared at him in silence. Sensing the judgment, the Professor somehow produced tickets for the Red vs. Lance match at the Indigo Plateau next year. Score!
"...I guess this explains how I got to meet Lance before."
Age 10, December 2 — "Final Stages of Training"
Winter has arrived. My journey begins in about three and a half months.
As for my training, I've completely mastered the basics. My Master told me that we'll begin the "Secret Techniques" tomorrow. The Pallet-Style Body Language Arts are finally entering the final stage.
With my preparations for the journey going smoothly, I've reached a final conclusion. I am Ash. That is a fact. But worrying about the anime script is pointless. Gary is already different, so I'm going to do whatever I want. If you think about it, the original Ash didn't win a major league for over twenty years. If I do the exact same things he did, I won't win either.
Instead, I'm going to use my past-life knowledge to its full potential. I'm Ash of Pallet Town, but I'm New Ash. I don't need to follow the anime to the letter. I'll take the best parts and ignore the rest. I won't be releasing my Pokémon, and I'm definitely going to use high-tier, competitive picks.
Age 10, February 21 — "Indigo Plateau: Kanto Champion League"
The day of the match between the Champion and Lance is finally here. Professor Oak had an emergency and couldn't make it, so Mom came along as our chaperone. Our group consisted of Gary, Daisy, Mom, and me.
Daisy actually came back home just for this. I thought she only cared about Contests, so it was a surprise to see her so invested in a battle. Our seats were incredible—apparently, these tickets go for 15,000 Yen a piece.
According to the program, both the Champion and Lance are currently undefeated. This match will decide the new Champion. When I asked Gary who he thought would win, he looked torn. "Emotionally, I want Lance to win, but the Champion's strength is on another level..."
After some small talk, the lights dimmed. The arena erupted as Lance entered the field under a rainbow of spotlights and pyrotechnics. It was spectacular. Even though I claim to be a mature adult, I couldn't help but scream, "YEAAAAHHHH!"
Then came the Champion. Unlike Lance's flashy entrance, the Champion arrived in total silence. A single spotlight followed him as the sound of his footsteps echoed through the stadium. No performance, no flair—just pure, overwhelming presence.
I couldn't hear what they were saying to each other from our seats, but Lance's intensity was palpable even from here. Both of them took their stances, Poké Balls in hand. A heavy tension settled over the crowd, and for a moment, the stadium was dead silent. Then, the signal sounded, and they both threw their first balls simultaneously.
(The battle was long and legendary, so I'll skip the play-by-play.)
It was an incredible match. Red is truly in a league of his own. Lance fought like a demon, but Red's fourth Pokémon, Blastoise, was simply too powerful. Once it hit the field, the match turned into a one-sided slaughter.
It was a shame because it started so evenly, but I saw some fascinating things. Specifically, when Lance's Aerodactyl used Supersonic, Red's Pikachu negated the sound waves using the crackling noise of its own Thunderbolt. I didn't think that was possible, but Gary explained that sound-based moves lose effectiveness over distance, and the Champion must have calculated that the electrical interference would be enough to disrupt it.
I guess in this world, anything goes. I need to make sure I don't get trapped by "common sense."
Age 10, March 19 — "I Won. You Tried, Though."
Back to the routine: the lab, then the dojo. My journey starts in about a week.
The three Starter Pokémon for new Trainers arrived a month ago. Since I've been helping take care of them, I've decided I'd much rather take Charmander than a Pikachu. Charmander is just top-tier. Ash's Charizard was great, but he was such a pain to deal with after he evolved. I'll do it better.
Wait, if there's only one week left, why haven't I seen a Pikachu around the lab? Even if it's a backup, you'd usually have it ready by now.
Anyway, today was my final spar with the Master. I mastered the Secret Techniques a month ago and already received my teaching license, but he wanted one last match to gauge my full strength. Since I haven't had anyone to compare myself to, I wasn't sure how strong I actually was.
The result: I won. I think I might have become a bit too strong.
Age 10, March 22 — "The Old Man Screwed Up"
Three days left. The Professor is panicking. He definitely forgot that he was one Pokémon short for the new Trainers. He's been so buried in research lately that he left all the Pokémon care to me.
He'll probably try to catch something local at the last minute. Since there's no time to domesticate it for a beginner, it's almost certainly going to be a wild Pikachu, just like the anime. If he tries to foist a disobedient Pikachu on me, I'm going to make his life difficult.
Age 10, March 24 — "Zzzzz..."
One day left. Okay, I'm actually getting nervous. I can't sleep.
No, stay calm. This is what the training was for.
Regulate the breathing.
Release the tension.
Clear the mind.
Find peace...
...And I'm out.
Age 10, April 1 — "Pallet Town Journey: Day One (Part 1)"
I woke up on time, no oversleeping. Mom and I packed everything yesterday, so all that was left was the goodbye. "Do your best, Ash!" she called out as I headed for the lab.
The gates were still closed when I arrived. I guess I'm a bit early. As I waited, Gary showed up. "You're early, Ash," he noted. It wasn't that early, but whatever.
We chatted for about ten minutes until two other kids showed up—a boy and a girl. They aren't in the original anime; Ash only vaguely recognizes their faces. The boy looks overconfident, and the girl has a nice smile.
"I see everyone is here."
The Professor finally appeared just as they joined us. About time! I'm ready to get this show on the road.
Or so I thought. The old man actually had the nerve to ask me to take a Pikachu. I was half-tempted to show him a Pallet-Style Secret Technique right then and there.
Sensing my murderous intent, he started making excuses. "Wait, wait! There's a reason for this!" It was exactly what I expected: he forgot to prepare enough Pokémon. The Pikachu he caught isn't used to humans yet, making it too dangerous for a complete novice. Since I'm "experienced," he wants me to handle it.
Are you kidding me? I was the first one here and my only option is the leftovers? Not a chance.
I reached for the Poké Ball containing Charmander, but the Professor actually bowed his head. "Please, Ash, I'm begging you."
Look, an old man's apology isn't worth much to me. If you want me to do this, you'd better have something to offer in return. If the price is right, I'll take the Pikachu.
"W-what do you want?"
"If I take the Pikachu, I want a Technical Record for Surf."
I know this world has TMs and TRs. A Pikachu that can use Surf is a different story entirely; I can work with that. If not, I'm taking Charmander.
"Mmm... a TR is a rare item! They're much harder to produce than TMs. You know that, don't you?"
So? If it's too hard, I'm taking the fire lizard. Oh, I wonder what the Pokémon Education Board would think if they heard about this little mix-up?
I wasn't going to budge. This was his mess to clean up.
"Ugh... fine. I'll get it for you. Give me a month. I'll have it delivered to whichever town you're in. Is that fair?"
"No. One week."
"One week?! That's impossible!"
"Then I'm taking Charmander!"
"Ggh... Fine! One week!!"
He has the connections to make it happen; despite being a senile old man, he's still a world authority. I'll let him slide on the "Professor" title for now if I get a Surfing Pikachu out of it. Besides, if things go like the original story, I'll have a chance to get a Charmander later anyway.
With our negotiation settled, Gary stepped up. He chose Squirtle without hesitation—likely influenced by seeing Red's Blastoise at the League match. When I glanced at him, he looked away, blushing. Definitely influenced.
The girl took Bulbasaur, and the boy took Charmander. (Sorry, Charmander, those two usually drop out halfway through the story.)
Now, for my meeting with Pikachu. I put on the rubber gloves I'd borrowed from the lab and tossed the Poké Ball. Pikachu emerged, looked around for a split second, and locked eyes with me.
Yo, Pika-pal. I'm New Ash, your new Trainer. Let's make this work.