508I don't own Pokemon, otherwise Ash would've won a league sooner.
I don't own Familiar of Zero, otherwise Saito and Louise would be heavily edited.
I do own my ideas, so let me have my pride. Or something.
Enjoy!
This story is a part of my Louise Summons series. The goal of the series is to show what would happen if Louise (from Familiar of Zero) summoned a familiar from another franchise. Differences exist between the Anime, Manga, and LN versions, and those difference are dealt with differently. Timelines are flexible to what serves the story. Character traits are squished together as cleanly as possible. I do a minimal amount of planning for these stories. There is no end goal I want to force the story into. Instead, I want the story to develop as naturally as possible based on character interaction. Familiar of Zero had some potential, but it was wasted on a generic harem story. Let's change that, shall we?
The sun stood high atop the clouds one warm morning in the Kanto Region. The fields of Pallet Town were decorated with budding summer crops. Long grass danced in the breeze, swaying and stretching like rolling waves. Pidgey and Spearow pecked along the ground, hunting unsuspecting Caterpie and Weedle. Grass-type Pokemon sat in the warm sunlight, basking in the refreshing rays.
The town was the very image of tranquility, until an explosion of water and electricity columned into the sky, sending flocks of flying-types into a hasty retreat to quieter fields. The sounds of an evident Pokemon battle were a fairly common occurrence. After all, this was the location Professor Oak's Pokemon Ranch. Trainers sponsored by the Professor usually left their extra Pokemon at the ranch as they traveled with their legally restricted team of six. Pokemon testing themselves in "wild" battles were par for the course. This battle, however, was between two trainers who had been awaiting this rematch for many years.
Two teens stood dozens of yards apart at Professor's Oak's Pokemon Ranch. The taller, dressed in an indigo pullover and blue jeans, stood behind a towering blue turtle Pokemon with twin cannons perched on its back. The second teen, dressed in a short-sleeved jacket and blue cargo pants, stood behind a small electric-type Pokemon. The two Pokemon had clashed attacks earlier on the behest of their trainers for a simple show of force. Now that they had each confirmed their power to the other, it was time for the real fight to begin.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Blastiose, block it with Rapid Spin!"
Pikachu, the electric mouse Pokemon, jumped high into the air. The red spots on his cheeks cackled with electricity that flooded his entire body. Tucking in his limbs in exertion, he cried, "Pika Chu!" as he unleashed a forking bolt of electricity at the formidable Blastiose.
Following its trainer's command, Blastiose tucked in its limbs and cannons before spinning on its belly. The powerful Thunderbolt ricocheted harmlessly off the water-type Pokémon's spinning shell, exploding a patch of ground nearby. Pikachu landed on the ground as Blastiose popped out of his shell, the two Pokemon reevaluating each other.
Despite the failure of his Pokémon's attack, Ash Ketchum grinned at the sight of his opponent's tactic. "This is just like old times," he called out to his opponent. "You haven't lost your touch."
Gary Oak, his childhood rival, returned with a grin of his own. "I may be a researcher instead of a trainer now, but I still keep my Pokemon in top shape," he bragged. "Now, show me what you've learned from traveling the world!"
"You've got it," Ash replied. "Pikachu, keep up the pressure! Use Iron Tail!"
"Pika!" Pikachu replied in affirmation. Running forward, his tail gained a metallic sheen. With Gary giving no command for a counter-attack, Blastiose watched the attack in anticipation, ready to dodge or counterattack when the order arrived.
"Grab it!" Gary cried.
Pikachu jumped into the air and spun his hardened tail down at the water-type's head. "Blast!" Blastiose roared as he reached with surprising reflexes, slamming his two arms together, catching Pikachu's tail in between.
Pokémon and trainer widened their eyes in surprise. "That's new," Ash commented. "But we're not done yet! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Throw him!" Gary countered. As Pikachu gathered electricity in his cheeks, Blastiose swung him away to Ash's side of the field. The Thunderbolt went wide as it carved a gash in the field nowhere near its intended target.
"You're using basic movements to counter Pikachu's moves?" Ash exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right," Gary said with a sneer. "Bruno of the Elite Four showed me how sometimes the basics were more than enough to deal with even the most powerful of Pokémon. Of course, your starter has nothing on mine, but it still applies."
"I see," said Ash as a determine grin crept up his face. "In that case, we'll just have to give you more than you can handle. Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" The electric mouse dashed forward, covering ground with a speed that left a glowing streak in his wake.
"You never learn, Ashy-boy. Rapid Spin!"
Pikachu's attack was fast, but before he could reach his target Blastiose had already retreated into his shell and rotated, creating a simple but effective defense. The rotation caused Pikachu himself to be deflected, sending him spinning in a wild tumble through the air.
"Use Iron Tail and grab it to control your movement!" Ash called out.
By tucking his body into the Iron Tail and using it balance his air control, Pikachu was able to safely land tail first into the ground. Unfortunately, his tail ended up getting stuck deep in the dirt while his body dangled inches of the ground. "Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed in shock. He struggled to wedge himself free, but he barely managed to make himself wobble.
"You just made my job easier," Gary sneered. "Blastiose, finish this in one attack, Hydro Pump!"
Instead of appearing worried over his partner's predicament, it was Ash's turn to smirk. "Counter Shield!"
Pikachu, passed his efforts to to pull himself out of the ground, paused at his trainers words. With a grin of determination, he channeled electricity into his cheeks, and forced it down to the tip of his tail.
Blastiose's Hydro Pump carried two high-powered jets of water. But just before the attack could reach the electric mouse, the ground erupted with an explosion of dirt, rocks and electricity. The powerful water-type attack ripped through the rocks and dirt, but the force of the explosion dissipated its power greatly while covering the area in a blinding dust cloud.
"You used that move back in the Sinnoh League," Gary remembered. "But it looked different back then."
"It's an adaptable technique for both offense and defense," Ash replied. "Don't think that just because you've seen it once that you've seen it all.
"Nice trick, but you'll need more to beat us. Keep an eye out for Pikachu!" Gary called out.
"Now it's our turn to put on the pressure!" Ash declared. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu came barreling out of the cloud, running straight towards Blastiose.
"Hydro Pump!" The cannon barrels on Blastiose's back took aim at the rapidly approaching Pokemon. With no cover and already committed to a frontal attack, Pikachu's options were limited as the water shot towards him.
"Spin!"
"Spin?"
Instead of trying to weave around the twin streams of water, Pikachu dove straight into the small gap between the two attacks. Spinning in a corkscrew, Pikachu's spiraling momentum shaved off the stray water pressure from the twin streams while allowing him to carry his momentum forward. As Blastiose's attack ended, Pikachu landed on his feet without missing a beat.
"Alright!" Ash cheered. "Keep the momentum and add in a Volt Tackle!"
Gary's eyes widened and he recognized what Ash was doing. "He's combining the speed of Quick Attack with the power of Volt Tackle!" he exclaimed. "Blastiose use Skull Bash!"
Blastiose tensed all its muscles, increasing his defenses, before slamming his head into Pikachu's speeding missile. The electric-type Pokemon was covered in cackling sparks that outlines his entire body. Both Pokemon had narrowed eyes as they clashed literally head to head.
The resulting explosion sent dust, rubble, and forks of electricity scattering across the field. Both trainers braced themselves as the force of the blast rippled their clothes. Ash had to press the bill of his cap against his forehead to prevent it from being blown away. As the smoke cleared it revealed the two Pokémon to be still standing, but both panting, heavily damaged.
"You boys sure did a number on this place," a grandfatherly voice called out.
"Gramps!"
"Professor Oak!"
The grey-haired professor had wide smile on his face as he strolled onto the battle ground with both hands sitting casually in his lab coat pockets. "I hate to interrupt your battle, but Delia just made delicious punch. Care to join us?"
The two trainers surveyed their Pokemon and battlefield, then to look at the Professor.
"I guess we'll just call this a draw; that fine with you, Ash?" Gary asked.
Ash nodded. "But we'll definitely finish this another time," he replied.
"You can count on that." Gary returned Blastiose as Pikachu clambered up to Ash's shoulder. "Want to race back?" Gary asked.
"Sounds good to me!" Ash replied.
"Go!" Gary shouted without preamble, sprinting as fast as he could.
"No fair!" Ash protested, quickly working to make up for the headstart.
"Smell ya later, Ashy-boy!"
Professor Oak sighed contently as he watched the two boys run off. "It's almost like they've never changed these past six years," he said to himself as he followed them at a leisurely stroll.
In a wide field dotted by clusters of trees, four people sat in a circle on recliners. A picnic blanket, complete with a spread of sandwiches and a picture of berry punch, lay in the center. Pikachu lay underneath Ash's chair, napping in the warm shade.
"Your first morning back in Kanto and the first thing you do is have a battle," Delia Ketchum scolded her son lightly. She had brown haired with parted bangs in the front, that trailed off into a ponytail kept with a blue ribbon. "Honestly, what happened to the days where you'd pay attention to your mother?"
"Sorry, mom," Ash replied sheepishly.
"Gotta listen to your mother, Ash," Gary teased with a grin.
"Don't think you're off the hook either Gary Blue Oak," Mrs. Ketchum said with a disapproving look that sent shivers down Gary's spine. "Dragging my poor boy out of the house before he even finished his breakfast, you're honestly just as bad as he is."
"Heh, sorry Mrs. K," Gary replied while sheepishly scratching his head.
"Boys will be boys after all," Profossor Oak said with a content sigh. "You two have grown for sure, but I still remember the day you both set out to become Pokemon Trainers."
"I remember it too," said Delia whimsically. "You were both so small and cute."
"Looks like you haven't changed all that much, right, Ashy-boy?" Gary teased.
"I'm growing!" Ash protested.
True to Gary's teasing, there was a significant height difference between the two. Over the years Gary had grown even taller than his grandfather and Ash's mother. And when he was wearing a lab coat, you would think he was young adult fresh out of college. Ash, on the other hand, was still shorter than the Pokemon Professor, and had to look up every time he wanted to look his mother in the eye. While Gary had skipped into adulthood, Ash could still be mistaken for twelve, at most thirteen-year-old child.
"You're almost seventeen, you're almost done growing," Gary snarked. "Gonna have to work overtime to catch up to me."
"I'm not going to settle for catching up," Ash declared. "I'm going to beat you!"
"You might want to try making challenges that you can actually effect," Professor Oak chuckled. "There's not much you can do about your height."
"Well, I'm already going to be a Pokemon Master, so there's not much else I want," Ash replied.
"How about finding more legendary Pokemon?" Professor Oak suggested.
"I'm pretty sure I'll meet some more on my travels," Ash said confidently. "That's a part of the package."
"Not for normal people," Gary said under his breath.
"I know," said Delia, clapping her hands together. "How about you settle down with a nice girl?"
Ash stared at her, dumbfounded. "Eh?"
"She's right," Gary agreed with a nod. "All those female companions you travel with, and you haven't asked out a single one of them. I'm ashamed for you."
"Why would I ask them out?" Ash asked. "They're my friends."
"And you don't feel different about any of them?" Delia pressured her son.
"What do you mean different?" Ash asked. At the two's intense stares, he sweatdropped. "I get it, alright!" he exclaimed shaking his hands. "I just don't have anyone in mind." Well, at least not someone he had certain. He still remembered the kiss Serena had given him when he had left Kalos. And looking back on his goodbyes with several of his female friends most of them seemed to be really close to him.
His mom and Gary physically deflated. "I guess I'll just have to wait for next year," Delia said dejectedly.
"Ash will be lucky he finds someone in a year, given how dense he is," Gary snarked.
"Leave the poor boy alone you two," Profossor Oak waved them off. "Ash is a growing boy; he'll make his decisions in his own time."
"But I can't wait for Ash to find his special someone," Delia pouted.
"Don't worry," Professor Oak said with a wink. "It's only a matter of time before his eyes open. Until then, planning his love life will have to be on hold."
"Thank you!" Ash sighed, relieved to finally have someone on his side. A moment passed. "Wait, what do you mean 'on hold'?"
That night, Ash and Pikachu lied on their backs on top of the roof of Ash's home.
"Pikachu?" his Pokemon asked questioningly as Ash let out a quiet sigh.
"Just thinking, buddy," Ash replied. While Ash couldn't understand the words Pikachu said, years of bonding allowed him to feel the meaning and emotion behind the sounds.
"Pika, Pika-pi?"
"We both know that in order to get stronger we'll have to go soon," Ash said. "But I realized that I've been neglecting too many people back at home. My mom, Mr. Mime, Professor Oak, Gary, Tracey, Misty, Brock, heck, I still need to find Pidgeot and see how she's doing."
Pikachu nodded as he gave an affirmative "Chu."
"Becoming a Pokemon Master is my dream, but I don't want to pursue my dream while leaving everyone I care about behind. The friendships we've made are important to me." Ash smiled, and paused to rub the top of Pikachu's head. "So, how about before we figure out where we're going to go next, how about we take a trip around Kanto and visit everyone we haven't seen in years?"
"Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu declared, pumping a tiny fist into the air.
Ash grinned. "I figured you'd be on board! We'll have to figure out how we're going to travel the region without missing anyone, but that can wait for tomorrow." Ash opened his mouth in a wide yawn. "For now, let's get some sleep."
Pikachu nodded, hopping down from the roof onto Ash's windowsill. Not hearing his trainer behind him, he turned and saw Ash staring out into the night sky. "Pika?"
"I'll be right there," Ash assured his Pokemon. "Just looking at memories."
With another nod, Pikachu hopped down into Ash's room. It had been a long day, and he was looking forward to some shut eye.
Ash sighed as he took a look at starry expanse above and windswept fields below. "To think we almost lost it all," he whispered. He clenched his fists as he stared resolutely into the horizon. "Team Flare, Lysander, they were so strong. We barely managed to beat them with all the help we got. And there's probably more criminals out there doing the same thing. If I don't get stronger, who knows when we will lose at the wrong time."
"Guess what, world!" he shouted in defense, raising a fist to the sky. "I'm going to be the strongest. I'll be a Pokemon Master, and the world will never be in danger again. Not so long as I and my Pokemon are there to defend it. You hear me?"
In the house below him, two Pokémon and one mother had a smile on their faces as they heard Ash's declaration. "That's my boy," said Delia proudly.
Ash, having gotten his frustrations out of his system, stood to jump down to his room's window. When suddenly, a glowing green circle appeared before him. Ash blinked in surprise as a pentagon appeared in the circle. Then came a five-pointed star, with each point touching a corner of the pentagon. A band of unfamiliar symbols wrote themselves onto the inner rim of the circle.
"What is that?" he wondered, leaning forward to get a better look. "Looks like something from an ancient ruin."
The circle began to glow, and the bright lines that made the shapes began to fill the gaps between themselves until the circle became enveloped in a solid green glow. Curiosity drew Ash even closer, and he took a step forward.
And then he realized he was on a slanted roof.
"Ahhh!" Ash yelped as he slipped forward, pinwheeling his arms to no avail. His shoes eventually lost purchase as he fell headlong into the floating green circle.
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu cried, hearing Ash's panicked screams and running outside. The yellow Pokemon was barely able to glimpse at the strange green portal before it disappeared.
"—ahhh!" Ash finished yelling as he landed face first into—grass?
"Ow," he groaned as he pulled himself into a sitting position. "What was that cir…cle?" His voice trailed off as he realized that he was lying down in what appeared to be a castle courtyard. He was surrounded on all sides by people in long robes, most of whom looked about his age. Each person had an unfamiliar Pokemon sitting on or nearby them. The only exception was standing in front of him. A girl—at least as short as he was—looked at him with a mix of confusion and disappointment in her pink eyes. Wavy bright pink hair curtained down to the unpractically short skirt she wore under her cloak. In her hand she held a stick that was pointed in his direction, but she didn't seem to be threatening him with it.
A tall, redhead girl—no, woman, given her generous figure—said something in a language Ash found vaguely familiar. The pink haired girl in front of him turned towards the woman, angrily making a retort. Given that the other robed people were laughing and pointing in the pink-haired girl's direction, Ash deduced that the redhead had made some kind of insult.
Not that this deduction helped with his current predicament.
Another robed person, this time a balding older man with glasses, said something to the pink haired girl. Their conversation flew clear over Ash's head, but the man was serious while the girl was dejected. Still, Ash found himself looking on the bright side. The more they spoke, the more familiar the language sounded to him.
The trainer stood up and waved his hand in the girl's direction, but she didn't even glance his way, being too focused on her conversation to notice him. "Uh, hello?" Ash tried, interrupting whatever the pinkette was saying.
The girl glared at him in a way that reminded Ash of a certain spoiled noble girl he had met on his travels. And with that, the last gear in his mind clicked. Somehow, he was in a place where spoke the Ancient Kalosian language.
"Don't tell me it's time travel," Ash complained, putting a face to his hand. "Celebi's time portals normally don't look like that."
The girl seemed even more annoyed by him, if her stick waving and angry expression were to go by.
"Are you a witch?" Ash asked, the combination of wand and robe just now putting the connection. The girl tilted her head to the side in what Ash guessed was confusion, but still continued glaring at him. "I guess not, you don't have a broom after all. Or would that be a stereotype."
The girl's glare deepened as she spoke in a harsh tone.
"Hold on," Ash said placidly, more for his benefit than hers. "I think I remember some ancient Kalosian. Let's see. Hello?"
While Ash could tell that his accent was pretty terrible, the surprise on the girl's face showed that she at least understood what he had been trying to say. "Hello?" she echoed.
Ash nodded, relieved at finally finding a place to start communications.
And then the girl said a rapid-fire sentence that caused him to blink in confusion. Seeing his bewilderment, she slowed down. Ash shook his head and shrugged. Even with the words slowed down, he couldn't tell what she was trying to say.
The girl huffed in annoyance, but then used words simple enough for him to understand wat she was saying. "I, Louise. You?"
"Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," Ash replied with a relieved grin.
Now, a lot of people held misconceptions that just because Ash was impulsive and more of an emotional doer than logical thinker, that made him stupid. While he wasn't the brightest tool in the shed, he thrived in adaptability. Based on Louise's mannerisms and his knowledge of old Kalosian customs, he guessed she was a member of nobility. Giving a formal bow that he had learned was proper to give to Kalos nobility back in the day, he continued, "Pleased to meet you, Miss Louise."
The girl looked even more surprised than before, but she gave a small, albeit smug, smile. What she said next was lost to him, but he could make out his name being said. She stepped towards him, frowned, and then motioned for him to bend down. Ash chuckled, finally taking note that the girl was a good deal shorter than he was. When the girl glared, he quickly stifled his mirth.
"Sorry," he apologized, leaning down towards her. The girl huffed, muttering something about being thankful under her breath, so he guessed she forgave him.
In hindsight, he really should have noticed the cues. She grabbed both sides of his face, pulled him close, closed her eyes, leaned forward…
And kissed him.
Ash stared dumbly as the girl pulled away, a fierce blush creeping up her face. "Uh, wah?" was the most eloquent response he could muster. Serena had kissed him once, but he still wasn't sure what he felt about that. She was close to him, but that had been his first kiss. And Louise, he had met her only five minutes ago! He had no clue what was going on her mind.
Then again, Ash reasoned, he was probably in ancient Kalos right now. Kissing was a part of their culture, so maybe it didn't have as much meaning as he was used to.
Though, he was almost certain it was supposed to be on the cheek.
And Louise was blushing even worse than he was.
He dismissed his musings. "I don't really get what that was about, but it's nice to meet you to," he said with a sincere grin.
To his surprise, she looked annoyed once again. "Was it something I said?" he asked.
Then he noticed a burning sensation originating from his left hand. "What is this?" he asked, falling to his knees as the pain spread through his body. Heat prickled underneath his skin cooking him worse than the last time he had a sever fever.
Like the bolt of a lock tumbling into place, he felt something click inside him. He felt a familiar power ripple through his body. A series of runes burned themselves on his hands, but what he was feeling was inside his entire body.
The robed teenagers looked in surprise as the power the boy was exerting caused ripples over the grass. The familiars were cowed, and the blading man felt a stirring in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Over in a tower, the Headmaster perked up from his seat in his office. "What a tingly sensation," he remarked.
"Don't say anything weird while I'm in the room," his secretary deadpanned without looking up from her work.
Back on ground level, Ash blinked as the sensation died to a low hum. He could barely feel it, but there was definitely something different about himself. "What was all that about?" he asked. He looked himself over, finding no answers for his sudden fever and curing. Taking a look at his left hand, he noticed marks peeking out from underneath his fingerless gloves. Peeling the glove, he examined the marks. They were tall letter-like symbols, much like the ones he saw on the circle that brought him there in the first place.
The older man looked at Ash's hand in surprise, but quickly returned to his neutral expression.
"Um, I don't suppose any of you understand me, do you?" Ash asked.
The pink haired girl turned to the older man. After a brief conversation the man nodded and pointed his staff at Ash. With a word, Ash felt something spread from the man, to the staff, to him.
A new tingle covered his body, and then faded to normal. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"I see my translation spell worked," the older man said.
"Good," Louise said. "Now maybe he'll listen when I tell him to shut up."
"Uh…" Ash sweatdropped, off put by the unexpectedly negative attitude. This girl was even worse Misty when he first met her. At least the ginger gym leader waited to greet someone properly before acting condescending. "Did you say, translation spell? Wait, are you a wizard?"
"The proper term is mage, commoner," Louise lectured. "You may be ignorant, but you can at least get that right."
"Commoner?" Ash Ketchum echoed. "Definitely time travel," he muttered under his breath.
"Don't mutter in the presence of nobility!"
"Alright!" Ash raised his hands in surrender. "Yeesh, you're louder than a Zubat."
The pinkette gave him a suspicious look. "What in the Founder's name is a Zubat? Are you insulting me?"
"Oh, right, different regions," Ash said sheepishly. "Never mind. Actually, now that we can talk to each other, I think we started off on the wrong foot. My name is Ash Ketchum, a Pokemon Trainer from Pallet Town. And you are…?"
Louise huffed. "Well, even if you are a commoner, it would be best that I introduce myself properly." She took a deep breath. "My name is Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière," Louise declared proudly. "And as of today, you have the honor of being my familiar."
Ash blinked.
"Eh?"
So... I want to make a series of this.
I was inspired by the series of "A Most Unlikely _" by NeonZangetsu. Basically, he writes a series of Naruto x Fate/Stay night crossovers of Naruto being summoned in Fate timelines and gives the stories trial runs.
I aim to do something similar... but I'm having Louise summon from a lot of different universe. I'm not actually a huge fan of Familiar of Zero due to... issues I have with the author's style. But the world is amazing and has plenty of potential. Currently I have over a dozen different summons rather planned or drafted, spanning from books, TV shows, anime/manga, movies, etc. I'm starting with this one because I really like Ash Ketchum, and plucking him from right after Kalos gives him a lot of potential in this story.
Read, review, follow, and favorite! Remember, reviews are food for a writer's soul!