Ash Ketchum: Type Specialist One Shots

From the time Ash was a little kid, no older than three or four, he had always wanted to fly. There was just something about the sky, the freedom of it all that was alluring. He loved when his mom would hoist him up over her head, or when he would swing himself up over the bars of the swing set, it wasn't flying, but for a child, it was the closest he could get.

Ash, of course, loved all Pokemon, there wasn't a bad one in his opinion, but he would be lying if he said he didn't have a favorite type. It was the typing that set the boy's heart on obtaining a Charmander as his first Pokemon.

If you assume fire, no one would blame you, as thats what everyone seemed to guess. His name was Ash after all, and his late father did specialize in the type. But no, Ash's favorite type, the one he revered and wanted to up a Charmander for, was Flying.

Flying is often a type that is overlooked. Flying types are in abundance, throw a stone and you'll hit three, and counteracting their attacks is simple due to Electric, and Rock types.

Due to his favored typing, Ash faced a bit of backlash from his peers. Most boys his age liked strong types like Dragon, Steel, and Dark after all, while girls his age leaned towards Psychic, Normal, and Fairy types, leaving Ash the odd man out, and so snide, and rude comments were sadly not a rarity. But, Ash was also a resilient, and stubborn child, and fought back.

Now, while Ash loved Flying types, it had never been his intention to practice specifically on said type, it just sort of happened. And it started with an Emolga.

Emolga hadn't been his first, second, third, or even fourth choice, seeing as they weren't even native in his home region, but with no other options, and refusing to wait for the next year, Ash accepted his new partner, though rather that partner accepted him back was a thing to be questioned in the beginning. After Emolga, came Caterpie who evolved into Butterfree, and then Pidgeotto, and eventually a Charmander that Ash was able to raise up into a Charizard after his own complications. Truthfully though, after Pidgeotto, Ash purposefully decided to focus his time on Flying types.

Nobody really blinked twice at the change, and dealing with a single type, while definitely having its own disadvantages, let Ash focus on specific battle techniques, and really powered up his team. There was also no shortage of Flying types in the Kanto region, leading Ash to catching a Dodrio, a excitable, but nervous little thing that liked stealing his hat, a Fearow, that Ash caught mostly so he would leave a flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto alone, and even hatched a little Togepi into a Togetic, Misty and of course Team Rocket pitched a fit he was raising the tiny Pokemon for battle, but Ash found, and raised the egg so he had every right to, despite Misty's rude and honestly underhanded tactics to trying to get the Pokemon to imprint on her. And, while they weren't from Kanto technically, Ash also added Mantyke, caught in the ocean after being swept away from her pod due to the harsh winds, and a Gligar, Ash wasn't sure how the little Pokemon got all the way to Kanto, but he and the emotional Pokemon were happy to be a part of the same team.

Regardless, Ash adored his team, and built an unshakable bond with each and every one of his Pokemon. Once Pidgeotto evolve into Pidgeot, and Charmander to Charizard, Ash was able to ride on their backs, soaring through the sky and tasting that fresh, free air he had longed for since he was a child. His bonds went so deep that Ash easily fell, or leapt from their backs, when needed to by accident, knowing his Pokemon would grab him, no matter how many Heart attacks Brock, or his mother and Professor Oak got. But his team was well connected, and strong, and they took on Kanto's Gym Challenge with relative ease(minus repeatedly stopping Team Rocket, getting into general trouble, getting lost, and dealing with Mewtwo that one time, but they don't remember that so it technically doesn't count). That wasn't to say that they went undefeated, early on there were a few losses, and incidents that shook Ash's confidence, like when he faced Lt. Surge and Emolga was badly ridiculed and injured, or when Sabrina nearly turned them into puppets, and when Erika wouldn't battle him because he didn't like Perfume. The worst was having to say goodbye to Butterfree so he could be with his mate, but while Sad, it was a situation the whole team learned and grew from.

When the Indigo League finally came, Ash didn't have the false expectations that they would sweep the competition. No, they were hopeful and really wanted to do well, wanted to get further than Gary at the very least and match or surpass his mother and father's placements at best. Every battle was difficult, some of Ash's Pokemon were knocked out, the older, more experienced trainers were good, confident, experienced. And yet, at the end of the League, sweating heavily from stress and the hot sun, throat raw from calling out moves, and a head pounding from thinking up strategy after strategy Ashton Red Ketchum, just age ten was named the victor of the Indigo League.

At first, he was too shocked to react. It was unbelievable, and Ash was numb where he stood, and then the tears came. Pride, and shock made his chest constrict with emotion as hot tears burned his eyes, and his cheeks ached from smiling. He embraced Emolga tightly, spinning the flying squirrel in his arms while Emolga shocked him with a burst of electricity teeming with love and excitement. Ash walked up to the podium, his eyes still red and raw, and accepted the Indigo League Trophy as the stadium roared with applause.

The days following the league, Ash was in a daze. While he had acknowledged the fact that they won(they actually won!), it was difficult to imagine where to go from there. Oh he knew his journey was far from over, there were so many regions to explore and so many more Pokemon to meet. But being a 10 year old boy, it was all a bit overwhelming.

And then, he met a very well known man, one that Ash admired a great deal. With that man, came a special invitation.

===========

Ash walked silently down the streets of Pallet Town, a grocery list in hand. Emolga sat on his shoulder, as usual, babbling nonsense that only Ash could understand as they walked. Occasionally, someone would stop Ash on the street, swoon over or congratulate him on his win until Ash politely excused himself. It was weird to him. Ash was used to being fawned over by older folk, Ash was the only Ketchum left other than his mother so the older folk tended to dote on him a bit, and he was even used to occasionally being trailed after by younger kids, kids had loved coming to him to talk about Pokemon seeing as Ash could talk about them for hours, but kids his own age, kids he had actually went to school with, were foreign to him. He grew up with them belittling him, so having those same kids swoon after him made his skin crawl, and his stomach ache. It may sound odd, but honestly Ash would prefer if they treated him the same as they always had. It was a little sad that Ash preferred Gary, who still belittled him despite Ash winning the whole League, to the way he was being treated by kids who used to act the same way.

"Emol?" Emolga patted Ash's cheek with his paw, snapping him out of his own head. Looking around, he realized he was at the market.

"Sorry buddy, I got lost in thought." Ash chuckled, slowly rubbing the back of his neck before pulling the list up to see what they had to get. "Looks like it's just the basic stuff today, oh and mayo." Emolga leaned over his shoulder to look at the list, and Ash held it up for him to get a better look.

"Emol Emol!" Emolga pouted, causing Ash to snicker as he walked into the market.

Ash knew Emolga better than he knew the back of his own hand, so while he couldn't understand him word for word, he could still pick up the general idea of what he said, or wanted. "There's Ketchup at home, at least there should be unless you ate it all. Again." Emolga whined, nuzzling up against Ash's neck while shooting him Growlithe eyes. Ash, well versed in ignoring his Pokemon's Growlithe eyes, simply placed a bag of potatoes in his basket after checking them over.

The rest of the shopping went relatively normal, with Emolga pouting in his shoulder, having eventually given up. As they checked out, Ash slipped a few ketchup packets onto the counter, and handed one over to Emolga after paying. With a happy coo, Emolga ripped open the packet for his treat.

"I spoil you." Ash sighed, only to laugh when Emolga happily nuzzled against him, and held out his paw for another, which Ash handed over.

The walk home was just as quiet as the walk to the market, if not more so because Emolga was happily snacking away. As they got closer to the Ketchum residents, however, Ash hesitated for just a moment. Parked outside the humble home was an unfamiliar, fancy looking black car with a dragon shaped license plate. Car's were something of a rarity in Pallet Town, it was so small that most people walked or cycled everywhere. There were a few cars, but they were really only used when someone was going out of town, or when someone was visiting.

"Mom! We're back!" Ash called as he entered the house, his hand drifting towards Charizard's Pokeball, on his shoulder, Emolga was just as alert, though they both calmed down when Delia happily rounded the corner form the kitchen.

"Welcome back sweety!" She chimed, taking the grocery bags from him. "Thank you for doing the shopping."

"No problem." Ash shrugged and looked around the house. "Who's car is that outside?" He asked.

Delia's face lit up, as if just remembering. "Oh, a visitor came to see you today!"

Before he could ask who it was, his mother guided him into the sitting room. On one couch was the familiar form of Professor Oak, who smiled at him calmly, and on the other, a man Ash only recognised from posters and television.

"Lance?!" He squeaked, his voice raising an octave. Professor Oak and Lance shared an amused smile as the boy quickly cleared his throat, cheeks reddening. "Wha-Uh What can I do for you?" He asked, trying to seem more mature, even though internally he was freaking out(Lance, THE Lance, was in his house!).

Lance motioned to the seat across from him, and next to the Professor. Ash took the seat, pulling Emolga to sit in his lap rather than his shoulder, while he carded his fingers through her short fur. Lance gave, what Ash supposed, was a comforting smile, and Professor Oak gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze that helped the wound up 10 year old simmer down.

"I know this seems out of the blue for you," Lance started off. "Truth is, I've been interested in your progress for some time."

Ash's eyes widened, and he pointed to himself. "Me? But I haven't done anything."

Lance shook his head. "Not because you did anything bad, no, quite the opposite in fact!" The red head assured. "Ash, do you know the job of the Pokemon Champion, and the Elite Four?"

Ash stalled for a moment, tilting his head much like a confused Growlithe. "It's to be really strong Pokemon Trainers, right?"

Something rueful twisted on the man's face before it vanished. "That's part of it I suppose, but actually the main goal of the Elite Four and the Champion is to protect, and lead the region of Pokemon Trainers by example. To help our fellow trainers, and pass down our knowledge to the new generations to hopefully craft a peaceful region for both People and Pokemon." Ash stared in awe, brown eyes lit with a spark of inspiration and respect. Lance rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. "Anyway, that's why when your name was mentioned repeatedly by Gym Leaders, Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny, I couldn't not look into you. You've been commended quite a lot by them, and other individuals for helping them, against Team Rocket, poachers, and other such people. Given your age, it is quite commendable."

"Well, Misty and Brock helped too, I wouldn't really be where I am today without them." Ash admitted, but sat a little taller after getting praised.

"Funny, they said the same thing about you." Lance commented, and Ash perked up even more.

"You don't have long Lance." Professor Oak reminded, a mirthful gleam in his eye.

Lance cleared his throat. "Right. The reason I came here today, Ash, was to give you a special invitation." Lance put his hand in his cape and pulled out a pristine white envelope with gold dragon details painted along the sides, and a golden wax seal.

He handed it to Ash, who stared down at it, before carefully opening it. He pulled out the letter and read it aloud. "Dear Ashton Ketchum, The Pokemon League invites you," Ash gasped audibly as he read a bit ahead, air leaving him as he gaped. Shakily, he continued reading. "In-In-Invite you, this year's Winner of the Indigo League, to challenge the Elite Four, and Champion Lance Blackthorn. Inside there is a special card, present it and your Gym Badges to the Security Guard on Victory Road to gain entry. Sincerely and Good Luck, Kanto Pokemon League."

Lance grinned as Ash's head snapped up to look at him, his mouth moving but no words coming out. "Don't look so surprised, every League winner gets the chance to challenge the Elite Four. Though, I must admit that there is a reason I delivered the letter personally, besides wanting to meet you myself." Ash, still reeling but focused on the champion, nodded his head for him to continue. "There is currently only an Elite Three, the person we were going to choose as the next member doesn't feel his daughter is ready for the role of Gym Leader, and has requested to keep his spot until the day she is ready. We're in the search for another member, we just haven't found the right person yet, meaning you won't battle four trainers and then myself, but rather three."

Ash nodded in understanding, he was a bit bummed, he loved battling after all, but there was no use kicking up a fuss. "When-uh, When am I needed to be there?" He asked.

Lance hummed in thought. "Anytime between now and the start of the next Kanto Gym Challenge, though most people wait a month after receiving the invite before challenging."

Ash nodded, and smiled brightly up at the older man. "Thank you for bringing this to me!" He stood up and gave Lance a sharp, determined grin. "You better train up too! We don't plan on losing!"

"Emol Emol!" Emolga growled in agreement, cheeks sparking with enthusiasm.

Lance offered his own sharp toothed grin. "Love to hear it!"

"Lets go show mom Emolga!" Ash turned to his partner before they both fled the sitting room and ran into the kitchen.

Lance and Professor Oak burst out laughing at the quick attitude change, and Professor Oak leaned back, giving Lance a look. "You didn't tell him what was really at stake with this challenge." He said, tone a bit accusing.

Lance nodded. "No need to stress the kid out. Because if he wins this, that boy will be the youngest Elite Four Member to exist in any region."

—--------

A month had passed since Ash received his invitation. The whole month since he received the invite, Ash and his team had been training rigorously. Brock, Misty, Professor Oak, and even his mother all helped with practice battles, and refining his team, he was even able to get Togetic to evolve into a Togekiss, yes he had to find a Shiny Stone but still. As the Month was rapping up, Ash set out on his way to Victory road. While Professor Oak offered to drive him, along with his mother, Misty, and Brock, Ash declined. He wanted the journey up to Victory Road to be a bonding experience, with only himself and his Pokemon. So, he left first, with plans of them meeting him up there.

And once he was verified with the guard and at the front desk, The real fight began.

---Lorelei—

Ash threw out his last Pokemon just as Lorelei did. Both Pokemon were uninjured, but they were the last Pokemon either trainer had for the match. The referee called for the match to start, and Ash wasted no time, though neither did Lorelei.

"Togekiss, Charm!"

"Confuse Ray Lapras!"

Togekiss chripped lovingly, pink hearts surrounding her, and causing Lapras to melt with affection, and lower her attack. However, Lapras still fired Confuse Ray, charging a purple beam from her mouth before firing it. Togekiss shook her head, trying to dispel the confusion. Lorelei used this opportunity to call out a Body Slam, and Lapras launched herself at the Fairy/Flying type. Ash narrowed his eyes at the situation, and called for a quick Aura Sphere. Togekiss built up a blinding blue ball of energy, and launched it upwards, but as she couldn't control it, it fell back down hitting her, but also pushing her out of the way of Lapras' Body Slam. Ash grinned, as the blast also shook Togekiss from her confusion. Lorelei ordered a quick Ice Beam, and Lapras stretched her long neck around to fire the blue beam, but Ash was on top of it, calling for a speedy Safeguard, that repelled the attack, and casted Togekiss in brilliant green force field. Ash then called for another Aurasphere, and Lorelei called for Hydro Pump, keeping the sphere away, just as Ash planned, as the next second Togekiss slammed into Lapras with a Sky Attack, her body shipping around with blinding white energy that sent Lapras sliding against the floor, before passing out.

"Alright!" Ash cheered loudly, and Togekiss followed. The red headed Ice Specialist sighed sadly and kindly returned her Pokemon, smiling as she watched the trainer greet Togekiss with open arms as she dipped down to snuggle up to him.

---Bruno—

Bruno was Ash's next opponent. Ash had to quickly heal his Pokemon up, but before the battle they were all raring to go. Compared to Lorelei's cool, calm behavior, Bruno was a tough, no nonsense type that was just as ready to battle as Ash was.

"Machamp, go!"

"I choose you, Gliscor!"

Both Pokemon took the field, with Gliscor teetering uneasily on his tail as he waited for the match to start. As soon as the referee called for the match to star, Bruno pounced, ordering Machamp to use a powerful Brick Break to start off. Ash responded in kind, calling for Gliscor's strongest Steel Wing. The two moves collided with a clash, and called for a speedy Bulk Up. Ash used the split second of still to call for Fire Fang, and Gliscor's mouth erupted in flames. He dove towards the fighting type, wrapping around him and biting down, causing Machamp to cry out in pain as he took some burn damage. But Bruno wasn't going to give up just yet, and ordered a Karate Chop. Gliscor was too close to move, and was thrown across the field due to the close attack. Gliscor tried to get up, but Karate Chop had a boost from the previous Bulk Up, resulting in a powerful hit, that was followed by another powerful Brick Break that Machamp was able to get in since Gliscor was grounded.

Ash recalled Gliscor as soon as the referee called Gliscor unable to battle. He thanked the sand scorpion, and pulled out his next Pokemon, because there was no way the battle was over.

Bruno bit back a smirk, the boy had guts, and Bruno loved people with gut and back bone to support them.

---Agatha—

Ash frowned as he walked onto the field to get Emolga. With Emolga down, Ash was down to his last Pokemon, but so was Agatha. She was a snarky, tough old girl that Ash honestly admired. She ended Emolga before Ash could even call out a move, having used Nigh Shade followed by Dream Eater to end the match quickly. But, Ash had his own tricks up his sleeve.

"Pidgeot, I choose you!" Pidgeot took the field in front of Agatha's Gangar, flapping her magnificent wings. Just like before, Agatha called for Gangar to use Night Shade, but Pidgeot didn't so much as flinch, causing Ash to grin at the older woman's surprise. "Did you forget? Pidgeot is also part Normal Type, Ghost Type Moves have no effect on her!" Ash grinned cheekily.

Agatha smirked, mildly impressed the boy pulled one over on her. "Don't get so cocky now. Gangar, use Toxic."

"Blow it away with Hurricane!"

Just as Gangar sent forth a toxic cloud, Pidgeot flapped her wings, sending a powerful gust of wind to rip apart Toxic, dispersing, and diluting it to where it did little to nothing. Ash then called for Aerial Ace, and Pidegot took off, white streaks surrounding her body as she slammed into Gangar. Agatha wasn't going to take that sitting down however, and called for Confuse Ray. What she didn't count on was Ash calling for Quick Attack, and Pideot being able to outspeed the ball of energy, leading it right back to Gangar, who took it without being confused. Ash then called for Wing Attack, but Agatha put an end to that with a speedy Substitute. Ash wasn't done though, and after one Wing Attack Pidgeot swiftly turned and hit Gangar with another Aerial Ace, putting an end to the match.

Agatha smirked silently as she returned Gangar, making eye contact with Oake before turning her head back to the boy as he climbed onto Pidgeot's back to give her a hug.

---Lance—

Ash was panting as he stared at Lance across the field. Ash was down to one Pokemon, while Lance still had three. Ash knew he wasn't going to win this, but he was okay with that, and he, nor his Pokemon were going to roll over and give Lance an easy win. Ash turned his cap around to give himself a better view, and rounded up his arm.

"Charizard, I choose you!" Charizard took the field with a mighty roar, his tail flame burning brighter than ever before.

Lance stared in awe of the magnificent Flying Type, before calling out the first move of the match. "Thunder Dragonite." Charizard didn't move, not even when Thunder struck him. Instead, he easily shook the sparks away, roaring as the attack seemingly did nothing. Lance frowned. "How the…?"

Ash gave him a small grin. "That Thunder was nothing compared to Emolga's Discharge!" Charizard growled in agreement, and spread his leathery wings. "Flamethrower!"

Charizard took to the sky, and breathed a heavy Flamethrower down onto Dragonite. Dragonite dodged by taking off into the sky, and released a strong Hyper Beam. Charizard flipped and fired another Flamethrower that collided with Hyper Beam, keeping Dragonite at bay while Charizard slowly inched closer. When both attacks tapered off, Ash called for Steel Wing, and Lance urged a Fire Blast. Being a fire type, however, Charizard easily sped through the flame, even sucking up some of its energy with his tail flame before colliding with Dragonite, catching him on his wing. Dragonite growled, and fired off another Thunder, that did enough damage, due to close quarters, to make Charizard break away from him. Lance called for Agility, raising Dragonite's speed enough that he was able to get away and send a strong Blizzard to the back of Charizard. The frigid blizzard tried to cling to Charizard's scales, but he was still hot to the touch from Dragonite's Fire Blast, and melted the clinging snow right off. Lance bit back a curse as Ash ordered a Wing Attack, once again catching Dragonite in his claws, but then Wing Attack turned into Dragon Tail, as Charizard held Dragonite in place, his tail glowing a bright green before he punted Dragonite right out of the sky. Dragonite hit the ground with a crash, and the referee called for the match to end.

Lance hummed as he called his Pokemon back, knowing he made the right choice as he readied to end the entire battle with his Aerodactyl.

—------

Ash sighed as he waited for his Pokemon to come back with Nurse Joy. As he expected, Ash lost to Lance, the Champion having finished Charizard off with a last minute Take Down. Still, Ash felt proud of how far they came. He was proud that they won the Indigo League, and he was proud at how well they did against the Elite Three(temporarily), and Champion Lance. It was a bit overwhelming, but overall, he was happy.

Ash was shaken from his thoughts by strong arms wrapping around his stomach and being hoisted up. Ash squawked and struggled until he realized it was Brock. Brock shot him a proud grin, tears in his eyes as he held him up like a trophy. Ash burst out laughing. "It's not funny! I'm so proud of you!" He insisted with a proud smile that made Ash want to cry too.

"You guys are such cry babies." Misty sighed as she walked up as well, only to squawk when Brock pulled her in too. "Alright fine," Misty whined. "I'm proud of you too." She huffed, causing both boys to laugh.

Delia and Professor Oak could only watch on, their own proud tears in her eyes. Rather Delia was crying because her son got so far, or because her son had two friends he was closer to siblings with, was anyone's guess. Professor Oak was so proud the boy he saw as a second Grandson made it so far, so soon. He would admit that he had some doubts about the boy, especially about giving him Emolga, but now, he was so happy he did.

"Oops, I think we're interrupting." Lorelei's voice chimed, pulling everyone's attention to the Elite trainers that had stumbled upon.

Bruno grunted and rolled his eyes. "You shouldn't have said anything and let them have their moment." Like the mature adult she was, Lorelei responded by sticking her tongue out at him.

Agatha sighed tiredly. "I'm getting too old to deal with you two."

Lance chuckled warmly at them and stepped in front of Ash. Brock had since set Ash and Misty down, and both traveling companions were standing behind him. With a sure smile, Lance held out his hand, which Ash accepted with a smile of his own. "Ash, I lied to you when I said I brought you the letter because I needed to explain the lack of a fourth Elite Four member. I really brought it to you because I wanted to see if you were really how others depicted you, and I'm happy to say you are. After much discussion with my other Elite Four members, your mother, and Professor Oak here, myself and Pokemon League have something very important to ask you."

Ash gulped as he stared up at Lance.

"Ash Ketchum, how would you like to be the newest Elite Four Member?"