//------------------------------// // Kid from Kanto // Story: My Little Pokémon // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Today is the day that Jade Skies, the newest resident of Ponyville, understood friendship. But today is also a special day for a certain trainer. Her emotionless attitude, impassive tone and expressions gave off a sense that she had no idea what friendship was. And she doesn't. Barely even knew the concept of it until Rarity brought it up at the festival. But today, Twilight will do her best to help Jade improve, whilst also helping Cold Colt improve his magic and getting her Eevee to evolve into an Espeon. She had a lot that she wanted to accomplish right now. "Alright, Jade. You can count on me to help you get a great grasp on friendship. And as a bonus, I'll end up evolving Eve into an Espeon. This'll be a cinch." "Eevee!" "I guess so. I don't know if I'm capable of getting a good grasp at it though..." said Jade. "Don't be silly. Friendship is easy for anypony. It exists all around us, just like magic. All you have to do is experience it. And I think you've already gotten an experience thanks to Pinkie Pie, right?" "Yeah. Pinkie Pie is nice to me. And is everypony else." "Exactly. That means you've already gotten a good taste of it. And we're gonna make you experience much more of it. We'll start off by talking about what you like to do." "...." Jade was silent. "Oh right. You don't have any memory." Twilight laughed. "Well, how about we find something that you might enjoy doing. A hobby." "What do you think I might like?" "Well, you seemed to enjoy some of the attractions at the festival. Even if your face didn't show it. So maybe, you might be an active pony. Pegasi are naturally active so, I guess it checks out." "Active huh?" Jade looked at her hooves. "Um, this is nice and all, but when are you gonna teach me on how to improve my magic?" Cold Colt spoke. "Oh, right. I haven't forgotten about you Cold Colt. Don't worry. I'll make sure that everypony and Pokemon gets their wish. Magic, friendship and evolution. Let's get started." The first thing that they ended up doing was heading out of the castle and towards Ponyville, just to introduce Jade to everypony else. For Twilight, getting to know everypony can be a good step in developing Jade's knowledge of friendship. She had already been introduced to the Mane 6, Ash, Pikachu and now Cold Colt, so she was on good terms with them. But everypony else was a mystery. "Alright, Jade. I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the Apple Family. You've already met Applejack, but you've never been introduced to Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom who you know a bit of." Twilight introduced them. "Howdy, Jade. Pleasure to have you at our town." Granny Smith shook Jade's hoof with her own. "I'll tell ya, ain't never a dull moment here." "Eeyup." Big Mac nodded his head. "What's that smell?" Jade picked up something with her nose, sniffing the air. "That? It's an apple pie of course." Granny answered. "Want one?" She held one in her hoof as Jade looked down at it. The emotionless pegasus loved the sight of it. "This is perfect." Twilight gasped. "If she ends up finding her favourite food, she'll come over here and bond with the Apple family in no time. Brilliant!" She clapped her hooves together, feeling like some good progress was being made. "Overreacting much?" Cold Colt said. Jade took a bite of the pie once. It had a different taste from her first food, a cupcake. This taste was just as good as the cupcake if not slightly better. Twilight's theory was right. It immediately ended up becoming her favourite food. Although that isn't saying much since she's only ever eaten two things in the time that she's existed. "This is good. I think it might be my favourite food ever." Jade said, making Twilight fly up in joy. "Glad ya like it. You can come over to our sweet little farm to have a bite if yer ever feeling peckish, ya hear?" said Granny Smith. "Yeah. I'll come back here for some pies another time." Jade nodded. "We're making perfect progress, Jade!" Twilight zoomed over, putting her hoof around the jade coloured pegasus. "All 3 tasks will be finished in no time!" "Speaking of that, can we focus on my magic now?" Cold Colt was eager to start. "I know, I know. Just let me get Jade more accustomed to everypony else and we'll focus on your magic next." "Fine...Hope it doesn't take too long." Cold Colt sighed. "Wow, Cold Colt. You're Twilight's student?" Apple Bloom walked up to him, making him freeze for a bit. "Oh! Apple Bloom! Hehe...yeah, I was totally worthy to be her first and only student." Cold Colt was obviously going for us his usual lies again, trying to impress Apple Bloom like always. But this time, he was actually telling the truth about him being her first student. "In fact, she saw so much potential in me, she instantly chose me as her student. No seconds thoughts." He smirked. "For once he's actually right." Twilight whispered to Big Mac who laughed. "You're amazing Cold Colt. Must be super lucky too!" "Oh, it ain't luck, Apple Bloom. It's just fate." He grinned, leaning on an apple tree as an Applin fell, bonking him on the head. "Ow." "Well, good luck with your lessons." Apple Bloom wished him luck as she and the family walked back in. "Okay. Come on, loverboy. Let's keep moving." Twilight and the others continued on with the task, leaving Sweet Apple Acres. As they were heading back to town, they noticed that Pinkie Pie was setting up something. It was almost similar to how she set up Rainbow Dash's Birthday Bash. Except this time, it was for Ash. "What is going on here?" "Oooh! Twilight! Glad you're here!" Pinkie Pie called out. "You're just in time for a big day!" "A big day? What big day?" Twilight asked. "The day Ash became a champion." Cold Colt commented. "Being a Rift Pony pays off, ya know." "Exactly! And today, we're gonna celebrate! I mean... we weren't there when he became champion, but still! Everypony is excited to join in. Are you?" "I'd love to. It can also be good for Jade. Her understanding of friendship will be done in no time. So, where's Ash?" "We can't show him the surprise yet." Pinkie Pie went up to Twilight, putting her hoof in her mouth and looking about. "We gotta make sure he never sees it coming. So, act quietly about it." "Pinkie. Ash is gonna notice all of this." Twilight moved Pinkie's hoof away as she pointed her hoof at the decorations and setup. "When he gets here, of course. Right now he's somewhere else with Goh. So we gotta make this quick before he gets back. And we need you to help." "Alright. What can I do?" Twilight asked. "Well, everypony's getting a special gift for Ash. So all you have to do is find one for him. Easy as pie." "I like pie." Jade commented. "Something for Ash. Wonder what kind of gift he would like? We could try another statue...no...that was a disaster." Twilight pondered. "Maybe Fluttershy may know. She and Ash are pretty great with Pokemon. Cold Colt. Jade. Hope you don't mind but our tasks might have to be put on hold for now." "I can wait." Jade nodded. "Seriously?" Cold Colt groaned. "Fine, fine. Just make it quick please." "You got it." Twilight and Eve made their way towards the Pokemon House. In order to find a great gift for Ash and Pikachu, it had to be Pokemon related, according to Twilight. Fluttershy was aware of this special day. So she and the animals and the Pokemon got together to prepare something as well. "Alright, everyone. It's looking great." Fluttershy said. Just then, she saw her alicorn friend and her Pokemon arrive here. "Oh, morning Twilight. Are you here to help out?" "Definitely. Today's a special day for Ash and Pikachu, and I'm here to find out what kind of gift he would like. So I came here to the Pokemon House. What are you going to give him?" "We're making a special floral bracelet that's based on him and Pikachu. It's a bit difficult, but we're getting there. What about you?" "Well, I figured that if Ash wanted a gift... it would be a Pokemon. So I came here to wonder what Pokemon I could get him? Any ideas?" "A Pokemon? Oh, no Twilight. I don't think that'll do." Fluttershy flew down. "Why not? Ash loves Pokemon! More than anypony really. If we give him a Pokemon, he'll be thrilled! And it'll be a new teammate as well." "Yes. But Twilight, you don't understand. The Pokemon come to Ash or rather, they trust him." "They do?" "Mhm. Ash doesn't catch Pokemon for the sake of catching them. He ends up earning the Pokemon by gaining their trust. Just like how he did with Riolu and Farfetch'd. And his other Pokemon from what I've been told." "The Pokemon come to him, huh." Twilight thought for a bit. "I guess that's true. So giving him a Pokemon won't do." "Oh, sorry if I ruined your gift idea, Twilight." "No no. It's fine. This does make things a bit tougher. I'll have to ask everypony else then." Back at Ponyville, Rarity was already hard at work, designing something new for Ash with her Swadloons. "Excellent. At this rate, we might outdo ourselves at our own skills." said Rarity. "Are you finished with your gift, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle walked up with her own gift ready in the form of a small gift parcel. "Not quite. But by the time Ash returns, it'll be done and perfect. I just hope I'm not missing out any important details. What did you get him, Sweetie Belle darling?" "Me, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo got together and made him a badge that makes him an honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders." "But Ash doesn't have a Cutie Mark." Rarity was confused. "We know. But after all he's done and how much he's helped us grow as trainers, we thought it would be great to make him one." "Aw. Isn't that precious." Rarity patted her sisters head. "I wonder what the others are planning. I mean, I already know what Pinkie is up to but the others, a mystery." Rarity started to think of what her friends could possibly get. Just then, one of her friends walked through the door. Rainbow Dash arrived with her own gift. It appeared to be in the form of a book of some sorts. "Rainbow Dash. Can I help you?" "I came to see what you're getting him. Although, I can already tell what it's gonna be. New clothes?" "Oh, no-no. The clothes I made for him are perfect already. But there is one final thing he's missing." "And that is?" Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle said, leaning forward. "Well. As you know, I managed to design Ash's clothes because his mother was a darling to let me see his past clothing. And one thing I noticed from all his other clothes were these accessories of some sorts. They're known as gloves." "Gloves?" Rainbow and Sweetie looked at each other. "Mhm. Pieces of equipment that humans place on their hands. It even resembles them which is...bizarre. I figured that I would complete Ash's fashion by making him some gloves. Only the best kind. And of course, like human clothes, there's nothing I can't design." "That's actually a really cool gift. Better than my badge. What did you get him Rainbow Dash?" "I got him a comic. Only the best gift for someone just as awesome as me. What do you think the others got him?" "That's what I was wondering. I can only imagine what Twilight could be planning. She might take a while considering how something similar happened back at Hearth's Warming." "I totally think she's getting him something special cause she's all for him." Sweetie Belle commented. "Hm? Twilight? In love with Ash. Psssh. Get real." Rainbow Dash didn't believe it. "I wouldn't say it's too far off. I mean, at times it does look like she has a special affection for him. Wouldn't say its quite love since she shows it to us as well." Rarity said. "Guess so. But do you think she would?" "I can see it being possible. If I'm being perfectly honest, there is a lot to like about Ash. In fact...he almost represents the Elements of Harmony in a way. Kindness towards Pokemon, loyal to his Pokemon, makes everypony, even the princess' smile, he's never lied to us and he's even bested me in generosity. Magic, on the other hand, I don't know about that." "Now that you mention, he is pretty versatile in all the stuff that we earned out elements for. I guess it's because he's been around longer than us." "Much longer apparently been around for more than 20 years now. If anything, I'd say he's our senior." "Swad." A Swadloon called for Rarity. "Hm? Oh! Finally! We're done!" Rarity used her magic to grab the gloves, revealing their design. "Behold. Equestria's first gloves, made by yours truly." The gloves resembled that of his Hoenn gloves since they are inspired by them, except they had an A imprinted on them. "These are perfect." "Woah. I wish we could wear gloves." Rainbow Dash looked at her hooves. Now Rarity had her gift ready. Everypony else had gotten something. For them to determine what to get Ash, they went over to Pallet Town and asked his mom. Delia only gave them honest and true answers on what really makes Ash happy, and there were a lot of choices. Cold Colt decided to try and get him a gift since Ash is considered a friend to him now. Jade as well. Ash is one of her first friends, and although she didn't know anything about getting someone else a gift, Cold Colt would end up helping her with that. Applejack was helping with Pinkie Pie with this special gift. Twilight was still wondering what to get him. "Nothing yet. Ash could be back by any minute now. Although the day's still young." She looked up at the sun. "Can't seem to figure it out?" A voice called for her. It was Shining Armor along with Cadence. They were here as well. "Shining Armor? Cadence? You're here too? Does everyone know about this day? "Mhm. Ash's mom told us about how Ash became a champion on this exact day. Normally, it wouldn't be too much of a big deal, but Delia ended up convincing everyone to celebrate. And Pinkie Pie just spread the news." Cadence explained. "We're bringing him something. Courtesy of the Crystal Empire." said Shining Armor. "And I can tell you haven't found one for him yet." "Yeah...it's unnaturally tough. I mean, Ash from first glance seems so simple and easy to understand. I mean, he's just some kid from Kanto with a Pikachu as his partner. But somehow...I'm finding it tough to get him a gift. I don't get it. Finding the perfect gift is always a struggle. And I don't want it to end up like Hearth's Warming where were tried that statue. "You know what I think?" Cadence walked up to her. "I think instead of getting him a gift that's perfect, why don't you get him one that comes from your own personal feelings?" "Personal? Wait! I'm totally not-" Twilight started to turn red as Cadence shook her head. "Twilight. We had this talk back at the festival. I'm the Princess of Love. I can tell love from a mile away. I know this is your first time falling in love, and there's no shame in being in love." "Fine... you got me." Twilight sighed. "But, I'm 100% sure that Shining Armor wouldn't be oka-" "I'm okay with it." Shining Armor interrupted, making Twilight gasp. "If it were anypony else, I'd be a bit on the sceptical side. But to be honest, I think you've found yourself a great guy to count on." "So, since you really love him, get him something from your own heart. It's always the most sincere gifts that win them over, ya know." "From the heart....okay. I think I know what I'll get him. But what about you two? What did you even bring him?" She asked. "What did we get him? For helping save the Crystal Empire, we made him a medal out of crystals. We had to ask a human to help in order to make sure it can fit." Shining Armor answered. "Celestia and Luna should be bringing a gift over as well very soon. Although, I'm not sure what those two could ever have planned," said Cadence. "Even them? I don't get it. What makes Ash so special? I mean, I think he's special but all of this is a lot. Not even his world is this crazy about it." "It's more along the lines of what he's done. Celestia herself said it best. Ash has done so much for us. This isn't even his home or his world yet he puts all his effort into making us smile, helping others without needing a reason and he even assisted in helping save Equestria a few times now. He helped distract Chrysalis to have me and Shining Armor regain our love, pushed Sombra back in order to have Spike return the heart, giving you enough time to reach the chest and defeat Tirek, and who knows what else he might do. It's the fact that he does all of this for the ones he cares for. His friends." Hearing this from Cadence made Twilight realise why everypony respects Ash. Ash himself may be respected greatly by Equestria, but he's more focused on just hanging out with his friends than being called a hero, even if is one. It's that sense of spirit that Ash brings to everypony that hits. The bonds he's formed with his Pokemon over the years reflect why he is so beloved. He's sacrificed his life for his Pokemon and friends, helped train Pokemon that were abandoned by their trainers to help them grow to become even stronger, respects his Pokemon's choices on not evolving since he and his Pokemon know that they can still be strong even without evolution. Even Legendary Pokemon have formed a bond with him, and some of this knowledge isn't even known to Twilight yet. "Yeah. I guess that's why I like him so much." Twilight laughed as her cheeks turned red. "Now. Go get your gift. We'll be waiting for this celebration to start." said Cadence. Hours had passed, and everything was being set up perfectly. Gifts had been prepared, some small...mostly small. Finding a gift for a human was still new to ponies. Celestia and Luna had arrived with their gifts along with their Pokemon, Passion and Darkrai. And just in time, along came Ash and Pikachu, finishing their small little trip back at their homeworld. The moment they passed through that gateway, the first thing he set his eyes on was the entirety of Ponyville being decorated with his face on it. "Woah. What is this?" Ash gazed. "Pika..." "SUPRISE!" Pinkie exclaimed as a flurry of confetti was thrown everywhere. Everypony else had said surprise as well. "Happy Champion Day Ash and Pikachu! Just made it up!" "You guys did all of this for me? How did you know this was the day I became a champion?" "I told them." Delia passed through the gateway. "I figured that I would make this day a special day for you. You are my son after all, and I haven't really celebrated your achievements as much. So here's that celebration." "We all got you gifts, Ash, Pikachu. Hope you like them." Scootaloo said as they all held out their gifts. Looking at this made Ash feel something that he truly enjoyed... Throughout his journeys, he's experienced so much happiness thanks to Ho-Oh blessing him. And this was another moment of happiness. Seeing everypony go out of their way to do this for some kid from Kanto. Ash put his hat over his eyes as he started to tear up. "Pikapi..." Pikachu looked over to his crying trainer as everypony noticed the tears as well. "You guys..." Ash started to wail a small bit. "You guys are the best..." Hearing this made the Mane 6 and everypony get close to Ash, comforting his tears as they all gave him a hug, along with his mom and Pikachu. Ash truly felt happy to have so many friends in his lifetime care for him this much. Even if he doesn't become a Pokemon Master, he'll live joyfully, knowing that there are so many wonderful people, ponies and Pokemon in his life. The time for getting gifts arrived. Ash opened up each gift, getting some pretty neat in return. They were all items, food and other things based on everypony's Cutie Marks. He got Fluttershy's floral gift, which lent to his mom to wear. He got himself a comic from Rainbow Dash to read. And it was even his first time being introduced to Daring-Do. The medal from Cadence and Shining Armor which he placed on Pikachu. And he got the gloves from Rarity and Swadloon. "Awesome!" He placed the gloves on his hands, tightening them. "Thanks, Rarity! Swadloon!" "Oh, don't mention it. Just generosity at work." Rarity replied. "We hope this will be a gift that you enjoy." Celestia walked up with Luna. "This was something that we used to have when we were still young filly unicorns. Our magic charm. We used to think it could increase our magic capabilities back then. It definitely created memorable scenarios from our childhood." "They were more of comedic memories, even." Luna commented. "Thanks, Celestia and Luna." Ash put the charm on his right arm next to his friendship bracelet. "These sure a lot of gifts. I might have to find some space for them in my room." "Pikachu." "There's one other gift remaining. Twilight." Cadence looked over to her fellow alicorn. "Oh, right. I have yet to give mine." "What'd you get me Twilight?" Ash asked. "Pika?" "Well. I couldn't actually get you a physical gift. Probably because I was struggling to find one. I know it might sound redundant, and you've probably heard it a billion times. But Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I really mean it. I want to thank you for everything you've done for us. And I'm glad, we're glad to have you here." Twilight gave of a smile, turning her head, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Twilight. That's a pretty awesome gift even if it isn't physical. And I'm glad to be with you guys as well. Isn't that right buddy?" "Pika-Pikachu!" "You have an amazing group of friends, Ash. Then again, you always do." Delia laughed. The celebration continued as Pinkie and Applejack helped Ash to some food to devour. It was a wonderful time for Ash. Being surrounded by friends is something he'll never get tired of. And as his journey continues, the bonds he forms, the people, ponies and Pokemon he meets will continue on and on. And up in the sky, something of great importance had shown itself. "Look! Up in the sky!" Lyra pointed her hoof up at the sky, grabbing everypony's attention. What they saw was majestic, but to Ash is was familiar. Ho-Oh. The Rainbow Pokemon. It was flying high above the skies of Equestria, emanating its dazzling and sparkling rainbow aura across the lands. "Who's that Pokemon?" Fluttershy gazed. "It's Ho-Oh. The Pokemon that keeps pushing me towards my goal." Ash responded. "It's beautiful..." Celestia was taken aback along with everypony else. It truly was a sight to behold and a day to remember, as the journey continues. Chapter 110 End!