I first got the idea for this fic about several months ago.  I was watching Pokemon 2000 and it really got me to thinking what if the meeting between Ash and Lugia happened earlier than it did.  So I began writing this story.  A word of caution to all readers: this story does not pertain much if at all to the Pokemon cartoons and movies.  It is an AU what if story.  In this story, Ash is 9-years old to start.  He was looking forward to a nice week of fun with his mom, Professor Oak and Gary when a traumatic event forever changes his perspective of things.  How does this event change his perspective of things?  You'll find that out in this first chapter.
( ) after Pokemon talk is the translation
Italic words is psychic speech
(' is Pokemon thoughts
' is human thoughts






                                                Chapter 1: The Discovery

It was a lovely afternoon in Pallet Town.  The sun was shining and the nearby Pidgey were chirping happily.  But not all was calm at this time.  Delia Ketchum was going through her house, making sure that she had everything packed.  She, her nine-year old son Ash, Professor Oak and eleven-year old Gary were going on a weeklong cruise.  Delia and Professor Oak had been planning this cruise for about several years.  Now they, Ash and Gary would finally be taking it.  They would first fly to Vermilion City and then take a cruise ship to Olivine City and around the Johto region from there.

"Well it looks like we're all set honey," Delia said ten minutes later.

"Yeah," Ash said.  He was excited about the upcoming trip.  He had always wanted to sail across the open sea and this would be his big opportunity.

Just then, they heard someone knocking at the door.  Delia opened it to see Professor Oak and Gary standing there.

"Good afternoon Samuel," Delia said.

"Hi Delia.  Are you ready to go?" Professor Oak said.

"We sure are.  Ash, would you be a dear and turn off all the lights?" Delia said.

"Sure mom," Ash said before going through the house, turning all the lights off.  When he finished, he came out and stood next to his mother.

"Take good care of the house Mimey," Delia told her Mr. Mime.

"Mr. Mime (Sure thing)," Mimey said.

Ash gave Mimey a hug.  "See you in a week Mimey," he said.

"Mime (Okay)," Mimey said, returning the hug.

Then Ash, Delia, Gary and Professor Oak took Delia's van to the airport.  Their flight was scheduled to leave at 2pm.  They arrived at the airport half an hour early.  After getting their tickets, they went to baggage claim to have their luggage tagged and checked.  Then they went back into the waiting room until their flight was ready to board.  Twenty minutes later, the announcement that the plane was ready to board came over the loudspeaker.

They got in line and waited to board.  After giving the ticket person their tickets, they boarded the plane and sat in their assigned seats.  Ten minutes later, everyone was aboard the plane.  Another ten minutes later, the plane taxied to takeoff position on the runway.  Five minutes later, the pilots got the all clear to take off.  The pilots applied the throttle, and the plan was soon in the air.

"Well this is it honey.  A week of nothing to worry about," Delia said.

"Yep," Ash said.

"I can't wait until we're on the cruise ship," Gary said.  He had been at home with his grandfather after finishing 12th in the Indigo League.  He decided to help his grandfather out for a while before heading to compete in the Johto League.  He wouldn't miss this cruise for the world.

The flight was a smooth one.  The plane arrived in Vermilion an hour later.  Once Ash, Delia, Professor Oak and Gary got their belongings, they made their way to the cruise shipk.  They waited in line because the ship wasn't ready to board yet.  The ship wasn't supposed to leave for another hour.  That was because there was another planeload of cruise-seeking passengers scheduled to arrive in forty minutes.

The second plane arrived right on time.  Soon, the passengers on board the plane were in line to board the cruise ship.  Ten minutes later, the okay to board was given.  As each person submitted his/her boarding pass, he/she was assigned a specific room.  Five minutes later, Ash, Delia, Professor Oak and Gary were in their rooms.  Ash and Delia were in one room, and Professor Oak and Gary were right next door.  An additional five minutes later, they had their things settled for the four-hour trip to Olivine.

The ship gently sailed away from the docks and was soon in the open sea.  Ash and Delia made their way to the stairs and were soon above deck.  Professor Oak and Gary soon joined them.  Ash looked at the vast sea ahead of him.  He could barely believe that here he was, finally sailing across the open sea.  Just then, something came out of the water.

"Waaaaah!" Ash screamed, falling back in shock.

Delia giggled.  "It's okay honey.  That's a Lapras.  Lapras are friendly Pokemon," she said.

"And it's using Surf right now," Professor Oak said.

"Surf?" Ash asked, still in shock.

"Yeah.  Some water Pokemon create a large wave to ride on.  That's Surf," Gary said.

Ash had gotten over his shock and stood back up again.  He looked up right into the Lapras' eyes.  Then the Lapras leaned her neck over and started nuzzling Ash.  Ash then petted her neck.

"It looks like you've made a friend.  Lapras already likes you," Professor Oak said.

"Yeah," Ash said, laughing when Lapras licked his face.

Then Lapras ducked beneath the waves again, still swimming parallel to the boat though.  About three hours later, the ship had reached the Johto region.  Olivine City was now only an hour away.  But it wouldn't be worry free for much longer.  A band of pirates spotted the cruise ship.  Their smaller ship soon overtook the large ship.

"All right mateys, hand over your money!" the pirate captain said upon boarding the ship.

Soon, the other pirates had boarded as well.  The passengers really didn't have much of a choice but to do as the captain said because the other pirates had their guns aimed at the passengers.  When the pirates were satisfied, they got aboard their boat again.

"And to make sure that you don't try anything against us, we'll be taking a hostage," the pirate captain said upon taking Ash.

"Ash!" Delia cried.

"If you take even one step towards me, your little boy gets it," the pirate captain said.  Then he took his leave aboard the ship.

Then the pirate ship left.  Delia was on the verge of fainting at this point.

"My boy.  My poor little boy," Delia said.

"We can contact the authorities once we reach Olivine," Professor Oak said.

An hour later, the cruise ship arrived in Olivine.  Deila, Professor Oak and Gary were the first ones off the ship.  They saw an Officer Jenny nearby and went over to her.

"Officer Jenny, please help us," Delia said.

"What's the problem?" Officer Jenny asked.

"A band of pirates kidnapped my son," Delia responded.

"Where did it happen?" Officer Jenny asked.

"It happened when we were on the cruise ship about an hour ago," Professor Oak responded.

"Well there's little chance of finding the pirates now.  But I'll have a search and rescue team sent out," Officer Jenny said before heading towards the station.

"Well maybe we should get settled in the Pokemon Center," Gary suggested.

"That's a good idea Gary," Professor Oak said.

Meanwhile, the pirates were gloating about how easy the raid turned out to be.

"Did you see the terrified expressions on their faces.  That has got to be the easiest raid we have ever pulled off," the captain said snickering.

Meanwhile, Ash was in the cargo bay.  He was bound by his wrists and ankles and had a gag over his mouth.  'Why did this have to happen to me?' he thought, tears running down his face.

But the pirates wouldn't be gloating too much longer.  A hard jolt sent them crashing into a wall.

"What is going on?" the captain asked before going above deck.  "What are you doing up here?" he asked.

"We're caught in a whirlpool captain," one of the two pirates above deck responded.

The captain looked ahead and saw that the ship was indeed trapped in a large whirlpool.  "Try to steer clear of it," he said.

"It's no use captain.  The current is too strong," the second pirate said.

"Man the lifeboats then.  We're abandoning ship," the captain said before going back below.  "Get above deck and prepare to abandon ship.  We're heading into a whirlpool," he said.

The others raced above deck in a panicked state.  They soon began boarding the lifeboats.  Soon, all the lifeboats were in the water, but were soon caught in the whirlpool's current as well.  The pirates tried desperately to row out the whirlpool but the current was much too strong for them.  They were soon sucked down into the center.

Soon, the pirate ship began to break up.  Still inside the cargo hold, Ash closed his eyes, accepting the fact that he was about to die.  Minutes later, the ship completely broke apart, sending Ash spiraling down the whirlpool.  The strong current knocked him unconscious.  His chances of surviving now were very slim to none.

But fate had something else in mind for our young friend.  The Lapras that had befriended Ash used Whirlpool on the whirlpool.  After the whirlpool had completely disappeared, she swam towards Ash and tried to undo his bonds.  Lapras had seen everything that transpired.  She then followed the pirate ship, hoping to save her young friend.  Try as she might, she couldn't undo the ropes around Ash's wrists and ankles.  Then she heard a cry.  She turned around and gasped in awe upon seeing the approaching bird-like Pokemon.

"What happened here?"  The Pokemon asked.

Lapras then explained what had happened.

"Give me some room," the Pokemon said.

Lapras backed away.  Then the Pokemon used Psychic to unravel Ash's bonds.  Then Ash was psychically placed onto the Pokemon's back before the Pokemon used Recover on Lapras to help restore her energy.  Then the Pokemon swam to an island that was inhabited only by Pokemon.  Two hours later, it arrived on the island and used Psychic to gently set Ash on the sand.  Lapras had followed.

"You really like this boy don't you?" the Pokemon asked.

Lapras nodded.  "Lapras la lapras lap (Shouldn't we take him back to his family)?" she asked.

"They probably think he's dead.  I saw a search and rescue team back there.  They lost hop upon seeing the floating remnants of the pirate ship, but no bodies and returned to where they were sent from," the Pokemon responded.

"Lapras lap (What happens now)?" Lapras asked. 

"I'll be his guardian," the Pokemon responded.

"Lapras la (I'll help out too)," Lapras said.  

Soon, Ash began to regain consciousness.  He saw something looking down at him but couldn't make it out because his vision was kind of blurry.  Several moments later, he could see clearly again.  "Waaaaah!" he screamed upon seeing the large Pokemon, tumbling backwards in the process.  He then had the feeling of floating, which was the Pokemon using Psychic on him.  He soon found himself on the large Pokemon's back.

"Don't be afraid.  I won't harm you," the Pokemon said.

Ash was shocked upon hearing the deep voice in his mind.  But he felt that he could trust this Pokemon.  "Who are you?" he asked.

"I am Lugia," the Pokemon responded.

"Lapras lap (What's your name)?" Lapras asked.

Ash looked back and saw the Lapras he befriended about five feet from shore.

"Lapras lap (What's your name)?" Lapras asked again.

"Huh?" Ash asked.

"She just asked you for your name?"  Lugia responded.

Ash just had a dumb expression on his face.  He didn't know what his name was.  It appears as though the enormous pressure of the whirlpool messed with his head.

"You don't know your own name?" Lugia asked in shock.

"No I don't.  I know I should, but I don't," Ash responded.

('Something's wrong here') Lugia thought.  He attempted to look into Ash's mind.  What he discovered was very disturbing.  ('His mind is completely blank.  Something must have happened when he was in the whirlpool')

"Lapras lap lapras (Why can't you remember your own name)?" Lapras asked.

"I don't know," Ash responded after Lugia translated for him.

"Something happened to him when he was sucked into the whirlpool.  His mind is empty," Lugia said.

"What whirlpool?" Ash asked in confusion.

"Lapras lap.  Lap lapras lap lapras (You're right Lugia.  That whirlpool did have a part in this)," Lapras said.

Then Ash's stomach made itself known.  Lapras swam back out to sea and went below the waves.  Several minutes later, she came back with a mouthful of fish.  She laid them down on the shore before using her flippers to go back out to sea somewhat.  Ash hopped off of Lugia's back and virtually dived into the small mound of fish because he was so hungry.  He ended up gooing through all the fish.

"Whoa!  You really were hungry," Lugia said in awe.

"And now I'm sleep," Ash said yawning.

"Go to sleep then.  I'll be right here with you," Lugia said.

Ash nodded.  He went further inland before lying down.  Lugia used Psychic again to lift Ash into the air.  He then lied down right where Ash was just seconds ago.  Then he lowered Ash down to his back.

"I believe that you'll be more comfortable this way," Lugia said.

"Thanks," Ash said before falling asleep.

"You're welcome," Lugia said before falling asleep himself.

Lapras went deep enough out to sea and sunk beneath the waves to sleep herself.  Meanwhile back in Olivine, Delia was restless.  The encounter with pirates kept replaying in her mind.  Hearing that Ash hasn't been found yet only fueled her restlessness more.  Her mind told her to accept the fact that Ash probably is dead, but her heart told her otherwise.

'No matter what they say, I'm having a hard time believing that my son is dead.  It's as if something is telling me not to give up hope.  If he is still alive, I just hope that he's okay, wherever he is,' Delia thought.  She wasn't the only one who doubted that Ash was dead.

Gary also had a hard time believing that Ash was dead.  'Missing doesn't mean dead.  I saw the Lapras that he befriended swimming alongside the boat the entire time.  Maybe it found a way to help him.  I really hope that it did,' he thought.  He didn't know that he was actually right.

Back on the island, an Oddish, a Sandshrew and a Pidgey had come across the human and Pokemon.

"Sandshrew (Look at that)," Sandshrew said in awe.

"Odd (I know)," Oddish said.

"Pidgey pidge (I wonder what happened)," Pidgey said.

"Oddish odd oddish odd (Let's ask in the morning)," Oddish asked.

"Shrew sand (Good idea)," Sandshrew said before heading over to where Ash and Lugia were.  She curled up next to them and fell asleep.

Oddish and Pidgey also gathered around Ash and Lugia and were soon asleep as well.  The next morning, Lugia was the first to awaken.  He looked around him and smiled upon seeing the three Pokemon sleeping around him.  Soon, the Sandshrew, Oddish and Pidgey awakened as well.  A few moments afterward, Lapras surfaced.  Upon hearing Lapras surface, Ash awakened to see three Pokemon around Lugia and he.

"Why are they here?" Ash asked.

"Oddish odd oddish (We wanted to know how you got here)," Oddish responded.

Lapras and Lugia took turns explaining what had happened.  Oddish, Sandshrew and Pidgey were in shock afterwards.  They would've never expected Ash to be the victim of a pirate raid.

"Sandshrew sand shrew (That must've been terrible)," Sandshrew said.

"Pidgey pidge pidgey (It's even worse that he doesn't remember anything)," Pidgey said.

"Oddish odd oddish (Well we can help him become familiar with everyone here)," Oddish said.

"That would be great.  Thank you," Lugia said.

"What?" Ash said.

"Oddish saids that she, Sandshrew and Pidgey will help you to get acquainted with all the Pokemon who live here.  Of course Lapras and I will help out as well," Lugia said.

"Great.  It looks like this will be the start of a good friendship," Ash said.

"Lapras (It sure will)," Lapras said.



Well, here's the end of the first chapter.  Now you know how Ash's perspective on things will be different.  But now he's gained several new friends as well.  These five Pokemon will play a huge role as the story progresses.  Preview for Chapter 2: Life on the Island: Oddish, Sandshrew and Pidgey start showing Ash around the island.  Along the way, Ash meets a very unique and very rare Charmander.  Why is this Charmander so rare?  Stay tuned to find out.