Disclaimer/Notes: See an earlier chapter. Aster is mine! So is Elementeon.

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 3: Confessions

“…”

Ash backed away from his pokemon. “What a bad day…”

“SATOSHI! Are you up yet?” Kin called from downstairs. “I’m making raisin scones for breakfast! How many do you want?”

“Four!” Ash called back down, glad for the reprieve, before he dived into the restroom and closed the door.

Espeon looked at Ampharos and Noctowl, who looked at Grovyle, who looked at Flygon. They all turned to look at Mysdreavus.

Oh… The gaseous pokemon said, as she got the point.

Flygon flapped her wings and flew out Satoshi’s window with Noctowl to get some breakfast. It was always tasty on the wing.

Master?

Ash looked up from where he was brushing his teeth as Mysdreavus floated in.

He tried to say ‘what’, but the gargling was undecipherable through a mouthful of bubbles.

Mysdreavus politely waited until he was done, before asking him the question again.

“I don’t know.” Ash finally said.

Confused, Mysdreavus floated outside to tell the others.

Grovyle inspected her leaf blades as she walked along the road to school with Satoshi, munching on a raisin scone.

Master’s mother was such a good cook.

Along the way came a Geodude, so she disposed of it before they walked into the gates of technical.

And thus, another school day began.

Ash quickly finished his Trigonometry problems, and spent the remainder of class drawing a very detailed picture of a Scyther. Even though it wasn’t one of his pokemon, he had seen a few before in battles.

I like it. Mysdreavus said, as she floated through him.

Mysdreavus discreetly read the minds of the girls around Ash, wondering if he had made signs of affection towards any of them but turned up a plate of negatives.

Strange…

Ash blinked.

Nothing, nothing! The ghost quickly said.

Satoshi narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling suspicious, but stayed quiet.

Soon, class was over, so Satoshi and his pokemon ate a quick snack together, before he went to the library.

Slightly annoying, that was. He meant the crowds following him, not his pokemon. They quietly got through a chapter of physiology text and then two chapters of Crime and Punishment, which was exasperatedly annoying.

After school was over, Ash ran home.

His mom was beaming happily.

“Satoshi?” Kin asked. “You got this in the mail.”

“?”

Ash took the package from her and weighed it. “Wow, its heavy…”

“Let’s open it and see.” She encouraged. “I believe it may have something to do with my work. My boss said he would be proud to be me today, and gave me the day off.”

“Kay!” Ash said.

Opening it inside, he gasped in shock.

“Satoshi?” Kin asked, worriedly. “Is it a bomb?”

With trembling hands, Ash lifted out the items reverently. Inside sat an AIPL and two master balls.

“Sugoi…”

Kin’s eyes widened. She had worked on the AIPL for a few months, before being rotated to poke ball technology. It was a laptop, pokédex, medical scanner, and videophone rolled into one, constantly being updated with the newest information. They were given only to some researchers and pokemon Center nurses.

The AIPL (Advanced Identification Pokemon Locater) consisted of a black metallic circle attached to six plates, with several colored buttons on it (the locator part), four strips of dark red leather which fastened in the back, which could each carry twelve poke balls, and a miniature laptop as well, that plugged in to the locator. A miniature keyboard was tucked into the midst, and if certain buttons were applied, a probe, an enhanced scanning device, and a special combination telescope/magnifier could be called out in the field.

It was an invaluable tool.

Ash nervously looked at the items. “I can’t take this…”

“There must be a note of some sort.” Kin said distractedly.

Ash picked up the two master balls, and looked at the foam peanuts the equipment had arrived in. Finally, he dug out a tiny piece of purple stationary with fancy cursive script on it.

Dear Mr. Satoshi Silverstein,

The United Board of Pokemon Directors is proud to inform you that as one of the top forty trainers in the combined Kanto, Johto, Houen, and Cosmos Regions, Devon and Silph have given you these valuable tools to further your pokemon career, as well as offering you a full scholarship to any pokemon university of your choice. You have ten years; starting from the date you receive this letter, to claim your educational benefits. In the meantime, you also receive twenty thousand dollars’ worth of pokemon supplies from Devon and Silph. Simply present this certificate at the pokemon mart of your choice, and any purchase you make will be deducted from the aforementioned amount. May you set an example to other trainers with your benevolent compassion and masterful training skill...

Sincerely,

All the gym leaders,

Karen and Will Silver, Johto League Champions.

Lorelei Aislinn and Sabrina Nyura, Kanto League Champions.

Steven Stone and Claire Dragyn, Houen League Champions.

Charlotte Angel and Falkner Hayato, Cosmos League Champions.

Silence filled the area after that announcement.

“Why me?” Ash finally managed to get out.

Kin was in as much shock as he was. “Merciful Mew! One of the top forty! Satoshi! I never knew you were that good!”

“Neither did I.” Ash said worriedly. “What if it’s a mistake?”

Careful checking over the items, Kin verified that they were all legit. But Ash was shocked when he opened the poke balls.

The first contained a new pokemon he had not seen before. It was a silvery-gold bunny with bright red eyes and transparent pixie wings.

“…”

Hello. The new pokemon said. I am Aster, one of a kind. I am a fire/electric pokemon. Are you my new owner?

Ash managed a feeble nod.

You must be Satoshi. My old trainer told me about you. Aster nodded wisely. I shall serve you well.

While Aster got acquainted with Ash’s team, Ash opened the second ball.

A little eevee popped out and confirmed the gift story. Satisfied, Ash acquainted himself with his new additions.

End Chapter!

Created 1/31/04, completed 2/1/04