Chapter Text
Time and space — the fragile balance that holds the world together.
Once, that balance was shattered by Cyrus, the leader of Team Galactic, in his attempt to create a perfect universe of his own design.
Though Cyrus himself is no longer a threat, the consequences of his actions remain.
Across the world, distortions in time and space have begun to appear. Some regions remain untouched... while others, like Unova, have been deeply affected by lingering fractures in reality.
From these distortions come Pokémon thought extinct for centuries — and others that should not exist at all. Creatures from the distant past and far future, now known as Paradox Pokémon, have begun to cross into the modern age.
Professor Oak was called to Unova by a close colleague to assist in researching these anomalies and understanding how such Pokémon might coexist with the world as it is now.
Ash Ketchum — and his trusted partner, Pikachu — tagged along without hesitation. The chance for new challenges, new Pokémon, and a new journey was something they would never refuse.
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The flight to Unova was smooth and quiet.
Ash sat by the window, chin resting on his hand as he gazed out at the endless sea below. His thoughts drifted—imagining unfamiliar Pokémon, unseen battles, and adventures yet to come. Pikachu lay comfortably in his lap, happily playing with a yo-yo.
Across the aisle, Professor Oak scrolled through data sent from Unova. Charts, energy readings, distortion patterns.
It still wasn't enough.
Oak glanced over at Ash. "You've been awfully quiet since we took off. Any goals for Unova?"
Ash looked back at him and smiled.
"I want to catch more Pokémon. More than six," he said. "I want to use a rotating team."
Oak raised an eyebrow. "You? Rotating teams? That's new. Why now?"
Ash scratched his cheek sheepishly. "It's something I should've done from the start. I caught so many Pokémon back in Kanto... Kingler, for example. I never really got to bond with them until the League."
Oak chuckled. "True. Sometimes it felt like Muk preferred me over you."
Before Ash could respond, the plane gave a gentle jolt as it touched down.
A voice crackled over the intercom.
"This is your captain speaking—Skyla of the Skies. We've arrived at our destination. Welcome to the Unova Region."
Ash's eyes lit up instantly.
He sprang to his feet. "Alright!"
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered.
"Ash, wait!" Oak called, struggling with the luggage. "I'm still an old man!"
Ash reached the plane doors that opened wide and Ash smirked as a leapt off the sliding stairs and into the hard concrete floor of the airport with Pikachu following.
The plane doors opened.
Ash didn't hesitate.
He slid down the boarding stairs and leapt onto the concrete runway, arms thrown wide as Pikachu landed beside him.
"HELLOOOOO, UNOVA!"
"PIKA!"
Ash stared around in awe—sleek architecture, unfamiliar designs, distant houses unlike anything he'd seen before.
What he didn't notice...
...was the thunderstorm creeping in overhead.
Black clouds rolled unnaturally fast, lightning flickering within them—moving with purpose. Searching.
Ash's attention was caught by movement in the water near the docks.
"Whoa—what's that Pokémon?"
Oak followed his gaze. A jellyfish-like Pokémon floated near the surface, wearing what looked like a white crown.
"Ah," Oak said. "That's Frillish, the Floating Pokémon. Water and Ghost-type."
"Cool!" Ash waved. "Hi, Frillish!"
The male Frillish smiled and waved back—then suddenly pointed upward.
"GIBLEEEEE!!"
A blur dropped from above.
Gible landed squarely on Ash's head.
"Ack—!" Ash staggered. "Gible?!"
He managed to lift the baby land shark off his head, holding him at arm's length. "What are you doing here?!"
"Gib-gib!"
Frillish looked toward the sky once more — then sank quickly beneath the water.
It had found its target.
"...Ash Ketchum..."
Ash froze mid-step.
Pikachu's ears snapped upright, sparks dancing faintly across his cheeks.
"Did you hear that?" Ash whispered.
Oak frowned, scanning the sky. "Hear what?"
The answer came as lightning tore across the air, striking somewhere nearby with a deafening crack. Thunder followed, rolling low and heavy, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet.
The sky darkened unnaturally.
Black clouds twisted and coiled overhead, spiraling faster and faster, their shapes bending into something wrong—something vast. For a heartbeat, the storm no longer looked like weather at all.
It looked alive.
The clouds gathered, forming the vague but unmistakable outline of a colossal Pokémon looming above them.
And then the storm spoke.
"I CHOOSE YOU!"
The sky answered.
A blinding pillar of lightning tore down from the heavens, screaming toward Ash and Pikachu. Delia's voice cut through the chaos as she saw it descending.
"ASH—!"
"PIKACHU—!" Professor Oak shouted.
The lightning struck them dead center.
For a heartbeat, the world froze.
But there was no pain.
No burning.
No scars.
Ash felt weightless—like standing atop a mountain during a raging storm, wind howling, power roaring all around him... yet never touching him. It surged past, through, with him.
Beside him, Pikachu lifted slightly off the ground. Electricity rippled across his body, not clashing with the lightning but harmonizing with it, as if the storm itself recognized him. His eyes glowed a brief, steady gold—focused, unafraid.
Gible stared, jaw slack.
"...Giii."
Then—silence.
The storm vanished as if it had never existed. Clouds scattered like mist under sunlight. The wind died. Blue sky stretched overhead, calm and innocent.
The airport stood frozen, breath held.
Ash dropped to one knee, gasping, one hand braced against the ground. After a moment, he pushed himself back up.
"Ash!" Professor Oak rushed forward. "Are you alright?!"
Ash blinked, steadying himself.
"...I'm," he said slowly, testing the word, "okay."
Pikachu landed lightly beside him.
"Pika."
Before anyone could speak again, hurried footsteps echoed across the tarmac. A woman in a lab coat approached, adjusting her glasses as she took in the scene.
"Oh—Professor Oak!"
Oak turned, relief flashing across his face. "Professor Juniper. Thank goodness you're here."
Professor Juniper glanced around, eyes sharp, already analyzing the scorched ground and lingering static in the air. "I'm sorry I arrived so late. I heard reports about a violent storm—are you all alright?"
"Miraculously," Oak said. "It seems so."
He then turned back to Ash and Pikachu, who were still processing everything—and the newcomer.
"Ash," Oak said warmly, "I'd like you to meet Professor Juniper. Don't let her youth fool you—she's one of Unova's most brilliant and important researchers."
Juniper smiled and extended a hand.
"The pleasure's finally mine," she said. "Ash Ketchum."
SEVERAL MINUTES LATER
"Welcome to the Unova Region."
There was unmistakable pride in Professor Juniper's voice as her car rolled along the dirt road. Wind turbines turned lazily in the distance, their white blades cutting through the open sky. Rolling green hills stretched endlessly on either side, tall grass rippling in the breeze—alive with unfamiliar Pokémon darting, grazing, and watching from afar.
Ash leaned forward between the seats, eyes shining.
"Whoa..."
Pikachu planted his paws against the window, leaving faint smudges as he stared out, ears twitching at every movement.
"Pika...!"
Juniper smiled at their reactions. "Unova's different from every other region you've visited, Ash. Most regions share Pokémon across borders—but here?" She gestured toward the fields. "You'll almost never see a Pokémon that didn't originate in Unova. A completely unique ecosystem. A clean slate."
Ash's excitement doubled instantly. "That's amazing! Did you hear that, Pikachu? All new Pokémon—ones we've never seen before!"
"Pika! Pika!!"
Juniper chuckled, then her expression shifted—professional, thoughtful. "I love the enthusiasm, but if you don't mind, Ash, I'd like to give Pikachu a quick checkup once we arrive. That storm..." Her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "It wasn't natural. I've never seen atmospheric energy appear—and vanish—like that."
Ash hesitated, his excitement dimming just a bit. "I understand. And, uh..." He frowned. "I think I heard someone in the storm."
Juniper glanced away from the road for just a second, studying Ash and Pikachu through the mirror.
"Heard someone?" she repeated.
Ash shook his head, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "I'm not sure. It's hard to explain."
"PIKA!" Pikachu added sharply, nodding.
Juniper's eyes narrowed—not in disbelief, but curiosity.
"...Interesting."
She eased off the accelerator as the laboratory came into view. A sleek white building rose between the hills, glass panels reflecting the sunlight, wind turbines standing like silent sentinels around it.
"We're here," Juniper said. "Let's get Pikachu checked out first. Then we'll talk about that storm."
Ash nodded, though his gaze drifted back toward the sky. It was clear now—perfectly blue. No clouds. No lightning.
No sign that anything strange had ever happened.
"...Yeah."
The car pulled up to the lab entrance. Assistants were already waiting, waving as Juniper stepped out, her movements brisk and purposeful.
"Professor Juniper!" one called. "We got your message from the airport. The testing station's ready—and we're happy to report the new trainers have all received their starters..."
They paused.
"...Except for one."
•••
Inside the laboratory, Pikachu hopped onto the examination table, tail flicking nervously as Ash stood close beside him. Ash's arms were crossed, jaw tight — trying not to hover, failing anyway.
Professor Juniper carefully attached several sensors to Pikachu's cheeks and tail.
The monitors lit up.
Then climbed.
Then kept climbing.
Juniper blinked.
"...Oh."
Ash stiffened. "Is that bad?"
Juniper didn't answer right away. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she studied the readings.
"That depends on how you define bad," she said slowly. "Pikachu's energy levels aren't just high — they're unstable. I have never seen a Pikachu carrying this much power."
Pikachu tilted his head, looking down at his paws.
"Pika?"
The monitor spiked sharply.
Lights overhead flickered.
Juniper's brow furrowed. "Easy, easy..." she muttered, typing faster. "This isn't normal training output. This isn't evolution-related either."
She straightened, her voice quieter now.
"This is closer to a Legendary Pokémon's energy signature."
Ash's breath caught.
"...Legendary?"
"I'm not saying he is one," Juniper clarified quickly. "But the amount of power he's carrying exceeds what a Pikachu should be capable of. If I didn't know better..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I'd classify this energy as Mythical. Possibly even sub-Legendary."
Ash stared at Pikachu, trying to process that sentence.
Juniper stepped back, arms folded, deep in thought.
"There are only a handful of Pokémon capable of granting this kind of power," she murmured. "But it couldn't be—"
The door slid open.
"Professor Juniper," Oak said as he entered, "there's someone here asking for you. She says she's here for her starter."
Juniper closed her eyes and took a slow breath.
"...Of course she is."
She turned toward the exit. "Ash, come with me. Pikachu can stay here with the assistants."
Ash hesitated, then nodded, giving Pikachu a reassuring look before following.
•••
The group reaches the lobby when they encounter A young girl sat slumped across one of the lobby benches — hair messy, slippers crooked, still wearing pajamas. She lifted her head.
Then her eyes widened.
"PROFESSOR JUNIPER!"
She launched herself forward at full speed.
Juniper braced herself. "So," she said dryly, "you finally decided to show up, Hilda."
"Y-Yeah! But I'm ready now!" Hilda said, nodding rapidly. "I'm totally ready to get my Pokémon!"
Juniper raised an eyebrow. "You look ready for bed, not Pokémon training. You're not planning to travel Unova in your pajamas, are you?"
"Of course not!" Hilda protested. "I just— got messed up this morning. I was a little late—"
"A little?" Juniper cut in. "Hilda, all of your classmates already received their starters."
"...WHAT?!"
Hilda collapsed to her knees in horror.
"All of them," Juniper continued, arms crossed, "except you. I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind."
"I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MY WHOLE LIFE!" Hilda shouted. "I just— overslept, missed my ride, got lost, and then some guy sold me a 'starter coupon' for fifty thousand Pokédollars."
Ash blinked. "...That was a scam."
"I KNOW THAT NOW!"
Juniper pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Unbelievable," she muttered. "And yet... completely believable."
She turned toward the inner lab. "Come on. I prepared an extra batch."
Hilda shot upright. "YES!"
Ash followed, curiosity written all over his face.
"Uh—hi," he said. "I'm Ash. Just visiting Unova."
"Cool! Hi!" Hilda said without slowing down. "I'm Hilda! I'm gonna be the strongest Trainer in Unova!"
She pumped her fist — nearly tripping over her slippers.
Ash smiled faintly.
"...She's loud."
•••
The starter room doors slid open with a soft hiss.
Three Poké Balls rested neatly on a raised platform beneath a focused spotlight.
Professor Juniper stepped forward.
"These are the Unova starter Pokémon," she said. "They represent the beginning of a Trainer's journey in our region. You are among the few chosen to receive one."
She pressed a button.
Click.
Light burst from the Poké Balls in three brilliant flashes.
Oshawott appeared first, tumbling forward before righting himself with a quick spin. He planted his feet proudly, shell clutched to his chest like a badge of honor.
Snivy emerged next, smooth and silent. She landed gracefully, eyes half-lidded as she surveyed the room with cool, practiced indifference.
Tepig popped out last, snorting cheerfully as a small puff of smoke escaped his nose. His tail flicked with excitement.
Hilda's jaw dropped.
"...Whoa."
Ash stepped closer, crouching slightly to meet them at eye level.
"So these are the Unova starters..."
Oshawott's eyes locked onto Ash instantly.
There was something about him — his stance, his voice, the faint but overwhelming presence lingering around him — that made Oshawott's heart race. He shuffled forward, then another step, pretending he was merely adjusting his footing.
No one noticed.
Snivy sniffed dismissively and turned her head away.
"Sni..."
Tepig, meanwhile, stared straight at Hilda.
Hilda stared back.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause.
"...You," Hilda said quietly.
"Te?"
She didn't hesitate.
Hilda grabbed the Poké Ball in front of Tepig and thrust it forward with confidence.
"I choose Tepig!"
"TEPIG!"
Tepig's face lit up as he launched himself straight into her arms. Hilda staggered back a step, laughing as she caught him.
"Whoa—okay, you're strong! I like that!"
Professor Juniper nodded. "Very well. Tepig is now your partner."
"Alright, Tepig!" Hilda grinned. "We're gonna be the strongest team in Unova!"
"Pig!"
Flames flickered excitedly at the corners of Tepig's snout.
Then — without warning — Hilda spun on her heel and sprinted toward the exit.
"Hilda—!" Juniper called.
"I'M GONNA GO BATTLE SOMETHING!"
The lab doors slammed open and shut, her voice echoing down the road outside.
Ash stared after her, stunned.
"...She just left."
Professor Juniper rubbed her temple, equal parts annoyed and relieved.
"She didn't even take her Pokédex..."
Oshawott lingered near the platform, watching the doorway for a long moment. Then he glanced back at Ash, gripping his shell tighter.
Ash chuckled awkwardly. "She's... really enthusiastic."
Juniper exhaled slowly. "That's one word for it."
At that moment, the testing room doors slid open again. A lab assistant entered with Pikachu trotting happily at their side.
"Professor Juniper," the assistant said, "Pikachu's readings have stabilized."
Ash's head snapped up.
"Pikachu!"
"PIKA!"
Ash dropped to one knee just in time as Pikachu leapt into his arms.
"Hey, buddy," Ash said softly. "You scared me."
Pikachu pressed his forehead against Ash's cheek, electricity crackling faintly but contained.
"Pika..."
Professor Juniper watched them in silence, eyes thoughtful.
Professor Oak stepped up beside her, adjusting his glasses.
"That girl... Hilda, was it?"
"Yes," Juniper replied.
Oak smiled knowingly. "She reminds me an awful lot of someone. Same fire. Same recklessness. Same habit of charging headfirst into the world."
Ash blinked. "Huh? Me?"
"Trust me," Oak said. "I've seen it before."
As Ash and Pikachu reunited, the two remaining starters watched from afar. Oshawott's eyes shone with renewed determination —
WHAP.
Snivy's tail smacked him on the back of the head.
"Sni."
Oshawott yelped, rubbing the spot — but never once took his eyes off Ash.
Professor Juniper straightened, her expression settling into something more serious.
"Now that things have finally calmed down," she said, "we should talk about why you're really here, Ash. Come with me — my office."
"Right!" Ash answered instantly.
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu chirped.
Ash and Professor Oak followed Juniper down the hall. Moments later, they stepped into her office — clean, modern, walls lined with monitors displaying shifting data and unfamiliar Pokémon silhouettes. Juniper moved behind her desk and sat, folding her hands together.
"What we're dealing with now," she began, "is the aftermath of Cyrus's actions."
The room seemed to grow quieter.
"The balance of time and space was damaged. Not strained — damaged. And for all we know..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It may never fully recover."
Ash stiffened.
"So we're entering an era of uncertainty," Juniper continued. "Pokémon that should not exist in this age are appearing. Creatures from the distant past and far future — Paradox Pokémon — are crossing into the modern world and adapting to it."
She looked directly at Ash.
"To understand them, we need someone who doesn't just study Pokémon — someone who connects with them. Someone who's faced Legendary Pokémon, altered realities, and still never stopped moving forward."
Oak smiled faintly. "In short — you."
Juniper nodded. "Your sense of adventure. Your courage. Your refusal to give up, no matter how impossible things seem. Those traits make you uniquely qualified to help us understand this new age."
Oak added casually, "And as I mentioned earlier — you'll also have the opportunity to encounter and catch Pokémon you've never seen before."
Ash glanced down at Pikachu.
They shared a look.
A nod.
Ash turned back, a confident smirk tugging at his lips.
"I can never say no to an adventure."
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To be Continued...