"Good morning!" A young nine-year-old boy with purple hair that goes down to his neck and olive green eyes cheered, running down the stairs.

"Morning, Dusk, someone excited today," A woman with purple hair tied into a bun and olive green eyes said, smiling said, poking her head out of the kitchen. She was wearing a light blue shirt, and red skirt, and green slippers.

This woman was none other than Melanie Wataru, the young boy's mother called Dustin. She is a Pokemon breeder who owns Wataru's breeding center, where she breeds Chamander, Bulbasuar, and Squirtle, which Professor Oak gives out as the three starter Pokemon as well breeds other Pokemon.

"Well, of course, big sister comes home today from her journey later on today," The boy said with a giant smile on his face."Until then, I will play explorer in the forest in the back of the house."

"Breakfast first, Dustin," Melanie said. "Then you can play outside.

"Alright," Dustin said, heading into the kitchen and sitting down at the table as his mother placed a plate of waffles, bacon, and eggs in front of him. "This looks good. Thanks for breakfast."

"You're welcome, son," She said as she placed a bowl of pokemon food in front of her Flareon before sitting down to eat her own breakfast.

"Good morning to you as well, Flareon," Dustin greeted as he swallowed a piece of bacon.

"Flare, eon!" Flareon greeted back.

"Hey, mom, what other Pokemon did you have other than Flareon? When did you have as you used to travel on a Pokemon journey?" Dustin asked.

"Flareon, my number one partner, but I also had a Kangaskhan, Blastoise, Arbok, and many other Pokemon. Most of them, of course, hang out in the yard with the Pokemon at the daycare," His mother replied.

"Cool."

The rest of their breakfast was spent in silence, eating their breakfast.

"Well, I'm going to go play now, mom!" He called out, getting up from the table.

"Alright, be careful there; beedrill out there, Dusk, " Melanie called out.

"I will, mom. Don't worry. I know to be careful around Beedrill. I'm already nine years old; He said with a sigh as he left the kitchen and began playing outside.

*****

Dustin rushed out of the house wearing a red shirt with an orange Pokeball silhouette and yellow and black shorts, and black and white sneakers.

"Hey, Dusk, if you need me, I will be next door at rhe daycare," His mom said, stopping Dustin in his tracks as she walked outside the house."Also, Sheila called. She be here later on this afternoon."

"Alright, cool. I can't wait to see how her second journey with!" He smiled."I'll see you around, mom," He said, waving bye as he headed towards the forest to play his favorite game.

"Again, beware of Beedrill nest!" His mom called out.

Dustin sighed as he rushed into the forest, ready to play.

*****

"Dustin, the explorer is off to discover the world's wonders," He said, using his hands to make binoculars to look around."What kind of Pokemon and treasure will he discover today?" He asked to himself as he continued walking through the forest.

"Hello, is anyone here?" A voice asked.

Dustin turned around towards the trees and saw a boy around six years old with black hair. He wore an orange tank top and blue shorts, and green sandals.

"Yeah, do you need something, kid?" Dustin asked as he walked over to the boy who was looking around.

"Yeah, I was trying to head back but somehow ended up here," He replied."So when I heard talking, I decided to see who was over here, hoping they could help me find my way out of here."

"Sure, I can show you I'm done playing over here for now, anyway," Dustin said. "The name Dustin by the way."

"Cool, Ash Ketchum," Ash replied as Dustin led him back out of the forest.

*****

Dustin and Ash both continued to walk out of the forest as they began talking with each other.

"Wow, Dustin, I can't believe you will be a trainer next year!" Ash said excitedly.

Dustin chuckled at Ash's excitement."Oh, it's nothing. My sister has already been on two journeys with her Blastoise. While my father is one of the best trainers I have ever met."

Ash smiled at Dustin with awe in his eyes."Yeah, it's so cool that your father, Lance, and that your sister have already been on two journeys. Anyway, I can't wait to become a trainer in four years, and then I can show Gary Oak who the best pokemon trainer is!" He stated with a smirk.

"I understand Gary is arrogant as the grandson of Professor, but you shouldn't let that affect your judgment in the future as a trainer, " Dustin stated. "Trying to beat your rival is cool, but if you focus on that instead of your current opponent, you'll lose a battle. That's something my father told me once."

"Wow, you sound like you know a lot about battling! I bet you be quite prepared for your journey in a year more than me," Ash said.

"Hey, I know!" Dustin suddenly said." I suppose if you're so worried about not doing well on your own. I supposed that we could go together, and I could be like your mentor."

Ash looked at Dustin, surprised at his offer. If Ash agreed, Dustin would have to wait four more years for him to become a trainer so they could go on a journey together.

"If you do that, then you be stuck here for four more years. It would be best if you didn't miss out on going on your journey."

"Hey, I don't mind. Besides, I would be traveling by myself except for my Pokemon. I personally believe that it be more fun going along with you than by myself."

"Alright, then we travel together, you promise?" Ash asked.

Dustin smiled, holding out his pinkie at Ash."Yes, I pinkie, promise Ash."

"Alright, pinkie, promise," Ash said, shaking Dustin's pinkie with his.

"Well, com-" Dustin trailed off as he heard a quiet whimper.

He turned around her and saw something emerge from the bushes. It was a small feline creature with cream-colored fur that turned brown at the tips of its hind paws and tail. Its ovoid head features four prominent whiskers, wide eyes with alit pupils; two pointed teeth in the upper jaw, and a gold koban coin embedded in its forehead. Its ears are black with brown interiors and are flanked by an additional pair of long whiskers. It seemed to be injured as it slowly limped out of the bushes and had a slight purple hue on its face.

"Oh...no, Ash, look!" Dustin gasped, pointing at the injured Meowth. Ash's eyes widened as he looked at Dustin before the wild Meowth slowly collapsed. Luckily, Dustin raced over and caught it in time before looking over the Meowth, trying to see what was wrong.

"H-hey, what's wrong with it?" Ash asked, looking worriedly at the Meowth in Dustin's arms.

"It looks like it been badly injured and poisoned. I'm taking it to my mother and fast!" Dustin exclaimed, with Ash nodding in agreement as the two rushed out of the forest and towards the breeding center.

Eventually, they both arrived at the breeding center and headed inside, finding Dustin's mother holding a baby Chamander while it was drinking from a bottle. She looked over to see her son and Ash with worried looks on their face

"Dusk? and Deila's son? What's wrong, you two?" Melanie asked before she spotted the Meowth in Dustin's arms."Oh dear, what happened?!" She said, surprised as she headed off the Chamander to a man with spiky brown hair.

Melanie quickly rushed to them and grabbed the Meowth from her son's arms.

"I found it like this. I believe it was attacked by a Beedrill since it seems poison. So we rushed here for help," Dustin explained, looking at his mother, distraught about the injured Meowth.

"Can you help the Meowth Mrs. Wataru?" Ash asked, almost at the point of tears.

Melanie smiled at them reassuringly."Don't worry, Meowth will be alright, you two," Melanie said, calming down the two kids.

"Thanks, mom, you are the best!" Dustin said gratefully as his mom with to go treat the Meowth.

****

Sixteen minutes later...

Melanie was busy healing Meowth with the medical kit she grabbed from the back room while Dustin and Ash were sitting down in the waiting room, waiting for Dustin's mother to finish up with Meowth. While waiting, Ash decided to talk to Dustin.

"Hey, Dustin?"

Dustin turned to look at his new friend in confusion.

"Yeah, Ash?"

"D-do you think that Meowth is going to be alright?" Ash asked him.

"Don't worry, Ash. Meowth is going to be alright. You just need to have faith in Meowth and my mom," Dustin said, smiling at him.

"Have faith?" Ash asked, looking at Dustin, confused about what he meant.

"What he means is that believing in others can help you never to give up, and if you keep on trying, you'll do great," A female voice said.

Dustin and Ash turned to see a 12-year-old girl with shoulder-length scarlet hair and dark brown eyes. She was wearing a grey short sleeve shirt with a short sleeve red jacket, along with dark blue knee-length shorts and white and hot pink boots. She also had a black and yellow side bag.

"Hey sister, I didn't realize it was already time for you to be back from your journey," Dustin said, getting up and hugging his big sister.

"Hey, saw nobody was home, so I came here, but probably head home to feed my Pokemon. Tell mom hi for me," Dustin's sister said, heading back out of the breeding center.

"By the way, Ash, I promise we will become the best Pokemon trainers in the world together," Dustin said, smiling at Ash.

The door from the medical area opened as Melanie walked into the waiting area.

"Hey, mom, how is Meowth? Also, Sheila was here, but she left to feed her Pokemon," Dustin said.

"I see. Hopefully, her journey was good, and you can meet up with her, the Meowth, a female, by the way," Melanie said.

Dustin and Ash looked at each other, filled with joy to hear that Meowth was okay. Dustin and Ash headed towards the medical ward, where they saw Meowth was sleeping on a medical bed.

"Hey, Meowth!" Ash yelled out.

Meowth woke up in a jolt and noticed that Dustin and Ash and run off to hide underneath the blanket on the bed. Dustin sighed. He could tell Ash's shouting caused Meowth to get scared. He looked at him with stern eyes, which made Ash smile sheepishly.

Dustin let out a sigh and walked towards Meowth. As he bent down and pulled off the blanket where Meowth was hiding. He gently pets Meowth's head, trying to calm her down to get her to trust them. Meowth tense from the touch.

"It's okay, Meowth. I won't hurt you, I promise. After all, we're all friends here," Dustin said gently. Meowth looked at him curiously before she smiled and jumped up, and nuzzled Dustin's face affectionately.

"Awesome! you got Meowth to like you!" Ash yelled out, making Meowth frightened again. Dustin once again gave Ash a stern look.

"Stop yelling like that. If you yell, you're going to scare Meowth, and the same will happen if you do that when you go on a Pokemon journey," Dustin told him sternly, making Ash look at him with a sad expression.

"Sorry, Dust."

It's okay, but you have much to learn if you want to be a Pokemon trainer," He sighed. "Everything will be okay, Meowth. Soon, you be free to go back home."

"You know what, Dusk, why don't you keep Meowth? She seems to like and doesn't look like she wants to leave," Melanie said, looking at the sad expression on Meowth's face.

"You sure I'm not old enough to own a Pokemon yet, mom?"

"Even if you are not old enough to be a Pokemon trainer yet. Dusk, you are smart and know a lot about Pokemon. I know you will take good care of her," Melanie said, smiling at her son.

"Alright, looks like you're staying with me, Empuress the Meowth," Dustin said, nicknaming his new Meowth, who nuzzled his cheek happily. "From here on out, you and I are a team and will one day go on a journey with Ash here." He smiled, giving Ash a thumbs up.

"Alright!" Ash said, jumping in the air, full of joy.

'Look at this. My little boy finally made a new friend after his old best friend moved away.' Melanie thought with a smile as she watched the two boys cheering together.

The prologue is completed. I hope you enjoy it. Dustin made his first friend who, none other the Ash Ketchum.

Word Count: 2195