KI: Zohaku

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon. Characters are estimated age ~15, give or take.
--
It was a beautiful day in Kalos as Ash Ketchum and his travelling partners- Misty and Clemont- left Shalour City and headed for Coumarine Gym.  Stepping onto Route 12, Ash was greeted by the sight of a narrow river completely blocking their path.  Immediately he was discouraged.

"That's just great," he moaned, "How are we supposed to cross this?"  Misty rolled her eyes.

"My Gyarados can take care of it," she answered, sending out the massive dragon.  She, Ash and Clemont climbed aboard the seafaring Pokemon and headed across the river.  Suddenly, the wind and current picked up, increasing to worrisome, storm-like speeds.  Gyarados was surprisingly overwhelmed, and the three teens found themselves swept out into Azure Bay.  The unrelenting forces carried them into deep waters, and eventually beached them on a large island.

Dismounting Gyarados, Misty returned the Pokemon as the three trainers stared up at the mountainous land mass.  A narrow, dirt path led into a dense rainforest, which their senses of sound and smell indicated was full of Pokemon.  The three teens turned to each other, all but forming a football-style huddle.

“You think we were brought here for a reason?” Misty asked.  Clemont, Ash’s only travelling partner to be her intellectual superior, spoke up.

“I have vacationed in Azure Bay several times, and never have I seen a current like that at all, nor have I felt winds that strong. There are forces other than nature at play here,” he answered.  Ash nodded.

“I think you’re right, Clemont,” he replied, “Let’s explore the island.”  The three teens set off down the path, which wound through the forest like a snake.  It wasn’t long before the teens came upon an intersection, where the path split into three separate directions.  Before anything could be said or done, Ash noticed a light emanating from the leftmost branch of the path.  “Hey, do you guys see that light?” he asked.  Clemont shook his head as Ash stared down the path.

“Ash, there’s nothing there…” Misty remarked, looking that direction.  Something propelled Ash forward, and his friends were forced to follow as he headed down the path.  This path eventually hit another intersection, branching into two paths with one heading on a downward slope and the other heading up.  Again Ash was drawn forward, leading his friends upward and- eventually- to another fork.  This time, there were two paths and Ash went right.

Misty and Clemont began to take notice of a pattern.  While the number and orientation of the paths varied, the choice always repeated: left, up, right.  By the time the third iteration of the pattern was complete, Misty was ready to declare them lost and use a bird Pokemon to find their way out.  Before she could speak, however, the path finally ended in front of a large, traditional Japanese temple, composed of an outer wall surrounding several buildings.

Entering through an archway, they found themselves in a small courtyard.  A strange statue stood in the center of the area, and there were several different directions in which they could continue into the temple.  Suddenly, a woman in red ninja garb appeared in front of the trio as if out of nowhere.  Clemont and Misty had no idea who she was, but Ash recognized the woman immediately.  Smiling, he greeted an old friend.

“Ash Ketchum, I never thought I’d see you here,” the woman remarked.  The green-haired young woman was a ninja teacher Ash had met in Hoenn at the Pokemon Ninja School.

“Hello again, Angela,” Ash replied, “What are you doing out in Kalos?”  Angela smiled.

“They built this Advanced Ninja Academy here, and I was recruited to teach,” she answered, “What brings you here?”  Ash sweat-dropped.

“Well, I’m in Kalos for the same reason I was in Hoenn,” he explained, “We got swept out into Azure Bay by a strange current, which beached us in this island. A strange light led me all the way here.”  Angela gasped.

“You must come with me at once!” she insisted, “ The headmaster will want to hear about this!”  Nothing more could be said before Angela dragged Ash towards one of the central buildings of the complex.  Misty and Clemont had no choice but to follow.
--
Inside, the three teens were brought face-to-face with an older man wearing a black ninja outfit with a dull, gold, cloth belt tied in a knot.  The man had a short, gray beard and clearly graying hair.  He had been meditating, but ceased his actions and stood when the group entered.

“Master Tajiri, this boy says he was led here by a strange light,” Angela announced.  The man looked Ash over for a moment.

“...Are you not Ash, the chosen one who joined Lugia in saving the world?” Tajiri asked.  Ash nodded.

“Yes, sir. That was years ago, though,” he answered.  The old man nodded.

“Indeed, but time matters not,” the master ninja replied, “You see, there is another prophecy…”

A clan of fighters, a warrior they shall call; to stop a great evil and protect one and all.  Though some will rise to save their home, without aid it shall become their tomb.  Chosen One, the great treasure retrieve, and bring to the den of the Spirit of the Sea.  Aid it shall grant, a power bestow, and with the great gift thou must vanquish the foe.

“You think Ash is some kind of ‘chosen warrior’?” Clemont questioned skeptically.  Misty sighed, annoyed.

“There was an incident when Ash and I travelled the Orange islands; Ash fulfilled an ancient prophecy and saved the world from destruction,” she explained, “It’s entirely plausible to think that this continues off of the same legend.”  Ash nodded in agreement.

“Master, do you know where we might find this ‘great treasure’?” he asked.  The old man nodded.

“It’s just outside, in the courtyard. Angela, show them,” he instructed.  Nodding, the ninja teacher led the three teens outside and into a courtyard at the rear of the temple.  In the center of the courtyard stood a statue of several fighting-type Pokemon surrounding a small, spherical jewel not unlike those from the elemental islands.

“This is the Great Treasure. If you truly are the Chosen One, you should be able to retrieve it,” Angela remarked.  Nodding, Ash stepped forward and grasped the navy blue jewel.  He gave a light tug, and the sphere popped out and began to glow.

“I thought so,” Misty remarked, smiling confidently.

“So, where is this ‘den of the Spirit of the Sea’?” Clemont asked excitedly.  Angela paused for a moment before pointing out the academy’s rear exit.

“This path leads to it; the den is a cave connected to the sea,” she answered, turning to Ash, “Chosen One, you must make the journey alone. Return to us when your task is complete.”

Nodding, Ash grasped the jewel firmly and headed down the path; Pikachu riding atop his shoulder as always.  The ninja academy quickly faded from sight as the two friends traversed the long, winding path.  After ten minutes of walking, they came upon the mouth of what appeared to be a very dark cave.  Upon entering it, however, Ash found that he could see quite easily thanks to a dim source of light.  Walking into the heart of the small cave, Ash came upon a small, stone beach leading to a large pool of crystal clear water.

Then, right before Ash’s eyes, a white silhouette appeared in the water, rising towards the surface.  The raven-haired teen was speechless as he again came face to face with Lugia.
--
Back at the Advanced Ninja Academy, Misty and Clemont had joined one of Angela’s classes and were learning a few ninja techniques.  The class was only twenty minutes in when they heard cries coming from the front courtyard of the academy.  Rushing that way, Angela, Misty and Clemont were met by an army of Team Flare grunts who had just stolen a Throh from one of the ninja students.  Angered, the three trainers sent out their Pokemon to fight.

The Flare grunts were stronger than Jessie and James, however, and their numbers gave them a decisive advantage.  Even with help from other students and staff, the trio was overwhelmed and faced defeat if they didn’t receive help soon.  Their only hope remained with Ash, Pikachu and whatever was going on inside the Sea Spirit’s Den
--
“Chosen One, we meet again…” Lugia spoke through telepathy, “I hear your travels are going well.”  Ash nodded, smiling as Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder and waved.

“They are; I’ve even got Misty back with me,” he replied.  The great bird looked down at the spherical jewel in Ash’s hands.

“That’s great news, but we do have more important things at hand,” it responded, “Step into the water.”  Doing as he was told, Ash stepped forward until his feet were surrounded by an inch of the clear liquid.  Lugia spread its wings, and suddenly the water rose up and enveloped Ash like a cocoon.  The raven-haired teen could see only a swirling blue vortex as he felt a series of changes to his growing, teenage body.

His skin subtly changed to a smoother texture, and new flesh grew between his fingers and toes.  All twenty of his digits grew longer, reducing in number to a mere ten- six on his hands and four on his feet.  His limbs grew thinner, and he could feel bulbous areas grow on certain parts of his body.  Ash felt his skull change shape into a more pointed, frog-like head.  Lastly, his tongue extended out of his mouth, wrapping around his neck before extending behind him like a scarf.

The wall of water finally crashed down into the pool with a splash, revealing a Greninja wearing a green backpack.  Ash looked over at Pikachu, who stared up at him in shock and awe.

“Ash, what happened to you?” he asked.  The teenage Greninja’s eyes bugged out.

“I-I can understand you!” he cried, flabbergasted.  Lugia rolled its eyes.

“Of course you can, you’re a Pokemon!” it remarked, speaking without telepathy.  Ash sweat-dropped.

“This is great and all, but can I change back?,” he asked, “I don’t want to be a Pokemon for the rest of my life.”  Lugia nodded.

“You can change forms at will,” it answered, “Now you must go; your friends need your help. Good luck.”  Ash’s eyes widened, and he bolted from the cave after a quick farewell.
--
With all of their Pokemon- Azurill excluded- fainted, Angela, Misty and Clemont were about to surrender to Team Flare.  Just as all seemed lost, however, a barrage of what appeared to be liquid shurikens KO’d one of the grunts’ Litleo.  More shurikens and several Shadow Sneaks and Night Slashes later, the grunts were defenseless and a Team Flare admin was left to finish the job.  His patience lost, the man ordered his Pyroar to roast the trio with a Fire Blast.

Angela, Misty and Clemont braced for the worst, fully expecting to die.  Suddenly, as their lives flashed before their eyes, a navy blue Pokemon with something red around its neck dropped in front of them and performed a defensive technique.  The Fire Blast disintegrated in front of the three trainers’ eyes, and then the now-identified Greninja struck back with a powerful Hydro Pump.  The Pyroar was defeated, leaving the executive with one Pokemon- his Mightyena- to defeat the Greninja and finish the job.

The poor Dark type never stood a chance, it seemed; the Greninja was simply too fast.  The Water type was completely unhittable, and the Mightyena couldn’t block even the weakest of attacks.  Soon the dog-like Pokemon was returned to its Poke ball, defeated by the powerful ninja Pokemon.  The admin had no choice but to sound the retreat; Team Flare escaping in a large helicopter bearing their logo.

“Well, that explains how they found us,” Angela remarked, watching the chopper leave,“The base was never intended to prevent an aerial attack.”

“Perhaps an illusion disguising the school as trees would help,” a voice suggested.  The three trainers turned to see Ash standing where the Greninja had been before.

“A-Ash? Where’d you come from?” Misty asked, surprised.  The raven-haired teen grinned, proud of his disguise.

“I’ve been here the whole time, Mist,” he replied, “Didn’t you notice the backpack?”  A lightbulb may as well have lit up above the redhead.

“That Greninja was you?” she asked, remembering the bag it wore.  Ash nodded.

“That form was Lugia’s ‘great gift’ from the prophecy,” he explained.  Angela and Clemont gasped.

“That’s incredible!” Clemont remarked, “I’ve never heard of such a transformation before!”

“You’re an amazing ninja, too!” Angela gushed, “I couldn’t even see you until you blocked that Fire Blast, and even then you were like a shadow!”  Ash rubbed the back of his neck as he blushed in embarrassment.

“Shucks, it was all instinct,” he admitted, “Besides, I doubt I’m as good as you.”  A light, masculine chuckle was heard behind the teen, and immediately Angela stood at attention.  Ash turned to see Master Tajiri walk up behind him.

“I saw that fight myself, Chosen One,” he remarked.

“If you were watching, why didn’t you help?” Misty demanded angrily.  Master Tajiri raised a hand.

“Be calm, young one,” he replied, “You see, as a Greninja, Ash’s skills easily rivaled my own. Thus, it was unnecessary for me to intervene.”  Misty still seemed at the brink of exploding.

“He’s right, Misty,” Ash added, “Besides, I’m fairly certain he knew I was coming.”  Tajiri grinned and nodded.

“They don’t call me ‘Master’ for nothing,” he admitted, “Now, let’s get your Pokemon healed, shall we?”
--
After a long, eventful day at the Advanced Ninja Academy, it was time for the three heroes to leave.  Master Tajiri left them with a final reminder to reverse the pattern on their way back down the path.  Instead of left, up, right, they would need to travel left, flat, and then right.  Angela accompanied Ash, Misty and Clemont to the front archway before bidding them farewell, at which point the trio- led by Ash- made their way back to the beach.

Misty sent out her Gyarados, which she and Clemont boarded before looking at Ash expectantly.  Surprisingly, the teen just grinned and stepped towards the water.

“You guys go ahead; I’ve got my own transportation,” he remarked.  The teen then changed back into his Greninja form, waiting only for Pikachu to climb on his back before using Surf and heading for the mainland.  Misty and Clemont followed quickly behind him, and soon they were once again on their way to Coumarine City, and- hopefully- Ash’s 4th Kalos gym badge.