Pokemon: Trait Master

Current Known Information: 

- Each Pokémon has a different number of traits. 

- Until reaching Elite Four-level, a Pokémon can only possess up to five traits. 

- However, without the Trait System, people cannot fully utilize a Pokémon's traits. 

- A Pokémon with a Gold-tier trait might only exhibit Blue-tier effects if trained by someone other than Ash. 

---

Until reaching Elite Four-level, the maximum number of traits a Pokémon could have was five. 

Over the years, Ash had battled thousands upon thousands of Pokémon— 

If not ten thousand, then at least eight thousand! 

While many were repeated encounters, the sheer variety of Pokémon he had seen was undeniable. 

Yet out of all those Pokémon, the only one he had ever seen with five innate traits was his Pikachu! 

And now, Froakie was the second one. 

Not only that— 

It had both a Gold-tier trait and an Orange-tier trait from the start, 

which meant that its potential rivaled, if not exceeded, Pikachu's! 

Even Pikachu hadn't started with an Orange-tier trait— 

"Master of Acting" had been something Ash added over time. 

This Froakie… 

Even in the entire Pokémon world, Pokémon with such exceptional talent were extremely rare! 

A Pokémon's traits were essentially part of its natural talent, 

but only Ash, with the Trait System, could fully unlock their potential. 

To anyone else, Froakie's Water Arts trait might only boost Water-type moves by 1% at best— 

not even close to the 10% Ash could get. 

And the moment Ash saw Bonded Power, he knew— 

This was it. 

This was the Froakie destined to become his Greninja. 

---

The fame of Ash-Greninja was second only to Pikachu in the Pokémon world. 

How could Ash not know about it? 

What he hadn't expected was for Professor Oak to give him this Froakie so many years early! 

What happened? 

A butterfly effect??? 

But what kind of butterfly effect could reach all the way to Kalos?! 

"...So, Ash, what do you think? Do you like it?" 

Professor Oak's voice pulled Ash from his thoughts. 

Still confused, Ash asked, 

"Professor, why did you give me a Kalos starter?" 

"If I was going to get an official starter Pokémon, shouldn't it have been one from Kanto?" 

Professor Oak simply laughed and waved his hand. 

"There were many reasons for that." 

"But the main one? I ran out of Kanto starters!" 

"The League hasn't approved my new batch yet—" 

"—and just as I was thinking about it, Professor Sycamore from Kalos happened to contact me." 

"So I asked him if he had any extra starter Pokémon available." 

"And wouldn't you believe it—he just so happened to have one!" 

Ash: … 

Ash's expression screamed "Yeah, right." 

Seeing Ash's doubt, Professor Oak chuckled awkwardly, cleared his throat, and revealed the truth. 

"Alright, fine. This Froakie wasn't an extra—" 

"it rejected its designated Trainer." 

"And apparently, this isn't the first time it's done this." 

"Since I was still waiting on my Kanto starters, I asked Sycamore to send it over so you could give it a try." 

"After all, you're no ordinary kid, Ash—I had a feeling you could handle it!" 

While some parts of the explanation were shaky, it still made sense. 

Ash didn't know much about Froakie's past, 

but one thing was certain, 

It had waited years in Kalos for him. 

It had refused every other Trainer until he arrived. 

This Froakie was meant to be his. 

Ash slowly stepped forward and crouched down on one knee, 

extending his hand toward Froakie. 

"Well? Want to come with me?" 

"I know this might sound arrogant, but I'm not like those rookie Trainers who abandoned you." 

"I am—very, very strong." 

Professor Oak: … 

Even his lips twitched at that. 

Ash, you're only ten years old. 

How are you calling other rookie Trainers 'inexperienced kids'?! 

But in reality— 

Professor Oak fully agreed with Ash's statement. 

After all, even he felt a subtle sense of danger from Ash's Pikachu. 

That kind of feeling… 

Could only come from Pokémon that were at least touching the Elite Four level! 

And yet— 

Pikachu was just a Pikachu! 

For Ash to have trained it to this level in just a few years… 

His talent as a Trainer was nothing short of absurd. 

If Ash said he was strong, 

Professor Oak had zero doubts about it. 

---

Froakie's large, intelligent eyes locked onto Ash's gaze. 

For several long seconds, it stared at him in silence. 

Then, finally— 

It slowly reached out a small, white hand and placed it in Ash's palm. 

A smile spread across Ash's face. 

"Looks like we're partners from now on!" 

His smile was infectious— 

Even Froakie couldn't help but grin back. 

"Pika Pika~!" 

Pikachu also chirped happily, welcoming his new teammate. 

"Oh, right! Before I forget—" 

Professor Oak suddenly clapped his hands. 

"There's someone else on their way here—a friend who's supposed to travel with you!" 

"I should check the time… Hmm, they should be arriving right about now." 

Ash and Pikachu glanced at each other. 

A traveling companion? 

But over the years, it had always just been the two of them. 

When had they ever made such a promise? 

Knock knock! 

At that moment, a gentle knocking came from the door. 

Along with it— 

A sweet, lively voice called out from outside. 

"Hello? Is anyone home?" 

( guess guess guess ;-; )