The Frontier Master

Chapter 1: The Fork in the Road

"Man. I still can't believe that battle against Tobias. We got rocked." Ash mumbled as he stared up into the ceiling of his room.

It had been roughly a week since Ash had returned to his home in the small area of Pallet Town. The town was as peaceful as ever even when Ash came back after a year. However, very few knew he was back, as his passion for moving and training had died down slightly since the Kanto native returned. Most of what he had done consisted of dropping off his Pokemon at Oak's lab and staying at home to ponder his loss.

The mouse pokemon looked towards his trainer with sad eyes. Pikachu could feel what Ash has been going through during the last week. It would be sad if he couldn't notice why, as the pair were closer than the average trainer and Pokemon.

"Pikapi pika!" Pikachu jumped on his trainer's shoulder and rubbed his cheek against his trainer.

Ash smiled at his best friend. "Thanks buddy. I feel better now."

Ash looked down and sighed after a few moments. "It's not like I'm trying to let this loss get me down, but I just keep feeling like... something's missing from my battle style."

During that entire league, Ash felt like a big weight was falling on him the entire time. Ash could feel something trying to drag him down in his battles. Especially against Tobias. Ash couldn't figure out what, but he could still feel it after the Sinnoh league. Almost as if something was in his head and trying to take him over.

Ash checked the time and noticed it was already 6 P.M. He decided if he was going to stay active somewhat, he should talk to his mom some at least. He walked downstairs to see his mom was already making dinner.

"Oh, there you are. I made your favourite sandwiches. Here you go." She said as she placed a plate with two sandwiches down at the table.

Ash began eating while pondering his next move. Should he re-travel Kanto? No, because Misty is still around, and doesn't know he's back. If she knew...

Ash shuddered at the thought of Misty's mallet on his head again. Moving on, there is also Johto, but their league ended when Sinnoh ended theirs. There would be little point in going. Then there was Hoenn, but Ash didn't feel like going as their league was halfway over and he didn't want to see May or Max either.

Then his mind tossed to something he overheard about a new region. The semi-far away region of Unova. Supposedly, there were over a hundred Unova native Pokemon in that region, which surprised Ash. But, he didn't feel like going as another thought plagued him again.

'What if I'm... just... not good enough of a trainer?' He thought to himself.

"What's wrong dear?" Ash looked up and saw his mom was staring with a look of curiosity towards him. She had been worried something bad happened to Ash. She saw he was barely touching his food, which is unlike the normal heavy eater that is her son.

"Nothing's wrong mom. I'm just wondering what I could do next." Ash stated with a smile.

Delia thought there was something else, but thought before pressing further. She had a good idea what had been affecting him, but she was hoping he would be over it. Unfortunately, that is currently not the case.

Delia sat down her apron and looked at the Pikachu trainer expectantly. "Alright. Out with it."

Ash sighed as he looked up. "Mom, you don't need to concern yourself."

Delia frowned. "You're my son. Of course it concerns me."

Ash looked away for a moment. "Fine. I'm just feeling a little unconfident in my abilities as a trainer. I mean... I barely beat Paul and I got swept away by Tobias. Maybe I am just not cut out-"