Rival Survival - Chapter 1 "And it Begins"

* I do not own Pokemon or the characters*

This is my first fanfic! There's probably a lot of bad grammar and what not in here too. Hope you all enjoy ^_^

Note: Set where Ash is travelling with Brock and Misty. Ash decides to head back to Pallet town for a short break while Brock and Misty go to Pewter and Cerulean for their break from travelling.

"Ka…" Pikachu growled as it covered it's ears to block out the sound of Ash's snoring. Luckily for Pikachu it was almost time to wake up. The Electrode alarm clock went off and Ash awoke almost falling out of bed. He struggled out of the tangled blankets and reached to turn the alarm clock off.

"8am…" Ash grumbled. "That's right, I'm supposed to meet Professor Oak today to check to see how my Pokemon are doing." He climbed out of bed and got changed quickly.

"Cha…" Pikachu said letting out a big yawn. "Come on Pikachu, we're supposed to meet Professor Oak at his lab today. I want to catch him before he starts doing his early morning poetry." Pikachu jumped down from bed and they both headed downstairs.

"No shower for me today." Ash said walking down the stairs with a big grin on his face.

"Ash Ketchum! You get back upstairs right now and take your shower or you aren't going anywhere!" *anime facefall*

~After the shower, in the kitchen~

Pikachu sat on the table finishing a shiny red apple as Ash came down the stairs, feeling better than he did 10 minutes ago. "Ash I made you eggs and toast for breakfast. I'm glad to have you back home honey, I wish I was able to stay longer but I've got quite a few errands to run today." Delila said grabbing her purse.

"Okay mom." Replied Ash as he sat down at the table. Delila opened the front door, "Have fun at Professor Oak's today! Oh, I washed your underwear too. Bye honey!"

"Eh…" Ash covered his face with his hand.

~ Road to Oak's ~

Ash hurried down the road to Professor Oak's lab, Pikachu on his shoulder. "I hope he hasn't started his poetry yet." Ash said huffing and puffing as he ran up to the door of the lab. He gave two knocks, and walked inside.

"Ah, Ash. It's nice to see you bright and early today." Greeted the Professor.

"Hi Professor," Ash smiled. "I'm here to see how my Pokemon are doing."

"Oh they're doing just fine, I'll take you to them out back. Follow me." They both headed out the back door of the lab to the large field with numbers of Pokemon running around. "Heyyy!" Ash shouted. He ran straight toward his old Pokemon. "Snorlax! Bulbasaur!" Ash called out, naming off a couple.

"They've all missed you Ash." Professor Oak stated. Pikachu twitched it's ears, footsteps were coming behind Professor Oak.

"Back so soon huh Ash?" Called a familiar voice. Ash stopped greeting his Pokemon and turned around, a sour look went across his face. "Gary… what are you doing here?"

"This is my grandpa's lab. Shouldn't you be trying to capture new Pokemon? Or do you still use the weak ones?" Laughed Gary. Ash growled.

When I beat him in the Pokemon League I thought we had finally become friends, but now it seems that he's back to his old self and sour as ever.

"My Pokemon are not weak! They beat you in the Pokemon League, and they'll beat you again right here!" Ash yelled as he took a step forward, clenching his fists.

"Now hold on Ash," Professor Oak stepped in. "Gary has been delivering packages for me to the Pokemon labs in the other regions."

"Huh?" Ash said. "After the Pokemon League Gary came back here for a break, only earlier than you. He's been doing some errands for me." Explained the professor.

"That's right Ash, and I've got a lot of new Pokemon on my trips that I'm sure you haven't even seen yet." Grinned Gary as he spun a poke ball on his finger. "What have you done?"

He caught more Pokemon?

Ash scratched his head as he stumbled on his words. "Um, I… well.."

"I knew it, you haven't done anything. How about a battle? Or are you too chicken?" Taunted Gary.

"You're the one that should be chicken Gary! After losing to me at the Pokemon League I'm surprised you aren't embarrassed enough to battle!"

Gary then grabbed the poke ball that was spinning on his finger. Ash's words seem to have struck a chord with him. He went quiet, and stared at Ash.

"Oh Gary, that reminds me. I have the last package for you to deliver ready. I'm thinking I might just send it through the mail this time though." Professor Oak said.

"Huh? Gramps you know you can trust me." Gary said snapping back into normal state.

"It's not that. This package is to be sent to the Snowpoint City in the Sinnoh region. Professor Rowan is building a new Pokemon lab up there, and I want to send him these pokedex's for the new trainers. But getting to Snowpoint would be a difficult journey, the weather is harsh and the Pokemon in the region are more dangerous."

Gary closed his eyes and crossed his arms. "Hmph, I can handle that."

"I'll do it Professor!" Shouted Ash. Gary and the professor both looked at the boy.

"But Ash, you just got back from your journey. Shouldn't you continue your break?" Asked Professor Oak.

"No way! I want to be able to catch all kinds of new Pokemon too! Pikachu and I are ready to go!"

"Pi-pikachu!"

Professor Oak took his eyes off of Ash and back onto Gary."I can do this Gramps." Gary said staring at his grandfather.

"Gary, I'll let you go." Sighed the professor.

"See, only good Pokemon trainers get sent on journeys like these." Gary said pointing to himself. Ash gave a dirty look toward Gary, but he was already looking back at Professor Oak.

"On one condition," the boys both looked at the old man. "Ash joins you on the trip too."

Gary clenched his fists. "What!?"

"With two strong trainers there shouldn't be anything I have to worry about."

"Yeah! You're right Gary, only good Pokemon trainers are able to go on trips like these." Said Ash as he stuck out his tongue at his rival.

Gary crossed his arms again. "Ridiculous."

"I've made my decision. I'll see the both of you tomorrow morning at 7am, you'll have to take the ferry to get there. I'll make sure to get you tickets today. You'll arrive at Canalave City, it's a long trip but I'm sure you both will think of something to do to pass the time. See you tomorrow boys." Professor Oak said as he walked back into his lab.

"Pikachu! This is going to be great!" Ash jumped excitedly. "Pika!" smiled the yellow mouse.

"See you tomorrow G-" Ash stopped in his sentence, his rival had already began heading towards a different part of the field at the lab. He sighed.

"Come on, Pikachu. Let's see the rest of the Pokemon then head home and train. We've got to be up early tomorrow."