Ch. 1: The Shortcut of DOOM!

She got out of bed quite normally, though this was not a normal day for young Jennifer. She was about to embark on a fantastic journey, though she didn't know it yet. She got dressed normally, went downstairs normally, and met her mother for breakfast normally. The only thing not normal about Jennifer's morning was her mother.

"Good morning Jennifer," she said, wearing what looked like a sunflora-like dress, "like my new dress? I'm going to wear it to the party tonight."

Jennifer looked at it with hidden disgust. She knew her mother liked Pokémon themed dresses, but she never wore them in a way that seemed good to her. She tried to put on a fake smile. "It's wonderful Mom," she lied. Why does she always wear these crazy dresses to those parties?

At least her mother was making a normal breakfast for once. Normally she would try to shape everything in weird shapes. Today, she shaped it all in a Pikachu. Pikachu was Jennifer's favorite Pokémon. She wanted one since she was very little. Her mother, however, could not afford to take care of one. She has been trying to save money she earned with her chores, thinking that if her mom wouldn't save the money, she would.

After breakfast, her mom danced upstairs to get ready for her job as a fashion consultant. Something she knew absolutely nothing about. She thought with a slight laugh. She went upstairs herself, getting ready to meet her friend Jessica. When she was done, she raced out the door calling, "Bye Mom!"

As she ran along the sidewalk that led around the forest to her house, she considered just cutting through the forest. It would, after all, shorten the time considerably. As she reached the forest's entrance however, she knew that there would be wild Pokémon in there. Hesitantly, she walked in. As it turns out, she made a good choice. The day was still young, and most of the Pokémon were still asleep, except for a few hoothoot and, unknowingly to her, Jirachi.

Jirachi is a legendary Pokémon known for granting wishes. However, it is also known for the longest hibernation ever. Meeting one is a once in 40 lifetime's chance – unless you know where to go. Jennifer was about to be blessed with her first – and likely last – interaction with Jirachi, who saw her walk by and hid from view. A human… Don't see many of those around here.

Jennifer walked on until she found a lost Pikachu. "Awwww… aren't you the cutest thing?" She picked up the yellow mouse. "I envy your freedom… I wish I could be a Pikachu like you."

Jirachi took that as a wish it could grant, so it appeared before Jennifer, causing her to drop the Pikachu, before it sped off. "Jirachi! What are you doing here?"

Jirachi spoke, but using telepathy, "I am here to grant your wish." At that point, 2 things went through Jennifer's mind.

I'm going to be a Pikachu? Everyone will be so jealous!

I'm going to be a Pikachu? How will I live now?

When those thoughts subsided, Jennifer felt an extreme pain penetrate her body. She saw her hands grow fur and become little paws. The rest of her body became covered in fur too. Her feet became paws as well, forcing Jennifer on all fours. She felt herself getting smaller. Her spine reshaped itself and a tail formed with a zigzag pattern. Her ears became Pikachu ears. The head reshaped and she became a full Pikachu.

"Oh my goodness… I really am a Pikachu." She went to a puddle to look at her reflection. What she saw was not a human, but an…orange…..Pikachu…

"A little bonus gift from me," Jirachi said, and disappeared.

Jennifer looked around for her bag. When she found it, she did her best to carry it up into a tree. She found a nice branch and lay there, exhausted. She knew she couldn't talk to people because she's a Pikachu, but that wouldn't stop her from living a new life. As she lay there, slowly falling asleep, one last thought went through her mind.

No more shortcuts…