Chapter 2: On the Road

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my story so far. Also thanks to all the hits, favorites, and alerts. You surely know how to make a girl happy! Anyway, I have a couple of ideas for this story and I want to see how they play out. For travelling, Ash will be with Brock and Misty for the Kanto Arc. When it gets to the Johto Arc, he will have new companions. Also, I welcome any advice and ideas that you may have as long as it is good. Again, I am open to suggestions about what type of Pokémon Ash, Brock, and Misty should catch as long as they are Kanto native. Pairing won't be until later, like maybe second or third book. Ash will get several legendaries although they won't be for awhile.

Disclaimer: This goes for my entire story. I do not own Pokémon. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and all rights belong to Nintendo and the Pokémon Company.

Ash Ketchum was awoken by a nudge in his side. He opened his eyes to see Absol glaring at him before pointing towards his Voltorb alarm clock. Ash's eyes widen when he realized that it was almost ten o' clock.

"Thanks Absol, I'm supposed to be at Professor Oak's lab by twelve. If I had overslept any later I would have been late." With that, he got out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed for the shower.

About thirty minutes later, Ash was drying off his head with a towel and dressed in a black shirt and a pair of blue jeans. He grabbed his backpack and a blue jacket with white edging around the sleeves and collar. Both Ash and Absol then headed downstairs where his mom was setting out breakfast.

Ash's mouth started drooling at the sight of fried eggs, bacon, and toast with butter. Delia had even set out some Pokémon food for Absol, who started eating as fast as he could.

"Oh wow mom, you've really outdone yourself this time! Everything looks so good, I can't wait to dig in." Ash said as they sat down. He grabbed a fork and knife and started inhaling the food laid out before him.

Delia chuckled in amusement as she watched Ash eat. "No problem sweetie. I wanted my son to have a healthy breakfast before he left to go on his journey."

Ash swallowed and washed it down with a glass of milk before responding. "Yeah, if Absol hadn't have woken me up, I wouldn't make it to Professor Oak's to register in time. Thanks again for changing you mind about letting me use Absol in battles."

Delia's voice had grown softer as she spoke. "I know that it would be an unfair advantage, but it wouldn't be right to keep Absol in it's Pokéball for months on end."

Ash to, had a grown more serious look at the idea. "Yeah, keeping a Pokémon at the lab or in the Pokémon Storage System I understand, but just keeping a Pokémon in a Pokéball for that amount of time is wrong."

They continued eating in silence until it was time for Ash to head towards Professor Oak. When Ash saw that it was almost time to leave, he grabbed his backpack and jacket, and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. Ash then whistled to get Absol's attention, who looked up from his bowl and walked to Ash's side. "Bye mom, I'll call you once I'm in Viridian City."

With that, both Ash and Absol left and began walking towards Professor Oak's lab and the start of their adventures.

It was a while later when Ash and Absol made it to the Pokémon lab. Ash was breathing a sigh of relief that he had made it on time and knocked on the door.

Professor Oak appeared a few minutes later, surprised that Ash had made it on time. "Well, I'm glad that you decided to be responsible about your journey young man. I was afraid that you'd be late."

Ash rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, stating that "I would have if Absol here hadn't woken me up on time. You see, I stayed up late last night watching the final round of the Indigo League and a documentary on the different starter Pokémon."

Professor Oak looked amused and just told Ash to come inside. "I would register you for the Pokémon League here, but a Pokémon ate through the wires last night and we have yet to get the computers back online. You'll have to register in the Viridian City Pokémon Center."

"That's fine Professor Oak, I'd be heading there anyway." Ash said. The Professor headed to the back of the lab to retrieve Ash's Pokedex when Ash started looking around. He spotted what appeared to be a custom made Pokéball and said, "Absol, that has the same color pattern as you do."

Absol looked at the Pokéball in curiosity and saw that his Trainer was right. The Pokéball was white on white and had two black spots on the side. In the center it had a red 'M'.

Professor Oak had just come back with a Pokedex in hand when he heard Ash's exclamation. "Oh that? That's just something I built in my spare time. I wanted to see if there could be custom Pokeballs and apparently it's not that difficult. If you want it you can have it."

Ash just looked at Professor Oak, stunned. "Are you sure?" He couldn't believe that Professor Oak would just give him a Master Ball like that.

"Yes, it's better than having it rust away. Besides, I believe that you'll put it to good use." Professor Oak explained. "And while we're on the subject, here is your Pokedex. It includes data on all currently known Pokémon as well as information on moves, evolution lines, and anything else a Trainer might require."

Ash was amazed that something as small as a Pokedex could hold so much information. Professor Oak could see Ash's amazement and said, "If you don't believe me, why don't you try it out on Absol?"

"Good idea, Professor. I want to know what Absol is capable of anyway." Ash said. He flipped the Pokedex open and scanned Absol after pressing one of the buttons. After a few seconds, Absol's picture appeared along with information about the Pokémon.

Absol: The Disaster Pokémon

Rumored to sense disasters with its horn, it became a target. It fled deep into the mountains.

Gender: Male

Nature: Serious

Abilities: Super Luck and Justified

Evolution: Does not evolve

Moves: Quick Attack, Razor Wind, Bite, Swords Dance, Water Pulse*

*A Pokémon may know more than four moves*

Ash was impressed as he continued to look at the moves Absol could learn. He knew that if he wasn't careful, he would spend hours looking through the Pokedex instead of actually training his Pokémon. He was a little sadden at Absol's reputation but hoped that he could change that.

"Well, I see you have discovered the joys of technology. The Pokedex is also linked to the Pokémon Storage System so you can transfer Pokémon even if don't have access to a Pokémon Center." Professor Oak explained. "And of course, the Pokedex contains your Trainer's license so if it is lost or stolen, it cannot be replaced."

"Thanks Professor. I'll be sure to take care of it." Ash said. He was about to leave when one of the aids came up to the Professor saying that a Pokémon was chewing through the wires again.

Professor Oak sighed and said, "If this keeps up, it could end up costing us a lot of money. We would try and catch it ourselves, but it's just to fast. None of us can keep up with it."

Ash was silent throughout the conversation when an idea came to mind. "Hey Professor, would it be alright if I looked for the Pokémon? Maybe me and Absol would have better luck."

Professor Oak laughed and said, "Sure Ash, if you think you can handle it. I'll tell you what, if you manage to successfully catch that Pokémon, you can keep it." He started sweating at the look of determination on Ash's face.

"Great, our first challenge!" Ash said with fire in his eyes. "Let's go Absol!" The two were about to leave the lab until Ash stopped suddenly. He turned back to Professor Oak and asked, "where is this Pokémon?"

Professor Oak groaned while the aid explained that they saw it heading around back, trying to escape in the nearby woods.

Ash yelled a thanks and took off, startling the old Professor. "Ash certainly has a tough journey ahead of him, but I believe he can do it."

Ash and Absol spent about an hour searching before they found what they were looking for. It was a small yellow rodent with a lightning bolt tail and black stripes and black tipped ears.

"Absol, can you sneak up behind it? I don't want it getting away." Ash whispered. Absol nodded and used a Quick Attack to get up close to the Pokémon without startling it.

With the Pokémon chewing on some grass, oblivious to the Pokémon behind it, Absol was free to use Bite to secure its grip on the Pokémon.

He began to walk back to it's Trainer, but was startled when the Pokémon's red cheeks started sparking. Shocked, Absol dropped the Pokémon, who fell into a crouch, ready to attack.

Ash was shocked that this Pikachu could escape from Absol so easily, and was secretly excited that it wouldn't be as easy as he thought.

"Absol, use Quick Attack to clear some room between you and Pikachu, then use Swords Dance to power up a Razor Wind."

Absol turned from Pikachu in a streak of white before coming to a stop and facing Pikachu once more. The sickle on its head started to glow white before toning down. He then raised his head and threw two slices of wind towards Pikachu, who only managed to dodge by using a Quick Attack induced jump into the air.

The Pikachu used the momentum from the Quick Attack to twist it's body into a dive and slam into Absol.

Ash was shocked that this Pokémon was so fast and knew how to use its speed to its advantage. He quickly tried to think of a strategy that would allow him to catch Pikachu without causing to much harm to Absol.

"Absol, use Sword Dance to power up Quick Attack!" Ash shouted. "Then use the momentum to overpower Pikachu!"

Absol did as his Trainer ordered and used Swords Dance to power up his Quick Attack to stun Pikachu. Although Absol was paralyzed, Ash managed to catch Pikachu with one of the Pokeballs Professor Oak gave him. He watched in anticipation as the Pokéball twitched, and nearly jumped for joy when he saw that the Pokémon was caught. "Yes, our first Pokémon!"

Ash and Absol walked back to the lab, where Absol was cured of its paralysis and both Pokémon were restored to full health.

"Well Ash, I had my doubts that you'd be able to catch that Pikachu. But I'm glad that you managed to catch it. It certainly gave us enough trouble." Professor Oak explained.

"No problem. Besides, this was a perfect chance to see what Absol could do in battle. I hope you don't mind if I scan Pikachu here, I would like to find out what it can do." Ash said. He hoped the Professor wouldn't say no, he really wanted to see Pikachu's other attacks.

"I don't see why not, Pikachu should be calm enough after being caught. You seem to have a talent for creating trust between Pokémon yourself."

Ash released Pikachu from its Pokéball and was prepared to be shocked, but when the yellow mouse just stared at him, Ash was surprised. "Guess you were right, Professor."

Ash took out his Pokedex and scanned Pikachu for its information.

Pikachu: The Mouse Pokémon

It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.

Gender: Male

Nature: Hasty

Abilities: Static and Lightningrod

Evolution: Pichu-Pikachu-Raichu

Moves: Quick Attack, Electro Ball, Slam, Agility, Thundershock

Not a bad move set. Of course teaching Pikachu Iron Tail and Dig is a must. I also have a few moves for Absol to learn as well. Ash thought. "Well Professor, I guess this is it. I better get to Viridian City before it gets to late."

"I agree. Just remember to be careful young man. And remember to always trust your Pokémon. They know what they are doing." Professor Oak said.

Ash smiled indicating that he understood and walked out of the lab with Absol beside him and Pikachu on his shoulders.

That boy will be great one day, there isn't no doubt about it. Professor Oak thought. After Ash disappeared from his sight, he started back to work.