this chapter is a lot better than the last one :p
/
"Pika ..." Pikachu grumbles, trotting alongside Ash. Froakie rests on Ash's shoulder, watching the electric type warily. While they'd come to a compromise much earlier, he doesn't quite trust the rodent. Ash is just glad that Pikachu agreed to listen, just so long Ash makes him stronger. Of course, that's what he'd been planning to do in the first place - he was planning on becoming a trainer, after all !
"Let's see ... We should get to Viridian city fairly early tomorrow if we stop now," Ash hums, looking through his pokedex. They'd been walking for several hours, and it was getting dark. It was just another three hours, three hours that Ash wasn't going to spend walking in pitch black. Besides, it was a good opportunity to train, as neither Froakie nor Pikachu seemed tired. Though, admittedly, Froakie was better off. Even if the bubble frog pokemon had been walking alongside Pikachu the whole time, he still probably would have, as he'd been training with Ash for longer.
It takes a few minutes to set the tent up. Pokemon food ingredients sit to the side, for Ash to make while his pokemon train. He doesn't doubt they'll be hungry and exhausted by the end, though likely Pikachu more than Froakie.
"Right ! So, Froakie, how about you go work on smokescreen ?" Ash requests. They'd been working on it for a while, though they found it was a fairly difficult techique. See, smokescreen obscured the vision of all those around it using smoke or ink. However, Froakie didn't naturally produce either of these. According to the pokedex, however, Froakie and it's evolution line made a sort of psuedo-smoke. The science was lost on the boy, though Froakie was getting fairly close now.
"So, Pikachu, first we're going to work on your speed," Ash explains, going through the pokedex. Somehow, Pikachu hadn't learned Quick Attack, which would be useful for dodging, at least until he was taught agility. "What I want you to do is run between those trees until I tell you to stop." Pikachu glares, but does so anyways, hopping off. Ash sighs. Right, so he had to make some pokemon food. Maybe then he'd see how Froakie was doing.
/
"So you figured it out ?" Ash asks cheerfully as he eats his own meal, which wasn't much, admittedly. Froakie nods, and shows off with a wisp of smoke. Ash hums. "Can you do more ?" He asks. Froakie shakes its head. Ash doesn't mind - they'd been working on it for under a week, after all. Ash nods. "Maybe we'll get it tomorrow, then !" Ash chirps. It certainly wasn't battle-ready quite yet, but they were certainly close. Nearby, Pikachu grumbles.
"C'mon, you've got to admit, you're a lot faster," Ash grins crookedly. Pikachu looks away grumpily. Ash sighs. He's not sure what it'll take to get the electric rodent to like him, but he supposed that it'll take a while. From what he can tell, Pikachu has had little experience with humans, and the ones he has are negative. Ash can't blame him - there were far too many people who didn't care for pokemon. Hated them, hurt them. Ash hates it. But ... Maybe if he gives Pikachu time, he can show the rodentthat not all humans were bad.
/
"Here's your pokemon back !" Nurse Joy tells him. Ash beams and thanks her, taking Froakie's pokeball back as Pikachu, reluctantly, climbs onto his shoulder. It's an improvement from the previous night - he and Froakie had tried to get Pikachu to open up on their way to Viridian City, though the effect had been minimal. But once Pikachu began to trust them, Ash is certain that it'll only become easier from there.
Right. They're going to Viridian Forest in a little while - a few hours, tomorrow, Ash is uncertain. But he needs to get some supplies first. Ash frowns, releasing Froakie. He's not used to being a trainer - however, Froakie, being a pokemon, should be able to fill in what Ash spaces. He doesn't think Pikachu will help, though. That's fine.
Above him, a window breaks. Ash stops dead, briefly remembering that Officer Jenny had said something about Rocket criminals just moments before. Had they - ? The Koffing fills the room with Smokescreen. From nowhere, two silhouetted figures appear, donned in white outfits. Seeing the R on their uniforms, Ash abruptly realizes that this might just be Team Rocket. They were infamous for stealing pokemon throughout the region. Were they here for - ?
"We're here for the Pokemon !" A meowth announces. Ash blinks a couple of times. A talking Meowth ? Realizing that now wasn't the time, Ash clenches his teeth. Okay, so Team Rocket. They only had an Ekans and a Koffing ... He hoped that Pikachu and Froakie could take them.
"Thunderbolt !" Ash whisper-shouts to Pikachu. If he'd really shouted, the Rockets would have an immediate response. As expected, the Rockets - Jessie and James, he thinks they are. They'd introduced themselves rather clearly just earlier, during a motto that Ash simply didn't see the purpose of. Anyways, Jessie and James responded late, turning to see the Electric Rodent sparking with electricity. In the background, Nurse Joy hurries to get the Pokemon to safety.
The electric attack envelops the Rockets. Somehow, this sends them blasting through the roof, shouting something loudly. Ash does a double-take.
"That was ... Anti-climatic." He'd destroyed a Pokemon Center, certainly, but Pikachu had shot people into space with a single attack. Disappointing. At least the Pokemon were safe, he supposes.
/
"Thundershock, please," Ash speaks. It's less of a command and more of a request - if Pikachu doesn't want to do it, then he'll let Froakie do it. It's a gradual process, after all - maybe Pikachu doesn't want to help capture wild pokemon. There's a difference between trainer battles and wild battles in the end.
Perhaps surprisingly, Pikachu obliges, shooting a weak thundershock at the bug pokemon. Ash isn't entirely sure why he's capturing the weak little bug type, but he supposes it wouldn't hurt. It's unlikely that he'll get any bug type pokemon until the Safari Zone. Besides, Ash did like Butterfree, they just didn't particularly excell in anything.
Ash tosses a regular pokeball. It rocks merely one, then lights up with a ding. Ash grins, hurrying over and scooping up the red ball. Froakie lets out a cheer at their first captured teammate. Pikachu appears disinterested, watching them blandly. Ash grins.
"Hopefully it's not hurt too badly." Ash hum. Caterpie were weak, and even a weak thundershock like Pikachu's might've nearly fainted it. He hopes not, but even so.
Ash releases the Caterpie onto a tree stump. The little green creature looks around, blackened and confused. Then, zeroing in on Ash, it lets out a curious sound, bordering on happy. Had it wanted to get captured ? Ash wouldn't be too surprised - though it did make his job a lot easier.
"Hi there, Caterpie !" Ash speaks cheerfully, kneeling down to Caterpie's level. "I'm Ash, I'm your trainer now." He'd learned from Pikachu that introducing himself was the first thing to do, if you wanted to bond with the pokemon faster. Behind him, Froakie greets the Pokemon. Pikachu offers something half-heartedly. Ash smiles warmly.
/
"That's it !" Ash cheers. Pikachu and Caterpie were holding a mock battle - Pikachu was holding back, of course, but the purpose was training. Caterpie work on endurance, and hopefully work on Bug Bite - according to the Pokedex, it was a whole lot easier to teach in the first stage. While Caterpie had it for the most part, it was still weak. And on Pikachu's part, he was learning not to rely on electric attacks. While Ash allowed him to use them occasionally, Pikachu was expected to use Quick Attack and Iron Tail, which was still very weak.
Ash had been doing his best to train the team, recently. Pikachu still wasn't good at using Iron Tail - he could only hold it for seconds at a time, and most of the time it was still only semi-solidified. Froakie was working on how to dispence even more smoke into his Smokescreen, or on the side make more Double Team copies. Caterpie, of course, could only learn Bug Bite. It was the only move they worked on - otherwise Ash just built up Caterpie's endurance, as it'd be the only thing that remained in the future.
A loud cry of a bird interupts the session. Above them, a Pidgeotto dives, aiming for prey. Pikachu sparks, clearly annoyed, but Froakie beats him to it, a Water Pulse slamming into Pidgeotto. The bubble of water disrupts the flying type's flight, and it wobbles, crashing to the ground. Ash blinks. Pikachu glares at Froakie, waving it arms as it speaks it flurries of annoyed 'Pikas'. It's clear that Pikachu would've preferred doing it himself. Ash sighs.
Caterpie, in the midst of the argument, lights up. Ash turns, alarmed. Was Caterpie ... Evolving ? An odd timing, perhaps, but Ash doesn't mind. He's glad that Caterpie is evolving so soon, as well. As Caterpie's form changes into a caccoon shape, Ash watches, fascinated. It's the first pokemon evolution he's witnessed himself, and he admits, it's fascinating.
Metapod breaks from the light, and though obviously much slower, also much closer to the final stage. Ash grins and congragulates him warmly. In the meantime, Froakie takes an empty Pokeball - by the look on Ash's face, he'd planned on catching the Pidgeotto until Caterpie evolved. At least the Pidgeotto wouldn't escape, now.
/
"I challenge you to a battle !" A day before Ash reached Pewter, a voice interupts. Ash spins around, alarmed, but finds a sword in his face. He yelps, backing away several steps. He'd rather not get his face stabbed, thank you very much.
"Um ... Okay. Who are you ?" Ash asks, uncomfortable. Froakie is about to take a place on the battlefield(After all, Ash doesn't typically care who partakes in unofficial battles), but Metapod beats him to it, bouncing clumsily. Both Froakie and Pikachu give it an odd look -they weren't even aware what the opponent's pokemon would be, and the only attacking move Metapod knew was Bug Bite.
"I am Samurai ! I am challenging all of the Trainers of Pallet to battle !" Samurai speaks. Ash frowns. He's very loud. Ash takes a moment to look over his pokedex - he's uncertain where the major Beedrill hive is located, but he certainly doesn't want to disturb it, even if by mistake.
"Well ... We should probably get farther away from the Bedrill hive, first ..." Ash says, hesitant. Samurai acts as though he wants to battle this instant, he doesn't think he'd accept.
"Nonsense, we'll -" Samurai stops mid-sentece, swiping a face full of Frubbles off. He glares at Froakie. "Very well." Samurai says, reluctant. Ash spares Froakie a thankful glance, then scoops Metapod into his arms, following the Bug type trainer as they grow father from the Bedrill hive. Ash is at least glad he won't be stabbed to death, at least.
Once they've come a safe distance, Samurai eagerly prepares a Pokemon, calling out a Pinsir. Ash frowns, glancing at Metapod on the field. Metapod seemed unbothered by the opponent, so he sighs and gives. He trusts Metapod, despite the short time they've spent together.
"A foolish choice, novice. Pinsir, vice grip !" The Samurai calls. Ash considers his options - an attack like that would be brutal - if it didn't potentially kill Metapod, it would have a bad outcome nonetheless. Ash frowns.
"Metapod, harden !" Ash calls, hopeful. The outcome was just as hoped, as the Pinsit grips Metapod between its horns. As it squeezes ... Nothing happens. Pinsir squeezes harder, but to no avail, as it's horns crack. They don't break, but they come close. Seeing this as a defeat - perhaps Pinsir only knew vice grip ? - Samurai recalls Pinsir. Ash frowns.
"Now, Metapod !" Samurai calls. Ash stops. And frowns. A Metapod. Another Metapod. Ash shakes his head slightly. Metapod usually didn't know moves beside Harden, but Ash supposes he can scrape out a victory if he uses Bug Bite quickly. Metapod appears to already know this, as it hops forwards as quickly as a Metapod can, trying to reach the othre before it uses Harden. He fails.
Bug Bite doesn't do much, at this point. Not that it really did much in the first place, as Metapod didn't have a mouth in the first place. Ash frowns. Metapod, growing increasingly frustrated, lights up with Evolution. Ash stops. It'd only been a day ... Did Caterpies really evolve that fast ? Or was this one an exception ? Huh.
As Butterfree finishes evolving, it immediately begins using Gust, clearly frustrated. Metapod were rather hard to fight, he had to admit - they were useless, though, it was simply Harden that was difficult.
As Butterfree then glides over to Ash, happily landing on his head, Ash grins. Well, he won, he supposed. It wasn't that hard, though - if he could blow through with Metapod(well, Butterfree, now), then he supposed that the opponent wasn't that tought.
/
"How good's your steel wing ?" Ash requests. Pidgeotto ruffles her feathers, though glides into the air upon request, wings lighting up a shining steel. She slices into the trees, though the attack falls apart mid attack. The bird lets out a distressed sound, returning to alight upon Ash's shoulder. He smiles apologetically.
"Well, I want to participate in the gym as soon as possible ..." Ash speaks quietly. But would it matter if they got more training in ? He probably neede to work on Pikachu's Iron Tail anyways, and Froakie was improving his water attacks still ... And Butterfree was still getting adjusted to his new form.
Ash shakes his head.
"Well, I guess we can train more." Ash grins. Pidgeotto chirps happily.
/
"Mantain it !" Ash calls, excited. Butterfree dodges above a Steel Wing, though gets hit by an incoming Iron Tail. He can't help but feel somewhat sympathetic - both Pikachu and Pidgeotto were ganging up on him. Even if they were neutral against Butterfree, they were coming from every angle. Butterfree was still determined to do it, though.
Ash supposes this is a fairly good training session. Butterfree managed to work on speed, endurance, and evasion all at once, while Pikachu and Pidgeotto were getting better with their Steel attacks. While Pikachu was focusing more on improving it, however, Pidgeotto was focusing specifically on mantaining it. She'd started much later than Pikachu, after all.
Somewhere behind him, Froakie focuses on using his water attacks. While he only had two - Bubble and Water Pulse - he was focusing more on power and aim. It was training for the next gym, you could say, where Ash planned on using Froakie, primarily due to type advantage. Ash still wasn't sure who else he'd use, though. He supposes it came down to the results of training in the end.
/
shit this is only 3k words,,,,, maybe itll get easier once we get brock,,,,, plus then we might not have to put so many breaks into the story,,,
as you may notice, pikachu and ash don't become friends right away. pikachu doesn't trust humans, and they didn't have the life threatening experience to bond so quickly. Instead, it's up to ash to get pikachu to open up, with some help from froakie.
anyways, froakie didn't evolve into frogadier already like last time, nope. he's still fairly close to evolving, but i might wait until around the second gym. anyways, nothing eventful really happens this chapter - actually, its kind of more filler-y, just to slow the story down. aside from the capture of butterfree and pidgeotto, it's definitely filler. sorry that its 3k words :^)
im trying to get these done as quickly as possible. the combination of old and new is gross, but it'll take me another day or two. As stated, I'm trying to make these 5k words, so I can't make them as frequently or easily as the original 2k.
aka im super lazy lmao
ash's pokemon ; froakie, pikachu, butterfree, pidgeotto