Jerrand: Thank you for your review! I've already replied via PM but others might have caught on so here. Ash has been able to scan Mightyena with his pokedex and not Skitty because when you capture a Pokémon their data automatically downloads to the trainers pokedex, whether it's that's in their region or otherwise. Since Mightyena is Ash's Mums Pokémon, it also counts as Ash's unless otherwise stated by Ash's mum (Basically if a Pokémon is caught that's not in the Kanto region, the whole family technically owns it even if it only responds to its trainers' commands and only the trainer who caught it gets the extended information of moves and such). Sorry if this doesn't make a lot of sense, but this is how I believe the Pokedex system works in my fanfiction.

**Right now its School holidays so I'm writing faster than I would plus seeing that people are actually reading this story is actually improving my updating as well

PS: Pokémon does not belong to be if that isn't already clear.

Chapter 2: A Chance Encounter

"First time writing a fight scene even though its small" – Speech

First time writing anything – Thoughts/Messages

We also meet someone later this chapter– Pokedex

"I'll graciously let you have the first move." Ash nodded in faux thanks and quickly thought of a battle strategy. He doesn't seem as experienced as he's making himself out to be, I have to use that to my advantage.

"Charmander, start out with an ember!" Charmander's stomach puffed out, fire surrounding his mouth. In only a few seconds, a multitude of small fire balls were heading towards the pink cat.

"Dodge Skitty and run towards it with a tackle!" The boy called back in refute as Skitty jumped over the balls of fire, only getting slight charred marks on its fur.

That might work… Ash thought.

"Let Skitty come towards you!" Charmander followed the instruction, getting itself into a defensive stance, scales growing sharper, ready to defend itself as the cat ran towards him. "Wait for it…" The Pokémon was slowly getting closer and closer but Charmander stayed in place, trusting his trainer with whatever Ash came up with. "Wait for it!" The boy was wondering what Ash's tactic was at this point but didn't give it any thought.

As the cat was in reaching distance, Ash suddenly commanded, "Growl at it and then throw it down with a scratch!"

"Stop Skitty!" The boy called out in alarm; however, it was too late. The growl had made Skitty freeze up for only a second, and that was all Charmander needed. His claws gaining a white hue, the bipedal creature grabbed Skitty's tail and threw the feline against the ground. Skitty let out cries of pain as Charmander continuously hit the it against the dirt floor. Charmander's scales were almost knife-like at this point, the flame on its tail growing larger with excitement as its pupils seemed to become snake like slits. I've read about this, Ash thought. The Charizard line gets extremely bloodthirsty if not properly controlled and handled. This is one of the reasons why only the top 3 trainers get the Kanto Starters, not everybody! Since this is Charmander's first battle, I should've known! Ash cursed his stupidity. He had to do something about this before Charmander does something he'll most likely regret later. But before Ash could do anything, a red beam surrounded Skitty as it disappeared from Charmander's grasp. Ash looked up to see the boy shaking as he cuddled the ball close to his chest.

"I'm so sor-"

"Y-you win!" The boy cried as he started running away in the direction of Viridian City, not looking back once. Ash felt bad about what he had done but it's not like he was going to see the boy again, so he didn't let the battle affect him. Ash felt a beep come from his pokédex; as he grabbed it out, he saw a notification on it saying:

You beat Newbie Trainer Josh! 25 Pokédollars Rewarded! Your total currency is now $525!

Ash sweat dropped. So, he was a new trainer like me. I might have accidently traumatised him… A tug on his trousers brought him out of his train of though. Looking down, he saw Charmander looking up at him with a slightly scared expression. He was calmer now, looking like the Charmander Ash was used to seeing. Ash crouched down, looking the orange Pokémon in the eyes. Charmander started shuffling awkwardly as Ash reached out. Charmander closed his eyes, waiting for something to happen, a hit, shouting, something! But all he felt were gentle arms surround him and pull him towards a solid object. The fire-breathing lizard opened its eyes to find it eye-to-eye with its trainer's chest. Ash smiled softly towards the confused creature, "I'm so proud of you."

Charmander's eyes widened, growing wet as he chirped back with affection. "Nevertheless, we have to fix how you acted towards the end of the battle. It's all good and fun to be excited about battling but if what happened today, happened in an official battle, we would get disqualified and you might even be taken away from me." Charmander cried out in alarm. It didn't want to be taken away from his trainer! He's learnt all about Pokémon who end up with horrible trainers, he was lucky to have such a kind trainer like Ash! "I know, I know. We'll work on what to do later. You'll most likely grow out of it the more we battle anyway, or at least control it. For now, though, please give me your hands." Confused, Charmander did as instructed, handing Ash his clawed hands face up. "See, look here." Ash said, pointing towards the cuts and scrapes on Charmander's clawed hands. "Just because you slowed down Skitty's tackle, doesn't mean the attack went completely unaffected." Ash reached into his bag and grabbed a purple bottle, spraying a small amount of liquid on Charmander's wounds.

"if you are ever injured, even if it's a small cut, please come to me. I never want you to stay injured after a battle." Ash supplied gently stroking the top of Charmander's head. Charmander's eyes shined. Ash was better than any trainer he could've asked for! He knows all about how his line being bloodthirsty, powerful, fierce and always ready to fight. Charmander being no exception to that rule. Most of his species is hunted down and used for disgusting acts against trainers and Pokémon alike. But to find a trainer like Ash? Who worried about even the slightest, insignificant scrape on his body? He felt like he won the lottery! Charmander's eyes gained a glint of determination. He remembered Ash saying about how they must get strong to defend the ones they loved. Well, he was going to defend Ash against everything! He won't be like those other Pokémon which think they can abandon their trainers once they evolve! A fire of hatred burned in Charmander's belly as he thought of doing that to Ash. Charmander swore to himself, then and there, that he will protect Ash no matter what.

After their battle, Ash recalled Charmander to their pokeball as they were nearing Viridian City. He had heard from his father that a specific Earth-type Gym Leader was the leader of Team Rocket. I should message father soon, otherwise he might get worried and fly his whole organisation after me. Ash rolled his eyes, knowing that's actually a possibility. He looked up as he heard blaring sirens echo from the city. Ash stopped walking as he considered what to do. If I entered the city now, I most likely have to stop by the Police Station for a few hours so they could check over my history. That would certainly be an annoyance.

A hand grabbed his shoulder suddenly. Ash spun around, jumping away from the stranger and his hand went towards the flame imprinted pokeball but he stopped as he saw who had grabbed his shoulders. The stranger was a tall, muscular man, most likely 6 foot something. He wore a black tuxedo with a bright red 'R' stitched onto its breast pocket. Posh and expensive shoes were also worn which ash considered costed way more than what he could've sold his freedom for. His eyes were hidden by black sunglasses, but Ash could see his hair was short and black.

Ash recognised him immediately. Giovanni Rocket. Think of the devil and he shall appear. Huh, didn't think I'd meet him this early on. "Sorry for scaring you, young man. I can't help but feel like I've seen you before." A gruff voice told Ash. If father knows of Giovanni's real identity, I wouldn't be surprised if he has even more information on my father.

"That's alright sir. I guess I was a bit on edge after hearing the sirens."

"Understandable. Why don't I show you to the Viridian City Pokémon Centre, you seem like a new trainer after all?"

Ash smiled at the older man as they walked quietly down into the City, Giovanni nodded to the patrolling Officer Jenny's. Just play it cool. He won't notice if you don't act out. Ash's palms were sweaty as he tried to calm down. "You are a new trainer, right?" asked Giovanni.

"Yes I am. Just graduated from Pallet Pokémon School."

"Well, if you graduated with Professor Oak as your teacher, I'm sure I'll be seeing you challenge me in the future."

Play it dumb Ash… "Challenge you?" Ash questioned.

Giovanni chuckled, "I guess I haven't introduced myself properly." Giovanni took of his glasses and folded them into his breast pocket. "I'm Giovanni Rocket. The Viridian City Gym Leader."

Ash's eyes widened in somewhat fake awe. "Wow! You're the Viridian Gym Leader? It's such an honour to meet you!" Ash put out his hand in front of him as they came to the stop at the glass doors of the Pokecenter. Giovanni grabbed and shook Ash's hand with a strong grip.

"It was a pleasure to meet you…?"

"Oh. The names Ash Ketchum."

A spark of what seemed like recognition appeared in Giovanni's eyes before it disappeared as fast as it came. "Ash, huh? What a powerful name." Giovanni drawled.

Smiling awkwardly, Ash replied. "Thank you, Mr. Rocket, but I must be going. It was a pleasure meeting you!" Ash waved back towards Giovanni as he shuffled into the Pokecenter, the glass doors closing behind him.

Giovanni turned back around, putting his shades back over his eyes. "Ash Ketchum, huh?" He mumbled, "I'll be keeping my eye on you. Your father and his little gang have caused me a bit of trouble in Hoenn."

After handing Nurse Joy his Charmander's pokeball, he made his way towards the private phones. I should call mum, wouldn't want her to get angry at me for not phoning her first. Dialling in his home phone number, he waited as it rung. A black screen appeared as the ringing stopped.

"Ketchum Residence, Delia speaking. May I know who's calling?"

"It's me mum."

The black screen disappeared as a middle aged, auburn haired woman appeared on screen. "Oh Honey, it's so good to see you!"

"Good afternoon mum, I just made it to Viridian City."

"Already? It took your father ages to get to Viridian City!"

Ash chuckled, "Well, I'm not as idiotic as father is." Delia glared at Ash through the screen.

"Well anyway, you should talk to him."

"Who?"

Delia scoffed, "Your father obviously. Since I mentioned that you didn't get Squirtle when we talked, he wanted to give you your first water-type Pokémon."

"Oh, I'll talk to him after I finish talking with you and Professor Oak."

Delia and Ash continued talking for an hour or two until Ash had to go collect Charmander. "Next time make sure to show me Charmander! I have yet to see your cute baby!" ordered Delia.

"I will, love you!" Ash said as he ended the call. Ash walked to the front desk, gathered Charmander and made his way back to the private phones. In a flash of white, Charmander appeared with a chirp of greeting before tackling Ash with enthusiasm. Ash stoked the orange scaled lizards back before holding him like a baby in his arms. Dialling in the Research Lab's number, he sat back and waited as he played with Charmander's claws. They're growing longer and sharper each day.

"Ash?"

Ash looked up at the call of his voice to see Professor Oak on the screen, smiling as he watched the bond between Pokémon and trainer grow.

"Good afternoon Professor, I was just checking in to tell you that Charmander and I are doing well."

"I can certainly see that," Oak smirked, "But I'm glad that you and Charmander are working well together. If I'm honest, I haven't seen a Charmander get that close to a trainer that quickly in years."

"Guess you can say that we're special, aren't we Charmander?" Charmander growled in agreement, snuggling into Ash's chest.

"So, how has your adventure been so far?"

After a bit more polite small talk, Ash bid farewell, saying that he said he had others he needed to talk to. "Well Charmander, it's time for you to meet my dad. Were also most likely going to get our first friend to join us on our journey." Charmander growled distractedly, slowly falling asleep in his trainer's arms.

As the phone started ringing, Ash couldn't help but be excited. It has been a while since he had talked to his father after all. As the phone stopped ringing a distorted, human-shaped figure appeared on the screen.

"Hey squirt, long time no talk."