First of all; I do not own any characters, places, creatures, or organizations that appear in this story. Also, I do not take credit for any real life people or shows that may appear within the story. The only thing in this story that I do take credit for is the storyline. This is my second fanfic ever and I would really like as much feedback as possible. Please review.
As the last remnants of Team Rocket's small army flee from Pallet Town, Professor Oak and his assistants take care of the people who were wounded during the attack. Gary and his Growlithe start putting out the fires they started during the attack as Ash stands looking down at the Pokéball in his hand, the Pokéball containing a Pokémon that appeared to be upset about being captured. Ash had never seen a Pokémon react the way that Pikachu did. As part of his education, he had gone out and seen a Pokémon be caught before but he had never seen one turn on the person who captured it.
"Are you alright Ash?" Ash turns to see Professor Oak walking up to him. "You seem a bit shaken up."
"I'm fine. It's just this Pikachu…" Ash looks down at the Pokéball again. "I have never seen a Pokémon turn on its handler before." He looks at Professor Oak. "Did I do something wrong?"
Professor Oak puts his hand on Ash's shoulder. "You did nothing wrong." Professor Oak nudges Ash in the direction of his lab. "Let's go back to my lab. We'll take care of your Pikachu and I'll explain my theory about why it attacked you." Professor Oak tells Ash then directs his assistants to tend to the people of the town and repair any damage as best they can. Gary sees his grandfather leaving with Ash and decides to follow.
Back in the lab, Professor Oak sits down with Ash and his surprise guest, Gary, in a conference room in back of the lab.
"I wasn't expecting you to be here Gary but I guess it could do you some good to be here as well." Professor Oak turns to Ash and clears his throat. "Now Ash, there is something that you must know about Pokémon. Each Pokémon is different, with each with its own personality and mood. Some Pokémon are a bit more hostel than others and aren't exactly fond of being caught by humans." Professor Oak turns and looks at Ash's Pikachu who is recovering in a small clear chamber, resistant to electricity. "Your Pikachu is obviously one of these Pokémon."
"So what am I suppose to do?" Ash looks at his Pokémon. "If it is going to attack me all the time then how am I suppose to live with it?"
"Duh, isn't it obvious?" Ash darts his eyes to Gary. "You train it. Pokémon evolved from animals and like animals they can be trained." Gary starts to pet his Growlithe. "You spend time with it and it begins to respect you and trust you." Gary smirks and looks up at Ash. "But of course that means that you have to have some level of skill."
"Are you trying to start a fight?" Ash leaps up out of his seat.
"Knock it off you two." Professor Oak calmly defuses the situation and Ash sits down. "However, Gary is correct. If you want Pikachu to stop attacking you, then you must train it. It must grow to respect you and trust you." Professor Oak stands up and walks towards the chamber Pikachu is in. "While it would be completely possible to train Pikachu here, it would be much more beneficial to leave Pallet Town." Professor Oak turns and smiles at Ash. "Seeing new places, meeting new people, and seeing all kinds of Pokémon; it almost makes me yearn to be young again."
"Hm, leaving Pallet Town would be a good idea." Gary says as Ash turns to him. Gary pulls out a Pokéball and looks at it. "Maybe it will make the Pokémon you gave me almost as loyal as Growlithe, Gramps." Gary spins the Pokéball on his finger. He smirks and stands up. "Well, that settles it for me then. I'll see you around gramps; I'm going to head out for Viridian City." Gary turns to Ash. "Hm, maybe I'll see you around. If your Pikachu hasn't but you in a coma that is." Gary laughs as he leaves the lab.
Ash clenches his fists as he watches Gary leave. "I'm going to train Pikachu, no matter what it takes."
"That's the spirit!" Professor Oak says cheerfully. "Normally I would give you one of the Pokémon that I had been taking care of, like the one I gave Gary. While it isn't exactly as civil as his Growlithe, it isn't as hostel as your Pikachu." Professor Oak looks back towards Pikachu. "And seeing just how hostel your Pikachu appears to be giving you a friendlier Pokémon might have been of some help to you." Professor Oak turns back to Ash. "However having to create a bond completely from scratch could be extremely beneficial."
"Maybe," Ash stands up and walks to the chamber Pikachu is in. "but for now I am going to need a way to handle Pikachu without getting shocked." Ash looks around the lab and notices a pair of rubber gloves and an elastic string. "Can I borrow these, Professor?
"Of course, if you really think it will help." He hands Ash the objects. "If you are going to be heading out as well, I also suggest you stop in Viridian City. Maybe visit the gym there."
"The gym?" Ash questions.
"Yes, the Pokémon gym. Within the last couple of years, an organization known as the Pokémon League has set up a series of gyms run by handpicked candidates to challenge the trust, skill, and strength of the bonds between trainer and Pokémon." Professor Oak reaches into his pocket and hands Ash a small pamphlet about the Pokémon League. "There are eight gyms and each gym leader has their own badge. Once a trainer has collected all eight badges, they have the right to challenge the Pokémon League."
Ash quickly looks over the pamphlet then puts it in his pocket. "Then that's what I'll do. I'll train Pikachu and work my way through all eight gyms. Then I'll take on the Pokémon League and then I'll show Gary what real skill is!"
"With determination like that Ash, I'm sure that you'll go far. I really hope that the Pokédex I gave you is of some help."
"So that's what this device is called." Ash pulls out the Pokémon registration device.
"Yes, the Pokédex. It will provide you with information about the Pokémon you will be seeing in you gym conquest. This includes of course their attribute type, level, strengths, and of course weaknesses." Professor Oak smiles. "It is the ultimate tool for studying and quickly locating useful Pokémon information as well as locating known Pokémon habitats."
Ash looks at his Pokédex. "Good thing I have this then, it'll give me the edge over Gary." Ash smiles deviously.
"Actually, I gave Gary his yesterday." Professor Oak says as Ash falls over in disappointment. "It would be more efficient to have multiple people travelling around, each with their own Pokédex."
"Yeah, I guess you are right." Ash sighs. "But I was hoping that I would have an edge over Gary." Ash scratches his head and looks at Pikachu. "I guess I should head out then."
"One last thing Ash," Professor Oak opens Pikachu's chamber and takes out its Pokéball. "This particular Pikachu seems to extremely dislike being in its Pokéball." He hands the Pokéball to Ash. "That's probably why it popped out so quickly when you caught it." Ash takes the Pokéball and nods his head. "Allowing it to stay out of its Pokéball might help with getting it to trust you."
"Alright," Ash puts on the rubber gloves and reaches into the chamber. He carefully lifts up the sleeping Pikachu. "But for now I'll have to be careful with it." He ties the elastic string around Pikachu. "Well I'll see you later Professor." Ash cradles the sleeping Pikachu as he leaves Professor Oak's lab.
"Good luck Ash, I have faith in you." Professor Oak says with a smile.
Ash places Pikachu down once he is outside the lab and walks a couple steps away from it. "Ok Pikachu, it's time to wake up." Ash says as he gently tucks on the string, rocking Pikachu a bit. Pikachu starts to wake up, rubbing its cheeks with its paws. It opens its eyes and looks around. After taking in its surroundings, it notices Ash. It growls at him before shooting off electricity into the string. The electricity doesn't reach Ash. Pikachu aims a bolt at Ash, who raises his hand and blocks the electricity with his rubber glove. "Nice try, but this time I'm prepared." Ash gloats. Pikachu makes a disappointed sound. "Listen, I know that you probably don't want anything to do with me but how about we try to get along." Pikachu looks up at Ash. It walks over to him and looks him in the face. Ash smiles and lowers his hand to pet Pikachu.
Pikachu leaps up and slaps Ash in the face with its tail before jumping off his shoulder and starting to run off. He gets a few feet away before he is snatched backwards. Pikachu lets out a hurt sound. It turns around and sees that it is tied to a string that Ash is holding. It lets out a groan before standing up and shaking dirt off of its body.
"Well I guess I'll just have to keep you on the string then." Ash starts to walk towards his house. "Let's go Pikachu." Ash lightly tucks the rope causing Pikachu to follow, not by choice of course.
Ash and Pikachu reach Ash's house to find Ash's mom outside. "Ash! Where have you been? I was worried sick!"
"Sorry mom, I had to stop by Professor Oak's." Ash scratches his cheek.
"Aw and who is this cute little guy?" Ash's mom crouches down and pets Pikachu on the head. Pikachu happily embraces her hand and playfully grabs at it.
"What? So you are nice to my mom but you attack me?" Ash stomps his feet in frustration. Pikachu turns to Ash and sticks out its tongue. "Why you little…" Ash growls angrily at Pikachu.
"Ash, that is no way to talk to your Pokémon." His mom scolds him. "Come on," She picks up Pikachu. "let's go inside and find you something to eat." Pikachu lets out an excited squeal as Ash sighs and follows his mother inside the house.
After eating, Pikachu rolls over and falls asleep. It curls up in a ball and dozes off as Ash and his mother begin to talk.
"So what are you going to do now Ash? Since you have your trainer card now, I mean." His mom smiles and drinks from her coffee cup.
"Well, Professor Oak said that it would be good for me to travel. He said it might make it easier for me to bond with Pikachu.
"So you are leaving home then?" His mother's voice drops a bit.
"I'll stay in contact mom and it isn't like I'll be gone forever." Ash reaches out and touches his mother's hand. "I'll come back to visit and I'll be sure to call you so that you know I'm okay. Besides, I'll eventually begin training more Pokémon so I'll have them to help me through my journey." He smiles lovingly at his mom.
His mom starts to tear up as she smiles at her son. "I'm so proud of you Ash. I know you will be fine but I can't help but worry. I am your mother after all." She wipes her eyes. "I suppose it's my job." She smiles at him. "I'm sure that you will be fine. Now go upstairs and get some sleep. You'll need it."
Ash smiles at his mom then stands up and kisses her on the cheek. He looks down at Pikachu on the floor then starts to head upstairs. He walks into his room and takes off his shirt and pants. He flops down on his bed then turns his head towards the window. The shades are open and he can see outside to the night sky. The full moon casts a beautiful light on the town and the sleeping Pokémon that live up at Professor Oak's lab on the hill.
As Ash gazes at the sky, he notices a shining light. This light seems to be moving and coming from West of Pallet Town. Ash rushes over to the window as the light passes over head. He looks closer at the source of the light and is amazed by what he sees. The source of the light is a giant bird. It is golden and brightly shines. Ash stands in awe as it sources across the sky and out of sight. Ash goes back to his bed and lies down. He tries to decide whether or not what he saw was real or just something that he imagined. Either way it only makes Ash more determined to travel, maybe he would be able to find that thing again but this time get a better look at it. Those are his last thoughts before he drifts off to sleep.