Hey, before we get to chapter 2
-Thanks you for reading!
-This story takes place during Pokemon Journeys. Specifically, before ep 68.
With that said, onward!
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises: Cafeteria
"Woah!"
*Crunch-crunch*
"This is so good!"
*Slurp*
Words of praise were uttered as Ash tore through dinner. He hasn't eaten all day and almost being eaten twice really worked up an appetite.
"I'm glad you enjoy it! I pour my heart into every dish!" Said a blushing Slowpoke, who was serving the same dish to Sandile and Fennekin. "If you need anything else, I'll be in the kitchen!" He pushes a food cart out of the cafeteria and into the kitchen, his stubby tail swaying behind him.
Fennekin looked at Ash from across the wooden table while chewing on her meal. "Yep, it's definitely him…" Fennekin thought. She chuckled as she continued eating. It was nice to see that even after two years, he was still the same person. "Hopefully I'm not the same...I did promise to improve after all…" she thought, her smile slowly going away.
Sandile continued to eat as he looked at the mouse Pokémon. He gnawed on a tail-like chunk of meat, thinking about today. Exploud was quite hesitant to take someone in. "Costs and resources" he had said. Sandile had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes and told Exploud about the Buizel he saw, shaking and crackling from the electricity.
Sandile swallowed the meat chunk. Exploud said he would make a decision by the end of dinner and begrudgingly gave the okay to Slowpoke and Komala to set up a meal and room for "THIS NIGHT ONLY!" unless he sees the Pikachu's worth. "If that Pikachu can pull off what he did to that Buizel again, he'll be on the team in no time." Sandile thought. He continued eating dinner, occasionally glancing at the mouse Pokémon.
It didn't take too long for Ash to finish his dinner. "That was great!" Ash exclaimed as he patted his stomach. Sandile smiled at Ash. "No problem. We at Exploud Exploration Enterprises always treat all guest Pokémon as one of our own. Right, Fennekin?" He glanced at his team partner, who was staring at her half-full plate of meat and lettuce with a gloomy expression. She quickly turned her head to both of them and produced a half-smile. "Yep yep! We're welcoming to all Pokémon!" she said, mustering up all the excitement she could to say her line.
It seemed to satisfy Sandile, who looked back at Ash. "So, where are you from? I haven't seen you around here." Fennekin's ears perked up at his question. Ash looked at him with an awkward look. "Well...you may not be familiar with where I'm from. " Ash said, scratching his head. "Nonsense! There is no place that I don't know! Whether it's the Emerald Isles to Ruby Rock Way, I'm at least familiar with most areas in the Gemma Region! Go ahead, try me!" Sandile said with a prideful look and a glint of his sunglasses.
"Ummm, Pallet Town?"
Sandile's face went from a smile to a blank expression, to utter confusion as though he was hit by supersonic.
"What the hell is Pallet Town?"
Fennekin's ears perked again at the mention of the Kantonian town. "I think I know. It's in Kanto right?" Ash's ears perked up as he began to smile. "Yeah, in Kanto!"
"What the hell's a Kanto?" Sandile says, even more confused.
He looked at Fennekin, who seemed to be in a better mood. "You know where this Kanto is?" Fennekin nodded her head. "Yep, it's in the same place where I live!" Sandile's confused expression turned to annoyance. "Fennekin, don't bring up your dumb ideas about another world, you'll scare him off...wait…". Sandile looked at Ash again. "Say...what's your name?"
"I'm Ash!" Ash said to Sandile's frustration and Fennekin's delight. "Don't tell me you're a...ugh..." Sandile began to walk away from the table. "... I'll have to tell Exploud about this…" He muttered to himself as he left the cafeteria leaving Fennekin and Ash by themselves.
"What's his deal?" Ash raised an eyebrow as he saw the Desert Croc Pokémon leave. Meanwhile, Fennekin's ears began to emit steam and her face started turning red. "Don't worry about him, h-he just needs t-talk to Exploud b-but you're SURE you come from Pallet town? Like, really sure?" Fennekin could barely string a sentence together as her mind felt like it was overheating. "HIM of all people to become a Pokémon…it's definitely 100% him!" She thought.
"Yep, that's right!" Ash said with a smile and a slight twitch of ears. The sight of such a familiar smile, so filled with energy and determination, made her smile as her heart went aflame, even if that face was now on an electric rodent. Fennekin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She gathered all of her heat and breathed it out in one huff. "We need to talk about this somewhere else. Follow me please." Fennekin walked from the table with Ash following suit.
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises
The two were walking out of the cafeteria to be met by the shimmering moon. The soft ground squished awkwardly on their feet but they managed. "The ground was made so Pokémon could dig easily. It's a bit uncomfortable for Pokémon weak to ground types, but you get used to it." Fennekin explained. Ash nodded his head as he followed.
"This is the perfect time for a tour around the property." Fennekin turned her head to the building they just left. "That's the kitchen and cafeteria. It's a good thing it's one of the first buildings Pokémon see." Fennekin moved her head forward. "And over there is the waiting area. You were there about an hour ago." Ash nodded, remembering the painfully slow Slakoth that was checking him in.
Fennekin took a right, looking out for any important buildings. She turned her head to the right. "This is 's office. You can tell by the medical sign. She's a great nurse and kind too! Before you leave, make sure you see her!" Fennekin said. Ash nodded. "So a Pokémon's nurse Joy." He thought.
Turning her head to the left, Fennekin's smile turned to a slight frown. "That's the Doublades' hut. They sell sticks, rocks, and other weapons for dungeons. They also may have TMs…sometimes."Fennekin said. She was gonna add "if Exploud isn't too cheap to buy them" but she didn't know if Ash would appreciate her jab. "Hmm, that sounds pretty helpful!" said Ash. "Yeah...but they give me the heebie-jeebies. They...talk at the same time...weird." Fennekin shivered as she averted her eyes.
Suddenly, a trail of moving ground appeared almost below them, causing both Ash and Fennekin to jump. "What was that?!" Ash said, startled. The trail was moving away from them, as though it didn't even notice their presence. "How rude. Don't worry, it was either Diglett, Bunnelby, Drilbur, or Sandshrew. All of them act as the communications team around here, sending letters and messages. You can thank them for the ground here." She rolled her eyes as she continued walking. "They're alright."
Ash got over the surprise and followed Fennekin. His eyes were immediately drawn to a big structure that had the face of an Exploud slapped on the front. Fennekin rolled her eyes again at the pridefulness. "That's Exploud's office. You'll meet him soon enough...the longer you don't know him, the better." Fennekin turned her head to the left and then the right. "To the left of here are the bedrooms for all the staff. Sandile and I also sleep there too. The building to the right is where you'll be staying for tonight." She said, leading Ash to the guest building.
On the wooden door was a sign that said "Guest building, courtesy of Komala". "Would you do the honors? I...don't have hands." Said Fennekin awkwardly. "Oh, yes." Ash got in front and pushed the door, walking into the guest building.
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises: Guest Building
The walls were a grayish-purple with work-related motivational posters plastered on. The soft ground touched their paws as they walked through the room. A hastily made haystack was smack dab in the center, surrounded by singular strands of straw. "Welcome to the penthouse suite…" Fennekin said sarcastically. Ash looked around, spotting a single window and small desk at the side of the room. It wasn't the fanciest, but Ash wasn't too picky. He got on top of the haystack and walked in circles before lying down. Ash was shocked at how comfy it was...or maybe it was a day of almost dying that made him tired. Ash yawned and almost closed his eyes before hearing a slight cough from the fox Pokémon. "Hehe, sorry about that." Ash hopped off of the haystack.
"It's fine. You've had quite the day." Her eyes scanned the ground as if she could find the right words by looking at it hard enough. "Sooo, you said your name is ...Ash?" "Yep!" He said with a smile. Fennekin tried to keep calm, but a smile of her own was starting to creep up. "Good. I think I know who you are, or were anyways. You were a human, right?" Ash nodded his head. "That's right! But how did you know that?" He tilted his head in confusion. "It's complicated, but your name certainly gave it away. I'd say you should go by Pikachu from now on. "Hmm, why?" Ash asked. "Well, in Sapphire Town, along with the rest of the Gemma region, humans are...well, myths, fairy tales. Names like yours kinda give the impression that you're a human...which don't exist...so you look a bit crazy….I hope you understand." Fennekin explained. "Well, can't I say that it's my nickname? Pokémon have nicknames right?" Ash said. The thought of him being called Pikachu sounded strange.
"Well, yes, but nicknames, like most Pokémon names, usually say something about you. For example, I'm a Fennekin, and my nickname could be something like...hmm….Scarlet or Flare. Both names say something about my Pokémon species." Fennekin let out a small puff of fire to emphasize her point. "Human names aren't really similar to Pokémon names, so I say just stick with your species name, Pikachu."
Ash shrugged. "Okay, I guess I'll be Pikachu then." "Good. Anyways, you're a human, and in this world, you're like a myth come to life, which I wanted to ask you about." Fennekin looked at Ash intently. "How did you get here?"
Ash scratched his head. "I...don't know." Ash tried to think about the events before he got here. It was so fuzzy, but he concentrated a bit more…
Ash saw a bright light, as his memories hit him like a truck…
Viridian City: Pokémon Center
It was a late night. Ash and Goh were chatting about the day in their room at the Pokémon Center. "I never knew you had thirty Tauros! How did you catch so many?" Goh asked. "It's a long story...it was at the safari-" Ash yawned before he could finish his sentence and Pikachu followed suit. Goh yawned too. "You can tell me later when we meet them at Professor Oak's Lab. It's time to…"
*BZZZT BZZZT!*
A ding from Goh's Rotom phone. He looked at it before jumping out of his bed, exploding with newfound energy.
"Hey Ash, I'm gonna go out for a bit. Apparently, there should be a horde of Hoothoot in Viridian Forest. I'll be right back see ya bye!" Goh ran out of the room before Ash could speak. Normally, he would have gone with Goh to see him catch a new Pokémon, but this night, Ash was particularly tired. He yawned again and collapsed on his bed. Pikachu curled up on the foot of the bed and went to sleep.
Ash's eyes got heavier and heavier until he couldn't keep them up. Before he went to sleep, he heard...some sort of weird echo-like voice. " Find Them….Find Them…...hurry" ...
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises: Guest Building
When Ash remembered that weird voice, he suddenly got a splitting headache. "Aggghh!" Ash grunted as he went down to the floor. It felt like a ton of bricks were crashing on his skull or if his brain was starting to swell from the inside.
"Ash! Are you okay?!" Fennekin looked at the mouse Pokémon in horror. "Don't worry, I-I'll get help!" Right before she sprinted, Ash started getting back to his feet, whispering something. "find them…..find them….Find Them…" His speech got progressively louder until Fennekin was able to hear him. Ash opened his eyes, looking directly at the frightened fox Pokemon. "Find them."
Fennekin looked on with worry and confusion. "Find...who...and what happened there? You stood there motionless for nearly a minute..."
"I-I...I...don't know." Ash stuttered. "And-and I remember a little bit of what happened before I got here." Fennekin raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Ash explained what had happened the night before he turned into a Pikachu. As he was speaking, Fennekin concentrated intently, trying to gather as much information as she could. When he finished, Fennekin closed her eyes, trying to take it all in.
She opened them again and stared back at Ash. "I think I understand….that happened to me when I started to remember too…" Fennekin said. Ash nodded."...wait...you did too?" Ash said.
"Well the headache wasn't nearly as bad, but my head did hurt a bit…" Fennekin started. Ash started to connect the dots in his head. "...are you saying you were a human too?" Ash asked.
"Yes, I am...or was, I guess." Fennekin said, shifting to her side. "Before I say anymore….I want to ask you one more thing if that's okay." Fennekin asked Ash. She moved her ear, the blue ribbon waving in the air. "Do you remember this ribbon?" Ash looked at the blue ribbon. It was tattered and scorched, but somehow, it looked so familiar.
"It looks...familiar." Ash could've sworn he saw a ribbon like that before. "I think I had a ribbon like that...but I gave it to someone…." Ash looked at the ground in thought
Fennekin's heart started beating fast. "O-Oh. Who did you give it to?"
"I gave it to a...friend…" Ash looked again at the fox Pokémon with a confused face. Then, he had an epiphany. Ash gasped as he jumped back. "YOU'RE SE-"
There was a sudden rumble from the ground as a Drilbur popped up from the dirt. This caused both Ash and Fennekin to jump. "There you are Fennekin. The boss wants to interview the rookie. Send him there ASAP." The Drilbur dug back into the ground as Ash looked back at the Fennekin.
"I'm glad you remembered me on the first try this time, Ash." Serena said with a giggle. A smile crept up on Ash's face as he realized the Fennekin who saved him was his longtime friend. The mouse Pokémon ran up to the fox Pokémon and hugged her around the neck. "I'm happy to see you, Serena.". Ash let go looking back at Serena. "Are you okay? Your ears are puffing up smoke like a Koffing…"
Serena's face was bright red as smoke was indeed puffing out of her ears. Definitely one of her least favorite aspects as a Fennekin. "IT'S NOTHING! L-Lets go see E-Exploud!" Serena yanked Ash's tail with her teeth and pulled him out of the room.
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises: Exploud's Office
Exploud tapped on his desk, waiting for Fennekin and the weird Pikachu kid they found on the beach. He was starting to get impatient, even though he had only sent Drilbur about a minute ago. Sandile stood in front of the desk, also waiting for them.
He told Exploud about the Pikachu's weird name, but Exploud didn't really care about it much. If they're smart enough to fight and collect treasure, that's good enough for him. Fennekin was a nutcase...and a bit of a smart ass, but she's a fire type that can roast grass and ice types.
"If this kid is as good as Sandile said he was, water types would be no problem." Exploud thought. He took a folder out of his desk and laid it on the table. "Where are those two? The cafeteria isn't THAT far away…." Exploud's voice echoed in the room. Right on cue, Ash and Serena walked in. "Ah, Fennekin...and you…"
Serena nodded to Exploud as she walked to where Sandile was. They both moved to the side, leaving Ash in front of the desk. "I go by Pikachu, Exploud." Ash said. "Right. So I heard from Sandile that you did a pretty good job beating up a Buizel, right?" Exploud said calmly. Normally, he would yell at his employees, but first impressions and all that.
"Yes, I did!" Ash said proudly with a smile. Exploud laughed a hearty laugh. "Very good." He looked at Team Sandflame at the side.
"So, Pikachu, look at the two Pokémon on your right. Can you tell me something they have in common?" Exploud asked. Ash flinched at his naturally loud voice and looked at Serena and Sandile. Serena gave Ash a smile while Sandile squinted, sizing Ash up. "Hmm, well...ummm….they're both weak to water types?" "BINGO!" Boomed Exploud, startling everyone in the room and knocking Ash to the ground. "Team Sandflame is weak to water! But YOU are an electric type! And if your skills are true, then you will definitely be a useful addition!" explained Exploud.
Ash recovered and looked back at him. "Th-thank you, sir." Exploud lifted a chest from his side and put it on the table. "And...as a reward for your hard work…" Exploud opened the chest, revealing a huge amount of Poke coins. The sight caused Sandile's eyes to shimmer through his sunglasses and Serena started to get angry as she realized how little he pays her.
Ash wasn't the greedy type, but even he was impressed. "If you work for me AND impress me, you can live here. Bed, food, and some Poke for you to spend." Exploud said. "But if you disappoint me…" Exploud snapped the chest closed. "Then I'll put your sorry ass back on the beach where I found you!" Exploud put the chest back in the ground.
"So what do ya say? Treasure, family, and dreams await!" Said Exploud.
Ash knew he really didn't have a choice. They were the only ones who could lead him to his Pikachu. And while he was looking, a roof over his head would be nice. "If I join, can you guys help me find a friend of mind?" Asked Ash.
"Ah yes, Sandile told me about your friend. Every once in a while, we go on expeditions to faraway lands in search of treasure, among other things. If you do well on your test, I'll be sure to set a location that could be where your friend is. There's also a map in the waiting area if you want to travel on your own time." Exploud said. "But we're stretched thin with a strict schedule to boot, so until I get more info...and a monetary fee, I won't put resources into finding your friend".
"What? So you can't help me unless I give you money?! But what if he's in danger?!" Ash said angrily. Serena scowled at the loud noise Pokémon while Sandile stayed calm. "Sorry kid, but time is money and business is business. Do you want the offer or not?"Exploud said plainly. Ash was still irritated, but he settled down. "What sort of test?"
"I'm glad you asked. You two, come here for a bit." Exploud opened the folder and laid it on the ground so the others could see it. There was a paper with a picture of two Krabby and a Kingler. There was also a picture of a bag of apples. Ash, Serena, and Sandile looked at the picture.
"These ruffians have stolen Kecleon's stock of apples and Kecleon asked us to help. Unfortunately, Fennekin and Sandile are weak against water types. That's where YOU come in!" He said, pointing to Ash. "Take the folder! You'll need to know what they look like."
Ash closed and picked up the folder with his stubby hands. "Now then, you will lead team Sandflame in this mission and retrieve the stolen items as shown on the paper. The location is also shown. I think it's in...Sparkling Streams?" Ash looked down at his hands, only to see thin air where the folder once was. "That's right sir." Said Sandile, looking at the paper in the folder now right in front of him. Ash's face went from confusion to anger before it turned to horror. "SANDILE, GIVE IT BACK RIGHT THIS INSTANT!" Exploud bellowed, terrifying all of the Pokémon in the room. Sandile hastily picked up the folder with his mouth and gave it to Ash.
"This is Pikachu's test and he will lead the exploration! Sandile, do NOT take anything related to the mission without his permission! Understood!?" Exploud shouted.
"Y-Y-Yessir!" Sandile stood at high alert. Exploud turned to Ash. "Now then, after the mission is complete, all members will give a report of your performance as leader and team member, which I will consider in my own evaluation." Exploud looked at the group as a whole. It had potential. "Is everyone clear?" Exploud said
"Yessir Mr. Exploud!" Said Sandile.
"Loud...and clear." Said Serena, her fluffy ears still ringing.
Exploud looked at Ash as Ash looked back at him. Ash closed his eyes. "I need to find Pikachu, then find my way home...this seems like one step closer." Ash opened his eyes and smiled. "Okay. I'll do it!" Ash said, filled with determination.
"Just what I wanted to hear!" Said Exploud. "Sandile and Fennekin, send Pikachu here to the guest building. It's late and he has a big day tomorrow!" Said Exploud.
"You are hereby dismissed!"
Sapphire Town: Exploud Exploration Enterprises: Guest Building
"Well, you're almost in, despite my recommendation." Sandile said.
Ash had curled up on the mound of hay in the guest building as Serena and Sandile were about to leave to their own quarters."We'll talk about your…origins later. Get some rest, someone will come to wake you up in the morning." Sandile left the room. Serena rolled her eyes. " Not exactly a warm goodnight….but he's right. Someone will wake you up. So get some sleep, Ash." Serena started to walk out of the room.
"Wait, Serena...I wanted to ask you something." Ash asked. Serena stopped moving and turned around. "I wanted to ask, how did you get here?" "Hmm, well, it's a long stor-" Serena started, bust Ash yawned before she could complete her sentence. Serena sighed. "-long story. And it's late, so I'll explain it to you in the future." Serena turned around to leave. "Goodnight Ash, it's good to see you again."
As Serena left, Ash's eyes started to get heavy as he reflected on the day's events. To say he was surprised to see a friend of his turned into a Pokémon after he himself turned into a Pokémon, was an understatement. And a welcome one. He closed his eyes and thought of his adventures in Kalos. The distant memories of big dreams, team rocket schemes, and friendships that would last a lifetime. Memories that he kept close to his heart and sealed with a kiss. As he thought of those memories, he smiled.