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Chapter 1: A Journey Begins
"Honey!" A voice called out, ringing across the house. "Honey! Are you home?"
A boy woke up blearily, shoving his blanket above his face. Tousled blonde hair peeking out as he snuggled deeper into his bed. An alarm clock clicking softly by his side, reading 8:50.
The door to his room creaked open, an older woman with brown hair peeking into the room. Her face, while curious at first, quickly morphed into annoyance.
"Honey!" She threw the door open, startling the boy enough to fall off the bed, a loud yelp echoing from his throat as he slid down the blanket.
Dark brown eyes blinked tiredly, widening slightly at the look of his mother's face. Pursing his lips, he glanced around the room wearily, wincing at the sight of his clock before sheepishly grinning at her.
"M-Morning mom." He gulped, awkwardly waving at her.
"Don't morning me young man." She marched over, pulling him to his feet. "You were supposed to be at the Professor's lab thirty minutes ago!"
He groaned, pouting at her before walking over to his desk and pulling out a shirt and a pair of pants.
"Mom, I don't even want to go for a Pokemon journey." He pulled over his shirt, reaching for his pants. "Can't I just...stay at the restaurant with you?"
He turned to look at her, yelping when she shoved a pair of socks at him. She gave him a fond look, before a sigh was eventually let out. He ducked his head, silently putting on his socks, then shoes as she began to talk.
"Pikachu we talked about this." She waved a hand, motioning to the poster his father had given him years ago. "One year is all we ask, as much as I want you to help me with the restaurant, I also don't want to stop you from finding new avenues. Maybe you'll like the trainer gig, and if not there are plenty of jobs out there that I have no doubt you'd enjoy."
"But I don't even like Pokemon, how the heck am I supposed to raise a Pokemon if I don't even want one!" Pikachu looked at her incredulously, blowing blonde hair away from his face.
She huffed a laugh, handing him his backpack.
"You'll figure it out, I know my baby boy wouldn't do anything to harm his pokemon on purpose." She pulled him close, giving him a pack against his forehead. "Now head over to the lab and I'll meet you there in about ten minutes alright?"
He shouldered his backpack, pouting slightly but nodding his head regardless.
"Alright Mama, I'll see you there." Pikachu let out a heavy sigh, walking downstairs and out the door without a look back.
It didn't take long to get to the Professor's lab, but by then the other three beginning trainers were walking down the stairs.
Pikachu scowled, eyes hardening at the sight of them. Blowing out a harsh breath, he opted to ignore the trio as he walked upstairs, it didn't do much for him.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't little bitty Pikachu." An arrogant voice called out, followed by quiet laughter.
He rolled his eyes, letting out another heavy sigh before turning to the obnoxious kid standing before him.
He looked absolutely ridiculous; a purple long sleeved shirt, some ridiculous tight dark blue jeans and some casual converse.
While Pikachu couldn't say much, even he was more prepared for traveling than the idiot.
"What the hell do you want Gary," He sneered, already debating on leaving.
Gary sneered back, tossing a pokeball up and down as he walked closer to Pikachu.
"Well you see since you're here." He tossed his pokeball up. "How bout a battle, against the worlds soon to be strongest trainer and the worlds lamest being ever."
Pikachu snarled, teeth gnashing.
"I don't even have a Pokemon yet you prick." his fist shook in his grasp as he resisted the urge to punch the brunette.
"Well you are Pikachu, I just figured you'd want a good fight is all, maybe I can catch my first pokemon now." Gary stepped closer, knocking his shoulder harshly against Pikachu's and nearly knocking the blonde boy down. "But how lame, who in the world would want a Pikachu of all pokemon."
The boy continued walking, even as Pikachu felt the hot rush of shame color his face. He huffed angrily, flicking up the collar to his jacket before stomping up the stairs.
"What an idiot," he growled out, wiping away nonexistent tears.
He continued his trek up, stopping at the lab door. He felt a flurry of Butterfree's swarm across his stomach, before he slowly knocked on the door.
Don't open the door, don't open the door, don't open the-
"Pikachu my boy! What a surprise to see you," came a dry sarcastic tone as the door swung open.
DAMN IT!
Pikachu looked up, staring into the eyes of an older man, whose entire posture screamed exhaustion. And if that didn't, the pink slippers he wore, sure did. The professor was giving him a disappointed stare, which had him squirming in his shoes.
"Good Morning, Professor Oak." He waved his hand slowly. "How are you this fine morning?"
"You're late." Oak sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Pikachu, I understand that this isn't your ideal situation, but you still need to arrive on time."
"Sorry professor." He ducked his head, looking at the floor.
"Get inside, Pikachu." The older man stepped back, his arms waving as he pushed the door open.
Pikachu walked in with his head hung low, wincing as the door swung closed behind him. The professor walked up beside him, leading him to a display of three pokeballs. Already, he knew something wasn't right.
"Go ahead and choose your Pokemon Pikachu." Professor Oak waved a hand towards the display. "As you should know, you have the choice of a fire, water or grass starter."
"I'll pick Charmander." Pikachu murmured, "Fire is always good."
But as he reached over to open the pokeball, it sprung open.
It was a Novelty Ball.
He felt his stomach churn unpleasantly, as a quick glance to Oak told him everything.
"Charmander was given to a trainer who arrived early." The man sounded nonchalant, picking up the Novelty pokeball and clicking it closed, before tossing it over his shoulder.
"Squirtle? Bulbasaur?" He picked up both of them, they opened instantly, empty like Charmander's.
"Both of them, also, given to trainers who arrived on time," Oak sighed, walking forward to place a hand on his shoulder.
He let both of the novelty pokeballs fall to the floor.
While he didn't care for starting his own journey, did the Professor have to be so mean about it?
"Couldn't you have told me, they were just gone? Did you really have to set that up?" Pikachu looked away, glaring at the floor.
"I do this every year to every trainer who is late." Oak waved a hand. "it's to show you that life is full of disappointments and being a trainer isn't going to change that. You need to be firm in everything you do, and all the choices you make. One mistake, like waking up late, can lead to opportunities lost and eventual disappointment."
Pikachu flinched, glancing up at the Professor, who sighed again and clicked a button. The pedestal of the three pokeballs pulled apart, a single pokeball rising up.
"Here is your starter." He waved a hand at the nondescript pokeball. "A professor from another region gave him to me so the last trainer could have a pokemon. Raise it well."
Pikachu turned to glance at the professor, who was sorting through some papers just a bit away from them.
He let in a breathe, reaching over and plucking the pokeball off the pedestal. Already, he could tell that it was a real pokeball, the cool metallic rim chilling his fingers through his glove. The pokeball in all seemed heavier, and if Pikachu focused enough he could feel something shift within the ball.
He clicked the middle button. Sure enough, the pokeball flew open with ease, a red beam shot out as a small shape beginning to take form.
It was...
A Pikachu…
Pikachu felt his whole resolve fall, eyes wide as disbelief coiled in his chest.
Out of all the Pokemon he could have gotten, Professor Oak decided to be a smart ass and give him a Pikachu. As if his name and blonde hair wasn't enough, now he had the actual Pokemon as a starter.
The small creature blinked slowly, shaking it's head and chirping slightly. It looked odd for a Pikachu with dark – near black – fur shining off the light of the lab, odd tufts sticking out around its head and a single tuft in the middle of its forehead. Its cheek pouches a bright shade of blue, while long ears tipped with white. There were odd Z marks on its cheek pouches, but Pikachu was drawn in by warm amber eyes.
The Pikachu, whether it noticed him or not, rounded its body in full one-eighty, glancing around the room in amazement. Pikachu could finally see the flat edge of the Pikachu's tail, and the two purple stripes that lined its (his) back.
"Pika~" He cooed, glancing around the room in amazement.
And his eyes landed on Pikachu.
Pikachu hadn't met many Pokemon, and the few Pokemon he did see were never so...perky.
But the mouse pokemon perked up at him, shrilling in delight as he pounced towards Pikachu. The boy stepped back, but the dark mouse didn't seem to care as he began to purr, rubbing himself against Pikachu's pant leg.
"Oh dear-" Professor Oak popped up immediately, picking up the odd colored pokemon.
Pikachu glared at him, eyes twitching.
"I know I was late but really?" He crossed his arms over his chest, cheeks puffing out almost comically. "A Pikachu, you had to take the shot? I think I'd rather wait for next week..."
"Pikachu, my boy, this isn't your starter," Oak sighed, rubbing his face slightly. "My assistant must have confused the pokeballs, this Pikachu here is my recent study."
The man walked away towards a long metal table, ignoring the squirming pikachu in his grasp. Pikachu followed behind him silently, still mad but easing up.
"Your starter, is a starter from another region, I'm unsure how the pokeballs were mixed." He placed the black pikachu down, shooting the pokemon a look when the mouse shuffled closer to Pikachu. "I placed the other pokeball over here, let me grab it."
He nodded, allowing the professor to the nearest cabinet as he rummaged through papers and items. Pikachu tried to distract himself, glancing around the room and humming slightly. He could wait a few more minutes for his real starter, and not some cruel joke to his own-
"Pikachu?" He snapped his head towards the source of the noise, the tiny black Pikachu staring at him with wide brown eyes.
The Pikachu sat on his hind legs, waving and curling a paw at him, and it took a second for the new trainer to realize that the Pikachu was waving hello.
"Professor, why does Pikachu look like that?" He raised a brow, cautiously waving back.
"Pika!" the Pikachu cheered, jumping in a tight circle before facing Pikachu once more, his zigzag shaped tail wagging in excitement.
"Ah, I have speculations, but the reason he looks like that is the basis of him being a shiny." The professor walked forward with another pokeball in hand, giving Pikachu a look when the boy clenched his fist. "As for the tufts on his head, most Pokemon like Pikachu tend to have extra fur they shape to identify themselves."
"Aren't shiny Pikachu's a more golden color?" The Professor stepped back, looking at both Pikachu and the...Pikachu.
"Most notably yes, but there is also no guarantee that shiny pokemon stay in one constant color, it's just one of the few documented." Oak raised an eye as the Pikachu glanced at both humans. "However, you'll be able to read all about the anomalies of this Pikachu once I have written a few of my studies, for now here is your starter."
Pikachu smiled, relief flowing through his body as he reached out for the pokeball.
Except he couldn't grab it.
The odd Pikachu jumped up and latched onto his arm, hissing at Oak and swatting at the pokeball. Pikachu stumbled back, the Pokemon not letting go even as he silently freaked out.
Professor Oak's eyebrows raised in surprise, but instead of doing anything, he pocketed the pokeball and watched the odd Pikachu calm considerably.
"Fascinating," He whispered as the pokemon hopped onto the floor and next to Pikachu's leg. "Pikachu, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this Pikachu has chosen you as his trainer."
"Pika!" The Pikachu announced happily, grinning at Pikachu.
And like that, Pikachu felt as if the world was swept beneath his feet.
"I know this isn't ideal, but I can't do anything about it." He stepped forward, patting Pikachu on the arm. "If this Pikachu decides to follow you out of the lab while you have a starter the league will either deem it, me giving you two starter pokemon, or the officers will assume you are stealing them both. I can't give you both Pokemon either as it is against the rules for me to give you two Pokemon at your starting journey."
"But I thought he was your research subject, I can't-"
"Even if he was, Pikachu, he simply will not stay without you here." The professor sighed, looking up. "I'm very sorry for this, but I have no say in this matter, it'd be cruel of me to deny the Pokemon its trainer, and to be fair, you did choose him as a starter, even if it was a series of unfortunate circumstances."
Pikachu stared wide-eyed at the professor, angrily clicking his jaw shut. The professor stayed silent, instead, holding out a pokedex to him.
"This is your pokedex, you can use it to scan pokemon," The man said, almost quietly. "I wish you luck in your journey."
"Fine!" He snarled, swiping the Pikachu's pokeball and his pokedex before turning and storming out.
Pikachu didn't bother waiting to see if his starter would follow, stomping down the stairs and clutching the pokeball tight in his grasp. His anger simmered slightly, as he saw his mom standing there with a banner held high.
"Hi Mom," he greeted, smiling weakly at her.
"Oh sweetie what's the matter?" She placed a hand on his cheek. "Where's your starter?"
"Pikachu!" The two glanced down at the black Pikachu cheerily smiling at them, tail wagging.
"A..." His mom's hand flew to her mouth in shock and surprise.
"Yeah..." He sighed, holding out his pokeball to recall the Pikachu.
Except the mouse danced out of the way, screeching in delight as he dodged all the beams of light. His mother hummed.
"Well, either I'm killing your father or Professor Oak." She leaned down to coo at his pokemon. "But he doesn't seem like a bad Pokemon either, Just promise you'll try?"
"I will Ma." He chuckled, watching her step back.
"Good luck dear, promise me you'll call?" She turned to look at him, holding her arms out for a hug.
"I will." He reached over to hug her. "I promise."
"Pikachu?" he leaned back with a frustrated groan, face pinching in anger.
"Alright, I guess I'm off, come on mouse." The Pikachu perked up, glancing around before following close behind.
Pikachu found out rather quickly that the pokemon loved to crawl around, already losing him twice before they even hit the first route. Without a thought, he called the mouse forward and wrapped a laundry line around his waist, dragging the pokemon back before he could sprint off somewhere new.
He quickly debated on catching a Pokemon. A quick glance at Pikachu told them that he didn't really want another, not with the mouse nearby…
He quickly came upon a more open clearing, there didn't seem to be many, if any, Pokemon around so he figured resting there for a quick moment wouldn't hurt.
"Alright mouse," He let his bag hit the floor, crouching to untie the laundry line. "I want you to stay right here, and I'll be right over there, okay?"
He vaguely pointed to the other side of the road, directly across from the black Pikachu. The mouse peeked over, seemingly judging the distance before nodding enthusiastically. The mouse plopped down without command, wiggling his bottom paws as he sat there ready to wait. Pikachu gave the mouse an odd look, before huffing and turning away, dragging his bag to the other corner of the road, back facing his starter as he dug through his essentials.
He really wasn't hungry but opted to eat a small nutrient bar before digging around a bit more. There was some generic pokemon food he was sure the mouse could eat. Right before he could drag it out he heard a small yelp of pain.
Turning quickly, the mouse was covering his head, still sitting as a Spearow pecked at him. Cawing almost obnoxiously as the mouse cried in pain.
"You dumb mouse!" he called out, startling both pokemon as he stood up. "Use a move and get rid of it!"
The Spearow screeched in anger, flying a bit higher and continuing its assault on the black pokemon. The Pikachu on the other hand, looked at him with wide eyes, eyes searching the ground before he screeched, fur puffing up dramatically.
Except, instead of electricity, out came a blue wave that sent Spearow careening back. The Pokemon didn't even look injured, just disgruntled as it righted itself midair.
"Oh sh- mouse get over here!" Pikachu cried, packing up everything he had.
"SPEAROW!" came a deafening screech, forcing both Pokemon and human to cover their ears in agony.
Despite the ringing in his ears, Pikachu could hear the faint return calls, glancing around in horror as more Spearow began to pop up everywhere. With a heavy heart, he stepped back, little by little before he was running away in a dead sprint, his starter on his heels as the birds screeched at them.
Except the mouse was a step behind him.
"Hurry it up!" Pikachu shrieked, yelping when a sharp beak dug into his arm. "Come on you dumb mouse, run faster!"
"Pika!" the mouse yelped, panting heavily before glancing back.
Pikachu made the mistake of following, blanching instantly at the swarm closing in on them. If they caught up…
"PIKA!" He turned to the mouse, a scream echoing out of his throat as the small pokemon rammed into his stomach, sending them both careening off the side.
Instead of the harsh cold ground to crash into, they kept falling.
"Kachu!" He turned to the Pikachu, who comically took a deep breath and held it in. In his panic, Pikachu followed along, screwing his eyes shut.
And his back hit the water.
The force enough nearly made him scream, but the water quickly surrounding his face made him hold it in. it was painful, and now both his back and stomach ached in pain.
He figured he was in a stream, as soon enough he felt them both be dragged along with the current, too in shock to even try to swim to the surface. He could feel his pokemons tiny paws hold onto his shirt for dear life, still clinging even after Pikachu wrapped his arms around him.
Something clung to his shirt, pinching his skin and stopping him from flowing with the current. Pikachu gasped, mouth opening wide before a rush of water entered his lungs. He tried coughing, but being under water did him no favors.
The tugging became stronger, yanking him up and out of the stream.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" a girl's voice echoed around the clearing.
Pikachu didn't bother to answer, tears rushing to his eyes as he scrambled to his knees to cough of the water in his lungs. He let out a tiny sob, holding his throat before turning.
His mouse, his dumb mouse, where was-
His Pikachu wasn't too far off the side, on his stomach and spitting up too much water for an electric type. The mouse was shaking, and wheezing heavily, his breathing slowing down as the water drained out of his stomach.
"YOU DUMB MOUSE," He shouted, fear gripping at his throat as he scrambled to his starter.
A girl stepped in front of him, glaring furiously. She had tan skin, ginger hair a beacon to the eyes. She growled, almost daring him to come closer but he easily shoved her away. He landed right beside his starter, picking him up gently and sobbing. He may not have liked Pokemon, or his starter, but he never wanted this to happen.
Pikachu quickly stands up, ignoring his shaky legs as he glances quickly around the area. Finally he spotted the girl from before, who was holding a pokeball up at him for some reason or another.
"You!" he barked, startling her enough that she nearly dropped her pokeball. "Where's the nearest Pokemon center?!"
She looks at him cautiously, glancing at him up and down.
"I don't have time for this lady!" He screeches, stomping his foot down. "MY STARTER IS HURT PLEASE JUST TELL ME WHERE!"
She stepped back in shock and points behind him, silent at first.
"Head that way, there's a road that will take you to the Pokecenter." She dropped her hand. "But the walk is about 3 hours."
Another sob of disbelief bubbled in his throat as he glanced around wildly. He had no intention of walking; he was going to sprint there if his life depended on it. But he saw a bike leaning against a tree, almost unnoticeable in the shade but now…
He rushed over, placing his Pikachu in the basket as he hopped on without a thought.
"I'M BORROWING THIS!" He kicked off the stand and began to peddle, ignoring shaky legs as he picked up speed.
He also ignored her shrieks of rage as he got further and further away from the stream.
Pikachu peddled fast until he heard the unmistakable caws of the birds he thought they ditched. Glancing back, he could see the swarm of Spearow still following them, intending on catching up.
With another obstacle rising, Pikachu peddled even harder than before, standing up to gain some sort of traction.
It didn't help when the road curved to a tall hill. He huffed, shrieking as beaks and talons attacked his arms and legs, one Spearow going so far as to peck him on the head. He reached the top of the hill, not bothering to rest as he launched both of them down, keeping a hand over his mouth as he struggled to keep in line with the road as they sped down the hill.
"SPEAROW!"
He turned back, just in time to see a Spearow flapping its wings harshly.
A strong gust of wind followed, knocking the bike up and throwing them down the rest of the way to the bottom of the hill.
Pikachu hissed in pain, tucking his head before he slammed stomach first into the ground. The previously forgotten pain in his stomach tripling.
He laid there wheezing slightly before scrambling up, reaching for his starter as rain began to drizzle from above.
"You stupid dumb mouse." Pikachu huffed uneasily, watching as his starter blearily opened his amber eyes. "I can't...you're gonna be fine okay?"
He glanced up, watching as the Spearows crowed obnoxiously, already circling the area and ready to dive down.
That...that would kill them.
Tears welled up in the corner of his eyes, but he blinked back tears and laid his backpack over his pokemon.
The black pokemon perked up, half-lidded eyes looking at him curiously.
"Just stay under my bag, and hopefully they'll forget you're here." Pikachu reached over, stroking his Pokemon's cheek, trying to ignore the soft coo that followed. "I'm gonna...I'm gonna save you."
The Pikachu's eyes widened, perking up as Pikachu stood up and backed away, turning to face the Spearows with his shoulders set and chin held high. He took a step forward, stretching his arms out to protect his Pokemon, for the first, and probably last time as well.
The Spearow flapped their wings, staying in place as their cawing died down. Pikachu could almost feel the murderous glee echoing their bodies.
"LISTEN HERE SPEAROW," He screamed, forcing all of his strength and confidence into his voice. "I DIDN'T COME HERE TO BE A TRAINER, I DIDN'T CROSS PATHS WITH YOU CAUSE I WANTED TO BE ONE. BUT YOU HURT MY DUMB POKEMON. AND WHILE I DIDN'T EVEN WANT HIM AT FIRST, HE'S MINE NOW."
He paused, breathing heavily. His arms and legs began to shake, whether it be from the pain or the fear he felt, he couldn't tell.
"YOU HURT MY POKEMON," They were growing impatient, flying up a little higher to dive at him. "AND I WON'T LET YOU DO IT ANYMORE!"
Like a switch they screeched as one, the Spearow flying down ready to maim. Talons were brought out as they closed in, ignoring the pounding of the rain which was falling heavier with every second.
Pikachu didn't break out of his stance, simply closing his eyes and waiting for the inevitable.
That is, until he felt a small body crawl up his back.
His eyes snapped open, mouth dropping in shock as his Pikachu crawled to the corner of his arm and jumped, launching himself towards the incoming Spearow.
"PIKA!" The mouse screamed, a blue energy forming around his body, building up as the Spearow flew towards him.
Pikachu flinched when a flash of lightning crashed down, eyes wide in disbelief as the electricity crackled against his starter. The bright flash of yellow was overtaken quickly by blue, Pikachu in the dead center.
"PIKACHU!" the mouse screamed, a furious electric blue shooting out and hitting every Spearow near him.
The force of the electric type move sent Pikachu flying back, slamming him onto the ground again. The pain became unbearable, and before he knew it he was unconscious.
When Pikachu awoke, he couldn't tell how much time passed, only that the rain had stopped and he could feel the warmth of the sun hitting his arms. He blinked slowly, everything becoming sluggish.
Beside him laid his starter, who also seemed to be waking up. Bruises and scratches littered his tiny body, but the mouse managed a smile.
"Chu~." the mouse squeaked, wiggling his arms slightly.
Pikachu let out a small huff of laughter, closing his eyes for a second.
Somehow...someway they were fine.
"You know...for a dumb mouse," Pikachu reached over, rubbing the mouse's blue cheek. "I'm glad you're my friend.."
"Chaa." the mouse cooed, letting his head rest on the ground, closing his eyes.
Pikachu rose unsteadily, swaying heavily as he tried to gain his balance. He picked up his mouse first, glancing around before eventually grabbing his bag, swinging it until it rested on his back. He winced as his bag slammed against his back, reminding him of the bruise he had.
With another glance around, he found the road, already able to tell which direction he was supposed to head to.
He glanced around one more time, ignoring the twitching Spearow.
"Thank you," He whispered to his friend, giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
The mouse giggled, smiling at him.
There was a caw above them, almost majestic in it's cry. Regardless both froze, glancing around before looking up.
There was a golden bird flying overhead, too far to really make out what it was supposed to be. As it flew, it left a rainbow trail for all to see.
Pikachu wordlessly dug out for his pokedex, opening it and pointing it at the flying bird.
"Some Pokemon have yet to be discovered." the pokedex beeped, so with a shrug Pikachu carelessly let it fall back in his pocket.
"Alright bud." He whispered, walking towards the road. "To the Pokecenter."
His Pikachu cheered quietly, snuggling into his arms but staying awake.
He smiled down, rubbing the back of his Pokemon's ear. He felt something odd, pulling back and finding soot on his hand. With a glance down, he blinked slowly.
"Hey buddy, how do you like the name Ash?"
Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for reading this. I've been stuck on this AU for awhile! and another but im not sure if i'll post that one.
anyways, once again thanks for reading, and with that-
-Maiden Out.