"Ash?" Cassie said, rubbing her eyes. "You're back from your gym battle early, how'd it go?"
When Ash didn't respond at first Cassie realized what likely happened.
"Hey Ash, it happens, you'll try again and do better next time." Cassie said.
"I thought we were getting better, but we barely beat her first Pokemon." Ash said in frustration.
"Hey, you're getting better." Cassie said. "Think about your battle against Brock, you know a lot more now than you did then, and it would be a easier win."
"But I'm not sure training will be enough, I needed Pikachu's speed to outdo that Pokemon, and Oddish and Jigglypuff they just aren't." Ash groaned.
"Then find something else fast." Cassie said plainly.
"What?" Ash asked.
"Find something as fast or maybe even faster than Pikachu." Cassie said.
"Cassie, you're a genius!" Ash said, hugging her tightly.
"Let me down!" Cassie exclaimed through laughs.
"Sorry, sorry, how are you feeling by the way?" Ash asked.
"Better." Cassie said.
"Look, once Pikachu and the others are better, we'll all go and look for a new friend, okay." Ash said.
"Okay Ash." Cassie said with a smile.
The next morning
"Okay, we're looking for a fast Pokémon, preferably something like a flying or ice type to battle Erika's grass types." Ash said.
"Someone did some research." Cassie joked.
"This Pokédex gives a lot of information, I keep forgetting how useful it is." Ash said.
"Okay so flying or ice, anything else?" Cassie asked.
"Fire types were also recommended, but apparently they're harder to capture." Ash said.
Pikachu's ears picked up at the fire comment, he knew where a fire type had been, but how to get Ash over there? His hat! Pikachu grabbed Ash's hat and began sprinting across Celadon City.
"Pikachu? What in the? Get back here?!" Ash shouted chasing after his starter.
Point of view of Pikachu
"Okay take a left up here and, no not them again!" Pikachu exclaimed seeing the Cubone, Koffing and Meowth from before tormenting Ponyta.
"Hey get away from her!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Well look who it is boys, little yellow thinks he's a hero." The Meowth said.
"Not so tough without your friends, are ya?" Cubone taunted.
"Guh huh Guh huh!" Koffing agreed.
"He's not alone!" Oddish said, rushing up.
"We're here too!" Jigglypuff added.
"Pikachu, you can't run off like that!" Ash said.
Switching back to Ash's point of view
"Okay, stay calm and focused on the battle." Ash said, seeing the three Pokémon approaching his. "Pikachu use Thunderbolt on Koffing! Oddish use Absorb on Cubone! Jigglypuff use Pound of Meowth!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, sparks coming from his cheeks as he zapped the Koffing back with ease. The Cubone leapt with his bone slamming towards Oddish who managed to sidestep out of the way before beginning to drain its energy. Meanwhile Meowth and Jigglypuff were wrestling each other into submission.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Oddish use Acid! Jigglypuff use Disable!"
Pikachu slammed into the Koffing, sending it off into the distance, as Oddish unleashed an Acid attack, and Jigglypuff stopped Meowth where it stood.
"Po! Ny! Ta!" The wild Ponyta cried, slamming onto the ground, shooting off a small flame at Meowth and Cubone.
"You heard her Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
The blast of electricity sent Meowth into the air following Koffing.
"Ny." The Ponyta said charging forward kicking the Cubone in the same direction.
Switched perspective back to Pikachu
"Hey, remember us?" Pikachu asked happily.
"Is that your human?" Ponyta asked looking at Ash.
"Yeah, and he needs help, and I thought you'd like to join us." Pikachu said.
"I have to say I'm not a fan of this plan." Oddish pointed out.
"Come on, we're good friends!" Ponyta said happily.
"You tried to eat me!" Oddish argued.
"It's in the past, so what did you mean by joining you?" Ponyta asked.
"The local gym leader, she's tough, too tough for us alone." Pikachu said.
"I don't know, I'm not much of a fighter…". Ponyta said, trotting in place.
"Come on, believe in yourself more, you're tough." Jigglypuff said. "Besides us girls are outnumbered on this team right now."
"Is Oddish coming along?" Ponyta asked.
"Yeah, but I'm keeping an eye on you." Oddish said.
"It was one time." Ponyta said.
Back to the perspective of Ash again
"What do you think they're talking about?" Ash asked, seeing his Pokemon talking with Ponyta.
"I'm more curious how Pikachu led us to exactly what you were looking for." Cassie said.
"Don't question the gift, just enjoy it, and hope she'll join us." Ash said with a smile.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, motioning Ash over.
"Hey Pikachu, are you guys friends with this Ponyta?" Ash asked, walking up.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed happily.
"Well any friend of Pikachu's is a friend of mine, I'm Ash." Ash said, reaching out to let the Ponyta.
Ponyta eagerly put her muzzle beneath Ash's palm, nudging it gently.
"You sure are friendly, do you want to come with us?" Ash asked.
Ponyta lifted on to her hind legs letting out a whinny and a small flame.
"Well then, Pokeball, Go!" Ash exclaimed, before gently touching it to Ponyta, catching the fire type instantly. "Welcome to the family Ponyta."
Ash's team and their moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder Wave - Tail Whip
Oddish: Absorb - Sleep Powder - Stun Spore - Acid
Jigglypuff: Sing - Pound - Disable
Ponyta: Ember - Stomp