@guest reviewer
I have plans for a few different Ash's, but having just gotten off of Trap Ash, I won't have much crossdressing or Serena love interest in the immediate future, though there are long term plans for something like your request. I'm glad you've enjoyed reading everything so far though."
I also realize I didn't address one point brought up by Farla yesterday, and that was Arceus's narration. It doesn't make sense yet, but I have reason as to why Arceus is doing some narration at the start, and that will come into realization later this year.
With that out of the way, onto the story!
"Just admit it. We're lost aren't we?" Cassie asked.
"No, we're not lost, I just need to see where we are." Ash said looking at a map. "And this is useless."
The map beneath Ash's hands on the stump was a map of the entire Kanto Region, rather than a map through Viridian Forest like he'd hoped it was.
"Pika?" Pikachu said, putting his front paws on the stump, also looking at the map.
"What do you think buddy?" Ash asked.
Pikachu touched the map, expecting something to happen, becoming bored when nothing did.
"Okay, so we came from that direction, so Pewter should be that way." Ash said pointing in the opposite directions. "I think."
"Hey Ash, what's that?" Cassie asked looking at the map.
"It's the map I've been looking at." Ash said, a bit annoyed.
"Top right corner, isn't that a compass." Cassie pointed out.
"I knew that." Ash said picking up the electronic map, and finding north for them. "See I told you it was this way."
"That is neither of the directions you pointed." Cassie reminded.
"Onward to adventure!" Ash said, ignoring the shade being thrown at him.
"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu said, sharing the enthusiasm of his trainer.
"I have a bad feeling this is going to become a common thing." Cassie said, rushing to catch up to them.
A bit later
"Cassie, look." Ash said pointing at a rustling bush.
"Look and be worried, or look in shock?" Cassie asked.
"I'm seeing my first battles of the day." Ash said.
"Battles, as in plural?" Cassie asked.
"Yeah, ready Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Pi Pika Pi!" Pikachu said excitedly.
"Alright Pikachu, use Thundershock!"
A spark of electricity shot through the bush, leaves scattering into the wind, as two Pokémon recovered from the attack. The Caterpie and Weedle recovered, sending off a dual String Shot, tying up Pikachu on the spot.
"Pikachu use Thundershock on yourself!"
Electricity sparked across Pikachu's fur, melting the silk slowly.
"It's getting away!" Cassie shouted, seeing the Caterpie scurry off.
"Not the one I'm worried about." Ash said, worrying. "Pikachu get out of there!"
Pikachu spun itself out of the webs only to be struck by Weedle's horn as it scurried after Caterpie.
"Ash, Pikachu isn't looking so well." Cassie said, seeing Pikachu whose breathing was heavy and still struggling under the silk.
"I've got you buddy." Ash said, flipping open his bag. "Here we are, this should help with I'm guessing the poison."
"Wow, it really doesn't have much in there." Cassie said, looking inside the bag.
"Medicine is expensive, and so was the bag. I was told Antidotes and Potions would be helpful for the forest, so I got a few just in case." Ash said, helping Pikachu drink the Antidote.
"How is he feeling?" Cassie asked.
"He'll feel better soon enough." Ash said. "We can set up camp here, and tomorrow we'll keep going towards Pewter."
That night
"Hey, feeling better now?" Ash said, seeing Pikachu beginning to recover finally.
"Pika." Pikachu said, his cry still a bit weak.
"Go on, get some rest, we'll try again tomorrow." Ash reassured, as Pikachu found a soft spot on the center of Ash's sleeping bag.
The next morning
"Okay, everything is all packed, and we're good to go." Ash said, putting away the last of the gear.
"Pi?" Pikachu said, his ears sticking up.
"What is it buddy?" Ash asked.
"Ash! Look out!" Cassie shouted as two Pokémon flew overhead, narrowly missing the group.
"What in the?!" Ash said from the ground.
'Butterfree, a bug and flying type, and the fully evolved form of Caterpie. Beedrill a bug and poison type, and the fully evolved form of Weedle.' Ash's Pokédex said.
"You can do that!" Ash said in shock.
"How did you not know that!" Cassie said hiding behind a tree.
"It didn't exactly come with an owner's manual!" Ash said. "Pikachu use Thunder Wave!"
Pikachu leapt onto a nearby rock, releasing a spiral of shocks at the two bugs. The Butterfree began descending, while the Beedrill dug one of its stingers into the ground before charging forward.
"Pikachu use Thundershock!"
With it's second stinger pointed straight out, Beedrill gave Pikachu a perfect target to hit, knocking the bug type of course down a nearby slope.
As the Beedrill tumbled down hill, the Butterfree managed to regain flight, heading straight for Pikachu.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" A new voice commanded.
A bolt of electricity shot outwards, scaring off the Butterfree.
"Woah." Ash said turning around. Standing next to a Pikachu twice the size of Ash's was a man with raggedy blonde hair, a trench coat, and clothes worn from adventuring.
"Sorry, it looked like you were in trouble." The man said.
"No kidding, your Pikachu was amazing!" Ash said.
"Just doing what we can." The man said. "Were there others?"
"A Beedrill went downhill." Ash said. "But I think we might have scared it off."
"Will you be able to make it out of the forest alright on your own?" The man asked, after double checking downhill.
"Yeah, I think as long as we stay on the path we should be fine." Ash said.
"Then let's have our paths cross again." The man said, walking towards Viridian with his Pikachu.
"Oh! I'm Ash by the way!" Ash shouted to the man. "Ash Ketchum! And one day I want to battle you and your Pikachu!"
"Lofty goals Ash Ketchum, keep it up, and we'll have that battle." The man said with a smile.
Ash and Pikachu watched their rescuers walk off, smiles on their faces.
"Next time, we'll be able to help him." Ash said. "Just look at the power of his Pikachu."
"Pika." Pikachu said in amazement.
"Oh no! Cassie!" Ash realized. "Cassie, are you out there!"
"Pika!" Pikachu called out.
"I got scared when the Beedrill flew by, sorry." Cassie admitted, rushing back.
"It's okay, I'm just glad you're safe." Ash said relieved. "You missed it, we were rescued by another trainer and their Pikachu."
"Did you get their name?" Cassie asked.
"No, I just hope I get to battle with him one day." Ash said. "Now come on, last one to Pewter City is a Rotten Exeggcute!"
"Hey! No fair! Your legs are longer than mine!" Cassie said chasing after her brother.
Authors Note
No character of the day today, every character in this chapter has more to be known about them, hence why I didn't start with Ash or Cassie, they'll get theirs later on.