Dustin and Ash, we're now on their way to Viridian City, where they plan to make a stop there for the night. Eumpuress was following close to Dustin, now walking instead of riding on his shoulder or head.

But instead of following, Pikachu was being dragged by Ash, much to his refusal and annoyance. Dustin frowned, seeing how Ash was treating Pikachu."Tell me, Ash is this the right way to treat Pikachu?" He asked seriously.

The younger boy frowned before he turned to his Electric-type Pokemon partner."Pikachu, are you going to be like this the whole time?" Ash asked, hoping that Pikachu would give him a chance.

Pikachu only turned his head and scoffed.

Dustin looked at Ash briefly before Ash knelt down to the Electric Mouse level.

"Is it because you don't like me?" Ash asked him.

"Pika, Pika." Pikachu nodded in confirmation.

"Well, I like you a lot! And since you're my Pokemon, don't you think you could be a little nicer to me and just open your mouth and tell me what's wrong?" Ash asked.

At that comment, Pikachu opened his mouth wide.

"Uh, that's not exactly what he meant, Pikachu," Dustin stated.

"Meow.." Eumpuress said with a frown on her face.

"So, Pikachu...is your name the only thing you can say?" Ash questioned Pikachu further, earning a nod in response.

"Well then, you're just like all Pokemon, and you should act like one and get inside of the Pokeball, just like it says in the Pokedex," Ash told him before he turned the device on.

[While being trained, a Pokemon usually stays inside its Pokeball.]

"See?" Asha asked, showing the image to his partner Pokemon.

"...Well, they're actually a few exceptions, Ash, my friend," Dustin stated, opening up his Pokedex.

[However, there are many expectations. Some Pokemon hate being confined.] Dustin's Pokedex explained, making the Electric Mouse pokemon smile in satisfaction to see that one of the boys's understood his feelings.

"Okay then! This ought to make things better!" Ash smiled, untying the clothesline to give his partner a bit more freedom to move around.

"And I'll also get rid of these, too!"

Like the clothesline, the rubber gloves were taken off and put aside... though I wasn't sure that was the safest way to go at it, since with the gloves gone, Pikachu could shock him whenever he wanted now.

"How's that? Ash asked, pointing a finger at Pikachu as he attempted to make a friendly gesture. However...

"Pi!" Pikachu turned away once again, making it clear that he didn't accept the sign of friendship that my brother was offering to him.

"Still not good enough?"

"Pika, Pi!"

Dustin sighed while Eumpuress frowned, unsure how to help make Pikachu cooperate with Ash.

Just as Dustin was about to come up with an idea to get through to Pikachu, a chirp and little footsteps were heard, causing the two boys to see a familiar small bird Pokemon not too far away from them.

"Dustin... isn't that?"Ash started.

"Yes, Ash, that is a wild Pidgey," Dustin answered. Ash took out his Pokedex and scanned it.

Dustin did the same as well, scanning the little Flying Type.

[Pidgey, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Among all the Flying Pokemon, it is the gentlest and easiest to capture. A perfect target for the beginning Pokemon Trainer to test his Pokemon skills.] Ash's Pokédex buzzed.

"Well, it seems that we found the first captured for our journey...How about you go first," Dustin offered Ash, who nodded eagerly.

"Yeah! It's our lucky day! Pikachu, go get it!" Ash called to his partner.

"Chu..." Pikachu responded, giving a look of refusal as he turned his head away once again.

"Huh...? Aren't t you ever gonna listen to me?" Ash asked, sounding a little desperate now, only to get a response that affirmed that he refused to help.

"But why not?" Ash asked, but his question was unanswered, but this time, the Mouse Pokemon ran up to a tree before climbing up on a branch.

"It looks like you have a huge problem with your partner..." Dustin commented with a sigh.

"That's putting it mildly. He doesn't like me...he doesn't even want to listen to me... Why can't he be like Eumpuress?" He groaned in annoyance.

"Well, that partially because he's not used to you yet, and secondly, Eumpuress has been with me for three years now, remember? Of course, she is comfortable around me, Dustin remained Ash.

"Hey, if you want, you can borrow Eumpuress for this. After all...you'd need to battle the wild Pokemon to catch it," Dustin explained to Ash.

"No, don't worry, Dust! I can catch Pidgey with Eumpuress or Pikachu's help! Just watch!" Ash assured before he took out an emptyPokéball, allowing us to watch and see his first attempt at the capture.

"All right... I pledged to get all thePokémon in the world... Now I'm ready to take the next step to be the number onePokémon Master! Enjoy your last moments of freedom, Pidgey.. because you're mine!Pokéball, go!"

And just like that, he threw thePokéball at the Tiny BirdPokémon... causing it to hit it and capture it inside!

"I did it!" Ash exclaimed with a bright grin.

"I would hold that pretty hard. Take a closer look," Dustin reminded him, pointing at the shaking Pokeball.

That suddenly caught Ash's attention as they both watched to see if the capture would be a success... But unfortunately, it wasn't as Pidgey escaped from the ball!

"Aww... I blew it." Ash groaned in disbelief.

At the failure, they both could hear Pikachu laughing at Ash as if he was mocking him for failing... even after the big words he spilled out of his mouth.

Eumpuress gave the Mouse Pokemon a dirty look as Dustin let out a deep sigh as the Pokédex piped up, giving the details of what Ash should've done.

[To capture aPokémon, you usually have your ownPokémon battle with the other.] Ash's Pokédex explained, much to his annoyance.

Look, Ash, just use Eumpuress to help you catch Pidgey," Dustin said with a sigh.

"...Actually, I've got an idea," Ash exclaimed as he rushed over to his backpack... before taking out his pajama shirt that was still ruined from the Thunder Shock attack it took.

"Ash, don't do that. You need to use a Pokeball," Dustin explained."Eumpuress, help Ash out while I find myself a Pokemon to catch and keep him out of trouble."

"Meowth," Eumpuress cried out with a nod.

Dustin sighed as he started to see Ash try to attack k the Pidgey with Pajamas until Eumpuress stopped him by scratching his face.

'He going to need a lot of guidance if he is going to be a Pokemon master.' Dustin thought, walking away from Ash with his Pokeball from his father in his hand.

Suddenly he heard a rustling in the bushes when suddenly, a small canine Pokemon with a red-brown pelt with a cream color underbelly. As well as had large brown eyes, large pointed ears with dark brown insides, and a triangular dark brown nose. Its paws were slightly darker than the rest of its pelt and had light brown paw pads from the bushes. On top of it, the head was three curled locks of orange fur with bangs, and it had an orange tail with curled tips.

'Wow, a beautiful Vulpix.' Dustin thought, looking at the Vulpix.

"Alright, come on out, my mysterious friend!" Dustin said, throwing the Pokeball and sending out the Pokemon his father sent him, making his eyes widen in surprise as he saw what Pokemon came out of it.

To be continued...

Dustin's Team:

Pokemon On Hand:

Meowth: (F) [Eumpuress]

Mysterious gift Pokemon from Lance, his father

Word Count: 1292