It was the morning that Ash and Dawn, two childhood friends of Pallet Town, would get their starter Pokemon. Dawn was pretty excited to begin her Pokemon journey and become a Top Coordinator. The young girl of fifteen had already prepared herself a suitcase full of clothing to wear in addition to her main outfit. After finishing her breakfast, Dawn decided that it was time for her to head to Professor Oak's lab.
"Bye mom! I'm going to go get my starter Pokemon! I may not be able to start Contests in Kanto yet, but I can at least fulfill my promise to Ash and try out a Gym Battle or two," Dawn said proudly as she prepared to roll out her suitcase.
"Hold on, Dawn. What do you got in that suitcase there?" Dawn's mother questioned as she opened it up and saw how much clothing Dawn had packed. "Realy, Dawn? You have this much clothing packed? You do know that your Pokemon journey is about becoming a Trainer, right?"
"Yes, I do mom. Oh, and I also have jewelry and face stuff too," Dawn said.
"Look, when you're on a journey you should only pack the essentials. That means you don't need an entire closet full of clothes," Dawn's mom said as she quickly prepared a backpack for her daughter. "This should be plenty for you, Dawn."
"Aw man. Aw well. I guess I can try and make do with this stuff. So, can I leave now, mom?" Dawn asked.
"Not yet. Before you go, I want you to have something," Dawn's mother replied as she got out an old orange Contest ribbon. "Take it for good luck."
"Wait, isn't this your first Contest ribbon?" Dawn was surprised to see that her mom was handing it over.
"Indeed it is. I hope that it inspires you just like it did for me. Dawn, I hope you and Ash have a safe journey. Take care," Dawn's mom said goodbye.
"No need to worry, mom! You'll have yourself a Top Coordinator on your hands soon enough!" Dawn said as she got on her bike and rode off to Professor Oak's.
"Oh boy. When Dawn tells me not to worry is when I worry the most," Dawn's mother said to her partner Pokemon Glameow.
It was a fast and easy trip for Dawn. She had been to Professor Oak's with Ash multiple times in the past to learn about Pokemon and to visit the Professor. Dawn couldn't help but feel excited upon thinking about getting her first Pokemon and closest partner.
Dawn made it to the Professor's home just in time to receive her first Pokemon. However, much to her surprise, she saw that there was a lone Turtwig on the desk eating Pokemon food where the starter Pokemon were supposed to be. "That's strange. I thought that Professor Oak only had Kanto starters. Also, I'm pretty sure there were supposed to be more than just Turtwig."
Suddenly, Professor Oak entered the room and was surprised to see Dawn. "Oh my! It's good to see you Dawn, but I'm afraid you came at a bad time. You see, I had managed to obtain some starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan back in the Sinnoh region, seeing as how you were originally from there. However, the Piplup got mad at the Chimchar and attacked him. The two then escaped through a broken window. I don't know where they ended up, but hopefully they didn't get too far."
Dawn stood there for a good moment, thinking over what she heard. She was disappointed that she may have to wait to get herself a starter Pokemon. However, she also didn't want to just stand there and do nothing. "Professor, I would like to go and look for the missing Piplup and Chimchar. They are my potential partners after all and I'd prefer to do something rather than sit down and do nothing."
"Really, my dear? Are you sure?" Professor Oak asked concerned.
"I'm positive. After all, being a Trainer requires hard work and this is just one such trial that hard work will require me to overcome," Dawn confirmed.
"Well, alright young lady. Just remember to get at eye level when you find and talk to them. They're more likely to listen to you if you do so," Professor Oak reminded Dawn.
"No need to worry! I'll bring those two back in no time!" Dawn said eagerly.
Dawn started off looking around the laboratory, hoping to find one of the two starters still on the premises. At first, she had no luck. However, just as she was about to give up hope she found the Piplup angrily attacking the mocking Chimchar with his Bubble Beam attack right outside of the Professor's property. "Hey! Stop doing that right now!" Dawn tried to grab Piplup while crouching down to eye level like Oak said, only to be pecked at by the fussy Penguin Pokemon. "What's your deal, anyway?! Why are you making such a fuss? After all, you're the one out here attacking the starter Chimchar for what appears to be no reason!"
Suddenly, Piplup's stomach started growling from hunger. "Oh, I get why you're acting this way now. You're hungry, aren't you. Well lucky for you, I happen to have a case of Pokemon food that you can eat from. Dig in," Dawn said as she got out the case and put the food into her hand. However, instead of accepting it, Piplup pridefully declined the food in spite of his hunger. "Hey, what do you mean no?! I paid good money to get some delicious Pokemon food, you know!" Dawn yelled.
All of a sudden, the nearby bushes started to rustle. Piplup, believing it to be Chimchar, shot out another torrent of Bubble Beam. However, instead of seeing Chimchar come out of the bushes the duo saw an angry Ariados, much to both of their fear. Picking up Piplup, Dawn was quick to run away from the angry Bug-type. Eventually, however, the duo reached a lake where many more Ariados were at, all looking mad and hungry.
"This looks bad! Wait a minute! I know what to do! I'll throw the Pokemon food as bait and we can run while they're distracted. Hey, Ariados! Catch!" Dawn grabbed the Pokemon food and threw most of it to hopefully distract the Ariados. Thankfully, the spiders were drawn in by the food and began to eat. While they were distracted, Dawn and Piplup tried to run away. However, one Ariados sent out a String Shot to bind Dawn's legs. "Oh no! Piplup, just run and forget about me! I'll find a way out of this!"
Piplup, rather than leave the girl to her fate, stood in front of Dawn protectively. The Ariados, done with the Pokemon food, turned back to the duo and shot Sludge Bombs and Poison Stings at them, with a glowing Piplup absorbing the blows. Eventually, Piplup sent out a glowing white beam at the Ariados, finally scaring them away as they were heavily damaged by the Bide attack.
"Thank you, Piplup. So, that was the move Bide then. It sure was powerful, I must say," Dawn said in awe as Piplup fell to the ground exhausted. "Oh my! Piplup, are you okay?" Dawn asked in concern as Piplup nodded before his stomach growled again. "Uh oh. Looks like you're still hungry. Here you go," Dawn said as she opened her Pokemon food container, to find that it was nearly empty. "Aw man. Looks like this is all that's left," Dawn said a bit glumly, though Piplup decided to eat the food, regardless of pride.
At that moment, Professor Oak arrived, holding Chimchar in his arms. "Well, Dawn, it's nice to see that you were able to find Piplup. Are you both doing okay?" Professor Oak asked the young Coordinator to be.
"I think so. Piplup needs to rest a bit, but other than that I think we're fine. So, what are you doing out here Professor?" Dawn answered.
"Well, I decided that you could use some help, so I came out here to assist you in finding the missing starters. While I was out, I managed to find Chimchar. Hopefully this little guy won't be running off anywhere anytime soon. Anyways, let's get back to the lab," Professor Oak said as the duo and the Pokemon walked on back to the lab.
"Now, Dawn, here are your Pokedex and Pokeballs. I understand that you're going to become a Coordinator, right?" Professor Oak asked the young teen.
"Right! Though I have promised to try out a Gym Battle or two due to Ash asking me to try them," Dawn explained to the Professor.
"Well, regardless of which path you choose to take, I hope you and your starter have fun! Speaking of which, you still need to pick one. Will it be Turtwig the Grass-type, Chimchar the Fire-type, or Piplup the Water-type?" Professor Oak asked Dawn as the three Pokemon posed happily.
"That's easy! I choose Piplup!" Dawn chose much to Piplup's joy and Chimchar's surprise.
"Excellent choice! Now, here is Piplup's Pokeball. I hope you and Piplup have a fun and safe journey with your friend Ash," Professor Oak wished them luck.
"Oh, don't worry! We will!" Dawn yelled as she recalled Piplup and went outside to wait for Ash.
"Ah man! I can't believe I slept in! Now, which Pokemon should I choose? Bulbasaur? Charmander? Squirtle? Oh, it doesn't matter! So long as I get to pick one!" Ash was freaking out as he ran to Professor Oak's lab in his pajamas, not having had the time to change.
When Ash arrived at the lab, he saw that there was a teen around his age outside wearing blue and with brown hair holding a Pokeball. Not only that, but a large crowd of people outside as well, including Dawn.
"Dawn! It's nice to see you! So, did you get to choose your first Pokemon yet?" Ash asked curiously.
"Oh, I did. Come on out, Piplup!" Dawn cried out as she threw her Pokeball and had her starter leave his Pokeball with a cute pose.
"Wow! You got a Sinnoh starter then? That's cool! Wait, I thought that Professor Oak was only going to give out Kanto starter Pokemon," Ash was amazed.
"Well, since I was from the Sinnoh region originally, Professor Oak decided to let me choose a Sinnoh starter and after having a short adventure with Piplup, well the choice was obvious! Hold on, though. Ash, why are you in your pajamas?" Dawn asked, confused.
"I slept in and didn't have time to change," Ash said sheepishly. "Aw well, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we both get our starters and start our Pokemon journeys. I just need to pick mine and we can get going!"
"Well, you may have to wait a bit longer. Gary just finished getting his starter right now," Dawn revealed as Ash turned to the crowd cheering and saw Gary starting to leave the lab with a Pokeball in his hand.
"Thank you all, people of Pallet Town! By the next time you'll be seeing me, I will have become a master Pokemon Trainer and have won the Indigo Plateau Conference!" Gary said as he walked to leave for his journey. However, as he wasn't immediately looking where he was going, he bumped into Ash and Dawn. "Hey, watch where you're going!" Gary cried out annoyed until he saw who he bumped into. "Oh, if it isn't Ashey boy and Dewey! It's nice to see you two made it!" Gary teased the duo.
"We've been over this, Gary! It's Ash and Dawn!" Dawn yelled, angry at the fact her name wasn't remembered by the teen.
"Whatever. Anyways, you don't have to worry about bringing glory to Pallet Town. After all, I've already gotten the best Pokemon and, with their help, I'll be winning the Indigo Plateau!" Gary gloated, much to the anger of both Ash and Dawn.
Still, in spite of Ash's anger, he was still curious as to which Pokemon Gary got. "So, Gary? Which of the three starters did you pick?"
"I'm not gonna tell you, Ashey boy! After all, you didn't get here on time like the rest of us. Well, see ya!" Gary said goodbye as he walked down the road out of Pallet Town, with many of the Pallet Town citizens following after.
"The nerve of that guy! Well, it won't matter! Soon, we'll be much better trainers than he is and we won't have to hear him talk down to us ever again!" Ash said.
"Right! Piplup, are you prepared to take the world by storm?" Dawn asked her partner, to which he nodded and looked pumped.
"Oh, there you are, Ash! I thought that you weren't going to make it, seeing as how you are late!" Professor Oak reminded the young teen.
"Right. Well, anyways, I'm ready for my starter Pokemon! So, which one can I choose?" Ash asked the Professor as the trio walked into the lab.
"For starters, you may want to dress more appropriately for starting your journey, Ash. Second, I'm sorry, but I've already given the three Kanto starters away before you got here. That's what happens when you're not on time, I'm afraid," Professor Oak said sadly.
"Sorry, Ash," Dawn apologized to Ash for his misfortune.
"Aw man! Really? Isn't there any Pokemon I can choose?" Ash asked pleadingly.
"Well, there are the other two Sinnoh starters you can choose from. Or- no, that wouldn't be a good idea," Professor Oak said as he shook his head.
"What is it, Professor?" Dawn asked curiously.
"There is still a Kanto Pokemon I could give away, but I'm unsure how he'd react to being chosen," Professor Oak explained.
"I'm sure I can handle it! At least let me see him first!" Ash said hopefully.
"Well, alright," Professor Oak agreed as he got a Pokeball with a yellow lightning bolt on it out of a hidden compartment in the device that would hold the starter's Pokeballs. "Pikachu, I choose you!" Professor Oak reluctantly cried out as a Pikachu was let out of his ball.
"Aw! He's so cute!" Dawn cooed happily upon seeing the electric mouse.
"I know! And I bet he's strong too! I choose Pikachu as my starter!" Ash decided as he picked up Pikachu, much to the mouse's anger. Before the group could react to it, Pikachu zapped Ash, Dawn, and Piplup with a Thundershock.
"You see, Pikachu may be cute and strong for a Pikachu, like you thought, but he has an electrifying personality and doesn't like most people very well. In fact, he never likes being in a Pokeball at all to be honest. If you want to choose a different Pokemon, or wait for me to get more Kanto starters, you can go ahead and choose," Professor Oak suggested as the Thundershock stopped finally.
"Well Ash? What do you say?" Dawn asked as she fell to the ground in pain.
"I think I'll still choose him! We just need some time to get to know each other!" Ash decided.
"Well, okay. Before you go, Ash, take this Pokedex and some Pokeballs. Hopefully, you and Dawn will enjoy your journey! Have fun!" Professor Oak said with a bow.
"Thanks Professor!" Ash said as he reached to grab his Pokedex and Pokeballs only for the unhappy Pikachu to zap Ash and Oak, with Dawn and Piplup standing on the sidelines awkwardly.
When Ash and Dawn got outside, the duo saw that there were fewer people than when Gary was here earlier. One of the people that was there was Ash's mother.
"Aw, Ash! I can't believe that you and Dawn are finally ready to go on your journeys! So, which Pokemon did you two get?" Delia asked the duo, seeing that the duo had a Piplup and a Pikachu. "A Piplup and a Pikachu?! They're so cute! You two got lucky when it came to the Pokemon you picked!"
"Thanks, Ash's mom! Hopefully we'll reach success in our goals in no time flat!" Dawn said hopefully.
"Agreed! I bet I'll become a Master in no time flat!" Ash agreed.
"Oh, by the way, Ash. Seeing as how you rushed on out of here, I decided to pack your stuff for you, including your clothes, some food, rubber gloves and a clothesline for washing your clothes, and some und-," Delia listed off before being interrupted.
"Alright I get it mom! Still, thanks for the help! We'll do you and Dawn's mother proud soon!" Ash said a bit embarrassed, but thankful.
"Okay, okay. So, Ash, are you and Dawn going to return your Pokemon to your Pokeballs or not?" Delia asked curious as to see that both Pokemon were still out.
"Right! Piplup, return for now!" Dawn said as Piplup returned to his ball.
"Alright, Pikachu, you return too!" Ash said as he tried to return Pikachu only for the electric mouse to bat back the Pokeball. Ash tried a few more times only for the same thing to happen.
"So cute! You two are playing catch with each other already! You two are close!" Delia cooed.
"Actually, it may be that he doesn't want in. After all, now that I think about it, the Professor did mention he never likes being in a Pokeball," Ash remembered. "Still, maybe we can grow to be close with time."
"That's the spirit, Ash! We'll obtain success for certain with that attitude!" Dawn agreed.
"Thanks, Dawn! Now, let's get going, Pikachu!" Ash cried out as he tried to grab Pikachu and take him with him, only for Pikachu to zap him and everyone present, except for Professor Oak, with a Thundershock. "You can't be serious!"
"Ash, you may want to wear your rubber gloves! After all, rubber doesn't conduct electricity and that way you can take Pikachu with you!" Professor Oak yelled over all the yelling and the Thundershock.
"Oh, right! T-Thanks Professor!" Ash yelled as the attack stopped and Ash, Dawn, Delia, and the others fell to the ground.
"Well, Ash, Dawn, have a great trip!" Delia said goodbye as she and the others managed to get back up.
Ash and Dawn were walking down the road with Dawn walking with her bike and with Ash wearing his rubber gloves and pulling Pikachu by the clothesline, much to the discomfort of the electric mouse.
"Ash, I know Pikachu doesn't want to come with you, but don't you think that having Pikachu travel like this will only prevent Pikachu from growing closer to you?" Dawn wondered after about an hour of walking and seeing how Pikachu was looking.
"I know. You're right. It isn't fair to treat him this way. It also isn't gonna be easy walking with him the whole way like this. Pikachu, can't you be a little nicer to me? I mean, I like you. Don't you like me?" Ash asked as he started to put away the gloves and clothesline. Unfortunately for Ash, Pikachu shook his head while saying Pika. "I'd ask you why you don't like me, but I know I wouldn't get an answer."
"Yeah, you're right there, Ash. So, do you think we should go and catch some Pokemon to join our teams?" Dawn wondered.
"I guess so! Maybe Pikachu will be happier if he makes some new friends!" Ash agreed. Suddenly, the duo saw a Rattata run out into the open near them.
"Hey, look Ash! A Rattata!" Dawn cried out as while she had heard of them and saw some on T.V., she hasn't seen one in person.
"You're right! I wonder what the Pokedex has to say about you," Ash said as he scanned the Pokemon with his Pokedex. A Forest Pokémon, Rattata. It likes cheese, nuts, fruits, and berries. It also comes out into open fields to steal food from stupid travelers.
"Hey! I'm not stupid!" Ash yelled at the device. "Well, let's get to battling! Come on, Pikachu! Let's make a new friend!" However, Pikachu just pretended to fall asleep in order to get out of fighting the Mouse Pokemon. "Okay, fine! I guess I can always try to catch them without fighting. Pokeball, go!" Ash yelled as he threw a Pokeball and the Rattata turned into red energy and entered the ball. "All right! Looks like I-."
Suddenly, the Pokeball opened and the Rattata hissed and ran off. Pikachu proceeded to laugh at Ash's misfortune, much to Ash's annoyance.
"Guess we really do need to weaken a Pokemon first after all, Ash," Dawn sighed.
"Well, I guess we can have your Piplup battle whatever Pokemon we run into next," Ash suggested.
"Agreed!" Dawn decided. Suddenly, they heard a rustle from behind them and they saw a strange green snake-like Pokemon use a Vine Whip in order to grab some food from Ash's downed backpack.
"Hey! That's our food!" Ash yelled out. The Pokemon looked unbothered by Ash's yelling as they ate an orange. "Hey, hold on. What Pokemon are you? You don't look like a Pokemon you would find in Kanto." Ash scanned the Pokemon with the Pokedex. Snivy, the Grass Snake Pokémon. Cool, calm, and collected, Snivy uses photosynthesis to collect energy with the leaf on its tail, which can droop if they don't feel well. Snivy is a starter Pokemon that can be found in the Unova region.
"Amazing! Piplup, come on out!" Dawn cried out as she was impressed with the starter and wanted to catch them. Piplup gave a happy cry, only to look a bit nervous upon seeing Snivy. "Look, Piplup, I know this is our first battle and that you're up against a Grass-type, but if we work together we can win and get ourselves a Pokemon as well! Okay, use Peck!" Piplup nodded and rushed towards Snivy with a glowing beak. Suddenly, Snivy winked and was surrounded by pink hearts that were sent out towards Piplup. Piplup looked confused as he was hit by the hearts and looked dazed with hearts in his eyes. "What the-?"
"I don't know what this move is," Ash was also confused as he looked in his Pokedex. Attract. If it is the opposite gender of the user, the target becomes infatuated and less likely to attack.
"That explains it. What do you think I should do, Ash?" Dawn was uncertain how to respond. Before Ash could answer, Snivy used a Vine Whip in order to knock back Piplup and K.O. him. "Oh no! Are you okay, Piplup?" Dawn cried out in worry as she picked up Piplup. Piplup nodded in reassurance, as he looked sad for not being able to succeed in catching the Snivy. "Aw, don't worry Piplup! We're still new to this being a Trainer thing! We just need to not give up and keep on trucking!"
"Yeah! We can afford a few mistakes here and there!" Ash said. "On the bright side, I think I found myself my first ever Pokemon!" Ash decided to make Snivy his. "Pokeball, go!" Ash yelled as he threw a Pokeball at her, only for her to pop out a few seconds later. "Aw man! I really thought the battling would have tired you out at least a little bit," Ash was disappointed. "Guess we need to battle more. Pikachu, are you ready?" Ash asked his Pikachu, only for him to ignore Ash and continue lying down. "Come on, Pikachu! Battling is very fun both to watch and to do! Don't you want to be a part of that?"
Pikachu looked over at Ash for a moment before deciding to zap him with a Thundershock. Ash and company jumped out of the way, only for the attack to hit a Spearow who angrily popped out of the tall grass nearby.
"Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans." Dawn's Pokedex said as she scanned the Pokemon as the trio, Snivy, and their Pokemon looked wary.
"Maybe we should-," Dawn was about to suggest something, only for Spearow to rush at Pikachu and try to hit him.
"Hey! What Pikachu did was an accident! Can't you just let us go?" Ash asked only for the Spearow to strike Pikachu with a Peck before Pikachu could react. Spearow tried to do this again only for Ash to rush in to protect Pikachu from the blow, much to the concern of his friends and the shock of the wild Snivy. Pikachu was also surprised by this for a moment, before using a Thundershock to make the Spearow flee.
"What was up with that Spearow, anyway? I know that the Pokedex said they can be violent, but still!" Ash was concerned.
"If I remember correctly, Professor Oak once said that some wild Pokemon will be jealous of Trainer owned Pokemon," Dawn recalled.
"Are you okay, Pikachu? That was kinda rough," Ash asked his starter. However, Pikachu proceeded to push Ash away and look away from him, though not as intensely as he did before. "Now that thats over, let's get back to catching-," Ash then realized that the Snivy had disappeared while he and Pikachu were dealing with Spearow. "Damn it! Aw well. At least we got the Spearow to leave."
"Yeah. What a relief. Maybe now would be a good time to head to Viridian City," Dawn said. "I'd rather not have to rough it out in the woods if I don't have to."
"But what about catching a Pokemon?" Ash asked his friend.
"We can always catch one tomorrow," Dawn suggested.
"Well, okay then. Lets-," Ash began only to see that the Spearow from earlier had returned, and so did a bunch of other Spearow as well. "Oh crap!"
"I think we should all run!" Dawn yelled as she grabbed Piplup and ran, with Ash and Pikachu following not far after.
At first, Pikachu tried to use Thundershock in order to try and fight the many Spearow. However, this soon ended up becoming a losing battle, with the Spearow outnumbering the electric mouse and attacking him whatever chance they got. Ash tried to protect Pikachu, only for him to not really appreciate it all that much.
Eventually, the duo and their Pokemon made it to a ledge with a small river sweeping down the path a short distance down. With the Spearow fast approaching, the group realized there was only one option.
"We'll have to jump in and hope we can get away!" Ash suggested.
"But what about-," Dawn began, only for her to change her mind upon seeing the Spearow about to approach them. "Let's jump!"
Somewhere down the river, a girl with red hair was fishing for Water-type Pokemon. "Oh! Oh! Hey, I got a bite! Oh, wow, I really think this could really be a big one!" The girl was getting excited. The girl pulled Ash and Dawn up onto shore.
"We are never doing that again," Dawn gasped out.
"Nah, it's just some people. Oh and a Pokémon. Oh, are you OK?" The girl asked in concern.
"Yeah, I think we're okay," Ash answered as he was met with a slap by the girl.
"Not you! Look what you did to that poor little thing. Is it breathing?" The girl asked, worried for Pikachu.
"Look, I'm concerned for Pikachu too, but you shouldn't just ignore that we were all in trouble," Dawn pointed out.
"I, I... I think so," Ash said uncertainly.
"Yeah! Now that we're away from those Spearow, I think he should be fine," Dawn guessed.
"Well, just don't sit there, it needs a doctor right away. There's a medical center not to far from here. You've got to get moving now!" The girl informed the duo.
"You mean a Pokemon Center, right?" Dawn asked.
"Exactly!" The girl answered.
"OK, can you tell us which way to go?" Ash asked.
"That way," The girl pointed down the path through the forest.
"Thank you for the help Miss-," Dawn thankfully said only to realize she didn't know who the girl was.
"Misty's the name, and who are you two?" Misty asked the duo.
"My name is Ash from Pallet Town. I aim to be a Pokemon Master someday," Ash introduced himself.
"My name is Dawn! I come from the Sinnoh region, though I grew up in Pallet Town as well," Dawn said.
Before the duo could walk down the path to leave, they heard the familiar cry coming from a bunch of Spearow. "They're coming back! Run!" Ash cried out as he got on Misty's bike.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Misty asked angrily.
"I'm borrowing this!" Ash explained as he prepared to ride off.
"Wait! Hey, that's my bike!" Misty yelled.
"I'll give it back someday!" Ash yelled as he biked away from the Spearow, who ignored Dawn and Piplup.
"Well, that was something. I apologize on behalf of Ash. If he weren't being chased I'm sure he wouldn't have taken your bike. Though, knowing him, you'll get it back soon," Dawn defended Ash. "Ironically, if we didn't jump into the river, he could have taken my bike. Either way, let's go, Piplup!" Dawn Piplup ran off after Ash with Misty following not long after.
"Just hang on now, Pikachu, we're almost there," Ash said as he raced down the path in the rain to try to get Pikachu to safety and escape the swarm. However, eventually the swarm caught up to them and the bike was knocked over, sending them both to the ground.
"Pikachu! Pikachu... this can't happen," Ash was worried as he placed Pikachu's Pokeball next to him. "Pikachu, get inside. I know you're afraid of going in there, but if you're inside, maybe I can save you. Please, Pikachu, please listen to me and go inside. After that, then - After that, just trust me!" Ash got up and walked towards the Spearow, planning to defend Pikachu, even if it meant sacrificing himself. "Spearows, do you know who I am? I'm Ash, from the Town of Pallet. I'm destined to be the world's number one Pokémon Master. I can't be defeated by the likes of you. I'm going to capture and defeat you all! Do you hear me?" Ash yelled to the Pokemon. "Pikachu, go inside the Pokéball, it's the only way! Come and get me!" Suddenly, Pikachu got up and ran toward Ash and jumped off his shoulder. Pikachu mustered as much power as he could in order to create a powerful Thundershock. The attack managed to hit the Pokemon, causing them all to flee, except for one Spearow. Before he could attack, a Leaf Blade from the Snivy from earlier caused him to fly off as well.
Pikachu and Ash were both lying on the ground exhausted as they were approached by Snivy, who was impressed with Ash's courage and will to keep his Pokemon safe. "Well, we beat 'em." As a way of showing that Pikachu is no longer against Ash, he proceeded to lick Ash's face gently. "Oh, and I guess that Snivy helped out as well." All of a sudden, the Snivy gently smiled and grabbed one of Ash's Pokeballs. "You- want to go with me?" At this, the Snivy then smiled and nodded and Snivy hit the button, with her entering it and the ball locking.
"Ash! Are you okay?!" Dawn called out in concern for the young teen. "We saw this massive electric move and didn't know what to make of it!"
"We're fine! However, by the looks of it we both now have our first Pokemon on our journey; Snivy!" Ash revealed.
"Really? That's great Ash!" Dawn congratulated her close friend. "At least some good things came out of today. As for Misty's bike, I think she'll be unhappy to see it's now trashed," Dawn pointed to the now charred bike.
"Oh. Sorry about that," Ash apologized as Pikachu looked sheepish. Just then, the group noticed a mysterious rainbow and golden colored Pokemon flying through the sky. "What's that? Is that a… Ho-Oh?" Ash wondered as the Pokemon disappeared, leaving Ash to pick up Pikachu and race off to the Pokemon Center in Viridian City once more with Piplup and Dawn. The group had a feeling that whatever the future had in store for them, chances are it would be something huge.
