Notes:
This chapter is based on episode 1, and follows the plot pretty closely, though there's also obvious changes. And also Pikachu POV. Enjoy!
4: Pikachu vs. Ash
As Misty tore down the hill on her new bike in the morning sun, she finally felt free. She peddled faster and faster away from the gym, zooming by those nearby. "Hey!" a lady she passed by called. Misty just laughed, but knew she probably ought to slow down, so did so, slightly. Once she got on a less busy path, she sped right up again, heading right out of Cerulean City.
Her sisters had been hesitant to give her the money. "Isn't it technically my salary you've all been cashing?" Misty had pointed out. "It's thanks to me the gym is so successful now!"
"It all goes to the gym," Daisy had informed. "And other things we need. We're not like, trying to con you."
Misty had pouted, closing her eyes. "When you were the active leader, you took money out for some things just for you every month. So I'm overdue!"
Her sisters had relented, and Misty had been able to buy the exact bike she wanted, not even considering the price. Her year plus some weeks as a gym leader had been difficult, so she'd earned it. "Are you sure you want to leave?" Violet had asked her later, probably not wanting to take over for Misty.
"You're the ones that said I can't stay as I am. I'll be back when I feel like it. If I do."
Misty shook aside the memory of her various arguments with her sisters and others as she sped down the hill before reaching a plateau and going up an incline. Forget her sisters. Forget all the apathetic people she'd spoken to over the last year. She was off to do her own things, and maybe get some answers along the way.
Or just enjoy zooming through Kanto at top speed on her bike. There were also various sights to be seen, new people to meet. Maybe she'd just forget about everything, find a much better place to be, where she didn't have to deal with her sisters, or the busy schedule of challengers coming throughout the day, or...
Right, she'd forget about all of that. It was time to see the world. Misty biked all day, until she was quite far from not just Cerulean, but any sort of city or town. In the twilight, she ate the food she'd prepared before, then set up camp. Finally, she'd have a brand new life, away from everything she'd had to deal with before. Finally, she'd be done with Team Rocket.
A commentary show on recent professional pokemon battling often aired late at night. Ash watched it occasionally, sometimes secretly. Unable to sleep on the Wednesday night before he'd get his license and first pokemon, of course he'd watched it then. Afterward, he'd still felt hyped, and watched the fluff show on pokemon breeding that usually didn't catch his interest. When that was over, an infomercial started and he still couldn't sleep, ending up going through his pokemon magazines.
Eventually, he'd slept soundly. He wasn't awake until he realized it was already ten o'clock, far past the eight appointment with the professor. "Mom! Why didn't you wake me up?"
"I tried," his mother said. "You were really fast asleep... If you want to be a trainer, you should show some responsibility, you know?"
There wasn't time to listen to or respond to the lecturing. Ash cleaned up and got dressed as fast as possible, running out the door. He ran, but that only slowed him up as he tripped, falling in some mud. Ash shouted and brushed himself off, eventually making it to the Oak Ranch's tall stairs.
At the bottom, he saw Gary talking to some of the girls they'd gone to school with. A few of them had cameras, taking pictures. Ash tried to move past them, but was stopped. "Woah, Ashy, you look a mess," Gary said, laughing at his friend. He took out a pokeball. "Want to battle, anyway?"
"I need to get my pokemon first," Ash said, trying to look for a way past the increasing crowd.
Gary laughed. "Woah, I didn't see you earlier, but you're just getting to that now? Take training a little more seriously, huh?"
"I am being serious about training!" Ash insisted, clenching his fists and shouting. "I've been studying right along with you!"
Gary put his arm around Ash, motioning to the girl with the camera. "Let's get a photo as a memorial for me, leaving my hometown and childhood friend behind!" Gary requested. Before Ash could protest, the flash blinded his eyes. He fought to get away, glaring at Gary as he did so. His abrasive friend just laughed. "I want a copy of that one!" Gary said.
Ash took off his hat, running his hand through his hair before he put the branded clothing back on. "You won't be leaving me behind," he declared.
"Oh yeah? I think Gramps already gave away all the pokemon he had for new trainers."
Ash turned away and started to climb the steps, at a slightly slower pace. Could that be true? Now that he thought about it, there were two others besides him and Gary who could officially start out that day after having turned ten just this year, while there were only three pokemon known for being 'starting' pokemon. But then again, that was just three pokemon species, it didn't mean the professor didn't have more than one of any of them. Ash was prepared to accept any option. He increased his pace before going through the front door.
"Hey Ash," Tracey stood up from behind a desk and greeted him. "I thought you might not be coming."
"Well, I'm here," Ash said testily.
Tracey smiled, apparently not noticing his mood. "The professor's in his office, go ahead!"
Ash went down the hall without another comment, opening the door without knocking.
"Oh, good morning," the professor said, looking up from the computer. "I hadn't been expecting any more guests today. How are you doing, Ash?"
"You weren't expecting me?!" Ash exclaimed. How could he not have been? They'd been talking about him starting out as a trainer for years, including just last week.
"Well, when you didn't show up, I assumed you'd talked things through with your mother and decided to delay your start as a trainer. You are fairly young," the professor pointed out.
"No way! I'm ten already!" Ash said.
"Just today, right? Happy birthday, by the way." the professor said. Of course, there was the thought that the age was already too young, but Ash even looked younger than the other boys, seeming even more like a child than the rest of the group. Another year waiting couldn't hurt. "So, next year, I imagine you'll be the first one in line to get going with your starting pokemon."
"Next-" Ash shook his head. "Professor, I have my license! I'm starting out today!"
"Hm. That was the plan. But I'm afraid I don't have a pokemon to send with you," Oak lamented.
Ash sat down, looking downcast before he peered back up. "Wait, professor, what about that pokeball?" he said, pointing to one left on the stand, next to the pictures of the three starting pokemon he'd talked about with the professor before. "Is it empty?" he mused as he walked forward. But why else would the pokeball be there? "Did you forget you had one more?" he looked from the pokeball to the professor and back again.
"Oh, yes, there is that pokemon. No, it's not mine, though I've taken it into my care." The professor furrowed his brow as he stood next to Ash, studying the pokeball along with him.
Ash's face broke into a smile. He reached for the pokeball before stopping himself. "It's not yours? It's for a new trainer then, right?" the boy guessed, some excitement in his voice.
"I have thought about giving it to several trainers," the professor admitted. "Including one that was starting today. I decided it wasn't best after talking over the situation with him."
"Let me take it!" Ash exclaimed, his mood changing instantly at the idea. "It's not yours and it's for a trainer, right? So I could be its trainer!"
The professor's expression became even more serious. "You might want to reconsider," he said.
"Why?" Ash said, peering back the professor's way. What could be so bad about this pokemon? "Is it too evolved or something?"
"No, it's not evolved at all. It's just... Well, there's various things to consider." The professor smiled and pat Ash's shoulder.
"Professor, I'm a serious trainer now. I won't back away from any challenge. I'll take whatever pokemon it is." Ash tried to be as serious as possible as he spoke. He even tried not to cry as the professor turned away, seeming to reject his declarations.
But instead, the professor picked up the pokeball, and Ash jumped up in surprise. "Well, well, Pikachu," Professor Oak began. "I've got someone here that would like to meet you." Hesitating only a second, the professor threw out the pokeball.
Pikachu blinked as it appeared. It had been a while since it had been out of the pokeball at all. They'd been keeping it inside, which conserved energy, though it was lonely. Pikachu stared up at Oak warily. The man seemed just as apprehensive about having the pokemon out. Before Pikachu could think about what to do next, it heard a loud voice.
"It's just a pikachu!" Ash laughed, leaning down and meeting the pokemon in the eyes. "Nice to meet you, Pikachu!"
Pikachu studied the unfamiliar human's face. He looked young, definitely a child. People that came to get Pikachu under 'control' were worthy of punishment, or at least seeing the proof their efforts would be useless. But children weren't really like that. They usually just wanted to dote on Pikachu the way this enthusiastic dirt-covered boy was at the moment. It wasn't worth doing anything around them. Pikachu remained still as Ash smiled its way, even allowed the boy to pat its head without moving. Such attention wasn't objectionable.
"Hm... Everything seems alright," the professor spoke tentatively.
"Yeah! Why wouldn't it be?" Ash exclaimed.
"We've had quite a bit of trouble with it, actually. Just to warn you, it's quite possible you might as well."
Ash shook his head at the professor's ominous words. "Pikachu's too cute! What could happen?"
"It's very unruly. But if you're willing to take the responsibility, I'll allow you to be its trainer."
"Pi?" Pikachu hadn't really been paying attention as the humans spoke, but its ears perked up at Oak's declaration. It continued to watch the humans closely.
"I will! I will! I'll do whatever it takes," Ash said, not taking his eyes off the pokeball. He grabbed it and grinned, putting it into his pocket before he approached Pikachu again. "I know we're going to be great partners, Pikachu," he said, picking up the pokemon in a hug.
Pikachu again was taken off guard. It felt a sort of warmth in Ash's embrace, both literal and emotional. The boy's expression was happy, almost overjoyed as he looked down at Pikachu. The pokemon felt its own semi-affection as it took in its would-be trainer's sentiment.
"Ah, Ash, maybe you shouldn't overdo it," the professor said, laughing nervously.
"Pi." With that, Pikachu pushed away from Ash, scurrying down on the floor.
"What happened?" Ash asked, running over to Pikachu. He leaned down, looking under the table with a concerned expression.
"Chuu... Chuu..." Pikachu growled, releasing a spark of electricity from its cheeks in warning.
"Well, this is what I was talking about," Professor Oak noted.
"What's this, Pikachu? You're not scared, are you? It's time for our journey! We'll see new places, earn gym badges, and become masters together! Let's go!" After motioning toward Pikachu to follow, Ash ran out of the room.
"Wait, Ash, don't be so hasty!" Professor Oak warned, following him.
Suddenly left without supervision in the room, Pikachu stepped out from under the table it had been hiding. Was that kid just going to leave it alone? Pikachu wasn't sure how it felt about that. It was something different than the close watch it had been under since Oak had caught it. Maybe it could escape, but it wasn't sure if it really wanted to. Pikachu wasn't sure what it wanted at all, other than to be out of that damn pokeball. And here it was, the pokeball completely out of sight. Feeling curious, Pikachu decided to follow the boy that had taken it.
"There you are," Ash said as Pikachu met him at the front door. "Let's go." Ash went out the door, pokeball still not in sight.
"Well then, good-bye!" Professor Oak called, trying to inject enthusiasm in his voice. Ash left with Pikachu following him down the steps. He kept watching until they were out of sight, no problems noted. Satisfied, the professor went back inside.
As Ash reached the path at the end of the stairs, he noticed several girls standing. "Hey," he greeted them, then saw them frowning. "What is it?" he asked.
"Gary left," one said with a sigh.
"What? Already?" Ash said.
"Yeah. And we weren't able to go along too. There were too many people," the girl said.
"And there's school," another added.
"Were there that many people following Gary?" Ash asked, furrowing his brow.
"Yeah," one of the girls confirmed. "He's got his own cheer squad, with their own cute uniforms they designed. They'll be right there when he wins his first badge to when he wins the league. I'll miss most of it."
Ash shook his head. "That won't be happening anyway... Since I'm going to be the one to win the league."
The girls scoffed, shaking their heads. "In your first year? You won't get far."
"Hey, it's Gary's first year too," Ash pointed out.
"Gary's different."
"Well, come on then Pikachu," Ash said, waving his hand to the pokemon on the steps behind him.
"Pi." Pikachu turned around upon Ash's request. The kid had seemed cute and innocent at first, but going on and on about stuff like this was annoying.
"What's that?" the girls crowded around. "A pikachu! How cute!"
"It's my starting pokemon," Ash informed with a smile.
They both turned back at him with dubious expressions. "Pikachu's not a starting pokemon!" one exclaimed.
"Why not?" Ash frowned. "I mean, it is! It was just given to me because I'm just starting as a trainer!"
"Can pikachu even evolve like starting pokemon do?" one girl asked another.
"I think so. Maybe once. But definitely not twice. It's cute, but not powerful at all."
"Who cares about that!" Ash exclaimed. As the two looked back at him, he frowned. "Pikachu's a fine pokemon. We're heading out today too. Gary won't get too ahead of me. You can listen for my name when the league starts!" The girls didn't respond or otherwise show interest, but Ash was ready to get going anyway. "Let's go, Pikachu. Um, I guess you should be in your pokeball." Ash looked in one pocket and then the other before he brought it out. "Return!" he ordered.
"Pika." Pikachu, at this point very experienced in dodging Professor Oak and his assistant's attempts to lock it away, jumped away from the beam that would bring it back in the pokeball.
"Hey..." Ash pressed the button again, aiming it right at the pokemon.
Pikachu flipped this time, landing on a higher step, away from its now-trainer's attempts to contain it. The girls that had lost interest in talking to Ash noticed, squealing at the feat. "Pi, pikachu," Pikachu called happily, spreading its arms out.
"Hey, Pikachu, it's time to go," Ash spoke tentatively now, leaning down to the pokemon, holding the pokeball right next to it.
As he pressed the button, Pikachu again dashed out of the way. "Pika!" it spat, swiping one paw in Ash's general direction.
"Are you sure it's your pokemon?" one of the spectators asked.
"I am! It came right out of this pokeball Professor Oak gave me, too!" Ash said. The girls laughed in response. Ash looked from the pokeball back at Pikachu. "I guess you want to be out of this thing," he said, then put the pokeball back in his pocket.
"Some pokemon don't like pokeballs at all... But that's usually just ones with really bad trainers," the girl informed.
Ash shrugged, standing up straight again. "Do you think you can keep up with me?" he challenged. "It might be easier in a pokeball, since you've got short little legs."
"Pi." Pikachu jumped down to the bottom step next to Ash.
"Let's go then," Ash said. He started at a brisk pace, his new pokemon following. Seeing Pikachu getting ahead of him, he started to run. Pikachu kept up, so he kept speeding up faster. "Hey, this way!" he said as a turn came up.
"Pi!" Pikachu followed him, pouncing toward the path its would-be trainer headed. Keeping up with the boy that did have much longer legs was somewhat of a challenge, but not impossible. It was much better than being cooped up. Pikachu kept running and running, not wanting to get behind.
Ash laughed as the pokemon got ahead. "Wait! Wait!" Ash shouted eventually. "Right here, Pikachu. You win, okay?"
Pikachu stopped itself and turned around, seeing the boy jumping in front of the house they'd just passed. He went inside, the pokemon behind him. "Welcome back. You forgot a few things, hm?" a woman said, holding out a backpack.
"I know, I know." Ash scowled as he took it. "I just had to get my starting pokemon. Here it is!" Ash learned down and picked up Pikachu who let out a noise of surprise. "It's Pikachu! Really cute, huh?"
"My, my, what a sweet little creature it is," Ash's mom said. "So, when will you head out?"
"Right now!" Ash declared.
"It's not too soon?"
"No! I can't let Gary or the rest get ahead of me." Ash put his hat on the coat rack, then ran up the stairs.
"Well then, Pikachu, would you like a little treat before you go on your way?" Ash's mom asked.
"Pika." Pikachu followed the woman, curious about what it might be. She put a pastry looking thing in front of it. It took a bite, letting out a sound of delight upon tasting the sweet treat. It took another bite before its newly assigned trainer's mother came back.
"No, Pikachu! That won't do," she said.
"Pi?" Pikachu looked up, frowning. Hadn't the food been for it?
"We don't sit on the table when we eat, we sit on the chairs," the mother explained. She stacked some books up on the chair, putting a pillow on top.
Pikachu carefully stepped on the pile, then realized it was steady. It was also even easier to reach the food. Not only that, this lady was nice enough to add another of the treats next to it. Pikachu happily ate both, then curled up, getting ready for a nap.
Before long, Ash came downstairs, backpack on, stretching his gloves over his hands. After he put them on, he looked at Pikachu. "It's time to go! Let's show them what we've got, Pikachu! We'll get our first badge in Viridian City!"
"Pi?" Pikachu peeked up from its nap. Badge, a name of a city - it had heard this all before. "Pika," it called briefly, then closed its eyes again.
"Aren't you ready, Pikachu?" Ash nudged his pokemon with his hand. "Come on, we've got to go."
"Pika." Pikachu turned its head without opening its eyes.
"Pikachu," the woman's voice echoed toward it. "Did you enjoy the treat? I suppose you'll be looking after my son now. Take care!"
After giving itself just a moment, Pikachu opened its eyes, grudgingly hopping off of its comfy spot. Sure, this lady had been kind to it for just a moment, but it shouldn't mistake that for anything. It was only because she figured it would be useful, making sure this kid didn't get hurt when he went out wandering around.
"Alright!" Ash exclaimed once Pikachu was on the ground. "Let's go!"
There wasn't as much energy this time as Pikachu followed the boy out the door. In fact, it purposefully plodded along slowly as Ash went at a steady pace. The boy eventually turned around. "Hey, are you tired already?" he asked.
"Pi." Pikachu turned its head, looking back to the house. It closed its eyes, thinking of the bribe the woman had given it in order to deal with this annoying wanna-be trainer kid.
"Okay, well, I know pokeballs conserve energy of pokemon." Ash took the pokeball out of his pocket, then looked at Pikachu before looking back at the object.
Pikachu turned back to him, meeting his eyes. "Pika," it called firmly, daring him to try and use it. It smirked as it recalled Tracy nearly crying as he failed over and over to make it stay in one.
"So, you're ready to go back in?" Ash asked tentatively.
"Pi." Pikachu again turned its head.
"Okay then." Ash pressed the button. As he did, the pokemon dodged quickly, despite any lethargy it had seemed to show before. "You have to stay still if-" Ash began as he pressed the button again. "Hey!" he shouted as Pikachu ran to the complete other side of a tree.
The pokemon crouched down. "Pika! Pikachu!" it shouted harshly as it peeked out from the other side, its fur rising.
"Hey, fine, okay, I get it!" Ash said, putting the pokeball back in his pocket. "Let's go without it then, Pikachu." He took a step away, then looked back. "Pikachu? Aren't you coming?"
Pikachu relaxed its posture, then looked away. Who cared about badges or rushing to get to the next city? "Pikachu," it called, looking the other way.
"Hey, come on!" Ash raised his voice. "We can't just sit around, you know?" As Pikachu didn't move, Ash went in his backpack, taking out an object.
"Pika?" Pikachu called. It felt the line wound around it, then felt the pressure as it was dragged forward. "Pikachu..." it whined, falling to the ground and dragging at the dirt and grass.
"We have to get there somehow," Ash said. "The pokeball is easier, but this is something, huh?"
"Pikachu..." Pikachu's call was a mix of whine and threat, still allowing itself to be dragged rather than just going along with the forced movement.
Ash pulled and pulled before tripping and falling to the ground. "Come on! I've never heard of this." He looked away from Pikachu in frustration, taking a breath as he observed the road around them. His eyes widened as he saw the creature ahead of them in the field. He took to his feet and ran. Curious at that reaction, Pikachu followed. "It's another pokemon!" Ash exclaimed as he saw the flutter of features in a tree. This wasn't just any normal bird. Ash recognized it easily as a pidgey. "Flying type," he said in a low voice, looking at Pikachu. "You'll be strong against that." Pikachu didn't respond as Ash pointed up. "You know thundershock, right?" he said, recalling what he'd seen as he looked through his pokemon's data on the computer before leaving. "Try it!"
A specific attack name, and of course, Pikachu did know it, along with the word that referred to it. This kind of order was something new, but it still didn't feel like following it. Pikachu glanced to the ground. "Pikachu!" Ash said a little louder, then lowered his voice. "Do thundershock, pidgey is weak to it. You don't have to be scared."
The phrasing of its new trainer certainly irked the pokemon. Of course it knew that bird-like pokemon in the air could be quickly and very effectively shot down. And it wasn't scared at all. Having fought many pokemon at once when it had been abandoned in the wild, Pikachu wasn't about to let one little flying pokemon in a tree intimidate it. Of course, that didn't mean it was going to fight the wild pokemon either.
"Alright," Ash spoke loudly as he stood up. "You don't want to catch it off guard? You want a fair fight? Let's go then, pidgey!"
The flying type pokemon certainly noticed the young trainer now, fluffing out its wings as it looked down. It cooed before looking away.
"Hey! We're challenging you, here!" Ash shouted. He picked up a rock, tossing it up. It hit the tree, bouncing off and narrowly missing the pidgey. Ash's would-be opponent let out a cry, flying off the branch. "Yeah! Let's go, Pikachu, get ready!" Ash glanced toward his pokemon before looking back up at the flying pokemon, seeing it was flying away instead of toward them. Ash's eyes went wide as he ran forward. "He... Hey!" he shouted.
"Pipipi!" Pikachu laughed at the humorous sight of Ash's surprise and discontent at not even being taken seriously as an opponent. As Ash's expression changed to utter annoyance, looking down with frustration, Pikachu only laughed more.
Ash clenched his fists and frowned, glancing down in disappointment. "Come on then, Pikachu," he muttered.
Pikachu got ready to resist the boy dragging him along, but apparently the would-be trainer had forgotten about that tactic. Pikachu relaxed and decided to follow him. He wasn't really much like a trainer at all, was he? How much more funny would things get as he tried to pretend to be one, pretend Pikachu itself was something he could order and use for his own purposes? Pikachu decided to follow him and see.
They were almost out of Pallet Town as Ash crouched down, again wide-eyed, observing creatures that resembled but certainly were not birds. Again, he took out his pokedex and confirmed it for certain. "It's some spearow," he explained to Pikachu. "Professor Oak said a bunch of them hang out nearby his ranch." Sure enough, the Oak ranch was just barely in the distance. "We've gotta get one. These guys can be powerful. They'll be great in a team. Are you with me?"
Ash looked in Pikachu's eyes with a definite determination. Pikachu could tell the boy was serious. Maybe he thought it was really going to help him this time. Hadn't he realized yet? No matter what he said, Pikachu wasn't really going to act as his pokemon. It felt somewhat guilty, but its annoyance at Ash's talk about power for the team's sake overpowered that. "Pika." Pikachu turned around, this time actually walking the opposite way to be sure Ash got its message.
The boy let out a grunt of frustration. "Fine then!" he exclaimed. "If you're not gonna help, I'll have to weaken the pokemon myself in a battle."
This time, it was Pikachu's turn to be surprised at its supposed trainer's. As it turned around, Pikachu saw that Ash indeed was running toward the field where the spearow peacefully pecked around the trees and ground. He stopped as he reached one that was away from the group. "Hey spearow!" he shouted. "I challenge you. I'll start with a sand attack!" He kicked his sneaker at the loose dirt toward the wild pokemon. The defending pokemon squawked and coughed in shock. Ash smiled widely. "Alright, is that it? Time to join my team!" Ash took out a pokeball. As he got ready to toss it, he noted spearow swooping toward him. He flinched, but as he opened his eyes, he noted the peck attack wasn't directed at him.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted in surprise as the attack hit its head.
"Spearow!" the other pokemon called, threatening to continue.
"Pikachu! Try thundershock!" Ash suggested.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted back, cursing at its trainer. The order was the obvious course of action, but it would have been much better to just have never gotten into this fight in the first place. Pikachu got into an offensive position, its cheeks sparking. It hoped that would be enough to get its opponent to just back off, especially considering that Pikachu as the electric type had a major advantage. It could handle one spearow without a problem. Hearing Ash shout, Pikachu looked up, momentarily frozen as it saw a legion of pokemon headed its way.
This was way too much. Could it even hit them all at once before being bombarded? Before the pokemon could think of what to do, it felt itself picked up. "Let's get out of here!" Ash shouted, clutching Pikachu close at it ran. One spearow buzzed above them, the rest following not far behind. Ash breathed faster as he ran, eventually reaching the bridge that took them over a drainage ditch and out of town. A girl was there, walking her bike across. Ash stopped, still clutching Pikachu close, and caught his breath. The spearow above them let out a call, circling high above.
"Excuse me," the girl said, speaking calmly. "Up ahead, is there a-"
Ash looked at her bike, which was fitted with a basket. He clutched it, looking up into her eyes.
Misty stopped, noting his intensity. "Yes?" she said. "Is there something-"
"I've got to borrow this," Ash said, placing Pikachu inside the front basket. He yanked it away from Misty easily, as the girl hadn't been expecting him to do such a thing, then faced it the other way. "I'll bring it back later!" he shouted as he got on and road away.
The spearow were almost there as Ash took off, going as quickly as he could. Where could he hide? There had to be cover nearby. He noted a shed where an old man he knew lived. He sped toward it, hopping off the bike and running it toward the door as he got close enough. Ash knocked loudly, but no one answered. He swore as he saw the flock of pokemon approach. Ash winced as they swooped down, but again noticed the threat wasn't toward him as he opened his eyes. The spearow pecked at the basket on the bike, ripping it apart. Pikachu cried as it hopped out, then getting attacked itself. "Pikachu!" Ash shouted as he say the flying type pokemon attacked again and again. He waved his arms and stomped toward them. A few flew away, but it didn't appear to deter them overall. Ash noted them turning their attention toward the bike, pecking it and ripping it apart. The seat first, followed by metal parts such as the spokes of the wheels and brakes. It had to be unusable now.
"Pika CHU!" Pikachu shouted, getting hold of its senses and able to attack a portion of the spearow. Ash looked back toward the pokemon as it finished its attack. It was the advised thundershock, and had scared the immediate offending pokemon off, though plenty still remained, ready to attack again. Thundershock could cause a lot of damage to flying types, but there were just too many. Ash picked up his pokemon again, running away as they seemed distracted by destroying the bike. He tripped before he could go off the path into the denser forest, dropping Pikachu ahead of him. Ash rolled over, then saw the pokemon were still pursuing them. He shouted a moment in fright. As he blinked and stared, it was easy to see they were still aiming for poor Pikachu.
Pikachu stood up, seeing the same sight as Ash. Despite wanting to avoid this battle, it got into a fighting stance as the aggressive pokemon swooped their way. It really couldn't be helped. There didn't seem to be many standards for pokemon trainer, so it had gotten yet another stupid one. Pikachu recalled the taste of this one's own caretaker's treats, and the woman's warm demeanor as she entrusted Pikachu with the boy's safety. It really couldn't be helped. It would have to fight for itself, and to protect this dumb kid. Pikachu got ready for the most powerful thundershock attack it could muster.
Before it could start, something blocked its way. "Get back!"
"Pi?" Pikachu realized the obstruction was its shoddy excuse for a trainer. The boy faced the opposing pokemon, arms outstretched, shouting for the pokemon to move. What was wrong with this kid? Didn't he realize pokemon attacks could more than easily tear apart his weak flesh? He didn't seem completely uninformed, and even then, humans should be able to realize they were outmatched by instinct alone.
Despite that, likely by impulse, he'd stepped in front of his much sturdier pokemon. Pikachu only had a moment to follow its own impulse. It hopped up, bouncing off Ash's shoulder, then let out an attack. It was even more powerful than just the regular thundershock, Pikachu could feel it, and hit most of the spearow at once. The remaining ones attacked it, pecking Pikachu as it spun around trying to see them all. Bearing the pain, Pikachu shot the attack again, hitting some of the offending pokemon before it scratched toward another, before doing a proper attack one more time. With that, the spearow retreated.
"Pika." Pikachu breathed heavily, falling to the ground. It hurt all over. This certainly hadn't been a fair fight, but it was used to situations like this. Pikachu rested, not willing to move again for the moment.
It tensed only slightly as Ash picked it up. "Pi?" it called, looking up at the boy. He had showered off before they'd left his childhood home, but here he was again, filthy, probably bruised, as he stared with concern at the pokemon. Pikachu was too exhausted to even laugh at how goofy he looked.
"Thank you, Pikachu," Ash said. He paused before giving the pokemon a hug. "I'm sorry," he choked out.
Gratitude followed by guilt, possibly at his own stupidity. Pikachu wasn't sure how to feel about all of that. Humans thanking and even apologizing to it were new. It certainly didn't trust Ash any more, unsure if its young, inexperienced new trainer could even do any better. But it did relax into the boy's arms as he ran down the path, firmly holding Pikachu in his arms.
End Notes: Though it's still a fan theory and not canon, I do think my interpretation of Ash's pikachu's backstory fits with anime canon, or at least early anime canon. I came to the conclusion when writing a different story (Threads of Fate) and it's kind of stuck with me since. And yes, pikachu is an unevolved pokemon in this verse, since this is gen I based.
Next chapter: Team Rocket vs. Viridian City