There, almost beaten up, was a yellow mouse-sized creature, it had red cheeks, black eyes, and a tail in the form of a thunderbolt.

('A Pikachu!') Ed shouts on his head, seeing one of his favorite Pokémon. What were the chances that he would find one in this forest?

However, he quickly shook off his excitement as he noticed that Pikachu was covered in heavy bruises, he might have said that he saw some red tint on some of them.

It began to struggle to stand up, almost slumping in the ground multiple times.

The Magmar got close to the yellow mouse, talking like if it was mockingly laughing at the poor guy. It raises his arm as flame covers its arm. Before it could hit the Pokémon, he was pushed harshly away, causing Magmar to stumble and crash on the ground.

It quickly stood up and glared at the one responsible for attacking, and it was surprised to see an angry human, quickly standing in front of the injured Pikachu.

Said Pokémon watch is confused at this human who just saved him. "To think I would find a Pokémon this evil. Attacking someone who is barely able to fight."

"Mag! Magmar!" Magmar was enraged that a human was impending him to do its job.

"I love Pokémons, but I'm not naive," Ed said in anger as he threw away his backpack and cracked his knuckles. "I can't stand this bullying happening in front of me." He positioned himself in his fight stance. "If I have to punch you to nothing, I will! So come on!"

Magmar stared at him in shock before starting to laugh. Does a human dare to fight a Pokémon, let alone some of his caliber? He must truly be stupid-

POW

"Pay attention, dammit!" Magmar didn't have time to think as Ed had slammed hard his fist on his cheek, comically staggering him.

Ed proceeded to land two more punches on his face before grabbing it in a headlock and proceeding to do a seated jawbreaker, hitting hard the Magmar's jaw and sending him staggering again. He quickly maneuvers his way behind it and grabs its waist. Growling in might, Ed managed to lift the Spitfire Pokémon into the air, bend his body backward, and suplex his neck hard on the ground.

Magmar fainted after that, his flames dying down.

"Next time. Take on someone of your size." Ed taunted as he stood up and dust his clothes off. He then put his attention on Pikachu, who sported a disbelief expression.

Ed giggled a little, "What? Never seen a human being handling himself in a fight before?" He asked in a joking tone until he saw Pikachu trying to walk away, only to slump again. "Goddamn, he made a mess out of you," Ed said, getting close to the Pikachu, who snarled at him.

"Pi! Pikachu!" it said, electricity coming out from his cheeks. Ed didn't need to ask much; it warned him that it would attack if he got closer.

"Look. You are scared. I get it." Ed began to speak as he showed his hands in defense, "But unless you can tell me that you can heal yourself, I cannot leave you-I won't leave you alone in this state." He was serious.

He is not abandoning those who are hurt and in need of help.

The Pikachu was shocked at that, to the point he saw the fire burning through his eyes that said he was not backing down. Feeling a bit calm...Pikachu finally succumbed to his injuries and slump on the ground.

Ed quickly picked him up, carrying him in a baby position hold. He took a good look at him, seeing bruises, burn marks, and a bit of blood. Other than exhaustion, his pulse was fine.

"Poor little guy. Must have been fighting too long." Ed mumbled as he looked at the unconscious Magmar, glaring at it.

He focused again on Pikachu. ('According to the information I know, I won't be able to reach Viridian City until tomorrow.') Looking at the sky, he saw that it was getting close to dawn. ('And it's already starting to get late...What do I do?') He asked himself as he tried to find out his course of action. He then remembers that he was in the forest where Ash and Pikachu met Misty. ('That's it! There's a lake nearby! I can rest him there and there should be some bushes with one Oran Berry around!') Without thinking much, he began to run.

..

.

It took him ten minutes to find the place. How? I don't know and that's not important.

He lay the Pokémon on the grass and began to fondle it inside his bag. Thank God he wished for his stuff back, since his bandages and alcohol were there with him. Putting that to the side, he grabbed a towel and went next to the river to soak it and place it on top of the mouse's forehead.

As he did that, Pikachu began to recover his consciousness. His black eyes flustered to wake up, and noticed the human had begun to patch him.

"Oh, you are awake," Ed said with a low voice. "Try not to move too much." He grabs some alcohol and drops a little on cotton. "This is going to hurt a bit."

The cotton touched one of the scratches and Pikachu flinched hard and hissed loudly. Nonetheless, held it in.

For some reason, he felt that he was safe with this human, the one who saved him from that Magmar, deciding to let him take care of him for now.

Once done, Ed had wrapped the bandages over the wounds, leaving Pikachu to look almost like a mummy. "There. Considering that the scratches weren't very serious, you should be fine tomorrow morning." Ed deduced, but he is no doctor, so…

Pikachu began to slowly stand up, "Hey, easy there." He heard Ed warning him, but the electric Pokémon simply ignored it and stood up.

Now, this was the part where a Pokémon would just try to leave…

So it was a surprise for Ed to see the yellow mouse bowing his head in gratitude. "Pika!" Pikachu said.

"Oh...Well, that's some manners." Ed said as he felt a bit embarrassed. "Don't worry about it. I just felt that something was wrong with what was about to happen next."

*Growl~*

The raven-haired boy looked in surprise at the Pikachu, who dropped on his butt with his hands on his stomach.

"Pi…" Pikachu mumbled as he caressed his belly.

('Poor guy. He must have been so hungry; would explain why he was losing that fight.') Ed thought, remembering that when Pikachu warned him, his sparks were low on power.

He kneels to his level, "If you are hungry, I can make something." That made the yellow mouse look at him in expectation. ('Guh! Too cute!') Ed tries hard not to gush at it. "Just wait for a few minutes. Okay?"

"Pika!" Pikachu nods.

"Good." Ed snap his fingers-


Transition Change!


Cue to a pot of soup getting heated by a portable stove. "Now, I have no idea how the Hell this was in my bag, but I'm glad it was!" Ed said as he moved the soup around with a spoon.

Pikachu had a mesmerizing expression from the side, the smell of the food hitting his nose and making drool at the flavor.

"Alright! I think this is ready!" Ed said as he grabbed a bowl and poured some soup on it. He proceeded to give it to Pikachu, "Here you go. Now be careful, this thing is hot, try to blow the steam away before-"

*Lick* Pika!

Ed felt his sweat falling as he saw Pikachu ignoring his warning and licked the soup, burning his tongue in the process and causing him to run to the river to calm it.

Once he was able to properly start to eat, Ed served some for himself and started to enjoy his bacon soup.

It was a few minutes before the two of them finished their food. Pikachu had a full stomach and had fallen asleep.

Ed began to clean everything up, washing the bowls and pot with the river before putting it away. He looked up to the sky, seeing the moon coming in position. "Nighttime...My first night in the Pokémon World." He still couldn't believe he was here.

He went and rested against a tree, flopping down and looking momentarily at his bag. ('Right. I need to get a camp bed to sleep in this situation.') He needed a lot of things. "Once I get to Viridian City, I should try and see if I can make some money."

He looks at the sleeping Pikachu, having thoughts of him.

('To think I would meet a Pikachu this early. I should try asking him if he wants to join in the morning. That is, if he is still here.') Ed thought with a smile before closing his eyes.

He didn't have the heart to capture an injured Pokémon after a battle. That would be breaking the small trust he just made with it.

With that said, Ed left for the dream world. In the hope that he will get his first Pokémon.


(The Next Day)


Ed woke up by the rays of the sun hitting his eyes. He rustled his eyes with his hands to wake them up. He stood up and began to do his daily stretching. He then focused to look at where Pikachu was sleeping.

At least where he is supposed to be.

The trainer saw that there was no yellow mouse to see, no matter where he looked, making him let a sigh out. ('There goes my opportunity to get a Pikachu. It's not like he needs to stay here anymore.') He grabs his bag and pulls out a toothbrush-

Hold the fuck up! Why the Hell do you have that in there!?

('Saitama always said to clean your teeth or they rot your teeth.') replied Ed to the 4th wall-breaking and went to the river and began to wash his face. ('Well, I guess I'll just wait for another chance to get a Pikachu.')

Minutes later, he finished his cleaning and took the chance to refill his water container for the journey. He was about to kneel before-

"Hey, you!"

A voice from behind stopped him, Ed turned around to see a chubby man with black clothes, black cool glasses, a grey beanie hat, and a Magmar right next to him. The latter, looking at him with anger while sporting a bandage on its cheek.

"Yes, can I help you?" Ed asked. He tried to be careful as he knew that Magmar was the one from yesterday.

"I'm looking for a yellow-mouse Pikachu around here, have you seen it?" the man asks in some sort of anger tone.

"...Yeah. I saw one, but it may be long gone from here." Ed said.

"Damn! It got away, well I have no choice." The man said, before looking at his Pokémon. "Magmar, Flamethrower to that guy!" The spitfire Pokémon didn't hesitate to comply as it released a torrent of fire at Ed, who quickly rolled out of the way in panic, just as the attack almost hit him.

"Hey! What the hell man!?" Ed shouts as the man points at him.

"Listen here, chump! Hand over all your Pokémon or my Magmar will start shooting at you until you're roasted!" He yells out with a sick grin, revealing his purpose.

"A thief, huh? Then that explained why Magmar from yesterday was attacking Pikachu." Ed says, throwing aside his bag.

"Yester- You're the reason my Magmar was knocked out?!" The robber shouted in anger while pointing his finger accusingly, along with Magmar spewing clouds of anger.

"You can say that."

"You scum! I lost a precious cargo because of you! Magmar, get ready to toast him!"

On his command, the spitfire Pokémon stood in front of him, ready to shoot another Flamethrower. The green trainer took his fist and stood in a fighting pose, planning to dodge the attack and go after the man. He did not want to fight a Pokémon unless it was necessary, so taking the trainer first should be his best option.

Just as the Spitfire Pokémon was about to attack, something fast came in and hit its head, sending him stumbling backward.

"What the?!" The thief yelped in surprise.

Ed was also surprised when he saw the thing that had attacked Magmar was none other than Pikachu, still covered in its bandages. "Pikachu?"

The Mouse Pokémon look at the trainer, "Pika! Pi! Pika!" It began to say.

Not like Ed could understand what the fuck he was saying, but he could see his fiery eyes.

Pikachu wanted a second chance to redeem himself against Magmar.

Ed nodded at him with a smile. "Alright! If you want to, then allow me to assist you!" he says, making Pikachu spark his red cheeks

"Ha, so the cargo was here, as much as I don't want to ruin it, I don't think I'll be able to hold on, you see-"

As the robber rant more and more about something, the raven-haired trainer took out his Pokédex and pointed at both Pokémon's.

"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It raises its tail to check its surroundings, the tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose."

"Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon. Born in an active volcano, its body is always cloaked in flames, so it looks like a big ball of fire."

('Right, Pikachu's moves are Thunder, Quick Attack, and Growl. Good moves, this should be enough.') he thought, putting away his dex, just as a tick mark appeared on his head, "Would you just shut up!"

"Excuse me?!" the man shouted, being interrupted from his explanation.

"You talk like a proud jerk, no wonder this Pikachu tried to escape you, he was getting killed just by seeing your lips moving from that face of yours." Ed taunts the man, causing Pikachu and Magmar to twitch in laughter and the man releases steam from his ears.

"You little-?!" The criminal pointed at the trainer in anger. "You ask for it, Punk! Magmar! Use Fire Punch!" Magmar's right arm starts to emit fire as he runs forward.

"Pikachu, use Growl!" Pikachu lets a powerful growl out, causing the Spitfire to stop running and to cover his ears.

"What are you doing, Magmar! He's right in front of you, hit him!" the Thief shouted, causing Magmar to push through the screech and move forward. He raised his coated fire and hit Pikachu's face, stopping the Growl and sending him back. "That's how you do it!" The man cheered.

But Pikachu simply shook it off and cried very loudly. "Pika!"

"What?!" The thief was in disbelief at seeing the electric mouse withstood the attack. "Impossible! That Fire Punch was a direct hit! How is it still standing?! It just growls all the time!"

Ed felt like wanting to slap his face, "Seriously? You never went to school, did you?" He deadpanned instead.

"Shut it!"

"Oh, so you don't deny it."

"You little-"

"I feel sorry for Magmar now. Must be hard to handle an incompetent man who chose to steal rather than get a job."

The thief was now red, "Oh, you think you're so smart, eh? We'll see who's smart after I defeat you! Magmar, Brick Break, and keep it going until you hit him!"

Magmar shouted a battle cry as both of his hands emit a white aura. He immediately went after Pikachu.

"Pikachu, dodge all of them!" As Magmar gets close, he sends his chops at Pikachu, who quickly moves out of the way as the Spitfire Pokémon starts sending several chops and the Mouse Pokémon dodge all of them until he hits a rock with his back.

"Ha! Nowhere to go now! Finish him Magmar!" Magmar raises his left arm and was about to attack, but-

"Pikachu, press your feet against the rock and use Quick Attack!"

The yellow mouse quickly put his feet against the rock as a white aura surrounded his body before jumping off the rock and hitting Magmar on the stomach, sending him flying back into his trainer's feet.

"What are you doing, you stupid Pokémon! How are you losing to a tiny Pokémon!?" Magmar was holding his side while his trainer criticized it.

('Okay. I'm now feeling sorry for it.') Ed aimed his finger forward, "Alright, Pikachu, used Quick Attack, full speed ahead!"

Pikachu emits the white aura around again as he dashes at Magmar.

"Get up and use Flamethrower!" The chubby man shouts, causing the Spitfire to stand up and shoots a flame torrent from his mouth. The yellow mouse dodged the flame and went directly to Magmar.

But this time, the robber smiled. "Got you now! Magmar, Fire Punch!"

Magmar's right arm was on fire again and just when Pikachu was going to hit, he smashed the main Pokémon on the back, planting him on the ground.

"Ha! Take that rascal! That's what you get for messing with me!" The fat man yelled in cockiness.

But Ed ignored him, he was more concerned for Pikachu, who was getting squash on the ground. ('Strange...why am I calm about this?') He wonders as he couldn't feel anxiety from this battle since it's strange because he always had it in his Pokémon games.

"Magmar, finish him with Fire Punch!"

The Spitfire Pokémon raised his right flaming arm and smash it on top of Pikachu's back...

...Or would have if he didn't stop his arm inches away from hitting Pikachu.

This made the criminal angry as he stomped his foot. "Magmar, what are you doing?! Why did you stop!?" He was blind by anger, so he didn't notice that Magmar was emitting electricity out of his body.

"Huh. What luck." Ed, however, did notice it. "It seems Pikachu's ability saved him from the bell."

"Huh?! What are you talking about?!"

"You surely drop out of school." Ed shook his head, "Everyone knows that Pikachu has a special ability called Static. By getting attacked, the attacker might get paralyzed by Pikachu's skin."

The man widened in shock as he looked at Magmar, finally seeing the specks of sparks emitting out.

That allowed Pikachu to jump away and smile in victory at his luck. "Pika!" He turned to Ed, motioning that it was time to end this.

"I concur." Ed nods and points forward, "Pikachu! It's time to bring the Thunder!"

Electricity started coming out of the mouse's red cheeks, Pikachu closed his eyes momentarily before snapping them open, revealing that his black orbs hand turned golden. As fast as lightning, he jumps on the Spitfire Pokémon's head, who try to shake him off.

But, what happened next was something no one expected.

Right in the sky above both Pokémon's, instead of a cloud, a giant golden circle appeared, in the middle of it, is a thunderbolt image, electricity coming out of it.

"What The Hell is that?!" The man shouted in fear, given that this is the first time seeing something like that, but he wasn't the only one surprised.

Ed was also surprised, eyes widened, as he looked at the circle in amazement. ('Holy Christ! That thing is amazing! It looks like a summoning from an Anime I was watching at home!')

"PPPPIIIIIIIKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAA!"

Then, the circle started to glow as a thunderbolt from the center of the symbol...

"CCCHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

... And it hit his target, the Magmar, causing it to scream in pain. After a few yells of pain, the yellow mouse jumps away from the Spitfire Pokémon's, showing a roosted knockout Magmar, who slowly falls backward and hits the ground.

The wind slowly passed through the battlefield, before the chubby man's knees stopped working and landed on the ground, his eye's cover in shock. "How…did I ...lose?"

The Mouse Pokémon was breathing heavily while silently looking at his defeated opponent. "Pika...chu," he said something before his body went weak and fell to the ground.

Ed quickly recovered from his dazed and quickly went to his side, he kneels to check the Pokémon's pulse, he sighs in relief seeing him breathing. ('Damn! He has serious power on him, I got myself quite the Pokémon...') Ed thought, he picked up Pikachu and was about to leave until he heard footsteps.

He looked around and saw the man on his feet and running at him with a big net and anger in his eyes. "It doesn't matter! I'll just do this myself!" he shouts in anger/fear.

Ed was getting angry at this performance and the man's attitude. To be this pitiful and still try to attack? He must be desperate.

So, Ed decided to end his suffering!

Unknown to him, his eyes momentarily turned blue.

The man, of course, noticed it and felt a fear overcome him. When he got close, he swung his net...which was caught by the young trainer. Before the man knew it, Ed had moved his leg and kicked him right under his chin, the sound of bones cracking echoed in the forest as the thief was sent backward, landing next to his unconscious Magmar.

Ed glared at the man, not moving. "The silent treatment works better on you." He said right as he noticed something floating down to his face. Probably something that came out from the man's belongings.

He grabs what appears to be a flyer, and looks at it closely.

Wanted

Sneaky Thief on the loose!

Reward: 2,000 P-Money

A wanted flyer of a thief that has been causing problems. The picture resembles the man he just fought.

"...Well, I'll be damned." Ed couldn't help but chuckle at his luck. "And I was just thinking about getting me some money."

His thoughts were interrupted by a faint grunt. He turns around to see the Mouse Pokémon waking up.

The first thing Pikachu did was fluster his eyes open, he moved his face to the side and looked at his surroundings, seeing the roasted Magmar still down along with his chubby trainer, who was also unconscious.

"Deciding to wake up?" Pikachu looked at Ed, "I was expecting you to be-" He cut himself off as he looked surprised at the Pokémon.

Pikachu looked confused as to why he stopped talking and he was looking at him like if something strange was on him.

The trainer shook his head sideways, before looking at the yellow mouse. "Bet you're thinking why did I just stop talking?" Pikachu slowly nodded. "It's best that you see it for yourself."

Ed went to his bag and took out a small mirror and gave it to Pikachu so that he could look at his reflection. He yelps in surprise and almost lets go of the mirror. The yellow mouse looked at it again to see if he was seeing right; sure enough, he was.

Because right on the center of his head was a pure gold thunder tattoo, glowing in pure electricity.

Ed looks at his surprised face, ('This is some Shazam bullshit happening right now. And that power...I can understand why the thief wanting to capture him.') He turned to the unconscious duo, ('But I'm worried...He said 'merchandise', as if he was told to capture it.') By the expression he made when seeing it, the thief did not know about this power Pikachu had.

There's no denying that someone wants this Pikachu, and others will come after him since he is wild.

The time is now!

He nods at his thought as he picks the mirror, catching Pikachu's attention. "Listen, buddy, you probably noticed it or not, but you are special." The Mouse looked at him in confusion, "You have a tremendous source of power, and I feel that it comes from the forehead of yours." Pikachu moved his hands over his head, slightly feeling the mark. "And I'm sure that people like that guy over there," they look at the thief, "Will probably benefit from that."

Pikachu's faces morph into horror. The Magmar almost captured him and that man could have done anything to him. It was a terrible experience!

But now knowing that there will be more? How is he going to save himself!?

Ed kneels and places Pikachu down. The Pokémon watched as he moved away a bit. "So, I have a proposal for you that you may accept or reject." He watched as he took a Poké-ball and placed it on the ground. "Come with me."

Pikachu looked at him confused, wanting an explanation. "As we fought together, I felt that we had great teamwork, don't you think?" Ed said.

That left Pikachu thinking for a moment, it's because of this boy that he managed to win his match.

"Of course," Ed put a smile, "Is your decision if you want to come along or not." He said.

Just like a certain Trainer would say.

Pikachu looks at his situation. Right now, he's standing in front of a trainer that has helped him when the Magmar got him cornered, he went far to cure him of his wounds and give him food.

He was in debt with him... And now he was offering a way to pay him back, even though it's something he can deny.

Honestly, with his current state, he has more chances to live than going around alone. That's why he walked to the Poké-ball and touched it, the device opened and a beam of red light shot forward, turning Pikachu into small particles and entering inside.

It closed up as it started to wiggle three times before letting a "Poof" sound.

Ed picks up the red and white ball, his eyes covered by the shadow of his hair, "So ..I take this as a yes...?" the Poké-ball wiggle.

He smiled as the camera started to spin around him, as he raised it with a victory pose like Ash."All right! I just got a Pikachu!" He then points it down, "Come on out, Pikachu!" The ball opens up, as a light shot out, releasing Pikachu from the Poké-ball.

Pikachu came out, and Ed picked him up. "Welcome to the team, Pikachu!" Ed said.

"Pika!" the Pokémon said in happiness, as his trainer puts him on his shoulder.

"Now then," Ed turned to the robber, who was still unconscious, "I have a small favor to ask you."


(A few minutes later)


"Hehe! This guy's weight is not bad! My shoulders are working out perfectly!" Ed said as he was walking the road along with his new partner, Pikachu.

"Pika!" The Electric Mouse said, carrying a bag that the thief man had with him.

To summarize everything, Ed looted the mother-effer. He had three Poke-balls, one that was currently carrying the fated Magmar, a few P-Money, some clothes, and wallets. Once looted, Ed wrapped him tight on a rope and slung it over his shoulder, using his size to work out.

"Honestly, this day has become good." Ed said, "I caught my first Pokémon. I got myself a man with a bounty. I won my first Pokémon Battle. And we are about to reach Viridian City!" He couldn't help but feel proud of that.

"Pika?" Pikachu looked at him in curiosity at what he meant.

"Hmm? Oh," Ed realized that Pikachu doesn't know of his current predicament, "That's something I should explain to you when I can. But for now, let's reach Viridian City and cash this bad boy."

Pikachu nodded as he made sure to not lose the Poké-balls.

After walking for at least 30 minutes, Ed and Pikachu had made out of the forest, and insight, the beautiful city of Viridian."Well, there it is!" Ed said. "This world is covered in adventures and mysteries. Rivals and friends, we are going to make a lot, and without a doubt, we are going to have an awesome adventure!" Ed looks at his Pokémon with a determined smirk. "Don't you agree, buddy?"

"Pika!" The electric Pokémon says, giving a determinate face.

And so, they head straight into Viridian City, what is waiting for our heroes on their journey? Well, all I can say is that one of these is getting close to him, in the form of a shadow following them from behind.


TO BE CONTINUED…

Next time: Viridian City, what do you have for this fan?