Pokémon Kanto Adventures
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, nor other content that you recognize. I am receiving no money for my work.
Chapter Three: Ash Catches a Pokémon
I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
to train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
searching far and wide
Each Pokémon, to understand
The Power that's inside
Its You and Me,
I know its my Destiny
Pokémon!
Your my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon
A heart so true
Our Courage Will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Pokémon!
Yeah
Every challenge along the way
With Courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me the time is right
There's no better team
Arm and arm well win the fight
Its always been our dream
Pokémon
Its you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokémon!
Oh, your my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon
A heart so true
Our Courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Pokémon!
Yeah
The Viridian Forest was an immense jungle, filled with many different species of Pokémon. Ash learned that almost none of them were interested in a ten-year-old would be Master. It was this that occupied Ash's brain, walking alongside Misty. The travelling companion he had unwittingly attained during what Ash was calling the Pokémon Center Battle. Which was a week ago, and a shy three days since Ash had received divine wisdom.
Pewter
Cerulean
Vermillion
Celadon
Fuchsia
Saffron
Cinnabar
Viridian
With a rhythm to his tone, Ash had repeated the little list so many times it was now memorized. Which brought him to his next concern. Gym's began with two on two battles, and Ash had no second Pokémon. Travelling through the forest Ash had expected to capture one easily. Overhead troops of Mankey's leapt across the canopies and underneath Nidoran moved through forestry in giant herds. Yet not a single Pokémon had stayed still long enough for Ash to capture.
"Ahhh," Misty screamed, and Ash jumped.
Pikachu prancing off his shoulder as Ash jolted.
"What's wrong," Ash said, turning to the girl.
All sorts of Pokémon lived in the forest, not all of them were friendly. Upon finding Misty shaking like a leaf, her feet shuffling slowly away from the side of the trail. With the sort of mounting horror that existed inside theatre's, Ash expected to find a Rhyhorn at the least. At the most a Tyrannitar. So when Ash's eyes traced their way along the outstretched arm, pointing at something off into the forestry.
There was a Caterpie on a fern, biting into a leaf, quickly tearing it's way down the small fern it was attached through.
"Your afraid of bugs," Ash stated, looking at Misty with mirth.
"Bugs are disgusting," Misty said.
She was on the other side of the forest trail now, back planted against a tree. Her legs were shaking.
"I don't like them," she said, "Can't you do something?"
"Alright," Ash said, looking at the Caterpie.
In its boredom the Caterpie had turned to them, while idly plucking a fern fond free to munch on. Ash thought it looked rather curious. Looking at the Pokémon, Ash was struck by an evil idea.
"Hey Caterpie," Ash said, taking a knee beside the Pokémon, "do you want to come with us?"
"Ash," Misty gasped from behind him, "Ash what are you doing?"
Ash moved his head to see Misty, who had managed to work herself around to the other side of the tree since the last time he'd seen her.
"Asking this amazing Pokémon if it want's to be my Pokémon," Ash replied, his face was completely straight.
"No," Misty gasped, staring at Ash in horror. "You can't. I'm not going to travel with a bug Poke –"
"Well," Ash said, smiling. He had just discovered another reason to capture Caterpie, "You don't have to travel with us –"
"No way," Misty said, with the heat Ash had come to expect of her working its way back into her, "I'm not letting you get away with breaking my bike,".
The next second the heat was gone, and she was back to huddling in fear. Form half hidden behind the tree. Looking at her for a moment, before dismissing her, Ash turned back to Caterpie. When he was struck rather suddenly that he had never caught a Pokémon before. A rush of air pushed through his lungs, and a bubble of excitement bursting through him.
"then I guess you'll be traveling with a bug Pokémon," Ash said, pushing himself through the heady rush.
There would be no jumping up and down beside Misty, he was not embarrassing himself like that in front of a girl. Fiercely ignoring the liquid excitement buzzing with a bit-bit through him, Ash took upon a calm face when he faced Caterpie again. Calm. Ash thought. Calm will help him capture Caterpie, not nervousness, nor embarrassment or jumping up and down. Now, first he needed a Pokeball. Absently with a deftness Ash thought was abysmal Ash patted down his belt for a Pokeball. Grasping it. Ash was about to tug it free, when he hesitated.
He blew out another breath, calm, he told himself again. Calm down Ash. The idea he had sounded absolutely stupid. But, there were only a Caterpie and a girl present. No one needed to know. Ash let out another breath.
"That is," Ash said, and then his breath was shooting out of it's own accord, "if you want to become my Pokémon?"
"Caterpie –"
Ash stared for a moment. Not understanding. He imagined he looked rather silly leaning down next to the Pokémon he was supposed to be capturing. If this didn't work he would just simply capture the next one that came along.
After a moment Ash broke the silence.
"I should introduce myself first."
Stepping up and away from the Pokémon, back into the middle of the path. Ash flattened his shirt and Jacket hastily, feeling like he would explode, Ash sucked in a breath.
"Hi Caterpie," straightening as he dived into a speech, "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, I'm journeying to become a Pokémon Master –"
Ash abandoned the speech, hopping with excitement and impatient with energy Ash leapt back down to the Pokémon.
"Do you want to be my Pokémon," he said, his voice high pitched and hopeful.
"Caterpie," it said.
Then it turned to Pikachu and Ash could not decipher the conversation that followed. But when it wasa finished a moment later the two Pokémon turned to Ash with expectancy.
"I guess," Ash started, hesitant, choosing his words with the utmost care.
"That if you want to come with me," and the next words were so absurd that Ash rather hoped they hadn't left his mouth, "the two of you could just start battling?"
Ash shrugged in a helpless manner, stepping back even as Misty spoke.
"Ash what are you going on about –"
But there was nothing to have worried about, and everything was fine, for Caterpie had hopped down from its fern. Crawling out of the bushes and onto the trail at a patient pace. Misty was silent. Her eyes occupied with tracking every inch of the bug's journey from behind her cover.
There was a single short chirp from Caterpie, and then the battle was off, a String Shot speeding towards Pikachu.
"Pika!" was uttered, cried by his Pokémon as it leapt out of the way.
Then jerked, foot stuck in wet string, which stretched out behind Pikachu in an impact line.
Busy pulling it's leg free, Pikachu never heard Ash's shout for Thundershock.
Finally freed when Caterpie slammed into Pikachu's side with a tackle attack.
Tumbling back along the breadth of the trail, Pikachu pushed itself back onto it's feet.
"Dodge," Ash shouted moments later.
Soon enough for Pikachu to move out of the way of Caterpie's second Tackle.
Prancing around and away from the incoming Caterpie, Pikachu moved to the other side of the trail.
"Pikachu Thundershock," Ash called, as the Caterpie fired off it's String Shot again.
The attacks passed each other, Thundershock hitting Caterpie and flinging it back as Pikachu became stuck to the ground with string.
Both Pokémon huffed, a moment of silence had been reached.
"Right," Ash said, examining both Pokémon.
Caterpie was breathing rather deeply, but it could not be said that Pikachu was doing the same. Though it was difficult to tell from the string. It was not how Ash imagined his first attempt to capture a Pokémon would go.
"I think that's enough," Ash decided, turning his eyes towards Caterpie, "Pikachu's going to be getting out of that anytime soon."
Ash felt rather silly asking this next bit, "do you still want to come with us."
There was a moment, Ash could see in Caterpie's eyes that it was contemplating the decision. But then the moment passed, and Caterpie was nodding its head.
"Great," Ash said, as he pulled out the Pokeball from his belt.
Excitement rose with the ball in his hand, and clenching his muscles as he took a stance. Ash found himself yelling as it was flung loose.
"Pokeball go!"
Behind him Misty giggled, and Ash went immediately and predominantly red.
It would be the last time he did that.
Seconds later the Pokeball hit Caterpie, and Ash's thoughts were clamped firmly away from the reddening of his face. Caterpie was engulfed, and Ash worried he might have interpreted Caterpie wrong as the ball wobbled. Yet seconds later it stilled, Caterpie was caught and Ash found himself leaping forward for the device in excitement.
"I did it," Ash shouted once, bringing the ball up to examine it closely. And then it was thrust upwards.
"I got Caterpie, I did it," Ash laughed, "I caught my first Pokémon."
Then he saw Misty. She was still behind her tree, but her face was red, and her cheeks were inflated. When they matched eyes, she burst out in crying laughter.
"I'm sorry," she gasped, in between laughs, "I know – It's your first Pokémon, but –"
she began laughing once more, "did you practice that in front of a mirror?"
"No," Ash said, shrill and fast.
Embarrassment ran across his face.
"This is my first step on the path to becoming a Pokémon Master," Ash said, indigent. "It's not my fault your puny brain isn't able to appreciate –"
But she was laughing again, and looking at her, Ash just heaved out a depressed sigh. Momentarily looking to Pikachu for help, before giving it up as a lost cause. Caterpie was released, and shrugging off his backpack Ash began rummaging inside his bag.
"Cat," it chipped in greeting, shaking dizziness from itself.
"Hey Caterpie," Ash replied, "I've got some Potion for your wounds."
"Pie," Caterpie said, moving closer to Ash.
Fishing out one of the Potions he had bought at the Pokemart in Viridian City, Ash shook the Silph Co product, reading the instructions of the Pokémon General Anesthetic. How was he supposed to apply it to electrical wounds?
"Misty," Ash called, turning. She was still behind the tree, "Do you know how to treat electrical wounds?"
Misty took a singularly quick look at Ash's new Caterpie, looked back at Ash, and then silently shook her head. Ash let out a silent groan.
"Misty, it's just a Caterpie," Ash said, gesturing to his Pokémon helplessly. "You're not gonna hurt her are you Caterpie?"
"Cater," It posited, nodding its head happily.
"See," Ash said, "Caterpie's not gonna hurt you, there's nothing to be afraid of. Now come out from the tree and help me figure out how to apply this potion."
"No," Misty said shortly, "Don't wanna."
"Arghh," Ash moaned, looking at Misty in annoyance. "Not liking a Pokémon, is no reason not to help it."
"It's not that," Misty said, reddening. "I well –"
She went silent.
"I've never actually applied a potion to a Pokémon before," she said sheepishly.
"What," Ash said, "but you've been a trainer for a year?"
"I was at the Cerulean Gym," Misty answered, "learning about water Pokémon for my License."
She was distinctly red by now.
"The Gym Leader's were the ones who handled healing a Pokémon," she said.
"I," Ash muttered, "what? How does tha… but you have a license for water Pokémon? Half the challenges would have been electrical Pokémon."
"Well, they were," Misty murmured, perpetually embarrassed now, "But it was more manual labor than anything else."
"I –," Ash blinked slowly, looking at the red girl hiding behind a tree. "What did you actually learn from the Gym?"
"Well, Technically nothing." Ash thought someone couldn't go more red. "But at the end of it they gave me three Pokémon."
"Okay," Ash said after a moment, not really knowing what to say.
He sighed, turning his attention back to Caterpie and Pikachu. Ash could always apply the potion to Pikachu first, he just had some scrapes and a small lump. But what to do about Caterpie, the only indication of electrocution was the scrapes from it hitting the ground. And it was clearly further damaged than that.
Professor Oak would know, he always knew stuff like this when Ash asked.
Bringing out his Pokedex, he shuffled down the menu and opened up the contacts menu. There wasn't the number for Professor Oak here, Ash groaned. What was the Ranch's number again. Typing in a uncertain length of digits, Ash pressed the machine up to his ear. After four rings, the receptionist Linda picked up the phone.
"Hey Linda," said Ash, as he ignored Misty's attention.
"Hey Squirt," she replied, "heard you'd started on your Journey. How's it going?"
"Great," Ash said, "Great, I actually just caught my first Pokémon."
There was a pause on the other side.
Ash imagined she had just switched the phone,"
"You did," she chirped, with excitement Ash could hear. "That's great! What is it?"
"A Caterpie," Ash answered. "Hey, could I speak to the Professor, I need to ask him something."
"You caught a Caterpie," she shouted instead, "I love Caterpie. Their all so cute and fuzzy –"
Ash pulled the Pokedex away from his ear, Linda loved anything small, it's why she had a job at the Ranch. Everyone there loved Pokémon.
"Yes, but is Professor Oak around," Ash asked. "I need to ask him about Potion's."
"NO, I'm afraid the Sam's on the other side of the property," Linda replied, as she calmed down, "why, what did you need to ask? I'll right it down for him."
"How to treat electrical damage?" Ash said.
"You mean Paralysis," Linda said.
"No, normal Thundershock damage," Ash said, "I can't see any of the affected areas I'm supposed to apply it too."
"Oh," Linda gasped, "I know that."
"Just spray it – Umm, how to say this? Just kinda all around the Caterpie."
"Okay," Ash said, "So just like repellent?"
"Yeah, exactly!" Linda said, "potions give them energy. The Pokémon do the actual healing. But after fighting a lot they've got no more energy left to heal. So you've got to feed them it."
"Umm," Ash answered, "Okay?"
"Yeah, like lot's of their favorite food works too," she said.
"But look," she said, "there's this brat I've got to deal with, said he found a Charmander on his farm. Now he thinks it's his."
"Bye," Ash said.
"Bye she replied, as Ash hung up.
Taking out the bottle of Potion, Ash sprayed a generous helping of it onto Caterpie, being sure to avoid it's eyes and mouth. Before moving over to Pikachu and doing the same around it's scrapes and bruises. When he was done, he got up, looking at the two, and remembering Linda's explanation.
"We'd better wait an hour," Ash said, "just to be sure."
"Pika," Pikachu answered, as Caterpie shouted likewise.
Sitting down on the side of the trail, his Pokémon following closely behind, Ash began rummaging through his bag. It wasn't quite lunchtime yet, but bringing out the box of food labelled Wednesday. He set it down on the ground next to Pikachu, then he pulled out Thursday's lunch.
Pulling the lid's off both, he handed Pikachu the dried berries for Wednesday Misty had insisted he buy from Viridian instead of what Pikachu had wanted. Then he opened the box for Thursday, and handed Caterpie the dried berries inside there.
Soon, Misty had come out from behind her tree. Planting her own bag on the ground, and opening up her lunch. Though she did not bring out her Pokémon, and when asked, she reiterated that all of her Pokémon couldn't go on land.
Lunch was had in quiet for the two Human's, as the two Pokémon quietly chirped away at each other in their own language. In five minutes Ash had shoved the dry mass-produced sandwiches down his throat and he was free to watch all the different kinds of Pokémon darting in and out of sight. There were many he didn't recognize, and so many of them seemed to be travelling by. One small Pidgey had landed itself atop one of the huge trunks within eyesight. Ash was content watching it nervously twitter between treetops. When a shrill scream split the air, and the Pidgey darted off.
Misty had screamed, and jolted up in his seat against a tree, Ash turned to stare at what had startled her. To see Caterpie rubbing itself up against one of her legs. Caterpie's food was gone, and he had successfully managed to glue himself to the bottom of Misty's ankle. The best part about the entire thing, was that Misty had decided to freeze stiff. It allowed his Pokémon to rub itself up against her to his hearts content.
"Catta," the Pokémon called in delight, as Misty whimpered, looking at Ash with pleading eyes.
"Caterpie really likes you," was all Ash said, watching as Caterpie chirped happily.
"Get it off," Misty whined. As with a bravery Ash thought vacant from her, she began to ever so slowly pull her shaking leg away from the bug. Quickly scrambling away as soon as the leg became detached from the bug. Her back came to rest on the other side of the trail, pressed against the trunk of a tree.
"Please don't come any closer," Misty said.
"Cat," cried the Pokémon in dismay.
Before Caterpie saw if it could worm itself any closer to Misty. Stopping when Misty gave a slight little shudder when Caterpie approached.
After giving out a second mournful "Cat," Ash watched with a distinct feeling of worry for his Pokémon. Even as Pikachu bounded up to it, patting Caterpie on the back. His exasperation at Misty's fear had grown into anger with Caterpie's rejection. Glaring at the offending party, he was pleased when Misty turned away.
"I really don't like bugs," Misty muttered, watching the two Pokémon warily.
"It's a stupid fear," Ash said, "and it's hurting Caterpie's feelings."
"Cat" it shouted in agreement.
"Ash, it's disgusting," Misty whined, "put that thing back in its Pokeball."
"No," Ash "I'm not going to return Caterpie just because of your silly fear."
"Everybody has something they don't like," Misty cried in defense, "and I don't like bugs."
"Well I don't really like you at the moment," Ash growled, "Can't you be friendly, for Caterpie's sake."
"Here," Ash said, picking Caterpie up for Misty, "look at him, how could this cute little guy be ever called disgusting?"
"Bug's are one of the three most disgusting things in the world," Misty cringed, moving rapidly away from Ash.
"Everybody has something they don't like," Misty answered, trying to look more dignified now that she was safely away from Caterpie. "And I don't like bugs."
"Aside from you," Ash said, "what are the other disgusting things."
"Very funny," Misty spat, "Carrots, peppers and bugs."
"Yeah well, I don't like the way your hurting Caterpie's feelings with your silly fear of bugs," Ash retorted.
Misty snorted, letting out a long shrill growl of anger, before turning her head away with a single noise of denial.
Seeing that Misty had given up arguing, Ash turned to his Pokémon. Which had unnoticed by him curled up into itself in a tight little ball in his arms. Going as far away from Misty as he could, his Pikachu bouncing worriedly behind him.
"I don't think your ugly or disgusting at all Caterpie," Ash said to the little ball of green in his lap. "You won't scare Misty anymore, we'll go on without her."
One of Caterpie's eye's peaked outside of it's bundle.
"Come on, climb up on my shoulder," Ash said, putting as much comfort into the tone as he could.
A single moment taken, as Caterpie looked to Pikachu. Seeing his Pokémon nod his head, the bug slowly unwrapped itself, crawling up and over Ash's shirt and onto his shoulder.
After Caterpie was situated, and Ash had packed away their lunches, he began moving back down the trail. Pikachu following loosely behind them, amusing himself by running around, poking into different bushes and crevices alongside the trail. Behind them Misty was nowhere to be seen, and Ash was confident that Caterpie's presence was the reason. Without Misty hiking alongside him, Ash found himself with naught but his Pokémon to listen Ash began talking of plans.
"I want to challenge the Gym in Pewter City first," Ash said, "the Gym Leader, Brock. He's a Rock Type trainer."
"Catta!" Caterpie said, and Ash could guess what was wrong.
"Yeah I know," Ash said, "Bug types are weak against Rock types."
Ash frowned, "and Electric types don't do any damage at all."
"Pika!" his other Pokémon shouted.
Ash looked back; Pikachu had stuck his head out of a bush he was exploring. Ash thought the Pokémon looked rather confused.
"I'm hoping we'll catch a flying type to help," Ash said, "But if I can't we'll have to come up with a plan."
"Pika!, Pikachu," his Pokémon said, hopping out of the bushes and shaking his head.
"Yeah, I know Pikachu, it's going to be really hard if you can't use Thundershock," Ash said, "but we'll come up with a Strategy. I'll google what Brock uses on the Internet, and then we'll make a strategy to defeat it."
"Pi," Pikachu looked rather unsure, but Ash strode right ahead.
"I'm thinking that he probably uses a Geodude, or something like that," Ash waved his hands theatrically, "I'll teach you Quick Attack so you can move around him."
"Caterpie, you've already got String Shot and tackle," Ash said, "if we can trap his Pokémon in String, then well be able to use tackle."
Ash paused in thought.
"And I'll search what moves Caterpie learns as well," Ash mumbled, "See if I can't find you something better."
"Catta-pie," his Pokémon agreed.
Walking onwards along the trail, it was nearing sunset when Ash finally discovered what had become of Misty. With Pikachu tugging on his jeans, Ash turned around, regarding the form hidden behind a tree in the trail.
"What are you following us for."
"Arh," Misty said, as she took a moment to think, "my bike, I'm holding you responsible for my bike."
"I told you I'll pay you back for it," Ash said, "We've got each other's ID's, you don't need to follow me everywhere."
"And when exactly am I going to get this money," Misty replied, her tone dripping with venom. "Because so far, all I've heard are empty promises."
Not a single mention of Caterpie, Ash closed his eyes. She wasn't even going to apologize. And on top of it all, there was that stupid bike. He couldn't wait until he beat the first Gym, all his troubles were going to evaporate with it.
"Fine," Ash said, as calmly as possible over the grating of his teeth, "do whatever you want, but if I hear a single peep about Caterpie or any other bug. Then I'm leaving you in the middle of the night."
Misty let out harsh annoyed growl, her eyes darting to the Pokémon on his shoulder, then back to him.
"fine," she agreed.
They made camp on the spot, two small sleeping bags, a Devon Corp Portable Battery and a single glowing lamp set on a tree stump between them. Boxes were drawn out of Ash's bag, and the Dinner labelled for Wednesday was distributed. The dinner labelled for Thursday was pilfered.
Cold, miserable, and sick of the stupid sandwiches Ash thought would past muster in a store a day ago, he brought out his Pokedex. Reddit told him Brock used a selection of 4 Pokémon for his 1st Badge challengers. Onix, Geodude, Kabuto and Omanyte. Two of which Ash had never heard of before, and after a brief search he found they were Fossil Pokémon and water types. Unfortunately, Ash knew their dual Rock/Water typing would still negate electrical damage.
Moving quickly to Wikipedia and entering the Pikachu page, Ash patiently read through several descriptions of the moves Pikachu could learn before the first Gym. Of them, Ash found only Quick Attack would be useful for the Gym. There were several others present, but Ash found that most of them were status moves it learnt as a Pichu and carried over. Which Ash wasn't interested in. Although Thunderwave sounded vaguely useful, but again, electrical attacks did not affect Rock type Pokémon.
In addition the page indicated that Pikachu would be able to learn something called Electro Ball before, or just after a Pokémon reached 1st Badge fighting level. Only, it sounded stupid, and Ash had tried to correct thing the description. But Wikipedia did enjoy making sure users had multiple PHD's before they understood anything vaguely technical. So, at the end of an hour of intense frustration with the move Ash had concluded that he roughly understood the mechanics of the move.
The moved worked by forming a condensed ball of electricity, which Pikachu would then throw at it's opponent. According to the site damage was generated by the speed the ball was moving at. Which made it stupid.
Of course, in addition to this Ash would have to find a Pokémon willing to take the time to instruct his Pokémon. Which of course often meant a trainer was involved, and seeing as how the page listed the attack as rare, Ash doubted he would be able to find anyone before the Pewter Gym that could teach Pikachu.
Moving on to Caterpie's page, Ash was saddened to discover that it had next to no move information on it. Only stating that it could learn Bug Bite, Tackle and String Shot before the 1st Badge. What was stated was that Caterpie was expected to evolve fully into a Butterfree before the first Gym. It would learn Harden upon evolving into a Metapod, and upon evolving into Butterfree it would be able to learn more moves. Of them, Ash found six that Caterpie would both be capable of learning and be helpful against the gym. Confusion, Gust, Supersonic, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder and Poison Powder.
Tomorrow dawned with the sounds of screaming, and Misty frantically scrambling, her body engulfed in her sleeping bag, away from Caterpie. Who had sometime during the night decided to curl up into Misty's side.
"What is this thing doing sleeping near me," she yelled, moving away and behind a tree.
Her sleeping bag was still wrapped around her.
Ash groaned, sleep had been so peaceful, and now he was back to this.
"Caterpie just wants to be your friend," Ash whined, tone low.
"If that thing wants to be my friend," Misty growled, "it can stop bugging me already."
"Cat, Caterpie," the Pokémon mourned, shuffling back over to Ash.
"Misty, you're so unbelievable," Ash said, scooping Caterpie up, "he meant no harm. Why he likes you I'll never know?"
Moving Caterpie into his Pokeball, to the Pokémon's insistence, Ash pack away his sleeping back and the battery pack form last night. Spending an awkward hour with his eyes against a tree when Misty insisted the entire forest was full of bugs. Afterwards taking great delight in making Misty stare into a tree.
When camp was packed, and breakfast had been given to everyone, a Pidgey landed in the middle of the trail. Tweeting, and flickering from foot to foot on the flutter of it's wings.
"Pi," Pikachu said in question.
The bird tugged a worm from the ground.
"A Pidgey," Misty asked, "it's rather small."
"Yeah," Ash said, as Pokémon and trainer began examining each other. "I wonder why it landed here?"
"I don't know," Misty murmured, looking at the bird. "I think it wants to be captured," she muttered, unsure of herself.
"Are you sure?" Ash uttered.
"Well, Pokémon don't just present themselves to people like this," Misty answered.
"Oh," Ash said," Do you think it wants to be captured?"
The Pidgey chirped positively, and then immediately stilled. Readying itself.
"Okay," Ash said, "well, I wanted to try battling with Caterpie today. This is perfect."
"Caterpie Go," Ash said, releasing Caterpie onto the grass.
"Pie," said the Pokémon, shaking itself.
"Hey Caterpie," Ash said, as the Pokémon turned to him, "This Pidgey wants to be caught. Why don't we give it a battle then?"
"Catta," said after a moment, taking a firmer stance.
"Caterpie, use String Shot," Ash said as the Pidgey took flight, dodging the attack.
Pidgey dived round through the air, hitting Caterpie in a tackle. Caterpie was shot back, tumbling across the dirt of the trail. When he came to a stop Caterpie must have seen something Ash didn't, because he fired a String Shot off at the Pidgey.
The String Shot hit, tangling in Pidgey's wings and dropping the bird to the ground. Frantically pulling and biting at the strings on its wings, Pidgey missed the second String Shot Ash called for. The attack completely encasing the flying type.
"Great work Caterpie," Ash said.
Ash threw the device at the Pidgey, engulfing it in light. A moment of nervous tension passed, and then Ash had caught his second Pokémon.
"I can't believe you caught a Flying Type with a Bug Type," Misty grumbled.
"I'm the greatest," Ash said, completely ignoring Misty.
"You're the worst," Misty groaned in the background. "I can't believe that worked."
"Huh," Ash said, turning round, "what worked?"
"Capturing a Flying type with a Bug Type," Misty said.
"What's so special about it?" Ash replied.
"Bug is weak to Flying," Misty answered.
Ash frozen, "It is?"
He looked round to Caterpie, "your weak to flying types?"
Caterpie nodded, helpfully chirping.
Ash groaned.
"If I'd known that I would have sent out Pikachu," Ash said, before turning to Caterpie.
Hoisting the Pokémon up to his head.
"Look at you," Ash announced, "the strongest bug in the world. There ain't no bird you're afraid of, is there."
Caterpie chirped proudly at him, and a moment of celebration was had been Ash, Pikachu and Caterpie before the former was placed back on the ground.
The newly filled Pokeball was turned too, the bird chirping as he was released.
"Hello Pidgey," Ash said, thinking nervously on something to say. "I'm Ash."
"Pi!" the bird chirped, as it jumped up and down with it's wings.
"Well," Ash scratched his head, "I began my journey a week and a half ago. I'm from Pallet Town and these are my Pokémon. Pikachu and Caterpie."
The bird chirped again, and then began twittering a conversation to his other Pokémon. Ash looked at them, lost.
"I wish I could speak Pokémon," Ash grumbled.
"Pi," his Pikachu laughed, joined soon in sniggering by the other two.
"Well, I'm heading to Pewter to battle the Gym Leader," Ash continued, "I'm hoping I'll be able to use you, since it's a Rock Type Gym."
"Pidgey," it started, rather alarmingly.
"I know, I know, I just caught you," Ash said, trying to appear calming to the bird. "But Flying types moves are super effective against Rock types. and it's only the first Gym, so I think a clever use of gust and some strategy will be enough to win."
"Pi, Pikachu," his Pokémon said accusingly, as Pidgey shook his head.
Ash looked at him a moment, frowning, "you don't know Gust, do you?"
"Pidgey," his new Pokémon said, as Ash sighed.
"It's okay," Ash said, his Pokémon settling back down, "if we have to spend a month in Pewter learning moves than that's fine."
"Pikachu," Pikachu sighed.
"Good," Ash said, seeing that his Pokémon no longer seemed to be alarmed. "We'll get moving then, and I'll have a look through the Pokedex for any trainer's to battle along the way."
His Pokémon looked at each other again, and there was a short discussion Ash was not privy too. Afterwards everything was fine, and Ash returned to of his Pokémon to their Pokeballs, before turning to Misty.
"You ready to go?" Ash asked.
"Yeah," Misty said, turning to walk down the trail.
Ash followed, pulling loose his Pokeball as he walked, and began browsing through the League's Trainer Page. After selecting his local area, and further narrowing down the list to those without Gym badges, Ash looked at the resultant list of 20. 3 of which were not interested in battling. Another 6 were dismissed from list for having a singular Pokémon.
The remaining 11 had parties of either Caterpie, Weedle, Metapod or Kakuna except for one notable exception. There was a girl a days behind them who had both a female and male Nidoran, which seemed interesting, but ultimately the decision for Ash was a combination of party size and accessibility. So the list was narrowed further, to a singular 4 that had parties of three Pokémon.
From there Ash looked at their Trainer information, most were trainer's that had begun with a Bug Pokémon caught within the Viridian Forest. It was a popular trend among trainers, limiting the party to a singular type made it easier to both train and care for the Pokémon. What was of interest to Ash was that there was one trainer in the forest who had two Metapod's and a Caterpie. If Ash could meet up and battle him then there was a good chance he could get something for Caterpie out of it. Shake a few nuggets of wisdom training three Caterpie yielded.
Deciding upon Allen Stratum, a request was sent via his Pokedex for a battle. Later his Pokedex would ring in acceptance. Directions would be provided for a commonly used field inside the forest, and Ash agreed to meet with the trainer at eleven.
After the time and place were decided, the particulars were argued via text message on the approach. Ash and Allen sending a disjointed string of messages to each other over the hour period before they met. First it was decided that with three people present the match would be officially recorded for their Trainer Profiles. Then squabbling over money began. Both trainers had little to offer towards the pot, even after official dispensation for the match was assured.
Eventually it was decided that both would submit 30P$ to the pot. Which Ash thought would hold up handsomely to whatever subsidy the League would give after their match was submitted and accepted. Finally, both trainers easily agreed to a three on three battle, standardized League Rules.
When Ash and Misty arrived Allen was waiting for them in the clearing. At Ash's height and dressed in a white shirt and yellow Khaki's sitting against a tree on one edge. Getting up and stretching out a yawn, Allen moved over to the middle of the grass covered stretch of land. Pikachu ran up and sniffed the trainer once before it bounced off over to the thing dirt square etched into the middle of the clearing.
"You must be Ash," Allen greeted as they approached.
"Yeah," Ash nodded, nervously, "And this is Pikachu."
"Pi!" his Pokémon said in greeting as it bounded back over, satisfied with exploring the area.
"Hi," Misty greeted pleasantly, "I'm Misty, I'll be the referee."
"Oh, you mentioned that," Allen said, taking Misty's Trainer ID into his hand, "I didn't really believe you when you said that you were travelling with a certified Type Specialist."
He chuckled, looking somewhat sheepish.
"It's fine," Misty smiled, "I've been getting that a lot from people since I qualified."
"I wouldn't know anything about that," Allen replied with humor, "I'm really only an expert on Caterpie. As I'm sure your aware."
"Yeah," Ash nodded enthusiastically, "That's actually something I wanted to talk to you about, I recently caught a Caterpie see–"
"I noticed," Allen finished, "I suppose after you lose the battle, I can deign to grace you with my experience."
Allen snorted, and Ash and Misty politely snorted alongside him.
"So, how do you want to do this?" Ash began, after they had all had a quiet moment to exhume the Butterfree's from their stomachs.
"Well," Allen began, "I thought we'd set our Pokedex's up on the ground a bit back from the battlefield."
Allen pointed to two opposing corners of the field, "We'll do it on opposite sides so we can capture all of the angles."
"Oh, okay," Ash said, nodding, "that makes sense."
After a moment, Allen spoke again.
"Oh yeah, make sure your Pidgey doesn't fly too high." Allen said, "I don't think they'll reject the match if you move out of the area for a while. But the League isn't too much of a fan of Roost boosting."
"Huh," Ash said, momentarily stunned, "I didn't even think of that, but I don't think there's any danger of my Pidgey knowing Roost."
"Yeah, well," the guy shrugged, "I thought I'd let you know."
"Right," Misty said, stepping back several meters, and taking a very official tone. "Well, if both participants could take out their recording devices."
Ash snorted while Allen stared, then looking briefly at each other. Ash shrugged. He didn't know what the sudden officialness was about either. It took a few moments to prepare the camera's, setting them up behind the corner's of the square dirt line emblazoned into the grass of the clearing.
"Right," Ash said, taking a stance behind the line.
Allen had taken his moment's earlier. "I'll start us off."
Ash frowned again, he had wanted to do this as a training battle. Regardless of the pot. So he guessed that he would use one Pokémon per round. If he lost any rounds, then it would just be extra training for the next Pokémon.
As for the order, he supposed weakest to strongest would be best. Pidgey, Caterpie and then Pikachu.
Wait no, Pidgey was strong against bug, so he would be last.
"Go Caterpie," Ash said, as his Pokémon appeared onto the field.
"Pika!" his other cheered, as Caterpie shook off it's sudden appearance.
"Trainer Ketchum has chosen to use Caterpie for the first round," Misty stated, as officially as she could.
"Right then," Allen said, "I'll guess I'll call Caterpie too."
A second Caterpie appeared on the field.
"Trainer Stratum has chosen to use Caterpie for the first round."
A faint moaning was heard from Misty, and Ash had to catch her eye, gesturing with a small bit of force.
"Oh, right," Misty said, somewhat sheepishly, "if both trainer's a ready?"
The both of them nodded, "battle begin!"
"Caterpie," both of them shouted over the other.
"Bug Bite!"
"Tackle!"
"Wha!" Ash said, as the Caterpie charged at each other, one whose teeth were glowing. "Caterpie dodge it! don't let it hit you."
"Cater!" it shouted in confusion.
The Pokémon looking back at Ash as it stopped it's tackle. But the damage was done, and Allen's Caterpie drove into Caterpie, biting it with Bug Bite.
"Great," Allen called, smiling triumphantly, "finish him off with a tackle Caterpie!"
"Dodge!" Ash shouted, "Dodge!"
And Caterpie did, as the other Caterpie released Ash's from his pincer's to dive in for a short range tackle Caterpie moved, swerving dutifully around the other.
"Yes," Ash shouted, "Now String Shot!"
"Dodge," Allen shouted a moment later.
Feet apart, the two Pokémon followed their trainer's instructions, and as Caterpie made to dodge Caterpie let loose a stream of String from mere feet away. Covering Allen's Caterpie in string all along the side and ground as it did. the attack expanding at Allen's Pokémon became stuck, and soon it was engulfed in a cocoon.
"Now tackle!" Ash shouted, as Allen's Caterpie tried to pry itself out.
"Cater!" Allen's shouted as Tackle hit, the Pokémon tossed back.
"Again!" Ash shouted, Allen's Pokémon was still covered in goo.
Caterpie obeyed, and Allen's Caterpie was struck back for a second time, bouncing once towards the end of the field.
"Get out of the goo Caterpie!" Allen shouted.
"Right!" Ash said, looking at the two Caterpie.
They were both damaged, but Ash's was the healthier, nor was it covered in goo.
"Finish it," Ash said. "Tackle."
"Get out, C'mon get out Caterpie."
"Cater" Allen's called, as it was swept back and into unconsciousness.
"Allen's Pokémon is unable to battle," Misty called after a moment, "the round goes to Ash Ketchum."
"Right," Allen said, returning his Pokémon.
"How you doing Caterpie," Ash asked, looking at his Pokémon.
"Cater!" it answered, and then a glowing light surrounded it.
"Umm," Ash said, looking at the Metapod that appeared in Caterpie's place.
"Meta!" it announced, before hopping curiously from foot to foot.
"Wow," Misty said, staring at Metapod.
"Yeah," Allen said, "Bug Pokémon like Caterpie evolve quickly, usually all it takes is one or two wins."
"Right," Ash said, looking at his new Pokémon.
Metapod was still somewhat injured from Caterpie's Bug Bite, and Ash didn't know if it could win against another Metapod. More importantly it was enthusiastic, and if Ash was guessing correctly wanted to continue the fight with the first Metapod.
But Ash had wanted to try commanding Pikachu and Pidgey.
"Hey Metapod," Ash began, "do you mind if Pikachu has a go?"
"Pod?" it said, before Metapod nodded.
"Ash, it's a three on three," Misty called, "you can't substitute Pokémon, if you take Metapod off the field you'll be retiring it."
Ash looked at Misty and Allen. Shrugging his shoulders.
"That's fine," Ash said, "I wanted the chance to use all my Pokémon during the battle anyway."
"Okay then," Misty replied, "Trainer Ketchum has chosen to retire Caterpie."
After awkwardly shaking its body when Ash brought out his Pokeball, Metapod plodded over to stand next to Ash's leg.
"Right," Ash said, "Pikachu!"
"Pika" it called, jumping onto the field.
"Trainer Ketchum has chosen to use Pikachu," Misty stated.
"Right then," Allen said after a moment, "I'll use Metapod then."
Metapod appeared, "Meta!"
"Trainer Stratum has chosen to use Metapod."
"if both trainer's are ready," Misty looked at them both, getting their nods, "then round 2 begins now!"
"Metapod harden!" shouted Allen, at the same time Ash called for Thundershock.
It didn't work, Pikachu's trusty weapon smashing against the Pokémon, and then like a egg hitting a surface shattered, splitting off and deflecting in many directions.
"Huh," said Ash, "Pikachu, wait for it to attack and then use Thundershock."
"Heh," Allen chuckled, taking his time, "Metapod, String Shot."
Both attack struck out, the Thundershock and String Shot passing each other in midair, both hitting their targets. As Metapod was smashed backwards by Thundershock, Pikachu was stuck to the ground with String Shot. The goop covering the front of Pikachu.
"Right," Allen called, looking at his Metapod in concern, then at Pikachu in triumph, "Metapod use Bug Bite!"
"Pikachu," Ash called, "don't bother trying to get out, just Thundershock Metapod."
"Pika!" it called, as another Thundershock was released, the string shot stuck to Pikachu was ignored, and the attack slammed into the approaching Metapod and knocking it back.
"What, how" Allen shouted, "Metapod no!"
"Well, I hoped Thundershock wouldn't be stopped by the string," Ash explained. "Turns out I was right, Pikachu can still launch attacks when it's stuck."
"Again," Ash called, as Allen called for Harden.
The third Thundershock struck out, and shattered like the first.
"Right," Ash said, frowning at the metallic Metapod, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt it whenever you feel like it."
"Pika!" it agreed.
"Metapod Harden constantly," Allen replied, "let's fake an attack and then we'll attack after Pikachu's let lose his bolt."
After a minute of standoff, where two aborted Tackles where made. Harden abated, but it was not to attack Pikachu, Metapod had exhausted himself. Moment's later there was no protection for when the final thunderbolt slammed home.
"Pikachu is the winner of round 2," Misty announced.
"Good work Pikachu," Ash said, as Allen returned his Metapod.
"Go Metapod," Allen announced, as his third Pokémon appeared on the field.
"Trainer Stratum has chosen to use Metapod for round 3," Misty said.
"Right Pikachu," Ash said, "can you return so Pidgey can have a go."
"Pika!" it replied, as it began to pull itself free of it's cocoon.
When it was done, Pikachu jumped happily back on his shoulder, and Ash released Pidgey.
"Pidg!" it shouted, then it began flittering nervously from foot to foot.
"Trainer Ketchum has chosen to use Pidgey for Round 3," Misty called.
"If both trainer's a ready," Ash and Allen both nodded, "then round 3 begin!"
"Pidgey let's use tackle!"
"Metapod harden," Allen called.
Pidgey struck into the hardened shell of the bug.
"Metapod String shot!"
"Dodge!" Ash called, as his Pidgey moved out of the way.
"Damn it," Allen said, watching Pidgey fly off, "Metapod again."
Pidgey swooped around the shot, moving up and out of range.
"Right Pidgey," Ash called, "Allen like's using Harden whenever we attack. So let's use Sand Attack to blind it."
"Pidgey!" it called, beginning to flap it's wings as it circled.
Blowing up a strong burst of wind into the clearing, upsetting the dirt and kicking up a cloud of dust. Engulfing the small little clearing in a cloud.
"Metapod, wait until it attack's and then String Shot," Allen called.
"Tackle Attack," Ash called, as his Pidgey dived in.
Neither could tell what happened in the cloud, but when his Pidgey exited, a stream of string shot out following it. Moment's later, a bright appeared from the middle of the clearing.
"Brilliant," called Allen in jubilation.
Then a Butterfree shot up and out of the cloud.
"What," called Ash in disbelief, "how did that – Pidgey watch out it can fly now!"
"Yes," Allen called, "show me what you've got Butterfree!"
Butterfree called out once, flapping it's wings, and then a small tornado Ash recognized as Gust appeared. Sweeping out and striking Pidgey. Trapping the Pokémon inside as it swirled about him before dissipating, not doing much damage.
"Pidgey tackle," Ash shouted when his Pidgey reappeared.
Shaking its head once to right itself after the attack, Pidgey smashed into Butterfree with a Tackle.
"Butterfree String Shot," called out Allen.
Ash hoped the attack would miss, but that hope was quickly dashed when the attack struck, and Pidgey's wings became stuck to it. Dropping the bird to the ground in a jumble of feathers.
"Right Butterfree," called Allen, "Bug Bite!"
"Quick," Ash called, "your legs are free, use tackle again to hit Butterfree when it dives in."
After a moment, which Pidgey took to jump itself back onto its feet, Pidgey obeyed. Both Pokémon hitting each other's heads in a final tackle attack before Butterfree fainted.
"Butterfree is unable to battle," Misty called as Allen returned his Pokémon, "Ash Ketchum is the winner."
"Wahoo," Ash shouted, childishly jumping into the air. "I won my first Pokémon battle."
He ignored the twin snorts from the spectators.
"Hey Allen" Ash said, later, after the camera's had been turned off and their Pokémon healed. "How much to teach Caterpie and Pidgey Bug Bite and Gust?"
"Hmm," Allen said, "I want the 60P$."
"Agreed," Ash said immediately.