Chapter 2: It's the first step up the ladder
Here's pokémon list:
Ash: Charmander
Leaf; Bulbasaur.
Gary: Squirtle.
Here's the second chapter. Note: egg moves don't exist in this story, and I am undecided on TMs.
Ash and Charmander didn't have to travel far before they saw the sign for route 1. There was an arrow-shaped sign just next to it saying, "Cars and other motorised cars and circles this way. Trainers on foot straight ahead."
"Well, this it, Charmander: the first step of becoming a trainer, which is the first step to becoming a Pokémon Master," Ash said stopping. He and Charmander started down the route almost straight away. Ash said as they walked, opening the Pokédex, "Let's see: according to this, Pidgey, Rattata, Spearow and Bellsprout live here."
"Char?" Charmander asked. He wondered which one they were going to catch if not all of them.
"I think we are just going to travel through and not catch any Pokémon: we will wait until the forest, as there are more there and according to this, they will be stronger even though they may be at the same age and level and will turn out stronger," Ash said.
"Char!" Charmander nodded. Understandable, he thought.
A while later after they had been walking for close to an hour, Ash was glancing up at the sky when he saw a golden bird flying across the sky. It looked huge but amazing! "Charmander! Look!" Ash said, picking Charmander up and pointing.
"Char," Charmander said, also seeing it. He was mesmerised by the beautiful creature: Charmander didn't know what it was, but boy he wanted to meet it: hopefully, they would meet it, one day.
Right then, a rainbow formed behind the bird. Ash decided to pull his Pokédex out, overwhelmed with curiosity. "This Pokémon is unknown," it said.
"What? Does that mean it comes from another region beyond Johto?" Ash wondered as he and Charmander watched the bird fly off.
"One day, we are going to meet it: because it was so beautiful and powerful looking," Ash stated, and his partner nodded. Then Ash noticed a red bike on the side of the road, as he put Charmander down.
"Wow! Someone's left their bike here: I wonder if they're still around. Hey, hello!" Ash called. His mother had mentioned sometimes people stop and fish then leave and forget about their bikes, which results in them being basically abandoned. As he approached, he noticed there was a small path which went down to a river, perfect for fishing… if he had a fishing rod. He looked around, but he couldn't see anyone who might own the bike.
"Hey you!" a voice cried as Ash bent down to examine the bike.
"Wha?" Ash cried, standing up, and spinning around. He spotted a fourteen or something-year-old girl with short red hair tied in a side ponytail, facing him from down the small hill. She wore a yellow shirt which was rather short, blue shorts, runners, red suspenders, and she was carrying a fishing rod. She looked as though she was fuming with anger, probably because Ash was 'daring' to even look at the bike.
"Leave my bike alone!" she cried.
"I was just examining it because I wanted to know if the owner was still around," Ash said quickly.
"Char! Charmander," Charmander cried, backing Ash up.
"Sorry!" Ash cried.
"It's okay. I was a bit hasty anyway, just someone has stolen my bike before, then dumped it, and it looked like it had been fried when I got it back. You're just starting out, aren't you? I'm Misty," the girl said, picking up her red bag and walking up while putting her fishing rod away.
"Yeah: I am so excited, and I am going to become a Pokémon Master. My name's Ash Ketchum," Ash said.
"Nice to meet you. Are you heading to Viridian City?" Misty asked.
"Yes," Ash nodded. "Nice to meet you, Misty: I am going to head off now," Ash said, waving.
"Wait! I'm coming too!" Misty said, quickly grabbing her bike and getting on it to catch up with Ash. Ash had gotten a fair way by this point, she amazed Ash.
"Err, why?" Ash asked as they walked (Misty had gotten off the bike.)
"I want to get back to Viridian City before night, too. Anyway, there are a lot of Spearow around, which would make quick work of your Charmander," Misty said.
"Are you calling Charmander weak?" Ash said, getting defensive. He didn't like being called weak, or his Pokémon.
"No, I am just stating that Spearow are very aggressive and attack in big flocks," Misty said, rolling her eyes at him.
"Are they?" Ash nodded. He flushed at his mistake: maybe he should not have been so hasty.
"For someone who wants to become a Pokémon Master you don't seem very knowledgeable," Misty commented.
"Come to think of it, I did know that. Sorry, Misty," Ash said, remembering something.
The two walked along the route, making idle chit-chat, and keeping an eye out for Spearows. There were a few, but Charmander and the two trainers avoided them, so the Spearows did not cause any issues.
Just after it got dark, they reached Viridian City. "Are you going to challenge the gym?" Misty asked.
"Later on. It is hardly ever open, and Professor Oak said to avoid the gym unless you have six badges at least," Ash said.
"That's odd: I was always told gyms were set up so a trainer at any level could drop by," Misty said frowning.
"Where do you come from, Misty?" Ash asked.
"The other side of Viridian Forest, but I haven't really come to this side of the forest much," she explained.
"Ah, right," Ash nodded.
"Hey, here's a wanted poster! I wonder what these crooks do?" Misty said as they passed the police station.
"Wow, they look kind of weird," Ash commented. On the poster was a man with blue hair, a woman with long red hair which must have had wire in it to maintain the position, and a Meowth. The two humans were wearing white clothing with a red R on them. You couldn't make out their faces though, they were darkened. They were wanted for stealing Pokémon, or attempting to, apparently.
"They're from Team Rocket," Misty said. The two continued to the Pokémon Centre.
"Hey! Hold it right there!" a voice quickly cried.
Ash and Misty stopped in their tracks and turned around to see the person who was probably the much talked about Officer Jenny, dressed in her blue and right uniform. "What?" Ash asked, looking confused.
"Can I see your identity, please? And where did you get that Pokémon?" Officer Jenny asked.
"I got it from Professor Oak, and here," Ash said, opening his pokédex.
"This Pokédex belongs to Ash Ketchum. If lost or stolen, my data will also be. Please return me to Professor Oak or Ash Ketchum if found," the Pokédex spoke.
"Here," Misty said, pulling out something that looked like a blue badge in a water drop shape.
"You're a gym leader?" Ash asked.
"Yes: our badges are our identification," Misty explained.
"Can we battle?" Ash asked.
"No: at least wait until you have got some experience," Misty said.
"Okay, you two can go," Officer Jenny nodded.
"Thanks," Ash said. Then the two continued to the Pokémon Centre.
As Officer Jenny returned inside the police station, a hook came down and pulled the poster into the air, up to a Meowth shaped hot air balloon. In the balloon, were the three on the poster.
"Our wanted poster: how flattering," the woman commented.
"Flatting? It makes me look terrible!" the man exclaimed.
"Then you should be happy they captured the real you," the red-head remarked.
"Exactly," the blue-haired man said, pulling out a red rose: where did that come from?!
"Would you two stop talking about the stupid poster! We have to plan to steal the Pokémon from the Pokémon centre! Otherwise, the boss will not promote us," the Meowth said.
"Don't worry about that: it will be easy," the man said. Then the balloon took off, toward the Pokémon Centre.
When they reached the Pokémon Centre, they gave their Pokémon to Nurse Joy and booked a room each. Ash then went to call his mother while Misty did something… Ash was not sure what.
"Hey, mum: I'm at Viridian!" Ash said when his mother appeared on the screen. She looked like she had just had a shower.
"Really? That's great! It took your father three days to get there!" his mum said cheerfully.
"Your joking, right? I might forget things, but the route is as straight as a power pole!" Ash said in disbelief. All the wondrous things Ash's father, Red Ketchum did, like becoming one of the most renowned Pokémon trainers, it seemed finding his way around Kanto was not included in that.
"Nope: sense of direction was never his strong point, though. How's Charmander?" she asked. She didn't like talking about Red, her husband. It had been all fine one day, then the next he vanished without a word. She didn't know what had happened: she didn't know if he was kidnapped, killed, or simply had run off.
"He's fine: just getting a check-up. By the way, mum, I saw this golden bird on the way here, but the Pokédex didn't know what it was," Ash asked.
"Really? You should call Professor Oak about it: he'd know. I have never known much about Pokémon," his mum admitted.
"I think I might," Ash nodded.
"Anyway, young man! It is getting late, you need to get to bed. Call me when you reach the next town, please. And don't forget to-" His mother said. Ash cut her off again.
"Alright, alright, mum! I will do it! See you," Ash nodded. After his mother had hung up, he rung Professor Oak.
"Ah, Ash: I see you reached Viridian City," Professor Oak said.
"Yes, I did, Professor. I wanted to ask you about a golden bird earlier, and the Pokédex didn't know what it was!" Ash exclaimed, being as excited as a seven-year-old.
"Really? Where was it?" Professor Oak asked, looking intrigued.
"Flying over route 1: and a rainbow formed after it!" Ash said.
"Now that is interesting. According to legend, the Pokémon Ho-Oh forms rainbows where it flies: and it is said to be rainbow or golden when seen from a distance, too. I believe you may have seen that Pokémon. Tell you what, I will ring my good friend Professor Elm in Johto: he will know more," Professor Oak said.
"Okay, Professor: thank you. Why wasn't it in the Pokédex?" Ash nodded.
"Alright. Well, apart from the name and vague appearance of it, we know nothing, which is why we don't have an entry for it. Now, I better go now: don't forget to catch Pokémon soon! Gary already has seven! Stay well," the Professor said.
"I won't," Ash nodded. Then he ended the conversation with Professor Oak while muttering, "That Gary!"
"Ash! Your Charmander is ready to be picked up!" Misty called.
Ash turned around to see Misty with Nurse Joy at the front desk. "Coming!" he said, running over.
"Charmander!" Ash said.
"Char!" Charmander cried, jumping into Ash's arms.
"Charmander is in good health, Ash," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Ash nodded happily.
Just as Misty went to say something, the people who were on that wanted poster burst in carrying what looked like a handy little vacuum cleaner.
"Prepare for trouble," the woman said.
"Make it double," the man said.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To Unite all people in our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!" the female cried.
"James!" said the man.
"Meowth's the name!" the Meowth cried.
"It talked!" Nurse Joy, Ash and Misty all exclaimed.
"Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare for a fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!" the three finished off, striking a pose.
"Hand over the Pokémon now, or we will be forced to suck them up!" Jessie said.
"A talking Meowth? You're kidding, right?! But, no!" Ash cried.
"Koffing, use Smokescreen!" James said, releasing the purple gas Pokémon that was known as Koffing.
"Ekans! Come out!" Jessie cried, releasing the purple rattlesnake.
"You go and try and protect the Pokémon! We will handle them!" Misty said to Nurse Joy. The nurse nodded and ran off as Misty released a brownish star-shaped Pokémon.
"Charmander! Use Ember on Koffing before it can use Smokescreen!" Ash called.
"Char!" Charmander cried, releasing Ember.
"Koffing!" Koffing cried in pain: the attack only just hit, and a little bit of smokescreen was let out, but not enough to obstruct their vision too much. The fire-type attack on the poison gas Pokémon caused an explosion which meant Koffing had fainted. Fire was not super-effective against poison, but due to Koffing being filled with poisonous gas, a Fire-type move would cause an explosion attack effect, unless it had been trained against it.
"Staryu! Use Water Gun on Ekans!" Misty said as the lights flickered.
"Charmander! Make sure you keep well away from that water gun!" Ash called. He knew at this point Charmander could not have water touch his tail, as that would put it mostly out and certainly make Charmander faint.
"Ekans!" Ekans cried.
"Augh! Ekans, use Acid on Charmander! And don't stop until you hit!" Jessie ordered.
"Dodge it, Charmander!" Ash called desperately.
Charmander managed to avoid most the attacks, but the last few it missed and got hit by one or two.
"Ekans! Use Acid again on Staryu!" Jessie ordered.
"Dodge!" Misty called desperately.
Staryu managed to avoid both attacks, but only just. "Use, Rapid Spin!" Misty cried.
"Counter with Tackle!" Jessie said.
Both Pokémon hit and were sent off in opposite directions.
"Charmander! Use Ember again then scratch!" Ash called.
"Ekans! Dodge!" Jessie cried, a little too late. She had Ekans flung into her face.
"That pipe-squeak Charmander beat Jessie and James?" The Meowth said in disbelief.
"Get in there and help, Meowth!" James ordered.
"Well, it looks like it's my turn!" Meowth said, jumping forward to battle.
Meowth started off with Fury Swipes to Charmander. Charmander managed to dodge, and Staryu hit the Meowth with Psywave. However, that gave Meowth just the opening to hit Charmander with Scratch.
It went on like that for a couple more turns, until Staryu managed to send Meowth back at Jessie and James.
"Alright! Use Water Gun/Ember full power!" Ash and Misty called. The two attacks were launched at Team Rocket creating a scold effect, and they were sent out of the building on to the path outside.
A siren wailed, announcing Officer Jenny was close by, and Jessie, James and Meowth panicked. "Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!" They cried, running off at an alarming rate to the right.
"Augh! I missed them!" Officer Jenny cried as she pulled up outside the Pokémon Centre.
"Char!" Charmander cried, looking happy.
"Are they gone?" Nurse Joy asked, coming out.
"Yes, they are," Misty nodded as the two adults joined them.
"Thank you, so much," Nurse Joy said.
"What did they do?" Officer Jenny asked.
"They helped protect the Pokémon Centre," the nurse exclaimed.
"In that case, you have my thanks also: give Nurse Joy your names so we can reward you both," Officer Jenny said. Then she said, "I better get going: I might be able to catch those thieves before they skip town."
"Bye!" Ash and Misty said as Officer Jenny ran off.
The two trainers then got Nurse Joy to look at their Pokémon again before heading up to bed. She asked for their names so the mayor of the city could pay them for defending the centre. Neither trainer complained and were very grateful.
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"I take it you're going to head to Pewter City now to battle Brock?" Misty said as she and Ash had breakfast together, along with their Pokémon. The Sinnoh League final was being run on TV.
"Yep, that's right: I am planning to catch a ground or water or something on the way," Ash nodded. Then he asked, "What are you going to do, Misty?"
"I don't know: I should probably head back to my town, but I don't want to go through that forest again! But any other way would take weeks!" Misty said.
"Why not?" Ash asked.
"If there's one thing I can't stand, it's bugs!" Misty exclaimed rather loudly.
"I think I can sort of understand it," Ash said thoughtfully. Then he said, "We could go together! Just, I might catch one if that's not too much trouble."
"Okay, why not? It can't be any worse," Misty shrugged. Then she said, "I think I'll leave my bike here, then. Maybe my sisters can get off their lazy fat butts and take it back to the gym for me, or get a van to do so."
"So, which gym are you from?" Ash asked.
Misty didn't answer the question though, instead, she asked, "Have you thought much about what you want to catch?"
"Yes, I have a few ones I want. Mostly though, I am just going to catch what catches my fancy," Ash responded. He was always happy to talk about Pokémon.
A couple of hours later, the two exited the Pokémon Centre, to travel to Pewter City, stopping at the shop to buy supplies. "Err, which way?" Ash asked.
"This way," Misty pointed, and they went that way.
"Are you wanting to defeat the gyms to become champion?" Misty asked.
"I actually want to be a Pokémon Master!" Ash said proudly.
"You do realise that is a very small part of it," Misty pointed out. A lot of people wanted to become Pokémon Masters, and few succeeded due to the long list of things that needed to be achieved.
"Is it? Wait, I knew that: but it is a good place to start. Sorry, I can have brain fades," Ash nodded.
"Well, I wish you luck," Misty nodded. She frowned: what could cause brain fades? Whatever caused them, it was not good for a trainer of any sort.
Viridian City was a large city, the fourth largest in Kanto. There was an area in the centre of the city near the gym and Pokémon centre which had all shops Pokémon related, and this area was off-limits to cars. The rest of the city was filled with houses and shops and factories trainers would probably not go to. The streets except for the heart of the city were wide roads with footpaths either side.
They kept walking in the direction of the forest and onto the next route, passing the motor pass. Which went the long way around the forest. They had to stop for a streak of a car, which Ash was sure belonged to Gary. Both were covered in a layer of dust. "Augh!" Ash cried as they continued on.
"What's the matter?" Misty asked.
"I am sure that was my rival, Gary!" Ash said, jumping up and down.
"Oh. Well, I wish someone would book him: he must have been going way over the speed limit!" Misty said annoyedly. Ash just sniggered. Misty then asked as Ash still jumped in anger, "How old are you, ten or five?!"
Ash just glared at her as they continued on. On the way, two bug catchers challenged Ash to a battle. Ash managed to defeat both, and both had been sore losers.
When they were just outside Viridian Forest, Ash asked, "Are we ready?"
"Char!" Charmander said.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Misty said, sounding unsure.
"Come on, Misty: it won't be that bad," Ash said. He and Charmander walked on.
"Easy for you to say!" Misty said, sounding a little grumpy. Then she followed him, into the looming dark Viridian Forest, full of bug type Pokémon.
Yep, Misty is here. I feel she would be good for Ash, and was good in canon. Ash will mature, don't worry, and faster. When they return to Pallet we will find out about the accident. Next chapter go through the forest :)
In case your wondering, Ash will probably get Pikachu at the same time as he got Charmander, either that or it will be an Eevee he gets. It will be a while before next update.
There will be lots of things like Koffing exploding when hit by a fire move, and a water move hitting Charmander or another Pokémon with a flame tail and being knocked out.
Pairings decided: Ash X Dawn.
Requirements story to read: if it's not known to you, try Essence: Pokémon story. It's a story where Ash gets a Growlithe to start.