CHAPTER 3: Harder Than I Thought…

"What… do you… mean you don't… know where… we are… going?" I'm panting, as I had to steadily jog to keep up with this maniac of a boy.

"Like I said, I've never left Pallet town! I mean, I know the map by heart, but I can't tell you which direction is which!" He says, munching on a pack of soup crackers he pulled out of his bag.

"Well, that's not… too bad, I… suppose." Regaining my breath, I sit on a nearby stump, pulling out my water bottle.

"At least it's ni-" I get stopped mid sentence by Ash, who's just football tackled me to the ground. "WHAT THE ACTUAL F-" He clamps his hand over my mouth. "FGHUGJDHGJEKD?!" I scream, but he shushes me.

"Shh! There's a wild pokemon over there!"

He takes his hand, which has a weird green open fingered glove on it, off of my mouth and points a ways down the road. It looks like a small… a small… BIRD?!

"Holy crapola! A Pidgey! It's a small bird pokemon!" He informs me, but I'm already standing.

"A bird!?" I squeal excitedly.

Alright. Heres a fun fact about me, Serena. I am in LOVE with flying type pokemon, especially birds! They are just so graceful, and powerful! I made an oath when Alto first hatched, that I would solely use flying type pokemon on my journey. Flying types get about as much recognition as Bugs, if not LESS! Okay, I may be exaggerating, but you get the point!

I whip out my new PokeDex, and point it at the bird;

Pidgey

The Small Bird Pokemon

Pidgey has an extremely sharp sense of direction. It is capable of unerringly returning home to its nest, however far it may be removed from its familiar surroundings.

Ability; Keen Eye

Move Set; Tackle, Sand Attack

"I'm going to catch it, kid, so stay out of my way!" I step onto the stump, as Ash watches in awe.

"Whoa… okay! Go ahead and I'll watch!" He rests his elbows on the stump, staring in admiration at the flying type trainer.

"Alto, come out!" I release Alto from his pokeball, and he silently and gracefully lands on my shoulder. "See that… Pidgey?" I point down the road at the small figure.

"Grrr!" Alto growls, nodding.

"We are going to catch it! Are you ready?" I ask, and he nods again.

"Alright then! Alto, use Round!" I shout, running at the small bird pokemon.

Alto sings a loud song, and the sound waves hit the startled Pidgey head on, throwing it back a couple feet. It stops its self, then flies up slightly and sends a wave of sand at Alto.

"Dodge, then use Peck!" Alto flies around the mini sandstorm, then flies into the Pidgey beak first, throwing it back some more.

"Alright, now! Use Sing!" Alto sings sweetly to the damaged Pidgey, putting it sound asleep.

"Now, go! Pokeball!" I throw the empty pokeball at the sleeping bird pokemon, and it gets enveloped by a red light. The pokeball starts to shake… 1 time… 2 times… 3 times…

… DING! It seals, signifying the capture!

"YES! I CAUGHT A PIDGEY!" I scoop the pokeball, now holding a Pidgey, and start dancing around.

"That was… SO FLIPPING COOL! OH MY GOSH THAT WAS AMAZING MISS!" Ash runs up and starts running around me, dancing as well.

We laugh and jump around for a while, then start back on our way. It's starting to get darker, the sun just setting.

"How long before you think we reach Viridian City?" Ash mumbles through his crackers.

"Not to long, I hope! We've been walking for ever!" I sigh. "…wait! Is that light, up there, by the treeline?" I point in the direction of the light source. "Um… YES! It looks like a house… housES! As in, plural!" He shouts and we take off for the lights.

Sure enough, we reach the entrance to Viridian City.

"It's… it's… not very big, is it?" I remark, but Ash's jaw is practically on the floor.

"WHOA! ITS SO BIIG!" He whispers in awe.

"Well, first of all, we need to find the PokeCenter and heal up Alto and Pidgey!" I say, and we start making our way through the small city. As we're walking, I notice a Pokemon Gym.

"Hey, is this our first stop for Gym battles?" I say, as we stride into the PokeCenter.

"Um, if you want to get your butt whooped! Viridian City is actually the last gym you'd visit if you follow them in order." A voice says from behind us. We are already in line for the healing machine, so I turn around to see a young girl with wild orange hair, pulled into a hair tie to the side of her head. She's wearing blue shorts, and suspenders over a yellow tank top.

"And who are you?" I turn to face her, crossing my arms. She's about a head shorter than me, so I could take her if it came to a fight.

"Oh! The names Misty! I'm on my pokemon journey!" She shakes our hands and bows, so we repeat the gesture.

"Nice to meet you Misty! I'm Ash, and this is my friend Serena! We are on our journey's, to!" Ash smiles.

I go to clarify that me and Ash are just AQUAINTANCES, when I hear a sweet, high pitched voice behind me. "Next in line please!"

I turn around and give the Nurse Joy my pokeballs, and she places them gently into the healing machine.

"This will just take two minutes, dear!" She smiles, then scoots away into a back room that we cant see.

"Anyways, I was actually wondering if I could tag along with you guys to Pewter City tomorrow? To get there we have to go through Viridian forest, and… well… I'm… SCARED OF BUGS!" Misty finishes, shivering at the thought of slimy Bug Types.

"Actually, that would work out awesome, as I was planning on training in the next route… or forest, in this case… and I need someone to watch Ash." I smile at her, resting my elbow on Ash's ugly hat.

"HEY!" He pouts, throwing my elbow off. Misty and me just laugh.

"Alright then! It's decided! We'll stay here, I'm assuming, then tomorrow morning we'll head out! I'll go rent us a room. One should be god, right?" Misty asks. Ash shakes his head vigorously, but I just laugh and nod.

"Alrgiht, I'll go do that while you wait!" Misty beams, rushing to the information desk.

"Serena Flora? Here you go dear! Fighting fit! We hope to see you again!" Nurse Joy hands me my pokeballs, curtsies, then hurries off again.

"Thanks so… much." I finish, Joy already gone. "Alrighty then, lets go see if Misty's done." I grab Ash's hand, and lead him to the desk. I also choose to ignore the fact that his face is as red as a sunset.

"Hey guys, just finished! Room 12!" She hands me a key, and we set off.

"Wait, don't I get a key, to?" Ash asks.

"Nope! Girls only." I wink at him, and he turns red again.

Our room is pretty decent. It has two beds, a couch, and a TeachyTV. Not half bad.

"Okay, I guess me and Serena will share a bed, and Ash, you can have the other one." I nod, but Ash shakes his head again.
"No, that's okay! You girls take the beds, I'll take the couch." He smiles, heading for the small couch. "Are you sure? I have no problem sleeping with Misty!" I say.

"I'm sure! I have to call my mom, so you guys get set up!" Smiling, he walks into the bathroom.

Now, I'm not usually a snoopy kind of person, but after throwing our stuff on the beds, me and Misty press our ears against the door to hear what's being said.

"… so cool! She's the best trainer I've ever met! She caught a Pidgey in like, 1 millisecond! YES, REALLY! It was so cool! Hm? Oh, yeah! We met a girl named Misty, and decided to let her come with us, so we are all sharing a room. MOM! OF COURSE NOT! I offered to take the couch so the girls could take the beds. I know I didn't need to, but they are girls, so I have to respect them! That's what you taught me, remember? Okay, mom! Love you to! Goodnight, and I'll talk to you soon! Night!" There's a BEEP as the PokeGear is turned off.

Me and Misty rush to our beds.

The bathroom door opens as I rip out my trainers license and pretend to be studying it.

"Oh, hey! How's your mom?" I ask.

"She misses me, but shes good, thanks!" He smiles, walking to the couch.

"Well, I better call my family to, just to let them know I didn't die or anything…" I head into the bathroom to caul Dad and Hilary.

*RING* *RING* *RING*

"… Hello?" Hilary's voice answers.

"Loser." I giggle.

"Ser! How are you? Are you and Ash getting along?" She asks happily.

"I'm good, and yes, me and Ash are getting along just FINE, thank you! Haha! Where's Dad?" I ask.

"Got called out to work. You know the drill, Safari Zone Warden's don't get time off." She sighs.

"Of course! Well, tell him I called, and that I'll try to get ahold of him later." I sigh back. It's not uncommon for Dad to get called out for day's at a time.

"Anyways, anything exciting happen?" She says, perking up again.

"Oh, yeah! I caught a Pidgey! And guess what? It's… a… BIRD!" I squeal, hopping happily.

"Whoa there fog horn! That's amazing! How'd you manage that!?" She laughs.

"Me and Alto took him to low health, then I threw a pokeball!" I giggle happily.

"That's so awesome, Ser-bear! I'm so proud of you! Are you going to train anytime soon? Are you going to use the same techniques you used with Alto?" She laughs again.

"Thanks! And yeah, tomorrow, actually! And yeah, probably going to use the same techniques, as both Alto and Pidgey are Flying types. Also, I'm trying to think of a good nickname for Pidgey! Any suggestions?" I ask.

"Oh! Um… What about… Pecker? Or… maybe Ace?" She says, coming up with these on the spot.

"Ace… I like it… alright! Pidgey will henceforth be known as Ace!" I smile.

"That's awesome! Oh! I have dinner in the stove, so I got to go! Let me know how tomorrow goes! Love you Ser!" She says.

"Love you to, Hilly! Talk soon, bye!" I hang up.

I head out of the bathroom to see both Misty and Ash studying their trainers licenses.

"So, how's your family?" They both pant.

Authors Note:

Alright! So, another familiar name?! Haha! I've always wanted to write something with Ash and Misty. It just had to happen. Anyways! So, Serena now has a Pidgey named Ace! And next chapter, training will commence! Well, not much to say this time, but remember to review! I hope your all enjoying Serena's adventure, and I hope to hear your ideas and/or suggestions!
Until next time, bye!

~ Austin