A/N: Let's set our whole lives on fire.

Ver. 1.0.1 Formatting Changes for Consistency

"Spoken Aloud"

Thoughts

(Pokémon Language)

Leafing Oak's

Once Grimmjow, Ash, and Oak had made their way back to the lab, Grimmjow took a moment to rip the Silph Co. Temporary Restraining Device in two, and fill the humans in on what would be expected of them.

Grimmjow's claws dug into the cloth on Ash's back as with one…two…three quick leaps, he made his way atop Ash's head. Despite this, his claws didn't tear the fibers of Ash's jacket, nor did they rend or bruise the resilient flesh beneath. Astride his makeshift throne, the regal kitten addressed his would-be allies.

(All right pathetic human, and Ash, I have an offer for you. One you would be fuckin' stupid not to take. I, the Great and Glorious Grimmjow, require a guide to this bizarre world of stupid humans and pathetic excuses for monsters. In return for your undying service and loyalty, I will help you on your quest to be…what did you call it? The world's greatest…Pokémon master. I will also allow the tall human to make a case for why I should not devour his pathetic soul for his insolence!)

He leapt off of Ash's head and onto the metal table, and looked deep into Ash's eyes. He liked the determination he saw there.

(So, what's it gonna be?)

(—o—)

Ash's easily distracted mind had, during the trek back to Oak's lab, begun to spiral and sputter back to its original goal, obtaining his starter Pokémon and beginning his journey. There was a problem though, he had noticed the absence of the dozen or so starter Pokémon from their proper place in the professor's lab. His thoughts now turned to devising a way to get a Pokémon from Oak.

I really what to take Grimmjow with me. He looks really strong, and it would be awesome to have a Pokémon that no one knows about. I can't wait to see the look on Gary's face when he finds out. He'll be so jealous. The only thing is, how do I convince Professor Oak?

The answer came to him as Grimmjow began a monologue from his head. When Grimmjow leapt down and stared into his eyes, Ash saw the iron will they possessed, and Grimmjow's intent was clear.

"Professor!" yelled Ash "Let me take Grimmjow as my first Pokémon. He wants to come with me, and you already gave away all the others."

"Ash…" Oak began hesitantly "I was hoping to keep the Grimmjow here and study him, this is a tremendous discovery and needs proper atten…tion…"

Oak trailed away as he saw Grimmjow bear his teeth, his claws carving deep rivulets into the solid steel table beneath him. Oak remembered the devastation Grimmjow had wrought earlier that day, and, as he looked at his lab, at the veritable ruin it had been reduced to, the icy Venomoth of fear fluttered about in his stomach. Oak swallow heavily.

"But, then again," he said hastily, "what better way to learn about a new Pokémon then to train and journey with it. let me get you some supplies."

As he scurried away, Grimmjow relaxed, smiled, and gave a contented, "Grimm."

Oak returned and laid several objects on the table, at Grimmjow's feet. They were composed of assorted metal and plastic. Grimmjow crouched down to give them a tentative sniff, and batted them about a bit with his paws. He turned back to Ash.

"Gri-Gri-Grimm, Grimmjow-jow gri-Jow-gri Grimmjow Jow?" he said, tilting his head inquisitively.

"What are these things Professor?" Asked Ash.

Professor Oak held up one item. It was a medium sized rectangle of grey metal. It was bisected by a vertical stripe of red, and two regularly spaced inverse chevrons of red paint lanced out from the main line.

"This," said Professor Oak. "is a researcher's Pokédex. Most people call it a Professor-Dex. It enables you to gather and record sophisticated information in the field. Far more than what you could learn with a traditional Pokédex. We'll be using this to keep up with Grimmjow. Here take it."

He tossed the Professor-Dex to Ash. As he held and inspected it, a panel in its back slid open, and a small needle jammed into Ash's hand, drawing blood.

"Ow!" Ash yelled, tossing it to his other hand. "What was that?"

"Blood sample," said Oak. "so it has your genetic signature in case it's lost or stolen."

The Professor-Dex let loose an electric shock which traveled up Ash's arm into his torso, causing him to shudder violently.

"And that?"

"Personal field recognition"

"Anything else going to hurt me?"

"Just the—"

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

A bright flash had erupted from another hidden panel on the front, this one concealing a lens aperture.

"Just the facial and ocular structure scanner. That should be all, it's now registered to you."

"Awesome!" exclaimed Ash as he leapt into the air, tears streaming down his face. Grimmjow was laughing maniacally, rolling on the table.

"What else do you have for me?"

"Just a few things to help you take care of a unknown Steel subtype. Some acid to clean unwanted buildup, metal polish for his claws, and special gloves to keep you from dissolving while you do it. Shampoo, nail file, electrolysis machine, various scanners, nutritional supplements, and a case of berries to to try out. Taste preferences can indicate a lot about a Pokémon."

"Of course," said Professor Oak, "we can't forget the most important item."

He reached into his pocket, and pulled out…a Pokéball.

Ash received it into his cupped hands reverently.

It's really, finally happening…

His entire arm shook as he clenched the Pokéball fiercely, a tight smile etched onto his face. Each of his limbs seemed likely to snap under the tension of Ash's restrained energy. All at once, he exploded in movement.

"Yes! I've got—my very first Pokémon" He held the ball up high.

(—o—)

Grimmjow loped along after Ash, who blazed towards the end of town: the beginning of Route 1. Ash slid to a halt at the threshold, and Grimmjow stopped as well. A long dirt road wound gently between soft seas of light green and gold grass. Occasionally, those seas were broken by islands of low, broad-leafed trees. The sun was high overhead, and the light glinted off the grass as the wind swept over it, making waves in the tall stalks. This continued as far as Grimmjow could see.

"Well buddy," said Ash.

A tad over-familiar maybe, thought Grimmjow, I need to have a chat with him later.

"This is it, the first step on our Jour—" he was interrupted by a terrible shriek. One unlike Grimmjow had ever heard, on any world.

He spun around and crouched low, ready for a fight.

"ASH KETCHUM!"

The roar was immense and powerful, but all Grimmjow could see was a human female: tall, slim, with brown hair that had two spiky bangs jutting forward. He was confused.

Did this human make that sound? She seems to know Ash. What's going on?

Grimmjow didn't think this human would pose much of a threat, so he decided to let Ash deal with it.

All right Ash, let's see what you're made of. Attack!

His words went unheeded, instead Ash swallowed heavily, and spoke.

"Oh…hi—Mom."

Grimmjow, being a Hollow, had only a vague notion of parentage and filial relationships. But he had enough to realize that he wanted no part of any of this.

"Don't you 'Hi Mom' me. Do you realize how worried I've been? You were gone, Oak was gone, his lab was destroyed and the starter Pokémon were all missing. I thought you been kidnapped, or that you attacked Oak because he gave all the Pokémon away, or that you'd just left without saying goodbye."

Over the course of her rant, she'd gotten both closer and sadder. By the end she was right next to Ash and nearly in tears.

"Oh my little Ashy-washy. I'm going to miss you."

She enveloped the small human in a bone-crushing hug, and nuzzled against his head.

"Gah—Mooommm. You're embarrassing me in front of my Pokémon."

It was true, the 'Ashy-washy' comment had set Grimmjow snickering.

Ash's mom immediately brightened up.

"Oh, you got a Pokémon after all. Why don't you introduce me?"

"Great idea!"

Ash picked Grimmjow up, and Grimmjow quickly broke loose and clambered atop Ash's head. Even from his loftier vantage point, he had to tilt his head up to meet Ash's mom's eyes.

Ash gave an embarrassed chuckle.

"This is Grimmjow, he's a new type of Pokémon that Professor Oak discovered a few days ago. He's the one who wrecked the lab."

Ash's voice swelled with pride.

"Oak trusted me to train and study him, I guess I'm just that good."

"I'm very proud of you Ash," said Ash's mom, "he's so cute."

She reached out and pet Grimmjow. He quickly knocked her hand away and growled deeply.

(Two things lady. One, I'm the Great Grimmjow, I look fierce and deadly, not cute. Secondly, keep your dirty hands to yourself, or I'll fucking cut them off.)

As he stared menacingly at her, her smile faded. Grimmjow felt something then, something unexpected.

Fear.

Grimmjow was no stranger to fear. You felt fear when you were facing danger, or had something to lose. He felt fear every day during his quest to become a Vasto Lorde. The fear of losing, of failing, of simply starving, lost alone in a desert devoid even of hollows. He felt fear when facing his fellow Espada. And Aizen, he feared Aizen. Fear kept him focused. It gave him clarity, and it gave him an impetus to ascend higher. If he had feared that red haired shinigami, feared him enough to kill him outright, instead of allowing that girl to heal him, he might not be here, a broken shell of his former self.

This was not like that. Not like his journey, or the Espada, or even Aizen. It was so much worse. It was an ocean of fear. He couldn't move, he was drowning, was dying.

Then it stopped. It had only lasted an instant.

(What the hell was that?) said Grimmjow.

"Well aren't you just the fierce little fighter," said Ash's mom "be sure and take care of my little Ashy."

(Seriously,) said Grimmjow (What the hell was that?)

"You'll need to take care of Grimmjow too Ash, and all the other friends you'll make. I just know you're going to have a wonderful time, Ash."

Ash's mom was hugging him again.

(What are you doing you stupid human? Don't just stand there. Let's go!)

Grimmjow leapt off Ash and dashed down the road. Ash, startled, took a moment to start running after.

"Hey! Wait up Grimmjow!"

He turned back as he ran.

"Bye Mom!"

"Bye Ashy! Call whenever you can. I'll miss you! And be sure to wear…clean…"

Whatever she said was swallowed my the wind. Ash caught up with Grimmjow, who hadn't slowed a whit. The two of them raced North, into the unknown.

(—o—)

A/N: The Chapter Divisions are based entirely around my desire for clever wordplay.