Hello, all. Salvador again. And, this week, I have a little surprise for you before this Sunday's out. All I'll say is; keep an eye out, those of you who have subscribed this fiction to Story Alerts.
Now, a little telling off. Menace13, please think a little higher than the waistline, if you please. Special fried rice is also a food item, not just an infection of the unmentionables.
That out of the way; my thank yous to Dragonite195020 for writing my 50th review, it was very flattering. From now on, I'll be mentioning whoever writes future 25th milestone reviews. Dragonite195020, I'm flattered my story counts as one of the main reasons you joined this site, and I'm happy you like it. As for the story you mentioned... I know it. I'm following it. It's called Soul Guardians, and is written by latiasfan1. Now, I rather enjoy this fiction, and would like to reccommend to my readers to give it a read if you like AltoShipping, are curious about DewShipping, or just like a little bit of Misty's Magical Mega Mallet, because this fiction has it all. To an, unfortunately, anonymous reviewer called name, the reason I had Professor Oak say Riolu would give Ash an unfair advantage is because, otherwise, the storyline would be ruined, in my view. Don't worry, however, I have plans to work around this handicap, so stay tuned. Key to Chaos, I agree with your views about overpowering Ash. I was worried I might do that, so I'm working on powering him down a little bit, so he doesn't become too God-like, and plain sails his way through the leagues, that'd be unfair.
Finally, after eight chapters (which was much longer than I had predicted), we'll be following Ash as he starts his anime travels. And they WILL be the anime travels, I'll make sure not to deviate too far. So... here is my write-up of episode one; Pokémon! I Choose You. Enjoy;
Journey's Start
The Sun rose on a glorious new day in Pallet Town. The big day. The day Ash set out on his official Pokémon adventure. And he couldn't be more psyched if he tried harder. He was up at the crack of dawn and dressed in a flash. He made his way to the kitchen and grabbed himself a cereal bar as breakfast. As he unwrapped the bar, he grabbed his backpack from the hallway, and went out for his daily morning walk.
Right on time. She'd learned that he took a walk every day at about this time, so she always waited for him just outside the gate to the ranch that came from the Pokémon Research lab. Today was the one year anniversary since the fox had first seen the human child, and she decided from then on to keep a watchful eye on him. He's one for trouble, this one. Always gets himself in a muddle. Always did, when she thinks about it. Like she did every other day, the gold-white canine cloaked herself, and began walking alongside the human child she came to admire, making sure to stay out of his detection zone. A little ironic, she thought to herself. Not long ago, she'd be defending this child in plain view of him. Now… she protected him in secrecy. Without notice. Without presence. He may never know how much she loves him. Or could he…? She'd have to think this one through later. Let's just enjoy his company, for the time being.
Ash concluded his walk and made his way back home to the professor's lab. He should be just about on time to pick up his starter Pokémon now. He opened the gate, and made his way up the path that led to the lab door. As he disappeared inside, his invisible walk companion uncloaked, and made her way off in the opposite direction, with a proud smile on her face.
Ash made his way to the main hall of the lab, where Professor Oak would hand out starting-out trainers their Pokémon. As he entered, however, he noticed that there were already three trainers in the room, each holding a pokéball in their hands. The professor was just handing them their spare pokéballs and pokédexes. Ash rolled his eyes in mild frustration.
'Great (!) I overdid my walk. Now there won't be a starter Pokémon left for me. Maybe I could beg Gramps to let me take Riolu or Dratini instead.' He thought. Two of the three trainers – a boy and a girl Ash knew from round town – left the hall, discussing how they were going to be the better trainer, and debating over what Pokémon they were going to catch first. The third trainer came to a stop in front of Ash, and clicked his fingers in front of his face, breaking him out of his thoughts. Ash shook off his daydream, and looked up into the face of his good friend Gary, who was smirking teasingly at him.
"Deep in thought there, Ashy-boy?" He asked, giving Ash a friendly punch on the arm. Ash laughed and planted his hand onto Gary's shoulder.
"Just a little, Gare Bear." He smirked back. The duo chuckled at their nicknames, before meeting each other's eyes again.
"Well… I got my starter Pokémon, Ash. I guess I'll be hitting the old dusty trail." Gary announced.
"Think we'll meet up soon?"
"Of course we will, mate. Someone needs to keep an eye on you…" Gary teased." "…and keep you away from any more snakes." That remark earned him a gentle but well deserved, smack on the cheek.
"Not funny." Ash chastised, but in a slightly amused tone. Gary smiled, and raised a hand in farewell.
"Smell ya later, bud." He chirped, striding out. Ash rolled his eyes, and chuckled at Gary's cockiness. He then made his way to Professor Oak.
"Ah, Ash. Nice to see you here my boy."
"Likewise, Gramps." Ash looked at the table, where the starter Pokémon pokéballs used to be. "I guess there aren't any other Pokémon for me, are there?" He asked, slightly disheartened. The professor raised a finger to his chin, thoughtfully.
"Well… there is one more Pokémon I have. But, I must say, it's a bit of an unorthodox Pokémon to start with, my lad."
"In what way?" Ash asked, with an excited interest.
"Well… I've only just caught this Pokémon; literally, last night. So, I haven't had chance to get it used to humans yet. So, it might be a little tough to handle."
"Well, could I have a look at it first, please Gramps?" Ash was very curious as to what this 'unorthodox' starter may be.
"I don't see why not." The professor pressed a button on the containment table, and a central panel in the table opened, with a pokéball rising from a compartment below. The professor plucked the ball from the table, and handed it to Ash. As he held the ball, Ash noticed a yellow thunderbolt engraved into the red top half of the orb. He pressed the centre button with his thumb, and a flash of white light burst from the capsule, projecting a figure on the table top.
After a few seconds, the figure was revealed, showing it to be a chubby rodent-like Pokémon covered with yellow fur. It had a lightning bolt-shaped tail, with a brown colouration in the fur at the base of the tail, and two brown stripes on its back. Atop the mouse's head were two long, pointed ears, each tipped with matt black fur. The small mouse peered round curiously, sniffing the air with its little beady nose. Ash couldn't help but coo over the sight of the inquisitive rodent.
"Aww. He's adorable." Ash wooed at the mouse. The Pokémon's ears twitched at the voice. It sounded familiar. He cocked his head to the side, and beamed in wonderful surprise when he saw it was the human who saved him a year ago.
"Pikachu!" He cried, as he leapt into Ash's arms, nuzzling into his chest and neck. Professor Oak was surprised by the Pokémon's reaction to Ash, to say the least. This Pokémon was practically wild, still. And yet, it seemed to have found an immediate connection with Ash.
"Well, I must say, that's unexpected." The professor mused. "This Pikachu seems to have taken an instant liking to you, Ash." Ash wrestled with the nuzzling mouse, and placed him up on his shoulder, where it started cuddling the boy's raven locks instead.
"Well… call it odd if you will… but I think I know this Pikachu from somewhere." Ash explained. As he peered over his shoulder at his affectionate shoulder mascot, he realised that the mouse was, indeed, very familiar. "Yes. I remember. I think I protected this Pikachu from an Ekans about a year ago."
"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu shouted, jumping up and down on Ash's shoulder.
"Oh, I see." Oak replied. "Well then, I guess you'll have no problem raising Pikachu on your journey. OK, then. Let me just go collect your pokédex and spare pokéballs." Professor Oak made his way to a table at the back wall, and gathered a collection of five red and white capsules and a red pocket device. He made his way back to Ash, and presented him with the equipment.
"Thanks, Gramps." Ash said with a grin, taking the capsules and electronic data box. Professor Oak smiled back, and ruffled Ash's hair.
"Now are you sure you're all packed?" He fussed. "Have you got pyjamas? A sleeping bag? Toothpaste and a toothbrush? Enough clean underwear to last you…?"
"GRAMPS!" Ash whined cutting his grandpa short. "I'll be fine. Jeez. I wonder if mum would've been this fussy over me."
"Trust me Ash. She'd be a lot, lot worse than I." The professor said. A silence fell on the room, making Pikachu curious.
"Pika?" He asked Ash, poking his cheek in curiosity.
"I'll tell you in a bit, Pikachu." Ash promised. "I'll see ya later, Gramps. I'll say my goodbyes to mum before I go." And with that, Ash turned on his heels, and made his way out of the lab and to that all-too familiar gravesite.
The fur on the back of Pikachu's neck stood to attention at the sight of the tomb that loomed before him. He was looking at the plague on the base of the pedestal that a young human female with her child was stood on. Although he couldn't read human scripture, Pikachu was sure that whoever was buried here was very important to his new trainer.
"Delia Isabelle Ketchum was my mother." Ash told Pikachu.
"Kachuka?"
"Yeah." Ash nodded. "What you would call a 'Meema'. She was killed when I was five years old. I was just a baby."
"Cha." Pikachu's ears drooped sadly at this. No one deserves to lose their Meema. Especially at such a young age. Ash's face tensed as he thought of the faces of those bastards that did this to him.
"But I will get my revenge, Pikachu." He swore, under gritted teeth. He kneeled down to the tomb, and looked at the patch of flowers that grew at the head of where the coffin was laid. "Because today's the day, mum." He told the flowers, as if talking to his mother face to face. "Today's the day I head out on my Pokémon journey. And, one day… I'll be a Pokémon Master. And I'll take revenge on Team Rocket. Just you watch, mum. You watch your little Ashy become a powerful volcano." With his oath of honour made, Ash collected his Pikachu into his arms, and strode away for the outskirts of town.
Hidden in a bush not far away was the gold-white fox. She wiped a tear from her eye on the back of her paw, and smiled at Ash as he walked away. She thought for a second about what he said.
Did he say… he was after revenge? She thought, not sure whether to agree or be flabbergasted. Well… I suppose it is understandable. Considering what happened that night. I think I should've expected it.She concluded. Then a wonderful thought crossed her mind. She looked to the sky and focused her mind on a form. Her tawny orbs glazed over with a purpley haze for a fleeting second, before the glow faded, and she waited for her illusion to take effect. If Ash wants revenge, he's going to need a lot of luck. So this is her good luck wish to him.
Ash and Pikachu were just leaving Pallet Town behind, when they heard a majestic caw from overhead. They glanced up to the skies. And were awestruck by what they saw above them. High in the sky above was a golden bird, shimmering brightly in the sunlight leaving a trail of rainbow coloured glitter in its wake as it soared gracefully through the sky. Ash watch in awe as the bird made its way across the sky and towards the horizon to the west.
"Wow. Pikachu? Did you see that, too?"
"Pika…" The mouse nodded, still star struck. As Ash and Pikachu recovered from the surprise of seeing such a majestic Pokémon, they continued down the road out of Pallet Town, oblivious to the multiple-tailed fox watching them go, giggling into one of her front paws.
Ash made his way onto Route 1. It was quite a peaceful path. The trees that lined the edges of the surrounding forests swayed gently in the breeze, and bird Pokémon sang merrily from their nests. As he walked, Ash used his time to survey the surrounding area for any wild Pokémon he could possibly add to his team. A flash of brown drew his eye to a particular tuft of grass. Stood amidst the grass was a small, plump, bird Pokémon with brown feathers on its wings and head, with lighter cream coloured feathers on its underbelly.
"Proocoo! Proocoo!" It cooed, as it shook its feather, soaking in the heat of the Sun, and set about preening. Ash pulled out his pokédex, and lined up the camera spot on the back with the Pokémon before him.
"A Pidgey." He stated aloud, as he flipped the device's cover open. The pokédex beeped tinnily into life, and flashed up an image of the bird Pokémon onscreen.
"Pidgey." It stated, in a monotonically electric voice."The Tiny Bird Pokémon. Pidgey is a Flying Pokémon. Among all the Flying Pokémon, it is the gentlest and easiest to capture. A perfect target for the beginning Pokémon Trainer to test his Pokémon's skills. Pidgey's Gust power creates tornadoes. It also has a Sand-Attack."
"Cool." Ash said. He placed the pokédex back into pocket, and pulled out a pokéball, pressing the central button to size it up. He gripped the bill of his official Pokémon League baseball cap, and swivelled the headwear round to come back to front on his head. "Go! Pokéball!" He lobbed the capsulet straight for the small bird Pokémon. The ball crashed against the back of the unsuspecting bird's head, causing it to let out a coo of displeasure. Before it could react further, however, the offending ball engulfed it in a beam of red light. Once its victim was fully snared, the light retreated back into the capsule, dragging Pidgey in with it. The pokéball started to rock to and fro with the button flashing red every second. However, it snapped open again fairly soon, letting Pidgey out in a burst of white. The Tiny Bird Pokémon wasted no time in making good its escape, taking off the second it saw the outside, and flying away as quickly as it could.
Ash watched, mouth gaping, as the small pigeon Pokémon take its leave. Pikachu, meanwhile, facepalmed at its trainer's idiocy and ignorance at trying to catch a wild Pokémon. Ash caught the expression on Pikachu's face, and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Sorry. I guess I got a little carried away with the excitement of finally being out on a Pokémon journey… that I completely forgot how to catch a Pokémon, properly." He admitted, sheepishly. Pikachu facepalmed again, and shook its head in amused frustration. A nearby rustling soon re-peaked Ash's interest. Not far from where Pidgey was seconds ago, another bird Pokémon was just landing after flight. This bird was different. It had brown feathers like Pidgey, but its wings were pinkish red and it was larger and stockier than Pidgey. Again, Ash pulled out his pokédex. The machine beeped awake, and flashed up an image of this new Pokémon onscreen.
"Spearow. Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans." The pokédex chanted.
"A terrible attitude, huh?" Ash wondered to himself, aloud. "Sounds a bit like Gary." He chuckled, feeling rather proud of his little dig. He replaced the pokédex into his pocket, and turned to Pikachu. "I'm gonna learn from my first mistake. OK, Pikachu. You're up."
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, and he bounded into the grass, being careful not to be spotted by the Spearow, who was busy preening its feathers. As Pikachu drew nearer to the violent bird, Ash kept a wary eye for any signs of aggression in Spearow's behaviour. Closer and closer Pikachu crept, remaining miraculously undetected by his quarry. Just as Pikachu was so close to Spearow, he could tap it on the shoulder…
"Thunderbolt it!" Ash ordered. Pikachu quickly complied, zapping the bird from inches behind, catching it completely off-guard. The bird started spazzing as the several dozen volts of electrical energy coursed through its muscles.
"Craw! Caw! Rawk!" Spearow cried ferociously, thrashing in pain, before finally succumbing to the exhausting its electrocution caused. The bird fainted, flopping to the dirt. Again, Ash swivelled his cap, and threw a pokéball. The ball smacked the unconscious bird in the chest, and drew it inside in a red beam. It fell to the ground, and rocked back and forth for a few seconds, before coming to a restful stop. Ash smiled, and picked the pokéball up, raising above his head in victory.
"Yes! I caught… a Spearow!" He cheered, as he struck his victory pose. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, and joined in his celebration by flicking a peace sign. Their victorious joy, however, was short lived.
From out of nowhere, the skies suddenly turned dark. Ash and Pikachu looked up. And were horrified by the sight of a cloud of Spearow that now blanketed the skies above, blotting out the Sun. From the centre of the amassed flock, a half dozen Spearow swooped down towards the stunned duo, and plucked Pikachu from Ash's shoulder. Ash side stepped in reaction to the event, and found himself turned to an angle where he could see the Spearow viciously pecking, scratching and downright mauling the poor defenceless mouse Pokémon, without any mercy at all.
"Pikachu!" He screamed, wide-eyed with horror at the horror film scene being enacted before him. He sprinted forwards, not caring for the fact he was surrounded by Spearow everywhere, and started pulling the attacking Spearow away from his partner, blasting them further away with a golden aura sphere or two. "Get away from him!" He warned, cradling a bruised Pikachu in his arms. "Stay away from him, or you'll be more than sorry." His snarls of threat, however, were ignored. A Fearow emerged from behind a thick mass of Spearow, glaring daggers into Ash's eyes. Ash tensed with worry, holding Pikachu defensively against himself.
"FEARARRGH!" The boss Pokémon cried, and the Spearow started to swoop and soar in all direction towards, and around, Ash, scratching and clawing at him as they passed him, tearing at his skin. Ash bolted, and started to run for the forest, firing random pulses of golden aura energy to dispel any Spearow that tried to block his escape.
Her lure had been deathly still like that for the past five Mewdamned minutes. For the love of Moltres, just bite already you daft water Pokémon. The young redhead bit her bottom lip to fight back the frustration. The fishing wasn't, really, the cause of her frustration, it was her derpy older sisters. She just couldn't stomach them today. She had to get out of there. So what better way to escape, she thought, than to go fishing on Route 1? This was her favourite fishing spot. Once, she caught a shiny Magikarp here. That was her best fishing day ever. Suddenly, her fishing rod started to bend, and the line reeled further out into the river on its own. She leapt from her seating position, and grabbed the pole, reeling it in as quickly as she could. Soon, she realised that whatever it was on the other end of the line, it was fairly large. The size of a human, at a rough guess. And, guess what. Yep. As she finally reeled in the mystery creature, the line flipped out of the water, propelling its cargo onto the riverbank. And there, sprawled out on the stones by the water's edge, was a young boy with raven black hair, and a rather beaten looking Pikachu.
The girl jumped from the rock she was stood on, and crouched down beside the boy, shaking him gently to wake him up. Slowly, he stirred, and opened his eyes. As soon as he saw daylight, his eyes snapped wide to attention.
"Where's my Pikachu?" He asked, trying wearily to get himself sat up. The girl leaned across him, and picked up the aforementioned rodent, and held it in front of the guy, who gratefully gathered the Pokémon into his arms, snuggling it affectionately like a toddler with his favourite stuffed toy. "Thank you." He muttered. She looked into his face, and saw a look of worry and concern in the boy's eyes as he gave his Pikachu a once over to check all vital signs. Getting as satisfied as he was going to be for the time being, the boy turned to her. "Do you know where the nearest Pokémon Centre is, please miss?" He asked, getting to his feet, poising himself ready to dart off in the blink of an eye. The girl stood up, and thought about the boy's question.
"Well… we're not far from Viridian City from here." She told him, pointing to the path headed north from their location. "If you follow this path for a bit, you'll get there in about two hours."
"Two hours!" He snapped, more anxious than aggressively. "I'm not sure Pikachu's condition with stay stable that long." He gave a worried glance down to his tiring rodent, who was now sporting a black eye and one or two shallow cuts. He gave the riverside clearing a quick scan for a faster route. That was when his eyes fell upon an orange bike parked up against a tree not far away. But just as he thought about asking, the sound of distant cawing was heard.
The two children looked out across the lake that the river ran into, and saw a black cluster moving towards them. Ash spine shook in horror.
"Oh no! They're coming back! Miss, can I please borrow your bike to get me to Viridian City?" He asked in a panicked tone. The girl was quite taken aback by this request, and wasn't sure how to answer. "Please? Those Spearow are the reason my Pikachu's like this. I only, literally, got him today. I can't let this happen to him the day I start my Pokémon journey. I promise I'll be careful. And I'll leave it at the police station, so you can pick it up later."
"Well…" The girl thought, slowly. "I suppose it'd be OK."
"Thank you, miss." Ash thanked gratefully. He dashed to the bike, and laid Pikachu down in the basket at the front, mounting the seat and pedalling away as fast as he could.
Ash span his legs round and round as fast as his muscles would allow. However, the Spearow flock was homing in fast, and a sudden storm was brewing up pretty quickly, too. Soon, Ash could feel the rush of wind from under the wings of tens of dozens of Spearow and the cold, harsh pelt of torrentially pouring rain smashing against his skin. He pounded on, ignoring the harsh pecks and stabs he was receiving from the angered birds. Thunder clapped and lightning started to pelt the earth. One bolt of lightning struck dangerously close to the right of the bike. So close that Ash lost his focus. He lost his balance, and he, Pikachu and the bike went toppling into the mud. Ash looked into Pikachu's eyes, apologetically, and rested a hand on his cheek.
"I'm sorry, Pikachu. This isn't the start to my adventure I was hoping for." He stood, taking off his blue waistcoat, and covering Pikachu underneath it for his own protection. Then he turned to face the oncoming storm of Spearow, arms outstretched. "Come on, then!" He challenged. "I've already lost my mother in my life, what do I care if I die too?" From under the waistcoat, Pikachu could hear Ash's words. His little eyes began to water as he listened to the rage and determination in Ash's voice. "I've already lost one person in my life. I'm not about to lose another! Kill me, if it'd make you happy, but leave my Pikachu alone!" The Spearow dove towards Ash, talons primed, ready to slash him flesh from bone.
As Ash prepared himself to be mauled by the murderous flock, Pikachu wriggled his way out from under the waistcoat draped over him, and leapt over Ash's shoulder. Ash felt the brush of fur on his cheek, and opened his eyes to see Pikachu soaring through the air towards the marauding flock.
"Pika…CHU!" The mouse screamed as it wildly fired volt upon volt of electrical energy into the midst of the feathery mob, zapping every single Spearow in the bunch, and even going so far as to cause Fearow a Hell-load of pain. The sparks and bolts from Pikachu were so strong and so wild that they started to zap surrounding tree branches and the bike that Ash borrowed. The bike lit up like a Christmas decoration as the electrical energy surged through it. As Pikachu's energy depleted to nothing, the bike was now signed and charred into a slightly melted mess of charcoaled metal and molten rubber. Defeated, the Spearow flock fled, cursing in their Pokémon language as they went.
When they were out of sight, Ash quickly recomposed himself, and rushed to Pikachu's side. He picked up the weakened mouse, stunned into silence by his selfless act to defend him.
"Pikachu…" He whispered. "You… you saved me." In response to him, Pikachu licked his trainer affectionately on the cheek, making Ash smile. "Come on." He said, picking up his waistcoat, and slipping it over his shoulders. "I need to get you to the Pokémon Centre, and fast." And with that, he took off down the road for Viridian City.
At last. I thought the preparations would only take two or three chapters but they nearly rolled into the double figures! But now, Ash is finally on his way and has Pikachu at his side for the ride. Keep that mysterious Pokémon from the opening of the chapter in mind, everyone. She's going to be important later on. VERY important. I'm not going to have too many questions this chapter, but here's the question about the story...;
I'm sure you're all intelligent enough to have identified the mystery Pokémon, but what do you think her role is going to be? Why is she so special? What is it about Ash that makes her hang around near him? What does he mean to her?
And... here's a question that's popped up in my mind recently;
Does anyone think I should become a Beta Reader? I got this notion after I wrote a review for Pikachu's Wish: To be Human by Chidori Pikachu. Can some of you go to this fiction, read my review, and tell me if you think I should apply to become a Beta Reader on this site, to try and aid other authors in their writing, please? It'd be most kind of you to respond, as I take great joy in involving you lot, you're a very helpful community.
Anyway, I'd best be off, now. Story Alert subscribers, keep an eye out for this week's surprise treat. Farewell for now.