A/N: I most likely will not have many of the 'side-episodes' that are within the anime. Some of them are mostly filler than has some kind of event that puts Ash closer to whichever Pokémon starred in the episode and/or an attempt by Team Rocket to steal something. Since the Team Rocket trio is now a non-problem, I honestly will probably skip most side-events or, at the very least, shorten it immensely, as a sort of 'as the journey continued' summary, with large portions being important events or battles. Also, I'm not entirely sure if I will make sure he gets all of the Pokémon that he originally has. I'm sorry for people that may like a Pokémon that I skip, in the event that I do skip them.
Ash woke early to prepare sandwiches for breakfast and for Team Rocket to take on their way to Pallet Town. He also woke up just to make sure Misty didn't panic at the sight of the trio sleeping unrestricted.
Luckily enough, Misty stayed calm when she woke up, giving Ash the chance to explain the situation. She took it in stride, figuring that Ash wouldn't make any stupid decisions. Team Rocket soon woke up, thanking Ash profusely again after realizing that the events of last night weren't some delirious dream.
The trio of ex-Rockets took Ash's sandwiches thankfully and set off in their Meowth-head air balloon towards Pallet Town. The raven-haired trainer sent them off with a smile and after everybody else had eaten, they set off towards Pewter City, Butterfree and Fearow flying freely, Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, and Lucario and Misty following steadily.
"I think I feel eyes on us…" Ash whispered. Pikachu and Butterfree, who was flying closely, heard the comment and got ready for sudden action. "Don't alert the others…the presence doesn't seem hostile…more-so curious."
'The Aura is with me,' Ash intoned mentally. He quickly located the Aura of a stronger than usual bird Pokémon watching their group from a tree.
"Butterfree, Pikachu, String Shot and Thunder Wave, two o'clock."
The two Pokémon immediately complied, shooting the double dose of disabling attacks off into the trees. Misty and Fearow were startled by the sudden action while Lucario watched unfazed but approving.
They heard an indignant squawk, similar to the one that Fearow cried when she was struck down. Ash palmed his face and immediately slipped into a sprint. 'Oh, I'm stupid, that was high up in the trees.'
He flickered from vision as he channeled Aura to speed himself up immensely, dashing to the falling Pokémon. Ash easily made it in time to catch it. A Pidgeotto.
Ash returned to the group, Pidgeotto in tow. He set down the bird Pokémon and sat face-to-face with it, the rest of the group circling and watching the proceeding with curiosity. The Pidgeotto shuffled nervously under scrutiny.
"So, why were you watching us travel so intently?" Ash asked intensely.
"I, uh, was just curious about the peculiar group I saw moving along, that's all!" Pidgeotto answered in a hurry. "Wait a second, you can't even-"
"Oh, I can understand you, don't worry about that." Pidgeotto tilted his head at that, but Ash continued. "Don't worry about it too much. Anyway, I can tell that you're lying…your Aura is fluctuating all over the place. Tell me the real reason why you were watching us." Ash said this with a smile, but Pidgeotto could the mask of a demon floating behind the young trainer.
He started to sweat bullets, trying to find a way out of the situation. There was no way to avoid it. "I got drawn in by the pretty lady here! Alright?! There, I said it…" he shouted in panic, pointing at Fearow.
Ash raised an eyebrow, Pikachu and Butterfree sniggered, Lucario watched with interest, and Fearow blushed. Ash looked between the two birds.
'Hm, they'd be good practice partners. Fearow seems interested enough.' Ash smirked. "Would you like to join us, Pidgeotto? You seem to be pretty bored here in the forest. We can travel together and have fun! And you can get to know Fearow more. She seems to be interested somewhat at the very least," Ash stated nonchalantly.
Fearow flustered, but really didn't have anything she could say to retort. Pidgeotto nodded, but walked to the other side of the clearing they were currently in. Ash nodded in understanding. "Butterfree, you're up."
The butterfly Pokémon nodded and flew up. "Alright, let's get started. Butterfree, Stun Spread!"
Butterfree scattered golden powder in the air before pumping her wings, propelling the stun spores towards Pidgeotto with along with a strong gust of wind.
The bird snapped out of his shock at the sudden combo and avoided the cloud of spores narrowly, but still buffeted slightly by the winds. His wings glowed bright blue and he swung them, launching blades of wind at the butterfly.
'Air Cutter? Interesting, they don't learn that normally.' "Butterfree, Tailwind and evade!" Winds whipped up behind her and boosted her speed, allowing her to easily evade. "Good job, Confusion!"
Butterfree's eyes glowed green, surrounding Pidgeotto in psychic energy. He struggled in pain, trying to break out of the attack. Eventually, the attack stopped, leaving Pidgeotto panting in mid-air.
The bird swiped his wings, raising sand and tossing it towards the butterfly. She dodged out of the way, only to be met by a charging Pidgeotto, charging up a Wing Attack. "Sleep Powder and Psybeam!"
She spread the green powder and launched the beam of psychic energy from her mouth, exploding against Pidgeotto. The bird Pokémon slowed down from the attack. Right in the middle of the powder field.
Pidgeotto instantly dropped like a fly. Ash was about to move to catch him, but smiled when he saw something at the edge of his vision. Fearow swooped in and caught the bird gently.
Ash threw a Pokéball and caught him officially before immediately bringing him back out. He patched up Pidgeotto with some ample potion application, since he didn't take any particularly severe damage, and woke him up with a berry.
"Awesome, new party member. Hm…we should be almost out of Viridian Forest. I think we can spend some time on training. I have a few moves I want you guys to learn." The Pokémon groaned.
…..
A/N: So, I did make use of Ash's innate photographic memory from his last life to bypass TM's one-time usage that existed up until the recent generation or so. TM moves that Ash teaches to his Pokémon will most likely be just as easy to learn as they are in the games: instant. However, as such, I'm not going to have Ash just teach his Pokémon every single TM move they can possibly learn and they won't master the moves immediately. Also, I was thinking about doing little Pokédex checks or something once in a while to show what moves which Pokémon knows, but….that'd get really tedious. Hey, battles will always be a surprise when a move you didn't know they had pops up! Also, unless otherwise noted, assume that only Pikachu is out and about.
After another rigorous training session, Ash and company continued through the Viridian Forest, running into a strange samurai trainer on their way. Pidgeotto and Fearow easily outclassed his Pinsir and Metapod, but did so humbly.
"Interesting! The trust your Pokémon have in you and your level of strategy are even more impressive than the other Pallet trainers that passed by! Good luck on your journey!" the samurai said.
Finally exiting the Viridian Forest, Misty let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Still haven't gotten over Bug-Types, Mist? You were doing so well with Butterfree," Ash quipped.
The orange-haired girl huffed and crossed her arms in annoyance, but her face was slightly tinged red. 'A nickname…'
Ash immediately headed over to the Pokémon Center to make a phone call, handing Pidgeotto, Fearow, and Butterfree over to Nurse Joy for a check-up.
"Hello, Professor Oak? This is Ash," he called out when the phone connected.
"Oh, Ash, to what pleasure do I owe this call?" the old Professor asked.
"Just wanted to give you a heads-up. There's three people heading over to you, a group of three, a woman with red hair, a man with blue hair, and a peculiar third member. I think they could do well as assistants for you and you said you were looking for some."
"Oh, is that so? Thank you for the consideration, Ash, and I'll be sure to welcome them. How is your journey going so far?"
"Well, I'm off to challenge the Pewter Gym after this call and we'll most likely set off for Cerulean City immediately after. Butterfree and Pidgeotto have been the recent additions to my team and they're fitting in well."
"I see, that's good to hear. Hm…well, I'll be taking my leave now Ash."
"Alright. Goodbye Professor!"
Ash looked to Misty as the call ended. He'd felt concern spike up inside of her when he'd said Cerulean City. He immediately palmed his face upon slightly deeper thought of the city. 'The Sensational Sisters, a squad of three performers…and their younger sister, Misty. The only one of the four with an actual drive to manage the gym, while the other three would rather perform.'
"Are you ok, Misty?"
"Hm, what? Yea, I'm fine…just thinking about something," she responded, clearly out of it.
"Ash, your Pokémon are completely healthy and ready to go!" Nurse Joy interrupted, coming out of the side-room. She handed over the tray of Pokéballs.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Ash latched the balls back onto his belt. "Hey Misty, let's get going to the gym!"
Misty snapped out of her daze and nodded. "Alright."
Ash glanced at her again in concern. "Hey Mist, you know you can tell me what's on your mind, right? I can try to help…"
"…thanks, Ash, but I'll be ok. I just have something I need to think about. Let's just keep going," Misty said with a tired smile.
Ash let the matter drop and nodded, continuing towards the gym. They entered through a door surrounded by rocks and enter a pitch-black room. A light flickered on and pointed to a man sitting cross-legged on a slate of rock.
"Who goes there?" The man's eyes looked to be naturally squinted.
"My name is Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. I would like to challenge you to a gym battle for the Boulder Badge."
"From Pallet Town…would you happen to be a starting trainer?"
"Yes. I've been on my journey for three or four days, give or take a few hours."
"I hope you don't think that a gym battle will be anything like a normal trainer battle…"
"No, I'm well aware of what I'm asking for, Brock, Gym Leader of Pewter City and Rock-Type specialist."
"Hmph. Very well then. I have no choice, but to accept your challenge."
The walls of the gym opened up and a field of rock came together from both side. Misty worked her way over to the spectator area.
"Geodude, go!"
"Butterfree, battle ready!"
Misty watched the battle intently, curious as to what Ash would pull out now. He did most of the training off with just his Pokémon, so she never knew what he would pull out next. She heard a snort next to her and turned to see an older man with a red cap and long beard.
"Sending out a Bug and Flying-type against a Rock-Type? A rookie mistake. He won't be able to beat Brock."
A vein popped on Misty's forehead. "What right do you have to judge Ash when you don't even know him?"
"Brock is a trainer with talent beyond the local gym…he won't lose to some flat-out rookie."
"Geodude, Tackle attack, go!"
The rock Pokémon launched itself at Butterfree with speed surprising for its evolutionary species. Not quite fast enough to.
"Butterfree, no time to waste, Sleep Spread and Confusion!" The butterfly Pokémon nodded and released her green powder.
Brock was confused. 'Sleep Spread isn't a Pokémon move?'
Butterfree launched a gust to blow the powder at Geodude and Brock snapped out of it, surprised at the tactic. "Geodude, quick, dodge!"
"Too late," Ash stated. Butterfree's eyes glowed and Geodude was surrounded by psychic energy. It was enough to hold it in place for a moment and the sleep powder flew right into it.
"Butterfree, Energy Ball, low power!"
"What?!" Brock shouted in surprise. A rookie shouldn't be able to teach that move to a Pokémon!
Nonetheless, the green ball formed and slammed into Geodude, knocking it backwards into the wall and fainting it, spirals in its eyes.
"Geodude is unable to battle! The winner is Butterfree! Please send out your next Pokémon!" the referee declared.
"Return, Geodude! You did tried your best. Onix, it's your turn!"
The giant rock snake roared as he came out. "Butterfree, come back. Pidgeotto, time for battle!"
However, instead of just releasing Pidgeotto, he let out Lucario and Fearow as well. "Hey, what are you doing?" Brock questioned.
"I'm just letting my Pokémon out to watch…it's not against the rules, right?"
Brock sweat dropped at the unorthodox behavior, but conceded the point. "Ok, no more beginner play. Rock Tomb, Onix!"
"Double Team, Pidgeotto. Follow up with a Twister!"
Pidgeotto phased out and reappeared with multiple copies. Onix hurled the boulders at one, but it was only an image. All of the Pidgeottos flapped their wings and raised a tornado to grind at Onix.
"Hey, don't bully Onix!"
Misty turned to her sides, startled by the random voices that came out. She looked around her and found ten younger kids that looked similar to Brock. 'Oh, these must be his little siblings.' She noticed that the old guy from earlier was further away. Shrugging, she returned her attention to the battle
"Onix, Rock Polish!" The giant rock snake's body gleamed from the move. "Now, Slam!" It launched itself bodily at the bird.
"Pidgeotto, re-gain the advantage, Sand Attack and Quick Attack." The sand was blown into Onix's face and Pidgeotto repositioned himself for his attack.
Brock smirked, the bird wouldn't be able to overpower Onix, even with an angle. "Now, Steel Wing!"
Pidgeotto slammed his wings into the larger Pokémon, knocking it into the ground. It was knocked out. The referee stood in shock. A trainer of four days beat Brock? "O-Onix is unable to continue! The match is over, Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town, is the winner!"
"Onix, return! Good fight, buddy." Brock walked over to Ash. "I underestimated your abilities and for that, I apologize. You trained your Pokémon well and have an obvious grasp of tactics in battle, far beyond any trainers I've had pass by in a long time. You were able to surpass my type advantage and win the matches easily. I award you with the Boulder Badge."
He handed over the small token, which Ash accepted with a smile and immediately hooked to the inside of his jacket. "Thank you. It was a good match, Brock."
"Yes, but my Pokémon didn't stand a chance. Your Pokémon were raised well beyond what I'd expect from any trainer of four days. Sadly, regulation wouldn't have allowed me to do so anyway, but I would have preferred using a three or four badge team against you."
Ash smiled at the compliment. Gym leaders usually held teams of varying difficulties in their gyms for specific settings of trainers. Not all trainers started in the same place, after all, so they had to carry multiple teams that would be used according to how many badges the challenger had.
"I also appreciate that you toned down the power of your Pokémon's attacks. I respect your kindness to Pokémon, which is also obviously apparent in how affectionate your Pokémon are with you," Brock said with a sweat drop. During his little speech, Butterfree had floated over and started nuzzling Ash. "I actually wanted to become a Pokémon Breeder, you know? But I had to take over to gym to support my siblings and make up for my absent dad."
Ash raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really, you want to become a Pokémon Breeder? That's a rare enough choice, but respectable. It's sad that you aren't able to follow your dream though," Ash said sadly.
Brock looked down sadly as well, but suddenly a voice broke out through the gym. "You can follow your dreams, Brock! I'll take over the gym for you!"
Misty turned to see the bearded man from before walk up and take off the beard and cap, revealing himself to be an older Brock.
"Dad…"
"I'm sorry for leaving you for so many years…but I had failed a Trainer and I needed some time before I could face you all again…"
"…Ash, could you wait outside the gym for a few moments? I need to have some private words with my father."
Ash tilted his head, but nodded. Misty came down to join him and the duo left to wait outside.
…..
"Sorry for imposing, Ash," Brock said.
"No, I'm happy to have another friend along," he stated.
"So, what is talking with Pokémon like, Ash? It seems like it would be very helpful in many scenario."
"Oh, it's awesome. I can understand my Pokémon better and talk with them all the time. On the other hand, sometimes it can be negative. I mean, I'm sure Pikachu would sound a lot cuter if I just heard 'Pika-ka-chu!' instead of what he's actually saying."
"Hey, don't make me shock you!" Pikachu shouted indignantly. "I'm still kind of cute, aren't I?"
"Yea, sure little buddy. Hey, we're at Mount Moon," Ash called back, snapping Misty back to attention. "Come on, let's go."
The group walked through the cave peacefully enough, not running into peculiar sight. A few wild Pokémon skittered about, minding their own business. Brock eventually decided to catch a Zubat to introduce diversity to his team and study a different type of Pokémon.
"So, why do you keep your Pokémon out and about so much? I'm curious as to your reason," Brock asked as they walked along.
"I don't really have a particular reason," Ash said contemplatively. "Pikachu just doesn't like being inside the Pokéball, the other three enjoy flying around more. Out here, Pidgeotto and Fearow can mingle more as well.
Logically speaking, as well, they get more exercise while flying around then they do sitting around inside a Pokéball, regardless of how comfortable they feel. Out here, they're constantly using their muscles, except for the lazy mouse on my shoulder, and I get more ambient bonding time with them."
"Hey, I resent that!" Pikachu snapped back. Ash chuckled and scratched the electric mouse's head.
"I was just kidding, buddy. Anyway, another reason is that if I have them out and watching gym battles, they can learn from what they see, too."
Brock nodded and put a hand to his chin contemplatively. "That makes sense…rather than only gaining experience in battle, they can gain theoretical experience through watching and practical whenever they have battles or through training."
Ash nodded in confirmation, closing his eyes for the moment. When he re-opened them, he noticed something pink walking around in the corner of his eyes.
A Clefairy was walking away, holding a Moon Stone in its hand. "Is that a Clefairy? I wonder what it's doing with it…it seems to be heading somewhere."
Ash decided to follow it and see where it was heading. Brock and Misty glanced at each other and shrugged, going along with it.
The young trainer followed it without any pretense of hiding. He had no reason to do so and doing so would only arouse suspicion. Clefairy could feel the presence of her trackers, but she didn't feel harmful intent from them. She continued on.
…..
After some more trekking through the mountain, they eventually reached their destination. A giant Moon Stone sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by smaller Moon Stones and dancing Clefairy.
"Oh, that's interesting. Some kind of ritual, I guess?" Ash said off-handedly.
"Moon Stones…something to do with their evolution?" Brock noted.
"This seems to be a pretty rare event. I guess we're lucky to see it happening."
The group took seats a distance away from the ceremony, watching the event peacefully. They settled down comfortably, having not rested since leaving Viridian Forest. They sat against the wall, Misty next to Ash, Brock leaning forward to watch carefully, Pikachu nested in Ash's lap, Butterfree on his head, and Pidgeotto and Fearow next to each other.
One by one, the group fell asleep.
Clefairies evolved into Clefables.
The dance continued.
Pidgeotto and Fearow lay together comfortably.
Misty's head leaned onto Ash's shoulder.
Pikachu snored softly.
The dance stopped.
Ash continued to watch.
The new group of Clefairies and Clefables walked towards their resting area. One Clefable stood at the forefront. "Hello humans, thank you for not disturbing our ceremony."
"I don't see why that would require thanks. Interrupting a beautiful ceremony like that is basically sacrilege."
The Clefable smiled. "That is a good point. Regardless, we were told to deliver something to you, when you arrived here and we completed our ceremony. Will you accept it?"
The Clefairy that they had followed earlier came forward, carrying something else. A silver and white egg. "Ah, it was meant for me to spot you."
"Yes, that would be correct. The egg?" she asked, pushing it towards him slightly.
Ash reached out to receive it, holding the egg very carefully. "I will take care of it as my own. Thank you."
"We have one more thing for you," the Clefable stated. She pulled out a strange blue and black stone and handed it to Ash. "You may need that in the future. Keep it safe." Ash nodded and dozed off to sleep himself, holding the egg closely to his chest.
A tiny eye lit up within the egg, feeling the warm, comforting heartbeat of its holder.
…..
"Could you have done that the whole time, Ash?" Misty said with an eye twitch. She was still in an annoyed mood, having been embarrassed earlier in the morning when they all woke up.
"I can't Teleport us to anywhere I haven't already been," Ash said, hands held up defensively. He re-released Pidgeotto, Butterfree, Fearow, and Lucario. It took way too much energy to teleport full bodies.
"Can I please hold the egg, Ash?!" Brock pleaded again.
"No, Brock! It's my egg and I'm taking care of it myself," Ash snapped back.
"Oh, fine…"
The group continued on towards Cerulean City. 'Hey, Lucario?'
'Yes, Ash? Why are you speaking to me mentally?'
'It's nothing. I was just thinking, you've been awfully quiet through the journey so far…' Lucario snorted mentally. 'What?'
'Nothing. It is just humorous how disconnected your behavior is from ordinary Trainers of this age, just how much consideration you actually give towards us.'
'What do you mean by that?'
'Humans generally barely even interact with their Pokémon in comparison to you, Ash. Most leave all of their Pokémon inside of the Pokéballs, talking to them only when they're training, battling, or eating. We aren't much of a conversationalist species, Ash. I wouldn't worry about us much, if we don't speak. It is simply how we function. The care that you show us is already more than enough."
Ash glanced back at Lucario, who was walking with one eye slightly open and peering at Ash with a smile.
'Thank you, Lucario.'
Cerulean City finally came into view. Ash returned Lucario, Pidgeotto, Fearow, and Butterfree to his Pokéballs. Not having anything else to do, he headed directly for the gym.
"Hey, Ash, I'll meet up with you two in a bit, ok? I have something I need to do, so just meet me on the exit towards Vermilion City that you said you were going to take," Misty said nervously.
"Alright then, see you later Misty."
She walked off in a different direction while Ash and Brock continued on to the gym. Upon entering, they found a performance going on. Three attractive women were on the top of a tall diving stage. Hearts popped up in Brock's eyes and he jumped into an open seat of the audience, cheering alongside the crowd. Ash sweat dropped and went off to kill some time. 'The Sensational Sisters. I'll need to find them after their performance. Hm, I wonder where this goes,' he thought to himself as he moved downstairs.
…..