Whoever said war is hell, they were right. Ash woke up lying in the middle of a wooded area. He felt a throbbing bump on the back of his head and wasn't able to recall how it got there. He couldn't remember why he was alone in a dense forest either. Ash leaned forward and cracked his back. His whole body felt incredibly stiff from lying on the hard dirt for however long he was there for. From how sore his neck was, he'd guess for a quite some time.

Ash then realized when he touched his head something seemed to be missing: an unkempt mop of black hair. His head was shaved and he was wearing a grayish-green uniform that was covered in dirt and had a few tears in it. The eighteen year old closed his eyes which allowed his mind to recollect all that had happened since he, Misty, and Brock had escaped from the back of that Hoenn soldier's truck.

After finding civilization and finally getting home, Ash had a long discussion with his mother about joining the army. She begged and pleaded that he not go, but he insisted he had to. She wept for days. Then two weeks ago he got shipped to a boot camp in the Safari Zone near Fuscia City. Lieutenant Surge, the biggest, buffest man Ash had ever laid eyes on, greeted the soon-to-be soldiers when they got off the bus. For two weeks they went through extremely strenuous training. Ash was convinced that Lieutenant Surge was determined to make them all as muscular as he was. Lucky for Ash he was the smallest one in the bunch. And of course destiny would have it so Gary Oak, Ash's lifelong enemy, would be in the same troop as he was. Joy.

Ash felt a twinge creep up his spine and then stop at the bump on his head, causing it to ache even worse. This happened when an image of Gary clobbering him over the head with a branch appeared before his eyes. Ash grinded his teeth when he finally remembered that the entire troop was in a footrace to get through to forest. The first to reach camp got to pick their partner first, second would pick next, and so on. In the beginning, Ash easily passed all the others, because the benefit of being the scrawniest soldier in his group was that he was also the fastest. Gary was the only one close to competition, so when the arrogant bastard got the opportunity to get ahead of course he took it. That's how Ash wound up here.

The sky was transitioning from day to night, with most of it overwhelmed by a glowing dark blue but some swirls of violet and orange still remained on the horizon. Ash was able to get to his feet and walk the rest of the way to camp. He arrived when there was no trace of daylight left. The stars and crescent moon had been the only sources of light to help guide him back. Camp was deserted and he was sure everyone had chosen their partner by now. Ash wanted to cry at the thought of all of the available Pokemon being taken. He also wanted to cry because he had just walked for three hours after being knocked unconscious. He wanted to cry because he missed his mother and the comfort of his own bed. He wanted to cry because he hadn't shared a laugh with his friend, Brock, in two weeks. He wanted to cry because he didn't have someone like Misty to yell at and take all of his frustration out on.

He had to remind himself why he was there. He was there to not only make his mother proud, but to make himself proud. He wanted to prove everyone wrong who doubted his capabilities. He wanted to put a stop to this war that was causing his mother and country so many problems. Sure, he wanted to cry, but he wanted to be something substantial even more so.

Lieutenant Surge addressed him in front of the entire troop the next morning.

"Ketchum, where the hell were you yesterday?"

"I uh… got lost in the woods, sir."

"Do good soldiers get lost for twenty-four hours in the woods, Ketchum?" the lieutenant asked.

"No, sir."

He had the troop in a line before him like he did every morning. Here he typically told them what activities and training the day would consist of. He would also address any news or problems. This was Ash's first time getting singled out negatively. Usually if Surge ever spoke to Ash in front of the whole group it was to commend him on his astonishing agility or outstanding effort. Ash could have told the highly ranked officer what had really happened, but he figured good soldiers weren't tattletales either.

"Do you think you should be punished for not being able to handle such a simple footrace?" Surge's nose was practically touching Ash's.

Of course Ash didn't want to get punished. He didn't do anything wrong. Saying no would sound as if Ash thought he was too good for this place, and saying yes would make it sound as if he felt guilty and was trying to suck up.

He replied, "It is your decision, Lieutenant."

Surge stood back up straight and stared at Ash with a quizzical look. A prolonged silence made Ash start to sweat due to nerves. He feared the lieutenant's giant, tan fist bombarding him with multiple strikes. Instead he just rubbed his chin. The uneasy feeling in the air was beginning to make some of the other trainees tense as well. Gary seemed to be the only enjoying himself. He was grinning uncontrollably, hoping Ash would receive the punishment of a lifetime. If Ash did get chastised he knew how glorious Gary would feel for being the cause of his suffering.

"Do you men think Ketchum should be punished for his lack of efforts?" The lieutenant asked the troop. Ash wondered if Surge was simply prolonging his humiliation by asking them, or if he was genuinely conflicted on whether to penalize him or not. Surge stood before Gary. "Mr. Oak, do you believe Mr. Ketchum should receive punishment for failing to perform adequately?"

Gary waggled his eye brows as he stared forward, still grinning. "Yes, sir."

Surge began to pace in front of Gary as he questioned him. "Would the fact that you arrived at camp first influence your judgment?"

Gary rolled his shoulders back pompously. "I put two hundred percent into everything, lieutenant. If the other soldiers here are not willing to do so then they should not even be called soldiers."

"You're one to talk," Ash muttered.

The broad, muscular officer quickly glared at him. Ash snapped his head back, straightening his posture and hoping that his overseer hadn't heard what he said.

Surge inhaled a large amount of oxygen before announcing, "Everyone besides Ketchum is excused from today's training. Once I dismiss you, you may head into town or do whatever you please." A look of absolute joy and excitement came across each of the men's faces. Some even gave each other high fives. "However!" he boomed, grabbing the attention of his troop once again. "If a single one of you is missing when I check your cots tonight, you will all wish you had never been born come tomorrow. Bed inspection will be at midnight. Dismissed."

The troop dashed towards their respective cabins to prepare themselves for a day of relaxation and a night on the town. They cheered and shouted in victory, relieved that their bodies were going to be able to have one day to rest. Ash watched them all shove each other around and he envied their revelry. But most of all he wanted nothing more than to beat the living daylights out of Gary Oak. Not only is he the reason he's standing here, waiting to receive a punishment that will no doubt leave him in pain for days, but Gary threw him right under the bus as well.

Surge looked down on Ash, and he could see the disappointment in his eyes. He tried with all his might to keep his body from shaking and the beads of sweat from rolling down his temples, but he was very unsuccessful at doing so. The raven haired teen could have sworn he saw a twinkle of pity appear in Surge's eyes.

"What do you think your punishment should be?

Ash didn't answer. He was too scared.

Surge got in his face once again. "Hmm?"

His voice squeaked like he was thirteen again. "Like I said before, sir, it's your decision."

Lieutenant Surge then said something that Ash did not expect. "I'm pleasantly surprised with you, Ketchum."

Once again, Ash didn't answer. This time because he was not quite sure what his leader meant.

Seconds later Ash was given the first part of his punishment. He was to do jumping jacks until the lieutenant told him to stop. After for what Ash guessed was probably an hour, he was then told to do crunches until further instruction. Ash estimated this lasted for about another hour. Next were sprints, then push-ups, then mountain climbers, then chin-ups. Each exercise lasted longer than the one before it, and each one got harder as they went along. Surge stood and watched Ash the entire time. Simple things like standing and breathing became more difficult, only because Ash was putting all his effort into each exercise

Finally, he was given a break. The sun was beginning to set and shadows were overwhelming the camp which was entirely surrounded by woods. Ash had his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. The oxygen was entering and exiting his lungs so rapidly it burned his throat and pained his chest. Sweat dripped off the tip of his nose and soaked his entire body. It even collected in his eyelashes and trickled into his eyes, making them sting severely. Surge just stood and watched Ash suffer, although when Ash finally looked up his lieutenant did not seem like he was getting any joy out of treating Ash this way.

"You got stones, kid."

Ash wondered if he heard him correctly. He was so confused, but mostly just exhausted. Right now he concentrated on collecting his breath and remembering how to stand up straight.

"There's no way in hell any of those other 'soldiers' would have done what you did today. You think Gary would have kept his mouth shut like you did? Fuck no!"

Ash finally stood up straight and gave Lieutenant Surge the most puzzled look he could conjure up the energy to make.

"Don't act like you don't know what the hell I'm talking about! I know that bitch clobbered you over the head to get in the lead. I mean an astronaut from outer space could see the bump on the back of your head." Ash felt the bump, forgetting that it was even there. "I don't know whether I want to smack you across the face for being so stupid or kiss you for being possibly the best hearted person I've ever met. Why do you think I pushed you so much today, Ketchum? I was trying to see if you'd break. I wanted to push you so much that you'd finally confess that Gary is a cheating son of a bitch and that's why you came in last. But you didn't even come close to cracking. That's real stones, Ketchum. You'd rather take the bullet than take the easy way out. That'll come in handy when you become a real soldier."

Ash couldn't help but smile the broadest, proudest smile he'd perhaps ever articulate. "Thank you, sir. Thank you very much!"

Surge slapped him on the back, returning that very same smile. "You're destined for great things, I can tell you that. This war needs a man like you. And I know you're probably freaking out thinking all the Pokemon are taken. Unfortunately there's only one left you'll have to be stuck with. But I don't think it's anything you can't handle. Tomorrow we start training with our partners, so just wake up a little bit early so you can meet yours ahead of time."

"Thank you, lieutenant," Ash said with complete sincerity.

Surge gave the skinny teen a quick salute of respect. "You're done for the day, Ketchum. Get the hell out of here. If I were you I'd either hit the town or hit the hay."

Ash saluted back. "I think I'm going to get some rest."

"Good choice. The fact that you picked sleep over getting hammered only makes me respect you more."

The next morning Ash met Surge in one of the larger buildings on camp. This was where all the Pokemon stayed when they weren't getting trained. One room in the building was for feeding, another for bathing, a third filled with cages they all slept in, and the last room contained a small pool, swings hanging from the ceiling, and other doodads that the Pokemon could be entertained by. After Ash's tour he was brought to the room where all the Pokemon were slumbering soundly, that is until they heard the door open. The roar of loud chirps, barks, squeaks, squawks, and all other sorts of noises nearly burst Ash's eardrums. Surge seemed quite used to the deafening greeting as he led Ash down the aisle of cages.

By the time he stopped walking most of the creatures had gotten used to their presence and quieted down. The cage they stood in front of was rather small. Ash peered in to see a small, chubby, yellow rodent cowering in the back corner. Tiny threads of electricity extended from the mouse's red cheeks as it growled at the two men looking in at it.

"No one claimed this one, so it looks like it'll have to be yours," Surge told Ash.

"What's it called?" Ash asked.

"Pikachu," he answered.

Ash put his fingers around the bars of the cage and smiled at the unfriendly monster. "Hi there."

The yellow mouse revealed its teeth and growled with even more anger at Ash. He quickly backed away to avoid being shocked.

The lieutenant shook his head. "You can probably see why none of the other men chose it. It's quite… stubborn. It really hates being confined, so when you take it out try not to hug it or squeeze it or anything. I wouldn't suggest doing that in the first place since it'd probably electrocute you."

Ash gulped.

"You get this thing to warm up to you then you're an even better soldier than I thought." Surge clapped a hand on Ash's shoulder. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but it will be no easy feat. Training starts in about fifteen minutes, so maybe by the time everyone else gets here, it won't be as much of a bitch by then."

"You've got to be kidding me," Ash muttered, rubbing his increasingly aching temples.

"I wouldn't give it to you if I didn't think you couldn't handle it, Ketchum. Now be a man and accept your responsibility as a soldier."

Ash stood up straight and saluted. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

The highly ranked officer returned the salute before exiting the room. Ash glared at the growling Pikachu, which only glared back. It wrapped its jagged tail around its body and released more weak bolts of electricity from its cheeks, doing so to simply intimidate Ash. Sadly, it was working. Ash collapsed to his knees, hoping the past few days had been all but a terrible dream.

Ash buried his face in his hands. "All my life I've wanted nothing more than to work with Pokemon some day, and the opportunity finally arrives and I get stuck with a rat that has anger management problems." Ash opened the cage and hung his hand about half a foot away from the yellow mouse. "Maybe if I just keep my hand here it'll get used to it…"

Seconds later Ash felt a painful jolt trickle up his arm. He quickly withdrew and yelped in pain. A faint smirk appeared on his partner's face. If this mousy brat wasn't going to let him even near it, then how was Ash supposed to get him out of the cage for training? Ash didn't want to go to training anymore. It would be so humiliating to show up as one of the best in the troop with the worst Pokemon in the bunch. There was no doubt that everyone would make fun of him. The Pikachu didn't look that intimidating either. Ash imagined Gary towering over him with a fire breathing beast burning Pikachu and him to ashes.

The other soldiers started arriving and taking their Pokemon outside to go train. Ash tried to pass it off as if he was just hanging around all aloof, but there was really no sense in that. Each of them knew Ash had gotten stuck with the most bratty, uncooperative one of the group, and they just sniggered as they passed by.

As soon as they were all gone Ash tried reaching for the rodent again. This time he was able to touch the rat's short yellow fur but as soon as it felt the foreign fingertips' contact another jolt of electricity shocked Ash's arm. Like when receiving a burn from a stovetop, the teen quickly pulled back and instinctively shook his arm. The hair on his limb was completely sticking up and thankfully the only pain he felt now was a strange tingle throughout his right appendage.

"Can you get off your period for one minute so I can just pick you up and bring you outside?" Ash shouted in frustration.

The Pikachu got up and lied down again facing the back of its cage.

Ash kicked the empty metal cage next to it. "Well if you won't let me pick you up will you at least follow me outside?"

The electric rodent didn't growl, hiss, or even budge. Ash stormed outside where Lieutenant Surge had the men lined up in front of him already. Every soldier was trying to keep their partner under their control. Ash felt a little better about his current standoff when seeing most of them had their Pokemon with choke collars and short leashes. Even Gary was having trouble keeping his blue turtle from chomping on its leash.

Ash approached the lieutenant. "Nice of you to finally join us, Mr. Ketchum," he greeted.

Ash cleared his throat and whispered, "Um, sir, I can't exactly-"

"You're going to have to speak up, son," Surge boomed.

"Well you see uh… my uh…" Ash turned hot with embarrassment. He heard all the soldiers stifling their laughter.

"Spit it out!" Surge commanded.

Ash averted his eyes to the ground. "The Pikachu won't come out of its cage, sir."

"Really? It's still being a stubborn bitch?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes, sir. It's already shocked me twice."

The officer shook his head. "If you can't touch that thing there's no way in hell I'll be able to do it."

"Well, do you have any rubber gloves?"

"Rubber what?"

"Gloves, sir."

Gary cupped his hands around his mouth. "What? You can't get your Pikachu to come play so now you're going to do some cleaning?" The troop chuckled.

Ash glared at Gary. "Rubber doesn't conduct electricity, idiot."

Gary jumped towards Ash but some of the other soldiers held him back.

Surge stepped between them and waved his arms in a way to calm the sudden burst of commotion. "Whoa whoa! You two men got a problem with each other?"

Gary pointed at Ash forcefully, two soldiers still holding him back. "He is not a man! That boy is a disgrace to this troop and the war in general!"

"You're the one that fucking cheats his way through everything! You're the disgrace!" Ash shouted back.

The once organized line quickly turned into a circular blob of chaos. Some men were forming a circle to watch Ash and Gary fight it out while others were still trying to hold them back and away from each other. Surge, as large as he was, was standing on the outside trying to wiggle his way in. He had never seen such turmoil erupt in his camp before and he honestly did not know how to handle the situation. Lots of yelling and shoving is all that really happened until Gary finally got two feet from Ash. There he threw a punch but Ash ducked.

Before anyone was able to actually start a fight Surge screamed so loud it shook the entire forest around them. Surge screamed so loud that they actually all stopped what they were doing. Surge screamed so loud that when he started talking he almost had no voice to even do so.

"I have never been so shocked or disappointed with a group in my entire career!" His now raspy voice cracked but it didn't make him any less intimidating. "You want to fight like a couple of delinquents still in high school, then go. But not in my camp! I won't allow it! You are all supposed to be a troop- a family! You want to fight?" he asked.

No one knew if they were supposed to answer, they were too scared anyway.

"If you want to fight then you will fight like real soldiers. With your partners. You both have two days to prepare for this."

"Wait… what?" Ash panicked. "I don't want to fight- I can't! My partner doesn't-"

Surge got in Ash's face and said back at a normal volume, "I don't care what you say. You disrespect another soldier in my camp, then you must do what I say." The lieutenant looked back at the entire group. "I'm done for the day. You guys can train or do whatever the hell you want, I don't care right now." He walked towards his cabin and muttered to himself, "Disgraceful…"

Some men took this opportunity to get smashed in Fuscia City. A few tried training with their partners, but ultimately gave up and went to get drunk as well. That left Ash alone trying to figure out how he was going to get this Pikachu to like him. Luckily he found some rubber gloves and was able to pick the stubborn creature up and sit him on the ground next to him. Ash plopped down on the floor and smiled at it.

"You know, you don't have to hate me," Ash told it. "I don't hate you. The only thing I can say I hate with confidence is Gary Oak."

It still didn't look happy.

"Once you meet him you'll hate him too."

Ash proceeded to tell the Pikachu the story of how he and Gary almost got in a fight that day and Lieutenant Surge probably lost all that new found respect for him. Ash was basically back where he started. He then started rambling, admitting he couldn't remember why he was even here anymore. After a couple of seconds he remembered. He wanted to prove everyone wrong, one of those people being Gary.

"Wouldn't you want to prove everyone wrong by getting out there and upstaging all their dumb Pokemon? Everyone thinks you're a pathetic, scared-ZZATTTHHHHHAHHHHHH!"

The red cheeked rodent electrocuted him. If Ash hadn't been temporarily paralyzed because of the shock, he would've been impressed with the monster's strength and amazed by the vibrant, electrical wonder that it was able to conjure from its own body. But the searing pain told him that was enough bonding for one day.

Two days later, with not much progress made with his partner, Ash walked into the cage room to prepare with the Pikachu for their butt whooping that Gary would give them later that day. However, the electrical mouse was not in its cage. Ash checked the feed room, because sometimes Surge would feed the troop's Pokemon in the morning, but it was not there either. He then strolled into the play room, where he saw numerous Pokemon swimming and running around.

A burst of boisterous laughter brought Ash's attention to the far corner. There was a group of some of his fellow soldiers gathered but he couldn't see what for. As soon as he heard Gary's obnoxious, nasally voice he dashed over to them.

"What's going on?" Ash pushed through them to see a bruised and battered Pikachu cowering from, who other, than Gary. "What the hell is going on?"

The laughter stopped and all eyes fell on Ash, but he was just staring in disbelief at his beaten partner.

"I said what the hell is going on?" Ash's voice grew ten times louder, conveying his growing rage.

Gary crossed his arms. "I was just putting your filthy rat in its place."

Ash was still so shocked and filled with disbelief that he didn't take immediate action. But it was Gary, so why was he so surprised? Ash knelt down and examined the Pikachu more closely. He was too afraid to stroke it comfortingly on the count of he could touch a bruised spot.

"You should've seen it just growl and cower. It didn't even do anything about it. Pathetic," Gary snickered. "A weak Pokemon for a weak soldier."

Ash stood up and screamed, "What is wrong with you, man? First you knock me out and now this? You can beat on me all you want but you leave my Pokemon out of it! Got that?"

The Pikachu lifted its head and watched Ash come to its defense.

"You don't tell me what to do. Okay Ashy boy?"

Two of the soldiers held Ash back as Gary kicked the electric mouse so hard it skidded across the floor. Its yelp stabbed at Ash's heart.

"NOOOO!" Ash cried, actual tears beginning to run down his cheeks. "Leave it alone! Leave it alone!"

He tried breaking free of their grip to go save it but he simply couldn't. He had no choice but to watch Gary strike the Pikachu with his foot several more times. The weakened creature tried to lift its head up, but it could barely even open its eyes.

"It didn't do anything to you! Leave it alone!" Ash begged.

Ash elbowed both men in the ribs and broke free of their grip. He tackled Gary to the ground and smashed in his nose with his fist. Blood splattered everywhere but Gary was able to clobber Ash back. The raven haired teen managed to punch his rival two more times before the rest of Gary's entourage ran over and pulled Ash off of their leader. They held him still so Gary could wipe some of the pouring blood from his nose and then sucker punch Ash in the gut. The blow made him cough and cough. When Ash's head was hanging because he was groaning in agony, Gary uppercut his jaw and then hammered his left cheek bone. The Pikachu watched it all happen in a heap on the floor. Ash stood up for it, and now he was getting beaten by them just like it was.

Suddenly, Gary shook uncontrollably and his teeth clattered. His hair stood straight up and drool oozed from his mouth. The cruel teenager collapsed to the ground and behind him stood, although barely, Pikachu. Ash used whatever strength he had left to smile. Gary's possy instinctively let go of Ash, which allowed Pikachu to leap into the air and electrocute them without having to electrocute Ash as well. They all crumbled. And who was left standing victorious? Ash and Pikachu.

A/N: So I realize the ending might seem abrupt, but there was no way Ash and Gary were going to have that battle after beating each other up like that, so there was no need to include it. And what's supposed to be important about this chapter is the special bond that forms between Ash and Pikachu anyway.

Yes, you may have noticed I made it so this chapter was a lot like the first episode where Pikachu is very stubborn but in the end Ash stands up for him, Pikachu saves the day, and they finally become BFFs :D

And an extra thanks to everyone who has read and commented and favorited and alerted my story. It really means a lot!