Pokémon Speech: "Blah blah."

Human Speech: "Blah blah"

Telepathy: Blah blah.

Harry and Basil reached the edge of Pallet Town within minutes, and were currently making their way towards Viridian City. They marched along the path, while Harry chatted excitedly to Basil. The Grimer paid half of his attention towards the excited speech, while simultaneously searching the fields for signs of another Pokémon.

"I just can't believe it!" Harry said, pumping a fist. "Finally, we get the chance to show these humans how a real battle is done!"

Glancing at Harry, Basil said in a dubious tone, "What's this 'we' stuff? I'm the only one here who's actually going to be fighting. All you can do is Teleport."

Harry groaned tolerantly. "Yes, but I'm going to be directing you. You do what I say, and we're sure to be victorious!"

Basil frowned. "I don't remember ever agreeing to that."

Harry raised a brow. "Well like you said, I can't really fight. Besides, being the Trainer won't be easy you know! I'll be working my tail off too!"

Basil rolled his eyes. "Right, because it must be so hard telling me what to do."

Harry poked the Grimer in the chest, saying, "It will be if you refuse to listen to me." Harry then noticed the purple gunk now coating his claw, and disgustedly wiped it on his satchel. "Besides, I have to also catch any Pokémon we come across too!"

Basil gave a bark of laughter. "Oh right, because throwin' one of those Pokéballs is so difficult. Anyone can do that!"

Glaring at his partner, Harry growled, "Oh yeah!"

"Yeah!" Basil responded. Then, out of the corner of his eye he spotted an indistinct shape moving through the tall grass to their right. Smirking at Harry, he added, "And I'm gonna prove it to ya!"

Before Harry could react, Basil reached into his satchel and grabbed a Pokéball, before turning and pitching it into the grass. There was the sound of metal striking flesh, and a loud hiss accompanied by a burst of red light as the unknown Pokémon was sucked inside.

Grinning smugly at Harry, Basil said, "See? Easy as-" He was cut off as another burst of light and sound issued from the grass, followed by a very irritated voice cursing loudly.

Moments later, the massive form of a Pidgeot emerged from the grass, clutching the Pokéball in one of its talons. Scanning the area, its gaze locked on the shocked forms of Harry and Basil. "Does this belong to you?" The Pidgeot asked, his voice dripping with malice as his grip tightened on the Pokéball, causing it to begin to crack from the force.

Wordlessly, Harry lifted a claw to point towards Basil. The Pidgeot glared at Basil, who quailed under his piercing gaze. Slowly, the Pidgeot began walking towards Basil, stopping before the Grimer as he was frozen in fear. The Pidgeot then lifted its talon holding the Pokéball, before crushing it to pieces in its iron grip.

Basil watched the pieces fall to the dirt, terrified. Harry however, grew furious at the sight. "Hey!" He said, drawing the Pidgeot's attention. "Those things are expensive, you asshat!"

The Pidgeot fully rounded on Harry, who seemed to realize his mistake as he clamped a claw over his mouth. "Oh?" The Pidgeot began, his voice dropping dangerously. "So this is yours then?" He asked, gesturing to the broken remains of the Pokéball with a talon.

Leaping on the chance to pass the buck, pointed to Harry and said, "Yep! He's the one who bought it! It's all his!"

Rounding on Basil, Harry barked, "Well you're the one who threw it!"

Basil locked glares with Harry. "Well you're the Pokémon Trainer here!"

"Yeah, that's because I'm not stupid enough to throw a Pokéball at a Pokémon I can't even see!"

"At least I hit him!"

"Oh yeah, because that worked out so well!"

The Pidgeot watched this exchange for a full minute with a growing sense of both annoyance, and confusion. Finally becoming fed up with the debate, the Pidgeot sucked in a breath and shouted, "SHUT UP!"

The two smaller Pokémon immediately flinched, before ceasing their argument to again look towards the Pidgeot with fear.

Sighing, the Pidgeot looked towards Basil. "What was it you said about this one?" He asked, gesturing towards Harry.

Basil gulped loudly, before answering, "That he's a motherless tail-sucker?"

The Pidgeot smacked his face with a wing before clarifying, "No, before that. About him being a trainer."

Harry, feeling his ego begin swell, puffed his chest out and said, "That's right! You're looking at the very first Pokémon Trainer!"

The Pidgeot cocked its head in confusion. "Don't you mean 'Pokémon' Pokémon Trainer?"

Harry faltered, his ego and his stance deflating as he answered, "Well, yeah. But that doesn't sound as- It doesn't matter. Why do you want to know?"

The Pidgeot chuckled. "I suppose I'm curious as to why a Pokémon would want to be a Pokémon Trainer."

Harry smiled, gesticulating grandly as he explained, "Because I am tired of the Humans' continued domination over Pokémon and their foolish confidence in their own leadership. I plan to prove them wrong. I am going to become the Pokémon League Champion, with the help of my friend here." He finished, gesturing to Basil who, seeing the Pidgeot's anger giving way to curiosity, nodded quickly.

The Pidgeot observed the two with an amused eye, before responding, "That sounds like an inspiring idea. Ever since I first evolved into a Pidgeotto, humans have pestered me with their battles, hoping to capture me. I am glad to see that someone is trying to finally putting them in their place."

Harry grinned excitedly at this statement. "Does that mean you'll join us?" He asked excitedly. He observed the Pidgeot regard him with what he hoped was a pensive expression as he considered the offer.

Those hopes were dashed when the Pidgeot began roaring with laughter. "Are you kidding me?" He said, fighting back chuckles. "You two probably won't even make it to Viridian City! No offense, but I've got better things to do then follow two children on a fool's errand."

Harry balked at the Pidgeot's bluntness. "But you said-"

"I said I was glad that someone was trying to beat the humans at their own game." The Pidgeot interrupted. "I never said I thought you could." Patting a dejected Harry on the head with a wing, he added, "Tell you what. You come back here with some of those badges the Humans collect, and I'll not only help you, I'll follow you without question for the rest of my days."

With that, the Pidgeot gave them a final farewell, and took off, flying away and leaving the two behind. After a moment, Basil looked to Harry and muttered, "Well that was disheartening."

Harry looked ready to agree, but instead shook his head defiantly. "It is of no consequence! We shall continue forward, and no overgrown, flying Rattata is going to distract us from completing our goal!"

And so, his confidence renewed, Harry continued forth on his journey. Basil stared after him for a few moments, unsure whether to be inspired by his companion's confidence, or astounded at his stupidity. Deciding, just this once, to choose the latter, he smiled and marched forward, following after his Trainer.

Author's Note: Well, here's the next chapter. A bit of a rough start for our heroes, but they won't let that get them down! They will continue on! They will persevere! They will probably get the crap kicked out of them! Stay tuned!