Chapter 2: The Journey Begins Again

Early that morning, at 6am to be precise, Ash woke up full of energy, ready to start the day. Pikachu was tired and confused, Ash didn't exactly tell him what to expect of today but Ash's actions made it seem big. This morning, Ash had prepared a new outfit from his closet. It consisted of a white and blue jacket with a long yellow zip, dark grey trousers and red trainer shoes. Ash also had a hat to go with these clothes, but he set it aside. Instead, Ash chose the very same hat he wore on his first journey in Kanto. It made him feel nostalgic. Once Ash stood to the mirror to admire his new get up, Pikachu bounced onto his shoulder and happily cried out.

"Only fitting for a new adventure to start out with a new wardrobe!" Ash commented.

His Pokémon nodded in agreement and Ash quickly bounded out of his room and down the stairs where his mother was waiting for him.

"Where are you going in such a rush, honey?" she asked.

Ash had a sincere look of determination on his face as he replied, "I'm starting a new journey!"

"A new journey? For Pokémon?"

"Uhuh!" Ash nodded, "I decided to enter the Pallet Town League, but it turns out I need a new set of badges. No idea why though."

"Oh yes. I heard about that. Apparently Gym Leaders are becoming overwhelmed at the amount of trainers having to rechallenge them for the new badges. Gyms are actually in high demand for booking battles," Delia explained.

"No way...but why does the league need a new set of badges anyway? The old ones were just fine! It makes no sense..."

"I suppose the league council just wanted to make a couple of changes to go with the new stadium. It could be encouraging trainers to toughen up their Pokémon more so the battles are more exciting? I don't battle, I'm not entirely sure."

Ash nodded to show that he had taken in the information, then approached the door.

"Where are you going first, Ash? Do you not want breakfast first? You've only been back for a day...surely you don't want to leave so soon?" Delia asked rapidly with concern flavouring her voice.

Ash smiled and shook his head, "I couldn't possibly eat, I'm too excited! And first I'm headed to Professor Oak's lab to let him know that I'm adventuring Kanto again, might even pick up a Pokémon to take with me besides Pikachu. Thanks anyway mom! I'll be sure to keep in touch!"

Before his mother could get another word in, Ash was already running to Oak's corral.

Ash quickly arrived at the laboratory and eagerly knocked at the door. It was answered by Tracey.

"Oh! Ash! Professor Oak said you were back! It's good to see you again," he smiled.

Ash returned a smile at the sight of his old friend, "You too Tracey! How have you been?"

"Working hard as always," Tracey chuckled, "what brings you to the lab today then?"

"I need to see Professor Oak A.S.A.P. I'm starting a new journey today and I want a Pokémon to help me start up," Ash explained.

"Oh I see! Ol' Pikachu's too strong then?" the assistant laughed.

Pikachu blushed and Ash laughed too, "yeah. Would be hard catching weaker Pokémon with just him. I was wondering if maybe he had any starter Pokémon with him?"

Tracey invited Ash in and told him to take a seat while he fetched Oak. Ash waited patiently and stood up from his seat as soon as the professor arrived. They greeted one another.

Oak then displayed a confused expression, "so I hear you're taking on a new journey? Mind if I ask why?"

"The Pokémon League is no longer accepting the badges I have. Something to do with the council making new choices to go with the new stadium," Ash explained, "I'm going through Kanto to get new Pokémon to help me get the badges in circulation."

"I understand now. You want a starter Pokémon because you feel all of yours will be too strong. But why is that a problem?"

"Because where's the fun in just overpowering everyone? I wanna fight fairly," Ash laughed, "

"I see! Well I'm afraid I don't have any starter Pokémon at the moment" Oak said, "but you're still welcome to take any of your old Pokémon with you."

Ash fell silent for a moment, but then smiled, "I know exactly who to take then!"

He stepped outside into the back garden where he saw his own and other people's Pokémon relaxing and going through whatever daily duties they had. He greeted his Pokémon as he saw them, still looking for a certain one. Then he found it. He smiled and looked to Pikachu.

"Oak may not have any starter Pokémon, but I have one of the ones he gives out," he expalined then looked to the Pokémon who had not noticed he was there, "Bulbasaur!"

Bulbasaur turned around and smiled at Ash then walked up to his feet still smiling.

"Saur! Saur!" he playfully shouted.

"Bulbasaur, how'd you like to come on a journey with me and Pikachu?" Ash asked.

"Bulbasaur!" the Pokémon happily replied, brushing itself against Ash's leg.

Ash took that as a yes and fumbled in his bag for a Poké Ball, returning Bulbasaur after he found one. He then walked back to the laboratory where Oak was waiting. After telling him who he had taken from the garden, Oak then brought him upstairs to where Ash first met Pikachu.

"As is tradition Ash, I have to give you proper equipment to begin your journey. Here are five Poké Balls."

Oak passed Ash five empty Poké Balls in their minimized size.

"Next, let me take a look at your Pokédex," he asked to which Ash handed his Sinnoh dex over.

Oak proceeded to plug the Pokédex into a computer. After a few seconds he unplugged it and passed it back to Ash, "I've added a couple of new features to the Pokédex. Now you can look at a Pokémon's moves in more detail. It will also tell you what Pokémon you can find nearby as well as where you are with a map function. Finally, if you meet another trainer you can register one another in the Pokédex and it will keep you up to date as to what Pokémon they have on hand and how many league badges they have."

"Awesome! Thanks so much, professor!" Ash exclaimed, "now I'd better get going."

Oak showed Ash out of the door, "safe journeys! Get all those badges for the folks back home, won't you?"

"Oh I will! No. We will! Me and my Pokémon!" Ash cheered before running off.

Oak watched as Ash disappeared towards Route 1.

"He still has no idea that some of his old friends are home too," he thought to himself and chuckled, "they're all on the same quest as him too. I wonder who'll come out on top," he finished his thoughts before returning to his lab to finish his report on Pokémon who live on Torterra's back, with help from Ash's newest donation of course.

***

Ash quickly reached Route 1. It seems that he was very enthusiastic and had made it there in a matter of minutes. He was excited to catch a new Pokémon already. Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder and looked around with his trainer.

"Oh!" Ash pointed at some rustling grass, "in there Pikachu!"

Pikachu looked in the direction Ash was pointing in, "pika?"

The grass stopped rustling, then a Rattata jumped out. Ash smiled, "a Rattata! Awesome! Imagine how strong a Raticate would be on our team..."

Ash then drifted off into a daydream. He was in a full stadium at night, lights illuminating the battlefield as people in the crowd cheered with deafening roars. Ash stood opposite a taller and older trainer, Lance, who sent out a Dragonite without a word.

"Raticate! Go!" Ash called in response, sending out the small brown rat Pokémon.

"RATICATE!" it screamed upon entry.

Ash pointed at the Dragonite, "use Hyper Fang!"

Raticate bounded towards Dragonite with impressive speed, opening its mouth wider as it got further.

Ash snapped out of his imagination before the attack impacted, then looked to his belt and pulled up a Poké Ball.

"Bulbasaur, I choose you!" he called as he launched the ball next to the Rattata. A white light spewed from the ball and took Bulbasaur's form. The grass-Pokémon then turned to face Rattata, who glared at it.

"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!" Ash commanded.

"Basaur!" Bulbasaur called as two thin vines extended from the sides of the bulb on its back. They lashed out and attempted to slap Rattata repeatedly, but they merely stroked it.
Bulbasaur and Ash shared the same shocked expression.

"What's up Bulbasaur?" Ash asked.

"Bulba, Bulbasaur!" the Pokémon replied, waving its vines gently.

Ash understood. Bulbasaur was too used to helping at Professor Oak's lab, it had softened up majorly. Its Vine Whip was not as strong as it used to be.

"Alright then, try a Razor Leaf," Ash commanded.

Bulbasaur strained itself and two leaves popped out of its bulb and gently fluttered down to the ground gracefully.

"You can't have completely forgotten how to fight can you!?" Ash exclaimed.

"Saur..." Bulbasaur sighed and blushed.

The Rattata looked for another moment, then laughed loudly before returning to the grass and disappearing. Bulbasaur's eyes teared up and it began to sniff, then Ash crouched down to its level and hugged it close to him, "it's alright buddy. We'll get you trained up and stronger!"

Bulbasaur smiled, then its stomach rumbled and it blushed more.

"Hungry, huh?" Ash laughed. Then his own stomach rumbled, followed by Pikachu's.

"Kachu..."

"I guess we're all hungry," Ash giggled, "Bulbasaur. Stay here and me and Pikachu will find some fruit, okay?"

"Bulbasaur!" the Pokémon nodded, using its vine to salute.

Ash and Pikachu then walked off to find food and Bulbasaur sat on the ground. It examined its vines for a moment, then tried swatting the air. Bulbasaur couldn't get a very violent movement going, there was more of a swish than a snap in its flexing. Giving up, Bulbasaur rested its eyes for a few minutes.

Bulbasaur sighed, then looked up and saw a bird-Pokémon circling above it in flight.

"Saur?"

The Pokémon then caught eye contact with Bulbasaur. It was a Spearow. Its beak twisted upwards into a smirk and it hovered in the air, then dove downwards at Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur!" the Pokémon cried, then extended its vine to try and defend itself, but it was no use. It brushed against the Spearow, which continued its descent. It landed at Bulbasaur's face with a sharp peck, making the grass-Pokémon cry out in pain. Bulbasaur cowered back against a tree, then heard a human voice.

"Pidgey! Use Quick Attack!" the feminine voice called.

A Pidgey then barged into the Spearow at a speed that made it almost invisible. Bulbasaur looked up, jaw agape at this scrap.
Bulbasaur looked beside him to see a girl around the same height as Ash. She wore a sleevless blue vest, a short red skirt, blue socks under a pair of white boots and a white hat with a red Poké Ball-like image covering the top of her head, from which sprouted long light-brown hair down her back and just past her shoulders, one of which supported a yellow bag.

"Now use Wing Attack!" she commanded.

Instantly, Pidgey slapped the grounded Spearow across the face several times with its wings. The impact of the attacks were strong and knocked Spearow out.

The girl adjusted her hat and spun around, launching a Poké Ball from her hand.

"Poké Ball, go!" she called.

The ball spun as it flew towards the Spearow. It bounced off its body and opened up, releasing a thin red light which encompassed it and dragged it into the ball. The girl watched as it landed and shook once, then another time. She looked at it for a couple more seconds and it shook again, then the button on the ball shone red quickly with a small chime.

"Nice capture, Pidgey!" the girl complimented as she went to pick up the Poké Ball and put it in her bag, "still. We have two flying-types and nothing else."

She then turned to Bulbasaur who looked at her happily, "hope you're alright," she said, stroking its head. Bulbasaur smiled and closed its eyes.

The next sound was Ash's voice, "Hey Bulbasaur! We're back!"

"Pikaka Pika!" Pikachu echoed.

Ash had returned with an arm-full of apples. Pikachu was on his shoulder munching on one apple.

Ash saw the girl, "oh hi. Is Bulbasaur alright?"

She stood up from petting the Pokémon, "it was attacked by a Spearow. My Pigey managed to defend it though and I caught it. Is this your Bulbasaur?"

Ash nodded, then the girl spoke again, "it's not very strong is it?"

Ash then shook his head, "I've had him for years but as I've been to different regions he's softened up. He usually helps in Professor Oak's laboratory."

The girl then looked at Ash in amazement and came right up close to him, "you've been to other regions? No way! And you know Professor Oak? How could someone like you own such a weak Pokémon?"

Ash laughed nervously, "I usually start fresh in new regions, except I keep my Pikachu with me."

"Pika!" Pikachu waved at the girl, diverting his attention from his apple.

"He's real strong. It just wouldn't be fair to use him against wild Pokémon so I figured Bulbasaur would be easier to use to catch things, but seems like he's just gotten too weak."

"He could be trained to be strong again," the girl said, examining Bulbasaur.

"I guess so...but what we need right now is a new Pokémon," Ash sighed.

Bulbasaur got up and moved towards the two trainers.

"Bulba! Bulbasaur," it spoke.

"Huh?" Ash said, looking down at Bulbasaur. It stood close to the girl, who Ash then looked at, "you mean to tell me...?"

Bulbasaur nodded, "saur!"

Ash looked at the girl, "looks like Bulbasaur likes you."

She looked down at Bulbasaur, who was rubbing himself against her leg, "looks like he sees potential in you," Ash continued.

"I did just save him...I've only just started out as a Pokémon trainer though. I have only Pidgey and now Spearow," she explained as her Pidgey flew to her shoulder.

"Bulbasaur, are you sure you know what you want?" Ash asked.

Bulbasaur nodded again, then Ash continued to speak, "I think Bulbasaur would like to be trained by you."

"Hmm..." the girl looked down at Bulbasaur, who looked to her with a sincere smile, "how about a trade then? You said you needed a weak Pokémon suitable for catching others right?"

Ash nodded to confirm, then the girl brought a Poké Ball from her bag, "how about I give you Spearow for your Bulbasaur?"

"As long as it's okay with Bulbasaur of course," Ash said. Bulbasaur thought for a moment then nodded, "okay then!" Ash said.

Ash returned Bulbasaur to its Poké Ball, looked at it for a few moments and sighed, "it's been a long road buddy, but hey I'm sure we'll see each other again!"

He passed the Poké Ball to the girl, who then passed him her ball containing Spearow.

"How about we register one another in our Pokédexes?" Ash suggested, "I can't just say goodbye to Bulbasaur forever you know. He's a close friend."

"Sure," the girl said happily then brought out a pink Pokédex in the newer Kanto style.

Ash brought out his Sinnoh Pokédex and the two pressed buttons, then the registration was complete. Ash studied his screen for a moment.

"So your name is Leaf," he confirmed.

Leaf nodded, "and yours is Ash. It's nice to meet you," she extended an arm for the two to shake hands.

They did, "you promise I'll see Bulbasaur again?" Ash asked.

"Of course. Even if I have to track you down you will see it," Leaf replied merrily.

"Where are you headed now?" Ash asked.

"I'm off to Pallet Town to visit the Pokémon laboratory, what about you?"

"I'm going straight for Pewter City," Ash explained, "I've got a gym badge to get."

Ash and Leaf then said their goodbyes and Leaf promised once again that Ash would see Bulbasaur in the future. They then walked at separate paths. Ash glanced back, he knew he'd done the right thing. He wouldn't be able to focus training on Bulbasaur and besides, he felt good to help a new trainer out.

Ash continued forwards through Route 1 and saw just before him on the horizon was Viridian City. He looked to Pikachu and the two nodded as Ash began to sprint towards the city.