A thirteen-year-old Dustin was currently in his bedroom finishing on getting dressed in a white and black short sleeve shirt along with beige pants. He was also wearing a red, white, and black hat. To finish off the outfit, he had on fingerless gloves and red and black shoes.

After getting dressed, he grabbed a black and white bag that was sitting on his bed and went to grab it before he walked toward the door to head down to the kitchen for breakfast.

As he walked down the stairs, he was greeted by the sight of his sixteen-year-old sister walking out of her bedroom dressed in a light blue shirt and fluffy red skirt, and white boots.

"Good morning, big sister," He greeted."I thought you were leaving before Dawn for your next journey," He said.

"I decided to move it so I could see you off today," She replied."Im just setting off for Hoenn with my best friend, Annabelle, later. For me to enter the Pokemon Contest after deciding battles aren't my thing anymore."

"Awesome, I'm glad I didn't miss saying bye," Dustin said, hugging his sister.

"Alright, let's go eat breakfast," She said to him.

Dustin nodded, and he and Sheila started to walk down the stairs to the kitchen.


As Dustin and Sheila entered the kitchen, he found his mother at the drive cooking breakfast and his best friend, Empuress the Meowth, eating Pokemon food in the corner of the kitchen.

"Morning, mom, I take it; father wasn't able to be here to see Dustin off," Sheila said, taking a seat at the table.

"No, but he did say he left you a present for you at Professor Oak's lab," Their mother replied.

"Really, what is it, mother?" Dustin asked."Also, good morning mother," He greeted, taking a seat across from Sheila.

"Meowth," Empuress said, walking over to Dustin and nuzzling his leg.

"Morning to you as well, girl," He said smiling.

"I can't tell you he is supposed to be a surprise, " His mother smiled as she placed a plate of omelets, bacon, and hash browns in both of her children. As well as a cup of berry smoothies.

"Thank you," Dustin and Sheila both said in synch.

"So Dustin, did you pack everything?"

"Yes, of course I have. If anything, Ash is the one I should be worried about," Dustin sighed, knowing how foolish Ash could be at times.

"Yeah, he was a handful the first time he came over," Sheila sighed."Annabelle's little siblings are calmer than him. Even the youngest one."

"Well, all children are different. I know from raising you too," Their mother chuckled.

After that was said, the rest of breakfast was spent in silence. Once Dustin was done, he stood on up from the table and looked at the clock.

"Alright, I better go and check that Ash is up and ready he was supposed to meet me here some time ago," Dustin said, looking at the time.

"Alright, Dustin, me, and Sheila will see you there before you take on off for your first Pokemon Journey," His mother said.

"Ok, see you later. I'm mainly only getting my Pokedex and the Pokeballs Professor Oak gives you since I already got my partner Empuress here," He smiled as his female Meowth started walking next to him toward the door.

"Of course, which is a good thing because I believe that if you didn't, there be five trainers needs starters, but Professor Oak usually had backups prepared," Sheila commented.

"I see. Come on, Empuress, we better get Ash," Dustin said, looking at his Meowth.

Dustin was now standing at the door of the Ketchum's residents with Empuress on his shoulder as he knocked on the front door.

The door then opened to reveal Mrs. Ketchum standing on the other side of the door.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ketchum. Is Ash ready yet?" He asked.

"Meow, Meowth," Eumpuress cried, wondering the same thing as her trainer.

"No, he hasn't woken up yet, but what don't you go wait for him at the lab while I check on him," Deila said.

"No, let us handle it. I already have my Pokemon anyway, so I might as well stay to wale him on up," Dustin said.

"Well, good luck. He's never an easy one to wake up," Delia said.

"Don't worry; we have our ways, right Eumpuress," He smiled, looking at his Meowth.

"Alright, I'll leave him to you," Delia said, letting Dustin inside of the house.

"I got it from here," He said, walking on up the stairs.

He walked upstairs to Ash's bedroom and saw that he was still knocked out in bed, sleeping as his Pokeball clock smashed into the wall.

'Of course, he breaks his alarm clock in his sleep.' Dustin thought, looking at Ash, who was asleep.

"Eumpuress, wake him on up," Dustin said.

"Meowth," Eumpuress cried out as she scratched Ash's face.

"Ah!!!" Ash screamed, putting his head to his face and looking at Eumpuress, annoyed until he looked at the window."Oh no! What time is it?" He asked, sitting up quickly in bed.

"Time fo-," Dustin trailed off as he saw Ash get out of bed and start running out of the room."Hey Ash, at least change clothes," He said, letting Meowth get back on his shoulder and go after Ash.


Dustin was now running with a panting Ash to Profesor Oak's lab.

"Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander. Anyone fine," Ash said, running."Just please save one for me."

"Goodness, slow down a bit," Dustin groaned as he tried to help support his Meowth.

As they got closer, he saw a massive crowd of people large group of people and heard cheerleaders cheering for Gary. He sighed as Ash tried to push through the crowd of people and ended up bumping into someone and falling to the ground.

"Hey, watch where you're going," Gary snapped. He then smirked as he saw who it was."Well, you must be Ash. Better late than never, I guess. At least you get the chance to meet me.

Dustin helped Ash up as Gary blinked."And if it isn't his little role model, Dustin," Gary mocked.

"Gary, knock it off; unlike you, I have experience with Pokemon," Dustin warned as Ash looked surprised to see his old childhood friend.

"Me. Gary to you. Show some respect," Gary scolded.

Eumpuress grind her teeth, not likening the way Gary was treating her trainer friend.

"Well, Ash, you snooze loose, and you're way behind right from the start. I've got a Pokemon, and you don't. Of course, your role model does two with that small Meowth of his," Gary taunted.

Eumpuress was getting more annoyed being called small, but Dustin stopped her before she could jump down to attack. Ash was amazed at his rival already having his first Pokemon.

"You...got your first Pokemon?" Ash asked.

Gary took out the Pokeball with a smirk."That's right, loser. And it's right here inside the Pokeball!" He answered as he spun his Pokeball on his finger.

"Gary, if you going to be a jerk, get out of my sight," Dustin said, getting annoyed with Gary's attitude.

Gary raised his arms in the air with a proud smile on his face. "Thank you, fans! Thank you all for this great honor! I promise you that I will become a Pokémon Master and make the town of Pallet known all around the world!" Gary declared.

He raised his Pokéball into the air as the crowd cheered even louder. The youngest son of Lance sighed at this. "He too arrogant just as the grandson of Professor Oak. I not like that, and I'm the son of Lance, who is well known," Dustin muttered.

"Meowth," Empuress agreed, bringing a paw to her ear in annoyance.

"Excuse me!" Ash called, leaving his rival to glance at him.

"Yeah?" Gary called back.

"I was just wondering if you could tell me what kind of Pokémon you've got!" Ash explained. Immediately, Gary scoffed, sneering at him.

"That's none of your business! If you showed up on time, you would see that I got the best Pokémon from Professor Oak! It's good to have a grandfather in a Pokémon business, isn't it!?" Gary taunted.

He then got onto his expensive red vehicle as the girls drove away, leaving everyone to cheer for him except for Ash and Dustin. "Thank you for coming out to see the history of the making! Now I, Gary Oak, am off to learn about the true ways of a Pokémon Trainer!" Gary exclaimed.

He left the lab entrance with some of the people following the car. Ash gritted his teeth, feeling determined to defeat his rival someday. "Argh... I'll show you..." Ash grunted angrily.

"Don't let him get to you; Gary, all bark and no bite," Dustin said, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder.

Just then, Professor Oak came down, noticing the two boys."Oh? So you decided to show up after all? And along with Dustin, "Professor Oak said.

"O-Oh! Professor Oak, where's my Pokémon?" Ash asked.

"YOUR Pokémon?" Professor Oak asked, confused.

"Yes! I'm ready!" Ash exclaimed. Professor Oak glanced at Dustin, who sighed in embarrassment at Ash's behavior.

"Well, you look like you're ready for bed, not for Pokémon training, unlike Dustin here. I don't think you're going to train in your pajamas." Professor Oak chuckled.

Before Ash could explain, Dustin walked forward and placed a hand on Ash's shoulder.

"There was a slight mishap Professor. But I can assure you that Ash is well ready for his chance as a Pokemon trainer. The Kanto professor blinked at Dustin's mature behavior, being three years older than Ash. As Ash agreed with Dustin.

"Yeah! What Dust said, I'm ready for a Pokemon Professor!" Ash assured.

So, with that said, the Kanto Professor allowed the two boys to head inside his research lab for Ash to pick up his license and his Pokémon.

"Oh, Dustin? Your license is right here..." Professor Oak explained, giving Dustin a yellow pokedex.

"Thank you, Professor. Do this is the Pokedex," He said as the Professor nodded.

"Yes! Oh, and here our your given Pokéballs and this small orange box is the gift your father had left for you. Also, since Meowth or Eumpuress is your partner. I'm aware that you are prepared for your journey," Professor Oak said.

"Right. Thank you again, Professor," Dustin said with a nod.

Professor smiled at Dustin's manners seeing he was just as well raised as his older sister. At the same time, Ash tried to get their attention.

"Professor? About my Pokémon..." Ash started.

"Ah, yes! Here they are..." Professor Oak explained. He opened a device that held three Pokéballs on the table.

Ash grew eager as he looked at the three Pokéballs. "I thought about it, and it took me for a long time! But, I finally decided to choose... Squirtle!" Ash declared.

He took Squirtle's named Pokéball and tried to open it. But, as the Pokéball opened, it looked to be empty! Ash gasped. Dustin sighed, seeing that it was empty.

"It was already taken by someone who was on time." Prof. Oak explained.

Ash groaned as he took hold of another Pokéball. "Oh... I wish I hadn't overslept... But now... I will choose my Pokémon as... Bulbasaur!" Ash declared.

Once again, the ball opened, only for it to be empty. "Wha!?" Ash exclaimed in shock.

"That one was also taken by a kid who wasn't late." Professor Oak explained.

Ash started to grow a little nervous as he picked the last Pokéball. "Uh... Well... That's no problem! Because my Pokémon will be... Charmander!... HUH!?" Ash started, then gasped in shock.

Dustin and Eumpuress both sighed but remembered what his sister had said earlier. Professor Oak sighed.

"The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, a Pokémon..." Prof. Oak reminded.

Ash started to feel more depressed as he turned to the Kanto Professor with a nervous look. "Does that mean all the Pokémon are gone?" Ash asked.

"Well... There is still one left, but I-" Professor Oak started until Ash got pumped up for it.

"Professor Oak, I'll take it!" Ash exclaimed.

Dustin smiled before Oak summoned another Pokéball. "I think I should war. There is a problem with this last one..." Professor Oak reminded as he gave the ball to Ash.

"I have to have a Pokémon!" Ash declared, confident for his new starter. "Well... In that case..." Professor Oak stuttered as he handed the ball to Ash.

"Hey Professor, what's the problem with this Pokemon?" Dustin asked, concerned about Ash's new Pokemon.

"Well... You'll find out soon." Professor Oak assured, leaving Dustin and his Meowth confused. Just then, the Pokéball in Ash's hand opened, summoning electricity from the Pokéball and a glowing figure.

Ash, Dustin, and Meowth looked at the power coming from the Pokéball. As the figure stopped glowing, a mouse-like Pokémon appeared, blinking several times while looking at the three humans.

"Pikachu." The Pokémon replied.

"This Pokémon's name is Pikachu." Professor Oak explained. Ash was in awe, while Dustin looked intrigued. "Oh wow! It's so cute that it's the best of all!" Ash exclaimed.

"You'll see..." Professor Oak assured, causing Dustin to look at him.

"What the matter?" Dustin asked, concerned. Professor Oak signaled him to do such before Ash gave Pikachu a welcome hug.

"Ah... Hi, Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed happily as he hugged his Electric Type.

Sadly, Pikachu didn't seem to like the hug as he gave Ash a shock. Ash screamed in shock while the Dustin widened his eyes in surprise. "What in the world... That Pikachu crazy!?" Dustin yelled.

"Well... You see... It's normally shy, but it can also have an electrifying personality... This Pikachu is an Electric Mouse Pokémon, of course..." Professor Oak explained. As the Thundershock stopped, Ash groaned.

"I see what you mean..." Ash groaned.

"Shocking, isn't it?" Professor Oak asked.

"Yeah, definitely," Dustin agreed.

Professor Oak cleared his throat before he handed Ash his six Pokéballs and a Pokédex. "Now, take these. Your Pokéballs and your Pokédex!" He said, giving the mentioned items to Ash.

Ash struggles to take them, only for Pikachu to shock him again! Professor Oak was zapped along, while Dustin could only watch with annoyance along with his Scratch Cat Pokémon.

"T-Thank... Y-You...!" Ash stuttered while being zapped.

"Y-You're... W-welcome!" Professor Oak stuttered along as he was zapped along, as well.

As soon as the shocks were done, the three humans and the two Pokémon left the lab.

Dustin spotted his mother and sister in the crowd, with Delia holding out a bag with tears in her eyes.

"Mom?" Ash said in surprise. Dustin smiled as he walked over to his mother and Sheila.

"Hey, so did you check out your present?" His mother asked.

"No, let's see what's inside," He said as he opened the box to see a Pokeball inside it."A Pokeball father got me a second Pokemon?" He questioned, looking at it, smiling.

He suddenly was distracted by Delia's rambling to Ash.

"Now, I packed your sneakers and jeans, nice clean shirts and underwater, your favorite snacks, and some hot chocolates for you, in case you want something hot. But be careful, you two, not to burn yourselves. And a pair of rubber gloves to do your laundry, and a new clothesline to hang it out to dry... And-"

However, before Delia could finish, both Ash took his backpack away from his mother, and he let out a complaint. Empuress giggled at how protective her trainer's friend's mother could be when it came to them being one.

"Mom! You're embarrassing me in front of all these people! Can't you see where I'm grown up now? All Pokémon Trainers can take care of themselves!" Ash reminded."See Dust's mom not banging him," He said, making Dustin laugh.

"Ash is right, Mrs.Ketchum. Besides, I will be with him to make sure nothing happens," Dustin assured her.

"I understand... Oh? Ash, is this your Pokémon?" Delia asked.

"Yep! That's my Pokémon!" Ash explained.

"So I take it Meowth, your first Pokemon, Dustin," Delia said.

"Yeah, that she my number one partner, but my father did give me a second Pokemon as a gift," He said, rubbing Eumpuress's head, making her purr.

As for Pikachu, it said its name before it scoffed, turning its head away from Ash. Ash blinked in annoyance before he turned to his mom in assurance. "With Pikachu at my side, I'll get all the Pokémon in my world!" Ash assured.

Delia understood that but was confused about Pikachu staying out, along with Eumpuress. "I thought all Pokémon stay inside their Pokéballs... Why aren't these two?" Delia asked curiously.

Ash blinked while Dustin answered her question.,"Eumpuress doesn't like being inside of her Pokeball. She prefers staying out with me," He replied.

"Meowth!"Eumpuress agreed happily.

"Oh so sweet, she must be quite close to you! And what about you, Ash? Doesn't this little one have a Pokéball itself?" Delia asked.

Ash nodded. "Oh, right... Pikachu! Get in the ball now!" Ash called.

He threw Pikachu's Pokéball at the Electric Type, only for Pikachu to deflect it back to Ash's hand! Ash blinked in surprise as he tried again, only for the same results to occur.

Multiple times he tried, but Pikachu kept on deflecting the Pokéball, not wanting to go in. Delia found this amusing, while Dustin shook his head at this situation.

"Oh... You're playing catch! You're friends already!" Delia giggled happily, believing that her son and his new Pokemon were already getting along with each other.

"That not the case..." Dustin muttered.

"Owth.." Eumpuress sighed as she settled on Dustin's head.

Ash smirked nervously as he held his Electric Type in his arms. "Uh, yeah... Pikachu and I are pals! Right?" Ash asked the Electric Type.

But, before Pikachu could answer, Delia felt something was off with the Electric Type. "But... It's a little weird!" Delia explained, saying her insult unintentionally.

"Weird?" Ash repeated in question, then gulped in a bit of panic.

As for Pikachu, he was insulted for being called weird as he let out a Thundershock, shocking everyone except for Professor Oak, Dustin, and Dustin's mother and Sheila as they both stepped back, along with Eumpuress. The citizens all screamed as they were shocked by the Thundershock attack.

"Those rubber gloves your mom packed you will come in handy!" Professor Oak explained.

"W-WHY!?" Ash yelped as he was shocked even more.

"That's because rubber gloves repel electricity, Ash," Dustin explained.

"G-Great!" Ash stuttered before the attack had ended.

All of the citizens cheering for Ash were soon lying on the ground, all groaning for being zapped with powerful electricity. Surprisingly, Delia still said her words to Ash and Dustin

"Don't forget to change your underwear. Every single day... And Dustin? Take good care of my Ash, your journey, alright?" Delia requested in reminder while in paralysis.

"O-Okay..." Ash grunted in paralysis.

"No problem," Dustin said, chuckling as he hugged his mom and sister one last time.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu smirked, feeling proud of itself.

The two boys then waved bye as they set off towards Route 1.

To be continued...

Dustin's Team:

Meowth: (F) [Eumpuress] -On hand

Word Count: 3244

Next Chapter: The Road to Viridian City