Ash ran as fast as he could to Viridian City with Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. A blue-haired woman was standing guard in front of the entrance. Her name was Officer Jenny and she can be found in every city in the Kanto Region and beyond.
"Excuse me young man." She called out to Ash.
Ash stopped and turned to Officer Jenny's direction.
"What are you doing with that Pikachu on your shoulder?" Officer Jenny demanded.
"We're heading to Viridian City." Ash answered. He reached into his pocket and displayed his Pokedex.
Officer Jenny carefully inspected the Pokedex.
"This looks like it came from Prof. Oak's lab. Very well, carry on." Officer Jenny drove off on her motorcycle, continuing her patrol.
Soon the Pokemon Center came into view and Ash headed there to take a break.
"Would you mind taking my Pikachu?" Ash asked a pink-haired woman.
"It would be my pleasure." The woman smiled. Pikachu was placed on a machine and had X-Rays taken.
While Pikachu was being cared for, Ash headed to the nearby Poke Mart to purchase some supplies on the way to the next town.
After re-entering the Pokemon Center, he picked a phone up and contacted his mother back in Pallet Town.
"Hi honey, is everything all right?" She asked.
"Yeah, I just arrived in Viridian City." Ash replied.
"I'm glad you got there safely." Delia said. "I hope you're having a good time. Enjoy yourself."
"I will mom. See you later."
He then contacted Prof. Oak.
"Hello Prof. Oak, it's me Ash."
"Ah hello Ash, where are you right now?" Prof. Oak asked.
"Viridian City. I arrived here a few minutes ago." Ash answered.
"Ah I see." Prof. Oak nodded. "Gary arrived in Viridian City a while ago. He made a bet with me that you wouldn't catch any Pokemon along the way."
"I really don't care about the bet Gary made with you. I'll capture Pokemon when I feel like it."
Prof. Oak was surprised by Ash's lack of interest.
"Anyway, I want to ask you something." Ash told him about the two Pokemon he had seen fly across the sky earlier.
"I don't recall ever hearing about any Pokemon matching those descriptions. I'll look into it and get back to you."
"That would be appreciated."
A noise was then heard off-screen.
"Oh, my pizza's here. We'll talk more about this later."
The call ended after that.
"Excuse me, are there any room available?" Ash asked Nurse Joy.
Misty then walked into the Pokemon Center as he was speaking.
"Oh hi, Ash." She greeted. "I see you arrived in Viridian City without a issue."
"Of course. It's not that hard to get to Viridian City." Ash responded. "Say, do you want to join me for dinner?"
"It would be my pleasure." Misty smiled.
During the meal, the two discussed their future plans.
"My desire is to become a Pokemon master. What about you?" Ash questioned Misty.
"I want to become a water Pokemon master." Misty responded back.
"So you like water types huh?"
"Absolutely. Water types are my favorite." Misty said.
"Me personally I don't have a favorite type. I like Pokemon in general." Ash admitted.
Misty had a smile on her face. Ash seemed like he was a very nice trainer.
"There is one thing weird though. Why are you freaked out by Gyarados? Isn't it a water type?"
"When I was a baby, I crawled into a Gyarados's mouth by mistake and it nearly ate me." Misty explained.
"Sorry for bringing that up." Ash apologized.
"Don't worry about it." Misty brushed it off. "I'm trying to conquer that fear so I can catch a Gyarados one day."
"Just don't try too hard to do that. I was once told that is very dangerous." Ash advised.
'He's really nice and smart.' Misty thought. 'I wonder if we can travel together.'
After dinner, Ash and Misty reclaimed their Pokemon from Nurse Joy. They were preparing to go to bed when smoke poured into the Pokemon Center.
"Where did this smoke come from?" Ash asked, coughing.
Three figures then stepped inside. It was a man, woman and Meowth.
"Prepare for trouble."
"And make it double."
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Meowth that's right."
"So you three are members of Team Rocket, huh?" Ash asked. "I've heard stories about this group. They do all sorts of horrible things to get whatever they desire."
"So you've heard of us." Jessie smirked at his revelation. "That makes this easier. Hand over the Pokemon and we'll leave without a issue."
"I don't think so. The only way you're taking these Pokemon is by going through us." Ash stood in front of the Pokemon. "Ready Pikachu!"
"Come on out Staryu." Misty said.
"So you'd rather fight?" Jessie asked. "Very well go Ekans."
"You too Koffing." James added.
"Staryu, Water Gun!" Staryu soaked Ekans and Koffing with a blast of water.
"Pikachu, Thunder Shock!" Pikachu released a surge of electricity from his body. Since Ekans and Koffing were still wet, they took a lot of damage.
"That's ridiculous!" Meowth shouted. "Let me show you how it's done. Face my Fury Swipes."
A combination attack by Staryu and Pikachu sent Team Rocket flying through a hole in the Pokemon Center.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" They shouted.
Officer Jenny heard the explosion and rushed over to the Pokemon Center.
"Is everyone okay?" She asked Nurse Joy.
"Yeah. These trainers intervened." Nurse Joy gestured to Ash and Misty.
"Would you mind telling me what happened here?" Officer Jenny asked the pair.
"We engaged two members of Team Rocket in a battle." Ash and Misty explained.
"You have to be very careful. Team Rocket is a dangerous organization."
"Sorry about the hole." Misty apologized to Nurse Joy.
"It's fine. That can easily be repaired. You two should get some rest before leaving in the morning." Ash and Misty followed her advice.
Officer Jenny went back on patrol while Ash and Misty went to bed.
After a good night's sleep, Ash and Misty left the Pokemon Center.
"Hey Ash, can I travel with you?" Misty asked him.
"Sure." Ash nodded.
Ash and Misty would be traveling together from now on.