Guide to be the Very Best 2 - or 'How I ended up coaching a young Pokémon Master in the making' (Pokemon, Ash Semi-SI)
While Pikachu was being cooperative regarding trusting Ash's orders, it would be a lie to say that they were both ready to fight.
He doesn't want to fight.
This was a small problem. Had he not formed a bond with Pikachu earlier, then that would have been a massive one, but since it's more a case of reluctance than outright opposition, it was eventually going to be solved with time and patience.
Which is why you should be careful in engaging in combat just yet. You have just a Pokémon at your disposal.
Couldn't I just… you know, catch a Pidgey on my own? Like, they are weak.
He was staring at said Pokémon within a clearing, the bird-like creature looking around for anything to eat at the moment and seemingly sniping worms through the grass.
It's a misconception actually. While it's true that the Pokémon around us are quite weak compared to those in other areas, they make up for their weakness with a pack mentality.
Which means?
Look at the trees above us.
Ash frowned, and yet did so. His eased posture tensed up and his eyes widened right as he saw a few other bird-like Pokémon flicking their wings while moving around branches, nesting and perching while watching over their other buddies by the ground. Some of those hidden away by the foliage were also quite big.
"How… many?" Ash mumbled quietly and I felt a bit amused by this reaction.
Too many to count within our perspective, but enough to say 'better not risk it.'
And?
I sighed, understanding what that summarized.
And we will find a better place to expand the team. It would be ideal to get a Pidgey, but they are a common breed and we will find other spots to catch one or two.
"Piiika!"
"Hmm? What's wrong, Pikachu?" Ash turned to the electric rodent, and then he turned his gaze to where he was aiming his tiny finger at.
The… sky?
I felt a cold cascade hit me as I realized that there had been a storm yesterday and that it had subsided around the time we were already leaving for our adventure. I forgot why that was relevant but Pikachu's good eye avoided skipping this important part of Ash's journey.
There was a rainbow still rocking after the stormy night, but what really got everyone's attention was the flying bird-like Pokémon that looked as majestic as powerful. Ash swiftly retrieved his Pokédex.
"What is it?"
The device took a moment to scan the picture it took and-
"Data Inconclusive! This Pokémon is not registered in the Database."
"Wait, for real?!"
But how? I thought the Pokédex had all 151 Pokémon listed!
It does, yes. But these 151 are only for those native to Kanto, and it doesn't have in its database the list of Pokémon known to be located in Johto.
Ash frowned at this, taking a moment to study the picture for a moment.
Johto? That's a Pokémon from Johto.
A Legendary Pokémon at that. Ash, that's Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon.
"A-A Legendary Pokémon?" Ash exclaimed out loud, getting his Starter's attention and surprise.
"Pika?!"
"Yeah, that was Ho-Oh!"
Pikachu tilted his head to the side, clearly unaware of what Pokémon that was, but the fact it was a Legendary one had both pumped up for their adventure. That being said, the walk to reach Viridian Town was relatively quick.
We were there after two hours of careful walking while also avoiding any unwanted fights. Pikachu eventually got involved in two where we got attacked, but that was it. It didn't get to the point where new Pokémon could be caught, so, for now, Ash had just Pikachu.
It was around lunch, after Ash had gone through the process of calling back home and mentioning Ho-Oh to Professor Oak that I also remembered a very important thing. The night Ash was going to spend at the Pokémon Center to rest and get ready to go back to his journey was also going to be the night where he meets Team Rocket. And I am not sure how this was going to go. Pikachu was definitely going to fight for two reasons, 1) he is a bit of a prick but he is still a good rodent; 2) the ones that are getting snatched are fellow Pikachu so… yeah, that's going to get him to react anyway.
As we entered the Pokémon Center, I was introduced to the truth on a rather odd bit of Pokémon lore- the Centers would provide free roof and food to licensed trainers and special cases. The League would foot the bill through the economic might it mustered through part of the national taxation.
I wasn't sure how the economy worked if I have to be honest, but since it was a system that worked and hadn't collapsed just yet, I was not going to question its true integrity. I had a feeling toon logic would just happen and screw it up somehow. Either that or there was some BS situation I wasn't aware of.
Still, no sight of Misty. Maybe she was to return later that day and… I didn't push Ash on meeting her. Yes, it would be a feasible option to travel with Misty and if I had the genuine chance to help Ash find her, then that would be great- however I couldn't just tell him 'go find a girl called Misty' then proceed to give him a description and hope he doesn't end up screwing the first interaction up by behaving too 'forward' about it.
It was that sort of circumstance that demanded natural randomness to manifest perfectly.
So, nothing to say as Ash took this chance to explore Viridian City after lunch, got accustomed with the PokéMarket and bought a few more supplies for the trip with the money Della had given him.
It was a lot considering the food prices, but I was willing to say that the reason food was cheap was tied to how surprisingly resilient the fertile tract of lands were in this world compared to the one I came from.
We also stopped at the local Pokémon Gym and-
"Why is it closed?"
'Out of Order'. That's what the sign said and I knew way too perfectly why.
The Leader is currently busy. Plus, he is considered the unofficial eight gym so… don't try to force your way in.
I-I will not!
But he thought of doing that, and it was enough for the warning to be given. After that discovery, the skies over the city darkened and Ash walked back with Pikachu to the Pokémon Center.
Right on time to see Team Rocket in action.
Oh, and Misty is there too, holding on by her bike as she was one of the bystanders looking at the sight unfold with horror dawning on her face.
What is going on? Who are these people and… why are they stealing Pokémon?
I felt Ash's anger rise up at the sight of the goons doing just that, carrying Pokéballs to their hot balloon. Yes, I could tell he wanted to jump in and do something and he probably would be able to do something about this but… Pikachu didn't get any overcharged move to use on Koffing and Ekans. So, I wasn't sure that was going to work.
If Ash wanted to score a win, he needed to use his brain and surroundings. And I just had the right idea.
Ash?
What? We need to stop them!
And we are, but not through a fight.
But you said-
I stopped him mid-whine with a loud sigh.
Look around, you are not going to get much support in a 2v1 and they have experienced Pokémon. So, for the time being, you need to play a bit unfair with them.
How? I mean, I can't fight them so-
But you can stop them. Think for just a moment, these are criminals that have mediocre Pokémon and are putting those Pokéballs-
In that hot balloon. And?
And in case that hot balloon was brought down and rendered unable to fly, would they have a means to leave?
No.
What's the range of Pikachu's Thunder Shock?
It… doesn't. Wait, you mean I should-
Yep. Then leave the rest to the police.
A tiny smile appeared on Ash's face as he realized what I wanted him to do.
"Pikachu," The trainer quietly whispered and his Pokémon, currently perched on his shoulder, gave him a look. "Can you use Thunder Shock on that Hot Balloon?"
The Electric Rodent was a bit confused by the request, but nodded as he noticed this would stop the bad guys from leaving.
"Piikaa-CHUUUUUUU~!"
The loud chant drew some attention, but those I was worried Ash could have caught the attention of couldn't see him through the crowd between him and them. It didn't change the fact that the thunderbolt struck the Balloon and cut into it, causing the hot-air to detonate part of it while the casket it carried fell down on the ground.
Jessie and James looked absolutely horrified by this turn of events, Meowth being the one that ordered them to recall their Pokémon and bail. In fact, it didn't take long for the police to come by and almost arrest them.
They ran just minutes before Officer Jenny arrived, and, much to my relief, no one had turned to see which Pokémon had hurled that Thunder Shock and there were actually a few kids with electric-type Pokémon so… it was easy to avoid getting noticed. The less we had with the crime war, the better for now.
All was doing great and Ash was about to go to his room when he was stopped by a soft hand that grasped at his shoulder.
"Wait a minute."
Feminine voice, bossy nature and a degree of potential dread on both sides of the spectrum- yep, I think we have found her.
"Uh?"
Ash turned around and he greeted the source of the interruption.
And hello Misty.
"You are the owner of the Pikachu that stopped the thieves," She remarked, eyes narrowed at the boy's face. "Why didn't you tell this to Officer Jenny?"
Ash was a bit surprised, but I kept quiet and let him interact on his own as I already told him why he had to keep quiet and avoid getting noticed. If the news of him being the one that stopped Team Rocket reached these two… well, I would prefer the journey to be Rocket-free for the time being.
"I-It's because their team is known to be vindictive and I don't need any of that. I am just a trainer."
"...I see. So, you avoided popularity because you feared that they could have tracked you down," The girl leaned back, releasing the boy. "I am Misty."
"Ash Ketchum. Did you start your adventure too?"
"A week ago, yes," She replied, a mixture of lie and truth. No, it wasn't her first experience as a trainer, but it was her first experience as a trainer moving around the region. "I guess I will keep an eye on you from now on then."
And with just that, she left. Ash was, as any reasonable kid his age and with his density, confused by what had just happened.
What's her deal?
She is a young girl with a few personal issues from the looks of it.
Oh. Well, I am going to sleep.
Better get that super-nap going fast so we can resume the journey early tomorrow.
The boy nodded as he yawned, happy that the day was finally over.
The next few days were, after all, going to be quite complicated.
AN
Some butterflies, but no Butterfries just yet.