Pokémon Anime What if

Kanto Arc Beginning

Ash and Pikachu

Hello everyone, this What if is going to be my take on the anime some things will change, and some will stay the same. I will be including some characters from the Pokémon adventures manga, the games, the story has some dark moments but it's mainly lighthearted and fun, also some characters that would appear later in the anime will appear in this arc. So, with that we can now begin.

Our story begins with a match between Bruno and Agatha of the elite 4 on TV using Gengar (Agatha's final Pokemon) and Nidorina, Gengar defeats Nidorina with a Shadow ball Bruno has one Pokemon left and sends out his Onix the giant snake Pokemon gives out a mighty roar it and Gengar continue their battle. The camera zooms away from the TV and we finally meet our protagonist, 10-year-old Ash Ketchum.

A young man sporting a hat, blue jacket and blue jeans he picks up his Pokeball alarm clock and announces, "My name is Ash Ketchum I'm finally about to start my journey and become the greatest Pokemon Master!"

"Ash go to bed!" A women's voice says

Ash throws the clock and the women catch's it we learn it's Ash's mom Delia. "Ash, I know your excited for tomorrow, but you should really get some sleep otherwise you'll be late" Delia says.

"I know mom but I'm just too excited and can't go to sleep" Ash responds as Delia signs and grabs the remote

"In that case you can at least learn what type of starter Pokemon you'll get" Delia says as she turns the channel to one of Professor Oak's (A man in his early 60's) lectures on the three Kanto starters for starting trainers Charmander the fire type, Squirtle the water type and Bulbasaur the grass type.

"I guess your right" Ash says. "Good" Delia reply's as she turns off the lights and heads back downstairs, we then see Ash close his eyes and starts to dream about which of the three starters he'll choose "Yeah I go with that one" Ash says as he finally goes to sleep.

It is currently 8am in the morning Professor Oak and his Granddaughter Daisy Oak (a women with short brown hair, glasses and is 20 years old) "I just finished feeding the starter Pokemon and returned them to their Pokeball's." Daisy says

"I'm really excited to see the children come today" Professor Oak say's "Me too!" Daisy replies happily. They then hear the doors to the lab open and hear a voice. "Hello is Professor Oak here I've come to get my Pokemon" A young boys voice says.

Daisy and Oak look at each other confused the three trainers starting today shouldn't be here until 9:30am they both shrug with their shoulders "You may come in!" Professor says. The boy makes his way to where Professor Oak and Daisy are he smirks and says, "Hello my name is Damien and I'm here to pick a starter today" Both Oaks get a weird feeling from Damian but ignore it they smile as Daisy speaks.

"We weren't expecting to have a fourth child starting their journey today but we'll happily give you a Pokemon so you can start your journey." Daisy says

"Thank you!" the young boy says happily. Professor Oak then brings out the 3 Pokemon and says their names

"These are Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur which of these three will you be picking today you can take as much time as you need" Professor Oak says.

"Thank you but I know exactly which Pokemon I want I've been wanting to pick this one ever since I was younger" Damien says

"Oh, and which is that?" Daisy asks as Damian speaks

"Charmander of course I've always wanted to raise one and have a Charizard of my own" Damien responds smiling.

"Wonderful choice!" Professor Oak says and hands over Charmander's Pokeball, a Pokedex and 5 Pokeballs. Damien then bends down and greets the fire lizard

"Hello Charmander, I'm Damien and I'll be your trainer from today on let's train really hard and I promise to make into the strongest Charizard one day", Charmander's eye's glow wide its dream was to always grow and become a Charizard "Char!" Charmander says and nods happily looking forward to being with Damien.

"Alright Charmander return" Damien says and Charmander goes back in the ball, "Thank you Professor Oak and Ms. Daisy I'll be heading out now!" Professor Oak and Daisy smile/nod when Damien leaves Daisy looks at her grandpa.

"Do you think it was a good idea to give him Charmander? I got a bad feeling from him" Daisy questions

"I don't know I just hope that we made the right decision" Oak says.


It is now 9:20am we see a young boy with spiky Brown hair in a car with teenage girls cheering him his name "Gary Gary Gary he's are man! If he can't do it no one can!" Gary smirks he then sees a girl with Brown Chestnut hair walking on the street and tells the driver to stop next to her the girl is shocked but then loses her shocked expression and she sees Gary she says.

"Good morning, Gary so you're really not going to walk?" the girl asks

"Good morning, Leaf" Gary says then smirks and responds to her question "Why would I walk I'm the son of Kanto's champion Blue I think it's best travel in style" the cheerleaders scream happily at that.

"Ah okay" Leaf says not surprised, "Anyway have you seen Ash you don't think he's slept in again, do you?" Leaf questions

Gary smiles again "Of course he would you know him as well as I do that loser would sleep in on the day, we finally become trainers" Gary says in a cocky voice

"I don't consider Ash a loser but your right that he does sleep in a lot" Leaf says. "Of course, I'm right" Gary says, "Anyway Leaf if you want, I can give you a ride to the lab, so you don't have to walk" Gary offers, Leaf thinks about it but then looks at the cheerleaders giving her an evil eye, "Nah I'll walk but thanks for the offer" Leaf says.

Gary shrugs "Alright let's move out ladies!" The car starts and drives away from Leaf, Leaf looks back and wonders "Ash I hope you're not late" Leaf thinks to herself.


It's now 9:50am we come back to Ash who's still sleeping until he falls off his bed instantly waking him up. "Uhh" Ash groans in pain "What time is it" Ash questions he looks at his destroyed alarm clock on the floor the boy gives a loud scream and dashes downstairs.

"Mom why didn't you wake me up!?" Ash asks, "You told me you wanted to be responsible and wake on time yourself" Delia responds

"Will anyway I got to go I can't let Gary and Leaf beat me in getting a Pokemon!" Ash says and runs out the door, Delia was about to stop Ash and tell him he's still in his pajamas Delia gives a sign.

"He's just like his father" Delia chuckles to herself and heads inside the house.

5 minutes later we see Ash in full sprint heading towards Oak's lab

"I'm almost there" Ash says as he sees the Oak's lab come into view and see's Leaf outside the gate.

"Leaf!" Ash yells Leaf turns around and gives a big smile, but it quickly goes away when she sees how fast Ash is going.

"Ash wait slow down!" Leaf says in concern, Ash tries his best to stop but ends up passing Leaf and trips landing on his face Leaf runs up to Ash.

"Ash are you alright?" Leaf asks in concern

Ash immediately leaps up from the ground, smiles and gives a peace sign "Of course I am" Ash says with burn marks on his face.

"That's good" Leaf says then looks at Ash clothes and starts laughing

"Hehehehe why are you still in your pajamas?" Leaf says, Ash looks confused he looks at his clothes before becoming red in the face.

"What's with all this noise?!" Prof. Oak questions as he and Daisy walk to the gate,

"Ah I should've known" Prof. Oak says as he puts his hand on his face

"Hello Prof. Oak and Ms. Daisy, I'm sorry I'm late but I'm ready to get my first Pokémon today" Ash says excitedly

"Are you sure you're not here for a slumber party?" Oak asks as he notices Ash wearing pajamas, Ash's face turns red in embarrassment Leaf and Daisy give a slight chuckle. Oak then signs as he smiles.

"Well since Gary, Leaf and you are finally here it's time to pick your starter Pokémon come inside" Prof. Oak says as he, Daisy Leaf and Ash follow behind Professor Oak, Ash then whispers to Leaf.

"Were you guys really waiting for me before you got your Pokémon? Ash asks

"Will Professor Oak, Ms. Daisy and I were waiting for you but Gary already got his Pokémon and was just waiting for you to make it so he can gloat in your face" Leaf says

"Gary" Ash whispers in anger

The two adults and children walk into the lab and see Gary sitting on a couch smiling as he spins his Pokeball with one finger he looks at the group and notices Ash.

"Hey Ashy boy are you really going out on your journey in your pajamas?" Gary says while smirking and gives a slight chuckle

"Why you" Ash says angerly, both Leaf and Daisy roll their eyes.

"Now Gary" Professor Oak says

"Hmph" Gary says as he continues to spin the Pokeball

"Now Leaf and Ash we only have one starter left which of you will like it?" Daisy asks

"What?!" both Ash and Leaf say in confusion

"Weren't there supposed to be 3 Pokémon today?" Ash asks

"Well around 8am a boy of the name of Damien who is starting his journey arrived and received Charmander from us" Oak says

"Oh, that's the one I wanted" Ash says looking down

"Ash?" Leaf asks as she looks in worry, "It's okay Leaf you can get the Pokémon I came late anyway I'm fine with starting out with any Pokémon and I can always catch my own Charmander in the future" Ash says with a smile. "Okay" Leaf nods her head and walks to the last Pokeball on the table.

"That Pokeball contains the grass type Bulbasaur please take good care of it" Daisy says

"I will!" Leaf responds happily she picks up the Pokeball and looks at Ash, Gary also looks at Ash not smiling.

"What about Ash?" Leaf asks, as she looks at the boy that has a sad face

"It's fine Leaf I can just start my Pokemon journey next year besides my dad and Gary's dad started their journey when they turned eleven" Ash says trying to cheer her up.

"Well, we do have one more but it's a bit of a troublemaker" Prof. Oak says as everyone looks back at him.

"Really!?" Ash says in excitement as the final Pokeball raises up to the table.

"Well, here you go Ash" Daisy says handing the ball over to Ash, Ash then opens the Pokeball what comes out is nothing like he, Leaf and Gary were expecting it's a small yellow mouse, with red cheeks the Pokémon gives a yawn and says "Pikachu"

"It's so Cute!" Leaf says, Gary finally stopped spinning the Pokeball and looks interested.

"This is the electric mouse Pokémon Pikachu it's not the Charmander you were hoping for, but I hope it's good enough" Oak says, as Ash continues to look at Pikachu in shock he smiles.

"It's perfect!" Ash screams happily, he picks up Pikachu and gives it a hug "Hello Pikachu my name is Ash Ketchum and I'm so happy to be your trainer!" Ash says while hugging the yellow mouse, but Pikachu starts to spark its cheeks.

"Ash wai" Before Daisy and Professor Oak could warn Ash Pikachu let's out a Thunderbolt shocking not only Ash but also Leaf, Daisy and Professor Oak. Gary's sitting on the couch further away from everyone and goes back to spinning his Pokeball.

"AAAAHHHHH!" the four human's scream

"Pikachu... isn't... to... fond... of People!" Oak says while still being shocked

"Now you tell me!" Ash responds

The shocking stops the four humans are now shaky and have bits of electricity coursing through their bodies. "Here are your Pokeball's and Pokedex" Professor Oak says, "Thank you" Ash's says as he slowly reaches to grab them, but Pikachu shocks the four humans again.

"PUT PIKACHU DOWN ASH!" Leaf screams


2 minutes later Ash puts Pikachu down and everyone is able to collect themselves. "Well Ashy boy looks like you have a really unruly Pikachu you have to work with" Gary says with a smug

"Yeah" Ash says.

"Well, I've had enough fun for today time for me to head out thank you for my starter, Grandpa and Sis." Gary says as Prof. Oak and Daisy nod

"What you're leaving already Gary" Ash asks

"Yeah, I can't keep the girls waiting" Gary responds

"Girls?" Ash questions and Leaf gives a big sign

The group walk outside pass Professor Oaks gate and see the car with teenage cheerleaders waiting for Gary. Gary then jumps into the car. "Well see ya later everyone!" Gary says

"Take care Gary" Daisy, Oak and Leaf say

"Wait!" Ash says as everyone looks at him, "Let's have a battle Gary we both got are Pokémon today so let's see who's stronger" Ash say's with a determined look, Gary gives a sign.

"It doesn't look like your Pikachu is in the mood" Gary responds pointing to Pikachu, Ash looks he sees Pikachu under a blanket and is asleep Ash is left dumbfounded and wonders where'd he got a blanket.

"I'll make sure to call dad and let him know you sent off on your journey and he'll be happy to know you picked Squirtle" Daisy says to Gary, "Thanks Sis" Gary smiles with that Gary and his group of Cheerleaders drive off leaving everyone else behind. We then see two women in their late 30's approaching Oak's lab "Ash! Leaf!" the two women say. Ash and Leaf turn and see their moms both children run up and give them a hug.

"Hello Rose and Delia" Professor Oak says, the two women look and say high back.

"So did you get your Pokémon Leaf?" Rose asks

"Sure did!" Leaf replies happily and sends out her Bulbasaur "Bulba" the little plant dinosaur says Rose bends down and rubs the Pokémon's head.

"How nostalgic it reminds me of when my Venusaur was a Bulbasaur" Rose says

"Yep Hehehe" Leaf responds

"So, where's your Pokemon Ash?" Delia questions after giving Ash his clothes, backpack and reminded him to change his underwear every day, Ash points down to the little mouse who's now awake and standing next to him "A Pikachu how cute" Delia says while clapping her hands.

"Thanks mom" Ash says, and Pikachu gives a happy Pika.

"Well, I'll be going now Leaf" says

"You're leaving already Leaf?" Ash and Delia question with Rose having a smile on her face not surprised. "Yeah, if I'm going to complete the Pokedex I got to go and catch/study as many Pokémon as I can I hope we see each other again Ash" Leaf then gives a hug to everyone returns Bulbasaur and runs out of Pallet town into Route 1 in an instant.

"You know I sometimes forget just how fast Leaf is" Daisy says, "Yep that's my daughter for you" Rose smiles proudly.

"Since Gary and Leaf are gone it's time for me to go too" Ash says while straightening his hat, "Okay sweetie make sure to be careful" Delia says with a serious expression.

"Don't worry mom I will" Ash responds, "Alright Pikachu let's go return!" Ash then tries to return the yellow mouse to its Pokeball but Pikachu knocks it away after doing this a few more times Pikachu unleashes a big Thunderbolt that shocks everyone.

"I guess he really doesn't like being in his Pokeball" Ash says a little dazed, "It's a good thing I gave you some rubber gloves" Delia says also with a dazed look on her face. Ash puts on the gloves, ties Pikachu with a rope says goodbye to everyone and the two head out to finally start their journey as Delia has tears in her eyes.

"It's okay Delia" Rose says putting a hand on Delia's shoulder

"I know I just hope he stays safe" Delia responded while rubbing the tears from her eyes

Ash and Pikachu made it to route 1 and decided to take a break, Ash unties Pikachu from the rope, says he's sorry he did it, but Pikachu wouldn't come willingly, the yellow mouse then rolls his eyes, both Ash and Pikachu hear rustling from the grass and notice a wild Pidgey

"Hey, a Pidgey" Ash says excitedly and takes out his Pokedex

"Pidgey is a Flying Pokémon. Among all the Flying Pokémon, it is the gentlest and easiest to capture. A perfect target for the beginning Pokémon Trainer to test his Pokémon's skills." The Pokedex says

"Alright let's go Pikachu I choose you" Ash says he looks down at Pikachu who has an uninterested expression

"Fine I'll do it myself" Ash says in an annoyed tone he slowly approaches Pidgey with his jacket in hand he reaches the Pokémon "Your mine now" Ash screams as he tries to hold the bird Pokémon down only to get blown away from Pidgey's gust attack and Pikachu gives a slight chuckle.

"Man" Ash says in disappointment before he hears something coming from his backpack and it's a Ratata trying to still his food. Ash successfully chases the Pokemon away and Pikachu who's now in a tree instead of giving a light chuckle from last time just starts laughing his head off on how inexperienced Ash is. Ash looks at Pikachu with an angry expression on his face he's about to say something but they both hear a scream. Both trainer and Pokemon quickly look and see a Sperow standing over a very injured Caterpie.

Ash and Pikachu have a very worried expression on their faces, Pikachu was a about to charge in and help the defenseless bug Pokémon but stops and notices Ash take action.

"HEY LEAVE THAT CATERPIE ALONE!" Ash yells as he throws a rock at the Sperow, the rock hits the bird Pokémon knocking it back a few feet. Ash picks up the injured Caterpie and notices it's in bad shape.

"Aroow" The bug says slowly

"Don't speak I'll help you" Ash says he takes out a Potion he had in his pocket and quickly sprays it on Catetpie, the Pokemon groans in pain but is happy someone is helping him.

"Are you okay" Ash asks, Caterpie nods his head before closing his eyes, Ash's eyes widened the Pokemon must've suffered a lot of damage he needs to take it to a Pokemon center and fast. Ash takes out one of his empty Pokeball's puts it on Caterpie's head and the injured bug is quickly sucked into the ball.

"There now you'll be safe until we get to the Pokemon Center" Ash says with a happy look on his face.

Pikachu who was watching the whole thing and was surprised he wasn't expecting Ash to do that. "Maybe I've been too hard on this kid" Pikachu thinks before his ears perk up, he sees the Sperow that was hit with the rock stand up giving Ash an angry look "How dare this child steal my prey I'll teach you to mess with me" Sperow thinks to itself and gives a massive yell that summons more of its kind.

Ash looks on in worry as the flock of Sperow charge right at him the trainer closes his eyes and wonders if it's the end only to hear "PIKA!" Ash looks up and see's almost all the Sperow being shocked he turns around looks at Pikachu and smiles.

"Thank you, Pikachu," Ash says

The Sperow that weren't getting shocked notice Pikachu on the tree and charge at the yellow mouse. Ash eyes grow in horror he quickly tells Pikachu to get away, but Ash wasn't quick enough the flock of Sperow knock Pikachu off the tree branch onto the ground they start to peck and scratch with their talons.

'NO PIKACHU!" Ash screams running into the flock also getting pecked and scratched but can pick up Pikachu in his arms he starts running while holding Pikachu.

"Don't worry Pikachu I'll protect you" Ash says trying to comfort the little mouse, Pikachu gives a small pika in understanding, Ash continues to run until he reaches a cliff with running water down below, with no other choice Ash holds onto Pikachu tightly and jumps in the water.

While in the stream of water Ash is hit in the face by a random Magikarp knocking him and the fish out in the process as that happens one of Ash's empty Pokeball's hit the fish Pokemon successfully catching it, an unconscious Ash and injured Pikachu continue downstream.

We then see a young girl with orange hair and a ponytail casually humming to herself while fishing, she notices that her fishing rode moving and thinks she caught something she quickly reels it in.

"Looks like a caught a big one!" the young girl says happily, she then pulls hard and out comes Ash and Pikachu landing on the ground the young girl notices this and quickly goes to check on them. Ash quickly wakes up starts coughing water from his mouth he looks down and smiles that Pikachu is safe.

"Are you okay!?" The young girl ask, Ash quickly looks up and tells the girl thank you, the girl has a relief expression on her face telling Ash he's welcome and says her name is Misty, Ash introduces himself as well the two stand up Misty notices Pikachu's condition and gets both a worry and angry look on her face.

"How could you get your Pokemon in a serious condition like that!? You need to get it to a Pokemon Center" Misty says with an angry tone

Ash is about to respond but then hears the flock of Sperow's again Ash quickly looks around see's Misty's bike and runs toward it.

"Hey that's my bike!" Misty says angerly

"Sorry I'll pay you back someday!" Ash hastily says putting Pikachu in the basket and quickly rides off.

"That kid I'll make sure he pays me back" Misty says angerly.

A thunderstorm then appears with Ash peddling as fast as he can to reach Viridian City the Sperow flock catch up to Ash and Pikachu they start pecking at the trainer causing Ash to crash both he and Pikachu are flung off the bike. The thunder starts roaring as the Sperow circle around Ash and Pikachu, Ash looks down at Pikachu and unclicks Pikachu's Pokeball and Caterpie's Pokeball (Ash doesn't know about his Magickarp).

"Please get inside your Pokeball Pikachu I'll take care of the Sperow once the Sperow and the storm are gone I want you to take yourself and Caterpie to the Pokemon Center in Viridian City" Ash says pleadingly

"Pika" Pikachu nods his head in disagreement

"There is no time to debate this Pikachu get in your Pokeball!" Ash yells, Pikachu is shocked and has sad look on his face. Ash then turns around to face the flock of Sperow with his arms out.

"My name is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town; my goal is to become the greatest Pokemon Master in the world I won't be stopped here, and I'll catch every single one of you!" Ash says with a determined look on his face, Pikachu looks in amazement at Ash the yellow mouse finally knows what he must do. The Sperow flock then charge at Ash with the intent to kill him Ash closes his eyes as he thinks back to all his family and friends.

"I'm sorry, Mom, Gary, Leaf, Ms. Daisy, Ms., Green, Professor and you too Dad it looks like my journey ends here" Ash says as a tear comes out from his eye (Ash also saw a boy with red hair in his memories as well), unbeknownst to Ash Pikachu started running towards him to protect him, the Sperow flock close in but Pikachu quickly jumps off of Ash's shoulder Ash notices, Pikachu is about to launch its Thunderbolt but a stray lightning bolt comes down amplifying Pikachu's attack.

'CHUUUUUUUU!" Pikachu says as the little mouse unleashes the move shocking all the Sperows and blowing Ash and Pikachu back unconscious.


2 minutes later the storm has finally passed Pikachu's the first to wake up he feels pain all over his body, but he doesn't care he need to make sure Ash is okay, Pikachu quickly looks around and doesn't see a single Sperow or Pokemon (besides Caterpie's Pokeball) insight he craws up to Ash a lightly shakes him to wake him up.

"Uhhhh" Ash groans and opens his eyes "Pikachu?" Ash questions "Pika Pi" Pikachu says happily and rubs his face on Ash's cheek.

"Hey Pikachu stop that tickles" Ash laughs as Pikachu continues.

"CAWWWW!" Ash and Pikachu instantly got a worried look on their faces thinking a Fearow has now come in place of the Sperow they look up what they see is not a Fearow but instead a Phoenix like Pokemon with Rainbow colors it flies pass them as the sky brightens.

"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash questions as his Pokedex speaks

"There are currently many Pokemon that are completely unknown" the Pokedex says, the rainbow Pokemon gives one more CAW and continues to fly Ash then notices something a single feather floats down to him Ash catches the feather and looks at it.

"Whoa" Ash say's, The Rainbow Pokemon continues to fly until it's out view of Ash and Pikachu both trainer and Pokemon are shocked at what they saw they stay there in silence for a few moments.

"There really are amazing Pokemon out there right Pikachu" Ash smiles as he looks at the yellow mouse

"Pika" Pikachu nods his head in agreement

Ash then picks up Pikachu in his arms and puts Caterpie's and Pikachu's Pokeballs back on his belt and continues to walk, meanwhile Misty's bike off to the side is all burned and destroyed. After 30 minutes of walking and the sun setting Ash and Pikachu finally reached Viridian city.

"Look Pikachu we finally made it" Ash smiles and looks down at Pikachu

"Pika" Pikachu says happily and licks Ash's arm, Ash smiles brightly at that and they finally enter Viridian City.

That's chapter 1 of my Pokemon What if what do you guys think, how do feel about I handled me very of episode 1, Damien getting Charmander, introducing Leaf, Rose and Daisy and who is the boy with the red hair in Ash's memories Hmmmm. There will be other characters/Pokemon I'll introduce in the Kanto arc that'll surprise you guys. Thank you for reading and have a great rest of your day.

Chapter 2 will come out tomorrow or later this week

Next chapter: Team Rocket and Viridian Forest.