To my readers- I decided that instead of making 2 huge volumes of A Ketchum's journey, I decided to make them into 4 separate volumes. Volume 1 will contain the Kanto and Johto regions, Volume 2 will contain Hoenn and Sinnoh regions, Volume 3 will contain Unova and Kalos regions, last but not least, Volume 4 will contain Alola and Galar regions. I want each and every one of you to know that if you personally don't like the way I'm writing the fanfic, then you don't have to read it. I will not reach through my laptop to force you to read any fandoms that I write for because you can probably find a lot better fanfics in those fandoms over mine. Even if you can't find what you're looking for and still don't like the way I write it, then I encourage you to write your own. Happy Reading!
I DONT OWN POKEMON. I ONLY OWN MY OC AND THE CREATION OF HER REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS. ALL REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS WILL BE POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTERS FOR MY OC.
In the forest of the Hoenn region, a 10-year-old girl with a red scarf around her head was riding her bike. "Whoo! Yeah!" she said, happily.
"Hi. My name's May and I'm 10-years-old. I'm on my way to meet my dad's friend, Professor Birch, and to get my beginner's Pokémon. Then I can begin my journey as a Pokémon trainer. But just between you and me, what I'm more interested in is traveling and seeing new places. There it is. Littleroot Town up ahead."
"Duskull!" said the ghost Pokémon, appearing at May's side, causing her to scream in fear and crash into a tree.
"I guess I should have worn a helmet." May said to herself. "Oh…"
"Duskull?" Duskull asked as she fell to the ground. "Duskull."
May gets back on her bike and rides back up the hill. "The truth is, I don't like Pokémon." said May. "Ah, voila."
Up ahead was Littleroot town. "But the traveling? I just love it." she added.
Narrator: Still determined to become a Pokémon Master and greatest Pokémon Trainer, Ash, Hayley and their best friends, Pikachu and Meeko continue their quest as they sail towards the Hoenn Region.
Hayley: We wonder what kind of Pokémon are in the Hoenn Region.
Meeko, nodding: Riol!
Hayley, looking over her shoulder: We're just…..
Narrator: But right now, there're only one thing on Ash and Hayley's minds.
In Ash's arms, Pikachu was sleeping as sparks came out of his cheeks. "Just try to rest, Pikachu." said Ash.
"You'll be okay, Pika-Pik." said Hayley, worriedly.
"Riolu." said Meeko.
"As soon as we dock, We're gonna take you right over to the Pokémon Center." said Ash.
"Pik-Pika." Pikachu murmured, then sighs as Hayley and Meeko quickly scratched his head.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Littleroot Town." said the man on the intercom. "Prepare for arrival."
"Littleroot Town?" questioned James.
"The city whose colors will never change." said Jessie.
"Huh? Hmm?" the boys asked her as they looked up.
"That's right." said Jessie. "Littleroot Town has remained true to its roots. Ah, me, I guess my colors have slowly been changing over the years."
"What do you mean?" asked Meowth.
"Jessie, have you been here before?" asked James.
"Mm-hmm." she answered, then turns her gaze to the sky. "Is this really all that there is?"
"Huh?"
"Following the twerp, his sister and trying to catch Pikachu and Meeko?" Jessie asked. "James, have we ever truly blasted off at the speed of light?"
"Is she speaking hypothetically?" James asked Meowth.
"If that means wacky, then yes." said Meowth.
"Wobbuffet!" said Wobbuffet, appearing out of its Pokéball, causing Jessie to call it back and sighs.
The ship finally docks at the port. "Excuse me, sir." said Ash with Hayley and Meeko next to him. "Could you tell me where the Pokémon center is?"
"I'm afraid this town doesn't have a Pokémon center." said the man.
"Huh?"
"What?!" said Hayley, then looks at Pikachu.
"Pik…Pik…"
"Pikachu." said Ash. "I know."
He and Hayley rush over to a phone. "Hello? Is this Professor Birch's laboratory?" Ash asked. "We're Ash and Hayley from Pallet Town. It's an emergency."
"What?" asked Professor Birch's assistant. "Your Pikachu's ill? That's terrible. Well, unfortunately, Professor Birch is out in the field right now conducting an experiment. Stay put, you two. I'll try and get in touch with him."
"Great. Thanks a lot." said Ash.
"Please hurry!" said Hayley.
"Riolu! Olu!" said Meeko.
After the phone call, Ash, Hayley and Meeko walked over to a bench. "It's okay." Ash said to Pikachu. "Everything's gonna be just fine now."
"Pi."
Ash and Hayley stared out into the water as they stayed where they were. Flying Pokémon cried above as they flew over the water. Sparks continued to fly out of Pikachu's cheeks as Ash, Hayley and Meeko became even more worried. "Pikachu." said Ash.
"Stay with us, Pikachu." said Hayley.
Just then, brother and sister heard tire tracks. "Huh?" they said, looking up.
"Are you Ash and Hayley Ketchum?" asked the man.
"Yes. Are you Professor Birch?" asked Ash.
"Let me see it." said the Hoenn Professor.
"Pikachu's a boy." said Hayley.
"Huh?"
"See his tail? You can always tell with any Pikachu if they're a boy or a girl by how their tails are." Hayley explained, getting Pikachu's tail out of the blanket. "My brother's Pikachu is a boy due to how its angled. All female Pikachu have a heart shaped tails."
"I understand." said Professor Birch as he takes a closer look at Pikachu. "Not good. Let's get him to my lab immediately."
Once in the car, they were on their way to Professor Birch's lab and more electricity came out of Pikachu. "Ah!" screamed Ash and Hayley.
"I see." said Professor Birch. "Symptoms of electrical discharge."
"What's that mean? What symptom?" asked Ash.
"Pikachu is unable to erase his electricity regularly, so it randomly sparks like that." Professor Birch explains. "It's a serious problem that sometimes occurs among electric types."
"Usually Pikachu would have a cold from having too much electricity in his body." said Hayley. "Right, Ash?"
"Right." he said.
"Tell me, has Pikachu been exposed to any magnetic fields?" asked Birch. Then both he and Hayley gasped as they remembered what happened on the ship.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted as he was brought towards a huge magnet. "Pika! Pika!"
"Yeah, that's it." said Ash. "Pikachu was strapped to a magnet, bigger than what Hayley usually carries on her."
"An electromagnet, probably." said Birch.
"Pi-Pika!" said Pikachu, getting his arms out of the blanket.
"Riolu!" Meeko said to her brother.
"What is it, Pikachu?" asked Ash. "What's the matter?"
"What's wrong?" asked Hayley.
"The high fever is confusing him." said Birch.
"Pika." said Pikachu as more sparks flew from his body.
"Pikachu." said Ash and Hayley.
"Riolu!" added Meeko.
"This is bad." said Birch. "We've got to get him to the lab immediately. Better hold on tight, Ash and Hayley."
Ash and Hayley yelled out in fear as Professor Birch drove off the road. "Look out!" said Ash.
"Sorry. We don't have a moment to lose!" said Birch.
"I'll say!" said Hayley as she and Meeko gripped the back seat.
"Riolu!" Meeko said in a shaking tone. Professor Birch then drives off the forest floor and down the rocky hill.
New Butterfree like Pokémon flew over the water as Ash and Hayley sat through Professor Birch's driving skills. "Pikachu, it won't be long now." Ash said.
"Hang in there, Pika-Pik." said Hayley. "Please, for us?"
"Riolu." said Meeko.
Finally, Professor Birch pulls into his lab. "This way, Professor." said his assistant as he lead them into the lab. "Everything is in place and ready for you."
"Thank you." said Birch. "This way, Ash. Hayley."
Ash places Pikachu on the table as Hayley and Meeko held each other. "Application set." said Birch's assistant.
"What's that?" asked Ash.
"A device that will get rid Pikachu of all its trapped electricity." Birch explained. "Power on, Joshua."
"Yes sir." said Joshua.
"It'll be okay, Pikachu." said Hayley. "Once you're better, you, Meeko and I can use the magnets later."
"What magnets?" asked Birch, once Joshua turns on the machine.
"These are the ones that I carry on me, in case Pikachu has a cold." said Hayley, showing Professor Birch the magnets that she carried on her.
"Hayley keeps small magnets on her to check to and see if Pikachu has a cold." said Ash.
"If the magnets stick to Pikachu, it means that he's sick and needs to release the stored-up electricity that he has in his body." Hayley explained. "Once he does, we check again and the magnets won't stick any more. It happened the first time when we went out on our journey."
"Riolu." said Meeko, nodding.
"That's very smart." said Birch.
"Pikachu, just hold on." said Ash as Joshua turns on the machine. Levels went high as the machine continued.
"Professor…." said Joshua.
"Keep going." said Birch.
"Pikachu. Riolu." said Ash, Hayley and Meeko when suddenly the machine breaks.
"It's too much. It would hold." Joshua tells Professor Birch as the light goes red, causing it to explode and break the windows.
"Pi..ka." murmured Pikachu as he stands up on the table. "Pika! Pik! Pika!"
"Pikachu Ketchum! Don't you dare run away from us!" shouted Hayley.
"Riolu!" shouted Meeko.
"Pikachu!" shouted Ash. All three jumped out the window to chase after him.
"Do you have Pokémon that are strong against Electric type?" Birch asked the siblings.
"We don't have any other Pokémon with us now." said Ash.
"I only have Meeko, my Riolu and she knows Pikachu." said Jordan.
"Well, then we'll use mine." said Birch, taking the three Pokéballs that were on his desk.
"But wait." Joshua called out as Professor Birch goes after Ash and Hayley. "We had set those Pokéballs aside for May, remember?"
"There's no choice!" he said to Joshua. "When she gets here, just tell her to wait!"
Hearing this, Team Rocket pops up from behind the bushes. "Wonder what's with Pikachu." said Meowth.
"Oh, goodie." said Jessie. "Now we run too."
"And now what's with you?" asked Meowth.
"It's what we do, Jess." said James. "Chase."
"Ash, Hayley, wait for me!" Brich yelled out to the siblings.
"Professor Birch." said Ash and Hayley.
"Pikachu's internal electricity is too high." he tells them. "A disturbance of any kind into Pikachu's electrical field could cause an electrical explosion."
"Pika!" shouted Pikachu.
"Pikachu's in more trouble than I thought." said Birch.
"Now what?" asked Ash.
"What do we do?" asked Hayley.
"I think we'll have better luck if we split up and search for him." suggested Birch.
"Yeah, you're right." said Ash.
"Meeko and I are going with Ash." said Hayley. "She'll be able to tell us how bad Pikachu is."
"Olu!" said Meeko, nodding.
"But Hayley …." said Professor Birch, causing Hayley to look at him and starts to recite.
"Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon." said Hayley, reciting the data from Dexter on the day that Meeko hatched. "The aura that emanates from its body intensifies to alert others if it is afraid or sad. They communicate with one another using their auras. They are able to run all through the night. Not common in the Kanto Region."
"Meeko has learned what Pikachu has been feeling." said Ash. "And I trust Meeko."
"All right then." he said and the three went in different directions.
"You must be May." said Joshua as May arrived at the lab.
"Yep, I'm looking for Professor Birch." she said.
"He had an emergency up in the mountains but asked that you wait for him here." Joshua tells her.
"Oh, then I'll go find him." said May.
"Wait. Hold on!" he said but May takes off on her bike.
"I've never been much good at waiting." May said over her shoulder. "Bye."
Joshua sighs as he watched May leave. "These kids….always in a hurry." he said to himself.
Ash, Hayley and Meeko panted as they continued to search for Pikachu. "Pikachu!" shouted Ash.
"Pikachu!" Hayley cried out.
"Pikachu!" they shouted. Suddenly, the grass rustled not far from them.
"Huh?"
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted again.
"Where are you?" shouted Hayley.
"Riolu!" shouted Meeko.
"Come on out, Pikachu!" shouted Ash.
"Pikachu!" shouted Professor Birch as he looks for the electric mouse. "Where are you, Pikachu? Where are you hiding? Whoa!"
He slips on the grassy hillside and falls towards the edge of the cliff, landing on a puppy like Pokémon. "Ah!"
The Pokémon yelps as Professor Birch landed, barking in pain. As the Hoenn Professor sits up, groaning, the Hoenn Pokémon growls at him. "Oh, hi, there." said Birch, nervously. "Sorry for just dropping in on you like that, Poochyena."
Poochyena howls and more of its pack came in to help. "Uh, that's not a friendly greeting." said Birch. "No, doesn't sound sad either. So that leaves one thing. You're angry!"
The small Poochyena pack howls at the professor as they attacked and chased after him. "Please, stop it!" he said over his shoulder. "Don't kill me! Help!"
"Professor Birch?" May asked, seeing his bag on the ground.
"Terrific." he said, climbing a tree and onto a branch. "You must be May. Great timing. Please, open that bag over there."
"This one here, right?" May asked.
"Yes, grab any of the Pokéballs inside, and hurry!" he said.
May gasps at this and sighs, seeing the three Pokéballs in his bag. "That's easier said than done." said May. "Which one of them do you want?"
"Any one will do!" Birch shouted as the Poochyena growled and barked at him.
"Okay, this one." sighed May as closing her eyes and grabs one of the Pokéballs from his bag. "Here goes!"
She threw the Pokéball into the air, summoning the Hoenn water Pokémon. "Mudkip." it said.
"All right, a Mudkip." said Birch as Mudkip shakes its head.
"Mudkip?" asked Mudkip.
"That's good. Now what should I do?" asked May.
"Call out one of its attacks." said Birch.
"Okay, which is…." said May.
"Just say 'Use Water Gun' now!" he tells her.
"Got it." said May. "Use Water Gun."
Mudkip uses its attack on May, splashing water in her face. "That supposed to happen?" asked May and Birch sighs as the branch he's on starts cracking and finally breaks.
The Poochyena below starts barking again and chase after the Professor. "Mudkip, this way!" shouted Professor Birch.
"Mudkip, Mudkip!" it said and goes to rescue Birch. "Mudkip!"
"Use Water Gun on the Poochyena." he said.
"Mud…kip!" shouted Mudkip, releasing Water Gun on the growling Poochyena. Drenched with wet fur, Poochyena whimpered as they were thrown back.
"Not bad." said May, barely interested in Mudkip.
"Mudkip, return." said Birch, returning Mudkip to its Pokéball. "Thanks for all your help, May."
"Oh, it was nothing." she said.
"You've really grown up a lot since I last saw you, May." said Birch.
"Professor, what's going on?" May asked. "What were you doing up in that tree?"
"There's really no time for this, May." Birch tells her. "We'll catch up later."
"Pika…." said Pikachu, as the pain in his body starts to increase.
"Pikachu." said Ash and Hayley.
"Pika?"
"Pikachu." said Ash and Hayley. "Just stay right there."
"Pika!" shouted Pikachu as his eyes glowed red. "Pika!"
Suddenly, an electrical discharged was released from Pikachu's body. In the distance, Ash and Hayley's screams were heard by May and Birch. "What was that?" asked May.
"Pikachu's electrical buildup is reaching critical mass." explained Birch.
"Huh?" asked a confused May.
"Pikachu. He might explode." said Birch, taking off and leaving a screaming May behind.
"Pi…ka." said Pikachu as Ash, Hayley and Meeko were laying on the ground.
"Well….at least the numbness is going away." said Jordan.
"Riol." said Meeko.
"Pikachu." said Ash, seeing his best friend in pain.
"Pika…." said Pikachu as the electrical buildup surged through his body. "Pika…."
"We've got to get back to Professor Birch's laboratory now." said Ash.
Pikachu was grunting through the pain as the electrical buildup came out in strands from his body. "Pika…."
"Ash, Hayley, get away!" Birch called out as May stood behind him. "Pikachu could explode at any moment."
"But we've got to help." said Ash.
"Pikachu needs us." said Hayley.
"Olu!" added Meeko. Pikachu then runs away from the siblings.
"Pikachu!" shouted Ash and Hayley.
"Pika! Pi! Pika!" shouted Pikachu, running through the grass. "Pika!"
"Oh, no!" said Ash.
"Pika-Pik! Riol!" said Hayley and Meeko.
Ash, Hayley and Meeko jumped off the cliff, screaming as they reached for Pikachu. Birch and May gasped as they watched. Ash grabs a branch sticking out as Hayley and Meeko held onto him. The three of them hugged Pikachu.
"I'm gonna help you, Pikachu. And so will Hayley and Meeko." said Ash. "Don't worry."
"Yeah, we love you so much." said Hayley.
"Riol, Riol!" said Meeko.
"Chu!" shouted Pikachu, getting some of the buildup out from his body.
"Just hang on." said Ash. "Huh?"
"Quick, Ash! Grab the rope!" said Birch.
"Okay. Hayley, you and Meeko go first." said Ash. "Pikachu and I will be right behind you."
"Okay, Ash." said Hayley, grabbing the rope with Meeko on her back. Brother and sister grabbed on, walking up the side of the cliff. Pikachu struggles to get out of Ash's arms.
"Pikachu, we're almost there." said Ash. "It's okay."
"So stop struggling and let us help you!" shouted Hayley. Pikachu groaned again as electrical buildup came out of his cheeks. "Pikachu." said Ash.
"Pika!" shouted Pikachu and bites Ash's arm. "Chu!"
"Pikachu…." groaned Ash. Pikachu stops biting Ash and looks up.
"I promise. You're gonna be fine." Ash tells him.
"After you get better, you can have a much Ketchup as you want to feel better." said Hayley.
"Riol." Meeko said.
"Pika, Pi." said Pikachu. Ash and Hayley nodded as they climbed back up the rope back to the top.
Once at the top, Ash and Hayley sat down with the youngest holding her Pokémon in her arms. "That was close." said May.
"Thanks a lot, you guys." said Ash.
"I thought me and my brother were gonna be goners." said Hayley.
"Pika, pi." Pikachu said to Ash and Hayley.
"Pikachu." said Ash.
"Our Pika-Pik." said Hayley.
"Olu." said Meeko.
"Let's get you back to the lab and get you all better, okay?" Ash asked as Pikachu licks the wound he made on Ash.
"Cha." Pikachu said, apologetically.
"I'm fine. I know you didn't mean it, little buddy." said Ash.
"We still love you." said Hayley, getting Pikachu's attention. "Besides, you can have two bottles of Ketchup today."
"Pika." said Pikachu, giving her a small smile.
"Riolu, Olu." said Meeko, quickly patting her brother's back.
"Prepare for trouble? Hmm, what's the point." said Jessie. "Oh, well."
"Huh? What's that?" asked Professor Birch as he and May heard a clang behind them.
"I have a feeling they would followed us onto shore." said Jordan.
"Riolu." said Meeko, making a mark in Jordan's notebook.
"Prepare for trouble for the umpteenth time."
"Make it double, and I'll make it rhyme."
"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!" said Jessie.
"Surrender now or prepare for an out of this world fight!" said James.
"What's the point?" Jessie asked James.
"That's right!" said Meowth.
"Professor Birch, that's Team Rocket and they keep trying to steal Pikachu and Meeko." said Ash.
"Team Rocket? Who are they?" May asked.
"I've never heard of them." said Birch.
"Trust us. They're always up to no good." said Ash.
"They're from the same region as me and Ash." said Hayley. "They also steal any other Pokémon they can get their hands from trainers. Meeko and I made it a habit of keeping of them in my notebook."
"Riolu." Meeko said, holding up the notebook.
"So Pikachu, where's all your Thunderbolts?" Meowth asked, once he, James and Jessie were inside.
"My, aren't we confident?" asked James as Meowth giggles.
"Well, I for one have been doing my homework." said Meowth. "Now dig this. I've come up with a machine that'll beat that pesky Pikachu at its own nasty game. No matter how high these volts go, this machine will absorb them."
"Usually, they'll try to take Meeko along with Pikachu." Hayley said to Birch and May. "I have a gut feeling that today is all about Pikachu."
"I have that gut feeling too, Hayley." said Ash.
"By the way, that Meowth right there?" Hayley said to May and Professor Birch. "Yeah…we know he can talk. We're not crazy."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said, glaring at Team Rocket.
"Don't do anything, Pikachu." said Ash.
"Meeko and I will handle this." added Hayley.
"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu tells her.
"Oh yeah? You and what Pika-army?" she asked sarcastically and he relaxes a bit in Ash's arms. "That's what I thought. Meeko and I will handle Team Rocket. If we need help, you can help us then."
"Pika, Pika!" grumbled Pikachu.
"That's how want to play? Fine with us." said Meowth, then goes for Pikachu.
"Meeko! Use Vacuum Wave!" shouted Hayley.
"Riolu!" shouted Meeko, sending a couple Vacuum Waves at Team Rocket, only for them to dodge.
"Pika!" shouted Pikachu, being forced out of Ash's arms. "Pika."
"Absorption, James." said Meowth.
"Yes, sir. Absorb away." James said, pulling a lever.
"Pika!" grunted Pikachu as the electrical buildup was absorbed through Team Rocket's machine.
"I wonder how long it'll take for them to fill it up." said Ash.
"Hopefully, not long." said Hayley.
"Riol." said Meeko.
"You got that right, Meeko." said Ash as Hayley nodded. Meowth laughs as James anxiously awaits. Jessie on the other hand, crossed her arms. "What an electrifying moment for Team Rocket." said Meowth.
"Shocking." said James.
"Pik…." groaned Pikachu.
"Pikachu." said Ash and Hayley while James and Meowth continued to laugh.
"Took a while, but I'm pleased to announce that we've finally come up with a winner." said Meowth.
"Huh?"
"If it actually works." said Jessie as the power level rose, almost reaching full.
Pikachu groans even more as power surged through his body. "Professor?" asked Ash.
"Now that's power." said May.
"You havent seen what Pikachu can do." said Hayley. "Better yet, you havent seen what he and Meeko can do together."
"Pikachu's output is incredible." said Birch.
"Don't worry." chortled Meowth.
"Do I look worried?" asked James.
"Oh, well. Another blast off?" asked Jessie.
"Only if baby twerp as already marked it down." said Meowth.
"I already did!" Hayley called out.
The electrical buildup was finally out of Pikachu's system. "Pik." said Pikachu, showing off his Pika muscles. "Pikachu!"
Pikachu Thundershocks Team Rocket's machine. "About time!" said Hayley as the others gasped.
"Riolu." said Meeko. Suddenly, Pikachu's Thunderbolt destroys May's bike.
"Uh-oh." said Hayley.
"Ri?" Meeko asked.
"Yeah…..Ash and I are in it for round two." said Hayley as May looks over at her bike.
"My bike's barbecued." screeched May.
"We havent been wasting our time after all." said Jessie. "This amazing Pikachu and his friend are the only things the boss would want."
"But have we captured…." James started the question.
"Too much of a good thing?" Meowth asked, finishing it.
"Wobbuffet!" said Wobbuffet.
"Do you smell something burning?" Jessie asked.
"I think we're smelling us!" shouted Team Rocket as their machine exploded.
"Quite a Thunderbolt." said Meowth.
"It has renewed my energy and passion." said Jessie.
"Wobbuffet." added Wobbuffet.
"Here we go." whined James.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they screamed as they blasted off into the sky.
"Wobba!"
"Pika." said Pikachu. "Pi. Pika…"
"Pikachu!" shouted Ash and Hayley as they ran up to the mouse.
"Pikachu, are you okay?" asked Ash.
Back at Professor Birch's lab, Joshua was at the machine. "Professor Birch, it appears that Pikachu's electricity pressure has reached normal levels." he said, reading the results.
"Good." said Birch. "That machine of Team Rocket's must have absorbed all of Pikachu's unneeded electricity."
"Pikachu." said Ash, smiling with Hayley and Meeko.
"Looks like we're gonna have a fat mouse for several miles, Ash." said Hayley.
"Well, you did promise him, Hayley." said Ash.
"I know. I'm not going to go back on my word." said Hayley.
"Olu." said Meeko.
"A good night's sleep ought to do the trick." said Birch.
"Whoa!" said May, knocking over a flower vase.
"Huh?"
"Uh, uh…" said May, holding the vase in her hands. "Hi."
"Really? Spying on us, are ya?" asked Hayley.
"Olu." said Meeko.
"Thought I'd introduce myself." May said to the siblings. "I'm May."
"And I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. This is my sister, Hayley and her partner, Meeko." said Ash as Hayley and Meeko waved.
"So how's Pikachu?" May asked.
"Sleeping pretty good, finally." said Ash.
"And after that, Pikachu's not gonna see his feet for a good while." said Hayley.
"Riolu!" said Meeko, holding two ketchup bottles in her hands.
"By tomorrow, Pikachu should be good as new." said Birch.
"That's good news." said May.
"Well, now, May, are you ready to choose your first Pokémon?" asked Professor Birch.
"What? Your first Pokémon?" asked Ash.
"These Pokémon contain three beginner Pokémon." said Birch. "First up…Treecko."
"Treecko!"
"Cutie! Olu!" said Hayley and Meeko as Treecko blushes.
"So is it a water type?" asked Ash, wondering why Treecko's tail is the way it is.
"No, Ash, it's a grass type." said Birch.
"Cool." said Ash.
"You're more than welcome to hit my brother with your tail." said Hayley, giving Treecko permission.
"Treecko." it said, nodding then looks over at May. "Treeck."
"Ah! Its creepy." said May.
"No, it's not, May." said Ash. "I think it's a really cool Pokémon."
"And this is Mudkip." said Birch.
"Kip." said Mudkip.
"A friend of ours would love this Pokémon." said Hayley, knowing their friend from Cerulean City.
"Riolu." said Meeko.
"That's a water type." said Ash.
"Correct." said Birch.
"Yeah, but that Mudkip wouldn't do single thing that I asked it to do." said May.
"Really? How could that little guy cause trouble?" asked Ash.
"You're both very fond of Pokémon, aren't you, Ash and Hayley?" asked Birch. "Next, I'd like you to meet Torchic."
"Torchic." it said, looking up at May.
"Torchic is a fire type." said Birch.
"Awesome." said Ash.
"A baby chick." said Hayley.
"Riol." said Meeko. Torchic puffs up its beak and starts to peck at Hayley's and Meeko's feet.
"I didn't mean it like that." Hayley tells Torchic, as both she and Meeko ran away from it. "I'm saying that you're a baby chick Pokémon and if you have an evolutionary line, I'll bet you get wings."
"Tor?" it asked. "Torchic."
"Hayley doesn't play around like that." Ash said to Torchic. Torchic jumps into Hayley's arms and gives her an apologetic look.
"I forgive you." said Hayley.
"Riolu." said Meeko. Torchic looks over at May and goes over to her.
"Tor, tor, tor, tor, tor." it said to May. "Torchic, tor."
"Well, this one's not so bad." said May. "I like it. That's that. I choose Torchic."
"Torchic."
"Be sure to take that Pokedex and those Pokéballs too." said Birch. "If you work hard, you can become an even better Pokémon trainer than your father."
"Sounds like a great goal, May." said Ash.
"Yeah." said May, nervously giggling. "Thanks, Ash. I'd give up Pokémon any day of the week just for a trip around the world."
"Uh, what was that, May?" asked the professor.
"Hmm? I said I wouldn't trade it for the world." said May. Ash looks at Hayley and Meeko, who shook their heads at him.
"I knew she had said something different." he whispered to his sister and her Pokémon.
"Yeah….that's the kind of vibe we're getting." said Hayley, standing in front of May with Meeko.
"Huh?"
"You would rather travel the world then be a Pokémon trainer?" Hayley asked. "I would rather be a Pokémon trainer than travel the world without a Pokémon as a travel buddy."
"Riolu." said Meeko. The next day, May was now looking at her burned up bike.
"My gorgeous bike." she said then glowers at Ash and Hayley. "This is all that Pikachu's and Riolu's fault. I've got a bone to pick with them."
May walks inside and opens the door to see Ash, Hayley and Meeko by Pikachu's bedside. The younger two were in bed, arms wrapped around Pikachu's body. "Poor Ash. He and Hayley have been taking care of his Pikachu all night long." said May.
"Pikachu." said Ash as Hayley and Meeko cuddled up to the mouse. "Pikachu, please be okay."
"Our Pika-Pik." said Hayley.
"Olu." said Meeko.
"Pi." said Pikachu, then opens his eyes to see Ash, Hayley and Meeko around him. "Pika? Chu!" Ash wakes up with Hayley and Meeko close behind.
"Hey." said Ash.
"Pika, Pi!" said Pikachu.
"Oh, I'm so happy." said Ash.
"Pikachu." he said.
"Pikachu!" said Hayley, her arms opened wide.
"Pika!" said Pikachu, jumping into her arms.
"You want some Ketchup?" Hayley asked.
"Kachu." Pikachu said, shaking his head then pats his stomach. "Pika, Pika. Pikachu."
"Oh…you want to watch your weight this time." said Hayley. "I understand."
"Pika."
"Hmm, well, look at that." said May as brother, sister and Emanation Pokémon laughed.
"Pika, Pika." said Pikachu.
"Torchic." said Torchic as May called it out from its Pokéball.
"Well, good morning, Torchic." said May, scratching under its chin.
"Torchic."
Walking outside, Ash, Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko yawned in unison. "Pikachu's all right?" asked May.
"Yeah." said Ash.
"Pika!" said Pikachu.
"That's great." said May, rubbing Pikachu's cheeks.
"Pika."
"Pika!" said Pikachu, seeing a new friend. "Pika, Pikachu!"
"Torchic, tor." said Torchic. "Tor, tor, tor."
"Pika!" Pikachu called out.
"All right, looks like they're hitting it off okay." said Ash.
"Uh-huh."
"Looks like you and Meeko have found your first friend here in Hoenn, Pikachu." Ash said.
"My poor bike." said May. "Ah, who cares?"
"Riol." Meeko said, poking May's leg.
"Huh?"
"This is for my half of the damage." said Hayley, giving May some money.
"You are?" she asked.
"Yep. I know that this is much as my fault as it is his." said Hayley. "Even if Meeko didn't do any damage herself."
"Riolu." said Meeko, nodding.
"Well…." said May. "Thanks for paying for your part."
"Your welcome." said Hayley.
"Now, you two will have to register for the Hoenn league at the nearest Pokémon center you can find, okay?" asked Professor Birch.
"And the closest town where I think you'll be able to find one is Oldale Town." said Joshua.
"Okay, thanks." said Ash.
"Walking all that way alone makes me nervous." said May. "And my bike's destroyed, thanks to your Pikachu, mister. But there must be a solution, a way to get to Oldale Town safely on foot."
"Pika." said Pikachu.
"Hey, why don't we go there together?" asked May. "I happen to know the way there."
"Cool, maybe you can help me torture my brother." said Hayley.
"Uh…." said Ash.
"Really, Ash, I don't mind at all. It's no trouble, really." said May. "Plus, it'll give Hayley someone else to talk to other than you. Shall we?"
"Pika. Riol." said Pikachu and Meeko.
"Well, okay." said Ash. "We'll go together."
"Yes." May said to herself.
"Uh…."
"Don't, Ash…." Hayley said to her brother. "Just don't."
"That's a good idea." said Birch. "You can look after one another."
"Yes, be careful." said Joshua.
"He already has job." said Hayley, pointing to Ash. "He has to keep me out of trouble and be a good role model for his one and only baby sister."
"Thank goodness you weren't born a twin." grumbled Ash, then looks up. "Don't worry. We will. Thanks a lot."
"Pika!"
"Riolu!"
"See you soon!" said May.
Narrator: So with Pikachu fully recovered, Ash, Hayley and May can begin their journey together, as they head for Oldale Town and the nearest Pokémon center.
Hayley: I just hope May doesn't find out that Meeko and I can talk to you.
Meeko: Riol?
Narrator: I agree. Together they're sure to discover new Pokémon and new friends as well. One thing's for sure: even more new adventures like just ahead.
