In the Viridian forest, Laoise watches intently as Ash threw his Pokéball. It hits its target, the Caterpie within struggles to break out, but it ends up getting captured.

Laoise gasped, and clapped her hands together in excitement for Ash.

Ash was so happy and excited, he couldn't contain himself. "Yes, I did it! Ha ha! I did it! I got Caterpie! I did it all by myself! I caught my first Pokémon!" He crowed. "This is the first step on my way to becoming the number one Pokémon master in the whole world."

In his delight, he takes Misty's hand and starts running around with her.

Misty is taken by surprise. "Hey! Wait a minute. I'm getting dizzy! Ash, you're gonna get me sick! Quit it!"

"Look out, Pokémon! Nothing's gonna stop me now!" Ash cheered.

Pikachu watched this and ultimately felt dizzy before falling over.

"Well, congrats." Laoise clapped politely. "And that makes two of us that caught new pokèmon."

Finally Misty pulled herself free. "Ash, you're acting like a..." She stopped short and froze as Ash held the pokéball up to her.

"Look!" Ash declared. "Inside this ball is the very first Pokémon I ever caught in my whole entire life."

Misty winced, "Great. Just keep it away from me. Will you? "

Ash looked a little confused. "You're not afraid of an itty bitty Caterpie in a Pokéball, are you?"

"Bugs get me all bugged out!" Misty admitted. "Even when they're in a Pokéball. Just keep them away!"

Laoise piped up. "But he's not gonna hurt you. You're ten times its size."

"That's not the point." Misty retorted.

Ash said. "I like bugs, even when not in Pokéballs. It must be great for Caterpie inside the Pokéball, all cute and comfortable inside there." He then began gushing over his new catch. "I love my new little Pokémon."

Misty glowered at the sight. "I guess it takes a worm to love a worm."

Ash scowled. "Very funny."

Laoise pointed out. "Correction: A Caterpillar that'll soon turn into something just as nice."

Ash then went to Pikachu and held the pokéball to him. "Pikachu, we've got a new friend."

Pikachu sniffed the pokéball and chirped happily. "Pika!"

"Oh, Pikachu. I'm glad you like it."

"I'm glad you're happy with your new little friend too." Laoise smiled.

"That's good, and from now on we'll catch a whole bunch of new friends. Caterpie, you're sticking with us."

Misty turned around slowly in fright, "Does that mean…"

"You're letting him out?" Laoise grinned, her eyes shining. She liked pokèmon and wanted to get close to the wild ones but her anxious parents usually kept her from getting too close and personal.

"Caterpie, come out!" Ash tossed the pokéball containing his Caterpie.

The moment the Pokéball opened, Misty runs for her life with a scream. Caterpie materializes with a confused squeak. Laoise is delighted with the little caterpillar pokèmon.

Ash walked over calmly. "There's nothing to be scared of."

"Can I pet him?" Laoise asked.

Ash shrugged. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Hi, little fella." Laoise extended her right hand out to the Caterpie.

The Caterpie hesitated for a moment then crawled up Laoise's arm. The girl giggled and delicately petted the caterpillar pokèmon with her fingertips. With extra gentleness she set the Caterpie down to let it approach Ash.

"Come on Caterpie. Climb up on my shoulder." Ash coaxed his new pokèmon.

Caterpie was about to do so, but then it spotted Misty hiding behind a tree and let out a delighted cry then ran straight towards her.

"Hey, Caterpie, come back." Ash is taken aback.

Laoise was just as surprised. "Where's he going?" she wondered as it passed her and Pikachu.

Misty shrieked, for Caterpie had started rubbing against her leg.

"Hey, Misty! Caterpie, really likes you." Ash laughed, "Isn't that cute?"

"Get this disgusting bug away from me." wailed Misty. "Please don't come any closer to me!"

"What? You think Caterpie is disgusting?" Ash questioned.

Caterpie look down in the mouth. Pikachu walked over and gently patted the little caterpillar pokèmon. "Pika Pika."

"I know!" Misty then took Pikachu into her arms, "You be friends, with that creepy bug and I'll be friends with Pikachu "

Ash smirked, "Pikachu, only likes me and zaps anybody who tries to…"

However, Ash is surprised when Pikachu likes the attention Misty is giving him.

"Pikachu!" Ash grunted with embarrassed disappointment.

Laoise scoffed. "Pikachu might be cute I'll admit, but the only reason he's letting you pet him is because you're the opposite."

Misty scowled at her remark. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Clue: Pikachu here is male, and he's just soaking up the extra attention."

"How can you tell he's a boy?" Ash was genuinely surprised by Laoise's words.

"Look at his tail," Laoise pointed out candidly, then she dug into her hiking bag with a sly smile. "Besides, while you guys had walking ahead, I caught something too!" She tossed a pokéball, then a cherub-faced Pikachu materialized.

This one glanced about with curiosity, and squealed happily upon seeing more pokèmon.

"You caught a Pikachu?" Ash gasped in awe.

Misty wavered between shock and intrigue at Laoise's luck, she didn't notice Pikachu crawl out of her arms and walk over Laoise's new friend.

The two Pikachu chattered eagerly, already fast friends. However, there were to noticeable differences: Laoise's Pikachu has a curly piece of fur on its head, and there was a V-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart.

Laoise beamed. "She was so sweet, calling for help. I gave her a berry then took a chance, and next thing I knew..."

Ash's eyes shone with delighted support. "That's amazing, Laoise! You'll be great partners."

His own Pikachu chirped in agreement. Misty could barely believe her eyes. "I don't believe it…"

Then she raised her eyes and saw Caterpie was looking at her with watery eyes.

"It's so gross!" Misty whined. "Ash, put that slimy thing back in the Pokéball! Bugs are one of the three most disgusting things in the world!"

Laoise pursed her lips, her Pikachu scowled at Misty's words.

Tears welled in big round eyes of the Caterpie, body trembling. Laoise's kind heart couldn't bear it. She stepped near and outstretched her palm, letting Caterpie crawl aboard.

"There, there. You're not disgusting, you're wonderful. And you'll only grow stronger!" Soft words and soft strokes soothed its sorrow. Caterpie emitted a sighing murr, calming in her care.

"Pi Pika." Laoise's Pikachu spoke with an encouraging tone.

Ash stepped over to Misty, his hands on his hips. "Aside from you, what are the other disgusting things?"

Misty glared at him, "Very funny. Carrots, peppers, and bugs. Everybody has something they don't like and I don't like bugs!"

"You can kiss part your health goodbye then." Laoise said matter of factly. "Eating carrots is linked to a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as improved eye health."

Now Laoise may be shy and possessed a kind heart, but the years of school bullying had left her unafraid of confrontation. And combined with her Asperger's, she can be blunt and obnoxiously honest.

"Yeah? Well, I like carrots, and peppers, and bugs." Ash snapped. "What I don't like, is the way you're hurting Caterpie's feelings with your silly fear of bugs."

Misty turned her head away. "Hmph!" Then she reached for Laoise's pikachu. "Well at least you're not—"

"Pi!" Laoise's Pikachu smacked Misty's hand away with her tail then hopped over to her trainer.

"So much for that approach, huh?" Laoise smirked. "And I'm not scared of Caterpie. It's not a zombie, an imp, a lizard mutant, or a wen- uhm well, something more horrible."

Ash nodded then knelt down to his caterpillar pokèmon. "I don't think you're ugly or disgusting at all Caterpie. Come on. Climb up on my shoulder."

Caterpie stared for a moment and glanced at Pikachu, who nodded encouragingly at him as did Laoise's Pikachu. Caterpie crawled right up on Ash's shoulder.

"You're not gonna scare Misty anymore." Ash reassured his Caterpie.

"What do you mean he won't scare me?" Misty repeated.

"We'll go on without her."

"Chu." Pikachu made to follow Ash.

Laoise picked up her Pikachu into her arms, "That's right, I gotta give you a nickname too."

Her Pikachu brightened. "Pi Pikachu!"

"You're like a little tempest." Laoise smiled then got an idea. "Hmm, how about Storm? Like one of the X-men?" she pulled out her music player and played the X-men theme to the old cartoon for her. "So what you think?"

"Pikachu!" The female Pikachu cheered with a nod. "Storm" seemed to like her new nickname, chirping excitedly along with the X-Men theme music. Laoise gently petted her head, glad to have such an affectionate new pokèmon.

"Are you coming or what?" Ash asked Laoise.

"Right behind you." Laoise replied brightly before recalling her Pikachu.

Misty watched them leave. "Oh, yeah? I'll show you."

Ash, Pikachu with Caterpie and Laoise were walking through the forest. Then Pikachu noticed they were being followed by Misty.

Pikachu alerted Ash at once. "Pi? Pika pi!"

"Huh, What's the problem Pikachu?"

"Pikachu." Pikachu pointed back.

Ash and Laoise saw that Misty was following just several yards away. Upon being discovered, Misty jumped and ducked behind a tree.

"We can still see you, you know." Laoise grumbled.

Ash called, "What are you following us for?"

Misty jumped and spoke fast. "My bike! I'm holding your responsible for my bike."

Ash grumped, "When are you gonna get over that dumb old bike?"

Misty answered back. "For your information, Mr. Pokémon Master, you're the dumb one because if you haven't destroyed it in the first place, I could have ridden out of here by now."

Ash responded indignantly. "I told you I'd make good on your bike one day, and if I'm so dumb, how come you're still following me?"

Misty fire back. "I'm not following you. This happens to be the fastest way through the woods."

"Fine, Do whatever you want." Ash snapped.

"That's exactly what I'm doing." Misty grouched.

Pikachu looked at each opposing side and sighed wearily.

Laoise rolled her eyes at Misty, "You're just following us because there's tons of bugs all over the forest, and you need a bodyguard."

Misty had been about to retort, but Laoise's words made sense and she looked furtively around.

Later on, our heroes have stopped at a tree stump for the night. Laoise unfurled her teal tie-dyed sleeping bag to make it face East, so that she won't be cold in the morning. Then she pulled off her sneakers and stuffed extra socks into them. After her bedtime routine, she got into her sleeping bag.

Ash laid back in his blue sleeping bag, "We'd better get some sleep you guys. Tomorrow's gonna be a big day."

Pikachu nodded, "Pi."

Misty grumbled. "Well, we'd all get some sleep if you shut your big mouth." She was on the other side of the stump.

Laoise snapped back, "Start by taking your own advice!" And she angrily curled up into her sleeping bag.

Ash grumped at Misty. "Don't let the bed bugs bite."

Once Ash and Misty had fallen asleep with Laoise trying to find a sleeping position, Caterpie and Pikachu begin a conversation after looking up at the moon and the night sky. Caterpie tells Pikachu about its desire to evolve into a Butterfree, with one seen flying in the sky.

Caterpie approached Laoise.

"What is it?" She whispered. "Do you wanna sleep nearby me?"

With a soft murr, Caterpie nodded. Laoise shrugged. "Okay, but be careful I tend to toss, turn and flail in my sleep."

Caterpie settled gently beside Laoise, curling up near her hip. She smiled down at its soft little face, and gave a gentle pat before closing her eyes once more.

But rest did not come easily. Her mind raced with the day's excitements - new friends, strange foes, Pokemon yet unseen. And the endless mysteries of this lush forest pulsing with life all around them.

A flutter of wings made Laoise crack an eye open. A shadow floated overhead, landing softly in the moonlight. Misty stirred but did not wake.

A lovely Butterfree gazed down upon them serenely. Catching Laoise's wondering stare, she tilted her antennae and with a gracious nod, took wing once more.

Laoise sighed, watching the glimmering wings fade into the stars. Caterpie made a small noise of awe.

"Someday," she whispered to it, "someday, that will be you."

The next morning, the fire was out. Everyone was still asleep.

At some point during the night, Caterpie ended up on Laoise's forehead, his head facing Misty's. The usually shy girl hadn't been joking about her sleeping habits. As Laoise adjusted her sleeping position, one of her arms inadvertently hit Misty's sleeping bag.

This caused the other girl to wake up with a frown, and as her eyesight cleared, Misty saw in her mind a creepy surprise: a sleeping Caterpie facing her.

"AAAHH!" Her scream startled everyone awake.

Pikachu jumped up, flailing about. Ash was still zipped up in his sleeping bag, looking around wildly. "What's wrong? What's happening?"

Laoise bolted right up in her sleeping bag. "Hey, what is that? Who's that? What are you doing? Who..."

They stopped when they saw that Misty had screamed because of Caterpie.

Misty whined, "What this thing doing sleeping near me?"

"Ugh. You woke us up for that?!" Laoise said irritably.

Ash merely chuckled, "Caterpie just wants to be your friend."

Misty wasn't amused with their reactions. "If that thing wants to be my friend, it can stop bugging me already." She glared down at Caterpie, "If you're a Pokémon, get out of my face and into that Pokéball!"

Poor Caterpie was in tears.

"Oh, Misty you are so unbelievable, Caterpie means no harm, why it likes you I'll never know." Ash had scoffed then saw his new pokèmon start to crawl away. "Caterpie, what's the matter? Hey, hold on, Caterpie!"

Because he'd been startled awake Ash was still zipped up his sleeping bag and as a result, he had to crawl after Caterpie.

The dismayed Caterpie entered the Pokéball. Pikachu gently knocked on it to try and encourage Caterpie to come out, "Pikachu."

"Well, now your hurt his feelings!" Laoise growled.

Misty snapped back. "What feelings?! Humph!"

"Come on, Caterpie. Don't you worry, someday we'll show her." Ash tried to coax Caterpie out.

Soon a shadow passes over their heads, another pokèmon flew into plain sight to feed on the earthworms.

Ash was amazed and he clambered out of his sleeping bag to put on his cap. "Wow! A Pidgeotto!" He got his Pokédex out.

Ash's pokedex, Dexter spoke. "Pidgeotto, an evolved form of the Pidgey. It is armed with sharp claws and dives from the sky to capture its prey. Unlike the more gentle Pidgey, Pidgeotto can be dangerous, approach with extreme caution."

"So that's what my Skyler will turn into once he evolves!" Laoise said in fascination, her hazel eyes bright.

Ash: "All right, Pidgeotto. I'll show you who's the dangerous one around here. Pokéball, go!"

But the Pidgeotto loftily knocked the Pokéball away with ease much to Ash's disappointment.

"Well, that was a bust." Laoise remarked flatly.

Misty glowered. "You don't get it, do you? You don't just throw a Pokéball and capture a Pokémon. You have to make it battle and weaken it first. The only reason you got to catch Caterpie is because it's already a weakling."

"Tell that to my Goliath!" Laoise snapped, remembering how she caught her Onix.

Ash was also irritated with Misty's attitude. "I know what I'm doing and you just better quit picking on Caterpie, OK? And now if you kindly keep your BIG mouth shut, you'll see how it's done. Go, Caterpie!"

Pikachu was alarmed as was Laoise, she cried, "Ash, wait! Don't-"

Caterpie already ended up in front the Pidgeotto.

Ash grinned, "I told you I knew what I was doing."

Misty glared at him. "You don't have any idea of the mistake you've just made, do you?"

Ash, to his credit, looked genuinely confused. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Pidgeotto is a predator, that's what's wrong!" Laoise had yelped in shock, pointing.

They all looked to see Pidgeotto chasing Caterpie. The Bird Pokèmon gets the upper hand by using tackling it from out of the sky. Caterpie rolls up against a tree and Ash calls it back, resulting in Pidgeotto flying into the tree.

"It's got its beak stuck in the tree! Ash, take chance!" Laoise cried.

Ash had Pikachu step up, "Pikachu, Go!"

Pikachu nodded and hopped onto the grass and got into position, awaiting until Pidgeotto got loose and in closer range. The bird freed itself from the tree and flew upwards intending to dive down.

"Pikachu, Thunder Shock now!" Ash called.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu shocked Pidegeotto.

"Pokéball, Go!" Ash took a chance to throw his pokéball. This time it hits its target, Pidgeotto strugglesd but its ultimately caught.

"Yes, We got Pidgeotto!" Ashe cheered.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu made a peace sign with it's little frontal paw.

"I am the greatest." Ash crowed, over his second captured pokèmon.

Misty slapped Ash.

"Hey, no smacking!" Laoise scolded.

Ash scowled. "What you do that for!?"

Misty snapped. "You are the worst. You have no idea what you are doing. It'll be a long time till you're a Pokémon Master, like, a million years."

"I'm trying to…"

"You should try to learn something about Pokémon first. With Pokémon you've got to use strategy. Pigeotto is a bird. Caterpie is a worm. Birds eat worms, Mr. Pokémon Master." Misty sneered.

Pidgeotto is a Flying type, while Caterpie is a Bug type which is weak against Flying types.

Ash said, "Well, if you just try hard enough, things will work out, won't they?"

"NO, Ash! I'm afraid things won't just work out if you try hard enough." Misty stomped forward.

"Actually, it can only get you part of the way." Laoise reasoned thoughtfully to Ash, "You also gotta be tough and use your head then think fast."

"The Pokémon trainer's judgement is more important than anything else and unfortunately for you, the trainer has to have a brain."

Laoise glared at Misty. "Yeah, well so should people but they keep making the same mistakes just because they want to avoid conflict and 'not rock the boat' instead of fighting for what's right." She then added, "Besides, Ash got the job done. But you, you're the only other person who keeps acting all high mighty with two people she's only known for two whole days!"

"Somebody has to!" Misty retorted.

Laoise folded her arms and scowled. "And by the way, how do you know so much about Pokémon when you only used Goldeen against those crooks back in that Pokèmon Center knowing we coulda been creamed?"

Misty was caught off guard. "Well, I, uh..."

Behind them, familiar laughter is heard.

"So, we meet again."

Ash froze, "I know that voice."

Laoise, Pikachu and Misty stopped in place to see who was there. It was those three same crooks who attacked the Pokèmon Center in Viridian city, Team Rocket. They must've followed them into the forest.

Laoise grumbled rolling her eyes, "Oh great, those drama goons are here."

Ash wasn't impressed. "We're kind of busy now, so if you..."

Jessie snapped, "Quiet, little boy. We're not here to listen to you. We're here to get your Pokémon."

James extended an index finger, "Hand over that Pikachu." They were both pointing at Pikachu.

Ash responded, "Hey, this is my Pikachu. Go out and find your own."

Laoise added, "You can't have him. He's not yours."

"We take what we want, little girl." Jessie replied, "The only Pikachu we want is that one."

James added, "We're only looking for the rarest, most valuable Pokémon in the world, kid."

Jessie chimed in. "And that special Pikachu is just the kind of Pokémon we need."

Meowth had been looking between them irritably, and then began smacking them. "You idiots! Stop giving away all our secrets!"

"Is my Pikachu really that special?" Ash blinked in surprise.

Meowth approached and stopped with folded arms. "Your Pikachu's power has impressed even me." He mused. "I really got a charge out of its incredible attack the last time we met. It's powers exceed its evolutionary level. Your Pokémon..."

He was interrupted by James and Jessie, stepping on him and rebuking him for the exact same reason he'd hit them.

"Now you're the one giving away all our secrets!"

"Shut up before you tell them everything!"

Meowth yowled. "I'm in charge! Cut it out!"

"You mean his super thundershock?" Laoise questioned. "Is that what this was all about?"

Finally Jessie and James stood up. Jessie ordered, "Make things easy and hand over that Pikachu."

Ash scoffed. "Forget it!"

James grinned. "Then you leave us no choice."

Jessie smirked. "Pokémon battle. Ekans, Go!"

"Koffing, go get them!" James ordered.

The Poison type Pokémon materialized.

Ash protested. "Hey, two against one. That's cheating!"

Jessie replied, "Well, as we say, all's fair in love, war and Pokémon battle."

Ash stamped his foot. "I say that saying's rotten, and so are you."

James replied, "Of course, we are. We're the bad guys."

Misty put her hands on her hips, "Well, if they're gonna use two Pokémon, I don't see why we can't use two Pokémon."

Ash protested, "The Pokémon League rules say only one at a time."

Misty was aggravated. "Ash, if you follow the rules, you're gonna lose all your Pokémon."

"Team Rocket openly admitted they'll cheat, I doubt the Pokèmon League rules apply to something like this." said Laoise.

"Koffing, Sludge attack, now." James ordered his pokèmon.

At once, Koffing's attack blinds Pikachu temporarily.

"HEY! That was a cheap shot!" Laoise snapped.

"If you think you can use your dirty tricks to beat me, you're wrong." Ash picked up Pikachu and handed him to Misty then eyed both girls intently. "They might try anything to get what they want, but no matter what happens don't let them have Pikachu, understand? Misty, come on!"

Misty takes Pikachu worriedly. "But what about the other two?"

"I'm his second." Laoise insisted, pointing to herself. "If his pokèmon are all K. , I'll have to use mine to tire them out."

Jessie taunted. "So, what's your big battle plan?"

"Pidgeotto, go!"

Ash then sends out Pidgeotto in a two against one attack. Koffing attempts to use Sludge again but Pidgeotto dodges it and another attack by Ekans. Pidgeotto attempts to use Quick Attack against Ekans, who goes underground to avoid the attack. Koffing attempts to use SmokeScreen, which Pidgeotto disperses by flapping its wings and then dodges Sludge attack and Ekans' attack from underground. Pidgeotto flies away but is followed by Koffing and Ekans. Pidgeotto attempts to use Gust attack to get rid of Koffing, who dodges the attack and uses a Tackle attack, quickly followed by Ekans.

Pidgeotto is recalled, so Ash tried to do the one thing Laoise wanted to do: pound them. However when he charged, Jamed stopped him by placing his hand on Ash's forehead.

"I'll show you. All right, let's go, put em' up!" Ash shouted, his arms pinwheeling forward at trying to hit them.

Meowth laughed, "Ha! What a fool! In Pokémon battle, only Pokémon can fight each other."

"Buzz off!" James flicked Ash away with surprising strength, making the ten year boy stumble backwards to where Misty stood.

Misty looked at Ash worriedly, "Are you OK? Ma—Laoise, are you crazy?! Get back here!"

For the autistic girl had stomped forward and pulling up the sleeves of her favorite baby blue hoodie.

"You don't scare me, defend thyself!" Laoise challenged… and was promptly knocked to the ground, she'd been struck in her left arm.

"Ow! You stink!" Laoise gritted her teeth in pain.

"Mere child's play." James smirked.

"That's a dirty trick, she was hurt days ago!" Ash yelled.

Misty added heatedly. "She's an injured kid on the spectrum! What is wrong with you?!"

Jessie giggled. "Oh, just a gift I guess. You've got no choice. Let Pikachu in and watch Team Rocket win."

However Team Rocket had failed to notice, Laoise hands had grasped the loose soil where Pidgeotto had been pecking at minutes earlier.

"Take this!" Laoise threw dirt into their eyes out of spite and in an attempt to disarm them.

James and Jessie cried out, frantically rubbing at their stinging eyes. "Why you little-" Jessie growled.

But Laoise was already crawling back towards her friends, clutching her injured arm. Ash helped haul her to her feet as Misty scooped Pikachu protectively into her chest.

Her arm ached and her team was anxious to battle, judging from how her pokèballs trembled. However, Laoise only wished to lose them as a last pragmatic resort.

Pikachu stated its intention to battle, but Misty tells it that it cannot battle due to Koffing's Sludge covering its eyes.

"Yeah, good thing it didn't poison you." Laoise said.

Ash gritted his teeth worriedly. "I know you're still weak from battling Pidgeotto, But now, Caterpie, you're my only hope. Just give it your very best shot! Caterpie, go!"

Caterpie materialized, Team Rocket was in disbelief at first, then they erupted in laughter.

With the others cheering him on Caterpie was determined to make a stand. Ash has Caterpie use String Shot to cover Koffing completely and Ekans' head, before using Tackle on Koffing, which flew into Ekans.

James was shocked, "Beaten by a Caterpie?"

Jessie grumbled, "That really bugs me."

Meowth stepped up, showing off his sharp claws, "Now watch a real Pokémon in action."

But Caterpie uses its String Shot on Meowth too, until he resembled a cat mummy. Quicky James and Jessie went to pick him up.

Jessie said, "It's time Team Rocket blasted off."

As the villains fled into he forest, James said, "You may have won this round, but we'll be back!"

"Come back anytime. We'll be glad to beat you." Misty mocked, sticking her tongue out.

Ash was stunned then began celebrating, "We did it! We did it! We won our first Pokémon victory fair and square! Caterpie, I'm very proud of you. You really did your best and we won because of you!"

Then Ash frowned in concern. "Laoise, are you okay?"

Her pale face was clenched with pain. "Eh, I'll...live." Laoise grimaced, trying to smile. "But man, my arm's gonna bruise something awful..."

Storm popped out of her pokéball and nuzzled Laoise with a sad coo. Pikachu offered support from Misty's arms. Their care warmed Laoise's heart, easing the sting of injury.

Misty then complimented Caterpie. "You're stronger than you look, Caterpie."

Pikachu nodded. "Pika."

Ash smiled. "Well, Misty. I guess you feel different about Caterpie now. "

Laoise grinned slyly. "Hey yeah, sounds like you're warming up to him."

Misty is taken aback. "Well, I…"

"So why don't you two make up." Ash suggested, "Just pat Caterpie on the head and say thanks for a really great job. You like Pokémon, so it's only right to congratulate one for doing a good job."

Misty reluctantly agreed, "I guess you're right."

Slowly Misty reaches to pet Caterpie, but once her hand was two inches away, it sprays mist-like silk into the air above it, spooking her.

"Caterpie? What...?" Ash was taken by surprise and he set Caterpie down.

Misty calmed down and exclaimed. "It's evolving!"

"Wowzers, already?" Laoise kneeled down to get a closer look.

The silk encased Caterpie in a dark green shell, creating its evolved form. Afterwards, Ash gets out Dexter.

"Metapod. Caterpie's next stage. It has encased it's body in a hard shell. This specimen reached this stage faster than any previously discovered Pokémon of this variety."

Ash brightened, "Hey, maybe that means it could keep on changing and go on to the next stage right away."

Pikachu shared his excitement. "Pi Pika Pi!"

"Nice to meet you, Metapod." Ash held his Metapod cheerfully. "Not in the mood to talk?" he chuckedl.

Pikachu congratulated Metapod for evolving. "Pikachu."

"It's shell is as hard as steel, and he'll make a very good defender." Laoise explained. "And the next form he'll turn into will be wonderful!"

It was true Ash had a lot to learn but he genuinely cared for his pokèmon. And Laoise, the petite girl with Aspergers opened up much better with Pokèmon, almost as though this journey helped find self-confidence.

Misty mused as she watched the two interact with Metapod. "I never known anyone like them. They really do love Pokémon."

Then Ash held up Metapod to Misty, making her whine. "Misty, you two were just about to make friends. You didn't forget did you?"

Misty hesitated. "I didn't forget, but I…"

Another bug Pokemon flew overhead, frightening Misty. It looked like a giant bee with red eyes.

Laoise pointed to it. "That was a Beedrill!"

Misty whined. "I'll do anything, let's just out of this forest!"

Ash, who had metapod strapped to his bag, hopped up ahead, "No way! There's still plenty more Pokémon in this forest."

"I wanna catch a Bug type too! Maybe even my own metapod or a Kakuna! I'll happily catch both!" Laoise said excitedly following Ash.

Everyone began running off.

"Hey, wait for me." Misty raced to catch up.

Ash called to her, "Come on! We've got lots of Pokémon to catch."

Laoise had put on her headphones and played an upbeat song mashup. The uplifting lyrics filled Laoise with determination and dreams of all the adventures awaiting just around the bend.

All of the frustrations and loneliness of being trapped at home now fell away behind her. Ahead, the open path unfurled like a long-awaited gift, beckoning her towards new friends, new places and untold discoveries. For the first time, nothing stood in the way of her dreams and she couldn't help but wear a great big smile. With her still newly gathered Pokémon team and the wind in her hair, Laoise confidently stepped forward to embrace everything the wide open world had in store.

Just a trip through the forest and they'll soon be in Pewter city before they know it.

To be continued…

Author's note: And that's their trek through the forest, and the song Laoise is listening to is a song mashup of 'Touch the sky/Wind in my hair' by Scott & Ryceejo. Just to warn ahead I won't be adding that Samurai challenge only a summarization and flashback to Metapod becoming a Butterfree.