Out of the ball popped out a small yellow mouse. It was yellow on most of its body, with black tips on its ears. Its cheeks were red, with a small, cute face, and a yellow body with brown stripes across its back.
A Pikachu.
Gary snickered.
Assunta cooed.
And Ash had the most bewildered face on the planet.
It was well known that all three starter pokemon given out by Professor Oak were exceedingly rare. Only a few select breeders in Kanto were able to raise them, and they were even rarer in the wild.
And Ash…Ash had gotten a Pikachu.
Which were very common across most of Kanto. Viridian Forest had them in surplus and the Power Plant in Eastern Kanto was well known for its large population of the Mouse pokemon.
The Pikachu looked around in surprise before landing its eyes on Ash. It gave a small wave before bounding up onto his shoulder.
Ash only grew more bamboozled. This Pikachu was very friendly! He quickly lifted him off his shoulder, and took a good look at him.
Nothing about his (and he knew the Pikachu was a male as his tail was the regular shape, not heart shaped.) appearance was special. Yet, Ash couldn't help but feel, something about him was special.
He gently placed the young mouse on the counter, and gave him a few brief pats.
The mouse squealed in delight, leaning into his touch.
"Umm…Professor… I know this sounds rather judgmental, but Pikachu…is just a Pikachu. I like him, but he doesn't seem that awesome…"
He quickly shut up when the mouse glared at him. The professor opened his mouth to explain.
And suddenly, Ash felt it.
A spark. Not a spark as in lightning.
A spark of power. This Pikachu was destined to be his. They had that same drive. The same wish for power.
He could see that.
He could feel it.
This Pikachu was born for him.
"No…." He said, softly at first, then louder.
"No. I'll take him as my starter. No matter what."
Gary's eyes widened, and so did Assunta's. The Professor gave a big smile.
"I had a hunch he would suit you best. However, he is far more special than you think. I was about to say, maybe you should take a look at him through the Pokedex of yours."
Ash's eyes widened. How could he be that stupid?!
He quickly aimed the device at the mouse, who looked at it inquisitively before nodding. He then stood still.
Ash's eyes widened. Pikachu knew enough to understand that the device would need him to be still.
That was a mark of intelligence.
The pokedex scanned him before coming to a conclusion.
'Pikachu, the Mouse Pokemon.
Pikachu are most well known for their cheeks, which store their electrical energy. These cheeks can release power equivalent to a lightning bolt's power. It uses this power in small quantities in order to lightly roast berries to become edible. Sometimes this electricity is released as a warning–back off! It can also be used to revive fellow Pikachu, when they are in a weakened state, or other electric types. Research is going on to determine whether or not this can be applied for medicinal purposes.
Groups of Pikachus occur in forests, in very large colonies called Storms. This is because lightning strikes are far more frequent in areas with a large amount of Pikachu.
This Pikachu has the partner Genome."
At this, Ash sputtered. Gary let out a yelp of surprise, while Assunta's eyebrows raised.
"PARTNER GENOME!?" Pikachu jumped in surprise, letting out a few sparks.
"Sorry Pikachu." He said quickly, turning to his partner. Pikachu nodded, before smiling.
'That's insanely rare though! What are the odds again, Gary?" Ash exclaimed, turning to his closest friend.
"One out of 16 million." He replied breathlessly.
"No evolution…but astronomical power potential." Ash remarked, turning to his partner.
Pikachu seemed to get the general idea and smirked before…flexing?
Ash sighed, amused. He swore his partner was becoming more and more human every second.
His breath hitched upon realizing that he had been calling Pikachu his partner this whole time.
He wasn't his partner yet though. His eyes widened upon realizing that.
"Pikachu…" He started.
The yellow mouse looked him dead in the eye.
Ash gulped. It was now or never.
"I know I may have been rude. I can be at times. I'm stubborn, arrogant, and reckless. However, I have a big dream. To become Champion Of the Indigo League. To befriend as many pokemon as I can. And I want you to be my partner, my best friend. Are you willing?" He held out his hand.
Pikachu looked at it, before giving it a handshake. Determination filled his eyes.
A kindred spirit.
From the moment onward, Ash Ketchum had found his partner for life.
The rest was a blur. Gary had scored second highest, taking his pick of Squirtle, and Assunta got Bulbasaur. All 3 of their starters were registered to their pokedex. They all thanked the Professor profusely before setting out from the lab.
As soon as they walked out, Gary and Ash gave each other the same look, before walking to the back of the lab.
Where the battlefields were.
Ever since both of them decided that they would become trainers, they had both silently agreed their first battle would be between each other.
And today was the day they'd face off.
Ash had brought Pikachu, who was now nicknamed Bolt, up to speed, and he agreed to battle.
"You ready Gary?" He hollered across the battlefield, where they now stood. The Professor's Hypno stood close by, ready to raise the Psychic barriers. The Hypno had been one of his aces back when he was a trainer, but now mostly served to officiate battles. Due to the risks of being hit by attacks, Psychic barriers were created as a way to protect trainers. Certain Psychic type pokemon raised a mix of Light Screen and Reflect that could mitigate damage from attacks.
"You bet!" Gary replied, just as excited. Ash hollered out once again.
"Alright! Wait…we don't know what attacks our Pokemon can use!"
"Oh crud." Gary said. Ash and Gary both called out their starters simultaneously.
"Alright Bolt, I'm gonna scan you again, to see what attacks you know." Ash said softly, before pulling out his Pokedex.
The Pikachu nodded, before standing still.
'This Pikachu's ability is Static.
This Pikachu knows the moves Quick Attack, Tail Whip, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Nuzzle, Electro Ball, and Volt Tackle.'
Ash's eyes widened. He had no doubt Volt Tackle was an egg move, a move learnt by breeding. He wouldn't be able to use it.
His other moves weren't bad as well. A rather wide and expansive movepool.
"You gotta sick arsenal buddy!" Pikachu smirked at that before jumping on the battlefield.
Squirtle replied in kind. They were ready to start.
The psychic barriers were raised. Professor Oak, who was acting as Referee raised his hand. Assunta stood, with crossed arms, watching carefully.
"This battle is a one on one battle between Gary Oak and Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. No bets! Ready to begin, trainers?"
Gary and Ash both nodded. Oak lowered his hand
"BEGIN!"
"Water Gun!"
"Thunder Shock!"
The two attacks were launched, colliding in the middle of the battlefield. The electricity quickly traversed through the water, and Squirtle cut the attack to dodge.
"Rapid Spin, bowl him over!" Gary exclaimed.
"Dodge!" Ash replied.
Bolt quickly sped away, using Quick Attack to bolster his speed. Squirtle quickly popped out of his shell, only to see Bolt firing a thin lance of electricity at him.
Thunder Wave. A paralysis technique.
"Withdraw!" The squirtle disappeared into his shell, as Ash grimaced.
Squirtle were well known for their high defense. The duo needed to crack that defense.
"Tail Whip!" Bolt launched forward, tail coated in white energy.
"Bite down on it!"
The Squirtle's head popped out, as his jaws, glowing black as the night clamped onto Bolt's tail. The mouse squealed in pain as Squirtle bit down harder and harder. Ash racked his brain for a solution. He quickly arrived at one.
"Bolt! Use an Electro Ball! Channel it through your tail!" Bolt smirked, as his tail started to spark.
"Crap! Squirtle, let go!"
But it was too late. The ball of electricity detonated in front of the Squirtle and sparks flew, singing it.
The blow of the blast launched Squirtle back a good 2 feet or so.
Ash didn't need to tell his partner to take advantage. With a cry, the Pikachu hurled a Thunder Shock.
The attack landed, and Squirtle shrieked in pain. Ash grimaced. Battles could be brutal at times, but it was something that you had to deal with.
When Pikachu ceased the attack, the poor turtle was barely standing. Suddenly, he stood up, bathed in a blue glow, eyes cool and calculating, with light blue tints.
"Crap!" Ash cried, recognizing what was going on. It was Torrent. Squirtle's Ability. It powered up a pokemon's water type attacks when weakened.
So basically, if Ash didn't take him out now, Bolt and him were screwed.
"Alright! Bubble, Squirtle!" Gary commanded.
Squirtle fired off several large bubbles, free floating through the air.
"Blast 'em!" Ash called out.
Bolt shot out thin lances of lighting, Thunder Waves, in this case to counter the onslaught. However, a few missed, and clipped Bolt in the gut. A final bubble nailed the Pikachu straight in the gut.
Pikachu squealed in pain, being blasted back.
"Finish it! Water Gun then Tackle!" Gary called out, eyes glinting. He smelled victory.
"Dodge! Quick Attack!"
His partner struggled to his feet as the torrent of water gushed towards him.
Running, he narrowly managed to dodge it.
"Thunder Shock!"
"Water Gun!"
The two attacks clashed in the middle. Neither combatant was relenting. The lightning moved forward, shocking Squirtle, and the Water Gun's power slammed into Pikachu.
Both were forced back, as the attack's strength loosened.
Pikachu and Squirtle briefly stared each other down. Ash and Gary did the same. Squirtle was badly scorched, and on his last legs. Pikachu was covered in bruises, and stumbling.
"C'mon Buddy, Hold on!" Ash called out.
His voice seemingly rejuvenated Bolt, who suddenly stood firm. Gary called out similar words of encouragement. Squirtle's gaze hardened.
Then, Bolt fell down.
And so did Squirtle.
"Both Squirtle and Pikachu are unable to battle. This battle is a tie!"
Gary and Ash both smirked before rushing to their partners.
They wouldn't have it any other way.