AN: Just a reminder that trainer's in my stories start their journeys at eighteen.

AN2: Got this idea from the amusing knowledge of just how tiny Joltik is canonically, so the mental image of a Joltik with power equal to canon Pikachu (and without the attitude issues) would be a fun starter. Especially if it stays a tiny Joltik and maybe has an itty bitty eviolite or something similar for even MORE power.

Big Lightning, Small Thunder (First Look)

-Gary-

"Uuuuuugh, what's taking so long?" Gary groaned, irritated and wanting to get started on his journey. He already had his starter, his pokedex, and five pokeballs to get him going. He should be halfway to Viridian by now in his convertible full of cheerleaders, except his Gramps wanted all four trainers to wait…and had blown a fuse at finding out what Gary had spent the family money on and had stopped the payment for the convertible and the cheerleader's pay.

"Gary, you're the one who wanted a set starter rather than seeing what wild ones in the Ranch wanted to journey." His grandfather scolded, "Besides, my Alakazam I had watching Ash says he's heading back."

"Bet the loser only managed a caterpie." He muttered to Damian who snickered, the pink shirt clad trainer spinning a Charmander's pokeball on their finger. Leaf, who was currently playing with her Bulbasaur, was far less amused by Gary's comment.

"Professor, I'm back!" Ash's voice called out as the loser stepped in, Gary having to bite back a burst of irritation at the reminder that Ash was distinctly taller than Gary himself was.

"I see that, Ash." The professor noted with a mildly amused smile, "Did you find a starter without too much trouble?"

"Yeah, and they're awesome!" Ash grinned, Gary's eyes drawn to the idiot's hair which was wiggling "Joltik here is going to be my partner." At Ash's words a tiny yellow Pokémon, that couldn't be more than four inches long, popped out of Ash's hair, waving a tiny leg.

"They're so cute!" Leaf cooed at the now flustered bug type that was hiding their face.

"And ready to rock the league." Ash pumped a fist before scowling as Gary finally started laughing at the stupidity of the tiny mon being declared a 'powerful' starter.

"Gary!" his gramps tried scolding him but went ignored.

"Want to put your money where your fat mouth is Gare-Bear?" Ash demanded, making cutting off Gary's mocking laughter with that stupid hated nickname.

"Bring it Ashy-Boy." Gary grit his teeth, Squirtle eagerly declaring their readiness for a battle.

"I suppose a battle to start off your journeys is fitting." Gramps sighed, "Would you two like to battle as well?" the question was directed at Leaf and Damian who nodded, the four being led to a pair of battle fields outside the lab. The different residents of the small village approaching to watch the battles.

Leaf and Damian went first, Damian's Charmander getting trounced quickly by the Bulbasaur that was picked by the only girl in their generation from the town. Although a large part of it definitely had to go down to how terrible all of Damian's calls were mid battle, the pink shirted trainer stomping off angrily, completely ignoring Leaf offering him a handshake after the match.

"Ready you two?" his Gramps asked after sighing at Damian's attitude.

"Ready to win." Gary smirked while Ash narrowed his eyes, the tiny bug type scurrying onto the field, looking ready to get stepped on by Gary's Squirtle.

"Begin!" his Gramps declared as Ash reacted instantly.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash's voice rang out as a colossal pillar of lightning filled the battle ring, Squirtle flung out in an instant knock out, Gary left gaping from the absurd power as he fell to his knees.

-Ash-

"Go, Pokeball!" Ash hurled the ceramic sphere at the Spearow he and Joltik had been battling, the red light enveloping the startled bird and, after three shakes, a click of successful capture rang out.

"Tik!" Joltik cheered eagerly as he let Spearow back out to patch him up.

"Welcome to the team." Ash grinned at the grumbling bird who, thankfully, didn't resist him using potions on the areas where Joltik had zapped him, "Just a quick heads up, I plan to catch another bird soon but I wanted to make sure you know it's not a slight against you." He wanted his thought process explained quickly to any new mon to avoid any confusion later "I want everyone on my team to have a rival." He thought rivalries, when done right, were a great way to push someone to become stronger. So, when he readied for his journey, he'd decided he'd always make sure his pokemon had a rival within his team to train and compete against. Joltik's electrical power far outstripped their bug energy, so they'd be getting an electric rival. Spearow would of course get a bird one.

"Row?" Spearow tilted their head but at least didn't protest as he explained his full thought process, even seeming a bit eager at the end, especially when Ash told him to keep any out for anyone who Spearow would want as a rival.

"Well guys, let's get going." Ash grinned as the two mon settled on his shoulders, "We've got a long journey ahead of us."