Chapter 13: Electrifying Thief

A/N: I'm fixing grammatical errors in the first chapters and realized how awesome you guys are for ignoring those mistakes and showing such interest in this story up to this chapter. Thanks!

Chapter 13: Electrifying Thief

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Sipping on his hot chocolate, Ash scrolled through his phone in the kitchen, watching highlights of the latest Pokémon battles online. Dressed in a plain black shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of black running shoes, he was fully immersed in the world of competitive strategies and thrilling finishes.

Soft knocks sounded at the kitchen's service door, pulling Ash's attention away. His mother opened the door, greeting their daily visitor with a warm smile. "Good morning, Johanna," Delia said cheerfully before noticing her friend wasn't alone. "And good morning to you too, Dawn."

At the mention of the familiar name, Ash looked up to see the two Sinnoh natives stepping inside.

"Morning, Ash!" Dawn greeted him with her usual energy as she accepted Delia's invitation to join them at the table. She wore a white half-sleeved shirt with pink snowflakes embroidered on it, paired with a black knee-length skirt and white sneakers.

Ash nodded in acknowledgment, setting his phone aside. "What brings you here, Dawn?" There was no edge to his question—just simple curiosity.

Dawn's bright blue eyes sparkled as she explained, "I told my mom I wanted to work here part-time on Saturdays or whenever I'm free. Your mom agreed, so here I am!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear she was genuinely excited.

"I must have forgotten to mention that to you, Ash," Delia admitted, placing a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of Dawn. "When you two are ready, teach her what to do, alright?"

"Got it, Mom," Ash replied, already mentally preparing a checklist of tasks.

"Thank you, Mrs. Delia!" Dawn said politely, clasping the warm mug with both hands. The elder Ketchum nodded before returning to her work alongside Johanna, checking the restaurant's supplies and preparing for the day ahead.

As they sipped their drinks, Ash and Dawn chatted casually about school, Pokémon battles, and the occasional funny story about their classmates. It wasn't long before they polished off their drinks and the pancakes Ash had generously shared.

"Alright, let's get started," Ash said, leading Dawn to the cabinet near the service door. "Here are the cleaning supplies." He handed her a broom and dustpan, demonstrating how to use them. "Sweep the floor, starting from the corners and working toward you. That helps control the pile of debris and keeps dust from flying into the air. Use the dustpan often so you're not dragging dirt across the clean floor."

Dawn watched intently as he demonstrated. "Oh, so that's how you're supposed to do it," she said with a hint of realization. "I've always swept away from me to avoid getting dust on myself."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Ash replied with a chuckle. "Just keep the movements short and smooth. But here, do it my mom's way—it's how she wants it done." He pointed to a set of microfiber cloths and cleaning sprays. "After sweeping, wipe down the windows and doors. I'll do the same from the outside."

Dawn gave an exaggerated salute, her playful nature shining through. "No need to worry, Sir Ash! Consider it done!"

Ash rolled his eyes, smiling. "Alright, get to it."

The two got to work, and Dawn quickly finished sweeping, her dustpan barely collecting any dirt. She realized the floor had likely been cleaned thoroughly the night before, but the routine was routine. Grabbing a cloth and spray, she began wiping down the windows.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Ash outside, carrying a bucket of water along with his cleaning supplies. She noted how focused he was, diligently scrubbing at a stubborn stain. While I'd still be sleeping in on Saturdays, Ash is already up, working hard like this, she thought, a newfound appreciation for her friend bubbling up.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Ash flicked water from his bucket toward her. Startled, she instinctively stepped back with a yelp. "Ah!" It was only when the water hit the glass in front of her and dripped down that she realized she'd been fooled. Embarrassed, she glared at him, her cheeks puffed in protest.

Ash laughed heartily at her reaction, his amusement only growing when her pout turned into laughter as well. "Was that the reason you wanted to clean outside?" she accused, still smiling as he came back inside.

"Of course not," Ash replied, still grinning. "There was a hard stain on the glass."

"Sure there was," she teased.

"Anyway, good job so far," Ash said, moving on. "Grab a clean cloth and start wiping down the tables and chairs. I'll mop the floor. Honestly, there shouldn't be any dirt since we clean up every night after closing, but we need to make sure everything's spotless. Think of this as a warm-up for the real cleaning later."

Dawn nodded and got to work. As she wiped down the tables, Ash's words echoed in her mind. Though cleaning might seem mundane, she could tell Ash approached it with a sense of purpose, a reflection of the discipline and care he'd learned from his mother.

Unbeknownst to her, Ash's thoughts drifted as he mopped. This moment—teaching Dawn simple cleaning tasks—reminded him of the lessons his mother had taught him. It wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it felt like progress. He was passing down what he'd learned, just as he hoped to do someday as a Pokémon Master. He wanted to grow, to learn, to experience, to achieve—and one day, to share his story with others.

"Done!" Dawn's cheerful voice broke him from his thoughts.

Ash glanced up and smiled. "Good work. Let's keep this up."

And with that, the two friends carried on, the day unfolding with lighthearted banter and the quiet promise of growth, no matter how small.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

"Ash, could you please buy some ingredients? I didn't notice that a few were about to run out," Johanna requested as she walked up to the two preteens now sitting at the kitchen table.

"Sure, Ms. Johanna. Dawn and I just finished cleaning," Ash replied, standing up. He was handed a piece of paper along with some Pokédollars. He quickly scanned the list before slipping the note into his left pocket and the money into his right.

"Thank you, Ash. These are for the last dish we're going to cook," Johanna added, glancing at the wall clock. It was now 8:40 AM.

Ash nodded, eager to run the errand, but before he could grab his bike, Dawn piped up, "Ash, can you buy me shampoo and conditioner too? Hehe." She recalled squeezing out the last drops of both during her shower that morning. Turning to her mother with a pleading look, she added, "Please, Mom?"

Johanna sighed at her daughter's signature 'cute smile,' reluctantly pulling out her wallet. She handed the extra cash to Ash.

"Um, okay then. Ingredients, shampoo, and conditioner," Ash repeated, making sure he got everything right.

"Wait, wait!" Dawn said quickly. "I haven't told you the brand yet!"

Ash frowned slightly in confusion. "Can't I just grab the first bottles I see? I mean, shampoo is shampoo, right? They all lather, and you just rinse your hair out afterward."

Dawn's jaw dropped at the sheer audacity of his suggestion. Her hand instinctively stroked the side of her hair, as if protecting it from the thought of such a reckless choice. "No way!" she exclaimed, utterly appalled.

Johanna couldn't hold back her laughter at her daughter's reaction. "Dawn, why don't you go with Ash instead? That way, you can choose the exact shampoo and conditioner you want."

Dawn immediately perked up, her usual cheerful demeanor returning. "That works! Thanks, Mom!"

"Just be careful, okay?" Johanna said with a knowing look. Before Dawn could respond with her usual playful confidence, Johanna turned to Ash and added, "Ash, make sure Dawn doesn't break anything in the store, okay?."

Ash chuckled, recalling Johanna's many stories about Dawn's clumsiness. "Got it, Ms. Johanna. We'll be careful."

Satisfied, Johanna smiled as Ash wheeled his bike out of the house, with Dawn following with a playful pout close behind.

The two put on their helmets, with Dawn noting how her helmet was still as spotless as the day she first saw it.

"Ready when you are, Dawn," Ash said, gripping the bike's handlebars.

Dawn climbed onto the bike, placing one hand on Ash's waist and the other on the edge of her seat for balance. "Yes, Sir!" she chirped enthusiastically.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Ash was checking the expiration date on a can of beans when Dawn casually placed her toiletries in the shopping basket on his arm. "That's everything, right?" he asked.

"Well, I didn't bring my wallet with me, so yep, that's it," Dawn replied, grinning mischievously.

Ash sighed in relief, "Phew, off to the counter, then."

The store was quiet, with only a few shoppers browsing the aisles. The two quickly found an empty checkout counter and had their items scanned. Exiting the store, they headed to the bicycle parking rack. Ash placed the large paper bag of groceries in his bicycle basket, alongside Dawn's small bag of toiletries.

As he began unchaining his bike, a yellow blur darted into his basket, grabbing something before leaping away.

"What the—" Ash muttered, startled.

The blur landed on the pavement, revealing itself to be a small Pokémon with pale yellow fur. The tips of its large ears, tail, and collar were black, and its pink cheek pouches sparked faintly. Its brown eyes darted nervously as it clutched its prize—a shiny red apple.

"It's a Pichu," Ash noted, recognizing the Pokémon.

Dawn gasped. "Ash! It took your apple!" she exclaimed as the tiny thief scampered away.

Without hesitation, Ash bolted after the Pichu. The electric mouse, hearing his footsteps, turned to face him, sparks flying from its cheeks. "Pi-Pichu!" it squeaked, releasing a thin bolt of electricity.

Ash dodged effortlessly, the attack zipping past him, recognizing it as a Thunder Shock. He smirked, knowing that Pichu's lack of control over its electricity meant it was unlikely to hit its target.

"Ahhh!" Dawn's scream suddenly cut through his thoughts.

He skidded to a halt, turning back to see Dawn standing frozen, her hair now a frizzy mess. Stray strands stuck out in all directions, and the faint smell of static lingered in the air. A small yellow spark flickered before fading entirely.

Realizing she had been hit by the stray attack, Ash ran to her side, concern etched on his face. "Dawn! Are you okay?"

Dawn groaned, running her fingers through her frazzled hair. "My skin's fine—just a bit tingly. But my hair! Ugh! I need to fix this." She glanced at the store they'd just left. "There's a restroom inside, right? I'll be quick!" Without waiting for a reply, she rushed back inside, her hands fumbling with her hair in a desperate attempt to tame it.

Ash exhaled in relief, glad she wasn't hurt. He turned back to where the Pichu had disappeared, unsurprised to find it gone. His guilt began creeping in—Dawn wouldn't have been hit if he hadn't dodged. But what else could he have done? It wasn't like he knew where the bolt would land.

His thoughts were interrupted by a faint crackling sound coming from a nearby alley. Curious, Ash approached, moving cautiously as he leaned against the wall near the entrance. He took out his phone and used its front camera to peek around the corner.

Three large Raticates stood in a semi-circle, their fur bristling as they faced a smaller figure in the center—a Pichu. The tiny Pokémon clutched the apple tightly, its body trembling as it glared at its attackers.

Ash's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's the same Pichu… those Raticates must be after the apple."

The scene tugged at him. On one hand, this was the natural order of things—a group of wild Pokémon trying to survive. On the other, the lone Pichu looked utterly defenseless.

Ash's musings were cut short as one of the Raticates crouched, muscles flexing as it prepared to pounce.

Ash acted without thinking, stepping into the alley. "Pichu, drop the apple and come with me!"

His voice startled the Pokémon, but none seemed to understand his words. The Raticates flinched before snarling, clearly annoyed by his interference.

Ash ran toward the group, waving his arms wildly. The Raticates hesitated, startled by the sudden movement, and darted to the sides. Ash crouched down, scooping the trembling Pichu into his arms. The small Pokémon squeaked in protest, its cheeks sparking faintly.

"It's okay!" Ash said quickly. "You're safe now!"

He turned and threw the apple deeper into the alley. The Raticates immediately chased after it, their focus shifting away from the boy and the tiny Pokémon in his arms.

Pichu, however, wasn't grateful. Its cheeks sparked to life as it released a small jolt of electricity into Ash's chest.

"Gah!" Ash winced, his body stiffening briefly from the shock. Despite the pain, he tightened his grip on the squirming Pokémon. "Easy there! I'm trying to help you!"

The electricity subsided, and Ash looked down to see the Pichu trembling, its limbs twitching from exhaustion. Its eyes were half-lidded, and its body slumped against his chest.

Ash sighed, glancing back toward the store. His hair now mirrored Dawn's earlier mess, but he was more focused on getting the Pichu somewhere safe. "You've had a rough day, huh?" he murmured, adjusting the tiny Pokémon in his arms.

With the Pichu cradled securely, Ash walked back to his bike, determined to figure out what to do next.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Dawn stepped out of the store for the second time that day, only to spot the very reason she'd rushed to the restroom earlier. The Pichu was munching on a piece of banana, standing near an ornamental plant just a few meters away from Ash and his bike.

"Did it steal from you again?" Dawn asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ash placed his helmet on and swung his leg over his bike. "Nah, I gave it the banana. Get on, I'll tell you on the way back. We need to hurry, the ingredients need to be used for the next dish." He noticed her hesitation and pedaled a little closer. "Come on."

"Thanks," Dawn smiled, recognizing his effort.

"Bye, Pichu! Stay out of trouble!" Ash called out as he began to ride off. The Pichu, still holding the banana, gave him a curious stare before shoving the rest into its mouth.

Dawn hopped onto the bike behind him. "Let's go, Ash."

As they rode off, Dawn glanced back at the Pichu, which had already disappeared in the distance. "You've really befriended it, huh?"

"Kinda, I guess," Ash replied with a chuckle, pedaling down the street. He started recounting the events that had unfolded while Dawn was inside.

"Wow, you actually saved it?" Dawn said, her voice filled with admiration. "I have to admit, that Pichu is pretty cute. I would've petted it if it wasn't an Electric-type."

"You don't like Electric-types?" Ash asked, remembering the story she once told him about how hugging a pair of Plusle and Minun had earned her a shocking experience — one that had left her hair frizzy and sparkling, earning her a playful nickname.

Dawn let out a sheepish laugh. "It's not that I don't like Electric-types… I just prefer to avoid them when I can, hehe."

Ash grinned. "Yeah, I get it now. Those two really gave you a shock, huh?"

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

A few minutes earlier, Pichu squirmed in the boy's arms, still processing what had just happened. He had stolen an apple from the human—something he often did to sustain himself. But this boy, the same one he'd swiped from, had unexpectedly intervened, forcing him to stop his skirmish with the Raticates. Why? Was the boy angry at him? Was he punishing him for his thievery? It seemed so, but then why did he throw the apple away, giving it to the Raticates instead? That didn't make sense.

The confusion only deepened when the boy set him down near a plant in front of a familiar store—the same store Pichu often camped by to wait for humans to pass by. The boy held out a yellow fruit. "Eat this. It'll help you recover. It's not as fast as an Oran Berry, but it's better than nothing."

Pichu glanced at the fruit, hesitating. He was too proud to accept it, but his stomach growled loudly, a reminder of just how empty he was. He wanted to resist, but the temptation was too strong. The boy smiled, leaving the fruit behind before walking back to that strange metal object he rode in. The boy wasn't looking, and Pichu's pride slowly crumbled. He swallowed his hesitation and grabbed the fruit, quickly stuffing it into his mouth.

"Bye, Pichu! Stay out of trouble!"

Pichu puffed up his cheeks, finishing the rest of the banana as he watched the boy and his companion disappear into the distance. As they left, Pichu quickly scampered up a nearby wall, making his way to the rooftop. His sharp eyes never left the humans, catching up as fast as he could. He darted across the roofs like a ninjask, his small form easily leaping from one to the next.

After a few minutes, he reached an open window, dived into the room and collapsed onto a bed, panting heavily. Sweat dotted his brow, but there was a strange sense of peace as he curled up, recovering from his adventure.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

"Here's your order, sir, ma'am," Dawn said, now wearing a white apron with the restaurant's name printed on it. She set down a tray in front of two customers, both of whom shared similar features—she assumed they were siblings.

Ash, standing beside her, also wore an apron. With a smooth motion, he balanced a tray laden with glasses of drinks and bowls of soup in his left hand. As the two waiters unloaded their trays, the customers reached for their Poké Balls and released their Pokémon on the table.

"Plusle! Minun!" the two Electric-types chirped, their tiny bodies vibrating with energy.

"Hey, guys, we ordered a cup of ice cream for both of you to share," the woman announced cheerfully, making the Pokémon bounce with excitement.

Dawn's heart sank as she froze. The very species of Electric Pokémon that had once caused her so much anxiety—now right in front of her. The sight of Plusle and Minun brought back memories of that earlier incident with Pichu, but the tension was more intense. She could feel her hands shake slightly as she avoided their gaze. The anxiety gnawed at her, even more so than this morning's encounter with the mischievous Pichu.

Ash, noticing her discomfort, quickly emptied his tray and handed it to her in exchange for her still-loaded tray. He motioned for her to step back a few paces. "I got this," he said with a reassuring smile.

Dawn took a few careful steps back, her breath slowly returning to normal. Ash, ever the expert, unloaded her tray and made sure to stay between her and the Electric-types.

"Enjoy!" Ash grinned, placing the final cup of ice cream in front of Plusle and Minun before turning to move away. He didn't notice as Plusle eagerly grabbed the cup and downed the ice cream in one swift motion, its eyes widening in shock as a brain freeze hit it.

"Plusle! Why'd you do that? What about Minun?" the woman scolded.

Minun, looking dejected at first, quickly grew angry. Its cheeks sparked, and without warning, it fired a bolt of electricity toward Plusle, who narrowly dodged the blast by leaping off the table. The bolt arced upwards, its path ending abruptly as it hurtled toward the two preteens retreating from the scene.

Dawn barely had time to react as she heard the unmistakable crackling of electricity in the air. Ash, quick on his feet, pushed her aside, his body moving with impressive speed. He raised his stainless steel tray above his head, intending to attract all the electricity. With clenched teeth, he braced himself for the impact.

The attack never reached them.

In a flash of yellow, a small blur intercepted the bolt in mid-air, releasing its own electric shock that collided with Minun's attack. The two low-powered Electric-types' moves canceled each other out in a loud burst, but neither Ash nor Dawn was harmed—only their eardrums, which rang from the sudden explosion of sound.

"Whoa, Pichu! How did you get here?" Ash knelt, staring in disbelief at the small, familiar Electric-type. "Thanks for saving me, buddy!"

"Pi pi chu pi," the tiny mouse puffed its chest, as though proud of its unexpected heroism. It flexed its minuscule biceps hidden beneath its fur, striking a pose that made Dawn laugh despite herself.

"Are you hurt, kid?" the man from the table asked, now walking over with his sister.

"No, sir, thanks to this little guy." Ash smiled, Pichu now perched comfortably on his shoulder, rubbing its cheek against his.

Dawn stepped closer, still wide-eyed but now a bit more at ease. "It might have followed us from the store," she offered, trying to explain Pichu's sudden appearance.

Just then, Delia and Johanna stepped into view from the kitchen, both noticing the commotion as the other customers looked on curiously.

"What was that loud sound? Is anyone hurt?" Delia's voice was laced with concern, her eyes flicking from Ash to the Electric-type on his shoulder.

"Sorry, ma'am. Our Pokémon got a little carried away," the woman said, now looking sheepish. Both she and her brother returned their Pokémon to their Poké Balls.

"We're fine, Mom. It's nothing serious. I'll explain in the kitchen," Ash added, hoping to downplay the situation. Dawn wasn't sure whether Ash was downplaying the incident or if she had overreacted, but either way, she was just glad no one was hurt—especially Ash, thanks to Pichu.

The customers hurriedly finished their meal, still embarrassed by their Pokémon's outburst. They approached Ash, handing him a generous tip in apology. Ash tried to refuse, but they insisted, leaving him no choice but to accept.

In the kitchen, Ash gave a quick summary of how Pichu had appeared, the incident with the Electric Pokémon, and how the little one had stepped in to protect them.

"Ash, would you like me to catch Pichu for you?" Delia asked, her gaze softening as she watched how attached Ash seemed to have become to the little Electric-type. "I think he's taken quite a liking to you, and he did protect you from that Minun."

She turned to her Mr. Mime, who had been standing nearby. "I'll give you his Poké Ball once you graduate." Delia's Mr. Mime dashed upstairs, returning shortly with an empty Poké Ball.

"Thanks, Mom!" Ash smiled at his mother, scratching Pichu's chin. "Would you like that, buddy?"

"Chuuuu," the tiny mouse Pokémon squealed in response, leaning into Ash's hand, whether it was from the affection or as an agreement to the proposal.

"I'll take that as a yes." With a gentle wave of his hand, Mimey levitated the Poké Ball and handed it to Delia. She tapped it gently on Pichu's forehead. The little Electric-type blinked in surprise as its body turned to white light before being sucked into the Poké Ball.

Ash and Dawn both held their breath as the ball clicked and started to spin. Pichu's brief resistance inside was evident, but then he seemed to settle. After a few tense moments, the ball gave a soft 'ding'—a success.

"It worked!" Dawn exclaimed with a delighted grin. She hadn't expected Pichu to be caught so easily, especially given his independent nature. Still, she was glad it had worked out. Her first impression of Pichu had been anything but positive, but after today, she couldn't deny that he had earned her respect. After all, he'd not only protected Ash but, in a way, saved her too.

Just as they thought the moment was over, the Poké Ball snapped open once more, and Pichu reappeared in a burst of light. "Pipi-chuuu pi!" He squealed, immediately climbing up Ash's leg and back onto his shoulder.

"I think he doesn't like being in a Poké Ball," Dawn laughed. With much effort to face her discomfort, she slowly extended a hand toward Pichu. The little Electric-type noticed her and leaned closer, allowing her to gently pet him. "Aww, are we friends now too?"

"Chuuu!" Pichu chirped happily.

"I hate to interrupt this adorable moment, but we have new orders!" Johanna called from the kitchen, grinning.

"Okay, back to work, everyone!" Delia clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention.

"Yes, Mom!" Ash and Dawn replied together.

"Pipi-chuuu!" Pichu added, bouncing on Ash's shoulder.

"Mime mime," Mr. Mime chimed in, clearly enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

A/N: Thanks for your time!

-Areyem Meyera