DISCLAIMER:

This will be the general disclaimer for the entire lifespan of this fanwork. I do not own any IPs (intellectual properties) used in this fanwork. This fiction is non-canon and all mentioned IPs are the sole property of their respective holders.

Prologue - Canon? Who needs that?

I never wanted to be Ash Ketchum. Hell, by the time I died, I was sick of the kid. Years of watching him fumble through every region, making the same mistakes, never quite getting it right— it gets old. But here I was, dragging a surly Pikachu down Route 1 with a rope and rubber gloves like some kind of deranged Pokémon wrangler.

The morning's events were still a blur. One moment I was dying (messy business, that), the next I was being shaken awake by Delia Ketchum's voice telling me I was late for Professor Oak's. What do you even do in that situation? Sure, I could've stayed in bed, convinced myself it was some kind of death-induced hallucination.

Buuuut…BUT!

If there was even a slight chance this was real, I wasn't about to miss out on getting a Pokémon.

So, I ran.

Sprinted across Pallet Town in my pajamas, actually, just like in the Anime. The looks I got from the neighbors were priceless— though I suppose they were used to seeing the real Ash doing equally ridiculous things. By the time I reached Oak's lab, panting and disheveled, Gary and the other trainers were long gone. All that was left was one Poké Ball, containing exactly who I expected.

And man, was I conflicted about that. Look, I get it. Pikachu is iconic. The mascot of the franchise. The Pokémon that launched a thousand merchandise lines. But after watching the anime for so many years, seeing Ash and his electric rat fail upward through league after league... let's just say the charm had worn thin.

The little yellow menace currently trying its best to anchor itself to the ground probably sensed my less-than-stellar enthusiasm. That, or it was just staying true to the original timeline— it was hard to tell. Either way, here we were, engaged in the world's most awkward game of tug-of-war while Pidgey watched from the trees, probably wondering what kind of trainer-Pokémon relationship this was supposed to be.

"You know," I said, giving the rope another half-hearted tug, "in about ten minutes, we're going to be attacked by a flock of Spearow. In the original timeline, this is where you and Ash have your big bonding moment. Thunder hits the bike, saves the day, friendship is magic, roll credits on episode one."

Pikachu just glared at me, cheeks sparking threateningly.

"Yeah, I'm not too thrilled about it either, buddy. But unless you've got a better idea..."

The thing about being isekai'd into a world you know too well is that it leaves you with choices. Bad ones, usually. I could try to avoid the Spearow encounter entirely, but then what? Would Pikachu ever warm up to me? Would I mess up the entire timeline? Did I even care if I did? I never used a Pikachu in any of the games I played. Even in Let's Go Pikachu I got as a gift I only used it until I got another Pokémon.

I adjusted my grip on the rubber gloves, watching Pikachu glare daggers at me from the other end of the rope. You know what they never showed in the anime? Just how ridiculous this situation really was. Here I was, a grown adult (mentally, at least) playing tug-of-war with a Pokémon that wanted nothing to do with me and losing.

Looking at Pikachu's scowling face and sparking cheeks, it hit me— I didn't have to do this. Sure, I was stuck in Ash Ketchum's body, but that didn't mean I had to be Ash Ketchum. I'd spent years watching this kid stumble his way through victory after unearned victory, carried by the sheer power of plot convenience and that little yellow mouse at the end of my rope.

Well, to hell with that.

Why should continue playing along with the script? The whole "following destiny" thing wasn't working out, and frankly, I was done trying. Because it worked in the anime? Because Ash and Pikachu became best friends forever? That was a different story, with a different protagonist— one who fine waiting decades to win a Pokémon League.

"Hey," I said, dropping the rope. Pikachu's ears twitched, probably wondering what new form of stupidity its unwanted trainer was about to display. "Want to make a deal?"

That got its attention. The sparks dancing across those red cheeks dimmed slightly. Not from friendship or trust, just pure curiosity. I'd done something that surprised Pikachu and that was interesting enough to warrant a pause in the light show.

"Neither of us wants to be here," I continued, crouching down to eye level. "You don't want a trainer, and I... well, honestly? I don't want you here either." Harsh, maybe, but true. I'd rather have a Pokémon that actually wants to work with me. So how about this: help me catch another Pokémon, just one, and I'll release you."

Pikachu's expression shifted from hostile to calculating, like a contractor reviewing an unexpectedly reasonable proposal. I could practically see the gears turning behind those black eyes. In the anime, Pikachu had eventually warmed up to Ash because the kid was willing to get pecked half to death by Spearow to protect it. But me? I wasn't Ash, and I had no interest in following his playbook. I was offering freedom in exchange for about fifteen minutes of cooperation.

"Pika?" it asked, head tilting slightly.

"Yeah, I'm serious," I nodded. "One Pokémon, it doesn't even have to be anything special. Just help me catch something that isn't actively trying to escape from me, and then you never have to see me again. You can go back to whatever you were doing before Professor Oak caught you."

The electric mouse studied me for a long moment, probably trying to spot the catch. Finding none, it gave a short nod. "Chu."

And just like that, I'd derailed one of the most iconic partnerships in Pokémon history. Somewhere, Ash's spirit was probably having an aneurysm. But hey, at least I wouldn't have to spend the next several years pretending to be surprised every time Pikachu lost to a starter Pokémon it should have demolished.

I pulled out one of the Poke Balls Oak had given me. Strange how muscle memory works. I knew exactly where they were stored despite never having worn these clothes before.

"Great. Now, I know there are some decent Pokémon around here. Pidgey are pretty common, and I wouldn't mind—"

A rustling in the nearby grass cut me off. We both turned to look, and I couldn't help but frown. There, digging at something in the dirt, was a Rattata. Not the most conventional starter Pokémon.

"I know I said any Pokémon would do, but how about cutting me some slack?" I whispered to Pikachu. "Let me find another Pokémon and then you never have to see my face again. I promise."

The little electric mouse considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Chu."

Funny how the prospect of getting rid of me had improved its attitude so quickly. Then again, I suppose we had that in common – we were both looking to break free from a story we never asked to be part of.

Now I just needed to find something worth catching.

Notes: Chapters will be cross-posted on Pa-atreon. I've got one, go by the same username on there, easy to find and all that jazz. Chapter 2 is already up. Support me if you want by voting in polls, but don't feel pressured, I'll be uploading chapters outside it regardless and all chapters are posted publicly never kept behind a paywall. Only thing you'd need an m-ship for is voting power.

First Poll: Which Pokemon should replace Pikachu?

Nidoran(Male)

Pidgey

Gyarados