It wasn't often that Ash went out of Pallet Town. The last time it had been with his mother to buy fertilizer for her garden and before that it was with Professor Oak now and then when he would go and see some Pokemon habitat to study. This was the first time he'd be leaving for a while, alone with just Pikachu for support.
And he was excited for it.
This was the start of his journey, the start of his story. The first page in the tome would one day dictate the history of how Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town became a Pokemon Master. It all begins at this moment.
"We need to start with Pewter City," Ash said to the yellow rat perched on his shoulder. "The first gym is a Rock Type according to the Official Pokemon League Hand Book for Beginner Trainers. You're an Electric Type so you're at a disadvantage. We need to think of a strategy to overcome this disadvantage."
Pikachu nodded solemnly. Even the Pokemon was in deep thought, no doubt about how he would fight Rock Type Pokemon.
Ash stopped, barely dodging the blur that zoomed past him. Pikachu's ears perked and he looked up at the sky.
The blur zoomed around in the air, knocking other Pokemon out with ease. The fallen Pokemon recovered quickly but were knocked out once more. This time the Pokemon landed on the ground and glared up at the blur.
The thing zoomed towards Ash next, but Pikachu stopped it with Thundershock. The thing veered out of Ash's way and crashed into a tree behind him. The boy turned, his Pokedex in his hand.
Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Its loud cry can be heard over half a mile away. If it's high, keening cry is heard echoing all around, it is a sign that they are warning each other of danger.
The Spearow glared at Ash and Pikachu. The nerve of that thing! It attacked first.
Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and shot at Spearow with QuickAttack. The Spearow quickly took to the skies, but not before Pikachu brushed against its leg. The Pokemon was thrown off balance from the contact, which Pikachu used to hit it with Thundershock. The attack knocked Spearow out of the air, and Pikachu's following Quick Attack knocked the Pokemon out.
Ash quickly threw a Pokeball at the fallen Pokemon. It was fast and strong enough to dominate the Pokemon in the area. Ash could see potential in it.
The Pokeball sucked the Spearow in and hit the ground with a click. The Pokeball shook once… shook a second time… and after a tense pause, it shook a third time before locking the Pokemon inside it with a click.
Ash picked up the Pokeball with a grin. His first capture. He'd caught his first Pokemon!
But before he could celebrate, the other Pokemon in the area celebrated, much to Ash and Pikachu's amusement.
-x-
One moment it was sunny and the next it was pouring rain. The storm had come out of nowhere.
Thunder roared in the heavens as Ash dashed to find shelter from the heavy onslaught, Pikachu tucked neatly under his jacket. He wasn't optimistic about finding shelter any time soon. The plains here were uninhabited, given to the wild Pokemon who lived in peace. Finding a solid shelter here would be like finding a Ditto in a tub of slime. He'd need to find a good tree and hope it does not get struck by lightning.
To his surprise, he found a shack. A run-down shack but a shack nonetheless. He barged without a second thought and slammed the door shut behind him, making the entire shack groan. Ash let out a sigh of relief, he was out of the rain.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
With a frightened shriek, Ash turned around, throwing a Pokeball blindly. It hit a fae and the person it belonged to fell over knocked out.
Moments later the person, a boy, woke up and Ash apologized vehemently for being so rude.
"All you had to do was ask if you take shelter" the boy muttered, rubbing his nose with a scowl.
"I didn't know there were people in here! I didn't even know this was here" Ash defended himself.
"That is because this is new" the boy puffed his chest out in pride. The shack was probably made by him. "I have been staying here to train my Pokemon to become top percentage!"
Ash was curious about what Pokemon the boy spoke of. His curiosity faded once all of them made an entrance, six Pokemon of the same species.
Rattata, the Mouse Pokemon. Its fangs are long and very sharp. They grow continuously, so they gnaw on hard things to whittle them down.
That might explain all the sawdust around the place.
"I have two other brothers who also live in shacks in other places, training their own Pokemon. But they are fools! Only Rattata can become the very best, the top percentage!"
Ash sweatdropped at the boy's enthusiasm.
"I'm Ash by the way, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
"Joey. I'm from Viridian City. And this is Misty. She's also taking shelter from the rain… and she asked nicely."
The girl in question was an orange-haired girl who sat to the side staring out the window. When her name was called she turned and waved at Ash.
Ash waved back.
"Make yourself comfortable I guess," Joey said finally before going back to his Rattata.
Ash went over to Misty.
"You know, they say that storms like this are usually called on my angry Gyarados. It's a legend of course, but there is a Gyarados living nearby. So I can't help but wonder…" Misty said without prompt.
Ash frowned and took out his Pokedex.
Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokemon. Rarely seen in the wild. Huge and vicious, it is capable of destroying entire cities in a rage.
The Gyarados sounded like a terrible Pokemon to run into. Able to destroy entire cities… Ash shivered at the thought. But one thing did catch his attention, the Pokemon was a Water Type. Strong against Rock Types it would be the perfect counter to the Pewter City Gym. But reading about how aggressive it could be…
"I wouldn't go there if I were you. Gyarados are hard to battle for even seasoned trainers. And you're just a newbie."
Ash's head shot up to see Misty smiling at him, lightning flashing in the background. It gave her an almost eerie look.
"How did you know I was thinking that?" Ash asked.
"It was written all over your face" Misty explained. "How long have you been a trainer?"
"I started today."
"Ah. Well, then you definitely shouldn't go after that Gyarados."
"Are you a Pokemon Trainer as well?" Ash asked.
"I am! I'm on a journey to become the best Water Type trainer in the world!"
A Water Type trainer, meaning she would have Water Type Pokemon on her. Ash could ask her… no, that would not be right. Ash needed to solve this issue on his own.
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and I will be a Pokemon Master!"
"Misty of Cerulean City," Misty said with a grin.