Alright honeys. I have re-written my previous chapters. I realized how much this story sucked because I'm not really good with writing fight scenes, but I went through this entire story, edited it and hopefully made it better to read. I also added some new material at the end so do not be scared to re-read this and lemme know what you think. I am going to add Squirtle and Bulba to Ash's team. Do not forget to let me know who you want to him to catch. And what you want the pairing to be. Along with the legendary. Though I have been thinking between Suicune, Lugia, Articuno, Celebi, or Mewtwo. If you do not like any of those legendaries, tell me your favorite and why Ash should catch it. If I like your reasoning enough I will probably take it into consideration. Anyways, enjoy the story!

Ps. Thank you Crystalmeow-chan for your suggestions.

A tiny body sat curled up against a tree; the rough bark digging into the sensitive skin of the child. Small tear drops made their way down scarred cheeks and fell with a soft splat onto tanned clenched fists. Stupid Gary. Just because I don't know as much about Pokémon doesn't mean I'm stupid. I've just had no one teach me, he has his grandpa.

For as long as Ash could remember, Gary Oak had always been a bully to him. Since Ash was younger, Gary would find ways to poke fun at Ash and humiliate him in some way. Ash could remember every word Gary has ever said to him. Since starting Trainer School, Gary would purposely call Ash out on difficult questions that the students wouldn't be learning until near graduation. And while Ash might know the answers to a lot of Gary's questions, he could never answer because his mom taught him to hide his knowledge and strength so that others would underestimate him.

Sniffling, Ash looked up when he heard a twig snap in the dewy clearing he was in. Amber eyes lock with black as Ash curiously eyes the small yellow Pokémon. It was tiny with triangular shaped ears, a tiny black crooked tail, and small black tuft around its' neck.

"Hello?" Pichu?

Being able to understand pokemon was a gift Ash has had his entire life. A gift his mom taught him to guard jealously. His mother had explained the dangers that Ash might be put in if his gift was ever found out. Scientists could take him away to do studying on his brain if they thought it would help them to come closer towards understand Pokemon.

"I'm sorry Pichu, if I'm in your home. I just had to get away from all the mean kids at my school and I didn't feel like going home yet."

"What happened?" Pichu moved closer to the boy, cuddling his small form into the warm lap of the ebony haired child.

"This boy named Gary always picks on me because he thinks I don't know as much about pokemon as him."

Pichu titled its' head to the side cutely, small black eyes widening in shock. "You can understand me?"

Giving the Pichu a watery smile, Ash shrugs. "I have been able to understand pokemon all my life."

"Then why don't you just tell that to this Gary kid?" Pichu asks confused.

Ash sighs and looks up towards the slowly darkening sky. "My mom told me I could never tell anyone. She thinks if they knew then they would do something bad to me."

Pichu's ears lower in sadness for the boy. Pichu knew how it felt to feel out casted. His own family had abandoned him, deeming him too weak compared to the rest of the litter.

"It's okay human, I'll be your friend."

Seeing the honesty shinning in the small electric mouse's eyes, Ash couldn't help but hug the tiny body closer to himself.

"You're my first friend Pichu. I promise I will be the bestest friend you have ever had. I just know we will be friends forever."

And as Ash sat underneath the sprawling pine tree petting the small electric mouse, he would soon realize that he had made the promise of a life time.

Walking through the front door of his small home, with Pichu riding faithfully on his shoulder, Ash was immediately attacked.

"Ash Ketchum! Where have you been mister? I have been worried sick! Your teacher said you left school with the rest of your year but no one had seen you after that! Just what do you have to say for yourself mister?" Delia Ketchum demanded, grabbing her son by his shoulders and checking him for injuries. Finally noticing the small Pokemon with her son, Delia continued her rant. "And why do you have a Pichu with you?"

Staring down at his tennis shoe clad feet, Ash let out a small sigh. "I was walking with the other kids heading home when stupid Gary started making fun of me again. I remembered that you said I should hide what I know from him, but he kept being mean and making fun of me so I ran off and hid in the woods. While I was out there this Pichu found me. We talked for a while and decided to become friends."

Delia felt sorrow grip her chest as she pulled her tiny son into her arms, embracing him in a hug. "I know it seems hard right now baby, but I promise that it will all get better in the future." Nudging him back to arms reach, Delia placed a small kiss on Ash's brow. "You are mommy's smart boy and you will do me proud."

Standing up straight, Delia placed a delicate hand on Ash's shoulder. Smiling at the young Pichu who was cuddled next to her son's cheek. "Now, I am going to start dinner and you are going to help me make some food for your new friend here. Every good aspiring young trainer needs to know how to properly make food for their Pokemon."

Beaming at his mother, Ash gave her a quick hug before scurrying into the kitchen. His mommy was a great cook and he would get to learn how to take care of his new friend.

"Hurry up mommy!"

Delia followed behind, chucking softly.

Ash set kneeling in the garden next to his mother. He had only had Pichu with him for a few weeks, but Delia had already started teaching the duo everything they would need for when they finally started their journey. She had no doubts in her mind the small electric mouse would be going on Ash's journey with him.

"Now," Delia began, holding up a small blue berry, "This is an Oran Berry and can be used when you or your Pokemon are feeling weak. It will help you regain some of your health back so that you have more time to make it to a Pokemon Center."

Pichu and Ash both nodded, staring intently at the blue berry in her fingers, neither writing down what she was saying. Pichu because he doesn't know how to write and Ash because his eidetic memory allows him to remember everything that he learns.

Smiling at her two star pupils, Delia continues to pick up berries and explain their properties to her two small listeners.

Standing on a small wooden stool in his mother's brightly lit kitchen, Ash was stirring the orange mixture in the mixing bowl. His tiny tongue was sticking out as he tried to make sure every piece was properly mushy for when he and Pichu rounded them into small pellets to bake.

Delia stood with her hip pressed against her blue countertop, watching her little boy and his companion concentrate on making Pichu's food. Ever since Delia had showed Ash how to make it, he was very adamant about being the only one who cooked Pichu's food.

The duo had become inspirable in the year since they had met. They completed each other. When Ash was feeling down from the bullies in school, Pichu would be there to help lift his spirits. And when Pichu was feeling weak after battling one of her lower level Pokemon, Ash was there to comfort Pichu and let him know that they were still training. That they would get stronger together.

Watching her two babies role the mush into little round pellets on her countertop together, Delia couldn't help but feel like the two meeting was Fate.

Ash stood in his backyard with Pichu in a battle position in front of him. It has been two years since the duo had met and they had become inseparable. Instead of staying home when Ash went to Trainers School, Pichu would hide in Ash's hoodie so he could go with him. Ash has become a different person since meeting Pichu. Where once he was timid and took to heart everything his bullies would say about him, now he let it wash off of him like water off of a Psyduck. Ash would rent numerous books from the library in order to study everything he would need to know in order to be a good trainer for Pichu in the future. While he couldn't officially catch Pichu until he was ten, and got his own pokeballs, and was considered a real trainer, it didn't stop him from helping his little friend get stronger.

"Pichu use quick attack!" Ash yelled to the tiny mouse pokemon, shouting in triumph when Pichu hit the small bird Pokemon.

Delia watched the mock battle through the window. The night Ash had come home with Pichu was eye-opening to her. She didn't realize how lonely her little boy was until she saw how much he clinged to the small pokemon, and vice-versa. Ever since that night Ash went out of his way learn from her and read all kinds of different books on Pokemon he thought might be useful in the future.

She knew he was going to become a great trainer one day, and that the small Pichu would be by his side every step of the way.

Humming to herself as she continued to wash the dishes, Delia smiled as Pichu and Ash soundly beat her pidgey.

Samuel Oak watched a nine year old Ash carefully tend to the injured rattata in his lab. On his eight birthday he had started volunteering around the lab, wanting to learn how to care for pokemon for when he started his own journey.

Ash was remarkably amazing at the job. Pokemon tended to flock to him, instantly trusting him. It was astounding how the small boy seemed to soak everything up. It had came as no surprise when he had discovered Ash had an eidetic memory. The boy was arguably the smartest kid that Oak had ever met, not that he would have known it by the way his grandson had talked about him.

It turns out that Ash had always had a problem with being shy. While the other kids would struggle with their homework, Ash would breeze through it, but he didn't want to flaunt his knowledge like his errant grandson because Ash was taught by Delia that it was better to hide your strengths so that people would underestimate you.

Samuel smiles as he watches the small Pichu sit beside his trainer, carefully watching everything he did. It was painfully obvious that those two would be partners for life. And if he properly guessed it, those two would be the ones to save him in the future, or past depending on how you looked at it.

With a soft smile, he walked over to Ash and helped explain in better depth what to do.

Ash sat on the shoreline with a small fishing pole beside him. The water was too rough today to get any fishing done, so Ash decided to watch the small Magikarp swim down the river.

Smiling, Ash turned to say something to Pichu only to notice he was no longer sitting next to him. Looking around, Ash was finally able to spot Pichu on a branch high above the river.

"Pichu! What are you doing?" Ash yelled, hoping Pichu could hear him.

Pichu, inching towards the end of the branch were a giant apple was dangling off, peaks down at his friend. "I'm trying to get this apple. It's the biggest one I have ever seen!"

"Be careful! I don't want you to fall!"

However, no sooner than those words left Ash's mouth, Pichu over balanced, sending him into the rushing river below him.

Watching his small friend struggle with the waves, Ash jumped in after him, pulling the small body upwards before kicking them both to the shore line and out of the water.

"Pichu? Pichu are you alright?"

Pichu's small black eyes look up into Ash's large amber ones, seeing the love and concern there. Pichu feels a strong surge of love rip through his own body before he starts glowing.

Ash watches wide-eyed as his friend evolves from a Pichu into a strong Pikachu.

It was the night before Ash turned ten and he was lying awake beside Pikachu. His mother had been ecstatic when she found out he had evolved, then she started her worrying over the two of them. Not letting them go to bed until she had stuffed them with hot chocolate and forcing them to take a hot bath.

"I can't wait till tomorrow Pikachu. After five years together we finally get to start on our journey." Ash whispers excitedly to his partner.

"I know." Pikachu whispers.

Ash roles over onto his side before eyeing his friend worriedly. "What's wrong Pikachu? I thought that you would be more excited."

"It's tradition that Professor Oak give a pokemon to every new trainer. Are you going to forget about me?"

Ash stares at Pikachu in shock before his eyes soften, reaching out, Ash runs his hand over Pikachu's soft ears. "Of course not buddy, I could never forget about you. Not that you'd let me anyways."

Pikachu sighs in relief, knowing his fears were proven misguided, before grinning. "Of course not, I would have to shock you if you tried."

The duo giggles before sleep finally got to them, sending them off into the waiting arms of Cresselia.

Waking up the next morning to Pikachu enthusiastically jumping on his stomach was not the way he expected to be woken up. Especially because it was still semi-dark outside.

"Why did you wake me up so early buddy?" Ash looks at his voltorb alarm clock. "It's only five thirty!"

"Yes, but you want to get a head start on Gary right? Plus if we get there first we can leave early and get to training!"

Ash smiles at Pikachu's rant before nodding along. "Okay let me shower and get dressed."

The electric mouse nods happily.

After showering and getting everything ready, Ash and Pikachu make their way towards Professor Oaks; with Pikachu riding faithfully on Ash's shoulder.

Coming to a halt in front of the large steel doors, Ash shares an excited look with Pikachu, before pushing them open.

"Professor we're here!" Both Ash and Pikachu shout at the same time.

Professor Oak came out from a side room on the left, smiling happily at seeing the boy he saw as his own.

Professor Oak checks his small watch, raising an eyebrow when he notices the time. "Why hello Ash, you're here early."

"Pikachu convinced me it would be better if we got here first." Ash replies sheepishly, rubbing a hand against the nape of his neck.

Oak nods his head. "A very wise Pikachu indeed." Oak gestures towards the room he had left, "Follow me."

Walking behind the professor Ash and Pikachu enter a room that has three pokeballs sitting on a table.

Professor Oak, going to a different table, rummages around in the drawers gathering certain items before making his way back to the duo.

"While I know that you are unlikely to ever keep Pikachu in a pokeball, it is very important that you at least catch him. By doing so it will prevent other trainers from taking him for themselves."

Ash nods, taking the offered pokeball and tapping it lightly against his friends' head. Pikachu was sucked into the ball instantly, and it clicked in a second to show a successful 'capture'. Ash quickly released his starter and tucked the pokeball into a hidden pocket in his backpack.

Professor Oak smiles softly at the pair before holding out a Pokedex and six pokeballs.

"This is a Pokedex; you will use it to record information on all the pokemon you encounter, it was also scan pokemon to allow you to know the moves it knows along with its' ability and level. The pokeballs are my gift to you." Ash happily took the offered items and placed them on his person.

"I have one more gift for you. It is customary for a Professor to give a new trainer a pokemon, while you already have Pikachu and I am sure you would rather leave the three starters for the other trainers, I have a pokemon that I caught recently. At first I was going to give it to Gary, but you have proven to be more responsible than him when it comes to caring for pokemon. So here is its' pokeball."

Ash took the offered pokeball and lightly threw it into the air, awestruck when a small silver fox like pokemon with a light purplish mane came out. Taking out his Pokedex, Ash scanned the pokemon.

Eevee

A rare pokemon that adapts to harsh environments by taking on different evolutionary forms.

Level: 10

Moves: Scratch, Sand Attack, Tackle, Double Team

"Wow that's so cool Professor thank you so much!" Ash hugs the man that he saw as a grandpa before leaning down and petting the small pokemon. "A shiny, are you sure you want to give it to me?"

Professor Oak patted Ash's spiky locks. "Of course Ash, Happy Birthday."

Ash smiles brightly at the Professor before turning his attention to the small pokemon.

"Hello, my name is Ash and I'm going to be your new trainer."

Pikachu hopped off of Ash's shoulder and greeted the new addition.

"And I am Pikachu!"

The Eevee cocked its' head to the side.

"I am Eevee it is a pleasure to meet you."

Smiling, Ash picks up the small Eevee and turns to the Professor.

"I'm going to head out to the woods on Route 1, I want to get my team trained up some and used to each other before we start taking on gym leaders."

Professor Oak nodded his head, "That is very wise and mature Ash. Don't forget to call me and your mother occasionally."

Ash smiles a perfect white smile at him. "No problem, Professor!"

Samuel watched as Ash left the lab, smiling to himself. Ash was going to be a Pokemon Master one day, and he already knew he was going to leave his own grandson in the dust. Ash cared for Pokemon empathetically, unlike Gary.

His ability to speak to pokemon only helped that goal.

After Ash had visited his mom, and got certain supplies he knew his pokemon would hate, he made his way into the forest on Route 1.

Sitting his two new pokemon down, he gave them a serious look.

"Okay guys, this is where we start getting serious. No more mock fights Pikachu, this is going to be some for real intense training. And Eevee, I know you have only known me a few hours but I promise to never push you past your limits. We are going to become the strongest team and defeat all the trainers we come across, sound good?"

Both Pikachu and Eevee answered in the affirmative.

"Good, now," Ash reaches into his bag pulling out two sets of weights. "I am going to put these weights on each of your paws, by having these strapped to you it will help your endurance rise." The two pokemon nod and Ash straps them on.

"We are going to set up a training schedule for the next month. We are going to focus on your attacks, power, speed, and endurance. By the end of this month we are going to head to Viridian City to stock up on supplies before making out way to Pewter City. On the way there, there is Viridian Forest, which will be another place we will stay to train before finally challenging the gym leader."

Pikachu and Eevee both give each other wide eyed looks, equally wondering what they have gotten themselves into.

It had been a harsh month but the trio had made it through.

"I am so proud of you guys. You both have gotten so strong."

Eevee, who was only a level ten at the start of the month, quickly climbed levels until he was a formidable level twenty-six. Pikachu, who was already at a level twenty-one from the five years of training it had, soared to a level thirty-two.

Both pokemon had worked super hard to get to where they were, often driving themselves into exhaustion, but that was what had risen them to such levels. Ash too had trained beside his pokemon, making their bond grow even deeper.

Strolling through the woods and into Viridian City, Ash looks at his two pokemon.

"Isn't it great to finally be here?"

"It will be great when we finally get to Pewter City and earn our first gym badge." Pikachu said sarcastically.

"Yes, I can't wait to show those stupid rock types the awesome power that I have gained!" Eevee exclaimed, jumping up and down on her spot on Ash's shoulder.

Both Pikachu and Ash laughed at their over enthusiastic friend. Over the month since Eevee had joined them, he had proven himself to be a tiny little spitfire.

Quickly locating the Pokemon Center, Ash walks through the sliding doors making his way over to Nurse Joy. Smiling brightly at the pink headed nurse, Ash politely asks her if she can have his Pokemon looked over.

"I will have them out in a jiffy." Nurse Joy said with a smile.

Waving to his two friends Ash sits down at a table, listening to three trainers talk about the thieves that had been running amok around town.

"And this super cool trainer with a Squirtle came and fought them off! I heard they worked for Team Rocket and they even had a talking Meowth!"

"Well I heard the guy had an orange haired trainer with him and she helped to get rid of them!"

"Well I heard…"

This went on for about thirty minutes before Ash's name was called. Quickly making his way to the front of the Center, and away from the gossipers, Ash laughs in joy when his two friends jump into his arms.

"They are perfectly healthy and fighting fit."

"Thank you Nurse Joy."

"Anytime, young man. Are you competing in the Pokemon League?"

Ash nods enthusiastically along with his pokemon. "Yes, we have actually been training on Route 1 for the past month in order to get strong enough for the Pewter City Gym."

Nurse Joy smiles before gesturing to a small scanner on the desk.

"If you will place your Pokedex on the scanner, I will get you registered for the League."

"Thank you so much Nurse Joy."

Joy smiles at the young man in front of her, he genuinely seems to care for his pokemon and he actually trained them instead of just throwing them into battle unexperienced. Watching as the ebony haired boy walked out of the Pokemon Center with his Pikachu on one shoulder and Eevee on the other, she knew she was watching the future Champion.

After stopping by the Pokemart to get more items, the trio make their way into Viridian Forest.

"Here it is guys, the place of our next training session. Lucky for us I only plan on staying in here a week."

Pikachu looks around the dark forest. "You never did tell us why you wanted us to train in here."

"Ah, that's a simple question. Along our journey I am sure we are going to encounter status affecting moves, such as stun spore and sleep powder. I want you two to grow an immunity towards it, and if we can't do that I want us to figure out a way to neutralize the effects."

Eevee and Pikachu jump off of their trainer's shoulders and onto the ground, giving Ash their best determined look.

"When do we start?" They ask in perfect unison.

It was a week when the trio were making their way out of Viridian Forest.

"I am never going to look at Beedrill the same way again." Eevee said traumatized.

Pikachu chuckles. "But you managed to defeat a whole hoard by yourself, you should feel proud!"

Eevee rolled her eyes, "Please, you zapped a whole flock of spearow and fearow by yourself!"

"You both are super powerful, let's leave it at that." Ash said smiling.

"We are so not talking to you right now, you added an extra ten pounds to our weights! Each!"

Ash scratches the back of his head. "I'm just trying to make you stronger."

Pikachu and Eevee stick their tongues out at their friend, about to come up with a retort, when a sword is suddenly pointed at Ash's throat causes them to stop in their tracks, making the two pokemon to growl menacingly at the man.

"Are you Ash from the Town of Pallet?"

"Yes, that's me." Ash answers, his eyes narrowed.

"Good! I have been waiting on you for a long time! I challenge you to a pokemon battle!"

Ash looks at his two pokemon, and seeing that they were both fired up and pissed off, he shrugs.

"Okay, this will be our first real battle against a trainer."

"You shall lose it too, because I am Samurai and I shall not lose!" Samurai picks a pokeball from his pocket and sent it flying.

"GO, battle position Pinsir!"

"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash yells.

Pikachu ran in front of his trainer, cheeks sparking dangerously.

Samurai laughs. "A weak electric type? You know nothing, get ready to lose. Pinsir tackle!"

Pinsir rushes forward, but Pikachu easily dodges it.

Ash's eyes roam over the Pinsir. Its' battle position was weak at best. While most experienced Pinsir would hold their heads in an angle that would allow them to easily grab their opponents if they came close enough, this Pinsir did not, showing Ash that it was weak. Weak enough for him to end this quickly.

"Pikachu, end this."

"With pleasure."

Pikachu speed into a quick attack, darting around till he was at Pinsir's back before releasing an iron tail between the horns on top of its' head, causing it to faint instantly.

"No! Pinsir, return! You will be no match for my next pokemon!" Samurai threw a pokeball. "GO metapod!"

Ash sweat dropped.

"Eevee, do you want to finish this?"

"Of course, can't let Pikachu have all the fun."

Pikachu and Eevee quickly changed places.

"Metapod, harden!"

The Metapod glistens in the sunlight. Ash tilts his head, admiring the shiny green cocoon Pokemon.

"Huh, Eevee tackle."

Eevee quickly rushes the bug pokemon, knocking it back and instantly KO'ing it.

"I guess that means we won." Ash says, casually calling back his pokemon, who happily jumped onto his shoulders.

Samurai glares angrily at the trainer who had bested him so effortlessly.

"I do not understand how I could have lost, the trainer with the many maidens said that you were the weakest trainer from the Town of Pallet."

Ash sighed tiredly. "I am assuming you are talking about Gary. To be honest, he has always hated me and has always put me down. It's really no surprise that he would say that to you."

The other trainer sighed before staring forlornly at his two pokeballs, before giving Ash a determined stare. "We will battle again, and I will win!"

Ash only smiled, holding out his hand, which Samurai took. "I count on it."

Shaking each other's hands, they parted ways.

"That guy was a real weird one." Pikachu said watching the samurai walk away.

"Agreed."

"Well, at least we won our first official pokemon battle!" Ash said enthusiastically.

"If we lost against him, I would be disappointed in us." Were Eevee's solemn words.

The trio all nod their heads. Though Ash couldn't really blame Samurai, his Pokemon were much weaker than Ash's own. Ash was sure he would have stood more of a chance if his Metapod was a Butterfree.

"Look, a rainbow. That's weird, it hasn't even been raining." Ash points to the brightly shining rainbow, causing his two companions to look up as well.

Looking up, the three are shocked to see a phoenix like bird fly across the sky.

Ash points his pokedex at the golden pokemon.

Some Pokemon have yet to still be discovered.

Ash smiles at his two friends. "Seeing a Ho-Oh is said to bring good luck and happiness to whoever lays eyes on it."

Pikachu and Eevee only look on in shock and wonder.

Entering Pewter City, Ash beamed brightly at his two friends. "We're here guys. We finally made it."

Pikachu patted Ash's cheek while rolling his eyes. "We would have been here sooner if it wasn't for you wanting to train so damn long."

Huffing indignantly, Ash stuck his tongue out at Pikachu. "Yeah, well if I hadn't made you two train so hard, there would be no way we would stand a chance against Brock!"

Eevee licked her trainer's cheek sympathetically. "It's okay Ash, we understand. Pikachu is just trying to give you a hard time. Besides, I can't wait to watch him destroy some rock types!" Eevee ended enthusiastically.

Laughing, Ash made his way towards the red roofed building marking itself as the Pokémon Center. Entering the building, Ash quickly spotted the pink haired nurse.

"Hello Nurse Joy, I was wondering if you could look over Pikachu and Eevee for me. I'm going to challenge the gym but I want to make sure that they are in tip top shape."

Nurse Joy smiled sweetly, picking up the two pokemon. "Of course honey, what's your name?"

"Ash Ketchum ma'am."

"Okay Ash, you just wait right over there and I will have your pokemon back to you in a jiff."

Smiling as his two friends make their way back to be checked over, Ash sits down at a table to wait for them. Playing around with his Pokedex, Ash didn't realize a person sneak up behind him.

"Did I hear you say that you were challenging the gym, young man?"

Ash turned to look at the older man in front of him. Not that looking at him helped much in identifying him, he wore a red beanie that went over his eyes and had a large beard that took up most of his face.

"Yes, I am."

The man snorts. "You're going to lose."

Ash glares at the man in front of him. "And why is that?"

"Your pokemon are still in their cutest stage, they are weak and frail looking, you have no type advantages, only disadvantages. You stand no chance against him."

Narrowing his eyes, Ash sneers at the man.

"Judging a pokemon before you have seen them battle is the quickest way to lose the match."

"Ash Ketchum, your pokemon are ready."

Pushing himself up from the table, Ash makes his way towards the front desk, where Nurse Joy was waiting on him with his pokemon.

Approaching the desk, Ash grabbed Eevee while Pikachu jumped up onto his shoulder.

"Thanks a lot Nurse Joy, I really appreciate it."

Joy smiled at Ash. "It's no problem, sweetie. You go earn your badge now. Your pokemon are very tough and in very good health."

Ash smiled and bid Joy another farewell before leaving.

Approaching the gym, Ash grins excitedly at his two companions.

"Are you two ready?"

"Hell yes!"

"We're going to kick these rock's asses!"

Laughing, Ash opened the door to the gym, squinting his eyes at the darkness.

"Um, maybe no one is here?"

Eevee jumps down from Ash's arms. "Maybe we should try calling out to them?"

"Huh, good idea." Ash scratches his head. "Is anyone there? Hello?!"

"Who goes there?" A light turned on, showing a man sitting crossed legged on the ground.

Turning to the man, Ash smiled widely. "Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town. I've come here to challenge you to a gym battle."

The man cocks his head to the side, eyeing Ash through the slits of his eyes. "Is this your first gym battle?"

Seeing Ash nod his head, the man sighs. "A gym battle is different from a regular trainer match. A gym battle is for official Pokémon League authorization. There are special rules."

"Yes, I know. All gyms have their own set of rules that the trainer must follow if he wants to have the chance to earn a badge."

Brock is inwardly surprised. Most new trainers did not take the time to go over the rule book and handouts the professors would give them, opting to run head first into battle. This guy actually looks like he did his research. Interesting.

"We will use two pokemon each." Cocking his head to the side Brock eyes his pokemon. "How long have you been with your pokemon?"

"About a month and a half give or take few days."

Brock nods his head understandingly. "Yes, your Pikachu is in its' cutest stage. It cannot win."

Pikachu growls at Brock, his red cheeks sparking.

"Oh, just you wait pretty boy. I am so going to destroy your precious rock types."

Eevee growls at the gym leader also, feeling offend in his tone towards his brother.

"A shiny Eevee? Very rare. But it is still no match for my pokemon."

"I'll worry about my pokemon and you worry about yours, alright?" Ash said with narrowed amber eyes.

"Suit yourself, as gym leader I have to accept every challenge. So let's just get this over with." Brock says in a cocky tone before snapping his fingers. Lights turn on in the gym and the doors on either side of the room open, allowing the stage to begin sliding in.

Ash, Pikachu and Eevee feel their eyes widen before they began running towards the end of the gym, jumping the last few feet.

"What was he thinking?! He could have killed us with that move if not seriously injure!" Eevee screeched, pissed that the gym leader would do such a thing.

"It's okay Eevee, we will just pay him back in the way of a humiliating defeat. He is cocky right now because he has experience and type advantage. Well, we're going to show him just what we think of that."

His two companions nod their heads in determination before the trio turn to face Brock.

Jumping down from his rock, Brock lands in front of the field. Pulling a pokeball from his belt, Brock sends it soaring. "GO! Geodude!"

A rock ball pokemon with two arms protruding from its' sides appeared.

"GEODUDE!"

Ash cocks his head to the side before looking down at his two companions.

"Who's up first?"

"ME!" Pikachu yells, jumping onto the field. "I'm going to show this loser what hard work and determination means."

Ash smiles and rolls his eyes. "I choose Pikachu."

Brock smirks. "Geodude, use tackle!"

"Pikachu, agility and then follow it up with an iron tail."

Pikachu nods, before kicking off, easily dodging the rock pokemon. Jumping into the air, Pikachu charges up an iron tail. Flipping in circles, Pikachu lands a direct hit onto the top of Geodude's head.

Jumping back in front of his trainer, Pikachu watches with satisfaction as the rock type falls to the floor in a dead faint.

Brock gaps at the pair. "But how?"

Smirking, Ash replies. "You made the wrong choice in thinking that I did not train my pokemon. The entire month and a half I spent before coming here, was spent training my pokemon to their breaking point."

Shaking his head, Brock returns his pokemon. "It doesn't matter, there is no way you can defeat my next pokemon. GO! Onix!"

A gigantic rock snake pokemon appears on the field, roaring loudly.

Ash only hums. "Pikachu, do you want to continue? Or do you want to give Eevee a chance? You know how he's been about this gym."

Pikachu stretches his tiny yellow arms above his head while yawning.

"Let him have a go. This was so easy it was almost pathetic."

"In that case, Pikachu return! Go Eevee!"

Eevee jumps onto the field.

"Hell yes. You stupid rock snake, you are so going down!"

Onix stares at the tiny fox pokemon in front of him. He sure was spirited.

"Onix, lets end this quick. Use tackle!"

Onix's gigantic body rushes towards Eevee, who nimbly dodges out of the way.

"Eevee, jump up onto his body and run towards the top of his head."

Eevee does just that, jumping onto one of the boulders that makes up the giant snake, her small paws quickly carrying her to the top of his body.

"Onix try to shake it off!"

Onix begins madly trashing in attempt to knock the small pokemon off.

"Follow your training Eevee, you got this!"

With renewed determination, Eevee makes his way towards the top of the snake, managing to hold his footing.

"NOW EEVEE! SHADOW BALL!"

Gathering dark energy in her mouth, Eevee releases a powerful shadow ball into the face of her opponent, before jumping off and landing safely away from the snake.

Onix crashes hard to the ground. Weakly attempting to stand back up, Onix shakily makes its way back up.

"Onix, use role out!"

"Eevee, use the rocks as stepping stones and dodge it!" Nodding to his trainer, Eevee nimbly jumps from rock to rock, barely keeping ahead of the rock snake's attack. Misjudging his step though, Onix hits Eevee with the last of his role out, causing the small fox to be flung against a boulder.

"Eevee! Are you okay?"

Eevee slowly stands back up onto his feet, breathing heavily but over all fine.

"Yes. I can go on."

Smiling at Eevee's bravery, Ash quickly formulates a new plan.

"Eevee, use confuse ray!"

Jumping onto a rock near Onix, the small fox releases a strong confuse ray, leaving no time for the rock snake to dodge.

"Now, while it is confused, use as one more shadow ball!"

Dodging the rock snake who was trashing around wildly trying to follow its' trainer's commands, Eevee let loose a final shadow ball on her opponent, smirking to herself when the snake dropped in a dead faint.

"I believe that that is our win."

Brock can only stare in disbelief. His most powerful pokemon was just taken out by some newbie's who has only had his pokemon for a little over a month. Sighing in defeat Brock recalls Onix and reaches into his jacket, pulling out a badge.

Walking up to Ash, Brock holds out the small item.

"Here is the Boulder Badge. You have proven me wrong, your pokemon have been raised and trained very well. I wish you luck on the rest of your journey."

Accepting the badge and pinning it into the small case Nurse Joy had given him, Ash smiles brightly at the other man.

"Thank you Brock. It really was a good match. Eevee and I practiced that move for ages in preparation of your Onix."

Brock eyes the younger trainer curiously. "How did you know I had an Onix?"

"It was in the training manual Professor Oak had given me. He said to read it thoroughly before challenging the gym because it had all of the leader's pokemon listed in it."

Brock laughed heartily. "You are very interesting Ash. Another young trainer from Pallet own came through here a few weeks ago. It took him three matches before he could defeat me, and he even had a Squirtle with him."

"You mean Gary?"

"So you know him?" Brock asks curiously.

"Not only know him, but grew up with him. He announced me as his rival, saying there was no way he could lose with such a weak trainer to compete against."

Brocks shakes his head incredulously before looking back towards his Pikachu that was dozing on top of Ash's head.

"You said that you have only had your pokemon for a little over a month, but that Pikachu and you have a very deep bond."

Ash laughs sheepishly while scratching the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I meant that I have only been their trainer for that long. Pikachu and I have known each other for five years."

Letting out a low whistle, Brook smiled at the pair. "It is no wonder I lost then, such a strong bond between Pokemon and trainer would not have let me win."

Ash only smiled, running his hand over Eevee's soft coat.

"I have high hopes for you, Ash Ketchum. Don't let me down."

Making their way through Mount Moon was certainly an experience for Ash. He continuously tripped over small rocks that his flashlight didn't pick up on, which causes Pikachu and Eevee to laugh at his misfortune.

"It's not funny guys, I'd like to see you two come down here and try it instead of hitching a free ride on my shoulders." Ash huffed.

"Awe, Ash. We're sorry. We just did not realize how clumsy you could be." Eevee said sweetly, licking his cheek in apology.

"Yeah Pikapi. We don't mean anything bad by it." Pikachu said, rubbing his face against Ash's own.

Rolling his eyes, Ash continued down the path.

"Say, Pikapi. Why haven't you caught any new pokemon?"

Scratching his tanned cheek, Ash tilted his head to the side. "Because you can only have six pokemon with you at a time. I couldn't stand having to send any of my friends away."

Eevee rubbed his tail across his trainer's neck. "You're so sweet Ash. I'm glad I have you as a trainer. Even though you are a slave driver when it comes to training."

"Hey! I only do that to try and make you two better!"

Pikachu laughed, before jumping down from his perch on Ash's shoulder. Looking around into the dark abyss, he gave a humming sound.

"Speaking of training, I think it would be a great way to work on our senses by training in here. It is pitch black and we won't be able to see anything, the only way to avoid attacks would be to listen for them."

Ash beamed proudly at Pikachu. "That is a great idea buddy. The next gym is a water type. I am sure that they will make full use of the pool they have by sending their pokemon into the water for sneak attacks. If we were to train for it, we could get you two to the point you could feel the water moving and know where they would be coming from. It would also be very useful against dig, if we end up battling a pokemon that knows it."

Eevee nodded along happily. He would never admit it, but he loved the hard training they had to endure. In the wild he was attacked and abandoned for being a different color than the rest of the Eevee's that lived there. If he ever goes back, they won't know what hit them. He would be so strong he could take on the Espeon that governed the place and had helped make his life hell.

With reinforced determination, Eevee jumped down next to Pikachu.

"Yes, lets do it!"

Ash could only smile in fondness at his two pokemon. Cerulean Gym would not know what hit it.

Ash smiled as he sat crossed legged, his two pokemon on either side of him and the eccentric Seymour the Scientist on the other side of Pikachu, petting his yellow head. Clefairy and Clefable were dancing in intricate twirls and jumps around them.

It had been a few hours into their training when the older man stumbled upon them, drawn by the rather embarrassing loud noises they were making. Thinking that they might have been villains, because a group named Team Rocket had been there a few weeks prior trying to steal the moon stone, Seymour had shakily challenged them to a battle claiming he would defend the pokemon living here with his life.

Ash and his two companions had been confused, until the story was explained to them. After explaining their innocent intentions, they had been embraced by Seymour and the wild pokemon in the cave; the Zubat even going as far to help Eevee and Pikachu with their training.

"They are beautiful, are they not?" Seymour asked Ash, a peaceful smile on his face as his chocolate eyes followed the dancing.

Ash grinned back, the peace and relaxation felt was truly amazing to the young trainer. "Yes, they are."

Seymour beamed at Ash, happy to find someone that shared his sentiments. The last trainer through here, a Gary he believed, had attempted to capture the wild pokemon only seeing their beauty as a way to further himself. From what Seymour had seen from the kid, he did not quit understand the friendship, love and trust that went into bonds with pokemon. But this kid, this Ash Ketchum, was so young and already knew about the deep bonds between trainer and pokemon. Understood that without trust and love there could be no connection. He only had two pokemon with him, unlike most new trainers who attempted to capture as many as they could after they got their Pokedex and starters.

"I can't wait till I can fly on the moon stone back to space with the Clefairy."

Ash smiled, in a non-condescending way that Seymour wasn't used to seeing. It made the young kid's already budding beauty even more enhanced. Seymour knew that this kid would grow up to be a heartbreaker.

"I'm sure one day you will be able to too. If anyone deserved the chance it would be you."

That was another reason Seymour liked this kid so much. He didn't mock and belittle his dream like everyone else did. He didn't comment on his scruffy appearance and odd eccentrics. He took everything in stride, genuinely accepting the older male.

"Thank you Ash."

Ash, who had pulled a dozing Eevee into his lap, flashed his straight white teeth in a grin. "Of course, Seymour."

Seymour was once again struck dumb. Maybe when Ash was older….

Pikachu sat on top of his head with Eevee in his arms. They had left Seymour a couple of hours ago and decided that strolling towards Cerulean City would be better than running; they wanted to conserve their energy for their battle.

The week they spent inside Mount Moon was truly enlightening. While Pikachu and Eevee were excellent when it came to opponents they could see, they were abysmal when it came to relying on their senses. At the beginning of their training, the Zubat helping them were constantly landing hits. Their lower level didn't matter because Pikachu and Eevee couldn't hit something that they couldn't see.

However, after several long grueling hours of training it was all starting to come together. It was a slow process, but his pokemon were dedicated to their training. After a week of training, and some coaching from Seymour and the other pokemon, his friends were finally able to master the art of fighting opponents they couldn't see. Ash counted it as a plus because their senses had sharpened also.

"Who wants to fight first at Cerulean?"

"I think Eevee should get the chance to because I went first at the last gym. Plus if I end up using any electric type moves on the field it would be better to go last so she doesn't risk falling into the water and harming herself."

Ash nodded his head along to what Pikachu was saying. "That's a great idea. You up for it Eevee?"

The little fox pokemon wiggled around excitedly in Ash's arms. "I was born ready! Just bring it on! Booyaa!"

Laughing, Ash eyes his pokemon fondly. "Hopefully these gym leaders are not as cocky as Brock."

Eevee puffed out his chest. "Well, if they are I am going to enjoy wiping the floor with their pokemon!"

Pikachu cocks his head to the side. "What do you mean 'gym leaders'?"

"The Cerulean City Gym is ran by three gym leaders known as the Sensational Sisters. While they still take challengers, it is known that they prefer to perform rather than battle."

Pikachu makes a 'humming' noise. "So how will you know that they will battle us?"

Eevee nods her head. "Yeah, how do we know that they won't just be doing shows?"

"Ah, that's an easy question. They clear out their schedules completely on Wednesdays in order to take on challengers. And lucky for us, today is Wednesday."

Eevee and Pikachu exchange a look. They don't think it was just luck that they were entering the town on the day the gym leaders were free.

Following his map through Cerulean City, Ash finally found the gym.

"This is it guys, where we're going to get our second badge."

Pikachu and Eevee cheer from their respective spots on Ash's shoulders.

Pushing open the door, Ash makes his way towards the middle of the building, where the pool for their battles and stage for their performances was. His determination didn't stop him from admiring the aquarium he walked through though. There were many types of water pokemon floating and lazing about.

"What do you two think about it?" Ash asks his two pokemon, curious on how they viewed the aquarium.

"Well, I don't think I would ever be comfortable doing nothing all day when I could spend that time training." Pikachu said with Eevee nodding his head along with him.

Ash laughed before stopping at the sight of two baby blue doors with Seels and Dewgongs painted on them.

"Well, here we are guys. Are you two ready?"

At his pokemon's enthusiastic replies, Ash pushes open the doors and is greeted to the sight of an enormous pool. Walking into the room, Ash looks around, confused when he cannot see anyone.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, when a blonde haired girl wearing a one piece bikini walks into the room.

"Sorry kid, didn't realize we were going to have a challenger so early in the day. I just got the message that you entered the gym." The voluptuous woman said smiling at him. "The name is Daisy Waterflower. I'm guessing you have come to earn your badge?"

Nodding, Ash smiles at the older female. "Yes, I've come for the Cascade Badge."

Daisy nods. "It will be a two on two battle though," Daisy pauses and glances at Pikachu sitting on his left shoulder, "If you use that Pikachu I am going to say I might as well give you the badge now. There is no way that my pokemon will be able to battle you."

Scratching the back of his head, Ash smiles sweetly at the blonde. "If it is all the same to you, I would rather earn my badges."

Daisy smiles at the boy in front of her. While it was obvious to tell he had probably just recently started his journey, she could see the closeness between him and his two pokemon already. Plus for being ten, he was already a beautiful child. If he ended up batting for her team she would so stake a claim on him. Those amber eyes were already mesmerizing.

"Sure thing kid."

Walking over to the end of the platform closest to the diving board, Daisy motions to the one opposite of her to Ash.

"Are you ready, kid?"

Grabbing the bill of his hat and turning it backwards Ash nods, determined. "It's Ash, and yes I am ready."

"GO! Seaking!" A large orange fish with horn on the top of its' head appeared from the pokeball.

"Eevee, you know what to do!"

"Of course! I've been craving sushi!" Eevee said landing on the platform and giving the floating pokemon an evil look.

"Crazy fox…" Seaking whispers gulping.

"I'll show you crazy, you over grown goldfish!" Eevee screamed, jumping into the air and shooting off a swift towards the startled fish pokemon.

"Seaking! Quick, go under water!" Seaking dives underwater, barely missing the attack. "Now Seaking, confuse Eevee by swimming around under water before coming up for a horn attack!"

Ash smirks, already expecting this. "Eevee, practice what we learned."

Narrowing her eyes at Ash, Daisy watches as Eevee closes his eyes. She knew he had a trick up her sleeve, she just did not know what it was.

At his trainer's shout, Eevee closes his eyes and began focusing on the way the platform he was standing on moved with the water. He had been familiarizing himself with the pools water since he jumped out the platform, readying himself to be able to pick out minute shifts in the waters movement.

Noticing a ripple from his right, Eevee smirked and waited for it to come closer.

"Now Seaking!"

Seaking jumps out of the water, attempting to hit Eevee with his horn attack but the fox pokemon was already in the air. And from the energy forming in his mouth, she had already been readying an attack.

"Eevee, hyper beam!"

Releasing the stored energy, Eevee hit Seaking with a direct hit. Seaking was blasted back several feet, but it was able to remain floating.

"Good job Seaking! Now, Water gun quick!" Seaking, following his trainer's directions, releases a quick water gun, hitting the small Eevee in the face and sending it hurtling into the water.

"No! Eevee!" Ash screams, worry for his littlest Pokemon over coming him. His amber eyes search the water, exhaling in relief when Eevee surfaces. "Good job Eevee! But you're in Seaking's territory! You need to get on a platform quick!"

Eevee nods his head, quickly swimming towards a platform.

"Oh no you don't! Seaking, he is in your territory now! Use a horn attack!"

The large fish Pokemon quickly makes his way towards Eevee, his horn glowing slightly. Slamming up into the small fox Pokemon, Eevee is launched out of the water.

"Eevee, if you can release a shadow ball now!"

Eevee, though battered and injured, angled his body facing towards Seaking and released a shadow ball directly at his opponent.

The orange fish pokemon fell into the water, swirls in its' eyes.

Daisy cursed, recalling her pokemon. "That was a good trick Ash, but let's see if you can beat this. Go! Dewgong!"

A white seal pokemon appeared on the platform in front of Daisy.

"Eevee, return." Eevee, having landed on a platform, ran back to Ash's side. "Go Pikachu."

Hoping down from Ash' shoulder, Pikachu landed on the platform that Eevee had just vacated.

"Oh, Arceus have mercy on my soul." Dewgong pleads, seeing his opponent.

Pikachu only sniggers.

"Bringing out your electric type, huh. Dewgong, we might have a chance of winning this if you stay out of the water and try your best to avoid its electric attacks."

Dewgong could only pray he didn't get hurt too bad.

"Pikachu, agility!"

Pikachu shot off his platform and towards the seal pokemon in a blur of speed.

"Quick Dewgong use ice beam to freeze the field and then let's go skating!"

Blasting a beam of ice towards the water, Dewgong immediately slid onto the frozen water, narrowly avoiding an attack.

Ash scowls, he wants to end this quickly. He is worried about Eevee, who is breathing heavily beside his leg.

"Pikachu, thunder on the ice."

Letting loose a powerful thunderbolt, the ice cracked, forcing the Dewgong under water with it. "Quick, another thunderbolt on the water!"

Zapping the water one more time, Pikachu lands on a platform watching as sparks of electricity moves across the surface. Waiting, he isn't surprised when Dewgong floats to the top, his body twitching with electricity and completely knocked out.

Quickly recalling her pokemon, Daisy stares worriedly at the pokeball.

"You battled well, I will get you to the Pokemon Center right away."

Walking over towards Ash, Daisy presents him with the Cascade Badge.

"Here you go Ash, you've earned it."

Graciously accepting the raindrop shaped badge, Ash sticks it next to his Boulder Badge.

"Thank you, Daisy. It was a good match."

Daisy stares incredulously at Ash. "A good match? You beat me in twenty minutes!"

Smiling shyly, Ash shrugs. "But the Pewter Gym Leader didn't even last fifteen. Especially not against Pikachu. Dewgong and Seaking did great."

Grinning at the praise from the younger boy, Daisy laughs.

"Usually it is me consolidating trainers. You did much better than the last person that came in through here. I think his name was Gary. He challenged the gym with a Squirtle that wasn't hardly trained. It seemed like he had just gotten it but went straight for the gyms."

"I wouldn't doubt it. He has always been that way. He thinks because his grandpa is a pokemon professor that it makes him better than everyone else, even gym leaders."

Daisy eyes the boy curiously. "You know him?"

Ash nods. "Yes, we're both from Pallet Town."

Throwing her hands up in the air, Daisy stomps her foot. "You are the fourth trainer from Pallet Town that has beaten me now!" Calming down, Daisy regains control of herself. "But this Gary kid is traveling with my little sister. She's a nuisance, but I love her."

Ash pats the blonde's shoulder in sympathy. "It's okay. He's cocky but he travels in a group with his cheerleaders, I am sure your sister will be alright."

The worry that had began creeping into Daisy's eyes disappeared. "Thanks, Ash. Now I better go, I have got to get my pokemon to the Pokemon Center. Especially Dewgong."

Ash nods, "I need to get Eevee seen too, I'll follow you."

"Eevee, finish it up with quick attack."

The silver fox knocked into the purple rat pokemon, knocking it unconscious.

The boy frowns sadly recalling his pokemon with a soft 'rattata'.

"You're really strong mister."

Ash only smiles at the younger kid. "No, I just have been training my pokemon longer. I am sure that if you trained your pokemon up some more they would give these two a run for their money."

As soon as he finishes his speech, a wind passes by them, blowing out Ash's jacket and exposing the case he kept his badges in.

"Wow, is that a Pokemon League case? Do you have any badges?" The kid asks curiously, stars shinning in his eyes.

"I have two so far…" Ash answers slowly, unused to such attention.

"I bet you are so strong! I bet you could even take on AJ!"

Cocking his head to the side, Ash eyes the younger one confused. "AJ?"

The boy nods his head enthusiastically. "Yes, he is a really tough pokemon trainer. He trains wild pokemon! He has even opened his own gym! He hasn't lost a single match!"

Ash hums slightly. "Not one?"

"Nope! You should go challenge him! His gym is just down that road!" The kids points to a road before running off.

"So, what do you say guys?"

"I think it would be great testing our strength against someone who is supposed to be super strong."

"Yeah! Let's do it!"

Laughing at his two pokemon, Ash began walking down the path.

"What pokemon do you think he has?"

Pikachu shrugs. "Does it matter? As long as we have each other there is no way we could lose."

"I agree. Pikachu and I can keep ourselves out of trouble for the most part during battle, but if it wasn't for your strategies and training we would be toast." Eevee states seriously.

Smiling at his friends trust in him Ash pets Eevee between his soft ears.

"Thanks, you two."

His pokemon only smile at him.

Arriving at a huge wooden door, Ash eyes the sign curiously. "Ninety-eight wins in a row? That is impressive."

His pokemon only nod.

"Are you my new victim?" Came a heavily accented voice. Turning around, Ash eyes the green haired new comer.

"Yes, that would be us. I heard that there was an unauthorized gym with a really strong leader and I wanted to come challenge it myself."

The boy, who Ash assumed was AJ, only nodded with a cocky smile.

"Beating chumps like you is my hobby. Follow me."

The boy leads them through the opening door. Stopping a couple of feet in, he sits down his backpack. Watching as a Butterfree picks it up and flies off towards a colorful tent.

"What was in the bag, if you don't mind me asking?"

The boy sneers at him. "The new wild pokemon I just caught. There is a bunch more in the tent."

Walking up towards the raised battling platform, AJ calls over his shoulder, "So which pokemon are you going to choose to be my ninety-ninth win?"

Ash can only roll his eyes at the boy's attitude. He was almost as bad as Gary. Following him up the steps and onto the other side of the field, Ash looks towards his two pokemon.

"Which one of you wants to battle?"

Pikachu jumps from his shoulder and down onto the field. "Me, I hate this kid's attitude. It is rubbing me wrong."

AJ laughs. "A Pikachu? Kid, you aint battling in the little league matches anymore." Cracking a whip towards Ash and Pikachu he smirks. "And after I win my hundredth battle I will start competing for badges."

Ash narrows his amber eyes in anger. This guy had the audacity to threaten him and Pikachu like that?

"Pikachu, when this battle starts I want you to give full power. Not what we have been battling the other trainers with."

Nodding his yellow head, Pikachu's black eyes glint with malicious intent. This human dared threaten his family? Well, Pikachu wasn't the level he was because he was weak.

"Let's get started then. Sandshrew, GO!"

A tiny armadillo pokemon came out, uncurling its body and taking on a defensive stance.

"Pikachu, I'm leaving this up to you. You know what to do."
Nodding, Pikachu sped into a quick attack.

AJ cracked his whip and Sandshrew disappeared under ground before Pikachu could hit it. Closing his eyes and concentrating on his senses, Pikachu smirked in victory when he felt Sandshrew burrow behind him. With another crack of his whip, Sandshrew erupted into the sky, ready to KO the electric mouse.

What AJ and Sandshrew didn't expect was Pikachu to turn around, his tail turning silver. With a vicious hit to the face, Sandshrew fell to the ground, struggling weakly to get back up before it finally fainted.

AJ could only stare in disbelief as his most powerful pokemon lost. He trained Sandshrew to the best of its abilities and the pokemon had lost to another that had a type disadvantage.

"But-but… how?" AJ stuttered out.

Ash only smiled sadly at the other boy.

"Pikachu just has more training than Sandshrew."

Recalling his pokemon, AJ stood to his full height. "I will see you again someday, and when I do I will beat you."

Ash grabbed AJ's outstretched hand. "I'm looking forward to it."

"It's pretty foggy out here, huh guys?"

"Yeah, I can't see a thing." Pikachu said, peering into the dense fog.

"I bet even a Pidgeot couldn't lift this fog." Eevee agreed.

"Hey, isn't that a light?" Ash asked, walking towards it. The closer he got though, the clearer the voice and images came. Feeling a deep rage building inside himself at the continuous harassment the younger boy was forced under, Ash finally snapped.

"What's going on here?" Ash asked, steel in his voice as he helped the younger boy up from his spot on the ground.

"Nothing is going on here. Just private training. Though Pokemon Tech doesn't need someone so dim witted in it that doesn't even know Pidgey's evolved form.

Ash sneers. "Pokemon Tech, huh? I remember my mom asking me if I wanted to attend there. But Professor Oak convinced her that I should work under him instead. Said that Pokemon Tech didn't turn out a good set of trainers because they were only taught practical knowledge."

The older boys sneered at the duo.

"We will see you back at the school." The leader said before the five walked off.

Ash's glare followed them into the fog.

"Today's fog battle sequence has ended, tomorrow we will be practicing snow based techniques."

Ash was slightly surprised when the heavy fog lifted and the school was revealed.

"Oh well, I guess tomorrow they will spend the day turning me into a snowman."

"Wait," Ash starts incredulously, "They treat you like that all the time?"

The smaller boy shrugs, looking towards the ground. "They are my friends. They are just trying to make me better."

Ash frowns, before he grips the other boy's shoulder. "Those people are not your friends, kid. If they were they wouldn't treat you like that."

The kid began reciting information about the school and different things about Pidgey before finally ending it with, "They just want to help me."

Ash quirks and eyebrow. "And what do the teachers say about that kind of help?"

"They don't even know about it."

Ash scowls. "Well, this type of behavior needs to be stopped now. I want to talk to the student in charge here."

"Here is a picture." Ash bent down to get a closer look, as did his two pokemon. It was a girl, she could be called pretty to some people. But Ash wasn't going to go that far.

"If you hate the way she treats you, then why do you carry her picture around?"

"I hate the way she treats us, but I like the way she looks." The boy answered simply.

Ash, Pikachu and Eevee sweat dropped.

Following Ben into a room full of computers, Ash looked around curiously.

"What is this place?"

"This is where we practice our battle skills. We use this room to simulate battles so that we are better prepared for the future."

Cocking his head to the side, Ash stares wide eyed as a Weepinbell appears on screen battling a Starmie.

"This is Cerulean City Gym. I win in every battle I take against it." Ben turns to look at Ash curiously. "How many badges do you have anyways?"

"I have two." Ash answers easily.

"Oh." Ben says looking disappointed. "Giselle is the best trainer in our division. So that is better than having three badges. Even me, the weakest in our class, could still beat a trainer like you."

Pikachu growls softly. "I would love to see you try kid."

Eevee could only echo his sentiments.

"If you are so sure then, why don't we have a battle?"

Ben nods his head.

"Eevee, you're up."

Nodding his fury silver head, Eevee walks in front of Ash.

"Even with a shiny Eevee, you have no chance against me." Ben says, assured of himself. "Go, Weepinbell."

A plant like pokemon appears. "Weepinbell, razor leaf."

"Eevee, dodge and use shadow ball."

Nimbly dodging the fox pokemon releases a ball of dark energy knocking out the plant pokemon.

"I don't understand, how did I lose?"

"Because your pokemon obviously does not have as much experience as his." A new voice adds to the conversation. "You are truly pathetic and weak. If you continue to be a disgrace to the school, nothing I do or say can stop the other kids from turning their backs on you."

Ash recognizes the girl as Giselle.

"Just because a pokemon has higher levels than another doesn't mean that they couldn't win without the right training. I just saw a trainer train his Sandshrew to withstand water attacks."

Cold brown eyes lock onto Ash. "And who are you?"

"My name is Ash. I do not approve of how you have been treating the other students. Just because he doesn't have as much battle experience as you doesn't make him weak."

The girl laughs cruelly. "Please. I have heard that you only have two badges. Plus the fact that your two pokemon are out of their pokeballs. What are you, some trainer that hasn't even tamed his pokemon? Are you really so weak that you cannot get them to return to you? Plus you have a Pikachu, everyone knows that they are notoriously difficult to train and the new trainers shouldn't mess with them. How long have you been a trainer now?"

"About three or four months." Ash answers smoothly.

"At that rate your Pikachu should be at a level thirty. I bet it hasn't made it pasted level twenty. Add to the fact that Pikachu are only good as little girl's pets, unless you evolve them into Raichu. Which you haven't done yet."

Ash grits his teeth. The insults she has against Pikachu are like little person jabs against him also.

"In that case, I challenge you to a pokemon battle."

"Hell yes, and I am going to beat your ass!" Pikachu screamed.

The girl smirks. "Fine, against your Pikachu I will use this pokemon. Go, Cubone."

A small brown pokemon pops out.

"Cubone let's start this off with leer."

Cubone glares menacingly at Pikachu. But Pikachu just shrugs it off, glaring back.

"Pikachu quick attack and finish it off with an iron tail."

Nodding, Pikachu speeds into an quick attack, jumping over the small brown pokemon's body landing a painful hit on top of its' head with his silvered tail.

The Cubone immediately starts crying. Pikachu sweat drops, he had actually expected more of a battle than that.

"Oh no, Cubone. Don't cry. Return."

After returning her pokemon, Giselle eyes Ash curiously. "I have never heard of a Pikachu winning a battle with anything other than an electric attack."

Ash only smiles at his yellow friend. "Yeah, well. Pikachu's special. I hope this proves to you the real joy of pokemon."

Giselle only nods, before begging Ben for forgiveness.

"We're lost, aren't we?" Eevee asks his trainer exasperated.

"Hey now, it's not my fault the map on Dexter isn't working."

Pikachu rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but if you had planned ahead you would have known to grab a real map also."

Ash only dignified that with his tongue sticking out.

"Anyways. There is a bridge right there. It might lead to a path towards Vermillion or even to someone who can point us in the right direction."

Pikachu and Eevee nod, "Let's hope."
Amber eyes roll in fond annoyance. Making their way across the bridge, Ash begins to get nervous when he hears it begin to creak.

"Uh, guys. Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, so you better run!"

Running, Ash barely made it to the other side before the ropes on the bridge snapped, sending it falling into the rushing stream below.

"That could kill someone."

Pikachu nods. "Maybe it was a trap?"

Eevee's eyes widen. "But who would do such a thing?"

Ash shrugs, being careful not to jostle the two free loaders. "Who knows."
Stopping in a clearing, Ash sits his stuff down. Walking over to the small pond, Ash cups his hands and begins drinking the water.

"Guys, this water is really good, come try some."

Eevee and Pikachu look at each other before shrugging and walking over to the pond, taking sips of water themselves.

"Wow, you weren't kidding Ash. This stuff is great."

"Aren't I always right?" Ash asked teasingly.

Snorting, Pikachu shook his head. "Hah, you wish!"

While the trio were busy laughing and making fun of each other they didn't notice a small plant bulb pokemon make its way towards the stream.

Oddish, thinking she had avoided detection, began happily drinking from her favorite pond. It really did have the best in the whole wide forest.

Humming happily, Oddish froze when she looked up. The trainer and his two pokemon were watching her curiously.

Backing away slowly from the trainer, Oddish let loose a distress call, hoping to signal Bulbasaur. She knew she wasn't strong enough to beat them but he was.

"Hey, little one. It's okay we are not going to hurt you."

"Yeah, our trainer can be a slave driver but that doesn't mean he isn't a great human."

"Hey, I resent that human remark."

Eevee sniggers. "No I think you mean you resemble it."

Ash grumbles, muttering petulantly about traitor pokemon.

"Oh, you know we love you, you big baby!"

"And I love you both also."

Oddish watches the exchange with wide eyes. "You can understand them?"

Ash smiles at the small pokemon. "A gift not many know I have."

Oddish opens her mouth to say something else when a green blur flew into Ash, knocking him off of his feet and painfully into the ground.

"Back up buddy, there is no way I am letting you hurt this Oddish." Bulbasaur growled.

Ash put his hands up in the universal sign for surrender. "I'm sorry, I think there is a misunderstanding. I'm not trying to hurt Oddish. She just freaked out a little when she saw me and my friends."

Bulbasaur looks back at the small plant pokemon, waiting on her to confirm the story.

"It is true Bulbasaur. I didn't realize that they weren't going to hurt me or try to capture me before I called for you."

Bulbasaur nods, turning back to the trio.

"You three are forgiven for now. But leave this place and do not come back."

Ash lowers his hands, petting his two friends to calm down their trembling bodies. He knew that they wanted nothing more than to battle Bulbasaur for hurting him, but he was restraining them. They didn't need a fight with someone who was obviously a protector of sorts.

"You see, I can't quit do that yet."

Bulbasaur's red eyes narrow. He was curious about how this trainer could understand the Pokemon language, but not so curious he would be willing to risk the lives of his charges.

"And why not?"

"We kind of got lost." Ash said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

Bulbasaur rolled his eyes. Of course.

"If I take you two to the right path, will you promise to leave and never return?"

The trio nod their heads.

"Okay then, come on." Bulbasaur looks at the small Oddish. "Do you want to travel with us there or head back?"

Oddish smiled. "I will travel with you to take them to the road."

Bulbasaur nodded before beginning to walk, fully expecting the others to follow him.

Making their way back through the forest, none of them expected to run into a flock of Spearow.

"Oh, Acreus. Not this again. Pikachu Eevee you two know what to do."

The duo nods, they had already began charging up their attacks. While they were attacking the flock of angry Spearow they didn't notice a small group had detached themselves and were dive bombing towards Oddish.

Ash jumped on top of Oddish, he knew the others wouldn't make it in time. He also knew Oddish would most likely not survive the assault.

Crying out softly in pain as their beaks hit a particularly sensitive piece of flesh, Ash grimaced.

Bulbasaur turned his head towards the noise, shocked when he saw the trainer protecting the small grass pokemon with his own body. Bulbasaur had known no trainer that had risked his life for a pokemon.

Firing off a razor leave, Bulbasaur scared off the group, while Pikachu and Eevee finished up theirs.

They turned their heads expecting to get compliments from their trainer, they had become rather spoilt, when they felt their hearts sink.

"Ash, are you okay? Please be okay." Eevee wailed, crying into his trainer's side.

"Pikapi, if you are not okay I will shock you. Please get up."

Bulbasaur watched in shock as the two pokemon cried and fretted over their trainer. While some trainers treated their pokemon nice, they never went out of their way to make friends with them. Well, at least from what he had seen.

Releasing pollen from his bulb, Bulbasaur watched in satisfaction as it healed the trainer's wounds. It was, after all, the least he could do for the trainer that saved Oddish.

Stopping at the beginning of a road, Ash and his pokemon turned back to smile brightly at the duo.

"Thank you Bulbasaur for helping us get and for healing me. I'm pretty sure I would have been in a bad way for a while if it wasn't for you."
"You are welcome Ash. It was the least I could do after you saved Oddish."

Ash only smiled brightly at him. "Anyone would have done it, buddy."

Bulbasaur highly doubted it, but he wouldn't tell Ash that. And as Ash and his two pokemon made their way down the path, Bulbasaur watched them go. Feeling like he had made a terrible decision in not following.

Swallowing the sick feeling, he nudged Oddish and headed back to the village.

"That Bulbasaur was pretty cool, huh guys?"

Pikachu and Eevee could only roll their eyes. It was the fifth time Ash had asked that in the span of the last twenty minutes.

"Yes, Pikapi. Bulbasaur was super cool."

Ash pouts at Pikachu. "I hope him and Oddish made it back okay."

Eevee swatted Ash across his small button nose. "I am sure they did Ash. Like you said, Bulbasaur was a really strong pokemon."

Ash smiles and nodded.

Continuing their trek down the trail, they were surprised to encounter a huge rock in the middle of the road. Looking up, they were even more surprised to see a pokemon sitting on top of it.

Ash felt his eyes widen when he saw it was a Charmander. That wasn't what surprised him though, no it was the small flame on its' tail.

"Hey there bud, are you okay?"

The Charmander looked down from his place on the rock.

"Yes. I am waiting for my trainer to come and get me."

Ash felt concern grow inside of him. The small dragon like pokemon was breathing hard, sweat falling down its' body.

"When did he say he would be back?"

Charmander looks away before looking back towards Ash. He momentarily lost himself in those compassionate amber eyes before he shook himself. "He didn't say, but I know it will be soon."

Ash reluctantly nodded his head, and he could feel his pokemon do the same. "If you are sure Charmander. Stay safe, okay?"

The small lizard nodded his head. Watching as the trainer made his way down the route.

Looking up towards the sky and noticing the growing clouds, Charmander could only hope Damien showed up soon.

Ash, Pikachu and Eevee all sat around a small table gladly eating some warm soup. It was getting awfully cold outside.

"I hope that guy came back for his Charmander. It's starting to rain outside." Ash said worriedly. His two pokemon couldn't help but echo his sentiments.

"Hey Damien didn't you have a Charmander too?"

"Yeah but I got rid of the weak little thing. It couldn't even defeat the weakest of opponents. I left it on some rock. It really believes I will come back for it. Ha. Like I would come back for a weakling like that."

Ash growled. He just knew that the Charmander this Damien was talking about was the same one from the rock earlier.

Stalking over to the blue haired male, Ash punched his square in the nose, smirking when Pikachu shocked his friends.

"That is for leaving a pokemon out to die and laughing about it."

After that sentence was said, Ash and his friends made their way out of the Pokemon Center, running full force back towards the rock from earlier.

'Please do not let us be too late.'

Skidding to a halt in front of the rock, Ash was relieved to see Charmander with a leave over its' body, helping to keep his flame lit.

Taking off his jacket, Ash grabbed the small lizard and curled him up tight, using his hat to keep the rain from falling onto the flame of his tail. The rain was now pouring down in heavy buckets, the wind strong enough to knock over small trees. Ash glanced down at Pikachu and Eevee, not for once happy that he had his two companions with him. Eevee was running his tail over Charmander's body in an effort to help warm him up and Pikachu was making sure now water landed on the increasingly small flame on his tail.

Running back towards the Pokemon Center, Ash prayed the entire time that Charmander wouldn't die in his arms.

Throwing the doors open, Ash rushed to the front desk where Nurse Joy was.

"Quick Nurse Joy! Charmander needs help now!"

Nurse Joy took one look at the pokemon in the boy's arms. Grabbing the small bundle she headed back towards the Emergency Room.

Ash spent six hours pacing in the lobby before Nurse Joy finally came back out.

"How is he? Is he okay?"

Nurse Joy glares at Ash. "Charmander will be okay. Though I have half a mind of taking him away from you. What were you thinking, allowing him to get like that?"

"Charmander is not my pokemon. He is that Damien kids from earlier. I heard him say that he left Charmander on a rock and hoped his tail flame went out. I had to go save him"

Nurse Joy felt herself calm down. So that was what that fight had been about earlier. She was glad the kid had managed to break that monster's nose.

"Charmander will be okay. He is a little weak right now, but he will manage. Do you want to come see him?"

Ash nodded mutely, following Joy as she walked back through the doors.

Seeing Charmander laid out on a bed with his tail flame growing bigger, Ash let out a silent sound of relief. A weight he didn't know he had been holding was lifted from his shoulders.

"Thank you Nurse Joy."

Joy only smiled kindly back at him. "I was only doing my job young man."

Putting his hand gently against the small body, Ash felt a tear slide down is cheek.

"I am so sorry Charmander. You did nothing to deserve how you were treated. NOTHING. If I ever find Damien again I promise I will kill him for you. You do not deserve a trainer who would leave you to die."

Charmander, who was barely conscious, took the words and the emotion behind them to heart. He didn't know a trainer could care that much.

Ash and his two friends were walking down the path to Vermillion City.

"I can't believe that Charmander went back to his trainer."

Pikachu nodded, his ears slumped. "I know. But you can't say that he isn't loyal."

Ash smiled sadly. "Loyal to the wrong person."

Eevee could only nod in agreement.

The trio stopped short when a flock of Pidgeotto appeared in front of them.

Before Ash had a chance to yell a command however, a scorching fire fried the birds to a crisp, causing them to retreat.

Looking down, Ash was shocked. "Charmander?"

"Hello."

Ash smiled, bending down to rub the scaly head. "It is nice to see you Charmander. Though I would advise not sneaking out of Pokemon Centers in the future."

Charmander only grinned sheepishly.

"I am sorry our trainer left Charmander. No one deserves to be betrayed like that."

Charmander looks down sadly. "Yeah."

"Hey Charmander." A British accent said from behind them. "I have been looking everywhere for you. Thought I lost ya."

Charmander looked towards his old trainer. He couldn't believe that he had been loyal to this thing.

"What do you want?"

"That was a very impressive move back there. Are ya ready to come back on the team?"

Ash stood to his full height, glaring ice at the other man.

"You do not deserve someone as loyal as Charmander. If you don't leave within the next minute, I will not be held responsible for my actions."

Damien snorted. "Return, Charmander."

Charmander knocked the pokeball back towards Damien, laughing when it hit him in the face, causing the pokeball to break .

"I'm going to get you now! I am going to use all my pokemon!"

Pulling out about fifty pokeballs, Ash would have to ask Professor Oak about that later, Charmander released a flamethrower before he could release them. Pikachu joined in with a thunderbolt and Eevee with a shadow ball.

Needless to say, Damien ran off crying for his mommy.

"Good job, guys." Ash said beaming.

Charmander looked at Ash nervously. "Is it okay if I join you for your adventure?"

Smiling, Ash pulled out a pokeball. "Sure Charmander." Gently tapping the ball on top of his head, Ash smiled when it was an instant catch.

Immediately releasing the lizard pokemon, Ash, Eevee and Pikachu grinned brightly. "Welcome to the team, Charmander!"

Charmander could only smile, joy, belonging, and hope filling his heart.

Ash, Pikachu, Eevee and Charmander continued their journey towards Vermillion City. Ash has and the others have been asking Charmander several questions in order to get to know him better.

"So Charmander, before we start progressing into your training I just want you to know that I will work you to your breaking point. I don't do it because I want to hurt you, I only do it because I want to see you reach your full potential."

"Don't worry Charmander. Ash might be a slave driver, but he has never done anything that could hurt us. In fact it is usually the opposite. If he sees that we are getting too tired to go on, he will make us stop even if we want to try to continue." Eevee tells Charmander, beaming brightly when he seems relieved at his words.

"I've known Ash since he was five. He is the most pure hearted trainer you could ever hope to find."

Charmander nods. He was used to feeling weak because of Damien treating him like he was good for nothing, but in the few hours that he was with Ash, Pikachu, and Eevee Charmander already felt his confidence growing. The group had asked Charmander personal questions about himself, simple stuff like what his favorite color was, orange obviously, or what his favorite food was, he found cherry berries delicious, it was the simple stuff that Charmander knew most pokemon trainers didn't take the time to learn.

"It is okay Ash. I want to learn everything I can. I want to grow strong so that I have never feel weak ad helpless again."

Ash beamed at his newest companion, bending down and sweeping him into a giant hug. "You are going to be a great friend and fighter Charmander, I know it."

Charmander smiles, Ash's amber eyes causing Charmander's inner flame to grow brighter.

Though the moment was ruined when the ground gave away below them, causing the group to fall down into a deep pit.

Ash, having his trio of Pokemon land on top of him, let out a pained groan. Every breath he took hurt, it felt as if each inhale he took, something was stabbing his lung.

"Pikapi? Pikapi! Are you okay?" Pikachu fretted, his small yellow paws darting in to touch his friend before jerking back with each rasping breath Ash took.

"I don't know buddy, it hurts to breath."

Charmander forced the heat in his body to redirect towards his tail, allowing the semi-dark hole to be illuminated with light.

His three Pokemon let out sounds of shock.

A small line of red blood was leaking out of the side of Ash's mouth, his usually tan skin growing pale.

"Ash! Don't worry, we will find a way to get you out of here!"

Eevee was about to attempt to scramble out of the hole when five heads poked over the top.

"Look who we got here boys. A bunch of suckers." The Squirtle in the middle, whose sunglasses were slightly pointed to each side, taunted.

"Yeah boss. A couple of losers."

The Squirtles began laughing amongst themselves.

Eevee, who had begun shaking with rage, exploded. "OH. So this is just supposed to be some funny prank, huh? Well, look what you did! Our trainer is dying now because of you! He is bleeding out of his mouth and it hurts him to bleed. I swear to Arceus if he dies I am going to kill you five! This is not funny. You want his death on your conscious?"

The Squirtles, who had previously been laughing, now stared down at the small group in shock. Never had their pranks ever caused anybody to be seriously injured. Even though they had all been abandoned by their trainers, they would never wish done on anyone.

Hearing the familiar sound of Officer Jenny's motorcycle coming, the Squirtles looked to their boss for guidance.

"Okay, we can't let this human die on our watch. You two, lead Officer Jenny this way, it sounds like she is almost here anyways. You and You help me get these four out of this hole."

Nodding their heads, all five Squirtles began working fast. Procuring a rope from nowhere, the two Squirtles used it to lower their boss down into the pit, sighing in relief when they were able to use it to load the human and his three Pokemon onto. Pulling them up, the three Squirtles had to withhold a shiver when they noticed the glares of death being sent at them from a Pikachu and Charmander.

Glancing up, everyone sighed when Officer Jenny arrived, quickly taking in the scene and jumping straight into her job.

There it is everyone. Will Ash life? Will he die? Will the Squirtle Squad give up their tricks? Found out here next time!