Hello there, it's me with another fic! I know that my other one is still going, but I've decided that it couldn't hurt to focus on this one as well, considering that I wanna give it a shot. This story is in response to a challenge and will start from the very beginning of Ash's journey, but will go differently. I hope this one turns out well. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Pallet Town, the home of the prestigious Oak Laboratory and the place hwere most trainers begin their journey in the Kanto region. However, today happens to be a very special day for the Town of pallet as two young boys are turning 10, and with that, will get their new trainer's license.

Our first young man is none other than the grandson of the mighty Professor Oak himself, Gary. Gary spent most of his time as a kid just watching pokemon and playing with them at his grandfather's lab. Now, while this is normal, he develpoed a friendship with another boy in town during this time, Ash Ketchum.

Ash and Gary were great friendsd starting out, but as they grew older, the two slowly became rivals as they tried to one up each other.

Our story will begin with the young trainer Ash Ketchum.

It was a peacefully quiet morning in Pallet. The pokemon slowly rising and people beginning to wake as well. But, one 10 year old was still fast asleep as the day quickly turned brighter.

"Ash."

Snoring.

"Ash.."

More snoring.

"ASH!"

"Agh!" Ash cried as he fell out of bed and hit the floor head first.

"Ash.." Ash's mother sighed. "You're gonna be late getting Professor Oak's lab dear."

At this thought, Ash was suddenly wide awake. "My trainer's license! My first pokemon!" Ash looked at the clock to see it was nearing 10 am. "I'm gonna be late!"

Ash quickly threw on a pair of old jeans and a jacket over his white T-shirt. He quickly fastened his shoes and put a white and blue baseball-like cap over his messy raven colored hair before he rushed down the stairs.

Ash bolted out the front door, leaving it wide open as he raced off to the lab down the street.

As Ash neared the lab, he bumped into Gary, literally.

"Ash!" Gary shouted at the excited youth. "Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry, Gary.." Ash replied sheepishly. "I just woke up and I'm hoping Professor Oak still has pokemon."

"Oh yeah?" Gary asked curiously. "Well it just so happens I'm going to see my grandpa about my first pokemon too."

"Really?" Ash asked. "Let's go together then." Gary agreed.

Ash and Gary quickly arrived at Oak's lab to find an old white haired man in a lab coat standing over a group of four red and white balls.

"Hey grandpa." Gary said as he and Ash entered the lab.

"Hello Gary, Ash." The professor said with a smile. "I'd hazard a guess as to why you're both here." The old man smiled happily.

"We're here for our pokemon." Ash told the knowing man. He nodded. Ash and Gary stood side-by-side as Professor Oak pulled two mechanical devices from a desk drawer.

"These are called Pokedex's." He told them, handing one to each of them. "These are preloaded with data and information on the known species of pokemon. Simply scanning a pokemon in front of you will allow you to learn about them. These will also act as your trainer's license. With this Pokedex you can compete in gym battles or various events across the known regions. Any questions?"

Ash looked happily at his Pokedex and scrolled through it, noticing that it had his birthday and info about him inside it. "So, with this can I look up other trainers?" Ash asked.

The professor nodded. "As long as the other trainer has a Pokedex, which nearly anyone in a region should, you can synch Pokedex's and download information about each other. The synch will take place automatically when you enter within 100 feet of someone else. However, keep in mind that when you get their data, they'll recieve yours."

"That's great greamps, but what now?" Gary asked, feeling impatient. The old man only smiled again.

"Well, now you two select your first pokemon." He told them. "Behind me are four pokeballs containing four very different pokemon." He indicated the four red and white balls on the machine behind him. "These four pokemon are newly born from eggs and are perfect companions for a starting trainer. Although these pokemon have battled with each other for fun, they still require a lot of training."

Oak grabbed the first pokeball and from it exploded a small orange lizard with fire coming from its tail. "This is Charmander. He's a fire-type and sure to come in handy in tough situations."

A second pokeball then released a tiny turtle-like pokemon. "This is Squirtle. He's probably the youngest of all four, but he's a very affectionate pokemon. Squirtle is a water-type."

The third ball snapped open. "This is Bulbasaur. This pokemon is more the loner type but is brave and loyal. Bulbasaur here is a grass-type."

Finally, the last pokeball snapped open. The last pokemon was a small yellow mouse with a touch a black in various areas on its body. "This is Pichu. Pichu is an electric-type. While Pichu is not a native to Kanto, this pokemon was bred from its evolved form which is. Pichu does however have a bit of trouble using its electric moves though, so keep that in mind."

Pichu looked up curiously at the two new trainers in front of it. It looked at the brown haired boy and shrugged. However, when Pichu turned to Ash, it leaped forward at him. The small mouse latched onto Ash's hat as it played with the bill.

"He's pretty playful." Ash laughed as Pichu wiggled around. "That's does it then. I choose Pichu!"

"Pichu!" Pichu squeeled happily as it struck a victory pose.

"Well, I guess that leaves the other three for me." Gary said. "I'll take Squirtle. I always did want a water-type."

Chamander and Bulbasaur were quickly recalled. "Here are their pokeballs." Oak handed the balls to the respective trainer. Gary pointed his at Squirtle and the tiny turle disappeared in a beam of red energy. Ash attempted to do the same but Pichu simply slapped the ball with its tail first.

Ash was confused as the small pokemon looked at the ball in disgust. "You don't like the pokeball?" Ash asked. The mouse shook its head fiercely.

"My guess is because Pichu is so playful, it doesn't like being confined." Oak thought out loud.

"Well, then no pokeball for you little buddy." Ash told the mouse happily. Pichu cheered.

"Well boys," Oak said as he looked at the time. "How about you two head out in the morning since it's getting late?"

"Sure thing gramps." Gary nodded. Ash also agreed.

Ash turned towards his house in the distance, Pichu still on his head, as Gary spoke up. "Hey Ash, what do you say you and I travel together for a while? We could help each other get use to it. Plus I think travelling together would be more fun then travelling alone, don't you?"

"Sure Gary!" Ash told the other trainer. "Sounds good."

"Alright, meet you back here at dawn?" Gary asked. Ash agreed.

"Mom I'm home!" Ash called as entered his house. Pichu looked around from its perch at its surroundings as a young woman came around the corner wearing an apron.

"Ash!" She called as she neared the trainer. "Professor Oak told me that you were leaving tomorrow with Gary. This'll at least give me time to pack you some stuff." She then noticed the small mouse on Ash's head. "Is this your pokemon?" Ash smiled as his mother picked Pichu up. Pichu just eyed her curiously. "He's so cute!"

Ash left her holding his new pokemon as he climbed the stairs and set about packing supplies into his bag. He grabbed clothes and some camping gear. Ash left some room for some food as he zipped his bag.

Pichu walked slowly into the room and looked around at all the pokemon propeganda.

"Tomorrow we start our journey." Ash said happily as he picked up the small mouse. "You and I are gonna be a great team, right little guy?"

"Pichu!" Pichu cheered.

I can do this! Ash thought as he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Ash was up bright and early as he went to the kitchen and grabbed essential food for the trip. Pichu quickly joined Ash as he finished up. The small mouse climbed Ash and ended on his head.

"Alright, let's go meet up with Gary!" Ash cheered as he walked out the door, careful to close it behind him.

Ash arrived at the lab to see Gary already waiting for him. Gary smirked as Ash neared.

"Thought you'd never get here Ash." Gary said with a grin. "You all packed?"

"Yep." Ash replied. "We're ready to go."

"Then let's get a move on." Gary stated as the two began to walk.

"Wait!"

Both trainers turned to see Professor Oak's white coated assistant. "The professor asked me to give you guys these." The assistant handed them both a belt and a small cluster of minimized pokeballs. "That belt will hold your pokeballs as you carry them so you don't drop them." he stated.

Ash and Gary quickly put them on and noticed what he meant as each one had six tiny slots for pokeballs to latch onto.

"Thanks!" They said together as they walked away.

"Good luck!"

Ash and Gary quickly left Pallet Town and started on the path leading towards the next city, their journey only just beginning.

The pair walked through the the grass covering the landscape around route one as they talked.

"I can't wait to use Pichu to catch my first pokemon." Ash said.

"I bet Squirtle would be a better battler than Pichu." Gary smirked. "What type of pokemon do you want to catch first?"

Ash thought for a moment as he stepped over a log in the grass. "I dunno. Any pokemon would be great."

"I want a flying-type first." Gary announced. "That would be really useful in battle." Ash agreed.

Just then the two eyed a small purple mouse dashing across the landscape.

"No." Gary said. "That pokemon is too far away at this point. Besides, I have a better idea." Ash just stared as Gary walked a good distance away. "How about a battle?"

Ash's confusion turned into a grin. "Let me look up Pichu's abilities first!" Ash pulled out his Pokedex and focused on the pokemon on his head.

A metallic voice rang out. "Pichu, the Tiny Mouse Pokemon. This pokemon has trouble controlling its electric moves after birth as its electric sacs are underdeveloped." The pokedex then showed Pichu's current attacks, showing that it only had two attacks.

"Ok, you ready buddy? Know how to battle at all?" Ash asked the mouse on his head.

"Pichu!" Pichu cheered as it leaped off of Ash's head.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Pichu walked on its hind legs and stared as Gary tossed his pokeball into the air as it exploded in light, releasing Squirtle.

"Let's go!" Gary called. "Squirtle use Bubble attack!"

"Pichu, get around it and use a Thundershock attack!"

Squirtle shot a wave of transparent bubbles only to be avoided by Pichu as the mouse ran around them. Pichu then used a small electric blast that shot from its body and struck Squirtle. Pichu, obviously took slight damage at its uncontrolled power however.

"Squirtle use Water Gun!" Gary commanded.

Squirtle opened its mouth and unleashed a blast of water like it was shot from a firehose. The water slammed into Pichu and sent it flying into the air from the force.

"Pichu!" Ash called in concern.

However the battle was interrupted as Squirtle was dive bombed by two birds. The two birds collided with Squirtle, knocking the turtle back. Squirtle looked at them in confusion. Pichu stood up and looked at them as well.

While both birds were rather small, one had a spiky haired appearence in the feathers on its head.

Ash and Gary each held out their Pokedex to scan the birds that were now fighting in mid-air over a berry.

Ash's Pokedex rang out. "Pidgey, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Pidgey is a common sight in both grass and forests. Pidgey doe not like to fight, but when confronted can be a fierce opponent."

Gary's Pokedex rang next. "Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Spearow is very territorial and will quickly defend its home as well as its food."

"Gary, I think we should work together to stop those two." Ash called, pointing at the two birds.

"Sounds good Ash." Gary agreed. "Squirtle use Water Gun!"

"Pichu use Thundershock!" Ash called as well.

Squirtle blasted more water, this time soaking both birds as they looked around for the assailant. They saw Squirtle and dived again. Pichu was quick however. Pichu dashed in front of Squirtle and with all its might, Pichu shot a current of electricity at the two oncoming birds. Pichu felt some recoil and fell on its butt in exhaustion as the two birds collapsed on the ground.

Ash selected one of the empty pokeballs he was given and tossed it at Pidgey just as Gary did the same to Spearow. Both pokeballs turned the birds into red energy as they snapped shut. The two balls shook fiercely before finally giving a small click and laying still.

Ash and Gary each grabbed their respective balls.

"YES!" They cheered together as they gave a high five.

Gary then rummaged in his bag and pulled out a potion and used it on Pichu and Squirtle. The two felt instantly better.

"You have anymore of that?" Ash asked.

"Yep. Stocked a bunch before we left in case we needed it." Gary explained.

"Well, according to the map my mom gave me," Ash started. "There's a pokemon center which heals pokemon for free not far from here. I say we heal these new guys there."

"Sounds good." Gary agreed as he recalled Squirtle.

Pichu leaped onto Ash's head and the two trainers were off.

"Welcome to our pokemon center." A beautiful pink haired nurse greeted as Ash and Gary entered. "How may I help you?"

"Could we please get our pokemon healed ma'am?" Ash asked.

The nurse smiled. "Please, call me Nurse Joy. And I'd be delighted to help your pokemon out. Please place your pokemon on the tray and they'll be all fixed up in no time."

Ash and Gary selected their new pokemons' pokeballs and set them on the tray. The nurse took them and went into the back. She then came back and started to talk.

"So, are you two new trainers?" She asked. They nodded. "When did you start your journey?"

"We left this morning." Gary announced.

"Really?" She asked curiously. "Wow, you two sure did get a good start. What having caught your first pokemon and all."

"Yeah, it was a team effort." Ash smiled.

"Pichu!" Pichu cheered.

"Ah!" She said. "Now, Pichu is a fairly rare pokemon here in Kanto. Is he your starter?"

"Yep." Ash said proudly. "The little guy and I just hit it off in the beginning and I chose him." Ash smiled. "Without this little guy, we wouldn't have made that capture."

"My Squirtle helped too." Gary stated happily.

"Well, you two seem to have a good grasp on the whole trainer thing, so is there anything you want to know?" Nurse Joy asked.

"Well, How are our pokemon?" Ash asked, worried they might be in bad shape.

"Your pokemon are fine, just tired." She said with a smile. "They'll be all rested up in a few moments."

"I have a question. What is the Pokemon League Challenge?" Gary asked, pointing at a poster on the wall.

"Ah, the Pokemon League challenge is a challenge set to all trainers." The nurse told them. "A trainer travels the Kanto region and challenges eight pokemon gyms for a badge. A trainer earns a badge by defeating the leader of the gym in a pokemon battle. Any trainer who earns eight badges qualifies to enter the Indigo League here in Kanto. The Indigo League is basically a huge tournament to decide the best trainer in Kanto for that year. And, lucky for you two, this years circuit just began, so you still have plenty of time to challenge and win eight badges."

"The best in Kanto huh..?" Ash said quietly as he and Pichu stared at the poster. "We're in! Right Pichu?"

"Pichu!"

"Me too!" Gary said. "I'd love to show you up Ash. Hahaha."

At that, the two were interrupted as a pink pokemon handed them each their newly revived pokemon. "Thanks!"

"Go Pidgey!" Ash called as he released his new pokemon onto the counter.

"Go Spearow!" Gary said as he did the same.

Both birds appeared on the counter looking happy, apparently not caring that they had been caught.

"Welcome to the family Pidgey." Ash said with a smile as he softly stroked the bird.

"Pichu!" Pichu said happily as it hugged the bird.

"You too Spearow." Gary said.

"Together, we're gonna take on the Indigo League curcuit and win, right guys?" Ash said happily.

"Pidgey!" Pidgey cooed.

"Pichu!" Pichu cheered.

"So..." Gary started. "Where's the nearest gym?"

"That would be Viridian City, but honestly, I would recommend Pewter City first." Nurse Joy said. "Although be careful, the gym leader there is strong with his rock-type pokemon."

"We can handle it." Ash said with confidence.

"Although, you and I should probably battle a few times." Gary suggested. "So that we can get some experience and get to know how to work with our pokemon."

"Good idea Gary." Ash replied as he and Gary recalled their birds, minimized their pokeballs, and placed them on their belts.

"Well I wish you both the best of luck." Nurse Joy told them as they walked out.

As they walked out Pichu once again latched onto Ash's head.

"Well, next stop Viridian City." Gary announced. "And the Pewter Gym soon after!"

Ash and Gary continued to walk as they felt the weight of their new journey finally setting in. Each of them wielding new pokemon and each of them aiming for the Indigo League.

Well Guys, that's the first chapter.
A few things to note, I do intend to have similar things to the anime happen throughout this series such as friends and pokemon captures, with a lot of different ones.
Also, I have no idea how well this will turn out because I've never done an adventure fic. We'll see how this all works out.
This is my second story and I want it to do well, so if you think it's crap, let me know. Prepare for things to happen off screen however, as the every little detail would be excruciatingly long.
Anyways, please R&R. Don't leave me hanging, next chapter up soon.

Thanks!