Out of the Ash, Chapter 2: Birds of a Feather

Almost a week had passed since the incident at the laboratory, and Ash was in high spirits.  His headaches hadn't resurfaced since then.  His mother had made sure he postponed his journey in order to help Oak rebuild the damage caused by his Pikachu, and he had finally finished his debt.  However, he still couldn't replace the research texts that Oak had compiled, but Oak fortunately never mentioned it.

Gary and Daisy had also chipped in on the rebuild, at their grandfather's request.  Gary complained that it wasn't his fault that Ash couldn't control his Pokémon, and toke every opportunity to point out the fact that his journey had also been delayed and, hurting his chances at making it to the Pokémon League Championships by next year's deadline.

Every year, at the end of August, the Pokémon League sponsored the Elite Four Challenge at the Indigo Plateau.  Those who could defeat the four strongest trainers in Kanto (in succession) would have a chance to become the Pokémon Champion.  In order to qualify for the challenge, trainers must prove their worth by collecting eight badges from official Gyms in the region.  There hadn't been a Champion in over a decade, although many trainers had fought for the crown each year.  Gary was determined to not only win the challenge, but to become the youngest trainer to earn the title at age 11.  And Ash had already stolen a week of his time.

Daisy was more sympathetic towards Ash.  She too had attempted the Elite Four Challenge in previous years, but was more interested in Pokémon research, like her grandfather.  She had told Ash that Pikachu can be difficult Pokémon to train, and offered to look after the creature while he worked with Oak.  Her soothing nature had a calming effect on Pikachu, but Ash's presence would rile it up again.

But still, Ash was ready to begin is journey.  So, with his gear packed for the long hike to Viridian City (the nearest town with a Gym in it), Ash took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the Oak residence.

The Oaks' Eevee was the first to respond, yapping and hissing at the front window.  "Calm down, Eon!" yelled Gary.  "Who's at the door?"  He opened the door and saw Ash.  "Oh, it's you.  Come to pick up your furball of destruction?"

"Yeah, I, uh, is Daisy home?"

Gary sighed and turned. "Daisy!  It's time to get rid of the rat!"

Daisy rushed down the stairs, "Shut it, Gary.  Hey, Ash, sorry about that.  You're going to need to come up to my room.  We have an issue."

"What kind of an issue?" Ash followed Daisy up the stairs.  He had never been in her room before.  "Is Pikachu okay?"

"Pikachu's fine.  It's just that he doesn't want to go back into his Poké Ball.  Ever since the day I brought him home, he's stayed outside of his ball.  He's been calmer and more receptive, but he gets all tense whenever I bring the ball closer to him.  Careful, now."  She slowly opened the door to her room, and Pikachu ran to greet her, saw Ash, and quickly darted under the bed.  "I think he senses your scent on the ball, since you were the one to first release him after his capture.  I wouldn't try to touch him right now, if I were you."

"Great.  How am I supposed to start my journey now?  My Pokémon won't even come near me."

"Well, it's a little unorthodox, but when I was training him earlier this week, I fashioned this rubber cord into a leash and used rubber gloves to prevent him from shocking me.  You can try that for a while, until he gets more comfortable with you."  Daisy grabbed the leash from off her desk, and coaxed Pikachu out from under the bed.  She slipped it over its head and handed the leash to Ash.

Ash's earlier optimism had drained at this point.  It was his big chance to impress Daisy, and already he was standing in the middle of her room, dragging around a disobedient Pokémon.  She's probably thinking that he's just as foolish as he looked.  He had to get out of there.  He only barely managed to utter a "Thanks" when he ran out of her room, tripping down the stairs as Pikachu tumbled behind him.

"Smooth moves," Gary commented as Ash picked himself up.  His face turned as read as his shirt.  "Thanks," he said again and immediately regretted all of his life choices up until that moment.

"Oh wait, Ash," Daisy called out.  "I wanted you to have this as well."  She handed him a Town Map of the Kanto region.  "Just so you don't get lost," she smiled.

"Aww, come on, don't help that klutz!" Gary said.  Once again, Ash could only muster a "Thanks" and headed straight for the north gate of the town.

As Ash crossed the threshold onto Route 1, he noticed Pikachu struggling with his cord.  "You know," he said, "if you'd just get into your Poké Ball, this would be a whole lot easier."  Pikachu shook his head with a resounding "Pi-KAH!"  Pikachu pulled in vain and then flopped onto the ground with tears welling up in his eyes.

"Here.  If you promise not to run away, I'll let you of the leash, okay?"  Pikachu remained motionless.  "Okay...here."  Ash took the leash off and attempted to pet Pikachu.  Pikachu immediately ran into a nearby tree, on a branch just out of Ash's reach.

"Very funny, now come down here.  I've got to get to Viridian City by tomorrow!  You've already made me a week late!"  Pikachu just giggled and chirped.

Off in the distance, Ash heard a girl scream.  Pikachu stood up on its hind legs and stared over the hill to where the voice came from.  "Pippi!" Pikachu exclaimed.

Sure enough, the girl in the blue dress carrying her Jigglypuff in her arms jumped off the nearby natural ledge and was followed closely by the talking Clefairy.

"Come back!  I only wanted to see if Puff was free his evening for...Hey-hey, Pikachu!" Clefairy noticed his cousin up in the tree.  "How's life under a trainer's thumb been treating you!"

The girl ran over to Ash.  "Ugh, your stupid Clefairy has been following me all the way to Viridian City.  I demand tat you take him back.  He's been scaring Puff and Petals."

"Whoa, that's not my Clefairy!  I don't want him!  And Petals?  Who's that?"

"My Bulbasaur, who do you think?"

"Sorry, I didn't know his name!  And I don't even know your name!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners?  My name is Leaf Green of Viridian City, Petals is my female Bulbasaur, and your HORRIBLE CLEFAIRY HAS BEEN HARASSING US FOR DAYS!  Take him back!"

"Hey!" shouted the Clefairy, who had now joined Pikachu in the tree.  "I resent those accusations!"

Before Leaf could retort, another voice was heard over the hill.  "Help!  Somebody!  Is there a trainer nearby?"  Ash and Leaf ran up the hill to find a young man who had fallen in the tall grass.  He was carrying a large satchel and was surrounded by a group of purple mice.

"Those Rattata are attacking that delivery man!"  Leaf shouted.  Ash understood.  "Pikachu!  Use your ThunderShock on the Rattata!"

Pikachu remained in the tree.

"Pikachu!  Come on! Do something!"

"Are you completely hopeless?"  Leaf sighed.  "Puff!  Use Sing!"  And with that, Jigglypuff leapt into the fray, stood on the man's satchel, an began to sing.

"What good will that do?" Ash asked as Leaf slipped on some earmuffs.  She began to place some on is head as well. "Hey, what are you doing?!"  Leaf didn't answer but held her finger to her lips and then pointed to the Rattata.  As Jigglypuff sang her song, the mice began to doze off.  By the time she was done, the mice (and the man) were fast asleep.  Jigglypuff prepared to bow, but then saw the sleeping faces and began to inflate with rage.

Leaf took this as her cue to take off her earmuffs.  "Good job, Puff.  That was a lovely song!"  She applauded and was joined by the Clefairy, who added, "Brava!  What a marvelous performance!  Don't you agree, Pika?"  But Pikachu had fallen out of the tree, for he too was fast asleep.

Ash took off his earmuffs.  "What was that?"  Leaf motioned over to the sleeping man and told Ash, "Help me carry this guy out of here before the Rattata wake up."  Ash joined her as she explained.  "Jigglypuff's songs have hypnotic qualities.  They can make anyone fall asleep instantly.  But, she's a little bit of a diva."  Leaf lowered her voice to a whisper.  "You have to pretend you heard her song and enjoyed it or else she'll get upset."

Once the two trainers had dragged the man far enough away, Ash asked, "Why didn't Clefairy fall asleep then?"

"And miss such a wonderful display of talent?  How could I possibly dare?!" Clefairy then leaned in to kiss Jigglypuff's hand.  She slapped him.  Twice.

Ash picked up his sleeping Pikachu as Leaf revived the man with a small vial of a pungent smell.  "I've noticed that Petals produces a sweet nectar with a scent that can revive the heaviest sleeper.  I've gathered some to use in case of a situation like this," Leaf explained.  "But it attracts a lot of wild Pokémon, so I have to be careful."

"Noted," said Ash.

The man groggily shook his head.  When he had gathered enough energy, he explained that he was a Poké Mart deliveryman on his way to deliver an urgent package to Pallet Town when he was attacked.  "I think I might have some artisanl cheeses from the Johto region in my bag."

Ash perked up.  "I'm from Pallet Town.  I can take your package back with me.  Who is it for?"

"Prof. Samuel Oak."

*          *          *

"Ah yes, my Pokédex prototypes are in!"  Professor Oak exclaimed.  "Thank you, children!"

Ash looked at Leaf and shrugged his shoulders.  Soon, Gary entered the lab with Eevee.  "Alright Gramps, what did you call me for?  And why is this bozo here?  And...hello, I don't believe we've met."  He extended a hand out to Leaf.  "I'm Gary, the world's next Pokémon Champion."

"I'm Leaf.  And this is Puff."

"What's a nice girl like you hanging around with a loser and his crazy Pokémon?"

"Hey!" Ash and Clefairy shouted in unison.  Pikachu remained asleep in Pikachu's arms.

"Children, please!" Oak interrupted.  "Now, these Pokédexes are very important.  This will be how I can replenish all of the research of lost.  This is basically an electronic encyclopedia.  I have one complete one ere that is synced up to the three prototypes.  When you point one at a Pokémon, the image will be analyzed and information about each creature can be restored.  Gary, I was going to have you use the data you collect to complete tis task, but, with two extra prototypes and two other trainers, I don't see why all three of you can't use it.  It is a very helpful tool that shall aid in your battles, allowing you to see the vital statistics of the creatures.  Keep very good care of these.  It's a very recent invention and I'm still hoping to improve it."

He handed the three Pokédexes to the children.  They were like small red books, but with a screen and buttons inside instead of  pages.

"I encourage you to stick together.  There is a signal that grows stronger when the three are used in tandem.  They can help you if you ever get separated."

"Wait, so not only does this loser make me late, now I have to travel with him too?"  Gary was outraged.

"There is a lot of competition in this world.  Your Pokémon work stronger as a team, and so do the trainers."

"Like the Elite Four?" Leaf suggested.

Oak's face grew grim.  "Er, yes, like the Elite Four."  He glanced sideways to a nearby computer that had an open email on the screen.  Ash noticed this shift in gaze, and could barely make out the end of a message that told Oak to visit "us," signed "A" and the official Pokémon League symbol.  "Well! You kids shouldn't dally about!  Good luck!  I am counting on you three!"

The trio of trainers left the building and headed back to the main gate.  As they passed by Ash's house, his mom called out to them.  "Back again so soon?"

"No, Professor Oak was just giving us one last parting gift to help us on our quest."

"That was nice of him!  Farewell, again.  Good luck to you too Gary!"

"Thanks, Mrs. Red," rolling his eyes.

"And, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your girlfriend!" Ash's mother shouted.

"Mom!"

Leaf grinned and turned to face Mrs. Red.  "I'm Leaf!"  As she met her eyes, the mother thought she had recognized the girl from somewhere, but she couldn't quite place it.  As the kids left her sight, she couldn't shake that feeling.  She returned to the living room and tried to recall the face as a movie played on TV, showing four kids, walking down some railroad tracks.  Or maybe it was down a yellow brick road...

*          *          *

Four figures walked down the path that connected Pallet Town to Viridian City.  Ash, carrying his Pikachu, Leaf, carrying her Jigglypuff, Gary, whose Eevee was perched on his shoulder, and the Clefairy who was talking at length about he once was almost captured, but was too quick to get caught.

"So then I decided to use Hyper Beam on his Rhydon, and he was obliterated!  I could totally do it again too, but you know how you have to regroup after you use it, so I don't want to waste it in case there is any danger and..."

"Ash!  Shut your Clefairy up!" Gary shouted.

"For the last time, he's not mine!  And stop shouting, you'll wake up Pikachu!"

"You know, it doesn't count as taming if your Pokémon stays asleep the whole time."

"Boys, quiet," Leaf shushed.  "There's something coming."

A wild Pidgey appeared!  Shuffling out amongst the tall grass, a small brown bird flapped its wings, not noticing the approaching trainers.  Ash opened up his Pokédex to learn more about it.  On the screen, an image of the bird appeared, along with the words: PIDGEY: Does not like to fight. It hides in tall grass and so on, foraging for food such as small bugs.  Leaf also checked her Pokédex: A common sight in forests and woods. It flaps its wings and ground level to kick up blinding sand.

"You guys need to check the Pokédex on a Pidgey?" Gary scoffed.  "Please, allow a real trainer to handle this.  Eon, Tackle!"  With a swift jump, Gary's Eevee pounced on the bird, disorienting it.  The Pidgey began making a small whirlwind, blowing sand each way.

"Eon!  Shield your eyes and Tackle it again to your right!"  Eon used its big ears to cover its eyes and it once again hit the Pidgey.  Gary grabbed his Poké Ball, threw it and successfully captured the Pidgey.  "There.  I'm already a step ahead of you guys.  Now I have three Pokémon.  Pidgey, Eon, and --"

"Aren't you going to give it a nickname?" Leaf asked.

"Why?  It's just a Pidgey."

"Hey, look there's another one!" Ash exclaimed!  "Pikachu, wake up!  It's time for your first battle."  He gently shook Pikachu and set him on the ground.  Pikachu yawned and opened his eyes.  "Pikachu, use your ThunderShock on that Pidgey!"  Pikachu looked at Clefairy, who shook his head.  Pikachu glared at Ash.

"Come on, Pikachu.  Don't make me look bad in front of the others."

"What are you going to do, Ash?" Gary taunted.

"Pidgeys are weak...I can catch it without Pikachu's help.  Unless you want to catch this one instead, Leaf."

"No thank you.  I don't want a bird Pokémon."

"Alright then...this one's all mine.  Uh..."  Ash looked around and saw a good-sized rock.  He chucked it at the bird and it bounced off the bird's head.

"Gotcha!"

But then the bird turned around, and the trainers could see that it wasn't a Pidgey.  This time, Gary checked his Pokédex: SPEAROW: Inept at flying high. However, it can fly around very fast to protect its territory.  The Spearow glared at Ash, and then let out a shrill cry as it flew towards him to start pecking him!  Leaf screamed and dropped her pack, opting to grab Puff and hide behind a tree.  Ash began to throw things to get the bird to stop attacking him while Gary, Clefairy, and Pikachu laughed.

"Help, guys!" Ash said as he threw a pair of earmuffs at the Spearow.  "This isn't funny!"  He then picked up a small vial and chucked it, missing the Spearow entirely and breaking against Pikachu's head.  The Spearow stopped attacking Ash and flew over to the mouse.

"Ash!  That was my Bulbasaur's nectar!  It attracts wild Pokémon!" Leaf shouted.  No sooner had she spoken than a flock of Spearow came bursting out of the tree she was standing other and they all swarmed Pikachu.

"Pika!!!"  Pikachu started running and Ash dove after it.  He tried to get between the birds and his Pokémon, but it was no use.

"Um, guys, I don't want to alarm you but...we've got company," Clefairy pointed to waves of Pidgeys, Rattatas, and Spearows that had been attracted to the scent.  "I suggest we run."

And with that the three were off.  Ash finally managed to scoop up Pikachu, but the birds continued to peck at him.  He could also feel something tugging at his backpack.  He turned to see Gary unzipping it.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm trying to get that map you stole from my house!"

"I didn't steal it!  Your sister gave it to me!"

"Yeah, well, all I know is that we've got to get to Viridian City and I'm not going to be killed waiting for you to clean up your mess!  Aha!"  Gary grabbed the map and started running off the path.

"Wait!" shouted Leaf.  The professor told us to stick together!"

"Yeah, and look at how well that's working out for us.  Smell ya later!" Gary disappeared amongst the trees.

"Ugh, Gary, come back!"  Leaf took off after him but a flock of Pokémon blocked her way, she screamed and picked up Clefairy, running away.  Jigglypuff, her intended rescue target, puffed up in anger and floated off after her trainer.

Ash knew he had to run as well, but he had gotten so turned around by the birds that he didn't know which way to go.  So he picked a path and just started running.  He managed to break free from the swarm long enough to notice that Pikachu was severely injured and scraped.  The Spearow were hot on his tail and he had no idea which way to go.  So he continued along the path.

After running for a while, he noticed a blue bicycle propped up by a tree.  He needed to move faster so he placed Pikachu in the basket and sped off.  Behind him he heard a girl shouting "Hey, that's my bike, you thief!"

"I'll return it," he shouted behind him.  "Don't worry!"  I've got to get Pikachu to a hospital, he thought.

As he raced along, clouds began to form and a downpour flooded the path, making it extremely muddy to get through.  His new bike ground to a halt, throwing him and Pikachu to the ground.  Sore from the pecks and the crash, Ash looked at his Pokémon.  It was his first day and he'd already managed to endanger Pikachu.  He was not cut out to be a trainer.  He crawled over to Pikachu and pleaded that he get inside the Poké Ball, where he'll be safe.  He could hear the Spearow closing in behind him.  Pikachu didn't budge.

Broken, Ash turned to face his burden, and noticed that the leader of the pack had grown much bigger since the chase began.  It's neck, legs, and beak were much longer, making it an intimidating sight.  Ash knew what he had to do.

"I started this battle, and I intend to finish it.  I am Ash Red of Pallet Town.  And I will be a Pokémon Master.  So if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get.  Pikachu is my teammate, and to get to him," he readied his Poké Ball, "you'll have to get through me."

Suddenly, he felt pressure on his shoulder as he felt Pikachu leap from off him, sending a shock that carried through the rain, smiting every bird, including the biggest one at the front of the pack.  The last thing Ash saw was his Poké Ball leaving his hand as he fell back from the surge in electricity.

*          *          *

After the storm, Ash woke up.  He was soaked and his clothes were caked in mud.  Pikachu lay cuddled up next to him.  The bike had been fried to a crisp.  And in his hands, was the Poké Ball, with the bird inside.  A quick check of the Pokédex told him it was a Fearow, the evolved form of Spearow.  In the heat of intense moments, Pokémon can under go significant changes.  Ash smiled.

A screech overhead startled Pikachu awake, and Ash held his finger to his lips and saw an even greater bird.  It looked like his Fearow, but was larger and shined a brilliant golden color.  He checked his Pokédex again, but no entry came up.

The bird flew past Ash and Pikachu without looking at them, and it disappeared into the rainbow that had been left behind.  Ash cradled Pikachu again, who responded with a meek lick on his chin.  He began walking in the direction of the unknown bird.

Although he had lost his map, he had found his way.