(A few weeks before the start of the journey)

(Pikachu POV)

It had been 2 years since we last saw this Pikachu as a Pichu, and it had been a few months since he left the care of the Kangaskhan mother and child duo. He had been surviving well on his own and was strong enough to at least take down other Pokemon that tried to steal his food.

Although he had been lonely, no other Pikachu lived in the forest, so Pikachu had been surviving on his own. And he was getting lonely, and fact that it had been getting harder to gather food, most Pokemon he could fight usually stayed in large groups. He even had to try his luck stealing food from a flock of Spearow. He didn't know how much longer he could confidently survive in this forest.

That was until the day he saw an old man, he was holding a notebook and was giving out food to Pokemon, he was writing things down the more Pokemon approached him. Pikachu didn't like humans since his only experience was with Team Rocket, but at this point, Pikachu didn't care so he approached.

As Pikachu approached the old man he decided to try and get his attention, saying "Pika-pi" This seemed to get the old man's attention as he looked at him, seeming a bit confused.

"Hello little one, what are you doing here?" Oak said not getting a response, instead Pikachu just looked at the Pokemon food he was holding, "Oh, you're hungry here you go" Oak said as he handed Pikachu the food and Pikachu started eating like he hadn't eaten in days.

"My, my you are a hungry one aren't you, now what is a Pikachu doing out here?" He said as he tried to pet Pikachu, "The nearest Pikachu clan is a–" he was cut off by Pikachu using a thunder shock on him, leaving him a bit crispier but overall fine.

"My my you are a strong one aren't you, you are different from other Pikachus I wonder how?" He said that as he secretly got an empty Pokeball and as Pikachu continued eating he quickly hit him with the Pokeball. Pikachu being tired couldn't fight back and so he was captured.

"I look forward to studying what makes you different." as Oak was packing up to go back to Pallet Town he received a phone call. As he looked at his phone he did not seem happy to see who it was. As he picked up the sound of Oak's side could be heard.

"Hello"...." No"..." How many times do I have to tell you this no means no th–" he was cut off "How much"..."-Sigh- fine, when can he come get it?"

_______________________________

(Ash POV)

🎵Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Ash

Happy Birthday to You.🎵

It was Ash's birthday, and his friends, Professor Oak and Daisy had come by to wish him a happy birthday, he was finally 10 and he would be starting his journey tomorrow. So everyone was excited, but Delia was a bit sad that her boy would be leaving,

As the cake was brought out Daisy was the first to speak, "Congratulations Ash, now you and Gary will be leaving on your journey. So what do you want to wish for?"

"Now, now my dear" Oak cut in, "he shouldn't tell us his birthday wish otherwise it won't come true"

"Yeah, Blow out your candles then you can open your presents, but open mine first!" Gary cut in

And as the candles were lit, Ash blew them out.

(Later that night)

Ash was currently lying in his bed thinking 'Finally the journey begins, but now that I think about it since it is just me, Gary, and Green going out does that mean that I will be getting one of the three starters I guess I might need to come up with an excuse to get Pikachu.'

'But anyway, I should sleep I may still have an alarm clock unlike OG Ash but being sleep-deprived makes anyone sleep past an alarm' And just like that Ash went to sleep.

(The next morning)

Ash was getting ready. He had gotten up a bit earlier and was getting everything ready, he had changed into the original clothes Ash had, and he got the hat the same way Ash did, by sending in a request to the league to send him one. He also packed Ketchup to bribe Pikachu with.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

He had his bag but it was mainly for the show since he kept most of his necessities and supplies in his storage, and he found out he had complete control over what happened in there he can even choose for time to slow down or speed up. Though he wasn't sure if he could fit a Pokemon or person in.

But as soon as he was ready he made his way over to Oak's lab, where he saw Green and Gary waiting, presumably for him. They were both wearing different clothes than usual. Green had his game counterpart's shirt and skirt. And Gary was wearing the original season one clothes.

As he got closer Gary noted him and waved over at him, "Hey took you long enough, you were almost late."

Ash got up to them and just said, "Come on when have I ever been late in all the years you two have known me."

Green just shook her head seeing the banter between the two, "Well how should we decide who chooses first?"

Ash just responded, "You two can go first you both got here before I got here, and besides we all know what Pokemon we each want." getting a nod from both of his friends.

As they went into Oak's lab they saw Oak waiting for them. As soon as they came in, he said, "Welcome, I am glad to see you three made it, I have gotten everything ready for you three to go out, and I hope you all may help me in my research so I prepared a Pokedex for each of you"

As he said that he handed a Pokedex to each of them, "Now who will choose their Pokemon first?" Oak asked as Gary stepped up.

"I already know who I will get," Gary said as he immediately walked over to the Pokeball for Squirtle, "I will wait outside for you guys I'm going to get to know my Pokemon." As he walked outside.

"I guess I can go next," Green said as she walked over to the Pokeball for Bulbasaur, "I'll go outside to meet up with Gary, Meet you there Ash." As she also walked out.

"Well, I guess that just leaves you, Ash," Oak said with a smile, but he also seemed a bit sad about something. "U-um" but he shook his head, "I think it is best if you open the last Pokeball."

And as Ash did he was confused and saw the Pokeball empty, internally Ash was excited but he had to act confused, "What? Why is the Pokeball empty?"

Oak looked sad and said, "I am sorry to say but a boy named Damian came and took Charmander, usually I would refuse, and I did. But his father is very rich and he paid me so much money that if I gave you a fraction of it you could live the rest of your life in luxury and then some."

Ash responded, "Well is there any other Pokemon I can take?" trying to hide his excitement.

Oak thought for a moment, well I guess there is one other Pokemon, but it has a problem, but if you think you can take him" Oak pressed a button pulling out a 4th Pokeball from the podium and handing it to Ash.

As Ash opens the Pokeball there's a Pikachu, Oak continues talking, "This Pokemon is a Pikachu, but this one specifically has a bit of a temper, I have been trying to study it for some time but I can barely get it to stay in its Pokeball."

Ash looks down at Pikachu, and Pikachu looks at Ash much more annoyed, seemingly ready to shock Ash, but Ash then tries to calm him down, but Pikachu shocks him anyway. Because Ash is still standing, Pikachu gets ready to do it again.

"Wait, wait, wait. I can tell you don't like me and you don't like being here in the lab either, but can we make a deal, you help me catch a Pokemon and get through the viridian forest, then when we get to the next city you can decide if you want to stay with me or if you want me to release you. What do you think?"

Pikachu then takes a moment to think about what Ash is saying, after a few seconds Pikachu agrees, although he doesn't completely trust Ash to not break his promise.

"Pikachu" as he stands next to Ash, still not entirely liking him but not going to Shock him immediately.

Oak seeing this felt a bit bad for Ash, "Well, I'm sorry you have to get a Pokemon that doesn't even have anything to do with you and will probably want to leave as soon as you get another Pokemon. Here take some Pokeballs you're going to need them." he said as he handed some Pokeballs over to Ash.

"Don't worry about it professor, it isn't the worst thing that could have happened, I might have needed to go out to catch a Pokemon with nothing to defend myself, so don't beat yourself up about it," Ash said as he and Pikachu decided to walk out.

But just before he left, he put the chip into the Pokedex. And as he did that the screen just said, updating please wait. So Ash left the building.

As soon as he walks out he is greeted by a large crowd, most of the Pallet town there to cheer him, Gary, and Green before they leave. Gary and Green were already surrounded by a crowd and as soon as they saw Ash he was surrounded as well.

After way too long the crowd finally dispersed leaving all three of them exhausted. Ash was the first to get up, "Man if that is how bad it is just to be known in Pallet, I am not looking forward to when we end up at the league."

Gary responded, "You'll get used to it. I have to deal with this being Oak's grandson, but I gotta admit this was bigger than it usually is."

"Yeah but at least you have cheerleaders," Ash said as he walked over to Green.

Ash helped Green up as She said, "Anyways, Ash why do you have a Pikachu instead of Charmander? Only three of us are leaving so the Charmander should have still been there."

Ash just responded sheepishly, "Well apparently Professor Oak gave it away to someone named Damian, but he had to use Daddy's money, to convince Oak to do so. He was apparently paid so much that I could probably live in a castle if he gave me a fraction of it. So I got stuck with a Pikachu that doesn't even want to be with me."

Gary just said, "That's rough, buddy".

Green wanted to change the subject, "Well anyway, do you guys want to travel together until we get through the forest? I hear there has been a Spearow infestation so it would be safer if we all went together."

Both Gary and Ash nodded, and all three of them started moving toward Route 1. As they moved forward they could see Pidgey and Spearow flying over the trio. As they were walking Ash looked at his pokedex to see if it had finished updating, as he looked at it he could see new text appearing.

[Congratulations on activating the Pokedex chip]

[Current features, basic pokedex function, wireless PC, Progress on Pokemon and their moves]

[Choosing the first update…. Update chosen, ability to see Pokemon's current and future abilities.]

[New update will be chosen after enough Pokemon are caught.]

'That is new I wonder what it means with that' Ash thought as he looked over at Pikachu and scanned him.

[Pikachu(M), the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks.]

[Ability, Static hidden ability, Lightning Rod. The future ability remains the same]

[Current moves: Thundershock, growl, tail whip, Thunder wave]

[Mutation detected, analyzed….. Error unable to analyze mutation]

'Well that is new but what does that mean?' Looking around Ash aimed the Pokedex at multiple other Pokemon like Pidgey, Spearow, and Ratata. But none of the Pokemon he scanned had anything special.

Green notes Ash was scanning Pokemon and decided to talk, "Are you planning to catch a Pokemon?"

"Yeah, if Pikachu decides he doesn't want to come with me, I need a Pokemon. What about you guys, are you gonna get a Pidgey or something?"

Gary shook his head, "No I plan on getting some different Pokemon, but anyways do you guys have any idea about what the first Gym is going to be like?"

"Apparently the first Gym leader is a guy named Brock and he is a rock-type specialist. Well I guess you two are fine but I am going to need to look around in Viridian Forest for a Bellsprout or Oddish," said Ash, receiving a pat on the back from Gary.

As soon as they finished talking Ash saw a certain Spearow, standing alone in the field, approaching Pikachu aggressively. He realized what it was and quickly used his Pokedex.

[Spearow (M), the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans.]

[Ability: Keen Eye, hidden ability Sniper. The future ability remains the same]

[Current moves: Peck, Double team, Assurance]

[Mutation detected, analyzed….. Alpha gene detected]

'Well, I guess it is time to cash in that favor from Pikachu.'