(The Spearow was just minding its own business, pecking at the ground for food when Ash and Pikachu stumbled onto it.)
(Ash recognized it immediately.)
(That Spearow. The one from the anime that was extremely annoying to Ash and his Pidgeot, the same Pokémon that could take down a Rhydon with a type-disadvantaged move.)
(Yeah, and this bird matched it with no training it just got stronger out of spite and hating on Ash.)
(Ash had always wondered, why didn't he just catch it back then? Well that's the thing, in the manga, he had.)
(It had even become one of his heaviest hitters until Charizard showed up.)
(Ash shook his head, snapping out of the memory.)
(No point thinking about that now.)
(He glanced at Pikachu, who was already sparking with electricity.)
Ash: "Pikachu, we've got to take this one down before it calls the whole flock."
(Ash said smirking.)
Ash: "You think you can do it~"
(Pikachu nodded with a grin, sparks dancing across his cheeks.)
Pikachu: "Pika!"
(Then the Spearow noticed them and lunged forward, wings tucked tight, going for an Assurance.)
(But Ash was quicker.)
Ash: "Quick Thunder Shock."
(he shouted.)
(Pikachu didn't hesitate.)
(With a burst of yellow light, he shot out a small bolt of electricity hitting Spearow square in the chest.)
(The bird squawked in pain, wings flailing as it struggled to stay upright.)
(It looked like it was about to screech for backup.)
Ash: "Pikachu Quick attack and hit it to the ground."
(Ash commanded as he grabbed a Pokeball.)
(Pikachu nodded and dashed up jumping into the air and slapping the bird with the back of his tail into the dirt, making his beak get stuck, so he couldn't scratch for help.)
(Ash hurled a Pokéball.)
(As the ball hit Spearow, making the bird go in The ball wobbled 1 roll, 2 roll and it clicked shut with the 3rd.)
(Ash smiled and walked up to pick up the Pokéball, turning it over in his hands.)
(His first real catch, well not counting Pikachu since he let himself be caught,)
(Pikachu walked up and smirked as he jumped up and Ash gave him a hi-five.)
(Green gave him a teasing smirk.)
Green: "Look at you, catching a Spearow like a pro. Who knew you had it in you, Ash?"
(Gary crossed his arms but grinned too.)
Gary: "Yeah, yeah. You caught a Spearow. Don't let it go to your head or anything."
(Ash rolled his eyes, grinning back.)
Ash: "Hey, it's not nothing. At least I've got something to work with, besides not like he's gonna be much help at the first Gym."
(he held the Pokeball and was secretly sending some Aura in it to start bonding with this overly aggressive bird.)
(Just then, a girl on a bike skidded onto the path, kicking up dust.)
(She had bright orange hair tied into a side ponytail, green eyes, and a tank top that showed her midriff.)
(And she looked concerned.)
???: "Hey! I heard a commotion back there, Spearow cries and all. You guys okay?"
(she asked, hopping off her bike.)
(Green waved her off with a grin.)
Green: "We're good. My friend here just caught a Spearow before it could call the whole gang. Even if it did, I'm sure the 3 of us could take a flock."
(Ash raised a hand in a half-wave, as Green pointed at him.)
(The girl was Misty, she let out a relieved sigh.)
Misty: "Good. Those Spearow have been giving people a hard time around here. But you guys should get moving before more show up. Come on, I know the fastest way to Viridian City. Follow me!"
(Gary threw a wink at Ash.)
Gary: "Look at you, man. First a catch, now getting saved by a girl on a bike."
(Ash shot him a playful glare.)
Ash: "Shut up, Gary. your not doing much better, if anything your the one getting saved."
(They all laughed, and with Misty leading the way, they took off down the path toward Viridian City.)
(Just like that, the group walked alongside Misty as she pedaled slowly on her bike.)
(Ash, hands in his pockets, glanced over at her and thought.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Well, I guess since I didn't completely wreck her bike, so she's not following me around yet. Maybe I'll figure out how to fix that later... maybe not, i don't know, wouldn't mind having a solo adventure.'
(As they kept moving, Ash's gaze drifted upward, and that's when he saw it.)
(A red and gold bird, majestic, gleaming in the sunlight, soared high above the trees, gliding effortlessly across the sky.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Ho-Oh...'
(He turned to the others, about to say something, but they were busy chatting, none of them even glancing up.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Seriously?'
(Ash thought, exasperated.)
Ash [in mind]: 'How do they not see a giant golden bird flying right over us?'
(He glanced down at Pikachu, who had also stopped in his tracks, staring wide-eyed at the sky.)
(Ash bent down and scooped him up.)
Ash: "Let's keep that one to ourselves for now, buddy."
(he whispered, placing Pikachu on his shoulder.)
(Pikachu gave a small nod, his tail swishing quietly.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Well.'
(Ash mused.)
Ash [in mind]: 'I'm coming out of Route 1 better than the old Ash did. Me and Pikachu aren't nearly dead, I caught the leader of the Spearows, and I'm not in debt over a bike. Those things cost over a million Pokédollars, and somehow people still buy them, no wonder they keep selling at that price.'
(He shook his head, amused at the absurdity, when a sudden voice echoed over the loudspeakers in the distance.)
???: "Attention, people of Viridian City. Attention, people of Viridian City. We have reports of Pokémon thieves in the area. Be on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers. Repeat, be on the lookout for suspicious-looking stra—"
(The message cut off abruptly as they approached the outskirts of Viridian City, where a woman in uniform stood by the entrance.)
(Dark teal hair, purple cap, red trim on her shirt, a gold star on her chest, and a no-nonsense look in her eyes, it was Officer Jenny, flanked by a Growlithe.)
(She held up a hand to stop them, her gaze locking on Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder.)
Officer Jenny: "Hold it right there! We've had reports of Pokémon thieves in the area."
(she said firmly, pointing to a nearby wanted poster.)
(The poster showed two familiar faces: a man with blue hair and a woman with pink hair.)
Officer Jenny: "I'm going to need to see your IDs, or you'll be coming down to the station with me."
(she added, though her eyes seemed locked on Ash the whole time.)
(Misty casually pulled out her ID and gave it to her.)
(And then Ash, Green, and Gary gave her their Pokédex, Officer Jenny studied it, her Growlithe sniffing at Pikachu but not growling.)
(After a moment, she handed their IDs back with a quick apology.)
Officer Jenny: "Sorry for the trouble. Stay safe, and be careful. Those thieves are still at large."
(The group walked away in silence for a moment.)
(When they were out of earshot, Ash finally spoke up.)
Ash: "What was that about? Did she think I was a thief because Pikachu wasn't in his Pokéball? Her Growlithe wasn't in one, and I didn't call her a thief."
(Misty glanced over, raising an eyebrow.)
Misty: "Well, why don't you just keep Pikachu in his Pokéball, then? Wouldn't it make more sense to let him rest after a battle?"
(Ash shrugged.)
Ash: "Pikachu doesn't really like being in his Pokéball. I mean i have it, it's right here in my pocket, but he just prefers being out with me."
(Pikachu just nodded, crossing his arms.)
Pikachu: "Pika!"
(Ash shook off the moment.)
Ash: "Anyway, did you guys see that wanted poster? The one with the blue-haired guy and the pink-haired girl?"
(Gary sighed putting his arms behind his head.)
Gary: "Yeah, I saw it. They're probably just grunts, rookies who haven't even stolen anything yet. The fact that the only cop out here is Officer Jenny kind of says it all."
(Ash nodded, then he got a smirk on his face as he looked over to Gary.)
Ash: "I'll bet you a 1000 Pokédollars they try to rob the Pokémon Center."
(Gary laughed, shaking Ash's hand.)
Gary: "Easiest money of my life. No way anyone's that dumb."
(Misty leaned toward Green, lowering her voice.)
Misty: "Are they always like this?"
(Green smirked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.)
Green: "No. Sometimes they're even worse."
[To Be Continued...]