Chapter 3: Route 1 and Viridian City

A/N: I just want to say thank you for all of the people who have reviewed, and added this story to their favorites or alerts. It makes me happy that you are enjoying my story. In this chapter, Ash catches a few new Pokémon and meets his first traveling companion, Misty.

A/N 2: I am so sorry that this is so late. I have just been busy by doing chores, going to Memphis, Tennessee(Beale Street was awesome, especially at night), and this chapter was unbelievably hard to write. As a result, I believe that this is not the best chapter in the story and I may not be doing weekly updating, just whenever I finish the chapter. I will not abandoning this story, just that updates will be slower.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. All rights go to Nintendo, Game Freak, and anyone else who has had a part in creating Pokémon. This story is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Ash was concentrating on the target before him. Absol was crouched in attack mode, waiting for his next orders. Pikachu was sitting on Ash's shoulders, watching the battle intently. At this point, the fight could go either way.

Ash's focus was on a wild Sandshrew. While they weren't entirely uncommon to the Route 1 area, a person had a better chance at finding one when the day was hot.

The mouse Pokémon was panting from exhaustion. It didn't expect to be faced by a trainer when it went out foraging for food earlier this morning. The strange Pokémon in front of it didn't even seem remotely tired.

Not one to give up, Sandshrew curled itself up into a ball launched itself into it's recently mastered Rollout.

Ash was watching Sandshrew carefully, and when he saw that it was using Rollout he shouted, "Absol dodge it and then finish it off with Water Pulse!"

Absol jumped into the air just as he would have been struck. Absol threw his head back, forming a ball of blue energy. He threw the attack at Sandshrew and was pleased when the Pokémon became soaked.

With its energy spent, Sandshrew collapsed onto the ground. Ash took a Pokéball from his belt and tossed it at Sandshrew, watching as the Pokémon was captured without a struggle.

Ash got down on his knee as Absol walked back towards his trainer. "Great job Absol, I knew you could do it! How about going back into your Pokéball for a short rest?" Ash suggested. With that, Ash recalled Absol and then released Sandshrew.

After spraying a Potion on the ground type, Sandshrew looked at Ash quizzically. When Ash noticed Sandshrew's reaction, he smiled. "Welcome to the team Sandshrew!" Ash held out his hand for Sandshrew to shake it and that surprised the Pokémon even more.

He took the offered hand with his paw and shook it. Ash then used that same hand to start rubbing circles on the Pokémon's back. Ash still had that same smile when he saw Sandshrew relaxing under the touch.

"You know, for a Pokémon with such high defenses I didn't expect you to relax this easily." Ash figured that most Sandshrew were shy and timid until they were caught by a Trainer. It appeared that Ash already caught one that was braver than most Sandshrew.

As Ash rubbed Sandshrew's back, he took out his Pokedex to scan his newest teammate.

Sandshrew: The Mouse Pokémon

To Protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in regions with minimal rainfall

Gender: Female

Nature: Brave

Ability: Sand Rush

Evolution: Sandshrew-Sandslash

Moves: Poison Sting, Rollout, Slash, Sandstorm, Hone Claws, Dig

Not bad. I can see room for improvement, especially with her speed. Oh well, that's what training's for. Ash put his Pokedex away and then recalled Sandshrew back into her Pokéball.

"Pikachu, how would you like to fight the next Pokémon that we see?" Ash asked. When Pikachu replied with an energetic "Pika!" Ash took that as a yes. He chuckled, amused at Pikachu's actions.

As they continued to walk down the route, Ash noticed several Rattata, but wasn't to enthused by catching them. What he really needed on his team was a flying type Pokémon. The only ones around here though were Spearow and Pidgey.

"Pikachu, what do you think I'll have better luck with, catching a Spearow or a Pidgey?" Ash asked.

"Pikachu, pi pika." Pikachu stated. He believed that a Pidgey would be easier than their temperamental cousins and Ash would have a better shot at catching one.

"Pidgey huh, well if I see one, then we'll catch it." Ash said.

Ash was walking by the area where the local flock of Spearow and Fearow lived and was being careful not to disturbed them. I remember hearing horror stories from the travelers passing by about being chased by the Spearow all the way to town. I do not want that happening to me.

"Hey Pikachu, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't Spearow supposed to have brown feathers?" Ash asked as he suddenly came to a halt.

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed in shock once he saw what his trainer was looking at. A few feet ahead of them lay an injured Spearow. But as Ash pointed out, instead of the normal coloration, the Spearow's feathers were a golden color.

A shiny Pokémon? I never thought I would get to see one. I wonder if this means my journey is going to something special? Ash thought.

As Ash and Pikachu made their way to Spearow, with Ash taking out one of his Potions to heal the bird Pokémon. At this rate I'll run out of them before I reach Viridian City.

Ash watched as the Spearow's injuries faded away and smiled in relief. Once Spearow was fully healed, it flew up to Ash's shoulder and lightly pecked its beak against him as thanks.

"You know, you don't have as much as a temper as other Spearow's that I've seen." Ash commented. The Spearow trilled in response.

As Ash stood up to leave, he was surprised when the Spearow didn't fly off back to his flock. "Do you want to come with me?" Ash asked. Having a shiny Pokémon on his team would be awesome and a big help.

"Spearow, spear." Spearow replied, flapping its wings in agreement.

A grin broke out across his face as he took out a Pokéball and lightly tapped Spearow with it. He watched as the Pokéball didn't even struggle and he broke out cheering when the capture was done.

"I can't believe I caught a shiny Pokémon!" Ash exclaimed. Gary will be so jealous. He was a little smug at the thought but was brought down to earth when he picked up and released the Pokémon inside.

He took out his Pokedex and was slightly surprised when he read the data.

Spearow: The Tiny Bird Pokémon

It flaps its small wings to fly. Using its beak, it searches in grass for prey.

Gender: Male

Nature: Docile

Ability: Sniper

Evolution: Spearow-Fearow

Moves: Peck, Aerial Ace, Pursuit, Agility, Roost, Drill Peck, Double Team"

"Well, shiny Pokémon are supposed to be stronger than most of their species." Ash mused. He put his Pokedex away and recalled Spearow back to his Pokéball. "So much for that Pidgey, huh Pikachu?"

Pikachu let out a short "Pika", as he jumped back onto Ash's shoulder. The two continued towards Viridian City.

By the time they stopped at a stream with a waterfall in the background, it was just after noon. At least, that was what Ash's watch was telling him. However, when he looked up at the sky, one would think that it was nighttime.

"Looks like a storm's coming, huh buddy?" Ash stated. He was growing concerned because he did not want to have to camp out in this weather.

He quickly packed up his gear from where he made a quick lunch. Luckily, he had the sense to recall his Pokémon after he fed them some Poke chow. He had checked his Town Map and realized that he wasn't that far from Viridian and could make it in less than an hour if he ran, effectively beating the storm.

With that in mind, Ash put his backpack over his shoulder, and took off towards the entrance of Viridian City.

He was halfway down the river when he ran into someone. They both collapsed onto the ground, and Pikachu managed to not get caught up in the collision.

When Ash looked up, he saw a red hair girl who looked to be in her early teens. He immediately recognized her to be the fourth sister of the Cerulean Gym, Misty. What could see be doing this far south?

Ash picked himself up and brushed off his clothes before reaching out his hand to help her up. "Sorry about that, I was just trying to beat the storm and I guess I wasn't paying attention."

Misty took the offered hand and replied, "Don't mention it. I was just hoping to find some Water Pokémon to add to my team while I was staying in Viridian."

The sudden rumble of thunder broke up their conversation and the two felt the first drops of rain. "We best find some shelter before it starts pouring." Ash said, with Misty nodding in agreement.

They started running down the stream, hoping to reach civilization before the downpour and make to the Pokémon Center in time.

About thirty minutes, the first lightning strike struck the river and both Ash and Misty heard a horrifying roar. They looked up to see that one of the few Gyarados had been struck and it's head collapsed on the bank.

When Ash started to run towards the fallen Pokémon, Misty grabbed his arm and had to yell to be heard over the force of the wind, "What do you think your doing? That Gyarados can still be dangerous even though it's injured!"

Ash just shrugged his arm out of her grip and replied, "I know that, but I'm not just going to leave it alone!" He knew Misty was just trying to help, after all, Gyarados were among the most ferocious Pokémon in the world. But just leaving a Pokémon alone when it was hurt just didn't sit right with Ash. Not when he knew he could help it.

He grabbed one of his Pokeballs and threw it at Gyarados, watching as it went in without even a struggle. He quickly put the Pokéball on his belt and he and Misty continued to run towards Viridian City.

When they felt the first rain drop, they ran as fast as they could to avoid the downpour. It was inevitable though, because a few minutes later, they were seeking shelter in a nearby rock face.

"I can't believe how fast that storm came up." Ash stated as he twisted his hat to get all the water out. Pikachu was shaking his fur and Misty was squeezing the water out of her ponytail.

"It doesn't really surprise me." She said. "We've been having such crazy heat that a storm like this was bound to happen anyway."

"I guess." Ash said. He had taken Gyarados' Pokéball and was wondering if he could use his Pokedex to scan a Pokémon even if they were inside a Pokéball.

He took out his Pokedex, and to both Ash and Misty's surprise, it worked.

Gyarados: The Atrocious Pokémon

Once it begins a rampage, a Gyarados will burn everything down, even in a harsh storm

Gender: Male

Nature: Adamant

Ability: Moxie

Moves: Dragon Rage, Ice Fang, Rain Dance, Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Dragon Pulse, Dark Pulse

Ash was pleasantly surprised at how strong Gyarados was, even for a fully evolved Pokémon. He wondered if Gyarados had a trainer before him.

While the storm continued, Ash and Misty talked about their goals and why they wanted to travel in the first place.

In a few hours time, the storm had passed and to their amazement, saw the legendary Ho-oh flying high above them.

The rest of the way to Viridian City was calm and uneventful.