Here it is. The cleaned-up version of Chapter one. Thank you, MyNoseAgreesWithMe, for assisting me in DocX and editing this chapter. Credit to Darkfoxkit for ideas. Ash will be receiving the same Pokémon as in his anime-journey, but I have several plans for evolution and some extra Pokémon ;)

The young boy felt tears well up in his chocolate-brown eyes as he waited by the window, as he had been for hours. His parents had departed, promising to return in a few minutes. The tiny three year old had begun to cry much earlier, but now it was utter despair and the sense of abandonment that caused his weeping. Though he still hoped for his parents' arrival, for the soothing touch of his mother as she gently inquired why he had been crying, he somehow knew it would never come. Ash would never know why - he just...did. Hugging a petite, ragged Eevee doll to his chest, the tiny boy continued to wait, staring out through the clear glass of the windowpane as he sat on the arm of the recliner.

Dad won't be happy if he sees me sitting here. The thought just grazed his mindscape, causing him to wince as more salty droplets trickled down his cheeks, bypassing the zig-zag marks that scored his face. He wished that they would just return, but he felt his faith in them fading fast, and soon found himself sliding into the cushion of the chair, curling up against the soft fabric. He still clutched the Eevee plushie to his ribcage as though it were the most important thing in the world. His lids slipping shut over his round eyes, he decended into a light doze, determined to stay at least partially awake in case his parents did return.

Suddenly, the door swung recklessly open, the wood clashing against the cream dry wall. Ash jolted awake, his fingers clenching the poor doll's neck as he trembled furiously with terror. It wasn't the quiet, delicate footsteps of his mother that greeted him, nor was it the heavy, sluggish steps of his father. These steps sounded light and swift, and almost as though someone was dragging their toenails along the wood as they walked. Shuddering, the boy bravely cried out, "Who's there?"

"Hwokrah." a growling voice responded. Definitely not human, but Ash didn't recognize it to be a Pokemon that he knew. The footsteps drew closer to him, until a massive, crimson clawed paw came into view, stretching before his eyesight. The boy's deep, dark amber pools stretched as wide as a full moon, but he did not make a sound, even as the large head of a canine came into view.

A scarlet-hued mane slightly shagged over its dark gray forehead, ice blue slits gazing with a strange fondness towards him. Its long, pointed muzzle slightly twitched, the edges of its lengthy lips curling upwards in a friendly-yet-mischievous smirk. "Roarkuh?" Ash released a low whimper as it spoke, and the massive Pokemon stroked his raven, messy hair gingerly with its delicate forepaw. Amazingly, the next sentence the Pokemon stated was entirely human.

"Do not worry, small child. I will not bring you harm." The tongue it spoke in was deep, but highly feminine, and it calmed the three year old a bit. The boy still continued to tremble furiously, squeezing his toy very tightly. "Relax," she murmured, sympathy filling her eyes, before releasing a deep sigh. "I apologize, little one. But your Meemas will not be returning." This confused Ash, and, despite his fear, he tilted his head inquiringly.

"What's my 'Meemas'?"

"...Your parents." His dark brown orbs widened, and he vigorously shook his head in disbelief.

"No! You're lying! Y-you're just a weird, liar-Pokemon!" He wailed, tears beginning to trickle down his face. The canine, bipedal Pokemon locked eyes with the young child.

"I speak the truth. And, furthermore, I am not 'a weird liar-Pokemon'. I am a Zoroark." Ash had no idea what in the world a Zoroark was, for he only had some of the Kanto Pokemon memorized, but at the moment, he didn't care. "Trust me," she whispered, continuing to use her large, crimson talons to caress him as nonthreateningly as possible. "I'll take good care of you, I promise."

Fury filled the small boy, and he shouted in a trembling tone, "No! You're not Mama! Or Dadda!" The Zoroark hesitated, cocking its massive head so that the red bangs flopped in front of its cyan slits.

"You're correct. I am not your 'Mama' or 'Dadda'. No, I will be your Meema."

~.:Two Years Later:.~

Ash had no memory of that fateful day, when his parents had mysteriously vanished and the Zoroark had claimed him as her child. No, he couldn't even remember his former parents' faces. So, he simply remained with his new Meema, who transformed into 'Delia' when anyone entered the house [Totally copying Darkfoxkit, sorry ;3;]. She taught him the arts of decieving and of stealth, training him to be swift and cunning, almost as much as a young Zorua.

He still had plenty to learn though, and was quite eager to do so. He was even beginning to understand the language of Pokemon! Zoroark was very proud of her 'son'. At the moment, he was playing with a tiny Meowth who often visited him, playing a game of Tag. The Meowth released a high-pitched mewl, dropping into a mock battle stance and creeping towards Ash. He pounced on the boy, who released a surprised squeal and tumbled forward, laughing and giggling all the while and clutching his little Eevee doll.

She turned her pointed muzzle towards the road, feeling deeply troubled as she sifted through the pantry. It didn't seem right, keeping what had happened to Ash's parents away from him. Zoroark clearly remembered the first few weeks with the small boy. A lot of crying and comforting had occured, and the only way he would have fallen asleep was if she sang a soft lullaby to him.

She shook her head to clear the memories, inhaling deeply before changing her form to that of 'Delia'. She had errands to run, and wished to retrieve something special for her child. Exiting the house, she approached Ash and the Meowth, who both grinned cheerfully up at her.

"Hi, Meema!" He exclaimed.

"Hello, Zoroark," the Meowth mewed. Zoroark lifted her now-human hand in a departing wave.

"I have a few errands to run. I'll be back in a little while. Be good, alright?"

"Of course!" The two replied. Satisfied, the Zoroark walked off, heading towards a nearby market. She was expecting a package - a small gift for her 'little Zorua' (which she refers to Ash as sometimes). She arrived in a hustle, swiftly grabbing a carton of milk and some pancake batter for tomorrow's breakfast.

After she purchased the few goods, she departed, immediately heading towards the post office. As predicted, the miniscule, cardboard box sat on the counter, untouched by curious hands. She signed several forms, before bringing the package along, smirking happily to herself. Her son would be overjoyed, she just knew it! 'Delia' made her entrance, transforming into her original appearance the moment she closed the door behind her, promptly setting the box down on the table. The Zoroark shoved the milk in the fridge and the batter in the cabinet, before calling for Ash. "Ash! I've got a surprise for you!"

That caught the child's attention. Scooping up his Eevee doll and bidding farewell to the Meowth, he dashed off towards his house, flinging open the door and bounding excitedly over. He immediately took notice of the package, prodding it with a curious finger. "What's in it?" He demanded, casting his quizzical, dark amber gaze upon Zoroark.

"Why don't you see for yourself?" With that, he tore at the tape upon the flaps (with some assistance from Zoroark's long, deadly claws) and swung it open. His eyes widened, and he nearly released a squeal of joy as he viewed what was inside. It was a hat, too large for him at the moment, with a white front and red rear and bill. The green symbol of the Pokemon League proudly presented itself at the front. "You hear about that contest? Well, guess who won the hat for ya?"

Zoroark grinned even larger than before, feeling Ash's arms wrap around her neck. "Thank you so much, Meema! When I start my journey, I'll wear this hat wherever I go!"

~.:Five Years Later:.~

Ash withdrew a deep breath as he slipped his hat over his head. This was it. He snatched up his bright green backpack, draping it over his shoulders and adjusting the straps. He would finally begin his journey. Maybe, after a lonely childhood with only Zoroark and Pokemon, he'd make some actual human friends. He fixed his blue vest, toying with the gold trim. Today was the day he would recieve his starter Pokemon, and begin traveling to compete in the League. Finally all set, the ten-year old strode down the stairs, and was immediately intercepted by his Meema.

Startled slightly, Ash arched a brow and avoided her piercing, teal gaze. "Hello, Meema."

She wrapped her gray-furred forelimbs around her 'son', growling, "Take care. And make some friends along the way."

"I will, Meema."

"Human friends," she clarified. Ash didn't reply to that, simply kissing her on the cheek before darting around her and making for the door.

"Love ya! Call ya when I reach Viridian!" He thrust the wooden door open, sprinting to the outdoors and heading straight for Professor Oak's. His Pokemon encyclopedia in his bag slightly weighed him down, but he truly did not care, feeling a tingle in his chest. His journey would soon be beginning!

He scaled the front porch of Oak's house, knocking heavily on the door and ceasing his panting. Oak answered the door, smiling. "Ah, good morning, Ash. A bit early, aren't you?" Ash nodded breathlessly, eager to recieve his Pokemon, Pokeballs, and Pokedex. The Professor followed the boy inside, waving him over to a small, circular table. Three pokeballs lay in the center, each one with an engraving of whatever type they belonged to - Charmander would be fire, Squirtle would be water, and Bulbasaur would be grass.

Ash already knew all this, for he had read the Trainer's Guide three times over. But another Pokeball sitting on a nearby counter caught his eye. Curiously enough, it had a lightning bolt engraved on its crimson half.

"Well, my boy, what will it be?"

The child felt a flare of indifference at Oak's reference towards him, but made no comment on it. Hesitating at first, Ash quietly inquired, "What's in that one?" He used a hand to indicate the lightning Pokeball.

Oak's brow furrowed and he frowned. "Oh, that one? You won't want that one, Ash. That was a Pokemon who had been chewing on electrical wires, so I captured it just yesterday. It is not tamed and highly dislikes humans."

"Let me have a look."

"Ash-"

"Please?" he added politely. Oak sighed.

"Very well. Don't come crying to me, though." With that, the Professor approached the table with the lightning ball, handing it to Ash. He pressed the button in the center, releasing a defiant-looking Pikachu who glared at him with a gaze sharp as flint. Ash lowered himself to his knees, reaching a hand out towards the aggressive Pokemon, who growled and sparked warningly.

"Hi there," he greeted in a soft, soothing tone that reminded him of Meema's lullaby. The Pikachu flashed its teeth at the boy.

"Stay back, or I'll give you the shock of a lifetime!" Its yellow fur bristling hostilely, it continued to glower at Ash.

"I don't want to hurt you." Ash murmured, taking mind not to make a direct reply, as Oak was right there. Ash reached forward, and the Pikachu lunged for him, grasping his hand and sending a strong electrical current through the boy's body. He winced, but did not cry out, as the Pikachu expected. He took the brief shock, as the Mouse Pokemon froze in surprise after a moment of the electrocution.

Ash did not shout or make violent gestures at him as other humans had when receiving similar treatment. He simply smiled kindly at the confused Pikachu, using this moment of contact to scratch the Pokeon behind the ear. "I do not wish to hurt you," he repeated softly, before glancing up at Professor Oak and nodding. "Yes, sir, if you may, I'll take this one here."

Oak pondered this for a moment before shrugging. "Why, certainly. I don't see why not." He then walked over to a shelf, removing 5 shrunken Pokeballs and a Pokedex before passing them to Ash. "Here you are. These Pokeballs will enable you to capture Pokemon, and the Pokedex will give you information on every Pokemon in the Kanto region."

Only Kanto? Ash thought, feeling slightly disappointed - but that was the reason why, after all, he had prepared himself with his Pokemon encyclopedia. He clipped the empty Pokeballs to his belt, shoving his newly received Pokedex in his vest pocket. "Thank you, sir."

With that, the boy glanced towards the lightning-marked Pokeball in his hands, pointing it towards Pikachu and preparing to withdraw it. He hesitated as flicker of fear crossed the electric rodent's coal black, beady orbs.

"Please, not that stupid ball!" it begged in its language, feeling unbearably hopeless and terrified, knowing that the human it attempted to communicate with wouldn't understand, despite his show of kindness and patience.

Ash, hearing the Pikachu's plea, paused, before announcing in an even tone, "I think I'll keep you out of your Pokeball for a bit, to get to know you." He winked at the relieved and amazed Pokemon, before nodding at Oak. "Well... Goodbye."

The Professor nodded, gesturing towards the door. "Good luck on your journey!"

With that, Ash walked out the door, Pikachu bounding after him.