(Later that night...)
(After a chaotic evening, everyone retired to their rooms.)
(The Pokémon Center's guest rooms were simple, with two twin beds, a desk, and a window overlooking Viridian City's quiet streets.)
(Ash plopped onto his bed, pulling Pikachu up beside him.)
Ash: "Alright, buddy. You've earned this."
(He handed Pikachu a bottle of ketchup.)
(Pikachu happily took it and started licking it up, it's been a fill 5 hours since his last bottle, he was having withdraws.)
(Ash laughed softly, glad to see Pikachu happy.)
Ash: "Just don't eat too much or you'll get a tummy ache, we are about to go to sleep."
(He reached for Spearow's Poké Ball and glanced at Pikachu, who was now happily gnawing on the ketchup bottle like it was a chew toy.)
Ash: "Hey, can I count on you to keep an eye out if Spearow acts up?"
(Pikachu gave a thumbs up not stopping his ketchup meal.)
(Ash gave a thumbs up back.)
Ash: "Thanks bud."
(As Pikachu nodded, Ash took a deep breath and sent out the feisty bird.)
Ash: "Spearow, come on out!"
(With a burst of light, Spearow materialized in front of him, wings spread, eyes narrowed.)
(It locked onto Pikachu with a cold, piercing glare, feathers ruffling aggressively.)
(Pikachu, for his part, seemed entirely unimpressed, he just kept licking his ketchup bottle like this wasn't his problem.)
(Ash crossed his arms, firm but calm.)
Ash: "Okay, that's enough."
(Spearow's glare shifted to him, but Ash didn't flinch.)
Ash: "Listen, you lost. I caught you. That means I'm your trainer now, and as your trainer, you need to get along with everyone. That includes Pikachu."
(Spearow tilted its head, clearly not thrilled by the idea.)
(Ash kept going, voice steady but kind.)
Ash: "But I'm not gonna force you. If you really don't want to be my Pokémon, I'll release you right here, no strings attached."
(Spearow froze.)
(That... wasn't what it expected.)
(Ash shrugged, hands in his pockets.)
Ash: "But if you do stay, I'll help you get stronger. Stronger than ever. No one will be able to beat you again. What do you say?"
(Spearow looked back at Pikachu, then at Ash, then at Pikachu again, as if weighing its options.)
(Finally, it gave a sharp, determined nod.)
Spearow: "Spearow!"
(Ash smiled.)
Ash: "Glad to have you on the team. Now, let's eat."
(He opened his bag and pulled out some Pokéfood.)
(It wasn't fancy, just basic dry feed and a few Pokéblocks, but it would do.)
(He'd packed extra for bird Pokémon, just in case.)
(Spearow dove into the food like it hadn't eaten in days, and Pikachu happily munched alongside him, pausing only to take occasional swigs of ketchup.)
(Ash chuckled.)
Ash: "Alright, no training tonight. We'll hit Viridian Forest tomorrow for some real practice. And then, Pewter Gym. First badge, here we come."
(After feeding his team, Ash settled into bed.)
(Pikachu curled up next to him, ketchup bottle gripped like a plushie.)
(Ash propped himself up with the Pokédex, flipping through data.)
(It worked like a phone, he could look up Gym battles, Pokémon habitats, and even type advantages.)
Ash: "Huh... they record every Gym battle and post it online?"
(Ash muttered, scrolling through a few clips of Brock's matches.)
Ash: "Sweet. Gotta take notes on this."
(He leaned back, mind racing.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Viridian Forest tomorrow. I'll catch a few more Pokémon... Maybe Magikarp too, Gyarados could be crazy strong. But that's a problem for later. For now... sleep.'
(And with that, he drifted off.)
(The next morning, outside the Pokémon Center.)
(The sun was rising, and the gang stood by the entrance, packs slung over their shoulders.)
(Misty had already wandered off toward Route 1, fishing rod in hand, determined to find... something, not sure what she'll find though.)
(Ash yawned and stretched.)
Ash: "So, what's the plan, guys? I'm probably sticking around Viridian Forest for a couple days. Need to train and maybe catch a few Pokémon."
(Green nodded, arms crossed and Bulbasaur at her side.)
Green: "I'm heading for Pewter City. Figure I've got the best shot at beating Brock as we are now."
(Gary, shrugged and scratched his head.)
Gary: "I'm going to get a car or something. Gotta move fast if I'm gonna beat you all."
(Ash blinked.)
Ash: "...What?"
(Green's face mirrored his disbelief.)
Green: "You're seriously gonna get a car?"
(Gary grinned, smug as ever.)
Gary: "Hey, Gramps is funding us. I'll use the money smartly."
(Ash snorted.)
Ash: "Yeah, real smart. Next thing you know, you'll be picking up those cheerleaders who were basically begging to sit on your lap."
(Gary's face flushed.)
Gary: "Wha—?! First off, Gramps is sponsoring all of us. And second... I might! They're probably better company than you two!"
Green: "Surrreeee, a bunch of gold diggers following you around~"
(Green said playfully.)
Green: "I mean at least i tell you what i expect right away, i don't hide, not like those girls"
(Ash smirked, backing away as he slung his bag over his shoulder with Pikachu still sleeping inside of his bag.)
Ash: "Ha good one Green, I bet you any amount of money that they got hired to follow him. Anyway, time to split up. Green, it was great traveling with you. Gary, it was great taking your money. Later!"
(Gary looked ready to yell something back, but Ash was already gone, waving over his shoulder as he disappeared into the trees.)
(In Viridian Forest.)
(Ash inhaled deeply as he ventured into the forest, the morning air crisp and cool.)
(Spearow sat perched on his shoulder, looking around, wings twitching.)
(Pikachu, still sleepy, was curled up inside his bag, peeking out occasionally.)
(They moved deeper, and soon Ash found himself surrounded by wild Pokémon.)
(Mankey swung through the branches, Sandshrew dug near the roots, and a flock of Doduo sprinted across a clearing.)
(Butterfree flitted overhead, while a swarm of Beedrill buzzed by.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Well it's time to start looking around.'
(Ash thought as he pulled out his Pokedex and started scanning everything until he found something interesting.)
[To Be Continued...]