The Pokémon Journey

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

PLEASE READ THE NOTES

Note 1: So, basically why I wrote this is my beta for my Arrowverse stories needed me to slow down since we're co-writing a major crossover on our Arrowverse stories. I had this idea so said why not. Basically, what happened is I wrote the first 10 chapters of this story. If people like it I'll see about finishing it.

Note 2: I have three main characters in this story. Ash Ketchum, Misty Waterflower, and my own OC Ash's cousin Lolita 'Lita' Ketchum. While I try to focus on all the characters my OC was a little easier to tell the story through her eyes. That being said the other two are major and I gave them a ton of attention as well.

Starter Pokémon

The two teenagers were sitting on the bed watching a Pokémon battle. The two were Ash and Lolita Ketchum, but she went by Lita. They were technically second cousins. Their fathers were cousins, but had been as close as brothers. The two men had gone on their adventure together and Ash's father, Red Ketchum, had become champion while Lita father Draken, who specialized in dragon Pokémon, had been top of his elite four.

"What Pokémon do you think Professor Oak will give us?" Ash asked. He was a little sad. He had wanted Charmander just like his father, but five trainers had taken the test to become trainers. All had scored incredibly high but Ash and Lita had the lowest by a point. Professor Oak had told them they would get a starter but the three highest got to choose between the normal three.

"You know Oak," Lita said. "Could be anything."

"You two. It's a big day tomorrow. Head to bed," Delia said. Lita jumping off the bed.

"Mom you know years ago we'd already be on our journey," Ash said as Lita went to go to her room.

"Until Lance raised the age up to 13," Delia said. "Which was a good move. Especially after the war." The war of regions was a short but deadly war when Ash and Lita were kids. The war had taken both their fathers from them and Lita's mother who had always been a little unstable had just disappeared and had not been heard from again after the news. Lance had become champion after Red's death and year ago had worked with officials to raise the trainer age to 13 in both Kanto and Johto. Hoenn and Sinnoh had agreed and raised the age as well. While Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar had not which was causing a little tension between the regions again.

"Is Uncle Lance coming tomorrow?" Lita asked once she got to her room. Lance, the dragon master and current champion of Kanto and Johto, was her mother's younger brother. Lance was technically her legal guardian but with his busy schedule he and Delia had reached an agreement. Delia would care for Lita like her own, something she was more than willing to do, and Lance would provide money and be around as much as he could. Lance was the only father figure Ash and Lita ever knew.

"Sorry sweetie. He's busy with a certain matter. He did say he would make sure to see you and Ash on the road," Delia said. Lita nodded as she went to bed. Dreams of her future Pokémon in her head. Ash too dreaming of his Pokémon.

…

The next morning Lita and Ash were looking for their prepacked stuff. "Go, don't be late," Delia said. "I'll find it and bring it to the lab for you." Lita and Ash smiled and ran out of the house.

Professor Oak owned a large portion of land near the end of town. More than enough places for Pokémon of all types to hang out. Even wild Pokémon sometimes came to the ranch for food. The area was beautiful and Ash and Lita had spent a lot of time there as kids. One Gary Oak, their former friend, was Professor Oak grandson. Also, Delia worked part time here caring for the Pokémon. Professor Oak had also given them certain jobs when they. The two raising money for their journey over the years.

Gary was already waiting in front of the doors to the lab with another male and a female their age. The male was Thomas and the girl was Emma. The other two trainers who had passed the test with marks just above Ash and Lita and got one of the three normal starters. Thomas was tall with blonde hair and gave Lita a smile as they came up. Emma had dark hair and was very talkative.

"Late already," Gary said smugly. The reason the two were no longer friends with Gary is he had gotten jealous as they grew over their famous fathers and of Lance. He went out of his way to make fun of the two. "You shouldn't even really be here. I told Gramps not…"

"Enough Gary," Gary had not realized Professor Samuel Oak had opened the door. "I told you I have chosen to give them Pokémon because they had high scores. One point below you. Any other year and they would get their choice. You were just all really strong. Now come in."

Ash and Lita smiled at the professors defense of them as the five walked in. "The three normal starters. Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charmander," Professor Oak said pointing at the three balls and Garry was fast to go grab the one with the water symbol on it. "Gary, you did not have the highest score on the test. It's Emma first choice."

"It's fine by me," Emma said. "I want Bulbasaur anyway." Emma taking the grass Pokémon pokeball anyway as Thomas smiled as he took Charmander. Ash giving a frown but he knew this was coming.

"And now I will go and become the greatest Pokémon Master ever," Gary said. "With the strongest Pokémon by my side." Gary ran out the door and the others had to watch as Garry got into a waiting car with cheerleaders yelling he was the best.

"How did he get higher than us?" Lita asked her cousin.

"Maybe because he has a Pokémon professor in the family," it was Thomas who answered. "I'm going to head out too. Good luck with whatever Pokémon you get."

"Your specializing in fire, right?" Ash asked. He couldn't picture specializing loving all Pokémon but he knew Thomas had a thing for fire Pokémon.

"Yeah, going to search out the regions and catch several before entering a league so will probably skip this Indigo League," Thomas said giving the two a smile before he went off.

"I'm going to go too. I have to get to Viridian to sign up for contest," Emma said. That caught the two off guard. They had not known Emma was going to go for coordinating. Meant Gary was the only one in the Indigo League with them.

As everyone else left Ash and Lita waited for Professor Oak to come back in with two other Pokeballs. "When I saw your scores, I knew I could not have you waiting for the next batch of starters to be ready. I called out to breeder friends and found one right outside of Celadon City who was willing to donate these two when she heard who you were." Lita and Ash didn't mind their father's legacy helping them. "All she asks is when you hit Celadon come to her so she can see them. She never gets to see the Pokémon she raises once they sell."

"Agreed," Ash and Lita said together right away as Oak gave them the Pokeball. Both releasing the mystery Pokémon right away to see two Eevee come out.

"Nice," Lita said with a smile.

"It's one off the list," Ash said with a smile too. Eevees were hard to find and Ash took out a Poke Nav. A sort of portable computer and cell and brought up a list he had made. All the Pokémon his father had caught and crossed Eevee off it with a smile. Ash bending down then to see his Eevee. "It's me and you buddy." Eevee rubbing against Ash.

Lita had already picked up her Eevee hugging the girl as Ash's Eevee jumped onto his shoulder. "Now, that's settled your Pokedex and Pokeballs…" Oak said going to get them but stopped when the lights went out. "Not again."

"What's wrong?" Ash asked.

"A wild Pikachu keeps coming and chewing on my wires. Little thing is a bit of a trouble maker. Refuses the charging stations I have for electric Pokémon for the wires instead," Oak said.

"Pikachu," Ash said his eyes getting wide. "Professor can I catch him?" Pikachu had been one of Ash's father most trusted and praised Pokémon. It was major for Ash to get one.

"Take your best shot," Oak said pointing towards the back and Ash went running.

"Ash your forgetting your Pokeballs," Lita yelled grabbing both Pokedexs and the ten pokeballs. Oak provided five to all new trainers.

"This could be interesting," Professor Oak said turning to follow the two wanting to see the battle.

….

Ash ran right out to the field and saw the yellow mouse Pokémon chewing on the wires. "Pikachu," Ash called. The Pokémon turning around towards them. "I challenge you to a battle. If I win you join my team." Eevee jumped off Ash's shoulder and in front of him knowing it was time to battle.

Pikachu jumped up seeming to be pleased and gave a small electric shock out. Eevee ran from it. "Tackle," Ash said taking a guess as Lita showed up tossing the Pokedex and balls at him. Ash taking them as Eevee hit on the tackle. Pikachu giving Eevee a bit of a shock at the same time. "Don't give up. Continue with tackle." Eevee continued running around tackling Pikachu when he could. Pikachu didn't seem to be experience in battles and went to turn to run but got hit by a tackle again.

At that Ash tossed a Pokeball at the weakened Pokemon. It shook once, twice, and then locked close. "Yes," Ash cheered.

"Well you'll save me money on new wires," Professor Oak said as Ash picked up the new Pokeball and hugged Eevee. "But that battle was really sloppy. If Pikachu had had been more experience you would have been done. Scan both with your Pokedex for moves."

Ash took his Pokedex and first scanned Eevee. He could see Eevee came from a breeder who tried to bring the best moves out. Besides tackle, growl, and tail whip moves Eevee usually had at a low level but also quick attack and bite. Plus, an egg move double kick. Egg moves were tricky things. The Pokémon was born with the move but also sometimes had trouble with them.

Then he scanned Pikachu who was male and knew the moves growl, nuzzle, quick attack, and thunder shock. He didn't have any eggs moves but Ash had to smile anyway. Not everyone Pokémon had an egg move. It was actually rare in wild Pokémon that were not breed by breeders.

"Now I'll heal both up," Professor Oak said and Ash handed Pikachu Pokeball. Eeevee followed Oak back inside.

"So how is your Eevee?" Ash asked. "What moves does she or he have?" Both Ash's Pokemon were male.

"She," Lita said. "And probably about the same as yours. Tackle, growl, tail whip, swift."

"Mine knows bite," Ash said. "Probably can get them to teach each other the other move. What about an egg move?"

"Curse, that's a ghost type move," Lita said proud of her little Eevee. "One of us should nickname our Eevees." Ash made a face and Lita knew he was not a big fan of Eevees. "Okay I'll do it." Lita turned to the Eevee. "How about Nova?" The little Eevee made a sound as if agreeing.

"Done," it was Oak returning with both Pokémon out of their Pokeballs. Eevee running on top of Ash's shoulder and Pikachu did the same. "You know I don't think either of them like being in the ball that much. Might want to keep them out." Oak handed Pikachu ball to Ash and Ash put it on his belt where Eevee's already was.

"Welcome to the team Pikachu," Ash said to the Pokémon who made a sound and nodded. Seemed he was accepting he got caught and was willing to come with Ash.

"Don't tell me they are already catching Pokémon," it was Delia coming up.

"Only Ash," Oak said back with a smile.

"Well both your backpacks," Delia said. "And I found your package. Don't want to forget that especially after how hard you worked to get it early on." Ash and Lita had been doing small jobs around the town for years to earn enough money to buy a TM Machine. TM were little disk that taught a pokemon a move, sometimes even moves they could not learn naturally. It was a big advantage having one so early. Lita and Ash having gone half on it to share one.

Ash opened up the package to take out the TM Machine and then a little book was with it. "Wait, we only ordered one TM each. This is the TM starter package," Ash said and Lita looked over at it.

"Surprise," Delia said with a smile. "I talked to Lance and we were both impressed by how hard you worked to get the money for this. I called the company after you placed the order and updated the TMs package on us. They are all reusable too." TMs had discard able ones that were only usable once and reusable ones.

"Hey my camera," Lita said finding it in her backpack. "Let's get a picture before we go. Professor…."

"I'd be happy to take a picture," Professor Oak said.

"I was going to ask if one of your assistants could take it so you could be in it," Lita said and Professor Oak smiled calling over a boy maybe about 17 or 18 he called Tracey. Must be a new assistant since the two had never seen him before. Tracey more than willing to take the photo of the four humans and three Pokémon.

"Nice camera," Tracey said to Lita as he went to hand it back.

"Thanks. It was a birthday present," Lita said as she put it away.

"Take as many pictures of wild Pokémon as you can and send them to me," Tracey said taking out his own poke nav and Lita took out hers. The two sending each other the number for the phone. It wasn't perfect in the wild and worked better in cities. It was also only for texts. Not voice calls, but it worked nicely.

"Sure thing," Lita said when it was done. "Come on Ash. We better go."

"Yeah," Ash said. "See you mom." Ash hugged his mom good bye and Lita did as well. Delia telling them to take care of each other and embarrassingly told them to make sure to change their underwear.

"They'll be fine Delia," Oak said to the woman once the two teenagers were gone with their Pokémon.

….

Lita and Ash walked onto Route 1 with their Pokémon. Ash taking out his poke nav and crossing Pikachu off the list of Pokémon he needed. "Are you seriously only going to catch the same Pokémon your dad did?" Lita asked. When she was young she use to play along with Ash. Saying she would do the same and they would be the new version of their fathers, but as she grew she knew while she loved Dragon Pokémon she did not want to specialize. Lance having helped her realize she loved all Pokémon too much to do it. Ash on the other hand held onto his dream of becoming exactly like his father in every way.

"You know how many Pokémon my dad caught," Ash said.

"Yeah, not as many as people think," Lita said. The famous champion Red was rumored to have caught every Pokémon that existed. The truth was he hadn't even caught all 150 common to the Kanto region alone and caught not a single one common to other regions. At the time none of those Pokémon were really anywhere in Kanto but over time some of the other region Pokémon had migrated here.

Ash ignored his cousins comment though as he looked around. "Viridian City gym demands five badges," Lita said. "We better head over to Pewter. Brock is gym leader there and according to online good gym for new trainers."

"Just like our dads," Ash said with a smile.

"Yeah," Lita said. Both their fathers had gotten their first badge at Pewter. At the time Brock's dad had been gym leader. "There's a river nearby. How about we go camp out on the banks for tonight and see about catching a water Pokémon."

"Okay," Ash agreed looking through his list of his father's Pokémon to figure out what water Pokémon he had. Lita rolled her eyes as she pet Nova. Both of Ash's Pokémon on his shoulder, but Nova was walking besides Lita. Lita had her camera in her hand and took a couple of pictures of Pidgeys, Spearows, and Rattatas as they walked.

When they got to a nice spot by the river it was to find a girl with red ish orange hair already fishing there. She had a Seel and Staryu out with her. "The spot is already taken," Ash said.

"So?" Lita asked. "Hi." Lita called out making the girl turn. She must have been 13 the same as Ash and Lita. "Nice Seel and Stayu. Mind if I take a picture?"

"Not at all," she said. "What cute Eevees." Lita smiled as she took a picture of the two Pokémon. "Wait I know you two. You were with Lance a few years back at an event. His niece and nephew right."

"That would be us," Ash said proudly. "But if you were at that event you have to be related to a gym leader." The event the girl was talking about was an annual conference for gym leaders, elite four, and the champion.

"Misty," Lita said right away after thinking about it. "Cerulean Gym, right? I heard your parents died. I'm so sorry."

"Thanks," Misty said. "Lita and Ash, right?" The two nodded. "You two started your journey today I guess. I've had my Pokémon license for a few months since my birthday. Since I took a gym Pokémon as my starter didn't need to wait for anyone to give me one."

"Are you entering the Indigo League?" Ash asked curious.

"Possibly. There's going to be a special announcement soon for people specializing. They are doing something special. I hear it's going to be about the gym challenge. Got to head to where the announcement is taking place so I can sign up," Misty said.

"Nice, mind if we put our poles in the water and maybe set up a camp?" Lita asked. "Maybe you could give us some tips on water Pokémon."

Misty eyes lit up and she smiled but before she could answer they heard a weird noise. "Pika," Pikachu said and pointed. The three humans turning to see a flock of spearows in the sky. Lita snapping quick pictures.

"That's not normal," Ash said and as he said it a young boy with a weird greenish blue hair color and wearing glasses came running by them yelling. He running pass the passage that would take them to Viridian. The spearows chasing him completely ignoring the group by the water as they followed him.

"Just must have made that flock mad," Misty said taking out two pokeballs and returning her Pokémon. Lita returned Nova to her pokeball as well.

"He doesn't look like he has a Pokémon," Ash said. "We better go help." That flock could easily kill the boy.

"Take my bike," Misty said to Ash. Ash was the one with an electric Pokémon who were strong against flying types. Ash nodded getting on the bike and going after where the boy had run. Lita and Misty running after him.

Ash found the flock attacking the boy who must have fallen over. "Pikachu, thunder shock," Ash said and Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and sent a thunder shock at the flock. It got some of them to move but not all of them,

"Eve," Eeevee called out from Ash's shoulder.

"Again," Ash said.

"Pikachu," Pikachu yelled out running on top of the boy and a larger lightning bolt came out and hit all the spearow and bounce back hitting the bike. Knocking Ash and Eevee off.

"That was not thunder shock," Ash said looking down. The bike was fried and he had to apologize to Misty for it.

"Ash," it was Lita running up. "Return Eevee and Pikachu." Ash looked up. The large electric attack had not just scared away the spearow but had knocked out Eevee and Pikachu had gotten hit by a couple of spearow. Ash returned both pokemon to their pokeballs.

"He's not okay," Misty said bending down close to the kid.

"May," the kid whispered. He was barely conscious. "Sorry… rock… spearow…. May…."

"Who's May?" Ash asked.

"There might be someone else out there," Lita said turning around. "Ash, your stronger and faster than us. You take him and go to Viridian. Tell Officer Jenny we went back to find this May." Misty and Ash gave a nod and they both started running back up the path to where they had been. Ash picked up the boy and started running towards the city.

Post Chapter Note: so yes, Max and May. Decided why not include them. They are not mains but people who will pop up. So, some explaining. I decided to make Pikachu Ash's first catch instead of starter because I feel it would get pass the issues Ash and Pikachu had at first by Ash actually catching the Pokémon. i also gave Misty Seel instead if Staryu and Starme. seemed wasted to have both,