Chapter 3: The Disobedient Pikachu and the Chat Group's Hidden Feature
"Well, I'll be! You actually know what this Pokémon is, Ash!" Professor Oak exclaimed, looking surprised when he heard Ash say the name "Pikachu."
He had taught all the kids in town the basics, covering most of the Pokémon native to the Kanto region, but this was Ash he was talking about.
The eternal last-place kid. The one who almost never paid attention during the knowledge-based lessons.
Professor Oak had to admit, Ash's passion and love for Pokémon were second to none among his peers. But when it came to book smarts... the results were pretty disastrous.
For Ash to recognize Pikachu on sight was a genuinely rare accomplishment.
The Professor's praise went straight to Ash's head. He puffed out his chest, his pride practically making his nose grow. "Of course I do! It's a Pikachu! A really powerful Pokémon! With him as my starter, my future as a champion is practically guaranteed!"
Professor Oak gave Ash a look of pure disbelief. He hesitated for a moment, but decided against telling the boy that Pikachu were one of the most common Pokémon in the Kanto region.
It seems that while Ash knows the name, he doesn't know much else, the Professor thought. Otherwise, how could he say something so ridiculous?
Pikachu, who had been standing off to the side, overheard Ash's bold declaration. Despite his general dislike for humans, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of warmth toward the boy.
After all, it wasn't every day you met someone who thought a Pikachu was a powerhouse...
"Alright then. If you have no objections to Pikachu, take these and get started on your journey," Professor Oak said, handing Ash a Pokédex and a few empty Poké Balls.
Ash casually stuffed the items into his pockets, then crouched down in front of his new partner. "It's great to meet you, Pikachu. I hope we can..." he began, reaching out to gently pat Pikachu's head. "Aaaaaahhh!!"
Before he could even feel how soft Pikachu's fur was, the Pokémon's expression soured, and golden sparks of electricity began to dance across its body.
"Pika—CHUUU!!"
A powerful electric shock coursed through Ash, making his entire body seize up. His pajamas turned a crispy, charcoal black under the high voltage.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," Professor Oak said, as if just remembering. "This particular Pikachu has a bit of an attitude problem. He's quite rebellious, hates going into his Poké Ball, and is very wary of new Trainers. He's what you might call a 'problem student' around here. Actually, that makes you two a pretty good match."
"Why... didn't you... say that earlier..." Ash wheezed, exhaling a puff of black smoke before collapsing to the floor.
If it weren't for his unusually tough constitution, that jolt would have landed him in a hospital.
Despite the... shocking start, Ash's resolve to have Pikachu as his starter remained firm.
And it definitely wasn't because he had no other choice.
After giving Ash a few last words of advice for his journey, Professor Oak returned to his research. Or so it seemed. The moment Ash was out the door, the Professor put down his tools, walked over to a collection of prized possessions, and took out a framed painting. On the canvas, a young boy with a spirited expression was fearlessly commanding an Electric Mouse in a head-on clash with the Legendary Pokémon, Suicune.
Outside, Ash said his goodbyes to the small crowd of townspeople who had come to see him off. His mom, Delia, was there, and she handed him a high-tech backpack specially designed for Trainers, packed with all sorts of supplies for his journey.
Then, under Delia's worried yet proud gaze, Ash started on the path leading out of Pallet Town. The somewhat emotional farewell was made slightly comical by the sight of Ash wearing a pair of rubber gloves, dragging a very stubborn Pikachu behind him with a rope.
It didn't take long for him to leave the town behind. Along the way, he managed to change out of his charred pajamas. He now wore his official Pokémon League hat—won by sending in a thousand postcards—a blue and white jacket, and a pair of light-colored jeans, looking every bit the aspiring young Trainer.
Once they were out in the wild, Ash finally got the rope off, but his attempts to talk to Pikachu were met with a defiant turn of the head. Pikachu simply ignored him.
While Ash's initial praise had earned him a few brownie points, it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the Pokémon's deep-seated distrust of humans and its desire to be independent.
With no other options, Ash opened the chat group in his mind to consult with his "seniors."
[Ash]: Hey guys, I got my starter, but he doesn't seem to want to listen to me at all... Were your Pikachus like this at the beginning?
[Champion Ash]: Pretty much. It took a lot of work before Pikachu and I forged the deep friendship we have now.
[Breeder Ash]: My experience was different! I always wanted to be a Breeder, so by the time I started my journey, I was already pretty good at making Pokémon food. I just whipped up some of my special treats and bribed him over to my side. See, newcomer? You should become a Breeder! The perks are awesome!
[Aura Guardian Ash]: Dude, are you seriously trying to recruit him into your weird cult? Forget it. Most versions of 'us' are into Pokémon battles. I still don't get why you went into the breeding scene.
[Breeder Ash]: What's wrong with breeding?! You can raise incredibly strong Pokémon through proper care! I may be a Breeder in my world, but when it comes to battling, there aren't many trainers who can beat me!
[Ash]: Uh... can we maybe put the career debate on hold for a sec? How am I supposed to get Pikachu to listen to me? He ignores me when I talk to him, and when I give him food, he eats it and then immediately goes back to giving me the cold shoulder. This is tough.
Ash cut in, steering the conversation away from a budding argument and back to the main problem.
How could he get his Pikachu to obey him?
[Champion Ash]: Don't rush it. Pikachu and you—or rather, 'us'—are connected by a powerful bond of fate. It won't be long before an event happens that will help you two connect. Besides, I told you I'd explain more about the chat group once you got your starter, and now's a good time.
[Ash]: Wait... this group does more than just let me talk to you guys?
[Champion Ash]: It does, and it has a feature that will be incredibly useful for you. Look at the top-right corner of the chat screen. Do you see a glowing dot? Focus your thoughts on it.
Following the Champion's instructions, Ash shifted his mental focus to the corner of the interface.
Sure enough, just as he'd said, there was a single point of light. Without a second thought, Ash focused his will and "clicked" it...