The road stretching beyond Cerulean City was quiet in a way that made Ash's footsteps sound louder than they should have. The golden afternoon light spilled across the dirt path, broken only by the tall grass and the fluttering wings of wild Pidgey. Somewhere in the distance, a river murmured softly.
Pikachu padded along at his side, tail swaying, ears twitching at every rustle in the brush. Butterfree floated lazily above them, wings scattering tiny glimmers of dust that caught the sunlight, while Pidgeotto flew high, circling to scout the trail ahead.
It should have felt peaceful. It didn't.
Ash kept his eyes on the road, but his mind was elsewhere — on the empty house back in Pallet Town. The one that had always smelled faintly of cinnamon and fabric softener. The one that felt so silent now.
It had been over a year since his mother passed, but the ache hadn't dulled. He'd thought the journey would distract him — the road, the training, the challenge of becoming stronger. But some nights, when the campfire flickered low and the forest whispered around him, the quiet reminded him of her voice, and it hurt all over again.
He rubbed at his eyes with the back of his sleeve. "Come on, Ash," he muttered to himself. "You can't keep thinking about that."
Pikachu looked up at him, letting out a soft, questioning "Pika?"
Ash forced a small smile. "I'm fine, buddy. Just tired."
They walked in silence for a while longer. The road bent into a shaded forest path, the air cooler here, the ground littered with fallen leaves. Ash took a deep breath, savoring the scent of pine and soil. He was just starting to relax when a harsh shout split through the calm.
"Get it! Don't let it get away!"
Ash froze. Pikachu's ears shot up, sparks flickering faintly from its cheeks.
They pushed through the brush and came to a clearing — and there, cornered against a tree, was a battered Bulbasaur. Its vines were extended, lashing wildly at two Team Rocket grunts. One of them commanded an Ekans, the other a Koffing, both circling in with cruel delight.
The Bulbasaur growled weakly, trying to stand its ground, but its body was covered in scrapes, its breathing shallow.
Ash's hands clenched into fists.
He didn't think — he moved.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Electric light flashed across the clearing, blindingly bright. The blast hit both enemy Pokémon square on, sending them — and their trainers — flying into the trees with a crash. When the smoke cleared, the grunts were gone, retreating through the forest, shouting curses as they fled.
Ash exhaled slowly, lowering his arm.
"Hey…" he said softly, stepping closer to the Bulbasaur. "It's okay now. You're safe."
The Bulbasaur hissed, lowering its head in warning. Its vines quivered, ready to strike.
Ash stopped a few feet away. He crouched down, lowering himself to the Bulbasaur's eye level. "I'm not gonna hurt you," he said quietly. "I promise."
For a moment, neither of them moved. The forest was silent except for the faint rustle of leaves. Pikachu approached cautiously, chittering softly, trying to ease the tension.
The Bulbasaur's eyes flicked between them — suspicious, but wavering.
Ash took off his hat and placed it on the ground in front of him. "You were protecting yourself. I get it. You're strong." He smiled faintly. "But even strong Pokémon need someone to watch their back sometimes."
The Bulbasaur blinked. Its body relaxed just a little.
Ash took that as a good sign. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small potion bottle. "Mind if I help with those cuts? You don't have to come with me. I just… don't want to leave you hurting like that."
There was a pause. Then, slowly, the Bulbasaur nodded.
Ash's smile widened. "Alright."
He moved carefully, spraying the potion onto the worst scrapes. Bulbasaur winced, then relaxed as the medicine cooled its wounds. Pikachu watched from beside him, tail wagging approvingly.
When Ash finished, he sat back, wiping his hands on his jeans. "There. Better?"
The Bulbasaur tilted its head, studying him. For a long moment, it said nothing — and then it gave a quiet, grateful rumble from its throat.
Ash chuckled softly. "You're welcome."
As the sun began to set through the canopy, he stood and looked toward the road ahead. "I'm heading for Vermilion City," he said, glancing back. "You can come if you want. Or you can stay here. Your choice."
He turned to leave, Pikachu climbing back onto his shoulder.
After a few steps, he heard a soft rustle behind him — and when he looked over his shoulder, the Bulbasaur was following.
Ash smiled. "Guess that's a yes."
For the first time in a long while, the quiet of the road didn't feel so lonely.
The forest settled into a soft hush after sunset. A campfire crackled gently at the edge of a clearing, its glow flickering over Ash's face as he knelt beside Bulbasaur. Pikachu dozed quietly near the fire, tail curled around itself, the faint sparks from its cheeks pulsing like fireflies.
Bulbasaur lay a short distance away, eyes half-closed but alert. The earlier battle had left its body stiff and sore; every breath carried the faintest tremor.
Ash reached into his bag, setting out a small pouch of herbs and a cloth. His movements were calm and deliberate, every motion careful not to startle his new companion.
"Alright," he said softly. "I used potion spray earlier, but it's better to make sure the wounds don't get stiff overnight."
Bulbasaur's eyes flicked open at his voice. It gave a low rumble of acknowledgment — not quite trust, but no longer fear either.
Ash smiled faintly. "You're pretty tough, you know that? You stood up to those guys even when you were outnumbered."
He began to grind the herbs between two stones, the smell of crushed leaves filling the air — sharp, earthy, with a faint hint of mint. He had learned the basics of herbal medicine from books and here and there before he left Pallet Town, insisting it was something every serious trainer should know. "A spray is fine in a pinch," It was mentioned in the book, "but nothing heals faster than patience and care."
Ash dipped the cloth into the herbal mix, then looked at Bulbasaur again. "This might sting a little, but it'll help. Okay?"
The Bulbasaur hesitated — then gave a short, resolute nod.
Ash leaned closer, gently dabbing the mixture over a scrape on its side. Bulbasaur flinched at first, but didn't pull away. Its breathing steadied. Slowly, the tension in its muscles began to ease.
"There you go," Ash murmured. "You're doing great."
He worked quietly for a while, wiping away dirt, checking for deeper wounds. The fire popped softly beside them, the only sound in the clearing. When he finished, he sat back and exhaled.
"That should do it for now," he said. "You'll be sore tomorrow, but… you'll heal fine."
Bulbasaur turned its head toward him. Its eyes, usually sharp and guarded, were softer now — curious.
Ash met the gaze, a small, tired smile on his face. "You're welcome."
Pikachu stirred, blinking sleepily and stretching before padding over to sit beside Ash. It looked at Bulbasaur and chirped quietly, a friendly "Pika-pi!"
Bulbasaur blinked, then gave a soft grunt in reply — almost a greeting.
Ash chuckled. "Looks like Pikachu approves."
He reached into his bag again, pulling out a small tin of Pokéfood. He set some down near Bulbasaur, then took a few pellets for Pikachu. "It's not much, but it's what we've got tonight."
For a moment, Bulbasaur just looked at the food — then took a cautious bite. Its eyes widened slightly, and it ate a bit faster.
Ash grinned. "Guess it's not too bad, huh?"
They ate quietly under the stars. The night sky above was clear, scattered with silver constellations. Ash leaned back on his hands, watching the stars flicker through the trees.
"You know," he said quietly, not really talking to anyone, "I used to look at the stars with my mom."
Pikachu looked up at him; even Bulbasaur's head lifted slightly.
Ash's voice softened. "She'd tell me the stories behind the constellations — said some of them were Pokémon that watched over trainers on their journeys." He smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I guess she's one of them now."
For a long time, there was silence. The only sound was the fire, whispering softly.
Then, slowly, Bulbasaur shifted closer — just a little — and rested its vines across the ground near Ash's foot. It wasn't quite touching him, but it was close enough to feel like a gesture of quiet understanding.
Ash glanced down and gave a small, genuine smile. "Thanks."
He leaned forward, adding another stick to the fire. "You should rest, okay? We'll head out early tomorrow. Vermilion's still a long way off."
Bulbasaur grunted in agreement, eyes closing.
As the fire burned lower, Ash watched the two Pokémon beside him — his first partners on a journey that already felt heavier than he'd imagined. But in the flicker of the firelight, with the quiet sounds of breathing and the forest around him, he felt something steady inside himself.
He wasn't alone anymore.
And maybe… that was enough to keep moving.
The forest was waking up when Ash opened his eyes. The dawn mist hung low over the clearing, and the air was cool and damp. Dew glittered on the grass like tiny stars that had fallen overnight.
Pikachu was already awake, perched on a nearby rock, watching the sun peek through the trees. Pidgeotto dozed on a low branch, feathers ruffled, while Butterfree hovered lazily over the campfire's ashes.
Ash stretched, wincing at the stiffness in his back. "Morning, everyone," he murmured. His voice was hoarse from sleep, but calm.
He glanced toward the far side of the clearing — Bulbasaur was still there, lying in the shade near a patch of flowers. Its wounds looked better. The herbal salve had worked; the scratches had already begun to fade beneath its thick hide.
Ash smiled faintly. "You're up early too, huh?"
Bulbasaur opened one eye, grunted softly, then looked away.
Ash didn't take offense. He'd expected that. Trust wasn't built overnight.
He poured some water from his canteen into a small bowl and slid it closer to Bulbasaur. "Here. Fresh from the river."
The Bulbasaur hesitated before taking a slow sip. Pikachu chirped approvingly from its rock perch.
Ash rose to his feet, dusting off his hands. "Alright, team," he said quietly, "let's get in some training before we move on."
Bulbasaur's head lifted slightly, watching.
Ash stood at the center of the clearing as the sun climbed higher, the mist dissolving into streaks of light.
"Okay," he said, eyes focused. "Pikachu — quick dodges and Thunder Shock bursts! Don't waste energy."
"Pika!"
Lightning cracked through the air, short and precise. Pikachu dashed between targets — small stones Ash had lined up — each bolt striking exactly where intended.
"Good. Keep your balance when you land."
Then Ash turned to Butterfree. "Butterfree, practice your Confusion control. Lift just one rock — small one — and hold it steady."
Butterfree's eyes glowed blue; a single pebble rose, trembling slightly before holding in place.
"Perfect," Ash murmured. "Don't push too hard. Focus."
Finally, Pidgeotto swooped down from above, circling them both before landing. "Alright, Pidgeotto — speed drills. Low flight, sharp turns."
Pidgeotto screeched and launched off again, slicing through the morning air with tight, elegant precision.
Ash stood quietly, watching them all. His expression was serious, but proud, the quiet determination of someone learning with his Pokémon, not commanding them.
From the edge of the clearing, Bulbasaur watched, eyes narrowing with something like respect. This human wasn't shouting orders or showing off. He was patient. Careful. Even… kind.
When Pikachu stumbled on a landing, Ash didn't scold — he knelt and offered a steady hand. "It's alright. You're getting better every time."
Bulbasaur's vines twitched. It tilted its head, a small, thoughtful hum rumbling in its chest.
The sun had climbed high enough to burn away the morning mist, leaving the forest painted in gold and green. Ash sat near the fire pit, repacking his bag with quiet efficiency. Pikachu nibbled on a few berries nearby, while Butterfree and Pidgeotto preened in the sunlight after training.
Bulbasaur lay a few yards away, resting in the grass. Its eyes were half-closed, but Ash could tell it wasn't asleep — it was watching him, every motion, every word.
Ash glanced over and smiled faintly. "You've been keeping an eye on us all morning," he said gently. "You sure you don't want to train a little, too?"
Bulbasaur didn't answer. It turned its head slightly, as if pretending not to care — but the slight twitch of its vines betrayed its attention.
Ash chuckled quietly. "Alright, fair enough." He adjusted the strap on his bag and stood. "We'll be moving soon. Vermilion's still a long way off."
He turned toward Pikachu, who perked up instantly. "You ready, buddy?"
"Pika!"
As Ash slung his bag over his shoulder, a faint sound stopped him — a soft rustle of grass behind him. He turned.
Bulbasaur had moved closer.
Not much — just a few steps — but enough to make it clear it wasn't finished with him yet. Its expression was thoughtful, almost serious.
Ash froze, then crouched down to meet its gaze. "Something wrong?"
Bulbasaur tilted its head, eyes narrowing slightly. Then it looked toward the training area — the flattened patch of grass where Ash and his team had been practicing earlier — before turning back to him.
Ash blinked, surprised. "You… want to see more?"
Bulbasaur gave a small grunt — not quite a nod, but close.
Ash smiled softly. "Alright. But if we're doing this, we do it together."
He set his bag aside and stood. "Pikachu, one more round. Let's show Bulbasaur what teamwork looks like."
Pikachu squeaked happily, bounding into position.
Ash pointed toward a few rocks he'd lined up earlier. "Let's go — Quick Attack, then Thunder Shock, steady pace!"
Pikachu shot forward, darting between the stones like a yellow blur, electricity arcing gently from its cheeks with each pass. Ash called out corrections, calm and precise. "Good — keep your footing. Don't push too hard."
From the sidelines, Bulbasaur watched in silence. Its eyes followed every movement — the rhythm between trainer and Pokémon, the quiet trust in Ash's voice.
When Pikachu stumbled on a landing, Ash didn't raise his voice. He simply knelt and rested a hand on its shoulder. "You're fine. You did great. Just take a breath."
Something softened in Bulbasaur's gaze.
This human didn't command strength through power. He guided it.
Ash straightened, brushing dirt from his gloves. "That's good for now," he said, smiling at Pikachu. "We'll practice more once we rest up."
As Pikachu trotted back to the shade, Ash turned — and saw Bulbasaur standing squarely in front of him now.
Its vines unfurled slightly, eyes locked on his.
"Bulba…" it said, voice low but resolute.
Ash tilted his head. "You want to try?"
A firm nod.
"Alright," Ash murmured, smiling faintly. "But this time, it's not training, is it?"
Bulbasaur stomped once, the ground vibrating faintly beneath its feet.
Ash's expression softened. "You want to see if you can trust me — for real."
He took a breath, reaching for his cap and turning it backward. "Okay, then. Let's make it count."
He glanced at Pikachu. "You up for one more?"
Pikachu grinned, sparks dancing at its cheeks.
Bulbasaur lowered its stance, vines curling like whips.
The challenge was silent but mutual — no anger, no hostility. Just two wills testing if they could walk the same path.
The air felt different now. Heavier, charged with quiet purpose.
Bulbasaur's vines uncoiled slowly, brushing the grass as it lowered into a battle stance. Its eyes gleamed with determination, but not anger — this was a challenge born of respect.
Ash stood still for a moment, watching the Pokémon in front of him. He could sense what this meant. Bulbasaur didn't want to fight to win. It wanted to see who he really was.
He nodded once. "Alright," he said softly. "Let's do this, Bulbasaur."
Pikachu crouched low beside him, tail flicking with anticipation.
Bulbasaur struck first — vines snapping forward like lightning-fast whips.
"Pikachu, dodge and circle left!" Ash called.
Pikachu darted sideways, kicking up a spray of dust, the vines just barely missing its tail.
"Now, Thunder Shock — just enough to keep your distance!"
Electricity flashed through the clearing. Pikachu released a controlled burst, the bolt splitting the ground in front of Bulbasaur rather than hitting it. The Grass-type stopped short, startled but unharmed.
Ash could tell Bulbasaur noticed his restraint.
"Good," Ash murmured under his breath. "He's watching you, Pikachu. Don't go all out."
Bulbasaur didn't back down. It responded with another Vine Whip, this time aimed low to sweep Pikachu off its feet.
"Jump and Quick Attack from above!"
Pikachu launched itself skyward, body glowing faintly as it dove in, striking Bulbasaur's shoulder. The impact made Bulbasaur skid back, but it dug in, growling softly.
Ash didn't press the advantage. He raised his hand. "Stop."
Pikachu froze mid-movement, blinking in confusion.
Ash took a step forward, his voice calm. "You're strong, Bulbasaur. Stronger than most I've seen. But this isn't about who can hit harder, is it?"
Bulbasaur breathed heavily, its vines twitching — then lowering. The tension in the air began to ease.
Ash smiled gently. "You were protecting yourself when we met. You've had to rely on your own strength for a long time. I get that."
He paused, eyes softening. "But you don't have to do it alone anymore."
The words seemed to hang there, caught in the light filtering through the trees.
Bulbasaur's expression shifted — the fierce resolve giving way to something else. A flicker of understanding. Trust.
It took one step forward, then another, until it stood right in front of Ash.
Ash reached into his bag and took out an empty Poké Ball. He didn't throw it. He just held it out, palm open.
"You've already proved yourself," he said quietly. "Now it's your choice."
The forest around them was silent — only the faint rustle of wind through the leaves.
Bulbasaur stared at the Poké Ball for a long time. Then it leaned forward, slowly pressing its forehead against the button.
A soft click echoed through the clearing as the red light enveloped it, drawing the Pokémon inside.
The ball wobbled once… twice…
Click.
The sound was final — but peaceful.
Ash exhaled, lowering his shoulders. "We did it," he whispered. Pikachu bounded up onto his shoulder, letting out a cheerful, "Pika!"
Ash crouched, picking up the Poké Ball from the grass. It felt warm in his hand, as if it carried the heartbeat of something alive.
"Welcome to the team, Bulbasaur," he said softly. "You've got a home with us now."
He clipped the Poké Ball to his belt, standing to look at the forest path ahead. Shafts of light streamed down through the canopy, bright and golden — the road to Vermilion City calling in the distance.
Ash took a slow breath. The ache in his chest — the one that had followed him since Pallet Town — felt a little lighter now.
He glanced at Pikachu and smiled. "Come on, partner. Let's keep moving."
Together, they walked into the sunlight, the quiet hum of the forest following in their wake.
And though he couldn't see it, the Poké Ball at his side pulsed faintly once — as if Bulbasaur, too, was ready for whatever came next.
The next morning broke gentle and golden. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, catching the soft mist that clung to the forest floor. The air smelled of dew and pine — fresh, alive, and full of quiet promise.
Ash stirred awake, blinking at the bright shafts of light cutting through the trees. Pikachu was already up, nibbling on a berry. Butterfree hovered lazily above the campfire ashes, and Pidgeotto preened on a low branch.
For the first time in a while, Ash didn't feel that familiar ache in his chest when he woke. Something about the morning felt lighter. Hopeful.
He reached down to the new Poké Ball at his belt, turning it slowly in his hand. "Morning, Bulbasaur," he said softly, smiling.
He clicked the ball open, and in a shimmer of red light, Bulbasaur appeared before him. It blinked against the sunlight, then stretched, letting out a low, content rumble.
Ash chuckled quietly. "Looks like you slept well."
Bulbasaur tilted its head toward him, a faint glint of curiosity in its eyes — cautious still, but more relaxed than before.
Ash crouched down. "I was thinking we could do a bit of training today. Nothing rough. Just… learning to move together."
"Bulba," it murmured, in what sounded like quiet agreement.
Ash smiled. "Alright. Let's get started."
They began simple.
Ash marked a few small stones in a circle on the ground, spacing them apart. "We'll start with accuracy," he said, gesturing. "Vine Whip — one vine at a time. Don't go for power. Focus on control."
Bulbasaur nodded, taking a steady stance. Its eyes narrowed as two vines slid from the bulb on its back, curling like green ribbons.
"Alright… now!"
The first vine lashed out — it missed slightly, striking the dirt beside the target.
Bulbasaur frowned, vines twitching.
Ash shook his head gently. "That's okay. Don't rush. It's not about hitting fast — it's about hitting right. Take your time."
The second attempt came slower, smoother. The vine snapped forward and struck the rock cleanly.
Ash grinned. "There you go!"
Pikachu clapped from the sidelines, tail wagging. "Pika-pi!"
Bulbasaur's expression softened, the faintest trace of pride flashing in its eyes.
"Good work," Ash said. "Now let's work on timing."
For the next hour, they moved together in rhythm — Ash calling out commands, Bulbasaur responding with practiced focus. Each motion became smoother, more coordinated, less like orders and more like conversation.
At one point, Bulbasaur stumbled, a vine tangling around a root. Ash stepped forward immediately. "Whoa, easy there," he said, crouching down. "You okay?"
Bulbasaur blinked, startled by the concern. It gave a small grunt of reassurance.
Ash smiled, brushing a leaf off its forehead. "Good. Let's take five."
They rested under a tall oak tree, sharing berries and water. Pikachu sat perched on Ash's knee while Bulbasaur lay nearby, tail flicking idly in the grass.
"You know," Ash said after a while, "you remind me of someone."
Bulbasaur tilted its head curiously.
"There was this Tauros back at Professor Oak's ranch. Toughest one there. He'd never let anyone near him, no matter what Oak tried." Ash chuckled softly. "But when I was a kid, I'd sit near the fence every afternoon and just talk to him. Didn't matter that he didn't understand everything. I just… kept showing up."
He looked over at Bulbasaur. "One day, he let me touch his nose. Scared the life out of Oak," Ash laughed, "but it felt like I'd earned something real."
Bulbasaur watched him quietly, eyes thoughtful. Then, slowly, it extended a vine — gently brushing against Ash's hand.
Ash froze, then smiled. "Guess that means we're even."
The vine lingered a moment longer before retracting. Pikachu made a cheerful sound, and the three of them sat there in comfortable silence, the forest humming softly around them.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in amber and rose, Ash stood again at the edge of the clearing.
"Alright," he said. "Let's finish with one more drill. Teamwork this time."
He gestured to Pikachu and Bulbasaur both. "We're gonna test how well you can sync up. Pikachu, light movements only. Bulbasaur, control your aim."
"Pika!""Bulba!"
The two took their positions. Pikachu dashed between the rocks with Quick Attack, while Bulbasaur launched precise Vine Whips at targets around it, timing its strikes between Pikachu's movements.
The first few tries were rough — Pikachu moved too fast, Bulbasaur's aim wavered — but soon, they began to find rhythm.
Ash smiled to himself as he watched them move — their timing syncing perfectly, their energy balanced.
When the last target cracked cleanly in two, Ash raised a hand. "That's it. You both did amazing."
Bulbasaur puffed out its chest proudly. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, squeaking triumphantly.
Ash chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're already starting to feel like a real team."
He looked at Bulbasaur, his voice quieter now. "Thanks for trusting me."
Bulbasaur met his gaze for a long moment, then nodded.
The forest breeze carried the faint sound of rustling leaves — soft, steady, and peaceful.
As night settled and the stars began to appear, Ash sat by the campfire, his Pokémon gathered close. Pikachu curled up on his lap, Butterfree and Pidgeotto perched overhead, and Bulbasaur resting nearby, half-asleep but content.
Ash looked up at the constellations — the same ones his mother used to tell him about — and smiled faintly.
"Guess you were right, Mom," he murmured. "The journey really does change you."
A gentle rumble came from beside him — Bulbasaur's quiet response, low and warm.
Ash reached out, brushing his fingers across its head. "Goodnight, Bulbasaur."
The fire crackled softly, the forest settling into silence.
And for the first time since he'd left Pallet Town, Ash Ketchum didn't feel like he was walking this road alone anymore.