Chapter 2: Viridian city and Samurai

When Ash arrived at Viridian City, he noticed a policewoman standing at the entrance. Ash recognized her as Officer Jenny. There were Officer Jennys all over the Kanto region, all looking alike and sharing the same name, being related as cousins. Ash showed his Pokédex to Officer Jenny to confirm his identity. She saluted him and warned him about Pokémon thieves in the area, advising him to be careful. Ash assured her he would be fine and continued on his way.

He soon arrived at the Pokémon Center and decided to rest there. He handed his Pokémon over to a lady known as Nurse Joy, who was a familiar face in every Pokémon Center across Kanto. Like Officer Jenny, all Nurse Joys were identical, shared the same name, and were related as sisters. Ash found it amusing that both Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy were look-alikes.

After leaving his Pokémon with Nurse Joy, Ash headed to the PokéMart. He bought some potions and antidotes for emergencies and stocked up on Pokémon food.

Returning to the Pokémon Center, Ash called his mother. "Hi honey, is everything all right?" she asked. "Everything is going great, Mum," Ash replied. "I caught a Pidgey, a Spearow, and a Magikarp." "Wow, that's amazing!" Delia exclaimed. "I'm glad you're doing well. I hope you enjoy yourself." "I will, Mum. Love you, goodbye."

Next, Ash phoned Professor Oak. "Hey Professor Oak, it's me, Ash." "Hi Ash," said Professor Oak. "Where are you now?" "In Viridian City," Ash answered. "Ah, I see," replied Oak. "Gary arrived in Viridian City some time ago. He bet me a million Pokédollars that you wouldn't catch any Pokémon before you arrived. Well, he lost that bet. Congratulations on catching three Pokémon." "Thanks, Professor," said Ash with a smirk. "Oh, I need to tell you something," Ash continued. He described the giant red bird he had seen in the sky. "Hmm, it seems you made quite a discovery," said Professor Oak. "I don't know what it is, but I'll find out for you." "Thanks, Professor," Ash said. Just then, a bell rang at the lab. "Oh, that must be my pizza," said Professor Oak. "Talk to you soon, Ash." And with that, Professor Oak hung up.

Ash was about to ask Nurse Joy for a room when he saw Misty enter the Pokémon Center. "Hi Misty," he said, walking toward her. "Oh, hi Ash," Misty replied. "I see you got here all right." "Yes, I did," Ash said. "Thank you. I'm just about to eat dinner. Want to join me?" Misty accepted the invitation. As they ate, they shared their plans. "I'm traveling to become a Pokémon Master," said Ash. "What about you, Misty? Are you on a Pokémon journey too?" "Yes," Misty said. "But my dream is to become a great Water Pokémon Trainer." "Ah, so you like Water Pokémon," Ash noted. "Yes, I do," Misty confirmed. "Water Pokémon are the best to me." "I love all Pokémon, no matter the type," Ash said. "They all seem special to me." Misty smiled at Ash, finding him to be a very nice trainer. "Oh, but wait," Ash said. "If you like Water Pokémon so much, why are you scared of Gyarados? It's a Water type." Misty explained that she was nearly eaten by a Gyarados as a baby and had been scared ever since. "Wow," Ash said in amazement. "I'm sorry for bringing that up." "It's okay," Misty replied. "I'm trying to get over that fear so I can catch and train a Gyarados myself." "Do be careful," Ash advised. "My mum warned me that trying to force yourself can be dangerous." 'He is such a nice boy,' thought Misty. 'I wonder if he'll let me travel with him.'

After dinner, Ash and Misty received their Pokémon back from Nurse Joy. Just as they were about to go to bed, smoke filled the room. "What's going on?" Ash coughed. Three figures appeared: a man, a woman, and a Meowth.

"Prepare for trouble," said the woman.

"Make it double," said the man.

"To protect the world from devastation,"

"To unite all people within our nation,"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love,"

"To extend our reach to the stars above,"

"Jessie,"

"James,"

"Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light,"

"Surrender now and prepare to fight,"

"Meowth, that's right," said Meowth.

"Wow, a talking Meowth," Ash said. "Now that we've introduced ourselves," Jessie said, "hand over all the Pokémon, and maybe we'll leave nicely." "You can't take these Pokémon," Nurse Joy said. "They're still weak and injured." "Ah, who cares?" James said. "Team Rocket will make better use of them. Now hand them over." Ash was furious. He hated thieves who stole Pokémon. "No, we won't!" he shouted. "You're not taking any Pokémon from this Pokémon Center. Pikachu, I choose you!" Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder, ready to fight. "Count me in too," Misty said, holding a Poké Ball. "Misty calls Staryu!" Misty's Pokémon, a star-shaped creature with a red jewel in the middle, appeared.

Ash scanned Staryu with his Pokédex: *Staryu, the Star Shape Pokémon. At night, the center core glows with a red light. As long as its red core remains, it can regenerate its body instantly, even if it's torn apart.*

"Oh, so it's a fight, huh?" Jessie said. "Very well, go Ekans!" James called out. Ekans, a purple snake, appeared, along with Koffing, a purple ball emitting smoke. "Staryu, use Water Gun!" Misty commanded. Staryu sprayed a powerful blast of water at Ekans and Koffing. "Pikachu, use Thundershock!" Ash shouted. Pikachu's Thundershock hit both Ekans and Koffing, causing them to faint quickly. "You two are pathetic!" Meowth shouted. "I'll show you a real fight. Taste my Fury Swipes!" Staryu shot another Water Gun at Meowth and Team Rocket, and Pikachu followed with another Thundershock. This time, they blasted Team Rocket out of the Pokémon Center through the ceiling. "Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they cried.

Officer Jenny heard the explosion and rushed to the Pokémon Center. "Is everyone okay?" she asked Nurse Joy. "Everything here is okay," Nurse Joy replied, "thanks to these two." She pointed to Ash and Misty. "Would you two mind telling me what happened?" Officer Jenny asked. Ash and Misty explained their encounter with Team Rocket. "You have to be careful with Team Rocket," Officer Jenny said. "They cause trouble all over Kanto, stealing Pokémon and doing terrible things to get what they want." Ash was unhappy about that and wanted to give Team Rocket a piece of his mind. "We're sorry about the hole in the ceiling," Misty said to Nurse Joy. "Ah, don't worry about it," Nurse Joy said. "What's important is that the Pokémon here are safe. Besides, that hole can be easily fixed. Now, I suggest you two get some sleep before continuing your journey." Ash and Misty agreed; it had been a long day. Officer Jenny bid them farewell and continued her duties, while Ash and Misty went to bed.

The next morning, Ash and Misty left the Pokémon Center to continue their journey. "Hey Ash, do you mind if I travel with you on your journey?" Misty asked. "Of course," Ash replied. "It will be nice to have company, and this way you can catch more Water Pokémon." So it was arranged; Ash and Misty continued their Pokémon journey together.

After leaving Viridian City, they entered Viridian Forest. "Cool, this place is home to Bug Pokémon," said Ash. "Wait, did you say Bug Pokémon?" Misty asked, her fear evident. "Yes, what's the matter?" Ash inquired. "Eww, I hate bugs!" Misty exclaimed. "They're horrible, disgusting things!" Ash sighed and took her hand. "Come on," he said. "If we walk quickly, we may not run into any Bug Pokémon, okay?" Reluctantly, Misty followed Ash.

While walking through the forest, Misty suddenly screamed. "What's wrong?" Ash asked. Misty pointed to a green worm resting in the grass. "Cool, a Caterpie!" Ash said, quickly tossing a Poké Ball. Three seconds later, Caterpie was captured. "I caught a Caterpie!" Ash shouted, striking a pose. Pikachu mimicked him. "I'm glad for your capture," Misty said, "but please keep that thing away from me." Ash agreed and returned Caterpie to its Pokéball to avoid upsetting Misty. "This is going to be some journey," he whispered to Pikachu. "Pika," Pikachu agreed.

Soon, Ash and Misty stopped to take a break. "I really want to leave this forest," Misty said, glancing around anxiously. "Don't worry, Misty," Ash said, handing her a can. "This is a Repel. It will keep bugs away while you rest. I need to train my Pokémon, so I'll see you later." Ash went off to find a good spot for training, while Misty stayed behind to rest.

Ash found a clearing, perfect for training. He released Pidgey, Spearow, and Pikachu and started working with them. "All right, Pikachu, Pidgey, and Spearow," Ash said. "We'll be facing the Pewter Gym in Pewter City soon, so we need to train hard. Pikachu, you need to learn Agility and Iron Tail. Pidgey and Spearow, you'll learn Aerial Ace and Steel Wing. Steel-type moves like Iron Tail and Steel Wing are strong against Rock types. Let's get ready for the Gym Battle!" Pikachu, Pidgey, and Spearow showed their determination by puffing up and getting into position.

To train for Iron Tail and Steel Wing, Ash tied small rocks to Pikachu's tail and Pidgey's and Spearow's wings. They practiced strengthening their tails and wings with the added weight. For Agility and Aerial Ace, Ash had races with his Pokémon to improve their speed. By late afternoon, Pidgey and Spearow had learned Steel Wing and Aerial Ace, while Pikachu had mastered Agility, Iron Tail, and Thunderbolt.

Meanwhile, Misty was still keeping a close eye for any bugs. When Ash returned, he found her visibly relieved. "How was your training?" Misty asked. "Pretty good," Ash answered. "My Pokémon learned some new moves, so we're in good shape. Let's eat. I brought some sandwiches from Viridian City." They shared a meal, and Ash fed Pokémon food to all his Pokémon. Misty was still uneasy around Caterpie, so Ash kept it in its Pokéball to avoid stressing her out. After eating, Ash and Misty settled into their sleeping bags for the night.

The next morning, Ash and Pikachu were jolted awake by Misty's screaming. "What's the matter now?" Ash grumbled. Misty pointed to a brown worm on the ground. "Another disgusting bug," she said. "Cool, a Weedle," Ash said, pulling out a Pokéball. "Pidgey, I choose you!" Pidgey emerged and quickly defeated Weedle with an Aerial Ace. "Pokéball, go!" Ash caught the Weedle. "Can we please get out of this forest now?" Misty begged. "All right, we're leaving now," Ash said, taking her hand.

As they neared the edge of the forest, Pikachu's ears perked up, sensing something in the bushes. "What's the matter?" Ash asked. "I hope it's not another bug," Misty said, clearly exasperated. Suddenly, a sword appeared, pointing directly at Ash's face. "Hey, watch it!" Ash said. "That's dangerous!"

"I am Samurai," a boy in armor said. "I patrol this forest for trainers from Pallet Town. Are you from Pallet Town?" "I am," Ash replied. "Then we shall have a two-on-two Pokémon battle," Samurai declared. Ash agreed to the battle.

Samurai and Ash prepared for their duel. "I'll go first," Samurai said. "Go, Pinsir!" Pinsir, a giant beetle Pokémon, emerged. Misty cringed at the sight. "Oh great, another creepy bug," she muttered.

Ash checked his Pokédex.

Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon:This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to squeeze its opponents.

"All right, Spearow, I choose you!" Ash said. "Pinsir, use Tackle!" Samurai commanded. "Dodge with Quick Attack and then use Aerial Ace!" Ash shouted. Spearow dodged Pinsir's attack and struck back with a powerful Aerial Ace, followed by several Peck attacks. Pinsir was defeated. Samurai returned Pinsir and sent out Metapod.

Ash scanned Metapod with his Pokédex.

Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon: The evolved form of Caterpie. It uses its hard shell to protect its body as it prepares for its next evolution.

"Spearow, use Aerial Ace again!" Ash ordered. With one swift move, Metapod was defeated, and Ash won the battle.

"That was the best battle I've ever had," Samurai said, shaking Ash's hand. "You're a very strong trainer." "Thanks, Samurai," Ash said. "You're a strong trainer too." "Do you know the way out of this forest?" Misty asked, clearly desperate. "Yes," Samurai said. "Follow this path, and you'll reach Pewter City." "Thanks, Samurai," Ash said. "I hope to battle you again someday." "Me too," Samurai replied. "Next time, I'll win."

As Ash and Misty bid farewell to Samurai, they continued their journey through Viridian Forest, heading towards Pewter City for Ash's first Gym battle.