Pokémon : The Perfect Path

The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the thick canopy of Viridian Forest, casting a warm glow over the clearing where Velkris, Ash, and Misty had set up camp for the night. The forest was alive with the distant chirps of bird Pokémon and the occasional rustling of leaves as small creatures scurried about. It was a peaceful, refreshing morning—at least, until a high-pitched scream shattered the tranquility.

Velkris jolted awake, heart pounding from the sudden noise. He quickly turned toward the source, only to see Misty scrambling backward, her face pale with terror. "Aaaaaah! Get it away from me!" she shrieked, pointing at something near her sleeping bag.

Velkris followed her gaze and immediately understood the problem. Ash's Caterpie, apparently having decided that Misty was a comfortable sleeping companion, was curled up peacefully beside her. The poor Bug-type wiggled slightly at the sudden commotion, blinking up at Misty in confusion.

Ash, still half-asleep, groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Misty, what's with the screaming first thing in the morning?" he grumbled, clearly annoyed.

Misty turned to him with fire in her eyes. "This is your fault! If you had properly put Caterpie in its Poké Ball last night, I wouldn't have woken up with it next to me!"

Ash scowled, crossing his arms. "It's not a big deal! Caterpie just wanted to sleep outside."

"Not a big deal? I woke up to a giant bug next to me! That is a big deal!" Misty snapped.

As the argument heated up, Velkris felt a gentle tug at his pants. Looking down, he saw his Ralts staring up at him with big, curious eyes. "Ralts… Ralts?" it cooed in its tiny voice, pointing toward Ash and Misty, who were still bickering.

Velkris chuckled softly. "Yeah, yeah, I'll go calm them down," he said, giving his Pokémon a reassuring pat before stepping between the two arguing trainers.

"Alright, that's enough," Velkris said firmly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Ash, Misty, it's too early for this. We're all tired, and we have a long day ahead of us. Misty, I get that you don't like bugs, but Caterpie didn't mean to scare you. And Ash, next time, just make sure your Pokémon are properly settled before we sleep, alright?"

Misty huffed but didn't argue further, still glaring at the innocent Caterpie, who was now hiding behind Ash. Ash, meanwhile, just sighed and muttered, "Yeah, yeah, whatever…"

With the situation defused, Velkris stretched and decided it was time to prepare breakfast. He moved toward their supplies and started setting up, grabbing some ingredients for a simple but filling meal. As he worked, his Pokémon sat beside him, watching curiously. Ralts happily helped by handing him small items, while Ash and Misty, though still grumbling, started to settle down.

Soon, the enticing aroma of food filled the air, and even the lingering irritation between Ash and Misty seemed to fade as hunger took over. Velkris made sure to prepare enough for everyone—including their Pokémon—handing out portions as they all gathered around to eat.

Once they finished their meal and packed up their things, the group resumed their journey deeper into the forest. The atmosphere was much calmer now, though Misty still kept a wary eye on Caterpie.

As they walked, Ash suddenly perked up, his eyes locking onto something ahead. "Whoa! Look at that, A Pidgeotto!" he exclaimed.

Velkris and Misty followed his gaze to see a Pidgeotto soaring through the sky before gracefully landing on a patch of grass a short distance away. The bird Pokémon flapped its wings, scanning the area as it searched for food.

A determined grin spread across Ash's face. "I'm gonna catch it!" he declared excitedly, already reaching for a Poké Ball.

Misty sighed, crossing her arms. "Ash, don't forget—you have to weaken it first," she reminded him, clearly anticipating what was coming next.

Velkris nodded in agreement, though a familiar sense of déjà vu washed over him. Man, I really don't remember all the small details of the first and second-gen anime, he thought, but I definitely remember all of Ash's major captures.

And just like before, Ash grabbed a Poké Ball and sent out—

Caterpie.

Velkris barely held back a groan. Oh, come on.

Misty, on the other hand, had no restraint. She smacked her forehead before immediately reprimanding Ash. "Ash, what are you doing?! Pidgeotto is a bird, and Caterpie is a worm! And Birds eat worms, Pokémon Master!" she scolded, throwing her arms up in frustration.

Velkris sighed, shaking his head. This was going to be a disaster.

The moment Caterpie emerged from its Poké Ball, it had a determined look in its big, round eyes, ready to battle. Its tiny body wiggled with confidence—until Pidgeotto lazily turned its head, glancing at it with an almost amused expression.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

If Caterpie could turn pale, it absolutely would have. Instead, its tiny, green body stiffened as pure terror set in. The realization dawned instantly—Pidgeotto wasn't just an opponent. It was a predator. A natural hunter that saw Caterpie not as a battle challenger, but as an easy meal.

And then Pidgeotto did something that made the situation even worse.

With an air of casual superiority, it flapped its wings and leaned forward, its sharp eyes gleaming with interest as it peered at Caterpie. Almost as if someone had served it breakfast on a silver platter, the bird Pokémon tilted its head and gave a low, approving chirp.

That was all Caterpie needed.

"CAAAATEEEE!"

In an instant, it turned tail—well, turned body—and bolted.

Or, as fast as a Caterpie could.

It wriggled away at an impressive speed, scuttling wildly across the clearing, dodging rocks, bushes, and tree roots in its desperate attempt to escape. Unfortunately for it, Pidgeotto was having none of that.

With a single, effortless flap of its wings, the bird took off, gliding just above the ground as it gave chase, its talons occasionally swiping at Caterpie's fleeing form. It wasn't even trying that hard—it was toying with its prey, clearly entertained by the pathetic attempt at escape.

Velkris watched the entire thing unfold, rubbing his temples as he sighed. Ash, you absolute rookie.

He glanced at the boy, who was frantically shouting encouragement at Caterpie as if sheer determination would turn it into a powerhouse. It was a reminder that Ash was still in his early days as a trainer—eager, passionate, but prone to making reckless, almost laughable mistakes.

Still, despite his inexperience and occasional stupidity, Velkris knew one thing for certain. One day, that same reckless kid is going to become one of the greatest Pokémon Trainers in the world.

But right now? Right now, he was just the idiot who sent out a worm against a bird.

Caterpie wriggled desperately across the clearing, zigzagging in sheer panic as Pidgeotto continued to chase it, gliding just above the ground with sharp, focused eyes. Velkris could see the bird was done playing—this was no longer a game. It was time to end the hunt.

With a powerful flap of its wings, Pidgeotto took to the air, gaining height before tucking its wings in and diving straight down at its prey. Its sharp beak began to glow as it prepared to use Peck, aiming to finish Caterpie in one precise strike. The poor Bug-type wriggled even faster, eyes locked onto the base of a large tree ahead. It was a dead end.

Velkris could already see how this was about to go down. Ash, you better not mess this up—

But to his surprise, Ash actually timed it perfectly.

Just as Caterpie reached the tree with nowhere left to run, Ash swiftly pulled out its Poké Ball and recalled it in the blink of an eye. In that split second, Pidgeotto, which had been fully committed to its attack, found itself striking not a helpless Caterpie—but the solid bark of the tree.

A loud CRACK echoed through the forest as Pidgeotto's beak embedded itself deep into the trunk. The bird flapped its wings in alarm, desperately trying to yank itself free, but the force of its own attack had left it stuck.

Ash immediately recognized the opening. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock—now!"

Pikachu, who had been watching intently, didn't hesitate. Blue sparks crackled around its red cheeks before a surge of electricity shot forward, striking the immobilized Pidgeotto dead-on.

The bird let out a shrill cry, its entire body twitching from the shock. Velkris could see the energy coursing through its feathers, making them stand on end as it struggled. Finally, after several painful seconds, the electricity subsided, and with a mighty yank, Pidgeotto wrenched its beak free from the bark.

But instead of retreating, the enraged bird took to the skies again, this time turning its sights directly on Ash.

Velkris tensed slightly. Not good—it's mad now.

However, Ash remained composed. "Pikachu, ThunderShock!"

Another burst of electricity shot from Pikachu's body, this time even stronger than before. The moment the attack struck, Pidgeotto let out another screech, its wings locking up as it convulsed midair.

And then, before the sparks could even fully disappear—

Ash was already in motion.

With practiced ease, he threw an empty Poké Ball straight at the stunned Pidgeotto. The red-and-white sphere spiraled through the air in a perfect arc, striking the bird's body before splitting open with a burst of red light. In an instant, Pidgeotto was sucked inside, and the ball snapped shut before falling to the ground.

Velkris watched the entire throw and couldn't help but acknowledge it. That was a perfect throw. He's got good form and accuracy…

The Poké Ball landed in the grass, motionless for a brief moment.

Then it shook.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

And then—click!

The light on the Poké Ball dimmed, signaling a successful capture.

For a moment, there was silence.

And then—

"YES! I CAUGHT A PIDGEOTTO!" Ash shouted, his voice filled with unfiltered excitement. He sprinted over, grabbing the Poké Ball and holding it high above his head like a trophy. His face was practically glowing with joy, his earlier frustration forgotten as he celebrated his new team member.

Velkris crossed his arms, watching Ash's ecstatic reaction. Well… he still does some pretty reckless things, but that was actually a solid catch.

Misty, still recovering from the chaotic battle, sighed and rolled her eyes. "I guess that wasn't bad… but seriously, Ash, don't ever send out Caterpie against a Flying-type again."

Ash grinned, completely ignoring the scolding. He was too busy admiring his newest Pokémon.

Just as Ash finished admiring his newly caught Pidgeotto, an all-too-familiar, dramatic background music blared through the forest. The sudden shift in atmosphere made Misty groan in frustration. Velkris instinctively tensed—because he knew what was coming.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

Ash, Misty, and Velkris turned to see the infamous duo standing on a large branch, a spotlight somehow shining down on them. Jessie flipped her long, magenta hair dramatically, while James posed with a smug smirk, holding a single rose.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! That's right!"

The trio of troublemakers landed with a flourish, grinning at the young Trainers before them. Jessie smirked as she crossed her arms. "Last time, we were unprepared… but this time, we've come with a plan."

James nodded, tossing his rose aside. "And this time, we will steal your Pokémon!"

Meowth sharpened its claws with a smirk. "And then we'll present 'em to the Boss as a special gift!"

Hearing Boss, Velkris couldn't help but frown slightly. Giovanni…

He had played the games and watched the anime, so he knew exactly who that was—the Viridian City Gym Leader and, more importantly, the secret leader of Team Rocket, the largest crime syndicate in Kanto and Johto. If his actions somehow got on Giovanni's radar, that could lead to serious trouble.

Still, that was something to worry about later. Right now, they had a battle to win.

Jessie and James both pulled out Poké Balls, ready for battle. "Go, Ekans!"

"Koffing, let's go!"

The two Pokémon emerged with hisses and cackles, ready to fight. Ash immediately stepped forward, pulling out a Poké Ball—but he hesitated. Both Caterpie and Pidgeotto had already fought today. He had only one real option left.

"Pikachu, it's all on you now!" Ash declared.

Pikachu's ears perked up, and despite knowing it was facing two opponents, it clenched its tiny paws, electricity sparking from its cheeks. "Pika!"

Seeing Ash make his move, Velkris nodded and stepped forward. "Ralts, let's go!"

Ralts floated in front of him, gazing at the opposing Pokémon with focused determination.

James smirked. "Oh, this is too easy! Koffing, Smog!"

Jessie followed up instantly. "Ekans, Poison Sting!"

Koffing expelled a thick, purple smog that spread across the battlefield, reducing visibility. At the same time, Ekans launched a flurry of sharp, glowing purple needles, forcing Pikachu and Ralts to dodge quickly.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to get out of the smog!" Ash commanded.

As Pikachu darted out of the thick smog with Quick Attack, it landed on all fours, its fur slightly ruffled from the gas but its determination unwavering. Ralts, standing beside Velkris, twitched slightly from the lingering toxins of Sludge but remained ready for battle.

Velkris quickly assessed the situation. Ekans is fast, and Koffing has strong area attacks. We need to keep them in check.

"Ralts, use Confusion to clear the battlefield!" Velkris commanded.

Ralts' eyes glowed a deep blue, sending out a controlled pulse of psychic energy. The toxic smog swirled and dispersed, revealing their opponents—Ekans coiled low, ready to strike, while Koffing hovered menacingly.

"Pikachu, Thunder Shock on Ekans!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu sparked with electricity and fired a bolt toward the serpent. But Jessie smirked.

"Ekans, Dig!"

Before the lightning struck, Ekans burrowed underground, avoiding the attack entirely. Sparks crackled harmlessly across the battlefield.

James grinned. "Koffing, Tackle that Ralts!"

Koffing rocketed toward Ralts like a cannonball.

"Teleport, now!" Velkris commanded.

At the last second, Ralts vanished in a blink of light, reappearing just behind Velkris.

Ash clenched his fists. "Pikachu, we can't let them control the battle! Use Quick Attack on Koffing!"

Pikachu became a yellow blur, dashing toward Koffing and slamming into it with incredible speed. Koffing reeled backward from the hit, but it quickly steadied itself, floating higher.

Velkris took the opportunity. "Ralts, Confusion on Koffing again!"

The psychic wave hit Koffing hard, causing it to spin wildly in the air. Its movements became erratic, and James' eyes widened.

"Uh-oh, Koffing, watch where you're going!"

Still disoriented, Koffing accidentally floated into Ekans' burrow, its weight causing the hole to partially collapse.

Jessie snarled. "Enough of this! Ekans, Poison Sting! Koffing, Smog!"

Ekans burst from the ground, firing a barrage of glowing purple needles toward Pikachu and Ralts. At the same time, Koffing exhaled another cloud of toxic gas.

Velkris acted fast. "Ralts, use Confusion to push the smog back!"

Ralts' psychic energy pulsed outward, dispersing the gas before it could take effect.

Ash gritted his teeth. "Pikachu, dodge the Poison Sting and counter with Thunder Shock!"

Pikachu nimbly leaped aside, avoiding the barrage, then retaliated with a crackling blast of electricity that struck Ekans head-on. The serpent twitched and hissed in pain, barely managing to stay upright.

Velkris saw the opening. "Ralts, Confusion again—hold them in place!"

Ralts focused its energy, and Koffing's body stiffened midair. While it couldn't completely paralyze it, the move momentarily slowed Koffing's movements.

Ash's eyes lit up. "Now's our chance! Caterpie, I choose you!"

Caterpie emerged from its Poké Ball, looking up at the much larger opponents. Despite its tiny size, its eyes burned with determination.

"Caterpie, String Shot! Wrap them up!"

Thick strands of silk shot out, sticking to Koffing first. As Caterpie kept firing, Koffing's body became more and more tangled.

Jessie clenched her fists. "Ekans, bite through the strings!"

Ekans lunged forward, trying to cut the silk with its fangs.

Velkris quickly called out, "Ralts, stop Ekans with Confusion!"

Ekans suddenly staggered as psychic pressure weighed down on it, preventing it from reaching Koffing.

Meowth snarled and leaped forward. "I'll handle this myself!" It extended its claws, slicing through the first few strands of silk.

But Caterpie wasn't done yet.

"Keep going, Caterpie!" Ash encouraged.

It fired more and more String Shot, faster than Meowth could cut. The strands kept piling up, wrapping around its arms, legs, and tail.

"N-no way!" Meowth struggled, but within moments, it was fully cocooned.

Jessie and James' faces paled.

Ekans and Koffing weren't any better off. The more they struggled, the tighter the silk wrapped around them. Jessie and James barely had time to react before Caterpie turned its attention to them.

"No! Break free, you dimwits!" Jessie shouted.

But before they could react, Caterpie launched itself forward and delivered a powerful Tackle straight into Koffing. The impact sent Koffing careening into Ekans and Meowth, knocking them all into Jessie and James.

The trio tumbled into a heap, groaning in pain.

And then—

"Pikachu, finish it with Thunder Shock!"

Electricity surged from Pikachu's tiny body, far stronger than a normal Thunder Shock.

The moment it made contact, an explosion of sparks and light engulfed Team Rocket and their Pokémon.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Jessie, James, and Meowth were sent rocketing into the sky, their screams echoing through the forest.

"Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaain!"

With a final ding in the sky, they disappeared beyond the clouds.

The final sparks of Pikachu's Thunder Shock faded. The distant echo of Team Rocket's screams was the only lingering proof of their dramatic defeat. Velkris exhaled, letting the tension leave his body.

As the dust settled from the intense battle against Team Rocket, a quiet yet noticeable shift took over the atmosphere. The usual morning sounds of Viridian Forest—the rustling leaves, chirping Pidgeys, and distant buzzing of Bug Pokémon—returned as if nature itself was reclaiming its peace after the chaos.

Misty, arms crossed, let out a sigh. "Seriously, why do they keep showing up? Do they have nothing better to do than chase after a beginner trainer's Pokémon?"

Ash scratched his head. "Beats me. Maybe they just don't know when to quit?"

Velkris glanced in the direction Team Rocket had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's because of Pikachu," he said, voicing the obvious but still letting his mind wander. But if things continue like this, won't Giovanni himself eventually take notice? That thought sent a slight chill down his spine.

Before he could dwell too long on that possibility, a soft, glowing light caught his attention.

"Caterpie?" Ash muttered, stepping closer in surprise. His tiny Bug-type, which had been resting after its efforts in the battle, was now glowing with an intense, white light.

Everyone's eyes widened as the small green Pokémon slowly began to change shape. Its round, beady eyes blinked in what seemed like understanding as its body elongated, hardening and shifting.

Velkris took a small step back, watching with an odd sense of familiarity. This... this is happening exactly like it did in the anime. He knew this moment was coming, yet seeing it unfold right in front of him was surreal. He had spent so much time thinking about how different things might become due to his presence, yet some key events still played out the same.

The glow began to fade, revealing a new form. Caterpie was no more.

In its place was a Metapod, its once soft and squishy body now encased in a hard, green shell. It remained motionless, eyes now narrower than before, giving it a more serious expression.

"Caterpie… evolved?" Ash's voice was filled with awe, kneeling beside his Pokémon. "You did it, buddy! You're a Metapod now!"

"Whoa…" Misty muttered, taking a hesitant step forward. "I know Bug Pokémon evolve quickly, but that was fast."

Velkris smiled slightly, nodding. "Yeah, Caterpie did an amazing job in that battle. Its determination paid off." He looked at Ash, noticing the pure joy on his face. Even though he has no idea how strong of a trainer he'll become, his excitement over every little thing is what makes him who he is.

Metapod remained still, but Ash didn't seem to mind. "Alright! Our journey's only just beginning, and you've already grown stronger!"

Pikachu happily clapped its tiny paws together, while Ralts, standing beside Velkris, tilted its head and let out a soft "Ralts?" in curiosity.

Velkris chuckled at Ralts' reaction. "Yeah, evolution can be surprising, huh?"

Ash stood up, filled with renewed energy. "Come on, guys! If Caterpie—uh, I mean Metapod—evolved, that means we're on the right track! Let's keep moving forward!"

Before they could continue, a sudden rustling in the bushes made them all freeze.

Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity, and Ralts tensed, raising its tiny hands in preparation for a Confusion attack. Ash instinctively reached for his Poké Ball, while Misty took a step back, gripping the straps of her backpack.

Velkris narrowed his eyes. Another wild Pokémon? Or maybe… Team Rocket again?

Then, from the dense foliage, a figure stepped out.

It was a boy, not much older than them, dressed in full samurai armor—though clearly lightweight and made for travel. His metal breastplate gleamed slightly under the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. A red sash was tied around his waist, and on his back, he carried a wooden scabbard for a practice sword. His sharp eyes peered out from under a metal helmet, and he carried himself with rigid posture, like a warrior constantly prepared for battle.

"I came here after hearing the commotion," the boy announced, his voice formal and measured. "You shouldn't make so much noise in Viridian Forest. You risk disturbing the Beedrill nests."

Misty immediately stiffened at the mention of Beedrill, instinctively taking a step closer to Velkris. "Wait, Beedrill?! There are Beedrill nests nearby?"

The samurai nodded. "Indeed. And they do not take kindly to disturbances."

Ash waved off the concern. "Eh, we can handle a few Beedrill if it comes down to it."

The samurai's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is that so? Overconfidence is the downfall of many warriors."

Misty tilted her head. "What's your name, anyway?"

The samurai crossed his arms. "A samurai's name is unimportant. Only his honor matters."

There was a moment of silence as Ash, Velkris, and Misty all exchanged glances.

Velkris thought to himself, That's… a little dramatic.

Ash whispered to Misty, "What's with this guy?"

Misty sighed. "I don't know, but I think he takes the samurai thing a little too seriously."

Despite the strange introduction, the samurai seemed earnest. "If you must call me something, Samurai will do."

Velkris nodded. "Alright then, Samurai. I'm Velkris, and these two are Ash and Misty."

Samurai gave a curt nod. "It is an honor."

Then, his eyes sharpened. "You are trainers from Pallet Town, correct?"

Ash blinked in surprise. "Uh, yeah? How'd you know?"

Samurai's expression darkened slightly. "Because I have already faced another trainer from Pallet. A powerful one. He utterly crushed me in battle… with his Squirtle."

Ash's eyes widened in realization. "Wait—Gary!?"

Velkris frowned slightly, trying to recall this part of the anime. Right… this guy battled Gary before Ash arrived. But I don't remember exactly how that fight went…

Misty looked between them. "So this so called Gary was here before us?."

Ash clenched his fists, clearly frustrated at the thought of Gary being ahead of him again. "That means we need to get stronger, and fast!"

Noticing their exhaustion, Samurai's expression softened. "Your Pokémon seem tired. If you'd like, you may rest at my cabin nearby."

Velkris considered the offer. They had been through a lot—the battle with Pidgeotto, the fight with Team Rocket… even Misty's screaming earlier had taken its toll.

He looked at Ash and Misty. "What do you guys think?"

Misty immediately nodded. "Yes! Absolutely! If it means staying far away from any Beedrill, I'm all for it."

Ash hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "Eh, why not? A little rest won't hurt before our next battle."

With that, Samurai turned and began leading the way through the dense Viridian Forest, the sunlight casting shifting patterns on the ground as they followed him deeper into the woods.