Pokémon Rewritten Memories: Kanto

"Turu ru tu tu, turu ru tu tu. Once again we meet our trio of friends on the road to Vermillion City. The sun is high and they're not lovin' it."

"What are you doing, Ash?" Misty watched as the boy skipped and whistled an unknown and yet catchy tune.

"Narrating, but of course." He winked. "I have to deal with my boredom somehow."

"Pika pi."

"I am the main character you little runt." Ash flicked its head.

[As the protagonist said earlier the cruel sun was upon them. Making the journey more unbearable with every minute.]

"If you plan on narrating then how about some background music?"

[Playing new background music.]

"Ouch, why the unnecessary violence, Mist?" He rubbed his hurting shoulder.

"Let's not get hot headed in this temperature, guys." Brock was trying to keep the energy low.

"Hmph, he started it!" The girl shouted as she suddenly fell down into a pitfall."

"Bulbasaur, help the young lady." Ash released his grass pokémon.

"Bulba." With the help of its two vines it pulled their friend out.

"If this was Team Rocket's doing then I'm going to personally make them see stars." Misty gritted her teeth as she tried getting rid of the dirt.

"Tle tle tle."

"What's that sound?" Brock looked around and found nothing out of the ordinary.

"It seems our pranksters are rather good at being sneaky." Ash mischievously rubbed his hands. "Pikachu use Thunderbolt on that river."

"Chu!" A small bolt of lightning crashed with the mirror of water.

Five shadows tried to escape from the creak, but it was too late as they got shocked.

"Squirt, tle tle tle." The pokémon cried as the electricity ran through then.

"So they were Squirtles?" Misty asked confused.

Five water turtle pokémon landed on the river's bank. They're too stunned and crisped to move.

"And they have sunglasses...why?" Brock asked.

"Who cares?" He shrugged. "Dibs on the leader!" Ash threw a pokéball at the Squirtle that had a different pair of shades then the rest of them.

"Wait for me, Ash!" She threw a pokéball as well.

"This is... unconventional." Brock staggered but threw a pokéball in the end.

"And now the rest." Ash captured the last of the Squirtles before they could return to their senses.

Pikachu and Oddish danced their practised victory routine. Right next to them was a very unwilling participant, Bulbasaur. It was setting the atmosphere by shooting pink petals.

"Bulba..." It sighed as the pair was doing cartwheels.

"What are we going to do with all of these Squirtles?" Brock asked.

"For now let's celebrate with this." Ash took out a banner from his backpack. It read 'Gary can kiss my Jigglypuffs. I've caught all Kanto Starters'.

"When did you make that... vulgar atrocity?" Misty blinked.

"In the few moments you weren't looking. Which were very few when I think about it." He looked at her suspiciously. "I never took you for the stalker type, Mist."

"Moving on." Brock tried to change the topic as the girl blushed. "I wonder what was that group of Squirtles doing here."

"Maybe she can tell us." Brock and Misty followed Ash's sight and saw a brewing cloud of dust in the distance.

It was Officer Jenny on a motorcycle, dashing through the heatwave with duty on her mind. The engine came to a halt as she stopped next to the group of friends.

"Hello, trainers. Did you see a couple of troublemakers around here?" The woman asked.

"If you are asking about the Squirtles then yes." Brock grabbed her hand. "But enough about them. Let's talk about our troubled hearts."

"Eh...what?" Jenny looked towards his companions for help.

"I'm on it." Ash ordered Bulbasaur to bind their friend.

"He mentioned something about Squirtles?" The officer asked after regaining her composure.

"Yes, we've met them." Misty replied. "But I think we've ended their wrong ways."

"Really? How so?"

"We just caught them." Ash proudly showed three pokéballs. "One of them is going straight back home. Mother did mention she wanted a new Squirt Bottle."

"A momma's boy through and through." Misty giggled.

"You really did take care of them?" Jenny saluted. "On behalf of our town I thank you for your service."

"The pleasure was ours." The group replied.

"As thanks I welcome you to visit Pollen Town." She offered. "It's just 3 kilometers away."

"What do you think guys?" Ash asked.

"Anything is better then this heat." Misty mumbled.

--------

The town of Pollen was a small coastal city. Nothing much could be said about it other then it had clean sandy beaches. Nonetheless our heroes were warmly accepted by the local community after hearing Jenny's story. Having got rid of the annoying pokémon the locals decided to hold a small celebration.

"They don't pull away their punches, that's for sure." Ash couldn't believe the amount of fireworks being prepared.

Jenny broke into a giggle. "Those rascals played to many pranks in the last months."

"What motivated them to act out that way?" Brock inquired.

The officer sighed. "From what we've gathered they were probably abandoned by their trainers. That's why they mostly targeted trainers and sometimes regular people."

"Ha, called it!" Ash exclaimed. "Truely the children of our nation are wasteful."

"Stop talking like that, Ash." Misty insisted.

"I don't understand." Confusion showed on Jenny's face.

"We've been meeting a surprising amount of released pokémon. Starters nonetheless." Brock exclaimed.

"Yeah, I've caught my Bulbasaur and Charmander in similar circumstances. Its almost poetic that I've got my Squirtle the same way."

"I certainly won't complain as a water pokémon trainer."

"Oddish." It lively agreed with her.

"How highly irresponsible. I'll have to make a report to the headquarters."

"I've already told Professor Oak about the previous encounters. I should probably make a call. I wonder if one of these Squirtles is from him." Charmander and Bulbasaur fortunately weren't left by any Pallet trainers.

"That'll be helpful, Ash." Jenny thanked him. "I'll be leaving now. Maybe I'll see you three at the late night festival." With a squeal from her motorcycle's wheels she rode off into the distance.

"I'll check around the market for supplies, Ash." Brock handed the boy his Squirtle. "I'll leave it to you."

"And what about you Mist?" Ash asked.

"I need to see whether the PokéCenter has supplements for Oddish. So I'll come with you."

"Oddish grew quite nicely under the harsh sunlight." Ash tickled the grass pokémon's sides. Eliciting laughter and tears of joy from it.

"Pika pika?" Concern was showing on its face.

"I welcome any rebellious attitude. Training has to start from somewhere." Ash felt giddy with the measures he could use for insubordination.

At the PokéCenter Misty left to talk with Nurse Joy, leaving Ash alone on the phone with the professor.

"So Ash, what's with the urgent call?" Oak wasn't too happy with the last conversations he had with the boy.

"Same old, unfortunately." Ash shrugged. "This time I have five Squirtles to check."

"Five!" The man's eyes almost shot out of orbit. "Since when they were so easily to find?"

"Apparently, 5 trainers didn't share the same sentiment. I'll send their data so you can check if you have them in your database." Ash slided his Pokédex into the machine.

After finishing the transfer one window popped up. Meaning that one of the Squirtles matched with a previous entry.

"How odd, this was reported as a stolen pokémon. Yeah, Christy one year your senior called that Team Rocket stole it."

"It seems not all agents are terrible at their jobs." The lighthearted tone didn't match the anger visible on Ash's face.

"It seems whoever purchased Squirtle either lost interest or maybe it left the trainer on its own. And it wasn't able to find its previous trainer."

"Pika pika."

"Is it one of the ones I've caught, professor?"

"Fortunately yes. I'm sorry but I'll have to inform her. She still misses it to this day."

"Of course, professor." Ash smiled. "I was only going to bring one of them either way. At least one lose end was solved."

"By the way Ash, when are you going to send more pokémon. You were doing quite nicely up till now."

"Well I'm thinking about catching more at the Safari Zone when I go there eventually. I believe there's no need in sending Magikarps or Rattatas your way."

"It's quite an accomplishment to find all starter pokémon. It feels almost as if you never needed one from my lab in the first place."

"Pika pika!" The mouse pokémon showed its fist in anger.

"Of course. He wouldn't have done it without you, Pikachu."

"Chu."

"How the times change. It seems as if only yesterday you wanted to deep fry me in a pan of Thunder."

"Pika Pi."

"Act like that more and I'll get a Diglett."

"Pika pika pi."

"I also don't know how they can learn Scratch."

"Pika."

"I'm inclined to believe its magic."

"Chu?"

"The creator loves a good laugh himself....or is it a it?"

"Pi?"

"As fun as this conversation is I have to make a few calls. Thank you Ash for the call." And the screen turned black.

"You're already done?" Misty came back from her errand.

"Yep, where's Oddish?"

"Joy said to keep her in the pokéball. She had some yellowing in her leaves, because she took in too much sunlight."

"Good to know that's a thing. Thankfully for us we're each going to have our own personal fountains on the go."

Misty squealed. "So we're keeping them?"

"Only one of mine was discovered to be from Oak's lab. So you and Brock are okay."

"Then let's take them to Joy, they're electrocuted after all."

After leaving the pokéballs with Nurse Joy for half an hour the duo walked out of the Center. They were heading towards the nearby market to find Brock. It was nearing lunch time so they decided to check some food stands on the way.

"That looks rather good." Misty pointed to what seemed balls of dough filled with different types of fillings and were drizzled with black and white sauces.

'Takoyaki? Did they murder an Octillery.' Ash never questioned where Brock was getting the meat they're eating.

"They're so delicious." Misty gushed in bliss. "A little bit hot, but it adds charm to it."

"Can I have one?"

"Hmph, get your own."

"Stingy." Ash walked to the register and ordered a couple boxes for him and the pokemon so they could try as well. "Oh and one more for Brock."

"Here you go. Thank you for your purchase."

The duo sat by the beach at one of the tables accessible for tourists.

"Could you find, Brock for us? Thanks." Ash sent his Pidgeotto to find their friend.

The flying pokémon returned 5 minutes later with the teen in tow.

"Your Pidgeotto almost took me airborne Ash." Brock didn't look so happy.

"Yeah, I told it to intervene when you get creepy with women."

"Geot." The bird pokémon nodded.

With a blush the older boy sat down at the table. After revealing what Ash learnt from his call they came to a decision.

"It's time to rip the bandaid. If we want them to be our pokémon, of course?" Seeing no objections Ash released the four Squirtles.

"Squirtle?" The leader of the bunch moved its head quickly from side to side.

"Squirtle Squirt." One of the henchmen was distraught.

"Squirtle, Squirtle." The leader cast an accusatory look at the black haired boy before him.

"If you're wondering where your comrade is then all I can say that it's owner has been found. We know it was kidnapped."

"Squirtle." It didn't believe the trainer.

"I have no reason to lie. I've called up the Professor that gave it to the girl named Christy."

"Squirtle." Henchman number 2 gesticulated with its hands.

"Tle, Tle." The third seemed to agree.

"Squirtle?" The fourth of the group asked.

"Well we want to be your friends. As for you I wanted to give you to my mom. She'll be happy to have you over."

The leader wasn't liking what was being said. So it took a huge breath, preparing for an attack.

"Fearow, if even a drop of water falls down on the food I want him to learn pain."

"Row!" It stabbed the Squirtle's tail, making it forgo it's attack.

"Squirtle!" The leader jumped.

"Pika Pika Pika." Pikachu laughed and fell on its back on the table.

"If you drop the food you're also not going to be spared.

"Pi!" The mouse shuddered.

"And who is the stingy one?" Misty asked amused.

"That's still you, sweet stuff. I just don't like wasting food."

"Would you stop embarrassing me with the names." She groaned as the nearby tourists were laughing at their display.

"Let's eat." Brock released all of his pokémon, but Onix. There was not much room for that lovable giant.

"I've bought some stuff for us. That also means you, Squirtles. So come closer for your share."

The four water pokemon reluctantly walked up, fighting against the tasty fragrances and hunger in their stomachs.

"These are the least spicy ones. So you won't burn your tongues." Ash patted three of the Squirtles on the head; the leader avoided the hand.

"Fair enough, but you're still getting your food." Ash wasn't surprised or fazed by its reaction.

"Char, char!" The fire pokémon was happily eating the spicy food it was given.

"Eat slower, Charmander. We don't want you getting an upset stomach while we're in for a great night of festivities." Ash rubbed it's head affectionately.

"Bulba, Saur Saur." The grass pokémon took upon itself to gave the rest of the pokemon their food.

"Thank you Bulbasaur for the help." Brock was busy adding some flavors for his pokémon.

"Would you be so kind to give some of that to Zubat? It's getting jealous."

"Scree." Ash's Zubat was sitting on his head and bowing in agreement.

"Just wait a second." Brock smiled. "I didn't forget about you.

"Dish!" Misty was helping it eat.

"Can you toss the food to Goldeen, Ash?"

The fish pokémon was watching from the sea, waiting for its turn.

"Why not. Where is Starmie by the way?"

"It should be resting under water, why?"

"Well it just occurred to me that we've been suffering all that heat for naught. Why didn't you just release it to douse us with water?"

Misty blinked. "I forgot?"

"Some water trainer you turned out to be." He mumbled.

"It's also your fault for not reminding me." She pouted.

"Pika pi." Pikachu shook its head.

"Like you can talk. You were on my shoulder the whole way."

"Squirtle tle tle tle."

The trio turned their heads towards the chuckling turtle pokémon.

Feeling their gazes the water pokémon coughed.

"No need to stop. We're all friends here, you included."

They watched as the boy crouched near the Goldeen and began feeding it.

"Goldeen." It wiggled happily in the waves.

"It's a shame I didn't bring my swimsuit." Misty eyes lingered on the clean blue waters of the sea.

"I did see some small shops with clothes. Maybe we can go there after we eat." Brock suggested.

"Was it there where Pidgeotto found you?" His blush told it all. "Why am I not surprised?"

"There they are. I knew I wasn't seeing things."

An angry motley crue surrounded them.

"And what is your problem?" Misty watched carefully.

"Is there something we can help you with?" Brock's eyes narrowed as he stood up.

"We want them troublemakers." An old fisherman pointed at the Squirtles.

"They have to pay for what they've done."

"Yeah, we suffered far too long under their stupid pranks."

"Squirtle." The three henchmen were trembling while their leader was gritting its teeth.

"Pika." Sparks were gathering in its cheeks.

"Char, char." Fury flashed in the fire pokémon's eyes as the flame on its tail made the air boil.

"I would back off If I were you." Ash pushed the people back as he broke the encirclement. "I'm not in a good mood to deal with stupid today."

"Why you little punk, ah!" The brawny man was tossed into the sea.

"If they don't leave," Ash paused, "Then make them, Butterfree."

The butterfly pokémon was enshrouded with an eerie aura.

"You have no right to do this!" An elderly woman shrieked.

"If you want to continue on this path then I'll accommodate you. Use Sleep Powder, Bulbasaur."

"Saur." Blue glittering dust was released from its back.

"You, you, you...." The mob fell asleep.

"I'll call officer Jenny." Brock ran towards the nearby public phone.

"Are you okay?" Misty crouched next to the Squirtles.

"Squirtle?" They were still trembling.

"And why would we let them?" Ash asked.

"Tle?"

"I think we made this clear when I said that we're friends now."

Brock returned. "She should arrive in 10 minutes.

"Let's finish our lunch in the meantime." Misty proposed.

After the crowd was taken away by an angry Jenny the trio spent the rest of the daytime strolling around the small town.

As the night fell upon them they've prepared baskets with food and blankets for the fireworks.

"There're so many people." Misty said while the boys were looking for a good spot.

"Zubat said we should go this way." Brock motioned them to follow him.

They eventually found a small rock platform at the edge of the beach. It had a great vantage point, far from the vivacious crowds.

"Come on Pikachu, the blanket goes this way."

"Saur, saur."

"Pikaaaa." Pikachu rolled down and plopped on the sand.

"So much for your dexterity." Pikachu blushed as the group laught.

"Roar!" Onix stretched itself.

"I think its better for us to stay on the ground, Onix. But thank you for offering." Brock patted the snake's rock belly.

"Char."

"Unless you learn Fire Burst then no fireworks for you."

"Charmander, Char."

"I don't think they'd appreciate a Fire Blast."

"Do you guys hear that?" Misty asked as the noise got bigger.

"I think there's something wrong with the fireworks. I'll check it out." Brock walked towards the crowd.

The teen could see two middle-aged men talking with a male officer.

"They're here an hour ago when we did the final check of the main installation."

"Did you notice anyone suspicious at that time?" The officer asked while his Growlithe was sniffing for clues.

"Other then some paw prints then no. But why would a pokemon need fireworks for?"

"Excuse me." Brock interjected. "Were those perhaps Meowth foot marks?"

"Yes, mow that you've mentioned it, but they weren't complete ones. Only the hind paws."

"That's odd. Did it walk on its back legs?" The younger engineer asked.

"Don't be ridiculous. A Meowth can't walk like that." His boss berated him.

"Ruff, ruff." The canine pokémon found a scent.

"It seems we've found something. Come on Growlithe, pursue."

"I think you'll need more help, I'll come with you."

Brock quickly made his way back to his friends.

"I think Team Rocket's stole the fireworks."

"If they hid in the nearby forest then we'll need Zubats."

"Scree." The bat pokémon were ready.

"We'll leave the base to you Mist. You'll be alright on your own?"

"Just don't do anything reckless, okay?

"Come on Squirtles, we'll probably need your help as well." Ash made the turtles run before him in a single line.

Meanwhile in the forest.

"Meowth, why did you steal the fireworks again?" James was heating a can of beans on a small fire.

"I've already told you a thousand times. Listen up, nimrod. First we send a letter to the Boss."

"Okay?" James nodded.

"We'll invite him here. And when he'll be wondering 'What did those wonderful and exceptional Rockets of mine have prepared for me?', we will release the fireworks to show our appreciation."

"Appreciation for what exactly?" Jessie was eyeing the can with hunger in her eyes.

"For not firing us for being such losers, that's what." Meowth scratched their faces. 'And maybe he'll take me off these bozos and I'll take my rightful place on the boss's lap.'

"I still think this is stupid." Jesse kicked the pokémon, making it hit the tree.

Unfortunately, as Meowth was flying it hit the small campfire, making the ground catch on fire.

"What did you two numbskulls do?" James panicked. He tried to stamp out the flames. But it was futile as the ground was very dry and the fire started to spread.

"Keep it away from the explosives." Meowth struggled with its burnt paws.

"Use Water Gun!" Four jets of water hit the flames.

"Growlithe use Sand Attack." A wave of sand covered the small distance between the fireworks and the fire.

"Geodude grab them out of there."

"Geo!" The small rock pokemon chucked the three Rocket's out of the center of the flames.

"Squirtles, we need more power." Ash motivated from the sidelines.

"Squirtle, Squirtle." The streams got wider.

After almost five minutes of emergency the turtle crew could finally rest.

"Good job, everyone."Brock brushed away the soot on Geodude.

"That was some nice coordination, Squirtle." Ash patted the leader on its back and gave the rest of the team a high five.

"Squirtle." The turtle pokémon grabbed their shades and posed.

"Pika, Pika." Pikachu joined them with a bandana on its head.

"Okay, the fireworks were not damaged. We'll have to call the experts here." The officer named Jackson remarked. "But now let's...where did they go?"

Ash and Brock looked around and realized that Team Rocket had escaped during the fire.

"Slippery as always." The boy kicked a rock.

"We'll get them next time." Brock tried to cheer him up.

While they were wrapping things up, at the beach Misty was worring about whether her friends were safe.

"I should've went with them."

"Bulba."

"That's very gentleman of you, to protect me." She gently patted its head.

"Free?"

"What's wrong, Butterfree?"

"There's someone coming over there?" The pokémon nodded.

"Let's check it out."

Following Butterfree's lead she quietly walked around the large boulders. Misty peeked from the corner and saw three familiar figures leaving the forest.

"This is all your fault, Jessie." James walked with limp.

"You should straighten out your anger issues." Meowth was helping itself with a walking stick.

"Shut up." The teen said with a weary voice. "We shouldn't have stolen them in the first place. Stupid Meowth."

James yawned. "Next time we'll find some cruise ship to rob."

"Yeah," Meowth fell face down. "Keep those meownips rolling girls." It started snoring.

"Guys? Are you as sleepy as I am?" Jesse leaned her head against a rock and closed her eyes.

After a few minutes Misty walked out from her hiding spot. She took a stick and poked the sleeping trio.

"They fell asleep, good work Butterfree."

"Free."

"Call for Charmander and Bulbasaur. We have a surprise to make." She grinned mischievously.

-------

"We're back." Ash sat down on the cushion next to Misty. "Did something good happen?"

"I'll show you later." She replied with a giggle.

"Well we've found the culprits. " Brock groaned as he sat next to them. "Sadly they've ran away."

"Pika chu."

"They should start any moment now."

As Ash said this the first firework lighten the sky.

"So beautiful." Misty's sparkled.

"They've made some last minute adjustments to them. I wonder what'll it be." Brock said.

"We did get some treats from the locals. Courtesy of our little firefighters." The Squirtles puffed their chests.

"So that's why I could smell smoke." Misty remembered something. "Anyway, congratulations are due for our heroes."

"Yeah, candied apples for everyone." Brock opened the bags and started handing out the sweets.

"Char." It gobbled the treat up in one big bite.

"Scree, scree." The Zubats were slowly nibbling through the fruits.

As the group was enjoying the food more and flashier fireworks were adorning the sky.

"Look, that's a Jigglypuff!" Misty exclaimed as the explosion revealed a pink contour of said pokémon.

"And that's Pikachu." Brock added as another face flickered in the night.

"Its so cool." Ash marveled at the sight.

"Pika pi."

"Bulba."

"What is that monstrosity?" The boys looked where she was pointing towards.

A big white ball was currently being shoved into what seemed to be a cannon.

"We're about to find out." They followed Ash by closing their ears.

With a resounding bang the large firework shot into the sky. When it reached its max height it broke off into smaller pieces which then exploded. Now there were 4 familiar faces wearing glasses brightening up the sky.

"Look, they're thanking you."

"Squirtle?" The leader of the turtles watched in awe.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Ash grinned.

"Squirtle Squirt." It nodded.

[The celebrations lasted until midnight. Our trio of friends then returned to the PokéCenter for their well deserved respite.]

"Will you shut up!?" Ash clamped his ears with a pillow.

The next day after breakfast the group stood before a life changing decision. The Squirtles were standing before the humans puzzeled why were they called out. There were only three as Ash sent one of them to his mother after the meal. She wholeheartedly welcomed the new addition to the household. Making the smallest Squirtle of the bunch blush in her arms.

The leader watched Ash with suspicion and there was some hurt in its eyes.

"Oh don't look at me like that. We're giving you a choice." Ash addressed the pokémon.

"We think this is the proper way around the subject." Misty gave an encouraging smile.

"Especially, since we did fumble the ball." Brock smiled.

"Squirtle?" They were looking at each other with confusion.

"We want to ask whether you truly want to come with us." Ash explained.

"We know why you've been so reluctant to trust us humans. And we don't want to force you into following us." The redhead added.

"That's why we want to ask." Brock looked at his companions.

"Will you become our friends." They all said with a smile.

Tears dropped from the water pokémon eyes.

"Squirtle Squirt Squirtle." They've launched at their trainers.

"Ha ha. Welcome to our family." Ash patted his new pokémon.

"We'll be the best." Misty twirled around with her pokémon.

"Thank you for believing." Brock rubbed the pokémon's head affectionately.

"Now then," Ash pumped his fist, "Let's continue to Vermillion City!"

[And that my fellow viewers is the end of this story... or is it?]

"Wake up!"

Two groans mixed with the sound of waves hitting the shore could be heard at the beach.

"Where are weee!" James cried as he couldn't move his body.

"Don't you know not to disturb my beauty sleep?" Jessie slowly opened her eyes. "Why is the water so high?"

"We've been buried in the sand you nimrods." Meowth panicked. "The tide is rising."

"The tide?" The teenagers watched as the water level was coming closer.

"We need to get out!" James tried to wiggle.

"There're small shovels next to our heads." Jessie grabbed the toy with her teeth.

"I'll make whoever has done this pay." Meowth started digging.

"Why couldn't we have just blasted off again!?"

[Wobbuffet!]

[Give me back the mic!]

[Wobbuffet!]