Austin slowly opened his eyes, feeling a dull ache in his head. His surroundings were hazy and his body felt stiff. The sounds of the nearby stream were the only indication of where he was. As he tried to sit up, he felt dizzy and disoriented.

"Pika!" Austin was startled by a sudden weight on his lap and looked down to see Pikachu looking relieved. The sight of his companion brought Austin back to reality.

"Hey, Pikachu," Austin said as he looked around, trying to take in his surroundings. He saw that he was near a stream, surrounded by tall grass and trees. The sunlight filtered through the leaves and danced on the water, casting an ethereal glow over the area.

"Finally awake?" A voice interrupted his thoughts. Austin turned to see a teenage girl with reddish-orange hair standing nearby. She wore a yellow shirt and blue shorts with red straps that went across the shirt, and she had on red tennis shoes. Austin couldn't help but notice her striking appearance.

"Y-Yeah," Austin managed to reply, feeling a little embarrassed by his disoriented state.

"I was riding my bike to get to this spot when I saw you being attacked by the Spearow Flock," the girl said, frowning. "Next time you try to catch a Pokémon, make sure it isn't a part of a group."

Austin's face darkened as he remembered the Spearow attack. "Hey, that Spearow attacked Pikachu first," he retorted, defending himself. Pikachu looked between the two humans as if watching a tennis match.

"Wait, how did you know I caught a Spearow?" Austin asked, puzzled.

"While you were unconscious, I had to make sure your Pokémon weren't injured, and your Spearow tried to attack me," the girl replied, looking at him with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

Austin realized that he had changed the story of his first Pokémon capture. In reality, Ash's first capture was a Caterpie, not a Spearow.

"Hey, are you listening?" The girl's voice broke through his thoughts, and he looked up, feeling a little ashamed.

"Uh, sorry," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. The girl looked at him with a hint of concern.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah," Austin replied, getting up slowly. "Just a little exhausted."

"Well, you're in luck. There's a Pokémon Center nearby in Viridian City," the girl said, pointing in the direction he needed to go.

"Oh, thanks-" Austin stopped as he realized it would be awkward if he knew her name without her telling him.

Misty Waterflower mistook his hesitation for something else and sighed. "I'm Misty Waterflower."

"I'm Au-er Ash Ketchum," Austin said, almost slipping up and using his real name.

Misty frowned at his slip-up, but didn't comment. "Just don't get attacked by any more wild Pokémon on the way," she chided, turning back to her fishing.

Austin nodded, feeling a little awkward. He looked at Pikachu and asked, "You ready to go?"

"Pika," Pikachu replied, walking up behind him.

Austin grinned and walked by Misty's bike. He thought to himself, "Well, I guess she won't be traveling with me after I barbecued her bike."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Austin trudged along the dirt path, the sun slowly setting behind him, casting long shadows over the trees that lined the road. He could feel the weight of his backpack pulling at his shoulders, the straps digging into his skin. He glanced down at his attire, a plain t-shirt and jeans, nothing fancy, nothing noteworthy. He kicked a pebble as he walked, the sound echoing through the quiet countryside.

After an hour of walking, Austin's feet ached, and he could feel blisters forming. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a small red and white ball. "Should I?" he asked Pikachu, who was perched on his shoulder. The yellow Pokemon shook his head, knowing what Austin was about to do. "Wait until we're at the Pokemon Center?" Pikachu nodded, and they continued their journey.

He hasn't seen the first season of Pokemon in a long time but he does remember some key details.

Like who Ash's team was and he already changed that a bit on his first day here.

But he didn't remember everything… Some things would probably come to mind if they happened.

Shaking his head, Austin saw Viridian City from the hill he made it to and smiled as the sun was looking like it was beginning to set.

"We're here," Austin said looking up only for his eyes to widen.

He could see a bird flying off into the sky.

Despite knowing what it was, he took out the Pokedex. "Pokemon Unknown." That was what the answer was.

"Ho-Oh," Austin whispered causing Pikachu to look at him in surprise.

How did he know?

Seeing Ho-Oh disappear, Austin clenched a fist as they descended the hill, they heard an announcement blaring from a nearby speaker. "Attention citizens of Viridian City. There have been reports of possible Pokemon thieves. Keep on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers." The voice belonged to a blue-haired woman dressed in a police uniform, who went by the name of Officer Jenny. Austin made sure to keep his Pokedex at the ready as he approached her.

"Hi, I'm from Pallet Town," he said, trying to come across as innocent and harmless as possible. "Is the Pokemon Center nearby?"

"You're the fourth trainer from Pallet Town that I've seen today," Officer Jenny replied, taking the Pokedex from Austin and flipping through it. She checked the identification section and saw Austin's picture. "Everything is in order. Be careful of the rumored Pokemon thieves, and the Pokemon Center is that way. You can't miss it."

"Thank you," Austin said as he and Pikachu made their way towards the massive Pokemon Center.

'Well, I seem to have a little more luck than Ash did.' Austin thought as he continued down the path. 'I caught a Pokemon and managed to get Pikachu here in fairly good condition… Then again he didn't get injured as I did.'

"So Pikachu," Austin said catching his attention. "A deal is a deal, do you want to continue with me or go your own way?"

Pikachu gave him a look of disbelief.

He honestly forgot about the deal with everything that happened and was pretty surprised that Austin brought it up.

"Pika Pi?" Pikachu asked tilting his head.

"I'm not going to force you to stay if you don't want to," Austin said as he could see the outline of the Pokemon center.

The building was even more impressive up close, with its towering glass windows and colorful lights flashing on and off.

'To quote Ash, it's gigantic.'

Austin couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed as they stepped inside. The sounds of Pokemon cries and trainers chatting filled the air, and he had to take a moment to adjust to the noise.

"Pika," Pikachu said not walking away.

"So you're going to stay?" Austin asked as Pikachu gave a nod. "Well alright then."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"Welcome to the Pokemon Center." Nurse Joy a pink-haired woman said as Austin walked in. "How can I help you?"

"Can you look to see if my Pokemon are healthy?" Austin asked handing her Spearow's Pokeball and reaching down to hand her Pikachu to the mouse's shock. "Relax Pikachu, she's just going to see if you're injured."

"Chu," Pikachu said a little doubt in his tone.

"Um Pikachu doesn't like Pokeballs and I haven't let Spearow out since I caught him earlier today," Austin warned her. "So I don't know if he'll attack or not."

Nurse Joy gave a nod and left, leaving Austin alone as he sat down as closed his eyes to slowly drift off to sleep.

"Man finally alone." He muttered a little later.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that."

Eyes widening, Austin looked to the side to see… Ash?!

"The heck?!" Austin asked falling out of his seat as he saw Ash in his Sinnoh Garb.

" You ! " screamed Ash in his Sinnoh Garb as he pointed at Austin.

"I've been trying to get your attention since you woke up before getting Pikachu," Ash exclaimed.

"How can I not see you-?" Austin stopped when he realized he could see through Ash. "... It finally happened, I snapped."

"You're not crazy," Ash told him a little sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head, not sure how to do this. "Um… So Austin-."

"How did you know my name?" Austin asked in shock.

"I can hear your surface thoughts right now," Ash told him. "I guess you want an explanation."

Austin gave him a deadpan look.

"Right well… I already experienced my journey up to Sinnoh." Ash said surprising Austin. "Do you know who Team Galactic is-?"

"Yes." Ash looked surprised before he continued.

"Well their leader did something with Dialga and Palkia and that was when I woke up like this."

"Wait, then where do I fit in?" Austin asked a little confused as Ash shrugged. "Some help you are."

"Hey," Ash said glaring. "You think I want to be trapped inside my own body as just a passenger?"

"No that would suck." Austin conceded as he sighed. "But still can't you be a bit more specific on what Cyrus did-."

"I never said his name was Cyrus," Ash said raising an eyebrow. "Unless you're from that timeline as well."

"Uh well…" Austin looked away. "It's complicated."

"How complicated-." Ash stopped and sighed. "You may want to wake up now."

"Wait what-?" Austin was cut off as he fell out of his seat waking up in the same spot without Ash. "... That was a weird dream."

Standing up unsteadily, Austin couldn't help but think of Ash's Mom as she did get a call in Pokemon Canon.

'I guess I better call to ensure her that her 'son' is safe.' Austin thought as he approached the Video Phones.

He stared at them for a bit considering home didn't have phones like this before as he began typing a number that went through his head.

It was eight in the evening, so she should still be up.

After a few rings, someone answered. "Hello, this is the Ketchum Residence." The voice came as the video was shut off for a certain reason.

Taking a deep breath, Austin got into acting like Ash for the call. "Hello, Mom?"

A cry of joy answered back causing Austin to wince in guilt before Delia's face came up on the screen. "Hi honey, is everything okay?" The video came up to show her in a bathrobe, showing she just got out of a shower. "Where are you, Ash?"

"The Pokemon Center in Viridian City," Austin answered trying to sound like Ash.

"You're already in Viridian City?" Delia sounded happy. "It took your father four days to get there when he started Pokemon Training, oh he'll be so proud. You're the apple of his eye."

"Haha, yeah apple," Austin said a bit nervously before Delia saw the scratches on him.

"What happened to you?!"

"Spearow flock," Austin said a little scared by the worried look. "One attacked Pikachu first and when I caught it the flock came."

"Are you hurt?"

"Uh no, I'm fine," Austin said not sure what to say to her. "Pikachu protected me."

"That's great." Delia sounded happy again. "You should go to sleep though, tomorrow you have another big day. I love you."

Austin felt a lump in his throat. "You too." He said hanging up.

He can't keep acting like he's Ash when he's not.

Standing up as he turned away from the Video Phone, Austin wondered what he would be doing.

Should he follow Canon and head for the Pokemon League?

He needs to find out why he was in Ash's body and how.

… If his dream was real though it would mean that Dialga and Palkia would've had something to do with it.

"Ring Ring Ring, Phone Call. Phone Call." Austin jumped as he heard that repeating itself before walking to the computer

"Hello? Who is this?" Austin asked despite knowing fully well who it is.

"Here, over here." Prof. Oak's voice said as the screen came up. "Don't you recognize me?"

"I would if I wasn't looking at the back of your head." Austin quipped causing Prof. Oak to turn and realize he was at the wrong camera and he panicked before it was fixed with him looking sheepish.

"There, I just got off the phone with your Mother and she told me that you made it to the Pokemon Center in Viridian City, is that correct?"

Austin just stared. "What do you think?" He asked shaking his head. "You called here."

Prof. Oak coughed to hide his embarrassment. "Right well the others made it to Viridian City, Gary and Ritchie left already while Luna is staying at her home in Viridian and I'm surprised you got there so soon with how late you left." He said to him. "And I had my doubts that you would be able to handle your Pikachu, but when my Grandson said that you wouldn't have a new Pokemon by the time you get to Viridian City, I bet him a million Pokedollars that he'd be wrong."

"You won that bet," Austin said seeing another deviation from Canon along with the surprise that Charmander was Ritchie's and… Who is Luna? "Nurse Joy is checking on Spearow as well as Pikachu right now."

Prof. Oak laughed with a smile on his face. "Well done... A Spearow?" He looked a little worried. "That Pokemon is hard for new trainers to handle."

"We'll see," Austin said nervously.

A doorbell caught Prof. Oak's attention. "Ah, there's my Pizza." He said looking to the side. "It's been nice talking to you, Ash."

Austin nodded curtly as he disconnected the call, his mind already reeling with the possibilities of the weird pizza flavors that the Professor could have ordered. He turned to face Nurse Joy, who was holding Pikachu and Spearow in her arms.

"Here you go, Ash," she said, handing him Spearow's Pokeball.

"Thank you," he replied, reaching out to take Pikachu from her.

"CHU!" Pikachu cried out, sending an electric shock coursing through Austin's body.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" he exclaimed, clutching his chest. "What the hell, Pikachu? I thought we were cool."

Pikachu looked away, his expression sheepish but it turns out he startled Pikachu by mistake.

"Pika Pi." Pikachu had a sheepish look but he still look guarded as Austin shook his head.

'Painful but I'm still alive the hell?'

Austin thought as Nurse Joy had a surprised look.

Shaking his head, Austin looked at Pikachu as the mouse spoke. "Chu Pika, Pika Pi." He said looking away.

Austin shook," Looks like we have some work to do ?"

He didn't win Pikachu's friendship yet, all he won was a chance.

"You didn't have to shock me," Austin muttered pushing himself up.

"Are you alright?" Nurse Joy asked as Austin shrugged.

He waved her off, his attention drawn to Misty as she entered the Pokemon Center.

"Is there a room open?" The Water Trainer asked the Nurse who gave a nod.

"We have plenty of room tonight." Nurse Joy reassured her.

"What a relief," Misty said before seeing Austin.

"Hey, you're that kid," she said, her eyes widening in recognition.

Before Austin could respond, an alarm blared through the room, causing everyone to jump.

"Our Viridian City Radar System has detected a suspicious aircraft belonging to a gang of Pokemon Thieves," a voice announced over the intercom. "If you have a Pokemon in your possession, exercise extreme caution."

Austin felt a chill run down his spine. He knew what this meant.

Seconds later, two Pokeballs crashed through the window, releasing a noxious purple gas and a snake-like Pokemon with a rattling yellow tail.

"Koffing and Ekans," Austin muttered, his hand reaching instinctively for his own Pokeballs.

From the Anime, he was used to Seviper and Carnivine due to how long it's been since he's seen their original Pokemon.

Koffing began spraying toxic fumes causing everyone to cover their noses, Austin was coughing from the smell as he felt lightheaded before understanding.

This type of fume wasn't lethal, it just disorientates people.

"What's going on?" Misty coughed out as a female laugh echoed through the smoke.

"We'll answer your question, little girl."

A male voice spoke after her. "Allow us to introduce ourselves."

"To Protect the world from devastation."

"To unite all people within our nation."

The fumes cleared to show a woman with long magenta hair and a man with short blue hair holding a rose.

Both of them wore a white uniform with a red 'R' emblem on it as well as black gloves and boots.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Jessie."

"James."

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now or prepare to fight."

"Meowth." A bipedal, cream-colored cat Pokemon with a gold coin on his forehead landed with a grin. "That's right."

Austin just stared.

He forgot about them despite the fact they were in almost every episode of Pokemon.

'I always thought that motto was cool as a kid, but now it's just unnecessary.' Austin thought before shaking his head.

"A talking Meowth?" He asked pretending to be surprised. "That's awesome."

Misty gave him a look of disbelief. "That's all you have to say from that?!" She asked. "They're Team Rocket!"

"I know but I can't stop to think how awesome a talking Pokemon is?" Austin asked as Meowth chuckled.

"We're here for the Pokemon," James said not interested in seeing their squabble.

"So hand them over," Jessie ordered.

"You're wasting your time, this is a place for only sick and injured Pokemon." Nurse Joy told them.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if we find a few little gems among all the junk." Jessie casually said.

Austin cautiously grabbed Spearow's Pokeball and James laughed at seeing that. "The little boy thinks he can fight us?"

"Then let's show him the power of Team Rocket," Jessie said as both Koffing and Ekans came at him.

"Spearow come on out!" Austin said as the bird materialized with a cry before glaring at Pikachu. "Turn around!"

Not liking the tone, Spearow did so only to fly back as Ekans nearly bit him.

'Crap, I don't have any battling experience.' Austin thought.

' Let's see what Spearow's moveset .'

Austin quickly took out his Pokedex to scan the Spearow, ignoring the casual data as he zeroed in on the moveset.

"Focus Energy and then Peck," Austin called out as Spearow was trying to fly outside to escape, but the two Pokemon were cutting him off.

Despite the loathing it felt for the Human, Spearow wanted to survive so he listened as energy gathered inside of him before diving as he nailed the Ekans with his beak, causing them to crash into the ground.

"Show that bird not to be messed with," Jessie said glaring.

"Bite."

Spearow dove out of the way only for Koffing to slam into him with a tackle.

"Spearow," Austin called out as he berated himself for not focusing on Koffing. "Fly back and keep out of reach."

"Smog attack."

Spearow was flying around the sludges that Koffing was firing, barely dodging them and he was slowed from the earlier tackle as he kept moving.

"Pikachu use Thundershock on the Koffing," Austin ordered as the rat gave a nod before running in and zapping the Koffing with the electric attack causing it to slam into Ekans, electrocuting it.

He honestly thought he would fail badly in this fight, but he was doing pretty good… It just seemed so familiar.

'Focus on the battle.' Austin subconsciously told himself.

Eyes snapping to the fight, Austin paled. "Pikachu use your tail to launch yourself into the air."

Pikachu listened barely dodging a tackle from the Ekans as he was spinning in the air from the momentum.

"Spearow use Leer and Pikachu use Thundershock!"

Spearow's eyes glowed red as both Koffing and Ekans hesitated before Pikachu's Thundershock slammed into them causing them to faint.

"We were beaten," Jessie said in disbelief.

"By a kid."

"Well alright," Austin said as Pikachu did a victory sign while Spearow landed on the ground looking at them cautiously.

He was fighting until he had a chance to escape… But this kid did some good combinations to have them win.

Spearow turned away, but he didn't fly off as Jessie and James returned their Pokemon.

"I'll get them," Meowth said walking up. "Birds and mice are Meowth's prey."

Austin chuckled as he looked at Pikachu. "Thundershock."

Pikachu gave a nod as his cheeks sparked causing Meowth to stop a bit nervously. "Now wait just a min-." He was cut off by being electrocuted and he was sent flying back at Jessie and James' feet.

Backing up, they grabbed Meowth before running off. "You haven't seen the last of us kid," Jessie told him as they disappeared.

"Nice job you two," Austin said seeing Misty discreetly putting a Pokeball up showing that she was about to interfere with the fight herself as Nurse Joy approached.

"Thank you for saving the Pokemon Center." She said to him.

"Uh, it's no problem," Austin said looking at Spearow. "Sorry for throwing you in the fight like that, I mean to ease you into welcoming you to the team."

He held out a hand as Spearow looked at him before turning away stubbornly.

Austin blinked before chuckling.

If Spearow didn't like him he wouldn't have fought with him.

........

Austin found himself in one of the guest rooms provided by the Pokemon Center for traveling trainers. The room was quaint and cozy, with a perch for Spearow, who had perched himself there, and a bed for himself.

As he lay there, dressed in the same pajamas he had awoken in, he gazed over at the slumbering forms of Pikachu and Spearow, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him.

"What a strange and peculiar day this has been," he mused to himself, taking in the peaceful surroundings. "But perhaps it has been a great day, in its own way."

Despite the lingering guilt he felt for impersonating Ash and the nagging worry about his parents' reaction to his absence, Austin couldn't help but enjoy his time in this world of Pokemon.

As he drifted off to sleep, he pondered the idea of giving Pikachu and Spearow nicknames, a thought that brought a faint smile to his lips.

Perhaps this was just the beginning of his journey, and there were many adventures yet to be had in this magical world of Pokemon. His eyes sparkled with excitement, his heart filled with anticipation for the countless encounters and experiences that lay ahead. Little did he know, however, that the path he was about to embark upon would be as unforgiving as hell itself.