~???~

I shivered in delight as the sun rose over the fields. Professor Oak trekked down the path, stopping in front of me. "Ash, my boy!" He smiled. "You here to pick your starter?" I clenched my fists, eyes bright. My smile was probably wide enough to cover Kanto. He laughed. "Why am I even asking?"

He guided me inside as I looked around in awe. We walked through a metal sliding door into his lab. Technology coated the walls, but none interested me more than the small pedestal in te center of the room. Three Pokeballs sat atop, and I studied them for a bit. Each had its respective typing inscribed into its surface. My gaze lingered slightly on the Pokeball with the small blue droplet, but I looked away, a bit reluctant however.

Turning back to Professor Oak I asked, "Do you have any other Pokémon?" He gave me an odd look, but nonetheless clicked a button. A Pokeball rose from the platform.

This one bearing a lightning bolt.

I gulped slightly, my fear rearing its ugly head. My hands hesitated just a second above the sphere before I lifted it off the platform.  The ball cracked open on its own, startling me, causing me to drop it. A familiar blue flash filled the room, and when it retreated, a small, yellow, mouse-like Pokémon remained.

I stepped away from the Pikachu, fear overriding logical reason. "A Shiny Pikachu?" I took another step back, "Will he shock me?"

"No I doubt it will shock you, but it doesn't like people anyways."

"That's not very reassuring."

"Pika-Pikachu."  Pikachu smirked, electricity building up around him.

"P-please don-" I stammered, holding up my hands in surrender.

"PIKACHUU PIKA!" He shouted, striking me.

"NO! Please! Stop!" I shrunk into myself. "Leave me alone! Please, no more!" Blue and yellow light radiated onto me, breaking down my bones. Pain. Indescribable pain. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

Help me.

"Ash?" Professor Oak asked. "Pikachu hasn't even touched you." 

"Oh." I stood up, stumbling to my feet. "Um... Sorry." Pikachu looked at me oddly.

"We should probably get going." I held out the Pokeball to Pikachu. "Are you coming with me?"

Professor Oak stared at me in bewilderment. "Your mother told me you had a fear of electricity, are you sure you want to take him?"

I smiled. "The only thing holding me back is my fear. The only way to beat my fear is to face it."

Pikachu looked at me suspiciously, but climbed aboard my shoulder anyways, ignoring the Pokeball, to which I shrugged and put it away. A few moments later, I waved good-bye to Professor Oak, heading back to my house.

"Mom?"  I called out, letting Pikachu leap off my shoulder and onto the floor. He sniffed around a bit before running off. 

For the next couple of seconds, all I could feel was my bones dying as my mom crushed me in a hug. "Hey sweetie!" She smiled, putting me down, letting me catch my breath. She looked around the room. "Where's your new partner?"

I laughed,  "Mom,  he went exploring." I shrugged off her hands. "I'm sure he'll be fine. "

Meanwhile...

"I wonder what chaos I can cause while I'm here..." Pikachu smirked evilly. He let loose a cackle.

Back to Ash...

"...and that's my cue." I ran off.