A Journey's End

Miracle Wish

     He woke up, his hair a mess, his alarm clock in shambles - and worst of all, he was absolutely late!      This was supposed to be the start, the beginning of his journey! No, no!
     Thoughts raced through his head as he dressed in a panic, and dashed to Professor Oak's lab.
      Charmander, I'll go with Charmander, he declared boldly.
     Professor Oak watched in amusement as he opened the first, second, then third Pokéball, and smiled slightly at his despair as he realized they were all empty.
     Did he have to wait another year? Because he overslept by just a little, tiny, bit? He groaned at his clumsiness and misfortune.
      Then, only then, did Professor Oak offer him a fourth choice. An extremely stubborn, mean spirited Pikachu. And so it was that he'd taken his first steps onto Route 1, the first steps on his journey.
--
     It was disastrous! Had he known this would happen, he would definitely not have thrown that stone! Why? Why was there an entire flock of extremely angry spearow after Pikachu?
     He gritted his teeth, and ran faster. No matter what, they had to survive! He was a trainer, and Pikachu was his Pokémon, and willing or not, this was their adventure! He saw a waterfall ahead of them, a possible escape from those dangerous beaks that approached ever closer.
     Jump, or be pecked to death.
     Jump it is.
     And he lept, Pikachu in his arms, and they were swept and swayed and swirled by the water until he was dizzy and barely able to stay afloat. And then, another form of salvation came, this time in the form of a fishing line. He gladly tugged on it, only to find on the other end a scowling redhead who instantly started to lecture him, but more importantly, a bike.
     He took the bike, apologizing with complete sincerety, and pedaled for their lives. Pokémon Center. If they could make it to a Pokémon Center, all would be well. They'd be saved.
      And shivering, pelted by the rain, he pedaled with all his might. But he was still human, and the spearow were fast, vicious, undeterred in the slightest by the storm. As they gained on him, he faced a dilemma.
     He could leave Pikachu. Leave Pikachu, and save himself; after all, Pikachu was the one that had electrocuted a member of their flock. But he gritted his teeth. That was not a valid option. For a true Pokémon Master would never abandon a Pokémon in need, and neither would he! If he could not fulfill his dream, he would rather die.
     And so, he protected Pikachu, even as his body and mind crumpled from the pain of many spearow beaks drilling into his barely protected skin. And as he fell unconscious, Pikachu's eyes opened.
     P-pika?
     Pikachu almost instantly realized the situation they were in. There was no choice. If he didn't do this, they would both die. And so he mustered up all his energy, and taking the storm's power for himself, let out a mighty discharge.
     PIKACHUUUUUU!
     The thunder rushed out, decimating the flock of spearow, who fell quickly to the floor. But with the rainwater from the storm, almost anything could be affected, and the unfortunate, already injured trainer was defenseless as stray bolts seared too through his body.
     Pika!
     Pikachu had feared this outcome from the start, and quickly ran up to his trainer. But his heartbeat had stopped, and any warmth left was a result of the electrical charges still running along his skin.
     Piiiikaaaaaa!
     And at this time, the storm clouds parted to reveal a magnificent, golden bird.
     Child, can you hear me?
     Huh? He was confused. Why was he in the air? Was was there a big, golden bird in front of him? Was it a Pokémon?
     "H-hi," he replied nervously.
     Will your journey end here?
What? Why would it end? It had just begun after all!
     "No way! I can't stop until I become a Pokémon Master!"
     The bird cocked its head in amusement, then gestured to the ground. He gasped as he saw himself, eyes closed, lying on the ground with no sign of movement.
     No way. He couldn't be dead - or if he was, he'd never be able to rest in peace....! What kind of joke was this? For his journey to end on the very first day? He had things to do! A rival to beat, a bike to return, and above all... he had to become a Pokémon Master!
     "Please! I can't let it end here!"
     The bird nodded, slowly.
     I have heard your resolve. You may live again, but it is your choice- will you fulfill your dream, or live without it?
     "If I can't become a Pokémon Master, I'd rather die!"
     Then remember that you shall awaken when the dream comes to a close.
      "I'll do it.  It's a promise."

--
     He opened his eyes. The storm had ended, and the spearow were fainted, lying all around him. He slowly got up, surprised to feel no pain.
Pikaaaaaaa!
     An extremely worried Pikachu hugged him, surprising him. He looked Pikachu in the eye, and smiled, albeit a bit sadly.
     "Stay by my side until I become a Pokémon Master, alright?"
     And as Pikachu licked his cheek, yes, a magnificent golden bird flew overhead.
     And left behind a beautiful rainbow.  

--

Happy Halloween! Seriously though, he can't possibly be 10 forever.

"Ho-Oh has a mythical power to resurrect the dead." -Bulbapedia

Ash zombie confirmed.