By evening, Ash Ketchum and Tianlin finally reached the outskirts of Viridian City and rushed toward the Pokémon Center.
But just as they entered, they were stopped by an Officer Jenny.
“Stop.
There’s been a Pokémon thief in Viridian City.
It’s under lockdown—no entry without identification,” she said sternly.
“We’re not criminals!
Pikachu and I were attacked by a flock of Spearow—we need to get to a Pokémon Center now!” Ash pleaded anxiously.
Seeing Pikachu’s condition, she softened.
“That’s serious… show me your ID.
I’ll take you there immediately.”
“Rain sis, do you remember me?
I’m Tianlin,” he added.
She looked closer and smiled.
“Tianlin!
Of course I remember—you’ve grown so much!”
“Tianlin, what do I show her?” Ash asked.
“Your Pokédex—it’s your ID,” Tianlin replied.
Ash quickly handed it over.
After confirming it, Officer Jenny nodded.
“Alright, this is urgent.
I’ll take you.”
She brought out a motorcycle.
“Rain sis, Ash’s situation is critical—you take him first.
I’ll walk,” Tianlin said.
“Got it.”
“See you at the Center!” Ash called before speeding off.
“Hey!
You!
Stop right there!”
A furious voice rang out behind Tianlin.
He turned—it was Misty, carrying her completely charred bicycle.
“You said you’d remind your friend to return my bike!
What is this?!” she snapped, pointing at the burnt frame.
Tianlin wiped sweat from his forehead.
“Uh… there were… complications.
Ash went to the Pokémon Center.
How about you come with me?
I’ll explain on the way.”
“Fine.
I was going to find that idiot anyway,” Misty huffed, hoisting the bike again.
(Seriously… Pokémon world people are built different, Tianlin thought.)
After hearing the full story, Misty’s anger eased.
“Alright… I get it now.
I’ll let it go for Pikachu’s sake.
But once it recovers, he has to compensate me.”
Tianlin sighed in relief as they continued toward the Pokémon Center.
Suddenly, they heard children shouting nearby.
“Wow, that Pokémon is so ugly!””Yeah, let’s throw rocks at it!”
Tianlin’s expression darkened.
He rushed over—and saw several children standing by a shallow stream, throwing stones at a Pokémon trapped in the water.
It struggled desperately, its eyes filled with fear and helplessness.
Tianlin’s anger surged.
“STOP IT!!!”
The children froze.
Ignoring them, Tianlin ran forward, pushed past two of them, stepped straight into the water, and shielded the Pokémon with his body.
“Hey!
Who are you?!
Are you on that ugly thing’s side?!” a blond boy—the apparent leader—shouted.
“Ugly…?” Tianlin looked down.
It was a Feebas.
Widely considered one of the ugliest and weakest Pokémon—often compared to Magikarp in uselessness, and unpopular to the point of being feared or disliked like Absol.
“That’s horrible…” Misty muttered, walking up.
Even as a Water-type fan, she found it hard to appreciate Feebas—but what the children were doing was unacceptable.
“You’re not much better looking yourselves!” Tianlin snapped.
“Pokémon and humans both live in this world.
Every creature has its own purpose.
You have no right to judge them!”
His voice carried real anger.
Standing up with Feebas in his arms, his height and presence intimidated the children.
They were only six or seven—he looked much older.
“G-get away from us!” the leader stammered.
“Get lost,” Tianlin said coldly.
The children scattered instantly.
Tianlin gently placed Feebas back into the water and sprayed medicine on its wounds.
“Be careful next time.
Try to stay away from the city,” he said softly, patting its head.
As he stood to leave—
Feebas cried out.
He looked back.
Its eyes were filled with hope… and reluctance to part.
“…Do you want to come with me?” Tianlin asked.
Feebas hesitated, then nodded—before lowering its head again, as if doubting itself.
“Weak… ugly… would anyone really want it?”
“Of course,” Tianlin smiled.
“Come with me.
Be my partner.”
Feebas’s eyes lit up instantly.
“Wait—you’re seriously catching that Pokémon?” Misty asked, surprised.
“Don’t underestimate it,” Tianlin said.
“It has the potential to transform completely.”
He took out a Poké Ball and gently tapped Feebas with it.
No resistance.
No struggle.
The Poké Ball didn’t even shake.
Click.
Caught.
Tianlin couldn’t hide his excitement.
Raising the Poké Ball high, he shouted just like in the anime:
“I did it!
I caught Feebas!”