Just then, the video suddenly froze.
[Ding!
Question Time!]
[Generating Random Quiz…]
[Question: Rainbow’s starter Pokémon, Squirtle, most likely has which personality trait?]
A.
Timid
B.
Quiet
C.
Bold
D.
Jolly
[Buzz-in begins in 30 seconds!]
Special Seat Chat
Ash: Huh?
A quiz all of a sudden?
Squirtle’s personality?
Shouldn’t we judge based on what it did in the video?
Gary: What else would you base it on?
Ash: Uh…
it carried Rainbow on its back and swam really carefully.
That means it’s gentle, right?
Which option is “gentle”?
Lorelei: Pokémon personality categories are standardized.
“Gentle” isn’t one of them.
Ash: What?!
Then who came up with this weird system?
Professor Oak: Ahem…
that would be me, actually.
It started as part of my Pokémon behavior studies before the League adopted it officially.
Ash: …
Ash: Professor Oak, that’s not what I meant!
Professor Oak: It’s fine, it’s fine.
I understand.
Besides, the answer isn’t difficult if you pay attention to Squirtle’s behavior.
Cynthia: It willingly approached its trainer and calmly carried a child through the water.
Clearly, it isn’t Timid.
Lance: Agreed.
It wasn’t afraid, and it took the initiative to help Rainbow.
That’s an important clue.
Clemont: According to the Pokémon Personality Classification Chart, Timid Pokémon usually avoid contact.
Bold Pokémon focus more on battle performance.
Jolly Pokémon are energetic and highly expressive…
Bonnie: Stop reading the manual and tell us the answer already!
Clemont: Wait!
I’m still analyzing!
Leon: My vote goes to Jolly.
The way it interacted with Rainbow reminds me of Charizard when he was young.
Active, enthusiastic, always wanting to play.
Raihan: Oh?
So you’re finally admitting Charizard was a clingy little guy?
Leon: Raihan, one more comment like that and I’ll mute you.
Raihan: Can this thing even mute people?
Go ahead and try.
Leon: …
Iris: I think it’s Jolly too!
The way it rubbed against her looked exactly like Axew when he was little!
Ash: I agree!
They looked like they were having so much fun together!
Gary: Could you two think before shouting out answers for once?
Ash: Then what do you think it is?!
Gary: …I’m still considering.
Ash: Ha!
So you don’t know either!
Gary: At least I don’t yell out random answers without using my brain.
Ash: I totally know!
It’s just…
uh…
scratches head
Brock: You two really need to stop arguing.
Though honestly, Squirtle’s behavior was pretty revealing.
It swam steadily, protected Rainbow, and acted with surprising maturity.
Lorelei: Right.
We can eliminate Timid immediately.
A Pokémon that actively approaches people doesn’t fit that category.
Bruno: Exactly!
Taking the initiative is the instinct of a warrior!
Any Pokémon that acts first has a fighting spirit!
Lance: …Bruno, we’re not choosing a Fighting-type.
Bruno: All Pokémon are warriors!
Phoebe: So is it Bold or Jolly?
My money’s on Jolly.
Glacia: Same.
A Bold Pokémon probably wouldn’t listen so obediently to a four-year-old.
Clemont: Wait.
Has anyone considered something important?
Viola: What?
Clemont: The system said correct answers earn rewards and wrong answers receive punishment.
Leon: …
Steven: …
Gary: …
Clemont: You’ve all been debating the answer, but nobody’s asking what happens if we’re wrong.
Clemont: This is a serious safety concern!
What if the punishment causes physical harm or mental damage?
We should properly assess the risks before participating!
Bonnie: Brother, calm down!
Clemont: I am calm!
I’m conducting a risk assessment!
Cynthia: The system hasn’t mentioned any penalty for refusing to answer.
Based on the rules, only incorrect answers seem to trigger punishment.
Lance: So we’re being forced to gamble?
Lorelei: Not necessarily.
The video gave us plenty of clues.
Leon: Exactly!
A trainer’s intuition matters!
Raihan: Oh?
Then what are you picking?
Leon: …You first.
Raihan: Why should I?
Scared?
Leon: Me?
Scared?
I just want to see how terrible your judgment is.
Piers: How old are you two again?
Leon: …
Raihan: …
Marnie: Children.
Ash: Um…
isn’t the countdown almost over?
[System Notice: Buzz-in has begun!
Press the button at the center of your screen!]
A massive red button appeared in the middle of the display.
The countdown flashed:
5…
4…
3…
The chat suddenly went silent.
Then—
[Ding!
Successful Buzz-In!]
[Congratulations!
Team Rocket’s Meowth has won the right to answer!]
The chat exploded.
Ash: WHAT?!
Meowth got it?!
Brock: No way!
That cat’s reflexes are insane.
He must have been practicing for years.
Jessie: Nice job, Meowth!
If we get a reward, we’ll be one step closer to catching Pikachu!
Meowth: Hmph!
Don’t underestimate me!
Years of sneaking around looking for food gave me lightning-fast paws, meow!
At that moment, Team Rocket’s trio was deep inside a forest.
Jessie excitedly grabbed Meowth.
“Hurry!
Pick an answer!
This is the first question!
Who knows what amazing reward we’ll get if you’re right?”
James stared at the screen.
“D!
D!
Jolly!
Everyone in the chat seems to think so!”
[Contestant Meowth, please answer.
Which personality trait best describes Rainbow’s Squirtle?]
The answer timer was about to expire.
Meowth quickly shouted,
“I choose D!
Squirtle is definitely Jolly, meow!”
Special Seat Chat
Ash: So the answer really is D?
Brock: Most likely.
Alder: You youngsters sure are lively.
Personally, I think the answer might be simpler than you’re making it.
Suddenly, bright red text appeared across the screen.
[Incorrect Answer!]
[Punishment: All knowledge and memories related to human language will be forcibly erased.
Subject will revert to an ordinary Meowth for 24 hours.]
In the real world, Meowth stared in disbelief.
“What?!
That’s impossible!
How could I get it wron—”
Before he could finish, an invisible force enveloped him.
His speech abruptly broke apart.
Instead of words, only confused meows escaped his mouth.
“Meow…?
Meow…”
The intelligence in his eyes faded.
Within seconds, he had completely reverted to the behavior of a normal Meowth.
Jessie and James froze.
“Meowth?!”
“What’s wrong?
Say something!”
No matter how much they called out to him, he could only meow helplessly.
Even the cleverness that normally set him apart seemed gone.
He simply circled around them and rubbed affectionately against their legs like an ordinary house cat.
The entire scene was broadcast to everyone through the screen.
The livestream fell silent.
Then chaos erupted.
Ash: Holy crap!
That’s way too harsh!
Brock: It erased his language ability entirely.
That’s terrifying.
Professor Oak: The ability to alter a living being so completely is beyond anything known in Pokémon science.
May: That’s scary…
I’m glad I didn’t answer.
[System Notice: Incorrect Answer!]
[Correct Answer: B.
Quiet]
Special Seat Chat
Ash: WHAT?!
Quiet?!
Ash: But it looked so cheerful!
Gary: That’s because you only looked at the surface.
From the beginning, Squirtle never acted hyperactive.
It approached Rainbow slowly and carefully instead of charging straight at her.
Brock: Gary’s right.
A Jolly Pokémon is much more expressive.
Take Ash’s Pikachu.
When it’s happy, it jumps around.
When it’s angry, it shocks people.
Squirtle, on the other hand, was consistently calm and steady.
Professor Oak: Exactly.
Quiet-natured Pokémon often aren’t very expressive emotionally, but they tend to be exceptionally loyal.
After carrying Rainbow onto its back, Squirtle didn’t dart around excitedly.
Instead, it moved slowly and steadily, making sure she was safe before taking action.
That is classic Quiet-type behavior.
Cynthia: Professor Oak’s explanation makes perfect sense.
However, what interests me more is the livestream itself.
Can it really determine a Pokémon’s personality with complete accuracy?
Lance: If it can, that means it’s reading information at an incredibly deep level.
Clemont: Technology capable of that would be generations beyond anything we currently possess.
Gary: …Maybe we should stop worrying about the technology for a moment.
Gary: Is Team Rocket’s Meowth actually okay?