The video continued to play.
This time, the scene shifted to a lakeside in the wilderness.
Rainbow and Wartortle stood on the shore, facing a wild Poliwag.
The Poliwag looked nervous.
Its tail swished rapidly beneath the water while its eyes remained locked on Wartortle.
Rainbow crouched down and softened her voice.
“Don’t be afraid.
We won’t hurt you.”
Wartortle took a step forward as well and tilted its head.
“Wartortle.”
Poliwag hesitated.
But it stopped backing away.
Rainbow reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of Pokémon food, and slowly extended her hand.
“Want some?”
Poliwag stared at her hand, then glanced at Wartortle, as if trying to confirm something.
About a minute passed.
Finally, Poliwag swam closer and carefully took the food from Rainbow’s palm.
Holding the food in its mouth, it looked at her.
Its tail movements gradually slowed.
Rainbow smiled.
“Is it good?”
“Poli.”
After chewing twice, Poliwag swam a little closer.
Rainbow pulled out another piece.
This time, Poliwag ate it directly from her palm and even rubbed gently against her fingers.
[General Audience Chat]
“Her affinity with Pokémon is insane!”
“Another wild Pokémon approached her on its own?”
“That Poliwag is definitely wild, right?”
“Yeah.
It looked way too cautious to be someone’s released Pokémon.”
“Does this kid have some kind of special talent?”
“Wait…
is she about to catch it?”
“Probably not.
She hasn’t thrown a Poké Ball.”
“Not necessarily.
Some Trainers can win a Pokémon over without using one.”
“Sure, but those are usually experienced Trainers.
She’s only seven or eight!”
“Look at her eyes.
I think she’s got a chance.”
The video continued.
After feeding Poliwag a third treat, Rainbow stood up and brushed the dirt from her knees.
“Alright, we should head back now.”
Poliwag looked up at her, its tail gently swaying.
Rainbow crouched down and patted its head.
“If you want to come with us, you’re welcome to join us.
But if you’d rather stay here, then stay where you’re happiest.”
Poliwag tilted its head thoughtfully.
Then it gave a small cry.
“Poli.”
Turning around, it swam back into the lake.
Rainbow froze for a moment before smiling.
“Okay.
You chose this place.”
“Wartortle.”
Wartortle gave a quiet cry, as if saying goodbye.
“Let’s go,” Rainbow said.
“Mom’s waiting for us for dinner.”
The girl and her Pokémon walked away along the lakeside path.
After some distance, Rainbow suddenly stopped and glanced back.
Poliwag was floating on the surface of the lake, watching her from afar.
Rainbow waved.
“See you!”
Then she turned and continued walking without looking back.
Behind her, Poliwag leaped from the water, sending a small splash into the air.
[General Audience Chat]
“AAAAAHHH!
This kid is way too mature!”
“She really didn’t throw a Poké Ball?!”
“I’m actually tearing up.
Her values are incredible.”
“This is what a real Trainer looks like…
respecting a Pokémon’s choice.”
“If it were me, I would’ve thrown a ball immediately.
That’s a Poliwag!
It could evolve into Poliwrath!”
“That’s exactly why you’ll never be Rainbow.”
“…That hurt.”
[VIP Chat Group]
Max:
“She isn’t catching it?
But she fed it multiple times, and Poliwag clearly likes her…”
May:
“Max, not every Pokémon that likes you needs to be caught.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
Max:
“I know!
I just think it’s a waste…
Poliwag obviously likes her.”
May:
“But Poliwag likes this lake even more.
That’s its choice.”
Max:
“…”
May:
“Catching a Pokémon isn’t the only answer.”
Max:
“I know.
I just think…
she’s amazing.”
Wallace:
“May is right.
Trainers and Pokémon can share many kinds of relationships.
Some become partners, some become friends, and some simply cross paths for a brief moment.”
Bruno:
“Exactly!
A true Trainer respects a Pokémon’s choice!”
Lance:
“That’s actually one of the smarter things you’ve said.”
Bruno:
“Everything I say is smart!”
Professor Oak:
“This child’s attitude toward Pokémon is truly admirable.
Being willing to give Pokémon the freedom to choose is one of the foundations of becoming an excellent Trainer.”
Cynthia:
“Professor Oak is right.
And judging from the way she treats Wartortle, Asher and Misty have done an excellent job raising her.”
Lorelei:
“Hehe.
Her judgment is better than that of many adult Trainers.”
Bruno:
“That’s natural talent!
Some people are simply born knowing how to connect with Pokémon!”
Iris:
“I really like this kid…
I want to see more of her story!”
Leon:
“Same here.
She’s only seven or eight years old and already thinks this way.
I wonder what she’ll become in a few more years.”
Raihan:
“So the next part should be about her official journey, right?”
Cynthia:
“I’m more curious about when she meets Suicune and Lugia.”
Steven:
“Oh?
Someone finally mentioned the important part.”
Wallace:
“You’ve been waiting to say that, haven’t you?”
Steven:
“Heh.
Aren’t you curious?
How does a child barely in her teens eventually earn the recognition of both Suicune and Lugia?”
Brock:
“Steven has a point.
Suicune and Lugia are Legendary Pokémon.
Gaining their trust isn’t something ordinary Trainers can accomplish.”
Gary:
“I don’t think Rainbow is the key factor.”
Ash:
“If not Rainbow, then who?”
Gary:
“Her father.”
Ash:
“…You’re saying Asher isn’t ordinary again?”
Gary:
“He absolutely isn’t.
If that’s true, there’s no way he wouldn’t take Rainbow’s growth seriously.”
Cynthia:
“Gary is right.
From everything we’ve seen so far, Asher’s knowledge of Pokémon and his approach to teaching Rainbow don’t match someone who would simply leave his child to figure everything out alone.”
Lance:
“So what’s your conclusion?”
Cynthia:
“It’s still too early to say.
But I have a feeling that this man named Asher Winter might actually be the hidden protagonist of this entire video.”
The scene changed once again.
Rainbow stood at the edge of Cerulean Gym’s battlefield with Wartortle beside her. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
At the center of the arena, Misty was battling a challenger.
The challenger had sent out an Electabuzz.
An Electric-type held a natural advantage over Water-types.
Although Starmie moved gracefully around the battlefield, Electabuzz’s Thunder Punch kept forcing it back.
Rainbow clenched her fists and bit her lip.
“Wartortle.”
Wartortle gently nudged her leg.
“I know Mom won’t lose,” Rainbow whispered.
“But…
that Electabuzz is really strong.”
On the battlefield, Starmie was finally struck head-on.
Its body stiffened before crashing to the ground.
“Starmie is unable to battle!
The winner is Yuta from Vermilion City!”
The challenger immediately raised his fist in celebration after hearing the referee’s announcement.
Misty recalled Starmie.
There was little disappointment on her face.
Instead, she simply said:
“That was a great battle.”
Rainbow ran over.
“Mom!
Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Misty rubbed her daughter’s head.
“Winning and losing are normal.
What matters is figuring out how to win next time.”
Rainbow looked at Yuta across the battlefield.
Then she looked down at Wartortle.
“Wartortle, let’s go train.”
“Wartortle!”
Misty blinked.
“Huh?
Right now?”
“Right now!”
Rainbow had already grabbed Wartortle’s hand and started running toward the backyard.
“I’m going to get stronger and help Mom get her win back!”
“Get my win back?” Misty laughed helplessly.
“That’s not exactly what I’d call it…”
“I don’t care what it’s called!
I’m going to beat him!”
Her voice faded as she disappeared down the hallway.
Misty stood there for a long moment, watching the direction her daughter had run.
Then she turned toward her husband.
“Asher, did you teach her that?”
Asher chuckled and handed her a cup of hot tea.
“Not this time.”
“Then where did she get that stubborn competitive streak from?”
“…You?”
Misty snorted.
“Nope.
She got it from you.”
The two exchanged a glance.
Then they both laughed.
[VIP Chat Group]
Ash:
“Wow…
Rainbow is so motivated!
Seeing her mom lose made her want to get stronger right away!”
Gary:
“And that’s because Asher is there guiding her.
Haven’t you noticed?
Every time Rainbow comes up with an idea, he doesn’t stop her.
He just quietly watches from the sidelines.”
Cynthia:
“That’s a very perceptive observation, Gary.
Giving a child enough freedom while still remaining present…
that’s actually much harder than it sounds.”
Leon:
“What I’m curious about is how she’ll train.
She’s only seven or eight years old.
How advanced could her training methods really be?”
Raihan:
“Leon…
don’t tell me you’re planning to learn training techniques from a little girl.”
Leon:
“Why would I need to learn training methods from a little girl?”
Raihan:
“Then why are you asking?”
Leon:
“I’m just…
curious.”
Raihan:
“Which means you want to learn them.”
Leon:
“Raihan, be quiet.”