Back at Professor Birch’s Laboratory, May had finally calmed down after the terrifying encounter in the forest.
Fortunately, she was naturally optimistic, and her spirits recovered quickly.
Torchic sat happily in her lap while Pikachu lounged beside Ash on the sofa.
Professor Birch’s assistant, Joshua, had already prepared tea and snacks for everyone.
Meanwhile, Ash still carried the mysterious Pokémon Egg carefully in his arms.
May had noticed it earlier, but now curiosity finally got the better of her.
“By the way, Ash,” she asked, tilting her head, “what exactly is that?”
Her eyes remained fixed on the Egg.
After all, Ash had not put it down even once since arriving at the laboratory.
Ash glanced down at it, his expression softening.
“It’s a Pokémon Egg,” he explained with a smile.
“It should hatch soon.
Want to hold it?”
May instinctively waved both hands.
“N-No thanks!”
Even so, she could not stop herself from sneaking another glance at the Egg.
So Pokémon are born like this…
For someone who had rarely interacted with Pokémon before, everything still felt incredibly new.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
At that moment, Professor Birch returned from the treatment room carrying three Poké Balls.
Earlier, Mudkip had taken a direct hit from Mightyena’s attack, so Birch had spent extra time checking its condition personally.
Fortunately, the little Pokémon was perfectly fine now.
“Alright, May,” Birch said warmly, “have you decided which Pokémon you’d like as your partner?”
May immediately froze.
The truth was…
She barely knew any Pokémon at all.
Seeing her troubled expression, Ash stepped forward helpfully.
“Professor Birch, why not let her meet each Pokémon first?”
Birch nodded approvingly.
“That’s a good idea.
Sometimes the choice between Trainer and Pokémon goes both ways.”
With that, he enlarged the first Poké Ball.
Flash!
A green Pokémon appeared on the floor.
It had sleek lime-colored skin, yellow eyes with slit pupils, and a long tail nearly twice the length of its body.
The Pokémon crossed its arms coolly and observed May calmly.
It was Treecko.
“Treeecko.”
May instinctively stepped backward.
“Ah!
I-It’s glaring at me!”
Ash rubbed his forehead helplessly.
“No, Treecko just naturally looks cool like that,” he explained quickly.
“It’s not angry.”
Treecko snorted softly before leaping onto the windowsill with impressive agility.
Ash continued naturally,
“Treecko is a Grass-type Pokémon.
The pads on its feet let it cling to walls and ceilings, and it’s especially known for its speed and reflexes.”
Professor Birch blinked in surprise.
“Ash, you really know your Pokémon.”
Even Birch himself was impressed.
Most Trainers from Kanto barely understood the Pokémon of Hoenn before arriving.
Yet Ash spoke with remarkable familiarity.
Ash smiled modestly.
“I studied Hoenn Pokémon during the voyage here.
Since I planned to challenge the Hoenn League, I wanted to prepare in advance.”
Professor Birch nodded approvingly before releasing the second Pokémon.
Flash!
This time, a small blue Pokémon appeared.
Its orange cheek fins twitched adorably while its large tail fin swayed behind it.
It was Mudkip.
“Mudkip is a Water-type Pokémon,” Birch explained proudly.
Mudkip blinked innocently at May.
Unfortunately, May immediately remembered getting blasted in the face earlier.
She waved her hands frantically.
“N-No way!
It sprayed me with Water Gun earlier!”
“That’s because you gave it an unclear command,” Ash explained patiently.
He crouched beside Mudkip and smiled.
“Mudkip actually has a gentle personality.
It’s one of the best Pokémon for beginner Trainers.”
“Exactly!” Professor Birch agreed happily.
“Ash really did his homework.”
May puffed out her cheeks.
“But Pikachu understood Ash immediately when he gave commands!”
“That’s because of experience and trust,” Ash answered.
Professor Birch looked interested, allowing Ash to continue.
Ash thought for a moment before giving a simple explanation.
“It’s kind of like family,” he said.
“When you live together long enough, people start understanding each other without needing many words.”
May blinked.
Ash gently scratched Pikachu beneath the chin.
“Pikachu and I have traveled together for years.
We’ve battled countless times.
So even short commands are enough now.”
“Pika pika!”
Pikachu nodded proudly.
“But for new Trainers,” Ash continued, “you need to clearly explain what you want your Pokémon to do.
That bond develops little by little over time.”
Professor Birch stared at Ash with genuine admiration.
Those words sounded simple.
Yet they perfectly summarized the foundation of Trainer and Pokémon relationships.
Even from a researcher’s perspective, the explanation was remarkably insightful.
Professor Birch suddenly understood why Professor Oak praised Ash so highly.
Meanwhile, May’s eyes sparkled.
“Ash… you really are amazing.”
She genuinely meant it.
Ash, however, shook his head modestly.
“I learned all of this because of Pikachu and my other Pokémon.”
He smiled warmly at his partner.
“They’re the amazing ones.”
Finally, Professor Birch released the third and final Poké Ball.
Flash!
A tiny orange chick Pokémon appeared.
Its fluffy feathers bounced as it chirped cheerfully before immediately waddling toward May.
“Torchi!”
Without hesitation, it rubbed affectionately against her legs.
May’s entire expression softened instantly.
“So cute!”
Unable to resist, she picked it up carefully in her arms.
Torchic happily nuzzled against her.
“I love this one!
Professor Birch, I choose this Pokémon!”
Professor Birch laughed heartily.
“That’s Torchic, a Fire-type Pokémon.
Looks like it already likes you quite a lot.”
The professor then handed May a Pokédex and six Poké Balls.
“These Poké Balls can be used to catch Pokémon,” he explained.
“And the Pokédex records information about Pokémon you encounter during your travels.”
Then he smiled proudly.
“Good luck, May.
I’m sure you’ll become an outstanding Trainer just like your father, Norman.”
May’s smile immediately stiffened.
“Aha… right…”
The moment Birch looked away, she quietly muttered under her breath,
“But I never even wanted to become a Trainer that badly…”
Professor Birch blinked.
“Hm?
Did you say something?”
May jumped nervously.
“N-Nope!
Nothing at all!”
Ash nearly laughed at her reaction but managed to hold it back.
And just like that
May officially received her first Pokémon.
She had become a rookie Trainer.
Meanwhile, Ash had already decided on his next destination.
Since there were few opportunities for official League registration battles in Littleroot Town itself, he planned to head toward Oldale Town next.
However, just as he prepared to leave, Professor Birch suddenly stopped him.
“Oh, right, Ash!”
Birch rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
“Would you mind letting May travel with you for a while?”
“Huh?”
Ash and May both looked at him simultaneously.
Birch sighed helplessly.
“Her bicycle was destroyed earlier when Mightyena attacked.
And honestly… I’d feel better knowing she isn’t traveling alone yet.”
May immediately clasped her hands nervously.
She absolutely did not want to cross another forest by herself.
Especially after today.
And although Ash looked around her age, his calmness during danger and that majestic Pidgeot had left a deep impression on her.
He felt reliable.
Ash himself suddenly remembered hearing a loud crash earlier when Pikachu’s Thunderbolt had blasted Mightyena away.
At the time, he assumed it had hit a tree.
Now he realized
It had probably been May’s bicycle.
That made things a little awkward.
After all, Pikachu technically helped destroy it.
May, however, clearly understood Ash had saved her life.
So she never mentioned it.
Ash smiled and extended his hand.
“Then nice to meet you properly, May.”
Even if Professor Birch had not suggested it, Ash likely would have invited her along anyway.
Traveling alone through Hoenn could be dangerous for a completely inexperienced Trainer.
May’s face immediately brightened.
“Nice to meet you too, Ash!”
She quickly shook his hand.
Professor Birch smiled in satisfaction.
“With Ash around, I won’t have to worry so much.”
Then he looked seriously at May.
“Ash is an exceptionally talented Trainer.
There’s a lot you can learn from traveling with him.”
May secretly glanced toward Ash again.
Aside from her father, Norman, she had never really met powerful Trainers before.
Still…
Something about Ash felt strangely familiar.
Almost like she had seen him somewhere before.
“Let’s go, May!”
Ash adjusted his backpack while Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder.
“Pikachu pika!”
“W-Wait for me!” May hurried after them while clutching Torchic tightly in her arms.
And so
Ash’s Hoenn journey officially began alongside a brand-new companion.