“Eh?
Ash, you’re from the Kanto region?”
On the road to Oldale Town, May walked beside Ash with Torchic in her arms while Pikachu rode comfortably on Ash’s shoulder.
Since May was still inexperienced with traveling, Ash deliberately slowed his pace and chatted with her along the way.
When she learned that Ash had journeyed all the way from the Kanto region to Hoenn by ship, her eyes widened in amazement.
“Traveling alone all the way here… Ash, you’re really mature!”
“Not exactly alone,” Ash replied with a smile.
“When I traveled through Kanto and Johto before, I had companions with me.”
He unconsciously thought of Misty and Brock.
Compared to the reckless boy he used to be, he had indeed changed a great deal.
“Besides,” he continued while gently patting Pikachu’s head, “Pikachu and the others are always with me.
So I never really feel lonely.”
“Pika pika~”
Pikachu’s eyes curved happily into crescents.
May looked at the cheerful Electric-type Pokémon and tilted her head curiously.
“By the way, Ash… why doesn’t Pikachu stay inside its Poké Ball?”
“Because it doesn’t want to,” Ash answered naturally.
“Some Pokémon enjoy resting inside Poké Balls, while others prefer staying outside with their trainers.
Respecting your Pokémon’s feelings is very important.”
“I see…”
May lowered her gaze toward Torchic’s Poké Ball in her hand.
“But Torchic stays inside obediently.”
“That’s because you and Torchic are still getting to know each other,” Ash explained patiently.
“As your bond grows stronger, you’ll naturally understand each other better.”
May nodded thoughtfully, though she still looked uncertain.
She truly was a complete beginner.
Ash could tell that no matter how much he explained now, some things could only be understood through experience.
At that moment
“Rii~!”
A small blue Pokémon suddenly hopped out from the grass and landed directly in front of them.
It had a round body, long rabbit-like ears, and a zigzag tail ending in a black ball.
“Azurill?”
Ash immediately recognized it.
May’s eyes sparkled.
“So cute!”
The little Azurill bounced happily across the path, seemingly curious about the newcomers.
Ash gently nudged May’s shoulder.
“This is a good opportunity.
Why don’t you try your first Pokémon battle and catch it?”
“My first capture?”
May froze nervously.
But looking at the adorable Azurill, she quickly became excited again.
“I want it!”
Without even thinking, she grabbed an empty Poké Ball from her belt and threw it directly at Azurill.
Bang!
The Poké Ball hit Azurill squarely on the head.
Azurill stared blankly for a second before being turned into red light and sucked inside.
The Poké Ball fell onto the ground and shook once.
Twice.
Then
Pop!
The Poké Ball burst open immediately.
Azurill jumped back out furiously.
“Riiiii!”
Its face turned bright red with anger.
“Eh?!”
May panicked instantly.
“Why didn’t it work?!”
Ash and Pikachu simultaneously facepalmed.
“Pika…”
Ash couldn’t help laughing helplessly.
“You can’t just throw a Poké Ball at a healthy wild Pokémon and expect it to work.”
“Usually, you need to weaken it first in battle.
Unless the Pokémon willingly wants to come with you, it’ll break free.”
“Ah…”
May’s face flushed red from embarrassment.
“I forgot we had to battle first!”
Ash smiled wryly.
Her reaction reminded him so much of his own first day as a Trainer.
“Alright, Torchic!
Go!”
May hurriedly threw Torchic’s Poké Ball.
With a flash of white light, Torchic appeared energetically.
“Torchiic~!”
The little Fire-type hopped around excitedly.
However, May immediately froze again.
“Wait… what moves does Torchic know?”
Ash nearly lost his balance hearing that question.
“You really didn’t study anything before becoming a Trainer, huh?”
“S-Sorry…”
“Most starter Pokémon begin with basic moves,” Ash explained.
“Torchic should know moves like Scratch, Growl, and Ember.”
“Okay!”
May immediately regained confidence and pointed dramatically.
“Torchic!
Use Ember!”
Unfortunately
Before Torchic could attack, Azurill bounced playfully around it in circles.
Torchic became dizzy trying to follow it and accidentally slammed face-first into a nearby tree.
Thunk!
Azurill blinked.
Then it burst into laughter.
“Rii rii~!”
Torchic’s face instantly turned red with humiliation.
“Torrrr!”
Enraged, it charged recklessly after Azurill.
“Torchic, wait!”
May panicked again.
Ash sighed internally.
A Trainer’s emotions directly affect their Pokémon.
If May kept panicking like this, Torchic would only become more confused.
“Calm down, May!” Ash called out.
“You need to stay composed and give clear instructions!”
“R-Right!”
May took a deep breath and shouted:
“Torchic, use Ember!”
This time Torchic responded immediately.
It opened its beak and fired a stream of small flames toward the bushes where Azurill had jumped.
Fwoosh!
But the next moment
“Rii?!”
“Marill!”
Two shocked cries rang out from inside the bushes.
May’s expression froze.
Ash slowly covered his face.
The Ember attack had accidentally struck not only Azurill, but also two nearby Marill.
The three Water-type Pokémon emerged from the bushes covered in soot, glaring furiously at Torchic.
Judging from their expressions…
They were absolutely furious.
“Oh no…”
May’s face turned pale.
The next second
Three Water Guns fired simultaneously!
“Torchic!”
May screamed.
“Pikachu, Thunderbolt!”
“Pika CHUUUU!”
Lightning exploded forward.
Boom!
Pikachu’s Thunderbolt intercepted all three Water Guns at once, scattering water and electricity across the field.
The powerful electric sparks startled Azurill and the two Marill.
Pikachu landed in front of Torchic protectively, cheeks crackling with electricity.
The wild Pokémon immediately backed away nervously.
After glaring cautiously at Pikachu for several seconds, they finally retreated into the forest.
May hurried over and picked Torchic up.
“Are you okay?!”
“Torchi…”
Fortunately, Torchic only suffered minor burns and exhaustion.
“It’s alright,” Ash reassured her gently.
He took out a spray-type Potion from his backpack and treated Torchic’s injuries.
The little Fire-type quickly perked up again.
May looked at Ash gratefully.
“Thank you, Ash… If Pikachu hadn’t helped just now…”
“It’s fine,” Ash said with a smile.
“Everyone fails at first.”
Seeing her still discouraged, he added:
“When I tried catching my first Pokémon, I got chased by an entire flock of Spearow through Viridian Forest.”
“Really?!”
May stared at him in disbelief.
Even reliable, knowledgeable Ash had once been that clumsy?
“Of course,” Ash replied honestly.
“Every Trainer starts as a beginner.”
His words finally restored some of May’s confidence.
She hugged Torchic tightly and nodded seriously.
“I’ll work harder from now on!”
As evening approached, the forest gradually darkened.
Because of the earlier chaos, they had lost quite a bit of time.
Ash glanced at the sky and made a quick decision.
“We should camp here tonight.”
“Camp?!”
May looked both nervous and excited.
“It’s dangerous to keep traveling through the forest after dark,” Ash explained calmly.
“We might get lost.”
With Pidgeot scouting overhead, they soon found a safe riverside clearing and began setting up camp.
“Wow!”
May’s eyes sparkled as Ash skillfully unfolded a large travel tent.
“Ash, your tent is amazing!”
The tent was spacious enough for several people and even had separate storage sections.
Years of traveling experience were clearly reflected in Ash’s preparation.
“Can you help gather firewood?” Ash asked with a smile.
“Leave it to me!”
May confidently patted her chest.
Meanwhile, Pidgeot flew into the forest and returned repeatedly with bundles of dry wood in its talons.
Pikachu sat beside the tent cheerfully polishing Ash’s Pokémon Egg with a small cloth.
The little Pokémon looked extremely serious about its task.
Ash couldn’t help chuckling at the sight before beginning dinner preparations.
He removed cooking utensils and ingredients from his backpack one after another.
The storage technology of the Pokémon world was incredibly advanced.
Although the backpack appeared ordinary, its internal storage space rivaled the trunk of a car.
However, such equipment was extremely expensive.
The backpack Ash carried had cost nearly 100,000 Pokédollars.
Thinking about it carefully, he knew his mother, Delia Ketchum, must have saved money for years to buy it for him before his original journey began.
Warmth filled Ash’s heart.
Since being given this second chance at life, he not only wanted to become stronger
He also wanted to protect the people who cared about him and give them happier lives.
Just then
“Pika?!”
Pikachu suddenly let out a startled cry.
Ash and May immediately turned around.
Crack!
A faint glow emerged from the emerald-green Pokémon Egg.
Tiny fractures had begun spreading across its surface!