In the group chat, every Ash stood at the Peak of some field. Each one was a remarkable figure in his own Parallel World.
But that also meant they were set in their paths. They could only be the Peak in one field.
Switching tracks or mastering another discipline? Unless there was overlap—like between Tactics Master Ash and Champion Ash—they didn't bother. And even if they tried, they couldn't rise to the Peak in another domain.
But the new Ash was different. He didn't know anything yet, which meant he could learn anything.
The group of Ashes represented the different directions each Parallel World Ash might've taken. That meant, in theory, Newbie Ash had the potential of all of them.
He had the potential to become a Breeder, a master tactician, a top Trainer, or even excel at fishing, mechanics, cooking, and more.
So after some discussion, the Ashes all agreed on one thing: they'd train this new Ash into an unprecedented all-rounder Ash!
If he could really achieve that, the impact on his world would be terrifying. Maybe… just maybe, he could do what no Ash had ever done—defeat the god of creation itself, Arceus.
Of course, that was just speculation. Whether it could happen depended on how much Newbie Ash could unlock of his own potential—and whether he was willing to learn from them.
Luckily, even with so much to study, Newbie Ash never once thought of quitting. For the sake of becoming a Pokémon Master, he'd give everything.
The others didn't tell him about their expectations or the goals they had for him. That kind of pressure would've been too much.
For now, Newbie Ash was making steady progress. Everything was moving in the right direction.
…
After preparing food for Metapod and Pikachu, Ash asked Misty to let out her Pokémon too.
Aside from a Goldeen, Misty's other two Pokémon could survive on land for a while. They'd need water eventually, but letting them out to eat was fine.
"Come out, my darlings~~" Misty called sweetly as she released her Pokémon: a Staryu, its brown body centered by a small gem, and a Starmie, its blue body adorned with a radiant red jewel.
Starmie was Staryu's evolution—that much Ash had just learned from the group chat. Still, it left him puzzled. Why did Misty catch two of the same line?
Not that it mattered. This was the first time in three days Misty had let out her Pokémon. Inside their Poké Balls they consumed almost no energy, so going a week without food wouldn't hurt them.
It was also Ash's first look at Misty's Pokémon tiers—Elite.
Starmie, Elite Peak.
Staryu, Elite High.
One was just a step away from Professional Tier. The other was high up in Elite already. No wonder Misty had spoken so confidently before.
Back then, Pikachu's chances against her two Pokémon had been virtually zero.
As for now… who could say?
Misty fed them specialized Pokémon Food, though she didn't have much of it left. Ash didn't recognize the brand.
"Misty, where'd you buy this? The logo looks like a drop of water?" Ash asked curiously, pointing at the packaging.
Pokémon Food sold in stores always had brand marks. Ash knew all the big ones, but he'd never seen this water-drop symbol.
"Uh… haha, it's from a small Water-type food supplier. Not famous. No wonder you've never seen it."
"Really? You're not hiding something from me, are you?"
"What would I even hide from you? You're just overthinking."
"Am I?" Ash leaned in, his face closing the distance until Misty broke out in cold sweat. Just as he was about five centimeters away, he suddenly pulled back.
"Forget it. We've only been together a few days. It's normal not to share everything. But I believe as time goes on, you'll trust me." Ash grinned, hands on his hips.
"'Together'… you mean traveling together!!"
"Hm? Isn't that the same?"
"It's not the same at all!!"
…
With that little misunderstanding behind them, the two and their Pokémon enjoyed a pleasant lunch.
After eating and tidying up, they were about to rest before moving on when a flash of light streaked straight toward Ash's Metapod.
Ash reacted instantly, grabbing the attacker by the scruff of its neck—the neck of fate.
"What the—? Pidgeotto?" Ash finally saw it clearly. The evolved form of Pidgey, Kanto's common doorstep bird.
Pidgey was found everywhere, like Spearow, but unlike Spearow it was gentle and perfect for Beginner Trainers.
But once it evolved into Pidgeotto, things changed. Its temperament rivaled Spearow's—fiery and hard for Beginners to handle.
Still, no matter how fierce, being snatched mid-dive by a human, caught by the neck with no way to resist… that kind of ferocity melted fast.
Was this guy even human?
"So, what were you planning to do to my Metapod?" Ash held Pidgeotto up, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
This thing definitely looked like it had been trying to eat his Metapod!
"Pi… pidge…" Pidgeotto beaded sweat, chirping weakly that it hadn't done anything. It just thought Metapod looked familiar and came to say hello.
"Is that so?"
"Pidgeotto!!"
"Alright then, I'll take your word for it. But let's battle. If you win, you're free to go. If you lose, you become my Pokémon."
"Pi…?"
"What?" Even Misty was stunned. How did this suddenly turn into a capture battle?
Ash had seen plenty of wild Pokémon over the past days, but aside from Caterpie, he hadn't tried to catch any. He'd even let Spearow and Pidgey go without a fight.
So why Pidgeotto? Why now? Didn't he want to raise one from Pidgey?
The answer wasn't what Misty thought.
Ash wanted to catch this Pidgeotto because… the veterans had advised him to, and because its potential was strong enough to be worth it.