Led by Chansey, Ash and Misty entered a room in the Pokemon Center. It was quite simple, with two bunk beds and a corridor in the middle, and a bathroom for showering and other necessities.
Overall, it was small but well-equipped.
"Thanks, Chansey. Sorry to trouble you so late at night," Misty apologized, patting Chansey's round head.
Ash and Pikachu had already flopped onto a bed, letting out contented growls.
"You two, keep it down! You'll wake others up!" Misty turned, puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
"Sorry, sorry, it's just that it feels like ages since I've slept in a bed, even though we've only been away from home for a day. This is what traveling feels like!" Ash said, springing up from the bed with an apologetic smile.
"Pika pika~" Pikachu also appeared apologetic, scratching its head.
"I just can't deal with you guys... You and Pikachu take this bed, and I'll sleep over here. I'm warning you, don't get any funny ideas. Even though I'm the world's cutest girl, I know some martial arts! If you try anything while I'm sleeping... watch out for my fists!!"
Misty waved her not-so-intimidating fists, her cute face looking threatening.
"Funny ideas? What do you mean?"
"You!!" Misty pointed at Ash, her finger trembling. If it were anyone else, she'd think they were mocking her, but with Ash, he probably genuinely didn't know.
Even though they hadn't spent much time together, Ash's personality and thoughts were easy to understand. He was clearly someone who didn't know anything about relationships, otherwise Misty wouldn't consider sharing a room with him, even if they had separate beds.
The reason she was okay with sharing a room with Ash was partly due to what she'd observed about him throughout the day, and more importantly, because Ash had gained Ho-Oh's approval.
A Trainer acknowledged by Ho-Oh couldn't be bad. This was more authoritative than any knowledge or information.
That's why Misty felt comfortable sharing a room with Ash. Her earlier tough talk was just instinct, and Ash's reply nearly infuriated her—she would've been better off not saying anything!
"I'll go to sleep if there's nothing else. I'll tell you about the registration process tomorrow." Along the way, Ash had asked Misty how to register for the League Conference and about the general situation in the Kanto League Conference.
But after a day of traveling, Misty was too exhausted to even answer Ash, so that would have to wait until tomorrow.
"Oh no, I haven't showered yet... Ahhhh!! I'm gonna die!" Misty suddenly sat up from the bed, her tired face showing signs of distress.
As a super cute girl, how could she go to sleep without showering? Unless there was no choice, but now the bathroom was right there. She couldn't tolerate the dirt on her body.
"Ash, you go out first. I'll take a shower, and then you can come back in." Even though Ash probably wouldn't peek, Misty couldn't handle the idea of showering while a guy she'd just met was outside. It was a psychological discomfort.
"Alright." Ash casually picked up Pikachu and went outside. He wasn't planning on sleeping yet; he had a bunch of questions waiting to be asked in the group chat.
He hadn't had a chance to enter the chat during their travels, so with Misty in the shower, he could stand outside and pop into the chat to ask some questions.
...
[Newbie Ash: Guys, emergency help needed. Do you know what kind of existence Ho-Oh is? Is it one of the Legendary Pokemon? Does it have any special traits?]
[Rainbow Hero Ash: You encountered Ho-Oh? On the first day of your journey?]
[Newbie Ash: Yes, and your name... did you encounter Ho-Oh on your first day too?]
The title "Rainbow Hero" was the one Misty mentioned earlier, wasn't it?
So, this newly appeared Ash also encountered Ho-Oh like him?
[Rainbow Hero Ash: Actually, quite a few 'Ashs' in this group have encountered Ho-Oh, but it's rare to meet it on the first day of the journey... Did you get the Rainbow Wing?]
[Newbie Ash: Yes, I did! I also wanted to ask what it's for. Why does it turn gray when Misty holds it, but is colorful when I hold it?]
[Rainbow Hero Ash: You actually got the Rainbow Wing... There's a lot of people in this group who've met Ho-Oh, but besides me, you're the second one to get the Rainbow Wing.]
Indeed, many Ashs in the group had met Ho-Oh, but only Rainbow Hero Ash previously had the Rainbow Wing, which is why he had that name.
Not only did he have the Rainbow Wing, he eventually defeated and captured Ho-Oh. Though there were many Ashs in the group, very few had captured a Legendary Beast, making him truly exceptional.
[Newbie Ash: Wow! Have none of the others got the Rainbow Wing? What's the Rainbow Wing used for? Is it really for Ho-Oh's trial as Misty said?]
[Rainbow Hero Ash: Your Misty knows a lot. Yes, the Rainbow Wing is the key for the trial given by Ho-Oh to its chosen Trainers, but it also has other uses.]
[Rainbow Hero Ash: You've probably also noticed that wherever the Rainbow Wing is, organisms grow faster because it contains Ho-Oh's Life Power. If a human carries it long-term, it enhances physical health, increases life force, and extends lifespan. By my estimates, it could extend life by at least fifty years.]
[Newbie Ash: !!!]
What? Fifty years! A single feather can extend life by fifty years? Is this a joke?
However, the utility of the Rainbow Wing goes even further.
[Rainbow Hero Ash: If given to a Pokemon to hold, it can enhance the Pokemon's life force and increase stamina. While I haven't trained Ash to detect Pokemon potential, judging by my Pokemon's performance with the Rainbow Wing, it seems capable of lifting the stamina potential limit.]
[Rainbow Hero Ash: Moreover, when holding the Rainbow Wing, it can periodically restore some stamina during battles, and it also boosts the power of Fire and Flying Type Moves. It's truly a super helper item.]
[Newbie Ash: ...]
There's something he wasn't sure he should say: Is this Rainbow Wing just a feather, or is it a cheat code?