By the time Ash and Goh returned home, it was already evening.
Watching the footage of Lugia that Goh had recorded, Professor Cerise was visibly surprised.
Afterward, he released the starter Pokémon of the Kanto region and allowed Goh, a new Trainer, to choose his first partner.
---
[Jasmine]: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.
Simple evolution requirements, powerful potential—they couldn't be more suitable as a new Trainer's first Pokémon.
[Brock]: Miss Jasmine, just seeing you has instantly cured my lovesickness! This humble admirer wishes he could fly to your side right now—huh? I… I can't feel my body…
[Dawn]: Haha! Looks like Croagunk is taking good care of Brock again.
[Karen]: Hmph. Compared to that, the Johto starter Pokémon don't even have Mega Evolution or Dynamax forms. They're completely behind the meta. Being a Trainer from Johto is just too difficult.
[Koji]: I agree!
[Nana]: Exactly! Because of that, I couldn't even collect eight badges—let alone make it to the Indigo Plateau Conference.
[Misty]: …Isn't that entirely your own fault?
---
Watching the Johto Trainers complain nonstop in the chatroom, Professor Elm, who distributed starter Pokémon to new Trainers, was practically on the verge of tears.
Due to environmental and geographical differences, the Pokémon available in each region varied greatly.
In other words, Cyndaquil, Chikorita, and Totodile were already the best options the Johto League could offer.
But with the emergence of Mega Evolution and Dynamax, the gap between them and other starters had only widened.
---
Meanwhile, in the footage—
Goh stood with his hands in his pockets and declared arrogantly:
"I… I choose…"
"Mew!"
"The first Pokémon I'll catch has already been decided. It's Mew."
---
[...]
[Trip]: Does this guy think he's cool or something?
[Paul]: Somehow… he feels a bit annoying.
[Gary Oak]: Drop the "somehow." Catching Mew? I might as well go deep-sea fishing for Kyogre.
[Lana]: Huh? You've fished up a Kyogre too? I once caught a small one—but I forgot to battle it.
[Gary]: …
[Lance]: Everyone, don't be so harsh. Having dreams is a good thing. Besides, Goh didn't choose a starter Pokémon—that shows real determination to catch Mew. That's better than those garbage Trainers who just throw Poké Balls at anything they see without planning to raise them.
[Trip]: That's right. As long as Goh sticks to the decision he made today, I'll acknowledge him.
[Goh]: Uh…
---
While the chat continued, the white light screen suddenly dimmed.
At the same time, the red-bordered screen gradually brightened.
---
[Professor Oak]: Looks like the story of Ash from this world has ended. I wonder if the red screen will show something different.
[Steven Stone]: If both sides show the same story, that would be boring. I suggest the red screen feature me instead.
Top-tier looks, incredible wealth, natural talent, immense strength, and a charming hobby like collecting stones.
The perfect overpowered protagonist! Who wouldn't want to watch that?
[Wallace]: So you do realize your hobby is weird! Giving up the Champion title just to collect useless rocks—you're probably the only one in the world like that!
[Steven]: Actually, I just found a Mega Evolution Keystone for Gyarados in the Kalos region. I was planning to bring it back for you.
But since you say they're worthless stones… forget it.
[Wallace]: Bro! Please continue chasing your dreams! Restoring the glory of the League is our duty!
[Lance]: What's so interesting about a guy with strange hobbies? Better show my story—starting weak, rising to the top of the world, defeating evil forces, and ultimately becoming the great Dragon Master!
[Lorelei]: Dragon Master Lance ✘
Flying-type Elite Lance the Dodo ✔
[Giovanni]: Why not show mine? Villain stories are popular nowadays. In another timeline, Team Rocket might have ruled the world.
---
Amid the chatter, the red border fully lit up.
The story began.
---
A sunny morning.
The same peaceful town—but this time the camera focused on Professor Oak's backyard.
Unlike the Ash on the white screen, Ash in the red world wasn't oversleeping.
He had arrived early to train with his Pokémon.
"Pikachu, the power of Thunderbolt still isn't enough."
"This time—use Thunder. And give it everything you've got."
"Pika!"
Pikachu obeyed instantly.
The clear sky darkened in seconds as thunderclouds gathered.
The next moment—
A bolt of golden lightning crashed down with overwhelming force.
And Ash didn't dodge.
He stood there and took the hit head-on.
Watching Ash bathed in lightning, everyone froze in shock.
---
[Sophocles]: What the—?! I must have woken up wrong. Why does this look like a Super Saiyan transformation? I'm going back to sleep.
[Wallace]: Steven, I misjudged you. I didn't realize someone actually enjoys getting struck by lightning. This is completely insane!
[Will]: Did anyone notice something? When Ash gave the order, Pikachu didn't hesitate at all. This reckless training method clearly isn't the first time.
[Bruno]: So powerful bodies are built by getting electrocuted? Lt. Surge, you're still in Vermilion City, right? I'm coming to "exchange pointers."
[Lt. Surge]: Get lost, you damn pervert!
---
Just then, a figure appeared behind Ash on the red screen.
"Long time no see. Pikachu's gotten stronger again."
"Gary?!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ash turned around immediately.
Sure enough—it was the proud young man.
"You just became the Champion of the Alola region, didn't you? And you're already training again. You really never slack off."
Ash lowered his cap slightly and replied seriously:
"I always feel like I'm still not strong enough."
"There's Tyson, Alain, Tobias, and so many Trainers stronger than me. Especially you, Gary. If I can't defeat you completely, I can never become a Pokémon Master. So battle me!"
Ash had many rivals.
But among them, the strongest had always been Gary.
Aside from the one victory with Charizard during the Johto League, nearly every battle afterward had ended in total defeat.
Gary, however, didn't accept the challenge.
Instead, he asked:
"Ash… what do you think a Pokémon Master really is?"
"Obviously defeating every opponent and becoming the strongest Trainer!"
Gary shook his head.
"To me, a Pokémon Master is something achieved together by a Trainer and their Pokémon."
"Together…"
"Exactly. Your partners might already know the answer."
Gary stepped forward and gently patted Pikachu's head.
"Ash… do you remember Infernape?"
"Yeah… I caught it in Sinnoh when it was still a Chimchar. We went through a lot together."
"Whenever I visit Professor Oak's lab, I see Infernape training nonstop—challenging everyone. It probably has a goal it desperately wants to achieve."
Ash's heart skipped a beat.
His memories drifted back to Sinnoh.
Back then, he had made a promise to Chimchar—
They would grow stronger together.
Stand on the world stage.
Show everyone its hard work.
"And not just Infernape," Gary continued.
"I think Krookodile, Sceptile, and the others are also striving toward your goal, Ash."
"The Ash I know would never betray the feelings of his Pokémon."
Gary looked behind him.
Without Ash realizing it, the Pokémon who had once traveled with him had already gathered.
"Bulbasaur, Sceptile, Infernape… everyone…"
Ash lowered his head, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his eyes.
"…Would you be willing… to travel with me again?"
---
"Bulba! Bulba!"
"Scep!"
"Wuke!"
"Pika~!"
---
"Haha… alright, alright. I get it."
"Hey—Muk, don't come over! Tauros, calm down! Snorlax, let go! My ribs are going to—break!"
---
To be continued…