"Mom, everyone from Pallet Town, thank you for coming to see me off!"
"I'm definitely going to become a Pokémon Master! And I'll make the name of Pallet Town known all over the world!"
Ash imitated Gary's grand declaration, though saying it himself felt a little… embarrassing.
Still, the neighbors were very supportive. They applauded warmly, their faces showing a hint of reluctance to see him go.
Delia took out a backpack and began pulling out all kinds of items, handing them to Ash.
"Mom, I already packed those," Ash said quietly.
"It's better to bring extra. You'll need them sooner or later." Delia stuffed the items into Ash's bag anyway.
Ash knew his mom was worried about him traveling far for the first time. He gave her a hug, waved goodbye to the neighbors, and officially set out on his journey.
"System, check my status."
A translucent screen appeared in his vision.
Name: Ash
Abilities: None
Identity: Rookie Trainer
Main Quest: Become the world's Pokémon Master
Regional Quest: None
Abilities?
Ash was curious about what the System meant by that. Was it planning to train him like a Pokémon?
For a moment, an image popped into his mind—himself using Pokémon moves, rubbing lightning between his hands like some martial arts master, battling alongside Pokémon, even sparring with a Machoke…
Ash shook his head.
The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded. Why not imagine chatting with a Gardevoir while he was at it?
"Scan?"
Ash noticed the System also had a Scan function. It probably allowed him to check data on Pokémon and Trainers.
He turned to the Pikachu resting on his shoulder. Instantly, a status window appeared.
Pokémon: Pikachu
Nature: Quiet
Level: 14
Ability: Static
Moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Agility, Thunder Shock
Held Item: Light Ball
Friendship: 120
Perfect IVs—and even a top-tier Quiet Nature.
His Pikachu was anything but ordinary.
And it already knew Thunderbolt from the start?
Wasn't it supposed to learn that later with the help of some old man?
Looking at the system display, Ash guessed this must be one of the System's perks.
"Alright, let's go train."
Ash brought Pikachu to a patch of farmland along the road between Pallet Town and Viridian City, a common training area for beginners.
"Pidgey?"
"Well, looks like you're unlucky enough to run into me."
Ash grinned. First, he registered the Pokémon in his Pokédex, then gave Pikachu a command.
"Go, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
The unsuspecting Pidgey was instantly struck by Pikachu's electric blast.
One hit.
The Level 6 Pidgey was knocked out immediately.
Poor Pidgey—taking damage far beyond what its level should have had to endure.
"And there's a Rattata near our backpack."
Ash heard rustling near the bag he had placed under a tree. He could already guess what was happening.
"Quick Attack!"
Pikachu flashed forward in a blur and slammed into the Rattata, sending it flying.
"The Forest Pokémon, Rattata. It likes eating berries and other hard objects."
The Pokédex's AI calmly explained.
Ash gave it a silent review: Captain Obvious. It only spoke after everything already happened.
They'd already dealt with Pidgey.
Next up… Spearow, also known jokingly as the "Phoenix chick."
Ash pointed toward a Spearow pecking for food in the grass ahead. Just moments earlier, it had chased a Pidgey away.
Bad temper. Early-route location. A large tree nearby.
Putting all that together, Ash was almost certain this was the infamous Spearow that could call its entire flock for a gang attack.
"So you've got a bad temper? And you call backup, huh…"
Ash smirked.
He decided to teach this "Phoenix chick" a lesson—and take down the whole flock in one sweep.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on that Spearow!"
Without hesitation, Pikachu released branching arcs of yellow electricity that shot toward the unsuspecting bird.
"Caw!"
Spearow had been ambushed without warning. It screeched angrily and immediately called for reinforcements.
Like the saying goes: When the signal arrow flies into the sky, thousands will come to answer.
The large tree nearby began to shake.
Moments later, a swarm of Spearow burst out from its branches.
Ash's eyes lit up like light bulbs.
"Pikachu, that's a whole pile of EXP right there!"
Most of the Spearow were around Level 8 or 9. If they defeated all of them, Pikachu would probably gain another level.
"Maximum power Thunderbolt!"
"Pika—CHUUUU!"
Pikachu dashed forward, leapt into the air, and unleashed a massive burst of electricity.
Multiple arcs of lightning exploded outward, knocking the entire flock of Spearow out of the sky.
The Pokémon that had been watching from nearby quietly slipped away.
No one wanted to become the yellow mouse's next target.
"Pikachu, you're amazing!"
Ash picked Pikachu up and spun around happily.
This was truly Pika-God.
Pikachu's friendship increased again.
"Pika~!"
Pikachu clearly felt closer to Ash as well.
After that battle, most of the nearby Pokémon had fled. Pikachu's level rose to Level 15.
Ash and Pikachu searched around and managed to find a few more battles. By noon, they finally pushed Pikachu's level up to Level 16.
"Here, Pikachu—eat a Berry and recover your energy."
They rested beside a river while Ash fed Pikachu a Berry.
"Pika-pika~!"
Pikachu happily held the fruit with both paws, munching away. It clearly loved the berries—and the bento box beside them.
As expected, Mom's cooking was still the best.
Just then, ripples spread across the river's surface.
A fishing line suddenly jerked violently.
"Yaah!"
With a sharp shout, a figure pulled hard on the rod.
A Magikarp burst out of the water—and flew straight toward Ash.
Smack!
Ash had been eating and wasn't paying attention.
The Magikarp landed squarely on top of his lunchbox.
"Wait… a Shiny Magikarp?!"
Ash's eyes widened.
You could catch a Shiny Pokémon right in the starter route?!
He quickly scanned it.
Pokémon: Magikarp (Shiny)
Nature: Jolly
Level: 8
Ability: Rattled
Potential: Elite Four Tier
Held Item: None
An Elite Four–tier potential Magikarp?!
But wait… why didn't Pikachu show a potential rating?
Looking at the Magikarp lying on his lunchbox with its famously vacant, "wise-looking" eyes, Ash decided to do the kind thing.
He took out a Poké Ball.
Click.
The Shiny Magikarp was captured.
"Huh?"
"Why did you catch my Magikarp?"
A girl's voice rang out.
Misty stared at the Poké Ball on the ground that had just stopped shaking. She immediately concluded that Ash had captured the Magikarp she had just fished up with great effort.
"…That was yours?"
Ash looked embarrassed.
"I saw it jump onto my lunchbox and thought it was wild."
"Oh… I see."
Misty glanced at the scattered rice balls on the ground.
It did seem like the chaos had been caused by the Magikarp she had flung out of the water.
Feeling a bit guilty, she waved her hand generously.
"Then you can keep the Magikarp."
"Keep it?" Ash asked in disbelief.
He suspected Misty had no idea it was a Shiny Magikarp. Shiny Pokémon were incredibly rare.
Misty nodded, her fair face showing a hint of embarrassment.
"Could I trade it for your bento?"
"Deal."
Ash immediately handed her an unopened lunchbox.
One bento…
for a Shiny Magikarp.
Absolute profit.