"Totodile is so cute! I really want to catch one too!"
At Professor Elm's lab, the lively and somewhat silly Totodile had completely captured Misty's heart.
As a Water-type Pokémon trainer, Misty lived up to her title. Aside from the Togepi Ash had given her, all her captures were Water-types.
By comparison, Brock—former Pewter City Gym Leader—looked downright irresponsible. He had caught plenty of non–Rock-types.
"Misty, Johto actually has a lot of interesting Water-types," Ash said casually. "Like Chinchou—it's both Water and Electric."
He hadn't expected both Brock and Misty to whip their heads toward him like he'd grown a second head.
"Why are you two looking at me like that?"
"Ash… you actually know about Johto's Water Pokémon?" Misty asked, wide-eyed.
"Now that you mention it, when you saw Cyndaquil earlier, you didn't even take out your Pokédex. You just called its name outright!" Brock added.
Ash could only smile wryly. Clearly, his reputation as a hopeless student wasn't going to vanish from their minds so easily.
"Can't I study a little on my own? Misty, I've grown quite a bit, you know!"
Misty frowned in thought. After recalling recent events, she actually nodded. "You really do seem different lately."
Especially back in the forest—when Ash had called out Suicune's name…
"Pika!"
Pikachu's ears twitched. It had noticed something ahead.
Sure enough, a girl in a yellow baseball uniform appeared, training with a Chikorita.
"Ready? This is our hundredth matchup—the deciding round! We absolutely can't lose!"
"Go, go, Chikorita!"
"Charge, charge, Chikorita!"
The Chikorita flapped its leaf like a fan, clearly revved up for training.
Seeing her with a Chikorita, it was obvious she was a brand-new trainer who had just started her journey in New Bark Town.
Professor Elm had indeed mentioned Chikorita had already been taken.
"So that's Chikorita, huh—the Grass-type Johto starter," Ash muttered.
"That girl tied a headband on it!" Misty pointed out.
Headbands were a kind of accessory sometimes used in Pokémon Contests. But even as simple decorations, they could make Pokémon happy, increasing their closeness to their trainers.
At that moment, a wild Rattata appeared before the girl and her Chikorita.
"Nana and Chikorita's lead pitcher is stepping up! The batter is wild Rattata! Let's strike it out swinging—three pitches, three strikes!"
"Chikorita, let's settle this with a fastball! Use Tackle!"
Ash sweatdropped. Honestly, it was a miracle the Rattata was still standing there listening instead of running away or attacking first.
Chikorita lunged forward—but Rattata dodged with ease.
Nana didn't seem fazed. "The first pitch was a ball! But Chikorita still has a second chance!"
"Chikorita, another Tackle!"
This time, with less chatter, Chikorita turned and slammed straight into Rattata, knocking it out cold.
"Success! Rattata has struck out against Chikorita's fastball! Now's the time—Poké Ball, go!"
She tossed the ball and promptly captured the Rattata.
Full of energy, Nana even broke into a victory song afterward, leaving Ash and his friends completely dumbfounded.
"Come back, Chikorita!"
After recalling her partner, Nana finally noticed the trio watching her.
Her eyes instantly locked onto Pikachu.
"Ahhhhhh—!"
She rushed at Ash, her gaze sparkling. "Pikachu! Is this a real Pikachu?!"
Scooping it up, she squealed, "This golden-yellow fur, the stripes on its back—it's too much, I can't take it!"
Zap!
Pikachu's electricity left her fried and smoking.
Recovering, she declared, "I'm Nana from New Bark Town! My goal is to become a Pokémon Master!"
She added proudly that she loved yellow Pokémon most of all. Her dream was to build a whole team of them.
After Ash and his friends introduced themselves, Ash stepped forward. "Nana, since we're both trainers aiming to become Pokémon Masters, let's have a battle!"
"Great! In battle, there's no difference between rookies and veterans! I accept! Please take care of me, senpai!" Nana answered with fiery enthusiasm.
"Then let's make it three Pokémon each. The battle begins!"
"My leadoff batter is—you're up, Pidgey!" she cried, releasing her first Pokémon.
Seeing the little bird, Ash felt nostalgic. He couldn't help but think of his Pidgeot, released into the wild. If he hadn't transmigrated just before reaching New Bark Town, he would have gone back to Viridian Forest to bring it home.
"Go, Snorlax!"
BOOM!
The ground shook as Snorlax landed heavily on the grass.
This was one of Ash's captures from the Orange Islands—an unexpectedly nimble giant who could even swim. Reliable in every way.
The system had measured its compatibility with Ash as extremely high, with an impressive bond value as well.
"Snor!"
Snorlax stood tall, looking energetic, though its eyes remained half-shut.
Even so, its entrance left Brock and Misty gaping.
"Ash! Nana's just a rookie! Isn't using Snorlax a bit too much? The level difference is way too big!" Misty protested.
"And wait—Snorlax is awake?"
Of course—it was Ash's Aura that told him Snorlax had woken up, which was why he'd chosen it.
"Pidgey, Quick Attack!"
The little bird dove down, striking Snorlax—only for it to have zero effect.
"Headbutt!"
With a single swing of its head, Snorlax sent Pidgey crashing to the ground.
"Hurry, switch hitters! Second batter—Rattata!"
Nana sent out her freshly caught Pokémon. "Rattata, use Tackle and knock it out of the park!"
The little rodent charged bravely forward. Snorlax didn't even flinch.
"Body Slam!"
Snorlax's belly slammed down, flattening Rattata instantly.
"Nana, don't give up! A battle isn't over until the last Pokémon faints!" Ash called out encouragingly.
"Of course! I'll never give up! Third batter—Chikorita! Use Vine Whip!"
Chikorita lashed its vines across Snorlax's body.
"Great job! Keep it up, Chikorita!"
"Go, go, Chikorita!"
"Charge, charge, Chikorita!"
Nana cheered endlessly.
Snorlax, however, remained completely unfazed. In fact, it looked comfortable—and soon, it actually dozed off.
Chikorita attacked until it was exhausted, unable to continue. Nana had lost.
"Good work, Snorlax. Get some rest," Ash recalled it with a smile. Then he told Nana, "Don't get discouraged. Think about Electabuzz—it's your favorite, right? Even though it's lost countless times, it always keeps fighting."
"You're right, Ash-senpai! I won't give up! Let's battle again next time!"
Ash grinned. For him, there was also another benefit: exchange points.
After all, Snorlax's meals these days came from the items he redeemed with the system.
Snorlax: 130 / 255