[Ash: I haven't gotten my first Pokémon yet. What was my first Pokémon in other worlds? Was it Squirtle?]
At this moment, Ash had completely forgotten that he was late and hadn't received his Pokémon yet. His mind was filled with curiosity about his starter Pokémon in other worlds.
[Champion Ash: Mine was Pikachu.]
[Aura Ash: +1]
[Breeder Ash: +10086]
[...]
With Ash's words, all the versions of Ash from various fields in the group emerged, and their starter Pokémon were, without exception, all Pikachu.
Ash stared at the messages in the group, dumbfounded. It seemed that while his counterparts in other worlds had achieved different things in various fields, their starter Pokémon were all the same.
But...
[Ash: Just asking, what kind of Pokémon is Pikachu?]
As soon as he said this, the entire group fell silent. Ash waited for over half a minute, but not a single person replied. For a moment, he even wondered if the chat group had malfunctioned.
[Tactician Ash: I can only say it's very hard for me to answer that question. Why don't you go get your starter Pokémon first? Then you'll know what kind of Pokémon Pikachu is.]
[Ash: Oh right! I still need to get my starter Pokémon! How do I get out of this place?]
Tactician Ash's reminder jolted Ash back to reality. He still needed to go get his starter Pokémon! He had no time to waste in this chat group now!
[Champion Ash: It's simple, just mentally say 'exit' and you can leave. Once you've received your starter Pokémon, we'll slowly tell you about this chat group and its useful features for you.]
[Ash: Okay!]
Ash hastily replied, then quickly mentally said 'exit'.
His consciousness wavered, and he returned from that chaotic space to the real world.
At this moment, he was half-crouching on the ground, one hand covering his head. Not far in front of him was Oak's Laboratory.
From where he stood, he could see a crowd of people gathered at the entrance of Oak's Laboratory, apparently seeing someone off.
Ash, having recovered, quickly rushed into the crowd, desperately pushing his way to the very front. Then, he met the gaze of a young man who was surrounded by the crowd like stars around the moon.
Professor Oak's grandson, Gary!
He was also starting his journey on the same day as Ash, and it looked like he had already received his Pokémon.
"Well, well, if it isn't our blockhead Ash! Still got nothing but brawn, huh?" Gary said with a smirk, looking at Ash who had suddenly pushed through the crowd.
"Gary! What did you just call me?" Ash shouted angrily, waving his fist.
In every city of each region, the League dispatches instructors to educate and popularize Pokémon knowledge among future stars who are still children.
In Pallet Town, this role was filled by Professor Oak. Professor Oak's academic level was so high that he could easily serve as an instructor for Gym Leaders, let alone teaching ordinary children.
Under Professor Oak's guidance, Pallet Town had indeed produced many Trainers with names and reputations, but not a single Trainer had managed to reach the Elite Four or higher positions.
Ash and Gary were both students taught by Professor Oak, and they had been competing with each other since childhood. Academically, Ash was no match for Gary. In fact, he could be considered at the bottom among Professor Oak's students.
But in terms of physical fitness, ten Garys were no match for Ash.
It was fortunate that Ash wasn't the kind of child who would casually beat people up or liked to cause trouble. Otherwise, with Gary's provocative personality, he probably would have been beaten by Ash over a hundred times since childhood.
However, even so, Ash was still given the title of simple-minded and strong-bodied by Gary.
"You're so scatterbrained that you could be late on such an important day. With that brain of yours, try not to get eaten by a Gyarados on your first day out there," Gary said with a mocking smile.
Ash gritted his teeth, clenching his fists, but he had nothing to retort.
For any fifteen-year-old in the Pokémon League, upon reaching fifteen, they can apply to the League's special envoy in their city to receive a Pokémon on a designated day.
This day is set by the League as the eighth of every month. If missed, one would have to wait until the next month to receive a Pokémon.
Therefore, youngsters would never miss the eighth of the first month after turning fifteen. Missing it would mean their day to receive a Pokémon would be delayed by a month, which many, including Ash, found unacceptable.
"Did you already get your Pokémon?"
"Of course I did! I'm about to leave, so what do you think? As for you, you better get in there now, or you'll really have to wait until next month." Gary's tone was mocking but carried a hint of warning.
Upon hearing this, Ash quickly stepped past Gary and rushed into Oak's Laboratory.
Gary gave Ash a deep look, then continued to tell the townsfolk about his ambitions, announcing that he was about to embark on his journey...
"Professor Oak! I'm here! Where's my Pokémon?" Ash called out as he rushed up to the professor.
Professor Oak, who had been absorbed in his research, jumped slightly. He turned around to find Ash standing right in front of him.
"Oh! You startled me, Ash. But really, how could you be late on such an important day? If you had come any later..."
"I know, I know! I'm sorry, Professor Oak. So where's my Pokémon?" Ash quickly cut him off. If the professor kept going, who knew how long it would take to actually get his Pokémon.
"Over there." Professor Oak pointed to a single Poké Ball sitting on a stand. The Poké Ball had a yellow lightning bolt symbol on it.
Those who are late have no choice, which is only natural.
In fact, it was already very lucky that there was still a Pokémon left. At least Ash wouldn't have to wait until next month.
"No choice is no choice, as long as there's one left. I wonder if this Pokémon will be the one called Pikachu, as 'I' said..." Ash mumbled as he walked to the Poké Ball and picked up the one with the lightning bolt symbol.
Then, without hesitation, he threw it out: "Come out! My starter Pokémon!"
The Poké Ball was thrown, opening in mid-air. A flash of light appeared, and then a small yellow Pokémon emerged on the ground.
With yellow fur, two brown stripes on its back, a jagged lightning-bolt-shaped tail, two red electric sacs on its cheeks, and long ears with black tips, this Pokémon was none other than Kanto's well-known electric mouse—Pikachu!
"Is this Pikachu?" Ash blinked, seemingly trying to engrave Pikachu's appearance deeply into his mind.