Within the black-screen world—
Professor Oak took out a Poké Ball marked with a lightning bolt.
In the next moment, a small shadow leapt from behind him and straight into Ash's arms!
That shadow—was Pikachu!
Everyone watching the livestream was utterly confused.
Why did it look like Black World Ash already knew Pikachu?
Professor Oak spoke slowly, his tone filled with warmth.
"When I brought this Pikachu back, I didn't expect you two to connect at first sight, Ash.
But because trainers aren't allowed to own Pokémon before the age of ten, you had me take care of him here at the lab.
You still came every day to train with him, and over time, you two built a deep bond."
As the audience listened to Professor Oak's explanation, realization dawned on them.
So Black World Ash had met Pikachu long before his journey even began!
And he'd been training with Pikachu every single day up until he left…
No wonder Black World Ash seemed so composed and skilled—he'd already started the race before the starting gun even fired!
[Ash: Huh?! The me from that world met Pikachu before setting off? And even trained with him?! Why is my life so hard compared to his?!]
[Professor Oak: Every achievement comes from effort, Ash. The reason Black World Ash met Pikachu early is because he's been studying and observing Pokémon at my lab for years. That's how he found Pikachu before anyone else.]
[Professor Oak: I brought Pikachu back not long after the summer camp. If you'd come to the lab like he did, you might have met Pikachu early too.]
Hearing Professor Oak's message, Ash—who was walking back toward the Pokémon Center—fell silent.
The Professor was right.
The world of the Black World Ash was almost identical to his own. The people, the environment, even the events… all the same.
The only difference was Ash himself.
And yet, that single change—his decision to study, to prepare—had completely altered the course of that world.
He'd met Pikachu early, bonded deeply, and started his journey from a place of knowledge and strength.
Training… studying Pokémon…
Was that what it really meant to walk the path toward becoming a Pokémon Master?
For the first time, the carefree Ash, who always left things to fate, began to feel something shift inside him.
Within the black-screen world—
After receiving Pikachu and the Pokédex, Black World Ash began his journey.
Because he'd come to the lab early, very few people were there to see him off.
He didn't even run into Gary.
Professor Oak had actually offered him a second Pokémon—one of the starters—to make up for it,
but Black World Ash had politely refused.
He already had Pikachu.
Every other Pokémon, he said, he wanted to catch himself.
Even from this, the difference was clear.
Black World Ash was far more mature than his counterpart.
The real-world Ash remembered his own first day of travel—he'd wanted to catch every Pokémon he saw!
Sure, that was out of pure love for Pokémon,
but it was also… irresponsible.
Black World Ash's path was similar to the one the real Ash had taken—his first destination was also Viridian City.
But unlike the original Ash, Black World Ash had already done his homework.
He knew there was a Gym there,
and he wasn't wandering aimlessly—he was traveling with a goal: to challenge the Indigo League.
The White World Ash, by contrast, had stumbled into that realization later.
On the road, Black World Ash encountered plenty of wild Pokémon—Rattata, Pidgey, Spearow…
"Pika, pika~?"
"You're asking why I'm not catching them?"
Ash looked at the cheerful wild Pokémon running freely through the grass.
He shook his head.
"I just don't feel it."
"I can be friends with all Pokémon in the world—but I can't just capture any one of them. Because the moment I do, I become responsible for them for the rest of their life."
"Training them, nurturing them, living with them… just like with you, Pikachu."
"Pokémon I haven't caught are my friends.
But those I have caught… they're my family.
And I have to take care of my family, my partners. That's why I have to be careful when I decide to catch a Pokémon."
The entire world fell silent.
Was this… really something a ten-year-old could say?
[Lance: His level of maturity is unbelievable! The White World Ash, when he first set out, just wanted to catch every Pokémon under the sun!]
[Cynthia: I'd say the White World Ash's behavior was the natural one. That's how a child should act—curious, eager. But Black World Ash… his sense of responsibility is far beyond his age.]
[Professor Oak: Indeed. White World Ash actually did quite well, too! When Pikachu was in danger, he risked his life without hesitation to protect it.
Black World Ash may not be as reckless, but… his heart toward Pokémon is just as genuine—if not more responsible.]
[Ash: Yeah… I was immature back then. I just wanted to catch every Pokémon because I loved them, but I never thought about whether I could really take care of them all.]
[Ash: The other me has taught me something important, Professor. From now on, I'm going to rotate my Pokémon more often—train every one of them myself!]
[Professor Oak: Heh, that's the right mindset, Ash.]
[Richie: That's the spirit, Ash! That's what it means to be a real trainer! Need me to send your Charizard back to help you out for the Silver Conference?]
[Ash: Of course! Actually—send him back more often! I'll keep training him here, too. I want to help him become the strongest in the Charizard Valley!]
The Black World Ash had, without question, left a lasting mark on his counterpart.
The Ash of this world had always been a bit casual—letting his Pokémon roam freely, training them only when he remembered to.
And even so, he'd become incredibly strong.
So what would happen now, if this Ash started to train with the same focus as his Black World self?
The possibilities were terrifying.
Gary, who was also watching, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
He couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Good thing he'd already decided to become a Pokémon researcher.
Otherwise… he'd get swept away in Ash's storm of progress!