[Gardenia: I'm stunned for an entire year! Using an Electric-type against a Ground-type? You've got to be kidding me!!]
[Roxanne: Uh… that's… not exactly the most effective matchup, is it? Normal moves barely scratch an Onix, and Electric attacks are useless! Even Butterfree's powder moves would've been better than Pikachu!]
[Brock: That's just how Ash was back then. Even during the Indigo League, he charged ahead without much strategy. But he's grown a lot since those early days.]
[Misty: Sure, but he still can't compare to Black World Ash! That guy started his journey several years ahead of regular Ash's curve!]
[Ash: Hey! Do you guys have to roast me every single time? I used Pikachu because I had no other choice, okay?!]
Ash stared at the scene on the screen as if he were watching his own dark history unfold.
And knowing this wasn't even the worst of it made his expression even darker.
Damn it—could we skip this part already?
Hurry up and show Black World Ash's world!
In the White World—
After his defeat, Ash—thanks to Brock's father, Flint—helped Pikachu master Thunderbolt.
They even managed to fry Brock's Geodude into a crisp.
But Onix was a different story—Pikachu couldn't even scratch it.
Then, by pure coincidence, the sprinklers went off, weakening Onix, and Ash pulled off a narrow victory.
Brock's father appeared, told his son to follow his own path, and encouraged him to travel with Ash.
And so, the original trio was born.
The white screen faded to black—this chapter of White World Ash's story had ended.
[Gardenia: Wait, seriously? Electric moves can hurt Ground-types? No way!]
[Cynthia: Technically, it wasn't the electric current itself. When the voltage spiked that high, the heat energy from the discharge caused damage. Plus, Pikachu had just recharged, so the power output was extraordinary.]
[Bertha: I feel like I've wasted my entire career as a Ground-type Elite Four member. I don't get it—but I'm shocked!]
No one had expected White World Ash to win that battle with Pikachu.
But truthfully, that victory felt more like a handout.
If not for that sprinkler system's heroic intervention, Ash wouldn't have stood a chance.
Now everyone was curious—how would Black World Ash defeat Pewter Gym?
The white screen dimmed—
—and the black screen lit up.
In the Black World—
After obtaining the Rainbow Wing, Ash studied it carefully.
Aside from the warm glow it gave off, it seemed to have no other effects.
Misty, however, was completely stunned.
Had she really just witnessed it?
Ho-Oh soaring overhead… leaving behind a seven-colored feather?
What kind of world was this turning into?!
Ash carefully tucked the Rainbow Wing into his backpack and warned Misty to keep it secret.
Misty, no gossip herself, agreed immediately.
Moments later, the two arrived at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City.
Having both witnessed Ho-Oh together, they took it as fate.
Misty had no particular goal for the moment, and since Ash suggested they travel together, she agreed.
It'd be safer—and more fun—with a partner anyway.
After healing their Pokémon and resting for the night, they planned to visit the Pewter Gym the next day.
But that very night, Team Rocket struck again…
This time, they didn't even get the chance to steal a single Poké Ball.
Ash caught them sneaking around and had Pikachu send them blasting off before they could blink.
Different process—same result.
Team Rocket had once again set their sights on Pikachu.
The next morning, Ash and Misty arrived at the Viridian Gym—
only to be told the Gym Leader was away and not accepting challengers.
So, they changed plans and headed for Pewter City instead.
At the city's shopping district, Ash bought everything they'd need for camping on the road.
When he learned Misty was afraid of bugs, he even picked up a can of Repel Spray, just to help her sleep better outdoors.
[Misty: See that? See that?! Black World Ash actually bought bug repellent because he knew I was scared of bugs! What about you, huh, Ash?! You shoved Caterpie in my face!!]
[Ash: I—I'm sorry, okay?! I didn't realize! I just thought… who doesn't like Pokémon, right?]
[Misty: I don't hate Pokémon! I just hate bugs! There's a difference!!]
[Ash: Yeah, yeah, got it, got it.]
Any further and Misty looked ready to explode.
Ash wisely chose to drop the subject.
In the black world again—
After finishing their shopping, Ash and Misty headed into Viridian Forest.
Before entering, Misty mailed her damaged bike back home.
Ash had told her, "Only when you travel on foot can you really feel the adventure."
A few miles later, Misty was already exhausted.
Within the forest, Ash still caught both Caterpie and Pidgeotto—
Even with the bug spray, Caterpie still found them.
It was as if fate itself refused to change.
Misty advised Ash to catch a Water-type or Grass-type Pokémon next,
since Pewter Gym's Leader, Brock, was known for his rock-solid defense—
literally. His Pokémon were Rock and Ground types through and through.
Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Caterpie alone would have a tough time breaking through.
But when Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance, they both grinned.
"Just wait and see—we've already got a plan."
They spent extra days in Viridian Forest,
because Ash believed in training while traveling.
He worked on his own endurance and tactics,
while his Pokémon trained alongside him.
Viridian Forest had effectively become Ash's personal dojo.
Youngsters, Bug Catchers—every one of them became EXP fodder for Pidgeotto and Caterpie.
As for Pikachu?
Those low-level opponents no longer gave him any experience.
He trained alongside Ash instead, growing stronger through real combat drills.
After days of training, Caterpie evolved all the way to Butterfree—even earlier than in White World Ash's world!
Pidgeotto, too, had learned Defog somehow.
By the time they left the forest, the team was stronger and more disciplined than ever.
Arriving in Pewter City, Ash didn't rush to challenge the Gym.
He spent the night resting at the Pokémon Center instead,
and only at dawn did he and Misty walk toward the Pewter Gym.
Author's Note:
Black World Ash's Pokémon team won't be exactly the same as the original,
but I believe he should still catch most of the ones the original Ash did—
after all, those Pokémon represent his bonds.
That said, he'll have a few new additions along the way.
As for Legendaries—don't expect him to catch any just yet.
But I'll spoil one thing in advance:
Mewtwo will definitely appear in Black World Ash's story—
and even the Mewtwo from White World Ash's world might just cross over too.