In the Black World —
Ash and the Team Rocket trio reunited after a long absence.
To be honest, Ash was quite moved… because even though Team Rocket was disbanded, these three hadn't given up on capturing Pikachu.
Ah… How should he put it? Targeting his Pokémon wasn't good, but if it was the Team Rocket trio… Ash couldn't quite call it a bad thing. The three of them seemed to have a unique kind of luck. Every time they tried to catch Pikachu or cause trouble, they'd inadvertently help him a lot. So… their continued pursuit of Pikachu might actually be beneficial for him…
Not only that, Ash was even happier… these three were no longer living for someone else, but for themselves now! They wanted to catch Pikachu because they wanted to, not because they wanted to present it to someone.
Though Ash didn't know why they were still so obsessed with Pikachu, or why they still wanted it after Team Rocket's disbandment… But… just like he loved Pikachu, maybe those three… just liked Pikachu too… right?
"Alright, now that we've caught up… what's next… I'll give you a chance to challenge Pikachu."
"I won't command Pikachu. It's all up to you."
Ash smiled and took two steps back. Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and flashed a mocking, weird grin at the Rocket trio.
Seeing Pikachu's smile, the trio's faces darkened.
A duel? No commands? That was all nonsense! Even if they sent out all their Pokémon at once, it'd be impossible!! This little devil… was getting more and more sinister! And this Pikachu too!!
However, the Team Rocket trio naturally wouldn't just sit back. They pulled out a brand-new machine and released all their Pokémon! Going all out just to catch Pikachu!
The final result was self-evident. They were blasted off into the sky with that familiar cry.
Ash hugged Pikachu back into his arms, looked up at the sky, and sighed. "Those three really never learn… but I don't know why, I kind of like them a little."
Misty: ???
Sabrina: ???
The two girls glared unkindly at the three Rockets who had become twinkling stars, thinking fiercely in their hearts: Next time we meet, we have to send them flying even faster!
...
[Korrina: Hahaha, what in the world~ There are people addicted to getting beaten up, and Ash is even more addicted to having them around! He even said he kind of likes Team Rocket, hahaha!]
[Caitlin: Is this an S and M relationship? Hey, when you think about it, that's exactly the dynamic between the Rocket trio and Ash. I feel like I've discovered something terrible.]
[Cynthia: Alright, stop the inappropriate talk. It's a bad influence on the kids…]
[Lance: But I didn't expect Black Ash to have such deep feelings for the Team Rocket trio!]
Compared to White Ash, Black Ash should be a more rational person. So… for him, villains like the Rocket trio should be dealt with without mercy. But after Black Ash destroyed and disbanded Team Rocket, the first people he thought of were the Rocket trio. One could imagine their place in his heart. As Black Ash said, he might genuinely like the Rocket trio.
[Cynthia: Precisely because he is Ash, he likes the Rocket trio…]
[Cynthia: Think about it. On White Ash's side, while the Rocket trio didn't cause too much trouble, they still caused plenty. Of course, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.]
[Cynthia: But what about Black Ash? Pikachu has never been caught by them once. Even in front of Black Ash, they get blasted off before they can do anything bad… These three are like comedians to him!]
[Cynthia: Besides being roadshow comedians, they've also helped Black Ash a lot when they weren't being blasted off. They're practically three qualified tools! You tell me… wouldn't Black Ash miss them?]
During the journey, these three created a festive atmosphere and even helped a great deal. Even when they occasionally made trouble, they were immediately knocked away… Thinking about it, the Rocket trio were a net positive for Black Ash with no downsides! No wonder Black Ash likes them so much.
[James: Hey, hey, hey!! How rude! We are real villains!! Not comedians!]
[Jessie: That's right! Before we met that kid, we were the feared Team Rocket!]
[Meowth: Come to think of it, meow… Ever since we met the twerp, our lives seem to have gone off the rails…] The Team Rocket trio was also touched by Black Ash's affection and nostalgia for them, but they were still villains! They wouldn't be moved by this! Not to mention, according to Cynthia's analysis, Black Ash saw them as helpful tools and a comedic atmosphere group… Who could stand that?!
Plus, after Meowth spoke, it couldn't help but recall how glorious they were before meeting Ash! The notorious, feared Team Rocket trio, on an international wanted list! And then, after meeting Ash… their lives fell apart. They hadn't accomplished a single successful evil deed; whenever they did anything, it only ended up helping from the sidelines. It was simply outrageous!!
[Ash (White): My life became a mess after meeting you! If you'd just lose interest in Pikachu, that'd be the best thing for me!]
[Ash (White): I wouldn't be disappointed if you lost interest; I'd be overjoyed!]
It wasn't that White Ash couldn't understand Black Ash's feelings, but they were different. The biggest difference was likely their strength… Black Ash's Pikachu had never been caught even once. His Pikachu… had been captured by Team Rocket more than once! Even if rescued in the end, the emotional rollercoaster was real. Therefore, White Ash didn't feel the same nostalgia for the Rocket trio. He didn't deny they'd helped him a lot, but rather than helping… he wished they'd stop targeting his Pikachu! In the end, it still came down to… not being strong enough!
Just as the live chat was buzzing, Black Ash from the shady world had quietly arrived at Snowpoint Mountain. On Snowpoint Mountain… resided an Articuno.
...
In the Black World —
After dealing with Team Rocket and experiencing a few more events, Ash and his group came to a place called Snowpoint Mountain, the only route to Asakon City. Aside from Ash, the other three wore heavy down jackets. As for Ash? Please, could this little bit of wind and snow affect his body, which was as resilient to cold and heat as copper and iron?
Upon arriving at Snowpoint Mountain, the group met Todd Snap again, a photographer they'd met in Kanto. From Todd, they learned that an Articuno was said to live here!
Snowpoint Mountain was the highest snow-capped peak in the entire region. Many came here for adventure and climbing, but as a dangerous place, how could it be safe? Every year, countless climbers, explorers, and adventurers went missing. However… those missing people were eventually returned to the Pokémon Center at the mountain's base. The reason… was Articuno!
According to legend, Articuno was a Pokémon that rescued explorers lost in the snow. Therefore, even though Ash and the others had seen Articuno once before, they wanted to see it again. Plus, Ash, Misty, and Sabrina had seen it, but Brock hadn't! So they embarked on a journey to find Articuno.
Todd actually had little hope. After all, how could Legendary Pokémon be so easy to meet? They weren't like Pikachu—a common sight on the roadside.jpg!
Then, in less than five minutes, an avian Pokémon covered in ice-blue feathers appeared before the five of them…
The Pokémon had beautiful ice-blue feathers and a crown composed of three dark blue, prismatic feathers. Snow-white feathers covered its belly, and the tail on its back fluttered in the wind like a colorful banner. Its overall appearance was extremely beautiful, like a Pokémon that only appeared in dreams!
"Ar… Articuno?!!! How is this possible?!" Todd screamed in disbelief.
They'd set out to look for Articuno less than five minutes ago, and it actually appeared before them? It was unbelievable, right?! They were just walking in the snow, not in any danger at all! This seemed inconsistent with the legend that Articuno only appeared before those in need of rescue…
Ash actually had some idea. After all, such a massive Aura signature—even without actively sensing it, he could feel it. Articuno had come to them on its own accord, no doubt. But… why?
Ash thought for a moment and suddenly noticed both Misty and Sabrina looking at him in unison, which confused him. Why are you looking at me? Could I have attracted Articuno… here? Suddenly understanding, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a frost-covered feather.
Yes, this was the feather given to him by the Ice God Articuno from the Orange Islands! Originally, Ash wanted to give this feather to Dragonite, but Dragonite refused. It said it was still immature, and carrying such a powerful feather would be a waste of resources, so it asked Ash to keep it for now. So, Ash had been carrying the Articuno feather with him. Needless to say, it was very useful as portable air conditioning…
Now, this feather seemed to have an extraordinary effect, even attracting the Articuno of this snowy mountain!
"So it's an Articuno feather… I almost forgot about it." Brock reacted belatedly upon seeing the feather. Of course, Ash wouldn't hide the feather from his close friend, but since Brock wasn't part of the Lugia incident, he wasn't as deeply impressed as Sabrina and Misty and didn't think of the feather immediately.
Todd had the biggest reaction. Seeing Ash had an Articuno feather, he excitedly screamed and asked a barrage of questions.
The Articuno that had landed before the group saw the feather in Ash's hand, and its originally probing gaze softened. It hadn't been wrong… the feather of their clan's leader was indeed with this human.
"Huh?"
"Ah? You're asking how I got this feather? Would you believe me if I said the Articuno from the Orange Islands gave it to me?"
Articuno's cry was directly translated into language by Ash's Aura power, so Ash subconsciously answered its question.
"Skree!! Skree?" (I believe you. So, do you wish to claim me?)
Ash: ????
Hearing the words translated by his Aura, Ash almost thought he'd misheard. What did this Articuno say…? It asked if he wanted to catch it??
"What… I didn't hear clearly. Articuno, could you repeat that?"
"Skree! Skree?" (I said, do you wish to claim me? If you defeat me, I shall be yours.)
Articuno repeated itself, confirming Ash hadn't hallucinated. It really asked if he wanted to catch it!
This felt like a pie falling from the sky for Ash. Honestly, having met so many Legendaries, this was the first time one had asked if he wanted to catch it! Had he awakened some conqueror's aura where Legendaries would voluntarily submit upon seeing him?
"You ask if I want to catch you… of course I do! The legendary Articuno! Who wouldn't want to catch one!"
"But… why do you suddenly ask me that?"
"Also, Articuno, aren't you the guardian of this mountain, the Pokémon who protects everyone? If I catch you, what will happen to this mountain?"
Todd, on the side, hadn't yet processed that Ash could understand Articuno, then heard Ash's subsequent words… His brain shut down!! For a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming. No, he wondered if Ash was dreaming! Articuno asks if you want to catch it, and you look hesitant… Just how high was your pillow and what was your sleeping posture to have such a beautiful dream?
However, when Todd wanted to complain to the others, he found… While Ash's three traveling companions were slightly shocked, they seemed more… relieved, and even accepting…
No, what's with the acceptance?!
It's natural for Articuno to want Ash to catch it, right?! Is something wrong with you or me?!
Todd.exe has stopped responding.
The moods of Misty, Brock, and Sabrina were indeed as Todd observed. While shocked, they also found it somewhat natural. After all… Ash was a person recognized by the three Legendary Birds with divine authority! So… even if Articuno wanted to be caught by Ash, it wasn't unacceptable, right? Of course, there was still some shock.
"Skree~ Skree~" (Guarding the mountain and rescuing humans in danger is my interest, not my duty.)
"Skree~ Skree~" (Also, what I said earlier may have been unclear. I meant: do you wish to challenge me for the right to claim me? If you defeat me, I shall be yours. This is the privilege granted by the king's feather you hold.)
Hearing this, Ash finally understood—it wasn't a freebie, but a condition! Defeating Articuno… that was the most basic and very reasonable condition. If he couldn't even defeat it, what right did he have to be its trainer?
"I understand… but I don't have any Pokémon on me that can battle you right now. How about… we meet here again tomorrow at the same time? I'll go to the nearby Pokémon Center to switch my team and come find you then."
Articuno glanced thoughtfully at Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, then nodded in agreement. After that, it slowly vanished into the snow.
"With Snow Cloak as its Ability… seems I need to prepare for tomorrow!" Ash murmured, waved to everyone, and started walking toward the Pokémon Center at the mountain's base. "Let's head back to the Pokémon Center."
...
[Lance: I never expected… the feathers of the Legendary Birds could have such an effect!]
[Articuno: Hmph! We are the kings among the many Articuno! We stand out and hold divine authority! This isn't something ordinary Articuno can claim!]
Articuno showed pride in itself, but the next second, Lugia delivered a crushing blow…
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