In the small river outside Pallet Town, there were countless Water-type Pokémon suffering from illness or injury. Moreover, this river lay at an estuary, connecting inland waterways to the open sea. As a result, not only was the population of Water-type Pokémon enormous, but the variety was astonishing as well.
There were Pokémon that lived in inland streams and rivers,
and others that came from the vast, boundless ocean.
Psyduck, Golduck
Seel, Dewgong
Shellder, Cloyster
Krabby, Kingler
Goldeen, Seaking
Magikarp, Gyarados
Staryu, Starmie
Poliwag, Poliwhirl
Tentacool, Tentacruel
Although many wild Pokémon were wary—afraid that Ash's so-called "free clinic" might be a human trap—the harsh reality was that illness and injuries in the wild often meant death if left untreated.
Compared to losing their lives, taking a small risk didn't seem so frightening.
That mindset was, in some ways, no different from desperate humans who, plagued by chronic illness, would grasp at any possible cure.
Fortunately, Ash was no quack.
He genuinely possessed the power to heal injuries and sickness, and he truly treated Pokémon free of charge.
While one of Ash's personal goals was to cultivate his Viridian Power, and while healing wild Water-type Pokémon allowed him to copy their skills through the Ascension Trainer System, none of this caused the Pokémon any harm.
The rapid growth of Viridian Power itself was due to its inherent nature—
a power that rewarded benevolent actions, a gift bestowed by nature and the Pokémon world itself.
As for the Ascension Trainer System's Skill Copy Module, copying a Pokémon's moves caused no damage whatsoever, nor did it strip the Pokémon of the abilities they had already learned.
Ash's free treatment was exactly that—free.
If his Viridian Power increased, or if he obtained copied skills, then that "reward" was paid by the world itself, not by the Pokémon.
[Starmie]
Level: 30 (Intermediate Tier)
Type: Water / Psychic
Nature: Shy
Ability: Analytic
Potential: Red (Elite)
Moves (Copyable):
Tackle, Harden, Water Gun, Confuse Ray, Rapid Spin, Minimize, Brine, Light Screen, Surf, Hydro Pump,
Swift, Psybeam, Power Gem, Psychic, Recover, Cosmic Power
"System, copy this Starmie's skills for me."
Among the many injured Pokémon Ash was treating, this LV.30 Starmie immediately caught his attention. Just one look at its absurdly deep move pool made Ash's heart race.
After excluding basic moves like Tackle, Harden, and Water Gun, the remaining skills—
Confuse Ray, Minimize, Brine, Psybeam, Psychic, Recover, Cosmic Power, Surf, Hydro Pump—
were all rare or high-tier abilities.
Especially Hydro Pump, which was considered a top-tier Water-type finisher.
If all of this Starmie's moves were converted into TMs, their total value would easily exceed two million Poké Dollars.
…
"All right. I've healed everyone's injuries."
Ash straightened up and spoke clearly to the Water-type Pokémon gathered on the river's surface.
"If any of you get injured again in the future, you can come here to find me. I'll continue to treat everyone for free."
"After you return, make sure to spread the word. Let other Pokémon know that if they're sick or injured, they can come here for treatment."
Then his expression turned serious.
"There's one rule I need to make clear."
"No matter what your relationships are, or what grudges you may have against each other—once you come here for treatment, no fighting is allowed."
"I don't want to see the strong bullying the weak."
"Do you all understand?"
"Splash—!"
"Plash—!"
Beneath the Stone bridge, the river churned as Water-type Pokémon nodded one after another.
For Ash, who healed them freely and without discrimination, the wild Water-type Pokémon of the river showed him the highest respect.
"All right. You may all go."
Ash nodded in satisfaction.
Just now, he had treated nearly thirty Water-type Pokémon. With so many wild Pokémon helping spread the word—combined with Gyarados's efforts—Ash was certain that before long, countless Water-type Pokémon would come seeking treatment.
After all, the number of Water-type Pokémon living in the ocean dwarfed those on land by an unknown margin.
With so many Pokémon coming to him, whether it was copying skills or cultivating Viridian Power, Ash knew his progress would advance by leaps and bounds.
"Still… it's not just the river and the sea."
"Pallet Town is right next to Viridian Forest. The number of wild Pokémon living in that forest is enormous as well."
"I need to find an opportunity to spread the news there too. If forest Pokémon come to me for treatment, my Viridian Power will grow even faster."
As the Water-type Pokémon disappeared beneath the river's surface, Ash lifted his gaze toward the distant horizon, where the lush, dark-green outline of Viridian Forest stretched endlessly.
Ascension Trainer System(Severely Damaged)
Host: Ash
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Strength: 05 (Adult average: 10)
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 10
Charm: 10
Talents:
Viridian Power LV.17
Aura Power LV.6
Pokémon: Pichu, Frogadier
Item: Soothe Bell
Including the six Magikarp brought by Gyarados, as well as the thirty-plus wild Water-type Pokémon that arrived after hearing Ash's telepathic message—
After treating a total of 36 injured Pokémon, Ash's Viridian Power rose once again.
Before leaving home this morning, it had only been LV.15.
After just half an hour of free treatment, it leaped straight to LV.17.
Such a growth rate was practically unheard of.
By comparison, even with the Mew's Law Imprint boosting his Aura Power cultivation efficiency by five to ten times, Ash could only manage an increase once every two days at best.
"It's a pity that Viridian Power doesn't directly increase my combat strength…"
Ash shook his head slightly, feeling a trace of regret.
"If it did, then at this rate, I'd soon have more than enough power to protect myself."
"Ash, are you helping wild Pokémon heal again?"
A familiar voice sounded nearby.
Not far away, Gary—training with Eevee and Squirtle—looked over at Ash.
"Since you've awakened a healing ability, you might as well make full use of it," Gary said with a grin.
"Why don't you open a private clinic and make money? Like Miss Joy, treating Pokémon all day."
"Haha, no way."
Ash laughed and shook his head.
"I just think you're really kind-hearted," Gary continued.
"Didn't my sister say the Joy family wanted to introduce you to a girlfriend?"
"I honestly think you'd be a perfect match for a Joy."
"Ash, you really shouldn't have refused."
Gary sighed in exaggerated regret.
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T/N:
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