"…Earlier, I watched the Pokémon Summer Camp live broadcast and learned that your birthday is November 22. Mine is November 25—I was born three days after you.
Calling you Shop Owner Ash feels a bit awkward, so… can I call you Ash?"
Pulling her head out from the Psyduck plush, the girl asked shyly toward the phone.
"Of course. No problem at all."
Ash had always liked this lively, righteous girl from the original story, so hearing Misty say that made him genuinely happy, and he agreed without hesitation.
"Then… Ash, you suddenly called me—did something happen? Could it be that something went wrong with Magikarp?" the girl asked worriedly.
Even though she was afraid of Gyarados, Magikarp hadn't evolved yet—and her deep love for Water-type Pokémon made her especially concerned about it.
"No, don't worry. Your Magikarp is perfectly healthy.
It's just that during dinner, while feeding it and helping with skill comprehension using my psychic abilities, I discovered that your Magikarp had already learned Tackle before being sent to me.
"So it didn't actually need to come here for skill learning. That's why I wanted to let you know.
After it finishes dinner, I'll transmit Magikarp back. Please apply for a refund on the shop order page, and remember to go to the Pokémon Center to receive it."
Ash explained gently from the other end of the call.
"My Magikarp… already knew Tackle before being sent to you?"
Misty's face filled with surprise and delight.
"Yes, that's right.
Right now, there are a lot of reservations in the shop queue, so placing another successful order next time won't be easy. Unfortunately, I can't complete this order.
"Do you have any other Pokémon that need skill learning? If you do, I can arrange a special order for you. Do you need one?"
Ash asked.
"Really? Thank you so much, Ash!
But right now, I only have Magikarp. I can obtain another starter Pokémon, but I'm still hesitating over what I should choose as my first partner.
"Ash, you're an incredibly talented Trainer. Do you have any suggestions?"
Somehow, despite this being their very first phone conversation, Misty found herself trusting the boy on the other end deeply.
Not just trust—she felt close to him. Just hearing his voice filled her with a strange warmth and happiness.
She didn't know why she felt this way. Maybe it was because she had watched the Pokémon Summer Camp broadcast in full.
She admired Ash's maturity, determination, filial devotion, extraordinary talent, outstanding ability, handsome looks, and lofty ambitions. Or maybe it was because he had just praised her name earlier.
Whatever the reason, Misty realized she felt an inexplicable trust and fondness toward the boy on the phone—and she really wanted to keep talking to him.
Even though Ash had only called to talk about Magikarp and had no obligation to chat with her or advise her on choosing a starter Pokémon, she still asked—hoping he would answer.
"Choosing a starter Pokémon? If I remember correctly, Misty, you're only six years old, and you didn't participate in Professor Oak's Summer Camp or place in it. Are you already allowed to have your own Pokémon?" Ash asked curiously.
"Oh, that's because I'm the child of the former Cerulean Gym Leader, and I'm officially recognized by the League as the Gym's successor. So I'm allowed to receive my starter Pokémon early, at six years old," Misty explained.
"Oh! I see. Then do you have any requirements for your starter?" Ash asked.
"Hmm… it must be a Water-type. And preferably one native to Kanto," Misty said after thinking for a moment, clearly excited that Ash was responding.
"A Kanto Water-type starter, huh?"
Ash paused briefly before continuing.
"Kanto actually has quite a few Water-type Pokémon. As starter partners, though, I personally recommend Squirtle, Poliwag, Staryu, or Seel.
"Squirtle and Poliwag go without saying—both have multi-stage evolutions, giving you plenty of room for growth and flexibility during training.
"Squirtle's final evolution, Blastoise, excels in both defense and firepower. Poliwag can evolve into Poliwrath using a Water Stone, becoming a Water/Fighting type—excellent for combat-focused training.
"As for Staryu and Seel, they only have one evolution stage, but Starmie has the rare Psychic typing, while Seel's final evolution gains Ice typing—both are very powerful and uncommon combinations.
"There's also the Water/Psychic Slowpoke line, but it's harder to raise in the early stages. And while Shellder evolves into Cloyster with Water/Ice typing, its stat distribution is a bit extreme, making it less suitable as a starter.
"Most Water-type Pokémon have terrain limitations, but the four I mentioned—Squirtle, Poliwag, Staryu, and Seel—can all operate on land. That's why I'd recommend choosing from these four."
Ash offered his advice sincerely, without holding anything back.
"I see… I didn't realize choosing a starter required thinking about so many things. Thank you so much, Ash-gege!"
Misty thanked him earnestly.
After chatting for a while longer, and at Misty's shy request, Ash shared his PokéPlus and TrainerNet social accounts and added her as a friend.
If she had questions in the future, she could contact him—and if he had time, he'd reply.
Ash's warmth and consideration moved Misty deeply. When the call ended, she felt reluctant to hang up, her heart lingering on the connection.
Pallet Town
"I really didn't expect that this Red-tier Pokémon Potential Magikarp—one that naturally learned Tackle—would belong to Misty.
"In the original anime, I remember her being pretty fiery and aggressive. Who would've thought she'd be this shy and adorable as a kid?
Looks like the original plot can be referenced—but never trusted completely."
Ash set down his phone and shook his head with a faint smile.
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T/N:
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