"Pidgeot—!!"
From the very top branch of the cypress tree on the hillside, Pidgeotto answered with a clear, piercing cry. Yet no matter how proud and resonant that call was, two crystalline tears still slipped from the corners of its eyes.
The teardrops fell from the cypress tree, landing softly on the fresh mound of earth below—on the newly raised grave, on the blood-stained broken feathers mixed into the soil—splashing into tiny, glistening droplets.
The sun gradually climbed over the hills and rose into the sky.
After finishing breakfast, Pidgeotto spread its wings and, together with Spearow, flew toward Pallet Town—toward the place where Ash usually trained.
Pokémon:Pikachu
Level: LV.35
Type: Electric
Nature: Timid
Abilities: Static, Lightning Rod
HP: 100
Attack: 100
Defense: 100
Sp. Atk: 100
Sp. Def: 100
Speed: 100
Total: 600
Pokémon Potential Classification:Gold (+0.57%)
Blessed by the world's fortune, carrying an unfathomable miraculous power.
Moves (Copyable):
Mastered (1/5000): Thunder Shock, Electro Ball, Spark, Thunder Wave, Thunderbolt, Wish, Quick Attack, Double Team, Agility
Proficient (1/1000): Harmony, Sweet Kiss, Nuzzle, Tail Whip, Nasty Plot, Charm, Growl, Feint, Slam, Discharge
Skilled (1/500): —Novice (1/100): Iron Tail
"Pikachu," Ash said calmly, "yesterday afternoon, when you drove away the Spearow flock to rescue Pidgeotto, you absorbed a huge wave of experience. Your level jumped straight from LV.32 to LV.35—three levels in one go."
"Next, through skill training and physical conditioning, you need to stabilize that rapidly increased strength and truly make it your own."
"I just helped you learn the Steel-type move Iron Tail, which has a base power of 100. It trains both your tail and your control over strength."
"So today's morning training task is simple—raise Iron Tail's proficiency as much as possible. Got it?"
Just like every other day, Ash had woken up, gotten dressed, washed up, and arrived on time at the riverside outside Pallet Town, where he began assigning training tasks to his Pokémon.
Pikachu's Electric-type offensive moves—Thunder Shock, Electro Ball, Thunder Wave, Spark, Thunderbolt—had all reached the Mastered level. While there was still a Grandmaster tier above that, and many stronger Electric-type moves yet to be learned, Pikachu's raw Electric output was already more than sufficient.
From here on, Ash's training focus for Pikachu shifted toward covering weaknesses.
If its damage coverage was too narrow, then it needed off-type moves like Iron Tail.
If it lacked strong control options, then it needed techniques like Thunder Wave.
To counter Ground-types, it would eventually need tools like Rain Dance or Surf.
To shore up defense, it would need Light Screen and Reflect.
In short—Pikachu still had many moves to learn.
…
"Frogadier," Ash continued, turning to his other partner, "your damage output is already solid. What you need most now is learning more off-type moves to expand and upgrade your Protean combat potential."
"Previously, I helped you learn the Grass-type move Grass Knot and the Ground-type move Mud-Slap, which already gives you counterplay against Electric- and Grass-type opponents."
"Next, you'll learn even more attribute coverage. I'll help you master the Poison-type move Toxic Spikes and the Ground-type move Spikes. With Water Shuriken as your foundation, you should pick these up quickly."
"Gua—!"
Frogadier nodded firmly.
"System, use Toxic Spikes and Spikes."
Ash mentally accessed the system backpack and activated the two virtual TM discs.
As his Skill Wonder House continued operating, Ash not only earned a steady income but also copied a massive variety of moves from customers' Pokémon.
At this point, not only was he never short on skills to sell—his own Pokémon could learn moves without any concern at all.
He might not yet have every move he wanted—but most of the skills he planned to teach were already sitting in his system inventory.
[Ding! Frogadier successfully learned Toxic Spikes and Spikes!]
"Alright. Pikachu, Frogadier—you both know your tasks now. Get to training."
"Pika—!"
"Gua—!"
The two Pokémon responded and immediately ran off to begin their morning exercises.
Spending so long with Ash had influenced them deeply—once they started something, they could immerse themselves completely, shutting out everything else.
Watching them train, Ash then turned his attention to the shallow waters of the river.
There, a Magikarp with scales like molten gold and jade glass, and a Feebas with scales resembling purple crystal, stared at him with eager, expectant eyes.
It had been three or four days since they joined his team. Because Ash wanted to first help them build confidence, he hadn't assigned them any real training yet.
But now—
Magikarp had learned the basic attacking move Tackle,
Feebas had learned Cosmic Power,
and both Pokémon, once timid and insecure, had grown far more confident and cheerful.
It was finally time.
These were Blue-tier potential Pokémon—Shiny Pokémon, no less—rarity on par with pseudo-legendary hatchlings. Leaving such talent idle would be nothing short of criminal.
"Valor, Lumina," Ash said with a smile, "today you officially begin training. Excited?"
"Splash—!! (^◇^) Ash, you're finally training us?! I've been waiting forever!"
"Blu~ (^v^) Me too! I'll train hard and get stronger—I want to evolve into Milotic as soon as possible!"
Both Pokémon were practically vibrating with excitement.
"Haha, looks like you've been more than ready."
"Valor—your morning task is to raise Tackle from Novice to Skilled."
"Lumina—your task is to raise Water Gun from Novice to Skilled."
"Do you have confidence?"
"Splash—! (^o^) Yes!"
"Blu~! (^v^) Yes!"
Their voices rang out together, full of energy and determination.
A brand-new chapter of training had officially begun.
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