Considering that Bulbasaur had previously been a wild Pokémon, and that it had spent a long time living alongside Melanie—a girl with severe social anxiety—as well as a group of Pokémon that had been abandoned or hurt by human Trainers, Ash knew the transition wouldn't be easy.
After being caught by him and suddenly brought into human society, it was only natural that Bulbasaur would be wary of people other than Ash himself.
It also wasn't accustomed to crowded, noisy environments.
That was precisely why Ash hadn't brought Bulbasaur to the city's large battle arena for its combat training.
Instead, he chose the Pokémon Center's Battle Hall, where the crowds were much smaller.
Even so, the moment Bulbasaur followed Ash inside and saw Trainers surrounding battlefields, cheering loudly and shouting encouragement, its expression immediately became tense and uncomfortable.
A Vine Whip quietly emerged from beneath the bulb on its back and wrapped around Ash's wrist like one of Sylveon's ribbon-like feelers.
"Bulbasaur, don't worry."
"We'll all be right here with you."
Feeling the nervous emotions coming through the vine, Ash looked down at it and offered an encouraging smile.
"Pika~ (^3^)/"
"Croak~ (-_-)"
Pikachu and Greninja also noticed Bulbasaur's anxiety and quickly tried to comfort it.
Especially Pikachu.
Back when it had still been a Pichu, it had been timid and afraid of strangers too.
It had only gradually become comfortable around others over time.
Then after evolving into Pikachu, it had transformed completely into an outgoing social butterfly.
Because of that, Pikachu understood exactly how Bulbasaur felt.
Of course, Bulbasaur wasn't naturally shy or timid.
It was simply overwhelmed after suddenly entering the human world and seeing so many people at once.
Seeing how much Ash and its new Pokémon companions cared about it, the nervousness in Bulbasaur's heart gradually eased.
"Whoa! It's Ash!"
"Mr. Ash!"
"Ash!"
"Ash!!"
"..."
"..."
As soon as he entered the Battle Hall, people immediately recognized him.
One after another, Trainers greeted him enthusiastically.
"Ash, don't you usually battle in the city arena? We hardly ever see you in the Pokémon Center Battle Hall."
A friendly, outgoing teenager wearing a black leather jacket approached and struck up a conversation.
Ash smiled.
"I caught a Bulbasaur in Viridian Forest yesterday."
"The little guy's level isn't very high yet, and it's a bit shy."
"The city arena is too crowded and noisy."
"I was worried it might feel overwhelmed, so I brought it here first."
Looking around at the gathered Trainers, Ash continued:
"Does anyone have a Pokémon around Level 10 to Level 15?"
"Would someone be willing to battle Bulbasaur and help it gain some practical combat experience?"
The Trainers around him immediately became excited.
"Holy crap! A Bulbasaur!"
"One of Kanto's Grass-type starters!"
"You actually found one in the wild?!"
"That's insane!"
"I'm so jealous!"
"..."
"..."
The crowd erupted into envious exclamations.
Wild Bulbasaur were extraordinarily rare.
The fact that Ash had managed to catch one naturally left many Trainers green with envy.
Ash laughed.
"Outside Pallet Town, I run two free clinics for wild Pokémon."
"One of the wild Pokémon I treated introduced me to Bulbasaur."
"When I met it, Bulbasaur already wanted to follow a Trainer and experience life in the human world."
"So after a battle, I officially caught it."
Naturally, Ash couldn't reveal the existence of the Pokémon sanctuary or disturb Melanie's peaceful secluded life.
So he offered a simplified explanation instead.
"I see."
"That makes sense."
"Mr. Ash helps wild Pokémon for free. This is basically them returning the favor."
"Being able to catch a rare Pokémon like Bulbasaur... that's what you call good deeds being rewarded!"
"Exactly!"
"No wonder!"
"..."
"..."
After hearing the story, the Trainers' envy faded considerably.
In its place came admiration.
After all, Ash hadn't acquired Bulbasaur through special connections or privileged access as the Light of Kanto, the League's Future Champion, or the Number One Seed Talent.
He had earned the opportunity through his own actions.
And when people really thought about it...
Everything Ash had today had been obtained through his own efforts.
Pichu had been caught by himself.
Froakie had been earned as a reward for outstanding performance at Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp.
Pidgey and Spearow had been caught in the wild.
The shiny Magikarp and shiny Feebas had been gifts from the Tsuchihara Family as compensation and goodwill following the Magikarp + Tackle business arrangement.
Even Bulbasaur had been personally caught by him.
If anyone wanted to point to Pokémon Ash had received through League privilege, there were probably only the Rotom he owned and the second Rotom he had acquired for Melanie.
Furthermore, aside from Greninja, Bulbasaur, and the two shiny Pokémon, most of Ash's team consisted of extremely ordinary species.
Pikachu.
Pidgeot.
Fearow.
All of them had become powerful because Ash trained them exceptionally well.
Anyone who seriously studied Ash's growth and achievements would eventually realize something:
His success wasn't built on privilege.
It was built on hard work.
As a result, many people who initially disliked talented prodigies or wealthy Trainers often ended up becoming his fans.
At that moment, the leather-jacketed teenager spoke up again.
"Oh right."
"You were looking for a Pokémon between Level 10 and Level 15 for Bulbasaur to battle, right?"
"I happen to have one."
"My Pokémon is a Beedrill."
"It has a type advantage against Bulbasaur."
"Would that be okay?"
Ash immediately grinned.
"Of course."
"That's not a problem at all."
"I brought Bulbasaur here to gain battle experience."
"Not to farm experience points by beating weaker Pokémon with unfavorable matchups."
"And besides…"
"Battles always involve wins and losses."
"If you win, don't get arrogant."
"If you lose, don't get discouraged."
"As Pokémon Trainers, nobody in this world is undefeated forever."
Ash waved his hand casually.
The leather-jacketed boy's eyes lit up.
"Well said!"
"If that's how you feel, then let's do it."
"My Beedrill will be Bulbasaur's first opponent."
"Sounds good."
Ash nodded.
Together, they walked toward an empty battlefield nearby.
Pikachu and Greninja moved to the sidelines to watch.
Meanwhile, Bulbasaur stepped forward onto the battlefield under Ash's guidance.
Its heart began pounding faster.
Its very first battle as Ash's Pokémon...
Was finally about to begin.