I am Ash Ketchum.
A transmigrator who just arrived last night.
Now, I am about to take the first step of my Pokémon journey.
It feels like it's going to be super dangerous =_=.
"...The time is now 9:00 AM."
"That's about right."
Ash remembered the notification said 8:00 AM.
Going at 9:00 certainly means being late.
However, being late isn't a huge deal.
Arriving early or late, the only difference is the quantity of Pokémon to choose from.
Go early, and the selection range is wider.
Go late, and you only get what others picked over.
"Ash, Mom believes in you." Mom's eyes were brimming with tears.
"Honestly, I told you to get a good rest, but you stayed up looking at so much data last night."
Mom was aware that Ash had been up late checking the computer.
It moved her deeply; she felt like her child had truly grown up.
So, when Ash started late this morning, she didn't rush him.
"Mom has already prepared everything for you."
"Be safe on the road, and don't be afraid to spend money."
"If you run into any problems, you can always contact Mom~"
"..." Mom started nagging incessantly.
"Don't worry~ Don't worry~" Ash shouldered the backpack Mom handed him.
There really was quite a lot of luggage in there.
"Get along well with your partner!" Mom bent down and kissed Ash on the forehead, "And, you must stay safe."
"(｡◝ᴗ◜｡)" Ash narrowed his eyes; it actually felt quite nice.
Bidding farewell to Mom.
Ash ran towards Professor Oak's Laboratory.
He arrived at the Oak Research Lab very quickly.
"Professor!"
"I'm coming in!"
Professor Oak, full name Samuel Oak.
He was once the first Champion of the Kanto League.
Currently, he has laid down his arms for the pen, changing careers to become a Pokémon Professor.
Because he obtained the title of Honorary Professor at the top-tier institution—Celadon University—at the age of 25.
Professor Oak's students, former subordinates, and old colleagues are spread across the entire Pokémon academic world. He is the most accomplished and highest-status scholar among living Pokémon researchers.
Entering Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Morning light slanted into the slightly messy vestibule, the air mixed with the scent of book ink and the faint sweetness of some Berry.
"You're a bit late, Ash." Professor Oak's voice came from behind the main experiment table, which was piled high with books and instruments. "The three rookie Trainers, Gary and the others, left with their partners an hour ago."
Here it comes!
Ash's heart gave a violent thump, suppressing the surging excitement: "Huh? No way, right? Professor!"
"Is there really not a single one left? Bulbasaur? Charmander? Squirtle?"
Saying this, Ash had already spotted the three Poké Balls behind Professor Oak.
Theoretically, Professor Oak knew the number of Trainers setting out.
So, the situation of having 4 rookies but only preparing three Pokémon was impossible.
The only possibility was that Professor Oak did it on purpose.
"These three Poké Balls are all empty." Professor Oak followed Ash's gaze: "Regrettably, the last Bulbasaur was taken ten minutes ago."
"However, I do have one more here~"
"It's just a bit special."
Professor Oak placed his hand on the instrument, and from beneath the center of the three Poké Balls, another Poké Ball slowly rose up.
Obviously, this one was hidden quite secretly.
"A bit special?" Ash's voice held a hint of doubt.
"Yes." Professor Oak's expression became a bit more serious.
"This child is much stronger than the average Pokémon."
"To be honest, I wanted to observe and study it for a while longer, but since you're here..."
"As a child of Pallet Town, perhaps you can get along well with it."
"It is Pikachu." Professor Oak opened the Poké Ball in his hand, and with a flash of red light, Pikachu appeared.
"Pika?" Pikachu looked doubtfully at the boy before him, Ash.
"Hello, Pikachu." Ash began to introduce himself to Pikachu.
"I will be your Trainer." Suppressing his inner excitement, Ash was now extremely hyper.
At the very least, it was certain that the start of this world hadn't changed much.
Ash's partner was still Pikachu.
Now he needed to establish a formal Trainer relationship, and then check Pikachu's status through the system.
Ash recalled Professor Oak saying just now that this Pikachu was a bit special.
Now he needed to determine if this was the true 'Pika-God'~
"Pika?" Pikachu looked at Professor Oak.
Compared to the strange Ash, Pikachu currently trusted Professor Oak more; after all, they had spent some time together.
"Yes, Pikachu." Professor Oak said with a smile, "Can you try to accept this child?"
"Pikachu~ Please let me be your Trainer!" Ash stared straight into Pikachu's eyes.
Sight holds power; it can convey a sincere gaze.
Ash felt that his current gaze was filled with burning sincerity.
"Pika..." Pikachu felt a bit embarrassed being looked at by Ash like that.
What kind of look was this?
What a nakedly intense look?!
Pikachu: Gwah—Don't look at me like that!
"Do you want to come in? Pikachu?" Ash took the Poké Ball from Professor Oak's hand.
Anyway, try it first.
After all, the Pika-God really hated being put inside a Poké Ball.
"Pika!" Pikachu suddenly got agitated.
"Pika Pika!" It really didn't want to be locked inside a Poké Ball.
"Then let's make a promise, Pikachu!" Ash decided to change his approach.
"Please give me a chance to trust me."
"I will prove to you that I won't lock you in a Poké Ball in the future."
"So, I want to put you in the Poké Ball and then release you immediately."
"This will be our ritual as partners!"
Ash tried to negotiate.
"...Pika?" Pikachu felt it could give Ash a proper amount of trust.
As a sprite of the Oak Research Lab, and as the Pokémon portion for a rookie Trainer, it knew the basic common sense.
And... if you don't keep your word, don't blame me for coming out to shock you~~
That's what Pikachu thought.
Accompanied by a flash of red light, Pikachu was collected into the Poké Ball by Ash.
At the same time, Pikachu's attribute table appeared in front of Ash.
[Partner Pikachu]
[Level: 5]
[Nature: Bashful]
[Ability: Lightning Rod]
[Moves: Volt Tackle LV1, Zippy Zap LV1, Thunder Shock LV1, Growl LV1, Tail Whip LV1]
...Partner Pikachu?
Sure enough, it's not a normal Pikachu!!
Good on you, you wide-eyed, thick-browed Samuel Oak, you were waiting for me right here!
"Partner~ From now on, we are companions~" Ash released Pikachu again.
"Pi~Ka~" Seeing Ash fulfill the agreement to release him, Pikachu felt it could trust him appropriately.
"Very good!" Professor Oak nodded with gratification, turning to get the Pokédex and Poké Balls. "Remember, Pokémon are our partners; treat them with sincerity. Here are your Pokédex and empty Poké Balls..."
"Then I'm getting ready to set off! Professor!" Ash held the Pokédex and Poké Balls.
There was an exclamation mark in the upper left corner of his vision.
[Achievement: First Journey Departure · Completed]
[Reward: Light Ball LV30]
[Effect: When held by a Pikachu under Level 30, Attack and Sp. Atk are doubled. Above Level 30, it only maintains the bonus from Level 30.]
_____
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