In the depths of Viridian Forest, a chance encounter—and a simple act of kindness—changes everything.
Viridian Forest.
At this moment, Ash had already been lost in the forest for two full days.
Originally, he had planned to head straight to Viridian City to challenge the Gym. But not long after leaving home, a violent rainstorm began to pour down. In his rush to find shelter, Ash ran deep into the forest.
Unfortunately, he accidentally disturbed a Weedle.
Which promptly led to an entire swarm of Beedrill chasing him.
Ash had intended to let Froakie battle them. With Froakie's strength, dealing with a wild swarm shouldn't have been a problem.
But to his disbelief, Froakie refused to come out of its Poké Ball.
With no other choice, Ash ran deeper and deeper into the forest to escape the Beedrill. By the time he finally shook them off, he realized something far worse.
He had no idea where he was anymore.
Still, Ash only panicked for a short while before calming down.
Because panicking wouldn't help.
Besides, he was fairly familiar with Viridian Forest. When he was younger, he often came here to play, so he knew roughly where food sources and water could be found. As long as he could keep himself fed, finding a way out was only a matter of time.
Once he figured that out, Ash shifted his focus to something else.
Catching Pokémon.
Viridian Forest was the largest forest in the entire Kanto region, home to all kinds of Pokémon. At the very least, Ash hoped to catch one or two before leaving.
Otherwise, when he reached the Gym, he might not even have a single Pokemonto battle with.
After all—
Froakie completely ignored his commands.
But that created a problem.
To catch a Pokémon, he needed to battle it.
To battle it, he needed a Pokémon.
But he didn't have a Pokemonthat would listen to him.
And so…
The problem formed a perfect loop.
"Please, Froakie! Just once! Help me defeat that Pidgey!"
Ash was practically on the verge of kneeling.
"Froa."
Froakie simply lounged on a rock, basking comfortably in the sunlight. In response to Ash's desperate plea, it casually waved one hand as if to say:
Your problem, you solve it.
"Ugh!"
Seeing Froakie's attitude, Ash gave up on the idea of asking for help. Looking at the Pidgey pecking at the ground nearby, a determined expression slowly crept onto his face.
"Fine. I'll catch a Pokemoneven without you."
Ash dropped flat against the ground and crawled quietly through the grass, doing his best to hide his presence.
His eyes locked onto the Pidgey.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He crept closer and closer.
When he was finally within range, Ash raised his hips slightly, his legs coiling with energy.
His eyes sharpened.
Then—
He lunged forward.
Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey!
"Pidgey!"
The sudden movement startled the Pidgey. Seeing Ash's massive shadow descending on it, the little bird flapped its wings frantically.
Just as Ash's hands were about to grab it—
Pidgey shot into the sky at the last possible moment.
THUD!
Ash slammed headfirst into a rock.
"Hisss! That hurts!"
He sucked in a sharp breath, rubbing his head desperately as a large bump quickly formed.
But that wasn't the most depressing part.
Looking up at the Pidgey flying farther and farther away, Ash let out a long sigh.
"Sigh… Am I really not going to catch a single Pokémon?"
He glanced around.
To be honest, there were plenty of Pokemonnearby: Caterpie, Rattata, Pidgey, Oddish… all extremely common Pokémon.
If Froakie would just listen to him, Ash could probably catch them all easily.
But reality didn't come with ifs.
Looking over at Froakie lazily sunbathing, Ash sighed again.
"What am I supposed to do…"
"Froa."
Froakie glanced sideways at him.
Of course it understood Ash's predicament.
But first—these weak Pokemondidn't spark Froakie's fighting spirit.
And second—
It hadn't yet acknowledged Ash as its Trainer.
It didn't believe this human could properly command it.
Froakie soon looked away.
Its stomach rumbled slightly.
Hungry.
It hopped down from the rock and looked around before bouncing off toward a nearby direction.
"Froakie? Where are you going?"
Seeing this, Ash quickly followed.
Soon he saw Froakie stop beneath a large tree heavy with berries.
With a powerful leap, Froakie landed on a branch. Its arms blurred with incredible speed.
A moment later—
More than a dozen berries rained down to the ground.
"So you were hungry."
Watching Froakie happily eating, Ash rubbed his own stomach.
"Come to think of it… I'm kind of hungry too."
"Oh right, Froakie—wait here!"
Ash suddenly dashed into the forest.
Froakie glanced curiously at his retreating figure but soon lost interest and continued eating.
Before long, Ash returned.
This time his arms were piled high with berries.
After two days together, Froakie had already realized Ash possessed unusually strong athletic ability, so seeing him gather so many berries in such a short time didn't surprise it.
But just as Froakie was about to continue eating—
A hand suddenly appeared in front of it.
Froakie looked up.
Ash was holding a handful of brightly colored berries.
"You like sweeter berries, right?" Ash said with a grin. "I've tried these before—they're pretty sweet. You should try them too."
"..."
Froakie quietly stared at the berries.
Then it reached out and accepted them.
"Froa."
It gave a short cry of thanks.
"Hehe."
Ash sat down on the ground beside it, clearly delighted by the response, and began eating his own berries.
Before long, Froakie pushed several freshly cut berries toward him.
"Huh? For me? A return gift?"
Ash looked surprised.
But Froakie had already turned its back.
"Well then, I won't refuse." Ash smiled and tossed one into his mouth. "Thanks. These are really good."
"Froa…"
With that, the two quietly continued their simple lunch.
Soon, however—
Rustling sounds came from the nearby bushes.
Both of them looked over.
A small figure emerged.
"…Pikachu?"
Ash tilted his head.
It certainly looked like Pikachu.
But somehow…
It felt more like something wearing a Pikachu costume.
"Mimi."
The strange Pokemonswayed slightly as it stared straight at the pile of berries.
Clearly, it had been attracted by the smell.
"Are you hungry too?" Ash waved at it. "Come eat with us."
"Mimi…"
The "Pikachu" hesitated.
But sensing no hostility from Ash, it cautiously approached.
"Here."
Ash handed it a berry.
"Mimi."
The Pokemoncarefully accepted it.
From beneath the ragged Pikachu disguise, two small black claws emerged. It sniffed the berry first.
Then it took a bite.
Instantly—
Its eyes lit up.
It began devouring the berry eagerly.
"Easy there, easy! There's plenty more."
Ash pushed a small pile toward it before pulling out his Pokédex and scanning it.
Beep.
"Mimikyu. The Disguise Pokémon. To avoid being feared by others, it wears a rag that resembles Pikachu. However, this disguise only makes it more unsettling. Anyone who exposes its true form will never be forgiven, and Mimikyu will pursue revenge even at the cost of its own life."
"So it's not Pikachu after all…"
Ash wasn't even sure what tone he used to say that.
Looking at the Pokédex entry, curiosity flashed across his face.
"I've never seen this Pokemonbefore. Is it from another region?"
Beep.
"Mimikyu originates from the Alola region."
"Alola, huh… never heard of that place either."
Ash looked over at Mimikyu.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Hey… Mimikyu. Would you like to travel with me?"
"Mimi?"
Mimikyu tilted its head, clearly confused.
Why travel with you?
"Haha… yeah, that was kind of sudden." Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry about that."
He had heard stories of Trainers befriending Pokemonwithout battling them first.
He had hoped he might manage the same.
Apparently not.
Ash glanced at Froakie.
Then quickly looked away.
Do I really have to battle it myself?
He sighed.
Pulling out an empty Poké Ball, he stared at it absentmindedly.
"Sigh…"
He tossed the ball casually aside.
"No way that would work anyway… catching something in a single throw."
Click… click…
Ding—!
Ash froze.
He slowly turned his head.
The Poké Ball he had tossed was sitting on the ground.
Not shaking anymore.
"...Huh?"
Ash blinked.
Then his face changed dramatically.
"HUH?!"
He scrambled over on hands and knees and picked up the Poké Ball.
It felt heavier.
Which meant—
He had successfully caught a Pokémon.
"I… actually caught one?"
Ash stared in disbelief.
"Wait… does that mean…"
"Do I have talent for catching Pokémon?!"
Muttering to himself, he grabbed another Poké Ball.
His eyes locked onto a Caterpie resting on a nearby leaf.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Whoosh!
Direct hit.
Click… click…
Ding!
Capture successful.
"It worked again…"
Ash stood there stunned.
Then his excitement exploded.
"I really do have talent!"
Instantly fired up, he pulled out every Poké Ball he had.
"Alright! Let's catch as many as we can!"
Ash scanned the forest intensely.
Any rustle in the bushes—
Throw!
"Here you go!"
Ding!
Capture successful.
"Here you go!"
Ding!
Capture successful.
"Here you go!"
Diiiiing—
Before long, Ash had caught seven or eight Pokémon.
He was practically vibrating with excitement.
"This is amazing! I'm a Pokémon-catching genius! Maybe I should just catch every Pokemonin the forest—"
"Marill!"
Suddenly, something grabbed his pant leg.
Ash looked down.
A Marill was clinging tightly to him, desperately tugging backward.
"…Oh."
He remembered.
He had just caught that Marill.
Ash slowly lifted his head and looked into the forest.
Rattata.
Butterfree.
Nidoran.
They were all watching him.
Their expressions seemed… sad.
Probably because he had caught their friends.
The smile on Ash's face slowly faded.
He looked down at the Poké Balls in his hands.
After a moment of silence—
He threw them all.
Flash.
Every Pokemonappeared.
"I'm sorry."
Ash lowered the brim of his cap.
"You should go back."
Then he released them all.
The Pokemondidn't understand his words, but they could feel the restraints placed on them had vanished.
Their faces brightened.
They quickly reunited with their companions, preparing to leave happily—
"Wait."
Ash suddenly called out.
The Pokemonturned back.
Pointing to the remaining pile of berries, Ash smiled.
"You're all hungry, right? Take these berries. Think of it as my apology."
The Pokemonimmediately locked onto the berries.
After receiving Ash's permission, they rushed forward excitedly and began eating happily.
Watching them enjoy themselves, Ash smiled faintly.
"Froa?"
Froakie stood beside him, tilting its head in confusion.
"You're asking why I released them?" Ash rubbed his nose. "It's nothing… I just felt that bonds without feelings aren't really for me."
Then he turned without hesitation.
"Let's go, Froakie."
"Froa…"
This time, Froakie didn't act stubborn.
It quietly followed beside him.
"Mimi, mimi."
After only a few steps, Ash suddenly heard a familiar voice near his feet.
"Huh?"
He looked down.
Sure enough, Mimikyu was walking beside him.
"What's wrong, Mimikyu? Still hungry?"
"Mimi, mimi."
Mimikyu shook its head.
Then it looked up at him.
Ash blinked.
Realization flashed across his face.
"Wait… do you want to come with me?"
"Mimi, mimi."
Mimikyu nodded.
Follow you.
Eat full.
No hungry.
"That's awesome!"
Ash quickly took out a Poké Ball and held it in front of Mimikyu.
"Then let's work well together from now on!"
"Mimi."
Mimikyu reached forward and pressed the button.
Flash.
The Poké Ball closed.
It shook twice.
Then stopped.
Ding—
Hearing that familiar capture sound, something changed in Ash's eyes.
This time…
It felt completely different.
This—
This was the kind of capture he wanted.
Ash couldn't suppress the grin spreading across his face.
"I caught Mimikyu!"
He shouted joyfully into the forest.
"Froa."
Beside him, Froakie casually picked at its ear and looked away with clear disdain.
Hmph.
He's this excited just for catching a glutton.
This human is hopeless.
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