"Sorry, Pikachu, I just got this power not long ago, and I couldn't control my strength for a moment. How do you feel now?" Ash apologized to the slowly waking Pikachu, his words full of sincere regret.
He truly hadn't expected that his Wave Bomb, which he used with less than ten percent of his power, would directly knock out Pikachu!
Ash had originally thought of all sorts of tactics, but it was over before it even began!
He didn't know if Pikachu was too weak, or if he was too strong.
"Pika, Pika…" Are you really human?
"What are you talking about! Of course I'm human! A genuine human, alright! I just gained a little special ability, that's all." Ash rolled his eyes.
"Pikachu!" Your special ability is too outrageous!
"Hehe, just so-so, third in the world~ Now you can admit that I'm your Trainer, right?"
"Pika." A bet is a bet.
Although Pikachu was a bit unruly, he was indeed an honest and trustworthy good mouse. Since Ash had defeated him head-on, he had nothing more to say.
Just like that, Ash finally officially captured his first Pokémon.
Other people's initial Pokémon could be used as soon as they got them, but only Ash needed to put on a real-life PK with his Pokémon to gain the initial Pokémon's approval.
"Since you've become my Pokémon, come back into the Poké Ball. Other people's Pokémon all go back into their Poké Balls." Ash said, taking out Pikachu's Poké Ball.
"Pika, Pika!!" Pikachu shook his head frantically. Even without Aura Power, Ash could understand what Pikachu meant—he just didn't want to go into the Poké Ball!
For other Trainers, this kind of behavior is generally not allowed. It's fine to occasionally let a Pokémon stay outside, but it's quite troublesome to always carry one outside.
But Ash was different. After hearing Pikachu's thoughts, he pondered for a moment and then nodded: "Alright, since you don't like going into the Poké Ball, then don't. I'll spray some Potion on you first. Good thing Mom gave me some."
Hearing this, Pikachu's tense expression softened slightly, and his gaze towards Ash became a few shades gentler.
Evidently, Ash's actions greatly increased Pikachu's favorability. Having been in the human world for so long, Pikachu also knew that there weren't many Trainers willing to let their Pokémon stay outside. Coincidentally, he met one.
It seems this Trainer isn't so difficult to accept after all. He's monstrously strong, kind to him, and respects his wishes… Thinking of this, Pikachu was no longer so resistant to obeying Ash's commands.
After Ash took out a Potion and gently sprayed it on Pikachu, Pikachu's injuries improved significantly.
This was a special Potion specifically for Pokémon. Although it hurt a bit at first, it was quite effective for Pokémon's recovery.
Only after Pikachu had recovered a lot did Ash continue his journey to the next city.
On the way, Ash opened the chat group and asked what he should do next, since he had set the goal of defeating Dande, but he didn't know where to start.
[Champion Ash: ...If I remember correctly, after Pallet Town should be Viridian City. You should register in Viridian City first and participate in the Pokémon League Conference. As long as you can win the Indigo Plateau Conference, you'll have preliminary combat power.]
[Mengxin Xiaozhi: Huh? I have to win the Champion title to be considered to have preliminary combat power? That's so strict?]
After learning how to change his name, Ash also modified his name. In this group full of big shots, he chose to change his name to a new term he learned from the big shots—Mengxin!
It means a pitiful, weak, and helpless newcomer.
Although Ash had gained the ability of Bo Dao Yong Zhe Xiao Zhi, he was still a mess as a Trainer. He still had many, many things to learn from the group.
[Champion Ash: Emm, in my impression, the Indigo Plateau Conference is indeed a relatively weak conference, because the Indigo Plateau Conference only allows Trainers who have traveled for less than two years to participate in the competition. It's a special conference for newcomers, I guess.]
[Champion Ash: But those are the rules on my side. I'm not sure if the rules on your side will change, but the League Conference definitely exists. If you want a short-term goal, aim for the League Champion title. After you get the League Champion title, then think about the next step.]
[Breeder Ash: If you have nothing else to do, you can also learn breeding techniques! If you don't understand, ask me in the group, I can teach you!]
[Gorgeous Contest Ash: You really are crazy about recruiting newcomers…]
[Bo Dao Yong Zhe Xiao Zhi: Hehe, let him be. After all, there are only a few people in the entire group who can discuss breeding knowledge with him, and they often don't show up. Now that he finally caught a newcomer with no foundation, of course he wants to lure him in.]
[Tactical Master Ash: But to be fair, what he said about breeding is not wrong. If you want to stand at the pinnacle, breeding is an indispensable skill. Unless you have a dedicated Breeder assisting you, otherwise you should still learn some breeding knowledge.]
[Mengxin Xiaozhi: I understand! Then I'll go to Viridian City first! See you all later!]
[Champion Ash: Wait a moment, if you encounter wild Pokémon on the way, whether you want to catch them or not, you can fight them casually. The improvement of Pokémon, in addition to daily breeding, also comes from the accumulation of combat experience. The more they fight, theoretically, the faster their level will increase.]
[Champion Ash: But combat is not everything. It only accounts for some proportion. Daily feeding, breeding, companionship, and teaching are all indispensable. You can learn a lot by checking the group daily.]
[Mengxin Xiaozhi: I understand!]
Ash silently kept everyone's words in mind, then exited the chat group.
Ash had originally thought of using Pikachu to capture two more Pokémon before reaching Viridian City, but now it seemed he should focus on training Pikachu first.
His relationship with Pikachu was only average, and Pikachu's level didn't seem very high. It would be better to train Pikachu first, and then go and capture a second and more Pokémon.
"Let's go, Pikachu, I'll take you to level up!"
"Pikachu?" Pikachu tilted his head, looking puzzled.
In his opinion, Ash closed and opened his eyes, and then suddenly, full of fighting spirit, said he wanted to take him to level up, which seemed like he had a split personality. But considering that Ash could understand what he was saying, Pikachu ultimately only chose to express his incomprehension.
"Level up, challenge Gyms, stand at the pinnacle of the world! Charge!" Ash said, rushing out first. Pikachu showed a bewildered expression behind him, then followed closely.