Could Team Rocket really be good guys? Haha, no way!
It's just that they might have this knack for always causing backfires, so their chaos always ends up helping.
Ash shook his head, tossing aside those absurd thoughts, then took out a Pokeball and gently tapped it on Squirtle's head.
The Pokeball absorbed Squirtle, shook twice gently, and then made a crisp sound.
"I caught a Squirtle!!"
"Pika Pika!"
"La loo la loo~~"
It was the classic capture phrase, but this time Squirtle was Ash's seventh Pokemon. Professor Oak had set it so that when he had more than six Pokemon, the newest one would automatically be sent to Oak's Research Institute.
If the Pokedex wasn't used to change the transfer, it defaults to sending the most recently captured Pokemon.
So after striking a pose, Ash quickly took out his Pokedex, made some settings, and sent Butterfree back.
For now, Butterfree's progress in the team had slowed down, so sending it back to Oak's Research Institute to be nurtured for a while might help it improve more quickly.
After sending Butterfree back, Ash released Squirtle again. He couldn't just leave immediately after capturing it; at least let Squirtle say goodbye to its little pals.
...
After Ash released Squirtle, Squirtle started communicating with its little pals, while Misty and Brock, unable to understand what Squirtle was saying, watched them gesturing in bewilderment.
Ash's expression grew stranger, and he whispered to Brock and Misty, "If these Squirtles want to become your Pokemon, would you want them?"
Misty: !!!
"Need you… even ask? Of course!" Misty exclaimed excitedly, her voice breaking, but under Ash's 'shush' gesture, her voice quickly lowered.
When she saw Ash catch Squirtle, a part of her was quite envious.
Throughout their journey, she saw quite a few Pokemon, but hadn't caught a single one.
On one hand, they weren't Water Type Pokemon, and on the other, they weren't particularly cute.
The only one she wanted to catch was Clefairy on Moon Mountain, but since Clefairy had its own clan, she didn't want to separate it from family, so she gave up on the idea.
This led to her long journey without capturing any Pokemon.
Seeing Squirtle, of course she wanted to catch it, but the lead Squirtle followed Ash, and as for the other Squirtles that stayed together, she had no thoughts about them.
But now, Ash actually asked this question. Does this mean the chance to catch Squirtle is real?!
Brock also showed an intrigued expression because Ash wasn't asking just Misty, but both of them.
"What are the Squirtles saying?" Brock asked.
"Squirtle's boss says life outside is rough, and he can let me tell you to capture them, at least give them a home. Otherwise, without him here, he'd worry about his little pals."
Ash's words were delightful to hear for both of them. What a lucky break?!
After hanging out with Ash for so long, did they also get a share of his luck?
Today they could catch a Three Starter with Ash; if it works out, it really would be a stroke of luck!
"Squirtle Squirtle!" After Squirtle finished talking with its little pals, it came back to continue gesturing to Ash.
Ash squatted down, placing his palm on Squirtle's round head, gently stroking it and smiling, "No need for so many gestures, I understand you. You want your little pals to join us, right?"
Squirtle was taken aback, its face still puzzled, but nodded hurriedly.
Humans understanding Pokemon language, he hasn't heard of that... It seems this Trainer isn't only of good character, but also quite capable!
"All my partners are more than willing to take them in. They'll choose two Squirtle as their Pokemon, and as for the remaining little pals... they'll be sent to Professor Oak to be taken care of. Professor Oak's a great person, he…"
Ash briefly described Professor Oak and the environment of Oak's Research Institute. It was far better than wandering outside.
Moreover, with two of the four Squirtle pals being caught by Misty and Brock, the remaining two can't just stay outside, can they?
Five Squirtles traveling together already faced hardship. Losing their leader and two pals wouldn't be friendly to the remaining Squirtles.
So with Misty and Brock capturing two Squirtles, Ash had already planned the place for the remaining two — that's to leave them with Professor Oak.
With Professor Oak looking after them, he was reassured.
Eventually, the Squirtle leader agreed with Ash's idea and stepped aside, letting Misty and Brock choose one of the Squirtles as a partner.
Misty's face was filled with excitement, walking as if she were floating, choosing the Squirtle she had previously brought back for healing.
Though these Squirtles looked similar, there were minor distinctions, and Misty could recognize which was the one she had taken to heal.
Brock also picked one of the Squirtles. For a Rock Gym Leader to capture a Water Type Pokemon wasn't a big deal; who wouldn't want the rare and powerful Three Starter?
Finally, Ash put the remaining two Squirtles into Pokeballs, sending them back to Oak's Research Institute and explained the reason to Professor Oak via a phone call at the town.
Professor Oak assured that he'd arrange for the remaining two Squirtles, potentially giving them to promising Trainers as Starter Pokemon, or if not, keeping them in the backyard to nurture them well.
Thus, the events in this small town concluded, and after Ash and his friends spent a night there, they set off again early the next morning.
...
Two days later, the trio smoothly arrived in Vermilion City without losing their way again.
This incredibly long journey finally reached an end.
The entire trip, Misty walked with a breeze at her feet, a smile constantly on her face. Catching a Squirtle was an unparalleled joy for her mood.
Even when talking to Ash, her tone became softer because catching Squirtle this time was entirely thanks to Ash.
She used to only watch Ash's luck, never expecting to be swept along by it one day. So that's what luck feels like? It's amazing!
After catching Squirtle, Ash got into the group to learn about Squirtle's nurturing methods and was reminded he might have new draws.
Turns out, he did, and twice.
Once for capturing six Pokemon, providing another draw.
Once for achieving the accomplishment of collecting the Three Starter, granting another draw.
Ash used both draw opportunities right away, though this time his luck wasn't as good as before, only acquiring two B-grade abilities.
One ability was Cooking (B). Compared to the previously versatile Breeder, Cooking (B) only enhanced Ash's culinary skills.
But even this ability greatly advanced Ash's cooking prowess, almost catching up to Brock.
Brock even wondered why Ash's cooking skills had soared so high in the past two days, with previous inconsistencies now gone, even making some dishes unknown to him.
To this, Ash responded — Brock taught me well!
Pushing the blame had become Ash's norm.
The other B-grade ability was Speed Potential Max B, which Ash decided to give to Pikachu.
Partly because Pikachu made the greatest gains from such ability boosts, and partly because Pikachu, as his starter and strongest Pokemon, had already reached Advanced Peak level, making his trump card better was worthwhile.
With Ash bestowing the B-grade speed limit on Pikachu, Pikachu's speed potential remained an A, but its ability fluctuation improved from C—B+ to B—B+, raising the lower limit.