Ash's luck was honestly absurd.
He'd drawn so many times, yet had never gotten a D-rank, his lowest reward was always C-rank, and he'd already pulled a mountain of A-ranks along with two S-ranks.
And within those ranks, Tokiwa Power was practically the pinnacle of A-rank abilities.
It even surpassed Insight Eye, his previous A-rank ability.
To explain, Insight Eye was a high-level observation skill derived from Breeder Ash's training and intuition. It allowed him to instantly gauge a Pokémon's basic information, strength, and even visualize its potential and learned moves in his mind.
Ordinary Gym Leaders like Misty and Brock could judge a Pokémon's approximate strength through experience, but to perceive potential and move data directly? That was beyond normal human capability.
However, Tokiwa Power wasn't something one could train for. Whether Aura or Insight Eye, they came from potential within Ash himself, but Tokiwa Power could only be obtained by those chosen by the Viridian Forest.
Wild King Ash had gotten his Tokiwa Power purely by luck. Training for it on his own? Impossible.
Ash (Newbie): So, how much can my A-rank Tokiwa Power actually do?
Ash (Wild King): Everything I mentioned earlier, communication, healing, soothing emotions, and connecting with nature, but it can't heal or influence God-tier beings. That's a bit beyond A-rank limits. Still, you can affect most Pokémon and even some Legendaries slightly.
Ash (Wild King): Also, in the wild, it's extremely useful. You can gather the natural energy of the surroundings and channel it into your Pokémon, temporarily boosting their power. That's why I took the title "Wild King."
Ash (Wild King): In official battles, I wouldn't say I'm invincible, but in the wilderness? My Pokémon are absolute kings.
Originally, he'd been known as "King of the Forest," but since that overlapped with "Grass King Ash," he changed his title to Wild King.
In his world, there was also a Leon, and if Wild King Ash fought Leon in an arena, the odds would be fifty-fifty. But in the wild? Ninety-ten in his favor.
That was the power of Tokiwa, and the reason for his title.
Ash (Newbie): I get it. Thanks, Seniors. Oh, and one more thing, what exactly is MEGA's Guidance?
Ash (Evolutionary): Wait, you drew MEGA's Guidance? That's A-rank too, right? No way! How many times have you drawn?!
Ash (Newbie): Twice.
Ash (Aura Hero): …
Ash (Champion): …
Ash (Fishing): …
That single word, twice, left the entire chat in stunned silence.
This newbie really was blessed by the universe itself. He was like Fishing Ash's natural enemy, the chosen one born to torment him!
Ash (Fishing): Seriously, if I didn't know you were genuinely clueless, I'd swear you were trolling me on purpose. When you unlock the Arena, we're fighting!
Ash (Newbie): Uh… sure thing, Senior! I'll be counting on your guidance then. By the way, what level are your Pokémon?
Ash (Fishing): Oh, nothing special, just a full team of Champions. I can't compare to the higher versions of me, like the Champion one. He's got God-tier Pokémon, ordinary Pokémon that he trained to that level!
Ash (Newbie): Ordinary Pokémon… evolved into God-tier? That's insane.
Ash (Champion): Heh, you think that's crazy? That's me! The one who can raise normal Pokémon to stand beside gods. After my Charizard Mega Evolves, it can even go toe-to-toe with Legendaries like Ho-Oh.
Ash (Newbie): Mega Evolution? Is that another kind of evolution? And what does it have to do with this "MEGA's Guidance" I drew?
Ash immediately asked the moment he saw the unfamiliar term appear.
Ash (Champion): Wait, your world doesn't have Mega Evolution? Or do you just not know about the system yet?
Ash (Newbie): Uh… Although I didn't know much before, after traveling for over a month, I've learned a lot from the internet, newspapers, and other Trainers. But really, I've never seen or heard anything about MEGA Evolution.
Ash (Champion): Then do you know about Dynamax, Z-Moves, or Terastallization?
Ash (Newbie): Uh… I know the first one, I've maybe seen the second term somewhere, and I've never heard of the third one.
Out of the three systems the Champion mentioned, Ash only knew about one: Dynamax.
As Leon's signature battle system, Dynamax was practically legendary! It let Pokémon grow to gigantic size, increasing their power and changing their moves.
But Dynamax could only be used in the Galar Region, it required a unique local energy that wasn't present elsewhere. That's why the Masters Eight tournament had been hosted there: so Leon could fully utilize his signature system.
However, all the Masters Eight had Dynamax Bands, so it wasn't entirely a home-field advantage. And honestly, even without Dynamax, Leon was still considered the strongest Trainer in the world.
After all, in the finals, Leon defeated all six of his opponent's Pokémon while only losing four of his own, a display of overwhelming power.
Ash (Champion): Only Dynamax, huh? That means your world's development might be behind… or you just haven't discovered the other systems yet.
Ash (Champion): Z-Moves are exclusive to the Alola Region, so it's normal that you don't know much about them. Terastallization is a power unique to the Paldea Region, so not hearing of it is also understandable. But MEGA Evolution can be used anywhere. If there's no trace of it in your world, it probably hasn't been fully researched or discovered yet.
Among the four major systems, MEGA Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastallization, only MEGA Evolution has no regional restriction.
Dynamax and Terastallization can only be performed within their respective regions. Z-Moves, while usable anywhere, can only be obtained through Z-Crystals and Z-Rings found in Alola.
By contrast, while the Key Stones and Mega Stones needed for MEGA Evolution are most commonly found in the Kalos Region, they've also appeared in other places, and their use isn't limited by geography.
So if MEGA Evolution existed in Ash's world, he definitely would've heard about it by now. The only logical explanation was that MEGA Evolution hadn't been developed yet.
Ash (Newbie): Uh… Yeah, I really haven't heard the term "MEGA Evolution." And… what's the Paldea Region? That doesn't exist in my world either.
Ash (Champion): Not even discovered Paldea yet? Looks like your world's progress is still a bit behind, so it's not too surprising MEGA Evolution isn't around yet.
Ash (Newbie): Then… what exactly is MEGA Evolution? And what's this "MEGA's Guidance" I drew from the lottery?
Ash (Evolutionary): MEGA Evolution refers to a temporary, advanced evolution that certain Pokémon can achieve after reaching their final form. It not only gives them a massive power boost but also enhances their species traits, basically turning them into super versions of themselves for a short time.
Ash (Newbie): Evolution after the final evolution… That sounds amazing!
Ash (Evolutionary): It is amazing, but it's also not something just anyone can use. The conditions are even stricter than your Aura Fusion.
First, MEGA Evolution requires two special items: a Key Stone for the Trainer, and a Mega Stone for the Pokémon. Then, the Trainer and Pokémon must have an exceptionally deep bond, only when their hearts resonate perfectly can they trigger MEGA Evolution.
Ash (Evolutionary): The purpose of MEGA's Guidance is similar to your S-rank ability, Chosen One's Radiance, but instead of leading you to special Pokémon, it guides you toward rare items, specifically, items related to MEGA Evolution.
Ash (Newbie): Items for MEGA Evolution!!!
Just moments ago, Ash had been daydreaming about MEGA Evolution, imagining how incredible it would be to make a Pokémon evolve beyond its final stage.
He could already picture it, battling with Gastly, on the verge of defeat, and then suddenly… BAM! MEGA EVOLUTION! total reversal! A dramatic comeback!
Who cared about the details? Just the moment alone would be enough to make him look cool!
But since MEGA Evolution didn't exist in his world yet, Ash had no idea when he'd actually be able to use it.
And then, Evolutionary Ash told him that this new, one-time ability he'd drawn could guide him to find MEGA Evolution items. How could he not be excited?!
Ash (Miner): This ability sounds a lot like mine. I've always had a special sense for ores, rare stones, Evolution ites, MEGA Stones, Key Stones… all of them fall within my sensing range. In my world, I'm actually pretty popular because I've collected all sorts of rare ore items that others desperately want.
Ash (Miner): Anyway, your MEGA's Guidance probably works like my ability. When I'm traveling, sometimes I'll just feel that something valuable is nearby, and more often than not, it turns out to be true.
Ash (Miner): Of course, that feeling isn't always reliable. Sometimes I'll walk right past a rare stone and feel nothing. That's why I started studying geology and terrain types where rare ores tend to appear. Eventually, I didn't need to rely on instinct anymore, just knowledge.
That "instinct" was what had originally inspired the Miner Ash of that world to fall in love with mining. Through years of study and experience, he refined his craft, learned every geological sign of hidden treasures, and ultimately became the strongest Miner across all timelines.
Ash (Newbie): That... sounds so amazing. Do I really have that kind of potential?
Ash (Miner): Heh heh, don't doubt yourself. You're destined to become the most well-rounded Ash across the multiverse, someone who inherits all of our professions. Mining, battling, breeding, training… as long as you keep learning, finding rare ores will eventually be second nature.
Ash (Miner): Oh, and I'll let you in on a little secret. Once you're good at mining, you can sell training courses to a man named Steven Stone. He'll pay top dollar for them, you'll never have to worry about money for your journey again.
Ash (Newbie): Steven Stone? That name sounds familiar...
Ash (Newbie): Ah! He's the Champion of the Hoenn Region! Ranked third among the Masters Eight!
Ash (Miner): That's right. Champion or not, he can't beat me when it comes to ores. Anyway, about your MEGA's Guidance, if my guess is right, it's a form of sensory instinct. When you travel, you might suddenly get flashes of inspiration. Follow those, and you'll find MEGA Stones or Key Stones.
Ash (Miner): Whether you find one or both depends on luck. But judging by how absurd your luck's been so far, I'd bet you'll find both.
Miner Ash's tone was half teasing, half certain. With Newbie Ash's ridiculous lottery streak, there was no way he'd come up empty-handed.
Ash (Newbie): I understand. Thank you all for explaining everything.
After thanking the group, Ash exited the chat and returned to reality.
He and his friends were sitting at a café inside the mall, sipping juice. Ash leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. Misty and Brock assumed he was just tired after the day's battle, so they didn't disturb him.
When Ash opened his eyes again, Misty leaned forward, her expression full of concern.
"Hey, Ash, are you okay? Feeling better?"
"Huh? Uh…yeah, I'm fine now! I've recovered enough. We can keep going!"
It took him a moment to realize she thought he'd been resting from exhaustion, and he quickly went along with it, pretending he'd just been taking a short break.
After reassuring Misty, Ash focused inward, sensing the new power flowing within him.
The feeling of Tokiwa Power was similar to Aura, it resonated within his body, gentle yet vast.
Although A-rank abilities didn't come with manuals, Ash had learned how to handle special powers before. He wasn't the clueless rookie he used to be.
He might not have mastered it yet, but he could at least activate it.
...
Bonus@150 PS