During the chat, the black screen gradually dimmed, while the white border brightened again.
It was evening, and Ash at home still hadn't gotten over the regret of missing the camping trip.
Curled up on his bed, with the smashed alarm clock still lying at the foot of it, Ash's face was full of grievances.
[Misty: Serves you right. Who told you to mess up something as simple as setting an alarm?]
[Ash: Hmph, being late isn't all bad. If I hadn't overslept that day, I never would've gotten Pikachu!]
[Pikachu: Pika Pika!]
[Professor Oak: Ahahaha, that's true, that's true. Ash does have a point.]
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, the Kangaskhan mother and child — along with the little Pichu — had returned safely to their group. Seeing them come back unharmed, their companions finally relaxed their worried hearts.
Time passed. One afternoon, heavy rain poured through the forest.
The Kangaskhan ran in groups toward their nest to avoid the storm. Among them, one Kangaskhan mother looked especially exhausted.
It wasn't that her strength was lacking — but she now had two babies to protect.
Sensing her distress, Pichu in the pouch tried to climb out, hoping to lighten her burden.
But as soon as its tiny feet touched the ground, the Kangaskhan mother immediately scooped Pichu back into her pouch.
The gentle, nurturing mother refused to show favoritism between her two children — even though Pichu was adopted.
Late that night, little Pichu quietly climbed out of the pouch again.
As it and the baby Kangaskhan grew, the pouch had become far too small to hold them both.
The moment Pichu climbed out, it noticed the mother and baby Kangaskhan sleeping more peacefully.
It was time to leave. Though reluctant, Pichu knew that if it stayed any longer, it would only become a burden. And a burden — it never wished to be.
Under the cover of night, Pichu took one last look at the mother and daughter. Its eyes were full of love and gratitude.
A full moon hung high in the branches, casting a gentle glow over the forest. Bathed in that soft light, Pichu shed tears of happiness.
"Pichu."
"Pikachu."
Under the moonlight, Pichu evolved into Pikachu.
[Meowth: So touching! It's too touching, meow! For the happiness of its mother and sister, that little Pichu chose to sacrifice itself. It's truly moving, meow!]
[James: Wuwuwu… yes, yes, little Pichu, you must be happy…]
[Jessie: You two idiots! But… doesn't that Pikachu look kinda familiar to you?]
[Professor Oak: So this is how wild Pichu evolve… It's not just through bonds with a Trainer, but also the friendship of companions and the love of family. This is a groundbreaking discovery — a great one!]
[Will: Hmm. That Pokémon's personality is to my liking. A shame it's just a Pikachu. If it were a Kangaskhan, I might've caught it.]
[Ash: What do you mean, 'just a Pikachu'? Are you looking down on Pikachu?!]
Ash's fiery temper flared immediately. Even if Will was a famous Trainer, Ash would never let anyone insult his partner.
[Will. I'm not insulting Pikachu — I'm just stating a fact. Pikachu's potential is usually quite ordinary. You're Pikachu's Trainer, right? If you're not convinced, challenge me. Defeat me, and I'll apologize to both you and Pikachu.]
[Ash: It's a deal! Pikachu and I will definitely beat you!]
[Will: Heh.]
Will clearly didn't take the challenge seriously. If Ash brought Latias, maybe he'd feel some pressure — but Pikachu? He scoffed at the idea.
[Lt. Surge: That guy's got a point. Pikachu's kind of weak. Kid, I've got spare Thunder Stones. If things get rough, just evolve your Pikachu into Raichu.]
[Misty: Hey! When did it become your turn to talk, you sore loser? Wasn't your Raichu already beaten to a pulp by Ash's Pikachu?]
[Lt. Surge: Hmph.]
Lt. Surge was immediately silenced.
[Elesa: Ash, I support you! Pikachu's potential depends on how you raise it. Go give that Will guy a good slap in the face!]
[Lance: I second that! There are no weak Pokémon — only weak Trainers.]
[Bruno: Will's been getting too arrogant lately. Ash, you'd better teach him a lesson.]
[Will: Heh. Easier said than done.]
He sneered inwardly. No weak Pokémon? If that were true, why did all these so-called Champions chase after rare and powerful ones?
Reality was harsh — both people and Pokémon had differences in talent and status.
While the chat room exploded with debate, the Comparison Livestream System continued to play the video at its own pace.
The story of the White World came to a temporary close.
And now… the Black World began.
The large screen with the black border slowly brightened.
On a rainy afternoon, Ash — returning from special training in the forest — happened to encounter a group of Kangaskhan heading back to their nest.
"It's those Kangaskhan and that Pichu from before!"
The combination of Kangaskhan and Pichu was rare, and Ash immediately recognized them as the ones he had met previously.
Seeing the weary Kangaskhan mother and the sensible Pichu, something in Ash's heart stirred.
Impulsively, instead of heading home, Ash quietly followed the special duo through the rain.