Chapter 6: I'm Really Good at Helping People Cross the Road
"You're such a kind young man~"
On the steep mountain path of Mt. Hideaway, Ash was carrying a seemingly frail old lady on his back. Despite the climb, his steps were light and sure, his energy unshaken as he made his way up the rocky slope.
"It's no problem at all, ma'am," Ash said cheerfully. "I've always been the helpful type — fetching water for widowed neighbors, helping old ladies cross the street… that's what I'm best at!"
"My, my~ such a gentle young man," the "old lady" behind him replied with a soft chuckle, her wrinkled eyes squinting as if amused.
"Pika~?" Pikachu, trotting beside them, sniffed curiously at the old woman. A faint scent of gardenia perfume wafted through the air — oddly familiar, and far too fancy for a mountain traveler. Wait a second… that was Vileplume No. 5, a high-end fragrance!
"We're here~ right up there," the old lady said suddenly, tapping Ash's shoulder as they approached a steep cliff wall.
"Alright! Hold on tight," Ash said, adjusting his grip. With a small grunt, he lifted the old woman slightly higher and carefully set her down on a flat boulder.
"Young people these days… so grabby," the old lady muttered, her cheeks faintly red as she scolded him lightly.
Ash laughed awkwardly. "Hehe, come on, ma'am — I was just making sure you didn't fall! I couldn't forgive myself if I dropped you."
"Pika pika~" Pikachu nodded in firm agreement from the side, cheeks puffed approvingly.
"Alright then," said the old lady, clearing her throat. "Please help me rescue my poor Squirtle."
She pointed to a narrow ledge high up on the cliff. There, a tiny Squirtle was clinging to a branch, trembling in fear.
"Oh no, that's dangerous…" Ash's eyes widened.
"Yes, yes, it's terrible! You must climb up there and bring it back for me!" The old woman clasped her hands together "anxiously."
Ash, however, couldn't help but snicker. "Excuse me, ma'am, but… could you demonstrate for me how you managed to get that Squirtle up there in the first place?"
"Uh? I… don't understand what you mean…" The old lady averted her eyes, her tone suddenly nervous.
Ash crossed his arms and smiled knowingly. "First off, Mt. Hideaway is made of solid rock — a harsh mountain terrain. There shouldn't be any wild Squirtles here, and certainly not one that could climb that high without help.
Second, the nearest town is miles away, and the trail's full of twists and turns. So how exactly would an elderly lady like you end up here all by herself?
And lastly… what kind of 'old lady' has skin as smooth as silk and wears Vileplume No. 5 perfume?"
"Oh my~ you're sharper than I thought," the "old lady" said with a playful smile. Her hand moved across her face, and in an instant, her features melted like soft clay — revealing a pink blob of transformation.
A Ditto!
The Ditto shimmered, and standing where the "old lady" had been was a young woman with chestnut-brown hair, bright blue eyes, and a figure that could only belong to one person.
Ash groaned. "So it's you, Blue."
Blue, the mischievous and infamous trainer, grinned impishly. Though she wasn't a permanent resident, her legend was well-known throughout Pallet Town.
"Hehe, looks like I'm famous around here after all," Blue teased, sticking out her tongue.
"Of course," Ash replied, smiling wryly. "You, Red, and Green — the legendary Trainers of Pallet Town. Everyone knows your names. But you're especially famous, Blue."
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow, amused. "And why's that?"
"Well…" Ash scratched his head. "The supermarket and the Poké Mart both have posters of you. They say, 'If you see this woman — guard your wallet.'"
"Wha—?! That's slander! Absolute defamation!" Blue puffed her cheeks, putting her hands on her hips in mock outrage.
"Then perhaps you could start by returning my wallet?" Ash said, pointing at the Pikachu-shaped wallet peeking out from behind her.
"Eh? When did I—?" Blue blinked, pulling it out sheepishly. "Ahahaha… force of habit, sorry~"
Ash sighed, amused. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! My dream is to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master!"
"I'm Blue," she said, smiling playfully and giving him a wink. "Nice to meet you. Though if you want to be number one, you'll have to beat Red first."
Ash hesitated, then grinned with determination. "I will — someday!"
"That's the spirit!" Blue laughed and gave him a thumbs-up. "I can't wait to see Red's face when someone finally knocks him flat. I wonder if it'll look like Green did when he got crushed by Red at the Indigo Plateau."
Ash chuckled nervously. This woman… definitely had a mischievous streak.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
A voice called down from above. The little sunglasses-wearing Squirtle was hopping in frustration on the narrow ledge.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!" (Can you two stop flirting and help me out? It's cold up here!!)
"Oh! Right, right, sorry!" Blue jumped in surprise, reaching for her Wigglytuff's Poké Ball to help retrieve him.
But before she could act, the Squirtle's footing slipped. The rocky ledge crumbled beneath him.
CRASH! Pebbles tumbled down the cliff. With a startled cry, Squirtle lost his balance and fell backward into open air.
"Watch out!"
Ash's reflexes kicked in instantly. His legs tensed, and in one explosive motion, he dove forward — catching the Squirtle mid-fall.
They rolled down the slope together, tumbling head over heels at least ten times before finally skidding to a stop.
"Pika!" Pikachu dashed to their side, eyes wide with worry.
"Ash! Are you alright?!" Blue called out as she rushed over.
Ash coughed twice, brushing off the dust. "I'm fine… what about you, Squirtle?"
"Squirtle!" The little turtle shook its head, took off its sunglasses, and blinked up at him with big, watery eyes. Then, without hesitation, it hugged Ash tightly, nuzzling its smooth head against his cheek.
"Haha~ you're kinda cool and slippery," Ash laughed, patting him affectionately.
"Phew… you scared me for a second," Blue said, placing a hand on her hip. "You've got some serious reflexes, kid."
She looked at the Squirtle clinging to Ash. "Well, little guy — what do you think?"
"Squirtle!" the turtle nodded vigorously. From this moment on, the bond was sealed — life and death, they were in it together.
"What's going on?" Ash asked, blinking in confusion.
"You lucky brat," Blue teased. "This Squirtle isn't mine. He used to be abandoned, a drifter from another town. I promised to find him a Trainer he could trust — looks like he's picked you."
Ash froze for a moment, then smiled softly. "So… no matter how much the world changes, those meant to meet will always find their way to each other, huh?"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Blue tilted her head, puzzled.
"Nothing," Ash grinned. "Just thinking out loud. Alright then — Squirtle, from now on, let's travel together!"
"Squirtle! Squirtle!" The little turtle cheered, waving at Pikachu enthusiastically.
Under Blue's watchful gaze, Ash took out a Poké Ball and gently touched it to the Squirtle. With a soft click, the ball sealed — Ash had officially caught his new partner.
Another step forward toward his dream.
As for Blue, she had completed her task. With a satisfied smile, she bid Ash farewell and turned to leave.
Watching the boy's figure disappear into the mountain path, her bright blue eyes softened with intrigue.
"The road to becoming the strongest… is full of challenges," she murmured. "Let's see just how far you can go, little one."
To be continued…
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〔TL〕----> Btw Blue is actually from Pallet Town. I think most of you know that....