Chapter 17

[It has been a few days since he left Pallet Town, but he still hasn't caught any new Pokémon. This won't do; if he doesn't have enough Pokémon, he won't even qualify to challenge a Gym.]

[Ash has already inquired at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City: to challenge Giovanni at the Viridian Gym, he needs at least three Pokémon on hand.]

[Even counting the unhatched Pokémon egg, he is still one short, so he must catch at least one more Pokémon in Viridian Forest.]

["Mew, haven't you found a suitable target either?"]

["Mew." Mew spread its hands.]

[Aside from Caterpie and Weedle, Viridian Forest is truly a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon; there are bugs everywhere.]

["If there's really no other choice, a Caterpie will do." Ash prepared to compromise.]

[He doesn't have that much time to waste on aimless searching; if he can't find a rare Pokémon, it wouldn't be the end of the world to just make do with a Caterpie.]

[Besides, Caterpie isn't that bad. Not only does it evolve quickly, but after evolving into Butterfree, it can use the three powders, and if he's lucky, it might even learn Confusion. It is definitely an "artifact" for a novice Trainer.]

[Just as Ash was preparing to embark on his great bug-catching career, the sounds of a struggle suddenly came from the bushes not far away.]

[Following the sound, Ash saw two bird Pokémon fighting on a tree branch—a Spearow and a Pidgey.]

[In order to snatch the Oran Berry on the branch, neither Pokémon was willing to give way.]

[Watching the Pidgey gradually gain the upper hand in the battle, Ash smiled. It really was a case of "finding what you're looking for without even trying."]

Bruno: "Is Ash planning to catch that Spearow?"

Lorelei: "Don't make me scold you, Bruno. If it were you, would you catch that Spearow?"

Bruno: "Uh, no."

A Spearow that falls into a disadvantage while fighting a Pidgey—he wouldn't even want this kind of Pokémon if it were given to him for free.

Professor Oak: "That Pidgey has a strong desire to fight; it's a bit like Ash's Pidgeotto."

Misty: "It's not 'like,' it simply is. It's just a Pidgeotto that hasn't evolved yet."

Ash: "Fate, this is fate. In that case, does Dark Ash also catch a Pidgeotto and a Caterpie?"

Brock: "The Pidgeotto is a given, but the Caterpie is a bit uncertain."

Ash: "Why?"

Brock: "A year ago, the Caterpie probably hadn't even been born yet."

Ash: "Ah?!"

[Having finally defeated its opponent and snatched the Oran Berry, the Pidgey hadn't even had time to enjoy the fruits of victory before being dragged into a new battle.]

[This time, the opponent was many times stronger than the Spearow; it didn't even see what its opponent looked like before it lost the ability to battle.]

[Of course, it wasn't all bad news; there was some good news. Although it became Ash's Pokémon, it still got to enjoy the Oran Berry.]

[After catching the Pidgey, Ash asked Mew about the hatching date of the Pokémon egg. Upon learning that the egg was about to hatch, he decided not to catch any more new Pokémon. Once the Pokémon in the egg was born, he would have the three Pokémon needed to challenge Giovanni.]

Bruno: "Ah? Ash is planning to challenge Giovanni with these three Pokémon?"

Lance: "He's even crazier than the Ash in our world."

Although he has no affection for Giovanni, who seems to have ties to Team Rocket, Lance must admit that the guy is one of the most terrifying Trainers in Kanto.

Facing Giovanni, even he could potentially crash and burn if he weren't careful. Ash is planning to challenge Giovanni with just a baby Pokémon, a newly caught Pidgey, and a Pikachu—he really isn't taking Giovanni seriously at all.

Koga: "Hasn't Ash heard Giovanni's nickname? That guy's nickname is 'Giovanni of the Earth'! His only combat power is an Electric-type Pikachu, and he dares to challenge Giovanni with just that? He's really not taking Giovanni seriously!"

Lorelei: "Giovanni is not Brock; the probability of him being defeated by a Pikachu is basically 0."

Ash: "What's wrong with Electric-type Pokémon? As long as you have perseverance, there is nothing you can't do! Go for it, I believe in you, other me!"

[Ash stayed in Viridian Forest for another three days. During these three days, he didn't stay idle; through his day-and-night training, the Pidgey had already evolved into a Pidgeotto.]

[On the other side, the Pokémon egg in his backpack finally hatched.]

[Ding: Entering the prize quiz segment!]

[Question: What is the Pokémon about to hatch from the egg?]

[A: Tentacool.]

[B: Squirtle.]

[C: Phione.]

[D: Riolu.]

[E: Kyogre.]

——

(Flowers, rating tickets, monthly tickets, tips, please, please, please, please, please, please!!!).

29: Ash's Lucario

Steven: "It's here, Brawly, the Kyogre you wanted is here, hurry and choose."

Brawly: "Choose your sister, do you think I'm an idiot! I'm directly ruling out Kyogre!"

Gardenia: "Which big shot can help introduce C? What is a Phione?"

Steven: "Phione is... well, I don't know Phione either."

Wallace: "If you're a noob, just be quiet and listen obediently; don't think about showing off."

Steven: "Yo ho, judging by your tone, you know Phione."

Wallace: "I am not talented, but I do know Phione. You've heard of Manaphy, the Prince of the Sea, right?"

Steven: "No."

Wallace: "..."

Steven's "no" almost made Wallace choke. After calming down for a long time, Wallace spoke again.

Wallace: "You just need to know that Manaphy, like Mew, is a very rare Mythical Pokémon. The egg obtained through Pokémon breeding with Manaphy can hatch into a Phione, but Phione cannot evolve into Manaphy."

Phoebe: "Wow, how do you know so clearly?"

Wallace: "The Sootopolis Gym has ancient books recording Phione and Manaphy."

Glacia: "So that's how it is."

Chairman Goodshow: "Professor Oak, which one do you think is better to choose?"

Professor Oak: "The time that egg appeared in the video was too short, less than a second in total, so it's hard to analyze what kind of Pokémon is inside."

It's a pity; if there had been a clear close-up, he could basically have analyzed it. Now he can only guess blindly.

Amidst everyone's chatting, the three-second penalty mechanism protector quickly passed, and they could answer the question boldly.

Ash: "A, choose A for this question."

Misty: "Any high-level insights, Ash?"

In the previous few times answering questions, Ash's accuracy rate was 100%, so Misty definitely had to respect Ash's opinion.

Ash: "I only know Tentacool."

Misty: "Get lost!"

Diantha: "I'll choose B. After all, Squirtle is an iconic Pokémon of Kanto and a Water-type Pokémon, so choosing B is the safest."

Cynthia: "Makes sense, I'll choose B too."

Wallace: "If you ask me, choosing C is better. The Pokémon egg that Professor Oak spent so much effort to get can't be that ordinary; Squirtle's level isn't high enough."

Gary: "Makes sense, I'll choose C too."

Steven: "Is C a bit too exaggerated? Phione is also a Legendary, right?"

Phoebe: "Ash already has Mew, so catching a Phione isn't too outrageous. I'll choose C too."

It is estimated that influenced by Wallace, none of the respondents who had already answered cast their eyes on Riolu; everyone seemed to have defaulted to the idea that the Pokémon hatching from the egg must be a Water-type Pokémon.

[Answer countdown begins!]

[3]

[2]

The numbers on the big screen were jumping crazily, and Korrina was extremely conflicted at this moment.

Should she choose B: Squirtle, or C: Phione, or follow the voice in her heart and choose D: Riolu?

In the end, Korrina chose to follow the voice in her heart.

Korrina: "D, Riolu."

[1]

After the final [1] popped out, this round of answering was officially declared over.

The screen with the black border started playing the video again.

[Under the gaze of Ash, Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Mew, the Pokémon egg in the backpack emitted a dazzling light.]