Chapter 6: A New Way to Face Spearow

Ash from Black World walked to Oak Lab; it was still early, and no one had arrived earlier than Ash.

Ash entered Oak Lab and saw Professor Oak standing before the equipment that stored Poké Balls, his back to Ash.

You came.

Yes, I came.

Ash nodded, looking at Professor Oak, who had his back to him.

Professor Oak turned around, looked at Ash, then glanced at the clock; it was still that early, and he wondered whether Xiaomao had gotten up yet.

Ash had come early to get his Poké Ball and set off on his journey, while Xiaomao was still sleeping soundly; the scary part isn't that Ash is better than Xiaomao, but that Ash, who is already better than Xiaomao, is trying even harder—it's just too competitive.

Before Professor Oak could speak, he heard hurried footsteps.

Pika~pi!

Pikachu appeared from nowhere and jumped onto the central device holding three Poké Balls.

I wish Xiaomao had half your diligence.

Professor Oak took out Pikachu's Poké Ball and remarked, "You come every day to study with me and help raise Poké Ball; even I couldn't do that back then. Your love for Poké Ball is deeper than mine."

Xiaomao is a natural talent; I can't compare to him, so I have to start early like a clumsy bird.

Ash didn't see his partner in the lab and thought Xiaomao was probably still sleeping as usual.

Poké Ball, Pokédex.

Professor Oak gave the essential items for a new Trainer's journey.

Hearing Ash say that, Professor Oak felt moved: you are both a natural talent and a hard worker.

Thank you, Professor Oak.

Ash looked at Pikachu and said, "Let's go, Pikachu."

Pika~pi!

Pikachu skillfully jumped onto Ash's shoulder, and Ash gave Pikachu an Oran Berry.

Seeing how close Ash and Pikachu were, Professor Oak felt a hint of surprise; he followed his own studies and also got along well with the Poké Ball in the backyard.

At first, Pikachu ignored Ash, but Ash came every day to bring it treats and play and train with it.

Over time, a person and a Poké Ball built this friendship, agreeing to set out on a journey together today.

Indeed...... Professor Oak watched the backs of Ash and Pikachu as they left.

Grandpa, where is my Poké Ball?

Not long after Ash left, Xiaomao arrived at the lab, looked left and right, saw three Poké Balls still on the equipment, and instantly wore a smug smile:

Hahaha, that guy Ash hasn't come yet; I, the young master, have been waiting for him. Usually he gets up so early and trains intensely all day, but on such an important day he arrives so late—finally letting the young master win... once.

Professor Oak glanced at Xiaomao: "Ash has already left with Pikachu."

"..." Xiaomao couldn't smile and fell silent.

【Ding! The correct answer to this rewarded question is Professor Oak.】

【Congratulations, Professor Oak, you obtained the Enhanced Pokédex.】

?

Enhanced Pokédex?

Professor Oak stared, dumbfounded; he never expected this Light Screen to actually give him an Enhanced Pokédex.

It gave me a chance to see what else could be upgraded on the Pokédex...... He grabbed the Pokédex that appeared on the table and immediately began checking it, wanting to add many features to the Pokédex.

【Xiaomao: Eh eh, what is Ash from Black World doing up so early!!!】

【Ash: Hahaha, Xiaomao, you think you're early, but actually I from another world am earlier than you; see? This is the me who isn't late!】

【Ailan: Ash from Black World actually chose Pikachu again; I thought he would pick Charmander.】

【Yulongdu: Yeah, I also thought Ash would pick from Squirtle, Bulbasaur, or Charmander, but who knew he'd pick Pikachu.】

【Ash: You guys just don't get it; I and Pikachu are destined to travel together, and other worlds are surely the same!】

Pika!

The Pikachu on Ash's shoulder thinks the same.

At that moment, the Team Rocket Trio conducting interviews at the Mialeishi event hall saw Ash's remarks and largely agreed; if the brat didn't bring Pikachu on his journey, they'd feel out of place.

They hummed and hawed: "Brat, don't get cocky; we'll surely snatch your Pikachu!!!"

【Dawu: Truly the best partners.】

【Dandi: Indeed, it really seems fated; let's see how Ash from Black World's journey goes—will he come a cropper on Spearow like Ash from Bai Shijie? However, judging by Black World Ash's current performance, he should be able to avoid that.】

【Yulongdu: Black World Ash has learned so much about Poké Ball knowledge from Professor Oak; he surely knows Spearow's habits and would avoid them when encountering Spearow.】

Black Light Screen Ash walked through the forest, checking the map; his goal was the Stone League, first needing to obtain the eight Badges, and now he was preparing to head to Tokiwa City.

Pika pi~

Seeming to sense Ash's good mood, Pikachu also bounced on his shoulder, looking full of energy.

Ash and Pikachu hadn't walked far when they encountered a bird-like Poké Ball foraging in the grass.

Taking a closer look, with its disheveled brown crest and pink wings, it was a Spearow.

Spearow is rash; its call can carry over a kilometer, it can summon many Friendship, and being gregarious, there are surely many Friendship around—provoking it would surely bring trouble.

Ash pondered a moment; having just set out on his journey, he decided to stay steady, avoid conflict with them as much as possible.

Jie~

Although Ash didn't want to deal with the Spearow, a Rattata passed by; just because it glanced at Ash and Pikachu, it accidentally bumped the Spearow and then darted into the grass in a panic.

The Spearow, jostled from the blow, couldn't find the culprit; seeing Ash and Pikachu watching, it decided they were the culprits.

It let out a harsh cry, glared at Ash and Pikachu, and immediately attacked Pikachu.

Ash's mouth twitched; he patted Pikachu, who had just leapt down from his shoulder.

"Pikachu, go! This is the first battle of our journey!"

"Pika pi~"

"Pikachu takes a battle stance."

"Behind the Fire Sparrow there is a group; moreover, the Fire Sparrow and its evolution, the Big-Beaked Sparrow, are not exactly good sorts."

"They don't observe any martial virtue; their forte is to swarm forward."

"To avoid trouble, one must defeat them with thunderous force, leaving them no chance to catch their breath."

"Pikachu, use 100,000 Volts!"

"Pika~chu!"

"Blaze~"

"A golden-yellow current flashed, and the Fire Sparrow that had just leapt up fell to the ground at the sound, with no chance to summon its comrades."