"Hmm, it's really comfortable to take a bath."
"You think so, Froakie?"
"Quack…"
Froakie was lounging in a wooden barrel, resting both arms on the edge. When Ash spoke, Froakie lazily raised a hand to wave, then sank his head into the water again, eyes narrowing into straight lines in pure relaxation.
As a Water-type Pokémon, Froakie naturally loved being in water. Taking a bath was, after all, one of a swordsman's little pleasures.
Watching Froakie enjoy himself, Ash smiled — then felt a strange movement at his side. Quickly, he lowered his head.
"Don't move around, Mimikyu. The washing will be done soon."
Ash was currently cleaning Mimikyu. Although the bug-catching boy had sewn the hood before, the cloth still looked gray and worn. When Ash first caught Mimikyu, he had wanted to clean it, but had never found the right opportunity — until now.
"Mimikyu!"
The Pokémon resisted a bit, but after the leather cover was put back on, its strange power seemed sealed. Its resistance was almost like a cat's — a bit troublesome for Ash, but manageable.
Mimikyu seemed to realize it couldn't win this battle, so its resistance slowly faded, though it didn't seem to enjoy the bath. In fact, it looked a little downcast.
"Mimikyu…"
Ash understood why. The Pokémon knew it had almost lost control and hurt him. It felt guilty.
"Don't worry, Mimikyu." Though Ash couldn't understand the words, he felt Mimikyu's emotions. "It's okay if you can't take hits, as long as you're fast enough to dodge."
"By the way, Froakie, I want you to help train Mimikyu's speed. Can you do that?"
"Quack, quack." The quack Froakie waved nonchalantly. It didn't need to be asked twice — after all, it wasn't easy to defeat a sane enemy.
"Mimikyu?"
Seeing Ash's lack of blame, Mimikyu blinked, then stood on tiptoes and rubbed its head against Ash's cheek.
"Haha, don't move, Mimikyu! That's itchy!"
"Mimikyu~~"
…
After washing up, Ash ate breakfast at the Pokémon Center and left. After running nonstop, he finally returned to the Pokémon Center that evening. He stayed in a guest room to regain his energy, then went for special training — before challenging his first gym.
"Goh!" "Pika!"
Before he could leave, Ash suddenly heard a shout. He turned and saw an orange-haired girl and Pikachu calling out.
Ash's eyes immediately went to Pikachu.
"Pikapi?"
Ash's gaze was too obvious. Pikachu sensed something and turned its head. Upon seeing Ash, it tilted its head in confusion.
"Pikachu, have you seen Ash?" The girl noticed Pikachu's gaze, then spotted Ash and froze briefly before speaking.
"Who are you?"
"Uh… I'm Ash." Ash blinked and scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"My name's Misty," the girl introduced herself. Then she asked, "Ash, have you seen a brown-skinned boy?"
"No…"
Just then, rustling came from the grass. A brown-skinned boy emerged, scratching his head impatiently.
"What's the fuss about? Am I not here?"
Seeing Goh, Misty became angry.
"Why did you disappear without telling anyone?"
"I just went to catch a few Pokémon. There are so many."
"Then you can't leave Pikachu alone — it's your Pokémon!"
"Pika pika!"
Faced with the accusations, Goh just shrugged. He glanced at Ash sideways.
"By the way, who's this guy?"
Ash kept looking at Pikachu. Goh frowned slightly.
"Don't tell me you want to catch my Pikachu, too?"
"What nonsense! Not everyone's like Team Rocket, snatching Pokémon!" Misty scolded sharply.
"Ash is like this… I just want to have a battle! Nothing else!"
"Right, Ash?"
"Ah… yeah."
"Are we going to fight again? Seriously, why bother?" Goh shrugged. "Why do we even bother when we know how it'll end? Can't we just admit defeat?"
"What nonsense!" Misty glared. "Show your Pokémon!"
"Yes, yes." Goh sighed. "Really, Pikachu, come on."
"Pika!"
Pikachu jumped nearby, facing Ash.
"Why are you just standing there, Ash? Show your Pokémon and teach this stinky guy a lesson!"
"…I understand." Ash wasn't sure what he was feeling, but since they were fighting, he suppressed everything.
If you want a fight, fight well.
He looked at his Poké Ball, then down at Froakie.
"Froakie, will you be the one to battle?"
"Quack."
Froakie eyed Pikachu carefully, then looked up at Ash and shook his head slowly.
This Pikachu's purity is reduced.
No value in fighting!
"Why is that…" Ash wondered.
"Pfft, can't even command your Pokémon?" Goh laughed. "Misty, are you sure you want me to fight this half-baked guy?"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Misty looked at Ash.
"Ash, you have other Pokémon, right?"
"I do, but…"
"If you do, send them out!"
Goh was impatient, "Stop wasting time! I'm busy catching Pokémon."
"…"
Ash said nothing, just lowered his hat and threw out Mimikyu's Poké Ball.
He knelt to Mimikyu's level. "Mimikyu, can you still fight?"
"Mimikyu…"
Mimikyu looked up, sensing Ash's worry and hope. It thought for a moment, then crawled toward Pikachu.
"Mimikyu!"
It accepted the challenge.
"Good!"
Ash stood behind Mimikyu, full of fighting spirit.
"Let's go!"
"Huh? What Pokémon is this? Looks like Pikachu?" Goh's eyes lit up as he took out his Pokédex.
"Mimikyu? An Alola regional Pokémon? Likes to wear a Pikachu disguise to be popular? Isn't that a cheap knockoff?"
"Mimikyu isn't a knockoff." Ash's expression turned serious. "Mimikyu is Mimikyu. Don't confuse them."
"What? That's what the Pokédex says," Goh shrugged and closed the book. "Okay, now that Pokémon are out, can we start? Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pika-Chu!!"
Seeing the massive electricity, Ash didn't hesitate.
"Mimikyu, use Double Teams!"
"Mimikyu!"
Mimikyu split into dozens of clones and dodged the attack.
"Then use the Electric Ball!"
A yellow electric ball formed on Pikachu's tail and flew in a perfect arc, scattering the clones. Only one Mimikyu remained.
"Thunderbolt again!"
"Don't let it hit you! Shadow Sneak, Mimikyu!"
"Mimikyu!"
Suddenly, a shadow rose behind Pikachu and grabbed it with its back to its cheeks.
"Pika!"
Pikachu was thrown back.
"Good chance! Mimikyu, use the mallet!"
"Mimikyu!"
Mimikyu's tail transformed into a giant Wood Hammer and jumped high to strike Pikachu's face.
"Damn it, I won't lose!" Goh's expression changed as he clenched his teeth. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu stood up, looked at Mimikyu in the air, and released a tiny current from its power pouch. Then, a massive electric discharge burst out.
"Pika...pi!!"
"Mimikyu!"
Seeing the huge attack coming, Ash's hesitant look vanished. At the last moment, he threw a Poké Ball and recalled Mimikyu.
"Come back, Mimikyu!"
With a flash of red light, Mimikyu disappeared just before the attack landed.
"Eh? Why take your Pokémon back?" Misty asked, puzzled.
"Mimikyu could still fight!"
"Sorry, my Mimikyu's a bit off. It can't take attacks right now." Ash sighed in relief. "Let's just say I lost this battle."
"What? I said it was a knockoff, didn't I?" Goh's broken expression returned to smugness. "And it can't even take a hit? What kind of weak Pokémon is that?"
"Can you stop talking?" Ash ignored Goh's taunts. Somehow, he felt no need to argue.
He lowered his hat brim and walked away.
"Alright, Froakie, let's go."
"Quack."
Froakie followed but glanced back at Pikachu.
They looked at each other, then Froakie turned away.
"Quack."
With people like that, purity will only decrease.
So sad.
Froakie thought again and looked at Ash.
But your purity won't be reduced, right?
He thought carefully, then shook his head.
No, definitely not.
If it did…
Then we'd have to kill Ash. Froakie nodded once.
"Hey."
Ash shivered and rubbed his arms.
"Why do I suddenly feel so cold?"
…
Later, Ash came to a small waterfall. He looked at the open space below and nodded.
"Let's train here. Come on, Mimikyu!"
"Mimikyu!"
"Mimikyu, let's start special training! If we maximize our strength, we'll not only fight better, but become very powerful!"
"Mimikyu!"
Mimikyu looked at Ash firmly.
Let's go! Ready!
"Okay!" Ash looked at Froakie.
"Froakie, your turn!"
"Quack."
Froakie stood opposite them, tilting his head.
That's fine by me, but watch out, or you'll get hit too.
"Come on, I'm ready!" Ash took a strong stance. "If Mimikyu's training, I can't fall behind as a trainer."
"Besides, I need to keep up with your moves to command you properly."
"…Qua?"
Froakie was stunned by Ash's serious look, then smiled.
"Quack."
He wants to be my trainer? Interesting — and what a loud tone.
Froakie put his left hand behind his back, flicked his right hand down, and a lightsaber appeared. Calm and collected, he looked every bit a peerless swordsman.
Then Froakie vanished in an instant.
Null!
Both Ash and Mimikyu took heavy hits.
"It hurts!"
Ash staggered forward but didn't give up. Raising his hands to protect his head, he spun to face Froakie.
"Quack."
Seeing Ash's determination, a flash of approval shone in Froakie's eyes. Then, the sharp swordsman's intensity returned.
Swish!
Two slashes cut through the air toward Ash.
The fight wasn't over. After landing, Froakie turned back and mercilessly struck both Ash and Mimikyu again.
Most of the blows targeted Ash.
After all…
If you don't get stronger, how can you command me?
Get stronger fast. I'm waiting for the day we fight side by side.
Stupid human.