On screen—
Bags packed, Ash stood at the entrance of the Sakuragi Institute.
Pikachu perched on his shoulder, waving goodbye alongside Ash to Koharu and Professor Sakuragi.
Before Ash left, Professor Sakuragi handed him two items.
"This is my latest research result, Ash. Please accept it," he said sincerely.
Ash looked up and saw—
a smartphone?
A new phone?
Well, that was a fine gift. Ash wasn't the type to refuse.
But as he took the device, he blinked.
Wait… Sakuragi had said two items. Wasn't this just a phone?
The answer came a moment later.
From behind Sakuragi flew a Rotom—
which immediately dove straight into the phone in Ash's hands.
"Bzzt! Rotom Phone, at your service!"
"!"
"This is my newest research breakthrough," Sakuragi explained proudly.
"It combines the Rotom Pokédex with a smartphone—the ultimate intelligent Pokédex!"
[Professor Kukui: Rotom can do that?! Fusing with a phone? Unbelievable!]
[Professor Sakuragi: I knew it! My research path was correct!]
[Professor Oak: Incredible, Sakuragi! When you perfect it, prepare one for me too!]
[Professor Sakuragi: Of course! In theory, Rotom can combine with any appliance! Fridge Rotom, Fan Rotom… the possibilities are endless!]
[Professor Kukui: That would make Rotom indispensable in daily life!]
[Professor Sakuragi: Precisely!]
At this time in history, even the Rotom Pokédex hadn't been widely adopted, let alone something like a Rotom Phone.
Just this glimpse into the future left the professors stunned.
Rotom could revolutionize human lifestyles.
This was destined to be one of the greatest Pokémon research projects ever.
And that was just one snippet.
If the rest of this mysterious broadcast was like this, Pokémon research could leap forward by decades!
On screen—
"I've already uploaded the data of every League into the Rotom Phone," Sakuragi explained.
"Whenever you encounter a Pokémon, just scan it, and Rotom will report all the details to you."
He gave a final wave, then turned back toward the institute.
Ash and Pikachu waved goodbye in return.
Then they turned to leave—
Only to find Koharu waiting at the end of the steps.
"Ash, can I travel with you?" she asked, eyes burning bright.
That fiery gaze reminded Ash of Serena's look when they first met in Kalos.
Ash might still look like a boy, but he wasn't ten anymore.
He understood just enough about feelings to recognize her intent.
But Ash was Ash.
He smiled, stepped forward, and took Koharu's hand.
"From now on, we're partners."
Still the same iron-straight Ash—the ultimate dense protagonist.
But even that cluelessness had its charm.
To Koharu, the warmth of his hand was enough to make her heart soar.
Their journey began in Vermilion City.
But soon, a group of Bulbasaur blocked their path.
"What's wrong with these Bulbasaur?" Koharu asked.
After everything that had happened yesterday, her fear of Pokémon had eased. She still wasn't ready for hugs and cuddles like Ash, but she no longer recoiled.
Ash thought back, memory flashing to his adventure in the "Hidden Garden."
"I think they're about to evolve. Want to go watch?"
"Of course!" Koharu agreed instantly.
Together, they followed the Bulbasaur to the top of a half-built Vermilion Gym.
The Pokémon climbed higher and higher, chasing the sunlight.
Ash couldn't help but reminisce.
"I once had a Bulbasaur, too. But it didn't want to evolve."
"Why not? Don't Pokémon grow stronger when they evolve?" Koharu asked curiously.
"That's true… but my Bulbasaur had 'body anxiety.' It didn't like the bulky look of Ivysaur or Venusaur. Pikachu's the same way."
Pikachu immediately shook its head and made an "X" with its tiny arms.
No way was it evolving.
Raichu? Ugly and clumsy! Not cute at all!
Most importantly—
if it got that big, it couldn't ride on Ash's shoulder anymore!
In Pallet Town—
Watching the broadcast, Ash smacked a fist into his palm.
"So that's why! Pikachu and Bulbasaur don't want to evolve because they've got body image issues!"
"Pika Pi…" Pikachu puffed up its cheeks in protest.
Misty couldn't resist pinching its face. "So cute!~"
Ash really shouldn't have exposed Pikachu's secret thoughts to the world.
Pikachu glared at its partner in betrayal.
But Ash smiled warmly.
"It's fine, Pikachu. Whether you evolve or not, I'll respect your choice."
His hand drifted to his belt.
"Same goes for you, Bulbasaur. If you don't want to evolve, I won't force you."
Pikachu's eyes welled with tears.
And then—
"PIKA-CHUUUUU!"
"Not the Thunderbolt during the emotional moment! Hey—!"
In Sinnoh—
Paul watched coldly.
A Pokémon that refused to evolve? Worthless.
If it had no fighting spirit, it had no place on his team.
He wasn't Goh.
Still, he gave every Pokémon a choice:
either return to a professor's care, or be released.
His gaze fell on Chimchar, battling desperately, still struggling to win.
"Don't disappoint me, Chimchar."