[Erika: Ash is still as gentle as ever.]
[Wallace: That's how a trainer should be. Capturing a Pokémon is only the final step—the most important part is the bond forged along the way. Ash achieved that beautifully. He and Aerodactyl went from strangers to trusted partners! That's the best proof.]
[Kukui: Indeed. A Poké Ball is only a tool. If a Pokémon doesn't acknowledge you, it can break free from any capture.]
[Dr. Fuji: If you can't form even the most basic bond with your Pokémon, then even a modified Poké Ball would only give you an obedient tool, not a partner. Poké Balls are called "Poké Balls" because Pokémon are wondrous beings—like spirits.]
[Steven: Some people claim that the Poké Balls manufactured by Devon Corporation brainwash Pokémon upon capture, making them loyal to the trainer…
Let me clarify: this is impossible. If someone throws a ball and instantly gains the absolute loyalty of a hostile Pokémon, then that ball has definitely been tampered with.]
There's only one scumbag in the entire anime who does this kind of thing—Goh.
Seriously.
Pokémon that should still be hostile suddenly become docile after one capture?
Complete nonsense.
[Sabrina: If you want to capture a Pokémon, it's simple—earn its recognition with your own power.]
[Lance: Big sister, not everyone has terrifying psychic powers like you. How are normal people supposed to fight Pokémon? You think everyone is Ash!?]
[Sabrina: …What are you implying? I obviously meant using your Pokémon to battle. Did you think I wanted humans to fight Pokémon themselves?]
[Diantha: Alright~, calm down both of you. Whether it's the trainer's personal ability or the strength of their Pokémon, as long as the Pokémon acknowledges you, it's a valid method.]
[Cynthia: And a Pokémon's strength reflects the trainer's strength. If you can convince a Pokémon with your own power like Ash or Sabrina, there's nothing wrong with that either.]
The entire audience fell silent after Cynthia's comment.
Did she hear herself?
One is the physically strongest human.
One is the mentally strongest human.
Meanwhile, the viewers are just… normal people.
If they followed those methods…
they'd probably get knocked out by a Caterpie's String Shot.
What? Caterpie can't use String Shot that powerfully?
How naive.
A Caterpie once defeated Rayquaza with String Shot.
…
On-screen—
With Aerodactyl captured, the trouble caused by Team Rocket finally came to an end.
The Fossil Exhibition would likely suspend fossil revival operations for a while—
after all, the machine responsible for reviving fossil Pokémon had been blown apart.
Still, with Aerodactyl captured, Ash's trip to the exhibition ended perfectly.
Aerodactyl was one of the strongest fossil Pokémon—
and could even Mega Evolve.
Another powerful addition to Ash's team!
Leaving the Revival Center, they found the entrance surrounded by police.
Officer Jenny stepped forward when she saw people emerging.
But the moment she recognized Brock, she instinctively backed up a step before forcing herself to approach.
Clearly, she'd suffered plenty from Brock already.
Sure enough, it happened again.
As soon as Officer Jenny appeared, Brock seemed to activate some kind of radar.
In the blink of an eye—
He slid to his knees right beside her, somehow producing a bouquet of roses.
"Beautiful meetings always come unexpectedly… Officer Jenny, fate brings us together again. This humble man offers these roses to honor your beauty—would you grace me with your company at dinner tonight?"
His opening lines had indeed evolved over time.
At least he wasn't proposing immediately anymore.
Still—
Officer Jenny wasn't having it.
Outdoors, Brock was the resolute Gym Leader of Pewter City.
In private, every woman he interacted with instinctively kept their distance from this dark-skinned boy who always had roses in hand.
Chloe froze for a moment.
Her impression of Brock had always been "kind big brother."
Now?
A big red X on that description.
"Don't mind him. Brock's always like this. You'll get used to it."
How can anyone get used to that!?
Chloe wanted to protest, but swallowed her words—
Because at that moment, Officer Jenny expertly handcuffed Brock to a nearby utility pole.
Judging by her smooth movements, this definitely wasn't her first time.
[Aaron: It's here! Brock's confession! I remember seeing this in one of the special compilations!]
[Iris: Please stop bringing that up, Aaron—it's embarrassing!]
[Misty: Hear that? Brock, stop randomly confessing to married older women. You're making people uncomfortable.]
[Brock: But it's love at first sight!]
[Lusamine: "Love at first sight"? Surely you mean lust at first sight.]
Sharp, but accurate.
Brock's targets were always older, beautiful women.
What else could that be other than lust?
Appreciation of beauty?
Highly doubtful.
…
On-screen—
Officer Jenny questioned Ash and Chloe.
Upon learning it was caused by Team Rocket, she relaxed.
After all, this was Kanto.
Team Rocket stirring trouble here was as normal as breathing.
With Brock as their guarantor, she didn't take Ash or Chloe for further questioning.
Brock's behavior was annoying, but his character was unquestionable.
He was the Pewter Gym Leader, after all.
Ash and Chloe returned to the Pokémon Center.
It was already late at night.
Both collapsed into bed.
By the time they woke, it was noon the next day.
Since Brock still hadn't been released by Officer Jenny…
Ash and Chloe returned to Vermilion City by themselves.
—
At Professor Cheri's Laboratory
When Professor Cerise learned what happened the previous night, he was speechless.
Somehow, Ash and Chloe always encountered absurd situations whenever they stepped outside.
But at least everything ended well:
Ash captured Aerodactyl.
Chloe obtained a Prism Scale.
As Professor Oak's student, Cerise naturally knew exactly how to use a Prism Scale.
Chloe's totem Feebas had already reached max friendship.
With Cerise's help, Feebas evolved into a majestic Totem Milotic.
Ash hadn't stored many Pokémon in Cerise's backyard—
mostly newly caught or weaker Pokémon like Riolu, Farfetch'd, and Raboot.
Totem Magikarp was there as well.
As Feebas's former companion, Totem Magikarp was stunned when it saw Milotic's new form.
But the moment it beheld Milotic's elegant beauty—
Its fighting spirit exploded.
In the face of beauty, Magikarp awakened unprecedented motivation.
It would evolve into a Totem Gyarados no matter what!
Watching the Magikarp furiously thrash and swim laps in the pond, Chloe was stunned.
"Won't it get tired like that?"
Too gentle.
Far too gentle.
Ash waved a hand.
"Magikarp isn't like other Pokémon. Feebas can evolve with a Prism Scale, but Magikarp has only one way—get stronger. Only one in ten thousand Magikarp evolve into Gyarados. They work harder than almost any other Pokémon."
Professor Cerise quietly approached and nodded in approval.
Ash was absolutely right.
Before evolving, Magikarp only knew Splash, Tackle, and Flail—
basically useless.
But once evolved, it soared like a dragon—
a leap in life itself.
Of course, evolution wasn't always difficult.
If you had an "Evolution Kick"…
a light kick to a Magikarp could instantly turn it into a Gyarados.
Chloe thought for a moment, then ran to the pond.
She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted:
"Magikarp! Do your best! Milotic is waiting for you!"
Instantly, Magikarp burst into maximum speed.
It was burning with determination.
In love, even a Magikarp could unleash hidden power.
…
Life at the Cerise Laboratory returned to normal.
Ash created training regimens for his recently caught Pokémon.
Riolu progressed the fastest—
as expected from the descendant of Sir Aaron's Lucario.
Farfetch'd and Raboot trained under Pikachu.
Raboot practiced kicking away Pikachu's Electro Balls and Electrowebs.
Farfetch'd practiced slicing them down with its leek.
Three Pokémon training simultaneously—
efficient and effective.
Days passed peacefully.
Then one day—
While Ash was training with his Pokémon, a piercing alarm echoed from the lab.
Ash hurried inside.
Researchers reported that a massive thundercloud was hanging over Vermilion City.
The energy readings within the cloud were terrifying.
Professor Cerise suspected a legendary Pokémon was hiding inside—
One of the three Legendary Birds, master of lightning—
Zapdos.
Upon seeing Ash, Cerise immediately asked him to investigate the thundercloud and locate Zapdos.
Ash accepted the mission enthusiastically.
Of course—
he brought Chloe along.
She was a local; she knew the terrain better than he did.
Guided by her, they quickly arrived at the thundercloud's location.
But—
Just as Ash prepared to investigate—
The thundercloud covering half the city suddenly vanished.
Ash felt his heart sink.
If only he'd left a little earlier—
he might've seen Zapdos!
But Chloe, ever the honor student, began analyzing the phenomenon.
A thundercloud suddenly appearing, then suddenly disappearing—
that wasn't normal.
"Ash, where do you think Zapdos would be?" she asked.
"Pikaaa…"
Ash and Pikachu slumped over a railing, drained completely.
Seeing their ridiculous posture, Chloe couldn't help but giggle.
"I don't know where Zapdos is right now… but I want to ask you a question."
A question?
Ash instantly straightened.
"Please ask away, Teacher Chloe!"
He couldn't help it—instinctive reaction.
Besides training his Pokémon, he himself had been receiving Chloe's training.
Not battle training—
but academic training.
After spending time with him, Chloe learned something crucial:
Ash was strong—very strong—
but his basic knowledge was a disaster.
Well, after leaving home at age ten and never attending school again, that wasn't surprising.
Seeing his serious expression, Chloe smiled happily.
"Which came first—the Torchic or the egg?"
Ash: "???"
He scratched his head.
"What's the difference? Torchic lays eggs. Eggs hatch Torchic!"
Chloe sighed.
"That's not what I meant!
I'm comparing it to Zapdos and the thundercloud.
Did the thundercloud appear first, causing Zapdos to show up?
Or did Zapdos appear first, and the thundercloud formed because of it?"
"Ooohh!"
Ash rested his chin on his hand…
Then his eyes immediately went blank.
He had absolutely no idea.
[Professor Oak: Chloe's question is fascinating. Which comes first—the thundercloud or Zapdos? She truly inherited Cerise's talent. If she weren't a trainer, she could become an exceptional scholar.]
[Professor Cerise: As expected of my daughter. The moment the cloud vanished, she deduced the relationship between the two.]
[Acerola: But look at Ash—he clearly didn't understand a word. His eyes aren't even focused.]
[Bruno: Master Ash and I both fight with instinct. These theories are far too complicated—we don't need them!]
[Lorelei: Is it that you don't need them… or that your smooth, shiny brain can't process them?]
[Bruno: …Are you insulting me!?]
[Denji: Interesting theory. But actually quite simple. If thunderclouds always brought Zapdos, that's impossible.
The only explanation is: Zapdos appeared first—and its presence summoned the massive thundercloud.]
Ash suddenly understood.
"Ohhhh! So that's how it works!"
And everything finally made sense.
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