Ash in the group chat stood at the pinnacle of different fields. Each version of him, in their own world, was already extraordinary.
But that also meant they were set in their ways. They had reached the top in their chosen paths and could only remain there. If they wanted to branch out into another specialty, it would only be possible if there was overlap, like Tactician Ash and Champion Ash. Otherwise, even if they dabbled, they could never truly stand at the summit of that new field.
The new Ash, however, was different. He didn't know much of anything yet, but that also meant he could learn anything.
The Ashes in the group chat represented all the different possibilities a parallel-world Ash might grow into. In other words, theoretically, Newbie Ash carried the potential of every parallel Ash.
He could become a Breeder, a tactical master, a top Trainer, a fisherman, a mechanic, a chef, anything.
So, after much discussion, the group unanimously agreed on one thing: they would cultivate this Ash into something unprecedented—an all-rounder Ash!
If that really came true, his impact on the world would be terrifying in the best possible way. Maybe he could achieve what none of them had managed: defeat the creator god of the Pokémon world, Arceus!
Of course, that was all speculation. Whether it could happen depended on how much potential Newbie Ash could unlock, and on his own willingness to learn from the others.
Fortunately, even with so much to absorb, he wasn't thinking of quitting. To become a true Pokémon Master, he was ready to give it everything.
The group members didn't tell him about their expectations or grand ambitions for him. They didn't want to crush him under the weight of pressure.
For now, he was making steady progress, and everything was moving in a good direction.
…
After preparing food for Metapod and Pikachu, Ash turned to Misty. "Hey, Misty, why don't you let your Pokémon out to eat too?"
Besides Goldeen, Misty carried two other Pokémon, ones that could survive on land for short periods as long as they didn't dry out. Letting them out for a meal would be fine.
"Come out, my darlings~~" Misty called sweetly as she released her Pokémon. A brown Staryu with a small gem at its core and a sky-blue Starmie with a dazzling red gem materialized before them.
Starmie was the evolved form of Staryu. Ash had just learned that tidbit from the group, and he found himself puzzled, how did Misty end up catching two of the same species?
Still, it wasn't the important part. This was the first time Misty had released her Pokémon in three days. Pokémon in Poké Balls could sustain themselves on minimal energy, so going without food for a week wasn't dangerous.
But now Ash saw their strength for the first time, and he was stunned.
Starmie: Elite Peak.
Staryu: Elite High.
One was just a step away from Professional level, and the other was already near the top of Elite. No wonder Misty had sounded so confident back then.
If Pikachu had battled these two when Ash first met her, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
But now… who knew?
Misty opened a pouch of Pokémon food, but it wasn't any brand Ash recognized. The packaging carried a water-droplet logo.
"Misty, where'd you buy this? This logo… I've never seen it before." Ash tilted his head, curious. He knew all the major brands stocked in Poké Marts, but this wasn't one of them.
"Uh… ha, this is made by a small Water-type Pokémon food supplier. It's not very well-known, so it's normal you haven't heard of it."
"Is that so? Misty, are you hiding something from me?"
"What could I possibly be hiding? You're just being too suspicious!"
"Really?" Ash leaned closer and closer, his face almost pressing against Misty's. A bead of sweat ran down her temple. Just when their faces were less than five centimeters apart, Ash suddenly pulled back.
"Forget it. We've only been traveling together for a few days, so it's natural you wouldn't tell me everything yet. But I believe the longer we're together, the more you'll trust me." Ash put his hands on his hips, smiling.
"'Together'… you mean traveling together!!"
"Hm? Isn't that the same thing?"
"No, it's not!!"
…
After that little scene, the two of them and their Pokémon shared a pleasant lunch.
Bellies full, they packed up and prepared to rest before moving on. But before they could, a streak of light tore across the clearing, straight at Metapod!
Ash reacted instantly. He lunged and snatched the attacker right out of the air, gripping it by the scruff of the neck like a hunting cat pinning its prey.
"What the...Pidgeotto?"
Now that he had it in hand, Ash saw clearly: it was Pidgeotto, the evolved form of Pidgey.
Pidgey were everywhere in Kanto. Compared to Spearow, Pidgey were docile, the kind of Pokémon rookie Trainers loved to raise. But once evolved into Pidgeotto, their temperament changed completely. Fierce, fast, and proud, they were a serious handful for any beginner.
But even the fiercest bird couldn't maintain its dignity when a human caught it mid-dive and immobilized it by the neck.
Misty's jaw dropped. 'Was this even human?'
Ash raised the struggling bird to eye level, a mischievous glint in his gaze. "So? What were you planning to do to my Metapod? Huh?"
"Pijao…"
A few nervous beads of sweat rolled down Pidgeotto's forehead. It squawked something like, 'I wasn't gonna eat him! Honest! I just thought he looked friendly and wanted to say hello.'
"Oh really?"
"Pidgeotto!!"
"Then let's settle this properly. A battle. If you win, I'll let you go. But if you lose, you'll become my Pokémon."
"Pidge?"
"What?!" Misty nearly fell over. "Why are you suddenly challenging it to a capture battle?!"
Over the last few days, Ash had seen plenty of wild Pokémon. Aside from catching Caterpie, he hadn't thrown a single Poké Ball. He'd even passed up chances at Spearow and Pidgey. Why was he suddenly so eager now, and for a Pidgeotto no less? Didn't he say before he wanted to raise one from a Pidgey?
But Misty couldn't know the truth.
Ash wanted this Pidgeotto because of what the experts in the group chat had told him, and because his Insight Eye told him this bird's potential was worth it.