Chapter 49: A Boy Should Chase His Dreams
With the Saffron Badge finally in hand, Ash and Verity were basically done with everything they needed to handle in Saffron City.
Since Sorrel was still waiting for them in Celadon City, they stocked up on a few simple travel supplies and continued their journey onward.
One thing worth mentioning:
after Hitmonlee joined the team, Ash temporarily sent Pidgeotto back to Professor Oak's lab as a reserve member.
"Pidgeotto, buddy—if you're bored, head out to the forests on the outskirts of Pallet Town to train.
I remember there are plenty of Spearow there that always fight the Pidgey for territory.
Don't hold back for my sake. Just clobber them properly."
After giving Pidgeotto these instructions, Ash very kindly gave his hardworking bird a vacation.
Leaving Saffron City, the two rode bicycles down the sandy main road toward Celadon.
Ash had to give Saffron's outskirts a thumbs-up—
lush forests and grasslands on both sides, and right in the middle, a perfectly bare, wide road.
No way anyone could get lost here.
Five-star review!
With the bikes cruising at a smooth speed of about twenty, wind whipping past their ears, Ash and Verity were in great spirits.
Ash wanted to shout into the wind:
This! This is the joy of traveling by bike!
Pikachu sat in the bike basket, ears flattened by the breeze, forming perfect airplane ears.
Meanwhile, Verity—still floating from the excitement of meeting Sabrina—kept letting out little giggles.
That hand she shook hands with Sabrina…
She probably wouldn't wash it for a while.
Bellsprout and Piplup were squeezed together in Verity's front basket, swaying left and right with her rhythm like a pair of noodles in the wind…
Ash felt like Piplup was definitely going to be corrupted by Bellsprout sooner or later.
What kind of proper Pokémon starts randomly dancing like:
"Sway like seaweed, like seaweed…♫"
"Hey! You—you—you! Stop! Stop right there!"
Suddenly, two boys burst out of the bushes by the road.
A Bug Catcher.
And a Youngster in shorts.
The reason he knew immediately?
Bug net.
Shorts that went above the knee.
Textbook NPC attire.
[TL: How in the freak does he know idk U R SUPPOSED TO BE A NATIVE OF THIS WORLD BROCHACO.]
"Whoa! Move—!"
Verity was startled, covered her face on instinct, and—
pedaled harder.
BONK!
"Uwaaaah—!"
The Bug Catcher flew straight into the air like a launched rocket.
"Hiss…"
Ash skid-stopped with a sharp turn, landing right beside the Youngster as both watched the scene like front-row spectators.
"That's… gotta hurt."
"T-terrifying…"
The Youngster gulped.
Ash shook his head helplessly.
This was bound to happen—why would they jump out right in front of Verity?
The Bug Catcher rolled on the ground clutching his crotch.
"Why… why do terrible things happen to good people…
Who reacts like that when riding a bike and seeing someone ahead?!"
"What reaction?"
Verity lowered her hands, looking embarrassed.
"You—you—you!! You girl-monster! You saw me but didn't swerve, didn't brake—
you covered your face and pedaled harder!
Were you trying to murder me?!"
The Bug Catcher shouted, leaning on his bug net like a cane.
"I… cough, cough… I really didn't mean to."
Verity apologized with her head down, clearly guilty.
"Enough talking! If you don't accept my challenge today, neither of you is allowed to leave!"
The Bug Catcher whipped out a belt with five Poké Balls.
"That's right—and me too!"
The Youngster added quickly.
Verity gasped, turning to Ash with sparkling eyes.
"There's such a good deal?"
Ash tried not to laugh.
"They're being so enthusiastic—no reason to refuse.
One each. You pick first."
Verity nodded excitedly and pointed to the untouched Youngster.
"You!"
She probably felt a little bad bullying the boy she just ran over, so she chose the intact one.
"Great! Let's battle!"
The Youngster ran forward energetically and took his position.
"Hey!! I'm the victim here!!"
The Bug Catcher protested loudly.
"Relax, buddy. I'm still here for you."
Ash grabbed him by the shoulder and led him to the other side like a seasoned therapist.
"I promise your experience will be… unforgettable."
Under the shade of a tree, the Bug Catcher rested his net on his shoulder and introduced himself boldly:
"I am the mighty Ishuck of Celadon City! A future master of Bug-type Pokémon!"
Ash nodded seriously.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Let's battle."
Seeing the coin in Ash's hand, Ishuck lifted his Poké Ball.
"Street rules. Let's begin!"
The coin flicked into the air.
Both trainers raised their Poké Balls.
"Caterpie! Go!"
"Charmeleon!"
As expected, the matchup was… brutal.
The coin hit the ground—battle start!
"String Shot!"
Ishuck charged forward bravely.
Caterpie immediately fired a long, sticky thread toward Charmeleon.
The silk was strong and elastic enough to pull something as heavy as a Pinsir if used properly.
"Flamethrower."
Ash's eyes were calm.
Defeating a challenger with your full strength—
was a form of respect.
"Wraaaah!"
Charmeleon inhaled deeply, chest expanding—
then unleashed a burning stream of fire.
WHOOSH!
The flames devoured the silk instantly, swallowing Caterpie whole.
Caterpie is unable to battle!
"Next—Weedle!"
"Flamethrower."
"Darn it! Then Metapod!"
"Flamethrower."
...
"This is it! My last Pokémon—Beedrill!"
Ishuck shouted bravely.
Ash took a breath.
"Switch—Pikachu."
"Pika… CHUUU!!"
Thunderbolt exploded across the battlefield—
and Beedrill went down in one hit.
"Return… Beedrill…"
Ishuck lowered his head, eyes dim.
"Argh… I was completely destroyed…"
"What are you talking about?"
Ash's voice came gently.
Ishuck lifted his head—
and saw his opponent smiling like a warm little sun, Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"It was a 5 versus 2. I used two Pokémon too."
Ash reminded him.
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded firmly.
"You…"
Ishuck's eyes suddenly turned red.
"But honestly—your Beedrill is pretty weak."
Ash held up a finger, explaining.
"Beedrill is one of the few Bug-types that can drastically grow stronger through training and emotional trust.
If that's your ace, then you need to believe in it completely.
Train hard together.
I'm sure it'll respond to your expectations."
Then he smiled, extending his right hand.
"And when you two become stronger… let's battle again someday in the Pokémon League."
Ishuck hurriedly wiped his hand on his shorts before grabbing Ash's hand tightly.
"It's a promise!"
Ash nodded.
"A promise."
"Hehe… this is the prize money."
Ishuck pulled out two wrinkled bills and tried to hand them over.
Ash shook his head with a gentle laugh.
He reached into his pack and pulled out two berries—
simple forest rations commonly used by rookie trainers.
"These are enough. I haven't had lunch anyway."
"… thank you."
Ishuck bowed seriously before leaving.
Ash watched him go and whispered softly:
"Kid… chase your dreams.
No matter success or failure—
what matters is that someday, when you look back…
you won't regret it."
He turned and headed back toward Verity.
When he saw the pack of sliced bread in her hands, the two shared a knowing smile.
"You win?"
Ash asked.
"Of course. Look who I've got now."
Verity pointed proudly at the crowned little penguin beside her.
"Prinplup… so it finally evolved. Congratulations."
Ash clapped lightly.
"So… shall we keep going? Celadon should be close, right?"
Verity asked.
"No rush."
Ash glanced at the sun and spotted a large rock casting shade.
"Let's have lunch here. We've got fruit and bread. I'll make sandwiches."
"Yay!! I approve!!"
Verity cheered, nodding vigorously.
They set up their little travel table in the shade, preparing their roadside meal.
To be continued…