Ash spread out the slightly rough paper map in his hand, pointing his finger at the dusty grey dot labeled "Viridian City", and began speaking to Pikachu.
Viridian City is very close to Pallet Town.
"Partner~"
"The 1st Gym is the Viridian Gym, and the 2nd Gym will be the Pewter Gym."
"The Viridian Gym Leader, known as Giovanni of the Earth, is one of the strongest Trainers in this world."
"The Pewter Gym's Leader is Brock, also a skilled hand... Well, of course, fighting a Rock-type Gym will depend on you."
As a Gym Leader, Brock is very strong.
It's just that as Gym Leaders, when they deal with rookie Trainers, they won't use their main team.
Let's say:
The challenge level for the 1st Badge Gym match is Level 10~20
Then the Gym challenge level for the 8th Badge is Level 30~40
This is a screening mechanism for Trainers, to cultivate Ace Trainers.
Otherwise... how could Gym Leaders who are defeated by rookie Trainers protect the city?
Especially since this world really has villainous organizations.
"Pika!" Pikachu responded cheerfully, the electric sacs on its cheeks flashing with "zzzt" sounds, emitting a few thin sparks carrying a hint of intimacy, and it scurried onto Ash Ketchum's neck without surprise.
How does Electric-type fight Rock-type?
Who knows!
But Pikachu won't chicken out.
Hands on hips, it's super confident right now~~
"Hiss..." Ash exaggeratedly shrank his neck, helplessly poking Pikachu's bulging cheeks, "I know you like me, but can you restrain yourself a little?"
"You shocked me a full fifteen times yesterday!" Ash complained.
"Pika pi..." Pikachu lowered its head a bit embarrassedly, scratching its ear with a small paw, but its black, bright eyes were still filled with affection.
Discharging electricity, especially these small sparks carrying a bit of coquetry and excitement, is the most direct way for it to express "I super like you".
Many Electric-type Pokémon interact this way.
Mild electric shocks are a form of pleasure.
"Forget it, forget it," Ash's heart softened again seeing it like that, "I don't blame you."
"After all... when I was shocked for the thirteenth time."
Ash paused, a strange smile appearing on his face, as if he really sensed something.
"I really seem to be able to feel your 'Pika Pika' emotions. Although it's blurry, this is probably... the prelude to telepathy?"
Ash looked up, his gaze sweeping across the clearing in the forest ahead.
Several brownish-grey Pidgey were pecking at grass seeds, and a few were hovering low, making cooing sounds.
The air was filled with the moist scent of grass and earth.
Ash's eyes narrowed: "There are quite a few Pidgey here. I'll defeat a few more and pick out a suitable one."
He bent down, gently placed Pikachu on the ground, and pointed to the nearest lone Pidgey.
"Let's battle, Pikachu!"
"This is the first step we must take to become stronger!"
"Let's set off on the road to the Champion!"
In the Kanto region, Pidgeot, which Pidgey evolves into, is also considered one of the most suitable flying mounts.
"Pika—chu!" Pikachu instantly entered battle mode, its small body crouching slightly, tail taut, cheek electric sacs lighting up with gold light again.
After adapting to the Light Ball, this energy was no longer a burden, but a source of multiplied confidence.
"Pikachu! Thunder Shock!"
Ash did not choose the more powerful Volt Tackle, or the harder-to-control Zippy Zap.
A golden electric snake, much brighter and thicker than a normal Thunder Shock, shot out from Pikachu's cheek with a crackling explosion, accurately blasting the Pidgey that hadn't reacted yet.
"Gu?!" The Pidgey only had time to scream before being hit hard by the violent current, feathers puffing up, twitching a few times in the grass with black smoke rising, then stopped moving.
Ash flicked his wrist.
An empty red-and-white Poké Ball flew out, tracing a graceful arc.
"Smack," it hit the unconscious Pidgey accurately.
Red light enveloped it, sucking it into the ball.
The Poké Ball shook on the ground, the red light on the center button flashing rapidly.
Ash held his breath.
Theoretically, as long as a Poké Ball isn't violently destroyed (like being smashed by a Pokémon resisting), it can be reused infinitely, but the timing of every throw, the Pokémon's state, and even the quality of the ball itself affect the success rate.
"Ding dong!"
A crisp locking sound rang out, the Poké Ball stopped shaking, and the red light went out completely.
Got it!
Ash walked up quickly to pick up the Poké Ball.
The moment his fingers touched the sphere, a simple attribute box popped up:
[Pidgey]
[Level: 3]
[Nature: Hardy]
[Ability: Big Pecks]
[IVs: Average]
[Moves: Tackle, Gust]
"...It's fine that the level is low, but it only has two basic skills..."
"Sorry, I'm giving you your freedom."
Ash pressed the release button in the center of the Poké Ball.
A flash of red light, and the Pidgey, just waking up and still a bit dazed, reappeared on the grass, flapped its wings, and flew away quickly with a hint of fear.
Although later on, everyone pays attention to spiritual bonds to trigger potential beyond limits.
But in the early stages, the Pokémon's ability decides victory or defeat.
It's like a burly martial arts master telling you that intent matters more than strength; that's because he already has strength, so he seeks will.
But a novice just starting out playing their way will only ruin themselves.
Honestly training the body first and laying a good foundation is the key point.
If you want to explode combat power via idealism, you need the foundation to explode combat power via idealism first.
It's not something just anyone can do.
"Good news~"
Ash discovered that the First Catch achievement was completed.
[Achievement: First Catch]
[Reward: Prism Scale]
[Effect: Emits rainbow light, a scale that allows a specific Pokémon to evolve]
But where am I going to find a Feebas to evolve into Milotic?
"Forget it, I'll deal with it later."
"Next one!"
Ash took Pikachu and continued forward; the few around just now had been scared away.
His gaze instantly locked onto another Pidgey that looked to have fuller plumage and sharper eyes.
"Pikachu, Thunder Shock! Control the power!"
"Pika!" A bolt of electricity with intentionally suppressed intensity followed immediately from Pikachu, perfectly causing the Pidgey to fall into paralysis and heavy injury, losing its balance and falling.
Er... in the process of continuously shocking Ash, Pikachu's control over electricity has also become stronger and stronger.
The Poké Ball cut through the air again...
Ash was like the most efficient hunter, beginning his path of screening and conquest on the edge of Viridian Forest.
Every throw, every check of attributes, every release, brought him one step closer to finding that "suitable" partner.
"Pidgey Number 14, here, this is something good to eat."
Pikachu didn't control the electricity well this time and accidentally used too much force.
After Ash let the Pidgey out, he applied some medicine, fed it some food, and then released it.
"Pidgey?" Pidgey Number 14 was baffled, so it chose to eat its fill first.
_____
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