[Ash]: I protest! We're both protagonists—so why do I have to bum rides everywhere, while he gets a grand send-off with background music when his journey starts?!
[Misty]: Is it possible the System originally planned to livestream the legendary journey of Red World Ash, and you're just here for contrast~?
[Brock]: That's… not impossible, you know (¬◡¬)✧
[Ash]: Whose side are you guys even on?!
[Serena]: Ash, actually… your journey with Pikachu is exciting too…
[Ash]: Thanks, Serena.
[Serena]: N-No need to thank me… (〃∀〃)
---
Watching Serena blush beside him, stammering and unable to continue, Saki could only shake her head helplessly.
Her daughter was just too shy.
With Ash's emotional intelligence, there was no way he'd ever notice Serena's feelings in this lifetime.
Maybe… for my daughter's happiness, I should just spell it out in the chatroom myself…
---
[Lorelei]: I don't know why, but even though their personalities are similar, Red Ash gives off a very different feeling.
[Leon]: The Pokémon shown earlier felt incredibly strong—even I was startled. Ash, in the Masters Eight elimination rounds, will you use them? If so, I'll have to take this seriously.
[Ash]: Uh… about that…
[Gardevoir]: He has a very special Greninja in Kalos, currently training under Zygarde.
[Jie Ke]: Ash also has a trump card staying at Charizard Valley. It's basically become the leader there now.
[Steven Stone]: Oh? So you've been hiding your true strength?
Before this, among the Masters Eight, Ash had been considered the weakest overall and the least favored.
But after today's footage—
Everyone realized that the youngest competitor actually possessed many terrifyingly powerful Pokémon.
---
[Mitsuko]: Ash's mother is truly amazing—always silently supporting him so he can chase his dream.
[Delia Ketchum]: Oh my, it's nothing special. If it's something my child wants to do, then as a mother, I'll naturally support him.
[Saki]: Exactly. I've started supporting Serena in participating in Pokémon Contests too. It's just that without Ash traveling with her to look after things, I worry a bit.
[Johanna]: Dawn is always so careless. When she traveled through Sinnoh, it was all thanks to Ash that everything went smoothly.
[Lusamine]: It wasn't just Lillie—even I managed to escape the Ultra Wormhole thanks to Ash.
[Delia]: Oh dear, not at all. When you're traveling, you should all look out for one another. You're all welcome to bring your children to Pallet Town anytime~
[Saki]: That sounds wonderful! I'll definitely bring Serena to visit another day.
[Ash / Dawn / May / Serena / Lillie]: MOM!!
---
Seeing the conversation spiral completely out of control, the younger generation hurriedly spoke up to stop it.
So many people were watching, after all!
---
Back in Pallet Town, Delia looked at the screen, her face glowing with proud "auntie energy."
She hadn't expected her usually clumsy son to be so unexpectedly popular.
This feeling of picking a daughter-in-law… is surprisingly nice!
Meanwhile, everyone else in the chatroom was utterly bewildered.
How did a normal discussion turn into a parent-teacher meeting?
And why did the atmosphere feel… strangely romantic?
---
— In the Crimson Light Screen —
After leaving Pallet Town, Ash's next destination was Viridian Forest.
"Pikachu, remember? We met our very first traveling companion right here."
"Pika~"
Pikachu happily raised its tiny paws, mimicking the wiggling motion of a Caterpie.
"Haha… I wonder how Butterfree and its family are doing. I really want to see them again."
"And Pidgeot… I promised to come back and pick it up after I finished my journey—but it's been so long."
"Pikachu, if the conflict between Pidgey and Spearow has ended, let's go pick up Pidgeot, okay?"
"Pika! Pika!"
This time, Pikachu raised both paws enthusiastically.
Thinking of this, Ash unconsciously quickened his pace.
---
Viridian Forest—known as a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon.
Because Bug-types evolve quickly, are easy to catch, and have short training cycles, many novice Trainers came here to train or capture their first Pokémon.
But today—
The entrance to Viridian Forest was unusually crowded.
Ash approached and asked a nearby boy, who was traveling with a Pichu, what was going on.
Back when Ash had passed through here, it hadn't been this lively.
"Senior, are you here to catch that Pokémon too?"
Seeing Ash's Pikachu—the evolved form of Pichu—the boy spoke with exceptional politeness.
"Catch a Pokémon?"
"Yes! A very powerful Pidgeot appeared in Viridian Forest. At first, only a few people knew, but as more Trainers failed to catch it, its reputation spread. Now Trainers from all around are coming."
"Pidgeot…"
Ash froze.
Could it be the very same Pidgeot he had once left behind to protect the Pidgey?
"Then why isn't anyone going in?" Ash asked, pointing at the crowd.
"You're all standing here like you're preparing for a dungeon raid."
"That Pidgeot is the Overlord of Viridian Forest. It commands a flock of Pidgeotto and Pidgey. Everyone failed alone, so now we're thinking of teaming up…"
"Kenji!"
Before the boy could finish, an older girl walked over and interrupted.
"You idiot! Do you want to increase the number of competitors?"
She lightly flicked Kenji on the forehead—clearly his traveling companion.
"Rika, what's the big deal? We're short one teammate anyway. Senior, how about joining us?"
Kenji rubbed his head, looking aggrieved.
"Thanks for the information," Ash said politely.
He declined the offer and turned toward the forest.
"Senior, it's dangerous to go alone! Why not come with us?"
"It won't be dangerous."
"I'm just going to meet an old friend."
Ash waved without turning back, disappearing into the forest.
---
"I heard there's a Trainer in a nearby town who travels with a Pikachu," someone murmured.
"He's made the Top 4, Top 8, or Top 16 at multiple League Conferences."
"Wait… that Senior had a Pikachu too."
Kenji's eyes lit up with admiration.
Among countless Trainers, anyone who could earn eight badges and enter a League Conference was already incredibly strong.
"…I'm probably overthinking it," Rika said, shaking her head.
"Why would a Trainer like that come to a beginner training area like Viridian Forest?"
After all, Pikachu was a common Pokémon in Kanto, and many Trainers traveled with one.
"Let's hurry and figure out how to catch that Pidgeot," Rika added angrily.
"Otherwise, we'll never get the Stone Badge from the Pewter Gym."
Clenching her small pink fists, she fumed inwardly.
This is outrageous! How can a Gym Leader send out a Steelix against beginners?! Doesn't the Pokémon League regulate this at all…?!
---
To be continued…