The Pokémon Center was located in the heart of Viridian City. After passing a few traffic lights, the taxi arrived at the Battle Arena in under five minutes.
"Wow… so this is the Battle Arena?"
Clarissa looked around like a curious child, her bright eyes scanning the towering screens, roaring crowds, and glowing battle platforms.
"It's your first time here, right?" Ash smiled. "I'll take you to the registration hall first. Once you get your Trainer Crystal ID Card, we'll sign up for a match."
"O-Okay."
She adjusted the white baseball cap Ash had lent her and followed closely behind him into the registration lobby.
Only officially registered Trainers over ten years old were allowed to compete in the Battle Arena.
Ash receiving his starter at six had already been a once-in-a-generation exception.
Clarissa had only obtained her starter because she had passed the junior Breeder certification and received special approval through the Breeder Association.
Even so—
Two six-year-olds entering the Arena together still drew plenty of curious stares.
When people recognized Ash, they nodded knowingly.
But when they saw the cute pink-haired girl beside him instead of the usual Gary—
The gossip instincts ignited instantly.
After Ash passed, several Trainers discreetly pulled out their phones and began snapping photos.
…
"Ash! You finally showed up! I've been waiting forever! Compared to yesterday, you're four whole minutes late!"
Gary strode over from the rest area, complaining dramatically.
But when he saw the girl beside Ash, he paused.
"And this is…?"
"This is Clarissa Joy," Ash explained. "We've been training together at the Pokémon Center. She's interested in battling, so she came to try a match today."
"Hello. I'm Clarissa. You can call me Clarissa—or Rissa if you prefer," she said politely.
"Joy family, huh?" Gary glanced at her pink hair peeking from under the cap and quickly understood.
"I'm Gary Oak. My friends call me Gary. You can too."
After introductions, Gary elbowed Ash lightly and whispered:
"You've got guts. Another girl—and a Joy, no less?"
"Shut up," Ash muttered, punching him lightly. "We're just friends."
He cleared his throat awkwardly when he noticed Clarissa watching them curiously.
"Alright. Since we all know each other—"
"Gary, I'll register Clarissa first. You go sign up for a warm-up match. My first match today will be a doubles with her. After that, we'll team up like usual."
"Fine~"
Though he silently accused Ash of valuing romance over friendship, Gary kept it to himself and headed to a registration window.
After Clarissa completed her registration, Ash signed them up for a 2v2 match.
Because Ash's win rate was intentionally "balanced" for matchmaking purposes—and because Clarissa was newly registered—their match was assigned to the lowest-weight venue:
Sub-Arena No. 10.
Ash didn't mind.
Lower attendance meant slightly lower prize money—but not by much.
More importantly, it meant less attention and fame.
But fame was the least of his concerns.
He was already a household name in Kanto.
"Gary, we're in Sub-Arena 10. We'll head over first," Ash called out.
"Got it. After the match, meet at the Arena's Pokémon Center."
"Deal."
…
On the way to Sub-Arena 10, Clarissa walked quietly beside him.
"Nervous?" Ash asked gently.
As he spoke, he subtly activated both Aura Power and Viridian Power.
Aura—born from the heart.
Viridian—drawn from nature.
Both carried a calming, soothing presence.
Clarissa visibly relaxed.
"It's my first time here. And my first battle ever," she admitted. "I'm worried I'll drag you down."
Ash chuckled softly.
"Battles always have a winner and a loser. Everyone who competes here understands that. Besides, you get prize money and experience either way."
"Winning is great. Losing is fine too."
"It's not as serious as you think."
She nodded slowly.
"Oh—release Happiny now," Ash suggested. "Talk to her first. Calm her down. There'll be a big crowd inside. First-time Trainers get nervous—Pokémon even more so."
"O-Okay."
She opened her Poké Ball.
"Come out, Happiny!"
"Pu-gu~!"
A small pink egg-shaped Pokémon appeared in her arms—Happiny, the pre-evolution of Chansey.
Ash activated the Ascension Trainer System.
"System, analyze."
Happiny
Level: LV.15
Type: Normal
Nature: Gentle, Optimistic
Ability: Serene Grace
Hidden Ability: Friend Guard
Potential: Blue (Perfect)
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient:
Minimize, Pound, Copycat
Skilled:
Defense Curl, Sweet Kiss, Disarming Voice
Novice:
Covet, Charm
…
Ash inhaled sharply.
A Blue Potential Pokémon.
And not just that—
Serene Grace combined with Sweet Kiss and Disarming Voice…
Plus Friend Guard in doubles?
This wasn't just a cute support Pokémon.
This was a future battlefield control core.
Ash glanced at Clarissa again.
Maybe tonight's match…
Would be more interesting than he originally expected.
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T/N:
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