Chapter 14: Ugly Fish
More than ten minutes later.
Gurgle gurgle.....
A burst of bubbles rose from the lake.
Splash! x2
Two large fish flew from the lake onto the shore.
These two fish were covered in earthy yellow scales, with various irregular spots adorning their bodies; one was slightly larger, a male, and the other had more aesthetically pleasing spots, a female. It could be said that Ash had caught their entire family in one fell swoop.
[Pokémon: Feebas]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: 21]
[Ability: Swift Swim]
[Potential: Quasi-Champion]
[Skills: Hydro Pump, Tackle, Flail, Dragon Breath (Hereditary)]
[Pokémon: Feebas]
[Gender: Female]
[Level: 19]
[Ability: Swift Swim]
[Potential: Elite]
[Skills: Hydro Pump, Flail, Confuse Ray (Hereditary)]
These two Feebas could be considered excellent. The male one's parent was very likely a Dragon-type Quasi-Legendary, or perhaps a ridiculously strong Charizard; otherwise, it wouldn't have inherited Dragon Breath and possessed such high potential. The female one's parent might have been slightly less impressive, but its potential was still quite good.
"Eh~"
"You're kidding, right? What kind of situation is this!!!"
This sudden turn of events startled Misty.
The next moment, Ash jumped out of the lake and onto the shore.
"Misty, pick one."
The two Feebas had already lost the ability to resist, their pupils spinning in circles.
"Ash, you're amazing! To be able to subdue two Water-type Pokemon underwater with your bare hands....."
Misty's eyes showed admiration. Before Feebas evolves into Milotic, its combat power is very weak, but that doesn't mean it has none, especially in the water. In short, Feebas's base combat power is a bit stronger than a Magikarp that only knows Hydro Pump.
Ash smiled, "Just lucky, that's all. Misty, which one do you like?"
"No, I don't think so. You're the one who caught them, I....."
After all, it was their first meeting, and they weren't very familiar with each other. Misty felt awkward accepting Ash's kindness. She could tell a bit about the potential of these two Feebas, knowing they were both of excellent potential.
"Didn't we already agree to travel together? These two Feebas are probably the only pair in the lake. I only need one, and if you don't take the other, Misty, it will be very lonely," Ash coaxed.
There were many aquatic plants under this lake, making it very suitable for Feebas to live, so there were still quite a few Feebas in the lake. Ash had been in the water for more than ten minutes, and these two were the ones he set his eyes on. He wasn't particularly interested in their potential; there were others with better potential in the lake. In fact, Ash had glimpsed one with Champion potential.
Finally, under Ash's insistence and subtle hints, Misty chose the male Feebas.
Ever since he awakened Viridian Power, Ash increasingly felt that potential was merely the upper limit for the mediocre, and the lower limit for the capable.
He had seen the potential of Professor Oak's main team at the research lab before. Quasi-Champion potential could still break through to Champion, and Quasi-Legendary potential could be nurtured to contend with Secondary Gods. With his three special abilities and cheat-like advantages, there was no reason for him to be inferior to Professor Oak.
After catching the Feebas, Ash and the others didn't plan to stay any longer. After Misty packed her things, the group headed towards Viridian City.
"Ash, I see it's getting late, and Viridian City is quite far from here. Why don't you give me a ride on your bicycle so we can reach the Pokémon Center earlier?" Misty suggested.
"Eh, wouldn't that be bad? My clothes aren't dry yet, and if I get your clothes wet, you might catch a cold."
"It's fine! I'm a beautiful girl who's going to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, and my physical fitness is also very strong."
"Alright then."
Ash could only reluctantly accept reality.
He took Misty's bicycle, "Pikachu, Kirlia, do you want to go back into your Poké Balls first, or make do in the bike basket?"
"Pika-pi" (I want to be outside)
"Qilu!" (Me too)
Then, Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder into the basket, while Kirlia instantly teleported into Misty's arms.
Seeing both little ones had made their choices, Ash got on the bicycle.
And Misty sat on the back seat of the bicycle.
"Ash, you must ride slowly."
With Kirlia in between them, Misty couldn't reach out to hug Ash.
"Don't worry!"
Ash, who was well aware that when a girl says no, she means yes, suddenly pushed off, and the bicycle shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
"Woah ah ah ah!"
With the sudden acceleration, Misty was almost thrown off the bike. Kirlia quickly teleported behind Misty and used Telekinesis to stabilize her.
After the thrilling and exciting moment, Misty was so scared that she quickly reached out and hugged Ash's waist.
She didn't know until she hugged him, and when she did, she was startled. Ten years of daily training had given Ash a very well-built physique; abs were a given.
At this moment, Misty was completely smitten. After being handsome, generous, wealthy, knowledgeable, kind, polite, and gentlemanly, Misty once again labeled Ash as a 'hunk'.
"Misty, don't move your hands around, it tickles!"
Ash was both pained and pleased by Misty's reaching 'claws', only regretting that she was too flat; he hadn't really felt the beautiful side of a girl.
"Ah! Sorry!"
Misty's face instantly flushed red.
After touching his abs, her mind went blank for a moment, and she instinctively wanted to explore further.....
"Oh no, oh no, Ash isn't going to think I'm some kind of scheming female hooligan, is he?" Misty's heart was filled with unease.
.....
Just like that, after two bowls of rice worth of fuel consumption, Ash and his companions entered Viridian City as night fell.
At the city entrance.
"Hello, please stop. Please cooperate with our routine inspection."
Officer Jenny walked out of the police booth and held out her hand, stopping Ash and the others.
"Thank you, Officer Jenny."
Ash, being sensible, took out his Pokedex and handed it to Officer Jenny.
Seeing the Pokedex, Officer Jenny's gaze towards Ash held a little less vigilance.
The distribution of Pokedexes had strict standards; it could be said that anyone with a Pokedex was equivalent to a semi-official personnel of the Pokémon League.
She skillfully opened Ash's Pokedex and turned to the last page, which contained Ash's personal information.
"Ding... This Pokedex is held by Ash from Pallet Town. This certifies his identity.
Please note, once lost, it cannot be replaced. Please take good care of it... This is a friendly reminder from Professor Oak of Pallet Town."
After a series of notification sounds, Ash's specific personal information was displayed.
"Alright, your Trainer identity has been confirmed."
Officer Jenny quickly scanned it, and after confirming Ash's identity, she returned the Pokedex. A Pokedex personally issued by Professor Oak had no need for a strict inspection; confirming that the holder's basic information matched was enough.
"It's getting late, both of you. If you plan to stay overnight in Viridian City, please go to the Pokémon Center over there and register with Nurse Joy.
Unless absolutely necessary, please do not wander around at night. Recently, a group of criminals stealing Pokémon has appeared in Viridian City."
Saying this, Officer Jenny pointed to two wanted posters displayed on the bulletin board next to the police booth.
The targets of these two wanted posters were a man with short blue hair and a woman with long pink hair, presumably a male and a female. Both were wearing special white uniforms, with a very conspicuous purple 'R' symbol printed on their chests.