[ Mission Complete. Rewards Obtained: TM – Substitute, Ability Patch.]
"Ash, congratulations on catching Bulbasaur!" Misty and Brock were the first to offer their congratulations.
The starter Pokémon were usually distributed by the Pokémon League to rookie Trainers. Encountering one in the wild was extremely rare, and starters were generally quite strong.
Just by looking at this Bulbasaur, it was obvious it was special. After all, it had been the village's dedicated guardian—its battle strength had to be impressive.
Ash released Bulbasaur from its Poké Ball. Since they were leaving now, who knew how long it would be before they returned here again.
"Ash, please take good care of Bulbasaur," Melanie said gently, looking at it with reluctance.
"That child is very sensible."
"The other Pokémon are also looking forward to what it will achieve in the future."
"If you have the chance, please bring it back here to visit."
From the moment she first saw Ash and his companions, Melanie had felt that this boy was different.
Pikachu sat comfortably on Ash's shoulder without the slightest annoyance, and Ash would occasionally tease it playfully.
Perhaps it was because of that small detail that Melanie decided Bulbasaur might be better off traveling with him. She didn't want Bulbasaur's talent to go to waste guarding the village forever.
"Don't worry, Miss Melanie," Misty said with a half-joking smile. "Ash treats his Pokémon really well. Just look at that Gyarados—he's raised it so well that it's gotten huge."
After spending so much time around it, Misty had finally managed to somewhat overcome her fear of Gyarados.
"Haha, perhaps I was worrying too much," Melanie said with a smile as she looked at the Gyarados still eating lunch. "It really is enormous."
Gyarados: ????????
I'm just trying to eat my lunch… why are you all laughing at me?
While everyone was chatting, Ash quietly checked Bulbasaur's information.
Pokémon: Bulbasaur
Nature: Timid
Level: 27
Ability: Overgrow
Potential: Elite Four Tier
Moves: Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Seed Bomb, Synthesis
Held Item: None
Friendship: 100
A Timid Nature—a fast attacker Bulbasaur.
No wonder in the original story Bulbasaur didn't want to evolve. If it evolved, its Speed would drop. Perhaps it didn't want to become a slow artillery-type Pokémon.
The current move set was decent, but if Vine Whip and Seed Bomb were replaced with Toxic and Venoshock, it could become a very annoying stall-style Bulbasaur.
Bulbasaur looked cheerful and upright…
Unfortunately, its Trainer wasn't exactly the same.
Ash had just completed the mission for recruiting Bulbasaur, and his system inventory now contained an Ability Patch. That meant he could change Bulbasaur's Ability.
Hidden Ability: Chlorophyll
When the weather is Sunny Day or Harsh Sunlight, the Pokémon's Speed doubles.
That would make Bulbasaur a great attacker for a sun team.
Its level was already fairly high, which meant it must have battled quite often—probably against visiting Trainers while protecting the village Pokémon.
Its potential matched Ash's expectations: Elite Four Tier.
However, Ash suspected Bulbasaur might actually have Champion-level potential.
If the system ever provided a higher-grade Potential Enhancement Candy, he could raise the potential of his starters even further.
After all, starter Pokémon were meant to become core team members.
"Miss Melanie, it's getting late. We should get going," Ash said.
He watched quietly as Bulbasaur said goodbye to its Pokémon friends.
"Goodbye. Have a safe journey."
Melanie waved goodbye, silently praying for Ash's group—and hoping Bulbasaur had found a Trainer who would truly cherish it.
Bulbasaur, thank you for everything you've done for the village.
Go out into the world and fulfill your potential.
After catching Bulbasaur, Ash and his friends continued their journey toward Vermilion City.
Of course… they managed to get lost again.
All around them were flocks of Spearow, the infamous "Phoenix Chicks."
"Misty, do you want to catch a Spearow?" Ash suggested kindly. "Then you won't have to be afraid of bugs anymore."
"No way," Misty said immediately. "I only want to catch Water-type Pokémon."
Just then, Brock decided to play a prank and claimed there was a bug near Misty's feet.
Startled, Misty instantly jumped onto Ash's back.
"So heavy!" Ash blurted out instinctively.
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
Misty immediately punched him in anger.
Her figure was perfectly slim—how could she possibly be heavy?!
Compared to her fear of bugs, Misty was even more sensitive about her weight, and absolutely hated being called fat.
"Wait—I think I found the route," Brock said, ignoring their squabble.
Looking at the densely marked map, he pointed at a path.
"If we follow Route 24, we should eventually reach the road leading to Vermilion City."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Pika!"
(Charge!)
Ash dashed forward first. Pikachu jumped onto his head and pointed ahead like a commander directing the march.
Charizard… I'm coming.
If Ash remembered correctly, Charmander should be lying on top of a large rock along the road to Route 24, still waiting for the Trainer who abandoned it.
Ash took out the Pokédex and checked the weather forecast.
Rain every day…
Ash stared at the screen silently.
"Weather forecasts aren't reliable," Misty said.
"Relax," Brock added, looking up at the sky. "The weather is perfectly clear. It doesn't look like rain at all."
After walking for half an hour, Ash kept looking around nervously, afraid he might miss Charmander.
Something's wrong…
The system hadn't issued any mission related to Charmander either.
Could it be that Charmander wasn't here?
"Ash, did you strain your neck or something?" Misty asked curiously.
"No."
"Then why are you twisting your head around like that?"
The surroundings were just forest—nothing interesting to look at.
"I've never been here before. Just curious," Ash replied.
After wandering around for a long time, they finally found the huge rock standing in the middle of the road.
Ash immediately looked up.
The top of the rock was completely empty.
There was no Charmander.
Wait a second…
Charizard—
Where's my Charizard?!
Ash rubbed his eyes and looked again.
There really wasn't a Charmander there.
If Charmander wasn't lying here, then it probably hadn't arrived yet.
If nothing unexpected happened, all he needed to do was come here again on a rainy day to pick it up.
And when that time came…
He would also make sure to teach that heartless Trainer who abandoned it a lesson.
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