"Call me if you need anything, Ash! I'm heading back to patrol. There's been a spike in Pokémon thefts lately, so stay sharp!"
Ash waved as Officer Jenny sped off on her motorcycle. He stepped into the Viridian City Pokémon Center, where the resident Nurse Joy greeted him with a warm smile. "Ash! You've finally started your journey too?"
"Yeah, finally of age. Could you give my team a quick check-up? And maybe prep a meal set for them?"
"Of course."
Meowth and Pikachu were perfectly cooperative, heading off with Joy for their physicals. Ralts, however, refused to leave Ash's side. Ash gave Joy a helpless grin. "This little one is a bit clingy. I'll bring her over for her check-up in a moment myself."
Seeing how much the Ralts adored him, Joy smiled kindly. "No problem at all. It's actually wonderful to see a Pokémon so attached to its trainer."
While his team was being tended to, Ash held Ralts and called his mother, Delia, to let her know he'd arrived safely. But just as he was about to disconnect the call with his mother and start a video call with Professor Oak, a breaking news report flashed across the Pokémon Center's lobby TV.
"Breaking News: Rumors are swirling that Nimbasa City Gym Leader and world-renowned supermodel Elesa has officially gotten engaged. She was recently spotted wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger..."
The screen cut to a chaotic press conference where Elesa was surrounded by reporters.
"Miss Elesa, is it true you're engaged?!"
"Who is the lucky man?!"
"Will you be retiring from modeling?!"
On screen, Elesa remained perfectly composed. "To be precise, I have accepted a proposal. The formal engagement details are still being discussed between our families. As for my fiancé, I won't be revealing his identity to avoid causing him any trouble. Regarding my modeling career, that will depend on my partner's wishes, but remember—my primary job is a Gym Leader, isn't it?"
The broadcast hadn't even finished when Delia called Ash back. This time, her smile was... terrifying.
"Ash, dear... care to explain this to Mommy?"
Under the sheer weight of his mother's aura, Ash retreated to a quiet corner and confessed everything—not just about Elesa, but about Diantha as well. Delia went from shocked to exasperated, finally sighing, "Honestly... you tell me you have multiple future daughters-in-law out of nowhere? I haven't prepared for this at all! Well, I know you're a smart boy and can take care of yourself, but don't you dare mistreat them, understand? We'll have to arrange a meeting between the families eventually."
"I know, I know~" Ash played the part of the obedient son, knowing his mother wouldn't stay mad for long.
*
After hanging up, Ash finally connected with Professor Oak. The Professor appeared on screen slurping a bowl of ramen. "Ah, Ash! I saw the news. That fiancé is definitely you, isn't it? Daisy mentioned she's planning on giving you a good thrashing when she sees you~"
Ash winced. Oak treated him like a second grandson, so he had to endure the teasing. Deciding to change the subject, Ash remembered the photo he took earlier and hit the 'Transfer' button.
"Professor, I actually had some incredible luck right after starting. Check out this photo of us."
Oak opened the file while taking a sip of tea. "Let's see... oh, everyone looks very energetic! And that girl next to you must be a new friend? Very nice. Wait... what is that in the background? ASH!!!!"
The Professor's roar was so loud that everyone in the Pokémon Center turned to stare. Ash mouthed an apology to the crowd before turning back to the screen. "Professor, please, let's keep it down."
"KEEP IT DOWN?! Do you have any idea how important this is?! Is this photo real?!"
"Of course it's real. Why else would we all be posing with it? It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
"You! Ash, you're a miracle worker! These photos are magnificent! What did you use to take them?!"
"A machine Meowth built. He's a genius."
Oak's eyes lit up. "Does that mean you have..."
"Yes, I have high-resolution, enlarged versions. Do you want them, Professor?" Ash teased, sounding like a little devil offering a deal.
"YES! Of course I want them!" Oak shouted. Ho-Oh hadn't been seen clearly since the burning of the Brass Tower!
"Well, I have a small favor to ask in return. Is that okay?"
"No problem! Anything for those photos!"
Ash chuckled. "First, get Meowth a high-quality gold coin—he's the hero of this story. And second... please help me calm Daisy down! It's a matter of life and death!"
Oak blinked. "That's it? That's all you want?"
"Yep. That's it."
"Ash, think carefully. These photos are worth a fortune. You could ask for a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon from the League and they'd probably give it to you."
Ash shook his head with a smile. "I don't need that. Daisy is more important than a 'Pseudo-Legendary.' Besides, when the destiny is right, the right partners will find me. I'll leave it to you, Professor. Photos sent."
He ended the call. Back at the lab, Oak looked at the crystal-clear image of the rainbow bird. He turned to Daisy, who was standing nearby. "With this photo alone, a person could live comfortably for the rest of their life on League rewards. It's the first clear evidence of a Legend in decades. Feeling any better?"
Daisy stared at the magnificent Ho-Oh, then at the happy group in the photo. She understood the value of the gift, and Ash's request made her lips twitch into a tiny, involuntary smile. She turned away huffily, though. "That philanderer is still getting a punch in the arm."
Oak watched her leave and chuckled to himself. "Ah, to be young."