"Eek! A Caterpie!!!"
Misty's screams hadn't stopped once since they entered Viridian Forest. It's understandable for a girl to be afraid of bugs, even if that bug is a Pokémon. Besides, a giant larva-like creature like Caterpie probably has a higher terror factor for girls anyway...
Ash patted her shoulder comfortingly. "It's okay, I'm right here. I get why you're scared of little bugs, but Caterpie is a Pokémon."
"But that just makes it a bigger bug!"
"You're a Water-type trainer. Don't tell me you don't use insects to feed your Pokémon."
Over the years, Ash had come to understand the reality of this world. There are humans, Pokémon, and regular animals. However, the animals here had it pretty rough; they were almost all herbivores and served primarily as food for both humans and Pokémon. Ash had asked Professor Oak about it and learned that there used to be carnivores in the Pokémon world. But compared to Pokémon, regular predators couldn't compete and were eventually driven to extinction by the more aggressive pocket monsters. Only the herbivores survived, now serving as a dual food source for mankind and Pokémon alike...
"Alright, don't be scared. Weedle, use Poison Sting and finish it!"
"Weedle!"
With a single Poison Sting, the helpless Caterpie was instantly knocked out. Ash took out some honey and poured it for Weedle.
"Weedle!" The little bug ate the honey happily, and suddenly, the glow of evolution enveloped its body. Ash didn't look surprised at all. "Just as I thought. I've raised you for so long and you wouldn't evolve—you just needed that first victory. Now, let's see what you become."
As the light faded, Ash's Weedle had evolved into Kakuna. This Kakuna's outer shell had a distinct, metallic luster.
"Not bad at all. Kakuna, focus on storing up your strength."
"Kaku!"
Noticing Misty was still a bit shaken, Ash patted Kakuna's head and recalled it into its Poké Ball.
"Alright, no need to be afraid anymore."
Only after Ash put the bug away did Misty step out from behind Chansey. "Sorry... I just really hate bugs."
"It's fine. Everyone has something they're afraid of. Nobody's perfect, right?"
Misty felt relieved by his understanding. "Thanks."
As they continued their trek, Ash caught a Pidgeotto. Having a Flying-type was useful for many things.
"Pidgeotto, what kind of bugs do you like to eat?"
"Pidge!"
"He says he likes the bitter ones, meow! Good grief, your taste is weird!" Meowth was shocked; he personally hated bitter things.
"Pidge!" Pidgeotto snapped back, offended that Meowth would judge his palate.
"What, meow?! You say you love that bitter sensation?! Fruits too?! How strange are you, meow?!"
After noting down Pidgeotto's preferences, Ash turned to Pikachu. "Looks like we'll need to prepare an extra bitter portion for meals. But Pidgeotto, your taste really is unique. Most Pidgey and Pidgeotto I know don't like bitter food."
"Pikachu..." Pikachu sighed, sharing Meowth's confusion. Sweet and sour was clearly the way to go...
Watching Ash work, Misty began to understand why his Pokémon were so attached to him. No wonder they're all so clingy.
However, heartwarming moments are usually ruined by party crashers...
"We meet again, twerp!"
The moment Ash heard that voice, he knew he was being stalked.
"Who are you guys?" Misty asked, unfamiliar with the voices.
As if on cue, Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared to recite their lines.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!"
Misty realized who they were. "Team Rocket? Are you here to steal Pokémon?"
Jessie glanced at Misty. "We aren't looking for you, we want the twerp..."
Rip!
Ash threw off his red vest, revealing the black athletic shirt underneath. Along with the shirt came the sight of Ash's sharply defined muscles and eight-pack abs.
"I've put up with you guys for long enough. You keep calling me a 'twerp'? Look at my physique from years of training and say that again to my face!"
Being called a little kid or twerp repeatedly had finally pushed Ash to his limit. Since his rebirth, he had been extremely strict with his physical training to prepare for the rigors of travel. The result was a body that looked normal under a coat but would make most grown men feel ashamed of their own fitness once the clothes came off.
Jessie and Misty were startled by the sudden display. Looking at Ash's near-perfect body and his handsome face, both girls turned their heads away, blushing.
Jessie stammered, "I... I admit you're a lot more impressive than a twerp, but that doesn't mean—"
Slash!
The Team Rocket Meowth swiped at Jessie's face, leaving deep scratches.
"What was that for, Meowth?! You scratched my beautiful face!"
"Idiot, meow! This is no time to be fan-girling! We're here to catch Pikachu, meow!"
"That's right! Catch that high-powered Pika—"
"I'm done with the yapping. Pikachu, Railgun!!!"
"PIKA... CHUUUUU!!!!"
The Team Rocket trio knew they were in trouble the moment they heard the command. When they turned around, they saw a massive pillar of golden light.
"We're doomed..." BOOM!
The "Railgun" blast punched through the sky, sending the trio flying.
"We're blasting off again!"
Ash grumbled to himself while putting back on the jacket Ralts handed to him. "Waste of time. We could have been out of the forest by now."
He looked at Misty. "Let's go. You hate bugs, and Viridian Forest is crawling with them."
Misty blinked, touched by the fact that he was rushing for her sake. "Right! Um... Ash, thank you."
"Don't worry about it. Taking care of companions is what I do. Let's move, everyone!"
With Ash leading Ralts by the hand, Chansey on his left, Meowth on his right, and Pikachu on his shoulder, the group hurried deeper into the forest with Misty in tow.