"That Totodile was so cute, I really want to catch one for myself!"
Back at Professor Elm's lab, the energetic and slightly dorky Totodile had completely captured Misty's heart. As a specialized Water-type trainer, Misty took her role seriously; aside from the Togepi Ash had given her, she almost exclusively caught Water Pokémon.
In contrast, Brock, the former Gym Leader of Pewter City, seemed much less focused on his specialty. He had caught quite a few Pokémon that weren't Rock-type at all.
"Misty, there are plenty of interesting Water-type Pokémon in Johto," Ash said casually. "Like Lanturn it's a dual Water and Electric-type."
He didn't expect the reaction he got. Misty and Brock both stopped dead in their tracks, staring at him as if they'd seen a ghost.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Misty looked at him in wonder. "Ash, you actually know about Johto's Water Pokémon?"
"Now that you mention it," Brock added, "earlier when you saw the Cyndaquil, you didn't even use your Pokédex. You just knew its name immediately."
Ash gave a wry smile. It seemed his reputation as a poor student was deeply ingrained in his companions' minds. "Can't a guy study a little? Misty, I've grown up a bit, you know."
Misty thought back on the last few days and actually nodded. "You do seem different lately." She specifically remembered the way he had called out the name "Suicune" in the forest.
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped, noticing something ahead.
Sure enough, standing in front of them was a young girl wearing a yellow baseball uniform, busy training a Chikorita.
"Are you ready? This is our hundredth duel, the decisive round! We absolutely cannot lose!"
"Go, go, Chikorita!"
"Fight, fight, Chikorita!"
The Chikorita was spinning the leaf on its head vigorously, clearly in the middle of a workout. The fact that the girl had a Chikorita meant she was likely a rookie trainer who had just started her journey from New Bark Town. Professor Elm had mentioned that the Chikorita had already been claimed.
"Oh, it's a Chikorita!" Ash noted. It was the Grass-type starter of the Johto region.
"Look, she tied a yellow headband on its head!" Misty pointed out.
Headbands and other accessories were special items for Pokémon, usually used in Contests. However, giving them as gifts or decorations could also make a Pokémon very happy, thereby increasing its Bond.
Suddenly, a wild Rattata hopped out in front of the girl and her Pokémon.
"The starting pitcher for Team Casey is Chikorita, and the batter is a wild Rattata! Chikorita, make him swing and miss! Strike him out!"
"Chikorita, use a fastball to end this! Tackle, now!"
Ash felt a bit embarrassed for her. The Rattata had just stood there through that entire monologue without running or attacking, which was a feat in itself. Chikorita charged forward, but the Rattata dodged the Tackle with ease.
Casey didn't lose heart. "The first pitch was a ball, but Chikorita gets a second chance!"
"Chikorita, use Tackle again!"
This time, she kept it brief. Chikorita spun around and charged again, slamming into the Rattata and knocking it out.
"It's a home run! Rattata was defeated by Chikorita's fastball! Now's my chance Go, Poké Ball!"
Casey seized the opportunity and caught the Rattata! The girl was bursting with energy; after the capture, she actually started singing a victory song, leaving the trio of onlookers completely stunned.
"Return, Chikorita!"
After recalling her Pokémon, Casey finally noticed Ash and the others. Her eyes locked onto the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Casey screamed and rushed right up to Ash, looking at Pikachu with pure joy. "It's a Pikachu! Is that a real Pikachu?"
Before Ash could answer, she scooped Pikachu into her arms. "That golden fur... those stripes on the back... I can't handle how cute this is!"
Pikachu, not enjoying being squeezed by a stranger, let out an electric discharge that left Casey scorched and dizzy.
"I'm Casey from New Bark Town! I'm a trainer aiming to become a Pokémon Master!"
Casey went on to explain that she loved yellow Pokémon above all else. Her dream was to put together an entire team of yellow Pokémon. After the group introduced themselves, Ash made a proposal.
"Casey, since we're both trainers aiming to be Pokémon Masters, and we've met on the road, let's have a battle!"
"Excellent! In the world of battle, there's no difference between a rookie and a veteran! I accept! Please give me your best, Senior!" Casey agreed enthusiastically.
"Then we'll use three Pokémon each! Let the battle begin!"
"My lead-off batter is this one! Go, Pidgey!" Casey tossed her Poké Ball first.
Seeing the Pidgey made Ash feel a bit nostalgic. He wondered how the Pidgeot he had released back in Viridian Forest was doing. If he hadn't been so close to New Bark Town when he arrived in this world, he would have definitely gone back to find it.
"I'm counting on you, Snorlax!"
Boom!
The massive frame of Snorlax slammed onto the grass. Ash had caught this one during his journey through the Orange Islands. Snorlax was a "nimble fatty" who could even swim, making him incredibly reliable. According to Ash's system, this Snorlax had a perfect compatibility rating with him and a very high Bond.
"Snorlax!"
Snorlax stood tall, appearing quite alert despite its eyes being perpetually squinted. However, its sudden appearance gave Brock and Misty a fright.
"Ash! Casey is just a rookie trainer! Why are you using Snorlax right out of the gate? The level gap is way too huge!"
"Wait, why is Snorlax even awake?"
Ash had used his Aura Power to sense that Snorlax was awake, which is why he chose it for the fight.
"Pidgey, use Quick Attack!"
The small bird flapped its wings and dived, but the impact against Snorlax's belly didn't seem to register at all.
"Headbutt!"
Snorlax leaned forward and slammed its massive head into the bird, sending it tumbling to the ground.
"Batter out! Quick, switch players! My second batter is... Rattata!"
Casey sent out her newly caught Rattata. "Rattata, use Tackle and knock them out of the park!"
Again, Snorlax didn't even flinch at the Rattata's impact.
"Body Slam!"
Snorlax simply leaned over and pinned the Rattata under its massive stomach.
"Casey, keep going! You can't give up until the very end!" Ash encouraged from across the field.
"Of course! I'll never give up! My third batter is Chikorita! Use Vine Whip!"
Chikorita lashed out, whipping Snorlax repeatedly with its vines.
"That's it! Go, go, Chikorita!"
"Fight, fight, Chikorita!"
Casey cheered for her partner at the top of her lungs. Snorlax, however, remained as immovable as a mountain. In fact, it seemed to find the whipping quite comfortable, and it slowly began to drift off to sleep. Chikorita whipped itself into exhaustion, and it was clear Casey had lost.
"Return, Snorlax. Get some good sleep."
Ash watched Casey recall her Chikorita and said with a smile, "Casey, don't be discouraged. Your favorite baseball team, The Electabuzz, has lost plenty of times, but they never stop trying, right?"
"You're right! Let's battle again next time, Senior Ash!"
Of course, Ash had a secondary motive: earning exchange points. He was currently using those points to buy the specialized Pokémon food Snorlax loved.
*Snorlax: 130/255*
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