In the Black World —
The two returned to Ash's home to find Delia still chatting animatedly with Misty and Sabrina, who both looked thoroughly engaged! Ash truly didn't understand—wouldn't these three women get tired of talking? When Ash got closer... he discovered they were actually flipping through his childhood photo album!!
"Look, this is Ash in his open-crotch pants days~"
"Mom!!"
Ash's face instantly flushed red, and he snatched the album away with lightning speed! This was social death! Absolute social death!!
Although Ash had grabbed the album, the images of his childhood were already etched in the minds of the two women. Misty was still covering her mouth, snickering, while Sabrina's eyes had narrowed slightly, as if contemplating something.
"Now, Ash... I think I saw in the album just now... a photo of you with a very cute girl. She wore a straw hat, a little pink dress, and had flaxen hair."
Misty: ???
Hearing Sabrina's words, Misty's snickering froze abruptly. She... couldn't laugh anymore!!
Hearing this, Ash thought for a moment, then showed a look of realization.
"You must be talking about Serena, right?! She was a playmate I met at a summer camp when I was six!"
He remembers something from when he was six! Remembers her name!!
"Back then, we actually promised to keep in touch... but it seemed a bit naive. When I got home, I realized I didn't have Serena's contact info at all. I asked Professor Oak, and he didn't have it either. If I wanted it, I'd have to contact Professor Sycamore in the Kalos region, since it was a summer camp organized by professors from various regions. I thought it was too much trouble, so I let it drop. Hmm, I still miss those times, though~"
Seemingly recalling the clumsy, timid Serena from summer camp, Ash's face showed a smile of happy remembrance.
Hearing this, Sabrina and Misty couldn't help but secretly sigh in relief, the tension leaving their faces. They thought it was a childhood sweetheart he still kept in touch with! Turns out it was just a "defeated rival" who didn't even exchange contact info. That was fine!
[Serena: !!]
[Serena: What kind of expression is that?! Do they think I'm not a threat?! Do they?!]
[Grace: But Serena, you really aren't a threat Sweetie, it's time to face reality]
[Serena: Waaah—]
Thinking about it, it was true. Even now, she had no intersection with Ash in the real world. The real-world Silver Conference was about to start, while the Black and White Worlds were just preparing for the Johto League! Even after crossing a timeline gap of over half a year, she still hadn't crossed paths with Ash. She really was a "defeated rival"! Defeated!!
Back in the White World, Ash in Pallet Town watched Serena's coquettish text on the barrage with a puzzled look, then couldn't help but ask Misty and Brock.
"So, since I met Serena, she's been acting kind of strange in the livestream chat. You guys think..."
Gulp—
Misty, Brock, and Pikachu couldn't help but swallow. Was Ash about to figure it out? Serena's feelings for him! Misty was especially nervous now. She'd finally made some progress with Ash... was it going to be cut short??
"You guys think... maybe Serena wanted to go on a journey, but her family stopped her! So she thought of asking me, the guy who helped her as a kid, to help her again—rescue her from home so she can start her journey!"
Misty, Brock, Pikachu: ?
When we type this question mark, it's not that we have a problem—it's that we think you have a problem!
Misty felt even more helpless. It seemed it wasn't just Black World Ash whose emotional intelligence was only half-awake; the Ash in this world was even more of a half-wit among half-wits!
...
In the Black World —
With the misunderstanding cleared, Delia keenly sensed something and decisively changed the subject, continuing to share amusing stories from Ash's childhood. Ash simply took the photo album and went outside with his Pokémon to train. Brock was busy arguing with the Mr. Mime about housework. Since arriving at Ash's house, Brock had been competing with Mr. Mime for household chores, insisting this might be his last chance to do housework and refusing to let Mr. Mime take over!
Ash, stepping outside, listened to the noise behind him and looked at the quiet night, feeling at peace.
"Pikachu..."
"Pika?"
"It's great I met you. It's great I met everyone."
"Pikapi??"
"Haha, it's nothing. My brain just had a moment. C'mon, let's train!"
"Pika!!"
With that, boy and mouse began running through the night.
...
The next day arrived. Sabrina and Misty were still sleeping in Ash's room (Ash had slept on the couch). Ash got up early with Brock. The two girls were a bit tired from staying up late chatting with Delia, so naturally, they couldn't get up early. Don't get the wrong idea—Delia just chatted with them too late...
Brock continued doing housework at home, while Ash went to Professor Oak's lab and ran into Gary. During Ash's Orange League campaign, Gary had been training outside for over a month! Hearing Ash had returned to Pallet Town, Gary immediately challenged him to a battle. In this match, Gary sent out an Eevee, which was easily defeated by Ash's Pidgeot. Then Gary sent out a Fighting-type Machoke. Even without using the "Ultimate Freedom Style," Infernape was suppressed by Machoke's fierce assault! But when Infernape used the incomplete version of the Ultimate Freedom Style, Machoke was defeated in a flash!
Though shocked, Gary wasn't discouraged. Being able to match the non-technique-using Infernape with his Fighting-type already satisfied him. Afterwards, Gary mentioned his apprenticeship target—Chuck, the Gym Leader of Cianwood City in Johto! That was why Gary's skill with Fighting-types had improved so much. Ash said he'd definitely visit the Cianwood Gym to consult with Chuck in the future. Chuck in Cianwood City shivered for some reason.
After losing to Ash, Gary began collecting Johto Gym Badges. He'd already registered for the Johto League and had just wanted to see his grandfather, Professor Oak. He didn't expect to run into Ash returning home and then get beaten up...
About two days after Gary left, Ash's group began heading for New Bark Town! During this time, Professor Oak entrusted Ash with delivering the GS Ball to Mr. Kurt in Azalea Town. Even knowing the GS Ball's components, there was truly no way to unlock its secrets, let alone open it. Moreover, Professor Oak returned the two Legendary feathers to Ash. Though fascinated and wanting to study them, these were Ash's belongings. Not to mention, the feathers' abilities greatly boosted Ash's Pokémon! So, Professor Oak just studied them for two days before returning them.
Thus, the group of four set off for New Bark Town. This time, the lineup was Ash, Brock, Misty, and Sabrina! With Brock replacing Tracey, the fun seemed to increase. And with Brock around, Ash's burden lightened considerably. Though Tracey knew a lot about directions, sketching, and general knowledge, when it came to food... he was miles behind Brock! The cooking had basically fallen to Ash alone, with Sabrina and Misty trying to learn but... well, making a mess. So with Brock's return, Ash's load decreased significantly.
To reach New Bark Town, they needed to pass through Viridian City, then head west all the way. Along the journey, Ash and the others passed through Viridian Forest and encountered a flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto being bullied by flocks of Fearow and Spearow!
...
[Ash: Ah! Isn't this where I left Pidgeot?! How come I'm only arriving here now in the other world?!]
[Cynthia: It's less about arriving now and more about only now discovering the Pidgey oppressed by Spearow.]
[Steven: I wonder if Black Ash will choose to leave Pidgeot here.]
[Wallace: It's quite likely. After all, like White Ash, Black Ash is a kind-hearted Trainer. Faced with an oppressed Pidgey flock, unless they find another place to live, the only option is to stay and wait until the Pidgey produce another Pidgeot.]
Pidgeot flocks and Fearow flocks are considered rival groups in the area. Spearow and Pidgey can fight evenly, Fearow can overpower Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot can crush Fearow—in the wild, that is.
[Flint: Speaking of Wallace, did you see that crystal from Steven?]
[Wallace: Ah! I saw it. I can only say... no wonder Steven is so obsessed! That sculpture isn't just of a beautiful Mythical Pokémon, but... a Mythical Pokémon made of diamonds!]
[Erika: Diamonds?! For real?! There are Pokémon made of diamonds in the world?!]
[Wallace: Hmm... Honestly, looking at the crystal sculpture, calling it a diamond might not be precise, but it's somewhat similar.]
[Steven: That is a diamond! Diancie is a Pokémon made of diamonds! I've examined countless stones; even if it's just a sculpture, I can tell if it's diamond!]
[Wallace: Eh... Ah, yes, yes, yes.]
Wallace didn't want to argue with his friend. After all, he really had no expertise in stones. But... in terms of beauty, whether the Pokémon named Diancie was made of diamond or a diamond-like composite, its overall form was indeed exquisite! One could even say perfect! It wasn't inferior to Milotic, known as the most beautiful Pokémon! Or rather... it was even more stunning! There's a kind of beauty that transcends race and gender—Diancie and Milotic embodied it!
[Norman: Huh... I'd really love a chance to see it!]
[Steven: Don't worry, there will be a chance. I've taken many photos and will post them online. You'll all see~]
[Caitlin: Wow~ Is this really the elegant nobleman Steven? You sound more like a disgusting guy showing off his girlfriend...]
[Steven: ...]
Can you even talk properly?!
...
In the Black World —
The Pidgey flock was now covered in scratches but offered no resistance to the Spearow flock, looking thoroughly bullied! Seeing this, Ash frowned, a terrifying cold light flashing in his eyes. Though determined to be friends with all Pokémon, if one friend oppressed another... that wasn't right!
"I choose you!"
Ash released his Pidgeot. Since he carried the Silver Wing, Ash had kept Pidgeot with him. Besides daily training, even in its Poké Ball, Pidgeot could grow. Now was the perfect time for Pidgeot to protect its kind.
Pidgeot, emerging and seeing the Fearow and Spearow oppressing the Pidgey and Pidgeotto, felt raging anger ignite in its black eyes! A bunch of mongrel birds that merely looked like Ho-Oh thought they were Ho-Oh?! How dare they oppress its brethren! Utterly unforgivable!
Pidgeot, heart burning with fury, charged forward with Quick Attack. Before the bullying Fearow could react, it was sent flying like a cannonball! (Slow-motion would show its long beak, lolling tongue, and bulging eyes.) While the Spearow flock was still confused about their leader's whereabouts, Pidgeot flashed before the Pidgey flock, chirping commands incessantly.
The Pidgey, who had previously submitted without fighting back, now followed Pidgeot's orders and launched a fierce counterattack against the Spearow flock! Without Fearow's support, a Pidgey flock with Pidgeotto was stronger than Spearow! Under the united Pidgey flock's assault, the Spearow were quickly repelled! As for the dazed Fearow on the side, they were carried off by the fleeing Spearow.
Pidgeot, having driven off the enemy, flew back to Ash's side and nuzzled his cheek. Brock, watching the cheering Pidgey flock, asked Ash, "Ash, do you think the Spearow flock will come back?"
Remembering the persistent Spearow from the start of his journey, Ash nodded definitively. "They'll definitely come back!"
"Then when they return... how will the Pidgey flock deal with them? Without Pidgeot, they're no match for the Spearow at all, right?" The Fearow were only incapacitated, not gone. They'd surely return. Hence Brock's question.
Ash thought, then clapped his hands excitedly. "Wouldn't it be great to train them?"
"Huh? You... you wouldn't want to force a Pidgey to evolve, would you? That could take ages..."
"Of course not! Evolution is uncontrollable; you can't force it. I'm talking about something else!" Ash said, pointing to a few Pidgeotto in the flock. "Look, there are about five Pidgeotto in the Pidgey flock. With these Pidgeotto leading, the Pidgey can still fight the Spearow head-on! In that case, we just need to train these five Pidgeotto to work in默契, to fight together. They'll definitely achieve an effect where 1+1+1+1+1 > 5! Then they can definitely stand up to the Fearow!"
Ash had seen Pidgeot's ability to command the Pidgey earlier, which gave him confidence. As long as the Pidgeotto cooperated, even Fearow... would be no match for them! The others also felt Ash's method was reliable, so the group temporarily camped in Viridian Forest, teaching the Pidgeotto how to fight side-by-side and command the flock...
...
[Ash: Aaaah!! There was this way too! Why didn't I think of it back then?!]
[Gary: Thing is, even if you had thought of it, with your skills at the time, could you have taught a few Pidgeotto to fight Fearow?]
PS: Seems I missed writing about the Mr. Mime incident! Everyone basically knows it's similar to the original—no need to adapt it. Though Mr. Mime is strong, it's more of a housework helper. Honestly, after missing it for so long, I didn't even notice... bet you didn't either, haha.
PS :
Pokémon Flock Dynamics: Detailed explanation of the wild power balance between Pidgey/Pidgeotto flocks and Spearow/Fearow flocks.
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