บท 15: 15. No Weak Pokémon
Of course Ash could hear it, but he felt misunderstood. He wasn't unmotivated, nor did he do things sloppily.
It's just that when it comes to his future partner, he already felt guided by fate, and he really didn't need to worry about it.
Even if he didn't follow the original plot exactly, he couldn't choose other Pokémon without letting Pikachu go, right?
He was looking forward to this fateful meeting. Pikachu was still the same Pikachu, but he had changed, and the story would definitely be different.
"So you've thought about it?" He knew these things clearly in his heart and didn't care what Gary would think of him. He spoke confidently, but he was still concerned deep down.
In fact, the current Gary was just arrogant. It wasn't until the Johto League that Gary truly became humble.
"I... I won't tell you!" Hearing this, Gary instinctively wanted to speak but then decided against it, keeping his choice a secret from Ash.
"Well! It's up to you! Huh?? I'm hooked!!"
Ash didn't mind; he was just trying to divert attention.
Hush! ! !
At that moment, there was a splash of water above the river. Ash got up quickly. While chatting, a Pokémon had taken the bait. He quickly pulled the fishing rod, controlled the force, and carefully turned the fishing reel.
The pull wasn't particularly strong, and as he gradually reeled in, it soon surfaced, splashing water. Ash increased his strength and pulled the catch onto the grassy bank.
Plop flop! ! !
A fish covered in red scales flopped on the grass. With wise eyes, two long yellow whiskers on its cheeks, and crown-like fins, it flopped on the ground, posing no threat.
"O Magikarp!"
Seeing this, Ash walked over. The Magikarp looked terrified. Ash stepped forward, squatted down, and gently stroked its scales.
Using the power within him, he calmed its emotions. Gradually, Magikarp's fear subsided.
"Sorry to scare you, but unfortunately, I don't have a Poké Ball yet. See you soon!" Ash smiled at the calmed Magikarp, took out some bait from the box next to him, fed it, and then picked it up.
He walked to the river and put it back into the water. Magikarp entered the water, popped its head out, looked at Ash, and its round, wise eyes narrowed into a half-moon shape as if smiling. It rubbed against Ash's hand and then slipped into the river, swimming away.
Gary watched this scene from the opposite side, feeling both envious and puzzled.He hadn't expected that even wild Pokémon would get along so well with Ash.
But he resisted showing his envy.
"Gary, it looks like I won!" Seeing this, Ash got up and smiled at Gary.
"Hmph! What's so great about catching a Magikarp? Don't you know that Magikarp is the weakest Pokémon?" Gary turned his head arrogantly.
"If it evolves into Gyarados, is it still weak?" Ash sat back in his original spot, put the fishing rod back into the water, and stared at the river, lost in thought.
"Uh... I..."
"Actually, there are no weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers. If every Pokémon were strong enough from the start, wouldn't it be too easy to be a Trainer?"
"Isn't it the Trainer's duty to help weak Pokémon become stronger? Gary, as the grandson of Professor Oak, you understand this, right?" Ash asked Gary in a deliberately surprised tone.
"I... How could I not know that!"
"I mean, it's still early. I can still catch more than just a Magikarp!" In truth, Gary was different from someone like Paul.
Gary wouldn't dismiss a Pokémon just because it seemed weak. He only said that because Ash caught the Pokémon first. Ash smiled, hearing this, and didn't argue further.
Gary fell silent, and the scene grew quiet again. After a while, both their fishing rods started to move.
"Hooked!" Gary said excitedly, his eyes lighting up.
Ash didn't speak, his eyes turning serious. They both pulled their rods simultaneously, feeling a strong force. As the fishing reels spun, the two fishing lines gradually emerged from the water, and it became clear that they were very close to each other.
"Could it be the same one?" Gary asked, puzzled.
Crash! ! !
The river water splashed as the two fishing lines pulled. A round object was caught between the two lines. They looked over and saw that both hooks were snagged on an old Poké Ball.
"A Poké Ball? This must be a sign! Ash, let go, it's mine!" Gary said, his expression shifting.
In this world, while you can become a Trainer at age 10, Poké Balls are strictly controlled. Stores won't sell them to children under 10, even if they have money. So, finding a Poké Ball was considered incredibly lucky for a pre-trainer.
"We caught it together, so you should let go!" Ash said firmly. He suddenly exerted more force. After three years of training, his strength had increased significantly.
Snap! ! !
With a sudden exertion of force, the Poké Ball in the middle made a sound and, with a click, split in half. Each half remained hooked on their respective lines.
"Ah! It's broken? It looks really old, and the connecting parts are loose!" Gary said, examining the Poké Ball.
"It seems this will have to be settled later. After we become Trainers, the true winner will get the other half!" Ash said, taking down his half of the Poké Ball. He glanced at it, then put it away and started to leave.
"I will win at the end.," Gary muttered. Three years ago, Gary wouldn't have accepted a tie. He would have never admitted it, especially against someone like Ash. But now, he saw Ash as a true rival.
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