Pokémon: Perfect Start

"Are they okay?"

After Ash carried Misty out of the Viridian Forest, Misty looked worriedly towards the depths of the forest. The screams of Team Rocket and the young samurai still echoed in her ears.

Ash, after letting his Pokémon rest, said, "They'll be fine. That samurai guy is a Bug-type trainer, so he must have countermeasures. As for Team Rocket, they seem pretty tough, so they should be fine. How about it, Meowth? Did you figure out our current location?"

Meowth looked at his device and said, "Boss, we're out of the forest now. We'll reach Pewter City soon."

"Pewter represents gray, the color of stone. Pewter City has been famous for its stones since ancient times. Although I know young people like to show affection, please don't do it on top of my merchandise."

A middle-aged man sitting below them looked at Ash, who was carrying Misty in a princess hold, and felt a bit speechless.

Misty then realized she was still being held by Ash and quickly got down, saying, "No, we were just avoiding the Beedrill. By the way, Ash, thank you."

"It's fine. Girls don't have as much stamina as boys, so it's only right to take care of you. But, sir, are these stones your merchandise?" Ash said, touching the stones. "I see that not many of these are mineral stones."

The man looked at Ash with surprise and said, "That's quite unexpected. You seem to know about stones. My name is Flint, and I specialize in selling stones. But from the looks of it, you're not planning to buy stones to make kimchi, are you?"

Ash touched Flint's stones and shook his head, saying, "I don't like making kimchi. I have my own pickled vegetables."

With that, Ash took out a jar from his backpack, opened it, and handed a piece of pickled vegetable to Flint, saying, "Want to try?"

"Oh, I'll give it a try. Hmm? Not bad, even better than the pickled vegetables from the restaurants in Pewter City."

Ash smiled without saying much. It wasn't necessary to tell Flint that the restaurant was his own business.

"Since you're from Pewter City, that makes things easier. Could you take us to Pewter City? We'll pay you. Also, if possible, take us to a restaurant. I think everyone is hungry."

Flint, seeing that there wasn't much business at the moment, nodded and said, "Sure, let's go."

After recalling Charizard and Metapod into their Luxury Balls, Ash and Misty followed Flint to Pewter City. Along the way, Misty remained silent with a red face. Meowth glanced at Misty and then at Ash but didn't say anything. Pikachu kept asking Ash for ketchup, Ralts obediently held Ash's hand, and Chansey held Ash's other hand.

"We're here."

Under Flint's guidance, Ash and Misty quickly arrived at the restaurant. Misty, looking at the large and luxurious restaurant, couldn't help but say, "Are all city restaurants this big and luxurious?"

Flint shook his head and said, "I don't know, but Pewter City is like this."

"Well, the scale of the restaurants is the same. But now is not the time to talk about that. Let's eat first."

With that, Ash led Misty and Flint into the restaurant.

"Welcome... Boss?!"

The two young ladies at the entrance were smiling and welcoming, but when they saw Ash, they were stunned. After all, Ash's appearance was known to all employees of the Continental Hotel and its affiliated restaurants. As for whether someone with ill intentions would take advantage of this? Ash wasn't worried. The Pokémon League alone was a huge protective umbrella, not to mention the global influence of the Joy and Jenny families. And the defensive capabilities of Ash's own family were even more terrifying.

Ash didn't blame the two ladies for their surprise, as he usually frequented the Continental Hotel.

"Get us a luxury room."

"Yes!"

Misty looked at Ash and asked, "Ash, what did they mean by 'Boss'?"

Ash replied calmly, "Exactly what it means. I'm the owner of the restaurant."

"You're kidding, right?!" Misty seriously doubted her hearing, and Flint was even more incredulous. He knew a bit about the restaurant being an affiliate of the Continental Hotel, and that both businesses had only one owner. If what Ash said was true, then this young man who had just started his journey was actually a super-rich person who could buy a city?!

Just as Flint was doubting, Ash smiled and said to him, "By the way, sir, since it's mealtime, let's eat together. It's on me."

"Uh, okay, thank you."

Then, led by a manager, Ash, Misty, and Flint, along with their three Pokémon, arrived at the deluxe room. The so-called deluxe room was an eye-opener for Misty and Flint, as it was not only luxurious but also had a pool for Water-type Pokémon to rest in! Ash very naturally released his Pokémon.

"Everyone, take a rest first. Diantha and Growlithe, you two are not allowed to use Ember, understand?"

"Charm!"

"Growl!"

Seeing the two little ones nod, Ash smiled and then said, "Later, I'll have them prepare a Fire-type meal for you two. Just wait for now. Meowth, what meal do you want?"

Meowth flipped through the menu and then said, "Boss, I want roasted turkey, meow!"

"Okay, one turkey. Then, Pikachu, what about you?"

Pikachu pointed to the apple pie on the menu.

Then, under Flint's astonished gaze, Ash ordered meals for all his Pokémon. Ash turned to Misty and said, "Misty, you should let your Pokémon rest first. The water in the deluxe room's pool is fine, and then order a Water-type meal for them. Uncle, what about you? Where are your Pokémon?"

"Uh, is it really okay for my Pokémon?"

"It's fine."

"Alright, mine are Rock-type. Come out, Geodude, Graveler, and Golem."

Looking at Flint's Pokémon, Ash gave him a surprised glance because Ash could already tell that Flint's Pokémon were at an advanced level of strength.

In the Pokémon world where Ash lived, power levels were also categorized, ranging from Novice, Normal, Advanced, Elite, Semi-Champion, Champion, and above Champion, the Legendary level.

Now, Flint's three Pokémon were all at the Advanced level, which meant Flint had the qualifications to be a Gym Leader.

"Uncle, are you a Gym Leader?" Misty also noticed this and couldn't help but ask. However, Flint shook his head and denied it, "No, the Gym Leader here is named Flint, and his Pokémon are also at the Advanced level."

"Advanced level? I thought so. Regular trainers usually aren't like that guy named Samurai, who was clearly at the Novice level. It should be like Misty, who is at the Advanced level."

However, Misty didn't know how to respond to Ash because she was actually a Gym Leader herself. Moreover, the Samurai from before was indeed at a normal level. Misty felt that Ash seemed to be excessively strong, even able to easily defeat others with just a Metapod.

What Misty didn't know was that Ash, because he had always been raising Meowth and the others, wasn't clear about the actual strength of normal people. After all, Ash interacted with high-level trainers. Elesa was the Electric-type Gym Leader, Cynthia was the Champion, and even Professor Samuel Oak himself was at the Champion level.

Of course, this didn't mean Ash was weak. It's important to know that Ash's Pokémon had been with him for many years. Under Ash's various nutritious meals and training, the Pokémon led by Pikachu were no longer ordinary Pokémon that could be easily dealt with. Moreover, the group that often freeloaded at Ash's house wasn't simple either. Wild Pokémon actually had a type of existence that was between Semi-Champion and Champion, or even above Champion, known as Alpha Pokémon, which were capable of dominating an area. The group that was caught by Ash because they often freeloaded at his house were Alpha Pokémon.

Therefore, Ash thought that everyone generally had high strength because he himself was surrounded by monster-level existences.

During the waiting period, Ash also called some of his friends.

"Hey? Steven, I'm out on my journey now. Oh, don't worry, Pikachu and the others are still reliable."

"Hey, Elesa, nothing much, just wanted to call you."

"May, please spare me."

"Diantha, Ralts is healthy, don't worry."

After Ash finished contacting a bunch of people, Flint finally stopped crying.

"I'm sorry, I've been feeling a bit sad recently."

Flint looked at Ash and Misty, who had been waiting for him, with some embarrassment. Ash, however, said understandingly, "I can understand. After all, your goddess is getting married."

"It's great that you understand! Why is Miss Elesa getting engaged? Damn it! Who is that enviable guy?!"

Looking at Flint, who was both sad and furious, Ash just smiled and didn't say anything. How could he tell Flint that Elesa's fiancé was himself?

"I'm sorry, I got a bit emotional again. Well then, let's begin! The gym battle starts now! We'll each use two Pokémon. The first one to have both Pokémon unable to battle loses. As the gym leader, I'll go first. Go, Geodude!"

"Geodude!"

Seeing the Rock-type Geodude, Ash took out Diantha's Luxury Ball and said, "Go, Diantha. This is a battle against type advantage."

Seeing that Ash had sent out Diantha, Flint couldn't help but say, "You do know about type advantages, right?"

However, Ash shook his head and said, "Yes, I know. But for Diantha, battling against type advantage is inevitable sooner or later. So, it's better to let him experience it early. Diantha, don't let the enemy attack you, or it will deal a lot of damage to you."

"Char!"

Diantha nodded, then looked seriously at Geodude.

"If that's what you say, then I won't hold back! Geodude, use Rollout!"

Under Flint's command, Geodude curled up into a ball and charged straight at Diantha. However, Diantha didn't move; it was waiting for Ash's command.

"Grab it."

"Char!"

Hearing Ash's command, Diantha hugged Geodude as it charged forward.

"What! Although I thought your Diantha was strong before, but what's the situation with it hugging Geodude's Roll?!"

Facing the surprised Flint, Ash didn't respond but directly said, "As I taught you before! Seismic Toss to finish it!"

"Diantha!"

Diantha, holding Geodude, jumped high and then threw it towards the ground. Geodude hit the ground hard, its eyes starting to spin.

"To be defeated in one move... come back, Geodude..."

After recalling Geodude, Flint looked at Ash seriously and said, "It seems I underestimated you, but even so, can you handle him? Go, Onix!"

As Onix's massive body appeared, Ash said to Diantha, "Come back, Diantha, you can't handle this one."

"Diantha."

Diantha obediently returned to Ash's side, and then Ash said to the Ralts he was holding, "Go, Ralts, it's your turn."

"Ralts."

Flint was somewhat surprised that Ash sent out Ralts, but he wouldn't hold back.

"Go, Onix! Use Bind!"

"Onix!"

Onix wouldn't hold back, charging directly at Ralts with its massive body, while Ralts looked firmly at Onix.

"Use Psychic to control it."

"Ralts!"

As Ralts used its skill, Onix's body stopped, and Flint could only say helplessly, "I knew it, Psychic types are really hard to deal with..."

"Magical Leaf."

"Ralts!"

With Ralts's Psychic power, magical leaves began to swirl around Onix.

"Hurry and break free, Onix!"

"Onix!"

Although Onix really wanted to break free, it was of no use. Although Ralts had always been like a little cotton jacket clinging to Ash, Ash had always trained her, so Ralts's Psychic wasn't so easy to break free from. After seeing that Onix had been hit enough by Magical Leaf, Ash said, "Ralts, throw it out."

"Ralts!"

With Ralts's Psychic power, Onix fell to the ground, unable to get up.

"The match is over, the winner of this battle is Ash from Pallet Town!"

After recalling Onix, Flint took out the Boulder Badge and handed it to Ash, saying, "That was really impressive, your Pokémon are very strong. This is the Boulder Badge, please take it."

"Alright, so the first badge is obtained."

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