Pallet Town, Oak Research Institute.
Upon hearing the news of his upcoming departure,
Ash clenched his fists, his eyes sparkling with excitent.
"I get to travel with Natsu-sensei?!"
"This is… amazing!"
Professor Oak, dressed in his white lab coat, coughed dryly. "Ash, calm down. This is a mission, not a vacation…"
Before he could finish, Ash had already bolted out of the research institute in a whirlwind.
"That kid…"
Professor Oak sighed with a wry smile, only to see Ash suddenly double back.
"Uh… Professor Oak?"
Ash scratched his head sheepishly. "What's Natsu-sensei's contact info again?"
The sky was clear, and a herd of Tauros galloped across the courtyard, kicking up clouds of dust.
Blue Oak set down the docunts in his hand, slipping one into his pocket.
Helping out at the research institute occasionally… wasn't so bad.
Suddenly, a swift figure dashed past him. Blue called out, "Ash!"
Ash skidded to a halt, turning to look before breaking into a grin. "Senior Blue Oak! I've already finished my training regin. Right now, I'm just getting ready for Professor Oak's Pokédex evaluation mission."
Blue nodded slightly.
To think… this kid could even handle double the usual training load.
Though still rough around the edges, his talent was undeniable.
Blue stepped forward, straightening Ash's collar with a calm deanor. "Mind your tone when speaking to Natsu-sensei. Don't be reckless, and don't challenge him carelessly."
His gaze sharpened abruptly. "Otherwise… you'll regret it."
Ash's smile froze for a second before he nodded frantically, like a rattata caught in headlights.
Brash as he was, Ash wasn't stupid. If even his senior was this serious, he'd better listen.
Given how tense Blue was acting… Natsu-sensei might be on the sa level as Senior Red.
"Guess last ti we battled, Natsu-sensei was just giving pointers," Ash muttered, scratching his head. "Maybe… I should bring more pocket money this ti? As tuition?"
Watching Ash's retreating figure,
Blue found himself lost in thought.
It reminded him of when he and Red had left Pallet Town all those years ago… that sa fiery determination.
The usually proud and aloof Blue Oak allowed himself a rare smile.
"Who knows… maybe you really will beco a Pokémon Master one day."
His phone buzzed. Blue glanced down at the chat group.
Gold: "So tired… stayed up way too late listening to Miss Mary's midnight radio show."
Natsu-sensei: "Why not listen to mine instead?"
Gold's eye twitched as he recalled the last ti he tuned into Natsu's broadcast.
Just when the lecture was lulling him to sleep, Natsu had suddenly unleashed a Snarl.
Who could handle that?!
Erika: "Hm? Natsu-sensei, did you not co to Celadon School today?"
Natsu: "Nope. Professor Oak asked to accompany Ash on an evaluation mission, so I took leave from Principal Earl Dervish."
Erika: "Even if you hadn't… we hardly see you around anyway."
Natsu coughed awkwardly.
That's unfair… I did win the league championship for Celadon School!
The academic year's goals were already t. Sure, a few training facilities might've been blown up in the process…
But Principal Earl Dervish should probably be thanking !
Yellow: [Pikachu dancing.jpg]
Yellow: "Where exactly is the evaluation happening?"
Natsu-sensei: "Sowhere near Kalos, I think? Practically the Nordic ."
The group chat didn't seem to have any Kalos locals.
After so light teasing, the conversation shifted to League Tournant gossip.
Hours later.
Steven wiped listone dust from his forehead.
Like a child who'd found a treasured toy, he smiled as he tucked a rare mineral into his satchel.
Skimming the chat logs, he typed: "I'm actually in the Nordic right now. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out."
Natsu blinked in surprise.
Sure, it was just a docunt retrieval mission.
But with Ash's protagonist aura, there was always a risk of stumbling into so world-ending crisis.
Having Steven around would crank the safety factor up several notches.
"We'll see how it goes,"
Natsu replied cheerfully. "Thanks, Steven."
"No problem." Steven's voice ca through the voice ssage, warm and composed, followed by the rhythmic clinking of a pickaxe. "Back to work, then."
For a wealthy heir, his passion for rocks was… unusual.
Maybe it was the thrill of discovery—that mined gems felt more rewarding than bought ones?
Co to think of it… Steven probably had a private collection of ga Stones by now.
Natsu stared blankly at the sky, thinking of his own team.
With the company's current liquidity, dropping millions on a single ga Stone would still hurt…
A glance at the system's "Key Stone Mission" made his heart skip.
Two more Badges to go… gotta play this carefully!
...
This trip with Ash would last about a week.
Though supplies could always be bought at the Poké Mart,
camping gear was a must when traveling with the little ones.
Bringing a Super Rod might even help spice up their als.
As for the rest of the luggage, there was Squirtle's fish tank—
"Leave it to Gengar," Natsu coughed lightly.
As Gengar's strength grew, so did its mastery over shadows.
In other words—Doraemon-ghost's pocket dinsion had expanded!
"Gengar~ (￣～￣)"
Gengar floated mid-air in a seated position, pulling out cola and chips from its 'pocket.'
"Togepi~ (✿◠‿◠)" Togepi tiptoed, waving its tiny hands at Gengar.
With a pop, Gengar plopped back onto the floor and handed the chips over.
While those two shared snacks,
Sirfetch'd and Squirtle stood nearby, exuding an air of serene wisdom—like true 'big brains.'
"Sylveon~" Sylveon sat atop a suitcase, playfully swaying its ribbons.
Natsu, now herding his entire team, gave Arcanine's head an affectionate ruffle.
Ti to head to Viridian City—the eting spot with Ash.
December 30th, Wednesday.
Natsu waited at the train station, idly stroking Sylveon in his lap.
The platform wasn't crowded. A group of girls chatting nearby kept sneaking glances his way.
Sabrina's ssage pinged: "What's your itinerary?"
Natsu paused. Right—Gengar was still Saffron Gym's coach. "Three days minimum, a week max. I'll bring Gengar back ASAP," he replied, clearing his throat.
Sabrina's lips curved slightly. "By the way, Lt. Surge is at Vermilion Port. If you need a Badge…"
"Gotta go!"
Natsu hung up abruptly. Sabrina tapped her desk, bemused.
Was he avoiding owing a favor?
But as Team Rocket's ntor, Lt. Surge would likely make a move regardless.
Recalling her last eting with the Thunder Lieutenant, Sabrina's fingers drumd the wood.
With his personality, Surge might even challenge Natsu outright.
And if so… letting him taste defeat wouldn't be the worst outco.
A faint, amused smile touched her lips.
"Lt. Surge… try not to disappoint our ntor."
Outside Viridian City's train station, Natsu spotted the ever-energetic Ash.
"Natsu-sensei!"
A young man in a blue hoodie and red cap, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, sprinted toward him.
Ash braced his hands on his knees, catching his breath before grinning up. "Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Natsu's eye twitched. "Did you… run here all the way from Pallet Town?"
"Yeah, why?"
According to Delia, Ash's father had once taken three days to travel from Pallet Town to Viridian City.
Yet Ash, fleeing a swarm of Spearow, had made the sa trip downstream in half a day…
"Never mind." Natsu shook his head, gaining a fresh appreciation for Ash's inhuman stamina.
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu's nose twitched, its eyes lighting up.
This Trainer slled amazing!
Natsu was no stranger to Pikachu either.
At the last party, I nearly got fried by this Pikachu.
Natsu scratched Pikachu's soft chin and casually offered a Pokéblock.
"Pikachu..."
The electric mouse nibbled like a happy hamster, completely forgetting to use Thunderbolt.
Ash's jaw dropped.
Pikachu had not been this friendly when they first t!
But Ash figured Natsu-sensei must have the sa kind of aura as Yellow—sothing that drew Pokémon in.
"Natsu-sensei," Ash said, rubbing his head with a grin, "looking forward to traveling with you!"
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu nodded enthusiastically from Ash's shoulder.
"Likewise."
Natsu smiled, subtly eyeing Ash's cap.
Red and black, with half a green Poké Ball emblem—this was Ash's AG-era design.
Worth noting: Ash's caps, outfits, and battle prowess varied wildly across regions.
AG and DP-era Ash? A tactical genius.
He'd pioneered moves like "Swellow's Thunder Armor" and the "Counter Shield."
His feats included conquering the Battle Frontier and toppling a Legendary Pokémon user.
BW and XY were… debatable.
But in the most lighthearted series, Sun & Moon, Ash hit his peak strength.
As for Pokémon Journeys… Wait, Ash was the protagonist of that?
Natsu coughed into his fist, studying Ash's bright-eyed expression.
This was a solo-traveling Ash, likely future "Rainbow Hero."
With seniors like Red and Green around, his growth would be even sharper.
Watching the kid's journey firsthand was weirdly heartwarming.
"Let's go," Natsu said. "Airport first."
Ash adjusted his backpack, trotting after him. "Natsu-sensei, what tier of Trainer are you, exactly?"
Trainer skill wasn't just about Pokémon strength—it covered command, strategy, and experience.
Otherwise, any kid with a max-level team could beco Champion.
Case in point: Red's title, "The Battler," ant he couldn't lose.
And since Natsu-sensei's title was "Strategist"…
Did that an he fought dirty?
"On par with Lance," Natsu admitted.
Purely as a Trainer, he matched the Dragon Master.
But his team's power kept creeping up, which left Natsu conflicted.
Wasn't I just here to coast by?
How did things spiral this far?
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Train , Natsu-sensei!"
"Hard pass."
"Huh?!" Ash blinked.
Natsu coughed.
I barely know what I'm doing myself.
On the train to Vermilion Port, Ash chattered nonstop.
Natsu massaged his temples, forcing a smile. "Ash, why not ask Lance for advice directly?"
Ash gasped. "Really? I can?!"
Natsu nodded, pulling up a QR code from his phone.
Better him than .
Lance, enjoy the text spam.
[Ding! Group Owner added new mber 'No-Na-Change-Till-I-Win-a-League'!]
Natsu did a double take.
"The hell kind of na is that?!"
"Motivation!" Ash bead.
Scanning the mber list, Ash's head spun.
"I can… challenge—I an, learn from all of them?!"
"Maybe skip Lorelei," Natsu said. "Unless you want Cloyster to turn you into a colander."
Then he paused.
Wait. Would Cloyster skewer Ash, or would Ash grill it into seafood?
Gold: Welco~
Gold: Oh? Pallet Town's little bro?
Crystal: "Little"? You're barely older than him.
Wattson: Hey Ash! Let's ga soti!
Ash: You got it!
Roxanne, ever the teacher, sighed.
Ash was the only Pallet Town Trainer who couldn't recite type matchups.
Roxanne: This kid's a lost cause…
Under Natsu's glare, Ash reluctantly changed his userna.
Ash: But I liked that one…
Natsu: Less jinxing, more surviving.
For the next half hour, Ash rapid-fired ssages to every senior in the group.
Natsu enjoyed the peace, fiddling with Sylveon's ribbon.
Across the table, Pikachu and Togepi stared each other down.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu stuck out its tongue.
"Togepi doo-ee…(í_ì)"
Togepi's eyes welled up before it burst into tears.
"Pikachu! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Pikachu flailed, desperately trying to calm the sobbing egg.
Gengar sipped juice, floating smugly overhead.
Finally, not my problem!
"This is the airport?"
Stepping off the train, Natsu scanned the area—then froze.
Azure waves, a ship's distant horn, a gleaming white cruise liner…
"Ash. Why are we at Vermilion Port?"
Ash blinked. "Because the Electric-type Gym's here?"
Natsu: ???
Ash flipped his cap backward, grinning—
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu leapt ahead, darting toward the docks.
"Wait up!"
Ash took off after it, as if this were standard procedure.
Natsu side-eyed Gengar, who scratched its head in confusion.
"Gengar?"
Why's this twerp more eager than ?
"Let's follow."
Shouldering his bag, Natsu's mood darkened.
Knowing Ash's habits…
The first stop in any city was always—
His gaze landed on a sleek, glass-paneled building.
[Vermilion Gym].
Natsu's face paled.
Listen here, you little—
Just because you're a junior doesn't an I won't hold a grudge.
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