[Pokémon: Shiny Magikarp]
Level: LV.13
Attribute: Water
Nature: Confident, Brave
Ability: Swift Swim (Hidden Ability: Rattled)
Potential: Blue +0.9%
Moves (Copyable)
Mastered (1/5000): Tackle, Aqua Ring
Proficient (1/1000): —
Skilled (1/500): Splash
Novice (1/100): Aqua Tail, Dragon Dance
…
[Pokémon: Shiny Feebas]
Level: LV.13
Attribute: Water
Nature: Confident, Cheerful
Ability: Swift Swim (Hidden Ability: Adaptability)
Potential: Blue +0.9%
Moves (Copyable)
Mastered (1/5000): Water Gun, Aqua Ring
Proficient (1/1000): —
Skilled (1/500): Splash
Novice (1/100): Safeguard, Recover
"Oh right—besides the two moves I just taught you, remember to practice Splash whenever you have spare time," Ash reminded them.
"There's an old saying: there are no useless moves—only Trainers who don't know how to use them properly."
"Splash may not be an attacking move, and it doesn't have any special effects either. It doesn't even count as a support move. But its ability to jump high can actually be very useful in real battles—especially for dodging an opponent's attack. So don't forget about it."
"Splash~! ^o^"
"Gluu~ (Λ_Λ)"
"Alright then—go train."
Seeing that the two Pokémon had listened carefully, Ash nodded in satisfaction.
…
At the horizon, the sun had just risen.
Scarlet clouds spread across the sky as golden rays burst through them like thousands of shining arrows. The morning light painted the clouds with fiery red brilliance.
After an hour of morning training, Ash and Gary each returned home for breakfast. Soon afterward, they met again outside Ash's house.
Today, no training was scheduled for the morning.
And this time, it wasn't just the two boys.
Ash's mother Delia, and Gary's mother Miho were also present.
In two days, the flower shop would officially open. Today, Ash and Gary were heading to the city to shoot promotional posters for their mothers' new shop.
…
"Seatbelts on—time to go!" Miho announced cheerfully from the driver's seat.
"OK!"
"Vroooom—"
The engine roared to life. The red convertible sports car—the same one Gary often used during his journey in the original storyline—rolled out of Pallet Town and headed toward Viridian City.
Four wheels were far faster than two.
Normally, cycling from Pallet Town to Viridian City took about thirty minutes.
Today?
Only fifteen minutes.
…
Along the way, both mothers excitedly discussed the details of the upcoming photoshoot.
What clothes to wear.
What poses to strike.
What expressions would look best.
What props should be used.
They chatted nonstop with boundless enthusiasm.
Sitting in the back seat, Ash and Gary exchanged a helpless glance.
Both silently shook their heads.
"It's just taking a picture…"
That single sentence was perfectly conveyed through their eyes.
Still, because their mothers talked the entire way, Ash barely noticed the passage of time.
Before he realized it, they had already arrived in Viridian City.
…
Although Viridian City was considered a top-tier metropolis in the Kanto region, the Pokémon world itself was vast and sparsely populated.
Including both residents and travelers, Viridian City had tens of millions of people, yet the entire city only had three ring roads.
The flower shop opened jointly by Miho and Delia was located on Lilac Street, along the second ring road.
On one side lay Viridian City's CBD commercial district.
On the other side stood a residential area.
The location was excellent.
Viridian City itself was known as a forest garden city. However, the plants growing on building walls and in public gardens could not be picked or damaged.
People living here had long grown accustomed to being surrounded by flowers.
Thanks to its proximity to Viridian Forest, the city had become a natural treasure trove.
Viridian City was world-famous not only for its herbal medicine and biotechnology industries, but also as Kanto's largest flower cultivation and fresh flower consumption market.
Opening a flower shop on the second ring road—especially one that also offered flower arrangement classes—already guaranteed excellent business potential.
And now?
With Ash and Gary acting as celebrity endorsers, success seemed almost inevitable.
…
"Ta-da!"
"So? Not bad, right?" Miho said with a radiant smile as she led the boys into the shop.
"Yeah," Ash said sincerely. "The shop's interior is just as beautiful as the flowers inside."
"I agree," Gary added.
"You two sweet talkers."
"Anyway, Ash and Gary, have a seat. The advertising studio called earlier—they should arrive in about five minutes."
"OK."
…
While waiting, Ash and Gary explored the shop.
The space was quite large.
The front area functioned as the main flower shop.
Behind it was a small classroom for flower arrangement lessons.
The division of labor was clear:
Delia handled the flower shop operations.
Miho taught flower arrangement classes.
Even the shop signs reflected their roles:
"Ash's Mom's Flower Shop"
"Gary's Mom's Flower Arrangement Class"
…
After finishing their tour, Ash took out his phone.
While waiting for the photographer to arrive, he searched online for high-reputation jewelry workshops in Viridian City.
After all, besides helping with the photoshoot today, Ash had another goal.
He wanted to forge his Mega Evolution equipment.
Finding a suitable shop was simple.
He opened the city map app, searched nearby jewelry workshops, then filtered them by ratings and customer reviews.
Soon enough, he found a store that matched all his requirements.
…
"Ash, Gary! The advertising team has arrived. Get ready!" Delia called.
"Coming!"
Ash replied as he put away his phone.
Since they only needed to shoot two promotional posters, the process was simple.
Once printed and framed, the posters would be placed outside the store entrance alongside flower baskets.
There was no need for major advertising campaigns, nor any video commercials.
As a result, the photoshoot went quickly and smoothly.
…
Ash changed into the flower shop's uniform.
Holding a bouquet in his hands, he stood beside Delia's Pokémon Flabébé, smiling brightly—like a cheerful Sunflora—as the photographer snapped the picture.
Gary also put on the uniform for the flower arrangement class.
Together with Miho's Pokémon Bellossom, he posed while arranging flowers for another shot.
Two photos.
Including wardrobe changes, pose adjustments, and expression guidance—
The entire process took just thirty minutes.
…
After that, the remaining tasks were left to their mothers and the advertising studio staff.
Ash and Gary, meanwhile, were finally free.
"Alright," Ash said with a grin.
"The flower shop business is done."
"Now it's time for me to take care of my own business."
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T/N:
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