"Ash, you're here. Since you still have to handle your online clinic later this afternoon, let's begin today's lesson right away."
From the leather sofa on the opposite side of the field, Giovanni stood up as he spoke.
"Understood, Mr. Giovanni." Ash nodded seriously.
Although he often referred to Giovanni as his "cheap mentor" in private, and even planned to destroy Team Rocket once he became strong enough in the future, for now, Giovanni was undeniably a highly competent teacher. Whether it was Pokémon training, cultivation, or battle command, he held nothing back, passing on everything he knew without reservation.
Because of that, Ash treated him with the utmost respect, regarding him as a true mentor.
The future could wait. For now, their relationship was one of genuine teacher and student, each fulfilling their role with sincerity.
While Ash began his training session at the Viridian Gym, over at the Viridian City Pokémon Center, Gary had already connected with Tierno via video call.
Kalos Region — Vaniville Town
In a forest not far outside the town, Tierno held a tablet in one hand and Umbreon's Poké Ball in the other, which Gary had sent over earlier.
After learning about Gary's remote capture plan, Serena and Shauna had also followed along out of curiosity, eager to witness this unusual long-distance battle firsthand.
"Gary, the Fletchling I found for you this morning is nesting just ahead," Tierno said as he adjusted the tablet. "Once we get closer, I'll connect the speaker so you can issue commands clearly. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready." On the other side of the screen, Gary sat in a classroom at the Pokémon Center, using Ash's laptop to monitor the feed.
Beside him, Green and Clarissa Joy watched with keen interest, staying quiet so as not to disturb him.
"Alright, I'm heading over now," Tierno replied, carefully carrying the tablet forward as if it were something precious.
Trevor, Serena, and Shauna followed behind in silence, cautious not to make unnecessary noise.
The forest around them was dense with vegetation, typical of Kalos's temperate climate. Sunlight filtered through the overlapping canopy, casting scattered golden patches across the forest floor.
As they ventured deeper, wild Pokémon unique to Kalos began appearing more frequently. A Bunnelby dug for roots beneath a tree, Vivillon and Flabébé fluttered among flowers, and Skiddo and Gogoat drank calmly by a nearby stream.
Occasionally, deeper within the woods, they even caught glimpses of Phantump, Trevenant, and Pumpkaboo, Ghost- and Grass-type Pokémon quietly inhabiting the area.
Contrary to popular belief, not all wild Pokémon were aggressive. Most were gentle and avoided conflict. The idea that the wild was inherently dangerous was more a human perception than reality.
Moving carefully, the group soon reached their destination.
"Gary, this is one of the three Fletchling Trevor and I found after searching all morning. You're lucky, it's currently in its nest."
Tierno adjusted the tablet's camera, pointing it toward a branch of a beech tree where a neatly built nest sat.
"Thank you, Tierno. Trevor. I really appreciate this." Gary's voice carried genuine gratitude through the screen.
"No need to be so formal, we're friends," Tierno replied with a grin. "Besides, if your experiment works, I'd like to ask for your help too. I want to use the same method to catch a Poliwag in Kanto."
"At Professor Oak's summer camp, you got Fletchling, our Kalos regional bird, while I got a Kanto Pokémon—Poliwag. It meant a lot to me."
"But those Pokémon were only temporary partners. When the camp ended, we had to return them."
"For me, that Poliwag was my first Pokémon companion. Just like you want your own Fletchling, I want to catch my own Poliwag."
"Me too!" Trevor chimed in. "I had Sandshrew at the camp. I'd love to catch one for myself as well."
"And I had Butterfree," Shauna added, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "I really liked it. If this works, I'd love your help to catch a Caterpie so I can raise my own Butterfree from the beginning."
"Serena, what about you?" Shauna turned to her friend. "If this works, do you want Gary and Green to help you catch a Clefairy? You seemed really reluctant to return yours at the end of the camp."
"Clefairy?" Serena paused for a moment, then broke into a bright smile, her expression filled with happiness. "That won't be necessary."
"Actually… Ash already promised to give me a Cleffa. It should be sent over in a few days."
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke.
"Ohhh—"
"Ahhh…"
"Right, we almost forgot—you've got Ash as your boyfriend. Lucky you!" Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor teased with laughter.
But beneath the teasing was genuine happiness for her.
Back in Vaniville Town, they hadn't been particularly close. Serena had been too shy, and their paths rarely crossed. But after attending Professor Oak's summer camp together, they had quickly become inseparable friends.
And as friends, they were truly glad to see her happy.
That said, Shauna's earlier sigh wasn't entirely a joke.
Seeing Serena with someone as thoughtful, gentle, and dependable as Ash… she really was a little envious.
After all, someone like him was rare.
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