Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

However, during training... it's best not to cheat in any way during this stage.

Ash's finger paused slightly in the air, a vague feeling guiding him to touch one of the cards.

Pikachu's little paw is also pressed on a card.

Both of them placed the cards on their sides and turned them over simultaneously.

under the moonlight.

The images on both cards are clearly visible—both are Pikachu Pokémon cards flashing with electricity.

"Success!" Ash opened his eyes, turned around, and smiled at Pikachu.

There have been 66 flips so far.

I got it right 35 times.

The success rate is over 50%.

The probability is not low, after all, it's not like flipping a coin, there are only heads and tails.

Ash and Pikachu each have 30 different cards in their hands, so theoretically the probability of playing the same card is only 3.33%.

The little AI sensed that the invisible bond was becoming clearer.

Pikachu rubbed against his back and made a satisfied "Pika~" sound.

However, beyond this harmonious telepathic connection, Ash also vaguely sensed subtle emotional fluctuations in the other members of the team.

Especially... that little guy who isn't in his room right now.

The dream demon went out to roam.

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at the same time.

Under the open-air veranda outside Lijia's room, filled with the fragrance of plants.

The dream demon floated listlessly beside Rika, its small body seemingly shrouded in a low-pressure atmosphere.

“Mah...Mah..." It made a muttering sound that was unclear and tinged with annoyance, its big, round eyes filled with confusion.

To evolve, or not to evolve?

The thought clung to it like a vine.

It longs to become stronger, to be able to protect everyone in crucial moments like Pikachu, instead of just watching from the sidelines or interfering with enemies with illusions and pranks.

Evolving into a Misdreavus will significantly increase your power; this is the fastest way.

But...deep down, it was a little scared.

Afraid of change, afraid of losing who I am now, afraid that after evolving I will no longer be myself...

This is the difference in personality among Pokémon.

Different Pokémon have different personalities and ideas, rather than being all the same.

Lijia had just finished her evening meditation and was wearing an elegant light purple nightgown, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall.

She looked at the little guy beside her, who seemed preoccupied, smiled gently, and didn't speak immediately, but just patted the cushion next to her lightly.

The dream demon hesitated for a moment, then floated over and landed on the cushion, curling up its body.

"Are you still worried about evolution?" Rika's voice was as gentle and melodious as a night breeze rustling through a wind chime.

"Mah!" The dream demon nodded vigorously, raised her little face, and looked confused.

Rika stretched out her finger and gently tapped the dream demon's forehead.

"The heart has power, little dream demon."

She gazed at the bright moon in the courtyard, its light spilling onto the pond, creating a shimmering silver glow.

"A true heart possesses true power."

"It may be easy to deceive others, but deceiving yourself will only lead your power astray in the end."

She said slowly:

“You are not a belligerent child at heart; your strength comes more from the inspiration and joy of playing, dreaming, and playing pranks.”

"Forcing yourself to pursue evolution in order to become stronger, if this is not your true inner desire, then even if you evolve, you will not be able to unleash your true power, and you may even feel pain."

Lijia gently held the Dream Demon in her arms, making it more comfortable to lean against her.

“Pokémon with a warlike personality and clear goals, like Gyarados, are more likely to figure out what they want—to become stronger and defeat their opponents.”

Being clever has its advantages, and being straightforward has its advantages... but each also has its own disadvantages.

"But you are not that kind of child."

"Your strength originates from the complexity and subtlety of the [heart]."

"Therefore, you need to listen more patiently to your inner voice and figure out what you really want."

"Is it purely for power?"

"Or is it so that I can better protect my comrades?"

Or is it simply a fear of being abandoned?

Rika's words soothed the dream demon's confused heart.

"...So just let nature take its course."

"When that true thought becomes clear, without any hesitation or self-doubt, your heart will tell you the answer."

"At that time, whether you choose to evolve or not, you will be able to unleash your own true power."

Rika believes that for Pokémon like Misdreavus, which can evolve with just the right items, the timing of their evolution is more important.

Evolution that occurs at the wrong time may result in a loss of some sense of existence.

After all... not all Pokémon enjoy battling.

This is a problem that gives many trainers a headache.

They found a Pokémon with exceptional talent, only to discover that this Pokémon hated battling.

A few people have tried to guide and change the nature of Pokémon... but there are very few reports of success.

Therefore, for a trainer, a Pokémon's nature is more important than its talent.

Of course, one's talent can't be too bad.

You can't compare a Pokémon that's missing an arm or a leg to a normal one.

How can a person with two missing legs compete with a able-bodied person in running?

The dream demon nestled quietly in Rika's arms.

She looked up at the bright moon in the sky, which seemed to illuminate people's hearts, and the confusion in her eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat.

Lijia stopped talking and just held it... Some things are only useful if you figure them out yourself; what others say is useless.

Both were immersed in the moonlit night, letting tranquility soothe all their anxieties.

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In another room prepared for guests, Xiaoxia was also unable to sleep.

She sat by the window, leaning against the windowsill, her hand supporting her cheek.

Xia gazed at the same moon outside the window, the words Lijia had spoken during the day echoing in her mind.

"A bond...a meeting of minds...the next step..."

she muttered.

Xiaoxia actually had some recollection of Rika's explanation of the ultimate meaning of bonds.

Her parents had said similar things to her before.

But my parents are no longer here.

What Xiaoxia found most ridiculous was that this kind of information hadn't been recorded.

Xiaoxia has already asked her three older sisters.

The reply I received was—everyone is different.

[Heart] cannot be specifically described.

All written records are distorted.

You can't truly empathize with someone just by reading words.

"What is my inner self really like?" Xiaoxia couldn't help but ask herself.

She loves Water-type Pokémon and aspires to become a great Water-type Pokémon Master, as elegant and powerful as Mr. Wallace.

But this longing always seems to be separated by something.

The relationship between Ash and Gyarados, which is inherited and almost a sense of responsibility and protection, lacks the experience of growing up together from scratch like Ash and Pikachu did.

Ultimately, she didn't catch Gyarados.

Gyarados's initial affection for Misty is too high... it's like a dog seeing its owner give birth.

Has Xiaoxia truly opened her heart completely and regarded Gyarados as a partner she can entrust everything to without reservation?

Or is it that, subconsciously, one still relies on its role as a "guardian" left by one's parents?

Of course, this problem is not difficult to fix; it just takes a little more time.

But... Xiaoxia wants to resolve this now.

She is very ambitious, especially seeing Ash grow so quickly.

"The power of the trainer's and Pokémon's hearts is a two-way street."

"If you have feelings of alienation and confusion within yourself, how can you expect to achieve the deepest resonance with Pokémon?"

Talk to yourself.

Just as Xiaoxia was lost in thought and confused about her own feelings.

"Click——"

A slight sound came from my waist.

Xiaoxia lowered her head instinctively.

A Poké Ball opened automatically.

A soft white light flashed by.

A Psyduck with a big head and a vacant look appeared on the floor of the room.

"Gah?"

Psyduck held its head in its paws, tilted its head, and stared blankly at Misty by the window with its unfocused eyes.

It seemed to sense the chaotic and uneasy turmoil in the trainer's heart.

This Psyduck has truly remarkable mental talent, possessing the potential for superpowers.

In fact, some Pokémon could theoretically have an additional Psychic-type secondary attribute.

However, due to the extreme rarity of these individuals, the Pokémon academic community has not categorized them.

Just like the difference between Naz, Gadria, and ordinary people.

Xiaoxia was stunned for a moment.

She looked at the clumsy Pokémon that she had recently captured, which always seemed a step behind.

Unlike Gyarados's imposing and powerful presence, Psyduck seems so unreliable.

But at this moment, when I was feeling the lowest, it appeared on its own.

Xiaoxia crouched down, reached out, and gently patted Psyduck's head.