"I choose you, Pidgey Number 47."
Ash Ketchum picked and chose, finally settling on one that was fairly decent.
As for finding a limit-breaking individual like Pika-God... that was just a pipe dream.
Anyway, his intended role for Pidgey was mainly functional.
Especially once it evolved to the Pidgeot stage, it could carry him in flight.
[Pidgey]
[Level: 7]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Individual Values: Pretty Good]
[Moves: Tackle LV1, Sand Attack LV1]
Er... although the Individual Values were a bit low, and the move pool was a bit poor.
But it was already the best one Ash Ketchum had caught in this area.
Pokémon Individual Value ratings are divided into six tiers.
Best: 31
Fantastic: 30
Very Good: 26-29
Pretty Good: 16-25
Decent: 1-15
No Good: 0
HP, Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Speed—every one of the six Base Stats receives this extra bonus from Individual Values.
This aspect is similar to the game.
But there are also differences from the game.
For instance, Effort Values in this world aren't obtained by defeating Pokémon and having them drop points.
Effort Values are truly the fruit of the Pokémon's own efforts and the Trainer's training... Theoretically, there is no upper limit to Effort Values, which is also the reason why top-tier Trainers are so powerful.
Oh, Nature is the same.
Nature doesn't directly influence numerical values like in the game.
Nature only influences the Pokémon's behavior, giving it behavioral inclinations.
And behavioral inclinations affect growth, ultimately leading to differences in abilities.
So, changing a Nature cannot directly change stats.
...In short, the system can quantify data to make it easier for Ash Ketchum to understand this world, but it doesn't go so far as to digitize the entire world into a video game.
"Come on out, Pidgey!" Ash Ketchum threw the brand-new Poké Ball.
A red light flashed.
The Pidgey that had just been caught appeared on the grass.
Its gaze was sharp with a trace of wariness; its wings were slightly folded, appearing both nervous and full of power.
It tilted its head, sizing up the human Trainer before it and the Pikachu radiating powerful fluctuations of electricity.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu immediately welcomed it enthusiastically, wisps of tiny golden electric arcs habitually popping from its cheeks as it leaned in with friendly intent.
...Umm... because it habitually did this to Ash Ketchum, this behavior had become a habit.
"Gu?!" Pidgey was startled by the sudden sparks, flapping its wings to hop back a small step, staring warily at Pikachu.
"Stop! Pikachu!" Ash Ketchum was quick of eye and hand, grabbing the Pikachu who was about to zap the new partner: "Did you forget that new partners aren't used to your 'enthusiasm' yet? Control! You need control!"
"Pika..." Pikachu immediately restrained the electricity, scratching its head with a paw in embarrassment, and waved its short little arm amicably at Pidgey.
"Pika~chu!" (Hello there!)
Ash Ketchum squatted down, his line of sight level with the wary Pidgey, a gentle and serious smile on his face:
"Welcome to the team, Pidgey!"
"I'm Ash Ketchum, and this is Pikachu. From now on, we are partners fighting side by side!"
He opened his palm; inside were several crushed berries specially prepared for bird Pokémon, emitting a sweet and refreshing fragrance. "Here, a meeting gift."
Theoretically speaking, Pokéblocks work best.
Those are designed specifically for Pokémon.
But regrettably, the current Ash Ketchum didn't have that level of skill.
He could only wait until he managed to snag Brock first.
Although he carried some Pokéblocks, he needed to use them sparingly.
Ash Ketchum always suspected... that Brock was a bodyguard arranged by Professor Oak.
Otherwise, how could a Gym Leader give up his duties so easily to accompany a rookie on their journey?
That simply defied common sense!
After all, anime can be for children, but reality requires logical rationalization.
You can't apply anime and games directly to the real world.
Pidgey's keen gaze swept back and forth between Ash Ketchum's face and the food in his hand. It sniffed the sweet scent in the air, then looked at the Pikachu nearby who, although leaking a bit of electricity, was obviously very friendly.
Its natural jolliness seemed to outweigh its initial wariness. It hopped forward carefully and bowed its head to quickly peck at the crushed berries in Ash Ketchum's palm.
"Gugu!" The deliciousness of the food made it let out a happy cry, and its tense wings relaxed.
"That's great!" Ash Ketchum smiled, gently stroking the smooth feathers on Pidgey's back.
Pidgey didn't dodge; instead, it affectionately rubbed its head against Ash Ketchum's fingers.
Most Pokémon have very simple minds.
Emphasis on most.
Because a small portion of Pokémon really have a lot of thoughts.
Remember—a dog is a dog, but a Border Collie is a Border Collie.
In his field of vision, next to Pidgey's stat box, a tiny notification [Friendship: ↑] flashed past.
"Listen, Pidgey." Ash Ketchum's voice became solemn:
"Pikachu is my most important partner, the main force charging into battle."
"And you, you are my chosen 'Eye of the Sky'!"
He pointed to the sky overhead, which was cut into fragments by the dense branches and leaves.
"Your Keen Eye is the most precious weapon the heavens have bestowed upon you!"
Ash Ketchum looked straight into Pidgey's bright eyes.
"In the forest, in the high sky, I need you to become my eyes, to discover dangers ahead in advance, to find hidden paths, and to lock onto valuable opponents or resources."
"High-altitude reconnaissance, warning of danger—this is your most important duty! It is the guarantee of our team's safety!"
Because this world is realistic.
So the functionality of Pokémon is also very important.
This is the key point.
Flying, digging, swimming—these are all scenarios a Trainer must consider.
"Gu!" Pidgey seemed to understand the importance and expectation in Ash Ketchum's words.
It puffed out its chest and let out a resonant cry. Its keen gaze swept over the surrounding canopy, as if it couldn't wait to fly up and fulfill its duty.
It felt its unique value in this small team, not just as a fighting tool.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu hopped alongside to express its agreement. Although it didn't quite understand what high-altitude reconnaissance specifically entailed, it was happy that its partner was recognized.
Ash Ketchum stood up, looking at the embryonic form of his little squad before him—his partner Pikachu on his shoulder, leaking electricity from time to time but possessing infinite potential, and the new partner Pidgey on the ground, with sharp eyes and shouldering the heavy responsibility of reconnaissance.
A glimmer called "a promising future" shone in his eyes.
"Alright, partners!" Ash Ketchum pointed spiritedly toward the path ahead in the woods. "Target: cross Viridian Forest!"
"Pidgey, take off! Forward reconnaissance is up to you!"
Don't ask why he wasn't worried about Pidgey running away.
Because most Pokémon are really just that simple.
You beat me?
Okay, you're the boss.
As long as life is livable and there's no abuse, they'll follow the boss.
"Gu—!" Pidgey spread its wings, flapping its powerful pinions against the airflow. With the momentum of a newborn calf, it shot like a sharp arrow into the sunlight piercing through the forest gaps.
Its keen gaze, like the most precise radar, began to scan this vast green maze filled with the unknown.
"Hehehehe~" Ash Ketchum and Pikachu smiled at each other, taking a step forward, closely following their newly selected "Eye of the Sky" as they stepped into the deeper hinterlands of the forest.
With Pidgey's warning, they could prevent encounters with flocks of Spearow and Beedrill in advance.
Who knows, in times of danger, they might even be able to ask the Pidgey flock for help.
Whether it's Pidgeotto or Pidgeot, their personalities are much more aggressive than in their infancy.
Pidgeotto will drive away and punish annoyances that enter its territory.
_____
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