Inside Professor Oak's lab, Ash, Meowth, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Ralts were all present. Seeing Ash's lineup, Gary couldn't help but say, "Hey Ash, are you showing off? You're definitely showing off!"
Looking at Gary, Ash shrugged and adjusted his hat, saying, "What do you mean showing off? Pikachu and the others don't like staying in their Poké Balls, so I just don't put them away."
"What about Ralts?"
"Ralts is very clingy, so I'm not putting her in a ball for now." Ash pointed to the small hand holding his finger.
"How do you have such a big heart…"
"I'm not like a certain guy who only knows how to pick up girls."
"What did you say?!"
Seeing Gary getting upset, Ash continued to hit him where it hurt.
"Besides, I'm not like some guy who needs his parents' money. I have my own money! Don't tell me you're planning to travel in a sports car."
Thinking about the sports car he saw outside, Ash was speechless, while Gary glared at him and said, "Don't tell me you haven't prepared anything."
"I actually have prepared. It's with Meowth, and I'll use it when I need it. I'm not like you."
"That's right meow. We're going to travel while enjoying the scenery meow. This little brat wouldn't understand meow!" Meowth didn't hold back on Gary and was quite harsh.
"Damn it, you wait! You'll see how powerful I am at the Indigo League!" Gary knew he couldn't argue with Ash and could only threaten him. However, Ash's next words silenced him.
"Oh? So you think you can beat Meowth?"
"Little brat, do you want to fight meow?" Meowth revealed his sharp claws.
"Or do you think you can beat my Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu's small round face started to spark with electricity.
"Or do you think you can defeat my Jigglypuff?"
"Lucky!"
Jigglypuff smiled and raised her palm.
Gary's face turned green. Ash's three Pokémon were practically his nightmare. He also knew their true strength was terrifying, especially that Jigglypuff. He had heard from his grandpa that Ash's Jigglypuff was insanely strong, with its defense and stamina having no limits. Ash even made Jigglypuff learn Toxic! What's even scarier is that this Jigglypuff's palm is ridiculously strong! This is a terrifying super meatball! However, even then, Jigglypuff wasn't the scariest. According to his grandpa, Ash's Pikachu was the most terrifying. Pikachu's strength had always been a mystery over the years.
Gary was definitely not going to fight Ash right now, at least not before figuring out the strengths of his Pokémon.
"Hmph, I'll prove my abilities. You better pick your Pokémon quickly." Gary didn't want to talk about this anymore, so he urged Ash to choose a Pokémon quickly.
"Alright, alright. Let me see… Hmm? Squirtle has already been chosen?"
"That's right. I chose Squirtle."
Gary held up his Poké Ball and asked, "Do you want Squirtle?"
"Not really. I was just curious. Since you already chose, I'll take a look at Charmander and Bulbasaur."
In the end, after careful consideration, Ash chose Charmander. It wasn't that Bulbasaur was bad, but Ash remembered something Professor Oak mentioned, about a child having to go out and not being able to come. That child's name was Gary. If Ash's memory was correct, this Charmander would be abandoned even after being picked up. So, Ash chose this Charmander that seemed to have a connection with him.
Looking at Charmander, Ash patted its head and said, "From now on, I'm your trainer, Charmander."
"Char!"
Charmander happily hugged Ash, and Ash also petted the little guy's head.
"You're a good boy."
Afterwards, Bulbasaur was picked up by a young girl who genuinely liked it. After the three of them received their Pokédexes, they finally started their journey. The young girl left first, and Gary, after saying goodbye to Ash, drove off with his girlfriends.
Ash, with Charmander, returned home. Waiting for Ash were not only his mother, Delia, but also a bunch of Pokémon. They came to see him off.
"Take care of yourself, Ash!"
"Don't worry! I'll take care of myself!"
Finally, under the watchful eyes of the Pokémon and Delia, Ash embarked on his journey.