Pokémon: Releasing Them? Not a Chance!

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The Pokémon Center was easy to find; it was basically the most distinctive building in a city. Arriving at the Pokémon Center, Ash took out his Poké Balls and carried Pikachu to the front desk. Misty also took out her Poké Balls.

"Please, Nurse Joy!"

"Alright, please leave them to me! Your Pokémon will recover their spirits soon." Nurse Joy was as gentle as in the anime, accompanied by Chansey. She responded kindly, then placed Pikachu and the Poké Balls on a tray and left.

"That's it, let's go eat first!" With the Pokémon taken care of, Ash said to Misty.

"Okay~"

Ding-dong!!

"Ash from Pallet Town, Ash from Pallet Town, you have a call at the Pokémon Center. Please proceed immediately to the public phone booth at the Pokémon Center upon hearing this broadcast." Just as he was about to go eat with Misty, he heard the broadcast.

"Excuse me, I need to take this." Ash said to Misty, then walked towards the public phone area. Misty didn't say much and followed him.

As they walked over, he saw a public phone with its screen lit up. The image displayed on the screen was a laboratory, with a table full of experimental tools. A figure in a white lab coat sat opposite the screen, with their back to it. An alcohol lamp was lit on the table, and they were actually using laboratory glassware to cook instant noodles.

"Professor, your instant noodles are getting soggy," Ash reminded him, a little speechless.

"Hm? Ah!! I cut to the wrong screen, I apologize!" Professor Oak turned around upon hearing this and realized he had cut to the wrong screen. He quickly switched it back and turned off the heat under the instant noodles.

"How did Professor know I was in Viridian City?"

"You used your Pokédex, right? Viridian City also confirms identities, so they contacted me. You made it to Viridian City on only your second day. It seems you've adapted to the pace of travel, haven't you? So, how many Pokémon have you caught?"

Evidently, Ash had used his Pokédex. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but there had been Pokémon theft cases in the area. So even if Ash showed his Pokédex, since it was issued by Professor Oak, they would still confirm with Professor Oak. After all, while the Pokédex was definitely real, the person using it might not be. That's how Professor Oak knew where Ash was.

"Only one," Ash didn't hide it. He guessed Gary had probably caught a bunch of Pokémon by now, but he didn't mind. It was about quality, not quantity, when it came to Pokémon. Catching too many and not being able to train them was irresponsible. They would grow faster in nature anyway.

"Only one! I thought with your strength, you would have caught many Pokémon by now." Professor Oak was a bit surprised to hear this. Gary's reports, after all, indicated he had caught quite a few. Professor Oak actually had higher hopes for Ash. After all, Ash's understanding of Pokémon over the past three years, and his talent for defeating Fearow three years ago, had truly amazed him.

"As a trainer, quality over quantity is key. Catching too many and not being able to train them is also irresponsible to the Pokémon. Let's take it slow!"

"You're right; it's good to think that way. Well then, keep up the good work! Don't hesitate to call me if anything comes up." Professor Oak also expressed his agreement.

Indeed, in the lab, many trainers used to catch a lot of Pokémon but didn't train them much, even to the point where they ended up being closer to the lab staff than their own trainers. So Professor Oak agreed with Ash's statement; this was a common situation for immature trainers.

"Ash! Isn't that… the Pokémon we saw before?" At this moment, Misty came behind Ash. Looking at the screen, she saw the mural on the screen again. Ash also glanced at it. He had noticed it just now but hadn't planned to mention it. Seeing Ho-Oh again wasn't like catching it, so there was nothing much to say.

"Who is this?" Professor Oak was a bit surprised to see Misty.

"My name is Misty. Hello, Professor Oak. I often hear your esteemed name." Misty also proactively greeted him. Professor Oak was quite famous in the industry, even an idol to many trainers. Misty also explained how she met Ash, and Professor Oak understood the situation.

"So that's how it is. In the wilderness, encountering special circumstances, you should indeed help each other. What Pokémon did you just say you saw?" Professor Oak asked appreciatively. He thought to himself that Ash was still the same as when he was little; even before becoming a trainer three years ago, he already had a strong sense of justice.

"It's that one on the screen!" Misty pointed at the screen.

"Hm? That's a legendary Pokémon. You couldn't have seen it wrong, could you?" Professor Oak looked a bit surprised, expressing some disbelief.

"It was indeed Ho-Oh!" Since Misty brought it up, Ash didn't intend to hide it.

"Oh? Ash, you know Ho-Oh?" Professor Oak was a bit surprised that Ash could name Ho-Oh.

"Yes, I've studied the Pokémon culture of the Johto region, and this!" With that, Ash took out the feather Ho-Oh left behind and placed it in front of the screen.

"Oh!! That's incredible! It's said that Ho-Oh hasn't been seen in the Johto region for over a hundred years. This is truly big news."

"It seems Ash is very lucky! Ash, you must keep this feather safe. When you come back next time, can you let me see it?"

Professor Oak was not a scientist with ill intentions. Although he was also very interested, this was Ash's experience, and the feather belonged to Ash. He wouldn't forcibly take it like some scientists.

"Of course!"

"Alright, time's almost up. I've held you up for so long, and my noodles are getting soggy. So, I'll end here, Ash. Wishing you a smooth journey."

"Thank you, Professor. Goodbye, Professor!" With that, Ash hung up the phone. He then put away the feather. It seemed he needed to find a way to store the feather, as keeping it in his backpack or pocket wasn't ideal.