POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

Early the next morning, Ash and his group woke up at dawn. While Ash was doing his morning exercises, Brock and Misty were also preparing for the journey ahead.

"Everyone, this is our new partner, Charmander. Let's welcome him!" Ash announced cheerfully, standing in an open space outside the Pokémon Center.

"Pika, Pika, Pika!" Pikachu happily pulled Charmander aside to introduce him to the rest of the Pokémon team.

"Seed—!" Bulbasaur was the first to greet Charmander. Although it was a Grass-type Pokémon, it didn't harbor any animosity toward the Fire-type.

"Char-char..." Charmander nodded shyly at Bulbasaur. Soon, Beedrill and Pidgeotto approached to introduce themselves. They were eager to accept the new addition to their group, even if they didn't yet share a close bond.

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Charmander

Type: Fire

Category: Lizard Pokémon

Ability: Blaze

Hidden Ability: Solar Power

Blaze: When HP drops below one-third, the power of Fire-type moves increases by 1.5 times.

Current Strength: Ordinary level

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Although Charmander's current strength was at the ordinary level, Ash had already checked its potential. He noted that Charmander was not far from evolution. Once it evolved, its combat power would surge beyond the current limit of 540, pushing it into elite status.

Ash was confident that Charmander would remain loyal after evolving, unlike its counterpart in the original story. He believed his bond with Charmander was stronger, built on mutual trust.

After letting the Pokémon get acquainted, Ash had them begin their morning exercises. Charmander watched in awe as Ash's team trained rigorously. Every member displayed impressive strength, except Bulbasaur, who seemed to be on par with Charmander.

Rather than feeling discouraged, Charmander's competitive spirit ignited. It resolved to become the strongest among Ash's Pokémon.

Ash had already devised a training plan for Charmander. Currently, it knew the moves Scratch, Ember, Smokescreen, and Flamethrower. While its offensive capabilities were decent, it needed more versatile moves for different battle scenarios.

Ash planned for Charmander to master Dragon Breath and Fire Fang, adding a Dragon-type move and a Physical Fire-type move to its repertoire. With these, Charmander could tackle diverse opponents.

---

After completing the morning exercises, the group enjoyed breakfast. Nurse Joy and several other Trainers bid them farewell as they departed the Pokémon Center, heading toward the Cerulean Strait.

The strait wasn't far, and Ash estimated they would arrive by the afternoon.

The Cerulean Strait, located in the northeast of the Kanto Region, was on the region's edge. The area was known for its picturesque beaches, covered in fine white sand, earning it the nickname "White Strait."

The strait's beauty was unparalleled, with the beach merging seamlessly into a dense forest. Despite its potential, the location remained undeveloped due to its remote position and the high costs required to build infrastructure.

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As they walked, Brock consulted the map. "If we keep following this trail, we should reach the lighthouse soon."

Although the dense forest ahead blocked their view, Brock was confident they were on the right path, as they were following a road developed by the Pokémon League.

"I can already smell the sea and hear the waves!" Misty exclaimed excitedly. It had been a long time since she'd visited the beach, and the thought of the ocean filled her with joy.

Ash, however, was deep in thought. He remembered that, in the original timeline, Ash had encountered a Krabby in this area. That seemingly unimpressive Krabby later evolved during the Indigo Plateau Conference and performed exceptionally well, defeating three opponents in a row.

Still, Ash wasn't sure if he would encounter the same Krabby. "If I find it, great. If not, that's fine too," he thought, deciding to let fate take its course.

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After an hour's trek through the forest, they finally reached the beach. The sight before them was breathtaking: an expansive coastline with Pokémon playing and relaxing on the pristine white sand.

"This is amazing! The White Strait truly lives up to its name," Misty exclaimed, running ahead to feel the cool sea breeze.

Ash spotted a towering lighthouse in the distance, perched on a rocky cliff. "That must be Professor Bill's lighthouse," he said, pointing it out to Brock.

Brock checked the map and nodded. "Yeah, that's the one."

"Misty, let's head to the lighthouse first," Ash called out to her. "We can explore the beach afterward."

"Alright!" Misty reluctantly stopped running and followed the group toward the lighthouse.

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After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at the base of the lighthouse. Up close, the structure was even more imposing, standing 30 to 40 meters tall. The cliffside location added to its grandeur.

Connected to the lighthouse was a house with a stone gate. The gate featured intricate Pokémon murals, including one of Gengar, whose mischievous expression stood out.

"These carvings are incredible," Brock remarked, admiring the artwork.

Ash, however, wasn't as interested. He scanned the area for a doorbell or intercom and found a visitor access panel on the side wall.

Misty noticed it too and pressed the red button. A few moments later, a chime sounded, followed by a calm, youthful voice.

"Who's there?"

"Hello, you must be Professor Bill," Ash replied. "We're here on behalf of Professor Oak to deliver some materials."

"Ah, you're Ash! I've been expecting you!" the voice responded enthusiastically.

The stone gate slowly opened inward, inviting the group inside.

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To be continued...