POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

The soft glow of the early morning sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air. The tranquility was interrupted by the sharp chime of an alarm clock.

Ash stirred in bed, frowning as the sound pulled him from his dreams. He opened his eyes groggily, staring at the ceiling before slowly sitting up. Running a hand through his messy, sleep-rumpled hair, he let out a loud yawn and stretched.

"It's finally here…" he muttered, his expression shifting from sleepy to excited. Today was the day he would officially become a Pokémon Trainer and receive his first Pokémon. It was also the beginning of his journey to challenge the Kanto League.

But as the excitement bubbled up, his thoughts turned serious. Crossing his arms, Ash frowned, debating the question that had plagued him for days. "Should I head to Professor Oak's lab on time and choose one of the three starter Pokémon, or should I wait and pick Pikachu instead?"

The three Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—were all excellent choices. Each had incredible potential, and their final evolutions could even achieve Mega Evolution. Choosing any of them would give him a strong start.

However, Pikachu was special. Not only was it the star of the Pokémon animated series he remembered from his previous life, but it also held a unique charm and potential. Still, this wasn't a game or a cartoon—it was real life. Pikachu wasn't known for exceptional power in this world, and Ash wasn't sure if this Pikachu would have the same extraordinary abilities as the one from the show.

"Ugh… if only my system were intelligent," Ash grumbled, wishing for a convenient voice to guide him. His system, unlike those he had read about in novels, was frustratingly basic. It could display the attributes of Pokémon but offered little else in terms of functionality or advice.

Sighing, Ash shook his head. "Forget it. I'll decide after breakfast. There's still half an hour until eight."

He left his room and headed downstairs. His mother had already left for work at the town's ranch, where she helped with the milking. Ash often felt guilty about how hard she worked to support them as a single parent.

"One day, I'll win enough in the League competitions so she won't have to work so hard," he promised himself, staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Ash's reflection wasn't particularly remarkable—short, dark green hair in a messy style framed his average features. Still, there was a spark of determination in his eyes. After splashing cold water on his face, he patted his cheeks to wake himself up further.

"Time to focus!" he declared, heading to the dining room to eat the breakfast his mom had left for him.

---

A New Start

Four years ago, the body Ash now inhabited had belonged to someone else. The original Ash had drowned in an accident, and his soul had been replaced by someone from another world—an Earth where Pokémon was just a franchise of games, shows, and comics.

At first, this new Ash struggled to understand his surroundings. The Pokémon world he found himself in seemed to follow the animated series' general plot but with notable differences. For instance, meat wasn't absent here as it was in the show. Thanks to advancements in fossil restoration technology, real animals had been brought back to life three years ago, making ordinary meat widely available again.

These differences left Ash uncertain. Should he follow the animated series' path and choose Pikachu, or would the unknown factors of this world lead him astray?

"I'm full!" Ash said out of habit as he finished his sandwich, even though no one was around to hear him. He cleaned up and sat on the sofa, staring at the clock on the wall.

At 8:30, Ash stood abruptly. "Enough waiting," he said. "Even if someone else is late, they've probably already picked their Pokémon by now."

---

The Path to the Lab

Ash stepped out of his house and onto the quiet streets of Pallet Town. Despite being called a town, it was more of a quaint village, with few people out and about. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, fueling his resolve.

Before long, he arrived at Professor Oak's Laboratory. A small crowd of townspeople had gathered outside to see the new trainers off.

"Ash, you're late!" one of the older men called out. "Two trainers have already left with their Pokémon, and Gary just went in."

Ash smiled sheepishly. "I lost track of time. I'll head in now."

The townspeople, fond of Ash for his helpful nature, parted to let him through.

---

Inside the Lab

Stepping into the lab, Ash was greeted by the familiar sight of bookshelves, machinery, and the Professor's desk. Professor Oak stood nearby, looking over some notes.

"Ah, Ash! You've finally arrived," the Professor said, glancing up. "You're cutting it close. Only one Pokémon is left."

Ash's heart sank. "Just one? Then…"

The Professor smiled. "Yes, it's Pikachu."

On the table, a Poké Ball rested beside a small, yellow Pokémon with long ears and red cheeks. Pikachu looked up at Ash, its expression equal parts curious and mischievous.

Ash hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. "Pikachu, huh? Let's do this together," he said, reaching out his hand.

Pikachu sniffed his hand before giving a small nod.

"You'll need to be patient with this one," Professor Oak warned. "It's a bit stubborn."

Ash grinned. "That's fine. I'll work hard to make us a great team!"

With his first Pokémon by his side, Ash stepped out of the lab. The journey ahead would be challenging, but his heart swelled with determination. Pikachu looked up at him, its eyes sparkling with an unspoken promise of adventure.

"Let's go, Pikachu," Ash said. "We've got a world to explore!"

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