006: Conquering the Plan!!
"It's okay, I didn't blame you and it's not like we're close friends or anything," Ash said, trying to keep his tone aloof, even though he accepted Gary's present without hesitation and eagerly tore open the wrapping.
"This is…" Ash's eyes widened as he looked into the box.
Inside sat a sleek, pearl-white Poké Ball not a Master Ball, of course but a rare Premier Ball, glowing softly under the light.
"The League strictly prohibits anyone under ten from purchasing or owning standard Poké Balls from licensed Poké Marts," Gary explained, folding his arms proudly. "But this one's different it's a non-commercial gift item, not available for direct sale."
"It's rare," he continued. "Technically, it slips through the cracks of League law. Kids like us can carry this without trouble."
Gary had fully regained his usual smug confidence as he explained, but Ash saw the effort behind it. He smiled as he gently picked up the Premier Ball from the velvet-lined box.
"Alright, alright thanks. I'm really happy with this gift," Ash said, dropping the polite tone he'd used before and grinning with genuine excitement.
In the games and manga adaptations, Premier Balls were typically given as a promotional bonus when Trainers bought ten or more Poké Balls at once. While the catch rate was the same as a regular red-and-white 200 PokéDollar Poké Ball, its elegant white casing had earned it the nickname VIP Ball among collectors.
As Gary said, since Premier Balls weren't sold directly and were considered "free promotional gifts," they technically weren't restricted by the age limit. Ash, at just six years old, could carry it in public without legal issues.
"But still… the League doesn't allow kids under ten to own or train their own Pokémon," Ash thought aloud, turning the ball over in his hand. "Even if I have a Poké Ball, there's no way to officially capture one."
"Should I secretly train a Pokémon? Or maybe register it under Mom's name?" Ash muttered, sinking into thought as he stared at the snow-white ball.
Since awakening in this new life and gaining the Mega Trainer System, Ash had been thinking deeply about how to acquire a Pokémon of his own early.
After two full days of pondering, he'd finally come up with a plan. One that didn't involve clashing directly with the League's restrictions:
Capture a Pokémon without using a Poké Ball.
Yes"capture" in the emotional sense, not mechanical. Bond with it. Convince it to recognize him as its Trainer. After all, Pokémon often showed loyalty and attachment outside the constraints of a Poké Ball. In this way, the Pokémon would be his, even without being officially registered.
Of course, this plan came with two major risks:
First, Ash didn't yet have a partner Pokémon. That meant he'd have to tame a wild one completely on his own a feat difficult even for trained adults.
Second, a wild, untethered Pokémon could be captured at any time by another Trainer. Without a Poké Ball, there was no way to claim ownership if someone else swooped in with an Ultra Ball.
Still, the benefits far outweighed the risks. If Ash could secure a loyal Pokémon before turning ten, and train it using the Mega Trainer System's enhancements, he'd get a massive head start on his official journey.
In his two-day hospital stay at Viridian City's Central Clinic, Ash had developed a workaround to the risk of another Trainer capturing his partner:
Capture a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Ghost Pokémon had a natural ability to phase in and out of visibility some even naturally resided in shadows. If Ash could gain the trust of such a Pokémon, it could hide within his shadow, traveling with him unnoticed while technically still "living in the wild."
That way, he wouldn't be breaking any rules. It'd be like having a secret ally following him from the shadows.
The concept was subtle but feasible.
Of course, this was easier said than done. It was already hard enough for a six-year-old to win over common Pokémon like Rattata or Caterpie without any equipment. Ghost-types were notoriously mischievous and elusive. Their personalities varied wildly some liked pranks, while others were downright malevolent.
Still, Ash had a precedent to lean on. In the original timeline the one from the anime he remembered how he'd befriended a playful Haunter in Lavender Town (outside Aster Town in manga terms) and used it to cheer up and defeat Sabrina, the cold Psychic-type Gym Leader of Saffron City. That Haunter hadn't been caught with a Poké Ball it had simply chosen to travel with him because it liked him.
That was his blueprint.
Ash would seek out a similar Ghost-type and win its favor. Of course, unlike the anime which had its events sanitized for children Ash was aware that not all Ghost Pokémon were harmless pranksters. Some were spirits of the dead. Some were vengeful. Dangerous.
So as much as Ash liked the Ghost-type plan, he was also considering a secondary option:
Find and help an injured wild Pokémon.
Rescue it. Heal it. Build trust through kindness.
This plan carried fewer risks. Many Pokémon were known to form strong bonds with those who saved them. And because it didn't require going toe-to-toe with a Ghost-type, it might actually be safer for a child.
Ash mentally bookmarked both plans, analyzing the pros and cons. The Mega Trainer System would be essential either way.
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"Ash... Ash!" Gary called, shaking him by the shoulders.
"Wha!?" Ash jerked out of his thoughts, blinking rapidly.
"What were you thinking about? You zoned out for ages," Gary pouted, arms crossed.
"Oh, nothing serious," Ash lied. "Just wondering… now that I have a Poké Ball, is there any legal way to get a Pokémon early?"
He didn't want to reveal everything, but for Gary a friend he'd come to respect he offered a partial truth.
"Hm, not sure about that," Gary replied honestly. "But I'll ask Gramps. He's obsessed with research and probably knows every loophole in the League's handbook."
Ash chuckled. That did sound like Professor Oak.
"Thanks. If there's a way to do this without breaking the rules, I'd really appreciate it," Ash said sincerely.
He didn't expect too much from Oak's reply. Instead, he was already mentally preparing to scout the outskirts of Pallet Town, or maybe even explore the Viridian Forest in search of his first companion.
Whether by shadow or survival, Ash was going to find a way.
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