The Pokémon Center is easy to find and is typically the most distinctive building in a city.
Arriving at the Pokémon Center, Ash took out his Poké Ball and carried Pikachu to the front desk, while Misty took out her own Poké Ball.
"Please, Nurse Joy!"
"Okay, leave it to me! Your Pokémon will recover soon." Nurse Joy was as gentle as in the anime, with Chansey by her side. She responded kindly, then placed Pikachu and the Poké Balls on a tray and left.
"Alright, let's go eat first!" Ash said to Misty after handling the Pokémon matter.
"Okay~"
Ding dong!
"Ash from Pallet Town, Ash from Pallet Town, you have a call at the Pokémon Center. Please go to the public phone booth as soon as you hear this announcement." He was about to go to dinner with Misty when he heard the announcement.
"Excuse me, I need to go over here," Ash said to Misty after hearing the announcement. He walked towards the phone area, and Misty followed along.
When they arrived, they saw the screen of a public phone was already on. The image on the screen showed a laboratory filled with experimental tools.
A figure in a white coat was sitting with his back to the screen, using an alcohol lamp on the table to cook instant noodles.
"Professor, your instant noodles are about to boil," Ash reminded, a little speechless.
"Huh? Ah! I turned the screen upside down, sorry!" Professor Oak turned around, realizing the screen was inverted. He quickly switched it back and turned off the instant noodles.
"How does the Professor know that I'm in Viridian City?"
"Did you use your Pokédex? Viridian City also does identity verification. I contacted the center and found out you arrived in Viridian City today. It seems you have adapted to the rhythm of travel, right? How's it going? Caught any Pokémon?"
Ash had used his Pokédex, which was fine under normal circumstances, but here it was because of Pokémon theft.
So even if Ash used his Pokédex, since it was sent by Professor Oak, they would still verify with him. This way, Professor Oak knew where Ash was.
"Only one was tamed." Ash didn't hide it. He figured that Gary had already caught a bunch of Pokémon by now, but he didn't care.
Pokémon are not very smart, and if they are not properly trained, they can't develop well. Instead of capturing them and sending them to Professor Oak, it's better to let them grow faster in nature.
"One! I thought that with your strength, you would have caught quite a few Pokémon." Professor Oak was a little surprised. Gary had reported catching several Pokémon.
He was actually more optimistic about Ash. Ash's understanding of Pokémon over the past three years and his talent in defeating Fearow three years ago had impressed him.
"As a Trainer, quality is more important than quantity. If you catch too many, you won't be able to train them all properly. Take your time!"
"That's right, it's good to be able to think like this. Let's work hard and keep in touch! If you need anything, feel free to call me," Professor Oak agreed.
In the laboratory, there were many trainers who caught numerous Pokémon but didn't train them well. In the end, those Pokémon became closer to the lab staff than their own trainers.
So he also agreed with Ash's perspective, which was a common situation for inexperienced trainers.
"Ash! Isn't that the Pokémon I saw before?" Misty said as she came up behind Ash. She noticed the mural on the screen again.
Ash took a look. He had noticed it earlier but didn't mention it. Seeing that Ho-Oh was not captured, there wasn't much to say.
"Who is this?" Professor Oak was a little surprised when he saw Misty.
"My name is Misty. Hello, Professor Oak, I've heard a lot about you," Misty greeted. Professor Oak was quite famous in the industry and even an idol for many trainers.
Misty explained how she and Ash met, and Professor Oak understood the situation.
"So that's how it is. In the wild, we should indeed help each other. What Pokémon did you say you saw?" Professor Oak asked appreciatively.
Ash was still the same as when he was a child. Three years ago, he had a strong sense of justice even before becoming a trainer.
"That's the one up there!" Misty pointed to the top of the screen.
"Huh? That's a Legendary Pokémon. Are you sure you saw it?" Professor Oak looked a little surprised and skeptical.
"It's Ho-Oh, that's right!" Now that Misty mentioned it, Ash didn't intend to hide it.
"Oh? Ash, do you know Ho-Oh?" Professor Oak was surprised Ash could identify Ho-Oh.
"Yes, I've learned about the Pokémon culture of the Johto Region, and there's also this!" Ash took out the feather left by Ho-Oh and put it in front of the screen.
"Oh! It's unbelievable! It is said that the Johto Region hasn't seen traces of Ho-Oh for hundreds of years. This is really big news."
"It seems that Ash is very lucky! Ash, you have to keep this feather well. When you come back next time, can you let me have a look?"
Professor Oak was not a greedy scientist. Although he was very interested, he respected that this was Ash's experience and the feather was Ash's. He couldn't take it by force like some scientists might.
"Certainly!"
"Okay, the time is almost up. I've delayed you for long enough. My face is about to fall off, so let's end this for now, Ash. Safe travels to you."
"Thank you, Professor. Goodbye, Professor!" Ash said, hanging up the phone. He then carefully put away the feather, realizing it wasn't ideal to store it in a backpack or pocket.