It felt like waking from a dream that had lasted for years. When Zheng Zhi opened his eyes, he realized he was already here.
Pallet Town, a place where dreams begin. The air was crisp, the birds sang joyfully, and the flowers bloomed in vibrant colors.
"Do you have unfulfilled regrets? Journeys you never embarked on? Promises you never kept?"
A glowing line of text floated before Zheng Zhi's eyes, stirring memories of a forgotten past.
"Now, everything begins anew. Wishing you a safe journey…"
A brilliant flash of light overtook him. Zheng Zhi felt his head heat up, his vision turned white, and then he passed out.
--- Time Shift ---
"Ash! Ash! Wake up! You need to head to Professor Oak's lab today. Don't be late!" A warm, familiar voice jolted him awake. Ash opened his eyes to find himself being gently shaken.
"Alright, Mom, I'm up!" He smiled warmly at Delia, his mother, as he climbed out of bed.
"Open the Dream System," Ash muttered, tapping his temple. A familiar virtual screen appeared before him.
[Name: Ash Ketchum
Age: 10
Dream Points (DP): 36,000
Skills: Rookie Trainer, Aura Power (Inactive), Psychic Power (Beginner), Pokémon Breeding (Advanced), Cooking (Intermediate), Public Speaking (Advanced)
Current Dream Objective: The First Step]
"It looks like I need to embark on a real journey to keep pursuing my dreams," Ash said as he closed the system. He quickly grabbed his clothes—a black t-shirt, blue jeans, a red jacket, and his iconic baseball cap.
Ever since he was "given" the Dream System at the age of five, Ash had been trying to figure out how it worked. After years of observing its quirks, he realized that the system rewarded him for meaningful actions in his life.
For example, saying "I love you, Mom" earned 10 Dream Points. Winning an argument with Gary? 20 points. Throwing out Professor Oak's expired cup noodles? That unexpectedly netted him 50 points.
Through trial and error, Ash discovered the system wasn't designed to turn him into someone else—it encouraged him to live a fulfilling, regret-free life. Every dream realized, no matter how small, brought him closer to his ultimate goal.
Ash finally understood that "Ash Ketchum" wasn't just about himself—it was about fulfilling the collective hopes and dreams of his generation.
Dream Points could be used to unlock skills, abilities, and items from the Dream System's store. From martial arts to cooking, from rare Pokémon items to even absurdly specific abilities like "sow postpartum care," the system's options were endless.
Thanks to this, Ash had lived a wonderful, regret-free life in Pallet Town. But now, the points had stopped coming. He had outgrown the town and needed to travel if he wanted to chase new dreams.
"It's time," Ash said with determination. "This journey isn't just about becoming a Pokémon Master. I want to live this life with no regrets!"
---
After a quick breakfast prepared by his mom, who appreciated his compliments as much as the food itself, Ash left the house. Along the way, he greeted his neighbors with smiles and waves—Pallet Town was a small, close-knit community.
Soon, he arrived at Professor Oak's Lab, the most prominent building in town. Ash unlocked the door with his key, donned a white lab coat tailored just for him, and stepped inside.
"Good morning, Professor!" Ash called out as he began tidying up the messy files in the research room.
"Oh, Ash, you're here!" Professor Oak greeted him warmly. "Your last research paper on special evolutions received over ten thousand likes. Even my colleague, Professor Rowan, shared it!"
Since he was six, Ash had worked as an assistant in Oak's lab. Over the years, his published papers—on topics like Eevee's genetic instability and regional Pokémon forms—brought recognition to the lab and helped Ash become the youngest Assistant Researcher officially endorsed by the Pokémon League.
"By the way, where's Gary? I haven't seen him today," Ash asked while sorting documents.
"Gary's been staying in Viridian City for the past few days. His cousin, Blue, is back, and he's spending time with him."
The mention of Blue brought a familiar expression to Professor Oak's face. Blue, his eldest grandson, was a Kanto League Champion-level trainer—a title earned by challenging and defeating the Elite Four. However, Blue had been dethroned by another Pallet Town trainer, Red, a rivalry that was still the talk of legends.
---
After finishing his duties at the lab, including feeding the many Pokémon in Oak's care, Ash made his way to the grassy fields near the forest.
"Pikachu! Pikachu!" Ash called softly. In response, a rustling noise came from the treetops above.
"Pika!" A cheerful yellow Pokémon popped its head out and leapt down onto Ash's shoulder.
"Here, your favorite—lime berries!" Ash said with a grin, holding out the treat. Pikachu eagerly took the fruit, happily munching away.
Ash hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Pikachu… I'm leaving on my journey tomorrow. I won't be able to feed you like this anymore."
Pikachu paused, tilting its head in confusion.
"So… will you come with me?" Ash held out his hand. "Let's see the world together."
Pikachu stared at Ash, then broke into a smile. It jumped into Ash's arms, nuzzling him affectionately.
"Thank you, Pikachu," Ash whispered, feeling a wave of relief and joy. After years of bonding, their connection was unshakable.
"Eat up. Tomorrow, we'll start a new chapter together and chase the dream of becoming Pokémon Masters!" Ash said, leaving the rest of the berries for Pikachu.
As Pikachu waved goodbye, Ash returned home, ready to rest for his final night in Pallet Town. Tomorrow, a boy's dream would take flight, and Ash Ketchum was ready for the journey of a lifetime.
---
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