18. Ash has Charmander

After five days of training at the lighthouse, enjoying the fun of training with the Champion's Pokémon and feeding Cynthia every day, Paul felt his whole demeanor become milder.

* That's right. It felt like having a warm family life, complete with a sister in law figure. * Ahem. * Anyway, as a guy, I suddenly feel the world is a happy place. *

Finally, on the evening of the sixth day, Paul, who was wearing an apron and feeding Cynthia fruit and ice cream, saw Ash and his party arrive.

The scene kicked off with Ash, looking dirty as if he'd been wandering in the forest for a long time, holding a wooden stick and heroically trying to single handedly battle a Krabby.

"I subdued the Krabby! Huh?! Where's my Krabby?!" Looking at the bewildered Ash, the corner of Paul's mouth twitched.

"Um, Cynthia dear, you go back to the lighthouse first. I met a few friends. Please tell Melanie to prepare more ingredients; we'll have hot pot tonight."

Hearing about hot pot, Cynthia's eyes sparkled. She didn't even question why Paul called her 'Cynthia dear' and happily bounced back to help prepare the ingredients.

"Hey Ash, you look like you've been through the wringer." Paul walked calmly to Ash's side, still wearing his pink apron.

"Paul!!?" Ash was taken aback. "Why are you here? No! My, my Krabby... no, my Krabby has disappeared! Did you see it?" Ash gestured wildly, like a lost child finding a relative.

"Ash, you really don't know?" Paul helplessly covered his forehead.

"Ash, your Krabby was sent back to Professor Oak," Brock came up at this time and explained.

"Long time no see, Paul. Your apron fits you surprisingly well."

* Brock thought: Paul, you're looking surprisingly domestic! *

"Long time no see, Brock." Paul shook hands with Brock amicably.

"That's right, long time no see," Misty also popped up from behind Ash and greeted playfully.

"What! Are you saying that my Krabby was teleported to Professor Oak?" Ash was still confused.

"That's right." Paul nodded, took out his Pokédex and explained. "Look, there is a white button here. When a trainer's Pokémon count reaches the full six, unless they've applied for special exceptions like me, the seventh Pokémon caught is automatically sent to the person who provided the Pokédex for storage. My automatic teleportation point is set to my brother's breeding house."

Brock went on to explain. "If you want to exchange the Pokémon in your hand, you have to press and hold the white button, and then you can choose which Pokémon you want to send back to the Professor."

"Really?" Ash cried. He hadn't even taken a good look at his Krabby yet.

"I'm staying at the lighthouse for the time being. You can use the phone there to call Professor Oak, so you can check on your Krabby," Paul comforted Ash helplessly.

"Great!" Ash jumped three feet high, and then his stomach growled loudly.

Ash looked utterly drained. "Paul, please give me food, I'm so hungry..."

Paul looked exasperated. "Got it, come with me."

"Great, I haven't had a hot meal for a long time," Misty cheered from the side.

"I'll help too," Brock said. * Brock internally thought he wouldn't lose in an apron competition. Paul, let's compete and see who pulls off the apron look better! *

* Paul mentally retorted: Get lost! *

He took the three of them back to the lighthouse and introduced Ash, Misty, and Brock to Cynthia and Melanie.

As soon as Ash heard that Cynthia was the Champion of the Sinnoh region, he jumped up wanting to challenge her, but was suppressed by Paul with a swift chop. "When you get the eight Sinnoh region badges, then come back!"

Immediately afterwards, Brock also failed spectacularly. His usual defenses crumbled; he declared that the charm of these two mature women, Melanie and Cynthia, was too much for him to handle. * However, one of these two is Paul's future sister in law figure, and the other is Paul's goddess. How can an idiot like you covet them, Brock? *

Before Brock could pull out his usual flowers and start his romantic spiel, Paul gave Squirtle a look, and Squirtle understood.

Paul first came up and gave Brock a sharp elbow nudge, and then Squirtle soared into the air, bringing its hard head down on Brock!

The landing Squirtle and Paul bumped fists; their cooperation was truly tacit. * Partners! *

* Squirtle: "Squirtle! Squirtle! (I like you more and more, boss!)" *

Looking at Ash and Brock who were forcefully suppressed, Misty curled her lips. "You deserve it!"

"By the way, Ash, you already have six Pokémon?" Paul suddenly remembered. * Wait, I intercepted the Kanto starters intended for him, where did he get six Pokémon?! *

"That's right, I'm very powerful." Ash took out his Poké Balls and said, "Everyone come out!"

Ash's Pokémon came on stage one by one: Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Beedrill!

"Huh?! Where's your Poliwhirl?" Paul asked strangely.

Ash pointed to Charmander. "It's like this. I fought a battle with a trainer on a mountain road. Later, he must have thought my Poliwhirl was too strong, because he insisted on exchanging his Charmander for my Poliwhirl, so I traded with him."

"What's the name of that trainer?" Paul asked curiously.

"It seems to be called Ritchie."

Paul almost choked. * He intercepted Ash's chance, but Ritchie got affected in the end? *

* It seems like fate is intervening. The Bulbasaur was probably obtained for some weird reason. Ash, the son of luck, is terrifying! *

"Okay, I see. You go and call Professor Oak."

When Ash heard this, he decisively abandoned everyone and went to call Professor Oak.

At this moment, thick fog gradually began to fill the coastline. And three furtive figures followed Ash towards the lighthouse.

Inside the lighthouse, Ash called Professor Oak to confirm that his little Krabby had indeed gone to the Professor's lab, only to be severely compared (and found lacking) by Professor Oak with the Krabby Gary had caught.

There was no denying it; although Ash's Krabby had potential, it suffered from stunted growth and was less than half the size of an ordinary Krabby.

Ash, deeply shocked, slumped over. "Darn it! I will definitely surpass Gary!!"

Here, with the help of the rejuvenated Brock, Paul had already prepared the bases for the hot pot dinner. Considering everyone's different tastes, Paul prepared a total of four flavors: Shoyu Chicken Hot Pot, Spicy Szechuan Hot Pot, Mild Seafood Hot Pot, and Sweet Milk Tea Hot Pot!

Brock was serving the sliced meat and vegetables, as well as the Taro Balls for the Sweet Milk Tea Hot Pot.

Paul wiped his hands and came to Ash's side. "What's the matter? Are you deeply shocked? Hey buddy, want the best gift?"

"What?" Ash raised his head suspiciously.

Paul beckoned and called Misty and Brock over. He took out the Poké Balls for the Squirtle Squad. "Come out."

Three innocent looking Squirtles appeared before Ash's eyes.

"Squirtles! You actually have three!!" Ash shouted enviously.

"It's like this. These Squirtles were all Pokémon abandoned by their trainers before. Later, I promised to find responsible and caring trainers for them, and they came with me," Paul explained.

Misty's eyes lit up. "So?!"

"Here, Squirtle no.2, Squirtle no.3, Squirtle no.5, please choose one to take with you," Paul patted the Squirtles, and the little ones also looked at Ash and Misty curiously.

"Great!" Ash's energy returned completely; the Squirtle he'd always wanted!

"Is it really possible?" Misty was a little embarrassed.

"It doesn't matter. I believe that Misty, a trainer specializing in Water types, will be able to take good care of Squirtle, and you will be able to bring out Squirtle's full potential," Paul said seriously.

* Although Cerulean Gym is strong now, it will be different after Misty travels and takes over. Imagine Misty with a Mega Gyarados in her left hand and a Mega Blastoise in her right hand. * * Wow, that picture is amazing. *

After listening to Paul's words, Misty stopped being polite. After all, it was a Squirtle. Which Water type trainer wouldn't like one?

In the end, Ash picked out the more aggressive Squirtle no2, while Misty chose the well behaved Squirtle no.4

Squirtle no.3 and Paul looked at each other.

"It's okay, we will definitely meet a trainer suitable for you," Paul's gentle words soothed Squirtle no.3's heart.

* If there isn't a trustworthy trainer, Paul won't hand over the Squirtle. After all, he promised to help these children find responsible trainers. If he encountered scum, Paul himself wouldn't forgive himself. *

After getting their new Pokémon, Ash and Misty naturally enjoyed the rare, hearty meal. After everyone was ready, the hot pot dinner officially began.

Paul naturally sat next to Cynthia and started his daily feeding routine.

After these few days of adaptation, Cynthia no longer felt embarrassed at all.

Paul first filled a small bowl from the Mild Seafood soup base, then slowly filled a small spoon, cooled it, and handed it to Cynthia's mouth.

Paul: "Ah~"

Cynthia smiled acceptingy: "Ah~"

After taking two sips of the soup, Paul put meat dishes and vegetables into the separate pots.

Beef in the spicy pot, chicken balls in the Shoyu base, followed by baby bok choy in the mild seafood soup. Paul served each dish directly to Cynthia, and Cynthia opened her mouth obediently, waiting for the food.

After eating the main meal, they used the Sweet Milk Tea soup base with Taro Balls and red beans, finishing with a milk cap topping.

Cynthia looked blissful: * Saved! *

Paul shook his head and chuckled, carefully handing over a napkin, while Cynthia obediently wiped the milk foam from around her mouth.

Brock and Misty stared, mouths agape.

"Hey, Brock, don't you think Miss Cynthia and Paul..." Misty whispered to Brock secretly.

"That's right, that's right! It's the unmistakable scent of love! Ohh, my Miss Cynthia!" Brock bit his handkerchief, suddenly feeling that the hot pot was no longer appealing.

Ash looked at the two of them in a daze, then continued to bury his head in his food. * Alas, poor Serena, wherever she is. *