The next round of the competition's rules-based tests was much easier.
Behind each outrageous rule was a story so ridiculous it made people laugh.
While morizing the rules, everyone enjoyed reading these stories and even found them amusing.
When the results ca out, many scored 100, and even the lowest score was 92.
After the theory test, the practical exam took place in the afternoon.
The practical exam required battling the examiners, but participants were not allowed to use their own Pokémon.
Random Pokéballs were distributed, and contestants had to defeat the examiners using the Pokémon they received.
Though partly luck-based, the true test of battle skill still ca from having earned the eight Gym Badges.
Those who understood the test knew that as long as they didn't physically attack the examiners, they would pass.
Everyone passed with ease.
By evening:
"I got my Pokémon Certification!"
Ash was ecstatic, having earned third place overall.
"How did it go? Everything smooth?" Todd appeared at the hall entrance.
"Very smooth! Natsu and I both passed!"
"Oh? Then why did I hear people outside say the test creators went crazy this year?" Todd scratched his head in confusion.
He had nothing to do, and in past years had participated in a few of these exams.
The questions were usually simple and practical, requiring no special study. His long-ti experience with Pokémon through photography allowed him to pass easily.
"I don't know. I didn't expect them to be so weak," Natsu's voice said.
Seeing people glance their way, he led everyone out of the hall.
Todd said nothing.
From Ash, he had learned that this reckless boy could morize everything overnight and still achieve third place.
For a mont, Todd felt Natsu was right.
Three days later, by the roadside:
"Wow, how much farther to Cinnabar Island?"
"Doesn't matter, I don't mind walking a little more with you!"
Misty said as she held a Pokémon with a spiky head and a shell, rubbing it affectionately.
Yesterday, the Pokémon Egg Ash had given her had hatched into this Togepi.
According to Natsu, raising a Togepi required close bonding with its trainer, and Misty had beco very affectionate with it.
"By the way, why has Togepi seed a little distracted in its interactions with these past few days, except the first day?"
Misty seed to realize sothing and looked at Natsu at the back of the group.
Without turning, Natsu replied:
"That's normal. This Togepi wasn't raised by parents, so it doesn't understand many human affectionate behaviors."
"I see…"
Misty looked at Togepi in her arms, feeling a bit sorry for it.
"If it can't understand your affectionate gestures, you can show gestures it can understand."
With that, Natsu casually handed Misty a fake tongue.
"It's fine, you can hold it in your mouth and lick a few tis," Natsu continued.
"Uh…"
Misty took the fake tongue, hesitating slightly as she held it with her teeth.
Slurp
Togepi!
"It's them!"
Ash's shout startled Misty, and she dropped the fake tongue.
The Togepi, which had seed to enjoy the mont, froze, staring at Misty's lips, its tiny eyes wide with shock.
Toge!!! Togepi began to wail loudly in fear.
"Ash, what are you doing… No, Togepi, my tongue's still here, see—ah!"
Misty shouted, quickly trying to comfort Togepi, opening her mouth.
When another tongue appeared, Togepi froze for a mont, its gaze darting between the fake tongue on the ground and Misty's real tongue.
After a while, it cried even louder.
"What are you screaming about?!" Misty punched Ash.
"No, it's them," Ash said, pointing ahead.
Everyone looked and saw a Priape, a Doduo, and a Hypno.
Unlike before, Priape's team had grown stronger.
On the back of the Zapdos rested a round, pink Pokémon with a tuft of bangs curling over its forehead.
Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon, uses its large, round eyes to stare at opponents and sings an incredible lullaby.
"Jigglypuff? Wow, your team has gotten bigger."
Ash glanced at his Pokédex, surprised.
Ho-oh—ho wah wah!
Priape stepped forward, waving at Ash.
At the sa ti, Hypno's eyes glowed blue, establishing telepathic communication with everyone.
After hearing its explanation, everyone's expressions turned strange.
"You an we have to battle those two?" Brock pointed at Ash and Natsu.
Ho ho wah!
Dod!
Priape and Doduo nodded.
"And you want to battle in human-style battles, with Hypno acting as the trainer?" Giselle's expression turned odd.
Hypno Hypno looked resigned, and with its two companions holding it down, it nodded.
Nearby, Misty had comforted Togepi and leaned in, curious:
"I get it. It must be because of what happened last ti with Ash and Midchu—they rembered it!"
"And they've crashed several battles in a row, probably trying to defeat us," Brock analyzed.
"But they all failed." Giselle was montarily stunned, then looked at the four opposing Pokémon.
"Why are you battling us in a human way?" Giselle asked, curious.
Priape and Zapdos exchanged a glance.
They had followed the group all this way, countless tis wanting to launch a surprise attack for revenge.
But each ti, a blue light restrained them, freezing them in place.
At first, they thought Hypno had betrayed them, but later they realized the problem lay entirely with that human!
Priape and Zapdos didn't respond to Giselle, instead staring intently at Natsu.
"Why are you looking at ?"
Natsu tossed a few Oran Berries.
Priape and Zapdos proudly looked away.
Hypno~
The berries glowed blue, and Hypno placed them into the small basket on its wrist.
Turning around, it noticed Priape and Zapdos staring at it like a traitor.
Hypno shrank its neck.
No worries—once they're hungry, they'll be good comrades again.
"Ash, you should battle them."
Natsu said, glancing curiously at Jigglypuff on Zapdos' back.
How had they ended up together?
He was intrigued, thinking this was a new Pokémon social structure worth studying back at Professor Oak's lab.
"Ah? You want to battle Pokémon commanded by Hypno?"
Ash's stunned voice sounded as if he were dreaming.
"Can Pokémon be trainers?" Ash asked, soul-searchingly.
"Sure, no rule says otherwise. If you want, Pikachu can command you in battle," Natsu said nonchalantly.
"Really? Pikachu, let's give it a try!"
Pika! Pikachu nodded.
After all this ti together, Ash could communicate with it across species without any barrier.
Commanding it would be no problem.
Seeing that Ash really intended to go in himself, Natsu twitched at the corner of his mouth and raised his phone to start recording.
This mont had to be shown to Philosopher wtwo.
You can read more (around 150 free chapters) of Natsu\'s adventure ad-free at [sravenarchives/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a ss here, so updates here might be irregular.
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