On the way to the next town, Ash and his companions encountered a confident Hiker who challenged Ash to a battle.
Ash sent out Bulbasaur to face him.
The battle wasn't particularly difficult. Relying on its solid foundation and nimble techniques, Bulbasaur successfully defeated the Hiker's Rhyhorn.
However, the moment the battle ended, a strange phenomenon occurred with Bulbasaur at the center, the ordinary grass and budding flowers in the vicinity suddenly burst into full bloom, filling the air with a rich and exotic fragrance!
"What... what is happening?" Misty asked, staring in astonishment at the scenery that had turned vibrant and colorful in an instant.
"It's Bulbasaur! It's releasing energy that's drawing upon the power of nature!" Brock exclaimed in shock. As a Pokémon Breeder, he could feel a surge of boundless life energy.
Ash's pupils constricted slightly as he immediately realized what was happening. This was the omen of Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden!
In the original story, Bulbasaur had evolved into Ivysaur in this place, witnessed by many of its kin according to an ancient tradition.
His Bulbasaur had finally reached this critical junction for evolution.
Yet, Ash felt a strong wave of hesitation rising within him.
He remembered clearly that in the original series, Bulbasaur possessed an incredibly strong sense of self-respect. It held onto the belief that it could grow strong without evolving and ultimately refused the change.
He wasn't sure if his Bulbasaur harbored the same thoughts. Forcing an evolution might go against its own wishes and damage the precious bond between them.
That night, after dinner at the Pokémon Center, Ash noticed Bulbasaur seemed restless and anxious. It stared toward the depths of the forest as if sensing something.
Late at night, Bulbasaur quietly slipped out of the Pokémon Center and headed deep into the forest.
Without hesitation, Ash quietly followed.
After passing through the dark woods, the view ahead suddenly opened up. It was a mysterious garden hidden under the moonlight, with strange and beautiful flowers blooming everywhere, and the air was thick with that same rich fragrance from earlier. This was Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden.
In the center of the garden, a vast number of Bulbasaur were gathered, surrounding a massive Venusaur that exuded a steady and imposing presence.
That Venusaur was clearly the leader of the local tribe. Ash's Bulbasaur walked to the front of the group and engaged in a silent exchange with the Venusaur leader through its Vine Whip and its presence.
Hiding behind a tree, Ash could clearly sense Bulbasaur's inner struggle and confusion through his Aura Power.
It yearned to become stronger and live up to Ash's expectations, and it felt the summons of the power brought by evolution. But on the other hand, a voice deep within it seemed to resist the change. It enjoyed fighting alongside Ash in its current state and feared that something would be lost after evolving.
The Venusaur leader seemed to be urging it to make a choice, to follow the ancient tradition and absorb the energy here to complete its evolution.
Seeing that Bulbasaur was still wavering, Ash stopped hiding and stepped out from behind the tree.
His appearance made the Venusaur leader and the surrounding Bulbasaur grow wary.
But Ash ignored them, walking straight to his Bulbasaur. He crouched down, his gaze calm and steady.
"Bulbasaur, I know what you're thinking," Ash said softly. At the same time, he pulled an Everstone from his backpack one he had purchased from Flint back in Pewter City. "To evolve or not is your own choice. I will respect any decision you make."
He held out the Everstone to Bulbasaur. "If you don't want to evolve, wear this. It will help you maintain your current form and let you grow stronger at your own pace. If you ever change your mind in the future and wish to evolve,
you can take it off at any time. I promise you, no matter what you look like, you will always be one of my most important partners."
Bulbasaur looked at the stone in Ash's hand, which hummed with stable energy, then looked up into Ash's eyes eyes full of understanding, trust, and zero coercion. Its body trembled slightly as large tears rolled down from the corners of its eyes. It felt the trainer's unreserved respect and support.
It reached out with a Vine Whip, solemnly accepting the Everstone, and merged it into the symbiotic connection between its body and the plant on its back. A wave of stable energy instantly surged through its body, suppressing the restless impulse to evolve.
"Bulba!" it cried out firmly. The confusion in its eyes vanished, replaced by an immense clarity and determination.
Nearby, the Venusaur leader had witnessed the entire scene.
Its wise gaze swept back and forth between Ash and Bulbasaur. It could feel the profound bond and mutual respect between them, far surpassing that of an ordinary trainer and Pokémon.
It let out a low growl, seemingly in approval or perhaps in admiration.
It no longer pressured Ash's Bulbasaur and instead signaled that they could leave.
Respect is sometimes more powerful than strength.
Ash led his resolute Bulbasaur out of Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden, leaving the moonlight and the sea of flowers behind.
Bulbasaur had chosen its own path. Ash, once again, had proven through his actions that in his heart, the will and bond of a Pokémon were far more important than mere power.
[Ding! Host has respected Bulbasaur's will, strengthening the profound bond. Bulbasaur's intimacy and potential have significantly increased.]
Sigh, after thinking it over, it's better not to evolve for now. I'll just find the right moment in the future and evolve all at once.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).