Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile

Outside Oak's Research Institute, Professor Oak and his companions stood in front of the door, their expressions serious.

The speed of the crystal coverage outside was getting faster and faster, and it wouldn't take long before it reached Oak's Research Institute.

Faced with these crystals, he couldn't say he had no solution, but protecting all of Pallet Town was truly unrealistic.

The hardness of the crystals couldn't be shattered by attacks below Elite Level, their spreading force could only be resisted by Elite Level defense moves.

Now, he had Venusaur cooperate with Gengar to set up a protective 'barrier' outside the entire Oak's Research Institute.

Using the power of Frenzy Plant and the vast life force of Venusaur, they formed a shield to protect the whole Oak's Research Institute, while Gengar used its powerful spiritual power to fill in gaps, directly shattering any crystals that might spread inside.

The place where Professor Oak was standing now had the most crystals, and without surprise, within ten minutes, this place would be the first to be invaded by crystals.

The amount of crystals in this position was the largest, and their quality was stronger, ordinary Elites couldn't solve them, so he guarded the most critical gateway.

Just as Professor Oak was ready, he suddenly noticed a transparent beam of light flashing through the sky.

Due to the extremely short duration, he briefly thought it was his illusion.

Until he saw the figure running forward, wearing a red and white hat, accompanied by Pikachu, Professor Oak then realized it was not his illusion; Pallet Town's savior had returned.

"Professor Oak? Professor Oak!!!" Ash paused for a moment when he saw Professor Oak; he had just sensed Professor Oak here but didn't know he was right at the entrance of Oak's Research Institute.

Although he had long known Professor Oak was safe and sound, seeing him still made Ash very excited.

"Ash! How did you get back so quickly!" Professor Oak was not only happy but also surprised when he saw Ash, knowing they had just finished talking on the phone not long ago, Ash should still be in Ecruteak City.

Even if coming back directly from there, it would take at least a day by express train.

If one were to use some swift Flying Type Pokemon, the speed could be faster, but absolutely impossible to return to Pallet Town within a mere thirty minutes.

"I asked Mewtwo to use teleportation to bring me back."

Upon hearing the reason, Professor Oak was relieved; if it was Mewtwo, it indeed might be possible to return within thirty minutes.

If Professor Oak knew it took Ash only a minute, he would probably still be astonished.

After all, it was a distance of over a thousand kilometers, calculated in a straight line, nearly two thousand meters per second, utterly astonishing.

"Professor Oak, where's my mom? And these Frenzy Plants... they should be Venusaur's handiwork, right? What's happening in Pallet Town?"

Seeing Professor Oak, Ash bombarded him with questions, and Professor Oak waved his hand, indicating Ash not to worry.

"Since you're back, how are those crystals outside?"

"Mewtwo isolated them outside. As long as Mewtwo is here, those crystals can't come in."

"Alright then, the crisis is temporarily averted. Come with me inside the research institute." Hearing this, Professor Oak breathed a sigh of relief and then recalled his old companions back into Pokeballs.

Then he gestured for Ash and the others to enter Oak's Research Institute, knowing these matters couldn't be explained in a short time.

Inside Oak's Research Institute was crowded with people, neighbors were sitting in threes and twos in the hall and the corridor in the backyard, some held their Pokemon, others sipped instant coffee brewed by Professor Oak, their expressions tense, but at least no one was injured.

Seeing Ash pushing the door open, several familiar neighbors were first startled, then all stood up.

"Ash? How did you get back!"

"Weren't you going to Johto? You just left for—"

"Why did you come back at this time? It's been unstable in Pallet Town right now!"

"..."

Ash nodded in response while scanning the crowd.

In the far corner of the hall, Delia stood, bending over to feed Energy Blocks to a frightened Raticate.

She heard the noise and straightened up, then saw Ash, she clapped the crumbs off her hands, before she could speak, Ash was already at her side in a few quick steps.

"Mom." Ash wanted to reach out his hand but pulled it back. If his mother was in trouble, he would hug her instantly, but now Delia looked perfectly fine, calming the urge and fear within him.

Hugging his mother in front of everyone, how embarrassing! He was a mature Trainer now!

So in the end, Ash didn't hug or take Delia's hand.

But Delia easily saw how nervous Ash had been.

She patted her son's head, displaying a gentle smile: "Why did you suddenly run back? Don't you need to continue your journey in Johto?"

"He called me." Professor Oak approached them from behind, his expression much calmer than before, "I told him there was trouble in Pallet Town, so he came straight back from Ecruteak City."