That scrawny little Tepig, of course, was the same Tepig Ash had originally caught in the anime storyline.
Thanks to his Aura Power, Ash easily gained Tepig's trust.
Its mouth had been bound with a rope, making it impossible for it to eat Pokémon food. A Tepig should've been plump and full of energy, but this one was skinny and frail from hunger.
With a gentle wave of his Aura, Ash calmed it down. Tepig slowly let its guard down and allowed Ash to untie the rope from its mouth.
Ash immediately called out Snivy, Meloetta, and Victini—three adorable companions. He explained Tepig's situation to them.
Snivy, ever the reliable "big sis" of the group, was the first to respond. The other two also showed visible anger at the previous Trainer who had cruelly abandoned Tepig.
Snivy gently reached out a Vine Whip and patted Tepig's forehead. "From now on," she seemed to say, "we'll take care of you."
Tepig, once hurt and rejected, now surrounded by kind Pokémon and a Trainer who truly cared, found tears welling up in its eyes—shimmering with emotion.
[Pokémon]: Tepig
[Species]: Fire Pig Pokémon
[Type]: Fire
[Ability]: Blaze
[Potential]: Red Tier
[Level]: 12
[Moves]: Tackle, Ember, Odor Sleuth
A Red-Tier Potential wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible either. And with Ash, potential was never a problem.
Just like that, Ash caught Tepig.
Afterward, he headed to the town hosting "The Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup" —where Cynthia, Caitlin, and Sabrina were all present.
At the same time, the song Ash had written for Elesa—based on her journey through Unova—was officially released.
When the Junior Cup ended, Trip once again tried to challenge Ash.
But when Trip saw that even his idol Alder treated Ash with deep respect, he froze.
It wasn't until Cynthia kindly gave him a nudge that Trip pulled up the Pokémon League's official site and searched for the name "Ash."
What he found stunned him.
That this was the person he'd dismissed as some "bumpkin rookie"? He'd called him a country kid!
For the first time, Trip questioned everything he thought he knew.
-----
Ash had no time to worry about any of that.
As he and Cynthia and Sabrina journeyed back to Sinnoh, Ash played a song:
"Become the Arrow"
Like an arrow, swift and unyielding!
Like an arrow, supple and bending!
Like an arrow, thoughtful and searching!
That's what we are now!
Through green hills, across white clouds, we charge forward as arrows!
Advance, oh arrow! Keep on surging!
Shine, oh arrow! Brighter than ever!
Chase your dreams!
Bathed in this familiar melody, Ash, Cynthia, and Sabrina returned to Sinnoh.
-----
"Alright, Ash," Cynthia said gently. "All good things must come to an end... I just didn't think our farewell would come so soon."
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Ash looked at her profile, his heart stirred with emotion.
This time, once he returned home, he'd be heading to the Kalos region.
And Ash could feel it—Cynthia had feelings for him, too.
If he didn't say anything, she probably would. But Ash wasn't going to let it come to that.
They stood now at the harbor. The sea breeze rolled in softly, brushing against their faces.
Sabrina also had deep feelings for Ash. It was he who pulled her out of her lost, directionless state. It was Ash who made her see herself again.
She, too, had fallen for him.
In their world, relationships weren't constrained by narrow social norms. Especially not for people like them.
Cynthia, the recognized Champion.
Sabrina, a powerful Psychic-Type Elite Four candidate.
These weren't ordinary people.
"Be the arrow, Ash," his heart whispered. "Charge forward!"
Ash suddenly reached out and grabbed both Cynthia's and Sabrina's hands.
Their first instinct was to pull away—but Ash held them tight.
He didn't say a word. He simply looked ahead, standing between the two of them.
Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Both women looked at him, then at each other.
Sabrina didn't look away. She met Cynthia's gaze firmly.
She was overthinking things anyway. Cynthia had long known about the other girls close to Ash back home. One more wouldn't bother her.
Besides, Cynthia was aware that Ash had known Sabrina since Kanto.
Ash's heart skipped a beat.
They didn't pull away—which meant they accepted it.
"Cynthia," Ash said after a long pause, "I'll be heading to Kalos soon. When I return… come home with me. Sabrina—you too. Come back with everyone."
Cynthia's cheeks flushed a soft red.
Sabrina wasn't entirely used to this kind of moment, but she nodded quietly.
-----
The three of them parted ways at the harbor that day.
For Cynthia, for Sabrina, and for Ash—it was a moment they'd never forget.
Cynthia returned to the Sinnoh Pokémon League.
Ash brought Sabrina home—to Pallet Town.
------
Ding! [Congratulations, host. Unova sign-in complete. Rewards are being issued...]
Finally! Ash had been waiting for this.
The system had recorded his arrival in Unova from day one. But because he hadn't challenged the Unova League, the rewards were held until his departure.
System Rewards:
System Space Expanded to 200 meters in all directions!
System Rules Upgraded (aside from humans being unable to live in it long-term, there are no restrictions!)
1 Billion Poké Coins!
6 Attribute Enhancement Cards!
System Store Upgraded!
1 Legendary Pokémon Tracker!
A one-time mega jackpot of rewards!
A 200x200x200 meter space—essentially a portable training ground that could now be entered freely. Even though humans couldn't live there full-time, it was like carrying a mobile base.
Ash already had ideas on how to use it.
And the 1 Billion Poké Coins—combined with his League commissions from selling Mega Evolution stones and key stones, and the music royalties from his songs with Elesa—meant he now earned billions every month, without lifting a finger.
Six attribute-enhancing cards and an upgraded shop meant he'd finally have use for all those Poké Coins piling up.
And the Tracker of a Legendary Pokémon… it had to be in Kalos, right?
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T/N:
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