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Before setting out, Sam had read up on the history of this world.
He had confirmed something important:
This world was a unified Pokémon timeline.
A world where manga, anime, movies, and games all overlapped—seamlessly fused into one massive, intricate reality.
Of course, in this complex world, some figures already stood at the peak.
The legendary Red, and the stoic Green, were widely recognized by the major powers across the regions.
But as for Ash Ketchum?
Still a rookie.
Still an underdog. A wild card.
His name hadn't yet echoed across leagues or been taken seriously by most trainers outside his circle.
But Sam knew who he really was—what he'd become.
And now, the first meeting with this future world champion had been...
"This stupid."
Sam watched as Ash lay on the forest floor, face still dusted with soil, mumbling nonsense about the sea.
His arms had been paddling so vigorously they were raw and red.
"Luca," Sam said, chuckling softly.
"Wake him up."
"Luka~!"
Lucario stepped forward.
With a pulse of Aura energy, he effortlessly dissolved the lingering psychic residue left behind by the Stantler herd.
A shimmer swept over Ash and Turtwig. Their eyelids twitched.
Soon, the boy stirred.
Ash blinked a few times, confused.
"Huh...? Wasn't I just... swimming in the ocean?"
Sam raised a brow, then pointed to the long, messy trails Ash had carved across the dirt.
"You were definitely swimming," he said dryly.
"Just not in water."
Ash sat up groggily, rubbing the back of his neck.
Memories slowly returned—Stantlers circling, that overwhelming illusion—and his eyes widened.
"Oh! That's right! I couldn't escape... and then... You helped me?"
Before he could say more—
"Ash~!"
"Pika-pika!"
Two familiar voices called out from the distance.
Through the trees came Brock and Dawn, with Pikachu leading the charge.
The yellow mouse zipped ahead and leapt into Ash's arms with a spark of joy.
"Pikachu!" Ash smiled and hugged it tightly.
Brock approached, panting slightly.
"We finally found you. Are you okay?"
Dawn's eyes widened in concern.
"Ash, your hands—why are they so red?"
Ash's cheeks flushed slightly. He looked away, a little embarrassed.
"Er... I might've gotten a little confused by a group of Stantlers... I thought I was swimming in the sea..."
"On land?" Dawn blinked.
"I know how it sounds!" Ash protested, waving his red arms.
"But it felt so real! I was trying to find you two, but I couldn't get out. Then I got hit by another illusion... and..."
He turned to Sam and bowed respectfully.
"This big brother helped me break free. Thank you."
Sam gave a relaxed smile.
"Don't mention it."
"This forest," he explained, glancing around, "is sometimes called the Lostlorn Forest. It's home to wild Stantlers with unusually powerful illusions. They often confuse travelers with visions and tricks."
Brock nodded. "Makes sense. Stantler illusions are no joke. I've read about trainers wandering for days in circles."
Dawn patted Ash's back sympathetically.
"At least you're okay. Next time, maybe don't dive into a hallucination ocean."
"Yeah, yeah..." Ash muttered, scratching his head sheepishly.
Sam gave the trio a brief look, noting their bond and synergy.
Even at this stage, Ash's team had a certain spark.
A future champion, surrounded by people who believed in him.
Just like Cynthia had people supporting her… Ash, too, would rise.
Sam looked down at Lucario, who met his gaze.
"Let's go," Sam said.
"We still have a long road ahead."
But before he could walk off—
"Hey, wait!" Ash called out.
"Are you a traveling trainer too?"
Sam paused. "Something like that."
Dawn and Brock turned to Sam with curiosity.
Sam considered it briefly, then smirked.
"Sure."
"Just don't expect it to be easy."
Sam's calm explanation helped Ash, Dawn, and Brock understand what had just happened.
"I'm Ash, from Pallet Town!" Ash said cheerfully, then motioned to the people next to him.
"These are my traveling partners—Brock and Dawn."
"And this little guy is Pikachu!" he added proudly.
"Pikachu~!"
Pikachu stood tall on Ash's shoulder, giving Sam an energetic wave.
"Hey there." Brock smiled, giving a small wave of his own.
"Thanks again, big brother," Dawn said sweetly, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.
Sam's lips curled into a slight smile.
"I'm Samuel Lockwood from Celestic town, just call me Sam," he introduced himself.
Then, gesturing to the steel-blue Pokémon beside him, he added, "This is Luca—my Lucario. He's the one who drove off the Stantlers just now."
"Luka~!"
Lucario gave a calm but friendly bark, his aura sensing only kindness from the three strangers.
"Lucario!"
Ash and Dawn both turned their attention toward the Pokémon, visibly impressed.
Although none of them had Sam's Eye of Detection, it was easy to tell from Lucario's battle-ready stance, defined muscles, and steady aura—
This was no ordinary Lucario.
"Brother Sam," Ash said, eyes shining, "your Lucario is amazing!"
"Yeah!" Dawn chimed in with enthusiasm.
"And he's so handsome! If he entered a Contest, he wouldn't even have to move. He'd probably pass the visual round just by standing still!"
Both their gazes lingered on Lucario in admiration.
But Brock?
Brock wasn't looking at Lucario.
His attention was squarely on Sam.
"Mmm…" Brock muttered, brows furrowing.
"Samuel… Lockwood"
He pulled a well-worn notebook out of his bag, flipping rapidly through the pages.
"I know I've heard that name somewhere…"
Dawn blinked. "Brock?"
Ash tilted his head.
"What's wrong?"
Brock's fingers suddenly stopped.
Eyes wide, he jabbed a finger down onto a page and exclaimed:
"I FOUND IT!"
Startled, the others flinched back.
"No wonder that name sounded familiar!" Brock yelled.
"So you're the one!"
"The legendary Public Enemy of Sinnoh!"
His voice echoed across the forest clearing, carried by a dramatic wind that came out of nowhere.
"...Huh?"
Ash and Dawn's expressions froze.
"Public Enemy…?"
They stared at Sam in disbelief.
That calm, sharp-looking guy with the friendly smile?
That Sam?
Dawn leaned toward Ash and whispered, "He doesn't look like a villain…"
Ash whispered back, "Nope. Not at all…"
Sam blinked, a little dumbfounded.
"Wait… what?"
He scratched his head.
"When did I become Sinnoh's public enemy?"