"It's over, Suicune—use Ice Beam!"
Ash's eyes flashed coldly as his opponent's Kingdra attempted to charge up a Hyper Beam. The purple crest on Suicune's head gleamed, and a dazzling multicolored ray burst forth, striking Kingdra squarely in the chest.
"Wooooo!!!"
The partially frozen Kingdra could barely move. Suicune's powerful Ice Beam engulfed it, and moments later, the Water-and-Dragon-type collapsed, unable to continue.
Referee: "Kingdra is unable to battle! Suicune wins! Challenger, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Commentator: "Amazing! Suicune, commanded by Ash, has given us a spectacular display! After two straight victories, Suicune remains completely unscathed. What Pokémon will Mandi choose as his final trump card?"
The referee's voice echoed through the arena as the crowd erupted in cheers. The icy brilliance of Suicune's attacks was mesmerizing—its grace and power unmatched.
"Suicune! Suicune! Suicune!"
"Go, Master Ash!"
"Come on! Let's go!"
With the commentator's energetic narration, the audience was at a fever pitch, chanting the names of Ash and Suicune. In contrast, Mandi's supporters had gone quiet. The self-proclaimed "Astounding Mandi," who prided himself on flair and showmanship, now stood red-faced under the crowd's scorn.
"I forfeit."
Mandi finally raised his trembling hand, his pale expression betraying defeat. He had already lost two Pokémon, while Suicune hadn't taken a single hit. Rather than be humiliated further, he chose to surrender.
After all, his strongest Pokémon—Kingdra—was down, and his remaining Golbat was only of elite rank. For someone who strutted so arrogantly at the start, his surrender now looked utterly pathetic.
"Booooo!!!"
The audience erupted into jeers, expressing their disappointment. Ash, however, simply looked at Mandi with quiet disdain, offering no words.
Commentator: "Mandi has chosen to forfeit! The winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! What an incredible match! Ash's Suicune has once again demonstrated legendary power. Will Ash continue his winning streak? Let's wait and see!"
Though the commentator criticized Mandi's poor sportsmanship, his admiration for Ash was unmistakable. To most of the world, this result came as no surprise. After all, rumors already spread that Ash was a true Champion-level Trainer.
Meanwhile, in the player's lounge, several young trainers watched the match unfold on the big screen.
"So that's the Ash you mentioned, Gary? He's really strong," said one boy, eyes wide as Suicune's image faded from the display.
"Yeah," Gary replied, crossing his arms thoughtfully.
"Anyone who can capture a Legendary Pokémon like Suicune is no ordinary Trainer. He's probably the strongest of our generation."
The lounge was filled with heirs of prominent Pokémon families—trainers from both Kanto and Sinnoh. As the Oak family's successor, Gary naturally drew attention.
The boys who had spoken earlier were Dario Musugi and Nathan Glacienne. Near them sat Sam Blackstone and Ferb Ignatius, representatives of the top-tier families. Even some Sinnoh family heirs had gathered, though the two regions rarely mingled.
"You guys underestimate Ash," Gary continued.
"My grandpa and dad talk about him all the time. He doesn't have a big roster, but nearly every one of his Pokémon is Champion-tier."
"Not to mention, the battle techniques he's created himself are on another level. With my current strength, I couldn't beat him—not even close."
"No way," Nobuo Yushima interjected.
"You're at least Elite-level, same as us. Even if you lose, it wouldn't be one-sided."
Nobuo—grandson of one of the Indigo League's Four Elites—was confident but not foolish. He'd heard of Ash's skill, though he hadn't taken it seriously until now.
Gary merely smiled faintly.
"You'll understand when you face him. I'm aiming for the quarterfinals first… but honestly, I'd rather not be matched against Ash at all."
Gary Oak had always been a prodigy — one who could confidently stand at the threshold of the Elite Four. His Dragonair was the pride of his team, raised with care since it was an egg. The bond between them was deep and unwavering.
Gary understood how rare Dragonite were and had trained his Dragonair relentlessly. Only recently, during the Indigo Plateau Conference, had his Dratini evolved into Dragonair — a breakthrough that also pushed Gary himself into the Elite-level ranks.
Now, he could even command his Aerodactyl, a Pokémon of quasi-Champion caliber. Of course, that ancient predator had been subdued through sheer strength.
Though Aerodactyl was formidable, Gary's Dragonair — a descendant of Ash's own Dragonite — inherited unique, self-taught techniques that gave it the upper hand in battle.
Even now, recalling his fierce battle with Aerodactyl, Gary couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervous excitement.
"Just like Grandpa said… Ash really isn't an ordinary Trainer," murmured a young man seated nearby.
"No wonder he managed to catch the attention of someone like Cynthia."
The speaker was Kyle, a teenager in a sharp black suit with messy brown hair. His gloved hands bore the ancestral insignia of his family — the Varenza family from the Sinnoh region.
Kyle was the grandson of Kazuya Verenza, the first heir of the Varenza family.
His family specialized in Fire-type Pokémon, and Kyle himself possessed a rare psychic affinity for manipulating fire — almost as though he were one with the element. His connection to Fire-type Pokémon bordered on the supernatural, and his passion for them was nothing short of obsession.
...
TN:
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