[Bruno: Wait a minute! Aren't you all overlooking something important? How come Ash could withstand Pikachu's attack? That was Thunderbolt!]
[Misty: Eh? That doesn't seem strange at all. He's Ash.]
[Ash: I'm not that amazing!]
[Gary: Idiot! Nobody's praising you!]
The broadcast continued.
On screen—
The blazing sun poured into a room.
The camera panned across: a red-muscled action figure displayed on a shelf.
To its right stood a Champion's trophy.
On the base of the trophy, the words Alola League could faintly be seen.
Further right, countless other trophies and League badges filled the display —
Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos.
Such dazzling achievements! Whoever owned these must be an incredibly reliable trainer.
But then the image shifted—
Ash's figure appeared on the light curtain once again!
Everyone was stunned!
That same boy who kept appearing… had such strength?
Challenging multiple Leagues, and even claiming a Championship!
So this was the Legendary Trainer?!
Still, while the results were impressive, could he really be called the strongest Champion?
After all, didn't every Elite Four member or Champion already have several League trophies?
Why should he be the strongest?
In White Silver Town, Misty looked Ash up and down, unable to hide the envy in her eyes.
The Ash on screen didn't look much older than the Ash standing now.
Meaning — in just a short time, he'd reach the strength to win a League!
Such talent… it was dazzling.
"Ash, don't forget me when you're rich and famous! When you become Champion, introduce me to some beautiful trainers, okay?"
Brock clapped Ash's shoulder, as if entrusting him with a sacred mission.
Meanwhile in Alola, Professor Kukui was utterly dumbfounded!
Others might not know what that red figurine was — but he'd never mistake it.
That was him! The Masked Royal! His secret identity!
But more importantly, right next to it was the Champion's trophy—
"First Alola League Champion: Ash Ketchum!"
What—?! Alola had a League now!
He had to share this with Hau and the others immediately.
With this, Alola's application to join the worldwide League would definitely succeed!
[Gary: Ash! Damn you! You actually won a Championship!]
[Ash: What nonsense. With my strength, winning a Championship is easy. The real question is—will you even win one?]
[Gary: Impossible! No way! I'll have more Championships than you one day!]
But as fate would have it, some things should never be said aloud. Gary clearly hadn't learned this yet.
On screen—
The alarm clock rang, but Ash was still fast asleep.
No alarm clock could ever wake him — only Pikachu's Thunderbolt worked.
But this time, even Pikachu's Thunderbolt failed!
Watching Ash still snoring away, Pikachu fell into deep thought.
Was its Thunderbolt not powerful enough anymore?
Luckily, at the last moment, Delia (Hanako) arrived and woke Ash.
After her reminder, Ash remembered his appointment with Professor Oak.
Changing clothes at lightning speed, he dashed to Professor Oak's house.
Professor Oak, who had his car ready, happened to see Ash arrive.
On the drive, Oak explained the purpose of their trip:
Today was the grand opening of Professor Sakuragi's (Cerise's) research lab.
For him to establish a lab meant he had fully matured as a researcher.
Not only Ash, but his mother Delia had also been invited.
So the three set off together for Vermilion City.
The convertible was packed tight —
Oak at the wheel, Delia in the passenger seat, while Ash, Mr. Mime, and Pikachu squeezed into the back.
On the way, Oak asked Ash about his dream.
Without hesitation, Ash replied:
"I'm going to aim for the title of Pokémon Master together with my partner!"
"Pika~!" Pikachu waved excitedly.
Upon arriving in Vermilion City, Ash couldn't wait — he rushed ahead toward Sakuragi's lab, leaving Delia and Oak to walk slowly.
On the way, Ash spotted a Pokémon he'd never seen before!
A small, yellow, corgi-like Pokémon — clearly an Electric type like Pikachu!
How did Ash react?
A. Ignore it
B. Rub cheeks with it
He was Ash, so of course he chose B.
The result, naturally, was obvious.
Golden sparks filled the staircase, and Ash was fried into unconsciousness.
As for Pikachu, this kind of scene was routine by now.
It just started playing around with the new Pokémon.
[Gary: As expected of you. One moment, you claim you'll be a Pokémon Master. The next, you're getting fried. What Pokémon Master acts like this?]
[Ash: Pikachu, come on! You could at least check if I'm okay!]
Pikachu rolled its eyes, shocked him with another Thunderbolt, then leisurely hopped onto Misty's shoulder with a look that said: I don't know this guy.
[Brock: Speaking of which, that Pokémon's electricity really isn't that strong. Nowhere near Pikachu's Thunderbolt. It probably didn't even hurt Ash.]
[Diantha: This Ash seems promising. Interested in joining our film crew? One of our stunt actors is on leave. You'd be perfect!]
[Misty: Diantha! I'm your biggest fan! Don't worry, I'll make sure Ash goes. Please sign an autograph for me!]
[Ash: You're a Champion? Then battle me first, and I'll go!]
[Aaron: Are trainers nowadays always this reckless? Challenging Champions out of nowhere… I thought only I did stuff like that.]
[Volkner: You're exposing yourself, dude!]
Fried or not, the moment Ash heard the word "Champion," he instantly perked up again.
He even prepared to battle this Champion named Diantha.
(Greninja vs Gardevoir — perhaps a battle fated long ago!)
On screen—
Years passed, and Koharu had grown up.
After saying goodbye to her friends, she returned home to prepare for her father's lab opening ceremony.
But on the stairs, she stumbled across a strange, blackened figure.
The sight of black instantly brought back bad memories. Her smile froze.
No one in her family could understand this feeling.
"Woof!"
Seeing her return, Yamper ran happily to her side.
With her Pokémon there, Koharu's expression softened a little.
"Yamper, do you know what this is?"
She pointed to the charred lump before her.
Just then, the figure on the ground twitched, as if sensing someone nearby.
Koharu's hair stood on end.
"Yamper, let's get out of here!"
So she hurried with Yamper toward Sakuragi Lab's opening ceremony!
Meanwhile, Pikachu stared blankly at the girl's sudden change of expression.
As expected of humans — they can change faces so quickly!
It seemed Pikachu still needed to refine its acting skills!