On the azure sea, sunlight cast shimmering ripples. Ash and his companions were running along the coastline, Pikachu sitting steadily on his shoulder.
"Hurry up! We'll miss the boat if we're late!" Xiao You called back, her long hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu perked up his ears, pointing at a moving orange figure on the beach ahead.
"Wait, what's that?" Brock squinted.
A Wartortle was desperately waving at them: "Wartortle! Wartortle Wartortle! (Help! Help us!)"
Ash immediately stopped: "It looks like it's asking for help!"
The Wartortle ran to them, panting, its eyes filled with anxiety: "Wartortle... Wartortle Wartortle! (Please follow me... our clan is in danger!)"
Pikachu jumped to the ground: "Pika? (What happened?)"
The Wartortle explained quickly. After hearing the Wartortle's explanation, Ash said, "The Blastoise clan is fighting Sharpedo, and the situation is critical."
Brock frowned: "Sharpedo? Isn't that a Hoenn region Pokémon? How is it here?"
"No time to talk, we need to help quickly!" Ash said firmly, following the Wartortle towards the sea.
They rode Ash's Blastoise, and guided by the Wartortle, soon arrived at a hidden small island. Before they even reached the shore, fierce fighting sounds could already be heard.
On the beach, several Blastoise were confronting several Sharpedo. One particularly large Blastoise stood at the forefront, its shell bearing multiple scars, but it still stubbornly shielded its clan.
"Blastoise... (Step back...)" The Blastoise chieftain growled, but its voice was clearly weak.
The Sharpedo leader on the opposite side bared its sharp teeth: "Sharpedo! (This sea area now belongs to us!)"
Ash jumped off Blastoise and rushed between the two parties: "Stop! Please stop fighting!"
All the Pokémon were stunned. The Sharpedo leader squinted: "Sharpedo? (Humans?)"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu jumped to Ash's side, its electric sacs flickering with electricity, indicating its stance.
Xiao You and Brock also quickly stood by Ash's side. Brock's Onix and Geodude took battle stances, while Xiao You released her Ivysaur.
The Blastoise chieftain took a difficult step forward: "Blastoise... (Humans... don't interfere...)" Before he could finish, he suddenly coughed violently and knelt on the ground.
"Wartortle! (Chieftain!)" Several Wartortle gathered around in panic.
Ash immediately ran to the Blastoise and found its injuries were more severe than he imagined: "It needs emergency treatment!"
Brock quickly examined the wounds: "Multiple lacerations, and signs of poisoning... The situation is not good."
Ash took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His hands began to emit a faint green glow—the power of the Meadow Plate was activating.
"Ash is going to use the Plate's power," Xiao You whispered to Brock.
Mysterious energy flowed from Ash's body, surrounding the Blastoise. Its wounds began to heal at a visible rate, and its breathing gradually became stable.
"Blastoise... (This is...)" The Blastoise looked at its recovering body in surprise.
The Sharpedo swam uneasily: "Sharpedo... Sharpedo! (What kind of power is this!)"
After the treatment was complete, Ash opened his eyes, a little tired: "Now, can you tell me what happened?"
The Blastoise chieftain slowly stood up: "Blastoise... Blastoise Blastoise. (Thank you, human. We have lived in this sea area for generations, but recently these Sharpedo came from afar, wanting to seize our territory.)"
A young Carvanha excitedly swam forward: "Carvanha! Carvanha Carvanha! (The currents here are more suitable for us to evolve! We just want living space!)"
The Sharpedo leader added: "Sharpedo... Sharpedo Sharpedo. (Our clan is growing, and we need a larger territory. The coral reefs and ocean currents here are perfect.)"
Ash listened carefully to both sides' statements, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "I have a proposal."
Everyone looked at him. Ash took out the azure flute from the collar of his clothes, a disc emitting a mysterious glow.
"This is the azure flute given to me by Arceus, and it connects to my mini-world," Ash explained. "There is enough space and resources there to accommodate both your clans simultaneously."
The Blastoise and Sharpedo looked at each other.
"Pika Pika! Pikachu! (It's really great there!)" Pikachu added excitedly.
Xiao You smiled and explained: "Ash's mini-world has various different ecological environments, and Gardevoir will help you find suitable habitats."
Brock nodded: "And no other clans will compete with you for territory."
The Blastoise chieftain pondered for a long time: "Blastoise... (This sounds...)"
The Sharpedo leader interrupted him: "Sharpedo? (Why should we trust humans?)"
Ash looked directly into the Sharpedo's eyes: "I swear by the bond between me and Pikachu that I will never deceive you. If you are not satisfied, you can leave at any time."
After a moment of silence, the Blastoise chieftain spoke first: "Blastoise. (I am willing to trust this human; he healed my wounds.)"
The Sharpedo leader hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement: "Sharpedo... (Alright, we are willing to try...)"
Ash showed a relieved smile: "That's great! Gardevoir!"
A pink light flashed, and the elegant Gardevoir appeared before everyone: "Gardevoir (Ash, what can I do for you?)"
"Please arrange suitable habitats for the Blastoise and Sharpedo clans," Ash said.
Gardevoir closed her eyes and sensed for a while: "Gardevoir, Gardevoir Gardevoir! (The coral sea in the east is suitable for Sharpedo, and the island with hot springs in the west is suitable for Blastoise!)"
The leaders of the two clans looked at each other and both expressed satisfaction with the arrangement.
Ash raised the azure flute, and a dazzling light enveloped all the Pokémon. When the light dissipated, they had already arrived at the beach in the mini-world.
"Wow..." Xiao You looked around, "Every time I come here, it feels incredible."
The Sharpedo eagerly swam towards the designated sea area: "Sharpedo! (The current here is amazing!)"
The Blastoise cautiously tested the hot springs: "Blastoise... (The temperature is so comfortable...)"
The Blastoise chieftain swam back to Ash's side: "Blastoise, Blastoise Blastoise. (To express our gratitude, we would like you to take the most talented young generation from our clan.)"
Several young Wartortle puffed out their chests, looking at Ash expectantly.
The Sharpedo leader also swam over: "Sharpedo Sharpedo! (We are also willing to offer our strongest Carvanha!)"
Ash quickly waved his hand: "No, no, that's not necessary. I appreciate your kindness."
Pikachu tilted his head: "Pika? (Why not?)"
Ash squatted down, looking at the Pokémon at eye level: "I hope your clans can thrive here completely. However..." His eyes lit up, "If you want to repay me, you can do me a favor."
"Blastoise? (What favor?)" the Blastoise chieftain asked.
Ash pointed to two glowing light pillars in the distance: "Those are the Max Lair and Tera Lair, where many powerful wild Pokémon reside. Challenging them gives you a chance to obtain the ite and other items I need."
The Sharpedo leader immediately became interested: "Sharpedo! (Sounds like a good fight!)"
"Blastoise Blastoise! (We will challenge them regularly!)" the Blastoise chieftain also promised.
Just then, Ash suddenly felt a vibration at his waist. He looked down and saw the Pokémon Egg hanging on his belt emitting a dazzling light.
"Ah! The Egg is about to hatch!" Ash exclaimed.
Brock asked in surprise: "This is... the Egg that Dragonite entrusted to you from Bill's Lighthouse?"
Ash nodded, carefully holding the glowing Egg: "We need to get to the incubation room quickly!"
Gardevoir immediately understood: "Gardevoir! (Follow me!)"
They hurried to the incubation room in the center of the mini-world. As soon as the Egg was placed in the special incubator, cracks appeared on the shell.
"It's coming out!" Xiao You tightly clasped her hands in anticipation.
With a pink glow, the eggshell completely cracked open. A tiny, entirely pink Dratini appeared before everyone, blinking its watery big eyes, curiously looking around.
"This is... a shiny Dratini!" Brock exclaimed.
The Dratini's gaze quickly Lock-On Ash, and it happily chirped: "Mew!" Then it quickly swam to Ash's side, affectionately rubbing against his cheek.
"Pika Pika! (It likes you!)" Pikachu said happily.
Ash gently stroked the Dratini's smooth skin: "Hello there, little one."
The Dratini continued to rub against him: "Mew Mew! (You are my daddy!)"
Ash understood its meaning through the azure flute and couldn't help but laugh: "It seems it has already chosen me."
He took out a Poké Ball and gently touched the Dratini's small head. The Poké Ball didn't even shake before a "ding" sound indicated a successful capture.
"Congratulations, Ash!" Xiao You clapped her hands.
Brock also smiled and said: "You've gained another powerful companion."
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder: "Pikachu! (The team is growing again!)"
The Dratini automatically came out of the Poké Ball and coiled around Ash's arm, its eyes narrowing contentedly.
Ash looked at all this, his heart filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Blastoise and Sharpedo clans. Today, not only did we resolve your conflict, but we also welcomed a new companion."
The Blastoise chieftain nodded solemnly: "Blastoise. (You are a trustworthy human.)"
The Sharpedo leader also showed a rare gentle expression: "Sharpedo. (We will remember this kindness.)"
As the sun set, Ash and his companions stood before the teleportation point to return to the real world. The Dratini curiously looked around, and Pikachu patiently explained various things to it.
"Alright, we should go back, or we'll really miss the boat," Brock reminded.
Ash nodded, took one last look at the two clans coexisting harmoniously, and activated the azure flute.
A flash of light, and they reappeared on the original beach. In the distance, the last ferry at the port was preparing to set sail.
"Run!" Xiao You shouted.
The three, with their Pokémon, sprinted at full speed and finally boarded the ferry at the last moment.
Panting, leaning against the deck railing, Ash looked at the receding island, the Dratini coiled around his neck, and Pikachu sitting on top of his head.
"Today was a fulfilling day," Xiao You said with a smile.
Brock nodded: "Indeed, we witnessed Ash's special ability create a miracle again."
Ash scratched his head sheepishly: "This is all thanks to the power granted by Arceus and everyone's Helping Hand."
Pikachu patted his cheek: "Pika Pika! (You're the best!)"
The Dratini also echoed: "Mew! (Daddy is the best!)"
"Ding-a-ling-ling—" The black and blue rotom phone suddenly popped out from Ash's waist, and the words "Cerulean City Xiao Xia" flashed on the screen. "Hello? Xiao Xia?" As soon as Ash answered the phone, an urgent gurgling sound and noisy human voices came from the receiver.
"Ash! Please come to Cerulean Gym tomorrow to be a temporary Gym Leader for a day!" Xiao Xia's voice, mixed with echoes, sounded like she was shouting from an empty poolside. "My three sisters suddenly have to go for an emergency training camp for the Water Ballet World Championships—"
"Wait, temporary Gym Leader?" Ash almost shook the Dratini off his shoulder. Pikachu quickly used its tail to support the dizzy little one. "But I've never..."
"No time to explain! Sakura's Starmie broke the water pipe!" There was a loud "boom" from the other end of the phone, and Xiao Xia's shouts were intermittent, "Tomorrow morning at nine... beep... beep..."
Ash stood petrified, holding the disconnected phone, the tip of the Dratini's tail poking his stunned cheek. "Pika Pika? (What's wrong, Ash?)" Pikachu tilted its head, looking at its Trainer's sudden grin.
"This is great!" Ash suddenly raised his arms, startling the Dratini, who shrunk into his collar. "I finally get to experience being a Gym Leader!"