After the battle, Ash walked forward and slowly helped Ace Trainer—whose mentality had completely shattered—back to his feet.
He asked softly,
"Have you… understood now?"
Ace Trainer raised his head. His tear-filled eyes stared straight at Ash.
Master… what am I supposed to understand?
"Whether it's ninety-nine wins or one hundred wins, there's no real difference," Ash said seriously.
"You were just shackled by your own obsession."
"Your strength has already been enough to travel the world."
"Cut your chains—and go see what lies beyond."
Ash's expression was solemn, his tone steady.
Beside him, Brock's face was so dark it could reflect light.
Master, you really copy things fast, don't you?!
If words like these came from a nobody, they'd mean nothing.
But coming from someone who had just crushed a 99-win streak—
they carried unquestionable weight.
Ace Trainerlowered his head in thought.
Moments later, realization struck him like lightning.
"…You're right."
For the sake of a meaningless "100-win" title, he had wasted weeks in this barren wasteland.
And most of those ninety-nine opponents had been nothing more than Youngsters and Bug Catchers—
the growth he gained was minimal.
He really was squandering his youth.
"I understand, Master! I understand everything now!"
"I'll dismantle this tent immediately and head out to challenge Gyms!"
True to his word, Ace Trainerwas about to command his Sandshrew to tear down the tent posts with Metal Claw—
Then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, Master. You already have two Gym Badges. Which Gyms were they?"
"I plan to retrace the great path you've walked."
"Oh, my first Gym was in Pewter City,"
Ash replied casually.
"—Pewter City's neighbor!"
Brock cut in immediately.
He had no desire for his younger siblings to face a Sandshrew that could use Fissure.
"Then… Cerulean City,"
Ash continued, raising an eyebrow.
"—Cerulean City's neighbor!"
Misty also rushed in nervously.
The Cerulean Gym was currently infamous for being absurdly weak—
she really didn't want her sisters getting demolished by a beast tamer.
Without that freakish Red's Pikachu, she didn't even think Ash would've won so easily.
Ash frowned.
If Pewter and Cerulean were both off the table, that left only one city.
Brock slapped his palm decisively.
"That's right—Viridian City! The Viridian Gym was Ash's first Gym!"
Misty smiled sweetly and added,
"Exactly! And the Viridian Gym is famous for being the weakest Gym in all of Kanto—perfect for beginners to build confidence!"
Ace Traineraccepted this explanation without a shred of doubt.
He quickly dismantled the tent-Gym, packed up his gear, and prepared to head toward Viridian City.
The weakest Gym…
Hmph.
That's exactly what I need right now—a punching bag to restore my confidence.
With a massive backpack slung over his shoulders, Ace Trainersuddenly turned back.
"Oh right, Master—what's your name?"
Ash: "!"
A deadlock.
If he admitted now that he was Ash from Pallet Town, just impersonated by someone else—
wouldn't that sound unbelievably lame?
Damn it, Gary—
did you already calculate this far ahead?!
After hesitating for a long moment, Ash finally answered:
"I'm a man who will become a Pokémon Master."
"So you can just call me Master in advance."
Brock & Misty: "..."
"Understood, Master!"
"I'll head to Viridian Gym and reclaim my confidence!"
Ace Trainerstrode off toward Viridian City, brimming with confidence and heroic spirit.
His future—
seemed boundless.
Afterword
From that day onward, the Pokémon world never again heard the name Ace Trainer.
The trio continued on their journey.
Leaving the empty rocky plains behind, they soon entered a forest.
"Odd~ish!"
A Pokémon with grass sprouting from its upper body and blue legs below suddenly hopped out of the bushes, blocking their path.
"Beep. Oddish.
Weed Pokémon.
Roots itself in fertile soil and restores energy under moonlight."
The Pokédex reported automatically.
Ash frowned and smacked his Pokédex.
…Did it break?
Misty's eyes lit up. She shoved Ash aside and threw out a Poké Ball.
"Oddish! I've decided—I'm catching you~!"
"Hey, hey! Aren't you all about Water-type mastery?"
"Why are you catching a Grass-type Pokémon?!"
Ash complained loudly.
He was seriously lacking Grass-types.
Excluding that ridiculous Red's Pikachu, he only had three Pokémon so far.
He wanted to bulk up his lineup before reaching Vermilion City.
Misty wasn't bothered at all. She pointed at Oddish's lower body.
"Are you blind?"
"That's textbook Water-type mastery."
Ash: "?"
She flicked her wrist.
"Starmie—go! Rapid Spin!"
"Staaaar!"
Starmie spun violently and charged forward.
The force was overwhelming—Oddish stood no chance.
WHAM!
Oddish's small body was sent flying far away.
"Finish it—Swift!"
Golden stars shot out and shattered against Oddish's body.
After just two hits, Oddish was clearly on its last legs.
"Now's the chance—Poké Ball, go!"
Misty's movements were smooth and decisive.
A perfect capture sequence.
WHOOSH—!
Suddenly, a green vine lashed out from the bushes behind them, precisely knocking the Poké Ball away.
"Hey! Poké Balls aren't free, you know!"
Misty complained angrily.
The bushes rustled.
Another Pokémon emerged, standing protectively in front of Oddish.
Green body.
Four-legged stance.
A massive plant bulb on its back.
An old acquaintance—
Bulbasaur.
"Bulba… saur."
Bulbasaur growled lowly, eyes firm.
The message was clear.
Don't touch Oddish.
Ash's eyes lit up immediately. He raised his Pokédex.
"Beep. Bulbasaur.
Bulb Pokémon.
Semi-meat, semi-vegetarian. Comes with its own seasoning when grilled."
Listening to the emotionless mechanical voice, Ash felt inexplicably reassured.
Good.
The world wasn't ending yet.
The Pokédex wasn't broken.
Bulbasaur lashed out with Vine Whip, instantly binding Starmie from top to bottom.
CRASH!
With a powerful charge, it slammed Starmie forward.
The gem on Starmie's chest began flashing wildly.
"BIBIBI!"
"That's a strong Bulbasaur!"
Ash exclaimed.
Excitement surged within him.
Before setting out, Ash had always dreamed of obtaining a proper starter Pokémon.
Sure, the weird Electric Mouse wasn't bad—but fulfilling that original dream now would be perfect.
Without hesitation, he pushed Misty aside and sent out one of his top three main forces.
"Go! Pidgeotto!!"
Flying-type counters vegetable-type—
this one was guaranteed!
"Pidgeotto, Gust!"
"Pidgeee!"
Pidgeotto cried sharply and beat its wings, unleashing a fierce wind.
Yet Bulbasaur stood firm.
Its four limbs dug into the ground.
It drew in a massive breath, belly bulging as it pressed close to the earth.
WHOOSH—!!
A powerful gust burst from its mouth—
matching Gust blow for blow.
The two air currents collided and canceled each other out.
Ash's face darkened.
"Damn… a Flying-type Bulbasaur?"
Brock & Misty: "..."
That's just lung capacity.
"Long-range doesn't work—then close combat!"
"Pidgeotto, Quick Attack!"
Pidgeotto nodded, white light coating its body as it surged forward.
"Bulba!"
Bulbasaur slammed its Vine Whips into the ground.
Using the recoil, it leapt upward, narrowly dodging the attack.
Midair, it twisted its body—
The vines lashed out again, aiming to bind Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto—watch out!"
Ash shouted instinctively.
This Bulbasaur's combat awareness was terrifying.
SWISH!
The vines struck—
But passed straight through.
Pidgeotto's body dissolved into a fading afterimage.
The vines missed.
In the next instant, Pidgeotto appeared directly beneath Bulbasaur.
"That move again…"
Misty realized immediately.
Back then, Pidgeotto had avoided her Starmie's Hydro Pump the same way.
This wasn't just movement—
It was a move.
"Beep. Pidgeotto learned a new move: Aerial Ace."
The Pokédex chimed cheerfully.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Nice! Pidgeotto—Aerial Ace!"
White light covered Pidgeotto's beak as it struck from a razor-sharp angle.
Bulbasaur was sent flying into the air.
It's super effective!
"Finish it—Gust!!"
Pidgeotto beat its wings again, summoning another violent wind.
Earlier, Bulbasaur had relied on all four limbs to counter the airflow.
But now—
Midair, it had no such leverage.
WHOOOOOSH!
The attack hit cleanly.
Bulbasaur was blown backward like a cannonball, smashing into a massive tree.
Its eyes spun dizzily.
"Poké Ball—go!"
Ash threw the Poké Ball like a baseball pitcher.
Red light flashed.
Bulbasaur was absorbed inside.
Shake… shake…
The Poké Ball clicked still.
"I did it! I caught a Bulbasaur!"
Ash shouted excitedly, rushing forward.
He scooped up the Poké Ball with one hand and hugged Pidgeotto with the other.
"That Aerial Ace was amazing, Pidgeotto!!"
Pidgeotto cried proudly, flapping its wings.
Though…
what exactly did that "gong" sound mean?
Sure, I'm male—but did you really need to point it out?
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