"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"
In a forest clearing, two young men were still locked in battle.
"Piiika—chu!"
At Ash's command, Pikachu crouched low, its body surging with wild blue electricity before charging headlong at the opposing Electabuzz.
Paul, having lost two matches in a row, scowled and seized the opportunity to shout:
"Electabuzz, Protect!"
Volt Tackle would inflict recoil damage on Pikachu—and Paul had exploited this very weakness.
A verdant barrier shimmered around Electabuzz just as Pikachu crashed into it.
Crack!
The shield splintered under the impact. Pikachu, putting on an Oscar-worthy performance, was sent flying backward.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out in alarm.
Meanwhile…
From the bushes, a bicycle rolled lazily into view.
Riding my beloved little bike, it never—
"Holy—where did this Pikachu come from?!"
A strikingly handsome trainer yelped, leaping off the bike just in time.
"Gengar! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Gengar hastily scooped up the Togepi nestled in the bike's basket, dodging the blue-electricity-cloaked Pikachu hurtling toward them.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi wiggled its tiny feet cheerfully in Gengar's arms.
The next moment—
BOOM!!
Pikachu slammed into the bike. A thunderous explosion erupted as bolts of lightning engulfed the vehicle, lighting up the sky before fading into silence.
Rotom buzzed out of the wreckage, staring at the charred remains.
"System overload, Rotom! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Pikachu shook its head dizzily, glancing at the smoldering bike beneath it—then up at Natsume-sensei.
"Pika… chu…" It scratched its head sheepishly, sticking out its tongue.
Natsume stared blankly.
A familiar suffocating sensation gripped his chest.
His… bike had just exploded.
He'd been minding his own business—strolling with Gengar, snacking on berries, humming a tune—when out of nowhere, Pikachu had rammed into him?!
This was a straight-up scam!
With the bike's destruction, Ash and Paul's battle came to an abrupt halt.
Both turned toward Natsume, their expressions shifting dramatically before exclaiming in unison:
"Natsume-sensei!"
"Don't 'Natsume-sensei' me."
Natsume clutched his chest, wheezing. "Pay for my bike first."
Moe-Moe!'s gift—gone in less than two days. Reduced to ashes.
This wasn't about compensation… he'd at least demand extra!
"Pikachu… "
Natsume looked down at the guilty Pikachu sitting on the ground, attempting a pitifully cute apology.
Then he turned to the blue-jacketed young man behind it—who looked eerily familiar.
"Ash…?" Natsume gritted his teeth.
"Natsume-sensei!"
Ash rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm really sorry! I'll compensate you for the bike!"
Natsume's face cycled through a whirlwind of emotions.
In the TV series, Pikachu had a notorious track record of destroying bikes—a certified vehicle killer.
But wasn't that the female lead's role?!
Why target his bike?!
Resigned, Natsume pulled out a notebook with a sigh.
February 23rd, sunny.
Pikachu scammed my bike. Thunderbolt obliterated it…
Superhuman, mark my words—Natsume-sensei won't forget this!
"Gengar!"
Gengar crouched beside the charred, sparking wreckage, exchanging a glance with Rotom.
"Beep… Repair feasibility: over 99%!" Rotom chirped, displaying the damage report.
"Geeengar~" Gengar grinned, stuffing the [Ruined Bike] back into its pocket before helping Pikachu up.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu perked up, ears twitching.
The battle (and the act) wasn't over yet!
Natsume took a deep breath, steadying himself, then eyed the gray-haired young man.
"You are…"
Before Paul could answer, Natsume blinked. "Mr. Brandon's son?"
"No."
Paul coughed awkwardly. "I'm Paul. A trainer from Veilstone City."
Natsume paused, recalling fragments of Paul's character.
As Ash's rival in the Diamond and Pearl arc, Paul was arguably the most well-written antagonist.
Unlike Ash, who prioritized bonds, Paul was a hardcore strategist—obsessed with movesets, IVs, and tactical commands.
In a way… their styles were similar.
As Natsume mused—
"Natsume-sensei!"
Paul's eyes burned with intensity. "I never expected to meet you here!"
"You know Natsume-sensei?" Ash gaped.
"Don't be absurd!"
Paul scoffed. "A strategic trainer of his caliber—his command style and rotations are studied as textbook material in academies."
"The techniques in his battle videos… do sentimental fools like you even grasp them?!"
Natsume-sensei and Ash exchanged glances, both scratching their cheeks in unison.
That sounded like praise…
But why did it feel like an insult?
Ash frowned. "The… essence of battle?"
"Exactly."
Paul's gaze locked onto Natsume. "Natsume-sensei, it was your insights that inspired me to dedicate myself to mastering 'battle' as my domain."
"A true trainer shouldn't limit themselves to six Pokémon. Different team compositions, strategies… that's where the real thrill lies!"
Natsume nodded faintly.
Paul was a purist—viewing Pokémon as tools for victory.
Much like Silver, Blue Oak, or Wally in their early days.
In the Pokémon world, such trainers weren't rare.
Hell, many game players shared that mindset.
As a veteran strategist himself, Natsume-sensei had no right to judge.
But…
This was the real Pokémon world.
These were living, breathing creatures.
Natsume preferred to believe in what Moe-Moe! once said—about the magic of life encountering life.
Like Pryce's Swinub, or Giovanni's Beedrill…
Between bonds and battles…
Battling wasn't Natsume-sensei's forte.
But in this world, few could surpass him.
"Paul."
Natsume cleared his throat. "I appreciate the admiration… but you might've misunderstood my philosophy."
"Impossible."
Paul's face stiffened. "In command and battle theory, you're… one of the strongest trainers alive!"
You—you're the one I've been chasing all this time!
Paul bit his tongue, swallowing the words.
"Natsume-sensei doesn't treat Pokémon as tools."
Ash, uncharacteristically serious, cut in. "What matters is the connection between trainer and Pokémon!"
Natsume shot him a sidelong glance.
Oh, so now you're stealing my lines after blowing up my bike?!
"What would you know?!"
Paul suddenly roared. "I've locked myself in my room, rewatching Natsume-sensei's strategy videos dozens of times—what gives you the right to lecture me?!"
"Because," Ash adjusted his cap, meeting Paul's glare, "I'm Natsume-sensei's student."
Aura wielder. Rainbow Hero. Indigo Plateau's Top 32. The unspoken titles hung in the air.
"You… are…"
Paul's voice cracked. He stared between them, fists clenched, before growling:
"This battle isn't over. Continue!"
"Electabuzz, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt too!"
"Pika—CHUU!" Pikachu smacked its cheeks, unleashing a crackling bolt.
KA-BOOM!!
Dust cleared, revealing Electabuzz sprawled out, eyes swirled.
"Tch."
Paul recalled his fainted Pokémon, shoving his hands into his pockets as he turned to leave.
"Paul!" Natsume called out.
The gray-haired teen halted, shoulders tense, before glancing back.
"…Yes?"
Natsume stepped forward, straightening Paul's crumpled collar with a pat on his shoulder.
"Maybe you don't understand bonds yet… and that's fine."
Paul gritted his teeth.
"But," Natsume continued, "what if your Pokémon refuses to obey?"
"…What?"
"'Hang in there,' 'dodge it,' 'show me your guts'—"
Natsume smirked. "I'm not a fan of those commands myself."
"But they only work when a trainer and Pokémon resonate."
"If you want to walk the trainer's path further…"
"Try listening to your Pokémon's voice. It might make you stronger."
Paul stood frozen, conflict flashing across his face.
Had anyone else preached to him, he'd have scoffed.
But this was Natsume-sensei—one of the world's top battle strategists.
The man who'd dueled Leon in Wyndon…
Paul inhaled sharply. "…Understood."
He shot Ash a glare. "I'll defeat him. And earn your acknowledgment."
Natsume: ???
"Only the strong deserve to be Natsume-sensei's student."
Paul's voice was ice. "Your childish ideals will never let you improve."
Ash spun his cap's brim, grinning fiercely.
"Anytime, anywhere!"
Natsume watched, intrigued, as Sinnoh's destined rivals faced off.
Ash, tempered by solo travels and trials, had matured.
And Paul—though a ruthless strategist—had a fighter's spirit.
It reminded Natsume of Special's Silver.
The stolen Totodile, now a Feraligatr, had replaced Frustration with Return.
Even a 'heartless' trainer like Paul…
His Electivire still believed in him.
Watching Paul's retreating figure, Natsume smiled.
Different trainers, different convictions…
Maybe that was the Pokémon world's true magic.
"Wait—where'd Ash go?! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
"He didn't pay for my bike—damn aura-wielding cheapskate!"
...
Deep in the forest…
"Go."
Paul didn't look back at Chimchar. "I don't need weak Pokémon."
To earn Natsume-sensei's recognition… he needed power.
Chimchar sniffled, watching Paul vanish down the path before hanging its head.
Then—a hand extended toward it.
"Hey. You're Chimchar, right?"
Ash, Pikachu perched on his shoulder, smiled. "Wanna join my team?"
Chimchar hesitated, shaking its head weakly.
I'm too weak…
I don't want to be abandoned again.
"That doesn't matter!"
Ash's grin was blinding. "Trainers and Pokémon grow together!"
"So if you trust me…"
He knelt, hand outstretched.
"We'll become the strongest Pokémon Master duo!"
Chimchar stared—before bursting into tears and hugging Ash tightly.
A red beam enveloped it.
Click.
Caught.
For some reason, Ash's smile dimmed momentarily.
"Pikachu—CHUU!!"
A well-timed Thunderbolt left him charred.
"Pikachuu~ ??" Pikachu snickered.
"Alright!"
Ash spat out smoke, striking his signature pose.
"I caught—Chimchar!"
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