Clearly, this was supposed to be a movie for four people.
Yet [RECURRING] Chloe somehow felt like… she didn't even deserve a name in the script.
Wasn't it you who asked me to come with you?
And now, the moment Tyranitar shows up, all you can see are Pokémon, huh?!
Sure enough—Ash's one true love would always be Pokémon.
[Serena: Hehe, Ash still loves Pokémon the most～]
[Aaron: Huh? Why do I hear just a hint of schadenfreude in your tone?]
[Serena: No way! I'm truly happy for Ash. A reunion like this—it's so moving!]
[Ash: Yeah! I'm really happy I could see Larvitar again, now that it's grown up!]
[Sachi: My daughter's been acting all dark and twisted lately… what's going on!]
[Serena: Mooooom～]
Asame Town.
Serena blushed bright red, hiding herself under the blankets.
She definitely wasn't gloating.
Absolutely not!
"Hehe, Ash… hehe～"
Strange little giggles leaked out from beneath the quilt…
On-screen—
Through spending time with Tyranitar,
Ash soon learned the reason it had come.
It had been driven out.
On Mt. Silver, there were hardly any Pokémon left that it could actually vent its power on!
Perhaps it was its childhood experiences—but after evolving into Tyranitar, it had leapt to become the (pseudo) overlord of Mt. Silver.
(The true overlord of Mt. Silver? Well, those who know, know.)
Born with exceptional talent, plus the training it received from Red, that was how the "Tyrant of Mt. Silver" came to be!
But now, I'm chased out of Mt. Silver, it had nowhere left to go.
Fortunately, it still remembered Ash's scent.
And so, it came all the way to Vermilion City to find him.
Ash reminisced with Tyranitar for a while, recalling their past together.
Then, Ash's expression grew solemn.
He looked Tyranitar in the eyes.
"Tyranitar… become my partner! Let's step onto the grandest stage together!"
Tyranitar met Ash's fiery gaze.
Without even a shred of hesitation, it agreed.
"Tyranitar!"
Ash expertly pulled out a Poké Ball.
Capture successful.
Tyranitar—has joined the team!
Right at that moment, Ash's Rotom Phone chimed with a notification.
"Your opponent has accepted the battle invitation."
Ash glanced at the screen—the opponent was currently inside Vermilion Gym.
Without hesitation,
He grabbed [RECURRING] Chloe and Pikachu, and the three of them headed straight for the gym.
The opponent was the acting Gym Leader of Vermilion Gym—always busy.
This chance could not be wasted.
They moved fast. In no time, they were at Vermilion Gym.
Beatrix, ranked just over 2000 in the World Coronation Series,
was the strongest opponent in Vermilion City Ash could currently be matched with.
Of course, there was also Lt. Surge himself.
But naturally, a stand-in would be weaker than the true Leader.
The match format: 2 vs 2.
Surprisingly, Ash didn't send out his freshly captured Tyranitar.
Instead, he chose Gengar and Pikachu.
The battle was smooth, almost effortless.
Beatrix's Pokémon were no match at all.
The gap in strength was simply too wide—even Gengar alone was beyond her reach.
With victory secured, Ash's ranking rose once again.
After apologizing politely, Ash pushed open the gym doors and strode outside.
But just then—
he collided head-on with someone at the entrance.
Ash was about to apologize…
when he looked up, and froze at the sight of that familiar face.
"Lt. Surge! You're back?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise.
Surge's expression darkened.
"I'm only thirty! Who are you calling 'old man'?!"
…
So that's what he cared about.
"Lucario: What? You're only thirty?" Ash blinked in disbelief.
"I thought you were at least forty-five!"
The words sounded like a thunderclap.
Surge's old face flushed crimson, practically steaming with rage.
He stammered out excuses—his face just aged fast, it wasn't his fault, he was still young, and so on.
Laughter rippled around them.
At that moment, Beatrix also came out of the gym, half-mentioning that Ash had just come to challenge.
Ash's sudden reappearance at Vermilion Gym after so many years…
Surge felt as if he'd traveled back in time.
The last time must've been five years ago, right?
Who could have imagined that so much time had already passed…
"Hey, Ash. How about a Pokémon battle with me?" Surge suddenly invited.
"Lt. Surge, I'm here for the World Coronation battles, not a Gym Challenge," Ash said.
"Don't underestimate me! I've got a ranking too!" Surge shot back, holding up his phone.
Ash leaned in to read.
Rank: 1777.
"Lt. Surge, you're way too weak! You're only in the thousand range? I'm about to surpass you already."
"..."
Surge was speechless.
"Are you in, or not?!"
"I'm in!"
Sometimes, you just have to be decisive.
Surge slung an arm over Ash's shoulder and dragged him right back into Vermilion Gym.
[RECURRING] Chloe stared, dumbfounded.
How does Ash know Vermilion's Gym Leader?
And why do they feel so close?!
Well… at least this time, it wasn't another girl like May or Dawn.
Inside Vermilion Gym.
"The rules: still 2 vs 2.
When both of one side's Pokémon are defeated, the battle is over.
Trainers, send out your first Pokémon."
Surge threw his Poké Ball first.
"Raichu, go!"
The evolved form of Pikachu burst onto the field.
"Ash, let Pikachu battle! Show me how much you've grown over these years!" Surge said, eyes blazing.
Everyone—Pikachu included—expected Ash to choose Pikachu.
But instead…
Ash calmly pulled another Poké Ball from his pocket.
"Go, Tyranitar!"
"Tyranitar!"
The red beam flashed, and the towering figure of Tyranitar materialized in the battle arena.
Pikachu: ???
Surge: ???
Raichu: ???
Not according to the script!
How the hell were they supposed to fight this?!
Surge's face paled.
"…Can I still take back my challenge request?"
[Sabrina: Interesting. Ash wants Tyranitar's debut battle to be against Surge. As expected of Ash.]
[Surge: Ash! You said this was just a friendly duel! You're breaking the rules of honor!]
[Ash: I don't know either. If it were me, I definitely would've sent Pikachu!]
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