Time flowed by quietly.
Over the past few days, business at the Breeding House had been booming.
Customers for boarding, egg sales, rare item sales, and move tutoring had all increased to varying degrees.
It was likely that trainers were preparing for the next League Conference.
Victor was overjoyed. Business was getting better and better.
He was lazing in his rocking chair in the lounge area, a book about Pokémon breeding in his hands, reading leisurely.
Gothita came over, picked up the teapot from the coffee table, and refilled his cup with hot tea.
With his other hand, he stroked the Vulpix dozing in his lap.
It was extremely comfortable.
...
Meanwhile, in Pallet Town, Kanto Region.
A boy in a blue jacket, with a Pikachu on his shoulder, burst into a house.
"Mom, I'm home!"
"Pika!"
The house was completely silent.
"Huh? Strange. Where's Mom?"
The boy looked around, but there was no one there.
He looked at the Pikachu on his shoulder.
"She's probably at Professor Oak's lab. Let's go, Pikachu."
"Pika~"
The boy and Pikachu had just walked into Professor Oak's lab when they were startled by the sudden sound of party poppers.
Pikachu fell right off his shoulder.
"Pika?"
Just then, Professor Oak, Gary, and Delia Ketchum walked out.
Professor Oak was the first to congratulate Ash on conquering the Battle Frontier.
Gary, his hands in his pockets, looked at Ash, the boy he had grown up with.
A smile played on his lips.
The boy, seeing Gary, instantly had his eyes light up with a desire to battle.
"Gary! Let's have a battle! I just conquered the Battle Frontier, you know!" the boy said, puffing his chest out proudly.
"That confident, are we?" Gary said, then nodded.
He followed the boy out to the grassy area behind the lab.
"Go, Pikachu!"
The Pikachu on the boy's shoulder leaped down and went to the center of the field.
"Hey, Ash. I've also been doing a lot of learning and improving lately," Gary said to his opponent.
"What I mean is, are you prepared to be beaten?"
Ash was stunned for a moment, then replied, "Pikachu and I won't lose!"
Hearing this, Gary made no unnecessary movements, just held his Poké Ball in his hand. A red light flashed.
An Electivire appeared.
Ash had never seen an Electivire before and took out his Pokédex to scan it.
No data.
Tracey, acting as the referee, announced the start of the battle.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Electivire, take it."
The Thunderbolt struck Electivire, which just closed its eyes in comfort.
"Get in close, Thunder Punch!"
With its Motor Drive ability activated, Electivire's speed increased, and it instantly closed the distance to Pikachu.
It clenched its fist and threw a Thunder Punch.
"Dodge it!"
Ash's max-level skill.
Pikachu narrowly dodged.
"Again, Thunderbolt!"
Electivire once again didn't dodge, and its speed towards Pikachu only increased.
Pikachu couldn't dodge Electivire's Iron Tail and was sent flying.
"We'll use Iron Tail too!"
"Pika!"
"Protect, then Thunder Punch!"
Pikachu's Iron Tail slammed into the barrier, and it was then sent flying by Electivire's Thunder Punch, knocked out.
"Electivire, good work. You'll get extra food tonight."
Seeing Pikachu was unable to battle, Gary recalled his Electivire, who happily returned to its ball.
The way he raised his Pokémon was slowly starting to show Victor's influence.
Ash, meanwhile, was holding his Pikachu.
"How... I thought we wouldn't lose..."
Gary, hearing this, shook his head. He walked over to Ash, who was kneeling on the ground, holding Pikachu.
"Ash."
Ash looked up at his rival, whom he had once defeated.
"Don't think you can get cocky just because you conquered the Battle Frontier."
"You need to know, there are many other regions in this world, with many powerful Pokémon and trainers. Like in the Sinnoh region."
"There are many powerful Pokémon there that you've never even heard of."
Gary thought of the Pokémon he had seen at the Breeding House, paused, and then continued, "I, too, met someone recently and studied with him for a while. Only then did I understand this even more."
Ash listened to Gary's words, murmuring to himself.
"The Sinnoh... region?"
"That's right. The Sinnoh region."
Gary nodded, then ran a hand through his hair. "I'll be heading to the Sinnoh region to begin my research. At the same time, I'll continue to improve my battling skills."
"Ash, you're the one who beat me. Don't let yourself be beaten by a Pokémon Researcher like me one day."
Gary smiled.
"You need to remember what you said. You're the one who's going to be a Pokémon Master."
With that, Gary waved his hand.
His Umbreon came to his side, affectionately rubbing its head against his leg.
After learning from the Breeding House, my bond with my Pokémon seems to have grown even stronger.
He thought back to his battle with Victor, and the last words Victor had said to him.
"Research and battling strength... they aren't mutually exclusive. Without strength, how can you excavate those deeper, more dangerous Pokémon and their histories?"
Owner, don't worry. My strength... I definitely won't let you down, Gary thought, looking up at the sun.
I will continue to improve. So, as the one who beat me, Ash, you can't just stay in one place.
With that thought, he spoke again:
"A Pokémon Master doesn't stop here."
He then turned to Professor Oak.
"Professor, I'll be heading back to the Sinnoh region. I'm going to start my research there."
Professor Oak nodded.
"Goodbye, everyone. And goodbye, Ash. I'll be waiting for you in Sinnoh."
With that, Gary left with his Umbreon, full of swagger.
Ash remained where he was, his gaze fixed on Gary and Umbreon's retreating backs, lost in thought.
"Pika—"
The Pikachu in his arms cried out softly.
Ash came back to his senses and saw Pikachu, Professor Oak, his mom, Tracey, and Mimey all looking at him with concern.
Ash had Pikachu use Thunderbolt on him.
Fully revived, Ash stood up.
"I've decided! I'm going to the Sinnoh region, too! I'm going to challenge the Sinnoh region!"
His mother, at his side, looked reluctant, but she didn't try to stop him. She just clapped and said she would support him.
Professor Oak, as if he had been prepared for this, took out the latest model Pokédex and handed it to Ash.
"Go on, Ash. Go and meet even more Pokémon."
Ash nodded.
He then went to the back lot and released all of his Pokémon.
He had decided. He would go to the Sinnoh region with only Pikachu.
Sceptile and the others all approved of his decision.
Surrounded by his Pokémon, Ash looked up at the sky.
Gary's image appeared in his mind.
Sinnoh region, wait for me!
...
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