In a Black World —
Ash and his two companions had a fantastic time at the beach.
Ahem, it was the normal kind. They surfed and sunbathed on the sand…
They also let out their own Pokémon.
After all, in this world, Pokémon were everywhere on the beach already. Their group wasn't that unusual.
After the three troublemakers were taught a lesson, no one else came to bother Ash and the others, so the trio happily played until evening.
As dusk fell, Brock returned—with a long face.
"What's wrong, Brock? Did someone bully you?"
As he spoke, Ash clenched his fists, ready to teach any bullies a lesson!
Misty, off to the side, waved a hand dismissively.
"He must have tried to hit on a girl and got shot down. It's normal. Totally normal~"
Sabrina piled on.
"Well, this is Brock we're talking about. It's only natural this would happen."
Instantly, Brock's expression grew even more mournful. He flung himself at Ash with a wail.
"Waaahhhh! Ash!! Teach me how to get a girlfriend! Pleeease!!"
Ash was speechless.
What's gotten into him?! In public, Brock, is this really appropriate?
But Ash finally felt a wave of relief. Seeing Brock like this, it was highly likely he'd just been "politely declined," or had his advances deflected multiple times. A minor setback, just as Sabrina said.
After all, this was Brock. It was only to be expected!
"Do you see our good intentions now?"
"Every time I use my Psychic to pull you back, it's not to stop you. It's to save you from embarrassment."
Misty and Sabrina landed another ruthless, accurate blow, making Brock cry even more pitifully. Ash could only helplessly shrug and share a wry smile with the two girls.
Regardless… the happy day of rest was over.
Although for Brock, whether today had been a "happy" rest day was still up for debate… break time was over. Training began next!
While surfing today, Ash had felt another effect of the Sea Guardian's power within him: the ability to adjust the wind speed and direction over the ocean!
This had truly allowed him to become a wave-riding youth. He couldn't control ocean currents over a large range yet, but manipulating them for surfing was no problem.
This had also given him an idea for Little Lugia's next training regimen…
That's right, even while playing, Ash hadn't stopped thinking about training his Pokémon! This was no ordinary dedication; this was… borderline obsessive!
But… in Ash's mind, this had become instinct. To become a Pokémon Master, this was necessary!
Though… recently, he'd begun to feel that besides becoming a Pokémon Master, there might be other reasons in his heart. But that feeling was vague and unclear, so Ash simply stopped thinking about it.
After Brock finished crying, Ash and the others returned to the hotel, washed up, changed, and headed out to the night market.
Because of the Whirl Cup, there were many festivities on Clear Cliff Island—balloon games, classic goldfish scooping, and even a fireworks display! Anyone unaware might think it was a New Year's celebration…
For Ash, games like target shooting were basically free prizes. In the end, under the shopkeeper's grief-stricken gaze, Misty and Sabrina left satisfied, arms laden with plush toys, and Brock ended up with a few extras the girls couldn't carry.
Besides toys, there were also games to win Pokémon food and even rare berries. After tonight… Ash might just end up on every merchant's blacklist on Clear Cliff Island…
...
[Lance]: Tsk, tsk. In the future, will those game stalls have to put up signs saying 'Psychics and Ash Ketchum not allowed'?
[Ash]: ? ? ? It's not that bad, is it?
[Caitlin]: Hey, Ash, remember to call me after you awaken your Aura power. We'll go to a festival and clean the place out!
[Misty]: Isn't that a bit much? (Remember to take me with you)
[Sabrina]: Yes. (And me)
[Serena]: I want to go too, I want to go too!
[Lillie]: Why are you using parentheses when you talk? (I want to go too.jpg)
[Chairman]: Ahem, that's enough, that's enough. If you all play like that, the vendors will be too scared to come to League events anymore.
...
In a Black World — Fourteen days later — Ash and the others landed on Fire Island!
A lot had happened during this time. Misty had also received a Corsola on Yellow Rock Island, and the Pokémon in Ash's care had made great progress, especially Little Lugia. After being placed in the Silver Wing Ball, Little Lugia's growth rate was skyrocketing! This was related to the Silver Wing Ball itself, and also to Lugia's high initial affinity with Ash. High affinity meant Ash could use his Aura power to teach Lugia from the start. The name "Silver Wing Ball" was given by Brock, and it was quite fitting.
Over the fourteen days, Ash helped Misty train her Pokémon. Her hard work paid off—Misty's Shellder finally evolved into Cloyster! Though its strength hadn't quite reached Gym-level, it was close. Misty also did some rotations with her sisters at the Cerulean Gym, sending Starmie back. At this point, Misty's lineup was: Politoed, Kingdra, Starmie, Corsola, Psyduck, and Togepi. The newly evolved Cloyster was sent back. She'd originally intended to send Psyduck, but a Misty without her Psyduck was like an Ash without his Pikachu…
Ahem. Brock had said that. As the price for that comment, Brock had gotten an angry beating from Misty, but because of it, Misty decided not to send Psyduck back. Even though that landlubber usually had zero combat prowess, it could have surprisingly effective moments in a pinch.
Furthermore, Misty's Seadra was swapped and evolved into Kingdra! By pure coincidence, right after landing on Fire Island, they stumbled upon an auction selling items related to Water-type Pokémon, and a Dragon Scale was up for bids! Though no one knew why the merchant classified it as a Water-type item, that didn't stop them from bidding. As the price, Misty's savings were nearly emptied~ If she ran out of money later, she'd have no choice but to sell the Cerulean Gym's bicycle.jpg!
After obtaining the Dragon Scale, Seadra naturally evolved into Kingdra. This became the third Pokémon in Misty's roster to reach Gym-level combat power! The first was Politoed, followed by the recently recalled Starmie. Now Kingdra was the third Gym-level!
Honestly, Psyduck… could also be considered Gym-level, even peak Gym-level, when it had an outburst. But… you can't… or at least, you shouldn't pin all your hopes on a silly duck, right?
Therefore, Misty's three main fighters for this competition were: Kingdra, Politoed, and Starmie!
Ash had also recalled his Blastoise. Counting Croconaw, two Pokémon… that should be enough, right? Blastoise was close to Elite Four–level. Even without using Aura Fusion, not just anyone could touch it. It wasn't like the world was full of Elite Four–level trainers!
After brief preparations, the Whirl Cup officially began with the declaration of Priestess Maya! As the announcement started, the blue orb in Priestess Maya's hand, which she called the Sea Soul, shone brightly. According to Maya, this was the Sea Guardian's blessing upon all the contestants.
Ash focused carefully for a moment as the blue starlight fell, and then realized… there were no blessings. It was all a lie, just for show! However, he did sense a trace of Lugia's power within the sapphire. Then Ash recalled what Maya had said—the champion would not only receive the title of Wave Hero but also be blessed by the Sea Soul and gain a connection with Water-type Pokémon!
Wasn't that nonsense?!
Lugia's abilities were Psychic and Flying! Where did this 'connection with Water-type Pokémon' come from? Was this the origin of the legendary rumor?
He'd seen it all now.
Well~ Anyway, my goal is that Mystery Water. The title is just a bonus.
...
Black Ash's inner monologue, transmitted through the black screen, left the entire world in stunned silence. Especially the people of the Whirl Islands and Priestess Maya—their current expressions were indescribable.
'Lugia's abilities are Flying and Psychic. How could it have the ability to communicate with Water-type Pokémon? Isn't that nonsense?'
This statement seemed to slap the faces of the Whirl Cup's priests and organizers. The problem was… they couldn't refute it! When it came to understanding the Sea Guardian, who knew more than Black Ash? Not only had he fought alongside Lugia, he had even befriended its offspring, Little Lugia. So… Black Ash's words were undoubtedly authoritative. In other words… the title of 'Wave Hero' and the purported ability to connect with Water Pokémon over all these years were all a lie??
[Maya]: Lo…Lugia, this…
[Lugia]: Ahem, it is true. The so-called Sea Soul should be a crystallization of some of my energy. It looks blue on the outside, but in fact… it contains no Water-type power.
[Lugia]: As for the connection with Water-type Pokémon… no such thing exists.
[Maya]: orz...
The Whirl Islands priestess was crushed. Besides her, the various past 'Wave Hero' champions of the world were also crushed… Among their rewards, only the Mystery Water had been of any use!
...
In a Black World — After Priestess Maya declared the competition open, the preliminaries officially began. They lasted three days. Different contestants participated on the first and second days, and the winners from each day faced off on the third. Victory on the third day secured a spot in the main tournament—the Top 32.
Ash's match was on the first day, Misty's on the second. In his first match, Ash easily defeated his opponent, even though the opponent's Pokémon was a Kingdra with strength close to Gym-level, comparable to his own Croconaw. But… the opponent's command skills were too poor.
The next day was Misty's home turf. She sent out her newly evolved Politoed and cleverly defeated her opponent with strategic combos. Both of them advanced to the second preliminary round.
The second round couldn't stop their progress either. It would be more accurate to say… there were very few who could truly challenge them. After both advanced to the main tournament, the venue's electronic screen began randomly selecting matchups, eventually placing them in different halves of the bracket. In other words, they couldn't meet until the finals. This was actually a good thing for both Ash and Misty. They were both confident they could reach the finals. Meeting before then… would have been a pity.
...
[Ash]: Wow!! This schedule is different! Why did we meet in the Top 32 in our world??
[Professor Oak]: The butterfly effect. For something completely random like an electronic draw, the situation one second earlier or later is entirely different.
Since there were many differences in Black Ash's world, it was naturally impossible for them to end up in the same group during the draw. But honestly, the Black World's bracket was almost ideal.
[Lorelei]: For those not strong enough, this draw might be considered uniquely unfortunate. After all, if drawn together, one of the two could be guaranteed a Top 16 spot. Now separated, they might both get knocked out in the Top 32.
[Cynthia]: But for Black Ash and the others, this draw basically means a clear path for both to their own finals.
If the participants in the Black World were the same as those in the White World, then Black Ash and Black Misty fighting against them… would indeed be a case of overwhelming superiority.
...
In a Black World — After confirming their brackets, Ash and Misty stormed into the Top Four with unstoppable momentum! In the semifinals, Ash faced a strong young trainer named A.J., while Misty's opponent was a mature, intellectual beauty named Greta.
The first match began soon: Ash vs. A.J., Blastoise vs. Krookodile! Starting from the Top 16, Ash had been using his Blastoise as his starter. Basically, no opponent had been a match for it. As a result, Ash was hailed as the biggest dark horse of the Whirl Cup! His Blastoise had been listed as a key target by many opponents. So far, no one had been able to force Blastoise to use a second move!
"Let's go, Krookodile! Crunch!"
Black, serrated energy condensed in front of Krookodile's jaws. From prior observation, Ash knew this Krookodile had the Moxie Ability, so the power of its Crunch would be increased. Combined with its Gym-level strength, it could be said this Crunch had served A.J. well repeatedly with no downsides! Unfortunately… it would meet its end here against Ash.
"Blastoise, Whirlpool!"
A.J. was stunned.
Whirlpool? Does it even know that move?
Before A.J. could process it, the powerful Krookodile lunged, its massive black fangs aiming to bite down on Blastoise! Blastoise stomped its foot, and the calm river water instantly churned into turbulent waves! Right in the path of the leaping, charging Krookodile, a waterspout erupted from the surface, instantly engulfing the opponent! The violent vortex left Krookodile with no way to struggle free. It spun relentlessly inside the tornado, utterly disoriented.
"This… what kind of move is this?"
"My own creation~ Blastoise, Ice Beam."
Ash casually replied, then let Blastoise continue the attack. The Krookodile, spinning within the energy-eroding Whirlpool, was completely unable to break free. As an Ice Beam from Blastoise struck, the tornado finally stopped spinning. The Krookodile was no longer subject to the dizzying attack. Instead… a towering icicle stood above the water, with the Krookodile frozen motionless within it, as if made into an ice sculpture. No matter how much A.J. shouted, Krookodile didn't respond.
Ten seconds later, the referee announced Krookodile had lost the ability to battle. This had little to do with whether Krookodile had actually lost the ability. In ten seconds, Blastoise could have hit it three or four more times! But Ash hadn't launched another attack, showing just how confident he was in Blastoise's power.
A.J. reluctantly recalled Krookodile and sent out his next Pokémon, Starmie. However, it couldn't escape the same fate, falling to Blastoise's Whirlpool and Ice Beam. After entering the semifinals, Ash had changed his tactics—but not by much.jpg. He'd simply gone from one move… to two moves…
After Ash's duel concluded, the match between Misty and Greta began in the afternoon!
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