Chapter 38: Gains, and the Road to Saffron City
Ash splashed a mouthful of water directly onto Gary's unconscious face, snapping him awake in an instant.
Ash smacked his lips in satisfaction.
Letting me work myself to death for so long—spraying you with a mouthful of water is more than fair!
"Ugh…"
Gary frowned and woke up in Ash's arms.
"Oh—Master Ash~"
This brat only used that nickname when he was either happy or emotionally fragile.
"Master Gary, you're awake~" Ash curled his lips. "If you're awake, then get up already. I still need to bring the little girl back."
[TL: Its not gae, its bromance. There is a diff.]
Mr. Fuji's granddaughter, Hana, was inside the room at the top of the tower.
After Gengar retreated, the door to the top floor had opened automatically, and inside, Ash had found the little girl sleeping soundly.
According to Hana's description, she had come to offer incense to the Pokémon resting in the tower and saw the spirit of her deceased Marowak.
She played with her for a long time, then fell asleep on the rooftop.
Ash couldn't shake the feeling that something about this was suspicious.
And that Gengar didn't feel like an ordinary wild ghost Pokémon either.
But since everyone had been rescued safely, he couldn't be bothered to dig deeper.
"Mm, so you found Hana."
Gary rubbed his face, still groggy.
"Peh—where did this tea leaf come from…?"
Ash guiltily looked away.
…Did I use tea water earlier?
Didn't even notice…
"Ahem. Anyway, let's head back. You need to rest too."
Ignoring Gary's complaint, Ash helped him up and held Hana's hand.
The three of them exited the Pokémon Tower together.
Once Gary recovered enough to walk, he immediately told Ash he was leaving and took off alone.
Most likely embarrassed about needing to be rescued.
Ash didn't force him to stay.
Since it was already dark, Ash personally escorted Hana home.
Seeing his granddaughter return safely, Mr Fuji finally sighed in relief.
After settling the girl down, the old man brought Ash into his office and took out a "thank you gift" he had long prepared.
"This is just a little something from me. It may be useful for you. I no longer have any use for these."
Dr. Fuji smiled kindly.
"Aiya, helping others is my passion, how could I possibly—refuse!"
Ash changed tone halfway through opening the box.
Because the items inside were WAY too valuable!
And even beyond rare!
Three large stones and one small stone glowed with an unmistakable mystical power.
The blue one—Ash recognized instantly—was the Charizard X Mega Stone.
Alain's Charizard wore the exact same kind.
Identical.
As for the other two, they were clearly a matched pair—likely the Mega Stones for Venusaur and Blastoise.
This was a gift Ash couldn't refuse even if he tried.
Even though he couldn't use Mega Evolution yet, owning the stones was far better than not having them!
Shamelessly accepting the stones, Ash then received a flute from the old man.
"This is the Poké Flute. Play it, and any sleeping Pokémon will wake up. Take it."
Holding this very obvious "Snorlax-waking item," Ash looked at Dr. Fuji with hesitation.
"This is too much… Should I kneel and kowtow to you or something…?"
"Oh, come now, no need for that…"
The old man humbly waved his hands, refusing several times.
In the end, Ash donated 1,000 yen to the Pokémon House, and the matter was settled.
On the road back to the Pokémon Center, Ash held Pikachu and sighed regretfully.
"Should've just kowtowed… Would've been cheaper…"
"Pika…"
Pikachu patted Ash's shoulder helplessly.
No need to be that pathetic.
Worst case, I'll beat up a couple of rich-kid trainers later—we'll earn it back.
"No, I'll make Gary reimburse me!
Mm. It WAS for him, after all. Perfectly reasonable~"
With that self-justification, Ash felt much better.
By the time he returned to the Pokémon Center, it was already late. The lobby was nearly empty.
Seeing the cafeteria closed, Ash sighed and settled for bread.
He bought a bun and a barley tea from the shop corner, then tiptoed back to the dorm room.
The desk lamp cast a warm orange glow. Sorrel sat there absorbed in a thick volume of mythology.
Hearing the door, Souji looked up.
"Oh, Ash. You're back."
Ash nodded. "Yeah… Don't bring it up. I'm exhausted."
Sitting on his bed while chewing his bread, Ash recounted the events of the day.
Sorrel listened with wide-eyed fascination.
"Normally, ghost Pokémon love to trick humans, but they rarely go this far.
It seems there must be more to the story." Sorrel concluded.
"I thought so too."
Ash gulped some barley tea. "But since no one got hurt, I didn't push."
"Even so, one person alone is too dangerous." Sorrel raised his head, suddenly serious.
"Ash, next time something like this happens, you MUST tell me. We're travel partners. Supporting you is my responsibility."
Ash grinned and thumped his chest.
"Thanks, Sorrel. I'll remember that…"
"Get some rest."
"Night."
…
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, after eating well and restoring their energy, the trio set out once more.
"According to the map, we're only two hours away from Saffron City by bike." Sorrel said.
"Saffron City~ It's a big metropolis! I'm totally going shopping!" Verity announced excitedly.
Ash only nodded weakly.
"Oh. Sure."
Sorrel glanced at him curiously.
"You seem worried."
"Of course I am… Sabrina of Saffron Gym is a terrifyingly strong opponent." Ash admitted.
Though outwardly an icy, elegant beauty—
in this world's version, she had once joined Team Rocket, later betrayed them alongside Blue to oppose Lorelei, and even soaked in hot springs with Red.
Thinking of that, Ash felt a headache forming.
Who knew if she had feelings for Red?
And although Ash hadn't met that legendary trainer, based on Misty's reactions, he himself probably resembled Red a fair bit when younger.
"What if she develops feelings for me…?"
Ash muttered anxiously.
Verity and Sorrel exchanged looks—
and burst into laughter.
"Pff—Ash, you're unbelievable!" Verity doubled over.
"Ash, I think your worries are unnecessary." Sorrel chuckled.
"The media says she's into mature and powerful men. You're powerful enough, but mature… well…"
Seeing Sorrel trail off, Ash rolled his eyes.
"I'm mature on the inside! I just grow slower physically…"
"Wait—why do YOU TWO know Sabrina better than I do?!" Ash suddenly realized.
"She's a superstar, you know." Verity said eagerly.
"I'm absolutely getting her autograph!"
Sorrel nodded.
"She's won Best Supporting Actress at Unova's Hundred Flowers Awards three years in a row. A decorated film star."
Ash finally understood.
Damn information gap.
After returning to the right path, she had gone to Unova to film movies—and became insanely popular.
She was practically the most promising actress of the new generation.
"Whew… suddenly I feel a lot better." Ash patted his chest.
If she's busy filming, her battling might've declined a bit~
…
Inside the Saffron Gym training grounds, today was Gym Leader Sabrina's public demonstration day.
The top student, Yuta, was currently sparring with her.
"Hypno, Hypnosis!" Yuta commanded firmly.
"Huuu…"
Hypno swung its metal pendulum lecherously, releasing waves of red hypnotic energy toward Alakazam.
"Psychic."
A cool, crisp voice answered.
Sabrina—wearing a pale pink camisole top and white trousers—brushed aside her purple hair with serene confidence.
Bzzt—!
With a sharp crack, Hypno's vision flipped upside down.
A splitting pain tore through its skull, and it collapsed instantly.
From the outside, powerful psychic force burst from Sabrina and Alakazam's gaze, ripping Hypno into the air, flipping it, and slamming it headfirst into the ground.
Thud—
The male students below couldn't help swallowing nervously.
Beautiful as the Gym Leader was, her strength made her someone to admire from afar… not someone to trifle with.
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.