Chapter 53: Meeting Cross Again
With the trio reunited, Ash and his friends enjoyed a hearty hot pot feast together.
After eating, Ash brought the two of them to the shopping district to buy the famous Gloom No. 5 series perfume.
He chose a gardenia scent and a citrus scent — one for his mom, and one for Aunt Grace.
As for Serena, he picked a new release called "Pure Joy."
Its soft fragrance gave Ash a warm, pleasant feeling.
Verity, on the other hand, was dazzled by all the choices — and especially delighted when Sorrel generously told her that whichever ones she liked, he would buy for her.
The girl immediately bought ten bottles of high-end perfume, no two alike…
Sorrel instead selected only three scented sachets — one for each of the three friends.
He explained that because his parents were researchers who traveled around the world, even if he bought gifts, he rarely got to hand them over in person. So he decided to give Ash and Verity one each.
---
The next day…
Thanks to Ash and Verity's outrageous eating performance the night before, Sorrel woke up early to call home.
"Uh… Mom… I, um… spent over my living expenses…" Sorrel's face flushed red.
Since leaving home, he had always been self-sufficient. This was the first time he had ever called home to ask for more money.
"Oh my, Sorrel, how adorable~!"
His mother looked curiously at him through the screen.
"Did you start dating a girl? Let me tell you—don't be stingy. You should treat girls well!"
Sorrel raised his head, remembering the way Ash and Verity walked out last night holding onto the wall for support, and shook his head helplessly.
"Mom, no—there's no girlfriend. I'm just traveling with my companions."
"Alright, alright. Your father and I will be heading to the Crown Tundra in Galar soon, so we might lose contact for a while.
I've sent the money to your account. Don't worry about us," she said warmly.
"Make sure you take good care of yourself."
"You too, Mom, Dad." Sorrel nodded and ended the call.
---
Meanwhile…
Ash and Seiko both had poor appetites that morning — they had eaten far too much the night before.
They settled for some yogurt, then headed to the training grounds outside the Pokémon Center to get in a few friendly battles to help digest.
By the time Sorrel arrived, he saw Verity loudly cheering Ash on.
"Snorlax! Body Slam!" the opposing trainer shouted.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash responded effortlessly.
"Snor!"
The round Snorlax leapt into the air — its massive body casting a mountain-like shadow as it came crashing toward Pikachu.
Pikachu dashed and dodged, but the attack range was too large — nowhere to escape.
Ash instantly switched tactics.
"Pikachu — use that move you just mastered!"
"Pika—CHU!"
Pikachu twisted, its tail glowing with metallic light before whipping upward with force!
"It's Iron Tail! Pikachu has mastered it!" Sorrel exclaimed from the sidelines.
"Yep~" Verity smiled. "Ash and Pikachu really are gifted when it comes to battle."
BAM!
A shockwave burst out as Snorlax suddenly cried out in pain, then was sent flying into the air.
"No way! What strength!" the opposing trainer shouted in disbelief.
Ash pressed the advantage.
"Thunderbolt!"
"PIKAAA—CHUUU!!"
Pikachu unleashed a roaring blast of electricity.
The lightning caught the airborne Snorlax and exploded on impact.
BOOOOM!
Black smoke billowed as Snorlax fell back to the ground, eyes rolled white.
"Yay! Ash won!" Verity and Sorrel cheered, high-fiving.
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt back onto Ash's shoulder, radiating confidence.
Ash, full of energy, called out,
"Anyone else want to battle?"
Verity was just about to step forward when another voice cut in.
"Hmph—I'll go."
A trainer with spiked orange-red hair stepped out from the crowd.
"It's him! Cross!" Verity gasped.
"He's the one who abandoned Charmander, right?" Sorrel's expression turned serious.
"Cross…" Ash lowered his cap, voice cold.
"What? Scared to fight me?" Cross smirked.
"Heh. I'm just worried you'll lose and try to deny it," Ash said casually.
"With you?" Cross scoffed, taking out a Poké Ball. "You're not nearly that capable."
"Then I'll show you just how wrong you are." Ash didn't bother getting angry. He tossed his Poké Ball.
"Charmeleon — I choose you!"
"RRAAARGH!"
Charmeleon roared fiercely as it arrived on the field.
But the moment its eyes landed on Cross, it froze — expression dark and complicated.
"Charmeleon! Don't lose focus!" Ash shouted.
"We'll prove it together — he was wrong! You're not weak!"
"RAAAH!!"
Charmeleon's claws tensed, eyes burning.
Yes. He wasn't trash. He would prove it. Ash was the one who believed in him.
Cross sneered.
"So you picked it up after all — that pathetic Charmander. And it evolved into a Charmeleon, huh?
But trash is trash. Evolution changes nothing."
Click.
Cross opened his Poké Ball.
A massive, muscular red-and-black tiger-like Pokémon appeared, radiating power.
"Incineroar…!" Ash muttered.
"Now let me show you what a truly strong Fire-type is." Cross lifted his chin proudly.
"This is bad," Sorrel murmured from the sidelines. "By level alone, Incineroar completely outclasses Charmeleon."
"Forget levels! Ash — beat his face in!" Verity shouted, stomping furiously.
The battle was seconds from exploding.
Cross hooked his finger at Ash. "Come on. I'll even let you go first."
"Then don't regret it," Ash said calmly, eyes flashing.
You think I'm some clueless rookie? Beating stronger opponents is literally what I do.
"Charmeleon — Smokescreen!"
"WAH!"
Charmeleon spat out a huge cloud of black smoke, completely hiding itself.
Cross crossed his arms, totally unfazed.
"Incineroar, wait for him to strike."
"Incineroar!"
The tiger stood proudly with hands on its hips, sneering.
But then—
A spiral of clear wind rose from within the smoke, confusing everyone.
Cross's eyes widened.
"Dragon Dance!?"
Ash smirked.
"Go on — stand still if you dare. Let me stack Dragon Dance up to five levels, and then I'll crush you."
"You little brat—you're scamming me!" Cross shouted.
Who would've expected the Smokescreen wasn't for a sneak attack — but for buffing?!
Ash taunted shamelessly,
"So what if I am? Whatcha gonna do about it?"
"Incineroar! Use Darkest Lariat! Now!" Cross roared.
"Oh~ Look at him panic—he's totally panicking!" Verity laughed mercilessly.
"Incineroar!"
The tiger stretched out its powerful arms and spun like a black tornado, charging straight into the smoke.
But Charmeleon — with two Dragon Dance boosts — was already too fast.
BOOM!
The smoke surged. Charmeleon shot upward, arm raised.
Ash grinned.
Sha-secret technique: Brick Break!
People often joked about Master Sha being good with words, but Master Sha is actually good at teaching!
The king of Fighting-type training still had value.
Energy crackled along Charmeleon's arm like pale lightning.
With a furious roar, it brought its arm down on Incineroar.
BOOOOM!!
The impact shook the entire field.
Charmeleon slammed Incineroar into the ground, splitting the battlefield open with a deep crack.
The power was terrifying.
To be continued…
<><><><>
〔TL〕
Apparently this "Master Sha" thing is a Chinese meme based on an actor Sha Yi, portrayed as a "legendary instructor" who gives dramatic but dubious advice. In fanfics, this becomes a comedic fake mentor whose "secret techniques" characters joke about using. Idk ig CN authors like to use them. Anyways I thought about removing it entirely but didnt do it in the end.
Stay true to one's true origins. See Mt. Tai duh.