Chapter 99: Set off
After catching three ancient Pokémon, Ash underwent a long period of training in Pallet Town.
With the help of Team Rocket Trio, his Ivysaur and Wartortle evolved into their final forms, Venusaur and Blastoise, and their strength steadily reached the Elite level.
The Dratini he caught in the Safari Zone also evolved into a Dragonair, though it was a pity that the Dragonair still needed a trigger to evolve into a Dragonite.
His Krabby also evolved into a Kingler, and Abra evolved into a Kadabra.
In short, Ash could now barely be considered an Elite Trainer.
Finally, the egg that Gardevoir brought back hatched, and a bold and clumsy Ralts joined Ash's team.
When Ash's group headed to Indigo Plateau, Team Rocket Trio also happily left Professor Oak's Laboratory with their generous 'rewards.'
These so-called rewards were actually dividends left for them by the Capsule Technology Company, founded by Ash.
Ash was quite generous, knowing that no matter how much money he gave Team Rocket Trio, they would eventually waste it on 'Helping Hand' their Pokémon improve their strength.
After retrieving the Poké Balls of the three ancient Pokémon from the laboratory, Ash bid farewell to his mother and Professor Oak, and headed towards Indigo Plateau with Misty and the others.
Along the way, they encountered a poor soul who had been tricked out of his gym badge by Team Rockets.
After helping this unfortunate person reclaim his gym badge, Team Rocket Trio was back to square one; the generous salaries they had earned from two months of hard work, which they used to build a robot, were completely dismantled by Gardevoir under Ash's command.
One day, just as Ash's group was about to arrive at the Indigo Plateau contestant village, Ash met an old acquaintance.
It wasn't that Ash had a good relationship with him, but rather that this person was quite old; this person was naturally Charles Goodshow, the president of the Kanto Pokémon League.
"President Charles Goodshow, long time no see!" Ash greeted him.
"Oh, it's Ash! Are you also here to participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference?" Charles Goodshow was very surprised to see Ash here.
"Yes, I've already collected eight gym badges and am about to register," Ash showed Charles Goodshow the results of his journey.
Speaking of Charles Goodshow, Ash still admired him greatly.
After all, this old man had dedicated his life to the League, wholeheartedly working for its development, maintaining world order, and fighting for the interests of common Trainers; he was a highly respected elder.
"So, this Pikachu and Gardevoir were both raised by you?" Charles Goodshow asked Ash, looking at Pikachu and Gardevoir.
With his keen eye, he could tell at a glance that Pikachu and their strength were definitely at the Elite level, and among the best at that.
Ash nodded: "They are my first partners, and also my family."
"Pallet Town truly is a place where talent emerges in abundance," Charles Goodshow secretly sighed.
Then, he asked, "Ash, since you are also a contestant, would you be interested in being a torchbearer?"
Ash's identity as a Pokémon Professor was settled by Charles Goodshow, who broke convention, and he also played a part in keeping Ash's Professor information confidential.
Now that Ash was both a Pokémon Professor and a contestant in the Indigo Plateau Conference, being a torchbearer was more than suitable.
"No problem, it's my honor!"
Ash readily agreed without much thought.
In fact, this so-called sacred flame came from Moltres, and Ash, holding the torch, had a thought of releasing the Moltres he had captured.
Ultimately, he suppressed this idea of causing disruption, as this sacred flame was the face of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
If he were to do that, the Contest would gain traffic, but its prestige would drop several levels.
The Indigo Plateau Conference was already seen as a 'baby cup' by people from other regions, and if its iconic sacred flame came from a species of Pokémon captured by a 'Rookie Trainer,' the prestige would be unbelievably low.
Perhaps it was because Team Rocket Trio had seen Moltres so many times, but the Contest's famous sacred flame transport surprisingly didn't cause any trouble, making Ash's preparations in vain.
After passing the sacred flame, Ash completed his contestant registration and settled down in the contestant village with Misty and the others.
There were no Cities within Indigo Plateau, but being close to the Kanto League headquarters, there were many buildings around the venue.
The entire Contest venue was very large, and with a few days left until the Contest's opening, Ash planned to use these days to familiarize himself with the surrounding environment.
This was to avoid unexpected incidents that might delay the Contest, unlike the 'idiot' in the original story, who almost missed the Contest and significantly depleted his participating Pokémon's stamina due to Team Rockets' antics.
As time passed, the Contest's opening was imminent, and the crowd at Indigo Plateau gradually increased.
Two days before the start of the Contest, Ash routinely went to the Pokémon Center to restore his Pokémon's stamina.
"Ash!"
Just as he entered, Ash heard someone calling him.
Ash's group turned their heads to look and saw Giselle surrounded by a group of students.
"Giselle, long time no see."
"Ash, did you also just register for the Contest today? Are you staying in a hotel or the contestant village?"
"We've been here for several days already, staying in the contestant village arranged by the League.
If your conditions allow, you can stay in a hotel."
Ash would never spend money if he could get benefits from the League for free; even his food and drink for the past few days were obtained by freeloading off Team Rocket Trio.
As for Misty and Brock, as Trainers from local Kanto Gyms, the League would certainly take good care of them if they came to watch the Contest, so Ash's group was all freeloading.
Giselle was a little disappointed, "Eh, how could this be...?"
She had wanted to find a place to stay near Ash, but she didn't expect Ash to arrive so early.
Don't misunderstand, Giselle's main purpose was to discuss Pokémon training with Ash; as for other things, that remains unknown.
"It seems not many people have checked into the contestant village for this Contest, Miss Giselle can go ask Nurse Joy," Brock reminded her.
In previous Indigo Plateau Conferences, the contestant village was always criticized for poor soundproofing or bad food.
This Contest that Ash was participating in happened to have improvements, and those who considered themselves smart had all chosen hotels.
"By the way, are Giselle and the others all participants from your academy this year?" Ash asked.
"They are indeed all here to participate, but there are over ten fewer spots compared to previous years, all because of that 'Black Coal idiot.'"
Speaking of a certain person, Giselle became angry.
"Black Coal idiot? Who is that?" Misty was very curious.
"That guy who broke into Ash and the instructor's battle arena during the last assessment.
If it weren't for him, our academy would have nearly forty participants this year," Giselle said through clenched teeth.
"Did that guy do something amazing again?"
Ash was also very curious about what big thing Goh had done.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 80+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FicTonic1