On the standard battlefield in the backyard of Professor Oak's Laboratory, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
They had just gone through a Team Rocket fiasco, and now another clash was about to unfold, a showdown between the strongest rising trainers of Pallet Town.
Gary stood with his hands in his pockets, still carrying his natural composure, but his eyes were more serious than ever before.
He lightly tossed a Poké Ball, speaking with a hint of showmanship. "Let me show you the new partner I caught in the Johto region. Go, Eevee!"
A flash of light appeared, and an Eevee slightly larger than usual, with sharper eyes, emerged onto the field.
Its fur was sleek and glossy, the fluff around its neck full and soft, giving it a distinctly extraordinary presence.
Ash's eyes narrowed. This Eevee… he recognized it.
Or rather, he remembered that in the original story, Gary had indeed caught an Eevee in Johto, one that later evolved into an Umbreon with great potential.
Looking at Eevee's steady stance, Ash felt a stir of excitement.
Eevee was a Pokémon with many evolutionary paths and immense potential, especially a unique partner Eevee. It seemed that once he reached Johto, he would have to keep an eye out for a chance to catch one himself.
But for now, it was too early to think about that. Ash patted his partner on the shoulder. "Pikachu, I'm counting on you partner!"
"Pika!" Pikachu leaped lightly onto the field, its cheek pouches crackling with electricity, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Battle start!" Brock, acting as the temporary referee, announced loudly.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash made the first move, intending to test his opponent.
Pikachu turned into a streak of white light and charged straight toward Eevee.
"Eevee, dodge, then use Double Team!" Gary responded calmly.
Eevee nimbly leaped backward to the side, barely avoiding the Quick Attack. Its body blurred, instantly creating over a dozen afterimages, surrounding Pikachu from all directions, making it impossible to distinguish the real one.
"Hmph, that trick won't work anymore!" Ash smirked, completely unfazed. "Pikachu, don't be fooled! Let's use Double Team too!"
"Pika!" Pikachu understood immediately. A flash of white light surrounded it as it created more than a dozen afterimages of its own.
For a moment, the battlefield was filled with dozens of "Pikachu" and "Eevee" facing off against each other, a chaotic scene that left onlookers dizzy.
"What?" Gary frowned slightly, not expecting Ash to counter with the same move.
"We're not done yet!" Ash pressed the attack.
"Pikachu, all copies, use Thunder Shock! Cover the entire area!"
Dozens of Pikachu clones released fine streams of electricity at the same time. Though each individual attack wasn't powerful, the coverage was immense.
Golden arcs of electricity surged across the battlefield. The Eevee afterimages, made of energy, shattered like bubbles when struck, disappearing one after another, leaving only the real Eevee, its fur standing on end from the shock, its face showing pain.
"Now's the time! Pikachu, charge in! Iron Tail!"
The real Pikachu seized the opportunity, bursting forward from among the clones. Its tail gleamed with a metallic sheen, slicing down like a blade toward Eevee!
"Eevee, quick, use Dig!" Gary shouted urgently.
Eevee reacted instantly, beginning to burrow underground.
But Pikachu was faster. With a sharp whoosh, Iron Tail struck just as Eevee had half its body underground, smashing into its hind legs!
"Vee—!" Eevee cried out in pain, its Dig interrupted as it tumbled out of the hole in a sorry state.
"Don't give it a chance to breathe! Pikachu, keep attacking! Use Iron Tail to pressure it!"
Pikachu didn't give Eevee any chance to recover. With superior speed and relentless offense, it forced Eevee into constant retreat.
Eevee could only dodge left and right in a panic, occasionally using Tackle or Quick Attack to barely defend itself, but it was completely on the back foot, suppressed with no chance to counterattack.
"Eevee, hang in there! Use Sand Attack to disrupt it!" Gary tried to turn the tide.
Eevee kicked up sand with its hind legs. But Pikachu merely narrowed its eyes slightly, its movements never slowing.
"Useless! Pikachu, Surf!"
Pikachu once again summoned surging waves of water. Though not in an ocean environment, reducing its power slightly, the attack was still overwhelmingly forceful!
The rushing water swept across the field, not only dispersing the sand but also knocking the just-stabilized Eevee off balance once again, leaving it drenched.
"Final move! Electro Ball barrage!"
Pikachu steadied itself, its tail flicking rapidly as one highly compressed Electro Ball after another shot out like a rapid-fire barrage toward the soaked Eevee!
With water conducting the electricity, the damage was amplified!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Eevee was struck repeatedly by the exploding Electro Balls, becoming completely disoriented. With a final cry, it collapsed onto the ground, its eyes spinning.
"Eevee is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Therefore, the victor is Ash!" Brock loudly announced the result.
"Pika—chu!" Pikachu stood on the field, slightly panting but raising its small fist in triumph, letting out a victorious cheer.
Misty and Tracey also let out sighs of relief, happy for Ash.
Gary silently recalled his Eevee. Looking at Pikachu, full of spirit, and Ash, calm as ever, the arrogance on his face diminished. In its place was a complex mix of surprise, evaluation, and a rekindled fighting spirit.
"It seems… even though you won the Orange League, you didn't slack off," Gary said as he walked up to Ash, his tone much more serious. "Your tactics and command have become more refined. And that Pikachu… it's grown stronger too."
"You too, Gary," Ash replied sincerely. "Your Eevee has great potential. It just needs more time to develop synergy and strategy."
Gary nodded, saying nothing more. He simply gave Ash a deep look. "You won this time. But the real battle is still ahead. I'll be waiting for you at the Johto League. Don't disappoint me."
With that, he turned and left the lab with Nidoqueen, walking away with his usual confidence.
After the battle, Ash and his group returned to Professor Oak's office, helping clean up the mess left behind by Team Rocket.
As Professor Oak sorted through the scattered documents, he spoke to Ash, "That boy Gary has made up his mind to challenge the Johto League this time. His goal is very clear."
"Johto League…" Ash's heart stirred. It was a brand new region bordering Kanto, with its own unique culture and Pokémon.
Moreover, in Johto, there was a lingering regret from his past life that he wanted to make up for.
"Professor, I want to go to the Johto region," Ash immediately stated his decision.
A new adventure, new Pokémon, new Gyms, and a new League, all of it filled him with excitement.
"I knew you'd say that," Professor Oak smiled, picking up the still-mysterious GS Ball from the table. "Perfect timing. There's something I'd like to ask of you. Neither Professor Ivy nor I have been able to figure out this GS Ball. I know a Poké Ball craftsman in Azalea Town in Johto, Kurt. He's an expert in this field. Since you're heading to Johto, take this GS Ball to him. Maybe he can uncover its secrets."
"No problem, leave it to me!" Ash accepted the GS Ball and carefully stored it away.
At that moment, Tracey stepped forward, adjusting his hat, looking a little embarrassed. "Ash, Misty, I… I've decided to stay."
"Huh?" Misty was a bit surprised.
Tracey looked at Professor Oak, his eyes filled with longing. "I've always dreamed of studying under Professor Oak and researching Pokémon ecology more deeply. Professor Oak has agreed to let me be his assistant. So… I won't be able to continue the journey with you."
Although Ash felt a bit reluctant, he fully understood and supported Tracey's decision.
He patted Tracey's shoulder firmly. "It's okay, Tracey! This is your dream. Do your best while working with Professor Oak!"
"Thank you!" Tracey said, deeply moved.
Looking to the side, they noticed that Brock had already packed his things and slung his bag over his shoulder. The reliable smile had returned to his face.
"In that case, I'll continue being your cook, caretaker, and… well, Gym guide. I'm quite interested in the Johto region too."
Seeing Brock back to his usual self, Ash and Misty both smiled.
"Alright!" Ash stretched out his hand. Misty and Brock placed theirs on top, and Pikachu jumped up, pressing its tiny paw over theirs.
"Next destination, the Johto region! Let's go!"
A new chapter had begun.
...
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