"Did I really win the championship, or was it all a dream?"
A young boy slowly said as he just woke up. The dream had felt so real, as if everything in it had actually happened. In the dream, he had continuously challenged the League Conference, failing over and over again, with his best result merely being the runner-up at the Kalos Lumiose Conference. Ironically, he had unexpectedly won the championship in the Alola region where he was just going to school, yet Ash always felt something was missing from that victory. After winning the Alola Conference, it was as if his hidden potential had been unlocked, and he went on to win the World Coronation Series.
"It's truly incredible. Could this really be my future?" Ash thought as he lay in bed. Pikachu woke up at that moment too, staring blankly at Ash. He had experienced the exact same dream—in it, he and Ash had faced endless defeats and challenges, finally defeating the opponent's Charizard in the decisive battle for the championship. Looking at Ash's deep in thought, Pikachu wondered if Ash had dreamt the same thing he did.
At that moment, Brock walked in and asked, "Is Ash still not up? Today is the day the League tournament match pairings are announced, and Misty is already waiting downstairs."
"Oh right, I almost forgot. Let's go, Pikachu!" Without time to think, Ash grabbed his clothes and dashed out.
"Sigh, Ash is always in such a rush," Brock said, scratching his head.
"Pika-pi."
"Honestly, Ash, how could you overslelp on such an important day?" Misty sighed, shaking her head. "Ash didn't oversleep. When I went to wake him up, he seemed to be deep in thought about something in bed," Brock said, flipping through his handbook.
"Ash actually starting to think? That's a rare sight. Hey, Ash, what are you pondering about? Don't tell me you're nervous," Misty said, looking at the absent-minded Ash.
"Ah, I'm just... ugh, I can't explain it to you!" Ash had no idea how to explain himself right now. He certainly couldn't say he had dreamt of failing repeatedly at the League Conference; if he told anyone that, Misty would definitely laugh at him.
"Fine, keep it to yourself. Not like I wanted to know anyway." With that, the three of them arrived at the Pokémon Center.
"The pairings are out! Ash, you're in Group H, and Misty, you're in Group B. We need to start preparing right now."
"Misty, why are you entering the tournament too?" Ash asked, completely baffled. Weren't they supposed to travel together the whole time? How did she end up entering the Silver Conference? Wait, why wasn't Misty holding Togepi?
"Idiot Ash, I think you're still half-asleep. You asked me that exact same question before I entered the Gym battle, you know." Misty rubbed her head in agony.
"Pika-pi." Pikachu mimicked Misty, holding his head in agony just like her.
"Ah, I'm sorry Misty, I forgot." Ash had no idea what to say now, so he could only apologize first and figure things out later when he got the chance.
"Alright, alright! Studying your opponents is what matters most right now. The matches start tomorrow, let's head back first." With that, the three of them walked out the door of the Pokémon Center.
"I've been waiting for a long time! Your name is Ash, right?" A girl holding a Vulpix and wearing yellow clothes suddenly appeared and confronted Ash.
"Ah, are you Macy?" Ash was completely dumbfounded. This matched the scene from his dream down to the letter!
"Looks like you're already feeling the pressure, Ash," Macy said smugly. She had specifically come to check out her opponent, and seeing Ash looking so startled, she figured he probably wasn't a particularly strong opponent.
"I see, so you came here specially to scout the competition. But Ash isn't someone who's easily defeated, you know," Brock said confidently.
"Whatever! No matter what Pokémon he sends out, I'm going to completely crush him with my Fire-type Pokémon! See you later," Macy said and sprinted off. Judging by Ash's reaction, Macy decided that winning wouldn't be much of a challenge, so she hurried off to scout her next opponent.
"Ash, you can't lose to her! She loves Fire-type Pokémon so much, we have to use Water-type Pokémon to counter her."
"Water types... I only have Totodile and Kingler. No wait, I have Squirtle too!" If things were the same as in his dream memories, Squirtle should arrive tomorrow.
"Wait, isn't Squirtle away with the Squirtle Squad?" Misty wondered out loud. "Did Ash call Officer Jenny to have it sent over?"
"As for Ash's last choice, is he going to use Phanpy? Macy has an Electabuzz, you know," Brock asked after entering Totodile and Kingler into the computer.
"As for the last one, let me think about it."
"Alright then, I'm going to go help Misty train," Brock said, and he and Misty headed outside.
*If things go the same as in my dream, I'll just use these three tomorrow, that should be enough,* Ash thought to himself. Ash had already bounced back; dwelling on things wasn't his style. Since there was a match tomorrow, he would focus on winning it. Charging straight ahead was Ash's trademark.
"Come on out, Totodile, Kingler, and Tauros! Tomorrow's matches depend on you guys!"
"Wani-wani!" Totodile started dancing the moment it appeared, while Kingler and Tauros calmly began their training. Seeing the bustling energy on the field, Ash immediately jumped in himself. He had heard people say that when a Trainer personally participates in training, they grow stronger too, and Ash wanted to build up his own strength to face whatever dangers might lie ahead.
"Great job, Totodile! That Water Gun was super fast!"
"Kingler, make sure you can shape your Crabhammer energy blasts on command!"
"Tauros, pay attention to the timing when using Rock Climb!"
"Pikachu, remember to gather your power in your tail, and release it as you come down from the air—that will make the attack even stronger!"
That's right, Ash had already started having Pikachu practice Iron Tail. These were all hard-earned experiences from years of dream memories! Ash felt extremely confident about the Silver Conference this time. He had already fought his opponents once in his dreams; there was no way he would lose a second time. Even if unfamiliar challengers appeared, Ash was full of confidence.
After summarizing all those years of experience, Ash had also realized many of his own flaws—for instance, many of his Pokémon's moves were far too basic. Totodile only knew Water Gun for Water-type moves, and Bayleef only knew the most basic Vine Whip and Razor Leaf for Grass-type moves. No wonder he kept stopping at the Top Eight for various reasons. If Totodile had learned a few more moves in his memory, maybe his battle with Vincent would have been easier, and he wouldn't have fallen in the Top Eight. Therefore, Ash was now determined to teach his Pokémon a few more powerful moves.
"Brock, why has Ash's training suddenly gotten so ruthless? I feel like Ash now has the aura of someone with twenty years of travel experience."
"He's been traveling for so long, of course Ash is going to grow up and improve," Brock said with a smile.
"Alright, today's training is over! Everyone did an amazing job, we're definitely going to win tomorrow!"
"Pika-chu!"
"Wani-wani!"
"Moo!"
Suddenly, Kingler let out a very painful expression. Ash immediately rushed Kingler to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
"It's fine, Kingler just strained its claw from practicing Crabhammer too much, causing it to almost fall off. But there's no way it'll make it in time for tomorrow's match," Ash said, looking at Misty and Brock who had rushed over. This was something Ash truly hadn't expected. He had called Kingler over a day early to avoid the Voltorb that caused Kingler's injury, yet somehow it still missed the match.
"Oh no, this is terrible Ash! Doesn't that mean the only Water type you have left is Totodile? What are we going to do?" Misty asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, Misty, don't I still have Squirtle?"
"But isn't your Squirtle with the Squirtle Squad, Ash?" As soon as Brock finished speaking, a familiar "beep-beep" sound echoed. The three of them turned around and saw Officer Jenny arriving with Squirtle. Could it really be this much of a coincidence? Brock closed his eyes and thought.
"Squirtle saw the opening ceremony and got so excited it just had to come over," Officer Jenny explained.
Just as Ash was about to walk up, with a whoosh, a dark shadow rushed out from beside him. "This humble self just had to come over too!" Brock once again displayed his traditional skill. Of course, the ending was satisfying as usual—he was dragged away by his ear, pulled by Misty.
"Sigh! Brock is always like this," Ash said, scratching his head.
"Pika-pi."
"Then I'm counting on you tomorrow, Squirtle!"
"Squirtle-squirtle!" Squirtle gave a thumbs-up, indicating that everything was covered.