What the hell?!
Blastoise can Mega Evolve?!
No, wait, that wasn't even the real problem.
The real problem was that Ash had stolen Blastoise's Mega Stone.
That was Gary's ace Pokémon!
If Blastoise could Mega Evolve, then as long as Gary didn't run into Ash at the Indigo Plateau Conference, a Top Four finish would be practically guaranteed!
And more importantly;
How dazzling would it be to unveil Mega Blastoise on a stage as grand as the Indigo Plateau?
The glory.
The attention.
The spotlight.
For Gary, that alone was irresistible.
Yet now, that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had slipped right through his fingers.
How could he not be furious?
Still… no matter how angry he was, Gary ultimately didn't make the outrageous demand of asking Ash to hand over the Mega Stone.
After all, reality was reality.
If Ash hadn't dragged him along to watch the battle against Blaine, Gary wouldn't even know Mega Evolution existed. Forget a Mega Stone, he'd still be completely in the dark.
Being able to pick up leftovers from Ash was already an enormous stroke of luck.
And besides;
Mega Evolution required not just a Mega Stone, but also a Key Stone.
Ash had mentioned that Professor Oak had collected two Key Stones, and Ash already had one.
Which meant Gary should at least get the other.
As long as he had a Key Stone, he could always find a Mega Stone later.
With that thought, Gary finally felt a little better.
"Fine," he said with a snort. "Take it if you want. You were the one who discovered Mega Evolution first anyway. If it weren't for you, I'd still be clueless."
Then he pointed a finger at Ash.
"But you have to give me a Key Stone."
"No problem, no problem," Ash replied cheerfully. "I'll also keep an eye out for any Mega Stones you can use. Relax, you're my childhood friend. How could I not take care of you?"
As he spoke, Ash patted Gary on the shoulder with exaggerated generosity.
In truth, with Ash's current combat power, he didn't really need that Mega Stone.
But that stone was for Blastoise.
Blastoise was already struggling to keep up with the rest of the team. If it could Mega Evolve, it would be a massive boost, not just to its current strength, but also to its future potential.
Ash genuinely needed it.
If Gary had insisted, Ash wouldn't have fought him over it. Strictly speaking, Professor Oak had collected those stones out of pure trust, Ash hadn't given him anything in return, nor had he even explained Mega Evolution in full detail.
By all rights, Ash should have handed that stone to Gary.
But Gary didn't press the issue.
Both of them felt the other deserved it more.
Since Ash already had it in hand, Gary chose to back off first.
"Let me see what Blastoise's Mega Stone looks like," Gary said. "I'll memorize it, so I won't miss it if I run into one out there."
Ash nodded. He walked over to Wartortle and had it release the Mega Stone embedded in its body.
A moment later, a palm-sized, heavy gemstone floated free.
Ash picked it up and handed it to Gary.
Gary took the stone, his eyes practically glued to it. He examined it from every angle, burning its appearance into his memory, before reluctantly handing it back.
"Alright. Got it," he said firmly. "If I ever see one outside, I won't miss it."
Then he looked up.
"By the way, where are you heading next? You've already collected all eight Badges, right? Going back to Pallet Town?"
"Yeah," Ash replied with a sigh. "I'll head back for a bit, then start special training for the next two months. I've been away for way too long. Haven't even gone home once."
He rubbed his temples.
"And I've barely called recently. When I get back, Mom is definitely going to lecture me."
His schedule had been packed to the brim, training, battles, travel. Even when he made calls, they were usually to Professor Oak to rotate Pokémon.
He rarely called home.
Delia, on the other hand, had called him several times. She never said much, just the usual reminders: eat properly, sleep well, be careful.
But without video calls, she always felt something was missing.
Every time, she'd ask Ash to call her from a Pokémon Center.
And every time… Ash forgot.
By the time he remembered, he was already gone.
He'd been scolded for this more than once, which was exactly why he was already bracing himself.
Gary chuckled at Ash's impending doom, then turned toward Misty and Brock.
"What about you two? Heading back to your Gyms?"
After all, they were the leaders of Cerulean Gym and Pewter Gym.
If Ash was returning to Pallet Town… where would they go next?
Misty and Brock exchanged glances.
For Brock, the decision was easy. Returning to Pewter Gym for a while wouldn't be a problem. This wasn't a permanent separation anyway, they would definitely meet again at the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Misty, however, hesitated.
She didn't want to go back to Cerulean Gym.
She wanted to stay with Ash.
But how could she possibly say something like that herself? She was a girl, she had her pride!
So she could only wait… and hope.
Fortunately, Ash's emotional intelligence did not disappoint.
"Of course you're coming back to Pallet Town with me," Ash said matter-of-factly.
"You still have to help me with my special training."
They had traveled together for so long, and Ash's journey wasn't over yet. Misty and Brock had only returned to their Gyms briefly to check in, operations were stable, everything was running smoothly.
There was no need for them to rush back.
Training together was the most natural choice.
That way, when Misty and Brock eventually returned to their Gyms, they'd be stronger, better prepared to handle challengers. At the same time, Ash could continue refining his own team through sparring battles with them.
While their Pokémon might not be overwhelmingly strong, their Trainer level was beyond question. Even in two-on-one battles, they could apply enough pressure to serve as excellent sparring partners.
The moment Ash finished speaking, Misty's face lit up. She nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick.
"Exactly! We still have to train with Ash. Otherwise, wouldn't Ash lose his two best sparring partners?"
Gary's mouth twitched. He rolled his eyes.
"You're still grinding at this point? Aren't you leaving any breathing room for the Trainers participating in the Indigo Plateau Conference?"
"Mind your own business," Ash shot back confidently. "I'm taking the Champion title at this Indigo Plateau Conference."
"Hmph. That's not guaranteed," Gary retorted.
"Not to mention whether you can even get past me, there are at least five veteran Trainers in this year's Conference who've been traveling for over a year and a half."
Gary flushed slightly when mentioning Ash, but as he continued, his expression turned serious.
The Indigo Plateau Conference only allowed Trainers who had been traveling for less than two years to participate. In previous years, most competitors had been active for around a year at most.
This year was different.
Several Trainers had been traveling for over a year and a half, and that half-year gap made a massive difference.
The first two years of a Trainer's journey were the fastest period of growth. During this phase, nearly every minute could translate directly into improved strength.
After that, growth slowed dramatically. Talent, resources, and comprehension began to matter far more.
It was entirely possible to train a team of low or even Mid-level Pokémon within two years, but advancing might take another decade.
That extra half-year wasn't trivial.
For an average Trainer, it meant stability and refinement.
Just look at Ash.
In a little over three months, he already possessed multiple High Level.
Ash was a monster, far beyond normal human standards.
Those year-and-a-half veterans might not threaten Ash…but for Gary, it was another story entirely.
This wasn't a challenge, it was a difficulty spike.
"Trainers with a year and a half of experience, huh?" Ash stroked his chin, intrigued.
"Do you know who they are?"
"Not many details," Gary admitted, shaking his head.
"I only know one of them. His name's Paul, from the Sinnoh region."
"He's already participated in the Sinnoh League Conference and made Top 16 in his very first appearance."
That achievement carried real weight.
The Lily of the Valley Conference wasn't a beginner's tournament like the Indigo Plateau Conference. It had no age or experience restrictions, any Trainer with eight Badges could participate.
Although a Top 16 finish didn't sound particularly impressive at first glance, anyone who understood the Lily of the Valley Conference knew how difficult it truly was.
Achieving Top 16 there, especially on a first attempt, was no small feat.
That record alone was enough to prove that the Trainer named Paul was a formidable opponent.
And Paul was only one of them.
There was still no concrete information about the other veteran participants. Who knew how many hidden powerhouses were waiting in the shadows?
It seemed that this year's Indigo Plateau Conference would not be an easy victory after all.
Ash pondered this silently, his resolve for the next two months of special training hardening further.
Using Aura Fusion against Elite or Champion-level opponents was acceptable, those battles existed on completely different planes. Using a "cheat" against such enemies was, in a way, a form of respect.
But against Trainers of the same age and generation?
If he still had to rely on that power, it would be humiliating.
No.
Ash had already decided. Aura Fusion would not be used at the Indigo Plateau Conference.
He intended to win the Kanto League Champion title with his own strength.
One day later, Ash and his two companions finally returned to Pallet Town.
Gary and his girlfriends had already sped back ahead of them in a sports car. Gary had even asked if Ash wanted a ride.
Ash had refused.
He wanted to return step by step, the same way he had left.
Gary didn't understand, but he respected the choice. He floored the accelerator and was already back in Pallet Town by the previous evening.
Ash, Misty, and Brock only arrived the following afternoon.
Yet before they even reached home, the news had already spread through every street and alley of the town.
The townsfolk, those who had once come out to quietly see Ash off, now poured out in droves.
Unlike his unceremonious departure, Ash's return was nothing short of grand.
He was now a local celebrity.
Not just in Pallet Town, Ash had gained genuine recognition throughout the entire Kanto region.
Everyone in town knew what he had accomplished in just over three short months.
The battle records alone sounded unbelievable.
To the people of Pallet Town, Ash was like someone who had left a humble place, achieved remarkable success in the outside world, and returned home in glory.
Even though Ash was still far from being a true powerhouse by League standards, to the townsfolk, he was already the pride of Pallet Town.
He had become the infamous "someone else's child" in the mouths of parents, and the most admired figure among the town's children.
So it was no surprise that Ash didn't even make it to Professor Oak's lab or his own house before being surrounded.
Questions flew at him from all sides.
Ash could only keep smiling, laughing, and responding as best he could.
There was no malice in their enthusiasm.
It was simply the joy of seeing someone from their hometown succeed. They wanted to talk, to hear stories, and, occasionally, to ask Ash to give their children some advice when they eventually set out on their own journeys.
The lively scene lasted nearly ten minutes before the townsfolk finally let him go.
If this had happened anywhere else, Ash might not have escaped without using Teleport, or at least spending an hour there.
But this was Pallet Town.
The people were warm, not unreasonable.
They understood that Ash had just returned and would want to go home. After chatting, taking photos, and exchanging a few laughs, they dispersed on their own.
Only then were Ash and his two companions finally able to reach the front door of his home.
...
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