In a Black World —
Wallace stared at Steven's dazed expression as he gently cradled the Diancie Crystal Sculpture, a chill creeping up his spine.
He immediately typed into the live broadcast chat—fast enough to leave afterimages.
[Wallace]: Steven, you're being bewitched by Diancie. Just grind the crystal—everything will go back to normal.
[Steven Stone]: …?
[Steven Stone]: Wallace, you're my best friend—and you want me dead?!
[Steven Stone]: I've decided. After this broadcast ends, I'm stepping down as Champion. I'm leaving Hoenn to pursue true love! You can stay behind and deal with Champion duties yourself!
[Wallace]: …?!
Is he insane?!
Even if a Champion wanted to retire, there were procedures, ceremonies, handovers—
And this man wanted to run away with a crystal sculpture?!
Wallace finally understood something horrifying.
Steven Stone had been completely brainwashed.
And the worst part?
That was only a sculpture.
If Steven ever saw the real Diancie in person… Wallace didn't even dare imagine the consequences.
As White World Ash said farewell to Charizard at Charicific Valley, the White World screen slowly faded.
The Black World screen unfolded.
Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
White World Ash's Charizard couldn't even defeat the weakest Charizard in the valley—
So what would happen with Black World Ash?
Even ignoring emotional factors, with Black World Ash's relentless training and combat experience…
At the very least, he should rank somewhere in the middle of Charicific Valley, right?
In a Black World —
Ash's group of four defeated Falkner and departed Violet City, heading toward Ecruteak City.
Along the way, every incident they encountered was resolved cleanly.
Under Ash's leadership, their strength steadily increased.
And yes—leadership was the right word.
As the saying went:When one person trains like a madman, everyone else feels uneasy if they don't.
Especially when that "one person" was:
A future Water-type Master (Misty)
A man determined to defeat Ash at the Silver Conference (Brock)
And one psychic Gym Leader who refused to fall behind (Sabrina)
With all three pushing themselves, Brock had no choice but to keep up.
After half a month, everyone had grown noticeably stronger.
Misty's Horsea even showed faint signs of evolution.
One day, as the group walked along the road, a woman suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Excuse me," she asked politely, "are you Ash from Pallet Town?"
She had emerald-green hair, wore a red crop top that revealed her midriff, matching short shorts, and knee-high black boots.
Her exposed skin was porcelain-white.
In her hand was a green metal cane topped with a Poké Ball.
Her aqua-blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied Ash.
Before Ash could answer, two figures instantly stepped forward.
"Why are you looking for Ash?!"
"We don't know you, do we?!"
Misty and Sabrina blocked Ash with hostile expressions.
This woman looked suspicious.
After the Melody incident, both girls had grown extremely wary of sudden "beautiful strangers."
Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly and smiled apologetically at the woman.
Before she could speak—
A dark figure flashed forward.
Brock dropped to one knee in front of her.
"Ah! Beautiful young lady! Destiny has bound us together by the red thread of fate! Please, allow me to have your contact information!"
The woman froze.
"…Did I… come to the wrong place?"
[Misty]: Wow. The familiar humiliation scene.[Brock]: I feel like this confession was rushed. I'll take notes and improve it later.[Misty]: Do NOT write this down!
In a Black World —
After the woman explained herself, Misty and Sabrina lowered their guard—by about ninety percent.
Her name was Liza.
She had heard about Ash's deeds from Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader, and learned that Ash possessed a powerful Charizard.
She was a devoted Charizard enthusiast—and the caretaker of Charicific Valley.
She had deliberately waited here to invite Ash to visit.
Hearing this, Ash's eyes lit up.
"Are there really a lot of powerful Charizard there?!"
"Yes," Liza nodded. "Even Champion Lance's Charizard once trained there."
"Not only that—even Lance himself couldn't dominate Charicific Valley."
Ash's eyes burned like fire.
"Alright! Then it's settled—Charizard!"
Ash threw the Poké Ball.
White light flashed, and a powerful orange-red Charizard appeared.
Liza's eyes shone.
"Oh! Your Charizard is exceptionally well trained!"
She jogged over, examining Charizard from every angle—left, right, even touching his wings.
Charizard nearly blasted her with Flamethrower, but Ash shook his head frantically, and Charizard endured it.
After her inspection, Liza ran back to Ash and grabbed his hand excitedly.
"You must come to Charicific Valley! This is the best Charizard I've ever seen!"
"This Charizard evolved less than a year ago, didn't he?"
"To reach this level in a single year—his talent is immeasurable!"
She paused.
Suddenly, her hand slipped free.
Her body was pulled backward several meters.
Sabrina's crimson eyes glowed faintly blue as she stepped beside Ash, interlacing her fingers with his.
She spoke slowly, firmly.
"He. Is. My. Boyfriend."
"…Mine."
Misty weakly raised her hand.
Liza blinked.
Boyfriend was boyfriend—why did it sound like a declaration of war?
She wasn't going to steal a kid's boyfriend.
The age gap alone made that impossible.
[Caitlin]: I can't watch this—jealousy overload![Flint]: I'm surprised she didn't turn Melody into a doll earlier.[Melody]: That's way too much! Turning people into dolls is terrifying![Sabrina]: Only when I'm very angry.[Melody]: So it is an option?! That's even scarier!
In a Black World —
After the misunderstanding, Liza called over her own Charizard.
A pink bow was tied around its head, and a balloon-decorated cart followed behind it.
"Her name is Little Liza."
Charizard's pupils contracted.
He turned his head away coolly, flexing his muscles.
Ash stared, confused.
"What's wrong, Charizard? A strong opponent?"
Brock sighed.
"Ash… even with two girlfriends, you still have a lot to learn."
"Men show themselves in front of women they care about—like me!"
He pulled out a bouquet and slid toward Liza.
Before he could speak, he floated backward.
Misty smiled proudly.
Sabrina stood beside her.
Superpowers: activated.
Eventually, Brock carried Liza's basket.
Ash rode Charizard.
Misty and Sabrina rode Pidgeot.
Despite Liza pushing Little Liza to maximum speed, Charizard kept up effortlessly.
Soon, they reached Charicific Valley.
Two enormous Charizard statues guarded the entrance.
As the gates opened—
Ash held his breath.
Charizard.Charizard.Charizard.
A valley filled with Charizard.
"So many…" Ash whispered.
"These Charizard are all wild," Liza said proudly. "Even yours would be considered average here."
She lifted her chin smugly.
But Ash and Charizard weren't discouraged.
Instead, fighting spirit ignited in their eyes.
Ash clenched his fist.
"Charizard."
"Roar!"
"So many powerful Charizard…"
"Roar!"
"Then let's dominate this valley—starting today!"
Charizard roared, unleashing flames into the sky.
Ash waved at the entire valley.
"One by one…"
"…or all at once?"
Liza froze.
Is this kid insane?!
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