The Indigo Plateau main arena glowed under the stadium lights as evening settled in. The sky above had turned a deep indigo, stars just beginning to peek through. Tens of thousands of spectators filled every seat, banners waving, voices rising in a constant roar of excitement. The air buzzed with energy the kind that made your skin tingle and your heart race. This wasn't just another prelim match. This was the match everyone had been waiting for.
Ash stepped out of the tunnel onto the green side of the field, Pikachu riding on his shoulder, tail flicking confidently. The crowd's roar hit him like a physical wave. He raised one hand in a casual wave nothing flashy, just enough to acknowledge them. The cheers grew louder.
Announcer (booming): "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! ON THE GREEN SIDE THE STORM THAT'S SWEPT THROUGH THE PRELIMS THE FAN FAVORITE, THE ONE EVERYONE'S BETTING ON TO WIN THIS ENTIRE LEAGUE ASH KETCHUM!"
The stadium exploded. "ASH! ASH! ASH!" Banners flashed: "KETCHUM FOR CHAMP!", "SHINY GYARADOS SUPREMACY", "EEVEE POWER!". Kids stood on seats screaming. Grown trainers leaned forward, eyes wide.
Commentator 1 (voice electric): "This kid came out of nowhere and turned the prelims upside down! Shiny red Gyarados, Alpha Steelix, mutant Eevee, mutated Chlorophyll Venusaur Ash Ketchum isn't here to participate. He's here to dominate!"
Commentator 2: "The odds have him as the favorite to take the whole thing. The crowd's behind him 100%. Can anyone stop this storm?"
In a special VIP box high above the field, Lorelei of the Elite Four sat with arms crossed, ice-blue eyes calm but curious. Beside her, her niece Giselle long dark hair, sharp features, school uniform still pristine leaned forward, staring at Ash with an intensity that bordered on hatred.
Lorelei noticed. She tilted her head.
"Giselle… you're glaring at that boy like he stole your favorite doll. What's the story?"
Giselle's jaw tightened. Her voice came out low, venomous.
"He humiliated me. Back at the Pokémon Institute. Told me I'd never advance as a trainer if I stayed there called my methods lazy, my Pokémon weak. Then he beat me in front of everyone. Made me look like a joke."
Lorelei's eyebrow arched slightly. "And now?"
Giselle's fists clenched on the railing. "I wanted to make him lose miserably. See him crawl. But… look at his team. That Gyarados. That Steelix. That Eevee that changes forms. I'm… I'm not sure I can beat him anymore."
Her voice cracked just a little.
Lorelei studied her niece for a long moment. Then she leaned in, voice smooth and dangerous.
"If you're unsure… borrow my Cloyster."
Giselle blinked. "Aunt Lorelei?"
"Cloyster's shell is unbreakable. Spikes, Ice moves, Clamp perfect for making someone submit. Put him on his knees. Make him beg. You want him humbled? Do it properly."
Giselle's eyes darkened. For a second she hesitated then an image flashed in her mind: Ash, the handsome, confident boy who'd humiliated her, crawling at her feet, broken, pleading.
Her lips curled into a cold smile.
"I'll take it."
Lorelei patted her shoulder. "Good girl."
Scene change
Ash stood at the center of the field, Pikachu on his shoulder, waiting for the referee. The crowd noise was a constant roar, but he tuned it out, breathing steady.
Then—ding.
A blue panel shimmered in his vision.
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Win Against Your Own "Temu" Version]
Mission Details: Defeat Ritchie using only Pokémon from the same evolutionary line as his team. Match his lineup exactly (e.g., if he uses Charmander, you use Charizard; if Squirtle, use Blastoise). Give him a satisfying, memorable match.
Reward: Lugia's Egg (from an alternate universe)
Ash blinked. Then another ding.
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Humble the Rich Kid]
Mission Details: Defeat Giselle in battle. Put her in her place and make her serve as your maid for six months.
Reward: Dragonite Mega Stone ×2
And one more.
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Discipline the Ice Elite]
Mission Details: Discipline Ice Elite Lorelei for aiding her niece in violating the spirit of Pokémon battles either through battle or force.
Reward: Psychic Boost +1 level, Aura Boost +1 level, Master Ball ×3
Ash stared at the panels for a second, processing.
Giselle… Lorelei's niece? That girl from the Institute? He remembered her now the spoiled rich girl who'd sneered at him until he wiped the floor with her team. And she's here with an Elite Four aunt. Figures.
He mentally dismissed the interface.
One thing at a time. Ritchie first.
The referee stepped forward, flags raised.
Referee: "This is a three-on-three single battle! No items! No substitutions except on faint! Begin!"
Ding ding ding!
Ritchie grinned, tossing his first Poké Ball.
Ritchie: "Sparky go!"
Pikachu (Sparky) leaped out, cheeks sparking, tail high.
Ash smiled.
"Pikachu I choose you."
His own Pikachu hopped down, fur bristling, ready.
The crowd went wild.
Commentator 1: "A Pikachu mirror match to start! This is gonna be electric!"
Commentator 2: "Ritchie's Sparky is no slouch fast, smart, loyal. But Ash's Pikachu has been through hell and back. This could be a classic!"
Ritchie: "Sparky Quick Attack!"
Sparky became a yellow blur, streaking across the field.
Ash: "Dodge and Iron Tail!"
Ash's Pikachu sidestepped at the last second, tail glowing silver. He spun, slamming it into Sparky's side.
Sparky skidded but recovered fast, grinning.
Ritchie: "Thunderbolt!"
Sparky fired a jagged bolt.
Ash's Pikachu leaped high dodging then countered with his own Thunderbolt.
The two bolts clashed mid-air sparks exploding outward, lighting up the stadium like fireworks.
Commentator 1: "Thunderbolt clash! Both Pikachus are evenly matched!"
Commentator 2: "Look at that power! Ash's Pikachu has insane control Ritchie's isn't far behind!"
The clash ended in a draw. Both Pikachus landed, panting, sparks still dancing on their fur.
Ritchie: "Volt Tackle!"
Sparky ignited in yellow lightning, charging forward.
Ash: "Thunderbolt meet it head-on!"
Ash's Pikachu fired again bolt meeting Volt Tackle in a blinding explosion.
Smoke cleared.
Both Pikachus stood bruised, fur singed, but still fighting.
But ash's pikachu dusted the dust like it was nothing to him.
Commentator 1: "They're trading blows like veterans! Neither backing down!"
Ritchie grinned. "Sparky finish with Iron Tail!"
Sparky's tail glowed silver, leaping high.
Ash: "Quick Attack into Iron Tail counter!"
Ash's Pikachu blurred slammed into Sparky mid-air, then spun and cracked his own Iron Tail against Sparky's.
Sparky flew backward crashed struggled… then fainted.
Commentator 2: "Sparky's down! Ash takes the first round!"
The crowd roared.
Ritchie recalled Sparky, smiling softly.
"Good job, buddy. Rest up."
He looked at Ash.
"That was fun. But I'm not done yet."
Ash nodded. "Bring it."