[Bonus chapter for Power Stones]
After calming the chaos at the Indigo Conference entrance,
Lorelei led Ash and the others back to the Pokémon Center.
Like everyone else, she was curious about this boy who appeared in the Heavenly Tally three times already.
After chatting for a while, she realized—
The current Ash was still very immature.
Whether compared to the Ash who fought Cynthia's ancestor,
or the Ash who battled in the Lily of the Valley Conference—
Both were far stronger than the Ash sitting before her now.
Yet in the Tally, he didn't look that much older.
Meaning… Ash's growth in a short time was utterly terrifying.
A genuine prodigy.
After Misty took a photo with her idol, Lorelei said her goodbyes.
Tomorrow was the Indigo Conference opening ceremony and the first match,
so she reminded them all to rest well.
"…Ah! Master Lorelei is truly breathtaking! I—I just want to—"
"Stop dreaming! Anyone else is fine, but you're not allowed to think about my idol!"
Misty grabbed Brock—who looked reluctant to leave—and dragged him away.
Before walking off, she glanced briefly at Ash, who was still staring blankly after Lorelei.
But she didn't say anything.
Ash wasn't like Brock…
"The Elite Four… So I'm still this far away from her…"
Before leaving, Lorelei had a practice battle with Ash.
Against Lorelei's Cloyster, Ash sent out Pikachu.
But even the newly strengthened Pikachu couldn't put up a fight.
The gap was simply too huge!
He wasn't even close to the version of himself in the Heavenly Tally.
But… he would work for it.
The Indigo Conference Champion.
The future title of World's Greatest Pokémon Master.
He wanted them all.
…
The next day, the Indigo Conference opening ceremony began!
First up was the Torch Relay.
On the main stage—besides Mr. Goodshow and the Elite Four—
stood several other unexpected figures…
When the crowd recognized them, screams erupted.
Those were the Champions of every region!!
Diantha, Alder, Cynthia, Steven, Leon—
and Kanto's own dual-region Champion, Lance!
(Leaving out Paldea for now… the author isn't familiar with the dual-Champion system there yet.)
As the competitors entered the stadium, the Torch Runner approached.
All he had to do was climb the steps and light the giant ceremonial cauldron.
Once he did, the ceremony would end.
But as soon as he reached the top, he froze.
Three people dressed like ancient divine priests were waiting for him.
"You've worked hard. Hand the torch to us."
"Ah—o-okay…"
Ash, who had been nervously trembling a moment ago, suddenly stiffened.
That familiar feeling… that familiar posture…
It was Team Rocket! (In Hisuian shrine-priest outfits.)
"No! Don't give them the torch!"
Ash shouted as he dashed up the steps.
But Team Rocket had already snatched the torch and torn away their costumes!
"I heard him say not to give it to them!"
"Since you're so sincerely asking—"
"We'll kindly answer!"
"..."
After their classic introduction, Jessie lit the cauldron,
and Meowth pressed a button—
A giant Meowth robot appeared and lifted the whole cauldron away!
…
"This is interesting. So this is Team Rocket?"
Leon rubbed his chin, very intrigued.
Those lines were kind of stylish… Should he prepare one too?
"Interesting?! These villains dare disrupt the Indigo Conference—in front of all eight Champions, no less!
I'll bring them to justice right here!"
Lance was about to fling off his cape and call out Dragonite to obliterate them—
But Cynthia gently stopped him.
"Don't rush. Let's see how that little boy handles it."
Hearing that, Lance held back.
He was curious too.
He didn't know Ash's true strength yet,
But personality-wise… this hot-blooded boy was the same as in the Tally.
…
"We aren't who we used to be, meow!"
"That's right! We'll capture Pikachu using the betting points YOU gave us!"
"Behold the newest Super Meowth Robot!"
The trio jumped inside the cockpit.
At the top of the robot's head was a special slot—
made specifically to store the sacred torch.
"Pikachu is ours!"
The robot's massive hand reached out to grab Pikachu!
"Don't even think about it! Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!! CHU!!"
Golden lightning engulfed the robot—
But it had zero effect.
"This is our anti-electricity protocol, meow!"
"Now hand him over!"
Just as the giant hand was about to catch Pikachu, Ash suddenly changed commands:
"Let me show you Pikachu's new moves instead! Pikachu—Iron Tail!"
"Chuu!! Pika!"
BANG!
Pikachu leaped aside, dodging the hand,
then spun midair as his tail turned metallic—
and slashed downward!
BOOM!
The long, rubbery mechanical arm was severed instantly!
"What happened, Meowth?! Isn't this the upgraded model?!"
"Meow! I forgot to add impact protection!
I didn't expect twerp-chu to have new moves already!"
"I have a bad feeling…"
"Yeah, me too…"
"Pikachu—High-Voltage Thunderstrike!!"
"Pika! Pika! Pika! PICHA!!"
Golden electricity wrapped around Pikachu, becoming almost solid.
Then he shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring—
and slammed directly into the robot's stomach!
The sheer force pierced straight through it!
Team Rocket barely dodged inside—
Otherwise, they would've been the ones skewered.
"Finish it! Iron Tail!"
"Chuu—Pikaaa!!"
BAM!!
The broken robot was launched skyward—
and exploded midair in a fiery blast!
Once again, the trio turned into twinkling stars—
"Blasting off again!!"
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