Watching Lt. Surge's bewildered expression, the audience couldn't help but laugh.
[Lance: Lt. Surge is basically saying he's never fought such an absurd battle in his entire life.]
[Blaine: Whether it's the rookie Ash or the Ash in the footage, his unpredictability is top-tier. While he hasn't grown to Leon's level yet, this sheer chaos will definitely give Leon a massive headache!]
[Leon: I'm already getting a headache just watching him. New tricks, endless variety—it's non-stop!]
[Anabel: You never know what strategy Ash is hiding up his sleeve!]
[Cynthia: So, Ice Punch can be countered like that? Noted.]
In the Oak Lab's backyard, Cynthia gave her Garchomp a meaningful look. A bead of sweat immediately rolled down Garchomp's forehead.
No way, Cynthia... you're not asking me to mimic that Gible, are you? Don't mess with me, I don't have that kind of appetite! If I actually swallow an Ice Punch, it'll just freeze my stomach solid! That Gible is a freak; I can't compete with that!
Seeing Garchomp's terrified expression, Cynthia dropped the idea. On second thought... aside from Ash, this method really isn't viable for anyone else.
Ash's Pokémon are all eccentrics, and his tactics are impossible for normal people to imitate.
In the Footage—
As Lt. Surge stood there dumbfounded, Ash checked his Rotom Phone. Seeing his rank rise to 1,700, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Uncle, that was a really fun battle!" Lt. Surge: "..." Do I look like I'm having fun? He came in seeking revenge and ended up being stomped even harder.
What on earth had this kid gone through to become this strong? His command was decisive, and his Pokémon had "unexpected" traits. Was this kid a Champion or something?
After some small talk, Ash and Chloe prepared to head back. Pikachu got a great workout, and Gible...
"Huh?" Just as Ash was about to recall Gible, the little shark's body suddenly erupted in a brilliant white light. This was... the light of evolution!
"Gaba!" With a powerful surge, the light shattered, and a completely different Pokémon appeared.
The short, round body had become sleek and elongated, the tail more robust, and the chubby frame had hardened into lean muscle. Spiky, fang-like protrusions grew from its body, giving it a much more aggressive look.
This was Gible's evolution—Gabite! Pseudo-legendaries in their second stage already possess significant combat power, let alone this "freak" Gabite of Ash's!
Upon seeing its evolution, Gabite excitedly ran over and... bit Ash right on the head! "Aaahhh! Let go, Gabite! Your teeth are way sharper now!"
Chloe & Lt. Surge: "..." That's a very... unique way of saying hello. Also... is your head made of iron? How is it not crushed?! (Of course, it was mostly for comedic effect.
If Gabite actually bit down hard, it would be a bloody mess. But they'd been play-fighting since it was a Gible; controlling its bite force was second nature.)
All in all, the day was a success. Ash's rank improved, and Gible evolved into Gabite. After saying goodbye to Surge, Ash and Chloe returned to the Cerise Lab and shared the news with Professor Oak.
Oak suggested that Ash should rotate in more of his old Pokémon for training. He had plenty in the backyard—some who refused to evolve, and many who simply hadn't hit their peak yet, like the "Big Sister" Snivy and the "Second Senior Brother" Pignite. Evolution isn't just about levels; it requires a catalyst—a battle, an emotional breakthrough—just like Gible's moment today.
Ash gladly agreed. Truth be told, he had been planning to do exactly that.
[Lance: I'm really looking forward to this. It looks like we'll get a glimpse of Ash's full roster!]
[Flint: I just want to see that Infernape! I have a feeling its strength is no lower than mine!]
[Steven: I'm curious about Ash's Snorlax. It seems to be sleeping every time the camera cuts to it, but I can feel a massive amount of energy stored in that body.]
[Lance: I'm telling you, that Swellow must be weak! It was one-shot by Tobias's Latios's Giga Impact back then!]
As a "Flying-type"... er, part-time Flying Champion, Lance felt he knew birds. In his eyes, that Swellow was a scrub. Even if Latios was strong, being one-shot was just embarrassing.
[Diantha: No-prize quiz: Will Lance jinx himself again?][Cynthia: Yes.][Lorelei: Yes.][Catlin: +1]
A wall of "Yes" filled the chat. No one sided with Lance. They believed in the power of his "Poison Milk"—the legendary jinx that can milk the living to death and the dead back to life.
Lance clenched his fists, determined to wash away his reputation for jinxing. He just needed Swellow to prove him right...
In the Footage—
A few days had passed since the battle with Surge. Ash hadn't been battling for rank but was instead performing his duties as a Research Fellow.
Because he hadn't competed, his rank dropped slightly as others won and climbed above him. Ash wasn't worried; there was plenty of time left in the season.
Today, Ash and Chloe were tasked with finding a missing Ditto. The Ditto was an actor in a film crew, but it suffered from stage fright, causing its transformations to fail under pressure.
After a harsh scolding from the director, it ran away. The director needed it for a new scene that could be its big break as an actress.
While Ash and Chloe searched the streets, the camera panned to Team Rocket's "Secret Base"—which was actually just a sewer.
They had found the Ditto by chance. Through Meowth's translation, they learned Ditto "claimed" it was kicked out for being unable to transform properly (Ditto lied, not wanting to admit it ran away).
Team Rocket then did something completely out of character: they started helping Ditto perfect its Transform move. Nominally, they claimed a perfect Ditto would help them steal Pokémon, but the audience knew better.
Thanks to Team Rocket's relentless effort, Ditto finally mastered the move. They tried to use a magic trick to swap Ash's Pikachu for Ditto so Ditto could sneak away later.
However, Ash, a veteran "Electric Mouse Breeder" of 25 years, spotted the fake instantly. He knows his Pikachu better than anyone.
After Pikachu was rescued by Chloe's Yamper, the film crew's manager arrived, revealing that Ditto hadn't been fired, just scolded.
Retreating to their base, Team Rocket made a decision: they would help Ditto achieve its dream! Jessie, once an aspiring actress herself who had to give up her dreams, couldn't bear to see Ditto suffer a similar fate.
They concocted a plan. Not a wicked plan, but a kind one. And because it was a "good deed," their usual "plan failure" rule didn't apply!
They lured the manager and Ash into a forest, demanding a ransom. When they arrived, Team Rocket held the "captured" Ditto and began mocking Ash.
Chloe noticed something was off—they were asking for a ransom but making no effort to actually take it. Instead, they were baiting Ash...
"Hahaha! How does it feel to watch us torment Ditto while you're helpless?!" "If you want to beat us, you'll need a powerful move like Thunderbolt, meow!" Meowth shouted.
"Though even a Thunderbolt might be useless against our newfound strength!" Jessie added, winking pointedly at Ash.
Ash was confused. What are they blabbering about? Seeing Ash's dense reaction, Jessie snapped, "You're so slow, twerp! I said use Thunderbolt! Can't you take a hint?!"
Ash blinked, then yelled back angrily, "I have no idea what you're talking about, but since you asked for it... Pikachu, Thunderbolt!!"
"PIKA-CHUUUU!!" A massive bolt of golden lightning sent the trio (and Wobbuffet) flying into the sky. "This feels great—no, we're blasting off again! Wobbuffet!"
"Ditto!" The manager ran to the freed Ditto. Chloe whispered to Ash, "Ash, wasn't Team Rocket acting a bit... strange?"
"Yeah... I know those three better than anyone. I didn't get it at first, but when they told me to use Thunderbolt, it became clear.
They wanted Ditto to be seen as the victim and distance themselves from it. Those three... they really are 'lovable and charming' villains. If they'd stop trying to steal Pikachu... we'd probably be friends." Ash looked at the disappearing stars with a nostalgic smile.
[Lance: Wow, Ash's EQ actually peaked for a second there!]
[Cynthia: Ash and Team Rocket... they've become a classic 'bickering couple' dynamic.]
[Elesa: Heh, they clearly don't have a talent for being bad guys. Why not consider a career in acting? With Jessie's drama and their disguises, they'd be hits!]
[Jessie: Don't insult our professional integrity as villains! That was just a whim! We can be plenty evil if we want to!!]
Jessie stubbornly rejected Elesa's invitation. Even though being an actress was her dream, she was Team Rocket now. There was no turning back. Besides, catching Pikachu had become her new life's mission.
Life returned to normal, and Ash resumed his WCS climb, starting from Rank 1,800. His opponent was Seiya from Goldenrod City, Rank 1,500.
Seiya sent out Meganium, the final evolution of Chikorita. Ash sent out... Bulbasaur! Ash had swapped Bulbasaur in from Oak's lab. In the past, Bulbasaur had fought a Meganium to a draw. But now, Bulbasaur was stronger than ever!
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