News of Ash successfully advancing into the Top 16 of the Indigo League quickly spread across the entire Indigo Plateau.
To celebrate this important milestone, his mother, Delia, and Professor Oak specially hosted a banquet at the high end "Pokémon Star" restaurant, a restaurant right on the Indigo Plateau.
This restaurant was famous for providing customized dishes tailored to Pokémon of different types.
"Ash, Mom is so proud of you!" Delia hugged her son excitedly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I watched every one of your matches on TV. Especially when that red Gyarados appeared, the whole neighborhood was cheering for you!"
Professor Oak patted Ash on the shoulder with satisfaction. "Your rate of growth has exceeded my expectations. Not only can you flexibly apply different strategies, but more importantly, the bond between you and your Pokémon is evident in every match."
Adjusting his glasses, the professor's tone became more serious. "However, the upcoming matches will be even tougher. The Top 16 is no longer something you can rely on luck to get through."
As they took a sightseeing elevator to the top floor revolving restaurant, the elevator stopped on the fifteenth floor, and a boy wearing a red headband stepped in, a rather distinctive Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
What stood out most about this Pikachu was its carefully styled forelock, with a small tuft of fur sticking up on the right side, giving it a unique look.
"Hello," the boy greeted them warmly. When he noticed the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, his eyes lit up. "I'm Ritchie from Frodomar City, also a competitor in this tournament. Looks like we both have Pikachu as our partners."
Ash immediately recognized this opponent from his past memories, but he responded calmly, "I'm Ash from Pallet Town. These are my companions, Misty and Brock. Your Pikachu has quite a unique style."
Ritchie's Pikachu jumped down onto the floor, coming face to face with Ash's Pikachu as the two observed each other.
Before long, the two electric mice began chattering "Pika pika" at each other, as if comparing their respective trainers.
"Looks like they get along well," Ritchie said with a smile. "I named my Pikachu Sparky. I've watched your matches. Especially in the Grass Field battle, the way you quickly saw through Jeanette's Bellsprout was impressive."
Ash replied modestly, "Your matches were great too. I noticed your Butterfree uses Confusion in a unique way, almost incorporating Psychic type techniques."
During the short elevator ride, the two trainers had a pleasant exchange about their battle philosophies.
Ash understood that this polite young trainer was very likely to be his next opponent, but until the official draw was announced, everything remained uncertain.
"From my observations, your future opponents will carefully study your tactics and your Pokémon's abilities," Professor Oak said. "You need to be prepared to handle all kinds of unexpected situations."
Meanwhile, Delia placed a large piece of steak onto Ash's plate. "Don't forget to rest properly. You've gotten thinner lately. Remember to eat on time. Pokémon battles are important, but your health comes first."
Brock carefully noted down the recipes of the restaurant's special Pokémon dishes. "This kind of meal that replenishes Electric type energy might be helpful for Pikachu."
After the meal, as Ash and his group stepped out of the restaurant, they noticed a temporary stall had been set up at the entrance at some point, with a striking banner reading "Official Tournament Pokémon Health Check."
Two doctors in white coats were enthusiastically calling out to passing trainers, and beside them were three vans modified into mobile medical units.
"All participating trainers, please make sure to complete a pre match health check!" Jessie pinched her voice, trying to sound gentle and trustworthy. "This is a newly added tournament regulation to ensure all Pokémon compete in peak condition!"
Ash recognized them at a glance as Team Rocket in disguise. Even with masks on, Jessie's signature hairstyle and James's clumsy movements were impossible to hide.
Just then, Ritchie also happened to walk out of the restaurant and headed toward the stall.
"Wait, Ritchie," Ash quickly stopped him. "Those people are Team Rocket in disguise. They specialize in stealing trainers' Pokémon."
Then Ash walked up to the stall and directly exposed the trio's disguise. "Team Rocket, there's no need to keep pretending in front of me!"
Jessie, furious, ripped off her mask. "Since we've been found out, we won't bother acting anymore! Hand over all your Pokémon, especially those two Pikachu!"
James and Meowth also jumped out from behind the stall, scrambling into their signature pose.
Ritchie stared in surprise. "So you're that infamous Pokémon stealing organization?"
"That's right, meow!" Meowth flashed his claws. "Especially your Pikachu, we're taking them all this time, meow! We're going to score a big win!"
Ash calmly said to Ritchie, "Looks like we'll have to deal with these troublemakers before heading to the draw ceremony."
Ritchie nodded, his Pikachu already eager for battle.
The two Pikachu stood side by side. Though their appearances were different, their eyes burned with the same fighting spirit.
Ash's Pikachu raised its tail slightly, while Sparky adjusted the distinctive tuft of hair on its head, as if preparing for the upcoming fight.
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"We'll kindly tell you!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Before Team Rocket could finish their motto, Ash decisively gave the command. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Sparky, use Thunderbolt too!" Ritchie ordered almost at the same time.
Two streams of golden electricity intertwined in the air, forming an even more powerful electric current.
Jessie and James hurriedly sent out Arbok and Weezing to block the attack, but under the combined assault of the two Pikachu, their Pokémon were quickly overwhelmed.
What made Team Rocket even more desperate was the seamless coordination between the two Pikachu. Ash's Pikachu led the main attack, while Sparky used electric shocks to cut off their escape.
"What an terrible feeling!" Amid an even more dazzling flash of electricity, Team Rocket was blasted off into the sky once again.
Ritchie looked at Ash's Pikachu with admiration. "Your Pikachu is really well trained. Its electricity is powerful and stable, and it seems to contain some kind of special energy."
"Your Sparky is great too," Ash replied sincerely. "Not only is its control over electricity precise, but that unique hairstyle makes it really distinctive. It's clear you share a strong bond."
After resolving Team Rocket's interruption, the two headed together to the League headquarters for the Top 16 draw ceremony.
The atmosphere in the hall was tense. The sixteen outstanding trainers had all gathered, each wearing a serious expression, eager to learn who their next opponent would be.
Charles stood on the stage, his gaze sweeping across every contestant present. "All of you who have reached the Top 16 have already proven yourselves to be the finest young trainers in the Kanto region. Now, the moment that will decide your fate has arrived."
A staff member wheeled out a transparent lottery box, inside of which were sixteen delicate crystal spheres.
The contestants stepped forward one by one in order of advancement to draw their lots.
When it was Ash's turn, he took a deep breath and reached into the box.
He drew out a small sphere, opened it, and took out a finely printed slip bearing the League emblem. Written clearly on it was a name, Ritchie.
Ash looked up at Ritchie and found that Ritchie was looking at him as well. Ritchie raised his own slip, which clearly read "Ash."
Charles announced loudly, "Fifth round, first match, Ash of Pallet Town versus Ritchie of Frodomar City!"
The two newly acquainted friends exchanged smiles, their eyes both shining with anticipation and determination.
They knew that this battle would be the best test of each other's strength.
The next chapter will be the first major climax, showing how Ash overcomes his past regrets!
...