Ding! ["Congratulations to the host—Sceptile successfully defeated Gardevoir! The 10X Experience Boost Card has been activated, awarding you 800,000 battle experience points!"]
Level 86!
Level 87!
Level 88!
Level 89!
Mega Sceptile's aura of power surged higher and higher—
Almost at the very brink of a critical threshold!
But in the end… it still failed to break through that final barrier.
It stopped, teetering on the edge, between level 89 and 90. Just one last step away from success, from transcending into the rank of a Tier-2 Legendary.
"So… so strong!"
Diantha had already tried her best to estimate Ash's strength as high as possible. Yet even with her expectations raised, the reality before her eyes proved she still hadn't truly grasped the terrifying might of Ash's Pokémon.
Even after Mega Evolution, her Gardevoir couldn't withstand a single move from Sceptile.
For Diantha, the Champion of Kalos, this was a heavy blow.
If even she was shaken like this, then Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were beyond words—they were completely stunned.
Ash's veteran Pokémon, on the other hand, didn't find this surprising in the least. They were well aware of how fearsome Sceptile truly was.
For Servine, however, this was the first time she had fully witnessed the terrifying strength of her senior.
To think that with one devastating blow, Sceptile could crush even an opponent like Gardevoir!
"Cha-mo!"
Sceptile released his Mega Evolution form, reverting to normal.
This time though, he deliberately avoided looking at Servine.
Too much could backfire—if he stared, it might look like he was flaunting his power in front of her. That could have the opposite effect, something Sceptile definitely didn't want.
Diantha sighed with a bitter smile and recalled her fainted Gardevoir.
"Ash, it seems you've grown far stronger than I imagined. Compared to you, Champions like me… might not even count for much anymore."
But she didn't forget the reason she had sought Ash out.
She asked earnestly, "What do you think is the most important thing between a Pokémon and its Trainer?"
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie instantly perked up their ears.
Ash sometimes gave them advice on their journey, but they had never realized he had become this strong.
After all, they hadn't seen his performance at the Sinnoh Lily of the Valley Conference.
"This question is broad," Ash answered steadily. "Every Trainer and Pokémon has different goals, but one truth never changes—if you want to grow stronger, it all comes down to the bond and trust between Trainer and Pokémon.
Diantha, you've already reached the rank of Champion. Trainers at your level… your paths are already formed. You just have to keep following your own way forward. Advice like mine is only really useful for intermediate Trainers or those who've just set out on their journey and haven't found their path yet."
"Pika-pika!"
Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, nodding firmly in agreement.
Diantha lowered her gaze thoughtfully. For a Champion like her, it was true—she had asked because Ash's strength had been overwhelming.
But it was already too late for her to "reset" and walk his path. Champions had long since shaped their way of growth—their routes were set in stone.
Overhead, the whirring sound of a helicopter drew near.
It was time for Diantha to leave.
Before departing, she promised that when she returned, she would put even more effort into promoting Serena's Pokémon short film—telling them to look forward to it.
And with that, their encounter with Diantha came to an end.
Ash and his friends left the town behind, continuing toward Shalour City and its Shalour Gym.
------
"La la la~"
Along a forest path, Serena hummed cheerfully.
Her heart was light, happier than she had ever been—because now, she knew how much Ash truly cared about her. More than she could have ever imagined.
"Serena, you really love Pokémon songs that much?"
Ash walked alongside her, curious.
"Mm-hm, I do!"
Serena's answer was casual, but Ash took note of it seriously.
In his mind, he nodded. If that's the case… then my plan for her is perfect.
"Pika!"
Suddenly, Pikachu's ears shot straight up.
"What is it?"
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie tensed immediately, expecting a wild Pokémon to ambush them. Encounters like that were common along forest trails.
"Luca!"
But it was a Lucario.
The Aura Pokémon stared intently at Ash's group. Then, from the forest, another figure skated out.
"Lucario, did you find a new Trainer to challenge?"
A girl in a red-and-white sports outfit, wearing a helmet, rolled into view on her skates—
Korrina.
Ash's expression turned a bit odd. In the original storyline, he had always wondered why Korrina insisted on skating everywhere—even in forests.
"Luca!"
"Perfect! We found one! Hi there! I'm Korrina. The best way for Trainers to greet each other is with a battle—so let's fight!"
Without hesitation, she introduced herself and threw down a challenge.
She and her Lucario had left Shalour City and had been traveling across nearby towns, battling other Trainers.
Why?
Because her grandfather, Gurkinn, had told her—if she wanted to earn the Lucarionite needed for Mega Evolution, she first had to achieve 100 victories in battle!
Only after that could she travel to Geosenge Town and undergo the trials.
But Ash had no time for this. His focus was on the Gym Challenge—defeating Korrina in her own Gym battle and earning the badge.
Yet when he refused her challenge, Korrina didn't care in the slightest.
She had already achieved 98 wins. Confidence bloomed unchecked—just two more, and she could claim the Lucarionite!
Impatient, her pride overflowing, Korrina ordered Lucario to attack!
"Pikachu, Thunder!"
"Pika!"
Since she was so insistent, Ash had no choice but to let Pikachu give her a little wake-up call.
Pikachu's electricity crackled violently, stronger than a bolt of natural lightning!
Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, it roared through the forest.
Lucario, charging forward, was struck head-on and blasted backward.
"Ah! Lucario!"
Korrina rushed forward, catching her Pokémon, who was smoking from the electricity.
She had assumed Ash was just like all the other Trainers she had beaten so easily. But she was wrong—he wasn't bronze-tier, he was a king among Trainers!
Now, Korrina finally realized what her grandfather had meant—there were countless powerful Trainers in the world, and you could never judge them by appearances.
Enlightenment dawned.
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T/N:
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