On screen—
After spending some time reunited with his long-lost Pokémon,
Ash gave a command.
Bulbasaur immediately organized the whole group to sit neatly in front of him.
Ash shot Bulbasaur a grateful look, then spread his arms wide and announced to them all:
"Everyone, I've decided—I'm going to enter the World Coronation Series!"
The Pokémon let out cries in response—
some excited, some calm, some simply joyful.
Most of all, they were happy that Ash had found a new goal.
These were Pokémon who had been with Ash for years; they knew his personality deeply.
Every time he challenged a new league, Ash would raise new partners.
Even if they didn't know what this so-called World Coronation Series was,
they understood well enough:
they might not get a chance to battle.
Seeing their lukewarm reaction, Ash dropped the ultimate line:
"The World Coronation Series gathers the strongest Trainers from around the globe!
It's grander than any league tournament we've ever entered.
Everyone! Lend me your strength!
Let's stand on that stage together, the stage of the world's strongest!
Let's charge forward toward the title of World Champion!"
For a moment, the Pokémon were stunned.
Then the backyard shook with thunderous cries—
"Charizard!"
"Pikachu!"
"Sceptile!"
Infernape!
"Growlithe!"
This time, they were truly fired up!
To battle alongside Ash again—
That was their dream.
Compared to sitting in this warm backyard, the battlefield was where they truly belonged.
Staying here too long—
their bones would rust!
Professor Oak, disturbed by the commotion, brought his freshly made instant noodles out back to see what was going on.
Had Bulbasaur taken the day off or something? That shouldn't be possible.
But when he saw Ash, surrounded by all his Pokémon, he froze.
Ash? When had he returned?
Yet after hearing Ash's declaration—
"Clatter!"
The noodles fell straight from his hands.
Oak's heart swelled with pride.
Ever since Ash won the Alola League,
his passion had visibly dimmed.
That was why Oak had asked him about his goals before heading to Vermilion.
He had feared…
that the once fiery boy might lose his dream.
That he would sink into the past.
But now—
Oak could finally breathe easy.
Ash… had found a new goal.
That same fire, that same vitality—
It was back again!
Moved, Oak raised his fork, ready to take a bite of noodles.
And then froze.
My noodles!
The next day.
Ash stared at his Rotom Phone with an anxious face.
The spinning loading icon made him sweat even more.
"Beep "Rotom! Searching for a suitable opponent for you!""
The live broadcast was cut off.
The sudden stop caught viewers everywhere off guard.
That's it?
It just ended—right at the main plot?!
This was like cooking instant noodles,
only to find you had no fork.
Or ordering a massage, only to realize you had no cash.
Or your dream girl confessing—only for you to wake up.
Utterly outrageous!
They had been promised a legendary journey!
They wanted more Ash!
[Legendary Highlight, Part One: End]
[The participant with the most appearances in this segment will receive a reward]
[Winners: Ash and Koharu]
[Rewards have been distributed]
Before anyone could even react, lines of text filled the screen.
Everyone froze.
There were rewards?!
Wait—if it was about screen time, who else but Ash?
This had to be rigged!
Pallet Town.
A dazzling white light descended into Ash's hands.
Instinctively, he grabbed it.
Two round, gleaming stones appeared.
The moment he touched them, knowledge flooded into his mind:
[Mega Keystone: When activated in battle, it resonates with a Pokémon's Mega Stone, allowing Mega Evolution.]
[Charizardite X: When the Trainer channels the Keystone, this stone resonates with it, allowing Charizard to Mega Evolve.
(Note: The Mega Stone must be held by the Pokémon to function.)]
"What… is this?"
Individually, every word made sense to Ash.
But strung together…
He had no clue.
Still—he understood one thing.
The Mega Stone belonged with his Pokémon,
and the Keystone belonged with him.
The shining glow of the stones filled him with a strange sense of hope.
"Maybe… they'll activate when we're in danger," Brock said philosophically.
"Maybe."
Ash gripped the stones tightly.
He'd already decided—
Charizard's stone would go straight to Charizard.
Vermilion City.
Unlike Ash, Koharu's reward manifested differently.
A beam of light pierced her bedroom window, landing on her bed.
Unlike her older self five years later,
This Koharu was only nine years old.
Startled, she almost called for her mother.
But then she saw what had appeared on the bed.
It was a Pokémon Egg.
The moment she touched it, knowledge filled her mind:
[Growlithe Egg: Blessed by Ho-Oh, when hatched it will loyally guard its Trainer, granting them courage to face all hardship.]
"Growlithe…"
Koharu picked up the egg gently.
"Will you really give me courage?"
She hadn't expected an answer.
But the egg trembled twice in her arms.
Even unborn, the Growlithe inside was already giving her courage.
Moved, Koharu hugged the egg tighter.
And then—
"Crack!"
The egg broke.
Koharu's eyes went wide in horror.
Had she just killed a life before it was born?
But no—
Noivern"
A tiny bark came from the shattered shell.
A fluffy little head poked out.
Growlithe—had hatched!
It shook off the eggshell, then planted its paws on Koharu's chest, nuzzling her with its forehead.
Bang!
The door to her room burst open.
Another dog-like head poked in.
It had heard the bark.
Yamper looked around—
and then its gaze fell on Koharu's arms.
…It froze.
Trainer! You got another dog?!
At that moment, the broadcast lit up again with text:
[Special Highlight]
[The Legendary Trainer's Past—The Summit Battle!]
[Transcending all limits—this is the past of a true legend!]
[Before the battle begins, place your bets on the winner. The winning side will receive a reward.]
[This highlight's contenders: Ash vs. Professor Kukui]
[Professor Kukui's team: Incineroar, Primarina, Venusaur, Lucario, Braviary, Tapu Koko (Island Guardian)]
[Ash's team: Pikachu, Naganadel, Incineroar, Lycanroc (Dusk), Rowlet, Melmetal]
[You have 30 seconds to choose your winner]
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