The sudden appearance of text in the livestream startled the audience.
Everyone had assumed it would take some time before the broadcast resumed.
But no—the moment the rewards were given, the feed started right back up.
Unlike the previous highlight of Legendary Trainers' journeys,
this one felt different.
More special.
And the so-called Legendary Trainer seemed about to be revealed.
Could it really be… Ash?
But when viewers read the words carefully, they held back that thought.
This time, the system had directly displayed both Trainers' full teams.
On Ash's side, most of the Pokémon weren't well-known.
But on Professor Kukui's team—
Primarina, Venusaur, Lucario—Pokémon the audience knew well.
And all of them were immensely powerful.
[Professor Oak]: Ash, I'm sorry. As much as I'd like to bet on you winning… This time, the strength gap is just too big.
[Professor Oak]: Rowlet is only the first stage of Alola's Grass starter line, Torracat is still just the second stage of the Fire starter.
[Professor Oak]: Meanwhile, Kukui's Pokémon are all fully evolved. But even that isn't the most important point.
[Professor Oak]: Because… he has a god. Ash, at your current level, you cannot defeat a god.
[Professor Oak]: I'm putting my bet on Kukui.
Gasp—!
The viewers sucked in a cold breath.
A god?
Were Alolan Trainers really this terrifying?
How could Kukui—just a professor—command such overwhelming power?!
[Professor Kukui]: Don't look at me like that. Battles aren't decided by evolution alone. I don't think I'll necessarily win… so I'll place my bet on Ash.
[Ash]: I believe in myself! I bet on myself too!
[Misty]: Sorry, Ash… I just don't see it happening this time.
Misty's view matched most of the audience.
They simply couldn't believe Ash's "baby team" could stand against Kukui's powerhouse lineup.
And with Oak spelling it out clearly—Kukui had a god-tier Pokémon.
How could an ordinary Trainer possibly overcome that?
The betting results were nearly one-sided.
Support for Kukui: 99%.
Support for Ash: barely 1%—not even that.
Aside from Ash and Kukui themselves, the few who backed Ash were diehard fans like Serena and Cynthia.
With only thirty seconds to decide, nearly everyone blindly followed the majority.
[3…2…1]
[Betting complete]
[Highlight begins]
On screen—
"Just yesterday, Ash Ketchum claimed victory as Champion of the very first Alola League!"
"And today, we present what may be the greatest battle in Alola's history!"
"On one side, the Golden Dome's reigning champion—our beloved Professor Kukui, who also fights under the mask of the Royal Masked Wrestler!"
"And his challenger—our newly crowned Champion, Ash Ketchum! Let us once more congratulate him!"
"Today, Ash will write a new legend!"
"For those who've traveled from across the world, you may not know his name. But allow me to introduce him properly!"
"This boy before you is a Top 16 finisher at the Indigo Conference, Top 8 at the Silver Conference, Top 8 at the Ever Grande Conference, Top 4 at Lily of the Valley, Top 8 at Vertress, runner-up at Lumiose… Champion of the Manalo Conference… and the inaugural Champion of the Alola League!"
"He is Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town!"
The announcer's booming speech laid out their achievements for all to hear.
But in the live chat—
[Gary]: Sorry, Ash. I felt guilty about betting on Kukui before… but after hearing that? I don't anymore. You only got a Champion title after seven leagues?
[Steven]: Phew… that list of failures was so long it almost gave me whiplash. Thank goodness he finally won one!
[Serena]: Don't listen to them, Ash! I'll always support you!
The truth was, in the original timeline Ash had only competed in the Kanto League.
Most people didn't know about the countless rivals he faced afterward—
nor that he started fresh with new Pokémon in every region.
So their disbelief was understandable.
Ash himself didn't argue.
A loss was a loss.
There was nothing shameful about it.
But still—he couldn't help feeling bitter about needing seven attempts to win a Championship.
"Pikachu, we'll just have to work twice as hard from now on!"
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu nodded firmly.
Hearing that long list of failures had even made it sweat.
To keep losing like that—
wasn't that just begging for scraps on its knees?!
No way.
The God of Thunder could never accept such humiliation!
Elsewhere, in Alola.
"Bang!"
Professor Burnet slammed open a door.
Her husband—the Royal Masked Wrestler—was none other than Kukui himself?!
It was like opening a mystery box…
and pulling the grand prize!
But when Kukui saw the awe, admiration, and shy sparkle in Burnet's eyes—
He realized he was in serious trouble.
Tonight, his waist might not survive…
On screen—
With introductions complete, Ash and Kukui stepped onto the battlefield.
From the ready position, Kukui drew a Poké Ball.
Ash turned to Pikachu.
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu crouched down, ready to go.
The eternal opener!
This was tradition at this point.
Even Pikachu thought nothing of it.
But then—
"Sorry, Pikachu. You'll have to wait this time."
"Pikachu?! Pikachu??"
Ash's words left Pikachu completely stunned.
It looked up at him in disbelief.
Its expression—like a puppy abandoned by its master.
And in front of the entire world, Pikachu collapsed dramatically.
Ah, that running silhouette in the sunset… my lost youth…
Now I'm not even worthy of being the lead?!
At that moment, Ash pulled a different ball from his belt.
"I choose you—Torracat!"
"Go—Incineroar!"
"Torracat!"
"Incineroar!"
The instant both Pokémon appeared, the arena's focus locked on them.
Compared to Ash's Torracat,
Kukui's Incineroar stole the spotlight.
Black-and-red fur, upright stance, bulging muscles—
it radiated raw power.
Known as the Greatest Incineroar in the Universe,
it was one of the most well-rounded Pokémon ever—
tanky, strong, and supportive all at once.
By contrast, Ash's Torracat was… a slightly bigger housecat.
Side by side, the gap was painfully obvious.
As Oak had said—Ash's team was still "baby-tier."
Torracat hadn't even fully evolved.
"Ash, looks like you want Torracat to settle its old score."
"You bet! Torracat, start us off—Fire Charge!"
Flames cloaked Torracat's body.
It shot forward like an arrow loose from a bow.
Fire Charge boosted its speed as it struck—
a move that conveniently exploited Incineroar's slightly slower bulk.
Second-stage Pokémon defeating third-stage ones wasn't unheard of.
Every stage had its unique strengths.
Ash knew both Incineroar's weakness and Torracat's advantages!
Kukui gave him an approving look.
But if Ash understood this, so did he.
Speed was risky.
So instead—Incineroar would tank it head-on.
"Incineroar—Bulk Up!"
Unfazed, Incineroar crossed its arms against its chest.
Its muscles swelled, chiseling into perfection.
A golden aura shimmered over its body—
its attack and defense rising together.
Torracat's blazing charge slammed straight into Incineroar's chest.
Clang!
The audience swore they heard metal.
The attack hadn't even scratched it.
Instead, Torracat staggered back several steps from the recoil.
The difference was plain for all to see.
[Paul]: I'm starting to question the legitimacy of your Alola Championship, Ash. With such weak opponents, how did you even win?
[Gary]: Luck, obviously~
Gary was practically gloating.
Yes, they were from the same town.
Yes, they were rivals.
But Ash? Always stealing the spotlight.
Champion? Him?
Gary could barely stop himself from mocking him out loud.
On screen—
Ash didn't back down.
"Torracat, Fire Charge again!"
If it failed once, he'd try again!
This was his trademark aggressive style.
At his command, flames cloaked Torracat once more.
It dashed at blinding speed, circling its foe.
"Very spirited! Incineroar, Darkest Lariat!"
Kukui grinned. He respected Ash's drive—
but respect didn't mean mercy.
"ROARRR!"
Incineroar spun, flames igniting around its arms.
Its whole body became a blazing top.
Crisis—and opportunity.
Torracat barely dodged, slipping into Incineroar's blind spot.
"Now—use Fire Fang!"
"Torracat!"
The bell at Torracat's chest rang.
Flames surged, condensing into its fangs.
It leapt high, jaws burning with power—
ready to bite down on Incineroar mid-spin!
Ash's eyes lit up.
This was the chance!
But—
"Break it!" Kukui barked.
Ash's face fell.
Incineroar shifted its spin, twisting mid-motion.
BOOM!
Fire Fang shattered on impact.
"Now—Revenge!"
Before Ash or Torracat could react,
purple energy flooded Incineroar's arms.
It drove a brutal uppercut straight into Torracat's belly.
CRASH!
The little feline flew, slammed into the ground, and rolled to the arena's edge.
"Torracat! Are you okay?!"
Ash cried out.
That attack had been devastating.
Incineroar's power was monstrous!
[Kukui]: Ash, I bet on you to win. Don't let me down!
[Professor Oak]: I fear it's already over. A stage-two Pokémon against a fully evolved one is already a massive gamble. Against Incineroar, Torracat simply can't compete. The match is decided.
Oak wrote his conclusion then and there.
[Ash]: No. Torracat will get back up—I believe in it.
He didn't say the rest aloud.
Just like at the Kanto League—when he believed in Charizard.
Charizard had ignored him then, forfeiting the match.
But even so—Ash had given it 100% of his trust.
On screen—
At Ash's desperate calls,
Torracat wobbled back to its feet.
It hadn't beaten Incineroar yet.
It couldn't fall now!
"Torracat, return—"
Ash raised its Poké Ball.
But Torracat shook its head firmly.
No.
It wanted to keep fighting!
Seeing that determination, Ash's eyes blazed.
If Torracat burned with fire—
then so would he!
"Alright then—let's keep going!"
"Torracat!"
Flames cloaked Torracat once again—
its third Fire Charge.
This time it was faster than ever, circling Incineroar in fiery loops.
"Revenge!"
Kukui ordered immediately.
No matter how quick Torracat was,
it couldn't outpace Incineroar's eyes.
It spotted Torracat in an instant,
thrusting forward with a purple-tinged strike.
But this time—
Torracat was ready.
Fire Charge was a feint.
"Leap—and use a Flamethrower!"
Ash's true plan revealed—
Torracat sprang skyward, flames surging in its throat…
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard