Therefore, with Dynamax, the rapid development of the Galar Region in recent years has led to the rise of Champion Trainer Leon, making the Galar Region trend towards becoming the number one region.
However, the advent of MEGA Evolution is bound to challenge the dominance of the Galar Region, and the number of Trainers who possess MEGA Evolution will determine the rise or fall of an entire region.
Currently, only a few people in the Kanto Region know about MEGA Evolution. Using this information gap, they have a chance to leapfrog the competition!
To shed the disgraceful title of last place, they rely on MEGA Evolution!
"Alright, Ash, go to the backyard and check on your Pokemon first. Leave Gardevoir here; I want to see how much improvement MEGA Evolution brings to a Pokemon," Professor Oak waved his hand dismissively to drive Ash away, as if shooing a fly, now having eyes only for MEGA-evolved Gardevoir.
Ash rolled his eyes helplessly, then turned and headed towards the backyard. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Strange, where's Gary? Didn't he also come back to Pallet Town?"
"Oh, he went on a date with his girlfriends early this morning. He said today is his last holiday, and after today, he'll start training his Pokemon hard to prepare for the Quartz Conference," Professor Oak said without looking back.
After hearing Gary wasn't around, Ash didn't linger long in the research institute. After instructing Gardevoir to come back after collecting the data, he headed to the backyard.
...
The backyard of Oak's Research Institute is more like an open grassland field than a backyard.
Various flowers, trees, and unique environments are planted here, all built by Professor Oak for the Pokemon to reside in.
Without interacting or feeding the Pokemon, just walking through this entire plain would likely take over two hours.
Ash unleashed his Aura Power, searching for his Pokemon's whereabouts.
Running on the plains were Tauros, Butterfree with its mate, Pidgeot soaring in the sky, Gengar teaching Primeape, Aerodactyl following Ash, and Krabby playing in the water.
These were all the Pokemon Ash had entrusted to Oak's Research Institute.
'Everyone, I'm back!!'
Ash's Aura was transmitted to the heart of every Pokemon. Upon hearing that familiar voice, each one instantly dropped what they were doing and rushed toward Ash's direction.
"Pidgeot!!" The first to arrive was Pidgeot, with a blue berry on its talons. After landing in front of Ash, Pidgeot raised its talon and handed the berry to Ash.
"You even brought me a berry, thanks, Pidgeot." Ash casually pulled the berry off Pidgeot's talon and popped it into his mouth without hesitation.
It was sweet and sour, quite tasty. This must be one of the fruit trees planted by Professor Oak in the backyard, nurtured quite well, with Venusaur likely contributing a lot.
"Hehehe, why are you back? Have you collected all eight badges?" Gengar's eerie voice sounded behind Ash. If it were someone else, they might have jumped in fright, but Ash wasn't afraid of ghosts, not to mention he knew Gengar had already approached.
"Yeah, I collected all the badges. You wouldn't believe how thrilling this battle was. Thankfully, your Trainer's skills were exceptional and narrowly won! Otherwise, your Trainer might not have made it back~" Ash exaggerated with a grand expression, leaving Gengar bewildered.
"Was it really that dramatic? What could push you to the brink? Even Champion-level Pokemon couldn't do that. Even if your Pokemon couldn't win, you'd definitely handle it yourself," Gengar didn't much believe in Ash's Pokemon's strength but had high regard for Ash's abilities.
Although Ash's Pokemon were indeed strong and exceptionally talented worldwide, they hadn't fully matured yet. Frankly speaking, without Ash's assistance, all his Pokemon combined wouldn't be his match.
But Ash was different. Since coming to Oak's Research Institute, Gengar's strength had increased more rapidly than outside; in just over two months, it had reached the Elite Peak level.
Even so, when looking at Ash's capabilities now, it was like gazing at a vast ocean, impossible to fathom.
Having lived for thousands of years, Gengar had never seen anyone, human or Pokemon alike, reach Ash's level.
According to Gengar's estimation, Ash's level was at least Champion Advanced Level. So how formidable must an opponent be that even Ash couldn't handle?
"It was indeed a bit stronger than Champion-level but slightly weaker than Divine Domain Level," Ash gestured 'a little bit' with his finger, but this 'little bit' was like the cosmos at his fingertips.
Because Mewtwo was much stronger than Champion Peak, yet also much weaker than Divine Domain Level.
Upon hearing Ash's analogy, Gengar's ghostly face changed, showing an extremely shocked expression.
What kind of monster did his Trainer provoke out there? Beyond Champion-level, no less, and from Ash's words, it seemed like he successfully overcame that crisis; otherwise, he wouldn't be here now.
Just not sure if it was a direct confrontation or narrowly escaping and hiding.
Following Gengar's arrival, Grimer, Krabby, and other Pokemon also gathered around Ash.
Whether familiar or distant, upon seeing Ash, they all beamed with joyful smiles.
Pokemon like Tauros and Grimer, though captured by Ash and rarely used in battles, were occasionally rotated out for training.
So they weren't particularly distant from Ash, just lacking the shared combat experience to build rapport.
But no worries, when the Quartz Conference begins, there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to shine.
Misty and Brock watched this scene, their faces also breaking into knowing smiles. Even separated by thousands of miles, even if not spending much time together, as long as a bond is established between Trainer and Pokemon, it only deepens with time.
Ash is the best example of this.
After a brief reunion, Ash released all the Pokemon he carried. Finally, all of Ash's Pokemon gathered together!
"Everyone, there's over two months until the Quartz Conference. Let's become stronger and seize the championship at the Quartz Conference!" Ash raised his arm and shouted loudly.
Voices rang out across the entire backyard, marking the start of two months of special training!
...
Time flew by, and seven days later.
Over these seven days, Ash's training schedule was packed every day, his Pokemon steadily improving, yet during these days, a significant event occurred.
Mewtwo disappeared.
Ash received the news three days ago; the call came from Lorelei. After calling, Lorelei first asked Ash if he'd noticed anything strange around him, or if he felt he was being watched.
Mewtwo disappeared, and Lorelei wondered if it might seek out Ash. In this world, those who concern Mewtwo the most, besides its creator and the missing Giovanni, are Ash, who defeated Mewtwo.
There was nothing unusual around Blaine, Giovanni was nowhere to be found, only news of Team Rocket being continuously disbanded. Ash was the only lead left.
Unfortunately, Ash hadn't sensed anything unusual. Given his strength, he would definitely notice if a powerful presence like Mewtwo were watching him.
Feeling nothing meant Mewtwo wasn't around him.
So where could Mewtwo be?