Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

"Mr. Xiaozhi, your prediction is amazing." Robert was now filled with admiration.

From start to finish, Ash completely predicted Dizzy's battle pattern, and every step was spot on!

"Shook is too focused on his role as a trainer, which has made his Pokémon training very formulaic," Ash said with a smile. "In addition, he lacks understanding of Combusken. If we face him in the first round, he will definitely use his usual moves, which will be easy to counter."

After taking down Shun, Haruka's first ribbon is practically secured.

Of course, Robert's absence was also a contributing factor.

This is a true powerhouse among trainers. With May's current level, she might be able to defeat Shun by using the script, but she could never beat Robert.

...

"Match over! Power Chicken wins! Congratulations to Haruka for becoming the ultimate winner of the Senna Ribbon!!"

The final result was without a doubt: the other contestants were weaker than Shun, and Haruka and Riki Chicken advanced triumphantly, successfully taking home the first ribbon!

After the awards ceremony ended, May saw Ash at the entrance of the venue and immediately rushed over to him!

"Ash, thank you!" The girl seemed too excited and suddenly threw herself into Ash's arms, hugging his neck tightly.

"Thank you... thank you so much!" Xiaoyao seemed completely unaware of her current state, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.

Just as Ash said, she really did defeat Dawn and win her first Ribbon Badge!

"Ash, I'm so happy, I don't even know what to say..."

"I don't know what to do right now... Why don't you let go first?" Ash helplessly raised his hands, reminding May while also giving Serena an awkward smile.

He definitely didn't start this!

"Oh no!" Xiaoyao realized what she was doing and quickly pushed Xiaozhi away, covering her red face with her hands.

"Alright, May is just too happy, don't worry about it." Serena said with a smile as she stepped forward to comfort him, while giving Ash a meaningful glance at the same time.

She would certainly mind this a little, but it wasn't worth showing it.

Besides, even if a love triangle were to break out, it wouldn't be Haruka's turn to be the target.

"In any case, the Kaina Conference is over, and it's time for us to return to Carlos."

"You...are you going back?" Upon hearing Ash's words, May's expression stiffened, and then she began to look teary-eyed.

She was just starting to get used to traveling together, and they're already leaving...?

Chapter 673 Lightning Fireworks, Hoenn's Temporary Farewell

Ash and Serena are leaving.

Although May already knew this, she still felt caught off guard and confused when Ash actually brought it up.

How will she travel alone from now on?

Will anyone still give her guidance and comfort? Will someone take care of everything for her and provide her with the most scientific training?

At that moment, Xiaoyao even felt panic about the future.

"Cheer up! Haven't we already taken the first step towards our goal?" Ash encouraged gently. "From now on, just keep moving forward at your own pace and fight hard in every Grand Contest."

"Ash..." May stared blankly at the gentle-faced boy, finally regaining her confidence. "I understand! I will continue to work hard, together with Combusken and Beautifly, towards the grand festival!"

"That's the spirit we need to show," Ash said with a smile and a nod. "Well then... to celebrate you receiving the Ribbon Badge, let's set off fireworks for you tonight."

"Fireworks?" Xiaoyao was taken aback.

When night fell, she finally understood the true meaning of 'fireworks'.

"Pikachu, let the show begin!" In the open space outside the Pokémon Center, Ash sent out Pikachu, which gracefully rose into the night sky.

"Pikachu...flying?" This alone amazed May.

"And it's not electromagnetic levitation." Robert, who was also invited, noticed something amiss; Ash's Pikachu was flying purely on its own power!

"Thunderbolt!" "Pikachu!"

With Ash's command, Pikachu's lightning fireworks show officially began. Dazzling arcs of electricity exploded all over its body, filling the night sky with a dazzling display of fire.

These electric arcs crackled and flashed, but instead of dissipating immediately, they gathered and swirled in the air under Pikachu's control, forming a chibi-style Pikachu head!

The ears, eyes, and even the electric pouches on the cheeks are incredibly lifelike!

"So cute...and so amazing!" Haruka murmured in amazement.

She thought Ash had specially prepared fireworks, but it turned out to be a grand electric-type performance by Pikachu!

“These fireworks are truly a rare sight,” Serena said with a smile.

"Absolutely flawless," Robert said, giving it the highest praise.

This is absolutely a spectacular performance, and it rivals... or even surpasses the skills of any Coordinator!

"Pikachu~" Pikachu smiled smugly, indicating that if you're amazed by this level, you're underestimating Pikachu's abilities.

The lightning in the night sky suddenly changed, transforming from Pikachu's image into the appearance of a boy. Although the overall image was a bit blurry, the hat on his head was enough to identify him!

"It turned into Ash?" Haruka was even more surprised.

Pikachu seemed to be responding to May, creating an arm below her portrait by controlling a wisp of electricity, and even making a peace sign.

"Can you get to the point already?" Xiao Zhi urged helplessly. Had this mischievous rat become so outrageous that it started making fun of him?

"Pikachu!" Pikachu turned around and glared at Ash, while maintaining its previous appearance, it even added a picture of May next to it!

The headscarf and hairstyle were very lifelike, but after watching for a while, the people at the scene all showed strange expressions.

Two chibi-style avatars are suspended in mid-air, almost face to face, with one of them even making a peace sign, looking like it's getting a good deal and then acting innocent...

In short, Xiaoyao's cheeks were already starting to burn.

Serena glanced at Ash with a half-smile on her face.

As for Robert, he dared not say or ask anything, for fear of accidentally getting splattered with blood.

He finally understood: Ash wasn't just a powerful trainer, he was also incredibly skilled at running a fishpond like Poseidon.

(Hey, you did this on purpose, didn't you?!) Ash was so angry that he started sending voice messages using his waveguide.

"Pikachu~" Pikachu retorted dismissively, "Why do you have so much trouble?"

Its eyes darted around slyly, and the image in the sky changed again, from Haruka with a headscarf to Serena with a top hat…

"This time it's my turn... Eeya!"

Serena was still in surprise when, out of nowhere, Pikachu controlled the two avatars to perform a zero-distance mouth-to-mouth electrical neutralization in mid-air…

Commonly known as kissing~

She lost her composure and, blushing, lightly stepped on Xiaozhi's foot.

Bang!

The electric arcs exploded, and all the images turned into scattered points of light, and real fireworks began to shine in the night sky.

"So beautiful..." Xiaoyao gazed at the constantly flashing halo, her heart completely filled with emotion.

"This performance is a parting gift for you," Ash said with a smile. "It's also a bit of advice for you... A flashy performance isn't about having as many special moves as possible. The most important thing is to patiently train your Pokémon and hone your commonly used moves until they're second nature to you."

"Okay, I understand!" Xiaoyao nodded gratefully.

She knew that Xiaozhi was worried about her future growth, which was why he put on these performances for her.

"Also, when you travel in the future, you should learn from strong people like Mr. Robert," Ash continued. "Of course, you should try to avoid contact with people who are arrogant or have questionable character, so as not to affect your own level."

"The only time I'll have any contact with him is when I defeat him again in the tournament!" Xiaoyao said confidently.

Ash didn't name names, but May knew who he was talking about.

Actually, there was no need to tell her; she already thought that person was problematic.

Hearing May say that, Ash felt relieved.

To be honest, Ash didn't even bother to give an objective evaluation of the character Shun... and those who know, know why.

He also felt it was a pity that the original work was adapted into an anime.

A trainer's achievements are largely determined by the strength of their rivals.

This is most evident in the Diamond and Pearl arc, where Ash and the Lord of Light's rivals are generally of high caliber, and this translates into remarkable growth for the main characters.

Aside from the final, idiotic deus ex machina, the entire Diamond Princess can be considered a masterpiece.

But looking at the advanced generation, what kind of rivals did they create?

Especially the ones that Xiaoyao was facing, not only were they all greener than the last, but they were also all worse than the last.

It would be strange if she could achieve great things by associating with people like that.

It's quite frustrating that someone like Robert or Saori exists, yet she missed out on one and the other simply didn't have a positive impact.

After a unique lightning fireworks display, Chi and Na said goodbye to May early the next morning and rode Dragonite back to Kalos from another dimension.

"Sigh, I wonder how Xiaoyao will manage on her own." On the way back, Serena seemed a little worried.

"She might not be used to it at first, but she'll have to adjust on her own," Ash comforted her. "Fortunately, although Hoenn will be chaotic for a while, things will calm down soon... and I've left some absolutely reliable guys behind, so everything will be fine."

...