Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

Xiao Mao knew very well that trying to unleash a barrage of powerful moves right from the start was an irrational act.

However, considering the current gap in strength, if we don't unleash our ultimate move first, we'll have no chance.

It was a foolish choice, but also the only choice we could make.

We have to do this to take the gamble.

Blastoise roared.

The cannon barrel behind it gathers a powerful amount of water energy.

Two incredibly thick water columns, brimming with astonishing force, shot towards the golden figure in the air like dragons emerging from the sea!

This was the final blow that Gary and Blastoise poured all their faith and strength into!

Faced with this resolute attack, for the first time, a hint of admiration appeared in the eyes of the "Big-Mouthed Sparrow" that Ho-Oh had transformed into.

Ho-Oh loves to see the brilliance of this bond.

The true bond between humans and Pokémon.

Ho-Oh likes this~~

It no longer uses that method of ignoring attacks.

With a flap of its wings, a faint golden halo swirled around its body.

Faced with the surging high-pressure water cannon, it neither dodged nor avoided, but instead met it head-on like a sharp sword!

It's a divine bird attack!

Considering Ho-Oh's status, this is not just a move name.

It was a literal attack by a divine bird.

Before everyone's eyes, the two water bubbles, powerful enough to pierce through rocks and steel, instantly disintegrated upon contact with the golden halo, as if encountering their nemesis, turning into a gentle mist that drifted down from the sky.

The golden figure pierced through the water mist, its speed undiminished, and appeared in front of Blastoise as if by teleportation.

Wings covered in a faint golden light struck the Blastoise's thick shell... and at the same time, they infused it with a trace of sacred fire.

Playing is playing, and making a fuss is making a fuss.

Phoenix King had no intention of killing this turtle.

Otherwise, Blastoise would be gone if it slapped down with its wing.

"Boom!"

There was a muffled sound.

Blastoise's massive body seemed to be propelled by an irresistible force, staggering backward for more than ten meters.

It finally came to a steady stop.

Although he was not seriously injured, his internal energy became disordered, and he lost the ability to continue fighting.

only……

Blastoise: Camille?

Blastoise discovered that although it felt a little uncomfortable, it didn't feel any pain.

Something's not right here.

How come it doesn't hurt when such a powerful attack hits?

Blastoise looked at the two marks its feet had made on the ground, somewhat bewildered.

The battle is over.

3-0, a complete and utterly crushing defeat.

Shigeru stared blankly at Blastoise, which was standing but clearly had lost its will to fight.

Then I looked at the golden "big-beaked bird" that slowly landed back on the ground, still looking calm and composed.

Finally, our gaze fell upon Ash, who remained silent throughout.

Xiao Mao's pride, confidence, and even his forced composure finally crumbled, leaving only deep disappointment and bewilderment.

Even though I was prepared to accept it calmly, it still hurt when I actually lost.

Xiao Mao's cheerleaders on the sidelines fell completely silent, looking at each other, unsure of what to do.

Xiao Zhi sighed softly and stepped forward.

At this moment, there was no triumph of a victor; instead, there was a hint of regret and concern from a friend in his eyes.

He walked up to the distraught Xiao Mao and patted him on the shoulder, who was still frozen in shock.

"Xiao Mao..."

Ash's voice was calm, yet it possessed a power that penetrated the heart.

The situation in Black Cloud City was so bad recently that he hadn't been in the mood for therapy.

just now.

Finally, I can get a BBB.

At this moment~

It's time for some verbal sparring!

"do you remember?"

“When we were kids, we used to play together in the mountains behind Zhenxin Town. To chase an injured Bobo, you could lie in the mud for an entire afternoon, getting all dirty without caring at all.”

"Later, you were so excited holding it that you couldn't sleep all night, saying you were determined to become the trainer who knew it best and loved it the most in the world..."

Ash's gaze seemed to travel through time, returning to that innocent era.

...Although that Bobo later went to Shigeru's sister.

...After all, Xiao Mao was too young at that time.

"Back then, your love for Pokémon was so pure, without any utilitarianism or showing off."

His words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates of Xiao Mao's memories.

Those scenes forgotten behind the cheers and applause are coming to mind one by one.

Ash's gaze swept over the cool sports car behind Gary and the group of smartly dressed cheerleaders, his tone carrying a hint of indescribable emotion:

"Look at you now... You need a sports car to get around, and you're always surrounded by cheerleaders cheering for you."

"It's really glamorous and eye-catching."

"But this also means that you can only travel on flat, wide roads."

"You missed the rare Pokémon hidden in the roadside forest."

"You missed the magnificent sunrise that you could only see when you crossed the mountains."

"You missed the surprise of an unexpected encounter with a wild Pokémon by the stream."

"You missed the trials and growth that you had to overcome on the journey, step by step, with your feet firmly on the ground."

Ash paused, looking into Gary's eyes.

"Do you still have the same pure and passionate love for Pokémon as we did when we were kids?"

"Or has victory, applause, and the envy of others unknowingly become more important things?"

Xiao Zhi suddenly felt that life was really interesting.

Does Xiao Mao driving a car mean that his life is currently on a smooth road?

—It seems that Xiao Mao has never experienced setbacks.

—Although setbacks are a terrible thing, it is really hard to grow without experiencing setbacks.

But...

Xiao Zhi always felt that "failure is the mother of success" was toxic motivational talk because the premise of this statement is exhaustive.

Eliminating all the wrong answers will give you the correct answer.

But... is there really enough time and energy to eliminate all errors?

Xiao Mao listened intently.

Every word Xiaozhi said struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that any words seemed so pale and powerless at this moment.

He recalled every detail of his trip.

It seems that... most of the time is spent pursuing faster speeds, more spectacular victories, and louder applause.

However, the time spent alone with Pokémon, quietly witnessing each other's growth, is becoming increasingly scarce.

This is not something he would have done when he was a child.

This is not something he would have wanted to do when he was a child.

Gary recalled the way Nidoking, Exeggutor, and Blastoise looked at him.

There was dependence and trust in it, but it seemed... that the once intimate and unreserved closeness was missing.

A strong sense of shame and reflection welled up inside me.

a long time.

Xiao Mao turned his head away and gave a somewhat awkward, low "humph".

He habitually maintained his last bit of stubbornness: "...Mind your own business! You talk as if you know everything..."

"I don't need you to lecture me!"

Say so.

But his eyes were no longer confused; instead, they were filled with complex contemplation.

This is also why Professor Oak didn't rush to educate Gary.

Young people should have fun and make a fuss.

—Picking up flowers in the morning and evening, time may pass, but life should not be wasted... Childhood only happens once.

Children should play wholeheartedly.

One should not give up childhood for the sake of the future.

Is a future without childhood still a future?

—Is a building without a foundation just a castle in the air?

Of course, this is based on the premise that Professor Oak thinks Gary won't cause any major trouble and doesn't have any serious problems.

After all, Xiao Mao is actually a good kid.

If they are too naughty and don't know their place... it's better to educate them as early as possible to prevent them from going astray.

Gary silently recalled Blastoise, gently stroking the Poké Ball, as if making a promise to himself and his partner.

He didn't look at Ash anymore, nor did he pay attention to the cheerleaders behind him. He just lowered his head and slowly walked towards Fuchsia City.

The figure behind him had lost some of its former flamboyance, but gained a more mature and weighty presence.

"..." Many cheerleaders remained silent, but still followed Xiao Mao in their cars.

She's called a girlfriend, but as a hired cheerleader, she can't really ditch her employer and run away.

While using the guise of being his girlfriend, he couldn't actually throw a tantrum like she did.

Ash watched Gary's departing figure and knew that Gary had taken his words to heart.

He smiled helplessly, utterly speechless at Xiao Mao's behavior of bringing a cheerleading squad along.

And Ash wants to say—Tsundere has been retired from the meta!

However, I believe that with Xiao Mao's intelligence, as long as he starts to think seriously, he will definitely be able to rediscover his original aspirations.

"Let's go." Ash turned around and said to Misty, Brock, and the friends surrounding him.

At that moment, Ho-Oh suddenly sent a message to Ash's mind.