Reading settings
he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_1087_en
Chapter 195
Chapter 1077: Petalburg Gym, Max
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"A parallel universe."
The speaker may have been casual, but the words struck a chord with the listener. Something new took root in the mind of Red, who had been secretly eavesdropping.
Back when they had passed through the Ultra Wormhole, besides capturing a few local Ultra Beasts, they had once visited a new world. Thinking about it now, it was a complete parallel universe of the Alola Region.
Unlike the original Alola Region, a bustling tourist destination with tropical island beaches, the Alola on the other side of the Ultra Wormhole didn't look too different on the map. But it had been completely reduced to post-apocalyptic ruins, its entire sky perpetually shrouded in black clouds.
The islands were utterly desolate, with no human inhabitants and very few wild Pokémon. Only the dilapidated buildings on the islands proved that this place was once inhabited by humans.
The concept of a parallel universe was by no means unfounded. Perhaps there really was a Hoenn Region out there, one without the Draconid People and no meteorite crisis. Maybe that world had an Ash, too, but not him? After all, he had possessed Ash's body because he'd gotten too close while watching the events unfold, and Pikachu's first burst of lightning had suddenly sucked him in.
It must have been a coincidence, right?
A multitude of thoughts swirled in Red's mind.
"..."
In reality, President Stone was also pondering.
According to Zinnia's account, such a risk was indeed possible. However, this wasn't a reason to halt the plan's implementation. President Stone would only consider stopping if Zinnia could find concrete evidence that this dimensional transfer plan would destroy another Hoenn Region.
"But it seems she also stole a whole bunch of Key Stones and Mega Stones... Can your plan still proceed?" Ash couldn't help but ask.
Key Stones and Mega Stones were both extremely precious items; each one used was one less available.
Speaking of which, he had forgotten to ask Azure Master to steal the stones back from Zinnia.
A thief stealing from a thief isn't stealing.
"..."
Upon hearing this, President Stone's expression darkened, though not completely. As the head of the region's largest corporation, he naturally knew to always have a backup plan.
"It's no matter. I have my own private stash of nearly 25% of the total Key Stones and Mega Stones, which is more than enough for this plan."
He had unintentionally set them aside as a reserve, and now, unexpectedly, they had a use.
At this moment, however, President Stone turned to Ash with a grave expression.
"Ash, no matter what... summoning Rayquaza is still the most reliable solution for now. My plan will only be used as a last resort."
After learning about Zinnia, President Stone's worries grew.
Ash nodded, naturally understanding the logic.
Never mind the Devon Corporation's plan; the scheme that fanatical woman could come up with was likely just as insane, and its cost probably wouldn't be much less.
The next morning, Ash's group of three reassembled. Instead of lingering in Rustboro City, they set out on the road to Petalburg City.
Today, however, Azure Master had transformed into a Swellow with a human face and was now perched spiritedly on Blue's shoulder.
"What a shame, Ash! You didn't come to watch last night. I beat that woman until she was crying for her daddy...!!"
Words flowed from her mouth like a river as she recounted yesterday's battle.
Damn it, it was her big show, but there was no one in the audience to cheer her on and spam '666' on the side.
It was still a bit of a letdown.
She was already starting to miss the days when she and Blue shared a single body. Every time she put on a great show, Blue would shower her with praise, flattering her to no end.
"Heh heh..."
Hearing this, Ash could only offer a forced smile from the side, passively listening to the grand tales of Azure Master's life.
But from the sound of it, that Zinnia character really got taught a harsh lesson...
"Well, hello there~!"
As they were leaving the city, a gentlemanly Old Man who was passing by took an interest in the chattering, human-speaking Swellow on Blue's shoulder and couldn't resist approaching to ask:
"Cute little girl, where did you buy this parrot~? I'm willing to pay ten times the price!"
Azure Master said nothing. She used Peck, sending the gentlemanly Old Man fleeing in panic.
After passing through Petalburg Woods, Ash and his group returned to Petalburg City.
Taking a familiar path, the trio arrived at a location in the northwest part of the city. Before them stood a rather retro-style wooden dojo, built in a neat, square shape. The dark bluish-green surface of its walls appeared very solemn and serious.
This time, however, the outermost gate was wide open, not tightly shut as it had been on Ash's first visit.
Seeing this, Ash didn't delay and walked directly into the yard.
Finding the dojo's main door closed, he simply knocked.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge your Petalburg Gym!!" he roared, stating his purpose.
*Tap tap tap...!*
Soon after, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from inside the dojo, the distinct sound of feet rapidly tapping on the wooden floor.
The next moment, the door opened.
Ash, however, slowly lowered his gaze.
Opening the door was a boy of about seven or eight, dressed in a green, collared short-sleeved shirt and brown shorts. He was a full head shorter than Ash and his companions.
He had thick, short hair that grew at an angle, a precocious face, and a pair of large, black-rimmed glasses.
"Whoa!! Are you the legendary Ash from Pallet Town!?"
The boy with glasses rushed up to Ash the moment he came out, pressing closer and closer as he let out a high-pitched cry of astonishment.
The look of worship and fanaticism on his face was completely unconcealed.
"I'm your number one fan, Max!! I watched all of your battles in the Indigo League Conference and the Silver Conference!!"
Max spoke a mile a minute, giving Ash no time to interject.
But to finally meet someone who recognized him, and a huge fan at that?!
This instantly put Ash in a great mood. He stood there casually with his hands on his hips, accepting Max's admiring gaze.
"So, can I pet your Mega Charizard?! Oh, oh, and what about that legendary Dark Lugia?!"
Max looked at Ash with an expectant expression, then his eyes fell upon the Pikachu on the latter's shoulder.
"Whoa!! Is this the Pikachu that defeated the Elite Four member Karen?! I didn't realize it was so small up close!!"
Overjoyed by his discovery, Max made a move to pick up Pikachu for a closer look.
There were no reports of wild Pikachu living in the Hoenn Region, so this was his first time seeing one in person.
"Pika...!"
Suddenly being held by a stranger, Pikachu's ears instantly twitched, and an electric current sparked from its cheeks.
"Wait, Pikachu—"
However, before Ash could finish his sentence, a thick bolt of lightning had already burst forth.
*BZZZZT!!*
Max and Ash, being the closest, were caught in the blast, enveloped in golden lightning. For a flicker, you could even see their stark white bones.
Brock and Blue, standing behind, had anticipated this and kept a safe distance.
*Thud...!*
After the jolt of electricity passed, Max collapsed to the ground, charred black from head to toe.
But upon seeing Ash still standing tall before him, albeit also charred black, he couldn't help but give a trembling thumbs-up.
"As expected of Ash from Pallet Town... A Thunder Shock like that has no effect at all..."
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"A parallel universe."
The speaker may have been casual, but the words struck a chord with the listener. Something new took root in the mind of Red, who had been secretly eavesdropping.
Back when they had passed through the Ultra Wormhole, besides capturing a few local Ultra Beasts, they had once visited a new world. Thinking about it now, it was a complete parallel universe of the Alola Region.
Unlike the original Alola Region, a bustling tourist destination with tropical island beaches, the Alola on the other side of the Ultra Wormhole didn't look too different on the map. But it had been completely reduced to post-apocalyptic ruins, its entire sky perpetually shrouded in black clouds.
The islands were utterly desolate, with no human inhabitants and very few wild Pokémon. Only the dilapidated buildings on the islands proved that this place was once inhabited by humans.
The concept of a parallel universe was by no means unfounded. Perhaps there really was a Hoenn Region out there, one without the Draconid People and no meteorite crisis. Maybe that world had an Ash, too, but not him? After all, he had possessed Ash's body because he'd gotten too close while watching the events unfold, and Pikachu's first burst of lightning had suddenly sucked him in.
It must have been a coincidence, right?
A multitude of thoughts swirled in Red's mind.
"..."
In reality, President Stone was also pondering.
According to Zinnia's account, such a risk was indeed possible. However, this wasn't a reason to halt the plan's implementation. President Stone would only consider stopping if Zinnia could find concrete evidence that this dimensional transfer plan would destroy another Hoenn Region.
"But it seems she also stole a whole bunch of Key Stones and Mega Stones... Can your plan still proceed?" Ash couldn't help but ask.
Key Stones and Mega Stones were both extremely precious items; each one used was one less available.
Speaking of which, he had forgotten to ask Azure Master to steal the stones back from Zinnia.
A thief stealing from a thief isn't stealing.
"..."
Upon hearing this, President Stone's expression darkened, though not completely. As the head of the region's largest corporation, he naturally knew to always have a backup plan.
"It's no matter. I have my own private stash of nearly 25% of the total Key Stones and Mega Stones, which is more than enough for this plan."
He had unintentionally set them aside as a reserve, and now, unexpectedly, they had a use.
At this moment, however, President Stone turned to Ash with a grave expression.
"Ash, no matter what... summoning Rayquaza is still the most reliable solution for now. My plan will only be used as a last resort."
After learning about Zinnia, President Stone's worries grew.
Ash nodded, naturally understanding the logic.
Never mind the Devon Corporation's plan; the scheme that fanatical woman could come up with was likely just as insane, and its cost probably wouldn't be much less.
The next morning, Ash's group of three reassembled. Instead of lingering in Rustboro City, they set out on the road to Petalburg City.
Today, however, Azure Master had transformed into a Swellow with a human face and was now perched spiritedly on Blue's shoulder.
"What a shame, Ash! You didn't come to watch last night. I beat that woman until she was crying for her daddy...!!"
Words flowed from her mouth like a river as she recounted yesterday's battle.
Damn it, it was her big show, but there was no one in the audience to cheer her on and spam '666' on the side.
It was still a bit of a letdown.
She was already starting to miss the days when she and Blue shared a single body. Every time she put on a great show, Blue would shower her with praise, flattering her to no end.
"Heh heh..."
Hearing this, Ash could only offer a forced smile from the side, passively listening to the grand tales of Azure Master's life.
But from the sound of it, that Zinnia character really got taught a harsh lesson...
"Well, hello there~!"
As they were leaving the city, a gentlemanly Old Man who was passing by took an interest in the chattering, human-speaking Swellow on Blue's shoulder and couldn't resist approaching to ask:
"Cute little girl, where did you buy this parrot~? I'm willing to pay ten times the price!"
Azure Master said nothing. She used Peck, sending the gentlemanly Old Man fleeing in panic.
After passing through Petalburg Woods, Ash and his group returned to Petalburg City.
Taking a familiar path, the trio arrived at a location in the northwest part of the city. Before them stood a rather retro-style wooden dojo, built in a neat, square shape. The dark bluish-green surface of its walls appeared very solemn and serious.
This time, however, the outermost gate was wide open, not tightly shut as it had been on Ash's first visit.
Seeing this, Ash didn't delay and walked directly into the yard.
Finding the dojo's main door closed, he simply knocked.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge your Petalburg Gym!!" he roared, stating his purpose.
*Tap tap tap...!*
Soon after, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from inside the dojo, the distinct sound of feet rapidly tapping on the wooden floor.
The next moment, the door opened.
Ash, however, slowly lowered his gaze.
Opening the door was a boy of about seven or eight, dressed in a green, collared short-sleeved shirt and brown shorts. He was a full head shorter than Ash and his companions.
He had thick, short hair that grew at an angle, a precocious face, and a pair of large, black-rimmed glasses.
"Whoa!! Are you the legendary Ash from Pallet Town!?"
The boy with glasses rushed up to Ash the moment he came out, pressing closer and closer as he let out a high-pitched cry of astonishment.
The look of worship and fanaticism on his face was completely unconcealed.
"I'm your number one fan, Max!! I watched all of your battles in the Indigo League Conference and the Silver Conference!!"
Max spoke a mile a minute, giving Ash no time to interject.
But to finally meet someone who recognized him, and a huge fan at that?!
This instantly put Ash in a great mood. He stood there casually with his hands on his hips, accepting Max's admiring gaze.
"So, can I pet your Mega Charizard?! Oh, oh, and what about that legendary Dark Lugia?!"
Max looked at Ash with an expectant expression, then his eyes fell upon the Pikachu on the latter's shoulder.
"Whoa!! Is this the Pikachu that defeated the Elite Four member Karen?! I didn't realize it was so small up close!!"
Overjoyed by his discovery, Max made a move to pick up Pikachu for a closer look.
There were no reports of wild Pikachu living in the Hoenn Region, so this was his first time seeing one in person.
"Pika...!"
Suddenly being held by a stranger, Pikachu's ears instantly twitched, and an electric current sparked from its cheeks.
"Wait, Pikachu—"
However, before Ash could finish his sentence, a thick bolt of lightning had already burst forth.
*BZZZZT!!*
Max and Ash, being the closest, were caught in the blast, enveloped in golden lightning. For a flicker, you could even see their stark white bones.
Brock and Blue, standing behind, had anticipated this and kept a safe distance.
*Thud...!*
After the jolt of electricity passed, Max collapsed to the ground, charred black from head to toe.
But upon seeing Ash still standing tall before him, albeit also charred black, he couldn't help but give a trembling thumbs-up.
"As expected of Ash from Pallet Town... A Thunder Shock like that has no effect at all..."
(end of chapter)
