Pokemon : Rewind

After a short rest in the dormitory and packing their luggage, Ash and his friends stepped outside the Pokémon Center to face an overwhelming sight.

As Ash exited the building, nearly every Trainer in the area turned their attention to him, falling silent. The sheer magnitude of the reaction left Ash, Misty, and Tracey astonished.

There were at least two to three hundred Trainers gathered, and the energy in the air was palpable.

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"Mr. Ash…"

At that moment, a staff member from the Pokémon Center approached him with a polite smile and handed him a box.

The staff member explained that the Center had organized a lottery to select the three Trainers who would battle him.

"Thank you!" Ash said sincerely, relieved that the situation had been handled so thoughtfully.

He had been wondering how to fairly choose his opponents from the large crowd, and the Center's foresight saved him from having to make a difficult decision.

"You're welcome!" The staff member blushed slightly, clearly starstruck.

Ash's reputation had skyrocketed after the Wrath of the Gods incident on Shamouti Island.

The world admired his heroism and bravery, with many people expressing gratitude for his efforts to protect the balance of nature.

---

Adding to the intrigue was Ash's rumored connection to legendary Pokémon.

Stories of his encounters with Lugia and the Three Legendary Birds spread quickly, and the mysterious Marshadow that appeared during the event captured the attention of experts worldwide.

While Professors from various regions began investigating Marshadow's origins, Ash himself remained tight-lipped, revealing little about the mythical Pokémon.

Even Professor Oak, after consulting Ash, had shared only its name with the public, respecting Marshadow's preference for secrecy.

This only deepened the mystery, fueling curiosity and speculation.

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Ash reached into the box and pulled out three small tickets. Each ticket bore a number: 68, 133, and 217.

When the staff announced the winning numbers, the selected Trainers cheered, their excitement evident, while others sighed in disappointment.

Despite not being chosen, no one left, eager to witness Ash's battles firsthand.

---

Meanwhile, the media recognized the significance of the event and quickly mobilized.

Reporters, cameramen, and commentators flocked to the scene, broadcasting the event live to viewers across Kumquat Island—and beyond.

Ash's fame had reached such heights that he was being compared to members of the Elite Four in terms of popularity.

---

As agreed, the battles would be 1v1 to keep them concise. Ash, aware of the high expectations, resolved to give the crowd an unforgettable show.

For the first match, Ash chose Pikachu, whose entrance immediately ignited the audience.

Cheers erupted as Pikachu took its place on the battlefield, its adorable yet fierce demeanor captivating everyone.

The match lasted five minutes, with Ash holding back just enough to prolong the fight.

Though Pikachu didn't use its thunder bomb, the battle was thrilling enough to satisfy the crowd.

---

Next, Ash sent out Charizard for the second match. The sight of Charizard's golden tail flames drew gasps of awe and an even louder reaction than Pikachu.

Charizard, true to its proud and aloof nature, glanced around the crowd with disinterest before focusing on its opponent.

Despite Ash's efforts to extend the battle, Charizard's impatience led to a quick and decisive victory, ending the match in under a minute.

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For the third and final match, Ash chose Snorlax.

Though its gentle and sleepy appearance might have fooled some, those familiar with its exploits during the Shamouti Island crisis knew better.

Snorlax faced a skilled opponent, and the battle lasted nearly five minutes.

However, the difference in raw power was evident, and Ash decided to end the match before Snorlax grew bored.

---

Despite their losses, the opposing Trainers felt honored to have battled Ash.

The experience alone was worth more than any victory, and they left the battlefield with their heads held high.

Ash addressed the crowd with a warm smile.

"Everyone, the battles are over for today. I'm heading off to challenge the gym now, so I'll take my leave. Thank you for your support!"

Though some fans hoped for autographs or photos, Ash politely declined, knowing it would be impossible to accommodate everyone.

Respecting his decision, the crowd parted, allowing him to leave peacefully.

However, a few quick-thinking Trainers dashed toward the Kumquat Gym, eager to secure seats in the limited viewing area.

As the crowd dispersed, the remaining Trainers reflected on the incredible battles they had witnessed.

"Mr. Ash's Pikachu is amazing…" one Trainer remarked.

"With that adorable face and incredible strength, Pikachu's a star!" another agreed.

"Charizard is so cool! And those golden flames make it even more special!"

"Totally!"

"And don't forget Snorlax. It might look lazy, but its power is terrifying," added another.

"Yeah, Snorlax is amazing!"

Each of Ash's Pokémon had its own unique charm, and all of them had left a lasting impression.

Meanwhile, Ash, Misty, and Tracey arrived at the front of the Kumquat Gym. Ash looked up at the grand structure, its towering façade glistening in the sunlight.

"Is this the Jade Star Gym?" Ash marveled, his eyes wide with admiration.

"It's so luxurious and grand!"

Misty and Tracey nodded in agreement, equally impressed by the gym's opulent design.

Though Ash was no stranger to battles, the anticipation of challenging a new gym filled him with excitement.

As they stepped inside, Ash couldn't help but feel the thrill of the journey ahead.

Each battle, each encounter, brought him closer to becoming the greatest Pokémon Trainer in the world.

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