Pokemon : Rewind

"Mr. Ash, your match is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock at Pummelo Stadium. Please be on time," the staff member said respectfully, handing Ash his Pokédex and the four Orange Island Badges.

"Tomorrow at 10 a.m.? Got it, thanks," Ash replied with a polite nod.

Unlike regular gyms, the Winner's Cup Challenge didn't take place immediately after registration.

The schedule depended on the chief trainer's availability, with matches spaced out to accommodate the challengers and ensure the arena remained in prime condition.

That afternoon, another Trainer was challenging Drake, the Chief Trainer of the Orange Alliance.

After leaving their luggage at the Pokémon Center and grabbing lunch, Ash, Misty, and Tracey made their way to Pummelo Stadium.

The stadium, situated at the top of the island's central hill, resembled a Roman Colosseum.

Despite its age, it had been well-maintained and could hold several thousand spectators.

Thanks to their connection with the Orange League, Ash and his friends received front-row seats, giving them an unobstructed view of the battlefield.

---

At 3 p.m., under the blazing sun, the match began.

The commentator introduced the participants, and the stadium erupted in cheers as Drake stepped onto the battlefield.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with short black hair, wearing a sleeveless red jacket over a black vest.

Though his demeanor was calm, there was an undeniable aura of confidence about him.

Drake had held his title as Chief Trainer for seven consecutive years, making him a respected figure across the Orange Islands.

He had successfully defended the Winner's Cup against countless challengers, his skill and strategy unmatched by most.

As Drake emerged from the tunnel, his gaze swept over the crowd before locking onto Ash, who was sitting in the western stands. Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder was a dead giveaway, but Drake had already been expecting him.

"Kanto's rising star…" Drake thought, studying Ash carefully.

He had heard the stories—the Elite Four victory, the Shamouti Island incident, and Ash's remarkable battles.

Drake's competitive spirit burned brighter. He was eager to face Ash and measure the difference in their strength.

---

Ash, noticing Drake's attention, smiled and nodded respectfully.

Drake returned the nod, his lips curling into a small grin before he turned his focus back to the match at hand.

---

The challenger, a Trainer from the Unova Region, was introduced next.

He had initially come to the Orange Islands for a vacation but decided to take on the Winner's Cup after earning all four Orange League badges.

Ash perked up with interest. "A Trainer from Unova? I haven't seen many Pokémon from there before," he remarked, curious to observe new species in battle.

---

The six-on-six battle began, following the Winner's Cup rules: The challenger could switch Pokémon freely.

Drake, as the Chief Trainer, had to maintain his lineup unless a Pokémon was defeated.

The terrain was mixed, featuring both grass plains and a large lake.

The challenger's team included Serperior, Unfezant, Liepard, Conkeldurr, Starmie, and Persian.

Three of his Pokémon were Silver-tier, while the rest were Bronze-tier. Despite his respectable strength, it quickly became clear that he was no match for Drake.

---

Drake's team was relentless. He opened with Electivire, who swiftly countered Starmie's attempts to dominate the lake terrain.

Next, he used his Machamp, whose devastating strength overwhelmed Conkeldurr. By the time Drake's third Pokémon, a Kingdra, entered the fray, the challenger was on the defensive.

Drake's mastery of type advantages and battlefield positioning was evident, and the match ended without him needing to call upon his strongest Pokémon, Dragonite.

---

As the battle concluded, Ash's admiration for Drake grew.

"That was impressive. He's definitely a skilled Trainer," Ash said.

Misty nodded. "He's really strong, but…" She glanced at Ash with a smile.

"But what?" Ash asked, tilting his head.

"You're stronger," Misty said simply.

Ash chuckled but didn't respond. He had seen enough of Drake's skill to know that tomorrow's battle would be no easy task.

---

After the match, Drake glanced at Ash one last time before leaving the arena. He was saving his full strength for tomorrow, but there was a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

---

That evening, back at the Pokémon Center, Ash finalized his team for the Winner's Cup challenge.

He decided to stick with the Pokémon that had been with him throughout his Orange Islands journey: Pikachu, Charizard, Snorlax, Blastoise, Venusaur, and Lapras.

Tracey noticed Ash's calm demeanor and asked, "Aren't you nervous about tomorrow?"

Ash shook his head. "Drake's strong, but I trust my team. We've trained hard for this."

---

By nightfall, news of Ash's upcoming battle had spread like wildfire. Trainers from across the Orange Islands flocked to Pummelo, eager to witness the showdown.

Even Lorelei, a member of the Elite Four, made the journey to watch the match. She had seen Ash's strength firsthand and was curious to see how he would handle Drake.

"Drake's no pushover," Lorelei thought as she arrived at the island.

"But if anyone can beat him, it's Ash."

---

As the sun set, Pummelo Island buzzed with anticipation. The battle between Drake, the undefeated Chief Trainer, and Ash, the rising star of Kanto, promised to be a spectacle.

For Ash, it wasn't just about winning—it was about proving himself as one of the world's greatest Trainers.

With the Winner's Cup within reach, Ash's journey in the Orange Islands was nearing its climax.

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