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Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: The Millennial Tortoise

Chapter 24: The Millennial Tortoise

After the match, Ash walked over, slowly helping up the mentally shattered Xiao Ming, and asked softly:

"Have you had an epiphany?"

The Beast Tamer Xiao Ming lifted his head, his tear-streaked eyes staring straight at him.

*Master, what am I supposed to have an epiphany about?*

"There is no real difference between a 99-win Streak and a 100-win Streak. You are merely bound by your own Obsession. In truth, your Strength has long been sufficient to travel the World."

"Shatter your Shackles and go see the outside World!" Ash said in a deep, serious voice.

Beside him, Brock's face was so dark it was practically reflective.

*Master, you sure are a quick study when it comes to copying!*

If these words had come from some Fodder, they would have carried no weight at all.

But coming from the person who had just defeated a Trainer with a 99-win Streak, the statement was imbued with profound meaning.

After lowering his head in contemplation for a moment, it suddenly dawned on Xiao Ming. A single word flooded his mind.

"Indeed."

For the so-called title of a 100-win Streak, he had stubbornly remained in this backwater place for several weeks.

And his opponents in these 99 matches were basically just Fodder Trainers like Youngsters and Bug Catchers. The Increase in skill was truly minimal.

He really shouldn't stay here any longer and waste his youth!

"I've had an epiphany, Master! I understand everything! I'll tear down this Tent right now and set off to challenge a Gym!"

Xiao Ming was a man of action. He was about to command his Sandshrew to use Metal Claw on the tent stakes around them.

Just then, Xiao Ming remembered something and turned his head to ask:

"By the way, Master, you're a man who already has two Badges. Which two Gyms were they? I plan to retrace the great Path the Master has walked."

"Oh, my first Gym was in Pewter City..."

Ash was happy to share, answering casually.

"It was *next door* to Pewter City!"

Brock quickly cut in. He didn't want his younger brothers to face this Sandshrew that knew Fissure.

"Then it must be Cerulean City..."

Ash raised an eyebrow and had no choice but to continue.

"It was *next door* to Cerulean City!"

Misty's expression also tensed up as she hurriedly came over to interrupt.

The Cerulean Gym was arguably the weakest of the weak right now. She didn't want her Sister to get schooled by this Beast Tamer.

If it weren't for that peculiar Round-faced Pikachu, she didn't even think Ash could have won so easily.

Hearing this, Ash frowned. If he couldn't mention Pewter City or Cerulean City, then there was only one city left...

Brock suddenly clapped his hands. "Right, it was Viridian City! The Viridian Gym there was Ash's first Gym."

Misty chimed in with a grin. "That's right. And Viridian City is famously the weakest Gym in the Kanto Region, perfect for a Newcomer to challenge from scratch and gain some confidence."

Xiao Ming didn't doubt them. He quickly dismantled his tent-gym, packed up all his Pokemon gear, and prepared to set off to challenge the Viridian Gym.

*The weakest Gym, huh?*

*Hmph, right now, I really do need to find a Sandbag to rebuild my confidence.*

Shouldering his huge Backpack, Xiao Ming suddenly turned his head just before leaving and asked:

"By the way, Master, what's your Name?"

Ash: "!"

A dead end.

If he tried to explain now that he was the real Ash from Pallet Town and that someone had just impersonated him, wouldn't that sound incredibly lame?

*Damn it, that Gary! He even planned for this step!*

After a long, conflicted moment, Ash finally gave his answer.

"I am the man who will become the Pokémon Master. You can just call me Master in advance."

Brock and Misty: "..."

"Okay, Master! I'm off to challenge the Viridian Gym and regain my confidence!"

Xiao Ming strode off toward Viridian City, his face filled with supreme confidence, looking incredibly spirited and proud!

His future was full of infinite possibilities!

Postscript.

From that day on, the figure known as Xiao Ming was never seen again in the Pokemon world...

Soon, the trio continued on their way.

After crossing the empty Rocky Area, they arrived in a Forest.

"O-ddish~"

A Pokemon with grass growing on its upper body and blue limbs on its lower half suddenly leaped out of a bush, blocking the trio's path.

"Pokedex Beep. Oddish, the Grass Pokémon. It roots itself in fertile soil and recovers Stamina using moonlight."

The Pokedex automatically reported.

Ash, however, frowned and couldn't help but pat his Pokedex.

*Is it broken?*

Misty's face lit up with joy. She pushed him aside and prepared to throw a Poké Ball.

"Is that an Oddish? I've decided to Catch it~!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Aren't you all about the Blue Will? Why are you trying to catch a Grass-type Pokemon!"

Ash quickly complained.

He was currently in need of a Grass-type Pokemon.

Not counting that absurd Round-faced Pikachu, he only had three Pokemon on him.

Ash wanted to catch a few more to fill out his roster before reaching Vermilion City.

Misty wasn't annoyed. She pointed at Oddish's lower body.

"Are you blind? Isn't this the standard Blue Will?"

Ash: "?"

Misty whipped out her Poké Ball. "I choose you, Starmie! Use Rapid Spin!"

"Hyaah!"

Starmie spun rapidly as it charged forward. The force was far too great for this Oddish to withstand.

*Swish-thump!!*

Oddish's small body was sent flying a great distance.

"One more hit! Use Swift!!"

"Pew pew pew..."

The ejected yellow stars shattered against Oddish's body.

After just two hits, the latter was already in a Flickering Candle in the Wind (Metaphor for Near Defeat).

"Now's the chance! Poké Ball, go!"

Misty's eyes shone brightly. She took out an empty Poké Ball, about to throw it.

Her sequence of Skills was as smooth as flowing water, a perfect execution!

*Swish-thwack!*

But a green Long Whip suddenly shot out from the bushes behind, accurately swatting the Poké Ball away.

"Who was that? You think Poké Balls are free?"

Her Capture having failed, Misty couldn't help but complain.

The bushes rustled, and another Pokemon emerged, positioning itself protectively in front of the Oddish.

It had a green body, walked on four limbs, and carried a giant green garlic bulb on its back.

An old acquaintance, Bulbasaur!

"Saur... saur..."

Bulbasaur let out a low growl, revealing a determined look in its eyes. The meaning it wanted to convey was simple.

Don't even think about laying a finger on Oddish!

Ash's eyes, however, lit up. He quickly aimed his Pokedex at it.

"Pokedex Beep. Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. Half-meat, half-vegetable, comes with its own barbecue seasoning."

Listening to the Pokedex's emotionless, mechanical voice, Ash felt an inexplicable sense of relief. It seemed the world wasn't ending just yet.

*Good, as long as it isn't broken.*

Bulbasaur used Vine Whip again, instantly tying up Starmie from head to toe in a tight knot.

*Crash-thump!!*

Then, with a powerful push from its four limbs, it launched a Tackle. The gem on Starmie's chest was already beeping frantically.

"What a strong Bulbasaur!" Ash exclaimed in awe.

His interest was immediately piqued. Before he started his journey, Ash had fantasized about receiving one of the normal Starter Pokémon Trio.

Although getting a slightly off-kilter Electric Mouse wasn't bad, it would be even better if he could fulfill his original wish now.

Without a second thought, it was his turn to push Misty aside and send out one of his top three generals.

"I choose you, Pidgeotto!!"

Flying Type has a Type Advantage over Grass Type. This one was in the bag!

"Pidgeotto, use Gust!"

"Pidgeo-tto~!!"

Pidgeotto cried out as it soared into the sky, flapping its wings fiercely and whipping up a howling gale.

Yet, facing a hurricane that had a Type Advantage, the Bulbasaur stood as unshakable as a mountain.

Its four limbs gripped the Ground firmly. It proceeded to Sink Qi to Dantian, taking a deep breath of pure Air, its chin and belly swelling to a huge arc that pressed against the ground.

*Pffffft!!!*

The next second, an Air Current that was in no way inferior to Gust blasted from Bulbasaur's mouth.

*Whoooosh...!!*

The two whirlwinds collided and battered against each other, before finally canceling each other out and dissipating into the Air.

Ash's face darkened. "Good grief, is this a Flying-type Bulbasaur?"

Brock and Misty: "..."

*It's probably just really powerful lungs, right...?*

"If a ranged Attack won't work, let's try melee! Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!"

Pidgeotto nodded. Its body was enveloped in a White Light, its Speed skyrocketed, and it charged toward its target with its sharp beak raised.

"Saur!"

This time, Bulbasaur extended two vines, lashing them mercilessly at the Ground beneath its feet.

Using the recoil, its body suddenly leaped up to dodge the Quick Attack.

Its Offensive didn't stop there. While in Mid-air, it flipped to adjust its posture.

The two vines at its sides whipped out once more, poised to give Pidgeotto a binding-package deal as well.

"Pidgeotto! Look out!"

Ash cried out instinctively.

This Bulbasaur's Battle sense seemed a little too high.

*Swoosh-thwip!!*

The Vine Whip whistled through the air, heading straight for Pidgeotto to entangle it.

"Pidgeo-tto!"

But the vines merely passed through it. Pidgeotto's form, like a bubble, vanished into an Afterimage.

The Vine Whip hit nothing.

In the next second, Pidgeotto's figure had already appeared phantom-like directly below Bulbasaur.

"That Move again..."

Misty was the first to react.

Back then, Pidgeotto had used this exact Move to evade her Starmie's Hydro Pump and suddenly appear from another side.

This Move, it seems to be a... a skill?

"Pokedex Beep. Pidgeotto has learned a new Move: Aerial Ace!"

The Pokedex provided a helpful tip.

Hearing this, Ash was overjoyed. He seized the opportunity, and with a grand wave of his hand, he roared:

"Go, Pidgeotto, use Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeotto's beak was now covered in a sharp White Light. From a ghostly, tricky angle, it directly launched the blindsided Bulbasaur into Mid-air.

Aerial Ace was Super Effective!

Ash immediately pressed his advantage. "The final blow, use Gust!!"

Pidgeotto flapped its wings, once again whipping up a powerful cyclone.

The last time, Bulbasaur had needed all four limbs on the ground to unleash such powerful lung capacity.

Now, suspended in Mid-air, it was completely unable to use its wind-blowing technique again.

*Whoooosh!!*

The powerful whirlwind scored a direct hit!

Bulbasaur's body shot backward like a cannonball until it slammed into a giant tree and stopped, its eyes already spinning.

"I choose you, Poké Ball!!"

Ash threw the Poké Ball like a baseball pitcher. A flash of red light later, Bulbasaur was sucked inside.

"Clink... clink... click!"

After a moment, the Poké Ball stopped shaking.

"Yeah! I caught a Bulbasaur!"

Ash rushed over excitedly to pick up the Poké Ball, while his other arm hugged today's great hero, Pidgeotto.

"Your Aerial Ace was so cool! Go, Pidgeotto!!"

Pidgeotto chirped loudly and flapped its wings, playing along.

It was just... what did 'Go' mean?

Although I am indeed a 'beau', there's no need to say it out loud, right?

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