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What the hell! Can Blastoise actually undergo MEGA Evolution?! No, that's not the point. The point is, you even snatched Blastoise's Stone from me, are you even human?!
This is his ace Pokémon. If it could undergo MEGA Evolution, as long as he didn't run into Ash at the Indigo Plateau Conference, he'd be guaranteed a spot in the top four!
And most importantly… how glorious and attention-grabbing would it be to have Blastoise undergo MEGA Evolution on such a high-profile stage as the Indigo Plateau Conference!
This held an even greater appeal for Gary, but now, such a highly anticipated opportunity slipped through his fingers, and he was furious!
However, no matter how angry he was, he ultimately didn't make such an outrageous request to Ash as asking him to give up the MEGA Stone.
It was still the same old saying: he was already incredibly lucky to be able to pick up the leftover Stones from Ash. If Ash hadn't taken him to watch the battle against Blaine, he probably wouldn't even know what MEGA Evolution was right now.
Let alone obtaining a MEGA Stone.
Moreover, to undergo MEGA Evolution, a Key Stone is also needed in addition to the Stone. Ash said that his grandpa had also collected two Key Stones, and Ash already had one. So, he should at least get one Key Stone, right?
As long as he had a Key Stone, he could slowly figure out how to get a MEGA Stone later.
Thinking of this, Gary felt somewhat comforted: "Take it if you want. Ultimately, you were the first to discover this system. If it weren't for you, I'd still be completely clueless about this thing. But you have to give me a Key Stone!"
"No problem, no problem. I'll also keep an eye out for any MEGA Stones you can use. Don't worry, you're my childhood friend, how could I not take care of you?" Ash saw that Gary wasn't bothered, and the worry in his heart settled. He then patted Gary's shoulder with a magnanimous expression.
In fact, with his current combat power, he didn't lack that one MEGA Stone. But that particular Stone was for Blastoise.
Blastoise was currently worried about not being able to keep up with the others. If it could undergo MEGA Evolution, it would greatly benefit both Blastoise's combat power and its future development. So Ash really needed this MEGA Stone.
If Gary had insisted on having it, Ash wouldn't have fought him for it. After all, it sounded good that he discovered it and had Professor Oak collect it, but in reality, he hadn't given Professor Oak anything. There was no corresponding reward, and he hadn't even told Professor Oak the specific information about MEGA Stones.
Professor Oak trusted him unconditionally and collected these things for him. By all accounts, Ash should have given this MEGA Stone to Gary. But Gary didn't dwell on it and directly gave up the fight for this Stone.
Both of them felt that the other deserved that Stone, but since Ash had obtained it first, Gary was the first to withdraw.
"Let me see what Blastoise's MEGA Stone looks like. I'll remember it so I don't miss it if I encounter one outside."
Facing Gary's request, Ash nodded, then approached Blastoise and had Blastoise release the Stone from its body.
A moment later, a huge, palm-sized gem floated from Blastoise's body. Ash took it and handed it to Gary.
This Stone was transported along with Venusaur. Ash had made two-pronged preparations, ready to have Blastoise participate in the battle against Giovanni at any time.
But he didn't expect that the battle with Giovanni was forcibly changed to a two-on-two, so Blastoise didn't get a chance to play.
Gary took Blastoise's Stone, his eyes almost glued to it. He looked left and right, firmly memorizing its appearance before returning it to Ash.
"Alright, I've got it memorized. I definitely won't miss it if I see one outside. By the way, where are you guys going next? You've collected all eight Badges now, right? Are you planning to head back to Pallet Town?" Gary also asked Ash about his upcoming plans.
"Yeah, I'm planning to go back to Pallet Town for a bit, and then prepare for the next two months of special training. I've been away from home for so long and haven't gone back once. I've also been calling less recently, so I'm definitely going to get an earful from Mom when I go back." Ash rubbed his temples, feeling a headache just thinking about his Mom's nagging.
Because his schedule had been very tight recently, with basically no time to rest, even when he called, it was to Professor Oak to rotate Pokémon. He hardly ever called his mother.
Delia, on the other hand, had called a few times, but to his mobile phone. She didn't say much, just the usual three reminders: eat well, sleep well, and be careful on the road, etc.
Since there were no video calls, Delia always felt something was missing, so she would ask Ash to call her from a Pokémon Center every time they spoke.
But Ash would always forget about it after arriving at the Pokémon Center, and by the time he remembered, he was no longer there.
Delia had scolded him many times for this, which is why Ash said he would definitely be scolded by Delia when he returned.
"What about you guys? Are you heading back to your Gyms?" Gary chuckled at Ash's impending fate and then turned his gaze to Misty and Brock.
These two were the Gym Leaders of the Cerulean Gym and Pewter Gym. Now that Ash and his friends were returning to Pallet Town, where would they go?
Misty and Brock exchanged glances. Brock was fine; it wouldn't be a problem for him to stay at the Pewter Gym for a while, as it wasn't a permanent separation. They would definitely reunite at the Indigo Plateau Conference.
But Misty was a bit conflicted. She didn't want to go back to the Cerulean Gym; she wanted to stay with Ash.
However, such a thing was obviously impossible for her, a girl, to propose, wasn't it? She had her pride!
So she could only wait for Ash's words, and with Ash's emotional intelligence, Misty had already guessed what he would say... "Of course, you're coming back to Pallet Town with me! You still have to help me with my special training!" Ash said matter-of-factly.
They had traveled together for so long, and his journey wasn't over yet. Misty and Brock had just returned to their Gyms to check in and confirmed that the Gym operations were basically normal and thriving.
They didn't need to rush back to their Gyms, so naturally, they would train with him!
This way, when they returned to their Gyms later, with stronger Pokémon, they would be able to handle Gym challengers more easily, and he could further train his Pokémon through battles with Misty and Brock.
Although their Pokémon weren't too strong, their Trainer level was absolutely unquestionable. If he were to fight two-on-one, they could provide Ash with enough pressure and were definitely qualified as sparring partners!
Upon hearing Ash's words, Misty's face instantly lit up with joy, and her head nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick: "That's right, that's right! We still have to train with Ash, otherwise, wouldn't Ash lose his two best sparring partners?"
Gary's mouth twitched, and he rolled his eyes, saying, "You're still striving even at this point. Aren't you leaving any room for those participating in the Indigo Plateau Conference?"
"Mind your own business. I'm taking the Champion title at this Indigo Plateau Conference!"
"Hmph, that's not for sure. Not to mention whether you can even get past me, I know of at least five veteran Trainers who have been traveling for over a year and a half participating in this Indigo Plateau Conference."
Gary blushed a little when he said the first part, but as he continued, his expression also became serious.
The Indigo Plateau Conference is a League competition that only allows Trainers who have been traveling for less than two years to participate. However, in the past, most of the Trainers who participated had only been traveling for about a year.
This year, however, there were several Trainers who had been traveling for over a year and a half, and the intensity was completely different from previous League competitions.
Don't underestimate the extra half-year. For normal Trainers, the first two years of traveling are the fastest-developing two years.
In the first two years, it's very possible that every minute and every second is spent improving strength. As for after two years, it depends more on your talent, resources, and comprehension.
The higher you go, the harder it is to improve your strength. Perhaps in two years, you can quickly train a team of Superior-level, or even Professional-level Pokémon, but in the time after that, you might not be able to get your Pokémon from Professional-level to Gym-level even in ten years.
Therefore, for participating Trainers, the jump from one year to one and a half years actually represents a qualitative leap in strength.
If it's just a Trainer with average talent, that's one thing, but if it's a genius-level talent, then a year and a half might even allow them to train Gym-level Pokémon.
Think about Ash. In just over three months, he already had three Professional-level peak Pokémon and a team of Professional-level Pokémon. But Ash should be considered a monstrous Trainer, no longer within the normal human range.
Even those genius Trainers who have been active for a year and a half shouldn't pose much of a threat to Ash, but for me, Gary, it's a different story!
Isn't this just purely increasing the difficulty for him?
"Trainers who have been traveling for a year and a half, huh... Who are they? Do you have any specific information?" Ash stroked his chin, asking with interest.
"No, I only know that one of them is named Shinji, and he's from the Sinnoh region. He seems to have participated in the Sinnoh League Conference and achieved an excellent record of top 16 in his first competition." Gary shook his head, indicating that he only knew information about one of them.
The person named Shinji achieved a top 16 finish in the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh. For a first-time challenger, this achievement is definitely one that can be recorded in history.
The Lily of the Valley Conference is not a 'baby cup' like the Indigo Plateau Conference, which only allows beginners and novice Trainers to participate. It has no age restrictions; anyone with eight Badges can participate.
Although the title of top 16 doesn't sound very impressive, it's actually not easy to achieve a top 16 spot at the Lily of the Valley Conference.
This one record alone is enough to prove that the person named Shinji is a formidable opponent!
And this is just Shinji. There is no specific information yet on the level of the other participants.
It seems this Indigo Plateau Conference won't be so easy to win... Ash thought silently, further solidifying his determination for the special training in the next two months.
Using Aura Fusion against Elite and Champion-level opponents was acceptable, after all, they were truly not on the same level. Using a cheat was a sign of respect for them.
But against Trainers of the same age and caliber, if he still had to use that move, it would be quite embarrassing.
Therefore, Ash did not intend to use Aura Fusion in the Indigo Plateau Conference. He wanted to win the Champion title of the Indigo Plateau Conference with his own strength!
...One day later, Ash and his two companions finally returned to Pallet Town. Gary and his girlfriends had already returned by sports car ahead of them. Gary had originally asked if they needed a ride back for Ash.
But Ash stated that he wanted to return to Pallet Town step by step, the same way he left!
Gary didn't understand but expressed his respect, then floored the gas pedal and had already returned to Pallet Town by yesterday evening.
Ash and his friends, however, only arrived this afternoon.
Upon returning to Pallet Town, before Ash and his friends even reached home, news of their arrival spread throughout the streets and alleys. The townsfolk who had come out to send Ash off once again all poured out.
Unlike when he left unnoticed, the returning Ash was now a super celebrity!
Even throughout the entire Kanto region, he had quite a reputation, let alone in their hometown of Pallet Town.
Basically, everyone in Pallet Town knew what incredible achievements Ash had accomplished in just over three short months since leaving.
Those various battle records made people exclaim in disbelief!
Now, Ash was like a big shot who had left a humble place, achieved remarkable success, and returned home in glory.
Although Ash's level was still far from that of true big shots, to the folks of Pallet Town, Ash was already the face and pride of the entire town!
Ash had now become the 'child of someone else' in the mouths of Pallet Town parents, and the most admired figure among the children of Pallet Town!
So, upon returning to Pallet Town, Ash hadn't even made it back to Professor Oak's lab or his own home before he was surrounded by a group of townsfolk asking him this and that. Ash could only force a smile and greet the townsfolk with a laugh.
They actually had no ill intentions; it was just that someone from their hometown had achieved success outside, so they wanted to chat more, talk more, and incidentally, ask Ash to teach their children who hadn't yet gone out on their own journeys when he had time.
This fervent atmosphere lasted for nearly ten minutes before the townsfolk finally let Ash leave.
If he were outside, Ash probably wouldn't have been able to leave without using Teleport or at least an hour.
But in Pallet Town, although everyone was enthusiastic, they weren't crazy; they interacted within limits.
They also knew that Ash would want to go home quickly after returning, so after chatting for a while and taking some photos, they voluntarily dispersed.
Ash and his two companions were then able to return to his doorstep.