You couldn't buy the services of champion rank Pokémon with money; there was typically a barter exchange for them. Axel didn't possess high-level resources and items to trade. The forest he had at his disposal was unlikely to suffice.
Today marked the day Axel would depart Hakone City. He had come here to heal himself, but he was leaving far stronger than before. Shedinja had reached pseudo-king rank, Charizard had ascended to rare rank, Venusaur had evolved, Pidgeotto had also evolved, he had officially captured Gogoat, and he had established control over the city's military and school systems.
His plan was to journey to Pallet Town and meet Professor Oak and baby Ash. The flight to Pallet Town would take approximately 14 hours, and he had already informed Oak about his visit. Additionally, he had called K and let him know that he would visit the Venu family in three days' time.
Axel had never been good at goodbyes. As he bid farewell to his weeping mother and sister, he made his way to the airport, ready to meet the protagonist of the series.
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Pallet Town, despite its portrayal in the games as a small town, was actually quite large—so much so that it could easily be considered a city. However, for some unknown reason, it still bore the name "town." This time, instead of being teleported by Oak's Alakazam as before, Axel's own Alakazam would handle the task.
The multiple teleports required to reach the mansion left Axel feeling nauseated, but he managed to hold himself together.
Axel opened the gate and strolled towards the garden, where he could hear voices emanating from. He spotted Red, carrying a crying baby, trying to calm it down, while Blue carried another baby who remained silent. Oak was leisurely sipping tea with his two wives and Daisy.
"So, the entire family is here," Axel remarked.
"Oh, Axel, come on in and have some tea," Red invited him.
This was the first time Axel had met Red in person—the protagonist of the Pokémon games. Axel could sense Red's strength as a trainer, emanating from an aura he couldn't quite comprehend. Axel joined them, taking Ash and Gary into his arms. Although they were mere infants, Axel already knew what the future held for them. It felt surreal to finally meet Ash and Gary.
It would be another thirteen years before they could embark on their Pokémon journey. Axel observed Red and Blue playing with their children.
"Alright, girls, take the babies inside. We have some things to discuss," Oak instructed.
Daisy hesitated but eventually complied. Once everyone had left, Oak turned to Axel and asked, "So, how are you feeling now, Axel?"
"I'm doing well, Oak. Why do you ask?" Axel replied.
"You know what I mean. How are you holding up?" Oak pressed.
"I'm doing good," Axel assured him.
"So, you're ready to resume your journey?" Oak inquired.
"Yes, but first I want to visit the Venu family. After that, I'll continue my journey. I already have five badges and need three more before I can enter the league."
"Wow, that's fast. You're just as quick as your father," Blue remarked, visibly surprised. Gathering five badges within a year was quite remarkable for a trainer.
Meanwhile, Oak, Blue, and Red were taken aback by Axel's response. They had expected it would take at least six months for him to recover from the ordeal he had endured, but he had accomplished it in just two months. How did that happen?
Axel proceeded to share the story of how he had established a military and school in his city, purchased the forest, and welcomed the arrival of his baby brother.
The trio realized that Axel had been through a lot in the past two months.
"So, you were successful as a zone commander during the tide. This being your first tide, you handled it perfectly. According to tradition, I will reward you for your successful first tide. Just like I did for Red and Blue. What do you desire, Axel? A new Pokémon, type-enhancing items, or other resources? But remember, you can only choose one," Oak explained.
"Can I request you to provide me with a 500-year-old naturally formed Silver Powder?" Axel asked.
"Wow! That's a great choice," Red exclaimed.
"Sigh... alright, since I have given my word, I will fulfill it."
Silver Powder was a type-enhancing item for Bug-type Pokémon, particularly Beedrill. As Beedrill was about to rank up, Axel wanted a type-enhancing item for it. Nidorino was also nearing a rank-up. Axel had initially planned to request one from the league once his solution for shadow Pokémon was approved.
The conversation then shifted to other topics. Axel shared his solution for shadow Pokémon.
"So, you've finally found a solution. That's great news. Although there aren't many shadow Pokémons at the moment, your discovery will help tremendously," Blue remarked.
Axel also spoke about his discovery of another evolution—Slowpoke evolving into Slowking.
"You've found another evolution? How many more will you discover?" Oak asked, surprised by Axel's ongoing discoveries.
As Professor Oak, he had made numerous discoveries and inventions, but seeing a 14-year-old kid making such breakthroughs was beginning to make him feel jealous.
"So, you're suggesting it could also apply to Poliwhirl too?" Oak inquired.
"That's my intuition, and my intuition has never been wrong."
"Alright then, let's put it to the test right now," Oak said.
"But we don't have a King's Rock," Axel pointed out.
"Boy, you're talking to Professor Oak. Of course, I have one with me."