"The winner!" Ash said, holding up Ethan's arm
For a moment, People didn't say anything, but then there was a collective, "We are not going to pretend that didn't happen!" From every one of the civilians watching on
Misty pointed an accusatory finger at Ash, "You always do this you-!"
"We," Ash interrupted
Misty glared, "YOU literally stopped a tornado!"
"Yeah, what was that, and why was it kinda hot," Lyra said
Kris pushed her away, "Ok, ignore her. Her opinion doesn't count here, but still, you stopped a tornado I didn't even know that was possible."
People started mumbling and nodding and then looked at Ash, "I mean yeah, my dude, you kinda stole the show, and think of all the ladies you'll get!"
"You be quiet you're supposed to be on my side here," Ash said, letting go of Ethan's arm.
"You still stopped a tornado, young man," a man, one of the judges said,
"Ok, ok, I get it, but counterpoint," Ash said, stopping them, then he gestured to Ethan, "He's the winner,"
"What does that have to do with anything!" Misty yelled
Ash reached into his bag and pulled out a Poliwag plush, and threw it at Misty, "By the way, I was joking. I did get you one,"
Misty's eyes lit up, and like a cat, she jumped and caught it, holding it close. "You know what, you're right. This is more relevant right now," she said as she gestured at Ethan. "The Winner!"
——
After the whole incident with the tornado, Ash couldn't get the attention away from him, so he was also celebrated in a different way.
As for Ethan, Kris, and Lyra, apparently, Ethan was with the other two by coincidence they aren't traveling together. Meanwhile, Lyra is getting trained by Kris while she is also catching Pokemon.
Also, Lyra may or may not have tried to get Ash's number. After Ash didn't directly give it to her, she went to Yellow, who has a terrible problem ... of being unable to say no, so Yellow ended up giving away Ash's number.
Anyway, after that, they all went their separate ways, and the gang started walking, Ash started training more, even though the next Gym he was going after was Bug, he was training his Pokemon, specifically focusing on Scyther and Stantler,
For Stantler, he was trying to develop [Psyshield Bash]. He knew of the move, and he knew the basic concept of what he needed to do, however, that was about it. He needed to create it like how he created [Rage Fist] from nothing, but he was making some progress since he managed to teach the little deer [Zen Headbutt], so he was getting somewhere.
And for Scyther, since Kleavor used the same concept for his training, he was considering just evolving him right away, but he chose not to, well, not yet, he would train him up a little more, maybe go into a battle.
Anyway, he trained others, especially the little ones like Togepi and Dratini, Plus some of the other ones he had, he hadn't forgotten about any of them, he was just waiting for when they would be good to use.
Right now, Scyther was training slashing at a tree with weights on his blades to build up speed, also to prepare his muscles for when his blades were replaced by stone axes,
Meanwhile, everyone else was resting. It was early in the morning today, and it's been a few days since they left the town. They were finishing up breakfast and cleaning up, as Ash was putting the plates again, he noticed someone approaching, thanks to his Aura.
Then, as he turned to a bush in the forest, suddenly, some small and quiet ruffling came from it, Ash called out, "Hey, you there, I know you're there,"
Brock, Misty, and Yellow were surprised. They didn't hear anything for a moment. They thought Ash was seeing things, but then they remembered this was Ash, and then when they looked at the bush, they saw it start to move again as a middle-aged man wearing samurai clothes walked out. Then next to him, a Scizor walked out next to him.
"I apologize. I understand how my approach may have seemed like a threat of some sort, but I assure you I mean you no harm," The man gave a small bow, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Muramasa, and this is my partner Masamune,"
"Ash," Ash said, introducing himself, "These guys are Brock, Misty, and Yellow,"
"It is a pleasure, and may I say your perception abilities are quite impressive, you were able to see us before we even arrived," Muramasa said
"Yeah, well, it's a gift, and let's leave it at that," Ash said as he looked at Scyther, who was eying up the Scizor.
"So, is there a reason you wanted to speak with us," Brock asked, walking forward
Misty leaned forward, looking annoyed, "Yeah, it's rude to sneak up on people you know,"
"My apologies, but I wanted to ask for a battle. I noticed that Scyther and wished to do some special training with my partner," Muramasa said
Ash knew full well Scyther wanted to fight Masamune, but there was a problem: he was outclassed in the highest order. Ash actually did some research in history when he was in Oak's school, and Muramasa isn't just an old man, he is the former Steel-type Elite 4 member.
Ash sighed, "Are you sure this will hardly be a fight? Scyther here was only born a few months ago, and I only started training him a few days ago,"
Muramasa nodded in approval, "I see, so you can tell that I am overwhelmingly more powerful, I commend you, most people your age would go head first, it is foolish to battle a fight you can not win."
Over in the corner, Brock, Misty, and Yellow were watching the exchange, Yellow leaned over, "Is Ash really saying no to a battle?"
"Looks like it," Misty whispered back.
Scyther looked annoyed, but deep down, he knew what Ash was saying made sense even if he wanted to fight, he was told by his father that he should always listen to Ash, he would make him strong, so he had to swallow his pride.
Muramasa nodded and looked at Ash. He could tell he was a strong trainer from looking at his Scyther, and it seemed like he was wise for his age, he smiled, "Actually, if you don't mind, I may have something else that you may be more interested in,"
"I'm listening," Ash said as Scyther walked up, weights still on his hand blades.
—
Muramasa led them through the forest until they arrived at a clearing in the center of the forest with a dojo where tons of students were training with their Pokemon, on the way, when they were walking, he explained the situation with his son, Shingo, he wanted him to see Ash and try to get motivation,
Shingo was the son of Muramasa, and he had a database of every trainer that registered for the league at any moment, any official league battle that was recorded would be put in his database, of course, if he was a normal kid. This would be illegal and a breach of privacy, but seeing as his father is Muramasa, a former Elite 4 member, they had some leeway as long as it wasn't used for official league battles unless given consent by his opponent and isn't distributed then he can keep it.
Since he couldn't use it for league matches, which included the Gyms, he had no motivation to challenge the league; he already believed he could win any battle given the right information and time.
As they walked in, Muramasa was greeted with a bow from each of the disciples, greeting him, "We greet the master!!!"
Muramasa waved his hand, telling them to stand, "Where is Shingo? I have someone he would like to meet."
"Of Course, master, " one disciple said, "Young master Shingo is in the main house, he is researching again,"
Muramasa nodded and gestured for the gang to follow him, as they walked, Ash couldn't help but think, 'Young master, what is this a wuxia story, what's next is there a single female in this dojo who happens to be childhood friends with Shingo,'
__
{Meanwhile}
Abra was sitting in a recliner back in Kanto; she was relaxing, drinking some juice, when suddenly she looked up into the sky, "[I sense a young master is courting death]"
—
"What is it, father," a boy with purple hair said as soon as they entered the door, he wasn't even looking at them, this was Shingo.
"Shingo, there is someone here I would like you to meet," Muramasa said, stepping out of the way so Ash could step forward,
Shingo sighed, "Seriously, father, another trainer, it isn't going to work, I al-" Shingo said as he turned around, ready to dismiss his father when suddenly there the trainer in question was Ash.
Shingo obviously knew about Ash, after all, he was the winner of the Indigo League, so he was obviously in his database.
Shingo: (._.) "..."
Muramasa introduced Ash, "This young man is-"
"Father, do you seriously not know who this is!" Shingo snapped, looking annoyed at his father, "I told you you need to pay more attention and stay in touch with the League news!!"
"Err..what, do you already know him?" Muramasa asked
"Of Course I do! This is Ash Ketchum! He is the winner of the last Indigo league!" Shingo said, "We literally watched the VOD of where his Scizor battled!"
"Oh…I guess I didn't pay attention," Muramasa said sheepishly, scratching his cheek.
Shingo sighed into his hand, "So why did you bring him here,"
"Well, I wanted to show you someone around your age who is capable of battling without your database to show you you do not need to rely on it,"
"Well, don't bother, my database is the biggest formula to win, he may be more powerful, but if I am given enough time, I will surpass him soon enough," Shingo said dismissively
"What, so what is this database you talk so much about?" Brock asked, leaning in
Shingo smirked with pride, "Well, let me show you with this I am able to look through every team strategy and trainer of anyone who registers with the league,"
He pressed some buttons and pulled up Ash's starts, revealing a deep dive in all of his Pokemon he used, "You see here, this shows every strength and weakness Ash has, albeit I have been stumped into finding a reliable way of winning due to his unpredictable nature and his ability to mega evolve his Poekmon, but given enough time I will be able to find one and surpass him!"
"What if he has Pokemon that he hasn't used in a league battle yet?" Yellow asked
Shingo froze, "Err…well, I suppose that might be a small…flaw…but no matter, as long as I can find a pattern in the trainers' battle style, I can create a strategy to beat them!"
"Oh really, what do I fall under then?" Ash asked, smirking as he leaned over,
"Er….well," Shingo said, looking away, Ash was really an anomaly, he had no clear style he seemed to have a different one for each of his Pokemon, which just made analyzing him even harder,
Ash chuckled, "So you can't say you can beat me, can you, you rely on your database too much that you can't think outside the box like I do~"
"S-shut up; my database is only equipment. I am just a good trainer with or without it; it just helps me guarantee victory!" Shingo tried to defend himself
Ash smiled, "Really, so when was the last time you won without that thing because it looks to me like what started as training wheels became a crutch,"
Shingo looked flustered, Ash was right; he couldn't remember the last time he battled without his database, but he didn't want to admit it, "What do you know, I bet I could still beat you, why don't we battle then I'll show you just how strong I am!"
People in the Dojo and Muramasa were surprised, Shingo never challenged anyone to a battle; he just accepted them and then won, but this time, things seemed different.
Ash smiled as Scyther came running, looking at Ash as if demanding to be the one to battle, "Alright then, how about it I'll use Scyther here to make it fair, and you can use your database along with any prep time you need,"
Shingo grit his teeth, "Fine, if you want to be humiliated, I'll use every tool I have, and I'll beat you!"
A few minutes later, Shingo was getting ready using every tool in his disposal, as he was about to leave the dojo, he looked over to a shrine room. He opened it, and there was a Mega stone and a Keystone, his father's mega stone, he was alone in the Dojo, and his father was outside waiting for him, he thought about it and grabbed it, putting it in his pocket, and he walked out.
Out there, Ash took off Scyther's weights and gave him a massage, putting some Aura into it to let his muscles relax and recover from his training.
As Shingo stepped out, he held his Pokeball in one hand and his computer in the other, "Very well, let's do this," he threw out his Pokemon, another Scizor, this one looked younger, in fact, it looked to be around the same age as Ash's Scyther.
"Blade is my strongest Pokémon! He was bred specifically for me from my father's Masamune. His speed, strength, stamina, and potential surpass any other Scizor, He is the most perfect Scizor in the world!" Shingo said
Ash and Scyther stayed quiet as they looked at each other, and they both thought the same thing but didn't say anything.
—
{Meanwhile}
Abra was being held down; she wanted to teleport away, but Alakazam was holding her with Drowzee, "[Release me, there is a young master that is a frog in a well. I must go and explain how shameless he is!]"
—
Ash and Scyther shook their heads as Scyther stepped forward, brandishing his blades, "You ready for this,"
Shingo sat down, putting his computer on his lap, "I'll show you let's get this started!"
"Blade use [Metal Claw]!" Shingo called out
Blade smashed forward, his claws growing and turning into silver claws as he approached Scyther, ready to slash at him.
"Not bad, but how about no, [First Impression]!" Ash said calmly
Scyther dashed forward so fast he seemed to disappear; then he reappeared in front of Blade. Blade was surprised as he tried to slash down, but Scyther ducked then, as he did, his own blade glowed green, and he stabbed it forward into Blade's stomach.
Blade was sent sliding back, clutching at his stomach. He had never been hit that hard before in one hit, and Shingo felt a cold sweat drip down his head, he was frantically using the camera on his computer to try and form an analysis of Scyther before it was too late.
From the side, Muramasa was sitting next to Misty, Brock, and Yellow; Yellow specifically had Pikachu with her as she had him on her lap along with Chuchu,
"Who do you think will win?" Brock asked Muramasa,
"Well, putting all my biases aside," Muramasa said, crossing his arms, "Although Shingo's Blade seems to be a little older and physically stronger, it seems like Ash and his Scyther have the advantage,"
Yellow nodded happily, "Yeah, Ash is the very best, I know he can win!"
Pikachu + Chuchu: "Pika pi!ヽ(^o^)ノ"
Misty was a bit farther back, seeing two big bugs fighting was making her uncomfortable, but she was still watching, "I just hope the battle will be over soon,"
Muramasa looked around. All the students in the dojo were watching this battle. They were all speechless. After all, Shingo had already beaten every person in this dojo, and it was never even close, but he couldn't help but think that something interesting would happen.