Sundae stared blankly at Ash. She never expected to lose to him. What shocked her even more was the fact that her grandfather had sent an invitation to Ash, and Ash had outright refused it!
But what surprised her most was Ash's ambition. His dream of traveling to see more Pokémon, meeting more Trainers, and exploring a wider world had left her in awe.
Sundae had never thought about the world in that way. Her ultimate goal had always been to become the best in the Pokémon Research School. She achieved that, becoming the strongest student among all her peers.
But after reaching the top, Sundae grew complacent. She believed her strength was already sufficient and that she was qualified to compete and even win at the Quartz Conference.
The students at the school didn't understand Ash's decision to refuse the principal's invitation. However, it was precisely this lack of understanding that set them apart from him.
After lunch, Ash, Brock, and Misty left the Pokémon Research School and resumed their journey to the Cerulean Strait. However, Sundae remained at the school, her thoughts consumed by her battle with Ash.
The defeat was a first for her, and it was crushing. Her elite-level Karla Karla, a Ground-type Pokémon, had been completely outmatched by Pikachu, an Electric-type Pokémon that should have been at a severe disadvantage.
"How could there be such a huge gap between me and Trainers outside the school?" Sundae muttered to herself. She couldn't understand it. She had battled many visiting Trainers before and always emerged victorious.
"It's not that the Trainers I faced were too weak," she thought. "It's him. He's too strong."
As she sat in class, Sundae couldn't focus. Her eyes were on the teacher, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the battle and Ash's calm demeanor.
"Will I ever have the chance to see him again?" she wondered, glancing at her classmates. They were listening intently to the lesson, yet she couldn't understand how they could appear so confident while being so weak.
---
After school, Sundae returned to her dormitory. The defeat weighed heavily on her mind, and she finally decided to seek advice from her grandfather, the principal of the school.
"Grandpa, why is it that no matter how much theory I learn, I still lost to someone like Ash?" she asked, her frustration evident.
The old principal chuckled softly. "It seems my little Sundae has finally grown up," he said.
"What do you mean, Grandpa?"
"Becoming an excellent Trainer requires more than just theoretical knowledge," he said. "Theory is essential, yes, but it's not enough."
"What else do I need?" Sundae asked eagerly.
"Experience. Real, hands-on battle experience," the principal explained. "Not the controlled, turn-based battles you've been practicing at school. True battles require quick thinking and adaptability. Every choice you make in a battle can determine the outcome, and opportunities can be fleeting. That's the kind of experience you're missing."
The old principal had long wanted to change the school's focus on theory, but the parents of the students resisted his efforts. They preferred a safe, academic approach to Pokémon training.
Ash's appearance had given the principal hope. If Ash had joined the school, he could have served as an example to the parents and students alike. But since Ash declined, the principal realized he needed a new plan.
"Sundae," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "if you want to stand before Ash again, you must grow stronger. I believe the best way for you to achieve that is to follow in his footsteps and challenge the Kanto League."
"What?" Sundae's eyes widened in shock.
"You've already realized that you need more than just theory to succeed," the principal said. "You need to go out into the world, face real Trainers, and earn all eight Kanto Badges. That's the only way you'll ever be able to compete on equal footing with someone like Ash."
"But, Grandpa…"
"No buts," he said firmly. "If you want to achieve your dreams, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Besides, this could be an important step for the school as well."
"What do you mean?"
"If you succeed, it will prove to the students and their parents that experience matters just as much as theory," the principal said. "I've always wanted to implement a rule where only students who earn eight badges are eligible to graduate. If you succeed, you'll be the first to set an example for this policy."
Sundae was silent for a moment, then clenched her fists. "You're right, Grandpa. I want to see Ash again—not as I am now, but as someone worthy of standing beside him. I'll leave school tomorrow and start my journey to earn all eight Kanto Badges!"
The principal beamed with pride. "Good! That's the spirit of a true Trainer. You're the future of the You Teng family, Sundae, and I couldn't be prouder of you."
---
The next morning, Sundae packed her belongings and prepared to leave the school. Her classmates watched in shock as she walked out the gates, her head held high.
"Where is she going?" one student asked.
"She's leaving to challenge the Kanto League," another replied.
As Sundae took her first steps toward her journey, her thoughts returned to Ash. His determination and vision had inspired her to aim higher than she ever thought possible.
"Thank you, Ash," she whispered. "I'll see you again someday. And next time, I'll be strong enough to stand by your side."
Meanwhile, the principal watched her from his office window, a smile on his face. He silently thanked Ash for inspiring Sundae to take this bold step.
"If fate allows," he mused, "perhaps Sundae and Ash will cross paths again. And who knows? It might lead to something more than just a rivalry…"
For the first time in her life, Sundae felt a sense of purpose beyond academic achievement. She was ready to face the challenges of the world, grow stronger, and prove herself not just as a student, but as a true Pokémon Trainer.
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