"Ash, thank you for helping me regain my confidence. Even though I still lost terribly to you… I've figured out what was wrong with me."
Maylene returned her Lucario and walked up to Ash, speaking with earnest sincerity.
"Miss Maylene, I should be thanking you. All three of my Pokémon had great battles today," Ash replied with a nod.
Then, his gaze turned toward Paul.
Paul stiffened instinctively, expecting Ash to say something to him.
But Ash simply looked past him—completely ignoring his presence.
"This guy…!" Paul's fists clenched tightly. Why do I always feel this strong aversion whenever I look at him?
"Ash, this is for you—the Cobble Badge. Proof that you've defeated the Veilstone City Gym."
Maylene took the badge from one of the Gym apprentices and handed it to Ash.
"Nice! I've got the Cobble Badge!"
"Pikachu!"
"Grotle!"
"Buizel!"
"Gligar!"
Pikachu, Grotle, Buizel, and Gligar all leapt with joy in celebration.
Paul and Reggie both watched, a tinge of nostalgia washing over them. Once upon a time, every time they defeated a Gym Leader and earned a badge, they celebrated just like that—with their Pokémon.
But those days were long gone. Reggie had stopped challenging Gyms, and Paul… had changed.
"Dawn, Anabel, let's go check out Reggie's place. He's a proper Pokémon Breeder now—knows how to care for Pokémon like a pro."
"Oh, really? That sounds awesome! I bet he has a big yard at home! I want to let my Pokémon run around and relax!"
"Mhm~ that sounds like a wonderful idea~"
Dawn and Anabel nodded in excitement.
Reggie glanced at Paul, silently hoping everything that happened today would trigger something in his younger brother. A spark of change.
Shaking his head, Reggie quickened his pace and led the way.
Maylene hesitated for a moment. With no other challengers at the Gym right now, she decided to tag along as well. Despite her dislike for Paul, she and Reggie were good friends—and besides, her Pokémon needed a place to rest and recover.
Paul remained where he stood, motionless.
Today had shaken him more than he wanted to admit.
But the thing that stuck with him the most wasn't Ash's strength or personality—it was that Cyclone Mode.
A move that combined offense and defense so seamlessly—it was unreal!
I have to try it.
But no matter how many times Paul tried to replicate the move in the future… he just couldn't.
Only then would he finally understand why Ash had dared to use it right in front of him.
That's a story for another time.
Paul left Veilstone City, continuing on his journey.
Meanwhile, Ash, Dawn, Anabel, Maylene, and Reggie arrived at Reggie's home.
On a vast field of green grass, Ash, Dawn, and Anabel's Pokémon played together in the open.
"Ash… your Tyranitar and Sceptile… the pressure they give off is insane. Honestly, they feel even stronger than Elite Four Pokémon… and that Charizard of yours…" Maylene muttered in awe.
Now it all made sense—why Ash had confidently claimed Paul's Pokémon couldn't even last a single move against his core team.
This wasn't arrogance.
It was just the truth.
Ash planned to stay in Veilstone City for two days.
He was waiting.
Back when he explored the Solaceon Ruins, Ash had already made up his mind—to dig up Team Galactic's secret Poke Coin reserves, one by one.
And this time? Another opportunity had arrived.
In the original timeline, Team Galactic's Commander Saturn was supposed to appear in Veilstone City.
Using the city's cosmic meteorite, he'd trigger a reaction that would transform that strange cubic device into the Key of the Spear.
Ahem.
Which meant…
Ash was going to steal it—again.
If Cyrus wanted to avoid having another Champion-level monster opposing his plans, he would definitely compromise.
And that meant he'd cough up those sweet, sweet Poke Coins.
In Cyrus' eyes, as long as his dream of creating a new world could be realized, everything else—money included—was irrelevant.
Two peaceful days passed. Ash, Dawn, and Anabel enjoyed Reggie's hospitality, touring every corner of Veilstone City.
Maylene often dropped by as well, sparring with Ash and gaining leaps in strength from their practice matches.
Tonight, Ash left alone.
He didn't bring Dawn or Anabel.
He knew what was coming.
He went straight to the park where the cosmic meteorite was located.
In the original storyline, Saturn would make his move here tonight.
Dawn and Anabel weren't concerned about Ash going out alone.
This was… pretty standard, honestly.
As night fell, Ash was already sitting in the grass, waiting.
Whup-whup-whup-whup—!
Suddenly, the sound of rotor blades slicing through the air echoed from the distance.
Ash's ears twitched.
Wave Aura, unleashed in full, spread out like a wave over the area.
He instantly knew—they were here.
"Commander Saturn, we've arrived at Veilstone City. We're in position above the meteorite. One word from you, and we'll activate the system to disrupt the city's electrical grid."
A Galactic Grunt stood at attention before Saturn, speaking with respect.
Saturn nodded.
He held a small box in his hand.
Inside… was the strange cubic device.
"Understood. Await my signal. Once I confirm everything, we begin extraction. We must move quickly—we can't linger."
Saturn still remembered what happened last time, back at the Solaceon Ruins. That incident had left him on edge.
Before opening the box, he looked around cautiously.
Only after confirming the coast was clear did he finally take out the cube and approach the meteorite.
BZZZMMM!
Immediately, a strange resonance began between the meteorite and the cube.
Click! Clack! Crack!
The cube started shifting.
Within seconds, it transformed into a gun-shaped key—this was it.
Spear Key.
The crucial component needed to forge the Red Chain.
Saturn exhaled in relief.
His hand slowly reached out to take hold of it.
And then—
It happened again.
A black shadow burst from underground—too fast to react to.
SWIPE!
It snatched the Key of the Spear in a flash!
"ARGHHH!!!" Saturn's face twisted in fury.
HOW—!?
"Team Galactic? Long time no see. My Gengar just found me something interesting again, huh…"
Ash's voice echoed behind Saturn.
Playful, eerie, brimming with barely restrained laughter.
The kind that makes your spine shiver.
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T/N:
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