Paul stood still, speechless for a long ti.
"Co back, Elekid."
He recalled Elekid into its Poké Ball.
Paul replayed Pikachu's Thunderbolt in his mind.
The sheer power... it was incredible.
He now understood why Ash had changed his strategy mid-battle earlier. Initially, Ash had intended to use Thunderbolt against Starly but then switched to Discharge at the last mont. It was clear—he didn't want to risk injuring Starly too severely.
Being a Flying-type, Starly might not have survived such an intense attack.
"You have your beliefs, and I have my convictions. You're right—there isn't only one way to grow stronger. But I will walk the path I have chosen!"
Paul's belief in his own philosophy remained unshaken.
Ever since he had personally witnessed his brother Reggie suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Brandon, the Pyramid King, at the Battle Frontier, his mindset had undergone a dramatic shift.
He had to prove himself—to show his brother that he was wrong!
When Reggie returned from that battle, he had given up on competing and instead dedicated himself to becoming a Pokémon Breeder.
But Paul believed his brother had made a mistake.
He had to make Reggie change his mind!
Without hesitation, Paul took out Starly's Poké Ball.
"This kind of weakling... I need stronger ones. Go, I don't need you anymore."
He released Starly and left without a second glance.
His next destination was the Bewilder Forest, where he intended to capture stronger Pokémon.
As for Chimchar, Paul had first encountered it while it was being relentlessly pursued by a group of Zangoose.
Cornered on a sheer cliffside, exhausted and unable to escape, Chimchar had unleashed an extraordinarily powerful Blaze ability.
It was the strongest Blaze Paul had ever seen. That alone had convinced him to capture Chimchar—he wanted to control and harness that imnse power.
Strength. That was what he was after.
But so far, he had yet to succeed.
….
"Ash! Tell your secret! How did you get so strong? Piplup and I want to get stronger too!"
"Pip-Piplup!"
Dawn and Piplup looked at Ash eagerly.
"Dawn, there's no shortcut to becoming strong. You have to keep training and steadily increase your level. However, if you can skillfully use your Pokémon's natural abilities and moves, along with strategic planning and factoring in the battlefield conditions, it can give you an edge."
Anabel smiled as she explained. Being personally invited by Palr to beco a Frontier Brain, she had a deep understanding of Pokémon battles—far beyond that of most trainers.
"I see! Then Piplup and I will definitely make it! If others can do it, so can we!"
"Pip-Piplup!"
Dawn and Piplup thumped their chests with determination.
Their personalities really were a perfect match.
At this mont, Ash and the group were traveling toward the Bewilder Forest.
They weren't far now.
Suddenly, a Buneary hopped out of the bushes.
"Mii~mii~~!"
"Ah! It's a Buneary! It's so cute! I'm catching it!"
"Pip-Piplup!"
Dawn was instantly smitten with the adorable Buneary.
Piplup quickly jumped forward, ready for battle. However, the Buneary rely glanced at them before hopping away.
Dawn, still holding a Poké Ball, had been prepared to throw it the mont Piplup won the battle.
But the Poké Ball hadn't even expanded yet—it was still in its compact form.
"It ran away..."
"Pip..."
Piplup, who had already gotten into battle stance, looked disappointed as Buneary disappeared from sight.
"No worries! The next ti I see it, I'll definitely catch it!"
Dawn quickly regained her confidence.
Just then, a gentle lody drifted toward them from beneath a large tree up ahead.
The sound caught Ash and the others' attention.
A tall young man with long hair, wearing a hat, stood up while holding a small lyre in his hands.
"I apologize if I disturbed you. That was not my intention."
Beside him stood an adorable Budew.
This wandering bard was a man of exceptional manners.
In the original storyline, the traveling bard Nando was one of Ash's favorite characters. Now, finally, Ash was eting him in person.
After a brief exchange, both sides got to know each other better.
"Mr. Nando, your lifestyle is amazing! Traveling freely with your Pokémon, visiting different places, and eting all kinds of people—it sounds so cool!"
"Not at all. In fact, I am much like you all. However, I am currently contemplating a choice. That is what I was pondering beneath the tree just now."
Nando smiled gently, shaking his head.
He carried a calm, almost philosophical deanor—not swayed by material things, nor by personal emotions.
"Ash, you're aiming for the Sinnoh League. Dawn, you're competing in Pokémon Contests. As for ... I'm trying to decide which path to take."
Budew nodded in agreent.
"Mr. Nando, you should totally join Pokémon Contests! Your Budew is absolutely beautiful—it would be perfect for the stage!"
Dawn was convinced that Budew would shine in a Contest.
"The Sinnoh League is a great choice too, but Contests have their own charm. It all depends on what you truly want, Mr. Nando."
Ash added his perspective, and both Dawn and Nando nodded in understanding.
Anabel then made a suggestion, "Since Dawn is entering Contests and Ash is competing in the Sinnoh League, why not have a battle to help you decide? It could also serve as Dawn's debut battle."
"Great idea! Let's do it! Mr. Nando, what do you say?"
Dawn instantly agreed.
"If you would not mind battling soone like , then I would be honored."
And so, Dawn's Piplup faced off against Nando's Budew!
"Piplup, use Peck!"
Despite it being her first battle, Dawn maintained a calm deanor.
"Budew, please evade and use Sunny Day."
Even when commanding his own Pokémon, Nando always spoke with the utmost politeness.
Budew leaped high into the air to dodge, then cast Sunny Day.
Suddenly, the temperature around them rose noticeably.
"Piplup, this is our chance! It's in midair and has nowhere to dodge—use Bubble Beam!"
"Piplup!"
Piplup fired Bubble Beam, hitting Budew squarely. However, the attack seed ineffective.
"Dawn, Budew is a Grass-type. Water-type moves won't be very effective."
Anabel offered a gentle, sisterly reminder.
"Budew, please use Solar Beam."
Nando strumd his lyre, his voice as calm as ever.
"Solar Beam takes ti to charge! Piplup, charge in and use Peck!"
"Please fire now."
"What?! Already?!"
Dawn was stunned. In an instant, Piplup was knocked out.
"Piplup, I'm so sorry... But Mr. Nando, how did Budew use Solar Beam so quickly?"
Though disheartened by her loss, Dawn quickly shifted focus to learning.
Ash stepped in to explain, "That's exactly what Anabel ant earlier—knowing how to use your Pokémon's abilities effectively. Dawn, when Sunny Day is active, Solar Beam doesn't require a long charge ti."
With Ash's explanation, Dawn finally understood.
"Alright! I still have a lot to learn. But no worries—next ti, we'll do even better! Now it's Ash's turn to battle Mr. Nando!"
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