The Xatu flew away, vanishing into the sky.
"Hahaha, what the heck?! I only beca an Elite Four mber in the end? No way, no way—I demand compensation!"
Barry erupted the mont he woke up, ranting dramatically.
Despite his words, there was no hiding the joy in his heart.
Typical tsundere energy—mouth says no, heart screams yes.
"You saw yourself as an Elite Four?"
Dawn looked at Barry, puzzled.
Her expression seed to say: You? An Elite Four? Seriously?
Barry instantly jumped up in frustration, waving his arms.
Gary also looked at Barry with a bit of surprise.
To him, the title of Elite Four was no joke.
But if what he saw in the dream was real… then maybe Barry really had potential.
Dawn and Anabel exchanged subtle glances toward Ash, both with a complex emotion in their eyes.
No one said much after that. A quiet pause settled among them.
They exited the forest together. Along the way, Barry finally revealed that every year around this ti, a Xatu would fly over Twinleaf Town's "Writing Forest."
This year, he'd actually seen it up close inside the forest, which was why he'd brought everyone out—to try their luck.
They hadn't expected they'd actually find it.
When they returned to Twinleaf Town, the five of them made an unspoken agreent to keep the event to themselves.
anwhile, Johanna—Dawn's mother—was one of the hosts for the upcoming Twinleaf Festival. She pulled Delia (Ash's mom) along to help with the town's preparations.
Dawn and Anabel dragged Ash around town, hopping from stall to stall.
Gary chose to explore the surrounding land to study soil composition. His research interests had broadened lately—he was looking into everything.
Barry, on the other hand, went to find his dad.
Word had spread in town: Palr, the Tower Tycoon, had returned.
Professor Oak was helping with decorations in the festival square.
A few days passed quickly, and soon—the Twinleaf Festival had officially begun!
Johanna took the stage to deliver the opening speech. As a top Coordinator and one of the festival hosts, she carried the crowd's attention with grace.
"Everyone, welco to our annual Twinleaf Festival! This event celebrates not only our traditions and community but is also a symbolic ritual—leaving behind our regrets from the past and looking toward a bountiful future.
To honor this occasion, we've invited a legend of the Pokémon research world—the one and only Professor Samuel Oak! Let's give him a warm welco!"
The crowd erupted in applause as Professor Oak stepped onto the stage.
Following the opening speeches from Oak and other townsfolk, the real festivities kicked off!
The whole town broke into celebration.
Adults put down their work and joined in.
Kids with Pokémon played joyfully in the streets, devouring sweets and laughing together.
Dawn and Anabel had made a pact with Ash—over the next three days, they would try every single food stall the festival had to offer.
Barry had originally wanted to tag along, but wisely decided against it.
As fun as food was, third-wheeling through that much flirting was too much even for him.
Too painful. Too much love in the air.
Before they knew it, the third and final day had arrived.
Johanna returned to the main stage:
"Ladies and gentlen, it's ti for the final event of our Twinleaf Festival—the Pokémon Battle Tournant!
The winner will receive this community-funded Gold Cup, and… an exclusive battle against our own Tower Tycoon, Palr!"
At her words, a tall man with flowing golden hair stepped onto the stage, greeting the crowd.
Palr—nearly everyone in Twinleaf knew his na.
He wasn't just Barry's father, but the ultimate guardian of the Battle Tower in Sinnoh—a trainer whose strength was on par with even regional Champions.
Barry pouted from the crowd.
"Geez, my dad's stealing the spotlight again! Even flashier than !"
Then he pointed at Ash.
"Ash! I swear I'll beat you and earn the right to challenge my dad!"
Ash smirked. "Keep dreaming. That Gold Cup is mine."
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu chirped in agreent.
Ash waved a finger with a relaxed confidence. Despite his imnse strength, he still enjoyed these kinds of local tournants. They were a fun way to relax and bond with his Pokémon.
Dawn and Anabel chid in with smiles. "Ash, don't count us out. We're joining too!"
Even Gary joined. It had been a while since he participated in a Pokémon battle competition.
But make no mistake—he hadn't slacked off one bit in his training.
The Tournant Began.
Ash sent out his Floatzel.
Whatever moves the opponents tried— Floatzel deflected them all with Counter Shield tactics, knocking the attacks back in style.
Then things got interesting.
Dawn faced Barry first.
Barry's Empoleon defeated Dawn's Piplup.
Then Barry t Gary.
Gary's Electivire overwheld Empoleon.
Next, Gary battled Anabel.
Anabel's tagross defeated Electivire.
And finally, Anabel faced Ash.
Anabel's tagross was formidable, but Floatzel still erged victorious.
From the stands, Palr narrowed his eyes with interest.
"That boy's Floatzel … quite sothing. Professor Oak, he's from your Pallet Town, right?"
Professor Oak nodded. "Yes, that's Ash. I'd say his current strength already surpasses mine. Quite remarkable, really."
His mind flashed back to the day Ash left on his journey—when Pikachu shocked the whole lab and everyone in it.
Ti… it flows like a river, never to return.
Johanna's voice returned to the mic:
"And now! For the final and most anticipated match of the Twinleaf Festival!
Our winner, Ash Ketchum, will battle the legendary Tower Tycoon—Palr!"
All eyes turned to the battlefield, where Palr and Ash stood on opposite ends.
"According to my son Barry," Palr said with a grin, flipping his long hair, "you're the one he wants to surpass. That match just now wasn't half bad. Let see what you're really made of—Champion of the Battle Frontier! Go, Rhyperior!"
He tossed his Poké Ball, unleashing the colossal, armored behemoth onto the field.
Ash nodded, raising his own Poké Ball.
Out ca… Sceptile.
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T/N:
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