"MU! Mu…"
After being sent flying by Focus Punch and hitting the ground, Starly trembled, struggling to rise. But after a brief effort, it couldn't overcome its physical limits and collapsed, unable to battle further.
"Go!"
Seeing this, Ash didn't hesitate. He plucked an empty Poké Ball from his belt, enlarged it, and tossed it.
A red beam flashed, and Starly was drawn into the Poké Ball without resistance. The ball didn't even wobble, signifying a flawless capture.
"I caught a Starly~"
"Pika!"
"OKI!"
As Ash picked up the Poké Ball containing Starly, Pikachu and Aipom cheered in celebration. The fact that their first partner caught in the Sinnoh region went so smoothly was something even Pikachu hadn't expected.
"So cool… not a single wasted move."
Though Dawn was still a novice in Pokémon battles, even a layperson could see the skill in Ash's commanding during this fight.
He made the perfect choice for every situation, using Double Team to create an illusion and mask Aipom's true position, setting up the final, decisive blow.
"So decisive… how does it feel like Ash's commanding skills made a huge leap in such a short time? Has he been training specially?"
It wasn't just Dawn. Even Brock, who had traveled with Ash for so long, was surprised.
No… perhaps it was because they'd traveled together so long, with such deep mutual understanding, that Brock found Ash's current performance particularly remarkable.
Though the opponent was just an ordinary Starly, in the past, Ash would've stumbled at the start, no matter what. He wouldn't have been this dominant and confident from the get-go.
"Hmph, you're catching a Pokémon of that level?"
"?!" ×N
Just as Ash tucked away Starly's Poké Ball, before Dawn or Brock could congratulate him, an untimely voice suddenly came from behind them.
"You're…"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? That's so rude!"
Brock wanted to ask the stranger's identity, but the more impulsive and straightforward Dawn immediately voiced her indignation on Ash's behalf.
Ash looked at the newcomer, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.
Short purple hair, wearing a long-sleeved jacket in shades of purple and teal, his face cold and detached, as if indifferent to everything in the world. His gaze toward others carried only scrutiny.
Paul.
The strongest and most formidable rival Ash encountered during his Sinnoh journey, with a philosophy on Pokémon training completely opposite to Ash's.
Paul prioritized a Pokémon's innate talent, type advantages, and tactical strategies.
"I'm just stating the truth."
Facing Dawn's fiery reaction, Paul showed no intention of retracting his words.
He paid no mind to Dawn and Brock standing in front of him, his gaze fixed solely on Ash, who was observing him.
"Your commanding skills are passable. By all accounts, you should be a decent Trainer. That being the case, you ought to be more selective when choosing Pokémon."
He spoke in a lecturing tone:
"That Starly has a proud personality, but it lacks the strength to back up its arrogance. In just a few exchanges, it completely misread the situation. It has some battle instincts, but it's too foolish. The moves it used are ones most Starly can master."
"What's your deal? So you're saying Ash shouldn't have caught this Starly?"
"It's none of my business. I'm just offering advice from one Pokémon Trainer to another. After all, if you're catching Pokémon of that caliber… hmph, no matter how good your commanding skills are, it's pointless."
"You—"
"Alright, calm down."
Seeing Dawn about to lose her temper, Brock quickly stepped in to stop her, then glanced back at Ash with a pleading look.
Of course, while seeking Ash's help, Brock was also a bit worried. The stranger's words were… odd, to say the least.
If Ash lost his cool over them, things could get messy.
"Say what you want. I'm confident in my choice."
Ash gave Brock a reassuring look, then stepped forward to face Paul directly.
"If a Trainer's ability relies on supremely talented Pokémon to shine, or if only gifted Pokémon can carry a Trainer to the end, then something's wrong with this generation's Pokémon League~ I've always believed that the bond between Trainer and Pokémon can break through any limits, helping each other reach farther shores."
Ash's words were unyielding, outright rejecting Paul's philosophy.
"Ridiculous." Paul snorted coldly. "So you think you can beat me in the Pokémon League? With that weak mindset?"
"How will we know unless we try? Pokémon battles are all about finding out the result through fighting, aren't they?"
"…"
On this point alone, Paul didn't counter Ash's argument.
Indeed… without actually battling, he never would've imagined how frail and powerless his older brother seemed against Cynthia, without even a shred of resistance.
"EL!"
Paul stayed silent, but the Electrike quietly standing by his side couldn't hold back.
Sparks crackled from its plug-like horns, clearly ready to fight Ash.
"Don't do anything unnecessary."
"EL…"
Electrike's fighting spirit was quickly quelled by Paul's sharp rebuke.
Before leaving, Paul gave Ash a meaningful look and left one final remark.
"I don't have time today. Next time we meet, I'll prove just how foolish your so-called bond between Trainer and Pokémon is."
Watching Paul's retreating figure, Ash thought to himself that Paul hadn't even introduced himself.
Dawn, meanwhile, was still fuming, her good mood for the day completely ruined.
"What's with that guy? Acting all high and mighty! You'd think he's some big shot!"
"Well, every Trainer has their own philosophy. It's inevitable you'd run into someone as stubborn as him."
Brock shook his head.
Though he said that, as a Pokémon Breeder, he found it hard to agree with Paul's views.
If there were no bond between Trainer and Pokémon, wouldn't Pokémon just be mere tools to Trainers—to humans?
A heavy silence hung between them, lingering until Aipom started pranking Pikachu again from behind.
Perhaps the ever-mischievous Aipom was the one who hated serious atmospheres the most.