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The journey toward Eterna City felt lighter with the Coal Badge securely in Ash's case. However, their immediate destination had shifted slightly. The Wallace Cup—a prestigious event named after the Hoenn Champion—was set to take place in Floaroma Town. For Dawn, this was a massive opportunity to redeem her recent semi-final loss, and the trio agreed to take the scenic route through the floral plains to get there.
"Speaking of which, Roark really is a class act!" Dawn said, walking backward as she watched Ash and Brock. Her blue eyes sparkled with a mix of admiration and lingering spite. "Even after you crushed his Tyranitar, Ash, he didn't hold a grudge. He even gave you that Aerodactyl! Compare that to a certain ungrateful person we know..."
Ash offered a half-smile but stayed silent. He knew exactly who she meant. Paul's cold indifference toward his own Pokémon's well-being was the polar opposite of the respect shared between Ash and the Oreburgh Gym Leader. It was clear Dawn wouldn't be forgiving Paul anytime soon; the "vengeance of a young girl" was proving to be a long-term status effect.
"Actually, Brock," Ash said, turning to his friend, "sending Aerodactyl back to Professor Oak was the right call, don't you think?"
"Definitely," Brock nodded. "A newly revived ancient Pokémon is a handful. It needs specialized dietary conditioning and a lot of space to burn off that prehistoric aggression."
Dawn's ears perked up. "Professor Oak? You mean the one from the Pokémon Senryu poems? I've always wanted to meet him!"
The Chaos at Oak's Laboratory
While the trio chatted, thousands of miles away in Pallet Town, Professor Oak's peaceful afternoon had been effectively deleted.
Ash's Aerodactyl hadn't taken well to the "friendly" atmosphere of the laboratory. It had emerged from its Poké Ball in a state of primitive fury, snapping its jaws at the Bulbasaur in the garden and attempting to turn the Professor's research equipment into scrap metal.
"Old friend, give it a gentle reminder!" Oak shouted.
His Dragonite—a veteran that had seen more battles than most Champions—didn't even look stressed. It intercepted the Aerodactyl mid-lunge with a crackling Thunder Punch. The impact was surgical; the ancient flyer was knocked out instantly, slumping into a pile of coal dust.
"Hehehe!" Professor Oak chuckled, adjusting his lab coat as he approached the unconscious fossil. "Since you've decided to redesign my lobby, you can pay me back with a few medical scans. Let's see what those ancient muscles are made of!"
Dragonite sat its rotund body down with a heavy thud, watching its master work with the bored expression of a long-term accomplice.
Ash's New Ambition
Back in Sinnoh, the trio reached a lush, open plain perfect for an extended break. Ash released all six of his Pokémon, but he didn't join them for the usual physical drills. Instead, he pulled out a thick, leather-bound volume: The Comprehensive Guide to Pokémon Nutrition, compiled by Brock.
"Things are changing," Brock whispered to himself, watching Ash meticulously weigh out berries and supplements.
When Ash first asked to learn the "Breeder's Path," Brock had nearly dropped his skillet. Ash Ketchum—the boy who usually prioritized Iron Tail over iron intake—wanted to learn how to cook? But the look in Ash's eyes was serious. He was preparing for the day they would eventually go their separate ways.
"It's the final seasoning," Ash muttered, carefully adding a tomato-based extract. "Pikachu likes the acidity."
He stirred the mixture until it solidified into nutrient-dense chunks. Dawn, ever the curious observer, leaned in close.
"Let me see... can I taste it?" Before Ash could stop her, she popped a piece of the Pokémon food into her mouth. Her face instantly scrunched into a tight knot. "Hiss! So sour!"
"Idiot!" Ash barked, though his tone was more amused than angry. "Pokémon have entirely different taste buds than humans. That's a high-concentrate blend for Electric types. It's supposed to be acidic!"
"Blech... sorry!" Dawn stuck out her pink tongue, looking so genuinely apologetic that Ash couldn't find the heart to keep scolding her.
"Hehehe!" Dawn laughed, the sour taste already fading.
Ash shook his head and turned back to his bowl. He wasn't just training for the next badge; he was learning how to be the backbone of his own team. The "Narrative Architect" knew that a Master isn't just someone who wins battles—it's someone who knows exactly what fuels the fire.
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