"All life, when it encounters other life, will inevitably give birth to new relationships!"
In National Park, Cynthia, while finishing her ice cream, gently caressed a broken stone sculpture with her delicate hand, murmuring in a voice only she could hear.
Champion Cynthia appearing so openly in a famous scenic spot in the park naturally attracted the attention of many Trainers.
This also included Ash and his two companions, who had been following behind Cynthia.
"Viewing up close, Champion Miss feels even more beautiful! I wish I could turn into melted ice cream and enter her heart!"
Brock once again transformed into the terrifying creature known as a pervert, speaking somewhat foolishly.
"Then Brock, you'd better not look. I estimate, if you look again, you'll…"
Looking at the disheveled Brock next to him, he couldn't help but retort, and silently took a step forward, putting some distance between himself and Brock.
"Exactly~ Brock, you'd better melt away quickly!" The girl rolled her beautiful eyes, then silently stood in front of Brock with Ash.
Joyfully admiring the beautiful face of her idol, Cynthia.
And Brock, who was in his'state,' seemed not to have heard anything, still wearing a perverted expression.
Just as Ash and Dawn were complaining about Brock, a familiar voice suddenly reached their ears.
Immediately after, a familiar figure walked towards Cynthia, with short purple hair and an eternally expressionless face—it was Paul, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.
"Hello, Champion Miss!"
Cynthia, who had just finished her ice cream cone and was about to leave, turned her head and saw Paul in front of her, as well as… the young man with Pikachu—Ash—who had appeared behind her at some point.
She was quite curious about Ash, who had defeated Saturn with Pikachu and saved Baiyang Town.
So curious that…
"Hello, I am Paul from Veilstone City. Please have a Pokémon battle with me!"
Before she could think further, a cold voice interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the purple-haired young man in front of her.
A playful smile couldn't help but appear on Cynthia's lips, who had just finished her dessert.
And the crowd present was also stirred by Paul's overambitious challenge.
"Damn it, how dare he challenge the beautiful Champion Cynthia!"
"Who does he think he is, actually daring to challenge the Champion!"
"Heh heh, what an overestimating fellow~"
…
Everyone held negative opinions towards Paul, harboring great malice against Paul for challenging Cynthia!
Even the fangirl Dawn and the perverted Brock were slightly stunned.
"It's been a long time since I've received a battle request outside. Are you a Trainer challenging the Shinō League?"
"Yes!" Paul was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Cynthia asked this, but still responded honestly.
"I see!" Cynthia stepped down, walking to Paul's opposite side: "It seems you must have experienced other Leagues, so I accept your request!"
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, appearing quite amiable.
Such an unexpected response shocked the Trainers who had come to witness, and even Dawn and Brock didn't understand why Cynthia would agree to Paul's request.
Although Ash also didn't understand, he and Pikachu watched intently, eager to see Garchomp's strength firsthand.
"Thank you very much!" Seeing that Cynthia had really agreed, Paul politely bowed in thanks, "Can we use six Pokémon?"
"No problem!"
Cynthia tucked a strand of her soft long hair behind her ear, a confident smile appearing on her exquisite and charming face, as she lightly tossed the Poké Ball she already held in her hand.
"Soar through the sky, Garchomp!"
"Yaa~"
With a flash of red light, Garchomp, whose appearance resembled a shark, made a grand entrance.
And Dawn also took out her pokedex to scan it at this moment:
"Garchomp, the Mach Pokémon, habitually folds its body; when it spreads its wings, it flies at supersonic speed like a jet!"
Just hearing the description from the pokedex made people realize Garchomp's power.
As a result, Paul actually imitated a certain master of inverse types, sending out the Fire-type Chimchar right from the start, astonishing everyone present.
"It's Chimchar~" Cynthia's expression was surprised, but looking at Paul's cold face, she didn't think much further, "In that case, you go first, Paul!"
"Hm!" But he was also unceremonious, and began to give commands.
The subsequent content was naturally Paul's gauntlet battle; Chimchar, Weavile, and Murkrow successively lost their ability to battle.
And Paul revealed a slight smile, sending out his ace, Torterra.
Taking advantage of Garchomp's paralysis due to the side effect of Ultimate Impact, Torterra first used Giga Drain to forcefully drain a large amount of Garchomp's stamina.
Immediately after, it used the ultimate move of a Grass-type final evolution starter—Harden Plant (Frenzy Plant)—attempting to finish off Garchomp, which had lost most of its stamina.
If Paul had targeted some weaker Elite, there might indeed have been some possibility.
But unfortunately, he chose the most powerful Cynthia.
The vines from Harden Plant were directly blocked by Garchomp's twin scythes, and it instantly defeated Torterra with a single Brick Break, directly teaching Paul a lesson.
"…"
Seeing Torterra defeated so cleanly, Paul was silent for a moment, then decisively conceded, choosing not to continue the battle.
And Paul's actions naturally drew boos, with the onlookers mocking Paul's overambitious behavior.
Such an ugly scene, even Dawn, who found Paul displeasing, couldn't bear to listen anymore.
But Paul still maintained his expressionless face, completely unaffected by the passersby.
He glanced at Ash, who was with Pikachu, then turned and walked away on his own, preparing to leave the area.
However, before he had taken a few steps, Ash's voice reached his ears.
"The Pokémon Center isn't in that direction, Paul!"
Seeing Paul's cold demeanor again, he couldn't bear to see those Pokémon get hurt, so he spoke up decisively.
"None of your business!" Ash's advice made Paul pause, then after a moment of hesitation, he continued to walk forward.
"Paul, Ash-kun is right!"
This time it was Cynthia who spoke, forcing Paul, who respected the strong, to stop.
"Taking injured Pokémon to the Pokémon Center is the responsibility of every Trainer!" Cynthia's tone became a bit more severe.
"Yes!"
After a few seconds of silence, Paul finally had no choice but to agree, turning his head and walking towards the Pokémon Center.
Everyone silently followed behind Paul.
"Ash, how do you know Champion Miss?" Along the way, Dawn watched Cynthia warily, questioning Ash.
"This, Dawn, you have to believe me, I really don't know Champion Miss!" The way Cynthia was addressed also confused Ash.
"Interesting~"
The girl's nervous demeanor made Cynthia pause slightly, a hint of wariness in her eyes, bringing a meaningful smile to Cynthia's exquisite and charming face.
But this posture made the girl instantly agitated, ignoring even Cynthia, her newly recognized idol, and constantly questioning Ash.
Making him truly unable to express his bitterness.
He was very confident that this was his first meeting with Cynthia, and he didn't understand why she could call out his name.
Unless… there was an informant!
Moreover, this also made him realize that this Champion Miss had quite a mischievous side, not coming out to explain, but deliberately teasing Dawn.