The days of special training flowed by like a rushing stream. In the blink of an eye, only three days remained before the start of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Ash and his companions meticulously packed their gear and embarked on the final leg of their journey toward the Indigo Plateau.
As they drew closer to their destination, the number of trainers they encountered along the way increased. The air was thick with a palpable mix of tension and anticipation.
"We're finally almost there." Misty gazed at the cluster of buildings visible in the distance on the Indigo Plateau, her voice tinged with irrepressible excitement. "After everything we've been through on this road, looking back now really brings up so many emotions."
Brock was carefully inspecting the Pokémon food and medicines in their luggage. "We have to ensure all our Pokémon are in peak condition for the competition. Especially your Charizard, Ash. It has made incredible progress during the recent training. Is it possible you'll use it as your final trump card?"
Ash offered a small smile, a look of absolute confidence in his eyes.
This time, he was fully prepared. He would not allow the regrets of the original story to repeat themselves!
Pikachu stood excitedly on Ash's shoulder, chirping "Pika-pi!" as if expressing its own eagerness for the upcoming matches.
As they were passing through a dense Oak Forest, a gloomy-looking trainer holding a club suddenly stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path.
Beside him stood a Marowak with sharp, piercing eyes. The thick club it held glinted with a cold, sinister light under the sun filtering through the leaves.
"I am Otoshi," the trainer said, his voice raspy as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time. "If you want to pass through here, you must first defeat me and my Marowak."
Ash immediately recognized the man. In his memories of his past life, Otoshi was a pitiful soul who had fallen into despair after his badges were stolen. Ash responded calmly, "We can battle, but there's no need for"
"The loser must hand over all their badges!" Otoshi interrupted Ash excitedly, a near-obsessive glint flashing in his eyes. "This is the only way to prove a trainer's worth!"
Misty immediately stepped forward in opposition. "That's too much! Badges are proof of a trainer's hard work and cultivation. How can you decide who owns them through a single battle?"
Brock also frowned. "Such a condition is indeed unreasonable."
However, Ash unexpectedly nodded. "Fine, I accept those terms."
"Ash!" his two companions cried out in unison, their faces masks of confusion.
Ash gave them a reassuring look before turning back to Otoshi. "However, I hope you understand that the value of a badge goes far beyond this."
The battle commenced in a clearing within the forest. Otoshi's Marowak was indeed formidable; its mastery of Bonemerang was superb, each throw accompanied by the whistling sound of cloven air.
But the Wartortle Ash sent out was even better after its special training. It didn't just use Hydro Pump to precisely neutralize every offensive move from its opponent; it also cleverly used the environment to its advantage, letting the water bounce off the rocks to create multi-angled attacks.
"Now, Water Pulse!" Ash commanded decisively the moment he saw Marowak retract its club.
The water energy gathered by Wartortle formed a massive sphere of vibration in the air. Carrying a spiraling current, it struck Marowak with pinpoint accuracy.
Otoshi fell to his knees, staring in disbelief at his defeated partner.
To everyone's surprise, Otoshi did not hand over any badges as agreed. Instead, he sat dejectedly on the ground, his voice filled with despair and self-reproach. "I'm sorry... I lied to you. I don't have any badges to give..."
He clenched his fists, tears welling in his eyes. "My eight badges... they were all stolen by Team Rocket! Marowak and I went through so much hardship to collect them. Every single one of them carried our memories..."
Ash walked up and looked at him calmly. "I already knew."
Otoshi snapped his head up, eyes wide with shock. "You... how could you know?"
"Because your eyes are filled with indignation, not greed," Ash's voice was gentle yet firm. "A person who truly wants to rob others of their badges wouldn't show such a pained expression after losing."
Misty had a sudden realization. "So that's why you intentionally accepted such an unfair challenge?"
Ash nodded, his eyes igniting with anger. "Gym badges represent the sweat and growth of a trainer throughout their journey. They record the most precious bonds between them and their Pokémon. I will never forgive anyone for letting something like this happen!"
Ash closed his eyes, and the Dragon God Aura he had obtained began to circulate rapidly within him.
A pale golden light erupted from his body, forming dragon-scale patterns on the surface of his skin. His eyes turned a brilliant, radiant goldthis was the state of Aura: Dragon Vein Form!
"This is..." Misty and Brock were stunned by the change in Ash. they could feel the powerful energy surging in the air around them.
In his Dragon Vein Form, Ash's sensory abilities increased geometrically. He quickly locked onto the residual energy fluctuations left by Team Rocket. "Over there!"
The group followed Ash deep into the forest to a hidden camp. There, they saw James and Meowth counting various stolen items, but the badge case was nowhere to be found.
"Hand over Otoshi's badges." Ash's voice carried a divine authority that demanded obedience. His Dragon Vein Form gave him an aura of natural majesty.
James jumped in fright. "T-T-T-Twerp! How did you find this place?"
Meowth scrambled to hide behind James, his tail standing on end. "The badges aren't with us, meow! Jessie said she was taking them to the Indigo Plateau first..."
"What?" Ash's fury caused the surrounding air to vibrate. the golden light of his Dragon Vein Form grew even more dazzling. "She actually dares to take stolen badges to the League Conference?"
James stuttered through an explanation. "Jessie said... she said she wanted to enjoy the feeling of being in the spotlight... She said that was the stage she deserved..."
"After her!" Ash said nothing more, leading the group as they immediately gave chase toward the Indigo Plateau.
The Dragon Vein Form granted him speed far beyond that of a normal human. Every step he took left a faint golden imprint on the ground.
On a small path leading to the Indigo Plateau, they soon caught up with the traveling Jessie.
Just as expected, she was carrying a bulging backpack, humming a self-composed tune while occasionally stopping to check her hair in a small mirror.
"Jessie! Stop right there!" Ash roared, the dragon's might contained in his voice making Jessie tremble violently.
Jessie jumped in alarm. Turning to see Ash, she tried to strike a calm pose despite her fear. "Since you've asked so sincerely"
"Save it!" Ash cut off her opening line directly. "Hand over Otoshi's badge case!"
"By what right!" Jessie clutched the backpack tightly, her face full of resentment. "We went to so much trouble to"
Before she could finish her sentence, Ash transformed into a streak of golden light and appeared right in front of her.
With the speed of the Dragon Vein Form, Jessie didn't even have time to react before the backpack was easily snatched away by Ash.
"Give it back!" Jessie released Arbok in a fit of rage. "Arbok, use Poison Sting!"
Ash gave a cold snort and waved his hand. A barrier blocked Arbok's Poison Sting.
James and Meowth finally caught up, panting for breath. The three of them hurriedly struck their classic poses:
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Ash snorted coldly, not even bothering to send out a Pokémon.
He brought his hands together in front of his chest. The Dragon God Aura condensed in his palms into a sphere of energy shimmering with golden lightthe Dragon Missile.
"The League Conference is a sacred stage for trainers to display their bonds with their Pokémon. I won't allow you to defile it like this! Take this! Great Dragon Barrier!"
The golden energy sphere instantly split into three, trailing brilliant tails of light as they struck the Team Rocket trio with precision.
They didn't even have time to shout their classic "We're blasting off again!" before they turned into shooting stars and disappeared into the clouds.
Ash deactivated his Dragon Vein Form and solemnly returned the badge case to Otoshi. "Now, it is returned to its rightful owner."
Otoshi took the recovered case, his hands trembling slightly with emotion. "Thank you... I almost took the wrong path out of a moment of despair. These badges record every step Marowak and I took together..."
He carefully opened the box, stroking the badges inside one by one, his voice choked with emotion. "Look, this Boulder Badge was our first victory in a Gym. Back then, Marowak was still just a Cubone. This Cascade Badge witnessed our brilliant showdown with The Sensational Sisters; we spent three whole days studying tactics for that one. This Marsh Badge..."
Ash smiled and patted his shoulder. "Let's settle the score with our true strength at the Indigo Plateau. I believe that after this incident, the bond between you and Marowak will be even deeper."
Otoshi nodded heavily, the fire of fighting spirit reignited in his eyes. "Definitely! I'll see you at the Indigo Plateau!"
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