Pokemon: Reborn as ash , Make up for your regrets and become stronger

Dratini's figure, shrouded in the light of evolution, gradually lengthened and became larger.

The light blue body turned into a Cianwood shade, and the sharp little horn, which had been like a budding sprout, grew more prominent—resembling bamboo shoots bursting from the ground.

The elegant design now featured two blue orbs on its tail and one on its neck, which gleamed like precious gemstones, adding to its majestic aura.

In general, the evolved Dratini had lost its prior cuteness, trading it for a refined and elegant appearance.

Though it lacked wings, it still possessed the ability to fly gracefully. Moreover, Dragonair could control the weather in its vicinity, earning it the title of "Rain God" in parts of the Kanto region.

"Pikapi~!"

"Togepii~!"

Pikachu and Togepi cheered in excitement at Dratini's evolution into Dragonair.

Dragonair was widely considered the most beautiful form in the Dratini evolutionary line, regardless of gender.

Despite its serpentine figure, it lacked the cold, eerie feel often associated with snakes.

On the contrary, its appearance was imbued with a dignified majesty.

To Ash, Dragonair seemed like a fusion of the elegance of Milotic and the regal presence of Serperior.

In his opinion, Dragonair was no less beautiful than Milotic, despite Milotic being commonly hailed as the most stunning Pokémon.

Dragonair seemed to bask in the admiration, using its powers to condense water vapor into a makeshift mirror.

Hovering in front of it, Dragonair examined itself, turning its head left and right like someone freshly out of the shower, admiring their own reflection.

Chuckling at its antics, Ash held up Dragonair's Pokéball.

"Come back, Dragonair," he said gently, recalling it back inside.

Then, the group set off once more toward Viridian City.

After ten days of traveling through mountains and trails, Ash and his friends caught sight of the familiar outline of Viridian City.

Because Misty feared bugs, Ash decided to avoid the usual shortcut through Viridian Forest.

Instead, they took a longer but safer main road. Before long, Viridian City came fully into view—the first city Ash encountered at the start of his journey.

Arriving at the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy greeted them warmly. "Ash, Misty, it's nice to see you back here! Oh, and you have new friends this time too?"

Ash smiled, reminiscing about his previous encounter here, where he had helped Joy prevent Team Rocket from stealing Pokémon.

As Misty and Sabrina introduced themselves, Brock blurred past them like lightning, suddenly standing before Nurse Joy with a bouquet in hand.

"Oh, heaven must be missing an angel," Brock declared dramatically, offering the flowers to a startled but composed Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy, will you accept my eternal love?"

Nurse Joy's smile remained calm, and with a slight gesture, she revealed her ring finger.

"I'm very flattered, sir. But I'm married. I wish you all the best in finding your other half!"

Her diamond ring gleamed in the light, and Brock's face immediately clouded over, dark music metaphorically playing as his love life took yet another blow.

Misty, Sabrina, Pikachu, and Togepi all sighed in unison. "Typical Brock," Misty muttered.

Turning back to Ash, Nurse Joy asked, "So, how has your journey been? Did you manage to collect the Gym Badges you wanted?"

"Almost!" Ash replied cheerfully.

"Now we're here for the Viridian Gym Badge.

After that, I'll head back to Pallet Town to prepare for the Indigo Plateau Conference."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Nurse Joy said warmly.

"But do be cautious of Giovanni, the Viridian Gym Leader. He's not well-known outside of the Alliance, but he's one of the strongest Gym Leaders—possibly only second to Blaine."

Ash nodded. "Thank you for the advice! Could you please help us check in?"

"How many rooms will you need?" she asked.

"Two," Ash replied. "One for Brock, and one for us three."

At his words, both Misty and Sabrina took hold of Ash's hands and smiled, causing Nurse Joy to raise an amused eyebrow.

"Oh, congratulations, Ash," she teased.

"Youngsters these days sure know how to live their best lives!"

Though Misty and Sabrina blushed slightly, they didn't deny anything.

Ash grinned, accepting Nurse Joy's lighthearted blessing without hesitation.

Joy thought nothing of it. In her experience, trainers traveling with members of the opposite gender often developed romantic feelings over time.

After all, why spend countless days together in the wild if there wasn't something meaningful between them?

After checking in, Ash led Misty and Sabrina to their spacious room, provided specially by Nurse Joy.

He left them to rest for a while, deciding to head to the lobby to make a video call to his lifelong rival, Gary Oak.

Luckily, Gary was at the Pokémon Center on Cinnabar Island, so he quickly answered.

However, it was clear from Gary's tired face and disheveled appearance that he wasn't in his usual "rich grandson" mode.

"It's Ashy-boy!" Gary greeted with a yawn.

"What do you want now?"

"I'm at the Viridian City Pokémon Center," Ash explained.

"After challenging the last Gym, I'll be heading back to Pallet Town."

"Viridian Gym, huh?" Gary muttered,

rubbing his eyes.

"I bet you're shaking in your boots. Giovanni's no pushover, you know."

Ash smirked. "How many badges do you have, Gary?"

Rather than replying, Ash made a subtle, yet smug gesture—extending his middle finger.

The reaction was instant.

Gary's tired demeanor vanished, replaced by outrage.

His memory flashed back to when they were kids, competing to see who could pee farther into the river.

That moment of comparison had scarred Gary's pride forever.

How to say it refer to the hazelnut-sized Konoha Blue Beast and Barrett Konoha Technician.

"You idiot! Why would you remind me of that?!" Gary yelled, turning red.

Ash laughed, thoroughly enjoying himself. "It's just for fun, Gary. Don't take it so hard!"

Gritting his teeth, Gary snapped, "Don't think I'll let this slide! Watch me crush the Viridian Gym with just one Pokémon. And don't forget—Gary Oak is always number one. Smell ya later, loser!"

Laughing even harder as the call ended, Ash couldn't help but think, Teasing Gary never gets old.

Now, with Viridian City before him, Ash turned his focus back to the challenge ahead. He needed to come up with the perfect lineup to face Giovanni, the enigmatic Gym Leader, and win his final badge.

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