Pokemon : Rewind

After putting away their luggage and making final preparations, Ash and his team arrived at the base of the mountain. 

Surrounding the entire mountain was a towering iron wall, designed to prevent unauthorized climbers from attempting the ascent. 

A large iron gate on the southern side, facing the village, served as the official entry point.

The wall had been constructed after a series of fatal accidents caused by reckless climbers. To ensure safety, Navel Gym staff now monitored access to the mountain.

Outside the gate, more than ten Trainers and several tourists had gathered. Many were here to watch the challenges, though some had simply come to enjoy the views. 

Tourists often used the cable cars to reach the summit rather than participate in the demanding climb.

"I already thought this mountain was high from a distance, but now that I'm standing here…" Misty trailed off, craning her neck to look up at the peak shrouded in clouds. Worry was etched on her face.

"This seems too dangerous," Tracey added, sharing Misty's concern. "You don't have to do this, Ash. There are still two other challenges ahead. You don't need to risk the climb."

"Relax, I've got this!" Ash replied confidently. "Besides, if things get too dangerous, I can always call on Charizard or another Pokémon to help me out."

His reassurance calmed Misty and Tracey slightly, though they still couldn't completely shake their unease.

At the registration desk, Ash's decision to take on the mountain climb surprised the staff. "You're really going to attempt free climbing?" one of them asked incredulously. "Hardly any Trainers choose this challenge."

Ash nodded with determination. He encouraged Misty and Tracey to take the cable car to the summit ahead of him, assuring them he would join them soon. Then, led by a staff member, he headed to the starting point of the climb.

News of Ash's decision quickly spread among the onlookers, and a crowd began to gather. Some were Trainers, while others were tourists curious to see the rare spectacle of a climber attempting the ascent.

Ash ignored the murmurs and focused on his warm-up routine. Pikachu stood by his side, cheering him on. 

The electric mouse had no doubt in Ash's abilities, especially with their other companions—and the shadowy protector, Marshadow—quietly supporting him.

"Are you ready?" the staff member asked after Ash completed his warm-up.

"Absolutely," Ash replied with a firm nod.

The staff explained the rules one final time. If a challenger encountered danger, the gym staff would intervene immediately, resulting in a failed challenge. 

Additionally, staff members would follow along on Flying-type Pokémon to monitor the climber for safety and fairness.

"Understood," Ash said.

"Then let the challenge begin!" the staff member declared. Another staff member mounted a Skarmory, ready to accompany Ash during the climb.

Ash took a deep breath, stepped forward, and sprinted toward the rock face. With a powerful jump, he grabbed a protruding rock three meters above the ground and began climbing.

---

As Ash ascended, he found the climb less daunting than he had anticipated. The route had clearly been modified, with plenty of footholds carved into the rock to assist challengers. 

As long as he maintained his strength and stayed focused, the climb posed no immediate danger.

Ash's years of training and regular exercise gave him a significant advantage. He had long-distance running and endurance training built into his routine, making the climb manageable. Within minutes, he had scaled the first 100 meters without stopping.

Pikachu leaped gracefully between footholds, its agility allowing it to keep pace with Ash. 

Meanwhile, the Skarmory-mounted staff member followed closely, broadcasting the climb via camera for spectators below.

At 300 meters, Ash reached a small platform carved into the rock face, clearly designed as a resting spot for climbers. 

However, his stamina was still strong, so he bypassed the platform and continued upward.

By the 600-meter mark, Ash decided to rest briefly on another platform. He looked up, gauging the remaining distance to the summit. 

Though he was more than halfway there, the peak still seemed hauntingly far away.

From this point, the climb grew more challenging. The footholds became sparser, requiring greater effort and precision. Undeterred, Ash pressed on.

---

The next 300 meters were significantly harder, taking as much time to complete as the first 600 meters. 

The temperature dropped noticeably as he ascended, and the terrain shifted dramatically. The steep vertical angles below gave way to a gentler slope covered in snow and ice.

At this stage, the incline was less severe—around 45 degrees—but Ash had to be cautious to prevent slipping. 

Despite the added difficulty, his pace quickened, and he made steady progress toward the summit.

Meanwhile, Misty and Tracey had reached the top via the cable car. At the summit station, they joined a growing crowd watching Ash's climb on the broadcast screens.

"He's amazing!" Misty exclaimed, her earlier worry now replaced with admiration.

"I can't believe he's making it look this easy," Tracey added, equally impressed.

Nearby, other Trainers and tourists murmured in awe. "This guy's incredible," one of them said. "I've never seen anyone tackle the climb with so much confidence."

---

Elsewhere on the mountain, a young man had also heard about Ash's climb. Dressed in a sharp outfit and accompanied by a Nidoqueen, the man stood at a geyser, preparing for the ice ship challenge.

"So, someone's free climbing, huh?" the man mused, glancing toward the summit. He was intrigued by the feat, though he dismissed it as a minor achievement.

Turning back to his own challenge, the young man gave a command to Nidoqueen. "Speed it up! Freeze the geyser completely."

Responding to his order, Nidoqueen unleashed a powerful Ice Beam. The scalding geyser water—boiling at nearly 50 degrees—froze rapidly under the intense cold.

Spectators nearby were stunned. "He's been holding back this whole time?" one of them muttered in disbelief.

The young man smirked. "I guess I'll wrap this up quickly," he said, his competitive spirit now fully ignited. "I can't wait to see how this challenger measures up."

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