Pokemon : Rewind

Charizard's ability to control its power was exceptional. Even while using Flamethrower, it maintained precise control, ensuring the flames didn't completely melt the ice structure. Its delicate technique left the icicles intact and ready for further shaping.

On the other side, Danny directed his three Pokémon to modify the ice ship as quickly as possible. A quick glance at Ash's progress caused his expression to shift noticeably.

Charizard had already carved the rough shape of the ice boat with ease. A small, concentrated flame danced from its mouth, carefully melting the ice to form a smooth groove for passengers.

In just over ten seconds, Charizard completed an ice ship almost identical to the model on the wooden sign. Meanwhile, Danny's Pokémon had only managed to outline their boat.

"So fast!" Danny was astonished by Charizard's incredible control. The precision and skill demonstrated were unlike anything he had ever seen.

From the sidelines, Misty and Tracey erupted into cheers. Ash had clearly completed the challenge first. With two points secured, he had officially passed the Navel Gym challenge!

The crowd watching the competition broke into applause, celebrating Ash's victory.

"I lost…" Danny muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. Accepting defeat, he instructed his Pokémon to stop. Continuing would serve no purpose.

Danny stepped forward, retrieving a badge from his pocket. It was crafted from a white shell, shaped like a clam, and adorned with a small, light green gemstone at its center. The badge shimmered beautifully under the sunlight.

"Thank you," Ash said, accepting the Sea-Ruby Badge with a respectful nod. He carefully placed it in his badge case, securing another step toward his ultimate goal.

Though disappointed he couldn't compete in the final challenge, Danny accepted the outcome gracefully.

Ash, however, remained curious about the ice boats. After consulting with Danny on how to use them, he, Misty, and Tracey decided to take their newly made vessel for a ride. 

With Charizard escorting them, they set off from the summit for an exhilarating slide down the mountain.

"Ahhh!" Misty, seated at the front and holding Togepi tightly, screamed as the boat raced downhill. Her position at the front made the ride feel far more thrilling—and terrifying—than for anyone else.

Ash sat comfortably in the middle, while Tracey held onto the rear. Though not as exciting as Misty's seat, the ride still delivered plenty of adrenaline for them.

The downhill route differed from the climb. The other side of the mountain featured a smoother slope with fewer obstacles.

The path, clearly maintained for safety, provided a fast and thrilling ride. In just a few minutes, the group descended from the snow-covered peak to the mountain's base. The boat finally slowed and came to a smooth stop without any accidents.

"That was amazing!" Misty exclaimed, her earlier fear replaced with excitement. "At first, I was terrified, but it ended up being so much fun!"

"Absolutely," Tracey agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "Experiences like this are rare!"

Ash grinned, equally satisfied with the unique gym challenge. After returning the ice boat to the staff, the trio decided to spend the rest of the day enjoying the area before heading back to the Pokémon Center in the evening.

---

Meanwhile, deep in the wilderness of the Kanto Region, a shadow loomed over a massive structure. Lawrence stood proudly before his creation—a colossal spaceship he called the Sky Castle.

The structure, resembling a grand flying fortress, spanned nearly 800 meters in diameter. Though untested, Lawrence had unwavering confidence in his technological masterpiece.

"This will change everything," he murmured, gazing at his life's work with twisted enthusiasm.

The fortress boasted advanced features, including optical camouflage, low-observable technology, and anti-gravity systems. 

But the crown jewel of Lawrence's research was its arsenal—technological weapons designed to challenge even the gods.

Over the years, Lawrence had immersed himself in the myths and legends of every region, from Kanto to Johto and beyond. His knowledge rivaled even the most renowned professors.

"With this, I'll achieve my dream," he said, his voice trembling with excitement. However, there was still much to prepare—ammunition for his anti-god weapons and cages to imprison legendary Pokémon.

His first target was Lugia, the "Sea Guardian" of the Orange Islands. While not all Lugia were considered true gods, his research confirmed that this particular Lugia possessed divine power.

To lure it out, disrupting the balance of the Orange Islands was essential. His plan hinged on capturing the three legendary birds: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

These sacred birds played a crucial role in maintaining the ocean currents around the Orange Islands. 

By capturing them, he would plunge the seas into chaos, forcing Lugia to intervene. It would then be his to capture.

Lawrence's eyes gleamed with twisted anticipation as he envisioned his goal. "Wait for me… Soon, the world will tremble before my genius."

---

Returning to his hideout, Lawrence calmed his manic thoughts and began strategizing. The time to act was approaching, and once his plan was set in motion, there would be no turning back.

Though already wanted by the Pokémon League, Lawrence also had to contend with Team Rocket's interest in his work. They had repeatedly contacted him, eager to acquire his anti-god technology.

For now, he couldn't completely reject their advances. The cost of building his weapons and ammunition had drained his resources. Team Rocket's funding was necessary to sustain his plans.

After careful thought, Lawrence decided to share limited information with Team Rocket in exchange for funding. 

His ultimate dream depended on completing his fortress and capturing Lugia. Once that was achieved, no one could stop him.

The die was cast.

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