Pokemon : Rewind

It had to be said, Mandarin Island was bustling with Trainers. On their way to the Pokémon Center, Ash found himself challenged by no less than ten Trainers. He accepted every challenge, allowing Lapras to gain experience in each battle.

Surprisingly, Orange City boasted numerous official battle arenas. The trio came across at least five such venues on their way. 

After yet another victory, Ash finally declined further challenges. Lapras was visibly exhausted, its energy nearly depleted, and it was clear the Pokémon needed rest.

Ash had no intention of using his other Pokémon against these Trainers. He quickly realized that most of the challengers were not particularly strong. 

Their Pokémon barely reached acceptable levels, with none even nearing the Silver tier. While these battles provided useful training for Lapras, they would offer no significant benefit to his more seasoned team members.

---

"Why are there so many Trainers here?" Misty asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as they arrived at the Pokémon Center. "And why are they so eager to battle? This seems... unusual."

Tracey, ever observant, shared his thoughts. "I noticed the Trainers we've seen seem quite excited. It's not just random enthusiasm; something must be happening to draw them here."

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Ash asked the staff as they checked in, "Excuse me, but is it normal for there to be so many Trainers on Mandarin Island? And why are they so eager to battle?"

The staff member glanced at the trio, puzzled by their ignorance. "Don't you know?" he asked while processing their registration. 

"Master Lorelei, one of the Elite Four, is hosting a battle lecture here tomorrow."

---

"What?!" Misty shrieked, startling both Ash and Tracey. She pushed past Ash and grabbed the counter, staring wide-eyed at the staff member. 

"You mean Master Lorelei will be here tomorrow?!"

The staff nodded. "That's correct. She visits Mandarin Island for her vacation each year. Starting two years ago, she began hosting annual lectures here, organized by the Orange Islands League."

"So that's why there are so many Trainers, and why everyone is so eager to battle!" Tracey exclaimed, finally connecting the dots. The mystery was solved, and the excitement in the air suddenly made sense.

"Master Lorelei…" Ash muttered, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He remembered this event from the original series. 

Like in the story, Ash couldn't resist the idea of challenging Lorelei, not necessarily to win but to gauge how far he was from the Elite Four's level. Testing his skills against someone of her caliber was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"This is amazing!" Misty cried, her enthusiasm skyrocketing. Lorelei was her idol—not just for her prowess as an Ice-Type Trainer but also for her expertise with Water-Type Pokémon. 

Misty admired Lorelei's strength, elegance, and intellect, qualities she aspired to embody.

"Shall we stay an extra day?" Misty asked, her eyes practically sparkling as she turned to Ash.

Ash smiled and nodded. "Of course! It's too good of an opportunity to miss."

---

After settling into their dormitory, the trio quickly realized how crowded the Pokémon Center was. 

They had to share a small room with two bunk beds, the upper bunks serving as storage for their belongings. Misty claimed the top bunk near the window, Ash took the lower one beneath her, and Tracey opted for the other lower bunk.

"We should go outside now!" Misty urged as soon as they had unpacked. "Maybe we'll get lucky and run into Master Lorelei."

Tracey checked his watch. "It's almost evening. Even if she's out and about, she's probably heading home to rest by now."

"It doesn't hurt to try," Ash said with a shrug. "Besides, we can explore Orange City while we're at it."

The three ventured out, first retrieving Lapras from Nurse Joy. Despite the numerous Trainers on the Pokémon Center's battlefield, Ash declined further challenges for the evening. 

Instead, they strolled through the city, exploring the bustling commercial district and later making their way to the beach. 

Misty speculated that Lorelei might prefer the serene coastline over the crowded city streets.

The beach was stunning in the soft hues of the evening, though it didn't offer a view of the sunset due to its eastern location. 

Despite their efforts, Misty's hopes of encountering Lorelei remained unfulfilled, leaving her visibly disappointed.

---

To lift her spirits, the group chose a seaside restaurant for dinner, savoring the ocean breeze and delicious food. 

The calming atmosphere helped ease Misty's frustration. Just as they finished their meal and prepared to head back to the Pokémon Center, a commotion erupted on the other side of the street.

"It's Master Lorelei! Master Lorelei!" someone shouted, their voice carrying above the crowd.

Ash, Misty, and Tracey froze, their eyes widening in disbelief. Without a word, they bolted from their table and sprinted toward the source of the excitement.

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