Pokemon : Rewind

"Now, let us welcome Master Lorelei back to the stage!"

At precisely half past ten, the Host's voice echoed throughout the stadium. At his invitation, Lorelei reappeared from the preparation tunnel. 

After a brief rest, she had returned to peak condition, exuding her usual confidence and composure.

With a serene smile, Lorelei walked onto the field. She hadn't been told who her opponent was, so curiosity flickered in her mind as she wondered which lucky trainer had been chosen for this teaching battle.

"Next, let us welcome our lucky contestant, number 00021!" the Host announced. Though he knew who the contestant was, he refrained from revealing the name, maintaining the suspense for the audience.

At the sound of the Host's call, Ash adjusted his hat, patted Pikachu on the shoulder, and stepped out of the tunnel into the arena.

---

The audience watched the screen intently as the mystery trainer walked into the stadium. When the boy with a peaked cap and Pikachu on his shoulder appeared, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. 

Some trainers recognized Ash immediately, while others took a moment longer. Soon, a buzz of recognition spread, and cheers erupted across the venue.

"It's Ash!" someone shouted.

Indeed, Ash and Pikachu were iconic, their appearance at the Indigo Plateau Conference making them instantly recognizable. 

Despite his updated attire, Pikachu's ever-present spot on his shoulder gave him away.

Lorelei, who had been watching with calm curiosity, raised an eyebrow in surprise when she saw Ash enter the arena. 

Her red lips parted slightly, betraying her astonishment. She crossed her arms, mulling over the coincidence—or perhaps lack thereof—of meeting Ash here.

"I see..." she murmured softly. It wasn't hard for her to piece together the situation. While Ash's presence on the Orange Islands could be chalked up to chance, his selection as the challenger seemed less than random. 

She cast a brief glance toward the event director in the stands, her displeasure evident, though she chose not to pursue the matter for now.

---

"Hello, Master Lorelei!" Ash greeted her with a slight bow from his position on the green side of the battlefield. 

His voice, amplified by the stadium speakers, carried his respect and excitement.

"Hello, Ash," Lorelei replied with a graceful nod, her smile warm but reserved. "It's a pleasure to see you here, and I'm delighted to have you as my opponent for this battle."

Her words sent another ripple of excitement through the audience. 

Though they knew of Ash's reputation as the Indigo Plateau Champion, hearing Lorelei acknowledge his skill was a moment of validation.

---

The referee stepped forward, signaling for silence as he explained the rules.

"This teaching battle will follow a standard three-on-three format. Each trainer may use three Pokémon. The green-side trainer may switch Pokémon at will."

"The first trainer to lose all three Pokémon will be declared the loser. Master Lorelei, please send out your first Pokémon!"

Following the rules of a teaching battle, Lorelei was required to send out her Pokémon first, while the green-side trainer would have the right to make the first move.

"Then, let's get started." Lorelei selected a Poké Ball from her belt and smiled knowingly at Ash and Pikachu. With a practiced motion, she tossed the ball into the air. "Go, Cloyster!"

The Poké Ball burst open, releasing a dazzling white light that materialized into Cloyster, a double-shell Pokémon about 1.5 meters tall. 

Its outer shell was jagged and reinforced with spikes, while its inner shell protected a black, spherical core where its face was visible. A sharp horn protruded menacingly from its center.

—--

Cloyster

Type: Water/Ice

Ability: Shell Armor or Skill Link

Hidden Ability: Overcoat

---

Ash examined Cloyster carefully.

"A gym-level Cloyster?" Ash muttered to himself, frowning slightly. He had expected Lorelei to use one of her more powerful Pokémon. 

"Is this because it's a teaching battle? Or... are you testing me?"

Cloyster's gym-level strength would have been formidable for most trainers, but Ash felt it wasn't enough to truly challenge him. 

Despite this, he understood the purpose of the battle and decided to make the most of it.

Lorelei stood confidently with her hands on her hips, her composed smile never wavering. Ash caught the look in her eyes—she was waiting to see how he would handle the situation.

"Alright, Pikachu, you're up!" Ash declared.

"Pika!" Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder and onto the battlefield, sparks already dancing on its cheeks as it stared down Cloyster.

"Ah, it's Pikachu!" the Host exclaimed. "Ash has chosen his iconic partner for this battle. Let's see how this powerful duo fares against Cloyster!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch.

"Pikachu..." Lorelei mused, her eyes narrowing slightly. A flicker of interest crossed her face as she studied Ash's decision. "I hope you won't disappoint me."

---

The referee raised his flag. "Let the battle begin!"

Ash didn't hesitate. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu sprang into action, releasing a massive surge of electricity that arced through the air toward Cloyster.

"Dodge and use Protect!" Lorelei commanded calmly.

Cloyster tucked itself into its shell, shimmering with a protective barrier that absorbed the brunt of Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

Ash smirked. "Let's see how long that strategy holds up."

Lorelei responded with a faint smile of her own. "This is going to be interesting."

The battle had just begun, but the tension in the air was palpable. Both trainers were ready to give it their all, and the audience could barely contain their excitement for what promised to be a thrilling match.

______________________

Join my Patreon for more advance chapters