Pokemon : Rewind

When the enormous phantom fist descended, Lorelei finally reacted, her gaze locked on the towering apparition in disbelief. 

Though it was only a partial figure, the bust alone reached a hundred meters in height. If the entire figure were visible, just how colossal would it be?

Confronting such overwhelming power, even Lorelei felt momentarily helpless. Watching the shadowy fist obliterate Blizzard, she knew she had no means of countering it.

Ash's Snorlax had stunned Lorelei once again, as well as everyone else in attendance, including the spectators beyond the stadium walls. 

Even those watching from afar could witness the massive shadow, an almost mythical presence that left a lasting impression.

"BOOM!" A colossal impact echoed throughout the arena. The enormous phantom fist crashed through the remnants of Blizzard's attack, descending with unmatched force on Lapras. 

The ground trembled, and the electric terrain that covered the battlefield was utterly destroyed by the sheer power of the blow. A thick cloud of dust and debris billowed into the air, obscuring the arena.

Snorlax, having unleashed the attack, could no longer sustain the shadow's presence. The massive figure dissolved into pure energy, dispersing into the atmosphere. 

Before vanishing, however, the shadow seemed to glance at Snorlax knowingly, offering a subtle nod as if acknowledging the Pokémon's potential.

When the dust finally settled, the battlefield revealed its aftermath. In the center of the arena lay a massive imprint shaped like a fist, its mark etched deep into the terrain. 

At the heart of the crater lay Lorelei's Lapras, unconscious and unable to continue the battle.

What astonished everyone was that despite the attack's magnitude, the battlefield itself remained intact, save for the massive indentation left behind.

"Unbelievable! Incredible! A miraculous blow, unmatched in its power!" The host finally found his voice, holding his head in astonishment as he delivered his commentary.

"Is this the true strength of contestant Ash? Has he already reached the level of the Elite Four?!"

Lorelei remained silent, her gaze fixed on the battlefield. The strength and techniques displayed by Snorlax once again shattered her expectations. 

This match, intended as a teaching demonstration, had turned into a stage for Ash to showcase his abilities. 

Lorelei's spotlight had been completely overshadowed by Ash's dazzling performance.

The events of the battle quickly spread beyond the stadium, igniting a wildfire of discussion across the internet.

The world marveled at the spectacle: Pikachu's mighty thunder dragon and Snorlax's colossal shadow fist. Audiences debated, theorized, and celebrated Ash's incredible power.

"This is unbelievable! Ash never used his full strength during the Indigo Plateau Conference!" exclaimed a seasoned Trainer, astonished by Ash's achievements.

"First it was the secret techniques—Aerial Ace and the triple strike. Now he's developed entirely new moves, including the thunder dragon and shadow fist. How did he even create these techniques?" mused another observer.

"It's undeniable," concluded one commentator. "Ash has achieved a level on par with the Elite Four. And he's only in his first year as a Trainer. Who knows how far he'll go in the future? He could even surpass the strongest Trainers in the world!"

As the internet buzzed with admiration, Ash, Misty, and Tracey found themselves invited to Lorelei's private villa for a conversation.

---

Lorelei's Villa

"Please, have some tea," Lorelei said warmly, setting cups down for the trio. She didn't forget Pikachu and Togepi, offering them juice as well. 

As she handed the juice to Pikachu, she couldn't help but study the small Pokémon with curiosity.

Despite its small and adorable appearance, this Pikachu possessed an almost unfathomable power. Lorelei was once again reminded of the incredible potential Pokémon held.

"Thank you!" Ash, Misty, and Tracey said in unison, accepting their tea.

Lorelei's villa wasn't large, but it was perched in a prime location along the coastline east of Mandarin Island. 

The villa was nestled on a cliff overlooking the sea, with a path leading down to a serene beach. Its secluded location, coupled with the breathtaking views, left Ash feeling a pang of envy.

Compared to Lorelei's peaceful retreat, Ash's current resources were meager. He didn't even have sufficient funds to train all of his Pokémon properly.

"I never imagined Ash was this strong…" Misty said, still processing the events of the battle. 

Even after traveling with Ash for so long, she had never expected him to defeat an Elite Four member, even in an unofficial match.

Tracey nodded in agreement, his admiration evident. Having known Ash for only a short time, he hadn't yet witnessed the full extent of his abilities.

Ash shook his head humbly. "No, I didn't truly defeat Master Lorelei. It was just a fluke. If she had been fully prepared, Pikachu and Snorlax wouldn't have stood a chance."

Ash's honesty surprised the group. He wasn't exaggerating. Lorelei's Pokémon had been caught off guard by the unique moves Pikachu and Snorlax employed. 

If Lorelei had anticipated these techniques, the outcome would likely have been very different.

"Speaking of which, Ash," Lorelei began, her tone soft and curious. "I have a question for you."

Ash froze for a moment, already anticipating her inquiry. Thankfully, he had prepared an explanation in advance.

"Please, ask," he replied with a smile.

"The moves Pikachu and Snorlax used—did you develop them yourself?" Lorelei asked, her curiosity shining through. Though she kept her tone light, it was clear she was deeply intrigued.

"Yes," Ash admitted, nodding. "I designed those techniques specifically for Pikachu and Snorlax. I haven't tried teaching them to other Pokémon yet."

Lorelei nodded thoughtfully, but Misty and Tracey exchanged puzzled glances. They both knew that Ash hadn't had much time to train Snorlax, given how recently he had joined the team.

"When did you develop these moves?" Misty asked, unable to contain her curiosity. "Snorlax hasn't been with us for long, and we've spent most of our time traveling…"

Tracey nodded in agreement, his confusion mirroring Misty's.

Ash chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I'd been working on the concepts for a while, but I hadn't found the right Pokémon to use them. When I met Snorlax, it felt like the moves were made for him. He picked them up surprisingly quickly."

Lorelei smiled, satisfied with his explanation, though a part of her remained curious about Ash's ingenuity. 

"It's impressive, Ash. You've managed to bring out the best in your Pokémon. I look forward to seeing what you'll achieve in the future."

Ash inwardly let out a relieved sigh, he had efficiently fooled not only Lorelei but also his companions, he really deserved a pat on his back and one on his cheeks.

Well life is about exploring ways to stay safe rather than complicate with Truths that should and could be given at an appropriate time and place.

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