Chapter 24: 24. Rivals
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"Champion? He's really confident…" Brock exclaimed.
"Ahhh! I've decided, I'm going to challenge him!" Ash immediately jumped off his seat, pointing at the TV with surging passion.
Three black lines appeared on Dawn's face: "Please… Pikachu and the others are still in there for treatment…"
"Oh right…" Ash scratched his head awkwardly, but still seriously remembered Marcus's appearance.
Just then, a slightly impatient voice sounded from outside the door: "Hey, have you gathered three Pokemon?"
Ash turned back, the boy with purple-gray short hair was standing there with his hands in his pockets.
That was his rival, Paul, whose philosophy was completely opposite to his.
Just at this moment, Nurse Joy came out with a tray of Poke Balls and a healthy Pikachu.
"Your Pokemon have fully recovered, please be sure to be more careful next time."
Ash looked at Paul: "I will prove that your way is wrong! The meaning of Pokemon itself is growth."
Paul rolled his eyes: "Tch… Anyone can say nice words, just like that guy on TV."
Apparently, he had also heard Marcus's interview.
It's just that Buneary gave him a sense of déjà vu…
On the other side, Marcus, covered in sweat, finally got rid of the persistent reporter lady and rode his bicycle away at top speed.
Just now, she even asked about marriage and relationships…
Thinking of a certain trembling, bulging pink Miltank, Marcus couldn't help but blush and fled.
Heading south all the way, Marcus arrived at Route 202.
His idea was very simple, first to figure out the timeline of this world, so that it would be easier to use the plot he knew from his previous life to maximize his own strength.
So he just needed to go to Professor Rowan's research institute in Sandgem Town and ask when the newcomer Dawn set off.
And also register as a formal Trainer.
Riding at lightning speed, Marcus completely ignored the shouting of the short-panted boys by the roadside and rushed straight towards Sandgem Town along the highway.
After these few days of training, Buneary had already reached level 17, and Smoliv had even increased to level 14. It was relatively easy to level up in the initial stage, plus there was a constant supply of Moomoo Milk and Pokeblocks, so this speed of improvement was not surprising.
Soon, a small town of sand appeared in Marcus's sight.
Sandgem Town, close to the sea, was filled with the refreshing scent of the sea breeze everywhere.
From a distance, he saw that special domed tower building.
That was the ecological park of Rowan's research institute. The windmill next to it used wind power to generate electricity, and it was surrounded by a low wall built with marble, which looked like it had a European style.
"It seems like this is the place…" Marcus slightly suppressed the excitement in his heart and came to the door.
Before he even knocked, fierce collisions and commanding sounds came from inside.
"Aipom, use Focus Punch!"
"Chimchar, Flame Wheel!"
Marcus was startled, quickly put away his bicycle, and without thinking, climbed over the low wall to the battle arena inside the research institute.
Indeed, the fated battle was in progress.
At this time, it was Ash's second battle after losing the first Starly civil war, with Aipom battling Chimchar.
And the battle had just reached the final stage.
Ash stared intently at the constantly spinning Flame Wheel, and just as it was about to hit the charging Aipom, he shouted loudly: "Now, jump and dodge!"
Aipom dodged the Flame Wheel with a one-handed flip while landing, and the Focus Punch that had been accumulating on its tail for a long time delivered a bicycle kick to Chimchar's back, ending the second battle on the spot.
The score came to 1-1.
"As expected, the legendary moves are dodge, endure, stand up, and now…" Marcus watched from the side, clicking his tongue in admiration.
To be fair, Ash's timing control was indeed worthy of being a top 16 of the Indigo League, an honorary Trainer of the Orange League, a top 8 of the Johto League, and a top 8 of the Hoenn League.
Unfortunately, his tactics were truly fragmented.
Of course, if he wasn't reckless, he wouldn't be Ash.
Perhaps only Ash's unique passion, fighting spirit, and persistence are the most unforgettable…
Marcus continued to enjoy the battle, and the subsequent plot was exactly the same as the original.
The last round was a showdown between the aces of both sides. Under the plot power, Paul's Elekid fell half a second later, which was considered a narrow victory.
"Both sides simultaneously lose the ability to fight, this match is considered a draw!" Brock, as the Referee, announced the result.
"So amazing… Although it's a draw, both sides are so strong…" Dawn exclaimed with shining eyes.
"No, it was my Pikachu that fell first…" Ash picked up the fallen Pika God, looked up at Paul: "I lost!"
"Hmph… This result is not worthy of being called a win…" Paul casually released the Starly he had caught.
"You let it go again?" Ash gritted his teeth and glared at the other party.
"Keeping that level of Starly is a waste, just catch a stronger one when you encounter it."
"What did you say?!"
Ash was still persistent, while Paul completely ignored him and was about to leave after thanking Professor Rowan.
Turning around, he saw Marcus holding Smoliv.
He frowned, looked at him deeply, and brushed past him without saying a word.
"Hey… Is your name Paul?"
Marcus's voice came from behind, Paul's footsteps stopped, and he turned back.
"Sometimes, isn't it good to experience the feelings of Pokemon more? After all… they all like you."
Marcus said, showing a signature smile.
"Tch… It's not your turn to preach." Paul said disdainfully, and continued to walk away after speaking.
Marcus looked at his departing back and said: "How about a battle next time we meet?"
He currently couldn't compete with Paul, who had traveled through two regions. Just speaking of Elekid, it was close to level 40, the gap was too big.
"…" Paul didn't stop and didn't answer, but just raised his hand, which was considered an agreement.
Marcus smiled slightly. Honestly, putting aside the protagonist's halo, Paul did have something. He was looking forward to the battle with the other party.
Just thinking about it, Dawn, wearing a super short skirt, had already come over and looked at Marcus: "Eh? Aren't you… the one who claimed to become the Champion?"
"Ah?" Marcus was stunned, only then realizing that he seemed to be on TV…
That is to say… the scene of him reading the holy scripture just now has been seen by many people?
Marcus twitched the corner of his mouth… That big wavy hair female reporter didn't tell him it would be broadcast?
While he was feeling a little socially awkward, Professor Rowan asked: "Hello, may I ask if you have something at my research institute?"
"Uh… Hello, nice to meet you for the first time, I am Marcus from Goldenrod City. I'm very sorry, Professor, actually I heard the sound of a battle here, so I trespassed, hahaha…" Marcus scratched his head awkwardly.
"Buneary~" Buneary imitated him and lowered her head to apologize, the Soothe Bell on her neck making a crisp sound.