Pokemon : Rewind

"This..." Ash admitted, shaking his head in mild embarrassment. "I'm sorry, but I don't really follow baseball. The only thing I know about the Electabuzz team is from a report detailing their complete losing streak for the entire season."

Indeed, the Electabuzz team had become infamous—but for all the wrong reasons. 

Their season had been nothing short of a disaster, marked by their failure to secure a single victory.

It was reminiscent of the Dragons in the OW esports universe or the V5 team from the LPL league, whose infamous records of failure were known even outside gaming circles. 

The Dragons had endured an unprecedented 42 consecutive losses, a record so staggering it seemed unlikely to ever be surpassed.

"What are you saying?!" Casey retorted, her face flushed with indignation. Her fiery temperament flared as she defended her beloved team. 

"This year, Team Electabuzz will rise from the ashes and take home the championship trophy!"

"Uh-huh... sure." Ash, unwilling to engage in a pointless debate, nodded diplomatically. Yet his indifferent tone and casual shrug only added fuel to Casey's fiery resolve.

"I've made up my mind!" Casey declared passionately, brandishing a Poké Ball toward Ash. "You'll soon witness the greatness of Team Electabuzz when we battle!"

"Eh...?" Misty, caught off guard by Casey's sudden challenge, raised an eyebrow in surprise. 

She observed the scene with amusement. Didn't Casey realize just who she was challenging?

"Even if you defeat me, it wouldn't prove anything about the strength of Team Electabuzz," Ash replied with a sigh, already dreading the impending one-sided skirmish.

"You're underestimating us!" Casey's voice rose with determination, her eyes locking on Ash with unrelenting intensity. 

"Are you afraid to accept a challenge from a rookie Trainer like me, the future Indigo Plateau Conference champion?!"

Ash sighed again, feeling cornered. Sparring with Casey wasn't something he was particularly interested in, especially considering the vast gulf in their abilities. 

Even Lapras, one of his less aggressive Pokémon, could likely overpower her team without breaking a sweat.

"Alright, lunch is ready!" Brock's timely interruption diffused the tension as he appeared carrying a tray laden with delicious food.

Casey spun around, momentarily distracted. The enticing aroma wafting from the dishes caused her to hesitate. 

Any annoyance she felt quickly dissipated as she gazed at the spread.

"This is amazing!" Casey exclaimed, her frustration replaced by delight as she dug into a perfectly fried pork chop. 

"Brock, you're a genius! This is the best pork chop I've ever had!"

"Eat as much as you'd like," Brock replied, his chest puffing up with pride. He glanced at Ash and Misty, offering a knowing smile as the mood lightened.

While the humans enjoyed their feast, Ash's Pokémon were also indulging. Brock had prepared balanced meals for each of them, ensuring they received proper nutrition along with a flavorful experience.

Casey's Pokémon, a spirited Chikorita and a timid Pidgey she'd recently caught, nibbled hesitantly on their portions. 

They were clearly overwhelmed by the imposing presence of Ash's Pokémon, particularly his Gyarados.

Towering over the others, Ash's Gyarados was a behemoth, easily four times larger than average. 

Its intimidating presence commanded respect, even among Ash's seasoned team—Pikachu, Charizard, Snorlax, Haunter, and Lapras.

"Your Gyarados is enormous..." Casey remarked, her awe mingled with apprehension as she surveyed Ash's formidable lineup. It was clear to her now just how vast the gap between them was.

Despite this realization, Casey's determination remained unshaken. Her desire to challenge Ash was not born out of blind loyalty to Team Electabuzz, but rather a burning ambition to test herself against a true champion.

Televised battles could only teach her so much. If she truly wanted to grow as a Trainer and one day become a Pokémon Master, she needed firsthand experience against opponents of Ash's caliber.

After lunch and a brief rest, Casey approached Ash again. "Now that we've had our fill, let's finish what we started!"

Her renewed challenge caught Misty and Brock by surprise. Ash, however, recognized the drive in her eyes. 

It was the same hunger he'd once felt when trying to narrow the gap between himself and the Elite Four.

"Very well," Ash finally agreed, rising to his feet. He chose Lapras for the battle, not intending to fight seriously but rather to test Casey's mettle.

Though Casey faced overwhelming odds, her resolve never wavered. Each move she made, every decision, showed her unwavering spirit.

Every Trainer started somewhere, and Casey knew she had a long journey ahead. With Ash's encouragement and the lessons learned from this battle, she felt more determined than ever to improve.

One day, she would stand as a worthy opponent. For now, however, she would train harder, her heart blazing with newfound inspiration.

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