Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

On the morning of the second day after arriving in Sandstone Town, Ash and his friends said goodbye to Professor Yamanashi and arrived in the forest north of Sandstone Town.

This is a forest that is not small in area. Although the paths inside are clear and it is difficult to get lost, it would still take several days to leave the forest and reach the next city at a walking pace. During this time, there will inevitably be camping in the wild.

......

"Muckl, Quick Attack!"

"MU!"

In a clearing in the forest, Ash was training Stark and Aipom. The training method involved Ash commanding Stark to fight against Aipom, which was fighting autonomously.

The training method is simple but effective. After all, Stark is used to living in the wild and relies on his own experience and ideas most of the time in battle. While there are many merits to it, Ash, as the trainer, still needs to correct its shortcomings.

"OKI~!"

Watching Stark rushing towards it, Aipom turned its back and began to chuckle. Stark's actions seemed to be exactly what it had anticipated. With its back to the swooping Stark, Aipom's figure swayed slightly, and in an instant, it used Shadow Clone.

It's clear that Aipom is now using the same tactics that Ash used to command it in battle. Aipom originally thought it was very clever and could apply what it learned, but it forgot that its opponent this time was not only Stark, but also Stark under Ash's command.

"Rapid ascent!"

Ash ignored the Shadow Clone. The situation seemed to be the same as when Aipom battled Starpie. However, with Aipom unleashing its Swift Strike, Ash's strategy finally changed.

"Keep this state in place and use Swallow Return!"

“Mu!”

This time, Murkor was no longer as stiff as the first time. Instead, relying on the flapping of its wings and its proficiency with the Swallow Return skill, it made a sudden turn and descended from mid-air in an almost impossible manner.

While Hypersonic has some ability to track opponents, its tracking function is somewhat insufficient for targets like Murkor, who can change direction several times in just a few seconds.

The sudden turn of the tide left a trail of silvery-white light as it crashed straight into the Aipom, sending its body flying several meters away.

"OKI~!"

The Aipom, which had been knocked to the ground, struggled to its feet, its eyes flashing with a hint of resentment, wanting to continue the fight. However, Ash stepped in and stopped it.

"That's enough for today's training."

“Mu~”

“OKI…”

Although reluctant, Aipom obeyed Ash's orders. Meanwhile, Stark was in a good mood, having defeated Aipom, who had previously beaten it, under Ash's command. Being quite strong-willed, Stark was naturally happy.

Seeing the sullen Aipom, Ash didn't comfort it, but directly pointed out its shortcomings.

"Although Pokémon battles are done together by trainers and Pokémon, Pokémon still need to have their own characteristics and ideas. I know you want to show me what you've learned, but you still need to understand the situation and make flexible adjustments before using it."

“oki~”

Aipom responded weakly, and it was unclear whether it had heard him or not. Ash simply smiled and shrugged, then turned his attention to Stark on the other side.

"Munkl performed well. Although we only had a short time working together, you were able to carry out my commands very well... Your body seems to be much more flexible than the average Munkl. Keep up the good work of your strengths in the future."

“Mu!”

Stark raised its wings and responded energetically. Ash, seeing the two with such different moods, didn't say anything and put them back into their Poké Balls.

Such daily training may be boring and tedious, but it is essential to stand at the top of Pokémon trainers. Only those who can reflect on themselves after each day's training can go all the way to the end. Ash knows this all too well.

"Is it over?"

Brock, who was cooking behind him, asked Ash this question after seeing that Ash had put away Aipom and Stark.

"Well, it's still a little worrying, but there's plenty of time in the future to make up for it."

"......"

Xiao Gang stared at Xiao Zhi in silence for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Ash asked curiously.

"No... I just feel that you are much more mature and composed now than when you were in the Hoenn region. It hasn't been that long, has something happened?"

"It's nothing much." Ash's expression didn't change, but he clenched his fist with a firm tone and said, "It's just that I don't want to experience the feeling of defeat again. The Sinnoh League... I will definitely achieve final victory! I will never fall before the finals again!"

Xiao Gang: "......"

Looking at Xiaozhi's determined appearance, Xiaogang was also somewhat moved.

He had been by Ash's side since the Kanto region, though he left at times, and the time he left coincided with Ash's first victory, which he found somewhat regrettable. Later, in the Johto and Hoenn Leagues, although Ash showed his growth, when facing talented players from various regions, his progress was clearly insufficient compared to their strength.

But now, after witnessing Ash's maturity and composure after arriving in the Sinnoh region, Brock has a strange premonition.

He felt that perhaps in this Sinnoh League tournament... Ash could really win.

"Yes, I'll wait and see."

Xiao Gang patted Xiao Zhi on the shoulder, his eyes seemingly holding a hint of blessing as he spoke.

"Lunch will be ready soon. Since you have some free time now, could you go and call Xiaoguang for me? She seems to be in the forest on the other side. She said something about seeing you training and wanting to train too... Although she keeps saying it's okay, I'm still a little worried."

"Indeed."

Ash nodded with deep feeling, then agreed and led Pikachu in the direction Brock pointed.

.......