Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

"This scene feels kind of familiar..."

Ash couldn't help but say this as he watched the Turtwig suddenly run off to maintain order in the distance.

"Hmm, you mean Bulbasaur? Now that you mention it, the two situations do seem quite similar..."

Ash's reminder brought back memories of Brock's travels in the Kanto region, and...

"And Miss Xiao Cui, sigh—"

"It's amazing you still remember the name."

Seeing Xiao Gang's dejected appearance, Xiao Zhi couldn't help but make this comment.

"Of course I won't forget! I will remember the names of every beautiful older sister I've ever spoken to!"

"Behave yourself! Be quiet!"

Seeing that Xiao Gang was behaving like this in front of Yukino, Hikaru got up somewhat embarrassed and pressed Xiao Gang back down. Although Xiao Gang's behavior was a bit strange, Yukino remained quiet and watched them with a smile throughout.

......

After afternoon tea, Hikari and Brock remained seated, chatting with Yukino about food and Pokémon. As for Ash... never one to sit still, he found a small open space nearby and began training again during the free time.

"Very good, well done this time! Aipom has learned a lot since last time and knows how to flexibly change its offensive strategy according to the situation on the field during the battle. Stark also made good use of its advantages and did not let Aipom gain too much of an advantage!"

"OKI!"

“MU~!”

Aipom and Stark both puffed out their chests confidently, as if to say that this was only natural. Although Ash's words were indeed meant to encourage them, Aipom and Stark had indeed improved significantly since their last battle. If they could continue training like this, they would eventually understand how important it was to have their own ideas in battle.

Just as Ash finished his first round of training, he suddenly noticed a figure appear behind him.

"Grasshopper turtle? What are you doing here? Are you interested in our training?"

“Na~”

The Turtwig nodded. It had been watching Ash and his friends' training from the very beginning, its eyes glued to the screen.

For Turtwig, who has always lived in the forest, the arrival of Ash and his friends, as well as Ash's training of Pokémon, were all very new and exciting things. It would be a lie to say that they weren't interested.

Although Turtwig acts as a babysitter or housekeeper here, it actually enjoys battling. Otherwise, it wouldn't have unleashed such power when facing Team Rocket and their crew who claimed they wanted to capture Pikachu.

"..."

Seeing that the Turtwig looked eager to try, it would be a lie to say that Ash had no ideas at all.

Although he traveled back to the past, Ash didn't initially intend to reunite his old team, because he felt that would be too purposeful and deliberate.

However... despite this, Ash still hopes in his heart that he can catch his old companions again. After all, Ash has developed feelings for them, and he would feel a little empty if any of them were missing.

"If you like it, why not give it a try? I know you've always wanted to see the world, haven't you?"

"Na?"

Just as Turtwig fell silent, Yukino suddenly came up from behind, squatted down and stroked Turtwig's head, saying softly, "Young people should go out and see more of the world, and so should young Pokémon. Since you don't live in a group, you have to live the life you want... You've helped me here for a long time, and now it's time for you to leave this forest and find your own life."

Yukino spoke slowly and gently, as if she were advising a senior to the younger generation.

However, this seems to be the case for the grass turtle.

“Na......”

After hearing this, the tortoise looked at Ash, then at Yukino, its conflicted expression still evident.

But the next moment, as if it had made a decision, it looked at Ash with eyes full of fighting spirit, and then let out a deep growl.

"What is this grass-fed turtle...?"

"Is it declaring war? It seems it also wants to test Ash's strength," Brock replied.

"Huh? Pokémon choose their trainers? I didn't know that was the case... I've learned something new."

Hikari, standing to the side, sounded somewhat surprised, while Ash readily agreed to Torterra's declaration of war.

Just as expected, this is exactly how it should be done; only by subduing can it truly feel right.

He laughed like that, then ignored Pikachu's eager look and sent Stark out.

"Mukir! I choose you!"

“Mu!”

The dispatched Murkrow let out a loud cry and, without pausing, quickly turned and charged straight towards the Grass Sprout Turtle.

“NA!”

The grass turtle was not afraid at all. It shook its body a few times, and dozens of leaves were swung out from the branch-like part on its head, heading towards the direction where Murkor was charging.

"decline!"

Ash waved his hand and gave the order.

While Turtwig's Razor Leaf Blade is dense, it lacks the tracking ability of a high-speed strafe, making it easy to miss when facing a highly mobile opponent like Stardust if not used accurately.

Moreover, Ash's Stark is more flexible than a regular Stark, and its movements in the air are quicker and more natural.

“Mu!”

With a slight tilt of its body, M'kl vanished from its spot, its previously slow descent causing the Turtwig to lose sight of it. The Turtwig, unable to keep up, became tense and even forgot about its Razor Leaf Blade, instead starting to run to broaden its vision and keep up with M'kl's flight.

These baby turtles are still too inexperienced.

Ash couldn't help but think this as he watched the Turtwig's determined yet somewhat stiff movements.

Although the grass turtle is very talented in battle, that talent is ultimately just experience from fighting in the wild. It has a long way to go before it can transform this primitive experience into its own.

..........