Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

The long-tailed monster's concentrated and relentless attack landed on Piplup. Under the double blow, Piplup was no longer able to fight. Its head lolled to the side and it collapsed to the ground, losing its ability to fight.

"No way!"

Dawn lowered her head helplessly, and it wasn't until Ash gave his last command, or even until Aipom made his move, that Dawn realized where her thinking had gone wrong.

The distance between the several clones of Aipom is quite far. If you actively chase after them, you will only expose your weaknesses to the opponent unless you defeat them one by one from bottom to top.

Unfortunately, Xiao Guang found out too late.

Looking at Ash receiving his award on the podium, Dawn was quite envious. After all, this competition might be the closest she had ever come to winning her first ribbon medal, but this small step seemed harder than climbing to the sky.

......

"Ugh~ I can't take it anymore, they're just too enthusiastic... I didn't expect them to give me so many things in addition to the original prize."

More than half an hour later, Xiao Zhi stepped down from the stage surrounded by the villagers. When he came down, he had a lot of things in his hands, including snacks, staple food and small items. They were basically gifts from the villagers to thank Xiao Zhi for giving them a wonderful performance.

"Then these are yours."

Ash placed all the items in front of Brock and told him to put them in his backpack.

"That's wonderful..."

Xiao Guang sighed, but what she meant by "really good" was not these gifts... well, there were some, but not all of them.

What Xiao Guang really wanted was the ribbon medal in Xiao Zhi's hand.

"But then again, it's a bit much to have Snorlax compete in this place's Grand Contest... I should have put Aipom in it instead."

"OKI~!"

Aipom responded with a sound of agreement, clearly indicating its desire to participate in all the competitions. Ash could only apologize, as he had indeed considered Aipom's stamina.

"But where should I put this ribbon medal...? I don't have its box. Should I put it with the other half...?"

"Hmm? Ash, have you ever received a Ribbon Badge before? And why was it only half a badge?" Dawn seemed to have noticed something strange and asked this question.

"I got this in the Hoenn region, or maybe it's better called a protection charm... Never mind, do you want this, Aipom?"

"OKI~"

After taking the ribbon medal, Aipom examined it carefully before returning it to Ash, seemingly uninterested.

Indeed, this ribbon medal looks rather old. I wonder if the official found it somewhere. If it were a new ribbon medal with a glowing clasp, Aipom would probably like it.

"In that case..."

Just as Ash had thought of a solution, his gaze met Dawn's longing eyes again. Ash's lips twitched slightly, and he walked up to Dawn and patted her on the head.

"Whoa?! Ash, what are you doing?!"

Xiao Guang covered the spot where he had been hit and said with dissatisfaction.

"What are you still doing... your eyeballs are about to pop out... let me make this clear first, I have thought of a way to deal with this ribbon medal, but it's not for you."

"Ugh... have we been found out...?"

Indeed, just now, for a fleeting moment, Xiao Guang had the thought that Xiao Zhi might give her the Ribbon Badge. Although she thought it was unlikely, it's normal for people to dream.

"...Seriously, even if I gave you this ribbon medal, would you want it?" Ash said helplessly, hands on his hips.

"Hmm...that's true. After all, this isn't a ribbon medal earned through one's own efforts. Even if someone were given something like this, they probably wouldn't be happy."

Xiao Gang calmly analyzed the situation from the side.

Xiao Guang understood that Xiao Gang's words made sense, but...

"Pikachu, you know what I mean, right?"

"Pikachu~!"

Upon hearing Ash's words, Pikachu immediately nodded in understanding. Then, under the watchful eyes of the others, Ash gently tossed the ribbon medal. Pikachu then leaped into the air, and the tip of its Iron Tail precisely sliced ​​through the middle of the ribbon medal, instantly splitting the somewhat worn-looking medal in two.

"Pikachu~!"

Pikachu gave Ash a soft call, as if seeking praise, and Ash patted its head in return. Then, he picked up the ribbon medals that had fallen to the ground and handed one of them to Dawn.

"Take this as a lucky charm. Although I really hope you can achieve your dream, in the end, dreams have to be realized with your own hands." Xiao Zhi paused, then spoke again, his tone sounding somewhat mature and melancholic. "If dreams were truly within reach, then they wouldn't be meaningful... wouldn't they?"

"..."

Dawn accepted the half of the ribbon medal that Ash gave her, somewhat dazed. After gazing at Ash for a long time, Dawn closed her eyes and held the precious gift tightly in her palm.

"Yes! Of course! I never thought I could achieve my dreams by relying on others! I will definitely win the next Grand Contest! I'll prove my strength to you!"

"But what you just did..."

Just as Xiao Gang was about to complain, Xiao Guang covered his ears and shook his head, his blue hair swaying in the breeze.

"Ah! I can't hear you! I've already forgotten what happened! I'm focused on tomorrow!"

"..."

Looking at Xiaoguang's "cheating" appearance, Xiaozhi and Xiaogang exchanged a glance and smiled indulgently, shrugging their shoulders.

"Never mind, the problem is all these rewards, what are we going to do with so many bananas?"

Xiao Gang arrived in front of the banana pile and asked this question.

"Well... in short, bring as much as you can, and as for the rest... well, we have it, right?"

Ash took out his Snorlax Pokémon and laughed.

Xiao Gang quickly understood what Xiao Zhi meant and nodded in agreement.

As dusk fell, Ash and his friends appeared joyful and lively, while on the other side of the forest, three figures were slumping forward in despair.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

......

This is the perfect time to come out!